Communication apparatus, communication system, communication method, program, and recording medium

The present invention relates to communication devices, communication systems, communication methods, programs, and recording media. In particular, the present invention relates to communication devices, communication systems, communication methods, programs, and recording media that communicate with other communication devices selected by the user.

In recent years, with the spread of portable information communication terminals, wireless data communication has become widespread. This has made it possible to easily perform data communication with anyone, but when there are multiple candidates for communication partners, it is possible to determine which information communication terminal is the desired communication partner on one's own information communication terminal. It can be difficult to identify properly.

Conventionally, in order to identify the information communication terminal of the communication partner from among a large number of information communication terminals, the information communication terminal uses the identification information of the information communication terminal of the communication partner, for example, the name of the terminal, the IP address, the telephone number, or the like. Let the user enter it. Further, in order to easily identify the communication partner, a technique of determining the communication partner by displaying the icons of a plurality of terminals that are candidates for the communication partner and letting the user select the communication partner is also used. Further, a technique for identifying the communication partner based on the result of imaging the communication device of the other party to be communicated (see Patent Document 1) and a technique for identifying the communication partner using a non-contact IC card (see Patent Document 2). .) Has been proposed.

<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-325061</text></patcit><patcit num="2"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-32176</text></patcit>

<p> However, in a conference where many people who carry information and communication terminals participate, or in a downtown area where an unspecified number of people gather, there are too many information and communication terminals that can be candidates for communication partners, so the desired communication partner can be selected. It is often difficult to make a proper decision. For example, even if you want to send your own data to the information and communication terminals of a person you happen to know at a meeting, you can send the data because there are many other information and communication terminals at the meeting venue. It is complicated to specify the information communication terminal of the destination to be sent.</p><p> Specifically, the owner of the information and communication terminal tells the identification information of the information and communication terminal of the communication destination, and the operation of accurately inputting the identification information and the desired identification information from a large number of displayed identification information are desired. It is troublesome because the operation of selecting the identification information may be required. In addition, with the widespread use of information and communication terminals, it has become difficult for users to name and remember these terminals, and the serial number or the like given by the manufacturer can be used as the identification information of the terminal as it is. In many cases. In such a case, it becomes more difficult to accurately convey the identification information to the user of the terminal of the communication partner.</p><p> The device described in Patent Document 1 stores in advance an image of a communication device of a partner with which there is a possibility of communication in association with the identification information of the communication device. Then, the identification information of the communication device is specified by taking an image of the communication device of the other party who desires communication, recognizing it by an image recognition technology or the like, and comparing it with the stored image. According to this technique, complicated operations such as key input are not required, but the distance to the communication partner, the environment, etc. must be suitable for imaging.</p><p> According to Patent Document 2, the Bluetooth device of the other party wishing to communicate has an IC card in which the Bluetooth address of the device is recorded. When communicating with the device, it is sufficient to read the Bluetooth address from the IC card, and it is not necessary to enter the ID of the device. However, according to this technology, one's own communication device must be close enough to read the IC card of the other party's device.</p><p> Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device, a communication system, a communication method, a program, and a recording medium capable of solving the above problems. This purpose is achieved by a combination of the features described in the independent section in the claims. Dependent terms also define further advantageous embodiments of the present invention.</p>

<p> In order to solve the above problems, in the first embodiment of the present invention, communication is performed by allowing the user to select another communication device as a communication partner from a plurality of communication devices that are candidates for the communication partner. An acquisition unit that acquires motion information indicating the movement of the communication device in space from each of a plurality of communication devices, and a motion image indicating the movement of the communication device in space in each of the plurality of communication devices. A display unit that displays based on the motion information acquired from the communication device and a communication unit that allows the user to select one of the motion images displayed by the display unit and communicates with the communication device indicated by the selected motion image. Provided are a communication device provided, a communication system, a communication method using the communication device, a program for realizing the communication device, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.</p><p> Further, in the second embodiment of the present invention, it is a communication device used in the line of sight of a user of another communication device, and motion information indicating the movement of the communication device in space is transmitted to the other communication device. By transmitting, a motion image showing the movement of the communication device in space is displayed on the display unit of another communication device, and a user of the other communication device displays the motion image on the display unit of the other communication device. A communication device, a communication system, which includes a communication unit that communicates with another communication device when the communication device is selected as a communication partner based on the motion image and the result of visually recognizing the movement of the communication device. Provided are a communication method using a communication device, a program for realizing the communication device, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.</p><p> The outline of the above invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and subcombinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.</p>

<p> According to the present invention, a desired communication partner can be appropriately specified and communicated.</p>

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention within the scope of the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not always essential for the means of solving the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a functional block of communication system 10. The communication system 10 includes communication devices 20-1 to N, which are examples of the first communication device according to the present invention, and communication devices 30 which are examples of the second communication device according to the present invention. Each of the communication devices 20-1 to N is a portable communication terminal such as a notebook computer, a mobile phone, a digital camera, a PDA, or Bluetooth, and wirelessly communicates with the communication device 30. Specifically, the communication devices 20-1 to N are wireless with the communication device 30 by the wireless LAN conforming to the standards such as IEEE 802.11a / b / g, the Bluetooth standard, or the public switched telephone network (PSTN) of the mobile phone. connect. At this time, the communication system 10 aims to allow the user of the communication device 30 to easily and quickly select the communication device desired to communicate from the communication devices 20-1 to N.

