Data communication apparatus and method

• US 20020062407A1
• Filed: 01/10/2002
• Published: 05/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atsushi Nakamura, Jiro Tateyama, Kiyoshi Katano, Koji Fukunaga, Makoto Kobayashi, Naohisa Suzuki
• Original Assignee: Atsushi Nakamura, Jiro Tateyama, Kiyoshi Katano, Koji Fukunaga, Makoto Kobayashi, Naohisa Suzuki
• Inventors: Kobayashi, Makoto, Nakamura, Atsushi, Tateyama, Jiro, Katano, Kiyoshi, Fukunaga, Koji, Suzuki, Naohisa
• Granted Patent: US 6,874,082 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/11
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4291 using a clocked protocol
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1209 resulting in adapted or bridged legacy communication protocols, e.g. emulation, protocol extension
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/121 Facilitating exception or error detection and recovery, e.g. fault, media or consumables depleted
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1224 Client or server resources management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1234 Errors handling and recovery, e.g. reprinting G06F3/1261 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1236 Connection management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1244 Job translation or job parsing, e.g. page banding
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1286 via local network
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1288 in client-server-printer device configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40058 Isochronous transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40117 Interconnection of audio or video/imaging devices home automation networks H04L12/2803; bitstream network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40123 Interconnection of computers and peripherals printer information exchange with computer G06F3/1293
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00283 with a television apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/33307 prior to start of transmission, input or output of the picture signal only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/33323 transmission mode only, e.g. speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/33376 according to characteristics or state of one of the communicating parties, e.g. available memory capacity
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4108 characterised by an identification number or address, e.g. local network address protecting specific internal or external computer components using identification number G06F21/73; network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4117 for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper interfaces to printers G06F3/12; printing data G06K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43632 : involving a wired protocol, e.g. IEEE 1394 high-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus H04L12/40052
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44231 : Monitoring of peripheral device or external card, e.g. to detect processing problems in a handheld device or the failure of an external recording device configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network H04L12/2823; monitoring the status of connected device in data switched networks H04L43/0817
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0015 : Control of image communication with the connected apparatus, e.g. signalling capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0034 : Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 : Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 : By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0074 : Arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus arrangements for the control of the connected apparatus by the still picture apparatus H04N2201/0013; control of image communication with the connected apparatus H04N2201/0015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/33328 : Resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/33364 : Type of modulation; Type of channel, e.g. digital or analog; Type of communication, e.g. half-duplex or full-duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/33378 : Type or format of data, e.g. colour or B/W, halftone or binary, computer image file or facsimile data

Abstract

In response to a request from a host device using an initial protocol, capability information including information indicative of a plurality of communication protocols is returned to the host device, and a communication protocol, designated by the host device based on the capability information, is set, and print data is received from the host device by the set communication protocol. In a system using an interface connected to various types of devices, e.g., an IEEE 1394 serial bus, a communication protocol, which is used when a host device transfers print data to a printer, is not limited to that unique to the manufacturer of the device.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising a first device, a second device, and a serial bus which defines a predetermined address space for each of said first and second devices, wherein

said first device includes first protocol capability storage means, which is in the address space defined by said serial bus, for storing information on usability of respective data transport protocols,

said second device includes:

first identifying means for reading contents of said first protocol capability storage means by designating an address defined by said serial bus and identifying the read contents; and

first determination means for determining a data transport protocol on the basis of the contents of said first protocol capability storage means,

wherein said first identifying means identifies a plurality of usable data transport protocols in advance of determination by said first determination means.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first device further includes lock storage means, which is in the address space defined by said serial bus, for storing information on an occupied state of a resource.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said second device further includes:

second identifying means for identifying contents of said lock storage means on the basis of read or lock transaction which designates the address defined by said serial bus; and

