U.S. patent application number 14/790981 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-29 for information input device, information output device, information processing system, and computer-readable recording medium.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sachiko ABE. Invention is credited to Sachiko ABE.
Application Number | 20150312244 14/790981 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50996886 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150312244 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ABE; Sachiko |
October 29, 2015 |
INFORMATION INPUT DEVICE, INFORMATION OUTPUT DEVICE, INFORMATION
PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM
Abstract
The present invention is concerning to an information processing
system includes an information input device and an information
output device. The information input device includes a
communication module that establishes communication with one or
more information output devices, an information acquiring module
that acquires device information of the respective information
output devices including an identification code used only for
identifying the information output device and makes a storage
module store therein the device information, an input receiving
module that receives an entry of an identification code, and a
device specifying module that searches the device information
acquired from the respective information output devices to specify
the information output device to which the information is to be
transmitted based on the identification code received and gives
instructions to the communication module to transmit the
information using the device information of the information output
device specified.
Inventors: |
ABE; Sachiko; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ABE; Sachiko |
Kanagawa |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
50996886 |
Appl. No.: |
14/790981 |
Filed: |
July 2, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14136094 |
Dec 20, 2013 |
9130924 |
|
|
14790981 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
726/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 63/083 20130101;
H04N 5/23203 20130101; H04L 63/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/06 20060101
H04L029/06; H04N 5/232 20060101 H04N005/232 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 27, 2012 |
JP |
2012-284979 |
Claims
1. An information input device that performs a process of
transmitting information to an information output device to make
the information output device output the information, the
information input device comprising: a communication module
configured to establish communication with one or more of such
information output devices; an information acquiring module
configured to acquire device information of the respective
information output devices including an identification code used
only for identifying each of the information output devices; an
input receiving module configured to receive an entry of an
identification code; and a device specifying module configured to
search the device information acquired from the respective
information output devices to specify the information output device
to which the information is to be transmitted based on the
identification code received, and give instructions to the
communication module to transmit the information using the device
information of the information output device specified.
2. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the
communication module detects a signal including the device
information transmitted by the information output device at a
specific time interval, and establishes communication with the
information output device.
3. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the
input receiving module makes a display device display an entry
screen having only a single entry window for entering the
identification code.
4. The information input device according to claim 3, wherein the
input window permits an address of or a device name of the
information output device to be entered in place of the
identification code.
5. The information input device according to claim 4, wherein the
entry screen has a plurality of entry windows for entering a
plurality of the identification codes, the addresses, or the device
names.
6. An information output device that performs a process of
displaying information received from the information input device
according to claim 1, the information output device comprising: an
identification code generator configured to generate an
identification code that is used only for identifying the
information output device using assignment information assigned to
the information output device or input information entered; a
communication module configured to transmit device information of
the information output device including the identification code as
a signal at a specific time interval, and establish communication
with the information input device; and a display module configured
to display the information received from the information input
device by the communication module.
7. The information output device according to claim 6, wherein the
display module displays the identification code generated so as to
be entered in the information input device.
8. The information output device according to claim 6, wherein the
assignment information is a MAC address or a production number.
9. The information output device according to claim 6, wherein the
communication module acquires one or more pieces of device
information of one or more other information output devices from
the other information output devices, and the identification code
generator checks whether or not the identification code generated
is duplicative of one or more identification codes included in the
one or more pieces of device information acquired and modifies,
when the identification code is duplicative, the identification
code not to be duplicative.
10. The information output device according to claim 9, further
comprising a notifying module configured to give, when the
identification code is duplicative, notice of the identification
code being duplicative.
11. An information processing system including: an information
input device that performs a process of transmitting information to
an information output device to make the information output device
output the information, the information input device comprising: a
communication module configured to establish communication with one
or more of such information output devices; an information
acquiring module configured to acquire device information of the
respective information output devices including an identification
code used only for identifying each of the information output
devices; an input receiving module configured to receive an entry
of an identification code; and a device specifying module
configured to search the device information acquired from the
respective information output devices to specify the information
output device to which the information is to be transmitted based
on the identification code received, and give instructions to the
communication module to transmit the information using the device
information of the information output device specified, wherein the
information processing system further includes one or more of such
information output devices according to claim 6.
12. The information processing system according to claim 11,
further comprises a server configured to provide information,
wherein the server holds an identification code used only for
identifying the server, and the information input device receives
the information provided from the server and transmits the
information to the information output device to make the
information output device display the information in response to
receiving an entry of the identification code of the server and an
entry of the identification code of the information output
device.
13. The information processing system according to claim 11,
further comprises a storage medium configured to store therein
information, wherein the storage medium holds an identification
code used only for identifying the storage medium, and the
information input device acquires the information from the storage
medium and transmits the information to the information output
device to make the information output device display the
information in response to receiving an entry of the identification
code of the storage medium and an entry of the identification code
of the information output device.
14. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that
contains a computer program readable by and executed by an
information processing system including an information input device
that includes a computer and transmits information and an
information output device that outputs the information received,
the computer program causing the computer included in the
information processing system to execute: establishing
communication between the information input device and one or more
of such information output devices; acquiring device information of
the respective information output devices including an
identification code used only for identifying each of the
information output devices; receiving an entry of an identification
code; and searching the device information acquired from the
respective information output devices to specify the information
output device to which the information is to be transmitted based
on the identification code received and transmitting the
information to the information output device specified using the
device information of the information output device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/136,094 filed Dec. 20, 2013, which claims
priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-284979 filed in
Japan on Dec. 27, 2012. The entire contents of both of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an information input device
that input therein information, an information output device that
outputs the information, an information processing system that
includes the information input device and the information output
device, and a computer-readable recording medium that includes a
computer program for the information processing system.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In meetings and presentations, projectors that enlarge and
project the content of information are used. In recent years, to
enlarge and project the content of a display screen of an
information input device such as a PC, a projector has increasingly
been used with the information input device connected via a network
in wired or wireless communications.
