Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing device capable of storing and managing pairing information for each type of electronic device. [Solution] When the information processing device 10 is connected via Bluetooth to a first electronic device 20 or a second electronic device 30, it includes a determination unit 111 that determines whether it is the first electronic device or the second electronic device, and a storage management unit 112 that, if it is determined to be the first electronic device, stores the identification information of the first electronic device in the storage unit 12, and if the storage unit already has the same number of identification information of other first electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information of the first electronic device to be stored, deletes the oldest identification information of other first electronic devices from the storage unit 12. When it is determined to be the second electronic device, it stores the identification information of the second electronic device in the storage unit 12, and if the storage unit 12 already has the same number of identification information of other second electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information of the second electronic device to be stored, deletes the oldest identification information of other second electronic devices from the storage unit 12.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] An information processing apparatus that wirelessly connects a plurality of types of electronic devices (e.g., tablets, barcode scanners, etc.) has been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing apparatus in which the number of registrable Bluetooth (registered trademark) pairing information is set.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 performs Bluetooth pairing with a plurality of types of electronic devices, it can only manage the total number of pairings of all the plurality of types of electronic devices, and cannot set the number of Bluetooth pairing devices for each type of electronic device. Therefore, when the pairing information of only a specific type of electronic device (e.g., a tablet) reaches the total number of pairings of the information processing apparatus, the old pairing information of other types of electronic devices (e.g., a barcode scanner) may be deleted.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that can be connected via Bluetooth to a first electronic device belonging to a first type and a second electronic device belonging to a second type different from the first type, and comprises: a storage unit that stores identification information of the first electronic device and identification information of the second electronic device; a discrimination unit that, when connected via Bluetooth to the first electronic device or the second electronic device, determines whether it is the first electronic device or the second electronic device; a storage management unit that, when determined to be the first electronic device, stores the identification information of the first electronic device in the storage unit, and if the storage unit already stores the same number of identification information of other first electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information of the first electronic device, deletes the oldest identification information of other first electronic devices from the storage unit; and when determined to be the second electronic device, stores the identification information of the second electronic device in the storage unit, and if the storage unit already stores the same number of identification information of other second electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information of the second electronic device, deletes the oldest identification information of other second electronic devices from the storage unit.

[0006] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing method performed by a computer that is Bluetooth connected to a first electronic device belonging to a first type and a second electronic device belonging to a second type different from the first type, wherein when Bluetooth is connected to the first electronic device or the second electronic device, the computer determines whether it is the first electronic device or the second electronic device, and if it is determined to be the first electronic device, it stores the identification information of the first electronic device in the storage unit of the computer, and if the storage unit already has the same number of identification information of other first electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information of the first electronic device to be stored, it deletes the oldest identification information of other first electronic devices from the storage unit, and if it is determined to be the second electronic device, it stores the identification information of the second electronic device in the storage unit, and if the storage unit already has the same number of identification information of other second electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information of the second electronic device to be stored, it deletes the oldest identification information of other second electronic devices from the storage unit.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute an information processing method for Bluetooth connection between a first electronic device belonging to a first type and a second electronic device belonging to a second type different from the first type, wherein the information processing method includes, when Bluetooth connection is made with the first electronic device or the second electronic device, determining whether it is the first electronic device or the second electronic device; if it is determined to be the first electronic device, storing the identification information of the first electronic device in the computer's storage unit; if the storage unit already has the same number of identification information of other first electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information of the first electronic device to be stored, deleting the oldest identification information of other first electronic devices from the storage unit; and if it is determined to be the second electronic device, storing the identification information of the second electronic device in the storage unit; if the storage unit already has the same number of identification information of other second electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information of the second electronic device to be stored, deleting the oldest identification information of other second electronic devices from the storage unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows the connection, identification, and memory management between an information processing device and electronic devices. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart that shows in detail the connection between the information processing device and the first electronic device. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows in detail the connection between the information processing device and the second electronic device. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device without a display unit according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that each drawing is merely an example illustrating embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, not all components described in the embodiments of the present invention are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0010] (Embodiment) [Example System Configuration] The communication system according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing one example configuration of the communication system according to the embodiment.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 1 according to this embodiment comprises an information processing device 10, one or more first electronic devices 20, and one or more second electronic devices 30. The first electronic device 20 is a first type of electronic device, which in this example can be a tablet. The second electronic device 30 is a second type of electronic device different from the first type, which in this example can be a barcode reader. In some embodiments, the first and second type electronic devices may be various Bluetooth-connectable electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, earphones, mice, keyboards, and readers, but each is of a different type. Also, in some embodiments, the first and second type electronic devices may be determined according to different Bluetooth protocols. For example, the first electronic device of the first type may be a PAN (Personal Area Network), and the second electronic device of the second type may be a HID (Human Interface Device).

