Patent Publication Number: US-2011075045-A1

Title: Data-processing device, data-processing system, method for controlling data processing device, control program, and computer-readable storage medium containing the program

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a data-processing device that receives operation data outputted from an operation device and executes a process in accordance with the operation data, a data-processing system, a method for controlling a data-processing device, a control program, and a computer-readable storage medium containing the program. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In recent years, along with the popularization of digital cameras or, in particular, cellular phones each equipped with a camera having a digital camera function, handling of photos as image data has been widespread. Along with this, devices such as a television that loads image data from a digital camera or a cellular phone and displays the image data thus loaded and a printer that loads image data from a digital camera or a cellular phone and prints the image data thus loaded have been in widespread use. 
     Further, a technique for image data transfer through wireless communication between such devices has been in widespread use. Common examples of protocols for image data transfer through wireless communication include high-speed infrared communication protocols such as IrSimple (Registered Trademark) and short-distance wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth (Registered Trademark). Use of such wireless communication has made it easy for a television to display a photo taken by a cellular phone. 
     Further, among televisions each having an image data receiving function of receiving image data through infrared communication, there is a television that determines whether a received infrared signal is image data transmitted from a cellular phone or the like or a control signal transmitted from an infrared remote controller and, in cases where the received infrared signal is a control signal, controls itself in accordance with the control signal. 
     Further, Patent Literature 1 discloses a display-processing device that receives image data containing image display control information for performing display control of an image. The display-processing device described in Patent Literature 1 receives image data containing image display control information and displays an image contained in the image data, with the image being scrolled through or scaled up/down in accordance with the image display control information. That is, by simply transmitting image data containing image display control information to the display-processing device, the display-processing device can be made to perform image processing such as scrolling or scaling up/down. 
     Furthermore, along with the recent popularization of the high-speed Internet, a television has been enabled to obtain photo content from an external server device through a communication network as provided by a service provider and display the photo content thus obtained. Examples of the photo content provided by the service provider include photo content, such as a recipe, which makes a user&#39;s life convenient, photo content, such as a travel brochure, which is intended for advertisement, as well as photo content, such as a photo, which is intended for ornamental use. 
     Further, Patent Literature 2 discloses a technique for recording in an image file a combination of a pointer to information and handling of information indicated by the pointer. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 1 
     
         
         Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No. 2004-310744 A (Publication Date: Nov. 4, 2004) 
       
    
     Patent Literature 2 
     
         
         Japanese Patent No. 3522635 (Publication Date: Apr. 26, 2004) 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In an attempt to display image data on a television having such an image data receiving function, the user must operate both an image data transmitting device (such as a cellular phone) for transmitting the image data to the television and an infrared remote controller for operating the television. This has made the operation so cumbersome and complicated that the user&#39;s convenience is hampered. 
     Further, the display-processing device described in Patent Literature 1 performs image processing in accordance with image display control information contained in received image data. Accordingly, even if the technique described in Patent Literature 1 is applied to a television, the image processing that can be executed by the television is limited to image processing of an image represented by image data transmitted to the television and containing image display control information. Therefore, the user has been unable to perform image processing at will, for example, on photo content obtained from an outside source through a communication network. 
     Further, in using a television to enjoy a service for obtaining photo content through a communication network, the user is required to input ten or more alphanumeric characters as an ID for the photo content by using an infrared remote controller accessory to the television. This has made the input time-consuming. 
     Further, in recent years, there has been an increase in number of devices, such as information appliances, capable of processing various types of information. However, it is usual for a service provider who provides various types of content to supply content to such a device (or, in particular, an device that is not connected to an external communication network such as the Internet) via a PC or a memory medium. This has caused such a lot of trouble to the user that the user&#39;s convenience is hampered. 
     Further, the service provider is required to create content for each client-side device that processes the content (e.g., content for use in a television, content for use in a microwave oven, etc.). 
     Further, according to the technique described in Patent Literature 2, by the user&#39;s selecting a menu item corresponding to an image, a process based on a combination of a pointer and information indicated by the point as recorded in an image file corresponding to the menu thus selected is executed by an image file processing device. That is, the image file processing device does not immediately execute a process based on a received image file but executes a process by receiving the user&#39;s selection operation. This has caused such trouble to the user that the user&#39;s convenience is hampered. 
     The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a data-processing device which receives data containing process-designating information designating processes that are to be executed by a plurality of data-processing devices including the data-processing device and which executes only a process that can be executed by the data-processing device, a data-processing system, a method for controlling a data-processing device, a control program, and a computer-readable storage medium containing the program. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to solve the foregoing problems, a data-processing device according to the present invention in a data-processing device for receiving operation data outputted by an operation device to operate a plurality of data-processing devices including at least the data-processing device, and for executing a process in accordance with the operation data, the data-processing device including: an executable process storage section having stored therein pieces of executable process information respectively indicating one or more processes that are able to be executed by the data-processing device; process-designating information obtaining means for obtaining, from the operation data thus received, pieces of process-designating information designating processes that are to be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices; and process executing means for, from among the processes indicated by the pieces of executable process information stored in the executable process storage section, executing a process that matches a process designated by a piece of process-designating information obtained by the process-designating information obtaining means. 
     Further, a method for controlling a data-processing device according to the present invention is a method for controlling a data-processing device for receiving operation data outputted by an operation device to operate a plurality of data-processing devices including at least the data-processing device, and for executing a process in accordance with the operation data, the data-processing device including an executable process storage section having stored therein pieces of executable process information respectively indicating one or more processes that are able to be executed by the data-processing device, the method including: a process-designating information obtaining step of obtaining, from the operation data thus received, piece of process-designating information designating processes that are to be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices; and a process executing step of, from among the processes indicated by the pieces of executable process information stored in the executable process storage section, executing a process that matches a process designated by a piece of process-designating information obtained in the process-designating information obtaining step. 
     According to the foregoing configuration, the data-processing device according to the present invention can store, in the executable process storage section, pieces of executable process information respectively indicating one or more processes that can be executed by the data-processing device. Moreover, the data-processing device according to the present invention can receive operation data outputted by the operation device and obtain, from the operation data thus received, pieces of process-designating information designating processes that are to be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices. Moreover, from among the processes indicated by the pieces of executable process information stored in the executable process storage section, the data-processing device according to the present invention can execute a process that matches a process designated by a piece of process-designating information obtained by the process-designating information obtaining means. 
     This allows the data-processing device according to the present invention to receive operation data containing process-designating information designating processes that are to be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices and execute only a process that can be executed by the data-processing device. 
     This allows a user of the operation device to, by simply transmitting a piece of operation data to the plurality of data-processing devices, cause the plurality of data-processing devices to execute processes that can be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices respectively. 
     In other words, there is no need for the user to transmit operation data to each separate data-processing device. That is, there is no need to separately carry out an operation for transmitting, to a first data-processing device, operation data containing process-designating information designating the content of a process that is to be executed by the first data-processing device and an operation for transmitting, to a second data-processing device, operation data containing process-designating information designating the content of a process that is to be executed by the second data-processing device. 
     Therefore, the present invention brings about an effect of improving in operability and convenience for a user who uses an operation device to operate a data-processing device. 
     Furthermore, a service provider who provides operating data needs only to provide the user with a piece of operation data containing plural pieces of process-designating information. That is, the service provider can create and provide a piece of operation data containing process-designating information designating the content of a process that is to be executed by a data-processing device and process-designating information designating the content of a process that is to be executed by another data-processing device. 
     In other words, there is no need for the service provider to separately create operation data containing process-designating information designating the content of a process that is to be executed by a data-processing device and operation data containing process-designating information designating the content of a process that is to be executed by another data-processing device. 
     Therefore, the present invention brings about an effect of saving the service provider the trouble of creating and managing operation data. 
     Furthermore, the data-processing device according to the present invention thus configured may further include current mode obtaining means for obtaining a current mode of the data-processing device, wherein: the executable process storage section further has stored therein modes of the data-processing device in which the processes indicated by the pieces of executable process information are to be executed, with the modes associated with the pieces of executable process information; and from among processes indicated by those ones of the pieces of executable process information, stored in the executable process storage section, which are associated with the current mode of the data-processing device as obtained by the current mode obtaining means, the process executing means executes a process that matches a process designated by a piece of process-designating information obtained by the process-designating information obtaining means. 
     According to the foregoing configuration, the data-processing device according to the present invention can further store, in the executable process storage section, modes of the data-processing device in which the processes indicated by the pieces of executable process information are to be executed, with the modes associated with the pieces of executable process information. Moreover, the data-processing device according to the present invention can obtain a current mode of the data-processing device. Moreover, from among processes indicated by those ones of the pieces of executable process information, stored in the executable process storage section, which are associated with the current mode of the data-processing device, the data-processing device according to the present invention can execute a process that matches a process designated by a piece of process-designating information obtained by the process-designating information obtaining means. 
     This allows the data-processing device according to the present invention to execute a process according to the mode of the data-processing device, from among processes that can be executed by the data-processing device. 
     For this reason, by presetting for each mode only a (predictable) process expected by the user, from among the processes that can be executed by the data-processing device, the data-processing device can execute only that process. 
     In other words, for each mode, the data-processing device according to the present invention can be set not to execute a process that is not appropriate for execution (that the user does not expect to be executed) in that mode. For example, in cases where it is not appropriate (the user does not intend) for the data-processing device to, while displaying a picture of a television broadcast in its display section in the broadcasting mode, display a Web page in its display section as obtained from an HTTP server, the data-processing device can be set not to execute a process for obtaining a Web page from an HTTP server in the broadcasting mode, unless the process is set to be a process that can be executed by the data-processing device. 
     Therefore, the present invention brings about an effect of improving in convenience for a user who uses an operation device to operate a data-processing device. 
     Furthermore, the data-processing device according to the present invention thus configured may be configured such that: for each of the modes associated with the pieces of executable process information, the executable process storage section further has stored therein an execution order that a process indicated by that one of the pieces of executable process information which is associated with the mode is to be executed, with the execution order associated with that piece of executable process information; and from among processes indicated by those ones of the pieces of executable process information, stored in the executable process storage section, which are associated with the current mode of the data-processing device as obtained by the current mode obtaining means, the process executing means executes a process that matches a process designated by a piece of process-designating information obtained by the process-designating information obtaining means, the process being executed in accordance with the execution order associated with the process. 
     According to the foregoing configuration, for each of the modes associated with the pieces of executable process information, the data-processing device according to the present invention can further store, in the executable process storage section, an execution order that a process indicated by that one of the pieces of executable process information which is associated with the mode is to be executed, with the execution order associated with that piece of executable process information. Moreover, from among processes indicated by those ones of the pieces of executable process information, stored in the executable process storage section, which are associated with the current mode of the data-processing device as obtained by the current mode obtaining means, the data-processing device according to the present invention can execute a process that matches a process designated by a piece of process-designating information obtained by the process-designating information obtaining means, the process being executed in accordance with the execution order associated with the process. 
     This allows the data-processing device according to the present invention to execute a process according to the mode of the data-processing device, from among processes that can be executed by the data-processing device and, in cases where there exist a plurality of processes that are to be executed according to a mode, to execute the processes in that mode in an order starting from an more appropriate one of the processes. 
     For example, by setting, as a process that can be executed first in a mode, a process for obtaining a group of photo data belonging to an album from a photo album server and setting, as a process that can be executed second in the mode, a process for the data-processing device to display a Web page in its display section as obtained from an HTTP server, the data-processing device first obtains a group of photo data belonging to an album from a photo album server, and then displays a Web page in its display section as obtained from an HTTP server. Alternatively, the data-processing device may execute only the process for obtaining a group of photo data belonging to an album from a photo album server. 
     Therefore, the present invention brings about an effect of improving in convenience for a user who uses an operation device to operate a data-processing device. 
     Furthermore, the data-processing device according to the present invention thus configured may be configured such that: the operation data is image data having the pieces of process-designating information stored in a predetermined region; and the process-designating information obtaining means includes process-designating information extracting means for extracting the pieces of process-designating information from the image data. 
     According to the foregoing configuration, the operation data is image data having the pieces of process-designating information stored in a predetermined region. Moreover, the pieces of process-designating information can be extracted from the image data. 
     The inclusion of the pieces of process-designating information in image data allows the data-processing device to, upon receiving the image data, extract the pieces of process-designating information from the image data and execute only a process that can be executed by the data-processing device. 
     For this reason, a service provider who provides image data needs only to provide each data-processing device with a piece of image data containing plural pieces of process-designating information. Further, by simply using the operation device to transmit a piece of image data containing plural pieces of process-designating information to the plurality of data-processing devices, the user can cause the plurality of data-processing devices to execute processes that can be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices respectively. 
     Therefore, the present invention brings about an effect of saving the service provide the trouble of creating and managing operation data. Further, the present invention brings about an effect of improving in operability and convenience for a user who uses an operation device to operate a data-processing device. 
     A data-processing system according to the present invention includes; a plurality of such data-processing devices as described above; and an operation device for outputting the operation data to operate the plurality of data-processing devices. 
     According to the foregoing configuration, a plurality of such data-processing devices as described above are included, and the operation device can operate the plurality of data-processing devices. 
     This allows the operation device to output, to the plurality of data-processing devices, operation data containing process-designating information designating processes that are to be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices, and allows each of the data-processing devices to receive the operation data and execute only a process that can be executed by the data-processing device. 
     This allows the user to, by simply using the operation device to transmit a piece of operation data containing one or more pieces of process-designating information to the plurality of data-processing devices, cause the plurality of data-processing devices to execute processes that can be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices respectively. 
     Therefore, the present invention brings about an effect of improving in operability and convenience for a user who uses an operation device to operate a data-processing device. 
     Furthermore, the data-processing system according to the present invention thus configured may be configured such that when the operation device transmits the operation data, which contains the pieces of process-designating information designating processes that are to be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices, with the plurality of data-processing devices ready to receive the operation data, each of the data-processing devices uses its process executing means to, from among the processes indicated by the pieces of executable process information stored in the executable process storage section, execute a process that matches a process designated by a piece of process-designating information obtained by the process-designating information obtaining means. 
     According to the foregoing configuration, when the operation device transmits the operation data, which contains the pieces of process-designating information designating processes that are to be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices, with the plurality of data-processing devices ready to receive the operation data, each of the data-processing devices can uses its process executing means to execute, from among the processes indicated by the pieces of executable process information stored in the executable process storage section, a process that matches a process designated by a piece of process-designating information obtained by the process-designating information obtaining means. 
     This allows the operation device to output, to the plurality of data-processing devices, a piece of operation data containing process-designating information designating processes that are to be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices, and allows each of the data-processing devices to receive the operation data at the same time and execute only a process that can be executed by the data-processing device. 
     This allows the user to, by simply using the operation device to only once transmit a piece of operation data containing one or pieces of process-designating information to the plurality of data-processing devices, cause the plurality of data-processing devices to simultaneously execute processes that can be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices respectively. 
     For example, by only once transmitting, to a microwave oven and a television as data-processing devices, a piece of operation data containing pieces of process-designating information respectively designating a process that is to be executed by the microwave oven (e.g., for cooking) and a process that is to be executed by the television (e.g., for obtaining a Web page containing a photo of a completed dish), it becomes possible, for example, to cause the microwave oven to perform cooking and, at the same time, cause the television to display the photo of the completed dish. 
     Therefore, the present invention brings about an effect of improving in operability and convenience for a user who uses an operation device to operate a data-processing device. 
     It should be noted that such a data-processing device may be realized by a computer. In this case, (i) a control program for such a data-processing device to be realized by a computer by causing the computer to function as each of the means and (ii) a computer-readable storage medium containing such a control program are also encompassed in the scope of the present invention. 
     ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION 
     As described above, a data-processing device according to the present invention includes: an executable process storage section having stored therein pieces of executable process information respectively indicating one or more processes that are able to be executed by the data-processing device; process-designating information obtaining means for obtaining, from the operation data thus received, pieces of process-designating information designating processes that are to be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices; and process executing means for, from among the processes indicated by the pieces of executable process information stored in the executable process storage section, executing a process that matches a process designated by a piece of process-designating information obtained by the process-designating information obtaining means. 
     Further, a method for controlling a data-processing device according to the present invention includes: a process-designating information obtaining step of obtaining, from the operation data thus received, pieces of process-designating information designating processes that are to be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices; and a process executing step of, from among the processes indicated by the pieces of executable process information stored in the executable process storage section, executing a process that matches a process designated by a piece of process-designating information obtained in the process-designating information obtaining step. 
     This allows the data-processing device according to the present invention to receive operation data containing process-designating information designating processes that are to be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices and execute only a process that can be executed by the data-processing device. 
     This allows a user of the operation device to, by simply transmitting a piece of operation data to the plurality of data-processing devices, cause the plurality of data-processing devices to execute processes that can be executed by the plurality of data-processing devices respectively. 
     Therefore, the present invention brings about an effect of improving in operability and convenience for a user who uses an operation device to operate a data-processing device. 
     Furthermore, a service provider who provides operation data needs only to provide the user with a piece of operation data containing plural pieces of process-designating information. That is, the service provider can create and provide a piece of operation data containing process-designating information designating the content of a process that is to be executed by a data-processing device and process-designating information designating the content of a process that is to be executed by another data-processing device. 
     Therefore, the present invention brings about an effect of saving the service provider the trouble of creating and managing operation data. 
     Additional objects, features, and strengths of the present invention will be made clear by the description below. Further, the advantages of the present invention will be evident from the following explanation in reference to the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image data reception processing device (television) according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram schematically showing: an image data providing device; a basic configuration of a data-processing system including an operation device and image data reception processing devices according to an embodiment of the present invention; and the flow of information that is transmitted between the image data providing device and the operation device and between the operation device and each of the image data reception processing devices. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing how the operation device (cellular phone) and the image data reception processing devices (television and microwave oven) included in the data-processing system shown in  FIG. 2  are communicably disposed. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view schematically showing a data structure of operating image data that is exchanged in the data-processing system shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view schematically showing another example of a data structure of operating image data that is exchanged in the data-processing system shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view schematically showing another example of a data structure of operating image data that is exchanged in the data-processing system shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view showing an example of a menu window, displayed in a display section of the operation device (cellular phone) included in the data-processing system shown in  FIG. 2 , for transmitting image data. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the operation device (cellular phone) included in the data-processing system shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image data reception processing device (microwave oven) according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart schematically showing a flow through which the operation device (cellular phone) shown in  FIG. 8  receives image data from the image data providing device and transmits the image data to an image data reception processing device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart schematically showing the flow of a process that the image data reception processing device (television) shown in  FIG. 1  performs upon receiving image data. 
         FIG. 12  is a flow chart schematically showing the flow of a process that the image data reception processing device (microwave oven) shown in  FIG. 9  performs upon receiving image data. 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram schematically showing: a basic configuration of a data-processing system including an operation device and image data reception processing devices according to another embodiment of the present invention; and the flow of information that is transmitted between the operation device and each of the image data reception processing devices and between the image data reception processing devices. 
         FIG. 14  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the operation device (cellular phone) included in the data-processing system shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic view showing an example of operating image data that is generated by the operation device (cellular phone) shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image data reception processing device (recorder) according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a flow chart schematically showing a flow through which the operation device (cellular phone) shown in  FIG. 14  generates operating image data  3  in accordance with program information and transmits the operating image data  3  to an image data reception processing device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a flow chart schematically showing the flow of a process that the image data reception processing device (recorder) shown in  FIG. 16  performs upon receiving operating image data transmitted from the operation device (cellular phone) shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 19  schematically shows an example of a window that the operation device (cellular phone) shown in  FIG. 14  displays in its display section. 
         FIG. 20  schematically shows an example of a window where the image data reception processing device (recorder) shown in  FIG. 16  outputs the status of recording reservations and an error message indicating that a recording reservation cannot be made to a display section of another image data reception processing device (television). 
         FIG. 21  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image data reception processing device (television) according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a flow chart schematically showing the flow of a process that the image data reception processing device (television) shown in  FIG. 21  performs upon receiving image data. 
         FIG. 23  is a flow chart showing the flow of a process that the image data reception processing device (television) shown in  FIG. 21  performs on receipt of image data in cases where the display mode of the image data reception processing device is an album mode. 
         FIG. 24  is a flow chart showing the flow of a process that the image data reception processing device (television) shown in  FIG. 21  performs on receipt of image data in cases where the display mode of the image data reception processing device is a browser mode. 
         FIG. 25  is a flow chart showing the flow of a process that the image data reception processing device (television) shown in  FIG. 21  performs on receipt of image data in cases where the display mode of the image data reception processing device is an image display mode. 
         FIG. 26  is a flow chart showing the flow of a process that the image data reception processing device (television) shown in  FIG. 21  performs on receipt of image data in cases where the display mode of the image data reception processing device is a broadcasting mode. 
         FIG. 27  includes: (a) a diagram showing the appearance of image data, as displayed in a display section of the image data reception processing device (television) of  FIG. 21  in the image display mode; (b) a diagram showing the appearance of a Web page obtained from an HTTP server, as displayed in the display section of the image data reception processing device (television) of  FIG. 21  in the browser mode; (c) a diagram showing the appearance of a list of photos represented by a group of photo data obtained from a photo album server, as displayed in the display section of the image data reception processing device (television) of  FIG. 21  in the album mode; and (d) a diagram showing the appearance of a confirmation window that asks the user whether or not to process the image data, as displayed in the display section of the image data reception processing device (television) of  FIG. 21  in the broadcasting mode. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In each of the embodiments, operation data that a data-processing device according to the present invention receives from an operation device is described by taking image data as an example. The image data is in a general format such as a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format and has such a data structure as to be able to contain process-designating information  5  designating a process/processes that is/are to be executed by one or more data-processing devices. In each of the embodiments, the term “operating image data  3 ” means image data containing process-designating information  5 , and the term “displaying image data  4 ” means image data containing no process-designating information  5 . A data structure of operating image data  3  and details of process-designating information  5  will be described later. 
     Further, in each of the embodiments, a data-processing device according to the present invention is described by taking as an example an image data reception processing device that receives image data as operation data and executes a process in accordance with the image data. 
     Embodiment 1 
     An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 12 . 
     (Configuration of a Data-Processing System  900 ) 
     A basic configuration of a data-processing system  900  according to the present embodiment is described with reference to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing: a basic configuration of a data-processing system  900  including at least an operation device  20  and image data reception processing devices  10 ; and the flow of information that is transmitted between the operation device  20  and each of the image data reception processing devices  10 . 
     It should be noted that  FIG. 2  also shows an image data providing device  30  that is communicably connected to the operation device  20  and an HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) server  90  and a photo album server  91  (which will be described later) that are communicably connected to a television receiver (hereinafter referred to as “television”)  11 , which is one of the image data reception processing devices  10 . 
     (Image Data Providing Device  30 ) 
     The image data providing device  30  is a server device that provides image data, and is a device owned by a service provider or the like who provides an image data delivery service. Moreover, the image data providing device  30  transmits image data to the operation device  20  through a communication network  400  (flow ( 1 ) shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     (Operation Device  20 ) 
     The operation device  20  is a device owned by a user who enjoys the image data delivery service, and is a device for operating an image data reception processing device  10 . For that purpose, the operation device  20  obtains image data provided by the image data providing device  30 . Then, the operation device  20  transmits the image data thus received to one or more image data reception processing devices  10  through wireless communication  500  or the like with the user&#39;s operation or the like as a trigger (flow ( 2 ) shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     Examples of the operation device  20  include a PDA (personal digital assistant), a PHS (personal handy phone system), a laptop PC (personal computer), etc. In the present embodiment, the operation device  20  is described, in particular, by taking a cellular phone  21  as an example. As such, the cellular phone  21  has at least an image data transmitting function of transmitting image data, in addition to a basic function as a cellular phone, for example, of making or receiving a voice call to or from another cellular phone. It should be noted that the cellular phone  21  is supposed to be usually owned by a user who is in close proximity to an image data reception processing device  10 . 
     (Image Data Reception Processing Device  10 ) 
     Each of the image data reception processing devices  10  is a device owned by the user who enjoys the image data delivery service, and is a device for executing various type of processing in accordance with image data transmitted from the operation device  20 . For that purpose, the image data reception processing device  10  receives image data transmitted from the operation device  20 . Then, in cases where the image data thus received contains process-designating information  5  (i.e., in cases where the image data thus received is operating image data  3 ), the image data reception processing device  10  extracts the process-designating information  5  contained in the image data thus received and executes a process according to the process-designating information  5  thus extracted. 
     As will be described later, the operating image data  3  may contain one or more pieces of process-designating information  5 . Moreover, it is one of the features of the present invention that the image data reception processing device  10  determines whether or not a command identified by a command name  6  (which will be described later) of the process-designating information  5  extracted from the operating image data  3  can be executed by the image data reception processing device  10 , thereby executing only a command that can be executed by the image data reception processing device  10 . 
     Examples of the image data reception processing devices  10  include a television  11 , a microwave oven  12 , a recorder  13  capable of recording a video signal, a PC  14 , a car navigation system  15 , etc. In the present embodiment, the image data reception processing devices  10  are described, in particular, by taking the television  11  and the microwave oven  12  as examples. As such, the television  11  has at least an image data receiving function of receiving image data, in addition to a basic function as a television receiver, for example, of receiving and displaying a television broadcast. Similarly, the microwave oven  12  has at least an image data receiving function of receiving image data, in addition to a basic function as a microwave oven, for example, of cooking food or the like by generating electromagnetic waves. It should be noted that the television  11  and the microwave oven  12  are supposed to be usually installed in the user&#39;s home. 
     Further, the image data reception processing devices  10  may be communicably connected to an external server device through a communication network. In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the television  11  is connected to the HTTP server  90 , which provides a predetermined Web page, and the photo album server  91 , which classifies photo data into a plurality of albums for management and provides the albums, through a communication network  800  such as the Internet. 
     (Communication Between the Devices) 
     The image data providing device  30  and the operation device  20  are communicably connected to each other through the communication network  400  in order to exchange image data with each other. In the present embodiment, in which the operation device  20  is a cellular phone  21 , the communication network  400  is supposed to be a cellular phone network  401 . Therefore, transmission of image data to the cellular phone  21  is carried out, for example, by attaching the image data to an e-mail that is transmitted from the image data providing device  30  through the cellular phone network  401  or by downloading the image data from the image data providing device  30 , which functions as an HTTP server. 
     Further, the operation device  20  and each of the image data reception processing devices  10  are communicably connected to each other, for example, through the wireless communication  500  in order to exchange image data with each other. Exchange of image data can be suitably carried out, for example, according to a high-speed infrared communication protocol such as IrSimple (Registered Trademark) (hereinafter referred to as “IrSimple”) or a short-distance wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) (hereinafter referred to as “Bluetooth”). In particular, in the case of use of IrSS (Registered Trademark) (hereinafter referred to as “IrSS”), which does not require a response from a reception processing device, image data can be transferred to a plurality of devices at the same time. This enables the operation device  20  to transfer image data to the image data reception processing devices  10  instantaneously. 
     It should be noted that if it is not necessary to consider a degradation in usability due to connecting means through which the operation device  20  is connected to each of the image data reception processing devices  10 , it is possible to connect the operation device  20  to each of the image data reception processing devices  10  through connecting means such as a conducting wire or a fiber-optic cable instead of the wireless communication  500  and transfer image data through cable communication using the connecting means. 
     It should be noted that the following description assumes that the television  11  and the microwave oven  12 , which are image data reception processing devices  10 , can receive image data from the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 , through the wireless communication  500  according to an infrared communication protocol (e.g., IrSimple or IrSS). The way in which the cellular phone  21  and the television  11  and microwave oven  12  are communicably disposed is described with reference to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing how the cellular phone  21  and the television  11  and microwave oven  12  are communicably disposed. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the television  11  and the microwave oven  12  are supposed, for example, to be disposed side by side in a kitchen or elsewhere in the user&#39;s home. In this case, as long as the cellular phone  21  and the television  11  and microwave oven  12  are positioned to be able to communicate with each other according to the IrSS protocol, both the television  11  and the microwave oven  12  can simultaneously receive image data transmitted from the cellular phone  21 . Moreover, in cases where the image data thus received contains process-designating information  5 , the television  11  and the microwave oven  12  each extract the process-designating information  5  and execute only a command that can be executed by the device. 
     (Operating Image Data  3 ) 
     As described above, image data that is exchanged in the data-processing system  900  is either operating image data  3  or displaying image data  4 . A data structure of operating image data  3  is described here with reference to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a schematic view schematically showing a data structure of operating image data  3 . Schematically speaking, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the operating image data  3  is JPEG-format image data including an image region  610  and an EXIF region  620 . 
     The image region  610  is a region in which an image such as a photo is stored in compressed form. On the other hand, the EXIF region  620  is a region in which meta-information concerning image information stored in the image region  610  and the like are mainly stored. 
     The EXIF region  620  includes a maker note region  621  whose specification can be changed for use by a provider who provides a service of delivery of the operating image data  3 . Moreover, it is possible to store one or more pieces of process-designating information  5  in the maker note region  621 . Process-designating information  5  may be stored in any part of the maker note region  621 . In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , two pieces of process-designating information  5  (process-designating information  5 A and process-designating information  5 B) are stored. 
     It should be noted that the image region  610  may have stored therein an image representing the content of a process designated by process-designating information  5  stored in the maker note region  621 . Thus, in cases where the operation device  20  displays operating image data  3  in its display section, the user can view the content of a process that can be executed by an image data reception processing device  10  that has received the operating image data  3 . This allows the user to judge whether or not to transmit the operating image data  3  to the image data reception processing device  10 . 
     It should be noted that a data structure of displaying image data  4  is such that in the data structure shown in  FIG. 4 , the maker note region  621  does not contain process-designating information  5 , and as such, is not described here. 
     (Process-Designating Information  5 ) 
     Process-designating information  5  is composed of a command name  6  and a parameter  7 . The command name  6  is the name of a command that designates a process that is to be executed by an image data reception processing device  10 , and the parameter  7  is a parameter for the command. Depending on commands, there does not need to be a parameter  7 . Further, it is possible to use a code capable of identifying a command, instead of using a command name  6 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , the process-designating information  5 A is composed of a command name  6  “WWW Get” and a parameter  7  “URL: http://www.sample-page.jp”. As will be described later, the process-designating information  5 A is a command to obtain a Web page from the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the URL (uniform resource locator) designated by the parameter  7 . Further, the process-designating information  5 B is composed of a command  6  “PHOTO ALBUM” and a parameter  7  “ALBUM ID: 1234567890123456”. As will be described later, the process-designating information  5 B is a command to access the photo album server  91 , which classifies photo data into a plurality of albums for management, obtain a group of photo data belonging to an album specified by the ID (1234567890123456) designated by the parameter  7 , and display a list or slide show of photos of the group of photo data thus obtained. 
     Examples of command names  6  are listed in Table 1 below. Table 1 shows command names  6  and the content of processes that an image data reception processing device  10  executes according to the command names  6 , respectively. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Command Names 
                 Content of Processes 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 WWW Get 
                 Obtain a Web page from the HTTP server 
               
