JP3441157B2 - Communication control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To structure a network while actual operation conditions are reflected and to improve the communication efficiency by limiting a device group which can make a communication on the basis of device information based upon its device and information that its device collects. CONSTITUTION:A concerned device information management part 11 discriminates another device judging from the device name included in the received information of the other device, and manages and stores the device information by device names. The information on its own device is registered by the device itself. A collected information management part 12 updates the collected information which is managed and stored by itself with the received information on the communication device, and manages and stores it. A communication opposite party limiting part 13 limits communication devices which can communicate with its own communication device on the basis of the device information and collected information stored in its own device information management part 11 and collected information management part 12 respectively each time the collected information in the collected information management part 12 is updated, stores their list as device limitation information, and distributes it to other devices.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication control device for constructing a network in a form reflecting actual operating conditions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional wireless network, in particular, a wireless L as a wireless network premised on use in a premises
AN is typical. This wireless LAN has a strong role as a network for avoiding the difficulty of laying a cable in a wired network connected by an electric cable or an optical cable. Therefore, it is necessary to simplify the connection to terminals and computers that were connected to the wired network. In other words, compatibility with wired networks is important. Therefore, it is hard to say that the effective movement of terminals in the wireless network is considered in particular.

For example, in a conventional wireless LAN system,
If a base station, which is one network unit, is installed and each communication device is in the area covered by the base station, if the information sender transfers the information to the base station, as long as the other party exists in the base station, Communication is performed by transferring information from the base station to the partner communication device.

Considering the movement of the terminal, it is required to increase the radius of the area covered by the base station and increase the moving range of the terminal.

However, generally, the communication transmission speed decreases as the radius of the area increases.

[0006] Therefore, a method in which a plurality of base stations are installed to reduce the area covered by one base station and the base stations are wired or wirelessly connected to each other to operate as a whole network is mainly used. There is.

In this case, if a plurality of base stations are installed and each communication device is within the area covered by a certain base station, the information sender transfers the information to the base station. Then, in order to transfer information to the partner communication device, information is transferred not only to each device in its own area but also to another base station, and all other base stations or specific base stations are devices in the area. Communication was performed by transferring information to. By installing multiple base stations in this way, the area covered by the entire network can be expanded without sacrificing speed.

In order to further improve the transmission rate, it has been considered that the number of base stations is increased and the area covered by the base stations is further reduced. However, if the number of base stations increases and the number of areas increases, the installation conditions of network equipment, such as the location of base stations, will have a large effect.

For example, when communication is performed between communication devices located at both ends of each area covered by two base stations, communication is performed through the respective base stations even though the actual distance between the devices is short. Thus, the position of the base station has a great influence on the position of the communication device actually used.

In the case of collaborative work such as face-to-face groupware, an application for executing broadcast communication operates simultaneously on a plurality of terminals.

In this case, when the position of the communication device of the terminal for performing joint work extends over the area covered by a plurality of base stations, even if the broadcast communication is supported for each network, the broadcast destinations Since it is distributed over multiple areas, it is necessary to send information to all areas in order to transfer information to each device, the total traffic volume increases and the load on the entire network system becomes enormous. became.

Since the management of communication devices is also performed for the entire network and for each base station, which is one network unit, an identifier is randomly assigned to the communication device group actually used in the group, or communication is performed. There is a problem that the broadcast communication to the device group becomes complicated.

When using peripheral devices of a computer such as a printer and a CD-ROM by wireless connection, the computer directly connects to the peripheral devices one-to-one, as represented by a wireless modem. The selection of the connected peripheral device is determined by the connection port, and the wireless communication path merely plays a role of transmitting information.

In this case, the function provided by the peripheral device is not required as the service information of the computer, and the computer application needs to know the communication connection port capable of processing the function in order to process the required function. there were.

However, even if the communication connection port capable of processing the function is known, the actual processing procedure is processed as a higher order procedure of the communication processing.
It was necessary to set necessary information such as name and function.

With the recent development of LAN, it has become possible to connect peripheral devices to the LAN and share them with a plurality of computers. When a wireless LAN is introduced as a LAN, logically, unlike the case of the wireless modem, a plurality of peripheral devices are connected to one communication port.

In this case, when selecting a plurality of peripheral devices, an identifier is set for the peripheral device, the device identifier of the device for processing the necessary functions is stored on the computer side, and a processing request is generated. In this case, the information necessary for processing is transferred to the device using the stored device identifier.

