JP5046562B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing apparatus control method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of automatically setting a configuration, a control method for the information processing apparatus, a program, and a storage medium.

  Conventionally, when an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera constituting an information processing system is USB-connected to a host computer (hereinafter referred to as a host PC), the host recognizes the image pickup apparatus as a large-capacity storage device, for example, In some cases, image data may be transferred. Further, the host PC is recognized as a digital camera that performs transfer for printing image data stored in the image pickup apparatus, and image data (mainly in an image format) in the image pickup apparatus is connected to the host PC. Printing may be performed by another printing device.

In such a case, it is necessary to change the USB configuration of the imaging device according to the connected party. As a method for determining which configuration allows the host PC to recognize the imaging apparatus, there is a method in which the user selects a configuration setting by operating a main body setting menu screen of the imaging apparatus in advance. Furthermore, a method of displaying a menu screen every time the USB cable is connected and selecting a configuration setting is employed. (Method 1)
Further, without performing the menu operation, by setting the special arrangements between the host PC and the imaging device, a method of switching the configuration settings in response to the host PC connected, the following Patent Document 1 and patent Document 2 for which proposals have been published. (Method 2)
JP 2004-173263 A JP 2004-157647 A

  Considering these methods, in Method 1, the menu operation for communication setting is forced on the user, but communication is not properly performed unless the user correctly selects the communication protocol. In addition, it is necessary to manually switch the setting depending on the communication partner, and the operation becomes complicated. For method 2, a special agreement is required for the communication protocol between the printing apparatus and the imaging apparatus. However, if such an arrangement is not made in the standard communication protocol of the direct printing system that is already widely used by many vendors, it is necessary to define a new communication protocol. As a result, there is a problem that connection cannot be made unless a combination of a printing apparatus and an imaging apparatus compatible with the new protocol is used.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and changes an existing standard protocol as a means for optimal communication settings without making the user aware of configuration settings in an information processing system. It aims to provide without.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application
First communication means capable of communicating with an external device for the purpose of printing electronic information including a digital image, and a first communication means capable of communicating with the external device for purposes other than printing the electronic information. An information processing apparatus comprising two communication means,
Selecting means for selecting one of the first and second communication means according to the state of the information processing apparatus;
A notification means for notifying that printing is possible when printing is possible when the first communication means is selected by the selection means;
Detecting means for detecting a change in the state of the information processing apparatus;
When a change in state is detected by the detection means when the information processing apparatus is already connected to the external apparatus and communication is established by the selection means by the first or second communication means Control means for controlling switching to the other communication means by the selection means if the communication means corresponding to the state after the change is the other communication means ,
Furthermore, the control means does not permit switching from the first communication means to the second communication means during printing of the electronic information using the first communication means, and permits switching after the end of the printing, Further, during communication of the electronic information with the information processing apparatus using the second communication unit, switching from the second communication unit to the first communication unit is not permitted, and switching is permitted after the end of the communication. To control and
The first communication means uses a PTP connection;
The second communication means uses a mass storage connection;
The first and second communication means include
The information processing apparatus uses USB multi-configuration in order to realize communication using the first or second communication unit or both, and the control unit performs the first communication by the selection unit. When the means is selected, the multi-configuration is set so that the first communication means is given priority over the second communication means, and when the second communication means is selected by the selection means, the second communication means is selected. The multi-configuration is set such that communication means is given priority over the first communication means .

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling an information processing apparatus in another embodiment of the present application is as follows:
First communication means capable of communicating with an external device for the purpose of printing electronic information including a digital image, and a first communication means capable of communicating with the external device for purposes other than printing the electronic information. Two communication means, and a method for controlling the information processing apparatus,
A selection step in which the selection means selects any one of the first and second communication means according to the state of the information processing apparatus;
A notifying step for notifying that printing has become possible when printing is possible when the first communication means is selected in the selection step;
A detecting step for detecting a change in the state of the information processing apparatus;
When the control unit is already connected to the external device and the communication unit has established communication by the first or second communication unit by the selection step, the state change by the detection step A control step for controlling switching to the other communication means by the selection step if the communication means corresponding to the state after the change is the other communication means ,
Further, in the control step, during the printing of the electronic information using the first communication unit, the switching from the first communication unit to the second communication unit is not permitted, but the switching is permitted after the end of the printing, Further, during communication of the electronic information with the information processing apparatus using the second communication unit, switching from the second communication unit to the first communication unit is not permitted, and switching is permitted after the end of the communication. To control and
The first communication means uses a PTP connection;
The second communication means uses a mass storage connection;
The first and second communication means include
The information processing apparatus uses USB multi-configuration in order to realize communication using the first or second communication means, or both, and in the control step, the selection step includes the first communication means. Is selected so that the first communication means has priority over the second communication means. If the second communication means is selected in the selection step, the second communication is selected. The multi-configuration is set so that the means has priority over the first communication means .

To achieve the above object, the present application, still another embodiment, the computer provides a program for executing the steps of the method of controlling an information processing apparatus in the embodiment.
To achieve the above object, the present application, still another embodiment provides a pre-readable storage medium storing Kipu program.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform optimal communication settings without changing the existing standard protocol without making the user aware of configuration settings in the information processing system.

  Hereinafter, a printing system constructed as an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Overview of printing device>
FIG. 1 is an overview perspective view of, for example, a photo direct printer apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a PD printing apparatus) 100 used in a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The PD printer 100 has a function as a normal so-called PC printer that receives and prints data from a host computer (host PC). Furthermore, the PD printing apparatus 100 directly reads and prints image data stored in a storage medium such as a memory card, or directly receives and prints image data from an imaging apparatus or PDA. It has.

  In FIG. 1, a main body of a PD printing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lower case 101, an upper case 102, an access cover 103, and an exterior member for a discharge tray 104. The lower case 101 forms a substantially lower half portion of the PD printing apparatus 100, and the upper case 102 forms a substantially upper half portion of the main body. A combination of both cases has a hollow space having a storage space for storing each mechanism. A body structure is formed, and an opening is provided in each of the upper surface portion and the front surface portion.

  Further, the discharge tray 104 is configured such that one end portion thereof is rotatably held by the lower case 101, and an opening formed in the front portion of the lower case 101 can be opened and closed by the rotation. For this reason, when the recording operation is executed, the discharge tray 104 is rotated to the front side to open the opening. The recording paper recorded from here (including plain paper, exclusive paper, resin sheet, etc.) can be ejected, and the ejected recording paper can be stacked sequentially. The paper discharge tray 104 stores two auxiliary trays 104a and 104b. By pulling out the trays 104a and 104b toward the front as necessary, the recording paper support area can be expanded or reduced in three stages. Configured to be able to.

  One end of the access cover 103 is rotatably held by the upper case 102 and is configured to open and close an opening formed on the upper surface. Then, by opening the access cover 103, a recording head cartridge (not shown) or an ink tank (not shown) housed in the main body can be replaced. Although not particularly shown here, when the access cover 103 is opened and closed, a protrusion formed on the back surface thereof is configured to rotate the cover opening and closing lever. And it is comprised so that the opening / closing state of the access cover 103 can be detected by detecting the rotation position of the lever with a micro switch or the like.

