Image communication apparatus wirelessly connectable to other apparatuses, system having the image communication apparatus, and method for controlling the same Number:6,785,748 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Title: Image communication apparatus wirelessly connectable to other apparatuses, system having the image communication apparatus, and method for controlling the same

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.

Patent Number: 6,785,748 Issued on 08/31/2004 to Mikuni,   et al.

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Inventors:	Mikuni; Makoto (Kanagawa, JP), Izumi; Michihiro (Chiba, JP), Hirai; Yoshiyuki (Ibaraki, JP)
Assignee:	Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo, JP)
Appl. No.:	09/903,675
Filed:	July 13, 2001

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Foreign Application Priority Data

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Jul 18, 2003 [JP]			2000-217843

Current U.S. Class:	710/15 ; 380/270; 380/271; 381/315; 463/39; 710/14; 713/320
Current International Class:	H04N 1/00 (20060101)
Field of Search:	710/15,14 713/320 463/39 380/270,271 381/315

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References Cited [Referenced By]

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U.S. Patent Documents

	5392132		February 1995		Yamamoto et al.
	5418630		May 1995		Mori et al.
	2003/0132298		July 2003		Swartz et al.

Foreign Patent Documents

	2 333 932		Aug., 1999		GB

Other References

Mattisson, Sven, Low-Power Considerations in the Design of Bluetooth, 2000, ACM, p. 151-154.* . Haartsen, J., "Bluetooth--The universal radio interface for ad hoc, wireless connectivity" Ericsson Review, Ericsson, Stockholm, SE, No. 3, 1998, pp. 110-117. . Spaker, R. "Bluetooth Basics", Embedded Systems Programming, Miller Freeman, San Francisco, CA, vol. 13, No. 7, Jul. 2000, pp. 57-58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72. . Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 1999, No. 14, Dec. 22, 1999 (JP 11 252329). . Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 017, No. 317 (E-1382), Jun. 16, 1993 (JP 05 030248 A)..

Primary Examiner: Perveen; Rehana
Assistant Examiner: Knapp; Justin
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto

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Claims

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What is claimed is:

1. A system including a scanner and an image communication apparatus that communicates with the scanner, and having a first mode in which the image communication apparatus executes a predetermined process to an image scanned by the scanner, comprising: wireless communicating means for making a wireless connection between the image communication apparatus and the scanner, and having an image communication mode in which the image is communicated between the image communication apparatus and the scanner and a low-power consumption mode in which electrical power for communicating between the image communication apparatus and the scanner is reduced; detecting means for detecting a completion of the predetermined process during operation in the first mode of the image communication apparatus; and mode changing means for changing a mode of said wireless communicating means from the image communication mode to the low-power consumption mode, depending on a detection of said detecting means.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means detects a completion of an image communication between the image communication apparatus and the scanner.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means detects a completion of printing of image data sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, or a completion of transmission of the image via a communication line connected to the image communication apparatus.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means further detects instructions for a process of stopping printing of image data sent from the scanner to the image communication apparatus, or stopping transmission of the image via a communication line connected to the image communication apparatus.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means further detects an arrival of a predetermined time zone.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said mode changing means changes a mode in response to a request from the image communication apparatus to the scanner.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said mode changing means changes a mode in response to a request from the scanner to the image communication apparatus.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said mode changing means stops a sending of radio waves by said wireless communicating means after a predetermined time period elapses from switching to the low-power consumption mode.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said wireless communicating means establishes a wireless link by an initial connection procedure, and wherein the low power consumption mode does not require the initial connection procedure at a time of establishing the wireless link again.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said mode changing means changes to a mode requiring the initial connection procedure at the time of establishing the wireless link again after a predetermined time period elapses from switching to the low-power consumption mode.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said wireless communicating means establishes a wireless link by an initial connection procedure when the low-power consumption mode is canceled and a wireless link between the image communication apparatus and the scanner is established.

12. An image communication apparatus that is wirelessly connectable to a scanner and has a first mode in which said image communication apparatus executes a predetermined process to an image scanned by the scanner, comprising: wireless communicating means for making a wireless connection to the scanner and having an image communication mode in which the image is communicated between said image communication apparatus and the scanner and a low-power consumption mode in which electrical power for communicating between said image communication apparatus and the scanner is reduced; detecting means for detecting a completion of the predetermined process during operation in the first mode of said image communication apparatus; and mode changing means for changing a mode of said wireless communicating means from the image communication mode to the low-power consumption mode, depending on a detection by said detecting means.

13. The image communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said detecting means detects a completion of an image communication between said image communication apparatus and the scanner.

14. The image communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said detecting means detects a completion of printing of image data sent from the scanner to said image communication apparatus, or a completion of transmission of the image via a communication line connected to said image communication apparatus.

15. The image communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said detecting means further detects instructions for a process of stopping printing of image data sent from the scanner to said image communication apparatus, or a process for stopping transmission of the image via a communication line connected to said image communication apparatus.

16. The image communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said detecting means further detects an arrival of a predetermined time zone.

17. The image communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said mode changing means changes a mode in response to a request from said image communication apparatus to the scanner.

