Image communication system, image communication apparatus, and storage medium having image communication program stored therein

• US 20100007926A1
• Filed: 07/18/2008
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Imaizumi, Masahiro, Iwasa, Yoshihiro, Kono, Hiroyuki
• Granted Patent: US 8,289,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/434
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32117 in a separate transmission or protocol signal prior to or subsequent to the image data transmission, e.g. in digital identification signal [DIS], in non standard setup [NSS] or in non standard field [NSF] for mode signalling H04N1/333
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32765 Initiating a communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0096 Portable devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3208 of an e-mail or network address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 Transmission

Abstract

Identification information of another image communication apparatus is received, as transmitter information indicating a transmitter, from the another image communication apparatus, and display is performed so as to indicate the transmitter on display means in accordance with the transmitter information having been received, and a user is allowed to select whether or not an image is to be received from the another image communication apparatus having transmitted the transmitter information. Next, its own identification information is transmitted, as destination information indicating a destination, to the another image communication apparatus which is selected as the transmitter from which an image is to be received. An image is received from the another image communication apparatus to which the destination information is transmitted, and the received image is stored in storage means.

Claims

1. An image communication system which comprises a plurality of image communication apparatuses each having image storage means for storing predetermined images, and which allows the plurality of image communication apparatuses to transmit and receive the predetermined images thereamong, the image communication system further comprising

wherein an image communication apparatus, among the plurality of image communication apparatuses, acting to transmit an image further includes transmitter information transmission control means for transmitting its own identification information, as transmitter information indicating a transmitter, to an unspecified image communication apparatus other than the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image, the unspecified image communication apparatus being among the plurality of image communication apparatuses,

wherein an image communication apparatus, among the plurality of image communication apparatuses, acting to receive an image further includes:

transmitter information reception means for receiving the transmitter information;

selection means for performing display so as to indicate the transmitter on display means in accordance with the transmitter information having been received, and allowing a user to select whether or not an image is to be received from the image communication apparatus having transmitted the transmitter information; and

destination information transmission control means for transmitting its own identification information, as destination information indicating a destination, to the image communication apparatus which is selected by the selection means as the transmitter from which an image is to be received,

wherein the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image further includes;

destination information reception control means for receiving the destination information;

destination determination means for determining the image communication apparatus acting as the destination to receive an image, in accordance with the destination information having been received; and

image transmission means for transmitting at least one of the predetermined images stored in the image storage means, to the destination determined by the destination determination means, and

wherein the image communication apparatus acting to receive an image further includes;

image reception means for receiving an image transmitted by the image transmission means; and

image storage control means for storing, in the image storage means, the image received by the image reception means.

2. The image communication system according to claim 1,

wherein the transmitter information reception means is capable of receiving the transmitter information corresponding to a plurality of the transmitter, the transmitter information corresponding to the plurality of the transmitter being each transmitted to the unspecified image communication apparatus, and

wherein the selection means displays, on the display means, the transmitter information corresponding to each of the plurality of the transmitter, in accordance with the transmitter information having been received, and causes a user to select from among the transmitter information corresponding to the plurality of the transmitter.

3. The image communication system according to claim 1, wherein the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image further includes transmitter display control means for performing display so as to indicate, on the display means of the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image, the image communication apparatus which requests image transmission, in accordance with the destination information received from the image communication apparatus acting to receive an image.

4. The image communication system according to claim 1,

wherein the transmitter information includes transmitter user information which is settable by a user of the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image, and

wherein the selection means displays, on the display means of the image communication apparatus acting to receive an image, the transmitter user information included in the transmitter information, as information indicating the image communication apparatus which transmits the transmitter information.

5. The image communication system according to claim 3,

wherein the destination information includes destination user information which is settable by a user of the image communication apparatus acting to receive an image, and

wherein the transmitter display control means displays, on the display means of the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image, the destination user information included in the destination information, as information indicating the image communication apparatus which requests the image transmission.

6. The image communication system according to claim 1,

wherein the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image further includes image selection means for selecting, after receiving the destination information, an image to be transmitted to the image communication apparatus which transmits the destination information, in accordance with an operation performed by a user, and

wherein the image transmission means transmits, to the image communication apparatus which transmits the destination information, the image selected by the image selection means.

7. The image communication system according to claim 6, wherein the image selection means includes subject-image-to-be-transmitted display control means for helping a user to select an image to be transmitted to the image communication apparatus acting to receive an image, from among images stored in the image storage means as subjects to be transmitted to the image communication apparatus acting to receive an image, by displaying, on the display means of the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image, the images stored in the image storage means as the subjects to be transmitted to the image communication apparatus acting to receive an image.

