Information processing device, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To connect an information processing device to a new terminal while connecting the information processing device to an appropriate terminal depending on the situation when the number of connected terminals reaches the upper limit.SOLUTION: In a case in which a wireless connection request is received from a new terminal, when the number of terminals currently connected has already reached the upper limit, information on a currently connected terminal is acquired, and it is determined whether there is a terminal that can be disconnected from the currently connected terminals on the basis of the acquired information. When there is a terminal that can be disconnected, the connection with that terminal is disconnected and the connection of a new terminal is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, imaging systems using network cameras have been popular, but in recent years, network cameras equipped with wireless LAN functionality have become popular in order to simplify wiring, enable direct control from mobile devices, and increase convenience. For such network cameras equipped with wireless LAN functionality, a configuration is being considered in which they can be started in AP (wireless router, access point) mode, and communication for configuration can be performed by connecting from other devices. By starting the camera in AP mode, users can access the camera via the network to check and configure the video, etc., without having to worry about complex network environment construction or wiring, even during initial installation.

[0003] Because these devices use wireless radio waves, they must register with each other and establish a wireless communication path in order to communicate. This may also involve pairing, an information exchange process for encrypting data, as necessary. For example, with Wi-Fi (registered trademark), a connection is established by setting destination information, such as the service set identifier (SSID) and password (pre-shared key) set in the AP, in the wireless client device. In other words, wireless connection information is set for each individual network camera equipped with a wireless LAN function that starts up in AP mode.

[0004] Such network cameras equipped with wireless LAN functionality create a network configuration that allows multiple devices to connect wirelessly to a single camera. However, connecting multiple devices to a single AP can result in reduced throughput and security issues between devices. For this reason, typical APs are equipped with a function to limit the number of devices that can be connected simultaneously. On the other hand, typical mobile devices have a function to store the connection destination information of wireless APs they have connected to once, allowing them to connect wirelessly the next time they connect simply by being in close proximity. Therefore, even if a user does not intend to use the AP, this function can be used to establish a wireless connection, consuming the AP's simultaneous connection limit and preventing a new device from connecting. In such cases, the device that cannot connect cannot connect until other devices disconnect, resulting in a lack of convenience. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose technologies that allow new devices to connect when the maximum number of connected devices has been reached. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-155991 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-38084 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that, when the number of connected devices reaches the upper limit, changes the currently set SSID and password to values ​​different from those currently set and temporarily activates the AP function, allowing new devices to connect. However, this technology may result in disconnection of currently connected devices by changing the SSID and password. Patent Document 2 also discloses a technology that, when the number of connected devices reaches the upper limit, disconnects currently connected devices according to a priority determined in advance for the AP based on the type of device, allowing new devices to connect. However, using this technology requires users to set the priority of connected devices in advance, which is a lot of work for users.

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has an object to enable a connection to a new terminal while remaining connected to an appropriate terminal depending on the situation when the number of connected terminals has reached the upper limit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The information processing device according to the present invention is connected to one or more terminals via wireless communication. and output the video to the connected device. An information processing device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring information about a terminal connected to the information processing device; a determination means for specifying a terminal to be disconnected using the information when a new connection request is detected and the number of terminals connected to the information processing device has reached an upper limit; and a control means for controlling, when the terminal to be disconnected is specified by the determination means, to disconnect the connection with the specified terminal and establish a connection with a new terminal that has transmitted the new connection request. The information on the terminals connected to the information processing device includes information on whether or not video is being received from the information processing device, and if there is a terminal that is not receiving video among the terminals connected to the information processing device, the determination means includes the terminal in candidates for terminals to be disconnected, and excludes terminals that are receiving video from the information processing device from the candidates for terminals to be disconnected, and if there is no terminal that is not receiving video among the terminals connected to the information processing device, the control means does not connect the new terminal. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, when the number of connected terminals has reached the upper limit, it is possible to connect to a new terminal while remaining connected to an appropriate terminal depending on the situation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of a network camera according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a WebUI when a wireless communication disconnection notification is received. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for determining a terminal to be disconnected. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a terminal management table of the network camera. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a wireless communication system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The wireless communication system 100 according to this embodiment mainly includes a network camera 101, mobile terminals 102 and 103, an information terminal 104, a wireless network 105, and a network .