deciding means for deciding whether or not said first device is occupied on the basis of the contents of said lock storage means.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the data transport protocols include a printer protocol.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the printer protocol is for transmitting data to be printed.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said second device outputs image information.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said second device is either a computer, a digital camera, a scanner, a digital video disc, a Set-Top-Box, a digital television, a conference camera, a digital video system or a complex machine of them.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first device further includes protocol storage means to which information of the protocol determined by said first determination means is written.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said serial bus conforms to IEEE 1394 standard.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said serial bus modulates data in DS-link method and transmits the modulated data.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first identifying means identifies the contents of said first protocol capability storage means on the basis of read transaction which designates the address defined by said serial bus.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the read transaction is executed in a lower layer than a transport protocol layer of said serial bus.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first device receives image information.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said first device is either a monitor, a computer, an external storage device, a Set-Top-Box, a printer or a complex machine of them.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein said second device further includes second protocol capability storage means, which is in the address space defined by said serial bus, for storing information on usability of respective data transport protocols.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said first device further includes:

second identifying means for reading contents of said second protocol capability storage means by designating an address defined by said serial bus and identifying the contents; and

second determination means for determining a data transport protocol on the basis of the contents of said second protocol capability storage means,

wherein said second identifying means identifies a plurality of usable data transport protocols in advance of determination by said second determination means.

17. A communication method between a first device and a second device through a serial bus which defines a predetermined address space for each of said first and second devices, said method comprising the steps of:

storing information on usability of respective data transport protocols into a protocol capability storage register which is in the address space defined by said serial bus;

reading contents stored in the protocol capability storage register by designating an address defined by the serial bus;

identifying the read contents; and

determining a data transport protocol on the basis of the contents stored in the protocol capability storage register,

wherein a plurality of usable data transport protocols are identified in said identifying step in advance of determination in said determination step.

18. A communication method for a device connected to a serial bus which defines a predetermined address space for the device, said method comprising a step of storing information on usability of respective data transport protocols into a protocol capability storage register,

wherein the protocol capability storage register is in the address space defined by said serial bus.

19. A communication method for a device connected to a serial bus which defines a predetermined address space for the device, said method comprising the steps of:

reading contents stored in a protocol capability storage register of another device connected to the serial bus, which stores information on usability of respective data transport protocols, by designating an address defined by the serial bus;

identifying the read contents; and

determining a data transport protocol on the basis of the contents stored in the protocol capability storage register,

wherein a plurality of usable data transport protocols are identified in said identifying step in advance of determination in said determination step.

20. A data communication method for performing data communication on a serial bus, characterized by comprising the steps of:

obtaining capability information of a usable communication protocol of a target device by communication using an initial protocol;

having said target device set a communication protocol which can be used in data communication, based on the obtained capability information; and

performing the data communication with said target device based on the set communication protocol.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said target device corresponds to a plurality of communication protocols,

and wherein the capability information includes information indicative of the plurality of communication protocols.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein said target device is a printer, and data communicated by the communication protocol is image data.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein said target device is an ink-jet printer, and the plurality of communication protocols of said target device are adapted to image formation by the ink-jet printer.

24. The method according to one of claim 20, wherein data communicated by the communication protocol is image data obtained by an image-sensing device.

25. The method according to one of claim 20, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the IEEE 1934 standards.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the capability information is stored in a CSR register in an address space of the IEEE 1394 standards,

and wherein the communication protocol is set by using the CSR register.

27. The method according to one of claim 20, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on Universal Serial Bus standards.

28. The method according to one of claim 20, wherein the initial protocol is executed at a layer higher than a data link layer of an OSI model.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein a plurality of communication protocols are available,

and wherein the capability information includes information indicative of the plurality of communication protocols.

31. The method according to claim 29 or 30, wherein data communicated by the communication protocol is image data.

32. The method according to claim 30, wherein the plurality of communication protocols are adapted to image formation by an ink-jet printer.

33. The method according to one of claim 29, wherein data communicated by the communication protocol is image data obtained by an image-sensing device.

34. The method according to one of claim 29, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the IEEE 1394 standards.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the capability information is stored in a CSR register in address space of the IEEE 1394 standards,

and wherein the communication protocol is set by using the CSR register.

36. The method according to one of claim 29, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on Universal Serial Bus standards.

37. The method according to one of claim 29, wherein the initial protocol is executed in a layer higher than a data link layer of an OSI model.