[0006] However, when establishing a connection between the
information input device and the projector in a wired or wireless
manner, it may sometimes be hard to connect. The cause thereof
falls into several categories such as configuration settings and
device settings but is difficult to isolate, and thus there are
many cases that cannot be resolved. For this reason, projectors are
recognized as hard-to-use. In particular, because the operation
procedures and set-up procedures of devices are very cumbersome and
complicated and are hard to understand, the connection with an
information input device is considered to be difficult.
[0007] Consequently, disclosed is a conventional method in which a
password is displayed on a screen of a projector, and by entering
the password on a screen of a PC, a connection is easily achieved
(For example, Japanese Patent No. 3707407).
[0008] In the above-described method, the password for
communication to safely perform communication between the PC and
the projector is entered. While a password is not normally
disclosed considering a security aspect, the password is disclosed
in this method because the projector is a device that is often used
in a small space such as a meeting room.
[0009] However, even though it is used in a small space, this
password is the information of a code used in communication
connection, thereby causing a problem in that the security cannot
be ensured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to at least
partially solve the problems in the conventional technology.
[0011] According to the present invention, there is provided: an
information input device that performs a process of transmitting
information to an information output device to make the information
output device output the information, the information input device
comprising: a communication module configured to establish
communication with one or more of such information output devices;
an information acquiring module configured to acquire device
information of the respective information output devices including
an identification code used only for identifying each of the
information output devices; an input receiving module configured to
receive an entry of an identification code; and a device specifying
module configured to search the device information acquired from
the respective information output devices to specify the
information output device to which the information is to be
transmitted based on the identification code received, and give
instructions to the communication module to transmit the
information using the device information of the information output
device specified.
[0012] The present invention also provides an information output
device that performs a process of displaying information received
from the above-described information input device, the information
output device comprises: an identification code generator
configured to generate an identification code that is used only for
identifying the information output device using assignment
information assigned to the information output device or input
information entered; a communication module configured to transmit
device information of the information output device including the
identification code as a signal at a specific time interval, and
establish communication with the information input device; and a
display module configured to display the information received from
the information input device by the communication module.
[0013] The present invention also provides an information
processing system comprising: the above-described information input
device; and one or more of such information output devices
described above.
[0014] The present invention also provides a non-transitory
computer-readable recording medium that contains a computer program
readable by and executed by an information processing system
including an information input device that includes a computer and
transmits information and an information output device that outputs
the information received, the computer program causing the computer
included in the information processing system to execute:
establishing communication between the information input device and
one or more of such information output devices; acquiring device
information of the respective information output devices including
an identification code used only for identifying each of the
information output devices; receiving an entry of an identification
code; and searching the device information acquired from the
respective information output devices to specify the information
output device to which the information is to be transmitted based
on the identification code received and transmitting the
information to the information output device specified using the
device information of the information output device.
[0015] The above and other objects, features, advantages and
technical and industrial significance of this invention will be
better understood by reading the following detailed description of
presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the
configuration of an information processing system according to an
embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware
configurations of an information input device and an information
output device included in the information processing system
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating one
configuration of the information input device and the information
output device illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a table illustrating a list of device information
held by the information input device illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on a
display device at the start-up of utility software;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of the process
performed to internally select a connection method;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating a sequence of the
process performed up to establishing a connection;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the
screen displayed on the display device at the start-up of the
utility software;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating another
configuration of the information output device;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of the
process performed by an identification code generator illustrated
in FIG. 9;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a sequence of the
process performed by the various modules illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a situation of the
information output device projecting an identification code;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating screens displayed on the
various devices;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating a sequence of the
process performed by the various modules in the example illustrated
in FIG. 13;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the use of a
USB memory as a storage medium;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating a sequence of the
process performed by the various modules in the example illustrated
in FIG. 15;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a screen to select a
method of identification-code generation;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed when
the identification code is duplicative;
[0034] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of the
process performed, by selecting a method of identification-code
generation, to generate an identification code by the method of
identification-code generation selected;
[0035] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating another example of the
screen displayed when the identification code is duplicative;
[0036] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of the
process performed to automatically generate an identification code
from a production number; and
[0037] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a situation of
identification codes being entered to the information input device
while a plurality of information output devices display the
identification codes thereof when the information output devices
are to be made to project the same information.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0038] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the
configuration of an information processing system according to an
embodiment. The information processing system is configured to
include one or more of information input devices 10, and one or
more of information output devices 11. In FIG. 1, only one of the
information input devices 10 and one of the information output
devices 11 are indicated.
[0039] The information input device 10 is a device for entering
therein information, and the number of the information input
devices 10 in this system is not limited to one and two or more
information input devices 10 can be provided. The information
output device 11 is a device for outputting the information entered
in the information input device 10, and two or more information
output devices 11 can be provided.
[0040] The information input device 10 and the information output
device 11 are operable to perform communication in a wired or
wireless manner. When the communication is performed in a wired
manner, the information input device 10 and the information output
device 11 can be connected directly with a cable. Furthermore, the
information input device 10 and the information output device 11
can be connected to a network such as a local area network (LAN)
and the Internet using cables.
[0041] When the communication is performed in a wireless manner as
illustrated in FIG. 1, a wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered
trademark), and infrared communication can be adopted. In the
wireless communications, a wireless LAN is generally adopted in
consideration of its relatively wide communication area and
security.
[0042] In a wireless LAN, there are two modes of an ad hoc mode in
which the information input device 10 and the information output
device 11 are connected directly to each other, and an
infrastructure mode in which they are connected via an access
point. Either one of these modes can be selected depending on
whether a one-to-one connection is made or connections with a
plurality of devices are made. An access point here is a radio
device that is used when the connections to not only one device but
other devices are made or when the connection to another network is
made.
[0043] Furthermore, while a security measure by a network key and a
security measure by encrypted communication such as WEP, WPA, and
WPA2 are taken in a wireless LAN, these are generally known and are
not described here in detail.
