JP2011070506A - Communication apparatus, method of controlling the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication apparatus enabling operation of confirming communication operation and starting communication to be smoothly performed without using any operation member. <P>SOLUTION: The communication apparatus can perform communication by using near field wireless communication to communicate with external equipment according to the proximity of the communication apparatus to the external equipment, and includes: an attitude detection means for detecting the attitude of the communication apparatus; a detection means for detecting the proximity of the communication apparatus to external equipment; a reception means for, when the first proximity of the communication apparatus to the external equipment is detected by the detection means, receiving the device information from the external equipment; a guidance means for guiding the association of the attitude of the communication apparatus with the communicating operation of the external equipment based on the device information received by the reception means; and a control means for, after communication is disconnected base on the first proximity and when the second proximity of the communication apparatus to the external equipment is detected by the detection means, controlling the communication apparatus to perform a communication operation with the external equipment associated with the attitude detected by the attitude detection means in the second proximity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device capable of communicating using proximity wireless communication that communicates with an external device in response to proximity to the external device, a communication device control method, and a program.

  In recent years, data communication by proximity wireless communication has been put into practical use (Patent Document 1). In addition, TransferJet has been proposed as a proximity wireless communication technology assuming communication of image data. The present technology has a feature that a communication distance is within 3 cm because transmission is performed using an induction electric field instead of a radiated electromagnetic field used in general wireless transmission. For this reason, there is no need to specify a communication partner or encryption, and there is an advantage that communication can be started immediately by simply bringing the devices close to each other.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-141537

  If the above-described proximity wireless communication technology is applied, it is possible to change the communication operation for each combination of communication devices or for each state of the communication device. As a result, the communication operation can be easily changed without using the operation member.

  However, when the above configuration is considered, if the user does not grasp the communication operation performed in advance, there is a possibility that wrong data is transferred or wrong processing is executed.

  On the other hand, if the confirmation operation of the communication operation accompanied by the operation of the operation member is performed, there is a possibility of losing the merit that the communication can be started immediately only by bringing the devices close to each other without using the operation member. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can smoothly perform a task of confirming a communication operation and starting communication without using an operation member.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication device of the present invention is a communication device capable of communicating using proximity wireless communication that communicates with an external device in response to the proximity of the external device, and the attitude of the communication device And a device for receiving device information from the external device when a first approach to the external device is detected by the detection unit. The communication means is disconnected based on the first approach, the receiving means that performs guidance based on the device information received by the receiving means, and the guidance means that guides the correspondence between the attitude of the communication device and the communication operation with the external device. And when the second proximity to the external device is detected by the detection means, the attitude detected by the attitude detection means is associated with the second proximity. And characterized by comprising a control means for controlling to perform communication operations between the external device.

  According to the present invention, the operation of confirming the communication operation and starting communication can be smoothly performed without using the operation member.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structural example of the imaging device which is 1st Embodiment of the communication apparatus of this invention. (A) is the figure which looked at the imaging device from the front side, (b) is the figure which looked at the imaging device from the back side. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the imaging apparatus. (A) is a figure which shows the state which the imaging device has left | separated from the external device, (b) is a figure which shows the state which the imaging device approached the external device for the first time. (A) is a figure which shows the state which the imaging device has left | separated from the external device, (b) is a figure which shows the state which the imaging device approached the external device for the first time. (A) is a figure which shows the state which the imaging device has left | separated from the external device, (b) is a figure which shows the state which the imaging device approached the external device for the first time. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the imaging apparatus is separated from the external device from the state of FIG. 4B, and FIG. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structural example of the imaging device which is 2nd Embodiment of the communication apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the positional relationship of the some antenna part of an imaging device, and the antenna part of an external apparatus. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the imaging apparatus. It is a flowchart figure in which the process is performed in the present Example 2. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the guidance image displayed on the display apparatus of an imaging device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of an imaging apparatus which is a first embodiment of a communication apparatus of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, an optical image of a subject is imaged on the imaging device 121 via the lens 210 of the lens unit 200, the diaphragm 211, the lens mounts 102 and 202, and the shutter 144. . The image sensor 121 converts the formed optical image into an electrical signal.

