JP6387174B2 - Connection apparatus and connection method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology of a connection device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a profile management unit that manages information related to a profile necessary for executing an application owned by a mobile terminal device by linking with a mobile terminal device brought into a vehicle cabin by wireless communication, and carried by wireless communication A profile acquisition unit that acquires information about an owned profile owned by the terminal device, an application information acquisition unit that acquires information about an owned application owned by the mobile terminal device by wireless communication, and information about the owned profile acquired by the profile acquisition unit On the basis of the information about the owned application acquired by the application information acquisition unit and the information about the profile managed by the profile management unit. Technique is described for the vehicle device, characterized in that it comprises a determining linkage possibility determining unit whether it can acquire the execution result of an application.

JP 2010-199718 A

  In the technique as described above, when application software is executed, a communication method used for cooperation between the in-vehicle device and the mobile terminal device can be selected when the application software is activated. However, when software that is already in an execution state with a common communication method is exclusively used for the communication method, the application software to be started cannot start communication. In some cases, it could not be started unless execution was terminated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for smoothly executing a plurality of application software that performs communication via a communication path.

The present invention includes a plurality of means for solving at least a part of the problems described above. Examples of the means are as follows. In order to solve the above problems, the connection device according to the present invention includes type priority information for specifying a priority assigned in advance for each type of process, and a communication method for use that specifies a communication method usable for each process. Communicates with other devices using a different communication method and a storage unit that stores information and sharability information that specifies whether the communication method can be shared between a plurality of processes during synchronization a plurality of communication units, the process the process communication methods available for starting the execution to identify with the use communication method information, the specified communication scheme not sharable and the starting execution in no event the process with different running process already uses the communication method, the type of process in said execution a predetermined type, pro to start the execution If low or the same priority than the scan, as well as opening a communication channel of a communication system in which the running process is used, assigned to use the communication method specified above to start a process to start the execution communication And a system allocation control unit.

  Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of embodiments.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for smoothly executing a plurality of application software that performs communication via a communication path.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a connection device according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data structure of an application communication system memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the data structure of an application classification priority memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a communication sharing availability storage part. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a communication status memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the flow of a starting management process. It is a figure which shows the flow of an application starting process. It is a figure which shows the example of an completion | finish confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows the example of an application starting completion screen. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the application communication system memory | storage part which concerns on 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the application starting process which concerns on 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the application starting process which concerns on 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows a part of flow of the application starting process which concerns on 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the application starting process which concerns on 4th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the application starting completion screen which concerns on 4th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the application starting process which concerns on 5th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the application starting completion screen which concerns on 5th embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a connection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of a connection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connection device 100 can communicate with other devices (not shown) described later by either a wired or wireless method or a combination thereof. For example, the Internet via mobile communication, wide area network via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), wired communication such as a USB (registered trademark) cable, short-range wireless such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), HDMI (High- Other devices are connected to the connection device 100 by using various communication methods such as a definition multimedia interface (registered trademark) cable.

  The connection device 100 is typically mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle. However, it is not limited to what is mounted on mobile bodies, such as a vehicle, You may arrange | position in a building and may have a magnitude | size and shape which a user can carry.

  In the present embodiment, another device that can be connected to the connection device 100 via communication is a terminal such as a mobile phone device, such as a smartphone or a feature phone, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may be another information processing apparatus such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a notebook personal computer, a tablet personal computer, a wearable personal computer, a home appliance such as a refrigerator or a television.

  In the present embodiment, the connection device 100 and another device communicate with each other when the wireless communication is enabled in accordance with an instruction from the operator, or when the operator connects a physical line such as a USB cable or an HDMI cable. Establish a connection for.

  Here, the other device can perform, for example, hands-free communication or transmit a music file or the like to the connection device 100. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and streaming data can be transmitted by instructing to reproduce streaming data, or position information and route information included in an itinerary plan or the like can be transmitted.

  The connection device 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, a mobile communication unit 130, a wireless LAN communication unit 131, a USB communication unit 132, a Bluetooth communication unit 133, and an HDMI communication unit 134.

  The control unit 110 is a central unit that performs various processes. For example, the present location may be calculated based on information output from various sensors, a GPS receiver, an FM multiplex broadcast receiver, or the like. Further, based on the obtained current location information, map data necessary for display may be read from a storage unit or the like to generate display information.

  In addition, the control unit 110, for example, develops the read map data in graphics, and uses the map data or the like to specify the current location or the departure location instructed by the user, the destination (or the waypoint or stopover location), It is also possible to search for a recommended route that is the optimal route connecting the two. The control unit 110 is not limited to such processing, and may perform other processing.