18. The image communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said mode changing means changes a mode in response to a request from the scanner to said image communication apparatus.

19. The image communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said mode changing means stops a sending of radio waves by said wireless communicating means after a predetermined time period elapses from switching to the low-power consumption mode.

20. The image communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said wireless communicating means establishes a wireless link by an initiial connection procedure, and wherein the low-power consumption mode does not require the initial connection procedure at a time of establishing the wireless link again.

21. The image communication apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said mode changing means changes to a mode requiring the initial connection procedure at the time of establishing wireless link again, after a predetermined period elapses from switching to the low-power consumption mode.

22. The image communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said wireless communicating means establishes a wireless link by an initial connection procedure when the low-power consumption mode is canceled and a wireless link between said image communication apparatus and the scanner is established.

23. An image communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said wireless communicating means communicates based on a Bluetooth specification, and the low-power consumption mode is one of a park mode, a sniff mode, and a hold mode defined by the Bluetooth specification.

24. A method for controlling a system that includes a scanner and an image communication apparatus, which communicates with the scanner, the system having a first mode in which the image communication apparatus executes a predetermined process to an image scanned by the scanner, said method comprising: a detecting step of detecting a completion of the predetermined process during operation in the first mode of the image communication apparatus; and a mode changing step of changing a mode of wireless communicating means from an image communication mode to a low-power consumption mode, depending on a detection in said detecting step, wherein the wireless communicating means makes a wireless connection between the image communication apparatus and the scanner, communicates the image between the image communication apparatus and the scanner in the image communication mode, and reduces electrical power for communication between the image communication apparatus and the scanner in the low-power consumption mode.

25. A method for controlling an image communication apparatus that is wirelessly connectable to a scanner and that has a first mode in which the image communication apparatus executes a predetermined process to an image scanned by the scanner, said method comprising: a detecting step of detecting a completion of the predetermined process during operation in the first mode of the image communication apparatus; and a mode changing step of changing a mode of wireless communicating means from an image communication mode to a low-power consumption mode, depending on a detection in said detecting step, wherein the wireless communicating means makes a wireless connection between the image communication apparatus and the scanner, communicates the image between the image communication apparatus and the scanner in the image communication mode, and reduces electrical power for communication between the image communication apparatus and the scanner in the low-power consumption mode.

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Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus that can be connected wirelessly to other apparatuses, a system having the image communication apparatus and a method for controlling the same.

2. Related Background Art

In recent years, facsimile apparatuses have come into wide use at home, and particularly, it has been proposed that image data read by a detachable portable scanner is sent to a communication line, and copied.

In addition, it has been proposed that a connection is made between the facsimile apparatus and the scanner with a wireless line to send and receive data.

For the above described prior art, the facsimile apparatus is simply connected to the scanner by wireless, in which the facsimile apparatus and the scanner are always connected in a one-to-one relationship, and data can be sent at any time from the scanner to the facsimile apparatus by the operation of the facsimile apparatus. In other words, consideration is not given at all to power consumption of a battery when the scanner is driven on the battery.

Therefore, for the above described prior art, impractically power consumption increases and scanner's driving time is shortened.

Also, it is not assumed that communication is performed with any terminal of a plurality of terminals, like Bluetooth or the like that has been disseminated rapidly in recent years, and so on. Also, methods of using the function of Bluetooth efficiently have not been studied yet.

Also, conventionally, a wireless connection cannot be made from the scanner apparatus when the scanner apparatus and the facsimile apparatus are connected by wireless with infrared communication such as IrDA and used. Therefore, inconveniently an operator of the facsimile apparatus must make a wireless connection, and issue a command to the scanner apparatus after ensuring that the connection has been made.

The above described problems occur not only in the case of wireless connection between the facsimile apparatus and the scanner, but also in the case where an image input/output apparatus such as a scanner and printer and an information processing apparatus such as a PC is connected by wireless with IrDA, etc. and used. Since a wireless connection cannot be made from the image input/output apparatus, inconveniently the operator of the information processing apparatus must make a wireless connection after the operator sets an original in the image input/output side, and issue a command to the image input/output apparatus after ensuring that the connection has been made. Also in the case where the image input/output apparatus receives information of facsimile and E-MAIL via the communication line, existence of new information cannot be recognized unless the operator of the information processing apparatus makes a wireless connection and inquires the state of the image input/output apparatus after confirming the connection.

The above described problems also occur in the case where an image communication apparatuses other than the facsimile apparatus is used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to reduce power consumption when a wireless connection is made to another apparatus such as a scanner.

Also, another object of the present invention is to effectively use a frequency resource when a wireless connection is made to another apparatus such as a scanner.

Also, another object of the present invention is to prevent interference to communication with another apparatus when a wireless connection is made to another apparatus such as a scanner.

Also, another object of the present invention is to efficiently use functions based on the Bluetooth specification.

Also, another object of the present invention is to change wireless modes in optimum timing.