  A power key 105 is provided on the upper surface of the upper case 102. On the right side of the upper case 102, an operation panel 110 including a liquid crystal display unit 106 and various key switches is provided. The structure of the operation panel 110 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. An automatic feeding unit 107 automatically feeds the recording paper into the apparatus main body. A paper interval selection lever 108 is a lever for adjusting the interval between the print head and the recording paper. Reference numeral 109 denotes a card slot, in which an adapter capable of mounting a memory card is mounted, and image data stored in the memory card can be directly captured and printed via this adapter. Examples of the memory card include a compact flash (registered trademark) memory, smart media, and a memory stick.

  A liquid crystal image display unit 111 is detachable from the main body of the PD printing apparatus 100. When searching for an image to be printed from image data stored in a memory card, an image or index for each frame is displayed. Used to display images. Reference numeral 112 denotes a USB terminal for connecting an imaging device described later. Further, a USB connector for connecting a host PC is provided on the rear surface of the PD device 100.

<Overview of operation panel>
FIG. 2 is an overview of the operation panel 110 of the PD printing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, the liquid crystal display unit 106 displays menu items for setting various data relating to items printed on the left and right. The items displayed here include, for example, the top number of a photo image to be printed, a designated frame number (start frame designation / print frame designation), and the last photo number to be printed (end) among a plurality of photo image files. ) And the number of copies (number of copies). Further, it includes the type of recording paper used for printing (paper type), the number setting (layout) of photos to be printed on one recording paper, and the designation of printing quality (quality). In addition, it specifies whether to print the date when the image was taken (date printing), whether to correct the photo for printing (image correction), the number of recording papers required for printing (number of sheets), etc. . These items are selected or designated using the cursor keys 201. 202 is a mode key, and each time this key is pressed, the type of printing (index printing, full frame printing, single frame printing, designated frame printing, etc.) can be switched, and the corresponding LED of the LED 203 is changed accordingly. Illuminated. A maintenance key 204 is a key for performing maintenance of the printing apparatus such as cleaning of the print head. A print start key 205 is pressed when instructing the start of printing or when establishing maintenance settings. Reference numeral 206 denotes a print cancel key which is pressed when printing is stopped or when maintenance is instructed.

<Overview of functional circuit block of printing apparatus>
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the structure of the functional circuit block of the principal part which concerns on control of the PD printer 100 which concerns on embodiment of this invention demonstrated below is demonstrated. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to the above-described drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 300 denotes a control unit (control board). Reference numeral 301 denotes an ASIC (dedicated custom LSI). Reference numeral 302 denotes a DSP (digital signal processor) having an internal CPU, and various control processes, which will be described later, and conversion from luminance signals (RGB) to density signals (CMYK), scaling, gamma conversion, error diffusion, and other images. I am in charge of processing. A memory 303 includes a program memory 303a that stores a control program for the CPU of the DSP 302, a RAM area that stores a program at the time of execution, and a memory area that functions as a work memory that stores image data and the like.

  Reference numeral 304 denotes a printer engine, in which a printer engine including a mechanism unit of an ink jet printing apparatus that prints a color image using a plurality of color inks is mounted. Reference numeral 305 denotes a USB connector as a port for connecting an imaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as DSC) 400. Reference numeral 306 denotes a connector for connecting the liquid crystal image display unit 111. Reference numeral 113 denotes a USB connector as a port for connecting the host PC 500. Reference numeral 308 denotes a USB hub. When the PD printing apparatus 100 performs printing based on image data from the host PC 500, the data from the host PC 500 is directly passed through and output to the printer engine 304 via the USB line 321. . As a result, the connected host PC 500 can execute printing by directly exchanging data and signals with the printer engine 304 (functions as a general PC printer).

  Reference numeral 309 denotes a power connector which receives a DC voltage converted from commercial AC by a power source 319. The host PC 500 is a general personal computer, 311 is the memory card (PC card) described above, and the DSC 400 is an imaging device such as a digital camera.

  Signal exchange between the control unit 300 and the printer engine 304 is performed via the USB line 321 described above.

<Overview of imaging device (DSC)>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a DSC (imaging device) 400 according to an embodiment described below.

  In the figure, reference numeral 410 denotes a CPU that controls the entire DSC 400, and reference numeral 411 denotes a ROM that stores a processing procedure performed by the CPU 410. Reference numeral 412 denotes a RAM used as a work area of the CPU 410, and reference numeral 413 denotes a switch group for performing various operations, including a shutter, a mode change switch, a selection switch, a cursor key, and the like. Reference numeral 414 denotes a liquid crystal display unit, which is used to display a video currently captured, an image captured and stored in a memory card, and a menu for performing various settings. Reference numeral 415 denotes an optical unit mainly composed of a lens and its drive system. Reference numeral 416 denotes a CCD element, and reference numeral 417 denotes a driver that drives and controls the optical unit 415 under the control of the CPU 410. Reference numeral 418 denotes a connector for connecting a storage medium 419 (compact flash (registered trademark) memory card, smart media, etc.). Reference numeral 420 denotes a USB interface (USB slave side) for connecting to the host PC 500 or the PD printer 100 in the embodiment.

  With respect to the DSC 400, by operating the switch group 413, it is possible to change the mode state of the DSC 400 to a photography mode, an image viewing mode, a power-off state, and the like.

<Connection between host PC and DSC>
FIG. 5 is a connection example of the DSC 400 and the host PC 500 according to the embodiment described below. The DSC 400 is connected via a USB interface 420 via a communication cable (in this embodiment, a USB cable) 421 capable of bidirectional communication with the host PC 500.

<Embodiment 1>
<About communication mode of DSC400>
The DSC 400 can be connected to the host PC 500 or the PD printer 100 as described above. Connection to the host PC 500 is performed by USB mass storage class (hereinafter referred to as MSC), and connection to the PD printing apparatus 100 is performed by PTP ((Picture Trans Protocol) (PIMA 15740)) communication on the USB still image class. Designed.

  That is, the DSC 400 needs to perform communication in different communication modes for connection with the host PC 500 and connection with the PD printing apparatus 100. The two communication modes are referred to as a data communication mode and a direct printing communication mode, respectively.

  Which communication mode is used for communication is determined by whether or not the DSC 400 is in the image data browsing mode when the USB cable is connected between the DSC 400 and the USB host. When the DSC 400 is in the image data browsing mode, the direct print communication mode is selected, and when the DSC 400 is in a mode other than the image data browsing mode, the data communication mode is selected.

  Hereinafter, a method for performing each communication will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication control procedure of the DSC 400 according to the first embodiment.

