JP2013250716A - Information processor, peripheral equipment control system, program and control method for peripheral equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a portable terminal to easily use peripheral equipment connected to an information processor even when the portable terminal cannot be directly connected to the information processor.SOLUTION: A cradle 1 to which peripheral equipment is connected includes: a terminal identification acquisition part 31 for acquiring the terminal identification information of a portable terminal 3 having a predetermined positional relation with the cradle 1; a terminal identification information notification part for notifying a server 4 of the terminal identification information acquired by the terminal identification information acquisition part 31 to make the server 4 associate the portable terminal 3 with the cradle 1; and a control information notification part 34 for notifying the server 4 of control information relating to the control of the peripheral equipment 2 to make the server 4 make one of the associated cradle 1 and portable terminal 3 notify the other of the control information of which the server 4 has been notified.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that mediates control of peripheral devices.

Conventionally, when a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) is connected to a cradle, the ID registered in the storage element of the cradle is read, compared with the ID registered in the control table, and attribute information added to the ID from the table Has been proposed, and the PDA main body operation mode is changed to an operation mode according to the attribute (see Patent Document 1). Further, a system has been proposed in which when a mobile device is placed on a cradle, a server transmits data via the cradle and stores the data in the mobile device (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-288143 A JP 2008-289133 A

  Conventionally, regarding the use of various peripheral devices from a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal is directly connected to a cradle to which the various peripheral devices are connected by a connection connector. A portable terminal and a peripheral device are electrically connected and communicated with each other, and the portable terminal controls the peripheral device and uses its function.

  However, in this conventional method, the portable terminal and the cradle need to be compatible with respect to the shape and position of the connection connector. In addition, the mobile terminal and the peripheral device need to be compatible with respect to electrical connectivity and communication. In addition, the mobile terminal needs to include a control program such as a driver for controlling the peripheral device. If all these necessary conditions are not satisfied, there is a problem that the portable terminal cannot use the peripheral device.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily use a peripheral device connected to an information processing device even if the portable terminal cannot be directly connected to the information processing device.

  The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above-described problems. That is, the present invention is an information processing apparatus to which a peripheral device is connected, a terminal identification information acquisition unit that acquires terminal identification information of a mobile terminal that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the information processing apparatus, and the terminal identification information By notifying the server of the terminal identification information acquired by the acquisition means, the server identifies terminal identification information notification means for associating the mobile terminal with the information processing apparatus, and control information related to control of the peripheral device. Control information communication means for causing the server to notify the server of the control information notified to the server from either the associated information processing device or the portable terminal by communicating with the server Is an information processing apparatus.

In addition, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when the terminal identification information is notified to the server by the terminal identification information notification means, and the information processing apparatus and the portable terminal are no longer in a predetermined positional relationship, The server may further comprise association cancellation request notifying means for canceling the association between the portable terminal and the information processing apparatus by notifying the server of the association cancellation request.

  In the present invention, the predetermined positional relationship may be a positional relationship that allows a user to grasp that the mobile terminal uses the information processing apparatus.

  In the present invention, the predetermined positional relationship may be a positional relationship in which the information processing apparatus and the mobile terminal are in contact with each other.

  In the present invention, the predetermined positional relationship may be a positional relationship in which the mobile terminal is mounted on the information processing apparatus.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention notifies the control command for the peripheral device notified to the server as control information from the portable terminal associated with the information processing apparatus from the server by the control information communication unit. Then, it may further comprise control means for controlling the peripheral device in accordance with the notified control command.

  In the present invention, the control means notifies the server of the information processing result by notifying the server of control result information related to a result of controlling the peripheral device as the control information using the control information communication means. The control result information may be notified to the mobile terminal associated with the device.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a control information acquisition unit that acquires the control information from the peripheral device, and the control information communication unit stores the control information acquired by the control information acquisition unit. By notifying the server, the control information may be notified to the portable terminal associated with the information processing apparatus.

  In the present invention, the portable terminal has a non-contact IC chip storing the terminal identification information, and the terminal identification information acquisition unit acquires the terminal identification information from the non-contact IC chip in a non-contact manner. May be.

  In the present invention, the portable terminal may have a two-dimensional code in which the terminal identification information is recorded, and the terminal identification information acquisition unit may acquire the terminal identification information from the two-dimensional code.

