JP4157854B2 - Information processing apparatus, environment setting program, and environment setting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is an internal operating system (hereinafter, "OS" and is sometimes abbreviated) operates an application program on the OS running in the information processing apparatus to perform processing including communication via the network, its The present invention relates to an environment setting program that sets an operating environment of an OS that operates in the information processing apparatus and operates in the information processing apparatus , and an environment setting apparatus that sets the operating environment of the information processing apparatus .

    In recent years, personal computers (hereinafter may be abbreviated as “PCs”), personal digital assistants, mobile phones, their peripherals, and even home appliances are connected to a network and have an information processing function. An environment for operating as an information processing apparatus has been prepared. In addition, regarding the network, the network has become indispensable for business operations within the company, and the constant connection environment by ADSL and CATV has become widespread, and there are a plurality of devices and devices having information processing functions in one home. Due to the fact that it has been provided, the number of cases of building a network at home is also increasing. In addition, a network called HotSpot has been constructed and opened to the public so that the general public can use the network in facilities such as airports, stations and hotels, and outdoors.

  In addition, when a user connects an information processing apparatus that is easy to carry, such as a notebook personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “notebook personal computer”), to the network, the operation of the OS depends on the connection form. There are many cases where the environment and settings of application programs to be used are different, and the user needs to change settings such as the operating environment of the OS of the information processing apparatus used by the user according to the location and situation of the user. There is.

  In the prior art, a plurality of network-related setting information such as the OS operating environment and application program settings are prepared in advance corresponding to the location, for example, and the user himself / herself determines the appropriate network information from the current location. By selecting, it is possible to switch the operating environment of the OS running on the information processing apparatus and the setting of the application program.

  Moreover, there exists patent document 1 as another conventional technique. In this patent document 1, a technique is disclosed in which environment setting for an application corresponding to a network environment in which each terminal device is connected to each terminal device connected to a different network can be easily performed. The specific means for setting this environment is as follows.

  First, application setting information for each different network environment is stored in an information storage medium (memory card).

  Then, when the user sets this information recording medium in the terminal device, the terminal device sequentially reads the setting information corresponding to the network environment stored in the information recording medium while sequentially reading the setting information of each environment. Set and try to connect to various servers and use services.

When the network can be normally used by such a trial, the setting information used for the trial is set in the application software, and the process ends.
JP 2001-202219 A

    However, while the operation for setting the operating environment of the OS is quite complicated, it is not usually performed for ordinary users of information processing devices such as notebook personal computers. However, there is a problem that it is extremely difficult to easily change the settings in advance.

  In addition, there is a problem that it is troublesome for users who are accustomed to setting change work and can change freely.

  In addition, as described in the above-described conventional technology, a technology in which the setting is automatically switched by the information processing apparatus when the user selects appropriate setting information from the setting information regarding a plurality of networks prepared in advance. According to this, the above change work can be simplified.

  However, when the number of network environments (locations) in which information processing apparatuses are used increases, it is difficult to select appropriate setting information according to the network environment, and the user selects incorrect setting information. There is a problem that the network cannot be used normally, or the selection operation needs to be performed several times in order to select appropriate setting information.

  In addition, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user can use the network without performing an operation of selecting setting information regarding the network. However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 makes it easy to use a plurality of terminal devices fixedly connected to different networks, and one device is used in a plurality of network environments. The situation is not assumed.

  Furthermore, even if setting information that allows normal use of the network is set by this technique, it may not always be the setting information that is optimal for the user.

  For example, in a company, a company-wide large-scale network is constructed by connecting small networks constructed for each department or factory. In such a network environment, access to the network resources of the factory where the user's own department or the user himself / herself normally works from anywhere in the network without being aware of the location of other departments or other factories. It is possible. However, when accessing an external network from an internal network, network resources to be used for each department or factory are often defined. Such a network resource is, for example, a proxy server.

  In the above technique, the trial process ends when the network can be used normally. Therefore, if there are multiple settings information that can use the network normally, setting information with higher priority is set in the trial process. Therefore, setting information with a low priority order is not selected. Therefore, when there is a plurality of setting information that can normally use the network, setting information with a high priority is always set.

  Therefore, in the above technique, the above case cannot be dealt with, and settings that allow normal use of the network are not necessarily selected according to the operating rules. As a result, the user must manually change the information set in the application software.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for automatically switching an environment setting of a network connection of an information processing apparatus to an optimum one according to the location of the information processing apparatus.

