JP2002290414A - Terminal device location notification method, terminal device, location notification program, and computer-readable recording medium storing the location notification program - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To record a position notification method of a terminal device, a terminal device, a position notification program, and a position notification program capable of notifying an operator of a certain terminal device of the position of another terminal device. Provided is a computer-readable recording medium. SOLUTION: In a wireless network, an operation terminal 1 is provided.
a to 1e specify other terminals (printers 2a, 2b, router 3, etc.) connected to execute a job corresponding to the instruction of the operator of each of the operation terminals 1a to 1e, and Send a location request. The terminal that has received the position confirmation request sounds the built-in buzzer or emits light from the built-in light-emitting element, thereby changing the position of the terminal to the operation terminals 1a to 1e that transmitted the position confirmation request.
Notify the operator.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of notifying a position of a terminal device accommodated in a wireless LAN or the like, a terminal device, a position notification program, and a program for recording the position notification program. Computer-readable recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) has been developed.
k) is drawing attention. Wireless LAN means radio waves (wireless) without using coaxial cables or twisted pair cables.
It is a technology for building networks using infrared and infrared. By using the wireless LAN, the terminal device can be used at any place within the wireless area, and various terminal devices can be easily added or changed. In addition, since the installation cost tends to be lower than that of a wired network, it is widely used for office and factory networks.

[0003]

However, wireless L
Even in the environment of the AN, the position of the terminal device such as the printer needs to be memorized by the user, so that the position cannot actually be changed much. Also, in particular,
If there are multiple terminal devices of the same type, such as printers,
In addition to the location of these terminal devices, it is necessary to remember the names, identification numbers, and the like of each terminal device, and there has been a complicated problem.
For example, even when an operator of a certain terminal device instructs printing, there is a case where it is not known from which printer the printing was performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of notifying a position of a terminal device, a terminal device, a position notification program, and a position notification program capable of notifying an operator of a terminal device of the position of another terminal device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer-readable recording medium.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a method for notifying a position of a terminal device, wherein a first terminal device accommodated in a network is designated by an operator of the terminal device. Identifying a second terminal device accommodated in one or more of the networks to which the terminal device is connected to execute processing, transmitting a position confirmation signal to the second terminal device, In the second terminal device, when the position confirmation signal is received, a position notification unit for notifying the operator of the position of the second terminal device is driven.

According to this method, the first terminal device specifies the second terminal device connected to execute the process specified by the operator, and confirms the position with respect to the specified second terminal device. By transmitting the request, the operator of the first terminal device can be notified of the position of the terminal device used by the operator.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for notifying a position of a terminal device, wherein the first terminal device accommodated in the network includes one or more second terminals capable of executing a process designated by an operator of the terminal device. A terminal device is searched from among all the terminal devices accommodated in the network, and a position confirmation signal is transmitted to the searched second terminal device. In the second terminal device, the position confirmation is performed. When a signal is received, a position notifying unit for notifying the operator of the position of the second terminal device is driven.

According to this method, the first terminal device searches for the second terminal device capable of executing the process designated by the operator and transmits the position notification signal, whereby the first terminal device transmits Before the operator executes the job, the operator can be notified of the position of the terminal device that can execute the job.

Further, according to the present invention, in the position notification method for a terminal device, the first terminal device accommodated in the network is connected to the first terminal device in order to execute a process designated by an operator of the terminal device. And specifying a second terminal device accommodated in the one or more networks, and transmitting a position confirmation signal and driving data to the second terminal device. In the second terminal device, Receiving the position confirmation signal and the driving data, driving the position notifying means for notifying the position of the second terminal device to the operator based on the driving data, wherein the driving data is , Data for controlling the driving content of the position notifying means.

According to this method, the first terminal device specifies the second terminal device connected to execute the process specified by the operator, and specifies the position of the second terminal device with respect to the specified second terminal device. By transmitting drive data for controlling the drive content of the position notification means of the second terminal device in addition to the confirmation signal, the first terminal device drives the position notification means of the second terminal device. To notify the operator of the first terminal device of the position of the second terminal device.

According to the present invention, in a method of notifying a position of a terminal device, in a first terminal device accommodated in a network, at least one second terminal device capable of executing a process designated by an operator of the terminal device. A terminal device is searched from among all the terminal devices accommodated in the network, and a position confirmation signal and driving data are transmitted to the searched second terminal device. Receiving the position confirmation signal and the driving data, drives a position notifying unit for notifying the position of the second terminal device to the operator based on the driving data, Is data for controlling the driving content of the position notifying means.

According to this method, the first terminal device searches for the second terminal device capable of executing the process designated by the operator and transmits the position notification signal driving data,
Before the operator of the first terminal device executes the job, the first terminal device controls the driving of the position notification means of the second terminal device from the first terminal device side to notify the position of the terminal device capable of executing the job. be able to.

According to the present invention, there is provided a terminal device accommodated in one or more networks to which the terminal device is connected in order to execute a process designated by an operator of the terminal device. And transmitting a position confirmation signal to the other terminal device.

