Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral monitoring
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-08
2001-10-02
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2782)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral monitoring
C710S001000, C322S022000, C322S023000, C340S573400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298395
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a data communication system and method through which a controller and a controlled device controlled by the controller perform data communication via a communication channel, and to the controller and controlled device that construct this data communication system. The invention relates further to a digital video camera and printer. The invention relates further to a method of controlling the storage of driver software and a method of reading out the driver software.
This invention relates further to a battery charging apparatus capable of being connected to a communication apparatus, which is capable of performing data communication via a communication channel, using this communication channel to make the connection. The invention relates further to a method of charging a battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a data communication system through which a controller (a personal computer) and a controlled device (a printer or digital video camera, etc.) perform data communication via a communication channel, it is necessary to install driver software in the controller in order to control the controlled device using the controller. In the prior art, the user loads a floppy disk or CD-ROM, on which driver software suited to the controlled device has been stored, into a floppy disk drive or CD-ROM drive of the controller. The driver software is then installed in the controller by being read out of the floppy disk or CD-ROM. However, performing installation by loading the floppy disk or CD-ROM into the floppy disk drive or CD-ROM drive is a troublesome operation for the user. In addition, there are occasions where the user accidentally installs driver software not suited to the controlled device.
On the other hand, in order to send and receive image data, use is made of parallel communication by relying upon a Centronics interface or SCSI (Small Computer System Interface), etc., and serial communication using an RS232C, RS422 or USB (Universal Serial Bus). With serial communication, only the sending and receiving of image data is performed and consideration has never been given to charging a battery by utilizing an image-data communication channel. If a battery is to be charged, a charging device must be connected via a separate power supply cable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to so arrange it that installation of driver software (a program for controlling an input/output unit or for performing a data transfer with an input/output unit) can be performed in comparatively simple fashion.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a battery charging apparatus capable of being connected to a communication apparatus, which is capable of performing data communication via a communication channel, using this communication channel to make the connection, as well as a battery charging method.
A first invention is to provide a data communication method through which a controller and a controlled device controlled by the controller perform data (inclusive of image data and audio data) communication via a communication channel.
In accordance with this data communication method, driver software of a plurality of types is stored in a storage area of the controlled device (e.g., a digital video camera or a printer).
The controller judges whether driver software suited to the controller has been stored in a predetermined first storage area of the controlled device. In response to a judgement by the controller to the effect that driver software suited to the controller has been stored in the controlled device, the driver software suited to the controller is read out of the first storage area, data representing the driver software read out is transmitted from the controlled device to the controller, and the transmitted data representing the driver software is stored in a second storage area of the controller.
A first aspect of the present invention is to provide a data communication system suitable for implementing the data communication method described above.
The data communication system according to the present invention is for communication of data between a controller and a controlled device via a communication channel.
The controlled device is provided with a first memory capable of storing driver software of a plurality of types.
The controller comprises a second memory for storing driver software, judgement means (a judgement device) for judging whether driver software suited to the controlled device has been stored in a predetermined first storage area of the first memory, readout means (a readout device), responsive to a judgement by the controller to the effect that driver software suited to the controller has been stored in the controlled device, for reading the driver software suited to the controlled device out of the first storage area, transmission control means (a transmission control device) for transmitting data, which represents the driver software read out by the readout control means, from the controlled device to the controller, and storage control means (a strage control device) for receiving the data representing the driver software transmitted by the transmission control means, and storing this data in a second storage area of the second memory.
The controller or controlled device constructing the data communication system described above may each be constructed as a stand-alone device.
In accordance with the first aspect of present invention, driver software of a plurality of types is stored in the controlled device described above. It is judged whether driver software suited to the controller which performs data communication with the controlled device has been stored among the plural types of driver software. If driver software suited to the controller has been stored, this driver software is read out of the controlled device and transmitted to the controller. The transmitted driver software is stored in the controller to complete installation.
In accordance with the first aspect of present invention, the labor involved in installing driver software, which is for performing data communication with a controlled device, in the controller is eliminated. Installation of the driver software can be executed without a troublesome operation being required of the user. In addition, driver software not suited to the controlled device can be prevented from being installed in the controller.
An arrangement may be adopted in which it is judged beforehand whether driver software suited to the controller has not been stored in the controller. In response to a judgement to the effect that the driver software has not been stored, it is judged whether driver software suited to the controller has been stored in the first storage area of the controlled device.
If, upon judging whether installation of driver software is required or not, it is found that installation is required, then installation is carried out. This makes it possible to prevent the re-installation of driver software that has already been installed.
It is preferred that in response to a judgement to the effect that driver software suited to the controller has not been stored in the first storage area of the controlled device, information relating to the result of the judgement is communicated to the user.
As a result, the user can be notified of the fact that driver software cannot be transmitted from the controlled device to the controller, as a result of which processing for installing the driver software cannot be executed. In this case, the user would load a floppy disk or the like, which stores the driver software suited to the controller, into the controller to perform installation of the driver software.
The above-mentioned communication line may be a cable in accordance with the IEEE (Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 standards, and data representing the driver software may be transmitted in accordance with IEEE 1394. As a result, the data represe
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Lee Thomas
Peyton Tammara
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