Information processing device

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing system, and an information processing method that can improve workability when transmitting and receiving information about an automatic machine.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a first wireless authentication unit that performs authentication regarding first wireless communication with another terminal device, a connection information communication unit that performs the first wireless communication with the other terminal device so as to share connection information for second wireless communication having a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication, and an information transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives information about the operation of an automatic machine to / from the other terminal device by the second wireless communication based on the connection information of the second wireless communication corresponding to the other terminal device as a result of the communication by the connection information communication unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, an information processing device has been disclosed that displays information about an automatic machine by communicating with a controller that drives and controls the automatic machine. In such an information processing device, a layout diagram of multiple automatic machines is displayed, allowing a user to intuitively select an automatic machine to be connected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-197856 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in such an information processing device, high-speed wireless communication is required to properly acquire information about the automatic machine from the controller, and setting connection information with the controller is cumbersome. Thus, there is a need to improve the operability when transmitting and receiving information about the automatic machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing device that solves the above problem is an information processing device that transmits and receives information regarding the operation of an automatic machine with another terminal device, and includes: a first wireless authentication unit that performs authentication regarding a first wireless communication with the other terminal device; a connection information communication unit that performs the first wireless communication with the other terminal device to share connection information for a second wireless communication that has a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication; and an information transmission and reception unit that transmits and receives information regarding the operation of the automatic machine with the other terminal device via the second wireless communication based on the connection information of the second wireless communication that corresponds to the other terminal device as a result of communication by the connection information communication unit.

[0006] The information processing device may further include a connection information acquisition unit that acquires connection information of the second wireless communication from a connection information management device that manages connection information of the second wireless communication. The information processing device may further include a connection information generation unit that generates connection information for the second wireless communication, and a connection information acquisition unit that acquires the connection information for the second wireless communication generated by the connection information generation unit.

[0007] The above-mentioned information processing device may preferably be provided with an operation result acquisition unit that acquires the operation results of the automatic machine transmitted from the automatic machine, and a switching unit that is capable of switching between a first process that transmits the operation results of the automatic machine acquired by the operation result acquisition unit to the other terminal device in response to a user's instruction, and a second process that receives the operation results of the automatic machine from the other terminal device, as an effective process.

[0008] In the information processing device, the first wireless communication may include short-range wireless communication, the second wireless communication may include wireless LAN communication, and the connection information of the second wireless communication may include an IP address.

[0009] An information processing system that solves the above problem is an information processing system that transmits and receives information regarding the operation of an automatic machine, and includes a first terminal device and a second terminal device that is capable of communicating with the first terminal device, and the first terminal device and the second terminal device each have a first wireless authentication unit that performs authentication regarding the first wireless communication, a connection information communication unit that performs the first wireless communication so as to share connection information for a second wireless communication that has a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication with the destination terminal device, and an information transmission and reception unit that transmits and receives information regarding the operation of the automatic machine with the destination terminal device via the second wireless communication based on the connection information of the second wireless communication that corresponds to the destination terminal device as a result of communication by the connection information communication unit.

[0010] An information processing method that solves the above problem is an information processing method for transmitting and receiving information regarding the operation of an automatic machine between another terminal device, and includes: performing authentication regarding a first wireless communication with the other terminal device; performing the first wireless communication with the other terminal device so as to share connection information for a second wireless communication having a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication; and, as a result of the first wireless communication, transmitting and receiving information regarding the operation of the automatic machine between the other terminal device and the other terminal device via the second wireless communication based on the connection information of the second wireless communication corresponding to the other terminal device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the workability when transmitting and receiving information related to an automatic machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the installation process of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the first wireless setting control process of the first embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the second wireless setting control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the second wireless connection control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the automatic machine control process of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the second wireless setting control process and the second wireless connection control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the automatic machine control process of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the second wireless connection control process of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the second wireless connection control process of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] First Embodiment An information processing device, an information processing system, and an information processing method according to an embodiment will be described below. <Configuration of Information Processing System 10> As shown in FIG. 1 , the information processing system 10 is a system for controlling an automatic machine 20. The information processing system 10 may include the automatic machine 20 and an automatic machine control device 30. The information processing system 10 may include a plurality of automatic machines 20. The information processing system 10 may include a plurality of automatic machine control devices 30. The information processing system 10 may include a plurality of information processing devices 40. The information processing system 10 may include a connection information management device 50.

[0014] The automatic machine 20 may be a machine that automatically operates an actuator 21. The automatic machine 20 may be used in a factory. The automatic machine 20 includes an actuator 21, a motor 22, and an encoder 23. The actuator 21 may be an electric actuator. The motor 22 is a drive source for the actuator 21. The encoder 23 encodes the drive of the motor 22 and outputs a drive detection signal for the motor 22.

[0015] The automatic machine control device 30 is communicatively connected to the automatic machine 20. The automatic machine control device 30 may be communicatively connected to one or more automatic machines 20. The automatic machine control device 30 is wired to the automatic machine 20. The automatic machine control device 30 is a controller that controls the automatic machine 20 by communicating with the automatic machine 20. The automatic machine control device 30 is a controller that receives the driving status of the automatic machine 20 by communicating with the automatic machine 20.