  First, after the processing is started, in step S601, the DSC 400 is in a communication standby state. Next, in step S602, the DSC 400 determines whether a USB cable is connected. If the USB cable is not connected, the process returns to step S601 to continue the communication standby state. On the other hand, if the USB cable is connected, the process proceeds to step S603. In step S603, it is determined whether DSC 400 is in the image browsing mode. If it is in the image viewing mode, the process proceeds to step S604, but if it is not in the image viewing mode, that is, if it is not in the image viewing mode, the process proceeds to step S614.

  In step S604, the DSC 400 sets the USB communication mode to the direct print communication mode, and the process proceeds to step S605. In step S605, the DSC 400 determines whether direct print communication has been started with the USB-connected host device. In the first embodiment, when a PTP connection is established with the host and it is confirmed that the host / device has a direct printing function, it is determined that the direct printing communication is started.

  If communication is started, the process proceeds to step S606. At this time, a print button using a soft key is displayed on the screen of the DSC 400 in order to indicate to the user that the DSC 400 can print directly and accept printing by direct printing communication (see FIG. 11). However, if communication has not started, the process returns to step S605.

  In step S606, the DSC 400 continues the direct print communication. In step S607, the DSC 400 determines whether the USB cable is being connected. If the USB cable is being connected, the process returns to step S605 to continue direct print communication. However, if the USB cable is not connected in step S607, the direct print communication is terminated.

  In step S614, the DSC 400 sets the USB communication mode to the data communication mode. In step S615, the DSC 400 determines whether data communication has been started with the host. In the first embodiment, it is determined that data communication is started when the DSC 400 is configured as an MSC by the host. If communication is started, the process proceeds to step S616. If communication is not started, the process returns to step S615. In step S616, DSC 400 continues data communication. In step S617, the DSC 400 determines whether the USB cable is being connected. If the USB cable is being connected, the process returns to step S605 to continue data communication. However, if the USB cable is not connected, the data communication is terminated.

<Communication with PD printer>
When the DSC 400 and the PD printing apparatus 100 are connected to perform direct printing, the user connects the USB cable between the DSC 400 and the PD printing apparatus 100 after setting the DSC 400 to the image browsing mode. As a result, the process proceeds to step S604 when determining in step S603, and the communication mode of the DSC 400 is set to the direct print communication mode. In step S605, when a PTP connection is established between the DSC 400 and the PD printing apparatus 100 and the direct printing application is correctly started, a print button using a soft key is displayed on the screen, and the user presses a key corresponding to the print button. Thus, printing is started. (The operation after the print button is pressed is out of the scope of the present invention, so the details are omitted.) When the printing is finished and the communication is finished, by disconnecting the USB cable, as a result of the determination in step S607, The process ends.

<Communication with host PC 500>
When the DSC 400 and the host PC 500 are connected and the image data in the DSC 400 is operated from the host PC 500, the user sets the DSC 400 to a mode other than the image browsing mode and connects the USB cable between the DSC 400 and the host PC 500. Connecting. As a result, the process proceeds to step S614 when determining in step S603, and the communication mode of the DSC 400 is set to the data communication mode. In step S615, the MSC connection is established between the DSC 400 and the host PC 500, and the user can operate the DSC 400 as a mass storage device from the host PC 500. When the communication is terminated, the USB cable is disconnected, and the process ends as a result of the determination in step S617.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the user connects the USB cable, the communication setting is automatically determined depending on whether the DSC 400 is in the image browsing mode. As a result, the user can start printing directly by simply connecting the USB cable when viewing the image. Further, when image browsing is not being performed, data communication can be started by an operation of simply connecting a USB cable.

<Application of Embodiment 1>
In the first embodiment, the communication mode is determined at the time of the USB cable connection. However, the communication mode may be determined at any time, for example, the determination is performed before the USB cable connection, and the USB cable connection is performed. Communication may be started based on the determination result. In the first embodiment, the communication is terminated by disconnecting the USB cable. However, this is also an embodiment. For example, even if the USB cable is being connected, the user can cancel the USB cable connection by performing a menu operation on the DSC 400 and terminate the communication. good.

  In the first embodiment, the direct print communication start determination is made based on whether or not it is confirmed that a PTP connection is established between the DSC 400 and the host and that the host / device has a direct print function. However, direct printing communication may be realized using other communication protocols, such as a vendor-specific direct printing protocol using a printer class. In that case, for example, the direct print communication start is determined by a vendor-specific direct print start command defined by the vendor-specific direct print protocol. In the first embodiment, the determination of the start of data communication is made based on whether or not the DSC 400 is configured as an MSC by the host. However, the means used for the data communication function may be other than the above, or may be a vendor-specific data communication means defined by a vendor-specific class. In that case, for example, the start of data communication is determined by establishing a configuration in a vendor-specific class.

  In the first embodiment, a general imaging device is described as an example of the DSC 400. However, any device that can supply electronic information including a digital image can be regarded as the DSC 400 in the first embodiment. An example is a mobile phone or a PDA.

  In the first embodiment, direct print communication and data communication are exemplified as communication settings. However, depending on the device handled as the DSC 400, more communication settings may be handled. For example, when a digital video camera is handled as the DSC 400, there may be a communication setting for streaming distribution of moving image information by USB communication. In that case, when the USB cable is connected while the digital video camera is in the moving image browsing mode, it can be applied by a method such as setting communication settings for streaming distribution.

  In the first embodiment, direct print communication is performed when the operation mode of the DSC 400 is “viewing mode”, and data communication is performed when the operation mode is other than that. Can be appropriately changed. As an example, data communication is performed when the operation mode of the DSC 400 is in the soft power-off state. However, other applications such as direct print communication (when the power is turned on) or direct print communication when browsing a Web page with a mobile phone or PDA are conceivable.

  The communication mode may be determined not only by the operation mode of the DSC 400 but also by the movable state of the movable part of the DSC 400. For example, consider a camera-equipped mobile phone with a body folding mechanism. In this case, since the image cannot be viewed when the cellular phone body is folded, data communication is performed when the USB connection is established. Further, when browsing an image taken by a camera, Web content, or the like, direct print communication for directly printing an image being browsed or Web content is performed. The above applications are possible. In addition to folding, the mobile phone can be similarly applied to devices that can slide, rotate, and open / close the operation panel cover. When the mobile phone key is not touched by these operations, the user operation for direct printing cannot be performed on the mobile phone, and therefore, application such as data communication is possible.

  Also, consider a model having a “key lock function” or the like as a function of a cellular phone to invalidate a user's key operation. In this case, when the “key lock function” is turned on (when key operation is disabled), user operations for direct printing cannot be performed on the mobile phone, so data communication is performed. Is possible. A mobile phone having these movable forms is illustrated in FIG. 13, for example. Even in movable forms other than the above, for example, when the display device for viewing images cannot be viewed by operating the movable part, the user operation result for direct printing cannot be confirmed on the screen, so data communication is performed, etc. Can be applied. In FIG. 13, the upper side shows a state where a user operation can be performed, and therefore the direct printing communication mode is set, and the lower side shows a state where a user operation cannot be performed, and thus the data communication mode is set. In FIG. 13, (1) is folded, (2) is a key lock, (3) is sliding, (4) is rotating, and (5) is an example of each movable form of opening and closing the keyboard cover.