Then, it is necessary to store in advance attribute information such as an apparatus identifier of a device for processing a required function. However, the attribute information of the device required for each part that processes the required function is merely set in each computer. Further, since the setting is static, it is necessary to re-set each when the target for realizing the function changes due to the movement of the computer and the peripheral device.

[0019]

As described above, in the conventional apparatus, the unit of regulation and management for information transmission in the network is represented by the base station unit in the case of the wireless network, and is represented by the network device unit. is there.

Therefore, when an application for executing broadcast communication operates on a plurality of terminals at the same time, the positions of the terminals and the base station greatly affect network throughput and network management.
It was hard to say that it is effective as a wireless network that accommodates terminals that perform joint work.

Also for the user, when the device group that can communicate with the own device is limited to communicate with the device group, the network load due to the complexity of the identifier, the complexity of management, and the increase in the total traffic volume is increased. The impact of the increase is considered a problem.

Further, in the conventional apparatus, when it is necessary to set the identifier of the required apparatus for each part that processes the required function in each computer, or the target for realizing the function changes due to the movement of the computer and the peripheral equipment. Had problems such as the need to reset each. Therefore, it is difficult to say that this is an effective device and method when the peripheral device is used from the computer while actually moving and semi-fixed moving.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a communication control device in which each communication device can autonomously limit the device group capable of communicating with itself.

[0024]

A communication control device of the present invention is a device information holding means for holding device information which is information of a device capable of direct communication, and a device information holding device for holding other device information. Information transfer means for transferring to another device, collected information holding means for holding the device information held by the device transferred from another device as collected information, collected information of the collected information holding means and the device of the device information holding means Based on the attribute information included in the information, the device limiting means further limits the device group desired to communicate from among the device groups that can communicate with each other among all the devices existing in this collected information and this device information. It is a thing.

[0025]

[Operation] The communication control device of the present invention will be described.

The device information holding means holds device information which is information of a device which can directly communicate with the device itself.

The device information transfer means transfers the device information held by the device information holding means to another device.

The collected information holding means holds the device information held by the device transferred from another device as collected information.

The device limiting means is included in the collected information of the collected information holding means and the device information of the device information holding means.
Based on the attribute information, the device group that can communicate with each other among all the devices existing in this collected information and this device information .
Further limit the group of devices with which communication is desired . As a result, the network is constructed in a form that reflects the actual operating conditions for determining the network configuration. Therefore, even if the configuration of communication devices accommodated in the network changes, such as movement of communication devices or addition / deletion of device groups for collaborative work, the form of usage such as the device position during actual use of communication devices is reflected. You can rebuild the network with.

[0030]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described.

First, the terms used in the description will be defined.

"Own device" means its own communication device.

"Other device" refers to a communication device other than its own communication device.

The "device name" is an identification name of each communication device, and is specifically represented by a physical identifier.

"Attribute information" means data such as a transmission error rate.

The "device person information" is data based on the device itself and is composed of the device person name and attribute information.

"Collecting information" refers to device person information received from another device.

"Device limitation information" means information on a device group of other devices capable of communicating with the device itself.

The "information" means information including device person information, collection information, and device limitation information.

(Embodiment 1) A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the communication control device 10 of this embodiment.

The communication control device 10 has its own device information management section 1
1, a collection information management unit 12, and a communication partner limiting unit 13 are provided.

The self-device information management section 11 has a function of processing, managing, and storing the device-person information, and a function of distributing the device-person information to other devices. Then, the own device information management unit 11 has a device person information management table in which a physical identifier and attribute information are stored (FIG. 2A).
reference).

The collected information management unit 12 has a function of processing, managing, and storing the collected information and a function of distributing the collected information to other devices. The collection information management unit 12 has a collection information management table in which information such as a device list with which other devices can communicate is stored in units of physical identifiers of senders of collection information collected by other devices. (See FIG. 2B).

The communication partner limiting unit 13 limits the device group of other devices that can communicate with the own device based on the device person information of the own device information managing unit 11 and the collected information of the collected information managing unit 12. Then, it has a function of managing and storing the device limitation information and a function of distributing the device limitation information to other devices. The communication partner limiting unit 13 has a limited device information management table, and stores a device group list restricted by the communication partner limiting unit 13 and attribute information for communicating with each device (FIG. 2). (See (c)).

