JP2008053945A - Data receiving device and data transmitting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely receive data transmitted from a communication opposite side through unidirectional communication. <P>SOLUTION: A multifunction printer 10 after repeatedly sending out a test command receives data transmitted through IrSimple unidirectional communication from a mobile phone 80 having received the test command. Here, when the mobile phone 80 is held in the posture at the time of reception of the test command by the mobile phone 80, the mobile phone 80 and multifunction printer 10 must be in position relation where they can transmit and receive data to each other. Therefore, when the mobile phone 80 is held in the posture and transmits data by IrSimple unidirectional communication, the multifunction printer 10 can securely receive the data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data receiving device and a data transmitting device.

Conventionally, an infrared data communication system based on the IrDA standard has been widely used in various information devices such as PDAs, personal computers, mobile phones, and portable printers. In August 2005, IrSimple was adopted as an international standard in order to realize high-speed communication in data transfer of large-capacity content (see Non-Patent Document 1). This IrSimple is expected to be used in new applications in addition to the traditional applications. In addition, IrSimple has proposed not only bidirectional communication but also unidirectional communication procedures. For example, when transferring image data from a data transmission device such as a mobile phone or a digital still camera to a data reception device such as a printer, if a one-way communication procedure is employed, the user can feel the image data without stress. You can transfer.
ITX E-Globaledge Corporation, 3 other companies, “Press Release”, [online] August 26, 2005, NTT DOCOMO, [Search July 17, 2006], Internet <URL: http: // www. nttdocomo.co.jp/info/news_release/page/20050826.html>

  However, when image data is transferred using a unidirectional communication procedure, the data receiving device may not be able to receive the image data if the data transmitting device and the data receiving device do not face each other correctly.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a data receiving apparatus that can reliably receive data transmitted from a communication partner by unidirectional communication. Another object of the present invention is to provide a data transmission device that can reliably transmit data to the data reception device by unidirectional communication.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve at least one of the above objects.

The data receiving apparatus of the present invention is
A test signal transmission means capable of transmitting a test signal to the outside;
Data receiving means capable of receiving data transmitted from an external data transmitting device;
Controlling the test signal transmitting means to repeatedly transmit the test signal to the outside, and then receiving the data receiving means to receive data transmitted by one-way communication from the data transmitting apparatus that has received the test signal. Control means for controlling;
It is equipped with.

  In this data receiving apparatus, after repeatedly transmitting a test signal to the outside, data transmitted by unidirectional communication is received from a data transmitting apparatus that exists outside and has received the test signal. Here, if the attitude of the data transmitting apparatus is maintained at the attitude when the data transmitting apparatus receives the test signal, the data transmitting apparatus and the data receiving apparatus should be in a positional relationship where data can be transmitted and received. is there. Therefore, if data is transmitted from the data transmission device by unidirectional communication while maintaining the attitude, the data reception device of the present invention can reliably receive the data.

  In the data receiving apparatus of the present invention, the control means controls the test signal transmission means to repeat a series of operations of repeatedly transmitting the test signal to the outside and then interrupting the transmission of the test signal, The data receiving means may be controlled to start receiving data transmitted by unidirectional communication from the data transmitting apparatus that has received the test signal when transmission of the test signal is interrupted. In this way, it is possible to take a timing for starting reception of data sent by unidirectional communication within a relatively wide time interval.

  In the data receiving apparatus of the present invention, the control means is configured such that the control means sends the test signal to the outside after the data receiving means can receive data transmitted by unidirectional communication. The test signal transmitting means may be controlled to repeatedly transmit, and then the data receiving means may be controlled to receive data transmitted by one-way communication from the data transmitting apparatus that has received the test signal. In this way, the data receiving apparatus can receive the data transmitted by the one-way communication after the data transmitting apparatus receives the test signal more reliably. The “receivable state” may be, for example, a state after a storage area is secured so that data transmitted by one-way communication can be received, or other tasks being executed are suspended. A state may be set, or another task may be prohibited from starting.

  In the data receiving apparatus of the present invention, the test signal may describe a unidirectional communication mode preferable for the data receiving apparatus. In this case, if the data transmission device transmits data by one-way communication suitable for the described mode, the data reception device can receive the data suitably. Here, it is preferable that at least one of the communication speed and the minimum packet interval is described as an aspect of the unidirectional communication. The reason is that these two parameters have a great influence on communication.

