Patent Publication Number: US-9836250-B2

Title: Communication apparatus for utilizing a plurality of application based on a communication partner

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/796,442, filed Jun. 8, 2010, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-141388 filed Jun. 12, 2009, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a determination of communication application. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, when transmitting image data from a personal computer (PC), which is a communication apparatus, to a printer and printing the image data, a user specifies the image data using a user interface (UI) of the PC and instructs the PC to print the image data. The PC starts a transmission application for printing according to the print instruction from the user, and transmits image data to the printer. When transmitting image data from the PC to a memory card and storing the image data, the user specifies the image data using the UI of the PC and instructs the PC to store the image data. The PC starts a transmission application for storing the data according to the storing instruction from the user, and transmits the image data to the memory card. 
     On the other hand, there are communication methods such as contactless integrated circuit (IC) card wireless communication and near field communication (NFC) which use electromagnetic induction, and TransferJet (registered trademark) which uses an induced electric field. In these communication methods, when a communication apparatus approaches another communication apparatus, communication can be established. 
     When performing communication using electromagnetic induction or an induced electric field, a user is to bring a communication apparatus close to a communication partner to establish communication. For example, when printing with a printer, a user brings a communication apparatus close to the printer to establish communication. However, when a conventional technique is employed, the user gives an instruction to print the data by using the UI, and thereafter the user brings the communication apparatus close to the printer to establish communication. As described above, to transmit the data to the communication partner and cause the communication partner to perform predetermined processing, the user is to input an instruction of the predetermined processing on the UI of the communication apparatus, and then bring the communication apparatus close to the communication partner. Therefore, the user&#39;s operation has been cumbersome. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine a plurality of applications according to a type of transmission data, a recognition unit configured to recognize a function included in a communication partner, a selection unit configured to select an application from the plurality of applications based on the recognized function, and a transmission unit configured to transmit data to the communication partner using the selected application. 
     Further features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram of a communication system. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are diagrams illustrating hardware configurations of a mobile phone and a printer. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a correspondence table. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a display example displayed on the display unit. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are a flowchart executed by the mobile phone and a flowchart executed by the printer. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  area flowchart executed by the mobile phone and a flowchart executed by the printer. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are diagrams illustrating hardware configurations of the mobile phone and the printer. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a communication system configuration according to a first exemplary embodiment. A mobile phone  101  is a communication apparatus capable of transmitting/receiving data to be communicated (hereinafter “data”) using an induced electric field (for example, TransferJet). The mobile phone  101  includes a transmission application, which is a communication application for transmitting data to a communication partner. More specifically, the mobile phone  101  includes a transfer data transmission application to allow the communication partner to store the transmitted data, and a display data transmission application to allow the communication partner to display the transmitted data. Further, the mobile phone  101  includes a print data transmission application to allow the communication partner to print the transmitted data. The print data transmission application converts spread sheet data and word processor data into print data to transmit the data. The print data transmission application can also transmit data directly without converting the data format. The print data transmission application cannot convert image data into print data, and thus the print data transmission application transmits image data directly without converting the data format. Further, the mobile phone  101  includes a streaming data transmission application to transmit moving image data to the communication partner by streaming transmission and allow the communication partner to display the data transmitted in a streaming manner. 
     A printer  102  is a communication partner of the mobile phone  101  that performs communication using an induced electric field. The printer  102  includes a reception application, which is a communication application for receiving data from a communication partner. More specifically, the printer  102  includes a print data reception application to receive spread sheet data, word processor data, image data, and print data from a communication partner and print the data. The print data reception application can convert spread sheet data, word processor data, and image data into print data, and print the data. Although the print data reception application can receive data transmitted by the print data transmission application, the print data reception application cannot receive data transmitted by the transfer data transmission application and the streaming data transmission application. 
     A display  103  is a communication partner of the mobile phone  101  that performs communication using an induced electric field. The display  103  includes a streaming data reception application which receives moving image data from a communication partner and reproduces the data in a streaming manner. The streaming data reception application can receive data transmitted by the streaming data transmission application. The display  103  includes a display data reception application for receiving data transmitted by the display data transmission application and displaying the data. A personal computer (PC)  104  is a communication partner of the mobile phone  101  that performs communication using an induced electric field. In the PC  104 , a user can select an application to be started or stopped. In the present exemplary embodiment, “application” is software which is executed on a communication apparatus to realize a predetermined function. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a hardware configuration of the mobile phone  101 . A control unit  201  includes a central processing unit (CPU) or the like. The control unit  201  reads and executes a program stored in a storage unit described below. A storage unit  202  includes a memory such as a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM). The storage unit  202  stores a program  230  described below, various data, and the like. Further, the storage unit  202  includes the transfer data transmission application, the print data transmission application, the streaming data transmission application, and the display data transmission application. Further, the storage unit  202  includes a correspondence table  301  illustrated in  FIG. 3  in which the types of transmission files (spread sheet data, word processor data, image data, and moving image data) are associated with the transmission applications. By using the correspondence table  301 , it is possible to extract a transmission application suitable for the type of transmission file. 
