JP3801996B2

JP3801996B2 - Service providing apparatus, service using apparatus, service providing system, service providing method, service using method, service providing program, and service using program

Info

Publication number: JP3801996B2
Application number: JP2003037048A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 口健生堀; 井信哉村
Original assignee: Toshiba Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp
Priority date: 2003-02-14
Filing date: 2003-02-14
Publication date: 2006-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-14
Also published as: JP2004248072A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、複数のプロトコルを用いて各種サービスの提供を行うサービス提供装置及びサービス利用装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
ネットワーク上に存在するサービスにはさまざまなものがあり、それらのサービスを利用するためには、サービスの種類やアクセス方法などを知る必要がある。ネットワーク上のサービスとしてよく知られている例としては、クロックサービス及びインターネットゲートウェイサービスなどがある。
【０００３】
これらサービスへのアクセス方法や所在を知るためのプロトコル（サービス発見プロトコル）はすでにいくつか存在している。よく知られているプロトコルとしては、Jini（TM）、UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)、近距離無線デバイスであるBluetooth（TM）のSDP (Service Discovery Protocol)などがあり、他にも多くのプロトコルが存在している。JiniはSun Microsystems（TM）によって定義されたプロトコルであり、UPnPはUPnP Forum(http://www.upnp.org/)、SDPはBluetooth SIG(Special Interest Group)(http://www.bluetooth.com/)によって規格化されたプロトコルである。
【０００４】
これらのプロトコルは、サービスを提供するエンティティ(entity)がサービス情報を通知するしくみを持っており、サービスを利用したいエンティティがそのサービス情報を取得することにより、所望のサービスを利用できるようになっている。
【０００５】
これら異なるネットワーク上で提供されるサービスのサービス情報を変換し、別のネットワークに中継する機能を備えた装置も提案されている（特許文献１を参照）。
【０００６】
【特許文献１】
特許第３２５２８４１号公報
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、これら複数のサービス発見プロトコルが並存しているのが現状であり、標準的なプロトコルはまだ確立されていない。また、これらいくつかの有力なプロトコルすべてと互換性のあるプロトコルは、現状存在していない。そこで、特定のプロトコルに制限されたくない通信装置は、予め複数のプロトコルを備えておく必要がある。
【０００８】
また、ある特定の通信デバイスを使用してネットワーク上のサービスを利用しようとした場合、そのデバイス上で用いられるサービス発見プロトコルはすでに定義されていることが多い。例えば、近距離無線通信デバイスであるBluetooth上では独自のサービス発見プロトコルであるSDPが定義されており、Bluetoothで通信する装置は必ずこのプロトコルを備えていなければならない。
【０００９】
ここで、問題が発生する。あるサービスを提供する装置が複数のサービス発見プロトコルを使用する場合、それらのプロトコルすべてにサービス情報を広告することになる。この装置と同じように複数のプロトコルを備える装置は、それぞれのプロトコルにおいてサービス情報を取得した結果、それぞれのプロトコルで個別にサービスの存在を認識してしまう。つまり、サービスは一つであるにも関わらず、あたかも複数存在しているかのように誤認識してしまう。
【００１０】
これがどのような場合に問題となるかを説明する。プレゼンテーション、講習会、及びセミナーなどの場でよく用いられる機器の一つにプロジェクタがある。プロジェクタは通常、パソコンとケーブルで接続し、パソコンの画面を拡大表示するために用いられるが、ケーブルで接続する代わりに、無線で接続する無線プロジェクタという装置もある。この場合の通信インタフェースとして、無線LANとBluetoothの両方を備えた無線プロジェクタを想定する。パソコンから無線プロジェクタに画面を映し出すためには、プロジェクタの提供するサービスを発見して接続する必要がある。
【００１１】
ところが、無線LANとBluetoothの両方の機能を持つパソコンは、各機能でサービス発見プロトコルが動作し、各機能ごとにプロジェクタのサービスを発見してしまう。したがって、同一のプロジェクタであるにも関わらず、２つの異なるサービス（＝プロジェクタ）として認識されてしまう、という問題が発生する。広い会場でプレゼンテーションを行う場合、同時に複数の無線プロジェクタを表示させる必要が生じるが、上記のような状況が発生すると、複数台に表示させようとしても、実際には１台にしか表示されないという不具合が生じる。
【００１２】
同様に、ネットワークプリンターについても同じような状況が発生しうる。２つのプロトコルを備えたプリンターは、同じく２つのプロトコルを備えたパソコンから見ると、2台のプリンターとして認識されてしまい、印刷ジョブをパソコンから2台のプリンターにそれぞれ送信したつもりでも、実は1台のプリンターのみに集中してしまう、という事態を引き起こす。
【００１３】
本発明は、このような点に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的は、複数のプロトコルで提供される複数のサービスが同一か否かを正しく判断できるサービス提供装置、サービス利用装置、サービス提供システム、サービス提供方法、サービス利用方法、サービス提供プログラム及びサービス利用プログラムを提供することにある。
【００１４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の一態様によれば、サービス利用装置にサービスを提供可能で、かつ該サービス利用装置と少なくとも第1のプロトコルと第２のプロトコルとで通信可能なサービス提供装置において、前記第１のプロトコルを用いた通信により提供されるサービスを識別するための識別情報と、該識別情報に対応する属性値とを含む第１のサービス属性情報と、前記第２のプロトコルを用いた通信により提供されるサービスを識別するための識別情報と、該識別情報に対応する属性値とを含む第２のサービス属性情報とを生成するサービス情報生成手段と、前記サービス利用装置との間で前記第１のプロトコルを用いた通信を行う場合には、前記第１のプロトコルに規定された手順でサービス情報に前記第１のサービス属性情報を含めて送信し、前記第２のプロトコルを用いた通信を行う場合には、前記第２のプロトコルに規定された手順でサービス情報に前記第２のサービス属性情報を含めて送信するサービス情報送信手段と、を備え、前記サービス情報生成手段は、前記第１のプロトコルを用いた通信と前記第２のプロトコルを用いた通信とで同じサービスを提供する場合には、前記第１のサービス属性情報に含まれる識別情報と前記第２のサービス属性情報に含まれる識別情報とを等しくすることを特徴とするサービス情報提供装置が提供される。
【００１５】
また、本発明の一態様によれば、少なくとも第１のプロトコルと第２のプロトコルとで通信可能なサービス提供装置からサービスの提供を受けるサービス利用装置において、前記第１のプロトコルに規定された手順で受信されたサービス情報に含まれる、サービスを識別するための識別情報と、該識別情報に対応する属性値とを含む第１のサービス属性情報と、前記第２のプロトコルに規定された手順で受信されたサービス情報に含まれる、サービスを識別するための識別情報と、該識別情報に対応する属性値とを含む第２のサービス属性情報とを取得するサービス属性情報取得手段と、前記サービス属性情報取得手段で取得した前記第１および第２のサービス属性情報が示すサービスの中に、同一のサービスが存在するかどうかを判断する同一性判断手段と、前記同一性判断手段が同一のサービスが存在すると判断した場合には、前記同一と判断したサービスの中から、いずれか一つのサービスを選択するサービス選択手段と、を備え、前記同一性判断手段は、前記第１のサービス属性情報に含まれる識別情報と、前記第２のサービス属性情報に含まれる識別情報とが等しい場合には、同一のサービスが存在すると判断することを特徴とするサービス利用装置が提供される。
【００１６】
また、本発明の一態様によれば、サービス利用装置にサービスを提供可能で、かつ該サービス利用装置と少なくとも第1のプロトコルと第２のプロトコルとで通信可能なサービス提供装置において、前記第１のプロトコルを用いた通信により提供されるサービスを識別するための第１の識別情報と、該第１の識別情報に対応する属性値とを含む第１のサービス属性情報と、前記第２のプロトコルを用いた通信により提供されるサービスを識別するための第１の識別情報と、該第１の識別情報に対応する属性値とを含む第２のサービス属性情報とを生成するサービス情報生成手段と、前記サービス利用装置からの要求に応えてサービスを提供するときに必要となる、第２の識別情報を送信する識別情報送信手段と、前記サービス利用装置との間で前記第１のプロトコルを用いた通信を行う場合には、前記第１のプロトコルに規定された手順でサービス情報に前記第１のサービス属性情報を含めて送信し、前記第２のプロトコルを用いた通信を行う場合には、前記第２のプロトコルに規定された手順でサービス情報に前記第２のサービス属性情報を含めて送信するサービス情報送信手段と、を備え、前記識別情報送信手段は、前記第１のプロトコルを用いた通信と前記第２のプロトコルを用いた通信とで同じサービスを提供する場合には、前記第１のプロトコルと前記第２のプロトコルとのいずれを用いた通信においても前記第２の識別情報を等しくすることを特徴とするサービス情報提供装置が提供される。
【００１７】
本発明の一態様によれば、少なくとも第１のプロトコルと第２のプロトコルとで通信可能なサービス提供装置からサービスの提供を受けるサービス利用装置において、前記第１のプロトコルに規定された手順で受信されたサービス情報に含まれる、サービスを識別するための第１の識別情報と、該第１の識別情報に対応する属性値とを含む第１のサービス属性情報と、前記第２のプロトコルに規定された手順で受信されたサービス情報に含まれる、サービスを識別するための第１の識別情報と、該第１の識別情報に対応する属性値とを含む第２のサービス属性情報とを取得するサービス属性情報取得手段と、前記サービス提供装置からサービスの提供を受けるときに必要となる第２の識別情報を送信するよう前記サービス提供装置に要求する識別情報送信要求手段と、前記サービス属性情報取得手段で取得したサービス属性情報が示すサービスの中に、同一のサービスが存在するかどうかを判断する同一性判断手段と、前記同一性判断手段が同一のサービスが存在すると判断した場合には、前記同一と判断したサービスの中から、いずれか一つのサービスを選択するサービス選択手段と、を備え、前記同一性判断手段は、前記第１のプロトコルに規定された手順で受信されたサービス情報に対応する前記第２の識別情報と、前記第２のプロトコルに規定された手順で受信されたサービス情報に対応する前記第２の識別情報とが等しい場合には、同一のサービスが存在すると判断することを特徴とするサービス利用装置が提供される。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明に係るサービス提供装置、サービス利用装置、サービス提供システム、サービス提供方法、サービス利用方法、サービス提供プログラム及びサービス利用プログラムについて、図面を参照しながら具体的に説明する。
【００１９】
（第１の実施形態）
図１は本発明に係るサービス提供装置とサービス利用装置とを備えたサービス提供システムの全体構成を示すブロック図である。図示のように、サービス提供システムは、各種サービスを提供するサービス提供装置１と、サービス提供装置１から各種サービスの提供を受ける複数のサービス利用装置２Ａ，２Ｂ，２Ｃとを備えている。以下では、サービス利用装置２Ａ，２Ｂ，２Ｃを総称してサービス利用装置２と呼ぶこともある。
【００２０】
ここで、サービスとは、サービス利用装置２が利用可能なサービス提供装置１の各種の機能であり、例えば、サービス提供装置１がプリンタの場合には、用紙に文字や画像を印刷する機能がサービスであり、サービス提供装置１がプロジェクタの場合には、スクリーンに動画像や静止画像を投影する機能がサービスである。１台のサービス提供装置１が複数種類のサービスを提供してもよいが、本実施形態では、１台のサービス提供装置１が１つのサービスを提供する場合について説明する。
【００２１】
図１のサービス提供装置１とサービス利用装置２ＡはBluetoothで通信を行う。サービス提供装置１とサービス利用装置２ＢはBluetoothと、無線LAN等を介してインターネットの双方で通信を行うことが可能である。また、サービス提供装置１とサービス利用装置２Ｃとは無線LAN等を介してインターネットと通信を行うものとする。
【００２２】
図２はサービス提供装置１の内部構成の一例を示すブロック図である。図２のサービス提供装置１は、複数のプロトコルのそれぞれを用いてサービス利用装置２との間で通信を行う複数の通信部３と、サービス情報生成部４と、各種サービスを格納するサービス部５とを備えている。サービス情報生成部４は、複数のプロトコルのそれぞれで提供される個々のサービスの識別子と、該識別子に対応した属性値と、を含むサービス属性情報を生成する。
【００２３】
本実施形態では、プロトコルとして、UPnP（Universal Plug and Play）とSDP（Service Discovery Protocol）の２つを用いる。通信部３は、SDPに対応したSDP通信部６及びBluetooth通信部７と、UPnPに対応したUPnP通信部８及びTCP/IP通信部９とを有する。
【００２４】
SDP通信部６は、SDPで提供されるサービス情報の中に、サービス情報生成部４で生成されたSDPのサービス属性情報を含めて広告する。Bluetooth通信部７は、サービス利用装置２との間で、Bluetoothの規格に従って無線通信を行う。
【００２５】
UPnP通信部８は、UPnPで提供されるサービス情報の中に、サービス情報生成部４で生成されたUPnPのサービス属性情報を含めて広告する。TCP/IP通信部９は、サービス利用装置２との間で、無線LAN及びインターネットを介して通信を行う。
【００２６】
サービス情報生成部４は、サービス提供装置１が提供する各種サービスに対して、一意のサービス識別子を割当て、割当てたサービス識別子を含むサービス属性情報をSDP通信部６とUPnP通信部８に通知する。サービス識別子として、本実施形態ではUUID（Universal Unique Identifier）を用いるものとする。UUIDは、時間と場所を問わずに一意であることが保証される汎用的な固有識別子である。UUIDの書式は、国際標準化機構により、ISO/IEC 11578：1996, "Information technology - Open Systems Interconnection - Remote Procedure Call (RPC)"で定義されている。
【００２７】
SDP通信部６は、SDPで提供可能なサービス属性情報をサービス情報生成部４から取得し、SDPで定義されているサービスレコードのフォーマットに従ってサービス情報を生成する。サービス利用装置２からのサービス検索要求を受信すると、SDP通信部６は、その要求に応じたサービスレコードを検索し、一致するサービスレコードのハンドラを返す。サービスレコードは、サービス属性情報の集合であり、サービス属性情報は個々のサービスの性質を表すためのパラメータである。また、サービス利用装置２からのサービス属性要求を受信すると、SDP通信部６は、その要求に応じたサービス属性情報の値を返す。
【００２８】
ここで、SDPで提供可能なサービス属性情報には、サービスの特定のインスタンスを個々に識別するためのServiceID、サービスを利用するために使用できるプロトコル・スタックを示すProtocolDescriptorList、サービスを提供する個人または組織の名前が入ったテキスト文字列を示すProviderName、サービスの名前が入ったテキスト文字列を示すServiceName、及びサービスについて説明するテキスト文字列を示すServiceDescriptionなどがある。
【００２９】
図３はSDPで定義されているサービスレコードのフォーマットを示す図である。図示のように、サービスレコードは、複数のサービス属性情報からなる。
【００３０】
図４はサービス情報生成部４が生成するサービス属性情報のフォーマットを示す図である。図示のように、サービス属性情報は、サービスの属性IDと、その属性IDに対応する属性値と、からなる。
【００３１】
サービス利用装置２内のUPnP通信部は、サービス提供装置１内のUPnP通信部８からマルチキャストされたサービス情報を受信する。これにより、サービス利用装置２は、サービス提供装置１が提供するサービスの種類を把握することができる。
【００３２】
また、サービス利用装置２は、サービス情報を検索して、サービスの存在を把握することができる。この場合、サービス利用装置２内のUPnP通信部が検索要求をマルチキャストし、該当するサービスを保持しているサービス提供装置１内のUPnP通信部８はサービス情報をユニキャストでサービス利用装置２に送信する。
【００３３】
図５はサービス利用装置２Ａの内部構成を示すブロック図である。図５のサービス利用装置２は、サービス提供装置１からBluetoothでサービスの提供を受けるものであり、サービスを利用したアプリケーションを実行するアプリケーション部１１と、SDP通信部１２と、Bluetooth通信部１３とを有する。アプリケーション部１１は、例えば、ネットワーク上に存在するプリンタを利用して電子文書を印刷する、いわゆる文書編集を行う。
【００３４】
図５のSDP通信部１２とBluetooth通信部１３はそれぞれ図２のSDP通信部６とBluetooth通信部７と同様の動作を行う。
【００３５】
図６はサービス利用装置２Ｂの内部構成を示すブロック図である。図６のサービス利用装置２は、Bluetoothとインターネットの両方の通信機能を持ち、図５の構成に加えて、UPnP通信部２４と、TCP/IP通信部２５と、サービス選択部２６とを有する。これらUPnP通信部２４とTCP/IP通信部２５は、図２のUPnP通信部８とTCP/IP通信部９と同様の機能を持っている。
【００３６】
サービス選択部２６は、SDP通信部２２とUPnP通信部２４のそれぞれで検出されたサービスの中に同一のサービスが含まれるか否かをチェックする。ここでは、SDP通信部２２からはサービスIDを取得し、UPnP通信部２４からはサービスのUUIDを取得して、上記のチェックを行う。