The operation of the communication control device 10 will be described.

The self-device information management unit 11 identifies the other device from the device person's name included in the received information of the other device, and manages and stores each device person's name as the device person information. In addition, the information of the own device is registered by itself.

The collection information management unit 12 updates the collection information managed and stored by itself by the information based on the received communication device, and stores the management information.

The communication partner limiting unit 13 is the collection information management unit 1
Every time the collection information of 2 is updated, the own device information management unit 1
1. Based on the device information and the collected information stored in each of the collection information management unit 12, the communication devices that can communicate with the own communication device are limited, the list is stored as the device limitation information, and distributed to other devices. .

An example of a method of limiting the device group by the communication partner limiting unit 13 will be shown.

The information of the apparatus information management table and the information of the collected information management table are stored in the identification processing array identified by the physical identifiers. Here, the physical identifier of the own device is 5.

The information in the device information management table is used as follows (see FIG. 3A).

An identification processing array corresponding to the physical identifiers 1, 3, 5, and 7 held in the apparatus information management table is constructed. This identification processing array is provided with element positions corresponding to each physical identifier. Then, the information "0" of the own device is stored in the element position of the physical identifier 5 in each identification processing array.

The information in the collected information management table is used as follows.

The attribute information "A" and "B" are stored in the identification processing arrays indicated by the transfer destination physical identifier values 1, 3, and 7 with respect to the element positions of the collected information physical identifier value held by the transfer destination. To do.

Φ is stored in the blank portion of the identification processing array.

After the information is set, the information is stored 1.
Compare the elements of the 3, 5, and 7 arrays. The logical product or logical sum of the attribute information of all the elements at the same element position of each array is the logical relationship diagram of FIG. 3 (b) of FIG.
The obtained result is stored in the limited device information management table as limited information.

Further, when the user designates a device group, an example in which the above process is performed on the device group and the limited situation is notified to the user as a result can be considered.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the communication control unit 20 of this embodiment.

The communication control device 20 has its own device information management unit 2
1, a collection information management unit 22, a communication partner limiting unit 23, and a wireless communication processing unit 24.

The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the wireless communication processing unit 24 is provided.

The wireless communication processing unit 24 has its own device information management unit 21, collected information management unit 22, and communication partner limiting unit 23 for each information obtained from the wireless communication network.
And has a function of transmitting information obtained from the device information management unit 21, the collected information management unit 22, and the communication partner limiting unit 23 to the wireless communication network.

(Embodiment 3) A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the communication control device 30 of this embodiment.

The communication control device 30 has its own device information management section 3
1, a collection information management unit 32, a communication partner limiting unit 33, a wireless communication processing unit 34, and an identifier selection giving unit 35.

The difference between this embodiment and the second embodiment is that an identifier selection giving unit 35 is provided and information is exchanged with the wireless communication processing unit 34 and the communication partner limiting unit 33.

The identifier selection giving section 35 performs the following operation. It should be noted that the identifier selection giving unit 35 performs this periodically, at the time of updating information, or at the time of occurrence of an event such as a command from the user.

When the terminal group is limited by the communication partner limiting unit 33 of the own device, an individual identifier and a broadcast identifier of the entire device group are selected based on the device limitation information to generate the device identifier information. . Then, the device identifier information is managed and stored. It also transfers to the wireless communication processing unit 34 for distribution. Then, the device identifier information is updated using the device restriction information stored in the communication partner restriction unit 33.

When the device limitation information is received from the wireless communication processing unit 34, the device limitation information is processed and managed based on the device limitation information device so as to give the individual device identifier and the broadcast identifier of the entire device group. Store. Then, the device limitation information is received, and the device identifier information is updated using the stored device identifier information and the device limitation information stored in the communication partner limiting unit 33.

FIG. 6 shows an example of an information table in which the identifier selection giving unit 35 manages and stores the device identifier information.

Here, the following items are stored in the device identifier information management table by using the device limiting information stored in the communication partner limiting unit 33.

A network identifier assigned as an individual identifier of each device. A network identifier assigned as a group identifier for a device group or a part of devices included in the device group. A physical device to which information is broadcast by the network identifier. List of identifiers ・ Presentation name of network identifier to user For example, if a request is made by the user to assign a network identifier to a device subgroup consisting of a part of the devices, the network identifier for that is issued. It is also effective to set.

