Communication system, terminal apparatus, and device identification method

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to easily identify identification information corresponding to a target device when one or more pieces of identification information found by device search processing are presented as a list. A device search unit 211 of an upper-level terminal 2 searches for a surrounding lower-level terminal 1 capable of wireless communication, and executes device search processing for presenting, as a list, identification information about the found lower-level terminal 1. At that time, a list presentation unit 211c associates a specific lower-level terminal 1 with the identification information about the specific lower-level terminal 1 on the basis of operation information about hardware included in the specific lower-level terminal 1, and presents the list in such a manner that the identification information included in response data including operation information indicating that the hardware of the lower-level terminal 1 has been operated can be distinguished from other identification information. Thus, the identification information about the target lower-level terminal 1 can be easily identified.

Description

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, TERMINAL APPARATUS, AND DEVICE IDENTIFICATION METHOD

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system, a terminal device, and a device identification method, and is particularly suitable for use in a communication system configured to register and use the identification information of multiple lower terminals wirelessly connected to a higher terminal.

[0002] Generally, when a device with wireless communication capabilities is connected to a network and used, it is necessary to register the device's identification information in the communication system. When this registration is performed, a device search process in a higher-level terminal included in the communication system searches for devices capable of wireless communication and presents the identification information of the discovered devices. If multiple devices capable of wireless communication are found by the search process, the identification information of the multiple devices is presented as a list.

[0003] When multiple pieces of identification information are presented as a list, it is necessary to identify the identification information corresponding to the target device from the list and register it in the communication system. However, because the identification information presented in the list is composed of character strings that do not have any specific meaning, it is difficult for a user to identify the identification information corresponding to the target device from the list.

[0004] In addition, if it is detected by referring to the usage history DB that the search results for printing devices include a printing device whose identification information has been obtained via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark; the same applies below), a technology is known that, when displaying a list of printing devices included in the search results, displays the printing device whose identification information has been obtained in a manner that makes it distinguishable from other printing devices included in the list (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] Furthermore, a technology is known in which, when a data processing device searches for a print processing device and multiple print processing devices are searched for on a LAN in which the data processing device participates, the search results are displayed in a list in descending order of the strength of the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio waves received from the print processing devices (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0006] JP 2017-182292 A JP 2018-116649 A

[0007] According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, when a search process finds multiple devices capable of wireless communication, a list is presented that allows for distinguishing between devices that have been used and devices that have not been used. Furthermore, according to the technology described in Patent Document 2, when a search process finds multiple devices capable of wireless communication, a list is presented that allows for recognizing devices in descending order of radio wave strength. However, in either case, it is difficult to identify the identification information corresponding to the desired device from the multiple identification information presented in the list.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to make it possible to easily identify the identification information corresponding to the desired device when multiple devices capable of wireless communication are discovered through a device search process and multiple pieces of identification information are presented as a list.

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention uses collaborative processing between a higher-level terminal and a lower-level terminal to associate a specific lower-level terminal among one or more lower-level terminals discovered by the device search processing of the higher-level terminal with the identification information of the specific lower-level terminal based on the operation information of the hardware equipped in the specific lower-level terminal.

[0010] According to the present invention configured as described above, when one or more lower terminals capable of wireless communication are discovered through the device search process of the upper terminal and one or more pieces of identification information are presented as a list, the identification information of the specific lower terminal is determined based on the operation information of the hardware equipped in the specific lower terminal, making it possible to easily identify the identification information of the desired lower terminal based on the operation information of the hardware.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a service providing system to which a communication system according to a first embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a lower terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a higher terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a lower terminal and a higher terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display of a list according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation related to device search processing of a communication system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a lower terminal and a higher terminal according to a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display of a list according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation related to device search processing of a communication system according to the second embodiment.

[0012] (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a service providing system to which a communication system according to the first embodiment is applied. The service providing system shown in Fig. 1 is configured to include a plurality of lower terminals 1 having wireless communication means, a plurality of upper terminals 2 also having wireless communication means, and a management device 3 that issues operation instructions to the lower terminals 1 via the upper terminals 2. The management device 3 includes an MQTT broker 31 and a web server 32. The communication system according to the first embodiment is configured from the lower terminal 1 and the upper terminal 2.

[0013] The wireless communication means is, for example, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). In this case, the lower terminal 1 operates as a BLE client (peripheral), and the upper terminal 2 operates as a BLE master (central). Note that the wireless communication means is not limited to BLE, and may be, for example, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or other wireless LANs. Wireless communication between multiple lower terminals 1 and multiple upper terminals 2 is performed between terminals within a communication range.

[0014] The lower terminal 1 communicates wirelessly with the upper terminal 2, and its operation is controlled by the upper terminal 2. The lower terminal 1 also transmits its own information to the upper terminal 2. For example, the lower terminal 1 transmits its own identification information, information indicating the operation status of switches, buttons, etc. to the upper terminal 2. Note that these are examples of the information to be transmitted, and the information is not limited to these. For example, the lower terminal 1 may transmit the battery voltage detected by a voltage sensor, the ambient temperature detected by a temperature sensor, information identifying the image being displayed on the display (such as the fixed image number (1 to 8) currently being displayed or the number (0) indicating that an arbitrary image is being displayed), its own model information, firmware version information, etc.

