U.S. patent application number 13/443344 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-02 for communication method, communication system and communication apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Hiroshi Kakuda, Koji Nishimura, Kazuya Odagiri, Takashi Sasai, Makoto Sato.
Application Number | 20120196537 13/443344 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29727711 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120196537 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sasai; Takashi ; et
al. |
August 2, 2012 |
Communication Method, Communication System and Communication
Apparatus
Abstract
When wireless communications are performed with other
communication devices, an inquiry message to discover other
communication devices residing in the vicinity is wirelessly
transmitted by having communication ranges altered at a plurality
of stages; response messages to the transmitted inquiry message are
received; information relating to a receiving state or frequency of
receipt of the response messages from the respective communication
ranges is preserved with respect to each communication device which
is a source of the response message; and based on the preserved
information relating to the receiving state or the frequency of
receipt of the response messages a communication device to be a
connection object for wireless communication is selected. By doing
so, when short-range wireless communications are performed,
communication services can be performed appropriately between
required devices.
Inventors: |
Sasai; Takashi; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Sato; Makoto; (Tokyo, JP) ; Kakuda;
Hiroshi; (Tokyo, JP) ; Odagiri; Kazuya;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Nishimura; Koji; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
|
Family ID: |
29727711 |
Appl. No.: |
13/443344 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10486426 |
Feb 9, 2004 |
8155587 |
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PCT/JP03/07286 |
Jun 9, 2003 |
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13443344 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/41.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 52/283 20130101;
H04W 48/18 20130101; H04W 76/30 20180201; H04W 84/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/41.2 |
International
Class: |
H04W 76/02 20090101
H04W076/02; H04W 48/16 20090101 H04W048/16; H04B 7/24 20060101
H04B007/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 10, 2002 |
JP |
2002-169011 |
Claims
1. A communication apparatus for providing network connection
service for an information processing device residing in the
vicinity thereof, comprising: a memory; a network connection unit
configured to connect the communication apparatus to a network; a
control unit configured to: discover the information processing
device; wirelessly connect the information processing device to the
communication apparatus; and provide data communication between the
connected information processing device and the network via the
communication apparatus.
2. A method, implemented by a communication apparatus, for
providing network connection service for an information processing
device residing in the vicinity of the communication apparatus,
comprising: connecting, using a network connection unit, the
communication apparatus to a network; discovering, by the
communication apparatus, the information processing device;
wirelessly connecting the information processing device to the
communication apparatus; and providing data communication between
the connected information processing device and the network via the
communication apparatus.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a communication method
suitable for a relatively short-range wireless communication
method, a communication system to implement the communication
method and a communication apparatus applied to the communication
system.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Recently, a communication method called Bluetooth
communication is drawn attention as a method for wireless
communication of a relatively short-range up to approximately 100
meters at maximum, and a variety of corresponding devices are being
developed.
[0003] A short-range wireless communication system like Bluetooth
communication using radio signals of relatively high frequency
waves has merits such as having no directivity and having a high
transmissivity in comparison with a infrared communication method
using infrared signals, and it is expected that corresponding
devices continue to increase in the future.
[0004] In a communication system to which an infrared communication
method is applied, in order to establish a connection for
communication it was necessary to specify objects establishing
communication by having a light emitting portion and a light
receiving portion of devices as the connection objects positioned
to face each other. Also, during the communication it was necessary
to maintain the same positions as those at the time of the
connection due to its directivity. On the other hand, in a
communication system such as the Bluetooth communication using high
frequency signals, there needs no such limitation to the
positioning.
[0005] In case of Bluetooth communication, an inquiry message is
transmitted as a broadcast message from a device which desires to
start communications (hereinafter referred to as a device A) in
order to discover devices residing in the vicinity. Then, devices
having received the inquiry message from the device A transmit
response messages to the device A in response to the inquiry
message. By receiving response messages successively from
respective devices residing in the vicinity, the device A can
discover a plurality of communicable devices residing in the
vicinity. In accordance with information in those response
messages, the device A selects and specifies a device with which a
connection is tried to establish and performs a connection
processing with respect to the selected device. Hereupon, when
response messages are received from a plurality of devices, in most
cases, conventionally they are displayed in a form of a list so
that a user can select a device.
[0006] In Bluetooth communication, not only a communication path is
established, but also what kind of applications and services are to
be performed on the communication path is provided clearly as a
profile. As profiles, there are a serial port profile to perform
serial communications, a personal area networking profile to
realize a personal area network and the like. A service discovery
protocol (hereinafter referred to as a SDP) is provided as a
procedure to determine those profiles and what kind of services
actually are performed.
[0007] The device A transmits to a device desired for a connection
(hereinafter referred to as a device B) an inquiry message querying
what kind of services are provided by the device B in accordance
with the SDP, and the device B receives the inquiry message from
the device A and transmits to the device A information relating to
its available services as a response message to the inquiry
message. If the device B provides a desired service, the device A
having received the response message requests communications with
respect to the service, and the desired service is to be started
between the device A and the device B.
[0008] As stated above, a basic communication procedure in the
Bluetooth communication is that first, the device A transmits an
inquiry message to discover devices residing in the vicinity and
receives response messages to the inquiry message, further, selects
a desired device among those devices having responded, furthermore,
queries the selected device whether a desired service is available,
and then, requests communications for the desired service.
[0009] The Bluetooth standard is governed by Bluetooth SIG Inc. and
specifications describing its details are published by Bluetooth
SIG Inc.
[0010] Hereupon, in a short-range wireless communication system
such as the Bluetooth communication, an inquiry message to discover
devices residing in the vicinity is targeted to all devices which
reside within a communicable range (for example, from 10 meters to
100 meters). Because of this, an enormous number of response
messages are to be received, when there are many communicable
devices residing in the vicinity.
[0011] Conventionally, there needs an operational procedure wherein
information relating to devices contained in those response
messages is shown in a display or the like and a user makes a
selection of a desired device, however, when there were many
devices residing in the vicinity, there was a problem that the user
was forced to spend a huge amount of time for the selection
procedure and its usability became worse. In addition, in order to
judge whether a device was actually one desired for a connection,
it was necessary to confirm information such as an ID provided by
the device, and therefore, there was a possibility of causing
excessive work on the user.
[0012] In order to solve the above problem, for example, a method
is being proposed in Publication of Published Patent Application
No. 2001-144781 issued by Japan Patent Office, wherein a procedure
to discover a device desired for a connection is carried out
efficiently by altering a reaching range of an inquiry message.
