JP5837866B2 - Communication apparatus and communication method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to data communication technology, and more particularly to a communication apparatus and a communication method.

  At present, information devices compatible with short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (“Bluetooth” is a registered trademark) and the like are becoming widespread.

  As many information devices are compatible with Bluetooth, there is a problem that when a desired device is connected among a plurality of Bluetooth compatible devices, a complicated operation is required for the user, and the convenience of the user is reduced. The present inventor thought that this has become apparent.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-mentioned problem recognition of the present inventor, and a main object thereof is to provide a technique for suppressing a decrease in user convenience when connecting a plurality of information devices.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication device according to an aspect of the present invention is a sound that is supposed to be generated when a predetermined physical stimulus is applied to an external device, and a component of an echo sound generated by the external device. The reference information data included and the setting information holding unit that holds the setting information for wireless communication with the external device in association with each other, and the sound actually generated when a physical stimulus is given to the external device is detected. A wireless communication process for an external device according to setting information associated with the reference sound when the detection sound matches the detection sound and the reference sound when the detection sound matches the detection sound and the reference sound. A communication processing unit for executing

  Another aspect of the present invention is a communication method. This method is a method executed by a communication device that wirelessly communicates with an external device, the step of detecting sound actually generated when a predetermined physical stimulus is given to the external device, and the physical stimulus to the external device. Detected sound and reference sound in the step of detecting with reference to a storage area in which reference sound data including a component of reverberation sound by an external device is stored in advance. When the detected sound and the reference sound match, the wireless communication processing for the external device is performed according to the setting information for wireless communication with the external device that is stored in association with the reference sound in advance. Executing.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a representation of the present invention converted between an apparatus, a method, a system, a program, a recording medium storing the program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the user's convenience fall at the time of connecting several information apparatus can be suppressed.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the game machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the headset of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a search response signal. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the game machine of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the headset of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the user assistance information displayed on a display. It is a figure which shows typically the user assistance information displayed on a display. It is a figure which shows typically the user assistance information displayed on a display. It is a figure which shows typically the user assistance information displayed on a display. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the game machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the headset of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a drive part typically. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the headset of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the matching of a headset and a connection object apparatus. It is a figure which shows typically the display content on the display of a connection object apparatus.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a communication system 100 according to the embodiment. The configuration of the communication system 100 is common to a first embodiment and a second embodiment described later. The communication system 100 includes a portable game machine 10, a headset 12 in which headphones and a microphone are integrated, a smartphone 14, a tablet terminal 16, and a storage device 18 that stores multimedia data. Each device of the communication system 100 is an information device placed in the vicinity of several meters to several tens of meters (for example, in a user's home), and is also a communication device compatible with short-range wireless communication. In the present embodiment, each device of the communication system 100 is a Bluetooth-compatible device, and exchanges data with each other by Bluetooth communication.

  Up to now, in a Bluetooth-compatible device having a display such as the game machine 10, other Bluetooth-compatible devices existing in the vicinity are detected and displayed in a list, and the user may select a partner device to be connected. However, the selection operation of the counterpart device is not always easy, and may be complicated and difficult for the user to understand.

  In addition, Bluetooth-compatible devices that do not have a display such as the headset 12 may have a specification that automatically reconnects to an external device that was last connected before the power was turned off. . In this case, for example, when the headset 12 is connected to the smartphone 14 immediately before the power is turned off, even if the user wants to connect the headset 12 and the game machine 10 when the power is turned on, the headset 12 is not connected to the smartphone 14 again. I will connect. Therefore, the user needs to perform an operation for changing the connection destination from the smartphone 14 to the game machine 10, which may reduce the convenience for the user.

  In addition, a pairing technique called OOB (Out Of Band) that determines a connection destination by Bluetooth using a communication method other than Bluetooth, for example, NFC (Near Field Communication) has been proposed. However, OOB requires a separate communication module corresponding to a communication method other than Bluetooth, such as NFC, and has a problem of high cost.

  Thus, as many information devices support Bluetooth, a complicated operation is required for the user to connect desired devices among a plurality of Bluetooth compatible devices, and the convenience for the user is reduced. The problem of ending up is becoming apparent. And the concrete method which suppresses effectively the user's convenience fall at the time of connecting a some information apparatus was not fully proposed until now.

  Therefore, the embodiment proposes a technique for establishing a Bluetooth connection between desired devices based on an intuitive operation that is easy to understand for the user, such as hitting devices to be connected to each other, in other words, lightly butting them. Specifically, as the first embodiment, a common state change is detected by causing the connection target devices to collide with each other, and a connection partner is specified by the matching degree of the state change detected by each of the connection target devices. The communication system 100 will be described. As a second embodiment, a communication system 100 in which a connection source device applies a physical stimulus (impact) to a connection destination device and identifies a connection partner based on a sound generated by the stimulus. Will be explained.

  In the following first and second embodiments, an example will be described in which a connection target device is a game machine 10 and a headset 12 and a Bluetooth connection is established between these devices. However, it is a matter of course that the technology described in the embodiment can be applied when other devices (for example, the smartphone 14, the tablet terminal 16, and the storage device 18) are devices to be connected, and when the connection method is other than Bluetooth. is there.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game machine 10 of FIG. The game machine 10 includes an antenna 20, a display 22, a touch panel 24, a sensor 26, a communication IF unit 30, a data holding unit 40, and a control unit 50.

  Each block shown in the block diagram can be realized in terms of hardware by elements and mechanical devices such as a computer CPU and memory, and in terms of software by a computer program or the like. Describes functional blocks realized through collaboration. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software. The same applies to the subsequent block diagrams.

  For example, as for the function of the control unit 50, program modules corresponding to each functional block of the control unit 50 are stored in the flash memory of the game machine 10, and the CPU of the game machine 10 reads these program modules to the main memory as appropriate and executes them It may be realized by doing. Further, the data holding unit 40 may be realized by a flash memory or a main memory of the game machine 10. Further, by installing a computer program in which the functions of the state change detection unit 58, the collation information setting unit 60, the collation unit 62, and the connection target identification unit 64 are installed in the game machine 10 provided with a predetermined sensor, FIG. Each of the two functions may be realized.

  The communication IF unit 30 is a wireless communication interface in the game machine 10 and includes a reception unit 32 and a transmission unit 34. The receiving unit 32 receives a radio signal transmitted from an external device via the antenna 20 and passes it to the control unit 50. The transmission unit 34 transmits (transmits) a radio signal indicating data addressed to the external device transmitted from the control unit 50 to the outside via the antenna 20.

  The display 22 is a liquid crystal display, and the touch panel 24 is a multi-touch panel. In the present embodiment, a multi-touch screen in which the display 22 and the touch panel 24 are integrated is mounted on the game machine 10.

  The sensor 26 is a fact that the game machine 10 and the external device are in contact (including contact, pressure contact, collision, etc.), in other words, the game machine 10 actually generated by the contact of the game machine 10 and the external device. It is a known sensor that detects a change in the state of. The sensor 26 according to the present embodiment is a three-axis acceleration sensor that detects the direction and magnitude of the movement (vibration) of the game machine 10 caused by a collision with an external device (or a user's operation for collision). Yes, a signal indicating the direction and size of the movement of the game machine 10 is sent to the control unit 50. As a modification, the sensor 26 may be a pressure sensor that detects that pressure has been applied from an external device and sends a signal indicating the fact and the magnitude of the pressure to the control unit 50. Alternatively, a touch sensor that detects contact with an external device and sends a signal indicating the fact to the control unit 50 may be used.

  The data holding unit 40 is a storage area that holds various data for data processing by the control unit 50. The data holding unit 40 includes a connection information holding unit 42, a collation information holding unit 44, and a user support information holding unit 46.

  The connection information holding unit 42 holds information (hereinafter also referred to as “connection information”) necessary for establishing a connection with an external Bluetooth compatible device. For example, the connection information may be a record in which a device ID, an address (Bluetooth address), and a passkey (PIN) of an external device are associated with each other. The connection information is set at the time of Bluetooth pairing.