               
                   
                   
                 90 as indicated by the URL designated by 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the parameter 7 and display the Web 
               
               
                   
                   
                 page. 
               
               
                   
                 WWW Post 
                 Transmit operating image data 3 to the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 HTTP server 90 as indicated by the URL 
               
               
                   
                   
                 designated by the parameter 7. 
               
               
                   
                 Photo Album 
                 Access the photo album server 91, obtain 
               
               
                   
                   
                 a group of photo data belonging to an 
               
               
                   
                   
                 album specified by the ID designated by 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the parameter 7, and display photos of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the group of photo data thus obtained. 
               
               
                   
                 Television 
                 Control an ordinary function of the 
               
               
                   
                 Command 
                 television in accordance with information 
               
               
                   
                   
                 designated by the parameter 7. 
               
               
                   
                 Recorder 
                 Control an ordinary function of the 
               
               
                   
                 Command 
                 recorder in accordance with information 
               
               
                   
                   
                 designated by the parameter 7. 
               
               
                   
                 Recipe 
                 Perform cooking in accordance with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 recipe data designated by the parameter 
               
               
                   
                   
                 7. 
               
               
                   
                 Position 
                 Perform navigation or the like by using, 
               
               
                   
                 Designation 
                 as a destination, position information 
               
               
                   
                   
                 designated by the parameter 7. 
               
               
                   
                 Health Data 
                 Perform display or the like of health data 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (such as height, weight, body 
               
               
                   
