Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Flow controlling
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-17
2001-12-25
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2782)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Flow controlling
C710S005000, C710S015000, C710S031000, C710S032000, C710S033000, C710S012000, C710S105000, C710S107000, C710S110000, C710S011000, C710S008000, C709S212000, C709S213000, C709S231000, C714S036000, C714S746000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06334161
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data transmission apparatus, system and method, and an image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to a data transmission apparatus, system and method and an image processing apparatus in a case where an image providing device such as a digital camera is directly connected, via a serial interface based on, e.g., the IEEE 1394 standards, to an image processing device such as a printer.
2. Description of Related Art
Various types of systems which transfer data to a printer via a bus are known. For example, a known technique is to output data from a computer to the printer by using a defacto standard interface such as a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) or Centronics interface.
In other words, the printer is connected to a personal computer (PC) as a host device via a parallel or serial interface such as a centronics or RS232C interface.
Further, a digital device as an image providing device such as a scanner, a digital still camera and a digital video camera, is also connected to the PC. Image data inputted by the respective digital devices are temporarily stored in a hard disk or the like on the PC, then processed by an application software program or the like on the PC and converted into print data for the printer, and transferred via the above interface to the printer.
In the above system, the PC has driver software programs respectively for controlling the digital devices and the printer. The image data outputted from the digital devices is held as data of format which can be easily handled and displayed on the PC, by these driver software programs. The stored data is converted to the print data by an image processing method in consideration of image characteristics of input devices and image characteristics of output devices.
Today it is possible to for a new interface such as an interface based on the IEEE 1394 standards (hereinafter referred to as “1394 serial bus”) to directly connect an image providing device and a printer. In case of directly connecting the image providing device to the printer by the 1394 serial bus, an FCP (Function Control Protocol) operand may include print data. Further, in the 1394 serial bus, a register area may be provided such that data transfer is performed by writing data into the register area.
Further, as the 1394 serial bus has a plurality of data-transfer control procedures, data transfer can be performed in methods appropriate to the respective devices.
Further, a printer having an image scanner function can perform printing and image scanning by selecting one of printer and scanner functions. In printing, the printer receives print data from an image providing device, while in scanning, sends image data, as an image providing device, to a host computer. That is, this printer changes a data transfer direction in accordance with its selected function.
The printer having the above image scanner function must handle bi-directional data transfer, i.e., reception and transmission of image data. For this purpose, the printer has two data transfer methods and bi-directional data transfer function. In such device, how to change the data transfer direction is important.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and has its object to provide a data transmission apparatus, system and method and an image processing apparatus which change a data transfer direction in accordance with a command.
According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing a data transmission method for a data transmission system which transfers data between devices connected by a serial bus, the data transfer, started by first and second devices, performed on the basis of device information of the first and second devices provided in advance, wherein, in a case where the second device has a flow control function, an initiative of a flow control for the data transfer is moved from the first device to the second device in accordance with a command issued by the first device, and the initiative is returned to the first device when the data transfer is completed.
Further, the foregoing object is attained by providing a data transmission apparatus connected to a serial bus, comprising, generation means for generating a command to reverse data transfer by a device connected to the serial bus, and transmission means for transmitting the generated command to said device.
Further, the foregoing object is attained by providing a data transmission apparatus connected to a serial bus, comprising, reception means for receiving a command from a device connected to the serial bus, and transfer means for reversing data transfer based on the command received by said reception means.
Further, the foregoing object is attained by providing a data transmission system for transferring data through a serial bus, comprising, issuance means for issuing a command to a first device connected to the serial bus, and control means for reversing data transfer by a second device connected to the serial bus, based on the command issued by said issuance means.
Further, the foregoing object is attained by providing a data transmission method for a data transmission system which transfers data between devices connected by a serial bus, the data transfer, started by first and second devices, performed on the basis of device information of the first and second devices provided in advance, said method comprising, wherein, in a case where the second device has not a flow control function, a direction of the data transfer is reversed by a command issued by the first device, wherein the data is transferred the second device to the first device after the direction is reversed.
Further, the foregoing object is attained by providing a data transmission apparatus connected to a serial bus, said apparatus comprising, transmission means for transmitting a command which notifies reversing a direction of data transfer, to a device connected to the serial bus, and reception means for receiving the data after the command has been transmitted.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same name or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.
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pat
Fukunaga Koji
Katano Kiyoshi
Kobayashi Makoto
Nakamura Atsushi
Suzuki Naohisa
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Lee Thomas
Schuster Katharina
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