JP6613272B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an information processing system including a server that presents a material that is an electronic file to each of a plurality of portable terminals (see Patent Document 1). Further, there is a pure P2P network in which a plurality of P2P members having the function of a notification server are connected to each other via a communication network (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2012-1223736 A JP 2005-115943 A

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since each of a plurality of mobile terminals acquires a material that is an electronic file from a server, the communication speed decreases when access from each of the plurality of mobile terminals to the server is concentrated. . In addition, the load on the server also increases. Furthermore, in order for each of the plurality of mobile terminals to communicate with the server, it is necessary to pass through the Internet or a mobile phone network via a wireless LAN access point. For this reason, it does not function in places where there is no Internet connection environment, and there is a problem that electronic file acquisition cannot be performed smoothly in places where the mobile phone network communication environment is unstable, such as a high-rise floor of a building or an underground shopping center.
In addition, the technique described in Patent Document 2 causes a huge pattern of session combinations as the number of P2P members constituting a pure P2P network increases. This increases the load for managing the session for each P2P member, and causes problems such as delay in data transmission / reception in the P2P network and unnecessary data diffusion.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is possible to allow all information processing terminals to participate in the P2P network while suppressing the number of sessions established by each information processing apparatus, and to exchange data. It aims at providing the technique for performing comfortably.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes:
Communication control means for controlling communication with another information processing apparatus for which a session has been established;
Session number determination means for determining whether the number of established sessions indicating the number of established sessions between the information processing apparatus of the own device and the other information processing apparatus has reached a predetermined limit number;
A first session establishing means for establishing a session with the other information processing apparatus of a new participation, if the number of established sessions is determined by the session number determining means that the number of established sessions has not reached the limit number;
A second session establishing means for establishing a session with the other information processing apparatus of a new participation, when the number of established sessions has reached the limit number and is determined by the session number determining means;
Is provided.

In addition, when the session number determination means determines that the number of established sessions has not reached the limit number, the candidate for another information processing apparatus of the new participation that can be established by the first session establishment means When the session number determining means determines that the number of established sessions has reached the limit number, the session search means for prohibiting the search can be further provided.

In addition, when the session number determination means determines that the number of established sessions has reached the limit number, another information processing apparatus that has made a request for establishing a session to the information processing apparatus of the self-machine is provided. The apparatus may further comprise new participation detection means for detecting as a candidate of another information processing apparatus for the new participation that can establish a session by the two session establishment means.

  An information processing method and program according to one embodiment of the present invention are a processing method and program corresponding to the above-described information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to allow all information processing terminals to participate in a P2P network while suppressing the number of sessions established by each information processing apparatus, and to exchange data comfortably.

It is a lineblock diagram of an information processing system including a user terminal which is one embodiment of an information processing device of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a user terminal among the information processing systems of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure for implement | achieving a session establishment process and a data transmission / reception process among the functional structures of the user terminal of FIG. 2 in the information processing system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the saturation state of the network before a backup session is established among the session establishment processes which the user terminal of FIG. 3 performs. It is a figure which shows the state of the peer to peer (P2P) network after a backup session is established among the session establishment processes which the user terminal of FIG. 3 performs. It is an image figure which shows that the dispersion | distribution has arisen in the distribution time of the same data between user terminals in the conventional peer to peer (P2P) network. It is an image figure of the background distribution as a method of eliminating the dispersion | distribution time of the same data between user terminals which is a problem in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the session establishment process which the user terminal of FIG. 3 performs. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the data transmission / reception process which the user terminal of FIG. 3 performs. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the application program which can be provided by the information processing system of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing system including a user terminal which is an embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention.

The information processing system shown in FIG. 1 is configured to include user terminals 1-1 to 1-n.
Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that n = 8, but n can be any integer value of 2 or more. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the user terminals 1-1 to 1-n, these are collectively referred to as “user terminal 1”.
Each of the user terminals 1-1 to 1-8 has a session established with the other three user terminals 1 by peer-to-peer (P2P). Here, “session is established” means a state in which communication between the user terminal 1 and another user terminal 1 is connected and various data can be exchanged. Note that data exchanged between the user terminal 1 and another user terminal 1 is not particularly limited. For example, a file to be distributed and host information (host ID, information time stamp, etc.) are examples of data exchanged between the user terminal 1 and another user terminal 1.
For the user terminal 1, the maximum number of sessions that can be normally established (hereinafter referred to as “normal session maximum value”) is determined in advance as the limited number of user terminals 1 that can be sessioned. In the present embodiment, the maximum normal session value is determined as “3” in advance. “A”, “B”, and “C” in FIG. 1 are symbols indicating that three sessions can be established by each of the user terminals 1-1 to 1-8. Specifically, for example, the user terminal 1-1 has established a total of three sessions with the user terminal 1-2, the user terminal 1-4, and the user terminal 1-6. Moreover, the user terminal 1-2 has established a total of three sessions with the user terminal 1-1, the user terminal 1-3, and the user terminal 1-4. The establishment status of other sessions in the user terminals 1-1 to 1-8 is as shown in FIG.
As a result, it is possible to solve the problem that occurs when an upper limit is not set for the number of established sessions, that is, the problem that a huge pattern of session combinations occurs as the number of user terminals 1 increases.
Note that a communication method between the user terminal 1 and another user terminal 1 is not particularly limited, but Bluetooth (registered trademark) as a short-range wireless communication technology is employed in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the user terminal 1 in the information processing system of FIG.

