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

A communication device which urges a user to select another communication device with which communication should be performed in a plurality of communication devices existing as candidates for communication, and which performs communication with the selected communication device. The communication device has an acquisition section which obtains, from each of the plurality of communication devices, motion information indicating the motion of the communication device in space, a display section which displays each of motion images representing the motions of the plurality of communication devices in space on the basis of the motion information obtained from the communication devices, and a communication section which urges the user to select one of the motion images displayed by the display section, and which performs communication with the communication device indicated by the selected motion image.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication system, a communication method, a program and a recording medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to a communication device, a communication system, a communication method, a program and a recording medium for communication with another communication device selected by a user.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

In recent years, with the widespread use of portable information communication terminals, wireless data communication has been widely performed. Everyone can now easily perform data communication with others. In some cases where a plurality of candidates for communication with a person exist, it is difficult for the person to suitably determine, on his/her information communication terminal, one of information communication terminals with which he or she wishes to perform communication.

Conventionally, an information communication terminal is arranged to enable a user to input information for identification of another information communication terminal with which communication should be performed, e.g., a name of the information communication terminal, an IP address or a telephone number, in order to determine the information communication terminal with which communication should be performed among a multiplicity of information communication terminals. As a technique for facilitating determination of a communication terminal, a technique of displaying icons for a plurality of terminals existing as candidates for communication to enable a user to make selection from the candidates has also been used. Further, a technique of determining a terminal with which communication should be performed on the basis of the results of image pickup of communication devices from which selection should be made for communication (see patent document 1) and a technique of determining a communication terminal with which communication should be performed by using a noncontact IC card (see patent document 2) have been proposed.

However, a multiplicity of information communication terminals which can be candidates for communication exist in a conference in which a number of persons carrying information communication terminals participate, a downtown, or the like where there are various and many people. In such a situation, it is usually difficult to suitably determine a terminal with which communication should be performed. For example, in a situation where a person wants to transmit his/her own data to an information communication terminal of another person with whom he or she happened to become acquainted in a conference, it is troublesome for him/her to determine the information communication terminal to which the data should be sent since a number of other information communication terminals exist in the place for conference.

More specifically, when a person is given information for identification of an information communication terminal with which he or she wishes to perform communication and which is owned by the another person, it is necessary for him/her to perform an operation for correctly inputting the identification information. Also, a need may arises to perform an operation for selecting the desired one of a number of displayed identification information items. Such an operation is troublesome. Also, with the widespread proliferation of information communication terminals, it has become difficult for users to give names to information communication terminals and remember the names. In many cases, manufacturer's serial numbers or the like are used as information for identification of terminals just as they are. In such cases, it is more difficult to ensure accurate communication of identification information to a user of a communication terminal with which communication should be performed.

In the device described in patent document 1, images of communication devices each probable to be selected as a terminal with which communication will be performed are stored in advance in a state of being related to information for identification of the communication devices, and an image of a communication device with which there is a need for communication is obtained and compared with the stored imaged by being recognized by an image recognition technique or the like to determine the information for identification of the communication device. This technique eliminates the need for a troublesome operation such as an key input operation but requires that the distance to the other end of the communication channel, the environment, etc., be suitable for image pickup.

According to patent document 2, a Bluetooth device with which a person wishes to perform communication has an IC card on which a Bluetooth address of the device is recorded. Reading the Bluetooth address from the IC card suffices for enabling communication with the device. It is not necessary to input an ID or the like of the device. According to this technique, however, it is necessary to bring the communication device of the person close enough to read the IC card of the device with which communication is to be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a communication device, a communication system, a communication method and a recording medium capable of solving the above-described problems. This object can be attained by a combination of features described in the independent claims in the appended claims. In the dependent claims, further advantageous examples of the present invention are specified.

To achieve the above-described object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device which urges a user to select another communication device with which communication should be performed in a plurality of communication devices existing as candidates for communication, and which performs communication with the selected communication device, the device having an acquisition section which obtains, from each of the plurality of communication devices, motion information indicating the motion of the communication device in space, a display section which displays each of motion images representing the motions of the plurality of communication devices in space on the basis of the motion information obtained from the communication devices, and a communication section which urges the user to select one of the motion images displayed by the display section, and which performs communication with the communication device indicated by the selected motion image, a communication system, a communication method using the communication device, a program for implementation of the communication device, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device used in the field of view of a user of another communication device, having a transmission section which transmits motion information indicating the motion of the communication device in space to the another communication device to enable a motion image representing the motion of the communication device in space to be displayed by a display section of the another communication device, and a communication section which communicates with the another communication device when the user of the another communication device selects the communication device as a terminal with which communication should be performed, on the basis of the motion image displayed by the display section of the another communication device and the result of visual recognition of the motion of the communication device, a communication system, a communication method using the communication device, a program for implementation of the communication device, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

In the summary of the present invention, not all the necessary features of the invention are listed. Subcombinations of the features can also constitute the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described with respect to an embodiment thereof. The embodiment described below, however, is not limiting of the invention set forth in the appended claims, and all combinations of features described in the description of the embodiment are not necessarily indispensable to the solving means according to the present invention.