  The control unit 110 of the connection apparatus 100 has a configuration in which devices are connected by a bus 110E. The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110A that executes various processes such as numerical calculation and control of each device, and map data, music data, and the like read from the storage unit 120 including the storage device. It has a RAM (Random Access Memory) 110B for storing, a ROM 110C for storing programs and data, and an I / F (interface) 110D for connecting various hardware to the control unit 110.

  Note that the connection device 100 may include a display or the like that is a unit that displays graphics information generated by the control unit 110 or the like. For example, the display includes a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and the like.

The storage unit 120 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid).
(State Drive) and a non-volatile memory card such as a non-volatile memory card.

  The storage unit 120 includes an application communication method storage unit 121, an application type priority storage unit 122, a communication sharing enable / disable storage unit 123, and a communication state storage unit 124.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the application communication method storage unit 121. In the application communication method storage unit 121, for each application software that is a process executed in the connection device 100, a usable communication method is associated with each other so as to be specified. That is, it can be said that the application communication method storage unit 121 stores used communication method information for specifying a communication method that can be used for each process. In the present embodiment, the execution unit of the application software is expressed as a process for the sake of simplicity, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the application software is realized by a plurality of processes, the plurality of processes may be collectively identified as an application. Further, when a plurality of application software activation units coexist in one process, it may be recognized by each application software activation unit.

  The application communication method storage unit 121 includes an application identifier 121A, an application name 121B, an application type 121C, and a communication method 121D.

  The application identifier 121A is information for uniquely identifying the application software on the connection device 100. The application name 121B is a name such as a formal name, common name, or abbreviation of the application software identified by the application identifier 121A.

  The application type 121C is information that specifies the type of application software specified by the application identifier 121A. For example, the application type 121C stores any one of a control system for communication between the connection apparatus 100 and another apparatus, a navigation system, an audio system, a voice recognition system, and other types. This type is not limited to this, and the application type 121C includes, for example, a real-time communication system process that needs to communicate continuously and an intermittent communication system process that only needs to communicate at a predetermined timing. Information for identifying a distinguishable type may be stored.

  The communication method 121D is information for specifying a communication method used by the application software specified by the application identifier 121A. The communication method 121D includes, for example, profiles such as SPP (Serial Port Profile), A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), and HFP (Hands-Free Profile) in Bluetooth communication. Further, for example, the communication method 121D includes various types of communication such as infrastructure communication and ad hoc communication in wireless LAN communication such as IEEE802.11a / b / g / n, or mobile communication such as USB and mobile phone network, and various types of HDMI. Communication methods are included.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the application type priority storage unit 122. In the application type priority storage unit 122, information for specifying a priority when the use of a communication method competes is stored in association with each type for classifying application software that is a process executed in the connection device 100. The That is, it can be said that the application type priority storage unit 122 stores type priority information for specifying a priority assigned in advance for each process type. The application type priority storage unit 122 includes an application type 122A and a priority 122B.

  The application type 122A is information for specifying the type of application software, as with the application type 121C. The priority 122B is used for the process of other application software when it is necessary to exclusively use the same communication method for each application type 122A (for example, when the communication method does not permit sharing). This is information for determining which process can preferentially use communication. For example, it is information indicating that the smaller the priority value, the more preferential use is possible.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the communication sharing availability storage unit 123. Whether or not the communication sharing possibility storage unit 123 permits the use of the same communication method from a plurality of processes during the same period for each communication method usable in the connection device 100 (can be shared). Are stored in association with each other. That is, it can be said that the communication sharability storage unit 123 stores sharability information for specifying whether or not the communication method can be shared among a plurality of processes during the synchronization. The communication shareability storage unit 123 includes a communication method 123A and a shareability 123B.

  Similar to the communication method 121D, the communication method 123A includes, for example, profiles such as SPP, A2DP, and HFP in Bluetooth communication. Further, for example, the communication method 123A includes various types of communication such as infrastructure communication and ad hoc communication in wireless LAN communication such as IEEE802.11a / b / g / n, or mobile communication such as USB and mobile phone network, and various types of HDMI. Communication methods are included.

  The sharing permission / prohibition 123B is information for specifying whether sharing is possible for each communication method specified by the communication method 123A.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the communication state storage unit 124. In the communication status storage unit 124, for each communication method that can be used in the connection device 100, whether or not communication with other connectable devices can be used, and communication with other devices is actually performed. Information that identifies which process is the process is stored in association with each other. The communication state storage unit 124 includes a communication method 124A, a usability 124B, an application identifier 124C, and an application type 124D.