[0044] The information input device 10 may be any device as long as
the entry of information can be performed thereon. The information
input device 10 can include, for example, a PC, a tablet device, a
smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a multi-function
peripheral (MFP), and a game machine.
[0045] The information output device 11 may be any device as long
as the device can receive the entry of information from the
information input device 10 and output the information received.
The information output device 11 can include, for example, a PC, a
tablet device, a smartphone, a PDA, a projector, a television, a
printer, a facsimile, a copying machine, and an MFP.
[0046] In FIG. 1, the information input device 10 and the
information output device 11 are both configured in the ad hoc mode
in a wireless LAN, and the information input device 10 and the
information output device 11 perform wireless communications
directly. The information that the information input device 10
transmits to the information output device 11 can include, for
example, image information for each page of meeting material
consisting of a plurality of pages. This is a mere example, and the
information may be other information such as photographs and video
pictures.
[0047] With reference to FIG. 2, the hardware configurations of the
information input device 10 and the information output device 11
will be described. In the following description, the information
input device 10 is described as a PC and the information output
device 11 is described as a projector. The hardware configurations
thereof are generally known, and thus they will be explained only
briefly.
[0048] A PC 12 is configured to include, as hardware, a CPU 20, a
ROM 21, a RAM 22, an HDD 23, a communication interface 24, an
external storage device I/F 25, a display device 26, and an input
device 27.
[0049] The CPU 20 controls various modules in the PC 12, and
performs, for example, the calculation and processing of data. The
various modules include the HDD 23, the communication interface 24,
the external storage device I/F 25, the display device 26, the
input device 27, and others. The CPU 20 receives data from the
input device 27 and reads out software and data from the HDD 23,
and then performs the calculation, processing, and such, and
outputs the result to the display device 26, a projector 13, and
others. The CPU 20 further performs a process of storing in the HDD
23.
[0050] The ROM 21 stores therein programs such as a basic
input/output system (BIOS) that is executed at the start-up of the
PC 12. The RAM 22 provides a storage area required for the CPU 20
to perform work. The HDD 23 stores therein applications, utility
software, an OS, and the data relevant to the foregoing.
[0051] The applications and utility software are provided via a
network not depicted or from a recording medium 28, and are stored
in the HDD 23. The PC 12 includes the external storage device I/F
25 to make the PC 12 connectable to the recording medium 28. The
recording medium 28 can include a CD-ROM, a DVD, an SD card, and
others, and the external storage device I/F 25 can include a CD
drive, a DVD drive, an SD card slot, and others that make the
foregoing media readable and writable, respectively.
[0052] When the PC 12 is powered on, the PC 12 takes out the BIOS
from the ROM 21 and executes it, and after checking that the HDD
23, the display device 26, the input device 27, and others are
usable, reads out the OS from the HDD 23 to the RAM 22 and executes
it to start up the PC 12. The PC 12 then executes, under the
control of the OS, the applications and utility software to
implement a desired process.
[0053] The communication interface 24 establishes connections with
the projector 13, other PCs, other devices, and a network in a
wired or wireless manner, and enables the communication to be
performed with the foregoing. The display device 26 is a liquid
crystal display or the like, and displays a display screen that the
applications and utility software provide. The input device 27 is a
keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is used to enter characters or
to select icons and others on the screen displayed on the display
device 26. While the PC 12 here is configured with the display
device 26 and the input device 27 as separate hardware, a device in
which the foregoing are combined such as a touch panel can be
used.
[0054] The CPU 20 and others are connected to a bus 29 as a
transmission path for data and others, and are enabled to exchange
the data and others with one another via the bus 29. The PC 12 can
further include an interface, in which a cable such as a USB
connection interface is connectable, so that the projector 13 and
peripheral devices can be connected directly with cables.
[0055] The projector 13 is configured to include, as hardware, a
light source 30, an optical system 31 including a projection lens,
a CPU 32, a flash memory 33, a RAM 34, and a communication
interface 35. While it is not included in the projector 13, the
system further includes a screen 36 for projection.
[0056] The light source 30 and the optical system 31 are used to
project information on the screen 36. While not depicted in FIG. 2,
a control circuit to control the light source 30 and the optical
system 31 is provided. The flash memory 33 stores therein, for
example, a computer program required for the projector 13 to
project the information received from the PC 12, setting values for
various functions, and parameters for adjustments of hue, light
intensity, and others.
[0057] The CPU 32 reads out the program to the RAM 34 and executes
it to implement a process to generate a control signal and send it
to the control circuit, a process to implement various functions
using the setting values, and a process of hue adjustment and such
using the parameters. This configuration is an example, and the PC
12 may be configured to include other circuits and sensors.
[0058] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating one
configuration of the PC 12 and the projector 13. The PC 12 is
assumed to include, as one example of the configuration, a
communication module 40, a storage module 41, an information
acquiring module 42, an input receiving module 43, and a device
specifying module 44.
[0059] The communication module 40 is implemented with the
communication interface 24 illustrated in FIG. 2, and establishes
the communication with one or more of the projectors 13. The
communication module 40 can further establish the communication
with other PCs and devices. The communication can be performed
using an appropriate protocol, for example, TCP/IP.
[0060] The storage module 41 is implemented with the HDD 23, and
stores therein a variety of data and others. The information
acquiring module 42, the input receiving module 43, and the device
specifying module 44 are implemented by the CPU 20 executing the
program read out to the RAM 22 from the HDD 23. The information
acquiring module 42 performs a process of acquiring device
information of each of the projectors 13 including an
identification code used only for identifying the respective
projectors 13, and making the storage module 41 store therein the
device information.
[0061] The identification code is used only for identifying each of
the projectors 13, and thus is different from a device name, an IP
address, a MAC address, and a password that are used for
authentication, connection establishment, communication, and
others. While the identification code may be any letters, symbols,
numerals, or a combination of the foregoing, a number consisting of
four digits can be given as one example. This is a mere example,
and thus the identification code is not restricted to this.