8. The image communication system according to claim 6,

wherein the image storage means of the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image includes

in-body storage means incorporated in a body of the image communication apparatus, and

detachable storage means detachably mounted to the body of the image communication apparatus, and

wherein the image selection means includes storage means selection means for selecting one of the in-body storage means and the detachable storage means, and

wherein the image selection means selects, in accordance with an operation performed by a user, an image to be transmitted to the image communication apparatus acting to receive an image, from among images stored in the storage means selected by the storage means selection means.

9. The image communication system according to claim 1,

wherein the image communication apparatus acting to receive an image further includes

determination means for determining, after the image reception means receives an image transmitted from the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image, whether or not an image is to be further received from the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image, and

image transmission continuation request transmission means for transmitting, when the determination means determines that an image is to be further received, an image transmission continuation request to the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image, the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image having been selected by the selection means, and

wherein the image transmission means transmits, when receiving the image transmission continuation request, an image to the image communication apparatus transmitting the image transmission continuation request.

10. The image communication system according to claim 9,

wherein the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image further includes image selection means for selecting an image to be transmitted to the image communication apparatus transmitting the image transmission continuation request, in accordance with an operation performed by a user, after receiving the image transmission continuation request, and

wherein the image transmission means transmits the image selected by the image selection means, to the image communication apparatus transmitting the image transmission continuation request, when receiving the image transmission continuation request.

11. The image communication system according to claim 1, wherein the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image further includes limitation means for limiting a number of images to be simultaneously transmitted by the image transmission means.

12. The image communication system according to claim 9,

wherein the determination means determines, in accordance with an operation performed by a user, whether or not an image is to be further received from the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image,

wherein the image communication apparatus acting to receive an image further includes reception end informing means for transmitting reception end information to the image communication apparatus selected by the selection means, when the determination means determines that an image is not to be received, and

wherein the image transmission means transmits, each time the image transmission continuation request is received, an image to only the image communication apparatus transmitting the image transmission continuation request, and does not transmit an image to the image communication apparatus transmitting the reception end information.

13. The image communication system according to claim 12,

wherein the image communication apparatus acting to receive an image further includes remaining capacity monitoring means for monitoring a remaining storage capacity of the image storage means so as to additionally store the image, and

wherein the reception end informing means transmits the reception end information to the image communication apparatus selected by the selection means, when the remaining storage capacity is smaller than or equal to a predetermined capacity.

14. The image communication system according to claim 1,

wherein the image storage means of the image communication apparatus acting to receive an image includes

in-body storage means incorporated in a body of the image communication apparatus, and

detachable storage means detachably mounted to the body of the image communication apparatus, and

wherein the image communication apparatus acting to receive an image further includes storage means determination means for predetermining one of the in-body storage means and the detachable storage means, as storage means for storing the received image, and

wherein the image storage control means stores, in the storage means predetermined by the storage means determination means, an image transmitted from the image communication apparatus acting to transmit an image.

15. The image communication system according to claim 1,

wherein each of the plurality of image communication apparatuses further includes

image taking means, and

photographing means for storing an image taken by the image taking means, in the image storage means, in accordance with a predetermined operation performed by a user, and

wherein the image transmission means transmits the image stored in the image storage means by the photographing means.

16. An image communication apparatus for receiving an image from another image communication apparatus, the image communication apparatus comprising:

storage means;

transmitter information reception means for receiving, from the another image communication apparatus, identification information of the another image communication apparatus as transmitter information indicating a transmitter;

selection means for performing display so as to indicate the transmitter on display means in accordance with the transmitter information having been received, and allowing a user to select whether or not an image is to be received from the another image communication apparatus having transmitted the transmitter information;

destination information transmission control means for transmitting its own identification information, as destination information indicating a destination, to the image communication apparatus which is selected by the selection means as the transmitter from which an image is to be received;

image reception means for receiving an image transmitted by the another image communication apparatus to which the destination information is transmitted; and

image storage control means for storing, in the storage means, the image received by the image reception means.

17. An image communication apparatus for transmitting an image to another image communication apparatus, the image communication apparatus comprising:

image storage means for storing a predetermined image;

transmitter information transmission control means for transmitting its own identification information, as transmitter information indicating a transmitter, to another unspecified image communication apparatus;

destination information reception control means for receiving, from the another image communication apparatus, identification information of the another image communication apparatus, as destination information indicating a destination;

destination determination means for determining, in accordance with the destination information having been received, the another image communication apparatus acting, as the destination, to receive an image; and

image transmission means for transmitting at least one of a plurality of the predetermined image stored in the image storage means, to the destination determined by the destination determination means.

