Information processing device and recording medium

Abstract

This invention provides an information processing apparatus and a recording medium for performing a search via wireless communication and displaying electronic devices located within a predetermined directional range. The information processing apparatus communicates wirelessly with the electronic device via a wireless communication unit and includes a search result acquisition unit, a direction information acquisition unit, and a control unit. The search result acquisition unit acquires information about the search results from the electronic device through the wireless communication unit. The direction information acquisition unit acquires direction information indicating the direction in which the electronic device is located through short-range wireless communication with the electronic device implemented by the wireless communication unit. Based on the search result information and the direction information, the control unit performs a determination related to whether the electronic device discovered through the search is located within the predetermined directional range, and performs display processing of a screen related to the electronic device being determined.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an information processing device and program, etc. Background Art

[0002] Previously, a method was known to transmit electronic data stored in an information processing device to an electronic device using wireless communication, thereby enabling the electronic device to perform a task based on the electronic data. Patent Document 1 discloses a method for displaying an electronic device located using wireless communication on a predetermined display section of an information processing device.

[0003] However, no method has been disclosed for displaying search results for electronic devices within a predetermined range based on information related to the orientation of the electronic device.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-059063 Summary of the Invention

[0005] One aspect of this disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus that wirelessly communicates with an electronic device via a wireless communication unit. The information processing apparatus includes: a search result acquisition unit that acquires search result information of the electronic device through a search performed by the wireless communication unit; a direction information acquisition unit that acquires direction information indicating the location of the electronic device through short-range wireless communication between the wireless communication unit and the electronic device; and a control unit that, based on the search result information and the direction information, performs a determination related to whether the electronic device discovered through the search is located within a predetermined direction range, and performs display processing of a screen related to the electronic device that is the object of the determination.

[0006] Furthermore, one aspect of this disclosure relates to a program that enables a computer to function as a component comprising: a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with an electronic device; a search result acquisition unit that acquires search result information of the electronic device through a search performed by the wireless communication unit; a direction information acquisition unit that acquires direction information indicating the direction of presence of the electronic device through short-range wireless communication with the electronic device performed by the wireless communication unit; and a control unit that, based on the search result information and the direction information, performs a determination related to whether the electronic device discovered through the search is located within a predetermined direction range, and performs display processing of a screen related to the electronic device that is the object of the determination. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates an example of the structure of an information processing device.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of an information processing device.

[0009] Figure 3 A diagram illustrating an example of a predetermined direction.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a display processing example.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating a screen example of the method applied in this embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 Another diagram is shown to illustrate a screen example where the method of this embodiment is applied.

[0013] Figure 7 Another diagram is shown to illustrate a screen example where the method of this embodiment is applied.

[0014] Figure 8 Another diagram is shown to illustrate a screen example where the method of this embodiment is applied.

[0015] Figure 9 Another diagram is shown to illustrate a screen example where the method of this embodiment is applied.

[0016] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing example of the display processing in the example of the change.

[0017] Figure 11 This diagram illustrates the screen transition example in the example of the change. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The following describes this embodiment. Furthermore, the embodiments described below are not intended to unduly limit the scope of this disclosure as set forth in the claims. Additionally, not all structures described in this embodiment are necessarily essential structural elements of this disclosure.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, and a system including the information processing apparatus 100 and the electronic device 200. The information processing apparatus 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, a processing unit 120, and a display unit 160. The information processing apparatus 100 wirelessly communicates with the electronic device 200 via the wireless communication unit 110. Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment is not limited to... Figure 1The structure can be modified in various ways, such as omitting some structural elements or adding other structural elements. These other structural elements include, for example, the operation unit and memory. The display unit 160 is composed of a display that shows various information to the user, and can be implemented using, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a dot-matrix LED. Furthermore, the display unit 160 and the operation unit (not shown) can be integrated as hardware via, for example, a touch panel. Although the electronic device 200 is, for example, a printer, it can also be a personal computer, a wearable device, a biometric measurement device, a robot, an imaging device, or a physical quantity measuring device. Wearable devices include smartwatches or activity trackers. Biometric measurement devices include pulse meters or pedometers. Imaging devices include cameras or projectors. Physical quantity measuring devices include thermometers or weighing scales. The printer mentioned here includes a multifunction printer. A multifunction printer is a printer that includes functions other than printing; these functions may include copying, faxing, or scanning, but can also include other functions. Furthermore, the structural examples of a system including the information processing device 100 and the electronic device 200 of this embodiment are not limited to... Figure 1 For example, the information processing device 100 can also communicate wirelessly with multiple electronic devices 200, and the electronic devices 200 can also communicate wirelessly with multiple information processing devices 100.

[0020] The wireless communication unit 110 is a communication interface that implements wireless communication based on a predetermined wireless communication standard. The wireless communication unit 110 can be implemented using communication hardware and firmware, such as a communication ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a communication processor. In this embodiment, the control unit 150, described later, performs communication control processing, such as information transmission or reception processing, on the wireless communication unit 110, thereby enabling the wireless communication unit 110 to transmit information to or receive information from an external device such as the electronic device 200. Furthermore, the predetermined wireless communication standard can be of multiple types. That is, the wireless communication unit 110 includes hardware and communication firmware corresponding to the desired wireless communication standard.

[0021] The wireless communication unit 110 is capable of implementing wireless communication according to a predetermined wireless communication standard, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other short-range wireless communication standards. Furthermore, in this embodiment, Bluetooth includes BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), and in the following description, it will sometimes be referred to simply as BLE. For example, as... Figure 1As shown, since the wireless communication unit 110 of the information processing apparatus 100 in this embodiment includes a BLE communication unit 112, and the electronic device 200 includes a BLE communication unit 212, BLE-enabled communication can be implemented between the information processing apparatus 100 and the electronic device 200. Furthermore, it is assumed that the BLE communication unit 112 and the like in this embodiment correspond to the standard of Bluetooth 5.1 and later versions. In other words, it is assumed that each component included in the information processing apparatus 100 and the electronic device 200 in this embodiment corresponds to the standard of Bluetooth 5.1 and later versions.

[0022] Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 110 can also implement wireless communication using a predetermined wireless communication standard, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), through a predetermined connection mode. The predetermined connection mode is, for example, a Wi-Fi infrastructure mode. That is, such as... Figure 1 As shown, by including a Wi-Fi communication unit 114 in the wireless communication unit 110 of the information processing device 100, and including an infrastructure mode communication unit 214 in the electronic device 200, communication implemented in Wi-Fi infrastructure mode can be achieved via an external access point 300. Furthermore, in the following description and illustrations, the access point will sometimes be referred to as an AP. For example, the external access point 300 periodically broadcasts wireless communication radio waves such as beacons in a manner that can interpret its own identification information, and establishes a Wi-Fi infrastructure mode connection using the method described later. The identification information of the external access point 300 refers to, for example, an SSID (Service Set Identifier). Furthermore, in the following description, "communication connection according to communication standards" will be appropriately referred to simply as "connection". Additionally, the access point can also be called a router. Moreover, even if communication implemented in Wi-Fi infrastructure mode is temporarily interrupted after it has been established, a connection with the external access point 300 will be automatically established.