【００３７】
また、SDP通信部２２とUPnP通信部２４の双方で同一のサービスが検出された場合は、SDP通信部２２とUPnP通信部２４のどちらを介してサービスを利用するかを決定する。決定する際には、各通信部３が持つ各種の性質（例えば、通信帯域、遅延、遅延揺らぎ、データ配信の信頼性、セキュリティ強度など）や、通信インタフェースにかかる負荷のバランスなどを考慮に入れて、使用すべき通信部を決定する。
【００３８】
図７はサービス利用装置２Ｃの内部構成を示すブロック図である。図７のサービス利用装置２Ｃ内のアプリケーション部３１、UPnP通信部３２及びTCP/IP通信部３３は、図６のサービス利用装置２Ｂ内のアプリケーション部２１、UPnP通信部２４及びTCP/IP通信部２５と同様の機能を持っている。
【００３９】
次に、図１のサービス提供装置１とサービス利用装置２との間の通信手順について説明する。まず、Bluetoothを用いてサービス発見を行う手順を説明する。サービス利用装置２は、インクワイアリ（Inquiry）により、周囲のBluetooth装置を検出し、検出したBluetooth装置に対して、図８の手順でSDPによるサービス発見を行う。
【００４０】
サービス利用装置２Ａ，２Ｂは、サービス提供装置１がどのようなサービスを持っているのかを検索するためのサービス検索パターンを含んだSDP_ServiceSearchRequestを、サービス提供装置１に対して送信する（ステップＳ１）。
【００４１】
SDP_ServiceSearchRequestを受信したサービス提供装置１は、自装置の持つサービスの中からそのサービス検索パターンに一致するサービスレコードのハンドルを含むSDP_ServiceSearchResponseを生成し、SDP_ ServiceSearchResponseを送り返す（ステップＳ２）。
【００４２】
サービス検索パターンとは、一致するサービスレコードを見つけるために使用されるUUIDのリストで、サービス検索パターン内の個々のUUIDがサービスレコードの属性値のどれかに含まれる場合、サービス検索パターンはサービスレコードに一致すると解釈される。
【００４３】
上記のステップＳ１，Ｓ２により、サービス利用装置２Ａ，２Ｂは所望のサービスのサービスレコードハンドルを得ることができる。
【００４４】
次に、所望のサービスが持つサービス属性の値を得るため、サービス利用装置２Ａ，２Ｂは、SDP_ServiceAttributeRequestをサービス提供装置１に対して送信する（ステップＳ３）。SDP_ServiceAttributeRequestには、所望のサービスのサービスレコードハンドルと、サービスレコードから検索する属性IDのリストが含まれている。
【００４５】
SDP_ServiceAttributeRequestを受信したサービス提供装置１は、要求されたサービスレコードに含まれるサービス属性（属性IDと属性値の両方）のリストが含まれたSDP_ServiceAttributeResponseを送り返す（ステップＳ４）。SDP_ServiceAttributeResponseを受信したサービス利用装置２Ａとサービス利用装置２Ｂは、所望のサービスの各属性値を得ることができる。
【００４６】
サービス属性の一つとして、サービスレコードが表現するサービスのインスタンスを、個別かつ汎用的に識別するServiceIDが定義されている。本実施形態におけるサービス提供装置１は、自装置内のサービス情報生成部４から得たサービス識別子(UUID)をServiceIDとして設定しておく。これにより、サービス提供装置１の持つサービスを他のサービス利用装置２が一意に識別することができる。
【００４７】
次に、UPnPを用いてサービス発見を行う場合の処理手順を図９のシーケンス図に基づいて説明する。サービス提供装置１は、図９に示すように、TCP/IP通信部９を通じてネットワーク(インターネット)に接続されたとき、自装置の持つサービス情報のマルチキャスト送信（広告）を行う（ステップＳ１１）。
【００４８】
本実施形態におけるサービス提供装置１は、送信すべきサービスのUUID（サービス情報に含まれる）として、サービス情報生成部４から得たサービス識別子（UUID）を設定する。これにより、サービス情報を受信したサービス利用装置２Ｂ，２Ｃはサービス提供装置１の持つサービスを一意に識別することができる。
【００４９】
一方、UPnPには、広告以外にもサービスを検出する手段が定義されている。サービス利用装置２Ｂ，２Ｃが現在利用可能なサービスを知りたければ、図１０に示すように、サービス検索要求のマルチキャスト送信を行う（ステップＳ１２）。サービス検索要求には、検索したいデバイスやサービスの種類などを指定することができる。
【００５０】
サービス検索要求を受信したサービス提供装置１は、検索対象に一致した場合はサービス情報を送り返す（ステップＳ１３）。サービス情報にはサービス提供装置１内のサービス情報生成部４から得たサービス識別子（UUID）が含まれている。従って、サービス利用装置２Ｂ，２Ｃはサービス提供装置１の持つサービスを一意に識別することができる。
【００５１】
このように、サービス提供装置１は、SDP通信部６がServiceIDの値としてサービス情報生成部４から得たサービス識別子を用い、また、UPnP通信部８もサービスのUUIDの値としてサービス情報生成部４から得た上記と同一のサービス識別子を用いる。サービス利用装置２Ｂのサービス選択部２６は、SDP通信部６とUPnP通信部３のそれぞれで発見したサービスが同一のものであることを認識できる。
【００５２】
また、サービス利用装置２Ｂのサービス選択部２６は、同一のサービスであることが判明した場合、どちらの通信インタフェースを使用するかを決定する。サービス利用装置２Ｂのサービス選択部２６は図１１に示す処理を行う。まず、サービス利用アプリケーションが必要としているサービスの特徴（フィーチャ）を備えているかどうかを、SDP通信部６とUPnP通信部３のそれぞれが持つサービス情報と照らし合わせて判断する（ステップＳ２１）。どちらか一方にしか備わっていないことが判明すれば、その通信インタフェースを選択する。
【００５３】
両方とも備わっていることが判明すれば、通信インタフェースの持つ通信路の帯域を比較し（ステップＳ２２）、インターネットの方が大きい場合はUPnP通信部８のサービス処理キューに処理待ち要求があるかどうかを判断し（ステップＳ２３）、処理待ち要求がなければインターネットを選択する（ステップＳ２４）。
【００５４】
一方、ステップＳ２２で帯域がBluetoothの方が大きいと判断された場合、または、ステップＳ２３で処理待ち要求があると判断された場合は、Bluetoothデバイスが通信中かどうか（Piconetが存在するかどうか）を検査し（ステップＳ２５）、通信中ならインターネット、通信中でないならBluetoothを選択する（ステップＳ２６）。
【００５５】
このように、第１の実施形態では、サービス提供装置１からサービス利用装置２にサービス情報を送信する際、提供可能なサービスを識別するためのサービス属性情報も併せて送信するため、個々のプロトコルで提供される複数のサービスが同一か否かをサービス利用装置２は正しく判断できる。したがって、同一のサービスの提供を重複して受ける等の不具合が起きなくなる。
【００５６】
具体例として、サービス提供装置１が無線LANとBluetoothの双方で通信を行える無線プロジェクタであり、サービス利用装置２が映写すべきデータを複数のプロジェクタに送信してプレゼンテーションを行う場合に、本実施形態によれば、１台のプロジェクタを複数のプロジェクタとして誤認識するおそれがなくなる。
【００５７】
（第２の実施形態）
第２の実施形態のサービス提供装置１は、SDPにおけるサービスIDと、UPnPにおけるサービスUUIDが同じ値を取れないものとする。この場合、サービス利用装置２は、SDPにおけるサービスIDとUPnPにおけるサービスUUIDとを得ただけでは、サービスの同一性を判断できないことになる。
【００５８】
そこで、第２の実施形態では、サービスの同一性を判断するために、サービス提供装置１からサービス利用装置２にサービス識別子を送信することを特徴とする。
【００５９】
図１２は本発明に係るサービス提供装置１の第２の実施形態の内部構成を示すブロック図である。図１２のサービス提供装置１は、図２の構成に加えて、サービス利用装置２にサービス識別子を送信するサービス識別子送信部１０ａ，１０ｂを有する。サービス識別子送信部１０ａ，１０ｂは、SDP通信部６またはUPnP通信部８によりサービス提供装置１の持つサービスのサービス情報が取得されたとき、そのサービス提供装置１のサービス情報生成部４が生成したサービス識別子を得るため、そのサービス提供装置１に対してサービス識別子要求パケットを送信し、サービス識別子を取得する。サービス識別子取得部は、サービス提供装置１内のサービス識別子送信部１０ａ，１０ｂと通信を行う。
【００６０】
図１３は本発明に係るサービス利用装置２Ｂの第２の実施形態の内部構成を示すブロック図である。図１３のサービス利用装置２Ｂは、図６の構成に加えて、サービス提供装置１から送信されたサービス識別子を取得するサービス識別子取得部２７ａ，２７ｂを有する。
【００６１】
図１４はサービス提供装置１内のサービス識別子送信部１０ａ，１０ｂとサービス利用装置２内のサービス識別子取得部２７ａ，２７ｂとの処理手順を示すシーケンス図、図１５はサービス識別子要求パケットのフォーマットを示す図、図１６はサービス識別子応答パケットのフォーマットを示す図である。
【００６２】
サービス利用装置２Ｂのサービス識別子取得部２７ａ，２７ｂは、SDP通信部６またはUPnP通信部３がサービス情報を取得すると、そのサービスに対応するサービス識別子を得るために、該当するサービス提供装置１に対して、サービス識別子要求パケットを送信する（ステップＳ３１）。
【００６３】
図１５に示すように、サービス識別子要求パケットは、サービス識別子要求かサービス識別子応答かを区別するパケットタイプと、サービス発見プロトコルの種別を示すサービス発見プロトコル種別と、該当するサービスの持つServiceIDまたはサービスUUIDの長さと、該当するサービスのServiceIDまたはサービスUUIDとからなる。
【００６４】
パケットタイプは、サービス識別子要求とサービス識別子応答を区別する１バイトの情報である。サービス発見プロトコル種別は、SDP、UPnP、Jini、Salutation、JetSend及びRendezvousを区別する１バイトの情報である。ServiceIDまたはサービスUUIDの長さは、ServiceIDまたはサービスUUIDのバイト数を表す１バイトの情報である。ServiceIDまたはサービスUUIDは、サービス識別子を取得したいサービスのServiceIDまたはサービスUUIDを表す任意バイトの情報である。
【００６５】
サービス識別子要求パケットを受信したサービス提供装置１のサービス識別子送信部１０ａ，１０ｂは、そのパケットに格納されているServiceIDまたはサービスUUIDに対応するサービス識別子をサービス情報生成部４より取得し、図１６に示すサービス識別子応答パケットに格納して、要求元のサービス利用装置２Ｂに送り返す（ステップＳ３２）。
【００６６】
図１６に示すように、サービス識別子応答パケットは、サービス識別子要求か応答かを示すパケットタイプと、サービス発見プロトコルの種別を示すサービス発見プロトコル種別と、該当するサービスの持つServiceIDまたはサービスUUIDの長さと、該当するサービスのServiceIDまたはサービスUUIDと、該当するサービスのサービス識別子とからなる。
【００６７】
パケットタイプは、サービス識別子要求とサービス識別子応答を区別する１バイトの情報である。サービス発見プロトコル種別は、SDP、UPnP、Jini、Salutation、JetSend及びRendezvousを区別する１バイトの情報である。ServiceIDまたはサービスUUIDの長さは、ServiceIDまたはサービスUUIDのバイト数を表す１バイトの情報である。ServiceIDまたはサービスUUIDは、サービス識別子を取得したいサービスのServiceIDまたはサービスUUIDを表す任意バイトの情報である。サービス識別子は、該当するサービスのサービス識別子を表す１６バイトの情報である。
【００６８】
図１４の処理手順は、SDPにて取得したサービスとUPnPにて取得したサービスとのそれぞれに対して、独立に実行される。図１４の処理手順により、SDP通信部６とUPnP通信部８のそれぞれで取得したサービスに対応するサービス識別子を得ることができ、サービスの同一性を判定することができる。
【００６９】
このように、第２の実施形態では、SDPとUPnPのそれぞれで得た複数のサービスが同一か否かをSDPのサービスIDとUPnPのサービスUUIDで判断できない場合に、サービス提供装置１からサービス利用装置２にサービス識別子を送信するようにしたため、サービス利用装置２はこのサービス識別子によりサービスが同一か否かを正しく判断することができる。
【００７０】
【発明の効果】
以上詳細に説明したように、本発明によれば、サービス提供装置からサービス利用装置にサービス情報を送信する際、サービスの識別情報と属性値を含むサービス属性情報を併せて送信するようにしたため、このサービス属性情報により、サービス利用装置は、各プロトコルで提供されるサービスが同一か否かを正しく判断できる。したがって、同一のサービスの提供を重複して受けたり、１つのサービスを複数のサービスとして誤認識するおそれがなくなる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係るサービス提供装置とサービス利用装置とを備えたサービス提供システムの全体構成を示すブロック図。
【図２】サービス提供装置１の内部構成の一例を示すブロック図。
【図３】 SDPで定義されているサービスレコードのフォーマットを示す図。
【図４】サービス情報生成部４が生成するサービス属性情報のフォーマットを示す図。
【図５】サービス利用装置２Ａの内部構成を示すブロック図。
【図６】サービス利用装置２Ｂの内部構成を示すブロック図。
【図７】サービス利用装置２Ｃの内部構成を示すブロック図。
【図８】 SDPにおけるサービス発見シーケンス図。
【図９】 UPnPにおけるサービス広告シーケンス図。
【図１０】 UPnPにおけるサービス検索シーケンス図。
【図１１】サービス利用装置２Ｂの処理手順を示すフローチャート。
【図１２】サービス提供装置の第２の実施形態の内部構成を示すブロック図。
【図１３】サービス利用装置２Ｂの第２の実施形態の内部構成を示すブロック図。
【図１４】サービス識別子の取得シーケンス図。
【図１５】サービス識別子要求パケットのデータ構造を示す図。
【図１６】サービス識別子応答パケットのデータ構造を示す図。
【符号の説明】
１サービス提供装置
２，２Ａ，２Ｂ，２Ｃサービス利用装置
３通信部
４サービス情報生成部
５サービス部
６ SDP通信部
８，２４，３２ UPnP通信部
９，２５，３３ TCP/IP通信部
１０ａ，１０ｂサービス識別子送信部
１１アプリケーション部
１２，２２ SDP通信部
１３，２３ Bluetooth通信部
２１，３１アプリケーション部
２２ SDP通信部
２７ａ，２７ｂサービス識別子取得部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a service providing apparatus and a service using apparatus that provide various services using a plurality of protocols.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There are various services existing on the network, and in order to use these services, it is necessary to know the type of service and the access method. Examples of well-known services on the network include a clock service and an Internet gateway service.
[0003]
There are already several protocols (service discovery protocols) for knowing how and where to access these services. Well-known protocols include Jini (TM), UPnP (Universal Plug and Play), and Bluetooth (TM) SDP (Service Discovery Protocol) for short-range wireless devices. Existing. Jini is a protocol defined by Sun Microsystems (TM), UPnP is UPnP Forum (http://www.upnp.org/), SDP is Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) (http: //www.bluetooth. com /) is a standardized protocol.
[0004]
These protocols have a mechanism in which an entity that provides a service notifies service information, and the entity that wants to use the service can use the desired service by acquiring the service information. Yes.
[0005]
An apparatus having a function of converting service information of services provided on these different networks and relaying the information to another network has also been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 3252842
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, these multiple service discovery protocols are present side by side, and a standard protocol has not yet been established. Also, there is currently no protocol that is compatible with all of these leading protocols. Therefore, a communication device that does not want to be restricted to a specific protocol needs to have a plurality of protocols in advance.
[0008]
