JP2003152615A - Data communication device, data communication method, data communication program and data communication program medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data communication device in which operability can be improved. SOLUTION: In the data communication device establishing a communication path with a communication target device within a prescribed range via a network, an azimuth, where the communication target device exists in respect to an arbitrary reference point is detected, the move of a prescribed moving object is detected and it is decided whether the relevant moving object is moved on the side of the azimuth, where the communication target device exists, or not. Depending on the decided results, prescribed transmitting information is transmitted to the communication target device. Thus, only by making the user of the data communication device perform moving operation through the moving object, the prescribed transmitting information can be transmitted to the communication target device so that operability can be improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data communication device, a data communication method, a data communication program, and a data communication program medium, and to a data communication system constructed by a plurality of communication devices conforming to Bluetooth (registered trademark). It is suitable for application.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the Bluetooth SIG (Spec
A communication device based on Bluetooth, which is a short-range wireless data communication standard standardized by the ial Interest Group), has been developed.

Bluetooth is a 2.4 [GHz] band ISM (Indu
(Communication frequency of 1 [MHz] frequency band in the strial Scientific Medical) band, frequency range of 79 [MHz] every 625 [μsec] which is a time unit of time division multiplexing (hereinafter referred to as time slot) It is specified that data is transmitted within a space of about 10 [m] square by using a frequency hopping type spread spectrum communication method that randomly changes (hopping).

Therefore, in a data communication system constructed by using a plurality of such communication devices, a frequency hopping pattern and a time slot are shared between the plurality of communication devices to establish synchronization on the frequency axis and the time axis. (Hereinafter referred to as piconet) is formed.

At this time, in the piconet, as shown in FIG. 18, one communication device (hereinafter, referred to as a master) which has a control function as a construction source of a data communication system among a plurality of communication devices. Is always present, and there is one or more communication devices (hereinafter, referred to as slaves) controlled by the master.

In this case, the master controls one or more slaves to synchronize the slave with its frequency hopping pattern and time slot. Therefore, the master can individually exchange various data (data communication) with one or more slaves.

Incidentally, the piconet is designed to be able to construct a network system called a scatternet by interconnecting with another piconet.

As described above, the data communication system has only one
Not only data communication between the one-to-one communication devices by replacing the cable but also data communication between the one-to-several communication devices can be easily performed without providing a relay device corresponding to a base station or the like. .

[0009]

By the way, for example, in the data communication system 1 specifically shown in FIG.
A (Personal Digital Assistants) 2 (master) forms a piconet with mobile phones 3, 4, 5 and 6 (slaves) existing in a space AR of about 10 [m] square with respect to the PDA 2 and then Mobile phones 3, 4, 5 and 6
It is designed to request attribute information in.

In this case, the PDA 2 is the mobile phone 3,
Based on the respective attribute information supplied from 4, 5, and 6, as shown in FIG.
And device names 8A, 8B, 8C and 8 representing the names of 6 and 6, respectively.
A device selection screen 10 including D and device icons 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D representing a mobile phone among various electronic devices is displayed on a display unit (not shown).

Here, when the PDA 2 transmits arbitrary data stored in an internal hard disk (not shown) to the mobile phone 3, 4, 5 or 6, first, the arbitrary device icons 7A to 7D ( The user is caused to perform a click operation on the device names 8A to 8D) to select the device icon 7A corresponding to, for example, the mobile phone 3 desired by the user for transmission.

Next, the PDA 2 displays a transmission data selection screen 11 as shown in FIG. 21, for example, and clicks a selection bar 12 for selecting a folder to make a selection, and then a list of data groups in the folder is displayed. List screen 13
Click to make the user select arbitrary data.

Further, the PDA 2 is configured to transmit arbitrary data selected by the user to the mobile phone 3 by causing the user to click the transmission button 14 on the transmission data selection screen 11.

However, the PDA 2 has to make the user repeatedly perform the above-described series of operations every time any data is transmitted to the mobile phone 3, 4, 5 or 6, which is a problem of poor operability. was there.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and is suitable for being applied to a data communication device, a data communication method, a data communication program, and a data communication program medium capable of improving operability.

[0016]

In order to solve such a problem, according to the present invention, a data communication device which establishes a communication path with a communication target device within a predetermined range through a network, and a predetermined movement target The communication target device is associated with the movement angle range of the object, the movement angle of the movement target object is detected, and the communication target device is determined based on the movement angle and the movement angle range of the movement target object. Accordingly, by transmitting the predetermined transmission information to the communication target device, the predetermined transmission information can be transmitted to the communication target device only by causing the user of the data communication device to perform a moving operation via the moving target object. .

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(1) Overall Configuration In FIG. 1, reference numeral 20 generally indicates a data communication system according to the present invention, which is a PDA (Personal Digital A) incorporating a Bluetooth module conforming to Bluetooth.
ssistants) 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, for example at a party venue.

At this party venue, PDA21
Functions as a master that is a construction source of the data communication system 20, and is a communication target PDA 22 existing within a predetermined range AR1 of several [m] squares with respect to the PDA 21.
23, 24 and 25 are made to function as slaves to form a piconet.