[0012] The following describes the general configuration of the information processing device 10, the first electronic device 20, and the second electronic device 20 in that order.

[0013] [Example of a schematic configuration of the information processing device 10] The information processing device 10 is used to establish a connection for Bluetooth communication with the first electronic device 20 or the second electronic device 30. The information processing device 10 may be, for example, a concentrator (hereinafter referred to as HubBOX). In some embodiments, the information processing device 10 may be a device equipped with communication functions such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or PC (Personal Computer). The information processing device 10 is not limited to portable devices but may also be a stationary device. As shown in Figure 1, the information processing device 10 may include a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a wireless communication unit 13, and a display unit 14 and an operation unit 15. In other embodiments, the information processing device may not have a display unit (see Figure 5).

[0014] The control unit 11 controls the entire information processing device 10. The control unit 11 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), working memory, and a memory device for storing control programs and parameters. The control unit 11 can also be configured as a SoC (System on a Chip). The control unit 11 can be configured to store control programs in an executable state. However, the control unit 11 can also be configured to store control programs as a circuit configuration, such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or as a dedicated circuit. The above programs may include programs for realizing the functions of the information processing device 10 in cooperation with the memory unit 12, the wireless communication unit 13, the display unit 14, and the operation unit 15. The control unit 11 may include a communication control unit that controls communication in the wireless communication unit 13, but for the sake of simplicity, the explanation will be based on the premise that the control unit 11 also controls the wireless communication unit 13.

[0015] The functions of the information processing device 10 include a function to display a user interface (UI) image, which is an operation image used when establishing a Bluetooth communication connection between the first electronic device 20 and the second electronic device 30, on the display unit 14. Displaying the UI image on the display unit 14 may also be done by displaying the UI image provided by the first electronic device 20 on a browser. The functions of the information processing device 10 also include a function to receive user operations from the operation unit 15 on the UI image.

[0016] The storage unit 12 is, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, or other memory. Alternatively, the storage unit 12 may be considered as a part of the memory provided by the control unit 11. The storage unit 12 can also be considered as a part of the control unit 11.

[0017] The display unit 14 is a part for displaying information. The display unit 14 can display UI images, which are operation images provided by the first electronic device 20, as at least part of this information. The display unit 14 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 14 may also be configured to include a display and a drive circuit for driving the display. When the information processing device 10 connects to an electronic device via Bluetooth, after the information processing device 10 starts searching, a list of responding electronic devices can be displayed on the display unit 14 of the information processing device 10.

[0018] The operation unit 15 is the part that receives operations and inputs from the user, and can also be called the operation reception unit. The operation unit 15 can receive operations on operation images displayed on the display unit 14. The operation unit 15 can be implemented by, for example, a physical button, a touch panel or touch sensor mounted on the display unit 14, a pointing device, or a keyboard. In a configuration where the operation unit 15 is equipped with a touch panel or touch sensor, the display unit 14 and the touch panel together can also be called the operation panel of the information processing device 10.

[0019] The wireless communication unit 13 performs wireless communication with the first wireless communication unit 24 of the first electronic device 20 or the second wireless communication unit 34 of the second electronic device 30, which will be described later. The wireless communication unit 13 can be a communication interface for the information processing device 10 to perform wireless communication with an external device in accordance with the communication protocol of a predetermined communication method. The wireless communication unit 13 can have a plurality of wireless communication interfaces compliant with different communication methods respectively. The predetermined communication method is a communication method compliant with the Bluetooth standard. The version of the Bluetooth standard is not limited. Therefore, the Bluetooth standard may be, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy. Hereinafter, the wireless communication and its connection by the communication method compliant with the Bluetooth standard are referred to as BT communication and BT connection respectively. The wireless communication unit 13 performs wireless communication with the first electronic device 20 by the first communication method and with the second electronic device 30 by the second communication method. In the communication system 1, this includes the case where this external device is the first electronic device 20, but can also include the case of other devices.