[0016] The automatic machine control device 30 includes an automatic machine control unit 31, a drive control unit 32, a detection unit 33, and a control communication unit 34. The automatic machine control unit 31 controls the automatic machine control device 30. In particular, the automatic machine control unit 31 controls the operation of the actuator 21 by controlling the drive control unit 32. The automatic machine control unit 31 includes a calculation unit, a main storage medium, and a secondary storage medium. The calculation unit loads a program stored in the secondary storage medium into the main storage medium. The calculation unit executes various processes in accordance with the program loaded into the main storage medium.

[0017] The drive control unit 32 controls the drive of the motor 22 by outputting a drive signal to the motor 22. The detection unit 33 detects the drive of the motor 22 by receiving a drive detection signal from the encoder 23. In particular, the detection unit 33 may be a pulse counter that detects the drive of the motor 22 by counting pulse signals based on the drive detection signal from the encoder 23. The control communication unit 34 is capable of communicating with the information processing device 40. The control communication unit 34 performs wired communication with the information processing device 40. The control communication unit 34 may perform universal serial bus (USB) communication.

[0018] The information processing device 40 controls the operation of the automatic machine 20. The information processing device 40 is connectable to the automatic machine control device 30. The information processing device 40 transmits and receives information related to the operation of the automatic machine 20 to and from another terminal device. The other terminal device may be another information processing device 40. The information processing device 40 may be a portable terminal device that can be carried by the worker. The information processing device 40 includes a first terminal device 40A and a second terminal device 40B. The first terminal device 40A and the second terminal device 40B may have the same functions.

[0019] The first terminal device 40A is used as a parent device. The first terminal device 40A is communicably connected to the automatic machine control device 30. The first terminal device 40A may be communicably connected to each of the multiple automatic machine control devices 30.

[0020] The second terminal device 40B is used as a slave device. The second terminal device 40B is communicably connected to the first terminal device 40A. The second terminal device 40B may be communicably connected to a plurality of first terminal devices 40A. The first terminal device 40A may be communicably connected to a plurality of second terminal devices 40B.

[0021] The information processing device 40 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, a first wireless communication unit 43, a second wireless communication unit 44, a third communication unit 45, a display unit 46, and an input unit 47. The control unit 41 controls the information processing device 40. The control unit 41 includes a calculation unit and a main storage medium. The calculation unit loads a program stored in the storage unit 42 into the main storage medium. The calculation unit executes various processes in accordance with the program loaded into the main storage medium. The storage unit 42 includes a secondary storage medium.

[0022] The first wireless communication unit 43 performs first wireless communication to transmit and receive information to and from another terminal device. The first wireless communication may include short-range wireless communication. The first wireless communication may include Bluetooth (registered trademark). The first wireless communication unit 43 may perform authentication regarding the first wireless communication with another terminal device by pairing.

[0023] The second wireless communication unit 44 transmits and receives information to and from another terminal device by performing second wireless communication. The second wireless communication is communication with a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication. The second wireless communication is communication with a wider communication range than the first wireless communication. The second wireless communication unit 44 may include wireless LAN communication. The second wireless communication unit 44 may include Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The second wireless communication unit 44 communicates with another terminal device based on connection information of the second wireless communication. The connection information of the second wireless communication may include an IP address.

[0024] The third communication unit 45 performs third communication to transmit and receive information to and from other terminal devices. The third communication unit 45 may transmit and receive information to and from the automatic machine control unit 31. The third communication may be wired communication. The third communication may be communication using a universal serial bus.

[0025] The display unit 46 is configured to display information. An operator can input instructions through the input unit 47. The display unit 46 and the input unit 47 may be provided integrally, such as a touch panel.

[0026] The connectivity information management device 50 is communicably connected to the information processing device 40. The connectivity information management device 50 manages connectivity information of the second wireless communication in the information processing device 40. The connectivity information management device 50 may have a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) function.

[0027] The connectivity information management device 50 generates connectivity information for the second wireless communication for the information processing device 40 within its communication range. The connectivity information management device 50 stores the generated connectivity information for the second wireless communication. The connectivity information management device 50 transmits the generated connectivity information for the second wireless communication to the information processing device 40 to be connected, thereby functioning as an access point that performs the second wireless communication with the information processing device 40. The connectivity information management device 50 may have a router function that is communicably connected to an external network.

[0028] <Detailed configuration of information processing device 40> In the information processing device 40, the control unit 41 configures a processing circuit by executing a program. The control unit 41 includes, as the processing circuit, a first wireless authentication unit 41A, a connection information acquisition unit 41B, a connection information communication unit 41C, a switching unit 41D, an information transmission / reception unit 41E, and an operation result acquisition unit 41F.

[0029] The first wireless authentication unit 41A performs authentication regarding the first wireless communication with another terminal device. In particular, the first wireless authentication unit 41A performs authentication regarding the first wireless communication by performing pairing with the other terminal device.