[0023] In addition, the predetermined connection mode can also be Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) mode. Furthermore, in subsequent descriptions and illustrations, Wi-Fi Direct may sometimes be referred to as a direct connection. For example, as... Figure 1As shown, the wireless communication unit 110 of the information processing device 100 includes a Wi-Fi communication unit 114, and the electronic device 200 includes an internal access point 216, thereby enabling direct connection. That is, the electronic device 200 acts as the group owner for the information processing device 100 as a client, and the internal access point 216 functions as a software access point. For example, the internal access point 216 periodically broadcasts wireless communication radio waves such as beacons according to the direct connection standard. The broadcast data packets of these wireless communication radio waves contain identification information of the internal access point 216, such as its SSID. Furthermore, the Wi-Fi communication unit 114 performs a scan to receive the wireless communication radio waves broadcast from the internal access point 216. Although this scan is a passive scan, it can also be an active scan. The Wi-Fi communication unit 114 then sends a connection request to the internal access point 216. The signal involved in this connection request includes information such as a password corresponding to the SSID of the internal access point 216. Thus, a connection between the Wi-Fi communication unit 114 and the internal access point 216 can be achieved. Furthermore, if communication established via a direct connection is temporarily interrupted, the user may be required to re-establish the connection due to reasons such as a change in the encryption key. Additionally, the above description does not preclude the inclusion of other wireless connection modes, such as self-organizing mode, or connection modes implemented via wired communication, as predetermined connection modes. Moreover, in electronic device 200, each predetermined connection mode can be arbitrarily set to be active or inactive. For example, the user can enable only the Wi-Fi infrastructure mode for both information processing device 100 and electronic device 200.

[0024] The processing unit 120 performs data input / output control with various functional units, including the aforementioned wireless communication unit 110. Furthermore, the processing unit 120 performs various arithmetic operations based on a predetermined program read from a memory (not shown), operation input signals from an operation unit (not shown), or various data received via the wireless communication unit 110, and controls display output operations to the display unit 160 or data output operations to the electronic device 200. The predetermined program refers to, for example, basic software such as an OS (Operating System), various application programs operating based on that basic software, or both. The processing unit 120 can be implemented by a processor. That is, the various processes in this embodiment can be implemented by a processor that operates based on information such as programs, and a memory (not shown) that stores information such as programs. The processor can be, for example, separate hardware that implements the functions of each unit, or integrated hardware that implements the functions of each unit. For example, the processor includes hardware, and this hardware can include at least one of circuitry for processing digital signals and circuitry for processing analog signals. For example, a processor can also be composed of one or more circuit devices or one or more circuit elements mounted on a circuit board. A processor can also be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). However, a processor is not limited to a CPU; various processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) can be used. Furthermore, a processor can also be a hardware circuit formed by an ASIC. Additionally, a processor can include amplifier circuits or filter circuits for processing analog signals.

[0025] Furthermore, the processing unit 120 of this embodiment includes a search result acquisition unit 130, a direction information acquisition unit 140, and a control unit 150. That is, the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes a search result acquisition unit 130, a direction information acquisition unit 140, and a control unit 150. For example, the aforementioned processing unit 120 reads and executes a predetermined application program described below from a memory not shown, thereby enabling the functions of the search result acquisition unit 130, the direction information acquisition unit 140, and the control unit 150. Furthermore, in the operation of this predetermined application program, if basic software is required as a basis, the processing unit 120 reads the program of that basic software from a memory not shown and can perform functions such as those of the control unit 150.

[0026] The search result acquisition unit 130 obtains the search result information of the electronic device 200 through the search performed by the wireless communication unit 110. Specifically, for example, the BLE communication unit 212 and internal access point 216 of the electronic device 200 broadcast wireless communication radio waves according to various wireless communication standards. Then, the control unit 150, which operates as the basic software described above, converts the information contained in the broadcast data packets received via at least one of the aforementioned BLE communication unit 112 and Wi-Fi communication unit 114 into information corresponding to the predetermined application described later, and sends it to the search result acquisition unit 130. Thus, the search result acquisition unit 130 can obtain the search result information. In addition, in the following description, the situation where the BLE communication unit 212 or internal access point 216 of the electronic device 200 broadcasts broadcast data packets, etc., will sometimes be described simply as the electronic device 200 broadcasting broadcast data packets, etc.

[0027] The direction information acquisition unit 140 acquires direction information indicating the orientation of the electronic device 200 through short-range wireless communication with the electronic device 200 implemented by the wireless communication unit 110. The acquisition of direction information can be achieved, for example, using the following method. For instance, as described above, suppose the BLE communication unit 212 of the electronic device 200 broadcasts BLE broadcast data packets, and the BLE communication unit 112 receiving the broadcast data packets includes multiple receiving antennas. In this case, since the broadcast data packets arrive at each receiving antenna in a manner including a time difference, the angle of arrival (AOA) of the radio wave can be inferred based on a known first calculation method that uses the distance between the antennas and the wavelength of the radio wave. Furthermore, the method for inferring the angle of arrival (AOA), including the first calculation method, is well known, and therefore a detailed description is omitted.

[0028] Furthermore, directional information can be obtained, for example, using the following method. The BLE communication unit 212 of the electronic device 200 includes multiple transmitting antennas and broadcasts BLE broadcast data packets while staggering the timing of radio wave transmission from each transmitting antenna. At this time, the broadcast data packet is assumed to contain information about the timing of the broadcast data packet transmission from each transmitting antenna and distance information between each transmitting antenna. Then, the BLE communication unit 112 can infer the Angle of Departure (AOD) of the radio wave based on a second calculation method using the phase difference of the broadcast data packet received from each transmitting antenna, the transmission timing information contained in the broadcast data packet, and the distance information between the transmitting antennas. Furthermore, the method for inferring the Angle of Departure (AOD), including the second calculation method, is well known, and therefore a detailed description is omitted.

[0029] The control unit 150 performs display control of the display unit 160 based on predetermined information. While the predetermined information here refers to, for example, search result information, it could also be directional information (described later) or other information. Specifically, in this embodiment, the control unit 150, based on the search result information, causes the display unit 160 to display information about the electronic device 200 discovered through the search. Furthermore, as described above, the control unit 150 can also function as basic software, etc.