FIG. 1is a functional block diagram of a communication system10. The communication system10has communication devices20-1to20-N each of which is an example of the first communication device in accordance with the present invention, and a communication device30which is an example of the second communication device in accordance with the present invention. Each of the communication devices20-1to20-N is a portable communication terminal, e.g., a notebook personal computer, a portable telephone, a digital camera, a PDA, a Bluetooth device or the like. Each of the communication devices20-1to20-N performs wireless communication with the communication device30. More specifically, each of the communication devices20-1to20-N wirelessly communicates with the communication device30through a wireless LAN in accordance with a standard such as IEEE 802.11a/b/g, communication in accordance with the Bluetooth standard, or a public portable telephone network (PSTN). The communication system10is arranged to enable a user of the communication device30to easily and speedily select one of the communication devices20-1to20-N with which the user wishes to perform communication.

More specifically, each of the communication devices20-1to20-N is used in the field of view of the user of the communication device30, and transmits to the communication device30motion information indicting a motion of the communication device20-1to20-N in space. The communication device30displays to the user each of motion images indicating the motions in space of the communication devices20-1to20-N existing as candidates for communication. The user of the communication device30compares each of the displayed motion images of the communication devices20-1to20-N with the motion of the corresponding one of the communication devices20-1to20-N actually recognized visually, thereby determines the communication device with which the user wishes to perform communication, and starts communication. Thus, the communication system10enables a user to easily and speedily determine one of a plurality of communication devices with which the user wishes to perform communication.

The communication device20-1has a detection section200, a transmission section210, a wireless communication unit215, and a communication section220. Each of the communication devices20-2to20-N has substantially the same configuration as that of the communication device20-1, and the same description for the configuration of the communication devices20-2to20-N will not be repeated. The detection section200detects motion information indicating the motion of the communication device20-1in space. For example, the detection section200has an acceleration sensor for measuring the acceleration when the communication device20-1moves or rotates in space, and periodically sends measurement results to the transmission section210. The detection section200also has, for example, an IC chip for acceleration measurement and a gyroscope, an earth magnetism sensor, a camera or the like. For example, the detection section200may detects the orientation of the communication device20-1on the basis of the result of imaging of surroundings with the camera. Alternatively, the detection section200may have a GPS device and thereby detect the motion of the communication device20-1in space. The detection section200may be an externally attached device provided separately from the communication device20-1.

The transmission section210transmits the motion information detected by the detection section200to the communication device30by using the wireless communication unit215. If the motion information is information on the acceleration, transmission section210may perform processing for converting data on the acceleration data into data on the amount of movement and thereafter transmit the converted data on the amount of movement as motion information to the communication device30or may directly transmit data on the acceleration as motion information. The communication section220performs communication with the communication device30by using the wireless communication unit215when the user of the communication device30selects, as a device with which communication should be performed, the communication device20-1on the basis of the motion image displayed on a display section320of the communication device30and the result of visual recognition of the motion of the communication device20-1. Preferably, at this time, the communication section220adjusts the communication rate, for example, according to network traffic between the communication device30and the communication device20-1, or the condition of ratio waves.

The communication device30has an acquisition section310, a wireless communication unit315, the display section320, an icon DB325, a delay time setting section328, and a communication section330. The acquisition section310obtains from each of the communication devices20-1to20-N motion information indicating the motion of the communication device in space by using the wireless communication unit315. For example, the acquisition section310obtains as motion information the amount of movement of the communication device in space, the amount of rotation of the communication device in space or the acceleration accompanying the movement or rotation of the communication device in space. Alternatively, motion information may be the period or amplitude of vibration of the communication device when the communication device is shaken by the user.

The display section320displays a motion image indicating the motion of each of the communication devices20-1to20-N on the basis of motion information obtained from the communication device. For example, the icon DB325stores a plurality of icons including images obtained by imaging the communication devices20-1to20-N in various directions, and the display section320selects the icon representing one of the communication devices20-1to20-N according to motion information obtained from the communication devices20-1to20-N existing as candidates for communication and displays the selected icon as a motion image. For example, the display section320may select and display a motion image indicating the same motion as that one of the communication devices20-1to20-N actually has.

The display section320may display a motion image indicating a change in the orientation of each of the communication devices20-1to20-N relative to the orientation of the communication device30. In such a case, the display section320has a means for detecting a change in the orientation of the communication device30itself, e.g., an earth magnetism sensor. The display section320computes a change in the orientation of each of the communication devices20-1to20-N relative to the orientation of the communication device30by adding to the motion information obtained by the acquisition section310information on a change in the orientation of the communication device30itself detected with the earth magnetism sensor. The display section320may select and display the icon on the basis of the computed change in orientation. In this case, the icon is changed not only when the orientation of one of the communication devices20-1to20-N is changed but also when the orientation of the communication device30is changed. In this manner, the icon displayed by the display section320can be approximated to the motion of the corresponding one of the communication devices20-1to20-N as actually seen by the user.

