JP2013033490A - Information processing apparatus and data transfer method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus capable of efficiently performing a content delivery in seamless cooperation with proximity wireless communication and cloud computing.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, an information processing apparatus comprises server information obtaining means and control means. The server information obtaining means obtains, from an external device, server information including information about servers which can be accessed by the external device. If the servers which can be accessed by the external device, indicated by the server information obtained by the server information obtaining means, do not include a first server, the control means instructs the first server to upload data which is managed on the first server, to a second server which can be accessed by the external device, and notifies the external device of completion of the upload after the upload is completed.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a data providing technique of an information processing apparatus for efficiently transferring data managed on a server to an external device.

  In recent years, data processing, data management, and the like using a resource of a server connected via the Internet, which is called cloud computing, has begun to spread. By using server resources, the client (which uses the server resources) can perform various data processing and various types of still image data and moving image data without having software or hardware independently. A large amount of content can be managed.

  In addition, coupled with the advent of devices that have high compatibility with the Internet connection, as an advanced form of data management using server resources, a community (group) is formed by multiple clients accessing the same server. The sharing of data (contents) on the server is also limited to the members of the group.

JP 2009-259239 A

  In recent years, proximity wireless communication that allows various contents such as document data, image data, and audio data to be transmitted and received between devices only by bringing the devices closer to each other has begun to spread. For example, if the content to be transferred in advance is selected on the device A, the target content can be transferred from the device A to the device B only by “holding” the device A over the device B (or vice versa). it can.

  Here, consider a case where a user A who uses an information processing apparatus having a proximity wireless communication function provides a content to be managed by uploading to a server. User B also uses an information processing apparatus having a proximity wireless communication function. In this case, the user A downloads the target content from the server, imports the content into the own device, sets the content to be transferred to be present in the own device, and then brings the own device closer to the information processing device of the user B. Then, the content is transferred to the information processing apparatus of user B by proximity wireless communication.

  By the way, when the user B uses the server that the user A uses for managing the content, the user A can share the content on the server without transferring the content main body. To user B. According to this sharing, for example, the transfer time can be shortened, and the storage consumption can be reduced on both the content providing side and the receiving side.

  Because of this, with the single operation of bringing devices closer together, the content provision procedure is appropriately selected according to the usage status of both the content provider and recipient servers, and content between clients There is a need for a mechanism that allows efficient delivery.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a data transfer method capable of efficiently transferring contents by seamlessly linking close proximity wireless communication and cloud computing.

  According to the embodiment, the information processing apparatus includes a server information acquisition unit and a control unit. The server information acquisition unit acquires server information including information on a server accessible by the external device from the external device. The control unit is managed on the first server when the first server is not included in the servers accessible by the external device indicated by the server information acquired by the server information acquisition unit. The first server is instructed to upload data to a second server accessible by the external device, and after the upload is completed, the upload completion is notified to the external device.

1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the communication function of the 1st communication module with which the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment is provided. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the communication function of the 2nd communication module with which the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment is provided. The block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows typically the flow of a process in case content sharing is possible on an external device (another information processing apparatus) of the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment on a cloud. The figure which shows typically the flow of a process in the 1st case where content sharing is impossible on a cloud with the external device (other information processing apparatus) of the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows typically the flow of a process in the 2nd case where content sharing is impossible on the cloud between the external devices (other information processing apparatus) of the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows typically the flow of a process in the 3rd case where content sharing is impossible on the cloud with the external device (other information processing apparatus) of the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when content is provided by the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when content is received by the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the information processing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. A flow of processing in a case where content sharing is impossible on the cloud with an external device (another information processing apparatus) of the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, but uploading is possible between the clouds. FIG. The flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of the content provision of the information processing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when content is received by the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The information processing apparatus 1 is realized as a battery-driven portable information terminal such as a PDA (Personal digital assistant) or a smartphone.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 1 has a thin box-shaped housing, and a display unit 11 and an operation unit 12 are arranged on the front surface of the housing. The display unit 11 is configured by, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display). The operation unit 12 includes a power switch for turning on / off the information processing apparatus 1, a key button for performing an operation according to the display content of the display unit 11, a pointing device, and the like. Alternatively, a touch panel may be placed on the LCD as one element of the operation unit 12 so that the user can directly perform an operation according to the display content of the display unit 11 on the display screen.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the communication function of the first communication module provided in the information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