  The collation information holding unit 44 holds collation information for collating with information indicating a change in state of the external device notified from the external device. Specifically, the collation information holding unit 44 holds, as the collation information, information indicating the state change of the game machine 10 detected by the sensor 26, and specifically, a time indicating the time when the sensor 26 detects the state change. Holds stamp information.

  Here, it can be said that the collation information is information indicating a state change assumed to be detected in an external device in contact with the game machine 10. In the present embodiment, the game machine 10 and the connection target device are brought into contact with each other, in other words, an environment change common to both the game machine 10 and the connection target device is given, and a state change common to both devices is detected. Let Therefore, it is assumed that the state change is also detected by the sensor of the connection target device at a time approximate to the detection time of the state change by the sensor 26 of the game machine 10.

  The user support information holding unit 46 holds information (hereinafter also referred to as “user support information”) for prompting a user action necessary for establishing a Bluetooth connection between the game machine 10 and the external device. . For example, the user support information is data to be displayed on the display 22, and may be a message or an image that instructs the information device to be connected to the game machine 10 to lightly collide with the game machine 10.

  The control unit 50 executes various data processes for controlling the game machine 10. The control unit 50 includes an operation detection unit 52, a display control unit 54, an application unit 56, a state change detection unit 58, a collation information setting unit 60, a collation unit 62, a connection target specifying unit 64, and protocol processing. Part 70 is included.

  The protocol processing unit 70 executes processing according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol, for example, executes search processing for an external device and connection processing with an external device according to a procedure defined by the predetermined wireless communication protocol. The wireless communication protocol of the present embodiment is Bluetooth. The protocol processing unit 70 includes a search unit 72, a pairing unit 74, and a connection processing unit 76.

  The search unit 72 transmits a search (Inquiry) signal, which is a radio signal for finding a Bluetooth-compatible device existing in the vicinity of several meters to several tens of meters, via the transmission unit 34. And a receiving response signal that is a Bluetooth-compatible device existing in the vicinity and transmitted from an information device in a searchable state (connection standby state), which is a wireless signal in response to the search signal. 32. The search unit 72 transmits a search signal to the outside during the pairing process by the pairing unit 74 and the connection process by the connection processing unit 76.

  The search unit 72 receives a search response signal that is a response to the search signal from each of the headset 12 to the storage device 18 placed in the vicinity of the external device, for example, the game machine 10. In the present embodiment, the game machine 10 and the headset 12 are brought into contact with each other, and the search response signal from the headset 12 is caused by a collision with the game machine 10 due to the configuration of the headset 12 described later. Information indicating the change (specifically, time stamp information indicating the detection time of the state change) is included. That is, it is placed in the vicinity where the search signal from the game machine 10 can be received, protocol processing similar to the headset 12 described later, and detection / notification of a state change can be executed. A search response signal with a time stamp is returned from a device that has detected a state change (due to contact etc.).

  The pairing unit 74 executes a pairing process defined by the Bluetooth standard, that is, an external device registration process. Specifically, the pairing unit 74 recognizes Bluetooth-compatible devices existing in the vicinity based on the search response signal acquired by the search unit 72, and displays the list information on the display 22 via the display control unit 54. Display. When the user selects an external device to be paired on the touch panel 24 on the display 22, a predetermined pairing process (for example, input or exchange of a pass key) is executed on the selected external device. Then, connection information (for example, device ID, address, passkey) with the external device obtained as a result of the pairing process is stored in the connection information holding unit 42.

  The connection processing unit 76 generates a connection request signal (Page signal) for establishing a connection by Bluetooth according to connection information regarding the connection partner device when the connection target device 64 is determined by the connection target specifying unit 64 described later. Set. Then, the set connection request signal is transmitted to the connection partner apparatus via the transmission unit 34. For example, the connection request signal may be data that specifies the device ID and address of the connection partner device and is encrypted with a pass key.

  The operation detection unit 52 detects a user operation input to the touch panel 24. The display control unit 54 sends video data and image data to be displayed on the screen to the display 22 and displays various videos and images on the display 22. For example, the display control unit 54 displays the user support information held in the user support information holding unit 46, and also displays a screen for selecting a pairing target device and a connection target device.

  The application unit 56 executes a predetermined application (for example, game software), and displays the video or image on the display 22 via the display control unit 54. Further, the user's operation content on the touch panel 24 is acquired via the operation detection unit 52, and the execution of the application is controlled in accordance with the operation content. The application unit 56 transmits data to the external device using the wireless communication session established by the connection processing unit 76 and receives data from the external device when data should be transmitted to and received from the external device when executing the application. To do. For example, game sound data is transmitted to the headset 12 and output from the speaker of the headset 12.

  The state change detection unit 58 receives a signal indicating a state change of the game machine 10 from the sensor 26. The collation information setting unit 60 stores the time stamp information indicating the detection time of the state change by the state change detection unit 58, for example, the reception time of the state change signal from the sensor 26, as collation information in the collation information holding unit 44. The collation information setting unit 60 stores time stamp information indicating the detection time in the collation information holding unit 44 on condition that a motion or vibration greater than a predetermined threshold is detected by the sensor 26 that is an acceleration sensor. May be. When the sensor 26 is a pressure sensor, time stamp information indicating the detection time may be stored in the verification information holding unit 44 on condition that a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold is detected. These threshold values may be assumed values that are expected to be detected when the connection target devices are lightly brought into contact with each other, and may be appropriately determined based on a developer's knowledge, an experiment using the communication system 100, or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the connection target devices are brought into contact with each other, and the state change timings (that is, the detection times) of both devices caused by the contact are compared and verified. As a modified example, the contents of the state change (for example, the magnitude and direction of vibration) may be compared and collated. In this case, collation information indicating the contents of the state change is recorded.

  Whether the collation unit 62 includes information indicating the state change in the external device (in this embodiment, the time stamp information that detected the state change) in the search response signal received from each of the one or more external devices. Determine whether or not. If it is included, the degree of matching between the time indicated by the time stamp information of the search response signal and the time indicated by the time stamp information of the collation information is determined, and if the time difference is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, both time stamp information is Determined to match. This threshold value may be a difference in detection time that is assumed when a state change is detected between both devices by lightly contacting the devices to be connected, or may be a value indicating an allowable range of the difference. The determination may be made as appropriate based on the developer's knowledge, experiments using the communication system 100, or the like.

  When the collation unit 62 determines that the time indicated by the time stamp information of the search response signal matches the time indicated by the time stamp information of the collation information, the connection target specifying unit 64 determines the transmission source of the search response signal as Identifies the device with which the Bluetooth connection should be established. In other words, it is determined as the opposite device for wireless communication by Bluetooth. The connection target specifying unit 64 passes the identification information of the connection partner device included in the search response signal to the connection processing unit 76 to establish a wireless communication session between the game machine 10 and the connection partner device.

  If a search response signal that matches the verification information is not detected, the verification unit 62 causes the display 22 to display the list information of the Bluetooth-compatible devices that have returned the search response signal. When the user selects an external device to be connected on the touch panel 24 on the display 22, the connection target specifying unit 64 recognizes the selected external device as a connection partner device, and a wireless communication session between the game machine 10 and the connection partner device. Establish.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the headset 12 of FIG. The headset 12 includes an antenna 110, a speaker 112, an operation button 114, a sensor 116, a communication IF unit 120, a data holding unit 130, and a control unit 140.

  For example, the function of the control unit 140 may be realized by a dedicated electronic circuit. The functions of the control unit 140 are such that program modules corresponding to the respective functional blocks of the control unit 140 are stored in the flash memory of the headset 12, and the CPU of the headset 12 reads these program modules into the main memory as appropriate and executes them. May be realized. The data holding unit 130 may be realized by a flash memory or a main memory of the headset 12. 3 may be realized by installing a computer program in which the functions of the state change detection unit 146 and the state change notification unit 148 are installed in the headset 12 including a predetermined sensor. .