                   
                 temperature, and blood pressure). 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     “WWW Get” is a command that can be executed by a device mounted with a Web function (e.g., the television  11  or the PC  104 ). Upon receiving this command, the device obtains a Web page from the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the parameter  7  and displays the Web page in its display section. 
     “WWW Post” is a command that can be executed by a device mounted with a Web function (e.g., the television  11  or the PC  104 ). Upon receiving this command, the device transmits operating image data  3  to the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the URL designated by the parameter  7 . In the case of return of predetermined data as a response from the HTTP server  90 , the device receives the predetermined data and displays the predetermined data in its display section. 
     “Photo Album” is a command that can be executed by the television  11 . Upon receiving this command, the television  11  accesses the photo album server  91 , which classifies photo data into a plurality of albums for management, obtains a group of photo data belonging to an album specified by the ID designated by the parameter  7 , and then displays in its display section a list or slide show of photos of the group of photo data thus obtained. 
     “Television Command” is a command that can be executed by the television  11 . Upon receiving this command, the television  11  controls itself in accordance with information designated by the parameter  7 . For example, when the information designated by the parameter  7  is aimed at switching external inputs on the television  11 , the television  11 , which has received this command, switches its external inputs in accordance with the information designated by the parameter  7 . 
     “Recorder Command” is a command that can be executed by the recorder  13 . Upon receiving this command, the recorder  13  controls itself in accordance with information designated by the parameter  7 . For example, when the information designated by the parameter  7  is aimed at making a recording reservation for a television program in a predetermined period of time, the television  11 , which has received this command, makes a recording reservation for a television program in accordance with the information designated by the parameter  7 . 
     “Recipe” is a command that can be executed by a cooking device such as the microwave oven  12 . Upon receiving this command, the device stores therein recipe data designated by the parameter  7  and performs cooking according to the recipe data as instructed by the user. 
     “Position Designation” is a command that can be executed by a device, such as the car navigation system  15 , which uses position information. Upon receiving this command, the car navigation system  15 , for example, starts navigation after setting, as a destination, position information designated by the parameter  7 . 
     “Health Data” is a command that can be executed by a device such as a PC and a cellular phone. Upon receiving this command, the device receives data from a bathroom scale, a thermometer, a blood-pressure meter, etc. (not shown) connected to the device. Then, the device stores therein the data thus received, displays the data thus received in an easy-to-understand manner, or displays indicator-of-health information according to the data thus received. 
     (Other Examples of Operating Image Data) 
     Other examples of operating image data  3  are described below with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  FIGS. 5 and 6  are each a schematic view showing another example of a data structure of operating image data  3 . 
     The operating image data  3  shown in  FIG. 5  is an example of image data containing the “WWW Get” command, which can be executed by the television  11  but cannot be executed by the microwave oven  12 , and the “Recipe” command, which can be executed by the microwave oven  12  but cannot be executed by the television  11 . This image data has two pieces of process-designating information  5  (process-designating information  5 A and process-designating information  5 C) stored therein. As has been mentioned, the process-designating information  5 A is a command to obtain a Web page from the HTTP server  90  (http://www.sample-page.jp) as indicated by the parameter  7 . Further, the process-designating information  5 C is composed of a command name  6  “RECIPE” and a parameter  7  “COOKING STEP: HEAT THE OVEN TO 180“C”. This process-designating information  5 C is a command to perform cooking in accordance with the cooking step designated by the parameter  7 . 
     Therefore, in cases where the service provider or the like who provides the image data delivery service prepares a photo of a completed dish as a Web page in the HTTP server  90  (http://www.sample-page.jp) and provides the operating image data  3  shown in  FIG. 5  for a user who owns such a television  11  and a microwave oven  12  as shown in  FIG. 3 , there is an increase in the user&#39;s convenience. This is because if the user transmits the operating image data  3  shown in  FIG. 5  from the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 , to the television  11  and the microwave oven  12 , the user can perform cooking with the microwave oven  12  and, at the same time, view the photo of the completed dish on the television  11 . 
     The operating image data  3  shown in  FIG. 6  is an example of image data containing the “WWW Get” command, which can be executed by the television  11  but cannot be executed by the car navigation system  15 , and the “Position Designation” command, which can be executed by the car navigation system  15  but cannot be executed by the television  11 . This image data has two pieces of process-designating information  5  (process-designating information  5 A and process-designating information  5 D) stored therein. As has been mentioned, the process-designating information  5 A is a command to obtain a Web page from the HTTP server  90  (http://www.sample-page.jp) as indicated by the parameter  7 . Further, the process-designating information  5 D is composed of a command name  6  “POSITION DESIGNATION” and a parameter  7  “POSITION: LONGITUDE 135 DEGREES EAST, LATITUDE 35 DEGREES NORTH”. This process-designating information  5 D is a command to execute a process such as navigation or route searching in accordance with the position indicated by the longitude and latitude designated by the parameter  7 . 
     Therefore, when the operating image data  3  shown in  FIG. 6  is transmitted from the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 , to the television  11 , the television  11  executes the command “WWW Get”, which can be executed by the television  11 , obtains information such as tourist information from the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the URL designated by the parameter  7  of “WWW Get”, and displays the information. It should be noted that the television  11  does not execute a process designated by the “Position Designation” command. 
     On the other hand, when the operating image data  3  shown in  FIG. 6  is transmitted from the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 , to the car navigation system  15 , the car navigation system  15  executes a process designated only by the “Position Designation” command, which can be executed by the car navigation system  15 , and, for example, performs navigation, route searching, or the like by using as a destination a position designated by the parameter  7  of “Position Designation”. It should be noted that the car navigation system  15  does not execute the “WWW Get” command. 
     An example of a menu window, displayed in the display section of the cellular phone  21 , for transmitting image data is described here with reference to  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  is a schematic view showing an example of a menu window, displayed in the display section  233  (which will be described later) of the cellular phone  21 , for transmitting image data. 
     The window has pictures P 1  to P 4  displayed in its left side. Each of the pictures P 1  to P 4  is an image stored in the image region  610  of image data that is to be transmitted, and expresses the content of a process designated by process-designating information  5 . For example, each of the pictures P 1  to P 3  indicates that the content of a process designated by process-designating information  5  relates to cooking. Further, the picture P 4  indicates that the content of a process designated by process-designating information  5  relates to position information. It is desirable that each of these images be in the form of an icon, for example, so that that the user can easily understand what the process designated by the process-designating information  5  is like. 
     Further displayed side by side on the right side of the pictures P 1  to P 4  respectively are letter strings L 1  to L 4  each of which serves, for example, as a file name of image data that is to be transmitted and shows the user an outline of the image data. It should be noted that the file name displayed may be a name assigned by a service provider who provides the image data or a name created by the cellular phone  21  user&#39;s changing the name assigned by the service provider. 
     The example shown in  FIG. 7  assumes that the image data indicated by the picture P 2  and the letter string L 2  is image data containing the process-designating information  5 C shown in  FIG. 5  and that the image data indicated by the picture P 4  and the letter string L 4  is image data containing the process-designating information  5 D shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     When the user of the cellular phone  21  carries out an operation for opening a menu window for transmitting image data to the image data reception processing devices  10 , the cellular phone  21  displays a window in its display section  233  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Then, when the user of the cellular phone  21  selects the picture P 2  and presses the send button B 1  in a position that can be communicated with both the television  11  and the microwave oven  12 , which are disposed as shown in  FIG. 3 , the cellular phone  21  transmits the image data to both the television  11  and the microwave oven  12  at the same time. Then, upon receiving the image data, the television  11  executes the “WWW Get” command, which can be executed by the television  11 , and obtains a Web page from the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the URL designated by the parameter  7  of “WWW Get”. Meanwhile, upon receiving the image data, the microwave oven  12  performs cooking, as instructed by the user, in accordance with the “Recipe” command, which can be executed by the microwave oven  12 . 
     (Configuration of the Cellular Phone  21 ) 
     A configuration of the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 , is schematically described below with reference to  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the cellular phone  21 . It should be noted that the configuration shown in  FIG. 8  is merely an example, and the configuration of the operation device  20  is not limited to that shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the cellular phone  21  includes a control section  210 , a storage section  220 , a first communication section  231 , a second communication section  232 , a display section  233 , and an input operation section  234 . 
     The control section  210  controls the storage section  220 , the first communication section  231 , the second communication section  232 , the display section  233 , and the input operation section  234 , and also executes predetermined arithmetic processing. Examples of the predetermined arithmetic processing include reception processing of image data from the image data providing device  30 , etc. The control section  210  can be constituted, for example, by a CPU (central processing unit), etc. A configuration of the control section  210  will be described in detail later. 
     The storage section  220  serves to store therein various types of data that are used in the control section  210  and data obtained by execution of programs, and is realized by a volatile memory such as a RAM (random access memory) or a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM (read-only memory) or a flash memory. The various types of data are stored in various storage sections located internally in the storage section  220 . The storage section  220  includes an image data storage section  221 . The image data storage section  221  stores image data therein in readable form. 
     It should be noted that the storage section  220  does not necessarily need to be provided in the cellular phone  21 , but may be configured to be connected as an external storage device to the cellular phone  21  in readable form. Alternatively, the storage section  220  may be a memory (memory card), such as an SD card, which can be inserted into and removed from the cellular phone  21 . 
     The first communication section  231  serves for the cellular phone  21  to communicate with an external device such as the image data providing device  30 . The first communication section  231  is configured to be connectable to the cellular phone network  401 , which is a communication network  400 . 
     The second communication section  232  severs to communicate with the image data reception processing devices  10  such as the television  11  and the microwave oven  12 . The second communication section  232  is configured to be able to communicate with a wireless communication section  131  of the television  11  and a wireless communication section  161  of the microwave oven  12 . In the present embodiment, the cellular phone  21  is supposed to transmit image data according to an infrared communication protocol; therefore, the second communication section  232  includes an infrared-emitting section, and the infrared-emitting section transmits infrared carrier waves to carry image data. The second communication section  232  will be described in detail later. 
     The display section  233  is a display device that displays image data or the like in accordance with an instruction from the control section  210 . For example, an LC (liquid crystal) display panel, an EL (electroluminescence) display panel, a CRT (cathode-ray tube) display device, or the like can be used as the display section  233 . 
     The input operation section  234  serves to receive an input operation carried out by the user of the cellular phone  21 . The input operation section  234  is constituted by input devices such as operating keys, switches, and touch panels. The input operation section  234  generates a control signal according to an input operation carried out by the user of the cellular phone  21 , and transmits the control signal thus generated to an event processing section  212  (which will be described later). 
     Examples of an input operation that is carried out by the user of the cellular phone  21  include an operation for causing the display section  233  to display image data stored in the image data storage section  221 , an operation for selecting image data displayed in the display section  233 , an operation for transmitting the image data thus selected to the image data reception processing devices  10 , etc. Accordingly, examples of the control signal that is generated include a signal aimed at causing the display section  233  to display image data stored in the image data storage section  221 , a signal aimed at transmitting, to the image data reception processing devices  10 , image data selected by the user of the cellular phone  21 , etc. 
     The control section  210  is described below in detail. The control section  210  includes an image data obtaining section  211 , an event processing section  212 , an image data display processing section  213 , and an image data transmitting section  214 . 
     First, the image data obtaining section  211  is described. The image data obtaining section  211  obtains image data from the image data providing device  30  through the first communication section  231 . An example of how the image data is obtained is, but is not particularly limited to, receiving from the image data providing device  30  an e-mail having the image data attached thereto or downloading the image data from the image data providing device  30 . It is desirable that an e-mail be able to be received without any operation carried out by the user of the cellular phone  21 . 
     Then, the image data obtaining section  211  stores in the image data storage section  221  the image data thus obtained. It should be noted that in cases where the image data attached to the e-mail thus received is stored in the image data storage section  211 , only the image data is stored in the image data storage section  221  separately from the e-mail thus received. 
     Next, the event processing section  212  is described. The event processing section  212  receives a control signal transmitted from the input operation section  234  by an input operation carried out by the user of the cellular phone  21  and gives an instruction to each section in accordance with the content of the control signal thus received. 
     In particular, when the control signal is a signal aimed at displaying image data stored in the image data storage section  221 , the event processing section  212  sends a signal to the image display processing section  213  accordingly. Alternatively, when the control signal is a signal aimed at transmitting, to the image data reception processing devices  10 , image data selected by the user of the cellular phone  21 , the event processing section  212  sends a signal to the image data transmitting section  214  accordingly. 
     Next, the image data display processing section  213  is described. In response to an instruction from the event processing section  212 , the image data display processing section  213  obtains image data stored in the image data storage section  221  and displays the image data in the display section  233  so that the user of the cellular phone  21  can select the image data. For example, the image data display processing section  213  generates a menu for user-selectably displaying a list of image data stored in the image data storage section  221  and displays the menu thus generated in the display section  233  ( FIG. 7 ). 
     It should be noted that the image data display processing section  213  includes a decoder for expanding image information contained in image data. More specifically, the decoder reads out compressed (or encoded) image information contained in image data and displayably expands (or decodes) the image information thus read out. The decoder is capable of handling image data of various formats such as JPEG and TIFF (tag image file format), and executes an expansion process according to image data to be expanded. 
     Next, the image data transmitting section  214  is described. In response to an instruction from the event processing section  212 , the image data transmitting section  214  transmits, through the second communication section  232  to the image data reception processing devices  10 , image data selected by the user of the cellular phone  21 . 
     It should be noted that in addition to these functions, the cellular phone  21  has the functions of an ordinary cellular phone (such as a voice call function, a mail transmitting and receiving function, an Internet access function). 
     (Configuration of the Television  11 ) 
     A configuration of the television  11 , which is an image data reception processing device  10 , is schematically described below with reference to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the television  11 . It should be noted that the configuration shown in  FIG. 1  is merely an example, and the configuration of the image data reception processing device  10  is not limited to that shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the television  11  includes a control section  110 , a storage section  120 , a wireless communication section  131 , an external communication section  132 , a display section  133 , an input operation section  134 , a broadcast data receiving section  135 , and an external input section  137 . 
     The control section  110  controls the storage section  120 , the wireless communication section  131 , the external communication section  132 , the display section  133 , the input operation section  134 , the broadcast data receiving section  135 , and the external input section  137 , and also executes predetermined arithmetic processing. Examples of the predetermined arithmetic processing include reception processing of image data transmitted from the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 . The control section  110  can be constituted, for example, by a CPU, etc. A configuration of the control section  110  will be described in detail later. 
     The storage section  120  serves to store therein various types of data that are used in the control section  110  and data obtained by execution of programs, and is realized by a volatile memory such as a RAM or a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM or a flash memory. The various types of data are stored in various storage sections located internally in the storage section  120 . The storage section  120  includes an image data storage section  121 , an executable process storage section  122 , and a process-designating information storage section  123 . 
     The image data storage section  121  stores therein, in readable form, image data transmitted from the operation device  20 . 
     The executable process storage section  122  serves to store therein information capable of identifying a command designating a process that can be executed by the television  11 . For example, the executable process storage section  122  stores therein a list of command names  6  of commands that can be executed by the television  11 . It should be noted that information that is stored in the executable process storage section  122  may be set in advance at a point in time such as factory shipment or may be able to be set by the television  11  user&#39;s using the input operation section  134 . 
     The process-designating information storage section  123  serves to store therein a piece of process-designating information  5  designating a process that can be executed by the television  11 , from among pieces of process-designating information  5  contained, if any, in image data transmitted from the operation device  20 . 
     It should be noted that the storage section  120  does not necessarily need to be provided in the television  11 , but may be configured to be readably connected as an external storage device to the television  11 . Alternatively, the storage section  120  may be a memory (memory card), such as an SD card, which can be inserted into and removed from the television  11 . 
     The wireless communication section  131  serves for the television  11  to communicate with the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 . The wireless communication section  131  is configured to be able to communicate with the second communication section  232  of the cellular phone  21 . In the present embodiment, the television  11  is supposed to receive image data from the cellular phone  21  according to an infrared communication protocol; therefore, the wireless communication section  131  includes an infrared-receiving section for receiving infrared radiation emitted from the second communication section  232  of the cellular phone  21  and converting the infrared radiation into an electrical signal, and the electrical signal obtained in the infrared-receiving section is converted into digital data according to a predetermined infrared communication protocol. It should be noted that the wireless communication section  131  uses the same protocol, such as IrSimple or IrSS, as the second communication section  232  of the cellular phone  21  does. The wireless communication section  131  will be described in detail later. 
     The external communication section  132  serves for the television  11  to communicate with an external device. The external communication section  132  is configured to be connectable to the communication network  800  such as the Internet. Although not illustrated, provided appropriately between the external communication section  132  and the communication network  800  is a component, such as a LAN (local area network) or a router, necessary for performing communication. 
     The display section  133  is a display device that displays image data, a picture, or the like in accordance with an instruction from the control section  110 . For example, an LC display panel, an EL display panel, a CRT display device, or the like can be used as the display section  133 . 
     The input operation section  134  serves to receive an input operation carried out by the user of the television  11 . It is assumed here that the input operation section  134  is provided with operation keys corresponding their respective input operations. Specifically, it is assumed that the input operation section  134  is provided with an operation key for switching channels, an operation key for turning up or down the volume, an operation key for turning on/off the television  11 , etc. Moreover, the input operation section  134  generates a control signal according to an input operation carried out by the user of the television  11 , and transmits the control signal thus generated to an event processing section  113 . 
     Examples of an input operation that is carried out by the user of the television  11  include an operation for setting an ordinary function of the television  11 , an operation for switching display modes described later, etc. Accordingly, examples of the control signal that is generated include a signal aimed at setting an ordinary function of the television  11 , a signal aimed at switching display modes, etc. 
     The broadcast data receiving section  135  selectively receives broadcast waves from a channel designated by the control section  110  and converts the broadcast waves into a predetermined signal for output. The broadcast data receiving section  135  needs only to have a function of receiving broadcast waves and a function of converting the broadcast waves thus received into a predetermined signal, and may be a conventional ordinary tuner such as a terrestrial digital tuner, a BS tuner, or a CS tuner. 
     The external input section  137  is configured to be able to communicate with an external device such as the recorder  13  through a connecting cable (not shown) or the like. Moreover, the external input section  137  receives data from an external device as input data (external input) to the television  11 . The external input section  137  includes one or more external input terminals to each separate one of which an external device is connected. For example, the recorder  13  is connected to one of the external input terminals, and the PC  14  is connected to another one of the external input terminals. Moreover, in response to an instruction from the control section  110 , the external input section  137  performs switching (i.e., switches external inputs) so as to receive, as input data to the television  11 , one of the pieces of data outputted from the external devices connected to the one or more external input terminals. 
     In the following, the phrase “to perform switching so as to receive, as input data to the television  11 , data outputted from an external device connected to an external input terminal N” is referred to as “to switch to an external input N”. Moreover, it is assumed that the recorder  13  is connected to an external input terminal N 1  through a connecting cable  700 . Accordingly, the phrase “to perform switching so as to receive, as input data to the television  11 , data outputted from the recorder  13 ” is referred to as “to switch to an external input N 1 ”. 
     Next, the control section  110  is described in detail. The control section  110  includes an image data receiving section (process-designating information obtaining means)  111 , a process-designating information extracting section (process-designating information obtaining means, process-designating information extracting means)  112 , an event processing section  113 , a display mode control section  114 , a process executing section (current mode obtaining means, process executing means)  115 , and a broadcast data output processing section  117 . 
     First, the image data receiving section  111  is described. The image data receiving section  111  receives image data from the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 , through the wireless communication section  131 . Then, the image data receiving section  111  stores in the image data storage section  121  the image data thus received. 
     Next, the process-designating information extracting section  112  is described. As soon as the image data receiving section  111  stores image data in the image data storage section  121 , the process-designating information extracting section  112  determines whether the image data thus stored contains process-designating information  5  and, if it does, extracts the process-designating information  5 . 
     Then, the process-designating information extracting section  112  stores in the process-designating information storage section  123  only a piece of process-designating information  5  containing a command (such as “WWW Get”, “WWW Post”, “Photo Album”, or “Television Command”) designating a process that can be executed by the television  11 , from among the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted. 
     In so doing, the process-designating information extracting section  112  determines, in accordance with information, stored in the executable process storage section  122 , which is capable of identifying the command designating the process that can be executed by the television  11 , which one of the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted is a piece of process-designating information  5  containing the command designating the process that can be executed by the television  11 . For example, in cases where the executable process storage section  122  has stored therein a list of command names  6  of commands designating processes that can be executed by the television  11 , the process-designating information extracting section  112  stores in the process-designating information storage section  123  those pieces of process-designating information  5  which have the command names  6  contained in the list, from among the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted. 
