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 a 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 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 on the user who selects the device identification name. For example, for those with low literacy in reading characters, such as children, 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: a display means; an identification name transmission means for transmitting an identification name which is its own identification name and includes any 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 for data communication with the other device, wherein the display control means ends the display of the information when the communication connection with the other device is established.

[0006] (2) In (1), each of the plurality of predetermined images corresponds one-to-one to a plurality of colors, each of the plurality of predetermined images indicates the corresponding color, and the display control means causes the display means to display the color indicated by the predetermined image included in the identification name.

[0007] (3) In (2), the display means comprises a light emitting element capable of selectively displaying one color out of the plurality of colors.

[0008] (4) In (2) or (3), the identification name includes one or a plurality of predetermined images corresponding to one or a plurality of colors out of the plurality of colors, and when the identification name includes two or more of the predetermined images, the display means sequentially displays the colors indicated by the plurality of predetermined images.

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

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

[0011] (7) In (1), the plurality of predetermined images are emojis, and the display control means causes the display means to display the emojis included in the identification name.

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

[0013] (9) A control method for a device including a display means, which transmits an identification name that is its own identification name and includes any one of a plurality of predetermined images, causes the display means to output information indicated by the predetermined image included in the identification name, receives a request for a communication connection based on the identification name from another device, establishes a communication connection for data communication with the other device, and when the communication connection with the other device is established, ends the display of the information, a device control method.

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

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, when device identification names are transmitted from a plurality of devices of the same type, it facilitates a communication connection with a desired device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

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Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to 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 moving 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 it may be a personal computer.

[0020] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the 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. Further, terminal 10 includes a processor 11, a storage 12, a communication unit 13, and a display panel 14.

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

[0022] Storages 12 and 22 are constituted by DRAM, non-volatile memory, etc. Storages 12 and 22 store the above program. Further, storages 12 and 22 store information and calculation results input from processors 11 and 21, communication units 13 and 23, etc.

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

[0024] Camera 24 is arranged to photograph below device 20, and photographs a pattern printed on a sheet or the like on which device 20 is placed.

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

[0026] The light emitting unit 26 can selectively emit light of one color out of a plurality of colors based on the control by the processor 21 or the like. The light emitting unit 26 is a light emitting element including, for example, a light emitting diode. The light emitting unit 26 is a kind of display device that displays colors toward the user.

[0027] The display panel 14 displays an image based on the control by the processor 11 or the like.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a view of an example of the device 20 as seen from below. The device 20 further includes buttons 222, a power switch 223, and two wheels 254. The light emitting unit 26 is embedded in the button 222. The button 222 can be pressed and the button 222 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] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing functions realized by the information processing system. The information processing system functionally 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 plurality of predetermined colors based on information that uniquely identifies its own device 20. Here, each of the plurality of predetermined colors corresponds one-to-one to a plurality of emojis (predetermined images). Also, each of the emojis includes the corresponding color. The emojis may be characters defined by so-called Unicode. The identification name generation unit 51 determines a device identification name including one or more emojis corresponding to the selected one or more colors.

[0031] The device information transmission unit 52 transmits a device identification name that is its own device identification name and includes one or more emojis among a plurality of emojis. The device information transmission unit 52 transmits information on its own device 20 including the device identification name. The device information transmission unit 52 may transmit, as information on the device 20, for example, advertisement data or scan response data of the Bluetooth Low Energy standard, or may transmit a beacon in the WiFi standard as information on the device 20.

[0032] The display control unit 53 causes display means such as the light emitting unit 26 to display information indicated by the emojis included in the device identification name (specifically, the color corresponding to the emojis included in the device identification name). Here, when the device identification name includes two or more emojis, the display control unit 53 causes the display means to display in order the colors indicated by the two or more emojis. Also, the display control unit 53 repeats the display in that order. Further, when a communication connection with another device is established, the display control unit 53 ends the display of the information indicated by the emojis.

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

[0034] When a communication connection for data communication is established, the data processing unit 55 transmits and receives data to and from other devices, and executes a process of operating the device 20 based on the transmitted and received data. The data processing unit 55 may control the running of the device 20, for example, based on data received from other devices.

[0035] Next, an overview of the operations of the terminal 10 and the device 20 at the time of communication connection will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram regarding the communication connection between the terminal 10 and the device 20. FIG. 5 is described based on the protocol of Bluetooth Low Energy communication connection. The terminal 10 and the device 20 respectively correspond to the central and peripheral of Bluetooth Low Energy. Note that a device identification name including one or more emoji indicating colors is determined before the operation shown in FIG. 5 starts, and it is assumed that the process for communication connection with the device 20 has started in the terminal 10.