  The A / D converter 122 converts the output signal of the image sensor 121 into a digital signal, and the A / D converted digital signal is stored in the memory 127 under the control of the memory controller 124 and the system controller 120.

  The image processing unit 123 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the digital signal data converted by the A / D conversion unit 122 or the data from the memory control unit 124. The image processing unit 123 also includes a compression / decompression circuit that compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like.

  The image processing unit 123 can also read an image stored in the memory 127 and perform compression processing or decompression processing, and write the processed data to the memory 127. Further, in the moving image shooting mode, the image processing unit 123 can compress a series of moving image data captured in the memory 127 by the MPEG method or the like during recording.

  Further, the image processing unit 123 can perform predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data and perform image processing such as contrast, brightness, saturation, white balance, and sharpness. Furthermore, the image processing unit 123 also performs TTL (through the lens) type AWB (auto white balance) processing.

  The memory control unit 124 controls transmission / reception of data between the A / D conversion unit 122, the image processing unit 123, the liquid crystal panel display unit 125, the external removable memory unit 131 and the memory 127. Data of the A / D conversion unit 122 is written into the memory 127 via the image processing unit 123, the memory control unit 124, or directly via the memory control unit 124.

  The display device 110 includes a liquid crystal panel display unit 125 and a backlight illumination unit 126 that irradiates the liquid crystal panel display unit 125 with the back surface.

  The liquid crystal panel display unit 125 can display a menu screen written in the display data storage area of the memory 127 or an image file stored in the external removable memory unit 131.

  The memory 127 stores captured still images and moving images, images for reproduction display, and audio files, and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and moving images. In the memory 127, a program stack area, a status storage area, a calculation area, a work area, and an image display data area of the system control unit 120 are secured. In the status storage area, a counter is provided that counts the number of times that the imaging apparatus 100 approaches the external device.

  As the nonvolatile memory 128, for example, a flash memory or an EEPROM is used. The non-volatile memory 128 stores each communication operation and guidance image data, in addition to storing a shooting state and a program for controlling the imaging apparatus 100.

  The attitude detection unit 129 includes, for example, a sensor that can detect an attitude such as an angular acceleration sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a gyro sensor, and a detection circuit, and detects the attitude of the imaging apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the posture of the imaging apparatus 100 is detected by the posture detection unit 129, and the communication operation with the external device is changed according to the detected posture.

  The approaching object detection unit 130 is composed of an infrared light emitter and a light receiving circuit, emits infrared light at regular intervals, and determines whether or not the detected object is at a specified position by the amount of light reflected by the detected object. To detect. Based on the detection result of the approaching object detection unit 130, the system control unit 120 can determine whether, for example, the photographer is in contact with the viewfinder.

  The external detachable memory unit 131 is for recording and reading image files on a recording medium such as a memory card.

  The power supply unit 138 includes a battery, a battery detection circuit, a DCDC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like, and detects whether or not a battery is attached, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level. The power supply unit 138 controls the DCDC converter based on the detection result and the instruction from the system control unit 120, and supplies a necessary voltage to each block unit for a necessary period.

  The system control unit 120 controls the entire imaging apparatus 100. The system control unit 120 performs power management control for power saving by stopping power supply to unnecessary blocks in accordance with the operation state of the imaging apparatus 100.

  For example, in the case of image reproduction display or menu screen display, since the operation of the camera control block is unnecessary, the system control unit 120 performs the camera control unit 140, the photometry unit 142, the distance measurement unit 143, the image sensor 121, the lens unit 200, The power supply to the strobe unit 300 is shut off.

