JP2003198926A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide communication equipments which efficiently turn off the power sources in cooperation with each other connected for communication even when being communicating with each other. <P>SOLUTION: Each communication equipment is provided with a standby mode setting means (power source 191) for setting the standby mode as the processing mode of the communication equipment, a transmission/reception means 157 for performing information transmission to and reception from the other communication equipments, a state decision means (information processing means 180) for deciding that information has been transmitted or received or an indication has been inputted from a user, a timer 190A for generating a timeout showing whether a prescribed time has passed after the time of state discrimination or not, and a mode setting means (information processing means 180) which outputs an indication to set the standby mode as the processing mode of the communication equipment in the case that occurrence of the timeout in the communication equipment is detected by the timer 190A at the time of receiving idle timeout information issues from another communication device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a communication device,
In particular, it relates to a communication device capable of automatically setting its own device to a standby mode or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A camera outputs film ID information and photographic frame information to an information terminal device (PDA) and inputs message information for each photographic frame information using the PDA.
A message file associating the film ID information, the photographed frame information, and the message information is created and stored. When requesting printing, submit the film cartridge and PD the message file.
A message information input method for outputting message information from A to a storage device on the printer side and allowing highly flexible message information to be input without using a fixed phrase is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-268434.
Issue of the publication.

In addition, when carrying a digital camera and a portable terminal at the same time or transmitting an image taken by the digital camera, it is possible to reduce the trouble of operating each device separately. A camera is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-8823.

Further, there is provided an image capturing apparatus having a structure in which image capturing means such as the portable terminal 10 for acquiring and inputting position information are housed in independent casings and the space between them is connected by a wired or wireless information input / output interface. JP 2001-2
No. 8704. The image capturing apparatus can acquire and input position information and other various information and record the information in association with the captured image without increasing the size of the camera body.

[0005]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
In the message information input method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 34, the silver halide camera and the PDA communicate with each other through a communication interface, and the film ID, photographing information, etc. are transferred to the printer side.

Further, in the portable terminal and the like disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-8823, control of a digital camera and transfer of photographed images are carried out from the portable terminal through a communication interface.

Further, in the image photographing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-28704, the position information and the like are transferred from the portable terminal to the digital camera by the communication interface and attached to the image.

Generally, the operating power source of portable equipment is operated by a battery, and for the purpose of suppressing unnecessary power consumption, an automatic power-off function of automatically shutting off the power source when no operation time continues for a predetermined time. Is provided.

This automatic power-off occurs due to the convenience of each individual mobile device, and therefore, when a plurality of communication devices cooperate to perform processing, each device powers off separately. However, there is a problem that the remaining communication device cannot continue communication and processing.

Therefore, if the communication between the other communication device is not performed and the user does not operate the device, the auto power off operation is performed by the time-out process of the other communication device. However, there was a problem that communication was forcibly terminated. In particular, if it takes a long time for the user to operate one of the devices or the internal processing of the device takes a long time, such a problem is likely to occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. Even when communication is performed between a plurality of communication devices, the communication devices connected by communication cooperate with each other. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device that efficiently powers off.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a problem that, between the communication-connected devices, the other communication device is unilaterally powered off and communication cannot be performed in the other communication device. It will be possible.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a standby mode setting means for setting the processing mode of the communication device to a standby mode or a power cutoff means for cutting off the operating power of the communication device. A transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting / receiving information to / from another communication device; a state determining unit for determining whether information has been transmitted / received via the transmitting / receiving unit or a user has input an instruction via the input unit; A timer that generates a timeout indicating whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the state determination means makes a determination, and a self-timer in the timer when an idle timeout issued by another communication device is received via the transmission / reception means. If the communication device has timed out, an instruction or a previous instruction to set the processing mode of the communication device to the standby mode is given to the standby mode setting means. It is characterized in that a mode setting means for outputting an instruction to cut off operating power of the communication device to the power cut-off means.

According to the present invention, when a user does not transmit or receive information via the transmission / reception means or inputs an instruction from the input means for a predetermined time, a time-out occurs and the transmission / reception means is used. If the timeout occurs when receiving an idle timeout issued by another communication device, the processing mode of the communication device is set to the standby mode, or the operating power of the communication device is shut off. Therefore, even when communication is being performed between a plurality of communication devices, it is possible for communication devices connected in communication to cooperate with each other to efficiently perform power-off.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the problem that the other communication device is unilaterally powered off between the devices connected by communication and the communication device cannot perform communication. Is possible.

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, the mode setting means causes the timer to control the communication device of its own when the idle timeout issued by another communication device is received via the transmitting / receiving means. When the timeout has not occurred, the information (pending information) that holds the timeout indicating that the timeout of the communication device has not occurred is transmitted to another communication device via the transmitting / receiving unit. There is.

According to the present invention, the mode setting means, when the idle time-out of another communication device is received and the time-out of its own communication device has not occurred, other information for holding the time-out is provided. Since it is transmitted to other communication devices, even when communication is being performed between a plurality of communication devices, communication devices connected in communication can cooperate with each other to efficiently perform power off. It will be possible.

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, the mode setting means causes the timer to control the communication device of its own when receiving an idle timeout issued by another communication device via the transmitting / receiving means. If no time-out has occurred, a time-out hold flag (time-out pending flag) indicating that no time-out has occurred in the communication device is set in the recording means, and a time-out of the own communication device occurs later in the timer. If the timeout hold flag is set in the recording means, the standby mode setting means is instructed to set the processing mode of the communication device to the standby mode, or the power cutoff means is instructed. And outputting an instruction to cut off the operating power of the communication device.

According to the present invention, when the idle timeout issued by another communication device is received and the timeout has not occurred, the timeout hold flag is set in the recording means, and the timeout occurs later. And the timeout hold flag is set in the recording means, the processing mode of the communication device is set to the standby mode, or the operating power of the communication device is cut off. Even when the communication is being carried out, the communication devices connected by communication can cooperate with each other to efficiently carry out the power-off.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of a communication device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an electronic camera which is one form of communication equipment according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic camera 10 has a lens barrel 100 in which a photographing lens for forming a subject image on an image pickup means is housed, and processing functions of the electronic camera 10 are in an operating state and a non-operating state. A so-called power switch 105 for switching to, a release button 106 for instructing the user to capture an image and record sound, and a mode switching dial 107 for setting various modes of the electronic camera 10 are provided.

Further, the electronic camera 10 has a display means 16
8, a cancel button 109 that is operated when canceling a desired item or image from the items displayed in 8, an execution button 110 that inputs an instruction to select and execute the item by moving the cursor to the desired item, and a display unit. A menu button 111 for instructing a menu display of setting items in 168 and a cross button 113 used when moving the cursor displayed on the display unit 168 are provided.

Further, the electronic camera 10 has an antenna 156 for transmitting and receiving a carrier wave and data when transmitting and receiving information to and from a communication device such as another portable terminal by wireless communication.
A communication connector 162 that serves as a communication port when performing wired communication; a display unit 168 that displays a captured image and information about processing and operation of the electronic camera 10; and an image signal for display to an external device. An image signal connector 173 which is an output port for outputting and a removable recording medium 177 for recording information such as images and sounds are provided.

In the example shown in the figure, the display means 168 is provided.
The image captured by the user is replayed and displayed on the screen, and the frame number display of the image such as information on the processing mode currently set in the electronic camera 10 and information on the image compression rate at the time of image capturing is also displayed. 104 is displayed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a signal processing system of an electronic camera which is one form of communication equipment according to the present invention.

The image processing unit of the electronic camera 10 forms an image of a subject on a light receiving surface, photoelectrically converts it, and outputs it as an image signal, and image size change, sharpness correction, contour processing, contrast. Image processing means 153 for performing processing such as correction on analog signals, and A / D for converting analog image signals into digital image data
A converter 154 is provided.

