(19) Japan Patent Office (JP)
`
`(12) Japanese Unexamined Patent
`Application Publication (A)
`
`(11) Japanese Unexamined Patent
`Application Publication Number
`2003-60953
`(P2003-60953A)
`
`
`
`
`
`(43) Publication date: February 28, 2003 (2.28.2003)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7
`
`Identification codes
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`107
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`FI
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`Theme code (reference)
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`Request for examination: Not yet requested Number of claims: 13; OL (Total of 17 pages) Continued on the last page
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`(21) Application number
`
`
`(22) Date of application
`
`Japanese Patent Application
`2001-246515 (P2001-246515)
`
`August 15, 2001 (8.15.2001)
`
`(71) Applicant
`
`
`
`(72) Inventor
`
`
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`(74) Agent
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`000005201
`Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
`210 Nakanuma, Minamiashigara-shi,
`Kanagawa-ken
`Toshiyuki HIROISHI
`℅ Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
`798 Miyanodai, Ashigarakami-gun,
`Kaisei-machi, Kanagawa-ken
`100079049
`Jun NAKAJIMA, Patent Attorney (3 other
`agents)
`
`
`Continued on the last page
`
`(54) (TITLE OF THE INVENTION) PHOTOGRAPHING SYSTEM, PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD, CAMERA,
`RECORDING MEDIUM, AND PROGRAM
`
`(57) (ABSTRACT)
`system, a
`(PROBLEM) To obtain a photographing
`photographing method, a camera, a recording medium and a
`program that allows a photographer him/herself to reliably take
`a self-portrait and accurately grasp the photographing timing.
`(MEANS FOR SOLVING) A digital camera 50 acquires
`image information showing an object image, sequentially
`transmits the acquired image information to a mobile phone
`40, and stores the acquired image information in a built-in
`storage means, upon
`receiving
`the
`release
`instruction
`information, which is the information for instructing the
`storage of the acquired image information. Furthermore, the
`mobile phone 40 receives the image information sent by the
`digital camera 50, displays the image shown by the received
`image information, and transmits the release instruction
`information to the digital camera 50 when a predetermined key
`is operated. Moreover, the digital camera 50 transmits to the
`mobile phone 40 the image information stored in the storage
`means, and in response to this, the mobile phone 40 transfers
`to a terminal device the image information received from the
`digital camera 50 together with the character information.
`
`Photographing system 10
`
`Mobile phone 40
`
`Digital camera 50
`
`Communication
`(instruction
`information)
`
`Communication (image
`information)
`
`Communication
`Image information
`
`Character information
`
`Terminal device
`
`
`
`
`
`Canon Exhibit 1005, Page 1
`
`

`

`(Scope of Patent Claims)
`(Claim 1) A photographing system, comprising
`a camera equipped with an image information acquisition means
`for obtaining image information showing an object image, an
`image
`information
`transmission means
`for
`sequentially
`transmitting the image information obtained by the image
`information acquisition means, an
`instruction
`information
`receiving means for receiving release instruction information,
`which is the information for instructing the storage of the image
`information obtained by the image information acquisition means,
`and a storage means for storing the image information obtained
`by the image information acquisition means when the instruction
`information receiving means receives the release instruction
`information; and
`image
`terminal device provided with an
`an
`information
`information receiving means for receiving the image information
`transmitted by the image information transmission means, a
`display means for displaying an image shown by the image
`information received by the image information receiving means,
`an operation means operated when the release instruction
`information
`is
`transmitted, and an
`instruction
`information
`transmission means for transmitting the release instruction
`information when the operation means is operated.
`(Claim 2) The photographing system as recited in Claim 1,
`wherein the camera is built-in with the instruction information
`receiving means and the image information transmission means,
`and
`the information terminal device is built-in with the instruction
`information transmission means and the image information
`receiving means.
`(Claim 3) The photographing system as recited in Claim 1 or 2,
`wherein the image information transmission means transmits the
`stored image information stored in the storage means, wherein
`the camera is further provided with an erasing means for deleting
`the stored
`image
`information
`transmitted by
`the
`image
`information transmission means from the storage means, and
`the information terminal device is further provided with a transfer
`means for transferring to a predetermined transfer destination the
`stored image information received by the image information
`receiving means.