     In cases (1) where the image data does not contain process-designating information  5  (i.e., where the image data is displaying image data  4 ) or (2) where none of the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted does not contain a command designating a process that can be executed by the television  11 , the process-designating information extracting section  112  terminates the process without storing anything in the process-designating information storage section  123 . 
     Next, the event processing section  113  is described. The event processing section  113  receives a control signal transmitted from the input operation section  134  by an input operation carried out by the user of the television  11  and gives an instruction to each section in accordance with the content of the control signal thus received. In particular, when the control signal is a signal aimed at switching display modes, the event processing section  113  sends a signal to the display mode control section  114  accordingly. 
     Next, the display mode control section  114  is described. The display mode control section  114  controls the current “display mode”. The term “display mode” here means information that indicates what data is able to be displayed in the display section  133 . Moreover, the display mode control section  114  switches display modes according to the type of data that is displayed in the display section  133 . In the present embodiment, the television  11  can take one of the following four display modes: (1) a browser mode; (2) an album mode; (3) an image display mode; and (4) a broadcasting mode. 
     The browser mode is a display mode that is used to display, in the display section  133 , a Web page or the like obtained from the HTTP server  90 . The album mode is a display mode that is used to display, in the display section  133 , photos of a group of photo data obtained from the photo album server  91 . The image display mode is a display mode that is used to display image data in the display section  133 . The broadcasting mode is a display mode that is used to output, to the display section  133 , a picture on a channel received by the broadcast data receiving section  135 . 
     Moreover, the display mode control section  114  switches display modes in accordance with an instruction from an HTTP server access processing section  1151 , a photo album processing section  1152 , an image data display processing section  1154 , or a broadcast data output processing section  117  (each of which will be described later). Further, the display mode control section  114  switches display modes in accordance with an instruction from the event processing section  113 . 
     It should be noted that there is no particular limitations on the way in which display modes are controlled, as long as the four modes can be controlled. For example, the current display mode may be controlled by writing in a predetermined internal file a code that can be identified by the current display mode. 
     Next, the process executing section  115  is described. As soon as the process-designating information extracting section  112  terminates its process, the process executing section  115  executes various type of processing in accordance with the process-designating information  5  stored in the process-designating information storage section  123 . For that purpose, the process executing section  115  includes an HTTP server access processing section  1151 , a photo album processing section  1152 , a television command processing section  1153 , and an image data display processing section  1154 . 
     If the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, the HTTP server access processing section  1151  obtains a Web page through the external communication section  132  from the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the URL designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5 . Then, the HTTP server access processing section  1151  outputs the Web page thus obtained to the display section  133 . 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Post”, the HTTP server access processing section  1151  transmits image data containing the process-designating information  5  through the external communication section  132  to the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the URL designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5 . The image data is obtained from the image data storage section  121 . In the case of return of predetermined data from the HTTP server  90  in response to the image data thus transmitted, the HTTP server access processing section  1151  outputs the predetermined data to the display section  133 . 
     If the television  11  is not in the browser mode at the time of output of the Web page thus obtained or the predetermined data to the display section  133 , the HTTP server access processing section  1151  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the browser mode. 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, the photo album processing section  1152  accesses the photo album server  91  through the external communication section  132  and obtains a group of photo data belonging to an album specified by the ID designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5 . Then, the photo album processing section  1152  displays in the displays section  133  a list or slide show of photos of the group of photo data thus obtained. 
     If the television  11  is not in the album mode at the time of display in the display section  133  of the photos of the group of photo data thus obtained, the photo album processing section  1152  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the album mode. 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Television Command”, the television command processing section  1153  controls the television  11  in accordance with information designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5 . For example, when the information designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  is aimed at switching external inputs on the television  11 , the television command processing section  1153  instructs the input operation section  137  to switch external inputs in accordance with the information designated by the parameter  7 . 
     Alternatively, if the image data does not contain process-designating information  5  and therefore the process-designating information extracting section  112  terminates the process without storing anything in the process-designating information storage section  123 , the image data display processing section  1154  outputs the image data to the display section  133 . The image data is obtained from the image data storage section  121 . 
     If the television  11  is not in the image display mode at the time output of the image data to the display section  133 , the image data display processing section  1154  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the image display mode. 
     It should be noted that the image data display processing section  1154  includes a decoder for expanding image information contained in image data. More specifically, the decoder reads out compressed (or encoded) image information contained in image data and displayably expands (or decodes) the image information thus read out. The decoder is capable of handling image data of various formats such as JPEG and TIFF, and executes an expansion process according to image data to be expanded. 
     Next, the broadcast data output processing section  117  is described. The broadcast data output processing section  117  performs processing such as decoding on a signal outputted by the broadcast data receiving section  135 , thereby outputting to the display section  133  the picture on the channel received. 
     If the television  11  is not in the broadcasting mode at the time of output of the pictures to the display section  133 , the broadcast data output processing section  117  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the broadcasting mode. 
     In addition to these functions, the television  11  has the functions of an ordinary television receiver (such as a channel switching function, a volume adjusting function, a screen brightness adjusting function). 
     (Configuration of the Microwave Oven  12 ) 
     A configuration of the microwave oven  12 , which is an image data reception processing device  10 , is schematically described below with reference to  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 9  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the microwave oven  12 . It should be noted that the configuration shown in  FIG. 9  is merely an example, and the configuration of the image data reception processing device  10  is not limited to that shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the microwave oven  12  includes a control section  140 , a storage section  150 , a wireless communication section  161 , a display section  163 , an input operation section  164 , and an electromagnetic wave generating section  166 . 
     The control section  140  controls the storage section  150 , the wireless communication section  161 , the display section  163 , the input operation section  164 , and the electromagnetic wave generating section  166 , and also executes predetermined arithmetic processing. Examples of the predetermined arithmetic processing include reception processing of image data transmitted from the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 . The control section  140  can be constituted, for example, by a CPU, etc. A configuration of the control section  140  will be described in detail later. 
     The storage section  150  serves to store therein various types of data that are used in the control section  140  and data obtained by execution of programs, and is realized by a volatile memory such as a RAM or a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM or a flash memory. The various types of data are stored in various storage sections located internally in the storage section  150 . The storage section  150  includes an image data storage section  151 , an executable process storage section  152 , and a process-designating information storage section  153 . 
     The image data storage section  151  stores therein, in readable form, image data transmitted from the operation device  20 . 
     The executable process storage section  152  serves to store therein information (executable process information) capable of identifying a command designating a process that can be executed by the microwave oven  12 . For example, the executable process storage section  152  stores therein a list of command names  6  of commands that can be executed by the microwave oven  12 . Information that is stored in the executable process storage section  152  may be set in advance at a point in time such as factory shipment or may be able to be set by the microwave oven  12  user&#39;s using the input operation section  164 . 
     The process-designating information storage section  153  serves to store therein a piece of process-designating information  5  designating a process that can be executed by the microwave oven  12 , from among pieces of process-designating information  5  contained, if any, in image data transmitted from the operation device  20 . 
     It should be noted that the storage section  150  does not necessarily need to be provided in the microwave oven  12 , but may be configured to be readably connected as an external storage device to the microwave oven  12 . Alternatively, the storage section  150  may be a memory (memory card), such as an SD card, which can be inserted into and removed from the microwave oven  12 . 
     The wireless communication section  161  serves for the microwave oven  12  to communicate with the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 . The wireless communication section  161  is configured to be able to communicate with the second communication section  232  of the cellular phone  21 . The wireless communication section  161  will be described in detail later. 
     The display section  163  is a display device that displays image data or the like in accordance with an instruction from the control section  140 . For example, an LC display panel, an EL display panel, a CRT display device, or the like can be used as the display section  163 . 
     The input operation section  164  serves to receive an input operation carried out by the user of the microwave oven  12 . It is assumed here that the input operation section  164  is provided with operation keys corresponding their respective input operations (such as setting cooking time, setting heating temperature, giving an instruction to display a recipe, giving an instruction to cook in accordance with a selected recipe). Moreover, the input operation section  164  generates a control signal according to an input operation carried out by the user of the microwave oven  12 , and transmits the control signal thus generated to an event processing section  143 . Accordingly, examples of the control signal that is generated include a signal aimed at displaying a recipe, a signal aimed at cooking in accordance with a recipe selected by the user of the microwave oven  12 , etc. 
     The electromagnetic wave generating section  166  generates high-frequency electromagnetic waves in accordance with an instruction from the control section  140  and heats food or the like by irradiating it with the electromagnetic waves thus generated. The electromagnetic wave generating section  166  needs only to have a function of generating high-frequency electromagnetic waves, and may be a conventionally known one. 
     Next, the control section  140  is described in detail. The control section  140  includes an image data receiving section (process-designating information obtaining means)  141 , a process-designating information extracting section (process-designating information obtaining means, process-designating information extracting means)  142 , an event processing section  143 , a recipe display processing section  144 , and a process executing section (process executing means)  145 . 
     First, the image data receiving section  141  is described. The image data receiving section  141  receives image data from the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 , through the wireless communication section  161 . Then, the image data receiving section  141  stores in the image data storage section  151  the image data thus received. 
     Next, the process-designating information extracting section  142  is described. As soon as the image data receiving section  141  stores image data in the image data storage section  151 , the process-designating information extracting section  142  determines whether the image data thus stored contains process-designating information  5  and, if it does, extracts the process-designating information  5 . 
     Then, the process-designating information extracting section  142  stores in the process-designating information storage section  153  only a piece of process-designating information  5  containing a command (such as “Recipe”) designating a process that can be executed by the microwave oven  12 , from among the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted. 
     In so doing, the process-designating information extracting section  142  determines, in accordance with information, stored in the executable process storage section  152 , which is capable of identifying the command that can be executed by the microwave oven  12 , which one of the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted is a piece of process-designating information  5  designating the process that can be executed by the microwave oven  12 . For example, in cases where the executable process storage section  152  has stored therein a list of command names  6  of commands designating processes that can be executed by the microwave oven  12 , the process-designating information extracting section  142  stores in the process-designating information storage section  153  those pieces of process-designating information  5  which have the command names  6  contained in the list, from among the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted. 
     Next, the event processing section  143  is described. The event processing section  143  receives a control signal transmitted from the input operation section  164  by an input operation carried out by the user of the microwave oven  12  and gives an instruction to each section in accordance with the content of the control signal thus received. In particular, when the control signal is a signal aimed at displaying a list of recipes, the event processing section  143  sends a signal to the recipe display processing section  144  accordingly. Alternatively, when the control signal is a signal aimed at performing cooking in accordance with a recipe selected by the user of the microwave oven  12 , the event processing section  143  sends a signal to the process executing section  145  accordingly. 
     Next, the recipe display processing section  144  is described. In response to an instruction from the event processing section  143 , the recipe display processing section  144  obtains the process-designating information  5  of “Recipe” as stored in the process-designating information storage section  153  and displays the process-designating information in the display section  163  so that the user of the microwave oven  12  can select the process-designating information  5 . 
     Next, the process executing section  145  is described. In response to an instruction from the event processing section  143 , the process executing section  145  executes various types of processing in accordance with process-designating information  5  selected by the user of the microwave oven  12 . For that purpose, the process executing section  145  includes an electromagnetic wave control section  1451 . 
     The electromagnetic wave control section  1451  controls the operation of the electromagnetic wave generating section  166 , etc. in accordance with recipe data designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  selected by the user of the microwave oven  12 . 
     It should be noted that in addition to these functions, the microwave oven  12  has the functions of an ordinary microwave oven. 
     (Communication Between the Cellular Phone  21  and the Television  11  and Microwave Oven  12 ) 
     As described above, the second communication section  232  of the cellular phone  21  is configured to be able to communicate with the wireless communication section  131  of the television  11 . Similarly, the second communication section  232  of the cellular phone  21  is configured to be able to communicate with the wireless communication section  161  of the microwave oven  12 . That is, the cellular phone  21  and the television  11  can communicate with each other through a communication path formed by the second communication section  232  and the wireless communication section  131 . Similarly, the cellular phone  21  and the microwave oven  12  can communicate with each other through a communication path formed by the second communication section  232  and the wireless communication section  161 . 
     The communication path formed by the second communication section  232  and the wireless communication section  131  and the communication path formed by the second communication section  232  and the wireless communication section  161  are used for exchange of image data between the cellular phone  21  and the television  11  and between the cellular phone  21  and the microwave oven  12 , respectively. It is assumed here, as mentioned above, that infrared communication according the IrSS protocol is applied to the communication paths. That is, the second communication section  232 , the wireless communication section  131 , and the wireless communication section  161  are communication sections that can transmit and receive signals through infrared communication according to the IrSS protocol. 
     (Outline of the Flow of a Process in the Cellular Phone  21 ) 
     A flow through which the cellular phone  21  receives image data from the image data providing device  30  and transmits the image data to an image data reception processing device  10  is schematically described below with reference to  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  is a flow chart schematically showing a flow through which the cellular phone  21  receives image data from the image data providing device  30  and transmits the image data to an image data reception processing device  10 . It should be noted that the flow of a process as shown in  FIG. 10  is merely an example without implying any limitations. 
     First, the image data obtaining section  211  of the cellular phone  21  obtains image data from the image data providing device  30  through the first communication section  231 , and then stores in the image data storage section  221  the image data thus obtained (Step S 101 ). As mentioned above, an example of how the image data is obtained is, but is not particularly limited to, receiving from the image data providing device  30  an e-mail having the image data attached thereto or downloading the image data from the image data providing device  30 . 
     Then, when the user of the cellular phone  21  carries out an operation for displaying the image data, the event processing section  212 , which has received a control signal transmitted from the input operation section  234 , sends an instruction to the image data display processing section  213 . Then, the image data display processing section  213  obtains the image data stored in the image data storage section  221 , and then displays the image data in the display section  233  so that the user of the cellular phone  21  can select the image data (e.g., as a menu displaying the image data on a list) (Step S 102 ). 
     Then, when the user of the cellular phone  21  carries out an operation for selecting the image data (Step S 103 ) and carries out an operation for transmitting the image data thus selected to the image data reception processing device  10  (YES in Step S 104 ), the image data transmitting section  214  transmits the image data thus selected to the image data reception processing device  10  (which is at least either the television  11  or the microwave oven  12 ) through the second communication section  232  (Step S 105 ). It should be noted that if the transmission of the image data to the image data reception processing device  10  ends up in failure for some reason, for example, and therefore the user gives an instruction to retransmit the image data thus selected (YES in Step S 106 ), the process returns to Step S 105 . 
     On the other hand, if the user of the cellular phone  21  does not carry out an operation for transmitting the image data thus selected to the image data reception processing device  10  (NO in Step S 104 ), but carries out an operation for canceling the transmission of the image data to the image data reception processing device  10  (YES in Step S 107 ), the process is terminated. 
     If an operation for canceling the transmission of the image data to the image data reception processing device  10  is not carried out (NO in Step S 107 ), the process returns to an operation for selecting the image data (returns to Step S 103 ). 
     (Outline of the Flow of a Process in the Television  11 ) 
     The flow of a process that the television  11  performs upon receiving image data is schematically described below with reference to  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 11  is a flow chart schematically showing the flow of a process that the television  11  performs upon receiving image data. It should be noted that the flow of a process as shown in  FIG. 11  is merely an example without implying any limitations. 
     First, the image data receiving section  111  receives image data from the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 , through the wireless communication section  131 , and then stores in the image data storage section  121  the image data thus received (Step S 201 ). 
     Then, the process-designating information extracting section  112  determines whether the image data thus stored contains process-designating information  5  and, if it does, extracts the process-designating information  5 . Then, the process-designating information extracting section  112  stores in the process-designating information storage section  123  only a piece of process-designating information  5  containing a command (such as “WWW Get”, “WWW Post”, “Photo Album”, or “Television Command”) designating a process that can be executed by the television  11 , from among the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted (Step S 202 ) (process-designating information obtaining step). 
     Next, the process executing section  115  executes various types of processing in accordance with the process-designating information  5  stored in the process-designating information storage section  123 . 
     Specifically, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” (YES in Step S 203 ), the HTTP server access processing section  1151  obtains a Web page through the external communication section  132  from the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the URL designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  (Step S 204 ) (process executing step). Then, the HTTP server access processing section  1151  outputs the Web page thus obtained to the display section  133  (Step S 205 ). 
     If the television  11  is not in the browser mode at the time of output of the Web page thus obtained to the display section  133 , the HTTP server access processing section  1151  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the browser mode, and the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the browser mode. 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” (NO in Step S 203 ), but has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Post” (YES in Step S 206 ), the HTTP server access processing section  1151  transmits image data containing the process-designating information  5  through the external communication section  132  to the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the URL designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  (Step S 207 ) (process executing step). 
     Then, in the case of return of predetermined data from the HTTP server  90  in response to the image data thus transmitted, the HTTP server access processing section  1151  receives the predetermined data through the external communication section  132 , and then outputs the predetermined data to the display section  133  (Step S 208 ). 
     If the television  11  is not in the browser mode at the time of output of the data thus received to the display section  133 , the HTTP server access processing section  1151  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the browser mode, and the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the browser mode. 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Post” (NO in Step S 206 ), but has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (YES in Step S 209 ), the photo album processing section  1152  accesses the photo album server  91  through the external communication section  132  and obtains a group of photo data belonging to an album specified by the ID designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  (Step S 210 ) (process executing step). Then, the photo album processing section  1152  displays in the displays section  133  a list or slide show of photos of the group of photo data thus obtained (Step S 211 ). 
     If the television  11  is not in the album mode at the time of display in the display section  133  of the photos of the group of photo data thus obtained, the photo album processing section  1152  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the album mode, and the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the album mode. 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (NO in Step S 209 ), but has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Television Command” (YES in Step S 212 ), the television command processing section  1153  controls the television  11  in accordance with information designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  (Step S 213 ) (process executing step). 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Television Command” (NO in Step S 212 ), but has no process-designating information  5  stored therein, the image data display processing section  1154  outputs the image data to the display section  133  (Step S 214 ) (process executing step). 
     If the television  11  is not in the image display mode at the time output of the image data to the display section  133 , the image data display processing section  1154  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the image display mode, and the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the image display mode. 
     Although the flow chart shown in  FIG. 11  shows an example where whether the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” (Step S 203 ), whether the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Post” (Step S 206 ), whether the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (Step S 209 ), and whether the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Television Command” (Step S 212 ) are checked in the order named, this order does not imply any limitations. 
     (Outline of the Flow of a Process in the Microwave Oven  12 ) 
     The flow of a process that the microwave oven  12  performs upon receiving image data is schematically described below with reference to  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 12  is a flow chart schematically showing the flow of a process that the microwave oven  12  performs upon receiving image data. It should be noted that the flow of a process as shown in  FIG. 12  is merely an example without implying any limitations. 
     First, the image data receiving section  141  receives image data from the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 , through the wireless communication section  161 , and then stores in the image data storage section  151  the image data thus received (Step S 301 ). 
     Then, the process-designating information extracting section  142  determines whether the image data thus stored contains process-designating information  5  and, if it does, extracts the process-designating information  5 . Then, the process-designating information extracting section  142  stores in the process-designating information storage section  153  only a piece of process-designating information  5  containing a command (such as “Recipe”) designating a process that can be executed by the microwave oven  12 , from among the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted (Step S 302 ) (process-designating information obtaining step). 
     Next, the process executing section  145  executes various types of processing in accordance with the process-designating information  5  stored in the process-designating information storage section  153 . 
