Information and communication equipment, information and communication systems, and programs

Abstract

The present invention provides an information and communication device, an information and communication system, and a program that can suitably transmit data between an information and communication device and an electronic device. [Solution] The information communication device (scientific calculator 101) includes a communication unit 16 for communicating with multiple electronic devices (scientific calculators 100), an acquisition unit (CPU 11) for acquiring a first radio wave strength capable of communicating with a first electronic device (scientific calculator 102) and a second radio wave strength capable of communicating with a second electronic device (scientific calculator 103) located further away from the device than the first electronic device, and a control unit (CPU 11) for deriving a third radio wave strength greater than the first radio wave strength and less than the second radio wave strength based on the first and second radio wave strengths acquired by the acquisition unit, and controlling the communication unit 16 to communicate with the first electronic device using the derived third radio wave strength.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information communication device, an information communication system, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in wireless communication between a plurality of electronic devices, there is known an electronic device that changes the radio wave intensity of radio waves transmitted to other devices according to the environment such as the ambient temperature and humidity of the own device (for example, see Patent Document 1). Also, there is known an information communication system that transmits and receives data using a Bluetooth (registered trademark) mesh network between a plurality of electronic devices. In a Bluetooth mesh network, communication with an electronic device (Low Power node) at a distant end is possible via a plurality of electronic devices (nodes) arranged in a mesh.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in an information communication system that transmits and receives data using a Bluetooth mesh network, if a plurality of electronic devices simultaneously transmit radio waves at the same frequency (2.4 GHz band), radio wave interference may occur and communication problems may occur.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information communication device, an information communication system, and a program that can suitably transmit data between an information communication device and an electronic device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the information communication device of the present invention comprises: a communication unit for communicating with a plurality of electronic devices; an acquisition unit for acquiring a first radio wave strength capable of communicating with a first electronic device and a second radio wave strength capable of communicating with a second electronic device located further away from the device than the first electronic device; and a control unit that, based on the first and second radio wave strengths acquired by the acquisition unit, derives a third radio wave strength greater than the first radio wave strength and less than the second radio wave strength, and controls the communication unit to perform communication with the first electronic device using the derived third radio wave strength.

[0007] Furthermore, the information communication system of the present invention comprises the first electronic device, the second electronic device, and the third electronic device which is an information communication device, wherein the first electronic device, the second electronic device, and the third electronic device are arranged at equal intervals from each other.

[0008] Furthermore, the program of the present invention causes a computer of an information communication device equipped with a communication unit for communicating with a plurality of electronic devices to function as an acquisition unit that acquires a first radio wave strength capable of communicating with a first electronic device and a second radio wave strength capable of communicating with a second electronic device located further away from the device than the first electronic device, and a control unit that derives a third radio wave strength greater than the first radio wave strength and smaller than the second radio wave strength based on the first and second radio wave strengths acquired by the acquisition unit, and controls the communication unit to perform communication with the first electronic device using the derived third radio wave strength. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention enables the efficient transmission of data between an information and communication device and an electronic device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of an information communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a scientific calculator. [Figure 3]This is a flowchart showing the process for setting the radio wave strength. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the arrangement of the scientific calculator in a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. The device configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The information and communication system 1000 is a system used, for example, during classes in a classroom of a school, which is an educational institution. In the classroom, desks used by students are arranged at equal intervals. The information and communication system 1000 includes scientific calculators 101 to 112 that are arranged at equal intervals by being placed on the desks of students arranged at equal intervals in the classroom. In the example shown in Figure 1, the scientific calculators 101 to 112 are arranged with a gap W between them. The number of scientific calculators shown in Figure 1, 12, is just an example, and it may be any other number of 2 or more. Each of the scientific calculators 101 to 112 is assigned an identification code, such as an ID, to identify each of the scientific calculators 101 to 112. Since scientific calculators 101 through 112 have similar configurations, they are referred to as "scientific calculator 100" when no distinction is made between them.