[0020] [Schematic Configuration Example of the First Electronic Device] The first electronic device 20 is an electronic device belonging to the first type, and can be various devices equipped with a communication function, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC, a printer, a handy terminal, an automatic change machine, a barcode reader, a credit card settlement terminal, etc. In this example, the first electronic device 20 will be described as a tablet terminal (terminal device). The terminal device can be a tablet or a smartphone. Note that the first electronic device 20 is not limited to being portable and can also be an installed device. As shown in FIG. 1, the first electronic device 20 can include a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation unit 23, and a first wireless communication unit 24.

[0021] The control unit 21 can also be referred to as a controller and performs overall control of the first electronic device 20. The control unit 21 can be configured to include, for example, an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU or GPU, a working memory, and a storage device that stores control programs, parameters, and the like. The control unit 21 can also be configured as a System-on-Chip (SoC). The control unit 21 can be configured to store a control program in a state where it can be executed. However, the control unit 21 can also be configured to store the control program as a circuit configuration like a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or configured as a dedicated circuit. The above program can include a program for realizing the functions of the first electronic device 20 while cooperating with the storage unit 22, the operation unit 23, and the first wireless communication unit 24. The control unit 21 can include a communication control unit that controls communication in the first wireless communication unit 24. However, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the explanation will be based on the premise that the control of the first wireless communication unit 24 is also performed by the control unit 21.

[0022] The storage unit 22 is, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or other memory. A part of the memory included in the control unit 21 may be regarded as the storage unit 22. The storage unit 22 can also be regarded as a part of the control unit 21.

[0023] The operation unit 23 is a part that receives operations and inputs by the user and can also be referred to as an operation reception unit. The operation unit 23 can be realized, for example, by physical buttons or the like. Also, the operation unit 23 may be an operation unit other than physical buttons, similar to the operation unit 15 of the information processing device 10.

[0024] The first wireless communication unit 24 performs wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 13 of the information processing device 10. The wireless communication unit 13 can be a communication interface for the first electronic device 20 to perform wireless communication with an external device in accordance with the communication protocol of the first communication method. In this example, since the first electronic device 20 is a tablet-type terminal, the communication protocol of the first communication method is a Personal Area Network (PAN).

[0025] Although not shown in the diagram, the first electronic device 20 may also be equipped with a display unit for displaying information, similar to the information processing device 10. Furthermore, the first electronic device 20 may also be configured as an operation panel using this display unit and the operation unit 23.

[0026] [Example of a general configuration of the second electronic device] The second electronic device 30 is an electronic device belonging to a second type, different from the first type, and can be a variety of devices equipped with communication functions, such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, PC, printer, handheld terminal, automatic change machine, or credit card payment terminal. In this example, the second electronic device 30 will be described as a tablet terminal, which is a different type from the barcode reader of the first electronic device 20. Note that the second electronic device 30 is not limited to a portable type but may also be a stationary device. As illustrated in Figure 1, the second electronic device 30 may include a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an operation unit 33, and a second wireless communication unit 34.

[0027] The control unit 31 may also be called a controller and controls the entire second electronic device 30. The control unit 31 can be configured to include, for example, a processing unit such as a CPU or GPU, working memory, and a storage device for storing control programs and parameters. The control unit 31 can also be configured as an SoC. The control unit 31 can be configured to store control programs in an executable state. However, the control unit 31 can also be configured to store control programs as a circuit configuration such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or as a dedicated circuit. The above program may include a program for realizing the functions of the second electronic device 30 in cooperation with the storage unit 32, the operation unit 33, and the second wireless communication unit 34. The control unit 31 may include a communication control unit that controls communication in the second wireless communication unit 34, but for the sake of simplicity, the explanation will be based on the premise that the control unit 31 also controls the second wireless communication unit 34.

[0028] The storage unit 32 is, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, or other memory. Alternatively, the storage unit 32 may be considered as a part of the memory provided by the control unit 31. The storage unit 32 can also be considered as a part of the control unit 31.

[0029] The operation unit 33 is a part that receives operations and inputs from the user, and can also be called an operation reception unit. The operation unit 33 can be implemented, for example, by physical buttons. Alternatively, the operation unit 33 may be an operation unit other than a physical button, similar to the operation unit 15 of the information processing device 10.