The delay time setting section328sets, according to an instruction from the user for example, a delay time by which the time at which the display section320displays a motion image relative to the time at which the acquisition section310obtains motion information. The display section320may display a motion image after a lapse of this delay time from the time at which motion information is obtained by the acquisition section310. The user of the communication device30is thereby enabled to suitably compare the motion of the communication device20-1itself and the motion of the icon even in a case where it is difficult to simultaneously observe the communication device20-1itself and the icon displayed on the screen of the communication device30. Subsequently, the communication section330urges the user to select one of the icons displayed by the display section320and, by using the wireless communication unit315, communicates with the communication device indicated by the selected icon.

In the communication device30, each of processing performed by the acquisition section310to obtain a motion image and processing performed by the communication section330to communicate with the communication device20-1actually comprises communication using a wireless LAN or the like. In this embodiment, for convenience's sake, processing performed by the communication section330to perform transmission of data to the communication section220or reception of data from the communication section220is referred to as “communication” while processing performed by the transmission section210and the acquisition section310is referred to not as “communication” but as “transmission and acquisition of motion information.”

FIG. 2shows processing performed by the communication device20-1to transmit motion information. The communication device20-1periodically repeats processing described below, for example, according to a setting made by the user. The detection section200detects motion information indicating the motion of the communication device20-1in space (S200). If the amount of movement or rotation per unit time indicated by the detected motion information does not exceed a predetermined prescribed amount (S210: NO), the detection section200returns the process to S200.

If the amount of movement or rotation per unit time indicated by the detected motion information exceeds the predetermined prescribed amount (S210: YES), the transmissions section210obtains from the wireless communication unit215or the like condition information indicating the condition of communication over a communication channel between the communication device20-1and the communication device30, e.g., network traffic or the condition of radio waves (S230). Subsequently, the transmission section210generates a transmission packet for transmitting the motion information on the basis of the motion information detected by the detection section200and the obtained condition information (S240).

For example, if the communicable amount of data indicated by the information on the condition of the communication channel is smaller, the transmission section210generates a transmission packet of a smaller data size in comparison with a case where the communicable amount of data is larger. The transmission section210transmits the generated transmission packet as motion information to the communication device30, thereby enabling the icon indicating the motion of the communication device20-1in space to be displayed by the display section320of the communication device30(S250). Alternatively, the transmission section210may adjust the frequency of transmission of the transmission packet on the basis of the obtained condition information.

FIG. 3shows an example of motion information transmitted by the communication device20-1. The motion information shown in this figure indicates movements in 6-axis directions in which the communication device20-1moves or rotates in three-dimensional space. More specifically, the transmission section210transmits the motion information as a combination of axis information indicating the directions of movements and the change amount information indicating the amounts of movement in the directions indicated by the axis information.

As shown inFIG. 3(a), the axis information indicates the directions of movements indicated by the motion information. More specifically, the axis information is formed of six bits corresponding to the amount of movement in the X-axis direction, the amount of movement in the Y-axis direction, the amount of movement in the Z-axis direction, the amount of rotation in the yaw direction (e.g., the amount of rotation about the Z-axis), the amount of rotation in the roll direction (e.g., the amount of rotation about the X-axis), and the amount of rotation in the pitch direction (e.g., the amount of rotation about the Y-axis). The motion information includes as change amount information the amount of movement or the amount of rotation in the direction indicated by a corresponding bit “1” in the axis information.

In the axis information shown in the figure, each of the X-axis movement amount indication bit indicating the amount of movement in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis movement amount indication bit indicating the amount of movement in the Y-axis direction and the pitch direction rotation amount indication bit indicating the amount of rotation in the pitch direction is 1, while each of the other bits is 0. Accordingly, the change amount information includes the amount of movement in the X-axis direction, the amount of movement in the Y-axis direction and the amount of rotation in the pitch direction. Thus, the transmission section210sets only part of the bits in the axis direction at 1 to transmit information on a movement in a predetermined direction in movements in the 6-axis directions as motion information. It is not necessary for the transmission section210to transmit information indicating movements in the other directions.

For example, if the communication device30informs the communication device20-1in advance that the degrees of freedom of movement of the motion image that the communication device30can display are the amount of movement in the X-axis direction, the amount of movement in the Y-axis direction and the amount of rotation in the pitch direction, the communication device20-1transmits only information on the amounts of movement and the amount of rotation in these directions to the communication device30and does not transmit information on the amount rotation and so on in the other directions. Thus, the communication device30sets information necessary for display of the motion image in the communication device20-1to enable network traffic to be reduced while ensuring transmission of only necessary information.

In a case where the communication device20-1does not have the function of detecting motion information, or in some other case, the transmission section210may set each of the bits in axis information is set to 0, that is, may operate so as not to transmit any change amount information. In such a case, even if devices transmitting motion information and devices transmitting no motion information exit mixedly in the communication devices20-1to20-N, the communication device30can obtain motion information in a common data structure. As a result, the processing can be simplified without being modified with respect to each of communication devices existing as candidates for communication.

FIG. 3(b) shows another example of the motion information transmitted by the transmission section210. The change amount information shown in this figure includes groups of four bits each representing the amount of movement or rotation. In comparison with the change amount information including the 8-bit movement amount or rotation amount as shown inFIG. 3(a), the change amount information shown in this figure has a smaller data size. The transmission section210may reduce the number of bits in the change amount information according to the information on the condition of the communication channel obtained from the wireless communication unit215to reduce the amount of transmitted data, as described above.

