Communication apparatus

• US 20050032549A1
• Filed: 08/04/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kawaguchi, Kyoko
• Granted Patent: US 7,428,404 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0232 according to average transmission signal activity
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Herein disclosed is a communication apparatus to be operative in combination with first and second external devices for respectively producing first and second information, comprising: first information receiving means for receiving the first information from the first external device; communication performing means for performing a communication with the second external device by receiving the second information from the second external device and producing an exchange information to be transmitted to the second external device and; controlling means for controlling the communication performing means by assuming two different operational states including a first operational state to allow the communication performing means to be operable to perform the communication with the second external device and a second operational state to allow the communication performing means to be inoperable to perform the communication with the second external device, the controlling means being adapted to selectively assume the first and second operational states in response to the first information received by the first information receiving means.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus to be operative in combination with first and second external devices for respectively producing first and second information, comprising:

first information receiving means for receiving said first information from said first external device;

communication performing means for performing a communication with said second external device by receiving said second information from said second external device and producing an exchange information to be transmitted to said second external device and;

controlling means for controlling said communication performing means by assuming two different operational states including a first operational state to allow said communication performing means to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device, and a second operational state to allow said communication performing means to be inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device, said controlling means being adapted to selectively assume said first and second operational states in response to said first information received by said first information receiving means.

2. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said first information is represented by a first operational state setting signal to be transmitted to said first information receiving means by said first external device, and in which

said controlling means is adapted to control said communication performing means to allow said communication performing means to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device in response to said first operational state setting signal received by said first information receiving means.

3. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said first information is represented by a second operational state setting signal to be transmitted to said first information receiving means by said first external device, and in which

said controlling means is adapted to control said communication performing means to allow said communication performing means to be inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device in response to said second operational state setting signal received by said first information receiving means.

4. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said first information is represented by a radio frequency wave to be transmitted to said first information receiving means by said first external device, and in which

said first information receiving means is adapted to assume an energized state to receive said first information from said first external device in response to said radio frequency wave received from said first external device.

5. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 2, in which said controlling means includes an elapsed time measuring unit for measuring an elapsed time in response to said first operational state setting signal received by said first information receiving means before judging whether or not said elapsed time exceeds a predetermined period of time, and in which

said controlling means is adapted to assume said second operational state when the judgment is made that said elapsed time exceeds a predetermined period of time.

6. A communication apparatus to be operative in combination with first and second external devices for respectively producing first and second information, comprising:

a housing;

a communication module to be accommodated in said housing, said communication module including communication performing means for performing a communication with said second external device by receiving said second information from said second external device and producing an exchange information to be transmitted to said second external device, and controlling means for controlling said communication performing means by assuming two different operational states including a first operational state to allow said communication performing means to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device, and a second operational state to allow said communication performing means to be inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device; and

a communication control module to be accommodated in said housing, said communication control module including first information receiving means for receiving said first information from said first external device, and judging means for judging whether or not to allow said communication performing means of said communication module to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device on the basis of said first information received by said first information receiving means, wherein said controlling means of said communication module is adapted to selectively assume said first and second operational states in response to the judgment of said judging means of said communication control module.

7. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 6, in which said first information is represented by a first operational state setting signal to be transmitted to said first information receiving means of said communication control module by said first external device, and in which

said controlling means of said communication module is adapted to control said communication performing means of said communication module to allow said communication performing means of said communication module to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device in response to said first operational state setting signal received by said first information receiving means of said communication control module.

8. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 6, in which said first information is represented by a second operational state setting signal to be transmitted to said first information receiving means of said communication control module by said first external device, and in which

said controlling means of said communication module is adapted to control said communication performing means of said communication module to allow said communication performing means of said communication module to be inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device in response to said second operational state setting signal received by said first information receiving means of said communication control module.

9. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 6, in which said first information is represented by a radio frequency wave to be transmitted to said first information receiving means of said communication control module by said first external device, and in which

said first information receiving means of said communication control module is adapted to assume an energized state to receive said first information from said first external device in response to said radio frequency wave received from said first external device.

10. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 6, in which said controlling means of said communication module includes an elapsed time measuring unit for measuring an elapsed time in response to said first operational state setting signal received by said first information receiving means of said communication control module before judging whether or not said elapsed time exceeds a predetermined period of time, and in which

said controlling means of said communication module is adapted to assume said second operational state when the judgment is made that said elapsed time exceeds a predetermined period of time.

11. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 6, which further comprises an electric battery accommodated in said housing to produce an electrical energy, and in which

said controlling means of said communication module includes a switching unit to be electrically connected to said electric battery, said switching unit being adapted to assume two different operational states including a first operational state to have said communication performing means of said communication module receive said electrical energy produced by said electric battery to ensure that said communication performing means of said communication module is operable to perform said communication with said second external device, and a second operational state to have said communication performing means of said communication module fail to receive said electrical energy produced by said electric battery to ensure that said communication performing means of said communication module is inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device.

12. A communication apparatus to be operative in combination with first and second external devices for respectively producing first and second information, comprising:

a housing;

a communication module to be accommodated in said housing, said communication module including first information receiving means for receiving said first information from said first external device, communication performing means for performing a communication with said second external device by receiving said second information from said second external device and producing an exchange information to be transmitted to said second external device, and controlling means for controlling said communication performing means by assuming two different operational states including a first operational state to allow said communication performing means to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device, and a second operational state to allow said communication performing means to be inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device; and

a communication control module to be accommodated in said housing, said communication control module including judging means for judging whether or not to allow said communication performing means of said communication module to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device on the basis of said first information received by said first information receiving means of said communication module, wherein said controlling means of said communication module is adapted to selectively assume said first and second operational states in response to the judgment of said judging means of said communication control module.

13. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 12, in which said first information is represented by a first operational state setting signal to be transmitted to said first information receiving means of said communication module by said first external device, and in which

said controlling means of said communication module is adapted to control said communication performing means of said communication module to allow said communication performing means of said communication module to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device in response to said first operational state setting signal received by said first information receiving means of said communication module.

14. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 12, in which said first information is represented by a second operational state setting signal to be transmitted to said first information receiving means of said communication module by said first external device, and in which

said controlling means of said communication module is adapted to control said communication performing means of said communication module to allow said communication performing means of said communication module to be inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device in response to said second operational state setting signal received by said first information receiving means of said communication module.

15. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 12, in which said first information is represented by a radio frequency wave to be transmitted to said first information receiving means of said communication module by said first external device, and in which

said first information receiving means of said communication control module is adapted to assume an energized state to receive said first information from said first external device in response to said radio frequency wave received from said first external device.

16. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 12, which further comprises an electric battery accommodated in said housing to produce an electrical energy, and in which

said controlling means of said communication module includes a switching unit having inputted therein said electrical energy produced by said electric battery, said switching unit being adapted to assume two different operational states including a first operational state to have said communication performing means of said communication module receive said electrical energy produced by said electric battery to ensure that said communication performing means of said communication module is operable to perform said communication with said second external device, and a second operational state to have said communication performing means of said communication module fail to receive said electrical energy produced by said electric battery to ensure that said communication performing means of said communication module is inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device.

17. A communication module to be operative in combination with a communication control module including first information receiving means for receiving first information from a first external device, judging means for judging whether or not to allow a communication performing means of a communication module to be operable to perform said communication with a second external device on the basis of said first information received by said first information receiving means when said first information receiving means receives said first information from said first external device, comprising:

communication performing means for performing a communication with said second external device by receiving said second information from said second external device and producing an exchange information to be transmitted to said second external device; and

controlling means for controlling said communication performing means by assuming two different operational states including a first operational state to allow said communication performing means to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device, and a second operational state to allow said communication performing means to be inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device, wherein

said controlling means of said communication module is adapted to assume said first operational state to allow said communication performing means to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device in response to the judgment of said judging means of said communication control module.

18. A communication module as set forth in claim 17, in which said first information is represented by a first operational state setting signal to be transmitted to said first information receiving means of said communication control module by said first external device, and in which

said controlling means is adapted to control said communication performing means to allow said communication performing means to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device in response to said first operational state setting signal received by said first information receiving means of said communication control module.

