Information processing apparatus, information equipment, information processing system, automatic backup method, data transmission and reception method, automatic backup program, data transmission and reception program, and record medium having the programs recorded thereon

• US 20030236933A1
• Filed: 06/20/2003
• Published: 12/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Uno, Hiroshi, Shigeta, Daisuke, Haneda, Isamu
• Application Number:
  US10/465,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20030236933A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/72
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/14 Error detection or correction of the data by redundancy in operation G06F11/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1464 for networked environments

Abstract

A PC is comprised of a processing device 1 which performs processings such as converting manipulated data into a human-comprehensible format or data updating according to entered information, a display device 3 which presents information such as images and sounds to the user, a storage device 4 which stores data temporarily converted into information such as data to be handled, images and sounds, and a connection device 5 which establishes connection with other PCs and PDAs via a connection medium such as the Internet or a USB cable. This configuration allows transfer of application data by a program capable of manipulating such data after its conversion into basic data and allows application data to be manipulated (worked with) even on PDAs lacking means for directly handling application data.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus capable of exchanging data with other information equipment, comprising:

detection means for detecting whether connection is established with said other information equipment;

decision means for deciding the start of automatic backup;

reception means for receiving backup data from said other information equipment; and

storage means which, when said detection means detect connection with other information equipment, store backup data received from said other information equipment as a result of the start of automatic backup.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein automatic backup is not performed if said detection means do not detect connection with other information equipment.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage means delete backup data in excess of the maximum storable amount of data.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:

confirmation means for confirming whether backup data stored on said storage means is to be transmitted to said other information equipment; and

transmission means for transmitting stored backup data to and restoring the data on said other information equipment when data is to be transmitted as a result of confirmation.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising display means which, when said detection means do not detect connection with other information equipment, show that automatic backup cannot be performed.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, comprising instruction means which, when said detection means detect connection with other information equipment, instruct that information equipment be initialized.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising an automatic backup start ON/OFF function.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said confirmation means select an arbitrary piece of backup data from among a plurality of pieces of backup data as backup data to be transmitted to said other information equipment.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said confirmation means display the update date and time of each piece of data within backup data.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said confirmation means display each piece of data within backup data.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said decision means start automatic backup prior to transmission of data stored on said storage means when said confirmation means confirm that data stored on said storage means is to be transmitted.

12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising setting means which set time intervals for starting next automatic backup different from those for automatic backup if reception performed by said reception means is interrupted.

13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising arbitrary decision means which are capable of arbitrarily deciding the start of backup aside from automatic backup.

14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein data backed up by said arbitrary decision means remain undeleted even if the maximum storable amount of data in said storage means is exceeded.

15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said decision means decide the start of automatic backup by a timer which determines automatic backup start time.

16. An information processing apparatus capable of transmitting image data to other information equipment, comprising:

extraction means for extracting on-screen image data; and

transmission means for converting extracted image data into a format manipulatable by said other information equipment and transmitting the converted image data to said other information equipment.

21. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18, comprising detection means for detecting whether connection is established with said other information equipment, wherein when no connection is established with said other information equipment, image data extraction by said image data extraction means is stopped, and wherein image data transmission to other information equipment by said transmission means is withheld.

22. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising image data storage means for storing image data;

and detection means for detecting whether connection is established with said other information equipment, wherein when no connection is established with said other information equipment, image data extracted by said image data extraction means is stored on said image data storage means, and wherein when said detection means detect that connection is established with other information equipment, image data stored on said image data storage means is read and then converted by said transmission means into a format manipulatable by said other information equipment, for transmission to said other information equipment.

23. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising image data storage means for storing image data;

and detection means for detecting whether connection is established with said other information equipment, wherein when no connection is established with said other information equipment, image data extracted by said image data extraction means is converted into a format manipulatable by said other information equipment and stored on said image data storage means, and wherein when said detection means detect that connection is established with other information equipment, image data stored on said image data storage means is read and then transmitted by said transmission means to said other information equipment.

24. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 23, further comprising display means for showing whether connection is established with said other information equipment.

25. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising confirmation means for confirming whether image data is to be transmitted to said other information equipment, wherein when said detection means detect that connection is established with other information equipment, said confirmation means confirm whether to transmit image data, and wherein when, as a result of confirmation, data is to be transmitted, image data stored on said image data storage means is read and then converted by said transmission means into a format manipulatable by said other information equipment, for transmission to said other information equipment.