Piconet is Bluetooth
oth: A frequency hopping pattern that randomly changes (hopping) the communication frequency of 1 [MHz] in the standard width within the range of 79 [MHz], and the time unit of time division multiplexing (hereinafter, this Is referred to as a time slot) is shared by a plurality of communication devices (that is, a state where synchronization is established on the frequency axis and the time axis).

Therefore, the PDA 21 functioning as a master
Synchronizes its frequency hopping pattern and time slots to the PDA's 22, 23, 24 and 25 acting as slaves.
22, 23, 24 and 25 can be individually exchanged with each other (data communication).

Further, the PDA 22, 23, 24 or 25 (slave) can exchange various data (data communication) with other slaves (PDA 22, 23, 24 or 25) via the PDA 21 (master). ing.

(2-1) External Configuration of PDA Next, the external configuration of the PDA 21 to 25 will be described.
Since the external configurations of the PDA 21 to 25 are the same, the external configuration of only the PDA 21 will be described here.

As shown in FIG. 2, the PDA 21 has a housing case 30, and a front surface 30A of the housing case 30 has
For example, a display unit 31 including a liquid crystal display is provided.

Near the lower end of the front surface 30A of the housing case 30, a date / time scheduler button 32A for displaying a scheduler screen for each year / month / day on the display unit 31, and a time scheduler button 32B for displaying a scheduler screen for each hour / hour. , Notepad button 3 to display the Notepad screen
2C, an address book button 32D for displaying an address recording surface, a scroll button 32E for scrolling predetermined selection items, and a power button 32F for turning on the main power of the PDA 21 are provided. .

A rotary operator (hereinafter referred to as a jog dial) 33 that can be pressed and rotated is provided near the upper end of the left side surface 30B of the housing case 30. When the jog dial 33 is rotated,
A scroll command for scrolling a predetermined selection item or the like is input, and when a pressing operation is performed, a determination command for determining the predetermined selection item or the like can be input.

A memory stick slot 34 for mounting a removable memory stick (Sony Corporation, trademark) (not shown) is provided substantially at the center of the upper surface 30C of the housing case 30, and the jog dial 33 and the like are provided. Various data can be written to and read from the memory stick in response to a predetermined operation by.

By the way, in the memory stick, a flash memory device, which is a kind of electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory, is housed in a small and thin plastic case, and an external terminal provided in the plastic case is used. Various data can be recorded / reproduced in / from the internal flash memory device via the flash memory device.

As a result, the memory stick slot 34
The PDA 21 having a memory card is capable of sharing various data with other various electronic devices having a memory stick slot via the memory stick.

Further, a touch pad 35 made of a transparent pressure sensitive film is provided below the display unit 31, and the touch pad 35 has a home key for displaying a main menu (selection item) screen on the display unit 31. 35A, a menu key 35B for displaying a submenu screen, a search key 35C for displaying a search screen, a keyboard key 35D for displaying a character input screen, a virtual pad 35 for inputting characters and performing predetermined operations, and the characters Various character operation keys 35F for performing various operations with respect to are provided.

This virtual pad 35E is
When pressed by a dedicated pen called a sirius, a selection command for selecting, for example, an icon on a predetermined screen displayed on the display unit 31 can be input, and when the surface is traced by the dedicated pen, it is displayed on the display unit 31. A write command for writing characters, lines, etc. can be input on the predetermined screen.

In addition to this configuration, at the lower end of the front face 30A of the housing case 30, a Piconet is formed with a communication target device existing in a space of several [m] squares with respect to the PDA 21 for data communication. A network button 36 for performing the operation is provided.

When the network button 36 is pressed, a cursor that moves on the display screen following the operation of the virtual pad 35E is displayed on the display unit 31, and at this time the virtual pad 35E is displayed. Is adapted to shift from the normal mode to the operation input mode and to input a movement command for moving the cursor on the display screen in response to the dedicated pen.

In the operation input mode, the virtual pad 35E is, for example, an icon on a predetermined screen when it is maintained for a predetermined period with the dedicated pen being pressed at an arbitrary position (hereinafter referred to as a click operation). A selection command for selecting is input.

Furthermore, in the operation input mode, the virtual pad 35E traces the selected icon or the like when the dedicated pen is clicked and then traced without releasing it from the virtual pad 35E (hereinafter referred to as drag operation). It is designed so that a drag command to move can be input.

In addition to this, in the operation input mode, the virtual pad 35E is released at a predetermined position after the dedicated pen is dragged, or is released again at the clicked position after the dedicated pen is clicked. (Hereinafter, referred to as a drop operation), a drop command for canceling the selected icon or the like can be input.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in which parts corresponding to those in FIG.
In the upper end step portion 30E at 0D, infrared transmitting / receiving portions 37A to 37O are provided at predetermined intervals in an arc shape in the direction of the memory stick solot 34 around the center point 31A of the back surface 30D.

The infrared transmission / reception units 37A to 37O transmit an infrared transmission signal to the outside via a transmission unit (not shown), and an infrared reception signal supplied from the outside to a reception unit (not shown). It is designed so that you can enter through.

(2-2) PDA Circuit Configuration Next, the circuit configurations of the PDA 21 to 25 will be described.
Since the PDAs 21 to 25 have the same circuit configuration, only the PDA 21 will be described here.

