Control device, control method, and program

Abstract

A control device (10) comprises: a wireless interface (11) that (a) uses one channel selected from N channels (where N is an integer greater than or equal to two) to perform wireless communication, and (b) when not performing the wireless communication, waits to receive an identification signal transmitted by an apparatus while scanning the N channels, and receives the identification signal; and a provision unit (14) that refers to the identification signal received by the wireless interface (11) to communicably connect with the apparatus so as to provide the apparatus with setting information of the apparatus. A transmission channel through which the apparatus transmits the identification signal is predetermined. The proportion of time or number of times of reception waiting in the transmission channel in the scanning by the wireless interface (11), with respect to the total, is greater than 1 / N.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which, when a device establishes a wireless connection to an access point, connection information is input to the device using a terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-176451 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a control device and the like that can quickly discover a device that is performing wireless communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A control device in the present disclosure is a control device that (a) performs wireless communication on one channel selected from N channels (where N is an integer of 2 or greater), and (b) when not performing the wireless communication, waits to receive an identification signal transmitted by a device while scanning the N channels, and includes a wireless interface that receives the identification signal, and a providing unit that refers to the identification signal received by the wireless interface, connects to the device so as to be able to communicate with the device, and provides the device with configuration information of the device, wherein a transmission channel, which is the channel through which the device transmits the identification signal, is determined in advance, and the ratio of the time or number of times the wireless interface spends waiting to receive on the transmission channel to the total during the scan is greater than 1 / N. Effect of the Invention

[0006] The control device according to the present disclosure can quickly detect devices that communicate wirelessly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process executed by a control device in the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of scanning channels by a control device in an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flow diagram showing a process related to a non-display control device executed by a control device in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of an image displayed by the control device in the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of an image displayed by the control device in the embodiment. [Figure 8] 11 is a sequence diagram showing processing related to a non-display control device, executed by the control system in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 11 is a flow chart showing a process for providing connection information executed by a control device in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of rules for connection information according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 4 is a flow chart showing processing related to a display control device executed by a control device in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of the configuration of a control device and devices in an embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an authentication code displayed by a control device in the configuration of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed by a device in the configuration of FIG. 12. [Figure 15]FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of the configuration of the control device and the device in the embodiment. [Figure 16] 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed by a display device in the configuration of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] 4 is a sequence diagram showing processing related to a display control device, executed by the control system in the embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and the effects and the like that can be obtained from these inventions will be described.

[0009] (1) A control device comprising: (a) a wireless interface that performs wireless communication on one channel selected from N channels (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2); and (b) a wireless interface that waits to receive an identification signal transmitted by a device while scanning the N channels when the wireless communication is not being performed, and that receives the identification signal; and a providing unit that refers to the identification signal received by the wireless interface, connects to the device so as to be able to communicate with the device, and provides the device with configuration information of the device, wherein a transmission channel through which the device transmits the identification signal is determined in advance, and a ratio of the time or number of times the wireless interface waits to receive the identification signal on the transmission channel to the total time or number of times during the scan by the wireless interface is greater than 1 / N.

[0010] According to the above aspect, the control device waits for reception on a channel on which a device transmits an identification signal for a time or number of times greater than 1 / N, so that the control device can receive the identification signal at an earlier timing than when the control device waits for reception for a time or number of times equal to 1 / N. Furthermore, the control device also waits for reception on channels among the N channels excluding the channel on which the device transmits an identification signal, so that the control device is not hindered from discovering another device that transmits a beacon on a channel excluding the channel on which the device transmits an identification signal. In this way, the control device can discover devices that communicate wirelessly at an earlier timing.

[0011] (2) The control device described in (1), wherein the time spent waiting for reception on the transmission channel during the scan by the wireless interface is the longest of the times spent waiting for reception on each of the N channels, or the number of times spent waiting for reception on the transmission channel during the scan by the wireless interface is the greatest of the number of times spent waiting for reception on each of the N channels.

[0012] According to the above aspect, the control device waits for reception of an identification signal on a channel through which a device transmits an identification signal for the longest time or the greatest number of times among the N channels, so that the control device can receive the identification signal at an earlier timing, thereby enabling the control device to discover a device communicating wirelessly at an earlier stage.

[0013] (3) The control device described in (1) or (2), wherein the wireless interface alternately waits for reception on the transmission channel and waits for reception on any channel among the N channels other than the transmission channel during the scan.

[0014] According to the above aspect, the control device alternates between waiting for reception of an identification signal on a channel on which a device transmits an identification signal and waiting for reception of the identification signal on another channel, so that the control device can receive the identification signal at an earlier timing, thereby enabling the control device to discover a device communicating wirelessly at an earlier stage.

[0015] (4) A control device as described in any of (1) to (3), wherein the identification signal includes type information indicating a type of the device, and the providing unit provides the setting information to the device when the type information included in the identification signal indicates that the device is a display control device, and the display control device is a device equipped with a display device, or a device connected to a display device and displays an image on a display screen equipped in the display device.

[0016] According to the above aspect, when the device is a display control device, the control device provides the setting information necessary for the operation of the device. This allows the device to be put into an operating state in which it operates according to the setting information. Therefore, the control device can quickly discover devices that communicate wirelessly and quickly put the discovered devices into an operating state.

[0017] (5) The control device according to any of (1) to (4), wherein the wireless interface further receives an identification signal transmitted by a non-display control device while waiting to receive on the N channels, the identification signal including type information indicating a type of the device, the non-display control device being neither a device equipped with a display device nor a device connected to a display device and displaying an image on a display screen of the display device, and the control device further includes an information acquisition unit that, when the type information indicates that the device is the non-display control device, refers to the identification signal received by the wireless interface to acquire information indicating that software that manages the device and operates on a terminal can be installed on the terminal, and a display control unit that controls the display of an image indicating the information acquired by the information acquisition unit when the type information indicates that the device is the non-display control device.

[0018] According to the above aspect, when the device is a non-display control device, the control device controls the display of the image to make the user of the terminal aware that the software for managing the device can be installed on the terminal. This motivates the user to install the software for managing the device on the terminal, and allows the user to take action to install the software. Thus, the control device can quickly discover devices that communicate wirelessly, and promote the installation of the software for managing the discovered devices on the terminal.