[0012] Scientific calculators 101 to 112 communicate wirelessly using a Bluetooth mesh network. The wireless communication method between scientific calculators 101 to 112 is not limited to BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), but may also be other wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or wireless LAN (Local Area Network). In this embodiment, only the scientific calculator 100 located closest to the device is subject to data communication; other scientific calculators 100 are excluded from data communication.

[0013] Referring to Figure 2, the internal functional configuration of the scientific calculator 100 will be explained. The scientific calculator 100 includes a CPU 11, an operation unit 12, RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a display unit 14, a storage unit 15, a communication unit 16, etc. Each part of the scientific calculator 100 is connected via a bus 17.

[0014] The CPU 11 controls the various parts of the scientific calculator 100. The CPU 11 reads a specified program from the system program and various application programs stored in the memory unit 15 and loads it into the RAM 13. The CPU 11 performs various processes in cooperation with the loaded program. The operation unit 12 has operation keys such as cursor keys, function keys, number keys, and arithmetic keys. The operation unit 12 receives key operations from the user and outputs the operation information to the CPU 11. The operation unit 12 may include a touch panel provided on the display unit 14.

[0015] RAM 13 is a volatile semiconductor memory, and a work area is formed therein for temporarily storing various data and programs. The display unit 14 has a display panel such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or ELD (Electro-Luminescent Display). The display unit 14 displays various display information on the display panel in accordance with the control of the CPU 11.

[0016] The storage unit 15 consists of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc., and stores information in a read-and-write manner. The storage unit 15 stores various programs and various information. In particular, the storage unit 15 stores the radio wave strength setting program P1 for executing the radio wave strength setting process described later. The storage unit 15 also stores the identification code of its own device. The communication unit 16 is a wireless communication module that uses the Bluetooth communication standard. The CPU 11 sends and receives data with other external devices such as a scientific calculator 100 via the communication unit 16.

[0017] Next, the operation of the information communication system 1000 will be explained with reference to Figure 3, describing the radio wave strength setting process performed by the information communication system 1000. The information communication system 1000 sets the radio wave strength for wireless communication using a Bluetooth mesh network between the scientific calculators 101 to 112 by executing the radio wave strength setting process. When a user inputs an instruction to execute the radio wave strength setting process from, for example, via the operation unit 12, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 100 is triggered by the input of the instruction to execute the radio wave strength setting process and executes the radio wave strength setting process according to the radio wave strength setting program P1.

[0018] In the following radio wave strength setting process, the data-transmitting scientific calculator 100 will be referred to as scientific calculator 101 (information communication device, third electronic device). The scientific calculator 100 that is the target of data communication from scientific calculator 101 will be referred to as scientific calculator 102 (first electronic device). Scientific calculator 102 is the scientific calculator 100 located closest to scientific calculator 101. The scientific calculator 100 that is not the target of data communication from scientific calculator 101 will be referred to as scientific calculator 103 (second electronic device). Scientific calculator 103 is the scientific calculator 100 located further from scientific calculator 101 than scientific calculator 102. Note that the information communication device (third electronic device) may be a scientific calculator 100 other than scientific calculator 101. In this case, the second electronic device is the scientific calculator 100 located closest to the scientific calculator 100 that is the information communication device. The third electronic device is a scientific calculator 100 located further away from the scientific calculator 100, which is an information and communication device, than the second electronic device, the scientific calculator 100.

