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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
Wireless communications between a digital camera and a printer dock
are established in a simple manner. A processor (10f) of a digital
camera (10) detects a printer dock (12) within communication range
via a communications circuit (10e) and its ID is acquired. The processor
(10f) uses the acquired ID to transmit a sequential power transmit
request to the printer dock (12). In response to this request, the
printer dock (12) wirelessly transmits power from a communications
circuit (12b) and a transmitting coil (12c). When power is received
by a receiving coil (10a), it specifies that printer dock (12) is
the communication party, and photographed data is wirelessly transmitted
using an ID of the specified printer dock (12).
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A communication system comprising a portable terminal apparatus
and a base station apparatus and performing data communications
between said portable terminal apparatus and said base station apparatus;
said base station apparatus comprising: power transmitting means
for wirelessly transmitting power to said portable terminal apparatus;
and base station side communicating means for transferring data
with said portable terminal apparatus; said portable terminal apparatus
comprising: power receiving means for receiving power transmitted
wirelessly from said base station apparatus; terminal side communicating
means for transferring data with said base station apparatus; and
data storing means for storing data to be transmitted to said base
station apparatus; wherein said terminal side communicating means
transmit a power transmit request command to said base station side
communicating means; wherein said power transmitting means wirelessly
transmit power when said base station side communicating means receive
said power transmit request command from said terminal side communicating
means; wherein said terminal side communicating means transmit data
stored in said data storing means to said base station apparatus
when power that is wirelessly transmitted from said base station
apparatus is received by said power receiving means.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein: said portable terminal
apparatus further comprises identification data acquiring means
for detecting the base station apparatus located within data communication
range of said terminal communicating means and acquiring identification
data unique to each base station; said base station apparatus further
comprises identification storing means for storing identification
data thereof; said terminal side communicating means sequentially
transmit the power transmit request command to said base station
side communicating means using identification data acquired by said
identification data acquiring means; said power transmitting means
wirelessly transmit power when said power transmit request command
including identification data thereof is received from said terminal
side communicating means; said terminal side communicating means
set a data communication party using said identification data of
the base station apparatus, which is the power transmission source,
and transmit data stored in said data storing means to said base
station apparatus when power that is wirelessly transmitted from
said base station apparatus is received by said power receiving
means.
3. A communication system for transmitting photographed data stored
in a digital camera to a docking apparatus; said docking apparatus
comprising: power transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting
power to said digital camera; dock side communicating means for
transferring data with said digital camera; ID storing means for
storing an ID thereof; and means for printing or storing photographed
data transmitted from said digital camera; said digital camera comprising:
power receiving means for receiving power wirelessly transmitted
from said docking apparatus; camera side communicating means for
transferring data with said docking apparatus; photographed data
storing means for storing photographed data to be transmitted to
said docking apparatus; and ID acquiring means for detecting the
docking apparatus located within data communication range and acquiring
an ID thereof; said camera side communicating means sequentially
transmit the power transmit request command to said docking apparatus
using the ID acquired by said ID acquiring means; said power transmitting
means wirelessly transmit power when said power transmit request
command is received from said camera side communicating means by
said dock side communicating means; said camera side communicating
means set a data communication party using said ID of the docking
apparatus, which is the power transmission source, and transmit
photographed data stored in said photographed data storing means
to said docking apparatus when power that is wirelessly transmitted
from said docking apparatus is received by said power receiving
means.
4. A digital camera for performing data communications with a docking
apparatus, said digital camera comprising: power receiving means
for receiving power that is wirelessly transmitted; ID acquiring
means for detecting the docking apparatus located within data communication
range and acquiring an ID thereof; and data communicating means
for sequentially transmitting a power transmit request command to
said docking apparatus using the ID acquired by said ID acquiring
means, and when power that is transmitted in response to said power
transmit request command is received by said power receiving means,
for specifying a docking apparatus for data communications using
said ID of said docking apparatus that transmitted the power, and
for transmitting photographed data to the specified docking apparatus.
5. A docking apparatus for supplying power to a digital camera
and for inputting, then printing or storing, photographed data from
within said digital camera, said docking apparatus comprising: ID
storing means for storing an ID thereof; means for transmitting
said ID in accordance with a request from said digital camera; power
transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting power to said digital
camera in accordance with a power transmit request specified with
said ID; means for receiving said photographed data specified with
said ID and transmitted from the digital camera that received said
power; and means for printing or storing said photographed data.