The control method of the data receiving device of the present invention includes:
A method of controlling a data receiving device by computer software,
(A) repeatedly transmitting a test signal to the outside;
(B) receiving data transmitted by unidirectional communication from the data transmitting apparatus that has received the test signal after the step (a);
Is included.

  In this method of controlling the data receiving apparatus, after repeatedly transmitting a test signal to the outside, data transmitted by unidirectional communication from the data transmitting apparatus that exists outside and has received the test signal is received. Here, if the attitude of the data transmitting apparatus is maintained at the attitude when the data transmitting apparatus receives the test signal, the data transmitting apparatus and the data receiving apparatus should be in a positional relationship where data can be transmitted and received. is there. Therefore, if data is transmitted from the data transmission device by unidirectional communication while maintaining the attitude, the data reception device can reliably receive the data. Note that a step for realizing the function of any of the above-described data receiving apparatuses may be added to the control method of the data receiving apparatus.

  The control program of the present invention is a program for causing one or more computers to execute the data receiving method described above. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this control program is executed by a single computer, or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, the same effects as those of the data receiving method described above can be obtained.

The data transmission apparatus of the present invention
A test signal receiving means capable of receiving a test signal transmitted from an external data receiving device;
Data transmission means capable of transmitting data to the outside;
Control means for controlling the data transmission means to transmit data by unidirectional communication toward the outside after the test signal receiving means receives the test signal;
It is equipped with.

  In this data transmitting apparatus, after receiving a test signal transmitted from an external data receiving apparatus, data is transmitted to the outside by one-way communication. Here, if the attitude of the data transmitting apparatus is maintained at the attitude when the data transmitting apparatus receives the test signal, the data transmitting apparatus and the data receiving apparatus that has transmitted the test signal have a positional relationship that enables mutual data transmission / reception. be able to. Therefore, if data is transmitted by one-way communication while maintaining the attitude, the data can be reliably transmitted to the data receiving device. Note that any of the above-described data receiving apparatuses of the present invention may be employed as the data receiving apparatus.

  The data transmission device of the present invention comprises notification means capable of notifying a user of predetermined information, and the control means indicates that the data reception device has been found when the test signal reception means receives the test signal. The notifying means may be controlled to notify the user, and then the data transmitting means may be controlled to transmit data to the outside by unidirectional communication. In this way, the user can easily confirm whether or not the data transmission device is in an attitude capable of communicating with the data reception device.

  The notification means may be a display means capable of displaying at least one of characters, figures and symbols, or may be an audio output means capable of outputting sound.

  The data transmission device of the present invention includes transmission command input means capable of inputting a data transmission command by a user, and the control means discovers the data reception device when the test signal reception means receives the test signal. The notification means may be controlled so as to notify the user of the fact, and then the data transmission means may be controlled to transmit data by unidirectional communication toward the outside when a data transmission command is input by the user. In this way, since the user can easily confirm whether or not the data transmission device is communicable with the data reception device and can instruct data transmission by one-way communication. The data can be transmitted.

  In the data transmission device of the present invention, when the test signal describes a preferred one-way communication mode for the data reception device, the control means transmits the data by the one-way communication according to the test signal. The data transmission means may be controlled. In this way, data can be transmitted in a mode suitable for the data receiving apparatus. Here, it is preferable that at least one of the communication speed and the minimum packet interval is described as an aspect of the unidirectional communication. The reason is that these two parameters have a great influence on communication.

The control method of the data transmission device of the present invention is as follows:
A method of controlling a data transmission device by computer software,
(A) receiving a test signal transmitted from an external data receiving device;
(B) after the step (a), transmitting data to the outside by unidirectional communication;
Is included.

  In this data transmission method, after receiving a test signal transmitted from an external data receiving apparatus, data is transmitted to the outside by unidirectional communication. Here, if the attitude of the data transmitting apparatus is maintained at the attitude when the data transmitting apparatus receives the test signal, the data transmitting apparatus and the data receiving apparatus that has transmitted the test signal have a positional relationship that enables mutual data transmission / reception. be able to. Therefore, if data is transmitted by one-way communication while maintaining the attitude, the data can be reliably transmitted to the data receiving device. Note that steps for realizing the functions of any of the above-described data transmission devices may be added to the control method of the data transmission device.