[0030] The connection information acquisition unit 41B acquires connection information of the second wireless communication. In particular, the connection information acquisition unit 41B may acquire the connection information of the second wireless communication from the connection information management device 50 by making a connection request to the connection information management device 50.

[0031] The connection information communication unit 41C transmits and receives connection information for the second wireless communication with another terminal device through the first wireless communication. That is, the connection information communication unit 41C performs the first wireless communication with the other terminal device so as to share connection information for the second wireless communication with the other terminal device.

[0032] In detail, when authentication regarding the first wireless communication is performed with another terminal device, the connection information communication unit 41C transmits connection information of its own second wireless communication via the first wireless communication. In this way, the connection information communication unit 41C includes a connection information transmission unit.

[0033] When authentication regarding the first wireless communication with another terminal device is performed, the connection information communication unit 41C receives, via the first wireless communication, connection information for the second wireless communication in the other terminal device that is the communication destination. In this way, the connection information communication unit 41C includes a connection information receiving unit. Hereinafter, the other terminal device that is the communication destination may be referred to as the communication destination terminal device.

[0034] The switching unit 41D switches between the parent device and the child device. The switching unit 41D switches between the parent device and the child device in response to a user instruction input from the input unit 47. When the switching unit 41D is set to the parent device, it switches the process corresponding to the parent device as the active process, and when the switching unit 41D is set to the child device, it switches the process corresponding to the child device as the active process. In other words, the switching unit 41D can switch between the process corresponding to the parent device and the process corresponding to the child device as the active process in response to a user instruction.

[0035] The information transmitting / receiving unit 41E transmits and receives information regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20. In particular, when the information transmitting / receiving unit 41E is set as a parent machine, it transmits and receives information regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 with the automatic machine control device 30. When the information transmitting / receiving unit 41E is set as a parent machine, it transmits and receives information regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 with another terminal device that is set as a child machine. When the information transmitting / receiving unit 41E is set as a child machine, it transmits and receives information regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 with another terminal device that is set as a parent machine.

[0036] The operation result acquisition unit 41F acquires the operation result of the automatic machine 20 transmitted from the automatic machine 20. The operation result acquisition unit 41F acquires the operation result of the automatic machine 20 received by the information transmission / reception unit 41E.

[0037] <Settings process> The setting process will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The setting process is executed by the control unit 41 in the information processing device 40 at predetermined intervals.

[0038] 2, in step S10, control unit 41 determines whether or not a parent unit switching instruction has been input from input unit 47. If control unit 41 determines that a parent unit switching instruction has not been input, it skips step S11 and proceeds to step S12. If control unit 41 determines that a parent unit switching instruction has been input, it proceeds to step S11.

[0039] In step S11, the control unit 41 executes a parent device switching process. In the parent device switching process, the control unit 41 sets information indicating the parent device in the storage unit 42. As a result, the control unit 41 sets the information processing device 40 as the parent device. When the parent device switching process ends, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S12.

[0040] In step S12, the control unit 41 determines whether or not a handset switching instruction has been input from the input unit 47. If the control unit 41 determines that a handset switching instruction has not been input, it ends the setting process without executing step S13. If the control unit 41 determines that a handset switching instruction has been input, it proceeds to step S13.

[0041] In step S13, the control unit 41 executes a handset switching process. In the handset switching process, the control unit 41 sets information indicating the handset in the storage unit 42. As a result, the control unit 41 sets the information processing device 40 as the handset. When the handset switching process ends, the control unit 41 ends the setting process.

[0042] In this way, the control unit 41 switches between the parent unit and the child unit in response to a user instruction. In particular, the control unit 41 can switch between a process corresponding to the parent unit and a process corresponding to the child unit as an effective process in response to a user instruction.

[0043] <First wireless setting control process> The first wireless setting control process will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The first wireless setting control process is a process executed by the control unit 41 in the information processing device 40 at predetermined intervals.

[0044] 3, in step S20, the control unit 41 determines whether or not a first wireless setting instruction has been input from the input unit 47. If the control unit 41 determines that a first wireless setting instruction has not been input, it terminates the first wireless setting control process without executing steps S21 to S23. If the control unit 41 determines that a first wireless setting instruction has been input, it proceeds to step S21.

[0045] In step S21, the control unit 41 executes a first wireless authentication process. In the first wireless authentication process, the control unit 41 performs authentication related to the first wireless communication with another terminal device within the communication range of the first wireless communication. In particular, the control unit 41 performs authentication related to the first wireless communication by performing pairing. When the first wireless authentication process ends, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S22.

[0046] In step S22, the control unit 41 determines whether authentication regarding the first wireless communication has been performed successfully. If the control unit 41 determines that authentication regarding the first wireless communication has not been performed successfully, it terminates the first wireless setting control process without executing step S23. If the control unit 41 determines that authentication regarding the first wireless communication has been performed successfully, it proceeds to step S23.