     Although a file of image data can be transmitted to perform storing, printing, and displaying, the data cannot be transmitted in a streaming manner. Therefore, in the correspondence table  301 , when the file to be transmitted is image data, the transfer data transmission application, the print data transmission application, and the display data transmission application are a candidate of the transmission application, but the streaming data transmission application is not a candidate of the transmission application. On the other hand, a file of moving image data is transmitted to perform storing, streaming, and displaying, but is not transmitted to perform printing. Therefore, in the correspondence table  301 , when the file to be transmitted is moving image data, the transfer data transmission application, the streaming data transmission application, and the display data transmission application are a candidate of the transmission application, but the print data transmission application is not a candidate of the transmission application. Similarly, the correspondence table  301  can be used as to a file of spreadsheet data and word processor data. By using such a correspondence table  301 , it is possible to extract a transmission application suitable for the type of transmission files. In addition, it is possible to prevent a file from being transmitted by a transmission application not suited to the type of the file. 
     A display unit  203  includes a display device. For example, the display unit  203  performs a display as illustrated in  FIG. 4  to allow a user to select a transmission file. An operation unit  204  includes operation keys. The user can select data to be transmitted (hereinafter “transmission file”) to a receiving apparatus from data stored in the storage unit  202  via the operation unit  204 . The display unit  203  and the operation unit  204  may be constituted by, for example, a touch panel as an integrated unit. A determination unit  205  determines whether the user has selected a transmission file via the operation unit  204 . An extraction unit  206  extracts a candidate of an application used to transmit the transmission file based on the type of the transmission file. 
     A communication unit  207  performs communication using an induced electric field. The communication unit  207  also determines whether communication using an induced electric field can be established and connects to a receiving apparatus through the communication that uses an induced electric field. A request unit  208  transmits a communication application capability request to the receiving apparatus via the communication unit  207 . The communication application capability request is a request for acquiring information of applications included in the receiving apparatus. For example, the printer  102  which receives the communication application capability request notifies the mobile phone  101  of information indicating that the printer  102  has a print data reception application, as communication application capability information described below. In this way, the mobile phone  101  can recognize functions that can be performed by the printer  102 . 
     An acquisition unit  209  acquires the communication application capability information transmitted from the receiving apparatus, which responds to the communication application capability request, via the communication unit  207 . The communication application capability information is the information of applications included in the receiving apparatus. For example, the communication application capability information is information indicating that the printer  102  includes the print data reception application. Further, the communication application capability information may include additional information, such as information indicating that the print data reception application can convert spread sheet data, word processor data, and image data into print data and print the data. 
     A determination unit  210  determines the transmission application and the reception application of the transmission file. A judgment unit  211  judges whether the determination unit  210  has determined the applications. An instruction unit  212  instructs the receiving apparatus to start the reception application determined by the determination unit  210  via the communication unit  207 . A start-up unit  213  starts the application for transmission determined by the determination unit  210 . A disconnection unit  214  ends the application started by the start-up unit  213  and disconnects communication with the communication partner, which uses an induced electric field. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a hardware configuration of the printer  102 . A control unit  251  includes a CPU or the like. The control unit  251  reads and executes a program stored in a storage unit described below. A storage unit  252  includes a memory such as a RAM and a ROM. The storage unit  252  stores a program described below and the print data reception application. A communication unit  253  performs communication using an induced electric field. A request receiving unit  254  receives the communication application capability request via the communication unit  253 . 
     A notification unit  255  transmits information of the communication applications included in the printer  102  to the transmitting apparatus via the communication unit  253 . An instruction receiving unit  256  receives an instruction for starting the application from the transmitting apparatus via the communication unit  253 . A start-up unit  257  starts the application based on the instruction received via the instruction receiving unit  256 . A disconnection unit  258  ends the application started by the start-up unit  257  and disconnects communication with the communication partner, which uses an induced electric field. A part of the hardware configuration described above may be configured by software. 