  First, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a first communication module for executing, for example, wired LAN (Local area network) communication compliant with IEEE802.3 standard or wireless LAN communication compliant with IEEE802.11n standard. Yes. With this first communication module, the user of the information processing apparatus 1 can browse, for example, a Web page published on the Internet or send / receive an e-mail via the Internet. In addition, using the resources of a server on the Internet, called a cloud, etc., various data processing (without owning software or hardware) and managing a large amount of content are also possible. it can.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the communication function of the second communication module provided in the information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

  Secondly, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a second communication module for executing close proximity wireless communication. For example, TransferJet can be used as the close proximity wireless communication system. TransferJet is a close proximity wireless communication system using UWB (Ultra wideband), and can realize high-speed data transfer.

  With this second communication module, the user of the information processing apparatus 1 can transmit and receive various contents by simply bringing both close to each other with an external device having a proximity wireless communication function.

  Here, it is assumed that the user A provides the user B with content that is updated and managed in the cloud 2. In this case, focusing on the cloud 2, it can be broadly divided into (1) a case where content can be shared with the user B on the cloud 2, and (2) content sharing with the user B on the cloud 2. There are two possible cases: a case that cannot be done. In the case of (1), the content can be provided only by sharing on the cloud 2 without transferring the content main body by proximity wireless communication. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment realizes efficient content transfer by seamlessly linking close proximity wireless communication and cloud computing, which will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a network communication unit 101, a close proximity wireless communication unit 102, a communication control unit 103, a server information determination unit 105, a share setting information transfer control unit 106, a content transfer control unit 107, and a server. An information transfer control unit 108 is included. The network communication unit 101 is a module for accessing a server on the cloud 2, that is, the first communication module described above. The proximity wireless communication unit 102 is a module for executing proximity wireless communication with an external device (another information processing apparatus 1), that is, the above-described second communication module.

  In the information processing apparatus 1 on the side (user A) that wants to transmit content, when the communication control unit 103 detects a connection by the close proximity wireless communication unit 102, the server information acquisition unit 104 passes through the close proximity wireless communication unit 102. Server information is acquired from (information processing apparatus 1 of user B). The server information acquired by the server information acquisition unit 104 is notified to the server information determination unit 105, and the content is determined. The server information includes, for example, identification information of the cloud 2 that can be accessed by the counterpart device.

  As a result of the determination, when it is determined that content sharing on the cloud 2 is possible, the server information determination unit 105 issues an instruction to the sharing setting information transfer control unit 106 and the partner device shares content with the cloud 2. Information necessary for requesting (shared setting information) is transmitted. The sharing setting information is, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the storage location of content. The case where content sharing is possible on the cloud 2 is typically a case where the other device can access the same cloud 2.

  On the other hand, if the server information determination unit 105 determines that sharing is not possible as a result of the determination, the server information determination unit 105 issues an instruction to the content transfer control unit 107, and is controlled from the cloud 2 via the network communication unit 101 under the control of the content transfer control unit 107. The content is downloaded and transferred to the counterpart device via the proximity wireless communication unit 102.

  Further, in the information processing device 1 on the side (user B) that wants to receive the content, after establishing the connection by the close proximity wireless communication unit 102, first, it responds to a server information transfer request from the counterpart device (information processing device 1 of user A). Then, under the control of the server information transfer control unit 108, the server information is acquired from the server on the cloud 2 via the network communication unit 101, and returned to the counterpart device via the proximity wireless communication unit 102. Thereafter, when the proximity wireless communication unit 102 receives a request from the counterpart device, the processing is switched according to the request content.