  The present invention is also a peripheral device control system for controlling a peripheral device connected to an information processing device, wherein the information processing device has terminal identification information of the mobile terminal in a predetermined positional relationship with the information processing device. Terminal identification information acquisition means for acquiring information, terminal information notification means for the server to notify the terminal identification information acquired by the terminal identification information acquisition means, and the server from the information processing apparatus. When the terminal identification information is notified, the association means for associating the portable terminal identified by the notified terminal identification information with the information processing apparatus as a notification source, and the server and the information processing apparatus Control information communication means for communicating control information related to control of peripheral devices, and control information terminal communication means for communicating the control information between the server and the portable terminal Using the control information communication means and the control information terminal communication means, the control information notified to the server from either the information processing apparatus or the portable terminal associated with the server by the association means. Peripheral device control system provided with a control information relay means for notifying to.

In addition, the control information relay unit included in the peripheral device control system according to the present invention includes the control information notified to the server from the information processing device that is not associated or the portable terminal that is not associated. The server may notify the information processing apparatus or the portable terminal associated with the control information notification source after the information processing apparatus or the portable terminal of the notification source is associated by the association unit. .

  According to the present invention, a computer is acquired by a terminal identification information acquisition unit that acquires terminal identification information of a mobile terminal that has a predetermined positional relationship with an information processing apparatus connected to a peripheral device, and the terminal identification information acquisition unit. Further, by notifying the server of the terminal identification information, the server communicates terminal identification information notifying means for associating the portable terminal and the information processing device with the server, and control information related to control of the peripheral device. Thus, the server is caused to function as control information communication means for notifying the server of the control information notified to the server from any one of the associated information processing apparatus and the mobile terminal, It may be a program.

  Further, the present invention may be a program in which such a program is recorded on a recording medium readable by a computer, other devices, machines, or the like. Here, a computer-readable recording medium is a recording medium that stores information such as data and programs by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action and can be read from a computer or the like. Say.

  The present invention is also a method for controlling a peripheral device connected to an information processing device, and when the information processing device and the portable terminal are in a predetermined positional relationship by a computer system, information on the information processing device The processing apparatus identification information and the terminal identification information of the mobile terminal are acquired, and the information processing apparatus and the mobile terminal are associated with each other by storing the acquired information processing apparatus identification information and the terminal identification information as a set An association step; and a control information relay step of transmitting control information related to control of the peripheral device transmitted from one of the information processing device and the portable terminal associated in the association step to the other, It may be a control method.

  According to the present invention, even if the mobile terminal cannot be directly connected to the information processing apparatus, the function of the peripheral device connected to the information processing apparatus can be easily used.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the peripheral device control system containing the cradle which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the portable terminal and cradle which concern on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline of a function structure of the cradle which concerns on embodiment, a portable terminal, and a server. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the association table which manages the association which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the correlation process which concerns on embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of printing processing according to the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the correlation cancellation | release process which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the scanning process which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is implemented as a cradle on which a portable terminal can be placed. The information processing apparatus identification information is implemented as cradle identification information. The embodiment described below shows an example for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the specific configuration described below. In practicing the present invention, it is preferable to adopt a specific configuration according to the embodiment as appropriate.

<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a peripheral device control system including a cradle according to the present embodiment. The peripheral device control system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of cradle 1, a plurality of portable terminals 3, and a server 4. Note that the plurality of portable terminals 3 can be configured with different types of shapes, specifications, functions, and the like.

  In the peripheral device control system, each cradle 1 and server 4 can communicate with each other via a network 5. Each portable terminal 3 and server 4 can communicate with each other via a network 5. As the network 5, a network in which the Internet, a mobile phone network, a dedicated line, a private network, an intranet, and the like are connected to each other can be used.

  The cradle 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 6, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 7, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 8, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 9, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive 10) and the like. Computer. The cradle 1 further includes a terminal identification information reading interface 11 and an external interface 12 such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus). In this embodiment, the terminal identification information reading interface 11 is a non-contact IC card reader that can read data recorded on a non-contact IC chip located at a short distance. In addition, a printer 13, a scanner 14, a non-contact IC card reader 15, a magnetic card reader 16, and a barcode reader 17 are connected to the external interface 12 as peripheral devices 2. In addition, as the peripheral device 2, other devices such as an infrared communication adapter may be connected. In addition, the peripheral device 2 may be provided inside the housing of the cradle 1.