`(Claim 4) The photographing system as recited in Claim 3,
`wherein the transfer means transmits to a transfer destination the
`character information on the stored image information when
`transferring to a predetermined transfer destination the stored
`image information received by the image information receiving
`means.
`(Claim 5) A photographing method, wherein a camera obtains
`image
`information showing an object
`image, sequentially
`transmits the obtained image information, and stores in a storage
`means the image information obtained upon receiving the release
`instruction information, which is the information for instructing
`the storage of the obtained image information; and
`an information terminal device receives the image information
`transmitted by the camera, displays an image shown by the
`received image information, and transmits the release instruction
`information when an operation means operated during the
`transmission of the release instruction information is operated.
`(Claim 6) The photographing method as recited in Claim 5,
`wherein the camera transmits the stored image information stored
`in the storage means and subsequently deletes the transmitted
`stored image information from the storage means, and
`
`the information terminal device transfers the stored image
`information received to a predetermined transfer destination.
`(Claim 7) The photographing method as recited in Claim 6,
`wherein
`the
`information
`terminal device
`transfers
`to a
`predetermined transfer destination the character information on
`the stored image information when transferring the received
`stored image information to the transfer destination.
`(Claim 8) A camera, comprising:
`an image information acquisition means for obtaining image
`information showing an object image,
`an
`image
`information
`transmission means for sequentially
`transmitting the image information obtained by the image
`information acquisition means,
`an instruction information receiving means for receiving release
`instruction information, which is the information for instructing
`the storage of the image information obtained by the image
`information acquisition means, and
`a storage means for storing the image information obtained by the
`image
`information acquisition means when
`the
`instruction
`information receiving means receives the release instruction
`information.
`(Claim 9) The camera as recited in Claim 8, wherein the image
`information transmission means transmits the stored image
`information stored in the storage means, and
`the camera is further provided with an erasing means for deleting
`from the storage means the stored image information transmitted
`by the image information transmission means.
`(Claim 10) A recording medium, capable of being read by a
`computer in which a program that controls the operation of a
`camera is installed, wherein the program comprises
`an
`image
`information
`transmission step of sequentially
`transmitting image information showing an object image,
`an instruction information receiving step of receiving release
`instruction information, which is the information for instructing
`the storage of the image information, and
`a storage step of storing the image information in a storage means
`when the release instruction information is received in the
`instruction information receiving step.
`(Claim 11) The recording medium capable of being read by a
`computer as recited in Claim 10, wherein the medium is recorded
`with the program that further includes
`a stored image transmission step of transmitting the stored image
`information stored in the storage means, and
`a deletion step of deleting from the storage means the stored
`image information transmitted in the stored image transmission
`step.
`(Claim 12) A program, for controlling the operation of a camera,
`wherein the program comprising:
`an
`image
`information
`transmission step of sequentially
`transmitting the image information showing an object image, an
`instruction information receiving step of receiving the release
`instruction information, which is the information for instructing
`the storage of the image information, and
`a storage step of storing the image information in a storage means
`upon receiving
`the release
`instruction
`information
`in
`the
`instruction information receiving step.
`(Claim 13) The program as recited in Claim 12, wherein the
`program further includes a stored image transmission step of
`
`
`Canon Exhibit 1005, Page 2
`
`

`

`transmitting the stored image information stored in the storage
`means, and
`a deletion step of deleting from the storage means the stored
`image information transmitted in the stored image transmission
`step.
`(Detailed Description of the Invention)
`(0001)
`(Technical Field to which the Invention belongs) The present
`invention pertains to a photographing system, a photographing
`method, a camera, a recording medium, and a program; in
`particular, the present invention pertains to a photographing
`system, a photographing method, a camera, a recording medium,
`and a program with which a photographer can simply and reliably
`captures a self-portrait.
`(0002)
`(Description of the Prior Art) When self-timer photographing is
`performed using a camera so that the photographer him/herself is
`included as an object, the following conventional method has
`been adopted: a photographer looks into a finder of the camera
`fixedly installed, assumes the position where he/she will stand in
`a photographing area, presses a release switch (the so-called
`shutter), moves to the standing position, and waits for the shutter
`to release.
