JP5328050B2 - Wireless communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for a wireless communication device to establish a wireless communication connection with another wireless communication device.

  Conventionally, a technique for performing wireless communication between a plurality of devices has been proposed. When connecting apparatuses by wireless communication, various settings are generally required, and conventionally, a user who performs communication has performed these settings. For example, in the case of Bluetooth (Bluetooth) version 2.0 or lower, secure simple pairing cannot be performed. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to manually check and operate various processes necessary for wireless connection, such as scan processing, connection destination device selection processing, pin code input processing, and profile connection processing.

  In particular, in the case of a device that does not have a display function or a device that does not have a sufficient input interface, it is very difficult for the user to manually perform the various processes described above. For such problems, the selection process is simplified so that the selection process of the connection destination apparatus can be performed even for an apparatus that does not have a display function or an apparatus that does not have a sufficient input interface. Techniques for this have been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for changing transmission power for the purpose of reliably communicating with a desired communication partner while maintaining security. Specifically, it is disclosed that the transmission power is reduced during the search request process and the connection request process for the Bluetooth mobile terminal, and the transmission power is increased when the service is provided after the connection is completed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for controlling transmission power for the purpose of automatically selecting, as a communication partner, what a user intends to communicate from among a plurality of wireless communication devices. Yes. Specifically, it is disclosed that the number of communication partner candidates is narrowed down to one by controlling the transmission power and controlling the range received with a certain level or more of received power.

JP 2004-247794 A JP 2003-188886 A

  As described above, in the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a communication partner is selected based on the relationship between the distance between devices and the transmission power. That is, the technology has been proposed on the premise that the closer the distance between the devices, the higher the possibility that the user desires to connect, and the closer the distance between the devices, the higher the transmission power. However, when the devices cannot be moved, when the devices cannot be brought closer than a certain distance, or when a device that is not intended by the user exists nearby, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose the information. However, the selected technology cannot properly select the connection destination device.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables wireless communication connection between devices desired by a user.

An aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication device that detects a surrounding communication device by transmitting a signal to the surroundings and receiving a response to the signal, and a first detection process by the detecting unit The communication device detected in step 2 is compared with the communication device detected in the second detection processing by the detection unit, and detected in the first detection processing among the communication devices detected in the second detection processing. A determination unit that determines a communication device that has not been connected, and a connection processing unit that performs wireless communication connection to the communication device determined by the determination unit.

  An aspect of the present invention is the above-described wireless communication apparatus, further comprising an instruction input unit for a user to instruct start of detection processing by the detection unit, wherein the detection unit instructs the start of detection processing from the user Then, the first detection process and the second detection process are executed according to the instruction, and the determination unit finishes the first detection process and the second detection process by the detection unit. In response, the determination is performed, and the connection processing unit starts the wireless communication connection in response to the end of the determination by the determination unit.

  An aspect of the present invention is the above-described wireless communication device, which enables a user to identify whether the detection unit is performing the first detection process or the second detection process. The information processing device further includes a notification unit that performs notification.

  An aspect of the present invention is the above-described wireless communication device, further comprising an existing list storage unit that stores, as a list of the communication devices, a communication device that has been registered as a communication partner of the device by the user in the past, and the determination unit Determines a communication device that is not stored in the existing list storage unit from among the communication devices detected by the detection unit.

  An aspect of the present invention further includes a condition determination unit that determines a communication device that satisfies a predetermined condition from the communication devices determined by the determination unit, the wireless communication device, and the connection The processing unit performs a wireless communication connection to the communication device determined by the condition determination unit.

  An aspect of the present invention is the above-described wireless communication device, in which a notification unit that notifies the user of the communication device determined by the condition determination unit, and a selection result of the communication device selected by the user in response to the notification And a connection unit configured to make a wireless communication connection to a communication device instructed by a user via the selection unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to establish a wireless communication connection between devices desired by a user.