Specifically, each of the communication devices 20-1 to N is used in the field of view of the user of the communication device 30, and the communication device transmits motion information indicating the movement of the communication devices 20-1 to N in each space. Send to 30. The communication device 30 displays to the user a motion image showing movement in space in each of the communication devices 20-1 to N which are candidates for communication partners. The user of the communication device 30 compares the displayed motion images of the communication devices 20-1 to N with the actually visually recognized movements of the communication devices 20-1 to N, and thereby communicates with the desired communication partner. Identify the device on the display screen and start communicating with that communication device. In this way, the communication system 10 can easily and quickly identify the communication device of the desired communication partner from among a large number of communication devices.

The communication device 20-1 includes a detection unit 200, a transmission unit 210, a wireless communication unit 215, and a communication unit 220. Since each of the communication devices 20-2 to N is substantially the same as the communication device 20-1, the following description will be omitted. The detection unit 200 detects motion information indicating the motion of the communication device 20-1 in space. For example, the detection unit 200 has an acceleration sensor that measures the acceleration when the communication device 20-1 moves or rotates in space, and periodically sends the measurement result to the transmission unit 210. Further, the detection unit 200 includes, for example, an IC chip for acceleration measurement, a gyro, a geomagnetic sensor, a camera, or the like. As an example, the detection unit 200 may detect the orientation of the communication device 20-1 based on the result of capturing the outside world with the camera it has. Instead, the detection unit 200 may have a GPS device and detect the movement of the communication device 20-1 in space. Further, the detection unit 200 may be an external device provided separately from the communication device 20-1.

The transmission unit 210 transmits the motion information detected by the detection unit 200 to the communication device 30 using the wireless communication unit 215. When the motion information is acceleration, the transmission unit 210 performs a process of converting the acceleration data into the movement amount data, and then transmits the converted movement amount data to the communication device 30 as motion information. Alternatively, the acceleration may be transmitted as it is as motion information. The communication unit 220 communicates the communication device 20-1 based on the movement image displayed on the display unit 320 of the communication device 30 and the result of visually recognizing the movement of the communication device 20-1 by the user of the communication device 30. When selected as the other party, communication with the communication device 30 using the wireless communication unit 215 is started. At this time, preferably, the communication unit 220 adjusts the communication speed according to the network traffic between the communication device 30 and the communication device 20-1 and the radio wave condition.

The communication device 30 includes an acquisition unit 310, a wireless communication unit 315, a display unit 320, an icon DB 325, a delay time setting unit 328, and a communication unit 330. The acquisition unit 310 acquires motion information indicating the movement of the communication device in space from each of the communication devices 20-1 to N using the wireless communication unit 315. For example, the acquisition unit 310 acquires as motion information the amount of movement of the communication device in space, the amount of rotation of the communication device rotating in space, or the movement or acceleration of the communication device. Instead, the motion information may be the period or amplitude of vibration when the communication device is shaken by the user.

The display unit 320 displays a motion image showing each motion of the communication devices 20-1 to N based on the motion information acquired from the communication device. For example, the icon DB325 stores a plurality of icons including images of communication devices 20-1 to N viewed from various directions, and the display unit 320 stores communication devices 20-1 to N which are candidates for communication partners. Among these icons, an icon indicating the communication device is selected and displayed as a motion image according to the motion information acquired from each of the above. As an example, the display unit 320 may select and display an image of the same movement as each of the communication devices 20-1 to N actually moves.

Further, the display unit 320 may display a motion image showing a change in the direction of each of the communication devices 20-1 to N relative to the direction of the communication device 30. In this case, the display unit 320 has means for detecting a change in the orientation of the communication device 30 itself, for example, a geomagnetic sensor. Then, the display unit 320 adds information obtained by adding the change in the orientation of the communication device 30 itself detected by the geomagnetic sensor to the motion information acquired by the acquisition unit 310, so that the communication device of each of the communication devices 20-1 is used. Calculate the change in orientation relative to 30 orientations. The display unit 320 may select and display an icon based on the calculated change in orientation. In this case, the icon is changed not only when the orientation of the communication devices 20-1 to N changes, but also when the orientation of the communication device 30 changes. As a result, the icon displayed by the display unit 320 can be brought closer to the movement of the communication devices 20-1 to N actually seen by the user.

Further, the delay time setting unit 328 sets a delay time for delaying the time for the display unit 320 to display the motion image as compared with the time for the acquisition unit 310 to acquire the motion information according to the instruction of the user or the like. .. The display unit 320 may display the motion image after the delay time elapses after the acquisition unit 310 acquires the motion information. As a result, even if it is difficult for the user of the communication device 30 to see the communication device 20-1 itself and the icon displayed on the screen of the communication device 30 at the same time, the communication device 20-1 itself You can properly compare the movement with the movement of the icon. Subsequently, the communication unit 330 causes the user to select one of the icons displayed by the display unit 320, and communicates with the communication device indicated by the selected icon using the wireless communication unit 315.

