JP2014092903A - Communication terminal device, communication network system, communication method and communication program - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal device that can intuitively specify a device to be linked and establish a connection between linked devices without going through a complicated communication establishment procedure.
A communication terminal device 10 to which the present invention is applied includes a light emitting unit 1 that transmits laser light including its own identification signal, a drive unit 2 that drives the laser light of the light emitting unit 1 under a predetermined condition, The control unit 3 that controls other blocks, the IP address 11 as its own identification information are stored, the memory unit 4 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus in cooperation with the control unit 3, and the communication network 100 A communication unit 5 and a display unit 6 are provided.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication terminal apparatus and a communication network system that communicates with the communication terminal apparatus and another communication apparatus, and relates to a communication terminal apparatus that establishes communication by identifying another communication apparatus using laser light transmitted by the communication terminal apparatus, and communication The present invention relates to a network system, a communication method, and a communication program.

  In recent years, various devices can be connected to a communication network such as the Internet to exchange information, enabling not only data sharing among these devices but also sharing of functions, and cooperation between devices. Is becoming possible. As described above, in performing cooperation between devices, a technique for easily and accurately designating a target device has become important for facilitating communication.

  As a technology for connecting and coordinating a plurality of devices, there are PAN (Personal Area Network) and PN (Personal Networks) which is an extension of this, and specifically, for example, wireless using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or IrDA. There is communication technology. When a plurality of devices are connected using PAN, PN, or the like and operated in cooperation with each other, an address or ID-based pairing operation for each device is required. In addition, in order to specify each device, the user needs to specify the network address instead of the physical location of the device, and therefore needs to know the network address in advance. For this reason, it is difficult to intuitively specify a device that the user wants to specify, which hinders the operation of a quick and flexible communication network.

  For example, when a plurality of devices are connected using Bluetooth, the following procedure is required to communicate with the target device.

(1) Set the connected device to pairing mode.
(2) A pairing operation is performed on the connected device to search for a connected device.
(3) On the connected device, specify the device to be connected.
(4) Enter the passcode on the connected device and check the connection.

  As described above, in the case of Bluetooth, many procedures are required to connect devices, and in an open network environment such as an urban area where a large number of devices are connected to a communication network, the devices to be connected are not connected. Just looking for and selecting will require a lot of effort.

  In communication using IrDA, devices can communicate directly with each other because of infrared communication. However, while Bluetooth can realize a communication distance in the range of several meters to several tens of meters, it is extremely close to about 1 meter. Only distance can be realized.

JP 2008-181319 A

  Bluetooth uses a 2.4 GHz band radio wave, has low directivity in reaching communication, and therefore requires a complicated connection procedure including the above-described search procedure.

  In addition, IrDA is infrared communication, so it can be said that directivity is high in the arrival of communication. In communication between devices, one device can directly specify the other device, but the communication reach is too long. There is also a problem that it is short.

  In recent years, devices that can be connected to a communication network including home appliances are increasing, and a technology has been developed that can easily connect and link devices in a home communication network, that is, a home network. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151561 describes a technology that can easily realize a cooperative operation between a plurality of devices in a home network. Patent Document 1 describes that a pointing device such as a remote controller is used to designate a device that performs a cooperative operation, and the functions and operations of those devices are specified. Since it is necessary to register the device in advance, the complexity of the registration procedure cannot be denied. In addition, in an open scene such as an urban area, pre-registration of devices is very difficult. If pre-registration is not performed, a communicable search operation such as Bluetooth is required, which makes the connection procedure complicated and intuitive. There is a problem that a specific connection cannot be specified. Also, in a home network, if a user and a device that can be operated by the user are specified, a security problem cannot occur. However, when connecting to an open communication network such as the Internet, the device is connected to the device. The safety of the connection must be guaranteed. In the technique described in the cited document 1, it is necessary to register the user's personal information in advance in each of the linked devices including the pointing device in order to ensure the security connection, and the complexity and open environment of the user There is also a problem of dealing with.

  Therefore, a communication terminal device, a communication network system, a communication method, and a communication program that can intuitively specify a device to be linked and establish a connection between the linked devices without going through complicated communication establishment procedures are provided. For the purpose.

  The communication terminal device according to the present invention is a communication terminal device that communicates with other terminal devices by connecting to a communication network. The communication terminal device includes a light emitting unit that transmits laser light toward another terminal device having a light receiving unit for receiving laser light, and a callback from the other terminal device that has received the transmitted laser light. And a communication unit that communicates with other terminal devices. The laser beam includes an identification signal generated based on its own identification information, and the communication unit receives the callback from another terminal device via the communication network, thereby obtaining the identification information. The other terminal device is identified, and communication with the other terminal device via the communication network is established.

  The laser receiving communication terminal device according to the present invention is a communication terminal device that communicates with other communication terminal devices by connecting to a communication network. The laser receiving communication terminal device is configured to receive a callback to the communication terminal device based on the light receiving unit that receives the laser light transmitted from the communication terminal device and the identification signal of the communication terminal device included in the received laser light. And a communication unit that communicates with the communication terminal device. The callback includes its own identification information and its function information.

  A communication network system according to the present invention includes a first communication terminal device having a light emitting unit that transmits laser light, a communication unit that is connected to the communication network and performs network communication, and receives the transmitted laser light. A second communication terminal device including a light receiving unit and a communication unit connected to a communication network and performing network communication; The laser light includes an identification signal generated based on the identification information of the first communication terminal device, and the first communication terminal device transmits a callback from the second communication terminal device to the communication network. The second communication terminal device recognizes that the second communication terminal device has received the identification information, identifies the second communication terminal device, and establishes communication with the second communication terminal device via the communication network. To do.