19. A communication module as set forth in claim 17, in which said first information is represented by a second operational state setting signal to be transmitted to said first information receiving means of said communication control module by said first external device, and in which

said controlling means is adapted to control said communication performing means to allow said communication performing means to be inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device in response to said second operational state setting signal received by said first information receiving means of said communication control module.

20. A communication module as set forth in claim 18, in which said controlling means includes an elapsed time measuring unit for measuring an elapsed time in response to said first operational state setting signal received by said first information receiving means of said communication control module before judging whether or not said elapsed time exceeds a predetermined period of time, and in which

said controlling means is adapted to assume said second operational state when the judgment is made that said elapsed time exceeds a predetermined period of time.

21. A communication control module to be operative in combination with a communication module including communication performing means for performing a communication with a second external device by receiving said second information from said second external device and producing an exchange information to be transmitted to said second external device, and controlling means for controlling said communication performing means by assuming two different operational states including a first operational state to allow said communication performing means to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device, and a second operational state to allow said communication performing means to be inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device, comprising:

first information receiving means for receiving said first information from said first external device; and

judging means for judging whether or not to allow said communication performing means of said communication module to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device on the basis of first information received by said first information receiving means when said first information receiving means receives said first information from said first external device, wherein

said controlling means of said communication module is adapted to assume said first operational state to allow said communication performing means to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device in response to the judgment of said judging means of said communication control module.

22. A communication control module as set forth in claim 21, in which said first information is represented by a radio frequency wave to be transmitted to said first information receiving means by said first external device, and in which

said first information receiving means is adapted to assume an energized state to receive said first information from said first external device in response to said radio frequency wave received from said first external device.

23. A communication control module to be operative in combination with a communication module including first information receiving means for receiving first information from a first external device, communication performing means for performing a communication with a second external device by receiving said second information from said second external device and producing an exchange information to be transmitted to said second external device, and controlling means for controlling said communication performing means by assuming two different operational states including a first operational state to allow said communication performing means to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device, and a second operational state to allow said communication performing means to be inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device, comprising:

judging means for judging whether or not to allow said communication performing means of said communication module to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device on the basis of said first information received by said first information receiving means of said communication module, wherein said controlling means of said communication module is adapted to selectively assume said first and second operational states in response to the judgment of said judging means of said communication control module.

24. A communication module, comprising:

first information receiving means for receiving first information from a first external device,

communication performing means for performing a communication with a second external device by receiving said second information from said second external device and producing an exchange information to be transmitted to said second external device, and

controlling means for controlling said communication performing means by assuming two different operational states including a first operational state to allow said communication performing means to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device, and a second operational state to allow said communication performing means to be inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device, wherein said controlling means of said communication module is adapted to selectively assume said first and second operational states in response to the judgment of said judging means of said communication control module.

25. A communication module as set forth in claim 24, in which said first information is represented by a first operational state setting signal to be transmitted to said first information receiving means of said communication module by said first external device, and in which

said controlling means of said communication module is adapted to control said communication performing means of said communication module to allow said communication performing means of said communication module to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device in response to said first operational state setting signal received by said first information receiving means of said communication module.

26. A communication module as set forth in claim 24, in which said first information is represented by a second operational state setting signal to be transmitted to said first information receiving means of said communication module by said first external device, and in which

said controlling means of said communication module is adapted to control said communication performing means of said communication module to allow said communication performing means of said communication module to be inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device in response to said second operational state setting signal received by said first information receiving means of said communication module.

27. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 24, in which said controlling means of said communication module includes an elapsed time measuring unit for measuring an elapsed time in response to said first operational state setting signal received by said first information receiving means of said communication module, and an elapsed time judging unit for judging whether or not said elapsed time exceeds a predetermined period of time, and in which

said controlling means of said communication module is adapted to assume said second operational state when the judgment is made that said elapsed time exceeds a predetermined period of time.

28. A recordable media having stored thereon a communication control program capable of being executed by a computer, comprising:

a judging step of judging whether or not to allow communication performing means to be operable to perform communication with a second external device when said first information is received from said first external device by said first information receiving means, and

a controlling step of controlling communication performing means by selectively assuming two different operational states including a first operational state to allow said communication performing means to be operable to perform said communication with said second external device, and a second operational state to allow said communication performing means to be inoperable to perform said communication with said second external device in response to the judgment of said judging step.