In addition, when trying to use a service on a network using a specific communication device, a service discovery protocol used on the device is often already defined. For example, SDP, which is a unique service discovery protocol, is defined on Bluetooth, which is a short-range wireless communication device, and a device that communicates via Bluetooth must have this protocol.
[0009]
Here, a problem occurs. When a device that provides a service uses a plurality of service discovery protocols, service information is advertised in all of those protocols. As with this device, a device having a plurality of protocols recognizes the existence of a service individually in each protocol as a result of obtaining service information in each protocol. In other words, even though there is only one service, it is misrecognized as if there are multiple services.
[0010]
The case where this becomes a problem is demonstrated. There is a projector as one of devices often used in presentations, workshops, seminars, and the like. The projector is usually connected to a personal computer with a cable and used to enlarge and display the screen of the personal computer, but there is also a device called a wireless projector that connects wirelessly instead of connecting with a cable. A wireless projector equipped with both wireless LAN and Bluetooth is assumed as a communication interface in this case. In order to display a screen from a personal computer to a wireless projector, it is necessary to discover and connect to a service provided by the projector.
[0011]
However, in a personal computer having both wireless LAN and Bluetooth functions, the service discovery protocol operates for each function, and the projector service is discovered for each function. Therefore, there arises a problem that even though they are the same projector, they are recognized as two different services (= projectors). When giving presentations in a large venue, it is necessary to display multiple wireless projectors at the same time. However, when the above situation occurs, even if you try to display multiple projectors, only one projector is actually displayed. Occurs.
[0012]
Similarly, a similar situation can occur for a network printer. A printer with two protocols is recognized as two printers when viewed from a computer with the same two protocols. Even if you intend to send a print job from the computer to each of the two printers, one printer is actually used. Cause a situation where people concentrate only on their printers.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a service providing apparatus, a service using apparatus, and a service providing that can correctly determine whether or not a plurality of services provided by a plurality of protocols are the same. A system, a service providing method, a service using method, a service providing program, and a service using program are provided.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to one aspect of the present invention, in the service providing apparatus capable of providing a service to the service using apparatus and capable of communicating with the service using apparatus using at least the first protocol and the second protocol, the first protocol is provided. Provided by communication using the first service attribute information including identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the ID, an attribute value corresponding to the identification information, and the second protocol The first protocol between service information generating means for generating identification information for identifying a service and second service attribute information including an attribute value corresponding to the identification information, and the service using device In the case of performing communication using the service information, the service information including the first service attribute information is transmitted in the procedure defined in the first protocol, and the first Service information transmitting means for transmitting the service information including the second service attribute information in the procedure specified in the second protocol when performing communication using the protocol of the second protocol, In the case where the same service is provided by the communication using the first protocol and the communication using the second protocol, the information generating means and the identification information included in the first service attribute information and the first The service information providing apparatus is characterized in that the identification information included in the service attribute information 2 is equalized.
[0015]
Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, in a service using apparatus that receives a service from a service providing apparatus that can communicate with at least the first protocol and the second protocol, the procedure defined in the first protocol The first service attribute information including the identification information for identifying the service, the attribute value corresponding to the identification information, included in the service information received in step 1, and the procedure specified in the second protocol Service attribute information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying a service included in the received service information and second service attribute information including an attribute value corresponding to the identification information, and the service attribute It is determined whether or not the same service exists among the services indicated by the first and second service attribute information acquired by the information acquisition means. And a service selection means for selecting any one service from the services determined to be the same when the identity determination means determines that the same service exists. The identity determination means determines that the same service exists when the identification information included in the first service attribute information is the same as the identification information included in the second service attribute information. A featured service utilization device is provided.
[0016]
In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, in the service providing apparatus capable of providing a service to the service using apparatus and capable of communicating with the service using apparatus using at least the first protocol and the second protocol, First service attribute information including first identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the protocol of the first protocol, an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information, and the second protocol Service information generation means for generating first identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the information, and second service attribute information including an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; The identification information transmitting means for transmitting the second identification information, which is necessary when providing a service in response to a request from the service utilization device, and the service utilization device When communication using the first protocol is performed, the service information including the first service attribute information is transmitted in the procedure defined in the first protocol, and the second protocol is used. In the case of performing communication, service information transmitting means for transmitting service information including the second service attribute information according to the procedure specified in the second protocol, and the identification information transmitting means, In the case where the same service is provided by communication using the first protocol and communication using the second protocol, the communication using either the first protocol or the second protocol A service information providing apparatus characterized by equalizing the second identification information is provided.
[0017]