  Similar to the communication method 121D, the communication method 124A includes, for example, profiles such as SPP, A2DP, and HFP in Bluetooth communication. Further, for example, the communication method 124A includes a distinction between infrastructure communication and ad hoc communication in wireless LAN communication such as IEEE802.11a / b / g / n, or various types of mobile communication such as USB and mobile phone network, and various types of HDMI. Communication methods are included.

  The usability 124B is information for identifying whether or not each communication method specified by the communication method 124A can be used in common with other connectable devices. For example, when the connection device 100 is capable of communication by the third connection of the communication by the BT-SPP3, that is, the communication by the Bluetooth SPP profile, the other device can only support the connection up to the second connection. In the BT-SPP3 usability 124B, “unusable” information indicating unusable is stored.

  The application identifier 124C is information that identifies application software realized by a process using the communication method 124A. The application type 124D is information for specifying the type of application software specified by the application identifier 124C.

  Returning to FIG. Although not shown, the connection device 100 includes a microphone as an audio input device, a speaker as an audio output device, a controller and a touch panel as various input devices, a display and printing device as output devices, a satellite wave receiving device and a gyro sensor as various sensor devices. Further, an acceleration sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a storage medium reading device that reads information stored in a portable storage medium or the like may be provided as an external information acquisition device.

  The mobile communication unit 130 communicates with a base station of a mobile phone network through an antenna 150 that can transmit and receive radio waves at a predetermined frequency. The mobile communication unit 130 supports communication in a predetermined frequency band.

  The wireless LAN communication unit 131 performs wireless LAN communication such as IEEE802.11a / b / g / n via an antenna 151 capable of transmitting and receiving radio waves at a predetermined frequency, and enables communication with other devices. .

  The USB communication unit 132 uses a USB standard such as USB 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 to enable communication with other devices connected by a USB cable.

  The Bluetooth communication unit 133 enables communication with other devices by wireless communication using various Bluetooth profiles via an antenna 153 capable of transmitting and receiving radio waves at a predetermined frequency.

  The HDMI communication unit 134 enables communication with other devices connected by an HDMI cable or the like using the HDMI standard.

  That is, the mobile communication unit 130, the wireless LAN communication unit 131, the USB communication unit 132, the Bluetooth communication unit 133, and the HDMI communication unit 134 are a plurality of communication units that communicate with other devices using different communication methods. I can say that.

  The control unit 110 includes a basic control unit 101 that performs basic control such as activation management of the connection device 100 itself, and a communication method allocation control unit 102 that performs control to allocate a communication method for each process to be executed. It is.

  The communication method allocation control unit 102 searches the application communication method storage unit 121 for a communication method that can be used for the process to start execution, identifies the communication method that can be used, and communicates whether the usable communication method can be shared A search is made from the sharable / unusable storage unit 123 and specified. When the usable communication method is not sharable and a process that is different from the process is already using the communication method, the communication method allocation control unit 102 executes the process and the execution being executed. The priority of the process to be started is specified by searching the application type priority storage unit 122, and the process using the communication method is determined and assigned according to the level of the priority.

  That is, the communication method allocation control unit 102 specifies a communication method that can be used for a process to be executed by using the used communication method information, and the communication method is not sharable and is different from the process. It is also a communication method assignment control unit that assigns a process that uses a communication method according to the priority of the process being executed and the process that starts execution when the executing process already uses the communication method. I can say that.

  Each functional unit of the control unit 110 described above, that is, the basic control unit 101 and the communication method allocation control unit 102 is constructed by the CPU 110A reading and executing a predetermined program. Therefore, a program for realizing processing of each functional unit is stored in the RAM 110B.

  In addition, each above-mentioned component classifies the structure of the connection apparatus 100 according to the main processing content in order to make an understanding easy. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the way of classifying the components and their names. The configuration of the connection device 100 can be classified into more components according to the processing content. Moreover, it can also classify | categorize so that one component may perform more processes.

  Each functional unit may be constructed by hardware (ASIC, GPU, etc.). Further, the processing of each functional unit may be executed by one hardware or may be executed by a plurality of hardware.

  [Description of Operation] Next, the operation of the start management process performed by the connection apparatus 100 will be described. The activation management process shown in FIG. 6 is started when the connection device 100 starts activation.

  First, the communication method allocation control unit 102 specifies whether or not a communication method can be used (step S001). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 inquires of the basic control unit 101 about a communication method that can be used by the connection apparatus 100 and identifies a usable communication method. In response to this inquiry, the basic control unit 101 inquires whether the mobile communication unit 130, the wireless LAN communication unit 131, the USB communication unit 132, the Bluetooth communication unit 133, and the HDMI communication unit 134 can communicate. And whether or not it can be used is specified according to the result.

  Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether or not the external device has been changed (step S002). Specifically, the communication system allocation control unit 102 detects another device (external device), and determines that there is no change if it is the same as the device connected at the previous check, and if it is different Determines that there is a change.

  If there is no change in the external device (“No” in step S002), the communication method allocation control unit 102 advances the control to step S007 described later.

  If there is a change in the external device (“Yes” in step S002), the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether or not the connection with the external device is started (step S003). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether communication with the changed external device is established. If the connection with the external device is not started (in the case of “No” in step S003), the communication method allocation control unit 102 advances the control to step S010 described later.

The communication method allocation control unit 102 specifies a communication method that can be supported by the external device (step S004). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 can try to connect to another device using one or a plurality of communication methods, and can use the other device using a usable communication method. Instructs the user to notify the correct communication method. Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 obtains a communication method that can be used from other devices. Alternatively, the communication method assignment control unit 102 may acquire a list of communication methods that are communicable from a predetermined external server or the like based on the model number information of the other device.

  Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 sets a communication method that can be supported by the external device among the communication methods that can be used by the connection apparatus 100 (step S005). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 matches the communication method that can be used by the connection device 100 identified in step S001 with the communication method that can be used from another device in step S004, and For the communication methods that can be used, the availability 124B of the communication status storage unit 124 is set to “permitted”, and the other communication methods are set to “impossible”.

  Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 registers the communication method used for connection with the external device in the communication state storage unit 124 (step S006). Specifically, the communication method assignment control unit 102 relates to the communication method used when communicating with another device in step S004, and the communication method assignment control unit 102 itself in the application identifier 124C of the communication state storage unit 124. Store the app identifier. Further, the communication method assignment control unit 102 specifies the application type of the communication method assignment control unit 102 by searching the application type 121C of the application communication method storage unit 121, and stores it in the application type 124D of the process that uses the communication method. To do.

  Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether there is an application to be activated (step S007). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 inquires of the basic control unit 101 and starts step S008 when it detects the presence of a process instructed to start, and when it does not detect it, step S002. Return control to.

  Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 performs an application activation process (step S008). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 starts an application activation process described later.

  Then, the communication method assignment control unit 102 registers the communication method assigned to the activated application in the communication state storage unit 124 (step S009). Specifically, when the process is activated in step S008, the communication method assignment control unit 102, for the communication method assigned to the activated process, the application identifier of application software realized by the process to be used, The application type is specified and stored in the application identifier 124C and the application type 124D, respectively. Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 returns the control to step S002.

  If “No” is determined in step S003, the communication method allocation control unit 102 sets that the compatible communication method cannot be used for the connected external device (step S010). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 stores “impossible” information in the availability 124B of the communication state storage unit 124 for communication methods that can be used for other devices that have been connected. Prepare for connection with other devices. Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 advances the control to step S007.

  The above is the processing flow of the startup management process. According to the startup management process, it can be said that a communication method in a usable state can be specified in accordance with other connected devices.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process flow of the application activation process. The application activation process is started in step S008 of the activation management process.

  First, the communication method allocation control unit 102 specifies the type of application to be activated and the communication method (step S101). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 identifies application software realized by the process to be activated, and determines the application type and the communication method to be used, as an application type 121C in the application communication method storage unit 121, The communication method 121D is read and specified.

  Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether or not the communication method is sharable and conflicts (step S102). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 specifies whether or not the communication method specified in step S <b> 101 is sharable with reference to the communication sharability storage unit 123. Further, the communication method allocation control unit 102 specifies that the communication method identified in step S101 is in conflict when the application identifier of another process is stored in the application identifier 124C of the communication state storage unit 124.

  If the communication method can be shared or does not conflict (in the case of “No” in step S102), the communication method allocation control unit 102 activates the application to be activated (step S103). Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 ends the application activation process.

  When the communication method cannot be shared and conflicts (in the case of “Yes” in step S102), the communication method assignment control unit 102 determines that the competing communication method application type is other than general or has priority over the application to be activated. It is determined whether it is above (step S104). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 refers to the application type 124D of the process that uses the competing communication method, and the type is general (that is, a type that only allows intermittent communication). ), Or whether the priority is higher than the priority of the application type of the application software realized by the process to be activated is determined.

  If the competing communication method application type is general and the priority is the same or lower than that of the application to be activated (in the case of “No” in step S104), communication method allocation control The unit 102 releases the communication path used by the application using the competing communication method, activates the activation target application, and notifies the user (step S105). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 includes a mobile communication unit 130, a wireless LAN communication unit 131, a USB communication unit 132, a Bluetooth communication unit 133, and an HDMI communication unit 134 that are used by processes that use competing communication methods. Are instructed to end communication, and are instructed to accept a communication request from a newly started process. Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 causes the display connected to the connection device 100 to disconnect the communication used by the existing process and output a message indicating that the process has been started. Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 ends the application activation process.

