Wireless connection device

Abstract

A wireless connection device that performs wireless communication with a terminal to be communicated with by wirelessly connecting with the terminal by means of a predetermined protocol, wherein the wireless connection device comprises: a terminal state acquisition unit for acquiring an advertisement signal that allows the wireless connection device to recognize the existence of the terminal and that includes terminal state information indicating the state of the terminal; a determination unit that determines wireless connection is to be performed with the terminal when the terminal state information signifies a predetermined state indicating that a user is using the terminal; and a connection processing unit that executes processing for wireless connection by means of a predetermined protocol with the terminal with which the determination unit has determined connection is to be performed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless connection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Wireless connection devices that connect to terminals such as smartphones via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) are becoming widespread. The wireless connection device outputs, for example, audio received from the terminal. When the wireless connection device receives a predetermined advertising signal sent from a paired terminal, it performs connection processing with the terminal and establishes a connection with the terminal. When multiple terminals that can be connected are present within the communication range of the wireless connection device, a technology is known that connects the wireless connection device to a desired terminal based on radio wave strength (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-9888 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a method of connecting a terminal based on radio wave strength, the terminal closest to the wireless connection device is automatically connected, and there are cases where the terminal desired by the user is not connected to the wireless connection device. Also, a method of reconnecting to the most recently connected terminal among multiple terminals is known, but even with this method, there are cases where the terminal desired by the user cannot be connected to the wireless connection device.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to easily realize a wireless connection with a desired terminal in a wireless connection device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a wireless connection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a wireless connection device that performs wireless communication with a terminal by wirelessly connecting with the terminal using a predetermined protocol, and is equipped with a terminal status acquisition unit that acquires an advertisement signal that causes the wireless connection device to recognize the presence of the terminal, the advertisement signal including terminal status information indicating the status of the terminal, a judgment unit that judges to establish a wireless connection with the terminal when the terminal status information indicates that the terminal is in a predetermined state indicating that the user is using the terminal, and a connection processing unit that performs wireless connection processing using the predetermined protocol with the terminal that has been judged by the judgment unit to be connected.

[0007] According to the above embodiment, since the terminal status information indicating the status of the terminal is acquired, the wireless connection device can recognize whether the terminal is in a predetermined state in which the user is using it, and therefore the terminal being used by the user can be connected to the wireless connection device as the desired terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily realize a wireless connection with a desired terminal in a wireless connection device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the device configuration of a wireless connection system including a wireless connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the wireless connection device of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a terminal wirelessly connected to the wireless connection device. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the wireless connection device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the processing content of a wireless connection method in the wireless connection system. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the processing content of a wireless connection method in the wireless connection system. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of predetermined conditions related to the location of a terminal for determining whether to establish a wireless connection. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of predetermined conditions related to the location of a terminal for determining whether to establish a wireless connection. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of predetermined conditions related to the location of a terminal for determining whether to establish a wireless connection. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of predetermined conditions related to the location of a terminal for determining whether to establish a wireless connection. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a wireless connection program. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A wireless connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing the device configuration of a wireless connection system including a wireless connection device according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless connection system 1 includes a wireless connection device 10 and a terminal T.

[0012] The wireless connection device 10 is a device that performs wireless communication with a terminal T as a communication target by wirelessly connecting with the terminal T using a predetermined protocol. The terminal T is a device that is operated by a user. The device that constitutes the terminal T is not limited, and may be, for example, a mobile terminal such as a highly functional mobile phone (smartphone), a mobile phone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

[0013] The wireless communication according to a predetermined protocol is, for example, so-called short-range wireless communication, such as wireless communication according to Bluetooth (registered trademark). The wireless connection device 10 may be, for example, a so-called Bluetooth speaker. When the wireless connection device 10 is a Bluetooth speaker, the wireless connection device 10 acquires audio data from the wirelessly connected terminal T, decodes the audio data as necessary, and outputs the audio.