The communication means of the electronic camera 10 for transmitting / receiving information to / from other communication devices is an antenna 156 for transmitting / receiving information such as image data on carrier waves such as radio waves.
And a transmission / reception unit 157 for transmitting image data or other information acquired from an information processing unit or a memory to or from another communication device, and information such as image data with another communication device or a communication cable. And a communication connector 162 that transmits and receives via the.

Further, the electronic camera 10 is provided with a compression / expansion means 167 for performing compression processing or thinning processing on information such as image data by the method shown in JPEG-2000 or the like, and expansion / expansion processing of compressed image data. Display means 168
OSD169 for on-screen display of various characters and message data displayed on the screen along with images
A frame memory 171 for temporarily storing image data for display, and a D / A converter 172 for converting digital image data into a composite signal for display.

The electronic camera 10 also includes a power switch 105, a release button 106, and a mode switching dial 1.
07, a cancel button 109, an execution button 110, a menu button 111, a cross button 113, and the like, and input / output information input via the input means 174 and display information such as LEDs. I / O1
75, a recording medium mounting portion 178 for removably mounting the recording medium 177, and a recording medium interface 179 for recording and reading information such as image data on the recording medium 177. The recording medium 1
Reference numeral 77 denotes a semiconductor such as a memory card, or a removable recording medium represented by a magnetic recording type such as MO or the like, an optical recording type or the like.

The electronic camera 10 includes the electronic camera 1
An information processing unit 1 that controls the entire image data 0, and controls image data sampling timing, image data recording control, communication control, image and audio recording control, display control, image processing control, timeout monitoring, and the like.
Reference numeral 80 (state determining means, mode setting means), a non-volatile memory 182 capable of rewriting information and capable of continuing to store the stored information such as various constants for adjustment even after power-off, and an electronic camera A ROM 183 in which unique identification information such as 10 model name and serial number, an operation program, constants, information regarding display and the like are stored, and a RAM 184 which is a high-speed readable / writable recording unit serving as a work area when the program is executed. Is provided.

Further, the electronic camera 10 includes a calendar clock 190 for keeping time, a timer 190A for counting time based on an instruction from the information processing means 180, and an information processing means 18.
0 a power source 191 for controlling the electric power supplied from the battery 191A to other peripheral devices, a light emitting means 193 for emitting light to a subject at the time of image capturing to compensate for insufficient light amount, and the light emitting means 19
A light emission control unit 194 for adjusting the light emission timing of No. 3 and the amount of light emitted is provided.

As shown in the figure, the information processing means 180 of the electronic camera 10 and each circuit around it are connected by a bus 199, so that information can be transmitted at high speed to each other, and at the same time, the information processing means. It is possible to control each peripheral circuit based on the processing program executed by 180.

The information processing means 180 has a timer 190A.
By setting multiple times for (programmable interval timer, etc.), it is possible to monitor communication timeout, transaction timeout, and measure transfer rate or transfer time required for sending and receiving information. Has become.

Further, the information processing means 180 sets the operation clock of the information processing means 180 to be slow based on the operation information of the power switch 105 and the time-out information of the timer 190A, and the power supply 191 (standby mode setting means,
It is possible to set the processing function of the electronic camera 10 to a non-operating state with respect to the power cutoff means).

The power source 191 designated to be in the non-operating state includes the image pickup means 150, the image processing means 153, and the A / D converter 15.
4, the power supply to the peripheral devices such as the transmitting / receiving unit 157, the compression / expansion unit 167, the recording medium interface 179, the signal processing unit 170, the display unit 168, the OSD 169 and the like that do not need to operate in the standby mode (power saving mode) is stopped. To do. When the power switch 105 is operated by the user in this state, for example, the information processing means 180 sets the operation clock faster and outputs an instruction to the power supply 191 to set the operation state. Power supply 19 whose operating status has been set
1 starts supplying electric power to each peripheral device, and the electronic camera 1
The processing mode of 0 is set to the operating state.

The power source 191 (power cutoff means)
The object of the present invention can be achieved even if the configuration is such that the operating power of the electronic camera 10 is cut off based on the instruction of the information processing unit 180.

The information processing unit 180 (state determining unit) can determine whether to transmit / receive information to / from another communication device via the transmitting / receiving unit 157.
Further, the information processing unit 180 (determination unit) can determine that the user has operated the input unit 174 or input of an instruction.

Further, the information processing means 180 sets a predetermined time to the timer 190A at the time of the determination, so that the time-out (information indicating whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed) generated by the timer 190A is set. It is possible to detect.

Further, when the information processing means 180 (mode setting means) receives the idle timeout information issued by another communication device via the transmission / reception means 157, the timer 190A causes the electronic camera 10 to time out. In this case, it is possible to output an instruction to set the processing mode of the electronic camera 10 to the standby mode to the power supply 191 (standby mode setting means). Further, instead of outputting the instruction to set the standby mode to the power supply 191, an instruction to cut off the operating power of the electronic camera 10 may be output to the power supply 191 (power cutoff unit).

When the information processing means 180 (mode setting means) receives the idle timeout information issued by another communication device via the transmission / reception means 157, the timer 190A causes the electronic camera 10 to time out. If not, it is possible to transmit the information for holding the timeout, which indicates that the electronic camera 10 has not timed out, to another communication device via the transmitting / receiving unit 157.

When the information processing means 180 (mode setting means) receives the idle timeout information issued by another communication device via the transmission / reception means 157, the timer 190A causes the electronic camera 10 to time out. If not, a timeout hold flag indicating that the electronic camera 10 has not timed out is set in the recording means such as the RAM 184, and the timer of the own electronic camera 10 is set later.
If it occurs in A and the timeout holding flag is set in the recording means such as the RAM 184, the processing mode of the electronic camera 10 is set to the standby mode for the power supply 191 (standby mode setting means). It is possible to output an instruction or an instruction to cut off the operating power of the electronic camera 10 to the power supply 191 (power cutoff unit).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the display of various setting modes provided on the mode switching dial 107.

According to the figure, the mode switching dial 107
Includes a communication mode for performing wireless communication with another communication device such as a personal computer or a mobile terminal in the vicinity (see FIG.
and a playback mode (playback in FIG. 3) for playing back the recorded image.
Still image shooting mode for performing still image shooting (C in Fig. 3
am)), a video shooting mode for performing video shooting (described as Mov in FIG. 3), date, shooting mode, number of shooting pixels, setting of power-off time, power of warning sound, etc. Setup mode (See Fig. 3 Setup
Is described). The user can operate the mode switching dial 107 to set the processing mode of the electronic camera 10 to a predetermined mode.

The image pickup processing of the electronic camera 10 configured as described above will be described.

The subject image to be picked up is formed on the light receiving surface of the image pickup means 150 by the image pickup lens, and the formed subject image is photoelectrically converted and output to the image processing means 153. The image processing means 153 performs image processing such as correlated double sampling, amplification and noise reduction processing on this image signal, and outputs it to the A / D converter 154 for conversion into digital data.

The image data converted into the digital data is subjected to image processing such as image white balance, gamma correction, YC conversion, zoom processing, and pixel number conversion processing according to a command from the information processing means 180, and then the RAM 18 is temporarily operated.
4 is stored.

The information processing means 180 transfers the image data for display to the frame memory 171. The image data stored in the frame memory 171 is the sequential D / A converter 1
The information is transmitted to 72 and is displayed on the display unit 168 together with information such as characters generated from the OSD 169.