[0062] The device information includes the identification code, and
other than that, further includes the information, such as a
projector name and an IP address of the projector 13, used at the
time of establishing a connection and performing communication. The
device information may further include the information of
communication speed and others. The storage module 41 can store
therein the device information of each of the projectors 13
acquired by the information acquiring module 42 in a list form.
[0063] The input receiving module 43 receives an entry of one
identification code by a user. At this time, the input receiving
module 43 can provide an entry screen to receive the entry. The
input receiving module 43 is enabled, by the CPU 20 reading out the
utility software to the RAM 22 and executing it, to provide the
entry screen and to receive the entry of the identification code by
the user.
[0064] The device specifying module 44, based on the identification
code entered by the user, searches through each piece of the device
information acquired from the respective projectors 13 and
specifies the projector 13 to which the information is to be
transmitted. At this time, the device specifying module 44 searches
for the device information that includes the identification code
matching the identification code received, and from the device
information searched, acquires the information required for
establishing a connection and performing communication such as a
projector name and an IP address. The device specifying module 44
then gives instructions to the communication module 40 to transmit
the information using the device information of the projector 13
specified, more specifically, the IP address and the projector
name.
[0065] The communication module 40 transmits the output, i.e., the
information to be displayed here, to the projector 13 specified by
the device specifying module 44 using the device information of the
projector 13.
[0066] The projector 13 is to include, as one example of the
configuration, a communication module 50 and a display module 51.
The communication module 50 is implemented with the communication
interface 35, and transmits a signal (packets) including the device
information in a broadcast mode at a specific time interval. When
the PC 12 detects the signal, the PC 12 transmits the device
information of its own to the communication module 50 and the
communication module 50 then receives the device information,
whereby the communication between the projector 13 and the PC 12 is
established. The communication module 50 further receives, after
the foregoing communication is established, the above-described
information to be displayed from the PC 12.
[0067] The display module 51 displays the information received by
the communication module 50 by projecting on the screen 36. The
display module 51 is implemented with the light source 30, the
optical system 31, the CPU 32, the flash memory 33, and the RAM 34,
and after appropriate processing is performed on the information,
projects the information on the screen 36. Examples of the
processing include the hue adjustment, light intensity adjustment,
and others in the foregoing.
[0068] FIG. 4 illustrates a list of device information stored in
the storage module 41 included in the PC 12 illustrated in FIG. 3.
In FIG. 4, the device information is acquired from two units of the
projectors 13, and is in a list form. The two projectors 13 are
defined by projector names as projector 01 and projector 02. The
projector names are linked to IP addresses and identification
codes. The IP addresses are defined as 111.111.111.111 and
222.222.222.222, and the identification codes are defined as 1111
and 2222, respectively.
[0069] While the list of device information is to include only the
projector name, the IP address, and the identification code in this
example, the list may include other information such as
communication speed.
[0070] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an entry screen displayed
on the display device 26 when the utility software is started up on
the PC 12. While there are an ad hoc mode and an infrastructure
mode in wireless communications, the entry screen as illustrated in
FIG. 5 is displayed in either mode, prompting the user to enter an
identification code. By the identification code entered, a
connection is then established. Consequently, the entry of a
password and such is unnecessary.
[0071] The entry screen is configured with only one entry window 60
for the user to enter using the input device 27, and one connect
button 61 to perform connection. Consequently, eliminating other
items to be entered can improve the operability. The items
eliminated, for example, selection of the mode, are configured to
be selected internally to reduce a burden on the user.
[0072] While a connection is to be established by entering an
identification code here, it is also possible to establish the
connection by entering a projector name or an IP address. This is
because the storage module 41 holds, other than the identification
codes, the IP addresses and the projector names as the device
information as in the foregoing, and thus the connection can be
established from these pieces of information.
[0073] When the storage module 41 further stores therein other
information as the device information, the entry to be made on the
entry screen may be the other information. This is because the
connection can be established using the IP address and the
projector name linked to the other information. As in the
foregoing, the same entry method is adopted in either mode and the
IP address and others can also be used for the entry, whereby
unnecessary operations can be reduced and the operability can be
improved.
[0074] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of the
above-described process performed to internally select a mode. When
the user, using the input device 27, enters an identification code
or others in the entry window 60 and then depresses the connect
button 61, the process starts from Step S600.
[0075] At Step S605, the process determines whether or not the PC
12 has a connection established with and is performing
communication with another device such as a PC and a projector
other than the projector 13 identified by the identification code
received.
[0076] When the PC 12 is performing the communication (YES at Step
S605), the process advances to Step S610 and selects the
infrastructure mode. This is to establish a new connection with the
projector 13 corresponding to the identification code received
while the communication with the other PC and such is
continued.
[0077] In contrast, When the PC 12 is not performing the
communication (NO at Step S605), the process advances to Step S615
and selects the ad hoc mode. This is because it only needs to
establish the connection with only the projector 13 identified by
the identification code received. After the selection of these
modes, the process advances to Step S620 in either situation and
ends the process.
[0078] The sequence of the process performed by the various modules
at this time will be described in detail with reference to the
sequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the information
acquiring module 42 included in the PC 12 is omitted, and as there
is an entry performed by the user, a user 70 is further
indicated.
[0079] The communication module 50 of the projector 13 first
transmits a signal including the device information in a broadcast
mode at a specific time interval. The user 70 starts up the utility
software on the PC 12 to transmit information to the projector 13
and make it display the information. By the start-up, the
communication module 40 of the PC 12 detects the signal
periodically transmitted by the projector 13 at the specific time
interval. In FIG. 7, the PC 12 detects the signal at the fourth
transmission from the projector 13.