  The shutter control unit 141 controls driving of the shutter 144 in cooperation with the lens control unit 203 that controls the aperture 211 based on the photometric information from the photometric unit 142.

  The photometry unit 142 performs AE (automatic exposure) processing. The photometric unit 142 measures the exposure state of an image formed as an optical image by causing the light beam incident on the lens 210 to enter through the diaphragm 211, the lens mounts 202 and 102, and a photometric lens (not shown).

  The photometry unit 142 also has an EF (flash dimming) processing function in cooperation with the strobe unit 300. The strobe unit 300 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.

  The distance measuring unit 143 performs AF (autofocus) processing. The distance measuring unit 143 causes the light incident on the lens 210 to enter through the aperture 211, the lens mounts 202 and 102, and a distance measuring mirror (not shown), thereby adjusting the focused state of the image formed as an optical image. taking measurement.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, since the distance measurement unit 143 and the photometry unit 142 are exclusively provided, AF (autofocus) processing and AE (automatic exposure) processing are performed using the distance measurement unit 143 and photometry unit 142. , EF (flash dimming) processing is performed.

  The camera control unit 140 controls a series of operations as a camera through transmission / reception communication with the shutter control unit 141, the photometry unit 142, and the distance measurement unit 143. The camera control unit 140 can also control the lens unit 200 and the strobe unit 300.

  The reproduction switch 132 is a switch for displaying predetermined image data on the liquid crystal panel display unit 125. When the image file stored in the external removable memory unit 131 is reproduced and displayed, the reproduction switch 132 is operated. Further, it is possible to switch to the shooting mode by operating the playback switch 132 in the playback display mode.

  The menu switch 133 is a switch for displaying a list of various items on the liquid crystal panel display unit 125. The display contents include state settings related to shooting, recording medium format, clock settings, development parameter settings, user function settings (custom function settings), and the like.

  The mode dial 134 can switch and set various function shooting modes such as an automatic shooting mode, a program shooting mode, a shutter speed priority shooting mode, an aperture priority shooting mode, a manual shooting mode, a portrait shooting mode, and a landscape shooting mode.

  The release switch 135 is a switch that is turned on when the release button is half-pressed (SW1) and fully pressed (SW2).

  In the half-pressed state of the release button, the start of operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash dimming) processing is instructed.

  Further, when the release button is fully pressed, an image pickup process in which a signal read from the image sensor 121 is written into the memory 127 via the A / D converter 122 and the memory controller 124, the image processor 123 and the memory controller Development processing using the calculation at 124 is performed.

  Further, when the release button is fully pressed, the image data is read from the memory 127, further compressed by the image processing unit 123, and a series of recording processes for writing the image data to a recording medium (not shown) mounted in the external detachable memory unit 131. The operation start of the process is instructed.

  The operation unit 136 includes various buttons and switches, and can perform shooting mode, continuous shooting mode, set, macro, page feed, flash setting, menu movement, white balance selection, shooting image quality selection, exposure correction, and date / time setting.

  The power switch 137 can switch and set the power-on and power-off modes of the imaging apparatus 100. In addition, the power switch 137 can be set to switch the power on and power off settings of various accessory devices such as the lens unit 200, the strobe unit 300, and the recording medium.

  The timer 139 has a clock function, a calendar function, a timer counter function, and an alarm function, and is used for system management such as a transition time to the sleep mode and alarm notification.

  The lens mounts 102 and 202 are interfaces for connecting the lens unit 200. The connectors 101 and 201 electrically connect the lens unit 200 and are controlled by the camera control unit 140. The accessory shoes 111 and 301 are interfaces for connecting to the strobe unit 300.

  The lens control unit 203 controls the entire lens unit 200. The lens control unit 203 is a memory for storing operation constants, variables, programs, etc., identification information such as numbers unique to the lens unit 200, management information, function information such as an open aperture value, minimum aperture value, focal length, And a function of a nonvolatile memory for holding past setting values and the like.