Specifically, it is as follows.

From the device limitation information consisting of information 001, 003, 007, 01.00.0 for the entire device group.
Set 0.00 to 01.00.02.01, 01.00.02.0 for each device 001, 003, 007
A network identifier of 2,01.00.03.01,
And the user identifier in the figure is set.

When the user requests the setting of the partial device group of 001,003, 01.0
A network identifier of 0.02.00 and SubGrou
The user identifier of pA is set, and similarly, 007 is also set.

(Fourth Embodiment) A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the communication control device 40 of this embodiment.

The communication control device 40 has its own device information management unit 4
1, a collection information management unit 42, a communication partner limiting unit 43, a wireless communication processing unit 44, an identifier selection giving unit 45, and a communication channel setting unit 46.

The difference between this embodiment and the third embodiment is that a communication channel setting unit 46 is provided, and this communication channel setting unit 46 includes a communication partner limiting unit 43, a wireless communication processing unit 44, and an identifier selection giving unit 45. It is about exchanging information.

The communication channel setting section 46 operates as follows. In addition, the operation is periodic, at the time of updating information,
Performed when an event such as a command from the user occurs.

A process for monopolizing or prioritizing the communication channel used by the limited device is performed on the terminal group limited by the communication partner limiting unit 43 of the own device, and the wireless communication processing unit 44 is based on the processing result. Sends communication channel setting information for setting. Then, the communication channel setting information is managed and stored. That is, the communication channel setting unit 46 stores the communication channel setting information in the communication partner limiting unit 43.
Device limitation information and identifier selection giving section 45 stored in
It is updated using the device identifier information stored in.

When the communication channel setting information is received from the wireless communication processing unit 44, based on the received information,
Communication channel setting information that performs processing for monopolizing or prioritizing the communication channel used by the limited device and performing setting based on the processing result is transmitted to the wireless communication processing unit 44,
The communication channel setting information is managed and stored. That is, the communication channel setting unit 46 receives the communication channel setting information, and updates it using the stored communication channel setting information and the device limitation information stored in the communication partner limitation unit 43.

FIG. 8 shows an example of an information table in which the communication channel setting unit 46 manages and stores the communication channel setting information.

In the communication channel setting information management table,
Using the device limitation information stored in the communication partner limitation unit 43 and the device identifier information stored in the identifier selection giving unit 45, the individual identifiers of the respective devices assigned to the limited device group and the devices A label of a communication channel to be used is stored for each group identifier assigned to a group or a part of apparatuses included in the apparatus group.

(Fifth Embodiment) A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of the communication control device 50 of this embodiment.

The communication control device 50 comprises a communication section 51, a group identification section 52, a group list storage section 53, and a group information processing section 54.

The communication section 51 has a function of transferring the information obtained from the network to the group identification section 52 and, conversely, receiving the information generated by the group identification section 52 to the network.

The group identification section 52 identifies a group of communicable devices limited by the configurations shown in the first to fourth embodiments as a group. Further, when the configuration of the device group limited in the first to fourth embodiments changes, it also has a function of updating the group configuration.

The group list storage unit 53 has a function of storing the group information received by the group information processing unit 54 from the group identification unit 52.

The group information processing section 54 has a function of receiving the group identification information from the group identification section 52 and processing, and a function of notifying the user of the group identification information.

The operation state of the communication control device will be described.

The group identification unit 52 sets an identifier as a group for a device group that is internally limited. Then, it issues a processing request for storing the group identifier and the constituent device identifiers in the group list storage unit 53 to the group information processing unit 54.

The group information processing unit 54 that receives the processing request for storing the group list
The group list information issued by is stored in the group list storage unit 53.

When the device group internally limited is updated by the group identification unit 52, the identifier of the group and the identifiers of the constituent devices are updated if necessary. Then, the processing request to be stored in the new group list storage unit 53 is issued to the group information processing unit 54.

The group information processing unit 54 that has received the processing request to store the new group list stores the group list information issued by the group identification unit 52 in the group list storage unit 53.

The group information processing unit 54 notifies the device user of the group list stored in the group list storage unit 53 when receiving a processing request for storing the group list or when there is a request from the device user. .

(Sixth Embodiment) A sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of the communication control unit 60 of this embodiment.

The communication control device 60 includes a communication section 61, a group identification section 62, a group list storage section 63, a group information processing section 64, an attribute information processing section 65, and an attribute information storage section 6.
6 is provided.

