Information processing apparatus and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus and a program allowing high-level information transmission using an illumination device provided in the information processing apparatus.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises at least one illumination device, storage means, encoding means, and control means. The storage means can store hardware information including information on the number of illumination devices and colors that can be lit up, and encoding rules for encoding a text according to a lighting pattern of the illumination device. The encoding means encodes information to be transmitted in a text format on the basis of the hardware information and encoding rules. The control means controls the illumination device on the basis of the encoded information to be transmitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the widespread use of edge computing technology has led to an increase in the installation of edge servers. However, due to their role as servers, edge servers often do not have permanent display devices. For this reason, during initial installation or maintenance, users have had to prepare an external display or other display device in order to check the status of the equipment.

[0003] Additionally, although it was possible to output information by turning on and off lighting devices such as the power lamp and access lamp installed on the server body, the amount of information that could be expressed by simply turning the lamp on and off was limited, and its uses were limited. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a program that enable advanced information transmission by a lighting device provided in the information processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing device according to an embodiment includes at least one lighting device, a storage unit, an encoding unit, and a control unit. The storage unit can store hardware information including information about the number of lighting devices and the colors that can be illuminated by the lighting devices, and an encoding rule for encoding text using the lighting patterns of the lighting devices. The encoding unit encodes information to be communicated in text format based on the hardware information and the encoding rule. The control unit controls the lighting device based on the encoded information to be communicated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an information transmission system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the edge server according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an encoding rule according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the edge server according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a mobile terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the mobile terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the encoding process according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the lighting control process according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the decoding process according to this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information processing device and a program will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is one embodiment of an information processing device and a program, and does not limit the configuration, specifications, etc. thereof.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an information transmission system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the information transmission system 1 includes an edge server 2 and a mobile terminal 3. The edge server 2 is an example of an information processing device in this embodiment.

[0009] The edge server 2 is a device that connects the cloud side (network side) and the local side (device side used by users) in a system built using edge computing technology, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the edge server 2 is communicatively connected to a cloud server 5 via a network 4 such as the Internet. The edge server 2 is also communicatively connected to various devices 71 and 72 used by users via a network 6 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0010] The edge server 2 also includes at least one LED lamp. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the edge server 2 includes four LED lamps 211 to 214. The LED lamps 211 to 214 can emit light in multiple colors. The LED lamps 211 to 214 are standard equipment included in the edge server 2, and are originally intended to indicate, for example, the power on / off state, the network connection state, the startup state of a hard disk drive (HDD), etc. The LED lamps 211 to 214 are an example of a lighting device in this embodiment.

[0011] The edge server 2 also includes at least one physical switch 205. The physical switch 205 is an operation unit that can be manually operated by a user. The physical switch 205 is, for example, a power button, but is not limited to this. The physical switch 205 is an example of a physical operation unit in this embodiment.

[0012] The edge server 2 transmits information by visible light communication using the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214. The lighting patterns include the intervals at which the LED lamps 211 to 214 are turned on and off, and the combination of colors at which the LED lamps are turned on or off.

[0013] The devices 71 and 72 are various devices used by users, such as a receipt printer, a barcode scanner, an automatic change dispenser, etc. The edge server 2 is installed near the various devices 71 and 72, for example, in the same store or office.

[0014] When the edge server 2, cloud server 5, and devices 71 and 72 constitute a POS (Point of Sale) system, the edge server 2 may manage the devices 71 and 72 and perform sales processing, etc., while the cloud server 5 may perform sales management processing, etc. Having the edge server 2 handle some of the processing rather than the cloud server 5 performing the processing alone can reduce the amount of communication traffic throughout the system and achieve low latency. Note that the number and specific types of devices 71 and 72 are not limited to the above example, and they may also be PCs (Personal Computers), etc.

[0015] The mobile terminal 3 is a portable terminal that includes an imaging unit 307. The mobile terminal 3 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal, but may be any computer that includes the imaging unit 307. The mobile terminal 3 is used by, for example, an administrator of the edge server 2.

[0016] The mobile terminal 3 captures an image of the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 of the edge server 2 with the imaging unit 307. The mobile terminal 3 acquires the information transmitted from the edge server 2 by decoding the captured lighting pattern. In this way, information can be transmitted from the edge server 2 to the mobile terminal 3.

