Data communication system, printing system and data communication apparatus

• US 6,298,405 B1
• Filed: 02/17/1998
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Takahashi, Koji, Ito, Masamichi
• Primary Examiner(s): WILEY, DAVID ARMAND
• Application Number:
  US09/024,187
• Time in Patent Office: 1,323 Days
• Field of Search: 710/100, 710/113, 710/126, 710/129, 710/107
• US Class Current: 710/107
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1208 resulting in improved quality of the output result, e.g. print layout, colours, workflows, print preview
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1236 Connection management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1284 Local printer device

Abstract

Disclosed are a data communication method whereby a first and a second node are directly connected so that they can exchange data directly, data communication apparatuses therefor, and a communication system that includes the apparatuses.

A VTR and a printer are connected by an IEEE 1394 cable. When the printer requests the transmission of image data, the VTR transmits pertinent image data to the printer. Since the entry of a predetermined instruction at the operating unit of the VTR is inhibited during the transmission of image data, the occurrence of an obstacle to the transmission of image data can be prevented.

Claims

1. A data communication system comprising:

a first node that includes an image display monitor and an operating unit;

a second node that includes an operating unit but does not include an image display monitor, said first and second nodes communicating with each other by a DS-Link; and

arbitration means for providing an arbitration, for use of a communication path, between an instruction input at the operating unit of said first node and an instruction input at the operating unit of said second node.

2. A data communication system according to claim 1, wherein said arbitration means gives a higher priority to an operation for said first node than to an operation for said second node.

3. A data communication system according to claim 1, wherein said arbitration means gives a higher priority to an operation for said second node than to an operation for said first node.

4. A data communication system according to claim 1, wherein said first node and said second node are connected together by a serial bus.

5. A data communication system according to claim 4, wherein said serial bus conforms to an IEEE 1394 standard.

6. A data communication system according to claim 1, wherein said second node is a printer.

7. A data communication system according to claim 6, wherein said arbitration means invalidates a manipulation of an operating unit at the printer while printing is being performed by the printer.

8. A printing system comprising:

a video apparatus that includes an image display monitor and an operating unit;

a printer that includes an operating unit; and

arbitration means for providing an arbitration, for use of a communication path, between an instruction input at the operating unit of said video apparatus and an instruction input at the operating unit of said printer.

9. A printing system according to claim 8, wherein said video apparatus transmits video data isochronously, and receives operating state information for said printer asynchronously.

10. A printing system according to claim 9, wherein the operating state information for said printer is displayed on the image display monitor.

11. Data communication apparatus constituting a first node or a second node in a data communication system, wherein the data communication system comprises:

a first node that includes an image display monitor and an operating unit;

a second node that includes an operating unit but does not include an image display monitor, the first and second nodes communicating with each other by a DS-Link; and

arbitration means for providing an arbitration, for use of a communication path, between an instruction input at the operating unit of the first node and an instruction input at the operating unit of the second node.

12. A data communication system comprising:

a first node that includes an image display monitor and an operating unit;

a second node that includes an operating unit but does not include an image display monitor, said first and second nodes communicating with each other by a DS-Link; and

arbitration means for providing an arbitration, for use of a communication path, between an instruction input at the operating unit of said first node and an instruction input at the operating unit of said second node, wherein

said first node is an image reproduction device and said second node is a printing device, and

the instructions input at the operating units of said first and second nodes concern respective printing operations.

13. A data communication system according to claim 12, wherein said arbitration means gives a higher priority to an operation for said first node than to an operation for said second node.

14. A data communication system according to claim 12, wherein said arbitration means gives a higher priority to an operation for said second node than to an operation for said first node.

15. A data communication system according to claim 12, wherein said first node and said second node are connected together by a serial bus.

16. A data communication system according to claim 15, wherein said serial bus conforms to an IEEE 1394 standard.

17. A data communication system according to claim 12, wherein said second node is a printer.

18. A data communication system according to claim 17, wherein said arbitration means invalidates a manipulation of an operating unit at the printer while printing is being performed by the printer.