[0019] (6) A control device described in any of (1) to (5), wherein, when the control device has a display screen and the display device to which the device is connected is the control device, the providing unit displays information necessary for authentication of the device as an OSD (on-screen display) on the display screen, and the device displays an input field for the information necessary for the authentication at a position on the display screen other than a position predetermined as a position where the OSD is displayed.

[0020] According to the above aspect, the control device displays the OSD including the information required for device authentication and the input field displayed by the device at different positions, in other words, it is possible to avoid one of them hiding the other. This allows the user to input the necessary information into the input field while simultaneously viewing the information required for device authentication and the input field. Therefore, the control device contributes to early detection of devices that communicate wirelessly and appropriate authentication of the detected devices.

[0021] (7) The control device described in (6), wherein the providing unit displays an authentication code as information necessary for authenticating the device, and the device displays an input field for the authentication code as information necessary for authenticating the device.

[0022] According to the above aspect, the control device displays an authentication code as information required for device authentication and displays an input field for the authentication code as information required for device authentication, thereby contributing to easier device authentication. Thus, the control device contributes to early detection of devices performing wireless communication and easier and more appropriate authentication of the detected devices.

[0023] (8) A control method executed by a control device having a wireless interface, the wireless interface (a) performing wireless communication on one channel selected from N channels (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2), and (b) when not performing the wireless communication, waiting to receive an identification signal transmitted by a device while scanning the N channels, receiving the identification signal, referring to the identification signal received by the wireless interface, connecting to the device so as to be able to communicate with the device, and providing configuration information of the device to the device, the transmission channel on which the device transmits the identification signal is predetermined, and the ratio of the time or number of times the wireless interface waits to receive on the transmission channel to the total during the scan is greater than 1 / N.

[0024] The above aspect provides the same effects as the above control device.

[0025] (9) A program for causing a computer to execute the control method described in (8).

[0026] The above aspect provides the same effects as the above control device.

[0027] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or duplicate explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0028] The inventor(s) provide the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and do not intend for them to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0029] (Embodiment) In this embodiment, a control device capable of quickly discovering a device performing wireless communication will be described.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0031] The control system 1 is a system that facilitates the installation of software that manages an appliance 30 disposed in a residence H of a user U onto a terminal T.

[0032] 1, the control system 1 includes a control device 10, a display device 20, a control server 42, and an application server 44. The control system 1 may further include a device 30 and a base station 40.

[0033] The device 30 is a device managed by software installed on the terminal T, for example, a home appliance, more specifically, a washing machine, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a television receiver (also called a TV), a recording device, or a door phone. The device 30 can be a non-display control device or a display control device. Here, the non-display control device is a device that is neither a device equipped with a display device nor a device connected to a display device and displays an image on a display screen equipped in the display device. The display control device is a device equipped with a display device, or a device connected to a display device and displays an image on a display screen equipped in the display device.

[0034] The device 30 is, for example, a device that the user U has newly placed in the residence H, and more specifically, a device that the user U has newly purchased and is going to use in the residence H.

[0035] The base station 40 is a base station of a wireless LAN in the residence H of a user U. The wireless LAN is, for example, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) network, and this case will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0036] The display device 20 is a display device having a display screen. The display device 20 displays an image on the display screen under the control of the control device 10.

[0037] The control server 42 is a server device that provides information that facilitates the installation of software that runs on the terminal T on the terminal T. The control server 42 is realized by a computer.

[0038] The application server 44 is a server device that has software (generally referred to as application software or smartphone app) that runs on the terminal T. The application server 44 is realized by a computer.

[0039] The control device 10 is software that manages the device 30 and is a control device that promotes the installation of software that operates on the terminal T to the terminal T. The control device 10 is connected to a base station 40 by wireless communication, and is connected to a network N via the base station 40, thereby enabling communication with other devices connected to the network N. The control device 10 controls the display of images on a display screen provided in the display device 20.

[0040] The control device 10 is, for example, a recording device, and this case will be described as an example. In this case, the control device 10 controls the display of images on a display screen of a display device 20 (for example, a television) connected to the recording device via a video communication standard (HDMI (registered trademark) or the like). The configuration of the control device 10 will be described in detail later.

[0041] The control device 10 may include a display device 20. In this case, it can be said that the control device 10 includes a display screen. The control device 10 controls the display of images on the display screen included in the control device 10. The control device 10 may be, for example, a television.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the control device 10 in this embodiment.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 10 includes a wireless IF (wireless interface) 11, an acquisition unit 12, a display control unit 13, and a provision unit 14.

[0044] The wireless IF 11 is a communication interface for wireless communication, and includes an antenna, a wireless circuit, and the like. The wireless IF 11 receives an identification signal wirelessly transmitted by the device 30. The wireless IF 11 is also referred to as a first wireless interface. For example, the wireless IF 11 may receive the identification signal as an SSID (Service Set Identifier) ​​included in a beacon signal of a wireless LAN (specifically, a Wi-Fi network), in other words, the identification signal may be included in the SSID. This case will be described as an example, but is not limited to this.

[0045] The wireless IF 11 performs wireless communication on one channel selected from N (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2) communication channels (also simply referred to as channels), and when not performing wireless communication, waits to receive an identification signal transmitted by the device 30 while scanning the N channels, and receives the identification signal. When the transmission channel, which is the channel on which the device 30 transmits the identification signal, is determined in advance, the ratio of the time or number of times the wireless IF 11 waits to receive the identification signal on the transmission channel to the entire scan is greater than 1 / N.

[0046] In a scan by the wireless IF 11, the time spent waiting for reception on the transmission channel may be the longest of the times spent waiting for reception on each of the N channels, or the number of times spent waiting for reception on the transmission channel in a scan by the wireless IF 11 may be the largest of the number of times spent waiting for reception on each of the N channels.

[0047] Furthermore, during scanning, the wireless IF 11 may alternately wait for reception on the transmission channel and on any channel among the multiple channels excluding the transmission channel.