[0014] 1, when multiple terminals T that can be wirelessly connected exist within a communication range, a terminal T other than the terminal TA that the user wants to connect may be connected to the wireless connection device 10. The wireless connection device 10 of this embodiment easily realizes a wireless connection with the desired terminal TA(T).

[0015] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the wireless connection device 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the wireless connection device 10 functionally includes a terminal status acquisition unit 11, a determination unit 12, a connection processing unit 13, and a terminal position acquisition unit 14. The wireless connection device 10 may also include devices such as a terminal position sensor 15 and a camera 16 (image capture device). Each functional unit of the wireless connection device 10 will be described in detail later.

[0016] 3 is a diagram showing a part of the functional configuration of terminal T. As shown in FIG.

[0017] The status acquisition unit 21 acquires the status of the terminal T. Specifically, the status acquisition unit 21 acquires information indicating the status of the terminal T, which enables determination of whether the user is using the terminal T, by referring to information indicating the internal status of the terminal T.

[0018] The status acquisition unit 21 may acquire, for example, information indicating whether or not the screen of the terminal T is being displayed. The status acquisition unit 21 may also acquire information indicating whether or not the terminal T is in a state in which it is possible to accept an operation, that is, whether or not the terminal T is in a locked state.

[0019] Furthermore, the state acquisition unit 21 may acquire information indicating whether a predetermined sensor mounted on the terminal T has detected an operation by the user. More specifically, the state acquisition unit 21 may acquire information indicating whether an acceleration sensor mounted on the terminal T has detected an acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Furthermore, the state acquisition unit 21 may acquire information indicating whether an input to a touch panel is being performed by a contact sensor of a touch panel mounted on the terminal T. Furthermore, the state acquisition unit 21 may acquire information indicating whether the terminal T is being gripped by a grip sensor mounted on the terminal T.

[0020] The status notification unit 22 notifies the wireless connection device 10 of information indicating the status of the terminal T as terminal status information. Specifically, in order to establish a wireless connection between the terminal T and the wireless connection device 10, the terminal T broadcasts an advertising signal at predetermined time intervals to make the wireless connection device 10 aware of the existence of the terminal T. Therefore, the status notification unit 22 may transmit the terminal status information by including it in the advertising signal.

[0021] The block diagram shown in FIG. 2 shows functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are connected directly or indirectly (for example, by wire, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may be realized by combining software with the one device or the multiple devices.

[0022] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, judgment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, election, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocation, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0023] For example, the wireless connection device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may function as a computer. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the wireless connection device 10 according to this embodiment. The wireless connection device 10 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0024] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the wireless connection device 10 may be configured to include one or more of the apparatuses shown in FIG. 4, or may be configured to exclude some of the apparatuses.

[0025] Each function of the wireless connection device 10 is realized by loading specific software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001, memory 1002, etc., so that the processor 1001 performs calculations and controls communication by the communication device 1004 and the reading and / or writing of data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0026] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, the functional units 11 to 14 shown in FIG. 2 may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0027] The processor 1001 also reads programs (program codes), software modules, and data from the storage 1003 and / or the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes in accordance with these. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, the functional units 11 to 14 of the wireless connection device 10 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and executed by the processor 1001. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented on one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0028] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be composed of at least one of, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing a wireless connection method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be, for example, at least one of an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray disc), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other suitable medium including memory 1002 and / or storage 1003.

[0030] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via a wired and / or wireless network, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0031] The input device 1005 is an input device (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (for example, a touch panel).

[0032] Furthermore, each device such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured as a single bus, or may be configured as different buses between the devices.

[0033] The wireless access device 10 may also be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented by at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0034] 2 again, the functional units of the wireless connection device 10 will be described. The terminal status acquisition unit 11 acquires an advertising signal for making the wireless connection device 10 aware of the presence of the terminal T. In this embodiment, the terminal status acquisition unit 11 receives and acquires the advertising signal including terminal status information. As described above, the advertising signal is a signal notified from the terminal T.