26. The information processing apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising confirmation means for confirming whether image data is to be transmitted to said other information equipment, wherein when said detection means detect that connection is established with other information equipment, said confirmation means confirm whether to transmit image data, and when, as a result of confirmation, data is to be transmitted, image data stored on said image data storage means is read and then transmitted by said transmission means to said other information equipment.

27. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising confirmation means for confirming whether image data is to be transmitted to said other information equipment, wherein when no connection is established with said other information equipment at the time of transmission request, said confirmation means confirm whether to transmit image data after establishment of connection, and wherein when, as a result of confirmation, data is to be transmitted after establishment of connection, image data extracted by said image data extraction means is stored on said image data storage means.

28. The information processing apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising confirmation means for confirming whether image data is to be transmitted to said other information equipment, wherein when no connection is established with said other information equipment at the time of transmission request, said confirmation means confirm whether to transmit image data after establishment of connection, and wherein when, as a result of confirmation, data is to be transmitted after establishment of connection, image data extracted by said image data extraction means is converted into a format manipulatable by said other information equipment and stored on said image data storage means.

29. The information processing apparatus according to claim 27 or 28, further comprising display means for showing that there is untransmitted image data stored on said image data storage means.

30. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising date information attachment means for attaching date information to image data extracted by said image data extraction means, wherein said transmission means transmit extracted image data and attached date information to other information equipment.

31. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, 23, 25, 26, 27 or 28, further comprising date information attachment means for attaching date information to image data extracted by said image data extraction means, wherein said image data storage means store extracted image data and attached date information.

32. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising title information attachment means for attaching index title information to image data extracted by said image data extraction means, wherein said transmission means transmit extracted image data and attached title information to other information equipment.

33. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, 23, 25, 26, 27 or 28, further comprising title information attachment means for attaching index title information to image data extracted by said image data extraction means, wherein said image data storage means store extracted image data and attached title information.

34. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising index information attachment means for arbitrarily attaching index information to image data extracted by said image data extraction means, wherein said transmission means transmit extracted image data and attached index information to said other information equipment.

35. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, 23, 25, 26, 27 or 28, further comprising index information attachment means for arbitrarily attaching index information to image data extracted by said image data extraction means, wherein said image data storage means store extracted image data and attached index information.

36. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising condition addition means for adding image data extraction conditions to image data extracted by said image data extraction means, wherein said transmission means transmit extracted image data and added conditions to said other information equipment.

37. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, 23, 25, 26, 27 or 28, further comprising condition addition means for adding image data extraction conditions to image data extracted by said image data extraction means, wherein said image data storage means store extracted image data and added conditions.

38. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising storage location specification means for specifying a storage location of other information equipment for storing image data extracted by said image data extraction means, wherein said transmission means transmit extracted image data and data indicating the specified storage location to said other information equipment.

39. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, 23, 25, 26, 27 or 28, further comprising storage location specification means for specifying a storage location of other information equipment for storing image data extracted by said image data extraction means, wherein said image data storage means store extracted image data and data indicating the specified storage location.

40. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising storage format specification means for specifying a format for storing image data extracted by said image data extraction means, wherein said transmission means transmit extracted image data and data indicating the specified storage format to said other information equipment.

41. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, 23, 25, 26, 27 or 28, further comprising storage format specification means for specifying a format for storing image data extracted by said image data extraction means, wherein said image data storage means store extracted image data and data indicating the specified storage format.

42. The information processing apparatus according to any of claims 16 to 18, further comprising storage format specification means for specifying a format for storing image data extracted by said image data extraction means;

and compression ratio setting means for setting a compression ratio if the specified storage format is compressible, wherein said transmission means transmit image data extracted at the set compression ratio and data indicating the specified storage format to said other information equipment.

43. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, 23, 25, 26, 27 or 28, further comprising storage format specification means for specifying a format for storing image data extracted by said image data extraction means;

and compression ratio setting means for setting a compression ratio if the specified storage format is compressible, wherein said image data storage means store image data extracted at the set compression ratio and data indicating the specified storage format.

44. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein said transmission means are a storage medium, and wherein image data is transmitted by passing said storage medium from said information processing apparatus to said other information equipment.

17. An information processing apparatus capable of transmitting image data to other information equipment, comprising:

selection means for selecting a piece of image data from among a plurality of pieces of image data displayed on the display screen;

image data extraction means for extracting the selected piece of image data; and

transmission means for converting extracted image data into a format manipulatable by said other information equipment and transmitting the converted image data to said other information equipment.

18. An information processing apparatus capable of transmitting image data to other information equipment, comprising:

area specification means for specifying a display screen area from which image data is to be extracted;

image data extraction means for extracting the specified area of image data; and

transmission means for converting extracted image data into a format manipulatable by said other information equipment and transmitting the converted image data to said other information equipment.

19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said area specification means perform area specification by specifying start to end positions for extraction of image data.

20. An information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said area specification means specify a rectangular area with a fixed height and width having its starting point at an arbitrary position by specifying said arbitrary position on the image data.

45. An information processing apparatus capable of transmitting text data to other information equipment, comprising:

text data extraction means for extracting text data from display screen'"'"'s on-screen data;

text data storage means for storing extracted text data; and

transmission means for extracting text data by said text data extraction means through selection of said display screen'"'"'s on-screen data, storing the text data on said text data storage means and transmitting the text data to said other information equipment.

47. The information processing apparatus according to claim 45 or 46, wherein said text data extraction means extract text data including Hypertext data if said on-screen data contains Hypertext data.

48. The information processing apparatus according to claim 45 or 46, wherein said text data extraction means extract text data using the clipboard and store the text data on said text data storage means.

51. The information processing apparatus according to claim 45 or 46, comprising detection means for detecting whether connection is established with said other information equipment, wherein when no connection is established with said other information equipment, text data extracted by said text data extraction means is stored on said text data storage means, and wherein when said detection means detect that connection is established with other information equipment, text data stored on said text data storage means is read and then transmitted by said transmission means to said other information equipment.

52. The information processing apparatus according to claim 45 or 46, further comprising date information attachment means for attaching date information to text data extracted by said text data extraction means, wherein said transmission means transmit extracted text data and attached date information to other information equipment.

53. The information processing apparatus according to claim 45 or 46, further comprising title information attachment means for attaching title information to text data extracted by said text data extraction means, wherein said transmission means transmit extracted text data and attached title information to other information equipment.

54. The information processing apparatus according to claim 45 or 46, further comprising index information attachment means for attaching index information to text data extracted by said text data extraction means, wherein said transmission means transmit extracted text data and attached index information to said other information equipment.

55. The information processing apparatus according to claim 45 or 46, further comprising condition addition means for adding text data extraction conditions to text data extracted by said text data extraction means, wherein said transmission means transmit extracted text data and data indicating added conditions to said other information equipment.

56. The information processing apparatus according to claim 45 or 46, further comprising storage location specification means for specifying a storage location for storing text data extracted by said text data extraction means, wherein said transmission means transmit extracted text data and data indicating the specified storage location to said other information equipment.

57. The information processing apparatus according to claim 45 or 46, wherein said transmission means are a storage medium, and wherein text data is transmitted by passing this storage medium from said information processing apparatus to said other information equipment.

46. An information processing apparatus capable of transmitting text data to other information equipment, comprising:

area specification means for specifying an area of on-screen data from which text data is to be extracted;

text data extraction means for extracting text data from the specified area of on-screen data;

text data storage means for storing extracted text data; and

transmission means for extracting text data by said text data extraction means through specification of an area of said on-screen data by said area specification means, storing the text data on said text data storage means and transmitting the text data to said other information equipment.

49. The information processing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said area specification means perform area specification by specifying start to end positions for extraction of on-screen data.

50. The information processing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said area specification means specify a rectangular area with a fixed height and width having its starting point at an arbitrary position by specifying said arbitrary position on on-screen data.

58. Other information equipment capable of receiving image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus after conversion into a manipulatable format, comprising:

reception means for receiving said image data;

storage means for storing image data received by said reception means;

detection means for detecting reception of image data by said reception means; and

display means for displaying image data detected by said detection means.

59. The information equipment according to claim 58, wherein said detection means detect whether image data has been received based on change in the number of files stored in said storage means.

60. The information equipment according to claim 58, wherein said storage means store image data received by said reception means in the specified folder.

61. The information equipment according to claim 58, wherein said storage means store image data received by said reception means in the folder specified by file format.

62. Other information equipment capable of receiving text data transmitted from an information processing apparatus, comprising:

reception means for receiving said text data;

storage means for storing text data received by said reception means;

detection means for detecting reception of text data by said reception means; and

display means for displaying text data detected by said detection means.

63. The information equipment according to claim 62, wherein said detection means detect whether text data has been received based on change in the number of files stored in said storage means.

64. An information processing system allowing other information equipment and an information processing apparatus to exchange data with each other, wherein

said information processing apparatus comprises detection means for detecting whether connection is established with other information equipment;

decision means for deciding the start of automatic backup;

reception means for receiving backup data from said other information equipment;

storage means for storing backup data received from said other information equipment as a result of the start of automatic backup when said detection means detect connection with other information equipment; and

transmission means for transmitting stored backup data to said other information equipment, for restoration, and wherein

said other information equipment halts all processing functions other than restoration during restoration of said backup data.

65. An information processing system comprised of an information processing apparatus and other information equipment capable of receiving image data transmitted from said information processing apparatus after conversion into a manipulatable format, wherein

said other information equipment comprises instruction means for instructing said information processing apparatus to receive said image data, and wherein

said information processing apparatus comprises transmission means for transmitting said image data to said other information equipment based on the instruction from said instruction means.

66. An information processing system comprised of an information processing apparatus and other information equipment capable of receiving text data transmitted from this information processing apparatus, wherein

said other information equipment comprises instruction means for instructing said information processing apparatus to receive said text data, and wherein

said information processing apparatus comprises transmission means for transmitting said text data to

said other information equipment based on the instruction from said instruction means.

67. An automatic backup method effected in an information processing apparatus capable of exchanging data with other information equipment, comprising the steps of:

detecting whether connection is established with said other information equipment;

deciding the start of automatic backup;

receiving backup data from said other information equipment when automatic backup starts; and

storing received backup data on storage means.

68. A data transmission method for transmitting image data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, comprising the steps of:

extracting image data from the display screen in response to a transmission request;

converting extracted image data into a format manipulatable by other information equipment; and

transmitting converted text data.

69. A data transmission method for transmitting image data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, comprising the steps of:

selecting a piece of image data from among a plurality of pieces of image data displayed on the display screen in response to a transmission request;

extracting the selected piece of image data;

converting extracted image data into a format manipulatable by other information equipment; and

transmitting converted image data.

70. A data transmission method for transmitting image data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, comprising the steps of:

specifying a display screen area from which image data is to be extracted in response to a transmission request;

extracting the specified area of image data;

converting extracted image data into a format manipulatable by other information equipment; and

transmitting converted image data.

71. A data transmission method for transmitting image data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, comprising the steps of:

specifying a display screen area from which image data is to be extracted;

extracting the specified area of image data and converting extracted image data into a format manipulatable by other information equipment;

storing converted image data on image data storage means; and

reading image data stored on image data storage means and transmitting the image data to other information equipment in response to a transmission request.

72. A data transmission method for transmitting image data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, comprising the steps of:

extracting image data from the display screen and converting extracted image data into a format manipulatable by said other information equipment;

detecting whether connection is established with said other information equipment;

storing said converted image data on image data storage means when no connection is established with other information equipment; and

reading said image data stored on image data storage means and transmitting said image data to other information equipment when establishment of connection with other information equipment is detected.

73. A data transmission method for transmitting image data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, comprising the steps of:

extracting image data from the display screen and converting extracted image data into a format manipulatable by said other information equipment in response to a transmission request;

detecting whether connection is established with said other information equipment;

storing said converted image data on image data storage means when no connection is established with other information equipment;

confirming whether to transmit image data when establishment of connection with other information equipment is detected; and

reading image data stored on image data storage means and transmitting the image data to other information equipment if image data is to be transmitted as a result of confirmation.

74. A data transmission method for transmitting image data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, comprising the steps of:

extracting image data from the display screen and converting extracted image data into a format manipulatable by said other information equipment in response to a transmission request;

detecting whether connection is established with said other information equipment;

confirming whether to store said converted image data on image data storage means when no connection is established with other information equipment;

storing said converted image data on image data storage means if, as a result of confirmation, data is to be stored; and

reading said image data stored on image data storage means and transmitting said image data to other information equipment when establishment of connection with other information equipment is detected.

75. A data transmission method for transmitting text data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, comprising the steps of:

extracting text data from the display screen'"'"'s on-screen data;

storing extracted text data on text data storage means; and

transmitting text data stored on text data storage means to other information equipment.

76. A data transmission method for transmitting text data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, comprising the steps of:

specifying an on-screen data area from which text data is to be extracted;

extracting the specified area of text data from on-screen data;

storing extracted text data on text data storage means; and

transmitting text data stored on text data storage means to other information equipment.

77. A data reception method for other information equipment to receive image data converted into a manipulatable format from an information processing apparatus, comprising the steps of:

receiving transmitted image data;

storing received image data in a specified folder,

detecting image data reception based on change in the number of files stored in said folder; and

displaying the detected image data.

78. A data reception method for other information equipment to receive text data from an information processing apparatus, comprising the steps of:

receiving transmitted text data;

storing received text data in a specified folder,

detecting text data reception based on change in the number of files stored in said folder; and

displaying the detected text data.

79. A computer-readable automatic backup program executed in an information processing apparatus capable of exchanging data with other information equipment, said program comprising the steps of:

detecting whether connection is established with said other information equipment;

deciding the start of automatic backup;

receiving backup data from said other information equipment when automatic backup starts; and

storing received backup data on storage means.

91. A computer-readable record medium having thereon recorded a program according to any one of claims 79 to 90.

80. A computer-readable data transmission program for transmitting image data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, said program comprising the steps of:

extracting image data from the display screen in response to a transmission request;

converting extracted image data into a format manipulatable by other information equipment; and

transmitting converted image data.

81. A computer-readable data transmission program for transmitting image data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, said program comprising the steps of:

selecting a piece of image data from among a plurality of pieces of image data displayed on the display screen in response to a transmission request;

extracting the selected piece of image data;

converting extracted image data into a format manipulatable by other information equipment; and

transmitting converted image data.

82. A computer-readable data transmission program for transmitting image data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, said program comprising the steps of:

specifying a display screen area from which image data is to be extracted in response to a transmission request;

extracting the specified area of image data;

converting extracted image data into a format manipulatable by other information equipment; and

transmitting converted image data.

83. A computer-readable data transmission program for transmitting image data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, said program comprising the steps of:

specifying a display screen area from which image data is to be extracted;

extracting the specified area of image data and converting it into a format manipulatable by other information equipment;

storing converted image data on image data storage means; and

reading image data stored on image data storage means and transmitting the image data to other information equipment in response to a transmission request.

84. A computer-readable data transmission program for transmitting image data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, said program comprising the steps of:

extracting image data from the display screen and converting the image data into a format manipulatable by other information equipment in response to a transmission request;

detecting whether connection is established with other information equipment;

storing said converted image data on image data storage means when no connection is established with other information equipment; and

reading said image data stored on image data storage means and transmitting said read image data to other information equipment when establishment of connection with other information equipment is detected.

85. A computer-readable data transmission program for transmitting image data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, said program comprising the steps of:

extracting image data from the display screen and converting the image data into a format manipulatable by said other information equipment in response to a transmission request;

detecting whether connection is established with said other information equipment;

storing said converted image data on image data storage means when no connection is established with other information equipment;

confirming whether to transmit image data when establishment of connection with other information equipment is detected; and

reading said image data stored on image data storage means and transmitting said read image data to other information equipment if image data is to be transmitted as a result of confirmation.

86. A computer-readable data transmission program for transmitting image data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, said program comprising the steps of:

extracting image data from the display screen and converting the image data into a format manipulatable by the other information equipment in response to a transmission request;

detecting whether connection is established with said other information equipment;

confirming whether to store said converted image data on image data storage means when no connection is established with other information equipment;

storing said converted image data on image data storage means if, as a result of confirmation, data is to be stored; and

reading said image data stored on image data storage means and transmitting said image data to other information equipment when establishment of connection with other information equipment is detected.

87. A computer-readable data transmission program for transmitting text data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, said program comprising the steps of:

extracting text data from the display screen'"'"'s on-screen data;

storing extracted text data on text data storage means; and

transmitting text data stored on text data storage means to other information equipment.

88. A computer-readable data transmission program for transmitting text data from an information processing apparatus to other information equipment, said program comprising the steps of:

specifying an on-screen data area from which text data is to be extracted;

extracting the specified area of text data from on-screen data;

storing extracted text data on text data storage means; and

transmitting text data stored on text data storage means to other information equipment.

89. A computer-readable data reception program for other information equipment to receive image data transmitted from an information processing apparatus after conversion into a manipulatable format, said program comprising the steps of:

receiving transmitted image data;

storing received image data in a specified folder;

detecting image data reception based on change in the number of files stored in said folder; and

displaying the detected image data.

90. A computer-readable data reception program for other information equipment to receive text data transmitted from an information processing apparatus, said program comprising the steps of:

receiving transmitted text data;

storing received text data in a specified folder;

detecting text data reception based on change in the number of files stored in said folder; and

displaying the detected text data.