According to an aspect of the present invention, a service using apparatus that receives a service from a service providing apparatus that can communicate with at least the first protocol and the second protocol receives the data according to the procedure defined in the first protocol. Stipulated in the second protocol, first service attribute information including first identification information for identifying a service, attribute values corresponding to the first identification information, included in the service information The first identification information for identifying the service and the second service attribute information including the attribute value corresponding to the first identification information, included in the service information received by the processed procedure Requests service attribute information acquisition means and the service providing apparatus to transmit second identification information required when receiving service provision from the service providing apparatus. The identity determination means for determining whether the same service exists in the service indicated by the service attribute information acquired by the different information transmission request means, the service attribute information acquisition means, and the identity determination means are the same. Service selection means for selecting any one of the services determined to be the same when the service is determined to be present, and the identity determination means includes the first protocol. When the second identification information corresponding to the service information received by the prescribed procedure is equal to the second identification information corresponding to the service information received by the procedure prescribed by the second protocol Is provided with a service utilization apparatus characterized by determining that the same service exists.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a service providing apparatus, a service using apparatus, a service providing system, a service providing method, a service using method, a service providing program, and a service using program according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a service providing system including a service providing apparatus and a service using apparatus according to the present invention. As illustrated, the service providing system includes a service providing apparatus 1 that provides various services, and a plurality of service using apparatuses 2A, 2B, and 2C that receive various services from the service providing apparatus 1. Hereinafter, the service use devices 2A, 2B, and 2C may be collectively referred to as the service use device 2.
[0020]
Here, the service refers to various functions of the service providing apparatus 1 that can be used by the service using apparatus 2. For example, when the service providing apparatus 1 is a printer, the function of printing characters and images on paper is a service. In the case where the service providing apparatus 1 is a projector, the service is a function of projecting a moving image or a still image on the screen. Although one service providing apparatus 1 may provide a plurality of types of services, the present embodiment will describe a case where one service providing apparatus 1 provides one service.
[0021]
The service providing device 1 and the service using device 2A in FIG. 1 communicate with each other via Bluetooth. The service providing device 1 and the service using device 2B can communicate with both Bluetooth and the Internet via a wireless LAN or the like. Further, it is assumed that the service providing apparatus 1 and the service using apparatus 2C communicate with the Internet via a wireless LAN or the like.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the service providing apparatus 1. The service providing apparatus 1 in FIG. 2 includes a plurality of communication units 3, a service information generation unit 4, and a service unit 5 that stores various services that communicate with the service using device 2 using each of a plurality of protocols. And. The service information generation unit 4 generates service attribute information including an identifier of each service provided by each of a plurality of protocols and an attribute value corresponding to the identifier.
[0023]
In the present embodiment, two protocols, UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) and SDP (Service Discovery Protocol), are used as protocols. The communication unit 3 includes an SDP communication unit 6 and a Bluetooth communication unit 7 corresponding to SDP, and an UPnP communication unit 8 and a TCP / IP communication unit 9 corresponding to UPnP.
[0024]
The SDP communication unit 6 advertises the service information provided by the SDP by including the service attribute information of the SDP generated by the service information generation unit 4. The Bluetooth communication unit 7 performs wireless communication with the service using device 2 in accordance with the Bluetooth standard.
[0025]
The UPnP communication unit 8 advertises the service information provided by UPnP, including the service attribute information of UPnP generated by the service information generation unit 4. The TCP / IP communication unit 9 communicates with the service using device 2 via a wireless LAN and the Internet.
[0026]
The service information generating unit 4 assigns a unique service identifier to various services provided by the service providing apparatus 1 and notifies the SDP communication unit 6 and the UPnP communication unit 8 of service attribute information including the assigned service identifier. In this embodiment, a UUID (Universal Unique Identifier) is used as the service identifier. A UUID is a general-purpose unique identifier that is guaranteed to be unique regardless of time and place. The UUID format is defined by ISO / IEC 11578: 1996, “Information technology-Open Systems Interconnection-Remote Procedure Call (RPC)” by the International Organization for Standardization.
[0027]
The SDP communication unit 6 acquires service attribute information that can be provided by SDP from the service information generation unit 4, and generates service information in accordance with the format of the service record defined by SDP. When receiving a service search request from the service using device 2, the SDP communication unit 6 searches for a service record corresponding to the request and returns a matching service record handler. The service record is a set of service attribute information, and the service attribute information is a parameter for representing the nature of each service. When receiving a service attribute request from the service using device 2, the SDP communication unit 6 returns a value of service attribute information corresponding to the request.
[0028]
Here, the service attribute information that can be provided by SDP includes ServiceID for individually identifying a specific instance of the service, ProtocolDescriptorList indicating the protocol stack that can be used to use the service, and the individual or organization that provides the service ProviderName indicating a text string including the name of the service, ServiceName indicating the text string including the name of the service, and ServiceDescription indicating the text string describing the service.
[0029]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the format of a service record defined by SDP. As shown in the figure, the service record includes a plurality of pieces of service attribute information.
[0030]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format of service attribute information generated by the service information generation unit 4. As illustrated, the service attribute information includes an attribute ID of the service and an attribute value corresponding to the attribute ID.
[0031]
The UPnP communication unit in the service using device 2 receives service information multicast from the UPnP communication unit 8 in the service providing device 1. Thereby, the service utilization apparatus 2 can grasp | ascertain the kind of service which the service provision apparatus 1 provides.
[0032]
Further, the service using device 2 can search for service information and grasp the existence of the service. In this case, the UPnP communication unit in the service using device 2 multicasts the search request, and the UPnP communication unit 8 in the service providing device 1 holding the corresponding service transmits the service information to the service using device 2 by unicast. To do.
[0033]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the service using apparatus 2A. The service using device 2 in FIG. 5 receives a service provided by the service providing device 1 via Bluetooth, and includes an application unit 11 that executes an application using the service, an SDP communication unit 12, and a Bluetooth communication unit 13. Have. The application unit 11 performs so-called document editing, for example, printing an electronic document using a printer existing on the network.
[0034]
The SDP communication unit 12 and the Bluetooth communication unit 13 in FIG. 5 perform the same operations as the SDP communication unit 6 and the Bluetooth communication unit 7 in FIG.
