JP2019193145A - Information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable smooth connection to a camera without requiring a complicated operation in calling out an application for image acquisition from the application for image use to acquire image data from the camera.SOLUTION: A communication apparatus 101 is an information processing device in which a plurality of applications including a first application and a second application cooperatively perform information processing, and includes: calling means for performing a calling request for a second application from a first application; storage means for enabling reference to the first application and the second application to store identification information on connectable external devices; display means for performing display for allowing a user to select an external device by causing the first application to refer to the identification information; and communication means for establishing a connection with the selected external device to perform communication in starting the second application called from the first application.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that performs information processing using a plurality of applications.

  An information processing apparatus such as a smartphone can realize various functions by installing an OS and a plurality of applications and operating using each application. For example, an image can be captured by connecting to a camera using a camera connection application, or an image can be edited using an image editing application. Also, a function for using these multiple applications in cooperation with each other is known.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, data acquired by a cooperation source application by causing an MFP to execute scan processing is transmitted to a cooperation destination application via an operating system, thereby sharing data among a plurality of applications. It is disclosed.

JP 2012-212348 A

  For example, the information processing apparatus includes a first application for executing an image capturing process from a camera and a second application for executing an image upload. When the second application is activated, the first application is called to receive the image data acquired from the camera in order to acquire image data to be uploaded.

  However, in order to acquire image data from the camera, the first application needs to perform an operation such as switching the network connection in order to establish a Wi-Fi connection with the camera. In this case, there is a concern that if the user cannot connect to the camera well and makes a trial and error, he / she forgets that the user has called the first application in order to acquire image data for uploading with the second application. is there.

  The present invention makes it possible to smoothly connect to a camera without requiring a complicated operation when calling an application for capturing an image from an application for using an image and acquiring image data from the camera. .

  One embodiment of the present invention is an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of applications including at least a first application and a second application perform information processing in cooperation with each other, from the first application to the second application. Calling means for making a call request; storage means for storing identification information of an external apparatus that can be referred to by the first application and the second application and to which the information processing apparatus can be connected; and the first application , Referring to the identification information stored in the storage means, when starting the display means for the user to select an external device and the second application called from the first application A communication means for establishing communication with an external device selected by the user and performing communication An information processing apparatus characterized.

  According to the present invention, in an information processing apparatus, when an image capture application is called from an image use application and image data is acquired from the camera, a complicated operation is smoothly performed without requiring a complicated operation. It is possible to connect.

It is a figure for demonstrating the structural example of the network containing the communication apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the communication apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the software structural example of the communication apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the imaging device in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the process which shares the information of the camera list in which Wi-Fi connection is possible between Read-app and Write-app in embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence which starts Write-app from Read-app in the 1st Embodiment of this invention, acquires an image, and performs an image editing process. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen of Write-app in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen of Read-app in embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be exemplarily described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the constituent elements described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a user operates a communication device (smart phone) that is an information processing apparatus to activate an image editing application and activate a data capture application.

  Note that, as the “activation” of the application in the present embodiment, there are a case where an unactivated application is activated and an application that is activated in the background is moved to the foreground.

(Network configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a system including a communication device 101 as an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication device 101 can connect to the image capturing apparatus 102 using a data capturing application and capture an image from the image capturing apparatus 102 via the network 103. Note that the communication used for connection with the imaging apparatus 102 may be wired communication or wireless communication.

(Configuration of communication equipment)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the communication device 101 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, the CPU 201 controls processing of the entire communication device 101. The ROM 202 stores various control programs executed by the CPU 201, data, and the like. The RAM 203 has a work area for the CPU 201, a data save area during error processing, a control program load area, and the like. The HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 204 stores an OS (Operating System), various applications, various control programs executed in the communication device 101, contents, and data.

  An input I / F (interface) 205 includes various buttons such as a button for switching power ON / OFF. The BMU (bit move unit) 206 is, for example, data transfer between memories (for example, between the VRAM 207 and another memory) and data transfer between the memory and each I / O device (for example, the NETI / F 209). To control. In the VRAM 207, image data to be displayed on the display device 211 is drawn.