     Although the display  103  and the PC  104  have a similar hardware configuration as the printer  102 , content stored in the storage unit is different. More specifically, the storage unit of the display  103  stores a program described below, the streaming data reception application, and the display data reception application. The storage unit of the PC  104  stores a program described below, the transfer data reception application, the streaming data reception application, and the display data reception application. The PC  104  can switch a moving image reproducing application and an image viewer between being operated and being stopped, respectively by a user&#39;s operation. The moving image reproducing application can reproduce moving image data received by the streaming data reception application. The image viewer can display various data received by the display data reception application. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the mobile phone  101  operates as a transmitting apparatus, and the printer  102 , the display  103 , and the PC  104  operate as a receiving apparatus. Here, a case in which the printer  102  operates as the receiving apparatus will be described.  FIG. 5A  illustrates a flowchart of a process in which the control unit  201  reads and executes a program stored in the storage unit  202 .  FIG. 5B  illustrates a flowchart of a process in which the control unit  251  reads and executes a program stored in the storage unit  252 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the transmission file is selected before transmission data is transmitted/received between the mobile phone  101  and the printer  102  using an induced electric field. 
     In step S 501 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201  of the mobile phone  101 , the determination unit  205  determines whether the transmission file has been selected by a user. When it is determined that the transmission file has been selected, the processing proceeds to step S 502 , and when the transmission file has not been selected, the determination in step S 501  is repeated. In this case, the user selects picture003.jpg which is image data. Next, in step S 502 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the extraction unit  206  extracts a candidate of the transmission application used to transmit the transmission file based on the type of the transmission file. The mobile phone  101  includes the transfer data transmission application, the print data transmission application, the streaming data transmission application, and the display data transmission application, as the transmission application. 
     Image data is selected as the transmission file. Therefore, the extraction unit  206  refers to the correspondence table  301  illustrated in  FIG. 3  and extracts the transfer data transmission application, the print data transmission application, and the display data transmission application from the transfer data transmission application, the print data transmission application, the streaming data transmission application and the display data transmission application. In this way, the transmission applications suitable for transmitting data can be extracted according to the type of the transmission file. The print data transmission application included in the mobile phone  101  cannot convert image data into print data. 
     Next, in step S 503 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the communication unit  207  determines whether the communication using an induced electric field can be established. When the communication can be established (in other words, connection is completed), the processing proceeds to step S 504 . In this case, it is assumed that the communication using an induced electric field can be established by bringing the mobile phone  101  and the printer  102  close together after the user selects the transmission file. In step S 504 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the request unit  208  transmits the communication application capability request to the receiving apparatus (here, printer  102 ) via the communication unit  207 . 
     By an instruction from the control unit  251  of the printer  102 , the request receiving unit  254  receives the communication application capability request transmitted from the transmitting apparatus (here, mobile phone  101 ) via the communication unit  253 . Next, in step S 552 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  251 , the notification unit  255  transmits the communication application capability information included in the printer  102  to the transmitting apparatus (here, mobile phone  101 ) via the communication unit  253 . In this case, the notification unit  255  notifies the mobile phone  101  that the printer  102  includes the print data reception application. Also, the notification unit  255  notifies the mobile phone  101  of information indicating that the print data reception application can convert spread sheet data, word processor data, and image data into print data and print the data (hereinafter “information about data conversion”). 
     By an instruction from the control unit  201  of the mobile phone  101 , the acquisition unit  209  acquires the communication application capability information transmitted from the receiving apparatus (here, printer  102 ), which responds to the communication application capability request, via the communication unit  207 . It is possible to provide a second acquisition unit different from the acquisition unit (first acquisition unit) that acquires the communication application capability information, and the second acquisition unit may acquire the information about data conversion. In this case, the printer  102  transmits the information about data conversion separately from the communication application capability information. In this way, the mobile phone  101  can recognize functions included in the printer  102 . 
     Next, in step S 506 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the determination unit  210  determines the transmission application to be started in the mobile phone  101  and the reception application to be started in the printer  102  based on the application extracted in step S 502  and the information of the application received in step S 505 . In this case, in step S 502 , the transfer data transmission application, the print data transmission application (which cannot convert image data into print data), and the display data transmission application are extracted. In step S 505 , the mobile phone  101  recognizes that the printer  102  includes the print data reception application and can convert spread sheet data, word processor data, and image data into print data to print the data. In this case, when the mobile phone  101  transmits image data by using the transfer data transmission application or the display data transmission application, the print data reception application in the printer  102  cannot receive the data. 
