JP5320922B2 - Request response method, request device and response device, request program and response program, authentication method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To let a user easily find out an object device. <P>SOLUTION: A request device 10 displays the attributes of a communicable responding device 20 on a displaying means and receives the selection of the group of he responding devices having the attributes displayed on the displaying means by receiving from the user the selection of the attributes displayed on the displaying means. Then, the requesting device communicatively requests a response to the responding devices 20 included on a selected group. The responding device 20 requested with the response issues responding signal, which appeals to the five senses of a human being such as sound, light, vibration or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method in which a response device responds to a request from a requesting device.

  FIG. 12 shows a conventional example. A requesting device 50 such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) searches for a response device 60 such as a printer that can communicate with Bluetooth, and displays a list of response devices 60 that can be searched for on the screen. The list of response devices 60 that can be communicated displays the model number of each response device 60 and the identification information of each response device 60 (identification information by an irregular alphanumeric string such as a MAC address or a Bluetooth device address). . The user selects the response device 60 that wants to request a service by looking at this list.

  However, even when looking at the model number of the response device 60, if a plurality of response devices 60 of the same model number are installed, the user cannot distinguish the response device 60 that he / she wants to request a service from. If the identification information of the response device 60 (identification information based on an irregular alphanumeric string) is not memorized, the desired response device 60 can be selected. It is inconvenient because it cannot be selected.

Therefore, the applicant proposed the following idea. That is, when the user selects one response device 60 from the list of the response devices 60, the actual device of the corresponding response device 60 emits a response signal appealing to the human senses such as sound, light, vibration, etc. The actual device of the response device 60 selected by the user can be known (Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-242752

  An object of the present invention is to make use of the idea of Patent Document 1 described above and to make it easier for a user to find a target device.

  In the present invention, by selecting an attribute of the response device in the requesting device, a response signal appealing to the human senses such as sound, light, vibration and the like is transmitted from one or more response devices having the same attribute as the selected device.

  That is, when the response device responds to the request from the requesting device, the requesting device displays the attributes of the responding response device on the display means, and receives the selection of the attribute displayed on the display means from the user. Accepts selection of groups of response devices with attributes. The requesting device requests a response to the response devices included in the selected group by the communication. On the other hand, the response device requested for this response issues a response signal appealing to the human senses such as sound, light or vibration.

  Here, it is preferable that the requesting device searches for a response device capable of communication and acquires the attribute of the response device from the response device that has been searched by the communication. The requesting device may store the communicable response device in the storage unit in association with the attribute of the response device, and display the attribute of the response device on the display unit based on the information in the storage unit.

  The response device attribute may be a response device type, a response device capability, or a response device status. The communication may be Bluetooth communication.

  In another invention, the response device authenticates a request from the requesting device by using a response signal appealing to the human senses such as sound, light, and vibration emitted from the response device.

  That is, the requesting device displays a response device capable of communication on the display unit, and receives from the user the selection of the response device that requests the service from the response devices displayed on the display unit. Then, a service is requested to the selected response device through the communication. The response device requested for this service issues a response signal appealing to the human senses such as sound, light or vibration, and requests authentication from the request device. The requesting device that is requested to authenticate accepts the selection of the attribute of the response signal issued by the response device from the user, and transmits the attribute of the selected response signal to the response device through the communication. The response device that has received the attribute of the response signal permits the provision of the service to the requesting device on condition that the attribute of the issued response signal matches the attribute of the response signal received from the requesting device. .

  Here, the response device may randomly determine an attribute of the response signal to be issued before issuing the response signal. The communication may be Bluetooth communication.

  According to the present invention, when the user selects an attribute of the response device in the requesting device, one or more response devices having the attribute emit a response signal to indicate the location, and thus the user has the desired attribute. One or a plurality of response devices can be known by a single selection operation.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, an outline of the first embodiment will be described based on FIG. In the present embodiment, a requesting device 10 such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) searches for a response device 20 such as a printer that can communicate by Bluetooth or the like, and a list of response devices 20 that can be searched is classified by attribute of the response device 20. Sort and display on the screen. In FIG. 1, the attributes of the response device 20 are sorted according to the capabilities of the response device 20 (color or black and white). The list of response devices 20 that can be communicated displays the names of the response devices 20. The user selects the attribute (color or black and white) of the response device 20 by looking at this list. When the user selects one attribute (here, color) from the list of the response device 20, a response request is made to the printers A and B, which are color printers, and the actual machines of the printer A and the printer B are set to sound, light. Or, by emitting a response signal (red LED light in this case) that appeals to the human senses such as vibration, the user knows the location of the response device 20, that is, two color printers having the attribute selected by the user. Can do.

  FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of the present embodiment.

  First, the requesting device 10 is a requesting device that requests a response from the responding device 20, and includes a communication unit 14 that performs data communication with the response device 20, an input unit 11 through which a user inputs an instruction, and a user Display means 12 for displaying information, storage means 15 for storing information, and processing means 13 for processing information.

  The storage unit 15 includes a response device 20 capable of communicating via the communication unit 14 and a response device storage unit 16 that stores the attribute of the response device 20 in association with each other.

  More specifically, in the present embodiment, the requesting device 10 is a PDA. The input unit 11 is a touch pen that inputs information by touching the display unit 12 of the PDA. The display means 12 is a liquid crystal display device provided with a touch panel. The processing means 13 is a processor that implements various processes by executing a program. The communication means 14 is a communication module that performs data communication with the response device 20 by radio waves. Later, we will introduce an example that uses Bluetooth communication. The storage unit 15 is a storage device that stores data. This includes RAM, HDD, USB memory, memory cards, and so on. The response device storage unit 16 is provided in one storage area of the storage unit 15.

  FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of data stored in the response device storage unit 16. The response device storage unit 16 includes unique identification information (response device identification information) for each response device 20, a device name that is one of the attributes of the response device 20, and a device that is one of the attributes of the response device 20. , The capability of the response device, which is one of the attributes of the response device 20, and the status of the response device, which is one of the attributes of the response device 20, are stored. The entry is stored for each response device 20.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are three printers as response devices 20 within the wireless communication range of the communication means 14 included in the request device 10, and in FIG. 3, the entries of the three response devices 20 are registered. It shows the state that was done. The printer A with the response device identification information 001 has color printing capability, and the status at a certain point is normal. The printer B with the response device identification information 002 has color printing capability, and the status at a certain point is abnormal. The printer C of the response device identification information 003 has only a monochrome printing capability and no color printing capability, and the status at a certain point is abnormal. These pieces of information are acquired from the response device 20.

  On the other hand, the response means 20 is a communication means 24 that performs data communication with the requesting device 10, and a response output that issues a response signal that appeals to the human senses such as sound, light, or vibration in response to a request from the requesting device 10. Means 21, information storage means 25, and information processing means 23 are provided. The storage unit 25 includes a main body attribute storage unit 26 that stores attribute information of the device itself.

  More specifically, in the present embodiment, a plurality of response devices 20 are provided, and three printers exist as response devices 20 within the wireless communication range with the request device 10. The response output means 21 includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and can emit red, blue, yellow, and green light. The processing means 23 is a processor that implements various processes by executing a program. The communication means 24 is a communication module that performs data communication with the requesting device 10 by radio waves. Later, we will introduce an example that uses Bluetooth communication. The storage means 25 is a storage device that stores data. This includes RAM, HDD, USB memory, memory cards, and so on. The main body attribute storage unit 26 is provided in one storage area of the storage unit 2.

  FIG. 4 is a structure diagram of data stored in the main body attribute storage unit 26. Within the wireless communication range with the requesting device 10, there are three printers as the response device 20, and the printers A, B, and C store different attributes in the main body attribute storage unit 26 of each device. Yes. Each main body attribute storage unit 26 includes unique identification information (response device identification information) for each response device 20, a device name that is one of the attributes of the response device 20, and one of the attributes of the response device 20. The type of device, the capability of the response device, which is one of the attributes of the response device 20, and the status of the response device, which is one of the attributes of the response device 20, are stored in association with each other.

  FIG. 4A shows data stored in the main body attribute storage unit 26 of the printer A at a certain point in time. The printer A having the response device identification information 001 has a color printing capability and has a status at a certain point in time. Is normal. FIG. 4B shows data stored in the main body attribute storage unit 26 of the printer B at a certain point in time. The printer B having the response device identification information 002 has color printing capability, and the status at a certain point in time. Is abnormal. FIG. 4C shows data stored in the main body attribute storage unit 26 of the printer C at a certain point in time, and the printer C of the response device identification information 003 has only the capability of monochrome printing and has no capability of color printing. The status at some point is abnormal. It is assumed that the processing unit 23 of each response device 20 updates the latest status in the main body attribute storage unit 26 when the main body status changes.

  Here, when Bluetooth is used for communication with the requesting device 10, a Bluetooth device address can be adopted as response device identification information. In this case, since the Bluetooth device address is held in the Bluetooth module, other attribute information including the response device identification information may be held in the storage unit inside the communication unit 24.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment.