  The control program of the present invention is a program for causing one or more computers to execute the above-described control method of the data transmission device. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this control program is executed by one computer or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, the same effect as the above-described control method of the data transmitting apparatus can be obtained.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a multi-function printer 10 as an embodiment of a data receiving apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the multi-function printer 10, and FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of these.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function printer 10 of the present embodiment includes a printer unit 20 that performs printing on a printing paper S based on a print job, and a scanner unit 30 that reads a document placed on a glass table 36. An infrared communication port 50 for receiving and emitting infrared light, an IrDA controller 60 for controlling the infrared communication port 50 to transmit / receive data to / from the mobile phone 80 which is an infrared communication device, and display various information. An operation panel 40 for displaying on the unit 42 and inputting user instructions through the operation of buttons 44 and a main controller 70 for controlling the entire apparatus are provided. The IrDA controller 60 and the main controller 70 are mounted on the board 12 and accommodated in the multifunction printer 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-function printer 10 is configured such that the printer unit 20, the scanner unit 30, the IrDA controller 60, and the main controller 70 can exchange various control signals and data via a bus 46.

  The printer unit 20 includes a printer ASIC 22 and a printer engine 24. The printer ASIC 22 is an integrated circuit manufactured for the control of the printer engine 24. Upon receiving a print command from the main controller 70, the printer ASIC 22 prints on the printing paper S based on the print data that is the target of the print command. 24 is controlled. The printer engine 24 is configured as a well-known inkjet color printer mechanism that performs printing by ejecting ink from a print head onto a sheet. Note that ASIC is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit.

  The scanner unit 30 includes a scanner ASIC 32 and a scanner engine 34. The scanner ASIC 32 is an integrated circuit manufactured for controlling the scanner engine 34. Upon receiving a scan command from the main controller 70, the scanner ASIC 32 controls the scanner engine 34 to read a document placed on the glass table 36 as image data. To do. The scanner engine 34 is configured as a well-known image scanner, and the reflected light after emitting light toward the document is separated into red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors to obtain scan data. A known color image sensor is provided.

  The infrared communication port 50 is provided near the surface of the multifunction printer 10 so that the phototransistor 52 can receive infrared light emitted from the mobile phone 80 and the LED 54 can emit infrared light toward the mobile phone 80. (See FIG. 1). The infrared communication port 50 is configured to be communicable by a communication method compliant with the IrDA standard and the IrSimple standard. The communication method conforming to the IrDA standard is bidirectional communication. For example, when performing image transfer of 500 kbytes from the mobile phone 80 to the multi-function printer 10 using the IrDA-4M method, the device discovery procedure (500 msec to 1 sec) or device is first performed at 9600 bps. Since the connection procedure (300 msec to 500 msec) is executed and data transfer is performed while performing bidirectional communication at 4 Mbps, it takes about 3 seconds in total. On the other hand, there are two types of communication methods conforming to the IrSimple standard: bidirectional communication and unidirectional communication. For example, when performing 500 kbyte image transfer from the mobile phone 80 to the multifunction printer 10 by unidirectional communication, the device connection is first made at 9600 bps. Since the data transfer is unilaterally performed at 4 Mbps after the procedure is performed, it takes less than 1 second in total. Note that both the phototransistor 52 and the LED 54 are used in the bidirectional communication, but only the phototransistor 52 is used and the LED 54 is not used in the unidirectional communication.

  The IrDA controller 60 includes a decoder 62 that receives the infrared light by the phototransistor 52 of the infrared communication port 50 and converts the voltage signal IrRx output from the infrared communication port 50 into a binary (value 0 and value 1) data string; An encoder 64 that generates a voltage signal IrTx to be output to the infrared communication port 50 to drive the LED 54 of the infrared communication port 50 from the binary data string, and conversion of each voltage signal IrRx, IrTx and the binary data string And a clock generator 66 for generating sampling clock pulses for defining timing. The clock generator 66 can generate different sampling clocks corresponding to two different speeds (9600 bps and 4 Mbps in this embodiment). When the signal IrRx is not input from the infrared communication port 50, the IrDA controller 60 generates a sampling clock pulse corresponding to 9600 bps by the clock generator 66 so that a signal sent at 9600 bps can be received. Waiting in the state