[0015] The upper terminal 2 performs wireless communication with the lower terminal 1, and also performs communication with the management device 3 using HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) and MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) via a communication network such as the Internet and / or a mobile phone network. Here, MQTT communication is performed between the upper terminal 2 and an MQTT broker 31, and HTTP communication is performed between the upper terminal 2 and a web server 32. The upper terminal 2 controls the lower terminal 1 in accordance with operation instructions received from the management device 3. The upper terminal 2 also registers identification information acquired from the lower terminal 1 in the management device 3, and notifies the management device 3 of at least a part of the information acquired from the lower terminal 1 as status information.

[0016] The MQTT broker 31 of the management device 3 operates as a base station server between the upper terminal 2 and the web server 32, and realizes real-time push communication from the web server 32 to the upper terminal 2 and from the upper terminal 2 to the web server 32. Transmission of operation instructions from the management device 3 to the upper terminal 2 and transmission of status information from the upper terminal 2 to the management device 3 are performed by MQTT communication using the MQTT broker 31.

[0017] MQTT is a communication protocol that exchanges lightweight information between the web server 32 and the upper terminal 2 via the MQTT broker 31. The web server 32 constantly maintains a connection with the MQTT broker 31 in order to send and receive any information in real time. The upper terminal 2 also constantly maintains a connection with the MQTT broker 31 in order to send and receive any information in real time. In other words, the web server 32 and the upper terminal 2 are constantly connected to the MQTT broker 31 as clients in order to achieve low-latency information transmission and reception. This makes it possible to push any information from the web server 32 to the upper terminal 2 via the MQTT broker 31 at the required timing, and to push any information from the upper terminal 2 to the web server 32 via the MQTT broker 31 at the required timing.

[0018] When the Web server 32 of the management device 3 receives an HTTP request from the upper terminal 2, it responds by HTTP with information corresponding to the request to the upper terminal 2. For example, when performing initial setup (kitting) to register identification information of the lower terminal 1 in the management device 3, the upper terminal 2 uses HTTP communication with the Web server 32 to register the identification information acquired from the lower terminal 1 in the management device 3. Note that this registration of identification information may also be performed by MQTT communication.

[0019] The service providing system shown in FIG. 1 constitutes a mobile smartphone ordering system as one use case of applying the communication system of this embodiment, and includes a customer terminal 101, a store management device 102, and a store service server 103. The customer terminal 101 is, for example, a smartphone. Multiple subordinate terminals 1 are placed on multiple tables installed in a restaurant, for example. A two-dimensional code is displayed on the display of the subordinate terminal 1. When the customer terminal 101 reads the two-dimensional code, it becomes possible to access the order screen of a web page provided by the store service server 103 and place an order.

[0020] The web server 32 provides the store service server 103 with a web API for controlling the lower terminals 1, and the store service server 103 can use this web API to control the lower terminals 1. For example, it is possible for the store service server 103 to issue an operational instruction to a target lower terminal 1. In this case, the operational instruction sent from the store service server 103 to the web server 32 is transferred by MQTT communication via the MQTT broker 31 to one of the higher-level terminals 2, and then wirelessly transmitted from the higher-level terminal 2 to the target lower terminal 1 to control its operation. At this time, the management device 3 sends the operational instruction to one of the multiple higher-level terminals 2 that is within the communication range of the target lower terminal 1.

[0021] As an example of an operational instruction, the store service server 103 can transmit any information input from a store management device 102 installed in a restaurant to the management device 3, and then transfer the information from the management device 3 to the lower terminal 1 via the upper terminal 2, thereby displaying the any information on the display of the lower terminal 1. The any information can be, for example, information indicating the order status, information indicating the cooking status, information about recommended menu items, information about advertisements, etc. This information can also be displayed as an arbitrary image.

[0022] As another example of an operation instruction, the store service server 103 can transmit a standard image input from a store management device 102 installed in a restaurant to the management device 3, and then transfer the standard image from the management device 3 to the lower terminal 1 via the upper terminal 2, thereby storing the standard image in the non-volatile memory of the lower terminal 1. This standard image is used as an image to be displayed on the display when a standard operation is performed on the lower terminal 1. Standard operations on the lower terminal 1 include, for example, inserting batteries, operating switches or buttons, etc., but are not limited to these.

[0023] In addition to the Web API, the Web server 32 also provides a mechanism for event notification using Webhook. For example, when a change in a specific status of a lower terminal 1 is detected based on status information sent from the upper terminal 2 to the management device 3, the Web server 32 can use the Webhook function to call the Web API of the store service server 103 and notify the store service server 103 of the status change. This allows the store service server 103 to notify the detection of a status change without having to periodically execute (polling) the Web API of the Web server 32 until the status change of the specific lower terminal 1 is obtained.

[0024] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the lower terminal 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the lower terminal 1 of this embodiment includes, as its hardware configuration, a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, a display unit 14, an audio output unit 15, a communication unit 16, and a battery 17.

[0025] The battery 17 is a battery that can be attached to or detached from the lower terminal 1, and may be either a primary battery or a secondary battery. The lower terminal 1 of this embodiment operates using the battery 17 as its power source. That is, when the battery 17 is attached to the lower terminal 1, the power supply is turned on, and the lower terminal 1 is in an operable state. On the other hand, when the battery 17 is removed from the lower terminal 1, the power supply is turned off, and the lower terminal 1 is in an inoperable state.