[0035] It is assumed that the terminal T that has sent the advertising signal acquired by the terminal status acquisition unit 11 is in a state that allows it to be connected to the wireless connection device 10. A terminal T that can be connected to the wireless connection device 10 is a terminal that has already exchanged information necessary for sending and receiving data with the wireless connection device 10, for example, by previously connecting wirelessly. In the case of a wireless connection via Bluetooth, a terminal T that can be connected to the wireless connection device 10 is a terminal that has already been paired with the wireless connection device 10. Pairing includes exchanging a key for encryption when sending and receiving data.

[0036] When the terminal state information indicates that the terminal T is in a predetermined state indicating that the user is using the terminal T, the determination unit 12 determines to establish a wireless connection with the terminal T. Details of the determination unit 12 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0037] The connection processing unit 13 performs wireless connection processing using a predetermined protocol (e.g., Bluetooth) with the terminal T determined to be connected by the determination unit 12. Details of the connection processing unit 13 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0038] The terminal position acquisition unit 14 acquires terminal position information indicating the position of the terminal T. Specifically, the terminal position acquisition unit 14 acquires at least one of the position of the terminal T, a change in the position of the terminal T, and the distance to the terminal T as the terminal position information based on information obtained from the terminal position sensor 15, the camera 16, etc.

[0039] The terminal position sensor 15 may be a sensor that detects the distance to each terminal T based on the intensity of the radio wave emitted from each terminal T.

[0040] Furthermore, the terminal position sensor 15 may be a ToF (Time of Flight) sensor. The terminal position sensor 15 configured with a ToF sensor detects the distance to the terminal T based on the time it takes for the terminal T to detect the light reflected by the terminal T after irradiating the terminal T with light such as infrared light or laser light.

[0041] The terminal location sensor 15 may also be a positioning sensor based on known UWB (Ultra Wide Band) technology. The terminal location sensor 15, which is configured as a positioning sensor based on UWB technology, detects the relative position of the terminal T with respect to the wireless connection device 10.

[0042] Furthermore, the terminal position sensor 15 may be a known depth sensor. The terminal position sensor 15 configured with a depth sensor can detect the distance to the terminal T.

[0043] The camera 16 constitutes an example of an imaging device, and captures an image of the user of the terminal T. The image of the user captured by the camera 16 is used to identify the terminal T held by the user.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing content of the wireless connection method in the wireless connection system 1.

[0045] In step S1, terminal T broadcasts an advertising signal. The status notifying unit 22 includes terminal status information in the advertising signal and transmits it. The terminal status acquiring unit 11 of the wireless connection device 10 acquires the terminal status information along with the advertising signal.

[0046] In step S2, the determination unit 12 determines to establish a wireless connection with the terminal T when the terminal state information indicates that the terminal T is in a predetermined state indicating that the user is using the terminal T.

[0047] Specifically, when the terminal status information is information indicating whether the screen of terminal T is being displayed or not, the judgment unit 12 judges to establish a wireless connection with terminal T when the terminal status information indicates that the screen of terminal T is being displayed.

[0048] In addition, if the terminal status information is information indicating whether or not terminal T is in a state where it is possible to accept operations, i.e., whether or not terminal T is in a locked state, the judgment unit 12 judges to establish a wireless connection with terminal T when the terminal status information indicates that terminal T is in an unlocked state.

[0049] In addition, if the terminal status information is information indicating whether a specified sensor installed in terminal T has detected an operation by a user, the judgment unit 12 judges to establish a wireless connection with terminal T when the terminal status information indicates that the sensor has detected an operation by a user.

[0050] If it is determined in step S2 that the user is not using the terminal T, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the determination unit 12 determines that wireless connection with the terminal T is not to be established.

[0051] In step S4, the connection processing unit 13 of the wireless connection device 10 transmits a connection request in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol to the terminal T that was determined to be connected in step S2.

