JP2003092751A - Communication device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the operability and the convenience in handling an image file, in a communication device adopting the Bluetooth (R). SOLUTION: The communication device is configured such that cooperation of a program acting like photographing software and a program acting like communication software can execute processes where an image photographed by a camera section is captured as a photographing image file and stored and the stored photographing image file is transmitted by wireless communication. Thus, it is not required to switch the photographing software and the communication software for the operation of the communication device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device capable of communicating with other equipment, and a program for realizing a predetermined function as this communication device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, Bluetooth (registered trademark) (Bl
A wireless communication method called uetooth) has been developed and put into practical use. Bluetooth is a wireless communication technology using the frequency band of 2.45 GHz, and is particularly used for communication of data and voice between communication terminals having a short distance of about 10 m. And this Bluetooth communication technology
Personal computer, workstation, PDA
(Personal Digital Assistant), computer peripheral devices, telephone devices, mobile phone devices, audio devices, video devices, AV (Audio Video) peripheral devices, etc. It is possible to realize the required data communication according to the function, characteristics, and operation of the device. Thereby, for example, the user can enjoy the convenience of being cableless when using the above-described various devices.

[0003]

By the way, as a Bluetooth-compatible device having a Bluetooth communication function, various functions related to Bluetooth communication should be enhanced, which is convenient and useful for users. It can be said that it is preferable in terms of the above.

[0004] For example, in recent years, as a function of a personal computer, there is known one capable of taking in an image picked up by a camera device as an image file. Therefore, if such a personal computer is configured to have a function compatible with Bluetooth communication, it is possible to use the image file imported as described above by Bluetooth communication, such as a mobile phone or the like. It is possible to use it by sending and outputting it to the device.

However, under the present circumstances, the image capturing software for capturing the image captured by the camera device as a file and the software for Bluetooth communication are different application programs from each other.
Coordination operations and the like are not considered. For this reason, if the above-mentioned usage is attempted, first, the operation for the shooting software is performed to capture the captured image as an image file, and then the operation for the communication software is performed to obtain the image as the transmission file. You will have to select a file and then send it. In other words, in the current situation, it is necessary to switch between the two application programs and perform the operation.
That was a complicated operation procedure. Therefore, if the transmission of the image file by the Bluetooth communication as described above can be performed by a simpler operation procedure, the convenience in handling the image file can be improved.

[0006]

In view of the above problems, the present invention is configured as a communication device as follows.
That is, in order to execute a process of saving an image captured by the camera device as an image data file in accordance with the image capturing program, and to transmit and output the image data file in accordance with a predetermined wireless communication standard in accordance with the image capturing program. When the operation means is enabled according to the shooting program, and the operation means is operated in accordance with the photographing program, the image data file can be connected to the communication partner device by a predetermined wireless communication standard. And a delivery means for performing a delivery process to the communication program. Further, according to the communication program, the image data file delivered by the delivery means is provided with a transmission means for transmitting and outputting the image data file to a required communication partner device.

Further, the program according to the present invention is configured as follows. That is, the program of the present invention is composed of a photographing program and a communication program. Then, the shooting program enables a saving procedure capable of executing a process of saving an image captured by the camera device as an image data file, and an operation for transmitting and outputting the image data file according to a predetermined wireless communication standard. The operation realization procedure to be performed and the image data file when the operation according to this operation realization procedure is performed,
The communication device is configured to execute a delivery procedure for performing a process of delivering to the communication program. Further, the communication program is a transmission procedure for transmitting and outputting the image data file transferred by the transfer procedure to the communication partner apparatus after executing the communication connection with the communication partner apparatus selected by the predetermined wireless communication standard. It is configured by giving the contents of a program for executing.

According to each of the above-mentioned configurations, when it is desired to transmit and output the image data file which is acquired from the captured image of the camera device and stored under the processing in accordance with the photographing program according to a predetermined wireless communication standard. The image data file is passed to the communication program.
Then, in the communication program, in response to the delivery of the image data file, the received image data file is transmitted and output. That is, in the present invention, the processing from storing the image data file obtained from the captured image to transmitting and outputting the image data file is executed by the information processing apparatus such as a personal computer in cooperation with the shooting program and the communication program. Is what you are doing.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. As the communication device of this embodiment, a personal computer provided with a communication function by Bluetooth, which is one of wireless communication systems, will be taken as an example. The following description will be given in the following order. 1. Configuration of Bluetooth enabled personal computer 2. Overview of Bluetooth communication 3. Communication software operation screen 4. Bluetooth communication related function 4-1. Automatic dial-up function 4-2. Chat function 4-3. Linkage function with shooting software 4-4. Slave management function

1. Configuration of Bluetooth-Compatible Personal Computer FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a personal computer having a Bluetooth communication function, which is the communication device according to the present embodiment. In this figure, the CPU
The reference numeral 11 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 12 as firmware, an application program stored in the HDD 18, and the like obtained by expanding the application program in the RAM 13. Further, the RAM 13 also appropriately stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes. these,
The CPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13 include an internal bus 25 together with an Internet interface 20, a data interface 21, a Bluetooth interface 22, an input / output interface 14, etc., which will be described later.
Interconnected by. The internal bus 25 is, for example, a PC
It is configured by an I (Peripheral Component Interconnect), a local bus, or the like.

The input / output interface 14 is provided for exchanging information between the internal bus 25 and a device connected to the input / output interface 14. In this case, the keyboard 1 is used.
5, mouse 16, display monitor 17, HDD1
8, the media driver 19, and the camera unit 24 are connected.

The operation signal supplied from the keyboard 15 and the mouse 16 is sent to the CP from the input / output interface 14.
It is designed to output to U11. The input / output interface 14 is connected to the display monitor 17.
A video signal for display is output via the, and thus an image is displayed on the display monitor 17.

Further, the input / output interface 14 includes
A hard disk drive (HDD) 18 having a hard disk as a storage medium is connected. CPU11
Is capable of recording or reading data, programs, etc. on the hard disk of the HDD 18. Then, the write data and the read data are transferred to the HDD 18 via the input / output interface 14.
And the internal bus 25 side. In this embodiment, in particular, the HDD 18 stores Bluetooth communication software (hereinafter, also referred to as “communication software”) 18a, which is an application program as a utility for realizing the Bluetooth communication function. In addition, shooting software 18b is stored, which can operate a camera unit 24 described later and can execute a required process for image data captured by the camera unit 24.

Further, the media driver 19 is a driver corresponding to a specific type of media such as a CD-ROM and a DVD under the present circumstances, and reads / writes data from / to the corresponding media. Run. The CPU 11 also executes the control for this purpose, and the write data and the read data are transferred to the HDD 18 and the internal bus 25 via the input / output interface 14.
Transmitted to and from the side.

Further, in this case, a camera section 24 is provided. This camera unit is, for example, a CCD as an image sensor.
An image pickup apparatus including a personal computer 10
It is provided so that it can be attached to. Alternatively, an external imaging device may be connected via a predetermined interface. Shooting software 18b
Depending on the control processing of the CPU 11 according to the program as described above, the image signal picked up by the camera section 24 is taken into the internal bus 25 side through the input / output interface 14 to perform the required processing as picked-up image data. Is able to.

The Internet interface 20 is
An interface for communicating via the Internet. For example, if the connection to the Internet is by using a telephone line, the hardware is equipped with a modem or the like, and also via the network. Then, it becomes an interface such as Ethernet.

The data interface 21 is, for example, S
CSI, USB, IEEE1394, etc.
It is used as an interface for communication with external peripheral devices by cable connection.

The Bluetooth interface 22 is provided as hardware for realizing a wireless communication function conforming to the Bluetooth standard, and modulation / demodulation suitable for data wirelessly transmitted / received via the antenna 23. The process of is executed.

By the way, the communication software 18a and the photographing software 18b to be installed in the HDD 18 as described above are application programs in which method procedures for realizing the functions described later are stored as programs. The application programs as the communication software 18a and the photographing software 18b are a floppy (registered trademark) disk and a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Onl).
y Memory), MO (Magnet Optical) disc, DVD (Di
It can be temporarily or permanently stored (recorded) in a removable recording medium such as a digital versatile disc), a magnetic disc, or a semiconductor memory. Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software. Then, such a removable recording medium is loaded into, for example, the media driver 19 of the personal computer 10 and played back, so that the HDD 18 of the personal computer 10 is loaded.
Will be installed against. In addition to installing the application program using the removable recording medium as described above, the application program can be wirelessly transferred from the download site or another information processing device to the personal computer 10, or the LAN (Local Area) can be used. Network), via the network such as the Internet, to the personal computer 10 by wire transfer,
In 0, the application program thus transferred can be received and installed in the HDD 18.