  Here, the unidirectional communication of the IrSimple standard will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a frame used for data transfer in IrSimple one-way communication. Frames used for data transfer include frame A including SNRM (Set Normal Response Mode) command used as a connection signal, frames B, C, and D including image data, and connection disconnection used as a disconnection signal There is a frame (not shown). At the time of data transfer, first, frame A is transferred at 9600 bps, and then frame B is transferred at 4 Mbps (actual data transfer rate, which will be described later) after 50 msec, and after that, a predetermined packet interval (here, 100 μsec) is left. Frames C and D are also transferred at 4 Mbps (actual data transfer rate). Here, the frame C will be further described. In the frame C, a plurality of preambles (PA) are repeatedly arranged in order from the top, followed by a start flag (STA), a data body, and a stop flag (STO). When one PA is viewed, the decoded data string is composed of 16 bits of “1000”, “0000”, “1010”, and “1000”. The decoded data string is obtained as follows. That is, in FIG. 4, the sampling clock is 16 MHz, and the symbol clock obtained by dividing the sampling clock is 2 MHz. The predetermined reading timing based on the sampling clock pulse (for example, the timing of the rising edge of each pulse, etc.) ) To read the output signal of the infrared communication port 50. Here, when the output signals read at two consecutive reading timings are both high (High), the data after decoding is set to “1”, and the output signals read at two consecutive reading timings are both low (Low). ), The decoded data is set to “0”. As a result, one piece of decoded data is determined every two sampling pulses. The communication speed of the decoded data obtained in this way is 8 Mbps. On the other hand, in the data body, 4-value PPM (4-value pulse position modulation) is adopted for the decoded data string. For this reason, it is necessary to further decode the decoded data string. Specifically, the decoded data string “1000” corresponds to the actual data “00”, “0100” corresponds to “01”, “0010” corresponds to “10”, and “0001” corresponds to “ 11 ". The communication rate (actual data transfer rate) of the data string of the data body thus obtained is 4 Mbps. That is, when the actual data transfer rate is 4 Mbps, the data body is communicated at 4 Mbps, and other PA, STA, and STO are communicated at 8 Mbps. Further, the frequency of the sampling clock when the actual data transfer rate is 4 Mbps and the frequency of the sampling clock when the PA communication rate is 8 Mbps are the same. The symbol clock is adjusted so that the head of each 4 bits when the 16 bits (above) of PA are divided into 4 bits can be read when the clock is generated. This is performed based on this symbol clock.

  The operation panel 40 includes a display unit 42 and buttons 44. The display unit 42 is a liquid crystal display, and displays information related to the printing status and data reception status, a printing menu, and the like. The buttons 44 include a power button, an arrow key, a determination button, a cancel button, and the like, and the internal communication interface 79 is displayed when an appropriate button is pressed when a menu item is selected or when printing is performed. Through this, a user instruction is input to the main controller 70.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main controller 70 is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 72. The main controller 70 stores a ROM 74 storing various processing programs, various data, various tables, etc., and temporarily stores scan data and print data. A RAM 76 that stores data and stores data, a flash memory 78 that is electrically rewritable and retains data even when the power is turned off, and an internal communication interface 79 that enables communication with the operation panel 40 are provided. These are connected via a bus 46 so that signals can be exchanged with each other. The main controller 70 inputs various operation signals and various detection signals from the printer unit 20, the scanner unit 30, and the IrDA controller 60, and inputs operation signals generated according to the operation of the buttons 44 of the operation panel 40. Or Further, the main controller 70 outputs an instruction to the printer unit 20 to execute the printing of the image data included in the print job received from the mobile phone 80, or glass based on the scan command of the buttons 44 on the operation panel 40. An instruction is output to the scanner unit 30 so as to read a document placed on the table 36 as image data, data to be transmitted to a transmission destination by infrared communication is output to the IrDA controller 60, and the display unit 42 is displayed on the operation panel 40. Output control commands.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cellular phone 80 is equipped with an infrared communication function compliant with the IrDA standard or the IrSimple standard, and has an operation button 81 formed of a numeric keypad or the like, and a microphone 82 for collecting voice spoken through the earpiece. A speaker 83 that outputs sound to the outside via the mouthpiece, a display 84 that displays various screens (images), a CCD camera 85 that captures images, and transmission / reception that is a data input / output interface of a cellular phone network Unit 86, a memory 87 capable of temporarily storing various data, an infrared communication port 88 for receiving and emitting infrared rays, and an infrared communication device (for example, a multifunction printer) existing outside by controlling the infrared communication port 88 10) with an IrDA controller 89 that transmits and receives data, and a mobile phone controller 90 that controls the entire mobile phone, It is provided. Here, in the memory 87, telephone book data sequentially created by operating the operation button 81, transmission mail data to be transmitted to or transmitted to another mobile phone, personal computer, etc. via the transmission / reception unit 86, Incoming mail data received from another mobile phone or personal computer via the transmission / reception unit 86, memo pad data created by operating the operation button 81, image data taken by the CCD camera 85, and the like are stored. The configurations of the infrared communication port 88 and the IrDA controller 89 are the same as those of the infrared communication port 50 and the IrDA controller 60 of the multifunction printer 10. The mobile phone controller 90 executes various controls, and as one of them, when a button assigned with the Ir high-speed transmission button of the operation button 81 is pressed and a transmission command conforming to the IrSimple standard is input, The image data selected from the image data in the memory 87 is transmitted to the multi-function printer 10 via the infrared communication port 88 and the IrDA controller 89 described above.