As shown in FIG. 5, the PDA 21 is
CPU (C that controls various functions in DA21
entral processing unit) 40, flash R
OM (Read On Memory) 41, DRAM (Dynamic Random)
Access Memory) 42, system controller 43, Bluetooth module 44 compliant with Bluetooth,
Memory stick interface 45, display control unit 4
6, an input / output interface 47, and an infrared interface 48 are connected to each other via a bus BUS, and various kinds of data are exchanged between the circuit units via the bus.

The system controller 43 is connected to the operation section 32, the jog dial 33, the touch pad 35 and the network button 36 (FIG. 2), the memory stick interface 45 is connected to the memory stick slot 34, and the input interface 47 is connected. Includes an I / O (Input Output) for data communication with a personal computer or the like via a predetermined cable.
Connector 49 is connected, infrared interface 48
Infrared transmitters / receivers 37A to 37O (FIG. 3) are connected in parallel with each other so that various data can be transmitted and received between the respective circuit units.

Further, in the flash ROM 41, various application programs such as a basic program for realizing an operating system, a data communication program for forming a piconet to exchange various data, and a PDA 21 as shown in FIG. A card-shaped screen d showing the user's own facial photograph, name and address, etc.
Information of is1 (hereinafter referred to as personal card data)
And personal data such as various setting information are stored.

Therefore, the CPU 40 appropriately reads out various programs stored in advance in the flash ROM 41 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 32, the jog dial 33, the touch pad 35 or the network button 36, and the DRAM 42.
The processing according to the program can be executed by expanding the processing into the above, and the content of the processing is displayed on the display unit 31 via the display control unit 46 as necessary.

For example, when a predetermined recording operation is performed from the jog dial 33 or the touch pad 35 with the memory stick (not shown) inserted in the memory stick slot 34, the CPU 40 is stored in the memory stick. The data written in the flash memory device is stored in the memory stick interface 4
5, and stores (records) it in the flash ROM 41.

When a predetermined read operation for reading the personal card data from the jog dial 33 or the touch pad 35 is performed, the CPU 40 reads the personal card data stored in the flash ROM 41 and outputs it through the display control unit 46. The personal card screen dis1 described above with reference to FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 31.

By the way, when the network button 36 is pressed, the CPU 40 reads the data communication program stored in the flash ROM 41 and the DRAM 4
2 and controls the Bluetooth module 44 according to the data transfer program.

The Bluetooth module 44 contains a Bluetooth clock (not shown), a flash memory (not shown) and a ROM (not shown), and the ROM stores a Bluetooth address. .

The Bluetooth address is information unique to the Bluetooth module and is an identifier used as a parameter for generating a frequency hopping pattern in the Bluetooth module.

That is, the Bluetooth module 44
Under the control of the CPU 40, the PDA 2 sends the piconet formation request data including the counter information of the Bluetooth clock for establishing the time axis to the piconet formation target and the Bluetooth address for establishing the frequency axis.
2 to 25 (FIG. 1) to synchronize with its own frequency hopping pattern and time slot to form a piconet.

At this time, the Bluetooth module 44
From the PDA 22, 23, 24 and 25
By acquiring the Bluetooth address unique to the Bluetooth module built into each of the PDPs 2 to 25 and the type data representing the type of the PDA 22 to 25 (refrigerator, mobile phone, television receiver, etc.), the PDA 2
It is adapted to identify 2, 23, 24 and 25.

In this state, the CPU 40 controls the system controller 43 to shift the virtual pad 35E of the touch pad 35 from the normal mode to the operation input mode via the system controller 43.

On the other hand, the CPU 40 controls the infrared transceivers 37A to 37O via the infrared interface 48. Then, the CPU 40 generates detection signal request data for requesting a detection signal for detecting the direction in which the PDA 22 is present based on the Bluetooth address unique to the PDA 22 acquired when forming the piconet, and this is generated by the infrared interface 48. And infrared transmitter / receiver 37
It transmits as a detection signal request signal through A to 37O sequentially.

In this case, the CPU 40 transmits / receives the detection signal transmitted from the PDA 22 by infrared transmission / reception as the response result of the detection signal request signal, as shown in FIG. 7 in which the same parts as those in FIGS. By inputting the signals from the units 37A to 37O and specifying the infrared reception unit 37K, which is the highest reception level among the reception levels of the respective detection signals, the approximate direction Dr1 in which the PDA 22 exists with respect to the central point 31A. To detect.

After that, the CPU 40, like the PDA 22, sequentially receives the detection signals at the highest reception level of the PDA 23, 24, 25, for example, the infrared transmitter / receiver 37L,
By specifying 37N and 37D respectively, the approximate directions Dr2, Dr3 and Dr4 in which the PDAs 23, 24 and 25 exist with respect to the center point 31A are detected.

In the case of this embodiment, a flash ROM
In 41, the distance from the central point 31A according to the voltage level of the input signal input from the infrared transmitter / receivers 37A to 37O is stored in advance as distance setting information.

Therefore, the CPU 40 has the PDA 22-25.
Not only the directions Dr1 to Dr4 but also the PDA2 concerned
The distance from 1 to the PDA 22 to 25 can be specified.

If the network button 36 is pressed while the personal card screen dis1 described above with reference to FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 31, the CPU 40
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the device specifying area dis3 associated with the direction Dr1 of the PDA 22 and the device specifying area di associated with the directions Dr2 and Dr3 of the PDA 22.
s4 and the device specifying area dis2 associated with the direction Dr1 of the PDA 22 are displayed on the peripheral edge of the display unit 31.