The difference between this embodiment and the fifth embodiment is that an attribute information processing section 65 and an attribute information storage section 66 are provided.
When the group identification unit 62 receives the attribute information, the group information unit 65 transfers the attribute information to the attribute information processing unit 65 and the attribute information storage unit 66, and receives the attribute information transfer request from the attribute information processing unit 65 to another device for communication. It has a function of transferring to the unit 61.

The attribute information processing unit 65 has the group identification unit 6
2 receives the attribute information received from the communication unit 61, processes the attribute information, and instructs the attribute information storage unit 66 to store the processing result and the attribute information itself.

The attribute information storage unit 66 includes the attribute information processing unit 6
The attribute information is stored according to the instruction of 5.

The operation state of the communication control device will be described. The operation is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, but is different in the following points.

The group identification unit 62 receives from the communication unit 61 through the network the application used by the device group defined as a group, the communication quality, or the attribute information of another device designated by the group identification unit 62.
The attribute information and the processing result are stored in the attribute information storage unit 66 according to the instruction of the attribute information processing unit 65.

When the limited device group is updated in the group identification section 62, the group identifier and the identifiers of the constituent devices are updated if necessary. A processing request for updating the attribute information of the device group belonging to the updated new group is issued to the attribute information processing unit 65.

Upon receiving the processing request for storing the attribute information of the new group list, the attribute information processing unit 65 stores the updated attribute information and the processing result in the attribute information storage unit 66. Further, the attribute information processing unit 65 notifies the device user of the group list stored in the attribute information storage unit 66 when the group list is updated or when there is a request from the device user, The group identification unit 62 is requested to transfer the attribute information to another device via the network.

(Embodiment 7) FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of a communication control device 300 of this embodiment.

The communication control device 300 includes the information processing section 31.
1, device possession attribute information storage unit 321, device limitation processing unit 3
22, wireless communication unit 331, communication device information storage unit 332,
The communication device group limiting unit 333 is provided.

The information processing unit 311 has a function of executing a user process processed by an ordinary computer and a system process such as an OS. The information processing unit 311 is generally a CP.
It is composed of two parts: a calculation processing part such as U and a memory, and an information storage part. In addition, when the information processing unit 311 determines that the processing program being executed cannot process by itself and needs to be processed by the peripheral device connected to the network, the information processing unit 311 proceeds to the device limitation processing unit 322. The device limitation processing unit 322 is requested to search for a device (hereinafter referred to as a processable device) capable of processing a function that cannot be processed by itself (hereinafter referred to as an impossible function).

The device possession attribute information storage unit 321 is instructed by the communication device group limitation unit 333 in response to an instruction from the communication device group limitation unit 333 or a request from the device possession attribute information storage unit 321 to the communication device group limitation unit 333. It has a processing function capable of processing each device in a limited device group, a device status such as the load of the device itself, and a device attribute information collecting device attribute information such as information necessary for communication.

The device limitation processing section 322 is the information processing section 31.
In response to the request from No. 1, the attribute information such as the device identifier of the processable device capable of processing the impossible function is limited, and the attribute information is passed to the information processing unit 311.

The communication device information storage section 332 has a function of holding communication attribute information exchanged between the devices. The information held here is transferred to the wireless communication unit 331 and transferred to the communication device information storage unit 332 of another device.

The communication device group limiting unit 333 limits the device group capable of information communication with its own device from the information held in the communication device information storage unit 332. Then, it has a function of setting a procedure for transferring information to each device, a device identifier, and a group identifier indicating a device group if necessary.

The wireless communication unit 331, the information processing unit 311, the communication device information storage unit 332, the communication device group storage unit 332, and the entire communication device group limited by the communication device group limiting unit 333.
It has a function of transferring the information received from the communication device group limiting unit 333. The wireless communication unit 331 obtains information necessary for information transfer from the communication device group limiting unit 333.

The communication device group limiting unit 333 and the wireless communication unit 331 use the configuration of the first embodiment.

The operation state of the communication control device will be described. Note that each communication control device in this description belongs to a computer and peripheral devices.

The respective communication control devices mutually exchange and hold the communication attribute information held in the communication device information storage section 332.

In each communication control device, the communication device group limiting unit 333 limits the communicable device group based on the communication attribute information collected in the communication device information storage unit 332. Settings such as an information transfer identifier are set to enable information communication.

