JP2006041618A - Information processor with communication function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the operability for remotely controlling a program of an information processor and to improve the security. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor recognizes that another apparatus enters a communication available area, generates command data for program control in accordance with the capability of the other apparatus entering the communication area, and transmits the command data to the other apparatus. The communication opposite party uses the received command data to remotely control the program of the information processor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a communication function.

  In general, products using a remote control as a remote operation have been commercialized. These use infrared rays, which are relatively inexpensive wireless communication means. In this case, a control program is associated with a remote control command in advance on the wireless communication terminal side performing the remote control operation. In addition, it was assumed to use the same communication protocol.

As a conventional technique, for example, a control system for a processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. Here, assuming that the control method and command system of a different processing device for each model such as a copying machine is controlled by one mobile terminal device, a control program is transmitted from the processing device to the mobile terminal device, and the control is performed. A control command is generated from a program, and by using the control command, the portable terminal device becomes a remote controller to remotely operate the control program of the processing device.
JP-A-8-160811

However, the above-described conventional technology has problems in operability, interconnectivity, and security as described below.
(1) Operability When performing remote control, it is necessary for the user to operate in order to transfer control programs to both the copying machine side and the portable terminal device side, and to shift to the control command processing mode, thereby improving user convenience. There's a problem.
(2) Interoperability It is necessary to use the same communication protocol determined in advance on the copier side and the portable terminal device side, and wireless communication systems that can use various communication protocols according to the application have been proposed. Currently, there is a problem that it does not meet the user's desire to make it possible to operate with any processing device in the same manner.
(3) Security If a third-party mobile terminal obtains the control program, a control command can be generated, and the processing device can be remotely controlled by impersonation. This has a problem that there is a possibility that the security of wireless communication, which is currently a problem, may be greatly damaged.

  These problems are particularly important technical issues recently, and these three points must be solved when considering the usage forms of remote terminals and other wide-ranging portable terminal devices.

  Therefore, the present invention aims to eliminate such drawbacks of the prior art and permit remote operation according to the ability of the communication partner.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a recognition unit for recognizing that another device exists in the communication area in an information processing apparatus having a communication function, and a terminal included in the other device in the communication area. An information processing unit comprising: a determination unit configured to determine capability; and a transmission unit configured to transmit command data for instructing a program of the information processing device to the other device according to the determination by the determination unit. Providing the device.

  According to the present invention, since the user can acquire the remote control command without being aware of the application, there is an effect that the convenience of the user is improved. Further, there is an effect that security can be improved by periodically changing the remote control command, changing a command that can be used for each user, or preparing a flexible configuration.

Example 1
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an entire wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 100 denotes a system that performs the most characteristic control of the present invention using a host PC, and performs data communication with the PDAs 101a and 101b using wireless communication. Reference numeral 102 denotes an area communicable with the host PC 100, and the PDAs 101 a and 101 b can communicate with the host PC 100 when entering the area 102.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the host PC 100. A CPU control unit 301 executes the function of the host PC. The communication protocol service control unit 302, the control command processing control unit 303, the user authentication control unit 304, the application management control unit 305, the timer processing control unit 306, and the wireless terminal The terminal area presence control unit 307 that confirms that it has entered its own area is processed. The host PC 100 includes a Bluetooth unit 308, a RAM storage unit 309, a ROM storage unit 310 for storing programs and other data, a display unit 311, a speaker unit 312, and a microphone unit 313, which are wireless communication systems used in this embodiment. , A power supply unit 314 and an antenna unit 315.

  FIG. 4 is a management table of wireless terminals connected to the host PC 100, which is generated by the CPU control unit 301 and stored in the RAM storage unit 309. Items include a terminal name, a user name, a device address representing 6 bytes of a Bluetooth device address, a terminal capability (device class in terms of Bluetooth), a connection state representing a connection state, and a communication representing a protocol used in Bluetooth. There is a protocol.