At this time, the CPU 40 causes the PDA 22 to 25 to
The device icons 22A, 23A, 24A, 25A based on the type data respectively acquired from the central points 31A calculated based on the distance setting information and the infrared transmission / reception units 37K, 37L, 37N, 37D.
Distance to 22A, 23B, 24B, 25B with PDA
22 to 25 directions Dr1 to Dr4 are displayed in the device specific areas dis2 to dis4.

As a result, the CPU 40 causes the PDA in which a piconet is formed in the device specific regions dis2 to dis4 at the peripheral edge of the display unit 31 where the cursor CL can move.
The user can visually recognize not only 22 to 25 but also the distance and the type.

At this time, the CPU 40 makes the virtual pad 35E
When the click operation, the drag operation, and the drop operation are performed by, the personal card screen dis1 can be moved on the display unit 31 via the cursor CL according to various commands input from the virtual pad 35E by the operation. There is.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, when the CPU 40 is clicked by the virtual pad 35E while the cursor CL is positioned on the personal card screen dis1, the CPU 40 moves the position of the cursor CL. The start position X1 is detected.

Further, when the CPU 40 is dragged to the device specific area dis3 while being clicked and then dropped, the CPU 40 detects the position of the cursor CL at the time of the drop operation as the movement end position X2.

In this case, since the CPU 40 includes the movement end position X2 (that is, the cursor CL) in the device specifying area dis3 associated with the direction Dr1 of the PDA 22, the movement of the personal card screen dis1 is the PD.
It is determined that the direction is the direction in which A22 exists.

The CPU 40 uses the flash ROM 4
The personal card data stored in No. 1 is read out and transmitted via the Bluetooth module 44 to the PDA 22 existing in the direction Dr1 associated with the device specifying area dis3.

In addition to this, when the CPU 40 detects the movement end position X2, the personal card screen dis1 moved to the device specifying area dis3 is returned to its original position and displayed (FIG. 8), thereby Card screen dis
Even when the personal card data based on 1 is sent again,
Only the drag operation and the drop operation can be easily transmitted to the PDA 22 to 25 desired by the user.

Further, the CPU 40 causes the personal card screen dis1 to have a plurality of device icons 23A and 25A, for example.
When the drag operation is performed on the device specifying area dis4 having the symbol and the drop operation is performed, the communication device selection screen dis5 as illustrated in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 31 and the user is prompted to select the PDA 23 or 25 to be transmitted. As a result, the data can be surely transmitted to the communication device desired by the user.

On the other hand, the CPU 40 displays a normal menu screen (for example, a main menu screen) on the display unit 31.
When the network button 36 is pressed while being displayed, for example, as shown in FIG. 11 in which parts corresponding to those in FIG.
Device specific regions dis2 to dis4 based on Dr4
And a data display screen dis6 for displaying various personal data stored in the flash ROM 41.
To display.

At this time, the CPU 40 causes the device icons 22A, 23A, 24A, 25A and the distances 22B, 23 to be set.
B, 24B, 25B and PDA 22 to 25 direction Dr1
-Dr4 corresponding to device specific areas dis2-di
In addition to being displayed in s4, it is displayed in the data display screen dis6 as a file icon D1 or a folder icon D2 according to the hierarchical structure of various personal data.

Here, as in the case described above with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the CPU 40 drags the folder icon D2, for example, from the movement start position X1 onto the device specifying area dis2 by the virtual pad 35E, and then performs a drop operation. Then, the drop position on the personal card screen dis1 is detected as the movement end position X3.

In this case, since the CPU 40 includes the movement end position X3 of the personal card screen dis1 in the device specifying area dis2 associated with the direction Dr4 of the PDA 24, the movement of the folder icon D2 is performed by the PDA.
It is determined to be on the side where 24 exists.

Then, the CPU 40 causes the folder icon D
Data corresponding to 2 can be read from the flash ROM 41 and transmitted to the PDA 22, 23, 24 or 25 via the Bluetooth module 44.

When the movement end position X3 is detected, the CPU 40 returns the folder icon moved to the device specifying area dis2 to its original position and displays it, thereby retransmitting various data based on the folder icon. Even in such a case, it can be easily transmitted to the communication target device desired by the user only by dragging and dropping.

As described above, the CPU 40 uses the actual PDA 2
The device specific areas dis2 to dis4 that can be transmitted to the actual PDA 22 to 25 by only dragging and dropping the desired data, as well as making the user visually grasp the correspondence relationship with 2 to 25. It is designed to be displayable.

Incidentally, the CPU 40 uses the PDA 22, 2
When the detection signal request signal from 3, 24 or 25 is received via the infrared transmission / reception units 37A to 37O, the detection signal is generated based on the detection signal request signal, and the detection signal is generated by the infrared transmission / reception units 37A to 37A. PDA22 through 37O,
It is designed to be sent to 23, 24 or 25.

(3-1) Data Communication Processing Procedure When the series of data communication processing in the PDA 21 is summarized, as shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 40 moves from the start step of the routine RT1 to step SP1 and the PDA 22, A piconet is formed with 23, 24 and 25, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step SP2.

