JP4273148B2 - Information processing system, information processing method, and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides, for example, data communication between a terminal device such as a digital camera or a personal digital assistant device (PDA: Personal Digital Assistants, hereinafter also referred to as “portable terminal device”) and a computer device such as a personal computer. The present invention relates to a technique for displaying information.

  Conventionally, for example, a terminal device such as a digital camera or PDA (portable terminal device) that is used to input and display data such as images and characters is connected to a computer device that is used to record and display data. There is a system that can transfer data from a terminal device to a computer device or from a computer device to a terminal device.

Here, the above-described terminal device, for example, a digital camera currently on the market, is generally equipped with a serial communication port of the RS-232C standard. As a result, the serial communication port of the digital camera can be directly connected to the serial communication port of the computer device, whereby mutual data transfer can be performed.
As a connection means between such a terminal device and a computer device, parallel communication or infrared communication is generally used in addition to the serial communication described above.

  In addition, as the above-described terminal device, there is a terminal device capable of switching operation modes such as data input, data transfer, and list display by means of a physical switch or a menu displayed on a display unit. .

Specifically, for example, there is a digital camera provided with a switch between a photographing mode and a communication mode. This digital camera is mainly configured as follows.
In the shooting mode, data is input (that is, shooting operation for obtaining an image) by pressing the release button, but at this time, no data is transferred to or from the computer device. On the other hand, in the communication mode, data is transferred to and from the computer device, but no photographing operation is performed at this time.
・ In accordance with the operation mode switching, the release button is disabled in the communication mode. Thereby, an erroneous operation can be prevented.
A function of one operation switch is switched according to the switching of the operation mode so that one operation switch has a plurality of functions. Thereby, the total number of operation switches can be reduced.

Further, in the computer device, when the terminal device as described above is connected to this device, this connection is detected, the state of the connected terminal device is also detected, and when the state of the terminal device changes, There is a computer device having a function capable of detecting a change in the state.
For example, a personal computer equipped with USB (Universal Serial Bus) (hereinafter simply referred to as “PC” or “personal computer”) equipped with “Windows (registered trademark) 98” of Microsoft Corporation in the United States is connected to the USB. The status of the connected device can be detected.

  However, in the conventional terminal device as described above, in particular, the conventional terminal device that can be used by switching the operation mode, the operation switch function is switched for each mode, so that a plurality of operation switches can be provided in one operation switch. Although the total number of operation switches can be reduced, the user needs to learn the functions of the operation switches in each operation mode. This leads to a problem that it becomes more difficult to become familiar with the operation of the terminal device.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily and accurately grasp an operation method according to the operating state of an external device.