     However, when the mobile phone  101  transmits image data by using the print data transmission application, the print data reception application in the printer  102  can receive the image data. The print data reception application in the printer  102  can receive the image data, convert the received image data into print data, and print the print data. In this case, it is determined that the mobile phone  101  starts the print data transmission application and causes the printer  102  to start the print data reception application. In this way, processing to be performed (here, printing) for the transmission file is determined according to the functions included in the printer  102  and the type of the transmission file, and further, the applications corresponding to the processing to be performed are selected (here, the print data transmission application and the print data reception application are selected). 
     For example, when the transmission file is word processor data, the data can be converted into print data in both the mobile phone  101  and the printer  102 . In such a case, the mobile phone  101  converts the data into print data, and thereafter transmits the data to the printer  102 . Instead of the above operation, the printer  102  may receive word processor data and convert the data into print data. In addition, for example, information indicating that the printer  102  is driven by using a commercial power supply is included in the communication application capability information. 
     When the mobile phone  101  is driven by a battery and the printer  102  is driven by using a commercial power supply (hereinafter, “driven by a commercial power supply”), the printer  102  driven by a commercial power supply converts the data into print data. In this way, the mobile phone  101  can consume less power than when the mobile phone  101  converts the data into print data. In other words, the consumption of the battery of the mobile phone  101  can be reduced. When the mobile phone  101  is driven by a commercial power supply and the printer  102  is driven by a battery, the mobile phone  101  which is driven by a commercial power supply converts the data into print data. In this way, the printer  102  can consume less power than when the printer  102  converts the data into print data. In other words, the consumption of the battery of the printer  102  can be reduced. 
     When both the mobile phone  101  and the printer  102  are driven by a commercial power supply or driven by a battery, the printer  102  converts the data into print data. In this way, the mobile phone  101  can consume less power than when the mobile phone  101  converts the data into print data. Instead of the above operation, the communication application capability information may include information indicating a free space in the memory (RAM) in the printer  102 , and an apparatus which has larger free space may convert the data into print data. In this way, the speed of data conversion into print data increases. 
     It is possible to provide a second acquisition unit different from the acquisition unit (first acquisition unit) that acquires the communication application capability information, and the second acquisition unit may acquire the information indicating the free space in the memory (RAM) in the printer  102 . In this case, the printer  102  transmits the information indicating the free space in the memory (RAM) in the printer  102  separately from the communication application capability information. 
     There is a case in which the application to be started is not determined. For example, when only the transfer data transmission application of the transmitting apparatus is extracted in step S 502 , and the receiving apparatus includes only the print data reception application, data transmission/reception cannot be performed, and thus the applications to be started are not determined. For example, when the print data transmission application of the transmitting apparatus is extracted and the receiving apparatus includes the print data reception application, but when both apparatuses cannot convert data of the transmission file into print data, print cannot be performed, and thus the applications to be started are not determined. In this way, it is possible to prevent an error caused when the transmitted file data cannot be converted into print data from occurring. 
     When there is no combination of applications by which data can be transmitted/received between the transmitting apparatus and the receiving apparatus, the applications to be started are not determined. In this way, it is possible to prevent a start of combined applications by which data cannot be transmitted/received, and an occurrence of error can be suppressed. 
     In step S 507 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the judgment unit  211  judges whether the determination unit  210  has determined the applications to be started in step S 506 . When the applications have been determined, the processing proceeds to step S 509 , and when the applications have not been determined, the processing proceeds to step S 508 . In this case, it is determined that the mobile phone  101  starts the print data transmission application and causes the printer  102  to start the print data reception application, so that the processing proceeds to step S 509 . 
     In step S 508 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the display unit  203  displays (informs of) an error indicating that the communication application cannot be performed, and the processing proceeds to step S 512 . Besides the error display, the error may be informed by voice or blinking of an LED. In this way, a user can know that the transmission file cannot be transmitted to a communication partner, so that the user convenience improves. The processing may also return to step S 501  again, and the user may be prompted to select a transmission file again. In step S 509 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the instruction unit  212  instructs the receiving apparatus to start the reception application determined by the determination unit  210  in step S 06  via the communication unit  207 . In this case, the instruction unit  212  instructs the printer  102  to start the print data reception application. 