According to the method, a device desired for a connection can be
specified efficiently by setting a search range for devices, for
example, to a short distance so as to limit the number of devices
to be discovered. However, when there is no connectable device
residing within the range of the short distance, a user needs
another processing such as searching again by further expanding a
search range. Moreover, even if a reaching range of a message is
limited to a short distance, a device held by a person is also
discovered, when such a person happens to pass nearby. This problem
still remains in consideration that all devices of personal
belongings will become involved in networks in the future.
[0013] Also, with regard to devices having the purpose of providing
services to a wide range such as providing an access point, there
is a case wherein a service offering is intended evenly to devices
residing in a wide range instead of offering a service only to
devices residing in close vicinity. Moreover, in such devices as
providing an access point which are permanently set up and are
desired to be automatically managed, a user can not explicitly
establish a connection.
[0014] The present invention is contrived in view of such
circumstances and the object of the invention is to perform
communication services simply and appropriately between devices,
when wireless communications represented by the Bluetooth
communication are performed.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The first aspect of the present invention is a communication
method in which a communication device performs wireless
communications with other communication devices, wherein an inquiry
message to discover other communication devices residing in the
vicinity is wirelessly transmitted as having communication ranges
altered in a plurality of stages, response messages to the
transmitted inquiry message are to be received, information
relating to a receiving state or frequency of receipt of the
response messages from the respective communication ranges is
preserved with respect to each communication device which is a
sender of the response message, and a communication device, which
becomes a connection object for wireless communications, is
selected based on the preserved information relating to the
receiving state or the frequency of receipt of the response
messages. By doing so, since a relationship regarding the distance
with the responding device can be recognized by transmitting the
inquiry message to the devices residing in the vicinity as having
the communication ranges altered periodically, based on such
information the connection is made possible to the device, for
example, residing in as close vicinity as possible, so that a user
can perform communications plainly and simply between devices.
[0016] The second aspect of the present invention is the
communication method according to the first aspect of the present
invention, wherein among communication devices performing functions
required by the above communication device, the communication
device having sent a response message transmitted to the inquiry
message in the shortest communication range is selected as the
connection object. By doing so, the communication device residing
in the closest proximity can be selected automatically.
[0017] The third aspect of the present invention is the
communication method according to the first aspect of the present
invention, wherein among communication devices performing functions
required by the above communication device, the communication
device having sent a response message transmitted to the inquiry
message in the shortest communication range is selected as the
connection object, and furthermore, as the communication device
performing the function required by the above communication device,
a communication device having a function which has not been
connected is chosen among communication devices having functions
registered for a connection with the communication device. By doing
so, when a plurality of communication devices reside in the closest
vicinity, the device having a function which has not been connected
is selected among the devices.
[0018] The fourth aspect of the present invention is the
communication method according to the first aspect of the present
invention, wherein a plurality of communication devices are almost
evenly selected from communication ranges or the frequency of
receipt thereof, when a plurality of communication devices are
selected at the same timing or one after another as the connection
objects. By doing so, a plurality of communication devices can be
selected excellently.
[0019] The fifth aspect of the present invention is the
communication method according to the first aspect of the present
invention, wherein an alteration of the communication range when
the inquiry message is transmitted is made by varying transmission
power. By doing so, the communication range can be altered without
difficulties.
[0020] The sixth aspect of the present invention is the
communication method according to the first aspect of the present
invention, wherein a disconnection processing is performed by
selecting a communication device to be disconnected based on at
least either connection time or communication data volume with
respect to a communication device being connected. By doing so, the
selection of the communication device to be disconnected can be
made appropriately.
[0021] The seventh aspect of the present invention is a
communication system in which a first communication device performs
wireless communications with communication devices residing in the
vicinity of the first communication device, wherein the first
communication device is provided with: a wireless communication
means capable of performing transmission by having communication
ranges altered at a plurality of stages, a transmission control
means to transmit an inquiry message from the wireless
communication means by having the communication ranges altered at
the plurality of stages in order to discover other communication
devices residing in the vicinity, a preservation means to preserve
information relating to a receiving state or frequency of receipt
of response messages from the respective communication ranges for
each communication device which is a sender of the received
response message, when the response messages to the transmitted
inquiry message are received by the wireless communication means,
and a connection means to make a selection of a communication
device, which becomes a connection object for wireless
communications, based on the information relating to the receiving
state or the frequency of receipt of the response messages
preserved in the preservation means; and other communication
devices residing in the vicinity of the first communication device
are provided with wireless communication means and control means to
transmit response messages when an inquiry message is received by
the wireless communication means. By doing so, since a relationship
regarding distance of the responding devices can be recognized by
transmitting the inquiry message to the devices residing in the
vicinity as the communication range is altered periodically, based
on such information the connection is made possible with the
device, for example, residing in as close vicinity as possible, so
that the system enabling users to perform communications plainly
and simply between devices can be constructed.
[0022] The eighth aspect of the present invention is a
communication apparatus to perform wireless communication with
other communication devices residing in the vicinity, comprising: a
wireless communication means capable of performing transmission by
having communication ranges altered at a plurality of stages; a
transmission control means to transmit an inquiry message from the
wireless communication means as having the communication ranges
altered at the plurality of stages in order to discover other
communication devices residing in the proximity; a preservation
means to preserve information relating to a receiving state or
frequency of receipt of response messages from the respective
communication ranges for each communication device which is the
sender of the received response message, when the response messages
to the transmitted inquiry message are received by the wireless
communication means; and a connection means to make a selection of
a communication device, which becomes a connection object for
wireless communications, based on the information relating to the
receiving state or the frequency of receipt of the response
messages preserved in the preservation means. By doing so, since a
relationship regarding distance of the responding devices can be
recognized by transmitting the inquiry message to the devices
residing in the vicinity as the communication range is altered
periodically, based on such information the connection is made
possible with the device, for example, residing in as close
vicinity as possible, so that the communication apparatus enabling
users to perform communications plainly and simply between devices
can be obtained.
[0023] The ninth aspect of the present invention is the
communication apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the
present invention, wherein among communication devices performing
functions required by the communication device, the communication
device having sent a response message transmitted to the inquiry
message in the shortest communication range is selected as the
connection object in the connection means. By doing so, the
communication device residing in the closest vicinity can be
selected automatically.
[0024] The tenth aspect of the present invention is the
communication apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the
present invention, wherein among communication devices performing
functions required by the communication device, the communication
device having sent a response message transmitted to the inquiry
message in the shortest communication range is selected as the
connection object in the communication means, and furthermore, as
the communication device performing the function required by the
communication device, a communication device having a function
which has not been connected is chosen among communication devices
having functions registered for a connection with the communication
device. By doing so, when a plurality of communication devices
reside in the closest vicinity, the device having a function which
has not been connected is selected among the devices.