Also, the transmission section210may transmit an image of the external appearance of the communication device20-1itself as motion information instead of the information in the above-described examples. In such a case, for example, the transmission section210stores data representing the three-dimensional shape of the communication device20-1in advance. The detection section200detects the motion of the communication device20-1in space, and the transmission section210generates an image of the communication device20-1seen at a predetermined angle on the basis of the detected motion and the stored data on the three-dimensional shape. The transmission section210transmits the generated image to the communication device20-1. In this case, the display section320may immediately display the image obtained as motion information or may display another image on the basis of the image obtained as motion information.

FIG. 4shows processing in the communication device30when the communication device30selects one of the communication devices with which communication should be performed according to an instruction from the user. In a case where the user makes such a setting that the communication function can be performed, for example, in a case where the communication device30is set in the ad hoc mode of a wireless LAN, the communication device30periodically performs the processing shown in the figure. First, the communication device30detects the communication devices20-1to20-N as communication devices in the communicable range (S400).

Subsequently, the acquisition section310obtains, from each of the communication devices20-1to20-N, shape designation information indicating the shape of the communication device and the name of the communication device (S410). The shape designation information obtained from each of the communication devices20-1to20-N is, for example, information indicating that the communication device has the shape of a notebook personal computer, the shape of a portable telephone or the shape of a digital camera. The shape designation information may be information indicating the kind of the communication device.

Further, the acquisition section310obtains, from each of the communication devices20-1to20-N, information on the motion of the communication device (S420). If the amount of movement or the amount of rotation of the communication device indicated by the motion information exceeds a predetermined prescribed amount (S430: YES), the display section320selects the icon representing the communication device in the plurality of predetermined icons stored in the icon DB325according to the shape designation information and motion information obtained from the communication devices20-1to20-N existing as candidates for communication (S440).

The display section320displays the selected icon to the user (S450). The display section320may further display the name of the communication device by relating it to the icon. Subsequently, the communication section330urges the user to select one of the icons displayed by the display section320. When one of the icons is selected by the user (S460: YES), the communication section330starts communication with the communication device designated by the selected icon (S470). If none of the icons is selected by the user (S460: NO), the communication device30terminates the process.

The processing shown inFIGS. 2 and 4is only an example and a mode of implementation is possible in which some part of the steps shown in the figures is not performed. For example, if the communication device20-1determines whether or not the motion information exceeds the prescribed amount in S201inFIG. 2, the determination made in the communication device30as to whether or not the motion information has exceeded the prescribed amount as shown in S430inFIG. 4may be omitted. In the case where both S210and S430are performed, it is preferred that the prescribed amount in S430be larger than the prescribed amount used for determination in S210.

FIG. 5shows an example of the data structure of the icon DB325. In the icon DB325, a plurality of icons representing external appearances observed in a plurality of directions of the communication devices existing as candidates for communication are stored by being related to the information indicating the shapes of the communication devices. For example, in the icon DB325, a plurality of icons representing external appearances of a notebook personal computer observed in a plurality of directions are stored by being related to the information indicating the shape of the notebook personal computer. More specifically, the icon DB325stores an icon500representing an external appearance of the notebook personal computer seen in a direction toward the upper surface and an icon510representing an external appearance as seen in a direction toward the lower surface 180-degree changed in a predetermined plane from the direction toward the upper surface.

An example of processing performed by the display section320to select and display an icon will be described with reference to this figure. The display section320selects from the icon DB325a group of icons corresponding to the shape indicated by shape designation information obtained from the communication device20-1. For example, if the shape designation information designates the shape of the notebook personal computer, the display section320selects a group of icons (e.g., four icons shown in the second row) corresponding to the shape of the notebook personal computer shown in this figure. The display section320then selects one of the selected group of icons to be displayed on the basis of motion information obtained by the acquisition section310.

For example, in a case where the motion information obtained from the communication device20-1indicates that the orientation of the communication device20-1is rotated through 180 degrees about a predetermined axis when the icon500representing an external appearance of the communication device20-1is being displayed, the display section320selects and displays the icon510in place of the displayed icon500. Then, the user of the communication device30can select the icon synchronized with the communication device20-1by comparing the icon and the actual motion of the communication device20-1, and can start communication with the communication device20-1.

The icon DB325may store data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the communication device20-1instead of the example shown in this figure. In such a case, the display section320computes the orientation of the communication device20-1to be displayed as an icon on the basis of the motion information obtained from the communication device20-1. The display section320then generates an icon to be displayed as an external appearance of the communication device20-1on the basis of the computed orientation and the three-dimensional shape data stored in the icon DB325. Processing for generating an icon from the three-dimensional shape data and the orientation may be realized by an existing image rendering technique. In this manner, the communication device30can display the motion of the communication device20-1with higher fidelity to enable the user to easily select a suitable icon.

FIG. 6shows an example of a display produced by the display section320. The display section320arranges icons representing movements of a plurality of communication devices existing in the communicable range of the communication device30while relating the icons to the names or the like of the communication devices, and displays the icons as a computer network list. More specifically, the display section320displays an icon610of the communication device20-1having the shape of a notebook personal computer in an icon display region600determined in advance in correspondence with the communication device20-1. Further, the display section320displays a name “Paul's Notebook Personal Computer” set in advance by relating the same to the icon610of the communication device20-1.