[0030] The second wireless communication unit 34 communicates wirelessly with the wireless communication unit 13 of the information processing device 10. The second wireless communication unit 34 can serve as a communication interface for the second electronic device 30 to communicate wirelessly with an external device in accordance with the communication protocol of the second communication method. In this example, since the second electronic device 30 is a barcode reader, the communication protocol of the second communication method is HID (Human Interface Device). Communication system 1 includes cases where this external device is the second electronic device 30, but it can also include cases where it is another device.

[0031] Although not shown in the diagram, the second electronic device 30 may also be equipped with a display unit for displaying information, similar to the information processing device 10. Furthermore, the second electronic device 30 may also be configured as an operation panel using this display unit and the operation unit 33.

[0032] Next, the distinctive features of the information processing device related to this disclosure will be described in detail. The information processing device 10 may be able to connect via Bluetooth to a first electronic device 20 belonging to a first type and a second electronic device 30 belonging to a second type different from the first type. The information processing device 10 comprises a control unit 11 and a storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 stores identification information for the first electronic device 20 and identification information for the second electronic device 30. The identification information for the first electronic device 20 and the second electronic device 30 is also called pairing information and may be information that can uniquely identify each electronic device.

[0033] The control unit 11 includes a discrimination unit 111 and a memory management unit 112. The control unit has the function of executing various controls (i.e., information processing methods) based on various programs stored in the memory unit.

[0034] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the connection, identification, and storage management between the information processing device and the electronic device. When the identification unit 111 is connected via Bluetooth to the first electronic device 20 or the second electronic device 30 (S101), it determines whether it is the first electronic device 20 (in this example, a tablet) or the second electronic device 30 (in this example, a barcode reader) (S102).

[0035] If the discrimination unit 111 determines that the device is the first electronic device 20, the memory management unit 112 stores the identification information of the first electronic device 20 in the memory unit 12 (S103). At this time, if the same number of identification information records for other first electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information records for the first electronic device 20 are already stored in the memory unit 12 (YES in S104), the oldest identification information records for other first electronic devices are deleted from the memory unit 12 (S105), and the memory management unit manages to store the identification information of the first electronic device 20 in the memory unit 12. The maximum number of identification information records for first electronic devices that can be stored is the upper limit of the number of identification information records for first electronic devices belonging to the first type that can be connected via Bluetooth that the information processing device 10 can store. The memory unit 12 may store the maximum number of identification information records for first electronic devices (upper limit threshold).

[0036] Similarly, if the discriminant unit 111 determines that the device is a second electronic device 30, the memory management unit 112 stores the identification information of the second electronic device 30 in the memory unit 12 (S113). At this time, if the memory unit 12 already stores the same number of identification information for other second electronic devices 30 as the maximum number of identification information for the second electronic device 30 (YES in S114), the oldest identification information for the other second electronic devices is deleted from the memory unit 12 (S115), and the memory management unit manages to store the identification information for the second electronic device 30 in the memory unit 12. The maximum number of identification information for second electronic devices that can be stored is the upper limit of the number of identification information for second electronic devices belonging to the second type that can be connected via Bluetooth that the information processing device 10 can store. The memory unit 12 may store the maximum number of identification information for second electronic devices that can be stored (upper limit threshold).

[0037] In other words, the memory management unit 112 can separately store and manage the identification information of one or more first electronic devices and the identification information of one or more second electronic devices. This allows the system to retain pairing information for other types of electronic devices (e.g., barcode scanners) even if the total number of pairings for the information processing device is reached with only the pairing information for a specific type of electronic device (e.g., a tablet).

[0038] In some embodiments, the discrimination unit 111 can distinguish between a first electronic device and a second electronic device based on connection information. For example, a first electronic device 20 belonging to the first type may be able to connect to the information processing device 10 via Bluetooth using a first communication protocol. A second electronic device 30 belonging to the second type may be able to connect to the information processing device 10 via Bluetooth using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. In this case, when a Bluetooth connection is established with either the first electronic device 20 or the second electronic device 30, the discrimination unit 111 may determine whether it is the first electronic device 20 or the second electronic device 30 depending on the Bluetooth communication protocol.

[0039] In other embodiments, the discrimination unit 111 can distinguish between the first electronic device 20 and the second electronic device 30 based on the difference in connection method. The difference in connection method, as will be described in detail later, is whether the information processing device 10 is the one being searched for by the electronic device (see Figure 3) or whether the information processing device 10 is the one searching for the electronic device (see Figure 4).