[0030] use Figure 2 The flowchart will be used to explain the processing example of the method of this embodiment. For example, although the information processing device 100 performs timing interruption processing at predetermined intervals from the time when the user starts the predetermined application described later, and repeats this process repeatedly. Figure 2 The processing can be performed in a loop, but it is not limited to this. For example, the information processing device 100 can also perform repeated processing. Figure 2 The processing.

[0031] The information processing device 100 performs a search process (step S100). For example, when the information processing device 100 and the electronic device 200 are conducting wireless communication according to the BLE standard described above, the information processing device 100 receives the broadcast data packet containing the identification information of the electronic device 200, thereby enabling the search process (step S100). Although the identification information of the electronic device 200 specifically refers to, for example, the MAC address of the electronic device 200 stored in the payload of the Protocol Data Unit in the broadcast data packet, it can be any information that can be converted to or from a MAC address, such as a serial number. In addition, in this embodiment, other information may be further included in the payload. Other information includes, for example, information about radio wave strength, information indicating the state of the electronic device 200, etc., which will be described in detail later.

[0032] Furthermore, for example, when the information processing device 100 is connected to the external access point 300 via Wi-Fi infrastructure mode, the Wi-Fi communication unit 114 of the wireless communication unit 110 can also search for the electronic device 200 on the network formed by the external access point. More specifically, for example, the Wi-Fi communication unit 114 sends a response request data packet specifying a broadcast address or a link-local multicast address to the infrastructure mode communication unit 214 of the electronic device 200. The response request data packet is a data packet that requests a response data packet containing the identification information of the receiving device. Then, the infrastructure mode communication unit 214 can perform the search process (step S100) by replying to the information processing device 100 with a response data packet containing its own SSID and other identification information.

[0033] Subsequently, the information processing device 100 performs direction information acquisition processing (step S200). For example, when the BLE communication unit 112 of the wireless communication unit 110 receives a broadcast data packet according to the BLE standard from the electronic device 200, the control unit 150 calculates the aforementioned inferred angle of arrival (AOA) or departure angle (AOD). Then, based on the angle of arrival (AOA) or departure angle (AOD), the control unit 150 performs processing to convert the direction information into direction information corresponding to the predetermined application described later, and sends it to the direction information acquisition unit 140. For example, the control unit 150 performs processing to correlate and convert the relative information, i.e., the angle of arrival (AOA) or departure angle (AOD), obtained based on the information processing device 100 or the electronic device 200, with absolute information such as azimuth. Thus, the direction information acquisition processing (step S200) can be realized.

[0034] Afterwards, the information processing device 100 performs a determination process (step S300). For example, the control unit 150 performs a process to determine whether the electronic device 200 included in the search results is located within a predetermined directional range, based on the information of the search results obtained by the search process (step S100) and the directional information obtained in the directional information acquisition process (step S200). The predetermined directional range refers to, for example, the angle range formed by a predetermined azimuth angle with the direction in which the information processing device 100 is located on the ground parallel to the horizontal plane and the direction in which the information processing device 100 is facing. The angle range formed by the predetermined azimuth angle can be, for example, an angle range that is approximately the same as the user's field of vision, or it can be set appropriately by the user. This is because the practical benefit of displaying the electronic device 200, which is not in the desired field of vision, on the display unit 160 through the display process (step S400) described later is very small.

[0035] Afterwards, the information processing device 100 performs display processing (step S400). For example, as a result of the determination process (step S300), the control unit 150 performs display processing on a screen showing an electronic device 200 that was discovered through the search process (step S100) and exists within a predetermined direction range. The control unit 150 displays information about the electronic device 200 included in the result of the determination process (step S300) in a screen of a predetermined application of the information processing device 100, as described later. More specifically, suppose, for example, a user starts the information processing device 100 and connects an electronic device 200-A (not shown) to the predetermined application, and then starts the information processing device 100 again when the user wants to use the predetermined application. In this case, the process is performed as described above. Figure 2 The control unit 150 processes the data and, if, for example, a determination process (step S300) determines that the electronic device 200-A is within a predetermined directional range, displays information indicating that the electronic device 200-A is connected on the home screen of the predetermined application. Thus, the user can recognize that the predetermined application can be used in the same environment as the previous use.

[0036] As described above, the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment wirelessly communicates with the electronic device 200 via the wireless communication unit 110, and includes a search result acquisition unit 130, a direction information acquisition unit 140, and a control unit 150. The search result acquisition unit 130 acquires search result information of the electronic device 200 through the search performed by the wireless communication unit 110. The direction information acquisition unit 140 acquires direction information indicating the location direction of the electronic device 200 through short-range wireless communication with the electronic device 200 implemented by the wireless communication unit 110. Based on the search result information and the direction information, the control unit 150 performs a determination regarding whether the electronic device 200 discovered through the search is located within a predetermined direction range, and performs display processing of a screen related to the electronic device 200 that is the object of the determination.

[0037] In this manner, the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, since including the wireless communication unit 110, can wirelessly communicate with the electronic device 200. Furthermore, since the information processing apparatus 100 includes a search result acquisition unit 130 and a direction information acquisition unit 140, it can acquire search results and direction information of the electronic device 200 based on wireless communication. Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a control unit 150, which, based on the search result information and direction information, performs a determination regarding whether the electronic device 200 discovered through the search is located within a predetermined directional range. Thus, processing for locating the presence of electronic devices 200 within a desired range can be implemented. In addition, the control unit 150 performs display processing showing a screen of the electronic device 200 based on the determination result. Thus, the user can locate electronic devices 200 within a predetermined directional range. Thus, the user can make an appropriate judgment regarding the electronic device 200 to be selected.

[0038] Until now, no information processing apparatus 100 has been proposed that performs display processing of the screen representing the electronic device 200 based on the determination result of whether the electronic device 200 is within a predetermined directional range. In existing methods, for example, there are cases where electronic devices 200 located in directions where the user is less likely to move are displayed, and there are cases where the user cannot properly make a determination regarding the electronic device 200 to be selected. Regarding this, since the method of this embodiment can display only electronic devices 200 located within a predetermined directional range, the user can make a more appropriate determination regarding the electronic device 200 to be selected. For example, if the user knows that a previously used electronic device is within a predetermined directional range, they can determine that the electronic device 200 is usable at their current location. Furthermore, for example, if the user knows that the desired electronic device 200 is not within a predetermined directional range, they can determine that they should move to another location.

