Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-21
2003-04-29
Harrell, Robert B. (Department: 2142)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
C709S222000, C709S250000, C709S221000, C710S010000, C710S015000, C710S016000, C710S104000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06557033
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-functional composite apparatus, for example, connected to a network including computers, a control method thereof, and a network system therewith.
2. Related Background Art
An example of formation of the network using computers is the network of hierarchical star topology (connection configuration) as shown in FIG.
1
. For forming the hierarchical star topology (connection configuration), each wire
101
is connected between host computer system
102
(hereinafter referred to as PC
102
) and hub
103
, between PC
102
and node
104
, or between hub
103
and node
104
. In this case, the PC
102
is provided for control of the network and the network includes only one PC. The hubs
103
having a repeater function of signal provide connection points of additional nodes
104
or hubs
103
and are thus indispensable components for establishing the network. Each node
104
is a computer I/O device, for example, such as a printer
106
, a scanner
107
, or a keyboard (not illustrated).
In order to realize the plug and play function (hereinafter abbreviated as PnP function) in which the host system recognizes a device connected on the above-stated network, finds a driver for control suitable for the device, and installs it at appropriate timing, there is a conventional method for reading information about the device (node
104
) connected, in accordance with a protocol preliminary determined. Specific examples of this information include a name of model, a name of manufacturer, power consumption, a maximum data rate, and so on.
For actualizing the PnP function by OS having limited program capacity, there is a method for moderately classifying the devices (into a printer class, an input class, a display class, an image class, a sound class, etc.), based on the information about the devices (nodes
104
), and driving each device by a standard driver for its corresponding class. For example, the standards including IEEE1394 and USB are known as standards for the network to realize the PnP function stated above.
In recent years, the demand is increasing for composite apparatus having a plurality of functions (of different classes), e.g. a printer and a scanner. The method by the PnP function stated above is, however, not ready for composite equipment as a combination of devices of different classes, because it is adapted for reading the information only once upon recognition of device. Since the method is ready for only single-function devices, the following problems will be posed if the composite apparatus is connected through one network interface.
A plurality of drivers, each having a single function, are not allowed to be assigned to one network device. Namely, the PC does not allow a plurality of drivers to be installed for one network device.
Since the composite apparatus is off the standard concepts for the classes, the devices thereof are unable to be driven by the standard drivers.
This requires a special driver to be prepared for the devices. It is thus necessary to prepare one new driver by combining individual drivers used heretofore.
Since a plurality of mutually different drivers, e.g. drivers of different concepts such as the printer and the scanner, are combined into one, the resultant program must be larger than the drivers of single functions.
When one driver is adapted for two functions, e.g. the printer and the scanner, the system resources will be taken up more than necessary. Simply speaking, they are double those for the single-function devices. It is thus naturally concluded that this method fails to take full advantage of the features of the PnP.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been accomplished in view of the conventional example described above and an object of the invention is to provide a composite apparatus with good operability that is automatically recognized according to its function available, a control method thereof, and a network system therewith.
Another object of the invention is to provide a composite apparatus that is conformed to the classification and that can also be driven by the standard drivers commensurate with the respective classes, without necessity for a special driver, a control method thereof, and a network system therewith.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a composite apparatus adapted so that with switching of a function of the composite apparatus to another function, a user is not required to perform a special operation for making the host computer recognize the switching, a control method thereof, and a network system therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a composite apparatus that can perform a function switching process of the composite apparatus without affecting other devices connected to the network, a control method thereof, and a network system therewith.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a composite apparatus adapted so that in response to a request for switching of function from the host computer to the composite apparatus, the composite apparatus makes the host computer recognize the switching of function, whereby the switching of function of the composite apparatus can be performed without modifying software or hardware on the host computer side, a control method thereof, and a network system therewith.
For accomplishing the above objects, a network system of the present invention is a network system comprising a host device and a composite apparatus capable of change in function, said composite apparatus being connected to said host device,
wherein said composite apparatus comprises recognizing means for recognizing the change in function, and control means for performing such control as to make the host device recognize a function of the composite apparatus when the change in function is recognized by said recognizing means.
A composite apparatus of the present invention is a composite apparatus capable of change in function, said composite apparatus being connected to a host device,
said composite apparatus comprising recognizing means for recognizing the change in function, and
control means for performing such control as to make the host device recognize a function of the composite apparatus when the change in function is recognized by said recognizing means.
A control method of composite apparatus of the present invention is a control method of a composite apparatus capable of change in function, said composite apparatus being connected to a host device,
said control method comprising:
a recognition step of recognizing the change in function; and
a control step of performing such control as to make the host device recognize a function of the composite apparatus when the change in function is recognized by said recognition step.
A storage medium of the present invention is a storage medium for storing a control program of a composite apparatus capable of change in function, said composite apparatus being connected to a host device,
said storage medium storing a program comprising:
a recognition step of recognizing the change in function; and
a control step of performing such control as to make the host device recognize a function of the composite apparatus when the change in function is recognized by said recognition step.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5671282 (1997-09-01), Wolff et al.
patent: 5689730 (1997-11-01), Wakasugi
patent: 5699489 (1997-12-01), Yokomizo
patent: 5790792 (1998-08-01), Dudgeon et al.
patent: 5903733 (1999-05-01), Hong
patent: 5917511 (1999-06-01), Ueda
patent: 6009527 (1999-12-01), Traw et al.
patent: 6050674 (2000-04-01), Hirabayashi et al.
patent: 6058445 (2000-05-01), Chari et al.
patent: 6106086 (2000-08-01), Nishii
patent: 6113208 (2000-09-01), Benjamin et al.
patent: 6122676 (2000-09-01), Brief et al.
patent: 6141680 (2000-10-01), Cucchiara
patent: 6141704 (2000-10-01), Huang
patent: 6142600 (2000-11-01), Takahashi et al.
patent: 6166828 (2000-12-01), Yamada et al.
patent: 6189050 (2001-02-01), Sakarda
pate
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Harrell Robert B.
Vaughn, Jr. William C.
LandOfFree
System, apparatus and control method for monitoring system... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System, apparatus and control method for monitoring system..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System, apparatus and control method for monitoring system... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3090063