Device, device control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of facilitating communication connection with a desired device when device identification names are transmitted from a plurality of devices of the same type.SOLUTION: A device includes display means. The device is configured to: transmit an identification name including one of a plurality of predetermined images as its own identification name; cause the display means to output information indicated by the predetermined image included in the identification name; receive a communication connection request based on the identification name from another device; and establish a communication connection with the other device for data communication. When communication connection with the other device is established, the display control means terminates the display of the information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device, a device control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] For example, there is a technology for communication between a first device that transmits a device identification name and a second device that receives the device identification name, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). In this case, the second device outputs the received device identification name on the screen and communicates and connects with the first device that transmitted the device identification name selected by the user. After the communication connection, data is transmitted and received between the first device and the second device. The device identification name is used to select which of the plurality of first devices to connect to.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] For example, when conducting a class or training, a case is conceivable where a plurality of first devices of the same type that output device identification names are arranged in a narrow area and are connected one-to-one with a plurality of second devices operated by a user. In such a case, it becomes difficult to distinguish the device identification names output from the first devices of the same type, which has been a burden for the user who selects the device identification name. For example, for a person with low literacy in reading characters, such as a child, it has been difficult to recognize and connect this device identification name.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technology that facilitates communication connection with a desired device when device identification names are transmitted from a plurality of devices of the same type.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] (1) A device comprising: display means; identification name transmission means for transmitting an identification name which is its own identification name and includes one of a plurality of predetermined images; display control means for causing the display means to output information indicated by the predetermined image included in the identification name; and connection control means for receiving a request for a communication connection based on the identification name from another device and establishing a communication connection with the other device for data communication, wherein the display control means terminates the display of the information when a communication connection with the other device is established.

[0006] (2)(1) A device in which each of the plurality of predetermined images corresponds one-to-one with a plurality of colors, each of the plurality of predetermined images shows the corresponding color, and the display control means causes the color shown by the predetermined image included in the identification name to be displayed.

[0007] (3)(2) The display means is a device comprising a light-emitting element capable of selectively displaying one of the plurality of colors.

[0008] (4)(2) or (3), the identification name includes one or more predetermined images corresponding to one or more of the multiple colors, and the display means is a device that, when the identification name includes two or more predetermined images, displays the colors shown by the multiple predetermined images in order.

[0009] (5) A device further comprising, in any of (2) to (4), a color selection means for selecting one or more colors from the plurality of colors based on information that uniquely identifies itself, wherein the identification name transmission means transmits an identification name including one or more predetermined images corresponding to the selected one or more colors.

[0010] (6) In any of (2) to (5), each of the plurality of predetermined images is an emoji having a corresponding color, a device.

[0011] (7)(1) wherein the plurality of predetermined images are emojis, and the display control means is a device that causes the emojis included in the identification name to be displayed.

[0012] (8) A device comprising any of (1) to (7), further including a button, wherein the display control means causes the display means to output information indicated by the predetermined image included in the identification name when a predetermined operation is performed on the button.

[0013] (9) A device control method including a display means, comprising: transmitting an identification name which includes one of a plurality of predetermined images; causing the display means to output information indicated by the predetermined image included in the identification name; receiving a request for a communication connection based on the identification name from another device; establishing a communication connection with the other device for data communication; and terminating the display of the information when a communication connection with the other device has been established.

[0014] (10) A program that causes a computer including a display means to function as an identification name transmission means for transmitting an identification name which is its own identification name and includes one of a plurality of predetermined images, a display control means for causing the display means to output information indicated by the predetermined image included in the identification name, and a connection control means for receiving a request for a communication connection based on the identification name from another device and establishing a communication connection with the other device for data communication, wherein the display control means terminates the display of the information when a communication connection with the other device is established. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The present invention facilitates communication with a desired device when device identification names are transmitted from multiple devices of the same type. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 3] This is a view of an example device from below. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing the functions realized by the information processing system. [Figure 5] It is a sequence diagram regarding the communication connection between the terminal and the device. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of the device list displayed on the terminal. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing by the device. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing an example of the display processing. [Figure 9] It is a diagram for explaining the color display by the device. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing an example of the transmission processing and connection control processing of the device identification name. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of the device having a display panel.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. Among the components that appear, those having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system according to the present invention includes at least a terminal 10 and a device 20. In FIG. 1, one terminal 10 and one device 20 are illustrated as the information processing system, but actually, a plurality of terminals 10 and a plurality of devices 20 may exist. The device 20 is a self-propelled mobile body, has a cube-shaped outer shape, and its corners are chamfered. In addition, a plurality of protrusions for enabling the attachment of other toys are provided on the upper surface. The device 20 is smaller than a general smartphone.