  The image data drawn in the VRAM 207 is transferred to the display device 211 in accordance with a predetermined rule, whereby an image is displayed on the display device 211. The display device 211 is equipped with a touch panel, and the user inputs an instruction related to the icon displayed at the position by touching the display surface of the display device 211. The NETI / F 209 communicates with the imaging device 102 and the like via the network 103. The bus 212 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration example of the communication device 101 according to the present embodiment.

  A predetermined OS 301 is installed in the communication device 101, and a data capturing application (hereinafter, “Write-app”) 302 and an image editing application (hereinafter, “Read-app”) 303 are installed. The CPU 201 of the communication device 101 activates the OS 301, performs basic processing performed by the communication device 101, and performs cooperation processing of installed applications and processing of recording data in the HDD 204 or the like.

  In addition, the CPU 201 of the communication device 101 activates Write-app 302 and performs processing for capturing an image from the imaging device 102 via the NETI / F 209, for example. In addition, the CPU 201 of the communication device 101 activates Read-app 303 to perform processing for processing the captured image and instructing the printing apparatus to print the image. Here, it can also be said that Write-app 302 is an input application and an output application.

  Furthermore, the CPU 201 of the communication device 101 enables connection and switching of a Wi-Fi network in order to communicate with a device such as the imaging apparatus 102 via the network 103 using the network connection processing of the OS 301. In addition, an inter-application data sharing area for sharing data between the write-app 302 and the read-app 303 is provided. The inter-application data sharing area may be a predetermined directory in the HDD 204 that is generally accessible, or an area that can be accessed only by both applications may be used. The communication device 101 can install a plurality of read-apps 303. In the present embodiment, one of them will be described as an example.

(Configuration of imaging device)
FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the imaging apparatus 102 that is an example of the external apparatus according to the present embodiment. Although an imaging device is described here as an example of an external device, the external device is not limited to this. For example, the external apparatus may be an information processing apparatus such as a portable media player, a so-called tablet device, or a personal computer.

  The control unit 401 controls each unit of the imaging apparatus 102 according to an input signal and a program described later. Instead of controlling the entire apparatus by the control unit 401, the entire apparatus may be controlled by a plurality of pieces of hardware sharing the processing.

  The imaging unit 402 includes, for example, an optical lens unit and an optical system that controls aperture, zoom, focus, and the like, and an imaging device that converts light (video) introduced through the optical lens unit into an electrical video signal. Composed. In general, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used as the imaging element. The imaging unit 402 is controlled by the control unit 401 to convert subject light imaged by the lens included in the imaging unit 402 into an electrical signal by the imaging device, and perform noise reduction processing or the like to convert the digital data. Output as image data. In the imaging apparatus 102 of the present embodiment, the image data is recorded on the recording medium 410 in accordance with, for example, a DCF (Design Rule for Camera File system) standard.

  The non-volatile memory 403 is an electrically erasable / recordable non-volatile memory, and stores a program to be described later executed by the control unit 401.

  The work memory 404 is used as a buffer memory that temporarily holds image data picked up by the image pickup unit 402, an image display memory of the display unit 406, a work area of the control unit 401, and the like.

  The operation unit 405 is used for the user to accept an instruction for the imaging apparatus 102 from the user. The operation unit 405 includes, for example, a power button 105a for instructing the user to turn on / off the power of the imaging apparatus 102, a release switch for instructing photographing, and a reproduction button for instructing reproduction of image data. Furthermore, an operation member such as a dedicated connection button for starting communication with an external device via a communication unit 411 described later is included. In addition, a touch panel formed on the display unit 406 described later is also included in the operation unit 405. The release switch has SW1 and SW2. When the release switch is in a so-called half-pressed state, SW1 is turned on. As a result, an instruction for making preparations for shooting such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing is accepted. Further, when the release switch is in a fully-pressed state, SW2 is turned on. As a result, an instruction for photographing is received.