The present invention for achieving the above object provides an information processing apparatus that performs processing including communication via a network.
An environment recognition unit that detects a unique address existing in a network environment to which the information processing apparatus is connected, and recognizes the network environment;
An environment setting unit that sets operating environment information corresponding to the network environment recognized by the environment recognition unit in the information processing apparatus;
It is characterized by functioning.

  According to the present invention, the network environment to which the information processing apparatus is connected is recognized, and the operating environment of the information processing apparatus is set to the operating environment information corresponding to the recognized network environment. Even if it is impossible for the user to manually set the operating environment manually and the operating environment cannot be set manually or takes time due to inexperience of the user, the information processing device The operating environment is set according to the network environment without the user being particularly conscious.

  Here, in the present invention, the environment recognition unit uses the table in which the unique address on the network associated with the operation environment information that can be set in the information processing apparatus is used to connect the connected network environment. Preferably, the network environment is specified by searching the table for the same unique address as that existing in the table.

  The environment recognition unit can recognize whether or not the recognized network is a network that can automatically set the operating environment of the information processing apparatus by using the table.

  Here, the information processing apparatus is capable of communication through any one of a plurality of types of networks, and the environment recognition unit transmits information about the plurality of types of networks. It may recognize the network to which the processing device is connected. In this case, a plurality of types of networks may be connected at the same time, and in order to deal with such a case, the environment recognition unit uses the table in which the priority ranking of the search for the plurality of types of networks is recorded. The network environment to which the information processing apparatus is connected is preferably searched according to the order recorded in this table.

  Here, an operating system operates in the information processing apparatus, and the environment setting unit may set operating environment information of the operating system according to the recognized network environment. At that time, the environment setting unit refers to a table that records the operating environment information of the operating system associated with the network environment, and sets the operating system according to the network environment recognized by the environment recognizing unit. It is preferable to obtain the operating environment information and set the operating environment information.

  The environment setting unit can quickly set the operating environment of the operating system by using the table.

  Alternatively, the information processing apparatus may run an application program on an operating system, and the environment setting unit may set operating environment information of the application program according to the recognized network environment. At this time, the environment setting unit refers to a table that records the operating environment information of the application program associated with the network environment, and sets the application program corresponding to the network environment recognized by the environment recognition unit. It is preferable to obtain the operating environment information and set the operating environment information.

  The environment setting unit can quickly set the operating environment of the application program by using the table.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the information processing apparatus operates as an application program on an operating system, and the information processing apparatus functions as an application control unit that changes the operation state of the application program according to the recognized network environment. It is preferable to make it. At that time, the application control unit refers to the application control table in which the application program to be started or stopped is associated with the network environment, and corresponds to the network environment recognized by the environment recognition unit. An application program may be started or stopped.

  By providing this application control unit, an application program necessary for the user is started according to the network environment, or execution of an application program unnecessary in the network environment is stopped. This eliminates the need for the user to manually start or stop the application program, further improving convenience.

  Moreover, in the said invention, it is preferable to detect a MAC address as a unique address which exists in the said network.

  In the present invention, the information processing apparatus performs processing including communication through a LAN, and the environment recognition unit uses a unique address existing on the LAN to which the information processing apparatus is connected. The information processing apparatus may recognize the network environment to which the information processing apparatus is connected, and the information processing apparatus performs processing including communication via a network compliant with the Bluetooth protocol. The environment recognition unit may recognize a network environment to which the information processing apparatus is connected by acquiring a Bluetooth address including an identification number of the Bluetooth device to which the information processing apparatus is connected.

  The functions of the present invention as described above may be realized by an information processing apparatus and a program.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the change of the OS environment or the like accompanying the switching of the network or the movement of the location is automatically performed, and it is troublesome to manually change the OS environment or the like. You are freed from the truth.

    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a use form of the present invention. First, the outline of the present invention will be described with reference to this figure.

  The notebook personal computer 100 is an example of the information processing apparatus of the present invention. In the notebook personal computer 100, an environment setting program as an embodiment of the present invention is executed, so that the notebook personal computer 100 can An environment setting device as one embodiment is realized.

