JP4236599B2 - Adapter device, portable information terminal device, and information acquisition method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for acquiring information, an apparatus for providing information, and a system including them.

Conventionally, devices that collect information such as radio and television and devices that directly access specific information sources such as telephones and fax machines have been used as devices for collecting information.
In recent years, with the widespread use of the Internet, digital information such as text, sound, and images can be acquired from all over the world using a PC (personal computer). In order to acquire information on the Internet, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a website with information may be specified.

As a method of collecting information without using communication media, participation in exhibition halls and seminar venues is common. In these event venues, catalogs and materials are generally provided as printed materials.
On the other hand, Patent Document 1 proposes a system in which an information portable terminal is provided for each visitor at an event venue, and a visitor acquires information using the information portable terminal.
JP 2000-115845 A

By the way, when collecting information via a communication network such as the Internet or a telephone network, it is necessary to know in advance the URL, telephone number, etc. of the website where the target information is provided, and it is troublesome to know these. That is.
Also, when collecting information at exhibition venues such as exhibitions and seminars, it is necessary to prepare a large amount of materials when the number of visitors is large, and providing free information is a great economic burden for exhibitors. It was. In addition, visitors gathered paper materials from many exhibitors, so the weight was not stupid and some of them were unavoidably discarded. In addition, since the collected data is filed and stored, a storage space is required for that purpose, and in order to avoid it, it has been necessary to spend a lot of time and effort such as reading with a scanner.

  Further, in the system proposed in Patent Document 1, the organizer of the event venue is supposed to provide information portable terminals to visitors, and the organizer can manage all the information portable terminals, Although it is not necessary for a visitor to know an address for accessing an information source such as a URL or a telephone number, this system can be used only when the organizer can completely grasp the visitor.

On the other hand, mobile phones and PHS (Personal Handyphone System) are widely used as one form of portable information terminal device, and digital cameras are widely used as devices for acquiring images.
In view of the above circumstances, the information by using the mobile phone or device such as a digital camera can be obtained easily and freely, and to provide an apparatus and Methods.

To achieve the above object, an adapter device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an adapter device that can be attached to a digital camera or a portable information terminal device, and is between the digital camera and the portable information terminal device. An interface for inputting and outputting information; a transmission unit that transmits a signal having directivity; and a reception unit that receives information wirelessly, wherein the transmission unit includes a communication address of the adapter device Transmitting a signal .

The adapter device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the adapter according to the first aspect, wherein the information received by the receiving means is output to the digital camera or the portable information terminal device via the interface. Features .

The adapter device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the information storage means for storing at least one of the information received by the receiving means or the information input via the interface in the first aspect , It further has these .

The adapter device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the third aspect, the information storage means is detachable .

An adapter device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is an adapter device that can be attached to a portable information terminal device having a wireless communication function, and is an interface for inputting / outputting information to / from the portable information terminal device. Transmission means for transmitting a signal having directivity; program storage means for storing a program for causing the portable information terminal device to execute a predetermined operation; and when or after the portable information terminal device is attached And a program output means for outputting a program stored in the program storage means via the interface when a predetermined operation is performed on the portable information terminal device, and the transmission means, A signal including a communication address is transmitted .

The adapter device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the adapter device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the program stored in the program storage means performs an information acquisition operation on the portable information terminal device in cooperation with the adapter device. It is what is made to be .

The adapter device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the adapter device according to the sixth aspect, characterized in that the communication address is a communication address of the portable information terminal device and is input via the interface. To do .

An adapter device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the adapter according to the sixth aspect, further comprising information storage means for storing information input via the interface .

The adapter apparatus which concerns on the 9th aspect of this invention WHEREIN: The detection which detects that the information provision apparatus which can provide information exists in the directivity direction of the signal which the said transmission means transmits in the said 1st or 6th aspect. Means .

The adapter device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the adapter device according to the ninth aspect , wherein the transmission means does not transmit a signal when the detection means does not detect the presence of the information providing apparatus. Features .

The adapter device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention further comprises an address memory in which a communication address other than the portable information terminal device or the adapter device is stored in the first or fifth aspect, and the transmission means Transmits a signal including at least one communication address other than the portable information terminal device or the adapter device stored in the address memory .

An adapter device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the eleventh aspect, a communication address input via the interface is stored in the address memory .

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh aspect, the adapter device outputs a communication address list indicating a list of communication addresses stored in the address memory via the interface, and the communication address list. When communication address selection information indicating a communication address selected from the above is input via the interface, the communication address corresponding to the communication address selection information is read from the address memory, and the transmission unit reads the read address A signal including a communication address is transmitted .

A portable information terminal device according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a portable information terminal device to which the adapter device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 can be attached, and information is exchanged with the adapter device. An interface for performing input / output, a photographing means for photographing a still image or a moving image, a storage means for storing an image photographed by the photographing means, a mode enabling image photographing, and enabling information acquisition Mode selection means for selecting any one of a mode and a mode enabling image shooting and information acquisition, and storing an image taken by the shooting means in the storage means, or It outputs through an interface .

In the information acquisition method according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the portable information terminal device outputs the communication address of the portable information terminal device to the adapter device attached to the portable information terminal device, and the adapter device The presence of the information providing apparatus capable of providing information in a directivity direction in which the communication address is input and an information request signal that requests information is transmitted to the information providing apparatus that provides the information as a signal having directivity. When detected, an information request signal including the input communication address is generated, the information request signal is transmitted as a signal having directivity, and information capable of providing information in a directivity direction in which the information request signal is transmitted When the presence of the providing device cannot be detected, the information request signal is not generated .

In the information acquisition method according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the adapter device attached to the portable information terminal device has a transmission destination address of predetermined information transmitted from the information providing device, or the adapter device or the A communication address list indicating a list of communication addresses other than the portable information terminal device is output to the portable information terminal device, and the portable information terminal device indicates a communication address selected from the input communication address list. The address selection information is output to the adapter device, and the adapter device generates an information request signal including a communication address corresponding to the input communication address selection information, and the information request signal is a signal having directivity. As a transmission .