[0012] The network camera 101 is a camera capable of wireless communication and has an AP mode in which it operates as an access point (AP). In addition, it can distribute captured images and set various internal parameters via a connected network. The network camera is an example of an information processing device. The mobile terminals 102 and 103 connect as wireless clients to the network camera 101 activated in AP mode. The mobile terminals 102 and 103 also have a web browser and can display images and setting screens distributed from the network camera 101. The mobile terminals 102 and 103 are mainly used to set the angle of view when installing the network camera 101 and for simple operations.

[0013] Like the mobile terminals 102 and 103, the information terminal 104 can display images and setting screens delivered from the network camera 101 on the display unit, and is mainly used for processing large amounts of data such as high-quality images, as well as for main operations such as administrator operations. The wireless network 105 is a wireless network for connecting the network camera 101 with the mobile terminals 102 and 103. The network 106 is a network for connecting the network camera 101 with the information terminal 104, and the communication format may be wired or wireless.

[0014] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the network camera 101 in this wireless communication system will be described with reference to Fig. 2(a). The network camera 101 has a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a HDD 14, an input I / F 16, a communication unit 17, and an imaging unit 18.

[0015] The CPU 11 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 12 and executes various processes. The RAM 13 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 11. The HDD 14 stores various data and programs. The input I / F 16 is an interface for inputting operation information. The communication unit 17 performs communication processing with an external device such as a mobile terminal 102 via a network, either wired or wirelessly. The imaging unit 18 has an image sensor and converts light obtained from the lens into an electrical signal to generate an image.

[0016] The functions and processes of the network camera 101, which will be described later, are realized by the CPU 11 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 12 or HDD 14. As another example, the CPU 11 may read a program stored in a recording medium such as an SD card instead of the ROM 12.

[0017] Next, an example of the functional configuration of the network camera 101 in this wireless communication system will be described with reference to Fig. 2(b). The network camera 101 has an image processing unit 202, a video output unit 203, a control unit 204, a storage unit 205, a wired communication processing unit 206, a wireless communication processing unit 207, and a serial communication processing unit 208.

[0018] The image processing unit 202 performs image processing and compression encoding on the electrical signals converted by the imaging unit 18 to generate image data. Note that the image processing unit 202 may perform these processes by providing a dedicated circuit. The video output unit 203 outputs the image data generated by the image processing unit 202 to an external display device such as the mobile terminals 102 and 103 using a video output interface such as HDMI (registered trademark) or SDI. The control unit 204 analyzes the command transmitted to the network camera 101 and performs processing according to the command. The control unit 204 also acquires information about the terminals connected to the network camera 101 from the storage unit 205 and determines whether a new terminal should be connected.

[0019] The storage unit 205 stores setting values ​​such as image quality adjustment parameters and network settings. Even after rebooting, it is possible to start up using previously set values. The wired communication processing unit 206 processes network communications via a wired LAN. The wireless communication processing unit 207 processes network communications via a wireless LAN and has an AP function and a station (STA) function. The wireless communication processing unit 207 also processes connections and disconnections with other terminals according to instructions from the control unit 204. A serial communication processing unit 208 receives a camera control protocol using a serial communication interface such as RS-232C. The network camera 101 in this embodiment includes at least the above processing units.

[0020] Next, a processing procedure in the wireless communication system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 3. The processing of this flow starts when the mobile terminal 103 makes a wireless communication connection request to the network camera 101 in accordance with a user operation. First, in step S301, the wireless communication processing unit 207 detects a wireless communication connection request from the mobile terminal 103.

[0021] In step S302, the control unit 204 determines whether the number of wireless terminals currently connected to the network camera 101 has reached the upper limit. If the control unit 204 determines that the upper limit has been reached, the process proceeds to step S303. On the other hand, if the control unit 204 determines that the upper limit has not been reached and there is still room for more connections, the process proceeds to step S306, where connection processing with the mobile terminal 103 is performed. The upper limit of the number of connectable cameras can be freely set based on the limitations imposed by the wireless communication standard or user settings. For example, the network camera 101 may be configured so that the number of connectable cameras can be set in advance by changing the settings from a web browser via the information terminal 104. The method for setting the upper limit in this embodiment is an example, and any method may be used as long as it allows setting the upper limit.

[0022] Next, in step S303, the control unit 204 checks information about the currently connected terminal, and if there is a terminal that can be disconnected, identifies that terminal. Information about the currently connected terminal is, for example, information such as whether the network camera 101 is streaming video to the mobile terminal 102, or whether the user using the mobile terminal 102 is an administrator. Details of this processing will be described later using FIG. 5. Note that the items listed in this embodiment are merely examples, and any information that can identify a terminal based on the functions of the network camera 101 may be used.