  The notebook personal computer 100 is carried to various places by a user of the notebook personal computer and connected to various networks for use. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the notebook computer 100 is connected to the server / home gateway at the home in the user's home, and is connected to the server at the office at the user's office. In an available environment, it is connected to a LAN access point wirelessly or to a Bluetooth (registered trademark) modem station. In the notebook personal computer 100, information on the plurality of types of networks and information on the OS environment necessary for using each network are registered, and the notebook personal computer 100 is one of the plurality of types of networks. Connected to the network, the environment setting program that operates inside the notebook personal computer 100 recognizes the connected network environment, and the operating environment setting of the notebook personal computer 100 is set to the recognized network. The setting is changed to suit the environment.

  A feature as an embodiment of the present invention lies in an environment setting function realized in the notebook computer 100. Hereinafter, a hardware configuration of the notebook computer 100 will be described first, and then implemented in the notebook computer 100. The environment setting function will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of a notebook personal computer (notebook personal computer) which is an embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention.

  The notebook computer 100 includes a main body 200 and a lid 300 that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 200.

  The main body 200 shown in FIG. 2 includes a keyboard 201, a pointing device 202, a sound generator 203 provided with a speaker therein, an FD loading port 204 into which a flexible disk (FD) is loaded, and a CD- A CD-ROM loading slot 205 into which a ROM is loaded is provided. A liquid crystal display screen 301 is provided on the inner surface of the lid 300 in the closed state.

  FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the notebook computer whose appearance is shown in FIG.

  3 includes a CPU 111 for executing various programs, a RAN 112 on which programs executed by the CPU 111 are expanded, a hard disk drive 113 for accessing the built-in hard disk 140, and an FD loading port 204 shown in FIG. Operation information of the FD drive 114 for accessing the loaded FD 150, the CD-ROM drive 115 for accessing the CD-ROM 160 loaded from the CD-ROM loading slot 205 shown in FIG. 1, and the pointing device 202 shown in FIG. A pointing device controller 116 that transmits information to the keyboard, a keyboard controller 117 that transmits operation information of the keyboard 201 to the CPU 111, and a display that controls the display screen on the liquid crystal display screen 301 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 111. In accordance with instructions from the ray controller 118 and the CPU 111, an audio unit 119 that outputs sound from the speaker 170 disposed in the sound generation unit 203 in FIG. 1, a wireless LAN card 120 that manages wireless LAN communication via the antenna 181, and an antenna 182 A Bluetooth communication board 121 that manages communication in conformity with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard via the communication line, and a dial-up communication board 122 that manages dial-up communication via the communication line 190. The buses 110 are connected to each other.

  In the present embodiment, a CD-ROM 160 storing an environment setting program as one embodiment of the present invention described below is loaded from the CD-ROM loading slot 205 (see FIG. 1) of the notebook computer 100 described above. Then, the environment setting program stored in the CD-ROM 160 is installed in the notebook computer 100 by the CD-ROM drive 115, whereby the environment setting apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention is installed in the notebook computer 100. Built and operated.

  Note that the notebook personal computer 100 is described as an example here, but functions necessary for realizing the present invention (data communication function, function for executing processing defined by the program of the present invention, etc.) are provided. If so, it may be a mobile device such as a PDA (Personal 1 Digital Assistant), a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone, another dedicated terminal such as a handy terminal, an electrical appliance, etc. Is not to be done.

  In addition, the storage medium for storing the program of the present invention is not limited to the above-described example of the CD-ROM, and the program is stored in a portable storage medium other than the CD-ROM or an external storage medium such as another device. It may be installed in a device such as a notebook personal computer, or may be stored in advance in a storage medium inside the device.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the environment setting program of the present invention.

  The environment setting program 400 is stored in the CD-ROM 160 in the present embodiment, and includes an environment recognition unit 410, an environment setting unit 420, and an application control unit 430. The operation of each part of the environment setting program 400 will be described together with the operation of each part of the environment setting apparatus 500 of FIG. 5 described below.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the environment setting device of the present invention.

  This environment setting device 500 is constructed in the notebook computer 100 by installing and executing the environment setting program 400 shown in FIG. 4 on the notebook computer 100 shown in FIGS.