  When the application type of the competing communication method is other than general or when the priority is higher than the application to be activated (“Yes” in step S104), the communication method allocation control unit 102 performs communication of competing apps. The user confirms whether or not to end (step S106). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 causes the display connected to the connection apparatus 100 to selectively input whether to disconnect the communication used by the existing process and start the target process. Is output, and selection input is accepted.

  Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether or not the termination of the existing process is not permitted (step S107). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether or not the content of the selection input received in step S106 does not permit termination. If the termination is not permitted, the communication method allocation control unit 102 advances the control to step S105.

  If the termination is not permitted (“Yes” in step S107), the communication method allocation control unit 102 notifies the activation failure of the application to be activated (step S108). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 causes the display connected to the connection apparatus 100 to output a message indicating that the activation has failed because the communication method of the process to be activated conflicts with an existing process. . Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 ends the application activation process.

  The above is the process flow of the application activation process. According to the application activation process, when the communication method used by the application software is not communicable when the application software process is activated, the communication method can be appropriately assigned and activated according to the priority level. I can say that.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a message display screen 200 that is displayed in step S <b> 106 of the application activation process and that is used to selectively input whether to disconnect the communication used by the existing process and activate the target process. FIG.

  The message display screen 200 includes a message display area 201, an affirmative instruction input area 202 for a message, and a negative instruction input area 203. In the message display area 201, a message indicating that the communication used by an existing process is disconnected and whether or not to activate the target process is displayed as a character string. For example, a message such as “Do you want to disconnect and activate the communication of the application ID XXX that competes for XXXXXX?” Is displayed. The affirmative instruction input area 202 is an area for accepting an input indicating affirmation / agreement for a message. The negative instruction input area 203 is an area for accepting an input indicating negative / antiversal to the message.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a message display screen 250 that informs that the target process is started by disconnecting the communication used by the existing process competing in the communication method, which is displayed in step S105 of the application starting process. FIG.

  The message display screen 250 includes a message display area 251 and a confirmation instruction input area 252 for the message. In the message display area 251, a message notifying that the communication used by the existing process is disconnected and starting the target process is displayed as a character string. For example, a message such as “The communication of the application ID XXX that competes for XXXXXX was disconnected and started.” Is displayed. The confirmation instruction input area 252 is an area for receiving an input indicating that the message has been confirmed.

  The above is the configuration and processing content of the connection device 100 according to the first embodiment. According to the first embodiment, when a communication method conflict occurs between application softwares within the range of communication methods that can be used by other devices connected to the connection apparatus 100, the application software type is set. Based on the corresponding priority, the communication method can be appropriately assigned and activated. That is, according to the first embodiment, it can be said that a plurality of application software that communicates via a communication path can be smoothly executed.

  However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The first embodiment described above can be variously modified within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, modifications according to the present invention will be described. For example, in the first embodiment, at least one communication method to be used is defined for each application software. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one or a plurality of communication methods are defined. Also good. Such a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, since 2nd embodiment is equipped with the structure similar to 1st embodiment fundamentally, a different part is demonstrated.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the application communication method storage unit 121 ′ according to the second embodiment. The application communication method storage unit 121 ′ is another communication method that can be substituted when communication is not possible using the main communication method 121E and the main communication method 121E instead of the communication method 121D of the application communication method storage unit 121 according to the first embodiment. A second communication method 121F and another third communication method 121G. Alternatively, another communication method such as a fourth or fifth communication method may be provided.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a process flow of an application activation process according to the second embodiment. The application activation process flow according to the second embodiment is basically the same as the application activation process flow according to the first embodiment, but differs in the following points.

  In step S101, one communication method is selected. In the case of Yes in step S102 (communication method is not sharable and conflicting), the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether the competing communication method application. It is determined whether the types are different from each other (step S204). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 acquires the application type 124D for the competing communication method process, and determines whether the application type 124D is the same as or different from the application type 121C for the process to be activated. judge. If they are identical to each other, the communication method allocation control unit 102 advances the control to step S105 and releases the communication paths of competing processes.

  When the application types of the competing communication methods are different from each other (in the case of “Yes” in step S204), the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether the application to be activated is incompatible with other communication methods. (Step S205). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 refers to the application communication method storage unit 121 ′ for the process to be activated, and confirms the existence of an alternative communication method. The communication method allocation control unit 102 determines that the communication method to be replaced is compatible with another communication method, and is not compatible with the other communication method when it does not exist. If the communication method is compatible, the communication method allocation control unit 102 returns the control to step S101, and identifies an unselected alternative communication method.