[0025] The eleventh aspect of the present invention is the
communication apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the
present invention, wherein a plurality of communication devices are
almost evenly selected from the plurality of communication ranges
or the frequency of receipt thereof, when a plurality of
communication devices are selected at the same timing or one after
another as the connection objects in the connection means. By doing
so, a plurality of communication devices can be selected
excellently.
[0026] The twelfth aspect of the present invention is the
communication apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the
present invention, wherein an alteration of the communication range
of the transmission signals in the communication means, when the
inquiry message is transmitted, is made by varying transmission
power. By doing so, the communication range can be altered without
difficulties.
[0027] The thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the
communication apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the
present invention, further comprising a disconnection means to
perform disconnection processing by selecting a communication
device to be disconnected based on at least either connection time
or communication data volume with respect to a communication device
being connected. By doing so, the selection of the communication
device to be disconnected can be made appropriately.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a constitutional diagram showing an example of
system configuration according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of
configuration of a personal computer apparatus as a communication
device;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of
configuration of an input apparatus (mouse) as a communication
device;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of
configuration of a wireless communication portion;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of an inquiry
procedure on a computer apparatus side;
[0033] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a
table describing a connection status of peripheral devices which
are managed by a computer apparatus;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a time chart showing an example of an operation of
inquiry processing periodically performed;
[0035] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of
inquiry processing performed in the range of 15 cm communication
radius;
[0036] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of
inquiry processing performed in the range of 10 m communication
radius;
[0037] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a
table to manage responses to an inquiry;
[0038] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a
table to manage device information;
[0039] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of a standby
procedure for an inquiry in an input apparatus;
[0040] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure
for a connection processing in a computer apparatus;
[0041] FIG. 14 is a constitutional diagram showing an example of
system configuration according to the second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0042] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of
configuration of an access point;
[0043] FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure
for a disconnection and connection processing at the access point;
and
[0044] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a
table describing a connection status of devices which are managed
at the access point.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0045] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention
will be explained by referring to FIGS. 1 through 13. In this
embodiment, the present invention is applied to a device in which
an communication apparatus to perform the Bluetooth wireless
communications, which is one of relatively short-range wireless
communication methods, is incorporated.
[0046] In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a
personal computer apparatus and an input apparatus of a pointing
device performing input into the personal computer apparatus.
Hereupon, an input apparatus called a mouse (hereinafter referred
to as a mouse) is employed as the above input apparatus.
[0047] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of configuration of a
communication system according to the embodiment. Hereupon, two
sets of computer apparatuses 1 and 2 are provided and a mouse 3,
which can be utilized as an input apparatus to the computer
apparatuses 1 and 2, is provided.
[0048] The computer apparatuses 1, 2 and the mouse 3 are devices
capable of respectively performing wireless communications based on
the Bluetooth wireless communication method, and data can be
transmitted and received among the devices. In the example shown in
FIG. 1, it is assumed that the computer apparatus 1 and the mouse 3
are in a state of residing in the close vicinity, for example,
within 10 centimeters, and on the other hand, the computer
apparatus 2 is in a state of residing far from the computer
apparatus 1 and the mouse 3, for example, several meters away. When
the computer apparatus 1 and the mouse 3 are connected through
wireless communications to be communicable, a user can operate the
computer apparatus 1 by manipulating the mouse 3 in the same way as
an ordinary mouse which is conventionally connected by wiring.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration
of the computer apparatuses 1 and 2 according to the embodiment. A
control portion 11 is composed of a central processing unit (CPU)
or the like and controls the whole computer apparatus 1 by
performing various sets of control processing in accordance with
programs stored in a memory portion 18, which is composed of a ROM
12, a hard disc or the like, and various memory media attached to a
drive 19, which are a magnetic disc 20, an optical disc 21, an
optical-magnetic disc 22 and a semiconductor memory 23. Also,
programs to be used by the control portion 11 and temporary data
during processing or the like are stored in a RAM 13, when it is
necessary.
[0050] The control portion 11, ROM 12, RAM 13 and an input-output
interface 15 are mutually connected via a bus line 14, and
furthermore, not only a display portion 16 but also a keyboard
input portion 17, the memory portion 18, the drive 19 and a
wireless communication portion 30 are connected to the input-output
interface 15.
[0051] The display portion 16 is composed of, for example, a liquid
crystal display panel and a drive circuit thereof and is made to
indicate various pieces of information to a user based on the
instruction from the control portion 11. The keyboard input portion
17 is a part for a user to perform an input operation and
operational signals thereof are sent to the control portion 11.
[0052] The memory portion 18 is composed mainly of a hard disc or
the like and provides various programs and data for the control
portion 11. In addition, data are also provided from various memory
media connected to the drive 19, and furthermore, programs or data
may be received from other devices connected via any arbitrary
communication line, and also, a memory portion 18 of another device
connected via any communication line may as well be utilized as its
own memory portion 28. The various memory media connected to the
drive 19 may be fixed or may be freely detachable as well.
[0053] The wireless communication portion 30 is composed of a
control circuit or the like to control the Bluetooth wireless
communications, and an antenna 24 to transmit and receive radio
signals is connected thereto. A communicable range in which
wireless communication can be performed by the wireless
communication portion 30 is predetermined by the transmission power
and the structure of the antenna 24 or the like, and it is set
within the range of 10 meters to 100 meters in the Bluetooth
wireless communication. Although it is explained in this embodiment
that the wireless communication portion 30 has the communicable
range of approximately 10 meters at maximum, it may undoubtedly be
any arbitrary distance as well. Also, on viewing from the wireless
communication portion 30, parts being controlled by the control
portion 11 are called hosts in the following explanation.
[0054] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration
of the mouse 3. An explanation for the configuration thereof is
that a control portion 51 is composed of a LSI or the like and
controls the whole mouse by performing various sets of control
processing in accordance with programs stored in a ROM 52. Also,
programs to be used by the control portion 51 or temporary data in
processing are stored in a RAM 53, when it is necessary.
[0055] A position input portion 54 is a part to detect an operation
performed by a user and, for example, by providing a spherical
drive member on a contacting surface so that a displacement can be
detected from a rotational movement thereof or by optically
measuring a movement over the contacting surface; and thus the
movement is detected and information thereof is sent to the control
portion 51.
[0056] A button input portion 55 is composed of some buttons and,
furthermore, wheels or the like capable of rotating upward and
downward, and its signals are sent to the control portion 51.
Though two buttons are provided therein as an example in this
embodiment, it may undoubtedly be composed of a plurality of
buttons or wheels as well. A wireless communication portion 60 is
composed of a control circuit or the like to control the Bluetooth
wireless communications, and furthermore an antenna 57 is connected
thereto. The basic internal configuration of the wireless
communication portion 60 is the same as the wireless communication
portion 30 provided in the computer apparatus 1 or the like shown
in FIG. 2. The control portion 51, the ROM 52, the RAM 53, the
position input portion 54, the button input portion 55 and the
wireless communication portion 60 are mutually connected via a bus
line 56 and the control portion 51 is made to control the whole
mouse 1.