  A communication method according to the present invention includes a step of transmitting a laser beam including an identification signal generated based on identification information of a first communication terminal device by a first communication terminal device, and a second communication terminal device. Receiving the transmitted laser beam, recognizing the first communication terminal device by the identification signal, and transmitting a callback to the first communication terminal device via the communication network; and by the first communication terminal device Receiving the callback via the communication network to identify the second communication terminal device and establishing communication with the second communication terminal device via the communication network.

  The communication program which concerns on this invention is a communication program which operate | moves in the communication terminal device which communicates with another terminal device by connecting to a communication network. The communication program includes a step of transmitting a laser beam including an identification signal generated based on the identification information of the communication terminal device, receiving the transmitted laser beam, recognizing the communication terminal device by the identification signal, and a communication terminal A step of identifying another terminal device by establishing a communication with the other terminal device via the communication network by receiving the callback from the other terminal device that transmits the callback to the device via the communication network. And have.

  The communication program which concerns on this invention is a communication program which operate | moves in the communication terminal device which communicates with another terminal device by connecting to a communication network. The communication program includes a step of receiving laser light including identification information of another communication terminal device, a step of recognizing the other terminal device by an identification signal, and transmitting a callback to the communication terminal device via a communication network. Have The callback includes its own identification information and its function information.

  According to the communication terminal device, the communication network system, the communication method, and the communication program of the present invention, it is possible to establish communication in the communication network simply by instructing the reception target terminal using laser light having high directivity. Communication can be established quickly and easily.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the communication network system which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the communication terminal device which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the display which is one of the terminal devices which concern on this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a printer that is one of terminal apparatuses according to the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the computer which is one of the terminal devices which concern on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the self identification signal transmitted, ie, the IP address data, transmitted / received using a laser beam by the communication terminal device of this invention, and a terminal device. (A) is the entire configuration of the IP address data, (B) is the configuration of the header, and (C) is the configuration of data of one section of the IP address. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication method of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the modification of the communication terminal device which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the computer which is one of the modifications of the terminal device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the self identification signal transmitted, ie, IP address data, transmitted / received using a laser beam by the communication terminal device of this invention, and the modification of a terminal device. (A) is the entire configuration of the IP address data, (B) is the configuration of the header, and (C) is the configuration of data of one section of the IP address. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication method in the case of the modification of a communication terminal device and a terminal device. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the modification of the communication network system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication method in the case of the modification of a communication network system.

  Hereinafter, a communication terminal device, a communication network system, and a communication method to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Communication network system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication network to which the present invention is applied. The communication network includes a light emitting unit 1 that transmits laser light, a communication terminal device 10 that is connected to the communication network 100 and has a communication unit 5 that performs network communication, and various devices that are connected to the communication network. The communication unit 5 of the communication terminal device 10 has a wireless communication unit 5a for connecting to a communication network.

  Various devices that communicate with the communication terminal device 10 are not limited to the following, but include a display 20 that displays an image, a printer 30 that prints information data on a medium such as paper, and a communication terminal that includes other computers. And a computer 40 for communicating with the apparatus, processing data, exchanging data and the like.

  The display 20 includes a light receiving unit 21 that receives laser light transmitted from the communication terminal device 10 and a communication unit 25 that connects to the communication network 100 and performs network communication. The printer 30 includes a light receiving unit 31 that receives a laser beam transmitted from the communication terminal device 10 and a communication unit 35 that is connected to the communication network 100 and performs network communication. The computer 40 includes a light receiving unit 41 that receives a laser beam transmitted from the communication terminal device 10 and a communication unit 45 that is connected to the communication network 100 and performs network communication.

  The type of the communication network 100 is a network suitable for communication by connecting a computer, for example, a line connection network or a packet communication network. The communication network 100 may include a number of different networks, including, for example, a local area network, a wide area network such as the Internet, a telephone line network including a dedicated telephone line, a connectionless communication network, and a wireless network. Also good. The communication network 100 shown in FIG. 1 is the Internet, and the communication terminal device 10, the display 20, the printer 30, and the computer 40 are connected to the Internet via a wired network or a wireless network.

  As will be described in detail later, the communication terminal device 10 transmits an identification signal generated based on its own IP address to the light receiving unit 21 of the display 20 by the laser light from the light emitting unit 1. The display 20 receives the transmitted laser light by the light receiving unit 21, recognizes the communication terminal device 10 that has transmitted the laser light including the identification signal, and directs the communication terminal device 10 to the recognized communication terminal device 10 via the communication network 100. Send a callback. The communication terminal device 10 that has received the callback identifies the display 20 and establishes communication with the display 20.

[Communication terminal device that starts communication by transmitting laser light]
As shown in FIG. 2, a communication terminal device 10 to which the present invention is applied includes a light emitting unit 1 that transmits laser light including its own identification signal, and a drive unit that drives the laser light of the light emitting unit 1 under predetermined conditions. 2 is provided. The communication terminal device 10 also stores a control unit 3 that controls other blocks, a memory unit 4 that stores an IP address 11 as its identification information, and controls the operation of the entire device in cooperation with the control unit 3. The communication unit 5 that communicates with the communication network 100 and the display unit 6 are provided. Although not shown in the figure, the communication terminal device 10 further includes an input device including a keyboard and a touch panel interface, an audio output device, a general-purpose interface such as a USB, and the like in order to function as an information terminal.