  The lens control unit 203 also has a function of controlling the aperture 211, controlling the focusing of the photographing lens 210, and controlling zooming of the photographing lens 210.

  The strobe light emission control unit 302 controls the entire strobe unit 300 and controls the light emission amount and the light emission timing for a light emission unit such as a xenon tube (not shown) based on information from the photometry unit 142.

  The microphone 150 acquires audio information and converts the audio signal into an electric signal. The output signal of the microphone 150 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 151, and the converted digital signal is encoded by the AudioCodec unit 152.

  The encoded signal is stored in the memory 127 under the control of the memory control unit 124 and the system control unit 120.

  At the time of audio reproduction, an audio file stored in the memory 127 is decoded by the audio codec unit 152, and the decoded signal is converted into an analog signal by the D / A conversion unit 153 and output from the speaker 154 as audio.

  The wireless communication control unit 160 controls communication with an external device through an arbitrary wireless communication transmission path using electromagnetic waves or electric fields transmitted / received from the antenna unit 162.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the antenna unit 162 is disposed on the side of the lens unit 200 on the front side of the imaging device 100 (the side opposite to the display device 110).

  The communication strength detection unit 161 detects the strength of communication with an external device (for example, a printer) connected to the imaging device 100 by wireless communication from the strength of electromagnetic waves or electric fields.

  Here, in the present embodiment, proximity wireless communication using a communication method using an induced electric field is adopted as a wireless communication transmission path, and the communication intensity detection unit 161 is configured by an electric field detection sensor.

  If equipped with a distance measuring sensor, the communication strength may be detected from the distance to the external device that is the connection destination, and in addition, if it has a function that can measure the physical quantity replaced with the communication strength, Any method may be used.

  Further, as a wireless communication transmission line, a transmission line such as UWB, wireless AN, or Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an operation example of the imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described. Each process in FIG. 3 is executed by the CPU or the like of the system control unit 120 after the control program stored in the ROM or the like is loaded into the RAM.

  In step S100, the system control unit 120 determines whether or not the imaging device 100 is close to the external device based on the detection result of the communication strength by the communication strength detection unit 161, and the imaging device 100 is close to the external device. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S101.

  Here, the system control unit 120 determines that the imaging apparatus 100 has approached the external device when the communication strength detected by the communication strength detection unit 161 exceeds a threshold indicating a communicable state.

  In step S101, the system control unit 120 increments the value of the proximity counter stored in the memory 127 by 1, and proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the system control unit 120 refers to the value of the proximity count counter stored in the memory 127. If the proximity count is 1, the process proceeds to step S103. If the proximity count is 2, the system control unit 120 proceeds to step S103. The process proceeds to S106.

  In step S103, the system control unit 120 acquires device information of an external device that is a communication partner via the wireless communication control unit 160, and performs a communication operation according to the acquired device information and a guidance image to be displayed on the display device 110. Determine and proceed to step S104.

  Here, it is assumed that the proximity wireless communication employed as a transmission method in the present embodiment has a function of recognizing a MAC address that is a unique ID number of a device. By registering in advance in the nonvolatile memory 128 the type of external device that communicates and its MAC address, the external device can be identified from the received MAC address.

  The external device receives the polling signal transmitted from the imaging device 100 and returns a response to the imaging device 100. The imaging apparatus 100 reads the source MAC address information included in the response signal and identifies the external device.

  From the device information of the identified external device, a corresponding communication operation and a guidance image displayed on the display device 110 are selected by an instruction from the system control unit 120.

  Note that the relationship between the type of external device and the communication operation to be executed is stored in the nonvolatile memory 128 as a table. Thereby, different communication operations can be set according to the type of external device.