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

[0037] The terminal 10 that has started scanning receives the advertisement data and transmits scan request data targeted at the device 20 that transmitted the advertisement data. The scan request data is information that requests detailed information about the device 20.

[0038] The device information transmission unit 52 of the device 20 that has received the scan request data transmits scan response data targeted at the terminal 10. The scan response data includes a device identification name.

[0039] When the terminal 10 receives the scan response data, it adds the device 20 to the list of connectable devices 20. The transmission and reception from the advertisement data transmission to the scan response reception are also performed between other devices 20 and the terminal 10.

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

[0041] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a device list displayed on the terminal. In the list shown in FIG. 6, one line corresponds to one device 20, and a button for starting a communication connection is displayed on the right side thereof. In the example of FIG. 6, the device identification name includes a character string of "Cube-XXX" and one or two emojis indicating colors. Note that XXX may also be generated based on information that can uniquely identify the device 20. In FIG. 6, the colors in the emojis are indicated by patterns, and the correspondence between the patterns and the colors is described at the bottom as a legend.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, the device identification name may be a combination of a fixed character string, a character string that can identify the device 20 alone, and an emoji. Further, the device identification name may be a combination of a fixed character string and one or more emojis, or may not include a fixed character string.

[0043] On the other hand, when the user presses the button 222, the display control unit 53 of the device 20 causes the light emitting unit 26 to display the information (color) indicated by the emoji included in the device identification name. Then, the user who has visually recognized the information (color) recognizes the device identification name indicating the device 20 from the device identification names displayed in the device list based on the information. Then, the user inputs an instruction for a communication connection to the device 20 with the device identification name, for example, by pressing the connection button in the row of the device identification name.

[0044] When the processor 11 of the terminal 10 acquires an instruction for communication connection, it causes the communication unit 13 to send a connection request to the instructed device 20, and establishes a communication connection for data communication between the terminal 10 and the device 20. When the communication connection is established, data transmission and reception start between the terminal 10 and the device 20, and the device 20 operates based on the transmitted and received data.

[0045] Here, the processing of the device 20 will be described in more detail. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing by the device 20. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the generation of a device identification name and the processing of the device 20 in the sequence shown in FIG. 5.

[0046] First, the identification name generation unit 51 determines a display color based on the serial number (S101). The serial number is information that uniquely identifies its own device 20 and is stored, for example, in the flash memory in the device 20. Here, the displayable colors are seven colors (red, blue, white, orange, yellow, green, purple), and the identification name generation unit 51 determines one or two of these seven colors as the display color. The number of combinations of display colors is 28, which is the sum of 7 cases of one color and 7 C 2 = 21 cases of two colors. The identification name generation unit 51 may assign numbers from 0 to 27 to the combinations of display colors, and determine the combination of display colors to which the same number as the remainder obtained by dividing the numerical value of the serial number by 28 is assigned as one or more display colors.

[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, as the device identification name, a string in which a predetermined number of digits based on the serial number is added to a fixed string such as "Cube-", and further an emoji corresponding to each of the determined one or more display colors is added. The identification name generation unit 51 may generate a device identification name that does not include at least one of the fixed string and the string based on the serial number and includes emojis corresponding to each of the one or more display colors.

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

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

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

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

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

[0053] The display control unit 53 determines whether the number of determined display colors is 2 or more (S202). If the number is 1 (N in S202), the single display color is made to be displayed on the light emitting unit 26 (S203), and that state is maintained. On the other hand, if the number is 2 or more (Y in S202), the display control unit 53 executes the processes after S204 for repeatedly displaying two or more display colors in order.

[0054] In S204, the display control unit 53 initializes a timer and assigns 1 to the variable i. Then, the display control unit 53 causes the i-th display color to be displayed on the light emitting unit 26 and waits for a display period (for example, 0.5 s) (S205). When the waiting ends, 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 processes after S205 are repeated. If the value of i exceeds the number of display colors (N in S208), 1 is assigned to i (S209), and the processes after S205 are repeated. By S206 and S207, the next sequential display color is displayed, and further, by the process of S208, the display of the display colors in order is repeated. Note that this process ends by S107.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the color display by the device 20. FIG. 9 shows an example of light emission in the device 20 that transmitted the device identification name displayed at the top of the device list in FIG. 6. First, before the button operation shown in S104 is performed, the light emitting unit 26 of the button 222 outputs a blinking blue color. When the button operation is performed, the device 20 repeatedly displays red and yellow, which are the colors indicated by the plurality of emojis included in the device identification name, in order. The display period for each color is 0.5 s.