  The CPU 6 is a central processing unit, and controls the RAM 7, the auxiliary storage device 10, and the like by processing instructions and data expanded in the RAM 7 and the like. The RAM 7 is a main storage device and is controlled by the CPU 6 to write and read various commands and data. The auxiliary storage device 10 is a non-volatile auxiliary storage device, and retains various programs such as an OS (Operating System) loaded in the RAM 7 and device drivers for controlling the peripheral device 2 even when the computer is turned off. The desired information is written and read.

The server 4 is a computer that includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, NIC, auxiliary storage device, and the like, like the cradle 1. In addition, not only the form in which one computer provides all the functions and data that the server 4 provides, but a plurality of computers may be provided. Further, the cradle 1 or the mobile terminal 3 may provide functions and data as the server 4.

  The mobile terminal 3 is a computer including a CPU, RAM, NIC, and the like, similar to the server 4, and is a tablet terminal further including input / output devices such as a touch panel display and operation buttons. The mobile terminal 3 may be a mobile phone (including a so-called smart phone) that can be connected to the network 5, a game machine, a laptop computer, other large computers, or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the mobile terminal 3 and the cradle 1 according to the present embodiment. A non-contact IC chip 21 is attached to the back surface of the mobile terminal 3. In the non-contact IC chip 21, terminal identification information for identifying the portable terminal 3 is recorded. Here, “terminal identification information” refers to information for identifying the mobile terminal 3 communicating with the server 4 from the server 4. In the present embodiment, label-shaped FeliCa (registered trademark) is used for the non-contact IC chip 21. In the present embodiment, FeliCa (registered trademark) IDm is used as the terminal identification information.

  In FIG. 2, the cradle 1 includes a placement area 22 and a support plate 23. Inside the support plate 13 is provided a non-contact IC card reader 24 as the terminal identification information reading interface 11.

  When the mobile terminal 3 is placed on the placement area 22, the mobile terminal 3 is supported by the support plate 23. When the mobile terminal 3 and the cradle 1 are in this positional relationship, the non-contact IC card reader 24 can read the terminal identification information of the non-contact IC chip 21 in a non-contact manner. By adopting this method of reading the terminal identification information, it is possible to reduce troublesomeness such as attachment / detachment of the mobile terminal 3 to / from the cradle 1 as compared with the case where the cradle 1 and the mobile terminal 3 are connected by a connection connector. Note that the terminal identification information of the mobile terminal 3 may be recorded in a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark). In this case, the two-dimensional code may be affixed to the mobile terminal 3 as a label, or may be displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 3. Then, the two-dimensional code reader provided in the cradle 1 reads the terminal identification information recorded in the two-dimensional code.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of functional configurations of the cradle 1, the mobile terminal 3, and the server 4 according to the present embodiment.

  In the cradle 1, a program recorded in the auxiliary storage device 10 is read out to the RAM 7 and executed by the CPU 6, whereby a terminal identification information acquisition unit 31, a terminal identification information notification unit 32, and an association release request notification unit 33. The computer functions as a computer including the control information communication unit 34, the control unit 35, and the control information acquisition unit 36. In this embodiment, each function of the computer is executed by the CPU 6 that is a general-purpose processor. However, part or all of these functions may be executed by one or a plurality of dedicated processors.

In the present embodiment, the terminal identification information notification unit 32, the association release request notification unit 33, and the control information communication unit 34 are connected via the network 5 to an HTTP (Hyper Text Tra).
nsfer Protocol) is transmitted to the server 4 to communicate with the server 4. At this time, the server 4 is made to identify the communication cradle 1 by adding cradle identification information for identifying the cradle 1 to the request.

  The terminal identification information acquisition unit 31 acquires terminal identification information of the mobile terminal 3 placed on the cradle 1. In the present embodiment, the terminal identification information acquisition unit 31 causes the non-contact IC card reader 24 to perform polling and acquires terminal identification information when a response is received from the non-contact IC chip 21.

  The terminal identification information notification unit 32 notifies the server 4 of the terminal identification information acquired by the terminal identification information acquisition unit 31.