  First, the processing means 13 of the requesting device 10 searches for a response device 20 within the wireless communication range of the communication means 14 by the communication means 14 (S1). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that three printers (printers A, B, and C) can be searched as the response device 20.

  Subsequently, the processing unit 13 of the requesting apparatus 10 establishes a connection with the communication unit 24 of the printers A, B, and C through the communication unit 14 (S2). Here, the connection with each response device 20 is not necessarily performed simultaneously. Connection to each response device 20 may be performed one by one in order. For example, in the case of Bluetooth communication, connection is established in order for each response device.

  Subsequently, the processing unit 13 of the requesting device 10 requests attribute information of the response device 20 from the response device 20 connected via the communication unit 14 (S3).

  Upon receiving this request, the processing unit 23 of the response device 20 acquires the request via the communication unit 24, reads the attribute of the response device 20 from the main body attribute storage unit 26 (S 4), and requests the request via the communication unit 24. It transmits to the apparatus 10 (S5). In the present embodiment, identification information (response device identification information) unique to each response device 20, a device name that is one of the attributes of the response device 20, and an attribute of the response device 20 are stored from the main body attribute storage unit 26. Device type, the response device capability that is one of the attributes of the response device 20, and the status of the response device that is one of the attributes of the response device 20 are read in association with each other. Specifically, it is assumed that the data of FIG. 4 is read from the main body attribute storage unit 26 of the printers A, B, and C, respectively.

  The processing unit of the requesting device 10 acquires the attribute information of the response device 20 via the communication unit 14 and stores it in the response device storage unit 16 (S6). In the present embodiment, the unique identification information (response device identification information) for each response device 20, the device name that is one of the attributes of the response device 20, and the type of device that is one of the attributes of the response device 20 Then, an entry that associates the capability of the response device that is one of the attributes of the response device 20 with the status of the response device that is one of the attributes of the response device 20 is generated and registered in the response device storage unit 16.

  When the connection establishment of S2 is sequentially performed for each response device, the processes of S2 to S6 described above are repeatedly executed for each response device 20.

  In the response device storage unit 16 of the requesting device 10, entries for the printers A, B, and C shown in FIG. 3 are registered.

  Subsequently, the processing unit 13 of the requesting apparatus 10 displays an attribute selection screen on the display unit 12 (S7). FIG. 6 shows the transition of the attribute selection screen. In the present embodiment, the processing unit 13 first displays an attribute selection menu on the display unit 12. You can select type, ability, and status from this attribute selection menu. The user operates the input unit 11 to select one of type, ability, or status.

  When the type is selected, the processing unit 13 displays a screen in which the device names are sorted by type among the information registered in the response device storage unit 16 on the display unit 12 as a search result screen. At this time, a different LED emission color (response signal attribute) is assigned to each response device 20, and each response device 20 is associated with the assigned LED display color (response signal attribute) and stored in the storage unit 15. In the present embodiment, the printer names A, B, and C as device names are displayed as a group of printers as device types based on the entries in FIG. At that time, the processing means 13 displays the LED display colors assigned to the printers A, B, and C by adding them to the device name. In the present embodiment, red is assigned to the printer A, yellow is assigned to the printer B, and blue is assigned to the printer C. Further, the processing means 13 adds the number of response devices 20 belonging to the printer group to the display of the printer that is the type of the device and displays it. In this embodiment, there are three printers.

  In addition, when the capability is selected, the processing unit 13 displays, on the display unit 12, a screen in which device names are sorted by capability among the information registered in the response device storage unit 16 as a search result screen. At this time, different LED emission colors are assigned to the respective capacities, and the respective capacities and the display colors of the assigned LEDs are stored in the storage unit 15 in association with each other. In the present embodiment, the printer names A and B, which are device names, are displayed as a group of color printers, which are device capabilities, based on the entries in FIG. Further, the printer C is displayed as a group of black and white printers, which is the capability of the apparatus. At that time, the processing means 13 displays the LED display colors assigned to the respective color printers and monochrome printers added to the device name. In this embodiment, red is assigned to the color printer and yellow is assigned to the monochrome printer. Further, the processing means 13 adds and displays the number of response devices 20 belonging to the group of the ability to the display of each ability. In this embodiment, there are two color printers and one monochrome printer.

  Further, when the status is selected, the processing unit 13 displays, on the display unit 12, a screen in which the device names are sorted by status among the information registered in the response device storage unit 16 as a search result screen. In this embodiment, based on the entry of FIG. 3, the printer A, which is the device name, is displayed as a group of normal printers, which is the device status. Also, the printer B and the printer C are displayed as an abnormal printer group which is the status of the apparatus. At that time, the processing means 13 adds the number of response devices 20 belonging to the status group to the status display. In the present embodiment, there are one normal printer and two abnormal printers.