When the user presses the release button 106 provided on the input means 174 for instructing image pickup, the information processing means 180 enters a mode for picking up an image of a subject. When capturing a still image, generally, a two-stage release button 106 is used, and the first stage is used for preparation for image capturing such as adjustment of AE and AF, and the second stage is used for an actual image capturing instruction. use. In the case of capturing a moving image, the moving image may be captured only while the release button 106 is being pressed, or the release button 106 may be set to a double action and the release button 106 may be pressed. Alternatively, the start / stop of image capturing may be instructed.

When the image is recorded on the recording medium 177, the information processing unit 180 sequentially reads the image stored in the RAM 184, and the white balance of the image, gamma correction, YC conversion, zoom processing, and pixel number conversion processing. After the image processing such as the above is performed, the image data is transferred to the compression / expansion means 167 to perform the image compression processing. Information processing means 180
Creates a single image file by associating the compressed image data with the auxiliary information such as the image capturing conditions when the image was captured, and again creates the FI of the temporary RAM 184.
Temporarily store in the work area for LE. After that, the image file is converted into image data for recording.

When the image file is recorded on the recording medium 177, the image file is output to the recording medium interface 179. Then, the recording medium interface 179 performs a process of sequentially recording the acquired image file on the recording medium 177 via the recording medium mounting unit 178. At this time, the information processing unit 180 may generate a still image thumbnail and a moving image thumbnail, and record the image in the recording medium 177 in association with the main image.

When the image file is output to another communication device via the transmitting / receiving means 157, the information processing means 180 sends the generated image file to the transmitting / receiving means 15
The process of outputting to 7 is performed. The transmission / reception unit 157 that has acquired the image file uses the communication connector 162 and the antenna 1.
A communication connection is started with another communication device such as a personal computer or a mobile terminal via 56, and a process of transmitting an image file is performed.

In the above description, an electronic camera provided with an image pickup means was described as an example of the communication device according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the communication means is not limited to this. Even a communication device such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, or an audio device equipped with the above can achieve the object of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an external view of a portable terminal which is one form of the communication device according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the portable terminal 30 displays a variety of information such as images and a display means 3 which is composed of a touch panel through which a user inputs information.
68, a so-called power switch 305 that switches the processing function of the mobile terminal 30 between an operating state and a non-operating state, and a pilot lamp of a power source that notifies the user that the mobile terminal 30 is in the operating state.

The user uses the attached touch pen to instruct (tap) the icon buttons and menus displayed on the display means 368, or use the character input recognition means assigned to the character input area of the display means 368. It is possible to input commands and characters.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a signal processing system of the portable terminal 30 which is one form of the communication device according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the information transmitting / receiving unit of the portable terminal 30 has an antenna 356 for performing short-distance wireless communication with a communication device such as the electronic camera 10, and a predetermined unit for wirelessly transmitting / receiving information. A transmission / reception unit 357 for converting data into a format is provided.

In the portable terminal 30, display means 368 for displaying information such as images and characters, frame memory 371 for temporarily storing image data for display, and frame memory 371 are stored. The display control means 372 for reading out the displayed image data, converting it into a display image signal suitable for display by the display means 368, and outputting it.
And a touch panel 369 for reading information indicating that the user has designated an icon or the like displayed on the display unit 368 and the character information input by the user, and the touch panel 3.
Information input by the user via the information processing means 38
The touch panel control means 370 for outputting to 0 is provided.

Further, the portable terminal 30 reads various information input by the user through the input means 374 such as the power switch 305 and transmits it to the information processing means 380 described later, or obtains it from the information processing means 380. An I / O 375 that outputs a display command to a notification means such as a pilot lamp (LED) of a power source based on the instruction is provided.

Further, the portable terminal 30 has a recording medium 377.
A recording medium mounting portion 378 for removably mounting the recording medium and a recording medium interface 379 for recording and reading information such as image data with respect to the recording medium 377 are provided. The recording medium 377 is the recording medium 1 described above.
It is a removable recording medium similar to 77.

Further, the mobile terminal 30 has an information processing means (CPU) 380 for controlling the whole of the mobile terminal 30, a ROM for recording programs for operating the information processing means 380 and various constants, and an information processing means. A memory 381 including a RAM that is a recording unit that serves as a work area when the processing is executed by the 380, various constants related to the processing of the mobile terminal 30, and connection information used when transmitting and receiving information to and from the electronic camera 10. And the like, a non-volatile memory 382 for recording information such as a time, a calendar clock 390 for keeping time, a timer 390A for counting time, a battery 391A for supplying electric power for operating the portable terminal 30, and an information processing means 380.
Power supply 39 for controlling the power supplied to other peripheral devices
1 (power cutoff means, standby mode setting means).

As shown in the figure, the information processing means 380 in the portable terminal 30 and each peripheral circuit including the I / O 375, the memory 381, the calendar clock 390, etc. are connected by a bus 399, and the information processing means 380 is Each peripheral circuit can be controlled, and each peripheral circuit can be controlled based on the processing program executed by the information processing unit 380.

The information processing means 380 has a timer 390A.
By setting multiple times for (programmable interval timer, etc.), it is possible to monitor communication timeout, transaction timeout, and measure transfer rate or transfer time required for sending and receiving information. Has become.

Further, the information processing means 380 sets the operation clock of the information processing means 380 to be slow based on the operation information of the power switch 305 and the time-out information of the timer 390A, and the power supply 391 of the portable terminal 30 concerned. It is possible to set the processing function to a non-operating state.

The power supply 391 designated to be in the non-operating state is the standby mode (power saving mode) of the transmitting / receiving means 357, the touch panel control means 370, the recording medium interface 379, the frame memory 371, the display means 368, the display control means 372 and the like. In step 2, stop supplying power to peripheral devices that do not require operation. In this state, for example, when the power switch 305 is operated by the user, the information processing means 3
Reference numeral 80 sets the operating clock faster and outputs an instruction to the power supply 391 to set the operating state. The power supply 391 set in the operating state starts supplying power to each peripheral device,
The processing mode of the mobile terminal 30 is set to the operating state.

The wireless communication means is a communication means using light such as radio waves, ultrasonic waves, and infrared rays as carrier waves. When radio waves are used, it may be based on wireless communication specifications such as a wireless LAN (local area network) and Bluetooth.

Although the portable terminal 30 has been described above, it may be a communication terminal such as a portable telephone or an electronic notebook.

The power source 391 (power cutoff means)
It is possible to achieve the object of the present invention by configuring so that the operating power of the mobile terminal 30 is shut off based on the instruction from the information processing means 380.

The information processing means 380 (state determining means) can determine whether to send / receive information to / from another communication device via the sending / receiving means 357.
Further, the information processing unit 380 (determination unit) can determine that the user has operated the input unit 374 and input of an instruction.

Further, the information processing means 380 sets a predetermined time to the timer 390A at the time of the above determination, so that the time-out (information indicating whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed) generated by the timer 390A is set. It is possible to detect.

When the information processing means 380 (mode setting means) receives the idle time-out information issued by another communication device via the transmission / reception means 357, the timer 390A times out of its own portable terminal 30. In this case, it is possible to output an instruction to set the processing mode of the mobile terminal 30 to the standby mode to the power supply 391 (standby mode setting means).
Further, instead of outputting the instruction to set the standby mode to the power supply 391, an instruction to cut off the operating power of the mobile terminal 30 may be output to the power supply 391 (power cutoff unit).

Further, when the information processing means 380 (mode setting means) receives the idle timeout information issued by another communication device via the transmission / reception means 357, the timer 390A times out of its own portable terminal 30. If not, it is possible to transmit the information for holding the timeout indicating that the timeout of the portable terminal 30 has not occurred to the other communication device via the transmitting / receiving unit 357.