  Further, the communication mode may be determined by the connection state between the DSC 400 and its charger. As an example, consider a camera-equipped mobile phone that is connected to a charging cradle for charging. In this case, when the user connects the USB cable while the mobile phone is installed in the charging cradle, data communication may be performed because the UI operation of the mobile phone is unlikely. In addition, when the mobile phone is installed in the charging cradle, the signal of the USB terminal of the mobile phone is transmitted to the cradle, and data communication is similarly performed when the USB cable is connected via the USB terminal on the cradle. Also good.

  In these applications, the branching condition in step S603 in the first embodiment may be changed as appropriate. Therefore, the present invention is applicable not only to the application example but also to any condition that allows the DSC 400 to make a self-determination in step S603. Is applicable. In addition, it is possible to make an application in which a branch condition for making a final determination after combining a plurality of branch conditions in the application example described above is made and a determination is made based on the branch condition.

  In addition to the communication setting based on the above determination, when it is difficult to generally determine which communication setting should be used, the communication setting based on the user determination may be enabled. For example, the DSC 400 may be in a soft power-off state, a folded state, a state in which an operation panel is closed, a key operation invalid state, or a state in which a display device for viewing images cannot be viewed due to operation of a movable part. There are also a state in which the USB cable can be connected via a USB terminal on the charging cradle and a state in which the USB cable is connected to the charging cradle.

  During USB connection in any of these states, the user operation on the DSC 400 side is difficult, so data communication setting is selected. On the other hand, during USB connection when the DSC 400 is browsing a Web page, it is highly likely that the Web page will be printed, so the direct print communication setting is selected. However, there is a possibility that both direct printing and data communication are performed when the USB is connected in another state. Therefore, it is possible to communicate with the communication settings preset by the user with the setting function of the DSC 400 main body, or to communicate with the communication settings selected by the user on the spot by displaying the communication setting menu during USB connection. Good.

  In the first embodiment, when the communication for printing and the communication for data transfer are realized by using a single USB interface, the configuration for either communication is performed according to the state of the DSC 400. Described about. In other words, multiple communication protocols require a single “USB connector” resource. For this reason, it is determined whether to allocate this single resource for the communication protocol of printing or data transfer according to the state of the DSC 400. Focusing on this point, further application of the first embodiment will be described below.

  First, in the first embodiment, the USB interface has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a wireless interface such as Bluetooth or IrDA, a wired interface such as IEEE 1394, a wireless LAN interface such as 802.11, and a wired LAN interface such as Ethernet. Here, for example, in the bluetooth, according to the standard, a single bluetooth device can be connected to a plurality of bluetooth devices to form a network. For example, when a bluetooth is mounted on the DSC 400, it is possible to simultaneously connect to the PD printing apparatus 100 for direct printing and to the host PC 500 for data communication. However, even if it is possible in the standard, for example, depending on the hardware or software configuration on the DSC 400 side, it is conceivable that there may be a restriction that only one task for bluetooth communication can be held simultaneously. In such a case, a problem may arise in which communication, which is a single “task for communication”, is allocated to which communication. Even in such a case, the present invention can be applied, and a solution that always enables one communication task according to the state of the DSC 400 can be taken.

  It is also conceivable to prepare two “USB connectors” for “direct printing” and “data transfer” on the DSC 400. However, for example, in such a case, in the DSC 400 in which a power capacity sufficient to always enable both USB connectors cannot be prepared, as a new problem, a resource “power capacity” is allocated to which USB interface. It can also be a problem. Even in such a case, the present invention can be applied, and a solution that always enables one of the USB connectors according to the state of the DSC 400 can be taken.

  In addition, the interface at this time may be other than USB as well, and moreover, the two interfaces for “direct printing” and “data transfer” need to be the same physical interface. No. That is, one of them may be a wireless interface such as Bluetooth or IrDA, a wired interface such as IEEE 1394, a wireless LAN interface such as 802.11, or a wired LAN interface such as Ethernet.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.

<About communication mode of DSC400>
In the first embodiment described above, once established communication is valid until the USB cable connection is released. In this case, the disconnection of the USB cable is inevitably realized if the device connected to the DSC 400 is different for each communication setting. However, for example, consider a device that realizes “printing by direct printing communication and data transfer by data communication” as one device. In this case, communication is performed between the same host and the same device in either communication. For this reason, it is convenient that data communication and direct print communication can be arbitrarily switched by switching the communication setting while maintaining the cable connection. However, in order to actually switch the communication settings, it is necessary to explicitly disconnect the USB cable as described above, which is inconvenient.

  In the second embodiment, in order to solve this problem, in addition to the first embodiment, the communication mode is dynamically changed according to the state of the DSC 400 even when the USB cable is connected. Hereinafter, a method for performing each communication will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a communication control procedure of the DSC 400 according to the second embodiment.

  Steps S701 to S706 in FIG. 7 are the same as steps S601 to S606 in FIG. Further, Step S714 to Step S716 in FIG. 7 is the same as Step S614 to Step S616 in FIG.

  In step S707 of FIG. 7, the DSC 400 determines whether the USB cable is being connected. If the USB cable is being connected, the process proceeds to step S709. If the USB cable is not being connected, the direct print communication is terminated.

  If the USB cable is being connected, it is determined in step S709 whether the DSC 400 is in the image browsing mode. If it is in the image browsing mode, the process returns to step S706 to continue the direct print communication. However, if the mode is other than the image browsing mode, the process proceeds to step S714, where data communication is set, and data communication is started.

  On the other hand, in step S717, the DSC 400 determines whether the USB cable is being connected. If the USB cable is being connected, the process proceeds to step S719. If the USB cable is not being connected, the data communication is terminated.

  If the USB cable is being connected, it is determined in step S719 whether the DSC 400 is in the image browsing mode. If it is in the image browsing mode, the process proceeds to step S704 and direct print communication is started. If it is not in the image browsing mode, the process returns to step S716 and data communication is continued.

<Communication with printing device>
When direct printing is performed by connecting the DSC 400 and the PD printing apparatus 100, the user connects the USB cable between the DSC 400 and the PD printing apparatus 100 after setting the DSC 400 to the image browsing mode.

As a result, the process proceeds to step S704 when determining in step S703, and the communication mode of the DSC 400 is set to the direct print communication mode. In step S705, a PTP connection is established between the DSC 400 and the PD printing apparatus 100, and the direct printing application is correctly activated. Then, a print button using a soft key is displayed on the screen, and printing is started when the user presses a key corresponding to the print button. (The operation after pressing the print button is out of the scope of the present invention, so the details are omitted)
If the user operates the DSC 400 during direct printing communication and moves to a mode other than image browsing, the process proceeds to step S714 when determining in step S709, and the USB connection of the DSC 400 is electrically released. . Then, by changing the USB configuration of the DSC 400, the communication mode is reset to data communication and reconnected. When viewed from the host side, this operation seems to be that the USB device that has been performing direct printing communication is disconnected and a mass storage compatible USB device or the like is newly connected. Thereafter, the DSC 400 starts data communication.