  When the sharing setting information is received from the counterpart device, the communication control unit 103 issues an instruction to the sharing setting information transfer control unit 106, and on the cloud 2 via the network communication unit 101 under the control of the sharing setting information transfer control unit 106. Request sharing of content (indicated by the sharing setting information). On the other hand, when the content body is received from the counterpart device, the content transfer control unit 107 uploads the content to the server on the cloud 2 via the network communication unit 101 as necessary.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of processing when content can be shared on the cloud 2 with an external device (another information processing apparatus 1) of the information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. is there.

  After the close proximity wireless connection is established, the information processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side acquires server information from the information processing apparatus 1 on the reception side ((1) in FIG. 5), and confirms the acquired server information (in FIG. 5). (2)). As a result of the confirmation, if it is determined that sharing on the cloud 2 is possible, the information processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side acquires content sharing setting information from the server of the cloud 2 ((3) in FIG. 5), and acquires The shared setting information is transferred to the information processing apparatus 1 on the other side ((4) in FIG. 5).

  The information processing apparatus 1 on the receiving side uses the received sharing setting information to request content sharing settings from the server of the cloud 2 ((5) in FIG. 5). Upon receiving this request, the server of the cloud 2 performs processing such as establishing a link to the content indicated by the sharing setting information ((6) in FIG. 5). Thereby, the content is shared. As the link information, for example, the URL described above is used.

  FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a processing flow in the first case where content sharing is impossible on the cloud 2 with an external device (another information processing apparatus 1) of the information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. FIG.

  The information processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side acquires server information from the information processing apparatus 1 on the reception side ((1) in FIG. 6), and the result of confirming the acquired server information ((2) in FIG. 6), Assume that the cloud 2 used by both is different and it is determined that sharing on the cloud 2 is impossible. Then, the information processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side downloads the content from the cloud 2 used by itself ((3) in FIG. 6), and transfers the content body to the information processing apparatus 1 on the reception side via proximity wireless communication. ((4) in FIG. 6). Further, the information processing apparatus 1 on the receiving side uploads the received content to the cloud 2 used by the receiving side as needed ((5) in FIG. 6).

  FIG. 7 schematically shows the flow of processing in the second case where content sharing is impossible on the cloud 2 with an external device (another information processing apparatus 1) of the information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. FIG.

  In the description given with reference to FIG. 6, since the cloud 2 used by the information processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side and the information processing apparatus 1 on the reception side are different, the content is shared on the cloud 2. An example is shown in which it is judged impossible. On the other hand, here, the cloud 2 used by the information processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side and the information processing apparatus 1 on the reception side are common, but for example, the content of the user A that is an account on the cloud 2 An example is shown in which it is determined that it is impossible to share content on the cloud 2 because the public setting does not permit access from the user B.

  Content sharing settings depend on the specifications of each cloud 2 server. For example, you can limit the scope of disclosure with Privacy Setting, disclose access rights only to specific users for unpublished content with Guest Pass, set a group called Contact, and if it is a member within the group There are methods such as enabling reference of content.

  Also in this case, the flow of processing is the same as that shown in FIG. That is, the information processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side acquires server information from the information processing apparatus 1 on the reception side ((1) in FIG. 7) and confirms the acquired server information ((2) in FIG. 7). As a result of the confirmation, if it is determined that sharing on the cloud 2 is impossible, the information processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side downloads content from the cloud 2 ((3) in FIG. 7), and the information processing apparatus on the reception side The content body is transferred to the mobile phone 1 via proximity wireless communication ((4) in FIG. 7). Further, the information processing apparatus 1 on the receiving side uploads the received content to the cloud 2 as necessary ((5) in FIG. 7).

  The content sharing setting on the cloud 2 is generally not disclosed in general, and even when it is disclosed only to group members, it is desired to share specific content with users outside the member depending on circumstances. An event can occur. Even when file sharing on the cloud 2 cannot be performed due to the sharing setting limitation, the information processing apparatus 1 delivers the content that seamlessly links the proximity wireless communication and the content sharing on the cloud 2. It is possible to pass content to the other party by a simple operation for close proximity wireless communication, such as “holding” devices.