6. A system according to claim 3, wherein: said digital camera
further comprises means for detecting remaining capacity of an internal
secondary battery; said camera side communicating means transmit
said photographed data when said remaining capacity is greater than
or equal to a capacity necessary for transmission of said photographed
data, and transmit said photographed data after said internal secondary
battery has been charged to a capacity greater than or equal to
that necessary for transmission of said photographed data by power
from said docking apparatus that was set as said data communication
party when said remaining capacity is less than necessary for data
communication.
7. A digital camera according to claim 4, further comprising: means
for detecting remaining capacity of an internal secondary battery;
said data communicating means transmit said photographed data when
said remaining capacity is greater than or equal to a capacity necessary
for transmission of said photographed data, and transmit said photographed
data after said internal secondary battery has been charged to a
capacity greater than or equal to that necessary for transmission
of said photographed data by power from said specified docking apparatus.
8. A communication system according to claim 1, said portable terminal
apparatus further comprising: a secondary battery; and charging
means for charging said secondary battery with power transmitted
wirelessly from said base station apparatus and received by said
power receiving means.
Digital Camera Patent Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system
and more particularly to data communications between a mobile terminal
apparatus, such as a digital camera, and a base station apparatus,
such as a docking apparatus (for example, printer dock).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A secondary battery, such as a Ni-MH or Li-ion battery,
is built into digital cameras and is charged by power that is supplied
from an external power supply. Systems have been proposed where
a digital camera is placed on the printer dock to easily enable
the printing of images captured with the digital camera or to store
the photographed images into a high capacity storage apparatus in
the docking apparatus, where in these systems the image data stored
in the memory of the digital camera is transmitted to the docking
apparatus from the digital camera via connection terminals. However,
the image data can also be transmitted wirelessly due to advances
in wireless communications technology, such as WiFi or Bluetooth
(registered trademark). To transmit the image data wirelessly, it
is necessary for the digital camera to unmistakably specify the
docking apparatus to which transmissions are to be made.
[0003] A technique for performing wireless communications between
a cellular phone and a personal computer is proposed in Japanese
Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-32175. A contact-less IC card
that communicates wirelessly with a reader/writer at a personal
computer is provided in the cellular phone. When an electromagnetic
wave that is transmitted from the reader/writer is received by the
contact-less IC card as a user holds the cellular phone in proximity
to the personal computer, the cellular phone informs the personal
computer of the card ID that has been set in the contact-less IC
card. When the personal computer establishes synchronization within
a Piconet between the cellular phone and a PDA and acquires Bluetooth
device names of the cellular phone and the PDA, the cellular phone
is specified as the communication party on the basis of the device
name notified in advance as the card ID. In this technique, the
power transfer means are used only for the purpose of specifying
the communication party.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In general, security is ensured in a wireless transmission
system, such as Bluetooth. A unique ID assigned to each device is
mutually recognized by the other device, and the sending side embeds
the destination ID into a data packet and transmits it with encryption
using a security code, such as an ID. The receiving side selects
information with its own ID, or with decryption any information
not intended for a device is not received.
[0005] However, unlike personal computers, portability is considered
important for many portable terminals, such as digital cameras,
so that an input device, such as a numeric keypad for ID entry,
or a large display screen for clearly displaying the entered ID
are often not included and without them the operation may become
difficult, resulting in a larger probability of error in entering
the destination. In particular, it is necessary to ensure security
due to privacy concerns when wirelessly transmitting data closely
related to personal information, such as photographed data obtained
from digital cameras, and it is necessary to correctly specify the
destination since transmissions to an unintended destination may
give rise to consequential problems.
[0006] The present invention is intended to ensure security even
when wirelessly transmitting data from a portable terminal, such
as a digital camera, and to offer a system that can prevent transmission
to unintended destinations. This system can also be configured so
as to supply power to the portable terminal. Namely, a simple system
can be implemented where the user simply places the digital camera
on a docking apparatus so that ID authentication for security can
be unmistakably and reliably performed and a secondary battery can
be charged by leaving the digital camera on the docking apparatus.