[0047] In step S23, the control unit 41 executes a first wireless setting process. In the first wireless setting process, the control unit 41 performs settings related to the first wireless communication. This allows the information processing device 40 to perform the first wireless communication with another terminal device for which authentication related to the first wireless communication has been successfully performed. When the first wireless setting process is completed, the control unit 41 ends the first wireless setting control process.

[0048] <Second wireless setting control process> The second wireless setting control process will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The second wireless setting control process is a process executed by the control unit 41 in the information processing device 40 at predetermined intervals.

[0049] 4, in step S30, the control unit 41 executes a second wireless connection request process. In the second wireless connection request process, the control unit 41 transmits information indicating a connection request in the second wireless communication. When the second wireless connection request process is completed, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S31.

[0050] In step S31, the control unit 41 determines whether or not connection information for the second wireless communication has been received. The connection information for the second wireless communication is information that the connection information management device 50 transmits in response to information indicating a connection request. If the control unit 41 determines that connection information for the second wireless communication has not been received, it terminates the second wireless setting control process without executing step S32. If the control unit 41 determines that connection information for the second wireless communication has been received, it proceeds to step S32.

[0051] In step S32, the control unit 41 executes connection information acquisition processing. In the connection information acquisition processing, the control unit 41 acquires connection information for the second wireless communication received from the connection information management device 50. That is, the control unit 41 acquires connection information for its own second wireless communication from the connection information management device 50. The control unit 41 stores the acquired connection information for the second wireless communication in the storage unit 42. This allows the information processing device 40 to perform second wireless communication with the connection information management device 50. When the connection information acquisition processing is completed, the control unit 41 terminates the second wireless setting control processing.

[0052] <Second wireless connection control process> The second wireless connection control process will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The second wireless connection control process is a process executed by the control unit 41 in the information processing device 40 at predetermined intervals.

[0053] 5, in step S40, the control unit 41 determines whether or not a second wireless connection instruction has been input from the input unit 47. If the control unit 41 determines that a second wireless connection instruction has not been input, it terminates the second wireless connection control process without executing steps S41 to S44. If the control unit 41 determines that a second wireless connection instruction has been input, it proceeds to step S41.

[0054] In step S41, the control unit 41 determines whether or not there is another terminal device that has been authenticated for the first wireless communication. If the control unit 41 determines that there is no other terminal device that has been authenticated for the first wireless communication, it ends the second wireless connection control process without executing steps S42 to S44. If the control unit 41 determines that there is another terminal device that has been authenticated for the first wireless communication, it proceeds to step S42.

[0055] In step S42, the control unit 41 executes a connection information transmission process. In the connection information transmission process, the control unit 41 transmits connection information of its own second wireless communication to another terminal device that has been authenticated for the first wireless communication, using the first wireless communication. When this process is completed, the process proceeds to step S43.

[0056] In step S43, the control unit 41 executes a connection information reception process. In the connection information reception process, the control unit 41 uses the first wireless communication to receive connection information for the second wireless communication in the communication destination terminal device with another terminal device that has been authenticated for the first wireless communication. In this way, the control unit 41 performs the first wireless communication with the other terminal device so as to share connection information for the second wireless communication. When this process is completed, the process proceeds to step S44.

[0057] In step S44, the control unit 41 executes a connection information setting process. In the connection information setting process, the control unit 41 sets connection information for the second wireless communication in the communication destination terminal device in the storage unit 42. This allows the information processing device 40 to perform the second wireless communication with another terminal device for which authentication regarding the first wireless communication has been successfully performed. When the connection information setting process ends, the control unit 41 ends the second wireless connection control process.

[0058] <Automatic Machine Control Processing> The automatic machine control process will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The automatic machine control process is a process executed by the control unit 41 in the information processing device 40 at predetermined intervals.

[0059] 6, in step S50, the control unit 41 determines whether the setting is a master unit. If the control unit 41 determines that the setting is a master unit, the process proceeds to step S53. If the control unit 41 determines that the setting is a slave unit rather than a master unit, the process proceeds to step S51.

[0060] In the second terminal device 40B, which is a slave device, in step S51, the control unit 41 determines whether or not an instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 has been input from the input unit 47. The instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 may include an instruction for displaying the operation results of the automatic machine 20. If the control unit 41 determines that an instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 has not been input from the input unit 47, it terminates the automatic machine control processing. If the control unit 41 determines that an instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 has been input from the input unit 47, it proceeds to step S52.

[0061] In step S52, the control unit 41 executes an input instruction transmission process. In the input instruction transmission process, the control unit 41 transmits the input input instruction to another terminal device that is a parent device using the second wireless communication. When the input instruction transmission process is completed, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S61.

[0062] Meanwhile, in the first terminal device 40A, which is the parent device, the control unit 41 executes an input instruction receiving process in step S53. In the input instruction receiving process, the control unit 41 receives an input instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 from another terminal device, which is a child device, using the second wireless communication. When the input instruction receiving process ends, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S54.