Also, another object of the present invention will be apparent from the following examples and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus 201 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a system configuration in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a software hierarchy in the facsimile apparatus 201 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a software hierarchy in an intelligent terminal 202 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows an operation when the facsimile apparatus 201 and the intelligent terminal 202 are started up in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a communication operation when an image is transferred by facsimile apparatus 201 and the intelligent terminal 202 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows an outlined operation of performing control of transfer of commands and data between the intelligent terminal 202 and the facsimile apparatus 201, in reception data image transfer procedure in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart when the power of the facsimile apparatus 201 is turned on in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of power on process of a Bluetooth control task 409 in the intelligent terminal 202 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a received image upload process of a Bluetooth control task 308 in the facsimile apparatus 201 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a received image upload process of the Bluetooth control task 409 in intelligent terminal 202 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an operation procedure of process of transferring a transmission image in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an operation procedure of transfer redial process for the transmission image in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 shows a procedure of the transmission image data transfer process in FIGS. 12, 13 and 30 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram of an operation procedure of process of transfer of the transmission image in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of transfer process of the intelligent terminal 202 being a transfer origination in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of transfer process of the facsimile apparatus 201 being a transfer destination in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing one example of system configurations in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 shows a communication flow of scan data transfer process of transferring a scanned original from the facsimile apparatus 201 to the intelligent terminal 202a, in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 shows a brief overview of transfer process of the command and data between the facsimile apparatus 201 and the intelligent terminal 202a in the scan image data transfer process, in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a scan image upload procedure carried out by the Bluetooth control task 308 of the facsimile apparatus 201 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a procedure of scan process carried out by a CPU 101 of the facsimile apparatus 201 in the case where the image is scanned is response to a scan request from the facsimile apparatus 201 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a scan image upload procedure carried out by the Bluetooth control task 409 of the intelligent terminal 202a in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 shows a communication flow in the case where the intelligent terminal 202b has Piconet with the facsimile apparatus 201 canceled in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 shows a communication flow when an image processing system is started in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 shows a communication flow of scan data transfer process in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a power on process carried out by the Bluetooth control task 409 of the intelligent terminal 202a in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a scan image upload procedure carried out by the Bluetooth control task 308 of the facsimile apparatus 201 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a scan image upload procedure carried out by the Bluetooth control task 409 of the intelligent terminal 202a in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 shows a process where the intelligent terminal 202 requests transition to a Park mode to the facsimile apparatus 201, after completion of redial process, in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31 shows a process when the transmission image is transferred from the intelligent terminal 202 to the facsimile apparatus 201 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 shows an operation unit 108 of the facsimile apparatus 201 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a flowchart when the power of the facsimile apparatus 201 is turned on in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a received image upload procedure of the Bluetooth control task 308 in facsimile apparatus 201 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 35 shows a communication flow between the intelligent terminal 202 and the facsimile apparatus 201 when the power of the intelligent terminal 202 is turned on, in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 36 shows a communication flow between the facsimile apparatus 201 and the intelligent terminal 202 when the operation state of the facsimile apparatus 201 is changed in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 37 shows a communication flow between the facsimile apparatus 201 and the intelligent terminal 202 when state information of the intelligent terminal 202 is changed in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 38 shows a communication flow between the facsimile apparatus 201 and the intelligent terminal 202 when the facsimile apparatus 201 performs facsimile transmission to a designated destination in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing a procedure of power on process carried out by the Bluetooth control task 308 of the facsimile apparatus 201 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a procedure of power on process carried out by the Bluetooth control task 409 of the intelligent terminal 202 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing a procedure of process carried out by the Bluetooth control task 308 of the facsimile apparatus 201 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a procedure of process carried out by the Bluetooth control task 409 of the intelligent terminal 202 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 43 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus FS1 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view showing the facsimile apparatus FS1 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 45 is a plan view showing an operation panel in main part 4324 of the facsimile apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 46 is a top view of a cordless hand scanner 430 of the facsimile apparatus FS1 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 47 is a bottom view showing the cordless hand scanner 430 of the facsimile apparatus FS1 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing initialization operation when the power of the cordless hand scanner 430 is turned on in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 49 is a flowchart illustrating operation for transition of the hand scanner 430 to the Park mode of the hand scanner 430 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing initialization operation of a main part B in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 51 shows the structure of a packet exchanged between the cordless hand scanner 430 and the main part B in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 52 shows an example of the packet in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 53 shows an example of the packet in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 54 is a chart showing a scanner interface initialization procedure in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 55 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the chart shown in FIG. 54 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing the operation of warning for no mounting of scanner in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 57 is an interface chart of sheet copy in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 58 is a flowchart showing operation of sheet copy in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 59 is a flowchart showing a procedure for transition of the cordless hand scanner 430 from the Park mode to the Active mode of the cordless hand scanner 430 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 60 is a flowchart illustrating operation of performing facsimile transmission of a sheet original through the operation of the main part B in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 61 shows an interface chart when the image read by the hand scanner is copied through the operation of the main part B in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 62 shows a flowchart illustrating an operation when the image read by the hand scanner is copied through the operation of the main part B in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing an operation of performing facsimile transmission of the image read by the hand scanner through the operation of the main part B in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 64 shows an interface chart when the image read by the hand scanner 430 is copied through the operation of the hand scanner 430 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 65 is a flow chart illustrating an operation when the image read by the hand scanner 430 is copied through the operation of the hand scanner 430 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 66 shows an operation of the operation and a display of the hand scanner 430 when the image read by the hand scanner 430 is copied through the operation of the hand scanner 430, in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 67 is a flowchart showing an operation of performing facsimile transmission of the image read by the hand scanner 430 through the operation of the hand scanner 430 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 68 is an operation of the operation and a display representation when facsimile transmission of the image read by the hand scanner 430 is performed through the operation of the hand scanner 430 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 69 shows an operation of the operation and a display representation when facsimile transmission of the image read by the hand scanner 430 is performed through the operation of the hand scanner 430 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 70 is a flowchart showing an operation of erasing a memory image in the hand scanner 430 through the operation of the main part B in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 71 is an interface chart showing the relationship among the process of the cordless hand scanner 430, the process of the main part B and the like as to the operation of erasing the memory image in the hand scanner 430 through the operation of the main part B in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 72 shows an operation of the operation and a display representation of the hand scanner 430 when the memory image in the hand scanner 430 is erased through the operation of the main part B in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 73 is a flowchart showing a battery detection operation of the hand scanner 430 in the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 74 is a flowchart showing an operation between the facsimile apparatus and the hand scanner in the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(First Embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus 201 being one embodiment of the present invention.

