JP2015103905A - Information processing device and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an apparatus that a user is likely to use, to execute a function when the user utilizes the function.SOLUTION: Acquisition means 101 acquires a time of start when use of each external apparatus is started, as use histories of a plurality of external apparatuses each including one or more functions. On the basis of the use histories acquired by the acquisition means 101, for each function that each external apparatus includes, determination means 102 determines priorities of the external apparatuses when using the functions. The determination means 102 sets the priority of e.g., one external apparatus higher than that of another external apparatus for which a start time preceding to the start time acquired for the one external apparatus is acquired. In the case where utilization of a function is requested, processing means 103 performs processing that makes an external apparatus with a higher priority determined for the function by the determination means 102 more preferential than an external apparatus with a lower priority and allows the preferential external apparatus to execute the function.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for using functions provided in a plurality of devices.

  In recent years, the development of communication technology has facilitated the exchange of data between devices and the capacity has increased, and one user can communicate with a plurality of devices such as smartphones, tablet terminals, earphones, wearable terminals, car navigation devices, etc. Use for various purposes has increased. For example, not only listening to the sound of music played on a smartphone with an earphone, but also counting the data measured with a wearable terminal with a smartphone, or displaying a smartphone image on a car navigation device.

  As the number of devices increases, for example, the function of outputting sound is executed by a plurality of devices. Therefore, the user must select which device to output sound and perform an operation accordingly. Don't be. As a technique for using the functions of a plurality of devices as described above, for example, Patent Literature 1 refers to a list of used devices in which priorities are set for each function necessary for providing a service to a user. A technique for selecting a device for providing the service to a user is described.

JP 2012-28840 A

When using functions provided by a plurality of devices, if the priority is higher for a device that is likely to be used by the user, the higher priority device is more likely to execute the function, which is convenient for the user. However, the device that the user wants to use may change as the device is used. In the technique of Patent Document 1, since the priority order does not change even in such a case, the function may be executed by a device that is not likely to be used by the user rather than a device that is not likely to be used by the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to cause a device that a user is likely to use when the user uses the function to execute the function.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an acquisition unit that acquires each usage history of a plurality of external devices each having one or more functions, and each of the above-described usage history based on the usage history acquired by the acquisition unit. For each function that the external device has, a determination unit that determines the priority of each external device when the function is used, and the determination unit determines the function when use of the function is requested There is provided an information processing apparatus including processing means for performing processing for giving priority to the external device having a high priority over the external device having a low priority and causing the prioritized external device to execute the function.

In addition, the determination unit includes a first determination unit that determines, based on the acquired use history, whether or not there is a user who has requested use of the function near the external device from which the use history has been acquired. Indicates the priority of the external device determined by the first determination means that the user is near the external device, and the priority of the external device determined by the first determination means that the user is not nearby. It may be higher than
Further, the acquisition unit acquires a use time when the external device is used as the use history, and the first determination unit determines whether the time elapsed from the acquired use time of the external device is It may be determined that the user is near the external device when the time is smaller than the time according to the type or the content of the use performed at the use time.

A second determination unit configured to determine whether or not there is a user who has requested use of the function in the vicinity of another external device different from the external device based on the use history acquired for the external device; And the determination means determines the priority of the external device determined that the user is near by the second determination means, and prioritizes the external device determined that the user is not nearby by the second determination means. It may be higher than the degree.
Furthermore, the acquisition unit acquires the location of the external device as the usage history, and the second determination unit determines the location when the acquired location is within a predetermined region. It may be determined that the user is near the other external device.

Further, the acquisition unit acquires speed information representing a moving speed of the external device as the usage history, and the user uses the external device from which the speed information is acquired based on the acquired speed information. A third determination unit that determines whether or not the device is in a state to be used, wherein the determination unit determines the priority of the external device determined to be in a state of use by the third determination unit by the third determination unit. The priority may be higher than the priority of the external device determined not to be used.
Further, the acquisition unit acquires, as the use history, start time when the use of the external device is started or use frequency information indicating the use frequency of the external device, and the determination unit acquires the start time. In this case, the priority of the external device is set higher than the priority of the external device for which the start time before the start time acquired for the external device is acquired, and the usage frequency information is If acquired, the priority of the external device from which the usage frequency information representing the usage frequency that is less than the usage frequency represented by the usage frequency information acquired for the external device is acquired. It may be higher than the degree.

Further, the external device requests use of the function, and the acquisition means acquires each distance between the external device that has made the request and each of a plurality of other external devices as the usage history, and the determination The means may make the priority of the external device from which the distance is acquired higher than the priority of the external device from which the distance is acquired that is longer than the distance acquired for the external device.
Further, the external device requests use of the function, and the acquisition unit acquires the frequency of function cooperation between the external device that has made the request and each of a plurality of other external devices as the usage history, The determination means sets the priority of the external device from which the cooperation frequency is acquired higher than the priority of the external device from which the cooperation frequency is acquired that is less than the cooperation frequency acquired for the external device. Also good.

  In addition, the present invention provides an acquisition step in which the information processing device acquires each usage history of a plurality of external devices each having one or more functions, and the information processing device includes the usage history acquired in the acquisition step. A determination step for determining a priority of each external device when each function is used for each function of each external device, and the information processing apparatus is requested to use the function. In this case, a process of giving priority to the external device having a high priority determined in the determination step for the function over the external device having a low priority and performing a process for causing the prioritized external device to execute the function. An information processing method comprising steps.

  According to the present invention, when a user uses a function, the function that the user is likely to use can be executed.

The figure which shows an example of the whole structure of the information processing system which concerns on 1st Embodiment The figure which shows an example of the function which each user apparatus has The figure which shows the hardware constitution which is common to each user equipment The figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of information processing apparatus The figure which shows an example of a function structure of information processing apparatus Figure showing an example of a priority list The figure which shows an example of the priority list in which the possibility of connection was reflected Sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of each device in the determination process Sequence diagram showing an example of operation of each device in usage processing The figure which shows an example of the priority list which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of a function structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the 1st determination log | history corresponding to each user apparatus. The figure which shows an example of a 2nd determination log | history table The figure which shows an example of an apparatus corresponding | compatible time table The figure which shows an example of use correspondence time table The figure which shows an example of the 2nd determination log | history table which concerns on this modification. The figure which shows an example of a function structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on this modification The figure which shows an example of a speed range table

[1] First Embodiment [1-1] Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. In this example, the information processing apparatus 10 and a plurality of user devices (smart phone 201, car navigation device 202, fixed telephone 203, wireless speaker 204, wireless earphone 205, wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206. An information processing system 1 including a user device 20 ”) and a network 2 is shown.

  The network 2 is a system that performs communication including the Internet and a mobile communication network. The information processing device 10 and each user device 20 are connected to the network 2 by wire or wireless, and mediate data exchange between these devices. The plurality of user devices 20 are devices each having one or more functions. In the present embodiment, each user device 20 has a telephone function for realizing a call between users, a sound collecting function for collecting sound, a sound emitting function for emitting sound, a display function for displaying an image (including video), a sound Rendering function that performs so-called rendering that reads data and outputs it as sound data in a format that can be emitted by the sound emission function, or reads image data and outputs it as image data in a format that can be displayed by the display function Among the six functions called the measurement function for measuring the physical quantity of each, each has one or more functions.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions that each user device 20 has. “RD” shown in FIG. 2 indicates a rendering function. The smartphone 201 has all the above six functions. The car navigation device 202 has a sound emitting function, a display function, and a rendering function, and the fixed telephone 203 has a telephone function and a display function. Both the wireless speaker 204 and the wireless earphone 205 have a sound emission function, and the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 has a display function and a measurement function.