  If the application to be activated is not compatible with another communication method (in the case of “Yes” in step S205), the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether the type of application using the competing communication method is other than general. It is determined whether or not (step S206). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether or not the application type of the process using the competing communication method is other than “general”, that is, a type that allows intermittent communication. If the application type may be intermittent communication, the communication method allocation control unit 102 advances the control to step S105. If the application type is other than that which allows intermittent communication, the communication method allocation control unit 102 advances the control to step S106.

  The above is the process flow of the application activation process according to the second embodiment. According to the application activation processing according to the second embodiment, if the application software to be activated is compatible with a plurality of communication methods, avoid using competing communication methods as much as possible and start using another communication method. I can say that. That is, according to the second embodiment, among the communication methods that can be used by the process to be activated, another running process that is different from the process already uses one or more of the communication methods. It can be said that the process to be activated can be assigned as a communication method using an unused communication method.

  Also, for example, in the second embodiment, if the application software to be activated is compatible with a plurality of communication methods, it is possible to avoid the use of competing communication methods as much as possible and start using another communication method. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when a process using a competing communication method is an application type (for example, a control unit) that needs to perform communication in real time, it competes with a process using a competing communication method. The communication method other than the communication method to be used may be changed. Such a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, since 3rd embodiment is equipped with the structure similar to 2nd embodiment fundamentally, a different part is demonstrated using FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in step S206 of the application activation process, when the type of competing application is other than general (in the case of “Yes” in step S206), the communication method allocation control unit 102 It is determined whether the type is other than the control unit (step S306). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether or not the application type of the application software realized by the process using the competing communication method is other than “control unit”, that is, a type that requires real-time communication. To do. In the case of the “control unit”, the communication method allocation control unit 102 advances the control to the process shown in FIG. In cases other than “control unit”, the communication method allocation control unit 102 advances the control to step S106.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a part of the process flow of the application activation process according to the third embodiment.

  First, the communication method allocation control unit 102 specifies a communication method that can be used by the “control unit” (step S311). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 specifies an available communication method for a process using a competing communication method with reference to the application communication method storage unit 121 ′.

  Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether there is an unused communication method among communication methods that can be used by the “control unit” (step S312).

  If there is no unused communication method (“No” in step S312), the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether there is a sharable communication method among the available communication methods. (Step S313). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 refers to the communication sharing availability storage unit 123 and determines whether or not a communication method in which the sharing permission 123B is “permitted” is included in usable communication methods. . If there is no sharable communication method, the communication method allocation control unit 102 advances the control to step S106 of the application activation process in FIG.

  If there is an unused communication method (in the case of “Yes” in step S312) or a communication method that can be shared (in the case of “Yes” in step S313), the communication method allocation control unit 102 determines whether there is a conflict. The communication method used by the “control unit” that uses the communication method to be used is changed to an unused communication method or a communication method that is used but sharable (step S314).

  Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 activates a process related to the application software to be activated (step S315). Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 ends the application activation process of FIG.

  The above is the process flow of the application activation process according to the third embodiment. According to the application activation process according to the third embodiment, if the application software to be activated is compatible with a plurality of communication methods, avoid using competing communication methods as much as possible, and start using another communication method. If application software that uses competing communication methods supports multiple communication methods, you can switch to using a communication method other than competing communication methods to ensure continued communication. It can be said that the communication of both the application to be activated and the already activated application can be secured and activated.

  That is, according to the third embodiment, when the process being executed is the type of process that needs to be continuously communicated, the communication process that can be used by the process being executed is different from that process. It can be said that if another running process already uses one or more of the communication methods, the communication method used by the running process can be changed to an unused communication method.

  Also, for example, in the second embodiment, if the application software to be activated is compatible with a plurality of communication methods, it is possible to avoid the use of competing communication methods as much as possible and start using another communication method. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the application software to be activated supports a sharable communication method, the sharable communication method may be used preferentially. Such a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. In addition, since 4th embodiment is equipped with the structure fundamentally similar to 2nd embodiment, a different part is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 14, after performing step S101 of the application activation process and specifying an unselected communication method, it is determined whether or not a communication method that can be shared by the application software to be activated is unusable (step S402). ). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 refers to the communication sharing availability storage unit 123 for the communication method used by the application software to be activated, and determines whether or not a sharable communication method is included. . If not included, the communication method allocation control unit 102 advances the control to step S102.

  If a sharable communication method is included (in the case of “No” in step S402), the communication method allocation control unit 102 activates the application by giving priority to the sharable communication method (step S403). . Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 starts a process of application software to be activated using the communication method specified in step S101. Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 ends the application activation process.