[0039] Furthermore, the method of this embodiment can also be implemented by a program. That is, the program of this embodiment functions as a wireless communication unit 110, a search result acquisition unit 130, a direction information acquisition unit 140, and a control unit 150 that communicate wirelessly with the electronic device 200. The search result acquisition unit 130 acquires information about the search results of the electronic device 200 through the search performed by the wireless communication unit 110. The direction information acquisition unit 140 acquires direction information indicating the direction in which the electronic device 200 exists through close-range wireless communication with the electronic device 200 implemented by the wireless communication unit 110. Based on the search result information and the direction information, the control unit 150 performs a determination related to whether the electronic device 200 discovered through the search is located within a predetermined direction range, and performs display processing of a screen related to the electronic device 200 that is the object of the determination. By adopting this method, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

[0040] Furthermore, the method of this embodiment is not limited to the above-described content and can be modified in various ways. For example, the aforementioned predetermined direction can also be an angle range defined by a predetermined elevation angle α based on the horizontal direction. Alternatively, the predetermined elevation angle α can be appropriately set by the user based on the width and height of the ground where the information processing device 100 is located. For example, as... Figure 3 As shown, in a building consisting of predetermined floors, information processing device 100 and electronic device 200-1 are located on the floor shown in F1, and electronic device 200-2 is located on the floor shown in F2. Furthermore, the floor shown in F2 is assumed to be above the floor shown in F1. In this case, the information processing device 100 faces... Figure 3 When the direction is D, there may be a situation where the search results obtained by the search result acquisition unit 130 in the aforementioned search processing (step S100) include electronic device 200-2. However, since the possibility of a user selecting electronic device 200-2 located on a different floor from their own is low, displaying the information of electronic device 200-2 on the display unit 160 of the information processing device 100 has little practical benefit. Therefore, in the aforementioned determination processing (step S300), the control unit 150 may also perform a process that determines that electronic device 200 located in a direction parallel to the horizontal direction, i.e., direction DXY, and exceeding the elevation angle α, is not located within the predetermined direction range. Thus, through the aforementioned display processing (step S400), the information of electronic device 200-2 is prevented from being displayed on the display unit 160 of the information processing device 100. As a result, the information processing device 100 can display the appropriate electronic device 200 as the display object.

[0041] Although these processes omit mathematical formulas, they can be implemented in the following way. The control unit 150 obtains information about a direction vector perpendicular to the direction of gravity, i.e., the horizontal plane, via a geomagnetic sensor or gyroscope sensor (not shown) included in the information processing device 100. Therefore, the control unit 150 can, for example, transfer information to... Figure 3 The direction vector parallel to direction D is decomposed into a direction vector parallel to direction DXY and a direction vector parallel to direction DZ. Direction DZ is a direction parallel to the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and direction DXY is a direction parallel to the horizontal plane. Furthermore, the control unit 150 calculates the direction vector parallel to the direction connecting the information processing device 100 and the electronic device 200-2 based on the direction information obtained through the direction information acquisition process (step S200), and can calculate the elevation angle α based on the relationship between this direction vector and the direction vector parallel to direction DXY.

[0042] Furthermore, although the above description used an elevation angle α as an example, the method of this embodiment is equally applicable to a depression angle. That is, when the electronic device 200-2 is located on a floor below the information processing device 100, the control unit 150 performs a process to determine whether it is within the range of a predetermined depression angle in the horizontal direction using the same method as described above, thereby enabling the process of excluding the electronic device 200-2 from the displayed objects. In addition, the predetermined angle range can take into account both the angle range formed by the aforementioned elevation angle α and the angle range formed by the predetermined depression angle, and furthermore, it can be limited to the angle range formed by the aforementioned predetermined azimuth angle in the horizontal direction.

[0043] In this manner, in the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the control unit 150 performs processing to determine whether the electronic device 200 is located within a predetermined angular range, including the horizontal direction, which is a predetermined direction. By employing this method, the user can primarily grasp information about the electronic device 200 located in the horizontal direction. Thus, for example, the user can prevent selecting electronic devices 200 located on different floors.

[0044] Figure 4A flowchart illustrating a more detailed example of the display process (step S400) is provided below. The control unit 150 performs a process (step S410) to determine whether the result of the determination process (step S300) includes the previously selected electronic device 200. If the control unit 150 determines that the result of the determination process (step S300) includes the previously selected electronic device 200 (yes in step S410), it performs a process to display the device in a manner that makes the operation to the predetermined icon valid (step S420), and then terminates the process. On the other hand, if the control unit 150 determines that the result of the determination process (step S300) does not include the previously selected electronic device 200 (no in step S410), it performs a process to determine whether display is beneficial. Figure 8 The process of determining the overview screen, as described later, proceeds (step S430). If the control unit 150 determines that an overview screen is displayed (yes in step S430), it performs a process to determine whether the electronic device 200 has been selected from the overview screen (step S440). If the control unit 150 determines that the electronic device 200 has not been selected from the overview screen (no in step S440), it performs a process to invalidate the operation on the predetermined icon (step S450) and terminates the process. On the other hand, if the control unit 150 determines that the electronic device 200 has been selected from the overview screen (yes in step S440), it performs the aforementioned step S420.

[0045] Furthermore, if the control unit 150 determines that the overview screen is not displayed (No in step S430), it performs a process to determine whether the result of the determination process (step S300) includes more than one electronic device 200 (step S460). If the control unit 150 determines that the result of the determination process (step S300) includes more than one electronic device 200 (Yes in step S460), it performs a process to display the overview screen (step S470) and ends the process. On the other hand, if the control unit 150 determines that the result of the determination process (step S300) does not include more than one electronic device 200 (No in step S460), it performs the aforementioned step S450.

[0046] Next, use Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 Here is an example of a screen where the method of this embodiment is applied. For example, when a user launches a program of a predetermined application on the information processing device 100, a screen will be displayed. Figure 5 The homepage screen shown on page A10. Additionally, although... Figure 5The intended applications exemplified are, for example, printing applications, but are not limited to these and may also be other applications.

[0047] Figure 5 The home screen of the printing application shown in A10 is, for example, the screen displayed immediately after the printing application is launched. The home screen displays one or more panels corresponding to the functions that the electronic device 200 can perform. Figure 5 In the example screen A10, the following panels are displayed: a photo panel (A11), a document panel (A12), a scan panel (A13), a photocopying panel (A14), and an online service panel (A15). By operating each panel, the printing application can perform its corresponding function. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 can also display panels other than those shown in A11 to A15. Additionally, if, for example, it can connect to a previously connected electronic device 200, the information processing device 100 can also display information about that electronic device 200 in an area such as A16.

[0048] For example, the user selected the photo panel shown in A11 as one of the functions of the pre-defined application. At this time, Figure 5 The screen of the A10 is transformed according to the processing performed by the control unit 150. Figure 6 The image shown on A20 Figure 7 The image shown on the A30 Figure 8 Any one of the images shown in A40.

[0049] Figure 6 For, implemented Figure 4 In the case of step S420, the printing execution instruction screen example displays a preview screen of the printing data shown in A21, a switch button icon to the home screen shown in A22, and a printing button icon as a predetermined icon shown in A23. Furthermore, although not illustrated, the information processing device 100 can further display printing setting information, including information such as the paper size and paper type used in printing. In addition, with... Figure 5 Similarly, if, for example, it is possible to connect to an electronic device 200 that has been previously connected, the information processing device 100 may also display information about the electronic device 200 in an area such as A24.

