JP5172759B2 - Mutual discovery device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to information devices that can be mutually discovered by wireless communication.

  Wireless devices can communicate with each other and send and receive data to share information, or the other wireless device can acquire information content of one wireless device. An intercommunication apparatus using such a wireless device is known in recent years.

  In this manner, mutual discovery between wireless devices is called mutual discovery operation. The mutual discovery operation also discovers that another wireless device exists within the communicable range of its own wireless device, exchanges information with the discovered wireless device, and recognizes that there is a common attribute between the wireless devices. Including.

  The attribute is the organization or community to which the owner of the wireless device belongs, the owner's hobbies and desires, the owner's birthplace and physical characteristics (for example, hay fever) It can be arbitrarily determined according to the purpose of mutual discovery. If such a mutual discovery operation is used, it is possible to promote encounters with people who have commonality with each other, and many proposals are seen (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1 describes a portable electronic biological living device that can be mutually discovered. Attributes (electronic pet data and user data) can be exchanged between mutually discovered devices.
The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 17, step 1 and step 2 are steps for discovering each other's existence. Thereafter, electronic pet data is exchanged from step 3 to step 8, and owner data is exchanged from step 9 to step 14.

JP 2001-38042 A (6th page, FIG. 2)

  The portable electronic living organism device described in Patent Document 1 can exchange attributes such as electronic pet data and user data. The attribute information registered in the device includes step 4 and step shown in FIG. If the partner device accepts the reception as shown in FIG.

As described above, in the conventionally known device, the attribute registered in the device itself is automatically transmitted to the counterpart device, and thus information transmission cannot be suppressed depending on the partner.
In a system in which attribute information registered in its own device is unconditionally sent to the counterpart device, there is a problem that it is difficult to protect privacy.
In systems that are concerned about privacy, the attribute information that is registered is reduced or the active use is reduced because of the resistance of the user. Promotion is also difficult.

  In view of such a current situation, the present invention makes it possible to use the mutual discovery apparatus with peace of mind by controlling the attribute information of the user when the information is transmitted from the own device.

  As means for solving the above problems, the mutual discovery apparatus of the present invention employs the structure described below.

In a mutual discovery apparatus that has communication means and can discover each other's devices,
Using attribute storage means for storing a plurality of attribute information consisting of at least one attribute element relating to the owner of the own device, discovery mode information storage means for storing discovery mode information corresponding to each attribute information element, and communication means A mutual discovery means for exchanging the received attribute information of the counterpart device and the attribute information of the own device,
The discovery mode information consists of two pieces of information: a spontaneous mode that permits transmission of attribute information from the own device first to the counterpart device, and a passive mode that does not permit transmission of the attribute information to the counterpart device first. The mutual discovery means controls the exchange of attribute information based on the discovery mode information, and counts the number of matching attribute information of the own device and the attribute information sent by the partner device, and determines the degree of coincidence. Based on this, the exchange of attribute information is controlled .

  By adopting such a configuration, if the discovery mode information of the attribute that the device does not want to actively transmit to the partner device is set as the passive mode, the attribute is automatically transmitted to the partner device. Can be prevented. For this reason, attribute information can be exchanged more safely between the own device and the counterpart device.

  The mutual discovery means may control the exchange of attribute information based on the degree of coincidence between the attribute information held by the own device and the attribute information transmitted by the counterpart device.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to limit the transmission destination of the attribute information designated as the passive mode by the own device only to a partner having a high degree of coincidence of the attribute information, that is, a partner expected to have a preference or a history. .

In a mutual discovery apparatus that has communication means and can discover each other's devices,
A discovery mode corresponding to each attribute information element , having attribute storage means for storing attribute information comprising at least one attribute element relating to the owner of the own device, and condition attribute storage means for storing condition attribute information for each attribute element A discovery mode information storage means for storing information, and a mutual discovery means for exchanging the attribute information of the counterpart device and the attribute information of the own device received using the communication means,
The discovery mode information consists of two pieces of information: a spontaneous mode that permits transmission of attribute information from the own device first to the counterpart device, and a passive mode that does not permit transmission of the attribute information to the counterpart device first. Based on the discovery mode information, the mutual discovery means unconditionally transmits the attribute information specified in the spontaneous mode to the partner device, and transmits the attribute information specified in the passive mode to the partner device that is not actively transmitted. Not to control the exchange of attribute information, and the mutual discovery means controls the exchange of attribute information based on the case where the condition attribute information of the own device matches the attribute information sent by the counterpart device. May be.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to limit the transmission destination of the attribute information designated by the own device as the passive mode to only the other party that satisfies the condition designated by the own device. Thereby, it becomes possible to raise a sense of security when using the mutual discovery device.

  A time keeping means for keeping the current time, and a condition time zone information storing means for storing the condition time zone information obtained from the current time, wherein the mutual discovery means comprises the discovery mode and the condition time zone information and the current time. The exchange of attribute information may be controlled based on the comparison result.