  The communication IF unit 120 is a wireless communication interface in the headset 12 and includes a reception unit 122 and a transmission unit 124. The receiving unit 122 receives a radio signal transmitted from an external device via the antenna 110 and passes it to the control unit 140. The transmission unit 124 transmits (transmits) a radio signal indicating data addressed to the external device transmitted from the control unit 140 to the outside via the antenna 110.

  The sensor 116 is a fact that the headset 12 and the external device are in contact (including pressure contact, contact, collision, etc.), in other words, the headset 12 actually generated by the contact of the headset 12 and the external device. It is a known sensor that detects a change in the state of. The sensor 116 according to the present embodiment is a three-axis acceleration sensor that detects the direction and magnitude of the movement (vibration) of the headset 12 caused by a collision with an external device (or an operation of a user trying to collide). Yes, a signal indicating the direction and magnitude of the movement of the headset 12 is sent to the control unit 140. As a modification, the sensor 116 may be a pressure sensor that detects that pressure has been applied from an external device and sends a signal indicating the fact and the magnitude of the pressure to the control unit 140. Alternatively, a touch sensor that detects contact with an external device and sends a signal indicating the fact to the control unit 140 may be used.

  The data holding unit 130 is a storage area that holds various data for data processing by the control unit 140. The data holding unit 130 includes a connection information holding unit 132 and a sensor information holding unit 134.

  The connection information holding unit 132 holds connection information necessary for establishing a connection with an external Bluetooth compatible device. The connection information may be, for example, a record in which a device ID, an address, and a pass key (that is, “PIN”) of an external device are associated with each other. The connection information is set at the time of Bluetooth pairing. The sensor information holding unit 134 holds information indicating the state change of the headset 12 detected by the sensor 116, and specifically holds time stamp information indicating the time when the sensor 116 detects the state change. To do.

  The control unit 140 executes various data processes for controlling the headset 12. The control unit 140 includes an operation detection unit 142, a voice control unit 144, a state change detection unit 146, a state change notification unit 148, and a protocol processing unit 150.

  The protocol processing unit 150 executes processing according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol, for example, executes connection processing with an external device according to a procedure defined by the predetermined wireless communication protocol. The wireless communication protocol of the present embodiment is Bluetooth. The protocol processing unit 150 includes a search response unit 152, a pairing unit 154, and a connection processing unit 156.

  The search response unit 152 receives the search signal transmitted from the external device via the reception unit 122 and transmits the search response signal via the transmission unit 124. As will be described later, the search response unit 152 transmits an extended search response (Extended Inquiry Response) signal.

  The pairing unit 154 executes a pairing process defined by the Bluetooth standard, that is, an external device registration process. Specifically, the pairing unit 154 receives a pairing request signal transmitted from an external device via the receiving unit 122, and performs predetermined pairing processing (for example, input or exchange of a pass key) based on the pairing request signal. ). Then, connection information (for example, device ID, address, passkey) with the external device obtained as a result of the pairing process is stored in the connection information holding unit 132.

  The connection processing unit 156 acquires the connection request signal transmitted from the external device via the receiving unit 122, and executes the connection processing (for example, page operation) defined in the Bluetooth standard, thereby transmitting the connection request signal transmission source. Establish a connection with.

  The operation detection unit 142 detects a user operation input to the operation button 114. The audio control unit 144 controls the audio output of the speaker 112. Specifically, audio data transmitted from an external device is acquired via the receiving unit 122, and the audio data is transferred to the speaker 112 and output as audio. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the headset 12 includes a microphone, and also has a function of detecting ambient sound based on a signal output from the microphone and outputting the sound data to the outside. For example, the detected audio data may be transmitted to an external device such as the game machine 10 via the transmission unit 124.

  The state change detection unit 146 receives a signal indicating the state change of the headset 12 from the sensor 116. The state change detection unit 146 stores time stamp information indicating the detection time of the state change, for example, the reception time of the state change signal from the sensor 116, in the sensor information holding unit 134. The state change detection unit 146 stores time stamp information indicating the detection time in the sensor information holding unit 134 on the condition that a motion or vibration greater than a predetermined threshold is detected by the sensor 116 that is an acceleration sensor. Also good. When the sensor 116 is a pressure sensor, the time stamp information indicating the detection time may be stored in the sensor information holding unit 134 on the condition that a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold is detected. These threshold values may be assumed values that are expected to be detected when the connection target devices are lightly brought into contact with each other, and may be appropriately determined based on a developer's knowledge, an experiment using the communication system 100, or the like.

  The state change notification unit 148 notifies the game machine 10 of information indicating the state change of the headset 12 held in the sensor information holding unit 134, in this embodiment, the time stamp information of the state change in the headset 12. When a search signal from an external device is accepted, the state change notification unit 148 adds state change time stamp information to the extended search response signal to be transmitted by the search response unit 152. The search response unit 152 transmits an extended search response signal to which state change time stamp information is added.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the extended search response signal. The extended search response signal includes a plurality of variable length EIR structures 180. The EIR structure 180 includes a length field 182, an EIR data type field 184, and an EIR data field 186. For example, in the first EIR structure 180 of the extended search response signal, the search response unit 152 sets the type value indicating the device ID in the EIR data type field 184 and sets the device ID (headset 12) in the EIR data field 186. Unique identification information) may be set.

  On the other hand, in the second EIR structure 180 of the extended search response signal, the state change notification unit 148 sets a predetermined type value indicating state change information in the EIR data type field 184, and in the EIR data field 186, The time stamp information of the state change held in the sensor information holding unit 134 may be set. The type value indicating the state change information may be a value selected by the designer among type values not reserved (unused) in the Bluetooth standard, and may be, for example, “0xDD”.

Operations of the game machine 10 and the headset 12 configured as above will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game machine 10 of FIG. Although not shown in the figure, here, the game machine 10 is paired in advance with each of the external Bluetooth-compatible devices (headset 12, smartphone 14, tablet terminal 16, storage device 18). It is assumed that the connection information regarding has been saved.

  When the power of the game machine 10 is turned on (S10), in this example, connection processing with an external device by Bluetooth is executed. The display control unit 54 displays the user support information held by the user support information holding unit 46 on the display 22 and prompts the user to perform a matching operation with the connection partner apparatus (S12). In accordance with the user support information, the user slightly matches the game machine 10 with a desired connection partner device (here, the headset 12) (S14). At this time, the state change detection unit 58 detects a change in the state of the game machine 10 via the sensor 26, and the verification information setting unit 60 holds verification information using time stamp information indicating the time when the state change has occurred as verification information. (S16), the search unit 72 transmits a search signal to the outside (S16), and a plurality of Bluetooth compatible devices (headset 12, smartphone 14, tablet terminal 16, storage device 18) existing in the vicinity. A search response signal is received from each of them (S20).

  The collation unit 62 determines whether each of the plurality of search response signals includes state change information (time stamp information). For the search response signal including the time stamp information, it is determined whether or not the time stamp information matches the time stamp information indicated by the verification information (S22). Specifically, among the plurality of search response signals, 1) an extended search response signal, 2) an EIR data type field 184 includes an EIR structure 180 that is a type value indicating state change information, and 3) EIR. The search response signal is identified as being matched with the collation information within a predetermined range in the difference between the time indicated by the time stamp information in the data field 186 and the time indicated by the time stamp information as the collation information. When the search response signal that matches the verification information is specified (Y in S24), the connection target specifying unit 64 determines the transmission source device of the search response signal as the connection partner device. In the example of the present embodiment, only the headset 12 that has detected an impact common to the game machine 10 satisfies all the above conditions 1 to 3, and the headset 12 is determined as the connection partner device.

  When a plurality of search response signals matching the verification information are specified, the connection target specifying unit 64 selects the search response signal transmission source device having the smallest difference from the time indicated by the time stamp information as the verification information as the connection partner. Decide on a device. Furthermore, when a search response signal matching the verification information is not specified (N in S24), the display control unit 54 displays a list of one or more external devices that have returned the search response signal, and the connection partner device by the user is displayed. A selection screen for prompting selection is displayed on the display 22 (S26). Then, the connection target specifying unit 64 determines the external device selected by the user on the selection screen as the connection partner device. As a modified example of S26, an information device registered in advance in the headset 12 as a default connection destination by the user, or an information device last connected to the headset 12 may be determined as a connection partner device.

