Radio communication apparatus and radio communication method, radio communication system, recording medium, and computer program

Abstract

The present invention relates to a radio communication apparatus and a radio communications method, a radio communication system, a recording medium, and a computer program in which a response signal to an inquiry is returned to a master only when instructions to perform radio communications are issued. A CPU 51 blinks LED 56 when an inquiry signal is received, and transmits a response to the inquiry signal when a user who has referred to lighting of the LED 56 operates a connection response button 53. The connection response button 53 is operated when the user issues radio communications instructions with respect to the inquiry signal. In other words, even when wireless headphones 2 are within an area capable of radio communications with the master, only if the connection response button 53 is operated by the user, it sends to the master a response to the inquiry, and establishes connection. The present invention may be applied to a wireless storage server, wireless headphones, and audio reproduction apparatuses.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A first radio communication apparatus configured for short range wireless radio communication with a second radio communication apparatus, the first radio communication apparatus comprising:
 first input means for receiving a user input that configures the first radio communication apparatus to broadcast an inquiry signal, wherein a unique identification for the second radio communication apparatus is not specified in the inquiry signal from the first radio communication apparatus:   receiving means for receiving predetermined information from the second radio communication apparatus, wherein the predetermined information is sent in response to user input to the second radio communication apparatus; and   communicating means for communicating, using short range wireless radio, with the second radio communication apparatus based on the predetermined information.   
     
     
       2. A short range wireless communications method for a first radio communication apparatus configured for communicating with a second radio communication apparatus, the method comprising:
 receiving a user input that configures the first radio communication apparatus to broadcast an inquiry signal, wherein a unique identification for the second radio communication apparatus is not specified in the inquiry signal from the first radio communication apparatus;   receiving predetermined information from the second radio communication apparatus, wherein the predetermined information is sent in response to user input to the second radio communication apparatus; and   communicating, using short range wireless radio, with the second radio communication apparatus based on the predetermined information.   
     
     
       3. A transmission apparatus used in a wireless communication system, comprising:
 an inquiry signal sending unit configured to send an inquiry signal to search for at least a receiver apparatus to communicate with the transmission apparatus, the inquiry signal being receivable at a plurality of receiver apparatuses;   a receiving unit configured to receive a predetermined signal from one of the plurality of the plurality of receiver apparatuses, the predetermined signal including information indicating whether a user input has been detected on the receiver apparatus; and   an establishing unit configured to establish a connection with the receiver apparatus based on said predetermined signal.   
     
     
       4. The transmission apparatus of claim 3, wherein the predetermined signal is transmitted from the receiver apparatus when a user input has been detected on the receiver apparatus within a predetermined period from a detection of a user input on the transmission apparatus. 
     
     
       5. The transmission apparatus of claim 3, wherein the predetermined signal includes a destination address and a source address subsequent to the destination address. 
     
     
       6. The transmission apparatus of claim 3, wherein one of a plurality of roles is selected according to timing of receiving the predetermined signal. 
     
     
       7. The transmission apparatus of claim 6, wherein one of the plurality of roles has an initiative of a communication. 
     
     
       8. The transmission apparatus of claim 6, wherein:
 one of the plurality of roles is a master, and   another one of the plurality of roles is a slave.   
     
     
       9. An information processing apparatus used in a wireless communication system, comprising:
 a processor for executing program instructions; and   a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program instructions, the program instructions, when executed by the processor, performing a process to:
 send an inquiry signal to search for at least a receiver apparatus to communicate with the transmission apparatus, the inquiry signal being receivable at a plurality of receiver apparatuses; 
 receive a predetermined signal from one of the plurality of receiver apparatuses, the predetermined signal including information indicating whether a user input has been detected on the receiver apparatus; and 
 establish a connection with the receiver apparatus based on said predetermined signal. 
   
     
     
       10. The information processing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, perform a process to send video data after establishing the connection with the receiver apparatus. 
     
     
       11. The information processing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the predetermined signal is transmitted from the receiver apparatus when a user input has been detected on the receiver apparatus within a predetermined period from a detection of a user input on the transmission apparatus. 
     
     
       12. The transmission apparatus of claim 11, wherein the predetermined signal includes a destination address and a source address subsequent to the destination address. 
     
     
       13. The transmission apparatus of claim 12, wherein one of a plurality of roles is selected according to timing of receiving the predetermined signal. 
     
     
       14. The transmission apparatus of claim 13, wherein one of the plurality of roles has an initiative of a communication. 
     
     
       15. The transmission apparatus of claim 14, wherein;
 one of the plurality of roles is a master, and   another one of the plurality of roles is a slave.   
     
     
       16. A transmission apparatus configured to wirelessly transmit data to a plurality of receiver apparatuses, comprising:
 a processor for executing program instructions; and   a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program instructions, the program instructions, when executed by the processor, performing a process to:
 send an inquiry signal to search for at least a receiver apparatus to communicate with the transmission apparatus, wherein the inquiry signal is receivable at a plurality of receiver apparatuses; 
 receive a predetermined signal from one of the plurality of receiver apparatuses, the predetermined signal including information indicating whether a user input has been detected on the receiver apparatus; and 
 establish a connection with the receiver apparatus based on the predetermined signal; and 
   at least an antenna configured to wirelessly transmit the inquiry signal to the receiver apparatus and receive the predetermined signal.   
     