The facsimile apparatus 201 is one example of image formation apparatuses.

In the facsimile apparatus 201, a CPU 101 is a system control unit, which controls the entire facsimile apparatus 201. A ROM 102 stores a control program of the CPU 101, an operating system (OS) program, etc. RAM 103 is constituted by a SRAM, etc. and stores program control variables, etc. Also, set values, management data for apparatuses and the like registered by the operator and various kinds of work buffers are also stored in the RAM 103. An image memory 104 is constituted by a DRAM, etc., and accumulates therein image data.

In the above described embodiment, for each control program stored in the ROM 102, software control of scheduling, task switch and the like is performed under the management of the OS (operating system) stored in the ROM 102. An operation unit 108 is constituted by various kinds of keys, LEDs, LCDs, etc. and is to perform various input operations by the operator, display of operation states of the image formation apparatus and the like.

A read control unit 106 reads an original optically by a CS image sensor (contact type image sensor) in a reader unit 107, and subjects image signals converted into electrical image data to various kinds of image processing such as binarization process and intermediation process by an image processing control unit to output image data of high definition. Furthermore, the read control unit 106 in the above described embodiment corresponds to both of sheet read control in which the original is read while it is transported and book read control in which the original put on an original glass is scanned.

In a record control unit 113, image data to be recorded in a color printer 114 such as a laser beam printer and an inkjet printer is subjected to a various kinds of image processing such as smoothing processing and record density correction processing and color correction by the image processing control unit to convert the image data into image data of high definition and output the same to the color printer.

A communication control unit 109 is constituted by a MODEM (modulator/demodulator), a NCU (network control unit), etc. The communication control unit 109 in the above described embodiment is connected to an analog communication line (PSTN) 203, and performs communication control in T30 protocol, and line control of call-out and call-in, etc. for the communication line. Also, a message recorder control unit 110 is constituted by a voice IC, a voice record play back control unit, etc., and provides a phone answering function.

A code/decode processing unit 112 performs code/decode processing and scaling processing for image data treated by the image formation apparatus. Also, a resolution conversion processing unit 111 performs resolution conversion processing such as millimeter-inch resolution conversion of image data. Furthermore, scaling processing for image data can be performed also in the resolution conversion unit 111. In addition, a data conversion unit 105 performs conversion of image data such as analysis of page description language (PDL), etc. and CG development of character data.

A Bluetooth control unit 115 performs communication control of Bluetooth, performs protocol control in accordance with the specification of Bluetooth, and converts a command from a Bluetooth control task of the CPU into a packet to send the same to a Bluetooth baseband processing unit 116, and in contrast thereto, sends a packet as a command from the Bluetooth baseband processing unit 116 to the CPU.

The Bluetooth baseband processing unit 116 performs frequency hopping processing of Bluetooth and processing of assembly/decomposition of frames. Also, a 2.4 GHz high frequency unit 117 is provided therein for sending and receiving radio waves.

An extension slot 118 is a slot for inserting option boards in the facsimile apparatus 201 as the image formation apparatus, and allows a various kinds of option boards such as a extended image memory, a SCSI interface board and a video interface board to be mounted.

FIG. 2 shows a system configuration of the above described embodiment.

In this system, the facsimile apparatus 201, an intelligent terminal 202 such as a PC (personal computer), a communication line 203 such as a PSTN and an opposition terminal 204 are provided.

The facsimile apparatus 201, which is connected to the communication line 203, can perform facsimile communication, and can also be connected to the intelligent terminal 202 wirelessly. Also, in the above described embodiment, since the wireless part is defined as Bluetooth, the sending and receiving of images and the exchange of data and programs with the intelligent terminal 202 can be performed if a unit for Bluetooth communication is included in the intelligent terminal 202, or the unit for Bluetooth communication is connected to the intelligent terminal 202.