  The connection processing unit 76 transmits a connection request signal to the connection partner device using the connection information regarding the connection partner device determined by the connection target specifying unit 64 (S28). When the connection with the connection partner apparatus is established (Y in S30), the application unit 56 transmits / receives various data related to application processing to / from the connection partner apparatus (S32). For example, when the connection partner device is the headset 12, the application unit 56 transmits audio data to be output from a speaker to the headset 12 when executing the application. If the connection with the connection partner apparatus is not established (N in S30), S32 is skipped.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the headset 12 of FIG. The user turns on the power of the headset 12 (S40), and slightly touches the headset 12 with a desired connection partner device (game machine 10 here) (S42). At this time, the state change detection unit 146 detects the state change of the headset 12 via the sensor 116, and records time stamp information indicating the time when the state change has occurred in the sensor information holding unit 134 (S44). Then, the protocol processing unit 150 shifts to a state (connection standby state) in which a search request and a connection request from an external device can be received (S46).

  When the search signal transmitted from the game machine 10 is received (Y in S48), the state change notification unit 148 adds the time stamp information held in the sensor information holding unit 134 to the extended search response signal. The search response unit 152 transmits an extended search response signal to which the time stamp information is added to the game machine 10 (S50). If no search signal has been received (N in S48), S50 is skipped. When the connection request signal transmitted from the game machine 10 is received (Y in S52), the connection processing unit 156 establishes a Bluetooth connection with the game machine 10 (S54). If the connection request signal has not been received (N in S52), S54 is skipped. Thereafter, when the reception unit 122 receives the audio data transmitted from the game machine 10, the audio control unit 144 passes the audio data to the speaker 112 and outputs the audio.

  In the flowcharts of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the flow is that the sensor information (time stamp information) is recorded by the collision after the power is turned on and the search process is executed, but the power on may not be a trigger for starting the flow. Of course. As an example, the game machine 10 and the headset 12 may be in contact with each other while the headset 12 is powered off, in other words, the CPU of the headset 12 is stopped. In this case, the sensor 116 of the headset 12 outputs an interrupt signal for activating the CPU, and the CPU of the headset 12 is activated in response to the interrupt signal, and the communication function (protocol of the headset 12) The processing unit 70) is activated. Further, in this case, the state change notification unit 148 of the headset 12 uses, as the search response signal, information indicating the elapsed time from the start of the CPU or the start time of the CPU instead of the sensor information as information indicating the state change. It may be set. The game machine 10 may store information indicating an elapsed time or detection time after detecting a state change caused by contact with the headset 12 and collate with notification information from the headset 12. In this example, the power-on operation for the headset 12 becomes unnecessary, and the user can establish these connections by simply bringing the game machine 10 and the headset 12 into contact with each other.

  As another example, when the game machine 10 is in contact with the headset 12 while being connected to a device other than the headset 12 (for example, the smartphone 14), the game machine 10 is in a state change caused by the contact. You may cut | disconnect the connection with the smart phone 14 triggered by a detection. And you may perform the flow of transmission of a search signal, acquisition of a search response signal, specification of a new communication partner apparatus (namely, headset 12), establishment of a connection with the headset 12. In addition, on the condition that a new communication partner apparatus was specified, you may cut | disconnect the connection with the communication partner apparatus (for example, smart phone 14) until then. In other words, on the condition that the existence of another device that has detected a state change common to the own device has been confirmed, the connection with the communication partner device may be disconnected.

  According to the communication system 100 of the first embodiment, even when many Bluetooth-compatible devices exist in the vicinity range, the user can intuitively connect desired devices to each other with an intuitive operation of lightly matching desired devices. Can be easily established. For example, an operation for finding and selecting a desired device from a plurality of devices on the connection partner device selection screen, an operation for disconnecting a session with the current connection partner device, and reconnecting to the desired device, etc. It becomes unnecessary and the complexity of user work can be reduced. That is, in an environment where there are a plurality of information devices, it is possible to suppress a decrease in user convenience when connecting desired devices.

  In addition, for information devices that have already been sold, if a sensor (for example, an acceleration sensor, etc.) that can detect a change in state associated with the matching between devices is installed, the necessary functional modules can be introduced by firmware, etc. The connection system of the embodiment can be easily realized. Furthermore, the connection method of the embodiment is also useful when both information devices to be connected do not have a screen interface (for example, when it is desired to connect the headset 12 and the storage device 18). Until now, an information device that does not have a screen interface may be re-connected to an external device that was last connected before the power is turned off, or may be a specification that waits for an external connection request. In this embodiment, when information devices that do not have a screen interface are connected to each other, they can be easily connected by an intuitive operation of matching these devices.

  The present invention has been described based on the first embodiment. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. is there. A modification is shown below.

A first modification to the first embodiment will be described.
In the above embodiment, the connection target devices (game machine 10 and headset 12) are brought into contact with each other to detect a state change common to both devices, and the detection contents of both devices are collated. . As a modified example, one of the connection target devices (a device corresponding to the game machine 10 of the embodiment and hereinafter referred to as “connection source device”) is a connection target due to a predetermined user action. Collation information indicating a state change assumed to occur (detected) in the other device (the device corresponding to the headset 12 of the embodiment and hereinafter referred to as “connected device”) is preliminarily stored. It may be held. In this modification, it is only necessary to perform a user action such as hitting / vibrating only the connected device. The connection destination device detects a change in state caused by the user's action with respect to the own device, and notifies the search response signal of information indicating the change in state. The connection source device extracts information indicating the actual state change detected by the connection destination device from the search response signal of the connection destination device, determines consistency with the assumed state change indicated by the verification information, and connects Identifies as a partner device.

  The verification information may be time stamp information indicating a time (for example, time) at which a state change is assumed to occur in the connection destination device, and the connection destination device indicates a time when the state change is detected by the sensor of the own device. The time stamp information may be notified by an extended search response signal. Further, the collation information may be information indicating the content of the state change assumed to occur in the connection destination device (for example, the direction and magnitude of the movement), and the connection destination device detects the state change detected by the sensor of its own device. The information indicating the contents of may be notified by an extended search response signal.

  In the first modification, it is preferable that the display control unit 54 of the connection source device displays user support information that prompts a user's predetermined action for the connection destination device on the display. 7 and 8 schematically show user support information displayed on the display. FIG. 7 shows user support information in a case where the collation information is time stamp information indicating the time when the state change is assumed to occur in the connection destination device. The display control unit 54 of the connection source device sequentially displays the messages (a) and (b) in the figure, and after displaying “3, 2, 1” in the display of the message (b), the instruction “Move Please display ". The collation information setting unit 60 of the connection source device stores time stamp information indicating the display time of the instruction “Please move” in the collation information holding unit 44. The connection destination device notifies the time stamp information indicating the time when the movement of the own device is detected by an extended search response signal.

  FIG. 8 shows user support information in a case where the collation information is information indicating the contents of a state change that is assumed to occur in the connection destination device. Here, an example is shown in which a controller as a connection destination device is connected to a stationary game machine as a connection source device. The connected device (controller) detects the size and direction of its own movement using the built-in three-axis acceleration sensor, and notifies the connected device (stationary game machine) of the detected content using an extended search response signal. To do. As shown in FIG. 8, each of the plurality of connection destination devices may notify the connection source device of the contents of the state change by simultaneously moving a plurality of connection destination devices (controllers) as instructed. . The connection source device may collate the contents of the state changes of the plurality of connection destination devices with a plurality of pieces of collation information (which defines the state change contents assumed in each connection destination device), and the connection Bluetooth connection processing may be collectively executed between the original device and a plurality of controllers (connection destination devices). In this case as well, it is a matter of course that the time may be collated instead of the contents of the state change.