[0050] Such as using Figure 4 As mentioned above, in Figure 2 The result of the determination process (step S300) includes the previously selected electronic device 200, in the case that... Figure 4 In step S410, it will become "Yes". Therefore, as... Figure 6 As shown in A23, the control unit 150 displays a button icon (a predetermined icon) to enable operation. Then, by having the user select the button icon in A23, the information processing device 100 sends the print job data shown in the preview screen (A21) to the electronic device 200 (which is the printer), and the electronic device 200 performs the print job. Thus, the user can obtain the desired printed material. Furthermore, when the information processing device 100 and the electronic device 200 are connected via BLE, the control unit 150 can also perform a switch from BLE to Wi-Fi before sending the print job data. By employing this method, the information processing device 100 can send large amounts of print job data to the electronic device 200. Furthermore, since... Figure 5 The functions of the panels shown in A12 to A15 are well known, so the description is omitted. Users can obtain the desired printed material by performing the same operation.

[0051] Figure 7 The A30 was implemented Figure 4 Example of a printing execution instruction screen in the case of step S450. (As...) Figure 2 If the result of the determination process (step S300) is that none of the electronic devices 200 are included, then... Figure 4 In step S460, the result becomes "No," and the processing in step S450 is executed. Thus, as... Figure 7 As shown in A33, the control unit 150 displays the button icon (which is a predetermined icon) in a way that disables its operation. Additionally, although... Figure 7 The A33 uses an illustration that allows the user to understand that the operation is invalid because the printed button icon is displayed in a lighter color. However, the control unit 150 can either implement processing such as setting the printed button icon to not be displayed, or it can implement processing such as overlaying the invalid icon with the printed button icon. Furthermore, Figure 7 The preview screen shown on A31 and Figure 6 The preview shown in A21 is the same. Figure 7 The icon shown on A32 is... Figure 6 The icon shown in A22 is the same. Figure 7 The area shown in A34 and Figure 6 The same area is shown in A24.

[0052] In this manner, in the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, if the control unit 150 determines that the electronic device 200 is within a predetermined directional range, it performs a process of validating the operation of the icon indicating task execution; conversely, if the determination determines that the electronic device 200 is not within the predetermined directional range, it performs a process of invalidating the icon operation. By employing this method, the user can ascertain whether the electronic device 200 capable of performing the task is within the desired range.

[0053] Figure 8 The A40 was implemented Figure 4 Example of a printing execution instruction screen in the case of step S470. (As...) Figure 2 If the result of the determination process (step S300) does not include previously connected electronic devices 200 (no in step S410) but includes more than one other electronic device 200 (yes in step S460), then the process of step S470 is performed. Thus, as... Figure 8 As shown in A41, the control unit 150 displays a view as a dialog box on the display unit 160.

[0054] Furthermore, although the previously connected electronic device 200 is designated as electronic device 200-1, in the overview screen shown on A41, it is displayed only as electronic device 1. Additionally, although it is designated as... Figure 2 The result of the determination process (step S300) includes electronic devices 200-3, 200-4, and 200-5, but the list of electronic devices 200 included is not limited to three. Furthermore, it is assumed that in the list screen shown on A41, electronic device 200-3 is displayed only as electronic device 3. Similarly, it is assumed that in the list screen shown on A41, electronic device 200-4 is displayed only as electronic device 4, and electronic device 200-5 is displayed only as electronic device 5.

[0055] In the overview screen shown on A41, information about electronic device 200-3 is displayed as shown on A42, information about electronic device 200-4 is displayed as shown on A43, and information about electronic device 200-5 is displayed as shown on A44. Furthermore, as shown on A45, the overview screen displays information indicating that electronic device 200-1, which was previously connected, is not connected to the information processing device 100 and... Figure 2 Information regarding this subject was not found in the decision-making process (step S300). Furthermore, as shown in A46, it indicates that the user should select... Figure 2Information about any one of the electronic devices 200-3, 200-4, and 200-5 discovered during the determination process (step S300) is displayed along with a summary screen. In this way, in the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, when multiple electronic devices 200 are discovered through searching as a result of determination and are located within a predetermined directional range, the control unit 150 performs display processing indicating that the multiple electronic devices 200 are located within the predetermined directional range. By employing this method, the user can grasp the presence of multiple electronic devices 200 located within the desired range. Therefore, the user can appropriately select the optimal electronic device 200.

[0056] Then, when the user clicks on any one of the areas displaying information about electronic device 200-3, the area displaying information about electronic device 200-4, or the area displaying information about electronic device 200-5, in Figure 4 In step S440, the result will be "Yes", and the processing in step S420 will be implemented. Thus, it transforms into... Figure 6 The same screen as the A20.

[0057] Additionally, the control unit 150 can also be... Figure 2 In the determination process (step S300), the information of the electronic device 200 closest to the information processing device 100 among the electronic devices 200 discovered is displayed in a more prominent style compared to the information of the other electronic devices 200. For example, if electronic device 200-3 is the electronic device 200 closest to the information processing device 100, as shown in A50, a predetermined area including the information of electronic device 200-3 is displayed in a different color than the surrounding area. This allows the user to recognize that electronic device 200-3 is closest to the information processing device 100. This improves the convenience of the information processing device 100. This is because the electronic device 200 closest to the user is more likely to be used by that user, and it is more convenient for the user to access the information of that electronic device 200.

[0058] This processing can be implemented, for example, in the following manner. When the BLE communication unit 112 of the wireless communication unit 110 receives BLE-based radio waves, the broadcast data packets via BLE include reference radio wave strength information, thereby enabling the control unit 150 to obtain information about the distance between the information processing device 100 and the electronic device 200. The reference radio wave strength refers to the received signal strength (RSSI) of the beacon signal in the receiving device when the receiving device is set at a position that deviates from the beacon signal transmitting device only from the reference distance. Since the radio wave strength is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, if the radio wave strength at the reference distance is known, the control unit 150 can calculate information such as the distance between the information processing device 100 and the electronic device 200 based on the radio wave strength of the BLE beacon signal actually received by the wireless communication unit 110.

[0059] Furthermore, it can also be further displayed Figure 2 The determination process (step S300) determines the orientation of the discovered electronic device 200. Specifically, for example, as... Figure 8 As shown in A61, the control unit 150 can also display an icon including an arrow pointing in a predetermined direction as information for the electronic device 200-3. Furthermore, as shown in A62, it can also display the same icon as shown in A61 as information for the electronic device 200-4. Additionally, as shown in A63, it can also display the same icon as shown in A61 and A62 as information for the electronic device 200-5. By employing this method, the user can determine the orientation of the electronic device 200.