  The light emitting unit 1 is configured by a laser element. It is preferable that the laser element used as the light emitting unit 1 emits visible light. By using such a visible light laser element, it is possible to transmit a highly directional transmission signal, and it is possible to specify an intuitive device by pointing to a connection target device. Based on a control signal from the control unit 3, the drive unit 2 applies a power source sufficient to drive the laser element of the light emitting unit 1, and performs switching driving of the laser element.

  The control unit 3 reads its own IP address 11 stored in the memory unit 4, generates an identification signal that is turned ON / OFF in a predetermined format to be described later, and controls the drive unit 2. The control unit 3 can be realized by a CPU or an application processor. The memory unit 4 may include one or both of a temporary storage such as a RAM and a nonvolatile storage such as a ROM and a flash memory. Furthermore, a secondary storage device such as a magnetic storage device or an optical storage device may be included. The IP address 11 may be stored in advance in the nonvolatile storage unit of the memory unit 4 as a fixed address, connected to the communication network 100, and connected to the dynamic IP at the time of connection using a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server or the like. The address may be acquired and stored in the temporary storage unit. Note that the control unit 3 and the memory unit 4 may operate as a part of the function of the CPU or application processor that controls various interfaces for the case where the communication terminal device 10 operates as an information terminal. is there. It can also be realized by a program that is developed on the memory unit 4 and operates under the control of the CPU or application processor.

  The communication unit 5 provides a communication interface for connecting directly or indirectly to the communication network 100. The communication unit 5 preferably includes a wireless communication unit 5a for wireless communication and a wired communication unit 5b for wired communication. However, the communication unit 5 may include either the wireless communication unit 5a or the wired communication unit 5b. Good.

  The display unit 6 provides a user interface between the communication terminal device 10 and a user using the communication terminal device 10. Under the control of the control unit 3, the communication status, for example, characters such as “laser transmitting” and “callback received” may be displayed. When operating as a PDA or the like, information such as image data and moving image information can be displayed, or a touch panel can be introduced via an input interface.

  The communication terminal device 10 obtains its own identification signal by the control unit 3 based on the IP address stored in advance or using a DHCP server or the like and stored in the memory unit 4. . The generated identification signal is expressed by an ON / OFF signal that causes the laser beam to blink by the control unit 3, and the driving unit 2 drives the laser element of the light emitting unit 1 to transmit the identification signal. The callback from the terminal device such as the display 20 that has received the laser light is received by the communication unit 5 via the communication network 100. Since the communication terminal device 10 can recognize the IP address of the counterpart device by the transmitted callback, communication with the counterpart device can be established through the communication network 100 by a predetermined procedure thereafter.

[Terminal device that establishes communication by receiving laser light]
The terminal device to be communicated includes a computer device and a computer peripheral device including a display, a printer, a portable terminal device, and the like, but also includes a server, an audio visual device such as a television that can be connected to a network, and the like. In the following, a display, a printer, and a computer will be described as typical terminal devices, but the items described above can be similarly applied to other terminal devices.

<Display>
As shown in FIG. 3, the display 20 includes a light receiving unit 21 that receives the laser light transmitted from the light emitting unit 1 of the communication terminal device 10, an amplification unit 22 that amplifies the received laser light signal and detects the signal. Is provided. The display 20 also analyzes the signal detected by the amplifying unit 22, detects the IP address of the communication terminal device 10, stores it in the memory unit 24, and displays a mode 27 representing its own function stored in the memory unit 24. And a control unit 23 that generates a callback signal to be transmitted from the communication unit 25 via the communication network 100. The display 20 includes a memory unit 24 that stores information on a mode 27 representing the function of the terminal device, a communication unit 25 that communicates via the communication network 100, and a display unit 26 that displays information. .

  The light receiving unit 21 is a photosensor such as a photodiode or a phototransistor that receives laser light and converts it into an electrical signal. The amplifying unit 22 is an amplifier that amplifies an electrical signal detected and photoelectrically converted by a photosensor to a predetermined amplitude. When the transmission distance of the laser beam is long or when the original signal is modulated, the detectable signal amplitude may be very small. Therefore, the signal amplitude can be increased by a differential amplifier or the like so as to realize a high S / N ratio. The signal is preferably detected after amplification. When communication is performed only at a short distance, an ON / OFF signal may be detected by a comparator.

  The control unit 23 temporarily stores in the memory unit 24 the identification signal data received by the light receiving unit 21 and the amplification unit 22 and detected by the laser light from the communication terminal device 10, and analyzes the identification signal data. . As a result of the analysis of the identification signal data, when the IP address of the communication terminal device 10 that has transmitted the identification signal is recognized, the control unit 23 calls back to the IP address of the communication terminal device 10 via the communication unit 25. Send a signal. When transmitting the callback, the data including the mode 27 data representing the function of the terminal device stored in advance in the memory unit 24 is transmitted to the communication terminal device. The control unit 23 can be realized by a CPU for controlling the display 20 as a display terminal. The memory unit 24 may include one or both of a temporary storage such as a RAM and a nonvolatile storage such as a ROM and a flash memory. Furthermore, a secondary storage device such as a magnetic storage device or an optical storage device may be included.

  The mode 27 is set in advance so that “image display” indicating the function of the display 20 is identified by a predetermined code. When the display 20 is a single-function terminal that only displays information data transmitted via the communication network 100, the “image display” code can be stored in the memory unit 24 as the mode 27 in advance. That's fine. In the case where the display 20 has a server function for transmitting information data it has, such as surrounding map information data, to other terminals for display, for example, “1. Image display”, “2. Like the “data delivery”, the plurality of modes 27 can be stored in the memory unit 24 so that they can be identified. It should be noted that the control unit 23 and the memory unit 24 may operate as a part of the function of the CPU that controls various interfaces in order for the display 20 to operate. In addition, when calling back to the communication terminal device 10 that has transmitted the laser beam, the IP address of the display 20 may be stored in advance as a fixed address in the memory unit 24 in order to include the IP address of the display 20. The communication network 100 may be connected, and a dynamic IP address may be acquired at the time of connection using a DHCP server or the like, and stored in the temporary storage unit.