  With this configuration, it is possible to limit the transmission of attribute information that the device has designated as passive mode only to the time zone in which the user can feel secure, and it is possible to suppress attribute transmission in times when the user does not expect it Become.

An output means for notifying the user of information may be provided, and the mutual discovery means may notify the discovery mode information, the condition attribute, the degree of coincidence or coincidence , and the comparison result using the output means.

  With this configuration, the user can know the state of the apparatus, which is convenient.

  According to the mutual discovery apparatus of the present invention, the user can suppress the transmission of the attribute registered in the own device by designating the discovery mode. Compared with the case where the registered attribute is unconditionally sent to the counterpart device, it is possible to protect the privacy of the user and to reduce the resistance of the user.

  Further, according to the present invention, before the device sends the attribute, the attribute information sent by the partner device or the degree of coincidence between the attribute information sent by the partner device and the attribute information held by the device is presented to the user. Thus, it is possible for the user to determine whether or not the attribute information of the own device can be transmitted. This also has the effect of further reducing the user's resistance.

  By reducing the sense of resistance of the user, it is possible to promote the registration of information to the own device and the use of the mutual discovery function, and it is possible to increase the possibility of realizing the encounter that is the original purpose of the device.

It is a whole block diagram explaining the mutual discovery apparatus of this invention. It is a figure explaining the content of the attribute memory | storage means of the mutual discovery apparatus of this invention. It is a figure explaining the content of the discovery mode memory | storage means of the mutual discovery apparatus of this invention. It is a figure explaining the content of the condition attribute memory | storage means of the mutual discovery apparatus of this invention. It is a figure explaining the content of the condition time zone memory | storage means of the mutual discovery apparatus of this invention. It is a figure explaining the external appearance of the mutual discovery apparatus of this invention. It is a figure explaining the data format of the packet transmitted / received between apparatuses. It is a figure explaining the processing sequence of the mutual discovery apparatuses of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the mutual discovery operation | movement of the mutual discovery apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the master operation | movement which is a part of mutual discovery operation | movement of the mutual discovery apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the slave operation | movement which is a part of the mutual discovery operation | movement of the mutual discovery apparatus of this invention. It is a figure explaining the format of the data used internally by the mutual discovery operation | movement of the mutual discovery apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process which determines whether attribute transmission is possible by the mutual discovery operation | movement of the mutual discovery apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which supplementarily demonstrates the process which determines whether attribute transmission is possible in the mutual discovery operation | movement of the mutual discovery apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which supplementarily demonstrates the process which determines whether attribute transmission is possible in the mutual discovery operation | movement of the mutual discovery apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the alerting | reporting to a user and a flowchart explaining supplementarily the process which determines the propriety of transmission of an attribute by the mutual discovery operation | movement of the mutual discovery apparatus of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the prior art shown in patent document 1. FIG.

  Hereinafter, the mutual discovery apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same number is assigned to the same configuration, and the description thereof is omitted. Further, in the description, portions not related to the invention are omitted.

[Overall description: Fig. 1]
First, the configuration of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a mutual discovery apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 101 is a mutual discovery device, 102 is a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “PC”), 103 is a mobile phone, 104 is the Internet, and 105 is a center service.
Similarly, 111 is execution control means, 112 is external connection means, 113 is program storage means, 114 is attribute storage means, 115 is discovery mode storage means, 116 is condition attribute storage means, 117 is condition time zone storage means, 118 Is a timing means, 119 is a receiving means, 120 is a transmitting means, 121 is a proximity information storage means, 122 is an output means, 123 is an input means, and 151 is a mutual discovery means.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mutual discovery device 101 is a kind of information processing device, and among the means existing in the mutual discovery device 101, the execution control means 111 and the mutual discovery means 151 are realized as software. Shall. It is assumed that the software is appropriately read and executed by a program recorded in the program storage unit 113.

  Further, the program storage means 113, attribute storage means 114, discovery mode storage means 115, condition attribute storage means 116, condition time zone storage means 117, and proximity information storage means 121 are realized as areas of the memory device possessed by the information processing apparatus. It shall be. Furthermore, it is assumed that the external connection unit 112, the timing unit 118, the reception unit 119, the transmission unit 120, the output unit 122, and the input unit 123 are realized as corresponding hardware.