The user terminal 1 is configured with a tablet, a smartphone, or the like.
The user terminal 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, a touch operation input unit 16, a display A unit 17, an input unit 18, a storage unit 19, a first communication unit 20, a second communication unit 21, a drive 22, and a removable medium 30 are provided.

The CPU 11 executes various processes according to a program recorded in the ROM 12 or a program loaded from the storage unit 19 to the RAM 13.
The RAM 13 appropriately stores information necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes.

  The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected to each other via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to the bus 14. A touch operation input unit 16, a display unit 17, an input unit 18, a storage unit 19, a first communication unit 20, a second communication unit 21, and a drive 22 are connected to the input / output interface 15.

The touch operation input unit 16 includes, for example, a capacitance type or resistance film type (pressure sensitive) position input sensor stacked on the display unit 17 and detects the coordinates of the position where the touch operation is performed.
The display unit 17 includes a display such as a liquid crystal display, and displays various images such as an image related to program creation.
Thus, in this embodiment, the touch operation input unit 16 and the display unit 17 constitute a touch panel.

The input unit 18 is configured by various hardware and the like, and inputs various information according to a user's instruction operation.
The storage unit 19 includes a hard disk, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and the like, and stores various types of information.
For example, the first communication unit 20 performs control for performing short-range wireless communication by a method according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. Specifically, for example, various data created by the user terminal 1 are transmitted by short-range wireless communication according to a method in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.
The second communication unit 21 controls communication performed with other devices via the Internet or the like independently of the first communication unit 20.

The drive 22 is provided as necessary. A removable medium 30 made of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like is appropriately attached to the drive 22. The program read from the removable medium 30 by the drive 22 is installed in the storage unit 19 as necessary.
The removable medium 30 can also store various information stored in the storage unit 19 in the same manner as the storage unit 19.

Next, a functional configuration of the user terminal 1 having such a hardware configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration for realizing the session establishment process and the data transmission / reception process among the functional configurations of the user terminal 1 of FIG. 2 in the information processing system of FIG.

The “session establishment process” refers to a series of processes for efficiently establishing a session between the user terminal 1 and another user terminal 1 among processes executed by the user terminal 1.
The “data transmission / reception process” refers to a series of processes for efficiently exchanging data between the user terminal 1 and another user terminal 1 among processes executed by the user terminal 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the CPU 11 (FIG. 2) of the user terminal 1, the session control unit 51 functions when the session establishment process is executed. The session control unit 51 executes control for establishing a session between the user terminal 1 and another user terminal 1.
In addition, when the data transmission / reception process is executed, the data transmission / reception control unit 52 functions. The data transmission / reception control unit 52 controls communication with another user terminal 1 with which a session has been established.

Specifically, in the session control unit 51, a session number determination unit 511, a normal session search unit 512, a normal session establishment unit 513, a new participation detection unit 514, and a backup session establishment unit 515 function.
The number-of-sessions determination unit 511 determines whether the number of established sessions indicating the number of established sessions between the user terminal 1 of the own device and another user terminal 1 has reached a predetermined limit number. To do.
Specifically, for example, with reference to FIG. 1, the session number determination unit 511 of the user terminal 1-1 indicates that the maximum normal session value of the user terminal 1-1 of the user terminal 1-1 is “3”. It is determined that the number of established sessions is “3”.

When it is determined by the session number determination unit 511 that the number of established sessions has not reached the limit number, the normal session search unit 512 determines whether the newly participating user terminal 1 can be established by the normal session establishment unit 513 described later. A candidate is searched, and a request for establishment of a session (hereinafter referred to as a “session establishment request”) is made to a candidate for a newly participating user terminal 1. The normal session search unit 512 does not perform a search when the session number determination unit 511 determines that the number of established sessions has reached the limit number.
Specifically, for example, a case is assumed in which the user terminal 1-1 sets the maximum normal session value to “3” and the number of established sessions to “2”. In this case, the normal session search unit 512 of the user terminal 1-1 searches for another user terminal 1 that can establish a session with the user terminal 1-1 of the own device until the number of established sessions reaches “3”. That is, the normal session search unit 512 searches for one user terminal 1 that can establish a session with the user terminal 1-1 and makes a session establishment request.
By providing the maximum normal session value in this way, it is possible to solve the problem that a huge pattern of session combinations occurs.

The normal session establishment unit 513 establishes a session with the newly participating user terminal 1 when the session number determination unit 511 determines that the number of established sessions has not reached the limit number. Hereinafter, such a session is also referred to as a “normal session”.
Specifically, for example, as a result of the search by the normal session search unit 512 of the user terminal 1-1, one other user terminal 1-2 that can establish a session with the user terminal 1-1 of the own device is detected. Assume a case. In this case, the normal session establishing unit 513 of the user terminal 1-1 establishes a normal session between the detected another user terminal 1-2 and the user terminal 1-1 of the own device.