[0026] The control unit 11 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, RAM, and ROM. The control unit 11 operates according to an operating system and programs stored in the storage unit 12, and controls the lower terminal 1 using various data stored in the storage unit 12. This control of the lower terminal 1 includes control related to BLE advertising and response communication to a scan command from the upper terminal 2. Note that in addition to the microcomputer, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or the like may be provided. Advertising is an operation in which the lower terminal 1 broadcasts information as a BLE slave device, and corresponds to broadcasting as recited in the claims. Scanning is an operation in which the upper terminal 2, as a BLE master device, explicitly searches for BLE slave devices present in the vicinity.

[0027] The storage unit 12 is configured with a computer-readable storage medium. For example, the storage unit 12 is configured to include storage media such as ROM, RAM, and semiconductor memory. In addition to these, the storage unit 12 may also include a hard disk. The storage unit 12 stores various programs executed by the control unit 11. The storage unit 12 also stores various data, including data used in the processing of the control unit 11 and data generated during the processing.

[0028] The input unit 13 is configured with operation input devices such as switches and buttons, and supplies data according to user operation input to the control unit 11. Note that this embodiment can be applied regardless of the type of lower terminal 1, and the input unit 13 may include a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like instead of or in addition to switches, buttons, or the like.

[0029] The display unit 14 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal display or an electronic paper display in which the displayed information does not disappear even when the power is turned off, and displays information according to instructions input from the control unit 11. The electronic paper may be of any type, such as an electrophoretic type, an electronic liquid powder type, an electrowetting type, or a cholesteric liquid crystal type. The display unit 14 may include an LED instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned display.

[0030] The audio output unit 15 is configured with, for example, a speaker (buzzer), and outputs audio in accordance with instructions input from the control unit 11. Note that the lower terminal 1 may not be configured to include the audio output unit 15.

[0031] The communication unit 16 is configured by a communication module that exchanges data with the upper terminal 2 via BLE wireless communication means, and communicates with the upper terminal 2 according to instructions input from the control unit 11. For example, the communication unit 16 performs communication related to BLE passive scanning and active scanning. In the case of passive scanning, the communication unit 16 periodically advertises at predetermined time intervals and broadcasts identification information of the lower terminal 1. In the case of active scanning, the communication unit 16 receives a scan command transmitted from the upper terminal 2 and transmits a response communication in response to the command, thereby notifying the upper terminal 2 that issued the command of the identification information of the lower terminal 1 and other additional information. Details of the additional information will be described later.

[0032] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the upper terminal 2 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the upper terminal 2 of this embodiment includes, as its hardware configuration, a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an input unit 23, a display unit 24, an audio output unit 25, a communication unit 26, and a battery 27.

[0033] The battery 27 is a battery that is detachable from the upper terminal 2, and may be either a primary battery or a secondary battery. The upper terminal 2 of this embodiment operates using the battery 27 as its power source. That is, when the battery 27 is attached to the upper terminal 2, the power supply is conducted, and the upper terminal 2 is in an operable state. On the other hand, when the battery 27 is removed from the upper terminal 2, the power supply is not conducted, and the upper terminal 2 is in an inoperable state.

[0034] The control unit 21 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, RAM, and ROM. The control unit 21 operates in accordance with an operating system and programs stored in the storage unit 22, and controls the upper terminal 2 using various data stored in the storage unit 22. This control of the upper terminal 2 includes control related to device search processing using BLE advertising and scanning. Note that in addition to the microcomputer, a DSP or the like may be provided.

[0035] The storage unit 22 is configured with a computer-readable storage medium. For example, the storage unit 22 is configured to include storage media such as ROM, RAM, and semiconductor memory. In addition to these, the storage unit 22 may also include a hard disk. The storage unit 22 stores various programs executed by the control unit 21. The storage unit 22 also stores various data, including data used in the processing of the control unit 21 and data generated during the processing.

[0036] The input unit 23 is configured with, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, and supplies data according to user operation input to the control unit 21. The display unit 24 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays information according to instructions input from the control unit 21. The audio output unit 25 is configured with, for example, a speaker, and outputs audio according to instructions input from the control unit 21. Note that the upper terminal 2 may not be configured with the audio output unit 25.

[0037] The communication unit 26 is configured by a communication module that exchanges data with the lower terminal 1 via BLE wireless communication means, and communicates with the lower terminal 1 in accordance with instructions input from the control unit 21. For example, the communication unit 26 performs communication related to BLE passive scanning and active scanning. In the case of passive scanning, the communication unit 26 receives information that is periodically transmitted at predetermined time intervals by advertising from the lower terminal 1. In the case of active scanning, the communication unit 26 transmits a scan command to the lower terminal 1 and receives response information from the lower terminal 1.

[0038] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the lower terminal 1 and the upper terminal 2 according to the first embodiment. Note that Fig. 4 illustrates functional blocks related to the subject matter of this embodiment together with a portion of the hardware configuration.

[0039] 4(a), the lower terminal 1 according to the first embodiment has, as its functional configuration, a communication control unit 111 and an operation information setting unit 112. The processing of the communication control unit 111 and the operation information setting unit 112 is executed by the operation of a program stored in the storage unit 12 under the control of the control unit 11 shown in FIG.

[0040] 4(b), the upper terminal 2 according to the first embodiment includes, as a functional configuration, a device searching unit 211. The device searching unit 211 includes, as specific functional configurations, a surrounding device recognizing unit 211a, a correspondence specifying unit 211b, and a list presenting unit 211c. The processing of the device searching unit 211 is executed by the program stored in the storage unit 22 operating under the control of the control unit 21 shown in FIG.