In the communication device 30, the process in which the acquisition unit 310 acquires a motion image and the process in which the communication unit 330 communicates with the communication device 20-1 are actually both communications using a wireless LAN or the like. In this embodiment, for convenience, the process of transmitting and receiving data to and from the communication unit 220 by the communication unit 330 is described as "communication", and the process of transmitting and receiving motion information and the like by the transmission unit 210 and the acquisition unit 310 is described as "communication". Instead, it is written as "transmission and acquisition of motion information".

FIG. 2 shows a process in which the communication device 20-1 transmits motion information. The communication device 20-1 periodically repeats the following processes according to the settings and the like from the user. The detection unit 200 detects motion information indicating the motion of the communication device 20-1 in space (S200). When the movement amount or rotation amount per unit time indicated by the detected motion information does not exceed a predetermined predetermined amount (S210: NO), the detection unit 200 returns the process to S200.

On the other hand, when the movement amount or rotation amount per unit time indicated by the detected motion information exceeds a predetermined predetermined amount (S210: YES), the transmission unit 210 is connected between the communication device 20-1 and the communication device 30. The communication status in the communication path, for example, the status information indicating the network traffic or the radio wave status is acquired from the wireless communication unit 215 or the like (S230). Subsequently, the transmission unit 210 generates a transmission packet for transmitting the motion information based on the motion information detected by the detection unit 200 and the acquired status information (S240).

For example, when the amount of communicable data indicated by the status information of the communication path is smaller, the transmission unit 210 generates a transmission packet having a smaller data size than when the amount of data is larger. Then, the transmission unit 210 transmits the generated transmission packet as motion information to the communication device 30, so that an icon indicating the movement of the communication device 20-1 in space is displayed on the display unit 320 of the communication device 30 ( S250). Alternatively, the transmission unit 210 may adjust the transmission frequency of the transmission packet based on the acquired status information.

FIG. 3 shows an example of motion information transmitted by the communication device 20-1. The motion information in this figure shows the motion in the 6-axis direction in which the communication device 20-1 moves or rotates in a three-dimensional space. Specifically, the transmission unit 210 transmits motion information as a combination of axis information indicating which direction the motion is in and change amount information indicating the amount of movement or rotation in the direction indicated by the axis information. To do.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the axis information indicates the direction of movement indicated by the movement information. Specifically, the axis information is composed of 6 bits, and each bit has a movement amount in the X-axis direction, a movement amount in the Y-axis direction, a movement amount in the Z-axis direction, and a rotation amount in the yaw direction (for example, Z). It corresponds to the amount of rotation around the axis), the amount of rotation in the roll direction (for example, the amount of rotation around the X axis), and the amount of rotation in the pitch direction (for example, the amount of rotation around the Y axis). The motion information includes the amount of movement or the amount of rotation in the direction in which the corresponding bit is 1 in the axis information as the amount of change information.

In the axis information shown in this figure, the X-axis movement amount indicating bit indicating the movement amount in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis movement amount indicating bit indicating the movement amount in the Y-axis direction, and the pitch direction rotation amount indicating the rotation amount in the pitch direction. The indicator bit is 1 and the other bits are 0. Therefore, the change amount information includes the movement amount in the X-axis direction, the movement amount in the Y-axis direction, and the rotation amount in the pitch direction. In this way, by setting only a part of the bits of the axis information to 1, the transmission unit 210 transmits the movement in the predetermined direction among the movements in the 6-axis directions as the movement information, and transmits the movements in the other directions. It is not necessary to send information indicating the movement of.

For example, the communication device 30 previously informs that the degree of freedom of movement of the motion image that can be displayed by the communication device 30 is the movement amount in the X-axis direction, the movement amount in the Y-axis direction, and the rotation amount in the pitch direction. If notified to 1, the communication device 20-1 transmits only the movement amount or the rotation amount in these directions to the communication device 30, and does not transmit the rotation amount or the like in the other direction. In this way, the communication device 30 can transmit only the necessary information and reduce the network traffic by setting the information necessary for displaying the motion image in the communication device 20-1 in advance.

Further, when the communication device 20-1 does not have the motion information detection function, the transmission unit 210 sets all the bits of the axis information to 0 so as not to transmit the change amount information. It can also work. As a result, even when the communication devices 20-1 to N include a device that transmits motion information and a device that does not transmit motion information, the communication device 30 can acquire motion information by a common data structure. , The processing can be simplified without changing the processing for each communication device that is a candidate for the communication partner.

FIG. 3B shows another example of motion information transmitted by the transmitter 210. The change amount information in this figure includes a movement amount or a rotation amount of 4 bits at a time. The data size of the change amount information in this figure is smaller than that of the change amount information in FIG. 3 (a) including the movement amount or the rotation amount of 8 bits each. In this way, the transmission unit 210 may reduce the amount of data to be transmitted by reducing the number of bits of the change amount information according to the status information of the communication path acquired from the wireless communication unit 215.

Further, instead of the example shown in this figure, the transmission unit 210 may transmit the image itself of the appearance of the communication device 20-1 as motion information. In this case, for example, the transmission unit 210 stores in advance data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the communication device 20-1. Then, the detection unit 200 detects the movement of the communication device 20-1 in the space, and the transmission unit 210 detects the movement in the space and the communication device 20-1 based on the detected movement and the stored three-dimensional shape data. Is generated from a predetermined angle. Then, the transmission unit 210 transmits the generated image to the communication device 20-1. In this case, the display unit 320 may display the image acquired as motion information as it is, or may display another image based on the image acquired as motion information.