  The environment setting apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 5 includes an environment recognition unit 510, an environment setting unit 520, and an application control unit 530. The environment recognition unit 510, environment setting unit 520, and application control unit 530 of the environment setting apparatus 500 correspond to the environment recognition unit 410, environment setting unit 420, and application control unit 430 of the environment setting program 400 shown in FIG. However, each of the units 510 to 530 constituting the environment setting apparatus 500 of FIG. 5 is configured by a combination of the hardware of the notebook personal computer 100 and software such as an OS and an application program operating in the notebook personal computer 100. On the other hand, each part 410-430 of the environment setting program 400 of FIG. 4 is comprised only of the application program of these hardware and software.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the units 510 to 530 of the environment setting apparatus 500 of FIG. 5 will be described, and the operation of the units 410 to 430 of the environment setting program 400 of FIG.

  The environment setting apparatus 500 in FIG. 5 is an information processing apparatus that performs processing including communication via an application program running on an OS that operates inside (in the example described here, FIG. 1 to FIG. 3). It is an environment setting device that sets the operating environment of the OS that is installed in the notebook personal computer).

  The notebook personal computer 100 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) in which the environment setting device 500 is built includes, for example, a process including communication via a network compliant with the Bluetooth protocol or a process including communication via a LAN. For example, communication through any one of a plurality of types of networks is possible.

  The environment recognition unit 510 constituting the environment setting apparatus 500 recognizes the network environment to which the notebook computer 100 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) is connected. When recognizing the network environment, the environment recognizing unit 510, when the notebook computer 100 is connected to a network compliant with the Bluetooth protocol, for example, a Bluetooth address composed of an identification number of the Bluetooth device to which the notebook computer 100 is connected. If the network environment is recognized by acquiring the Bluetooth address or the notebook computer 100 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network), the MAC address on the LAN to which the notebook computer is connected is set. By acquiring, the network environment to which the notebook computer 100 is connected is recognized.

  In this process, a MAC (Media Access Control) address or a Bluetooth address is used as a unique address existing in the network, and these addresses are the only addresses in the world. Can be uniquely identified. In addition to the MAC address and the Bluetooth address, an address and information that can be uniquely specified may be used.

  Here, the environment recognizing unit 510 is provided with a search priority table 511 in which priority ranks for searching a plurality of types of networks that can be used by the notebook computer 100 are recorded. In recognizing the network environment to which the notebook computer 100 is connected, a search is performed according to the order recorded in the search priority table, and the network with the highest priority among the connected networks is recognized. This is a treatment considering that the notebook personal computer 100 may be connected to a plurality of networks at the same time.

  Further, the environment recognition unit 510 is provided with a network environment table 512 that records addresses on the network associated with the operating environment that can be set by the OS operating in the notebook computer 100. The unit 510 recognizes the network environment by acquiring an address on the network to which the notebook computer 100 is connected, and searches the address recorded in the network environment table for the same address as the acquired address. . By doing this, it is recognized whether or not the operating environment of the OS corresponding to the recognized network environment can be set.

  Also, the environment setting unit 520 of the environment setting apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 5 sets the operating environment of the OS operating in the notebook personal computer 100 to an operating environment corresponding to the network environment recognized by the environment recognizing unit 510. The environment setting unit 520 includes an OS environment setting table 521 that records the operating environment of the OS that operates in the notebook computer 100 and is associated with the network environment. Referring to the environment setting table, the operating environment of the OS corresponding to the network environment recognized by the environment recognizing unit 510 is recognized, and the operating environment of the OS operating in the notebook personal computer 100 is set as the recognized operating environment. To do.

  Further, the application control unit 530 constituting the environment setting device 500 of FIG. 5 is provided with an application control table 531 that records application programs to be started or stopped in association with the network environment. The unit 530 refers to the application control table, and starts or stops the application program in which start or stop is recorded corresponding to the network environment recognized by the environment recognition unit 510.

  Hereinafter, the above embodiment will be described more specifically.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the network environment table 512 prepared in the environment recognition unit 510 of FIG.

  In this network environment table, a “name” indicating the location of the notebook computer 100 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) is registered. Corresponding to each name, a “dial-up entry” is necessary. "," Subnet address "," specific device IP address ", and" MAC / Bluetooth address "are registered. Here, “Tokyo 03 @ abc” of the dial-up entry represents a file in which a telephone number or the like is recorded for dial-up.