     By an instruction from the control unit  251  of the printer  102 , in step S 553 , the instruction receiving unit  256  receives the instruction to start the application from the transmitting apparatus via the communication unit  253 . In this case, the instruction receiving unit  256  receives the instruction to start the print data reception application from the mobile phone  101 . Even when the instruction to start is not received from the mobile phone  101 , if the instruction receiving unit  256  receives information of the reception application, the printer  102  may assume that the information is an instruction to start the reception application. In step S 554 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  251 , the start-up unit  257  starts the application based on the instruction received via the instruction receiving unit  256 . In this case, the start-up unit  257  starts the print data reception application. 
     In response to the instruction from the control unit  201  of the mobile phone  101 , in step S 510 , the start-up unit  213  starts the transmission application determined by the determination unit  210  in step S 506 . In this case, the start-up unit  213  starts the print data transmission application. In step S 511 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the started application transmits the transmission file to the receiving apparatus. 
     In response to the instruction from the control unit  201 , the display unit  203  may display information according to the started transmission application when the transmission file is transmitted. For example, when the print data transmission application is started, the display unit  203  displays information indicating that printing is being performed. Also, for example, when the transfer data transmission application is started, the display unit  203  displays information indicating that a file is being transferred. In this way, by displaying information according to the started transmission application, a user can know what communication is being performed, so that the user convenience improves. Furthermore, the communication can be interrupted by the user when a file is being transmitted. In this way, the user can interrupt the communication without waiting for the completion of the transmission of the file, so that the user convenience improves. 
     When the transmission file has been transmitted to the receiving apparatus, the processing proceeds to step S 512 . In this case, the print data transmission application transmits picture003.jpg, which is image data, to the printer  102 , and when the transmission has been completed, the processing proceeds to step S 512 . The print data transmission application transmits information for printing such as page setting to the printer  102 . 
     By an instruction from the control unit  251  of the printer  102 , in step S 555 , the reception application receives data transmitted from the transmitting apparatus. In this case, the print data reception application receives data transmitted from the mobile phone  101 . Since the received data is image data, the print data reception application converts the received data into print data to print the data. When the reception of the data is completed, the processing proceeds to step S 556 , and in response to an instruction from the control unit  251 , the disconnection unit  258  ends the print data reception application started in step S 554 , and disconnects communication with the communication partner, which uses an induced electric field. 
     In response to from the control unit  201  of the mobile phone  101 , in step S 512 , the disconnection unit  214  ends the application started by the start-up unit  213  in step S 510 , and disconnects the communication with the communication partner, which uses an induced electric field. In this case, the disconnection unit  214  ends the print data transmission application and disconnects the communication with the printer  102 , which uses an induced electric field. 
     As described above, the communication apparatus determines the data transmission application and the data reception application, and starts the applications in the communication apparatus and the communication partner, so that it is possible to simply perform data transmission/reception. 
     In the above exemplary embodiment, the user selects one transmission file. However, the user may select a plurality of transmission files. For example, when the user selects picture002.jpg and picture003.jpg which are image data, the print data transmission application and the print data reception application are started. Then, the print data transmission application transmits a plurality of files, and the print data reception application receives a plurality of files. In this way, by transmitting a plurality of files at once, it is possible to improve user convenience. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, the printer  102  includes the print data reception application. In a second exemplary embodiment, the printer  102  includes the transfer data reception application which receives data from a communication partner and stores the data in a storage medium such as a memory card, in addition to the print data reception application. 
     In this case, in step S 501 , it is assumed that the user selects picture003.jpg again as a transmission file. In this case, when the print data transmission application is started as the transmission application and the print data reception application is started as the reception application, data can be transmitted/received. However, when the transfer data transmission application is started as the transmission application and the transfer data reception application is started as the reception application, data can also be transmitted/received. In this case, information indicating that the priority of printing is higher than that of transfer is stored in the storage unit  202  of the mobile phone  101 . 
     In step S 506 , the determination unit  210  determines that the print data transmission application is started as the transmission application and the print data reception application is started as the reception application according to the priority stored in the storage unit  202 . However, applications are not limited to the above combination, and applications which can be combined may be sequentially performed without setting priority. For example, printing may be performed after transfer is performed. Alternatively, data may be transmitted and stored in a memory card, and thereafter the data may be read from the memory card and printed. By doing as described above, even when there is a plurality of combinations of applications by which data can be transmitted/received, data can be transmitted while the user need not start a transmission application and a reception application, so that the user can simply perform data transmission/reception. 
