JP2016111411A - Terminal device and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately determine a communication apparatus to be connected by radio.SOLUTION: A terminal device includes: the first position acquisition section for acquiring the first position information expressing the position of a terminal device; the second position acquisition section for acquiring the multiple pieces of second position information expressing the respective positions of multiple communication apparatuses from each one of the multiple communication apparatuses; an intensity acquisition section for acquiring multiple pieces of intensity information indicating the radio field intensities of radio communication with each one of the multiple communication apparatuses; a distance calculation section for calculating multiple distances between the terminal device and each one of the multiple communication apparatuses through the use of the first position information and the multiple pieces of second position information; an apparatus determination section for determining the specified communication apparatus among the multiple communication apparatuses through the use of the multiple distances and the multiple pieces of intensity information; and a connection section for performing connection with the specified communication apparatus by using radio communication. The apparatus determination section determines the specified communication apparatus among one or more communication apparatuses satisfying specified relation between the distance from the terminal device and the radio field intensity of the radio communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to control of a terminal device, and more particularly to a technique for controlling a terminal device that can communicate with a device.

  With the widespread use of mobile terminals such as smartphones, techniques for improving convenience for users who use communication devices using mobile terminals have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information providing system that receives information provided from a communication device using a mobile terminal. In this system, based on the three-dimensional position information (latitude, longitude, altitude) acquired using GPS (Global Positioning System), the position of the user in the building (that is, the position of the mobile terminal) is determined. Different information is provided.

JP 2003-259409 A

  However, when a communication device to be connected wirelessly is determined from a plurality of communication devices, an appropriate communication device may not be determined only by using position information. For example, when not only the distance between the terminal device and the terminal device but also other factors (such as whether the communication device and the terminal device are located on the same floor) should be taken into account, an appropriate communication device may not be determined. There was sex.

  This specification discloses a technique capable of appropriately determining a communication device to be connected wirelessly from among a plurality of communication devices.

  The technology disclosed in the present specification has been made to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, and can be realized as the following application examples.

Application Example 1 A terminal device capable of communicating with a communication device using wireless communication,
A first position acquisition unit that acquires first position information representing the position of the terminal device;
A second position acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of second position information representing the respective positions of the plurality of communication devices from each of the plurality of communication devices;
An intensity acquisition unit for acquiring a plurality of intensity information indicating radio field intensity of the wireless communication with each of the plurality of communication devices;
A distance calculation unit that calculates a plurality of distances between the terminal device and each of the plurality of communication devices using the first position information and the plurality of second position information;
A device determination unit for determining a specific communication device to be connected from the plurality of communication devices using a plurality of distances calculated by the distance calculation unit and a plurality of intensity information;
A connection unit that connects the terminal device and the specific communication device using wireless communication;
With
The device determination unit is configured to select the specific communication device from one or more communication devices satisfying a specific relationship between a distance from the terminal device and a radio wave intensity of the wireless communication among the plurality of communication devices. Determine the terminal device.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to appropriately determine the communication device to be connected wirelessly in consideration of the distance to the terminal device and the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms, such as a terminal device control method, a communication device, a computer program for realizing the function or method of the device, a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, and the like. It can be realized in the form.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the system of 1st Example. It is a figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of several printer 200A-200D. 6 is a flowchart of print processing according to the first embodiment. It is a figure explaining the analysis of the presence or absence of a specific correlation. It is a figure which shows an example of UI screen. It is a flowchart of the printing process of 2nd Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the system of 3rd Example. It is a flowchart of the printing process of 3rd Example.

A. First Example A-1. Next, an embodiment will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system including a mobile terminal as a terminal device in the first embodiment. This system includes a plurality of printers 200A to 200D and a portable terminal 400 possessed by each user.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of a plurality of printers 200A to 200D. As shown in FIG. 2, the three printers 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> C are distributed on the first floor F <b> 1 (for example, the first floor) of a specific building. One printer 200D is arranged on the second floor F2 (for example, the second floor) of a specific building where the printers 200A to 200C are arranged. Each user can enter the first floor F1 and the second floor F2, and can transmit a print instruction to any of the plurality of printers 200A to 200D using his / her portable terminal 400. .

  The printer 200A is a CPU 210 as a controller that controls the printer 200A, a non-volatile storage device 220 such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory, a volatile storage device 230 such as a RAM, and a predetermined method (for example, inkjet, laser). A print execution unit 240 that is a print engine for printing an image, an operation unit 260 such as a touch panel and buttons, a display unit 270 including a display panel such as a liquid crystal superimposed on the touch panel, an external device such as a portable terminal 400, and data And a wireless IF unit 280 as an interface for performing communication.

  The volatile storage device 230 is provided with a buffer area 231 for temporarily storing various intermediate data generated when the CPU 210 performs processing. The non-volatile storage device 220 stores a computer program 221 for controlling the printer 200A and installation position information 222.

  The computer program 221 is stored in the nonvolatile storage device 220 in advance, for example, when the printer 200 is shipped. The computer program 221 can be provided in a form recorded on a CD-ROM or downloaded from a server. The CPU 210 controls the entire printer 200 by executing the computer program 221. Specifically, the CPU 210 functions as, for example, the print control unit 30 for controlling the print execution unit 240 to execute printing, and the communication control unit 100 for executing communication processing with the portable terminal 400.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the installation position information 222 of the printer 200A. The installation position information 222 of the printer 200A is position information indicating the position where the printer 200A is installed. The installation position information 222 is three-dimensional coordinate information including information representing latitude (northern latitude or south latitude), longitude (east longitude or west longitude), and altitude (altitude).