[0063] In step S54, the control unit 41 determines whether an instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 has been input from the input unit 47 or whether an input instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 has been received from another terminal device that is a slave unit. If the control unit 41 determines that an instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 has not been input from the input unit 47 and that an input instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 has not been received from another terminal device that is a slave unit, the control unit 41 terminates the automatic machine control process. If the control unit 41 determines that an instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 has been input from the input unit 47 or that an input instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 has been received from another terminal device that is a slave unit, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S55.

[0064] In step S55, the control unit 41 executes an input instruction transmission process. In the input instruction transmission process, the control unit 41 transmits an input instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 received from another terminal device that is a slave device to the automatic machine control device 30 using the third communication. The control unit 41 also executes the input instruction transmission process when an instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 is input from the input unit 47. When the input instruction transmission process is completed, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S56.

[0065] In step S56, the control unit 41 executes an operation result reception process. In the operation result reception process, the control unit 41 receives the operation result of the automatic machine 20 from the automatic machine control device 30 using the third communication. When the operation result reception process ends, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S57.

[0066] In step S57, the control unit 41 executes an operation result acquisition process. In the operation result acquisition process, the control unit 41 acquires the operation result of the automatic machine 20 received from the automatic machine control device 30. The control unit 41 stores the operation result of the automatic machine 20 in the memory unit 42. When the operation result acquisition process ends, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S58.

[0067] In step S58, the control unit 41 executes an operation result display process. In the operation result display process, the control unit 41 causes the display unit 46 to display the operation results of the automatic machine 20. When the operation result display process ends, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S59.

[0068] In step S59, the control unit 41 determines whether the transfer condition is met. The transfer condition is met when the parent machine receives an input instruction sent from the child machine. The transfer condition is not met when an instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 is input from the input unit 47 in the parent machine. If the control unit 41 determines that the transfer condition is not met, it terminates the automatic machine control process. If the control unit 41 determines that the transfer condition is met, it proceeds to step S60.

[0069] In step S60, the control unit 41 executes an operation result transmission process. In the operation result transmission process, the control unit 41 transmits the operation result of the automatic machine 20 to another terminal device, which is a slave, using the second wireless communication. When the operation result transmission process ends, the control unit 41 ends the automatic machine control process.

[0070] Meanwhile, in the second terminal device 40B, which is a slave device, the control unit 41 executes an operation result reception process in step S61. In the operation result reception process, the control unit 41 receives the operation result of the automatic machine 20 from another terminal device, which is a master device, using the second wireless communication. When the operation result reception process ends, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S57.

[0071] In step S57, the control unit 41 executes an operation result acquisition process. In the operation result acquisition process, the control unit 41 acquires the operation result of the automatic machine 20 received from another terminal device that is the parent machine. The control unit 41 stores the operation result of the automatic machine 20 in the memory unit 42. When the operation result acquisition process ends, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S58.

[0072] In step S58, the control unit 41 executes the operation result display process in the same way as the parent machine. When the operation result display process ends, the control unit 41 ends the automatic machine control process. In this way, the control unit 41 transmits and receives information regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 to and from another terminal device via the second wireless communication based on connection information of the second wireless communication corresponding to the other terminal device. The control unit 41 acquires the operation results of the automatic machine 20 transmitted from the automatic machine 20.

[0073] In particular, the control unit 41 can switch between a process corresponding to the parent machine and a process corresponding to the child machine as the valid process in response to a user instruction. Specifically, the process corresponding to the parent machine includes a process of transmitting the operation result of the automatic machine 20 to another terminal device that is a child machine. The process corresponding to the child machine includes a process of receiving the operation result of the automatic machine 20 from another terminal device that is a parent machine. The process corresponding to the parent machine corresponds to an example of a first process, and the process corresponding to the child machine corresponds to an example of a second process.

[0074] <Operation of the First Embodiment> The operation of the first embodiment will be described. 7, when a connection request is transmitted from the first terminal device 40A, which is a parent device, to the connection information management device 50 using the second wireless communication, the connection information management device 50 executes a connection information generation process in step S70. In the connection information generation process, connection information for the second wireless communication for the first terminal device 40A that transmitted the connection request is generated. In this case, the connection information for the second wireless communication is transmitted from the connection information management device 50 to the first terminal device 40A using the second wireless communication.

[0075] Similarly, when a connection request is transmitted from the second terminal device 40B, which is a slave device, to the connectivity information management device 50 using the second wireless communication, the connectivity information management device 50 executes a connection information generation process in step S70. In the connection information generation process, connection information for the second wireless communication for the second terminal device 40B that transmitted the connection request is generated. In this case, the connection information for the second wireless communication is transmitted from the connectivity information management device 50 to the second terminal device 40B using the second wireless communication.

[0076] When authentication of the first wireless communication between the first terminal device 40A and the second terminal device 40B has been successfully performed and a second wireless connection instruction has been input, connection information for the second wireless communication is transmitted and received between the first terminal device 40A and the second terminal device 40B using the first wireless communication. In this way, the first wireless communication is performed between the first terminal device 40A and the second terminal device 40B so as to share connection information for the second wireless communication. This enables second wireless communication between the first terminal device 40A and the second terminal device 40B based on the connection information for the second wireless communication.