  Next, image data is transmitted from the mobile phone 80 to the multi-function printer 10 by the operation of the multi-function printer 10 and the mobile phone 80 of the present embodiment configured as described above, in particular, unidirectional communication conforming to the IrSimple standard. An operation when data is printed by the multifunction printer 10 will be described.

  First, the operation of the mobile phone 80 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a transmission processing routine of IrSimple one-way communication executed by the mobile phone controller 90 of the mobile phone 80, and FIG. 6 is an explanation of a screen displayed on the display 84 of the mobile phone 80 in relation to this routine. FIG. This routine is stored in an internal ROM (not shown) of the mobile phone 80. Further, in this routine, as shown in FIG. 6A, in a state where a plurality of thumbnail images are displayed on the display 84, the user selects the thumbnail image by placing the cursor on one of the thumbnail images. The operation is started when a button 81b (see FIG. 1) to which a function as a transmission button (Ir high-speed transmission button) of IrSimple one-way communication is assigned is pressed among the operation buttons 81. When the button 81a (see FIG. 1) to which a function as a menu button is assigned is pressed, a menu screen (not shown) is displayed. That is, the button 81a is assigned a function of a button displayed at the lower left of the screen of the display 84, and the button 81b is assigned a function of a button displayed at the lower right of the screen of the display 84.

  When this routine is started, as shown in FIG. 6B, the cellular phone controller 90 displays a message “Please direct the cellular phone to the destination” on the display 84 (step S100). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a 9600 bps test command TC (see FIG. 7, which will be described in detail later) is received from a printer (such as the multifunction printer 10) capable of one-way communication with IrSimple (step S110). When the test command TC is not received, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, several seconds to several tens of seconds) has elapsed since the Ir high-speed transmission button was pressed (step S120), and the predetermined time has elapsed. If not, the process returns to step S110 again. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed without receiving the test command TC after the Ir high-speed transmission button is pressed, a message indicating that a printer capable of one-way communication with IrSimple cannot be found around is displayed on the display 84 (step S130). ), This routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when a test command TC is received from a printer capable of IrSimple one-way communication in step S100, as shown in FIG. 6C, a message “A printer has been found. (Step S140). At this time, a transmission button for instructing transmission start of the image data of the selected thumbnail image is displayed at the lower left of the screen of the display 84, and the function of the transmission button is assigned to the button 81a (see FIG. 1). Further, a transmission stop button for instructing to stop transmission of image data is displayed on the lower left of the screen of the display 84, and the function of the transmission stop button is assigned to the button 81b (see FIG. 1). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the start of image data transmission is instructed based on whether or not the button 81a to which the function as a transmission button is assigned is pressed (step S150). When no image data transmission command is issued, it is determined whether or not a transmission stop command has been issued based on whether or not the button 81b to which a function as a transmission stop button is assigned is pressed (step S210). When the stop command is not issued, the process returns to step S150 again. On the other hand, when a transmission stop command is issued in step S210, this routine is terminated as it is. When an image data transmission command is issued in step S150, a message “image data is being transmitted” is displayed on the display 84 (see step S160, FIG. 6D), and an SNRM command is issued in accordance with the IrSimple standard. The frame A including (see FIG. 4) is transmitted as a connection signal at 9600 bps (step S170), and then the frame B and subsequent including the image data (see FIG. 4) are transmitted at an actual data transfer rate of 4 Mbps (step S180). A connection disconnection frame (not shown) is transmitted as a disconnection signal (step S190), and a message “transmission of image data is completed” is displayed on the display 84 (step S200, FIG. 6 (e)). (See Reference), and this routine ends.