[0035]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the service utilization device 2B. The service using apparatus 2 in FIG. 6 has both Bluetooth and Internet communication functions, and includes a UPnP communication unit 24, a TCP / IP communication unit 25, and a service selection unit 26 in addition to the configuration in FIG. The UPnP communication unit 24 and the TCP / IP communication unit 25 have the same functions as the UPnP communication unit 8 and the TCP / IP communication unit 9 shown in FIG.
[0036]
The service selection unit 26 checks whether the same service is included in the services detected by the SDP communication unit 22 and the UPnP communication unit 24, respectively. Here, the service ID is obtained from the SDP communication unit 22 and the service UUID is obtained from the UPnP communication unit 24, and the above check is performed.
[0037]
When the same service is detected in both the SDP communication unit 22 and the UPnP communication unit 24, it is determined which of the SDP communication unit 22 and the UPnP communication unit 24 is to use the service. When making a decision, take into consideration the various characteristics of each communication unit 3 (for example, communication bandwidth, delay, delay fluctuation, reliability of data distribution, security strength, etc.) and the balance of the load on the communication interface. To determine the communication unit to be used.
[0038]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the service using apparatus 2C. The application unit 31, the UPnP communication unit 32, and the TCP / IP communication unit 33 in the service use device 2C of FIG. 7 are the application unit 21, the UPnP communication unit 24, and the TCP / IP communication unit 25 in the service use device 2B of FIG. Have the same function.
[0039]
Next, a communication procedure between the service providing apparatus 1 and the service using apparatus 2 in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the procedure for performing service discovery using Bluetooth will be described. The service using device 2 detects a surrounding Bluetooth device by an inquiry, and performs service discovery by SDP for the detected Bluetooth device in the procedure of FIG.
[0040]
The service using devices 2A and 2B transmit SDP_ServiceSearchRequest including a service search pattern for searching what service the service providing device 1 has to the service providing device 1 (step S1).
[0041]
The service providing apparatus 1 that has received the SDP_ServiceSearchRequest generates an SDP_ServiceSearchResponse including the handle of the service record that matches the service search pattern from the services of the own apparatus, and sends back the SDP_ServiceSearchResponse (step S2).
[0042]
A service search pattern is a list of UUIDs used to find a matching service record, and if an individual UUID in the service search pattern is included in one of the service record attribute values, the service search pattern is a service record Is interpreted as a match.
[0043]
Through the above steps S1 and S2, the service using devices 2A and 2B can obtain a service record handle of a desired service.
[0044]
Next, in order to obtain the value of the service attribute possessed by the desired service, the service using devices 2A and 2B transmit SDP_ServiceAttributeRequest to the service providing device 1 (step S3). SDP_ServiceAttributeRequest includes a service record handle of a desired service and a list of attribute IDs to be searched from the service record.
[0045]
The service providing apparatus 1 that has received the SDP_ServiceAttributeRequest sends back an SDP_ServiceAttributeResponse including a list of service attributes (both attribute ID and attribute value) included in the requested service record (step S4). The service using device 2A and the service using device 2B that have received the SDP_ServiceAttributeResponse can obtain each attribute value of the desired service.
[0046]
As one of the service attributes, ServiceID is defined that individually and generically identifies the service instance represented by the service record. The service providing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment sets a service identifier (UUID) obtained from the service information generation unit 4 in the own apparatus as a ServiceID. Thereby, the service which the service provision apparatus 1 has can be uniquely identified by the other service utilization apparatus 2. FIG.
[0047]
Next, a processing procedure when service discovery is performed using UPnP will be described based on the sequence diagram of FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, when the service providing apparatus 1 is connected to a network (Internet) through the TCP / IP communication unit 9, the service providing apparatus 1 performs multicast transmission (advertisement) of service information possessed by the own apparatus (step S11).
[0048]
The service providing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment sets the service identifier (UUID) obtained from the service information generation unit 4 as the UUID of the service to be transmitted (included in the service information). As a result, the service using devices 2B and 2C that have received the service information can uniquely identify the service that the service providing device 1 has.
[0049]
On the other hand, UPnP defines means for detecting services other than advertisements. If the service using devices 2B and 2C want to know the services that are currently available, a service search request is multicasted as shown in FIG. 10 (step S12). In the service search request, it is possible to specify the device to be searched, the type of service, and the like.
[0050]
The service providing apparatus 1 that has received the service search request sends back service information when it matches the search target (step S13). The service information includes a service identifier (UUID) obtained from the service information generation unit 4 in the service providing apparatus 1. Therefore, the service using devices 2B and 2C can uniquely identify the service that the service providing device 1 has.
[0051]
In this way, the service providing apparatus 1 uses the service identifier obtained from the service information generation unit 4 by the SDP communication unit 6 as the ServiceID value, and the UPnP communication unit 8 also uses the service information generation unit 4 as the UUID value of the service. The same service identifier obtained from above is used. The service selecting unit 26 of the service using device 2B can recognize that the services discovered by the SDP communication unit 6 and the UPnP communication unit 3 are the same.
[0052]
In addition, when it is determined that the services are the same, the service selection unit 26 of the service using device 2B determines which communication interface to use. The service selection unit 26 of the service using device 2B performs the process shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether or not a service feature required by the service using application is provided in comparison with service information held by each of the SDP communication unit 6 and the UPnP communication unit 3 (step S21). If it is found that only one of them is provided, the communication interface is selected.
[0053]
If it is found that both are provided, the bandwidths of the communication channels of the communication interfaces are compared (step S22). If the Internet is larger, whether there is a request for waiting for processing in the service processing queue of the UPnP communication unit 8 (Step S23), and if there is no processing waiting request, the Internet is selected (step S24).
[0054]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the bandwidth is larger in Bluetooth, or if it is determined in step S23 that there is a request for waiting for processing, whether or not the Bluetooth device is communicating (whether the piconet exists). (Step S25), the Internet is selected if communication is being performed, and Bluetooth is selected if communication is not being performed (step S26).
[0055]
As described above, in the first embodiment, when service information is transmitted from the service providing apparatus 1 to the service using apparatus 2, service attribute information for identifying a service that can be provided is also transmitted. The service using apparatus 2 can correctly determine whether or not the plurality of services provided in the above are the same. Therefore, problems such as receiving the same service redundantly do not occur.
[0056]
As a specific example, when the service providing apparatus 1 is a wireless projector capable of communicating by both wireless LAN and Bluetooth, and the service using apparatus 2 transmits data to be projected to a plurality of projectors for presentation, this embodiment Accordingly, there is no possibility that one projector is erroneously recognized as a plurality of projectors.