  The communication unit 25 provides a communication interface for connecting directly or indirectly to the communication network 100. The communication unit 25 preferably includes a wireless communication unit 25a for wireless communication and a wired communication unit 25b for wired communication. However, the communication unit 25 may include either the wireless communication unit 25a or the wired communication unit 25b. Good.

  The display unit 26 displays the data uploaded from the communication terminal device 10 after establishing the connection with the communication terminal device 10. A user interface for users including the user of the communication terminal device 10 may be provided, or data held by the user may be displayed.

  The display 20 receives the laser beam transmitted from the communication terminal device 10 by the light receiving unit 21, converts the laser beam into an electrical signal, amplifies the laser beam to an appropriate amplitude by the amplifying unit 22, and the control unit 23 executes the laser beam. To recognize the IP address of the communication terminal device 10 included. The display 20 transmits the code of “image display”, which is the mode 27 of the display 20, together with its own IP address to the recognized IP address of the communication terminal device 10, that is, calls back. Since the communication terminal device 10 can recognize the IP address of the display 20 by the transmitted callback, communication is established via the communication network 100 by a predetermined procedure thereafter, and after the communication is established, The image data uploaded from the communication terminal device 10 is displayed on the display unit 26 via the communication unit 25 and the control unit 23. The above-described functions can also be realized by a program that is expanded on the memory unit 24 and operates under the control of the CPU or application processor.

<Printer>
As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 30 includes a light receiving unit 31 that receives the laser light transmitted from the light emitting unit 1 of the communication terminal device 10, and an amplification unit 32 that amplifies the received laser light signal and detects the signal. Is provided. The printer 30 also analyzes the signal detected by the amplifying unit 32, detects the IP address 11 of the communication terminal device 10, stores it in the memory unit 34, and represents a mode representing its own function stored in the memory unit 34. 37 includes a control unit 33 that reads 37 and generates a callback signal to be transmitted from the communication unit 35 via the communication network 100. The printer 30 includes a memory unit 34 that stores information on a mode 37 representing the function of the terminal device, a communication unit 35 that communicates via the communication network 100, and an output unit 36 that displays information.

  The light receiving unit 31 is a photosensor that receives laser light and converts it into an electrical signal. The amplifying unit 32 amplifies the signal detected by the photosensor to a predetermined amplitude. When the transmission distance of the laser beam is long or when the original signal is modulated, the detectable signal amplitude may be very small. Therefore, the signal amplitude can be increased by a differential amplifier or the like so as to realize a high S / N ratio. The signal is preferably detected after amplification. When communication is performed only at a short distance, the ON / OFF signal may be detected by a comparator.

  The control unit 33 temporarily stores the identification signal data of the laser beam received and detected by the light receiving unit 31 and the amplification unit 32 from the communication terminal device 10 in the memory unit 34, and analyzes the identification signal data. . As a result of the analysis of the identification signal data, the IP address of the communication terminal apparatus 10 that transmitted the identification signal is recognized, and the data of the mode 37 indicating the function of this terminal apparatus stored in advance in the memory unit 34 is used as the communication terminal apparatus 10. A callback is transmitted to the IP address of the user via the communication unit 35. The control unit 33 can be realized by a CPU for controlling the printer 30 as a print output device. The memory unit 34 may include one or both of temporary storage such as RAM and nonvolatile storage such as ROM and flash memory. Furthermore, a secondary storage device such as a magnetic storage device or an optical storage device may be included.

  In the mode 37, “print output” indicating the function of the printer 30 is identified by a predetermined code. If the printer 30 is a single-function terminal that only prints the information data transmitted via the communication network 100, the “print output” code can be stored in the memory unit 34 as the mode 37 in advance. That's fine. When the printer 30 has the information data that the printer 30 has, the mode 37 can be identified by a plurality of modes 37, such as “1. print output” and “2. data distribution”. It can be stored in the memory unit 34. It should be noted that the control unit 33 and the memory unit 34 may operate as a part of the function of the CPU that controls various interfaces in order for the printer 30 to operate. In order to include the IP address of the printer 30 when calling back to the communication terminal apparatus 10 that has transmitted the laser beam, the IP address of the printer 30 may be stored in advance in the memory unit 34 as a fixed address. Alternatively, a dynamic IP address may be acquired at the time of connection by connecting to the communication network 100 and using a DHCP server or the like, and stored in the temporary storage unit.

  The communication unit 35 provides a communication interface for connecting directly or indirectly to the communication network 100. The communication unit 35 preferably includes a wireless communication unit 35a for wireless communication and a wired communication unit 35b for wired communication. However, the communication unit 35 may include either the wireless communication unit 35a or the wired communication unit 35b. Good.

  The output unit 36 prints the data uploaded from the communication terminal device 10 after establishing the connection with the communication terminal device 10. A user interface for users including the user of the communication terminal device 10 may be provided, and data held by the user may be printed based on an instruction from the communication terminal device 10.