  Subsequently, the user operates the input unit 11 to select an attribute displayed on the search result screen (S7). In FIG. 6, the attributes are “printer” as the device type, “color printer” and “monochrome printer” as the device capability, and “normal printer” and “abnormal printer” as the device status.

  The processing unit 13 selects the response device 20 having the attribute selected by the input unit 11 from the response device storage unit 16 (S8). Then, the processing means 13 requests a response from the selected response device 20 via the communication means 14 (S9). A response signal attribute is added to the response request. In this embodiment, the attribute of the response signal is the light emission color of the LED.

  In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 6, when the response device attribute “printer” is selected, a red response signal attribute is added to the response request to the printer A, and the response request to the printer B is added. Adds a yellow response signal attribute, and adds a blue response signal attribute to a response request to the printer C.

  When the response device attribute “color printer” is selected, a red response signal attribute is added to the response request to the printer A, and a red response signal attribute is also added to the response request to the printer B.

  When the response device attribute “monochrome printer” is selected, a yellow response signal attribute is added to the response request to the printer C.

  The response signal attribute added to each is obtained by reading the response signal attribute stored in association with the storage means 15 when the search result screen of FIG. 6 is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the processing unit 23 of the response device 20 acquires the response request transmitted from the request device 10, the processing unit 23 acquires the response signal attribute added to the response request, and the emission color of the LED indicated by the response signal attribute The response output means 21 is controlled to emit a response signal by emitting the LED at (S10). When the requesting device 10 needs to connect to the response device 20 one by one in order, the processing of S9 and S10 is repeated for each response device 20.

  Thus, in FIG. 6, when the user selects the attribute “printer”, the red LED of printer A, the yellow LED of printer B, and the blue LED of printer C are lit.

  When the user selects the attribute “color printer”, the red LEDs of the printer A and the printer B are turned on (image in FIG. 1).

  When the user selects the attribute “monochrome printer”, the yellow LED of the printer C is turned on.

  When the user selects the attribute “normal printer”, the default color LED of the printer A is turned on.

  When the user selects the attribute “abnormal printer”, the default color LEDs of the printers B and C are lit.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the user selects the attribute of the response device, one or more response devices 20 having the selected attribute cause the LED of a predetermined color to emit light. One or a plurality of response devices having the above-described attributes can be visually recognized with a single selection operation.

  Next, an example when Bluetooth is adopted for communication in the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 shows a communication procedure by Bluetooh. Bluetooth communication is performed using HCI (Host Controller Interface). Communication data is exchanged mainly by exchanging HCI commands and HCI events.

  First, the communication unit 14 of the requesting device 10 transmits HCI_Inquiry to search for the response device 20 within the wireless communication range (S11). In response device 20 within the wireless communication range that has received this, communication means 24 transmits HCI_Inquiry_Result_event (S12). This HCI event includes CoD (Class Of Device) and a Bluetooth device address (BD_ADDR). CoD represents the type of the response device 20 that sent it. The Bluetooth device address is identification information unique to the response device 20 that has transmitted the Bluetooth device address. The processing unit 13 of the requesting device 10 registers the Bluetooth device address acquired via the communication unit 14 as response device identification information and CoD as the response device type in association with each other in the response device storage unit 16. In the present embodiment, three printers are searched within the wireless communication range of the requesting device 10, and entries for each printer are registered in the response device storage unit 16.

  Subsequently, the processing unit 13 of the requesting device 10 repeatedly executes the processing of S100 squared in FIG.

  The processing unit 13 reads the response device identification information from the first entry registered in the response device storage unit 16 and establishes a connection with the corresponding response device 20. Therefore, the communication unit 14 sends HCI_Create_Connection to the corresponding response device 20 (S14). On the other hand, the communication means 24 of the corresponding response device 20 returns HCI_Connection_Complete_event (S15).

  Subsequently, the processing unit 13 of the requesting device 10 requests the corresponding response device 20 for a device name that is one of the attributes of the response device 20. For this purpose, the communication means 14 sends HCI_Remote_Name_Request (S16). Upon receiving this, the communication unit 24 of the response device 20 reads the device name stored in the main body attribute storage unit 26 and transmits it to the requesting device 10. For this purpose, the communication unit 24 of the response device 20 sends HCI_Remote_Name_Request_Complete_event to the requesting device 10 (S17).

  Upon receiving this, the processing means 13 of the requesting device 10 associates the acquired device name (printer A, printer B or printer C) of the response device 20 with the response device identification information of the response device 20 in communication, and stores the response device. Registered in the unit 16 (S18).