In the information acquisition method according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, when the adapter device is attached to the portable information terminal device, the program causes the portable information terminal device to execute an information acquisition operation in cooperation with the adapter device. Is output to the portable information terminal device, and the portable information terminal device attaches the communication address of the portable information terminal device to the portable information terminal device by executing the program on the portable information terminal device. When the communication address is input, the adapter device generates an information request signal including the communication address, and transmits the information request signal as a signal having directivity. The portable information terminal device receives predetermined information addressed to the communication address transmitted from the information providing device that has received the information request signal. To.

Also, the present invention is described above, the adapter device is not limited to a portable information terminal equipment, it can be constructed as a information acquisition how.

  According to the present invention, information can be acquired easily and freely by attaching the adapter device of the present invention to a device such as a mobile phone or a digital camera. Further, the use of the new information providing system can be promoted by providing the adapter device of the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the system according to this embodiment includes a portable information terminal device 1 having a wireless communication function, such as a mobile phone or a PDA, an adapter device 2 attached to the portable information terminal device 1, and an information providing device. And an information providing server 3. Here, the portable information terminal device 1 and the adapter device 2 are possessed by a person who acquires information, and the information providing server 3 is provided at the information providing location. For example, when this system is applied to an exhibition, the portable information terminal device 1 and the adapter device 2 are possessed by visitors, and the information providing server 3 is provided at each exhibition booth.

  In the figure, the portable information terminal device 1 performs the overall operation of the device 1 by reading and executing the program memory 4 in which a terminal program for controlling the overall operation of the device 1 is stored. A controller 5 to be controlled, an information acquisition switch for performing an information acquisition instruction, and the like. The operation unit 6 receives various instructions and inputs by a user's operation and notifies the controller of the instructions. A terminal number memory 7 which is a terminal address memory in which a unique terminal number (such as a telephone number) for identifying the device 1 is stored as an address; a power supply unit 8 for supplying power to each unit of the device 1; and an adapter device 2 between the interface 9 for inputting / outputting information to / from 2 and a specific device connected to the public line. A communication unit 11 that wirelessly transmits and receives information, an information memory 12 that stores information received by the communication unit 11, a display unit 13 that displays information stored in the information memory 12, and a voice. It has a microphone 14 for converting an audio signal, a speaker 15 for converting the audio signal to audio, and the like. In addition, although not shown, the portable information terminal device 1 also has a detection unit that detects the attachment when the adapter device 2 is attached.

  The adapter device 2 includes an interface 16 for inputting / outputting information to / from the portable information terminal device 1, a transmission unit 17 that transmits a signal having directivity via the light emitter 18, and the like. In this embodiment, the operation of the adapter device 2 is controlled by the controller 5 of the connected portable information terminal device 1, and the supply of the power supply current to each part of the adapter device 2 is performed by the power supply unit of the portable information terminal device 1. 8 through the interfaces 9 and 16 (dotted arrow in the figure).

  The information providing server 3 includes a program memory 19 in which a server program for controlling the operation of the entire server 3 is stored, and a controller 20 that controls the operation of the entire server 3 by reading and executing the server program. The information is stored in the information DB 23 via an interface 24 such as a modem, for example, a receiving unit 22 that receives a signal via the light receiver 21, an information DB (database) 23 that stores information provided by the server 3. A transmission unit 25 that transmits predetermined information to a specific device connected to the public line, a power supply unit 26 that supplies a power supply current to each unit of the server 3, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system according to the present embodiment.
In the figure, S1 to S6, S10, and S14 to 15 show the operation of the portable information terminal device 1, S7 shows the operation of the adapter device 2, and S8 to 9 and S11 to 13 show the operation of the information providing server 3. Show.

  First, when the user attaches the adapter device 2 to the portable information terminal device 1, the portable information terminal device 1 detects that the adapter device 2 is attached (step (hereinafter simply referred to as "S") 1), and communication. The mode is switched to an information acquisition mode that enables information acquisition (S2). Subsequently, the user holds the light receiving element 21 of the information providing server 3 within the directivity range of the signal transmitted from the light emitting element 18 of the adapter device 2 attached to the portable information terminal device 1. When the information acquisition switch 6 is pressed, the pressing of the information acquisition switch is detected (S3), and the terminal number is read from the terminal number memory 7 (S4). Then, an information request signal including the terminal number is generated (S5), and the information request signal is transmitted (output) to the adapter device 2 via the interface 9 (S6).

In the adapter device 2, when the information request signal is input via the interface 16, the information request signal is transmitted as a directional signal by the transmitter 17 via the light emitter 18 (S7).
In the information providing server 3, when the receiving unit 22 receives the information request signal via the light receiver 21, the terminal number is extracted from the information request signal (S8), and the mobile information terminal device 1 uses the terminal number. Call processing is performed (S9). This process is performed by the transmission unit 25 via the interface 24.

In the portable information terminal device 1, when the communication unit 11 receives a call signal related to the call process through the antenna 10, a process of responding to the call is performed (S10).
As a result, the information providing server 3 and the portable information terminal device 1 are connected via a public line, and the information providing server 3 is in a state where information can be transmitted to the portable information terminal device 1.

  And in the information provision server 3, the process which confirms that the portable information terminal device 1 responded to a call is performed (S11), the information to transmit is read from information DB23 (S12), and the information is a transmission part. 24 is transmitted to the portable information terminal device 1 via the interface 24 (S13).