     Specifically, if the process-designating information storage section  153  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Recipe” (YES in Step S 303 ) and the user of the microwave oven  12  selects the process-designating information  5  of “Recipe” as displayed in the display section  163  by the recipe display processing section  144  and gives an instruction to cook (YES in Step S 304 ), the electromagnetic wave control section  1451  controls the operation of the electromagnetic wave generating section  166  in accordance with recipe data designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  selected by the user of the microwave oven  12 . Then, the electromagnetic wave generating section  166  generates high-frequency electromagnetic waves and irradiates food or the like with the electromagnetic waves thus generated, whereby the microwave oven  12  performs cooking (Step S 305 ) (process executing step). 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  153  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Recipe” (NO in Step S 303 ) and the user of the microwave oven  12  does not give an instruction to cook (NO in Step S 304 ), the process is terminated. 
     (Effects) 
     As described above, the operation device  20  (cellular phone  21 ) obtains image data from the image data providing device  30  and transmits the image data to the plurality of image data reception processing devices  10  (television  11  and the microwave oven  12  in the user&#39;s home). Then, upon receiving the image data, each of the image data reception processing devices  10  extracts process-designating information  5  contained, if any, in the image data, determines whether or not a process designated by the process-designating information  5  thus extracted can be executed by the image data reception processing device  10 , and executes only a process that can be executed by the image data reception processing device  10 . 
     Thus, an image data reception processing device  10  according to the present invention can receive operating image data  3  containing one or more pieces of process-designating information  5  and execute only a process that can be executed by the image data reception processing device  10 . 
     This allows the user to cause the plurality of image data reception processing devices  10  to execute processes at the same time, by only once transmitting a piece of operating image data  3  containing one or more pieces of process-designating information  5  by using the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 . For example, the user can cause the television  11  and the microwave oven  12  to execute their respective processes, by only once transmitting, to the television  11  and the microwave oven  12 , a piece of operating image data  3  containing process-designating information  5  designating the content of the processes that are to be executed by the television  11  and the microwave oven  12  respectively. 
     In other words, there is no need for the user to transmit operating image data  3  to each separate image data reception processing device  10 . That is, there is no need to separately carry out an operation for transmitting, to the television  11 , operating image data  3  containing process-designating information  5  designating the content of a process that is to be executed by the television  11  and an operation for transmitting, to the microwave oven  12 , operating image data  3  containing process-designating information  5  designating the content of a process that is to be executed by the microwave oven  12 . 
     Therefore, the present invention brings about improvement in operability and convenience for a user who uses an operation device  20  to operate an image data reception processing device  10 . 
     Furthermore, the service provider, who provides the image data delivery service, needs only to create a piece of operating image data  3  containing plural pieces of process-designating information  5  and provides the user with the piece of operating image data  3  thus created. For example, the service provider can create a piece of operating image data  3  containing process-designating information  5  designating the content of a process that is to be executed by the television  11  and process-designating information  5  designating the content of a process that is to be executed by the microwave oven  12  and provide the user with the piece of operating image data  3  thus created. 
     In other words, there is no need for the service provider, who provides the image data delivery service, to separately create operating image data  3  containing process-designating information  5  designating the content of a process that is to be executed by the television  11  and operating image data  3  containing process-designating information  5  designating the content of a process that is to be executed by the microwave oven  12 . 
     Therefore, the present invention saves the service provider the trouble of creating and managing operating image data  3 . 
     Embodiment 2 
     In Embodiment 1 above, the operation device  20  provides the image data reception processing devices  10  with operating image data  3  obtained from the image data providing device  30 . It should be noted, however, that such operating image data  3  is not limited to being managed or provided by the image data providing device  30 . For example, the operation device  20  may generate operating image data  3  in accordance with predetermined information and provide the image data reception processing devices with the operating image data  3  thus generated. 
     Accordingly, the present embodiment is described by taking as an example a case where when a user of an operation device capable of receiving a television program selects a television program on the operation device and instructs a recorder and a television to make a recording reservation for the television program thus selected, the operation device generates operating image data  3  containing process-designating information  5  aimed at making a recording reservation for the television program thus selected and provides the recorder and the television, which are image data reception processing devices, with the operating image data  3  thus generated. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to  FIGS. 13 through 20 . For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and as such, are not described below. Similarly, processes identical to those described in Embodiment 1 are not described below, either. 
     (Configuration of a Data-Processing System  910 ) 
     A basic configuration of a data-processing system  910  according to the present embodiment is described with reference to  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is a schematic view showing: a basic configuration of a data-processing system  910  including an operation device  20   b  and image data reception processing devices  10 ; and the flow of information that is transmitted between the operation device  20   b  and each of the image data reception processing devices  10  and between the image data reception processing devices  10 . 
     (Operation Device  20   b ) 
     As with the operation device  20  described in Embodiment 1, the operation device  20   b  is a device for operating an image data reception processing device  10 . However, unlike the operation device  20  described in Embodiment 1, the operation device  20   b  generates operating image data  3  containing process-designating information  5  in accordance with predetermined information (e.g., television program information, etc.). Then, the operation device  20   b  transmits the operating image data  3  thus generated to one or more image data reception processing devices  10 , for example, through wireless communication  500  with the user&#39;s operation or the like as a trigger. It should be noted that the predetermined information is supposed to be obtained from an external server (not shown) or inputted by the user. 
     As with the operation device  20  described in Embodiment 1, examples of the operation device  20   b  include a PDA, a PHS, a laptop PC, etc. In the present embodiment, the operation device  20   b  is described, in particular, by taking a cellular phone  21   b  as an example. As such, the cellular phone  21  has at least an image data generating function of generating operating image data  3  and an image data transmitting function of transmitting generated image data, in addition to a basic function as a cellular phone, for example, of making or receiving a voice call to or from another cellular phone. It should be noted that the cellular phone  21   b  is supposed to be usually owned by a user who is in close proximity to an image data reception processing device  10 . 
     (Image Data Reception Processing Device  10 ) 
     In the present embodiment, the image data reception processing devices  10  serve to execute various types of processing in accordance with image data received from the operation device  20   b . It should be noted that the image data reception processing devices  10  of the present embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1 except that the image data reception processing devices  10  of the present embodiment receive image data not from the operation device  20  but from the operation device  20   b , and as such, are not described here. 
     In the present embodiment, the image data reception processing devices  10  are described, in particular, by taking the television  11  and the recorder  13  as examples. As such, the recorder  13  has at least an image data receiving function of receiving image data, in addition to a basic function as a recorder, for example, of recording and playing back a television program. It should be noted that the television  11  and the recorder  13  are supposed to be usually installed in the user&#39;s home. 
     Further, an input terminal of the television  11  and an output terminal of the recorder  13  are in connection with each other through a connecting cable  700 . A signal representing a picture that is played back in the recorder  13  and information concerning recording are transmitted to the television  11  through the connecting cable  700  and can be displayed in a display section of the television  11 . It should be noted here that the connecting cable  700  is in connection with an external input terminal N 1  of the television  11 . 
     (Communication Between the Devices) 
     The present embodiment is described on the assumption that the television  11  and the recorder  13 , which are image data reception processing devices  10 , can receive image data from the cellular phone  21   b , which is an operation device  20   b , according to an infrared communication protocol (e.g., IrSS). Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the television  11  and the recorder  13  are supposed, for example, to be disposed side by side in a living room or elsewhere in the user&#39;s home. 
     In this case, as long as the cellular phone  21   b  and the television  11  and recorder  13  are positioned to be able to communicate with each other according to the IrSS protocol, both the television  11  and the recorder  13  can simultaneously receive image data transmitted from the cellular phone  21   b  at a time. Moreover, in cases where the image data thus received contains process-designating information  5 , the television  11  and the recorder  13  each extract the process-designating information  5  and execute only a process that can be executed by the device. 
     (Configuration of the Cellular Phone  21   b ) 
     A configuration of the cellular phone  21   b , which is an operation device  20   b , is schematically described below with reference to  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the cellular phone  21   b . It should be noted that the configuration shown in  FIG. 14  is merely an example, and the configuration of the operation device  20   b  is not limited to that shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the cellular phone  21   b  includes a control section  510 , a storage section  520 , a first communication section  231 , a second communication section  232 , a display section  233 , and an input operation section  234 . 
     The control section  510  controls the storage section  520 , the first communication section  231 , the second communication section  232 , the display section  233 , and the input operation section  234 , and also executes predetermined arithmetic processing. Examples of the predetermined arithmetic processing include a process for obtaining image data from an external server (not shown), etc. The control section  510  can be constituted, for example, by a CPU, etc. A configuration of the control section  510  will be described in detail later. 
     The storage section  520  serves to store therein various types of data that are used in the control section  510  and data obtained by execution of programs, and is realized by a volatile memory such as a RAM or a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM or a flash memory. The various types of data are stored in various storage sections located internally in the storage section  520 . The storage section  520  includes a program information storage section  521 , a device connection information storage section  522 , and an image data template storage section  523 . 
     The program information storage section  521  serves to program information on a television broadcast therein in readable form. The program information is not particularly limited in data format, and it is possible, for example, to directly store HTML (hypertext markup language) data descriptive of the program information. 
     The device connection information storage section  522  serves to store information on connection between the television  11  and an external device connected to the television  11  therein in readable form. Specifically, the information on connection is a combination of an external input terminal of the television  11  and an external device connected to the external input terminal (i.e., a combination of an external input of the television  11  and an external device). 
     The image data template storage section  523  serves to store a template for image data therein in readable form. The term “template for image data” here means image data that is used as an template for generating operating image data  3  for the image data reception processing devices  10 . The template for image data is used for an image data generating section  514  (which will be described later) to generate image data with process-designating information  5  embedded therein. Therefore, it is desirable that the template for image data have regions set in advance for data other than the process-designating information  5 . 
     It should be noted that the storage section  520  does not necessarily need to be provided in the cellular phone  21   b , but may be configured to be connected as an external storage device to the cellular phone  21  in readable form. Alternatively, the storage section  520  may be a memory (memory card), such as an SD card, which can be inserted into and removed from the cellular phone  21   b.    
     The first communication section  231  and the second communication section  232  have the functions described in Embodiment 1, respectively. It should be noted the second communication section  232  is configured to be able to communicate with the wireless communication section  131  of the television  11  and a wireless communication section  191  (which will be described later) of the recorder  13 . 
     The display section  233  is a display device that displays image data or the like in accordance with an instruction from the control section  510 . As described above, the display section  233  is an LC display panel, an EL display panel, a CRT display device, or the like. 
     The input operation section  234  serves to receive an input operation carried out by the user of the cellular phone  21   b  and transmits a control signal according to the input operation to an event processing section  512  (which will be described later). The input operation section  234  is constituted by input devices such as operating keys, switches, and touch panels. The input operation section  234  generates a control signal according to an input operation carried out by the user of the cellular phone  21   b , and transmits the control signal thus generated to the event processing section  512 . 
     Examples of an input operation that is carried out by the user of the cellular phone  21   b  include an operation for selecting, in accordance with electronic program information displayed in the display section  233 , a program for which a recording reservation is made, an operation for transmitting, to the image data reception processing devices  10 , an instruction to make a recording reservation for the program thus selected, etc. Accordingly, examples of the control signal that is generated include a signal aimed at selecting, in accordance with electronic program information, a program for which a recording reservation is made, a signal aimed at transmitting, to the image data reception processing devices  10 , an instruction to make a recording reservation for the program thus selected, etc. 
     Next, the control section  510  is described in detail. The control section  510  includes a program information obtaining section  511 , an event processing section  512 , a recording reservation processing section  513 , an image data generating section  514 , and an image data transmitting section  515 . 
     First, the program information obtaining section  511  is described. The program information obtaining section  511  obtains program information on a television broadcast through the first communication section  231  from an external server (not shown) that provides program information on television broadcasts. The program information may be automatically delivered from the external server or may be downloaded by the cellular phone  21   b  user&#39;s accessing the external server, without implying any particular limitations. Further, the program information on the television broadcast is not particularly limited in data format and may be, for example, HTML data. Then, the program information obtaining section  511  stores in the program information storage section  521  the program information thus obtained. 
     Although the present embodiment is supposed to obtain program information from the external server that provides program information, the user of the cellular phone  21  may use the input operation section  234  to directly input program information (combination of the date on which a program is broadcast, the time at which the program starts, the time at which the program ends, the channel on which the program is broadcast, and the like). In this case, it is not necessary to include the program information obtaining section  511 . 
     Next, the event processing section  512  is described. The event processing section  512  receives a control signal transmitted from the input operation section  234  by an input operation carried out by the user of the cellular phone  21   b  and gives an instruction to each section in accordance with the content of the control signal thus received. 
     In particular, when the control signal is a signal aimed at selecting, in accordance with electronic program information, a program for which a recording reservation is made, the event processing section  512  sends a signal to the recording reservation processing section  513  accordingly. Alternatively, when the control signal is a signal aimed at transmitting, to the image data reception processing devices  10 , an instruction to make a recording reservation for the program thus selected, the event processing section  512  sends a signal to the image data generating section  514  accordingly. 
     Next, the recording reservation processing section  513  is described. In response to an instruction from the event processing section  512 , the recording reservation processing section  513  obtains program information stored in the program information storage section  521  and displays the program information in the display section  233  so that the user of the cellular phone  21   b  can select a program. For example, in accordance with the program information stored in the program information storage section  521 , the recording reservation processing section  513  displays in the display section  233  an electronic list of programs from which the user can select a program. 
     Further, in cases where the user of the cellular phone  21   b  carries out an operation for selecting a program from the electronic list of programs displayed in the display section  233 , the recording reservation processing section  513  displays in the display section  233  a confirmation window that asks the user whether or not to make a recording reservation for the program thus selected. 
     Furthermore, in accordance with the information on connection between the television  11  and an external device connected to the television  11  as stored in the device connection information storage section  522 , the recording reservation processing section  513  shows, in the display section  233 , which external input the television  11  needs to switch to in making a recording reservation. For example, in cases where the recorder  13  serves as an external device to execute processing concerning recording reservations, the recording reservation processing section  513  shows that the television  11  needs to switch to the external input N 1  in making a recording reservation. The reason for switching external inputs on the television  11  is to cause the display section of the television  11  to display the status of recording reservations (such as a list of reserved programs) in the external device for the user&#39;s confirmation. 
     Next, the image data generating section  514  is described. In response to an instruction from the event processing section  512 , the image data generating section  514  generates operating image data  3  for causing the television  11  and the recorder  13  to execute processing concerning a recording reservation for the program selected by the user of the cellular phone  21   b.    
     Specifically, the image data generating section  514  generates operating image data  3  for causing the recorder  13  to execute a process for making a recording reservation for the program selected by the user of the cellular phone  21   b  and causing the television  11  to switch to the external input N 1 . 
     For that purpose, first, the image data generating section  514  generates process-designating information  5  containing a command targeted at the recorder  13  and process-designating information  5  containing a command targeted at the television  11 . More specifically, the image data generating section  514  generates process-designating information  5 , targeted at the recorder  13 , whose command name  6  is “Recorder Command” and whose parameter  7  is information concerning a recording reservation for the program selected by the user (combination of the date on which the reserved program is broadcast, the time at which the reserved program starts, the time at which the reserved program ends, the channel on which the reserved program is broadcast, and the like). Further, the image data generating section  514  generates process-designating information  5 , targeted at the television  11 , whose command name  6  is “Television Command” and whose parameter  7  is aimed at switching to the external input N 1 . 
     Then, the image data generating section  514  obtains a template for image data stored in the image data template storage section  523  and puts, into the maker note region  621  of the template thus obtained, the process-designating information  5  containing a command targeted at the recorder thus generated and the generated process-designating information  5  containing a command targeted at the television  11  thus generated, thereby generating operating image data  3 . It should be noted that a specific example of the operating image data  3  thus generated will be described later. 
     Next, the image data transmitting section  515  is described. The image data transmitting section  515  transmits, through the second communication section  232  to the image data reception processing devices  10 , operating image data  3  generated by the image data generating section  514 . 
     It should be noted that in addition to these functions, the cellular phone  21   b  has the ordinary functions of a cellular phone (such as a voice call function, a mail transmitting and receiving function, an Internet access function). 
     (Example of Operating Image Data  3  that is Generated By the Image Data Generating Section  514 ) 
     An example of operating image data  3  that is generated by the image data generating section  514  is described below with reference to  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 15  is a schematic view showing an example of operating image data  3  that is generated by the image data generating section  514 . A data structure of operating image data  3  that is generated by the image data generating section  514  is the same as that described in Embodiment 1. 
     The maker note region  621  of operating image data  3  shown in  FIG. 15  has two pieces of process-designating information  5  (process-designating information  5 E and process-designating information  5 F) embedded therein. 
     The process-designating information  5 E is process-designating information  5  containing a command targeted at the television  11  with its command name  6  set as “Television Command” and its parameter  7  set to switch to the external input N 1 . 
     The process-designating information  5 F is process-designating information  5  containing a command targeted at the recorder  13  with its command name  6  set as “Recorder Command” and its parameter  7  set to make a recording reservation for a program that is broadcast on Channel 2 from seven to eight everyday. 
     Accordingly, upon receiving the operating image data  3  shown in  FIG. 15 , the television  11  switches external inputs in accordance with “Television Command” contained in the process-designating information  5 E. Meanwhile, upon receiving the operating image data  3  shown in  FIG. 15 , the recorder  13  makes a recording reservation in accordance with “Recorder Command” contained in the process-designating information  5 F. 
     (Configuration of the Television  11 ) 
     A configuration of the television  11  is the same as that described with reference to  FIG. 1  in Embodiment 1, and as such, is not described here. 
     (Configuration of the Recorder  13 ) 
     A configuration of the recorder  13 , which is an image data reception processing device  10 , is schematically described below with reference to  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 16  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the recorder  13 . It should be noted that the configuration shown in  FIG. 16  is merely an example, and the configuration of the image data reception processing device  10  is not limited to that shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the recorder  13  includes a control section  170 , a storage section  180 , a wireless communication section  191 , and an external output section  197 . 
     The control section  170  controls the storage section  180 , the wireless communication section  191  and the external output section  197 , and also executes predetermined arithmetic processing. Examples of the predetermined arithmetic processing include reception processing of image data transmitted from the cellular phone  21   b , which is an operation device  20   b . The control section  170  can be constituted, for example, by a CPU, etc. A configuration of the control section  170  will be described in detail later. 
     The storage section  180  serves to store therein various types of data that are used in the control section  170  and data obtained by execution of programs, and is realized by a volatile memory such as a RAM or a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM or a flash memory. The various types of data are stored in various storage sections located internally in the storage section  180 . The storage section  180  includes an image data storage section  181 , an executable process storage section  182 , a process-designating information storage section  183 , and a recording reservation information storage section  184 . 
     The image data storage section  181  stores therein, in readable form, image data transmitted from the operation device  20   b.    
     The executable process storage section  182  serves to store therein information capable of identifying a command designating a process that can be executed by the recorder  13 . For example, the executable process storage section  182  stores therein a list of command names  6  of commands that can be executed by the recorder  13 . Information that is stored in the executable process storage section  182  may be set in advance at a point in time such as factory shipment or may be able to be set by the recorder  13  user&#39;s using an input operation section (not shown). 
     The process-designating information storage section  183  serves to store therein a piece of process-designating information  5  designating a process that can be executed by the recorder  13 , from among pieces of process-designating information  5  contained, if any, in image data transmitted from the operation device  20   b.    
     The recording reservation information storage section  184  manages information concerning a recording reservation for a television program. For example, the recording reservation information storage section  184  manages a combination of the date on which the reserved program is broadcast, the time at which the reserved program starts, the time at which the reserved program ends, the channel on which the reserved program is broadcast, and the like. The recorder  13  executes recording in accordance with the information managed in the recording reservation information storage section  184 . 
     Information that is stored in the recording reservation information storage section  184  may be stored by a recording reservation processing section  1751  (which will be described later) or set or may be set by the recorder  13  user&#39;s using an input operation section (not shown). 
     It should be noted that the storage section  180  does not necessarily need to be provided in the recorder  13 , but may be configured to be connected as an external storage device to the recorder  13  in readable form. Alternatively, the storage section  180  may be a memory (memory card), such as an SD card, which can be inserted into and removed from the recorder  13 . 