Each user device 20 executes a function of each user device when a predetermined operation is performed by the user. In addition, each user device 20 executes a function that each user device 20 has even when the execution of the function is instructed from another device (the information processing device 10 or another user device 20). The instruction here is performed when the user device 20 receives instruction data for instructing execution of a function, for example.
The information processing device 10 is a device that performs processing for causing the user device 20 that is an external device for the device to execute the function when the user tries to use any of the functions. The process for executing the function is, for example, a process of transmitting the above-described instruction data to the user device 20.

[1-2] Hardware Configuration Although the hardware configurations of the user devices 20 are different from each other, a hardware configuration common to them will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration common to each user device 20. The user device 20 is a computer that includes a control unit 21, an operation unit 22, a communication unit 23, a power supply unit 24, and a function execution unit 25. The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a real time clock, and the CPU executes a program stored in the ROM using the RAM as a work area. Thus, the operation of each part is controlled. The real time clock calculates the current date and time and notifies the CPU.

  The operation unit 22 includes operation elements such as buttons, knobs, and a touch screen according to the shape and function of each user device 20. When the operation unit 22 receives a user operation on the operation element, the operation unit 22 supplies operation data representing the content of the operation to the control unit 21 according to the received user operation. The communication unit 23 includes a communication circuit for performing communication, and transmits and receives data between the information processing apparatus 10 and another user device 20 via the network 2, for example. The power supply unit 24 supplies power from a battery or an external power source to each unit of the user device 20. The operation unit 22 is provided with an operation element (hereinafter referred to as “power button”) for switching presence / absence of power supply. In response to the operation of the power button, the power supply unit 24 starts supplying power to each unit and ends the power supply. The function execution unit 25 has a hardware configuration corresponding to the function of each user device 20 and executes these functions based on the control of the control unit 21.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10. The information processing apparatus 10 is a computer that includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The control unit 11 and the communication unit 13 have the same functions as the control unit and the communication unit included in the user device 20. The storage unit 12 includes a hard disk or the like, and stores data and programs used by the control unit 11 for control. The control unit 11 executes the program stored in the storage unit 12 to control each unit, thereby realizing the functions described below.

[1-3] Functional Configuration FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 10. The information processing apparatus 10 includes an acquisition unit 101, a determination unit 102, and a processing unit 103.
[1-3-1] Acquisition unit 101
The acquisition unit 101 is an example of a unit that acquires each usage history of a plurality of external devices each having one or more functions. The external device here is an external device for the information processing apparatus 10 as described above, and a case where a plurality of user devices 20 are a plurality of external devices will be described below.

  The usage history is information indicating that the user device 20 has been used by the user. In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the start time when the use of the user device 20 is started as the use history. The start time is represented by, for example, the time when an operation (hereinafter referred to as “start operation”) performed when the user starts using the user device 20 is performed. For user equipment 20 that turns off the power when not in use (for example, the car navigation device 202 and the wireless earphone 205), an operation to turn on the power of the user equipment 20 is used as a start operation.

  For user devices 20 (eg, the smartphone 201 and the fixed phone 203) that remain turned on even when not in use, an operation of unlocking the screen of the smartphone 201, an operation of pressing the reception button of the fixed phone 203, or the like Is used as the start operation. When the start operation is performed, each user device 20 transmits operation time data indicating the time when the start operation is performed and identification data for identifying the own device to the information processing apparatus 10. Upon receiving the operation time data and the identification data transmitted from each user device 20, the acquisition unit 101 receives the time indicated by the received operation time data, the start time of the user device 20 indicated by the received identification data, that is, the main data. Acquired as a use history in the embodiment.

Thus, in the present embodiment, when the usage history of the user device 20 is generated, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the generated usage history in real time each time. The acquisition unit 101 supplies usage history data indicating the acquired usage history (start time in the present embodiment) to the determination unit 102.
Each user device 20 may transmit only the identification data to the information processing apparatus 10 without transmitting the operation time data. In that case, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the time when the identification data is received as the start time.

[1-3-2] Determination unit 102
The determining unit 102 is an example of a unit that determines, for each function of each external device based on the usage history acquired by the acquiring unit 101, the priority of each external device when each function is used. is there. In the present embodiment, the determination unit 102 compares the priority of the user device 20 that is an external device with the priority of the user device 20 for which the start time before the start time acquired for the user device 20 is acquired. Make it higher. The determination unit 102 stores a priority list that represents the priority determined for each user device 20 for each function.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a priority list. In the priority list shown in FIG. 6A, each user device 20 is shown in association with each start time and priority for each function. The start time shown here is the start time most recently acquired for each user device 20. In this example, “1” represents the highest priority, and the greater the number, the lower the priority. For example, in the case of the rendering function, the determination unit 102 determines the priority (in this example, “1”) of the smartphone 201 having the rendering function from “2013/12/1 — 14:00” that is the start time acquired for the smartphone 201. It is higher than the priority (in this example, “2”) of the car navigation device 202 from which the start time “2013/11/23 — 10:00” was acquired.

  The determination unit 102 determines the priority every time usage history data is supplied from the acquisition unit 101. For example, when “2013/12/2 — 7:00” is acquired as the start time of the car navigation device 202 when the priority is in the state shown in FIG. 6A, the sound emission function and display function of the car navigation device 202 are obtained. The priority of the rendering function is determined as “1”, and the priority of the user device 20 whose priority is changed accordingly is determined. For example, for the sound emission function, the priority of the wireless earphone 205, the smartphone 201, and the wireless speaker 204 is “1”, “2”, and “3”. ”,“ 3 ”and“ 4 ”. As described above, the determination unit 102 determines the priority every time the usage history is acquired by the acquisition unit 101, and reflects the determined priority in the priority list in real time. The determination unit 102 also reflects the acquired start time in the priority list. FIG. 6B shows a priority list that reflects the priority and the start time. When determining the priority, the determining unit 102 notifies the processing unit 103 to that effect.

[1-3-3] Processing means 103
When the use of a function is requested, the processing unit 103 gives priority to the external device having a high priority determined by the determining unit 102 for the function over the external device having a low priority, and assigns the function to the prioritized external device. It is an example of a means for performing processing for execution (hereinafter referred to as “execution processing”). In this embodiment, the processing unit 103 performs, as an execution process, a process for transmitting the above-described instruction data (data for instructing execution of a function) to the required user device 20.