In addition, in the above described embodiment, for example, the image formation apparatus such as a multifunction apparatus having scanner and printer functions may be provided in place of the facsimile apparatus 201, or another image formation apparatus such as an E-MAIL terminal having scanner and printer functions may be provided.

FIG. 3 is a software hierarchy in the facsimile apparatus 201.

A scanner control task 301, a printer control task 302, a facsimile control task 303, an MMI (man/machine interface) control task 304 and a phone control task 305 are control tasks of the top layer of the facsimile apparatus 201, and perform device control and control of user operation ports of the facsimile.

A job control task 306 analyzes and allocates jobs from an event control task 307 representing a lower layer for queuing them in the above described control tasks of the top layer.

The event control task 307 analyzes an event received from the lower Bluetooth control task for queuing commands for corresponding to control tasks.

In a Bluetooth control task 308, when information to be sent to the intelligent terminal 202 is received from the upper event control task 307, the information is passed to a lower Bluetooth controller 309.

Also, when information to be sent to an upper layer is received from the lower Bluetooth controller 309, the information is passed to the upper event control task 307. In this way, an operation mode in which the Bluetooth control task 308 passes information to the lower Bluetooth controller 309 when receiving the information from the upper event control task 307, and it passes information to the upper event control task 307 when receiving the information from the lower Bluetooth controller 309 is hereinafter referred to as a command though mode.

Also, in the Bluetooth control task 308, even when information to be sent to the intelligent terminal 202 is received from the upper event control task 307, if it is determined by this task's own determination that the response is given back to the upper layer immediately, the response can be given back to the upper layer without passing the information to the lower layer. This operation mode is hereinafter referred to as a command return mode.

Information received from the upper layer of the Bluetooth controller 309, with respect to the Bluetooth controller 309 and a Bluetooth driver 310, is treated as wireless information to form an air interface, in accordance with the generic access profile of the Bluetooth and its lower concept that is the serial port profile.

An OS 311 is an embedded type operating system of the facsimile apparatus 201, and performs task switching, event management and memory management for the above described software hierarchy for use in this embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a software hierarchy being an embodiment in the intelligent terminal 202.

By way of an interface module 408, a Bluetooth control task 409, a Bluetooth controller 410 and a Bluetooth driver 411, the operation structure between the intelligent terminal 202 and the facsimile apparatus 201 is shown.

For control information between the intelligent terminal 202 and the facsimile apparatus 201, the interface module 408 controls exchange of information of a facsimile manager 401, a printer application 404, a scanner application 406, etc. in the upper layer via an inbox 402, an outbox 403, a printer driver 405 and a scanner driver 407, as exchange of information between the intelligent terminal 202 and the facsimile apparatus 201.

Regardless of whether the control is performed by the facsimile manager 410 or by one of the drivers, the interface module 408 manages transfer of facsimile images to be sent, images to be scanned, etc. read of facsimile received images and transfer of images to be printed.

In a Bluetooth control task 409, when information to be sent to the facsimile apparatus 201 is received from the interface module 408, the information is passed to the lower Bluetooth controller 410. Also, when information to be sent to the interface module 408 is received from the lower Bluetooth controller 410, the information is passed to the interface module 408. This operation mode is hereinafter referred to as a command though mode.

Also, in the Bluetooth control task 409, even when information to be sent to the facsimile apparatus 201 is received from the upper interface module, if it is determined by this task's own determination that the response is given back to the upper layer immediately, the response can be given back to the upper layer without passing the information to the lower layer, and this operation mode is hereinafter referred to as the command return mode.

Information received from the upper layer of the Bluetooth controller 410, with respect to the Bluetooth controller 410 and a Bluetooth driver 411, is treated as wireless information to form an air interface, in accordance with the generic access profile of the Bluetooth and its lower concept that is the serial port profile.

An OS 412 is an operating system in the intelligent terminal 202 and receives services of control of MMI and applications on the intelligent terminal 202, in a fundamental part of the service of control of the above described hierarchy MMI and applications for use in the above described embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows an operation at the start up of the above described embodiment, showing an initialization process for the facsimile apparatus 201 and a process until transmission to a stand-by state, when the power of the intelligent terminal 202 is turned on.

Assume that the power of the facsimile apparatus 201 is already turned on at this time.

When the power of the intelligent terminal 202 is turned on, the facsimile manager 401 corresponding to Bluetooth is started to perform processing to make connections with the facsimile apparatus 201.

To ensure that the facsimile apparatus 201 with which a connection is made can perform communication, the Bluetooth control task 409 sends an inquiry sending request to the Bluetooth controller 410. At this time, class of device information in an inquiry command is sent as a serial communication terminal. When receiving the inquiry sending request, the Bluetooth controller 410 carries out an inquiry procedure in accordance with a Bluetooth connection procedure, and notifies the Bluetooth control task 409 of the result thereof (inquiry result).

When receiving the inquiry result, the Bluetooth control task 409 determines from the contents whether or not a connection with the facsimile apparatus 201 can be made, and if it is determined that the connection can be made, it designates an address of the facsimile apparatus 201 and makes a connection request to the Bluetooth controller 410. If the connection is unsuccessful or the facsimile apparatus with which a connection is made is not found, from the contents of the inquiry result, a message showing that fact is displayed on a display unit of the intelligent terminal 202.

