Image forming device having UWB communication function and method for providing data thereof, and system for providing data using UWB communication function

• US 20070109579A1
• Filed: 10/02/2006
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HP Printing Korea Co., Ltd. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Eum, Ju-Ho
• Granted Patent: US 8,446,598 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.130
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1293 Printer information exchange with computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00291 with receiver circuitry television receiver circuitry per se H04N5/44
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00315 with a radio transmission apparatus with a cordless telephone H04N1/00305; systems or arrangements for the transmission of a picture signal specially adapted for transmission via radio H04N1/00103; H04N1/00307 takes precedence; radio transmission systems H04B7/00; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0044 Connecting to a plurality of different apparatus; Using a plurality of different connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0068 Converting from still picture data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

An image forming device having an ultra wide band (UWB) communication function and a method for providing data thereof, and a system for providing data using UWB communication function are disclosed. The image forming device having a UWB communication function include: a communication network interfacing unit for receiving data through a communication network, a data processing unit for analyzing received data type and converting the data into a certain form, a UWB interfacing unit for transmitting a search signal to a plurality of devices connected through a UWB network, and receiving an answer signal from available devices of the plurality of devices, and a controlling unit for controlling the data processing unit to convert the received data into a form reproducible at the devices transmitting the answer signal, and controlling the UWB interfacing unit to transmit the converted data to the available devices.

Claims

1. An image forming device having a ultra wide band (UWB) communication function, the device comprising:

a communication network interfacing unit for receiving data through a communication network;

a data processing unit for analyzing a type of the received data and converting the data into a converted form;

a UWB interfacing unit for transmitting a search signal to a plurality of devices connected through a UWB network, and receiving an answer signal from available devices among the plurality of devices; and

a controlling unit for controlling the data processing unit to convert the received data into a form reproducible at the devices transmitting the answer signal, and controlling the UWB interfacing unit to transmit the converted data to the available devices.

2. The image forming device of claim 1, wherein the data comprises at least one of fax data, email and telephone messages.

3. The image forming device of claim 1, wherein the data processing unit converts the data into at least one of video data and voice data.

4. The image forming device of claim 1, wherein when at least one device transmits the answer signal, the controlling unit determines priority thereof, and controls the data processing unit to convert the data into a form reproducible at the highest priority devices.

5. The image forming device of claim 1, wherein if the search signal is transmitted through the UWB interfacing unit and the answer signal is not received from the plurality of devices, the controlling unit controls the UWB interfacing unit to re-transmit the search signal.

6. The image forming device of claim 1, wherein if the search signal is transmitted through the UWB interfacing unit and a response waiting time is exceeded, the controlling unit concludes communication with the plurality of devices through the UWB interfacing unit.

7. A method for providing data of an image forming device having an ultra wide band (UWB) communication function, the method comprising:

analyzing a type of a received data if the data is received through a communication network;

transmitting a search signal to a plurality of devices connected through a UWB network, and receiving an answer signal from available devices among the plurality of devices;

converting the received data into a form reproducible at at least one of the devices transmitting the answer signal; and

transmitting the converted data to at least one of the available devices.

8. The method for providing data of claim 7, wherein the data comprises at least one of fax data, email and telephone messages.

9. The method for providing data of claim 7, wherein a data processing unit converts the data into at least one of video data and voice data.

10. The method for providing data of claim 7, further comprising:

deciding priority of the devices transmitting the answer signal when two or more devices transmit the answer signal,

wherein the data is converted into a form reproducible at the device having highest priority.

11. The method for providing data of claim 7, further comprising:

re-transmitting the search signal if the answer signal is not received from the plurality of devices after the search signal is transmitted.

12. The method for providing data of claim 7, further comprising:

concluding communication with the plurality of devices if the response waiting time is exceeded after the search signal is transmitted.

13. A system for providing data using an ultra wide band (UWB) communication function, the system comprising:

a plurality of devices connectable through a UWB network; and

an image forming device for analyzing a type of a received data if the data is received through a communication network, for transmitting a search signal to the plurality of devices, and for converting the received data into a form reproducible at a device answering the search signal and transmitting the converted data.

14. The system for providing data of claim 13, wherein the data comprises at least one of fax data, email and telephone messages.

15. The system for providing data of claim 13, wherein the data is converted into at least one of video data and voice data.

16. An image forming device, comprising:

a UWB processing unit, wherein the UWB processing unit transmits a search signal and receives an answer signal through a network; and

a controlling unit.

17. The image forming device of claim 16, wherein the search signal is directed to search for a device in communication with the image forming device.

18. The image forming device of claim 17, wherein the device in communication with the image forming device is searched using middleware comprising universal plug-and-play and Jini Home Audio Video interoperability (HAVi).

19. The image forming device of claim 16, wherein the control unit monitors time elapsed after transmission of a search signal and terminates communication after a response waiting time has occurred.

20. The image forming device of claim 16, wherein the UWB interfacing unit transmits the search signal to a plurality of devices connected through a UWB network under control of the controlling unit.

21. The image forming device of claim 20, wherein the controlling unit determines device priority when two or more devices transmit answer signals.

22. The image forming device of claim 21, wherein the controlling unit controls the image forming device to convert data into a format that is reproducible at the device having highest priority.

23. The image forming device of claim 16, wherein the controlling unit determines whether an answer signal is received through the UWB interfacing unit.

24. The image forming device of claim 16, further comprising:

a communication network interfacing unit for receiving and transmitting data through a communication network, wherein the image forming device converts the data into a reproducible format.

25. The image forming device of claim 24, wherein the communication network interfacing unit comprises a network interfacing unit and a public switched telephone network (PSTN) interfacing unit.

26. The image forming device of claim 24, wherein the communication network interfacing unit supports interface between the image forming device and the Internet.

27. The image forming device of claim 24, wherein the controlling unit controls signal input and output between the communication network interfacing unit and the UWB interfacing unit.

28. The image forming device of claim 16, further comprising:

a data processing unit for analyzing data type and converting data into a reproducible format.

29. The image forming device of claim 28, wherein the controlling unit controls the UWB interfacing unit to transmit the converted data.

30. The image forming device of claim 29, wherein the controlling unit controls the UWB interfacing unit to transmit the converted data to a device transmitting the answer signal.

31. The image forming device of claim 28, wherein the data processing unit converts data into a format comprising at least one of voice data and image data.

32. The image forming device of claim 28, wherein the controlling unit controls signal input and output between the data processing unit and the UWB interfacing unit.

33. The image forming device of claim 28, wherein the data is converted into a format reproducible on an external device comprising a fax machine, video monitor, telephone, and printer.

34. The image forming device of claim 16, wherein the controlling unit controls the UWB interfacing unit to transmit data to a device transmitting the answer signal.

35. The image forming device of claim 16, wherein the controlling unit controls the UWB interface unit to retransmit the search signal when no answer signal is received.

36. The image forming device of claim 16, wherein the controlling unit stores a response waiting time in a memory to apply when no answer signal is received.