An information processing system of the present invention is an information processing system including at least a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus that are communicably connected to each other.
The first information processing apparatus includes:
First operating state detecting means for detecting an operating state of the first information processing apparatus;
Second operating state detecting means for detecting an operating state of the second information processing apparatus;
Wherein the operation state of the first information processing apparatus detected by the first operating state detecting means, based on the operating state of said detected by the second operation state detection means second information processing apparatus, wherein a first determining means for determining the operating instruction information including the one of the drivers how to operate the second information processing apparatus in the operating state of the operating state and the bi side of the second information processing apparatus,
And first display control means for controlling the operation explanation information determined by the first determination means to be displayed on the display means of the first information processing apparatus ,
The second information processing apparatus
Third operating state detecting means for detecting the operating state of the second information processing apparatus;
Fourth operating state detecting means for detecting an operating state of the first information processing apparatus;
Wherein the operation state of the second information processing apparatus detected by the third operation state detection means, based on the operating state of the fourth first detected by the operating state detecting means of the information processing apparatus, wherein a second determining means for determining the operating instruction information including one of the operation instructions and manipulate how the first information processing apparatus in the operating state of the operating state and the bi side of the first information processing apparatus,
Operating instruction information determined by the second determining means, have a second display control means for controlling so as to be displayed on the display unit of the second information processing apparatus,
The operation explanation information displayed by the first display control means and the operation explanation information displayed by the second display control means have different display contents .
An information processing method of the present invention is an information processing method by an information processing system including at least a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus that are communicably connected to each other.
The first information processing apparatus is
A first operation state detection step for detecting an operation state of the first information processing apparatus;
A second operation state detection step of detecting an operation state of the second information processing apparatus;
Wherein the operation state of the first information processing apparatus detected by the first operating state detecting step, based on the operating state of said detected by the second operation state detection step the second information processing apparatus, wherein a first determination step of determining the operating instruction information including the one of the drivers how to operate the second information processing apparatus in the operating state of the operating state and the bi side of the second information processing apparatus,
Performing a first display control step of controlling the operation explanation information determined by the first determination step to be displayed on the display unit of the first information processing apparatus ,
The second information processing apparatus is
A third operation state detection step for detecting an operation state of the second information processing apparatus;
A fourth operation state detection step of detecting an operation state of the first information processing apparatus;
Wherein the operation state of the second information processing apparatus detected by the third operation state detection step, based on the operating state of the fourth operating state detection process in the detected first information processing apparatus, wherein a second determination step of determining the operating instruction information including the first information processing apparatus and how if operating the operation described in the operating state of the operating state and the bi side of the first information processing apparatus,
Operating instruction information determined by the second determining step, have row and a second display control step of controlling so as to be displayed on the display unit of the second information processing apparatus,
The operation explanation information displayed by the first display control step and the operation explanation information displayed by the second display control step have different display contents .
The recording medium of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium for recording a program for controlling an information processing system including at least a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus that are communicably connected to each other. There,
In the first information processing apparatus,
A first operation state detection process for detecting an operation state of the first information processing apparatus;
A second operation state detection process for detecting an operation state of the second information processing apparatus;
Wherein the operation state of the first information processing apparatus detected by the first operation state detection process, based on the operating state of said detected by the second operation state detection processing second information processing apparatus, wherein a first determination process for determining the operating instruction information including one of the operation instructions and manipulate how the second information processing apparatus in the operating state of the operating state and the bi side of the second information processing apparatus,
A first display control process for controlling to display the operation explanation information determined by the first determination process on a display unit of the first information processing apparatus ;
The second information processing apparatus is
A third operation state detection process for detecting the operation state of the second information processing apparatus;
A fourth operation state detection process for detecting an operation state of the first information processing apparatus;
Wherein the operating state of the third operating state detection processing with the detected said second information processing apparatus, based on the operating state of the fourth operation state detection processing with the detected first information processing apparatus, wherein a second determination process for determining the operating instruction information including the one of the operation description for operating how the first information processing apparatus in the operating state of the operating state and the bi side of the first information processing apparatus,
A second display control process for controlling the operation explanation information determined by the second determination process to be displayed on a display unit of the second information processing apparatus ;
The operation explanation information displayed by the first display control process and the operation explanation information displayed by the second display control process have different display contents .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily and accurately grasp the operation method according to the operating state of the external device.

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

(First embodiment)
The present invention is applied to, for example, a data communication system 100 as shown in FIG.
In this data communication system 100, a digital camera 200 as an external device and a computer apparatus 300 as an information processing apparatus can be connected.
The digital camera 200 is a portable terminal device, and is configured to transfer input data (image data obtained by photographing) to the computer device 300 via the USB cable 400.
The computer device 300 can display a list of data transferred from the digital camera 200 on a display device described later.
Hereinafter, the digital camera 200 and the computer apparatus 300 in the data communication system 100 will be specifically described.

[Configuration of Digital Camera 200]
FIGS. 2A and 2B show the configuration of the digital camera 200 as viewed from the front (FIG. 2A) and the back (FIG. 2B).

First, as shown in FIG. 2A, an imaging lens 201 is provided on the front surface of the digital camera 200, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 202 is provided therein.
The CCD 202 is provided as data input means, and captures subject light via the imaging lens 201 and outputs the image signal.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, a liquid crystal monitor 203 as a data display means, a menu button 205, a set button 206, a + button 207, and a − button 208 are provided on the back of the digital camera 200. Yes.
A release button 209 is provided on the top and side surfaces of the digital camera 200, and one USB connector 204 is provided as a data transfer unit.