  The wireless IF unit 280 includes an antenna. For example, the IEEE standard of IEEE (abbreviation of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc) and a standard conforming thereto (for example, 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n) Etc.) to perform wireless communication. The wireless communication of the first embodiment is the Wi-Fi Direct communication (abbreviated for short) described in the standard “Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version 1.1” created by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Also called WFD communication). Using the WFD communication, the printer 200A can communicate with an external device such as the portable terminal 400 without using an access point. The wireless IF unit 280 includes a radio wave intensity detection unit 285 that detects a radio wave intensity (RSSI (abbreviation of Received Signal Strength Indicator)) for detecting the radio wave intensity of radio communication performed by the radio IF unit 280.

  Since the other printers 200B to 200D have the same configuration as the printer 200A described above, detailed description thereof is omitted. However, the installation position information 222 of the printers 200B to 200D is position information indicating their own installation positions. Hereinafter, when the individual printers 200 </ b> A to 400 </ b> D are not distinguished, the alphabet at the end is omitted and the printers 200 </ b> A to 400 </ b> D are also referred to as the printer 200.

  The mobile terminal 400 is, for example, a multi-function mobile phone called a smartphone. The portable terminal 400 includes a CPU 410, a nonvolatile storage device 420 such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory, a volatile storage device 430 such as a RAM, a wireless IF unit 440, an operation unit 460 including a touch panel and operation keys, A display unit 470 including a liquid crystal panel superimposed on the touch panel and a GPS unit 480 are provided. The portable terminal 400 has other configurations for realizing various functions such as a function as a telephone, but illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  The nonvolatile storage device 420 stores a control program PG1 and a printer driver program PG2. The control program PG1 is a program that realizes basic functions of the mobile terminal 400 such as an OS (operating system) function, a telephone function, and a control function of the GPS unit 480. The control program PG1 is provided, for example, by the manufacturer of the mobile terminal 400, and is stored in advance at the time of shipment. The printer driver program PG2 is a program that realizes a function for remotely operating the print execution unit 240 of the printer 200. The printer driver program PG2 is a program for adding a new function to the mobile terminal 400 (referred to as an “app”). For example, a provider different from the manufacturer of the mobile terminal 400 (for example, the manufacturer of the printer 200). ) To be downloaded from a predetermined server. The printer driver program PG2 may be provided by the manufacturer of the mobile terminal 400, for example, and stored in advance at the time of shipment.

  The CPU 410 functions as the main control unit 20 that realizes the basic functions of the portable terminal 400 by executing the control program PG1. Further, the printer driver 300 functions as the printer driver 300 by executing the printer driver program PG2.

  The volatile storage device 430 is provided with a buffer area 431 for temporarily storing various intermediate data generated when the CPU 410 performs processing.

  The wireless IF unit 440 includes an antenna, and executes wireless communication in accordance with, for example, the IEEE 802.11 standard and a standard conforming thereto. In the present embodiment, the CPU 410 can execute communication with the printer 200 by the WFD communication described above using the wireless IF unit 440 as described later. Various types of information can be sent and received.

  The GPS unit 480 includes a receiver that receives radio waves (GPS signals) transmitted from artificial satellites constituting a GPS (Global Positioning System / Global Positioning System). The GPS unit 480 can acquire position information indicating the current position based on the received GPS signal.

A-2. System operation A-2-1. Registration of Installation Position Information Registration processing for registering the installation position information 222 in a plurality of printers 200A to 200D in the system is performed prior to a printing process (FIG. 3) described later. The registration process is executed by the CPU 410 (printer driver 300) of the portable terminal 400 and the CPU 210 (communication control unit 100) of the printer 200.

  First, the system administrator activates the printer driver 300 in his portable terminal 400. The administrator possesses the portable terminal 400 and moves to the position where the printer 200A is installed. The administrator inputs an instruction to receive the installation position information 222 via the operation unit 260 of the printer 200A. Further, the administrator inputs a transmission instruction for the installation position information 222 to the portable terminal 400 (that is, the printer driver 300). The CPU 410 of the portable terminal 400 receives a GPS signal using the GPS unit 480 and acquires position information indicating the current position of the portable terminal 400 based on the GPS signal. Further, the CPU 410 transmits the acquired position information to the printer 200 by wireless communication. The CPU 210 of the printer 200 </ b> A stores the received position information as its own installation position information 222 in the nonvolatile storage device 220. As a result, appropriate installation position information 222 is registered in the printer 200A.

  For example, the CPU 210 recognizes that the position information received within a specific time (for example, 10 seconds) after the reception instruction is input to the printer 200 </ b> A is the installation position information 222 of itself. The administrator inputs the transmission instruction of the installation position information 222 to the portable terminal 400 within a specific time (for example, 10 seconds) after the reception instruction is input to the printer 200A, so that only the printer 200A is appropriate. The installation position information 222 can be registered. Instead, if the printer 200A and the mobile terminal 400 can communicate using a wireless communication method such as NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication), the communication method is changed. The position information may be transmitted from the portable terminal 400 to the printer 200A.

  The administrator causes the above registration processing to be executed by a combination of the mobile terminal 400 and each of the other printers 200B to 200D. As a result, appropriate installation position information 222 is also registered in the printers 200B to 200D.

A-2-2. Printing Process FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the printing process of the first embodiment. The printing process is a process for causing the printer to execute printing using any one of the plurality of printers 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> D (FIG. 2) using the mobile terminal 400. The print process is executed when the CPU 410 (printer driver 300) of the portable terminal 400 receives a print request input from the user. Here, a description will be given assuming that the user inputs a print request to the portable terminal 400 in the first floor F1 of FIG.

