Input/output apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers via a network

• US 6,321,266 B1
• Filed: 06/04/1996
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Fukuda, Yasuo, Hashimoto, Yasuhiko, Yamada, Osamu, Saito, Kazuhiro, Negishi, Tsutomu, Toda, Masanari, Takaoka, Makoto, Yokomizo, Yoshikazu, Shishizuka, Junichi, Toda, Yukari, Sugiyama, Mitsumasa, Sugiura, Susumu, Kobayashi, Shigetada, Mita, Yoshinobu
• Primary Examiner(s): Coulter, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US08/657,531
• Time in Patent Office: 1,995 Days
• Field of Search: 395/200.01, 395/114, 709/217, 709/203, 709/226, 709/206, 358/400
• US Class Current: 709/226
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32358 using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter H04N1/17 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32512 of different type, e.g. internal and external devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32529 of different type, e.g. internal and external devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0087 Image storage device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3288 Storage of two or more complete document pages or image frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3297 Simultaneous use of a single memory for different image storage purposes

Abstract

An input/output apparatus is connected to a plurality of host computers via a network and executes both a scanning function and a printing function. The apparatus includes a portion that generates image data from data input from a first one of the host computers and prints the generated image data by executing the printing function, and further includes an output device that scans image data by executing the scanning function and outputs the scanned image data to a second one of the host computers in response to a request command. As a result, the input/output apparatus may operate in coordination with a plurality of personal computers by using the network to transfer image data therebetween.

Claims

1. An input/output apparatus, connected to first and second host computers via a network, for executing a scanning function and for executing a printing function, said apparatus comprising:

reception means for receiving data for a job from the first and second host computers through a network interface;

determining means for determining whether a job corresponding to the data received by said reception means is a print job or a scan job;

memory means for storing the printing job or the scan job;

generating means for generating output data from print data received from the first host computer via the network, and printing the generated output data by executing the printing function on the print job stored in said memory means, when said determining means determines that the job is the print job from the first host computer; and

sending means for, in response to command data received from the second host computer via the network, obtaining input data by executing the scanning function on the scan job stored in said memory means, and sending the obtained input data to the second host computer via the network, when said determining means determines that the job is the scan job from the second host computer,

wherein said memory means is able to store the print job from the first host computer and the scan job from the second host computer at the same time.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a copying machine.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data comprises data written in a page description language.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising command receiving means for receiving the command data from the second host computer via the network.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising connection means for establishing a connection with the network to receive the print data from the first host computer and to send the input data to the second host computer.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data is generated by a printer driver.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data comprises image data.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising job management means for managing an order in which the print job and the scan job are executed.

9. A control apparatus for an input/output apparatus which is connected to first and second host computers via a network and executes a scanning function or a printing function, said control apparatus comprising:

reception means for receiving data for a job from the first and second host computers through a network interface;

determining means for determining whether a job corresponding to the data received by said reception means is a print job or a scan job;

memory means for storing the printing job or the scan job;

first control means for generating output data from print data received from the first host computer via the network, sending the generated output data to the input/output apparatus, and controlling the input/output apparatus to print the sent output data by executing the printing function on the print job stored in said memory means, when said determining means determines that the job is the print job from the first host computer; and

second control means for, in response to command data received from the second host computer via the network, controlling the input/output means to obtain input data by executing the scanning function on the scan job stored in said memory means, and sending the obtained input data to the second host computer via the network, when said determining means determines that the job is the scan job from the second host computer,

wherein said memory means is able to store the print job from the first host computer and the scan job from the second host computer at the same time.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the input/output apparatus is a copying machine.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said control apparatus intervenes between the host computers and the copying machine.

12. A control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the print data comprises data written in a page description language.

13. A control apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising command receiving means for receiving the command data from the second host computer via the network.

14. A control apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising connection means for establishing connection with the network to receive the print data from the first host computer and to send the input data to the second host computer.

15. A control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the print data is generated by a printer driver.

16. A control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the print data comprises image data.

17. A control apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising job management means for managing an order in which the print job and the scan job are executed.

18. An input/output method, for use in an input/output apparatus connected to first and second host computers via a network, for executing a scanning function and for executing a printing function, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving data for a job from the first and second host computers through a network interface;

determining whether a job corresponding to the data received in said receiving step is a print job or a scan job;

storing, in memory, the printing job or the scan job;

generating output data from print data received from the first host computer via the network, and printing the generated output data by executing the printing function on the print job stored in said storing step, when said determining means determines that the job is the print job from the first host computer; and

in response to command data received from the second host computer via the network, obtaining input data by executing the scanning function on the scan job stored in the memory, and sending the obtained input data to the second host computer via the network, when it is determined in said determining step that the job is the scan job from the second host computer,

wherein the memory is able to store the print job from the first host computer and the scan job from the second host computer at the same time.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the input/output apparatus is a copying machine.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the print data comprises data written in a page description language.

21. A method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of receiving the command data from the second host computer via the network.