2. Outline of Bluetooth Communication The personal computer 10 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a Bluetooth communication function. The Bluetooth communication standard will be briefly described.

Bluetooth is Bluetooth
This is a standard for short-distance wireless communication with interoperability that is standardized by the thSIG (Special Interest Group), and is a 2.4 GHz band (ISM (Industrial Science Medic
al) band) to communicate with other devices that have a Bluetooth module.

A network formed by Bluetooth is a piconet (pi
conet), or a scatternet in which a plurality of piconets are interconnected, and there exists a Bluetooth device having a role called a master and a slave. Note that, hereinafter, the Bluetooth device having the role of the master is also referred to as “master”, and the Bluetooth device having the role of the slave is also referred to as “slave”.

FIG. 2 shows the concept of piconet and scatternet. As shown in FIG. 2, one master exists in each piconet, and a plurality of slaves or a single slave communicates under the control of the master. In this example, the master 1, the slave 1-1, and the slave 1-2 form the piconet 1, and the master 2 and the slave 2-1 form the piconet 2.

The piconet 1 and the piconet 2 are interconnected to form a scatternet. Note that FIG. 2 shows a case where the communication link between the piconet 1 and the piconet 2 is invalid.

In order to transmit and receive various kinds of information after forming such a piconet, it is necessary that all Bluetooth devices in the piconet establish synchronization between the frequency axis and the time axis. .

Here, the synchronization of the frequency axis and the synchronization of the time axis will be described. With Bluetooth, for example, 79M is required to send a signal from the master to the slave.
The frequency width of Hz is used. At this time, the master is 79
Instead of occupying the frequency band of MHz at the same time to transmit information, the transmission frequency of information is randomly changed (hopping) in the frequency band of 1 MHz and transmitted. Also, the slave on the receiving side synchronizes with the transmission frequency of the master that is randomly changed, and appropriately changes the reception frequency,
Receives the information sent from the master.

The frequency pattern changed by the master and slave is called a frequency hopping pattern.
A state in which the frequency hopping pattern is shared between the master and the slave is a state in which frequency axis synchronization is established.

Further, in Bluetooth, a communication path (channel) between the master and each slave is time-division-multiplexed in units of 625 μsec so that the master and a plurality of slaves communicate with each other. Then, this time interval of 625 μsec unit is called a time slot, and a state in which the time slots are shared is a state in which time axis synchronization is established.

It should be noted that all slaves calculate a frequency hopping pattern for establishing synchronization on the frequency axis based on the Bluetooth address (Device Address) of the master. Also, on all slave sides, based on the Bluetooth clock of the master, give a constant offset to the counter value of the Bluetooth clock that it has and manages internally, so that it matches the counter value of the Bluetooth clock of the master. To do. That is, the timing of the time slot for establishing the synchronization of the time axis is taken.

The Bluetooth address is uniquely given to each Bluetooth device and is represented by 48 bits. The frequency hopping pattern is uniquely calculated based on the Bluetooth address. Further, the information as the Bluetooth clock indicates the counter value of a counter called a Bluetooth clock which each Bluetooth device has inside. Every time a bit of the counter changes, a time interval of 625 μsec is counted. Therefore, before the formation of the piconet, various information including the Bluetooth address for establishing the synchronization of the frequency axis and the synchronization of the time axis and the Bluetooth clock is transmitted and received between the master and the slave. Become.

Then, the basic processing of the Bluetooth device for forming the piconet by establishing the synchronization of the frequency axis and the synchronization of the time axis will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4. For convenience of explanation, the master 1, the slave 1-1, and the slave 1 shown in FIG.
The process for establishing synchronization by the slaves 1-2 and forming the piconet 1 will be described as an example. Further, since detailed structures of transmitted and received packets and the like are well known, they are omitted here, and here,
I will explain the overall flow. Further, when the processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is associated with the personal computer 10 shown in FIG. 1, when the personal computer 10 is used as a master, the master 1 shown in FIGS. Processing (steps S1 to S1
The personal computer 10 executes 5). On the other hand, when the personal computer 10 becomes a slave, the slave 1-shown in FIGS.
No. 1 processing (S31 to S39) or slave 1-2 processing (S51 to S55) will be executed.

In step S1 shown in FIG. 3, the master 1 uses the I for detecting the slaves existing in the surroundings.
Broadcast a Q (Inquiry) packet. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the slave 1-1 and the slave 1-2 exist near the master 1, the slave 1-1 sends the IQ transmitted from the master 1 in step S31. The packet is received, and the process proceeds to step S32 to respond to the master by transmitting a packet (FHS packet) indicating its own attribute information. Similarly, when the slave 1-2 also receives the IQ packet in step S51, the slave 1-2 proceeds to step S52, transmits an FHS packet, and responds to the master.

The FHS packet transmitted from the slave to the master includes at least the slave's Bluetooth address and Bluetooth clock as the attribute information of the slave.

Then, the master 1 receives the FHS packet transmitted from the slave 1-1 in step S2, and receives the FHS packet transmitted from the slave 1-2 in step S3. As a result, the master side can recognize the Bluetooth addresses and the Bluetooth clocks of the slaves 1-1 and 1-2.

A series of processes of a master that broadcasts an IQ packet and receives the FHS packet transmitted accordingly, and a slave that receives the transmitted IQ packet and transmits the FHS packet accordingly The series of processing of "Inquiry (Inquiry
y) ”.

As data transmitted and received in the process of this "Inquiry", the IQ packet is a packet broadcast by the master in the "Inquiry", and has a reserved Bluetooth address. "Inquiry access code (IAC: Inquiry Acc
ess Code) ”. It is said that the master in the inquiry processing state should continuously broadcast IQ packets regardless of whether or not there is a Bluetooth-equipped device that can be a slave in the vicinity. Further, the FHS packet (inquiry FHS packet) transmitted by the slave side as described above includes at least a Bluetooth address and a Bluetooth clock as attribute information about the slave (the terminal transmitting the IAC and FHS packets). And the slave (Inquiry
When there is a slave performing a scan), the slave is supposed to send an FHS packet in order to convey its attribute to the master each time it receives an IQ packet. By receiving this FHS packet,
The master can know the slave's Bluetooth address and Bluetooth clock.

Then, in step S4, the master 1 transmits to the slave 1-1 the ID packet generated based on the FHS packet received in the previous step S2. This ID packet is a packet that the master specifies and transmits a specific slave at the time of calling (Page), and is a “call access code (DAC: Device Accode) generated by using the Bluetooth address of the slave.
cess code) ”only. Based on the information content of the FHS packet received from the slave side in the inquiry processing, the master selects a slave as a communication partner and transmits an ID packet to the slave.

When the slave 1-1 receives this ID packet by the process of step S33, the slave 1-1 proceeds to step S34.
Proceed to. In step S34, the same I as received is received.
The D packet is transmitted to the master 1 to notify that the packet can be transmitted and received (reception confirmation notification).

The master 1 slave 1-
When the ID packet transmitted from 1 is received, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the FHS packet is transmitted to the slave 1-1, and the slave 1-1 is notified of the Bluetooth address and the Bluetooth clock as its attribute information. F sent from this master side
The HS packet (call FHS packet) is a packet including at least its Bluetooth address and Bluetooth clock as attribute information about the master (the terminal that transmits the DAC and the FHS packet).

The FHS packet transmitted from the master 1 is received by the slave 1-1 in step S35, whereby the Bluetooth address and the Bluetooth clock necessary for establishing the intra-piconet synchronization are the master 1 and the slave 1. -1 and -1 are exchanged mutually. Then, in step S36, the slave 1-1 transmits an ID packet to the master 1 to notify that the FHS packet has been received (F
HS packet reception confirmation notification).

Further, the slave 1-1 performs the following step S.
At 37, synchronization with the master 1 is established based on the Bluetooth address and the Bluetooth clock notified from the master 1.

The master 1 will receive the notification from the slave 1-1 in step S7. As a result, the master 1 proceeds to step S8, and executes the transaction with the slave 1-1 so far with the slave 1-2. That is, step S8 by the master 1
~ Processing of S11, and step S by the slave 1-2
The processing of 53 to S57 is the same processing as the processing of steps S4 to S7 and the processing of steps S33 to S37 described above, respectively.

Specifically, in response to the master 1 transmitting an ID packet to the slave 1-2 (step S8), the slave 1-2 sends an ID packet notifying that the slave 1-2 has received the ID packet. It is sent (step S53)
→ S54). When the master 1 receives this, the master 1 transmits an FHS packet to the slave 1-2 and notifies its own attribute information (Bluetooth address and Bluetooth clock) (steps S9 → S10). In response to the slave 1-2 receiving the FHS packet from the master 1, an ID packet is transmitted to the master 1 (steps S55 → S56). And the slave 1-2
The synchronization with the master 1 is established based on the Bluetooth address and the Bluetooth clock notified from the master 1 (step S57). In addition, a series of processing from the above "inquiry" to the establishment of synchronization,
It is called "call (page)".