  In step S10 in FIG. 3, the CPU 410 searches for a printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer to be used) to which a print instruction (specifically, print data including print target image data and print conditions) is to be transmitted. Therefore, a probe request is transmitted by wireless communication. In the example of FIG. 2, the radio wave carrying the probe request reaches the printers 200A to 200C in the first floor F1, and also passes through the floor and walls of the building and reaches the printer 200D on the second floor F2. To do. As a result, in S15, the CPU 210 of each printer 200 (200A to 200D) in FIG. 2 receives the probe request.

  In S <b> 20, the CPU 210 of each printer 200 acquires, from the radio wave intensity detection unit 285, radio wave intensity information indicating the detection value WI of the radio wave radio field intensity when the wireless IF unit 280 of the printer 200 receives the probe request. The detected value WI of the radio wave intensity is RSSI detected by the above-described radio wave intensity detector 285, and the unit is dBm. dBm is a value representing the magnitude of radio wave power in dB (decibel) with 1 mW (milliwatt) as a reference (0 dB).

  In S25, the CPU 210 transmits a probe response to the portable terminal 400 as a response to the received probe request. The CPU 210 includes, in the probe response, the radio wave intensity information and the installation position information 222 (FIG. 2) described above, together with the SSID (abbreviation of Service Set Identifier) assigned to the WFD communication network.

  In S30, the portable terminal 400 receives a probe request from each printer 200 (four printers 200A to 200D in the example of FIG. 2). As a result, the CPU 410 can recognize these printers 200 as candidates for the printer to be used, and can acquire information (SSID, radio wave intensity information, installation position information 222) related to these printers 200.

  In S35 to S65, the CPU 410 executes a series of processes for determining one printer to be used from among these printers 200. In S <b> 35, the CPU 410 uses the GPS unit 480 to acquire current position information indicating the current position of the mobile terminal 400. The acquired current position information is coordinate information including latitude, longitude, and altitude, respectively, similarly to the installation position information 222.

  In S40, the CPU 410 uses the current position information acquired in S35 and the installation position information 222 of each of the plurality of printers 200 acquired in S30, and the mobile terminal 400, the plurality of printers 200, and the like. The respective distances D between are calculated. More specifically, the three-dimensional coordinate values (latitude value, longitude value, altitude value) included in the current position information of the portable terminal 400 and the three-dimensional coordinate values (latitude value, longitude) included in the installation position information 222. Value, altitude value), and the distance in the horizontal direction, that is, the distance based on the latitude value and the longitude value, for example, a well-known formula, specifically, the hubeny formula or the Lambert-Andoyer formula Is calculated using When the distance in the vertical direction is considered, the distance in the vertical direction is calculated based on the difference value of the altitude value. Then, based on the horizontal distance and the vertical distance, the distance D is calculated by the three-square theorem.

  In S <b> 45, for each printer 200, the CPU 410 has a specific correlation between the distance D between the printer 200 and the portable terminal 400 and the detected value WI of the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication between the printer 200 and the portable terminal 400. Analyzes whether or not there is.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the analysis of the presence or absence of a specific correlation. FIG. 4A shows an example of the correlation determination table CT. The determination table CT is a table generated in the buffer area 231 by the CPU 410 for analysis of the presence or absence of a specific correlation. In the determination table CT, for each printer 200, the distance D calculated in S40 and the detected value WI of the radio wave intensity acquired in S30 are shown.

  FIG. 4B shows a correlation formula. Based on the distance D, a calculated value Wc expressing the radio wave intensity in units of (mW) can be calculated by the equation (1) in FIG. As understood from the equation (1), the radio wave intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance D. Further, according to the equation (2), it is possible to calculate the calculated value WIc in which the radio wave intensity is expressed in (dBm) using the common logarithm. Therefore, the formula (1) and the formula (2) differ only in the unit of the radio wave intensity and are substantially equivalent, and both indicate that the radio wave intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance D. It is a formula.

  In these formulas (1) and (2), π is the circular ratio, F is the frequency of radio waves (unit: Hz), and C is the speed of light (unit: m / s). The frequency of the radio wave is the frequency of the radio wave used for WFD communication, and is 2.4 GHz, for example.

  In the present embodiment, since the detection value WI of the radio wave intensity acquired in S30 is expressed in units of (dBm), the presence or absence of a specific correlation is determined using Equation (2). Specifically, CPU 410 calculates a calculated value WIc of the radio wave intensity obtained by substituting distance D with the specific printer calculated in S40 into Equation (2). In the determination table CT, the calculated value WIc of the calculated radio field intensity for each printer 200 is shown.

  The CPU 410 determines a specific range including the calculated value WIc of the radio wave intensity. For example, a range of ± 5% around the calculated value WIc {(WIc−0.05 × | WIc |) ≦ WI ≦ (WIc + 0.05 × | WIc |)} is used as the specific range. The CPU 410 determines whether or not the detected value WI of the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication with the specific printer acquired in S30 is included in this specific range. When the detected value WI of the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication with the specific printer is included in the specific range, the CPU 410 has a specific correlation between the distance D and the detected value WI of the radio wave intensity for the specific printer. (That is, the correlation is “present”). When the detected value WI of the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication with the specific printer is out of the specific range, the CPU 410 has a specific correlation between the distance D and the detected value WI of the radio wave intensity for the specific printer. It is determined that the relationship is not satisfied (ie, the correlation is “none”).