[0060] Such a display can be implemented via the control unit 150, for example, based on... Figure 2 The direction information acquisition process (step S200) involves creating an icon for a direction image from the acquired direction information and displaying the created icon along with the information of the corresponding electronic device 200. Alternatively, the control unit 150 may perform a process of pre-selecting an icon for a direction image corresponding to the acquired direction information from a group of icons of multiple types of direction images stored in a memory (not shown) and displaying it along with the information of the electronic device 200.

[0061] Furthermore, the control unit 150 can also further display information on... Figure 2 The information about the state of the electronic device 200 discovered during the determination process (step S300). Furthermore, the state can also be referred to as the condition. Moreover, the information indicating the state of the electronic device 200 can be of multiple types. Specifically, for example... Figure 8 The icon shown in A71 represents the state of electronic device 200-3, indicating that it is capable of performing a task and is currently in standby mode. Furthermore, the icon shown in A72 represents the state of electronic device 200-4, indicating that it is capable of performing a task and is currently performing one. The icon shown in A73 represents the state of electronic device 200-5, indicating that an error has occurred. However, the styles used to represent the state of electronic device 200 are not limited to... Figure 8 As shown in the example, the control unit 150 can implement a display process that indicates the state of the electronic device 200 by changing the color of the icon, or it can implement a display process that indicates the state of the electronic device 200 by changing the shape of the icon. This process can be achieved by including information indicating the state of the electronic device 200 in the BLE broadcast data packets sent by the electronic device 200. Furthermore, the control unit 150 can also implement a process that hides the icons indicating the states of A71 to A73, etc., for electronic devices 200 that have not been connected to the information processing device 100. Figure 8 In the example, it is assumed that electronic devices 200-3, 200-4, and 200-5 have all been connected to the information processing device 100.

[0062] In this manner, in the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the control unit 150 performs display processing on a screen indicating that the electronic device 200, which is the object of the determination, is capable of performing a task. By employing this method, the user can appropriately determine which electronic device 200 to select based on whether the task can be performed. For example, in Figure 8 In this system, the user is aware that selecting electronic device 200-3, which is in a state where it can perform a task and is currently in standby mode, is the most suitable option. Furthermore, if, for example, the electronic device 200 included in the overview display is only electronic device 200-5, which is in an error state, the user can make a judgment such as whether to move to find another electronic device 200.

[0063] In addition, although Figure 8The overview shown on A41 is displayed as a list of electronic devices 200-3 to 200-5 arranged vertically. However, the control unit 150 can further implement a process of listing the electronic devices 200 based on a predetermined reference. For example, the control unit 150 can also implement a process of listing and displaying the electronic devices 200 in order of proximity to the information processing device 100, based on a predetermined reference. Furthermore, for example, the control unit 150 can also implement a process of listing the electronic devices 200 based on a predetermined reference associated with the aforementioned direction information. More specifically, for example, the direction in which the antenna (not shown) of the information processing device 100 faces is set as a first priority direction. Then, the control unit 150 can also implement a process of listing and displaying the electronic devices 200 in order of proximity to the direction closest to the first priority direction, based on the direction information obtained in the aforementioned direction information acquisition process (step S200). Furthermore, for example, the control unit 150 can also implement a process of listing the electronic devices 200 based on a predetermined reference associated with the state of the electronic devices 200, based on a predetermined reference. For example, the control unit 150 may also implement a process that displays the electronic devices 200 capable of performing tasks above the electronic devices 200 in an error state. Furthermore, the control unit 150 may also implement a process that sets multiple predetermined criteria and categorizes the electronic devices 200 listed according to each criterion. By employing this method, the user can easily select the desired electronic device 200 based on the criteria they want to emphasize. Additionally, when displaying as a list, these processes are not necessary; the control unit 150 may also implement a process that sequentially lists and displays only the electronic devices 200 discovered using the search process (step S100) through the display process (step S400). Based on the above, in the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the control unit 150 implements a display process that shows a list of information about electronic devices 200 within a predetermined direction range, as a screen relating to the electronic device 200 that is the object of determination. By employing this method, the user can grasp the electronic devices 200 within the desired range as a list.

[0064] In addition, although Figure 8 The screen shown on A40 is an example of listing electronic devices 200 as a list, but it is not limited to this; for example, it can also use... Figure 9 The screen shown on the A80 is an example of this. Specifically, the control unit 150 is in... Figure 9In the dialog box shown in A81, as shown in A82, a map image with icons representing electronic devices 200 arranged in a two-dimensional layout is displayed as a overview. In the map image shown in A82, electronic devices 200 discovered through the search process (step S100) are displayed as icons colored in a quadrilateral shape. Furthermore, Figure 9 The information shown on A83 is consistent with Figure 8 The information shown on A45 is the same. Figure 9 The information shown on A84 is consistent with Figure 8 The information shown in A46 is the same.

[0065] The display of the mapping image shown in A82 can be achieved, for example, in the following manner. The control unit 150 performs the following processing: based on image information of the ground where the electronic device 200, whose location is known, is located and stored in a memory not shown, the control unit 150 displays the mapping image as an icon on the mapping image at coordinates corresponding to the mapping image. Furthermore, for the electronic device 200 discovered through the aforementioned search process (step S100), the control unit 150 performs the following processing: it performs the following process: based on the orientation information of the electronic device 200 obtained through the orientation information acquisition process (step S200), it performs the following process: it performs the following process: based on the orientation information of the electronic device 200 obtained through the orientation information acquisition process (step S200), it performs the following process: based on the inferred orientation information, it performs the following process: ...

[0066] Furthermore, the process of estimating the position information of the information processing device 100 can be implemented, for example, in the following manner. The control unit 150 performs a process to determine an imaginary line connecting the two electronic devices 200 and the information processing device 100 based on the aforementioned direction information. Then, the control unit 150 performs a process to determine the intersection point of the two imaginary lines obtained by this process and to estimate the position information of the information processing device 100 based on the position information of that intersection point. Then, the control unit 150 performs a process to display an icon representing the information processing device 100 at a position on a mapping drawing corresponding to the estimated position information, in a double circle pattern, for example, as shown in A85.

[0067] In addition, even in Figure 9 The overview displayed on A82 can also be used to highlight information from other electronic devices 200. Figure 2The information of the electronic device 200 closest to the information processing device 100 among the electronic devices 200 discovered during the determination process (step S300) is displayed in a specific style. For example, as shown in A86, the control unit 150 can display the icon of the electronic device 200 closest to the information processing device 100 in an emphasized style by performing a process of additionally displaying an icon surrounding the icon of the electronic device 200 closest to the information processing device 100. Furthermore, not limited to this, the control unit 150 can perform display processing that changes the color of the icon, display processing that changes the size of the icon, or display processing that makes the icon blink, and can implement this in various other ways.