  The association cancellation request notification unit 33 notifies the server 4 of the association cancellation request when the mobile terminal 3 is separated from the placement area 22 after the terminal identification information notification unit 32 notifies the server identification information to the server 4. To do. Here, “the mobile terminal 3 is separated from the placement area 22” means that the mobile terminal 3 is no longer placed on the placement area 22. In the present embodiment, the association release request notification unit 33 causes the non-contact IC card reader 24 to perform polling, and when there is no response from the non-contact IC chip 21, the portable terminal 3 is separated from the placement area 22. to decide.

The control information communication unit 34 communicates control information related to the control of the peripheral device 2 with the server 4. Here, the control information includes control commands related to peripheral devices (print instruction, print data, etc.), control result information (print completion, etc.), operation information (information on button press, etc.) and other data (input data, etc.) Including all the information used for controlling the peripheral device 2.

  In the present embodiment, the control information communication unit 34 repeatedly transmits a so-called long polling request to the server 4 as appropriate, and when the server 4 has control information to be notified to the cradle 1, the control information is sent to the content of the response. Let me return as.

  The control unit 35 is notified of a control command for the peripheral device 2 from the server 4 via the control information communication unit 34, and then controls the peripheral device 2 according to the notified control command. The control unit 35 interprets the acquired control command, determines the peripheral device 2 to be controlled, controls the determined peripheral device 2 using a device driver or the like, and operates the peripheral device 2. Further, the control unit 35 notifies the server 4 of control result information regarding the result of controlling the peripheral device 2. For example, when a print command (with a print instruction for 13 and print data as content) is acquired as a control command, the printer 13 is caused to perform a printing operation. When printing is successful, the server 4 is notified of information indicating that printing has been completed as control result information. The control result information refers to any control information related to the control result that has a causal relationship with the control command. The control result information is not limited to information such as completion / failure of the control, but includes data read by the peripheral device 2 as a result of the control. There may be. For example, the control result information may be information read from the non-contact IC card by the non-contact IC card reader 15 or the like.

  According to the present invention, since the control unit 35 controls the peripheral device 2 according to the control command, the peripheral device 2 can be used even if the portable terminal 3 is not directly provided with the control means of the peripheral device 2 to be used. Moreover, since the control result information of the peripheral device 2 is notified to the mobile terminal 3, the mobile terminal 3 can use the peripheral device 2 more appropriately.

  The control information acquisition unit 36 acquires control information from the peripheral device 2. In the present embodiment, the control information acquisition unit 36 acquires control information notified from the peripheral device 2 to the cradle 1 via the external interface 12. The control information notified here is, for example, read data when the user directly operates the buttons of the scanner 14 and reads the data.

  The portable terminal 3 functions as a computer including the control information terminal communication unit 41 and the peripheral device utilization unit 42 when the program recorded in the auxiliary storage device is read into the RAM and executed by the CPU. Further, the non-contact IC chip 21 of the mobile terminal 3 functions as a terminal identification information presentation unit 43. In this embodiment, each function of the computer is executed by a CPU that is a general-purpose processor. However, part or all of these functions may be executed by one or a plurality of dedicated processors.

  The control information terminal communication unit 41 communicates control information with the server 4. In the present embodiment, the control information terminal communication unit 41 communicates with the server 4 by transmitting an HTTP request to the server 4 via the network 5. At this time, by adding the terminal identification information to the request, the server 4 is made to identify the mobile terminal 3 that is the communication partner.

  The peripheral device using unit 42 communicates with the server 4 through the control information terminal communication unit 41 to notify the control information to the cradle 1 and use the peripheral device 2. In the present embodiment, the peripheral device utilization unit 42 is application software that executes printing in response to a user input, for example. The peripheral device utilization unit 42 creates a print command by a user input operation, notifies the server 4, and uses the printer 13. A part of the processing of the peripheral device utilization unit 42 may be executed by another device connected to the mobile terminal 3. For example, it may be executed by a CPU of a Web server that can communicate with the mobile terminal 3 via the NIC.

  The terminal identification information presentation unit 42 provides the terminal identification information to the cradle 1. In the present embodiment, IDm of FeliCa (registered trademark) is used as terminal identification information, and the non-contact IC chip 21 returns IDm in response to polling from the non-contact IC card reader 24. Note that numbers other than IDm may be recorded on the non-contact IC chip 21 as terminal identification information.