[0057] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of
configuration for the wireless communication portion 30 provided in
the computer apparatuses 1 and 2, and for the wireless
communication portion 60 of the mouse 3. Though the wireless
communication portion 30 of the computer apparatus shown in FIG. 2
is explained as an example in the following explanation, regarding
the wireless communication portion 60 shown in FIG. 3, the
configuration itself is the same.
[0058] A control portion 61 provides control programs stored in a
ROM 62 to a RAM 63 and controls operations of the whole wireless
communication portion 30. Temporary data or the like are also
stored in the RAM 63.
[0059] In a flush memory 64, for example, a device address which is
unique to a Bluetooth wireless communication device and a link key
or the like, which is a common key to be used at the time of
authorization for an individual Bluetooth communication device are
stored and supplied to the control portion 61 as necessity
arises.
[0060] An input-output interface 65 is an interface to exchange
data and commands with the host side and is called a host
controller interface in the Bluetooth communication. The
input-output interface 65 supplies data or commands, which are
supplied via the input-output interface 15 on the host side, to the
control portion 61 or a base-band control portion 66, and on the
contrary, supplies data from the control portion 61 or the
base-band control portion 66 to the control portion 11 on the host
side via the input-output interface 15.
[0061] The base-band control portion 66 sends data supplied from
the input-output interface 65 to a transceiver 67 in order to
wirelessly transmit. In addition, the base-band control portion 66
digitalizes signals supplied from the transceiver 67 and supplies
the digitized signals to the host side via the input-output
interface 65. Herein, various controls for a link, a packet, a
logical channel, a security and the like in addition to processing
such as error correction coding, multiplexing and randomization of
data are performed.
[0062] The transceiver 67 performs frequency-hopping modulation on
digital data supplied from the base-band control portion 66,
effects an electrical power control, and then, wirelessly transmits
the data via the antenna 24. Also, after correlating data received
via the antenna 24 with generated frequency hopping signals,
eliminating jamming wave components by a filter and performing FSK
demodulation on data, the digital data are supplied to the
base-band control portion 66.
[0063] Next, processing in this embodiment is explained. Hereupon,
the computer apparatus 1, 2 and the mouse 3 in this embodiment are
assumed to have transmission output power capable of performing
wireless communications within a radius range of 10 meters at a
normal time.
[0064] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing processing in the computer
apparatus 1 in detail. Hereupon, though explanation is made on the
computer apparatus 1 as an example, another computer apparatus 2
may be employed to perform the same processing as well.
[0065] Referring to the flow chart in FIG. 5, explanation will be
made as follows; the computer apparatus 1 makes a judgment based on
the present status whether devices are to be searched for (Step
S11). In this embodiment, the computer apparatuses 1 and 2
continuously monitor peripheral devices being connected
respectively and the RAM 23 preserves information relating to a
connection state of the peripheral devices required by the computer
apparatus 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 6. The connection herein
mentioned includes not only a case where connection is made to
perform wireless communications such as the Bluetooth communication
but also a case where connection is made through wiring by using a
USB (Universal Serial Bus) method or the like.
[0066] In the example shown in FIG. 6, a mouse and a headphone,
both of which are examples of input apparatuses, are not in a state
of being connected at present and it is recognized that a keyboard
or the like is being connected. Based on this information, the
computer apparatus 1 starts a processing of periodically
transmitting an inquiry message querying whether there are a
connectable mouse and a headphone residing in the vicinity (Step
S12). Herein, though the computer apparatus 1 is made to start the
processing automatically, it may undoubtedly be made to start the
processing based on a explicit instruction by a user as well.
[0067] The control portion 11 sends to the wireless communication
portion 30 a command to set appropriate transmission power so that
a message can be transmitted only within a designated communication
range. The wireless communication portion 30 sets to adjust the
transmission power in the transceiver 67 in accordance with
information relating to the transmission power stored beforehand in
the ROM 62 or the flush memory 63. After completion of the setting,
the response thereof is provided for the control portion 11 via the
input-output interface 65 (Step S13).
[0068] Successively, the control portion 11 sends to the wireless
communication portion 30 a command to transmit an inquiry message
(Step S14). In the command, a maximum number of devices to be
discovered by the inquiry message and a period of transmitting the
inquiry message can be provided as parameters, and it is specified
in this embodiment that approximately 10 seconds is set as the
period to be able to collect an ample number of responses from
devices residing in the vicinity and no limitation is set as a
maximum number of devices to be discovered; however, undoubtedly
they may be set arbitrarily.
[0069] The wireless communication portion 30 generates an inquiry
message in the base-band control portion 66 in accordance with a
command issued from the host side via the input-output interface 65
and transmits the inquiry message via the transceiver 67 and the
antenna 24 (Step S15). Further, at this time, the transmission
power is controlled in accordance with the information relating to
the transmission power stored in the ROM 62 or the flush memory 63,
thereby transmitting the inquiry message only to the designated
distance.
[0070] After transmitting the inquiry message, the wireless
communication portion 30 awaits response messages from other
devices in response to the inquiry message (Step S16). If the mouse
3 is in a standby mode for an inquiry message (a state of step S23
in the flow chart of FIG. 12), which is explained hereinafter, and
is set to receive an inquiry message at the same timing and in the
same frequency, the wireless communication portion 60 of the mouse
3 transmits a response message to the inquiry message via the
antenna (refer to step S24 in FIG. 12) and the wireless
communication portion 30 of the computer apparatus 1 can receive
the response message via the antenna 24. The response message
having been received by the computer apparatus 1 includes an ID
(Bluetooth device address) which is unequivocally distinguishable
and unique to the mouse 3 and the obtained ID information is
supplied to the host side via the input-output interface 65 (Step
S17). As is explained hereinafter, the information having been
obtained is stored in the RAM 13 and the memory portion 18 or the
like as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0071] When a response message from other devices can not be
received, firstly, if it is instructed by a user or the control
portion 11 to suspend the inquiry, the control portion 11 gives to
the wireless communication portion 30 a command to suspend inquiry
processing and then, the wireless communication portion 30 suspends
the inquiry processing (Step S18) and ends transmission processing
of the inquiry message. Further, if a certain predetermined time
has already passed, the wireless communication portion 30 suspends
the inquiry processing (Step S19), returns to the step S13, and
again sets a communication range.
[0072] If the processing is not suspended at the steps S18 and S19,
the wireless communication portion 30 alters a frequency to
transmit the message (Step S20) and successively, repeats the
transmission processing of the inquiry message.
