Control device for controlling the transmission and receipt of data and a method of determining the transmitter and the receiver of the data

• US 6,725,300 B1
• Filed: 06/30/1999
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Miyasaka, Takashi, Yamauchi, Kotaro, Nagasaka, Fumio, Katada, Toshiharu, Hisamatsu, Yutaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Wiley, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Neurauter, George C
• Application Number:
  US09/343,531
• Time in Patent Office: 1,756 Days
• Field of Search: 709/220-222, 709/227-229, 709/230, 709/232, 710/8-11, 710/62-63
• US Class Current: 710/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00209 Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00236 using an image reading or reproducing device, e.g. a facsimile reader or printer, as a local input to or local output from a computer image input to or image output from a computer via a network H04N1/00209
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00238 using an image reproducing device as a local output from a computer output via network, e.g. network printing H04N1/00233
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00241 using an image reading device as a local input to a computer input via network, e.g. network scanners H04N1/00225
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32704 Establishing a communication with one of a facsimile and another telecommunication apparatus sharing a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/33307 prior to start of transmission, input or output of the picture signal only
• 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 2201/0015 Control of image communication with the connected apparatus, e.g. signalling capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0027 Adapting to communicate with plural different types of apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0046 Software interface details, e.g. interaction of operating systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0065 Converting image data to a format usable by the connected apparatus or vice versa

Abstract

A correlation element 134 correlates a source device with a destination device according to an instruction given by the user. A decision element 122 determines whether or not a certain combination of device classes is operable as a composite device. In the case of the affirmative answer, a determination element 136 identifies the type of the composite device and specifies a user interface for operating the composite device. A data output element 132 then displays the specified user interface in a window on a monitor 170 at a specific timing. This arrangement effectively improves the operatability of the device control.

Claims

1. A device control apparatus that enables control of a source device, which is a transmitter of data, and a destination device, which is a receiver of data, said device control apparatus comprising:

a device specification unit that specifies a source device and a destination device;

a decision unit that determines whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device;

a user interface specification unit that, when said decision unit determines that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, specifies a user interface for operating a composite device, which has both at least part of functions of the specified source device and at least part of functions of the specified destination device, as a user interface for operating both the specified source device and the specified destination device; and

a display control unit that causes the user interface specified by said user interface specification unit to be displayed on a display unit.

2. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said display control unit comprises:

a data storage unit that stores data required to cause user interfaces for respectively operating a plurality of the composite devices to be displayed on said display unit; and

a data output unit that reads specific data regarding the user interface specified by said user interface specification unit from said data storage unit and outputs the specific data to said display unit.

3. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said decision unit determines whether or not a combination of a type of the specified source device with a type of the specified destination device is operable as the composite device, so as to determine whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process the data transmitted from the specified source device.

4. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, said device control apparatus further comprising:

a data transfer execution unit that, when said decision unit determines that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, controls the specified source device and the specified destination device, in order to enable data to be transferred from the specified source device to the specified destination device via said device control apparatus.

5. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, said device control apparatus further comprising:

a data transfer execution unit that, when said decision unit determines that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, controls the specified source device and the specified destination device, in order to enable data to be transferred from the specified source device to the specified destination device not via said device control apparatus.

6. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the attribute information is stored in at least one of said device control apparatus, an apparatus including each of the devices, an apparatus connected to each of the devices, and an apparatus connected to said device control apparatus and each of the devices via a network.

7. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the attribute information includes a piece of information regarding a type of each device.

8. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the attribute information includes a piece of information regarding a data format processible by each device.

9. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said decision unit specifies a degree of effectiveness with regard to a combination of the specified source device with the specified destination device, based on the attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device, when determining that the specified destination device can receive and process the data transmitted from the specified source device.

10. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the source device and the destination device is connected to said device control apparatus via a network.

11. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the source device and the destination device is constructed integrally with at least either one of said device control apparatus and an apparatus connected to said device control apparatus via a network.

12. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said device specification unit specifies at least three devices that, as combined, make up the source device and the destination device.

13. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said device specification unit specifies the source device and the destination device, when a predetermined operation is performed with respect to both a symbol corresponding to the source device and a symbol corresponding to the destination device while both the symbols are displayed on a display unit.

14. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said device specification unit specifies the source device and the destination device, when a predetermined operation is performed with respect to both a symbol corresponding to data transmissible from the source device and a symbol corresponding to the destination device while both the symbols are displayed on a display unit.

15. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, said device control apparatus further comprising:

a memory unit that stores a result of the determination carried out by said decision unit with respect to the specified source device and the specified destination device.

16. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 15, said device control apparatus further comprising:

a display control unit that causes a symbol corresponding to either one of the source device and the destination device to be displayed on a display unit,

wherein said display control unit refers to the result of the determination stored in said memory unit and causes a list of mated devices, which may be combined with the device expressed by the symbol and have been determined affirmatively in the past by said decision unit, to be displayed on said display unit, when a predetermined operation is performed with respect to the symbol that is being displayed.

17. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 15, said device control apparatus further comprising:

a display control unit that refers to the result of the determination stored in said memory unit and causes a list of combinations of the source device and the destination device, which have been determined affirmatively in the past by said decision unit, to be displayed on a display unit.

18. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said device specification unit specifies the source device and the destination device in response to a specific instruction transmitted via a network from a certain apparatus, which is connected with said device control apparatus via the network.

19. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 18, said device control apparatus further comprising a public information unit that opens information, which is utilized for obtaining the specific instruction, via the network to said certain apparatus that is connected with said device control apparatus via the network.

20. A device control system comprising a source device, which is a transmitter of data, a destination device, which is a receiver of data, and a device control apparatus that enables control of the source device and the destination device,

wherein said device control apparatus comprises:

a device specification unit that specifies a source device and a destination device;

a decision unit that determines whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device;

a user interface specification unit that, when said decision unit determines that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, specifies a user interface for operating a composite device, which has both at least part of functions of the specified source device and at least part of functions of the specified destination device, as a user interface for operating both the specified source device and the specified destination device; and

a display control unit that causes the user interface specified by said user interface specification unit to be displayed on a display unit.

21. A method of determining a combination of a source device, which is a transmitter of data, with a destination device, which is a receiver of data, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) specifying a source device and a destination n device;

(b) determining whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device;

(c) when it is determined in said step (b) that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, specifying a user interface for operating a composite device, which has both at least part of functions of the specified source device and at least part of functions of the specified destination device, as a user interface for operating both the specified source device and the specified destination device; and

(d) causing the user interface specified in said step (c) to be displayed.

22. A method in accordance with claim 21, said method further comprising the step of:

(e) when it is determined in said step (b) that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, controlling the specified source device and the specified destination device, in order to enable data to be transferred from the specified source device to the specified destination device via a device control apparatus that enables control of the source device and the destination device.

23. A method in accordance with claim 21, said method further comprising the step of:

(e) when it is determined in said step (b) that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, controlling the specified source device and the specified destination device, in order to enable data to be transferred from the specified source device to the specified destination device not via a device control apparatus that enables control of the source device and the destination device.

24. A method in accordance with claim 21, wherein said step (a) comprises the steps of:

(a-1) causing a symbol corresponding to the source device and a symbol corresponding to the destination device to be displayed; and

(a-2) when a predetermined operation is performed with respect to both the symbols, specifying the source device and the destination device.

25. A computer program product for determining a combination of a source device, which is a transmitter of data, with a destination device, which is a receiver of data, said computer program product comprising:

a computer readable recording medium;

a first program code segment that causes a computer to specify a source device and a destination device;

a second program code segment that causes the computer to determine whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device;

a third program code segment that causes the computer to, when it is determined by said second program code segment that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, specify a user interface for operating a composite device, which has both at least part of functions of the specified source device and at least part of functions of the specified destination device, as a user interface for operating both the specified source device and the specified destination device; and

a fourth program code segment that causes the computer to display the user interface specified by said third program code segment,

wherein the respective program code segments are recorded in said computer readable recording medium.

26. A computer program product in accordance with claim 25, said computer program product further comprising:

a fifth program code segment that causes the computer to, when it is determined by said second program code that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, controlling the specified source device and the specified destination device, in order to enable data to be transferred from the specified source device to the specified destination device via the computer.

27. A computer program product in accordance with claim 25, said computer program product further comprising:

a fifth program code segment that causes the computer to, when it is determined by said second program code that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, control the specified source device and the specified destination device, in order to enable data to be transferred from the specified source device to the specified destination device not via the computer.

28. A computer program product in accordance with claim 25, wherein said first program code segment comprises:

a program code segment that causes the computer to display a symbol corresponding to the source device and a symbol corresponding to the destination device; and

a program code segment that causes the computer to, when a predetermined operation is performed with respect to both the symbols, specify the source device and the destination device.

29. A data signal that is embodied in a carrier wave and represents a computer program for determining a combination of a source device, which is a transmitter of data, with a destination device, which is a receiver of data, said data signal comprising:

a first program code segment that causes a computer to specify a source device and a destination device;

a second program code segment that causes the computer to determine whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device;

a third program code segment that causes the computer to, when it is determined by said second program code segment that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, specify a user interface for operating a composite device, which has both at least part of functions of the specified source device and at least part of functions of the specified destination device, as a user interface for operating both the specified source device and the specified destination device; and

a fourth program code segment that causes the computer to display the user interface specified by said third program code segment.

30. A device control apparatus that enables control of a source device, which is a transmitter of data, and a destination device, which is a receiver of data, said device control apparatus comprising:

a device specification unit that specifies a source device and a destination device;

a decision unit that determines whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device;

a symbol specification unit that, when said decision unit determines that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, specifies a symbol corresponding to a composite device, which has both at least part of functions of the specified source device and at least part of functions of the specified destination device, as a symbol corresponding to a combination of the specified source device with the specified destination device; and

a display control unit that causes the symbol specified by said symbol specification unit to be displayed on a display unit.

31. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 30, said device control apparatus further comprising:

a user interface specification unit that, when said decision unit determines that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, specifies a user interface for operating the composite device as a user interface for operating both the specified source device and the specified destination device,

wherein said display control unit causes the user interface specified by said user interface specification unit to be displayed on said display unit, when a predetermined operation is performed with respect to the specified symbol that is being displayed on said display it.

32. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 30, said device control apparatus further comprising:

a memory unit that stores data representing the combination of the specified source device with the specified destination device, with regard to the symbol specified by said symbol specification unit,

wherein said display control unit refers to the data stored in said memory unit and causes the combination of the specified source device with the specified destination device corresponding to the specified symbol to be displayed on said display unit, when a predetermined operation is performed with respect to the specified symbol that is being displayed on said display unit.

33. A device control apparatus in accordance with claim 30, wherein said decision unit determines whether or not a combination of a type of the specified source device with a type of the specified destination device is operable as the composite device, so as to determine whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process the data transmitted from the specified source device.

34. A method of determining a combination of a source device, which is a transmitter of data, with a destination device, which is a receiver of data, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) specifying a source device and a destination device;

(b) determining whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device;

(c) when it is determined in said step (b) that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, specifying a symbol corresponding to a composite device, which has both at least part of functions of the specified source device and at least part of functions of the specified destination device, as a symbol corresponding to a combination of the specified source device with the specified destination device; and

(d) causing the symbol specified in said step (c) to be displayed.

35. A computer program product for determining a combination of a source device, which is a transmitter of data, with a destination device, which is a receiver of data, said computer program product comprising:

a computer readable recording medium;

a first program code segment that causes a computer to specify a source device and a destination device;

a second program code segment that causes the computer to determine whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device;

a third program code segment that causes the computer to, when it is determined by said second program code segment that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, specify a symbol corresponding to a composite device, which has both at least part of functions of the specified source device and at least part of functions of the specified destination device, as a symbol corresponding to a combination of the specified source device with the specified destination device; and

a fourth program code segment that causes the computer to display the symbol specified by said third program code segment,

wherein the respective program code segments are recorded in said computer readable recording medium.

36. A device control apparatus that enables control of a source device, which is a transmitter of data, and a destination device, which is a receiver of data, said device control apparatus comprising:

a device specification unit that specifies a source device and a destination device;

a decision unit that determines whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device;

a data transfer execution unit that, when said decision unit determines that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, controls the specified source device and the specified destination device, in order to enable data to be transferred from the specified source device to the specified destination device via said device control apparatus.

37. A method of determining a combination of a source device, which is a transmitter of data, with a destination device, which is a receiver of data, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) specifying a source device and a destination device;

(b) determining whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device; and

(c) when it is determined in said step (b) that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, controlling the specified source device and the specified destination device, in order to enable data to be transferred from the specified source device to the specified destination device via a device control apparatus that enables control of the source device and the destination device.

38. A computer program product for determining a combination of a source device, which is a transmitter of data, with a destination device, which is a receiver of data, said computer program product comprising:

a computer readable recording medium;

a first program code segment that causes a computer to specify a source device and a destination device;

a second program code segment that causes the computer to determine whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device; and

a third program code segment that causes the computer to, when it is determined by said second program code that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, control the specified source device and the specified destination device, in order to enable data to be transferred from the specified source device to the specified destination device via the computer.

39. A device control apparatus that enables control of a source device, which is a transmitter of data, and a destination device, which is a receiver of data, said device control apparatus comprising:

a device specification unit that specifies a source device and a destination device;

a decision unit that determines whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device;

a data transfer execution unit that, when said decision unit determines that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, controls the specified source device and the specified destination device, in order to enable data to be transferred from the specified source device to the specified destination device not via said device control apparatus.

40. A method of determining a combination of a source device, which is a transmitter of data, with a destination device, which is a receiver of data, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) specifying a source device and a destination device;

(b) determining whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device; and

(c) when it is determined in said step (b) that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, controlling the specified source device and the specified destination device, in order to enable data to be transferred from the specified source device to the specified destination device not via a device control apparatus that enables control of the source device and the destination device.

41. A computer program product for determining a combination of a source device, which is a transmitter of data, with a destination device, which is a receiver of data, said computer program product comprising:

a computer readable recording medium;

a first program code segment that causes a computer to specify a source device and a destination device;

a second program code segment that causes the computer to determine whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device; and

a third program code segment that causes the computer to, when it is determined by said second program code that the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, control the specified source device and the specified destination device, in order to enable data to be transferred from the specified source device to the specified destination device not via the computer.

42. A remote instruction apparatus connected to a device control apparatus that enables control of a source device, which is a transmitter of data, and a destination device, which is a receiver of data, via a network, said device control apparatus comprising:

a device specification unit that specifies a source device and a destination device; and

a decision unit that determines whether or not the specified destination device can receive and process data transmitted from the specified source device, based on attribute information of the specified source device and the specified destination device,

said remote instruction apparatus transmitting a specific instruction, which causes said device specification unit to specify the source device and the destination device, via the network.