According to this configuration, the terminal device specifies another terminal device connected to execute the process specified by the operator, and transmits a position confirmation request to the specified other terminal device. Thus, the operator of this terminal device can be notified of the position of another terminal device used by this operator.

Further, according to the present invention, in a terminal device accommodated in a network, a recording means for recording driving data is connected to the terminal device for executing a process designated by an operator of the terminal device. It is characterized by having transmitting means for specifying another terminal device accommodated in at least one network and transmitting a position confirmation signal and the driving data to the other terminal device.

According to this configuration, the terminal device specifies another terminal device connected to execute the process specified by the operator, and transmits the specified terminal device with the position confirmation signal in addition to the position confirmation signal. By transmitting drive data for controlling the drive content of the position notification means of the other terminal device, by controlling the drive of the position notification means of the other terminal device from the terminal device operated by the operator, The operator of this terminal device can be notified of the position of another terminal device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a position notification program, comprising a transmission means, and a computer connected to a computer accommodated in a network for executing a process designated by an operator of the computer. It is characterized in that another terminal device accommodated in the network described above is specified, and the other terminal device is caused to execute a procedure for transmitting a position confirmation signal by the transmitting means.

According to this configuration, by causing the computer to specify another terminal device connected to execute the process specified by the operator, and transmitting a position confirmation request to the specified other terminal device, The operator of this computer can be notified of the position of another terminal device used by this operator.

According to the present invention, in a position notification program, a transmission means and a recording means are provided, and the computer accommodated in the network executes the processing designated by the operator of the computer. Identify another terminal device accommodated in one or more of the connected networks, and, for the other terminal device, drive data recorded in the recording unit and a position confirmation signal by the transmitting unit. It is characterized in that a procedure for transmitting is executed.

According to this program, the computer causes the computer to specify another terminal device connected to execute the process specified by the operator. By transmitting driving data for controlling the driving content of the position notifying means of the terminal device of the terminal device, the computer operated by the operator controls the driving of the position notifying device of another terminal device, and The operator can be notified of the position of another terminal device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium having transmission means, wherein the computer is connected to a computer accommodated in a network in order to execute a process designated by an operator of the computer. A location notification program for specifying another terminal device accommodated in one or more of the networks and causing the other terminal device to execute a procedure for transmitting a location confirmation signal by the transmission unit is recorded. It is characterized by:

According to this recording medium, it is possible to cause the computer to specify another terminal device connected to execute the processing specified by the operator, and to transmit a position confirmation request to the specified other terminal device. The operator of this computer can be notified of the position of another terminal device used by this operator.

Further, the present invention provides a computer readable recording medium having a transmitting means and a recording means,
A computer accommodated in a network identifies one or more other terminal devices accommodated in the network connected to the computer in order to execute a process designated by an operator of the computer, and the other terminal device According to another aspect of the present invention, a position notification program for executing a procedure for transmitting the drive data and the position confirmation signal recorded in the recording unit by the transmission unit is recorded.

According to this recording medium, the computer specifies the other terminal device connected to execute the process specified by the operator, and in addition to the specified terminal device, in addition to the position confirmation signal, By transmitting drive data for controlling the drive content of the position notification means of the other terminal device, the drive of the position notification means of the other terminal device is controlled from the computer operated by the operator, and this computer Can be notified of the position of another terminal device.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1) Embodiment (1.1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a wireless network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1a,
1b, 1c, 1d, and 1e are operation terminals such as personal computers and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). 2a and 2b are wireless terminals that receive print data transmitted from the operation terminals 1a to 1e and perform printing. It is a printer that can communicate. Reference numeral 3 denotes a router capable of wireless communication for connecting each of the operation terminals 1a to 1e to the Internet.

Reference numerals 4a and 4b denote access points which are connected to a communication line such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable and operate the operation terminals 1a to 1e in each service area SA1 or SA2 to other service areas SA2 or SA1. It functions as a bridge for relaying between inside and outside so that it can communicate with the operation terminals 1a to 1e, the printers 2a and 2b, the router 3 and the like. Also, the access point 4a,
4b also enables so-called roaming, which enables the operating terminals 1a to 1e during communication to move between the service areas SA1 and SA2. In the wireless communication in this wireless network system, for example, a DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spect
rum) system, CSMA / C as protocol of MAC layer
A (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision A
voidance) method is adopted. For wired communication, M
CSMA / CD (Carrier Se
nse Multiple Access with Collision Detection).

FIG. 2 shows operation terminals (terminal devices) 1a to 1e.
Although the electrical configuration of FIG. 1 is shown, here, the operation terminal 1a will be described as a representative. In the operation terminal 1a, the transmission / reception unit (transmission unit, reception unit) 10 is, for example, a wireless LA.
N terminal, and an operation terminal 1b under the control of the control unit 11.
1e, the printers 2a and 2b, the router 3 or the access points 4a and 4b wirelessly transmit and receive data.