<Communication with host PC 500>
When the DSC 400 and the host PC 500 are connected and the image data in the DSC 400 is operated from the host PC 500, the user sets the DSC 400 to a mode other than the image viewing mode and connects the USB cable between the DSC 400 and the host PC 500. To do.

  Thereby, the process proceeds to step S714 when determining in step S703, and the communication mode of the DSC 400 is set to the data communication mode. In step S715, a data communication connection is established between the DSC 400 and the host PC 500, and the user can operate the DSC 400 as a mass storage device from the host PC 500.

  If the user operates the DSC 400 during data communication and shifts to the image viewing mode, the process proceeds to step S704 when determining in step S719, and the USB connection of the DSC 400 is electrically released. Then, by changing the USB configuration of the DSC 400, the communication mode is directly set to print communication, and the connection is made again. When viewed from the host side, it appears that the USB device that has been performing data communication is disconnected and a new USB device that supports direct printing is newly connected. Thereafter, the DSC 400 starts direct print communication.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the effects obtained by the first embodiment, the communication setting is dynamically changed according to the state of the DSC 400 even when the USB cable is connected. It is said. As a result, the communication setting can be switched without requiring any special setting while the USB cable is always connected to a host that supports both data communication and direct printing communication.

<Application of Embodiment 2>
Since the second embodiment of the present invention described above is realized by adding functions to the first embodiment of the present invention, the application described in the first embodiment can be applied as it is. In addition to this, the present invention can be applied to any branching condition in step S708 and / or step S718 under any conditions that the DSC 400 can make a self-determination as in step S603 in the first embodiment.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<About communication mode of DSC400>
In the second embodiment described above, the communication mode is dynamically changed according to the state of the DSC 400 even when the USB cable is connected. However, if the user operates the DSC 400 during communication, the communication mode is changed. If this happens, communication will be interrupted. For example, if the DSC 400 is switched from the image browsing mode to another mode during printing, printing is interrupted, and the time and paper required for printing until then are wasted. In addition, if the DSC 400 is switched from a mode other than the image browsing mode to the image browsing mode during data transfer for writing to the memory card 419 in the DSC 400, the data transfer is interrupted, so that the data in the memory card 419 is damaged. There is a risk of receiving.

  In the third embodiment, in order to solve these problems, in addition to the second embodiment, it is realized to determine whether or not to dynamically change the communication mode according to the operation state of the DSC 400. .

  Here, as a premise of the third embodiment, when direct printing is performed during direct printing communication and it is necessary to continue communication to complete printing, direct printing communication is changed to data communication. Is not allowed to be changed. Also, when files are being transferred between the host and device during data communication and it is necessary to continue communication to complete the transfer, the change from data communication to direct print communication is permitted. Do not do.

  Hereinafter, a method for performing each communication will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a communication control procedure of the DSC 400 according to the third embodiment.

  Steps S801 to S806 and Step S809 in FIG. 8 are the same as Steps S701 to S706 and Step S709 in FIG. Further, Steps S814 to S816 and Step S819 in FIG. 8 are the same as Steps S714 to S716 and Step S719 in FIG.

  First, in step S807, the DSC 400 determines whether a USB cable is being connected. If the USB cable is connected, the process proceeds to step S808. If the USB cable is not connected, the direct print communication is terminated.

  In step S808, the DSC 400 determines whether it is currently performing direct printing and needs to continue communication to complete printing. If it is not necessary to continue communication, the process proceeds to step S809. However, if it is necessary to continue communication, the process returns to step S806 to continue direct print communication.

  In step S817, the DSC 400 determines whether the USB cable is being connected. If the USB cable is being connected, the process proceeds to step S818. If the USB cable is not being connected, the data communication is terminated. In step S818, the DSC 400 determines whether it is currently transferring a file and needs to continue communication to complete the transfer. If it is not necessary to continue communication, the process proceeds to step S819. If it is necessary to continue communication, the process returns to step S816 to continue data communication.

<Communication with printing device>
When direct printing is performed by connecting the DSC 400 and the PD printing apparatus 100, the user connects the USB cable between the DSC 400 and the PD printing apparatus 100 after setting the DSC 400 to the image browsing mode. As a result, the process proceeds to step S804 when determining in step S803, and the communication mode of the DSC 400 is set to the direct print communication mode. In step S805, when a PTP connection is established between the DSC 400 and the PD printing apparatus and the direct printing application is correctly started, a print button using a soft key is displayed on the screen. Printing is started when the user presses the key corresponding to the print button. (The operation after pressing the print button is out of the scope of the present invention, so the details are omitted)
Consider a case in which the change of the communication mode by a user operation is not permitted while the USB cable is connected during direct printing communication (when the DSC 400 is executing direct printing by direct printing communication). In this case, even when the user operates the DSC 400 to move to a mode other than image browsing, the DSC 400 does not change the communication mode and continues the direct print communication. In this case, if the DSC 400 is in a mode other than image browsing even when direct printing is completed, the communication mode is changed at that point.

  During direct printing communication, when the USB cable is connected and the change of the communication mode by the user operation is permitted (when the DSC 400 is not executing direct printing), the DSC 400 is similar to the second embodiment. The communication mode can be changed.

  When the user operates the DSC 400 and shifts to a mode other than image browsing, the process proceeds to step S814 when determining in step S809, and the communication mode of the DSC 400 is reset to data communication. When viewed from the host side, this operation seems to be that the USB device that has been performing direct printing communication is disconnected and a mass storage compatible USB device or the like is newly connected. Thereafter, the DSC 400 starts data communication.

<Communication with host PC 500>
When the DSC 400 and the host PC 500 are connected and the image data in the DSC 400 is operated from the host PC 500, the user sets the DSC 400 to a mode other than the image viewing mode and connects the USB cable between the DSC 400 and the host PC 500. To do.

  As a result, the process proceeds to step S714 when determining in step S703 of FIG. 7, and the communication mode of the DSC 400 is set to the data communication mode. In step S715, a data communication connection is established between the DSC 400 and the host PC 500, and the user can operate the DSC 400 as a mass storage device from the host PC 500.

  During data communication, when the USB cable is connected and the change of the communication mode by the user's operation is not permitted (when the host PC 500 reads / writes a file to / from the memory card 419 in the DSC 400) Think. In this case, even when the user operates the DSC 400 to shift to the image browsing mode, the DSC 400 does not change the communication mode and continues data communication.

  In this case, if the DSC 400 is in the image browsing mode even when the reading / writing of the file is completed, the communication mode is changed at that point.

  A USB cable is connected during data communication. In this case, when the change of the communication mode by the user's operation is permitted (when the host PC 500 does not read / write the file to / from the memory card in the DSC 400), the DSC 400 is in the communication mode as in the second embodiment. It can be changed.