  In step S104, the system control unit 120 confirms the current mode (for example, the shooting mode and the playback mode) of the imaging apparatus 100, and proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, the system control unit 120 displays a guidance on the display device 110 about the relationship between the posture when the imaging device 100 approaches the external device and the communication operation performed in the posture, and returns to step S100. Once this stage is reached, the user may disconnect the close proximity wireless communication by moving the imaging device 100 away from the external device. Thereafter, when the imaging apparatus 100 is brought close to the external apparatus again, the process proceeds to step S106 through steps S100 to S102. Details will be described below.

  FIG. 4 shows an example when the external device is identified as a personal computer in step S103.

  4A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the imaging device 100 is separated from the external device, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the imaging device 100 is close to the external device for the first time. In the state of FIG. 4B, the system control unit 120 identifies the external device as a personal computer in step S103, and displays a guidance image on the display device 110 in step S105.

  In step S103, the guidance image is selected from a table stored in the nonvolatile memory 128 according to an instruction from the system control unit 120.

  The guidance display in FIG. 4B indicates that a moving image file is transferred to the external device when the image capturing apparatus 100 is close to the external device with A in the drawing as the upper side.

  When B is set to the upper side, the JPEG file is transferred to the external device. When C is set to the upper side, the thumbnail image is transferred to the upper side. When D is set to the upper side, the RAW file is transferred to the external device.

  Note that the content of the communication operation may be varied depending on the current mode of the imaging apparatus 100 confirmed in step S104.

  For example, FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the imaging device 100 is separated from the external device, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the imaging device 100 is close to the external device for the first time. is there.

  5B, the system control unit 120 identifies the external device as a printer in step S103, confirms that the current mode is the playback mode in step S104, and displays a guidance image on the display device 110 in step S105. To do.

  The display device 110 displays a guidance image that can faithfully select a process to be performed on the image at the time of printing, and select from snap, vivid, and landscape according to the orientation of the imaging device 100.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the imaging device 100 is separated from the external device, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the imaging device 100 is close to the external device for the first time. is there.

  In the state of FIG. 6B, the system control unit 120 identifies the external device as a printer in step S103, confirms that the current mode is the shooting mode in step S104, and displays a guidance image on the display device 110 in step S105. To do.

  The display device 110 displays a guidance image for selecting a folder to be printed according to the orientation of the imaging device 100 and printing the images all at once.

  The relationship between the type of external device, mode, communication operation, and guidance image data is stored as a table in the nonvolatile memory 128, and an appropriate communication operation and guidance image is selected according to an instruction from the system control unit 120. It is displayed on the display device 110.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the imaging apparatus 100 is separated from the external device from the state of FIG. 4B. In this state, the user looks at the guidance image on the display device 110 and performs a communication operation. And the posture of the imaging apparatus 100 are confirmed.

  Then, the posture of the imaging device 100 is changed so as to achieve a desired communication operation, and the imaging device 100 is brought close to an external device as shown in FIG. 7B.

  At this time, the system control unit 120 detects proximity in step S100 of FIG. 3, increments the value of the proximity number counter stored in the memory 127 in step S101, and sets the proximity number to 2 in step S102. Determination is made and the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, the system control unit 120 determines which direction of A, B, C, and D in FIG. Proceed to step S107.

  In step S107, the system control unit 120 sets a communication operation according to the determination result in step S106, and proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, the system control unit 120 starts communication by the communication operation set in step S107, and proceeds to step S109.

  Here, for example, in the case of FIG. 7B, since the upward direction of the imaging apparatus 100 is B, the communication operation set in step S107 is an operation of transferring a JPEG file.

  In this case, the system control unit 120 first transmits information to transfer the JPEG file to the external device. The external device receives the information, waits for data transfer, and returns a response to the imaging apparatus 100.

  Then, upon receiving a response from the external device, the system control unit 120 starts transferring the JPEG file.

  In step S109, the system control unit 120 determines whether the communication has ended, and when the communication ends, the process proceeds to step S110.