Synchronization has been established by the above processing. However, as a practical matter of the present embodiment, the master side acquires the Bluetooth device name of the slave side and the usable profile subsequent to this synchronization establishment process. Then, the operation screen (GUI) of the communication software 18a, which will be described later, is displayed and output using the information acquired in this way.

Therefore, FIG. 4 also shows the process for acquiring the Bluetooth device name from each slave for which synchronization has been established, which is assumed to be executed following the above-mentioned synchronization establishment process.

Assuming that the process of step S11 shown in FIG. 4 is completed and the synchronization is established, the master 1 executes step S11.
By the process of 12, the Bluetooth device name (Devic
The slave 1-1 is requested to notify the e Name).
The Bluetooth device name corresponds to the name given to each Bluetooth device, and can be changed by the user. The Bluetooth device name is used to identify the device, for example, when the user operating the master selects a communication partner (slave). If the user has to select a communication partner based on the Bluetooth address, the user needs to remember the addresses of all the Bluetooth devices existing in the piconet as a 48-bit number. It is inconvenient and impractical. Therefore, such a Bluetooth device name is provided.

When the slave 1-1 receives the request from the master 1 in step S38, the slave 1-1 proceeds to step S39.
Then, the master 1 is notified of the set Bluetooth device name. Then, in step S13,
The master 1 receives the Bluetooth device name notified from the slave 1-1.

In step S14, the master 1 also requests the slave 1-2 to notify the Bluetooth device name. Then, in step S58, the slave 1-2 that receives this request,
Proceeding to 59, the master 1 is notified of the set Bluetooth device name. The master 1 will receive this notification in step S15, which means that the master 1 has acquired the information on the Bluetooth device name of the slave for which the synchronization is established.

Although not shown in this figure, after the master 1 acquires the Bluetooth device name,
By performing communication in accordance with the process of acquiring the Bluetooth device name, the usable profile is acquired from each slave that has been synchronously established.
The profile is as specified in the Bluetooth profile specification. In this way, on the master side, when the Bluetooth device name of each slave and the available profile are acquired,
Using this information, the operation screen as the communication software 18a is displayed. After that, when connecting (communication) with the device (slave) selected by the master, authentication (Authentic
ation) and encryption processing. In addition,
Authentication and encryption may also be required to obtain the Bluetooth device name and usable profile described above.

3. Communication Software Operation Screen As described above, assuming that the personal computer 10 shown in FIG. 1 functions as a master, after executing the synchronization establishing process and the acquisition of required information according to the program of the communication software 18a, An operation screen is displayed on the display monitor 17 as a GUI for an operation related to communication using the communication software 18a. FIG. 5 shows a display mode example of this operation screen.

As shown in this figure, the operation screen is displayed as the operation window 100 in the form of a window. A master display unit 111 is displayed on the right side of the operation window 100. The master display unit 111 is used to visually show the device as a master, and in this case, it is displayed as showing the personal computer 10 itself. The master display unit 111 includes a device name display unit 111a and an address display unit 111b. The device name display unit 111a shows the device class (Device Class) and the device name (Device Name). In this case, the letters "computer" are displayed as the device class (Device Class) and "red computer" is displayed as the device name (Device Name). In addition, the device type (Device Class) and device name (Device Na
A computer-shaped icon is displayed on the right side of the display area of (me) so that the master device can be easily recognized as a personal computer.

On the other hand, a managed slave display area 110 is displayed on the left side of the operation window 100.
In this managed slave display area 110, slave information is shown. And here, a plurality of slaves are respectively displayed on the slave display units (113 to 119).
...). In this case, a state is shown in which the seven slave display portions (113 to 119) are arranged in a substantially arc shape as shown in the drawing. For example, of the slave display units, the slave display unit 116 displayed so as to appear at the forefront is taken as an example, and the slave display unit 116 includes a device name display unit 116a and an address display unit 116b. That is, the master display unit 111 has the same mode. The remaining slave display units 113 to 115 and 117 to 119 are similarly subjected to the device name display units 113a to 115a, 11 in the same manner.
7a to 119a and address display portions 113b to 115
b, 117b to 119b.

In the case of the present embodiment, in the managed slave display area 110, not only the slaves that are currently in synchronization with each other and can communicate with each other, but even if synchronization is not currently established, synchronization is established as a slave even once in the past. The displayed device is also displayed as a slave display unit. In practice, the slave display unit corresponding to the slave currently being synchronized and the slave display unit corresponding to the slave not being synchronized are visually distinguishable from each other, for example, in the slave display unit. The frames and background colors are displayed differently. That is, the communication software 18a according to the present embodiment stores the information acquired from the slaves that have established synchronization in the past, and can manage the information in the same manner as the slaves that have currently established synchronization. In this specification, in the case of collectively handling the slaves that are currently synchronized and the slaves that have been synchronized in the past, which are managed by the communication software 18a in this way, Target slave ”.

Depending on the operation of the mouse, keyboard, etc. of the personal computer 10, the slave display units arranged in an arc shape are rotated and displayed, thereby selecting an arbitrary slave display unit and bringing it to the front. It can be displayed on.

A plurality of profile selection buttons 112 ... 112 are displayed between the master display section 111 and the managed slave display area 110. Each of the profile selection buttons 112 is provided corresponding to a specific profile. And the master display unit 1
A profile valid line 120 is to be additionally displayed on the left side of the profile selection button 112 corresponding to a valid profile in the master displayed as 11. In addition, the managed slave display area 110
A profile valid line 120 is additionally displayed on the right side of the profile selection button 112 corresponding to the profile valid in the slave displayed as the slave display section (116) being selected (displayed in the foreground) in the screen. . In this way, the profile effective line 1
Since 20 is displayed, it is possible to recognize mutually valid profiles for the master and the slave currently selected in the managed slave display area 110.

Then, the user clicks the profile selection button 112 showing the profile corresponding to the function to be used from the profile selection buttons 112 additionally displayed with the profile valid lines 120 of both the master and the slave. be able to. This starts the communication connection between the master and slave,
By this communication, data transmission / reception is performed by the function belonging to the selected profile. For example,
Object Push P
If the profile selection button 112 indicating the (rofile) is operated, the file can be transmitted and received by the communication connection between the master and the slave, for example. When the communication connection is established in this way, the master display unit 111 and the slave display unit 116 showing the slave of the communication partner are currently used in the operation window 100 as shown in the figure. The profile selection button 112 of the existing profile (communication method) is used to display the lines so that they are connected by a line so that which profile is used for communication can be visually recognized.

4. Bluetooth communication related function 4-1. Automatic Dial-Up Function As described above, according to the embodiment, the operation can be performed between the personal computer 10 and the Bluetooth communication device by operating the operation screen as the communication software 18a. Then, in the present embodiment, four functions described below are provided as the functions related to the Bluetooth communication by the communication software 18a. First, the automatic dial-up function will be described.

In using this automatic dial-up function, as shown in FIG. 6, the personal computer 10 as a master and the modem 30 as a slave configured to enable Bluetooth communication are connected. It Then, for example, under the condition that the modem 30 and the Internet are connected, the personal computer 10 is connected to the Internet through the wirelessly connected modem 30. As a result, the operation of the Internet function such as website browsing or electronic mail transmission is performed on the personal computer 10. In such a system, for example, the user does not need to connect the personal computer 10 and the modem with a cable, so that the user does not have to worry about the wiring, and the user does not have to worry about the length of the cable. The personal computer 10 can be operated at this location.

However, in the prior art, when connecting to the Internet by the system including the personal computer 10 and the modem 30 which are wirelessly connected by the Bluetooth communication as described above, first, the communication connection by the Bluetooth communication is established. After performing the operation, in order to connect the modem 30 to the Internet again, the personal computer 10 side performs the dial-up instruction operation. In other words, as a user operating the personal computer 10,
This means that it is necessary to perform a two-step operation including an operation for communication connection between the personal computer 10 and the modem 30 and an operation for dialing up the modem 30. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the following operation is obtained as the automatic dial-up function. That is, a dial-up connection profile (Dial-up Network i) defined as a communication method for realizing communication with a device capable of dial-up connection such as the modem 30.
ng Profile) is selected, when an operation for connecting the personal computer 10 to the modem 30 for communication is performed, the operation on the personal computer 10 side is to perform communication connection with the modem 30, and thereafter Three
The modem is controlled to dial up by zero. As a result, the user only needs to perform the operation for connecting the personal computer 10 and the modem 30 for communication (specifically, the profile selecting operation directly becomes the communication connecting operation in the embodiment), and the communication connection is established. Subsequent dial-up connections to the Internet will be made automatically. In other words, what has been required so far in two steps is only one step, and the convenience in terms of operability is improved accordingly.