[0019] In FIG. 1, a tablet terminal is illustrated as the terminal 10, but it may be another mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a personal computer.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing system. Device 20 includes a processor 21, a storage 22, a communication unit 23, a camera 24, two motors 25, and a light emitting unit 26. The terminal 10 also includes a processor 11, a storage 12, a communication unit 13, and a display panel 14.

[0021] The processor 11 operates according to a program stored in the storage 12 and controls the communication unit 13, the display panel 14, etc. The processor 21 operates according to a program stored in the storage 22 and controls the communication unit 23, the camera 24, the motors 25, the light emitting unit 26, etc. The above program may be provided from another computer by communication via the communication unit 23 or 13, or may be provided to another computer by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a flash memory or an optical disk.

[0022] The storages 12 and 22 are composed of a DRAM, a non-volatile memory, etc. The storages 12 and 22 store the above program. Also, the storages 12 and 22 store information and calculation results input from the processors 11 and 21, the communication units 13 and 23, etc.

[0023] The communication units 13 and 23 are composed of an integrated circuit, an antenna, etc. for communicating with other devices. The communication units 13 and 23 have a function of communicating with other devices (e.g., a computer) according to, for example, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy protocol or a wireless LAN protocol. The communication units 13 and 23 input information received from other devices to the processors 11 and 21 and the storages 12 and 22 based on the control of the processors 11 and 21, and transmit information to other devices. Note that the communication units 13 and 23 may communicate with other devices via a wired network.

[0024] The camera 24 is arranged to photograph the lower part of the device 20 and photographs a pattern printed on a sheet or the like on which the device 20 is placed.

[0025] Motor 25 is a so-called servo motor whose rotation direction, amount of rotation, and rotation speed are controlled by processors 11 and 21 based on the captured pattern.

[0026] The light-emitting unit 26 can selectively emit light from one of several colors based on control from a processor 21 or the like. The light-emitting unit 26 is a light-emitting element, such as a light-emitting diode. The light-emitting unit 26 is a type of display device that displays a color to the user.

[0027] The display panel 14 displays an image based on control from the processor 11 and other sources.

[0028] Figure 3 is a view from below of an example of device 20. Device 20 further includes a button 222, a power switch 223, and two wheels 254. A light-emitting part 26 is embedded in the button 222. The button 222 can be pressed and can emit light. One motor 25 is assigned to each of the two wheels 254, and the motor 25 drives the assigned wheel 254.

[0029] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functions realized by the information processing system. Functionally, the information processing system includes an identification name generation unit 51, a device information transmission unit 52, a display control unit 53, a connection control unit 54, and a data processing unit 55. These functions are mainly implemented in the device 20. These functions are mainly realized by the processor 21 included in the device 20 executing a program stored in the storage 22 and controlling the communication unit 23 and the light-emitting unit 26.

[0030] The identification name generation unit 51 selects one or more colors from a predetermined set of colors based on information that uniquely identifies its own device 20. Here, each of the predetermined set of colors corresponds one-to-one with a set of emojis (predetermined images). Each emoji also contains a corresponding color. The emojis may be characters defined in Unicode. The identification name generation unit 51 determines a device identification name that includes one or more emojis corresponding to the selected one or more colors.

[0031] The device information transmission unit 52 transmits its own device identifier name, which includes one or more emojis from a pool of emojis. The device information transmission unit 52 transmits information about its own device 20, including the device identifier name. As information about the device 20, the device information transmission unit 52 may transmit, for example, advertising data or scan response data according to the Bluetooth Low Energy standard, or it may transmit a beacon according to the WiFi standard as information about the device 20.

[0032] The display control unit 53 causes a display means such as the light-emitting unit 26 to display information (specifically, the color corresponding to the emoji included in the device identification name). If the device identification name contains two or more emojis, the display control unit 53 displays the colors represented by those two or more emojis in order on the display means. The display control unit 53 then repeats this display process. Furthermore, the display control unit 53 terminates the display of the information represented by the emojis when a communication connection with another device is established.