  In step S110, the system control unit 120 resets the value of the proximity number counter stored in the memory 127, and returns to step S100.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the imaging device 100 is brought closer to the external device once, the relationship between the communication operation and the posture of the imaging device is confirmed by the guidance image, and then the imaging device 100 is brought closer to the external device again. To start communication. Thereby, the operation | work of confirming communication operation and starting communication can be performed smoothly, without using an operation member.

  In addition, since communication is started after confirming the guidance image, even in complicated settings such as changing the communication operation according to the type of external device, the orientation of the imaging device, the setting mode, and the combination thereof, smooth communication is possible. Can communicate.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the number of items of communication operation and the number of detected postures of the imaging apparatus 100 match is illustrated, but the number of items of communication operation may be larger than the number of detectable postures. In this case, by performing a predetermined operation on the imaging apparatus 100, the next communication operation is assigned to each posture.

  For example, when the approaching object detection unit 130 of the imaging device 100 detects a detected object such as a hand, the next communication operation may be assigned and a guidance image may be newly displayed on the display device 110.

  In this way, since the operation can be performed simply by touching the approaching object detection unit 130, a communication operation can be assigned without touching the operation member.

  Further, the relationship between the posture of the imaging apparatus 100 and the communication operation may be changed by a user operation.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11, an imaging apparatus which is a second embodiment of the communication apparatus of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the part which overlaps or corresponds to the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to each figure and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of an imaging apparatus which is the second embodiment of the communication apparatus of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment replaces the attitude detection unit 129, the antenna unit 162, and the communication strength detection unit 161 of the first embodiment (FIG. 1) with antenna units 162a and 162b. And communication intensity detectors 161a and 161b.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a positional relationship between the antenna units 162 a and 162 b of the imaging apparatus 100 and the antenna unit 401 of the external device 400.

  The external device 400 is a home server with a built-in hard disk including an antenna unit 401 for close proximity wireless communication, and can transfer and record still image data and moving image data by wireless communication.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the front surface of the imaging device 100 is viewed from the front, an antenna unit 162a is disposed on the left side of the bottom surface of the imaging device 100, and an antenna unit 162b is installed on the right side of the bottom surface. In the external device 400, the antenna unit 401 is disposed on the right side of the top surface.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the front surface of the imaging device 100 is directed forward and the imaging device 100 is placed on the upper surface of the external device 400, the antenna unit 162 b of the imaging device 100 becomes the antenna unit of the external device 400. Proximity or contact with 401.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the rear surface of the imaging device 100 is directed forward and the imaging device 100 is placed on the upper surface of the external device 400, the antenna unit 162 a of the imaging device 100 becomes the antenna unit 401 of the external device 400. Proximity to or contact.

  Communication intensity detectors 161a and 161b are connected to the antenna units 162a and 162b of the imaging apparatus 100, respectively.

  Therefore, by detecting the communication strength of the antenna units 162a and 162b by the communication strength detection units 161a and 161b, it is possible to identify which of the antenna units 162a and 162b is close to or in contact with the antenna unit 401 of the external device 400. it can.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, an operation example of the imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described. Each process in FIG. 10 is executed by the CPU or the like of the system control unit 120 after the control program stored in the ROM or the like is loaded into the RAM.

  In step S200, the system control unit 120 determines whether or not the imaging apparatus 100 has approached the external device 400 based on the detection results of the communication strength by the communication strength detection units 161a and 161b, and has approached the external device 400. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S201.

  Here, the system control unit 120 determines that the imaging apparatus 100 has approached the external device 400 when the communication strength detected by the communication strength detection units 161a and 161b exceeds a threshold indicating a communicable state. Note that it may be determined whether or not the imaging apparatus 100 has approached the external device 400 based on the detection result of one of the communication strength detection units 161a and 161b.

  In step S201, the system control unit 120 increments the value of the proximity counter stored in the memory 127 by 1, and proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the system control unit 120 refers to the value of the proximity count stored in the memory 127. If the proximity count is 1, the process proceeds to step S203. If the proximity count is 2, the system control unit 120 proceeds to step S203. The process proceeds to S206.