The control unit 11 has a CPU (Central Process
ng Unit) and the like, and reads and executes various programs stored in the memory 16 to control various parts of the device of the operation terminal 1a to realize functions of various applications such as a word processor and a browser. Further, the control unit 11 reads and executes a position notification program group stored in the memory 16 in addition to functions of an application realized by a general personal computer such as a word processor and a browser, thereby executing the printers 2a and 2b. For example, a process for notifying the operator of the operation terminal 1a of the position of a terminal other than the operation terminal 1a is performed. The details of the process for notifying the operator of the position of another terminal will be described later.

The display unit 12 displays various information on the display screen of the operation terminal 1a based on the image data stored in the memory 16 under the control of the control unit 11. Operation unit 13
Detects an operator's operation input through an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse and notifies the control unit 11 of the operation.

Sound source section (position notifying means, sound emitting means) 14
Causes the built-in speaker of the operation terminal 1a to emit various sounds under the control of the control unit 11. The light emitting unit (position notifying means, light emitting means) 15 controls the operation terminal 1a under the control of the control unit 11.
LED (Light Emitting Diod)
e) Make the light emitting element emit light. Here, the sound source section 14 and the light emitting section 15 may or may not be provided in a conventional personal computer or PDA.
In the present embodiment, it is used to notify the position of the operation terminal 1a.

The memory (recording means) 16 includes a buffer memory for temporarily storing transmission / reception data and the like, a video memory for storing image data of a display image, and address data and O / O for all terminals accommodated in the wireless network system.
It includes a group of programs for realizing applications such as S (Operating Systems), a word processor, and a browser, and a hard disk drive (HDD) that stores a group of position notification programs for performing the above-described position notification.

FIG. 3 shows a printer (terminal device) 2.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer 2a. Here, the printer 2a will be described as a representative. In the printer 2a, the transmission / reception unit (transmission unit, reception unit) 20 includes, for example,
It is a wireless LAN card, and wirelessly transmits and receives data to and from the operation terminals 1a to 1e and the access points 4a and 4b under the control of the control unit 21. The control unit 21 controls the entire printer 2a.
2 performs a process of printing a corresponding image based on print data received from the outside under the control of the control unit 21.

Buzzer (position notifying means, sound emitting means) 23
Emits a buzzer sound under the control of the control unit 21. The light emitting unit (position notifying unit, light emitting unit) 24 causes a light emitting element such as an LED provided at a predetermined position of the printer 2a to emit light under the control of the control unit 21. In the present embodiment, the buzzer 23 and the light emitting unit 24 are used to notify the position of the printer 2a, but may be used for other purposes. In addition, the memory 25 mainly functions as a buffer memory for temporarily storing transmission / reception data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the router (terminal device) 3. As shown in FIG.
Are a control unit 30 for controlling the entire router 3 and a control unit 3
It has a connection processing unit 31 that performs data transfer processing such as routing for connecting LANs under control of 0, and a memory 32 that stores a routing table and the like.

The router 3 is connected to the printer 2 described above.
a, the operation terminals 1a to 1e and the access point 4 under the control of the control unit 30 such as a wireless LAN card.
a, a transmission / reception unit (transmission means, reception means) 33 for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data to and from the memory 4b (memory 3)
2), a buzzer (a position notifying unit, a sound emitting unit) 34 that emits a buzzer sound under the control of the control unit 30, and an LED or the like provided at a predetermined position under the control of the control unit 30. Light-emitting unit (position notifying means, light-emitting means) 3 for causing the light-emitting element to emit light 3
5 is provided. In the present embodiment, these buzzers 3
The light emitting unit 4 and the light emitting unit 35 are used to notify the position of the router 3, but may be used for other purposes.

(1.2) Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of the present invention will be described. Here, the operation of the operation terminal 1a and other terminals when the control unit 11 of the operation terminal 1a performs a process for position notification executed according to the above-described position notification program group will be mainly described. The operation of the operation terminal 1a is performed by the operation terminals 1b to 1e.
But the same is true.

In the processing for position notification performed by the control unit 11 of the operation terminal 1a, a job (print processing using the printers 2a and 2b, etc., and communication with the operation terminals 1b to 1e) specified by the operator of the operation terminal 1a is performed. Printer 2 connected (performed data transfer) for execution of data communication processing between the apparatuses and processing for connection to the Internet via the router 3)
a) to notify the operator of the positions of other terminals such as a, 2b and the router 3, and perform a job monitoring process for constantly monitoring whether or not a job is executed while the operation terminal 1a is operating after the power is turned on. ing. As for such a job monitoring process, a case where the operator of the operation terminal 1a performs a printing process, a data transmission process, and a connection process to the Internet from the operation terminal 1a to another terminal via a wireless network will be described as an example. Will be explained.