  The printer 30 receives the laser beam transmitted from the communication terminal device 10 by the light receiving unit 31, converts the received laser beam into an electric signal, amplifies the signal to an appropriate amplitude by the amplifying unit 32, It recognizes the IP address of the communication terminal device 10 included in the laser beam. The printer 30 transmits a “print output” code, which is the mode 37 of the printer 30, together with its own IP address to the recognized IP address of the communication terminal device 10, that is, calls back. Since the communication terminal device 10 can recognize the IP address of the printer 30 by the transmitted callback, the communication is established through the communication network 100 according to a predetermined procedure thereafter. The information data uploaded from the communication terminal device 10 is printed by the output unit 36 via the communication unit 35 and the control unit 33. The above-described functions may be realized by a program that is developed on the memory unit 34 and operates under the control of the CPU or application processor.

<Computer>
As shown in FIG. 5, the computer 40 includes a light receiving unit 41 that receives the laser light transmitted from the light emitting unit 1 of the communication terminal device 10, an amplification unit 42 that amplifies the received laser light signal and detects the signal. Is provided. The computer 40 analyzes the signal detected by the amplifying unit 42, detects the IP address of the communication terminal device 10, stores it in the memory unit 44, and reads the mode 47 representing its function stored in the memory unit 44. A control unit 43 that generates a callback signal to be transmitted from the communication unit 45 via the communication network 100 is provided. And the computer 40 is provided with the memory part 44 in which the information of the mode 47 showing the function of the terminal device is memorize | stored, the communication part 45 which communicates via the communication network 100, and the display part 46 which displays information. .

  The light receiving unit 41 is a photosensor that receives laser light and converts it into an electrical signal. The amplifying unit 42 amplifies the signal detected by the photosensor to a predetermined amplitude. When the transmission distance of the laser beam is long or when the original signal is modulated, the detectable signal amplitude may be very small. Therefore, the signal amplitude can be increased by a differential amplifier or the like so as to realize a high S / N ratio. The signal is preferably detected after amplification. When communication is performed only at a short distance, an ON / OFF signal may be detected by a comparator.

  The control unit 43 temporarily stores, in the memory unit 44, the data of the laser light signal received and detected by the light receiving unit 41 and the amplification unit 42, and analyzes the signal data. As a result of the analysis of the signal data, the IP address of the communication terminal device 10 that has transmitted the signal is recognized, and the mode 47 data indicating the function of this terminal device stored in advance in the memory unit 44 is used as the IP address of the communication terminal device 10. A callback is transmitted to the address via the communication unit 45. The control unit 43 can be realized by a CPU for controlling the computer 40. The memory unit 44 may include one or both of temporary storage such as RAM and nonvolatile storage such as ROM and flash memory. Furthermore, a secondary storage device such as a magnetic storage device or an optical storage device may be included.

  In the mode 47, “1. Image display”, “2. Data distribution”, “3. Encrypted communication”, and “4. Print” indicating functions of the computer 40 are identified by predetermined codes. Since the computer 40 has a plurality of functions as described above, it can be stored in the memory unit 24 so that a plurality of modes 47 can be identified. It should be noted that the control unit 43 and the memory unit 44 may operate as part of the function of the CPU that controls various interfaces in order for the computer 40 to operate. Further, when calling back to the communication terminal device 10 that has transmitted the laser beam, the IP address of the computer 40 may be stored in advance as a fixed address in the memory unit 44 in order to include the IP address of the computer 40. Alternatively, a dynamic IP address may be acquired at the time of connection by connecting to the communication network 100 and using a DHCP server or the like, and stored in the temporary storage unit.

  The communication unit 45 provides a communication interface for connecting directly or indirectly to the communication network 100. The communication unit 45 preferably includes a wireless communication unit 45a for wireless communication and a wired communication unit 45b for wired communication. However, the communication unit 45 may include either the wireless communication unit 45a or the wired communication unit 45b. Good.

  The display unit 46 may display data uploaded from the communication terminal device 10 after the connection with the communication terminal device 10 is established, or may display data held by itself. Further, for example, a printer may be separately designated by the communication terminal device 10 so that data held by the computer 40 can be printed by the printer.

  The computer 40 receives the laser light transmitted from the communication terminal device 10 by the light receiving unit 41, converts the received laser light into an electrical signal, amplifies the signal to an appropriate amplitude by the amplifying unit 42, and in the control unit 43, It recognizes the IP address of the communication terminal device 10 included in the laser beam. For the recognized IP address of the communication terminal device 10, the computer 40 is the mode 47 of the computer 40, which is “1. image display”, “2. data distribution”, “3. encrypted communication”, “4. printing”. ", Together with its own IP address, i.e. call back. Since the communication terminal device 10 can recognize the IP address of the computer 40 by the transmitted callback, the communication is established via the communication network 100 according to a predetermined procedure thereafter. The mode 47 is selected by the communication terminal device 10, and the computer 40 is operated according to the selected mode. As described above, in addition to the case where the user selects and sets a plurality of modes 47 after establishing communication, a default mode, for example, “2. Data communication” is set on the computer 40 side, and at the time of callback The mode “2. Data communication” may be transmitted. In this case, data communication with the computer 40 is started after the communication is established, but the mode can be changed by the user thereafter. Of course, the above-described functions can be realized by a program that is developed on the memory unit 44 and operates under the control of the CPU or the application processor.

[Configuration of identification signal]
FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a self-identification signal that the communication terminal device 10 to which the present invention is applied transmits from the light emitting unit 1 using laser light. FIG. 6A shows the configuration of the entire identification signal. The identification signal includes a header 61 and an IP address 62. Although not limited to the following, the configuration of the header 61 and the IP address 62 is a unit of a total of 10 bits as a result of adding the first 1 bit and the last 1 bit to binary data of 1 byte (8 bits). Is preferable.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the header 61 has a configuration in which data “1” continuous with “1111111111” continues for 10 bits.