For example, the external connection unit 112 is an interface that can be connected to the PC 102 or the mobile phone 103. The external connection unit 112 may be a wired connection interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard or a wireless connection interface such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.
Further, for example, the time measuring means 118 is a means for knowing the time, and generates a predetermined clock signal by dividing a source oscillation generated by a crystal resonator or the like, and uses this to generate a time. .
The receiving unit 119 is a unit for receiving a signal from the same type of device within a few meters, for example, using wireless technology.
The transmission unit 120 is a unit for transmitting a signal to a range of, for example, several meters using a wireless technology. As the wireless technology used by the reception unit 119 and the transmission unit 120, a known technology can be used.
The output means 122 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED), or the like. A combination of these may also be used.
As the input means 123, known input means such as switches and buttons can be used. Of course, it may have a keyboard-like shape.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mutual discovery apparatus 101 includes an execution control unit 111 that executes operations of the entire apparatus. The execution control unit 111 includes a mutual discovery unit 151 therein. The processing contents of the mutual discovery means 151 will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

The execution control unit 111 can communicate with the PC 102 or the mobile phone 103 via the external connection unit 112. The PC 102 and the mobile phone 103 can communicate with the center service 105 via the Internet 104.
Therefore, the mutual discovery device 101 can refer to or download the information held by the PC 102 or the mobile phone 103 or the center service 105, and conversely, the information held by the mutual discovery device 101 is converted to the PC 102 or the mobile phone 103 or the center service. It is also possible to upload to 105.

  Information downloaded by the execution control unit 111 includes information stored in the program storage unit 113, attribute storage unit 114, discovery mode storage unit 115, condition attribute storage unit 116, and condition time zone storage unit 117. The information uploaded by the execution control unit 111 includes information recorded in the proximity information storage unit 121.

  The mutual discovery apparatus 101 includes a program storage unit 113. The program storage unit 113 records operations executed by the execution control unit 111. The contents of the program storage means 113 may be written in the process of manufacturing the mutual discovery apparatus 101, or later by the execution control means 111 via the external connection means 112, the PC 102 or the mobile phone 103, or the service center 105. It may be downloaded from.

  The mutual discovery apparatus 101 includes a time measuring unit 118 that is a unit for knowing the time. The mutual discovery device 101 also includes a reception unit 122 and a transmission unit 123 that are communication units for detecting proximity to other mutual discovery devices. In an embodiment of the present invention, wireless communication is used to detect proximity. The result of proximity detection is recorded in the proximity information storage unit 121.

The mutual discovery apparatus 101 includes attribute storage means 114. In the attribute storage unit 114, an attribute ID for specifying the attribute, an attribute name, and a script representing the processing content to be executed corresponding to the attribute are recorded in pairs.
This recorded content may be written in the manufacturing process of the mutual discovery device 101, or may be downloaded later from the PC 102, the mobile phone 103, or the service center 105 via the external connection unit 112 by the execution control unit 111. good. The contents recorded in the attribute storage unit 114 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The mutual discovery device 101 includes a discovery mode storage unit 115. In the discovery mode storage unit 115, an attribute ID for specifying the attribute and discovery mode information for designating whether or not the attribute may be automatically transmitted to the counterpart device are recorded as a set. Is done.
This recorded content may be written in the manufacturing process of the mutual discovery device 101, or may be downloaded later from the PC 102, the mobile phone 103, or the service center 105 via the external connection unit 112 by the execution control unit 111. good.

  When the content to be recorded in the discovery mode recording unit 115 is downloaded from the outside, the user can edit the content through the operation of the PC 102 or the mobile phone 103. The contents of the discovery mode storage means will be described later with reference to FIG.

The mutual discovery apparatus 101 includes a condition attribute storage unit 116. In the condition attribute storage unit 116, an attribute ID for specifying an attribute and an ID for specifying an attribute that is a condition for sending the attribute to the counterpart device are recorded in pairs. There may be zero or more attributes as conditions.
This recorded content may be written in the manufacturing process of the mutual discovery device 101, or may be downloaded later from the PC 102, the mobile phone 103, or the service center 105 via the external connection unit 112 by the execution control unit 111. good.

  When the content to be recorded in the condition attribute recording unit 116 is downloaded from the outside, the user can edit the content through the operation of the PC 102 or the mobile phone 103. The contents of the condition attribute storage means will be described later with reference to FIG.

The mutual discovery apparatus 101 includes a condition time zone storage unit 117. In the condition time zone storage means 117, an attribute ID for specifying an attribute and a time zone as a condition for sending the attribute to the counterpart device are recorded as a set.
This recorded content may be written in the manufacturing process of the mutual discovery device 101, or may be downloaded later from the PC 102, the mobile phone 103, or the service center 105 via the external connection unit 112 by the execution control unit 111. good.

When the content to be recorded in the conditional time zone recording unit 117 is downloaded from the outside, it is assumed that the user can edit the content through the operation of the PC 102 or the mobile phone 103. The contents of the condition time zone storage means will be described later with reference to FIG.

[Description of attribute ID and script: FIGS. 1 and 2]
Next, the contents recorded in each storage means will be described. First, the contents recorded in the attribute storage unit 114 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an attribute ID, an attribute name, and a script. In FIG. 2, 201 is an attribute ID, 202 is an attribute name, 203 is a script, and 204 and 205 are script lines.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the attribute storage unit 114 can record a plurality of sets of attribute IDs 201, attribute names 202, and scripts 203. That is, one mutual discovery device 101 can handle a plurality of attributes.

  FIG. 2B is an example of a script corresponding to the attribute ID. In this example, the character string “XX community found!” Is displayed on the LCD constituting the output means 122 in the first line 204, and the LED constituting the output means 122 is also designated in the second line 205. It is instructed to keep blinking in a pattern.

