BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to infrared communication repeater apparatus and method in data communications systems for performing communications of the direct emission type while causing out-going infrared radiation to have directivity in infrared communications.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Data communication methods using infrared radiation may typically include two approaches which follow.

A first method is a direct emission type communication method for performing transmission and reception of infrared signal light with one infrared transmitter (simply referred to as “transmitter” hereinafter) and its associated infrared receiver (“receiver”).

A second method is a diffusion type communication method of causing infrared radiation as emitted from transmitters to reflect off from ceilings, walls or the like and then allowing receivers to receive the resultant reflected and scattered rays of infrared signal light.

The diffusion type communication method is superior in flexibility of layout of transmitters and receivers than the direct emission type communication method due to the use of reflection and diffusion of infrared signal light at the ceiling or the like; however, the former method is more significant in required transmitter output than the latter because of a reduction or attenuation of the intensity of light in reflection and diffusion events, and also remains higher in reception sensitivity as required for receivers concerned.

A further problem faced with the diffusion type communication method is that the arrival time of infrared radiation signal light at an intended receiver side tends to be retarded or delayed upon affection of multi-paths originated from optical reflection and diffusion, which in turn leads to the risk of interference between a presently received infrared radiation signal and its succeeding one, resulting in limitations of data transmission rate.

On the other hand, the direct emission type communication method is featured in that while any obstructions should not be present between associative communication devices with complete line-of-sight “transparency” or visibility. being required therebetween, high-speed data transmission is attainable as compared to the diffusion type communication method because of the fact that any multipath affection leading to occurrence of a delay in reception of infrared signal light hardly taken place unlike the diffusion type communication method, which in turn causes the Output required for transmitters to be less than that in the diffusion type communication method while reducing the. reception sensitivity as required for transmitters.

In the prior known direct emission type communications apparatus including infrared communication equipment for performing infrared communications by use of standard protocols of IrDA (Infrared Data Association) with regard to infrared communication methods, one-to-one (1-to-1) type communications schemes are employed in most applications, which renders N-to-N type simultaneous communicability unattainable although 1-to-N type communications forms are possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is drawn to direct emission type infrared communications apparatus that may merely support either 1-to-1 type or 1-to-N type communication forms, and its primary object is to enable accomplishment of an N-to-N type communication form by permitting independent effectuation of communications between individual equipments to thereby transfer data information received by each equipment to another or other equipments.

It is another object of the invention to enable attainment of N-to-N multi-connection communication form via repeater apparatus by performing communications with a connection being set with the individual equipment, especially in the 1-to-1 connection communication type infrared communication method.

To attain the foregoing objects the invention as set forth in claim

1

is a repeater apparatus that has a plurality of infrared transmission/reception means for transmitting and receiving infrared signal light, featured in that said infrared signal light as received by said first infrared transmission/reception means is transmitted from said infrared transmission/reception means other than at least said first infrared transmission/reception means.

The repeater apparatus of the present invention may permit the direct emission type infrared communication equipment merely supporting either 1-to-1 or 1-to-N type communication form to perform independent communications with any one of individual equipments thereby transferring data information transmitted by respective equipments toward other equipments, thus enabling accomplishment of N-to-N communication form.

The invention set forth in claim

2

is a repeater apparatus having a plurality of infrared transmission/reception means for receiving first infrared signal light to convert it into a corresponding electrical signal and for converting an electrical signal to second infrared signal light for transmission, featured in that the first infrared signal light said first infrared transmission/reception means has received is sent forth from said infrared transmission/reception means other than at least said first infrared transmission/reception means.

The repeater apparatus of this invention permits direct emission type infrared communication equipment merely supporting either 1-to-1 or 1-to-N type communication form to communication with individual equipments independently of one another thereby transferring data information transmitted by respective equipments to other equipments, thus enabling accomplishment of the N-to-N communication form.

The invention set forth in claim

3

is repeater apparatus according to claim

1

or

2

, featured by performing a communication setting so as to enable information exchange by infrared signal light between a plurality of communication equipments and said plurality of infrared transmit/receive means, while permitting infrared signal light as received by the first infrared transmit/receive means subjected to said communication setting to be transmitted from infrared transmit/receive means subjected to said communication setting other than said first infrared transmit/receive means.