[0033] The connection control unit 54 receives a communication connection request from other devices, including the terminal 10, based on the transmitted device identification name, and establishes a communication connection with the other devices for data communication.

[0034] When a communication connection for data communication is established, the data processing unit 55 sends and receives data with other devices and executes a process to operate device 20 based on the transmitted and received data. For example, the data processing unit 55 may control the operation of device 20 based on data received from other devices.

[0035] Next, we will describe the general operation of terminal 10 and device 20 during communication connection. Figure 5 is a sequence diagram of the communication connection between terminal 10 and device 20. Figure 5 is based on the Bluetooth Low Energy communication connection protocol. Terminal 10 and device 20 correspond to the Bluetooth Low Energy central and peripheral, respectively. Note that the device identification name, which includes emojis representing one or more colors, is determined before the operation shown in Figure 5 begins, and terminal 10 is assumed to have started processing for communication connection with device 20.

[0036] First, the device information transmission unit 52 of device 20 repeatedly transmits advertised data to the advertised channel. The advertised data may include a device identification name. The transmission interval of the advertised data may be determined according to device 20.

[0037] Terminal 10, which initiated the scan, receives the advertised data and sends scan request data to device 20, which sent the advertised data. The scan request data is information requesting detailed information about device 20.

[0038] Upon receiving the scan request data, the device information transmission unit 52 of device 20 transmits scan response data addressed to terminal 10. The scan response data includes the device identification name.

[0039] When terminal 10 receives scan response data, it adds device 20 to the list of connectable devices 20. The transmission and reception of advertised data, from sending to receiving scan responses, also occurs between terminal 10 and other devices 20.

[0040] When one or more devices 20 are registered in the device list, the processor 11 of the terminal 10 displays the device list on the display panel 14.

[0041] Figure 6 shows an example of a device list displayed on the terminal. In the list shown in Figure 6, each row corresponds to one device 20, and a button to initiate a communication connection is displayed to the right of it. In the example in Figure 6, the device identification name includes the string "Cube-XXX" and one or two emojis indicating a color. Note that XXX may also be generated based on information that uniquely identifies device 20. In Figure 6, the colors in the emojis are shown as patterns, and the correspondence between patterns and colors is listed in the legend at the bottom.

[0042] The device identifier may be a combination of a fixed string, a string that can identify device 20 on its own, and an emoji, as shown in Figure 6. Alternatively, the device identifier may be a combination of a fixed string and one or more emojis, or it may not include a fixed string at all.

[0043] On the other hand, when the user presses button 222, the display control unit 53 of device 20 displays information (color) indicated by the emoji included in the device identification name on the light-emitting unit 26. The user, upon seeing this information (color), then recognizes the device identification name of device 20 from the device identification names displayed in the device list based on that information. The user then inputs a communication connection instruction to device 20 of that device identification name by, for example, pressing the connection button in the row of the device identification name.

[0044] When the processor 11 of terminal 10 receives a communication connection instruction, it causes the communication unit 13 to send a connection request to the specified device 20, thereby establishing a communication connection for data communication between terminal 10 and device 20. Once the communication connection is established, data transmission and reception begin between terminal 10 and device 20, and device 20 operates based on the transmitted and received data.

[0045] Here, we will explain the processing of device 20 in more detail. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by device 20. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the generation of the device identification name and the processing of device 20 in the sequence shown in Figure 5.

[0046] First, the identification name generation unit 51 determines the display color based on the serial number (S101). The serial number is information that uniquely identifies the device 20, and is stored, for example, in the flash memory within the device 20. Here, there are seven displayable colors (red, blue, white, orange, yellow, green, and purple), and the identification name generation unit 51 determines one or two of these seven colors as the display colors. The number of display color combinations is 28, which is the sum of 7 combinations for one color and 7C2 = 21 combinations for two colors. The identification name generation unit 51 assigns numbers from 0 to 27 to the display color combinations, and may determine one or more display colors to be the display color combinations that have the same number as the remainder when the numerical value of the serial number is divided by 28.

[0047] The identification name generation unit 51 generates a device identification name based on the determined display color (S102). More specifically, the identification name generation unit 51 may generate a device identification name by adding a predetermined number of digits based on the serial number to a fixed string such as "Cube-", and further adding emojis corresponding to each of the determined one or more display colors. The identification name generation unit 51 may also generate a device identification name that does not include at least one of the fixed string or the string based on the serial number, but includes emojis corresponding to each of the one or more display colors.