[0077] 8, when an input instruction is input in step S62 in the second terminal device 40B, the input instruction is transmitted from the second terminal device 40B to the first terminal device 40A using the second wireless communication. When the input instruction is received in the first terminal device 40A, the input instruction is transmitted from the first terminal device 40A to the automatic machine control device 30 using the third communication. As a result, the automatic machine 20 operates in accordance with the input instruction input in the second terminal device 40B.

[0078] When an input instruction is input in step S62 in the first terminal device 40A, the input instruction is transmitted from the first terminal device 40A to the automatic machine control device 30 using the third communication. As a result, the automatic machine 20 operates in accordance with the input instruction input in the first terminal device 40A.

[0079] Then, the operation result of the automatic machine 20 is transmitted from the automatic machine control device 30 to the first terminal device 40A using the third communication. When the operation result of the automatic machine 20 is received by the first terminal device 40A, if the transfer condition is met, the operation result of the automatic machine 20 is transmitted from the first terminal device 40A to the second terminal device 40B using the second wireless communication. In the first terminal device 40A and the second terminal device 40B, an operation result display process is executed in step S58, and the operation result of the automatic machine 20 is displayed on the display unit 46.

[0080] <Effects of the first embodiment> The effects of the first embodiment will be described. (1-1) In the information processing device 40, the control unit 41 transmits and receives connection information for the second wireless communication, which has a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication, with another terminal device via the first wireless communication. The control unit 41 transmits and receives information regarding the operation of the automatic machine 20 with the other terminal device via the second wireless communication based on the connection information for the second wireless communication corresponding to the other terminal device. Therefore, by transmitting and receiving connection information for the second wireless communication, which has a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication, with the other terminal device using the first wireless communication, information regarding the automatic machine 20 can be transmitted and received using the second wireless communication. In this way, there is no need to perform the complicated task of looking up and inputting connection information for the second wireless communication in the other terminal device, and information regarding the automatic machine 20 can be transmitted and received smoothly using the second wireless communication, which has a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication. Therefore, workability can be improved when transmitting and receiving information regarding the automatic machine 20.

[0081] (1-2) The control unit 41 acquires connection information for the second wireless communication from the connection information management device 50. Therefore, once communication with the connection information management device 50 is possible, there is no need to perform complicated work, and information about the automatic machine 20 can be transmitted and received smoothly using the second wireless communication, which has a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication. Therefore, the operability can be improved when transmitting and receiving information about the automatic machine 20.

[0082] (1-3) The control unit 41 acquires the operation results of the automatic machine 20 transmitted from the automatic machine 20. In response to a user's instruction, the control unit 41 can switch between a process corresponding to a parent machine that transmits the operation results of the automatic machine 20 to a child machine, and a process corresponding to a child machine that receives the operation results of the automatic machine 20 from the parent machine, as an active process. This allows the information processing device 40 to be switched between being used as a parent machine or a child machine as intended by the user. This improves the convenience of the information processing device 40 and also improves the operability when transmitting and receiving information related to the automatic machine 20.

[0083] (1-4) The first wireless communication includes short-range wireless communication, the second wireless communication includes wireless LAN communication, and the connection information for the second wireless communication includes an IP address. Therefore, there is no need to perform complicated operations, and information about the automatic machine 20 can be transmitted and received smoothly using wireless LAN communication, which has a faster communication speed than short-range wireless communication. Therefore, the operability of transmitting and receiving information about the automatic machine 20 can be improved.

[0084] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, connection information for the second wireless communication may be generated in the information processing device 40. In the following description, the same components as those in the already described embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0085] In the second embodiment, the information processing device 40 is configured to generate connection information of the second wireless information. Specifically, the information processing device 40 has a DHCP function, similar to the connection information management device 50, and functions as an access point that performs the second wireless communication.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 9, in the second wireless connection control process of the second embodiment, in step S41, if the control unit 41 determines that there is another terminal device that has been authenticated for the first wireless communication, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S45.

[0087] In step S45, the control unit 41 executes a connection information generation process. In the connection information generation process, the control unit 41 generates connection information for its own second wireless communication and connection information for the second wireless communication of another terminal device. The control unit 41 that executes such a process corresponds to an example of a connection information generation unit. In other words, the information processing device 40 includes a connection information generation unit. When the connection information generation process is completed, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S46.

[0088] In step S46, the control unit 41 executes a connection information acquisition process. In the connection information acquisition process, the control unit 41 acquires the connection information of its own second wireless communication that it has generated and the connection information of the second wireless communication of another terminal device. When the connection information generation process is completed, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S42.

[0089] In step S42, the control unit 41 executes a connection information transmission process. In the connection information transmission process, the control unit 41 transmits, using the first wireless communication, connection information of its own second wireless communication and connection information of the second wireless communication of the other terminal device with the other terminal device that has been authenticated for the first wireless communication. When this process is completed, the process proceeds to step S44.