     For example, in step S 501 , the user selects picture003.jpg which is image data and movie001.mpg which is moving image data. In this case, in step S 506 , the transmission application and the reception application are determined for each of picture003.jpg and movie001.mpg. More specifically, when the priority of printing is set higher than the priority of transfer, the print data transmission application is started in step S 510 , the print data reception application is started in step S 554 , and picture003.jpg is transmitted/received. Thereafter, the transfer data transmission application is started in step S 510 , the transfer data reception application is started in step S 554 , and movie001.mpg is transmitted/received. Therefore, even when data of different types are selected, the user can transmit the data without manually starting the transmission applications and the reception applications, and hence the user can simply perform data transmission/reception. 
     In addition, the communication application capability information includes the size and the number of print sheets set in the printer  102 . Then, it is assumed that not all selected files can be printed even though the files are determined to be transmitted by the print data transmission application in step S 506 . In this case, between steps S 506  and S 507 , the display unit  203  displays information indicating that not all the files can be printed before the files are transmitted. In this way, the user can know that not all selected image data can be printed before the files are transmitted, so that the user convenience improves. 
     In addition, the communication application capability information includes information indicating the free space in the memory (RAM) in the printer  102 . Then, it is assumed that files are determined to be transmitted by the print data transmission application in step S 506  and the free space in the memory is determined to be larger than the total size of the selected files by the control unit  201  between step S 506  and step S 507 . In this case, in step S 509 , the selected files are transmitted to the printer  102  at one time and stored in the memory, and then an instruction to print the files stored in the memory is issued. In this way, the data is transmitted at one time, and thus the communication time can be shortened. When the free space in the memory is determined by the control unit  201  to be smaller than or equal to the total size of the selected files, the selected files are sequentially transmitted to the printer  102 . In this way, even when the free space in the memory of the printer  102  is small, a plurality of files can be transmitted. 
     It is assumed that the receiving apparatus is the display  103 , and the user selects movie001.mpg which is moving image data in step S 501 . In this case, in step S 502 , the extraction unit  206  extracts the transfer data transmission application, the streaming data transmission application, and the display data transmission application. In step S 505 , the acquisition unit  209  acquires information indicating that the receiving apparatus includes the streaming data reception application. Next, in step S 506 , the determination unit  210  determines that the mobile phone  101  starts the streaming data transmission application and causes the display  103  to start the streaming data reception application. 
     Furthermore, when the display  103  receives data transmitted from the mobile phone  101 , and further includes the transfer data reception application which stores data in a memory card, information indicating the free space in the memory card is included in the communication application capability information. If it is assumed that, in step S 506 , the free space in the memory card is determined to be smaller than the size of data transmitted from the mobile phone  101  by the control unit  201 , the determination unit  210  determines not to start the transfer data transmission application and the transfer data reception application. The determination unit  210  determines to start the streaming data transmission application and the streaming data reception application. 
     If it is assumed that the free space in the memory card is determined not to be smaller than the size of data transmitted from the mobile phone  101  between step S 506  and step S 507 , in step S 506 , it is determined to start the transfer data transmission application and the transfer data reception application and store the data in the memory card. In this way, the applications to be started are changed according to the free space in the memory card, so that the user convenience improves. 
     When the transmission file is selected in step S 501 , the control unit  201  calculates the transmission time it takes to transmit data in a streaming manner based on the size of the data transmitted by the mobile phone  101 . In step S 506 , it is determined whether the data is transmitted by using the transfer data transmission application or the data is transmitted by using the streaming data transmission application based on the calculated transmission time and the remaining battery level of the mobile phone  101 . For example, when the remaining battery level is low, it is determined to transmit data by not using the streaming data transmission application which takes a long time to transmit data. Therefore, when the battery runs out before the selected data has been reproduced in a streaming manner, the data is reproduced after the data has been transmitted, and thus the user convenience improves. 
     Information indicating that the display  103  is driven by using a commercial power supply or a battery, is included in the communication application capability information. In step S 506 , for example, it is determined that data is transmitted in a streaming manner when the display  103  is driven by a commercial power supply. On the other hand when the display  103  is driven by a battery, data is reproduced after the data is transmitted. It is possible to provide a second acquisition unit different from the acquisition unit (first acquisition unit) that acquires the communication application capability information. In this case, the second acquisition unit may acquire the information indicating that the display  103  is driven by a commercial power supply or a battery. The display  103  transmits the information indicating that the display  103  is driven by a commercial power supply or a battery separately from the communication application capability information. 