  Expressions (1) and (2) in FIG. 4B are expressions representing radio wave intensity (so-called free space loss) when no obstacle such as a wall exists. For this reason, when the portable terminal 400 and the specific printer are on the same floor, the detected value WI of the radio wave intensity is a value approximate to the calculated radio wave intensity WIc (WI≈WIc). Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the mobile terminal 400 and the specific printer have a specific correlation. On the other hand, when the mobile terminal 400 and the specific printer are on different floors, a loss occurs when passing through an obstacle such as a floor or a wall. Therefore, the detected value WI of the radio wave intensity is a calculated value of the radio wave intensity. The value is smaller than WIc (WI << WIc). Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the mobile terminal 400 and the specific printer do not have a specific correlation. In the determination table CT of FIG. 4A, the correlation determination result for each printer 200 is shown. In this example, the three printers 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> C (FIG. 2) on the same floor as the portable terminal 400 are appropriately determined to have a correlation, and the printer 200 </ b> D (FIG. 2) located on a different floor from the portable terminal 400. Is appropriately determined to have no correlation.

  In S50, the CPU 410 determines whether the setting relating to the selection of the printer to be used is set to automatic selection or manual selection. This setting is preset in the printer driver 300 based on a user instruction as one of the settings related to the printing process.

  When the setting relating to the selection of the printer to be used is set to automatic selection (S50: YES), in S55, the CPU 410 is the distance from the portable terminal 400 that is the most among the printers 200 having a specific correlation. A printer having a short D is determined as a printer to be used. For example, in the example of FIG. 4A, among the three printers 200A to 200C determined to have a specific correlation, the printer 200A closest to the mobile terminal 400 is determined as the printer to be used.

  When the setting relating to the selection of the printer to be used is set to manual selection (S50: NO), in S60, the CPU 410 includes a UI screen including a list of printers generated based on the presence or absence of a specific correlation. Is displayed on the display unit 470 of the portable terminal 400.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen. For example, in S <b> 60, the UI screen SC <b> 1 in FIG. 5A is displayed on the display unit 470. The UI screen SC1 includes a message MS1 for prompting selection of a printer to be used, a first list LT1, and a print start button BT for inputting a print start instruction. The first list LT1 includes printers 200A to 200C having a specific correlation, and does not include a printer 200D having no specific correlation. The user operates the cursor CS and presses the print start button BT in a state where the printer to be used is selected from the printers listed in the list LT1. As a result, an instruction for specifying the printer to be used and a print start instruction are input to the portable terminal 400 via the UI screen SC1.

  Instead, in S60, the UI screen SC2 of FIG. 5B may be displayed on the display unit 470. The UI screen SC2 includes a message MS2 that prompts the user to select a printer to be used, a second list LT2, and a print start button BT for inputting a print start instruction. The second list LT2 includes printers 200A to 200C having a specific correlation and printer 200D having no specific correlation. In the second list, a specific mark MK is added to a printer having a specific correlation, and a specific mark MK is not added to a printer having no specific correlation. The user operates the cursor CS and presses the print start button BT in a state where the printer to be used is selected from the printers listed in the list LT1. As a result, an instruction for specifying the printer to be used and a print start instruction are input to the portable terminal 400 via the UI screen SC2.

  In this way, on the UI screen displayed in S60, the first list LT1 and the second list LT2 are displayed by distinguishing the printer 200 having a specific correlation from the printer 200 having no specific correlation. . As a result, the user can appropriately select a printer that exists on the same floor as the portable terminal 400.

  In S65, the CPU 410 determines a printer to be used based on a user instruction. Specifically, the printer designated by the instruction input via the UI screen is determined as the printer to be used.

  In S70, the CPU 410 transmits a print job as a print instruction to the printer used in S55 or S65. Specifically, CPU 410 establishes a connection for WFD communication with the printer in use. Since the process for establishing the connection is a known process defined by the WFD communication standard, a description thereof will be omitted. For example, a WFD communication connection is established with the printer used as the group owner and the portable terminal 400 as the client. Note that the password required in the authentication process for establishing the connection is distributed to the user in advance by the system administrator. If the user inputs a password to the printer driver 300 of the portable terminal 400 in advance, the CPU 410 can establish a connection using the password. In the authentication process for establishing a connection, no password may be requested (so-called OPEN authentication). The CPU 410 transmits the print job to the printer in use using the established WFD communication connection.

  In S75, the CPU 410 performs processing for guiding the user to the printer in use. Specifically, the CPU 410 displays a UI screen (not shown) indicating the distance D between the portable terminal 400 and the used printer and the direction from the portable terminal 400 toward the used printer on the display unit 470. The direction from the portable terminal 400 toward the used printer is determined based on the current position information of the portable terminal 400 and the installed position information 222 of the used printer.

  In S80, the printer in use receives a print job. In S85, the CPU 210 of the used printer controls the print executing unit 240 of the used printer based on the print job, and causes the print executing unit 240 to print an image.

  According to the present embodiment described above, the CPU 410 of the mobile terminal 400 includes the distance D (FIG. 4A) with the mobile terminal 400 among the plurality of printers 200A to 200D and wireless communication with the mobile terminal 400. Among the one or more printers satisfying the specific correlation with the detected value WI of the radio wave intensity (FIG. 4A), the printer to be used is determined (S55 in FIG. 4, S60 and 65 in FIG. 4). . As a result, in consideration of the distance D between the portable terminal 400 and the printer and the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication between the portable terminal 400 and the printer, it is possible to appropriately determine the printer to be connected wirelessly.