[0007] The present invention is a communication system having a
portable terminal apparatus and a base station apparatus and performing
data communications between the portable terminal apparatus and
the base station apparatus. The base station apparatus has power
transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting power to the portable
terminal apparatus and base station side communicating means for
transferring data with the portable terminal apparatus. The portable
terminal apparatus has power receiving means for receiving power
transmitted wirelessly from the base station apparatus, terminal
side communicating means for transferring data with the base station
apparatus, and data storing means for storing data to be transmitted
to the base station apparatus. The terminal side communicating means
transmit a power transmit request command to the base station side
communicating means, the power transmitting means wirelessly transmit
power when the base station side communicating means receive the
power transmit request command from the terminal side communicating
means, and the terminal side communicating means transmit data stored
in the data storing means to the base station apparatus when power
that is wirelessly transmitted from the base station apparatus is
received by the power receiving means.
[0008] Furthermore, the present invention is a communication system
for transmitting photographed data stored in a digital camera to
a printer dock or a docking apparatus having a storage function
for image data (printer dock and storage docking apparatus are referred
to generically as docking apparatus). The docking apparatus has
power transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting power to the
digital camera, dock side communicating means for transferring data
with the digital camera, ID storing means for storing an ID thereof,
and means for printing or storing photographed data transmitted
from the digital camera. The digital camera has power receiving
means for receiving power wirelessly transmitted from the docking
apparatus, camera side communicating means for transferring data
with the docking apparatus, photographed data storing means for
storing photographed data to be transmitted to the docking apparatus,
and ID acquiring means for detecting the docking apparatus located
within data communication range and acquiring an ID thereof. The
camera side communicating means sequentially transmit the power
transmit request command to the docking apparatus using the ID acquired
by the ID acquiring means, the power transmitting means wirelessly
transmit power when the power transmit request command is received
from the camera side communicating means by the dock side communicating
means, and the camera side communicating means set a data communication
party using the ID of the docking apparatus, which is the power
transmission source, and transmit photographed data stored in the
photographed data storing means to the docking apparatus when power
that is wirelessly transmitted from the docking apparatus is received
by the power receiving means.
[0009] Furthermore, the present invention is a digital camera for
performing data communications with a docking apparatus. The digital
camera has power receiving means for receiving power that is wirelessly
transmitted, ID acquiring means for detecting the docking apparatus
located within data communication range and acquiring an ID thereof,
and data communicating means for sequentially transmitting a power
transmit request command to the docking apparatus using the ID acquired
by the ID acquiring means, and when power that is transmitted in
response to the power transmit request command is received by the
power receiving means, for specifying a docking apparatus for data
communications using the ID of the docking apparatus that transmitted
the power, and for transmitting photographed data to the specified
docking apparatus.
[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is a docking apparatus
for supplying power to a digital camera and for inputting, then
printing or storing, photographed data from within the digital camera.
The docking apparatus has ID storing means for storing an ID thereof,
means for transmitting the ID in accordance with a request from
the digital camera, power transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting
power to the digital camera in accordance with a power transmit
request specified with the ID, means for receiving the photographed
data specified with the ID and transmitted from the digital camera
that received the power, and means for printing or storing the photographed
data.
[0011] In the present invention, when specifying the data communication
party, the reception of the power that is wirelessly transmitted
from the base station apparatus or the printer dock is a trigger
for specifying the communication party. Prior to data communication,
the power transmit request is transmitted from the portable terminal
or digital camera to the base station apparatus or printer dock,
and in response to this request, power is transmitted. When this
transmitted power is received, the base station apparatus or printer
dock that transmitted the power is specified as the communication
party.
[0012] According to the present invention, since the communication
party is specified by receiving power that is wirelessly transmitted,
the communication party can be specified in a simple and reliable
manner. Therefore, when transmitting the photographed data and printing
to the printer dock, the photographed data can be transmitted only
to the specified printer dock that can transfer power.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a system conceptual diagram of an embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart for the embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 4 is another processing flowchart (standby state) for
the embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 5 is an authentication processing flowchart in a normal
operating state of the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] A digital camera and a printer dock are illustrated hereinafter
for an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the
attached figures.
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of a communication system
for the embodiment. The communication system comprises a digital
camera 10 and a printer dock 12.
[0021] The digital camera 10 has an internal secondary battery,
such as a Li-ion battery or Ni-MH battery. Data for photographed
images is stored in an internal flash memory. When printing image
data, a user positions the digital camera 10 in proximity to the
printer dock 12.