In the digital camera 200 as described above, the display language can be set from the menu screen displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203 by pressing the menu button 205.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show an example of a menu screen for setting the display language at this time.
When the item “Language” is selected on the menu screen shown in FIG. 3A, the screen shifts to a screen for setting the display language as shown in FIG. On this screen, you can select the desired language (here “Japanese”) from various languages such as “English”, “Deutsch”, “Fran? Ais”, “Japanese”. .
With this display language setting, for example, when “English” is selected and set, the subsequent display on the liquid crystal monitor 203 is displayed in English as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). become. FIGS. 4A and 4B show menu screens for setting the display language corresponding to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[Configuration of Computer Device 300]

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the computer apparatus 300 includes a CRT monitor 301 as data display means, a hard disk drive 302 as data recording means, and a USB connector 303 as data transfer means. The computer apparatus 300 also includes a keyboard 304 and a mouse 305 for various operations.

In the computer device 300, image capturing software is activated. Thus, when the digital camera 200 is connected to the end of the USB connector 303, it is possible to capture image data from the digital camera 200 and display it on the CRT monitor 301.
In such image capturing software, the display language can be switched by setting.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen displayed on the CRT monitor 301 by the image capturing software. The screen of FIG. 6 shows a state when the display language is set to Japanese. If this display language is set to English, for example, the screen state of English display as shown in FIG. 7 is obtained.

Here, the computer apparatus 300 detects the setting of the display language in the digital camera 200, and automatically sets the display language in the own apparatus according to the detection result.
Therefore, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the computer apparatus 300 includes a connection detection unit 311 that detects that the digital camera 200 is connected to the tip of the USB connector 303, and a detection result of the connection detection unit 311. A setting information acquisition unit 312 that acquires setting information of the display language in the digital camera 200, and a change of the display language setting in the image capturing software 321 described above based on the setting information obtained in the setting information acquisition unit 312. And a setting change unit 313.
Each of these components 311 to 313 is realized by, for example, a CPU (not shown) inside the computer apparatus 300.

  FIG. 9 shows the operation of the computer apparatus 300 implemented by the configuration shown in FIG.

  First, the connection detection unit 311 determines whether or not the digital camera 200 is connected via the USB connector 303 (step S501). If the determination result shows that the digital camera 200 is not connected, this step processing is executed again.

  If the result of determination in step S501 is that the digital camera 200 is connected, the setting information acquisition unit 312 acquires display language setting information (setting value) for the digital camera 200 (step S502).

Then, the setting change unit 313 changes the display language setting in the image capture software 321 based on the setting information obtained by the setting information acquisition unit 312 (step S503).
Thereby, for example, when the display language on the digital camera 200 is set to the English display language as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the display language on the computer apparatus 300 is also The display language is automatically changed to English as shown in FIG.
Thereafter, the process returns to step S501, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the computer apparatus 300 is configured to detect the setting of the display language on the digital camera 200 and automatically change the display language of the software operating on the computer apparatus 300. Therefore, the user can set his / her desired display language in his / her digital camera 200, so that the user can use his / her desired display language without performing an operation for setting the display language on the computer device 300. A computer device 300 can be used. This is particularly effective when a plurality of users jointly use one computer apparatus 300 or when a user uses the computer apparatus 300 for the first time.

  In the embodiment described above, for the sake of simplicity, the setting of the display language in the image capture software 321 is changed. However, as software for changing the setting of the display language, the computer apparatus 300 may be used. The image capturing software 321 is not limited to the image capturing software 321.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, in the data communication system 100 in the first embodiment described above, a screen for explaining the operation of the digital camera 200 in the operation mode described later set in the digital camera 200 is displayed on the computer device 300. Displayed on the CRT monitor 301.

In this digital camera 200, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, in addition to the configuration shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a mode changeover switch 211 is provided. And a memory 212 for storing the image data obtained by pressing the release button 209 and the received image data.
Then, the digital camera 200 selects a desired operation mode from among <transmission mode>, <reception mode>, <shooting mode>, and <playback mode>, for example, with the mode changeover switch 211. Can be set.

Further, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the computer apparatus 300 includes a connection detection unit 321 that detects that the digital camera 200 is connected to the end of the USB connector 303, and a detection result of the connection detection unit 321. A mode information acquisition unit 322 that acquires operation mode setting information in the digital camera 200 based on the screen information, and a screen display that causes the CRT monitor 301 to display screen information of an operation based on the setting information obtained by the setting information acquisition unit 322. And a control unit 323.
Each of these components 321 to 323 is realized by, for example, a CPU (not shown) inside the computer apparatus 300.