[0080] The communication module 40 of the PC 12 detects signals
from all of the projectors 13 present within a communication area
in which radio waves reach, and the information acquiring module 42
not depicted acquires the device information and makes the storage
module 41 store therein the device information in a list form. At
this time, the PC 12 uses the IP address acquired from the
projector 13 to transmit the device information including the IP
address of the PC 12 itself and to establish the communication with
the projector 13.
[0081] The input receiving module 43 presents an entry screen for
identification code to the user 70, and receives an entry of an
identification code by the user 70. The input receiving module 43
sends the identification code received to the device specifying
module 44. The device specifying module 44 searches the list stored
in the storage module 41, and as a result of the search, acquires
the IP address and the projector name linked to the identification
code. This specifies the projector 13 to which the information is
to be transmitted.
[0082] The device specifying module 44 gives instructions to the
communication module 40 to transmit the information to the
projector 13 specified using the projector name and the IP address
to make it display the information. The communication module 40
establishes a connection with the communication module 50 of the
projector 13 using the projector name and the IP address. The
communication module 40 then transmits the information to be
displayed to the communication module 50, and the communication
module 50 sends the information to the display module 51 to make it
display the information by projecting on the screen 36.
[0083] When the user 70 enters an identification code, the user 70
needs to know what the identification code is like. However, it is
difficult to memorize each of the identification codes for all of
the projectors 13, and it is cumbersome and troublesome to write
them all down on paper or the like. Consequently, as illustrated in
FIG. 8, it can be configured to display, on the entry screen, the
identification codes acquired at the time the communication is
established, and to let the user 70 select and enter the
identification code out of them.
[0084] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the
entry screen displayed on the display device 26 at the start-up of
the utility software on the PC 12. In FIG. 8, one entry window 60
and one connect button not depicted are provided. Furthermore, in
the present embodiment, the identification codes included in the
device information acquired from the projectors 13 that are present
within the communication area are displayed, for example, in a
balloon format. When the device information is acquired from a
device not supporting the identification code, the device can be
displayed with an IP address, a device name, or the like.
[0085] While it is configured that the identification codes are
displayed in a balloon format and the user 70 is to enter an
identification code while looking at the display, the embodiment is
not restricted to this. For instance, it may be configured that,
when the user 70 selects an identification code from the display
with a mouse or the like, the identification code is entered into
the entry window 60 automatically. Furthermore, the identification
codes can be displayed, not in a balloon format, but in a combo
box. This saves the user the trouble of entering the identification
code, and thus can improve the operability.
[0086] As in the foregoing, when any of an identification code, an
IP address, and a projector name is entered to specify a connection
destination and to establish a connection, the projector name in
the same format as that of the identification code or the IP
address cannot be used. For example, when the projector name of an
information output device is 111.111.111.111 and the IP address of
another information output device is 111.111.111.111, it makes it
no longer possible to specify which device to be the connection
destination.
[0087] Next, the identification code will be described. The
identification code is the identification information used only for
identifying the projectors 13, and may be assigned in advance or
may be configured to be generated automatically by each of the
projectors 13. With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, an example of the
process in which the projector 13 automatically generates an
identification code will be described. FIG. 9 is a functional block
diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the
projector 13 that is capable of performing the process of
automatically generating an identification code. Generating an
identification code automatically saves the trouble of preparing
the identification code.
[0088] The projector 13 is further configured to include, in
addition to the communication module 50 and the display module 51,
an identification code generator 52 and a storage module 53. The
communication module 50 and the display module 51 have been
described above, and thus the identification code generator 52 and
the storage module 53 will be described here in detail.
[0089] The communication module 50 detects the signals transmitted
from other projectors 13, establishes the communication, and
acquires the device information of the other projectors 13. The
communication module 50 then makes the storage module 53 store
therein the identification codes included in the device information
in a list form.
[0090] The identification code generator 52 generates an
identification code using assignment information assigned to the
device and held by itself such as a MAC address. The identification
code generator 52 then compares the identification code generated
with the list of identification code stored in the storage module
53 to check whether the identification code generated is the same.
When the identification code is the same, the identification code
generator 52 modifies the identification code generated and checks
it again. By repeating this, the identification code generator 52
generates an identification code that is not duplicative of the
identification codes held by the other projectors 13.
[0091] The identification code generated is sent to the
communication module 50, and is used for the communication module
50 to periodically transmit a signal being included in the signal
together with the IP address and the projector name.
[0092] With reference to FIG. 10, the sequence of the
above-described process performed by the identification code
generator 52 will be described in detail. FIG. 10 illustrates an
example of generating an identification code using a MAC
address.
[0093] The process starts from Step S1000, and at Step S1005, the
process acquires the last four digits of the MAC address that the
device itself holds. The MAC address is held by the communication
interface 24 such as a network adaptor, and can be acquired from
the communication interface 24. While the process here acquires the
last four digits, it is not restricted as such and the process may
acquire the first four digits and others.
[0094] At Step S1010, the process refers to the most significant
digit out of the four digits acquired. When the last four digits
are S678, the process refers to the 5 of the most significant
digit, and when the last four digits are FE45, the process refers
to the F of the most significant digit. At Step S1015, the process
determines whether or not the digit is a numeral of 0 to 9. When it
is a numeral (YES at Step S1015) as in the former example, the
process uses that numeral and advances to Step S1025 directly. When
it is not a numeral (NO at Step S1015) as in the latter example,
the process advances to Step S1020.
[0095] At Step S1020, when it is not a numeral, it can be
considered as the letters A to F in hexadecimal notation. Thus, the
process converts these letters to decimal numbers, and uses only
the numeral in the units place as the numeral of that digit. The A
to F are converted to 10 to 15 when converted into decimal system.
Because it is the F in the latter example, the process converts the
F to 15 in decimal system and uses the 5 in the units place. The
process then advances to Step S1025.
[0096] At Step S1025, the process moves to the next digit. At Step
S1030, the process determines whether or not the next digit is
present. When the next digit is present (YES at Step S1030), the
process returns to Step S1015 and determines whether or not the
digit is a numeral again. When the next digit is not present (NO at
Step S1030), the process advances to Step S1035 and refers to the
list stored in the storage module 53 so as to check the
identification codes held by the other projectors 13 that are
present within the communication area.