  The above is the process flow of the application activation process according to the fourth embodiment. According to the application activation process according to the fourth embodiment, if the application software to be activated corresponds to a communication method that can be shared, even if there is a competing communication method, the communication method can be shared. It can be said that it can be started.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen 300 of a message notifying that the target process has been started using a sharable communication method, which is displayed in step S403 of the application startup process.

  The message display screen 300 includes a message display area 301 and a confirmation instruction input area 302 for the message. In the message display area 301, a message notifying that the target process has been started using any of the sharable communication methods is displayed as a character string. For example, a message such as “The communication method of the application ID to be activated” has been activated by YYYY communication. The confirmation instruction input area 302 is an area for receiving an input indicating that the message has been confirmed.

  The above is the fourth embodiment. According to the fourth embodiment, when a sharable communication method can be used, the sharable communication method can be assigned as the communication method to be used. The calculation amount can be reduced and the startup speed can be increased.

  Further, for example, in the fourth embodiment, when the application software to be activated corresponds to a sharable communication method, the sharable communication method is used preferentially. If the application software that uses the conflicting communication method can use the unused communication method, change the communication method of the conflicting application software and start the application software process It may be activated. Such a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. In addition, since 5th Embodiment is equipped with the structure fundamentally similar to 4th Embodiment, a different part is demonstrated.

  As illustrated in FIG. 16, when it is determined in step S102 of the application activation process that the communication method conflicts (in the case of “Yes” in step S102), the communication method assignment control unit 102 determines that the conflicting communication method. The application determines whether or not another unused communication method cannot be used (step S502). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 refers to the application identifier 124C of the communication sharing enable / disable storage unit 123 and the communication state storage unit 124 for other unused communication methods used by competing application software. It is determined whether or not a communication method that is in a usable state is included. If not included, the communication method allocation control unit 102 advances the control to step S204.

  If another communication method that can be used by the competing application software includes a communication method in a usable state (in the case of “No” in step S502), the communication method allocation control unit 102 The application is activated after changing the communication method of the competing application (step S503). Specifically, the communication method allocation control unit 102 includes a mobile communication unit 130, a wireless LAN communication unit 131, a USB communication unit 132, a Bluetooth communication unit 133, and an HDMI communication unit 134 that are used by processes that use competing communication methods. Are instructed to end communication, and are instructed to accept a communication request from a newly started process. Then, the communication method assignment control unit 102 assigns another available communication method to the competing application as a communication method to be used. Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 causes the display connected to the connection device 100 to disconnect the communication used by the existing process and output a message indicating that the process has been started. Then, the communication method allocation control unit 102 ends the application activation process.

  The above is the process flow of the application activation process according to the fifth embodiment. According to the application activation process according to the fifth embodiment, if the application software that uses the competing communication method corresponds to another communication method that is in a usable state, the application that uses the competing communication method It can be said that the application to be activated can be activated by changing the software communication method.

  FIG. 17 shows an example of a display screen 400 of a message notifying that the process to be activated has been activated after changing the communication system of the process using the competing communication system displayed in step S503 of the application activation process. FIG.

  The message display screen 400 includes a message display area 401 and a confirmation instruction input area 402 for the message. In the message display area 401, a message notifying that the process to be activated has been activated after changing the communication system of the process using the competing communication system is displayed as a character string. For example, a message such as “The communication method of the app XXX that competes for XXXXXX communication has been changed to YYYY communication” is displayed. The confirmation instruction input area 402 is an area for receiving an input indicating that the message has been confirmed.

  The above is the fifth embodiment. According to the fifth embodiment, a process using a competing communication method in operation can be switched to another usable communication method, and can be appropriately started with a communication method convenient for the process to be started. I can say that. In other words, according to the fifth embodiment, among the communication methods that can be used by the running process, another running process that is different from the process already uses one or more of the communication methods. It can be said that the communication method used by the running process can be changed to an unused communication method.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the first to fifth embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the characteristic processing described in the above embodiments may be combined with other embodiments, or may be applied to another device (for example, the connection device 100 is applied to a printer). Etc.) is also possible. Further, the communication method allocation control unit 102 that realizes such a function may be distributed as a hardware component, or distributed as a software program or a storage medium that can be read by a personal computer storing the software program. It may be a thing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Connection apparatus, 101 ... Basic control part, 102 ... Communication system allocation control part, 110 ... Control part, 110A ... CPU, 110B ... RAM, 110C ... ROM, 110D: I / F, 110E: Bus, 120: Storage unit, 121: Application communication method storage unit, 122: Application type priority storage unit, 123: Communication sharing availability memory , 124 ... Communication state storage unit, 130 ... Mobile communication unit, 131 ... Wireless LAN communication unit, 132 ... USB communication unit, 133 ... Bluetooth communication unit, 134 ... HDMI Communication unit, 150, 151, 153 ... antenna