  The IP address 62 provides location information of the communication terminal device 10. As the IP address, as shown in FIG. 6C, the data constituting the IP address division data 62a is 8 bits, "0" as the start bit at the beginning of the data, and "1" as the stop bit at the end of the data. "Is added as a unit, and it is set as one division data 62a. This makes it possible to clarify the division of one-segment data. For example, when 192.168.0.1 is used as the IP address and 255.255.255.0 is transmitted as the IP address as the entire subnet mask, it can be expressed as follows. That is, by adding “0” to the beginning of “1100000”, which is the binary display of “192”, and “1” at the end, “0110000001”, and similarly, the IP address data is “0101010001” ( 168), “0000000001” (0), “0000000011” (1), “0011111111” (255), “0011111111” (255), “0011111111” (255), “0000000001” (0) and the IP address are displayed. be able to.

  Using the header 61 and the IP address 62 as an identification signal of the communication terminal device 10, a signal expressed as serial data by ON / OFF of the laser beam is transmitted.

  Since the header 61 can clearly determine the start and end of the data of the IP address, the IP address data can be repeatedly transmitted as a laser beam a plurality of times or infinitely, and transmission and reception by the laser beam can be surely performed. It can be performed.

  As described above, since the identification signal used for transmission / reception by the laser beam is very short data having a length of about 10 bytes, there is almost no increase in the load required for data generation in the control unit, and in the case of matters in the program, The program size can be reduced. Further, since the identification signal is short, transmission / reception can be performed by simple serial communication without specially modulating the identification signal depending on the transmission / reception distance. Furthermore, even at a transmission speed of about 2400 bps, the time required for one communication is about 0.05 seconds, which can contribute to quick and easy communication establishment.

  Although the above description is for IPv4, the identification signal can be similarly configured for IPv6. In other words, IPv6 hexadecimal representation can be expressed in binary representation, and IP address data can be configured with 8 bits + start bits + stop bits as one piece of data.

[Communication method between communication terminal device and terminal device connected thereto]
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a connection procedure between the communication terminal device 10 and a terminal device such as the display 20 connected thereto. A description will be given below according to the flowchart. Here, it is assumed that the transmission side terminal in FIG. 7 is the communication terminal device 10 described above, and the reception side terminal is the display 20.

  In step S <b> 1, the communication terminal device 10 transmits its own IP address toward the display 20.

  In step S <b> 2, the standby display 20 receives the laser beam including the IP address transmitted from the communication terminal device 10, recognizes the IP address of the communication terminal device 10, and transmits its own IP address via the communication network 100. To the communication terminal device 10. At this time, the display 20 transmits a code of the mode “image display” which is its own terminal function together with its own IP address.

  In step S <b> 3, the communication terminal device 10 receives the IP address and mode of the display 20.

  In step S <b> 4, the communication terminal device 10 identifies the display 20 from the received data, and recognizes that an image can be displayed using the display 20.

  In step S <b> 5, the communication terminal device 10 transmits image data held by the communication terminal device 10 to the display 20 via the communication network 100.

  In step S6, the display 20 acquires the image data transmitted from the communication terminal apparatus 10, and in step S7, the image is displayed on the display unit through the processing process of the display 20.

  In this way, by transmitting the laser beam, the terminal device indicated by the communication terminal device 10 recognizes its own IP address, waits for a callback from the terminal device, and establishes communication by the communication network. Can do.

  Note that a program may be developed on the memory of each device, and the above-described steps may be executed by a CPU or an application processor.

[Modification of Communication Terminal Device Establishing Communication by Transmission / Reception of Laser Light]
Since the laser light used in the communication terminal device has high directivity, only the terminal device that has received this laser light can receive unique information such as the IP address of the communication terminal device of the transmission source included in the laser light. . Moreover, the terminal device designated by the communication terminal device can be visually observed by using visible light laser light. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from connecting to a terminal device that is not intended, and to ensure the safety of the communication path.

  Here, when there is a “malicious” connection request from a completely different terminal device or the like not designated by the communication terminal device, the communication terminal device It cannot be determined whether the connection request is malicious. Even in such a case, the safety of communication must be guaranteed. Therefore, a random seed is added to the IP address transmitted by the communication terminal device to generate an identification signal, and the terminal device that receives this signal encrypts it with a secret key and calls it back to ensure that the specified target Make the terminal device identifiable. As a result, the communication terminal device can avoid malicious connection requests.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the communication terminal device 10a to which the present invention is applied includes a light emitting unit 1 that transmits laser light including its own identification signal, and a drive unit 2 that drives the laser of the light emitting unit 1 under predetermined conditions. With. The communication terminal device 10a also stores a control unit 3 that controls other blocks, and an IP address 11 as its identification information, and a memory unit 4 that controls the overall operation of the device in cooperation with the control unit 3. With. And the communication terminal device 10a is provided with the communication part 5 which communicates with the communication network 100, and the display part 6, The random seed production | generation part 12 which produces | generates the random seed for producing | generating an identification signal using an own IP address. Is further provided. Here, the light emitting unit 1, the drive unit 2, the memory unit 4, the communication unit 5, and the display unit 6 are the same as the communication terminal device 10 described above, and will not be described again.

  The control unit 3 temporarily stores the random seed generated by the random seed generation unit 12 in the memory unit 4 and generates its own identification signal data together with the IP address stored in the memory unit 4. The generated identification signal is appropriately subjected to waveform processing by the driving unit 2 as in the case of the communication terminal device 10 described above, and drives the laser element of the light emitting unit 1.