[0097] At Step S1040, the process determines whether or not the
identification code generated as a code consisting of a 4-digit
number, for which the numerals for the respective digits are
determined, is duplicative of the identification codes in the list.
When the identification code is duplicative (YES at Step S1040),
the process advances to Step S1045, takes the identification code
as a 4-digit number in decimal system, and defines a 4-digit number
obtained by adding one to the 4-digit number as an identification
code. The process then returns to Step S1035 and checks the
identification code again.
[0098] For instance, when the identification code generated is 4567
and is determined to be duplicative, the process defines a number
4568 obtained by adding one to the 4-digit number as a modified
identification code. The processing between Step S1035 and Step
S1045 is repeated until the identification code is no longer
duplicative.
[0099] In contrast, when the identification code is not duplicative
(NO at Step S1040), the process advances to Step S1050, transfers
the identification code to the communication module 50 to be used
as the identification code of the projector 13, and ends the
process.
[0100] The sequence of the process performed in the various modules
at this time will be described with reference to the sequence
diagram illustrated in FIG. 11. It is assumed that one projector
13a includes a communication module 50a, an identification code
generator 52a, and a storage module 53a, and another projector 13b
includes a communication module 50b, a display module 51b. While
only the other projector 13b is illustrated here, several other
projectors 13 may further be present.
[0101] First, the communication module 50b of the projector 13b
transmits a signal including the device information in a broadcast
mode at a specific time interval. At any time, the identification
code generator 52a of the projector 13a gives instructions to the
communication module 50a to detect the signal transmitted. The
foregoing time may be any time as it is arbitrary.
[0102] The communication module 50a detects the signals from all of
the projectors 13 that are present within the communication area
including the projector 13b. At this time, the projector 13a uses
an IP address and others acquired from each of the projectors 13 to
transmit the device information including the IP address of its
own, and establishes the communication with the respective
projectors 13. The communication module 50a then acquires the
device information of the respective projectors 13, and makes the
storage module 53a store therein the device information in a list
form.
[0103] The identification code generator 52a compares the
identification code generated itself with the list of device
information stored in the storage module 53a one by one to check
whether or not the identification code generated is duplicative.
When the identification code is duplicative, the identification
code generator 52a modifies the identification code in a manner
described above. The identification code generator 52a then repeats
the check and modification of the identification code until the
code is no longer duplicative.
[0104] While the identification code can be displayed in a balloon
format on the entry screen for the user, other than that, the
projector 13 can be made to display the identification code held by
itself. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the projector 13 is made to
display an identification code 5555 on the screen 36, and when the
user enters the identification code on the PC 12, the user can
enter it while looking at the display. By the entry, the projector
13 can be made to display the information that the user desired on
the screen 36. This enables the user to determine the projector 13
to which the user wants to project by looking at the screen.
[0105] While the identification code can be generated automatically
from the MAC address as in the foregoing, it is also possible to
use an appropriate 4-digit number, which is entered by the user
himself/herself as input information, as an identification code.
Consequently, the projector 13 can further include an input
receiving module that receives the entry of the identification
code. This enables the user to create a favorite code.
[0106] At this time, an identification code that is to identify
only the projector 13 can be generated by determining whether or
not the identification code is duplicative of the identification
codes held by the peripheral projectors 13, and when the
identification code is duplicative, by modifying the identification
code until the identification code is no longer duplicative.
[0107] In the foregoing, the process of transmitting the
information held by the PC 12 to the projector 13 specified to make
it display the information has been described. The information,
however, is not restricted to the information held by the PC 12,
and the information may be held by a server and others connected to
the PC 12. Thus, the server and others can hold an identification
code, and the connection can be established using the
identification code.
[0108] With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the configuration and the
process performed in this situation will be described in detail.
The projector 13 displays the own identification code, and a server
80 also displays the own identification code. The server 80
includes a display device and can display the own identification
code on the display device.
[0109] While it is configured that the PC 12 and the server 80 are
connected with a cable or the like and the PC 12 and the projector
13 are to perform wireless communications in FIG. 13, it is not
restricted to this. The PC 12 and the server 80 may be connected
via a network, or may be connected via a wireless LAN through an
access point. Furthermore, the PC 12 and the projector 13 may be
connected in a wired manner using a cable.
[0110] When the PC 12 starts up the utility software, the PC 12
displays an entry screen having two entry windows 60 as illustrated
in FIG. 13 prompting the identification codes for the projector 13
and for the server 80 to be entered, and is ready to receive the
entries thereof.
[0111] To yield this process, as illustrated in FIG. 14, it is
assumed that the PC 12 includes the communication module 40, the
storage module 41, the input receiving module 43, and the device
specifying module 44, and the projector 13 includes the
communication module 50 and the display module 51. It is further
assumed that the server 80 includes a communication module 81, and
a storage module 82 to store therein information. This is a mere
example, and the foregoing devices may include other functional
modules.
[0112] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the user 70 first starts up the
utility software on the PC 12 to detect the signals transmitted by
the projector 13 and the server 80, and to establish the
communication with the projector 13 and with the server 80.
[0113] The user 70 enters the identification code for the projector
13, and the input receiving module 43 receives the entry. The
identification code received is sent to the device specifying
module 44, and the device specifying module 44 refers to the list
stored in the storage module 41 to search for the same
identification code. The device specifying module 44 specifies the
projector 13 having the projector name linked to the identification
code searched, and establishes the connection for which the
connection destination is the projector 13 using the IP
address.
[0114] Furthermore, the user 70 enters the identification code for
the server 80, and the input receiving module 43 receives the
entry. The identification code received is sent to the device
specifying module 44, and the device specifying module 44 refers to
the list stored in the storage module 41 to search for the same
identification code. The device specifying module 44 specifies the
server 80 having a server name linked to the identification code
searched, and establishes the connection for which the connection
destination is the server 80 using the IP address.