[0090] In step S44, the control unit 41 executes a connection information setting process. In the connection information setting process, the control unit 41 sets connection information for its own second wireless communication and connection information for the second wireless communication of the communication destination terminal device in the storage unit 42. When the connection information setting process ends, the control unit 41 ends the second wireless connection control process.

[0091] Meanwhile, in another terminal device, the control unit 41 receives, using the first wireless communication, connection information for the second wireless communication of the destination terminal device and connection information for its own second wireless communication. That is, the control unit 41 acquires the connection information for the second wireless communication of the destination terminal device and connection information for its own second wireless communication. Then, the control unit 41 sets, in the storage unit 42, the connection information for its own second wireless communication and the connection information for the second wireless communication of the destination terminal device.

[0092] As a result, the information processing device 40 can perform the second wireless communication with another terminal device for which authentication regarding the first wireless communication has been successfully performed. That is, the control unit 41 performs the first wireless communication with the other terminal device so as to share connection information for the second wireless communication with the other terminal device. Furthermore, as long as the control unit 41 can share connection information for the second wireless communication with the other terminal device using the first wireless communication, it is sufficient for the control unit 41 to perform at least one of transmitting and receiving the connection information for the second wireless communication.

[0093] <Operation of the Second Embodiment> The operation of the second embodiment will be described. 10, when authentication of the first wireless communication between the first terminal device 40A and the second terminal device 40B is normally performed and a second wireless connection instruction is input in the first terminal device 40A, a connection information generation process is executed in step S45. In this case, the first terminal device 40A generates connection information for the second wireless communication of the first terminal device 40A and connection information for the second wireless communication of the second terminal device 40B.

[0094] Then, the first terminal device 40A transmits connection information for the second wireless communication of the first terminal device 40A and connection information for the second wireless communication of the second terminal device 40B using the first wireless communication between them. In this way, the first wireless communication is performed between the first terminal device 40A and the second terminal device 40B so as to share the connection information for the second wireless communication. This enables the second wireless communication between the first terminal device 40A and the second terminal device 40B based on the connection information for the second wireless communication.

[0095] On the other hand, when a second wireless connection instruction is input in the second terminal device 40B, connection information for the second wireless communication of the first terminal device 40A and connection information for the second wireless communication of the second terminal device 40B are generated. The second terminal device 40B transmits the connection information for the second wireless communication of the first terminal device 40A and the connection information for the second wireless communication of the second terminal device 40B to the first terminal device 40A using the first wireless communication.

[0096] <Effects of the second embodiment> The effects of the second embodiment will be described. (2-1) The control unit 41 generates connection information for the second wireless communication. The control unit 41 acquires the generated connection information for the second wireless communication. Therefore, even if communication with another management device, such as the connection information management device 50, is not possible, there is no need to perform complicated work, and information about the automatic machine 20 can be transmitted and received smoothly using the second wireless communication, which has a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication. Therefore, workability can be improved when transmitting and receiving information about the automatic machine 20.

[0097] <Example of change> The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0098] In the second embodiment, when the control unit 41 receives information indicating a connection request in the first wireless communication, the control unit 41 may generate connection information for its own second wireless communication and connection information for the second wireless communication of the communication destination terminal device.

[0099] A third wireless communication may be performed between the automatic machine control device 30 and the information processing device 40. In this case, the third wireless communication may be the same communication method as the first wireless communication or the second wireless communication, or may be a communication method different from the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication.

[0100] The connectivity information management device 50 may transmit a connection request to the information processing device 40. In this case, the information processing device 40 does not need to transmit a connection request to the connectivity information management device 50. If the information processing device 40 can acquire its own connection information for the second wireless communication, the information processing system 10 does not need to include the connection information management device 50.

[0101] The information processing system 10 does not have to include the automatic machine control device 30. In this case, the automatic machine 20 may have the functions of the automatic machine control device 30. The information processing device 40 may have the functions of the automatic machine control device 30.

[0102] The actuator 21 may be any one of hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical and magnetic fluid actuators. <Additional Notes> Next, the technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below.

[0103] [Mode 1] An information processing device that transmits and receives information regarding the operation of an automatic machine with another terminal device, comprising: a first wireless authentication unit that performs authentication regarding a first wireless communication with the other terminal device; a connection information communication unit that performs the first wireless communication with the other terminal device to share connection information for a second wireless communication that has a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication; and an information transmission and reception unit that transmits and receives information regarding the operation of the automatic machine with the other terminal device via the second wireless communication based on the connection information of the second wireless communication that corresponds to the other terminal device as a result of communication by the connection information communication unit.

[0104] [Aspect 2] The information processing device according to [Aspect 1] further includes a connection information acquisition unit that acquires connection information of the second wireless communication from a connection information management device that manages connection information of the second wireless communication.

[0105] [Aspect 3] In the information processing device described in [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2], the information processing device comprises: a connection information generation unit that generates connection information for the second wireless communication; and a connection information acquisition unit that acquires the connection information for the second wireless communication generated by the connection information generation unit.