[0048] The wireless IF 11 may further have a wireless interface for short-distance wireless communication. A communication standard for short-distance wireless communication is, for example, BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), and this case will be described as an example. The BLE communication interface of the wireless IF 11 may be used when the device 30 is a display control device. In this case, the wireless IF 11 may receive the identification signal as information included in a beacon signal of the BLE network.

[0049] The acquisition unit 12 is a functional unit that acquires information from the control server 42. The functional units of the control device 10 can be realized by a processor (e.g., a CPU (Central Processing Unit)) (not shown) of the control device 10 executing a predetermined program using a memory (not shown). The same applies to the subsequent functional units.

[0050] Specifically, the acquisition unit 12 acquires information indicating that the software that manages the device 30 and runs on the terminal T can be installed on the terminal T, by referring to the identification signal received by the wireless IF 11. The information may include, for example, notification information indicating that the software can be installed on the terminal T, or an address of a site that provides the software. The site is, for example, a website written in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), but is not limited to this. The information may also include, for example, an image that indicates the address (i.e., URL (Uniform Resource Locator)) of the site that provides the software and that can be read by the terminal T. The image is, for example, a two-dimensional code in which the address is encoded, and more specifically, a QR code (registered trademark).

[0051] The display control unit 13 is a functional unit that controls the display of an image (also called a presentation image) on the display screen of the display device 20. The display control unit 13 acquires a presentation image from the control server 42, and controls the display of the acquired presentation image.

[0052] When the control device 10 is equipped with a display device 20 (in other words, the control device 10 is equipped with a display screen), the display control unit 13 controls the display of the presentation image on the display screen of the control device 10. When the display device 20 is connected to the control device 10, the display control unit 13 controls the display of the presentation image on the display screen of the display device 20 connected to the control device 10.

[0053] The display control unit 13 performs the above control by providing a video signal indicating an image to be displayed on the display screen to the display device 20. Having received the video signal, the display device 20 displays a presentation image on the display screen based on the provided video signal.

[0054] The providing unit 14 is a functional unit that provides information to the device 30. The providing unit 14 provides connection information for the device 30 to connect to the base station 40 (in other words, connection information for the device 30 to connect to a wireless LAN). The providing unit 14 provides the connection information, which is the connection information for the wireless IF 11 to connect to the base station 40 and is set in the wireless IF 11, to the terminal T. Software for managing the device 30 is installed in the terminal T. It is assumed that the terminal T, to which the connection information has been provided, provides the provided connection information to the device 30 by the operation of the above software. In this way, the providing unit 14 provides the connection information to the device 30 via the terminal T.

[0055] When providing the connection information, the providing unit 14 may convert the connection information according to a predetermined conversion rule and then provide the connection information to the device 30 via the terminal T. Specifically, the providing unit 14 may convert the connection information set in the wireless IF 11 into connection information in the communication standard of the wireless IF (second wireless interface) included in the device 30 according to a predetermined conversion rule. In this case, the providing unit 14 sets the converted connection information in the wireless IF 11 and determines whether the wireless IF 11 in which the connection information is set has been connected to the base station 40. Then, when the providing unit 14 determines that the wireless IF 11 has been connected to the base station 40, it provides the converted connection information to the device 30 via the terminal T. Here, the predetermined conversion rule is a conversion rule for the ID of wireless LANs of mutually different communication standards, and more specifically, a conversion rule for converting the SSID of a Wi-Fi network, which is a wireless LAN, between that in IEEE802.11a and that in IEEE802.11g. The conversion rule will be described in detail later.

[0056] Furthermore, the providing unit 14 refers to the identification signal received by the wireless IF 11, establishes a communicable connection with the device 30, and provides the device 30 with setting information or location information required for the operation of the device 30.

[0057] The identification signal transmitted by the device 30 may include type information indicating the type of the device 30, and such a case will be described as an example. The type information includes at least information indicating whether the type of the device 30 is a non-display control device or a display control device.

[0058] When the identification signal includes type information, the acquisition unit 12 acquires the information when the type information indicates that the device 30 is a non-display control device. Furthermore, the display control unit 13 controls the display of an image when the type information indicates that the device 30 is a non-display control device.

[0059] Furthermore, the providing unit 14 provides the setting information to the device 30 when the type information included in the identification signal indicates that the device 30 is a display control device.

[0060] When the identification signal is included in the SSID, for example, information (numbers, letters, or symbols) at a predetermined position in the SSID is used as the identification signal, and the information at the predetermined position of the identification signal is used as type information. The acquisition unit 12 acquires the type information by extracting the information at the predetermined position of the identification signal.

[0061] The identification signal may further include the category of the device 30 (whether it is a washing machine, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a television, a recorder, or the like) or version information. In this case, information (numbers, letters, symbols, or the like) at a predetermined position of the identification signal is used as the product category and also as the version information. The acquisition unit 12 acquires the product category and also acquires the version information by extracting the information at the predetermined position of the identification signal.

[0062] The processing of the control device 10 configured as above will now be described in detail.

[0063] Fig. 3 is a flow diagram showing the process executed by the control device 10 in this embodiment. The flow diagram shown in Fig. 3 shows the flow of the process from when the control device 10 discovers the device 30 to when the control device 10 executes the process related to the device 30 according to the type of the discovered device 30. The flow diagram shown in Fig. 3 may be executed repeatedly by the control device 10.

[0064] In step S101, the wireless IF 11 of the control device 10 waits for a beacon while scanning channels, and receives a beacon. This beacon is assumed to be a beacon transmitted by the device 30. The device 30 transmits a beacon at a predetermined interval (e.g., 100 millisecond intervals) for a predetermined time (e.g., 15 minutes) after the power is turned on.

[0065] In step S102, the acquisition unit 12 of the control device 10 extracts the type information included in the beacon received in step S101, and acquires the type of the device 30 that transmitted the beacon.

[0066] In step S103, the acquisition unit 12 of the control device 10 determines whether the type of the device 30 acquired in step S102 is a display control device. If it is determined that the type of the device 30 is a display control device (Yes in step S103), the process proceeds to step S111, and if not (No in step S103), the process proceeds to step S104.