  An example of the frame structure of the test command TC is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the frame of the test command TC includes an address part TC1 in which a transmission destination address is described, a control part TC2 in which the type of the command is described, and an information part in which data contents to be transmitted are described. TC3. Among these, the address portion TC1 describes “broadcast” indicating that the transmission destination is unspecified, and the control portion TC2 describes “test command” indicating that it is a test command, and the information portion TC3. In addition to the transmission source address and the transmission destination address, an arbitrary bit string set for the test command is described. In this embodiment, a baud rate representing a speed at which the printer can communicate, a data size representing a minimum unit of frames that can be received by the printer, and a minimum interval between packets (frames) that can be received by the printer are defined as an arbitrary bit string. Although the minimum packet interval is described, these values are selected from a numerical range allowed in unidirectional communication according to the IrSimple standard. The cellular phone 80 reads the baud rate, data size, and minimum packet interval of the information unit TC3, and transmits image data by unidirectional communication so that the baud rate, data size, and minimum packet interval are obtained.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction printer 10 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a reception processing routine of IrSimple one-way communication executed by the main controller 70 of the multifunction printer 10. This routine is stored in the ROM 74 of the multifunction printer 10. This routine is executed after a power switch (not shown) is turned on, for example. Note that the sampling clock of the clock generator 66 is adjusted so that the multifunction printer 10 can receive data at a communication speed of 9600 bps in the reception standby state.

  When this routine is started, the main controller 70 repeatedly transmits a test command TC at 9600 bps a predetermined number of times (for example, several times to several tens of times) via the LED 54 of the infrared communication port 50 and the IrDA controller 60. (Step S300) After that, transmission of the test command TC is interrupted, and preparation for receiving image data continuously transmitted through IrSimple one-way communication is performed (Step S310). Here, reception preparation means securing a memory area for image spooling in the RAM 76, interrupting other tasks being executed, or prohibiting starting of new tasks. Subsequently, it is determined whether an IrSimple unidirectional communication connection signal transmitted at 9600 bps is received via the phototransistor 52 of the infrared communication port 50 and the IrDA controller 60 (step S320), and the connection signal is received. If not, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the test command TC was interrupted (step S330), and if not, the process returns to step S320 again. Here, the predetermined time is appropriately determined in consideration of the balance with the time required for repeatedly transmitting the test command TC, and may be the same as the time required for repeatedly transmitting the test command TC, for example. When the time-out occurs in step S330, it is assumed that there is no infrared communication device that is going to transmit image data around the multi-function printer 10, and the process returns to step S300 again. Also, the frame A including the SNRM command (see FIG. 4) is used as a connection signal. Since this frame A includes information indicating whether or not the IrSimple unidirectional communication is performed, the IrSimple unidirectional is based on the information. Whether or not communication is possible can be determined.

  On the other hand, when the connection signal is received in step S320, the sampling clock pulses of the clock generator 66 are switched so that the actual data transfer rate becomes 4 Mbps, and then frames transmitted by IrSimple unidirectional communication are received one after another. At the same time, the operation panel 40 is controlled so that the message “receiving” is displayed on the display unit 42 (step S340). Then, it is determined whether or not a connection disconnection frame is included in the received frame (step S350). If the connection disconnection frame is not included, the process returns to step S340 again. Note that the frames B, C, D,... (See FIG. 4) of image data sent by IrSimple unidirectional communication are sequentially stored in the image spool memory area secured in the RAM 76. If a connection disconnection frame is included in step S350, the image data stored in the image spool memory area is analyzed (step S360), and the printer ASIC 22 is caused to execute printing of the image data. The print command is output and the reception standby state is returned (step S370), and the process returns to step S300 again. The main controller 70 controls the operation panel 40 so that a message “printing” is displayed on the display unit 42 while printing is being performed by the printer unit 20.