  According to the first modification, the user's predetermined action is performed on the other information device (connection destination device) at the timing and method designated by one information device (connection source device). As a result, the sensor for detecting the state change only needs to be provided with the connection destination device, and the connection source device does not need the sensor. Further, it is also suitable when it is difficult for the user to move directly because the connection source device is a stationary device. In addition, the connection source device displays the user support information on the screen, thereby improving the consistency between the verification information of the connection source device and the detection information of the connection destination device.

A second modification to the first embodiment will be described.
Although the second modification is related to the first modification, the user's action on the connection destination device is an action of changing the signal strength from the connection destination device to the connection source device. The collation information is the time when the signal strength from the connected device is expected to change and / or the mode of change assumed. FIG. 9 schematically shows user support information displayed on the display. The display control unit 54 of the connection source device sequentially displays the messages (a), (b), and (c) in the figure, and displays “3, 2, 1” when displaying the message (b). “Please wrap” is displayed. In the display of the message (c), after “3, 2, 1” is displayed, the instruction “please release” is displayed. The collation information setting unit 60 of the connection source device stores the time stamp information indicating the display time of the instruction “please wrap” in the collation information holding unit 44 as the collation information.

  The state change detection unit 58 of the connection source device acquires the signal strength from the external Bluetooth compatible device received by the reception unit 32, recognizes the transition of the signal strength of each device, and before and after the user covers with the hand. If the amount of change in signal intensity is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, this is detected. For example, the search unit 72 may transmit a search signal every time a predetermined time elapses, and the reception unit 32 may receive a plurality of search response signals for a plurality of search signals from each device. And the state change detection part 58 may monitor the change of the signal strength in a time series about each apparatus. The collation unit 62 detects the time when the state change detection unit 58 detects that the signal intensity from a specific external device is weaker than a predetermined amount or more (as another example, the signal intensity becomes less than a predetermined threshold value). It is determined whether or not the time stamp information of the collation information matches. Then, the connection target specifying unit 64 specifies an external device whose signal strength is weakened at the timing matched with the time stamp information of the verification information as a connection partner. That is, the connection source device specifies an external device whose signal strength has been weakened as a connection partner at the timing when the user is instructed to wrap the antenna by hand according to the user support information.

  According to the second modification, in addition to the effects of the first modification, no sensor is required for the connection destination device. It is also suitable when it is difficult for the user to move directly because the connected device is a stationary device.

A third modification to the first embodiment will be described.
In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of information devices to be connected, that is, the game machine 10 as a connection source device and the headset 12 as a connection destination device are brought into direct contact with each other, and the state change caused by the contact is It was decided to be detected by the equipment. As a modified example, the connection source device is an external device with a physically different housing and is connected to a device (referred to as an “attachment device” here) provided with a sensor for detecting a change in state. Information indicating a change in state of the attached device due to contact between the device and the connection destination device may be acquired from the attached device and stored as collation information. Similarly, the connection destination device is connected to the accessory device, and information indicating a change in state of the accessory device due to contact between the accessory device and the connection source device is acquired from the accessory device and stored in the sensor information holding unit 134. Alternatively, the search response signal may be set. Furthermore, the accessory device of the connection source device and the accessory device of the connection destination device may be the contact target.

  FIG. 10 schematically shows user support information displayed on the display. In the user support information shown in the figure, the stationary game machine as the connection source device is connected to the controller as the accessory device, and instructs the user to match the controller with the connection destination device. According to the third modification, even when the connection target device itself does not include a sensor, an easy wireless connection with an external device can be realized. Moreover, it is suitable also when it is difficult for a user to move a connection object apparatus directly for reasons, such as a stationary apparatus.

A fourth modification example to the first embodiment will be described.
In order to detect a change in the state of the connection target devices, a sound may be used instead of causing the connection target devices to collide with each other. In this case, the sensor 26 of the connection source device and the sensor 116 of the connection destination device may be microphones. For example, the connection source device or the connection destination device may generate sound from the speaker in a state where the connection source device and the connection destination device are close to each other. The connection source device may record acoustic information such as the detection time, volume, and frequency characteristics of the sound detected by the sensor 26 as collation information. The connection destination device may notify the connection source device of acoustic information such as the detection time, volume, and frequency characteristics of the sound detected by the sensor 116 using a search response signal. Then, the connection source device may determine the transmission source of the search response signal in which the acoustic information matching the verification information is set as the connection partner device.
As another modification, both devices may detect a change in the magnetic field generated when the connection target devices are brought close to or in contact with each other as a state change. In this case, the sensor 26 of the connection source device and the sensor 116 of the connection destination device may be magnetic sensors using Hall elements or the like. Moreover, both devices may further include a magnet as necessary.

A fifth modification to the first embodiment will be described.
In the above embodiment, when Bluetooth pairing is performed, a list of surrounding external devices is displayed and the user selects a registration target device. As a modification, automatic connection based on contact between the connection target devices described in the embodiments may be applied to pairing. For example, when the game machine 10 and the headset 12 are paired, the user slightly matches the game machine 10 and the headset 12, the game machine 10 records the state change as the verification information, and the headset 12 receives the extended search response signal. To notify the status change. When the notification content from the headset 12 matches the verification information, the pairing unit 74 of the game machine 10 recognizes the headset 12 as a pairing partner device and automatically sends a pairing request signal to the headset 12. It may be transmitted to automatically execute exchange of a passkey. As a further modification, the connection information is referred to determine whether or not pairing is performed, and a pairing request signal is transmitted in the case of an external device that has not been paired, while the external device that has been paired A connection request signal may be transmitted.

A sixth modification to the first embodiment will be described.
In the above-described embodiment, when a search response signal that matches the verification information is received, the connection with the transmission source of the search response signal is automatically established. As a modification, the display control unit 54 of the connection source device displays a screen indicating the transmission source device of the search response signal that matches the matching information as the connection candidate device, and asks the user whether to connect to the connection candidate device. It may be selected. In addition, while displaying a list of a plurality of devices that have returned search response signals, a search response signal transmission source device that matches the collation information is used as a connection candidate device, and a selection screen is displayed that is emphasized over other devices. Also good. Then, the user may finally select the connection partner device. The emphasized form may be displayed at the top of a list in which a plurality of devices are arranged, or may be displayed using uppercase letters or highlighted colors.

A seventh modification example to the first embodiment will be described.
In the above-described embodiment, when the game machine 10 receives a search response signal that matches the verification information, the game machine 10 executes a connection establishment process with the transmission source of the search response signal. As a modification, when the game machine 10 receives a search response signal that matches the verification information, the game machine 10 may execute various communication processes other than the connection establishment process on the transmission source device of the search response signal. For example, a process for disconnecting (discarding) an established connection with a transmission source device of a search response signal that matches the verification information may be executed.

An eighth modification to the first embodiment will be described.
In the above embodiment, the connection target devices are brought into contact with each other, and time stamp information indicating the detection time of the state change in both devices is collated. As a modified example, a time difference simply represented by a difference of a clock (Bluetooth clock) serving as a reference for Bluetooth communication may be used. For example, the collation information setting unit 60 of the game machine 10 may record a value Δt indicating how many clocks before the state change detection timing is in the collation information holding unit 44 at the time of transmission of the search signal. Further, the state change notification unit 148 of the headset 12 may set a value Δt indicating how many clocks before the state change detection timing is in the search response signal when the search response signal is transmitted. Then, the matching unit 62 of the game machine 10 determines whether Δt held in the matching information holding unit 44 matches Δt included in the search response signal (for example, whether the difference is within a predetermined range). The connection target specifying unit 64 may determine, as a connection partner, a device that returns a matching Δt.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game machine 10 of FIG. Although details will be described later, in the communication system 100 according to the second embodiment, the headset 12 determines a connection partner device and transmits a connection request from the headset 12 to the connection partner device. Therefore, the game machine 10 according to the second embodiment may have a general game machine configuration that supports Bluetooth communication. FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. 2, and the same or corresponding functional blocks are denoted by the same reference numerals. Since all the functional blocks in FIG. 11 have been described in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted below.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the headset 12 of FIG. This figure corresponds to FIG. 3, and the same or corresponding functional blocks are denoted by the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, the description of the configuration already described in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and a configuration different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. The headset 12 of the second embodiment further includes a drive unit 160. The control unit 140 of the headset 12 further includes a sound detection unit 170, an analysis unit 172, a reference sound recording unit 174, a collation unit 176, and a connection target specifying unit 178.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the function of the control unit 140 may be realized by a dedicated electronic circuit. The functions of the control unit 140 are such that program modules corresponding to the respective functional blocks of the control unit 140 are stored in the flash memory of the headset 12, and the CPU of the headset 12 reads these program modules into the main memory as appropriate and executes them. May be realized. The data holding unit 130 may be realized by a flash memory or a main memory of the headset 12. In addition, the headset 12 having a predetermined sensor (specifically, a microphone) and the drive unit 160 has functions of a sound detection unit 170, an analysis unit 172, a reference sound recording unit 174, a collation unit 176, and a connection target specifying unit 178. Each function of FIG. 12 may be realized by installing a computer program in which is installed.