[0057]
(Second Embodiment)
In the service providing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, it is assumed that the service ID in SDP and the service UUID in UPnP cannot take the same value. In this case, the service utilization apparatus 2 cannot determine the identity of the service only by obtaining the service ID in SDP and the service UUID in UPnP.
[0058]
Therefore, the second embodiment is characterized in that a service identifier is transmitted from the service providing apparatus 1 to the service using apparatus 2 in order to determine the identity of the service.
[0059]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the second embodiment of the service providing apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The service providing apparatus 1 of FIG. 12 includes service identifier transmitting units 10a and 10b that transmit a service identifier to the service using apparatus 2 in addition to the configuration of FIG. The service identifier transmitting units 10a and 10b are services generated by the service information generating unit 4 of the service providing apparatus 1 when the service information of the service providing apparatus 1 is acquired by the SDP communication unit 6 or the UPnP communication unit 8. In order to obtain the identifier, a service identifier request packet is transmitted to the service providing apparatus 1 to acquire the service identifier. The service identifier acquisition unit communicates with the service identifier transmission units 10a and 10b in the service providing apparatus 1.
[0060]
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the second embodiment of the service utilization device 2B according to the present invention. The service utilization apparatus 2B of FIG. 13 includes service identifier acquisition units 27a and 27b that acquire the service identifier transmitted from the service providing apparatus 1 in addition to the configuration of FIG.
[0061]
FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure of the service identifier transmission units 10a and 10b in the service providing device 1 and the service identifier acquisition units 27a and 27b in the service using device 2, and FIG. 15 shows a format of the service identifier request packet. FIG. 16 and FIG. 16 are diagrams showing the format of a service identifier response packet.
[0062]
When the SDP communication unit 6 or the UPnP communication unit 3 acquires service information, the service identifier acquisition units 27a and 27b of the service utilization device 2B ask the corresponding service providing device 1 to obtain a service identifier corresponding to the service. Then, a service identifier request packet is transmitted (step S31).
[0063]
As shown in FIG. 15, the service identifier request packet includes a packet type for distinguishing between a service identifier request and a service identifier response, a service discovery protocol type indicating the type of service discovery protocol, and a ServiceID or service UUID possessed by the corresponding service. And the service ID or service UUID of the corresponding service.
[0064]
The packet type is 1-byte information that distinguishes a service identifier request from a service identifier response. The service discovery protocol type is 1-byte information that distinguishes SDP, UPnP, Jini, Salutation, JetSend, and Rendezvous. The length of ServiceID or service UUID is 1-byte information indicating the number of bytes of ServiceID or service UUID. ServiceID or service UUID is information of an arbitrary byte representing the ServiceID or service UUID of the service whose service identifier is to be acquired.
[0065]
The service identifier transmitting units 10a and 10b of the service providing apparatus 1 that has received the service identifier request packet obtains a service identifier corresponding to the ServiceID or service UUID stored in the packet from the service information generating unit 4, and FIG. It is stored in the service identifier response packet shown and sent back to the requesting service utilization device 2B (step S32).
[0066]
As shown in FIG. 16, the service identifier response packet includes a packet type indicating whether the service identifier is a request or a response, a service discovery protocol type indicating the type of service discovery protocol, and the length of ServiceID or service UUID possessed by the corresponding service. The service ID or service UUID of the corresponding service and the service identifier of the corresponding service.
[0067]
The packet type is 1-byte information that distinguishes a service identifier request from a service identifier response. The service discovery protocol type is 1-byte information that distinguishes SDP, UPnP, Jini, Salutation, JetSend, and Rendezvous. The length of ServiceID or service UUID is 1-byte information indicating the number of bytes of ServiceID or service UUID. ServiceID or service UUID is information of an arbitrary byte representing the ServiceID or service UUID of the service whose service identifier is to be acquired. The service identifier is 16-byte information representing the service identifier of the corresponding service.
[0068]
The processing procedure of FIG. 14 is executed independently for each of the service acquired by SDP and the service acquired by UPnP. With the processing procedure of FIG. 14, service identifiers corresponding to services acquired by the SDP communication unit 6 and the UPnP communication unit 8 can be obtained, and the identity of services can be determined.
[0069]
As described above, in the second embodiment, when it is not possible to determine whether or not a plurality of services obtained by SDP and UPnP are the same using the service ID of SDP and the service UUID of UPnP, the service providing apparatus 1 uses the service. Since the service identifier is transmitted to the device 2, the service using device 2 can correctly determine whether or not the services are the same based on the service identifier.
[0070]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when the service information is transmitted from the service providing apparatus to the service using apparatus, the service attribute information including the service identification information and the attribute value is transmitted together. With this service attribute information, the service using device can correctly determine whether or not the services provided by each protocol are the same. Therefore, there is no possibility of receiving the same service repeatedly or erroneously recognizing one service as a plurality of services.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a service providing system including a service providing apparatus and a service using apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of the service providing apparatus 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format of a service record defined by SDP.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format of service attribute information generated by a service information generation unit 4;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a service utilization device 2A.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a service utilization device 2B.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a service utilization device 2C.
FIG. 8 is a service discovery sequence diagram in SDP.
FIG. 9 is a service advertisement sequence diagram in UPnP.
FIG. 10 is a service search sequence diagram in UPnP.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the service using apparatus 2B.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a service providing apparatus according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a second embodiment of a service utilization device 2B.
FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram for acquiring a service identifier.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a data structure of a service identifier request packet.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a data structure of a service identifier response packet.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Service providing equipment
2,2A, 2B, 2C Service utilization equipment
3 Communication Department
4 Service information generator
5 Service Department
6 SDP communication department
8, 24, 32 UPnP communication section
9, 25, 33 TCP / IP communication section
10a, 10b Service identifier transmitter
11 Application Department
12,22 SDP communication section
13,23 Bluetooth communication part
21, 31 Application Department
22 SDP Communication Department
27a, 27b Service identifier acquisition unit