     
       17. The transmission apparatus of claim 16, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, perform a process to send video data after establishing the connection with the receiver apparatus. 
     
     
       18. The transmission apparatus of claim 16, wherein the predetermined signal is transmitted from the receiver apparatus when a user input has been detected on the receiver apparatus within a predetermined period from a detection of a user input on the transmission apparatus. 
     
     
       19. The transmission apparatus of claim 18, wherein the predetermined signal includes a destination address and a source address subsequent to the destination address. 
     
     
       20. The transmission apparatus of claim 19, wherein one of a plurality of roles is selected according to timing of receiving the predetermined signal. 
     
     
       21. The transmission apparatus of claim 20, wherein one of the plurality of roles has an initiative of a communication. 
     
     
       22. The transmission apparatus of claim 21, wherein
 one of the plurality of roles is a master, and   another one of the plurality of roles is a slave.   
     
     
       23. A receiver apparatus configured to wirelessly receive data from a transmission apparatus, comprising:
 at least an antenna configured to wirelessly receive data;   a push button configured to input a user input;   a processor for executing program instructions; and   a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program instructions, the program instructions, when executed by the processor, performing a process to:
 receive an inquiry signal to search for at least a receiver apparatus to communicate with the transmission apparatus, wherein the inquiry signal is receivable at a plurality of receiver apparatuses; 
 detect a user input from the push button; 
 send a predetermined signal including information indicating whether a user input has been detected on the receiver apparatus; and 
 establish a connection with the transmission apparatus based on the predetermined signal. 
   
     
     
       24. The receiver apparatus of claim 23, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, perform a process to receive video data after establishing the connection with the transmission apparatus. 
     
     
       25. The receiver apparatus of claim 23, wherein the predetermined signal is transmitted from the receiver apparatus when a user input has been detected on the receiver apparatus within a predetermined period from a detection of a user input on the transmission apparatus. 
     
     
       26. The receiver apparatus of claim 25, wherein the predetermined signal includes a destination address and a source address subsequent to the destination address. 
     
     
       27. The receiver apparatus of claim 26, wherein one of a plurality of roles is selected according to timing of sending the predetermined signal. 
     
     
       28. The receiver apparatus of claim 27, wherein one of the plurality of roles has an initiative of a communication. 
     
     
       29. The receiver apparatus of claim 28, wherein:
 one of the plurality of roles is a master, and   another one of the plurality of roles is a slave.   
     
     
       30. The receiver apparatus of claim 29, further comprising an LED configured to notify a status for establishing the connection. 
     
     
       31. A radio communication apparatus comprising:
 a user interface configured to receive a user input;   a circuitry configured to generate an inquiry signal to a plurality of communication apparatuses, and to receive predetermined information from at least one of the plurality of communication apparatuses,   wherein the predetermined information is sent in response to a user input to one of the plurality of communication apparatuses.   
     
     
       32. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the inquiry signal does not identify each of the plurality of communication apparatuses. 
     
     
       33. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the inquiry signal is a broadcast signal. 
     
     
       34. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the predetermined information includes information indicating that one of the plurality of communication apparatus has been selected. 
     
     
       35. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the predetermined information includes a transmitter address. 
     
     
       36. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the predetermined information further includes a destination address that precedes the transmitter address. 
     
     
       37. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the circuitry is configured to receive information based on a Bluetooth communication. 
     
     
       38. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein a notification unit is configured to notify that a data link has been established. 
     
     
       39. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein a notification unit is configured to notify that a data link has not been established. 
     
     
       40. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the user interface is a button that is physically depressed. 
     
     
       41. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein a speaker outputs an audio signal. 
     
     
       42. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising an additional input unit that is different from the user interface. 
     
     
       43. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the user interface is a touch panel. 
     
     
       44. A radio communication method comprising:
 receiving a user input via a user interface;   generating an inquiry signal to a plurality of communication apparatuses; and   receiving predetermined information from at least one of the plurality of communication apparatuses,   wherein the predetermined information is sent in response to a user input to one of the plurality of communication apparatuses.   
     
     
       45. The radio communication method according to claim 44, wherein the inquiry signal does not identify each of the plurality of communication apparatuses. 
     
     
       46. The radio communication method according to claim 44, wherein the inquiry signal is a broadcast signal. 
     
     
       47. The radio communication method according to claim 44, wherein the predetermined information includes information indicating that one of the plurality of communication apparatus has been selected. 
     
     
       48. The radio communication method according to claim 44, wherein the predetermined information includes a transmitter address. 
     
     
       49. The radio communication method according to claim 48, wherein the predetermined information further includes a destination address that precedes the transmitter address. 
     
     
       50. The radio communication method according to claim 44, further comprising receiving information based on a Bluetooth communication. 
     
     
       51. The radio communication method according to claim 44, further comprising notifying that a data link has been established. 
     
     
       52. The radio communication method according to claim 44, further comprising notifying that a data link has not been established. 
     
     
       53. The radio communication method according to claim 44, wherein the user interface is a button that is physically depressed and the user input is received via the button. 
     
     
       54. The radio communication method according to claim 44, further comprising outputting an audio signal using a speaker. 
     
     
       55. The radio communication method according to claim 44, further comprising receiving an additional user input via an additional input unit that is different from the user interface. 
     
     
       56. The radio communication method according to claim 44, wherein the user interface is a touch panel and the user input is received via the touch panel.