[0019] First, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 controls the communication unit 16 to set the radio signal strength of the wireless signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 to the minimum (step S1). Next, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 broadcasts a signal of a specific pattern via the communication unit 16 at the minimum radio signal strength (step S2). For example, when the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102, located immediately next to the scientific calculator 101, receives a signal of a specific pattern from the scientific calculator 101, it reads its own device identification code from the storage unit 15. Then, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 broadcasts a first acquisition completion notification, including the read identification code of its own device and the received signal of a specific pattern, at the maximum radio signal strength. By broadcasting the first acquisition completion notification at the maximum radio signal strength, the scientific calculator 101 can reliably receive the first acquisition completion notification. Note that the radio signal strength of the wireless signal initially set in step S1 does not necessarily have to be the minimum. For example, if the previously acquired first radio wave strength is stored in the memory unit 15, the radio wave strength of the wireless signal initially set in step S1 may be half of this first radio wave strength, or a value obtained by reducing the strength of this first radio wave strength by a predetermined amount. Alternatively, for example, a radio wave strength greater than the minimum radio wave strength, or a strength of one-quarter of the maximum radio wave strength may be initially set as the radio wave strength of the wireless signal initially set in step S1. In such cases where the radio wave strength of the wireless signal initially set in step S1 is set to a strength different from the minimum strength, if the first acquisition completion notification is received in the first wireless communication, the radio wave strength may be gradually reduced, and the radio wave strength that was set immediately before the radio wave strength at which the first acquisition completion notification could no longer be received may be set as the first radio wave strength.

[0020] Next, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 determines whether it has received the first acquisition completion notification transmitted from any one of the scientific calculators 100 other than the scientific calculator 101 (step S3). When the scientific calculator 101 has not received the first acquisition completion notification (step S3; NO), the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 increases the radio wave intensity of the radio signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 by a predetermined value, and broadcasts and transmits a signal of a specific pattern again with the increased radio wave intensity (step S4). The predetermined value is a value at which the radio wave intensity of the radio signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 does not reach the maximum. Next, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 shifts the radio wave intensity setting process to step S3. As described above, until the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 receives the first acquisition completion notification, it repeatedly broadcasts and transmits a signal of a specific pattern while gradually increasing the radio wave intensity.

[0021] On the other hand, when the scientific calculator 101 has received the first acquisition completion notification (step S3; YES), the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 determines whether the signal of the specific pattern transmitted from the communication unit 16 matches the signal of the specific pattern included in the received first acquisition completion notification (step S5). When the signal of the specific pattern transmitted from the communication unit 16 matches the signal of the specific pattern included in the received first acquisition completion notification (step S5; YES), the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 stores the radio wave intensity at the time when the signal of the specific pattern was most recently transmitted from the communication unit 16 in the storage unit 15 as the first radio wave intensity (step S6). That is, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 repeatedly broadcasts and transmits a signal of a specific pattern while gradually increasing the radio wave intensity, and acquires the radio wave intensity at the time when the first acquisition completion notification was first received as the first radio wave intensity.

[0022] Next, the CPU 11 of the function calculator 101 increases the radio wave intensity of the radio signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 by a predetermined value from the first radio wave intensity, and broadcasts and transmits a signal of a specific pattern with the radio wave intensity increased from the first radio wave intensity (step S7). For example, when the CPU 11 of the function calculator 103 located at a position farther from the function calculator 101 than the function calculator 102 receives a signal of a specific pattern from the function calculator 101, it reads out the identification code of its own device from the storage unit 15. Then, the CPU 11 of the function calculator 103 broadcasts and transmits a second acquisition completion notification including the read identification code of its own device and the received signal of the specific pattern with the maximum radio wave intensity. By broadcasting and transmitting the second acquisition completion notification with the maximum radio wave intensity, the function calculator 101 can surely receive the second acquisition completion notification.

[0023] Next, the CPU 11 of the function calculator 101 determines whether it has received a second acquisition completion notification transmitted from any function calculator 100 other than the function calculator 101 and the function calculator 102 (step S8). When the function calculator 101 has not received the second acquisition completion notification (step S8; NO), the CPU 11 of the function calculator 101 increases the radio wave intensity of the radio signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 by a predetermined value and broadcasts and transmits the signal of the specific pattern again with the increased radio wave intensity (step S9). Next, the CPU 11 of the function calculator 101 shifts the radio wave intensity setting process to step S8. As described above, until the CPU 11 of the function calculator 101 receives the second acquisition completion notification, it repeatedly broadcasts and transmits the signal of the specific pattern while gradually increasing the radio wave intensity.