     The wireless communication section  191  serves for the recorder  13  to communicate with the cellular phone  21   b , which is an operation device  20   b . The wireless communication section  191  is configured to be able to communicate with the second communication section  232  of the cellular phone  21   b . Therefore, the cellular phone  21   b  and the recorder  13  can communicate with each other through a communication path formed by the second communication section  232  and the wireless communication section  191 . The wireless communication section  191  is a communication section that can receive a signal through infrared communication according to the IrSS protocol. 
     The external output section  197  is configured to able to communicate with an external device such as the television  11  through the connecting cable  700 . Moreover, the external output section  197  transmits output data from the recorder  13  to the external device through the connection cable  700 . For example, the external output section  197  outputs a video signal at the time of video playback and outputs the status of recording reservations at the time of a recording reservation. 
     Next, the control section  170  is described in detail. The control section  170  includes an image data receiving section (process-designating information obtaining means)  171 , a process-designating information extracting section  172  (process-designating information obtaining means, process-designating information extracting means), and a process executing section (process executing means)  175 . 
     First, the image data receiving section  171  is described. The image data receiving section  171  receives operating image data  3  from the cellular phone  21   b , which is an operation device  20   b , through the wireless communication section  191 . Then, the image data receiving section  171  stores in the image data storage section  181  the operating image data  3  thus received. 
     Next, the process-designating information extracting section  172  is described. As soon as the image data receiving section  171  stores operating image data  3  in the image data storage section  181 , the process-designating information extracting section  172  determines whether the operating image data  3  thus stored contains process-designating information  5  and, if it does, extracts the process-designating information  5 . 
     Then, the process-designating information extracting section  172  stores in the process-designating information storage section  183  only a piece of process-designating information  5  containing a command (such as “Recorder Command”) designating a process that can be executed by the recorder  13 , from among the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted. 
     In so doing, the process-designating information extracting section  172  determines, in accordance with information, stored in the executable process storage section  182 , which is capable of identifying the command designating the process that can be executed by the recorder  13 , which one of the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted is a piece of process-designating information  5  designating the process that can be executed by the recorder  13 . For example, in cases where the executable process storage section  182  has stored therein a list of command names  6  of commands designating processes that can be executed by the recorder  13 , the process-designating information extracting section  172  stores in the process-designating information storage section  183  those pieces of process-designating information  5  which have the command names  6  contained in the list, from among the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted. 
     Next, the process executing section  175  is described. As soon as the process-designating information extracting section  172  terminates its process, the process executing section  175  executes various type of processing in accordance with process-designating information  5  stored in the process-designating information storage section  183 . The process executing section  175  includes a recording reservation processing section  1751 . 
     The recording reservation processing section  1751  updates the recording reservation information storage section  184  in accordance with information concerning a recording reservation (combination of the date on which the reserved program is broadcast, the time at which the reserved program starts, the time at which the reserved program ends, the channel on which the reserved program is broadcast, and the like) designated by the parameter  7  of process-designating information  5  stored in the process-designating information storage section  183 . 
     It should be noted that the recording reservation processing section  1751  outputs the status of recording reservations (such a list of reserved programs) to the television  11  through the external output section  197  so that the television  11  displays the status of recording reservations in its display section  133 . The way in which the television  11  displays the status of recording reservations in its display section  133  will be described with reference to the drawings later. 
     Furthermore, when the recording reservation processing section  1751  determines that it is not appropriate to make an recording reservation in accordance with information concerning a recording reservation as designated by the parameter  7  of process-designating information  5  (e.g., in cases where a recording reservation is made for just around the same time as another recording reservation, such as cases where information concerning a recording reservation as designated by the parameter  7  is aimed at making a recording reservation for the program that is broadcast on Channel 2 from seven to eight everyday and the recording reservation information storage section  184  has already stored therein information aimed at making a recording reservation for a program that is broadcast on Channel 8 from seven thirty to eight tomorrow) the recording reservation processing section  1751  outputs an error message accordingly to the television through the external output section  197  so that the television  11  displays the error message in its display section  133 . The way in which the television  11  displays such an error message in its display section  133  will be described with reference to the drawings later. 
     (Outline of the Flow of a Process in the Cellular Phone  21   b ) 
     A flow through which the cellular phone  21   b  receives program information from an external server that provides program information on television broadcasts, generates operating image data  3  in accordance with the program information thus received, and transmits the operating image data  3  to image data reception processing devices  10  is schematically described below with reference to  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 17  is a flow chart schematically showing a flow through which the cellular phone  21   b  generates operating image data  3  in accordance with program information and transmits the operating image data  3  to image data reception processing devices  10 . It should be noted that the flow of a process as shown in  FIG. 17  is merely an example without implying any limitations. 
     First, the program information obtaining section  511  of the cellular phone  21   b  obtains program information on a television broadcast through the first communication section  231  from an external device (not shown) that provides program information on television broadcasts, and then stores in the program information storage section  521  the program information thus obtained (Step S 401 ). As mentioned above, the program information may be automatically delivered from the external server or may be downloaded by the cellular phone  21   b  user&#39;s accessing the external server, without implying any particular limitations. 
     Then, when the user of the cellular phone  21   b  carries out an operation for displaying the program information, the event processing section  512 , which has received a control signal transmitted from the input operation section  234 , sends an instruction to the recording reservation processing section  513 . Then, the recording reservation processing section  513  obtains the program information stored in the program information storage section  521 , and then displays in the display section  233  an electronic list of programs from which the user can select a program. (Step S 402 ). 
     Then, when the user of the cellular phone  21   b  selects a program from the electronic list of programs displayed in the display section  233 , the recording reservation processing section  513  displays in the display section  233  a confirmation window that asks the user whether or not to make a recording reservation for the program thus selected (Step S 403 ) and, at the same time, shows that the television  11  needs to switch to the external input N 1  in making a recording reservation. Then, when an operation for making a recording reservation for the program thus selected is carried out (YES in Step S 404 ), the image data generating section  514  generates process-designating information  5 , targeted at the recorder  13 , whose command name  6  is “Recorder Command” and whose parameter  7  is information concerning a recording reservation for the program selected by the user (combination of the date on which the reserved program is broadcast, the time at which the reserved program starts, the time at which the reserved program ends, the channel on which the reserved program is broadcast, and the like). Further, the image data generating section  514  generates process-designating information  5 , targeted at the television  11 , whose command name  6  is “Television Command” and whose parameter  7  is aimed at switching to the external input N 1  (Step S 405 ). 
     Then, the image data generating section  514  obtains a template for image data stored in the image data template storage section  523  and puts, into the maker note region  621  of the template thus obtained, the process-designating information  5  containing a command targeted at the recorder thus generated and the generated process-designating information  5  containing a command targeted at the television  11  thus generated, thereby generating operating image data  3  (Step S 406 ). 
     Then, the image data transmitting section  515  transmits, through the second communication section  232  to the image data reception processing devices  10 , the operating image data  3  generated by the image data generating section  514  (Step S 107 ). It should be noted that if the transmission of the operating image data  3  to the image data reception processing devices  10  ends up in failure for some reason, for example, and therefore the user gives an instruction to retransmit the operating image data  3  (YES in Step S 408 ), the process returns to Step S 407 . 
     (Outline of the Flow of a Process in the Television  11 ) 
     The flow of a process that the television  11  performs upon receiving operating image data  3  transmitted from the cellular phone  21   b  is the same as the flow of a process described in Embodiment 1 with reference to the flow chart shown in  FIG. 11 . In the present embodiment, the cellular phone  21   b  transmits operating image data  3  containing, in its maker note region  621 , process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Television Command” and whose parameter  7  is aimed at switching external inputs; therefore, Steps S 212  and S 213  in the process of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 11  are explained again. 
     In the case of the present embodiment, the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Television Command” (YES in Step S 212 ). Moreover, information designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  is aimed at switching external inputs on the television  11 . Therefore, in accordance with the information designated by the parameter  7 , the television command processing section  1153  instructs the external input section  137  to switch external inputs. Then, the external input section  137  switches external inputs in accordance with the instruction (Step S 213 ). 
     (Outline of the Flow of a Process in the Recorder  13 ) 
     The flow of a process that the recorder  13  performs upon receiving operating image data  3  from the cellular phone  21   b  is schematically described below with reference to  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 18  is a flow chart schematically showing the flow of a process that the recorder  13  performs upon receiving operating image data  3  from the cellular phone  21   b . It should be noted that the flow of a process as shown in  FIG. 18  is merely an example without implying any limitations. 
     First, the image data receiving section  171  receives operating image data  3  from the cellular phone  21   b , which is an operation device  20   b , through the wireless communication section  191 , and then stores in the image data storage section  181  the operating image data  3  thus received (Step S 501 ). 
     Then, the process-designating information extracting section  172  determines whether the operating image data  3  thus stored contains process-designating information  5  and, if it does, extracts the process-designating information  5 . Then, the process-designating information extracting section  172  stores in the process-designating information storage section  183  only a piece of process-designating information  5  containing a command (such as “Recorder Command”) designating a process that can be executed by the recorder  13 , from among the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted (Step S 502 ) (process-designating information obtaining step). 
     Next, the process executing section  175  executes various type of processing in accordance with the process-designating information  5  stored in the process-designating information storage section  183 . 
     Specifically, if the process-designating information storage section  183  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Recorder Command” (YES in Step S 503 ), the recording reservation processing section  1751  updates the recording reservation information storage section  184  in accordance with information concerning a recording reservation (combination of the date on which the reserved program is broadcast, the time at which the reserved program starts, the time at which the reserved program ends, the channel on which the reserved program is broadcast, and the like) designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  (Step S 504 ) (process executing process). The recording reservation processing section  1751  outputs the status of recording reservations (such a list of reserved programs) to the television  11  so that the television  11  displays the status of recording reservations in its display section  133 . Alternatively, if a recording reservation cannot be made, the recording reservation processing section  1751  outputs an error message accordingly to the television  11  so that the television  11  shows the user the error message in its display section  133 . 
     (Examples of Windows) 
     An example of a window that the recording reservation processing section  513  of the cellular phone  21   b  displays in the display section  233  is described below with reference to  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 19  is a schematic view showing an example of a window that the recording reservation processing section  513  of the cellular phone  21   b  displays in the display section  233 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , the recording reservation processing section  513  displays in the display section  233  a window that asks the user whether or not to make a recording reservation for a program selected by the user. In this example, the recording reservation processing section  513  displays in the display region R 1  a window that asks the user whether or not to make a recording reservation for the program that is broadcast on Channel 2 from seven to eight everyday. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the recording reservation processing section  513  shows, in the display section  233 , which external input the television  11  needs to switch to in making a recording reservation. In this example, the recording reservation processing section  513  shows, in the display region R 2 , that the television  11  needs to switch to the external input N 1 . 
     It should be noted that when the user presses the send button B 1  displayed in a lower part of the display section  233 , the image data generating section  514  generates operating image data  3 , and the image data transmitting section  515  transmits the operating image data  3  thus generated to the image data reception processing devices  10 . In this example, the operating image data  3  that is generated is the operating image data  3  shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     Further, when the user presses the repeat button B 2 , the image data transmitting section  515  transmits the operating image data  3  thus generated to the image data reception processing devices  10 . 
     Further, when the user presses the cancel button B 3 , the recording reservation for the program selected by the user is cancelled. 
     An example of a window where the recording reservation processing section  1751  of the recorder  13  outputs the status of recording reservations and an error message indicating that a recording reservation cannot be made to the display section  133  of the television  11  is described below with reference to  FIG. 20 .  FIG. 20  is a schematic view showing an example of a window where the recording reservation processing section  1751  of the recorder  13  outputs the status of recording reservations and an error message indicating that a recording reservation cannot be made to the display section  133  of the television  11 . 
     It is assumed here that (1) the user has pressed the send button B 1  in the window shown in  FIG. 19 . That is, it is assumed that the operating image data  3  shown in  FIG. 15  has been transmitted to the television  11  and the recorder  13 . Further, it is assumed that (2) the recording reservation information storage section  184  of the recorder  13  has already stored therein information concerning a recording reservation for a program that is broadcast on Channel 8 from seven thirty to eight on June 1. 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , the recording reservation processing section  1751  outputs the status of recording reservations to the display region R 3  of the display section  133  of the television  11 . In this example, the recording reservation processing section  1751  outputs, as the status of recording reservations, information indicating that there is already a recording reservation made for the program that is broadcast on Channel 8 from seven thirty to eight on June 1. 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 20 , the recording reservation processing section  1751  outputs an error message to the display region R 4  of the display section  133  of the television  11 . In this example, the error message outputted is an error message indicating that a recording reservation has been made for just around the same time as another recording reservation. That is, the error message tells the user as follows: although the operating image data  3  shown in  FIG. 15  (i.e., operating image data  3  containing process-designating information  5  having a parameter  7  aimed at making a recording reservation for the program that is broadcast on Channel 2 from seven to eight everyday) has been transmitted to the recorder  13 , there is already a recording reservation made for the program that is broadcast on Channel 8 from seven thirty to eight on June 1; therefore, the two recording reservations overlap in time with each other. 
     (Effects) 
     As described above, the user transmits operating image data  3  from the operation device  20   b  (cellular phone  21   b ) to the plurality of image data reception processing devices  10  (television  11  and the recorder  13  in the user&#39;s home). 
     Then, each of the image data reception processing devices  10  extracts process-designating information  5  from the operating image data  3  thus received, determines whether or not a process designated by the process-designating information  5  thus extracted can be executed by the image data reception processing device  10 , and executes only a process that can be executed by the image data reception processing device  10 . 
     This allows the user to operate the plurality of related image data reception processing devices  10  at the same time by only once transmitting a piece of operating image data  3  containing one or more pieces of process-designating information  5  by using the cellular phone  21   b , which is an operation device  20   b . In particular, according to the present embodiment, in making a recording reservation for a television program, the user can cause the recorder  13  to make a recording reservation and the television  11  to switch external inputs, by only once transmitting, to the television  11  and the recorder  13 , a piece of operating image data  3  containing process-designating information  5  designating the content of the processes that are to be executed by the television  11  and the recorder  13  respectively. 
     In other words, there is no need for the user to transmit appropriate operating image data  3  to each separate image data reception processing device  10 . That is, there is no need to separately carry out an operation for transmitting, to the television  11 , operating image data  3  containing process-designating information  5  designating the content of a process that is to be executed by the television  11  and an operation for transmitting, to the recorder  13 , operating image data  3  containing process-designating information  5  designating the content of a process that is to be executed by the recorder  13 . 
     Therefore, the present invention brings about improvement in operability and convenience for a user who uses an operation device  20   b  to operate an image data reception processing device  10 . 
     Embodiment 3 
     In each of the embodiments above, an image data reception processing device  10  having received image data executes a process according to the image data thus received, regardless of the status of the device. However, an image data reception processing device  10  may receive image data and then execute a process according to the mode of the device. 
     Accordingly, the present embodiment is described by taking as an example a case where a television serving as an image data reception processing device that receives image data executes a process according to the display mode of the device. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to  FIGS. 21 through 27 . For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in Embodiments 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals, and as such, are not described below. Similarly, processes identical to those described in Embodiments 1 and 2 are not described below, either. 
     It should be noted that an operation device, an image data providing device, and a data-processing system according to the present embodiment are the same as the operation device  20 , the image data providing device  30 , and the data-processing system  900  described in Embodiment 1, and as such, are not described here. 
     Moreover, an image data reception processing device according to the present embodiment is described, in particular, by taking a television  11   b  as an example. As such, the television  11   b  receives image data from the cellular phone  21 , which an operation device  20 , extracts process-designating information  5  contained, if any, in the image data thus received, and executes a process according to the process-designating information  5  thus extracted. As with the television  11  described in Embodiment 1, the television  11   b  is connected to the HTTP server  90  and the photo album server  91  through the communication network  800  such as the Internet. 
     (Configuration of the Television  11   b ) 
     A configuration of the television  11   b  is schematically described with reference to  FIG. 21 .  FIG. 21  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the television  11   b . It should be noted that the configuration shown in  FIG. 21  is merely an example, and the configuration of the television  11   b  is not limited to that shown in  FIG. 21 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 21 , the television  11   b  includes a control section  110   b , a storage section  120   b , a wireless communication section  131 , an external communication section  132 , a display section  133 , an input operation section  134 , a broadcast data receiving section  135 , and an external input section  137 . 
     The control section  110   b  controls the storage section  120   b , the wireless communication section  131 , the external communication section  132 , the display section  133 , the input operation section  134 , the broadcast data receiving section  135 , and the external input section  137 , and also executes predetermined arithmetic processing. Examples of the predetermined arithmetic processing include reception processing of image data transmitted from the cellular phone  21 . The control section  110   b  can be constituted, for example, by a CPU, etc. A configuration of the control section  110   b  will be described in detail later. 
     The storage section  120   b  serves to store therein various types of data that are used in the control section  110   b  and data obtained by execution of programs, and is realized by a volatile memory such as a RAM or a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM or a flash memory. The various types of data are stored in various storage sections located internally in the storage section  120   b . The storage section  120   b  includes an image data storage section  121 , an executable process storage section  122   b , and a process-designating information storage section  123 . 
     The executable process storage section  122   b  serves to store therein a process that can be executed by the television  11   b  in each display mode. For that purpose, the executable process storage section  122   b  stores therein, in readable form, a combination of a display mode and a command name  6  designating a process that can be executed in that display mode. Furthermore, for each mode, the executable process storage section  122   b  stores therein the execution order that a process designated by a command name  6  associated with the mode is to be executed, with the execution order associated with the command name  6 . 
     The executable process storage section  122   b  can have such a data structure as shown below in Table 2. Table 2 shows an example of a data structure of the executable process storage section  122   b . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the executable process storage section  122   b  contains a record composed of a combination of a “Display Modes” column, a “Commands” column, and an “Execution Orders” column. The “Display Modes” column contains information that identifies display modes. The “Commands” column contains information that identifies commands, e.g., command names  6 . The “Execution Orders” column contains information (e.g., a numerical value) that indicates the order that a process designated by a command  6  is to be executed. It should be noted that the “Execution Orders” column does not necessarily need to be contained. 
     In the example shown in Table 2, “Photo Album” and “WWW Get” are stored in the “Commands” column as command names  6  designating processes that are executed in the browser mode. Moreover, “Photo Album” is assigned an “execution order” of “1”, and “WWW Get” is assigned an “execution order” of “2”. Therefore, in the browser mode, the process designated by “Photo Album” and the process designated by “WWW Get” can be executed. Moreover, in the browser mode, the process designated by “Photo Album” is a process that is to be executed first, and the process designated by “Photo Album” is a process that is to be executed second. It should be noted that a process stored to be executed second or later does not necessarily need to be executed. 
     Further, for example, only “Photo Album” is stored in the “Commands” column as a command name  6  designating a process that is executed in the broadcasting mode. Moreover, “Photo Album” is assigned an “execution order” of “1”. Therefore, in the broadcasting mode, only the process designated by “Photo Album” can be executed. 
     Further, information that is stored in the executable process storage section  122   b  may be set in advance at a point in time such as factory shipment or may be able to be set by the television  11   b  user&#39;s using the input operation section  134 . 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Display Modes 
                 Commands 
                 Execution Orders 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Browser Mode 
                 Photo Album 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                   
                 WWW Get 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Album Mode 
                 WWW Get 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Photo Album 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Image Display Mode 
                 Photo Album 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                   
                 WWW Get 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Broadcasting Mode 
                 Photo Album 
                 1 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The process-designating information storage section  123  serves to store therein a piece of process-designating information  5  designating a process that can be executed by the television  11   b , from among pieces of process-designating information  5  contained, if any, in image data transmitted from the operation device. 
     It should be noted that the storage section  120   b  does not necessarily need to be provided in the television  11   b , but may be configured to be readably connected as an external storage device to the television  11 . Alternatively, the storage section  120   b  may be a memory (memory card), such as an SD card, which can be inserted into and removed from the television  11   b.    
     The control section  110   b  includes an image data receiving section (process-designating information obtaining means)  111 , a process-designating information extracting section (process-designating information obtaining means, process-designating information extracting means)  112   b , an event processing section  113 , a display mode control section  114 , a process executing section (current mode obtaining means, process executing means)  115   b , and a broadcast data output processing section  117 . 