[Description of discovery mode storage means: FIG. 3]
Next, contents recorded in the discovery mode storage unit 115 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the attribute ID and the discovery mode. In FIG. 3, 301 is an attribute ID, and 302 is a discovery mode.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the discovery mode storage unit 115 can record a plurality of sets of attribute IDs 301 and discovery modes 302. That is, the mutual discovery apparatus 101 can designate a discovery mode for each attribute.

  Attributes whose discovery mode 302 is “0” are sent to the partner device in the spontaneous mode, and attributes whose discovery mode 302 is “1” are sent to the partner device in the passive mode. The contents recorded in the discovery mode storage unit 115 are used by the mutual discovery unit 151.

[Description of condition attribute storage means: FIG. 4]
Next, the contents recorded in the condition attribute storage means 116 will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 4, 401 is an attribute ID, and 402 is a condition attribute. In the condition attribute 401, an attribute ID of an attribute that needs to be sent from the counterpart device in order to send the attribute is registered.
If no attribute ID is registered in the condition attribute 402, it indicates that no condition attribute is specified for the attribute. A plurality of attribute IDs can be registered in the condition attribute 402.
When a plurality of attribute IDs are registered in the condition attribute 402, it indicates that the attributes may be sent to the partner device when all of the registered plurality of attribute IDs can be received from the partner device.

[Explanation of condition time zone storage means: FIG. 5]
Next, the contents stored in the condition time zone storage means 117 will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 5, 501 is an attribute ID, and 502 is a condition time zone. In the condition time zone 502, two sets of hour and minute are designated. The attribute for which the condition time zone is specified is transmitted to the counterpart device only during that time zone.

[Description of Appearance of Apparatus: FIGS. 1 and 6]
Next, the external appearance of the apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
The mutual discovery apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 1 includes an output unit 122 that presents information to a user, and an input unit 123 that receives a user operation. As described above, the output means 122 is constituted by means for displaying the state by blinking light such as an LCD or LED. The input means 123 is composed of switches and buttons as already described.

As shown in FIG. 6, the output means 122 shown in FIG. 1 is an LCD 601 and an LED 602 in this example. The LCD 601 displays a character string “discovered friends of XX community!”.
The input means 123 includes a yes button 603 and a no button 604. The yes button 603 and the no button 604 are described as “YES” and “NO” in the example shown in FIG.
The user can input an intention to the device by looking at the content displayed on the LCD 601 and pressing the yes button 603 or the no button 604.

[Description of Processing of Mutual Discovery Unit 151: FIGS. 1, 7 to 16]
Next, the processing of the mutual discovery means 151 of the mutual discovery device 101 shown in FIG. 1 will be described using FIG. 7 to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a format of data transmitted and received between devices for mutual discovery. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating a state in which the devices A and B transmit and receive information. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the mutual discovery operation by the mutual discovery means 151. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the master operation that is a part of the mutual discovery operation. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the slave operation that is a part of the mutual discovery operation. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a data format used internally by the mutual discovery means 151. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining additional attribute search processing that is a part of the mutual discovery operation. FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are flowcharts for explaining the sendability determination operation that is a part of the additional attribute search process. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a process in the case of notifying information to the user and receiving an input from the user in the transmission permission / inhibition determining operation, and a diagram for explaining an example in which the apparatus notifies the information.

First, the format of information transmitted and received between devices will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7A shows the format of the inquiry packet sent out first. The inquiry packet starts with an inquiry start marker and ends with an inquiry end marker. If the receiving side can receive only one of the marker portions, the receiving side can determine that the packet is an inquiry packet.
Next to the inquiry start marker is a caller ID. The caller ID is a number used for identifying the device, and is uniquely determined for each device.
Next, check data is transmitted. The check data is data for confirming whether the received content matches the content transmitted by the transmission side. The hash value of the entire packet is used as check data. The check data is followed by the above-described inquiry end marker. The device that has transmitted the inquiry packet is referred to as a master device.

  FIG. 7B shows the format of the response packet. The response packet is a packet for the device that has received the inquiry packet to reply to the inquiry packet. The response packet starts with a response start marker and ends with a response end marker. Immediately after the response start marker, the caller ID follows. As described above, the caller ID is a number for identifying the device. Next, the destination ID is sent out. The destination ID is the destination of the response packet and is an ID representing the master device. Check data and a response end marker follow the destination ID.

FIG. 7C shows the format of the attribute packet. The attribute packet is transmitted between the slave device and the master device to notify the attribute held by the own device. It is sent in the order of attribute start marker, sender ID, destination ID, number of send attribute IDs, array of attribute IDs, check data, and attribute end marker.

An example of how the packets described above are exchanged is shown in the sequence diagram of FIG.
In FIG. 8, reference numerals 801 to 807 denote processing sequences. The processing sequence shown in FIG. 8 is realized by the processing of the mutual discovery unit 151. This will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  When an inquiry packet is transmitted (sequence 801) from one mutual discovery device (referred to as “device A”), the other mutual discovery device (referred to as “device B”) receives the inquiry packet and receives a response packet. Is transmitted (sequence 802).