FIG. 4 shows a process in which the communication device 30 selects a communication device of a communication partner according to a user's instruction. The communication device 30 periodically performs the processing of this figure when the communication function is enabled by the user, for example, when the communication device 30 is set to the ad hoc mode of the wireless LAN. First, the communication device 30 detects communication devices 20-1 to N as communication devices in the communicable range (S400).

Subsequently, the acquisition unit 310 acquires the shape instruction information indicating the shape of the communication device and the name of the communication device from each of the communication devices 20-1 to N (S410). Here, the shape instruction information acquired from each of the communication devices 20-1 to N is, for example, information indicating whether the communication device is the shape of a notebook computer, the shape of a mobile phone, or the shape of a digital camera. , Information indicating the type of the communication device may be used.

Further, the acquisition unit 310 acquires motion information of the communication device from each of the communication devices 20-1 to N (S420). When the movement amount or rotation amount of the communication device indicated by the motion information exceeds a predetermined predetermined amount (S430: YES), the display unit 320 has a plurality of icons stored in the predetermined icon DB325. An icon indicating the communication device is selected according to the shape instruction information and the motion information acquired from each of the communication devices 20-1 to N which are candidates for the communication partner (S440).

Then, the display unit 320 displays the selected icon to the user (S450). Further, the display unit 320 may display the name of the communication device in association with the icon. Subsequently, the communication unit 330 causes the user to select one of the icons displayed by the display unit 320. Then, when any of the icons is selected by the user (S460: YES), communication with the communication device indicated by the selected icon is started (S470). On the other hand, when none of the icons is selected by the user (S460: NO), the communication device 30 ends the process.

The processes shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 are examples, and some steps shown in these figures may not be processed. For example, in S210 of FIG. 2, when the communication device 20-1 determines whether the motion information exceeds the specified amount, the communication device 30 determines whether the motion information exceeds the specified amount in S430 of FIG. The judgment of may be omitted. When both S210 and S430 are processed, for example, the specified amount in S430 is preferably a value larger than the specified amount used for the judgment in S210.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the data structure of the icon DB325. The icon DB325 stores a plurality of icons indicating the appearance of the communication device observed from each of the plurality of directions in association with information indicating the shape of the communication device that is a candidate for the communication partner. For example, the icon DB325 stores a plurality of icons indicating the appearance of the notebook computer observed from each of a plurality of directions in association with information indicating the shape of the notebook computer. Specifically, the icon DB 325 stores an icon 500 showing the appearance of the notebook computer in the upper surface direction and an icon 510 showing the appearance in the lower surface direction 180 ° different from the upper surface direction on a predetermined plane.

An example of the process in which the display unit 320 selects and displays an icon will be described with reference to this figure. The display unit 320 selects from the icon DB 325 the icon group of the shape indicated by the shape instruction information acquired from the communication device 20-1. For example, when the shape instruction information indicates the shape of the notebook computer, the display unit 320 selects an icon group (for example, four icons displayed on the second line) corresponding to the shape of the notebook computer shown in this figure. Then, the display unit 320 selects an icon to be displayed from the selected icon group based on the motion information acquired by the acquisition unit 310.

For example, when the display unit 320 displays the icon 500 indicating the appearance of the communication device 20-1, the motion information acquired from the communication device 20-1 has the orientation of the communication device 20-1 on a predetermined axis. When indicating that the center has been rotated 180 °, the icon 510 is selected and displayed instead of the displayed icon 500. As a result, the user of the communication device 30 can compare the actual movement of the communication device 20-1 with the icon, and select the icon of the movement synchronized with the communication device 20-1 to select the communication device 20-1. Can start communication with.

Instead of the example shown in this figure, the icon DB325 may store data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the communication device 20-1. In this case, the display unit 320 calculates the orientation of the communication device 20-1 to be displayed as an icon based on the motion information acquired from the communication device 20-1. Then, the display unit 320 generates an icon to be displayed as the appearance of the communication device 20-1 based on the calculated orientation and the three-dimensional shape data stored in the icon DB 325. The process of generating an icon from the three-dimensional shape data and the orientation may be realized by, for example, an existing image rendering technique. As a result, the communication device 30 can display the movement of the communication device 20-1 more faithfully, so that the user can easily select an appropriate icon.

FIG. 6 shows a display example of the display unit 320. The display unit 320 arranges icons indicating the movements of a plurality of communication devices within the communicable range of the communication device 30 in association with the name of the communication device, and displays the icons as a computer network list. Specifically, the display unit 320 displays the icon 610 of the communication device 20-1 in the shape of a notebook computer in a predetermined icon display area 600 corresponding to the communication device 20-1. Further, the display unit 320 displays the icon 610 of the communication device 20-1 in association with the name "Pole's notebook computer" preset in the communication device 20-1.