[0067] In step S104, the control device 10 executes a process related to the non-display control device. The detailed process included in step S104 will be described later.

[0068] In step S111, the control device 10 executes a process related to the display control device. The detailed process included in step S111 will be described later.

[0069] When step S104 or step S111 is completed, the series of processes shown in FIG. 3 ends.

[0070] Through the series of processes shown in FIG. 3, the control device 10 executes processes related to the type of the device 30, depending on whether the device 30 is a display control device or a non-display control device.

[0071] Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of scanning channels by the control device 10 in this embodiment. The scanning method shown in Fig. 4 can be used when the control device 10 receives a beacon (see step S101 in Fig. 3).

[0072] Here, an example will be described in which the channels available for communication by the wireless IF 11 are 1 to 13, and the number of channels N is 13. The transmission channel through which the device 30 transmits an identification signal is assumed to be channel 1.

[0073] In Fig. 4, (a) shows an example of a scanning method by a control device in a comparative example, and (b) to (e) show scanning methods by the control device 10. In Fig. 4, the horizontal axis represents time. In Fig. 4, hatched rectangles indicate periods during which wireless communication is performed (also referred to as communication periods), and unhatched rectangles with numbers written therein indicate periods during which reception is awaited on the channel indicated by the numbers (reception periods). In other words, the control device performs wireless communication during the communication periods, and awaits reception during reception periods during which wireless communication is not performed.

[0074] The scanning method according to the comparative example shown in Fig. 4(a) is a scanning method different from the scanning method of the control device 10, and is a scanning method executed by a general wireless communication device. In the scanning method shown in Fig. 4(a), the control device waits for reception in succession on each of the communicable channels, such as channels 1, 2, ..., during multiple reception periods, and after finishing waiting for reception on channel 13, it waits for reception again from channel 1. The order of the channels to wait for reception can be arbitrary. In this case, the ratio of the time to the total time spent waiting for reception on channel 1 is 1 / 13, and the ratio of the number of times to the total time spent waiting for reception on channel 1 is 1 / 13.

[0075] In the scanning method shown in Fig. 4(b), the control device 10 waits for reception on channels 1, 2, 3, and 4 in sequence during multiple reception periods, and then waits for reception on channel 1, which is the transmission channel. After that, the control device 10 waits for reception on channels 5 and onward in order. In this case, the proportion of the time spent waiting for reception on channel 1 to the total is 1 / 5, which is greater than 1 / 13. Also, the proportion of the number of times that channel 1 waits for reception to the total is 1 / 5, which is greater than 1 / 13.

[0076] In the scanning method shown in Fig. 4(c), the control device 10 alternately waits for reception on channel 1 and channels other than channel 1 during multiple reception periods. The order of the channels other than channel 1 may be arbitrary. In this case, the ratio of the time spent waiting for reception on channel 1 to the total is 1 / 2, which is greater than 1 / 13. Also, the ratio of the number of times that channel 1 waits for reception to the total is 1 / 2, which is greater than 1 / 13.

[0077] In the scanning method shown in FIG. 4(d), the control device 10 waits for a longer time on channel 1 than on any other channel other than channel 1. For example, the time on channel 1 is set to 1.5 times the time on channels other than channel 1. In this case, the ratio of the time on channel 1 to the total time is 1.5 / 13, which is greater than 1 / 13. Also, the ratio of the number of times channel 1 waits for a signal to the total time is equal to 1 / 13.

[0078] In the scanning method shown in FIG. 4(e), the control device 10 waits for channel 1 multiple times (e.g., twice) in a scan that waits for channels 1, 2, ..., 13. During the first wait period, it waits for channel 1 for half the time of (a) etc., and then, immediately after waiting for channel 4, it waits for channel 1 for half the time of (a) etc. In this case, the proportion of the time spent waiting for channel 1 to the total is equal to 1 / 13. The proportion of the number of times it waits for channel 1 to the total is 2 / 13, which is greater than 1 / 13.

[0079] In this way, the ratio of the time or number of times of waiting for reception on a transmission channel to the total number of times during scanning by the wireless IF 11 is greater than 1 / N. As a result, the control device 10 can receive a beacon transmitted by the device 30 on channel 1 earlier than the control device according to the comparative example, and can therefore discover the device 30 transmitting a beacon on channel 1 earlier. In addition, the control device 10 can receive a beacon transmitted by the device 30 on any channel among channels with which communication is possible, in other words, the control device 10 is not hindered from discovering the device 30 transmitting a beacon on a channel other than channel 1.

[0080] In the following, (1) processing related to non-display control devices and (2) processing related to display control devices executed by the control device 10 will be described.

[0081] (1) Processing related to non-display control devices The processing related to the non-display control device executed by the control device 10 includes a processing for installing in the terminal T software for managing the device 30 which is a non-display control device.

[0082] 5 is a flow chart showing a process related to a non-display control device, which is executed by the control device 10 in the present embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 5 shows in detail the process included in step S104 in FIG.

[0083] In step S201, the display control unit 13 of the control device 10 transmits the type of the device 30 to the control server 42. The control server 42 receives the type of the device 30. The type of the device 30 includes at least information indicating that it is a non-display controlled device, and may further include the model or type of the device 30.

[0084] In step S202, the display control unit 13 of the control device 10 acquires a presentation image from the control server 42. The acquired presentation image is transmitted by the control server 42 in response to receiving the type of device 30 transmitted in step S201. When the display control unit 13 transmits the model or type of device 30 in step S201, the presentation image acquired in step S202 may be a presentation image prepared according to the model or type of device 30.

[0085] In step S203, the display control unit 13 of the control device 10 displays the presentation image acquired in step S202 on the display screen. It is assumed that the user U will visually recognize the displayed presentation image.

[0086] Through the series of processes shown in FIG. 5, the control device 10 can display on the display screen a presentation image for installing software for managing the device 30, which is a non-display control device.

[0087] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of an image displayed by the control device 10 in the present embodiment.

[0088] 6 is an example of an image that the control device 10 causes the display device 20 to display, and includes a list of recorded programs. Note that the image 50 may be any other image as long as it is an image that is displayed during normal operation of the control device 10, which is a recording device.

