EP0859325A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data communication apparatus and method
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1998-02-16
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2018-02-16
Abstract
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. <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 Jiro Tateyama
- 👤 Naohisa Suzuki
- 👤 Koji Fukunaga
- 👤 Kiyoshi Katano
- 👤 Atsushi Nakamura
- 👤 Makoto Kobayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:35
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/40; H04L12/40052; H04L12/40058; G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/42; G06F13/4282; G06F13/4291; G06F3/00; G06F3/12; G06F3/1201; G06F3/1202; G06F3/1203; G06F3/1209; G06F3/121; G06F3/1223; G06F3/1224; G06F3/1229; G06F3/1234; G06F3/1236; G06F3/1237; G06F3/1244; G06F3/1278; G06F3/1285; G06F3/1286; G06F3/1288; H04L12/40117; H04L12/40123; H04L69/00; H04L69/18; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00278; H04N1/00281; H04N1/00283; H04N1/32; H04N1/333; H04N1/33307; H04N1/33323; H04N1/33376; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/4104; H04N21/4108; H04N21/4117; H04N21/43; H04N21/436; H04N21/43615; H04N21/4363; H04N21/43632; H04N21/442; H04N21/44231; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0008; H04N2201/0015; H04N2201/0034; H04N2201/0037; H04N2201/0039; H04N2201/0048; H04N2201/0049; H04N2201/0074; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/333; H04N2201/33307; H04N2201/33314; H04N2201/33328; H04N2201/33342; H04N2201/33364; H04N2201/33378
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 90
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein the
data transport protocols include a printer protocol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 4, wherein the
printer protocol is for transmitting data to be
printed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said
second device outputs image information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said
serial bus conforms to IEEE 1394 standard.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said
serial bus modulates data in DS-link method and
transmits the modulated data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
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.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
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.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said
first device receives image information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
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.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
83 words
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.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
124 words
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.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
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.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
107 words
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.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
72 words
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.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
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.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 20, wherein said
target device is a printer, and data communicated by
the communication protocol is image data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
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.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to one of claim 20, wherein
data communicated by the communication protocol is
image data obtained by an image-sensing device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to one of claim 20, wherein
the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the
IEEE 1934 standards.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
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.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to one of claim 20, wherein
the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on
Universal Serial Bus standards.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
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.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
76 words
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.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
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.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 29 or 30, wherein
data communicated by the communication protocol is
image data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 30, wherein the
plurality of communication protocols are adapted to
image formation by an ink-jet printer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to one of claim 29, wherein
data communicated by the communication protocol is
image data obtained by an image-sensing device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to one of claim 29, wherein
the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the
IEEE 1394 standards.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
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.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to one of claim 29, wherein
the serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on
Universal Serial Bus standards.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
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.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
112 words
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.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
65 words
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.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
86 words
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.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
119 words
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.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
63 words
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.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 42, wherein the
identifier is a vendor ID provided by a Command/Status
Register architecture.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
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.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 42, wherein the
serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the IEEE
1394 standards.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 42, wherein the
serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on Universal
Serial Bus standards.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
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.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 47, wherein the
initial protocol is a log-in protocol.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 42, further
comprising a communication step of communicating image
data with said host device by the communication
protocol.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
69 words
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.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
62 words
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.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 51, wherein the
capability is obtained from a Command/Status register
of said device.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
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.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 51, wherein the
serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the IEEE
1394 standards.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 51, wherein the
serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on Universal
Serial Bus standards.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
71 words
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.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
44 words
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.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 57, wherein the
specific protocol is a protocol to be used with
priority notified via the serial bus.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
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.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 57, wherein the
serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the IEEE
1394 standards.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 57, wherein the
serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on Universal
Serial Bus standards.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
25 words
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.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 57, wherein the
initial protocol is a log-in protocol.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
48 words
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.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
55 words
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.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 65, wherein the
information on said target devices is obtained from a
Command/Status register of said target devices.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
31 words
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.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 65, wherein the
serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the IEEE
1394 standards.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 65, wherein the
serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on Universal
Serial Bus standards.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
64 words
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.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
53 words
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.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 71, wherein the
serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the IEEE
1394 standards.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 71, wherein the
serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on Universal
Serial Bus standards.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
55 words
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.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
62 words
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.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
70 words
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.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 76, wherein the
information on said target devices is obtained from a
Command/Status register of said target devices.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
31 words
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.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 76, wherein the
serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on the IEEE
1394 standards.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 76, wherein the
serial bus is a bus adapted to or based on Universal
Serial Bus standards.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
82 words
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.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
88 words
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.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
97 words
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.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
112 words
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.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
86 words
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.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
90 words
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.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
62 words
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.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
83 words
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.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
81 words
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.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
103 words
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.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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