  When the user operates the DSC 400 and shifts to the image browsing mode, the process proceeds to step S704 at the time of determination in step S719, and the communication mode of the DSC 400 is reset to direct print communication. When viewed from the host side, it appears that the USB device that has been performing data communication is disconnected and a new USB device that supports direct printing is newly connected. Thereafter, the DSC 400 starts direct print communication.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in addition to the effects obtained by the first and second embodiments, the USB cable is being connected, and the user operates the DSC 400 to change the state. That is, consider the case where the DSC 400 is switched to a state associated with another communication mode (in the third embodiment, when the image browsing mode is switched to a mode other than the image browsing mode as an example). In this case, if the communication setting can be switched (in the third embodiment, as an example, if direct printing is not being executed), the communication setting is dynamically changed according to the state of the DSC 400.

  As a result, communication settings can be switched to a host that supports both data communication and direct printing communication without requiring special settings while the USB cable is always connected. Can be prevented in advance.

<Application of Embodiment 3>
Since the third embodiment of the present invention described above is realized by adding a function to the first embodiment of the present invention, the applications of the first and second embodiments can be applied as they are. In addition to the above-described conditions for permitting dynamic switching of communication settings, in order to prevent the data being written to the memory card 419 in the DSC 400 from being damaged,
(1) Only when the memory card 419 in the DSC 400 is set to write prohibition, switching of communication settings from data communication to direct print communication is permitted.

  (2) The communication contents are acquired and analyzed at the time of data communication, and after confirming whether or not the file transfer state is in effect, the communication setting is switched from data communication to direct print communication only when the file transfer is completed. Applications such as permission are possible.

  In (1), the communication mode can be switched from data communication to direct print communication only when the memory card 419 is set to write prohibition, so the communication mode is switched during writing to the memory card 419. Can be prevented in advance.

  In (2), it is possible to analyze whether or not writing to the memory card 419 is performed from the contents of data communication, thereby permitting switching of the communication mode only when writing is not performed. it can.

  In the third embodiment, when the DSC 400 is executing direct printing by direct printing communication, switching from direct printing communication to data communication is not permitted. However, it is necessary to prevent direct printing from being temporarily interrupted at the time of switching pages, and switching from direct printing communication to data communication being permitted, such as during direct printing in which multiple sheets are printed as a single print job. There is. For this reason, when the DSC 400 is executing a job in which direct printing consisting of a plurality of sheets is being executed, switching from direct printing communication to data communication may not be permitted.

  Furthermore, regarding direct printing in which a plurality of jobs can be registered, switching from direct printing communication to data communication may not be permitted until all of the registered jobs are completed. Further, permission or disapproval of communication setting switching may be determined based on the plurality of conditions. Further, in the third embodiment, it is determined whether or not the communication setting switching is disapproved and permitted in steps S808 and S818. However, it is determined whether or not communication setting switching is permitted and permitted in another stage, and a step for setting a communication setting change permission flag is prepared. In a stage corresponding to step S808 and step S818, whether or not communication setting switching is performed according to the flag. You may decide whether or not.

  As an example, FIG. 12 shows an example in which the communication setting change permission flag as described above is applied to the third embodiment. Here, the processing with the same step number as in FIG. 8 is the same as that described in the third embodiment. A process for setting a communication setting change permission flag is newly added to steps S1201 and S1211. Further, in place of step S808 and step S818, processing for branching according to On / Off of the communication setting change permission flag is added to steps S1202 and S1212.

  Here, details of the added steps S1201, S1211, S1202, and S1212 will be described. In step S1201, the DSC 400 determines whether it is currently executing direct printing and needs to continue communication to complete printing. If it is not necessary to continue communication, the communication setting change permission flag is set to “permitted”, and the process proceeds to step S806. However, if it is necessary to continue communication, the communication setting change permission flag is set to “non-permitted”, and the process proceeds to step S806.

  In step S1211, the DSC 400 determines whether it is currently transferring a file and it is necessary to continue communication to complete the transfer. If it is not necessary to continue communication, the communication setting change permission flag is set to “permitted”, and the process proceeds to step S816. However, if it is necessary to continue communication, the communication setting change permission flag is set to “not permitted”, and the process proceeds to step S816.

  In step S1202, DSC 400 determines whether or not the communication setting change permission flag is set to “permitted”. If the communication setting change permission flag is set to “permitted”, the process proceeds to step S809. If the communication setting change permission flag is set to “not permitted”, the process returns to step S1201 and direct print communication is continued. To do.

  In step S1212, DSC 400 determines whether the communication setting change permission flag is set to “permitted”. If the communication setting change permission flag is set to “permitted”, the process proceeds to step S819. If the communication setting change permission flag is set to “not permitted”, the process returns to step S1211 to continue data communication.

  In the third embodiment, the third embodiment has been described in which the connection setting is not changed at the time of mode transition when switching is not permitted. However, as a result, the mode transition itself is prohibited when switching is not permitted. You may make it impossible to change connection settings. As an example, when the DSC 400 is in the image browsing mode and printing is being executed directly, the mode is not changed even if a button for switching the DSC 400 to a mode other than the image browsing mode is pressed (button change). And the like).

<Embodiment 4>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<About communication mode of DSC400>
In the first to third embodiments described above, the communication setting is switched depending on the state of the DSC 400. For example, when the user sets the DSC 400 in the image browsing mode and the host PC 500 and the DSC 400 are connected by USB, communication cannot be realized. .

  In the fourth embodiment, in order to solve this problem, the following functions are added to any one of the first to third embodiments. That is, when the automatic communication mode is set by the above-described mechanism, if the connection to the host cannot be performed correctly, it is possible to automatically switch to the other communication mode setting and perform the reconnection. Hereinafter, a method for performing each communication will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a communication control procedure of the DSC 400 according to the fourth embodiment.

  In the fourth embodiment, as an example, in addition to the first embodiment, a method of automatically switching to the other communication mode setting and reconnecting when the connection to the host cannot be correctly performed will be described.

  Steps S901 to S904 and Steps S906 to S907 in FIG. 9 are the same as Steps S601 to S604 and Steps S606 to S607 in FIG.

  Further, Step S914 in FIG. 9 and Steps S916 to S917 are the same as Step S614 and Step S616 to Step S617 in FIG.

  First, in step S905, the DSC 400 monitors the USB connection state, and determines whether communication for direct printing has been started between the DSC 400 and the host within a predetermined time (for example, within 30 seconds). If communication is started, the process proceeds to step S906. If communication is not started, the process proceeds to step S914.

  In step S915, the DSC 400 monitors the USB connection state, and determines whether data communication has been started between the DSC 400 and the host within a certain time (for example, 30 seconds). When communication is started, the process proceeds to step S916. When communication is not started, the process proceeds to step S904.

<Communication with printing device>
When direct printing is performed by connecting the DSC 400 and the PD printing apparatus 100, the user normally connects the USB cable between the DSC 400 and the PD printing apparatus 100 after setting the DSC 400 to the image browsing mode. In this case, for example, it is assumed that the user accidentally switches the DSC 400 to a mode other than the image browsing mode and performs USB connection.