  In the portable information terminal device 1, when the communication unit 11 receives the information via the antenna 10, the information is stored in the information memory 12 (S 14), and notification that the acquisition of information is completed is performed (S 15). . This notification is performed, for example, by displaying a notification to that effect on the display unit 13.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user attaches the adapter device 2 to the portable information terminal device 1 which is a mobile phone, for example, and the information is within the directivity range of the signal transmitted from the light emitter 18 of the adapter device 2. Information can be easily acquired simply by holding the photo detector 21 of the providing server 3 and pressing the information acquisition switch.

Moreover, since management of the portable information terminal device 1 and the adapter device 2 is not required in this system, the application range of this system is not limited, and the user can freely acquire information.
In the present embodiment, the signal having directivity transmitted by the adapter device 2 can be transmitted using electromagnetic waves including other light or sound waves including ultrasonic waves.

  Further, in this embodiment, as the communication address of the portable information terminal device 1, a URL unique to the device 1 for providing the device 1 with information via a public line, or an IP (Internet Protocol) unique to the device 1. It is also possible to apply addresses.

In this embodiment, the information request signal is generated not by the portable information terminal device 1 but by the adapter device 2.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information providing system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, in this system, the adapter device 2 further reads and executes a program memory 31 in which an adapter program for controlling the operation of the entire device 2 is stored, and the adapter program. Unlike the system according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), the rest of the configuration is the same in that the controller 32 that controls the overall operation of the apparatus 2 is included.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system according to the present embodiment.
In the figure, S21 to S25, S30, and S34 to 35 show the operation of the portable information terminal device 1, S26 to 27 show the operation of the adapter device 2, and S28 to 29 and S31 to 33 show the operation of the information providing server 3. The operation is shown.

First, in the portable information terminal device 1, in S21 to S24, processing similar to that in S1 to S4 (see FIG. 2) is performed, and subsequently, the terminal number read in S24 is converted to the adapter device 2 via the interface 9. (S25).
In the adapter device 2, when the terminal number is input via the interface 16, an information request signal including the terminal number is generated (S26), and the information request signal is transmitted through the light emitter 18 as a directional signal. Is transmitted by the transmitter 17 (S27).

In S28 to 35, which are subsequent processes of the information providing server 3 and the portable information terminal device 1, the same processes as S8 to 15 (see FIG. 2) are performed.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the information request signal is generated by the adapter device 2, the load on the controller 5 of the portable information terminal device 1 can be reduced.

In this embodiment, when the information providing server 3 is not in a state in which information can be provided, the adapter device 2 notifies that the information cannot be acquired.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information providing system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the present system further includes a transmitting unit 40 that transmits (transmits) an information providing signal via the transmitting unit 39 when the information providing server 3 is in a state where information can be provided. Further, the adapter device 2 further includes a receiving unit 37 that receives the information providing signal via the sensor 36, and an information indicator 38 that notifies that the information cannot be acquired, for example, by turning on an LED. Unlike the system 2 (see FIG. 3), the other configurations are the same.

  In the adapter device 2, the sensor 36 and the transmission unit 40 are means for detecting the presence of the information providing server 3 capable of providing information in the direction of the signal transmitted via the light emitter 18. In the information providing server 3, the transmitting unit 39 and the transmitting unit 40 are means for transmitting a signal for notifying that information can be provided. In the information providing server 3, the controller 20 outputs an information providing ON signal to the transmitting unit 40 when the information can be provided, and transmits an information providing OFF signal when the information is not available. The transmission unit 40 transmits the information provision signal via the transmission unit 39 only when the information provision ON signal is input.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system according to the present embodiment.
In the figure, S41 to S45, S52, and S56 to 57 indicate the operation of the portable information terminal device 1, S46 to 49 indicate the operation of the adapter device 2, and S50 to 51 and S53 to 55 indicate the operation of the information providing server 3. The operation is shown.

First, in the portable information terminal device 1, in S41 to S45, the same processing as S21 to S25 (see FIG. 4) is performed.
Subsequently, in the adapter device 2, when the terminal number output in S45 is input via the interface 16, it is determined whether or not the receiving unit 37 is receiving an information providing signal via the sensor 36 ( If the determination result is No, that is, if the information providing server 3 is not in a state where information can be provided, a warning that information cannot be obtained is issued (S47). This warning is given by the information indicator 38, for example, by turning on an LED. On the other hand, in the determination of S46, if the determination result is Yes, that is, if the information providing server 3 can provide information, the process proceeds to S48.

In S48 to 57, which are subsequent processes of the adapter device 2, the information acquisition server 3, and the portable information terminal device 1, the same processing as S26 to 35 (see FIG. 4) is performed.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the information providing server 3 is not providing information, for example, when information is not available, the information indicator of the adapter device 2 warns that information cannot be obtained. The user can know that information cannot be acquired from the information providing server 3.

In this embodiment, not the adapter device 2 but the portable information terminal device 1 notifies that the information cannot be acquired.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information providing system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, this system is different from the system according to the third embodiment (see FIG. 5) in that the adapter device 2 further includes a power supply unit 46 for supplying a power supply current to each unit of the device 2. Different, other configurations are the same. As a result, unlike the first to third embodiments, the adapter device 2 is not supplied with the power supply current from the power supply unit 8 of the information portable terminal device 1.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system according to the present embodiment.
In the figure, S61 to S65, S68, S73, and S77 to 78 show the operation of the portable information terminal device 1, S66 to 67 and S69 to 70 show the operation of the adapter device 2, and S71 to 72 and S74 to 76. Indicates the operation of the information providing server 3.

First, in the portable information terminal device 1, in S61 to S65, processing similar to S41 to S45 (see FIG. 6) is performed.
Subsequently, in the adapter device 2, when the terminal number output in S65 is input via the interface 16, it is determined whether or not the receiving unit 37 is receiving an information providing signal via the sensor 36 ( S66), if the determination result is No, that is, if the information providing server 3 is not in a state where information can be provided, warning information indicating that information cannot be acquired is transmitted (output) to the portable information terminal device 1 via the interface 16 (output). (S67).