     When the receiving apparatus is the PC  104 , a user can select an application to be started or to be stopped. In this case, in step S 552 , the receiving apparatus adds the communication application information of currently operating application to the communication application capability information and notifies the mobile phone  101  of the information. For example, when a moving image reproducing application operates in the PC  104 , the PC  104  adds information indicating that the PC  104  includes the streaming data reception application to the communication application capability information and transmits the information to the mobile phone  101 . 
     When the moving image reproducing application does not operate, the PC  104  does not add information indicating that the PC  104  includes the streaming data reception application to the communication application capability information. In this way, it is possible to determine applications to be started in the transmitting apparatus and the receiving apparatus according to the application operating in the receiving apparatus, and hence the user can simply perform data transmission/reception. The information indicating that the PC  104  includes the streaming data reception application may be added to the communication application capability information even when the moving image reproducing application is not operating. 
     When the PC  104  is requested to start the streaming data reception application, the PC  104  starts the moving image reproducing application along with the streaming data reception application. In this way, the application to process the received data is also started according to the type of received data, so that the user convenience improves. 
     In the first and the second exemplary embodiments, the transmitting apparatus determines the communication applications. In a third exemplary embodiment, the receiving apparatus determines the communication applications. 
     The communication system configuration according to the present exemplary embodiment is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment, and hence the description thereof will not be repeated here. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates a hardware configuration of the mobile phone  101 . The components that are similar to those of the first exemplary embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the descriptions thereof will not be repeated here. A request receiving unit  271  receives the communication application capability request via the communication unit  253 . A notification unit  272  transmits information of the communication applications extracted by the extraction unit  206  to the receiving apparatus via the communication unit  207 . The notification unit  272  may transmit information of the communication applications included in the mobile phone  101  to the receiving apparatus. An instruction receiving unit  273  receives an instruction for starting the application from the receiving apparatus via the communication unit  207 . 
       FIG. 7B  illustrates a hardware configuration of the printer  102 . The components that are similar to those of the first exemplary embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the descriptions thereof will not be repeated here. A request unit  291  transmits a communication application capability request to the transmitting apparatus via the communication unit  253 . An acquisition unit  292  (a third acquisition unit different from the first and the second acquisition units described in the first and the second exemplary embodiments) acquires the communication application capability information transmitted from the transmitting apparatus, which responds to the communication application capability request, via the communication unit  253 . 
     A determination unit  293  determines the transmission application and the reception application of the transmission file. A judgment unit  294  judges whether the determination unit  293  has determined the applications. A display unit  295  includes a display device. An instruction unit  296  gives an instruction to the transmitting apparatus to start the transmission application determined by the determination unit  293  via the communication unit  253 . An extraction unit  297  extracts a candidate of an application used for the transmitting apparatus to transmit the transmission file based on the type of the transmission file. In the present exemplary embodiment, the storage unit  252  of the printer  102  records the correspondence table  301 . 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates a flowchart of a process in which the control unit  201  reads and executes a program stored in the storage unit  202 .  FIG. 6B  illustrates a flowchart of a process in which the control unit  251  reads and executes a program stored in the storage unit  252 . The flowchart illustrated  FIG. 6B  is executed when the communication between the mobile phone  101  and the printer  102  is established. 
     In step S 601 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201  of the mobile phone  101 , the determination unit  205  determines whether the transmission file is selected by a user. When it is determined that the transmission file has been selected, the processing proceeds to step S 602 . When the transmission file has not been selected, the determination in step S 601  is repeated. In this case, the user selects picture003.jpg which is image data. Next, in step S 602 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the communication unit  207  determines whether the communication using an induced electric field can be established. When the communication can be established, the processing proceeds to step S 603 . 
     When the communication is established, in step S 651 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  251  of the printer  102 , the request unit  291  transmits the communication application capability request to the transmitting apparatus (here, mobile phone  101 ) via the communication unit  253 . 
     In the mobile phone  101  to which the communication application capability request is transmitted, in step S 603 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the request receiving unit  271  receives the communication application capability request. 
     In step S 604 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the notification unit  272  makes the communication application capability information which is constituted by information of the transmission applications included in the mobile phone  101  and the type of the file selected in step S 601 , and transmits the communication application capability information to the receiving apparatus (here, printer  102 ). In this case, the notification unit  272  transmits to the printer  102  information indicating that the mobile phone  101  includes the transfer data transmission application, the print data transmission application, the streaming data transmission application, and the display data transmission application as the transmission application, and a file of image data is selected. The notification unit  272  may notify the receiving apparatus (here, printer  102 ) of information indicating a candidate of the transmission application used to transmit the transmission file based on the type of the transmission file, as the communication application capability information. In this way, the receiving apparatus can recognize a transmission application suitable for the type of the transmission file without recognizing the type of the transmission file, and thus the processing load of the receiving apparatus can be reduced. 