[0022] The printer dock 12 has a print function for receiving and
printing the image data stored in the memory of the digital camera
10 and a function for supplying power to the digital camera 10.
When the digital camera 10 is set in proximity to the printer dock
12, the power for the digital camera 10 is supplied wirelessly from
the printer dock 12 and not from the internal secondary battery.
When a print button 20 is pressed while in a state where communications
between the digital camera 10 and the printer dock 12 have been
established, a printing process is executed on the basis of the
image data stored in the memory of the digital camera 10 and a sheet
of paper, which has been loaded beforehand in a paper tray 18, is
printed and output. Until printing is completed and the paper is
ejected in the printing process, layers of yellow, magenta, and
cyan are printed in sequence, and finally a protective layer is
coated while the paper moves back and forth several times (such
as four times), after which the paper is ejected. Selection of the
image to be printed is performed by pressing a selection button
located in proximity to the print button 20. By pressing the selection
button, the photographed images are sequentially displayed on a
rear LCD screen on the digital camera 10 and the user confirms on
the LCD screen the image to be printed. The printed image size is
switched by pressing an image size button 22 and the current image
size is indicated on an image size indicator 24. During charging,
the state of charge is indicated on a charging indicator 14. The
state of charge is detected by a processor of the digital camera
10 and is wirelessly transmitted to the printer dock 12. The charging
indicator 14 comprises three LEDs arranged in a line and the number
of lit LEDs is controlled in accordance with the state of charge.
Namely, one LED is lit at the start of charging, and two and then
three LEDs are lit as the charging progresses. Charging completes
as three LEDs are lit. A USB connector 26 is provided on the printer
dock 12 for connection to a computer. When the printer dock 12 is
connected to a computer and a transfer button 16 is pressed, the
image data is transferred form the printer dock 12 to the computer.
In this case, the printer dock 12 functions as a USB hub connecting
the digital camera 10 and the computer. Furthermore, due to the
USB connection, the printer dock 12 functions as a printer that
can be controlled from the computer. Moreover, the printer dock
12 also has a USB connector for connecting to a PictBridge compatible
digital camera.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the digital camera 10 and
the printer dock 12 in FIG. 1.
[0024] The digital camera 10 has two circuit systems: power receiver
system and data transfer system. It should be noted that the components
for image capture, for example, optical lens, shutter, aperture,
image sensor, such as CCD or CMOS, image processor for performing
image processing, such as white balance processing or edge processing,
memory, such as flash memory for storing photographed data, viewfinder,
LCD, various operating buttons, and so forth, are the same as in
a conventional digital camera and will be omitted herein. The power
receiver system has a receiving coil 10a, an AC/DC converter 10b,
and a secondary battery 10c. The data transfer system has an antenna
10d and a communications circuit 10e. The receiving coil 10a receives
power that is wirelessly transmitted from the printer dock 12. The
AC/DC converter 10b of the power receiver system and the communications
circuit 10e of the data transfer system are controlled by control
signals from a microprocessor 10f. The power (alternating current
power) received by the receiving coil 10a is supplied to the AC/DC
converter 10b. The AC/DC converter 10b converts the alternating
current power to direct current power, which is then supplied to
the secondary battery 10c to charge the secondary battery 10c. Furthermore,
the AC/DC converter 10b supplies operating power to various parts
of the digital camera 10.
[0025] The communications circuit 10c, which is for data communications
with the communications circuit at the printer dock 12, detects
the printer dock 12 within the communication range and acquires
its ID, then uses the ID to transmit a power transmit request command
to the printer dock 12. Furthermore, when power is transmitted from
the printer dock 12 and received by the power receiver system, the
communication party is specified with this power reception as a
trigger, the ID of the communication party is registered in a memory
10g, and the photographed data stored in the memory of the digital
camera 10 is transmitted to the printer dock 12 using the registered
ID. The communication method by the communications circuit 10e is
arbitrary and may use 2.4 GHz electromagnetic waves or infrared.