  This will be described more specifically. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the printer 200 </ b> C is on the same floor as the mobile terminal 400, and the printer 200 </ b> D is on a different floor from the mobile terminal 400. However, as shown in FIG. 4A, the distance between the mobile terminal 400 and the printer 200C and the distance between the mobile terminal 400 and the printer 200D may be the same. Therefore, when the printer to be used is determined based only on the distance between the portable terminal 400 and the printer, for example, even if another printer is on the same floor as the portable terminal 400, the printer is on a different floor from the portable terminal 400. A printer can be determined as the printer used. In addition, the position information based on the GPS signal may not have sufficient altitude accuracy. In such a case, the risk that a printer on a different floor from the portable terminal 400 is determined as the printer to be used is further increased.

  Here, when the portable terminal 400 and the printer 200 are on different floors, an obstacle (floor) exists between the portable terminal 400 and the printer 200, so the portable terminal 400 and the printer 200 are on the same floor. The detected value WI of the radio field intensity is smaller than in some cases. For this reason, there is a high possibility that the distance D and the detected value WI of the radio field intensity do not satisfy a specific correlation. According to the present embodiment, the above-described inconvenience is avoided by determining the printer to be used from one or more printers in which the distance D and the detected value WI of the radio wave intensity satisfy a specific correlation. Can determine the appropriate printer to use.

  Even if the portable terminal 400 and the printer 200 are in different rooms separated from each other on the same floor, similarly, the distance D and the detected value WI of the radio wave intensity have a specific correlation. There is a high probability that the relationship will not be met. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, although there is another printer in the same room as the portable terminal 400, the risk that a printer in a different room from the portable terminal 400 is determined as the printer to be used is reduced. The printer to be used can be determined appropriately. In other words, the first area and the second floor, or the first area and the second floor that are separated from each other by an obstacle (wall or floor), such as the first room and the second room. This embodiment is particularly effective when printers that are candidates for the printer to be used are installed in the area.

  In this embodiment, a list LT1 or LT2 of printers including at least one printer that satisfies the specific correlation described above is displayed on the display unit 470 (S60 and S65 in FIG. 3). In the list LT1 or LT2, one or more printers 200 that satisfy a specific correlation and a printer 200 that does not satisfy the specific correlation are distinguished (FIG. 5). Then, the printer selected by the user from the printers 200 included in the list is determined as the printer to be used (S65 in FIG. 3). As a result, an appropriate candidate for the printer to be connected can be displayed on the display unit 470. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately determine a printer to be connected wirelessly based on the user's selection.

  In the present embodiment, the printer 200 having the shortest distance D from the portable terminal 400 is determined as the printer to be used among the one or more printers 200 that satisfy the specific correlation (S55 in FIG. 3). As a result, it is possible to automatically and appropriately determine the printer to be used to be connected wirelessly.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a print job as a print instruction is transmitted from the portable terminal 400 to the determined used printer using wireless communication (S70 in FIG. 3). As a result, the portable terminal 400 can transmit a print instruction to an appropriate printer. From the viewpoint of security, for example, printing is preferably performed on the floor or room where the user exists from the viewpoint of suppressing the viewing and removal of printed matter by a third party. In the present embodiment, it is possible to increase the possibility that printing is appropriately performed on the floor or room where the user exists.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the CPU 410 has a detection value WI of the radio field intensity of wireless communication between the portable terminal 400 and the printer 200 within a specific range determined based on the distance D between the portable terminal 400 and the printer 200. In this case, it is determined that the specific correlation is satisfied (S45 in FIG. 3). As a result, it can be easily determined whether or not a specific correlation is satisfied.

  More specifically, the specific range is determined using a predetermined relational expression (FIG. 4B) indicating that the detected value WI of the radio wave intensity and the square of the distance D are inversely proportional. As a result, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not a decrease in radio wave intensity due to an obstacle between the portable terminal 400 and the printer 200 has occurred.

  In addition, instead of the above embodiment, when the distance D between the portable terminal 400 and the printer 200 is within a specific range determined based on the detected value WI of the radio field intensity of the wireless communication between the portable terminal 400 and the printer 200. In addition, it may be determined that a specific correlation is satisfied. For example, the CPU 410 uses the inverse function of the function represented by Expression (2) in FIG. 4B, and sets the detected value WI of the radio wave intensity of wireless communication between the portable terminal 400 and the printer 200 as the inverse function. By substituting, the value Dc based on the detected value WI of the radio field intensity at the distance D may be calculated. Then, when the distance D calculated in S40 is within the specific range centered on the value Dc, it may be determined that the specific correlation is satisfied.

B. Second embodiment:
In the second embodiment, the printer to be used can be determined more efficiently using the floor information. The system configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the printing process of the second embodiment. In S <b> 100, based on the user input, the CPU 410 specifies the floor where the mobile terminal 400 is currently located, i.e., the floor where the user is currently located (hereinafter also referred to as the current floor). For example, when receiving a print request from the user, the CPU 410 displays information indicating the current floor to the user (for example, information such as “first floor” and “second floor”) via a UI screen for receiving a print request from the user. ). In the present embodiment, the current floor is specified as one of the first floor F1 and the second floor F2 based on the information.

  The processes in S110 to S130 in FIG. 6 are the same as the processes in S10 to S30 in FIG. However, in S125 of FIG. 6, when floor information (described later) indicating the floor on which the printer 200 is installed is registered, the CPU 210 of each printer 200 adds the floor information to the probe response to be transmitted. include. However, since the floor information is not registered in each printer 200 in the first printing process, the floor information is not included in the probe response transmitted in S120.