[0040] Figure 3 is a flowchart detailing the connection between the information processing device and the first electronic device. When the information processing device 10 and the first electronic device 20 are connected via Bluetooth, the information processing device 10, acting as the Secondary device, is discovered by the first electronic device 20, acting as the Primary device, and the following PAN connection procedure is followed. In this example, the information processing device 10 is a HubBOX, and the first electronic device 20 is a tablet.

[0041] First, the HubBOX initiates a search for the first electronic device by having the user long-press the control panel 15 (Figure 1) (S201). The HubBOX then enters pairing mode (S202). Next, when the tablet's Bluetooth is turned on by the user (S203), the tablet begins searching (S204). The tablet discovers the HubBOX, which is in pairing mode (S5). The tablet then sends a pairing request to the HubBOX (S6). The HubBOX responds to this pairing request from the tablet (S207). This establishes a PAN connection, and the pairing between the HubBOX and the tablet is established (S208).

[0042] The discrimination unit 111 of the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 (HubBOX) can identify the tablet, which is the first electronic device 20, because the communication information with the connection destination is a PAN connection. The memory management unit 112 stores the identification information of the tablet, which is the first electronic device 20, as a pairing ID in the memory unit 12. In this example, the maximum number of first electronic devices (PAN devices) that can be stored in the memory unit 12 is 8.

[0043] If the number of tablet identification information stored in the memory unit 12 exceeds the upper limit, the memory management unit 112 deletes the identification information of the oldest other first electronic device (PAN device) (S209). The HubBOX sends a connection request to the tablet (S210). The tablet accepts this connection request (S211). The tablet sends a connection request to the HubBOX (S212). The HubBOX also accepts this connection request (S13). Note that either the primary or secondary device can send the connection request first, but they send them to each other.

[0044] In this way, a connection is established between the information processing device 10, the HubBOX, and the first electronic device (PAN device), the tablet (S214). This allows the tablet to connect to the internet via the HubBOX. Specifically, the tablet aims to perform Bluetooth tethering through this connection.

[0045] Figure 4 is a flowchart detailing the connection between the information processing device and the first electronic device. When connecting the information processing device 10 and the second electronic device 30 via Bluetooth, the information processing device 10, acting as the Primary, searches for the second electronic device 30, acting as the Secondary, and the following HID connection procedure is followed. In this example, the information processing device 10 is a HubBOX, and the second electronic device 30 is a barcode reader.

[0046] First, the barcode reader enters pairing mode through an operation (S301) (S302). Next, the user operates the HubBOX control panel. Specifically, the operation to start searching for the second electronic device is performed by short-pressing and then long-pressing the control panel 15 (Figure 1) (S303). The HubBOX then starts searching (S304). The HubBOX finds the barcode reader in pairing mode (S305). Subsequently, the HubBOX sends a pairing request to the barcode reader (S306). The barcode reader responds to this pairing request from the HubBOX (S307). This establishes an HID connection, and the pairing between the HubBOX and the barcode reader is established (S308).

[0047] The discrimination unit 111 of the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 (HubBOX) can identify the second electronic device 30, which is a barcode reader, because the communication information with the connection destination is an HID connection. The memory management unit 112 stores the identification information of the second electronic device 30, which is a barcode reader, as a pairing ID in the memory unit 12. In this example, the maximum number of second electronic devices (HID devices) that can be stored in the memory unit 12 is one.

[0048] If the number of tablet identification information stored in the memory unit 12 exceeds the upper limit, the memory management unit 112 deletes the identification information of the oldest other second electronic device (HID device) (S309). The HubBOX sends a connection request to the barcode reader (S310). The barcode reader accepts this connection request (S11). The barcode reader sends a connection request to the HubBOX (S312). The barcode reader also accepts this connection request (S313). Note that either the primary or secondary device can send the connection request first, but they send them to each other.

[0049] In this way, a connection is established between the information processing device 10, the HubBOX, and the second electronic device (HID device), the barcode reader (S314). Unlike in Figure 3, the barcode reader does not perform Bluetooth tethering through this connection.

[0050] As explained above, the discrimination unit 111 of the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 can determine whether the information processing device 10 is the one being searched for by the electronic device (first electronic device) (see Figure 3) or whether the information processing device 10 is the one searching for the electronic device (second electronic device) (see Figure 4), and whether it is the first electronic device or the second electronic device. Furthermore, the discrimination unit 111 can also determine whether the device is the first electronic device or the second electronic device depending on the user's operation method on the operation unit 15 (for example, long press only, short press followed by long press).