[0023] Next, in step S304, the control unit 204 determines whether or not there is a terminal among the currently connected terminals that may be disconnected, based on the information about the currently connected terminals confirmed in step S303. If the control unit 204 determines that there is a terminal that may be disconnected, the control unit 204 proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, if the control unit 204 determines that there is no terminal that may be disconnected, the control unit 204 ends the processing of this flow. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 102 has been determined to be a terminal that may be disconnected.

[0024] In step S305, the wireless communication processing unit 207 disconnects the connection with the mobile terminal 102 that was determined in step S304 to be disconnectable. At this time, the wireless communication processing unit 207 notifies the user of the disconnection before disconnecting. For example, the notification is made by displaying a display screen 400 such as that shown in FIG. 4 on the web browser of the mobile terminal 102 or the information terminal 104. After receiving the notification, the user can refuse the disconnection by operating a button on the web browser if they do not want to disconnect. Also, if the user does not perform any operation on the notifying screen for a certain period of time, the wireless communication processing unit 207 can operate as if disconnection is permitted. If the user refuses the disconnection by operating the web browser via the mobile terminal 102 or the information terminal 104, the connection process with the new terminal is not performed, and the processing of this flow ends. Note that the processing at the time of connection disconnection in this embodiment is an example, and any form is possible. Finally, in step S306, the wireless communication processing unit 207 performs connection processing with the new terminal, and the processing ends.

[0025] Next, details of the process of determining whether or not there is a terminal that may be disconnected among the currently connected terminals in the network camera 101 will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 5. This flowchart is a detailed example of the process in S303 in Fig. 3.

[0026] First, in step S501, the control unit 204 determines whether or not there is a terminal that is not currently receiving video from the network camera 101. Specifically, for example, the network camera 101 has a management table 600 for storing information about connected terminals as shown in Fig. 6, and stores internally managed camera ID information, IP addresses, and MAC addresses of terminals in association with each other in the storage unit 205. The control unit 204 compares the IP addresses of clients to which video is currently being distributed with this management table 600 to determine whether there are any terminals that are not currently receiving video. The determination method in this embodiment is just one example, and any method can be used as long as it can determine whether a connected terminal is currently receiving video. If the control unit 204 determines that there is a terminal that is not currently receiving video, the process proceeds to step S502. On the other hand, if the control unit 204 determines that there is no terminal that is not currently receiving video, the control unit 204 determines that there is no terminal that can be disconnected, and ends the process of this flow. In this case, the control unit 204 determines in S304 of FIG. 3 that there is no terminal that can be disconnected among the currently connected terminals.

[0027] In step S502, the control unit 204 excludes the terminal currently receiving the video determined in step S501 from candidates for disconnection. Next, in step S503, the control unit 204 determines whether or not there is a login history by the administrator account for the terminals in the management table other than the terminals excluded in step S502. Specifically, for example, the network camera 101 has an account management function, and administrators and general viewers can be registered by setting IDs and passwords. Each account has different authority to control the network camera 101, and the administrator account has full control. Furthermore, when accessed from a web browser, the login history of each account is stored in association with the client's IP address. Therefore, the control unit 204 can confirm which terminal has been logged in by which account by comparing the login history information with the management table.

[0028] The above checking means is merely an example, and other means may be used to exclude terminals to be disconnected from the management table using login history. For example, the time information in the login history may be compared with the current time, and if there is a login history within a certain period, the terminal may be excluded from candidates for disconnection in step S504, which will be described later. Also, both the login history by the administrator account and the login history within a certain period may be targeted. If the control unit 204 determines that a terminal with a login history using the administrator account (or within a certain period of time) exists, the control unit 204 proceeds to step S504. If the control unit 204 determines that a terminal with a login history using the administrator account (or within a certain period of time) does not exist, the control unit 204 proceeds to step S505. In step S504, the control unit 204 excludes terminals that have a history of login using the administrator account (or within a certain period of time) from candidates for disconnection.