  The new participation detection unit 514 detects another user terminal 1 that has requested to establish a session for the user terminal 1 of the own device as a candidate for the new participation user terminal 1.

When the session number determination unit 511 determines that the number of established sessions has reached the limit number, the backup session establishment unit 515 establishes a session with the newly participating user terminal 1. Hereinafter, such a session is also referred to as a “preliminary session”.
For example, the case where the number of established sessions of the user terminal 1-1 has already reached the maximum value “3” of the normal session, and the new participation detection unit 514 detects a new participation request from the user terminal 1-3. Suppose. In this case, the backup session establishment unit 515 of the user terminal 1-1 establishes a total of “4” sessions by adding “1” as the number of backup sessions to the normal session maximum value “3”. Specifically, the normal session establishment unit 513 establishes a session “3”, and the backup session establishment unit 515 establishes a session “1”. As a result, a total of “4” sessions are established for the entire terminal.
In addition, when the user terminal 1 participating in the P2P network leaves the P2P network, the session (normal session or backup session) established with the removed user terminal 1 is discarded. . When there is a vacancy in the number of normal sessions due to session destruction, only the number of sessions for which vacancy has occurred from the backup session is managed as a normal session.
This can solve the problem of network saturation. That is, it is possible to maintain a state in which the total number of normal sessions and backup sessions in a state where session establishment is possible exceeds the total number of session establishment requests in the P2P network. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the newly participating user terminal 1 cannot participate in the P2P network.
Details of each process in the session control unit 51 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  In the data transmission / reception control unit 52, a data reception control unit 521, a distribution source recognition unit 522, a transmission data determination unit 523, and a data transmission control unit 524 function.

When a plurality of data is transmitted from any one of the user terminals 1 among one or more other user terminals 1 for which a session has been established, the data reception control unit 521 The user terminal 1 performs control of receiving data that has not yet been received.
Specifically, for example, referring to FIG. 1, the data reception control unit 521 of the user terminal 1-2 receives a plurality of files from the user terminal 1-1 with which the user terminal 1 of the own device has established a session. When the data is transmitted, control of reception of a file that has not been received by the own device (user terminal 1-2) among the plurality of files is executed.
Thereby, the fall of the efficiency by the exchange of the data which overlapped between the user terminals 1 can be avoided. Details of the processing by the data reception control unit 521 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  When the data is transmitted from any one of the user terminals 1 among the one or more other user terminals 1 with which the session has been established with the user terminal 1 of the own device, the distribution source recognition unit 522 Is identified first, and this user terminal 1 is recognized as a distribution source terminal. Thereby, the origin of the data delivered to the user terminal 1 of the own device can be recognized.

The transmission data determination unit 523 selects data to be transmitted at each predetermined transmission timing according to the type of data to be transmitted by the user terminal 1 of the own device among the plurality of data received by the user terminal 1 of the own device. decide. At this time, the transmission data determination unit 523 has data that can be transmitted in advance by the user terminal 1 of the own device (hereinafter referred to as “pre-distributable data”) and real-time distribution. It is classified into two types of required data (hereinafter referred to as “real time data”).
Specifically, the “pre-distributable data” includes, for example, a file to be distributed (hereinafter referred to as “distribution target file”) and a file scheduled to be distributed in the future (hereinafter referred to as “delivery scheduled file”). Data).
Specifically, the “real-time data” includes, for example, host information (host ID, information time stamp, etc.), a list of files scheduled to be distributed, and synchronization information (file ID, page number, zoom coordinates, etc.) Etc. are included.