`(0003)
`(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, with this
`method, the actual standing position of the photographer at the
`time of photographing may deviate from the assumed standing
`position, which in this case, may cause a problem that a portion of
`the body of the photographer may be cut-off from the print
`obtained by photographing. Furthermore, with this method, a
`shutter may be released while the photographer is moving to the
`standing position, causing a problem of the photographer being
`excluded in the print obtained by photographing. Furthermore,
`this method also poses a problem
`that
`the
`timing (the
`photographing timing) at which a shutter will release is difficult
`to grasp.
`(0004) The present invention was made in order to solve the
`problems described above, and the objective of the present
`invention is to provide a photographing system, a photographing
`method, a camera, a recording medium, and a program that allows
`the photographer him/herself to take a self-portrait reliably and to
`grasp the photographing timing correctly.
`(0005)
`(Means for Solving the Problems) To achieve the objective
`described above, the photographing system as recited in Claim 1
`comprises a camera equipped with an
`image
`information
`acquisition means for obtaining image information showing an
`object image, an image information transmission means for
`sequentially transmitting image information obtained by the
`image information acquisition means, an instruction information
`receiving means for receiving release instruction information,
`which is the information for instructing the storage of the image
`information obtained by the image information acquisition means,
`and a storage means for storing the image information obtained
`by the image information acquisition means when the instruction
`information receiving means receives the release instruction
`information; and an information terminal device provided with an
`image information receiving means for receiving the image
`information transmitted by the image information transmission
`
`means, a display means for displaying an image shown by the
`image information received by the image information receiving
`means, an operation means for performing an operation when the
`release instruction information is transmitted, and an instruction
`information transmission means for transmitting the release
`instruction information when the operation means is operated.
`(0006) According to the photographing system as recited in Claim
`1, a camera allows the image information acquisition means to
`obtain the image information showing an object image, and the
`image information transmission means to sequentially transmit
`the obtained image information.
`(0007) On the other hand, in the invention as recited in Claim 1,
`the information terminal device allows the image information
`receiving means to receive the image information transmitted by
`the image information transmission means, and the display means
`to display the image shown by the received image information.
`(0008) In this way, it is possible to confirm the object image
`shown by the image information obtained by the camera, by
`referring to the display means equipped in the information
`terminal device even at the position away from the camera.
`(0009) The image information described above also includes
`motion picture information, in addition to still picture information.
`Transmission and reception of the image information by the
`image information transmission means and the image information
`receiving means include transmission and reception by a cable, in
`addition
`to wireless
`transmission and reception such as
`transmission and reception by radio waves and infrared rays. The
`display means includes all types of displays including a CRT
`display, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL
`(Electro Luminescence) display, and the like.
`(0010) On the other hand, the information terminal device of the
`present invention is equipped with an operation means operated
`upon the transmission of the release instruction information,
`which is the information for instructing the storage of the image
`information obtained by the image information acquisition means,
`wherein the release instruction information is transmitted by the
`instruction information transmission means when the operation
`means is operated.
`(0011) And in the camera of the present invention, when the
`release instruction information is received by the instruction
`information receiving means, the image information obtained by
`the image information acquisition means is stored in the storage
`means.
`is the
`information
`instruction
`the release
`(0012) Namely,
`information for instructing the timing of photographing with the
`camera of the present invention, and in the present invention, the
`information terminal device is provided with a function for
`transmitting the release instruction information; therefore, it is
`possible to perform photographing with a camera even at a
`position away from the camera, by operating the operation means
`included in the information terminal device. Therefore, since the
`timing to operate the operation means serves as the photographing
`timing, a photographer can grasp the photographing timing
`correctly.
`(0013) A switch, a button, and the like, are included in the
`operation means. Furthermore, the storage means includes
`memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory),
`EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only
`Memory), flash EEPROM, and the like;
`
`Canon Exhibit 1005, Page 3
`
`

`

`portable storage media such as SmartMedia (registered
`trademark), CompactFlash (registered trademark), ATA (AT
`Attachment) card, floppy disks, CD-R (Compact Disc-
`Recordable), CD-RW
`(Compact Disc-ReWritable), and
`magneto-optical discs, and the like; and fixed recording media,
`such as hard disks, and the like.