[0017] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of the edge server 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the edge server 2 according to this embodiment.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the edge server 2 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a communication unit 204, a physical switch 205, a storage unit 206, and LED lamps 211-214.

[0019] The CPU 201, ROM 202, and RAM 203 are connected via a bus to constitute a computer-configured control unit 20. In the control unit 20, the CPU 201 operates in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 202 and storage unit 206 and loaded into the RAM 203, thereby executing various processes. The control unit 20 is connected to each unit (communication unit 204, physical switch 205, storage unit 206, and LED lamps 211 to 214) via the bus.

[0020] The communication unit 204 is a communication interface that can be connected to the networks 4 and 6. The communication unit 204 communicates with the cloud server 5 and the devices 71 and 72 via the networks 4 and 6, and transmits and receives various information.

[0021] The storage unit 206 is a non-volatile storage device configured, for example, by an HDD, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory. The storage unit 206 stores various programs executed by the CPU 201 and various operation setting information related to the operation of the edge server 2. For example, the storage unit 206 stores a program 221 that executes encoding processing of transmission target information and control processing of the LED lamps 211 to 214. The storage unit 206 is an example of a storage means in this embodiment.

[0022] The storage unit 206 also stores setting information 222 , hardware information 223 , and encoding rule information 224 .

[0023] The setting information 222 is text data related to the settings of the edge server 2. The setting information 222 includes, for example, at least one of setting information for the OS (Operating System) of the edge server 2, setting information for application software installed on the edge server 2, and startup information for the application software. The OS setting information may include, for example, information related to network connection settings and connection settings between the edge server 2 and the devices 71 and 72. The connection settings between the edge server 2 and the devices 71 and 72 are, for example, information indicating the connection status between the edge server 2 and the devices 71 and 72. The startup information for the application software is information indicating the current startup status (preparing to start, starting, shutting down, etc.). The setting information 222 does not need to be stored in the storage unit 206 in advance; it may be acquired by processing by the control unit 20 and saved in the storage unit 206. The setting information 222 is an example of information to be transmitted in this embodiment.

[0024] The hardware information 223 is information relating to the hardware of the edge server 2. The hardware information 223 includes at least information relating to the number of LED lamps 211 to 214 provided in the edge server 2 and the colors that the LED lamps 211 to 214 can light up. The hardware information 223 is stored in the storage unit 206 in, for example, a text file format.

[0025] The encoding rule information 224 is encoding information for encoding text data using the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the encoding rule information 224 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the encoding rule information 224 includes information such as identification information of the encoding rule, definitions of the LED lamps to be used, definitions of the colors of the LED lamps to be used, definitions of lighting methods, and encoding methods.

[0026] The encoding rule information 224 may be stored in common among multiple edge servers 2 with different hardware configurations. Different hardware configurations mean, for example, different numbers of LED lamps or different numbers of light-emitting colors. Different hardware configurations result in different possible lighting patterns, so the encoding rule information 224 includes multiple encoding rules. The identification information for the encoding rules is an ID, number, or the like that can identify each encoding rule.

[0027] The definition of the LED lamp to be used is, for example, a definition that specifies the meaning of each of the LED lamps 211 to 214 in information transmission when multiple LED lamps 211 to 214 are arranged side by side. The meaning of each of the LED lamps 211 to 214 may be, for example, the association between each of the LED lamps 211 to 214 and an item in the setting information 222. For example, the encoding rule information 224 may include a definition such as that the first LED lamp 211 from the left outputs information about OS settings, and the second LED lamp 212 from the left outputs information about application settings.

[0028] The definition of the color of the LED lamp to be used is a definition that specifies the meaning of the color of light emitted by the LED lamp in information transmission. For example, it may be a correspondence between each of the LED lamps 211 to 214 and an item in the setting information 222. Furthermore, for example, the definition of the color of the LED lamp to be used may specify that a specific color represents identification information of the encoding rule to be used by the edge server 2 among multiple encoding rules included in the encoding rule information 224.

[0029] The lighting method definition specifies the meaning of the lighting time, blinking interval, etc. of the LED lamps 211 to 214.