     The process-designating information extracting section  112   b  has the same functions as the process-designating information extracting section  112  of Embodiment 1. However, unlike the process-designating information extracting section  112  of Embodiment 1, the process-designating information extracting section  112   b  determines, in accordance with information, stored in the executable process storage section  122   b , which is capable of identifying a command designating a process that can be executed by the television  11   b , which one of the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted is a piece of process-designating information  5  containing the command designating the process that can be executed by the television  11 . 
     As soon as the process-designating information extracting section  112   b  terminates its process, the process executing section  115   b  first obtains the current display mode as controlled by the display mode control section  114 , and then executes various type of processing in accordance with the process-designating information  5  stored in the process-designating information storage section  123  and the information stored in the executable process storage section  122   b , depending on whether the television  11   b  is currently in (1) the album mode, (2) the browser mode, (3) the image display mode, or (4) the broadcasting mode. 
     For the purpose of executing various types of processing, the process executing section  115   b  includes an HTTP server access processing section  1151   b , a photo album processing section  1152   b , a television command processing section  1153   b , and an image data display processing section  1154   b.    
     The HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  obtains a Web page through the external communication section  132  from the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the URL designated by the parameter  7  of process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”. Then, the HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  outputs the Web page thus obtained to the display section  133 . 
     Alternatively, the HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  may transmit image data containing the process-designating information  5  through the external communication section  132  to the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the URL designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Post”. The image data is obtained from the image data storage section  121 . In the case of return of predetermined data from the HTTP server  90  in response to the image data thus transmitted, the HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  may output the predetermined data to the display section  133 . 
     The photo album processing section  1152   b  accesses the photo album server  91  through the external communication section  132  and obtains a group of photo data belonging to an album specified by the ID designated by the parameter  7  of process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”. Then, the photo album processing section  1152   b  displays in the displays section  133  a list or slide show of photos of the group of photo data thus obtained. 
     The television command processing section  1153   b  controls the television  11  in accordance with information designated by the parameter  7  of process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Television Command”. For example, when the information designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  is aimed at switching external inputs on the television  11   b , the television command processing section  1153   b  instructs the input operation section  137  to switch external inputs in accordance with the information designated by the parameter  7 . 
     The image data display processing section  1154   b  outputs image data to the display section  133 . The image data is obtained from the image data storage section  121 . 
     It should be noted that the image data display processing section  1154   b  includes a decoder for expanding image information contained in image data. More specifically, the decoder reads out compressed (or encoded) image information contained in image data and displayably expands (or decodes) the image information thus read out. The decoder is capable of handling image data of various formats such as JPEG and TIFF, and executes an expansion process according to image data to be expanded. 
     In following, the content of processing is described for each case where the television  11   b  is currently in (1) the album mode, (2) the browser mode, (3) the image display mode, or (4) the broadcasting mode. It should be noted that in executing various types of processing, the process executing section  115   b  refers to the executable process storage section  122   b  and obtains, in advance, a command name  6  designating a process that can be executed in the current display mode and the execution order that the process is executed. The following description assumes that the executable process storage section  122   b  contains the information shown in Table 2. 
     (Content of a Process in the Album Mode) 
     First, a case where the television  11   b  is currently in the album mode is described. First, the process executing section  115   b  checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein. Then, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has no process-designating information  5  stored therein, the process executing section  115   b  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the image display mode. After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the image data display processing section  1154   b  to perform the process. 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein, the process executing section  115   b  first checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, which designates a process that is to be executed first in the album mode. Then, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, the process executing section  115   b  instructs the photo album processing section  1152   b  to perform the process. 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, the process executing section  115   b  checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, which designates a process that is to be executed second in the album mode. Then, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, the process executing section  115   b  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the browser mode. After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  to perform the process. 
     As described above, in cases where the television  11   b  is currently in the album mode and the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein, the process executing section  115   b  first checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, which designates a process that is to be executed first, and then checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, which designates a process that is to be executed second. The process executing section  115   b  carries out these checks in accordance with the command name  6  of a process that can be executed in the current display mode and the execution order that the process is executed, as obtained in advance with reference to the executable process storage section  122   b . It should be noted that all processes assigned execution orders do not necessarily need to be executed, and an upper limit to the number of processes that are executed may be set up in advance. 
     It should be noted that if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Television Command”, the process executing section  115   b  may cause the television command processing section  1153   b  to perform the process. 
     (Content of Processing in the Browser Mode) 
     Next, a case where the television  11   b  is currently in the browser mode is described. First, the process executing section  115   b  checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein. Then, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has no process-designating information  5  stored therein, the process executing section  115   b  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the image display mode. After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the image data display processing section  1154   b  to perform the process. 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein, the process executing section  115   b  first checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, which designates a process that is to be executed first in the browser mode. Then, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, the process executing section  115   b  instructs the HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  to perform the process. 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, the process executing section  115   b  checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, which designates a process that is to be executed second in the browser mode. Then, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, the process executing section  115   b  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the album mode. After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the photo album processing section  1152   b  to perform the process. 
     As described above, in cases where the television  11   b  is currently in the browser mode and the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein, the process executing section  115   b  first checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, which designates a process that is to be executed first in the browser mode, and then checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, which designates a process that is to be executed second in the browser mode. The process executing section  115   b  carries out these checks in accordance with the command name  6  of a process that can be executed in the current display mode and the execution order that the process is executed, as obtained in advance with reference to the executable process storage section  122   b.    
     It should be noted that if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Television Command”, the process executing section  115   b  may cause the television command processing section  1153   b  to perform the process. 
     (Content of a Process in the Image Display Mode) 
     Next, a case where the television  11   b  is currently in the image display mode is described. First, the process executing section  115   b  checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein. Then, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has no process-designating information  5  stored therein, the process executing section  115   b  causes the image data display processing section  1154   b  to perform the process. 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein, the process executing section  115   b  first checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, which designates a process that is to be executed first in the image display mode. Then, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, the process executing section  115   b  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the album mode. After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the photo album processing section  1152   b  to perform the process. 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, the process executing section  115   b  checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, which designates a process that is to be executed second in the image display mode. Then, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, the process executing section  115   b  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the browser mode. After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  to perform the process. 
     As described above, in cases where the television  11   b  is currently in the image display mode and the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein, the process executing section  115   b  first checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, which designates a process that is to be executed first in the image display mode, and then checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, which designates a process that is to be executed second in the image display mode. The process executing section  115   b  carries out these checks in accordance with the command name  6  of a process that can be executed in the current display mode and the order that the process is executed, as obtained in advance with reference to the executable process storage section  122   b.    
     It should be noted that if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Television Command”, the process executing section  115   b  may cause the television command processing section  1153   b  to perform the process. 
     (Content of a Process in the Broadcasting Mode) 
     Next, a case where the television  11   b  is currently in the broadcasting mode is described. First, the process executing section  115   b  displays in the display section  133  a confirmation window that asks the user whether or not to process image data. After that, if the user puts into the confirmation window an input aimed at not processing the image data (such as pressing a button aimed at not processing the image data), the process executing section  115   b  stops the confirmation window from being displayed. The television  11   b  continues, in the broadcasting mode, to output, to the display section  133 , a picture on a channel received by the broadcast data receiving section  135 . 
     Alternatively, if the user puts into the confirmation window an input aimed at processing the image data (such as pressing a button aimed at processing the image data), the process executing section  115   b  stops the confirmation window from being displayed, and then checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein. Then, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has no process-designating information  5  stored therein, the process executing section  115   b  causes the image data display processing section  1154   b  to perform the process. 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein, the process executing section  115   b  first checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, which designates a process that is to be executed first in the broadcasting mode. Then, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, the process executing section  115   b  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the album mode. After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the photo album processing section  1152   b  to perform the process. 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, the process executing section  115   b  terminates the process without executing anything. 
     As described above, in cases where the television  11   b  is currently in the broadcasting mode and the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein, the process executing section  115   b  checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, which designates a process that is to be executed first in the broadcasting mode. The process executing section  115   b  carries out this check in accordance with the command name  6  of a process that can be executed in the current display mode and the order that the process is executed, as obtained in advance with reference to the executable process storage section  122   b.    
     It should be noted that if the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Television Command”, the process executing section  115   b  may cause the television command processing section  1153   b  to perform the process. 
     (Outline of the Flow of a Process in the Television  11   b ) 
     The flow of a process that the television  11  performs upon receiving image data is schematically described below with reference to  FIGS. 22 through 26 . It should be noted that the flow of a process as shown in  FIGS. 22 through 26  is merely an example, and the flow of a process that the television  11   b  performs upon receiving image data is not limited to this example. 
       FIG. 22  is a flow chart schematically showing the flow of a process that the television  11   b  performs upon receiving image data. 
     First, the image data receiving section  111  receives image data from the cellular phone  21 , which is an operation device  20 , through the wireless communication section  131 , and then stores in the image data storage section  121  the image data thus received (Step S 601 ). 
     Then, the process-designating information extracting section  112  determines whether the image data thus stored contains process-designating information  5  and, if it does, extracts the process-designating information  5 . Then, the process-designating information extracting section  112  stores in the process-designating information storage section  123  only a piece of process-designating information  5  containing a command (such as “WWW Get”, “WWW Post”, “Photo Album”, or “Television Command”) designating a process that can be executed by the television  11 , from among the pieces of process-designating information  5  thus extracted (Step S 602 ) (process-designating information obtaining step). 
     Next, the process executing section  115  refers to the current display mode as controlled by the display mode control section  114 , and then executes various type of processing, depending on whether the television  11   b  is currently in (1) the album mode, (2) the browser mode, (3) the image display mode, or (4) the broadcasting mode (process executing step). 
     If the television  11   b  is currently in the album mode (YES in Step S 603 ), the process executing section  115  performs a process in the album mode (Step S 604 ). Alternatively, if the television  11   b  is currently in the browser mode (YES in Step S 605 ), the process executing section  115  performs a process in the browser mode (Step S 606 ). Alternatively, if the television  11   b  is currently in the image display mode (YES in Step S 607 ), the process executing section  115  performs a process in the image display mode (Step S 608 ). Alternatively, if the television  11   b  is currently in the broadcasting mode (YES in Step S 609 ), the process executing section  115  performs a process in the broadcasting mode (Step S 610 ). The following describes a process in the album mode, a process in the browser mode, a process in the image display mode, and a process in the broadcasting mode. 
     (Flow of a Process in the Album Mode) 
       FIG. 23  is a flow chart showing the flow of a process that the television  11   b  performs in the album mode upon receiving image data. 
     First, the process executing section  115   b  checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein (Step S 701 ). Then, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has no process-designating information  5  stored therein (YES in Step S 701 ), the process executing section  115   b  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the image display mode, and the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the image display mode (Step S 702 ). 
     After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the image data display processing section  1154   b  to perform a process. That is, the image data display processing section  1154   b  outputs the image data to the display section  133  (Step S 703 ). 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein (NO in Step S 701 ) and the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, which designates a process that is to be executed first in the album mode (YES in Step S 704 ), the process executing section  115   b  causes the photo album processing section  1152   b  to perform the process. That is, the photo album processing section  1152   b  accesses the photo album server  91  and obtains a group of photo data belonging to an album specified by the ID designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (Step S 705 ). Then, the photo album processing section  1152   b  displays in the displays section  133  a list or slide show of photos of the group of photo data thus obtained (Step S 706 ). 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (NO in Step S 704 ) and the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, which designates a process that is to be executed second in the album mode (YES in Step S 707 ), the process executing section  115   b  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the browser mode, and the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the browser mode (Step S 708 ). 
     After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  to perform the process. That is, the HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  obtains a Web page from the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the URL designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” (Step S 709 ). Then, the HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  outputs the Web page thus obtained to the display section  133  (Step S 710 ). 
     It should be noted that if the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” (NO in Step S 707 ), the process is terminated. 
     (Flow of a Process in the Browser Mode) 
       FIG. 24  is a flow chart showing the flow of a process that the television  11   b  performs in the browser mode upon receiving image data. Steps S 711 , S 712 , and S 713  are the same as Steps S 701 , S 702 , and S 703  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 24 , and as such, are not described here. 
     If the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein (NO in Step S 711 ) and the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, which designates a process that is to be executed first in the browser mode (YES in Step S 714 ), the process executing section  115   b  causes the image data display processing section  1154   b  to perform the process (Steps S 715  and S 716 ). Steps S 715  and S 716  are the same as Steps S 709  and S 710  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 23 , and as such, are not described here. 
     Alternatively, if the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” (NO in Step S 714 ) and the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, which designates a process that is to be executed second in the browser mode (YES in Step S 717 ), the process executing section  115   b  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the album mode, and the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the album mode (Step S 718 ). After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the photo album processing section  1152   b  to perform the process (Steps S 719  and S 720 ). Steps S 719  and S 720  are the same as Steps S 705  and S 706  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 23 , and as such, are not described here. 
     It should be noted that if the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (NO in Step S 717 ), the process is terminated. 
     (Flow of a Process in the Image Display Mode) 
       FIG. 25  is a flow chart showing the flow of a process that the television  11   b  performs in the image display mode upon receiving image data. 
     First, the process executing section  115   b  checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein (Step S 721 ). Then, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has no process-designating information  5  stored therein (YES in Steps S 721 ), the process executing section  115   b  causes the image data display processing section  1154   b  to perform the process. That is, the image data display processing section  1154   b  outputs the image data to the display section  133  (Step S 722 ). 
     Alternatively, in cases where the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein (NO in Step S 701 ) and the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, which designates a process that is to be executed first in the image display mode (YES in Step S 704 ), the process executing section  115   b  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the album mode, and the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the album mode (Step S 724 ). After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the photo album processing section  1152   b  to perform the process (Steps S 725  and S 726 ). Steps S 725  and S 726  are the same as Steps S 705  and S 706  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 23 , and as such, are not described here. 
     Alternatively, in cases where the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (NO in Step S 723 ) and the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, which designates a process that is to be executed second in the image display mode (YES in Step S 727 ), the process executing section  115   b  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the browser mode, and the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the browser mode (Step S 728 ). 
     After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  to perform the process (Steps S 729  and S 730 ). Steps S 729  and S 730  are the same as Steps S 709  and S 710  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 23 , and as such, are not described here. 
     It should be noted that if the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” (NO in Step S 727 ), the process is terminated. 
     (Flow of a Process in the Broadcasting Mode) 
       FIG. 26  is a flow chart showing the flow of a process that the television  11   b  performs in the broadcasting mode upon receiving image data. 
     First, the process executing section  115   b  displays in the display section  133  a confirmation window that asks the user whether or not to process the image data (Step S 731 ). Then, if the user puts into the confirmation window an input aimed at not processing the image data (NO in Step S 732 ), the process executing section  115   b  stops the confirmation window from being displayed (Step S 733 ). Then, the television  11   b  continues, in the broadcasting mode, to output, to the display section  133 , a picture on a channel received by the broadcast data receiving section  135 . 
     Alternatively, if the user puts into the confirmation window an input aimed at processing the image data (YES in Step S 732 ), the process executing section  115   b  stops the confirmation window from being displayed (Step S 734 ). Meanwhile, the picture on the channel received by the broadcast data receiving section  135  is output once again to the display section  133 . 
     Then, the process executing section  115   b  checks whether or not the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein (Step S 735 ). Then, if the process-designating information storage section  123  has no process-designating information  5  stored therein (YES in Step S 735 ), the process executing section  115   b  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the image display mode, and the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the image display mode (Step S 736 ). 
     After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the image data display processing section  1154   b  to perform the process. That is, the image data display processing section  1154   b  outputs the image data to the display section  133  (Step S 737 ). 
     Alternatively, in cases where the process-designating information storage section  123  has process-designating information  5  stored therein (NO in Step S 735 ) and the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, which designates a process that is to be executed first in the broadcasting mode (YES in Step S 738 ), the process executing section  115   b  instructs the display mode control section  114  to switch the display mode to the album mode, and the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the album mode (Step S 739 ). After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the photo album processing section  1152   b  to perform the process (Steps S 740  and S 741 ). Steps S 740  and S 741  are the same as Steps S 705  and S 706  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 23 , and as such, are not described here. 
     It should be noted that if the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (NO in Step S 738 ), the process is terminated. 
     It is hard for the user to understand what is happening when the television  11   b  abruptly changes from outputting a picture of a television broadcast to the display section  133  in the broadcasting mode to displaying a Web page in the browser mode, and this may hamper convenience for the user. Accordingly, in the flow chart above, only if the process-designating information storage section  123  has no process-designating information  5  stored therein (YES in Step S 735 ) or the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (YES in Step S 738 ), the television  11   b  performs the process. 
     Further, by displaying, in advance, in the display section  133  a confirmation window that asks the user whether or not to process the image data (Step S 731 ), the television  11   b  helps the user to understand when is going to happen. 
     It should be noted that the flow of a process in the broadcasting mode is not limited to the flow chart shown in  FIG. 26  and, for example, may be such a flow that image data is not processed in the broadcasting mode. 
     (Examples of Windows) 
     Transition from one window to another for display in the display section  133  of the television  11   b  in the flows of processes shown in  FIGS. 23 through 26  is described below with reference to  FIG. 27  by taking eight cases as examples. 
       FIG. 27  includes: (a) a diagram showing the appearance of image data, as displayed in the display section  133  in the image display mode; (b) a diagram showing the appearance of a Web page obtained from the HTTP server  90 , as displayed in the display section  133  in the browser mode; (c) a diagram showing the appearance of a list of photos represented by a group of photo data obtained from the photo album server  91 , as displayed in the display section  133  in the album mode; and (d) a diagram showing the appearance of a confirmation window that asks the user whether or not to process the image data, as displayed in the display section  133  in the broadcasting mode. 
     (Case 1) 
     First, a case is described where while displaying a Web page in the display section  133  in the browser mode as obtained from the HTTP server  90  (e.g., (b) of  FIG. 27 ), the television  11   b  has received image data containing process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”. 