In the portable information terminal device 1, when the warning information indicating that the information cannot be acquired is input via the interface 9, a warning display indicating that the information cannot be acquired is displayed on the display unit 13 (S68).
On the other hand, in the determination of S66 in the adapter device 2, if the determination result is Yes, that is, if the information providing server 3 is in a state where information can be provided, the process proceeds to S69.

In S69 to 78, which are the subsequent processes of the adapter device 2, the information acquisition server 3, and the portable information terminal device 1, the same processing as S48 to 57 (see FIG. 6) is performed.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the information providing server 3 is not providing information, for example, when it is not in a state where information can be provided, the display unit 13 of the portable information terminal device 1 displays a warning that information cannot be acquired. Therefore, the user can know that information cannot be acquired from the information providing server 3.

In this embodiment, the acquired information is stored in the adapter device 2 instead of the portable information terminal device 1.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information providing system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, this system includes a point that the information memory 12 is omitted from the portable information terminal device 1, an adapter device 2, an information memory 52 in which information is further stored, and each part of the device 2. Unlike the system according to the second embodiment (see FIG. 3), the other configurations are the same in that the power supply unit 53 that supplies a power supply current to the power supply unit is provided. The adapter device 2 includes the power supply unit 53, so that it is not supplied with a power supply current from the power supply unit 8 of the information portable terminal device 1.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system according to the present embodiment.
In the figure, S81 to S85, S90 and S94 indicate the operation of the portable information terminal device 1, S86 to 87 and S95 to 96 indicate the operation of the adapter device 2, and S88 to 89 and S91 to 93 are information providing servers. 3 shows the operation.

First, in S81 to 93, which are processes of the portable information terminal device 1, the adapter device 2, and the information providing server 3, the same processing as S21 to 33 (see FIG. 4) is performed.
Subsequently, in the portable information terminal device 1, when the communication unit 11 receives the information transmitted in S93 via the antenna 10, the information is transmitted (output) to the adapter device 2 via the interface 9 (S94).

  In the adapter apparatus 2, when the information is input via the interface 16, the information is stored in the information memory 14 (S95), and a notification that the acquisition of the information is completed is performed (S96). This notification is performed, for example, by turning on a specific LED or the like provided in the adapter device 2.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the information acquired from the information providing server 3 is stored in the adapter device 2, the capacity of the memory required for the portable information terminal device 1 can be reduced.
In the present embodiment, the information memory 52 can be configured to be detachable.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the portable information terminal device 1 has a function of recording voice, the recorded voice can be stored in the information memory 52. In this case, the recorded voice is input to the adapter device via the interfaces 9 and 16 and stored in the information memory 52.

  In this embodiment, if there is no particular limitation on the memory capacity of the portable information terminal device 1, the information received by the communication unit 11 is left in the portable information terminal device 1 without omitting the information memory 12. Is stored in the information memory 12, and the information stored in the information memory 12 is transferred to the adapter device 2 via the interface 9 as necessary (for example, according to a user instruction via the operation unit 6). It is also possible to configure to output to

In the present embodiment, information is acquired by a device other than the portable information terminal device 1 or the adapter device 2.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information providing system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, this system further includes an address memory 56 in which the portable information terminal device 1 stores a communication address other than the device 1 or the adapter device 2 as a transmission destination address of the information transmission destination. The point that the information memory 12 is omitted, the adapter device 2 further includes a power supply unit 57 that supplies a power supply current to each unit of the device 2, and the information providing server 3 transmits information to the destination address. The point which has the transmission part 58 differs from the system (refer FIG. 3) based on Example 2, and the other structure is the same. In addition, the communication address memorize | stored in the address memory 56 is input via the operation part 6 by the user, for example. Further, since the adapter device 2 includes the power supply unit 57, the adapter device 2 is not supplied with the power supply current from the power supply unit 8 of the portable information terminal device 1.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system according to the present embodiment.
In the figure, S101 to S106, S114, and S117 show the operation of the portable information terminal device 1, S107 to 108 show the operation of the adapter device 2, and S109 to 113 and S115 to 116 show the operation of the information providing server 3. Show.

  First, in the portable information terminal device 1, in S101 to S104, processing similar to S21 to S24 (see FIG. 4) is performed. Subsequently, the transmission destination address is read from the address memory 56 (S105), and the terminal number read in S104 and the transmission destination address read in S105 are transmitted (output) to the adapter device 2 via the interface 9. (S106).

  In the adapter device 2, when the terminal number and the destination address are input via the interface 16, an information request signal including the terminal number and the destination address is generated (S107), and the information request signal has directivity. The signal is transmitted by the transmitter 17 through the light emitter 18 (S108).

  In the information providing server 3, when the receiving unit 22 receives the information request signal via the light receiver 21, the transmission destination address is extracted from the information request signal (S109), and the information to be transmitted is read from the information DB 23. (S110), the information is transmitted by the transmission unit 58 to the transmission destination address extracted in S109 (S111). In S112 to S115, which are subsequent processing of the information providing server 3 and the portable information terminal device 1, the same processing as S29 to S31 (see FIG. 4) is performed, and the information providing server 3 and the portable information terminal device 1 are public. Connected via line.