In the case of the present embodiment, in order to execute such an automatic dial-up function, for example, in the connection setting in the communication software 18a, an operation for enabling the automatic dial-up is performed beforehand. To be done. For example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the communication software 18a to display a "connection setting" dialog box and then the "detailed setting" tab is clicked, a "detailed setting" dialog box as shown in FIG. 7 is presented. To be done. In this "detailed setting" dialog box, a dialog box "Connect after dialing up with modem" is shown together with a check box CB1. The user selects this check box CB
A check mark will be attached to 1. Then, if the setting is completed by operating the "apply button" or "OK button" in this state, the communication software 18
In a, the automatic dial-up function is set to be valid. By the operation on the pull-down menu PD1 displayed at the bottom of the dialog "Connect after dialing up with modem,"
You can also specify the dial-up method.

An example of the internal structure of the modem 30 is shown in FIG. The antenna 31 is provided for Bluetooth communication. The radio wave received by the antenna 31 is input to the wireless transmission / reception unit 32, where the reception wave demodulation processing corresponding to the Bluetooth communication format is performed to extract the data, and the modulation / demodulation processing unit 33.
Is transmitted to.

The modulation / demodulation processing unit 33 executes modulation processing suitable for transmission using a telephone line, such as converting input data into an analog signal that can be transmitted by an analog telephone line. The line transmission / reception unit 34 is a part that controls the transmission and reception of signals with the telephone line side. The dial-up operation is also executed under the control of the control unit 36. The modulated signal output from the modulation / demodulation processing unit 33 is placed on a carrier in a required frequency band via the line transmitting / receiving unit 34 and output to the telephone line terminal 35. The telephone line terminal 35 is connected to an analog telephone line through, for example, a modular jack,
The signal transmitted from the personal computer 10 is finally transmitted from the telephone line terminal 35 to the Internet side through the analog telephone line.

The signal supplied from the Internet side to the telephone line terminal 35 through the telephone line is subjected to carrier demodulation in the line transmission / reception unit 34 and output to the modulation / demodulation processing unit 33. In the modulation / demodulation processing unit 33, the signal input from the line transmission / reception unit 34 is converted into a digital signal, etc., and demodulation processing is executed so as to obtain a signal suitable for subsequent digital transmission. And
The signal demodulated in this manner is used for the wireless transmission / reception unit 3
Output to 2. In the wireless transmission / reception unit 32, modulation processing suitable for Bluetooth communication is performed, and the antenna 31
Is transmitted and output. The control unit 36 executes various control processes in the modem 30.

Based on the above description, a processing operation example for realizing the operation as the automatic dial-up function according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this figure, the operation of the personal computer 10 as the master and the operation of the modem 30 as the slave are shown. The operation of the personal computer 10 side is executed by the CPU 11 according to the program of the communication software 18a, and the operation of the modem 30 is executed by the control unit 36.

First, the personal computer 10 waits for an operation for connecting to the modem 30 in step S101. Here, the user operates the operation screen (operation window 1) shown in FIG.
00), select a modem as a slave for communication connection, and further dial up connection profile (Dial-up Networking P
It is assumed that the profile selection button 112 corresponding to (rofile) is operated. Then, a positive result is obtained in step S101, and the process proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, control is executed so that communication connection with the modem is performed by a communication method defined by a dial-up connection profile (Dial-up Networking Profile) that is a profile that enables modem communication.

In the following step S103, it is determined whether or not automatic dial-up is set valid. The validity / invalidity of the automatic dial-up is set by the operation described above with reference to FIG. If it is determined that automatic dial-up is disabled, the processing routine shown in this figure is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the automatic dial-up is enabled, the process proceeds to step S104.

Regarding dial-up, various dial-up methods such as telephone number of dial-up destination, communication speed setting of modem, and whether the modem dials up by pulse or tone are set. It is supposed to be done. Therefore, step S104
In step 1, it is determined whether or not there is a setting for this "dial-up method". If it is determined that the "dial-up method" setting does not exist, the processing routine shown in this figure is exited, but if it is determined that it exists, the process proceeds to step S105 and subsequent steps.

In step S105, communication speed information indicating the communication speed set as the "dial-up method" is transmitted, and in the next step S106, the communication method set as the "dial-up method" ( The communication method information for specifying the pulse / tone) is transmitted. Then, in step S107, a dial-up command for instructing dial-up is transmitted together with the telephone number information of the dial-up destination, which is also set as the "dial-up method".

The processing on the modem side according to the operation on the personal computer 10 side is as follows. In response to the processing for communication connection being executed from the personal computer 10 side by the processing of step S102, the communication connection is also started by the processing of step S201 on the modem 30 side. Then, in the next step S202, it waits for the communication speed information transmitted from the personal computer 10 to be received. In this case, this routine is temporarily exited until the communication speed information is received, and step S2 is executed again.
In step S202, the communication connection is continued at 01.
It is supposed to return to the processing of.

When it is determined in step S202 that the communication speed information has been received, step S20
In step 3, the line transmission / reception unit 34 is controlled to set the communication speed of the modem indicated by the communication speed information.

In the following step S204, it waits for the communication method information transmitted from the personal computer 10 to be received. Then, when the communication method information is received, in step S205, the pulse method or the tone method is set as the communication method specified by the received communication method information, for example, in the line transmitting / receiving unit 34.

In the next step S206, the reception of the dial-up command transmitted from the personal computer 10 is awaited, and when this is received, the process proceeds to step S207. In step S207,
The line transmission / reception unit 34 is controlled so that the designated telephone number transmitted together with the dial-up command is dialed up. By performing such processing in cooperation with the personal computer 10 side and the modem 30 side, the automatic dial-up operation according to the present embodiment is realized.

4-2. Chat function In conventional Bluetooth communication software, the object push profile (Object Push Pro
Depending on the communication by (file), only the file transmission / reception function was supported. However, the present embodiment is configured to support the so-called chat function under the object push profile as described below.
This provides a more complete Bluetooth communication function.

In order to realize the chat function by the Bluetooth communication according to the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, two (or more) personal computers 1 having the Bluetooth communication function are used.
Prepare 0. Communication software 108a of the present embodiment that supports a chat function is installed in these personal computers 10. Then, when chatting is performed, one personal computer 10 serving as a master and one (or more) personal computer 10 serving as a slave are placed in a communication connection state. Then, as explained below,
An operation for chatting is performed on the operation screen of the communication software. In response to this operation, a chat file is created, a chat file is exchanged, and the received chat file is displayed. That is, the operation as a chat can be obtained in each of the master and slave personal computers.

Next, an operation procedure for chatting will be described. For example, here, it is assumed that the personal computer 10 as the master is displaying the operation screen (operation window 100) previously shown in FIG. In this case, the information of the personal computer 10 itself as the master is the operation window 10
It is shown as a master display section 111 within 0.

In the present embodiment, the chat function of the communication software can be enabled / disabled by a preset setting. When the chat function is set to be valid, for example, the master display unit 111 shown in FIG.
The chat button BT1 can be operated and displayed in the active state in the address display section. When the user wants to chat using the chat function, the chat button BT1 is operated. Then, first, as shown in the operation window 100 of FIG. 11,
For example, the master-side chat window 201 is displayed near the upper side of the master display unit 111. Note that, in FIG. 11, parts that are the same as those in FIG. 5 and have already been described are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted here.

In the master side chat window 201, the edit box 201a is an area in which the user of the personal computer 10 as the master can write a message as text. For example, the user arranges the caret in the edit box 201a by a mouse click operation,
Characters can be input by operating the keyboard.
Further, by clicking on the CLEAR button BT12 displayed in the master side chat window 201, the message written in the edit box 201a can be erased.

On the left side of the edit box 201a, an icon display section 201b is arranged. The icon display portion 201b is an area for displaying an icon to be sent to a communication partner together with a text message. The icon to be displayed on the icon display unit 201b can be arbitrarily selected from the icon candidates by the user's operation as described below.