Further, when the information processing means 380 (mode setting means) receives the idle timeout information issued by another communication device via the transmission / reception means 357, the timer 390A times out of its own portable terminal 30. If not, the timeout hold flag indicating that the timeout of the mobile terminal 30 has not occurred is set in the recording means such as the memory 381, and the timeout of the own mobile terminal 30 occurs later in the timer 390A. In this case, if the timeout hold flag is set in the recording means such as the memory 381,
An instruction to the power supply 191 (standby mode setting means) to set the processing mode of the mobile terminal 30 to the standby mode, or an instruction to the power supply 391 (power cutoff means) to cut off the operating power of the mobile terminal 30. It is possible to output.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing the flow of the communication processing executed between the electronic camera 10 (communication device on the client side) and the portable terminal 30 (communication device on the server side).

In the example shown in the figure, the electronic camera 10 is used as a client side communication device having a basic user interface, and the portable terminal 30 is used as a server side device for communication.

When the user sets the mode switching dial 107 to the communication mode for performing wireless communication with the portable terminal by the "user operation 1", the processing executed by the information processing unit 180 is S100 "communication client mode" ( After that, S1
Abbreviated as 00, etc.). When the "user operation 1" is input by the user, the information processing means 18
0 performs a process of setting an idle timer (tc) in the timer 190A. Thereafter, the timer 190A counts the set idle timer (tc) moment by moment.

The user also operates the touch panel 369 or the like of the portable terminal 30 to perform the processing of switching the processing mode to the communication server mode by the "user operation 20". When the processing mode is set to the communication server mode, the processing performed by the information processing unit 380 proceeds to S200 “communication server mode” and waits for communication connection from the electronic camera 10. In addition, from the user, "User operation 2
When “0” is input, the information processing means 380 causes the timer 3
Processing for setting an idle timer (ts) to 90A is performed. After that, the timer 390A performs a process of counting the set idle timer (ts) moment by moment. Generally, the idle timer (ts) on the server side may be set longer than the set time of the idle timer (tc) on the client side.

On the electronic camera 10 side, the idle timer (tc) is cleared (reset) by the operation of the input means 174 by the user or the arrival of an application layer packet from another communication device that is performing communication. And resetting) are performed. Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the user does not mainly perform the operation on the input means 374 on the portable terminal 30 side, so that the idle timer (ts) is set when the application layer packet arrives from the electronic camera 10 side. It is cleared (reset and reset).

On the electronic camera 10 side set as the communication device on the client side, the information processing means 18 is provided.
With 0, it is possible to set a function as a transaction timer for the timer 190A. For example, a predetermined set value (set time) is set in the transaction timer when the electronic camera 10 transmits a “Request” packet to the mobile terminal 30. Then, as a response to the transmitted "Request",
If the time until the “Response” packet is received from the mobile terminal 30 exceeds the predetermined set value, it is determined that the mobile terminal 30 is in the unresponsive state, and the communication connection is disconnected. It is possible to display, on the display unit 168, a notification to the user that communication with the mobile terminal 30 is not possible.

When the processing mode of the electronic camera 10 is set to the client mode in S100, the information processing means 1
The process carried out by 80 proceeds to S102 “Display final captured image” to read the image file having the latest time stamp from the image files recorded on the recording medium 177 and display the main image on the display means 168. Perform processing to Further, in order to carry out the process of searching whether or not a communicable device is present in the vicinity, the information processing unit 180 instructs the transmitting / receiving unit 157 to “Connect request”.
The instruction to transmit "st" is output. Then electronic camera 1
A connection request signal is output from 0, and the mobile terminal 30 receives the connection request signal.

The information processing means 380 of the portable terminal 30, which has received the connection request signal at "Com20", resets the idle timer (ts) to the timer 390A in response to the execution of the communication processing, and then restarts the idle state. Timer (t
Output the instruction to set s). Then, the information processing unit 380 sends a connection response “Connect response” indicating that the communication connection has been made to the transmitting / receiving unit 357.
Is transmitted to the electronic camera 10. The idle timer (ts) may be reset when a packet is received from the electronic camera 10 or when the packet is transmitted to the electronic camera 10.

The information processing means 180 of the electronic camera 10 which has received the connection response at "Com2" resets the idle timer (tc) to the timer 190A in response to the execution of the communication processing, and again. Idle timer (t
Output the instruction to set c). In addition, the mobile terminal 30
For example, “Capability” is inquired about the image processing capability and the display capability of the mobile terminal 30 (the processing capability such as the number of pixels and gradation that can be displayed on the display unit 368, the format, the frame rate of a moving image).
"request" is transmitted. The idle timer (tc) may be reset when a packet is received from the mobile terminal 30 or when the packet is transmitted to the mobile terminal 30. Further, the idle timers (tc) and (ts) can also serve as the transaction timer, and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

At "Com22", the "Capabi"
mobile terminal 30 that has received "light request"
Responds to the fact that the communication processing has been carried out, the timer 390A
, The idle timer (ts) is reset, and an instruction to set the idle timer (ts) again is output.
In addition, the “Capability r” that returns the image processing capability of the mobile terminal 30 to the electronic camera 10
"esponse" is transmitted.

At "Com4", select "C" from the mobile terminal 30.
Upon receiving the "availability response", the information processing unit 180 of the electronic camera 10 resets the idle timer (tc) to the timer 190A and sets the idle timer (tc) again in response to the execution of the communication process. The instruction to output is output. Then, a list of still image thumbnails recorded in the image file read from the recording medium 177 is displayed on the display unit 168, and processing for waiting for a selection instruction from the user is performed. It should be noted that the recording medium 1 is transferred from the electronic camera 10 to the portable terminal 30 thereafter.
When transmitting the image recorded in 77 etc., the image recorded in the recording medium 177 etc.
The image data is converted into an image format according to the information of “ability” and transmitted.

When the user inputs an instruction to select a desired image through the input means 174 in the "user operation 2", the processing executed by the information processing means 180 is S10.
4 Go to "Display image change (△ / ▽)". In S104,
In response to the execution of the input processing, the timer 190A outputs an instruction to reset the idle timer (tc) and set the idle timer (tc) again. Then, the process of moving the selection frame (cursor) of the still image thumbnails displayed on the display unit 168 or the process of scrolling the displayed still image thumbnails (the process of incrementing and decrementing) is performed.

In the next "user operation 3", when an instruction for confirming a desired image (transmitting the image to the portable terminal 30) is input through the input means 174, the information processing means The process performed by 180 proceeds to S106 “image selection (execution)”. In S106, in response to the execution of the input process, the idle timer (tc) is reset to the timer 190A, and the idle timer (tc) is reset again.
The instruction to set is output. And the display means 168
The image file corresponding to the still image thumbnail displayed on the screen is read from the recording medium 177, and the transmitting / receiving unit 15
The process of transmitting to the mobile terminal 30 via 7 is performed.

The information of the image file "Image Put" transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is received by the portable terminal 30 in "Com24". Information processing means 380 of the mobile terminal 30 which received the image file at "Com24"
Responds to the fact that the communication processing has been carried out, the timer 390A
, The idle timer (ts) is reset, and an instruction to set the idle timer (ts) again is output.

Then, the information processing means 380 carries out a process of recording the received image file in the recording means such as the recording medium 377. When the reception of the image file is completed, the information processing means 380 performs a process of transmitting “OK” information indicating the completion of the image file reception to the electronic camera 10.

Next, the information processing means 380 performs the processing of displaying the image recorded in the image file received from the electronic camera 10 on the display means 368 in S202 "Display received image". The electronic camera 10 displays "Om" at "Com6"
Upon receiving the "K" information, the information processing unit 180 receives the communication processing and resets the idle timer (tc) to the timer 190A and outputs an instruction to set the idle timer (tc) again. .