The display section320changes the displayed position of the icon610representing the communication device20-1on the basis of motion information obtained from the communication device20-1by the acquisition section310. For example, if the motion information obtained from the communication device20-1indicates that the communication device20-1vibrates vertically, the display section320changes the displayed position of the icon610so that the icon610vibrates vertically in the icon display region600. The icon display region600is not limited to a planar region. The icon display region600may represent a predetermined three-dimensional region. In such a case, the display section320can directly display the motion of the communication device20-1in three-dimensional space as the motion in the icon display region600.

Further, if the motion information obtained from the communication device20-1indicates such a motion that the icon610should be displayed out of the icon display region600, the display section320may scroll the icon display region600. If the motion information obtained from the communication device20-1indicates such a motion that the icon610should be displayed out of the icon display region600beyond one end the icon display region600, the display section320may display the motion of the icon610in such a manner that the icon610enters the icon display region600from the other end opposite from the one end. In this manner, the icon is prevented from becoming invisible by moving out of the icon display region, thereby displaying the motion of the icon to the user at all times.

Alternatively, or in addition to this, the display section320may change the icon610representing the communication device20-1and the color, shape or size in which the icon610is to be displayed. For example, when the amount of movement or the amount of rotation indicated by the motion information exceeds the prescribed amount, the display section320may change the color of the icon610to red or may make the entire icon display region600blink. In this manner, the icon of the communication device having a large amount of movement can be displayed so as to be easily recognizable even in a case where a large number of icons are displayed.

Preferably, the display section320displays an icon based on motion information indicating that the amount of movement or the amount of rotation per unit time has exceeded the predetermined prescribed amount with priority over an icon based on motion information indicating that the amount of movement or the amount of rotation per unit time has not exceeded the predetermined prescribed amount. Further, preferably, the display section320displays a motion image based on motion information indicating that the amount of movement or the amount of rotation per unit time has exceeded the prescribed amount by considering user's convenience in selecting an icon in such a manner that the motion image is displayed with priority over other motion images during a predetermined time period after the moment at which the amount of movement or the amount of rotation per unit time exceeds the prescribed amount.

For example, in a case where the amount of movement or the amount of rotation per unit time indicated by certain motion information exceeds the prescribed amount, the display section320may display an icon based on the motion information without displaying icons based on motion information indicating that the amount of movement or the amount of rotation per unit time does not exceed the prescribed amount. Alternatively, the display section320may display a plurality of icons indicating the motions of the communication devices20-1to20-N in a priority order according to the amounts of rotation or the amounts of movement indicated by the motion information. For example, the display section320may display the icon of one of the communication devices having a larger amount of rotation or movement in an upper position or a position closer to the left end on the display screen and display the icon of one of the communication devices having a smaller amount of rotation or movement in a lower position nor a position closer to the right end on the display screen.

Further, the display section320may produce an enlarged display of some icon for the purpose of making the motion of the icon more easily recognizable. For example, an enlarged display of an icon having the shape of a potable telephone is shown in a left section in the figure. The display section320further displays, as motion images, arrows indicating movements in the 6-axis directions as movements and rotation of the communication device30in three-dimensional space. The display section320changes the icon in the enlarged display on the basis of the obtained motion information, and may produce a blinking display of the arrow indicating the direction of movement indicated by the motion information or may display the arrow in a state of being increased in thickness relative to a normal thickness.

The communication section330urges the user to select one of icons displayed in the manner described above by way of example with reference to the figure, and communicates with the communication device represented by the selected icon. For example, selection from the icons is made by clicking one of the icons with a pointing device such as a mouse. Selection from the icons may also include clicking the name of the communication device or the icon display region related to the icon.

FIG. 7shows an example of display in a case where an icon displayed by the display section320is selected. When one of the icons shown inFIG. 6is selected by the user, the communication section330makes the display section320display a list of files stored in the communication device represented by the selected icon, e.g., the communication device20-1having a name “Paul's Notebook Personal Computer.” For example, the communication section330makes the display section320display file names of files stored in the communication device20-1, the dates of making of the files, the sizes of the files, etc., in a state of being related to each other. The communication section330reads out some of the files selected from the displayed list by the user, or performs writing on the selected file.

Alternatively, or in addition to this, the communication section330may perform other various kinds of processing by communicating with the communication device20-1. For example, the communication section330may establish a connection for a chat between the user of the communication device30and the user of the communication device20-1and may transmit chat character data. Also, the communication section330may establish a connection for speech conversation between the user of the communication device30and the user of the communication device20-1and may transmit and receive speech data.

FIG. 8shows an example of the hardware configuration of the communication device30. The communication device30has a CPU peripheral section having a CPU800, a RAM820, a graphic controller875and a display device880connected to each other by a host controller882, an input/output section having a communication interface830, a hard disk drive840and a CD-ROM drive860connected to the host controller882by an input/output controller884, and a legacy input/output section having a ROM810, a flexible disk drive850and an input/output chip870connected to the input/output controller884.