[0106] [Aspect 4] An information processing device according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3], comprising: an operation result acquisition unit that acquires the operation results of the automatic machine transmitted from the automatic machine; and a switching unit that is capable of switching between a first process of transmitting the operation results of the automatic machine acquired by the operation result acquisition unit to the other terminal device in response to a user's instruction, and a second process of receiving the operation results of the automatic machine from the other terminal device, as an effective process.

[0107] [Aspect 5] In an information processing device described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 4], the first wireless communication includes short-range wireless communication, the second wireless communication includes wireless LAN communication, and the connection information of the second wireless communication includes an IP address.

[0108] [Aspect 6] An information processing system for transmitting and receiving information regarding the operation of an automatic machine, comprising a first terminal device and a second terminal device capable of communicating with the first terminal device, wherein the first terminal device and the second terminal device each have a first wireless authentication unit that performs authentication regarding the first wireless communication, a connection information communication unit that performs the first wireless communication so as to share connection information for the second wireless communication, which has a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication, with the destination terminal device, and an information transmission and reception unit that transmits and receives information regarding the operation of the automatic machine via the second wireless communication with the destination terminal device based on the connection information of the second wireless communication that corresponds to the destination terminal device as a result of communication by the connection information communication unit.

[0109] [Aspect 7] An information processing method for transmitting and receiving information regarding the operation of an automatic machine between another terminal device, the information processing method including: performing authentication regarding a first wireless communication with the other terminal device; performing the first wireless communication with the other terminal device so as to share connection information for a second wireless communication having a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication; and, as a result of the first wireless communication, transmitting and receiving information regarding the operation of the automatic machine between the other terminal device and the other terminal device via the second wireless communication based on the connection information for the second wireless communication corresponding to the other terminal device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 10...information processing system, 20...automatic machine, 40...information processing device, 40A...first terminal device, 40B...second terminal device, 41...control unit, 41A...first wireless authentication unit, 41B...connection information acquisition unit, 41C...connection information communication unit, 41D...switching unit, 41E...information transmission / reception unit, 41F...operation result acquisition unit, 43...first wireless communication unit, 44...second wireless communication unit, 50...connection information management device.

Claims

1. An information processing device that transmits and receives information about the operation of an automatic machine to and from another terminal device, a first wireless authentication unit that performs authentication regarding a first wireless communication with the other terminal device; a connection information communication unit that performs the first wireless communication so as to share connection information of a second wireless communication having a communication speed faster than that of the first wireless communication with the other terminal device; an information transmitting / receiving unit that transmits and receives information regarding the operation of the automatic machine between the other terminal device and the automatic machine via the second wireless communication based on the connection information of the second wireless communication corresponding to the other terminal device as a result of communication by the connection information communication unit; a switching unit that switches between the parent device and the child device in response to a user instruction; Equipped with The connection information communication unit When the switching unit has set the terminal device as a parent device and the other terminal device has set the terminal device as a child device, if authentication regarding the first wireless communication has been successfully performed between the terminal device and the other terminal device and an instruction to connect the second wireless communication has been issued, the first wireless communication is performed so as to share connection information of the second wireless communication with the other terminal device, An information processing device that, when set as a slave device by the switching unit and when the other terminal device is set as a master device, performs the first wireless communication so as to share connection information for the second wireless communication with the other terminal device when authentication regarding the first wireless communication has been performed successfully between the information processing device and the other terminal device and an instruction to connect the second wireless communication is received.

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, a connection information acquiring unit that acquires connection information of the second wireless communication from a connection information managing device that manages connection information of the second wireless communication; An information processing device comprising:

3. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, a connection information generation unit that generates connection information for the second wireless communication; a connection information acquisition unit that acquires the connection information of the second wireless communication generated by the connection information generation unit; An information processing device comprising:

4. In the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, an operation result acquisition unit that acquires an operation result of the automatic machine transmitted from the automatic machine; When the operation result acquisition unit is set as a parent device by the switching unit, it acquires the operation result of the automatic machine from the automatic machine when an instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine is input or when it receives an instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine from the other terminal device set as a child device via the second wireless communication, When the information transmitting / receiving unit is set to a parent unit by the switching unit, when an instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine is input, the information transmitting / receiving unit does not transmit the operation result of the automatic machine to the other terminal device, but when an instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine is received from the other terminal device set to a child unit via the second wireless communication, the information transmitting / receiving unit transmits the operation result of the automatic machine to the other terminal device set to the child unit via the second wireless communication; When the information transmission / reception unit is set to a slave unit by the switching unit, when an instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine is input, the information transmission / reception unit transmits an instruction regarding the operation of the automatic machine to the other terminal device set to the master unit via the second wireless communication, and receives the operation results of the automatic machine from the other terminal device set to the master unit via the second wireless communication.

5. In the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the first wireless communication includes short-range wireless communication; the second wireless communication includes wireless LAN communication; The information processing device, wherein the connection information for the second wireless communication includes an IP address.

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