Communication system

• US 5,146,493 A
• Filed: 06/14/1990
• Issued: 09/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kurosawa, Yuji, Kiguchi, Masao
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shehata, M.
• Application Number:
  US07/537,817
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 379/355, 379/357, 379/359, 379/361, 379/413
• US Class Current: 379/357.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/275 implemented by means of portable electronic directories
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• 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 1/00893 using a back-up supply, e.g. in case of main-supply failure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00899 Detection of supply level or supply failure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00901 Using different supplies or connection to an external supply H04N1/00893, H04N1/00896 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00962 Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software program loading in general G06F9/445; network-specific protocols involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34

Abstract

A communication system receives data from a portable device without using a conductor. The data-receiving side obtains electric power from the outside. The portable device obtains electric power from its internal power supply or the data-transmitting side.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising a card-like device and a data receiving apparatus for receiving data from said card-like device,

said data receiving apparatus comprising:

communication means for communicating via a line on the basis of data received from said card-like device;

obtaining means for obtaining electric power from the line;

a first internal power supply for generating electric power independently of the electric power from the line; and

first supply means for supplying said card-like device with electric power from a selected one of said obtaining means and said first internal power supply, and

said card-like device comprising;

transmission means for transmitting data to said data receiving apparatus without using a conductor;

a second internal power supply for generating electric power independently of the electric power from said first supply means; and

second supply means for supplying said transmission means with electric power from a selected one of said first supply means and said second internal power supply.

2. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said obtaining means includes light emitting means for emitting light in response to a current from the line, and conversion means for converting the light emitted from said light emitting means photoelectrically.

3. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said second supply means supplies said transmission means with electric power from said second internal power supply in a state in which electric power is not supplied from said first supply means.

4. A communication system according to claim 3, wherein said card-like device includes storage means for storing data, which holds the data using electric power from said second internal power supply.

5. A communication system according to claim 4, wherein said card-like device includes a keyboard for registering the data in said storage means.

6. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said transmission means transmits the data by light.

7. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said transmission means transmits the data by audio signal.

8. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said data receiving apparatus includes calling means for calling in accordance with the received data, and wherein said transmission means transmits a number to call.

9. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said first supply means supplies said card-like device with electric power from said first supply means when electric power is supplied from said first internal power supply, and from the closed line when electric power is not supplied from said first internal power supply.

10. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said second supply means supplies said card-like device with electric power from said first supply means when electric power is supplied from said first supply means, and from the closed line when electric power is not supplied from said first supply means.

11. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said first supply means supplies said card-like device with electric power from said first supply means when electric power is supplied from said first internal power supply, and from the closed line when electric power is not supplied from said first internal power supply.

12. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said second supply means supplies said card-like device with electric power from said first supply means, and from the closed line when electric power is not supplied from said first supply means.

13. A communication system comprising a card-like device for transmitting a dial number and a communication apparatus for calling in accordance with the dial number transmitted from said card-like device,

said communication apparatus comprising:

sending means for sending a dialing signal to a line in accordance with the dial number transmitted from said card-like device;

obtaining means for obtaining electric power from the line;

a first internal power supply for generating electric power independently of the electric power from the line; and

first supply means for supplying said card-like device with electric power from a selected one of said obtaining means and said first internal power supply, and

said card-like device comprising;

transmission means for transmitting the dial number without using a conductor;

a second internal power supply for generating electric power independently of the electric power from said first supply means; and

second supply means for supplying said transmission means with electric power from a selected one of said first supply means and said second internal power supply.

14. A communication system according to claim 13, wherein said communication apparatus performs communication via a line.

15. A communication system according to claim 14, wherein said supply means supplies an electric power from a power supply in said communication apparatus or from the line.

16. A communication system according to claim 13, wherein said obtaining means includes light emitting means for emitting light in response to a current from the line, and conversion means for converting the light emitted from said light emitting means photoelectrically.

17. A communication system according to claim 13, wherein said second supply means supplies said transmission means with electric power from said second internal power supply in a state in which electric power is not supplied from said first supply means.

18. A communication system according to claim 17, wherein said card-like device includes storage means for storing dial numbers, and holds the dial numbers using electric power from said second internal power supply.

19. A communication system according to claim 13, wherein said transmission means transmits the dial number by light.

20. A communication system according to claim 13, wherein said transmission means transmits the dial number by audio signal.

21. A communication system according to claim 13, wherein said first supply means supplies said card-like device with electric power from said first supply means when electric power is supplied from said first internal power supply, and from the closed line when electric power is not supplied from said first internal power supply.

22. A communication system according to claim 13, said first supply means further including selecting means for selecting one of said obtaining means and said first internal power supply in accordance with whether the line is closed.

23. A communication apparatus comprising:

communication means for performing communication via a line;

photosensing means; and

supply means for supplying said photosensing means with electric power from said line;

wherein said communication means performs communication in accordance with a photosensed output from said photosensing means.

24. A communication apparatus according to claim 23, further including power supply means, and wherein said supply means supplies said photosensing means with electric power from a selected one of said power supply means and the line.

25. A communication apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said power supply means comprises a battery.

26. A communication apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said power supply means generates electric power independently of the electric power from the line.

27. A communication apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said supply means supplies said reception means with electric power from the line when the line is open, and from said power supply means when the line is closed.

28. A communication apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said first supply means supplies said card-like device with electric power from said first supply means when electric power is supplied from said first internal power supply, and from the closed line when electric power is not supplied from said first internal power supply.

29. A communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said communication means transmits data received by said photosensing means.

30. A communication apparatus according to claim 23, said supply means further supplies said communication means with electric power from said line.

31. A communication apparatus comprising:

reception means for receiving data photoelectrically;

communication means for performing communication via a line, said communication means performing communication in accordance with the data received by said reception means;

power supply means; and

supply means for supplying said reception means with electric power from a selected one of said power supply means and the line.

32. A communication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said supply means includes obtaining means for obtaining electric power from the line.

33. A communication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said power supply means generates electric power independently of the electric power from the line.

34. A communication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said supply means supplies said reception means with electric power from the line when the line is open, and from said power supply means when the line is closed.

35. A communication apparatus according to claim 31, said supply means further including selecting means for selecting one of said power supply means and the line in accordance with whether the line is closed.

36. A communication apparatus according to claim 31, said supply means further supplies said communication means with electric power from the selected one of said power supply means and the line.