  FIG. 5 shows a management memory of an application running on the host PC 100, and is stored in the RAM storage unit 309. 500 is an application type with an APL number of 1, the APL name indicating the name of the application represents a presentation application, a pointer to a control command table available for the application, and a timer for periodically changing the control command It consists of a control command change timer threshold value (here, the command is changed every 1000 seconds), and a control command change timer current value indicating the current timer value of the control command change timer. Also, 501 is stored in the pointer address to the command table. For example, when the command value = 0x0001, an operation for starting an application is performed, and when the command value = 0x0002, an operation for opening a file is performed. Reference numeral 502 represents an application with application number 2, and 503 represents a command table with APL number 2.

  FIG. 6 is a hierarchical diagram of communication packets for Bluetooth and control commands (remote control). Reference numeral 605 denotes an L2CAP packet, which plays a role of packet segmentation and reconstruction in the logical link management layer of Bluetooth. Reference numeral 604 denotes an RFCOMM packet serving as a transport layer, and 600 remote control communication packets are positioned as the upper application layer. The remote control communication packet 600 is composed of a remote control 601, an application type 602, a command 603 indicating a command suitable for the application, a length indicating an information length, and an information part, Information.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described in detail using a flowchart.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing operations of the host PC 100 when the PDA 101a enters the communication area 102 and the host PC 100 transmits a remote control command to the PDA 101a. The CPU control unit 301 controls each part. Execute.

  First, the host PC 100 performs an initialization process including the Bluetooth unit at the same time as the power is turned on (S701). Next, in order to find out that a device has entered the communication area 102, a device inquiry (referred to as Inquiry in Bluetooth) is started (S702). When the PDA 101a receives the device inquiry, it responds to it. When the host PC 100 detects a device response (S703), the host PC 100 starts a Name request that is a search for a device name (device class, device name, etc. can be acquired by Bluetooth) for the device terminal that has responded (S704). ). When there is a response (S705), the device class information indicating the device attribute in the response information is looked up to check whether the device class has the capability of a PDA or a mobile phone (S706).

  If the device terminal does not have a PDA or mobile phone capability, the device inquiry is resumed (S702). Further, when having the capability of a PDA or a mobile phone, the host PC 100 transmits a connection request to the PDA 101a (S707). When a connection response is received (S708), service search processing is performed to search for a communication protocol used by the PDA 101a (S709), and it is checked whether the same communication protocol can be used (S710). When the same communication protocol cannot be used, the device inquiry is resumed (S702). When the same communication protocol is available, authentication processing is performed (S711). When the authentication is successful and the connection is completed (S712), Remote command data groups 501 and 503 that can be used by the PDA 101a are transmitted (S713). Here, the command data group transmitted to the PDA 101a may be command data for operating an application running on the host PC 100, or command data for operating an application set in advance by the user.

  The PDA 101a can use a command for remotely controlling the host PC 100 by receiving the remote control command data group from the host PC 100.

  FIG. 8 shows the operation of the host PC 100 until receiving a command request from the PDA 101a that can receive a remote control command data group from the host PC 100 and transmitting a command to remotely control the host PC 100, and executing the command. It is a flowchart.

  First, when receiving a command request (S801), the host PC 100 confirms the application number included in the packet (S802), and then acquires command request data (S803). Since the host PC also accepts command requests from other device terminals, the host PC waits until the right to execute the application is temporarily released (S804). If the execution right of the application can be acquired, a command execution request instructed by the command request received in step S801 is made to the application (S805). The application performs the requested command processing and waits until the processing is completed (S806). When completed, the application notifies the completion of command processing (S807) and ends the processing.

  In this way, by automatically detecting that the user has entered the area and transmitting a usable command, there is no need for the user to make any special settings, and the remote control command sent from the host PC can be used. As a result, the application can be operated, and the convenience is improved.