Claims (10)

Type priority information for specifying a priority assigned in advance for each type of process, used communication method information for specifying a communication method that can be used for each process, and the communication method among a plurality of the processes during synchronization A storage unit for storing sharability information that identifies whether sharability is possible or not;
A plurality of communication units that communicate with other devices by the different communication methods;
Using the used communication method information, specify a communication method that can be used by the process for starting the process,
Not shareable by the specified communication method, and the process is different In no event the running process is already using the communication method, the type of process being the execution of predetermined type to start execution If the priority is the same or lower than the process that starts the execution, the communication path of the communication method used by the executing process is opened, and the process that starts the execution is started and the specified A communication method assignment control unit that assigns the communication method to be used ;
A connection device comprising: The connection device according to claim 1,
The communication method allocation control unit
When the communication path is opened, a message indicating that the process to be executed is started by cutting the communication used by the process being executed is displayed on the display.
A connection device characterized by that. Type priority information for specifying a priority assigned in advance for each type of process, used communication method information for specifying a communication method that can be used for each process, and the communication method among a plurality of the processes during synchronization A storage unit for storing sharability information that identifies whether sharability is possible or not;
A plurality of communication units that communicate with other devices by the different communication methods;
Using the used communication method information, specify a communication method that can be used by the process for starting the process,
A process that is executing and a process that starts execution when the specified communication method is not shareable and a running process that is different from the process that starts execution already uses the communication method; A communication method assignment control unit that assigns a process that uses the communication method according to the priority of
Equipped with a,
When there is a change in the configuration of the other device, the communication method allocation control unit acquires information identifying a communication method supported by the other device after the change from a predetermined server device, and uses the communication Update method information,
Connection device according to claim and this. The connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The communication method includes at least a plurality of wireless communication methods of different standards.
A connection device characterized by that. The connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The types of the process include at least a real-time communication system process that needs to communicate continuously and an intermittent communication system process that only needs to communicate at a predetermined timing.
A connection device characterized by that. A connection method for supporting communication connection with other devices using a computer,
The computer
Type priority information for specifying a priority assigned in advance for each type of process, used communication method information for specifying a communication method that can be used for each process, and the communication method among a plurality of the processes during synchronization A storage unit for storing sharability information that identifies whether sharability is possible or not;
A plurality of communication units that communicate with other devices by the different communication methods, and a communication method allocation control unit that assigns a communication method to be used for the process,
The communication method allocation control unit
A used communication method specifying step for specifying, using the used communication method information, a communication method that can be used by the process for the process to start execution;
Not shareable by the specified communication method, and the process is different In no event the running process is already using the communication method, the type of process being the execution of predetermined type to start execution If the priority is the same or lower than the process that starts the execution, the communication path of the communication method used by the executing process is opened, and the process that starts the execution is started and the specified A communication method assignment control step for assigning the communication method to be used ,
The connection method characterized by implementing.   The connection method according to claim 6, comprising:
  The communication method allocation control unit
  When the communication path is opened, a message indicating that the process to be executed is started by cutting the communication used by the process being executed is displayed on the display.
  A connection method characterized by that.   A connection method for supporting communication connection with other devices using a computer,
  The computer
  Type priority information for specifying a priority assigned in advance for each type of process, used communication method information for specifying a communication method that can be used for each process, and the communication method among a plurality of the processes during synchronization A storage unit for storing sharability information that identifies whether sharability is possible or not;
  A plurality of communication units that communicate with other devices using the different communication methods, and a communication method assignment control unit that assigns a communication method to be used by the process,
  The communication method allocation control unit
  A used communication method specifying step for specifying, using the used communication method information, a communication method that can be used by the process for the process to start execution;
  A process that is executing and a process that starts execution when the specified communication method is not shareable and a running process that is different from the process that starts execution already uses the communication method; A communication method assignment control step for assigning a process using the communication method according to the priority of
  Carried out
  When there is a change in the configuration of the other device, the communication method allocation control unit acquires information identifying a communication method supported by the other device after the change from a predetermined server device, and uses the communication Perform an update step to update the scheme information;
  A connection method characterized by that.   It is the connection method as described in any one of Claims 6-8,
  The communication method includes at least a plurality of wireless communication methods of different standards.
  A connection method characterized by that.   It is the connection method as described in any one of Claims 6-9, Comprising:
  The types of the process include at least a real-time communication system process that needs to communicate continuously and an intermittent communication system process that only needs to communicate at a predetermined timing.
  A connection method characterized by that.

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