[0089] Image 50 includes image 51, which is a presentation image. Image 51 is software for managing device 30 (e.g., a washing machine), and is an example of information indicating that software that runs on terminal T is available (i.e., can be installed) on terminal T. It can also be said that image 51 is superimposed on image 50.

[0090] By viewing the image 51, the user U recognizes that the software that runs on the terminal T is available for use, and is motivated to install the software on the terminal T.

[0091] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of an image displayed by the control device 10 in the present embodiment.

[0092] Image 55 shown in FIG. 7 is an example of an image that the control device 10 displays on the display device 20, and includes image 56, which is a presentation image including a two-dimensional code (specifically, a QR code (registered trademark)) indicating the address of the site providing the software.

[0093] The two-dimensional code of image 56 is the address of a site that provides software that runs on terminal T, encoded using a predetermined encoding method. Terminal T photographs image 56 with a camera based on an operation by user U, and decodes the two-dimensional code of image 56 using a predetermined decoding method to obtain the address of the site, thereby enabling access to the site.

[0094] In addition to image 56, image 55 may include information indicating that it is convenient to connect device 30 to the network, in other words, information that motivates user U to connect device 30 to the network.

[0095] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing processing related to non-display control devices, which is executed by the control system 1 in this embodiment.

[0096] In step S301, the device 30 transmits a beacon. The device 30 can repeatedly transmit a beacon at a predetermined time interval (for example, at 100 millisecond intervals). The beacon transmitted in step S301 can be one of the repeatedly transmitted beacons.

[0097] In step S302, the control device 10 waits for a beacon to be received. Waiting for a beacon to be received is performed by scanning channels (see (b) to (e) of FIG. 4).

[0098] In step S303, while waiting for reception of a beacon, the control device 10 receives the beacon transmitted in step S301 by the device 30. Step S303 corresponds to step S101 in FIG.

[0099] In step S304, the control device 10 transmits the type of the device 30 to the control server 42. The transmission of the type of the device 30 is performed based on the fact that the type of the device 30 determined from the beacon of the device 30 is not a display control device. Step S304 corresponds to steps S102, S103, and S104 in FIG. 3 and step S201 in FIG. 5.

[0100] In step S305, the control server 42 determines the timing for displaying the presentation image on the display screen. The timing for displaying the presentation image may be any number of times greater than once, and may be any time. For example, the timing may be immediately after step S304, or may be a predetermined time in a day.

[0101] In step S306, the control server 42 determines whether the timing determined in step S305 has arrived. If it is determined that the timing has arrived (Yes in step S306), the process proceeds to step S307. If not (No in step S306), the control server 42 executes step S306 again. That is, the control server 42 waits in step S306 until the timing arrives. If multiple timings are determined in step S305, step S306 is executed for each of the multiple timings. However, if the terminal T receives a notification that the application has been installed (step S312 described later), it is not necessary to execute step S306 for subsequent timings.

[0102] In step S307, the control server 42 transmits the presentation image to the control device 10. The control device 10 receives the transmitted presentation image.

[0103] In step S308, the control device 10 displays the presentation image received in step S307 on the display screen. The presentation image includes a QR code (registered trademark) in which at least the address of the site of the application server 44 is encoded. It is assumed that the displayed presentation image will be viewed by the user U.

[0104] In step S309, based on an operation by user U who viewed the presentation image displayed in step S308, terminal T photographs the QR code (registered trademark) included in the presentation image, and obtains the site address of application server 44 by decoding the QR code (registered trademark).

[0105] In step S310, the terminal T transmits an application acquisition request to the address acquired in step S309. The application server 44 receives the transmitted acquisition request.

[0106] In step S311, in response to the acquisition request received in step S310, the application server 44 transmits the application that is the subject of the acquisition request to the terminal T. The terminal T receives the transmitted application, that is, downloads it.

[0107] In step S312, terminal T installs the application received in step S311. Terminal T may transmit a notification that the application has been installed to the control server 42. This notification can cause the control server 42 to stop transmitting the presentation image (step S307) after this notification.

[0108] In step S313, the control device 10 transmits connection information for the device 30 to connect to the wireless LAN to terminal T. Terminal T transmits the received connection information to device 30. As a result, the connection information transmitted by the control device 10 is provided to device 30 via terminal T. The control device 10 may provide the connection information used by the control device 10 to connect to the wireless LAN to device 30 as is, or may convert the connection information according to a predetermined conversion rule and then provide it to device 30 (described later). Note that step S313 does not have to be executed.

[0109] In step S314, terminal T can control device 30 by operating the application installed in step S312. Note that information may be provided from terminal T to device 30 via short-distance wireless communication or the like, or may be provided via network N when device 30 is connected to a wireless LAN in step S313.

[0110] Note that the transmission and display of the presentation image in steps S307 and S308 may be performed once or twice or more. When the transmission and display of the presentation image is performed once, image 56 shown in Fig. 7 is used as the presentation image in the single transmission and display of the presentation image. When the transmission and display of the presentation image is performed twice or more, image 51 shown in Fig. 6 may be used as the presentation image, and when an operation of user U on image 51 is performed, image 56 shown in Fig. 7 may be used as the presentation image.

[0111] As the time of day determined in step S305, a time when the user U is estimated to be relatively less busy, or a time when the user U is estimated to have time to install the software on the terminal T (e.g., 20:00, etc.) can be adopted. This has the advantage of increasing the probability that the user U will use the presented image to install the software on the terminal T.

[0112] The following describes the conversion of control information in the process of providing connection information in step S313.

[0113] Generally, devices used in the residence H are equipped with a wireless interface that can connect to the base station 40 via wireless LAN. Wireless LAN communication standards include, for example, IEEE802.11a and IEEE802.11g. IEEE802.11a has characteristics such as a relatively high communication speed, being susceptible to communication loss due to obstacles on the communication path, and having a relatively high communication interface cost. IEEE802.11g has characteristics such as being relatively unaffected by obstacles on the communication path, having a relatively low communication interface cost, and being susceptible to communication loss due to radio waves emitted by microwave ovens and the like. For example, devices used for applications requiring a relatively high communication speed, such as video transmission (for example, a television or a recorder) may be equipped with an IEEE802.11a communication interface. Devices used for applications not requiring a relatively high communication speed (for example, a washing machine, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, or a microwave) may be equipped with an IEEE802.11g communication interface.