The data transmission control unit 524 transmits the data determined as the data to be transmitted to the user terminal 1 of the own apparatus among the other user terminals 1 having a session established with the user terminal 1 of the own apparatus. Control to transmit to user terminals 1 other than the user terminal 1 that has transmitted is executed.
Specifically, for example, it is assumed that a session is established between the user terminal 1-1 and the user terminal 1-2, and a file is transmitted from the user terminal 1-1 to the user terminal 1-2. To do. In this case, the data transmission control unit 524 of the user terminal 1-2 transmits the file determined as the data to be transmitted among the user terminals 1 having a session established with the user terminal 1-2. Control to transmit to user terminals 1 other than the incoming user terminal 1-1 is executed. That is, when transmitting the file to the user terminal 1 other than the user terminal 1-1, if the user terminal 1 already holds the file, the transmission process is stopped. In addition, when the user terminal 1 newly participates in the P2P network, based on the list of files scheduled to be distributed included in the “real time data”, the distribution target file, Receive the scheduled delivery file.
As a result, it is possible to avoid looping the transfer process of the same file in the P2P network, so that the transfer efficiency can be improved. Further, in the exchange of data between the user terminals 1, “prior distribution data” and “real time data” are appropriately separated. For this reason, the amount of information of “real time data” can be minimized. In addition, when a distribution target file is displayed on each user terminal 1, the distribution scheduled file can be distributed in the background separately from the distribution target file. In this case, since the efficiency at the time of material distribution can be improved, it is possible to eliminate the delay of the material distribution. A specific method in which the user terminal 1 distributes the distribution schedule file in the background will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the process in the case where the backup session is established by the backup session establishment unit 515 in the session establishment process will be specifically described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a saturated state of the network before the standby session is established, among the session establishment processes executed by the user terminal 1 of FIG.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the user terminals 1-1 to 1-8 is “3” with the number of established sessions A to C, and the normal session maximum value is also “3”. . Specifically, the user terminal 1-1 has established a total of three sessions with the user terminals 1-2, 1-4, and 1-6. In addition, the user terminal 1-2 has established a total of three sessions with the user terminals 1-1, 1-3, and 1-4. In addition, the user terminal 1-3 has established a total of three sessions with the user terminals 1-2, 1-5, and 1-8. Moreover, the user terminal 1-4 has established a total of three sessions with the user terminals 1-1, 1-2, and 1-6. The user terminal 1-5 has established a total of three sessions with the user terminals 1-3, 1-7, and 1-8. The user terminal 1-6 has established a total of three sessions with the user terminals 1-1, 1-4, and 1-7. In addition, the user terminal 1-7 has established a total of three sessions with the user terminals 1-5, 1-6, and 1-8. In addition, the user terminal 1-8 has established a total of three sessions with the user terminals 1-3, 1-5, and 1-7. In this way, a peer-to-peer (P2P) network is formed between the user terminals 1-1 to 1-8.
That is, in the network, since the number of established sessions of each of the user terminals 1-1 to 1-8 has reached the normal session maximum value, the saturation of the network in which the new user terminal 1 cannot participate A state has occurred.
In other words, the purpose of providing the normal session maximum value is to solve the problem of the huge session combination pattern that is caused by not providing the normal session maximum value for each of the user terminals 1 in the peer-to-peer (P2P) network. However, by providing the normal session maximum value, network saturation as described above is caused.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when there is a new participation request from another user terminal 1-9 for new participation in a state where the peer-to-peer (P2P) network is saturated, the user who has received the new participation request Terminals 1-3, 1-5, and 1-8 establish a backup frame (that is, a backup session) for accepting a new participation request separately from “3” that is the maximum value of the normal session. Thereby, another user terminal 1-9 of new participation can be added to a peer to peer (P2P) network.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of the peer-to-peer (P2P) network after the standby session is established in the session establishment processing executed by the user terminal 1 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, for example, a case is assumed where a user terminal 1-9 makes a new participation request to a peer-to-peer (P2P) network formed by user terminals 1-1 to 1-8. In this case, the new participation detection unit 514 of each of the user terminal 1-3, the user terminal 1-5, and the user terminal 1-8 detects a session establishment request from the user terminal 1-9 as a new participation request. . Then, the backup session establishing unit 515 of each of the user terminal 1-3, the user terminal 1-5, and the user terminal 1-8 sets the normal session maximum value “3” (that is, A to C) as the number of backup sessions. Establish a total of “4” sessions plus “1” (ie, D). At this time, the user terminal 1-9 that has made a new participation request establishes a normal session with the user terminals 1-3, 1-5, and 1-8, and enters a saturated peer-to-peer (P2P) network. Be able to participate.
As a result, it is possible to solve both of the problem of the pattern of a huge number of session combinations caused by not providing the maximum session maximum value and the problem of inviting the saturated state of the network.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a method for eliminating the variation in the distribution time of the same data between the user terminals 1 in the peer-to-peer (P2P) network will be described.
FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing a variation in the distribution time of the same data between the user terminals 1, which is a problem in the conventional peer-to-peer (P2P) network.

In the conventional peer-to-peer (P2P) network, when a file or the like is transferred between the user terminals 1 that form the network, there is a problem that the time for completing the distribution of the file or the like varies from terminal to terminal. . The problem is that, as the size of the file transferred between the user terminals 1 is larger, and as the number of user terminals 1 forming the network is larger, the time for completing the distribution of the files and the like varies. Becomes larger.
Specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the file F is distributed from the user terminal 1-1 that is the distribution source terminal, in step S1, the user terminal 1-1 is changed to the user terminal 1-2. The file F is transferred to 1-4 and 1-6. Next, in step S2, the user terminals 1-2 and 1-6 transfer the file F to the user terminals 1-3 and 1-7, respectively. Finally, in step S3, the user terminal 1-3 transfers the file F to the user terminal 1-8, and 1-7 transfers the file F to 1-5 and 1-8, respectively.
As described above, when the file F is distributed from the user terminal 1-1 which is the distribution source terminal, the file F finally forms the peer-to-peer (P2P) network through steps S1 to S3. It will be distributed to all eight.