  FIG. 8 schematically shows the flow of processing in the third case where content sharing is impossible on the cloud 2 with an external device (another information processing apparatus 1) of the information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. FIG.

  In the description given with reference to FIG. 6, since the cloud 2 used by the information processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side and the information processing apparatus 1 on the reception side are different, the content is shared on the cloud 2. An example is shown in which it is judged impossible. In the description given with reference to FIG. 7, although the cloud 2 used in the information processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side and the information processing apparatus 1 on the reception side are common, the content is clouded due to the limitation of the sharing setting. 2 shows an example in which it is determined that sharing on the two is impossible. On the other hand, here, an example in which the information processing apparatus 1 on the receiving side originally has specifications or settings that cannot be connected to the cloud 2 is shown.

  Even in this case, since the information processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side determines that content sharing on the cloud 2 is impossible, content transfer by proximity wireless communication is performed ((1) to FIG. 8). (4)). However, since the information processing apparatus 1 on the receiving side does not have a server to which content is to be uploaded, only content is stored in its own storage, and content upload processing is not performed.

  As described above, even when content can be shared on the cloud 2 with the external device (another information processing apparatus 1) shown in FIG. 5, the external device shown in FIGS. Even if content sharing with the (other information processing apparatus 1) is impossible on the cloud 2, the user of the information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is not aware of these, and the device By simply performing a single operation for close proximity wireless communication to bring them closer together, the target content can be provided to an external device in an efficient procedure.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment provides content.

  At the time of providing content, the information processing apparatus 1 establishes a proximity wireless connection (block A1), and then acquires server information from the connected device (block A2). The information processing apparatus 1 determines whether or not content can be shared with the connection partner device based on the acquired server information (block A3).

  When it is determined that the content can be shared (YES in block A4), the information processing apparatus 1 acquires the sharing setting information from the server of the cloud 2 (block A5) and transfers it to the connection partner device via the proximity wireless (block A6). ).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that content sharing is not possible (NO in block A4), the information processing apparatus 1 downloads the content from the cloud 2 server (block A7) and transfers it to the connected device via the proximity wireless communication (block). A8).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when content is received by the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  Upon receipt of the content, the information processing apparatus 1 establishes a close proximity wireless connection (block B1), and then receives a request for server information from the connected device (block B2). In response to this request, the information processing apparatus 1 transmits server information to the connection partner device (block B3), and waits for reception of the next request from the connection partner device (block B4). When the next request is received, the information processing apparatus 1 determines the type of the request (block B5).

  When the request content is “Reception of sharing setting information”, the information processing apparatus 1 receives the sharing setting information (block B6), and sets the sharing setting of the content to the server of the cloud 2 based on the received sharing setting information. Request (block B7).

  If the determination result of the requested content is “reception of content”, the content is received (block B8). If uploading to the cloud 2 server is possible (YES in block B9), the received content is uploaded. (Block B10). It is determined that uploading to the server of the cloud 2 is impossible. In addition to the case where the information processing apparatus 1 is not originally provided with the server access function or setting, the server is accessed due to environmental factors such as network disconnection. There may be cases where it is not possible.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment uses the single operation of bringing the devices closer to each other as a trigger, and performs the content provision procedure according to the usage status of the servers on both the content providing side and the receiving side. Appropriate selection is implemented, and a mechanism for efficiently executing content transfer between clients is realized. That is, it is possible to efficiently exchange contents by seamlessly linking proximity wireless communication and cloud computing.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The difference in system configuration with the information processing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment (shown in FIG. 4) is that the information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment further includes an upload control unit 109 as shown in FIG. It is in.

  In the first embodiment, when the cloud 2 used in the information processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side and the information processing apparatus 1 on the reception side are different, it is impossible to share content on the cloud 2. Judgment was made and content transfer was executed. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the content provision procedure is further subdivided based on whether uploading between the clouds 2 is available.