[0041] 4A, the communication control unit 111 controls the above-mentioned advertising and response communication to a scan command from the upper terminal 2. The communication control unit 111 controls the advertising so that the identification information of the lower terminal 1 is periodically broadcast at predetermined time intervals. Furthermore, when the communication unit 16 receives a scan command from the upper terminal 2, the communication control unit 111 controls the communication unit 16 so that response data is sent back to the upper terminal 2.

[0042] When the communication unit 16 receives a scan command from the higher-level terminal 2, the operation information setting unit 112 determines whether the input unit 13 is being operated, and sets the operation information (corresponding to hardware operation information) of the input unit 13 in the response data. The operation information in the first embodiment is operation status information (status information) indicating the operation status of the input unit 13, and is set, for example, as follows: 0: button not pressed (returns to 0 a certain time after the last press) 1: pressed once 2: pressed twice 3: pressed three times 81: pressed and held for 1 second 85: pressed and held for 5 seconds Note that the operation status information may be simplified, such as "0" if the button is not pressed and "1" if the button is pressed.

[0043] The operation of the input unit 13 can be, for example, but is not limited to, a button press. For example, it may be a switch operation. Alternatively, it may be a specific key press on a keyboard, a mouse click or cursor movement operation, a touch operation on a touch panel, or the like.

[0044] In the functional configuration of the upper terminal 2 shown in Figure 4 (b), the device search unit 211 searches for surrounding lower terminals 1 that can communicate wirelessly using BLE wireless communication means, and performs a process of obtaining and presenting identification information of the discovered lower terminal 1 from the lower terminal 1.

[0045] The surrounding device recognition unit 211a recognizes the identification information of surrounding lower terminals 1 that are capable of wireless communication with the upper terminal 2, based on advertising from the lower terminals 1. In other words, multiple lower terminals 1 periodically advertise and transmit their own identification information to the surrounding area. The surrounding device recognition unit 211a receives identification information transmitted from one or more lower terminals 1 within the communication range, thereby recognizing the identification information of one or more lower terminals 1 that are capable of wireless communication.

[0046] The correspondence relationship specification unit 211b associates a specific lower terminal 1 among the one or more lower terminals 1 recognized by the surrounding device recognition unit 211a (one or more lower terminals discovered by the device search process) with identification information of the specific lower terminal 1, based on operation information of the input hardware (input unit 13) provided in the specific lower terminal 1. In this embodiment, the specific lower terminal 1 is a terminal whose input unit 13 has been operated by the user, out of one or more lower terminals 1 that are capable of wireless communication with the higher terminal 2. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation information is status information indicating the operation state of the input unit 13 (operation status information that indicates that the input unit 13 has been operated when the value is other than "0").

[0047] Specifically, the correspondence relationship specifying unit 211b sends a scan command to one or more lower terminals 1 recognized by the surrounding device recognizing unit 211a, and specifies, among one or more pieces of response data sent from the one or more lower terminals 1 in response to the scan command, identification information included in response data that includes operating status information indicating that the input unit 13 has been operated (operating status information whose value is other than "0"), as identification information corresponding to a specific lower terminal 1. This specifies the correspondence relationship between the specific lower terminal 1 on which the user operated the input unit 13 and the identification information of the specific lower terminal 1. Specifying the correspondence relationship here means specifying identification information corresponding to the specific lower terminal 1 on which the user operated the input unit 13.

[0048] The list presentation unit 211c presents, as a list, the identification information of one or more lower terminals 1 recognized by the surrounding device recognition unit 211a on the display unit 24. At this time, the list presentation unit 211c presents the identification information of the specific lower terminal 1 identified by the correspondence relationship identification unit 211b (identification information included in response data including operating status information with a value other than "0") in a manner that allows it to be distinguished from other identification information (identification information included in response data including operating status information with a value of "0").

[0049] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a list presented on the display unit 24 by the list presentation unit 211c. Fig. 5 shows a state in which the surrounding device recognition unit 211a recognizes the identification information of four lower terminals 1 that are surrounding lower terminals 1 that can wirelessly communicate with the higher terminal 2, and the list presentation unit 211c presents the four identification information as a list. Fig. 5 also shows a state in which the correspondence relationship specification unit 211b specifies the second identification information from the top in the list as corresponding to a specific lower terminal 1, and the list presentation unit 211c displays the second identification information from the top by adding a predetermined mark 51.

[0050] If only one piece of identification information of a lower terminal 1 is recognized by the surrounding device recognition unit 211a, the list presentation unit 211c presents the single piece of identification information as a list. At this time, if the single piece of identification information corresponds to a specific lower terminal 1 identified by the correspondence identification unit 211b, a predetermined mark 51 is added to the identification information and displayed. On the other hand, if a piece of identification information in the list does not correspond to a specific lower terminal 1, the predetermined mark 51 is not added to the identification information and displayed.

[0051] 5 shows an example in which the identification information of a specific lower terminal 1 can be distinguished by displaying the mark 51 associated therewith, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the identification information of a specific lower terminal 1 may be highlighted. Alternatively, the display field for the identification information of a specific lower terminal 1 may be highlighted.

[0052] When a user wants to identify the identification information of a target lower terminal 1 (for example, when identifying the identification information of one lower terminal 1 and registering it in the management device 3), by operating the input section 13 of the target lower terminal 1 while the device search process is being executed on the higher terminal 2, the identification information of the target lower terminal 1 can be recognized by the display of the mark 51 in the list.