[0073] When the processing of the step S13 is performed again, the
communication range is made to be altered periodically, so that the
control portion 11 sends to the wireless communication portion 30 a
command to set an appropriate communication range.
[0074] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an aspect of transmitting
inquiry messages by the computer apparatus 1 according to this
embodiment. Hereupon, firstly, an inquiry #1 is performed for a
certain period upon setting a communication range to approximately
15 cm at the step S13 in the flow chart of FIG. 5. Further, after a
certain period has passed, an inquiry #2 is performed upon setting
the communication range to approximately 1 m. Thereafter, inquiries
#3 and #4 are performed in the same manner by having the
communication ranges altered to approximately 5 m and approximately
10 m respectively, and when the maximum transmission output power
is reached, the periodical transmission of the inquiry message is
repeatedly performed by returning to the shortest communication
range. The communication ranges and the time intervals or the like
are set in accordance with information stored in the RAM 13, the
memory portion 18 and various memory media connected to the drive
19.
[0075] FIGS. 8 and 9 schematically show an example in which the
computer apparatus 1 transmits an inquiry message according to the
flow chart in FIG. 5. The aspect of the inquiry by the computer
apparatus 1 is explained with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, wherein
spots M1, M2 and M3 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 indicate respective
locations of communication devices having the standard to perform
the Bluetooth communication. Herein, the device M1 in the center
indicates the computer apparatus 1, the device M2 indicates the
mouse 3, the device M3 indicates the computer apparatus 2, and all
of them are assumed to be in a standby mode so as to be able to
respond to an inquiry message. In this embodiment, it is assumed
that the device M2 (mouse 3) is within a range of 15 cm from the
device M1 (computer apparatus 1) and the device M3 (computer
apparatus 2) is several meters (within 10 meters) away from the
device M1.
[0076] When the device M1 (computer apparatus 1) transmits an
inquiry message in the above state, devices in a standby mode so as
to respond to an inquiry message from another device transmit
response messages to the computer apparatus 1 which have sent the
inquiry message, after the inquiry message is received.
[0077] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing an aspect when the
computer apparatus 1 performs the inquiry #1 shown in FIG. 7,
whereupon the computer apparatus 1 receives a response message from
a device, which resides within the range of 15 centimeters from the
computer apparatus 1 and also is in the standby mode so as to be
able to respond to an inquiry message, that is, the device M2
(mouse 3). The device M3 can not receive the inquiry message, since
it is beyond the reaching range of the inquiry message.
[0078] FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing an aspect when the
computer apparatus 1 performs the inquiry #4 shown in FIG. 7,
whereupon the computer apparatus 1 receives response messages from
devices which reside within the range of 10 m from the computer
apparatus 1 and also are in the standby mode so as to be able to
respond to an inquiry message, which are the devices M2 and M3.
[0079] As the example shown in FIG. 7 by periodically repeating the
processing shown in FIG. 5, the computer apparatus 1 can obtain
such information as that shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and those sets of
information are preserved in the RAM 13 and the memory portion
18.
[0080] Information shown in FIG. 10 is an example of a table for
managing responses to an inquiry. The information indicates that,
for example, the time of the inquiry, a communication range then
being set and a list of device numbers having responded to the
inquiry are preserved with respect to the inquiry. The device
number herein is a number given uniquely by the computer apparatus
1 in order to manage an individual device. A correlation between
the above device number and a device address uniquely given to each
device (Bluetooth device address in case of the Bluetooth
communication) is preserved as a device information management
table shown in FIG. 11. Also, a device class information indicating
what kind of function the device has and what services are provided
(that is called a device class and a service class respectively in
case of the Bluetooth communication) is included in a response
message to an inquiry as the information in the device information
management table. These data of information are expressed as a row
of bits, for example, as shown in FIG. 11 and each bit is made to
have a specific meaning respectively. A device can be judged from
the above device class information whether it is a device having a
function (for example, a mouse or the like) required by the
computer apparatus.
[0081] Next, a standby procedure for an inquiry message on the side
of the mouse 3 is explained referring to the flow chart in FIG. 12.
Firstly, the mouse 3 judges based on the present status whether the
standby processing shall be started (Step S21). The above judgment
can be made, for example, based on whether a connection has been
already established in the control portion 51, based on a present
remaining amount of battery power or the like.
[0082] When the judgment is made to stand by, the control portion
51 sends to the wireless communication portion 56 a command to
respond to an inquiry message. The wireless communication portion
56 stands by for an inquiry message from another device at
predetermined periodical intervals and in a certain frequency (Step
S22).
[0083] If an inquiry message is received from another device (Step
S23), the wireless communication portion 60 transmits to the device
a response message responding to the inquiry message (Step
S24).
[0084] Successively, the control portion 51 confirms whether an
instruction to suspend the standby processing is being given by a
user or the control portion 51 and gives a command to suspend the
standby processing to the wireless communication portion 60, if the
suspension is being instructed, and then, the wireless
communication portion 60 suspends the standby processing (Step S25)
and ends the standby processing for an inquiry message. For
example, when a connection is established by another device during
the standby processing, the control portion 51 can give a command
to suspend the standby processing being presently performed.
Furthermore, if a predetermined period which is determined in
advance has passed, the wireless communication portion 56 suspends
the standby processing (Step S26) and ends the standby processing
for an inquiry message. For example, the standby processing can be
performed at appropriate time intervals so as not to consume
electrical power excessively.
[0085] If the processing is not suspended at the steps S25 and S26,
the wireless communication portion 60 alters a standby frequency
(Step S27) and successively repeats the standby processing for an
inquiry message.
[0086] As described above, in a connectable state the mouse 3 is
made to be capable of appropriately responding to an inquiry
message.
[0087] Thus, by following the procedure shown in the flow chart of
FIG. 5, the computer apparatus 1 can obtain information relating to
devices residing in the vicinity of the computer apparatus 1 as
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Based on the information, the computer
apparatus 1 further can select a device to be connected and perform
a connection processing. A flow chart describing a procedure for
the selection and connection is shown in FIG. 13.
[0088] Firstly, the control portion 11 of the computer apparatus 1
judges whether there is a device to be connected based on the
information in each table shown in FIGS. 6, 10 and 11 which is
stored in the RAM 13 and the memory portion 18 (Step S31). Herein,
it can be detected that a mouse and a headphone are in a state of
not being connected according to the information shown in FIG. 6
and also a device of a device number 1 provides a function as an
input apparatus according to the information shown in FIG. 11, and
furthermore, it can be judged that at present the device still
resides within 15 cm according to FIG. 12.
[0089] Further, when it is judged that a plurality of devices which
can be selected reside at the same time and within almost same
distance, a device having been connected most recently may, for
example, be selected or a query may be made to urge a user to make
a selection.