[0026] The printer dock 12 has two circuit systems: power transmitter
system and data transfer system. It should be noted that the printing
system for printing on paper using the photographed data is the
same as in a conventional printer and will be omitted herein. The
power transmitter system has a power supply section 12a, a transmitting
circuit 12b, and a transmitting coil 12c. The power supply section
12a includes a DC/DC converter for converting an external direct
current supply to a direct current supply and supplying the direct
current power to the transmitting circuit 12b. The transmitting
circuit 12b drives the transmitting coil 12c in accordance with
a control command (at a timing where a power transmit request is
received from the digital camera 10) from a processor 12d, and wirelessly
transmits the power. The data transfer system has a communications
circuit 12e and an antenna 12f. When the communications circuit
12e receives the power transmit request command that is transmitted
from the communications circuit 10e of the digital camera 10, a
command received signal is transmitted to the processor 12d. The
processor 12d commands the transmitting circuit 12b in response
to the command received signal to initiate power transmission. Furthermore,
when the photographed data, for which the self ID is specified,
is transmitted from the communications circuit 10e of the digital
camera 10 to which power was transmitted, it is received by the
communications circuit 12e and supplied to a printing circuit. The
self ID is stored in a memory 12g, read from the memory 12g by the
processor 12d, and transmitted to the digital camera 10 via the
communications circuit 12e and the antenna 12f. A file memory (storage
apparatus) 12h stores the photographed data that was transmitted
from the digital camera and received by the communications circuit
12e. When the printer dock 12 is connected to a personal computer,
such as through USB, the image data can naturally be read from and
written to the file memory 12h between the printer dock 12 and the
personal computer.
[0027] Data communications between the digital camera 10 and the
printer dock 12 are described in further detail hereinafter. FIG.
3 shows a processing flowchart at the digital camera 10. First,
when the user turns on the power (S101) to the digital camera 10,
the processor 10f wirelessly transmits a signal at fixed intervals
to detect (S102) the printer dock 12 located within a communication
range. Namely, the printer dock 12 located within the communication
range is detected by controlling the communications circuit 10e
and by broadcasting an IQ (Inquiry) packet at a fixed interval from
the antenna 10d and by receiving a response packet for the IQ packet
from the printer dock 12. If the printer dock 12 cannot be detected,
the wireless transmission (NO at S103) is continued at a fixed interval.
If the printer dock 12 is detected (YES at S103), the communications
circuit 10e transmits an ID request (S104) for the printer dock
12 that transmitted the response packet. The antenna 12f and the
communications circuit 12e of the printer dock 12 receive this ID
request and supply it to the processor 12d. In response to this
request, the processor 12d reads the self ID from the memory 12g
and transmits it to the digital camera 10 via the communications
circuit 12e and the antenna 12f. The communications circuit 10e
of the digital camera 10 receives the ID that is transmitted from
the printer dock 12 and supplies it to the processor 10f. The processor
10f stores the ID into the memory 10g. If multiple printer docks
12 are located within the communication range, multiple IDs are
stored in the memory 10g. Here it is assumed that there are two
printer docks 12A, 12B having IDs of IDa and IDb, respectively.
[0028] The printer docks 12 within the communication range are
detected and the IDs of the printer dock 12 are acquired, after
which a sequential power transmit request (power transmit request
command) is transmitted (S106) to each printer dock 12. More specifically,
if IDa and IDb exist, the power transmit request is first transmitted
including IDa, and during a fixed period it is confirmed that the
power receiver system receives power (S107). If power is not received
by the power receiver system even after the elapse of the fixed
period (NO at S107), a power transmit stop command is transmitted
for that ID. Then, a power transmit request is transmitted including
IDb, and during the same fixed period it is confirmed that the power
receiver system receives power. When the power transmit request
is transmitted including IDa and the communications circuit 12e
of the printer dock 12 receives this power transmit request, the
processor 12d checks the self ID with the ID within the power transmit
request. As a result of the check, if it is judged that there is
a match with the self ID, the communications circuit 12b is driven
to wirelessly transmit power. The receiving coil 10a of the digital
camera 10 receives the wireless power from the transmitting coil
12c and the AC/DC converter 10b converts it to direct current power
and supplies it to the secondary battery 10c. When the processor
10f confirms that the power was received at the power receiver system
(YES at S107), the ID (IDa in this instance) is re-registered into
the memory 10g and an ID for which power reception could not be
confirmed is deleted from the memory 10g (S108).
