Information apparatus system, electronic camera for use therein, and method for controlling information processing apparatus from the electronic camera

• US 20070229670A1
• Filed: 03/19/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corporation (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corporation (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Soga, Takumi
• Application Number:
  US11/726,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20070229670A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/211.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/635 Region indicators; Field of view indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet

Abstract

An information apparatus system includes an access point which sets a wireless network, a first information processing apparatus having an image output section, and a second information processing apparatus having an image pickup section is disclosed. In the information apparatus system, the first information processing apparatus output information necessary to establish communication on an image output section, the second information processing apparatus captures the visualized information with the image pickup section and establishes communication between the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus. The second information processing apparatus sends a control command to the first information processing apparatus.

Claims

1. An information apparatus system comprising:

an access point that sets a wireless network according to a wireless communication protocol including unique network information;

a first information processing apparatus having a first wireless communication section wirelessly communicatable with the access point over the wireless network using the wireless communication protocol;

a second information processing apparatus having a second wireless communication section which is wirelessly communicatable with the access point over the wireless network using the wireless communication protocol, and an image pickup section for imaging a subject,

wherein the access point assigns identification information for identifying an information processing apparatus to be connected to the wireless network to each of the first and second information processing apparatuses,

the first information processing apparatus has an image output control section which generates an information image including the unique network information and the identification information, and makes an image output section output the information image, and

the second information processing apparatus has an information analyzing section which performs image processing on the information image output to the image output section of the first information processing apparatus and captured by the image pickup section, to analyze the unique network information and the identification information of the first information processing apparatus included in the unique network information, and a command output section which sends a control command to the first information processing apparatus via the access point using the wireless communication protocol based on the unique network information and the identification information of the first information processing apparatus analyzed by the information analyzing section.

2. The information apparatus system according to claim 1, wherein the second information processing apparatus displays a guide line to designate an imaging area for the information image to be captured by the image pickup section.

3. The information apparatus system according to claim 1, wherein the second information processing apparatus has a mode setting section which sets a mode by switching a plurality of modes including at least a normal shooting mode to image the subject and a wireless communication mode to capture the information image and output the control command.

4. The information apparatus system according to claim 1, wherein the image output section is one of a display monitor and a printer.

5. An electronic camera communicatable with an information apparatus system wherein

the information apparatus system comprising an access point that sets a wireless network according to a wireless communication protocol including unique network information, and assigns identification information to identify an information processing apparatus to be connected to the wireless network to each information processing apparatus,

the information apparatus further comprising an information processing apparatus having a first wireless communication section wirelessly communicatable with the access point over the wireless network using the wireless communication protocol, and an image output control section which generates an information image including the unique network information and the identification information, and makes an image output section output the information image,

the electronic camera comprising a second wireless communication section wirelessly communicatable with the access point over the wireless network by the wireless communication protocol;

and

the electronic camera further comprising an image pickup section which captures the information image output on the image output section in the information processing apparatus, the electronic camera displaying a guide line to designate an imaging area for the information image to be captured by the image pickup section.

6. The electronic camera according to claim 5, further comprising:

an information analyzing section which performs image processing on the information image captured by the image pickup section to analyze the unique network information and the identification information of the information processing apparatus included in the unique network information; and

a command output section which sends a control command to the information processing apparatus via the access point using the wireless communication protocol based on the unique network information and the identification information of the information processing apparatus analyzed by the information analyzing section.

7. The electronic camera according to claim 5, wherein the image output section is one of a display monitor and a printer.

8. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus from an electronic camera, the method comprising:

allowing a user to select a control content for an information processing apparatus by manipulation or non-manipulation of an operation member of the electronic camera, information indicating the selection result of the control content being stored in a storage medium in the electronic camera;

allowing the user to image a code displayed on a display section of the information processing apparatus with the electronic camera, the code containing information for establishing communication; and

causing the electronic camera to analyze the code to acquire the information for establishing communication, establish wireless communication between the electronic camera and the information processing apparatus, and send the selection result of the control content stored in a storage medium to the information processing apparatus to control the information processing apparatus.