  The processing means 103 investigates whether or not each user device 20 can be connected to another user device 20 and reflects the investigation result in the priority list stored by the determining means 102. As described in the description of FIG. 1, each user device 20 exchanges data via the network 2. That is, if connected to the network 2, the user device 20 can be connected to other user devices 20. For example, the processing unit 103 periodically exchanges data with each user device 20 via the network 2 to check whether the connection is possible. In addition, when each user device 20 starts and ends the connection to the network 2, the processing unit 103 investigates whether or not the connection can be made by transmitting notification data that notifies them to the information processing apparatus 10. May be.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a priority list that reflects whether or not connection is possible. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the connection possibility is reflected in the priority list of FIG. In the column of “connectability” in the priority list of FIG. 7, the wireless earphone 205, the smartphone 201, the fixed phone 203, and the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 are “connectable”, and the other user devices 20 are “not connectable”. It is shown that. For example, when the user wants to listen to music stored in the smartphone 201, the smartphone 201 executes a program for listening to music and transmits request data requesting use of the sound emission function to the information processing apparatus 10. . When receiving the request data, the processing unit 103 determines that the use of the function indicated by the received request data is requested. Then, for example, the processing unit 103 transmits the instruction data to the user device 20 that is connectable and has the highest priority of the function requested to be used in the priority list.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the processing unit 103 transmits instruction data to the wireless earphone 205 whose connection possibility is “possible” and the priority of the “sound emission” function is “1”. More specifically, the processing unit 103 transmits, to the wireless earphone 205, instruction data instructing to emit the sound indicated by the rendered sound data output from the smartphone 201. In addition, the processing unit 103 transmits instruction data for instructing the smartphone 201 to output the rendered sound data to the wireless earphone 205. The sound data rendered in accordance with the instruction data received by the smartphone 201 is output to the wireless earphone 205, and the wireless earphone 205 releases the sound indicated by the output sound data, so that the user can play the music stored in the smartphone 201. It can be heard from the wireless earphone 205.

[1-4] Operation Based on the above configuration, the information processing system 1 performs priority processing for causing the user device 20 with high priority to execute a function. The priority processing includes determination processing for determining priority and usage processing performed when the user uses the function. Hereinafter, the operation of each device in the determination process and the use process will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. 8 and 9, the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 and the user device 20a having the start time as the start time of the user device 20 among the plurality of user devices 20 and the screen as the start operation are displayed. The operation of the user device 20b with the start time as the time when the operation for unlocking is performed will be described as an example.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of each device in the determination process. When the user device 20a receives an operation to turn on power (power-on operation) (step S11), the user device 20a transmits operation time data and identification data indicating the time when the power-on operation is performed to the information processing apparatus 10 (step S11). S12). The information processing apparatus 10 acquires the time indicated by the operation time data received in step S12 as the use history (start time in the present embodiment) of the user device 20a indicated by the received identification data (step S13). A priority is determined based on the usage history (step S14).

  When the user device 20b receives an operation for unlocking the screen (unlock operation) (step S21), the user device 20b transmits operation time data and identification data indicating the time when the unlock operation is received to the information processing apparatus 10 (step S21). S22). The information processing apparatus 10 acquires the time indicated by the operation time data received in step S22 as the use history (start time in the present embodiment) of the user device 20b indicated by the received identification data (step S23). The priority is determined based on the usage history (step S24). The information processing apparatus 10 determines the priority in the determination process as described above.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of each device in the usage process. In the example of FIG. 9, a case where the user listens to music by operating the user device 20a will be described as an example. First, when the user device 20a receives an operation for playing music by the user (step S31), the user device 20a transmits request data for requesting the use of the sound emission function to the information processing apparatus 10 (step S32). When the information processing apparatus 10 receives the request data in step S32, the information processing apparatus 10 determines that the use of the sound emitting function is requested, and indicates instruction data for executing the function based on the priority determined for the sound emitting function in the determination process. Is generated (step S33). In this example, it is assumed that the user device with the highest priority of the sound emission function is the user device 20b.

  The information processing apparatus 10 transmits instruction data instructing the rendering and output destination of the sound data to the user device 20a (step S34), and the instruction data instructing the output source of the sound data and the release of the sound is transmitted to the user device 20b. (Step S35). The user device 20a renders the sound data in accordance with the instruction indicated by the instruction data received in step S34 (step S41), and outputs the rendered sound data to the user device 20b (step S42). The user device 20b emits the sound indicated by the sound data received in step S42 according to the instruction indicated by the instruction data received in step S35 (step S43). By performing the use process as described above, the user can listen to the sound of music emitted from the user device 20b.

  In the present embodiment, the determination unit 102 determines the priority so that the priority is higher for the user device 20 whose use start time is later, in other words, the user device 20 whose start time is closer to the current time. doing. The closer the start time is to the current time, the higher the possibility that the user is using the user device 20. Conversely, the farther the start time is from the current time, the more the user is not using the user device 20. Increases nature. That is, the user device 20 with a high priority is a device that the user is likely to use compared to the user device 20 with a low priority. According to this embodiment, when a user uses a function, the function that the user is likely to use can be executed.

[2] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the priority is determined based on the start time, but in the second embodiment, the priority is determined based on the start time and the usage frequency of the user device 20. The usage frequency is information representing the frequency with which the user device 20 is used by the user, and is represented by, for example, the number of times the usage history is acquired within a predetermined period (such as one day or one week). .

[2-1] Functional Configuration The acquisition unit 101 acquires information indicating the usage frequency of the user device 20 (hereinafter referred to as “use frequency information”) as a usage history. For example, each user device 20 transmits the operation time data and the identification data described in the first embodiment to the information processing apparatus 10. As described above, the operation time data represents the time when the start operation is performed, that is, the start time when the use of the user device 20 is started. That is, the number of start times included in a predetermined period (one day, one week, etc.) is information indicating the usage frequency of the user device 20 indicated by the identification data transmitted together with the operation time data indicating the start times. It is. In this way, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the usage frequency information of each user device 20 represented by the received operation time data and identification data. The acquisition unit 101 also acquires the start time as in the first embodiment.

The determination unit 102 determines the priority based on the start time and usage frequency information acquired by the acquisition unit 101. For example, the determination unit 102 gives each user device 20 a score based on the start time acquired for each and a score based on the usage frequency represented by the usage frequency information acquired for each. The total score given is determined as the priority. In this case, the higher the priority value, the higher the priority.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a priority list according to the second embodiment. In the priority list shown in FIG. 10, the score of the start time and the usage frequency (represented by the number of times used in one week in this example) given to each user device 20, and the priority of summing them. The degree value is shown.

  In the example of FIG. 10, 6, 5,..., 1 point are given from the start time that is close to the current time (in this example, the time after 2013/12 / 3_9: 00). In addition, as the points of use frequency, 6, 5,... In addition, the same score is given to the user devices 20 having the same start time or the same use frequency. For example, the smartphone 201 and the wireless earphone 205 whose start time is closest to the current time are both given 6 points as the start time, and the car navigation device 202 whose start time is farthest from the current time is One point is given as the time score. Further, the smartphone 201 has the highest use frequency of 50 times, and is given 6 points. Thereby, the priority of the smartphone 201 is 6 points for the start time + 6 points for the usage frequency = 12 points.

  Similarly, the priority of the wireless earphone 205 is 6 + 4 = 13 points, the priority of the wireless speaker 204 is 3 + 3 = 11 points, the priority of the fixed telephone 203 is 4 + 3 = 7 points, and the priority of the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 is 2 + 5 = 7 points, the priority of the car navigation device 202 is 1 + 1 = 2 points. As a result of determining the priority as described above, for example, with respect to the sound emission function, the priority of the smartphone 201 is the highest, and the priority is lowered in the order of the wireless earphone 205, the wireless speaker 204, and the car navigation device 202 below. . The processing means 103 performs an execution process in the same manner as in the first embodiment based on the priority determined in this way.