[0030] The encoding method is, for example, a method that specifies how to express text data with codes, and specifically, is character code such as ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange), SJIS (Shift-JIS), etc. Note that the information included in the encoding rule information 224 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0031] Next, a description will be given of the functions of the edge server 2. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the edge server 2 according to this embodiment.

[0032] The program 221 executed by the edge server 2 of this embodiment has a modular configuration including an acquisition unit 21, an encoding processing unit 22, and an LED lamp control unit 23 shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 201 reads the program 221 from the storage unit 206 and loads the above-mentioned units (the acquisition unit 21, the encoding processing unit 22, and the LED lamp control unit 23) onto the RAM 203. As a result, the above-mentioned units are generated on the RAM 203. In other words, the acquisition unit 21, the encoding processing unit 22, and the LED lamp control unit 23 are realized by the control unit 20. Note that the functions of the edge server 2 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 4.

[0033] The program 221 executed by the edge server 2 of this embodiment is provided as a file in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0034] The program 221 executed by the edge server 2 of this embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The program 221 executed by the edge server 2 of this embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0035] The acquisition unit 21 acquires the setting information 222. For example, the acquisition unit 21 collects setting information of the OS of the edge server 2, setting information of application software installed on the edge server 2, and startup information of the application software, and stores the collected information in the storage unit 207 as the setting information 222.

[0036] The method of acquiring the setting information 222 is not particularly limited, and the acquisition unit 21 may acquire various information from the memory unit 206 of the edge server 2, or may download setting information of the OS of the edge server 2 from the cloud server 5.

[0037] The encoding processing unit 22 encodes the setting information 222 based on the hardware information 223 and encoding rules. In this embodiment, encoding refers to converting text data into a lighting pattern of the LED lamps 211 to 214. The data converted into a lighting pattern is called encoded data. For example, the encoding processing unit 22 converts the text data into data consisting of "0" and "1" based on the encoding rules. Then, the encoding processing unit 22 determines the positions, colors, lighting intervals, etc. of the LED lamps 211 to 214 corresponding to the "0" and "1" of the converted data based on the encoding rules. The encoded setting information 222 is expressed, for example, by associating information representing the name of an information item (for example, the name of an OS setting item) with the content corresponding to that item name (for example, the setting content corresponding to a certain OS setting item name).

[0038] The encoding processing unit 22 selects one of a plurality of encoding rules based on the hardware information 223 and uses it to encode the setting information 222. For example, the encoding processing unit 22 refers to the hardware information 223 and the encoding rule information 224, and identifies an encoding rule that is applicable to the hardware configuration of the edge server 2 from the plurality of encoding rules included in the encoding rule information 224.

[0039] In addition to the setting information 222, the encoding processing unit 22 may further generate encoded data indicating the encoding rule used to encode the setting information 222. In this case, the setting information 222 and the encoding rule used to encode the setting information 222 are examples of information to be transmitted. The encoded data indicating the encoding rule may include a rule that is transmitted using a specific color, as described above. In this case, the setting information 222 is encoded using a lighting pattern of colors excluding the specific color. For example, the encoding processing unit 22 generates a continuous series of lighting patterns including lighting and extinguishing of a specific color indicating the encoding rule used to encode the setting information 222, and lighting and extinguishing of colors excluding the specific color that is the encoded setting information 222. The encoding processing unit 22 is an example of an encoding means in this embodiment.

[0040] The LED lamp control unit 23 controls the on / off and luminous color of the LED lamps 211 to 214. The LED lamp control unit 23 controls the LED lamps 211 to 214 based on the coded data generated by the coding processing unit 22. That is, the LED lamp control unit 23 turns on or off the LED lamps 211 to 214 in a lighting pattern defined in the coded data. The LED lamp control unit 23 is an example of a control means in this embodiment.

[0041] The trigger for the LED lamp control unit 23 to start controlling the LED lamps 211 to 214 in a lighting pattern defined as encoded data is a specified operation of the physical switch 205. For example, the LED lamp control unit 23 starts controlling the LED lamps 211 to 214 based on the lighting pattern defined as encoded data when the physical switch 205 is pressed repeatedly a specified number of times or pressed and held for a specified period of time or longer. The physical switch 205 does not need to be a dedicated button for triggering the start of a lighting pattern; it can have its original role, such as a power button, and also serve as a trigger for starting a lighting pattern. For this reason, the specified operation for the physical switch 205 to function as a trigger for starting a lighting pattern should be an operation that can be distinguished from the operation for the original purpose of the physical switch 205 (for example, as a power button).