Subsequently, in the information providing server 3, an information transmission confirmation notification, which is a notification for confirming that the information has been transmitted to the destination address, is transmitted from the transmission unit 24 to the portable information terminal device 1 via the interface 24 (S116). ).
In the portable information terminal device 1, when the communication unit 11 receives the information transmission confirmation notification via the antenna 10, a notification for confirming that the information has been transmitted to the transmission destination address is displayed on the display unit 13 (S117). ).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, information is transmitted to a device other than the portable information terminal device 1 or the adapter device 2, and therefore, between the portable information terminal device 1 or the adapter device 2 and the information providing server 3. Communication time is reduced. Further, the memory capacity required for the portable information terminal device 1 or the adapter device 2 can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the number of transmission destination addresses read from the address memory 56 may be plural. In this case, information is transmitted to the plurality of transmission destination addresses.
Further, in this embodiment, the adapter device 2 cannot acquire information when the partial configuration of the information providing system according to the third embodiment is applied to the information providing system and the information providing server 3 is not in a state capable of providing information. It can also be configured to notify the effect. In this case, the information providing server 3 can also be configured to transmit the information transmission confirmation notification directly to the portable information terminal device 1 wirelessly. In this case, the transmittable range of the information providing signal transmitted from the information providing server 3 can be set within the transmittable range of the information transmission confirmation notification transmitted directly from the information providing server by radio. .

In this embodiment, the adapter device 2 has an address memory in which the transmission destination address is stored, not the portable information terminal device 1.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information providing system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, in this system, the portable information terminal device 1 omits the address memory 56, and the adapter device 2 further uses the device 2 or the portable information as a transmission destination address of the information transmission destination. Unlike the system according to the sixth embodiment (see FIG. 11), the other configuration is the same in that it has an address memory 61 in which communication addresses other than the terminal device 1 are stored. However, the address memory 61 also stores a transmission destination index that is an index of the transmission destination address stored in the memory 61. In this transmission destination index, for each transmission destination address stored in the address memory 61, a transmission destination and a transmission destination ID associated with the transmission destination address are indicated. The corresponding transmission destination address can be specified from the transmitted transmission destination or transmission destination ID. The transmission destination index is a communication address list indicating a list of communication addresses stored in the address memory 61, and the transmission destination and the transmission destination ID associated with the transmission destination address are also communication address selection information. .

The communication address stored in the address memory 61 is input to the portable information terminal device 1 by the operation of the operation unit 6 by the user, and further input to the adapter device 2 via the interfaces 6 and 16.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system according to the present embodiment.

  In the figure, S121 to S123, S126 to 130, S139, and S142 show the operation of the portable information terminal device 1, S124 to 125 and S131 to 133 show the operation of the adapter device 2, and S134 to 138 and S140 to 141. Indicates the operation of the information providing server 3.

First, in the portable information terminal device 1, in S121 to S122, processing similar to that in S101 to S102 (see FIG. 12) is performed, and subsequently, a transmission destination index request signal is transmitted to the adapter device 2 via the interface 9 ( Output) (S123).
In the adapter device 2, when the transmission destination index request signal is input through the interface 16, the transmission destination index is read from the address memory 61 (S124), and the transmission destination index is transmitted through the interface 16 to the portable information terminal. It is transmitted (output) to the device 1 (S125).

  In the portable information terminal device 1, when the transmission destination index is input via the interface 9, the transmission destination index is displayed on the display unit 13 (S126). Here, when the user instructs to select a transmission destination from the displayed transmission destination indexes via the operation unit 6, the transmission destination ID of the selected transmission destination is stored in a predetermined memory (for example, the controller 5). Are temporarily stored in the internal memory (S127). In subsequent steps S128 through S129, the same processing as in steps S103 through 104 (see FIG. 12) is performed. Subsequently, the transmission destination ID selected in step S127 and the terminal number read out in step S129 are displayed on the interface 9. The data is transmitted (output) to the adapter device 2 via S (S130).

  In the adapter apparatus 2, when the transmission destination ID and the terminal number are input via the interface 16, the transmission destination address specified by the transmission destination ID is read from the address memory 61 (S131), and the transmission destination address The information request signal including the above-described terminal number is generated (S132), and the information request signal is transmitted by the transmitter 17 through the light emitter 18 as a signal having directivity (S133).

In S134 to 142, which are subsequent processes of the information providing server 3 and the portable information terminal device 1, the same processes as S109 to 117 (see FIG. 12) are performed.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the adapter device 2 has the address memory 61, the capacity of the memory required for the portable information terminal device 1 can be reduced. In addition, since information is transmitted to a transmission destination selected from the transmission destination index, the user can freely select a transmission destination and can easily change the transmission destination.

  In this embodiment, the number of transmission destinations selected by the user may be plural. In this case, information is transmitted to the plural transmission destinations.

In this embodiment, the function expansion program of the portable information terminal device 1 is transferred from the adapter device 2 to the portable information terminal device 1.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information providing system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, this system includes a terminal function expansion program in which the adapter apparatus 2 further stores a function expansion program that causes the portable information terminal apparatus 1 to execute an information acquisition operation in cooperation with the adapter apparatus 2. The configuration having the memory 66 is different from the system according to the fifth embodiment (see FIG. 9), and other configurations are the same.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system according to the present embodiment.
In the figure, S146 through S147, S150 through 154, S159, and S163 show the operation of the portable information terminal device 1, S148 through 149, S155 through 156, and S164 through 165 show the operation of the adapter device 2, and S157 through S157. Reference numerals 158 and S160 to 162 denote operations of the information providing server 3.

First, in the portable information terminal device 1, in S146, processing similar to that in S81 (see FIG. 10) is performed, and subsequently, a function expansion program request signal is transmitted (output) to the adapter device 2 via the interface 9. (S147).
When the function expansion program request signal is input via the interface 16, the adapter apparatus 2 reads the function expansion program of the portable information terminal device 1 from the terminal function expansion program memory 66 (S148), and the function expansion program Is transmitted (output) to the portable information terminal device 1 via the interface 16 (S149).