The invention as defined in claim

4

is a communication equipment featured by having communication equipment identification information transmitter means for transmitting a first infrared signal light containing therein communication equipment identification information for identification of the self communication equipment, communication equipment identification information receiver means for receiving a second infrared signal light containing therein communication equipment identification information of another communication equipment, communicable equipment identifier means for identifying certain equipment that is capable of communicating based on communication equipment identification information as received by this communication equipment identification receiver means, group setter means for setting as the same group at least one communication equipment of those communicable communication equipments as identified by this communicable equipment identifier means, and information transmitter means for transmitting by a third infrared signal light the same information as that of communication equipments in the same group as set by this group setter means.

With such communication equipment of this invention, communications using infrared signal light may be attained only when associative communication equipments come closer to each other thereby enabling settings of logical communication links with a desired subscriber at anywhere.

The invention. defined in claim

5

is a communication system including a plurality of communication equipments and a repeater apparatus thereof, featured in that each said communication equipment has communication equipment identification information transmitter means for transmitting a first infrared signal light containing therein communication equipment identification information for identification of a self communication equipment, communication equipment identification receiver means for receiving a second infrared signal light containing communication equipment identification information of another communication equipment, communicable equipment identifier means for identifying, based on communication equipment identification information being received by this communication equipment identification information receiver means, certain communication equipment capable of communicating, group setter means for setting at the same group at least one communication equipment of those communicable communication equipments as identified by this communicable equipment identifier means, and information transmitter means for sending forth by a third infrared signal light the same information as that of communication equipment in the Game group as set by this group setter means, the system being also featured in that said repeater apparatus has a plurality of infrared transmission/reception means for transmitting and receiving said first infrared signal. light, second infrared signal light or third infrared signal light, wherein said infrared signal light received by said first infrared receiver means is transmitted from said infrared transmission/reception means excluding at least said first infrared transmission/reception means.

The communications system of the invention may permit the direct emission type infrared communication equipment merely supporting either 1-to-1 or 1-to-N type communication form to perform independent communications with any one of individual equipments thereby transferring data information transmitted by respective equipments to other equipments, thus enabling accomplishment of N-to-N communication form; furthermore, communications using infrared signal light may be attained whenever associative communication equipments come closer to each other thereby enabling settings of logical communication links with any desired subscriber at anywhere.

The invention as recited in claim

6

is a communication system including a plurality of communication equipments and a repeater apparatus thereof, featured in that each said communication equipment has information transmit/receive means for transmitting and receiving information by infrared signal light, and in that said repeater apparatus has a plurality of infrared transmit/receive means for transmission and reception of said infrared signal light, wherein said infrared signal light as received by said first infrared transmit/receive means is transmitted from said infrared transmit/receive means other than at least said first infrared transmit/receive means.

The communication system of this invention may permit direct emission type infrared communication equipment merely supporting either 1-to-1 or 1-to-N type communication form to perform independent communications with any one of individual equipments thereby transferring data information transmitted by respective equipments to other equipments, thus enabling accomplishment of N-to-N communication form.

The invention recited in claim

7

is a repeating method comprising a reception step of receiving infrared signal light as sent from communication equipment, and a transmission step of at least transmitting said infrared signal light as received at said reception step to communication equipment other than said communication equipment.

Furthermore, the present invention may also be implemented ad apparatus and methods which follow.

Apparatus

1

is a repeater apparatus for use in infrared communications, as featured by having at least two or more control means provided with a function of forming a connection between control sections with a similar function of other infrared communication equipments by use of infrared transmitter means and infrared receiver means, and repeater means provided with a transfer function of allowing, before each said control means forms a connection and after formation of such connection thereof, one said control means to input to at least one or more other said control means certain information which has been outputted to the repeater means.

Apparatus

2

is the infrared communication repeater apparatus according to claim

1

, characterized in that it has storage means for storing therein information as outputted from said control means to said repeater means, wherein when another infrared communication equipment issues a request for acquisition of information, said repeater means returns such information if this storage means stores therein relevant information thereto.