When selecting an icon to be displayed on the icon display portion 201b, the user selects the SELECT button BT11 in the same master side chat window 201.
Click for. Then, the icon selection window 210 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the operation window 100. This icon selection window 2
In FIG. 10, a plurality of icons 210a are arranged and displayed as shown in the figure. Further, below each icon, a comment corresponding to the icon is displayed by text. This comment can be arbitrarily added by the user. The user can select an arbitrary icon 210a by arranging the cursor CR by operating the mouse, for example. Then, when the click operation is performed on the icon 210a in a state where the cursor CR is arranged, for example, the icon selection window that has been displayed so far is deleted and
The selected icon 210a is displayed by being copied / pasted on the icon display portion 201b in the master side chat window 201.

By the above operation, a text message is written in the edit box 201a, and the selected icon is displayed in the icon display portion 201b. Then, in this state, when the user performs a click operation on the SEND button BT13, the text data written in the edit box 201a and the icon display unit 20 are displayed.
The chat file data formed by storing the image data as the icon pasted on 1b is transmitted as a message to the communication partner as the slave. As mentioned above, this chat file is sent using the object push profile (O
bject Push Profile).

Then, when the chat file as a message returned from the slave personal computer is received in response to the message transmitted as described above, as shown in FIG. The chat window 202 on the slave side that reflects the message of the communication partner in the vicinity of the upper side
Is displayed. This slave side chat window 20
In Fig. 2, the text display box 202a and the icon display section 202b are arranged and displayed. However, a text message written by the other party is displayed in the text display box 202a, and the other party selects the icon display section 202b. The pasted icon image is displayed. The master side chat window 201 can be displayed by operating the reply button BT14 provided in the slave side chat window 202.

It should be noted that, on the slave personal computer side as well, on the same operation window 100 as shown in FIG.
Display for chat is performed in a predetermined display mode as a slave according to the display mode shown in FIG. That is, even on the operation window 100 displayed on the slave personal computer, the message from the master is displayed according to the display mode of the predetermined chat window, and the text message and the icon are pasted on the slave side, and then the master is displayed. A chat window for sending to will be displayed.

Then, by operating the chat window as described above, messages are alternately transmitted and received between the master and the slaves, whereby the chat is advanced.

Further, as an additional function of the chat function of the present embodiment, the user can create and edit the icons 210a to be displayed as a list in the icon selection window 210. In order to edit this icon, for example, the user displays the icon selection window 210 shown in FIG. 12, and the EDIT button BT1 displayed in this icon selection window 210.
5 is clicked. Then,
Apart from the icon selection window 210, FIG.
The icon edit window 220 shown in is displayed.

For example, the user can select the icon to be edited by clicking on the icon selection buttons 225 and 225 displayed on the lower left and right sides in the icon editing window 220. The selected icon is the icon edit area 222.
Are displayed so that they are switched every time a selection operation is performed. Also, in conjunction with this, the icon display area 22
A display is also made on 4. In the icon editing area 222, when displaying the selected icon, the pixels 223, 2 of a size that can be clicked by the user.
The set of 23 ... Enlarges and displays the actual size. On the other hand, the icon display area 224
Displays the icon in a size that is almost the same as the actual size so that the appearance in the actual size can be understood.

The pixels 223 forming the icon selectively displayed in the icon edit area 222 can be switched between two predetermined colors by, for example, a click operation. In addition, a larger number of colors are used for the pixel 2
23 may be set. By performing such an operation on an arbitrary pixel, the icon displayed in the icon editing area 222 can be a pattern intended by the user. In addition, the icon in the icon edit area 222 edited in this way is always reflected in the icon display area 224. Therefore, the user can see the icon displayed in the icon display area 224 to determine the actual size. You can check the edit result of the icon by. In addition, when the CLEAR button BT21 is clicked during this icon editing, all the pixels 223 in the icon editing area 222 become the background color, and the editing results so far are completely cleared. ing.

Also, the icon 21 shown in FIG.
When it is desired to create or edit a comment attached to each 0a, a caret is placed in the comment edit box 221, and a character input operation is performed.

When the LOAD button BT22 is operated, the selected icon is loaded. When the SAVE AS button BT23 is operated, the icon edited so far is saved as the icon 210a of the icon selection window 210.

When the OK button BT24 is operated,
The icon editing window 220 is closed after validating all the contents set this time. On the other hand, if the CANSEL button BT25 is operated, all the settings this time are invalidated, and the icon edit window 2
20 will be closed. When the DELETE button BT26 is operated, the icon currently selected is deleted.

An example of the data structure of the icon will be briefly described. This is merely an example, but the icon data in the present embodiment is assumed to consist of 16 × 16 pixels 223 as shown in FIG. Then, one row is treated as two bytes, which is formed by connecting two 1-byte (bits 0 to 7) units.
In addition, in this figure, the value of the pixel for drawing shown in white is set to '1', and the value of the pixel of the background color shown to be filled in with black which is the background color is set to '0'. It is supposed to be expressed by a decimal number. Specifically, in the portion indicated by the frame A in FIG. 14, the data of each pixel is "0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0" depending on this pixel arrangement.
Since it is “0”, it is represented as “0x06” in hexadecimal. It should be noted that as the memory capacity, one row requires 2 bytes, and there are a total of 16 rows, so 2 × 16 = 32
Bytes will be needed. The data of the icon shown in this figure is, for example, BYTE IconData [32] = {0x06, 0x00, ..., 0xE0, 0x
It can be expressed as 01}.

In addition, the object push profile of the Bluetooth communication format (Object Push P
FIG. 15 shows an example of the structure of a chat file that can be transmitted and received by communication according to (rofile). The chat file shown in FIG. 15 employs a file format called vNOTE. Then, in the BODY: ENCODE = QUOTED-PRINTABLE as a descriptor of this file, character string information as a message written in the edit box 201a is stored. Note that the encoding format is QUOTED-PRINTABLE here. QU
OTED-PRINTABLE handles data in byte units,
If this byte unit data is in the range of 0x20-0x7e, it is output as it is as one ASCII character, and other than that, it is in the format of = XX and "= hexadecimal" and is output in three characters.

Bit map data of the icon to be transmitted is stored in X-ICON: ENCODE = QUOTED-PRINTABLE. Here, the byte array of the icons that are supposed to be internally contained is described as it is. Note that this field does not exist if X-IMG described below is specified.

X-IMG specifies the file name of image data to be transmitted separately from the icon. This field is absent if the image is not sent. When the image file is designated by the X-IMG, the data of the image file can be stored by adding it to the end of the file. In the present embodiment, when the image data is encoded, the data amount increases and the file size increases, so the image of the image data is stored as binary.

Based on the above description, FIG. 1 shows the processing operation for realizing the chat file transmission / reception and the corresponding GUI display as the chat function.
6 and the flowchart of FIG. 17, the description will be given. FIG. 16 shows the processing of the personal computer 10 as the master, and FIG. 17 shows the processing of the personal computer 10 as the slave. Both of these processes are performed by the CPU 11 in the personal computer 10 as a master or a slave.
Executes according to the program of the communication software 18a.

First, the processing on the side of the personal computer 10 as the master will be described. On the master side,
It is assumed that, in a state where the communication software is activated and the operation window shown in FIG. 5 is open, in step S301 shown in FIG. 16, input waiting is performed. Then, as described above, when the click operation on the chat button BT1 for chatting is performed, the process proceeds to step S302.

In step S302, the chat window 201 on the master side shown in FIG. 11 is displayed, and then the input standby state is entered in step S303.

If it is assumed that a click operation is performed on the SELECT button BT11 while waiting for input in step S303, step S304.
12, the display control for opening and displaying the icon selection window 210 shown in FIG. 12 is executed, and the input standby state is set in step S305. Then, in this state, if it is determined that the icon displayed in the icon selection window 210 is clicked and then the click operation is performed on the icon, the process proceeds to step S306, and the selected icon is Display control for displaying on the icon display unit 201b of the master side chat window 201 is executed. Then, the process returns to the input standby state in step S303.

If it is determined that a message has been input to the edit box 201a in the input standby state in step S303, step S3
In step 07, a control process for displaying the character string information input as a message on the edit box 201a is executed, and the process returns to the input standby state in step S303.

If it is determined that the SEND button BT13 is clicked in the input standby state in step S303, step S308.
Then, the process proceeds to step S11 to create the bitmap image data of the icon displayed on the icon display unit 201b and the character string information input to the edit box 201a as a chat file and save it. The structure of the chat file to be created and saved by the processing here is as described with reference to FIG. Although not shown as a process in this figure, by defining X-IMG as the chat file, it is possible to attach the image data other than the icon to create the chat file. Then, by the processing as subsequent step S309, the chat file saved as described above is transmitted to the slave selected as the communication partner. The file transmission in step S309 is performed by the communication method defined by the Object Push Profile, as described above.