  The server 4 functions as a computer including the association unit 51, the association release unit 52, and the control information relay unit 53 when the program recorded in the auxiliary storage device is read into the RAM and executed by the CPU. In this embodiment, each function of the computer is executed by a CPU that is a general-purpose processor. However, part or all of these functions may be executed by one or a plurality of dedicated processors.

  When the server 4 is notified of the terminal identification information from the cradle 1, the associating unit 51 associates the mobile terminal 3 having the notified terminal identification information with the cradle 1 that is the notification source. When the association cancellation unit 52 is notified of the association cancellation request from the cradle 1, the association cancellation unit 52 cancels the association between the mobile terminal 3 and the notification source cradle 1.

  In the present embodiment, the association unit 51 is notified of the terminal identification information by receiving a request including the terminal identification information and the cradle identification information from the cradle 1. In the present embodiment, the association cancellation unit 52 receives a request including the information indicating the association cancellation request and the cradle identification information from the cradle 1 to notify the association cancellation request. In this embodiment, the associating unit 51 and the associating unit 52 identify the cradle 1 that is the notification source using the cradle identification information included in the request. The notification cradle 1 may be identified by the IP address of the cradle 1.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data in an association table for managing association according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the association is managed by an association table. As shown in FIG. 4, a set of cradle identification information and terminal identification information representing the associated cradle 1 and portable terminal 3 is registered in the association table. In FIG. 4, the portable terminal 3 of the terminal identification information 0058 and the cradle 1 of the cradle identification information A002, the portable terminal 3 of the terminal identification information 0059 and the cradle 1 of the cradle identification information A001, the portable terminal 3 of the terminal identification information 0060 and the cradle identification information. Three associations of A005 cradle 1 are made.

  The association unit 51 adds one set of the terminal identification information notified to the server 4 and the cradle identification information for identifying the cradle 1 that is the notification source of the terminal identification information to the association table, so that the portable terminal 3 and the notification source To cradle 1. The association release unit 52 notifies the mobile terminal 3 by deleting one set of terminal identification information and cradle identification information from the association table, the element including the cradle identification information of the cradle 1 that is the notification source of the release request. Release the association with the original cradle 1.

  In this embodiment, since the association and the cancellation thereof can be performed, the user can easily change the portable terminal 3 that uses the peripheral device 2 connected to the cradle 1.

  The control information relay unit 53 notifies the other of the control information notified from the associated cradle 1 or the mobile terminal 3 to the server 4 using the network 5.

In the present embodiment, the control information relay unit 53 realizes notification of control information by the following method. First, the control information relay unit 53 stores the control information notified from the associated cradle 1 or the portable terminal 3 to the server 4 in the RAM of the server 4. Next, the control information relay unit 53
Based on the notification source of the control information and the association table, the cradle 1 or the portable terminal 3 that is the notification destination of the control information of the server 4 is guided. Specifically, if the notification source of the control information is the mobile terminal 3, the control information relay unit 53 searches the association table using the terminal identification information of the notification source as a key, and acquires the corresponding cradle identification information. . Further, if the notification source of the control information is the cradle 1, the control information relay unit 53 searches the association table using the notification source cradle identification information as a key, and acquires the corresponding terminal identification information. By acquiring the cradle identification information or the terminal identification information in this way, the control information relay unit 53 guides the cradle 1 or the portable terminal 3 that is the notification destination. Next, when the server 4 receives a request for acquiring control information from the cradle 1 or the portable terminal 3 as a notification destination, the control information relay unit 53 receives the stored control information as a response to the request. Notice. Next, the control information relay unit 53 deletes the control information from the RAM of the server 4.

  When the control information relay unit 53 is notified of the control information notified from the associated cradle 1 or the portable terminal 3 to the server 4, the control information relay unit 53 may immediately notify the notification destination derived based on the association table. Good.

<Details of processing>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of association processing according to the present embodiment. Note that the specific contents and order of the processes shown in this flowchart are examples, and it is preferable that processes suitable for the embodiment are appropriately adopted as the process contents and order.