  FIG. 12 shows the operation of the computer apparatus 300 implemented by the configuration shown in FIG.

  First, the connection detection unit 321 determines whether or not the digital camera 200 is connected via the USB connector 303 (step S511). If the determination result shows that the digital camera 200 is not connected, this step processing is executed again.

If the result of determination in step S511 is that the digital camera 200 is connected, the mode information acquisition unit 322 acquires operation mode information (operation mode setting value) of the digital camera 200.
And the screen display control part 323 performs the process of the following steps S513-S514 based on the mode information obtained in the mode information acquisition part 322 (step S512).

Step S513:
When the operation mode of the digital camera 200 is set to <reception mode>, a screen for explaining the operation of the digital camera 200 in this case is displayed on the CRT monitor 301. At this time, as screen information displayed on the CRT monitor 301, for example, operation screen information as shown in FIG. 13A prepared in advance in the operation information memory 324 is used. Therefore, in this case, the screen shown in FIG. 13A is displayed on the CRT monitor 301.
Thereafter, the process returns to step S511, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

Step S514:
When the operation mode of the digital camera 200 is set to <transmission mode>, a screen for explaining the operation of the digital camera 200 in this case is displayed on the CRT monitor 301. At this time, as the screen information displayed on the CRT monitor 301, for example, the operation screen information as shown in FIG. 13B prepared in advance in the operation information memory 324 is used. Therefore, in this case, the screen shown in FIG. 13B is displayed on the CRT monitor 301.
Thereafter, the process returns to step S511, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

Step S515:
When the operation mode of the digital camera 200 is set to <shooting mode>, a screen for explaining the operation of the digital camera 200 in this case is displayed on the CRT monitor 301. At this time, as the screen information displayed on the CRT monitor 301, for example, the operation screen information as shown in FIG. 13C prepared in advance in the operation information memory 324 is used. Therefore, in this case, the screen shown in FIG. 13C is displayed on the CRT monitor 301.
Thereafter, the process returns to step S511, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

Step S516:
When the operation mode of the digital camera 200 is set to <playback mode>, a screen for explaining the operation of the digital camera 200 in this case is displayed on the CRT monitor 301. At this time, as the screen information displayed on the CRT monitor 301, for example, the operation screen information as shown in FIG. 13D prepared in advance in the operation information memory 324 is used. Therefore, in this case, the screen shown in FIG. 13D is displayed on the CRT monitor 301.
Thereafter, the process returns to step S511, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the computer apparatus 300 detects the operation mode of the digital camera 200 and, according to the detection result, the operation method of the digital camera 200 in the operation mode (see FIGS. 13A to 13A). (See (d)) is displayed on the CRT monitor 301, the user can easily and accurately grasp the operation of the digital camera 200 when the digital camera 200 is connected to the computer apparatus 300. , Can do the appropriate operation. Thereby, a user's burden can be reduced.

(Third embodiment)
The present invention is applied to, for example, a data communication system 600 as shown in FIG.
The data communication system 600 can connect two digital cameras 200a and 200b as information processing apparatuses.

Here, the digital cameras 200a and 200b have the same configuration, for example, a configuration having both the function of the digital camera 200 and the function of the computer device 300 in the second embodiment described above.
For this reason, each of the digital cameras 200a and 200b has, for example, a connection detection unit 221 that detects that another digital camera is connected to the tip of the USB connector 204 and a detection by the connection detection unit 221 as shown in FIG. A mode information acquisition unit 222 that acquires setting information of each operation mode in the connection source and connection destination digital cameras based on the result, and operation information based on the setting information obtained by the mode information acquisition unit 222 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor. 203 includes a screen display control unit 223 to be displayed on the screen 203 and a transmission / reception unit 224 that transmits / receives data to / from another digital camera connected to the end of the USB connector 204.
Each of these components 221 to 224 is realized by, for example, a CPU (not shown) inside the digital camera.

  FIG. 16 shows the operations of the digital cameras 200a and 200b implemented by the configuration shown in FIG.