[0029] As described hereinabove, the ID of the printer dock 12
that transmitted power is stored in the memory 10g, the processor
10f reads the photographed data from memory and wirelessly transmits
it (S109) including the ID that is stored in the memory 10g as the
communication party (IDa in this instance). The processor 12d of
the printer dock 12 checks the self ID with the ID attached to the
photographed data that was wirelessly transmitted from the digital
camera 10, and after confirming that the photographed data is for
itself, the photographed data is supplied to the printing system
and printing is performed. Furthermore, the processor 10f detects
the state of charge (SOC) and transmits it to the printer dock 12
via the communications circuit 10e and the antenna 10d.
[0030] In this manner, in this embodiment, the power transmit request
is output for the printer dock 12 located within the communication
range, and the printer dock that wireless transmitted the power
in response to this power transmit request is specified as the communication
party and the photographed data is wirelessly transmitted. However,
if there is one printer dock 12 within the communication range,
the power supply is received from that printer dock 12 to charge
the secondary battery and the photographed data can be transmitted
and printed. Even if there are multiple printer docks 12 within
the communication range, the photographed data can be transmitted
and printed only for the printer dock 12 that wirelessly transmitted
the power. Since only the ID of the printer dock 12 capable of transferring
power is automatically set among the printer docks 12 within communication
range, this obviates the need for a numeric keypad or the like for
specifying the communication party. Since the power reception in
this embodiment is a trigger for specifying the communication party,
after the power is received and the ID of the printer dock 12 is
registered into the memory 10g, data communications continue even
if the digital camera 10 and the printer dock 12 exceed the power
transfer range. If the power of the digital camera 10 is turned
off or if the printer dock 12 does not exist within the data communication
range, the processes from S101 are again repeated and a new ID is
registered into the memory 10g.
[0031] FIGS. 4 and 5 show other processing flowcharts. FIG. 4 is
a processing flowchart for the standby state and FIG. 5 is an authentication
processing flowchart at an arbitrary timing in a normal operating
state subsequent to the standby state. In both figures, for the
convenience of description, the processes at the digital camera
10 and the processes at the printer dock 12 are shown separated
to the left and right and each processing step is suffixed with
a distinguishing letter. A suffix of "p", such as S101p,
denotes a process at the printer dock 12 and a suffix of "d",
such as S102d, denotes a process at the digital camera 10.
[0032] In FIG. 4, the printer dock 12 repeats the power transmission
(S201p) at a relatively short fixed interval so that the user will
not have to wait unduly for an operation to display after placing
the digital camera 10 on the printer dock 12. On the other hand,
when the digital camera 10 receives power (S202d), its control circuit
is designed to initially wake up (S203d) even though it may be in
the standby state. When it wakes up due to power reception, its
ID (here the ID of the digital camera 10 is ID1) is first wirelessly
transmitted (S204d). This ID comprises category information denoting
a portable device (digital camera) and ID information that is assigned
so as to be unique for every digital camera 10. It is judged (S205p,
S206p) whether or not the printer dock 12 has received the ID1 within
a predetermined time from power transmission. If the ID1 is not
detected within the predetermined time from power transmission,
the power transmission is turned off (S208p), a fixed time is counted
by a timer (S209p), and the power transmission is again performed
(S201p).
[0033] If the ID1 is received within the predetermined time from
power transmission, it is judged whether or not the received ID1
is identical with the ID1 that is already stored in memory, namely,
whether or not it represents a new communication party (S207p).
If it is identical to the ID1 that is already stored in memory,
the power transmission is turned off, similar to when the ID1 was
not received within the predetermined time, and it transfers to
the standby state for again performing power transmission after
a fixed time (S208p, S209p, S201p). If the received ID1 is a new
ID, the printer dock 12 transmits (S210p) ID2, which is its own
ID (here it is ID2 to distinguish the ID of the printer dock 12
from the ID of the digital camera). ID2 also comprises category
information denoting a base station (printer dock) and ID information
that is assigned so as to be unique for every printer dock 12. Furthermore,
the 1D1 of the digital camera 10 is stored into memory (S211p).
[0034] When the digital camera 10 receives the ID2 (S212d) that
was wirelessly transmitted from the printer dock 12, this ID2 is
stored (S213d) into a predetermined area in memory, after which
data transfers, such as file transmissions, are performed by embedding
the ID2 information into a packet and can be received only by the
printer dock 12 indicated by ID2.