[0024] On the other hand, if the scientific calculator 101 receives a second acquisition completion notification (step S8; YES), the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 determines whether the signal with a specific pattern transmitted from the communication unit 16 matches the signal with a specific pattern included in the received second acquisition completion notification (step S10). If the signal with a specific pattern transmitted from the communication unit 16 matches the signal with a specific pattern included in the received second acquisition completion notification (step S10; YES), the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 stores the radio wave strength at the time the signal with a specific pattern was transmitted from the communication unit 16 immediately before as the second radio wave strength in the storage unit 15 (step S11). The CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 functions as an acquisition unit. In other words, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 repeatedly broadcasts the signal with a specific pattern while gradually increasing the radio wave strength, and acquires the radio wave strength at the time the second acquisition completion notification was first received as the second radio wave strength.

[0025] Next, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 reads the first and second signal strengths from the memory unit 15 and derives the third signal strength based on the first and second signal strengths (step S12). The third signal strength is greater than the first signal strength and less than the second signal strength. In step S12, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 may, for example, use the value obtained by adding the first and second signal strengths and dividing by 2 (i.e., the arithmetic mean) as the third signal strength. Alternatively, it may use the square root of the product of the first and second signal strengths (i.e., the geometric mean) as the third signal strength. Alternatively, it may use the value obtained by doubling the first signal strength, adding it to the second signal strength, and dividing by 3 (i.e., the weighted mean) as the third signal strength. Note that the above derivation method is just one example, and the third signal strength may be derived using other derivation methods based on the first and second signal strengths. Next, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 controls the communication unit 16 to set the radio wave strength of the wireless signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 to the third radio wave strength (step S13), and then terminates the radio wave strength setting process. The CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 then communicates data with the scientific calculator 102 based on the third radio wave strength.

[0026] Furthermore, if the specific pattern signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 does not match the specific pattern signal included in the received first acquisition completion notice (step S5; NO), or if the specific pattern signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 does not match the specific pattern signal included in the received second acquisition completion notice (step S10; NO), the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 101 proceeds to step S1 for the radio wave strength setting process.

[0027] As described above, by setting the radio wave strength of the wireless signal transmitted from the scientific calculator 101 to the third radio wave strength, the scientific calculator 101 can communicate with the scientific calculator 102 but not with the scientific calculator 103. This allows setting a radio wave strength that reaches only the scientific calculator 102, which is located closest to the data-transmitting scientific calculator 101 and is the target of data communication, thus suppressing radio interference even when multiple scientific calculators 100 simultaneously transmit radio waves in the information communication system 1000.

[0028] As described above, the information communication device (scientific calculator 101) of this embodiment includes a communication unit 16 for communicating with multiple electronic devices (scientific calculators 100), an acquisition unit (CPU 11) for acquiring a first radio wave strength that enables communication with a first electronic device (scientific calculator 102) and a second radio wave strength that enables communication with a second electronic device (scientific calculator 103) located further away from the device than the first electronic device, and a control unit (CPU 11) for deriving a third radio wave strength that is greater than the first radio wave strength and less than the second radio wave strength based on the first and second radio wave strengths acquired by the acquisition unit, and controlling the communication unit 16 to communicate with the first electronic device using the derived third radio wave strength. Therefore, since it is possible to set a radio wave strength that is located in close proximity to the data-transmitting scientific calculator 101 and reaches only the scientific calculator 102 which is the target of data communication, radio interference can be suppressed even when multiple scientific calculators 100 simultaneously transmit radio waves in the information communication system 1000. As a result, data can be suitably transmitted between the information communication device and electronic devices.

[0029] Furthermore, in the information communication device (scientific calculator 101) of this embodiment, the acquisition unit (CPU 11) repeatedly transmits a specific pattern of signal while gradually increasing the radio wave strength, and acquires the radio wave strength at the time it first receives a first acquisition completion notification from the first electronic device (scientific calculator 102), which is a response to the specific pattern of signal and includes the identification code of the first electronic device and the specific pattern of signal, as the first radio wave strength. Therefore, the minimum radio wave strength that the first electronic device (scientific calculator 102) can receive can be acquired.