  Since device A receives the response from device B, device A sends an attribute packet in response (sequence 803). In the attribute packet, as shown in FIG. However, not all attributes registered in the device A are unconditionally recorded in the attribute packet, but discovery mode information stored in the discovery mode storage unit 115 is used. That is, only attributes for which the discovery mode is designated as the spontaneous mode are written in the attribute packet. This state will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The device B looks at the contents of the attribute packet received from the device A, and sends out an attribute packet for notifying its own attribute (sequence 804). However, not all attributes registered in the device B are unconditionally recorded in the attribute packet, but the discovery mode information stored in the discovery mode storage unit 115, the condition attribute storage unit 116, and the condition time zone storage The recorded information such as means 117 is used. This state will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The device A looks at the attribute ID written in the attribute packet received from the device B, and checks whether there is an attribute to be transmitted by itself. If there is an attribute to be additionally transmitted, it is recorded in the attribute packet and transmitted (sequence 805). This state will also be described later with reference to FIG.

  The device B looks at the contents of the attribute packet received from the device A again, and checks whether there is an additional attribute to be transmitted. If there is an attribute to be additionally transmitted, it is transmitted as an attribute packet (sequence 806). This state will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the above-described exchange is repeated and an attribute to be additionally transmitted is not detected in any of the apparatuses, the apparatus transmits an attribute packet with the number of attributes set to 0. This represents the end of attribute exchange between devices. In the sequence diagram of FIG. 8, device A sends 0 attribute packets (sequence 807).

[Description of flow of mutual discovery operation: FIGS. 1 and 9]
Next, the flow of the mutual discovery operation will be described with reference to FIG. This process is the process of the mutual discovery means 151 in FIG. In FIG. 9, reference numerals 901 to 906 denote operation steps.

  When the process is started in step 901, the process proceeds to step 902 to try to receive a packet for a random time. The reception means 119 is used for reception. The random time referred to here is a time required to check whether there is any other device that is transmitting packets, and is 2 seconds in the embodiment of the present invention.

If a packet from another device cannot be received in the process of step 902, the process proceeds to step 903, and further proceeds to step 904. That is, since there is no other device that sends a signal, the device itself tries to send a signal as a master device. The master operation in step 904 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. When the master operation in step 904 is completed, the process returns to step 902.

  If the reception of a packet from another device is started during the process of step 902, the process proceeds to step 903 after receiving the packet to the end. In this case, it is determined in step 903 that there is reception, and the process proceeds to step 905.

  In step 905, it is determined whether the packet received in the previous step is an inquiry packet. Whether it is an inquiry packet or not can be determined by looking at the markers at the beginning and end of the packet as described above. If it is determined in step 905 that the packet is not an inquiry packet, the process returns to step 902.

  If it is determined in step 905 that the received packet is an inquiry packet, the process proceeds to step 906 to execute a slave operation. The slave operation will be described later with reference to FIG. When the slave operation in step 906 is completed, the process returns to step 902.

[Description of Master Operation: FIGS. 1 to 3, 9, 10, and 12]
Next, a master operation corresponding to step 904 in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. The process shown in FIG. 10 is also a process executed by the mutual discovery unit 151, similarly to the process shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, reference numerals 1001 to 1019 denote operation steps.

  After starting the operation in step 1001, an inquiry packet is transmitted in step 1002, and reception of a response packet is attempted in step 1003. If another device is receiving, that is, in the state of step 902 in FIG. 9, the device that was receiving should immediately return a response packet. In step 1004, it is determined whether or not a response packet has been received. If no response packet has been received, the process proceeds to step 1005, and the master operation ends.

  If it is determined in step 1004 that a response packet has been received, the process proceeds to step 1006 to clear the list used internally. The data structure of this list is shown in FIG. There are two lists, 1201 in FIG. 12A is a transmission attribute list, and FIG. 12B is a reception attribute list. These lists are maintained for each device. The transmission attribute list 1201 holds attribute IDs to be transmitted by the device. The reception attribute list 1202 holds attribute IDs received from the counterpart device. In step 1006, both lists are emptied.

Next, the processing proceeds to step 1007, and among the attributes of the own device, that is, among the attributes held in the attribute storage means 114, the attribute in the spontaneous mode is put on the attribute packet and transmitted. Whether or not the attribute is the spontaneous mode can be checked by referring to the information in the discovery mode storage unit 115.
That is, as already described with reference to FIG. 3, if “0” is registered as the discovery mode information of the attribute ID, the attribute is the spontaneous mode, and if “1” is registered, the mode is the passive mode. is there. Attributes that are passive mode are not sent in step 1007. The sent attribute ID is also registered in the send attribute list 1201.

  In step 1008, the attribute sent from the counterpart device is received. The attribute is also sent from the counterpart device in the attribute packet. The attribute sent from the other party is added to the reception attribute list 1202.

