Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Input/output command process
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-10
2004-03-23
Huynh, Kim (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Input/output command process
C710S040000, C710S036000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06711626
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a composite device, composite device system, method of controlling a composite device, and medium on which a program for controlling a composite device is recorded, and more particularly to such a composite device which comprises at least two devices and in which at least one of the devices controls the other, such a composite device system, such a method of controlling a composite device, and such a medium on which a program for controlling a composite device is recorded.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There has recently been a trend of standardizing connection of a computer with various peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, facsimile machines and digital cameras by the interface of the same connector and cable. This interface has been actualized by the universal serial bus (USB). The USB has specifications that a single computer can be connected to up to 127 peripheral devices. When a hub to which a USB device is connectable is provided, a plurality of peripheral devices can be connected through the hub.
When a plurality of functions are given to a single peripheral device, for example, when a composite device is realized by incorporating, into a peripheral device having only one connector connecting section for USB, a printer and a scanner both of which use a common printing mechanism, as devices, there is no means for carrying out exclusion between the devices. Accordingly, the devices need to be controlled individually in order that exclusion may be carried out for a common section such as the printing mechanism. More specifically, a user of the aforesaid composite device needs to use a predetermined one device while taking the other device into consideration. More concretely, when desiring to use the printer, the user needs to use it after having confirmed that the scanner is not used. In the same way, when desiring to use the scanner, the user needs to use it after having confirmed that the printer is not used. Furthermore, the composite device needs to be provided with means for displaying that individual devices have been incorporated therein. Thus, the same result is achieved as that in the case where a plurality of devices are merely connected together and accordingly, the advantages of the composite device cannot be obtained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention was made in view of the foregoing and an object of the invention is to provide a composite device which comprises at least two devices and in which at least one of the devices controls the other, so that the composite device can easily be operated since the user is conscious of only the device to be controlled without taking the other device into consideration, and in which competition between the devices can be eliminated, such a composite device system, such a method of controlling a composite device, and such a medium on which a program for controlling a composite device is recorded.
To achieve the object, the invention in one embodiment provides a composite device comprising an interface unit divided into at least two logical channels which are physically identical and obtaining a predetermined command, and at least two devices interconnected to the logical channels of the interface unit respectively and operated on the basis of the predetermined command, wherein at least one of the devices is a control device controlling an operation of the other device.
In the embodiment of the invention constructed as described above, the composite device includes two devices accomplish two predetermined functions respectively. One of the devices is a control device, and an operation accomplishing the function of the other device is controlled by the control device. The control of the operation of the other device by the control device includes, for example, a case where when the other device comprises a scanner, it is started, the scanning is performed, a predetermined setting is performed for the scanner, or status information delivered by the scanner is monitored. Furthermore, these at least two devices are physically identical, and the devices and the logical channels are connected by the interface unit divided into at least two logical channels respectively. More specifically, the device is connected to one of logically divided logical channels whereas the control device is connected to the other. The operation of the other device is controlled by the control device.
To be physically identical means that types of connectors and cables used for connection are the same and are connected to a single external device. A plurality of devices can be connected to the physically identical external device by a plurality of logical channels. The interface unit has the physically identical arrangement as described above and is connected to one external device. The interface unit is further divided into at least two logic channels for each of which a device is connected. Each device inputs a predetermined command from the external device to carry out a predetermined operation. The control device inputs a command for operating itself from the external device and a command for operating the other device. When inputting the command for operating itself, the control device carries out the predetermined operation. In the case of the command for the other device, the control device controls the operation of the device corresponding to the command. The single external device connected to the interface unit may be a computer which is connected to the composite device or a hub.
When the hub is connected as the external device, a plurality of external devices such as a computer are connectable. Accordingly, the command the interface unit inputs is a command delivered from the computer connected as described above or a command delivered from a plurality of computers connected via the hub or from an external device with a same host function as a computer.
As the device other than the control device, a device for obtaining image data or a device performing printing on the basis of image data is exemplified. In this case, the device for obtaining the image data may obtain the image data by a predetermined technique. For example, it may be a scanner. Of course, the device should not be limited to the scanner. It may be an image data file to be scanned by the scanner or image input from a digital camera or digital video.
The device carrying out the printing may be one which can print image data with a predetermined format or print data on a recording medium. Accordingly, the device may be a page printer or dot impact printer. Of course, it should not be limited to them and may be an ink jet printer.
On the other hand, two or more devices may be provided when the interface unit has two or more logical channels. For example, a plurality of devices such as a scanner, printer, digital camera or facsimile machine may be connected to the logical channels respectively.
The control device may control the operation of the other device by a predetermined hardware arrangement or processing on software. Of course, both of hardware and software may be used for the operation control.
A plurality of logical channels need to be set in the interface unit and external devices need to be connected to the respective logical channels and to be operated. Accordingly, the interface may be realized by USB or small computer system interface, SCSI. Of course, the interface unit need not be limited to these arrangements.
The control device controls the operation of the other device. In this case, the command for carrying out the operation and annexed data needs to be transferred to the other device. The command and data can be transferred via the logical channel between the devices. Even so, it is not advantageous on the processing for the interface unit performing data transfer from and to the outside to also perform data transfer in the composite device. In view of this problem, a further embodiment of the invention is constructed so that in the composite device, th
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