  A display unit 406 displays a viewfinder image at the time of shooting, displays shot image data, and displays characters for interactive operation. Note that the display unit 406 is not necessarily included in the imaging device 102. The imaging device 102 can be connected to an internal or external display unit 406 and has at least a display control function for controlling display on the display unit 406.

  The recording medium 410 can record the image data output from the imaging unit 402. The recording medium 410 may be configured to be detachable from the imaging device 102 or may be built in the imaging device 102. That is, the imaging apparatus 102 only needs to have at least a means for accessing the recording medium 410.

  The communication unit 411 is an interface for connecting to an external device. The imaging apparatus 102 according to the present embodiment can exchange data with an external apparatus via the communication unit 411. For example, the image data generated by the imaging unit 402 can be transmitted to an external device via the communication unit 411. In addition, imaging by the imaging unit 402 can be controlled from an external device via the communication unit 411. Note that in the present embodiment, the communication unit 411 includes an interface for communicating with an external device via a so-called wireless LAN in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard. The control unit 401 realizes wireless communication with an external device by controlling the communication unit 411.

  The close proximity wireless communication unit 412 includes, for example, an antenna for wireless communication and a modulation / demodulation circuit and a communication controller for processing a wireless signal. The near field communication unit 412 outputs a modulated wireless signal from the antenna, and demodulates the wireless signal received by the antenna, thereby performing near field communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.15 standard (so-called Bluetooth (registered trademark)). Realize. In the present embodiment, Bluetooth communication uses version 4.0 (hereinafter referred to as BLE) of Bluetooth Low Energy, which has low power consumption. This BLE communication has a narrower communicable range than wireless LAN communication (that is, a communicable distance is short). BLE communication has a lower communication speed than wireless LAN communication. On the other hand, BLE communication consumes less power than wireless LAN communication. The imaging apparatus 102 according to the present embodiment can exchange data with an external apparatus via the proximity wireless communication unit 412. For example, imaging by the imaging unit 402 can be controlled from an external device via the communication unit 411. However, since the communication speed is low, the image data generated by the imaging unit 402 is not transmitted.

  Note that the communication unit 411 of the imaging apparatus 102 in the present embodiment has an AP mode that operates as an access point in the infrastructure mode, and a CL mode that operates as a client in the infrastructure mode. Then, by operating the communication unit 411 in the CL mode, the imaging device 102 in the present embodiment can operate as a CL device in the infrastructure mode. When the imaging apparatus 102 operates as a CL device, it can participate in a network formed by the AP device by connecting to a peripheral AP device.

  In addition, by operating the communication unit 411 in the AP mode, the imaging apparatus 102 in the present embodiment is a kind of AP, but operates as a simple AP (hereinafter referred to as a simple AP) with more limited functions. Is also possible. When the imaging apparatus 102 operates as a simple AP, the imaging apparatus 102 forms a network by itself. Devices around the imaging device 102 can recognize the imaging device 102 as an AP device and participate in a network formed by the imaging device 102. It is assumed that a program for operating the imaging apparatus 102 is held in the nonvolatile memory 403 as described above.

  Note that the imaging apparatus 102 in the present embodiment is a kind of AP, but is a simple AP that does not have a gateway function for transferring data received from a CL device to an Internet provider or the like. Therefore, even if data is received from another device participating in the network formed by the own device, it is not transferred to a network such as the Internet.

  Next, the appearance of the imaging device 102 will be described. 4B and 4C are diagrams illustrating an example of the appearance of the imaging apparatus 102. FIG. The release switch 405a, the playback button 405b, the direction key 405c, and the touch panel 405d are operation members included in the operation unit 405 described above. The display unit 406 displays an image obtained as a result of imaging by the imaging unit 402.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus 102 according to the present embodiment includes the antenna portion of the proximity wireless communication unit 412 on the side surface of the camera housing. By bringing the close proximity wireless communication units 412 closer to a certain distance, close proximity wireless communication can be established with other devices. Thereby, it is possible to communicate in a non-contact manner without using a cable or the like, and it is possible to limit communication partners according to the user's intention.