  Subsequently, the processing means 13 of the requesting device 10 sends an attribute value request to the responding device 20 in communication in order to acquire other attribute information from the responding device 20 in communication (S19).

  This attribute value request is for acquiring the capability and status of the response device 20 in this embodiment. This is not a command prepared as an HCI command in advance. For this reason, the processing means 13 embeds the attribute value request in the parameter area of the HCI command or echo request and delivers it to the response device 20.

  In this way, in the response device 20 that has received the attribute value request from the requesting device 10, the processing means 23 reads the attribute value request from the parameter area of the received HCI command or echo request, and in response to this request, the main body attribute storage unit 26. The stored capability information and status information are read out and returned to the requesting device 10 (S20, S21).

  This reply of attribute value information is delivered to the requesting device 10 by embedding the attribute value information in the parameter area of the HCI event or echo response as a response to the HCI command or echo request.

  In the requesting device 10 that has received this HCI event or echo response, the processing means 13 reads the attribute value information from the parameter area of the HCI event or echo response, and communicates the capability and status values included in the attribute value information. The information is stored in the response device storage unit 16 in association with the response device identification information of the response device 20 therein.

  Subsequently, the requesting device 10 disconnects the connection with the responding device 20 in communication. For this purpose, the communication means 14 sends HCI_Disconnect to the responding device 20 in communication (S23).

  Upon receiving this command, the communication unit 24 of the response device 20 sends HCI_Disconnection_Complete_event to the requesting device 10 (S24).

  The entries shown in FIG. 3 are registered in the response device storage unit 16 of the requesting device 10 by repeating the above-described operation in S100 in order with each of the response devices 20 within the wireless communication range.

  Next, an operation for causing the response device 20 to output a response signal by Bluetooth communication will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the operation. When the user selects an attribute of the response device in the requesting device 10, the processing unit 13 of the requesting device 10 selects the response device 20 having the selected attribute from the response device storage unit 16. Then, the processing means 13 establishes a connection with the selected response device 20. When there are a plurality of selected response devices 20, connection establishment is performed one by one. The operation of S200 surrounded by a square is repeatedly executed for each response device 20 when there are a plurality of selected response devices 20.

  The communication unit 14 of the requesting device 10 sends HCI_Create_Connection to the response device identification information of the target response device 20 in order to establish a connection (S31). Upon receiving this command, the communication means 24 of the response device 20 returns HCI_Connection_Complete_event to the requesting device 10 and establishes a connection (S32).

  Subsequently, the processing means 13 of the requesting device 10 requests the response device 20 in communication to output a response signal (S33 response request). For this purpose, the communication means 14 sends a response request to the responding device 20 in communication. This response request includes specification of the attribute of the response signal. Here, this response request is not a command prepared as an HCI command in advance. For this reason, the processing means 13 embeds the response request in the parameter area of the HCI command or echo request and delivers it to the response device 20.

  In the response device 20 that has received the response request, the communication unit 24 receives the response request, and the processing unit 23 reads the attribute instruction of the response signal from the response request, and responds to the response output unit 21 according to the attribute instruction. Control is performed to output a response signal (S34). In the present embodiment, the attribute indication of the response signal is designation of the emission color of the LED. The response output means 21 emits the LED of the instructed color and continues to emit until instructed to end the emission.

  Subsequently, the processing means 23 of the responding device 20 that has emitted light transmits a response signal start notification to the requesting device 10 (S35). The fact that the output of the response signal has started is handed over to the requesting device 10 by embedding the fact that the output of the response signal has been started in the parameter area of the HCI event or echo response as a response to the HCI command or echo request. To do.

  Upon receiving this notification, the processing means 13 of the requesting device 10 disconnects the connection with the responding device 20 in communication. For this purpose, the communication means 14 sends HCI_Disconnect to the responding device 20 in communication (S36). Upon receiving this command, the communication unit 24 of the response device 20 sends HCI_Disconnection_Complete_event to the requesting device 10 (S37).

  By repeating the above-described operation of enclosing S200 with each response device 20 within the wireless communication range in sequence, one or more response devices 20 having attributes selected by the user simultaneously generate response signals, The color LED is lit to visually confirm the location of the device having the attribute selected by the user.

  Thereafter, for example, when the user operates the input unit to instruct the output of the response signal in the requesting device 10, the processing unit 13 of the requesting device 10 responds to each response device 20 that is outputting the response signal. Instructs output stop of response signal.