  In the portable information terminal device 1, when the function expansion program is input via the interface 9, the function expansion program is stored in the program memory 4 (S150). Then, the controller 5 reads and executes the function expansion program, thereby enabling execution of an operation of acquiring information in cooperation with the adapter device 2, and the subsequent portable information terminal device 1, adapter device 2, and information The processing of S151 to 165 that is processing of the providing server 3 is performed. In S151 to 165, the same processing as S82 to S96 (see FIG. 10) is performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the adapter device 2 is attached to the portable information terminal device 1, the function expansion program that causes the portable information terminal device 1 to execute the information acquisition operation in cooperation with the adapter device 2 is transferred. Since it is stored in the memory 4, the portable information terminal device 1 can execute an operation of acquiring information in cooperation with the adapter device 2.

In this embodiment, the function expansion program is configured to be transferred when the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 6 after the adapter device 2 is mounted on the portable information terminal device 1. It is also possible to do.
In this embodiment, the function expansion program may further include a program for executing another operation. Alternatively, if a program that allows the portable information terminal device 1 to execute an information acquisition operation in cooperation with the adapter device 2 is stored in the program memory 4 in advance, the function expansion program is a program that executes another operation. There may be.

In this embodiment, a digital camera having no communication function is applied instead of the portable information terminal device 1.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information providing system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the system includes a digital camera 71, an adapter device 2 attached to the digital camera 71, and an information providing server 3.

  The digital camera 71 includes a program memory 72 that stores a camera program for controlling the overall operation of the camera 71, a controller 73 that controls the overall operation of the camera 71 by reading and executing the camera program, An operation unit 75 configured to include a shutter button and the like, accepting various instructions and inputs by a user's operation and notifying the controller 73 or the imaging unit 74, and a trigger signal generated by pressing the shutter button are input. An image capturing unit 74 that captures an image (still image or moving image) and obtains image data, an information memory 76 that stores the acquired information and image data obtained by the image capturing unit 74, and the information memory 76 Display unit 77 for displaying images related to information and image data, and each unit of camera 71 Having a power supply unit 78 for supplying a source current, the interface 79 or the like for inputting and outputting information to and from the adapter device 2. Moreover, although not shown, the digital camera 71 also has a detection unit that detects the attachment when the adapter device 2 is attached.

  On the other hand, the adapter device 2 is wirelessly connected to the adapter device 2 according to the second embodiment (see FIG. 3) via an antenna 81 and an address memory 80 in which an adapter address that is a communication address of the device 2 is stored. And a receiving unit 82 for receiving information.

In addition, the information providing server 3 includes a transmission unit 84 that wirelessly transmits information via the antenna 83 instead of the interface 24 and the transmission unit 25 in the information provision server 3 (see FIG. 3) according to the second embodiment. It is what I did.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system according to the present embodiment.

In the figure, S171 to 176 and S184 to 185 indicate the operation of the digital camera 71, S177 to 179 and S183 indicate the operation of the adapter device 2, and S180 to S182 indicate the operation of the information providing server 3.
First, when the user attaches the adapter device 2 to the digital camera 71, the digital camera 71 detects that the adapter device 2 is attached (S171), and the operation mode is switched to the information acquisition mode (S172). Subsequently, the user holds the light receiver 21 of the information providing server 3 within the directivity range of the signal transmitted from the light emitter 18 of the adapter device 2 attached to the digital camera 71 and presses the shutter button. Then, the pressing of the shutter button is detected (S173), and the process branches to the processes of S174 to 175 related to image capturing and the processes after S176 related to information acquisition. In S174 to 175, an image is taken by the imaging unit 74 to obtain image data (S174), and the image data is stored in the information memory 76 (S175). On the other hand, in S176, the information acquisition command signal is transmitted (output) to the adapter device 2 through the interface 79.

  In the adapter device 2, when the information acquisition command signal is input through the interface 16, the adapter address is read from the address memory 80 (S177), and an information request signal including the adapter address is generated (S178). The information request signal is transmitted by the transmitter 17 through the light emitter 18 as a signal having directivity (S179).

  In the information providing server 3, when the receiving unit 22 receives the information request signal via the light receiver 21, the adapter address is extracted from the information request signal (S180). Then, the information to be transmitted is read from the information DB 23 (S181), and the information is transmitted to the adapter address (addressed to the adapter device 2) via the antenna 83 by the transmission unit 84 (S182).

In the adapter device 2, when the receiving unit 82 receives the information via the antenna 81, the information is transmitted (output) to the digital camera 71 via the interface 16 (S183).
In the digital camera 71, when the information is input via the interface 79, the information is stored in the information memory 76 (S 184), and the display unit 77 displays that the information has been acquired (S 185). .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user attaches the adapter device 2 to the digital camera 71, and the light receiver 21 of the information providing server 3 is included in the directivity range of the signal transmitted from the light emitter 18 of the adapter device 2. By pressing the shutter button of the digital camera 71, information can be easily acquired together with the captured image. In addition, since this system does not require management of the digital camera 71 and the adapter device 2, the applicable range of this system is not limited, and the user can acquire information together with images taken freely.

  In this embodiment, the adapter device 2 further includes an information memory in which at least one of the information received by the receiving unit 82 via the antenna 81 or the information input via the interface 16 is stored. It is also possible to configure. In this case, the information memory can be configured to store an image (still image or moving image) captured by the digital camera 71. Further, when the digital camera 71 has a function of recording voice, the recorded voice can be stored in the information memory. In this case, the captured image and the recorded sound are input to the adapter device 2 via the interfaces 9 and 16 and stored in the information memory. In this case, the information memory can be configured to be detachable.

Further, in this embodiment, when the partial configuration of the information providing system according to the third embodiment is applied to the information providing system and the information providing server 3 is not in a state where information can be provided, the information request signal is not transmitted. It is also possible to configure as described above.
In this embodiment, a part of the information providing system according to Embodiment 6 or 7 is applied to the information providing system, and the information transmitted from the information providing server 3 is sent to a communication address other than the adapter device 2. It is also possible to configure to transmit to.