  First, the connection detection unit 221 determines whether another digital camera is connected via the USB connector 204 (step S701). If no other digital camera is connected according to the determination result, this step process is executed again.

As a result of the determination in step S701, when another digital camera is connected, the mode information acquisition unit 222 acquires the operation mode information of the own camera (hereinafter referred to as “connection source operation mode”), and The operation mode information of other digital cameras connected via the USB connector 204 (hereinafter referred to as “connection destination operation mode”) is acquired.
Then, the screen display control unit 223 and the transmission / reception unit 224 execute the following processing of steps S703 to S716 based on the connection source and connection destination operation modes obtained by the mode information acquisition unit 222 (step S703). S702).

Steps S703 to S707:
When the operation mode of the connection source is set to <reception mode>, the screen display control unit 223 and the transmission / reception unit 224 execute the following processes of steps S704 to S707 based on the operation mode of the connection destination. (Step S703).

Step S704:
When the operation mode of the connection destination is set to <reception mode>, the screen display control unit 223 causes the liquid crystal monitor 203 to display a screen for explaining the operations of the digital cameras 200a and 200b at this time. As the screen information displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203, for example, operation screen information as shown in FIG. 17A prepared in advance in the operation information memory 225 is used. Therefore, in this case, the screen shown in FIG. 17A is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203. Thereafter, the process returns to step S701, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

Step S705, Step S706:
When the operation mode of the connection destination is set to <transmission mode>, the screen display control unit 223 causes the liquid crystal monitor 203 to display a screen for explaining the operations of the digital cameras 200a and 200b at this time. As the screen information displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203, for example, the operation screen information as shown in FIG. 17B prepared in advance in the operation information memory 225 is used. Therefore, in this case, the screen shown in FIG. 17B is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203 (step S705). Then, the transmission / reception unit 224 receives the data transmitted from the connected digital camera and records it in the memory 212 (step S706). After all data is received and recorded, the process returns to step S701, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

Step S707:
When the operation mode of the connection destination is set to <shooting mode> or <playback mode>, the screen display control unit 223 displays a screen for explaining the operations of the digital cameras 200a and 200b at this time on the liquid crystal monitor 203. Let As screen information displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203, for example, operation screen information as shown in FIG. 17C prepared in advance in the operation information memory 225 is used. Therefore, in this case, the screen shown in FIG. 17C is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203. Thereafter, the process returns to step S701, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

Steps S708 to S712:
When the operation mode of the connection source is set to <transmission mode>, the screen display control unit 223 and the transmission / reception unit 224 execute the following processing in steps S709 to S712 based on the operation mode of the connection destination. (Step S708).

Step S709, Step S710:
When the operation mode of the connection destination is set to <reception mode>, the screen display control unit 223 causes the liquid crystal monitor 203 to display a screen for explaining the operations of the digital cameras 200a and 200b at this time. As the screen information displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203, for example, the operation screen information as shown in FIG. 17D prepared in advance in the operation information memory 225 is used. Therefore, in this case, the screen shown in FIG. 17D is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203 (step S709). Then, the transmission / reception unit 224 transmits the data in the memory 212 to the connection destination digital camera (step S710). After all the data transmission records are completed, the process returns to step S701 and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

Step S711:
When the operation mode of the connection destination is set to <transmission mode>, the screen display control unit 223 causes the liquid crystal monitor 203 to display a screen for explaining the operations of the digital cameras 200a and 200b at this time. As screen information to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203, for example, operation screen information as shown in FIG. 17 (e) prepared in advance in the operation information memory 225 is used. Therefore, in this case, the screen shown in FIG. 17 (e) is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203. Thereafter, the process returns to step S701, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

Step S712:
When the operation mode of the connection destination is set to <shooting mode> or <playback mode>, the screen display control unit 223 displays a screen for explaining the operations of the digital cameras 200a and 200b at this time on the liquid crystal monitor 203. Let As screen information displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203, for example, operation screen information as shown in FIG. 17 (f) prepared in advance in the operation information memory 225 is used. Therefore, in this case, the screen of FIG. 17F is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203. Thereafter, the process returns to step S701, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

Steps S713 to S716:
When the operation mode of the connection source is set to <shooting mode> or <playback mode>, the screen display control unit 223 and the transmission / reception unit 224 perform the following steps S714 to S716 based on the operation mode of the connection destination. The process is executed (step S713).

