Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral adapting
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-19
2001-10-16
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral adapting
C713S322000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304926
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an extended interface device. More particularly, the invention relates to an extended interface device which is connected to an OA (office automation) apparatus, such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile apparatus, a scanner or the like, and provides the OA apparatus with a new interface function by being supplied with electric power from the main body of the OA apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent diffusion of networks, such as LAN's (local area networks) and the like, is remarkable, and, for example, data sharing by a plurality of clients, such as personal computers, work stations and the like, and sharing of input/output apparatuses, such as printers, scanners and the like are also common. This trend extends even to business machines, such as fascimile apparatuses and the like. In accordance with development of digital business machines, the utilization of the input/output function of such a business machine as a printer, a scanner or the like via a network is effected.
Under such circumstances, network interface devices for providing OA apparatuses, such as printers, copiers, facsimile apparatuses, scanners and the like, with a network function of a LAN or the like have been put on the market by various suppliers. Among these devices, there are network interface devices, each connected to an extended interface provided in the main body of an OA apparatus and supplied with electric power from the main body of the OA apparatus via the interface. Extended interface devices for providing the connected OA apparatus with a new interface function other than the network function have also been devised.
The above-described network interface device, which is connected to an extended interface connector of an OA apparatus, such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile apparatus, a scanner or the like, and supplies the OA apparatus with a network interface of a LAN or the like, by being supplied with electric power from the main body of the OA apparatus, has the following problems.
First, it is desirable that unified extended-interface specifications are provided for network interface devices and various kinds of OA apparatuses, and a network interface device of one type deals with various kinds of OA apparatuses. Actually, however, various kinds of OA apparatuses to be dealt with have different specifications. The processing capability requested to a network interface device and the current capacity which can be supplied to the network interface device via an extended interface also differ depending on the OA apparatus.
For example, suppose that a low-speed printer having a printing speed of 4 copies/min and a high-speed printer having a printing speed of 40 copies/min have the same extended interface, and the two printers are dealt with by a network interface device of one type. The high-speed printer requests a high-speed network interface in order to utilize its high printing speed. On the other hand, the low-speed printer requests only a network interface corresponding to its low printing speed, and does not require a high-speed processing capability requested by the high-speed printer for the network interface device. In general, the amount of current suppliable to an extended interface is smaller as the speed of an OA apparatus is lower, because there is a limitation in the space for the power supply. On the other hand, current consumption is larger as the processing capability of a network interface device is higher.
Accordingly, for a network interface device having a high processing capability corresponding to a high-speed copier, the current capacity suppliable from a low-speed printer is insufficient. As a result, it is necessary to prepare network interface devices of two types having the same functions except for their speed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an extended interface device which can be commonly used for OA apparatuses having different current capacities.
According to one aspect, the present invention which achieves the above-described object relates to an interface device which is connected to an OA apparatus and provides the OA apparatus with a new interface by being supplied with electric power from the OA apparatus. The interface device includes an extended-interface control unit for controlling an interface which is supplied with electric power from the OA apparatus and performs transmission/reception of data to/from the OA apparatus, a clock-frequency control unit for variably controlling an operational clock frequency for the interface device, and means for asking the OA apparatus about a current capacity suppliable from the OA apparatus. The clock-frequency control unit controls the clock frequency in order to suppress power consumption of the interface device within the current capacity.
According to another aspect, the present invention which achieves the above-described object relates to a device for an electronic apparatus. The device includes a first interface to be connected to the electronic apparatus, a second interface to be connected to the outside, and control means for controlling an operational frequency of the device.
According to still another aspect, the present invention which achieves the above-described object relates to a method for controlling a device for providing an electronic apparatus with a new interface function by being connected to the electronic apparatus. The method includes the steps of determining an operational clock frequency for the device from among a plurality of operational clock frequencies, and controlling clock generation means so as to generate a clock signal having the determined operational clock frequency.
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Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Du Thuan
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Lee Thomas
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