[0052] In step S5, a wireless connection is established between the terminal T that has received the connection request and the wireless connection device 10 after predetermined information is transmitted and received according to a communication protocol.

[0053] In step S6, packet data is transmitted and received between the terminal T and the wireless access device 10, for example, in the form of a data request and a response thereto.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the processing content of the wireless connection method in the wireless connection system 1. In FIG.

[0055] In step S11, terminal T broadcasts an advertising signal. The status notifying unit 22 includes terminal status information in the advertising signal and transmits it. The terminal status acquiring unit 11 of the wireless connection device 10 acquires the terminal status information along with the advertising signal.

[0056] In step S12, the terminal position acquisition unit 14 of the wireless connection device 10 acquires terminal position information indicating the position of terminal T. Specifically, the terminal position acquisition unit 14 acquires at least one of the position of terminal T, a change in the position of terminal T, and the distance to terminal T as the terminal position information based on information obtained from the terminal position sensor 15.

[0057] In step S13, the determination unit 12 determines to establish a wireless connection with the terminal T. Specifically, the determination unit 12 determines to establish a wireless connection with the terminal T when the terminal state information indicates that the terminal T is in a predetermined state indicating that the user is using the terminal T and the position of the terminal T (including the position, change in position, distance, and change in distance) satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0058] The determination of whether the terminal state information indicates that the terminal T is in a predetermined state, which indicates that the user is using the terminal T, is the same as the determination in step S2 in the sequence diagram of Fig. 5, and therefore will not be described here. An example of the determination in step S13 of whether the position of the terminal T satisfies the predetermined condition will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 10.

[0059] 7 is a diagram illustrating a first example of predetermined conditions related to terminal locations for determining whether to establish a wireless connection. The determination unit 12 determines whether to establish a wireless connection with the terminal T that has come closest to the wireless connection device 10 per predetermined unit time among the terminals TA, TB, and TC that are indicated by the terminal status information to be in a predetermined state indicating that the user is using the terminal T. Specifically, the terminal location acquisition unit 14 of the wireless connection device 10 acquires the distance to each of the terminals TA, TB, and TC that are indicated by the terminal status information to be in a predetermined state indicating that the user is using the terminal T, based on information detected by the terminal location sensor 15, for example. For example, the terminal location acquisition unit 14 acquires a distance d1 from the wireless connection device 10 to the terminal TA at a certain time and a distance d2 from the wireless connection device 10 to the terminal TA after a predetermined unit time has elapsed. Similarly, the terminal location acquisition unit 14 acquires the distances from the wireless connection device 10 to the terminals TB and TC at a certain time and after a unit time has elapsed. Then, the determining unit 12 determines to wirelessly connect to the terminal TA that has approached the wireless connection device 10 by the greatest distance (d2-d1) per unit time.

[0060] 8 is a diagram showing a second example of predetermined conditions related to terminal locations for determining whether to establish a wireless connection. The determination unit 12 determines to establish a wireless connection with terminal T, which is the shortest distance from the wireless connection device 10, among multiple terminals TA, TB, and TC, whose terminal status information indicates that the terminal T is in a predetermined state indicating that the user is using terminal T. Specifically, the terminal position acquisition unit 14 of the wireless connection device 10 acquires the distance to each of the multiple terminals TA, TB, and TC, whose terminal status information indicates that the terminal T is in a predetermined state indicating that the user is using terminal T, based on information detected by the terminal position sensor 15, for example. The determination unit 12 then determines to establish a wireless connection with terminal TA, which is the shortest distance from the wireless connection device 10.

[0061] 9 is a diagram showing a third example of predetermined conditions related to the terminal locations for determining whether to establish a wireless connection. The determination unit 12 determines to establish a wireless connection with the terminal T, which has a predetermined specific positional relationship with the wireless connection device 10, among the multiple terminals TA, TB, and TC that are indicated by the terminal state information to be in a predetermined state indicating that the user is using the terminal T.