First, in the operation terminal 1a, the control unit 11
When detecting that the operator instructs the execution of the printing process via the operation unit 13, the corresponding print data includes a destination address (printer address), a transmission source address (address of the operation terminal 1 a), and the like. After the addition, transmission is performed by the transmission / reception unit 10. When the control unit 11 does not receive an acknowledgment (ACK (ACKnowledge)) from the printer at the transmission destination via the transmission / reception unit 10 for a predetermined period, the control unit 11 performs processing for retransmitting the print data and the like, When a confirmation response is received, the printing process is terminated. Here, it is assumed that the print data has been transmitted to the printer 2a. At this time, when detecting the execution of the printing process, the control unit 11 acquires the destination address (hereinafter, referred to as “destination address AD1”) and stores it in the address table TA allocated to a predetermined area of the memory 16. Has become.

Next, in the operation terminal 1a, the control unit 11
When detecting that the operator has issued a data transmission instruction to the operation terminal 1b via the operation unit 13, the corresponding data includes a destination address (address of the operation terminal 1b),
After adding the transmission source address and the like, the transmission / reception unit 10 causes the transmission. In this case as well, if the reception acknowledgment has not been received for a predetermined period, the process for retransmitting the data and the like is performed, and when the reception acknowledgment is received, the transmission process is terminated. When detecting the execution of the data transmission process, the control unit 11 acquires the destination address (hereinafter referred to as “destination address AD2”) and stores the previously stored destination address AD in the address table TA.
The number is stored after “1”.

Next, in the operation terminal 1a, the control unit 11
Detects that the operator instructs connection to the Internet via the operation unit 13 and adds a destination address (address of the router 3), a source address, and the like to data for connection to the Internet. Then, the data is transmitted by the transmission / reception unit 10 to connect to the Internet via the router 3. Also in this case, the control unit 11
Repeats the process of connecting to the router 3 until it receives the receipt acknowledgment, and upon detecting the execution of the process of connecting to the Internet, acquires the destination address (hereinafter referred to as “destination address AD3”) and retrieves the address table. The data is stored after the previously stored destination address AD2 of the TA.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 5, the contents of the address table TA indicate that the job monitoring process executed by the control unit 11 allows the job (printing process, data transmission process, Internet It is possible to acquire the address of another terminal (hereinafter, referred to as “connection terminal”) to which the operation terminal 1a is connected to execute the connection process. The program for performing the job monitoring process may be incorporated in the OS.

As described above, the control unit 11 always executes the job monitoring process and, when detecting that the operator gives an instruction to confirm the position of the connection terminal via the operation unit 13. Performs a position confirmation process for notifying the operator of the position of the connection terminal. In the location confirmation process,
First, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 12 to display a position confirmation image 40 as illustrated in FIG. As shown in the figure, after the power of the operation terminal 1a is turned on, the position confirmation image 40 contains the operation terminal 1a in order to execute a job in accordance with the instruction of the operator.
"Confirm" button B1 for instructing the location confirmation of all connected terminals, and terminal selection image G1 and terminal selection image G1 for selecting a connection terminal whose connection confirmation is desired among the connected terminals. A "confirmation" button B2 for instructing the position confirmation of the connected terminal, a "close" button B3 for instructing non-display of the position confirmation image 40, a pointer P, and the like are displayed. Here, the terminal name displayed in the terminal selection image G1 is obtained by extracting the terminal name in the wireless network system stored in the memory 16 based on the address stored in the access table TA.

The control unit 11 also controls the position confirmation image 4
While moving the position of the pointer P displayed in 0 according to the operation of the mouse or the like input through the operation unit 13, when a predetermined operation (mouse click operation or the like) by the operator is detected through the operation unit 13, Based on the position of the pointer P, it is possible to detect the operation of the operator such as whether the "confirmation" button B1 or the like is operated. Below, position confirmation image 4
The operation when the "confirm" button B1 and the "confirm" button B2 in 0 are operated will be described.

When detecting the operation of the “confirm” button B 1, the control section 11
, All the connection terminals connected to the operation terminal 1a are specified, and the transmitting / receiving unit 10 transmits a position confirmation request to all the specified connection terminals. More specifically, the control unit 11 sets all the addresses stored in the access table TA as destination addresses in a predetermined order, so that the transmission / reception unit 10 causes the printer 2a and the operation terminal 1 to operate.
b. Send a position confirmation request to the router 3. The transmission order may be either the descending order or the ascending order of the job order, and may be selectable by the operator.

The printer 2a, which has received the position confirmation request transmitted from the terminal device 1a, emits a predetermined buzzer sound by the buzzer 23 by the control unit 21 and emits a predetermined light emission process by the light emitting unit 24. (Flashing, etc.)
Is performed. The operation terminal 1b that has received the position confirmation request supplies the sound data stored in advance by the control unit 11 to the sound source unit 14 to emit a predetermined sound or melody, and emits a predetermined light emission by the light emitting unit 15. Processing is performed. Further, in the router 3 which has received the position confirmation request, the control unit 30 causes the buzzer 34 to emit a predetermined buzzer sound and causes the light emitting unit 35 to perform a predetermined light emission process (flashing or the like). I have.