  In the present embodiment, for example, if the user devices 20 have the same start time, the determining unit 102 indicates the priority of the user devices 20 using the usage frequency information acquired for the user devices 20. Higher than the priority of the user device 20 from which usage frequency information representing a lower usage frequency is acquired. In the example of FIG. 10, both the smartphone 201 and the wireless earphone 205 have the same start time as “2013/12 / 3_9: 00”, but the usage frequency of the smartphone 201 (in this example, 20 times a week) Is higher than the frequency of use of the wireless earphone 205 (in this example, six times a week), the priority of the smartphone 201 is higher than the priority of the wireless earphone 205. The user device 20 having a high use frequency is more likely to be used by the user than the user device 20 having a low use frequency. According to this embodiment, even when the use histories other than the use frequency (start time in the present embodiment) match among the plurality of user devices 20, based on the use frequency, The user equipment 20 that the user is likely to use can be caused to execute the function.

  In the present embodiment, if the user devices 20 have the same use frequency, the determining unit 102 determines the priority of the user device 20 for the user device 20 as in the first embodiment. Higher than the priority of the user device 20 from which the previous start time was acquired. In the example of FIG. 10, the wireless speaker 204 and the fixed telephone 203 have the same usage frequency as “5 times”, but the start time of the fixed telephone 203 (in this example, 2013/12 / 1_8: 00) Since the current time is closer to the current time than the start time of the wireless speaker 204 (2013/11/30 — 20:00 in this example), the priority of the fixed telephone 203 is higher than the priority of the wireless speaker 204. Thereby, in this embodiment, even when the use histories other than the start time (usage frequency in the present embodiment) match among the plurality of user devices 20, the user among the user devices 20 is based on the start time. The user equipment 20 that is more likely to use can be caused to execute the function.

[2-2] Usage Frequency for Each Function The usage frequency information acquired by the acquisition unit 101 may be information indicating the usage frequency for each function of the user device 20, that is, the frequency with which each function is used. . When the user device 20 executes each function, the function execution data indicating the function execution time when the function is executed and identification information for identifying the own device and the executed function are transmitted to the information processing apparatus 10. Such usage frequency information is acquired. Also in this case, the determination unit 102 determines the priority for each function based on the usage frequency information representing the usage frequency for each function acquired by the acquisition unit 101.

  Depending on the user, a certain function among the functions of the user device 20 may be used particularly often. For example, the display function of the fixed telephone 203 is not used, but the telephone function is often used. In such a case, the determination unit 102 determines the priority based on the use frequency for each function as described above, so that the priority of the telephone function is likely to be high and the priority of the display function is likely to be low. As a result, even if the functions frequently used by the user among the plurality of functions of the user device 20 are biased, the function is applied to the user device 20 that the user is likely to use when the user uses the function. Can be executed.

[3] Third Embodiment Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first and second embodiments. In the third embodiment, it is determined whether or not the user who has requested the use of the function is near the user device 20, and the priority is determined based on the determination result.
[3-1] Functional Configuration FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. In the example of FIG. 11, an information processing apparatus 10 a that includes a first determination unit 104 and a second determination unit 105 in addition to the units illustrated in FIG. 5 is illustrated.

[3-1-1] First Determination The first determination unit 104, based on the usage history acquired by the acquisition unit 101, requests the use of a function near the external device from which the usage history is acquired ( This is an example of means for determining whether or not there is a “requesting user” hereinafter. For example, when the usage history determined for each user device 20 is acquired in a predetermined period (30 minutes, 1 hour, etc.), the first determination unit 104 is close to the user device 20 from which the usage history is acquired. It is determined that there is a requesting user. The predetermined period here is a period determined for determination by the first determination unit 104, and is hereinafter referred to as a “first determination period”. In the present embodiment, the length of the first determination period is fixed and does not change. Further, the use history here is used for determination by the first determination means 104, and is hereinafter referred to as "first determination history". Each user apparatus 20 and the 1st determination log | history corresponding to them are demonstrated with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first determination history corresponding to each user device 20. In FIG. 12, as the first determination history, “power-on operation”, “volume operation”, “reception operation”, and “sensor detection start” history are shown in each column. The wristwatch type wearable terminal 206 according to the present embodiment is provided with a sensor (for example, a proximity sensor or a pressure sensor) that detects whether or not the user's own device is worn by the user. “Sensor detection operation” represents a usage history that the sensor has performed an operation of detecting a user's wearing. In FIG. 12, “◯” is shown in the column of the first determination history corresponding to the row of each user device 20. For example, in the case of the smartphone 201, the first determination history “power-on operation”, “volume operation”, and “reception operation” corresponds, and in the case of the car navigation device 202, “power-on operation” and “volume”. The first determination history “operation” corresponds.

  In the present embodiment, each user device 20 transmits usage history data indicating the usage history shown in FIG. 12 to the information processing apparatus 10 together with identification data for identifying the own device, and the acquisition unit 101 receives the received usage history data. The usage history shown is acquired as the first determination history of the user device 20 indicated by the received identification data. The first determination unit 104 determines that there is a requesting user near the user device 20 for which the first determination history is acquired by the acquisition unit 101 in the first determination period described above.

  For example, if the first determination period is 30 minutes, the first determination unit 104, when the acquisition unit 101 acquires the first determination history of the user device 20 after the time 30 minutes before the current time, It is determined that there is a requesting user near the user equipment 20. On the other hand, when the first determination history of the user device 20 is acquired by the acquisition unit 101 at a time before that time, that is, the first determination unit 104 is first after the first determination history is acquired last. When the determination period has elapsed, it is determined that there is no requesting user near the user device 20. When the determination based on the first determination history is thus performed, the first determination unit 104 supplies the determination unit 102 with first determination result data indicating the user device 20 that has determined that the requesting user is nearby.

  The fact that the first determination history of the user device 20 is acquired in the first determination period indicates that the first determination period has not yet elapsed since the requesting user used the user device 20. In this case, the user device 20 is compared to the user device 20 for which the first determination history has not been acquired in the first determination period, that is, the user device 20 for which the first determination period has elapsed since being used by the requesting user. Since it is used by the requesting user more recently, there is a high possibility that the requesting user is nearby. In this way, the first determination unit 104 determines whether or not there is a requesting user near the external device based on whether or not the first determination period has elapsed since the first determination history of the external device was acquired. To do.

  Note that the first determination history is not limited to that shown in FIG. 12, and may be, for example, a history of operations for starting playback of music or the like, or a history of operations for starting a specific program. Good. However, as the number of types of first determination history increases, the load of the process in which the user device 20 transmits the first determination history data and the communication load caused thereby increase. Therefore, it is desirable that the number of types of the first determination history is as small as possible. In addition, a usage history that is often near for a while is more desirable than a usage history in which the user immediately moves away from the user device 20 after the determination by the first determination unit 104 is performed. Therefore, for example, a usage history (“power-on operation”, “reception operation”, “sensor detection start” in the example of FIG. 12) acquired when the user starts to use the user device 20 from now on, and the user device for a while It is desirable that a use history (also “volume operation”) acquired when the user continues to use 20 is used as the first determination history.