Then, the display unit 320 changes the display position of the icon 610 indicating the communication device 20-1 based on the motion information acquired by the acquisition unit 310 from the communication device 20-1. For example, when the motion information acquired from the communication device 20-1 indicates that the communication device 20-1 is vibrating up and down, the display unit 320 causes the icon 610 to vibrate up and down within the icon display area 600. Change the display position of the icon 610 so that. Here, the icon display area 600 is not limited to a flat surface, and may represent a predetermined three-dimensional area. In this case, the display unit 320 can display the movement of the communication device 20-1 in the three-dimensional space as it is as the movement of the icon display area 600.

Further, the display unit 320 may scroll the icon display area 600 when the movement information acquired from the communication device 20-1 indicates a movement for displaying the icon 610 outside the icon display area 600. Further, when the motion information acquired from the communication device 20-1 indicates the motion in which the icon 610 should be displayed outside one end of the icon display area 600, the display unit 320 displays the icon 610 in the icon display area 600. It may be displayed as an incoming movement from the other end facing one end. This prevents the icon from moving out of the icon display area and disappearing, so that the movement of the icon can always be shown to the user.

Alternatively or additionally, the display unit 320 may display an icon 610 indicating the communication device 20-1 or an icon 610 indicating the icon 610 based on the motion information acquired from the communication device 20-1. , Color, shape, or size may be changed. For example, when the movement amount or the rotation amount indicated by the movement information exceeds the specified amount, the display unit 320 may change the color of the icon 610 to red or blink the entire icon display area 600. May be good. As a result, even when a large number of icons are displayed, it is possible to make the icons of the communication device having a large amount of movement easy to understand.

Further, preferably, the display unit 320 displays an icon based on motion information in which the amount of movement or rotation per unit time exceeds a predetermined amount, and the amount of movement or rotation per unit time exceeds the specified amount. It is displayed with priority over the icon based on the motion information that has not been set. More preferably, in consideration of the convenience of the user selecting an icon, the display unit 320 displays the display unit 320 in a predetermined period after the amount of rotation or movement per unit time indicated by the motion information exceeds the specified amount. The motion image based on the motion information is displayed with priority over other motion images.

For example, when the rotation amount or movement amount per unit time indicated by a certain movement information exceeds the specified amount, the display unit 320 displays an icon based on the movement information, and the rotation amount or movement amount per unit time. Does not have to display an icon based on motion information that does not exceed the specified amount. Instead, the display unit 320 arranges and displays a plurality of icons indicating the movements of the communication devices 20-1 to N in a priority order according to the rotation amount or the movement amount indicated by the movement information. May be good. For example, the display unit 320 displays the icon of the communication device having a larger rotation amount or movement amount on the display screen higher or to the left, and displays the icon of the communication device having a smaller rotation amount or movement amount on the display screen. It may be displayed below or to the right.

Further, the display unit 320 may enlarge or display any of the icons for the purpose of making the movement indicated by the icons easier to understand. For example, the left column in the figure shows an enlarged display of an icon in the shape of a mobile phone. The display unit 320 further displays an arrow indicating the movement in the six-axis direction, which is the movement and rotation of the communication device 30 in the three-dimensional space, as a movement image. Based on the acquired motion information, the display unit 320 may change the enlarged icon and blink an arrow indicating the direction of the motion indicated by the motion information, or display the arrow thicker than usual. You may.

As described above, the communication unit 330 causes the user to select one of the icons displayed as illustrated in this figure, and communicates with the communication device indicated by the selected icon. Here, the selection of an icon means that the icon is clicked by a pointing device such as a mouse, for example. In addition to this, icon selection may include clicking on the name of the communication device associated with the icon or the icon display area.

FIG. 7 shows a display example when the icon displayed by the display unit 320 is selected. When any of the icons shown in FIG. 6 is selected by the user, the communication unit 330 is stored in the communication device indicated by the selected icon, for example, the communication device 20-1 whose name is "Paul's laptop computer". Display the list of existing files on the display unit 320. For example, the communication unit 330 displays the file name of the file stored in the communication device 20-1, the creation date and time of the file, the size of the file, and the like in association with each other. Then, the communication unit 330 reads a file selected by the user from the displayed list or writes to the file.

Alternatively or additionally, the communication unit 330 may perform various other processes as communication with the communication device 20-1. For example, the communication unit 330 may establish a connection for the user of the communication device 30 to chat with the user of the communication device 20-1 and send / receive character data of the chat. Further, the communication unit 330 may establish a connection for the user of the communication device 30 to have a voice conversation with the user of the communication device 20-1 and transmit / receive voice data.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the communication device 30. The communication device 30 includes a CPU peripheral portion having a CPU 800, RAM 820, a graphic controller 875, and a display device 880 connected to each other by the host controller 882, a communication interface 830 connected to the host controller 882 by the input / output controller 884, and a hard disk. It includes an input / output unit having a drive 840 and a CD-ROM drive 860, and a legacy input / output unit having a ROM 810 connected to the input / output controller 884, a flexible disk drive 850, and an input / output chip 870.

The host controller 882 connects the RAM 820 to the CPU 800 and the graphic controller 875 that access the RAM 820 at a high transfer rate. The CPU 800 operates based on the programs stored in the ROM 810 and the RAM 820, and controls each part. The graphic controller 875 acquires the image data generated in the frame buffer provided in the RAM 820 by the CPU 800 or the like and displays it on the display device 880. Instead, the graphic controller 875 may internally include a frame buffer for storing image data generated by the CPU 800 or the like.