[0062] Specifically, for example, in a coordinate space in which the position of the wireless connection device 10 is the origin, the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction are the directions directly facing and to the side of the wireless connection device 10, and the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, terminal T present within a predetermined range (space) may be wirelessly connected. The terminal position acquisition unit 14 acquires the relative positions of multiple terminals TA, TB, and TC, which are indicated by terminal state information to be in a predetermined state indicating that the user is using terminal T, with respect to the wireless connection device 10, based on information detected by the terminal position sensor 15. In the example shown in Fig. 9, in the coordinate space in which the position of the wireless connection device 10 is penalized, if terminal T present in a space where Y>0 is to be wirelessly connected, the determination unit 12 determines to wirelessly connect to terminal TA having a Y coordinate greater than 0.

[0063] 10 is a diagram showing a fourth example of predetermined conditions related to the terminal locations for determining whether to establish a wireless connection. The determination unit 12 determines whether to establish a wireless connection with terminal T, of the plurality of terminals TA, TB, and TC, whose terminal status information indicates that the terminal T is in a predetermined state indicating that the user is using terminal T, when the transition of the relative position with respect to the wireless connection device 10 corresponds to a predetermined specific transition.

[0064] Specifically, for example, terminal T may be wirelessly connected after moving in a coordinate space in which the position of the wireless connection device 10 is the origin, the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction are the directions directly facing and to the side of the wireless connection device 10, and the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction. The terminal position acquisition unit 14 acquires, based on information detected by the terminal position sensor 15, transitions in the relative positions of multiple terminals TA, TB, and TC, which are indicated by terminal state information to be in a predetermined state indicating that a user is using terminal T. In the example shown in Fig. 10, if terminal T is to be wirelessly connected after moving around the wireless connection device 10 on the XY plane, the determination unit 12 determines to wirelessly connect with terminal TA, which has moved around the wireless connection device 10, as indicated by the symbols (TA1 → TA2 → TA3 → TA4).

[0065] Here, an example of acquiring terminal location information when the terminal location sensor 15 is configured with a depth sensor will be described. The terminal location sensor 15, configured with a known depth sensor, detects the distance to the terminal T present around the wireless connection device 10. The terminal location acquisition unit 14 acquires the distance to the terminal T as terminal location information using the terminal location sensor 15. The determination unit 12 identifies the terminal T based on an image of the user (e.g., a facial image) captured by the camera 16. Specifically, the wireless connection device 10 has, for example, first association information associating the image of the user (facial image) with identification information of the user and second association information associating the identification information of the user with identification information of the terminal T of the user. Then, the determination unit 12 acquires, using the camera 16, an image of the user (a facial image located near the terminal T) holding the terminal T whose distance from the wireless connection device 10 has been detected by the depth sensor, and acquires the identification information of the terminal T based on the acquired image (facial image) by referring to the first and second association information. Then, the judgment unit 12 judges to establish a wireless connection with the terminal T when the position of the terminal T indicated by the terminal position information of the terminal T for which the identification information has been acquired (the distance to the terminal T acquired by the depth sensor) satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0066] In step S13, if the determination unit 12 determines that the user is not using terminal T, or if the user is using terminal T but does not determine that the location of terminal T satisfies the predetermined conditions described with reference to Figures 7 to 10, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the determination unit 12 determines not to establish a wireless connection with terminal T.

[0067] In step S15, the connection processing unit 13 of the wireless connection device 10 transmits a connection request in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol to the terminal T that has been determined to be connected in step S13.

[0068] In step S16, a wireless connection is established between the terminal T that has received the connection request and the wireless connection device 10 after predetermined information is transmitted and received according to a communication protocol.

[0069] In step S17, packet data is transmitted and received between the terminal T and the wireless access device 10, for example, in the form of a data request and a response thereto.

[0070] Next, a wireless connection program for causing a computer to function as the wireless connection device 10 of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the wireless connection program.