`(0014) Thus, according to the photographing system as recited
`in Claim 1, a camera acquires the image information showing
`an object image, sequentially transmits the acquired image
`information, and stores in a storage means the image
`information obtained upon receiving the release instruction
`information, which is the information for instructing the
`storage of the obtained image information; and an information
`terminal device receives the image information transmitted by
`the camera, displays the image shown by the received image
`information, and transmits the release instruction information
`when the operation means operated at the time of transmitting
`the release instruction information is operated; therefore, a
`self-portrait of a photographer him/herself can be reliably
`captured, and the photographing timing can be grasped
`correctly.
`(0015) Existing devices having a display function and a
`communication
`function
`including mobile phones and
`notebook-type personal computers, and PDAs (Personal Data
`Assistants), or existing devices that allow built-in electronic
`boards or IC chips having a display function and a
`communication function added can be applied as
`the
`information terminal device of the present invention; existing
`cameras having a communication function or existing cameras
`that allow built-in electronic board or IC chips, that can be
`added with a communication function can be applied as the
`camera of the present invention. Thus, this system can be built
`at low cost by applying existing devices as the information
`terminal device and the camera of the present invention.
`(0016) Furthermore, as in the case of the photographing
`system as recited in Claim 2, in the invention as recited in
`Claim 1, the camera preferably has the built-in instruction
`information receiving means and the image information
`transmission means, and the information terminal device has
`the built-in instruction information transmission means and
`the image information receiving means. In this way, it is
`possible to configure the camera and the information terminal
`device according to the present invention to be small in size
`and to build a user-friendly system.
`(0017) In the invention as recited in Claim 1 or 2, the
`photographing system as recited in Claim 3 is a system
`wherein the image information transmission means transmits
`the stored image information stored in the storage means, the
`camera is further provided with an erasing means for deleting
`the stored image information transmitted by the image
`information transmission means from the storage means, and
`the information terminal device is further provided with a
`transfer means for transferring to a predetermined transfer
`destination the stored image information received by the
`image information receiving means.
`(0018) According to the photographing system as recited in
`Claim 3, with the camera, the stored image information stored
`in the storage means is transmitted by the image information
`transmission means, and
`the
`transmitted stored
`image
`information is deleted from a storage means by the erasing
`means. In the present invention, with information terminal
`device, the stored image information received by the image
`
`information receiving means is transferred to a predetermined
`transfer destination by a transfer means.
`(0019) Thus, according to the photographing system as recited
`in Claim 3, it is possible to produce the same effect as that in
`the invention as recited in Claim 1 or 2. Furthermore, with the
`camera, the stored image information stored in the storage
`means is transmitted, and the transmitted stored image
`information is deleted from a storage means; while with the
`information terminal device, the stored image information
`received is transferred to a predetermined transfer destination;
`therefore, the available storage capacity of the storage means
`can be increased.
`the
`in Claim 3,
`(0020) In
`the
`invention as recited
`photographing system as recited in Claim 4 is where the
`transfer means transmits to the transfer destination the
`character information on the stored image information upon
`transferring to a predetermined transfer destination the stored
`image
`information received by
`the
`image
`information
`receiving means.
`(0021) According to the photographing system as recited in
`Claim 4, with the information terminal device, a transfer
`means transmits to the transfer destination the character
`information on the stored image information upon transferring
`to a predetermined transfer destination the stored image
`information received by the image information receiving
`means.
`(0022) Thus, according to the photographing system as recited
`in Claim 4, it is possible to produce the same effect as that in
`the invention as recited in Claim 3. Furthermore, with the
`information terminal device, the character information on the
`stored image information is transmitted to the transfer
`destination upon transferring the received stored image
`information to a predetermined transfer destination; therefore,
`the matters pertaining to the stored image information can be
`presented at the transfer destination.
`(0023) On the other hand, to achieve the objective described
`above, the photographing method as recited in Claim 5 is
`wherein a camera obtains image information showing an
`object image, sequentially transmits the obtained image
`information, and stores in a storage means the image
`information obtained when release instruction information,
`which is the information for instructing the storage of the
`obtained image information is received; and an information
`terminal device receives the image information transmitted by
`the camera, displays an image shown by the received image
`information, and transmits the release instruction information
`upon the operation of an operation means operated during the
`transmission of the release instruction information.