Apparatus

3

is the infrared communication repeater apparatus according to the apparatus

1

, featured in that upon issuance of an information acquisition request from another infrared communication equipment, if said storage means does not store therein such relevant information, said repeater means attempts to obtain and fetch relevant information from another infrared communication equipment, and causes said storage means to store the same, And then returns the relevant information.

Apparatus

4

is the infrared communication repeater apparatus according to apparatus

1

, featured by having converter means for converting, where in the apparatus

3

the information as acquired by another infrared communication equipment is at its unique value in the infrared communication equipment which has provided such information, it to an inherent value in the infrared communication repeater apparatus.

Apparatus

5

is the infrared communication repeater apparatus according to apparatus

1

, featured in that it has group setter means for setting as a group at least two or more connections as set by said control section between other infrared communication equipments, and in that said repeater means has a transfer function of inputting output information from one equipment to another only within the group as set by this group setter means.

A method

1

is a communication method for performing information transfer of information that has been received by infrared communication equipment supporting the 1-to-1 connection type communication toward another infrared communication equipment, characterized by comprising the steps of receiving a connection set indication or command for a connection set request of said first infrared communication equipment, judging whether a connection set is possible with another said infrared communication equipment, transmitting the connection set request to connection settable infrared communication equipment, receiving, from the infrared communication equipment which has transmitted the connection set request, a confirmation of completion of such connection set, and thereafter returning a connection set response to the first infrared communication equipment, thereby setting a connection between the first infrared communication equipment and another infrared communication equipment.

A method

2

is a communication method as featured by comprising the steps of receiving a data receive indication with respect to a data send request of said first infrared communication equipment, storing data information added to the data receive indication, judging whether a connection is set between it and another infrared communication equipment, and requesting transfer of data added with the date information as stored with respect to said infrared communication equipment which has set the connection.

A method

3

is a communication method as featured by comprising the steps of receiving an information acquisition indication with respect to an information acquisition request for fetching information of said first infrared communication equipment, judging whether the information the information acquisition indication requires is stored or not, returning if relevant information is stored a response to the information acquisition indication as added with information relating to the first infrared communication equipment, transmitting if such relevant information is not stored an, information acquisition request for acquiring information pertaining to another said infrared communication equipment, receiving a confirmation containing certain relevant information from the infrared communication equipment which has transmitted the information acquisition request and thereafter storing the acquired relevant information while returning to the first infrared communication equipment a response to the information acquisition indication added with the relevant information, thereby providing information to the first infrared communication equipment.

A method

3

is a communication method characterized in that in the method

3

, it comprises the steps of setting a connection between the first infrared communication equipment and another infrared communication equipment by returning a connection set response to the first infrared communication equipment after receipt of a confirmation of completion of the connection set as sent from the infrared communication equipment which has transmitted the connection set request, managing as a group the connection which has been generated during this process, and thereafter performing. information transmission only within the resultant group thus established.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is an exemplary layout of an infrared communication repeater apparatus and equipments.

FIG. 2

is a block diagram showing a configuration of repeater apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3

is a flow chart showing an operation upon establishment of a connection in a repeater section in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 4

is a flow chart showing an operation during data transmission in the repeater section in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5

is a flow chart showing an operation upon interrupting of a connection in the repeater section of the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6

is a block diagram showing a configuration of infrared communication apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7

is a flow chart showing an information acquisition procedure in a repeater section of the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8

is a block diagram showing a configuration of repeater apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9

is a block diagram showing a configuration of the repeater apparatus in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10

is an exemplary layout of repeater apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention and equipments operatively associated therewith.

FIG. 11

is a block diagram showing an arrangement of equipment that may communicate with the repeater apparatus of the fourth embodiment of the invention by utilizing repeater apparatus.

FIG. 12

is an exemplary layout of repeater apparatus in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention and its associative equipments.

FIG. 13

is a block diagram showing a configuration of equipment communicable with the repeater apparatus of the fifth embodiment of the invention by use of the repeater apparatus.