[0114] Therefore, in the control system 1, the control device 10 may have an IEEE802.11a communication interface. Also, the device 30 may have an IEEE802.11a communication interface if it is a television or the like, and may have an IEEE802.11g communication interface if it is a washing machine or the like.

[0115] Therefore, the control device 10 can switch the process of providing connection information depending on whether the communication standard used by the control device 10 to connect to the wireless LAN is the same as the communication standard that the device 30 is trying to use to connect to the wireless LAN.

[0116] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a process for providing connection information, which is executed by the control device 10 in this embodiment.

[0117] In step S401, the control device 10 judges whether the communication standard used by the device 30 to connect to the base station 40 is the same as the communication standard used by the control device 10 to connect to the base station 40. If it is judged that the two communication standards are the same (Yes in step S401), the process proceeds to step S421. If not (No in step S401), the process proceeds to step S402. For example, if the communication standard used by the device 30 is IEEE802.11g and the communication standard used by the control device 10 is IEEE802.11a, the control device 10 judges that the two communication standards are not the same. On the other hand, if the communication standard used by the device 30 and the communication standard used by the control device 10 are both IEEE802.11a, the control device 10 judges that the two communication standards are the same. It is assumed that the control device 10 has previously acquired the communication standard used by the device 30 to connect to the base station 40.

[0118] In step S402, the control device 10 converts the connection information. Specifically, the control device 10 converts the connection information that the control device 10 uses to connect to the wireless LAN into connection information in the communication standard used by the device 30 using a predetermined conversion rule. The predetermined conversion rule does not always exist, but can be derived using a naming rule for the connection information of each communication standard in the initial setting of the base station 40. The naming rule can be determined, for example, by the manufacturer of the base station 40.

[0119] An example of a naming rule for connection information for each communication standard will be described.

[0120] Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a naming rule for connection information in this embodiment. In Fig. 10, four cases of examples of correspondence between SSIDs in IEEE802.11a and SSIDs in IEEE802.11g set in the same base station 40 are shown. Note that the same character is inserted in the place of the "*" symbol in both IEEE802.11a and IEEE802.11g.

[0121] For example, in case #1, the SSID "***-A-****" of IEEE802.11a corresponds to the SSID "***-G-****" of IEEE802.11g. The "A" in the former is thought to come from the last "a" in the name of the communication standard "IEEE802.11a," and the "G" in the latter is thought to come from the last "g" in the name of the communication standard "IEEE802.11g."

[0122] In case #2, the SSID "*****-a" of IEEE802.11a corresponds to the SSID "*****-g" of IEEE802.11g. The "a" in the former and the "g" in the latter are considered to have the same origin as in case #1.

[0123] For example, in case #3, the SSID "***5g-******" of IEEE802.11a corresponds to the SSID "***2g-******" of IEEE802.11g. The "5g" in the former is thought to come from "5G" of 5GHz, which indicates the frequency band of IEEE802.11a, and the "2g" in the latter is thought to come from "2G" of 2GHz (or 2.4GHz), which indicates the frequency band of IEEE802.11g.

[0124] In case #4, the SSID "******-5G" of IEEE802.11a corresponds to the SSID "******-2G" of IEEE802.11g. The "5G" in the former and the "2G" in the latter are considered to have the same origin as in case #3.

[0125] Considering the naming rules for connection information described above, for example, a conversion rule is obtained in which an SSID for IEEE802.11g is obtained by converting "a" or "A" in an SSID for IEEE802.11a to "g" or "G", respectively. Also, a conversion rule for converting an SSID for IEEE802.11g to an SSID for IEEE802.11a is obtained by the reverse conversion to the above.

[0126] Also, for example, a conversion rule is obtained in which the SSID of IEEE802.11g is obtained by converting "5g" or "5G" in the SSID of IEEE802.11a to "2g" or "2G", respectively. Also, a conversion rule for converting an SSID of IEEE802.11g to an SSID of IEEE802.11a is obtained by the opposite conversion to the above.

[0127] 9, in step S403, the control device 10 performs processing to connect to the base station 40 using the connection information converted in step S402. Since the predetermined conversion rule used in step S402 cannot always be applied, this is to check whether or not it is actually possible to connect to the base station 40 using the converted connection information.

[0128] In step S404, the control device 10 judges whether or not the control device 10 has actually been able to connect to the base station 40 in the process of step S403. If it is judged that the control device 10 has been able to connect (Yes in step S404), the process proceeds to step S411, and if not (No in step S404), the process proceeds to step S405.

[0129] In step S405, the control device 10 discards the connection information converted in step S402.

[0130] In step S411, the control device 10 provides the connection information converted in step S402 to the device 30 as the connection information that the device 30 uses to connect to the base station 40.

[0131] In step S421, the control device 10 provides the connection information used to connect to the base station 40 to the device 30 as the connection information that the device 30 will use to connect to the base station 40.

[0132] When step S405, S411 or S421 is completed, the series of processes shown in FIG. 9 ends.

[0133] In this manner, the control device 10 can perform the process of installing, into the terminal T, the software that manages the device 30, which is a non-display control device.

[0134] (2) Processing related to display control devices The processes related to the display control device executed by the control device 10 include a process of providing connection information and the like to the device 30 which is the display control device.

[0135] Fig. 11 is a flow diagram showing a process related to a display control device, which is executed by the control device 10 in this embodiment. The process shown in Fig. 11 shows in detail the process included in step S111 in Fig. 3. Note that Fig. 11 also shows the process of the device 30 together with the process of the control device 10.

[0136] 11 is a process in which the control device 10 authenticates the device 30, and if the authentication is successful, provides the device 30 with setting information required for the operation of the device 30. The control device 10 can transfer the setting information to the device 30 by the above process. Note that the setting information includes, for example, connection information for connecting the wireless IF 11 of the device 30 to a wireless LAN and location information to be set in the device 30, and this case will be described as an example, but is not limited to this.