When receiving the connection request, the Bluetooth controller 410 establishes a connection using the serial port profile and forms a Piconet, based on the Bluetooth controller 309 of the facsimile apparatus 201 and the specification of Bluetooth.

When the connection is established, notification of the result is provided to the Bluetooth control task 409. When detecting the fact that the connection with the facsimile apparatus 201 could be established from the result of the connection, the Bluetooth control task 409 transmits a ready signal to the facsimile manager 401, and transits the state to the through mode in which the command from the facsimile manager 401 is directly passed to the Bluetooth controller 410.

Also, when receiving a massage showing the fact that establishment of the connection ended in failure from the result of the connection, the Bluetooth control task 409 displays the fact on the display unit of the intelligent terminal 202.

The Bluetooth controller 309 of the facsimile apparatus 201 notifies the Bluetooth control task 308 of the result of the procedure of establishment of the connection with the intelligent terminal 202. When ensuring from the result of the connection establishment that the connection has been established, the Bluetooth control task 308 enters the command through mode to wait for the command from the intelligent terminal 202 in order to pass the command from the intelligent terminal 202 directly to the event control task 307. If connection is unsuccessful, the Bluetooth control task 308 is a wait state until the connection is established.

When receiving the ready signal from the Bluetooth control task 409, the facsimile manager 401 sends to the Bluetooth control task 409 a command to transfer data such as dates of the intelligent terminal 202 and names registered in the facsimile manager 401 to the facsimile apparatus 201.

The Bluetooth control task 409 transfers the received command directly to the Bluetooth controller 410, and the Bluetooth controller 410 transfers it to the facsimile apparatus 201 using the serial port profile.

The Bluetooth controller 309 of the facsimile apparatus 201 sends to the Bluetooth control task 308 the command sent from the intelligent terminal 202 and the Bluetooth control task 308 passes the command directly to the event control task 307. The event control task 307 analyzes the received command and sends the result thereof to the Bluetooth control task 308.

When the initialization process is ended, the facsimile manager 401 issues a reception information acquirement command to check whether or not the facsimile apparatus 201 has a received image. The event control task 307, which receives the reception information acquirement command, searches an image management record stored in the RAM 103 as to whether or not the received image exists.

If the received image is present, a response of "image existed" is given back to the reception information acquirement command issued by the Bluetooth control task 308, and if the received image does not exist, a response of "image not existed" is given back.

When the facsimile manager 401 determines by the response of the reception information acquirement command that the image exists, it performs received image transfer processing in accordance with the process in FIG. 6.

If the image does not exist, the facsimile manager 401 issues a state information acquirement command to have the state of the facsimile apparatus 201 stored. The event control task 307, which receives the state information acquirement command, checks states as to the facsimile apparatus 201, such as the state of the printer, the state of the scanner and the state of the memory, and gives back the results.

If the facsimile manager 401 determines from the response of the state information acquirement command that the state of error is found, it displays a message showing the state of error on the display unit of the intelligent terminal 202 and issues periodically the reception information acquirement command and the state information acquirement command to the event control task 307 until the error is corrected.

If the received image does not exist, and the state of the facsimile apparatus 201 is normal, the facsimile apparatus 201 makes transition to the Park mode since the communication between the intelligent terminal 202 and the facsimile apparatus 201 does not need to be connected until reception occurs at the facsimile apparatus 201. The "Park mode" is a Park mode being a low power consumption mode based on the Bluetooth specification, in which the facsimile apparatus 201 that is a slave terminal of the intelligent terminal 202 being a master based on the Bluetooth specification receives a signal from the master only at a certain interval to maintain synchronization in the Piconet. Also, when the transition to the Park mode is made, data communication between the master and the slave cannot be performed, and if data communication is to be performed, the Park mode should be released to make transition to the active mode.

An operation of transition of the facsimile apparatus 201 to the Park mode (low power consumption mode) will now be described. This operation is shown in the latter part of FIG. 5.

First, the Bluetooth control task 308 of the facsimile apparatus 201 requests transition to the Park mode to the Bluetooth controller 309. The Bluetooth controller 309, which receives the request for transition to the Park mode, carries out a procedure for transition to the Park mode based on the specification of the Bluetooth, in concert with the Bluetooth controller 410.

When the procedure for transition to the Park mode is completed, the Bluetooth controllers 309 and 410 notify the Bluetooth control tasks 308 and 409, respectively, of the transition of the facsimile apparatus 201 to the Park mode.

When notified of the transition to the Park mode, the Bluetooth control tasks 308 and 409 go into command return modes, respectively.

The Bluetooth control task 409 of the intelligent terminal 202, which goes into the command return mode, performs processing similar to the processing in the event control task 307 of the facsimile apparatus 201 connected with cables such as a serial interface such as RC232C and a parallel interface such as Centronics (a standard interface defined in IEEE 1284, etc.). The Bluetooth control task 409 gives back responses such as "image presence information" and "normal/abnormal states" to the information acquirement command and the reception information acquirement command that are issued periodically from the facsimile manager 401, based on facsimile status information stored in the RAM 103 of the intelligent terminal 202.