FIG. 14

is an exemplary layout of repeater apparatus in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention and its associated equipments.

FIG. 15

is a block diagram showing a configuration of equipment communicable with the repeater apparatus of the sixth embodiment of the invention by use of such repeater apparatus.

FIG. 16

is an exemplary layout of repeater apparatus

4000

among a plurality of equipments a, b, c and d.

FIG. 17

is another exemplary layout of the repeater apparatus

4000

in a similar fashion.

FIG. 18

is a block diagram of the repeater apparatus

4000

.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

An infrared communication repeater apparatus

1001

in accordance with a first embodiment. of the present invention will be explained with reference to

FIGS. 1

to

5

.

In this embodiment a basic configuration of the infrared communication repeater apparatus (simply referred to as “repeater apparatus” hereinafter) will be explained along with its basic procedures for performing information transfer within the repeater apparatus.

FIG. 1

shows one example of the layout of repeater apparatus

1001

and infrared communication equipments (simply referred to as the “equipments” hereinafter) a, b, c that are capable of offering by utilizing this repeater apparatus infrared communications with other equipments operatively associated therewith.

FIG. 2

shows a block diagram of the repeater apparatus

1001

.

The repeater apparatus

1001

is constituted from infrared ray transmitter sections

1

s

,

2

s

,

3

s

, infrared receiver sections

1

r

,

2

r

,

3

r

, connection control sections

1

C,

2

C,

3

C, and a repeater section

101

.

In the repeater apparatus, the number of the infrared transmitter sections and infrared receiver sections as well as connection control sections may be at least two or more, respectively; while the number should not exclusively be limited to three, the illustrative embodiment is designed to have three ones for purposes of simplification of description only.

Also in some embodiments as will be later described, explanations will be given with the number of the infrared transmitter sections, infrared receiver sections and connection control sections being set at three or four; in this respect, use of such number should not be deemed limitative in any way.

The infrared transmitter auctions

1

s

,

2

s

,

3

s

may be certain devices which convert, upon inputting of an electrical signal containing therein data information, the signal to infrared signal light and then emit to the environmental space with the directivity of outward emission angle, or alternatively, may be those devices capable of outputting the name into optical fibers.

The infrared receiver sections

1

r

,

2

r

,

3

r

may be devices that receive infrared radiation signal light (simply referred to as the “infrared radiation” hereinafter) and convert it to an electrical signal containing therein data information for outputting the same.

The connection control sections

1

C,

2

C,

3

C may be certain data link control sections capable of setting connections of selected data link layer levels between respective connection control sections of respective equipments a, b, c.

Note here that the connection control sections may alternatively be either network control sections capable of also setting connections of network layer levels with associative equipments or transport control sections capable of also setting connections of transport layer levels with associative equipments.

When

1

r

receives infrared radiation

1

Ir

2

as output from the equipment a and then converts it to an electrical signal for input it to

1

C, the connection control section

1

C attempts. to analyze the content of such electrical signal and outputs the resulting information to the repeater section

101

; alternatively, upon input of information from repeater section

101

,

1

C analyzes its content for conversion to an electrical signal which is then output to

1

s.

At

2

C,

3

C also, the same operations as that of

1

C are carried out either among

2

s

,

2

r

,

101

or among

3

s

,

3

r

,

101

, respectively.

Upon input of information from any one of the connection control sections, the repeater section

101

converts the information when necessary for outputting it to another connection control section.

With this operation of the repeater section

101

, it becomes possible for the repeater apparatus

1001

to pass information as output from the equipment a to equipment b or equipment c or equipment b, c; or alternatively, route information outputted from equipment b toward equipment a or equipment c or equipment a, c; or still alternatively, send information outputted from equipment c to equipment a or equipment c.

An operation procedure of the repeater section

101

will be explained in detail in conjunction with the flow charts of

FIGS. 3

,

4

and

5

.