It is a figure showing the specific example of the various devices which perform wireless communication with a wireless communication apparatus with a predetermined communication standard. It is a schematic block diagram showing the function structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 1st embodiment. It is a figure showing the specific example of a 1st list and a 2nd list. It is a flowchart showing the flow of operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 1st embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram showing the function structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example of the process of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example of the process of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example of the process of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the flow of operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a process of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a process of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 2nd embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating specific examples of various devices that perform wireless communication with the wireless communication apparatus 10 according to a predetermined communication standard. In FIG. 1, a television receiver 21, a personal computer 22, a mobile phone 23, a printer 24, a keyboard 25, and a speaker 26 are installed around the wireless communication apparatus 10 as specific examples of various devices.

Any communication standard used when the wireless communication apparatus 10 and various devices perform wireless communication may be applied. In the following description, as a specific example of such a communication standard, a configuration when Bluetooth is adopted will be described. In this case, various devices have a BD address (Bluetooth Device Address) used when performing wireless communication by Bluetooth. In the following description, the television receiver 21 has a BD address of 11: 11: 11: 11: 11: 11 as the device 1. Similarly, the personal computer 22, the mobile phone 23, the printer 24, the keyboard 25, and the speaker 26 are devices 2 to 6, respectively, 22: 22: 22: 22: 22: 22, 33: 33: 33: 33: 33. : 33, 44: 44: 44: 44: 44: 44, 55: 55: 55: 55: 55: 55, 66: 66: 66: 66: 66: 66.
As embodiments of the wireless communication device 10, there are at least a first embodiment (wireless communication device 10a) and a second embodiment (wireless communication device 10b). Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described in order.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the wireless communication device 10a which is the first embodiment of the wireless communication device 10. The wireless communication device 10a includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory connected by a bus, and executes a wireless communication program. The wireless communication device 10a functions as a device including an instruction input unit 101, a device scanning unit 102, a notification unit 103, a list creation unit 104, a difference determination unit 105, and a connection processing unit 106 by executing a wireless communication program. Note that all or part of each function of the wireless communication device 10a may be realized using hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). .

  The instruction input unit 101 receives an input of a scan start instruction from the user. The instruction input unit 101 may be configured as, for example, a scan start instruction button, and may determine that a scan start instruction has been input when the button is pressed. The instruction input unit 101 may be configured as a keyboard or a pointing device, and may determine that a scan start instruction has been input when a predetermined operation is performed. In addition, the instruction input unit 101 may be configured as a voice input unit, and may detect that a user has made a predetermined voice and determine that a scan start instruction has been input. The instruction input unit 101 may have any other configuration as long as it can receive an input of a scan start instruction. If the instruction input unit 101 determines that a scan start instruction has been input, the instruction input unit 101 notifies the device scan unit 102 that the scan start instruction has been input. Further, the instruction input unit 101 may be configured to receive an input of another instruction in addition to the scan start instruction.

  The device scan unit 102 detects a wireless communication device located around the wireless communication device 10a by performing a first device scan process and a second device scan process. The device scan unit 102 transmits a scan signal (for example, an Inquiry signal) to the surroundings with, for example, predetermined power. When the response signal is received within a predetermined time from the time of transmission (for example, within 1 second, within a few seconds, within a few tens of seconds, etc.), the device scanning unit 102 detects the device that is the transmission source of the response signal. Such a device detection process is a process common to the first device scan process and the second device scan process. The device scan unit 102 notifies the list creation unit 104 of information regarding each device detected in each of the first device scan process and the second device scan process. The information on the device is, for example, the signal strength of a response signal received from each device, address information included in the response signal of each device, or the like. The address information included in the response signal is, for example, a BD address and represents the address of the device that is the source of each response signal. Further, the device scanning unit 102 notifies the notification unit 103 of a notification instruction after the first device scan processing is completed and before the second device scan processing is started.