The host controller882connects the RAM820, and the CPU800and the graphic controller875, which access the RAM820at a high transfer rate. The CPU800operates on the basis of programs stored in the ROM810and the RAM820, and controls each component. The graphic controller875obtains image data generated by the CPU800, etc., on a frame buffer provided in the RAM820, and displays the image data on the display device880. Alternatively, the graphic controller875may contain therein a frame buffer for storing image data generated by the CPU800, etc.

The input/output controller884connects the host controller882, the communication interface830, which is an input/output device of a comparatively high speed, the hard disk drive840and the CD-ROM drive860. The communication interface830performs communication with external units via a network. The hard disk drive840stores programs and data used by the communication device30. The CD-ROM drive860reads a program or data from a CD-ROM895and provides the read program or data to the input/output chip870via the RAM820.

To the input/output controller884are also connected the ROM810and input/output devices of a comparatively low speed, i.e., the flexible disk drive850and the input/output chip870or the like. The ROM810stores a boot program executed by the CPU800at the time of startup of the communication device30, and programs, etc., dependent on the hardware of the communication device30. The flexible disk drive850reads a program or data from a flexible disk890and provides the read program or data to the input/output chip870via the RAM820. The input/output chip870connects the flexible disk890and various input/output devices, for example, through a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, etc.

A program provided to the communication device30is provided by a user in a state of being stored on a recording medium, such as the flexible disk890, the CD-ROM895, or an IC card. The program is read out from the recording medium, installed in the communication device30via the input/output chip870and/or the input/output controller884, and executed in the communication device30.

A program installed and executed in the communication device30includes an acquisition module, a wireless communication module, a display module, a delay time setting module, and a communication module. The program may use the hard disk drive840as the icon DB325. Operations which the modules operate on the communication device30to perform are the same as the operations of the corresponding components in the communication device30described above with reference toFIGS. 1 to 7. Therefore, description of the operations will not be repeated.

The communication device30may execute a program read out from a recording medium by transmitting the program to each of the communication devices20-1to20-N. The program executed by being transmitted to each of the communication devices20-1to20-N includes a detection module, a transmission module, a wireless communication module and a communication module. Operations which the modules operate on each of the communication devices20-1to20-N to perform are the same as the operations of the corresponding components in the communication devices20-1to20-N described above with reference toFIGS. 1 to 7. Therefore, description of the operations will not be repeated.

The above-described program or modules may be stored on an external storage medium. As the recording medium, an optical recording medium such as a DVD or a PD, a magneto-optic recording medium such as an MD, a tape medium, a semiconductor memory such as an IC card, or the like can be used as well the flexible disk890and the CD-ROM895. Also, a storage device such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a special-purpose communication network or the Internet may be used as the recording medium to provide the program to the communication device30via the network.

An example of application of the above-described communication system10will be described.

EXAMPLE OF APPLICATION 1

Use of Ad Hoc Network by Means of Notebook Personal Computer

Conventionally, a notebook personal computer provided with an acceleration sensor for the purpose of preventing a fault in a hard disk is used. In this notebook personal computer, when an acceleration higher than a predetermined value is measured, the head of the hard disk is retracted from the magnetic surface of the hard disk to avoid damage to the magnetic surface of the hard disk.

Conventionally, an ad hoc mode is used in which a plurality of personal computers having wireless LAN functions can communicate with each other without using a wireless LAN access point. If the ad hoc mode is used in a case where a plurality of co-workers make a business trip outside a company and where no wireless LAN access point exists, communication can be conveniently performed between notebook personal computers for the co-workers.

The communication system10according to this embodiment ensures that in a case where a number of notebook personal computers other than those for co-workers exist on the road, the notebook personal computers for the co-workers can be easily identified. For example, when a co-worker is requested to vertically shake his/her own notebook personal computer, the acceleration sensor can detect the vibration. In this case, only the icon of the co-worker's personal computer in icons of communication devices existing as candidates for communication moves vertically. Conveniently, clicking the icon suffices for starting communication.

In this case, it is not necessary for the user to bring his/her own communication device to a communication device with which communication should be performed, and it is sufficient to place the computer at such a distance from the communication device at the other end of the communication channel that the communication device can be visually recognized. Since visual recognition of the communication device may suffice, the communication device with which communication should be performed can be identified if the communication device can be seen in a video conference or the like, even in a case where the communication device is at a remote distance. In a case where the user of the communication device at the other end of the communication channel is requested to move the communication device, it is not necessarily required that speech be communicable. Making such the request by gesture may suffice. Thus, the range of application of the present invention is wide.

EXAMPLE OF APPLICATION 2

Hospitalized Patient Monitoring System in Hospital

The communication device20-1described above in the description of this embodiment is attached to the body of a hospitalized patient and the communication device30is placed in a nurse's station or the like in a hospital, thereby enabling the motion of the hospitalized patient to be grasped. Further, the communication device30may display the motion of the communication device20-1in a human-figure icon to enable the motion of the hospitalized patient, e.g., lying on his/her face, lying on his/her back, being out of bed or walking to be correctly grasped. Since the communication device20-1can easily be identified on the communication device30, there is no need for a troublesome operation such as an ID input operation even when the communication device20-1is newly attached to a hospitalized patient. Thus, the present invention is advantageous in terms of convenience.