[0042] The amount of information that can be output per unit time according to the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 of the edge server 2 depends on the speed at which the LED lamps 211 to 214 are turned on and off. Specifically, the bit rate is expressed as R=1 / T (T=the time it takes for the LED lamps 211 to 214 to be turned on and off once). For example, if T is 0.01 seconds, the bit rate R is 100 bps.

[0043] In this embodiment, it is not assumed that the lighting patterns are read by the naked eye, but rather that the lighting patterns are recorded by the imaging unit 307 of the mobile terminal 3. For this reason, the speed at which the LED lamps 211 to 214 of the edge server 2 are turned on and off may be any speed at which the lighting and extinguishing can be distinguished in the video data captured by the imaging unit 307 of the mobile terminal 3, and is not limited to a speed that can be recognized by human perception.

[0044] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 3. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 3 according to this embodiment.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, the mobile terminal 3 includes a processor such as a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a communication unit 304, a display unit 305, an operation unit 306, an imaging unit 307, and a storage unit 308.

[0046] The CPU 301, ROM 302, and RAM 303 are connected via a bus to constitute a computer-configured control unit 30. In the control unit 30, the CPU 301 operates in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 302 and storage unit 308 and loaded into the RAM 303, thereby executing various processes. The control unit 30 is connected to each unit (communication unit 304, display unit 305, operation unit 306, imaging unit 307, and storage unit 308) via the bus.

[0047] The communication unit 304 is, for example, a communication interface that can be wirelessly connected to a mobile communication network. Note that the communication unit 304 may be capable of short-range wireless communication or the like.

[0048] The display unit 305 is an example of a display device provided in the mobile terminal 3, and is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a touch panel display, and displays various information according to the control of the control unit 20.

[0049] The operation unit 306 has various operation buttons and outputs key information according to an operation by an operator to the control unit 20. The operation unit 306 includes a touch panel provided on the display surface of the display unit 305.

[0050] The imaging unit 307 is a digital camera or the like that is capable of capturing color moving images. The imaging unit 307 is used to capture moving images of the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 of the edge server 2. The moving image data captured by the imaging unit 307 is stored in the storage unit 308, for example.

[0051] The storage unit 308 is a non-volatile storage device configured, for example, by an SSD, a flash memory, etc. The storage unit 308 stores various programs executed by the CPU 301 and various setting information related to the operation of the mobile terminal 3. For example, the storage unit 308 stores a program 321 that executes a decoding process for encoded transmission target information.

[0052] The storage unit 308 also stores encoding rule information 322. The storage unit 308 may also store video data captured by the imaging unit 307. The encoding rule information 322 has the same content as the encoding rule information 224 stored in the edge server 2. The encoding rule information 322 stored in the mobile terminal 3 is used to decode the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 of the edge server 2.

[0053] The hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 3 is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 5. For example, the mobile terminal 3 may further include various functions such as a microphone capable of voice input, a speaker capable of voice output, and a motor for a vibration function.

[0054] Next, a description will be given of the functions of the mobile terminal 3. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the mobile terminal 3 according to this embodiment.

[0055] The program 321 executed by the mobile terminal 3 of this embodiment has a modular configuration including an acquisition unit 31, a decoding processing unit 32, and a display control unit 33 shown in FIG. 6. The CPU 301 reads the program 321 from the storage unit 308 and loads the above-mentioned units (the acquisition unit 31, the decoding processing unit 32, and the display control unit 33) onto the RAM 303. As a result, the above-mentioned units are generated on the RAM 303. In other words, the acquisition unit 31, the decoding processing unit 32, and the display control unit 33 are realized by the control unit 30. Note that the functions of the mobile terminal 3 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 6.

[0056] The program 321 executed by the mobile terminal 3 of this embodiment is provided as a file in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk, CD-R, or DVD.