[3-1-2] Second Determination The second determination unit 105 is based on the usage history acquired for the external device by the acquisition unit 101, and whether there is a requesting user near another external device different from the external device. It is an example of a means for determining whether or not. For example, when the usage history determined for each user device 20 is acquired in a predetermined period (30 minutes, 1 hour, etc.), the second determination unit 105 corresponds to the combination of the usage history and the user device 20. It is determined that there is a requesting user in the vicinity of the other user equipment 20 that performs.

  The predetermined period here is determined for determination by the second determination unit 105 and is hereinafter referred to as a “second determination period”. The second determination period may be the same as or different from the first determination period described above. In the present embodiment, the length of the second determination period is fixed and does not change. Further, the usage history here is used for determination by the second determination means 105 and is hereinafter referred to as “second determination history”. The second determination unit 105 stores a second determination history table in which a combination of the user device 20 and the second determination history is associated with another user device 20.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second determination history table. In the second determination history table illustrated in FIG. 13, for the combination of the user device 20 and the second determination history “car navigation device” and “power-on operation”, other “smart phone” and “watch-type wearable terminal” are used. User equipment 20 is associated. Further, another user device 20 called “fixed phone” is associated with the combination “wireless speaker” and “volume operation”, and “wireless speaker” is set with respect to the combination “fixed phone” and “reception operation”. Is associated with another user device 20

  As described in the description of the first determination unit 104, the second determination unit 105 includes a combination of the use history acquired by the acquisition unit 101 and the user device 20 from which the use history is acquired in the second determination history table. If the usage history is acquired in the second determination period, it is determined that the requesting user is near another user device 20 associated with the combination in the second determination history table. For example, when the usage history of the power-on operation of the car navigation device 202 is acquired after a time that is traced back from the current time by the second determination period, the second determination unit 105 uses the user device 20 and the usage history ( In this case, it is determined that the requesting user is in the vicinity of the smartphone 201 and the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 associated with the combination of the second determination history). When the determination based on the second determination history is thus performed, the second determination unit 105 supplies the determination unit 102 with second determination result data indicating the user device 20 that has determined that the requesting user is nearby.

  For example, the car navigation device 202 is turned on when the user is going to drive a car or ride a car. Since the smartphone 201 and the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 are more likely to be brought into the car and used than the other user devices 20, when the use history of the power-on operation of the car navigation device 202 is acquired, the smartphone There is a high possibility that the requesting user is near 201 and the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206. Since both the fixed telephone 203 and the wireless speaker 204 are installed and used at home, when the second determination history of one user device 20 is acquired, a request is made near the other user device 20. There is a high possibility that there is a user. The second determination unit 105 determines whether there is a requesting user near another user device 20 based on the usage history acquired for the user device 20 using the relationship between the user devices 20.

[3-1-3] Determination Unit The determination unit 102 determines the priority based on the determination result by the first determination unit 104 and the determination result by the second determination unit 105. Specifically, for example, as in the second embodiment, the determination unit 102 is based on the determination result by each first determination unit 104 and the determination result by the second determination unit 105 for each user device 20. Points are assigned and the total of the given points is determined as the priority.

  As a specific example, a score of 2 times the number of times that the determination is made in the first determination period × 2 points is given to the user device 20 determined by the first determination means 104 to be nearby. For example, the user device 20 determined by the determination unit 105 to be near the requesting user is given a score of the number of times of the determination in the second determination period × 1 point. For example, the first determination unit 104 determines that the requesting user is close to the smartphone 201 three times in the first determination period, and determines that the requesting user is close twice in the second determination period. When performed by the second determination unit 105, a score of 3 times × 2 points + 2 times × 1 point = 8 points is given to the smartphone 201.

  In the present embodiment, the determining unit 102 determines the priority of the external device determined by the first determining unit 104 that the requesting user is nearby, for example, when the second determination history is not acquired. The priority is set higher than the priority of the external device determined to have no requesting user nearby. The user equipment 20 in which the requesting user is nearby is more likely to be used by the user than the user equipment 20 in which the requesting user is not nearby. According to this embodiment, even when the second determination history is not acquired, the function is executed on the user device 20 that the user is likely to use when the user uses the function based on the first determination history. Can be made.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of external devices having the same priority based on the first determination history, the determination unit 102 sets the second priority of the external device determined by the second determination unit 105 that the requesting user is nearby. The priority is set higher than the priority of the external device determined by the determination means 105 that there is no requesting user nearby. According to the present embodiment as described above, even in the case where there is no difference in the priorities of the usage histories other than the second determination history (first determination history in the present embodiment) in the plurality of user devices 20, the second determination history is not changed. Based on the user equipment 20, the user equipment 20 that is likely to be used by the user can execute the function. In addition, since the determination based on the second determination history of the other user device 20 is performed, even if the user device 20 cannot acquire the determination history (use history) due to security or the like, the user is likely to use it. In this case, the user device 20 can execute the function.

[4] Modifications Each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and may be modified as follows. Moreover, you may implement each embodiment mentioned above and each modification shown below, combining each as needed.

[4-1] Execution Processing The processing unit 103 may perform execution processing different from that in the embodiment. The processing means 103 is
For example, a request data for requesting the use of a function is sent to a list representing a plurality of user devices 20 that can be connected and whose function requested to be used has a higher priority and their priorities. The process to be transmitted to the user device 20 is performed as an execution process. Then, the processing means 103 performs a process of causing the user device 20 selected from the list to execute a function by the user in the same manner as in the embodiment. Thereby, the user can select the user device 20 that executes the function.

  In addition, the processing unit 103 can connect a user device that can be connected when a user device 20 that has not been connected can be connected while a function is being executed by a certain user device 20. A process of transmitting the above-described list reflecting the priority order determined by the determination unit 102 including 20 to the user device 20 that has transmitted the request data may be performed as an execution process. This makes it easier for the user to switch the user device that executes the function.

  Further, the processing means 103 may perform a process of transmitting instruction data regardless of whether or not connection is possible as an execution process. When this execution process is performed, the instruction data may be transmitted to the unconnected user device 20. In this case, a transmission error occurs. Therefore, the processing unit 103 has the next highest priority user device. The instruction data is transmitted to 20. By repeating the transmission until the instruction data reaches the transmission destination, the function is executed by the user device 20 that can be connected and has the highest priority.

  In addition, when each user device 20 has a communication function that allows devices such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) to directly communicate with each other, the processing unit 103 uses the communication function to transmit data. Instruction data indicating an instruction to be exchanged may be transmitted. Further, the processing unit 103 may transmit the instruction data only to the user device 20 different from the user device 20 that has requested the use of the function. In this case, only the user device 20 that has requested the use of the function and the use of the function are requested. Further, in each of the above examples, the processing unit 103 transmits instruction data to two user devices 20, but may transmit instruction data to three or more user devices 20, or one user device. The instruction data may be transmitted only to 20. In short, the processing unit 103 may perform the execution process so that the user device 20 necessary for the user to use the requested function executes the function.

[4-2] Start Operation The start operation, that is, the operation performed when the user starts using the user device 20 is not limited to the one described above. For example, an operation for starting a specific program or an operation for displaying a specific screen may be set as the start operation. In addition, when the user device 20 has a function of recognizing voice and accepting an operation by voice, an operation by a specific voice may be set as a start operation, or when the user device 20 includes an acceleration sensor. The operation of shaking the user device 20 may be a start operation. In any case, it is desirable that the start operation is an operation in which the user device 20 is used or used for a while after the user performs the operation on the user device 20.