In step SP2, the CPU 40 shifts the virtual pad 35E of the touch pad 35 from the normal mode to the operation input mode, and then shifts to step SP3.

At step SP3, the CPU 40 acquires the PDA 22 (PDA2) acquired when forming the piconet.
3, 24 or 25) Generate detection signal request data based on a unique Bluetooth address, and use this to generate an infrared interface 48 and infrared transmission / reception units 37A to 37K.
Is sequentially transmitted as a detection signal request signal, and the routine goes to Step SP4.

At step SP4, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the detection signal, which is the response result of the detection signal request signal, is received via the infrared transmission / reception units 37A to 37K.

If a negative result is obtained here, the CPU 40
Waits until it receives the detection signal. On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained, the CPU 40 proceeds to the subsequent step S
Move to P5.

At step SP5, the CPU 40 sets, for example, the PDA 22 (P
Approximate direction D in which DA23, 24 or 25) exists
r1 (direction Dr2, Dr3 or Dr4) is detected, and the process proceeds to step SP6.

In step SP6, the CPU 40 determines whether or not all the approximate directions Dr1, Dr2, Dr3 and Dr4 in which the PDA 22, 23, 24 and 25 forming the piconet exist are detected.

If a negative result is obtained here, the CPU 40
Returns to step SP2. That is, the CPU 40 approximates the direction Dr1, the direction Dr2, Dr3, or Dr4 in which the PDA 22, 23, 24, or 25 forming the piconet exists until a positive result is obtained in step SP5.
Are sequentially detected. On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained,
The CPU 40 moves to subsequent step SP7.

In step SP7, the CPU 40 displays the device specifying areas dis2 to dis4 and the data display screen dis6 on the display unit 31 as necessary, and proceeds to the subsequent subroutine SRT1.

CPU 40 in subroutine SRT1
By executing the data transfer process, the personal card screen dis1, the file icon D1, or the folder icon D2 is displayed on the device specific area d by the virtual pad 35E.
When the drop operation is performed on is2, dis3, or dis4, the personal card data based on the personal card screen dis1 and various data based on the file icon D1 or the folder icon D2 are displayed in the device specifying area dis.
It transmits to PDA22-25 corresponding to 2-dis4, and moves to the following step SP8.

At step SP8, the CPU 40 determines whether or not a network release command has been received. If a negative result is obtained here, this means that the jog dial 33
Alternatively, it means that a predetermined network releasing operation is not performed from the touch pad 35, and at this time, the CPU 4
0 returns to the subroutine SRT1 and executes the data transfer process again.

On the other hand, when an affirmative result is obtained, this means that the predetermined network releasing operation has been performed by the jog dial 33 or the touch pad 35, and at this time, the CPU 40 proceeds to the subsequent step SP9.

In step SP9, the CPU 40 shifts the virtual pad 35E of the touch pad 35 from the normal mode to the operation input mode, moves to the following step SP10, and ends the data communication process.

(3-2) Data Transfer Processing Procedure Next, the data transfer processing in the data communication processing of the PDA 21 will be described.

That is, as shown in FIG.
Moves from the start step of the subroutine SRT1 to step SP11 to determine whether or not a drag command is detected. If a negative result is obtained here, the following step S
Move to P8.

On the other hand, when an affirmative result is obtained, this is indicated by the virtual pad 35E, for example, the personal card screen d.
This indicates that is1 has been dragged, and at this time the CPU 40 moves to the following step SP12.

At step SP12, the CPU 40
It is determined whether or not the drop instruction is detected. If a negative result is obtained here, this means that the personal card screen di
It shows that s1 is being dragged,
At this time, the CPU 40 waits until the drop instruction is detected.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained, this means that the personal card screen dis1 was dragged and then dropped, and at this time, CP
U40 moves to the following step SP13.

At step SP13, the CPU 40
The movement end position X2 of the personal card screen dis1 is detected,
Then, it proceeds to step SP14.

At step SP14, the CPU 40
It is determined whether or not the movement end position X2 of the personal card screen dis1 is within the device specific area dis2 to dis4 range. If a negative result is obtained here, the CPU 40 advances to the subsequent step SP18. On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained, the CPU 40 proceeds to subsequent step SP15.

At step SP15, the CPU 40
Device specific areas dis2 and d including the movement end position X2
a plurality of device icons 22A on is3 or dis4,
It is determined whether 23A, 24A or 25A is displayed.

If a negative result is obtained here, this means that two or more device icons 22A and 24A do not exist in the device specifying area dis2 or dis3. At this time, the CPU 40 determines the direction of the PDA 22 or 24. By determining that the movement to the side, PDA22,
It is determined that it is a transfer instruction to 24, and the following step SP1
Go to 7.

On the other hand, when a positive result is obtained, this means that the device icon 2 is displayed in the device specifying area dis4.
This means that 2 or more of 3A and 25A exist, and at this time, the CPU 40 determines that the PDA 23 or 25 is moving toward the direction, and proceeds to step SP16.

At step SP16, the CPU 40
The communication target device selection screen dis5 as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 31 to allow the user to select the PDA 23 or 25 desired to be transmitted, and the selected PDA 23 or 25 is selected.
To the subsequent step SP17.

At step SP17, the CPU 40
The personal card data based on the personal card screen dis1 is transmitted to the PDA 22, 23, 24, or 25 that is determined to be the transfer command in step SP14 or step SP15,
Then, it proceeds to step SP18.