39. A data communication system for performing data communication on a serial bus, characterized by comprising:

at least one of host devices according to one of claim 20; and

at least one of target devices according to claim 29,

wherein data communication is performed between said at least one of host devices and said at least one of target devices based on a set communication protocol.

29. A data communication method for performing data communication on a serial bus, characterized by comprising the steps of:

returning capability information to a host device in response to a request using an initial protocol from the host device;

setting a communication protocol to be used in data communication, in accordance with an instruction from said host device based on the capability information; and

performing data communication with said host device based on the set communication protocol.

38. A data communication apparatus for performing data communication on a serial bus, characterized by comprising:

communication means corresponding to an initial protocol and a plurality of communication protocols for data communication;

storage means in which capability information including information indicative of the plurality of communication protocols is stored; and

setting means for setting a communication protocol of said communication means,

wherein said communication means sends the capability information stored in said storage means based on a request by using the initial protocol from a host device, and said setting means sets the communication protocol of said communication means in accordance with an instruction by using the initial protocol from the host device.

40. A data communication method for performing data communication on a serial bus, characterized by comprising the steps of:

receiving a connection request from a host device;

setting a communication protocol to be used in data communication if it is recognized that said host device does not correspond to a predetermined protocol;

trying communication with said host device by the set communication protocol; and

performing the data communication with said host device by using the set communication protocol, if the communication with said host device is established.

41. A data communication apparatus for performing data communication on a serial bus, characterized by comprising:

communication means corresponding to an initial protocol and a plurality of communication protocols for data communication; and

control means for controlling the data communication with a host device,

wherein if said control means recognizes, from a connection request received by said communication means from said host device, that said host device does not correspond to the initial protocol, said control means sets a predetermined communication protocol at said communication means, tries communication with said host device by the set communication protocol, and if the communication with said host device is established, performs data communication with said host device by using the set communication protocol.

42. A data communication method for performing data communication on a serial bus, comprising the steps of:

obtaining an identifier of a host device which does not correspond to an initial protocol;

recognizing a protocol of said host device based on the obtained identifier; and

setting the protocol as a communication protocol for communication with said host device, if the recognized protocol is available.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the identifier is a vendor ID provided by a Command/Status Register architecture.

44. The method according to claim 42, wherein the identifier is a vendor ID stored in a Configuration ROM included in a Command/Status Register core.

45. The method according to claim 42, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the IEEE 1394 standards.

46. The method according to claim 42, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on Universal Serial Bus standards.

47. The method according to claim 42, wherein the initial protocol is executed at a layer higher than a data link layer of an OSI model.

48. The method according to claim 47, wherein the initial protocol is a log-in protocol.

49. The method according to claim 42, further comprising a communication step of communicating image data with said host device by the communication protocol.

50. A data communication apparatus for performing data communication on a serial bus, comprising:

obtaining means for obtaining an identifier of a host device which does not correspond to an initial protocol;

recognition means for recognizing a protocol of said host device based on the obtained identifier; and

setting means for setting the protocol as a communication protocol for communication with said host device, if the recognized protocol is available.

51. A data communication method for performing data communication on a serial bus, comprising the steps of:

obtaining capabilities of devices connected to the serial bus;

counting protocols of said devices, by each type, based on the obtained capabilities;

determining one of the protocols to be used with priority, based on the result of counting; and

notifying the determined protocol to said devices.

52. The method according to claim 51, wherein the capability is obtained from a Command/Status register of said device.

53. The method according to claim 51, wherein one of the protocols, supported by the greatest number of devices, is determined to be used with priority.

54. The method according to claim 51, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the IEEE 1394 standards.

55. The method according to claim 51, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on Universal Serial Bus standards.

58. The method according to claim 57, wherein the specific protocol is a protocol to be used with priority notified via the serial bus.

59. The method according to claim 58, wherein the protocol to be used with priority is a protocol which allows log-in by a plurality of devices.

60. The method according to claim 57, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the IEEE 1394 standards.

61. The method according to claim 57, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on Universal Serial Bus standards.

62. The method according to claim 57, wherein the initial protocol is executed at a layer higher than a data link layer of an OSI model.