22. A method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of establishing a connection with the network to receive the print data from the first host computer and to send the input data to the second host computer.

23. A method according to claim 18, wherein the print data is generated by a printer driver.

24. A method according to claim 18, wherein the print data comprises image data.

25. A method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of managing an order in which the print job and the scan job are executed.

26. A control method for use with a control apparatus for an input/output apparatus which is connected to first and second host computers via a network and executes a scanning function or a printing function, said control method comprising the steps of:

receiving data for a job from the first and second host computers through a network interface;

determining whether a job corresponding to the data received in said receiving step is a print job or a scan job;

storing, in memory, the printing job or the scan job;

controlling the input/output apparatus to generate output data from print data received from the first host computer via the network, sending the generated output data to the input/output apparatus, and controlling the input/output apparatus to print the sent output data by executing the printing function on the print job stored in said storing step, when it is determined in said determining step that the job is the print job from the first host computer; and

in response to command data received from the second host computer via the network, controlling the input/output means to obtain input data by executing the scanning function on the scan job stored in the memory, and sending the obtained input data to the second host computer via the network, when it is determined in said determining step that the job is the scan job from the second host computer,

wherein the memory is able to store the print job from the first host computer and the scan job from the second host computer at the same time.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the input/output apparatus is a copying machine.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the control apparatus intervenes between the host computers and the copying machine.

29. A method according to claim 26, wherein the print data comprises data written in a page description language.

30. A control method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of receiving the command data from the second host computer via the network.

31. A control method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of establishing a connection with the network to receive the print data from the first host computer and to send the input data to the second host computer.

32. A control method according to claim 26, wherein the print data is generated by a printer driver.

33. A control method according to claim 26, wherein the print data comprises image data.

34. A control method according to claim 26, further comprising job management means for managing an order in which the print job and the scan job are executed.

35. A storage medium for storing a program executed in an input/output apparatus which is connected to first and second host computers via a network and executes a scanning function or a printing function, the program comprising:

code for receiving data for a job from the first and second host computers through a network interface;

code for determining whether a job corresponding to the data received through execution of said code for receiving is a print job or a scan job;

code for storing, in memory, the printing job or the scan job;

code for generating output data from print data received from the first host computer via the network, and printing the generated output data by executing the printing function on the print job in the memory, when execution of said code for determining results in a determination that the job is the print job from the first host computer; and

code for, in response to command data received from the second host computer via the network, obtaining input data by executing the scanning function on the scan job stored in the memory, and sending the obtained input data to the second host computer via the network, when execution of said code for determining results in a determination that the job is the scan job from the second host computer,

wherein the memory is able to store the print job from the first host computer and the scan job from the second host computer at the same time.

36. A storage medium according to claim 35, wherein the input/output apparatus is a copying machine.

37. A storage medium according to claim 35, wherein the print data comprises data written in a page description language.

38. A storage medium according to claim 35, wherein the program further comprises code for receiving the command data from the second host computer via the network.

39. A storage medium according to claim 35, wherein the program further comprises code for establishing a connection with the network to receive the print data from the first host computer and to send the input data to the second host computer.

40. A storage medium according to claim 35, wherein the print data is generated by a printer driver.

41. A storage medium according to claim 35, wherein the print data comprises image data.

42. A storage medium according to claim 35, wherein the program further comprises code for managing an order in which the print job and the scan job are executed.

43. A storage medium for storing a control program executed in an input/output apparatus which is connected to first and second host computers via a network and executes a scanning function or a printing function, the control program comprising:

code for receiving data for a job from the first and second host computers through a network interface;

code for controlling the input/output apparatus to generate output data from print data received from the first host computer via the network, sending the generated output data to the input/output apparatus, and controlling the input/output apparatus to print the sent output data by executing the printing function on the print job stored in the memory, when execution of said code for determining results in a determination that the job is the print job from the first host computer; and

code for, in response to command data received from the second host computer via the network, controlling the input/output apparatus to obtain input data by executing the scanning function on the scan job stored in the memory and sending the obtained input data to the second host computer via the network in response to the request command, when execution of said code for determining results in a determination that the job is the scan job from the second host computer,

wherein the memory is able to store the print job from the first host computer and the scan job from the second host computer at the same time.

44. A storage medium according to claim 43, wherein the input/output apparatus is a copying machine.

45. A storage medium according to claim 44, wherein the control program intervenes between the host computers and the copying machine.

46. A storage medium according to claim 43, wherein the print data comprises data written in a page description language.

47. A storage medium according to claim 43, wherein the control program further comprises code for receiving the command data from the second host computer via the network.

48. A storage medium according to claim 43, wherein the control program further comprises code for establishing a connection with the network to receive the print data from the first host computer and to send the input data to the second host computer.

49. A storage medium according to claim 43, wherein the print data is generated by a printer driver.

50. A storage medium according to claim 43, wherein the print data comprises image data.

51. A storage medium according to claim 43, wherein the control program further comprises code for managing an order in which the print job and the scan job are executed.