As described above, in the operation terminal 1a, when the operation of the "confirmation" button B1 is detected by the control unit 11, a position confirmation request is immediately transmitted to all the connection terminals, and these connection terminals are transmitted. To perform a sound emission operation and a light emission operation. As a result, the operator of the operation terminal 1a can be promptly notified of the position of each connection terminal by sound or light. When transmitting a location confirmation request to a plurality of connection terminals, the control unit 11
By transmitting a position confirmation request to these terminals in a short time, the sound emitting operation and the light emitting operation may be performed almost simultaneously, and by transmitting the position confirmation request at an interval, the sound emitting operation is sequentially performed to each terminal. And a light emitting operation may be performed.

On the other hand, the control unit 11 operates the "confirm" button B2
When the operation is detected, the transmitting / receiving unit 10 transmits a position confirmation request to the terminal selected in the terminal selection image G1 with reference to the access table TA of the memory 16. That is, the operation terminal 1a transmits the position confirmation request only to the connection terminal whose operator wants to confirm the position among all the connection terminals, and the sound emitting operation described above is performed only for the connection terminal whose operator wants to confirm the position. A light emitting operation can be performed. The number of terminals that can be selected in the terminal selection image G1 is 1
The number of terminals is not limited to one, and a plurality of terminals may be selected.

As described above, each of the operation terminals 1a to 1e
By transmitting a position confirmation request to all terminals connected to execute a job according to an instruction of the operator or to a terminal selected by the operator among these terminals, a sound emitting operation and a light emitting operation are performed to these terminals. Can be performed, and the operator of each of the operation terminals 1a to 1e can be notified of the position of each terminal by sound or light. Therefore, for example, even when there are a plurality of printers, the operator can easily know the position of the printer that has performed printing.

By the way, even if the position confirmation request is transmitted, sound emission or light emission may not be performed depending on the terminal of the transmission destination. That is, in the connection destination terminal of the transmission destination, the power is turned off or the like, so that the connection terminal is set to offline, the communication channel allocated to the connection terminal is in use, or communication becomes impossible for some reason. For this reason, if the operator of each of the terminal operations 1a to 1e operates the "confirm" button B1 or B2 and does not have any action (sound emission or light emission) for a while, the terminal having no action is used. It is possible to quickly know that it is impossible. Thus, if the above-described position confirmation processing is performed before printing or before connection to the Internet, it is possible to confirm in advance whether a printer, a router, or the like can be connected.

(2) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented in various modes. For example,
The following modifications are possible. (2.1) In the above embodiment, when the operation terminals 1a to 1e transmit the position confirmation request, the terminals (1a to 1e, 2a, 2b, 3) that have received the position confirmation request emit a predetermined buzzer sound. The case where an action such as sound or melody sound emission or a predetermined light emitting operation is performed has been described. When a position confirmation request is transmitted, a drive for driving a sound emitting unit (a sound source unit or a buzzer) or a light emitting unit is performed. The data may be transmitted, and the terminal that has received the position confirmation request and the driving data may drive the sound emitting unit or the light emitting unit based on the driving data received, thereby making the action different. Specifically, the following method may be applied.

As shown in FIG. 7, each of the operation terminals 1 a to 1 a
In the memory (recording means) 16 of 1e, addresses (AD1, AD2, etc.) of each terminal in the network, buzzer control data (B1, B2, etc.), audio data (A1, A2, etc.),
A driving data table TA2 associated with driving data such as light emission control data (L1, L2, etc.) is stored in advance. Then, each of the operation terminals 1a to 1e selects the driving data corresponding to the address of the terminal to which the position confirmation request is transmitted based on the driving data table TA2, and transmits the selected driving data together with the position confirmation request. . The terminal that has received the position confirmation request and the driving data drives the sound emitting unit and the light emitting unit based on the driving data.

As shown in FIG. 8, each of the operation terminals 1 a to 1 a
A code table TA3 in which addresses (AD1, AD2, etc.) of respective terminals in the network are associated with codes (C1, C2, etc.) for specifying driving data is stored in the memory (recording means) 16 of 1e. For example, a code table TA4 in which each code is associated with driving data is stored in the memory 25 of the printer 2a (address AD1). Then, each of the operation terminals 1a to 1e selects a code (C1 in FIG. 8) corresponding to the address (AD1 in FIG. 8) of the terminal of the transmission destination of the position confirmation request based on the code table TA3, and together with the position confirmation request. The code (C1 in FIG. 8) is transmitted. The printer 2a that has received the position confirmation request and the code (C1 in FIG. 8)
Refers to the code table TA4, and receives the received code C
The buzzer 23 and the light emitting unit 24 are driven by the driving data (B1, L1) corresponding to 1.

A plurality of types of drive data are stored in the memory 16 of each of the operation terminals 1 a to 1 e, and selection of which drive data to transmit before transmitting the position confirmation request to the operator is made. Prompt. For example, when the control unit 11 performs “confirmation”
When the operation of the button B1 or B2 is detected, a selection screen for selecting driving data is displayed, and the driving data selected by the operator is transmitted together with the position confirmation request.