  In step S101 and step S102, the terminal identification information of the mobile terminal 3 placed on the placement area 22 is acquired. First, the terminal identification information acquisition unit 31 tries to acquire terminal identification information (step S101). When the mobile terminal 3 is separated from the placement area 22, the terminal identification information is not acquired from the terminal identification information presentation unit 43. In this case, the terminal identification information acquisition unit 31 determines that the terminal identification information has not been acquired, and returns to step S101 (step S102). In step S <b> 101, when the mobile terminal 3 is placed on the placement area 22, terminal identification information is acquired from the terminal identification information presentation unit 43. In this case, the terminal identification information acquisition unit 31 determines that the terminal identification information has been acquired, and proceeds to step S103.

  In steps S103 and S104, the portable terminal 3 and the cradle 1 are associated with each other. The terminal identification information notification unit 32 notifies the association unit 51 of the terminal identification information acquired by the terminal identification information acquisition unit 31 (step S103). The associating unit 51 associates the mobile terminal 3 identified by the notified terminal identification information with the cradle 1 that is the notification source (step S104).

  As an example of the flow of processing a control command, the flow of print processing will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of printing processing according to the present embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is started when the mobile terminal 3 uses the printing function of the printer 13 after the mobile terminal 3 and the cradle 1 are associated with each other. Note that the specific contents and order of the processes shown in this flowchart are examples, and it is preferable that processes suitable for the embodiment are appropriately adopted as the process contents and order. The portable terminal 3 can also use the functions of the peripheral device 2 such as the magnetic card reader 16 in the same flow as the flow of the printing process.

In step S201, step S202, and step S203, a print command is notified from the portable terminal 3 to the cradle 1. The peripheral device utilization unit 42 notifies the control information relay unit 53 of the server 4 of a print command (including print data) as a control command via the control information terminal communication unit 41 (step S201). The control information relay unit 53 relays the print command by notifying the print command notified from the control information terminal communication unit 41 to the control information communication unit 34 of the cradle 1 associated with the notification source mobile terminal 3 ( Step S202).
The control unit 35 is notified of a print command from the control information communication unit 34 (step S203).

  In step S204, the printer 13 executes print processing according to the print command. The control unit 35 causes the printer 13 to print in accordance with the print command notified from the control information communication unit 34.

  In step S205, step S206, and step S207, the print result of the printer 13 is notified to the portable terminal 3. The control unit 35 notifies the control information relay unit 53 of the server 4 of the result of printing by the printer 13 (for example, information indicating the completion of printing) via the control information communication unit 34 as control result information (step S205). ). The control information relay unit 53 relays the print result by notifying the print result notified from the control unit 35 to the control information terminal communication unit 41 of the mobile terminal 3 associated with the notification-source cradle 1 (step S206). ). The peripheral device utilization unit 37 is notified of the print result from the control information terminal communication unit 41 (step S207).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of association release processing according to the present embodiment. Note that the specific contents and order of the processes shown in this flowchart are examples, and it is preferable that processes suitable for the embodiment are appropriately adopted as the process contents and order.

  In step S301 and step S302, it is detected that the mobile terminal 3 is separated from the placement area 22. First, the terminal identification information acquisition unit 31 tries to acquire terminal identification information (step S301). When placed on the mobile terminal 3 placement area 22, the terminal identification information is acquired from the terminal identification information presentation unit 43. In this case, the terminal identification information acquisition unit 31 determines that the terminal identification information has been acquired, and returns to step S301 (step S302). In step S <b> 301, when the mobile terminal 3 is separated from the placement area 22, the terminal identification information is not acquired from the terminal identification information presentation unit 43. In this case, the terminal identification information acquisition unit 31 determines that the terminal identification information cannot be acquired, and proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303 and step S304, the association between the portable terminal 3 and the cradle 1 is released. The association cancellation request notification unit 33 notifies the association cancellation unit 52 of the association cancellation request via the control information communication unit 34 (step S303). The association canceling unit 52 cancels the association of the notification source cradle 1 (step S304).

<Summary>
According to the above embodiment, even if the cradle 1 and the mobile terminal 3 are not directly connected to each other, the control information of the peripheral device 2 is transmitted via the server 4 when the mobile terminal 3 is placed on the cradle 1. Can communicate with each other. For this reason, even if the portable terminal 3 cannot be directly connected to the cradle 1, the peripheral device 2 connected to the cradle 1 can be easily used. Further, in the present embodiment, a method of associating the mobile terminal 3 with the cradle 1 when the mobile terminal 3 is placed on the cradle 1 is adopted. By adopting this method, the portable terminal 3 can use the peripheral device 2 in a state where it is easily operated by the user.