FIG. 3

is a flow chart showing a setting procedure as executed by the repeater section

101

that attempts to set connections among equipments a, b, c, including a connection between repeater

1001

and equipment d, another connection between repeater

1001

and equipment b, and a yet another connection between repeater

1001

and equipment c—namely, setting multi-connections.

For example, upon receipt of a connection set indication from the connection control section

1

C (at step C

01

), the repeater section

101

determines whether it is possible to issue a connection out request to the connection control sections

2

C,

3

C (at step C

02

); if it is impossible to issue such connection set request with respect to all the connection control sections, then return to

1

C a response that indicates the impossibility of a connection set under request (at step C

10

).

If it is possible to issue the connection bet request to any one of the connection control sections then issue the connection set request to that connection control section (at step C

03

).

Wait for receipt of a confirmation from the connection control section that has received the connection set request (at step C

04

); if the confirmation is received which affirms completion of such connection set (at step C

05

, step C

06

), then send a response to the connection control section

1

C showing the allowability of connection set as requested (at step C

07

).

In the case of receiving from all the connection control sections which have received the connection set request the confirmation with its content of impossibility of connection set (at step C

09

), or in the case of measuring time duration upon issuance of the connection set request and receiving no confirmation messages permitting execution of the connection set until a due time has elapsed (at step C(

08

), provide

1

C with a response indicating impossibility of any connection set under request (step C

10

).

FIG. 4

is a flow chart showing a procedure of data exchange which allows the repeater section

101

to exchange data by utilizing multiconnections after setting multiconnections among equipments a, b, c.

Upon receiving a data receive indication from the connection control section

1

C (at step D

01

), the repeater section

101

attempts to determine whether

2

C,

3

C are set with connections (at step D

02

); if no connections are set at any one of the connection control sections then return an error message to

1

C (at step D

04

).

If a connection is set, then issue a data send request added with data that has been added to the data receive indication as received from

1

C with respect to the connection control section which is doing a connection set (at step D

03

).

FIG. 5

is a flow chart showing a procedure of interrupting or cutting connections as executed by the, repeater section

101

.

When a connection cut indication is received from the connection control section

1

C (at step DC

01

), determine whether connections are set at

2

C,

3

C (at step DC

02

); if only either one of them is set with a connection then issue a connection cut request to the only connection control section which is setting the connection (at step DC

03

).

Second Embodiment

A repeater apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment of the instant invention will then be explained with reference to

FIGS. 6 and 7

.

In the second embodiment there will be explained hereinafter a basic configuration of the repeater apparatus which has the second feature of the repeater apparatus of this invention, wherein it stores information as acquired from one certain equipment, provides information being stored upon receipt of an information get request from another equipment, and provides, in cases where no such information is stored, information to the equipment that has issued such information get request by acquiring the information from another equipment; also explained below is a basic information acquisition procedure within the repeater apparatus.

A layout example of a repeater apparatus

1002

and equipments a, b, c is similar to that of

FIG. 1

with the repeater apparatus

1001

being replaced by

1002

.

FIG. 6

shows a block diagram of the repeater apparatus

1002

.

In this embodiment a storage section m is added to the embodiment of FIG.

2

.

The storage section m stores therein information as input to the repeater section

102

from

1

C,

2

C,

3

C, allowing repeater section

102

to refer to storage section m when an information get indication come. from any one connection control section; in that case, if m stores relevant information, it is then possible to return a response containing such information to the connection control section.

By way of example, where the equipment b has both an application for performing image data transmission/reception and an application for effectuating audio data transmit/receive operations, when the information the repeater section

102

has received from the connection control section

2

C contains therein certain information indicating that the equipment b has the image data transmit/receive and audio data transmit/receive applications, this is then stored in storage section m.

As a result that the equipment a has issued to the repeater apparatus

1002

an information get request of questioning the. type of an application, the repeater apparatus

1002

possesses, the repeater section

102

may receive an information get indication from the repeater section

102

.

The repeater section

102

operates to refer to the storage section m and convert the prior stored information into information indicating that the repeater section per se has both the image data transmit/receive application and audio data transmit/receive application, thereby issuing to

1

C a response containing it.

