JP2006186942A - Portable type information communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable type information communication device for informing the printing end of a printer installed in a store and the like promptly to a user. <P>SOLUTION: A printer 12 installed in a store, such as a photography store, for carrying out printing based on image data from outside can communicate with a portable type information communication device 10 through Bluetooth. When the telephone number and image data are transmitted from the portable type information communication device 10 having a camera function to the printer 12 through Bluetooth, the printer 12 transmits the notification of end to an address of telephone number at the end of print through the Bluetooth or a portable telephone base station 14 after the printing based on the received image data is completed by the printer 12. Then, the portable type information communication device 10 receives the notification of end through the Bluetooth or the portable telephone base station 14 according to the distance from the printer 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information communication device such as a mobile phone, and more particularly to a portable information communication device that promptly notifies a user of the end of printing by a printer installed in a store or the like.

  In recent years, cellular phones have been widely used, and multi-functionalization has been achieved in response to various user requests. For example, devices having functions such as a digital camera, a barcode reader, and a video phone have already been put into practical use.

  A mobile phone equipped with a digital camera function is at a level comparable to the performance of a popular digital camera, and has the convenience that it is not necessary to bring a digital camera for business trips or vacations.

  Normally, images taken with a digital camera or a mobile phone are connected to a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) with a cable and taken into the PC, or a memory card mounted on the digital camera or mobile phone. Is loaded into a slot of a PC and read, and a predetermined paper can be printed by a printer connected to the PC.

  However, the PC cannot be used when it is desired to print and view at a travel destination or business trip destination. Recently, printing devices have been installed in camera stores, photo stores, mass retailers, etc., bring digital cameras, camera phones, etc. into the store, connect the main unit to the printing device, or take out the memory card and load it into the printing device As a result, services for printing using photographed image data are becoming widespread.

In addition, the image data is transmitted by e-mail from a PC or the like together with order information to a print ordering device installed in a photo shop or the like via a wireless local area network (LAN) communication device installed in a convenience store or an Internet cafe. In addition, an ordering device is known that notifies an e-mail address of completion of printing when printing is completed, and further arranges delivery of the print to a predetermined location (for example, Patent Documents). 1).
JP 2004-62525 A ([0045] to [0086], FIGS. 2 to 5)

  However, according to conventional portable information devices, when visiting a store and requesting printing, it is not possible to know the time when printing will end at the requesting stage, and therefore the store will again return to the store at the designated completion time. However, there is a problem that the time cannot be effectively used even when there is another business, because it is necessary to wait until the printing is completed.

  In addition, even when a print request is sent from a PC or the like near a store, the end notification is frequently used and is sent to the PC or the like by email instead of a mobile phone that can be easily checked anywhere. Poor utility.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable information communication apparatus that promptly notifies the user of the end of printing by a printer installed in a store or the like.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a storage unit for storing recording data such as an image,
Communication that outputs the recording data and processing information of the recording data and contact information related to a notification after the processing is completed to the transmission destination, and receives a processing completion notification from the transmission destination through a communication path based on the contact information. And a portable information communication device.

  According to the portable information communication device of the present invention, since the end notification is transmitted when the processing at the transmission destination is completed, the user can quickly know that the processing at the transmission destination has been completed, It can be used effectively.

(Embodiment of the Invention)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable information communication device.

(Print system configuration)
The print system 1 includes a communication interface such as a wireless LAN, a portable information communication device 10 possessed by a user, a digital camera 11 as a portable information device possessed by the user, a camera store, a photo shop, and the like. Installed in the portable information communication device 10 or the digital camera 11 to print image data on paper or the like, a public telephone line 13 connected to the printer 12, and a public telephone line 13. And a mobile phone base station 14 that communicates with the portable information communication device 10 wirelessly. In addition to the portable information communication device 10, there are electronic devices that can be used by mounting or connecting a communication interface such as a PC or a mobile phone as a device that can use the above-described print system.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the portable information communication device 10 includes a control unit 100 that controls the operation of each unit, a memory 101 that stores data and programs, a public wireless service such as a wireless LAN, or a Bluetooth communication method. , Wireless communication unit 102 that performs wireless communication, antenna 102a connected to the transmission / reception unit, interface unit 103 that communicates with the outside by wire, and operation switches 104a and 104b for performing an input operation by an operator The operation switch unit 104 having a touch panel function, a liquid crystal display unit 105 having a touch panel function, a camera unit 106, and a card slot 107 into which a memory card 15 such as a flash memory is inserted and removed are connected by a bus 109. . An image photographed by the camera unit 106 is configured to be stored in a built-in memory or the memory card 15, and image data can be transferred by BIP (Basic Imaging Profile). When sending data such as image data, data such as wireless communication environment information, e-mail address, telephone number, name, number of prints, size, payment method, etc., as contact information for print end notifications are specified to identify the sender Is sent.