  In S140, the CPU 210 of the portable terminal 400 determines whether or not floor information has been received from at least one printer among the printers 200 searched by receiving the probe response. In the first printing process, the mobile terminal 400 does not receive floor information. In the second and subsequent printing processes, the mobile terminal 400 can receive floor information. Here, the case where the portable terminal 400 has not received the floor information will be described first assuming the first printing process.

  When the portable terminal 400 has not received the floor information (S140: NO), in S150, the CPU 410 executes the processes of S35 to S65 in FIG. As a result, among the plurality of printers 200 included in the system, the printer 200 existing on the current floor, that is, the printer 200 that satisfies the specific correlation described above is specified. Also, one printer to be used is determined from among the printers 200 that satisfy a specific correlation.

  In S160, the CPU 410 transmits floor information indicating the current floor to the printers 200 existing on the current floor, that is, the printers 200 satisfying a specific correlation. In S170, the printer 200 that satisfies the specific correlation receives the floor information. In step S175, the CPU 210 of the printer 200 that satisfies the specific correlation stores the received floor information in the nonvolatile storage device 220. As a result, floor information indicating the floor on which the printer is installed is registered in the printer 200 that satisfies the specific correlation.

  After S160, the CPU 410 of the portable terminal 400 executes the processes of S70 and S75 in FIG. As a result, the print job is transmitted to the printer in use. The printer in use receives the print job (S80 in FIG. 3), and executes printing based on the print job (S85 in FIG. 3).

  As can be understood from the above description, since floor information is registered in one or more printers 200 in the system in S175, the probe response transmitted from the printer 200 to the portable terminal 400 in S125 of the next and subsequent printing processes. May include floor information. Therefore, in S140, it can be determined that the portable terminal 400 has received the floor information.

  If it is determined in S140 that portable terminal 400 has received the floor information (S140: YES), in S145, CPU 410 includes the current floor information received from printer 200 in one or more floor information. It is determined whether there is floor information indicating the floor. That is, the CPU 410 determines whether or not there is a printer 200 installed on the current floor among the one or more printers 200 for which floor information has already been registered.

  If there is no floor information indicating the current floor in the one or more floor information received from the printer 200 (S145: NO), the CPU 410 advances the process to S150 described above. When the floor information indicating the current floor is included in one or more floor information received from the printer 200 (S145: YES), in S165, the CPU 410 transmits the floor information indicating the current floor. The printer to be used is determined from the one or more printers 200. For example, among the one or more printers 200 that transmit floor information, the printer that is closest to the portable terminal 400 is determined as the printer to be used.

  After S165, the CPU 410 of the portable terminal 400 executes the processes of S70 and S75 in FIG. As a result, the print job is transmitted to the printer in use. The printer in use receives the print job (S80 in FIG. 3), and executes printing based on the print job (S85 in FIG. 3).

  According to the second embodiment described above, the CPU 410 of the mobile terminal 400 identifies the floor where the mobile terminal 400 exists (the current floor described above) from one or more floors in the building (S100 in FIG. 6). ). Then, the floor information indicating the floor on which the portable terminal 400 exists is transmitted to one or more printers that satisfy the specific correlation (S160 in FIG. 6). Since it is considered that the printer satisfies a specific correlation or is on the floor where the portable terminal 400 exists, appropriate floor information can be registered in the printer 200 in the system.

  Furthermore, the portable terminal 400 receives floor information from one or more printers 200 among the plurality of printers 200 in the system (S130 in FIG. 6). Then, the CPU 410 determines, as a printer to be used, a printer that is a transmission source of floor information indicating the floor on which the mobile terminal 400 is present among the plurality of printers 200 in the system (S165 in FIG. 6). As a result, it is possible to appropriately determine the printer to be used based on the floor information. Further, since it is not necessary to perform the processes of S35 to S65 in FIG. 3 every time, the processing load and processing time of the printing process can be reduced.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the system of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, a wired local area network (LAN) 80 is constructed in the system. The LAN 80 is a network constructed in accordance with, for example, IEEE 802.3. An access point 50 is connected to the LAN 80. The wireless device can be connected to the LAN 80 using normal Wi-Fi communication (also referred to as normal WF communication) executed via the access point 50. Of the printers 200A to 200D in the system, two printers 200A and 200B are connected to the LAN 80 by wired communication. The remaining two printers 200C and 200D are connected to the LAN 80 via the access point 50 by normal WF communication. The printers 200A to 200D in the system are connected to the LAN 80 using wired communication or normal WF communication, but have a function of performing WFD communication.

  In wired communication or normal WF communication, the portable terminal 400 and each printer 200 do not exchange wireless signals directly. For this reason, in the third embodiment, WFD communication is temporarily performed in order for the portable terminal 400 to acquire the detection value WI of the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication between the portable terminal 400 and each printer 200. Details will be described below.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the printing process of the third embodiment. In S <b> 210, the CPU 410 of the portable terminal 400 transmits a search packet for searching for a printer connected to the LAN 80. Specifically, the CPU 410 performs a known connection process, connects to the LAN 80 by normal WF communication, and broadcasts a search packet on the LAN 80. As a result, the search packet is transmitted to all the printers 200A to 200D in the system connected to the LAN 80.

  In S215, each printer 200 receives a search packet. In S220, CPU 210 transmits a response packet as a response to the search packet. The response packet includes installation position information 222 together with identification information of the printer 200 (for example, an ID such as a Mac address).