  In addition, in a terminal using the Bluetooth wireless communication method capable of simultaneously communicating with a plurality of device terminals, the device terminal enters the power saving mode immediately after transmitting the remote control command by performing exclusive control at the application level instead of the communication level. Since there is a time in which processing unique to communication such as entering can be performed immediately, effects specific to the embodiment can be obtained from the viewpoint of power saving and effective use of radio resources.

(Example 2)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the CPU control unit 301 of the host PC 100 with improved security capability according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the host PC 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  First, the host PC 100 transmits a remote control command data group to the terminal in the process of step S713 in FIG. 7 (S901). After transmission of the remote control command data group, measurement of the control command change timer described with reference to FIG. 5, which is a timer representing the control command change cycle, is started (S902). When the current position of the control command change timer reaches the timer threshold (S903), the host PC 100 changes all the remote control command data of the application whose timer has expired, creates new command data (S904), and sends a new command to the terminal. Data is transmitted (S905).

  This makes it possible to take measures against impersonation of outsiders who used the same application last time by periodically changing the command data, and protect commands that require high security such as file acquisition. There is an effect peculiar to the embodiment that it becomes possible.

(Example 3)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the CPU control unit 301 of the host PC 100 with improved security capability in the embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the host PC 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The host PC 100 first performs initialization processing such as Bluetooth (S1001), creates command data, and stores it in the RAM storage unit 309 (S1002). Next, a device inquiry is started in order to detect a terminal that has entered the communication range (S1003). When a device response is received from the terminal (S1004), a Name request for checking device attributes is started. (S1005). If there is a response and it is found that the device has a specific capability (indicating PDA or the like) (S1006), command data is transmitted. Then, the effective period of the transmitted command data is determined until the corresponding terminal disconnects, and it is checked whether the disconnection process has been performed (S1008). If disconnected, the command data created this time is reset (unusable) (S1009), and new command data is created.

  This makes it possible to change the command for each terminal, prevent intrusion from an outsider terminal in the same way as in the second embodiment, and reduce the number of times to change the command data. There is an effect peculiar to the embodiment that security is increased without imposing a CPU load on the PC.

Example 4
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the processing operation of the host PC with improved security capability according to the fourth embodiment.

  As described in the first, second, and third embodiments, when the host PC 100 transmits remote control command data and an application is started in response to an instruction from the terminal that has received the command data (S1101), new command data is sent each time. Create (S1102). Then, the generated new command data is transmitted to the terminal (S1103), and only new commands are accepted from the next time.

(Example 5)
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the entire wireless communication system representing the fifth embodiment.

  In this embodiment, a case where a copier can be remotely controlled from a PDA will be described. Reference numeral 200 denotes a Bluetooth access point, which performs wireless communication with the PDA 201 serving as a terminal device via Bluetooth, and communicates with the copier A 203a and the copier B 203b via the LAN 202. Reference numeral 204 denotes a communicable area within the access point 200.

  Next, the detailed processing operation of the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the access point 200 performs an initialization process of data necessary for performing communication via Bluetooth or LAN (S1201). Next, a device inquiry is started (S1202), and if a response is received from the terminal (S1203), a Name request is subsequently made to acquire the terminal attributes (S1204). If there is a device response as a response from the terminal (S1205), it is confirmed that the device class representing the terminal attribute is a PDA or a mobile phone (S1206), and a connection request is transmitted (S1207). Next, a connection response is received (S1208). When the connection is completed (S1209), user authentication is performed (S1210). Then, it is checked whether or not the terminal to be connected matches a specific user identification code having a special setting of the copying machine and data confirmation qualification (S1211). Specific control command data including command data that permits even access to the user is created (S1212). If the data does not match, normal control command data (for example, command data having no accounting information or security-related data portion) is created. (S1213), control command data is transmitted to the terminal (S1214).

  When a command request is received from the terminal (S1215), it is checked whether it is a specific command for performing control related to billing information or security (S1216). (S1220), if it is specific command data, it is checked whether the terminal that sent it matches the specific user identification code (S1217). If it matches, it is specified by the received command data. The copier is requested to execute the application (S1218), and if it does not match, the terminal rejects the command data application execution refusal (S1219).