Next, the processing operation on the side of the personal computer 10 as a slave will be described. The chat file transmitted from the master side as described above will be received by the slave side by the process of step S401 in FIG. However, the file to be received by the process of step S401 here is not limited to the chat file. That is,
At least the object push profile (O
There is a possibility to receive other files that are received by the communication method specified by the bject Push Profile).

Here, the communication software 18a of the present embodiment is a file (not limited to a chat file) transmitted from the other party by, for example, an Object Push Profile.
When it receives, the user can be made to output a ring tone for notifying it.
Communication software 18a for outputting a ring tone
Has a function of storing and managing audio data as a ring tone. Further, a plurality of audio data as the ring tone can be stored, and further, different ring tone can be set for each device of the communication partner. Therefore, in storing and managing the audio data as the ring tone, the ring tone is assigned in correspondence with the device ID for identifying the device as the communication partner. In the case of Bluetooth communication, the device ID is a Bluetooth address (Device Address) uniquely given to each device as a Bluetooth device.
Can be used.

In the present embodiment, the ring tone is output even when the file is received by the process of step S401. As a result, even if the user does not look at the operation window 100 of the communication software while the user keeps the communication software running, for example, the user can hear the ring tone indicating that some file has been received. Can be found at. The processing for outputting the ring tone corresponding to the reception of such a file is executed as steps S402 to S404 following step S401.

In step S402, the sender is first recognized in order to determine the ring tone to be output according to the communication partner. In this case, the sender may recognize that it is a device (personal computer) functioning as a master. Then, in the next step S403, audio data as a ringing tone to be stored and managed in association with the transmission source recognized in step S403 is selected. For example, the audio data file of the ringing tone associated with the master ID (Device Address) is selected by referring to the table for storing and managing the ringing tone. Then, in step S404, the selected audio data file is output by voice as a ring tone. For this purpose, although not shown in FIG. 1, it is necessary that the personal computer 10 is configured so that a speaker outputs sound.

When the process for outputting the ring tone is completed as described above, in the subsequent step S405, the file received in the previous step S401 is fetched and stored in the HDD 18, for example. . Then, the process proceeds to step S406.

In step S406, the contents of the file in step S405 are checked. Then, if the received and saved file is a chat file as a check result, the process proceeds to step S407. In step S407, a text message stored as BODY: ENCODE = QUOTED-PRINTABLE in the received chat file and X-ICON: ENCODE = QUOT
Executes the processing for displaying the icon bitmap data stored as ED-PRINTABLE in the chat window. Note that the procedure for creating and transmitting a chat message on the slave side is described in FIG.
The same process as the process shown in 6 may be executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S406 that the file is a file other than the chat file, the process proceeds to step S408 and thereafter. In step S408, the file format of the received and saved file is checked, for example, by the extension attached to the file name of the file. Then, in the next step S409, an application that handles the checked file format is activated, and processing for opening the received and saved file is executed.

4-3. Coordination Function with Shooting Software The personal computer 10 of the present embodiment not only has the Bluetooth communication function as described with reference to FIG. Shooting software 18 for managing image files captured as images
b is installed. With such a configuration of the personal computer 10, the image captured by the camera unit 24 is captured as captured image data by using the capturing software 18b, and the captured image data captured is captured. You can think of how to use Bluetooth communication to send and output to other devices.

However, originally, the communication software for controlling Bluetooth communication and the photographing software 18b for photographing by the camera section 24 are separate application programs independent of each other. For this reason, in the conventional case, when the above-described usage is performed, for example, first, an image captured by the camera unit 24 is captured as a captured image file by the operation on the capturing software 18b and is stored in the HDD 18. To be done. Then, after this, the communication software 18a is activated again, and the captured image file is selected and set as a transmission file from the files stored in the HDD 18 by an operation on the communication software 18a, for example, object push. -It will be sent to the device as another Bluetooth device by the communication method by the profile (Object Push Profile). In such a procedure, the user needs to use the photographing software 18b and the communication software 18a.
Since it is necessary to operate these two applications separately, the operation cannot be said to be simple. In particular, when it is desired to immediately send a captured image file captured and captured, the operation takes a long time, which is not convenient.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the camera unit 2
The operation for shooting by 4 and the transmission of the captured image file by Bluetooth communication can be performed by the GUI as the shooting software 18b, and then the operation for the file transmission performed by the GUI of the shooting software 18b is performed. In this case, the processing in which the photographing software 18b and the communication software 18a cooperate with each other is executed. With this, operations from capturing the captured image file by shooting to sending the captured image file
It is possible to make the procedure simpler and easier to understand than before. Hereinafter, the linking function between the communication software 18a and the photographing software 18b will be described.

When transmitting a picked-up image file by such a linking function of the communication software 18a and the photographing software 18b, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, this embodiment is provided with a camera section 24 as a master. The personal computer 10 of FIG. Then, by operating the personal computer 10 as the master, the captured image data obtained by capturing the image with the camera unit 24 is received by the object push profile (Object Push Profile) to receive the image data file, and the required processing is performed. It will be transmitted and output to the device on the slave side that can be configured. In this case, the personal computer 10 and the mobile phone 40 are shown as the devices on the slave side.
The personal computer 10 on the slave side does not need to include the camera unit 24 and the set of the photographing software 18b. The mobile phone 40 is a slave device that receives a captured image file in that the received captured image file can be displayed on the display screen.

FIG. 19 shows G displayed on the display monitor 17 by activating the photographing software 18b.
A camera operation screen 300, which is a UI, is shown. The camera operation screen 300 is displayed so that a window opens on the display screen of the display monitor 17.

The picked-up image display area 301 located substantially in the center of the camera operation screen 300 is an area where the picked-up image currently taken by the camera section 24 is displayed as a moving image. Further, on the right side of the camera operation screen 300, a plurality of image file display units 302 are vertically arranged. In these image file display units 302, the captured image files captured by the camera unit 24 so far are displayed as thumbnail images. When the scroll bar 303 arranged vertically on the right side is operated, the portion of the image file display unit 302 is scrolled, and other captured image files can be sequentially displayed here.

The user is, for example, the captured image display area 30.
CAPTURE button BT3 at the timing you want to take a picture while looking at the image displayed in 1.
1 is clicked. Depending on this,
The image displayed in the captured image display area 301 when the click operation is performed on the CAPTURE button BT31 is generated as a captured image file and stored in the HDD 18, for example. That is, the image captured by the camera unit 24 is captured as a captured image file.

A SEND button BT32 is provided on the camera operation screen of this embodiment. When the user wants to send the captured image file captured as described above to a desired destination, the user performs a click operation on the SEND button BT32. When the click operation is performed on the SEND button BT32, the transmission method selection area 304 is displayed on the left side of the camera operation screen 300 for the first time. In this transmission method selection area 304, it is assumed that a predetermined number of buttons indicating choices of the transmission method are displayed, and one of them is a Bluetooth communication selection button BT33 for selecting Bluetooth communication as the transmission method. Is displayed.

If the user wants to send the picked-up image file to a desired device by Bluetooth communication, the communication software 18a is activated and the operation window is opened before the picked-up image file is fetched as described above. By performing a predetermined operation on 100, the personal computer 10 for transmitting the captured image file is set as a master so as to be communicatively connectable to the slave device of the transmission destination.

If the user clicks on the Bluetooth communication selection button BT33 under this condition, the personal computer 10
By the program of the communication software 18a, the captured image file that has been captured previously is transmitted by an object push profile to the slave device which is currently communicable. For example, if the captured image file transmitted in this way is received by the personal computer 10 as a slave, the received captured image file is stored in the HDD as image data. The user of the personal computer as the slave can view and process the stored captured image file by an appropriate application. When the destination is the mobile phone 40, the mobile phone 40 that has received the captured image file writes the captured image file in the memory and holds the captured image file, and displays the captured image file on the display unit. The user of the mobile phone can, for example, see the displayed image and use the saved captured image file to set a standby screen or the like.

Next, the processing operation for realizing the operation from the above-mentioned capture image file acquisition to the transmission of the captured image file to the destination device by Bluetooth communication will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. I will do it. The processing operations shown in these figures are as shown in FIG.
Personal computer 10 as a master in 8
CPU according to the programs of the communication software 18a and the photographing software 18b installed in the personal computer 10.
11 executes. 20 to 22, the processing based on the program of the communication software 18a and the processing based on the program of the photographing software 18b are
This is shown by the flow of one process.

First, the processing of steps S501 → 502 is processing according to the program of the communication software 18a. In step S501, for example, in response to an operation performed on the operation window 100, the personal computer 10 is controlled to be in a state in which communication connection by Bluetooth is possible. Then, in the next step S502, the slave as the transmission destination selected by the user operation is selected as the communication connection destination. Since the captured image file is sent and received by the communication method specified in the Object Push Profile, the slave selected here has the Object Push Profile. Only supported slaves are covered. For example, although not shown in this figure, if the user pushes the object push profile (O
If a device that does not support bject Push Profile) is selected as a slave, this operation is canceled as invalid.