  In S230, the mobile terminal 400 receives a response packet from each printer 200. Thus, the CPU 410 can recognize these printers 200 as printer candidates to be used and can acquire information (printer IDs and installation position information 222) regarding these printers 200.

  In S <b> 235, the CPU 410 acquires current position information indicating the current position of the mobile terminal 400 using the GPS unit 480. In S245, the CPU 410 uses the current position information acquired in S235 and the installation position information 222 of each of the plurality of printers 200 acquired in S230 to use the portable terminal 400, the plurality of printers 200, and the like. The respective distances D between are calculated.

  In S245, the CPU 410 transmits a request for starting WFD communication to each searched printer 200 using normal WF communication. In S250, each printer 200 receives a WFD communication start request. In S255, the CPU 210 of each printer 200 starts WFD communication. That is, the CPU 210 of each printer 200 shifts to a state where it can receive a probe request for WFD communication. When the printer 200 has specifications that cannot perform wired communication, normal WF communication, and WFD communication at the same time, the CPU 210 interrupts the wired communication or normal WF communication once and issues a probe request for WFD communication. Transitions to a state where reception is possible. When the printer 200 has a specification that can perform wired communication, normal WF communication, and WFD communication at the same time, the CPU 210 does not need to interrupt the wired communication or normal WF communication.

  In S260, CPU 410 transmits a probe request for WFD communication. This probe request is a request for radio wave intensity information transmitted to acquire radio wave intensity information. In S265, each printer 200 receives a probe request. In S <b> 270, the CPU 210 of each printer 200 acquires the radio field intensity information indicating the radio communication field intensity detection value WI when the wireless IF unit 280 of the printer 200 receives the probe request from the radio field intensity detection unit 285.

  In S275, the CPU 210 transmits a probe response to the portable terminal 400 as a response to the received probe request. The CPU 210 includes the radio wave intensity information in the probe response. In S280, the mobile terminal 400 receives the probe response. As a result, the CPU 410 can acquire the radio wave intensity information from each printer 200 that is a candidate for the printer to be used.

  In S290, the CPU 410 switches from WFD communication to LAN communication. That is, the CPU 410 connects to the LAN 80 via the access point 50 using WF communication. In S280, the CPU 210 of each printer switches from WFD communication to LAN communication. That is, each printer shifts to a state in which it can communicate with a device connected to the LAN 80 by wired communication or normal WF communication.

  After S290, the CPU 410 executes the processes of S45 to S75 in FIG. After S280, the CPU 210 executes the processes of S80 and S85 in FIG. However, the communication between the portable terminal 400 and the printer 200 executed in the processes of S45 to S85 in FIG. 3 is executed using normal LAN communication (wired or normal WF communication) instead of WFD communication.

  According to the third embodiment described above, even when the printers 200A to 200B are connected via the LAN 80, the distance D between the portable terminal 400 and the printer and the portable device are the same as in the first embodiment. In consideration of the radio field intensity of the wireless communication between the terminal 400 and the printer, it is possible to appropriately determine the printer to be used for wireless connection.

D. Modification (1) In the first embodiment, the printer 200 having the shortest distance from the portable terminal 400 is determined as the printer to be used among one or more printers 200 satisfying a specific correlation (FIG. 3). S55). Instead of this, elements other than the distance D may be considered. For example, the CPU 410 may establish a connection with each of one or more printers 200 satisfying a specific correlation and acquire information indicating the processing status of the print job from each of the one or more printers 200. good. Then, the CPU 410 has the smallest number of print jobs that can process the print job scheduled to be transmitted, among the one or more printers 200 that satisfy the specific correlation, for example, the unprocessed and received print jobs. The printer may be determined as the printer to be used.

(2) In each of the above embodiments, the system includes a plurality of printers 200A to 200D, and the portable terminal 400 determines a printer to be used to transmit a print job from among these printers 200A to 200D. . Instead, the system includes a plurality of other types of communication devices, for example, a plurality of access points, and the mobile terminal 400 is similar to the processing of the above embodiment (FIGS. 3, 6, and 8). Through this process, an access point to be connected may be determined from these access points.

(3) In the second embodiment, the CPU 410 of the mobile terminal 400 specifies the current floor on which the mobile terminal 400 exists based on the user input (S100 in FIG. 6). Instead of this, the CPU 410 may specify the current floor on which the mobile terminal 400 exists using another method. For example, the current floor may be specified by acquiring information indicating the current floor from a building security system. For example, when entering the first floor F1 or the second floor F2, the authentication information is transmitted to the security system using the NFC (Near Field Communication) communication function of the portable terminal 400, thereby receiving authentication from the security system. If necessary, information indicating the current floor may be acquired from the security system by NFC communication during the authentication.

(4) In the second embodiment, the CPU 410 identifies the current floor on which the mobile terminal 400 is present (S100 in FIG. 6), and transmits floor information indicating the current floor to the printer 200 (FIG. 6). 6 S160). Instead of this, the CPU 410 may identify the current room in which the mobile terminal 400 is present and transmit room information indicating the current room to the printer 200. In general, it is preferable to use area information indicating an area in a building separated by an obstacle such as a floor or a room.

(5) In each of the above embodiments, the radio wave intensity detected value WI of the wireless communication between the portable terminal 400 and each printer 200 is the intensity of the radio wave transmitted from the portable terminal 400 to the printer 200. The value detected by the radio wave intensity detector 285 is used. Instead, the radio wave intensity detected value WI of the wireless communication is a radio wave transmitted from each printer to the mobile terminal 400 (for example, a probe response radio wave received by the mobile terminal 400 in S30). A value detected by the detection unit may be used.