[0071] The wireless connection program P1 includes a main module m10 that controls the overall wireless connection processing in the wireless connection device 10, a terminal status acquisition module m11, a determination module m12, a connection processing module m13, and a terminal location acquisition module m14. The modules m11 to m14 implement the functions of the terminal status acquisition unit 11, the determination unit 12, the connection processing unit 13, and the terminal location acquisition unit 14.

[0072] The wireless connection program P1 may be transmitted via a transmission medium such as a communication line, or may be stored in a recording medium M1 as shown in FIG.

[0073] In the wireless connection device 10, wireless connection method, and wireless connection program P1 of the present embodiment described above, terminal status information indicating the status of terminal T is acquired, so that the wireless connection device 10 can recognize whether terminal T is in a predetermined state being used by the user. Therefore, terminal T being used by the user can be connected to the wireless connection device 10 as a desired terminal.

[0074] In addition, in a wireless connection device according to another embodiment, the specified state indicating that a user is using the terminal may include at least one of the following: the terminal screen is being displayed; the terminal is in a state in which operations can be accepted; and a specified sensor mounted on the terminal has detected an operation by the user.

[0075] According to the above aspect, it is determined that the terminal is in a predetermined state by detecting an event in which there is a high probability that the user is holding and operating the terminal, so that it is appropriately determined that the user is using the terminal.

[0076] In addition, a wireless connection device according to another embodiment may further include a terminal location acquisition unit that acquires terminal location information indicating the location of the terminal, and the determination unit may determine to wirelessly connect to a terminal that is indicated by the terminal status information to be in a predetermined state indicating that the user is using the terminal, and whose terminal location indicated by the terminal location information meets predetermined conditions.

[0077] According to the above embodiment, a terminal that is in a predetermined state indicating that it is being used by a user and whose location satisfies predetermined conditions is wirelessly connected. Therefore, even if there are multiple terminals being used by the user within the communication range of the wireless connection device, the user can connect the desired terminal to the wireless connection device by appropriately positioning the terminal so that it satisfies the predetermined conditions.

[0078] In addition, in a wireless connection device according to another embodiment, the specified condition regarding the position of a terminal may be any one of the following: among multiple terminals in a specified state, the terminal is the terminal that has come the closest to the wireless connection device per specified unit time; the terminal is the terminal that is the shortest distance from the wireless connection device; its positional relationship with the wireless connection device is a specific positional relationship that has been set in advance; and the transition of the relative position with respect to the wireless connection device corresponds to a specific transition that has been set in advance.

[0079] According to the above aspect, the user can connect the terminal desired by the user to the wireless connection device by handling the terminal so as to meet the above-mentioned predetermined condition.

[0080] In addition, a wireless connection device in another embodiment may include an imaging device, wherein the terminal position acquisition unit acquires terminal position information using a depth sensor, and the determination unit identifies the terminal based on an image of the user holding the terminal acquired by the imaging device, and determines the terminal to be wirelessly connected based on the terminal position acquired by the depth sensor.

[0081] According to the above aspect, a terminal that meets a predetermined condition can be identified via an image of a user holding the terminal, and therefore the terminal desired by the user can be appropriately connected to the wireless connection device.

[0082] Although the present embodiment has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to the embodiment described in this specification. The present embodiment can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present embodiment.

[0083] Each aspect / embodiment described herein may be applied to systems utilizing LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G, 5G, FRA (Future Radio Access), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other suitable systems and / or next generation systems enhanced thereon.

[0084] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described herein present elements of various steps in an example order and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0085] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or managed in a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to another device.

[0086] The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0087] Each aspect / embodiment described in this specification may be used alone or in combination, or may be switched depending on the implementation. Furthermore, notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to being done explicitly, but may be done implicitly (e.g., by not notifying the predetermined information).

[0088] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0089] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0090] Software, instructions, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), and / or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0091] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0092] It should be noted that terms explained in this disclosure and / or terms necessary for understanding this specification may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings.