If the attribute from the other party is received, the process proceeds to step 1009 to determine an attribute to be additionally transmitted from the own device. This additional attribute determination operation will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The attribute to be additionally transmitted is determined by referring to the attribute information received from the counterpart device and the condition of the own device.

  If there is no additional attribute to be transmitted in step 1009, it is determined in step 1010 that there is no additional attribute, and the process proceeds to step 1011 to transmit an attribute packet having zero attributes. This means the end of attribute exchange with the counterpart device. After sending the attribute packet with 0 attributes, the process proceeds to step 1012. The processing after step 1012 will be described later.

  If there is an attribute to be additionally transmitted in step 1009, the process proceeds to step 1013, and the attribute is transmitted. Attributes are sent in attribute packets. The process further proceeds to step 1014 to receive an additional attribute sent from the counterpart device. The additional attribute is also sent in the attribute packet. The received attribute is added to the reception attribute list 1202.

  When the attribute packet is received, the process proceeds to step 1015 to check the number of additional attributes received from the counterpart device. If the number is not 0, the process returns to step 1009 to check whether there is an attribute to be additionally transmitted from the own device accordingly. If the number of additional attributes sent from the counterpart device is 0, attribute exchange is complete, and the process proceeds to step 1012.

  In step 1012, a common attribute is detected between the attribute of the own device and the attribute received from the counterpart device. The attributes registered in both the transmission attribute list 1201 and the reception attribute list 1202 are attributes common to both devices. In step 1016 and step 1017, the script corresponding to the attribute is executed for all the common attributes. The script is stored in the attribute storage unit 114. Please refer to FIG. 2A for the data structure of the attribute storage means 114 and FIG. 2B for an example of the script.

  When the processing related to the common attribute is completed, the process proceeds to step 1018 and the proximity information is recorded in the proximity information storage unit 121. The proximity information is a set of a proximity time, an ID for identifying the counterpart device, and an attribute ID common to itself. The approaching time is the current time and can be acquired by the time measuring means 118. Next, the process proceeds to step 1019 to end the master operation. This is the end of the description of the master operation.

[Description of Slave Operation: FIGS. 1 to 3, 7, 9, 11, and 12]
Next, the slave operation that is paired with the master operation will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 11, reference numerals 1101 to 1120 denote operation steps. The slave operation corresponds to step 906 in FIG.

  When the operation is started in step 1101, the process proceeds to step 1102, and it is determined whether the sender of the received inquiry packet is a partner who has already completed proximity detection. That is, information recorded in the proximity information storage unit 121 is searched with the sender ID of the inquiry packet. If the sender ID is not recorded in the proximity information recording means 121, it is the first proximity with the apparatus having the sender ID. Even when the sender ID is recorded in the proximity information recording means 121, it is not regarded as re-detection if the recording time and the current time differ greatly. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is not regarded as re-detection if 4 hours or more have passed since the previous recording of the proximity information. If it is determined in step 1102 that re-detection has occurred, the process proceeds to step 1103 and the slave operation is completed.

If it is not determined in step 1102 that re-detection has occurred, the process proceeds to step 1104. In step 1104, a response packet is transmitted. The format of the response packet is as described with reference to FIG. Next, the process proceeds to step 1105, and the list used internally by the mutual discovery means 151 of the devices performing the slave operation is cleared. The data format of the list is as already described with reference to FIG.

  Next, in step 1106, the attribute packet transmitted by the master device is received. In step 1107, it is determined whether the destination written in the attribute packet is the device itself. If the attribute packet is not addressed to the own device, the process proceeds to step 1108 to end the slave operation. If the received attribute packet is addressed to the own device, the process proceeds to step 1109.

  In step 1109, the attribute for which the spontaneous mode is designated among the attributes of the own device is added to the transmission attribute list. That is, the attribute designated as the spontaneous mode is unconditionally sent to the counterpart device.

  Next, proceeding to step 1110, it is determined whether there is an attribute to be additionally sent according to the attribute received from the counterpart device. This additional attribute determination operation is executed in the same processing flow as 1009 in FIG. This processing flow will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, in step 1111, it is checked whether or not the number of attributes to be transmitted, that is, the number of attributes not yet transmitted to the counterpart device among the attributes registered in the transmission attribute list is 0. If the number of attributes to be transmitted is 0, the process proceeds to step 1112 and an attribute packet having 0 attributes is transmitted. An attribute packet with the number of attributes being 0 has the meaning of terminating the attribute exchange with the counterpart device. When the attribute exchange with the counterpart device is completed, the process proceeds to step 1113. The processing from step 1113 to step 1120 is the same as the processing from step 1012 to step 1019 in FIG.

