Abstract:
When data necessary for executing functions not stored in an information processing apparatus are primary data and secondary data, the functions not originally mounted in the information processing apparatus are executed by acquiring the primary data from a memory, and the secondary data from another apparatus through the intermediary of an interface. Thus, even with a recording and reproduction apparatus which does not store software necessary for implementing various functions in recording, transmitting, and displaying data, because of insufficient hardware resources, the various functions for recording, transmitting, and displaying the data can be implemented.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to information processing technology, and, in particular, to information processing technology enabling functions not on the motherboard of a recording and reproduction apparatus. The device itself is implemented by obtaining the functions from another apparatus.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     An apparatus is known for transmitting and receiving the data needed for reproduction and display using communication means when a reproduction function is used. For example, JP-A No. 325221/2002, discloses a recording and reproduction apparatus for downloading information on a play list to a recording medium with the information already recorded therein, by connecting the recording and reproduction apparatus to an external server and recording the information on the play list to allow reproducing the information in accordance with the play list.  
         [0005]     JP-A No. 354149/2002, discloses a portable terminal wherein an inquiry is sent to image pickup apparatuses within communication range to thereby establish a connection with one image pickup apparatus responding to the inquiry. A request for image list information is sent to the image pickup apparatus to choose the class of data to be received based on the image list information. Then a request for the selected class of data is sent to the image pickup apparatus, and a request for images selected is sent to the image pickup apparatus, thereby effecting receipt of the images.  
         [0006]     With a recording and reproduction apparatus having a conventional communication function, to transmit and display data being recorded or already recorded by communicating with another apparatus, software used to be pre-mounted in the recording and reproduction apparatus itself or in the other apparatus. Unless software is installed in the recording and reproduction apparatus or in the other apparatus, it is difficult to transmit and display data being recorded or already recorded by communicating with another apparatus.  
         [0007]     With recording and reproduction apparatus, particularly portable equipment such as a camera, however, it is difficult to store all the necessary software for transmission and display of data, because memory and other hardware resources are limited.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     This invention provides information processing technology capable of implementing various functions in recording, transmitting, and displaying data, even when insufficiency of hardware resources makes it impossible to install all the software necessary for implementing the various functions in recording, transmitting, and displaying data. To that end, with the invention, the functions not mounted in a recording and reproduction apparatus are implemented by receiving the necessary data from another apparatus through a communication means.  
         [0009]     With the invention, even in the case of a recording and reproduction apparatus wherein it is not possible to mount the software necessary for implementing various functions in recording, transmitting, and displaying data, because of insufficient hardware resources, the various functions for recording, transmitting, and displaying the data can be implemented. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of hardware for two embodiments.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a conceptual illustration showing the disposition of common software for one embodiment;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart explaining selection of function data for image pick up according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing procedural steps in selection of function data for image pick up;  
         [0014]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are illustrations showing the disposition of common software shown for another embodiment;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6A  shows a browsing screen for the configuration of one embodiment and  FIG. 6B  shows a browsing screen for another embodiment; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 7A  shows a flowchart for an example using the configuration shown in  FIG. 5A ; while  FIG. 7B  shows a flowchart according to a further embodiment.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     Embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter. The outline of the embodiments is as follows. With reference to software, for use at a time of recording image pickup data while applying a special process thereto, and software (particularly, a graphics data portion requiring a large storage capacity) such as an editing program, the software incorporated of a second recording and reproduction apparatus is used as necessary by executing communication with the first recording and reproduction apparatus when a user makes use of the functions of the software, so that even portable equipment with insufficient hardware resources can implement various functions.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of hardware. Using recording and reproduction apparatus  101  as an example of an information processing apparatus, an image processor  104  executes processing of image information delivered from an image pickup device (not shown). A controller  105  controls various devices for image pickup and various processing, and also controls a power source and conditions of peripheral devices. A memory  106  is used as the work memory of software, a buffer for storing image pickup data, and a buffer for storing communication information. An external memory  107  records the image information processed by image processor  104  in the recording media (not shown). A communication interface I/F  108  controls data transmission with the other apparatus  102 . A display  109  displays the image information.  