In addition, the user performs the "user operation 4",
When an instruction to select a desired image is input via the input unit 174, the process performed by the information processing unit 180 proceeds to S108 “change display image (Δ / ▽)”. S108
Then, in response to the execution of the input process, the timer 190
The instruction for resetting the idle timer (tc) to A and outputting the idle timer (tc) again is output to A. Then, the process of moving the selection frame (cursor) of the still image thumbnail displayed on the display unit 168, or
Performs the process of scrolling the displayed still image thumbnails.

In the next "user operation 5", when an instruction to confirm the desired image (execute the image transmission to the portable terminal 30) is input through the input means 174, the information processing means The process performed by 180 is S110 "image selection".
Proceed to. In S110, in response to the execution of the input process, the timer 190A outputs an instruction to reset the idle timer (tc) and set the idle timer (tc) again. Then, the image file corresponding to the still image thumbnail displayed on the display unit 168 is read from the recording medium 177 and transmitted to the mobile terminal 30 via the transmission / reception unit 157.

The information of the image file "Image Put" transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is received by the portable terminal 30 in "Com26". Information processing means 380 of the mobile terminal 30 that received the image file at "Com26"
Responds to the fact that the communication processing has been carried out, the timer 390A
, The idle timer (ts) is reset and an instruction to set the idle timer (tc) again is output.

Then, the information processing means 380 carries out a process of recording the received image file in the recording means such as the recording medium 377. When the reception of the image file is completed, the information processing means 380 performs a process of transmitting “OK” information indicating the completion of the image file reception to the electronic camera 10.

Next, the information processing means 380 performs the processing of displaying the image recorded in the image file received from the electronic camera 10 on the display means 368 in S204 "Display received image". The electronic camera 10 displays "Om" at "Com8"
Upon receiving the "K" information, the information processing unit 180 receives the communication processing and resets the idle timer (tc) to the timer 190A and outputs an instruction to set the idle timer (tc) again. .

Further, when the user inputs an instruction to select a desired image through the input means 174 through "user operation 6" to "user operation 9", the information processing means 180 executes. The process to be performed is S112 "Display image change (△ /
▽) "to S118" Change display image (△ / ▽) ".
In S112 to S118, the idle timer (tc) is set to the timer 190A in response to the execution of the input process.
Is reset and the instruction to set the idle timer (tc) again is output. Then, the process of moving the selection frame (cursor) of the still image thumbnail displayed on the display unit 168 or the process of scrolling the displayed still image thumbnail is performed.

As described above, since the idle timer (tc) is reset every time the user inputs an operation to the electronic camera 10, as long as the normal operation is continued within the time-out period, the electronic camera 10 is idle. No timeout occurs.

When the user operates the electronic camera 10 to browse the display in this way, the mobile terminal 30 is not communicating and the mobile terminal 30 is not communicating.
Is not operated, the idle timer (time ts) is up and a timeout occurs in S206. After that, the mobile terminal 30 is in the "timeout" state,
Since the "Idle Timeout" information instructing to shift to the standby state has not been transmitted from the electronic camera 10 side, the mobile terminal 30 maintains the operating state without being set to the standby mode. In this state, the user is in the process of operating the electronic camera 10 normally, so the client / server system as a whole does not want to interrupt the processing. In the past, here, the mobile terminal 30
Is set to the standby mode, the communication cannot be executed as the client / server system even if the electronic camera 10 tries to restart the communication thereafter.

In the "user operation 10", when an instruction for confirming a desired image (performing image transmission to the portable terminal 30) is input through the input means 174, the information processing means 180 is displayed. The process to be performed proceeds to S120 “image selection”. In S120, in response to the execution of the input process, the timer 190A outputs an instruction to reset the idle timer (tc) and set the idle timer (tc) again. Then, the image file corresponding to the still image thumbnail displayed on the display unit 168 is read from the recording medium 177 and transmitted to the mobile terminal 30 via the transmission / reception unit 157.

The information of the image file "Image Put" transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is received by the portable terminal 30 in "Com28". Information processing means 380 of the mobile terminal 30 which received the image file at "Com28"
Responds to the fact that the communication processing has been carried out, the timer 390A
In response to this, an instruction for canceling the timeout of the idle timer (ts) and setting the idle timer (ts) again is output.

Then, the information processing means 380 performs a process of recording the received image file in the recording means such as the recording medium 377. When the reception of the image file is completed, the information processing means 380 performs a process of transmitting “OK” information indicating the completion of the image file reception to the electronic camera 10.

Next, the information processing means 380 performs the processing of displaying the image recorded in the image file received from the electronic camera 10 on the display means 368 in S208 "Display received image". When the electronic camera 10 receives the "OK" information at the "Com10", the information processing unit 180 resets the idle timer (tc) to the timer 190A in response to the execution of the communication process, and then restarts the idle timer. An instruction to set (tc) is output.

When the user inputs an instruction to select a desired image through the input means 174 in the "user operation 11", the processing executed by the information processing means 180 is S1.
22 Proceed to “Change display image (△ / ▽)”. In step S122, the timer 190A receives the input processing.
In response to the reset, the idle timer (tc) is reset and an instruction to set the idle timer (tc) again is output.
Then, the process of moving the selection frame (cursor) of the still image thumbnail displayed on the display unit 168 or the process of scrolling the displayed still image thumbnail is performed.

In the next "user operation 12", when an instruction for confirming a desired image (transmitting the image to the portable terminal 30) is input through the input means 174, the information processing means The process performed by 180 proceeds to S124 “image selection”. In S124, in response to the execution of the input processing, the idle timer (t
c) is reset and an instruction to set the idle timer (tc) again is output. Then, the image file corresponding to the still image thumbnail displayed on the display unit 168 is read from the recording medium 177 and transmitted to the mobile terminal 30 via the transmission / reception unit 157.

The information of the image file "Image Put" transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is received by the portable terminal 30 in "Com30". Information processing means 380 of the mobile terminal 30 that received the image file at "Com30"
Responds to the fact that the communication processing has been carried out, the timer 390A
, The idle timer (ts) is reset, and an instruction to set the idle timer (ts) again is output.

Then, the information processing means 380 carries out a process of recording the received image file in the recording means such as the recording medium 377. When the reception of the image file is completed, the information processing means 380 performs a process of transmitting “OK” information indicating the completion of the image file reception to the electronic camera 10. When the electronic camera 10 receives the "OK" information at "Com12", the information processing unit 180 receives the fact that the communication process has been performed, and accordingly, the information processing unit 180 sends an idle timer (t) to the timer 190A.
c) is reset and an instruction to set the idle timer (tc) again is output.

Thereafter, the portable terminal 3 is also used for the electronic camera 10.
If no information is input by the user even with respect to 0 (a state in which both communication devices are left unattended), the idle timer (tc) of the electronic camera 10 set in the client device is up. And generate a timeout. When the information processing unit 180 detects the timeout of the idle timer (tc) by interruption or polling, the information processing unit 180 causes the mobile terminal 30 to enter the power saving mode in the electronic camera 10 via the transmitting / receiving unit 157 at “Com14”. The information of "IdleTimeout" indicating that a transition timeout has occurred is output.

When the portable terminal 30 receives the information of "Idle Timeout" at "Com32", the information processing means 380 causes the value of the idle timer (ts) set in the server device counted by the timer 390A. Process to read. At this stage, since the idle timer (ts) has not been set up yet, the portable terminal 30 cannot set the standby mode. Therefore, the information processing unit 380 indicates “Pending” to the electronic camera 10.
Timeout ”information is output. Then, the information processing means 380 receives the “Idle Time” from the electronic camera 10.
Even if the information of "eout" is received, the idle timer (t
s) does not reset but continues counting. In addition,
When a general packet is received from the electronic camera 10,
The information processing means 380 performs processing for resetting and resetting the idle timer (ts).