[0051] Here, we will explain the memory management operation in detail. If the maximum number of pairsable devices (storable) for the first electronic device 20 is X, and the maximum number of pairsable devices (storable) for the second electronic device 30 is Y, then the number of pairsable devices (total number that can be stored) for the information processing device 10 can be set to X + Y + 1. In other words, by increasing the number of pairsable devices (total number that can be stored) of the information processing device 10 by one more than the sum of the pairable devices of the first electronic device 20 and the second electronic device 30, the following storage management operation can be performed. That is, when the first electronic device is newly connected while both the first electronic device and the second electronic device are connected to their maximum numbers, X + Y + 1 pieces of identification information are temporarily stored, and then the oldest identification information of the first electronic device is immediately deleted. In other words, the total number of identification pieces of the first electronic device and the second electronic device becomes X + Y.

[0052] Specifically, when the first electronic device is connected to the information processing device via Bluetooth, the memory management unit 112 checks the number of identification entries for the first electronic device in the stored identification information. If the number of stored identification entries for the first electronic device, including newly connected ones, reaches X+1, the oldest identification entry for the first electronic device is deleted. As a result, the total number of identification entries for the first electronic device becomes X.

[0053] Furthermore, when a second electronic device is connected to the information processing device via Bluetooth, the memory management unit 112 checks the number of identification entries for the second electronic device in the stored information. If the number of stored identification entries for the second electronic device, including newly connected ones, reaches Y+1, the oldest identification entry for the second electronic device is deleted. As a result, the total number of stored identification entries for the second electronic device becomes Y.

[0054] Next, we will explain the automatic connection of electronic devices without screen displays. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an information processing device without a display unit according to another embodiment. The information processing device 10a shown in Figure 5 has a light source 17 added in place of the display unit 14. The light source 17 may be, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), but is not limited to this. In addition, a search unit 110 is added to the control unit 11.

[0055] Normally, as shown in Figure 1, when the information processing device 10 connects to an electronic device such as a barcode scanner, the information processing device 10 starts a search and then displays a list of responding electronic devices on the display unit 14 (Figure 1) of the information processing device 10. The user then selects an electronic device from this screen and starts pairing with it. However, this method cannot be used with the information processing device 10a (Figure 5), which does not have a screen to display the search results.

[0056] Therefore, as a method for connecting to such a second electronic device 30 with an information processing device 10a that does not have a display screen, the search unit 110 of the information processing device 10a starts a search and then analyzes data such as identification information of the responding electronic device. As a result, if an electronic device matching the information to be connected (for example, attribute information to be connected) is found, pairing with that second electronic device 30 is automatically started without any user selection operation.

[0057] If multiple electronic devices matching the information to be connected (for example, attribute information to be connected) are found, possible responses include: 1. connecting to the electronic device that responds first, 2. connecting to the electronic device with the strongest radio signal, or 3. not connecting (i.e., restarting the search). In some embodiments, the search unit 110 may stop the search process if it finds multiple first electronic devices 20.

[0058] The connection status of different types of Bluetooth devices on electronic devices without a screen display can be represented by the state of the light source 17. Specifically, the light source can be "off" when the electronic device is not connected, "on" during pairing, and "on" when connected.

[0059] In addition, the lighting pattern (i.e., different lighting cycles) may be changed during pairing with the first electronic device 20 and during pairing with the second electronic device 30 to distinguish which pairing process is being performed.

[0060] In some embodiments, the light source 17 may blink when the search unit 110 is searching for at least one of the first electronic device 20 and the second electronic device 30, and the light source 17 may be lit when Bluetooth is established with at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

[0061] The LED color when lit (for example, red, blue, or yellow) may be changed in three patterns: when connected to the first electronic device 20, when connected to the second electronic device 30, and when connected to both electronic devices 10 and 20.

[0062] Furthermore, the program described above includes a set of instructions (or software code) for causing the computer to perform one or more of the functions described in the embodiments when loaded into a computer. The program may be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable medium or a physical storage medium. Examples, but not limited to, include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD), or other memory technologies. Examples, but not limited to, include CD-ROMs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), Blu-ray® discs, or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices. The program may be transmitted over a temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium. Examples, but not limited to, include temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium that includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagating signals.