[0057] The program 321 executed by the mobile terminal 3 of this embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The program 321 executed by the mobile terminal 3 of this embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0058] The acquisition unit 31 acquires video data obtained by capturing an image of the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 of the edge server 2 using the imaging unit 307 based on a user operation. The acquisition unit 31 stores the acquired video data in, for example, the storage unit 308. The acquisition unit 21 of the edge server 2 may be referred to as a first acquisition unit, and the acquisition unit 31 of the mobile terminal 3 may be referred to as a second acquisition unit to distinguish them from each other.

[0059] The decoding processing unit 32 reads out the video data of the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 of the edge server 2 stored in the storage unit 308, and decodes the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 included in the video data. More specifically, the decoding processing unit 32 converts the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 into text data based on the encoding rule information 322.

[0060] The decoding processing unit 32 identifies the encoding rule used in the edge server 2 from the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211-214 and uses the identified encoding rule for decoding. For example, the decoding processing unit 32 identifies which encoding rule has been applied from among multiple encoding rules included in the encoding rule information 322, based on the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211-214 that are captured in the video data and show a specific color being on or off. Then, based on the identified encoding rule, the decoding processing unit 32 converts the encoded setting information 222, which is represented by the lighting patterns of colors excluding the specific color, into text data. For example, the decoding processing unit 32 converts the lighting pattern into the setting information 222 before encoding, based on the definition of the LED lamp to be used, the definition of the color of the LED lamp to be used, the definition of the lighting method, and the encoding method, which are defined by the encoding rule.

[0061] In other words, the decoding processor 32 interprets the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 of the edge server 2 and converts them into text data. Note that the method for decoding the lighting patterns is not limited to the above-mentioned method. As another method, the decoding processor 32 may decode the lighting patterns using each of a plurality of encoding rules included in the encoding rule information 322, and adopt, as the correct answer, one of the multiple decoded results that results in normal text data.

[0062] The display control unit 33 causes the display unit 305 to display the setting information 222 decoded by the decoding processing unit 32. The setting information 222 restored to text data is displayed on the display unit 305 of the mobile terminal 3, so that the administrator of the edge server 2 who uses the mobile terminal 3 can check the setting information 222 of the edge server 2.

[0063] Next, a description will be given of the flow of the encoding process executed by the edge server 2 configured as above. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the encoding process according to this embodiment. This process may be executed automatically, for example, when the edge server 2 is started up for the first time.

[0064] First, the acquisition unit 21 of the edge server 2 acquires the setting information 222 (S1).

[0065] Then, the encoding processing unit 22 of the edge server 2 reads the hardware information 223 stored in the storage unit 206 (S2). The encoding processing unit 22 also reads the encoding rule information 224 stored in the storage unit 206 (S3).

[0066] The encoding processing unit 22 then encodes the setting information 222 acquired in S1 based on the hardware information 223 and the encoding rule information 224 (S4). For example, the encoding processing unit 22 refers to the hardware information 223 and the encoding rule information 224 to identify an encoding rule applicable to the hardware configuration of the edge server 2 from among the multiple encoding rules included in the encoding rule information 224. The encoding processing unit 22 converts the setting information 222 into data consisting of "0" and "1" using the identified encoding rule, and further determines, based on the encoding rule, lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 corresponding to the "0" and "1" of the converted data. The encoding processing unit 22 combines the lighting pattern obtained by converting the setting information 222 with a lighting pattern representing the encoding rule used in the encoding process to generate coded data representing a lighting pattern for output. The encoding processing unit 22 stores the generated coded data representing the lighting pattern for output in, for example, the storage unit 206. The processing of this flowchart then ends.

[0067] Next, a description will be given of the flow of the encoding process executed by the edge server 2 configured as above. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the lighting control process according to this embodiment.

[0068] If the user has not performed a prescribed operation on the physical switch 205 (S11 "No"), the LED lamp control unit 23 of the edge server 2 waits for a user operation.

[0069] Then, when a user such as an administrator of the edge server 2 performs a prescribed operation on the physical switch 205 (S11 "Yes"), the LED lamp control unit 23 reads coded data representing a lighting pattern for output stored in the storage unit 206 (S12). Then, the LED lamp control unit 23 controls the on / off and luminous color of the LED lamps 211 to 214 using the lighting pattern based on the coded data (S13). At this point, the processing of this flowchart ends.