  For this purpose, the communication means 14 first establishes a connection with the response device 20 that is outputting a response signal. Which response device 20 is outputting the response signal is assumed to store the response device identification information of the corresponding response device 20 in the storage means 15 when requesting the output of the response signal. The communication means 14 sends HCI_Create_Connection to the response device identification information of the target response device 20 in order to establish a connection (S39). Upon receiving this command, the communication unit 24 of the response device 20 returns HCI_Connection_Complete_event to the requesting device 10 to establish a connection (S40).

  Subsequently, the processing unit 13 of the requesting device 10 requests the response device 20 in communication to stop outputting the response signal. For this purpose, the communication means 14 sends a response end request to the responding device 20 in communication (S41). Here, this response end request is not a command prepared as an HCI command in advance. For this reason, the processing means 13 embeds the response end request in the parameter area of the HCI command or echo request and delivers it to the response device 20.

  In the response device 20 that has received the response end request, the communication unit 24 receives the response end request, and the processing unit 23 controls the response output unit 21 to stop outputting the response signal. In response, the response output means 21 stops outputting the response signal. That is, the light emission of the LED is terminated (S42).

  Subsequently, the processing unit 23 of the response device 20 that has stopped outputting the response signal transmits a message indicating that output of the response signal has been stopped (response end) to the requesting device 10 (S43). The fact that the output of the response signal is stopped is handed over to the requesting device 10 by embedding that the output of the response signal is stopped in the parameter area of the HCI event or echo response as a response to the HCI command or echo request. To do.

  Upon receiving this notification, the processing means 13 of the requesting device 10 disconnects the connection with the responding device 20 in communication. For this purpose, the communication means 14 sends HCI_Disconnect to the responding device 20 in communication (S44). Upon receiving this command, the communication unit 24 of the response device 20 sends HCI_Disconnection_Complete_event to the requesting device 10 (S45).

  By repeating the above-described operation of enclosing S300 with each response device 20 within the wireless communication range, each response device 20 that has output the response signal ends outputting the response signal.

  As described above, the first embodiment can be realized by Bluetooth communication.

  Here, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described above. For example, the types and appearances of the requesting device 10 and the response device 20 are not limited. The input unit, the display unit, and the communication unit may be appropriate units according to the types of the requesting device and the response device, respectively. In the first embodiment, after the requesting device acquires the attribute of each response device, the user can select the attribute by device type, capability, or status. However, the user may be requested to select only the necessary attribute information after selecting the type, ability, or status. For example, if the user selects the status, the status information is sufficient for the attribute information requested from the response device, and there is no need to acquire type information or capability information. Further, the requesting device may correspond to only one function by type, capability, or status. In this case, the attribute selection menu of FIG. 6 is unnecessary, and it is sufficient to acquire only the attributes supported by the requesting device from the response device. Further, the attribute of the response device is not limited to the type, capability, and status, and other attribute information may be handled. The status information is not only normal or abnormal. For example, in the case of a printing apparatus, the remaining amount of ink may be an attribute. Further, the communication between the requesting device and the response device can use the present invention not only for Bluetooth but also for wireless LAN or wired connection. The response signal output from the response device may be a signal that appeals to the human senses such as sound and vibration in addition to light.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the second embodiment. In this embodiment, when the requesting device 30 requests a service from a specific response device 40, the response device 40 that has received this service request outputs an authentication key having an attribute. The authentication key here is a signal appealing to the human senses such as sound, light and vibration. The user at the place where the response device 40 is installed can grasp the authentication key. Conversely, a person who is not at the place where the response device 40 is installed cannot grasp the authentication key output by the response device. In the example of FIG. 9, the response device 40 requested for service lights a yellow LED as an authentication key.

  The user grasps the authentication key issued by the response device 40 and inputs the attribute of the authentication key to the requesting device 10. Here, the user selects yellow. The requesting device 30 transmits the attribute of the authentication key selected by the user to the response device 40. The responding device 40 permits the provision of the service to the requesting device 30 on condition that the attribute of the authentication key issued by itself matches the attribute of the authentication key received from the requesting device 30.

  According to such this embodiment, the user in the place where the response device 40 is installed can be authenticated.

  FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of this embodiment. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. The requesting device 30 includes an authentication key candidate storage unit 37 in the storage unit 15 in addition to the configuration of the requesting device 10 of the first embodiment. The processing unit 37 executes a new operation using the information stored in the authentication key candidate storage unit 37 in addition to the operation of the first embodiment. The authentication key candidate storage unit 37 is provided in one storage area of the storage unit 15.

