Image capture apparatus capable of being wirelessly connected to other apparatuses; and method for controlling the same

• US 20040233475A1
• Filed: 06/24/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• 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 7,907,297 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• 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 image capture apparatus comprising:

an image capture unit, adapted to capture an image;

a wireless communication device, arranged for communication with another apparatus, and having an image communication mode in which the image is communicated with the other apparatus and a low-power consumption mode in which electrical power for communication is reduced;

a detection device, adapted to detect a pre-determined state;

a mode changing controller, adapted to change the modes of said wireless communication device in accordance with a detection performed by said detecting device.

31. An image capture apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said detecting device detects completion of transmission of the captured image to the other apparatus.

32. An image capture apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said detecting device detects completion of a predetermined operation in the other apparatus.

36. An image capture apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising a memory device arranged to store the captured image,

wherein said detecting device detects erasure of the image from said memory device on the basis of an instruction from the other apparatus.

37. An image capture apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said detecting device detects arrival of a predetermined time frame.

38. An image capture apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said detecting device detects an instruction of completion of printing of the image sent from said image capture apparatus to the other apparatus, or an instruction of completion of transmission of the image via the communication line connected to the other apparatus.

39. An image capture apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said mode changing controller changes the modes in response to a request from the other apparatus to said image capture apparatus.

40. An image capture apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said mode changing controller changes the modes in response to a request from said image capture apparatus to the other apparatus.

41. An image capture apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said mode changing controller stops operation of said wireless communication device when a predetermined time has elapsed after making a change to the low-power consumption mode.

33. An image capture apparatus according to claim 33, further comprising a display device adapted to display completion of the predetermined operation detected by said detecting device,

wherein said mode changing controller changes the modes of said wireless communication device after such display on said display device.

34. An image capture apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the predetermined operation is transmission of the image which the other apparatus has received from said image capture apparatus.

35. An image capture apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the predetermined operation is printing of the image which the other apparatus has received from said image capture apparatus.

42. A communication method of an image capture apparatus comprising the steps of:

communicating with another apparatus by a wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device has an image communication mode in which the image is communicated with the other apparatus and a low-power consumption mode in which electrical power for communication is reduced;

detecting a predetermined state; and

changing the modes of the wireless communication device in accordance with a detection in said detection step.