In the communication system10according to this embodiment, if a user requests a person with whom the user wishes to communicate may request the person to shake or rotate his/her communication device, the motion of the communication device is displayed on the screen of the user's communication device. Thus, the communication device with which the user wishes to perform communication can be easily identified on the user's communication device. Further, restrictions on the environment between the communication devices can be reduced in comparison with the conventional technique of obtaining an image of the communication device at the other end of a communication channel or the conventional technique of communicating with an IC chip provided in the communication device at the other end of a communication channel. For example, the system of the present invention can be used even in a dark place not suitable for image pickup or even if the distance between the communication devices is so large that communication through the IC chip cannot be performed.

According to this embodiment, the user of the communication device30can correctly identify on a display screen a terminal with which communication should be performed, so that erroneous recognition of a communication terminal can be avoided. For example, if the user of the communication device20-1continues shaking the communication device20-1during communication between the communication device30and the communication device20-1, the user of the communication device30can always confirm that the communication device at the other end of the communication channel is the communication device20-1. This means that it is difficult for a malicious person to steal data in the communication device30in the disguise of the communication device20-1, thus improve communication security.

The communication device30may further has the components of the communication device20-1. That is, the communication device30may transmit information on the motion of the communication device30to the communication device20-1to display the information to the user of the communication device20-1while displaying a motion image representing the motion of the communication device20-1. In such a case, each of the user of the communication device30and the user of the communication device20-1can correctly recognize the other user's communication device. That is, each of the user of the communication device30and the user of the communication device20-1can check on the screen the terminal at the other end of the communication channel as long as each user continues shaking his/her own communication device, for example, during communication between the communication device30and the communication device20-1, thus further improving communication security. Thus, the communication system10according to this embodiment can also be used for mutual identification between communicating terminals.

The present invention has been described with respect to the embodiment thereof. The technical scope of the present invention, however, is not limited to the scope described in the above description of the embodiment. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made in the described embodiment. From the description in the appended claims, it is apparent that forms including such changes or modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