  The connection information holding unit 132 holds the connection information necessary for establishing a connection with an external Bluetooth compatible device and the characteristic data of the hitting sound generated when the hitting unit 164 collides with the connection partner device. To do. The connection information may be, for example, a record in which a device ID, an address, and a pass key (that is, “PIN”) of an external device are associated with each other. The connection information and the hitting characteristic data are set at the time of Bluetooth pairing.

  The pairing unit 154 receives a pairing request transmitted from an external information device (for example, the game machine 10), executes a predetermined pairing process, and stores connection information regarding the pairing request source in the connection information holding unit 132. To do. As a modification, the pairing unit 154 may execute a pairing process by transmitting a pairing request to an external information device (for example, the game machine 10). The connection processing unit 156 transmits a connection request to the connection partner apparatus determined by the connection target specifying unit 178 described later, and establishes a Bluetooth connection with the connection partner apparatus. Note that the connection processing unit 76 of the game machine 10 receives a connection request from the headset 12 and executes a predetermined connection process to establish a Bluetooth connection with the headset 12.

  The drive unit 160 is a member in which the power switch 162 and the striking unit 164 are integrally formed. The drive unit 160 collects a user operation for turning on the power and a user operation for giving a predetermined physical stimulus (applying a hit in the present embodiment) as a series of operations. And accept.

  FIG. 13 schematically shows a configuration example of the drive unit, and shows an initial state of the drive unit before a user operation. In the drive unit 160, the power switch 162 is fixed at a predetermined position, and the striking unit 164 is provided to be movable along the rail 166. The user slides the striking unit 164 in the operation direction, brings the striking unit 164 into contact with the power switch 162, and turns on the power of the headset 12. Here, a spring 168 is fixed to the striking portion 164. As the user slides the striking portion 164 in the operation direction in the figure, the spring 168 extends. When the hitting unit 164 is brought into contact with the power switch 162 and the user releases the finger, the hitting unit 164 moves in the hitting direction and returns to the initial state by the restoring force of the spring 168. At this time, the tip of the striking portion 164 hits the connection partner device (including collision, contact, pressure contact, etc.), and a hitting sound is generated.

  Thus, by providing the driving unit 160 in which the power switch 162 and the striking unit 164 are integrated, it is easy to give a striking with a constant force to the connection partner device during power operation. As a result, it is easy to generate a hitting sound having a certain acoustic feature, and the accuracy of collation described later can be improved. In addition, the structure of the hit | damage part 164 is not restricted to the aspect shown in FIG. The striking unit 164 may be configured to apply a predetermined physical impact to the external device via the contact surface. For example, the striking unit 164 may be configured by a solenoid, a piezoelectric element, or a latch mechanism.

  The hitting sound generated when the hitting unit 164 collides with the connection partner device includes a reverberation sound that is returned by the impact being propagated to the internal structure of the connection partner device. The hitting sound including the reverberation sound by the connection partner apparatus reflects the mechanical attributes (for example, shape, size, density, material, configuration) of the connection partner apparatus, and is a kind of “fingerprint” unique to the connection partner apparatus. It can be said. That is, the hitting sound generated differs depending on the case where the hitting unit 164 collides with the game machine 10, the smartphone 14, the tablet terminal 16, and the storage device 18. As will be described later, by performing frequency analysis on the detected sound of hitting, it is possible to obtain a frequency distribution unique to the connection partner apparatus with which the hitting unit 164 collides. Therefore, the headset 12 analyzes the hitting sound generated when the hitting unit 164 collides with the connection partner device, identifies the connection partner device, and realizes automatic connection by Bluetooth.

  Returning to FIG. 12, the sensor 116 is a microphone, detects a sound around the headset 12, and sends data of the sound to the control unit 140. The sound detection unit 170 receives the sound data sent from the sensor 116, and when the volume is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the sound data indicating the sound generated when the hitting unit 164 collides with an external device. And pass to the analysis unit 172. The analysis unit 172 performs a known acoustic analysis process on the sound data passed from the sound detection unit 170, and acquires acoustic feature data indicating the characteristics of the hitting sound. For example, Fourier transform may be performed on the sound data passed from the sound detection unit 170, and data indicating the frequency distribution of the hitting sound may be acquired as acoustic feature data.

  Here, the control unit 140 shifts the communication mode of the headset 12 to the pairing mode when the power switch 162 is pressed for a predetermined time or longer when the power is turned on. On the other hand, when the pressing time of the power switch 162 is less than the predetermined time, the communication mode of the headset 12 is shifted to the connection mode. As described above, the external unit is hit by the hitting unit 164 when the power is turned on. Therefore, the acoustic feature data of the hitting sound by the hitting unit 164 is obtained in both the pairing mode and the connection mode. Is done.

  In the pairing mode, the reference sound recording unit 174 temporarily stores the acoustic feature data in a predetermined storage area when the acoustic feature data of the sound detected by the sound detection unit 170 (that is, the hitting sound by the striking unit 164) is acquired. Remember me. When pairing processing is performed by the pairing unit 154, the acoustic feature data is stored in the connection information holding unit 132 in association with the connection information set by the pairing unit 154. The acoustic feature data stored in the connection information holding unit 132 in association with the connection information is hereinafter also referred to as “reference sound data”.

  When the acoustic feature data of the detection sound by the sound detection unit 170 (that is, the hitting sound by the hitting unit 164) is acquired in the connection mode, the matching unit 176 stores the acquired acoustic feature data and the connection information holding unit 132 in advance. One or more stored reference sound data is collated to determine whether there is a reference sound that matches the detected sound. The matching unit 176 may determine whether or not the acoustic feature of the detected sound matches the acoustic feature of the reference sound by a known technique. For example, when the frequency distribution of the detected sound and the frequency distribution of the reference sound are similar, in other words, when the difference between the two is within a predetermined range, it may be determined that the detected sound and the reference sound match. When there is a reference sound that matches the detected sound, the connection target specifying unit 178 specifies the external device indicated by the connection information associated with the reference sound data in the connection information holding unit 132 as the connection partner device.

The operation of the above configuration will be described below.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the headset 12 of FIG. The user turns on the power of the headset 12 by sliding the striking unit 164 in a state where the headset 12 is brought close to a desired connection target device (here, the game machine 10) (S60). When the user lifts his / her finger from the hitting unit 164, the hitting unit 164 collides with the game machine 10 to generate a hitting sound (S62).

  FIG. 15 schematically illustrates the matching between the headset 12 and the connection target device. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a hit is applied to the display 22 of the game machine 10 by a hitting unit 164 (not shown) of the headset 12. FIG. 16 schematically shows the display content on the display of the connection target device. On the screen of the display 22, an application display area 190 for displaying information on an application being executed on the game machine 10 and a status display area 192 for displaying various icons indicating the status of the game machine 10 are provided. The status display area 192 includes a Wi-fi icon 194 indicating that Wi-fi (registered trademark) connection is possible, a Bluetooth icon 196 indicating that Bluetooth connection is possible, and a battery icon 198 indicating the remaining battery level. Is included. In the present embodiment, when the user wants to execute a connection process using Bluetooth, the hitting unit 164 of the headset 12 applies a hit to the Bluetooth icon 196.