  In step S203, the system control unit 120 acquires device information of an external device that is a communication partner via the wireless communication control unit 160, and performs a communication operation according to the acquired device information and a guidance image to be displayed on the display device 110. Determine and proceed to step S204.

  Here, since the proximity wireless communication employed as a transmission method in the present embodiment has a function of recognizing a MAC address that is a unique ID number of a device, this is used.

  By registering in advance in the nonvolatile memory 128 the type of external device that communicates and its MAC address, the external device can be identified from the received MAC address.

  The external device receives the polling signal transmitted from the imaging device 100 and returns a response to the imaging device 100. The imaging apparatus 100 reads the source MAC address information included in the response signal and identifies the external device.

  From the device information of the identified external device, a corresponding communication operation and a guidance image displayed on the display device 110 are selected by an instruction from the system control unit 120.

  Note that the relationship between the type of external device and the communication operation to be executed is stored in the nonvolatile memory 128 as a table. Thereby, different communication operations can be set according to the type of external device.

  In step S204, the system control unit 120 confirms the current mode (for example, the shooting mode and the playback mode) of the imaging apparatus 100, and proceeds to step S205.

  In step S205, the system control unit 120 displays the relationship between the positions of the antenna units 162a and 162b of the imaging device 100 and the communication operation performed by the antenna units 162a and 162b on the display device 110, and returns to step S200.

  In step S203, the guidance image is selected from the table stored in the nonvolatile memory 128 according to an instruction from the system control unit 120.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a guidance image displayed on the display device 110 of the imaging device 100.

  The guidance image in FIG. 11 indicates that a moving image file is transferred when the antenna unit 162a of the imaging apparatus 100 approaches or contacts the antenna unit 401 of the external device 400. Further, it is indicated that a still image file is transferred when the antenna unit 162b of the imaging apparatus 100 approaches or contacts the antenna unit 401 of the external device 400.

  In this case, the system control unit 120 identifies which of the antenna units 162a and 162b is close to or in contact with the antenna unit 401 of the external device 400 based on the communication strength detection results of the communication strength detection units 161a and 161b. Yes.

  Note that the content of the communication operation may be different depending on the current mode of the imaging apparatus 100 confirmed in step S204.

  In this case, the type of the external device, the mode of the imaging apparatus 100, the communication operation, and the relationship between each guidance image data are stored as a table in the nonvolatile memory 128, and an appropriate communication operation and guidance image are transmitted according to an instruction from the system control unit 120. Select and display on the display device 110.

  In step S206, the system control unit 120 detects the communication strength of the communication strength detection units 161a and 161b, and proceeds to step S207.

  In step S207, the system control unit 120 specifies an antenna unit that is close to or in contact with the antenna unit 401 of the external device 400 among the antenna units 162a and 162b based on the detection result of the communication strength in step S206. Proceed to step S208.

  In step S208, the system control unit 120 sets a communication operation according to the antenna unit specified in step S207, and proceeds to step S209.

  In step S209, the system control unit 120 starts communication with the communication operation set in step S208, and proceeds to step S209.

  Here, in the state of FIG. 11, the system control unit 120 transmits information indicating that the moving image file is transferred to the external device 400 via the wireless communication control unit 160.

  When the external device 400 receives the information, the external device 400 waits for data transfer and returns a response to the imaging apparatus 100.

  Then, when the system control unit 120 receives the response signal via the wireless communication control unit 160, the system control unit 120 starts to transfer the moving image file.

  In step S210, the system control unit 120 determines whether the communication has ended, and when the communication ends, the process proceeds to step S211.

  In step S211, the system control unit 120 resets the value of the proximity number counter stored in the memory 127, and returns to step S200.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the imaging apparatus 100 is brought close to the external device 400 once, and the relationship between the communication operation and the positions of the antenna units 162a and 162b of the imaging apparatus 100 is confirmed by the guidance image.