(Processing procedure of communication equipment)
Next, a processing procedure of the communication device 101 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, first, a process in which the CPU 201 of the communication device 101 starts Read-app, receives a user instruction on a screen for performing processing by Read-app, and calls Write-app will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure in which the CPU 201 of the communication apparatus 101 shares information on a camera list in BLE connection capable of Wi-Fi connection between Read-app and Write-app in the present embodiment. It is a sequence diagram. Note that the processing described below is realized by the CPU 201 of the communication device 101 starting up the OS 301, Write-app 302, or Read-app 303, appropriately operating according to these, and controlling each unit.

  First, the CPU 201 of the communication device 101 starts processing by starting Write-app. Write-app is processed as a service executed in the background when the OS is started without receiving a start request from the user. You may have started. In T1000, a list in BLE connection capable of Wi-Fi connection is created in the inter-application data sharing area. The BLE device is searched, and the detected imaging device 102 is requested to make a BLE connection. When the connection is established, information on the target imaging device is added to the list of imaging devices connected to the BLE in the inter-application data sharing area.

  The information (identification information) for identifying the imaging device includes device information such as a MAC address and a serial number that uniquely identifies the imaging device, and a name such as a model name and a nickname. Similarly, when other imaging devices are detected, a BLE connection is similarly established and added to the list of imaging devices currently connected to the inter-application data sharing area. When the BLE connection with the imaging device is disconnected, the target imaging device is deleted from the list of BLE connections that can be connected to the inter-application data sharing area. By performing such processing, it is possible to update the list in BLE connection capable of Wi-Fi connection in the inter-application data sharing area in the latest state. In this way, using the detection state of the imaging device that is connected to BLE, the identification information of the imaging device that can be connected to Wi-Fi is updated depending on whether or not BLE connection is possible.

  In T1001, the CPU 201 of the communication device 101 activates Read-app in response to a user operation. When the CPU 201 starts Read-app, the CPU 201 displays a screen as shown in FIG. In the screen illustrated in FIG. 8A, the user selects an editing process to be executed via the touch panel of the display device 211. When “Upload a photo” is selected, a screen shown in FIG. 8B is displayed on the display device 211. On this screen, an image to be edited can be selected from images stored in the HDD 204 or the like. On the other hand, when editing an image that the communication device 101 does not hold, by selecting “Add photo from Write-app” and performing processing from T1002 to T1004, as shown in FIG. A screen for selecting a target camera to be connected is displayed on the display device 211.

  In T1002, a list of BLE connections that can be connected to Wi-Fi in the inter-application data sharing area is acquired, and imaging included in the list of BLE connections that can be connected to Wi-Fi as shown in FIG. 8C in T1003. Displays the name of the device.

  FIG. 6 shows that, in this embodiment, the CPU 201 of the communication device 101 starts Read-app and then starts Write-app to acquire an image from the external device by Write-app. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure for performing an image editing process by Read-app.

  The process illustrated in FIG. 6 starts when the user selects an imaging device from a screen for selecting a camera to be connected as illustrated in FIG.

  In T1101 of FIG. 6, the CPU 201 issues a request ID by Read-app, and additionally specifies an imaging device to be connected. In T502, the CPU 201 accepts the Write-app activation request by Read-app, and stores the request ID issued in T1101, the imaging device to be connected, and the activation request in the HDD 204 in association with each other.

  Here, the request ID is given a different ID depending on the selected editing content. For example, the request ID differs depending on which function on the screen shown in FIG. 8A is selected as “Add photo from Write-app”. In addition, the designation of the imaging device to be connected designates the imaging device to be acquired from which the image data is acquired by switching from the BLE connection to the Wi-Fi connection. As described above, it is device information such as a MAC address and a serial number that uniquely identify the imaging apparatus.

  Next, in T503, the CPU 201 makes an activation request to the Write-app from the OS to activate Write-app. In T1102, the CPU 201 specifies the request ID and the imaging device to be connected in Write-app. Accept and remember. When the Write-app is activated, the Write-app receives the ID of the request-source Read-app. The Read-app ID is an ID unique to the Read-app installed in the communication device 101. The ID is stored in the HDD 204 when the Read-app is installed, and is read from the HDD 204 when a Write-app activation request is made. To be notified.