[0053] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of operation (procedure of a device identification method) related to device search processing in the communication system according to the first embodiment configured as described above. Here, the flow of the link processing exchanged between one lower terminal 1 and one upper terminal 2 is shown.

[0054] First, the lower terminal 1 transmits its own identification information by advertising (step S1). In reality, the lower terminal 1 periodically performs this transmission process at predetermined time intervals, but here, one transmission process is shown. The identification information transmitted from one lower terminal 1 is received by one or more upper terminals 2 within the communication range.

[0055] The surrounding device recognition unit 211a of the upper terminal 2 receives the identification information transmitted from the lower terminal 1 and thereby recognizes the identification information of the lower terminal 1 that can communicate wirelessly with the upper terminal 2 (step S2). While Fig. 6 illustrates a state in which identification information has been received from one lower terminal 1, in reality, identification information is received from one or more lower terminals 1 that are within the communication range of the upper terminal 2.

[0056] The correspondence specifying unit 211b of the higher-level terminal 2 transmits a scan command to one or more lower-level terminals 1 recognized by the surrounding device recognizing unit 211a (step S3). In the lower-level terminal 1 that receives this scan command, the operation information setting unit 112 determines whether or not the input unit 13 is being operated (step S4).

[0057] If it is determined that the input unit 13 is being operated, the operation information setting unit 112 sets a value other than "0" as the operation status information of the input unit 13 in the response data (step S5). On the other hand, if it is determined that the input unit 13 is not being operated, the processing of step S5 is skipped (the operation status information is set to "0"). After step S4 or step S5, the communication control unit 111 controls the response data to be returned to the upper terminal 2 (step S6). While Fig. 6 illustrates a state in which response data is sent from one lower terminal 1, in reality, response data is sent from one or more lower terminals 1 that have received a scan command from the upper terminal 2.

[0058] The correspondence relationship specification unit 211b of the higher-level terminal 2 specifies the identification information of a specific lower-level terminal 1 from the identification information of the one or more lower-level terminals 1 recognized by the surrounding device recognition unit 211a in step S2 (step S7). That is, the correspondence relationship specification unit 211b specifies response data that includes operating status information having a value other than "0" from the response data received from one or more lower-level terminals 1, and specifies the identification information included in the response data as the identification information of a specific lower-level terminal 1.

[0059] The list presentation unit 211c of the higher-level terminal 2 presents, as a list, the identification information of one or more lower-level terminals 1 recognized by the surrounding device recognition unit 211a on the display unit 24 (step S8). At this time, the list presentation unit 211c displays the list on the display unit 24 in a manner that allows the identification information of a specific lower-level terminal 1 to be distinguished from other identification information. This ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0060] As explained in detail above, in the first embodiment, when the upper terminal 2 presents a list of the identification information of one or more lower terminals 1 discovered by the device search process, the upper terminal 2 presents, among one or more response data sent from one or more lower terminals 1 in response to a scan command, the identification information contained in the response data containing operation status information indicating that the input unit 13 has been activated in a manner that can be distinguished from the identification information contained in response data that does not contain operation status information indicating that the input unit 13 has been activated.

[0061] According to the first embodiment configured in this manner, when one or more lower terminals 1 capable of wireless communication are discovered through the device search process and one or more pieces of identification information are presented as a list, the list is displayed in a manner that makes it possible to distinguish the identification information of the specific lower terminal 1 for which the input unit 13 was operated during the device search process from other identification information, and therefore, by operating the input unit 13 of the target lower terminal 1, it becomes possible to easily identify the identification information of the target lower terminal 1 on the list based on the operating status information of the input unit 13.

[0062] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration of the communication system and service providing system according to the second embodiment is the same as that shown in Fig. 1. However, a lower terminal 1' is provided instead of the lower terminal 1, and a higher terminal 2' is provided instead of the higher terminal 2.

[0063] The hardware configurations of the lower terminal 1' and the upper terminal 2' according to the second embodiment are the same as those shown in Figures 2 and 3, respectively. However, while in the first embodiment it was explained that the audio output unit 15 in the lower terminal 1 is an optional configuration and may not be provided, in the second embodiment at least one of the display unit 14 and the audio output unit 15 is a required configuration in the lower terminal 1'. Also, in the first embodiment the input unit 13 is a required configuration in the lower terminal 1', but in the second embodiment the input unit 13 is an optional configuration and may not be provided in the lower terminal 1'.

[0064] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a lower terminal 1' and a higher terminal 2' according to the second embodiment. Fig. 7 shows functional blocks related to the subject matter of this embodiment together with a part of the hardware configuration.

[0065] 7A, the lower terminal 1′ according to the second embodiment has, as its functional configuration, a communication control unit 111′ and an operation control unit 113. The processing of the communication control unit 111′ and the operation control unit 113 is executed by the operation of a program stored in the storage unit 12 under the control of the control unit 11 of the lower terminal 1′ configured in the same manner as in FIG.

[0066] 7B, the upper terminal 2′ according to the second embodiment includes, as its functional components, a device searching unit 211′, a correspondence relationship identifying unit 212, and an operation instruction transmitting unit 213. The device searching unit 211′ includes, as its specific functional components, a surrounding device recognizing unit 211a and a list presenting unit 211c′. The processes of the device searching unit 211′, the correspondence relationship identifying unit 212, and the operation instruction transmitting unit 213 are executed by the operation of programs stored in the storage unit 22 under the control of the control unit 21 of the upper terminal 2′ configured in the same manner as in FIG.