  For example, as shown in the network environment table of FIG. 6, even within the same company, such as “company's own seat” and “company business trip destination”, the network environment (location) may be on the network. By registering a unique address such as the MAC address or Bluetooth address of an existing device, even if the subnet address and the specific device IP address are the same, the network environment can be changed from the unique address obtained from the connected network. It becomes possible to recognize. Therefore, as in the public gazette shown in the above prior art, certain setting information is not necessarily set, but optimal information according to the connected network environment can be set in the information processing apparatus.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a network environment setting screen as exemplified in FIG.

  When “Network environment setting” is specified on a menu screen (not shown), the network environment setting screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and a “name” representing a location is input or selected (in FIG. 7, “company seat” is selected). If a Bluetooth address, IP address, subnet address, and dial-up entry are input as necessary, the name is associated with the input address, and a network environment table as shown in FIG. 6 is created. Is done.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the OS environment setting table.

  In the “name” column of this OS environment setting table, the same name as the name recorded in the “name” column in the network environment table of FIG. 6 is recorded, and corresponding to each name, “Mail setting”, “Browser setting”, “OS network setting”, and “Dial-up setting” fields are provided, and each field is a file in which necessary data is recorded as necessary. The name of is recorded. The OS environment table is configured to include not only the environment related to the OS but also the environment related to application programs such as mail and browser. For example, when setting the OS environment corresponding to “company seat”, the mail is set according to the data recorded in the “Mail2.dat” file, and the browser is set according to the data recorded in the “Browse2.dat” file. Is set, and the OS network is set according to the data recorded in the file “OS2.dat”.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of an OS environment setting screen.

  The screen shown in FIG. 10 is also displayed by designating on a menu screen (not shown), like the network environment setting screen shown in FIG.

  Here, select the item from “Setting Item” and confirm or change its contents. Enter “Name” that corresponds to the environment after the confirmation or change in the “Saved Name” field. Click the button. By doing so, a new OS environment setting column is added to the OS environment setting table shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the application control table.

  This application control table is associated with the “name” given to the setting environment, and whether to start the application program or to stop the running application program when the application program is running, “Application operation” representing the difference between the above and “application path” representing the location of the application program to be started or stopped are recorded.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application control table creation screen. This screen is also selected from a menu screen (not shown).

  Here, move the cursor to the desired name in the “Name” list (in the example shown in FIG. 11, the cursor is positioned at “Company Seat”), enter “Application Path”, and “Start” or “Stop” "Is specified. When "Application path" and "Start" or "Stop" are specified, another similar specification field appears. After specifying the required number in this way and clicking the “Register” button, as shown in FIG. 10, the entered application path and the start or stop are associated with the “name” where the cursor is positioned. Another is registered.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search priority table.

  FIG. 12 shows that when searching for which network the notebook personal computer 100 is connected to, the search is performed in the order of LAN, Bluetooth, and Dial-up (dial-up).

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search priority setting screen. This screen is also selected from a menu screen (not shown).

  Here, the names of communication devices that can communicate with the notebook personal computer 100 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) are entered in the “device” column corresponding to each “priority order”. In addition, when the cursor is placed (in FIG. 13, the cursor is on “Bluetooth” with priority 2), clicking the up arrow or down arrow gives priority to the device that the cursor is on. Move up or down one rank. When the priority order is set in this way and the “Register” button is clicked, a search priority order table as shown in FIG. 12 is registered.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a manual switching screen for the operating environment of the OS. This screen is also selected on a menu screen (not shown) In the embodiment described here, the operating environment of the OS can be set automatically or switched manually, and the network environment can be manually switched on a screen (not shown). When the switching button is clicked, the screen shown in FIG. 14 appears.

  A triangle arrow shown in the network environment name (name) display field in FIG. 14 is a cursor indicating the name assigned to the environment in which the notebook personal computer 100 is currently set. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the notebook computer 100 is currently set in an environment named “destination”. In FIG. 14, the cursor of the pointing device 202 (see FIG. 2) is in the “Home” field. When the pointing device cursor is moved to an arbitrary environment name and the “switch environment” button is clicked, the setting environment is changed to the environment represented by the environment name (“home” in the example shown in FIG. 14). Be changed.