Claims

In a service providing apparatus capable of providing a service to a service using apparatus and capable of communicating with the service using apparatus using at least a first protocol and a second protocol,
First service attribute information including identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the first protocol, an attribute value corresponding to the identification information, and the second protocol Service information generating means for generating identification information for identifying a service provided by communication and second service attribute information including an attribute value corresponding to the identification information;
When performing communication using the first protocol with the service using device, the service information including the first service attribute information is transmitted in the procedure defined in the first protocol, When performing communication using the second protocol, service information transmission means for transmitting the service information including the second service attribute information in a procedure defined in the second protocol,
When the service information generation unit provides the same service in communication using the first protocol and communication using the second protocol, the service information generation unit includes identification information included in the first service attribute information; The service information providing apparatus characterized by equalizing the identification information included in the second service attribute information.

The service information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the service information generating unit generates a UUID (Universal Unique Identifier) as the identification information.

In a service using apparatus that receives a service from a service providing apparatus that can communicate with at least the first protocol and the second protocol,
First service attribute information including identification information for identifying a service and attribute values corresponding to the identification information included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the first protocol; Acquire identification information for identifying a service and second service attribute information including an attribute value corresponding to the identification information included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the second protocol. Service attribute information acquisition means;
Identity determining means for determining whether or not the same service exists among the services indicated by the first and second service attribute information acquired by the service attribute information acquiring means;
A service selection means for selecting any one of the services determined to be the same when the identity determination means determines that the same service exists;
The identity determination means determines that the same service exists when the identification information included in the first service attribute information is the same as the identification information included in the second service attribute information. A service using device characterized.

In a service providing apparatus capable of providing a service to a service using apparatus and capable of communicating with the service using apparatus using at least a first protocol and a second protocol,
First service attribute information including first identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the first protocol, and an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; Service information generating first identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the protocol 2 and second service attribute information including an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information Generating means;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting second identification information, which is required when providing a service in response to a request from the service using device;
When performing communication using the first protocol with the service using device, the service information including the first service attribute information is transmitted in the procedure defined in the first protocol, When performing communication using the second protocol, service information transmission means for transmitting the service information including the second service attribute information in a procedure defined in the second protocol,
When the identification information transmitting unit provides the same service in communication using the first protocol and communication using the second protocol, the identification information transmission unit includes the first protocol and the second protocol. The service information providing apparatus characterized in that the second identification information is equalized in any communication.

In a service using apparatus that receives a service from a service providing apparatus that can communicate with at least the first protocol and the second protocol,
A first identification information for identifying a service included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the first protocol, and an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; Service attribute information, first identification information for identifying a service included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the second protocol, and an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; Service attribute information acquisition means for acquiring second service attribute information including:
Identification information transmission request means for requesting the service providing apparatus to transmit second identification information required when receiving service provision from the service providing apparatus;
Identity determining means for determining whether or not the same service exists among the services indicated by the service attribute information acquired by the service attribute information acquiring means;
A service selection means for selecting any one of the services determined to be the same when the identity determination means determines that the same service exists;
The identity determination means includes the second identification information corresponding to the service information received in the procedure specified in the first protocol, and the service information received in the procedure specified in the second protocol. If the second identification information corresponding to is equal, it is determined that the same service is present.