[0115] The communication module 40 of the PC 12 then transmits an
information acquisition request to the communication module 81 of
the server 80. The communication module 81 reads out the
information that is stored in the storage module 82 and corresponds
to the request, and transmits the information to the communication
module 40. The communication module 40 receives the information,
and transmits the information to the communication module 50 of the
projector 13 specified earlier. The communication module 50 then
gives instructions to the display module 51 to make it display the
information by projecting on the screen 36.
[0116] In short, this process is for the PC 12, in response to
receiving the entry of the identification code for the server 80
and the entry of the identification code for the projector 13, to
receive information provided from the server 80 and to transmit the
information to the projector 13 to be displayed.
[0117] While the above-described example illustrates that the
information to be displayed is provided by the server 80, the
information is not restricted to be provided by the server 80. The
information may be stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a
DVD, an SD card, a USB memory, and others, and the information can
then be read out from the recording medium and displayed. With
reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, an example of this situation will be
described in detail.
[0118] FIG. 15 is a view illustrating an example of the use of a
USB memory as a storage medium. In FIG. 15, a USB memory 90 is used
in place of the server 80 illustrated in FIG. 13. The projector 13
displays the own identification code, and the USB memory 90 also
displays the own identification code in a balloon format or the
like. The display in a balloon format can be displayed on the
display device 26 of the PC 12 together with the entry screen.
[0119] When the PC 12 starts up the utility software, the PC 12
displays a screen having two entry windows 60 as illustrated in
FIG. 15 prompting the identification codes for the projector 13 and
for the USB memory 90 to be entered, and is ready to receive the
entries thereof.
[0120] To yield this process, as illustrated in FIG. 16, it is
assumed that the PC 12 includes the communication module 40, the
storage module 41, the input receiving module 43, and the device
specifying module 44, and the projector 13 includes the
communication module 50 and the display module 51. The USB memory
90 is assumed to include a communication module 91, and a storage
module 92 to store therein information. This is a mere example, and
the foregoing devices may include other functional modules.
[0121] As illustrated in FIG. 16, the user 70 first starts up the
utility software on the PC 12 to detect the signal transmitted by
the projector 13, and to establish the communication with the
projector 13. The PC 12 further detects that the USB memory 90 is
mounted thereto.
[0122] The user 70 enters the identification code for the projector
13, and the input receiving module 43 receives the entry. The
identification code received is sent to the device specifying
module 44, and the device specifying module 44 refers to the list
stored in the storage module 41 to search for the same
identification code. The device specifying module 44 specifies the
information output device 11 having the projector name linked to
the identification code searched, and establishes the connection
for which the connection destination is the projector 13 using the
IP address.
[0123] The user 70 enters the identification code for the USB
memory 90, and the input receiving module 43 receives the entry.
The identification code received is sent to the device specifying
module 44, and the device specifying module 44 refers to the list
stored in the storage module 41 to search for the same
identification code. The device specifying module 44 specifies the
USB memory 90 having a USB memory name linked to the identification
code searched, and establishes the connection for which the
connection destination is the USB memory 90.
[0124] The communication module 40 of the PC 12 then transmits an
information acquisition request to the communication module 91 of
the USB memory 90. The communication module 91 reads out the
information that is stored in the storage module 92 and corresponds
to the request, and transmits the information to the communication
module 40. The communication module 40 receives the information,
and transmits the information to the communication module 50 of the
projector 13 specified earlier. The communication module 50 then
gives instructions to the display module 51 to make it display the
information by projecting on the screen 36.
[0125] This process is for the PC 12, in response to receiving the
entry of the identification code for the USB memory 90 and the
entry of the identification code for the projector 13, to receive
information provided from the USB memory 90 and to transmit the
information to the projector 13 to be displayed.
[0126] The two situations of the identification code being
generated automatically from the MAC address and the identification
code being entered by the user have been described. Other than
that, the identification code can also be generated from a
production number. While the method of automatically generating an
identification code from a production number will be described
later, the process of selecting one out of the foregoing options
and generating an identification code by the method selected will
be described here.
[0127] The projector 13 can display a screen as illustrated in FIG.
17 for the generation of an identification code. In FIG. 17, three
options of Auto-Generate from MAC Address, Auto-Generate from
Production number (Production No.), and Generate by Manual Input
are available to select for the generation of an identification
code. Provided further is an entry window 100 to enter when
Generate by Manual Input is selected. Furthermore, an enter button
101 to determine the selection and a cancel button 102 to cancel
the selection are also provided.
[0128] In FIG. 17, Auto-Generate from MAC Address is selected, and
it is configured that depressing the enter button 101 automatically
generates an identification code by the method selected. While only
three options are illustrated here, it is possible to include other
options that can generate an identification code.
[0129] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed when an
identification code is duplicative of those of the other projectors
13 while the identification code is generated. The screen is a mere
example, and thus it is not restricted to this. As illustrated in
FIG. 10, when an identification code generated is duplicative of
those of the other projectors 13, the identification code is
modified by adding one to the identification code as a 4-digit
number to automatically generate an identification code that is not
duplicative.
[0130] Consequently, as illustrated in FIG. 18, it can be displayed
that the identification code is recreated because of the
duplication of identification code, the identification code first
created, and the identification code recreated. These can be
achieved by a notifying module separately provided. In FIG. 18, an
OK button 103 is further displayed, and depressing the OK button
103 can settle the identification code recreated as the
identification code of the projector 13.
[0131] The process of selecting a method of generating an
identification code, and generating the identification code by the
method selected will be described in detail with reference to the
flowchart illustrated in FIG. 19. The process starts from Step
S1900. At Step S1905, the process first acquires the identification
codes from the other projectors 13 present within the communication
area. The other projectors 13 also transmit the signal including
the device information at a specific time interval, and by
detecting the signals, the projector 13 that performs this process
can acquire the identification codes of the other projectors
13.