  Based on the notification instruction received from the device scan unit 102, the notification unit 103 performs notification when the device scan unit 102 finishes the first device scan process and starts the second device scan process. The notification may be performed, for example, by turning on or blinking a lighting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) provided in advance in the wireless communication device 10a, or from a speaker provided in advance in the wireless communication device 10a. It may be performed by outputting sound or voice. As long as the user of the wireless communication device 10a can recognize the start of the second device scan process, any notification mode may be used.

  The list creation unit 104 creates a list related to each device detected by the device scan unit 102 based on the detection results of the first device scan process and the second device scan process. In the following description, a list related to devices detected by the first device scan process is referred to as a first list. A list related to devices detected by the second device scan process is referred to as a second list.

  The difference determination unit 105 determines a difference between the first list and the second list. Specifically, the difference determination unit 105 determines, as a difference, devices that are not registered in the first list among devices registered in the second list. Then, the difference determination unit 105 notifies the connection processing unit 106 of information regarding the device determined as the difference.

  The connection processing unit 106 performs connection processing on the devices determined as differences by the difference determination unit 105. The process performed by the connection processing unit 106 as the connection process is performed based on the existing Bluetooth connection process.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating specific examples of the first list and the second list. FIG. 3A shows a specific example of the first list, and FIG. 3B shows a specific example of the second list. In the case of FIG. 3, devices 1 to 5 are detected in the first device scan process, and devices 1 to 6 are detected in the second device scan process. When such a detection result is obtained, the difference determining unit 105 determines the device 6 having the BD address of 66: 66: 66: 66: 66: 66 as a difference. Then, the connection processing unit 106 performs a connection process on the device 6, and a wireless communication connection by Bluetooth is established between the wireless communication device 10a and the device 6.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the wireless communication device 10a of the first embodiment. When the power is turned on, the wireless communication device 10a waits until a scan start instruction is input to the instruction input unit 101 (step S101—NO).

  When a scan start instruction is input (step S101—YES), the device scan unit 102 performs a first device scan process (step S102). Note that the timing at which the device scan unit 102 ends the first device scan process may be set as appropriate. For example, the device scan unit 102 is configured to continue the first device scan process until a predetermined time elapses after the scan start instruction is given, and to end the first device scan process when the predetermined time elapses. May be. Further, the device scan unit 102 is configured to continue the first device scan process after the scan start instruction is given, and end the first device scan process when the scan end instruction is input to the instruction input unit 101. May be.

  When the first device scan process ends, the device scan unit 102 notifies the list creation unit 104 of information related to the detected device. The list creation unit 104 receives the detection result of the first device scan process and creates a first list (step S103). The notification unit 103 performs notification when the device scan unit 102 finishes the first device scan process and starts the second device scan process (step S104).

  After the notification process is performed, the device scan unit 102 performs a second device scan process (step S105). Note that the timing at which the device scan unit 102 ends the second device scan process may be set as appropriate. For example, the device scan unit 102 is configured to continue the second device scan process until a predetermined time elapses after the scan start instruction is given, and end the second device scan process when the predetermined time elapses. May be. At this time, the duration of the first device scan process and the duration of the second device scan process may be the same or different. The device scan unit 102 may be configured to continue the second device scan process and end the second device scan process when a scan end instruction is input to the instruction input unit 101.

  When the second device scan process ends, the device scan unit 102 notifies the list creation unit 104 of information related to the detected device. The list creation unit 104 receives the detection result of the second device scan process and creates a second list (step S106).

  Next, the difference determination unit 105 determines a device that is registered in the second list and that is not registered in the first list as a difference (step S107). Then, the connection processing unit 106 performs connection processing on the devices determined as differences by the difference determination unit 105 (step S108).

