Data terminal, data processing method, and data processing system

• US 20010019964A1
• Filed: 03/01/2001
• Published: 09/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Shimizu, Hirokimi
• Granted Patent: US 6,804,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/30 Means for acting in the event of power-supply failure or interruption, e.g. power-supply fluctuations for resetting only G06F1/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0261 managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

It is an object to provide a data terminal which can give a surplus for switching a power supply to an AC adapter and continuing communication without exerting an adverse influence on the server side when a battery voltage of a data terminal drops to the user. To accomplish this object, a microcomputer in an adapter connected to a communication network via a cellular phone or PHS discriminates an operating mode of the adapter when the low-power voltage is detected by an interruption signal from a power supply during the connection of communication with an image server connected to the communication network. While data from the image server is being received or the received data is being printed, the microcomputer waits for seconds while expecting a recovery of the power voltage. If the power supply is exchanged to a new battery or the AC adapter is inserted by the operator during this period of time, the printing operation is resumed.

Claims

1. A data terminal which is connected to an information processing apparatus through a communication line and processes data, comprising:

voltage detecting means for detecting a low-power voltage of said data terminal during communication with said information processing apparatus; and

standby means for waiting for a predetermined time when said low-power voltage is detected.

2. A terminal according to

claim 1

, further comprising operating mode discriminating means for discriminating an operating mode of said data terminal when said low-power voltage is detected, and wherein said standby means waits for the predetermined time in accordance with a result of said discrimination.

3. A terminal according to

claim 2

, further comprising resuming means for resetting a standby mode when said power voltage is recovered during the waiting for said predetermined time.

4. A terminal according to

claim 2

, further comprising operation stop means for shifting an operating mode from the standby mode to an operation stop mode when said power voltage is not recovered even after waiting for said predetermined time.

5. A terminal according to

claim 2

, further comprising line disconnecting means for disconnecting said communication line without waiting for said predetermined time when said data terminal is waiting for reception of data as a result of said discrimination.

6. A terminal according to

claim 2

, wherein when said data terminal is receiving the data as a result of said discrimination, said standby means waits for the predetermined time while receiving the data.

7. A terminal according to

claim 2

, further comprising processing suspending means for suspending said process when said data terminal is processing as a result of said discrimination, and

wherein said standby means waits for the predetermined time after interrupting said process.

8. A terminal according to

claim 7

, further comprising warning means for generating a warning to the operator when said process is suspended.

9. A terminal according to

claim 4

, further comprising notifying means for notifying the operator of the fact that an operating mode is shifted to said operation stop mode.

10. A terminal according to

claim 1

, further comprising a mobile communication terminal, and wherein said terminal is connected to said communication line through said mobile communication terminal.

11. A data processing method of processing data by a data terminal connected to an information processing apparatus through a communication line, comprising the steps of:

detecting a low-power voltage of said data terminal during communication with said information processing apparatus; and

waiting for a predetermined time when said low-power voltage is detected.

12. A method according to

claim 11

, further comprising a step of discriminating an operating mode of said data terminal when said low-power voltage is detected, and

wherein said terminal waits for the predetermined time in accordance with a result of said discrimination.

13. A data processing system for controlling data by a data terminal which is connected to an information processing apparatus through a communication line, comprising:

voltage detecting means for detecting a low-power voltage of said data terminal during communication between said information processing apparatus and said data terminal; and

standby means for waiting for a predetermined time when said low-power voltage is detected.

14. A system according to

claim 13

, further comprising operating mode discriminating means for discriminating an operating mode of said data terminal when said low-power voltage is detected, and

wherein said standby means waits for the predetermined time in accordance with a result of said discrimination.

15. A memory medium which stores a program which is executed by a computer for controlling a data terminal connected to an information processing apparatus through a communication line and controls said data terminal, wherein said program comprises the steps of:

detecting a low-power voltage of said data terminal during communication between said information processing apparatus and said data terminal; and

waiting for a predetermined time when said low-power voltage is detected.

16. A medium according to

claim 15

, wherein said program further comprises the steps of:

discriminating an operating mode of said data terminal when said low-power voltage is detected; and

waiting for the predetermined time in accordance with a result of said discrimination.

17. A data terminal for receiving data from an information processing apparatus and processing said data, comprising:

control means for controlling in a manner such that when a low-voltage is detected, the process of the data is suspended, the operator is warned, whether the voltage has been recovered after the elapse of a predetermined time or not is discriminated, and when it is determined that the voltage has been recovered, the process is resumed.

18. A terminal according to

claim 17

, wherein when it is determined that the voltage is not recovered, said control means notifies the operator of such a fact and sets the operation into a stop mode.

19. A terminal according to

claim 17

, wherein said control means controls in a manner such that while the process is being executed, said process is suspended, the operator is warned, whether the voltage has been recovered after the elapse of a predetermined time or not is discriminated, when it is determined that the voltage has been recovered, the process is resumed, and when the process is not being performed, the operator is notified of such a fact, and the terminal is set into an operation stop mode.

20. A data terminal for processing received data, comprising

control means for controlling in a manner such that when a low-voltage is detected, in case of waiting for reception of data, an information processing apparatus is notified of such a fact, a line is disconnected, when the data is being received, the operator is warned, whether the voltage has been recovered after the elapse of a predetermined time or not is discriminated, and if it is determined that the voltage has been recovered, a warning is released.

21. A terminal according to

claim 20

, wherein said control means controls in a manner such that when the data is being received, whether the process is being executed or not is discriminated, when the process is being executed, the process is suspended, the operator is warned, whether the voltage has been recovered after the elapse of the predetermined time or not is discriminated, if it is determined that the voltage has been recovered, the process is resumed, when the process is not being executed, the operator is warned, whether the voltage has been recovered after the elapse of the predetermined time or not is discriminated, and if it is decided that the voltage has been recovered, the warning is released.

22. A data terminal for processing received data, comprising p1 control means for controlling in a manner such that when a low-voltage is detected, in case of waiting for reception of data, an information processing apparatus is notified of such a fact, a line is disconnected, when the process is being executed, the process is suspended, the operator is warned, whether the voltage has been recovered after the elapse of a predetermined time or not is discriminated, and if it is determined that the voltage has been recovered, the process is resumed.

23. A terminal according to

claim 22

, wherein if it is determined that the voltage is not recovered, said control means notifies the operator of such a fact and sets the operation into a stop mode.

24. A program which is executed by a computer for controlling a data terminal connected to an information processing apparatus through a communication line and controls said data terminal,

wherein said program comprises the steps of:

detecting a low-power voltage of said data terminal during communication between said information processing apparatus and said data terminal; and

waiting for a predetermined time when said low-power voltage is detected.

25. A program according to

claim 24

, further comprising the steps of:

discriminating an operating mode of said data terminal when said low-power voltage is detected; and

waiting for the predetermined time in accordance with a result of said discrimination.