A service providing apparatus capable of providing a service to the service using apparatus and capable of communicating with the service using apparatus by at least the first protocol and the second protocol; and a service using apparatus receiving a service from the service providing apparatus; In the service providing system with
The service providing apparatus includes:
First service attribute information including identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the first protocol, an attribute value corresponding to the identification information, and the second protocol Service information generating means for generating identification information for identifying a service provided by communication and second service attribute information including an attribute value corresponding to the identification information;
When performing communication using the first protocol with the service using device, the service information including the first service attribute information is transmitted in the procedure defined in the first protocol, When performing communication using the second protocol, service information transmission means for transmitting the service information including the second service attribute information in a procedure defined in the second protocol,
When the service information generation unit provides the same service in communication using the first protocol and communication using the second protocol, the service information generation unit includes identification information included in the first service attribute information; Making the identification information included in the second service attribute information equal,
The service using device is:
First service attribute information including identification information for identifying a service and attribute values corresponding to the identification information included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the first protocol; Acquire identification information for identifying a service and second service attribute information including an attribute value corresponding to the identification information included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the second protocol. Service attribute information acquisition means;
Identity determining means for determining whether or not the same service exists among the services indicated by the first and second service attribute information acquired by the service attribute information acquiring means;
A service selection means for selecting any one of the services determined to be the same when the identity determination means determines that the same service exists;
The identity determination means determines that the same service exists when the identification information included in the first service attribute information is the same as the identification information included in the second service attribute information. Characteristic service provision system.

A service providing apparatus capable of providing a service to the service using apparatus and capable of communicating with the service using apparatus by at least the first protocol and the second protocol; and a service using apparatus receiving a service from the service providing apparatus; In the service providing system with
The service providing apparatus includes:
First service attribute information including first identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the first protocol, and an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; Service information generating first identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the protocol 2 and second service attribute information including an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information Generating means;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting second identification information, which is required when providing a service in response to a request from the service using device;
When performing communication using the first protocol with the service using device, the service information including the first service attribute information is transmitted in the procedure defined in the first protocol, When performing communication using the second protocol, service information transmission means for transmitting the service information including the second service attribute information in a procedure defined in the second protocol,
When the identification information transmitting unit provides the same service in communication using the first protocol and communication using the second protocol, the identification information transmission unit includes the first protocol and the second protocol. In any communication, the second identification information is made equal.
The service using device is:
A first identification information for identifying a service included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the first protocol, and an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; Service attribute information, first identification information for identifying a service included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the second protocol, and an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; Service attribute information acquisition means for acquiring second service attribute information including:
Identification information transmission request means for requesting the service providing apparatus to transmit second identification information required when receiving service provision from the service providing apparatus;
Identity determining means for determining whether or not the same service exists among the services indicated by the service attribute information acquired by the service attribute information acquiring means;
A service selection means for selecting any one of the services determined to be the same when the identity determination means determines that the same service exists;
The identity determination means includes the second identification information corresponding to the service information received in the procedure specified in the first protocol, and the service information received in the procedure specified in the second protocol. If the second identification information corresponding to is equal, it is determined that the same service exists.

8. The service providing system according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the first and second protocols is SDP (Service Discovery Protocol) or UPnP (Universal Plug and Play).

In a service providing method capable of providing a service to a service using device and capable of communicating with the service using device using at least a first protocol and a second protocol,
First service attribute information including identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the first protocol, an attribute value corresponding to the identification information, and the second protocol Generating second service attribute information including identification information for identifying a service provided by communication and an attribute value corresponding to the identification information;
When performing communication using the first protocol with the service using device, the service information including the first service attribute information is transmitted in the procedure defined in the first protocol, When performing communication using the second protocol, including the step of transmitting the service information including the second service attribute information in a procedure defined in the second protocol,
The step of generating the first and second service attribute information includes the first service when the same service is provided in the communication using the first protocol and the communication using the second protocol. The service information providing method, wherein the identification information included in the service attribute information is equal to the identification information included in the second service attribute information.

In a service usage method for receiving a service from a service providing apparatus capable of communicating with at least the first protocol and the second protocol,
First service attribute information including identification information for identifying a service and attribute values corresponding to the identification information included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the first protocol; Acquire identification information for identifying a service and second service attribute information including an attribute value corresponding to the identification information included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the second protocol. Steps,
Determining whether the same service exists among the services indicated by the acquired first and second service attribute information;
When it is determined that the same service exists, selecting any one service from the services determined to be the same, and
The step of determining whether or not the same service exists is the same when the identification information included in the first service attribute information is the same as the identification information included in the second service attribute information. A method of using a service, characterized by determining that a service exists.

In a service providing method capable of providing a service to a service using device and capable of communicating with the service using device using at least a first protocol and a second protocol,
First service attribute information including first identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the first protocol, and an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; Generating first identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the protocol 2 and second service attribute information including an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; ,
Transmitting second identification information necessary for providing a service in response to a request from the service using device;
When performing communication using the first protocol with the service using device, the service information including the first service attribute information is transmitted in the procedure defined in the first protocol, When performing communication using the second protocol, including the step of transmitting the service information including the second service attribute information in a procedure defined in the second protocol,
The step of transmitting the second identification information includes the first protocol and the first protocol when the same service is provided in communication using the first protocol and communication using the second protocol. 2. A service information providing method, wherein the second identification information is made equal in communication using any of the two protocols.

In a service usage method for receiving a service from a service providing apparatus capable of communicating with at least the first protocol and the second protocol,
A first identification information for identifying a service included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the first protocol, and an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; Service attribute information, first identification information for identifying a service included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the second protocol, and an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; Obtaining second service attribute information including:
Requesting the service providing apparatus to transmit second identification information required when receiving service provision from the service providing apparatus;
Determining whether the same service exists among the services indicated by the acquired service attribute information;
When it is determined that the same service exists, selecting any one service from the services determined to be the same, and
The step of determining whether or not the same service exists is defined in the second protocol and the second identification information corresponding to the service information received by the procedure defined in the first protocol. If the second identification information corresponding to the service information received by the same procedure is equal, it is determined that the same service exists.

A service providing apparatus capable of providing a service to the service using apparatus and capable of communicating with the service using apparatus by at least the first protocol and the second protocol; and a service using apparatus receiving a service from the service providing apparatus; A computer-readable service providing program for sending and receiving services between
The service providing apparatus includes:
First service attribute information including identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the first protocol, an attribute value corresponding to the identification information, and the second protocol Generating second service attribute information including identification information for identifying a service provided by communication and an attribute value corresponding to the identification information;
When performing communication using the first protocol with the service using device, the service information including the first service attribute information is transmitted in the procedure defined in the first protocol, When performing communication using the second protocol, the step of transmitting the service information including the second service attribute information in a procedure defined in the second protocol is executed.
The step of generating the first and second service attribute information includes the first service when the same service is provided in the communication using the first protocol and the communication using the second protocol. Making the identification information included in the service attribute information equal to the identification information included in the second service attribute information;
The service using device is:
First service attribute information including identification information for identifying a service and attribute values corresponding to the identification information included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the first protocol; Acquire identification information for identifying a service and second service attribute information including an attribute value corresponding to the identification information included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the second protocol. Steps,
Determining whether the same service exists among the services indicated by the acquired first and second service attribute information;
If it is determined that the same service exists, the step of selecting any one service from the services determined to be the same is executed, and
The step of determining whether or not the same service exists includes the same service when the identification information included in the first service attribute information is equal to the identification information included in the second service attribute information. A service providing program characterized in that it is determined that exists.

A service providing apparatus capable of providing a service to the service using apparatus and capable of communicating with the service using apparatus by at least the first protocol and the second protocol; and a service using apparatus receiving a service from the service providing apparatus; A computer-readable service providing program for sending and receiving services between
The service providing apparatus includes:
First service attribute information including first identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the first protocol, and an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; Generating first identification information for identifying a service provided by communication using the protocol 2 and second service attribute information including an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; ,
Transmitting second identification information necessary for providing a service in response to a request from the service using device;
When performing communication using the first protocol with the service using device, the service information including the first service attribute information is transmitted in the procedure defined in the first protocol, When performing communication using the second protocol, the step of transmitting the service information including the second service attribute information in a procedure defined in the second protocol is executed.
The step of transmitting the second identification information includes the first protocol and the first protocol when the same service is provided in communication using the first protocol and communication using the second protocol. In the communication using any of the two protocols, the second identification information is made equal.
The service using device is:
A first identification information for identifying a service included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the first protocol, and an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; Service attribute information, first identification information for identifying a service included in the service information received by the procedure defined in the second protocol, and an attribute value corresponding to the first identification information; Obtaining second service attribute information including:
Requesting the service providing apparatus to transmit second identification information required when receiving service provision from the service providing apparatus;
Determining whether the same service exists among the services indicated by the acquired service attribute information;
When it is determined that the same service exists, selecting any one service from the services determined to be the same, and
The step of determining whether the same service exists includes the second identification information corresponding to the service information received by the procedure defined in the first protocol and the second protocol. A service providing program for determining that the same service exists when the second identification information corresponding to the service information received in the procedure is equal.