  As described with reference to FIG. 6, in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, it is difficult to simultaneously distribute the same data to all the user terminals 1 forming the network due to the network structure. Therefore, by executing the “data transmission / reception process” described above, it is possible to facilitate the synchronization of files for all the user terminals 1 forming the network. That is, the transmission data determination unit 523 classifies data to be transmitted into two types of “pre-distributable data” and “real time data”, and determines data to be transmitted. Next, the data transmission control unit 524 transmits the data determined as data to be transmitted to the user terminal 1 of the own device among the user terminals 1 having a session established with the user terminal 1 of the own device. Is transmitted to the user terminal 1 other than the user terminal 1 that has transmitted. Thereby, in the exchange of data between the user terminals 1, the “pre-distributable data” and the “real time data” are appropriately separated. For this reason, the amount of information of “real time data” can be minimized. In other words, by separating the “pre-distributable data” that can be distributed in advance and the “real-time data” that is necessary to synchronize the screen, the data that requires real-time performance can be minimized. . Thereby, real-time property of screen synchronization can be secured.

In addition, when a distribution target file is displayed on the display unit 17 (FIG. 2) of each user terminal 1, the distribution scheduled file can be distributed in the background separately from the distribution target file. In this case, since the efficiency at the time of material distribution can be improved, it is possible to eliminate the delay of the material distribution.
FIG. 7 is an image diagram of background distribution as a technique for eliminating variation in the distribution time of the same data between user terminals 1, which is a problem in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network.

  In FIG. 7, in the peer-to-peer (P2P) network formed by the user terminals 1-1 to 1-4, it is assumed that three types of materials X to Z are distributed from the user terminal 1-1 that is a distribution source terminal. ing. Each of T1 to T3 indicates a timing when distribution of each of the materials X to Z is started by the user terminal 1-1. That is, the timing T1 indicates the timing when the distribution of the material X is started by the user terminal 1-1. Timing T2 indicates the timing when distribution of the document Y is started by the user terminal 1-1. Timing T3 indicates the timing when distribution of the material Z is started by the user terminal 1-1.

At timing T1, the material X is distributed from the user terminal 1-1, which is a distribution source terminal, to the user terminal 1-2. Thereby, the user terminal 1-2 has acquired the material X.
At timing T2, the material Y is distributed from the user terminal 1-1, which is a distribution source terminal, to the user terminal 1-2. At the same time, the distribution of the material X from the user terminal 1-1 to the user terminal 1-2 is completed, and the material X is distributed from the user terminal 1-2 to the user terminal 1-3. Thereby, the user terminal 1-2 has acquired the materials X and Y. In addition, the user terminal 1-3 has acquired the material X.
At timing T3, the material Z is distributed from the user terminal 1-1, which is a distribution source terminal, to the user terminal 1-2. At the same time, the distribution of the material Y from the user terminal 1-1 to the user terminal 1-2 and the distribution of the material X from the user terminal 1-2 to the user terminal 1-3 are completed, and the user terminal 1-2 The material Y is distributed to the terminal 1-3 and the material X is distributed from the user terminal 1-3 to the user terminal 1-4. As a result, the user terminal 1-2 has acquired the materials X to Z. Further, the user terminal 1-3 has acquired the materials X and Y. Further, the user terminal 1-4 has acquired the material X.

As described above, when the material X is distributed from the user terminal 1-1 which is the distribution source terminal to the user terminal 1-2, the user terminal 1-2 which has received the distribution of the material X immediately uses the material X as a user. Distribute to terminal 1-3. Similarly to the user terminal 1-2, when receiving the distribution of the material X, the user terminal 1-3 immediately distributes the material X to the user terminal 1-3. As a result, the material X distributed from the user terminal 1-1 which is the distribution source terminal is distributed in a daisy chain to other user terminals 1 on the peer-to-peer (P2P) network and displayed on the respective display units 17. It will be.
At this time, apart from the material X displayed on the respective display units 17 of the user terminals 1 on the peer-to-peer (P2P) network, distribution of the material Y is started at timing T2, and distribution of the material Z is started at timing T3. . That is, the materials Y and Z are distributed in the background separately from the material X actually displayed on the user terminal 1. As a result, the efficiency of document distribution can be improved and delays in document distribution can be prevented.

Next, a session establishment process executed by the user terminal 1 having the functional configuration of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of session establishment processing executed by the user terminal 1 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the user terminal 1 executes the following series of processes.
In step S11, the new participation detection unit 514 determines whether another user terminal 1 (hereinafter referred to as “new participation terminal”) that has made a session establishment request to the user terminal 1 of the own device has been detected. If there is a session establishment request, it is determined as YES in step S11, and the process proceeds to step S12. That is, the user terminal 1 performs processing (processing in a broken line on the left side of FIG. 8) when a session establishment request is received from a new participation terminal. On the other hand, if there is no session establishment request from the new participation terminal to the user terminal 1 of the own device, NO is determined in step S11, and the process proceeds to step S17. That is, the user terminal 1 searches for a new participation terminal and executes a process (a process in a broken line on the right side of FIG. 8) when a session establishment request is made.