[0093] As used herein, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0094] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in this specification may be expressed as absolute values, as relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or as corresponding other information.

[0095] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0096] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0097] When designations such as "first," "second," etc. are used herein, any reference to such elements does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed therein or that the first element must precede the second element in some way.

[0098] To the extent that the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used herein or in the claims, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, the term "or," as used herein or in the claims, is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0099] In this specification, plural devices are also included unless the context or the technology clearly indicates that only one device is present.

[0100] Throughout this disclosure, the plural is intended to be included unless the singular is clearly indicated by the context. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1...wireless connection system, 10...wireless connection device, 11...terminal status acquisition unit, 12...judgment unit, 13...connection processing unit, 14...terminal position acquisition unit, 15...terminal position sensor, 16...camera, 21...status acquisition unit, 22...status notification unit, M1...recording medium, m10...main module, m11...terminal status acquisition module, m12...judgment module, m13...connection processing module, m14...terminal position acquisition module, P1...wireless connection program, T...terminal.

Claims

1. A wireless connection device that performs wireless communication with a terminal by wirelessly connecting to the terminal using a predetermined protocol, a terminal status acquisition unit that acquires an advertising signal for causing the wireless access device to recognize the presence of the terminal, the advertising signal including terminal status information indicating a status of the terminal; a determination unit that determines to establish a wireless connection with the terminal when the terminal status information indicates that the terminal is in a predetermined status that indicates that the user is using the terminal; a connection processing unit that performs wireless connection processing with the terminal determined to be connected by the determination unit using the predetermined protocol; Equipped with The predetermined state indicating that the user is using the terminal is that the screen of the terminal is being displayed. Wireless connection device.

2. A wireless connection device that performs wireless communication with a terminal by wirelessly connecting to the terminal using a predetermined protocol, a terminal status acquisition unit that acquires an advertising signal for causing the wireless access device to recognize the presence of the terminal, the advertising signal including terminal status information indicating a status of the terminal; a determination unit that determines to establish a wireless connection with the terminal when the terminal status information indicates that the terminal is in a predetermined status that indicates that the user is using the terminal; a connection processing unit that performs wireless connection processing with the terminal determined to be connected by the determination unit using the predetermined protocol; Equipped with The predetermined state indicating that the user is using the terminal is a state in which the terminal is ready to accept operations. Wireless connection device.

3. A wireless connection device that performs wireless communication with a terminal by wirelessly connecting to the terminal using a predetermined protocol, a terminal status acquisition unit that acquires an advertising signal for causing the wireless access device to recognize the presence of the terminal, the advertising signal including terminal status information indicating a status of the terminal; a terminal location acquisition unit that acquires terminal location information indicating the location of the terminal; a determination unit that determines to establish a wireless connection with the terminal when the terminal status information indicates that the terminal is in a predetermined status that indicates that the user is using the terminal; a connection processing unit that performs wireless connection processing with the terminal determined to be connected by the determination unit using the predetermined protocol, the determination unit determines to wirelessly connect to the terminal that is indicated by the terminal state information to be in a predetermined state indicating that a user is using the terminal, and whose location indicated by the terminal location information satisfies a predetermined condition; The predetermined condition regarding the location of the terminal is that the terminal is the terminal that has come closest to the wireless connection device per predetermined unit time. Wireless connection device.

4. A wireless connection device that performs wireless communication with a terminal by wirelessly connecting to the terminal using a predetermined protocol, a terminal status acquisition unit that acquires an advertising signal for causing the wireless access device to recognize the presence of the terminal, the advertising signal including terminal status information indicating a status of the terminal; a terminal location acquisition unit that acquires terminal location information indicating the location of the terminal; a determination unit that determines to establish a wireless connection with the terminal when the terminal status information indicates that the terminal is in a predetermined status that indicates that the user is using the terminal; a connection processing unit that performs wireless connection processing with the terminal determined to be connected by the determination unit using the predetermined protocol, the determination unit determines to wirelessly connect to the terminal that is indicated by the terminal state information to be in a predetermined state indicating that a user is using the terminal, and whose location indicated by the terminal location information satisfies a predetermined condition; The predetermined condition regarding the location of the terminal is that the location relationship with the wireless connection device is a predetermined specific location relationship. Wireless connection device.