Step S714:
When the operation mode of the connection destination is set to <reception mode>, the screen display control unit 223 causes the liquid crystal monitor 203 to display a screen for explaining the operations of the digital cameras 200a and 200b at this time. As the screen information displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203, for example, operation screen information as shown in FIG. 18 (g) prepared in advance in the operation information memory 225 is used. Therefore, in this case, the screen shown in FIG. 18G is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203. Thereafter, the process returns to step S701, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

Step S715:
When the operation mode of the connection destination is set to <transmission mode>, the screen display control unit 223 causes the liquid crystal monitor 203 to display a screen for explaining the operations of the digital cameras 200a and 200b at this time. As screen information to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203, for example, operation screen information as shown in FIG. 18 (h) prepared in advance in the operation information memory 225 is used. Therefore, in this case, the screen shown in FIG. 18 (h) is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203. Thereafter, the process returns to step S701, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

Step S716:
When the operation mode of the connection destination is set to <shooting mode> or <playback mode>, the screen display control unit 223 displays a screen for explaining the operations of the digital cameras 200a and 200b at this time on the liquid crystal monitor 203. Let As the screen information displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203, for example, the operation screen information as shown in FIG. 18 (i) prepared in advance in the operation information memory 225 is used. Therefore, in this case, the screen shown in FIG. 18 (i) is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 203. Thereafter, the process returns to step S701, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

  By executing the processing as described above in each of the digital camera 200a and the digital camera 200b, for example, the digital camera 200a is set to <transmission mode>, the digital camera 200b is set to <shooting mode>, and the digital camera When the digital camera 200b and the digital camera 200b are connected by the USB cable 400, the operation explanation screen as shown in FIG. 17F is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor of the digital camera 200a, and the liquid crystal of the other digital camera 200b is displayed. An operation explanation screen as shown in FIG. 18H is displayed on the monitor. Further, for example, when both the digital camera 200a and the digital camera 200b are set to <reception mode>, an operation explanation screen as shown in FIG. 17A is displayed on each of the liquid crystal monitors. Will be.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the digital camera detects the operation mode of another digital camera connected by the USB cable 400 together with the operation mode of the own camera, and based on these operation modes, Since the operation method of the digital camera is displayed, the user can easily and accurately grasp the operation of both digital cameras when the other digital camera is connected to the camera with the USB cable 400. And can perform appropriate operations. Thereby, a user's burden can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the digital cameras 200a and 200b are not limited to the same type, and may be any cameras that can communicate with each other and are designed to perform the same operation.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, when the digital camera 200 is connected to the computer apparatus 300, the CRT monitor 301 of the computer 300 is connected to the digital camera 200 as shown in FIGS. The operation method screen was displayed.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the digital camera 200 is connected to the computer apparatus 300, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the CRT monitor 301 of the computer apparatus 300. And the operation according to the operation mode of the digital camera 200 is performed.

Therefore, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the computer apparatus 300 includes a connection detection unit 331 that detects that the digital camera 200 is connected to the end of the USB connector 303, and a detection result of the connection detection unit 331. A screen display control unit 332 for displaying the screen of FIG. 19 on the CRT monitor 301 based on the above, and a mode for acquiring setting information of the operation mode in the digital camera 200 based on the operation on the display screen by the screen display control unit 332 An operation for performing operation control for reception, transmission, shooting, reproduction, and the like based on the operation on the display screen by the information acquisition unit 333 and the screen display control unit 332 and the setting information obtained by the setting information acquisition unit 333 And a control unit 334.
Each of these components 331 to 334 is realized by, for example, a CPU (not shown) inside the computer apparatus 300.

  FIG. 21 shows the operation of the computer apparatus 300 implemented by the configuration shown in FIG.

  First, the connection detection unit 331 determines whether or not the digital camera 200 is connected via the USB connector 303 (step S521). If the determination result shows that the digital camera 200 is not connected, this step processing is executed again.

  If the result of determination in step S521 is that the digital camera 200 is connected, the screen display control unit 332 causes the CRT monitor 301 to display a screen as shown in FIG. This screen information is prepared in advance in the operation information memory 335 (step S522).