63. The method according to claim 57, wherein the initial protocol is a log-in protocol.

56. A data communication apparatus for performing data communication on a serial bus, comprising:

obtaining means for obtaining capabilities of devices connected to the serial bus;

counting means for counting protocols of said devices, by each type, based on the obtained capabilities;

determining means for determining one of the protocols to be used with priority, based on the result of counting; and

notification means for notifying the determined protocol to said devices.

57. A data communication method for performing data communication on a serial bus, comprising the steps of:

executing an initial protocol; and

if a protocol to be executed after the initial protocol is selected from plural types of protocols, selecting a specific protocol with priority.

64. A data communication apparatus for performing data communication on a serial bus, comprising:

execution means for executing an initial protocol; and

selection means for, if a protocol to be executed after the initial protocol is selected from plural types of protocols , selecting a specific protocol with priority.

65. A data communication method for performing data communication on a serial bus, comprising the steps of:

searching for target devices connected to the serial bus;

obtaining information on said target devices;

generating a table of said target devices based on the obtained information; and

selecting one of said target devices based on the generated table.

66. The method according to claim 65, wherein the information on said target devices is obtained from a Command/Status register of said target devices.

67. The method according to claim 66, wherein the information on said target devices include at least one of positions on the network, capabilities, statuses and reserve powers of said target devices.

68. The method according to claim 65, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the IEEE 1394 standards.

69. The method according to claim 65, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on Universal Serial Bus standards.

70. A data communication apparatus for performing data communication on a serial bus, comprising:

search means for searching for target devices connected to the serial bus;

obtaining means for obtaining information on said target devices;

generation means for generating a table of said target devices based on the obtained information; and

selection means for selecting one of said target devices based on the generated table.

71. A data communication method for performing data communication on a serial bus, comprising the steps of:

searching for target devices connected to the serial bus;

obtaining information on said target devices;

recognizing a network topology based on the obtained information; and

selecting one of said target devices based on the recognized network topology.

72. The method according to claim 71, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the IEEE 1394 standards.

73. The method according to claim 71, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on Universal Serial Bus standards.

74. A data communication method for performing data communication on a serial bus, comprising the steps of:

searching for target devices connected to the serial bus;

obtaining information on said target devices;

generating a table of said target devices based on the obtained information; and

selecting one of said target devices based on the generated table.

75. A data communication apparatus for performing data communication on a serial bus, comprising:

search means for searching for target devices connected to the serial bus;

obtaining means for obtaining information on said target devices;

recognition means for recognizing a network topology based on the obtained information; and

selection means for selecting one of said target devices based on the recognized network topology.

76. A data communication method for performing data communication on a serial bus, comprising the steps of:

searching for target devices connected to the serial bus;

obtaining information on said target devices;

generating a table of said target devices based on the obtained information;

determining a protocol to be used with priority, based on the generated table; and

notifying said target devices connected to the serial bus of the determined protocol.

77. The method according to claim 76, wherein the information on said target devices is obtained from a Command/Status register of said target devices.

78. The method according to claim 76, wherein the information on said target devices include at least one of positions on the network, capabilities, statuses and reserve powers of said target devices.

79. The method according to claim 76, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the IEEE 1394 standards.

80. The method according to claim 76, wherein the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on Universal Serial Bus standards.

81. A data communication apparatus for performing data communication on a serial bus, comprising:

search means for searching for target devices connected to the serial bus;

obtaining means for obtaining information on said target devices;

generation means for generating a table of said target devices based on the obtained information;

determination means for determining a protocol to be used with priority, based on the generated table; and

notification means for notifying said target devices connected to the serial bus of the determined protocol.

82. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program codes, for executing data communication on a serial bus, said product comprising:

acquisition process procedure codes for acquiring capability information of a target device by communication using an initial protocol;

setting process procedure codes for having said target device set a communication protocol which can be used in data communication, based on the acquired capability information; and

communication process procedure codes for performing the data communication with said target device based on the set communication protocol.

83. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program codes, for executing data communication on a serial bus, said product comprising:

response process procedure codes for returning capability information to a host device in response to a request using an initial protocol from the host device;

setting process procedure codes for setting a communication protocol to be used in data communication, in accordance with an instruction from said host device based on the capability information; and

communication process procedure codes for performing data communication with said host device based on the set communication protocol.

84. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program codes, for executing data communication on a serial bus, said product comprising:

reception process procedure codes for receiving a connection request from a host device;

setting process procedure codes for setting a communication protocol to be used in data communication if it is recognized that said host device does not correspond to a predetermined protocol;

experiment process procedure codes for trying communication with said host device by the set communication protocol; and

communication process procedure codes for performing the data communication with said host device by using the set communication protocol, if the communication with said host device is established.

85. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program codes, for executing data communication on a serial bus, said product comprising:

acquisition process procedure codes for acquiring an identifier of a host device which does not correspond to an initial protocol;

recognition process procedure codes for recognizing a protocol of said host device based on the acquired identifier; and

setting process procedure codes for setting the protocol as a communication protocol for communication with said host device, if the recognized protocol is available.

86. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program codes, for executing data communication on a serial bus, said product comprising:

acquisition process procedure codes for acquiring capabilities of devices connected to said serial bus;

counting process procedure codes for counting protocols of said devices, by each type, based on the acquired capabilities;

determination process procedure codes for determining one of the protocols to be used with priority, based on the result of counting; and

notification process procedure codes for notifying the determined protocol to said devices.

87. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program codes, for executing data communication on a serial bus, said product comprising:

execution process procedure codes for executing an initial protocol; and

selection process procedure codes for, if a protocol to be executed after the initial protocol is selected from plural types of protocols, selecting a specific protocol with priority.

88. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program codes, for executing data communication on a serial bus, said product comprising:

search process procedure codes for searching for target devices connected to the serial bus;

acquisition process procedure codes for acquiring information on said target devices;

generation process procedure codes for generating a table of the target device based on the acquired information; and

selection process procedure codes for selecting one of said target devices based on the generated table.

89. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program codes, for executing data communication on a serial bus, said product comprising:

search process procedure codes for searching for target devices connected to the serial bus;

acquisition process procedure codes for acquiring information on said target devices;

recognition process procedure codes for recognizing a network topology based on the acquired information; and

selection process procedure codes for selecting one of said target devices based on the recognized network topology.

90. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program codes, for executing data communication on a serial bus, said product comprising:

search process procedure codes for searching for target devices connected to the serial bus;

acquisition process procedure codes for acquiring information on said target devices;

generation process procedure codes for generating a table of said target devices based on the acquired information;

determination process procedure codes for determining a protocol to be used with priority, based on the generated table; and

notification process procedure codes for notifying said target devices connected to the serial bus of the determined protocol.

91. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program code, for executing a data communication for a communication system comprising a first device, a second device, and a serial bus which defines a predetermined address space for each of said first and second devices, said product comprising:

storing process procedure code for storing information on usability of respective data transport protocols into a protocol capability storage register which is in the address space defined by the serial bus;

reading process procedure code for reading contents stored in the protocol capability storage register by designating an address defined by the serial bus;

identify process procedure code for identifying the read contents; and

determination process procedure code for determining a data transport protocol on the basis of the contents stored in the protocol capability storage register,

wherein a plurality of usable data transport protocols are identified in said identify process procedure in advance of determination in said determination process procedure.

92. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program code, for executing a data communication for a device connected to a serial bus which defines a predetermined address space for the device, said product comprising storage process procedure code for storing information on usability of respective data transport protocols into a protocol capability storage register,

wherein the protocol capability storage register is in the address space defined by the serial bus.

93. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program code, for executing a data communication for a device connected to a serial bus which defines a predetermined address space for the device, said product comprising:

reading process procedure code for reading contents stored in a protocol capability storage register of another device connected to the serial bus, which stores information on usability of respective data transport protocols, by designating an address defined by the serial bus;

identify process procedure code for identifying the read contents; and

determination process procedure code for determining a data transport protocol on the basis of the contents stored in the protocol capability storage register,

wherein a plurality of usable data transport protocols are identified in said identify process procedure in advance of determination in said determination process procedure.