[0068] In addition, it can also be used Figure 8 The method of narration and Figure 9 The method can be combined in several ways. For example, although the illustration is omitted, the control unit 150 can also implement the following processing: displaying the icon of the electronic device 200 in standby mode using a first color, and displaying the icon of the electronic device 200 in error mode using a second color different from the first color. Furthermore, the control unit 150 can also implement the following processing: displaying the icon of the electronic device 200 that is closer to the information processing device 100 at a first size, and displaying the icon of the electronic device 200 that is farther from the information processing device 100 than the electronic device 200 covered by the first size at a second size smaller than the first size. Furthermore, the control unit 150 can also implement the following processing: displaying the icon of the stationary electronic device 200 in a first shape, and displaying the icon of the mobile electronic device 200 in a second shape different from the first shape. In addition, the characteristics of the electronic device 200 corresponding to the color, size, and shape of the icon of the electronic device 200 are not limited to the above, and the user can make appropriate settings.

[0069] In this manner, in the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the control unit 150 performs display processing on a mapping image that displays images of electronic devices 200 located within a predetermined direction range, as a screen relating to the electronic device 200 that is the object of judgment. By employing this method, the user can visually judge information about electronic devices 200 located within a desired range. As a result, the user can more appropriately judge the selected electronic device 200. For example, by including information such as channels in the mapping image, the user can appropriately judge the electronic device 200 that is most easily accessible from the information processing apparatus 100.

[0070] In addition, as mentioned above, Figure 2 The processing examples are performed repeatedly on a regular basis. Therefore, Figures 6-9 The display will be updated periodically according to predetermined conditions, and the displayed content will be changed. Predetermined conditions include, for example, the power supply to any electronic device 200 being turned on or off, a sudden malfunction of the electronic device 200, or a change in distance or direction information due to movement of the information processing device 100 or the electronic device 200. Utilizing Figure 11 The same applies to the examples shown in the later descriptions of the changes.

[0071] Furthermore, the method of this embodiment is not limited to the above-described content, and various modifications can be implemented. Although Figure 4 The display processing (step S400) involves displaying a predetermined icon after the information processing device 100 and the electronic device 200 are connected, in a manner that makes the operation of the predetermined icon valid. However, if, for example, the result of the determination process (step S300) includes the electronic device 200, then the process of making the operation of the predetermined icon valid can also be implemented. This is because some users may believe that as long as the connectable electronic device 200 is confirmed to be within a predetermined directional range, they want to perform the task regardless of the position of the electronic device 200. Specifically, the control unit 150 uses the display processing example from... Figure 2 Step S400 is changed to Figure 10 Step S1400 is performed and the process is carried out, thereby enabling the achievement.

[0072] Figure 10This is a flowchart detailing a processing example of the display processing (step S1400) in the change example. For example, the control unit 150 performs a process (step S1410) to determine whether the result of the determination process (step S300) includes the previously selected electronic device 200. If the control unit 150 determines that the result of the determination process (step S300) includes the previously selected electronic device 200 (yes in step S1410), it performs a process to display the device in a manner that makes the operation to the predetermined icon valid (step S1420) and ends the process. On the other hand, if the control unit 150 determines that the result of the determination process (step S300) does not include the previously selected electronic device 200 (no in step S1410), it performs a process (step S1430) to determine whether the predetermined icon is being displayed in a way that allows for effective operation. If the control unit 150 determines that a predetermined icon is not displayed and can be effectively operated (No in step S1430), it performs a process to determine whether the result of the determination process (step S300) includes more than one electronic device 200 (step S1440). If the control unit 150 determines that the result of the determination process (step S300) does not include more than one electronic device 200 (No in step S1440), it performs a process to invalidate the operation on the predetermined icon by displaying it (step S1450), and ends the process. On the other hand, if the control unit 150 determines that the result of the determination process (step S300) includes more than one electronic device 200 (Yes in step S1440), it performs the aforementioned process of step S1420. Furthermore, if the control unit 150 determines that a predetermined icon is being displayed and can be effectively operated (Yes in step S1430), it performs a process to determine whether the predetermined icon has been selected (step S1460). If the control unit 150 determines that a predetermined icon has been selected (yes in step S1460), it performs the process of displaying the overview screen (step S1470) and ends the process. On the other hand, if the control unit 150 determines that a predetermined icon has not been selected (no in step S1460), it ends the process.

[0073] use Figure 11 To implement Figure 10 The screen transition during the display processing (step S1400) will be explained. Let's assume the following situation: Figure 11 The image shown by E10 is the same as Figure 5 The screen shown on the A10 is the same, and the user is the same as... Figure 5Similarly, A11 selected the icon of the photo panel shown in E11. Since the result of the determination process (step S300) includes the previously selected electronic device 200 (yes in step S1410), the control unit 150 will execute... Figure 10 Step S1420, therefore with Figure 6 The same process is performed on the screen shown in E20 as on the screen shown in A20. Furthermore, since the control unit 150 determines that the result of the processing (step S300) does not include the previously selected electronic device 200 but includes more than one electronic device 200, in... Figure 10 In step S1440, if the result is "Yes" and step S1420 is executed, the same process of displaying the screen shown on E20 will be performed. That is, the user cannot distinguish whether the result of the determination process (step S300) includes the previously selected electronic device 200 or not, but includes more than one electronic device 200, solely based on the screen on E20. However, as mentioned above, this is not a problem if it is important for the user to recognize that a printing task can be performed using electronic devices 200 within a predetermined range. On the other hand, if the result of the determination process (step S300) is that none of the electronic devices 200 are included, then... Figure 10 In step S1440, the result will be "No" and step S1450 will be executed. Therefore, the control unit 150 will perform the process of displaying the screen shown on E30.

[0074] Then, the user selects, for example, the print button icon shown in E21, as a predetermined icon. If the result of the determination process (step S300) includes the previously selected electronic device 200 (yes in step S1410), the control unit 150 performs the process of sending print task data to the electronic device 200. Such a process can be implemented using the following methods. For example, although a flowchart is omitted, for example in… Figure 10 If "Yes" is selected in step S1410, an additional process is added to set the predetermined flag to "On". Then, the control unit 150 performs the process of selecting... Figure 11 The process involves determining whether the predetermined flag is enabled when the predetermined icon is shown in E21, and if the predetermined flag is enabled, the process of sending the printing task data to the electronic device 200 is performed.

[0075] On the other hand, if the control unit 150 determines that no electronic device 200 is included in the result of the determination process (step S300) and determines that the predetermined icon is being displayed and can be operated effectively, the control unit 150 determines "yes" in step S1460 and executes step S1470, thereby implementing the process of displaying the screen shown on E40. The screen of E40 is, for example, similar to... Figure 8 The same screen as the A40, Figure 11 Although the specific illustrations shown in E41 are omitted, they are, for example... Figure 8 The overview shown on A41. Furthermore, the control unit 150 can also display the screen of E40 in conjunction with... Figure 9 The processing on the same screen as shown on the A80. That is, the control unit 150 can also implement the same processing as... Figure 9 The overview shown on A81 is displayed in the same way. Figure 11 The processing of the image shown in E41.