The input / output controller 884 connects the host controller 882 to the communication interface 830, the hard disk drive 840, and the CD-ROM drive 860, which are relatively high-speed input / output devices. The communication interface 830 communicates with an external device via a network. The hard disk drive 840 stores programs and data used by the communication device 30. The CD-ROM drive 860 reads a program or data from the CD-ROM 895 and provides it to the input / output chip 870 via the RAM 820.

Further, the ROM 810 is connected to the input / output controller 884 with a relatively low-speed input / output device such as a flexible disk drive 850 or an input / output chip 870. The ROM 810 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 800 when the communication device 30 is started, a program that depends on the hardware of the communication device 30, and the like. The flexible disk drive 850 reads a program or data from the flexible disk 890 and provides it to the input / output chip 870 via the RAM 820. The input / output chip 870 connects various input / output devices via a flexible disk 890, for example, a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, and the like.

The program provided to the communication device 30 is stored in a recording medium such as a flexible disk 890, a CD-ROM895, or an IC card and provided by the user. The program is read from the recording medium via the input / output chip 870 and / or the input / output controller 884, installed in the communication device 30, and executed.

The program installed and executed in the communication device 30 includes an acquisition module, a module for a wireless communication unit, a display module, a delay time setting module, and a communication module. In addition, the program may use the hard disk drive 840 as the icon DB325. The operation of each module acting on the communication device 30 to perform the operation is the same as the operation of the corresponding member in the communication device 30 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, the communication device 30 may transmit the program read from the recording medium to each of the communication devices 20-1 to N and execute the program. The program transmitted and executed to each of the communication devices 20-1 to N includes a detection module, a transmission module, a module for a wireless communication unit, and a communication module. The operation of each module acting on the communication devices 20-1 to N is the same as the operation of the corresponding members in the communication devices 20-1 to 20 described in FIGS. 1 to 7, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

The program or module shown above may be stored in an external storage medium. As the storage medium, in addition to the flexible disk 890 and the CD-ROM895, an optical recording medium such as a DVD or PD, an optical magnetic recording medium such as an MD, a tape medium, a semiconductor memory such as an IC card, or the like can be used. Further, a storage device such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a dedicated communication network or a server system connected to the Internet may be used as a recording medium, and a program may be provided to the communication device 30 via the network.

An application example of the communication system 10 shown above will be described. (Application example 1) Use of ad hoc network with a notebook computer Conventionally, a notebook computer equipped with an acceleration sensor has been used to prevent a hard disk failure. This notebook computer can avoid damage to the magnetic surface of the hard disk by retracting the head of the hard disk from the magnetic surface when an acceleration of a predetermined value or higher is measured.

Further, conventionally, an ad hoc mode has been used in which a plurality of notebook computers equipped with a wireless LAN function can communicate with each other without using a wireless LAN access point. Using the ad hoc mode is convenient because you can communicate with your colleague's laptop computer via wireless LAN even if you are on a business trip with a colleague and multiple people outside the company and you do not have a wireless LAN access point. is there.

According to the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment, it is easy to identify a colleague's notebook computer when there are many other notebook computers on the go. For example, if you ask a colleague to shake your laptop up and down, the accelerometer can detect the vibration. As a result, among the icons of the communication devices that are candidates for the communication partner, only the icon of the notebook computer of the colleague moves up and down. To start communication, it is enough and convenient to click the icon.

At this time, the user does not need to bring his / her own communication device close to the communication device of the communication destination, and it is sufficient if the distance is such that the communication device of the communication destination can be seen. Further, since it is sufficient to see the communication device, even if the communication device is remote, the communication device of the communication destination can be specified if it can be seen by a videophone conference or the like. Further, when requesting the other party to move the communication device, it is not always necessary that the voice can be transmitted, and it is sufficient to request the other party to move the communication device by gesture, and the range of application is wide.

(Application Example 2) Monitoring system for inpatients in a hospital By attaching the communication device 20-1 shown in this embodiment to the body of an inpatient and installing the communication device 30 in a nurse station or the like of a hospital, the inpatient's body You can grasp the movement. Further, if the communication device 30 displays the movement of the communication device 20-1 with a human-shaped icon, the movement of the inpatient, for example, lying down, lying on his back, awake, or walking. It is possible to accurately grasp the presence of the patient. Further, since it is easy to identify the communication device 20-1 in the communication device 30, even when the communication device 20-1 is newly attached to the inpatient, complicated operations such as inputting an ID are performed. Is unnecessary and highly convenient.

As described above, according to the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment, when the user requests the other party who wants to communicate to shake or rotate the communication device, the movement of the communication device is the screen of his / her own communication device. Since it is displayed in, the communication device of the other party who wants to communicate can be easily specified in the own communication device. Further, there are few restrictions on the environment between the communication devices as compared with the conventional technology for imaging the communication device of the other party and the conventional technology for communicating with the IC chip mounted on the communication device of the other party. For example, it is convenient because it can be used even if the dark area is unsuitable for imaging or the communication devices are so far apart that they cannot communicate with each other due to the IC chip.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the user of the communication device 30 can accurately identify the desired communication partner on the display screen, it is possible to prevent misidentification of the communication partner. For example, if the user of the communication device 20-1 keeps shaking the communication device 20-1 during the communication of the communication device 30 and the communication device 20-1, the user of the communication device 30 is the communication partner of the communication device 30. Can always be confirmed on the screen that is the communication device 20-1. As a result, it is possible to make it difficult for a malicious user to impersonate the communication device 20-1 and steal the data of the communication device 30, so that the security of communication can be improved.