[0090] As stated above, if there is a device to be connected by the
computer apparatus 1 and it can be confirmed that the connectable
device still resides at present in the close vicinity, the control
portion 11 performs the connection processing to the device
address, which is an ID unique to the mouse 3 stored in the RAM 13
and the memory portion 18, by the wireless communication portion 30
(Step S32). In this connection processing, there is a case where a
connection authorization processing is required to perform the
Bluetooth communication depending on setting of respective devices
and the connection authorization is executed by an input of
identification information called a passkey.
[0091] After the connection between the computer apparatus 1 and
the mouse 3 is established, the computer apparatus 1 conducts a
search in accordance with a predetermined protocol (called a
service discovery protocol. Refer to the Bluetooth standard as to
the details) whether the mouse 3 provides required services. The
search is done by transmitting to the mouse 3 a service inquiry
message which includes a unique ID (Service UUID) indicating a
specific service and by transmitting from the mouse 3 a response
message to the inquiry message (Step S33). In this embodiment, it
is made to search for an ID indicating that a function of a mouse,
which is one of input apparatuses, is provided. Control information
thereof is stored in the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the memory portion 18
or memory media being connected to the drive 19.
[0092] On the other hand, when the mouse 3 is not connected to any
device, it is normally in a standby mode so as to be able to
respond to a service for which the function of the mouse is
provided. Control information thereof is also stored in the ROM 52
and the RAM 53 of the mouse 3.
[0093] Further, if it is discovered at the step S34 of the flow
chart in FIG. 13 that the mouse 3 can provide a required service,
the computer apparatus 1 requests the mouse 3 to connect to the
required service (Step S35). In the connection processing thereof,
there is a case where the connection authorization processing is
required to perform the Bluetooth communication depending on the
setting of the respective devices. This connection authorization is
executed normally by inputting the identification information
called the passkey and also by conducting a query to a user for
confirmation of the connection permission.
[0094] Also, if it is discovered at the step S34 of FIG. 13 that
the mouse 3 does not provide the required service, the processing
is again returned to the step S31, and if there is a device other
than the mouse 3 which satisfies the condition, the same connection
processing is performed on the device. After the service connection
is established, the computer apparatus 1 executes an appropriate
service procedure depending on a state of a program being executed
at present (Step S36). In this embodiment, the service is performed
so that the mouse 3 can act as a mouse of the computer apparatus 1.
The mouse 3 is made to transmit wirelessly input information from
the position input portion 54 and the button input portion 55 to
the computer apparatus 1 via the wireless communication portion 60
and the antenna 57.
[0095] If the required service is such a service that does not need
to continuously maintain wireless communications thereafter, the
control portion 11 gives to the wireless communication portion 30
an instruction to disconnect the communication (Step S38). Also, if
it is a service which needs to maintain wireless communications,
the service is kept continued without a disconnection (Step 39). As
an example of the former one, there is, for example, a case where
wireless communications are used for transferring video data
information and as an example of the latter one, there is a case of
an input apparatus of, for example, this embodiment, or a case
where a communication path for, dial-up communications, IP network
communications or the like is provided. Control information thereof
is also stored in the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the memory portion 18 and
memory media connected to the drive 19 of the computer apparatus
1.
[0096] As described above, the computer apparatus 1 can discover a
mouse residing in closer vicinity by having the communication
ranges periodically altered in the plurality of stages, can
establish automatically a connection to perform wireless
communications, and can perform the required service.
[0097] Further, in the embodiment heretofore explained, though the
computer apparatus 1 periodically performs an inquiry to recognize
devices residing in the vicinity of the computer apparatus 1, it is
similarly effective even if it is performed in the other way
around. For example, it is also possible that the mouse 3
periodically performs an inquiry, discovers a computer apparatus
residing in closer vicinity which needs a mouse, and controls so as
to establish a connection to the computer apparatus. Furthermore,
the mouse may perform periodically both an inquiry processing and a
standby processing.
[0098] Next, the second embodiment of the present invention is
explained referring to FIGS. 14 through 17. Further, in this second
embodiment, portions that have the same configurations and
processing as those explained in the first embodiment shall be
explained by quoting the drawings referred to in the first
embodiment.
[0099] In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 the present
invention is applied to a system, in which a plurality of personal
computer apparatuses 71, 72 and 73 are provided to be able to
access an internet 75 via an access point 74. Hereupon, data
transmission between the access point 74 and each of the computer
apparatuses 71, 72 and 73 is made to be performed by the Bluetooth
wireless communication.
[0100] Each of the computer apparatuses 71, 72 and 73 is assumed to
have transmission output power capable of performing wireless
communications, for example, within a range of 10 meters at an
ordinary time. In the example shown in FIG. 14, it is assumed that
the respective computer apparatuses exist in the order of 73, 72
and 71 with respect to the distance from the access point 74; for
example, approximately 50 cm between the access point 74 and the
computer apparatus 73; within approximately 4 m between the access
point 74 and the computer apparatus 72; and approximately 9 m
between the access point 74 and the computer apparatus 71. The
access point 74 is further connected to the internet 75 as an
outside network, and when the computer apparatuses 71, 72 and 73
are connected to the access point 74 so as to perform wireless
communications, communications thereof with the internet 75 or
among respective computer apparatuses can be performed via the
access point 74.
[0101] The internal configuration of each computer apparatus 71, 72
and 73 is the same as that of the computer apparatus which is
explained in the first embodiment (in other words, the
configuration shown in FIG. 2) and here the explanation thereof is
omitted.
[0102] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration
of the access point 74. Basic configuration is the same as that of
the computer apparatus 1 and explanations shall be given regarding
differences from the computer apparatus 1. An outside network
connection portion 92 is a part transmitting and receiving data
between the internet 75 and may be connected to an outside network
by establishing a connection with the public telephone line, for
example, via a modem or may be connected as well to a corporate LAN
(Local Area Network) or to a domestic LAN via a predetermined
network (by wire or wirelessly).
[0103] A control portion 81 is made to control transmission and
receipt of data among devices connected via a wireless
communication portion 90 and among devices connected via the
outside network connection portion. The configuration of the
wireless communication portion 90 is the same as that shown in FIG.
3 which is already explained in the first embodiment. Further, in
case of the Bluetooth communication, up to seven devices can
conventionally be connected to one wireless communication portion
and it is assumed that the access point 74 is also capable of
simultaneously connecting up to seven devices.