  In addition, the “save current environment” button in FIG. 14 is a button that is clicked when the currently set environment is saved. Before clicking the "Save Current Environment" button, complicated environment settings are made on various environment setting screens (not shown) (for example, e-mail setting screen and browser setting screen). When the saved environment is saved, this “save current environment” button is clicked. When this “save current environment” button is clicked, an OS environment setting screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. Therefore, the currently set OS environment is confirmed on the OS environment setting screen, the name (environment name) to be given to the OS environment is input, and the “Register” button is clicked. A new OS environment can be set even through such a procedure.

  On the screen of FIG. 14, when the pointing device cursor is placed on the name of the environment to be deleted and the “delete environment” button is clicked, the environment registered under the environment name is deleted. This deletion is performed for all of the network environment table of FIG. 6, the OS environment setting table of FIG. 8, and the application control table of FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a monitoring timer setting screen. This screen is also selected on a menu screen (not shown).

  On this screen, a time interval for performing automatic connection monitoring is set.

  In the example shown in FIG. 15, the time interval is set to 1 minute, and the setting is confirmed by clicking the “OK” button. The usage of the connection monitoring time interval set here will be described later.

  16 to 20 are flowcharts of the environment setting program operating in the notebook computer.

  The environment setting program shown in FIGS. 16 to 20 is started by a user double-clicking an icon on the liquid crystal display screen or pressing a function key or a shortcut button on the keyboard. It should be noted that when the OS is started, the environment setting program may be registered together with it.

  When this program is started, first, the search priority table shown in FIG. 12 is checked to recognize the search priority (step S1). Next, it is determined whether or not this notebook personal computer 100 is connected to any network (step S2). When the notebook personal computer 100 is connected, according to the search priority recorded in the search priority table of FIG. S3 to S5) When the LAN connection is established (step S3), the subnet address is obtained from the LAN (step S6) and the gateway IP address is obtained, and the gateway device is obtained from the gateway IP address via the ARP. Is obtained (step S7). However, when it is desired to specify a device that exceeds the subnet, the user can acquire the MAC address of the device by manually inputting the IP address of the device. Usually, since the IP address of the gateway in the home network is the IP address on the LAN side of the router, there is no need for manual input.

  In the case of a LAN, devices existing on the network are routers, servers, other client computers, and the like.

  Whether the information processing apparatus is physically connected to the network, such as a LAN cable is connected if it is wired, or it is located within the communication range with the access point if it is wireless, is a Windows (registered trademark) of Microsoft Corporation. ) And the like are known, and the function of this OS may be used in the determination process in step S2.

  In addition, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) may be used to acquire a MAC address existing in the network. This ARP is a protocol for obtaining an Ethernet (registered trademark) address (MAC address) from an IP address in the TCP / IP protocol. An inquiry packet for the Ethernet (registered trademark) address of the own device, the IP address, and the IP address of the communication partner. And broadcast on the LAN, and if the IP address of the device is specified in the inquiry packet, the device on the LAN puts the MAC address of the device in the response packet and returns a response. .

  That is, in the present invention, the MAC address can be acquired if the communication packet is put into the inquiry packet specifying the specific device IP address in the network environment table of FIG. Become.

  According to the search priority recorded in the search priority table, when the Bluetooth connection is established (step S4), the Bluetooth address of the Bluetooth device of the communication partner (represented by the name of the MAC address in FIG. 16). Obtained (step S7). Further, in the case of dial-up connection (step S5), a dial-up entry name is acquired (step S8), and in any case, the network environment table shown in FIG. 6 is searched (step S9).

  If it is determined in step S2 that the network is not currently connected, a search is performed as to whether or not there is a Bluetooth device around the notebook personal computer 100, and if a Bluetooth device is found (step S11). The Bluetooth address of the device is acquired (step S7), and the network environment table of FIG. 6 is searched (step S9).

  As a result of searching the network environment table in FIG. 6 in step S9, when a MAC address (Bluetooth address) matching the MAC address (Bluetooth address) acquired from the network is found in the network environment setting table (step in FIG. 17) S12), or even if the MAC address does not match, if only one subnet address matches in the network environment table (step S13), the name of the network environment in the OS environment setting table shown in FIG. The OS environment is switched by referring to the file recorded in the name field that matches the name (step S14), and the name field that matches the name of the network environment exists in the application control table shown in FIG. Is The application program of the application path that is recorded in the column, to start or stop according to the instructions of the recorded "start" or "stop" in the column (step S15), and proceeds to step S16 in FIG. 18.