  On the other hand, the response device 40 includes an authentication key candidate storage unit 47 in the storage unit 25 in addition to the configuration of the response device 20 of the first embodiment. The authentication key candidate storage unit 47 stores response signal attributes that can be output by the response output means 21. In the present embodiment, the response output means 21 includes red, blue, yellow, and green LEDs, and can emit each color. Therefore, the authentication key candidate storage unit 47 stores red, blue, yellow, and green information as authentication key candidates. The processing unit 43 executes a new operation using the information stored in the authentication key candidate storage unit 47 in addition to the operation of the first embodiment. The authentication key candidate storage unit 47 is provided in one storage area of the storage unit 25.

  Other system configurations are the same as the system configuration of the first embodiment described above.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is assumed that the search result screen of the response device is displayed on the display unit 12 of the requesting device 30 by the same operation as in the first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that a screen in which the response devices are sorted by status is displayed.

  The user operates the input unit 11 in the requesting device 30, and selects one response device 40 that requests service provision from the response devices 40 displayed on the display unit 12 (S51). Here, as shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that printer A, which is a normal printer, is selected.

  Upon receiving this selection operation, the processing means 33 of the requesting device 30 reads the response device identification information of the selected response device 40 from the response device storage unit 16, and sends a connection request to the response device identification information of the selected response device. Send. Receiving this, the communication means 24 of the response device 40 establishes a connection with the requesting device 30 that has requested the connection (S52).

  Subsequently, the requesting device 30 transmits a request for a service such as printing to the connected response device 40 (S53). The processing unit 43 of the response device 40 requested for the service randomly selects one authentication key attribute from among the authentication key attributes registered in the authentication key candidate storage unit 47, and authenticates the selected attribute. Response output means 21 is controlled to output a response signal as a key. The response output means 21 outputs a response signal with the instructed attribute. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that yellow is selected as the attribute of the authentication key from the authentication key candidate storage unit 47, and the response output unit 21 causes the yellow LED to emit light.

  Subsequently, the response device 40 that has output the authentication key requests the requesting device 30 for authentication (S55). The processing means 43 of the response device 40 reads out authentication key candidates stored in the authentication key candidate storage unit 47 and adds them to the authentication request. The communication unit 24 transmits this authentication request to the requesting device 30. In the present embodiment, red, blue, yellow, and green color information is read from the authentication key candidate storage unit 47 as authentication key candidates, and all of them are added to the authentication request.

  When the communication unit 14 of the requesting device 30 receives this authentication request, the processing unit 33 acquires the authentication key candidate added to the authentication request and displays it on the display unit 12. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a list of red, blue, yellow, and green, which are authentication key candidates, is displayed on the search result screen.

  The user grasps the response signal (authentication key) issued by the response device 40 that requested the service, and selects the attribute of the authentication key from the authentication key candidates displayed on the screen (S56). Here, the user confirms the yellow LED display emitted from the response device 40 and selects yellow from the authentication key candidates displayed on the screen of the requesting device 30. Such an authentication key candidate can be selected because the user is at the place where the response device 40 is installed, and a person who is in a place where the authentication key (LED color) issued by the response device cannot be confirmed is appropriately authenticated. The key candidate cannot be selected. The processing unit 33 of the requesting device 30 transmits the attribute of the authentication key selected by the user to the response device 40 via the communication unit 14 (S57).

  In the response device 40 that has received the attribute of the authentication key from the requesting device 30, the communication unit 24 receives the attribute of the authentication key, and the processing unit 43 receives this and stops outputting the authentication key from the response output unit 21. Let Further, the processing unit 43 determines whether or not the attribute of the authentication key received from the requesting device 30 matches the attribute of the authentication key output from the response output unit 21 (S58). In such a case, the service requested by the user is permitted to be provided, and the service provision is started (S59). A user who selects yellow, which is the correct authentication key, can receive a print output service in response to a print request made to the response device 40, for example.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to authenticate only a user who is in a place where a response signal (authentication key) issued by the response device can be grasped. For example, even in the wireless communication range, the room in which the response device is installed It is possible to prevent a user in a room next to the user from using the response device in the next room without authority.

  When the operation of the second embodiment is performed by Bluetooth communication, connection establishment (S52) in the flowchart of FIG. 11 can be performed by exchanging HCI_Create_Connection and HCI_Connection_Complete_event as in the first embodiment. Similarly to the first embodiment, the service request S53, the authentication request S55, and the authentication key transmission S57 can be transmitted and received by embedding information in the parameter area of the HCI command, HCI event, echo request, or echo response.

  Here, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the second embodiment described above. For example, for communication between a requesting device and a response device, the present invention can be used not only for Bluetooth but also for wireless LAN or wired connection. The response signal output from the response device may be a signal that appeals to the human senses such as sound and vibration in addition to light. In the second embodiment, the response device is selected from the attribute selection screen on the premise of the operation of the first embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient if it can be selected, and it is not always necessary to assume the operation of the first embodiment.