         [0019]     Recording and reproduction apparatus  101  is connected to other apparatus  102  by connection means  103  for transmission through-a wire such as a cable, or by wireless transmission. Further, a server functional unit  110  is provided.  
         [0020]     A first embodiment, which can be implemented with the use of the hardware shown in  FIG. 1 , is now described.  FIG. 2  is a conceptual illustration showing disposition of software according to the first embodiment. A recording and reproduction apparatus  201  corresponds to the recording and reproduction apparatus  101  shown in  FIG. 1 . An apparatus  202  corresponds to the apparatus  102  shown in  FIG. 1 . Control data  203  controls function data for use when recording picked-up images in recording and reproduction apparatus  201 . Indoor-recording-adaptive function data  204  are function data suitable for indoor-image-pickup recording. Control data  203  and indoor-recording-adaptive function data  204  are individually stored in memory  106 . Outdoor-recording-adaptive function data  205  are function data stored in apparatus  202 , suitable for outdoor-image-pickup recording.  
         [0021]     When executing indoor-image-pickup recording with recording and reproduction apparatus  201 , controller  105  causes image processor  104  to process image pickup data by utilizing control data  203  and indoor-recording-adaptive function data  204 , stored in memory  106 . The processed image pickup data are recorded on the recording medium by external memory  107 . During image-pickup recording, images are sent to display  109  by controller  105 , so that a user can check the images. Further, controller  105  fetches the image pickup data from the recording medium by controlling external memory  107 , and image processor  104  processes, as necessary, the image pickup data fetched before sending the same to display  109 , thereby enabling the user to see the image pickup data already recorded. Control data  203 , indoor-recording-adaptive function data  204 , and outdoor-recording-adaptive function data  205  are program data.  
         [0022]     When executing outdoor-image-pickup recording with recording and reproduction apparatus  201 , it is appropriate to execute image-pickup recording using outdoor-recording-adaptive function data  205 . However, there is no choice other than using indoor-recording-adaptive function data  204 , because storing outdoor-recording-adaptive function data  205  and maintaining it as suitable for use at a later time, in recording and reproduction apparatus  201  is impossible because the hardware resources are insufficient.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2B  is a conceptual illustration showing disposition of software according to the present embodiment. A record and reproduction apparatus  206  corresponds to record and reproduction apparatus  101  shown in  FIG. 1 . An apparatus  207  corresponds to apparatus  102  shown in  FIG. 1 . Connection means  208  corresponds to connection means  103  in  FIG. 1 . Control data  209  control function data for use when recording in the recording and reproduction apparatus  206 . Indoor-recording-adaptive function data  210  are function data suitable for indoor-image-pickup recording. Outdoor-recording-adaptive function data  211  are function data suitable for outdoor-image-pickup recording, and are stored in apparatus  207 , but can be utilized in recording and reproduction apparatus  206  as well.  
         [0024]     When executing outdoor-image-pickup recording with recording and reproduction apparatus  206 , controller  105  causes image processor  104  to process the image pickup data by using indoor-recording-adaptive function data  210  stored in memory  106 . The processed image pickup data are recorded on the recording medium by external memory  107 .  