  Subsequently, in T505, the CPU 201 collates the ID of the Read-app by Write-app. That is, it is determined by Write-app whether or not the ID of the read-app that is the request source matches the ID of the Read-app that is stored in the HDD 204. The CPU 201 operates in accordance with Write-app, and the Read-app ID that can be linked with Write-app is readable from the Write-app and stored in the HDD 204 in advance.

  If the Read-app ID does not match the ID stored in the HDD 204, the CPU 201 displays a message indicating that the request from the application cannot be accepted at T506, and stops this processing. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the Write-app from being erroneously started by an unknown application.

  If the Read-app ID matches the ID stored in the HDD 204, the CPU 201 activates Write-app. As a result, the Write-app screen is displayed in the foreground.

  In T1103, if an image pickup apparatus different from the connection target image pickup apparatus specified at the time of the import request from the Read-app stored by the CPU 201 in T1102 has already been connected and has been connected. Cut off.

  Subsequently, in T1104, it is confirmed whether the Wi-Fi connection is already established with the connection target imaging apparatus specified at the time of the request for reading from Read-app. If not connected, the BLE connection is in progress in T1104. A Wi-Fi switching request is transmitted to the target imaging apparatus, and a Wi-Fi connection is established at T1105. Thereby, priority can be given to image capture processing with connection to the imaging device selected by the user.

  Next, a display screen when the Wi-Fi connection has already been established with the connection target imaging device specified at the time of a request for reading from Read-app will be described.

  Normally, when Write-app is not activated and is newly activated, a top screen 661 shown in FIG. 7A is displayed. In addition, when Write-app is activated and the “live view shooting” function is executed in the background, for example, a screen for live view shooting is displayed.

  And CPU201 detects the state of Write-app, and performs the process according to the detected state. If the Wi-Fi connection has already been established with the connection target imaging device specified at the time of the request for reading from the Read-app, the CPU 201 displays the top screen 662 in the Write-app cooperation mode shown in FIG. And run in the foreground.

  If the Wi-Fi connection is not yet established with the connection target imaging device specified at the time of the read-app acquisition request, a screen 663 for switching from BLE to Wi-Fi connection shown in FIG. 7C is displayed. To work in the foreground. Thereafter, when the switching to the Wi-Fi connection is completed, the top screen 662 of the write-app cooperation mode shown in FIG. 7B is displayed. Note that while displaying the screen 663 shown in FIG. 7C until the Wi-Fi connection with the imaging device to be connected designated at the time of the capture request from the Read-app is completed, the display from another camera is performed. By controlling so as not to receive a Wi-Fi connection request, it is possible to reliably connect to a target imaging apparatus.

  In addition, if the Wi-Fi connection is already established with the imaging device to be connected at the start of cooperation and Write-app is executing a function other than displaying the image list in the camera, the function being executed is interrupted. To display the cooperation mode top screen 662.

  In the display of the image list in the camera, the communication device 101 receives a thumbnail image corresponding to the captured image recorded on the recording medium 410 of the imaging device 102 from the imaging device 102. Then, the received thumbnail image is stored in the HDD 204 of the communication device 101, and the stored thumbnail image is read from the HDD 204 and displayed on the display device 211.

  FIG. 7D shows an image list screen 664 that is displayed when a normal Write-app is displaying an image list in the camera. When the CPU 201 is called in cooperation with Write-app, the CPU 201 operates by switching Write-app to the cooperation mode (T508). If Write-app has already been started and is operating in the background, the CPU 201 switches Write-app to operation in the foreground and operates in the cooperation mode. If Write-app has not been activated, the CPU 201 activates Write-app to operate in the foreground in the cooperation mode. When the Write-app operates in the cooperation mode, specifically, a function that can be used is limited among the functions provided by the Write-app, and this is reflected in the UI display.

  FIG. 7A shows a display example of the top screen 661 in the normal mode of Write-app. FIG. 7B is a display example of the top screen 662 in the write-app cooperation mode. Since all functions can be used in the normal mode, all functions can be selected on the top screen 661 in FIG. 7A, and icons of the respective functions are displayed to indicate that.