  Further, in this embodiment, a part of the information providing system according to the eighth embodiment is applied to the information providing system, and the digital camera 71 is attached to the adapter device 2 or after the digital camera 71 is attached. It is also possible to configure so that the function expansion program of the digital camera 71 is transferred to the adapter device 2 when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 75 of 71.

In this embodiment, the portable information terminal device 1 has a camera function.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information providing system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, in this system, the portable information terminal device 1 further includes an imaging unit 86 that captures an image (still image or moving image) and obtains image data, and the operation unit 6 has a shutter button. Unlike the system according to the third embodiment (see FIG. 5), the other configuration is the same in that the portable information terminal device with a camera further includes an information acquisition mode selection switch. Here, in the information acquisition mode, the information acquisition mode selection switch can select one of a mode that enables only shooting, a mode that allows only information acquisition, and a mode that enables shooting and information acquisition. It is a switch to do. In the mobile information terminal device 1 with a camera, the display unit 13 displays information received by the communication unit 11 and information or an image stored in the information memory 12.

The mobile information terminal device 1 with a camera is also a digital camera with an information terminal function.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system according to the present embodiment.
In the same figure, S191 to 200, S207, and 211 to 212 indicate the operation of the camera-equipped portable information terminal device 1, S201 to 204 indicate the operation of the adapter device 2, and S205 to S206 and S208 to 210 are information providing servers. 3 shows the operation.

  First, in the portable information terminal device 1 with a camera, in S191 to S192, the same processing as S41 to S42 (see FIG. 6) is performed. Subsequently, the user holds the light receiver 21 of the information providing server 3 within the directivity range of the signal transmitted from the light emitter 18 of the adapter device 2 attached to the camera-equipped portable information terminal device 1. When the shutter button is pressed, the pressing of the shutter button is detected (S193), and then the mode selected by the information acquisition mode selection switch is a mode that enables only shooting and a mode that allows only information acquisition. Alternatively, it is determined which of the modes that enables photographing and information acquisition (S194), and processing according to the determination result is performed. That is, in the determination of S194, if the determination result is a mode that enables only shooting (S194 is “shooting”), an image is shot by the imaging unit 74 to obtain image data (S195), The image data is stored in the information memory 76 (S196), and this flow ends. Alternatively, in the determination of S194, if the determination result is a mode that allows only information acquisition (S194 is “information acquisition”), the processing of S197 to 198 is performed. In S197 to S198, the same processing as S44 to 45 (see FIG. 6) is performed. Alternatively, in the determination of S194, if the determination result is a mode that enables shooting and information acquisition (S194 is “shooting + information acquisition”), S197 to 198 are performed after the processing of S199 to 200 is performed. Is performed. In S199 to S200, the same processing as S195 to 196 is performed.

  As a result, in the determination in S194, if the determination result is either a mode that enables only information acquisition or a mode that enables shooting and information acquisition, in S198, it is read out in S197. The terminal number is transmitted (output) to the adapter device 2 via the interface 9.

In S201 through S212, which are subsequent processes of the adapter device 2, the information acquisition server 3, and the portable information terminal device 1 with camera, the same processing as S46 through 57 (see FIG. 6) is performed.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, only shooting, information acquisition, or shooting and information acquisition is performed according to the mode selected by the information acquisition mode selection switch. The acquisition target can be selected, and the acquisition target can be easily changed.

  In the present embodiment, the adapter device 2 is further configured to have an information memory, and the information memory is configured to store an image captured by the portable information terminal device 1 with a camera and acquired information. It is also possible. In addition, when the mobile information terminal device 1 with a camera function has a function of recording voice, the recorded voice can be stored in the information memory. In this case, the captured image, the acquired information, and the recorded sound are input via the interfaces 9 and 16 and stored in the information memory. In this case, the information memory can be configured to be detachable.

While the information providing system according to the first to tenth embodiments has been described above, the information providing system according to the present invention is not limited to these configurations, and can be configured as follows.
In the information providing system according to the first to tenth embodiments, the power supply current is supplied from the power supply unit 46 of the adapter device 2 to each unit of the portable information terminal device 1 or the digital camera 71 via the interface 16, 9 or 79. It is also possible to configure. Alternatively, when the adapter device 2 does not have a power supply unit, a new power supply unit is provided, and each unit of the portable information terminal device 1 or the digital camera 71 is connected from the power supply unit via the interface 16, 9 or 79. It is also possible to provide a power supply current.

In the information providing system according to the first to tenth embodiments, the information providing system according to one embodiment may be configured by applying a partial configuration of the information providing system according to another embodiment.
For example, in the information providing systems according to the first to eighth and tenth embodiments, a partial configuration of the information providing system according to the ninth embodiment is applied to one information providing system, and the information transmitted from the information providing server 3 is an adapter. It is also possible to configure so that the device 2 receives and outputs the received information to the portable information terminal device 1 via the interface 16 (this configuration is hereinafter referred to as an information providing system according to a modification). ). In this case, the information input to the portable information terminal device 1 is stored in the information memory 12, for example. Further, in this case, the display unit 13 displays, for example, information received by the communication unit 11, information or image stored in the information memory 12, or information or image input via the interface 9 (for example, the information). Is displayed).