(Processing when a session establishment request is received from a new participant terminal)
In step S12, the session number determination unit 511 determines whether or not the number of established sessions indicating the number of established sessions between the user terminal 1 of the own device and another user terminal 1 has reached the normal session maximum value. Determine. If the number of established sessions has not reached the maximum normal session value, it is determined as NO in Step S12, and the process proceeds to Step S13. On the other hand, when the number of established sessions has reached the normal session maximum value, it is determined as YES in Step S12, and the process proceeds to Step S14.
In step S13, the normal session establishment unit 513 establishes a normal session with the user terminal 1 that is a new participation terminal. Thereby, a process progresses to step S22.
In step S14, the session number determination unit 511 determines whether or not the number of backup sessions has reached the maximum backup session value. If the number of backup sessions has reached the maximum backup session value, YES is determined in step S14, and the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if the number of backup sessions has not reached the maximum backup session value, NO is determined in step S14, and the process proceeds to step S16.
In step S15, the preliminary session establishment unit 515 rejects session establishment for a new participating terminal that has made a session establishment request to the user terminal 1 of its own device. Thereby, a process progresses to step S22.
In step S16, the backup session establishment unit 515 establishes a backup session with the user terminal 1 that is a new participation terminal. Thereby, a process progresses to step S22.

(Processing when making a session establishment request to a new participant terminal)
In step S17, the session number determination unit 511 determines whether or not the number of established sessions has reached the normal session maximum value. If the number of established sessions has not reached the normal session maximum value, it is determined as NO in Step S17, and the process proceeds to Step S18. On the other hand, when the number of established sessions has reached the maximum value of the normal session, it is determined as YES in Step S17, and the process proceeds to Step S22.
In step S <b> 18, the normal session search unit 512 searches for candidates for the new participating user terminal 1 that can be established by the normal session establishment unit 513.
In step S19, the normal session search unit 512 determines whether or not another user terminal 1 capable of establishing a session with the user terminal 1 of the own device has been detected. When the normal session search unit 512 cannot detect another user terminal 1 that can establish a session with the user terminal 1 of its own device, it is determined as NO in Step S19, and the process proceeds to Step S22. On the other hand, when another user terminal 1 that can establish a session with the user terminal 1 of the own device is detected, YES is determined in step S19, and the process proceeds to step S20.
In step S20, the normal session search unit 512 makes a session establishment request to another user terminal 1 detected in the process of step S19. If the session establishment request is rejected, it is determined as NO in step S20, and the process proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, when a session establishment request is accepted without being rejected from another user terminal 1, it is determined as YES in Step S20, and the process proceeds to Step S21.
In step S21, the normal session establishment unit 513 establishes a normal session between the user terminal 1 of the own device and another user terminal 1 that can establish a session, which is detected in the process of step S19. Thereby, a process progresses to step S22.
In step S22, the user terminal 1 determines whether an instruction to end the session establishment process has been issued. Until an instruction to end the session establishment process is issued, NO is determined in step S22, the process returns to step S11, and the subsequent processes are repeated.
In contrast, when an instruction to end the session establishment process is issued, YES is determined in step S22, and the session establishment process ends.
In this way, the processes after step S11 are repeated until an instruction to end the session establishment process is issued. Accordingly, it is possible to cope with a case where addition or deletion of a new participation terminal can frequently occur, for example, during a meeting.

Next, a data transmission / reception process executed by the user terminal 1 having the functional configuration of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of data transmission / reception processing executed by the user terminal 1 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the user terminal 1 executes the following series of processes.
In step S31, when the data reception control unit 521 transmits a plurality of data from any one of the user terminals 1 among other user terminals 1 with which a session has been established with the user terminal 1 of the own device, Control of receiving data that has not yet been received by the user terminal 1 of the own device.
In step S32, the distribution source recognizing unit 522 receives the data when the data is transmitted from any one of the user terminals 1 among the other user terminals 1 with which the session with the user terminal 1 is established. The user terminal 1 distributed first is specified, and this user terminal 1 is recognized as a distribution source terminal.
In step S33, the transmission data determination unit 523 performs transmission at every predetermined transmission timing according to the type of data to be transmitted by the user terminal 1 of the own device among the plurality of data received by the user terminal 1 of the own device. Decide what data to do. At this time, the transmission data determination unit 523 classifies data to be transmitted by the user terminal 1 of the own device into two types of “pre-distributable data” and “real-time data”.
In step S34, the data transmission control unit 524 executes the following process for the data determined as the data to be transmitted in the process of step S33. That is, the data transmission control unit 524 is the user terminal 1 other than the user terminal 1 that has transmitted the data to the user terminal 1 of the own apparatus among the other user terminals 1 having a session established with the user terminal 1 of the own apparatus. Control to be transmitted to the user terminal 1 is executed. Thus, the data transmission / reception process ends.