At step SP18, the CPU 40
Personal card screen dis1 moved by drag operation
To the original position on the display unit 31, and the following step SP8
Move on to.

In this way, the CPU 40 sends various data to the P
When transmitting to the DAs 22 to 25, the user does not need to perform various setting operations, but only drags data desired by the user to drop the data in the device specific areas dis2 to dis4.
~ 25 can be sent.

(4) Operation / Effect In the above configuration, the PDA 22 within a range of about several [m]
The CPU 40 of the PDA 21 that has established a communication path via Bluetooth with 25 to 25 has a direction Dr1 to which the PDA 22 to 25 forming a piconet are located within the end edge of the display unit 31 which is the moving angle range of the cursor CL. By associating Dr4 with each other, the device specific areas dis2 to di
Display s4.

Then, the CPU 40 detects the movement end positions X2 and X3 on the cursor CL, and when the movement end positions X2 and X3 are within the device specifying areas dis2 to dis4, the device specifying areas dis2 to di2.
It is determined that the data is transmitted to the PDA 22 to 25 corresponding to s4, and at that time, the drop operation is performed on the personal card screen dis.
1, the file icon D1 or the folder icon D2 is transmitted.

Therefore, the CPU 40 displays the personal card screen d.
is1, file icon D1 or folder icon D
PDA21 drag and drop operations for 2
It is possible to send the personal card screen dis1, the file icon D1 or the folder icon D2, which has been subjected to the drop operation, to the PDA 22, 23, 24, 25 only by causing the user to perform the drop operation.

Further, the CPU 40 has the infrared transmitting / receiving section 37.
A-37O is controlled to control the PDA 22 with respect to the center point 31A.
By detecting the directions Dr1 to Dr4 in which ~ 25 exist, the device specific areas dis2 to dis4 are displayed at the peripheral edge of the display unit 31 within the movement angle range of the cursor CL.

Therefore, the CPU 40 does not need to store the movement angle range and the PDA 22 to 25 in advance by associating them with each other by a predetermined setting operation. Directions in which communication devices that have constructed a piconet are present Dr1-Dr
The device specific areas dis2 to dis4 associated with No. 4 can be displayed.

According to the above configuration, the personal card screen dis within the device specific areas dis2 to dis4 associated with the directions Dr1 to Dr4 in which the PDA's 22 to 25 exist.
When 1 or the like is moved, the personal card screen dis1 or the like is transmitted to the PDA corresponding to the device specific area moved at that time.
PD for drag and drop operations for is1 etc.
It can be transmitted by only having the user of A21 perform it, thus improving operability.

(5) Other Embodiments In the above-mentioned embodiments, the CP as the associating means.
The device specific areas dis2 to dis4 associated with the directions existing in the PDA 22 to 25 by the U37 are displayed on the display unit 31.
However, for example, a device specific area associated with a direction is previously set as a movement angle range on the angle / area setting screen dis6 as shown in FIG. Need only be associated with each other, and it does not matter whether or not the area is displayed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the CPU 40 as the movement detecting means detects the movement of the personal card screen dis1, the file icon D1 or the folder icon D2 as the moving object through the cursor CL has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the movement of various other moving objects such as a finger, a dedicated pen (slurry), a mouse or a jog dial may be detected.

In practice, when a dedicated pen, mouse or jog dial is applied as a moving object, the CPU 40 as movement detecting means has a drag command or a drop command input in response to the operation of the dedicated pen, mouse or jog dial. The movement end position is detected by.

When applying a finger as a moving object,
When the CPU 40 as a movement detecting means moves a drag operation and a drop operation on the touch pad or the display screen with a finger, the CPU 40 can input a drag instruction and a drop instruction according to the operation to move. Detect the end position.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the CPU 40 as the movement determination means, for example, the device specific areas dis2-dis4 range in which the movement end position X3 of the folder icon D2 is associated with the directions Dr1-Dr4 in which the PDAs 22-25 exist. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 15 in which parts corresponding to those in FIG. Extension line LN across X3
May be determined to be within the device specific area dis2 to dis4 range.

In this case, the CPU 40 executes the step S as shown in FIG. 16 in which the same parts as those in FIG.
The movement start position X1 and the movement end position X2 of the personal card screen dis1 are detected in step SP21 instead of P13 (FIG. 13), and the movement end position X3 is changed from the movement start position X1 in step SP22 instead of step SP14 (FIG. 13). The extended line LN across the device specific area di
It is determined whether it is within the range of s2 to dis4, and step SP
15 and SP16 (FIG. 13) may be excluded.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the CPU 40 as the movement determination means, for example, the device specific areas dis2-dis4 range in which the movement end position X3 of the folder icon D2 is associated with the directions Dr1-Dr4 in which the PDA 22-25 exists. Although the case of determining whether the center point is within the range is described, the present invention is not limited to this.
Based on the approximate directions Dr1, Dr2, Dr3 or Dr4 in which the PDA 22, 23, 24 or 25 exists for 1A, the movement angle calculated based on the movement start position X1 and the movement end position X3 is relative to the reference. Alternatively, the determination may be made based on whether the angle is within the predetermined angle range.