  In the wireless communication device 10a configured as described above, device scanning is performed twice, and connection processing is performed on the detected device difference. More specifically, connection processing is performed on devices detected in the second device scan (second device scan processing) but not detected in the first device scan (first device scan processing). Done. For this reason, the user moves or operates a device that desires a wireless communication connection to the wireless communication apparatus 10a so that it is not detected by the first device scan process and is detected by the second device scan process. By doing so, a desired wireless communication connection can be easily established. For example, if the device can be moved, the device to be connected is kept away from the wireless communication apparatus 10a when the first device scan process is executed, and the device to be connected is wirelessly communicated when the second device scan process is executed. By approaching the device 10a, a desired wireless communication connection can be easily established. If it is difficult to move the device, turn off the device you want to connect or turn off the wireless communication function when executing the first device scan process, and execute the second device scan process. Sometimes, a desired wireless communication connection can be easily established by turning on the power of a device to be connected or turning on the wireless communication function.

  In the wireless communication device 10a, the notification unit 103 performs notification between the first device scan process and the second device scan process. Therefore, the user can easily and appropriately recognize whether the first device scan process is being performed or whether the second device scan process is being performed. Therefore, a desired wireless communication connection can be easily established by the operation described above.

  In the wireless communication device 10a, when establishing a wireless communication connection, an operation that the user must perform on the wireless communication device 10a is an operation of the instruction input unit 101 (specifically, an input of a scan start instruction). Therefore, the wireless communication device 10a is an output device (for example, a display device) for notifying the user of a plurality of detected devices, or an input for the user to select a desired device from the detected plurality of devices. Even when a device (for example, a pointing device or a keyboard) is not provided, it is possible to appropriately establish a wireless communication connection desired by the user.

<Modification>
The notification unit 103 may be configured to perform the notification process before the second device scan process starts and finish the notification process before the second device scan process starts. The notification unit 103 may be configured to start the notification process before the second device scan process starts and continue the notification process until the second device scan process ends. In particular, with the latter configuration, the user can easily recognize that the second device scan process is ongoing. Further, by enabling such recognition, the user can easily connect the device he / she desires to connect to the wireless communication apparatus 10a as desired.

  The difference determination unit 105 may be configured not to determine as a difference a device whose signal strength of the response signal does not exceed the threshold value. With this configuration, even when a response signal with a small signal strength is detected in the second device scan process, a wireless communication connection is prevented from being established for such a device. It becomes possible to do. Note that the threshold used for such processing may be set in advance as a default value in the wireless communication device 10a by the designer, or may be set as appropriate by the user.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a wireless communication device 10 b that is the second embodiment of the wireless communication device 10. The wireless communication device 10b includes a CPU and a memory connected by a bus, and executes a wireless communication program. The wireless communication device 10b executes an instruction input unit 201, a device scan unit 202, a notification unit 203, a list creation unit 204, an existing list storage unit 205, a new device extraction unit 206, a condition determination unit 207, a guidance by executing a wireless communication program. It functions as a device including a unit 208, a selection unit 209, a connection processing unit 210, and an existing list registration unit 211. Note that all or part of each function of the wireless communication device 10b may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA.

  The instruction input unit 201 receives an input of a scan start instruction from the user. The configuration of the instruction input unit 201 is the same as that of the instruction input unit 101. If the instruction input unit 201 determines that a scan start instruction has been input, the instruction input unit 201 notifies the device scan unit 202 that the scan start instruction has been input. Further, the instruction input unit 201 may be configured to receive an input of another instruction in addition to the scan start instruction.

  The device scanning unit 202 detects a wireless communication device located around the wireless communication device 10b by performing a device scan process. The device scan unit 202 transmits a scan signal (for example, an Inquiry signal) to the surroundings with, for example, predetermined power. When the response signal is received within a predetermined time from the time of transmission (for example, within 1 second, within a few seconds, within a few tens of seconds, etc.), the device scanning unit 202 detects the device that is the transmission source of the response signal. The device scan unit 202 notifies the list creation unit 204 of information regarding each device detected by the device scan process.

  The notification unit 203 notifies the user of this while the device scan unit 202 is performing the device scan process. The notification may be performed, for example, by turning on or blinking an illumination device such as an LED provided in advance in the wireless communication device 10b, or outputting a predetermined sound or voice from a speaker provided in advance in the wireless communication device 10b. It may be done by doing. As long as the user of the wireless communication device 10b can recognize that the device scan process is being executed, any notification mode may be used.