[4-3] Start Time The start time, that is, the time when the user starts using the user device 20 is not limited to the time when the start operation is performed. For example, when the user device 20 has a measurement function, the time when a specific value is measured by the measurement function may be set as the start time. For example, when the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 includes a proximity sensor, the time when the proximity sensor measures a value indicating that the user's own device is attached to the user is set as the start time, or the smartphone 201 is set to NFC (Near field For example, when a communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication conforming to communication) is provided, the smart phone 201 is held over the reader / writer and the time when the short-range wireless communication is performed is set as the start time. In any case, it is desirable that the time when the user device 20 performs an operation that triggers the user to start using the user device 20 is the start time.

[4-4] Usage Frequency Information The acquisition unit 101 acquires the usage frequency information represented by the start time in the second embodiment, but is not limited thereto. For example, each user device 20 stores that the start operation has been performed, and transmits the frequency data indicating the number of times stored in a predetermined period (such as one day or one week) to the information processing apparatus 10. The number of times indicated by the number of times data is information indicating the frequency of use of the user device 20 in a predetermined period, and the acquisition unit 101 acquires the number of times indicated by the received number of times data as usage frequency information. In addition, the obtaining unit 101 may obtain an average of usage frequencies in a plurality of periods, may obtain usage frequency information represented by the obtained averages, and when obtaining the average, the usage frequency of a new period The weight may be increased as much as possible. In short, the acquisition unit 101 only needs to acquire information that can compare the usage frequencies of the user devices 20 as the usage frequency information.

[4-5] First Determination Unit The first determination unit 104 may perform the determination by a method different from the embodiment. For example, the acquisition unit 101 acquires a time when an external device is used (hereinafter referred to as “use time”) as a use history. The acquisition unit 101 acquires, for example, the time at which an operation indicating that an external device has been used is performed, as the use time, in the same manner as the start time is acquired. When the time elapsed from the use time of the external device acquired by the acquisition unit 101 is smaller than the time corresponding to the type of the external device (hereinafter referred to as “device response time”), It is determined that the requesting user is near the external device.

In this case, the 1st determination means 104 memorize | stores the apparatus corresponding | compatible time table which matched the kind of user apparatus 20, and apparatus corresponding | compatible time.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the device correspondence time table. In the device correspondence time table illustrated in FIG. 14, “5 minutes” and “10 minutes” are included in the types of user devices “fixed telephone”, “smartphone”, “sound emitting device”, “in-vehicle device”, and “wearable terminal”. , “15 minutes”, “20 minutes”, and “30 minutes” are associated with the device corresponding times. The sound emitting device is the type of the wireless speaker 204 and the wireless earphone 205, the in-vehicle device is the type of the car navigation device 202, and the wearable terminal is the type of the wristwatch type wearable terminal 206.

  For example, the first determination unit 104 determines that there is no requesting user near the smartphone 201 when the first determination history of the smartphone 201 has never been acquired, and when the first determination history is acquired, It is determined that there is a requesting user near 201. Thereafter, when the first determination history 104 has not acquired the first determination history, and “10 minutes” associated with the “mobile phone” that is the type of the smartphone 201 in the device correspondence time table has elapsed, It is determined that there is no requesting user near 201.

  The length of time that the user continues to use the user device 20 after using the user device 20 differs depending on the type of the user device 20. For example, since a fixed telephone is used only for a call, a relatively short time of 5 minutes is associated. On the other hand, since in-vehicle devices are likely to be used while riding in a car, a relatively long time of 1 hour is associated, and the wearable terminal is worn when the user goes out in the morning. Since there is a high possibility that it will be used until it is removed when returning home, a longer time of 2 hours is associated. If the user continues to use the device for a long time, it means that the requesting user is close to the user for a long time. Therefore, in this modification, it is determined that the requesting user is as close to the user device 20 as that user. The period can be lengthened.

  In addition to the type of external device, the first determination unit 104 determines that the time elapsed from the use time of the external device acquired by the acquisition unit 101 is the time corresponding to the content of use performed at the use time. It may be determined that the requesting user is in the vicinity of the external device when it is smaller than (hereinafter referred to as “usage corresponding time”). Specifically, the content of use is the content of the operation performed by the user to use the external device or the content of the operation performed by the external device by the user using the external device. Operation, volume operation, reception operation, sensor detection operation, and the like. In this case, the 1st determination means 104 memorize | stores the use corresponding | compatible time table which matched the content of use and use corresponding | compatible time.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the usage correspondence time table. In the usage correspondence time table shown in FIG. 15, the usage contents of “power-on operation”, “volume operation”, “reception operation”, and “sensor detection operation” include “30 minutes”, “15 minutes”, “5 minutes”. ”And“ 2 hours ”are associated with each other. In this case, the first determination unit 104 determines that the requesting user is near the user device 20 when the power-on operation history is acquired as the first determination history. After the first determination unit 104 does not acquire the first determination history and “30 minutes” associated with the “power-on operation” in the usage corresponding time table has elapsed, the first determination unit 104 is close to the user device 20. It is determined that there is no requesting user.

  The length of time that the user continues to use the user device 20 after using the user device 20 varies depending on the contents of the use. For example, since the reception operation is an operation performed when used for the purpose of a call, a relatively short time of 5 minutes is associated. On the other hand, since the power-on operation is an operation that is performed first when the use of the user device 20 is started, the power-on operation is used for a longer time after the operation than other operations, and is a relatively long time of 1 hour. Are associated. Further, in this embodiment, the sensor detection operation is an operation performed only by the wearable terminal, and therefore, a longer time of 2 hours is associated with the same reason as the wearable terminal shown in FIG. Even in the same user equipment 20, when the content used by the user changes, the length of the period that is likely to be used by the user thereafter changes. When the first determination unit 104 performs the determination based on the usage corresponding time, the period in which it is determined that the requesting user is nearby can be changed according to the period in which the first determination unit 104 changes.

[4-6] Second Determination Unit The second determination unit 105 may perform the determination using a method different from the embodiment. For example, the second determination unit 105 may perform the determination based on the device response time in the same manner as the first determination unit 104 described above. In this case, as the type of the user device 20, either the type of the user device 20 whose usage history is acquired or the type of the other user device 20 may be used. Further, the second determination unit 105 may perform determination based on the usage corresponding time. In this case, the type of use for the user device 20 for which the use history is acquired may be used.

  In addition, for example, when the acquisition unit 101 acquires the location of an external device as a usage history, and the second determination unit 105 is within the defined region, the second determination unit 105 can respond to the region. Alternatively, it may be determined that the requesting user is near another external device. This area is an area used for the determination by the second determination means 105 according to this modification, and is hereinafter referred to as a “determination area”. In this modified example, the smartphone 201 and the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 provided with positioning means for measuring the position of the own device periodically measure the position of the own device, for example, and position data indicating the measured position by latitude and longitude Is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 10. The acquisition unit 101 acquires the position indicated by the received position data as the location of the user device 20.

The second determination unit 105 stores a table in which the user device 20, the determination region, and the other user device 20 are associated with each other as a second determination table.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second determination history table according to the present modification. In the second determination history table illustrated in FIG. 16, the user devices 20 “smartphone” and “in-home” and the other user devices 20 “fixed telephone” and “wireless speaker” are associated with the determination area. This indicates that there is a high possibility that the fixed telephone 203 and the wireless speaker 204 are close to the requesting user when the smartphone 201 is located at home.