[0035] In FIG. 5, the digital camera 10 transmits (S301d, S302d)
the power transmit off command and the ID2 transmit command for
the printer dock 12 at an arbitrary timing in the normal operating
state. Although the ID2 transmit command is transmitted after the
power transmit off command in the figure, their transmission sequence
may be reversed so that the power transmit off command may be transmitted
after the ID2 transmit command. The printer dock 12 receives these
commands, turns off the power transmission (S303p), and wirelessly
transmits its own ID2 (S304p).
[0036] When the digital camera 10 transmits the ID2 transmit command
and the ID2 information is transmitted from the printer dock 12
within the predetermined time, this is received (S305d) and checked
(S306d) with the ID2 (refer to S213dof FIG. 4) that has already
been stored in memory. As a result of the check, if it matches the
ID2 that is stored in memory, a transmit enable flag is set (S312d)
because the printer dock 12 was initially authenticated, and normal
operation resumes. If it is different from the ID2 that is stored
in memory or if there is no stored value, the power transmit command
is transmitted (S307d and S310d) to the printer dock 12 of the received
ID2 (or in sequential order for every ID2 if there are multiple
printer docks) and the digital camera 10 waits to receive power.
At the printer dock 12, when the power transmit command is received,
the power transmission is turned on (S308p). At the digital camera
10, if the power is received (S309d) within the predetermined time
after the power transmit command is transmitted, this indicates
a docking state with the printer dock 12 instructed to transmit
power so that subsequently the ID2 is stored as the ID of the data
communication party (S311d), the data transmit enable flag is set
(S312d), and normal operation is resumed.
[0037] On the other hand, if power is not received within the predetermined
time, this indicates that the authenticated printer dock 12 is not
in proximity so that the data transmit enable flag is reset (S313d)
and normal operation is resumed.
[0038] In the above-mentioned manner, the ID2 of the printer dock
12 that received power is stored into memory, and the data transmit
enable flag is set. In the operation of the digital camera 10, when
data transmission is performed, such as by user operation, it is
judged whether or not the data transmit enable flag has been set.
If the data transmit enable flag has been set, the ID2 stored in
memory is embedded and data is transmitted. If the data transmit
enable flag has not been set, the fact that the printer dock 12
that was authenticated for the user does not exist (power is not
on, authentication has not been performed, or does not exist within
communication range) is signaled and data transmission is not performed.
[0039] The embodiment of the present invention was described hereinabove.
As described hereinabove, when the portable device of the present
invention receives power, the control circuit initially wakes up
even if in the standby state and performs authentication so that
no special operation need be performed even for an energy saving
portable device and communication is initiated simply by placing
it on the base station. However, the present invention is not limited
to this and various modifications thereto are possible.
[0040] For example, in this embodiment, the ID of the printer dock
12 within communication range is stored into the memory 10g, after
which only the ID of the printer dock 12 that wirelessly transmitted
power is saved in the memory 10g while any other ID is deleted.
However, a flag may be set for the ID of the printer dock 12 that
wirelessly transmitted power to specify the communication party,
and any other ID need not be deleted from the memory 10g and may
be saved.
[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an ID request was transmitted
and an ID was acquired after the printer dock 12 located within
communication range was detected. However, if an IQ packet is broadcast
and attribute data for the printer dock 12 is included in response,
the attribute data may be acquired as an ID.
[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if power is transmitted
from multiple printer docks 12, the printer dock 12 with the highest
received power may be specified as the communication party. For
example, if the power transmit request is transmitted including
IDa and power is transmitted from the printer dock 12A in response
with a received power of Pa, and if a power transmit request is
next transmitted including IDb and power is transmitted from the
printer dock 12B in response with a received power of Pb, the magnitudes
of Pa and Pb are compared. If Pa<Pb, IDb may be registered into
the memory 10g and the printer dock 12B may be specified as the
communication party.
[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the power transmit request
is transmitted for a certain ID and the received power is detected,
it is judged whether or not the received power is greater than or
equal to a predetermined threshold. If it is greater than or equal
to the predetermined threshold, the ID may be registered into the
memory 10g as the communication party. If it is less than the predetermined
threshold, the power transmit request may be transmitted for the
next ID and the received power may be detected. The ID for which
the received power was detected to be greater than or equal to the
predetermined threshold may be specified as the communication party.