[0070] 7 and 8, the encoding process and the lighting control process for the LED lamps 211-214 based on the encoded data generated by the encoding process are described as separate processes, but these processes may be executed consecutively as a series of processes. For example, when the physical switch 205 is operated in a specified manner, the process of S1 in Fig. 7 may start, and after the process of Fig. 7 ends, the process of Fig. 8 may start immediately.

[0071] Next, we will explain the flow of the decryption process executed by the mobile terminal 3. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the decryption process according to this embodiment. This process is started by, for example, a user operation.

[0072] The acquisition unit 31 of the mobile terminal 3 acquires video data obtained by capturing the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 of the edge server 2 using the imaging unit 307, and stores the video data in the storage unit 308 (S31).

[0073] Next, the decoding processing unit 32 of the mobile terminal 3 reads the video data from the storage unit 308, and decodes the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 included in the video data (S32).

[0074] Then, the display control unit 33 of the portable terminal 3 causes the display unit 305 of the portable terminal 3 to display the decoding result of the decoding processing unit 32 (S33). Specifically, the display control unit 33 causes the display unit 305 to display the setting information 222 decoded from the lighting pattern by the decoding processing unit 32. Here, the processing of this flowchart ends.

[0075] As described above, the edge server 2 of this embodiment encodes the text-format configuration information 222 based on the hardware information 223 and the encoding rule, and controls the LED lamps 211 to 214 based on the encoded configuration information 222. Therefore, the edge server 2 of this embodiment enables advanced information transmission by the LED lamps 211 to 214 provided in the edge server 2. For example, even if the edge server 2 does not have a display device, the edge server 2 can output the configuration information 222 encoded using the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 that are standard equipment on the edge server 2. As described above, the configuration information 222 encoded using the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 can be decoded by the mobile terminal 3. Therefore, the user can check the configuration information 222 by capturing an image of the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214 of the edge server 2 using the mobile terminal 3. Therefore, when the user initially installs or performs maintenance on the edge server 2, there is no need to prepare an input / output device such as a display device, printer, or keyboard to check the configuration information 222, thereby reducing the workload.

[0076] Furthermore, the edge server 2 of this embodiment encodes the setting information 222 based on the hardware information 223 including information about the number of LED lamps 211 to 214 provided in the edge server 2 and the colors that can be lit, and therefore can perform encoding according to the configuration of the LED lamps 211 to 214 provided in the edge server 2. Therefore, the encoding rule information 224 can be used for general purposes for multiple edge servers 2.

[0077] Furthermore, when the physical switch 205 is operated by the user, the edge server 2 of this embodiment starts controlling the LED lamps 211-214 with a lighting pattern based on the coded data of the coded transmission target information. Therefore, the LED lamps 211-214, which are normally used for other purposes, can be switched to output the transmission target information at a timing desired by the user. Furthermore, since the operation of the physical switch 205 clarifies the time when the LED lamps 211-214 will start outputting the coded setting information 222, the start timing of the lighting pattern to be decoded on the mobile terminal 3 side that interprets the lighting pattern also becomes clear.

[0078] Furthermore, the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211-214 in this embodiment include the intervals at which the LED lamps 211-214 are turned on and off, and the combination of colors for lighting or turning off the lamps. The edge server 2 in this embodiment controls the LED lamps 211-214 with lighting patterns based on the coded data of the coded transmission target information. There is a limit to the amount of information that can be expressed by simply turning the LED lamps 211-214 on and off. However, in this embodiment, the LED lamps 211-214 are controlled with lighting patterns determined based on coding rules, so that complex lighting patterns that are difficult for humans to distinguish can also be used.

[0079] In addition, the information to be transmitted by the edge server 2 in this embodiment includes at least one of the OS setting information, the application software setting information, and the startup information of the application software. Because the user may need to refer to this information when initially installing or performing maintenance on the edge server 2, it is useful to output the setting information 222 encoded by the lighting patterns of the LED lamps 211 to 214.