The Bluetooth control task 308 of the facsimile apparatus 201 performs operation similar to the operation in the facsimile manager 401 in the intelligent terminal 202 when it is connected with the above described cable. The Bluetooth control task 308 of the facsimile apparatus 201 issues periodically the reception information acquirement command and the state information acquirement command to the event control task 307 in order to monitor at every time changes of states of the facsimile apparatus 201 and whether or not the image has been received from some other facsimile apparatus via the communication line 203. When receiving the reception information acquirement command and the state information acquirement command from the Bluetooth control task 308, the event control task 307 gives back reception information (for example, image "absent") and state information (for example, "normal state") as a response.

If it is defined that the received image is not transferred to the intelligent terminal 202 during initialization process or when registered data is changed with the intelligent terminal 202 and the registered data is transferred to the facsimile apparatus 201, the facsimile manager 401 and the Bluetooth control task 308 of the facsimile apparatus 201 do not issue the reception information acquirement command and the state information acquirement command.

FIG. 6 shows a communication operation during reception image data transfer procedure in which the facsimile apparatus 201 receives an image from some other facsimile apparatus via the communication line 203, and transfers the image data to the intelligent terminal 202.

The Bluetooth control task 308 of the facsimile apparatus 201 is in the command return mode during stand-by, namely during the Park mode, and issues periodically the state information acquirement command and the reception information acquirement command to the event control task 307 to monitor the state of the facsimile apparatus 201. The event control task 307 searches the image management record stored in the RAM 103 as to whether or not the received image exists. When the received image exists, a response of "image existed" is given back to the reception information acquirement command that is issued by the Bluetooth control task 308.

When receiving the response of "image existed", the Bluetooth control task 308 releases the Park mode to form the Piconet again, and recovers communication between the facsimile apparatus 201 and the intelligent terminal 202 in order to transfer the reception image to the intelligent terminal 202.

For recovering the communication, a request for return to Active is sent to the Bluetooth controller 309. The Bluetooth controller 309, which receives the request for return to Active, communicates with the Bluetooth controller 410 of the intelligent terminal 202 in accordance with a communication recovering procedure of the Bluetooth. When the communication is recovered, the Bluetooth controller 309 gives mode change notification to the Bluetooth control task 308. If the Bluetooth control task 308, which receives the mode change notification, determines form the contents thereof that the communication has been recovered, it makes transition from the command return mode to the command through mode. If determining that the communication cannot be recovered, it keeps the state of the command return mode.

Similarly, the Bluetooth controller 410 of the intelligent terminal 202 gives mode change notification to the Bluetooth control task 409. If the Bluetooth control task 409, which receives the mode change notification, determines from the contents thereof that the communication has been recovered, it makes transition from the command return mode to the command through mode. If determining that the communication cannot be recovered, it keeps the state of the command return mode, and displays a message showing the fact on the display unit of the intelligent terminal 202.

When the communication is recovered, and each of the Bluetooth control tasks 308 and 409 goes into the command though mode, the communication between the facsimile apparatus 201 and the intelligent terminal 202 is performed to carry out reception image data transfer procedure, based on the Bluetooth specification. Furthermore, for the command interface at this time, reception image data transfer procedure is performed with a command interface same as the command interface when connected with cables such as a serial interface such as RS232C and a parallel interface such as Centronics (standard interface defined in IEEE1284, etc.).

When the image data transfer processing is completed, the facsimile manager 401 issues the reception information acquirement command to the facsimile apparatus 201 to check whether or not the received image exists. The event control task 307, which receives the reception information acquirement command searches the image management record stored in the RAM 103 as to whether or not the received image exists. If the received image exists, a response of "image existed" is given back, and if the received image does not exist, a response of "image not existed" is given back.

If determining by the response of the reception information acquirement command that the image existed, the facsimile manager 401 performs again received image transfer processing.

If the received image does not exist, the facsimile manager 401 issues the state information acquirement command to have the state of the facsimile apparatus 201 stored. The event control task 307, which receives the state information acquirement command, checks states as to the facsimile apparatus 201 such as the state of the printer, the state of the scanner and the state of the memory, and gives back the result thereof.

If the facsimile manager 401 determines based on the response of the state information acquirement command that the state of error is found, it displays a message showing the state of error on the display of the intelligent terminal 202 and issues periodically the reception information acquirement command and the state information acquirement command to the event control task 307 until the error is corrected. When it is determined that the state of the facsimile apparatus 201 is normal, the state information acquirement command and the reception information acquirement command are periodically issued until transition is made to the Park mode being a low power consumption mode again.

When determining that the state is normal, the facsimile apparatus 201 makes transition to the Park mode being a low power consumption mode.

The Bluetooth control task 308 of the facsimile apparatus 201 requests transition to the Park mode to the Bluetooth controller 309. The Bluetooth controller 309, which receives the request for transition to the Park mode, carries out a procedure for transition to the Park mode based on the specification of the Bluetooth, with the Bluetooth controller 410.