[0137] In step S501, the control device 10 receives a BLE beacon. It is assumed that the received BLE beacon is transmitted by the device 30 (step S511).

[0138] In step S502, the control device 10 establishes a BLE connection with the device 30 by using the ID information of the device 30 included in the BLE beacon received in step S501 (step S512).

[0139] In step S503, the control device 10 displays the authentication code on the display screen. It is assumed that the displayed authentication code is visually recognized by the user U of the device 30.

[0140] At this time, in step S513, the device 30 displays an input field for an authentication code. It is assumed that the user U who visually recognizes the authentication code displayed in step S503 will input the authentication code into the input field displayed in step S513. The device 30 accepts input of the authentication code from the user U, and transmits the accepted authentication code to the control device 10 (step S514). The control device 10 receives the transmitted authentication code.

[0141] In step S504, the control device 10 authenticates the device 30 using the authentication code displayed in step S503 and the authentication code received in step S514. For example, the control device 10 determines whether the authentication code displayed in step S503 and the authentication code received in step S514 match. If it is determined that the two authentication codes match, it determines that the authentication of the device 30 has been successful, and if it is determined that the two authentication codes do not match, it determines that the authentication of the device 30 has failed. If the authentication is successful (Yes in step S504), the process proceeds to step S505, and if not (No in step S504), the process proceeds to step S506.

[0142] In step S505, the control device 10 transmits, by BLE, to the device 30, connection information for connecting the wireless IF 11 of the device 30 to the wireless LAN and location information to be set in the device 30. The device 30 receives the transmitted connection information and location information (step S515).

[0143] The connection information may include, for example, a Wi-Fi SSID and a password for connection. The location information may include a zip code or other form of location information.

[0144] In step S506, the control device 10 disconnects the BLE connection with the device 30 (step S516).

[0145] 11, the control device 10 can provide the device 30 with information required for the device 30 to operate, after the user U has visually confirmed and input the authentication code.

[0146] Next, the display of the authentication code and the display of the input field for the authentication code will be described using two configurations as examples.

[0147] (a) When the control device 10 is a recording device and the device 30 is also a recording device Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of the configuration of the control device 10 and the device 30 in this embodiment. Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an authentication code displayed by the control device 10 in the configuration of Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed by the device 30 in the configuration of Fig. 12.

[0148] In this configuration, the control device 10 is a recording device, and the device 30 is a device 30A. The recording device, which is the device 30A, is connected to the television 30B by a video communication standard (e.g., HDMI (registered trademark)). In an external input mode, the television 30B receives a video signal transmitted by the device 30A and displays an image.

[0149] 13, the recording device, which is the control device 10, displays an authentication code 60 (here, "1234") in a display window of the recording device (step S503). Also, the device 30A displays an input field 61 for the authentication code on the television 30B (step S513).

[0150] It is assumed that the user U, who has visually recognized the displayed authentication code 60, operates the device 30A to input the authentication code into an input field displayed on the television 30B.

[0151] (b) When the control device 10 is a display device and the device 30 is a recording device Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of the configuration of the control device 10 and the device 30 in the embodiment. Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed by the display device which is the control device 10 in the configuration of Fig. 15.

[0152] In this configuration, the control device 10 is a television, and the device 30, which is device 30C, is a recording device. The recording device, which is device 30C, is connected to the television, which is the control device 10, via a video communication standard (e.g., HDMI (registered trademark)). In an external input mode, the television, which is the control device 10, receives a video signal transmitted by the device 30C and displays an image.

[0153] 16, the television, which is the control device 10, displays an authentication code 65 (here, "1234") on a display screen of the television (step S503). Also, the device 30C displays an input field 66 for the authentication code on a display screen of the television, which is the control device 10 (step S513).

[0154] At this time, the authentication code 65 and the input field 66 are displayed on the same display screen.

[0155] In this case, the television, which is the control device 10, displays the information required for authentication as an OSD (on-screen display). Also, the device 30C displays the information required for authentication at a position on the display screen of the television, which is the control device 10, excluding a position that is predetermined as a position where the OSD is displayed. In this way, both the input field 66 for the authentication code displayed by the device 30C and the authentication code 65 displayed by the television, which is the control device 10, can be simultaneously viewed by the user U; in other words, it is possible to prevent one of the above from being hidden by the other and being invisible to the user U.

[0156] In the above, an example of information required for device authentication displayed by the control device 10 is the authentication code 65, and an example of information required for device authentication displayed by the device 30C is the input field 66 for the authentication code.

[0157] It is assumed that the user U, who has visually recognized the displayed authentication code 60, operates the device 30C to input the authentication code into an input field displayed on the television.

[0158] By displaying the authentication code shown in (a) or (b) above and displaying the input field for the authentication code, the control device 10 and the device 30 can appropriately receive the input of the authentication code by the user U.

[0159] FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing the processing related to the display control device, which is executed by the control system 1 in the present embodiment.

[0160] Steps S601 to S603 are similar to steps S301 to S303 shown in FIG.

[0161] In step S604, the control device 10 provides the connection information and the location information to the device 30. Detailed processing of step S604 corresponds to steps S501 to S506 shown in Fig. 11. The device 30 acquires the provided connection information and location information.

[0162] In step S605, the device 30 connects to the base station 40 using the connection information acquired in step S604 (step S606). As a result, the device 30 is connected to the network N via the base station 40, and becomes capable of communicating with other devices connected to the network N.

[0163] In step S607, the device 30 sets the location information. The set location information can be used for searching for broadcast stations received by the television, etc.

[0164] In this manner, the control device 10 can provide the device 30, which is a display control device, with information necessary for the operation of the device 30.

[0165] In the above embodiment, the control device 10 is a recording device as an example, but the terminal T may have the functions of the control device 10. In this case, the terminal T directly obtains the address of the site that provides the software from the control server 42, and it is not necessary for the terminal T to display an image showing the address of such a site or to read such an image. This makes it easier to promote the installation of the software that manages the device in the terminal. In this case, the terminal T also directly performs the process of providing the device 30 with connection information for connecting to the wireless LAN (step S313).