  Thereby, the process proceeds to step S914 when determining in step S903, and the communication mode of the DSC 400 is set to the data communication mode. However, if the connected PD printer 100 does not support data communication, the process proceeds to step S904 when determining in step S915, and the communication mode of the DSC 400 is set to the direct print communication mode.

  In step S905, when a PTP connection is established between the DSC 400 and the PD printing apparatus 100 and the direct printing application is correctly activated, a print button using a soft key is displayed on the screen, and the user presses a key corresponding to the print button. This starts printing. (The operation after pressing the print button is out of the scope of the present invention, so the details are omitted.) When printing is finished and communication is finished, the USB cable is disconnected and the result of the discriminant in step S907 is finished. .

<Communication with host PC 500>
When connecting the DSC 400 and the host PC 500 and operating the image data in the DSC 400 from the host PC 500, a normal user sets the DSC 400 to a mode other than the image viewing mode and connects the USB cable between the DSC 400 and the host PC 500. To do. However, it is assumed here that the user erroneously sets the DSC 400 to the image browsing mode and then performs USB connection.

  As a result, the process proceeds to step S904 when determining in step S903, and the communication mode of the DSC 400 is set to the direct print communication mode. However, if the connected host PC 500 does not support direct print communication, the process proceeds to step S914 when determining in step S905, and the communication mode of the DSC 400 is set to the data communication mode. In step S915, the MSC connection is established between the DSC 400 and the host PC 500, and the user can operate the DSC 400 from the host PC 500 as a mass storage device. When the communication is ended, the USB cable is disconnected, and the result of the discriminant in step S917 is ended.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the following effects are added in addition to the effects obtained by the first to third embodiments. That is, even when a USB connection is made to a host that is different from the determination result of the communication mode performed by the DSC 400, it is possible to automatically try again in the other communication mode without a UI operation by the user. Become.

  Further, for example, a case is considered in which direct print communication is always tried first every time and communication is not started within a certain period such as 30 seconds. In this case, the data communication is first tried in a situation where the possibility of data communication is high by determining the communication setting to be tried first by the determination of the communication mode performed by the DSC 400 as compared with the method of attempting data communication. Therefore, communication can be started in a shorter time.

  Further, when a device connected as a host is a device that supports both direct printing communication and data communication, direct printing communication always starts in a method in which direct printing communication is always tried first. However, by determining the communication setting to be tried first by determining the communication mode performed by the DSC 400, data communication can be started because data communication is attempted first in a situation where the possibility of data communication is high.

<Application of Embodiment 4>
Since the fourth embodiment of the present invention described above is realized by adding functions to the first to third embodiments of the present invention, the applications of the first to third embodiments can be applied as they are.

<Embodiment 5>
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<About communication mode of DSC400>
A USB device can have a plurality of configuration information representing the characteristics of the device as a list. Therefore, the USB host can handle the device based on arbitrary configuration information after detecting a plurality of pieces of configuration information. This mechanism is generally called multi-configuration. Assume that a USB host that does not support multi-configuration is connected to a USB device that supports multi-configuration. In this case, generally, the USB host handles the USB device using the configuration information described at the top of the configuration-descriptor.

  When direct printing communication and data communication are realized based on different configuration information, the DSC 400 is compatible with multi-configuration. As a result, the multi-configuration compatible USB host can handle the DSC 400 based on arbitrary configuration information. However, as described above, in a USB host that does not support multi-configuration, connection is performed based on configuration information described at the top of the configuration-descriptor. In this case, there arises a problem that the communication intended by the user cannot be performed.

  Applying the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, when setting the communication mode, the DSC 400 generates multi-configuration information in which configuration information for direct print communication / data communication is arranged at the head of the list. As a result, the DSC 400 that achieves the effects of the first to fourth embodiments for a USB host that does not support multi-configuration and that has the effect of a multi-configuration mechanism for a USB host that supports multi-configuration is realized. it can.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a communication control procedure of the DSC 400 according to the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, as an example, in addition to the first embodiment, an example in which an arbitrary configuration setting is possible for a multi-configuration compatible USB host is shown. This can be similarly applied to the second to fourth embodiments.

  Steps S1001 to S1003, S1006 and S1007, S1016 and S1017 in FIG. 10 are the same as steps S601 to S603, S606 and S607, S616 and S617 in FIG.

  First, in step S1004, the DSC 400 sets, as multi-configuration information, configuration information for realizing direct print communication in the first configuration. Furthermore, configuration information for realizing data communication is set in the second configuration.

  In step S1005, the DSC 400 determines whether communication for direct printing with the host has started. If communication is started here, the process proceeds to step S1006. If communication is not started, the process proceeds to step S1015.

  In step S1014, the DSC 400 sets configuration information for realizing data communication in the first configuration as multi-configuration information. Further, configuration information for realizing direct printing communication is set in the second configuration.

  In step S1015, the DSC 400 determines whether data communication with the host has been started. If communication is started here, the process proceeds to step S1016. If communication is not started, the process returns to step S1005.

<Communication with printing device>
The PD printer 100 that does not support multi-configuration operates in substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment. The first difference is that a plurality of configuration information of the DSC 400 is prepared. The second difference is that, regardless of which communication mode of direct printing communication / data communication is preferentially set, the confirmation in both communication modes is performed in steps S1005 and S1015.

  For the PD printer 100 that supports multi-configuration, an arbitrary configuration setting is performed on the printing device side due to the first difference. Normally, a configuration for direct printing communication is selected. However, when the PD printing apparatus 100 side also supports data communication, it is possible to select data communication. At this time, due to the second difference, even if the setting for either direct printing communication or data communication is set, the communication is appropriately started.

<Communication with host PC 500>
The host PC 500 that does not support multi-configuration operates in substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment. The difference is that a plurality of configuration information of the DSC 400 is prepared (first difference). Even if priority is given to either communication mode of direct print communication / data communication, the confirmation in both communication modes is performed in steps S1005 and S1015 (second difference). It is.

  For the multi-configuration compatible host PC 500, any configuration setting is performed on the host PC 500 side due to the first difference. Normally, a configuration for data communication is selected. However, if the host PC 500 side also supports direct print communication, it is possible to select direct print communication. At this time, due to the second difference, even if the setting for either direct printing communication or data communication is set, the communication is appropriately started.

  That is, in the fifth embodiment, in addition to the effects obtained in the first to fourth embodiments, an adverse effect on a non-multi-configuration host is reduced, and an arbitrary configuration setting is set on a multi-configuration host. It is possible to make it happen.

  In the fourth embodiment, in order to determine whether or not communication has been started correctly, a timeout time within a certain time (for example, within 30 seconds) is prepared in step S905 and step S915. This mechanism worked the same whether the host was multi-configuration capable or not. However, in the fifth embodiment, since a multi-configuration compatible host performs arbitrary configuration settings, it is possible to quickly start appropriate communication.