  Even when hitting the same connection partner device, the hitting sound detected differs depending on the hitting position. Therefore, it is desirable that the striking position at the time of pairing for obtaining the reference sound is the same as the striking position at the subsequent connection. Here, a Bluetooth-compatible device having a screen often displays a mark indicating Bluetooth at a predetermined fixed position on the screen. Therefore, in this embodiment, a hit is applied to the display position of the Bluetooth icon 196 on the screen during both pairing and connection. Thereby, the hitting sound for the display position of the Bluetooth icon 196 is recorded as the reference sound data at the time of pairing, and the hitting sound at the same position is compared with the reference sound at the time of connection. The accuracy of collation can be increased by reducing the difference in the hitting sound. Further, the Bluetooth icon 196 on the screen is often not displayed when the Bluetooth function is off in the connection partner device (for example, the game machine 10), or is displayed in a manner indicating that it cannot be used. Therefore, there is an effect that the user can easily grasp whether or not the Bluetooth connection is desired in the connection partner apparatus desired by the user.

  As a modification, when a mark indicating that the device is a Bluetooth-compatible device is provided on the housing of the connection partner device, for example, when a character or a pattern indicating Bluetooth is printed (engraved) on the housing, the housing It is good also as hitting with the hit | damage part 164 of the headset 12 with respect to the setting location of the upper Bluetooth mark. This modification is particularly suitable in the case where the connection partner device is a device that does not have a screen, for example, in the case of the storage device 18 in FIG. 1 or a stationary game machine separated from the display. Also in this modified example, when hitting the same connection partner device, it is possible to easily generate a hitting sound having the same acoustic feature and to improve the accuracy of matching.

Returning to FIG. 14, in the power-on operation, when the user presses the power switch 162 for a predetermined time or longer via the striking unit 164 (Y in S64), the operating state of the headset 12 is in the pairing mode. In the pairing mode, the sound detection unit 170 detects the hitting sound by the hitting unit 164 (S66), and the analysis unit 172 acquires the acoustic characteristics of the hitting sound (S68). When a pairing request from the game machine 10 is received from the game machine 10 (Y in S70), the reference sound recording unit 174 associates the connection information as a result of the pairing process with the sound of the hit sound for the game machine 10. The feature data is saved (S72). For example, for each of the game machine 10, the smartphone 14, the tablet terminal 16, and the storage device 18, connection information and
The acoustic feature data of the hit sound is saved. If no pairing request is accepted (N in S70), S72 is skipped. In N of S70, the pairing unit 154 may send a pairing request to the outside to set connection information.

  If the power switch 162 is pressed for less than a predetermined time during the power-on operation (N in S64), the operating state of the headset 12 is in the connection mode. In the connection mode, the sound detection unit 170 detects a hitting sound by the hitting unit 164 (S74), and the analysis unit 172 acquires an acoustic feature of the hitting sound (S76). The collation unit 176 collates the detected hitting sound with the reference sound held in the connection information holding unit 132 (S78). When there is a reference sound that matches the detected hitting sound (Y of S80), the connection processing unit 156 transmits a connection request to the connection partner apparatus according to the connection information associated with the reference sound (S82). For example, among the connection information of each device stored in the connection information holding unit 132, the external device collided with the hitting unit 164, and here, a connection request using the connection information of the game machine 10 is transmitted from the antenna 110.

  When the connection with the game machine 10 is established, the receiving unit 122 thereafter receives the audio data transmitted from the game machine 10, and the audio control unit 144 passes the audio data to the speaker 112 and outputs the audio. When there is no reference sound that matches the detected hitting sound (N in S80), S82 is skipped. As an alternative process in N of S80, a connection request may be transmitted to an information device previously registered in the headset 12 as a default connection destination by the user or an information device to which the headset 12 is last connected. When the headset 12 has a screen interface, as another alternative process, a paired information device (that is, an external device indicated by the connection information held in the connection information holding unit 132) is displayed on the screen as a list. The user may select an information device to be connected.

  According to the communication system 100 of the second embodiment, even when many Bluetooth compatible devices exist in the vicinity, the user lightly collides the connection source device with the desired connection destination device (in the embodiment, A connection between desired devices can be easily established by an intuitive operation of turning on the power in a state where the connection destination device and the connection source device are close to or in contact with each other. For example, an operation for finding and selecting a desired device from a plurality of devices on the connection partner device selection screen, an operation for disconnecting a session with the current connection partner device, and reconnecting to the desired device, etc. It becomes unnecessary and the complexity of user work can be reduced. That is, in an environment where there are a plurality of information devices, it is possible to suppress a decrease in user convenience when connecting desired devices.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, the connection destination device (the game machine 10 in the example of the embodiment) does not require a special configuration, in other words, the connection source device (the headset 12 in the example of the embodiment). ) Can be easily connected between devices. Furthermore, as described in the first embodiment, even when both of the information devices to be connected do not have a screen interface (for example, when it is desired to connect the headset 12 and the storage device 18), the embodiment This connection method is useful.

  The present invention has been described based on the second embodiment. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. is there. A modification is shown below.

A first modification to the second embodiment will be described.
In the above-described embodiment, the acoustic characteristics of the hitting sound acquired during Bluetooth pairing are recorded as reference sound data, and this reference sound data is used as reference data during subsequent connections. As a modification, after establishing a Bluetooth connection, when a connection device is hit by the hitting unit 164 in a connected state, the stored reference sound data is updated based on the acoustic feature data of the hit sound. May be. For example, the acoustic characteristics of the hit sound acquired during connection may be replaced with the original reference sound data as new reference sound data. Further, the reference sound data may be refined by a known sound processing technique such as leveling the acoustic characteristics of the hit sound acquired during connection and the acoustic characteristics of the original reference sound data. As a result, the reference sound data can be refined sequentially to improve the quality of the collation data. Further, even when the striking position with respect to the connection partner device is changed, a reference sound corresponding to the striking position after the change can be set, and it becomes easy to cope with the change of the striking position.

A second modification of the second embodiment will be described.
The connection source device (headset 12 in the embodiment) that strikes the connection partner device may not include the striking unit 164. The connection source device may give a predetermined physical stimulus (for example, hitting) to the connection partner device at an arbitrary position on the housing, and the sensor 116 (microphone) may detect the sound generated at that time. . In addition, in a state where the connection source device and the connection partner device are close to each other, the user may give a predetermined physical stimulus to the connection partner device using means or a medium other than the connection source device. The sound generated by the user's action may be detected by the sensor 116.

A third modification of the second embodiment will be described.
In the above embodiment, the hitting unit 164 of the headset 12 hits the connection partner device to detect the hitting sound. As a modification, the headset 12 or the connection partner apparatus may output a predetermined sound for connection from its own speaker, and the sensor 116 of the headset 12 may detect this sound. The detection sound in this case also includes a reverberation sound unique to the connection partner device that reflects the physical attributes of the connection partner device, similar to the sound of the embodiment, and realizes connection processing similar to the embodiment. it can.

A fourth modification example to the second embodiment will be described.
In the above embodiment, the hitting unit 164 of the headset 12 hits the connection partner device to detect the hitting sound, and the acoustic feature is recorded as the reference sound data. As a modification, reference sound data for each type of connection partner device may be distributed from an external server via a communication network, and the headset 12 is connected to the communication network and is distributed from an external server. Data may be acquired and stored. For example, the reference sound data for the game machine 10 and the reference sound data for the smartphone 14 may be distributed. As another modification, for a product that has already been sold, data in which the reference sound data and the device ID are associated with each other is recorded in advance in the firmware of the headset 12 (for example, the connection information holding unit 132). The headset 12 may be shipped. These modified examples are suitable when the position at which the connection counterpart device is hit is determined at a predetermined position, for example, the display position of the Bluetooth mark.