[0029] Finally, in step S505, the control unit 204 selects the terminal with the oldest login history from among the terminals other than those excluded in steps S502 and S504. The selected terminal is then selected as the terminal to be disconnected, and the processing of this flow ends. Note that if, as a result of the exclusion in steps S502 and S504, there are no terminals that can be selected in step S505, the control unit 204 simply ends the processing without selecting a terminal. In this case, the control unit 204 determines in S304 of FIG. 3 that there is no terminal among the currently connected terminals that can be disconnected. On the other hand, if the control unit 204 selects the terminal with the oldest login history in step S505, the control unit 204 determines in S304 of FIG. 3 that there is a terminal among the currently connected terminals that can be disconnected.

[0030] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to ensure security by observing the upper limit on the number of terminals that can be connected to an information processing device, and it is also possible to improve user operability. Furthermore, it is possible to connect to an appropriate terminal depending on the situation.

[0031] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 204 control unit, 205 storage unit, 207 wireless communication processing unit

Claims

1. An information processing device that connects to one or more terminals via wireless communication and outputs video to the connected terminals, an acquisition means for acquiring information about a terminal connected to the information processing device; a determination means for determining, when a new connection request is detected and the number of terminals connected to the information processing device has reached an upper limit, a terminal to be disconnected using the information; a control means for controlling, when the determination means identifies a terminal to be disconnected, to disconnect the connection with the identified terminal and to establish a connection with a new terminal that has transmitted the new connection request; and the information about the terminal connected to the information processing device includes information about whether or not video is being received from the information processing device; If there is a terminal that is not receiving video among the terminals connected to the information processing device, the determination means includes the terminal in candidates for terminals to be disconnected, and excludes terminals that are receiving video from the information processing device from candidates for terminals to be disconnected; An information processing device characterized in that, if there is no terminal that is not receiving video among the terminals connected to the information processing device, the control means does not connect the new terminal.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the information regarding the terminal connected to the information processing device includes the login history of the connected terminal, and the determination means excludes terminals that have a history of logging in with an administrator account from candidates for terminals to disconnect.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the information regarding the terminal connected to the information processing device includes the login history of the connected terminal, and the determination means excludes terminals that have a login history within a certain period from the current time from candidates for terminals to disconnect.

4. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determining means determines the terminal with the oldest login history among the candidates for the terminal to be disconnected as the terminal to be disconnected.

5. An information processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the determination means determines that there is a terminal to be disconnected, the control means notifies the terminal of information to display that the connection with the terminal will be disconnected.

6. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein if there is no user operation in response to the notification from said control means for a certain period of time, said control means disconnects the connection with said terminal.

7. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit for setting an upper limit on the number of terminals connected to said information processing apparatus in response to a user's operation.

8. 8. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is an imaging device having an imaging unit.

9. A control method for an information processing device that connects to one or more terminals via wireless communication and outputs video to the connected terminals, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring information about a terminal connected to the information processing device; a determination step of identifying a terminal to be disconnected using the information when a new connection request is detected and the number of terminals connected to the information processing device has reached an upper limit; a control step of controlling, when the terminal to be disconnected is identified in the determination step, to disconnect the connection with the identified terminal and establish a connection with a new terminal that has transmitted the new connection request; and the information about the terminal connected to the information processing device includes information about whether or not video is being received from the information processing device; When there is a terminal that is not receiving video among the terminals connected to the information processing device, the determination step includes the terminal in a candidate for a terminal to be disconnected, and excludes a terminal that is receiving video from the information processing device from the candidate for a terminal to be disconnected; A control method for an information processing device, characterized in that if there is no terminal among the terminals connected to the information processing device that is not receiving video, the control step does not connect to the new terminal.

10. A program for controlling an information processing device that connects to one or more terminals via wireless communication and outputs video to the connected terminals, an acquisition step of acquiring information about a terminal connected to the information processing device; a determination step of identifying a terminal to be disconnected using the information when a new connection request is detected and the number of terminals connected to the information processing device has reached an upper limit; a control step of controlling, when the terminal to be disconnected is identified in the determination step, to disconnect the connection with the identified terminal and establish a connection with a new terminal that has transmitted the new connection request; on the computer, the information about the terminal connected to the information processing device includes information about whether or not video is being received from the information processing device; When there is a terminal that is not receiving video among the terminals connected to the information processing device, the determination step includes the terminal in a candidate for a terminal to be disconnected, and excludes a terminal that is receiving video from the information processing device from the candidate for a terminal to be disconnected; A program characterized in that, when there is no terminal that is not receiving video among the terminals connected to the information processing device, the control step does not connect the new terminal.

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