(6) The algorithm for determining whether or not the specific correlation in each of the above embodiments is satisfied is an example. For example, the CPU 410 arranges the searched plurality of printers 200 in the order in which the distance D between the portable terminal 400 and the portable terminal 400 is short, and the wireless communication radio waves between the plurality of printers 200 and the portable terminal 400. It may be determined that a specific correlation is satisfied when the detected values WI of intensity are arranged in descending order and the order matches. If the specific correlation is satisfied, the CPU 410 determines that all the searched printers 200 are on the floor where the portable terminal 400 exists. In this case, for example, the CPU 410 may automatically determine the printer 200 having the shortest distance D among all the searched printers 200 as the printer to be used. If the specific correlation is not satisfied, the CPU 410 determines that at least one printer 200 out of the searched plurality of printers 200 is on a floor different from the floor on which the mobile terminal 400 exists. To do. In this case, for example, the CPU 410 may display a list of a plurality of printers 200 and determine a printer to be used based on the user's selection.

(7) In the above embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced with hardware. Also good.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the Example and the modification, Embodiment mentioned above is for making an understanding of this invention easy, and does not limit this invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and equivalents thereof are included in the present invention.

    20 ... main control unit, 30 ... print control unit, 50 ... access point, 80 ... LAN, 100 ... communication control unit, 200A-200D ... printer, 210 ... CPU 220 ... Nonvolatile storage device, 221 ... Computer program, 222 ... Installation position information, 230 ... Volatile storage device, 231 ... Buffer area, 240 ... Print execution unit, 260 ... operation unit, 270 ... display unit, 280 ... wireless IF unit, 285 ... radio wave intensity detection unit, 300 ... printer driver, 400 ... portable terminal, 410 ... CPU, 420 ... Non-volatile storage device, 430 ... volatile storage device, 431 ... buffer area, 440 ... wireless IF unit, 460 ... operation unit, 470 ... display unit, 480 .. .GPS unit, PG1 ... control program, PG2 ... printer driver program

Claims (9)

A terminal device capable of communicating with a communication device using wireless communication,
A first position acquisition unit that acquires first position information representing the position of the terminal device;
A second position acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of second position information representing the respective positions of the plurality of communication devices from each of the plurality of communication devices;
An intensity acquisition unit for acquiring a plurality of intensity information indicating radio field intensity of the wireless communication with each of the plurality of communication devices;
A distance calculation unit that calculates a plurality of distances between the terminal device and each of the plurality of communication devices using the first position information and the plurality of second position information;
A device determination unit for determining a specific communication device to be connected from the plurality of communication devices using a plurality of distances calculated by the distance calculation unit and a plurality of intensity information;
A connection unit that connects the terminal device and the specific communication device using wireless communication;
With
The device determination unit is configured to select the specific communication device from one or more communication devices satisfying a specific relationship between a distance from the terminal device and a radio wave intensity of the wireless communication among the plurality of communication devices. Determine the terminal device. The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising:
A list of communication devices including at least the one or more communication devices satisfying the specific relationship, the one or more communication devices satisfying the specific relationship, and a communication device not satisfying the specific relationship; A display control unit for displaying the list in which the distinction is made on a display unit,
The device determination unit is a terminal device that determines a communication device selected by a user from the communication devices included in the list as the specific communication device. The terminal device according to claim 1,
The device determining unit determines a communication device having the shortest distance from the terminal device as the specific communication device from among one or more communication devices satisfying the specific relationship. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Each of the plurality of communication devices is a printer,
The terminal device transmits a print instruction using wireless communication to a printer as the specific communication device. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Within a specific range determined based on one value of the distance to the communication device and the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication, the other of the distance to the communication device and the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication When there is a value, it is determined that the distance to the communication device and the radio wave intensity of the wireless communication satisfy a specific relationship. The terminal device according to claim 5,
The specific range is determined using a predetermined relational expression indicating that the value of the radio field intensity of the wireless communication and the square of the distance to the communication device are inversely proportional. The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising:
An area identifying unit that identifies an area where the terminal device exists from one or more areas in a building;
An area information transmission unit that transmits area information indicating an area where the terminal device exists to one or more communication devices that satisfy the specific relationship;
A terminal device. The terminal device according to claim 7, further comprising:
An area information receiving unit that receives the area information from one or more communication devices of the plurality of communication devices;
The device determining unit determines a communication device that is a transmission source of the area information indicating an area where the terminal device is present among the plurality of communication devices as the specific communication device. A computer program for a terminal device capable of communicating with a communication device using wireless communication,
A first position acquisition function for acquiring first position information representing the position of the terminal device;
A second position acquisition function for acquiring a plurality of second position information representing the respective positions of the plurality of communication devices from each of the plurality of communication devices;
An intensity acquisition function for acquiring a plurality of intensity information indicating radio field intensity of the wireless communication with each of the plurality of communication devices;
A distance calculating function for calculating a plurality of distances between the terminal device and each of the plurality of communication devices using the first position information and the plurality of second position information;
A device determination function for determining a specific communication device to be connected from among the plurality of communication devices using a plurality of distances calculated by the distance calculation unit and a plurality of intensity information;
A connection function for connecting the terminal device and the specific communication device using wireless communication;
Is realized in a computer mounted on the terminal device,
The device determination function is configured to select the specific communication device from one or more communication devices that satisfy a specific relationship between a distance from the terminal device and a radio wave intensity of the wireless communication among the plurality of communication devices. To determine the computer program.

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