         [0025]     If controller  105  determines at this point that outdoor-recording-adaptive function data  211  stored in apparatus  207  are more appropriate for processing the image pickup data than indoor-recording-adaptive function data  210  stored in memory  106 , recording and reproduction apparatus  206  and apparatus  207  are connected with each other by connection means  208  through-wire or wireless transmission, whereupon control data  209  stored in memory  106  and indoor-recording-adaptive function data  211  are used in recording and reproduction apparatus  206  to effect image pickup. During recording are sent to display  109  by controller  105 , so that the user can check the images. Further, images already recorded are also displayed for the user after controller  105  fetches the image pickup data from the recording medium by controlling external memory  107 , and image processor  104  processes, as necessary, the image pickup data fetched to be sent to display  109 . The same applies when indoor-recording-adaptive function data (effect function)  210  suitable for indoor-image-pickup recording is used on the part of apparatus  207 . Since both the apparatuses can have the data in common in this way, more functions can be used, thereby enabling functions and operability to be enhanced.  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart for a first embodiment. When image pickup is started with recording and reproduction apparatus  101  or apparatus  102 , controller  105  selects and determines whether or not necessary function data are in memory  106 , or external memory  107  in Step  301 . If controller  105  selects the necessary function data at this point and determines that the data exists internally, controller  105  causes processing to be executed at image processor  104  using the function data stored in memory  106  or in external memory  107  in Step  302 . If controller  105  determines that the necessary function data are externally stored at the time of image pickup, communication interface I/F  108  executes communication processing in Step  303 , and image processor  104  is made to process the image pickup data using an external effect function in Step  304 , while controller  105  records data with image pickup/recording processing applied thereto in external memory  107  in Step  305 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing the above-described steps in sequence. Reference numeral  401  denotes an apparatus requiring functions (recording and reproduction apparatus  101  in  FIG. 1 ), and  402  denotes an apparatus providing the functions (apparatus  102  in  FIG. 1 ). Apparatus  401  is started up (Step  403 ) and executes function selection for image pickup (Step  404 ). Apparatus  401  determines which internal function and external function connected thereto is appropriate as the necessary function (Step  405 ). If an appropriate function exists internally (apparatus  401 ), a request for image pickup function data  408  is made (Step  406 ), whereas if the appropriate function exists externally (apparatus  402 ), a request for image pickup function data  409  is made (Step  407 ). If the appropriate function exists inside apparatus  401 , data transmission of the function is executed without further processing (Step  410 ) to thereby start image pickup (Step  411 ).  
         [0028]     A configuration example of another embodiment is described with reference to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5A  is a conceptual illustration showing disposition of common software shown for expediency in describing the present embodiment. A recording and reproduction apparatus  501  corresponds to the recording and reproduction apparatus  101  shown in  FIG. 1 . An apparatus  502  corresponds to the apparatus  102  shown in  FIG. 1 . Connection means  503  corresponds to the connection means  103  in  FIG. 1 . Reference numerals  504  to  508  each denote data necessary for operating, transmitting, and receiving data using a web browser with recording and reproduction apparatus  501  and apparatus  502 . Browser display data A  504  are the main constituent data of a web page. Browser display data B  505  are constituent data of the web page. Graphics data  506  are for use in design of the web page. Contents data  507  are control data for contents data in the recording and reproduction apparatus  501 , contents data. Web browser  508  is a fully functional browser capable of web-lounging.  