Between the devices which are set to be capable of information communication, the device attribute information of the own device stored in the device possession attribute information storage unit 321 is periodically sent or when a request from another device arrives. The data is transferred to the wireless communication unit 331 and broadcast to other devices.

Each communication control device receives the device attribute information and stores it in the device possession attribute information storage unit 321 for each device.

The information processing unit 311 transfers the information of the impossible function to the device limitation processing unit 322 when a process that cannot be processed by itself occurs.

The device limitation processing unit 322 receives the information of the impossible function, and limits the processable device or the processable device group from the device attribute information stored in the device possession attribute information storage unit 321.

If the device limitation processing unit 322 limits the processable devices, in order to perform the processing, the information processing unit 31
1 transfers necessary processing information to the wireless communication unit 331. The wireless communication unit 331 transfers information to the designated processable device and receives the processing result.

When the information in the communication device information storage unit 332 exchanged with each other is changed due to a failure or movement of the device, the communication device information storage unit 332 changes the communication attribute change information to the device possession attribute. The information is transferred to the information storage unit 321.

The device possession attribute information storage unit 321 receives the communication attribute change information and updates the device attribute information based on this.

FIG. 12 shows the computer 423 used and the peripheral device 4.
It is a block diagram of a specific example consisting of 21, 422.

Computer 423 used, peripheral devices 421, 42
2 is provided with the above-mentioned communication control device.

Each communication control device has an information processing unit 411, a device possession attribute information storage unit 412, a device limitation processing unit 413,
It is composed of a group wireless communication unit 420.

The group wireless communication unit 420 includes the wireless communication unit 331 and the communication device information storage unit 3 shown in FIG.
32 and a communication device group limitation unit 333. Then, the group wireless communication unit 420, in the example shown in FIG.
The group identifier is set to GN-1, the device identifier is set to 01 for the peripheral device 421, 02 for the peripheral device 422, and 03 for the computer 423 used.

Device possession attribute information storage unit 412 of each device
Holds and exchanges device attribute information of each device.

Attention is paid to the computer 423 used.

The device attribute information collected by the use computer 423 indicates that the function of the process identifier 008 can be processed by the group identifier GN-1; device identifier 01 as the attribute information of the peripheral device 421.

When an impossible function occurs in the information processing section 411, the device limitation processing section 41 outputs information for identifying the impossible function.
Transfer to 3.

The device limitation processing section 413 which has received the process identification information of the impossible function limits the processable devices which are the groups and devices that can execute the process using the process identifier.

Then, the request processing information of the impossible function is transferred to the processable device. In the example, when the processing request of the processing identifier 008 is issued, the requested processing information is set to the group G.
The instruction to transfer to the N-1 device 01 is issued.

When the environment changes due to a device failure or movement, the information indicating that the environment has changed is the device-owned attribute from the communication attribute information exchanged and held by the group wireless communication unit 420. The information is transferred to the information storage unit 412 and the information is updated.

Therefore, regardless of the timing when the processing request is issued from the information processing unit 411, the device-owned attribute information storage unit 412 always stores the latest environment attribute information. Therefore, it is possible to always limit and execute a processable device suitable for the latest environment by an instruction from the device limitation processing unit 413 with the process identifier.

If a plurality of device candidates are generated when the device limit processing unit 413 limits the processable devices, the information processing unit 411 displays the name and attribute of the candidate device to the user. Alternatively, one device may be selected from the candidate devices.

(Embodiment 8) FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a communication control unit group of an eighth embodiment.

The peripheral device server 523 of the communication control device of this embodiment includes an information processing unit 511, a device possession attribute information storage unit 512, a device limitation processing unit 513, a group wireless communication unit 514, and a general-purpose wireless communication unit. 515 is provided.

The general-purpose wireless communication unit 515 has a function of providing a conventional communication system, and can exchange information with the computer 525 having the general-purpose wireless communication unit 530.

The difference between this embodiment and the seventh embodiment is that when the use computer 552 has an impossible function, it is used via the general-purpose wireless communication unit 515, the general-purpose wireless communication unit 530, and the peripheral device server 523. The point is that processing can be performed in the same manner as the computer 524.

The operation state will be described.

When a request to execute an impossible function of the computer 525 to be used is made, information about the impossible function is sent from the general-purpose wireless communication unit 530 to the information processing unit 511 via the general-purpose wireless communication unit 515 of the peripheral device server 523. Is transferred.