  If it is determined in step 1111 that the number of attributes to be transmitted is not 0, the process proceeds to step 1114, and the attributes to be transmitted are transmitted in the attribute packet. The process further proceeds to step 1115 to receive additional attributes sent from the counterpart device. If no attribute is included in the attribute packet sent from the other party, that is, if the number is zero, the attribute exchange is terminated and the process proceeds to step 1113. If the number is not 0, the process returns to step 1110 in order to determine an attribute to be additionally sent according to the sent attribute. This is the end of the description of the slave operation.

[Description of Additional Attribute Determination Operation: FIG. 13]
Next, an additional attribute determination operation corresponding to step 1009 in FIG. 10 and step 1110 in FIG. 11 will be described using FIG.

  In the additional attribute determination operation, when the operation is started in step 1301, the attributes stored in the attribute storage unit 114 are examined in order from the beginning to the end. In step 1302, it is determined whether there is an attribute that has not been checked yet, that is, whether the check has been completed up to the last attribute. If all the processes are completed, the process proceeds to step 1303, and the additional attribute determination operation is completed.

  If there are still unprocessed attributes, whether or not they should be additionally sent to the other party is determined as follows. First, in step 1304, it is checked whether or not the attribute discovery mode is passive mode. The discovery mode is recorded in the discovery mode storage unit 115 as shown in FIG. If the discovery mode is “1”, the attribute is a passive mode. If not in passive mode, return to step 1302 to process the next attribute.

If the attribute is the passive mode, the process proceeds to step 1305 to check whether or not the attribute has already been transmitted. If the attribute is registered in the transmission attribute list 1201, the subsequent processing is unnecessary because the transmission has already been performed. In that case, the process returns to step 1302 to process the next attribute.

If the attribute is passive mode and has not yet been sent to the counterpart device, the process proceeds to step 1306 to check whether the attribute can be sent. Several methods are conceivable for the transmission availability determination operation. This will be described later with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.
In step 1307, the determination result of the transmission permission / inhibition determination operation in step 1306 is checked. If the transmission is not possible, the process returns to step 1302 to process the next attribute. If transmission is possible, the process proceeds to step 1308, and the attribute is added to the transmission attribute list 1201. Further processing returns to step 1302 to process the next attribute.

  As described above, when all the attributes stored in the attribute storage unit 114 have been processed, the additional attribute determination operation ends.

[Description of Sending / Rejecting Judgment Operation: FIGS. 14, 15, and 16]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16, the transmission permission / inhibition determination operation in step 1306 in FIG. 13 will be described. Several kinds of methods are conceivable for the transmission permission / inhibition judgment operation. First, four methods will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating a determination method when only the discovery mode information is used.
When the operation starts in step 1401, it is determined in step 1402 whether or not the attribute is registered in the reception attribute list 1202 shown in FIG. That is, it is determined whether the attribute is also sent from the counterpart device. If it is not registered in the reception attribute list 1202, the process proceeds to step 1403 and "NO" is returned. If registered, the process proceeds to step 1404 and "YES" is returned.

  This determination method means that if the other party has the same attribute, he / she can also convey the attribute to the other party. For example, if the attribute is the name of a primary school, you do not want to go ahead and send the name of the primary school, but if you tell the other party that you are from the same primary school, you will be born in response. It can be used when you can tell elementary school.

FIG. 14B is a diagram for explaining a method of using the degree of attribute matching with the other party.
When processing is started in step 1411, the degree of coincidence is calculated in step 1412. Various methods are conceivable for calculating the degree of coincidence. In the embodiment of the present invention, the degree of coincidence determines how many attributes received from the counterpart device so far match the attributes of the own device. That is, the attribute information registered in the reception attribute list 1202 shown in FIG. 12 is compared with the attribute information registered in the attribute storage means 114, and the number of matching items is counted.
Next, in step 1413, it is determined whether the degree of coincidence is a predetermined value or more. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is determined whether the degree of coincidence is 5 or more. If the degree of coincidence is less than 5, the process proceeds to step 1414 and “NO” is returned. If the degree of coincidence is 5 or more, the process proceeds to step 1415 and “YES” is returned.

  This determination method means that a passive mode attribute may be sent to a partner having the same attribute more than a certain number.

FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating a determination method that uses information in the condition attribute storage unit 116.
When processing is started in step 1421, the condition attribute of that attribute is acquired in step 1422. The condition attributes are recorded in the condition attribute storage means 116, and the data format is as shown in FIG. In step 1423, it is checked whether all the condition attributes are registered in the reception attribute list 1202 shown in FIG. If even one of the condition attributes is not registered in the reception attribute list 1202, the process proceeds to step 1424 and “NO” is returned.
If all the condition attributes are registered in the reception attribute list 1202, the process proceeds to step 1425 and “YES” is returned.

  This determination method can be used, for example, when a high school name is set as a passive mode attribute and a prefecture name is specified as a condition attribute for sending it. The name of your high school will not be sent to the partner whose name does not match.

FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating a determination method that uses information in the condition time zone storage unit 117.
When the processing is started in step 1431, the current time is acquired using the time measuring means 118 in step 1432. Next, in step 1433, the condition time zone is acquired. The condition time zone is recorded in the condition time zone storage means 117 in the format shown in FIG. Next, in step 1434, it is determined whether or not the current time is included in the condition time zone. If the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step 1435 and “NO” is returned. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step 1436 and “YES” is returned.
With this determination method, it is possible to deal with a usage method such as not sending out attributes related to hobbies during the day.

As described above, the four types of transmission permission / inhibition determination operations have been individually described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, but it goes without saying that these methods may be used in combination.
Furthermore, the mutual discovery apparatus 101 may include a means for acquiring position information. For example, GPS (global positioning system) is used. As described above, when the position information can be acquired, it is possible to determine whether or not to transmit using the position information.

[Explanation of how the user confirms: FIG. 16]
Next, a method of notifying the user of information and confirming the user's intention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16A is obtained by adding notification to the user and acceptance of input from the user to the determination method of FIG.

Steps 1401 to 1403 are the same as the operations in FIG. 14A and are therefore assigned the same numbers, and the description thereof is omitted.
If the determination result in step 1402 is “YES”, the process proceeds to step 1501 to notify the user of information. In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 16B, information is notified to the user by a message displayed on the LCD 601. In this case, the character string “There is a person with the matching XXX attribute nearby. Do you want to send it?” Is displayed. The user can select whether to send the attribute by pressing the yes button 603 or the no button 604.

If the user does not press the yes button 603, the process proceeds to step 1503 and "NO" is returned. If the user presses the yes button 603, the process proceeds to step 1504 and "YES" is returned.
The user knows what conditions are satisfied, and can specify whether or not to send information from his / her device accordingly.

The mutual discovery apparatus of the present invention is suitable for a portable communication device that can protect the privacy of the user because it can suppress the transmission of attributes registered in its own device necessary for mutual discovery.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Mutual discovery apparatus 102 Personal computer 103 Mobile phone 104 Internet 105 Center service 111 Execution control means 112 External connection means 113 Program storage means 114 Attribute storage means 115 Discovery mode storage means 116 Condition attribute storage means 117 Condition time zone storage means 118 Timing means 119 Reception means 120 Transmission means 121 Proximity information storage means 122 Output means 123 Input means 151 Mutual discovery means

Claims (6)

In a mutual discovery apparatus that has communication means and can discover each other's devices,
Attribute storage means for storing a plurality of attribute information comprising at least one attribute element relating to the owner of the device;
Discovery mode information storage means for storing discovery mode information corresponding to each attribute information element;
A mutual discovery means for exchanging the attribute information of the counterpart device received using the communication means and the attribute information of the own device;
The discovery mode information includes two types of information: a spontaneous mode that allows the attribute information to be transmitted from the own device first to the counterpart device, and a passive mode that does not allow the attribute device to be transmitted to the counterpart device first. Consists of
The mutual discovery means, based on the discovery mode information, the attribute information designated in the spontaneous mode is unconditionally transmitted to the counterpart device, and the attribute designated in the passive mode is not actively transmitted. The information is not transmitted to the counterpart device, thereby controlling the exchange of the attribute information, and counting the number of matches between the attribute information possessed by the own device and the attribute information transmitted by the counterpart device. A mutual discovery apparatus that controls the exchange of the attribute information based on the degree . In a mutual discovery apparatus that has communication means and can discover each other's devices,
Attribute storage means for storing attribute information comprising at least one attribute element relating to the owner of the device;
Condition attribute storage means for storing condition attribute information for each attribute element;
Discovery mode information storage means for storing discovery mode information corresponding to each attribute information element;
Mutual discovery means for exchanging the attribute information of the counterpart device received using the communication means and the attribute information of the own device;
Have
The discovery mode information includes two types of information: a spontaneous mode that allows the attribute information to be transmitted from the own device first to the counterpart device, and a passive mode that does not allow the attribute device to be transmitted to the counterpart device first. Consists of
The mutual discovery means, based on the discovery mode information, the attribute information designated in the spontaneous mode is unconditionally transmitted to the counterpart device, and the attribute designated in the passive mode is not actively transmitted. Controlling the exchange of attribute information by not sending information to the counterpart device,
The mutual discovery means, based on the case where the attribute information which the conditional attribute information and the partner device with the device itself has sent coincides, the attribute information see phase互発device you and controls the exchange of. A time measuring means for measuring the current time; a condition time zone information storing means for storing condition time zone information obtained from the current time;
With
3. The mutual discovery unit according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the mutual discovery unit controls exchange of the attribute information based on a comparison result between the discovery mode and the condition time zone information and the current time. Discovery device. An output means for informing the user of information,
The mutual discovery means, using said output means, said discovery mode information, mutual discovery device according to claim 1, wherein the notifying the previous SL coincidence degree. An output means for informing the user of information,
The mutual discovery apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mutual discovery unit reports the discovery mode information, the condition attribute, and the match using the output unit. An output means for informing the user of information,
The mutual discovery apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the mutual discovery unit notifies the discovery mode information and the comparison result using the output unit.

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