<Application of Embodiment 5>
Since the fifth embodiment of the present invention described above is realized by adding a function to the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the application techniques described in the first to fourth embodiments can be applied as they are.

  The object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a system or apparatus with a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments. That is, it goes without saying that this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile semiconductor memory card, ROM, or the like can be used. . Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by executing the program code read by the computer.

  However, when the OS (operating system) operating on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Needless to say, is also included.

  Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium may be written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a PD printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a general-view figure of the operation panel of PD printer concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part which concerns on control of PD printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part which concerns on control of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which connected the imaging device and host PC which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure explaining the outline | summary of the communication control procedure of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart figure explaining the outline | summary of the communication control procedure of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart figure explaining the outline | summary of the communication control procedure of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart figure explaining the outline | summary of the communication control procedure of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart figure explaining the outline | summary of the communication control procedure of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the soft key display of the mobile telephone which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure explaining the outline | summary of the communication control procedure of the imaging device which concerns on the application of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the various movable form of the mobile telephone which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Claims (16)

First communication means capable of communicating with an external device for the purpose of printing electronic information including a digital image, and a first communication means capable of communicating with the external device for purposes other than printing the electronic information. An information processing apparatus comprising two communication means,
Selecting means for selecting one of the first and second communication means according to the state of the information processing apparatus;
A notification means for notifying that printing is possible when printing is possible when the first communication means is selected by the selection means;
Detecting means for detecting a change in the state of the information processing apparatus;
When a change in state is detected by the detection means when the information processing apparatus is already connected to the external apparatus and communication is established by the selection means by the first or second communication means Control means for controlling switching to the other communication means by the selection means if the communication means corresponding to the state after the change is the other communication means ,
Furthermore, the control means does not permit switching from the first communication means to the second communication means during printing of the electronic information using the first communication means, and permits switching after the end of the printing, Further, during communication of the electronic information with the information processing apparatus using the second communication unit, switching from the second communication unit to the first communication unit is not permitted, and switching is permitted after the end of the communication. To control and
The first communication means uses a PTP connection;
The second communication means uses a mass storage connection;
The first and second communication means include
The information processing apparatus uses USB multi-configuration in order to realize communication using the first or second communication unit or both, and the control unit performs the first communication by the selection unit. When the means is selected, the multi-configuration is set so that the first communication means is given priority over the second communication means, and when the second communication means is selected by the selection means, the second communication means is selected. The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the multi-configuration is set so that communication means is given priority over the first communication means . The second communication means includes
File transmitting means for transmitting the electronic information as a file, file receiving means for receiving the electronic information as a file, audio transmitting means for streaming transmitting audio information included in the electronic information, and streaming video information included in the electronic information The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising any one of moving image transmission means for transmission. As a condition for the selection means to select the first communication means,
The information processing apparatus is in a state of browsing the electronic information, is in a soft power-on state, is not in a folded state, is in a state in which an operation panel cover is opened, is in a key operation enabled state, and the information At least one of the following conditions: the display unit included in the processing device is in a state in which an image can be visually recognized, not connected to the charger, and not in a state in which USB connection is possible via the charger. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: As a condition for the selection means to select the second communication means,
The information processing device is not in the electronic information viewing state, is in a soft power-off state, is in a folded state, is in a state in which an operation panel cover is closed, is in a key operation invalid state, or the information At least one of the display unit included in the processing device being in a state in which an image cannot be visually recognized, being connected to a charger, and being capable of USB connection via the charger. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a condition.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communication unit and the second communication unit use the same physical interface. The selection means includes
When the first or second communication means is selected, it is determined whether or not the communication is correctly started according to the subsequent communication state, and when the communication is not correctly started, the communication that is not selected The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein means is selected and communication is started again. As a condition for the selection means to select the first communication means,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the information processing apparatus includes a condition that a browsing state Web pages, and wherein the. First communication means capable of communicating with an external device for the purpose of printing electronic information including a digital image, and a first communication means capable of communicating with the external device for purposes other than printing the electronic information. Two communication means, and a method for controlling the information processing apparatus,
A selection step in which the selection means selects any one of the first and second communication means according to the state of the information processing apparatus;
A notifying step for notifying that printing has become possible when printing is possible when the first communication means is selected in the selection step;
A detecting step for detecting a change in the state of the information processing apparatus;
When the control unit is already connected to the external device and the communication unit has established communication by the first or second communication unit by the selection step, the state change by the detection step A control step for controlling switching to the other communication means by the selection step if the communication means corresponding to the state after the change is the other communication means ,
Further, in the control step, during the printing of the electronic information using the first communication unit, the switching from the first communication unit to the second communication unit is not permitted, but the switching is permitted after the end of the printing, Further, during communication of the electronic information with the information processing apparatus using the second communication unit, switching from the second communication unit to the first communication unit is not permitted, and switching is permitted after the end of the communication. To control and
The first communication means uses a PTP connection;
The second communication means uses a mass storage connection;
The first and second communication means include
The information processing apparatus uses USB multi-configuration in order to realize communication using the first or second communication means, or both, and in the control step, the selection step includes the first communication means. Is selected so that the first communication means has priority over the second communication means. If the second communication means is selected in the selection step, the second communication is selected. The control method of the information processing apparatus, characterized in that the multi-configuration is set so that the means has priority over the first communication means . The second communication means includes
File transmitting means for transmitting the electronic information as a file, file receiving means for receiving the electronic information as a file, audio transmitting means for streaming transmitting audio information included in the electronic information, and streaming video information included in the electronic information The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 8 , comprising any one of moving image transmission means for transmission. As a condition for the selection means to select the first communication means,
The information processing apparatus is in a state of browsing the electronic information, is in a soft power-on state, is not in a folded state, is in a state in which an operation panel cover is opened, is in a key operation enabled state, and the information At least one of the following conditions: the display unit included in the processing device is in a state in which an image can be visually recognized, not connected to the charger, and not in a state in which USB connection is possible via the charger. 10. The method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 , characterized by comprising: As a condition for the selection means to select the second communication means,
The information processing device is not in the electronic information viewing state, is in a soft power-off state, is in a folded state, is in a state in which an operation panel cover is closed, is in a key operation invalid state, or the information At least one of the display unit included in the processing device being in a state in which an image cannot be visually recognized, being connected to a charger, and being capable of USB connection via the charger. control method for an information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10 including the condition, it is characterized. Said first and second communication means, a control method for an information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11 the same physical using the interface, it is characterized. The selection means includes
When the first or second communication means is selected, it is determined whether or not communication is correctly started according to the subsequent communication state, and when the communication is not correctly started, it is not selected. control method for an information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12 of the communication means to start communication again by selecting it and said. As a condition for the selection means to select the first communication means,
Control method for an information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 13 wherein the information processing apparatus includes a condition that a browsing state Web pages, it is characterized. The program for making a computer perform each process of the control method of the information processing apparatus of any one of Claims 8 thru | or 14 . A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 15 .

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