  Then, communication is started by bringing either one of the antenna units 162a and 162b of the imaging apparatus 100 closer to the external device 400 again. Thereby, the operation | work of confirming communication operation and starting communication can be performed smoothly, without using an operation member.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to what was illustrated by said each embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can change suitably.

  For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the guidance image is displayed on the display device 110 of the imaging device 100. However, the guidance image may be displayed on the display device of the external device. Guidance may be performed by voice from a speaker.

  When performing guidance using a display device or a speaker of an external device, for example, guidance image data or audio data stored in the nonvolatile memory 128 of the imaging device 100 may be transmitted to the external device.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the communication operation is changed according to the orientation of the imaging device 100 detected by the posture detection unit or the plurality of antenna units is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, in an imaging apparatus including a single antenna unit, the present invention also includes a case where guidance is confirmed at the first approach to an external device and communication is performed at the second approach without changing the communication operation. .

  In each of the above embodiments, the guidance is confirmed at the first approach, and communication is started at the second approach. However, if the orientation of the imaging device 100 at the first approach matches the communication operation to be performed, communication may be started by performing some operation on the imaging device 100.

  For example, when the orientation of the imaging device 100 at the time of the first approach matches the communication operation to be performed, communication may be started when the approaching object detection unit 130 detects the detected object. .

  In this way, communication can be started without performing the second approach operation by placing a hand or the like on the approaching object detection unit 130, so that the operation can be simplified. By using the detection unit 130, communication can be started without touching the operation member.

100 imaging device 120 system control unit 129 posture detection unit 130 approaching object detection unit 160 wireless communication control unit 161 communication strength detection unit 162 antenna unit 162a, 162b antenna unit 400 external device 401 antenna unit

Claims (6)

A communication device capable of communicating using proximity wireless communication that communicates with an external device in response to proximity to the external device,
Attitude detection means for detecting the attitude of the communication device;
Detecting means for detecting proximity to the external device;
Receiving means for receiving device information from the external device when a first approach to the external device is detected by the detecting means;
Guidance means for guiding the correspondence between the attitude of the communication apparatus and the communication operation with the external device based on the device information received by the receiving means;
After the communication is disconnected based on the first approach, and when the second approach to the external device is detected by the detection means, the posture detection means detects the second approach. Control means for controlling to perform a communication operation with the external device associated with the posture. The detection means detects proximity to the external device based on electromagnetic wave or electric field strength used for wireless communication transmission,
The communication apparatus according to claim 1. The guidance unit displays a guidance image on a display unit provided in the communication device or the external device.
The communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The guidance means performs voice guidance using a speaker provided in the communication device or the external device.
The communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein A method for controlling a communication device capable of communication using proximity wireless communication that communicates with an external device in response to proximity to the external device,
An attitude detection step for detecting the attitude of the communication device;
A detection step of detecting proximity to the external device;
A reception step of receiving device information from the external device when a first approach to the external device is detected by the detection step;
Based on the device information received in the receiving step, a guidance step for guiding the correspondence between the attitude of the communication device and the communication operation with the external device;
After the communication is disconnected based on the first approach, and when the second approach to the external device is detected in the detection step, the posture detection step detects the second approach. And a control step of controlling the communication operation with the external device associated with the posture. A program for controlling a communication device capable of communication using proximity wireless communication that communicates with an external device in response to proximity to the external device,
An attitude detection step for detecting the attitude of the communication device;
A detection step of detecting proximity to the external device;
A reception step of receiving device information from the external device when a first approach to the external device is detected by the detection step;
Based on the device information received in the receiving step, a guidance step for guiding the correspondence between the attitude of the communication device and the communication operation with the external device;
After the communication is disconnected based on the first approach, and when the second approach to the external device is detected in the detection step, the posture detection step detects the second approach. Causing the computer to execute a control step of controlling the communication operation with the external device associated with the posture,
A program characterized by that.