18. An image communication apparatus for receiving an image from another image communication apparatus or transmitting an image to another image communication apparatus, the image communication apparatus comprising:

image storage means for storing a predetermined image; and

transmission/reception determination means for determining whether an image is to be received from another image communication apparatus or an image is to be transmitted to another image communication apparatus;

wherein when the transmission/reception determination means determines that an image is to be received from another image communication apparatus, the image communication apparatus further comprises;

transmitter information reception means for receiving, from the another image communication apparatus, identification information of the another image communication apparatus, as transmitter information indicating a transmitter;

selection means for performing display so as to indicate the transmitter on display means in accordance with the transmitter information having been received, and allowing a user to select whether or not an image is to be received from the another image communication apparatus having transmitted the transmitter information;

destination information transmission control means for transmitting its own identification information, as destination information indicating a destination, to the another image communication apparatus which is selected by the selection means as the transmitter from which an image is to be received;

image reception means for receiving an image transmitted from the another image communication apparatus to which the destination information is transmitted; and

image storage control means for storing, in the image storage means, the image received by the image reception means, and

wherein when the transmission/reception determination means determines that an image is to be transmitted to another image communication apparatus, the image communication apparatus further comprises;

transmitter information transmission control means for transmitting, to another unspecified image communication apparatus, its own identification information as transmitter information indicating a transmitter;

destination information reception control means for receiving, from the another image communication apparatus, identification information of the another image communication apparatus, as the destination information indicating the destination;

destination determination means for determining, in accordance with the destination information having been received, the another image communication apparatus acting as the destination to receive an image; and

image transmission means for transmitting, to the destination determined by the destination determination means, at least one of a plurality of the predetermined image stored in the image storage means.

19. A computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an image communication program executed by a computer of an apparatus for receiving an image from an image communication apparatus other than the apparatus, the computer being caused to function as:

transmitter information reception means for receiving, from the image communication apparatus other than the apparatus, identification information of the image communication apparatus other than the apparatus as transmitter information indicating a transmitter;

selection means for performing display so as to indicate the transmitter on display means in accordance with the transmitter information having been received, and allowing a user to select whether or not an image is to be received from the image communication apparatus having transmitted the transmitter information;

destination information transmission control means for transmitting its own identification information, as destination information indicating a destination, to the image communication apparatus which is selected by the selection means as the transmitter from which an image is to be received;

image reception means for receiving an image transmitted by the image communication apparatus to which the destination information is transmitted; and

image storage control means for storing, in a storage device, the image received by the image reception means.

20. A computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an image communication program executed by a computer of an apparatus for receiving an image from an image communication apparatus other than the apparatus or transmitting an image to an image communication apparatus other than the apparatus,

wherein a predetermined image is stored in a storage device of the apparatus,

wherein the computer is caused to function as transmission/reception determination means for determining whether an image is to be received from an image communication apparatus other than the apparatus or an image is to be transmitted to an image communication apparatus other than the apparatus,

wherein when the transmission/reception determination means determines that an image is to be received from an image communication apparatus other than the apparatus, the computer is caused to further function as:

transmitter information reception means for receiving, from the image communication apparatus other than the apparatus, identification information of the image communication apparatus other than the apparatus, as transmitter information indicating a transmitter;

selection means for performing display so as to indicate the transmitter on display means in accordance with the transmitter information having been received, and allowing a user to select whether or not an image is to be received from the image communication apparatus having transmitted the transmitter information;

destination information transmission control means for transmitting its own identification information, as destination information indicating a destination, to the image communication apparatus which is selected by the selection means as the transmitter from which an image is to be received;

image reception means for receiving an image transmitted from the image communication apparatus to which the destination information is transmitted; and

image storage control means for storing, in the storage device, the image received by the image reception means, and

wherein when the transmission/reception determination means determines that an image is to be transmitted to an image communication apparatus other than the apparatus, the computer is caused to further function as;

transmitter information transmission control means for transmitting, to an unspecified image communication apparatus other than the apparatus, its own identification information as the transmitter information indicating the transmitter;

destination information reception control means for receiving, from the image communication apparatus other than the apparatus, identification information of the image communication apparatus other than the apparatus, as the destination information indicating the destination;

destination determination means for determining, in accordance with the destination information having been received, the image communication apparatus acting as the destination to receive an image; and

image transmission means for transmitting, to the destination determined by the destination determination means, at least one of a plurality of the predetermined image stored in the storage device.