The list creation unit 204 creates a list related to each device detected by the device scanning unit 202.
The existing list storage unit 205 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device, and stores an existing list. The existing list is a list relating to devices that are already registered as communication partners with which the wireless communication device 10b performs wireless communication.

  The new device extraction unit 206 extracts devices that are not registered in the existing list stored in the existing list storage unit 205 among the devices registered in the list created by the list creation unit 204 as new devices. To do. Then, the new device extraction unit 206 notifies the condition determination unit 207 of information related to each device determined as a new device. Also, the new device extraction unit 206 notifies the connection processing unit 210 of devices registered in the existing list among the devices registered in the list created by the list creation unit 204 as devices to be connected.

  The condition determination unit 207 determines a device that satisfies a predetermined condition from the new devices extracted by the new device extraction unit 206. The predetermined condition is a condition set in advance by a user, a designer, or the like for the wireless communication apparatus 10b, and is a condition required for a device that is a communication partner of the wireless communication apparatus 10b. For example, it may be set as a condition that the signal intensity of the response signal received by the device scanning unit 202 during the device scanning process exceeds a predetermined threshold. Further, the predetermined profile (communication protocol) may be set as a condition that the profile is compatible with each device. Other conditions may be set. The condition determination unit 207 acquires a device name (device name) for each device determined as a device that satisfies the condition.

  The guidance unit 208 notifies the user of the wireless communication apparatus 10b of each device determined by the condition determination unit 207 as a device that satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, the guidance unit 208 may be configured to perform notification by reading out the device name of each device by voice from a speaker provided in advance in the wireless communication device 10b. In addition, the guidance unit 208 is configured to perform notification by ringing a telephone that is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the wireless communication apparatus 10b in advance and reading the device name of each device by voice from the speaker or receiver of the telephone. Also good. As long as the user of the wireless communication apparatus 10b can recognize each device, any notification may be used.

  The selection unit 209 receives an input of a device selection result by the user regarding the device notified to the user from the guidance unit 208. The selection unit 209 may be configured to accept an input of a selection result based on an operation content operated by an input device such as a button provided in the wireless communication device 10b in advance by a user. In addition, the selection unit 209 may be configured to accept an input of a selection result based on an operation content in which a push button of a telephone that is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the wireless communication device 10b in advance is pressed by the user. The selection unit 209 may be configured in any manner as long as the user of the wireless communication device 10b can input the device selection result to the wireless communication device 10b.

The connection processing unit 210 performs connection processing on the device selected by the user via the selection unit 209. In addition, the connection processing unit 210 performs connection processing based on information in the existing list for devices registered in the existing list among devices registered in the list created by the list creation unit 204. . The process performed by the connection processing unit 210 as the connection process is performed based on the existing Bluetooth connection process.
The existing list registration unit 211 registers information regarding the device selected by the user via the selection unit 209 in the existing list stored in the existing list storage unit 205.

  6-8 is a figure for demonstrating the specific example of a process of the radio | wireless communication apparatus 10b. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a specific example of information notified to the list creation unit 204 by the device scanning unit 202. The device scanning unit 202 notifies the list creation unit 204 of the BD address of each device detected in the device scanning process, the signal strength (device level) of the response signal received from each device, and the status in association with each other. In this case, since the timing at which the response signal is received from the device 6 is later than a predetermined timing set in advance, the status value regarding the device 6 is set to “Invalid”. As described above, the device scan unit 202 sets “Invalid” as the status value and notifies the list creation unit 204 of the device whose response signal is received at a later timing than the predetermined timing. The predetermined timing may be, for example, a timing from when a scan start instruction is input until a predetermined time elapses, or from when a scan start instruction is input until a scan end instruction is input. It may be timing or other timing. The scan end instruction is input by operating the instruction input unit 201, for example.

  FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a list created by the list creation unit 204. The list creation unit 204 creates a list of devices whose status is “Valid” based on the information of FIG. 6A notified from the device scanning unit 202. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 6B, the device 6 whose status value is “Invalid” is deleted, and a list is created for the remaining devices 1 to 5.

  FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the existing list stored in the existing list storage unit 205. As described above, a device that has already become a communication partner of the wireless communication device 10b is registered in the existing list. In the example of FIG. 6C, the BD address of the registered device and the status value are associated with the existing list. The status value “Registered” indicates that the wireless communication connection is not established at present although it is registered in the existing list. The status value “communication” indicates that it is registered in the existing list and a wireless communication connection is currently established. When the existing list has the contents as shown in FIG. 6C, the device 5 is already registered in the existing list. Therefore, the new device extraction unit 206 extracts the remaining devices 1 to 4 excluding the device 5 as new devices. FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a list of new devices extracted by the new device extraction unit 206. For the device 5, connection processing is performed by the connection processing unit 210.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a device that is determined by the condition determination unit 207 to satisfy a condition regarding a device level. In the condition determination unit 207, as one of the conditions, it is set that the signal intensity of the response signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (in this case, “−70 dBm”). The condition determination unit 207 determines a device that satisfies the set condition from the new devices (FIG. 6D). In this case, the device level of the device 4 is below the threshold value. Therefore, the condition determination unit 207 extracts the remaining devices 1 to 3 excluding the device 4 as devices that satisfy the conditions regarding the device level.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the correspondence profile of each device that is determined by the condition determination unit 207 to satisfy the conditions regarding the device level. The condition determination unit 207 acquires a profile that can be supported by each device by communicating with each device that is determined to satisfy the conditions regarding the device level. Further, the condition determination unit 207 is set as one of the conditions to be able to handle a predetermined profile (in this case, “A2DP” or “PAN”). The condition determination unit 207 determines a device that satisfies the set condition from among devices (FIG. 7B) that satisfy the condition regarding the device level. In this case, the device 3 does not support either “A2DP” or “PAN”. Therefore, the condition determination unit 207 extracts the remaining devices 1 and 2 excluding the device 3 as devices that satisfy the conditions related to the corresponding profile. Then, the condition determination unit 207 determines the devices 1 and 2 as devices that satisfy a predetermined condition. FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a list of devices that are determined to satisfy a predetermined condition by the condition determination unit 207.

  FIG. 7D is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the device name acquired by the condition determination unit 207. The condition determination unit 207 acquires a device name set for each device by communicating with each device determined to satisfy the predetermined condition. In this case, the device name “Tanaka-san” is set for the device 1, and the device name “Izumi-san” is set for the device 2.

  FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a list numbered by the condition determination unit 207. The condition determination unit 207 assigns an identification number (No.) to each device for which the device name has been acquired. In the example of FIG. 8A, the identification number “1” is assigned to the device 1, and the identification number “2” is assigned to the device 2. The guidance unit 208 may be configured to perform guidance based on the list numbered by the condition determination unit 207. In this case, the guidance unit 208 reads out the identification number and device name of each device by voice. Then, the selection unit 209 accepts that the user inputs a number corresponding to the identification number. For example, when a button representing “1” is pressed by the user, the selection unit 209 detects the user operation and determines that the device 1 has been selected.

  FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a list of devices selected by the user. As described above, when a device is selected via the selection unit 209, the connection processing unit 210 acquires a list of devices selected by the user from the condition determination unit 207. Then, the connection processing unit 210 establishes a wireless communication connection with the device selected by the user based on the acquired list information. In the case of FIG. 8B, after the device 1 is selected by the user, the connection processing unit 210 establishes a wireless communication connection with the device 1 based on information about the device 1.

  FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the existing list after being updated by the existing list registration unit 211. The existing list registration unit 211 newly registers the device (device 1) selected by the user via the selection unit 209 in the existing list. FIG. 8C shows an existing list when the wireless communication connection is released after the connection processing unit 210 establishes the wireless communication connection. Therefore, the status value of the device 1 is not “communication” but “Registered”.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the wireless communication device 10b according to the second embodiment. When the power is turned on, the wireless communication device 10b waits until a scan start instruction is input to the instruction input unit 201 (step S201—NO).

  When a scan start instruction is input (step S201—YES), the device scan unit 202 performs device scan processing (step S202). At this time, the notification unit 203 notifies the user that the device scan process is being executed from the start of the device scan process to the end thereof. When the device scan process ends, the device scan unit 202 notifies the list creation unit 204 of information related to the detected device. Next, the list creation unit 204 creates a list in response to the detection result of the device scan process (step S203). Next, the new device extraction unit 206 extracts devices that are not registered in the existing list among the devices registered in the list as new devices (step S204). Note that the device determined not to be a new device in step S204 is based on the content registered in the existing list storage unit 205 regardless of the subsequent determination by the condition determination unit 207 and the selection result by the selection unit 209. The connection processing unit 210 establishes a wireless communication connection.

  Next, the condition determination unit 207 determines a device that satisfies a predetermined condition among the new devices. Specifically, the condition determination unit 207 determines a device that satisfies the conditions regarding the device level among the new devices (step S205). Next, the condition determination unit 207 determines a device that satisfies the condition regarding the profile among the devices determined to satisfy the condition regarding the device level in the process of step S205 as a device that satisfies the predetermined condition (step S206). Then, the condition determination unit 207 acquires a device name for each device determined as a device that satisfies the condition (step S207) and performs numbering (step S208). It should be noted that the processes of step S205, step S206, and step S207 may be configured to be switched in order.

  Next, the guidance unit 208 provides guidance to the user of the wireless communication apparatus 10b for each device determined by the condition determination unit 207 as a device that satisfies a predetermined condition (step S209). Thereafter, the selection unit 209 receives an input of a device selection result by the user (step S210). Next, the connection processing unit 210 performs a connection process on the device selected by the user via the selection unit 209 (step S211). If the connection process is not successful (step S212—NO), the connection processing unit 210 notifies the guidance unit 208 of a signal indicating that the connection has failed. Upon receiving this signal, the guidance unit 208 provides error guidance to the user and notifies that the connection has failed (step S213).

  On the other hand, when the connection process is successful (step S212—YES), the connection processing unit 210 notifies the guidance unit 208 of a signal indicating that the connection is successful. Upon receiving this signal, the guidance unit 208 provides success guidance to the user and notifies that the connection is successful (step S214). Then, the existing list registration unit 211 registers information related to the device selected by the user via the selection unit 209 in the existing list stored in the existing list storage unit 205.

  10 and 11 are sequence diagrams showing the flow of processing of the wireless communication device 10b. First, the device scanning unit 202 of the wireless communication apparatus 10b transmits a scan signal (for example, an inquiry signal) to the surroundings in response to a scan start instruction from the user (step S301). This scan signal is received by all the devices 1 to 6 located within the range in which the scan signal from the wireless communication apparatus 10b propagates. Each device 1-6 will transmit a response signal with respect to the radio | wireless communication apparatus 10b, if a scan signal is received (step S302). The new device extraction unit 206 of the wireless communication apparatus 10b extracts a new device from the devices (devices 1 to 5) that have received the response signal within a predetermined time (scan time).

  The condition determination unit 207 of the wireless communication device 10b, when profile information is necessary when performing the condition determination, determines the device (in this case, devices 1 to 3) that has been determined to satisfy the condition up to that point. On the other hand, a profile search request (SDP) is transmitted (step S303). Receiving the profile search request, each device (devices 1 to 3) transmits a profile response (SDP) including profile information that can be handled by itself to the wireless communication device 10b (step S304). The condition determination unit 207 determines a device that satisfies the conditions related to the profile based on the received profile response. In this case, it is assumed that the devices 1 and 2 are finally determined to satisfy the condition.