`(0024) Therefore, according to the photographing method as
`recited in Claim 5, similar effects as those in the invention as
`recited in Claim 1 are achieved; therefore, as in the invention
`as recited in Claim 1, the photographer him/herself can take a
`self-portrait reliably, and the photographing timing can be
`grasped correctly.
`the
`in Claim 5,
`(0025) In
`the
`invention as recited
`photographing method as recited in Claim 6 is where the
`camera transmits the stored image information stored in the
`storage means and subsequently delete the transmitted stored
`image
`information from
`the storage means, and
`the
`information
`terminal device
`transfers
`the stored
`image
`information received to a predetermined transfer destination.
`
`Canon Exhibit 1005, Page 4
`
`

`

`
`(0026) Therefore, according to the photographing method as
`recited in Claim 6, the same effect as that in the invention as
`recited in Claim 5 can be achieved, and the effect similar to
`that in the invention as recited in Claim 3 can also be
`achieved; therefore, the available storage capacity of a storage
`means can be increased in a similar manner as that in the
`invention as recited in Claim 3.
`(0027) Furthermore, in the invention as recited in Claim 6, the
`photographing method as recited in Claim 7 is where the
`information terminal device transmits to a transfer destination
`the character information on the stored image information
`upon transmitting the received stored image information to a
`predetermined transfer destination.
`(0028) Therefore, since according to the photographing
`method as recited in Claim 7, the same effect as that of the
`invention as recited in Claim 6 can be achieved, and a similar
`effect as that in the invention as recited in Claim 4 can also be
`achieved, where the matters pertaining to the stored image
`information can be presented to the transfer destination as in
`the case in the invention as recited in Claim 4.
`(0029) On the other hand, to achieve the objective described
`above, the camera as recited in Claim 8 comprises an image
`information
`acquisition means
`for obtaining
`image
`information showing an object image, an image information
`transmission means for sequentially transmitting the image
`information obtained by the image information acquisition
`means, an
`instruction
`information receiving means for
`receiving the release instruction information, which is the
`information for
`instructing
`the storage of
`the
`image
`information obtained by the image information acquisition
`means, and a storage means for storing the image information
`obtained by the image information acquisition means when
`the instruction information receiving means receives the
`release instruction information.
`(0030) According to the camera as recited in Claim 8, the
`image information showing an object image is obtained by an
`image information acquisition means, and the obtained image
`information
`is sequentially
`transmitted by
`the
`image
`information transmission means.
`information
`image
`the
`(0031) Therefore, by receiving
`transmitted by the image information transmission means and
`displaying the image by the received image information, the
`object image shown by the image information obtained with
`the camera can be checked by referring to the display also at
`the position away from the camera.
`(0032) The image information described above also includes
`motion picture
`information in addition
`to still picture
`information. Transmission of the image information by the
`image
`information
`transmission means
`includes
`a
`transmission by a cable, in addition to wireless transmission,
`such as transmission by radio waves and infrared rays.
`(0033) On the other hand, with the camera of the present
`invention, when the release instruction information, which is
`the information for instructing the storage of the image
`information obtained by the image information acquisition
`means, is received by the instruction information receiving
`means,
`the
`image
`information obtained by
`the
`image
`information acquisition means is stored in the storage means.
`
`(0034) That is, the release instruction information is the
`information for instructing the timing of photographing with
`the camera of the present invention. Therefore, it is possible to
`photograph a picture with a camera also at the position away
`from the camera, by transmitting the release instruction
`information at the timing one wishes to take a photograph
`with the camera of the present invention. Therefore, since the
`timing in which the release instruction information is
`transmitted serves as
`the photographing
`timing,
`the
`photographer can grasp the photographing timing correctly.
`(0035) The storage means includes storage elements, such as
`RAM, EEPROM, flash EEPROM, and the like; portable
`recording media, such as smart media, CompactFlash, an
`ATA card, floppy disk, CD-R, CD-RW, magneto-optical disc,
`and the like; and fixed recording media, such as hard disk, and
`the like.