[0166] As described above, the control device of this embodiment waits for reception on a channel on which a device transmits an identification signal for a time or number of times greater than 1 / N, and therefore can receive the identification signal at an earlier timing than when the waiting time or number of times is 1 / N. Furthermore, the control device also waits for reception on channels out of the N channels except for the channel on which the device transmits the identification signal, so the device is not prevented from discovering another device that transmits a beacon on a channel other than the channel on which the device transmits the identification signal. In this way, the control device can discover devices that communicate wirelessly at an early stage.

[0167] In addition, the control device waits for the longest time or the greatest number of times among the N channels for reception of the identification signal on the channel through which the device transmits the identification signal, so that the control device can receive the identification signal at an even earlier timing, thereby enabling the control device to find devices communicating wirelessly even earlier.

[0168] In addition, the control device alternates between waiting for reception of an identification signal on the channel on which the device transmits the identification signal and waiting for reception of the identification signal on other channels, so that the control device can receive the identification signal at an earlier timing, thereby enabling the control device to discover devices communicating wirelessly at an earlier stage.

[0169] Furthermore, when the device is a display control device, the control device provides the setting information necessary for the operation of the device. This allows the device to be put into an operating state in which it operates according to the setting information. Thus, the control device can quickly discover devices that communicate wirelessly and quickly put the discovered devices into an operating state.

[0170] Furthermore, when the device is a non-display control device, the control device controls the display of the image to make the user of the terminal aware that the software for managing the device can be installed on the terminal. This motivates the user to install the software for managing the device on the terminal, and allows the user to take action to install the software. Thus, the control device can quickly discover devices that communicate wirelessly, and promote the installation of the software for managing the discovered devices on the terminal.

[0171] In addition, the control device displays the OSD including the information required for device authentication and the input field displayed by the device at different positions, in other words, it is avoided that one of them hides the other. This allows the user to input the necessary information into the input field while simultaneously viewing the information required for device authentication and the input field. Therefore, the control device contributes to early detection of devices that communicate wirelessly and appropriate authentication of the detected devices.

[0172] In addition, the control device can contribute to easier authentication of devices by displaying an authentication code as information necessary for device authentication and displaying an input field for the authentication code as information necessary for device authentication. Thus, the control device can contribute to early detection of devices performing wireless communication and easier and more appropriate authentication of the detected devices.

[0173] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology in the present disclosure, and the accompanying drawings and detailed description have been provided for this purpose.

[0174] Therefore, among the components described in the accompanying drawings and the detailed description, not only essential components for solving the problem but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above implementation may be included. Therefore, the fact that such non-essential components are described in the accompanying drawings or the detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately indicating that such non-essential components are essential.

[0175] Furthermore, since the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0176] The present disclosure is applicable to a control device that can quickly detect a device that is performing wireless communication. [Explanation of symbols]

[0177] 1. Control System 10 Control device 11 Wireless IF 12 Acquisition Department 13 Display control section 14 Providing Department 20 Display device 30, 30A, 30C equipment 30B Television 40 base station 42 Control Server 44 Application Server 50, 51, 55, 56 Images 60, 65 Authentication Code 61, 66 Input field H Residence N Network T-Terminal U User

Claims

1. (a) a wireless interface that performs wireless communication on one channel selected from N channels (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2), and (b) a wireless interface that waits for reception of an identification signal transmitted by a device while scanning the N channels when the wireless communication is not being performed, and receives the identification signal; a providing unit that refers to the identification signal received by the wireless interface, connects to the device so as to be able to communicate with the device, and provides setting information of the device to the device; a transmission channel through which the device transmits the identification signal is determined in advance; The ratio of the time or number of times of waiting for reception on the transmission channel to the whole time during the scan by the wireless interface is greater than 1 / N. Control device.

2. A time period during which the wireless interface waits for reception on the transmission channel in the scan is the longest of the times during which the wireless interface waits for reception on each of the N channels; or The number of times that the wireless interface waits for reception on the transmission channel in the scan is the largest among the number of times that the wireless interface waits for reception on each of the N channels. The control device according to claim 1 .

3. The wireless interface, in the scanning, Waiting for reception on the transmission channel and waiting for reception on any channel among the N channels other than the transmission channel are alternately performed. The control device according to claim 1 .

4. the identification signal includes type information indicating a type of the device, the providing unit provides the setting information to the device when the type information included in the identification signal indicates that the device is a display control device; The display control device is a device equipped with a display device, or a device connected to a display device and displays an image on a display screen equipped in the display device. The control device according to claim 1 .

5. The wireless interface further receives an identification signal transmitted by a non-display control device while waiting for reception on the N channels, the identification signal including type information indicating a type of the device; the non-display control device is neither a device having a display device nor a device connected to the display device for displaying an image on a display screen of the display device, The control device further comprises: an information acquisition unit that, when the type information indicates that the device is the hidden control device, refers to the identification signal received by the wireless interface and acquires information indicating that the software, which is software for managing the device and operates on a terminal, can be installed on the terminal; a display control unit that controls, when the type information indicates that the device is the non-display control device, display of an image indicating the information acquired by the information acquisition unit. The control device according to claim 1 .

6. When the control device has a display screen, the display device to which the device is connected is the control device, The providing unit displays information required for authentication of the device on the display screen as an OSD (on-screen display); The device displays an input field for information required for the authentication in a position on the display screen other than a position that is predetermined as a position where the OSD is displayed. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The providing unit displays an authentication code as information necessary for authenticating the device, The device displays an input field for the authentication code as information necessary for authenticating the device. The control device according to claim 6.

8. A control method executed by a control device having a wireless interface, the wireless interface (a) performs wireless communication on one channel selected from N channels (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2), and (b) when the wireless interface is not performing the wireless communication, waits for reception of an identification signal transmitted by a device while scanning the N channels, and receives the identification signal; referring to the identification signal received by the wireless interface, establishing a communicative connection with the device, and providing setting information of the device to the device; a transmission channel through which the device transmits the identification signal is determined in advance; The ratio of the time or number of times of waiting for reception on the transmission channel to the whole time during the scan by the wireless interface is greater than 1 / N. Control methods.

9. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 8.

Images