  In step S16 of FIG. 18, the disconnection of the network is monitored. When the network is disconnected (step S17), the process proceeds to step S20 of FIG. FIG. 20 will be described later.

  If it is determined in steps S12 and S13 in FIG. 17 that there is no matching MAC address in the network environment table in FIG. 6 and there is no single matching subnet address, step S18 in FIG. Then, the MAC address (including the Bluetooth address), subnet address, etc. acquired from the network this time are newly added to the network environment table of FIG. 6, and a temporary name (for example, “new location”, etc.) is added to the newly added field. ) Is registered. In step S19, the current OS environment is provisionally registered with the same temporary name in the OS environment table of FIG. The name change, OS environment change, etc. can be performed on the screen of FIG. 9 by starting the screen of FIG.

  If no Bluetooth device is found as a result of searching for the Bluetooth device in step S10 in FIG. 16 (step S11), or if disconnection is detected in step S17 in FIG. 18, the process proceeds to step S20 in FIG.

  In this step S20, a timer for measuring the time set on the screen of FIG. 15 is started and the time-up is monitored, and whether or not automatic connection to the network is detected in steps S21, S22 and S23, respectively. It is determined whether or not manual switching of the environment (see FIG. 4) has been performed and whether or not the timer has expired. When the automatic connection to the network is detected in step S21 in FIG. 20, the process proceeds to step S2 in FIG. 16, and the OS environment setting and the like corresponding to the connected network environment are performed. In step S22 in FIG. When switching is detected, it is determined in step S24 whether or not it is connected to the network. If it is not connected, the process proceeds to step S2 in FIG. 16, and if it is connected, the process proceeds to step S16 in FIG. Network disconnection is monitored. Further, when time-up is detected in step S23 of FIG. 20, the process returns to step S2 of FIG.

  Here, in the case of the environment setting program shown in FIGS. 16 to 20, the processing in steps S <b> 1 to S <b> 13 corresponds to an example of the environment setting unit according to the present invention, and the processing in step S <b> 14 is the environment recognition unit according to the present invention. The process of step S15 corresponds to an example of an application control unit according to the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the utilization form of this invention. 1 is an external view of a notebook computer that is an embodiment of an information processing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the notebook computer whose appearance is shown in FIG. 2. It is a schematic block diagram of one Embodiment of the environment setting program of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of an environment setting device of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a network environment table. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting screen of a network environment. It is a figure which shows an example of OS environment setting table. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of OS environment setting. It is a figure which shows an example of an application control table. It is a figure which shows the example of an application control table creation screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a search priority table. It is a figure which shows the example of a search priority setting screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a manual switching screen of a network environment. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting screen of a monitoring timer. It is a flowchart of the environment setting program which operate | moves within a notebook personal computer. It is a flowchart of the environment setting program which operate | moves within a notebook personal computer. It is a flowchart of the environment setting program which operate | moves within a notebook personal computer. It is a flowchart of the environment setting program which operate | moves within a notebook personal computer. It is a flowchart of the environment setting program which operate | moves within a notebook personal computer.

Explanation of symbols

100 Notebook PC 110 Bus 111 CPU
112 RAM
113 Hard disk drive 114 FD drive 115 CD-ROM drive 116 Pointing device controller 117 Keyboard controller 118 Display controller 119 Audio unit 120 Wireless LAN card 121 Bluetooth communication board 122 Dial-up communication board 140 Hard disk 150 FD
160 CD-ROM
170 Speaker 181, 182 Antenna 190 Communication line 200 Main body part 201 Keyboard 202 Pointing device 203 Sounding part 204 FD loading slot 205 CD-ROM loading slot 300 Lid part 301 Liquid crystal display screen 400 Environment setting program 410 Environment recognition part 420 Environment setting part 430 Application control unit 500 Environment setting device 510 Environment recognition unit 511 Search priority table 512 Network environment table 520 Environment setting unit 521 OS environment setting table 530 Application control unit 531 Application control table

Claims (15)