Further, the communication device 30 shown in this embodiment may further include each member of the communication device 20-1. That is, the communication device 30 displays a motion image showing the motion of the communication device 20-1 and transmits the motion information of the communication device 30 to the communication device 20-1 so that the user of the communication device 20-1 can display the motion information. You may. In this case, the user of the communication device 30 and the user of the communication device 20-1 can correctly authenticate each other's communication devices. That is, if the user of the communication device 30 and the user of the communication device 20-1 continue to swing their own communication devices during communication between the communication device 30 and the communication device 20-1, they can communicate with each other on the screen. You can check with. As a result, the security of communication can be further improved. As described above, the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment can also be used for mutual authentication of communication partners.

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the description of the claims that the form with such modifications or improvements may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

According to the above-described embodiment, the communication device, communication system, communication method, program, and recording medium shown in the following items are realized. (Item 1) A communication device that allows a user to select another communication device to be a communication partner from a plurality of communication devices that are candidates for a communication partner, and communicates with each of the plurality of communication devices. An acquisition unit that acquires motion information indicating movement in space of the communication device and a motion image indicating movement in space of each of the plurality of communication devices are displayed based on the motion information acquired from the communication device. A communication device including a display unit to be displayed and a communication unit that allows a user to select one of the motion images displayed by the display unit and communicates with the communication device indicated by the selected motion image. (Item 2) The display unit changes the display position of the icon indicating the communication device for each of the plurality of communication devices that are candidates for the communication partner based on the motion information acquired from the communication device. The communication device described.

(Item 3) The display unit is a motion image of the communication device in a predetermined icon display area corresponding to the communication device for each of the plurality of communication devices that are candidates for communication partners. The communication device according to item 2, wherein the display position of the icon is changed according to the motion information acquired from the communication device. (Item 4) For each of the plurality of communication devices that are candidates for communication partners, the motion information acquired from the communication device displays an icon indicating the communication device outside the icon display area. The communication device according to item 3, wherein the icon display area is scrolled when showing a power movement. (Item 5) In the display unit, for each of the plurality of communication devices that are candidates for communication partners, the motion information acquired from the communication device removes the icon indicating the communication device from one end of the icon display area. Item 3. The communication device according to item 3, wherein an icon indicating the communication device is displayed as a movement coming in from the other end facing the one end in the icon display area when the movement to be displayed is shown.

(Item 6) The acquisition unit acquires the motion information indicating a change in the orientation of the communication device from each of the plurality of communication devices, and the display unit is a candidate for a communication partner with respect to the orientation of the communication device. The communication device according to item 2, wherein the motion image showing a change in the orientation of each of the plurality of communication devices is displayed based on the acquired motion information and the change in the orientation of the communication device. (Item 7) The display unit selects an icon indicating the communication device from a plurality of predetermined icons according to the motion information acquired from each of the plurality of communication devices that are candidates for communication partners. The communication device according to item 1, which is then displayed as a motion image. (Item 8) The acquisition unit further acquires shape instruction information indicating the shape of the communication device from each of the plurality of communication devices that are candidates for communication partners, and the display unit indicates the shape instruction information. The communication device according to item 7, wherein an icon is selected from the shape icons based on motion information. (Item 9) The display unit displays an icon indicating the appearance of a communication device that is a candidate for a communication partner as the motion image, and the motion information acquired from each of the plurality of communication devices that is a candidate for a communication partner can be used as the motion information. Item 7. The item 7 for changing the icon indicating the appearance of the communication device to another icon indicating the appearance seen from the direction specified by the motion information when indicating that the orientation of the communication device has been changed. Communication device. (Item 10) The acquisition unit acquires the acceleration at which the communication device moves or rotates in space from each of the plurality of communication devices that are candidates for communication partners, and the display unit obtains the acceleration as the motion information. The communication device according to item 1, wherein a motion image showing the movement of each of the plurality of communication devices is displayed based on the acceleration acquired from the communication device.

(Item 11) The motion information indicates the motion of a communication device that is a candidate for a communication partner to move or rotate in space, and the display unit shows a predetermined amount of movement or rotation per unit time. The communication device according to item 1, wherein the motion image based on the motion information exceeding the above is displayed with priority over the motion image based on the motion information in which the movement amount or the rotation amount per unit time does not exceed the specified amount. (Item 12) The display unit displays a motion image based on motion information in which the amount of rotation or movement per unit time exceeds the specified amount, and the amount of rotation or movement per unit time exceeds the specified amount. The communication device according to item 11, which does not display a motion image based on motion information. (Item 13) The item 11 in which the display unit arranges and displays a plurality of the motion images based on each of the plurality of motion information in a priority order according to the rotation amount or the movement amount indicated by the motion information. Communication device. (Item 14) The display unit displays a motion image based on the motion information and other motions in a predetermined period after the rotation amount or the movement amount per unit time indicated by the motion information exceeds the specified amount. The communication device according to item 11, which is displayed with priority over the image.