A fifth modification example of the second embodiment will be described.
This modification corresponds to the third modification to the first embodiment, and the connection source device (headset 12 of the embodiment) is an external device having a physically different housing, and is hit with the sensor 116. It may be connected to a device including the unit 164 (referred to herein as an “attached device”). The attached device (for example, the controller) may detect the hitting sound by the hitting unit 164 and notify the connection source device, and the connecting source device obtains the reference sound data based on the hitting sound data notified from the attached device. It may be set and a collation process may be executed. According to this modification, even when the connection source device itself does not include the sensor 116 and the hitting unit 164, easy wireless connection with an external device can be realized.

A sixth modification example of the second embodiment will be described.
In the above-described embodiment, when there is a reference sound that matches the detected sound, the headset 12 performs a connection establishment process with an external device associated with the reference sound. As a modification, when there is a reference sound that matches the detected sound, the headset 12 may execute various communication processes other than the connection establishment process for the external device associated with the reference sound. . For example, when there is a reference sound that matches the detected sound, a process for disconnecting (discarding) an established connection with the external device associated with the reference sound may be executed.

A seventh modification example to the second embodiment will be described.
This modification corresponds to the sixth modification to the first embodiment. In the above embodiment, when there is a reference sound that matches the detected sound, the connection with the external device associated with the reference sound is automatically established. The headset 12 in this modification further includes a display control unit that controls the screen display content of a predetermined display device. The display control unit may display a screen showing the external device associated with the reference sound that matches the detected sound as a connection candidate device, and allow the user to select whether or not to connect to the connection candidate device. In addition, when it is determined that the plurality of reference sounds match the detected sound (the difference is within a predetermined range), the display control unit 54 indicates a plurality of external devices associated with the plurality of reference sounds as connection candidate devices. A screen may be displayed and the user may select which device to connect to.

An eighth modification to the second embodiment will be described.
The headset 12 in this modification further includes a display control unit that controls the screen display content of a predetermined display device. The display control unit may display user support information for presenting a user with a position where a predetermined physical stimulus (for example, hitting) should be applied to the external device. Specifically, user support information indicating a bluetooth mark displayed at a predetermined position on the display device of the external device as a hitting position may be displayed.

A modification common to the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described.
In the first and second embodiments, Bluetooth is exemplified as a communication method between information devices. However, it goes without saying that the technique described in the embodiment can be applied to other communication methods. . For example, the communication method may be Wi-fi, and a change in the state of the connection destination device may be notified to the connection source device by a beacon instead of the search signal / search response signal of the embodiment. The communication system may be a system conforming to DLNA (registered trademark) (Digital Living Network Alliance). Furthermore, not only the wireless communication but also the technology described in the embodiment can be applied to a case where information devices are connected by wired communication (for example, wired LAN). When a communication method other than Bluetooth is adopted, for example, the protocol processing units in FIGS. 2, 3, 11, and 12 may be appropriately replaced with functional blocks corresponding to the adopted communication method.

  Any combination of the above-described embodiments and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. The new embodiment generated by the combination has the effects of the combined embodiment and the modified examples.

  For example, the technique proposed in the first embodiment and the technique proposed in the second embodiment may be combined in the communication system 100. For example, the first device of the communication system 100 may have a configuration corresponding to the game machine 10 of the first embodiment, and the second device may have a configuration corresponding to the headset 12 of the second embodiment. In this case, the user may cause the first device and the second device to face each other lightly to detect an impact common to both devices and generate a sound. Thereby, the reliability of the connection between the apparatuses which a user desires can be improved further combining the two collation means proposed by the 1st and 2nd embodiment.

  Moreover, you may provide both the structure corresponding to the game machine 10 of 1st Embodiment, and the structure corresponding to the headset 12 of 2nd Embodiment in one apparatus. In this case, the connection partner apparatus specified by at least one of the first connection partner specifying process based on the state change notification from the connection partner apparatus and the second connection partner specifying process based on the hitting sound applied to the connection partner apparatus. A connection request may be transmitted to. For example, the first connection partner specifying process may be executed first, and if the connection partner cannot be specified as a result, the second connection partner specifying process may be executed next. In this way, by using the two types of connection partner specifying processes in a complementary manner, it is possible to expand the combinations of devices that can use simple connection based on an intuitive operation for the user. In other words, although the first connection partner identification process has high connection reliability, the connection partner apparatus also needs to have a configuration for detecting and notifying state changes. On the other hand, although the second connection partner identification process may be affected by the environment such as noise, it can be completed by the connection source device alone, and the connection partner device may be, for example, a general Bluetooth compatible device. The devices that can be connected can be expanded by simple connection. In other words, it is possible to achieve both the reliability of easy connection and the expansion of connectable devices.

  It should also be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be fulfilled by the constituent elements described in the claims are realized by the individual constituent elements shown in the embodiments and the modification examples or by their cooperation.

  32 receiving unit, 42 connection information holding unit, 44 collation information holding unit, 54 display control unit, 58 state change detection unit, 60 collation information setting unit, 62 collation unit, 64 connection target specifying unit, 72 searching unit, 76 connection processing Unit, 100 communication system, 124 transmission unit, 132 connection information holding unit, 134 sensor information holding unit, 146 state change detection unit, 148 state change notification unit, 156 connection processing unit, 164 hitting unit, 170 sound detection unit, 172 analysis Part, 174 reference sound recording part, 176 collation part, 178 connection target specifying part.

Claims (9)

A sound that is supposed to be generated when a predetermined physical stimulus is applied to an external device, and is used for wireless communication with the external device and data of a reference sound including a component of an echo sound by the external device. A setting information holding unit that holds setting information in association with each other;
A detection unit for detecting sound actually generated when the physical stimulus is applied to the external device;
A collation unit for collating the sound detected by the detection unit with the reference sound;
A communication processing unit that executes wireless communication processing for the external device according to setting information associated with the reference sound when the detected sound matches the reference sound;
A communication apparatus comprising:   The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising an abutting portion that abuts on the external device to generate a hitting sound. The setting information holding unit holds setting information for establishing a wireless communication connection with an external device in association with the reference sound data,
When the detected sound and the reference sound match, the communication processing unit transmits a connection request for establishing a wireless communication connection to the external device according to setting information associated with the reference sound The communication device according to claim 1, wherein:   A reference sound recording unit that records data of sound detected by the detection unit as data of the reference sound in association with setting information as a pairing result at the time of pairing with the external device, Item 4. The communication device according to any one of Items 1 to 3. The setting information holding unit holds, as the reference sound data, sound data assumed to be generated when the physical stimulus is applied to a predetermined part symbolizing wireless communication in the external device. ,
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects a sound actually generated when the physical stimulus is applied to the predetermined part of the external device. . The external device comprises a screen;
The setting information holding unit generates sound data that is assumed to be generated when the physical stimulus is applied to a display position of a mark indicating wireless communication on the screen of the external device, and the reference sound data Hold as
The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the detection unit detects a sound actually generated when the physical stimulus is applied to a display position of the mark on a screen of the external device. A method executed by a communication device that wirelessly communicates with an external device,
Detecting a sound actually generated when a predetermined physical stimulus is applied to the external device;
A sound that is supposed to occur when the physical stimulus is applied to the external device, and refers to a storage area in which data of a reference sound including a component of an echo sound by the external device is stored in advance, and Collating the detected sound in the detecting step with the reference sound;
When the detected sound matches the reference sound, wireless communication processing for the external device is executed according to setting information for wireless communication with the external device stored in advance in association with the reference sound Steps,
A communication method comprising: For communication devices that wirelessly communicate with external devices,
A function of detecting a sound actually generated when a predetermined physical stimulus is applied to the external device;
A sound that is supposed to occur when the physical stimulus is applied to the external device, and refers to a storage area in which data of a reference sound including a component of an echo sound by the external device is stored in advance, and A function for collating the detected sound by the function to be detected with the reference sound;
When the detected sound matches the reference sound, wireless communication processing for the external device is executed according to setting information for wireless communication with the external device stored in advance in association with the reference sound Function and
Computer program for realizing.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the computer program of Claim 8.