An information processing apparatus for performing processing including communication via a network,
The information processing apparatus is capable of using the plurality of types of networks using communication units respectively corresponding to the plurality of types of networks.
Information that records the priority of the search for the plurality of types of networks;
A search using a communication unit connected to the network is performed according to the order recorded in the information, a unique address existing in the network environment to which the information processing apparatus is connected is detected, and the detected unique address is used. An environment recognition unit for recognizing the network environment;
The operating system to be able to use the network with the communication unit used in recognition of the network environment in the connected to the network and the environment recognition section in the recognition network environment by the environment recognition section An environment setting unit for setting the relevant network operating environment information in the information processing apparatus;
An information processing apparatus comprising: Comprising information recording a unique address on the network associated with the operating environment information that can be set in this information processing apparatus;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the environment recognition unit searches the information for a unique address that is the same as a unique address existing in the connected network environment, and identifies the network environment.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unique address is a MAC address. The information processing apparatus performs processing including communication via a LAN,
The environment recognition unit recognizes a network environment to which the information processing apparatus is connected by acquiring a unique address existing on a LAN to which the information processing apparatus is connected. 1. An information processing apparatus according to 1. This information processing apparatus performs processing including communication via a network compliant with the Bluetooth protocol,
The environment recognition unit recognizes the network environment to which the information processing apparatus is connected by acquiring the Bluetooth address including the identification number of the Bluetooth device to which the information processing apparatus is connected as a unique address. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. An environment setting program executed by an information processing apparatus that performs processing including communication via a network,
The information processing apparatus the plural kinds of a network but available for, containing information recorded superiority order of search of the plurality of types of networks using the communication unit corresponding to a plurality kinds of network ,
The information processing apparatus
A search using a communication unit connected to a network is performed according to the order recorded in the information, a unique address existing in the network environment to which the information processing apparatus is connected is detected, and the detected unique address is used. An environment recognition unit for recognizing the network environment;
An operating system for making a network usable by using a communication unit connected to the network in the network environment recognized by the environment recognition unit and used for recognition of the network environment by the environment recognition unit. Related configuration program for the environment setting unit for the operation environment information of the network setting to the information processing apparatus, characterized thereby to function.   The environment recognition unit uses information that records a unique address on the network associated with operating environment information that can be set in the information processing apparatus, and uses the same unique address that exists in the connected network environment. 7. The environment setting program according to claim 6, wherein a unique address is searched from the information to identify the network environment.   The environment setting program according to claim 6, wherein the unique address is a MAC address. The information processing apparatus performs processing including communication via a LAN,
The environment recognition unit recognizes a network environment to which the information processing apparatus is connected by acquiring a unique address existing on a LAN to which the information processing apparatus is connected. 6. The environment setting program according to 6. The information processing apparatus performs processing including communication via a network compliant with the Bluetooth protocol,
The environment recognition unit recognizes a network environment to which the information processing apparatus is connected by acquiring a Bluetooth address consisting of an identification number of the Bluetooth device to which the information processing apparatus is connected as a unique address. The environment setting program according to claim 6, wherein: An environment setting device in an information processing device that performs processing including communication via a network,
The information processing apparatus is capable of using the plurality of types of networks using communication units respectively corresponding to the plurality of types of networks.
A search using a communication unit connected to the network is performed according to the priority of the search of the plurality of types of networks, a unique address existing in the network environment to which the information processing apparatus is connected is detected, and the detected unique An environment recognition unit that recognizes the network environment using an address;
An operating system for making a network usable by using a communication unit connected to the network in the network environment recognized by the environment recognition unit and used for recognition of the network environment by the environment recognition unit. An environment setting device comprising: an environment setting unit configured to set operating environment information of a related network in the information processing device.   The environment recognizing unit retrieves from the information recording the unique address on the network associated with the operation environment information capable of setting the same unique address as the unique address existing in the connected network environment in the information processing apparatus. The environment setting device according to claim 11, wherein the network environment is specified.   12. The environment setting device according to claim 11, wherein the unique address is a MAC address.   The information processing apparatus performs processing including communication through a LAN, and the environment recognition unit acquires the unique address existing on the LAN to which the information processing apparatus is connected, thereby obtaining the information. 12. The environment setting device according to claim 11, wherein the environment setting device recognizes a network environment to which the processing device is connected.   The information processing apparatus performs processing including communication via a network compliant with the Bluetooth protocol, and the environment recognition unit sets a Bluetooth address including an identification number of a Bluetooth device to which the information processing apparatus is connected. 12. The environment setting device according to claim 11, wherein the environment setting device recognizes a network environment to which the information processing device is connected by acquiring the unique address.

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