According to the above-described embodiment, a communication device, a communication system, a communication method, a program and a recording medium shown in items below can be realized.(Item 1) A communication device having an acquisition section which obtains, from each of plurality of communication devices, motion information indicating the motion of the communication device in space, a display section which displays each of motion images representing the motions of the plurality of communication devices in space on the basis of the motion information obtained from the communication devices, and a communication section which urges the user to select one of the motion images displayed by the display section, and which performs communication with the communication device indicated by the selected motion image.(Item 2) The communication device as described in Item 1, wherein with respect to each of the plurality of communication devices existing as candidates for communication, the display section changes the displayed position of an icon representing the communication device on the basis of the motion information obtained from the communication device.(Item 3) The communication device as described in Item 2, wherein with respect to each of the plurality of communication devices existing as candidates for communication, the display section changes, on the basis of the motion information obtained from the communication device, the displayed position of an icon representing the communication device in an icon display region determined in advance in correspondence with the communication device.(Item 4) The communication device as described in Item 3, wherein with respect to each of the plurality of communication devices existing as candidates for communication, the display section scrolls the icon display region if the motion information obtained from the communication device indicates a motion to be displayed out of the icon display region.(Item 5) The communication device as described in Item 3, wherein if, with respect to each of the plurality of communication devices existing as candidates for communication, the motion information obtained from the communication device indicates such a motion that the icon representing the communication device should be displayed out of the icon display region beyond one end the icon display region, the display section displays the motion of the icon representing the communication device in such a manner that the icon enters the icon display region from the other end opposite from the one end.(Item 6) The communication device as described in Item 2, wherein the acquisition section obtains, from each of the plurality of communication devices, the motion information indicating a change in the orientation of the communication device, and wherein the display section displays the motion image indicating the change in the orientation of the corresponding one of plurality of communication devices existing as candidates for communication on the basis of the obtained motion information and the change in the orientation of the communication device with respect to the orientation of the communication device from which selection among the candidates is made.(Item 7) The communication device as described in Item 1, wherein the display section selects, according to the motion information obtained from each of the plurality of candidate communication devices existing as candidates for communication, an icon representing the communication device in a plurality of predetermined icons, and displays the selected icon as the motion image.(Item 8) The communication device as described in Item 7, wherein the acquisition section further obtains, from each of the plurality of communication devices existing as candidates for communication, shape designation information indicating the shape of the communication device, and wherein the display section selects, on the basis of the motion information, one of the icons having the shapes indicated by the shape designation information.(Item 9) The communication device as described in Item 7, wherein the display section displays, as the motion image, icons representing external appearances of the communication devices existing as candidates for communication, and changes each of the icons representing the communication devices to another icon representing an external appearance seen in a direction designated by the motion information, if the motion information from the corresponding one of the plurality of communication devices existing as candidates for communication indicates that the orientation of the communication device has been changed.(Item 10) The communication device as described in Item 1, wherein the acquisition section obtains, as the motion information, from each of the plurality of communication devices existing as candidates for communication, the acceleration at which the communication device moves or rotates in space, and wherein the display section displays the motion image representing the motion of each of the plurality of communication devices on the basis of the acceleration obtained from the communication device.(Item 11) The communication device as described in Item 1, wherein the motion information indicates such a motion that the corresponding one of the communication device existing as candidates for communication moves or rotates in space, and wherein the display section displays the motion image based on the motion information indicating that the amount of movement or the amount of rotation per unit time has exceeded a predetermined prescribed amount with priority over the motion image based on the motion information indicating the amount of movement or the amount of rotation per unit time has not exceeded the predetermined prescribed amount.(Item 12) The communication device as described in Item 11, wherein the display section displays the motion image based on the motion information indicating that the amount of movement or the amount of rotation per unit time has exceeded a predetermined prescribed amount, and does not display the motion image based on the motion information indicating the amount of movement or the amount of rotation per unit time has not exceeded the predetermined prescribed amount.(Item 13) The communication device as described in Item 11, wherein the display section displays the plurality of motion images based on the plurality of motion information items by arranging the motion images in a priority order according to the amounts of rotation or the amounts of movement indicated by the motion information.(Item 14) The communication device as described in Item 11, wherein during a predetermined period after the amount of rotation or the amount of movement per unit time indicated by the motion information has exceeded the prescribed amount, the motion image based on the corresponding motion information is displayed with priority over the other motion images.(Item 15) The communication device as described in Item 1, wherein with respect to each of the plurality of communication devices existing as candidates for communication, the display section displays, on the basis of the motion information obtained from the communication device, the motion image exhibiting movements in 6-axis directions such that the communication device moves or rotates in three-dimensional space.(Item 16) The communication device as described in Item 1, further comprising a delay time setting section which sets a delay time by which the time at which the display section displays the motion image is delayed relative to the time at which the acquisition section obtains the motion information, wherein the display section displays the motion image on the basis of the motion information after the lapse of the delay time from the time at which the acquisition section obtains the motion information.(Item 17) The communication device as described in Item 1, wherein the communication section displays to the user a list of files stored in the communication device indicated by the motion image selected by the user, and reads out some of the file selected from the displayed list by the user or performs writing on the selected file.(Item 18) A communication device used in the field of view of a user of another communication device, having a transmission section which transmits motion information indicating the motion of the communication device in space to the another communication device to enable a motion image representing the motion of the communication device in space to be displayed by a display section of the another communication device, and a communication section which communicates with the another communication device in response to the user's selection of the another communication device of the communication device as a terminal with which communication should be performed, on the basis of the motion image displayed by the display section of the another communication device and the result of visual recognition of the motion of the communication device.(Item 19) The communication device as described in Item 18, wherein the motion information indicates such a motion that the communication device is moved or rotated in space by a user, and wherein the transmissions section transmits the motion information to the another communication device when the amount of movement or the amount of rotation per unit time of the communication device exceeds a predetermined prescribed amount.(Item 20) The communication device as described in Item 18, wherein the transmissions section transmits the motion information indicating movements in 6-axis directions such that the communication device moves or rotate in three-dimensional space as a combination of axis information indicating in which direction a movement is produced and change amount information indicating the amount of movement or the amount of rotation in the direction indicated by the axis information.(Item 21) The communication device as described in Item 20, wherein the transmission section transmits a movement in a predetermined one of the 6-axis directions as the motion information, and does not transmit information on the movements in the other directions.(Item 22) A communication system comprising a plurality of first communication devices used in the field of view of a user of another communication device, and a second communication device which urges a user to select one of the plurality of first communication devices with which communication should be performed, and which performs communication with the selected communication device, each of the first communication devices having a transmission section which transmits motion information indicating the motion of the first communication device in space to the second communication device to enable a motion image representing the motion of the first communication device in space to be displayed by a display section of the second communication device, and a communication section which communicates with the second communication device when the user of the second communication device selects the first communication device as a terminal with which communication should be performed, on the basis of the motion image displayed by the display section of the second communication device and the result of visual recognition of the motion of the first communication device, the second communication device having an acquisition section which obtains, from each of the plurality of first communication devices, motion information indicating the motion of the first communication device in space, a display section which displays each of motion images representing the motions of the plurality of first communication devices in space on the basis of the motion information obtained from the first communication devices, and a communication section which urges the user to select one of the motion images displayed by the display section, and which performs communication with the first communication device indicated by the selected motion image.(Item 23) A communication method including an acquisition step of obtaining, from each of plurality of communication devices, motion information indicating the motion of the communication device in space, a display step of displaying each of motion images representing the motions of the plurality of communication devices in space on the basis of the motion information obtained from the communication devices, and a communication step of urging the user to select one of the motion images displayed in the display step, and performing communication with the communication device indicated by the selected motion image.(Item 24) A program for controlling a communication device, the program enabling the communication device to function as an acquisition section which obtains, from each of plurality of communication devices, motion information indicating the motion of the communication device in space, a display section which displays each of motion images representing the motions of the plurality of communication devices in space on the basis of the motion information obtained from the communication devices, and a communication section which urges the user to select one of the motion images displayed by the display section, and which performs communication with the communication device indicated by the selected motion image.(Item 25) A recording medium on which the program as described in Item 24 is recorded.
[Advantages of the Invention]

According to the present invention, communication can be performed by suitably identifying a terminal with which communication will be performed at a request.