<Modification>
Other positional relationships may be adopted as the positional relationship for associating the mobile terminal 3 with the cradle 1. For example, a positional relationship in which the mobile terminal 3 is brought into contact with the side surface of the cradle 1 can be adopted. In addition, as a positional relationship in which the mobile terminal 3 and the cradle 1 are associated, a positional relationship in which the mobile terminal 3 is in the vicinity of the cradle 1 can be employed. These can be realized by adjusting the positions of the non-contact IC chip 21 and the non-contact IC card reader 24, or by changing the means for the cradle 1 to read the terminal identification information of the portable terminal 3.

  By adopting these positional relationships, it is easy for the user to grasp which mobile terminal 3 and which cradle 1 are in a usage relationship, so that it is possible to prevent the peripheral device 2 to be used from being mistaken. Also, various shapes of the cradle 1 on which the portable terminal 3 cannot be placed can be adopted as an embodiment.

  As another modification of the present embodiment, the control information relay unit 53 of the server 4 of the present embodiment receives control information notified to the server 4 from the cradle 1 that is not associated or the mobile terminal 3 that is not associated. After the cradle 1 or mobile terminal 3 that is the control information notification source is associated, the cradle 1 or the mobile terminal 3 that is associated with the control information notification source may be notified. In this modification, when the mobile terminal 3 is placed on the cradle 1, the mobile terminal 3 can immediately start using the peripheral device 2.

  In this modification, notification of control information is realized by the following method. First, the control information relay unit 53 stores the control information notified from the cradle 1 or the portable terminal 3 to the server 4 in the RAM of the server 4 regardless of whether or not it is associated. Next, after the notification source of the control information is associated, the control information relay unit 53, based on the notification source of the control information and the association table, the cradle 1 or the notification destination of the control information of the server 4 The portable terminal 3 is guided. Specifically, if the notification source of the control information is the mobile terminal 3, the control information relay unit 53 searches the association table using the terminal identification information of the notification source as a key, and the corresponding cradle identification information exists. Get this. In addition, if the notification source of the control information is the cradle 1, the control information relay unit 53 searches the association table using the notification source cradle identification information as a key, and acquires the corresponding terminal identification information if it exists. To do. By acquiring the cradle identification information or the terminal identification information in this way, the control information relay unit 53 guides the cradle 1 or the portable terminal 3 that is the notification destination. Next, when the server 4 receives a request for acquiring control information from the cradle 1 or the portable terminal 3 that is a notification destination, the control information relay unit 53 stores the control information stored as a response to the request. To be notified. Next, the control information relay unit 53 deletes the control information from the RAM of the server 4.

  As another modification, the control information communication unit 34 notifies the server 4 of the control information acquired by the control information acquisition unit 36, thereby causing the server 4 to communicate with the mobile terminal 3 associated with the cradle 1. Control information may be notified. Hereinafter, the process of this modification will be described using an example of the scan process of the scanner 14.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of scan processing according to the present embodiment. The processing shown in this flowchart is started when the user operates the scanner 14 as the peripheral device 2 and reads data after the portable terminal 3 and the cradle 1 are associated with each other. Note that the specific contents and order of the processes shown in this flowchart are examples, and it is preferable that processes suitable for the embodiment are appropriately adopted as the process contents and order. Further, the mobile terminal 3 can use the functions of the peripheral device 2 other than the scanner 14 in the same flow as the scan processing flow.

  In step S401 and step S402, the read data of the scanner 14 is notified to the server 4. The control information acquisition unit 36 acquires read data read by the scanner 14 from the scanner 14 as control information (step S401). The control information communication unit 34 notifies the read data acquired by the control information acquisition unit 36 to the control information relay unit 53 of the server 4 (step 402).

  In step S403 and step S404, the read data is notified to the portable terminal 3. The control information relay unit 53 notifies the read data notified from the control information communication unit 34 to the control information terminal communication unit 41 of the mobile terminal 3 associated with the cradle 1 that is the notification source (step S403). The peripheral device utilization unit 42 of the portable terminal 3 acquires read data from the control information terminal communication unit 41 (step S404).

  In this modification, the mobile terminal 3 uses the functions of the peripheral device 2 when the user operates the peripheral device 2 (reading operation of the scanner 14), the event occurs in the peripheral device 2 (detection by the sensor device, etc.), etc. can do.

