Communication terminal apparatus, communication method thereof, and connected destination selection method in wireless LAN

• US 7,403,510 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2000
• Issued: 07/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Miyake, Izumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Jung; Min
• Application Number:
  US09/708,630
• Time in Patent Office: 2,812 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 370/343, 370/395.2, 455/414.1, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 including a wireless LAN interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00458 Sequential viewing of a plurality of images, e.g. browsing or scrolling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32771 in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 Handheld terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0036 Detecting or checking connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices

Abstract

To provide a communication terminal apparatus including a first wireless communication unit that can connect with a host computer, a second wireless communication unit that can connect with connecting equipment by wireless, an equipment information storage unit for storing image information showing an appearance of the above-described connecting equipment, a display unit for displaying the appearance of the connecting equipment, and a designating unit for establishing communication with the connecting equipment thereafter, which is designated, when the appearance of the desired connecting equipment that is displayed in the above-described display unit is designated, in which, since the above-described wireless communication unit receives and displays image information showing the appearance of the above-described connecting equipment from the host computer if the image information showing the appearance of the above-described connecting equipment is not stored in the equipment information storage unit. Hence it becomes possible for the communication terminal apparatus to receive the appearance and product names of all the connecting equipment that are connected to the communication terminal apparatus, to display them in the display unit, and to establish communication.

Claims

1. A communication terminal apparatus, comprising:

a communication device configured to operatively connect with a host computer;

a wireless communication device configured to operatively connect by wireless communication with at least one wireless device;

a storage device which stores image information representative of said at least one wireless device;

a display device for displaying representative image information of said at least one wireless device that is stored in the storage device when the wireless communication with said at least one wireless device is started; and

a designating device which establishes communication with said at least one wireless device thereafter which is designated by a selection of said image information representative of a desired wireless device,

wherein said communication device receives and stores image information representative of said at least one wireless device from said host computer when the image information representative of said at least one wireless device is not stored in said storage device, and said communication device, said wireless communication device, said storage device, said display device and said designating device are positioned within said communication terminal apparatus.

2. A communication method using the communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1 for selectively communicating with wireless equipment, the communication terminal apparatus performing transmission and reception of data with a host computer and at least one wireless device through the communication terminal apparatus after communication is established between the communication terminal apparatus and the at least one wireless device, wherein, when the communication terminal apparatus establishes communication with a desired wireless device, the communication terminal apparatus performs the communication method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving representative equipment information of said at least one wireless device from said at least one wireless device;

(b) connecting to said host computer on the basis of said equipment information, and receiving representative image information of said at least one wireless device from the host computer;

(c) displaying representative image information of the at least one wireless device in said display device of the communication terminal apparatus on the basis of the representative image information received from said host computer or stored beforehand in said storage device; and

(d) establishing communication with said at least one wireless device that is designated by a selection of said representative image information for said desired wireless device.

3. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising:

at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication, and wherein said at least one wireless device includes at least one of a printer, a camera, a personal computer and a wireless phone; and

a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with the at least one wireless device, the method comprising;

judging whether said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within wireless communication range of each other;

judging whether a predetermined key, provided in said at least one wireless device, and a predetermined key, provided in said communication terminal apparatus, are pressed within a predetermined time of each other when it is judged that said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within the the wireless communication range of each other; and

establishing the wireless connection between said communication terminal apparatus and said at least one wireless device when it is judged that said predetermined key of said communication terminal apparatus are pressed within the predetermined time of each other.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:

wirelessly communicating image data between said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:

wirelessly communicating the image data between said communication terminal apparatus and a publicly switched network.

6. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising:

at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication, wherein said at least one wireless device includes at least one of a printer, a camera, a personal computer and a wireless phone; and

a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device, the method comprising;

wirelessly transmitting a key sequence from said communication terminal to said at least one wireless device, wherein the key sequence is inputted by a user;

judging whether the key sequence from said communication terminal coincides with a predetermined key sequence stored within said at least one wireless device; and

establishing the wireless connection between said communication terminal apparatus and said at least one wireless device when it is judged that the key sequence from said communication terminal coincides with the predetermined key sequence stored within said at least one wireless device.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

judging whether said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within wireless communication range of each other,

wherein said step of transmitting the key sequence from said communication terminal to said at least one wireless device is performed when it is judged that said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within the wireless communication range of each other.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

wirelessly communicating image data between said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

wirelessly communicating the image data between said communication terminal apparatus and a publicly switched network.

10. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising:

at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication and take a photograph; and

a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device and includes a display device, wherein;

said at least one wireless device takes a photograph of expression in the display device of said communication terminal apparatus so as to detect displayed contents of the communication terminal apparatus; and

said at least one wireless device establishes wireless connection with said communication terminal apparatus when the displayed contents of the communication terminal apparatus are contents predetermined.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

judging whether said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within wireless communication range of each other; and

emitting the audible sound from said at least one wireless device when it is judged that said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within the wireless communication range of each other.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

wirelessly communicating image data between said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

wirelessly comunicating the image data between said communication terminal apparatus and a publicly switched network.

14. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising:

at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication and take a photograph; and

a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device and includes a display device, wherein;

said at least one wireless device takes a photograph of expression in the display device of said communication terminal apparatus so as to detect didplayed contents of the communication terminal apparatus; and

said at least one wireless device establishes wireless connection with said communication terminal apparatus when the displayed contents of the communication terminal apparatus are contents predetermined.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said at least one wireless device includes at least one of a printer, a camera, a personal computer and a wireless phone.

16. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising:

at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication, wherein said at least one wireless device includes at least one of a printer, a camera, a personal computer and a wireless phone; and

a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device, the method comprising;

detecting whether an audible sound is emitted from said at least one wireless device;

wirelessly transmitting an acknowledgment from said communication terminal apparatus to said at least one wireless device when it is detected that the audible sound is emitted from said at least one wireless device;

wirelessly transmitting a response from said at least one wireless device to said communication terminal apparatus after transmitting the acknowledgement from said communication terminal apparatus to said at least one wireless device;

judging whether the response from said at least one wireless device is received by said communication terminal apparatus; and

establishing the wireless connection between said communication terminal apparatus and said at least one wireless device when it is judged that the response from said at least one wireless device is received by said communication terminal apparatus.

detecting whether said at least one wireless device came into a physical contact with said communication terminal;

wirelessly transmitting an impact acknowledgment from said at least one wireless device to said communication terminal apparatus when it is detected that said at least one wireless device came into the physical contact with said communication terminal;

judging whether the impact acknowledgement from said at least one wireless device is received by said communication terminal apparatus; and

establishing the wireless connection between said at least one wireless device and communication terminal apparatus when it is judged that the impact acknowledgement from said at least one wireless device is received by said communication terminal apparatus.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

wirelessly communicating image data between said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:

wirelessly communicating the image data between said communication terminal apparatus and the publicly switched network.

19. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising:

at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication; and

a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device and includes an information device giving at least one of sound, light, and vibration, said communication terminal apparatus configured to perform a communication with a public network,

the method comprising the steps of;

automatically establishing wireless connection when said communication terminal apparatus and said at least one wireless device come within a wireless communication range; and

informing a user of establishment of said wireless connection by giving sound, light, or vibration from the information device provided in the communication terminal apparatus when the wireless connection is completely established.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said at least one wireless device includes at least one of a printer, a camera, a personal computer and a wireless phone.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein said communication terminal performs said communication with said public network wirelessly.

22. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:

wirelessly communicating image data between said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising:

wirelessly communicating the image data between said communication terminal apparatus and a publicly switched network.

24. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising:

at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication; and

a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device,

the method comprising the steps of;

automatically starting communication when said communication terminal apparatus and said at least one wireless device come within a communication range;

sending common key information, used for authentication, to said at least one wireless device and establishing wireless connection by detecting that a common key;

provided in said at least one wireless device, and a common key, provided in said communication terminal apparatus, are pressed, when it is the first time connection;

sending predetermined key information, used for authentication, to said at least one wireless device, and continuing communication as information for recognizing a user by detecting that a predetermined key, provided in said at least one wireless device, and a predetermined key, provided in said communication terminal apparatus, are pressed, when it is the second time connection; and

recognizing the user and continuing communication by detecting that a predetermined key, provided in said at least one wireless device, and a predetermined key, provided in said communication terminal apparatus, are pressed, when it is the third time connection or after.

25. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising:

at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication; and

communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device, wherein;

wireless connection is automatically authenticated each other and established when said communication terminal apparatus and said at least one wireless device come within a communication range; and

a user is able to designate a mode, in which mutual authentication is limited to the first time one, or another mode, in which mutual authentication is performed first two times and more, from a designating device provided in the communication terminal apparatus.

26. A system for selectively communicating with a wireless equipment, said system comprising:

a host computer;

at least one wireless device; and

a communication terminal apparatus for establishing a wireless communication connection between said host computer and said at least one wireless device, wherein said communication terminal apparatus further includes

a communication device configured to operatively connect with said host computer;

a wireless communication device configured to operatively connect by wireless communication with said at least one wireless device;

a storage device which stores image information representative of said at least one wireless device;

a display device for displaying representative image information of said at least one wireless device that is stored in the storage device when the wireless communication with said at least one wireless device is started; and

a designating device which establishes communication with said at least one wireless device thereafter which is designated by a selection of said image information representative of a desired wireless device, wherein said communication device receives and stores image information representative of said at least one wireless device from said host computer when the image information representative of said at least one wireless device is not stored in said storage device.

27. The system according to claim 26, wherein said at least one wireless device includes at least one of a printer, a camera, a personal computer and a wireless phone.

28. The system according to claim 26, wherein said storage device is a memory device.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein said memory device is at least on of a CPU, a PROM and RAM.

30. A connecting equipment, comprising:

a wireless transmission and reception device; and

an information processing device,

wherein, in conjunction with the wireless transmission and reception device, the information processing device is configured to establish a wireless connection with a communication terminal through at least one of

responding to a product name request from the communication terminal by transmitting a product name corresponding to the connecting equipment to the communication terminal,

responding to a connection acknowledgement signal from the communication terminal by transmitting to the communication terminal a response to a pressing of a key of the connecting equipment by a user,

verifying a key sequence entered by the user on the connecting equipment with a key sequence received from the communication terminal,

responding to a connection acknowledgement signal from the communication terminal by generating an audible sound detectable by the communication terminal,

transmitting an acknowledgement figure displayed by the communication terminal back to the communication terminal,

transmitting an acknowledgment flashing from the communication terminal back to the communication terminal, and

transmitting a shock detection acknowledgement to the communication terminal.

31. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising:

at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication, wherein said at least one wireless device includes at least one of a printer, a camera, a personal computer and a wireless phone; and

a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device, the method comprising;

judging whether said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within wireless communication range of each other; and

according to pressing of a key, provided in said at least one wireless device, and pressing a key, provided in said communication terminal apparatus, establishing the wireless connection between said communication terminal apparatus and said at least one wireless device when it is judged that said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within the wireless communication range of each other;

wirelessly communicating image data between said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus; and

wirelessly communicating the image data between said communication terminal apparatus and a publicly switched network.