  As described above, after the mobile phone 80 receives the test command TC repeatedly transmitted from the multi-function printer 10, the connection signal, the image data, and the like are unilaterally communicated from the mobile phone 80 to the multi-function printer 10 by IrSimple one-way communication. Send a disconnect signal. An example of data exchange between the mobile phone 80 and the multifunction printer 10 at this time is shown in the sequence chart of FIG.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The multi-function printer 10 of this embodiment corresponds to the data receiving device of the present invention, the LED 54 of the IrDA controller 60 and the infrared communication port 50 corresponds to the test signal transmission means, and the phototransistor 52 of the IrDA controller 60 and the infrared communication port 50. Corresponds to the data receiving means, and the main controller 70 corresponds to the control means. Further, the mobile phone 80 corresponds to a data transmission device, the IrDA controller 89 and the infrared communication port 88 correspond to a test signal receiving unit and a data transmission unit, and the mobile phone controller 90 corresponds to a control unit. In the present embodiment, by explaining the operations of the multifunction printer 10 and the mobile phone 80, an example of the control method of the data reception device and the control method of the data transmission device of the present invention is also clarified.

  According to the present embodiment described in detail above, if the mobile phone 80 maintains the posture when the mobile phone 80 receives the test command TC from the multi-function printer 10, the mobile phone 80 and the multi-function printer 10 Should be in a positional relationship where data can be transmitted and received. Therefore, if the data is transmitted from the mobile phone 80 to the outside through the IrSimple one-way communication while maintaining the attitude, the multi-function printer 10 can reliably receive the data.

  Further, since the multi-function printer 10 repeats a series of operations of repeatedly transmitting the test command TC to the outside and then interrupting the transmission of the test command TC, the multi-function printer 10 transmits the data sent from the mobile phone 80 by IrSimple unidirectional communication. The timing to start reception can be taken within a relatively wide time interval.

  Further, in the information part TC3 of the test command TC, the baud rate, data size, and minimum packet interval of IrSimple one-way communication preferable for the multi-function printer 10 are described, and the mobile phone 80 sets the baud rate, data size, and Since the data is transmitted with the minimum packet interval, the multi-function printer 10 can preferably receive the data. In particular, since the baud rate and the minimum packet interval that affect communication are described, both can communicate well.

  Furthermore, since the mobile phone 80 displays on the display 84 that the printer has been found when the test command TC is received, the user can easily confirm whether or not the mobile phone 80 is in a posture capable of communicating with the multifunction printer 10. It becomes possible to do. Further, since the data can be instructed by pressing the transmission button after the confirmation, the data can be transmitted to the multi-function printer 10 more reliably.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the multifunction printer 10 is in a busy state in which another task is being executed before the test command TC is transmitted in step S100, or ready for which no other task is being executed. It may be determined whether the state is (Ready), and the test command TC may not be transmitted in the busy state, and the test command TC may be transmitted in the ready state. In this way, the multi-function printer 10 can more reliably receive the data transmitted by the IrSimple one-way communication after the mobile phone 80 receives the test command TC. It should be noted that a ready state may be established after an area for image spooling is secured in the RAM 76, in which case there is no need to prepare for reception in step S310.

  In the above-described embodiment, the multi-function printer 10 repeatedly transmits the test command TC a predetermined number of times in step S300. However, the test command TC may be repeatedly transmitted within a predetermined time. Also in this case, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the embodiment described above, the test command TC shown in FIG. 7 is used as the test signal. However, the test command TC is not particularly limited to the test command TC, and a signal having a predictive meaning before the IrSimple one-way communication is performed. As long as it is negotiated between the multifunction printer 10 and the mobile phone 80 in advance. Also in this case, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cellular phone 80 reads the baud rate, data size, and minimum packet interval described in the information part TC3 of the test command TC received from the multifunction printer 10, and the baud rate, data size, minimum packet interval. However, if these values are not described in the information section TC3, the image data may be transmitted using a predetermined default value. For example, the default value may be a baud rate of 4 Mbps and a minimum packet interval of 100 μsec. Alternatively, the number of prints and data capacity that can be received at one time may be described in the information section TC3. In this case, the mobile phone 80 transmits image data within the range of the number of prints and data capacity. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the text message “A printer has been found” is displayed on the display 84 of the mobile phone 80 to inform the user that the mobile phone 80 is in a posture capable of communicating with the multifunction printer 10. However, the text message “Please do not change the direction of the mobile phone” may be displayed together. Further, instead of the display 84 or in addition to the display 84, a voice message may be output from a speaker.

