Communication control for multi-layer communications

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer session/connection establishing

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C709S219000, C709S223000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06665719

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to processing performed to remove an abnormality on a data communication line, and to a printing process for the transmission of data along, for example, an IEEE 1394 line.
2. Related Background Art
Since for the performance of a communication process across a so-called centronics line only an image data source and a printer are connected together, basically, even when a physical line is disconnected, the canceling of a session is not required unless a user physically breaks the connection. And when data are being transmitted to other apparatuses, if a lower layer is disconnected from a line, accordingly an upper layer is immediately disconnected from the line.
Assume that, as provided for by the IEEE 1394 specification, a plurality of image data sources and a plurality of printers are connected together along a single, closed communication line. If, for example, one of the image sources that is connected to the line and that is transmitting data is disconnected, and if a printer that during a session communicates with that image data source continues to be connected to the source, as with a centronics line, the printer will be unable to transmit data to other image data sources on the line.
If an upper layer is disconnected immediately after a lower layer is disconnected, or if the disconnection and the re-connection of a line is performed due to the careless performance of an operation by a user or due to a rearrangement of apparatuses, the printing process must be repeated from the beginning. As a result, an undesirable, excessive expenditure of time, paper and ink (toner, etc.) occurs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, one objective of the present invention to provide a communication control apparatus and a communication control method for re-connecting a system that, during a data transmission session, has been disconnected from a line due to the careless performance of an operation by a user, and a storage medium therefor.
To achieve the above objective, according to the present invention, a communication control apparatus comprises:
control means for, if a lower layer is disconnected while data is being transmitted to an apparatus, permitting an upper layer to continue to maintain a session for a predetermined period of time, and for, if a line connection is re-established within the predetermined period of time, permitting the upper layer to establish a connection for the transmission of data.
Further, according to the present invention, a communication control method comprises:
a control step for, if a lower layer is disconnected while data is being transmitted to an apparatus, permitting an upper layer to continue to maintain a session for a predetermined period of time, and for, if a line connection is re-established within the predetermined period of time, permitting the upper layer to establish a connection for the transmission of data.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, provided is a storage medium, on which is stored a communication control program, the communication control program comprising:
a control step for, if a lower layer is disconnected while data is being transmitted to an apparatus, permitting an upper layer to continue to maintain a session for a predetermined period of time, and for, if a line connection is re-established within the predetermined period of time, permitting the upper layer to establish a connection for the transmission of data.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5546382 (1996-08-01), Fujino
patent: 5867636 (1999-02-01), Walker
patent: 6085247 (2000-07-01), Parsons, Jr. et al.
patent: 6233543 (2001-05-01), Butts et al.
patent: 6298060 (2001-10-01), Miyakawa et al.
patent: 6341312 (2002-01-01), French et al.

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