  Similarly, a “car navigation device” is associated with “smart phone” and “near a parking lot”. This indicates that when the smartphone 201 is located near the parking lot, the user is about to get into the car, and the car navigation device 202 is likely to be near the requesting user. Further, “smart phone” and “earphone” are associated with the “watch-type wearable terminal” and the “jogging course”. This is because when the user wears the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 and jogs, the user who is listening to the music stored in the smartphone 201 listens to the wireless earphone 205, and therefore the requesting user is near the smartphone 201 and the wireless earphone 205. This means that the possibility is high.

The determination area is represented by a simple name in FIG. 16, but actually, for example, it is represented by a plurality of combinations of latitude and longitude representing the boundary of the location indicated by each name. When the second determination unit 105 includes the latitude and longitude indicated by the position data of the user device 20 supplied from the acquisition unit 101 in the determination region associated with the user device 20 in the second determination history table. In the second determination history table, it is determined that there is a requesting user near the user device 20 and another user device 20 associated with the determination region.
The location of the user device 20 that requests use of the function is also the location of the requesting user who uses the user device 20. According to this modification, according to the position where the requesting user who uses the user device 20 is located, the other user device 20 that is more likely to be near the requesting user can execute the function.

[4-7] Third Determination Unit In the third embodiment, it is determined whether or not there is a requesting user near the external device, but even if there is a requesting user near the external device, the requesting user selects the external device. May not be in use. For example, even if there is a smartphone 201 or a wireless earphone 205 while driving a bicycle or a car, the requesting user is not in a state of using it. In this modification, it is determined whether or not the requesting user is in a state of using an external device.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present modification. In FIG. 17, an information processing apparatus 10 b including a third determination unit 106 in addition to the units illustrated in FIG. 5 is illustrated. In the present modification, the acquisition unit 101 acquires speed information representing the speed at which the external device moves (hereinafter referred to as “movement speed”) as a usage history. For example, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the location of the external device at a certain time interval (for example, every 5 seconds or every 10 seconds) as described above. When the distance between successive location positions indicated by the location positions thus obtained is divided by the time interval, the moving speed of the external device is represented. That is, the location position acquired by the acquisition unit 101 is information indicating the moving speed of the external device. The acquisition unit 101 acquires speed information in this way.

  The third determination unit 106 is an example of a unit that determines whether or not the requesting user uses the external device from which the speed information is acquired based on the acquired speed information. For example, when the moving speed represented by the acquired speed information is included in the speed range corresponding to the external device, the third determination unit 106 determines that the requesting user is in a state of using the external device. . In this case, the third determination unit 106 stores a speed range table in which the external device is associated with the moving speed range.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a speed range table. In this table, the user equipment 20 called “smartphone” is associated with a range of movement speeds of “0 km / h, 100 km / h or more”. This indicates that there is a high possibility that the requesting user is using the smartphone 201 when the user is not moving (0 km / h) or when moving by train (100 km / h or more). . Further, the “watch-type wearable terminal” is associated with a moving speed range of “5 km / h or more and 20 km / h or less”.

  This indicates that there is a high possibility that the requesting user is using the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 when the user is jogging. The use in this case does not mean that the user operates the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206, but causes the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 to measure the position, store the result, and record the jogging result. The “car navigation device” is associated with a moving speed range of “20 km / h or more and 100 km / h or less”. This indicates that there is a high possibility that the requesting user uses the car navigation device 202 when the user is moving in a car.

  The determination unit 102 sets the priority of the external device determined to be in a state to be used by the third determination unit 106 higher than the priority of the external device determined to be not in a state to be used by the third determination unit 106. To do. An external device that is in a state used by the requesting user is more likely to be used by the requesting user than an external device that is not, and the external device that is in the vicinity of the requesting user is more likely to be used by the requesting user. It is likely to be used. According to this modification, it is possible to cause the external device that is likely to be used by the user to execute the function as compared with the case where the determination using the moving speed is not performed.

  In addition to the result of determination by the third determination unit 106, the determination unit 102 assigns a score as described in the third embodiment on the basis of the determination result by the first and second determination units and assigns priority. May be determined. Alternatively, the third determination unit 106 may perform the above determination only for the external device that is determined by the first determination unit 104 and the second determination unit 105 that the requesting user is nearby. As described above, when the same external device is determined by two methods, even if a determination error occurs by one method, the determination result is determined by another method for the erroneous determination result. It will be. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the function from being executed by an external device that is unlikely to be used by the user, as compared with the case where the determination is performed by one method.

  Note that the third determination unit 106 may perform the determination by a method other than the above. For example, the third determination unit 106 changes the range of the moving speed described above according to the time zone, season, and weather. When changing the range of the moving speed according to the time zone, season and weather, for example, the moving speed range of “0 km / h, 100 km / h or higher” associated with the “smartphone” during the time zone when the train is not operating Is changed to “0km / h”, and when it is raining during the daytime in the midsummer season when the jogging speed is slow, or when the weather is raining, it is associated with the “watch-type wearable terminal” “5km / h to 20km / h” That is, the range of the moving speed is changed to “3 km / h or more and 10 km / h or less”.

  The third determination unit 106 may change the range of the moving speed according to the attribute of the requesting user. For example, the third determination unit 106 does not change the range of the moving speed associated with the “watch-type wearable terminal” in the range of 15 to 50 years old, depending on the age of the requesting user, and is less than 15 years old or 50 If you are over the age, change it to “3 km / h or more and 10 km / h or less”. In any case, by changing the range of the moving speed so that the speed at which the requesting user who is in the state of using the user device 20 moves is included, it is more user-friendly than when this range is fixed. The function can be executed by an external device that is likely to be used.

[4-8] Distance between External Devices The determining unit 102 may determine the priority based on the distance between external devices. For example, when one of the plurality of user devices 20 requests the use of a function (hereinafter, the user device 20 is referred to as “request user device”), the acquisition unit 101 may request the requested user device and a plurality of other users. Each distance with each of the devices 20 (hereinafter referred to as “distance between devices”) is acquired as a usage history. Below. Hereinafter, a case will be described in which the smartphone 201 is a requested user device, and the wireless speaker 204, the wireless earphone 205, and the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 are other user devices 20.

  In the present modification, each user device 20 has a communication unit that performs wireless communication conforming to a wireless local area network (LAN). The smartphone 201 transmits reception intensity data indicating the reception intensity of radio waves of wireless communication with each user device 20 to the information processing apparatus 10 together with the identification data of the own device and the identification data of the user device 20 of the communication partner. Since this reception strength tends to increase as the distance between devices becomes shorter, the distance between devices can be represented by the reception strength. The acquisition unit 101 acquires the inter-device distance between the requested user device indicated by each received identification data and the other user device 20 represented by the reception strength indicated by the received reception strength data.