Therefore, the user performs an operation according to the screen displayed on the CRT monitor 301.
Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, the screen displayed on the CRT monitor 301 at this time is a procedure in which an OK button 801, a cancel button 802, and a help button 803 are provided together with an operation method display area. Consists of an explanation window. Therefore, the user presses any desired button among the OK button 801, the cancel button 802, and the help button 803 using the mouse 305 or the like. The operation information is given to the screen display control unit 332, the mode information acquisition unit 333, and the operation control unit 334.
The screen display control unit 332, the mode information acquisition unit 333, and the operation control unit 334 execute the following processes of steps 523 to S529 based on the operation from the screen of FIG.

Step S523, Step S524:
When the button operated on the screen of FIG. 19 is the help button 803 (step S523), the screen display control unit 332 displays a more detailed operation method on the CRT monitor 301 (step S524). As screen information displayed on the CRT monitor 301 at this time, for example, operation screen information prepared in advance in the operation information memory 335 is used. Thereafter, the process returns to step S523, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.
On the other hand, when the cancel button 802 is pressed on the screen of FIG. If the OK button 801 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 19, the process proceeds to the next step S525.

Steps S525-S529:
When the OK button 801 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 19, the mode information acquisition unit 333 acquires the operation mode information (operation mode setting value) of the digital camera 200.
Then, based on the mode information obtained by the mode information acquisition unit 322 (Step S525), the operation control unit 334 executes the processes of Steps S526 to S529. That is, the operation control unit 334 performs operation control for reception processing when the operation mode of the digital camera 200 is set to <reception mode> (step S526). If <transmission mode> is set, operation control for transmission processing is performed (step S527). If it is set to <shooting mode>, operation control for the shooting process is performed (step S528). If it is set to <playback mode>, operation control for playback processing is performed (step S529).

  Even with the above-described configuration, similarly to the effects in the first and second embodiments, the user can easily and accurately operate the digital camera 200 when the digital camera 200 is connected to the computer apparatus 300. Can be grasped and appropriate operations can be performed. Thereby, a user's burden can be reduced.

In steps S526 to S529 in the above-described fourth embodiment, the operation method screen corresponding to the operation mode of the digital camera 200 as in the above-described second embodiment (see FIG. 13A). (See (d)) may be added to the CRT monitor 301.
The fourth embodiment described above is also applied to the configuration of the third embodiment described above (a configuration in which digital cameras 200a and 200b having both the functions of the digital camera 200 and the computer device 300 are connected). Applicable.

Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the host and terminal of each of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the respective embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, ROM, flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, and the like can be used.
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the respective embodiments are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code performs the actual processing. It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the respective embodiments are realized by performing part or all of the above and the processing thereof is included.
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to the memory provided in the extension function board inserted in the computer or the function extension unit connected to the computer, the function extension is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the respective embodiments are realized by the processing.

In 1st Embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the data communication system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the digital camera of the said data communication system. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting of the display language with the said digital camera. It is a figure for demonstrating the display state when English setting is made | formed by the setting of the said display language. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the computer apparatus of the said data communication system. In the said computer apparatus, it is a figure for demonstrating the display screen when image capture software is started. It is a figure for demonstrating the state of the said display screen when English is set by the setting of the display language in the said computer apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure inside the said computer apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement inside the said computer apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the said digital camera in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure inside the said computer apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the screen displayed with the said computer apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the said computer apparatus. In 3rd Embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the data communication system to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structure inside the digital camera of the said data communication system. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the said digital camera. It is a figure for demonstrating the screen (af) displayed with the said digital camera. It is a figure for demonstrating the screen (gi) displayed with the said digital camera. It is a figure for demonstrating the screen displayed with the said computer apparatus in 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure inside the said computer apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the said computer apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Data communication system 200 Digital camera 204 USB connector 300 Computer apparatus 301 CRT monitor 303 USB connector 311 Connection detection part 312 Setting information acquisition part 313 Setting change part 321 Image capture software 400 USB cable

Claims (3)