[0067] In the functional configuration of the lower terminal 1' shown in FIG. 7(a), the communication control unit 111' controls BLE advertising and GATT communication. GATT communication is communication that is performed by establishing a 1:1 connection between a BLE central and peripheral. The communication control unit 111' controls the lower terminal 1' to periodically broadcast identification information of the lower terminal 1' at predetermined time intervals through advertising. The communication control unit 111' also receives hardware operation information from the upper terminal 2' through 1:1 GATT communication. Unlike the first embodiment, the hardware operation information in the second embodiment is information that instructs the operation of output hardware (hereinafter referred to as operation instruction information). This will be described in detail later.

[0068] The operation control unit 113 controls the operation of the output hardware based on the operation instruction information received by the communication control unit 111' from the higher-level terminal 2'. The output hardware is at least one of the display of the display unit 14, an LED, or a speaker (buzzer) of the audio output unit 15. For example, the operation control unit 113 displays predetermined information on the display. Alternatively, the operation control unit 113 causes an LED to blink or light up. Alternatively, the operation control unit 113 causes a buzzer to sound.

[0069] In the functional configuration of the upper terminal 2′ shown in FIG. 7(b), the device search unit 211′ searches for a surrounding lower terminal 1′ that can communicate wirelessly using BLE wireless communication means, and performs a process of obtaining and presenting identification information of the discovered lower terminal 1′ from the lower terminal 1′.

[0070] The surrounding device recognition unit 211a recognizes the identification information of one or more lower terminals 1' that are capable of wireless communication with the upper terminal 2', based on advertising from the lower terminal 1'. The list presentation unit 211c' presents the identification information of one or more lower terminals 1' recognized by the surrounding device recognition unit 211a as a list on the display unit 24. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the list presented on the display unit 24 by the list presentation unit 211c'. As shown in FIG. 8, in the second embodiment, a mark 51 is not added to and displayed as identification information corresponding to a specific lower terminal 1'.

[0071] The correspondence specifying unit 212 associates a specific lower terminal 1' among the one or more lower terminals 1' recognized by the surrounding device recognizing unit 211a with the identification information of the specific lower terminal 1' based on operation information of output hardware (at least one of the display unit 14 and the audio output unit 15) provided in the specific lower terminal 1'. In this embodiment, the specific lower terminal is a terminal that the user has specified on a list as a target for activating output hardware, out of one or more lower terminals 1' within the communication range of the higher terminal 2'. In addition, in this embodiment, the operation information is operation instruction information that instructs the activation of the output hardware.

[0072] Specifically, the correspondence relationship specifying unit 212 specifies, in the list presented by the list presenting unit 211c', the identification information specified by the user operating the input unit 23. This specifies the correspondence relationship between the identification information of a specific lower terminal 1' specified by the user operating the input unit 23, among the identification information of one or more lower terminals 1' recognized by the surrounding device recognizing unit 211a, and the specific lower terminal 1' whose operation is instructed by the operation instruction information. Specifying the correspondence relationship here means specifying the specific lower terminal 1' that operates the output hardware by specifying the identification information in the list.

[0073] In response to an operation of specifying any one of the identification information from the list presented by the list presentation unit 211c', the operation instruction transmission unit 213 transmits, via BLE GATT communication, operation instruction information that instructs the specific lower terminal 1' corresponding to the specified identification information (the lower terminal 1' identified by the correspondence relationship identification unit 212) to operate the output hardware. That is, the operation instruction transmission unit 213 transmits at least one of operation instruction information for displaying predetermined information on a display, operation instruction information for blinking or lighting an LED, and operation instruction information for sounding a buzzer to the specific lower terminal 1'.

[0074] When a user wishes to specify the identification information of a target lower terminal 1', the user can perform an operation to specify any identification information on the list presented as a result of the device search process on the higher terminal 2', and predetermined information will be displayed on the display of the specific lower terminal 1' corresponding to the specified identification information, and an LED will blink or light up, or a buzzer will sound. If the lower terminal 1' whose output hardware has been activated is not the target lower terminal 1', specifying another identification information on the list will activate the output hardware of another lower terminal 1'. By repeating this process, it is possible to recognize the identification information of the target lower terminal 1'.

[0075] 9 is a flowchart showing an example of operation (procedure of a device identification method) related to device search processing in the communication system according to the second embodiment configured as described above. Here, the flow of the linking processing exchanged between one lower terminal 1' and one upper terminal 2' is shown. The one lower terminal 1' described in FIG. 9 is assumed to be a specific lower terminal 1' designated by a user as a target for output hardware operation instructions.

[0076] First, the lower terminal 1' transmits its own identification information by advertising (step S11). In reality, the lower terminal 1' periodically performs this transmission process at predetermined time intervals, but one transmission process is shown here. The identification information transmitted from one lower terminal 1' is received by one or more upper terminals 2' within the communication range.

[0077] The surrounding device recognition unit 211a of the upper terminal 2' receives the identification information transmitted from the lower terminal 1' and recognizes the identification information of the lower terminal 1' that can communicate wirelessly with the upper terminal 2' (step S12). While Fig. 9 illustrates a state in which identification information has been received from one lower terminal 1', in reality, identification information is received from one or more lower terminals 1' that are within the communication range of the upper terminal 2'.