[0048] Once a device identification name is generated, the device information transmission unit 52 and the connection control unit 54 start the device identification name transmission process and the connection control process (S103). The device identification name transmission process and the connection control process may be executed in parallel with the processes from S104 onward. Details of these processes will be described later.

[0049] When the device identification name transmission process and connection control process begin, the display control unit 53 determines whether a predetermined button operation has been performed to instruct the start of outputting the display color. The predetermined button operation may be, for example, pressing button 222 once. The predetermined button operation may also be another operation on button 222 (for example, a long press).

[0050] If the specified button operation is not performed (N in S104), this determination is repeated. If the specified button operation is performed (Y in S104), the display control unit 53 starts outputting the display color (S105). Details of the process in S105 will be described later. The process in S105 may be executed in parallel with the process in S106, the device identification name transmission process, and the connection control process.

[0051] When the output of the display color begins, the display control unit 53 detects whether or not a communication connection with the terminal 10 has been established (S106). If a communication connection with the terminal 10 is established (Y in S106), the display control unit 53 terminates the output of the display color (S107). On the other hand, if a communication connection with the terminal 10 is not established (N in S106), this detection is repeated.

[0052] The process in S105 will be explained in more detail. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the display process. First, the display control unit 53 obtains one or more display colors determined by the processing of the identification name generation unit 51 (S201).

[0053] The display control unit 53 determines whether the number of determined display colors is two or more (S202). If the number is one (N in S202), it displays that one display color on the light-emitting unit 26 (S203) and maintains that state. On the other hand, if the number is two or more (Y in S202), the display control unit 53 executes the processing from S204 onwards to repeatedly display two or more display colors in sequence.

[0054] In S204, the display control unit 53 initializes the timer and assigns 1 to the variable i. The display control unit 53 then displays the i-th display color on the light-emitting unit 26 and waits for the display period (e.g., 0.5 s) (S205). After waiting, the display control unit 53 increments the value of i by 1 (S206). If the value of i is less than or equal to the number of display colors (Y in S207), the process from S205 onwards is repeated. If the value of i exceeds the number of display colors (N in S208), 1 is assigned to i (S209), and the process from S205 onwards is repeated. S206 and S207 display the next sequence of display colors, and the process in S208 repeats the display of the colors in order. This process ends in S107.

[0055] Figure 9 illustrates the display of colors by device 20. Figure 9 shows an example of light emission by device 20, which transmitted the device identification name displayed at the top of the device list in Figure 6. Initially, before the button operation shown in S104 is performed, the light-emitting part 26 of button 222 outputs a blue blinking light. Then, when the button is operated, device 20 repeatedly displays red and yellow in sequence, which are the colors indicated by the multiple emojis included in the device identification name. The display period for each color is 0.5s.

[0056] Users can recognize that the emitted colors are red and yellow, and can easily find the device 20 to connect to from the device list shown in Figure 6, which contains those colors. Children, in particular, who cannot read letters like the alphabet, can easily recognize the colors.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the device 20 can be identified solely by its display, the display of the light-emitting unit 26 may be started after the device identification name has been transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to start displaying a color for identifying the device 20 by pressing a button. In addition, using a button makes it easy to use the unit for other purposes, and by using the light-emitting unit 26 and the button 222 together, the user can understand the relationship between operation and display more intuitively. By ending the display after the communication connection is established, the light-emitting unit 26 can also be used for other purposes.

[0058] The device identification name transmission process and connection control process mentioned in S103 will be explained further. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the device identification name transmission process and connection control process. When these processes start, the device information transmission unit 52 transmits an advertisement signal including the device identification name (S301). Also, if an interval period has elapsed since the device information transmission unit 52 transmitted the advertisement signal (Y in S302), the device information transmission unit 52 repeats the process from S301 onwards. The interval period is set differently depending on the device 20. The interval period may be determined randomly.

[0059] If the interval period has not elapsed since the advertisement signal was sent (N in S302), the device information transmission unit 52 determines whether or not it has received a scan request from the central device (terminal 10) (S303). If a scan request is received (Y in S303), the device information transmission unit 52 sends a scan response including the device identification name (S304), and repeats the processing from S302 onwards.