5. A wireless connection device that performs wireless communication with a terminal by wirelessly connecting to the terminal using a predetermined protocol, a terminal status acquisition unit that acquires an advertising signal for causing the wireless access device to recognize the presence of the terminal, the advertising signal including terminal status information indicating a status of the terminal; a terminal location acquisition unit that acquires terminal location information indicating the location of the terminal; a determination unit that determines to establish a wireless connection with the terminal when the terminal status information indicates that the terminal is in a predetermined status that indicates that the user is using the terminal; a connection processing unit that performs wireless connection processing with the terminal determined to be connected by the determination unit using the predetermined protocol, the determination unit determines to wirelessly connect to the terminal that is indicated by the terminal state information to be in a predetermined state indicating that a user is using the terminal, and whose location indicated by the terminal location information satisfies a predetermined condition; the predetermined condition regarding the location of the terminal is that a transition of the location relative to the wireless connection device corresponds to a predetermined specific transition; Wireless connection device.

6. A wireless connection device that performs wireless communication with a terminal by wirelessly connecting to the terminal using a predetermined protocol, a terminal status acquisition unit that acquires an advertising signal for causing the wireless access device to recognize the presence of the terminal, the advertising signal including terminal status information indicating a status of the terminal; a terminal location acquisition unit that acquires terminal location information indicating the location of the terminal; a determination unit that determines to establish a wireless connection with the terminal when the terminal status information indicates that the terminal is in a predetermined status that indicates that the user is using the terminal; a connection processing unit that performs wireless connection processing with the terminal determined to be connected by the determination unit using the predetermined protocol, the determination unit determines to wirelessly connect to the terminal that is indicated by the terminal state information to be in a predetermined state indicating that a user is using the terminal, and whose location indicated by the terminal location information satisfies a predetermined condition; The predetermined condition regarding the location of the terminal is: The terminal that has come closest to the wireless connection device per a predetermined unit time is the terminal that has come closest to the wireless connection device. The terminal is the one that is the shortest distance from the wireless connection device; The positional relationship with the wireless connection device is a predetermined specific positional relationship; and a transition of the relative position with respect to the wireless connection device corresponds to a predetermined specific transition; the wireless connection device includes an imaging device; the terminal position acquisition unit acquires the terminal position information using a depth sensor; the determination unit identifies the terminal based on an image of the user holding the terminal acquired by the imaging device, and determines the terminal to be wirelessly connected based on the position of the terminal acquired by the depth sensor; Wireless connection device.

7. A wireless connection device that performs wireless communication with a terminal by wirelessly connecting to the terminal using a predetermined protocol, a terminal status acquisition unit that acquires an advertising signal for causing the wireless access device to recognize the presence of the terminal, the advertising signal including terminal status information indicating a status of the terminal; a terminal location acquisition unit that acquires terminal location information indicating the location of the terminal; a determination unit that determines to establish a wireless connection with the terminal when the terminal status information indicates that the terminal is in a predetermined status that indicates that the user is using the terminal; a connection processing unit that performs wireless connection processing with the terminal determined to be connected by the determination unit using the predetermined protocol, the determination unit determines to wirelessly connect to the terminal that is indicated by the terminal state information to be in a predetermined state indicating that a user is using the terminal, and whose location indicated by the terminal location information satisfies a predetermined condition; the wireless connection device includes an imaging device; the terminal position acquisition unit acquires the terminal position information using a depth sensor; the determination unit identifies the terminal based on an image of the user holding the terminal acquired by the imaging device, and determines the terminal to be wirelessly connected based on the position of the terminal acquired by the depth sensor; Wireless connection device.

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