1 Cradle 2 Peripheral Device 3 Mobile Terminal 4 Server

Claims (14)

An information processing apparatus to which a peripheral device is connected,
Terminal identification information acquisition means for acquiring terminal identification information of a portable terminal in a predetermined positional relationship with the information processing apparatus;
Terminal identification information notifying means for associating the server with the information processing device by notifying the server of the terminal identification information acquired by the terminal identification information acquiring means;
By communicating control information related to the control of the peripheral device with the server, the control information notified to the server from either the information processing device associated with the server or the portable terminal An information processing apparatus comprising control information communication means for informing the user. After the terminal identification information is notified to the server by the terminal identification information notifying means, when the information processing apparatus and the portable terminal are no longer in a predetermined positional relationship, a request for releasing the association is sent to the server Further comprising an association release request notification means for releasing the association between the portable terminal and the information processing device,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The predetermined positional relationship is a positional relationship that allows a user to grasp that the mobile terminal is using the information processing device.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The predetermined positional relationship is a positional relationship in which the information processing apparatus and the mobile terminal are in contact with each other.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The predetermined positional relationship is a positional relationship in which the mobile terminal is mounted on the information processing device.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A control command for the peripheral device notified to the server as control information from the portable terminal associated with the information processing device is notified from the server by the control information communication unit, and then according to the control command notified Further comprising control means for controlling the peripheral device;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The control means notifies the server of the control result information related to the result of controlling the peripheral device as the control information using the control information communication means, so that the server is associated with the information processing apparatus. Let the mobile terminal notify the control result information,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 6. Further comprising control information acquisition means for acquiring the control information from the peripheral device;
The control information communication unit notifies the server of the control information acquired by the control information acquisition unit, thereby transmitting the control information to the mobile terminal associated with the information processing apparatus. Let me know,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The portable terminal has a non-contact IC chip storing the terminal identification information,
The terminal identification information acquisition means acquires the terminal identification information from the contactless IC chip in a contactless manner.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The portable terminal has a two-dimensional code in which the terminal identification information is recorded,
The terminal identification information acquisition means acquires the terminal identification information from the two-dimensional code;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A peripheral device control system for controlling a peripheral device connected to an information processing device,
A terminal identification information acquisition unit configured to acquire terminal identification information of the mobile terminal in a predetermined positional relationship with the information processing apparatus;
Terminal information notification means for notifying the server of the terminal identification information acquired by the information processing apparatus by the terminal identification information acquisition means;
When the server is notified of the terminal identification information from the information processing apparatus, an association means for associating the mobile terminal identified by the notified terminal identification information with the information processing apparatus of the notification source;
Control information communication means for communicating control information related to the control of the peripheral device between the server and the information processing device;
Control information terminal communication means for communicating the control information between the server and the portable terminal;
Using the control information communication means and the control information terminal communication means, the control information notified to the server from either the information processing apparatus or the portable terminal associated with the server by the association means. Control information relay means for notifying to the peripheral device control system. The control information relay unit is configured to send the control information notified to the server from the information processing apparatus that is not associated or the portable terminal that is not associated with the information processing apparatus or the portable terminal that is the notification source of the control information Is associated by the association means, the server notifies the information processing apparatus or the mobile terminal associated with the control information notification source,
The peripheral device control system according to claim 11. Computer
Terminal identification information acquisition means for acquiring terminal identification information of a portable terminal that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the information processing apparatus connected to the peripheral device;
Terminal identification information notifying means for associating the server with the information processing device by notifying the server of the terminal identification information acquired by the terminal identification information acquiring means;
By communicating control information related to the control of the peripheral device with the server, the control information notified to the server from either the information processing device associated with the server or the portable terminal A program that functions as a control information communication means for notifying a user. A method for controlling a peripheral device connected to an information processing device,
By computer system
When the information processing apparatus and the portable terminal are in a predetermined positional relationship, the information processing apparatus identification information of the information processing apparatus and the terminal identification information of the portable terminal are acquired, and the acquired information processing apparatus identification information and An association step of associating the information processing apparatus and the mobile terminal by storing the terminal identification information as a set;
A control information relay step of transmitting control information relating to control of the peripheral device transmitted from one of the information processing device and the mobile terminal associated in the association step to the other.

Images