  In this way, a specific user is distinguished from a normal user, and the control commands allowed are changed accordingly, or the specific command request from an outsider is guarded to increase security. There is an effect.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the copier and the access point are remote from each other, but the same effect can be obtained even in a configuration in which the copier and the access point are integrated. It is.

  As described above, according to the above description, when a wireless terminal device having a specific capability, such as a PDA or a mobile phone, enters the communication range of the wireless communication control device, it can remotely operate an application program started by the wireless communication control device. Since the function command is acquired and the remote control operation becomes possible, the application can be operated without the same application program running on the wireless communication control device on the wireless terminal device side, and the amount of data communication is small Now you can operate the application.

  In addition, since the wireless communication control device automatically recognizes the wireless communication terminal and transmits a control command, the wireless communication terminal side does not perform any specific operation and enters the area at any time. It becomes possible to become a remote control device without being restricted.

  In addition, the wireless communication control device confirms the communication protocol service for the wireless terminal and negotiates the communication protocol that can be used with each other. It is possible to transmit / receive data to / from the wireless communication control device on a communication protocol to be used (one of a plurality of communication protocols having characteristics such as high-speed data communication or no missing data).

  In addition, the communication network connection means can include a short-distance-oriented one-to-one wireless communication connection and a medium-to-long-distance-oriented wireless communication connection that performs communication via an access point, etc., so that the network configuration is flexible. It becomes possible to respond.

  In addition, since the control command is changed at regular intervals, even if a third party who has already acquired the control command of the control program attempts to perform connection / remote control by impersonating a wireless terminal, the control command varies from time to time. Therefore, it is impossible to operate and security can be improved.

  Further, since the control command is changed every time the control program is started, it is possible to maintain a certain level of security without imposing a load on the device as much as the fifth aspect.

  Further, since the user can acquire the remote control command without being aware of the application, there is an effect that the convenience of the user is improved. Further, there is an effect that security can be improved by periodically changing the remote control command, changing a command that can be used for each user, or preparing a flexible configuration.

It is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the radio | wireless communications system by embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the copier corresponding | compatible radio | wireless communications system by the 5th Example of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the structure of host PC by embodiment of this invention. 3 is a management memory of a terminal managed by the host PC according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an application and command table management memory according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a format diagram showing a configuration of a Bluetooth protocol layer and a remote control communication packet according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of host PC by the 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of host PC by the 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of host PC by the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of host PC by the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of host PC by the 4th Example of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of host PC by the 5th Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 host PC
101a, b PDA terminal 102 Host PC communication area

Claims (10)

In an information processing apparatus having a communication function,
Recognizing means for recognizing that another device exists in the communication range;
Discrimination means for discriminating terminal capabilities of other devices existing in the communication area;
An information processing apparatus comprising: transmission means for transmitting command data for instructing a program of the information processing apparatus to the other apparatus according to the determination by the determination means. In claim 1,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the transmission means transmits command data for controlling a program running on the information processing apparatus. In claim 1,
Having authentication means for authenticating other devices;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the command data according to an authentication result by the authentication unit. In claim 1,
Generating means for generating command data for instructing the program;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit changes the command data after a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the command data. In claim 1,
Generating means for generating command data for instructing the program;
The information processing apparatus characterized in that the generation means changes command data each time a connection with another terminal is disconnected. In claim 1,
Generating means for generating command data for instructing the program;
The information processing apparatus characterized in that the generation means changes command data each time the program is started. In claims 4 to 6,
When the command data is changed by the generation means, the transmission means transmits the changed command data. In claim 1,
Generating means for generating command data for instructing the program;
The information processing apparatus, wherein the generation unit generates command data according to a user of the other apparatus. In claim 1,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the transmission means transmits command data according to a user of the other apparatus. In claim 8,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the generation unit generates command data having different security levels according to a user of the other apparatus.

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