In this case, the CPU 40 carries out step S as shown in FIG. 17 in which parts corresponding to those in FIG.
Step SP3 newly added after P21 (FIG. 16)
2, the movement angle is calculated based on the movement start position X1 and the movement end position X3, and step SP22 (FIG. 16).
In step SP33 instead of PDA 22, 23,
Approximate directions in which 24 or 25 exist Dr1, Dr
2, Dr3 or Dr4 may be used as a reference, and the determination may be made based on whether the movement angle is within a predetermined angle range with respect to the reference.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the CPU 40 as the movement determination means, for example, the device specific areas dis2 to dis4 range in which the movement end position X3 of the folder icon D2 is associated with the directions Dr1 to Dr4 in which the PDA 22 to 25 exist. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the movement time from the movement start position X1 to the movement end position X3 is a predetermined time or less, or from the movement start position X1 to the movement end position X3. May be determined based on whether or not the moving distance is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance, or may be determined based on whether these combinations are satisfied.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the infrared transmitting / receiving sections 37A to 37O are applied as the direction detecting means has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various other examples such as an adaptive array antenna and the like are also described. The direction detection means may be applied.

Incidentally, such an adaptive array antenna is based on the directivity of various data transmitted from the Bluetooth modules of the PDA's 22 to 25 forming a piconet, and the PDA 22 to 25's with respect to the central point 31A as an arbitrary reference point. Detect existing directions.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the infrared transmitting / receiving sections 37A to 37O as the direction detecting means are provided in the back surface 30D of the housing case 30 in an arc shape has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, Case 30
In other words, if it is possible to detect the direction in which the communication target devices (PDAs 22 to 25) exist with respect to an arbitrary reference point, such as being provided around the front face 30A or the side face of the device, the device can be provided at various other positions with various shapes. You may do it.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the infrared transmitting / receiving sections 37A to 37O as the direction detecting means are fixed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be rotatably provided. In this case, if there is at least one infrared transmission / reception unit, it is possible to detect the direction in which the communication target device forming the piconet with respect to an arbitrary reference point exists.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the infrared ray transmitting / receiving sections 37A to 37O as the direction detecting means are used only for detecting the direction is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and in addition to this, the direction notification is made. You may also use it for.

Specifically, for example, the infrared transmitter / receiver 37A
~ 37O is provided on the front surface 30A of the housing case 30, and the PDA
By color-coding the infrared transmission / reception units 37A to 37O that specify the highest reception level every 22 to 25,
PDA 22-25 forming a piconet for 21 users
Announce the location of. In this case, the operability of the PDA 21 can be further improved.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the personal card screen dis1, the file icon D1 or the folder icon D2 as the transmission information is transmitted to the PDA 22 to 25 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to transmit a control signal for turning on or off the main power supplies of .about.25.

In this case, as long as the user of the PDA 21 can know the positions where the PDAs 22 to 25 forming the piconet are present, the PDA 21 does not necessarily need the display unit 31 and can perform the drag operation and the drop operation on the PDA 21.
It is possible to function as if it were a remote controller by only letting the user of 21 perform it, thus improving the operability.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the data transfer processing procedure described above with reference to FIG. 13 is executed after the virtual pad 35E is shifted from the normal mode to the operation input mode has been described. Not limited to this, for example, a change button for changing the mode may be provided, and the data transfer processing procedure described above with reference to FIG. 13 may be executed only when the change button is pressed.

In this case, the CPU 40 executes the virtual pad 35E in the data communication processing procedure described above with reference to FIG.
It suffices to omit the step (step SP2) of shifting from the normal mode to the operation input mode.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the PDA 21 having the infrared transmission / reception units 37A to 37O and the Bluetooth module 44 is applied as the data communication device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the point is that the infrared rays are transmitted. And, if it has a communication function of Bluetooth, washing machine, refrigerator, cooler, MD (Mini Dis
k) Various other electronic devices (devices) such as a player and a television device can be widely applied as a data communication device.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the PDAs 22 to 25 having the infrared ray transmitting / receiving sections 37A to 37O and the Bluetooth module 44 are applied as the communication target apparatus has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and infrared rays and infrared rays can be used. An existing PDA having a Bluetooth communication function may be used. In short, as long as it has an infrared ray and Bluetooth communication function, a washing machine, a refrigerator, a cooler, an MD (Mini Disk) player, a television device, and various other types. The electronic device (device) can be widely applied as a communication target device.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the data communication system 20 in which the PDA 21 as the data communication device and the PDAs 22, 23, 24 and 25 as the communication target devices establish the communication path by the Bluetooth as the network. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the data communication device and the communication target device are, for example, Home RF, wireless1394, IEEE (Institu
de of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11b
Wi-Fi, IEEE802.11a, and other various network systems that establish a communication path by various wired or wireless networks can be widely applied.

In this case, the Bluetooth module 44 as the transmission means may be changed to the transmission means according to the type of the network that establishes the communication path.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the data communication program is stored in the flash ROM 41 and the data communication program is expanded in the DRAM 42 to execute the data communication processing procedure has been described. However, the data communication processing procedure may be executed by installing a program storage medium in which the data communication program is stored.