  The determination unit 102 compares the priority of the user device 20 from which the inter-device distance is acquired with respect to the priority of the user device 20 from which the inter-device distance that is longer than the inter-device distance acquired for the user device 20 is acquired. Make it high. For example, the inter-device distances between the smartphone 201, the wireless speaker 204, the wireless earphone 205, and the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 are N1, N2, and N3 (units are, for example, m (meters). In this example, N1> N2> N3. )), The determination unit 102 sets the priority of the wireless speaker 204 with the shortest distance between devices higher than the priority of the wireless earphone 205 and the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206, and the next shortest distance between devices. The priority of the wireless earphone 205 is set higher than the priority of the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206.

  Since the requested user device is the user device 20 that the user is using to request the use of the function, the user is in the same location as the requested user device. That is, the above-described distance between devices also represents the distance between the user and another user device 20. If priority is not determined based on the distance between devices, an external device that is close to the user may not execute the function, and an external device that is far from the user may execute the function. In the example, such priority can be prevented by determining the priority based on the distance between devices.

[4-9] Function Cooperation History The determination unit 102 may determine the priority based on a function cooperation history between external devices. For example, the acquisition unit 101 acquires, as a usage history, the cooperation frequency of the functions of the requested user device and each of the plurality of other user devices 20 described above. Hereinafter, a case where the smartphone 201 is the fifth requesting user device and the wireless speaker 204, the wireless earphone 205, and the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 are other user devices 20 will be described.

  For example, sound data and image data rendered by the smartphone 201 are transmitted to another user device 20, and the other user devices 20 emit sound and display an image, thereby linking the functions. In addition, the smartphone 201 receives sound data and image data transmitted from another user device 20, result data indicating the detection result of the sensor, etc., and emits sound, displays an image, records the detection result of the sensor, etc. Function cooperation is also performed by doing. When the smartphone 201 performs cooperation of these functions with each user device 20, for example, the smartphone 201 stores cooperation time data indicating a time at which the cooperation is started. Of the cooperation time data stored in this way, the number of cooperation time data indicating the time included in a certain period (for example, one day or one week) represents the cooperation frequency in that period. The acquisition unit 101 acquires the cooperation frequency represented by the cooperation time data in this way.

  The determination unit 102 increases the priority of the user device 20 for which the cooperation frequency is acquired as compared with the priority of the user device 20 for which the cooperation frequency less than the cooperation frequency acquired for the user device 20 is acquired. For example, the cooperation frequencies of the smartphone 201, the wireless speaker 204, the wireless earphone 205, and the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 are N4, N5, and N6 (the unit is, for example, the number of times every week. In this example, N4 <N5 <N6). If there is, the determination unit 102 sets the priority of the wristwatch-type wearable terminal 206 having the highest cooperation frequency higher than the priority of the wireless speaker 204 and the wireless earphone 205, and the priority of the wireless earphone 205 having the next highest cooperation frequency. The degree is set higher than the priority of the wireless speaker 204.

  Other user devices 20 having a high cooperation frequency with the requested user device are more likely to be used by users using the requested user device than other user devices 20 having a low cooperation frequency. If priority is not determined based on the linkage frequency, external devices with a high linkage frequency may not execute the function, and external devices with a low linkage frequency may execute the function. By determining the priority based on this, such a situation can be prevented.

[4-10] Category of the Invention The present invention can be understood as an information processing apparatus, an information processing system including an information processing apparatus, and user equipment. One of the user devices may be used as the information processing apparatus. The present invention can also be understood as an information processing method for realizing the processing performed by the information processing apparatus. The processing here is, for example, the determination processing shown in FIG. 8 and the usage processing shown in FIG. The present invention can also be understood as a program for causing a computer such as an information processing apparatus to function as each unit shown in FIG. This program may be provided in the form of a recording medium such as an optical disk storing the program, or may be provided in the form of being downloaded to a computer via a network such as the Internet, and making it available for installation. You may do.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing system, 2 ... Network, 10 ... Information processing apparatus, 20 ... User apparatus, 11, 21 ... Control part, 12 ... Memory | storage part, 13, 23 ... Communication part, 22 ... Operation part, 24 ... Power supply part , 25 ... function execution unit, 101 ... acquisition means, 102 ... determination means, 103 ... processing means, 104 ... first determination means, 105 ... second determination means, 106 ... third determination means.

Claims (10)

Acquisition means for acquiring each usage history of a plurality of external devices each having one or more functions;
Based on the usage history acquired by the acquisition unit, for each function that the external device has, a determination unit that determines the priority of the external device when the function is used;
When the use of the function is requested, the external device having a high priority determined by the determining unit for the function is given priority over the external device having the low priority, and the function is executed on the prioritized external device. And an information processing apparatus. Based on the acquired usage history, comprising first determining means for determining whether there is a user who has requested the use of the function near the external device from which the usage history has been acquired;
The determining means determines the priority of the external device determined to be near the external device by the first determining means, and determines the priority of the external device that is not near the user by the first determining means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is higher than the priority of the information processing apparatus. The acquisition means acquires the use time when the external device was used as the use history,
The first determination means determines whether the external device has a time elapsed from the acquired use time of the external device is smaller than the time corresponding to the type of the external device or the content of use performed at the use time. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it is determined that the user is near a device. Based on the use history acquired for the external device, comprising second determination means for determining whether or not there is a user who has requested the use of the function near another external device different from the external device,
The determining means sets the priority of the external device determined to be near by the second determining means to the priority of the external device determined not to be near by the second determining means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is higher than the information processing apparatus. The acquisition means acquires the location of the external device as the usage history,
The said 2nd determination means determines that the said user exists near the said other external apparatus according to the said area | region when the acquired said location is in the area | region defined. Information processing device. The acquisition means acquires speed information representing the speed of movement of the external device as the usage history,
Based on the acquired speed information, comprising third determining means for determining whether or not the user is using the external device from which the speed information has been acquired,
The determination means has a higher priority of the external device determined to be in the state of use by the third determination means than the priority of the external device determined not to be in the state of use of the third determination means. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The acquisition means acquires, as the use history, use frequency information indicating a start time when use of the external device is started or a use frequency of the external device,
When the start time is acquired, the determining means sets the priority of the external device as the priority of the external device from which the start time before the start time acquired for the external device is acquired. When the usage frequency information is acquired, the priority of the external device represents a usage frequency lower than the usage frequency represented by the usage frequency information acquired for the external device. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is set higher than a priority of the external device from which the usage frequency information is acquired. The external device requests the use of the function;
The acquisition means acquires each distance between the external device that has made the request and each of a plurality of other external devices as the usage history,
The determination unit increases the priority of the external device from which the distance is acquired as compared with the priority of the external device from which the distance is acquired that is longer than the distance acquired for the external device. 8. The information processing apparatus according to any one of items 7. The external device requests the use of the function;
The acquisition means acquires, as the usage history, the cooperation frequency of the function between the external device that has made the request and each of a plurality of other external devices,
The determination means increases the priority of the external device for which the cooperation frequency is acquired, higher than the priority of the external device for which the cooperation frequency is less than the cooperation frequency acquired for the external device. Item 9. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 8. An acquisition step in which the information processing apparatus acquires each usage history of a plurality of external devices each having one or more functions;
Determination step in which the information processing apparatus determines, for each function of each external device, the priority of each external device when the function is used, based on the use history acquired in the acquisition step. When,
When the use of the function is requested, the information processing apparatus gives priority to the external device having a high priority determined in the determination step for the function over the external device having a low priority. An information processing method comprising: processing steps for performing processing for causing an external device to execute the function.

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