  In the above-described embodiment, the connection signal of IrSimple one-way communication is received when the transmission of the test command is interrupted. Instead of or in addition, the next test is performed after the test command is transmitted. A connection signal for IrSimple one-way communication may be received before the command is transmitted.

  In the embodiment described above, the cellular phone 80 is exemplified as the data transmission device, but a digital still camera, a video camera, a personal computer, or the like may be used as the data transmission device. Further, although the multi-function printer 10 is exemplified as the data receiving device, a television, audio equipment, a mobile phone other than the mobile phone 80, a personal computer, or the like may be used as the data receiving device. Furthermore, although image data has been exemplified as data to be transmitted by IrSimple one-way communication, data other than image data (such as music data) may be used.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the multifunction printer 10 and the mobile phone 80. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a multifunction printer 10. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile phone 80 Explanatory drawing showing the frame used for IrSimple one-way communication. The flowchart of the transmission process routine of IrSimple one-way communication. Explanatory drawing of the screen displayed on the display 84 of the mobile telephone 80. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the frame structure of test command TC. The flowchart of the reception process routine of IrSimple one-way communication. The sequence chart of IrSimple unidirectional communication.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Multifunction Printer, 12 Board, 20 Printer Unit, 22 Printer ASIC, 24 Printer Engine, 30 Scanner Unit, 32 Scanner ASIC, 34 Scanner Engine, 36 Glass Stand, 40 Operation Panel, 42 Display Unit, 44 Buttons, 46 Bus , 50 Infrared communication port, 52 Phototransistor, 54 LED, 60 IrDA controller, 62 Decoder, 64 Encoder, 66 Clock generator, 70 Main controller, 72 CPU, 74 ROM, 76 RAM, 78 Flash memory, 79 Internal communication interface, 80 mobile phones, 81 operation buttons, 81a buttons, 81b buttons, 82 microphones, 83 speakers, 84 displays, 85 cameras, 86 transceivers, 87 Memory, 88 infrared communication port, 89 IrDA controller, 90 mobile phone controller.

Claims (9)

A test signal transmission means capable of transmitting a test signal to the outside;
Data receiving means capable of receiving data transmitted from an external data transmitting device;
Controlling the test signal transmitting means to repeatedly transmit the test signal to the outside, and then receiving the data receiving means to receive data transmitted by one-way communication from the data transmitting apparatus that has received the test signal. Control means for controlling;
A data receiving device. The control means controls the test signal transmitting means to repeat a series of operations of interrupting the transmission of the test signal after repeatedly transmitting the test signal to the outside, and interrupting the transmission of the test signal. Controlling the data receiving means to start receiving data transmitted by one-way communication from the data transmitting device that has received the test signal when
The data receiving device according to claim 1. The test signal describes a preferred one-way communication mode for the data receiving device.
The data receiving device according to claim 1 or 2. The test signal describes at least one of a communication speed and a minimum packet interval as a preferred one-way communication mode for the data receiving device.
The data receiving device according to claim 3. A test signal receiving means capable of receiving a test signal transmitted from an external data receiving device;
Data transmission means capable of transmitting data to the outside;
Control means for controlling the data transmission means to transmit data by unidirectional communication toward the outside after the test signal receiving means receives the test signal;
A data transmission device comprising: The data transmission device according to claim 5, wherein
A notification means capable of notifying the user of predetermined information;
The control means controls the notifying means so as to notify the user that the data receiving device has been found when the test signal receiving means receives the test signal, and then sends data to the outside by one-way communication. Controlling the data transmission means to transmit
Data transmission device. The data transmission device according to claim 5 or 6,
Provided with transmission command input means that can input data transmission command by the user,
The control means controls the notifying means to notify the user that the data receiving device has been found when the test signal receiving means has received the test signal, and then a data transmission command is input by the user Controlling the data transmission means to transmit data by unidirectional communication sometimes towards the outside,
Data transmission device. The control means controls the data transmission means so as to transmit data by the one-way communication when the test signal describes a preferred one-way communication mode for the data receiving device.
The data transmission device according to claim 5. The test signal describes at least one of a communication speed and a minimum packet interval as a preferred one-way communication mode for the data receiving device.
The data transmission device according to claim 8.

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