[0056] The user can recognize that the emitted colors are red and yellow, and can easily find out, from the device list shown in FIG. 6, the device identification name of the device 20 to which the one including that color should be connected. In particular, even a child who cannot read characters such as alphabets can easily recognize the colors.

[0057] Also, in this embodiment, since it is possible to identify the device 20 only by the display, the display of the light emitting unit 26 may be started after transmitting the device identification name. Therefore, it is possible to start the display of the color for identifying the device 20 by a button operation. Further, by using the button operation, it becomes easy to use the device in combination with other applications, and by using the light emitting unit 26 and the button 222 in combination, the user can more intuitively understand the relationship between the operation and the display. By ending the display after establishing the communication connection, it is also possible to use the light emitting unit 26 in combination with other applications.

[0058] The transmission process of the device identification name and the connection control process mentioned in S103 will be further described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the transmission process of the device identification name and the connection control process. When starting these processes, the device information transmission unit 52 transmits an advertisement signal including the device identification name (S301). Also, when the interval period has elapsed after transmitting the advertisement signal (Y in S302), the device information transmission unit 52 repeats the processes after S301. The interval period is set to be different according to the device 20. The interval period may be determined randomly.

[0059] When the interval period has not elapsed after transmitting the advertisement signal (N in S302), the device information transmission unit 52 determines whether a scan request has been received from the central device (terminal 10) (S303). When a scan request is received (Y in S303), the device information transmission unit 52 transmits a scan response including the device identification name (S304) and repeats the processes after S302.

[0060] On the other hand, when 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 processes after S302 are repeated. On the other hand, if a connection request has been received (Y in S305), the connection control unit 54 establishes a communication connection via a data channel between the central device (terminal 10) and the device 20 (S306). Further, the data processing unit 55 starts transmitting and receiving data via the data channel with the central device (terminal 10) (S307).

[0061] FIG. 10 shows an example of the processing in BLE, but it can also be applied to another communication standard such as WiFi. For example, in WiFi, the device 20 is an access point, and it may transmit a beacon instead of an advertisement signal. The processes of receiving a scan request and transmitting a scan response may not be performed. Also, some authentication process may be performed in the communication connection.

[0062] Also, although the example mainly using the light emitting unit 26 as the display means has been described so far, a small display panel 27 may be used instead of the light emitting unit 26. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the device 20 having the display panel 27. The display panel 27 is arranged on the upper surface of the device 20 in FIG. 3. In this example, the identification name generation unit 51 determines the emoji itself to be displayed on the display panel 27 instead of determining the display color, and generates a device identification name including the code of the emoji. Further, instead of the color display by the light emitting unit 26, the determined emoji is displayed by the display panel 27. Note that the display panel 27 may display a single color at the same time. The processing in this case is substantially the same except that the light emitting unit 26 is replaced by the display panel 27.

Description of Reference Numerals

[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. A display means; an identification name transmission means for transmitting an identification name which is an identification name of the device itself and includes any 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; 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 for data communication with the other device; Including, the display control means terminates the display of the information when a communication connection with the other device is established. device.

2. 10. The device of claim 1, the plurality of predetermined images each correspond one-to-one to a plurality of colors, each of the plurality of predetermined images exhibiting a corresponding color; the display control means displays a color indicated by the predetermined image included in the identification name, device.

3. 3. The device of claim 2, the display means is made of a light-emitting element capable of selectively displaying one of the plurality of colors, device.

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

5. 3. The device of claim 2, a color selection unit for selecting one or more colors from the plurality of colors based on information that uniquely identifies the device itself; the identification name transmitting means transmits an identification name including one or more predetermined images corresponding to the selected one or more colors; device.

6. 3. The device of claim 2, each of the plurality of predetermined images is a pictogram having a corresponding color; device.

7. 10. The device of claim 1, the plurality of predetermined images are pictograms; the display control means displays the pictogram included in the identification name; device.

8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Further comprising a button, 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, comprising: Transmitting an identification name of the user, the identification name including any 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, and establishing a communication connection with the other device for data communication; when a communication connection with the other device is established, ending the display of the information; Device control methods.

10. A computer including a display means, an identification name transmission means for transmitting an identification name which is an identification name of the device itself and includes any 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 communication connection based on the identification name from another device and establishing a communication connection for data communication with the other device; Functioning as a the display control means terminates the display of the information when a communication connection with the other device is established. program.

Images