[0060] On the other hand, if no scan request has been received (N in S303), the connection control unit 54 determines whether a connection request has been received from the central device (terminal 10) (S305). If no connection request has been received (N in S305), the process from S302 onwards is repeated. On the other hand, if a connection request has been received (Y in S305), the connection control unit 54 establishes a communication connection between the central device (terminal 10) and device 20 via a data channel (S306). The data processing unit 55 also starts sending and receiving data via the data channel with the central device (terminal 10) (S307).

[0061] Figure 10 shows an example of processing in BLE, but it can also be applied to other communication standards such as WiFi. For example, in WiFi, device 20 is an access point and may transmit beacons instead of advertising signals. Processing of receiving scan requests and sending scan responses does not have to be performed. Also, some kind of authentication process may be performed in the communication connection.

[0062] Furthermore, while examples using the light-emitting unit 26 as the display means have been described so far, a small display panel 27 may be used instead of the light-emitting unit 26. Figure 11 shows an example of a device 20 having a display panel 27. The display panel 27 is positioned on the top surface of the device 20 in Figure 3. In this example, instead of determining the display color, the identification name generation unit 51 determines the emoji itself to be displayed on the display panel 27 and generates a device identification name that includes the code of that emoji. Also, instead of the light-emitting unit 26 displaying the color, the display panel 27 displays the determined emoji. Note that the display panel 27 may also display a single color simultaneously. In this case, the processing is almost the same except that the light-emitting unit 26 is replaced by the display panel 27. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10 Terminal, 20 Device, 11,21 Processor, 12,22 Storage, 13,23 Communication unit, 14,27 Display panel, 24 Camera, 25 Motor, 26 Light-emitting unit, 222 Button, 223 Power switch, 254 Wheel, 51 Identification name generation unit, 52 Device information transmission unit, 53 Display control unit, 54 Connection control unit, 55 Data processing unit.

Claims

1. Display means and An identification name transmission means that transmits an identification name that is its own identification name and includes one of a plurality of predetermined images using a predetermined communication protocol, A display control means that causes the display means to output information shown by the predetermined image included in the identification name, Connection control means that receives a request for communication connection based on the aforementioned identification name from another device and establishes a communication connection with the other device using the predetermined communication protocol for data communication, Includes, The display control means terminates the display of the information when a communication connection with the other device is established. device.

2. In the device according to claim 1, Each of the aforementioned plurality of predetermined images corresponds one-to-one with a plurality of colors, and each of the plurality of predetermined images represents the corresponding color. The display control means causes the color represented by the predetermined image included in the identification name to be displayed. device.

3. In the device according to claim 2, The display means consists of a light-emitting element capable of selectively displaying one of the plurality of colors. device.

4. In the device according to claim 2, The aforementioned identification name includes one or more predetermined images corresponding to one or more of the aforementioned multiple colors, The display means, when the identification name includes two or more predetermined images, displays the colors shown by the plurality of predetermined images in order. device.

5. In the device according to claim 2, The system further includes a color selection means that selects one or more colors from the plurality of colors based on information that uniquely identifies itself, The identification name transmission means transmits an identification name that includes one or more predetermined images corresponding to the selected one or more colors. device.

6. In the device according to claim 2, Each of the aforementioned plurality of predetermined images is an emoji having a corresponding color. device.

7. In the device according to claim 1, The aforementioned plurality of predetermined images are emojis, The display control means causes the emoji included in the identification name to be displayed. device.

8. In the device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, It also includes buttons, The display control means causes the display means to output information indicated by the predetermined image included in the identification name when a predetermined operation is performed on the button. device.

9. A method for controlling a device including a display means, The user transmits their own identifier, which includes one of several predetermined images, via a predetermined communication protocol. The display means is made to output information shown by the predetermined image included in the identification name. The system receives a request for a communication connection based on the aforementioned identification name from another device, and establishes a communication connection with the other device using the predetermined communication protocol for data communication. When a communication connection with the aforementioned other device is established, the display of the information is terminated. Device control method.

10. A computer including a display means, An identification name transmission means that transmits an identification name that is its own identification name and includes one of a plurality of predetermined images using a predetermined communication protocol. A display control means that causes the display means to output information shown by the predetermined image included in the identification name, and Connection control means that receives a request for a communication connection based on the aforementioned identification name from another device and establishes a communication connection with the other device using the predetermined communication protocol for data communication. To make it function as, The display control means terminates the display of the information when a communication connection with the other device is established. program.

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