(Item 15) The display unit displays a motion image showing movement in the six-axis direction in which the communication device moves or rotates in a three-dimensional space for each of the plurality of communication devices that are candidates for communication partners. The communication device according to item 1 to be displayed based on the motion information obtained from. (Item 16) The display unit further includes a delay time setting unit for setting a delay time for delaying the time for the display unit to display the motion image as compared with the time when the acquisition unit acquires the motion information. Is the communication device according to item 1, wherein after the delay time elapses after the acquisition unit acquires the motion information, the motion image is displayed based on the motion information. (Item 17) The communication unit displays a list of files stored in the communication device indicated by the motion image selected by the user to the user, and the user selects the list from the displayed list. The communication device according to item 1 that reads or writes to the selected file.

(Item 18) A communication device used in the line of sight of a user of another communication device, and the communication is performed by transmitting motion information indicating the movement of the communication device in space to the other communication device. A transmission unit that displays a motion image showing the movement of the device in space on the display unit of the other communication device, and the movement displayed on the display unit of the other communication device by a user of the other communication device. A communication device including a communication unit that communicates with the other communication device when the communication device is selected as a communication partner based on an image and a result of visually recognizing the movement of the communication device. (Item 19) The motion information indicates a motion in which the communication device is moved or rotated in space by a user, and the transmission unit has a predetermined movement amount or rotation amount per unit time of the communication device. Item 18. The communication device according to Item 18, which transmits the motion information to the other communication device when the specified amount is exceeded. (Item 20) The transmission unit uses the motion information indicating the movement in the six-axis directions in which the communication device moves or rotates in a three-dimensional space, the axis information indicating which direction the movement is, and the axis information. Item 18. The communication device according to item 18, which is transmitted as a combination with the amount of change information indicating the amount of movement or the amount of rotation in the direction indicated by. (Item 21) The communication device according to item 20, wherein the transmission unit transmits the movement in a predetermined direction among the movements in the six-axis directions of the communication device as the movement information, and does not transmit information indicating the movement in the other direction. ..

(Item 22) A second communication device that allows the user to select a communication device to be a communication partner from a plurality of first communication devices used within the user's view of another communication device and the plurality of first communication devices. A communication system including a communication device, wherein each of the plurality of first communication devices transmits motion information indicating the movement of the first communication device in space to the second communication device. 1 A transmission unit that displays a motion image showing the movement of the communication device in space on the display unit of the second communication device, and a user of the second communication device are displayed on the display unit of the second communication device. It has a communication unit that communicates with the second communication device when the first communication device is selected as a communication partner based on the motion image and the result of visually recognizing the movement of the first communication device. The second communication device includes an acquisition unit that acquires motion information indicating the movement of the first communication device in space from each of the plurality of first communication devices, and a space in each of the plurality of first communication devices. The user is made to select and select either a display unit that displays a motion image showing the motion in the motion based on the motion information acquired from the first communication device or the motion image displayed by the display unit. A communication system having a communication unit that communicates with the first communication device shown by the motion image.

(Item 23) A communication method in which a user is allowed to select another communication device as a communication partner from a plurality of communication devices that are candidates for a communication partner, and communication is performed from each of the plurality of communication devices. The acquisition stage for acquiring motion information indicating the movement of the communication device in space and the motion image indicating the movement in space of each of the plurality of communication devices are displayed based on the motion information acquired from the communication device. A communication method comprising a display step of performing a display step and a communication step of allowing a user to select one of the motion images displayed in the display step and communicating with a communication device indicated by the selected motion image. (Item 24) A program that controls a communication device that allows a user to select another communication device that is a communication partner from a plurality of communication devices that are candidates for a communication partner, and uses the communication device for the plurality of communications. An acquisition unit that acquires motion information indicating the movement of the communication device in space from each of the devices, and a motion image indicating the motion of each of the plurality of communication devices in space is acquired from the communication device. A program that allows a user to select either a display unit that displays based on information or the motion image displayed by the display unit, and functions as a communication unit that communicates with a communication device indicated by the selected motion image. (Item 25) A recording medium on which the program described in item 24 is recorded.

<figref num="1">FIG. 1 shows a functional block of communication system 10.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 2 shows a process in which the communication device 20-1 transmits motion information.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 3 shows an example of motion information transmitted by the communication device 20-1.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 4 shows a process in which the communication device 30 selects a communication device of a communication partner according to a user's instruction.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 shows an example of the data structure of the icon DB325.</figref><figref num="6">FIG. 6 shows a display example of the display unit 320.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 7 shows a display example when the icon displayed by the display unit 320 is selected.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 8 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the communication device 30.</figref>

Code description

10 Communication system 20 Communication device 30 Communication device 200 Detection unit 210 Transmission unit 215 Wireless communication unit 220 Communication unit 310 Acquisition unit 315 Wireless communication unit 320 Display unit 325 Icon DB328 Delay time setting unit 330 Communication unit 500 Icon 510 Icon 600 Icon display area 610 icon