[0030] Furthermore, in the information communication device (scientific calculator 101) of this embodiment, the acquisition unit (CPU 11) repeatedly transmits a specific pattern signal while gradually increasing the radio wave strength from the first radio wave strength, and acquires the radio wave strength at the time it first receives a second acquisition completion notification from the second electronic device (scientific calculator 103), which is a response to the specific pattern signal and includes the identification code of the second electronic device and the specific pattern signal, as the second radio wave strength. Therefore, it is possible to acquire a radio wave strength that is greater than the first radio wave strength and is the minimum radio wave strength that the second electronic device (scientific calculator 103) can receive.

[0031] Furthermore, in the information communication device (scientific calculator 101) of this embodiment, the third radio wave strength is such that communication is possible with the first electronic device (scientific calculator 102) but not with the second electronic device (scientific calculator 103). Therefore, it is possible to set a third radio wave strength that is located in close proximity to the data-transmitting scientific calculator 101 and reaches only the scientific calculator 102, which is the target of data communication.

[0032] Furthermore, in the information communication device (scientific calculator 101) of this embodiment, the third radio wave strength is the average value of the first radio wave strength and the second radio wave strength. This average value includes the average value calculated by arithmetic mean, the average value calculated by geometric mean, the average value calculated by weighted mean, etc. Therefore, the third radio wave strength that allows communication with the first electronic device (scientific calculator 102) but not with the second electronic device (scientific calculator 103) can be easily calculated.

[0033] Furthermore, the information communication system 1000 of this embodiment comprises a first electronic device (scientific calculator 102), a second electronic device (scientific calculator 103), and a third electronic device (scientific calculator 101) which is an information communication device, with the first, second, and third electronic devices arranged at equal intervals. Therefore, it is possible to suitably transmit data in wireless communication using a Bluetooth mesh network realized by a plurality of scientific calculators 100 arranged at a predetermined distance apart.

[0034] Furthermore, in the information communication system 1000 of this embodiment, the first electronic device (scientific calculator 102) transmits a first acquisition completion notification, which is a response to a specific pattern signal transmitted from the third electronic device (scientific calculator 101) with a radio wave strength greater than the first radio wave strength, and the second electronic device (scientific calculator 103) transmits a second acquisition completion notification, which is a response to a specific pattern signal transmitted from the third electronic device with a radio wave strength greater than the second radio wave strength. Therefore, the third electronic device (scientific calculator 101) can reliably receive the first acquisition completion notification from the first electronic device (scientific calculator 102) and can reliably receive the second acquisition completion notification from the second electronic device (scientific calculator 103).

[0035] The above description discloses an example in which the storage unit 15 is used as a computer-readable medium for the program according to the present invention, but the invention is not limited to this example. Other computer-readable mediums that can be used include ROM (Read Only Memory) and portable recording media such as CD-ROM. Furthermore, a carrier wave can also be used as a medium for providing the program data according to the present invention via a communication line.

[0036] The above-described embodiments are merely examples of the information communication device, information communication system, and program according to the present invention, and are not limited thereto. For example, in the above embodiment, the information communication device (third electronic device), the first electronic device, and the second electronic device are described as a scientific calculator 100, but the invention is not limited to this and may be other information communication devices such as a desktop PC, server, regular calculator, tablet PC, smartphone, handheld terminal, electronic dictionary, or sensor terminal. Furthermore, the information communication system 1000 and the radio wave strength setting process can also be applied to communication terminals that use a Bluetooth mesh network outside of classroom use at educational institutions, such as for setting up multiple information communication devices. In addition, the information communication system 1000 may further include a PC that is communicatively connected to the scientific calculator 100.