  In addition, the portable information communication device 10 includes a telephone function unit 108 and an antenna 108 a for performing a voice call and data communication via the public telephone line 13.

  The digital camera 11 includes an optical lens, a CCD, a built-in memory, a CPU, and the like. Further, the digital camera 11 is configured such that a memory card 16 for storing captured images can be attached and detached.

  The printer 12 is connected to the portable information communication device 10 by a wireless unit 12a that performs wireless communication by a wireless method such as wireless LAN, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), Bluetooth, and the like, and a transmission / reception circuit of the wireless unit 12a. An antenna 12b, and a printing unit 12c that prints a designated number of sheets on a print paper having a size and paper quality designated by the user by image data from the portable information communication device 10 and the digital camera 11 are provided. Further, the printer 12 has a function of connecting to the mobile phone base station 14 via the public telephone line 13 and calling the portable information communication device 10. The wireless unit 12a includes a Bluetooth module and has a function of transferring image data by BIP to and from the portable information communication device 10.

  The printer 12 further includes an insertion port for detachably attaching the memory cards 15 and 16 attached to the portable information communication device 10 and the digital camera 11, and has a function of capturing image data from the memory cards 15 and 16. An operation unit is provided for designating user information such as size, material such as paper or cloth, paper quality, number of sheets, telephone number desired to be called.

  The mobile phone base station 14 is a wireless communication facility having a communication area with a predetermined communication radius, and includes an antenna 14a. The mobile phone base station 14 is portable for responding to calls from the portable information communication device 10 and calls from others. It has a function of calling the information communication device 10.

(Print system operation)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing system shown in FIGS. FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart for connection and communication between the portable information communication device and the printer in the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a case where the portable information communication device 10 accesses the printer 12 based on wireless communication by Bluetooth and makes a print request will be described. Note that S in FIG. 3 represents a step.

  First, a user who wants to print at a photo shop or the like operates the portable information communication device 10 within a store or a distance that Bluetooth can reach the store, and searches whether or not communication with the printer 12 via Bluetooth is possible. (S101).

  The printer 12 responds to the search from the portable information communication device 10 (S102), and sends a reply to the portable information communication device 10 (S103). Thereby, the portable information communication device 10 recognizes that the printer 12 can be used by Bluetooth (S104).

  If no response is obtained even after a certain period of time has elapsed, the portable information communication device 10 displays a message to that effect on the liquid crystal display unit 105, such as text display or an image. In this case, the user removes the memory card 15 from the card slot 107 of the portable information communication device 10, inserts it into the insertion slot of the printer 12, operates according to the usage of the printer 12, and requests printing.

  When the portable information communication device 10 confirms the reply from the printer 12 in S104, it transmits a connection request for transmitting image data to the printer 12 as shown in FIG. 4A (S105). When the printer 12 receives the connection request from the portable information communication device 10 (S106), the printer 12 transmits a signal permitting the connection request to the portable information communication device 10 except when it is in a busy state (S107).

  When the portable information communication device 10 receives a signal permitting the connection request (S108), the portable information communication device 10 automatically transmits contact information held by the portable information communication device 10 (S109). When the printer 12 receives the contact information from the portable information communication device 10 (S110), the printer 12 notifies the portable information communication device 10 of a signal indicating that the contact information has been received (S111). Receiving this notification (S112), the portable information communication device 10 reads out the image data stored in the built-in memory or the memory card 15 inserted in the card slot 107 and transmits it to the printer 12 (S113). At this time, data such as print size, number of prints, and paper quality are also transmitted.

  The printer 12 receives the image data from the portable information communication device 10 (S114), and transmits a notification that the reception is completed to the portable information communication device 10 after the reception is completed (S115). Upon receiving the reception completion notification (S116), the portable information communication device 10 transmits a Bluetooth communication disconnection request to the printer 12 (S117). Upon receiving the disconnect request (S118), the printer 12 disconnects the communication (S119).