An information processing system comprising at least a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus connected to be communicable with each other,
The first information processing apparatus includes:
First operating state detecting means for detecting an operating state of the first information processing apparatus;
Second operating state detecting means for detecting an operating state of the second information processing apparatus;
Wherein the operation state of the first information processing apparatus detected by the first operating state detecting means, based on the operating state of said detected by the second operation state detection means second information processing apparatus, wherein a first determining means for determining the operating instruction information including the one of the drivers how to operate the second information processing apparatus in the operating state of the operating state and the bi side of the second information processing apparatus,
And first display control means for controlling the operation explanation information determined by the first determination means to be displayed on the display means of the first information processing apparatus ,
The second information processing apparatus
Third operating state detecting means for detecting the operating state of the second information processing apparatus;
Fourth operating state detecting means for detecting an operating state of the first information processing apparatus;
Wherein the operation state of the second information processing apparatus detected by the third operation state detection means, based on the operating state of the fourth first detected by the operating state detecting means of the information processing apparatus, wherein a second determining means for determining the operating instruction information including one of the operation instructions and manipulate how the first information processing apparatus in the operating state of the operating state and the bi side of the first information processing apparatus,
Operating instruction information determined by the second determining means, have a second display control means for controlling so as to be displayed on the display unit of the second information processing apparatus,
The operation explanation information displayed by the first display control means and the operation explanation information displayed by the second display control means have different display contents . An information processing method by an information processing system including at least a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus that are communicably connected to each other,
The first information processing apparatus is
A first operation state detection step for detecting an operation state of the first information processing apparatus;
A second operation state detection step of detecting an operation state of the second information processing apparatus;
Wherein the operation state of the first information processing apparatus detected by the first operating state detecting step, based on the operating state of said detected by the second operation state detection step the second information processing apparatus, wherein a first determination step of determining the operating instruction information including the one of the drivers how to operate the second information processing apparatus in the operating state of the operating state and the bi side of the second information processing apparatus,
Performing a first display control step of controlling the operation explanation information determined by the first determination step to be displayed on the display unit of the first information processing apparatus ,
The second information processing apparatus is
A third operation state detection step for detecting an operation state of the second information processing apparatus;
A fourth operation state detection step of detecting an operation state of the first information processing apparatus;
Wherein the operation state of the second information processing apparatus detected by the third operation state detection step, based on the operating state of the fourth operating state detection process in the detected first information processing apparatus, wherein a second determination step of determining the operating instruction information including the one of the operation description for operating how the first information processing apparatus in the operating state of the operating state and the bi side of the first information processing apparatus,
Operating instruction information determined by the second determining step, have row and a second display control step of controlling so as to be displayed on the display unit of the second information processing apparatus,
The information processing method characterized in that the operation explanation information displayed by the first display control step and the operation explanation information displayed by the second display control step have different display contents . A computer-readable recording medium for recording a program for controlling an information processing system including at least a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus that are communicably connected to each other,
In the first information processing apparatus,
A first operation state detection process for detecting an operation state of the first information processing apparatus;
A second operation state detection process for detecting an operation state of the second information processing apparatus;
Wherein the operation state of the first information processing apparatus detected by the first operation state detection process, based on the operating state of said detected by the second operation state detection processing second information processing apparatus, wherein a first determination process for determining the operating instruction information including one of the operation instructions and manipulate how the second information processing apparatus in the operating state of the operating state and the bi side of the second information processing apparatus,
A first display control process for controlling to display the operation explanation information determined by the first determination process on a display unit of the first information processing apparatus ;
The second information processing apparatus is
A third operation state detection process for detecting the operation state of the second information processing apparatus;
A fourth operation state detection process for detecting an operation state of the first information processing apparatus;
Wherein the operating state of the third operating state detection processing with the detected said second information processing apparatus, based on the operating state of the fourth operation state detection processing with the detected first information processing apparatus, wherein a second determination process for determining the operating instruction information including the one of the operation description for operating how the first information processing apparatus in the operating state of the operating state and the bi side of the first information processing apparatus,
A second display control process for controlling the operation explanation information determined by the second determination process to be displayed on a display unit of the second information processing apparatus ;
The computer-readable recording medium , wherein the operation explanation information displayed by the first display control process and the operation explanation information displayed by the second display control process have different display contents .

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