In this way, different sounds or melodies can be emitted or different light emitting operations can be performed according to the terminal that has received the position confirmation request, and the operation terminal 1a that has transmitted the position confirmation request can be emitted. 1e, the sound emitting operation and the light emitting operation performed by the terminal which has received the position confirmation request can be made different. Thus, the operator of each of the operation terminals 1a to 1e can more reliably know the position of the terminal that he or she wants to know. Further, the driving data or code assigned to the address of each terminal may be arbitrarily set by the operator, or the driving data itself may be created by the operator. The driving data includes M
Various data such as IDI (Musical Instruments Digital Interface) data can be widely applied.

(2.2) In the above embodiment, the case where each of the operation terminals 1a to 1e transmits a position confirmation request to a terminal connected to execute a job has been described. 1a to 1e may search for a terminal capable of executing the job specified by the operator, and transmit a position confirmation request to the searched terminal. In this way, the operator can confirm the position of the terminal that can execute the job before executing the job. Specifically, for example, when the operator of the operation terminal 1a instructs the notification of the position of the printer, the operation terminal 1a sequentially inquires all the terminals accommodated in this network and returns a response. What is necessary is just to send a position confirmation request by specifying a printer from among the terminals.

As another specific example, data (hereinafter, referred to as “connection state data”) indicating whether all the terminals in the network are connectable or not are referred to as operation terminals 1 a to 1.
e to hold or manage, for example,
When the operator of the operation terminal 1a instructs the printer position notification, the operation terminal 1a downloads connection state data from a predetermined operation terminal, specifies a connectable printer based on the connection state data, and specifies the position. What is necessary is just to transmit a confirmation request. Further, a network server for holding or managing the connection state data may be separately provided. In this case, the driving data may be transmitted at the same time as transmitting the position confirmation request as described in (2.1).

(2.3) In the above embodiment, all the terminals (1a to 1e, 2a,
2b and 3) have a sound emitting unit (sound source unit or buzzer) and a light emitting unit, and perform a sound emitting and light emitting action when a position confirmation request is received. Any one of a sound emitting unit and a light emitting unit may be provided to perform sound emission or light emission. Further, when a terminal having a display device such as a liquid crystal display or a cathode ray tube receives the position confirmation request, that effect or a predetermined image may be displayed on the liquid crystal display or the cathode ray tube.

Further, instead of (or in addition to) the position notification using sound or light, the positions of the terminals connected to the operation terminals may be displayed on the display screens of the operation terminals 1a to 1e. In this case, for example, in the operation terminals 1a to 1e, as shown in FIG. 9, the position information of the terminal accommodated in the network is acquired in advance or periodically in association with the address and stored in the memory 16, Image data such as a plan view of an office where a network is constructed is stored in the memory 16. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 10, when an image of the office is displayed on the screens of the operation terminals 1a to 1e, the operation is displayed in the displayed image based on the position information corresponding to the address stored in the address table TA. The position of the terminal connected to the terminal or the position of the terminal capable of executing the job specified by the operator searched by the method described in (2.2) may be displayed.

(2.4) In the above embodiment, the case where only addresses are stored in the address table TA has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 11, job contents and execution date and time may be stored together. . Then, in addition to the terminal name, the content of the job and the execution date and time may be displayed on the terminal selection image G1 in the position confirmation image 40. In this case, FIG.
, A position confirmation image 40A having a job selection image G2 for selecting an executed job is displayed, and "Confirmation" is displayed.
When the button B4 is operated, a position confirmation request may be transmitted to a terminal connected to execute the job selected in the job selection image G2.

(2.5) In the above embodiment, when the operation terminals 1a to 1e also receive a position confirmation request from another terminal, the operator of the other terminal is notified of the position by sound or light. However, the operation terminals 1a to 1e may transmit only the position confirmation request and do not perform the notification of the position.

(2.6) In the above embodiment, the case where the position confirmation request is transmitted only when the operator performs a predetermined operation (operation of the “confirmation” button B1 or B2) has been described. The position confirmation request may be automatically transmitted by using the job as a trigger based on, for example, the advance setting. In this case, the terminal connected at the time of job execution can be notified of the position together with the execution of the process corresponding to the job.

(2.7) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the position confirmation operation is performed using the software button or the like has been described. A confirmation operation may be performed.

(2.8) In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the wireless network system has been described. However, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) of the next generation short-range communication system is used.
The present invention may be applied to a wired network system.

(2.9) In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a position notification program is recorded in advance on the operation terminals 1a to 1e in order to notify the position of another terminal device. As described above, the position notification program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, or a semiconductor storage medium, and the computer may read and execute the position notification program. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the location notification program may be stored in a server, and the server may transmit the location notification program to a terminal device such as a personal computer that has requested transmission via a network. .

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, a position confirmation request is transmitted to a terminal device (connected terminal) connected to the terminal device in order to execute a job according to an instruction of the operator of the terminal device. Since the terminal device that has received the position confirmation request notifies the position using sound, light, or the like, the operator of a certain terminal device can be notified of the position of the connection terminal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a wireless network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an operation terminal.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a router.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the contents of an access table.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a position confirmation image displayed on the operation terminal.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of a driving data table provided for describing a modified embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of a code table for explaining a modified embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents of a memory for explaining a modified embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for explaining a modified embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing contents of an address table used for describing a modified embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for explaining a modified embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram provided for description of a modified example.