The application program (hereinafter referred to as “app”) that can be provided by the information processing system of FIG. 1 has the following merits.
That is, as a first merit, since a serverless peer-to-peer (P2P) network is adopted, it is not necessary to provide a separate server other than the user terminal 1. For this reason, the load does not concentrate on some terminals, and even when a large number of user terminals 1 are connected, the data transmission / reception speed does not decrease. The user terminal 1 having the hardware configuration shown in FIG.
As a second merit, since the user terminals 1 communicate with each other by short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (registered trademark), connection to the Internet or connection to an access point is not necessary. For this reason, it can be used comfortably on the upper floors of buildings and underground malls.
As a third merit, the user terminal 1 can display a screen synchronized with the screen displayed on the distribution source terminal in real time. For this reason, explanation using distributed materials (that is, synchronized screens) is easy.
As a fourth merit, cooperation from other applications is easy. That is, even a file output in a predetermined output format of another application can be easily displayed on the user terminal 1 by converting it to PDF. It can also be linked with any file server connection app. For this reason, when the user terminal 1 as the distribution source terminal intends to distribute the material to the other user terminals 1, it is not necessary to register in some system.
As a fifth merit, there is no information security problem. In other words, data sharing and screen synchronization between the user terminals 1 are performed between the user terminals 1 having the same “password” that can be arbitrarily set. For example, even if different groups at the same desk are using a plurality of user terminals 1, if the “password” is different for each group, data leaks to different groups. There is no. Data exchanged within the group is automatically deleted by a logout operation for each user terminal 1.

The application that can be provided by the information processing system in FIG. 1 has the advantages as described above, and can be used effectively in the following situations, for example.
FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating an example of an application for making a proposal or explanation to a customer using a plurality of user terminals 1.
As shown in FIG. 10A, the user terminal 1-1 operated by the user U1 as a sales person and the user terminal 1-2 operated by the user U2 as a customer are connected by peer-to-peer (P2P). Can do. At this time, by using the user terminal 1-1 as the distribution source terminal, the customer explanation material displayed on the user terminal 1-1 can be easily displayed in synchronization with the user terminal 1-2. Thereby, the sales staff (user U1) can save the trouble of changing the direction of the user terminal 1-1 itself and showing the customer (user U2) the data for explaining the customer. For this reason, for example, it is possible to perform proxy input of application documents while sharing the display screen with the customer. Note that when the user terminal 1-2 is logged out, the data displayed on the user terminal 1-2 (material for customer explanation) is deleted, so that an information security problem does not occur.

FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an example of an application for performing a seminar or a presentation for a plurality of people using a plurality of user terminals 1.
As shown in FIG. 10B, user terminals 1-1 operated by a user U1 as a presenter and user terminals 1-2 through 1-5 operated by users U2 through U5 as participants in a presentation. To form a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. At this time, by using the user terminal 1-1 as a distribution source terminal, the presentation material displayed on the user terminal 1-1 can be easily displayed in synchronization with the user terminal 1-2. As a result, it is possible to share the screen on which the presentation material is displayed between the user terminals 1 even in a place where there is no wireless LAN (Local Area Network) access point.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention. It is.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the user terminals 1 are connected to each other by a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, but the method of connecting the user terminals 1 to each other is not limited to peer-to-peer (P2P). The user terminals 1 may be connected to each other using any connection method capable of establishing an arbitrary number of sessions.

  In the above-described embodiment, the maximum number of user terminals 1 that form a peer-to-peer (P2P) network is nine. However, the number of user terminals 1 that form a peer-to-peer (P2P) network is not particularly limited. . Further, the number of sessions that can be added as backup sessions is not particularly limited.

  In the above-described embodiment, there are two types of data that can be classified by the transmission data determination unit 523: “pre-distributable data” and “real-time data”, but the transmission data determination unit 523 can classify the data. There is no limit to the number of data types. Data can be classified from all points of view.

  Each hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example for achieving the object of the present invention, and is not particularly limited.

Further, the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 3 is merely an example, and is not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the information processing system has a function capable of executing the above-described series of processing as a whole, and what functional block is used to realize this function is not particularly limited to the example of FIG. .
In addition, one functional block may be configured by hardware alone or may be configured by combination with software alone.

When the processing of each functional block is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed on a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium.
The computer may be a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. The computer may be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, for example, a general-purpose smartphone or personal computer other than a server.

  A recording medium including such a program is not only constituted by a removable medium distributed separately from the apparatus main body in order to provide the program to each user, but also provided to each user in a state of being incorporated in the apparatus main body in advance. It is composed of a provided recording medium or the like.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in time series according to the order, but is not necessarily performed in time series, either in parallel or individually. The process to be executed is also included.

In summary, the information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied only needs to have the following configuration, and can take various embodiments.
That is, an information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied
Communication control means (for example, the data transmission / reception control unit 52 in FIG. 3) for controlling communication with another information processing apparatus (for example, the user terminals 1-2 and 1-5 in FIG. 4) in which the session is established;
The number of established sessions (for example, “2”) indicating the number of established sessions between the information processing apparatus (for example, the user terminal 1-3 in FIG. 4) and the other information processing apparatus is defined in advance. Session number determination means (for example, the session number determination unit 511 in FIG. 3) for determining whether or not the limit number (for example, the above-described normal session maximum value “3”) has been reached;
If the session number determination means determines that the number of established sessions has not reached the limit number, a session (for example, a user terminal 1-8 in FIG. 4) with a new participation ( For example, a first session establishing means (for example, a normal session establishing unit 513) for establishing the above-described normal session),
When the number of established sessions has reached the limit number, the number-of-sessions determining means determines that a session (for example, the above-described information processing device) with another information processing apparatus (for example, the user terminal 1-9 in FIG. 4) of the new participation A second session establishing means (for example, a preliminary session establishing unit 515 in FIG. 3) for establishing a preliminary session);
Is provided.
Thereby, the exchange of data between a plurality of information processing apparatuses can be realized in a comfortable communication environment without enormous session combination patterns and without going through the Internet or a mobile phone network.