A program storage medium for installing the data communication program for executing the above-described series of data communication processing in each PDA 21 to 25 to make it executable is, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD. -ROM (Compact Disc-ReadOnly Memory
), A DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or other package media, as well as a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk in which a data communication program is temporarily or permanently stored. As a means for storing the data communication program in these program storage media, wired and wireless communication media such as a local area network, the Internet and digital satellite broadcasting may be used, and stored via various communication interfaces such as routers and modems. It may be done.

[0133]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a data communication device that establishes a communication path with a communication target device within a predetermined range through a network, the communication target device can be set to an arbitrary reference point. Detects the existing direction, detects the movement of a predetermined moving object, determines whether the movement of the moving object is in the direction where the communication target device exists, and communicates according to the result of the determination. By transmitting the predetermined transmission information to the target device, it is possible to transmit the predetermined transmission information to the communication target device only by causing the user of the data communication device to perform a moving operation through the moving target object. Thus, the operability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a data communication system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an external configuration (1) of the PDA.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an external configuration (2) of the PDA.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an external configuration (3) of the PDA.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a PDA.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a personal card screen.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state of direction detection.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a device identification screen.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing how the personal card screen is moved.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a communication target device selection screen.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing how a folder icon or a file icon is moved.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a data communication processing procedure.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a data transfer processing procedure.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a region setting screen.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing how a folder icon or a file icon is moved according to another embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a data transfer processing procedure (1) according to another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a data transfer processing procedure (2) according to another embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the concept of a BT system.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional data communication system.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional device selection screen.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional transmission data selection screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 ... Data communication system, 21, 22, 23, 2
4, 25 ... PDA, 31 ... display section, 32 ... operation section, 33 ... jog dial, 35 ... touch pad,
35E ... virtual pad, 36 ... network button,
37A to 37O ... infrared transmitting / receiving unit, 40 ... CPU,
41 ... Flash ROM, 42 ... DRAM, 44 ...
… Bluetooth module.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takeo Inagaki             Sony 6-735 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo             Within the corporation (72) Inventor Junichi Korimoto             Sony 6-735 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo             Within the corporation (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Matsushita             Sony 6-735 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo             Within the corporation (72) Inventor Yuji Ayatsuka             Sony 6-735 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo             Within the corporation F term (reference) 5K067 AA34 BB21 DD53 EE02 EE25                       EE37 HH01 HH21

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A data communication device, which establishes a communication path with a communication target device within a predetermined range via a network, and associating means for associating the communication target device within a movement angle range of a predetermined moving target object. A movement detection unit that detects the movement angle of the movement target object, a movement determination unit that determines the communication target device based on the movement angle of the movement target object and the movement angle range, and depending on the result of the determination A data communication device, comprising: a transmission unit that transmits predetermined transmission information to the communication target device. 2. The movement detecting means includes display means for displaying the moving object as a display element capable of moving the display screen, and input means for moving the display element, and the transmitting means comprises: The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission information corresponding to an indicator is transmitted. 3. The movement detection means detects a movement angle based on a movement start position of the indicator and a movement end position of the indicator, and the movement determination means determines that the movement angle is the movement angle. The data communication device according to claim 2, wherein the data communication device is determined to be the communication target device when within the range. 4. The movement detection means detects a movement angle based on a movement start position of the indicator and a movement end position of the indicator, and the movement determination means determines that the movement angle is the movement angle. The communication target device is within the range and the movement time from the movement start position to the movement end position is a predetermined time or less, or the movement distance from the movement start position to the movement end position is a predetermined distance or more. The data communication device according to claim 2, wherein the data communication device is determined to be 5. The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the associating means comprises direction detecting means for detecting the direction in which the communication target device exists with respect to an arbitrary reference point. 6. The movement detection means detects a movement end position of the indicator, and the movement determination means includes the movement end position in a predetermined area associated with a direction in which the communication target device exists. The data communication device according to claim 4, wherein when the communication target device is present, it is determined that the communication target device is on the direction side. 7. The movement detection means detects a movement angle based on a movement start position of the indicator and a movement end position of the indicator, and the movement determination means exists in the communication target device. The data communication device according to claim 4, wherein when the moving direction is included in a predetermined angle range based on a direction, the data communication device is determined to be on the direction side in which the communication target device exists. 8. A data communication method for establishing a communication path with a communication target device within a predetermined range via a network, and a step of associating the communication target device with a predetermined moving target object within a moving angle range. , A movement detection step of detecting a movement angle of the movement target object, a movement determination step of determining the communication target device based on the movement angle of the movement target object and the movement angle range, and depending on a result of the determination And a transmission step of transmitting predetermined transmission information to the communication target device. 9. Correspondence for associating the communication target device with a communication target device within a predetermined range within a movement angle range of a predetermined moving target object with respect to a data communication device having a communication path established via a network. A step, a movement detection step of detecting a movement angle of the movement target object, a movement determination step of determining the communication target device based on the movement angle of the movement target object and the movement angle range, and a result of the determination. A data communication program for causing the communication target device to execute a transmission step of transmitting predetermined transmission information accordingly. 10. An associating step of associating the communication target device with a moving angle range of a predetermined moving object, a movement detecting step of detecting a moving angle of the moving object, a moving angle of the moving object, and Data comprising a movement determination step of determining the communication target device based on the movement angle range, and a transmission step of transmitting predetermined transmission information to the communication target device according to the result of the determination. A data communication program storage medium for causing a data communication device to execute a communication program.