The information processing unit 511 transfers the information of the impossible function to the device limitation processing unit 513.

The device limitation processing unit 513 which has received the information of the impossible function limits the processable device or device group from the device attribute information stored in the device possession attribute information storage unit 512.

If the devices that can be processed are limited, the information processing unit 511 transfers the necessary processing information to the specified device via the group wireless communication unit 514 in order to perform the processing.

The peripheral device server 523 which has received the processing result of the impossible function from the processable device transfers the processing result to the using computer 525.

(Embodiment 9) FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of a communication control unit group of the ninth embodiment.

The communication control device of this embodiment is provided with the information processing unit 6
11, device possession attribute information storage unit 612, device limitation processing unit 613, group wireless communication unit 614, function processing unit 61
5, a wireless communication unit 616 is provided.

The difference between this embodiment and the seventh embodiment is that a function processing unit 615 and a wireless communication unit 616 are provided.

The function processing section 615 has processing functions other than the processing function of the information processing section 611. That is, it has a function of executing the processing peculiar to this communication control device.

The wireless communication unit 616 has a function of providing a communication system different from the system used by the group wireless communication unit 614.

The operating state of the communication control device will be described.

A request to execute a process that can be processed by the own device is stored as information in another device (hereinafter,
(Referred to as a processing request device) from the group wireless communication unit 614
Arrive at. The information is transferred to the information processing unit 611.

The information processing unit 611 analyzes the content,
If you can handle it yourself, do it.

However, if it is necessary to perform processing by the function processing unit 615, the information processing unit 611 may change the function processing unit 615.
The procedure and information necessary for processing are transferred together with the processing request.

The function processing unit 615 performs the processing and returns the processing result to the information processing unit 611.

When it is necessary to return the processing result to the processing requesting device, the information processing unit 611 transfers the information to the group wireless communication unit 614 and transmits to the device.

When the processing requesting device requests transmission / reception of information to / from a network adopting a communication method different from that of the group wireless communication unit 614, the processing requesting device transfers the information to the wireless communication unit 616.

On the other hand, when the device that can communicate with the group wireless communication unit 614 requests the information that has arrived at the wireless communication unit 616, the received information is transferred to the information processing unit 611, and necessary processing is performed. Processing unit 611, function processing unit 61
After that, the data is transferred to the group wireless communication unit 614 and transmitted to the device.

FIG. 15 shows an implementation example of this embodiment, and shows a case where a general-purpose computer and a mobile TV phone are used.

The mobile TV phone 721 has an information processing section 71.
1, a function processing unit 712, a group wireless communication unit 713, and a wireless communication unit 714.

The general-purpose computer 722 has a group wireless communication section 713.

The operation state will be described below.

When the processing request of the general-purpose computer 722 arrives at the group wireless communication unit 713 of the mobile TV phone 721 as information according to the determined format, the information is transferred to the information processing unit 711. Note that this processing request can be processed only by the mobile TV phone 721.

The information processing unit 711 analyzes the contents,
If it can be processed by itself, it will be processed in its own information processing unit.

If the processing peculiar to the mobile TV phone is necessary, the information processing unit 711 transfers the processing request and the procedure and information necessary for the processing to the function processing unit 712, and receives the processing result.

If it is necessary to return the processing result to the processing requester, the information processing section 711 transfers the information to the group wireless communication section 713 and transmits it to the processing requesting device.

When the general-purpose computer 722 requests transmission / reception of information to / from a mobile TV phone network different from the system adopted by the group wireless communication unit 713, the information processing unit 711 and the function processing unit 712 perform necessary processing. After that, the information is transferred to the wireless communication unit 714.

On the other hand, when the general-purpose computer 722 requests the information arriving at the wireless communication unit 714, the received information is transferred to the information processing unit 711, and necessary processing is performed by the information processing unit 711 and the function processing unit. After that, the data is transferred to the group wireless communication unit 713 and transmitted to the general-purpose computer 722.

(Embodiment 10) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, in the seventh embodiment, the self-busy information notifying unit 3 is used.
40, a self-busy information recording unit 342, another device busy information recording unit 344, a transmission information temporary holding unit 346, and a reception information temporary holding unit 348 are added.

The self-busy information notifying unit 340 notifies other devices of the self-busy information indicating that the self-device is in use.