When the procedure for transition to the Park mode is completed, the Bluetooth controllers 309 and 410 notify the Bluetooth control tasks 308 and 409, respectively, of the transition to the Park mode.

When notified of the transition to the Park mode, the Bluetooth control tasks 308 and 409 go into command return modes, respectively.

Again, the command return mode is maintained until the user starts service such as facsimile transmission, scanning or print at the intelligent terminal 202, or reception occurs at the facsimile apparatus 201.

FIG. 7 shows an outlined operation of performing transfer control of the command and data between the intelligent terminal 202 and the facsimile apparatus 201 in the reception image transfer data procedure.

In the operation of reception image data transfer service, a file ID acquirement command is first sent from the intelligent terminal 202. When receiving the file ID acquirement command, the facsimile apparatus 201 examines the RAM 103, sets a receipt number associated with reception image data to a parameter as a file ID, and sends the same to the intelligent terminal 202 along with the answer of "OK".

If the file ID is set with the answer parameter of the file ID acquirement command, the intelligent terminal 202 sets a file ID to be transferred, and sends a file information acquirement command. When receiving the file information acquirement command, the facsimile apparatus 201 sets a file attribute of a designated file ID and the number of pages to the parameter, and sends the above described parameter to the intelligent terminal 202 along with the answer of "OK". If the designated file ID do not exist, the answer of "NG" is given back.

Then, when receiving the page information acquirement command in which the file ID and the page number are designated, the facsimile apparatus 201 sets to the parameter information such as main/sub scan resolution of the page designated from management information of the RAM 103, and sends the answer of "OK". If the designated file ID and page do not exist, the answer of "NG" is given back.

When receiving the answer of "OK" for the page information acquirement command, the intelligent terminal 202 sends a page transfer request command, and subsequently sends a parameter to which the file ID and page number to be transferred are set. If the page of the designated file ID is accumulated in the image memory 104, the facsimile apparatus 201 sends the answer of "OK", and if they do not exist in the image memory 104, the facsimile apparatus 201 sends the answer of "NG".

When receiving the answer of "OK" to the page transfer request command, the intelligent terminal 202 sends a requested page designation command, and subsequently sends to the facsimile apparatus 201 a parameter to which the main/sub scan resolution and data format acquired with the page information acquirement command is set. The facsimile apparatus 201 examines whether or not the contents of the received parameter matches the contents of management information of the RAM 103, and sends the answer of "OK" if the contents match each other, and sends the answer of "NG" if the contents do not match each other.

Thereafter, the intelligent terminal 202 issues an image data transfer request. The facsimile apparatus 201 transfers image data of predetermined size to the intelligent terminal 202 from the image memory 104, and along therewith sends the answer of "OK".

After transfer of one page is completed, the intelligent terminal 202 puts the transferred reception image in the inbox 402, and displays the image so that the completion of the transfer of the received image and the contents of the received image can be recognized.

Then, a page erase command is issued. The facsimile apparatus 201 which receives the page erase command erases the image data of the designated page from the image memory 104, modifies the management information of the RAM 103, and sends the answer of "OK".

The above described operation is repeated until reception image data of all pages are transferred, and when reception image data of all pages are transferred, a file erase instruction command is accepted to erase the management information of the designated file, and the process is ended.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart when the power of the facsimile apparatus 201 is turned on.

In FIG. 8, when the power of the facsimile apparatus 201 is turned on, initialization process for the Bluetooth control task 308 is performed at step S701. At this time, the operation mode is taken as the "command through mode". Also, the variable for storing the existence/not existence of the received image managed by the Bluetooth control task 308 is taken as image absent.

The above described "command through mode" is an operation mode in which a command is sent to the Bluetooth controller 410 when this command is received from the facsimile manager 401, and a response is sent to the facsimile manager 401 when the response is received from the Bluetooth controller 410.

The above described process is carried out, and start-up of the intelligent terminal 202 is waited.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of power ON process of the Bluetooth control task 409 of the intelligent terminal 202.

When the power of the intelligent terminal 202 is turned on, the facsimile manager 401 is started, and the Bluetooth control task 409 sends an Inquiry to the facsimile apparatus 201 via the Bluetooth controller 410 at step S801.

At S802, whether or not the facsimile apparatus 201 has responded to the sent Inquiry, and if it has responded normally, the process proceeds to S804, and if it has not responded normally, the process proceeds to S803.

At S803, by displaying on the display unit of the intelligent terminal 202 the fact that there exists no connectable facsimile apparatus, notification is made and the process is ended.

At S804, a connection request is sent to the Bluetooth controller 410, and the process proceeds to S805.

At S805, a response to the connection request is waited, and the process proceeds to S806 if notification of failure in connection request is given from the facsimile apparatus 201 via the Bluetooth controller 410, and the process proceeds to S807 if notification of success in connection is given.

At S806, notification of the failure in connection to the facsimile apparatus 201 is made using the display unit of the intelligent terminal 202 and the process is ended.

At S807, the Bluetooth control task 409 notifies the facsimile manager 401 of Ready showing that connection to the facsimile apparatus could be established, and at S808, transition to the "command through mode" is made.

As described above, the "command through mode" is an operation mode in which