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Image processing apparatus and control method thereof

a technology of image processing apparatus and control method, which is applied in the direction of still video cameras, television systems, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of difficult to determine with which communication apparatus the mobile information terminal can communicate, difficult for the image processing apparatus side to automatically determine, and unclear connection state between devices

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-11-27
CANON KK
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]One aspect of the present invention provides an image processing apparatus, which comprises a display input unit adapted to generate an input signal when an object contacts a display surface that displays an image, and a wireless communication unit adapted to make a wireless communication with a mobile information terminal which contacts the display surface of the display input unit, and executes processing of image dat

Problems solved by technology

On the other hand, in case of wireless communications, such connection state between devices often becomes unclear.
In such cases, it is difficult to determine with which communication apparatus the mobile information terminal can communicate in practice.
In such cases, it is difficult for the image processing apparatus side to automatically determine with which mobile information terminal the image processing apparatus is to communicate.
However, if the name or the like of each mobile information terminal is specified by a simple number or the like, even when a list of mobile information terminals that allow communications is displayed, it is not easy for the user to determine a desired terminal.
However, according to the related art, the communication apparatus does not have any function of automatically settling a communication partner, but it has an assistant function of displaying mobile information terminals that can make wireless communications from the communication apparatus on the display unit, and prompting the user to select a desired terminal.
Second, since the user need not alternately handle a plurality of dedicated devices attached to a single apparatus, this contributes to a reduction of the operation load on the user and a short operation time.
With this misinterpretation, switching of a menu display is not always done appropriately.
As a result, the display area narrows down, resulting in poor operability.

Method used

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first embodiment

[0046]An image processing apparatus according to this embodiment has a function of making wireless communications with a mobile information terminal by, e.g., Bluetooth, and limits a mobile information terminal as a communication partner by assuring a putting space for a mobile information terminal. Especially, the image processing apparatus is characterized in that a display as a liquid crystal touch panel and the mobile information terminal putting space, which are separately configured in the conventional image processing apparatus having such function are integrated.

[0047]To help easy understanding of this embodiment, the arrangement of the conventional image processing apparatus will be briefly explained first. FIG. 1 is a view showing an overview of the conventional image processing apparatus. An image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 has a display 101 and mobile information terminal putting space 102 as independent components. The display 101 has a touch panel functio...

second embodiment

[0110]The second embodiment according to the present invention will be described hereinafter. Since an image processing apparatus of the second embodiment has the same arrangement as that of the first embodiment, a detailed description thereof will not be given, and only differences will be explained.

[0111]In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the expanded interface 104 of the image processing apparatus 100 described in the first embodiment comprises a mode key 1201 as a hardware key which serves as mode selection unit and is used to input a switching instruction of the operation mode. That is, the user sets ON / OFF of the communication mode using this mode key 1201, and if the mode key 1201 is ON, the communication mode is designated; otherwise, it is canceled.

[0112]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image processing apparatus 100 of the second embodiment. The image processing apparatus 100 is set in the standby state (S200) and then checks using a sensor (...

third embodiment

[0117]The third embodiment according to the present invention will be described hereinafter. Since an image processing apparatus of the third embodiment has the same arrangement as that of the first embodiment, a detailed description thereof will not be given, and only differences will be explained.

[0118]The third embodiment is characterized in that the expanded interface 104 of the image processing apparatus 100 described in the first embodiment comprises a communication area 901 on its surface, as shown in FIG. 14. More specifically, if an input signal from the expanded interface 104 is generated within the communication area 901, the controller unit 201 determines that the mobile information terminal 200 is placed at a predetermined position, and enters the communication mode; otherwise, it enters a normal manipulation mode.

[0119]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image processing apparatus 100 of the third embodiment. The image processing apparatus 100 is set in...

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Abstract

In an image processing apparatus which generates an input signal when a mobile information terminal contacts a display surface and makes a wireless communication with the contacting mobile information terminal, it is difficult to make an appropriate display by discriminating whether a contact object is a mobile information terminal or a user's finger. To accomplish this, when a mobile information terminal (200) is placed on a touch panel (104), this placement is recognized based on a wireless communication response (701), and a processing menu for the terminal is displayed. On the other hand, if the user's finger (300) is placed, since no wireless communication response (701) is detected, it is recognized that the contact object is not the mobile information terminal (200), and a general manipulation menu is displayed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and control method thereof and, more particularly, to an image processing apparatus which has a display input function of generating an input signal upon contacting a display screen, and a “communicate” function with a mobile information terminal, and a control method thereof.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]In recent years, opportunities to print image data stored in mobile information terminals such as a mobile phone, digital still camera, notebook type personal computer, PDA, and the like using image processing apparatuses such as a printer and the like are increasing. As a method of connecting such devices, a method using wireless communications such as Bluetooth, a wireless LAN, and the like has been proposed so as to lessen the trouble of cable connections. According to such wireless communications, the user can be free from any inconvenien...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): H04N5/225G06F3/0482G06F3/0488
CPCH04N1/00204H04N1/0035H04N1/00411H04N2101/00H04N2201/0041H04N2201/0055H04N2201/0058G06F3/0416G06F3/017G06F3/0412G06F3/0425
Inventor ACHIWA, KENKINBARA, HIDEYASUHASUI, SHIGEKI
Owner CANON KK
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