The self-busy information recording section 342 records the self-busy information.

The other device busy information recording section 344 indicates that the other device is in use, based on the other device busy information transferred from the other device and indicating that the other device is in use.

When transmitting information to another device recorded in the other device busy information recording unit 344, the transmission information temporary holding unit 346 temporarily stores the information until the other device is released from being in use. Hold.

When the self-busy information recording unit 342 indicates that the self-busy information recording unit 342 is in use, the reception information temporary storage unit 348 temporarily stores information received from other devices until the self-busy information recording unit 342 is released.

As a result, even if the devices are in use, the next process can be performed immediately when the use is released.

[0181]

According to the present invention, in order to limit the group of devices that can communicate based on the device information based on the own device and the collected information collected by the own device, the usage pattern such as the device position when the actual communication device is used Is reflected in the network,
Communication efficiency can be improved, control can be simplified, and management can be simplified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a table stored in each unit.

FIG. 3 is a logical layout diagram.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a storage table of device identifier information according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a storage table of communication channel information according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of information in the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mobile TV phone according to a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a tenth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Own device information management unit 12 ... Collection Information Management Department 13 ... Communication partner limited section 24 ... Wireless communication processing unit 51 ... communication section 52 ... Group identification section 53 ... Group list storage 54 ... Group information processing unit 311 ... Information processing unit 321 ... Device possession attribute information storage unit 322 ... Device limited processing unit 331 ... Wireless communication unit 332 ... Communication device information storage unit 333 ... Communication device group limiting unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04B ^7/ 24-7/26 H04Q ⁷ /00-7/38

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A device information holding means for holding device information, which is information of a device capable of direct communication, a device information transfer means for transferring the device information held by the device information holding means to another device, and from another device. Collected information holding means for holding the transferred device information held by the device as collected information, and the collected information based on the collected information of the collected information holding means and the attribute information included in the device information of the device information holding means. the information to each other can communicate device group among all of the devices present in the device information, a device limiting means further limit the group of devices wants to communicate, the devices of limited apparatus group by the device limitation means To
Each device has an individual identifier and a device for the entire device group.
A broadcast identifier, which is the destination that indicates the entire group, is added to the communication.
If necessary, specify the specified device group
Is a destination that indicates a partial device group for a partial group in the device group.
A communication control device comprising: an identifier selection giving means for giving a broadcast identifier . 2. Device information which is information of a device capable of direct communication
A device information holding means for holding the rolling device information the device information holding means for holding the other devices
The device information transfer means to be sent and the device information held by the device transferred from another device are collected.
Collection information holding means for holding as collection information, collection information of this collection information holding means and device information holding
Based on the attribute information included in the device information of the means, this collection
Information in the collection information and all devices existing in this device information
From the devices that can communicate with each other.
Device limiting means and a device group limited by the device limiting means.
Group identification means for identifying each group as a group unit and the group identification means identified by this group identification means.
Group storing means for storing the strikes and when the group identified by the group identifying means has changed.
Group list stored in the group storage means.
Group change to change the group to its changed group list.
And an attribute information storage unit that stores attribute information of another device, and an attribute information acquisition unit that acquires attribute information from another device.
However , this attribute information storage means is based on the group identification means.
Communication with a new device,
If you update the group list with the loop change method,
Attribute information of the new device using the attribute information acquisition means
A communication control device characterized by acquiring and storing the information. 3. Device information which is information of a device capable of direct communication
A device information holding means for holding the rolling device information the device information holding means for holding the other devices
The device information transfer means to be sent and the device information held by the device transferred from another device are collected.
Collection information holding means for holding as collection information, collection information of this collection information holding means and device information holding
Based on the attribute information included in the device information of the means, this collection
Information in the collection information and all devices existing in this device information
From the devices that can communicate with each other.
Device limiting means and other devices of the device group limited by the device limiting means.
Information on the functions possessed and attribute information is provided to these other devices and the device itself.
Using the exchange holding means for exchanging and holding with and the information of this exchange holding means
Processing that can process the functions that cannot be processed
Device limiting means and a processable device limited to this processable device limiting means
A limited information transfer means for transferring the information required for processing, a first communication unit, one or more second passage different from the first communication means
And means for transmitting information from the first communication means to the second communication means.
Information transmitted from the second communication means
The communication control device is configured to transmit to the first communication means .