FIG. 14 is a diagram provided for description of a modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a to 1e: Operation terminal, 2a, 2b: Printer, 3
…… Router, 4a, 4b …… Access point, 10,
20, 33 ... transmitting / receiving unit, 11, 21, 30 ... control unit, 12 ... display unit, 14 ... sound source unit, 15, 24, 3
5 ... Light-emitting part, 16, 25, 32 ... Memory, 22 ...
Print processing unit 31, Connection processing unit 23, 34 Buzzer 40, 40A Position confirmation image G1 Terminal selection image G2 Job selection image B1, B2, B4
"Confirm" button, B3 ... "Close" button, SA1,
SA2 ... Service area.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hitoshi Yamamon 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Inside Seiko Epson Corporation (72) Inventor Daisuke Miyakoshi 3-3-5 Yamato Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Seiko Epson F term in the company (reference) 5B021 BB01 EE02 PP04 5K033 CB01 DA19 DB18 5K067 AA34 BB21 DD11 DD51 EE02 FF02 FF07 FF24 FF27 FF31 HH23 KK15

Claims (30)

[Claims] A first terminal device accommodated in one or more networks to which the terminal device is connected in order to execute a process designated by an operator of the terminal device; 2 terminal device, and transmits a position confirmation signal to the second terminal device. In the second terminal device, upon receiving the position confirmation signal, the position of the second terminal device is determined. A position notification means for notifying the operator of the position of the terminal device. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal device transmits the position confirmation signal to a terminal device selected according to an instruction from the operator, among the one or more second terminal devices. The method for notifying a position of a terminal device according to claim 1. 3. A first terminal device accommodated in a network, wherein at least one second terminal device capable of executing a process designated by an operator of the terminal device is connected to all terminals accommodated in the network. A position search signal is transmitted to the second terminal device searched from among the devices, and the second terminal device receives the position check signal when the second terminal device receives the position check signal. A position notification method for a terminal device, comprising: driving a position notification means for notifying the operator of a position. 4. A first terminal device accommodated in one or more networks to which the terminal device is connected in order to execute a process designated by an operator of the terminal device, the first terminal device being accommodated in a network. 2 terminal device, and transmits a position confirmation signal and driving data to the second terminal device. The second terminal device receives the position confirmation signal and the driving data. Then, the position notifying means for notifying the position of the second terminal device to the operator is driven based on the driving data, and the driving data controls the driving content of the position notifying means. A method of notifying a position of a terminal device, characterized in that the data is data of the terminal device. 5. The first terminal device transmits the position confirmation signal and the driving data to a terminal device selected according to an instruction of the operator among the one or more second terminal devices. The method for notifying a position of a terminal device according to claim 4, wherein 6. A first terminal device accommodated in a network, wherein at least one second terminal device capable of executing a process designated by an operator of the terminal device is connected to all terminals accommodated in the network. A position confirmation signal and driving data are transmitted to the second terminal device searched from among the devices, and the second terminal device transmits the position confirmation signal and the driving data to the second terminal device. When receiving, the position notifying means for notifying the position of the second terminal device to the operator is driven based on the driving data, and the driving data controls the driving content of the position notifying means. A terminal device location notification method, characterized in that the location information is data for the terminal device. 7. The first terminal device, wherein one or more of the driving data among a plurality of types of driving data recorded in advance are selectively transmitted to the second terminal device. The position notification method for a terminal device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: 8. The second terminal device according to claim 1, wherein when the position notifying unit is driven, at least one of sound emission and light emission is performed.
8. The terminal device position notification method according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. A first terminal device accommodated in one or more networks to which the terminal device is connected in order to execute a process designated by an operator of the terminal device, the first terminal device being accommodated in a network. A second terminal device, the position information of the second terminal device being obtained, and the position information of the second terminal device being displayed by a predetermined display means based on the position information. Device location notification method. 10. A first terminal device accommodated in a network, wherein at least one second terminal device capable of executing a process designated by an operator of the terminal device is connected to all terminals accommodated in the network. A search is performed from among the devices, the position information of the searched second terminal device is obtained, and the position of the second terminal device is displayed by predetermined display means based on the position information. A method for notifying a position of a terminal device. 11. A terminal device accommodated in a network, wherein at least one other terminal device accommodated in the network to which the terminal device is connected is connected in order to execute a process designated by an operator of the terminal device. A terminal device, comprising: a transmission unit that specifies and transmits a position confirmation signal to the another terminal device. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the position confirmation signal to a terminal device selected from one or more other terminal devices in accordance with an instruction of the operator. Terminal device. 13. A terminal device accommodated in a network, wherein one or more other terminal devices capable of executing a process designated by an operator of the terminal device are searched from all terminal devices accommodated in the network. A terminal device for transmitting a position confirmation signal to the another terminal device searched. 14. A terminal device accommodated in a network, comprising: recording means for recording driving data; and at least one of the terminal devices connected to the terminal device for executing a process designated by an operator of the terminal device. A terminal device, comprising: transmitting means for specifying another terminal device accommodated in a network and transmitting a position confirmation signal and the driving data to the other terminal device. 