It is an outline explanatory view showing an outline of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a data structure diagram of a response device storage unit shown in FIG. 2. It is a data structure figure of the main body attribute memory | storage part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the attribute selection screen which appears in the operation | movement of FIG. It is a front stage of the flowchart in the case of performing 1st Embodiment by Bluetooth communication. It is a back | latter stage of the flowchart in the case of performing 1st Embodiment by Bluetooth communication. It is outline | summary explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

10, 30 Requesting device 11 Input unit 12 Display unit 13 Processing unit 14 Communication unit 15 Storage unit 16 Response unit storage unit 20, 40 Response unit 21 Response output unit 23 Processing unit 24 Communication unit 25 Storage unit 26 Main body attribute storage unit 37, 47 Authentication Key Candidate Storage Unit

Claims (4)

A requesting device that requests a response from a plurality of connected response devices,
Attribute information requesting means for requesting attribute information indicating the capability of the response device to each of the plurality of response devices;
Receiving means for receiving attribute information indicating the capability of the response device, transmitted from each of the plurality of response devices in response to a request by the attribute information request means;
Based on the attribute information received from each of the plurality of response units by the reception means, wherein each of the plurality of response units sorted by the plurality of response apparatuses respective capabilities, each ability said plurality of response units are sorted Assigning means for assigning different response signals to each other;
Display means for displaying in association with the response signals allocated respectively sorted ability and the ability by the allocating means,
Receiving means for receiving selection of one ability among the abilities displayed by the display means;
Response signal requesting means for requesting a response by a response signal displayed in association with the one ability by the display means, to the response device sorted into one ability accepted by the accepting means,
A requesting device comprising: A request method for requesting a response from a plurality of connected response devices, wherein the request device is:
Attribute information requesting step for requesting attribute information indicating the capability of the response device to each of the plurality of response devices;
A reception step of receiving attribute information indicating the capability of the response device, which is transmitted from each of the plurality of response devices in response to the request by the attribute information request step;
Based on the attribute information received from each of the plurality of response units in the receiving step, said plurality of response units sorted by the plurality of response apparatuses respective capabilities, each ability said plurality of response units are sorted An assigning step for assigning different response signals to,
A display step of displaying in association with the response signals allocated respectively sorted ability and the ability by the allocating step,
An accepting step of accepting selection of one ability out of the abilities displayed in the display step;
A response signal requesting step for requesting a response by the response signal displayed in association with the one ability in the display step , to the response device sorted into the one ability accepted by the accepting step;
A request method characterized by comprising: A request program that requests a response from a plurality of connected response devices,
Attribute information requesting step for requesting attribute information indicating the capability of the response device to each of the plurality of response devices;
A reception step of receiving attribute information indicating the capability of the response device, which is transmitted from each of the plurality of response devices in response to the request by the attribute information request step;
Based on the attribute information received from each of the plurality of response units in the receiving step, said plurality of response units sorted by the plurality of response apparatuses respective capabilities, each ability said plurality of response units are sorted An assigning step for assigning different response signals to,
A display step of displaying in association with the response signals allocated respectively sorted ability and the ability by the allocating step,
An accepting step of accepting selection of one ability out of the abilities displayed in the display step;
A response signal requesting step for requesting a response by the response signal displayed in association with the one ability in the display step , to the response device sorted into the one ability accepted by the accepting step;
A request program characterized in that the program is executed. A response requesting system in which the requesting device requests a response to a plurality of response devices connected to the requesting device,
The plurality of response devices include:
Attribute information transmitting means for transmitting attribute information indicating the capability of the response device requested from the requesting device to the requesting device;
Control means for controlling output of a response by a response signal requested from the requesting device;
Have
The requesting device is:
Attribute information requesting means for requesting attribute information indicating the capability of the response device to each of the plurality of response devices;
Receiving means for receiving attribute information indicating the capability of the response device, transmitted from each of the plurality of response devices in response to a request by the attribute information request means;
Based on the attribute information received from each of the plurality of response units by the reception means, wherein each of the plurality of response units sorted by the plurality of response apparatuses respective capabilities, each ability said plurality of response units are sorted Assigning means for assigning different response signals to each other;
Display means for displaying in association with the response signals allocated respectively sorted ability and the ability by the allocating means,
Receiving means for receiving selection of one ability among the abilities displayed by the display means;
Response signal requesting means for requesting a response by a response signal displayed in association with the one ability by the display means, to the response device sorted into one ability accepted by the accepting means,
A response requesting system characterized by comprising:

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