[0104] Next, a connection processing of the computer apparatuses
71, 72 and 73 controlled by the access point 74 is explained in the
system configuration of this embodiment. The access point 74
performs an inquiry to discover devices residing in the vicinity in
accordance with the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. 5
which is already explained in the first embodiment. The details of
FIG. 5 are as heretofore explained, and according to the procedure
the access point 74 periodically obtains device information such as
those shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 as the information relating to
devices residing in the vicinity, and stores in a RAM 83 or a
memory portion 88.
[0105] On the other hands, the computer apparatus 71, 72 and 73,
which are devices residing in the vicinity, can stand by for an
inquiry in accordance with the procedure shown in the flow chart of
FIG. 12 which is explained already.
[0106] Also, the access point 74 is further made to be capable of
connecting to an appropriate device in accordance with the
procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. 16. Firstly, the control
portion 81 judges whether connectable devices reside in the
vicinity in accordance with the procedure shown in the flow chart
of FIG. 5 which is already explained and based on information sets
such as those shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, which are periodically
obtained and stored in the RAM 83 or the memory portion 88 (Step
S41). The above judgment is possible by conducting a search or the
like based on FIGS. 10 and 11 whether there is a device having a
function of accessing a network among those devices having
responded to an inquiry, for example, during the last several
minutes. A rule for the judgment may be stored beforehand in the
ROM 82 or may be provided for the RAM 83 or the memory portion 88
via various memory media connected to a drive 89. Furthermore, it
may be possible as well to enable a user to set via a display
portion 86 and a button input portion 87.
[0107] Hereupon, if there is no device discovered, the processing
ends. Further, it is made possible to provide an Internet
connection service for devices residing in the vicinity by having
the procedure shown in FIG. 10 executed periodically at arbitrary
time intervals.
[0108] If there are connectable devices at the step S41, the
control portion 81 successively judges whether devices being
presently connected to the access point 74 have reached its maximum
number, which is seven units in this case (Step S42). Whenever a
connection is established with another device, the wireless
communication portion 90 notifies of the fact thereof to the
control portion 81 on the host side, and the information thereof is
stored as a device connection status table in the RAM 83 or the
memory portion 88, for example, as shown in FIG. 17. Device numbers
shown in FIG. 17 shall be the same as those managed by such a table
as shown in FIG. 11, as explained already in the first embodiment.
In case that an ending time is not yet recorded, it means that the
device is presently still being connected, and also, communication
data volume indicates the volume of communications performed by
wireless communications between the access point 74 and the device,
which is to be renewed periodically. Further, the information shown
in FIGS. 10, 11 and 17 can be stored as long as the RAM 83 or the
memory portion 88 can store or may be deleted as well after a
certain time has passed since they are newly added.
[0109] If the maximum number is reached, the control portion judges
whether there is a device to be disconnected among the devices
being presently connected based on the information sets such as
shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 17 which are stored in the RAM 83 or the
memory portion 88 (Step S43). For example, if there are devices
having been connected more than a certain fixed time, for example,
one hour, the devices may be judged as those to be disconnected. A
rule for the judgment may be stored beforehand in the ROM 82 or may
be provided for the RAM 83 or the memory portion via various memory
media connected to the drive 89. Furthermore, it may be possible as
well to enable a user to set via the display portion 86 and the
button input portion 87.
[0110] If it is judged that there are devices to be disconnected,
the control portion 81 further judges which device shall be an
object to be disconnected based on the information in FIGS. 10, 11
and 17 which are stored in the RAM 83 or the memory portion 88
(Step S44). Based on the information shown in FIG. 17, for example,
a search is made for a device having been connected for the longest
time and such device may be selected as the object to be
disconnected, or a device having had the largest communication data
volume may be selected as the object to be disconnected. Also,
based on the information shown in FIG. 10, a device residing in the
most remote place, which is the computer apparatus 71, for example,
in case of the example shown in FIG. 14, may be selected as the
object to be disconnected. Furthermore, by making a comprehensive
judgment thereof, a device residing in a remote place and having
been connected for long time may be selected as the object to be
disconnected. Furthermore, when the access point 74 is set up in
the center of, for example, a public facility and services thereof
are to be provided impartially independent from the place, devices
to be disconnected may be selected such that those devices are
indiscriminately selected according to distances. A rule for the
above judgment may be stored beforehand in the ROM 82 or may be
provided for the RAM 83 or the memory portion via various memory
media connected to the drive 89. Furthermore, it may be possible as
well to enable a user to set via the display portion 86 and the
button input portion 87.
[0111] After a device to be disconnected is selected, the control
portion 81 sends to the wireless communication portion 90 a command
together with the device address thereof to disconnect the
connection with the device, and the wireless communication portion
90 performs a disconnection processing and notifies again the
control portion 81 of the result. When the disconnection processing
is completed, the control portion 81 renews the information in the
table shown in FIG. 16 which is stored in the RAM 83 or the memory
portion 88 (Step S45).
[0112] Successively, the control portion 81 judges a device to
establish a connection among the devices having been judged to be
connectable at the previous step S41 based on the information shown
in such tables as FIGS. 10, 11 and 17, which is stored in the RAM
83 or the memory portion 88 (Step S46). For example, the device
residing in the closest vicinity, which is the computer apparatus
73 in case of the example in FIG. 14, may be selected as an object
to be connected based on the information in such a table as shown
in FIG. 10. Further, a device having responded most frequently to
the inquiry may be selected as the object to be connected based on
the information in such a table as shown in FIG. 10. Furthermore, a
device having had long connection time in the past may be selected
as the object to be connected based on the information in such a
table as shown in FIG. 17, and on the contrary, a device having had
short connection time or having not connected may be selected as
the object to be connected. A rule for the above judgment may be
stored beforehand in the ROM 82 or may be provided for the RAM 83
or the memory portion 88 via various memory media connected to the
drive 89. Furthermore, it may be possible as well to enable a user
to set via the display portion 86 and the button input portion
87.
[0113] After a device is selected as the object to be connected,
the control portion 81 sends to the wireless communication portion
90 a command together with the device address thereof to perform a
connection processing to the device, and the wireless communication
portion 90 performs the connection processing and notifies again
the control portion 81 of the result. When the connection
processing is completed, the control portion 81 renews the
information in the table shown in FIG. 17 which is stored in the
RAM 83 or the memory portion 88 (Step S47).
[0114] By the above processing, information relating to whether
devices residing in the vicinity are connectable and also what
distance they are located, viewing from the access point 74, is
periodically obtained, and based on that, connection processing and
furthermore disconnection processing are to be performed. Moreover,
the present invention is also applicable to services such as
providing constantly an accessing environment to an internet by
periodically performing the processing shown in the flow chart of
FIG. 16.