15. The transmitting means transmits the position confirmation signal and the driving data to a terminal device selected according to an instruction of the operator among one or more of the other terminal devices. The terminal device according to claim 14, wherein: 16. A terminal device accommodated in a network, wherein recording means for recording driving data and one or more other terminal devices capable of executing a process designated by an operator of the terminal device are accommodated in the network. And transmitting means for transmitting a position confirmation signal to the other terminal devices searched from all the terminal devices to be searched. 17. The recording unit records a plurality of types of the driving data, and the transmitting unit selectively selects one or more of the driving data among the plurality of driving data. 17. The terminal device according to claim 14, wherein the transmission is performed to the terminal device. 18. A terminal device accommodated in a network, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving a position confirmation signal transmitted from another terminal device accommodated in the network; Position notification means for notifying an operator, when the position confirmation signal is received by the receiving means,
Control means for driving the position notification means. 19. A terminal device accommodated in a network, receiving means for receiving a position confirmation signal and driving data transmitted from another terminal device accommodated in the network, and A position notifying unit for notifying an operator of the terminal device of the above, and a control for driving the position notifying unit based on the driving data when the position confirmation signal and the driving data are received by the receiving unit. Terminal means, wherein the driving data is data for controlling the driving content of the position notifying means. 20. The terminal device according to claim 18, wherein the position notifying unit is at least one of a sound emitting unit that emits sound and a light emitting unit that emits light. 21. A terminal device accommodated in a network, wherein at least one other terminal device accommodated in the network connected to the terminal device is connected to the terminal device to execute a process designated by an operator of the terminal device. An acquisition unit that specifies and acquires the position information of the other terminal device; and a display unit that displays the position of the other terminal device based on the position information acquired by the acquisition device. Terminal device. 22. In a terminal device accommodated in a network, one or more other terminal devices capable of executing a process designated by an operator of the terminal device are searched from all terminal devices accommodated in the network. And acquiring means for acquiring the searched position information of the other terminal device, and display means for displaying the position of the other terminal device based on the position information acquired by the acquiring device. Terminal device. 23. A computer having transmission means and having another computer accommodated in one or more of said networks connected to said computer connected to said computer in order to execute a process designated by an operator of said computer. A position notifying program for specifying a terminal device and causing the other terminal device to execute a procedure for transmitting a position confirmation signal by the transmitting unit. 24. A computer having transmission means and having one or more other terminal devices capable of executing a process designated by an operator of the computer accommodated in the network all terminal devices accommodated in the network A location notification program for executing a procedure for transmitting a location confirmation signal by the transmission means to the other terminal device searched from among the terminal devices. 25. A computer having a transmitting unit and a recording unit, which is accommodated in one or more of the networks connected to a computer accommodated in the network in order to execute a process designated by an operator of the computer. Position notification for specifying another terminal device to be executed, and causing the other terminal device to execute a procedure of transmitting the driving data recorded in the recording device and a position confirmation signal by the transmission device. Program. 26. A computer having a transmitting means and a recording means, wherein one or more other terminal devices capable of executing a process designated by an operator of the computer are accommodated in the network. Searching from among all the terminal devices, and causing the searched other terminal device to execute a procedure of transmitting the driving data and the position confirmation signal recorded in the recording device by the transmitting device. Location notification program. 27. A computer having transmission means and having one or more other computers accommodated in one or more of said networks connected to said computer connected to said computer to execute a process designated by an operator of said computer. A computer-readable recording medium recording a position notification program for specifying a terminal device and causing the other terminal device to execute a procedure for transmitting a position confirmation signal by the transmission unit. 28. A computer having transmission means and having one or more other terminal devices capable of executing a process designated by an operator of the computer accommodated in the network all terminal devices accommodated in the network A computer-readable recording medium that records a position notification program for causing the transmitting means to transmit a position confirmation signal to the other terminal device searched from among the terminals. 29. A computer having a transmitting unit and a recording unit, which is accommodated in one or more of the networks connected to a computer accommodated in the network in order to execute a process designated by an operator of the computer. Position notification for specifying another terminal device to be executed, and causing the other terminal device to execute a procedure of transmitting the driving data recorded in the recording device and a position confirmation signal by the transmission device. Computer-readable recording medium on which an application program is recorded. 30. A computer having a transmitting means and a recording means, wherein one or more other terminal devices capable of executing a process designated by an operator of the computer are accommodated in the network. Searching from among all the terminal devices, and causing the searched other terminal device to execute a procedure of transmitting the driving data recorded in the recording device and the position confirmation signal by the transmission device. A computer-readable recording medium recording a position notification program.