The following steps S503 to S509 are processes according to the program of the photographing software 18b. Here, first, the user operates the camera operation screen 3
In response to an operation for activating 00 (or an operation for activating the shooting software 18b), the camera operation screen 300 is processed by the processing in step S503.
The active display is performed. In this manner, in the state where the camera operation screen 300 is actively displayed, as described above with reference to FIG. 19, in the captured image display area 301, the captured image captured by the camera unit 24 is displayed as a moving image. Has been done. That is, the camera unit 24
The captured image signal supplied from the device is converted into captured image data as a digital signal, and this captured image data is displayed in the captured image display area 301. Then, in the next step S504, the input standby state is entered.

Under this input standby state, CAPTU
If a click operation is performed on the E button BT31, the captured image data captured by the camera unit 24 is stored as a captured image file of a still image by the process of step S505. .. As a result, the captured image obtained at the operation timing of the CAPTURE button BT31 is taken in as a captured image file.

After that, the input standby state is set in step S506. At this time, the SEND button BT3 is pressed.
2 is operated, the process proceeds to step S507, and the transmission method selection area 3 is displayed on the camera operation screen 300.
04 is displayed. Then, the subsequent step S508
When the Bluetooth communication selection button BT33 is operated in the input standby state by step S5, the process proceeds to step S509. In step S509, "message A" is output to the communication software 18a. This message A inquires whether the captured image file can be transmitted by Bluetooth communication, and
This is a message to inquire about the Device Class of the destination device.

Subsequently, the processing shifts to the processing shown in FIG. In FIG. 21, first, steps S510 to S51.
The process 2 is executed according to the communication software 18a. Step S51 by this communication software 18a
At 0, the message A output from the photographing software 18b in the previous step S509 is received.
Then, as processing in response to the message A, in the next step S511, communication permission / prohibition information indicating whether or not communication with the registry is possible, and Device C of the transmission destination device.
Write lass information. When the processing up to this point is completed,
By the processing of step S512, the photographing software 18
Output "message B" to b. Message B
Is a message notifying that a response (answer) to the inquiry as the message A has been made.

The subsequent steps S513 to S519 are processes according to the photographing software 18b.
On the side of the photographing software 18b, when the message B is received in step S513, the next step S51.
By the processing of 4, the communication availability information and the Device written in the previous step S511 from the registry
Load Class.

Then, in the following step S515, it is determined whether or not the picked-up image file can be transmitted based on, for example, the communication availability information of the communication availability information and Device Class read as described above. Is determined. If it is determined in step S515 that transmission is not possible, the process proceeds to step S520, an error message is output by, for example, display, and the processing routine shown in this figure is exited. On the other hand, if it is determined that transmission is possible, the process proceeds to step S516 and the subsequent steps.

In step S516, the Device Class read in step S514 is checked. In this case, it is determined based on the Device Class whether the communication destination device is a mobile phone or another device. Here, the image data that can be handled by the mobile phone 40 according to the present embodiment is a size 120 x 120 dots, a capacity of 12 KB or less, and the number of colors is 24 bits. Format Baseline JPEG (4: 2: 2) It is supposed to be prescribed. On the other hand, the captured image file captured by the camera unit 24 has a different format and standard.

Therefore, in step S516, when it is determined that the communication destination device is a mobile phone, the process proceeds to step S517. Then, the image data as the captured image file is subjected to format conversion so as to comply with the above-mentioned standard, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S518. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S516 that the communication destination device is other than the mobile phone, the process directly proceeds to step S518.

In step S518, the file name of the picked-up image file to be transmitted is written in the registry, and when this is completed, "Message C" is written in the communication software 18a side.

The subsequent processing is shown in FIG. The processes of steps S521 to S523 shown in FIG. 22 are executed according to the communication software 18a. When the message C is received by the processing in step S521, in the subsequent step S522, the file name written in the previous step S518 is read from the registry. Then, in the next step S523, the captured image file is transmitted and output together with the file name. Note that this transmission output is, as described above, the object push profile (Obj
ect Push Profile).

4-4. Slave Management Function Next, the slave management function in the communication software 18a of the present embodiment will be described. As described with reference to FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, in the managed slave display area 110, the slave display units (113 to 11) are displayed.
The slaves presented as 9) include not only the slaves that have been currently synchronized, but also the slaves that have once been synchronized. This is to allow the user to easily know the device connected in the past by visually grasping the history of the device connected to the communication in the past.

However, since the devices connected in the past are displayed as the slave display unit without disappearing in this way, the slave display units of the slaves which are not currently connected can be displayed by repeated use. It also means increasing. In this way, if the number of slave display units is increased without being specially arranged, for example, it becomes difficult to find a slave display unit of a target slave, which causes inconvenience. . Therefore, as the present embodiment,
In order to simplify the slave device management on the communication software, the management function for the managed slaves is given as follows.

In the present embodiment, in order to manage the slaves to be managed, for example, a predetermined number of operation buttons are displayed on the upper right side of the operation window 100 shown in FIG. 5 as shown in FIG. Is to be displayed. In this case, a sort button BT41, a sort button BT42, a mute button BT43, a search button BT44, and a delete button BT45 are shown from the left.

The sort button BT41 is provided for sorting managed slaves (slave display section). When a click operation is performed on the sort button BT41, although not shown in the figure, a menu that allows selection of either name (Device Name) order or connection frequency order sort is displayed. Click the menu item of to select it. If Sort by Name is selected,
The slave display portions 113 ... In the managed slave display area 110 are sorted and arranged in the order of Device Name. If the connection frequency order sort is selected, the connection frequency order sorts are arranged.

The sort button BT42, which is similar to sort, is provided to sort the managed slaves (slave display section). Also in this case, when the classification button BT42 is clicked, a menu is displayed. Then, in this menu, "each device class (model)" and "each device state" are displayed as classification items. Then, when the user clicks and selects “for each device class”, the slave display unit 11 in the managed slave display area 110 is selected.
3 is classified according to device class (model). In addition, if you select "By device status", you can select the slave that is currently synchronized, the slave that is not currently synchronized, and the slave that is currently connected.
Classification by species will be performed.

By operating the search button BT44, for example, a dialog box for search is displayed. By inputting a search condition (Device Name) that the user wants to search in this dialog box and executing the search condition, a search result for the managed slave (slave display unit) can be obtained.

When the delete button BT45 is clicked, menu items "Delete all" and "Delete old date" are displayed as menus. If "Delete All" is selected, a confirmation dialog is displayed and then an execution operation is performed to delete all slave display units. Also, "Delete old ones"
When is selected, a dialog box for specifying the date and time is displayed. Then, by inputting the date and time in the dialog box and executing the delete execution operation, the slave display portion showing the slaves past the date and time specified by the last synchronization establishment is deleted.

The mute button BT43 is a button for muting the sound output by the communication software 18a. Note that the slave management according to the present embodiment has no particular relation.

According to the above description with reference to FIG. 23, the present embodiment has the functions of “sort”, “classification”, “search” and “delete” as the management functions of the managed slaves. It will be. Then, each of these management functions is performed by using required information (history information) regarding the slave. Therefore, FIG. 24 shows the correspondence between these four management functions and the information used by each management function. As shown in this figure, regarding "sort",
Device Address (Bluetooth address), Device N
Use information on ame and connection count. Also, "classification"
Device Class, "Supported Services",
Use the "current status" information. Also, "Search" is
Use Device Address and Device Name. Also, for “delete”, Device Class, “last connection time”, current state, and “connection count information” are used as appropriate. Note that the correspondence between each management function and information shown in FIG. 24 is merely an example, and each management process algorithm, sort condition, classification condition, search condition,
It may be appropriately changed according to the variation of the deletion condition.

The information shown in FIG. 24 can be obtained by the processing shown in FIGS. 25 to 27. The processing shown in these figures is also the communication software 1
It is assumed that the CPU 11 executes according to 8a. Figure 2
In Step 5, first, in step S601, a predetermined operation for executing device search is performed under the state of waiting for input. In response to this, the device search is executed as shown as the process of step S602. This is called Device Discovery. As a result of this device search, Device Address and Device class are acquired, as shown in the next step S603. Also, in subsequent step S604, Device A
A presence flag indicating that the device exists is set for the device for which the ddress is acquired.