[0080] Furthermore, the storage unit 206 of the edge server 2 of this embodiment stores encoding rule information 224 including multiple encoding rules. Furthermore, the edge server 2 of this embodiment selects one of the multiple encoding rules included in the encoding rule information 224 based on the hardware information 223 and uses it for encoding the setting information 222. Therefore, the administrator or the like does not need to set a dedicated encoding rule for each edge server 2, but can simply save the same encoding rule information 224 in common to multiple edge servers 2, thereby reducing the workload.

[0081] In addition, the information to be transmitted in this embodiment includes identification information that can identify the encoding rule used to encode the setting information 222, making it easier for the portable terminal 3 that reads the lighting pattern to identify the encoding rule.

[0082] More specifically, the encoding rule of this embodiment specifies that a specified color, among the colors that the LED lamps 211-214 can light up and that are included in the hardware information 223, is used to transmit identification information that can identify the encoding rule used for encoding, and the LED lamp control unit 23 causes the LED lamps 211-214 to emit light in the specified color based on the encoded transmission target information. Therefore, the edge server 2 of this embodiment makes it easy for the mobile terminal 3 that reads the lighting pattern to identify the encoding rule.

[0083] (Variation) In the above embodiment, the edge server 2 is an example of an information processing device, but the information processing device is not limited to an edge server, and may be any computer that does not have a permanent display device.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the setting information 222 of the edge server 2 is taken as an example of the information to be transmitted, but the information to be transmitted is not limited to this. For example, various information required by an administrator or the like during initial setup, maintenance, error handling, etc. of the edge server 2 can be taken as the information to be transmitted.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the lighting pattern for output includes a lighting pattern that indicates the encoding rule used for encoding, but the lighting pattern for output does not have to include a lighting pattern that indicates the encoding rule used for encoding. In this case, the encoding rule used for encoding may be identified on the mobile terminal 3 side based on the number of LED lamps 211 to 214 of the edge server 2 or the colors included in the lighting pattern.

[0086] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the predetermined colors of the LED lamps 211 to 214 represent identification information that can identify the encoding rule used for encoding, but the method of transmitting the encoding rule used for encoding is not limited to this. The edge server 2 may transmit identification information that can identify the encoding rule used for encoding to the mobile terminal 3, for example, by a pattern such as a specific lighting interval.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the LED lamps 211 to 214 are capable of emitting light in multiple colors, but may also emit light in a single color.

[0088] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1. Information transmission system 2 Edge Server 3. Mobile devices 4.6 Network 5. Cloud Server 20 Control Unit 21 Acquisition Department 22 Encoding processing unit 23 LED lamp control unit 30 Control Unit 31 Acquisition Department 32 Decryption processing unit 33 Display control unit 71,72 devices 204 Communications Department 205 Physical Switch 206 Memory section 207 Memory section 211~214 LED lamps 221 Program 222 Setting information 223 Hardware Information 224 Encoding rule information 304 Communications Department 305 Display section 306 Operation section 307 Imaging unit 308 Storage section 321 Program 322 Encoding rule information [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0090] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-128841

Claims

1. at least one lighting device; a storage means for storing hardware information including information about the number of the lighting devices and the colors that can be lit, and an encoding rule for encoding text using the lighting patterns of the lighting devices; encoding means for encoding information to be transmitted in text format based on the hardware information and the encoding rules; a control means for controlling the lighting device based on the encoded transmission target information; An information processing device comprising:

2. Further comprising a physical operation means that can be manually operated by a user, the control means starts control of the lighting device based on the encoded transmission target information when the physical operation means is operated. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The lighting pattern includes an interval between turning on and off the lighting device and a combination of colors to be turned on or off. the control means controls the lighting device in accordance with the lighting pattern defined in the encoded transmission target information.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1.

4. The information to be transmitted includes at least one of setting information of an OS (Operating System), setting information of application software, and startup information of the application software. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. the storage means stores a plurality of the encoding rules; the encoding means selects one of the plurality of encoding rules based on the hardware information and uses the selected encoding rule for encoding the information to be transmitted; The transmission target information further includes identification information that can identify the encoding rule used to encode the transmission target information. The information processing device according to claim 4 .

6. an encoding step of encoding information to be communicated in text format based on hardware information including information about the number of lighting devices and the colors that can be lit and an encoding rule for encoding text using lighting patterns of the lighting devices; a control step of controlling the lighting device based on the encoded transmission target information; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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