     By an instruction from the control unit  251  of the printer  102 , in step S 652 , the acquisition unit  292  acquires the communication application capability information. Next, in step S 653 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the extraction unit  297  extracts a candidate of the transmission application used for the transmission apparatus (here, mobile phone  101 ) to transmit the transmission file based on the type of the transmission file. In this case, information indicating that the mobile phone  101  includes the transfer data transmission application, the print data transmission application, the streaming data transmission application, and the display data transmission application, as the transmission application, is acquired. Also, information indicating that image data is selected as the transmission file is acquired. 
     Therefore, the extraction unit  297  refers to the correspondence table  301  illustrated in  FIG. 3  and extracts the transfer data transmission application, the print data transmission application, and the display data transmission application from the transfer data transmission application, the print data transmission application, the streaming data transmission application, and the display data transmission application. In step S 654 , the determination unit  293  determines the transmission application to be started in the mobile phone  101  and the reception application to be started in the printer  102  based on the reception applications included in the printer  102  and the application information extracted in step S 653 . In this case, the printer  102  includes the print data reception application. 
     In step S 653 , the transfer data transmission application, the print data transmission application, and the display data transmission application are extracted as the transmission application of the mobile phone  101 . In this case, it is determined that the mobile phone  101  starts the print data transmission application and the printer  102  starts the print data reception application. When there is no combination of applications by which data can be transmitted/received between the transmitting apparatus and the receiving apparatus, the applications to be started are not determined. 
     In step S 655 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  251 , the judgment unit  294  judges whether the determination unit  293  has determined the applications to be started in step S 654 . When the applications have been determined, the processing proceeds to step S 657 . On the other hand, when the applications have not been determined, the processing proceeds to step S 656 . In step S 656 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  251 , the display unit  295  displays an error indicating that the communication application cannot be performed, and the processing proceeds to step S 660 . In step S 657 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  251 , the start-up unit  257  starts the reception application determined by the determination unit  293  in step S 654 . In this case, the start-up unit  257  starts the print data reception application. 
     In step S 658 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  251 , the instruction unit  296  instructs the transmitting apparatus to start the transmission application determined by the determination unit  293  in step  654  via the communication unit  253 . In this case, the instruction unit  296  instructs the mobile phone  101  to start the print data transmission application. In this way, by instructing the start of the transmission application after starting the reception application, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the transmission application transmits data before the reception application starts and an error occurs in data reception. 
     By an instruction from the control unit  201  of the mobile phone  101 , in step S 605 , the instruction receiving unit  273  receives an instruction to start the application from the receiving apparatus via the communication unit  207 . In step S 606 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the start-up unit  213  starts the application based on the instruction received via the instruction receiving unit  273 . In this case, the start-up unit  213  starts the print data transmission application. In step S 607 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the started application transmits the transmission file to the receiving apparatus. When the transmission file has been transmitted to the receiving apparatus, the processing proceeds to step S 608 . In this case, the print data transmission application transmits picture003.jpg, which is image data, to the printer  102 , and when the transmission has been completed, the processing proceeds to step S 608 . 
     In step S 608 , in response to an instruction from the control unit  201 , the disconnection unit  214  ends the application started by the start-up unit  213  in step S 606 , and disconnects the communication with the communication partner, which uses an induced electric field. In this case, the disconnection unit  214  ends the print data transmission application and disconnects the communication with the printer  102 , which uses an induced electric field. 
     In step S 659 , by an instruction from the control unit  251  of the printer  102 , the reception application receives data transmitted from the transmitting apparatus. In this case, the print data reception application receives data transmitted from the mobile phone  101 . When the reception of the data is completed, the processing proceeds to step S 660 , and in response to an instruction from the control unit  251 , the disconnection unit  258  ends the reception application (here, the print data reception application) started in step S 657 , and disconnects communication with the communication partner, which uses an induced electric field. 
     As described above, the communication apparatus determines the data transmission application and the data reception application, and starts the applications in the communication apparatus and the communication partner, so that it is possible to simply perform data transmission/reception. 
     In the present invention, it is possible to provide to a system or an apparatus, a computer-readable recording medium in which a program code of software which realizes the above described functions is stored and cause the system or the apparatus to read and execute the program code stored in the recording medium. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions.