Communication apparatus

• US 20040049556A1
• Filed: 09/10/2003
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2002
• 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: Watanabe, Kenichi
• Application Number:
  US10/658,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20040049556A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00209 Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00384 Key input means, e.g. buttons or keypads electromechanical details of key input means in general H01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00408 Display of information to the user, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00496 Constructional details of the interface or console not otherwise provided for, e.g. rotating or tilting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00538 Modular devices, i.e. allowing combinations of separate components, removal or replacement of components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00965 using a plug-in memory module, e.g. memory card, memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0097 Storage of instructions or parameters, e.g. customised instructions or different parameters for different user IDs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit

Abstract

An I-FAX apparatus has the function of performing facsimile communications in connection with the Internet, and it can operate as a master set and use a slave set. A detachable manipulation panel section has some of the manipulation keys of a facsimile body, dial keys and a display device, and it is separable from the facsimile body. The detachable manipulation panel section, the slave set, and storage devices of portable type such as IC memory cards function as portable storage devices which are units being separable or separate from the facsimile body. The I-FAX apparatus can be utilized by storing Internet information items for each individual person in the portable storage devices. Each of the storage devices of portable type can be furnished with dial keys, manipulation keys and a display device, and it permits the user to display and edit the information independently of the facsimile body, etc.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus connectable to the Internet comprising:

an apparatus body including connecting means for connecting the communication apparatus to the Internet; and

a storage device capable of being detachably attached to the apparatus body, or portable as a unit from the apparatus body;

the storage device being capable of storing at least either of information being a subject for communications and setting information necessary for the Internet connection, as information on the Internet, and including;

display means for displaying stored information; and

input means for subjecting the information displayed on the display means, to an editing manipulation,

the connection means of the apparatus body performing communications through the Internet utilizing the information on the Internet as stored in the storage device.

2. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus body further includes setting means for setting the information on the Internet as stored in the storage device, to be valid or invalid.

3. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus body further includes warning means responsive to a set content of the setting means and an attached state of the storage device;

the warning means issues a warning for notifying that no storage device is attached, in the case where the information on the Internet is set valid by the setting means and where the storage device is not attached, and issues a warning for prompting the user to designate which of a plurality of storage devices is to be validated, in the case where the plurality of storage devices are attached; and

the warning means issues a warning for notifying that the storage device is invalidated, in the case where the information on the Internet is set invalid by the setting means and where the storage device is attached.

12. A program which causes a computer to function as any of the communication apparatus of claim 1.

4. A communication apparatus connectable to the Internet, comprising:

a separate unit which is separable from an apparatus body, and which is connectable so as to operate in association with the apparatus body,

the separate unit including storage means capable of storing at least either of information being a subject for communications and setting information necessary for the Internet connection, as information on the Internet; and

at least either of the apparatus body and the separate unit includes connection means for performing the communications through the Internet, utilizing the information on the Internet as stored in the storage means of the separate unit.

5. The the communication apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

a storage device capable of being detachably attached to the apparatus body or the separate unit, or portable as a separate unit,

the storage device being capable of storing at least either of information being a subject for communications and setting information necessary for Internet connection, as information on the Internet, and including;

display means for displaying stored information; and

input means for subjecting the information displayed on the display means, to an editing manipulation, and

the connection means of the apparatus body performing the communications through the Internet utilizing the information on the Internet as stored in the storage device.

6. The communication apparatus of claim 5, wherein the apparatus body further includes setting means for setting the information on the Internet as stored in the separate unit or the storage device, to be valid or invalid.

7. The communication apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus body further includes warning means responsive to a set content of the setting means and an attached state of the storage device,

the warning means issues a warning for notifying that no storage device is attached, in the case where the information on the Internet as stored in the storage device is set valid by the setting means and where the storage device is not attached, and issues a warning for prompting the user to designate which of a plurality of storage devices is to be validated, in the case where the plurality of storage devices are attached;

and

the warning means issues a warning for notifying that the storage device is invalidated, in the case where the information on the Internet as stored in the storage device is set invalid by the setting means and where the storage device is attached.

8. The communication apparatus of claim 6, wherein in the case where the information on the Internet as stored in the separate unit and the information on the Internet as stored in the storage device are both set valid by the setting means, and where only either of the separate unit and the storage device is connected or attached, the connection means performs the communications through the Internet by utilizing the information on the Internet as stored in either of them.

9. The communication apparatus of claim 6, wherein in the case where the information on the Internet as stored in the separate unit and the information on the Internet as stored in the storage device are both set valid by the setting means, and where the separate unit is connected, while the storage device is attached, the connection means performs the communications through the Internet by utilizing the information on the Internet as stored in that one of the separate unit and the storage device whose priority level is higher in accordance with preset priority levels.

10. The communication apparatus of claim 4, wherein the separate unit is a manipulation panel which can be detachably attached to the apparatus body, and with which a manipulating input for a communication function is possible in both an attached state and a detached state.

11. The communication apparatus of claim 4, wherein the separate unit is a slave set which can operate with the apparatus body being a master set.

13. A program which causes a computer to function as any of the communication apparatus of claim 4.