With such a processing, the equipment a understands that the repeater apparatus

1002

has an image data transmit/receive application, and, upon issuance of a connection set request for image data transmission and reception, the repeater section

102

executes a connection set with the application for transmission/reception of image data of equipment b, forming a multiconnection with the equipment a and equipment b via repeater apparatus

1002

thereby enabling transmission/reception of image data between equipment a and equipment b.

The repeater section

102

also includes a function which follows: upon receipt of an information get indication from a certain connection control section, the repeater section

102

attempts to refer to the storage section m; if m does not store therein any relevant information, issue an information get request to another connection control section in order to obtain the relevant information therefrom.

An operation routine of the repeater section

102

concerning. information acquisition will now be explained below with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

7

.

For instance, when an information get indication is received from the connection control section

1

C (at step I

01

), the repeater section

102

operates to refer to the storage section m (at step

102

). If storage section m stores therein information pertinent to the content of such information get request, then issue to

1

C a response in reply to the information acquisition containing such information (at step I

07

).

On the other hand, where the storage section m does not store therein any relevant information, the repeater section

102

generates and issues to

2

C and

3

C an information get request in order to acquire or fetch such information pertinent to the content of the information get request (at step I

03

).

Wait for receipt of confirmation in reply to the information get request from the connection control section which has received the information get request (at step I

04

) if it is possible to receive such confirmation containing relevant information (at stop I

05

), then cause the storage section n to store therein the content thereof (step I

06

); also, send a response to

1

C a response that involves such content (step I

07

).

In cases where it was unable to acquire any relevant information from all the connection control sections which have received the information get request. (at step I

09

) and/or where any information was not able to be acquired until elapse of a predefined time duration (step I

08

), issue to

1

C a response that indicates unavailability of relevant information (step I

10

).

Third Embodiment

A repeater apparatus

1003

in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention will be explained in conjunction with some of the accompanying drawings.

In the third embodiment an explanation will be given of a fundamental configuration of the repeater apparatus which has the third feature of the repeater apparatus of this invention for enabling, by grouping connections being set among a plurality of associated equipments, exclusive information transfer between or among multiconnections belonging to a group only.

A layout example of the repeater apparatus

1003

and its operatively coupled equipments a, b, c may be similar to that of

FIG. 1

with the repeater apparatus

1001

being replaced with

1003

.

FIG. 9

shows a block diagram of the repeater apparatus

1003

.

In this embodiment a group setter section

5

is added to the embodiment of FIG.

1

. The group setter section

5

functions to set at least two or more connections as a group in those connections as set by the connection control sections

1

C,

2

C,

3

C.

When one connection control section attempts to set a connection, the matter of which group such connection belongs to is managed with an identifier added thereto.

Where the connection control section inputs to the repeater section

103

output information from a connection belonging to a given group as set by the group setter section, the repeater section

103

judges the group then permitting the information to be transferred and input to only the connection control section which has set the connection belong to such group.

One example in that where the repeater apparatus

1003

sets a connection for image data transmission/reception as a multiconnection among equipments a, b, c while repeater apparatus

1003

sets a connection for audio data transmission/reception as a multiconnection between equipments a, b, the group setter section

5

is operable to set that the connection each connection control section is setting for purposes of image data transmission/reception may belong to a group

1

and also set that the connection each connection control section is setting for audio data transmission/reception purposes may belong to a group

2

.

Upon receipt, from the connection control section

1

C as a data receive indication, of information outputted from the connection with the identifier added thereto for audio data transmission/reception, then generate and issue a data send request only to

2

C to thereby ensure that the information is input to the connection with the identifier for audio data transmission/reception of the connection control section

2

C that has set. the connection belonging to the group

2

.

Alternatively, the above may be modified in a way such that as the method of setting a group and performing information transfer only at specific connections belonging to the same group, the group setter section

50

serves to form, for assignment, repeater sections

104

and

105

under control of the group setter section

50

which performs information transfer with respect to each group independently of each other.

FIG. 9

shows a block diagram of the infrared repeater apparatus

1004

for implementation of this method.