     In this case, Steps S 601  and S 602  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 22  are performed, and then the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” is stored in the process-designating information storage section  123 . Then, since the television  11   b  is in the browser mode (YES in Step S 605 ), it performs a process in the browser mode (Step S 606 ). 
     That is, because in the flow chart shown in  FIG. 24  the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” (NO in Step S 711 , YES in Step S 714 ), the HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  obtains a Web page from the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the URL designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (Step S 715 ), and then outputs the Web page thus obtained to the display section  133  (Step S 716 ). 
     Therefore, the television  11   b  changes to displaying in the display section  133  a window that shows the Web page thus obtained. 
     (Case 2) 
     Next, a case is described where while displaying photos in the display section  133  in the album mode as obtained from the photo album server  91  (e.g., (c) of  FIG. 27 ), the television  11   b  has received image data containing process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”. 
     In this case, Steps S 601  and S 602  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 22  are performed, and then the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” is stored in the process-designating information storage section  123 . Then, since the television  11   b  is in the album mode (YES in Step S 603 ), it performs a process in the album mode (Step S 604 ). 
     That is, because in the flow chart shown in  FIG. 23  the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” (NO in Step S 701 , NO in Step S 704 , YES in Step S 707 ), the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the browser mode in accordance with an instruction from the process executing section  115   b  (Step S 708 ). 
     After that, the process executing section  115   b  causes the HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  to perform the process. That is, the HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  obtains a Web page from the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the URL designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” (Step S 709 ), and then outputs the Web page thus obtained to the display section  133  (Step S 710 ). 
     Therefore, the television  11   b  changes to displaying in the display section  133  a window that shows the Web page thus obtained (e.g., the window shown in (b) of  FIG. 27 ). 
     (Case 3) 
     Next, a case is described where while displaying a Web page in the display section  133  in the browser mode as obtained from the HTTP server  90  (e.g., (b) of  FIG. 27 ), the television  11   b  has received image data containing no process-designating information  5  (i.e., displaying image data  4 ). 
     In this case, Steps S 601  and S 602  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 22  are performed, but no process-designating information  5  is stored in the process-designating information storage section  123 . Then, since the television  11   b  is in the browser mode (YES in Step S 605 ), it performs a process in the browser mode (Step S 606 ). 
     That is, because in the flow chart shown in  FIG. 24  the process-designating information storage section  123  does not have stored therein process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” (YES in Step S 711 ), the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the image display mode in accordance with an instruction from the process executing section  115   b  (Step S 712 ). After that, the image data display processing section  1154   b  outputs the image data to the display section  133  (Step S 713 ). 
     Therefore, the television  11   b  changes to displaying in the display section  133  a window that shows the image data (e.g., the window shown in (a) of  FIG. 27 ). 
     (Case 4) 
     Next, a case is described where while displaying image data in the display section  133  in the image display mode (e.g., (a) of  FIG. 27 ), the television  11   b  has received image data containing process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” and process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”. In this case, Steps S 601  and S 602  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 22  are performed, and then the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” and the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” are stored in the process-designating information storage section  123 . Then, since the television  11   b  is in the image display mode (YES in Step S 607 ), it performs a process in the image display mode (Step S 608 ). 
     That is, because in the flow chart shown in  FIG. 25  the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (NO in Step S 721 , YES in Step S 723 ), the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the album mode in accordance with an instruction from the process executing section  115   b  (Step S 724 ). Then, the photo album processing section  1152   b  accesses the photo album server  91 , obtains a group of photo data belonging to an album specified by the ID designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (Step S 725 ), and then displays in the displays section  133  a list or slide show of photos of the group of photo data thus obtained (Step S 726 ). 
     Therefore, the television  11   b  changes to displaying in the display section  133  a window that shows the photos (e.g., the window shown in (c) of  FIG. 27 ). 
     In this case, although the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, the process does not reach Step S 727  as noted above; therefore; the television  11   b  does not switch to a window that shows a Web page (e.g., the window shown in (b) of  FIG. 27 ). 
     (Case 5) 
     Next, a case is described where while displaying a Web page in the display section  133  in the browser mode as obtained from the HTTP server  90  (e.g., (b) of  FIG. 27 ), the television  11   b  has received image data containing process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” and process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”. 
     In this case, Steps S 601  and S 602  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 22  are performed, and then the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” and the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” are stored in the process-designating information storage section  123 . Then, since the television  11   b  is in the browser mode (YES in Step S 605 ), it performs a process in the browser mode (Step S 606 ). 
     That is, because in the flow chart shown in  FIG. 24  the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” (NO in Step S 711 , YES in Step S 714 ), the HTTP server access processing section  1151   b  obtains a Web page from the HTTP server  90  as indicated by the URL designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” (Step S 715 ), and then outputs the Web page thus obtained to the display section  133  (Step S 716 ). 
     Therefore, the television  11   b  changes to displaying in the display section  133  a window that shows the Web page thus obtained. 
     In this case, although the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”, the process does not reach Step S 717  as noted above; therefore; the television  11   b  does not switch to a window that shows photos (e.g., the window shown in (c) of  FIG. 27 ). 
     (Case 6) 
     Next, a case is described where while displaying photos in the display section  133  in the album mode as obtained from the photo album server  91  (e.g., (c) of  FIG. 27 ), the television  11   b  has received image data containing process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” and process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”. 
     In this case, Steps S 601  and S 602  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 22  are performed, and then the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” and the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” are stored in the process-designating information storage section  123 . Then, since the television  11   b  is in the album mode (YES in Step S 603 ), it performs a process in the album mode (Step S 604 ). 
     That is, because in the flow chart shown in  FIG. 23  the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (NO in Step S 701 , YES in Step S 704 ), the photo album processing section  1152   b  accesses the photo album server  91 , obtains a group of photo data belonging to an album specified by the ID designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (Step S 705 ), and then displays in the displays section  133  a list or slide show of photos of the group of photo data thus obtained (Step S 706 ). 
     Therefore, the television  11   b  changes to displaying in the display section  133  a window that shows the photos (e.g., the window shown in (c) of  FIG. 27 ). 
     In this case, although the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”, the process does not reach Step S 707  as noted above; therefore; the television  11   b  does not switch to a window that shows a Web page (e.g., the window shown in (b) of  FIG. 27 ). 
     (Case 7) 
     Next, a case is described where while displaying a picture of a television broadcast in the display section  133  in the broadcasting mode, the television  11   b  has received image data containing process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album”. 
     In this case, Steps S 601  and S 602  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 22  are performed, and then the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” are stored in the process-designating information storage section  123 . Then, since the television  11   b  is in the broadcasting mode (YES in Step S 609 ), it performs a process in the broadcasting mode (Step S 610 ). 
     That is, in the flow chart shown in  FIG. 26 , first, the process executing section  115   b  displays in the display section  133  a confirmation window that asks the user whether or not to process the image data (Step S 731 ). The confirmation window here is described by taking as an example the window shown in (d) of  FIG. 27 . 
     Then, if the user presses the “NO” button on the window shown in (d) of  FIG. 27  (i.e., if the uses puts into the window shown in (d) of  FIG. 27  an input aimed at not processing the image data (NO in Step S 732 )), the process executing section  115   b  stops the confirmation window from being displayed (Step S 733 ). Then, the television  11   b  continues, in the broadcasting mode, to output the picture of the television broadcast to the display section  133 . 
     Alternatively, if the user presses the “YES” button on the window shown in (d) of  FIG. 27  (i.e., if the user puts into in the window shown in (d) of  FIG. 27  an input aimed at processing the image data (YES in Step S 732 )), the process executing section  115   b  stops the confirmation window from being displayed (Step S 734 ). Then, because the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (NO in Step S 735 , YES in Step S 738 ), the display mode control section  114  switches the display mode to the album mode in accordance with an instruction from the process executing section  115   b  (Step S 739 ). Then, the photo album processing section  1152   b  accesses the photo album server  91 , obtains a group of photo data belonging to an album specified by the ID designated by the parameter  7  of the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “Photo Album” (Step S 740 ), and then displays in the displays section  133  a list or slide show of photos of the group of photo data thus obtained (Step S 741 ). 
     Therefore, the television  11   b  changes to displaying in the display section  133  a window that shows the photos (e.g., the window shown in (c) of  FIG. 27 ). 
     (Case 8) 
     Next, a case is described where while displaying a picture of a television broadcast in the display section  133  in the broadcasting mode, the television  11   b  has received image data containing process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get”. 
     In this case, Steps S 601  and S 602  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 22  are performed, and then the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get” are stored in the process-designating information storage section  123 . Then, since the television  11   b  is in the broadcasting mode (YES in Step S 609 ), it performs a process in the broadcasting mode (Step S 610 ). 
     That is, in the flow chart shown in  FIG. 26 , the display section  133  displays a confirmation window that asks the user whether or not to process the image data (Step S 731 ). The process that will be performed if the “YES” or “NO” button is pressed on the confirmation window is the same as that described in Case 6, and as such, is not described here. 
     Then, after the user presses the “YES” button on the window shown in (d) of  FIG. 27  and the confirmation window is stopped from being displayed (Step S 734 ), the process is terminated without anything done (NO in Step S 735 , NO in Step S 738 ), because the process-designating information storage section  123  has stored therein the process-designating information  5  whose command name  6  is “WWW Get Album”. 
     Therefore, the television  11   b  continues to display the picture of the television broadcast in the display section  133  in the broadcasting mode. 
     (Effects) 
     As described above, the image data reception processing device according to the present embodiment extracts process-designating information  5  contained, if any, in the image data thus received, determines whether or not a process designated by the process-designating information  5  thus extracted can be executed by the image data reception processing device, and executes only a process that can be executed by the image data reception processing device. Moreover, the image data reception processing device further executes a process according to the mode of the image data reception processing device. Furthermore, the image data reception processing device executes a process in accordance with an execution order. 
     This allows the image data reception processing device according to the present embodiment to execute a process according to the mode of the image data reception processing device, from among processes that can be executed by the image data reception processing device. For this reason, by presetting for each mode only a (predictable) process expected by the user, from among the processes that can be executed by the image data reception processing device, the image data reception processing device can execute only that process. 
     In other words, for each mode, the image data reception processing device according to the present embodiment can be set not to execute a process that is not appropriate for execution (that the user does not expect to be executed) in that mode. For example, in cases where it is not appropriate for the image data reception processing device to, while displaying a picture of a television broadcast in its display section in the broadcasting mode, display a Web page in its display section as obtained from an HTTP server, the image data reception processing device can be set not to execute, in the broadcasting mode, a process for obtaining a Web page from an HTTP server, whereby the image data reception processing device can be set not to obtain a Web page from an HTTP server. 
     Furthermore, in cases where there exist a plurality of processes that are to be executed according to a mode, the processes can be executed in the mode in an order starting from an more appropriate one of the processes by presetting an execution order for the mode. It should be noted that all processes assigned execution orders do not necessarily need to be executed, and an upper limit to the number of processes that are executed may be set up in advance. 
     For example, by setting, as a process that can be executed first in a mode, a process for obtaining a group of photo data belonging to an album from a photo album server and setting, as a process that can be executed second in the mode, a process for the image data reception processing device to display a Web page in its display section as obtained from an HTTP server, the processes can be executed in the execution order. That is, the image data reception processing device first obtains a group of photo data belonging to an album from a photo album server, and then displays a Web page in its display section as obtained from an HTTP server. Alternatively, the image data reception processing device may execute only the process for obtaining a group of photo data belonging to an album from a photo album server. 
     Therefore, the present invention brings about improvement in convenience for a user who uses an operation device  20   b  to operate an image data reception processing device  10 . 
     (Note) 
     In each of the embodiments above, it is assumed that the image data is in a JPEG format; however, the image data needs only to be in a form in which a maker note region  621  can be stored. For example, the image data may be constructed by embedding an equivalent of the maker note region  621  in TIFF-format image data. Alternatively, the image data may be constructed by embedding an equivalent of the maker note region  621  in a text chunk of PNG (Portable Network Graphics)-format image data. Alternatively, the image data may be GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) image data. 
     Further, in each of the embodiments above, the image data may contain signature information for the prevention of tampering of the image data. The signature information here is supposed to certify that the process-designating information (the command name  6  and parameter  7  (e.g., URL information as a parameter of the “WWW Get” command)) contained in the image data has not been tampered. Moreover, the image data reception processing device  10  may be set to process the image data only when it finds, with reference to the signature information, that the image data has been delivered from a trustworthy provider and has not been tampered. Alternatively, in the case of image data delivered from an untrustworthy provider or image data containing no signature information, the image data reception processing device  10  may ask the user whether or not to process the image data. 
     Further, in each of the embodiments above, the IrSS protocol, which is infrared-based one-way communication, is used to transmit image data from the operation device  20  ( 20   b ) to one or more image data reception processing devices  10 . However, transmission of image data is not limited to one-way communication, but may be carried out according to an interactive response protocol. However, when there occur simultaneous responses from a plurality of image data reception processing devices  10 , communication cannot be established. Therefore, it is desirable to prevent simultaneous responses from a plurality of image data reception processing devices  10  by using such a communication protocol that there do not occur simultaneous responses or randomizing the response time. 
     Further, in each of the embodiments above, infrared-based wireless communication is used to transmit image data from the operation device  20  ( 20   b ) to one or more image data reception processing devices  10 . However, transmission of image data is not limited to infrared-based communication, but may be carried out through radio wireless communication such as Bluetooth or visible-light wireless communication. Alternatively, it is possible to connect the operation device  20  ( 20   b ) to each of the image data reception processing devices  10  through connecting means such as a conducting wire or a fiber-optic cable and transfer image data through cable communication using the connecting means. 
     It should be noted that in addition to being described above, the present invention can be expressed as follows: 
     [1] A data-processing system according to the present invention may be composed of: (a) an image data transmitting device including (a-i) image data creating means for creating image data containing plural pieces of process-designating information capable of controlling one or more image data reception processing devices and (a-ii) image data transmitting means for transmitting the image data thus created; (b) a first image data reception processing device including (b-i) first image data receiving means for receiving image data containing first process-designating information, (b-ii) first process extracting means for extracting processes from the image data thus received, (b-iii) first selecting means for selecting a process appropriate for the current status of the first image data reception processing device from among the processes thus extracted, and (b-iv) control means for executing the process thus selected; and (c) a second image data reception processing device including (c-i) second image data receiving means for receiving image data containing first process-designating information, (c-ii) second process extracting means for extracting processes from the image data thus received, (c-iii) second selecting means for selecting a process appropriate for the current status of the second image data reception processing device from among the processes thus extracted, and (c-iv) control means for executing the process thus selected. 
     [2] Furthermore, the data-processing system according to the present invention may be composed of: (a) an image data transmitting device including (a-i) image data creating means for creating image data containing plural pieces of process-designating information capable of controlling one or more image data reception processing devices and (a-ii) image data transmitting means for transmitting the image data thus created; (b) an image data relaying device including (b-i) image data receiving means for receiving image data containing plural pieces of process-designating information and (b-ii) image data transmitting means for transmitting the image data thus received; (c) a first image data reception processing device including (c-i) first image data receiving means for receiving image data containing first process-designating information, (c-ii) first process extracting means for extracting processes from the image data thus received, (c-iii) first selecting means for selecting a process appropriate for the current status of the first image data reception processing device from among the processes thus extracted, and (c-iv) control means for executing the process thus selected; and (d) a second image data reception processing device including (d-i) second image data receiving means for receiving image data containing first process-designating information, (d-ii) second process extracting means for extracting processes from the image data thus received, (d-iii) second selecting means for selecting a process appropriate for the current status of the second image data reception processing device from among the processes thus extracted, and (d-iv) control means for executing the process thus selected. 
     [3] A data-processing device according to the present invention may include: image data receiving means for receiving, from an external source, image data containing plural pieces of process-designating information capable of controlling the data-processing device; process extracting means for extracting processes from the image data thus received; selecting means for selecting a process appropriate for the current status of the data-processing device from among the processes thus extracted; and control means for executing control in accordance with the process thus selected. 
     [4] Furthermore, the data-processing device according to the present invention may receive the image data according to a one-way communication protocol whose communication medium is infrared radiation. 
     [5] An operation device according to the present invention may include: image data creating means for creating image data containing plural pieces of process-designating information capable of controlling one or more image data reception processing devices; and image data transmitting means for transmitting the image data thus created. 
     [6] Furthermore, the operation device according to the present invention may transmit the image data according to a one-way communication protocol whose communication medium is infrared radiation. 
     Finally, the control sections  110 ,  110   b ,  140 ,  170 ,  210 , and  510  may be realized by way of hardware or software as executed by a CPU as follows: The television  11  ( 11   b ), the microwave oven  12 , the recorder  13 , and the cellular phone  21  ( 21   b ) each include a CPU (central processing unit) and storage devices (recording media). The CPU (central processing unit) executes instructions in control programs realizing the functions. The memory devices include a ROM (read only memory) which contains programs, a RAM (random access memory) to which the programs are loaded, and a memory containing the programs and various data. The objective of the present invention can also be achieved by mounting to the television  11  ( 11   b ), the microwave oven  12 , the recorder  13 , and the cellular phone  21  ( 21   b ) a computer-readable recording medium containing control program code (executable program, intermediate code program, or source program) for the television  11  ( 11   b ), the microwave oven  12 , the recorder  13 , and the cellular phone  21  ( 21   b ), which is software realizing the aforementioned functions, in order for the computer (or CPU, MPU (micro processing unit)) to retrieve and execute the program code contained in the recording medium. 
     The storage medium may be, for example, a tape, such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape; a magnetic disk, such as a Floppy (Registered Trademark) disk or a hard disk, or an optical disk, such as CD-ROM/MO/MD/DVD/CD-R; a card, such as an IC card (memory card) or an optical card; or a semiconductor memory, such as a mask ROM/EPROM/EEPROM/flash ROM. 
     The television  11  ( 11   b ), the microwave oven  12 , the recorder  13 , and the cellular phone  21  ( 21   b ) may be arranged to be connectable to a communications network so that the program code may be delivered over the communications network. The communications network is not limited in any particular manner, and may be, for example, the Internet, an intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communications network, virtual dedicated network (virtual private network), telephone line network, mobile communications network, or satellite communications network. The transfer medium which makes up the communications network is not limited in any particular manner, and may be, for example, wired line, such as IEEE 1394, USB, electric power line, cable TV line, telephone line, or ADSL line; or wireless, such as infrared radiation (IrDA, remote control), Bluetooth (Registered Trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile telephone network, satellite line, or terrestrial digital network. The present invention encompasses a carrier wave or data signal transmission in which the program code is embodied electronically. 
     The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments above, but may be altered by a skilled person within the scope of the claims. An embodiment based on a proper combination of technical means disclosed in different embodiments is encompassed in the technical scope of the present invention. 
     The embodiments and concrete examples of implementation discussed in the foregoing detailed explanation serve solely to illustrate the technical details of the present invention, which should not be narrowly interpreted within the limits of such embodiments and concrete examples, but rather may be applied in many variations within the spirit of the present invention, provided such variations do not exceed the scope of the patent claims set forth below. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention can be applied to a data-processing device that receives data outputted from an operation device and executes a process in accordance with the data thus received. In particular, the present invention can be suitably applied to an image data-processing device that receives image data outputted from an operation device and executes a process in accordance with the image data thus received. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               3  Operating image data (operation data) 
               5  Process-designating information 
               6  Command name 
               7  Parameter 
               10  Image data reception processing device (data-processing device) 
               11 ,  11   b  Television (data-processing device) 
               12  Microwave oven (data-processing device) 
               13  Recorder (data-processing device) 
               20 ,  20   b  Operation device 
               21 ,  21   b  Cellular phone (operation device) 
               111  Image data receiving section (process-designating information obtaining means) 
               112  Process-designating information extracting section (process-designating information obtaining means, process-designating information extracting means) 
               112   b  Process-designating information extracting section (process-designating information obtaining means, process-designating information extracting means) 
               114  Display mode control section 
               115  Process executing section (process executing means) 
               115   b  Process executing section (current mode obtaining means, process executing means) 
               122 ,  122   b  Executable process storage section 
               123  Process-designating information storage section 
               141  Image data receiving section (process-designating information obtaining means) 
               142  Process-designating information extracting section (process-designating information obtaining means, process-designating information extracting means) 
               145  Process executing section (process executing means) 
               152  Executable process storage section 
               153  Process-designating information storage section 
               171  Image data receiving section (process-designating information obtaining means) 
               172  Process-designating information extracting section (process-designating information obtaining means, process-designating information extracting means) 
               175  Process executing section (process executing means) 
               182  Executable process storage section 
               183  Process-designating information storage section 
               900 ,  910  Data-processing system