  After the communication disconnection, the user can wait in the store until the printing is completed, or spend time by shopping in another store.

  After disconnecting the communication (S119), the printer 12 performs printing according to the designated size, paper quality, number of sheets, etc. (S120). When printing is completed, the printer 12 calls the portable information communication device 10 by Bluetooth as shown in FIG. 4B in order to notify the user of the completion of printing.

  The communication range of Bluetooth is a distance of about 100 m at the maximum and varies depending on surrounding conditions. Therefore, when the user is away from the store, the user may be out of the communication area 17 and cannot communicate. . When there is no response to the call for a certain period of time, the printer 12 stops calling the portable information communication device 10 by Bluetooth, and as shown in FIG. 4C, the printer 12 receives the telephone number of the contact information received in S110. A call is sent through the public telephone line 13 (S121). The mobile phone base station 14 calls the portable information communication device 10 via the mobile communication network based on the transmission of the printer 12. When the user puts the portable information communication device 10 in a receiving state in response to the call, a voice message informing the end of printing transmitted from the printer 12 is reproduced as an end notification.

  If the e-mail address is notified as the contact information and is designated as the end notification method, the end notification can also be transmitted by e-mail instead of sending a voice message by telephone.

  When the user receives the end notification via Bluetooth or the mobile phone base station 14 by the portable information communication device 10 possessed (S122), the user goes to the store that requested the print, receives the printed photograph, Make a payment.

(Effect of Embodiment of Invention)
According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the print end notification transmitted from the printer 12 based on the end of printing is transmitted to the portable information communication device 10 via any one of the plurality of communication paths, the first communication path is used. Even when notification is difficult, it is possible to accurately and promptly notify the portable information communication device 10 of the end of printing via the second or other communication path.

(2) Since the printer 12 is notified of the end of printing accurately and promptly to the user, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of communication problems such as leakage of notification to the user from the store side that owns the printer 12 and notification failure. .

(3) Since the procedure for notifying the user of the portable information communication device 10 is automatically performed, the user does not have to perform troublesome operations and can easily use the printer 12. it can.

  In the above-described embodiment, communication between the portable information communication device 10 and the printer 12 is performed by Bluetooth. However, when a notebook computer or the like is used as an electronic device capable of communication, Bluetooth is used. In addition, communication can be performed based on other communication standards such as a wireless LAN.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the printing by the printer 12 may be media other than paper, such as shirts and handkerchiefs, in addition to paper.

  The data transmitted from the portable information communication device 10 to the printer 12 is not limited to image data, and may be text data such as a document.

1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a portable information communication apparatus. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the print system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is an operation | movement flowchart at the time of the connection between the portable information communication apparatus and printer in embodiment of this invention and communication.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Print system, 10 ... Portable information communication apparatus, 11 ... Digital camera, 12 ... Printer, 12a ... Wireless part, 12b ... Antenna, 12c ... Printing part, 13 ... Public telephone line, 14 ... Mobile phone base station, 14a ... Antenna, 15 ... Memory card, 16 ... Memory card, 17 ... Communication area, 100 ... Control part, 101 ... Memory, 102a ... Antenna, 102 ... Wireless communication part, 103 ... Interface part, 104a, 104b ... Operation switch, 104 ... Operation switch part, 105 ... Liquid crystal display part, 106 ... Camera part, 107 ... Card slot, 108a ... Antenna, 108 ... Telephone function part, 109 ... Bus

Claims (7)

A storage unit for storing recording data such as images;
Communication that outputs the recording data and processing information of the recording data and contact information related to a notification after the processing is completed to the transmission destination, and receives a processing completion notification from the transmission destination through a communication path based on the contact information. And a portable information communication device.   2. The portable information communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit inputs a notification of the completion of the processing from the transmission destination via the same communication path as the communication path at the time of transmission of the recording data and the contact information. .   The portable information communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit inputs the processing completion notification from the transmission destination via a communication path different from a communication path at the time of transmission of the recording data and the contact information.   The portable information communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit outputs information about a plurality of communication paths that receive the processing completion notification as the contact information to a transmission destination.   The portable information communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit outputs the recorded data and the contact information to the transmission destination based on wireless communication.   The portable information communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit outputs the recorded data and the contact information to a memory configured to be connectable to the transmission destination.   The portable information communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit inputs a notification of the completion of processing from the transmission destination via a public telephone line.

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