For example, where the equipment a issues a connection set request for performing image data transmit/receive operations, the connection set request from

1

C is uploaded to the repeater section

104

the group Better section has already prepared. The repeater section

104

generates and issues to

2

C,

3

C a connection set request for image data transmission/reception, then performing preparation of a multiconnection.

Once such multiconnection was established, transfer of image data by the repeater apparatus

1004

is then carried out using the repeater section

104

.

Also, use of the repeater section

105

for transferring audio data may enable the audio data transmission via repeater apparatus

1004

to be executed using the repeater section

105

once after establishment of such multiconnection.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, further detailed explanations will be given, as a fourth embodiment of this invention, of a connection set procedure and data transfer routine as well as connection cut routine disconnect in the case of performing information transmission within the repeater apparatus as has been described in the embodiment 1, along with a procedure of finding equipment for use in verifying whether connection-settable equipment is present in a communicable region prior to execution of setting a connection, and moreover an embodiment having a storage section for storing therein information as acquired from another equipment.

Furthermore, the embodiment 4 is designed to provide four direct emission type infrared communications apparatus with an N-to-N type communication form among four associative equipments while permitting establishment of multiconnections.

A repeater apparatus

1000

of this invention will be explained based on the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 10

is one exemplary layout of the repeater apparatus of this invention and a plurality of equipments a, b, c, d associated therewith, which apparatus is configured to perform connection-less type communications and connection type communications among respective equipments.

FIG. 11

shows a block diagram of

1000

. is an infrared transmitter section, which is the device for converting an electrical signal to infrared radiation and sending forth the same.

1

r

is an infrared receiver section which is the device for receiving infrared light for conversion to an electrical signal.

1

C is a data link control section capable of forming a connection with a data link control section

1

C

a

of another equipment a, by way of example, and of performing a frame exchange.

2

s

,

3

s

,

4

s

are infrared receiver sections which have the same functions as that of

1

s

;

2

r

,

3

r

,

4

r

are infrared receiver sections that are the same in function as

1

r

; and,

2

C,

3

C,

4

C are data link control sections having the same function as that of

1

C.

100

is a repeater section for inputting information as output from one data link control section to another data link control section.

The repeater apparatus

1000

is constituted from the constituent elements discussed above.

Constituent elements of the equipments a, b, c, d are as shown in

FIG. 11

, wherein the equipments a, a, c, d are comprised of infrared transmitter devices

1

sa

,

2

sb

,

3

sc

,

4

sd

, infrared receiver devices

1

ra

,

2

rb

,

3

rc

,

4

rd

, data link control sections

1

C

a

,

2

C

b

,

3

C

c

,

4

C

d

, and upper layers

1

upa

,

1

upb

,

1

upc

,

1

upd.

A repeating or routing operation of the repeater apparatus

1000

will be explained below.

1

C,

2

C,

3

C,

4

C of the repeater apparatus

1000

pass to the repeater section

100

various rinds of indications and confirmation, whist repeater section

100

passes to

1

C,

2

C,

3

C,

4

C various kinds of requests and response.

For instance, when various requests or responses are passed from the repeater section

100

,

1

C attempts to constitute a frame in conformity therewith,send it to

1

s

, and also analyze a frame based on a signal as received from

1

r

thereby passing it to repeater section

100

as various indications or confirmations.

Further, it will also be possible in some cases that as a result of analyzing the frame using a signal received from

1

r

, a new frame is created for transmission to

1

s.

First Primitive Example

As a first, primitive example between the data link control sections

1

C,

2

C,

3

C,

4

C and repeater section

100

, a flow will be explained of a processing, between respective constituent elements, of several signals such as requests, indications and confirmations during “discovery” services for affirming whether the connection set is possible where equipment is present within a communicable region.

When

1

upa

of equipment a sends forth a discovery request to

1

C

a

,

1

C

a

operates to constitute a frame for discovery and send it to the infrared transmitter section

1

sa.

1

sa

converts an. electrical signal to an infrared radiation signal

1

Ir

2

for transmission.

When the infrared receiver section

1

r

of repeater apparatus

1000

receives infrared radiation

1

Ir

2

, then convert it to an electrical signal passing it to

1

C.