When the electronic camera 10 receives the information of "Pending Timeout" at "Com16", the information processing means 180 receives the fact that the communication processing has been performed, and accordingly, the idle timer (tc) for the timer 190A.
Is reset and the instruction to set the idle timer (tc) again is output. In addition, in the mobile terminal 30, "I
When the idle timer (ts) is up when the information “dle Timeout” is received, “Accept Timeout” is given to the electronic camera 10.
Send information about.

Thereafter, the portable terminal 3 is also used for the electronic camera 10.
If no information is input from the user even with respect to 0, the idle timer (tc) of the electronic camera 10 set in the client device is up again,
Timeout occurs. When the information processing unit 180 detects a timeout of the idle timer (tc) by interrupt or polling, the information processing unit 180 at “Com 18” causes the mobile terminal 30 via the transmission / reception unit 157.
“Idle Timeou” indicating that the electronic camera 10 has timed out to shift to the power saving mode.
The information of "t" is output.

When the portable terminal 30 receives the information of "Idle Timeout" at "Com34", the information processing means 380 causes the value of the idle timer (ts) set in the server device counted by the timer 390A. Process to read. At this stage, the idle timer (t
s) has been set and is being set during timeout, the information processing means 380 indicates to the electronic camera 10 “A
ccept Timeout ”information is output.

In this state, the electronic camera 10 displays "Com1.
When the information of "Accept Timeout" is received at "9", the information processing unit 180 starts the process of shifting to the power saving mode. When shifting to the power saving mode, the server side device is notified of the shift to the power saving mode, and communication is cut off. Therefore, the information processing unit 180 transmits, via the transmission / reception unit 157, the “Disconnect request” information to which the power-off information and the information to disconnect the communication are added to the mobile terminal 30.
Process to send to.

The above "Disconnect request"
The information processing unit 380 of the mobile terminal 30 which has received the “st (power off)” information starts the end processing of the communication processing, and “Disconnectnec” to the electronic camera 10.
t response (power off) information. Then, the information processing means 380 designates the power supply 391 in the non-operating state for shifting to the power saving mode.
The power supply 391 set to the non-operation state stops the supply of power to peripheral devices that do not need to operate. Further, the information processing means 380 is set to the power saving mode in S210 "power off" by setting the operation clock slow.

Further, the above-mentioned "Disconnect re
The information processing unit 180 of the electronic camera 10 that has received the “power (power off)” information starts the end processing of the communication processing and specifies the non-operating state for shifting to the power saving mode with respect to the power supply 191. The power supply 191 set to the non-operation state stops the supply of power to peripheral devices that do not need to operate. Further, the information processing unit 180 is set to the power saving mode in S126 "power off" by setting the operation clock slow.

By performing the processing for setting the power-saving mode in the client / server model as described above, the client device shifts to the power-saving mode of the server device after a timeout for shifting to the power-saving mode occurs. It becomes possible to monitor both the time-outs that occur and to shift both communication devices to the power saving mode at the same time when the time-out occurs in the server device.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are diagrams showing the flow of communication processing in the target model executed between the electronic camera 10 and the portable terminal 30.

When the user sets the mode switching dial 107 to the communication mode for carrying out the wireless communication with the portable terminal by the "user's operation 30", the processing carried out by the information processing means 180 proceeds to S300 "communication mode". . When the "user operation 30" is input by the user, the information processing means 1
80 performs processing for setting an idle timer (td) in the timer 190A. Thereafter, the timer 190A counts the set idle timer (td) moment by moment.

The user also operates the touch panel 369 or the like of the portable terminal 30 to perform the processing of switching the processing mode to the communication mode by the "user operation 60". When the processing mode of the mobile terminal 30 is set to the communication mode,
The process performed by the information processing unit 380 proceeds to S400 “communication mode”. In addition, from the user, "User operation 6
When “0” is input, the information processing means 380 causes the timer 3
Processing for setting an idle timer (tp) to 90A is performed. Thereafter, the timer 390A counts the set idle timer (tp) momentarily.

When the processing mode of the electronic camera 10 is set to the communication mode, the processing executed by the information processing means 180 proceeds to S302 "Display final photographed image" and the recording medium 177 is executed.
The image file having the latest time stamp is read out from the image files recorded in (1) to display the main image on the display unit 168. Further, in order to carry out the process of searching whether or not a communicable device is present in the vicinity, the information processing unit 180 outputs an instruction to transmit “Connect request” to the transmitting / receiving unit 157. Then, the connection request signal is output from the electronic camera 10, and the mobile terminal 30 receives the connection request signal.

The information processing means 380 of the portable terminal 30, which has received the connection request signal at "Com60", resets the idle timer (tp) to the timer 390A in response to the execution of the communication process, and then restarts the idle state. Timer (t
Output the instruction to set p). Then, the information processing unit 380 sends a connection response “Connect response” indicating that the communication connection has been made to the transmitting / receiving unit 357.
Is transmitted to the electronic camera 10.

The information processing means 180 of the electronic camera 10 which has received the connection response at "Com40" resets the idle timer (td) to the timer 190A in response to the execution of the communication processing, and again. An instruction to set the idle timer (td) is output. In addition, for example, “Capability” inquiring the mobile terminal 30 about the image processing capacity (the number of pixels, gradations, frame rate in moving images, etc.) of the mobile terminal 30.
"request" is transmitted.

At "Com62", the "Capabi"
mobile terminal 30 that has received "light request"
Responds to the fact that the communication processing has been carried out, the timer 390A
In response to the reset, the idle timer (tp) is reset, and an instruction to set the idle timer (tp) again is output.
In addition, the “Capability r” that returns the image processing capability of the mobile terminal 30 to the electronic camera 10
"esponse" is transmitted.

When the "Capability response" is received from the portable terminal 30 at the "Com42", the information processing means 180 of the electronic camera 10 receives the fact that the communication processing has been performed, and accordingly, the information processing means 180 indicates to the timer 190A an idle timer (td). ) Is reset and the instruction to set the idle timer (td) again is output. Then, a list of still image thumbnails recorded in the image file read from the recording medium 177 is displayed on the display unit 168, and processing for waiting for a selection instruction from the user is performed.

When the user inputs an instruction to select a desired image through the input means 174 by the "user operation 31", the processing executed by the information processing means 180 is S3.
04 Go to "Change display image (△ / ▽)". In step S304, the timer 190A is received in response to the execution of the input process.
, The idle timer (td) is reset and an instruction to set the idle timer (td) again is output.
Then, the process of moving the selection frame (cursor) of the still image thumbnail displayed on the display unit 168 or the process of scrolling the displayed still image thumbnail is performed.

In the next "user operation 32", when an instruction to confirm the desired image (execute the image transmission to the portable terminal 30) is input through the input means 174, the information processing means The process performed by 180 proceeds to S306 “image selection (execution)”. In S306, in response to the execution of the input process, the idle timer (td) is reset to the timer 190A, and the idle timer (td) is reset.
The instruction to set is output. And the display means 168
The image file corresponding to the still image thumbnail displayed on the screen is read from the recording medium 177, and the transmitting / receiving unit 15
The process of transmitting to the mobile terminal 30 via 7 is performed.

The information of the image file "Image Put" transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is received by the portable terminal 30 in "Com64". Information processing means 380 of the mobile terminal 30 which received the image file at "Com64"
Responds to the fact that the communication processing has been carried out, the timer 390A
In response to the reset, the idle timer (tp) is reset, and an instruction to set the idle timer (tp) again is output.

Then, the information processing means 380 performs a process of recording the received image file in the recording means such as the recording medium 377. When the reception of the image file is completed, the information processing means 380 performs a process of transmitting “OK” information indicating the completion of the image file reception to the electronic camera 10.