  Normally, content cannot be shared between servers in different clouds 2, but content may be uploaded from a server in one cloud 2 to a server in the other cloud 2 using a function called plug-in. In the present embodiment, when uploading between the clouds 2 is possible using this function, content is provided without being transferred by proximity wireless communication.

  FIG. 12 illustrates a case where content sharing is not possible on the cloud 2 with an external device (another information processing apparatus 1) of the information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, but uploading between the cloud 2 is possible. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process typically.

  The information processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side acquires server information from the information processing apparatus 1 on the reception side ((1) in FIG. 12), and the result of confirming the acquired server information ((2) in FIG. 12), The cloud 2 used by both is different, and it was judged that content sharing on the cloud 2 was impossible, but plug-ins such as PicasaUploader can be used, and content can be uploaded via the server. Suppose that something is detected. Then, the information processing device 1 on the transmission side uploads the content via the server (to the cloud 2 used by the information processing device 1 on the reception side) instead of transferring the content to the server of the cloud 2 used by the transmission side. Is indicated ((3) in FIG. 12). After the content upload via the server is completed ((4) in FIG. 12), the transmission-side information processing device 1 notifies the reception-side information processing device 1 of the upload completion via the proximity wireless communication (FIG. 12). (5)), the processing related to the provision of the content is terminated.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment realizes further improvement in the efficiency of delivery of target content between devices.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when content is provided by the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The blocks C1 to C6 in FIG. 13 are the same as the blocks A1 to A6 in FIG. If it is determined in block C4 that content sharing is not possible, in this embodiment, the information processing apparatus 1 subsequently determines whether uploading via the server between the clouds 2 is possible (block C7). If this is the case (YES in block C7), the cloud 2 server used by itself is instructed to upload content via the server based on the server information acquired from the connected device (block C8).

  If it is determined that upload via the server is also impossible (NO in block C7), the information processing apparatus 1 acquires the sharing setting information from the server in the cloud 2 (block C9), and connects to the connection partner device via the proximity wireless communication. (Block C10).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when the content is provided by the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The difference from the processing procedure in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is that the “upload completion notification” is included in the next request that can be received from the connection partner device. The information processing apparatus 1 determines the type of request received from the connection partner device (block D5), and when the request content is “upload completion notification”, the processing related to the reception of the content is terminated.

  As described above, also in the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the content provision procedure according to the usage status of the server on both the content providing side and the receiving side, triggered by a single operation of bringing the devices closer together Is selected appropriately, and a mechanism for efficiently executing content transfer between clients is realized. That is, it is possible to efficiently exchange contents by seamlessly linking proximity wireless communication and cloud computing.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing apparatus, 2 ... Cloud, 11 ... Display part, 12 ... Operation part, 101 ... Network communication part, 102 ... Proximity wireless communication part, 103 ... Communication control part, 104 ... Server information acquisition part, 105 ... Server information Determining unit 106 ... Shared setting information transfer control unit 107 ... Content transfer control unit 108 ... Server information transfer control unit 109 ... Upload control unit

Claims (6)

Server information acquisition means for acquiring server information including information on a server accessible by the external device from the external device;
When the first server is not included in the server accessible by the external device indicated by the server information acquired by the server information acquisition means, the external data managed on the first server Control means for instructing the first server to upload to a second server accessible by the device, and notifying the external device of the upload completion after the upload is completed;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   When the first server is included in a server that can be accessed by the external device indicated by the server information, the control unit stores data managed on the first server. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein sharing setting information for sharing is transmitted to the external device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sharing setting information is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). A data transfer method for an information processing device,
Obtaining server information including information about a server accessible by the external device from the external device;
In a case where the first server is not included in the servers accessible by the external device indicated by the acquired server information, the data managed on the first server is accessible by the external device. A data transfer method of instructing the first server to upload to the second server, and notifying the external device of the upload completion after the upload is completed.   When the first server is included in a server accessible by the external device indicated by the server information, sharing for the external device to share data managed on the first server The data transfer method according to claim 4, wherein the setting information is transmitted to the external device.   The data transfer method according to claim 5, wherein the sharing setting information is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

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