[0078] The list presentation unit 211c' of the higher-level terminal 2' presents a list of identification information of one or more lower-level terminals 1' recognized by the surrounding device recognition unit 211a' on the display unit 24 (step S13). The correspondence determination unit 212 identifies, in the list presented by the list presentation unit 211c', identification information designated by the user by operating the input unit 23, as identification information of a specific lower-level terminal 1' for which output hardware is to be operated (step S14).

[0079] The operation instruction sending unit 213 establishes a 1:1 connection by BLE GATT communication with the lower terminal 1' corresponding to the identification information specified by the correspondence specifying unit 212, and transmits operation instruction information instructing the operation of the output hardware (step S15). In the specific lower terminal 1' that has received this operation instruction information, the operation control unit 113 controls the operation of the output hardware based on the received operation instruction information (step S16). This ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0080] As explained in detail above, in the second embodiment, the identification information of one or more lower terminals 1' discovered by the device search process is presented as a list, and then, in response to an operation of specifying one of the identification information from the list, operation instruction information instructing the operation of output hardware is transmitted to the lower terminal 1' corresponding to the specified identification information, and the lower terminal 1' operates the output hardware in accordance with this operation instruction information.

[0081] According to the second embodiment configured as described above, when one or more wirelessly capable lower terminals 1' are discovered by the device search process and one or more pieces of identification information are presented as a list, if an operation to designate any identification information on the list is performed, the output hardware of the lower terminal 1' corresponding to the designated identification information will be activated. Therefore, by performing the operation to designate identification information on the list until it is confirmed that the output hardware of the desired lower terminal 1' is activated, it becomes possible to easily identify the identification information of the desired lower terminal 1' based on the operation instruction information of the output hardware.

[0082] (Various Modifications) In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the identification information of the specific subordinate terminal 1 that has operated the input unit 13 is displayed in a manner that makes it distinguishable from other identification information in the list displayed on the display unit 24 of the superior terminal 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the identification information of the specific subordinate terminal 1 may be notified by vibrating the superior terminal 2 or playing a sound.

[0083] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, when the identification information of a specific lower terminal 1, 1' whose identification information has already been associated with the lower terminal 1, 1' is discovered again by the device search process, the identification information may not be displayed in the list on the upper terminal 2, 2'. Alternatively, information informing that the association has already been completed may be displayed together with the list.

[0084] In the second embodiment, an example has been described in which GATT communication is started with a lower terminal 1' corresponding to identification information selected by a user from one or more pieces of identification information displayed in a list, but GATT communication may also be started with a lower terminal 1' whose BLE signal strength (RSSI value) has reached a threshold value or higher (i.e., a lower terminal 1' whose distance from the higher terminal 2' has reached a certain value or lower). In this case, GATT communication may be started when the RSSI value remains above the threshold value for a certain period of time or longer.

[0085] In the first and second embodiments, the lower terminals 1, 1' may be provided with a function for changing the time interval between advertisements executed by the lower terminals 1, 1'. As a first example, the time interval may be changed by the lower terminals 1, 1' alone. As a second example, the time interval may be changed by a command from the upper terminals 2, 2'. The first and second examples will be described in detail below.

[0086] <First Example> For example, the lower terminals 1, 1' have a function to detect battery voltage. When the detected battery voltage falls below a threshold, the advertising time interval is lengthened from the previous specified value. This makes it possible to suppress consumption of the battery 17 and extend the operable time. Thereafter, when the battery 17 is replaced and the detected battery voltage rises above the threshold, the advertising time interval is returned to the original specified value.

[0087] As another example, the lower terminals 1, 1' have a function for detecting the ambient temperature of the lower terminals 1, 1'. When the detected ambient temperature is equal to or lower than a threshold, the advertising time interval is set longer than a specified value because there is a possibility that the battery 17 will not be able to fully perform. Thereafter, when the detected ambient temperature becomes higher than the threshold, the advertising time interval is returned to the original specified value.

[0088] <Second Example> For example, the time periods during which the lower terminals 1, 1' are frequently controlled are analyzed from the history and statistics of system usage managed by the management device 3. Then, during the time periods during which the lower terminals 1, 1' are frequently controlled, the upper terminals 2, 2' supply the lower terminals 1, 1' with a command to make the advertising time interval shorter than a specified value, thereby enabling communication with good response. During other time periods, the advertising time interval is made longer (set to the specified value), thereby suppressing consumption of the battery 17.

[0089] As another example, the lower terminals 1, 1' have a function to detect battery voltage and notify the upper terminals 2, 2'. When the battery voltage notified from the lower terminals 1, 1' falls below a threshold, the upper terminals 2, 2' supply the lower terminals 1, 1' with a command to lengthen the advertising time interval from the previous specified value. After that, when the battery 17 is replaced and the battery voltage notified from the lower terminals 1, 1' becomes higher than the threshold, the upper terminals 2, 2' supply the lower terminals 1, 1' with a command to return the advertising time interval to the original specified value.

[0090] Note that the upper terminals 2, 2' may be allowed to issue operation control commands (control commands other than commands to change the advertising time interval, such as a control command to display information on the display unit 14 of the lower terminals 1, 1') to the lower terminals 1, 1' only when the battery voltage notified from the lower terminals 1, 1' is higher than a threshold. Alternatively, when the battery voltage detected by the lower terminals 1, 1' is equal to or lower than a threshold, the lower terminals 1, 1' may reject operation control commands supplied from the upper terminals 2, 2'.