In addition, when the session number determination means determines that the number of established sessions has not reached the limit number, the candidate for another information processing apparatus of the new participation that can be established by the first session establishment means If the session number determination means determines that the number of established sessions has reached the limit number, the session search means prohibits the search (for example, the normal session search unit 512 in FIG. 3).
Can further be provided.
As a result, it is possible to solve the problem that an enormous session combination pattern is caused by not providing the normal session maximum value.

In addition, when the session number determination means determines that the number of established sessions has reached the limit number, another information processing apparatus that has made a request for establishing a session to the information processing apparatus of the self-machine is provided. New participation detection means (for example, new participation detection unit 514 in FIG. 3) for detecting as a candidate of another information processing apparatus of the new participation that can establish a session by two session establishment means
Can further be provided.
This can solve the problem of network saturation.

An information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied is
A plurality of data (for example, FIG. 7) from one of the information processing apparatuses (for example, the user terminal 1-2 in FIG. 7) of the own apparatus and another information processing apparatus (for example, the user terminal 1-1 in FIG. 7) with which a session is established. Control of receiving data (for example, materials Y and Z in FIG. 7) that has not yet been received by the information processing apparatus of the own device among the plurality of data. Data reception control means (for example, the data reception control unit 521 of FIG. 3),
Of the plurality of received data, a predetermined transmission timing (for example, FIG. 5) according to the type of data to be transmitted by the information processing apparatus of the own device (for example, “pre-distributable data” or “real time data” described above). Transmission data determination means (for example, transmission data determination unit 523 in FIG. 3) for determining the data to be transmitted at every timing T1 to T3) of FIG.
Is provided.
As a result, it is possible to improve the efficiency at the time of distributing the material, and thus it is possible to eliminate the delay in distributing the material.

1: User terminal 2: Server 11: CPU
12: ROM
13: RAM
14: Bus 15: Input / output interface 16: Touch operation input unit 17: Display unit 18: Input unit 19: Storage unit 20: First communication unit 21: Second communication unit 22: Drive 30: Removable media 51: Session control unit 52: Data transmission / reception control unit 511: Session number determination unit 512: Normal session search unit 513: Normal session establishment unit 514: New participation detection unit 515: Preliminary session establishment unit 521: Data reception control unit 522: Distribution source recognition unit 523: Transmission data determination unit 524: Data transmission control unit U: User N: Network

Claims (5)

Another information processing apparatus capable of establishing a session until the number of established sessions indicating the number of sessions established by peer-to-peer between the information processing apparatus of the own apparatus and another information processing apparatus reaches a predetermined threshold value A first session establishment means for establishing a peer-to-peer session with the other information processing apparatus that has accepted the session establishment request,
When the number of established sessions has reached the threshold value, a request for establishing a session is received from the other information processing apparatus without requesting the information, and the other information processing is performed within the range of a spare frame for the threshold value of the number of established sessions. Second session establishment means for establishing a peer-to-peer session with the device;
An information processing apparatus comprising: If the already established number of sessions has not reached the threshold value, the the first session establishing means to a search for candidates of different information processing apparatus session that could be established new participation, the already established number of sessions the The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising session search means for prohibiting the search when a threshold value is reached. If the already established number of sessions has reached the threshold, the own apparatus to another information processing apparatus that has a session establishment request to the information processing apparatus, the new participation session that could be established by the second session establishing means The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising new participation detection means for detecting as a candidate for another information processing apparatus. In the information processing method executed by the information processing apparatus,
For another information processing apparatus capable of establishing a session until the number of established sessions indicating the number of sessions established by peer-to-peer between the information processing apparatus and another information processing apparatus reaches a predetermined threshold value A first session establishment step of establishing a peer-to-peer session with the other information processing apparatus that has received the session establishment request,
When the number of established sessions has reached the threshold value, a request for establishing a session is received from the other information processing apparatus without requesting the information, and the other information processing is performed within the range of a spare frame for the threshold value of the number of established sessions. A second session establishment step for establishing a peer-to-peer session with the device;
An information processing method including: In the computer that controls the information processing device,
For another information processing apparatus capable of establishing a session until the number of established sessions indicating the number of sessions established by peer-to-peer between the information processing apparatus and another information processing apparatus reaches a predetermined threshold value A first session establishment step of establishing a peer-to-peer session with the other information processing apparatus that has received the session establishment request,
When the number of established sessions has reached the threshold value, a request for establishing a session is received from the other information processing apparatus without requesting the information, and the other information processing is performed within the range of a spare frame for the threshold value of the number of established sessions. A second session establishment step for establishing a peer-to-peer session with the device;
A program that executes control processing including

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