  The random seed generation unit 12 may be realized as a functional block different from the control unit 3 as described above, or may be incorporated as a function of the control unit 3. In addition, without providing a functional block as the random seed generation unit 12, the random seed generation program may be stored in the memory unit 4 and called from the control unit 3 as necessary to execute the program. . The memory unit 4 has the same secret key 18 in order to decrypt the encrypted random seed included in the callback from the terminal device and identify the terminal device.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the computer 40 a includes a light receiving unit 41 that receives the laser light transmitted from the light emitting unit 1 of the communication terminal device 10 a, an amplification unit 42 that amplifies the received laser light signal and detects the signal. Is provided. The computer 40a also analyzes the signal detected by the amplifying unit 42, detects the IP address of the communication terminal device 10a, stores it in the memory unit 44, and displays a mode representing its own function stored in the memory unit 44. A control unit 43 that generates a callback signal that is read and transmitted from the communication unit 45 via the communication network 100 is provided. The computer 40a includes a memory unit 44 that stores mode information representing the function of the terminal device, a communication unit 45 that communicates via the communication network 100, and a display unit 46 that displays information. Here, the secret key 48 is stored in the memory unit 44. The secret key 48 is the same as the secret key 18 included in the communication terminal device 10a. The light receiving unit 41, the amplifying unit 42, the memory unit 44, the communication unit 45, and the display unit 46 are the same as those of the display 20 described above, and will not be described again.

  The laser beam identification signal transmitted from the communication terminal device 10a includes the IP address and random seed of the communication terminal device 10a. The computer 40a can identify the communication terminal device 10a by the IP address included in the identification signal. The computer 40a that has identified the communication terminal device 10a calls back to the communication terminal device 10a. Here, the received random seed is encrypted by the secret key 48 stored in the memory unit 24. The computer 40a calls back the encrypted random seed together with its own IP address and mode to the communication terminal device 10a via the communication unit 45.

[Configuration of Identification Signal for Modified Example of Communication Terminal Device]
In order to deal with the above-described modification, as shown in FIG. 10A, a random seed 63 can be added to the tail of the IP address. Here, as shown in FIG. 10C, the random seed 63 has an IP address 62 (“B” in FIG. 10B) with “0” at the beginning and “1” at the end of the 1-byte data as the one-segment data 62a. )). In order to shorten the IP address data as much as possible and increase communication efficiency, the random seed 63 is preferably 1 byte + 2 bits (start bit and stop bit), but can be arbitrarily set. Needless to say.

[Communication Terminal Device and Communication Method in Modified Example of Terminal Device to be Connected]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method in the case of the above-described communication terminal device and a modification of the terminal device connected thereto. Here, it is assumed that the transmission-side terminal in FIG. 11 is the communication terminal device 10a described above, and the reception-side terminal is the computer 40a.

  In step S10, the communication terminal apparatus 10a transmits its own IP address and the generated random seed to the computer 40a.

  In step S11, the waiting computer 40a receives the laser beam including the IP address and the random seed transmitted from the communication terminal apparatus 10a, recognizes the IP address of the communication terminal apparatus 10a, and uses the transmitted random seed. Then, the random seed generation unit 12 or the control unit 3 performs encryption using a secret key 48 common to the communication terminal device 10a.

  In step S12, the computer 40a transmits its own IP address and the random seed encrypted in step S12 to the communication terminal device 10a via the communication network 100. At this time, the computer 40a, along with its own IP address and encrypted random seed, can select a plurality of selectable modes “1. Image display”, “2. Data distribution”, “3. Encrypted communication”, “4. Send all print codes.

  In step S13, the communication terminal device 10a receives the IP address of the computer 40a, the encrypted random seed, and the codes of a plurality of modes.

  In step S14, the communication terminal device 10a decrypts the encrypted random seed using the secret key 18 common to the computer 40a stored in the memory unit 4 in advance.

  In step S15, the communication terminal device 10a identifies the computer 40a from the received IP address, recognizes that it is a callback from the computer 40a transmitted by itself with the decoded random seed, and uses this computer 40a to perform data transmission. Recognize that delivery is possible.

  In step S16, the communication terminal device 10a transmits a download DL request for data held by the computer 40a to the computer 40a via the communication network 100.

  In step S17, the computer 40a acquires the DL request transmitted from the communication terminal device 10a, and returns a return indicating that upload UL is possible.

  In step S18, the communication terminal apparatus 10a starts DL of desired data from the computer 40a.

[Variations of communication network systems]
As described above, by designating a terminal device such as a display from a communication terminal device using a laser beam, the terminal device can be designated intuitively while solving a security problem. Flexible communication network operation becomes possible.

  Here, by further incorporating SSL (Secure Socket Layer) communication into such an intuitive network communication establishment method using laser light, communication with even higher security can be realized.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a modification of the configuration of the communication network system to which the present invention is applied. The communication network system includes a light emitting unit 1 that transmits laser light, a communication terminal device 10a that includes a communication unit 5 that is connected to the communication network 100 and performs network communication, and various devices that are connected to the communication network 100. And an authentication server 50 having a public key. Since the communication terminal device 10a and the computer 40a have been described in detail above, they will not be described repeatedly. Note that the terminal device connected to the communication network 100 is not limited to the computer 40a, and includes a communication terminal device including a display and a printer. A communication network may also include a number of different networks.

  The authentication server 50 performs SSL communication via the communication network 100 after establishing IP communication with the counterpart device by the laser beam transmitted from the communication terminal device 10. The computer 40a, which is the counterpart device, has a public key that the authentication server 50 has in advance, receives a certificate encrypted with the public key of the authentication server 50, and acquires the certificate using the public key. Thus, SSL communication is performed with the communication terminal device 10a.

  FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of a communication method in the communication network system described above.

  In step S20, the communication terminal apparatus 10a transmits its own IP address and the generated random seed to the computer 40a.