[0037] Furthermore, although the above embodiment assumes that the multiple scientific calculators 100 are arranged at equal intervals, this is not limited to this configuration. The intervals between the multiple scientific calculators 100 may differ. For example, in the example shown in Figure 4, scientific calculators 101 to 103 are arranged in a single row, with scientific calculator 101 and scientific calculator 102 spaced apart by an interval W1. Scientific calculator 102 and scientific calculator 103 are spaced apart by an interval W2. The interval W2 is larger than the interval W1. In this case, an example of how scientific calculator 102 performs the above-mentioned radio wave strength setting process will be described below. First, the CPU 11 of scientific calculator 102 controls the communication unit 16 to set the radio wave strength of the wireless signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 to the minimum (step S1). Next, the CPU 11 of scientific calculator 102 broadcasts a signal of a specific pattern via the communication unit 16 at the minimum radio wave strength (step S2). When the CPU 11 of scientific calculator 101, located closest to scientific calculator 102, receives a signal of a specific pattern from scientific calculator 102, it reads its own device identification code from the memory unit 15. Then, the CPU 11 of scientific calculator 101 broadcasts a first acquisition completion notification containing the read identification code of its own device and the received signal of a specific pattern at maximum radio wave strength. Next, the CPU 11 of scientific calculator 102 determines whether or not it has received a first acquisition completion notification transmitted from any of the other scientific calculators 100 (step S3). If scientific calculator 102 has not received a first acquisition completion notification (step S3; NO), the CPU 11 of scientific calculator 102 increases the radio wave strength of the wireless signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 by a predetermined value and broadcasts the signal of a specific pattern again at the increased radio wave strength (step S4). This predetermined value is a value that does not result in the maximum radio wave strength of the wireless signal transmitted from the communication unit 16.

[0038] Next, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 moves to step S3 for setting the signal strength. As described above, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 repeatedly broadcasts a specific pattern of signal while gradually increasing the signal strength until it receives the first acquisition completion notification. On the other hand, when the scientific calculator 102 receives the first acquisition completion notification (step S3; YES), the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 determines whether the specific pattern of signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 matches the specific pattern of signal included in the received first acquisition completion notification (step S5). If the specific pattern of signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 matches the specific pattern of signal included in the received first acquisition completion notification (step S5; YES), the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 stores the signal strength at the time the communication unit 16 transmitted the specific pattern of signal immediately before as the first signal strength in the storage unit 15 (step S6). Next, the CPU 11 of scientific calculator 102 increases the radio wave strength of the wireless signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 by a predetermined value from the first radio wave strength, and broadcasts a signal of a specific pattern using the increased radio wave strength (step S7). The CPU 11 of scientific calculator 103, which is located further away from scientific calculator 102 than scientific calculator 101, reads its own device identification code from the storage unit 15 when it receives the signal of a specific pattern from scientific calculator 102. Then, the CPU 11 of scientific calculator 103 broadcasts a second acquisition completion notification, which includes the read identification code of its own device and the received signal of a specific pattern, using the maximum radio wave strength.

[0039] Next, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 determines whether or not it has received a second acquisition completion notification transmitted from scientific calculator 101 or any other scientific calculator 100 (step S8). If the scientific calculator 102 has not received a second acquisition completion notification (step S8; NO), the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 increases the radio wave strength of the wireless signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 by a predetermined value and broadcasts a specific pattern signal again with the increased radio wave strength (step S9). Next, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 proceeds to step S8 for radio wave strength setting processing. As described above, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 repeatedly broadcasts a specific pattern signal while gradually increasing the radio wave strength until it receives a second acquisition completion notification. On the other hand, if the scientific calculator 102 receives a second acquisition completion notification (step S8; YES), the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 determines whether the specific pattern signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 matches the specific pattern signal included in the received second acquisition completion notification (step S10). If the specific pattern signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 matches the specific pattern signal included in the received second acquisition completion notification (step S10; YES), the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 stores the radio wave strength at the time the communication unit 16 transmitted the specific pattern signal immediately before as the second radio wave strength in the storage unit 15 (step S11).