[0115] Further, in the configuration explained in the first
embodiment, the mouse 3 can be configured to act similarly to the
access point 74 explained in the second embodiment, in view of
connecting for communication. The mouse 3 performs an inquiry to
discover connectable devices residing in the vicinity such as a
computer apparatus in accordance with the procedure shown in the
flow chart of FIG. 5. Hereupon, the mouse 3 can perform the
disconnection and connection processing in accordance with the
procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. 16. The processing at the
step S41 can be performed in accordance with the procedure in the
flow chart shown in FIG. 5. In the following processing at the step
S42, the maximum number shall be set to one in this case, since a
mouse conventionally handles only one connection. In the processing
of the step S43, as a judgment processing for a device to be
disconnected, for example, the mouse 3 can detect whether it is
being operated by a user based on whether an input is given from
its own position input portion 54 or from the button input portion
55 and can perform a disconnection processing, if there is no input
given during a certain fixed time. Also, the above judgment
processing may be performed as well by observing volume of data
being transmitted and received in the wireless communication
portion. At the step S46, a device residing in the nearest vicinity
is selected based on the information in such tables as shown in
FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0116] By repeating the above procedures, the mouse 3 establishes a
connection with a device residing in as close vicinity as possible
and disconnects its own connection, when it is detected that the
mouse is not being used, and then, makes a selection of a new
device to be connected. By doing so, it is not necessary for a user
to execute various procedures by himself and therefore, it becomes
possible to provide better operability, as the mouse automatically
judges the device to be connected and performs the connection and
disconnection.
[0117] The explanation is heretofore made with respect to an
example of connection between the computer apparatus 1 and the
mouse 3 in the state where the computer apparatuses 1, 2 and the
mouse 3 are provided as shown in FIG. 1, or with respect to another
example of connection and disconnection among the access point 74
and computer apparatuses in the state where the computer
apparatuses 71, 72, 73 and the access point 74 are provided as
shown in FIG. 14; however, the present invention is applicable to
information processing apparatuses other than those stated above,
for example, such as portable phones, digital cameras, digital
video cameras, television sets, portable music players and
headphones, when wireless communications are performed therewith.
In those cases, as the configuration for the wireless
communications, communication devices may be incorporated into the
above equipment to be used exclusively for wireless communications;
however it may be configured so as to function as a similar
communication device by attaching a card or the like having
circuitry for wireless communications, for example, to a data
processing terminal device such as a personal computer apparatus
and by having programs to perform processing explained in the above
described flow charts installed in the terminal.
[0118] In addition, the inquiry procedure, the standby procedure
and also the connection/disconnection procedure shown in FIGS. 5,
12, 13 and 16 may be executed in parallel at the same time by one
device, or may be executed such that the standby procedure shall
not be executed during execution of the inquiry procedure, and
also, the inquiry procedure and the standby procedure shall not be
executed during a connection for communication with another device.
For example, the inquiry procedure and the standby procedure may be
executed in parallel, when there is no connection established, and
the standby procedure may be suspended so that the
connection/disconnection procedure can be executed, when a device
to be connected is discovered.
[0119] Also, as a wireless communication method, the Bluetooth
communication is applied to the above described embodiments;
however other wireless communication methods may be applied as
well, as long as the methods are wireless communication methods
which establish connections by similar inquiry processing and
standby processing.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0120] According to the present invention, by transmitting an
inquiry message to devices residing in the vicinity with
periodically altering a communication range, a relationship
regarding distances of devices responding to the inquiry message
can be recognized, so that based on the information a connection
can be established with, for example, a device residing in as close
vicinity as possible and a user can naturally and simply perform
communications between devices.
[0121] For example, in case of an input apparatus such as a mouse,
a operability without complexity can be provided for a user by
automatically establishing a connection for communication with a
device residing in the closest vicinity.
[0122] Moreover, when the present invention is applied to a service
such as an access point of establishing connections
[0123] Moreover, when the present invention is applied to a service
such as an access point of establishing connections with a
plurality of devices, a connection processing can be performed by
automatically selecting devices to be connected and to be
disconnected in response to their distances, so that it is possible
to provide a user with more flexible services. In this case, it
becomes possible to provide each user with an equal service by
having a selection performed automatically further for a
disconnection of an established connection based on connecting time
or transmission data volume or the like. In addition, a maintenance
management of an access point can be made simple by having the
above processing automatically performed.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0124] 1, 2 . . . PERSONAL COMPUTER APPARATUS [0125] 3 . . . INPUT
APPARATUS (MOUSE) [0126] 11 . . . CONTROL PORTION [0127] 12 . . .
ROM [0128] 13 . . . RAM [0129] 14 . . . BUS LINE [0130] 15 . . .
INPUT-OUTPUT INTERFACE [0131] 16 . . . DISPLAY PORTION [0132] 17 .
. . KEYBOARD INPUT PORTION [0133] 18 . . . MEMORY PORTION [0134] 19
. . . DRIVE [0135] 20 . . . MAGNETIC DISC [0136] 21 . . . OPTICAL
DISC [0137] 22 . . . MAGNETO-OPTICAL DISC [0138] 23 . . .
SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY [0139] 24 . . . ANTENNA [0140] 30 . . .
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION PORTION [0141] 51 . . . CONTROL PORTION
[0142] 52 . . . ROM [0143] 53 . . . RAM [0144] 54 . . . POSITION
INPUT PORTION [0145] 55 . . . BUTTON INPUT PORTION [0146] 56 . . .
BUS LINE [0147] 57 . . . ANTENNA [0148] 60 . . . WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION PORTION [0149] 61 . . . CONTROL PORTION [0150] 62 . .
. ROM [0151] 63 . . . RAM [0152] 64 . . . FLUSH MEMORY [0153] 65 .
. . INPUT-OUTPUT INTERFACE [0154] 66 . . . BASE-BAND CONTROL
PORTION [0155] 67 . . . TRANSCEIVER [0156] 68 . . . BUS LINE [0157]
71, 72, 73 . . . PERSONAL COMPUTER APPARATUS [0158] 74 . . . ACCESS
POINT [0159] 75 . . . INTERNET [0160] 81 . . . CONTROL PORTION
[0161] 82 . . . ROM [0162] 83 . . . RAM [0163] 84 . . . BUS LINE
[0164] 85 . . . INPUT-OUTPUT INTERFACE [0165] 86 . . . DISPLAY
PORTION [0166] 87 . . . BUTTON INPUT PORTION [0167] 88 . . . MEMORY
PORTION [0168] 89 . . . DRIVE [0169] 90 . . . WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION PORTION [0170] 91 . . . ANTENNA [0171] 92 . . .
OUTSIDE NETWORK CONNECTION PORTION [0172] 93 . . . MAGNETIC DISC
[0173] 94 . . . OPTICAL DISC [0174] 95 . . . MAGNETO-OPTICAL DISC
[0175] 96 . . . SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY
* * * * *