  On the other hand, since the functions that can be used during the cooperation mode are limited, icons of some functions that cannot be used (live view shooting, camera time setting, remote control) cannot be selected on the top screen 662 in FIG. 7B. Yes, grayed out to indicate that execution is not possible. Further, in the top screen 662 of FIG. 7B, the color of the top bar 602 is changed to indicate that the cooperation mode is different from the normal mode. In the write-app cooperation mode, the above-described function restriction is performed for the purpose of giving priority to an operation of capturing an image in the imaging apparatus 102.

  If the Write-app is executing the “image list in camera” function when called from the Read-app, the CPU 201 switches the Write-app to the cooperation mode in T508, and the image list screen in FIG. Switch to 665 and display in the foreground.

  When the CPU 201 executes the “image list in camera” function of Write-app, the CPU 201 receives a thumbnail image corresponding to the main image in the image capturing apparatus 102 that can be captured from the image capturing apparatus 102. Then, as shown in FIG. 7E, a plurality of thumbnail images are displayed on an image list screen 665 arranged. For use in Read-app, the user selects a desired one from a plurality of thumbnail images displayed in a list and inputs an instruction. The CPU 201 saves the information related to the selected thumbnail image as a “scheduled image list” that can be read from the write-app and stored in the RAM 203.

  In T509, when the CPU 201 detects that the user has pressed the save button 611 on the image list screen 665 by Write-app, the CPU 201 makes an acquisition request for the main image to the imaging apparatus 102 based on the scheduled save image list. . In T <b> 510, the CPU 201 receives the data of the main image from the imaging apparatus 102 via the NETI / F 209 by Write-app.

  Here, the thumbnail image has a lower resolution and a smaller data size than the main image. Therefore, when the “image list in the camera” is displayed, a thumbnail image corresponding to the main image that can be captured from the imaging apparatus 102 can be received and displayed on the display device 211 promptly. The communication load can be reduced by receiving only the main image selected by the user among the main images that can be captured from the imaging apparatus 102.

  When the reception of the main image is completed, next, in T511, the CPU 201 performs a main image storage process by Write-app. That is, the CPU 201 saves the main image file received in T510 in the HDD 204 or the like, and assigns an image ID to the newly saved main image. The image ID will be described as a code associated with the file path where the main image is stored. Note that the image ID may be the file path itself of the storage destination.

  Note that the processing from the image request at T509 to the image reception processing at T510, the image storage processing at T511, and the image ID issuance is performed for the number of main images corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the user. Repeated. While performing this series of image storage processing, the CPU 201 displays a storage progress screen 666 shown in FIG.

  When the storage processing of all the main images corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the user is completed, the CPU 201 displays a storage completion screen 668 shown in FIG. When it is detected that the user presses the “Close” button 608, the CPU 201 returns to the display of the image list screen 665 in the camera of FIG. 7E without executing an image ID list generation process described later. As a result, sharing of the captured image this time with Read-app can be stopped.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 201 detects that the “return to read-app” button 609 is pressed on the save completion screen 668 in FIG. 7H, the CPU 201 disconnects the Wi-Fi connection with the imaging apparatus in T1006.

  In T512, the CPU 201 performs processing for generating an image ID list by Write-app. Specifically, first, in Write-app, an image ID list in which the image ID of the image stored in T511 and the storage destination are associated with each other is generated, read from the OS, and stored in the HDD 204. As a result, at T516, which will be described later, Read-app can receive the image ID list via the OS and can be used for Read-app processing. Therefore, it can be said that the image ID list is stored in the HDD 204 by Write-app so that it can be used for Read-app processing. In T513, the CPU 201 receives the request ID from the write-app as a call request from the write-app to the read-app by the OS. Here, the request ID is the same as that received by Write-app at T504.

  Thereafter, in T514, the CPU 201 causes the write-app to cancel the cooperation mode, and switches to the normal mode to operate. Specifically, the restriction on the functions that can be used is released, and the UI display is returned to the normal mode.