[0076] As described above, the information processing apparatus of this embodiment is an information processing apparatus that communicates wirelessly with an electronic device via a wireless communication unit, and includes a search result acquisition unit, a direction information acquisition unit, and a control unit. The search result acquisition unit acquires information about the search results from the electronic device through a search performed by the wireless communication unit. The direction information acquisition unit acquires direction information indicating the direction in which the electronic device is located through short-range wireless communication between the wireless communication unit and the electronic device. Based on the search result information and the direction information, the control unit performs a determination regarding whether the electronic device discovered through the search is located within a predetermined direction range, and performs display processing of a screen related to the electronic device being determined.

[0077] By employing this method, users can monitor electronic devices located within a predetermined directional range. This allows users to make appropriate judgments regarding the selected electronic devices.

[0078] In addition, the control unit can also perform display processing of a screen indicating that the electronic device that is the object of the determination can perform the task.

[0079] By adopting this approach, users can make appropriate judgments about the selected electronic devices based on whether the task can be performed.

[0080] In addition, the control unit may, if the determination result is that the electronic device is within the range of the predetermined direction, perform a process to enable the operation of the icon indicating the execution of the task, and if the determination result is that the electronic device is not within the range of the predetermined direction, perform a process to invalidate the operation of the icon.

[0081] By adopting this approach, users can ascertain whether the electronic device capable of performing the task is within the desired range.

[0082] In addition, the control unit can also perform a process to determine whether the electronic device is within a predetermined angular range, including the horizontal direction, within a predetermined direction.

[0083] By adopting this method, users can primarily grasp information about electronic devices located in the horizontal direction.

[0084] Furthermore, the control unit may also perform display processing to indicate that multiple electronic devices are within the range of a predetermined direction when multiple electronic devices are discovered through searching as a result of a determination.

[0085] By adopting this method, users can be aware of the presence of multiple electronic devices within a desired range.

[0086] In addition, the control unit can also perform display processing of a screen that displays a list of information about electronic devices within a predetermined direction range, which is related to the electronic device that is the object of the determination.

[0087] By adopting this method, users can keep a list of electronic devices within their desired range.

[0088] In addition, the control unit can also perform screen display processing, which displays an image of an electronic device located within a predetermined direction range on a mapping image as a screen related to the electronic device that is being judged.

[0089] By adopting this method, users can visually assess the information of electronic devices located within a desired range.

[0090] The program of this embodiment enables the computer to function as a wireless communication unit, a search result acquisition unit, a direction information acquisition unit, and a control unit for wireless communication with electronic devices. The search result acquisition unit acquires search result information from the electronic device through a search performed by the wireless communication unit. The direction information acquisition unit acquires direction information indicating the direction in which the electronic device is located through short-range wireless communication with the electronic device implemented by the wireless communication unit. Based on the search result information and the direction information, the control unit performs a determination regarding whether the electronic device discovered through the search is located within a predetermined directional range, and performs display processing of a screen related to the electronic device being determined.

[0091] Furthermore, although this embodiment has been described in detail as above, it is readily understood by those skilled in the art that numerous modifications can be made without substantially departing from the present embodiment and its effects. Therefore, all such modifications are assumed to be included within the scope of this disclosure. For example, a term described at least once in the specification or drawings along with a different term that is more general or synonymous can be replaced with that different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. In addition, all combinations of this embodiment and its modifications are also included within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the structure and operation of information processing apparatuses and programs are not limited to what is described in this embodiment, and various modifications can be implemented.

[0092] Explanation of symbols

[0093] 100…Information processing device; 110…Wireless communication unit; 112…BLE communication unit; 114…Wi-Fi communication unit; 120…Processing unit; 130…Search result acquisition unit; 140…Directional information acquisition unit; 150…Control unit; 160…Display unit; 200, 200-1, 200-2, 200-3, 200-4, 200-5, 200-A…Electronic device; 212…BLE communication unit; 214…Infrastructure mode communication unit; 216…Internal access point; 300…External access point; AOA…Angle of arrival; AOD…Angle of departure; α…Elevation angle; D, DXY, DZ…Direction.

Claims

1. An information processing device, characterized in that, It communicates wirelessly with electronic devices via a wireless communication unit, and the information processing device includes: The search result acquisition unit obtains information about the search results of the electronic device through the search conducted by the wireless communication unit; The direction information acquisition unit acquires direction information indicating the direction of the electronic device's presence through close-range wireless communication with the electronic device implemented by the wireless communication unit. The control unit, based on the information from the search results and the direction information, performs a determination regarding whether the electronic device discovered through the search is located within a predetermined directional range, and performs display processing of a screen related to the electronic device that is the object of the determination. The control unit performs screen display processing indicating that the electronic device that has become the object of the determination is capable of performing the task. If the determination result indicates that the electronic device is within the range of the predetermined direction, the operation of the icon representing the execution of the task is made valid; if the determination result indicates that the electronic device is not within the range of the predetermined direction, the operation of the icon is made invalid.

2. The information processing apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit performs a process to determine whether the electronic device is located within a predetermined angular range, including the horizontal direction, within the predetermined direction range.

3. The information processing apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, If, as a result of the determination, multiple electronic devices are discovered through the search and are located within the predetermined directional range, the control unit performs display processing indicating that the multiple electronic devices are located within the predetermined directional range.

4. The information processing apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit performs display processing on a screen that displays a list of information about electronic devices located within the predetermined direction, as a screen relating to the electronic device that is the object of the determination.

5. The information processing apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit performs screen display processing, which displays an image of the electronic device located within the predetermined direction on a mapping image as a screen relating to the electronic device that is the object of the determination.

6. A recording medium, characterized in that, It contains programs that enable the computer to function as a component, said component including: The wireless communication unit communicates wirelessly with electronic devices; The search result acquisition unit obtains information about the search results of the electronic device through the search conducted by the wireless communication unit; The direction information acquisition unit acquires direction information indicating the direction of the electronic device's presence through close-range wireless communication with the electronic device implemented by the wireless communication unit. The control unit, based on the information from the search results and the direction information, performs a determination regarding whether the electronic device discovered through the search is located within a predetermined directional range, and performs display processing of a screen related to the electronic device that is the object of the determination. The control unit performs screen display processing indicating that the electronic device that has become the object of the determination is capable of performing the task. If the determination result indicates that the electronic device is within the range of the predetermined direction, the operation of the icon representing the execution of the task is made valid; if the determination result indicates that the electronic device is not within the range of the predetermined direction, the operation of the icon is made invalid.

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