  In step S21, the waiting computer 40a receives the laser beam including the IP address and the random seed transmitted from the communication terminal device 10a, recognizes the IP address of the communication terminal device 10a, and determines the transmitted random seed. The random seed generation unit 12 or the control unit 3 performs encryption using the secret key 28 common to the communication terminal device 10a.

  In step S22, the computer 40a transmits its own IP address and the random seed encrypted in step S21 to the communication terminal device 10a via the communication network 100. At this time, the computer 40a, along with its own IP address and encrypted random seed, can select a plurality of selectable modes “1. Image display”, “2. Data distribution”, “3. Encrypted communication”, “4. Send all print codes.

  In step S23, the communication terminal device 10a receives the IP address of the computer 40a, the encrypted random seed, and the codes of a plurality of modes.

  In step S24, the communication terminal device 10a decrypts the encrypted random seed using a secret key common to the computer 40a stored in the memory unit 4 in advance.

  In step S25, the communication terminal device 10a identifies the computer 40a from the received IP address, recognizes that it is a callback from the computer 40a transmitted by itself with the decoded random seed, and uses this computer 40a to perform data transmission. Recognize that delivery is possible.

  In step S26, the communication terminal device 10a transmits a communication request with the computer 40a via the communication network 100.

  In step S <b> 27, the computer 40 a transmits an authentication request to the authentication server 50.

  In step S28, the authentication server 50 that has received the authentication request transmits a certificate encrypted with the public key.

  In step S29, the computer 40a that has received the certificate encrypted with the common public key from the authentication server 50 transmits the certificate to the communication terminal device 10a.

  In step S30, the communication terminal device 10a starts communication with the computer 40a.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light emission part, 2 Drive part, 3 Control part, 4 Memory part, 5 Communication part, 5a Wireless communication part, 5b Wired communication part, 6 Display part, 10, 10a Communication terminal device, 11 IP address, 12 Random seed production | generation part 20, 20a display, 21, 31, 41 light receiving unit, 22, 32, 42 amplifying unit, 23, 33, 43 control unit, 24, 34, 44 memory unit, 25, 35, 45 communication unit, 25a, 35a, 4a wireless communication unit, 25b, 35b, 45b wired communication unit, 46 display unit, 27, 37, 47 mode, 30 printer, 40, 40a computer, 50 authentication server, 100 communication network

Claims (12)

In a communication terminal device that communicates with other terminal devices by connecting to a communication network,
A light emitting unit for transmitting the laser light toward another terminal device having a light receiving unit for receiving the laser beam;
A communication unit that receives a callback from the other terminal device that has received the transmitted laser light via the communication network, and communicates with the other terminal device;
The laser beam includes an identification signal generated based on its own identification information,
The communication unit recognizes that the other terminal device has received the identification information by receiving a callback from the other terminal device via the communication network, and identifies the other terminal device. And establishing communication with the other terminal device via the communication network.   2. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication network includes the Internet, and the identification information is an IP address of the communication terminal apparatus. The identification signal includes a random seed,
The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the random seed is encrypted by a secret key possessed by the other terminal apparatus.   4. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a pseudo random number generator for generating the random seed.   The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification signal is repeatedly transmitted from the light emitting unit a plurality of times.   6. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the callback from the other terminal apparatus includes information indicating a function of the other terminal apparatus. In a laser receiving communication terminal device that communicates with other communication terminal devices by connecting to a communication network,
A light receiving unit that receives the laser beam transmitted from the communication terminal device that transmits the laser beam;
A communication unit that transmits a callback to the communication terminal device via the communication network based on an identification signal of the communication terminal device included in the received laser light, and communicates with the communication terminal device;
The laser callback communication terminal apparatus, wherein the callback includes own identification information and own function information. A first communication terminal device having a light emitting unit for transmitting laser light and a communication unit connected to a communication network and performing network communication;
A second communication terminal device including a light receiving unit that receives the transmitted laser light and a communication unit that is connected to the communication network and performs network communication;
The laser beam includes an identification signal generated based on the identification information of the first communication terminal device,
The first communication terminal apparatus recognizes that the second communication terminal apparatus has received the identification information by receiving a callback from the second communication terminal apparatus via the communication network. A communication network system that identifies the second communication terminal device and establishes communication with the second communication terminal device via the communication network.   The communication network system according to claim 8, further comprising an authentication server connected to the network and having a public key. In a communication method using a communication network,
Transmitting a laser beam including an identification signal generated based on the identification information of the first communication terminal device by the first communication terminal device;
The second communication terminal apparatus receives the transmitted laser beam, recognizes the first communication terminal apparatus by the identification signal, and sends a callback to the first communication terminal apparatus via the communication network. Sending, and
The first communication terminal device receives the callback via the communication network, thereby identifying the second communication terminal device and via the communication network with the second communication terminal device. Establishing a communication. A communication program that operates in a communication terminal device that communicates with other terminal devices by connecting to a communication network,
Transmitting a laser beam including an identification signal generated based on the identification information of the communication terminal device;
Receiving the transmitted laser light, recognizing the communication terminal device by the identification signal, and receiving the callback via the communication network from the other terminal device transmitting a callback to the communication terminal device; And a step of identifying the other terminal device and establishing communication with the other terminal device via the communication network. A communication program that operates in a laser receiving communication terminal device that communicates with other communication terminal devices by connecting to a communication network,
Receiving laser light including identification information of the other communication terminal device;
Recognizing the other communication terminal device by the identification signal and transmitting a callback to the other communication terminal device via the communication network,
The call-back includes a self-identification information and self-function information.

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