  Subsequently, in T515, the CPU 201 makes a startup request to the read-app from the OS to start the read-app. At this time, when the Read-app is activated, the Read-app acquires the ID of the request-source Write-app that made the call request. The Write-app ID is an ID unique to the Write-app installed in the communication device 101, and is stored in the HDD 204 when the Write-app is installed, and is read from the HDD 204 when a Read-app call request is made. Be notified.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, Read-app is activated even after performing the process of T502, and therefore, the process of T515 is a process for confirming that the sleep state is being released or activated. Function. The Read-app may be temporarily stopped after the processing of T502 and restarted in response to the startup request of T515. In T516, the CPU 201 receives the image ID list generated by Write-app in T512 and the request ID received in T513 as a response via the OS in Read-app.

  Next, in T517, the CPU 201 collates the write-app ID with Read-app. That is, it is determined by Read-app whether or not the Write-app ID matches the Write-app ID stored in the HDD 204. Note that the CPU 201 operates in accordance with Read-app, and the Write-app ID that can be linked with Read-app is read from the Read-app and stored in the HDD 204 in advance. If the Write-app ID does not match the ID stored in the HDD 204, in T518, the CPU 201 causes the Read-app to notify the OS of an error and stops the start of the Read-app. By doing so, it is possible to prevent Read-app from being erroneously started by an unknown application.

  On the other hand, if the Write-app ID matches the ID stored in the HDD 204, in T519, the CPU 201 displays a screen corresponding to the request ID acquired in T516. For example, the same screen as that displayed when the request ID is notified from the Read-app at T1001 is displayed on the display device 211. Then, the CPU 201 acquires an image from the HDD 204 based on the image ID list acquired in Read-app and adds it to the list display. For example, when “Add photo from Write-app” is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 8B, the screen shown in FIG. 8B is displayed, and a new list of images on the left side of the screen is displayed. Add an image.

  In T520, the CPU 201 performs the editing process selected by the user in Read-app on the image acquired in T519, stores the editing result in the HDD 204 according to the OS, and ends the process.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a read-app for image use is started by calling a write-app for image capture, information of imaging devices that can be connected via Wi-Fi is listed by the communication device. Can be referred to. By doing so, it is not necessary for the user to perform complicated network connection setting operations each time Write-app is activated, and the convenience of processing using application cooperation is improved.

(Other embodiments)
In the embodiment described above, a smartphone has been described as an example of the communication device 101. However, the communication device 101 is not particularly limited as long as the device can install an application. For example, the communication device 101 can be similarly applied to a mobile phone, a tablet, a personal computer (PC), or the like. In addition, when Read-app and Write-app are applications that do not require a communication function, they do not necessarily have a communication function and can be widely implemented by an information processing apparatus.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or apparatus execute the program. It can also be realized by a process of reading and executing. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101 Communication equipment 102 Imaging device 211 Display device 302 Write-app (second application)
303 Read-app (first application)

Claims (7)

An information processing apparatus that performs information processing in cooperation with a plurality of applications including at least a first application and a second application,
Calling means for making a call request for the second application from the first application;
Storage means for storing identification information of an external device that can be referred to by the first application and the second application and that can be connected to the information processing device;
Display means for displaying for the user to select an external device with reference to the identification information stored in the storage means by the first application;
Communication means for establishing communication with an external device selected by the user when starting the second application called from the first application;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first application includes identification information of the external apparatus selected by the user in a call request for the second application.   The second application uses the identification information of the external device included in the call request to establish a connection with the external device, thereby making it unnecessary for the user to make a setting request regarding the connection with the external device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The information processing according to claim 1, wherein the second application updates the identification information stored in the storage unit according to a detection state of an external device. 5. apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection with the external apparatus is a Wi-Fi connection.   The information processing according to claim 5, wherein the second application updates the identification information stored in the storage unit according to whether or not a BLE connection between the information processing apparatus and an external apparatus is possible. apparatus.   The communication means is selected by a user during connection of the second application and connected to an external device to receive an image from the external device, and the image can be edited by the first application. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images