[0063] Although the present invention has been described above in accordance with the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiments, and of course includes various modifications, alterations, and combinations that can be made by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the claims of the present patent application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1 Communication system, 10 Information processing device, 10a Information processing device, 11 Control unit, 12 Storage unit, 13 Wireless communication unit, 14 Display unit, 15 Operation unit, 17 Light source, 20 First electronic device, 21 Control unit, 22 Storage unit, 23 Operation unit, 24 First wireless communication unit, 30 Second electronic device, 31 Control unit, 32 Storage unit, 33 Operation unit, 34 Second wireless communication unit, 110 Search unit, 111 Discrimination unit, 112 Memory management unit.

Claims

1. A first electronic device belonging to a first type, and a second electronic device belonging to a second type different from the first type, each being an information processing device that can be connected via Bluetooth, A storage unit that stores identification information for the first electronic device and identification information for the second electronic device, When connected via Bluetooth to the first electronic device or the second electronic device, a determination unit is provided to determine whether it is the first electronic device or the second electronic device. If it is determined to be the first electronic device, the identification information of the first electronic device is stored in the storage unit. If the same number of identification information entries for other first electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information entries for the first electronic device are already stored in the storage unit, the oldest identification information entry for other first electronic devices is deleted from the storage unit. An information processing apparatus comprising: a storage management unit that, when identified as the second electronic device, stores the identification information of the second electronic device in the storage unit, and manages to delete the oldest identification information of the other second electronic device from the storage unit if the same number of identification information of other second electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information of the second electronic device has already been stored in the storage unit.

2. The first electronic device belonging to the first type is capable of Bluetooth connection with the information processing device via a first communication protocol. The second electronic device belonging to the second type described above is capable of Bluetooth connection with the information processing device using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discrimination unit, when connected via Bluetooth to the first electronic device or the second electronic device, determines whether it is the first electronic device or the second electronic device according to the Bluetooth communication protocol.

3. It also includes a control panel for the user to operate, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discrimination unit determines whether it is the first electronic device or the second electronic device according to the user's operation method to the operation unit.

4. It further includes a search unit for searching for Bluetooth-enabled electronic devices. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discrimination unit determines whether the information processing apparatus is the first electronic device or the second electronic device, depending on whether the search unit of the information processing apparatus searches for an electronic device or whether the information processing apparatus is searched for by an electronic device.

5. It further includes a search unit for searching for Bluetooth-enabled electronic devices. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search unit stops the search process when it finds a plurality of first electronic devices.

6. It further includes a search unit for searching for Bluetooth-enabled electronic devices. When connected via Bluetooth to the first electronic device, the search unit does not perform a search when the search start operation of the first electronic device is executed. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein, when connected via Bluetooth to the second electronic device, the first electronic device performs a search start operation, and the device performs a search.

7. A search unit that searches for Bluetooth-enabled electronic devices, It is further equipped with a light source, When the search unit is searching for at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device, the light source will blink. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is illuminated when connected via Bluetooth to at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first electronic device is a terminal device and the second electronic device is a barcode reader.

9. An information processing method performed by a computer connected via Bluetooth to a first electronic device belonging to a first type and a second electronic device belonging to a second type different from the first type, When connected via Bluetooth to the first or second electronic device, it is determined whether it is the first or second electronic device. If it is determined to be the first electronic device, the identification information of the first electronic device is stored in the computer's memory unit. If the same number of identification information entries for other first electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information entries for the first electronic device are already stored in the memory unit, the oldest identification information entry for other first electronic devices is deleted from the memory unit. An information processing method that, when identified as the second electronic device, stores the identification information of the second electronic device in the storage unit, and manages to delete the oldest identification information of the other second electronic device from the storage unit if the same number of identification information of other second electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information of the second electronic device that can be stored is already stored in the storage unit.

10. A program that causes a computer to execute an information processing method for Bluetooth connection between a first electronic device belonging to a first type and a second electronic device belonging to a second type different from the first type, wherein the information processing method is When connected via Bluetooth to the first or second electronic device, it is determined whether it is the first or second electronic device. If it is determined to be the first electronic device, the identification information of the first electronic device is stored in the computer's memory unit. If the same number of identification information entries for other first electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information entries for the first electronic device are already stored in the memory unit, the oldest identification information entry for other first electronic devices is deleted from the memory unit. A program that, when identified as the second electronic device, stores the identification information of the second electronic device in the storage unit, and manages to delete the oldest identification information of the other second electronic device from the storage unit if the same number of identification information of other second electronic devices as the maximum number of identification information of the second electronic device that can be stored is already stored in the storage unit.

Images