[0040] Next, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 reads the first and second signal strengths from the memory unit 15 and derives the third signal strength based on the first and second signal strengths (step S12). The third signal strength is greater than the first signal strength and less than the second signal strength. In step S12, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 may, for example, use the value obtained by adding the first and second signal strengths and dividing by 2 (i.e., the arithmetic mean) as the third signal strength. Alternatively, it may use the square root of the product of the first and second signal strengths (i.e., the geometric mean) as the third signal strength. Alternatively, it may use the value obtained by doubling the first signal strength, adding it to the second signal strength, and dividing by 3 (i.e., the weighted mean) as the third signal strength. Note that the above derivation method is just one example, and the third signal strength may be derived using other derivation methods based on the first and second signal strengths. Next, the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 controls the communication unit 16 to set the radio wave strength of the wireless signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 to the third radio wave strength (step S13), and then terminates the radio wave strength setting process. The CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 communicates with the scientific calculator 101 based on the third radio wave strength set based on this radio wave strength setting process. As a result, the scientific calculator 102 communicates with the scientific calculator 101 based on the third radio wave strength set based on this process, so that only the scientific calculator 101 located closest to the device (scientific calculator 102) is the target of data communication, and data can be sent and received in a way that excludes scientific calculators 100 (scientific calculator 103) other than the scientific calculator 100 located closest to the device. Furthermore, if the specific pattern signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 does not match the specific pattern signal included in the received first acquisition completion notice (step S5; NO), or if the specific pattern signal transmitted from the communication unit 16 does not match the specific pattern signal included in the received second acquisition completion notice (step S10; NO), the CPU 11 of the scientific calculator 102 proceeds to step S1 for the radio wave strength setting process.

[0041] While embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 100, 101-112 Scientific calculator, 11 CPU, 16 Communication unit

Claims

1. A communication unit for communicating with multiple electronic devices, An acquisition unit that acquires a first radio wave strength capable of communicating with a first electronic device and a second radio wave strength capable of communicating with a second electronic device located further away from the device than the first electronic device, A control unit controls the communication unit to derive a third radio wave strength greater than the first radio wave strength and less than the second radio wave strength based on the first and second radio wave strengths obtained by the acquisition unit, and to perform communication with the first electronic device using the derived third radio wave strength. An information and communication device equipped with the following features.

2. The information communication device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit repeatedly transmits a signal of a specific pattern while gradually increasing the radio wave strength, and acquires the radio wave strength as the first radio wave strength when it first receives a first acquisition completion notification from the first electronic device, which is a response to the signal of the specific pattern and includes the identification code of the first electronic device and the signal of the specific pattern.

3. The information communication device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit repeatedly transmits a signal of a specific pattern while gradually increasing the radio wave strength from the first radio wave strength, and acquires the radio wave strength as the second radio wave strength when it first receives a second acquisition completion notice from the second electronic device, which is a response to the signal of the specific pattern and includes the identification code of the second electronic device and the signal of the specific pattern.

4. The information communication device according to claim 1, wherein the third radio wave intensity is such that communication is possible with the first electronic device but not with the second electronic device.

5. The information communication device according to claim 1, wherein the third radio wave intensity is the average value of the first radio wave intensity and the second radio wave intensity.

6. The first electronic device and, The aforementioned second electronic device, A third electronic device which is an information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: An information and communication system in which the first electronic device, the second electronic device, and the third electronic device are arranged at equal intervals from each other.

7. The first electronic device transmits a first acquisition completion notification, which is a response to a specific pattern signal transmitted from the third electronic device with a radio wave intensity greater than the first radio wave intensity. The information communication system according to claim 6, wherein the second electronic device transmits a second acquisition completion notification, which is a response to the signal of the specific pattern transmitted from the third electronic device at a radio wave intensity greater than the second radio wave intensity.

8. A computer in an information and communication device equipped with a communication unit for communicating with multiple electronic devices, An acquisition unit that acquires a first radio wave strength capable of communicating with a first electronic device and a second radio wave strength capable of communicating with a second electronic device located further away from the device than the first electronic device. A control unit that, based on the first and second radio wave strengths acquired by the acquisition unit, derives a third radio wave strength that is greater than the first radio wave strength and less than the second radio wave strength, and controls the communication unit to perform communication with the first electronic device using the derived third radio wave strength. A program that makes it function as such.

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