`(0036) Thus, according to the camera as recited in Claim 8,
`the image information showing an object image is obtained,
`the obtained image information is sequentially transmitted,
`and when the release instruction information, which is the
`information for instructing the storage of the obtained image
`information, is received, the image information obtained is
`stored in the storage means; therefore, the photographer
`him/herself can
`take a self-portrait reliably, and
`the
`photographing timing can be grasped correctly.
`(0037) In the invention as recited in Claim 8, the camera as
`recited in Claim 9 transmits the stored image information
`stored in the storage means by the image information
`transmission means, and is further provided with an erasing
`means for deleting the stored image information transmitted
`by the image information transmission means from the storage
`means.
`(0038) According to the camera as recited in Claim 9, the
`stored image information stored in the storage means is
`transmitted by the image information transmission means, and
`the transmitted stored image information is deleted from the
`storage means by the erasing means.
`(0039) Thus, according to the camera as recited in Claim 9,
`the same effect as that in the invention as recited in Claim 8
`can be achieved, the stored image information stored in the
`storage means is transmitted, and the transmitted stored image
`information is deleted from the storage means; therefore, the
`available storage capacity in a storage means can be increased.
`(0040) On the other hand, the recording media readable by a
`computer as recited in Claim 10 and Claim 11 are recording
`media for recording a program having the same effect as those
`in the invention as recited in Claim 8 and Claim 9 with respect
`to a camera, and the same effects as those in the invention as
`recited in Claim 8 and Claim 9 can be achieved by running the
`program recorded on these recording media. The recording
`medium includes all media readable by computers, such as
`storage elements, such as RAM, EEPROM, flash EEPROM,
`and the like; portable recording media, such as smart media,
`CompactFlash, ATA card, floppy disk, CD-R, CD-RW,
`magneto-optical disc, and the like; and fixed recording media,
`such as a hard disk, and the like.
`(0041) Furthermore, the programs as recited in Claim 12 and
`Claim 13 are programs configured to have the same effect as
`those in the invention as recited in Claim 8 and Claim 9
`
`
`Canon Exhibit 1005, Page 5
`
`

`

`
`with respect to a camera, and the same effect as those in the
`invention as recited in Claim 8 and Claim 9 can be achieved
`by running these programs.
`(0042)
`the
`the Embodiments) Hereinafter,
`(Description of
`embodiments of the invention will be described in details with
`reference to the accompanying drawings. First, with reference
`to FIG. 1, the basic structure of the photographing system 10
`according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in
`the drawing, the photographing system 10 according to this
`embodiment is configured to include a mobile phone 40 and a
`digital camera 50 configured so as to allow two-way
`communication, and a terminal device configured so as to
`allow two-way communication with the mobile phone 40.
`(0043) As shown in the drawing, the photographing system 10
`according to this embodiment is a system wherein various
`keys provided to the mobile phone 40 are used to remotely
`operate
`the digital camera 50 by
`transmitting various
`instruction information from the mobile phone 40 to the
`digital camera 50.
`(0044) When the digital camera 50 receives from the mobile
`phone 40 the instruction information for the purpose of
`transmitting the image information obtained by photographing,
`the photographing system 10 transmits the image information
`to the mobile phone 40, and the mobile phone 40 forwards the
`image information received from the digital camera 50 to a
`terminal device. In the case of the transfer of the image
`information from the mobile phone 40 to the terminal device,
`character information can also be transmitted to the terminal
`device along with the image information if needed.
`(0045) The mobile phone 40 represents the information
`terminal device of the present invention, and the digital
`camera 50 represents the camera of the present invention.
`(0046) Next, the configuration of the computer network 1
`applied in order to achieve the photographing system 10
`according to this embodiment will be described with reference
`to FIG. 2.
`(0047) As shown in the drawing, the computer network 1
`comprises the Internet 12, a public telephone network 14 built
`and provided by a telecommunications company of each
`country or each region as communication media. The public
`telephone network 14 includes, for example, PSTN (Public
`Switched Telephone Network) and ISDN (Integrated Service
`Digital Network).
`(0048) Interconnection of the Internet 12 and the public
`telephone network 14 is established by a gateway system 32.
`The telephone network includes various types of wireless
`telephone networks 16A and 16B, such as PDC (Personal
`Digital Cellular) and PHS (Personal Handy-phone System).
`The wireless telephone networks 16A a