  In the information providing system according to the modification, the adapter device 2 further includes an information memory in which at least one of information received by the device 2 or information input through the interface 16 is stored. It is also possible to configure. In this case, the information input via the interface 16 may be information received by the portable information terminal device 1 or an image (still image, moving image) taken by the portable information terminal device 1 with camera. Or, if the portable information terminal device 1 has a function of recording voice, it can be recorded voice. Further, the information memory can be configured to be detachable.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described ones, and it is needless to say that various improvements and changes may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information providing system according to a first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information providing system according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information provision system which concerns on Example 2. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information providing system according to the second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information provision system which concerns on Example 3. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information providing system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information providing system according to a fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information providing system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information providing system according to a fifth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information providing system according to the fifth embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information provision system which concerns on Example 6. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an information providing system according to a sixth embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information provision system which concerns on Example 7. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information providing system according to the seventh embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information provision system which concerns on Example 8. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an information providing system according to an eighth embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information provision system which concerns on Example 9. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the information providing system according to the ninth embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information provision system which concerns on Example 10. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information providing system according to the tenth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable information terminal device 2 Adapter apparatus 3 Information provision server 4 Program memory 5 Controller 6 Operation part 7 Terminal number memory 8 Power supply part 9 Interface 10 Antenna 11 Communication part 12 Information memory 13 Display part 14 Microphone 15 Speaker 16 Interface 17 Transmission part 18 Light emitter 19 Program memory 20 Controller 21 Light receiver 22 Receiver 23 Information DB
24 interface 25 transmission unit 26 power supply unit 31 program memory 32 controller 36 sensor 37 reception unit 38 information indicator 39 transmission unit 40 transmission unit 46 power supply unit 51 information memory 52 power supply unit 56 address memory 57 power supply unit 58 transmission unit 61 address memory 66 terminal Function expansion program memory 71 Digital camera 72 Program memory 73 Controller 74 Imaging section 75 Operation section 76 Information memory 77 Display section 78 Power supply section 79 Interface 80 Address memory 81 Antenna 82 Reception section 83 Antenna 84 Transmission section 86 Imaging section

Claims (17)

An adapter device attachable to a digital camera or a portable information terminal device,
An interface for inputting / outputting information to / from the digital camera or the portable information terminal device;
Transmitting means for transmitting a signal having directivity;
Receiving means for receiving information wirelessly;
Have
The transmission means transmits a signal including a communication address of the adapter device .
An adapter device characterized by that. Outputting the information received by the receiving means to the digital camera or the portable information terminal device via the interface;
The adapter device according to claim 1 . Information storage means for storing at least one of information received by the reception means or information input via the interface;
Furthermore adapter according to claim 1, wherein a. The information storage means is removable.
3. Symbol mounting of the adapter device, characterized in that. An adapter device attachable to a portable information terminal device having a wireless communication function,
An interface for inputting and outputting information to and from the portable information terminal device;
Transmitting means for transmitting a signal having directivity;
Program storage means for storing a program for causing the portable information terminal device to execute a predetermined operation;
When the portable information terminal device is attached or after the attachment, and when a predetermined operation is performed on the portable information terminal device, the program stored in the program storage means is output via the interface. A program output means;
Have
The transmission means transmits a signal including a communication address;
An adapter device characterized by that. The program stored in the program storage means causes the portable information terminal device to execute an information acquisition operation in cooperation with the adapter device.
The adapter device according to claim 5 . The communication address is a communication address of the portable information terminal device, and is input via the interface.
The adapter device according to claim 6 . Information storage means for storing information input via the interface;
The adapter device according to claim 6 , further comprising: Detecting means for detecting the presence of an information providing apparatus capable of providing information in a direction of a signal transmitted by the transmitting means;
Furthermore adapter device according to claim 1 or 6, wherein it has a. If the detection means does not detect the presence of the information providing device, the transmission means does not transmit a signal,
The adapter device according to claim 9 . An address memory for storing a communication address other than the portable information terminal device or the adapter device;
Further comprising
The transmission means transmits a signal stored in the address memory and including at least one communication address other than the portable information terminal device or the adapter device,
The adapter device according to claim 1 or 5, wherein Storing a communication address input via the interface in the address memory;
The adapter device according to claim 11 . A communication address list indicating a list of communication addresses stored in the address memory is output via the interface, and communication address selection information indicating a communication address selected from the communication address list is output via the interface. When input, the communication address corresponding to the communication address selection information is read from the address memory, and the transmission means transmits a signal including the read communication address.
The adapter device according to claim 11 . A portable information terminal device to which the adapter device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 can be attached,
An interface for inputting and outputting information to and from the adapter device;
Photographing means for photographing a still image or a moving image;
Storage means for storing an image photographed by the photographing means;
Mode selection means for selecting any one of a mode enabling image capturing, a mode enabling information acquisition, and a mode enabling image capturing and information acquisition;
Have
The image photographed by the photographing means is stored in the storage means or output via the interface.
A portable information terminal device. The portable information terminal device outputs the communication address of the portable information terminal device to the adapter device attached to the portable information terminal device,
Said adapter device receives the communication address,
When the presence of the information providing apparatus capable of providing information is detected in a directivity direction in which an information request signal for requesting information to the information providing apparatus that provides information is transmitted as a signal having directivity, the input communication address Including an information request signal, and transmitting the information request signal as a signal having directivity,
When it is not possible to detect the presence of an information providing apparatus capable of providing information in a directivity direction for transmitting the information request signal, the information request signal is not generated.
An information acquisition method characterized by that. A communication address list indicating a list of communication addresses other than the adapter device or the portable information terminal device, in which the adapter device attached to the portable information terminal device has a transmission destination address of predetermined information transmitted from the information providing device. Is output to the portable information terminal device,
The portable information terminal device outputs communication address selection information indicating a communication address selected from the input communication address list to the adapter device,
The adapter device generates an information request signal including a communication address according to the input communication address selection information, and transmits the information request signal as a signal having directivity.
An information acquisition method characterized by that. When the adapter device is attached to the portable information terminal device, the portable information terminal device outputs a program that causes the portable information terminal device to execute an information acquisition operation in cooperation with the adapter device, and
By executing the program on the portable information terminal device,
The portable information terminal device outputs a communication address of the portable information terminal device to an adapter device attached to the portable information terminal device,
When the communication address is input, the adapter device generates an information request signal including the communication address, and transmits the information request signal as a signal having directivity.
The portable information terminal device receives predetermined information addressed to the communication address transmitted from the information providing device that has received the information request signal.
An information acquisition method characterized by that.

Images