[0091] As yet another example, the lower terminals 1, 1' have a function of detecting the ambient temperature of the lower terminals 1, 1' and notifying the upper terminals 2, 2'. When the ambient temperature notified from the lower terminals 1, 1' is below a threshold, the upper terminals 2, 2' supply the lower terminals 1, 1' with a command to lengthen the advertising time interval beyond a specified value. Thereafter, when the ambient temperature notified from the lower terminals 1, 1' becomes greater than the threshold, the upper terminals 2, 2' supply the lower terminals 1, 1' with a command to return the advertising time interval to the original specified value.

[0092] In addition, commands from the upper terminals 2, 2' to the lower terminals 1, 1' may be issued by the upper terminals 2, 2', or may be issued by a management device 3 or a store service server 103 connected to the upper terminals 2, 2' via the Internet and then transferred by the upper terminals 2, 2' to the lower terminals 1, 1'.

[0093] The service providing system shown in FIG. 1 is an example of application of the communication system according to this embodiment, and application examples are not limited to this.

[0094] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of specific embodiments for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereby. In other words, the present invention can be carried out in various forms without departing from the gist or main characteristics thereof.

[0095] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 1' Lower-level terminal (terminal device) 2, 2' Upper-level terminal (terminal device) 11 Control unit 12 Memory unit 13 Input unit 14 Display unit 15 Audio output unit 16 Communication unit (wireless communication means) 17 Battery 21 Control unit 22 Memory unit 23 Input unit 24 Display unit 25 Audio output unit 26 Communication unit (wireless communication means) 27 Battery 111, 111' Communication control unit 112 Operation information setting unit 113 Operation control unit 211, 211' Device searching unit 211a Surrounding device recognition unit 211b Correspondence relationship identification unit 211c, 211c' List presentation unit 212 Correspondence relationship identification unit 213 Operation instruction transmission unit

Claims

1. A communication system comprising: a lower terminal having wireless communication means; and an upper terminal having the wireless communication means; wherein the upper terminal searches for surrounding lower terminals with which wireless communication is possible using the wireless communication means, and executes a device search process to obtain and present identification information of the discovered lower terminals from the lower terminals; and wherein the upper terminal and the lower terminal associate a specific lower terminal from one or more lower terminals discovered by the device search process with the identification information of the specific lower terminal based on operation information of hardware equipped in the specific lower terminal.

2. The communication system described in claim 1, characterized in that when the upper terminal presents a list of identification information of one or more lower terminals discovered by the device search process, it presents the identification information contained in one or more response data sent from the one or more lower terminals in response to a scan command, which response data contains the operation information indicating that the hardware has been activated, as identification information corresponding to the specific lower terminal, in a manner that can be distinguished from identification information contained in response data that does not contain the operation information indicating that the hardware has been activated.

3. The communication system described in claim 1, characterized in that the upper terminal presents a list of identification information for one or more lower terminals discovered by the device search process, and then, in response to an operation of specifying any identification information from the list, instructs the specific lower terminal corresponding to the specified identification information to operate the hardware.

4. A terminal device used as a higher-level terminal in the communication system described in claim 2, comprising a device search unit that searches for surrounding lower-level terminals that are capable of wireless communication using the wireless communication means, obtains identification information of one or more discovered lower-level terminals from the lower-level terminals, and presents the information as a list, wherein when presenting the identification information of the one or more lower-level terminals as the list, the device search unit presents identification information contained in response data that contains operating status information indicating the operating status of hardware, as operating status information indicating that the hardware has been operated, from one or more pieces of response data sent from the one or more lower-level terminals in response to a scan command, in a manner that makes it possible to distinguish it from identification information contained in response data that does not contain operating status information indicating that the hardware has been operated.

5. A terminal device used as a higher-level terminal in the communication system described in claim 3, comprising: a device searching section that searches for surrounding lower-level terminals that are capable of wireless communication by the wireless communication means, acquires identification information of one or more discovered lower-level terminals from the lower-level terminals, and presents the information as a list; and an operation instruction sending section that, in response to an operation of specifying any identification information from the list presented by the device searching section, transmits operation instruction information, which is operation information that instructs the operation of hardware, to a specific lower-level terminal corresponding to the specified identification information.

6. A terminal device used as a lower-level terminal in the communication system of claim 2, comprising: a communication control unit that periodically broadcasts its own identification information at predetermined time intervals and returns response data to a scan command sent from a higher-level terminal; and an operation information setting unit that, when returning the response data to the scan command sent from the higher-level terminal, determines whether the hardware is operating or not, and sets operation status information, which is operation information indicating the operating status of the hardware, in the response data.

7. A terminal device used as a lower-level terminal in the communication system described in claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a communication control unit that periodically broadcasts its own identification information at predetermined time intervals, and an operation control unit that controls the operation of hardware based on operation instruction information sent from the upper-level terminal after the broadcast is executed.

8. A method for identifying identification information of a specific lower terminal from identification information of one or more lower terminals discovered by a device search process of the upper terminal in a communication system comprising a lower terminal having wireless communication means and an upper terminal having the same wireless communication means, the device identification method comprising: executing a device search process in the upper terminal to search for surrounding lower terminals that can communicate wirelessly by the wireless communication means, and to obtain and present identification information of the discovered lower terminals from the lower terminals; and, through cooperative processing between the upper terminal and the lower terminal, associating a specific lower terminal from the one or more lower terminals discovered by the device search process with the identification information of the specific lower terminal based on operation information of hardware equipped in the specific lower terminal.

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