         [0029]     Server functional unit  110  of the recording and reproduction apparatus  101  in  FIG. 1  is an HTTP server. When operating the contents data in the recording and reproduction apparatus  501  with apparatus  502 , which is an external apparatus, server  110  sends a request to recording and reproduction apparatus  501  through connection means  503  using the web browser, and receives constituent data  504  to  506  of the web page stored therein to execute operation of contents data  507  using web browser  508 . When recording and reproduction apparatus  501  is an apparatus such as a portable terminal, in which hardware resources are insufficient, it is difficult to store therein graphics data and the like, which require a large hard disk capacity. For this reason, the web page needs be configured so as not to use data requiring a large hard disk capacity, such as for graphics and the like. Further, on a navigation screen as well as a control screen of recording and reproduction apparatus  509 , similar effects can be obtained using graphics data and the like separately stored in apparatus  502 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 5B  is a conceptual illustration showing disposition of software according to the present embodiment. Recording and reproduction apparatus  509  corresponds to recording and reproduction apparatus  101  shown in  FIG. 1 . Apparatus  510  corresponds to apparatus  102  shown in  FIG. 1 . Connection means  511  correspond to connection means  103  in  FIG. 1 . Reference numerals  512  to  516  each denote data necessary for operating, transmitting, and receiving contents data using a web browser with recording and reproduction apparatus  509  and apparatus  511 . Browser display data A  512  are main constituent data of a web page. Contents data  513  are control data for contents data in recording and reproduction apparatus  509 , and contents data. Browser display data B  514  are constituent data of the web page. Graphics data  515  are for use in design of the web page. Web browser  516  is a browser capable of web-lounging. Server functional unit  110  of recording and reproduction apparatus  101  in  FIG. 1  is an HTTP server, and apparatus  510  is an apparatus larger in hard disk capacity than the recording and reproduction apparatus  509 . Connection means  511  for connecting recording and reproduction apparatus  509  to apparatus  510  are means for wireless transmission. When recording and reproduction apparatus  509  is an apparatus such as a portable terminal, for which hardware resources are insufficient, it is difficult to store therein graphics data and the like that require a large hard disk capacity. When operating the contents data in recording and reproduction apparatus  509  with apparatus  510 , which is an external apparatus, data  512  to  516 , necessary for operating, transmitting, and receiving the contents data by use of a web browser, are separately stored. The browser display data B  514  and graphics data  515 , large in data capacity and data-separable, respectively, are stored in apparatus  510  which has greater hard disk capacity than recording and reproduction apparatus  509 . In this way, the web page can be configured, resulting in enhancement in design characteristics and ease of operation by a user.  
         [0031]     Display examples for another embodiment are browsing screens shown in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6A  shows an example of a display screen  601  when using the configuration shown in  FIG. 5A .  FIG. 6B  shows an example of a display screen  602  when using the configuration shown in  FIG. 5B , that is, the configuration of another embodiment. In  FIG. 6B , frames (partition frames)  603  to  607  make up a web page. In designing a page that can be displayed by the web browser, such as display screen  601 , a multitude of browser display data and graphics data are required.  
         [0032]     However, because it is difficult to store all the browser display data and graphics data making up the web page shown in the example, in recording and reproduction apparatus  101 , all data contained in the frames, other than frame  607 , are stored in apparatus  102 . Data contained in frame  607  include data being controlled by apparatus  101 , and are therefore stored in that apparatus. Those data can be separately stored, and operational convenience from a user&#39;s point of view is the same as that in the case of a common web page for storing all data in either of the apparatuses. That is, even in a situation where graphics data and the like are not stored in recording and reproduction apparatus  101 , for which hardware resources are insufficient, display and operation can be executed as for a high-quality web page.  
         [0033]     Now, receiving of respective data is described with reference to  FIG. 7 , a data reproduction flowchart.  FIG. 7A  shows a web browsing flow using the configuration shown in  FIG. 5A . Apparatus  102  requests the browser display data from recording and reproduction apparatus  101  to acquire desired data. In Step  702 , the browser display data are received, and in Step  703 , tags of these data are analyzed. In Step  704 , link data from the analyzed data are requested and received. Then, a display is executed at web browser  508  and kept on a local disk.  
         [0034]      FIG. 7B  shows, browsing flow, which uses the configuration shown in  FIG. 5B , that is, the configuration of another embodiment. Apparatus  102  requests the browser display data from recording and reproduction apparatus  101  to acquire desired data. At Step  707 , the browser display data are received, and at Step  708 , tags of these data are analyzed. Thereupon, at Step  709 , determination is made of whether the data are in recording and reproduction apparatus  101  or in apparatus  102 , and at Step  710 , the data are either received from apparatus  102 , which is an external apparatus connected to apparatus  101 , or at Step  711 , the data are downloaded from a local disk, to thereby be displayed by web browser  516  (not shown), which is kept on a local disk. Further, acquisition of the data from other apparatuses is possible. As a result, operability as well as design characteristics of apparatus  102  is enhanced.