  Next, the condition determination unit 207 of the wireless communication apparatus 10b transmits a name request to each device (devices 1 and 2) determined to satisfy the condition (step S305). Each device (device 1 and device 2) that has received the name request transmits a name response including the device name set in itself to the wireless communication device 10b (step S306). Thereafter, the connection processing unit 210 of the wireless communication apparatus 10b performs a connection process on the device selected by the user (device 1 in this case) (step S307).

  In the wireless communication device 10b configured as described above, device scanning is executed, and a user selection is requested only for a new device among the detected devices. At this time, only the devices that satisfy the predetermined condition among the new devices are guided to the user as candidates. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary devices from being notified as candidates to the user. In other words, it is possible to prevent in advance connection with a device that cannot use a profile after pairing or a device that cannot secure communication quality after connection.

  In the wireless communication device 10b, the operations that the user must perform in order to establish a wireless communication connection with a new device are input of a scan start instruction and input of a device selection result, as described above. This can be realized with a simple button. In addition, guidance for a candidate device can also be realized without providing an image display device or the like by performing voice as described above. More specifically, for example, by using the existing functions of the telephone as described above, it is possible to realize the functions of guidance output and selection result input. In this way, a display device for notifying the user of a plurality of detected devices, or a complicated input device (for example, a pointing device or a keyboard) for the user to select a desired device from the detected plurality of devices. ), It is possible to appropriately establish the wireless communication connection desired by the user.

  Further, in the wireless communication device 10b, for devices that are already registered in the existing list, that is, devices that have been selected by the user in the past, only by operation of the instruction input unit 201 (specifically, input of a scan start instruction). A wireless communication connection is established. Therefore, it is possible to establish a wireless communication connection by a very simple operation. Further, the wireless communication device 10b outputs an output device (for example, a display device) for notifying the user of a plurality of detected devices, or an input for the user to select a desired device from the detected plurality of devices. Even when a device (for example, a pointing device or a keyboard) is not provided, it is possible to appropriately establish a wireless communication connection desired by the user.

<Modification>
The condition determining unit 207 may determine one or more conditions. In addition, when determining a plurality of conditions, the condition determination unit 207 may be configured to determine a device that satisfies any one condition as a device that satisfies the condition, or a device that satisfies all the conditions. The device may be determined as a device that satisfies the conditions.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10a, 10b ... Wireless communication apparatus 101 ... Instruction input part 102 ... Device scanning part (detection part) 103 ... Notification part 104 ... List creation part 105 ... Difference judgment part (determination part) 106 ... Connection Processing unit 201 ... Instruction input unit 202 ... Device scan unit 203 ... Notification unit 204 ... List creation unit 205 ... Existing list storage unit 206 ... New device extraction unit (determination unit) 207 ... Condition determination unit, 208: Guidance unit, 209 ... Selection unit, 210 ... Connection processing unit, 211 ... Existing list registration unit, 21-26 ... Device (communication device)

Claims (3)

A detection unit that detects a surrounding communication device by transmitting a signal to the surroundings and receiving a response to the signal;
The communication device detected in the first detection process by the detection unit is compared with the communication device detected in the second detection process by the detection unit, and the communication device detected in the second detection process is compared. A determination unit for determining a communication device not detected in the first detection process ,
A connection processing unit that performs wireless communication connection to the communication device determined by the determination unit;
A wireless communication device comprising: An instruction input unit for the user to instruct the start of detection processing by the detection unit;
When the start of the detection process is instructed by the user, the detection unit executes the first detection process and the second detection process in response to the instruction,
The determination unit performs the determination according to the end of the first detection process and the second detection process by the detection unit,
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the connection processing unit starts the wireless communication connection in response to completion of the determination by the determination unit. The information processing apparatus further includes a notification unit that notifies a user whether the detection unit is performing the first detection process or the second detection process. Item 3. The wireless communication device according to Item 1 or 2 .

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