At

1

C, frame analysis is done for recognition as a discovery frame, then sending forth a discovery indication to repeater section

100

.

Also, prepare an address for identifying

1

C, and constitute a discovery frame into which this is written for transmission to

1

s.

Upon receipt of the discovery indication from

1

C,

100

causes a storage section

1

m

, which is for storage of the resulting information as obtained from

1

C, to store therein the content of such discovery indication.

In the case of the discovery indication, if an address is written which is for identification of

1

C

a

as prepared by

1

C

a

of a, then repeater section

100

stores it in

1

m.

Also, send a discovery request to

2

C,

3

C,

4

C which are those data link control sections other than

1

C.

Upon receipt of discovery confirmation from

2

C,

3

C,

4

C after the discovery request has sent to the data link control sections

2

C,

3

C,

4

C, the section

100

stores the content of a discovery confirmation from

2

C into a storage section

2

m

for storage of information as obtained from

2

C, and stores the content of a discovery confirmation from

3

C into a storage section

3

m

for storage of information as obtained from

3

C, moreover stores the content of a discovery confirmation from

4

C into a storage section

4

m

for storage of information as obtained from

4

C, respectively.

Second Primitive Example

As a second, primitive example between the data link control sections

1

C,

2

C,

3

C,

4

C and repeater section

100

, a flow will now be explained of a processing, between respective constituent elements, of several signals such as requests indications responses and confirmations during connection set services for establishing connections with associative equipment(s).

When

1

upa

of the equipment a sends to

1

C a connection set request assigning the address of

1

C,

1

C

a

constitutes a frame for such-connection set and sends it to the infrared transmitter section

1

sa.

1

C

a

converts an electrical signal to an infrared signal

1

Ir

2

and then sends forth it.

When the infrared receiver section

1

r

of repeater apparatus

1000

receives the infrared radiation

1

Ir

2

, this section converts it to an electrical signal for passing to

1

C.

At

1

C, frame analysis is performed for recognition as a connection set frame to thereby send a connection set indication to the repeater section

100

.

Upon receipt of the connection set indication from

1

C,

100

stores the content of such connection set indication into the storage section

1

m

, which is designed to store therein information obtainable from

1

C.

In the case of such connection act indication, it a connection handle haw been written which is for identification of a connection between

1

C

a

and

1

C, then store it.

100

sends to

1

C a connection set response with the connection handle being written therein for identification of the connection between

1

C

a

and

1

C as stored in

1

m.

Also,

100

attempts to refer to the storage sections

2

m

,

3

m

,

4

m

; for example, if

2

m

stores therein an address for identifying the data link control section

2

C

b

of equipment b, then send to

2

C a connection set request with the address of

2

C

b

designated; alternatively, if

3

m

stores an address for identifying the data link control section

3

C

c

of equipment c, then send to

3

C a connection set request with the address of

3

C

c

designated; still alternatively, if

4

m

stores an address for identifying the data link control section

4

C

d

of equipment d then send to

4

C a connection set request with the address of

4

C

d

designated.

Upon reception of connection bet confirmation. from

2

C,

3

C,

4

C after having sent the connection set request to the data link control sections

2

C,

3

C,

4

C, then

100

stores the content of a connection net confirmation from

2

C into the storage section

2

m

for storage of information as obtained from

2

C, stores the content of a connection set confirmation from

3

C into the storage section

3

m

for storage of information as obtained from

3

C, and stores the content of a connection set confirmation from

4

C into the storage section

4

m

for storage of information as obtained from

4

C, respectively.

Third Example of Primitive

As a third primitive example between the data link control sections

1

C,

2

C,

3

C,

4

C and repeater section

100

, a flow will then be explained of a processing between respective constituent elements of signals such as requests, indications, responses and confirmations during connection set services for setting connections with associative equipments).

When

1

upa

of the equipment a sends to

1

C

a

a connection set request with the address of

1

C designated,

1

C

a

constitutes a frame for such connection set and then send it to the Infrared transmitter section

1

sa.