IMAGE COMMUNICATION APPARATUS WIRELESSLY CONNECTABLE TO OTHER APPARATUSES, SYSTEM HAVING THE IMAGE COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME

• US 20130038137A1
• Filed: 10/12/2012
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Hirai, Yoshiyuki, Mikuni, Makoto, Izumi, Michihiro
• Granted Patent: US 9,049,319 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00315 with a radio transmission apparatus with a cordless telephone H04N1/00305; systems or arrangements for the transmission of a picture signal specially adapted for transmission via radio H04N1/00103; H04N1/00307 takes precedence; radio transmission systems H04B7/00; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00885 Power supply means, e.g. arrangements for the control of power supply to the apparatus or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00896 using a low-power mode, e.g. standby
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0077 Types of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

A wireless mode between a scanner and an image communication apparatus is changed, in response to completion of image transmission from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, completion of print of the image sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, completion of transmission via a communication line connected to the image communication apparatus of the image sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, instructions to stop print of the image sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, instructions to stop transmission via the communication line connected to the image communication apparatus of the image sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, and states of the scanner and the image communication apparatus at a predetermined time and so on. For example, a low power consumption mode and communication mode of Bluetooth communication are switched to each other.

Claims

1-29. -29. (canceled)

30. An electric apparatus comprising:

a communication unit that communicates wirelessly with an other apparatus; and

a controller that wirelessly requests the other apparatus to supply electric power, in a case that a voltage level of a battery of the electric apparatus is lower than a defined value.

31. The electric apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising a change unit that changes a mode of the communication unit from a low power consumption mode for reducing electric power for communication with the other apparatus to a communication mode for accessing the other communication apparatus, in a case that the voltage level of the battery of the electric apparatus is lower than the defined value while the communication unit is operating in the low power consumption mode.

32. The electric apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the change unit requests the other apparatus to change a mode, when changing to the low-power consumption mode.

33. The electric apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the change unit changes the mode of the communication unit from the low power consumption mode to the communication mode, in a case that the communication unit transmits data to the other apparatus.

34. The electric apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the change unit changes the mode of the communication unit from the communication mode to the low power consumption mode after the other apparatus completes outputting of an image transmitted to the other apparatus by the electric apparatus.

35. The electric apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising a halt unit that halts a communication of the communication unit when a defined period of time elapses after changing to the low-power consumption mode by the change unit.

36. The electric apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising a display unit that displays a warning, in a case that the voltage level of the battery is lower than the defined value.

37. The electric apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the display unit clears the warning, if the electric apparatus is mounted on the other apparatus.

38. The electric apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the display unit clears the warning, if the voltage level of the battery is higher than the defined value.

39. The electric apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising a charge unit adapted to charge the battery by the electric power supplied by the other apparatus.

40. A communication method of an electric apparatus, the method comprising:

communicating wirelessly with an other apparatus that supplies electric power to the electric apparatus; and

sending wirelessly a signal to the other apparatus, in accordance with a voltage level of a battery of the electric apparatus.