[0132] At Step S1910, the process makes the storage module 53 store
therein the identification codes acquired as a list, and in the
meantime, the process generates an identification code based on the
method selected by the user. At Step S1915, the process determines
whether or not the identification code generated is duplicative of
any of the identification codes in the list stored in the storage
module 53.
[0133] When it is duplicative (YES at Step S1915), the process
advances to Step S1920, and adds one to the identification code as
a 4-digit number in decimal system to modify the identification
code. The process then returns to Step S1915 and determines whether
or not the identification code is duplicative again. In contrast,
when it is not duplicative (NO at Step S1915), the process advances
to Step S1925, settles the identification code as the
identification code of the projector 13, and ends the process.
[0134] This identification code is included in the device
information together with the IP address and the projector name,
and the signal containing the device information is periodically
transmitted at a specific time interval by the communication module
50.
[0135] On the screen illustrated in FIG. 18, the identification
code is automatically generated and the result thereof is
displayed. Such a display can be made when the identification code
is set to be generated automatically. The user can set the
identification code not to be generated automatically. In this
case, as shown in FIG. 19, when the identification code is
duplicative (YES at Step S1915), a screen can be displayed to
confirm whether or not to recreate the identification code.
[0136] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the
confirmation screen, and the screen shows that the identification
code is duplicative and asks whether or not to recreate it. The
user can depress the OK button 103, when recreate it, to make the
process recreate the identification code, or can depress the cancel
button 102 to end the identification code generation process in a
condition of the identification code not being recreated.
Consequently, incorrect projection can be prevented.
[0137] Now, with reference to FIG. 21, the earlier mentioned
process of automatically generating an identification code from a
production number will be described in detail. The production
number is a series of numbers numbered to products shipped, and is
also referred to as a serial number (S/N). The serial number is
stored in the flash memory 33, and can be acquired from reading it
out from the flash memory 33.
[0138] This process starts from Step S2100, and at Step S2105, the
process determines whether or not four or more numeric portions are
present in the production number acquired. Suppose that the
production number is SB4H5Y6N7M8XHJ9Q, six numeric portions of 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are present, and thus the process determines that
four or more numeric portions are present. In contrast, as in the
production number of SB4H5Y6MMRYHJQQ, when there are only three
numeric portions of 4, 5, and 6, the process determines that four
or more numeric portions are not present.
[0139] When four or more numeric portions are present (YES at Step
S2105), the process advances to Step S2110, and acquires four
numeric portions of the production number from the top. With the
former example above, the process acquires 4, 5, 6, and 7 that are
the four numeric portions of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 from the top. In
contrast, When there are three or less numeric portions (NO at Step
S2105), the process advances to Step S2115.
[0140] At Step S2115, the process acquires alphabets used in the
production number for the number of digits insufficient. With the
latter example above, as there are only three numeric portions, the
number of digits insufficient is one, and thus the process acquires
an alphabet for one digit. In this example, the process acquires
the first letter S for the one digit.
[0141] The alphabets are converted to numbers 1, 2, 3, . . . and 26
in the order of A, B, C, . . . and Z, respectively. Because the S
is the 19th alphabet counted from A, the S is converted to a number
19. When the number is a two digit number as in the foregoing, only
the numeral in the units place is used as the numeral of that
digit. In this example, it is the numeral 9.
[0142] At Step S2120, the process generates an identification code
from the four numerals acquired. In the former example, the process
generates 4567, which is the numerals arranged in descending order
from the top, as an identification code. Meanwhile, in the latter
example, the process arranges the numeric portions in descending
order from the top and adds the remaining numeral obtained by
converting the alphabet to generate 4569 as an identification
code.
[0143] While an identification code is generated by arranging the
numerals in descending order from the top, and when the number of
numerals are insufficient, alphabets are used being converted, the
embodiment is not restricted to this. A number obtained by
arranging the numerals in ascending order from the bottom, or a
number obtained by obtaining four characters of a production number
from the top, converting alphabets as in the foregoing when the
alphabets are included, and arranging them in descending order from
the top can be used as an identification code.
[0144] After the identification code is generated at Step S2120,
the process determines, at Step S2125, whether or not the
identification code generated is duplicative of any of the
identification codes in the list stored in the storage module
53.
[0145] When it is duplicative (YES at Step S2125), the process
advances to Step S2130, and adds one to the identification code as
a 4-digit number in decimal system to modify the identification
code. Then, the process returns to Step S2120 and next to Step
S2125, and determines whether or not the identification code is
duplicative. In contrast, when it is not duplicative (NO at Step
S2125), the process advances to Step S2135, settles the
identification code as the identification code of the projector 13,
and ends the process.
[0146] In the foregoing examples, the identification code is
entered only for a single projector 13, the connection is
established with the single projector 13, and the information is
transmitted only to the single projector 13. However, when a
meeting room is large and a meeting is held with a large number of
participants in the meeting room, a plurality of screens 36 may be
used such that all of the participants can see the same
information. At this time, it needs to make the same information be
displayed being projected on the screens 36 using a plurality of
projectors 13.
[0147] Thus, the entry screen for identification code can include a
plurality of entry windows 60 so that each of the identification
codes of a plurality of information output devices 11 can be
entered. In FIG. 22, three units of the information output devices
11 display the identification code held by themselves by projecting
on the respective screens 36, and the user looks at them and enters
the respective identification codes on the entry screen.
[0148] Consequently, each of the projectors 13 can display the
single piece of information transmitted from the PC 12 by
projecting on the respective screens 36. Furthermore, with a single
operation, the same information can be projected on the screens
36.
[0149] The present invention uses an identification code used only
for identifying a connection destination, and can establish a
connection by entering the identification code, whereby the
security can be ensured and the connection can be achieved
easily.
[0150] Although the invention has been described with respect to
specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the
appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed
as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that
may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the
basic teaching herein set forth.
* * * * *