Next, the information processing means 380 performs the processing of displaying the image recorded in the image file received from the electronic camera 10 on the display means 368 in S402 "Display received image". When the electronic camera 10 receives the "OK" information at the "Com44", the information processing unit 180 resets the idle timer (td) to the timer 190A in response to the execution of the communication process, and then restarts the idle timer. An instruction to set (td) is output.

In addition, the user inputs an instruction to select a desired image by the "user operation 33" by the input means 174.
When input through, the processing performed by the information processing unit 180 proceeds to S308 “change display image (Δ / ▽)”. S3
In 08, in response to the execution of the input processing, the timer 1
The instruction for resetting the idle timer (td) to 90A and outputting the idle timer (td) again is output. Then, the process of moving the selection frame (cursor) of the still image thumbnail displayed on the display unit 168 or the process of scrolling the displayed still image thumbnail is performed.

In the next "user operation 34", when an instruction to confirm the desired image (transmit the image to the portable terminal 30) is input through the input means 174, the information processing means The process performed by 180 proceeds to S310 “image selection”. In S310, in response to the execution of the input processing, the idle timer (t
d) is reset and an instruction to set the idle timer (td) again is output. Then, the image file corresponding to the still image thumbnail displayed on the display unit 168 is read from the recording medium 177 and transmitted to the mobile terminal 30 via the transmission / reception unit 157.

The information of the image file "Image Put" transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is received by the portable terminal 30 in "Com66". Information processing means 380 of the mobile terminal 30 that received the image file at "Com66"
Responds to the fact that the communication processing has been carried out, the timer 390A
In response to the reset, the idle timer (tp) is reset, and an instruction to set the idle timer (tp) again is output.

Then, the information processing means 380 performs a process of recording the received image file in the recording means such as the recording medium 377. When the reception of the image file is completed, the information processing means 380 performs a process of transmitting “OK” information indicating the completion of the image file reception to the electronic camera 10.

Next, the information processing means 380 performs the processing of displaying the image recorded in the image file received from the electronic camera 10 on the display means 368 in S404 "Display received image". When the electronic camera 10 receives the "OK" information at the "Com46", the information processing unit 180 resets the idle timer (td) to the timer 190A in response to the execution of the communication process, and then restarts the idle timer. An instruction to set (td) is output.

In addition, the user operates the "user operation 35" ...
When an instruction to select a desired image is input through the input unit 174 in the "user operation 38", the process performed by the information processing unit 180 is S312 "display image change (Δ / ▽)"- S318 “Change display image (Δ / ▽)”. In S312 to S318, in response to the execution of the input process, the idle timer (td) is reset to the timer 190A, and the idle timer (td) is reset again.
The instruction to set is output. And the display means 168
The process of moving the selection frame (cursor) of the still image thumbnail displayed on the screen or the process of scrolling the displayed still image thumbnail is performed.

When the user operates the electronic camera 10 to browse the display in this way, the mobile terminal 30 is not communicating and the mobile terminal 30 is not being communicated.
Is not operated, the idle timer (time tp) is up and a timeout occurs in S406. After that, the mobile terminal 30 is in the "timeout" state,
Since the "Idle Timeout" information instructing to shift to the standby state has not been transmitted from the electronic camera 10 side, the mobile terminal 30 maintains the operating state without being set to the standby mode. Note that, conventionally, since the portable terminal 30 is set to the standby mode here, the communication cannot be executed even if the electronic camera 10 tries to restart the communication thereafter.

According to the present invention, the portable terminal 30 has not yet set to the standby mode at this point, and the electronic camera 10 is given an "Idle Timeout" indicating that the idle timer (tp) of the portable terminal 30 is not up. Is sent. The “Idle Timeout” is changed to “Com4
When the electronic camera 10 receives "8", the information processing unit 180 of the electronic camera 10 refers to its own idle timer (td). In this state, the idle timer (td) is still
Is not up and has not timed out, the timeout pending flag is set and RA
Record in M184. Then, it is indicated that the electronic camera 10 has not timed out "Pending".
The information of “Timeout” is transmitted to the mobile terminal 30.

[0137] The "Pending Timeout"
The information processing means 380 that has received the information of (3) cancels (clears) the timeout of the idle timer (tp) in response to the execution of the communication, and then restarts the idle timer (t).
p) is set.

When the user operates the input means 174 by "user operation 38", the timeout hold flag recorded in the RAM 184 is reset in response to the user's operation.

When an instruction for confirming a desired image (transmitting an image to the portable terminal 30) is input through the input means 174 by the "user operation 39", the information processing means 180 is displayed. The process to be performed proceeds to S320 “image selection”. In S320, in response to the execution of the input processing, the timer 190A outputs an instruction to reset the idle timer (td) and set the idle timer (td) again. Then, the image file corresponding to the still image thumbnail displayed on the display unit 168 is read from the recording medium 177 and transmitted to the mobile terminal 30 via the transmission / reception unit 157.

The information of the image file "Image Put" transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is received by the portable terminal 30 in "Com68". Information processing means 380 of the mobile terminal 30 that received the image file at "Com68"
Responds to the fact that the communication processing has been carried out, the timer 390A
In response to the reset, the idle timer (tp) is reset, and an instruction to set the idle timer (tp) again is output.

Then, the information processing means 380 carries out a process of recording the received image file in the recording means such as the recording medium 377. When the reception of the image file is completed, the information processing means 380 performs a process of transmitting “OK” information indicating the completion of the image file reception to the electronic camera 10.

Next, the information processing means 380 performs the processing of displaying the image recorded in the image file received from the electronic camera 10 on the display means 368 in S408 "Display received image". When the electronic camera 10 receives the "OK" information at the "Com50", the information processing unit 180 resets the idle timer (td) to the timer 190A in response to the execution of the communication process, and then restarts the idle timer. An instruction to set (td) is output.

When the user inputs an instruction to select a desired image through the input means 174 by the "user operation 40", the processing executed by the information processing means 180 is S3.
22 Proceed to “Change display image (△ / ▽)”. In step S322, the timer 190A receives the fact that the input process is performed.
, The idle timer (td) is reset and an instruction to set the idle timer (td) again is output.
Then, the process of moving the selection frame (cursor) of the still image thumbnail displayed on the display unit 168 or the process of scrolling the displayed still image thumbnail is performed.

In the next "user operation 41", when an instruction to confirm the desired image (execute the image transmission to the portable terminal 30) is input through the input means 174, the information processing means The process performed by 180 proceeds to S324 “image selection”. In step S324, the idle timer (t
d) is reset and an instruction to set the idle timer (td) again is output. Then, the image file corresponding to the still image thumbnail displayed on the display unit 168 is read from the recording medium 177 and transmitted to the mobile terminal 30 via the transmission / reception unit 157.

The information of the image file "Image Put" transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is received by the portable terminal 30 in "Com70". Information processing means 380 of the mobile terminal 30 that received the image file at "Com70"
Responds to the fact that the communication processing has been carried out, the timer 390A
In response to the reset, the idle timer (tp) is reset, and an instruction to set the idle timer (tp) again is output.

Then, the information processing means 380 carries out a process of recording the received image file in the recording means such as the recording medium 377. When the reception of the image file is completed, the information processing means 380 performs a process of transmitting “OK” information indicating the completion of the image file reception to the electronic camera 10.

Thereafter, the portable terminal 3 is also used for the electronic camera 10.
If no information is input by the user even with respect to 0, the idle timer (td) of the electronic camera 10 is up in S326 and a time-out occurs.
When the information processing unit 180 detects the timeout of the idle timer by interruption or polling, “Co
In "m52", the information processing unit 180 indicates, through the transmission / reception unit 157, "Id" that the mobile terminal 30 has timed out to shift to the power saving mode in the electronic camera 10.
"le Timeout" information is output.

The portable terminal 30 displays the "Idle Time"
When the information "out" is received from the electronic camera 10, the information processing unit 380 performs a process of reading the value of the idle timer (tp) counted by the timer 390A. At this stage, the idle timer (tp) of the mobile terminal 30 has not been set up yet, so the mobile terminal 30 side does not set the standby mode. The information processing means 380 sets the timeout hold flag and records it in the recording means such as the memory 381. Further, the information processing unit 380 outputs, to the electronic camera 10, information on “Pending Timeout” indicating that the idle timer (tp) on the mobile terminal 30 side has not yet expired.

The electronic camera 10 uses the "Pending
When the information of "Timeout" is received, the information processing means 1
80 sets the timeout hold flag to RAM1
The recording processing such as 84 is performed. Furthermore, the information processing unit 180 indicates “Pendin” indicating that the idle timer (tp) on the mobile terminal 30 side has not yet expired.
The information of “g Timeout” is output to the mobile terminal 30.

In S410, when the idle timer (tp) is up and a time-out occurs, the information processing means 3
Reference numeral 80 refers to the timeout hold flag recorded in the memory 381. As shown in the figure, when the timeout hold flag is set, the information processing means 3
Reference numeral 80 outputs information of “Disconnect request (power off)” to the electronic camera 10.

The above "Disconnect request"
The electronic camera 10 that has received the information of "st (power off)"
Performs a process of reading the value of the idle timer (td) counted by the timer 190A as necessary. At this stage, the idle timer (td) of the electronic camera 10 is not up yet, but the timeout hold flag is set to RAM1.
Since it is set to 84, the process of setting the electronic camera 10 to the standby mode is started. First, the information processing means 18
0 transmits “Disconnect request (power off)” information indicating that the mobile terminal 30 may be set to the standby mode to the mobile terminal 30.

The above "Disconnect request"
The information processing unit 380 of the mobile terminal 30, which has received the information of “st (power off)” from the electronic camera 10, terminates the communication process and specifies the non-operating state for shifting to the power saving mode with respect to the power supply 391. To do. The power supply 391 set to the non-operation state stops the supply of power to peripheral devices that do not need to operate. Further, the information processing means 380 is set to the power saving mode in S412 "power off" by setting the operation clock slow.

Further, the information processing means 18 of the electronic camera 10
0 starts the end processing of the communication processing, and waits for the idle timer (td) of its own to rise if necessary, and then the information processing unit 180 causes the power supply 191 not to enter the power saving mode. Specify the operating state. The power supply 191 set to the non-operation state stops the supply of power to peripheral devices that do not need to operate. Further, the information processing means 180 sets S3 by setting the operation clock late.
At 30 "power off", the power saving mode is set.

By performing the processing for setting the power saving mode in the target model as described above, the timeout hold flag is set in the own device for the timeout notification obtained from another communication device, and the same timeout occurs. When the timeout of its own idle timer is detected while the hold flag is set, the auto power off process is performed.Therefore, it is possible to power off the device or shift the device to the power saving mode without hindering communication. Is possible.

Note that the timeout hold flag is reset when information of a general packet (other than notification of idle timer timeout) is received from another communication device or when an operation by the user occurs. is there.

[0156]

As described above, according to the communication device of the present invention, when the transmission / reception of information via the transmission / reception means or the input of an instruction from the user via the input means is not made for a predetermined time. A timeout occurs, and when the timeout occurs when receiving an idle timeout issued by another communication device via the transmitting / receiving means, the processing mode of the communication device is set to the standby mode,
Alternatively, since the operating power of the communication device is cut off, even if communication is being performed between multiple communication devices, the communication devices connected to each other can cooperate with each other to efficiently power off. Can be carried out.

Further, according to another aspect of the invention, there is a problem that the other communication device is unilaterally powered off between the devices connected for communication, and the communication device cannot perform communication. It becomes possible to prevent it.

According to another aspect of the invention, when the idle time-out of the own communication device does not occur when the idle time-out issued by the other communication device is received, the information for holding the time-out is changed to other information. Since the data is sent to the communication device, even when communication is being performed between multiple communication devices, it is possible for communication devices that are connected for communication to cooperate with each other and perform power-off efficiently. Becomes

According to another aspect of the invention, when the idle time-out issued by another communication device is received and the time-out has not occurred, a time-out hold flag is set in the recording means, and the time-out is later performed. When the timeout hold flag is set in the recording means, the processing mode of the communication device is set to the standby mode or the operating power of the communication device is cut off. Even when communication is performed between the communication devices, the communication-connected communication devices can cooperate with each other to efficiently perform power-off.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even when a plurality of communication devices are used to mutually transmit and receive information, an efficient transition to the power saving mode and a power-off process for each communication device are performed. Can be carried out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an electronic camera that is one form of a communication device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a signal processing system of an electronic camera which is one mode of a communication device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display of various setting modes provided on a mode switching dial.

FIG. 4 is an external view of a mobile terminal which is one mode of a communication device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a signal processing system of a mobile terminal which is one mode of a communication device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of communication processing performed between an electronic camera (communication device on the client side) and a mobile terminal (communication device on the server side).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of communication processing performed between an electronic camera (communication device on the client side) and a mobile terminal (communication device on the server side).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of communication processing in a target model executed between an electronic camera and a mobile terminal.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of communication processing in a target model executed between the electronic camera and the mobile terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Electronic camera, 30 ... Portable terminal, 100 ... Lens barrel, 105 ... Power switch, 106 ... Release button,
107 ... Mode switching dial, 113 ... Cross button, 1
50 ... Imaging means, 153 ... Image processing means, 154 ... A /
D converter, 156 ... Antenna, 157 ... Transmitting / receiving means, 1
62 ... Communication connector, 167 ... Compression / expansion means, 168 ...
Display means 169 ... OSD, 171 ... Frame memory,
172 ... D / A converter, 174 ... Input means, 175 ... I
/ O, 177 ... recording medium, 178 ... recording medium mounting portion, 1
79 ... Recording medium interface, 180 ... Information processing means, 182 ... Nonvolatile memory, 184 ... RAM, 190
… Calendar clock, 190A… Timer, 191… Power supply, 1
91A ... Battery, 193 ... Light emitting means, 194 ... Light emitting control means, 199 ... Bus, 305 ... Power switch, 356 ... Antenna, 357 ... Transmitting / receiving means, 368 ... Displaying means, 36
9 ... Touch panel, 370 ... Touch panel control means, 3
71 ... Frame memory, 372 ... Display control means, 374
... Input means, 375 ... I / O, 377 ... Recording medium, 37
8 ... Recording medium mounting unit, 379 ... Recording medium interface, 380 ... Information processing means, 381 ... Memory, 382 ...
Non-volatile memory, 390 ... Calendar clock, 390A ... Timer, 399 ... Bus

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. When a user does not transmit or receive information via the transmitting / receiving means or inputs an instruction from the user via the input means for a predetermined time, the timer times out, and another timer is transmitted via the transmitting / receiving means. If the timeout occurs when receiving an idle timeout issued by the communication device, the processing mode of the communication device is set to a standby mode, or the operating power of the communication device is cut off. Communication equipment. 2. When the idle time-out issued by another communication device is received and the time-out of its own communication device has not occurred, the information for holding the time-out is transmitted to the other communication device via the transmitting / receiving means. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device transmits to the communication device. 3. When a timeout has not occurred when an idle timeout issued by another communication device is received, a timeout hold flag is set in the recording means, and the timeout occurs later, The communication according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the timeout hold flag is set in the recording means, the processing mode of the communication device is set to a standby mode or the operating power of the communication device is cut off. machine.