Then, by executing the device name search (NameRequest) in the process of step S605, the device name is acquired in the next step S606. Through the processing shown in FIG. 25, the Device Address, Device Name, and Device Class of the information shown in FIG. 24 are acquired. Note that the processing shown in FIG. 25 may be executed at the stage of synchronization establishment processing, for example.

FIG. 26 shows the processing for acquiring the information of the supported service. Also in this case,
First, in step S610, the input standby state is set.
Then, if a service search execution operation is performed under this state, the service search (Service Search) is executed by the process of step S611, and the information of the service supported by step S612 is acquired as the search result. To do.

FIG. 27 shows information on the time of the last connection,
The processing operation for acquiring information on the number of connections is shown. If it is assumed that a click operation has been performed on the existing profile selection button 112 (see FIG. 5) in the state of waiting for input in step S621, the operated profile is displayed as shown in the processing of step S622. Under the profile indicated by the selection button 112, communication connection is established by the communication method according to the designated service. And
For example, if the state of the communication connection is established, the connection time information of this time is stored in step S623, and in the subsequent step S624, the variable n indicating the connection count is incremented by 1 as the connection count information. Then, the connection number information as the incremented variable n is saved again. That is, the connection count information is obtained by updating the connection count. Note that the “current state” in the information shown in FIG. 24 is to use the state of the slave currently recognized by the CPU 11 as it is,
A description of the process for acquiring the information of the “current state” will be omitted.

Next, FIG. 28 shows the processing operation for realizing "sort" as the management function of this embodiment.
Will be described with reference to. The process shown in FIG.
Is executed according to the program of the communication software 18a.

As shown in this figure, it is assumed that the sort button BT41 is clicked under the state of waiting for input in step S701. Then, as the processing in step S702, the control processing for displaying the menu for sorting is executed as described above, and the input standby state is set in step S703.

Under the condition of waiting for input, if the item of sort by name in the menu is selected, the process proceeds to step S704. In step S704, for example, from the related information of the managed slaves stored in the HDD 18 under the management of the communication software 18a, the Device Address and Device N for each managed slave are obtained.
See ame. Then, in the next step S705, a control process for sorting and displaying the slave display units in the managed slave display area 110 is executed based on the name order as the Device Name.

On the other hand, if the connection frequency order sort item in the menu is selected, step S70.
Go to 6. In step S706, the communication software 1
From the related information of the managed slaves stored in the HDD 18 under the management of 8a, the connection frequency information of each managed slave is referred to. Then, in the next step S707, a control process for sorting and displaying the slave display units in the managed slave display area 110 is executed based on the referred connection count information.

The remaining "classification", "search" and "delete"
Although the description of the processing operation for realizing each management function of FIG.
It suffices to comply with the processing shown in FIG. In other words, according to the operation for each function, the necessary information is referred to, and the management target slaves are processed as “classification”, “search”, and “delete”. It should be done like this.

The present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above embodiment. For example, the GUI as the communication software 18a or the photographing software 18b is not limited to the illustrated mode, and the processing operations described as the flowcharts for realizing various operations are appropriately performed according to actual specifications or the like. You can change it. In addition, in this embodiment, the personal computer 10 is provided with hardware for Bluetooth communication, and communication software 18a is provided in order to realize the function of the above embodiment.
The application program as the image capturing software 18b is installed, but the application program is not limited to this. That is, the communication device of the present invention can be applied to Bluetooth communication devices other than the personal computer 10. Further, in the embodiment, the Bluetooth communication is taken as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to, for example, wireless communication by another master-slave method or a communication method in which a plurality of communication methods (profiles) are defined. Is.

[0149]

As described above, according to the present invention, the process of capturing an image captured by the camera unit as a captured image file and storing the captured image file and transmitting and outputting the stored captured image file by wireless communication is performed by the capturing. The program as software and the program as communication software are configured to be executed in cooperation with each other. Depending on this, for example, in the conventional way,
There is no need to switch between shooting software and communication software. Along with this, a specific operation for designating and storing a captured image that has been captured and an operation for designating and selecting a captured image that has been stored upon transmission by designating a specific directory (destination) are also omitted. be able to. As described above, in the present invention, the operation procedure is omitted as compared with the related art, and the operability and convenience in handling the image file are improved.

Further, in the present invention, as the processing of the photographing software, the format of the image data file is converted based on the model of the transmission partner device so as to be compatible with the device of the transmission partner. That is, the format of the image data file is automatically converted according to the model of the transmission partner device. Also by this, for example, the operation for converting the format of the image data file can be omitted, and the operability and convenience are further improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration example of a personal computer as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a concept of network formation by Bluetooth communication.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for establishing synchronization.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for establishing synchronization.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a display mode example of an operation screen as communication software.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a communication system compatible with an automatic dial-up function.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display mode example of an operation screen regarding automatic dial-up setting.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of a modem compatible with Bluetooth communication.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of a personal computer and a modem including an automatic dial-up operation.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a communication system compatible with a chat function.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a display mode example of an operation screen of communication software when a chat is executed.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display mode example of an icon selection window.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display mode example of an icon edit window.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the data structure of an icon.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example data structure of a chat file.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for executing a chat on the master side.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for executing a chat on the slave side.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a communication system that supports a linking function between communication software and shooting software.

FIG. 19 is an operation screen as photographing software,
It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of a camera operation screen.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a cooperative process of the photographing software and the communication software for realizing the operations from capturing the captured image to transmitting the captured image file.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a cooperative process of the photographing software and the communication software for realizing the operations from capturing the captured image to transmitting the captured image file.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a cooperative process of the photographing software and the communication software for realizing the operation from capturing the captured image to transmitting the captured image file.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a display mode example of buttons displayed in the operation screen of the communication software for operating the slave management function.

FIG. 24 is a slave management function according to the present embodiment,
It is explanatory drawing which shows the correspondence with the information which each management function uses.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an acquisition process of information used by the management function.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an acquisition process of information used by the management function.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of acquisition processing of information used by the management function.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for sorting which is a slave management function.

[Explanation of Codes] 10 Personal Computer, 11 CPU, 12
ROM, 13 RAM, 14 input / output interface, 15 keyboard, 16 mouse, 17 display monitor, 18 HDD, 18a Bluetooth communication software, 18b shooting software, 19 media driver, 20 Internet interface, 21 data interface, 22 Bluetooth interface, 23 antenna , 30 modem, 100 operation window, 110 management slave display area, 111 master display area, 112 profile selection button, 113 to 119 slave display area, 31
Antenna, 32 Wireless transceiver, 33 Modulation / demodulation processor, 34 Line transceiver, 35 Telephone line terminal, 36
Control unit, 201 Master side chat window, 20
2 Slave side chat window, 201a, 202
b edit box, 202a, 202b icon display section, 210 icon selection window, 210a
Icon, 220 icon edit window, BT1
Chat button

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takeo Inagaki             6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Soni             -Inside the corporation F-term (reference) 5C053 FA23 JA21 LA01 LA11 LA15                       LA20                 5C064 DA14                 5K027 AA11 HH29                 5K101 LL11 LL12 NN06 NN21

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit capable of executing a process of saving an image captured by a camera device as an image data file according to a shooting program, and the image data file according to a predetermined wireless communication standard according to the shooting program. When the operation means is operated according to the photographing program and the operation means that enables operation for transmitting and outputting, the image data file is connected to the communication partner device by communication according to a predetermined wireless communication standard. And a transmitting means for performing a process of delivering to a communication program capable of executing, and a transmitting means for transmitting and outputting the image data file delivered by the delivering means to a required communication partner device according to the communication program. A communication device comprising: 2. A discriminating means for discriminating a model as the communication partner device according to the photographing program, and converting the image data file into a format suitable for the model discriminated by the discriminating means according to the photographing program. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a format conversion unit, wherein the transfer unit is configured to transfer the image data file whose format has been converted by the format conversion unit to the communication program. . 3. A program comprising a shooting program and a communication program, wherein the shooting program is a saving procedure capable of executing a process of saving an image taken by a camera device as an image data file, and the image data file. An operation realizing procedure that enables an operation for transmitting and outputting according to a predetermined wireless communication standard, and a process of transferring the image data file to the communication program when the operation according to the operation realizing procedure is performed. And the communication program executes the communication procedure with the communication partner device selected according to a predetermined wireless communication standard, and then the image data file transferred by the above-mentioned transfer procedure. Causes the communication device to execute a transmission procedure for transmitting and outputting to the communication partner device, Program which is characterized the door. 4. The photographing program executes a discrimination procedure for discriminating a model as the communication partner device, and a format conversion procedure for converting the image data file into a format suitable for the model discriminated by the discrimination procedure. 4. The program according to claim 3, further comprising a program for causing the transfer procedure to transfer the image data file whose format is converted by the format conversion procedure to the communication program.