The threshold may be adapted in accordance with the remaining capacity
of the secondary battery 10c of the digital camera 10. If the remaining
capacity is low, the threshold is increased since the necessity
for charging is high. Thus, charging and data communication can
both be satisfied. Although charging and data communication may
be performed simultaneously, it is likely preferable to execute
them non-simultaneously when considering noise interference during
data communication. To execute the charging control and data communication
non-simultaneously, the control operations are detailed as follows.
Namely, the processor 10f monitors the remaining capacity of the
secondary battery 10c and it is judged whether or not there is sufficient
capacity for the data communication. If there is sufficient capacity
for data communication, the data communication is executed, and
after the completion of data communication, the secondary battery
10c is charged by the power from the printer dock 12 (authenticated
printer dock 12). On the other hand, if there is insufficient capacity
for data communication, the secondary battery 10c is first charged
by the power from the authenticated printer dock 12, after which
the data communication is executed. The data communication may be
initiated after fully charging the secondary battery 10c or the
charging may be temporarily interrupted at a point where the capacity
is sufficient for the data communication and the data communication
is initiated, and after completion of the data communication the
charging is resumed. The control operation may be switched in accordance
with the remaining charge of the secondary battery 10c or with the
predicted time until the fully charged state. If the remaining capacity
is low and the predicted time until the fully charged state is greater
than or equal to a predetermined time, charging is performed until
the capacity is sufficient for the data communication, the charging
is interrupted, and the data communication is initiated. If the
remaining capacity is relatively high and the predicted time until
the fully charged state is less than the predetermined time, charging
is performed until the fully charged state, after which the data
communication is performed. If the time required until the fully
charged state is greater than or equal to the predetermined time,
the charging control and the data communication may be executed
using time division or in an intermittent manner. If there is insufficient
power for the data communication and the data communication is to
be performed after charging, this information (that charging is
to be initiated due to insufficient power for data communication)
may be displayed on the LCD screen of the digital camera 10. If
data communication is to be performed after the secondary battery
10c is charged and another printer dock 12 besides the authenticated
printer dock 12 exists, the power from the printer dock 12 that
is not authenticated (namely, not a communication party) may be
utilized for charging. The charging control and communication control
will be described next based on the flowchart of FIG. 5. If ID2
matches in S306d or if power is received and ID2 is stored into
memory in S309d, the data transmit enable flag is set in S312d.
However, when setting the flag, the remaining capacity of the secondary
battery 10c is detected and it is judged whether or not it is greater
than or equal to the threshold. The threshold may be fixed at a
default value or set by the user. The threshold may be varied in
accordance with the size of the photographed data to be transmitted
or with the image format. If the remaining capacity is greater than
or equal to the threshold, it is assumed that there is sufficient
capacity for the data communication so the data transmit enable
flag is set. If the remaining capacity is less than the threshold,
it is assumed that there is insufficient capacity for the data communication
so the data transmit enable flag is not set (remains in the reset
state) and a charge flag is set. The data transmit enable flag is
set when the secondary battery 10c is charged in accordance with
the charge flag and the remaining capacity is greater than or equal
to the threshold. The charge flag is reset and charging is interrupted
during data communication, and after the completion of data communication,
it is set to a fully charged state and charging is resumed.
[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the algorithm for specifying
the communication party in accordance with the remaining capacity
of the secondary battery 10c may be modified. For example, if the
remaining capacity of the secondary battery 10c is less than or
equal to a predetermined value and it is judged that charging is
necessary, the printer dock 12 that transmits power as described
hereinbefore is specified as the communication party. If the remaining
capacity of the secondary battery 10c exceeds the predetermined
value and it is judged that charging is unnecessary, any printer
dock 12 within communication range is specified as the communication
party.
[0045] If the printer dock 12A and the printer dock 12B exist within
the communication range and the printer dock 12A is specified as
the communication party, the charging indicator 14 of the printer
dock 12A lights to signal that the digital camera 10 is being charged
by the printer dock 12A so that a user can easily and visually confirm
which printer dock will print the photographed data.
[0046] In this embodiment, although a digital camera was given
as an example of a portable terminal, a cellular phone or a portable
data terminal is applicable. Furthermore, although a printer dock
was given as an example of a base station, a cradle having a charging
function and data transfer function is applicable.
[0047] While there has been described what are at present considered
to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood
that various modifications may be made thereto, and it is intended
that the appended claims cover all such modifications as fall within
the true spirit and scope of the invention. |