GB2366019A - Communication between devices having different data formats - Google Patents

Communication between devices having different data formats Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2366019A
GB2366019A GB0100923A GB0100923A GB2366019A GB 2366019 A GB2366019 A GB 2366019A GB 0100923 A GB0100923 A GB 0100923A GB 0100923 A GB0100923 A GB 0100923A GB 2366019 A GB2366019 A GB 2366019A
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Prior art keywords
data format
index
information
common
discovering
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Granted
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GB0100923A
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GB2366019B (en
GB0100923D0 (en
Inventor
David J Luman
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HP Inc
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Hewlett Packard Co
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Publication of GB2366019A publication Critical patent/GB2366019A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F13/00—Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
    • G06F13/38—Information transfer, e.g. on bus
    • G06F13/40—Bus structure
    • G06F13/4004—Coupling between buses

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer And Data Communications (AREA)

Abstract

A method for communicating between a first device and a second involves discovering a data format common between the devices, associating the data format with the second device and communicating information between the two devices. The common data format may be preloaded onto the first device.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCALLY STORING REMOTE DEVICE DATA FORMATS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to negotiating data formats between devices and, more particularly, to storing and retrieving data formats usable by a remote device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, the ability of electronic devices to communicate information has increased. Typical electronic devices that communicate information include computers, facsimile machines, personal digital assistants, and peripheral devices such as printers and scanners.
Devices are capable of processing information in many different data formats. Data formats may include parameters such as encoding, image resolution, image quality, and other details necessary to the proper processing of communicated information. Not every device is capable of recognizing every data format. Therefore, in order for one device to communicate information to another device, a common data format must be found that the first device is able to produce and the second device is able to read.
Conventionally, the common data format is found by negotiation. Communication is established between the devices, and then the devices negotiate a common data format. The negotiation process increases the time of the communication transaction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to principles of the present invention, a common data format is discovered for transferring information between a first device and a second device. After discovering the common data format, the common data format is associated with the identity of the second device. When communication is initiated between the first device and the second device, the second device is
<Desc/Clms Page number 2>
identified, After the identity of the second device is learned, the first device communicates the information to the second device using the data format associated with the identity of the second device.
According to further principles of the present invention, the common data format is discovered either by preloading common data formats to the first device or by initiating communication between the first device and the second device and negotiating the data format common between the first device and the second device.
According to further principles of the present invention, the common data format is associated with the second device by associating a reference to the discovered data format with an identifier indicating the second device. The identifier and the reference are then recorded in an index or table readable by the first device. In order to recall the data format associated with the second device for communicating with the second device, the index is searched to find the identifier. The reference to the data format associated with the identifier found in the index is read to discover the common data format.
According to further principles of the present invention, the second device is identified either by communicating from the second device to the first device a token identifying the second device or by using the address of the second device to identify the second device.
Other objects, advantages, and capabilities of the present invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the system of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a flow chart generally illustrating the method of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a specific embodiment of the method of the present invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Illustrated in Figure 1 are a first device 2 and a second device 4. First device 2 is any device able to communicate with another device. For example, first device 2 may be a computer, scanner, printer, facsimile machine, or personal digital assistant. First device 2 includes a computing subsystem 6, a communication interface 8, and at least one storage device 10. Stored on storage device 10 is an index 12. Index 12 is any table or list for cross referencing data formats with devices.
Computing subsystem 6 is any combination of hardware and software capable of executing the method steps of the present invention for first device 2. One example of computing subsystem 6 is a computer processing system.
Communication interface 8 is any interface for communicating with second device 4. For example, communication interface 8 may be a direct connection interface or a network interface.
Storage device 10 is any device for storing index 12 or information to be communicated to second device 4. Storage device 10 may also be a program storage device tangibly embodying a program, applet, or instructions executable by computing subsystem 6 for performing the method steps of the present invention executable by first device 2.
Second device 4 is any device able to communicate with another device. For example, second device 4 may be a computer, scanner, printer, facsimile machine, or personal digital assistant. Second device 4 includes a computing subsystem 14 and a communications interface 16. Second device 4 may also include at least one storage device (not shown) for storing an index (not shown).
Computing subsystem 14 is any combination of hardware and software capable of executing the method steps of the present invention executable by second device 4.
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Communication interface 16 is any interface for communicating with first device 4. For example, communication interface 16 may be a direct communication interface or a network communication interface.
Figure 2 is a flow chart representing the steps of the present invention. Although the steps represented in Figure 2 are presented in a specific order, the present invention encompasses variations in the order of steps. Furthermore, additional steps may be executed between the steps illustrated in Figure 2 without departing from the scope of the present invention.
A common data format is discovered 18 between first device 2 and second device 4 for transferring information. In one embodiment, the common data format is discovered by preloading the common data format to first device 2. In an alternate embodiment, the common data format is discovered 18 by initiating communication between first device 2 and the second device 4 and then negotiating between first device 2 and second device 4 the data format common between the devices.
Additionally, first device 2 and second device 4 may have multiple data formats in common. Where multiple data formats are discovered common between first device 2 and second device 4, one of the common data formats is selected as the preferred data format. The selected data format is then assigned to be the common data format between first device 2 and second device 4.
Once the common data format is discovered 18, the common data format is associated 20 with an identity of second device 4 and stored in storage device 10. The identity of second device 4 is any information capable of distinguishing second device 4 from other devices. Examples of an identity of second device 4 include address, model number, serial number, and type of device.
In one embodiment, associating 20 the discovered common data format with second device 4 includes associating a reference to the discovered data format with an identifier indicating second device 4 and then recording the identifier and the reference in index 12 readable by first device 2.
<Desc/Clms Page number 5>
Communication is initiated 22 between first device 2 and second device 4. Second device 4 is then identified 24. Alternatively, device 4 is identified 24 and then communication is initiated 22. The order in which these two steps are carried out depends on the means used for identifying 24 second device 4 and which device initiates 22 communication.
In one embodiment, second device 4 is identified 24 by its address. The address may be a network address or a telephone number. In this embodiment, second 4 must be identified 24 before first device 2 may initiate 22 communication with second device 4. However, if second device 4 initiates 22 the communication, first device 2 cannot identify 24 second device 4 until communication is initiated 22.
In an alternate embodiment, second device 4 is identified 24 by communicating its identity to first device 2. Second device 4 may communicate its identity to first device 2 by transmitting a token having some identifying feature. For example, the token may contain the address of second device 4, the model number of second device 4, or the type of device of second device 4. In this embodiment, communication must first be initiated 22 before second device 4 is identified 24.
After second device 4 is identified 24 and communication is established 22 between first device 2 and second device 4, information is communicated 26 between first device 2 and second device 4 using the common data format associated with the identity of second device 4. The information is either communicated from first device 2 to second device 4 or from second device 4 to first device 2.
In one embodiment, communicating 26 information between first device 2 and second device 4 includes finding in index 12 the identifier indicating the identity of second device 4, reading from index 12 the reference to the discovered data format associated with the identifier found in index 12, and communicating the information between first device 2 and second device 4 using the data format read from index 12.
<Desc/Clms Page number 6>
Figure 3 illustrates a specific embodiment of the present invention. Steps identical to steps in Figure 2 have the same reference number as the identical step in Figure 2.
Communication is initiated 22 between first device 2 and second device 4. Second device 4 is then identified 24. Index 12 is then searched 28 for a match to the identity of second device 4. Index 12 includes identifiers identifying second devices 4 and associated references to common data formats discovered for second devices 4.
If no match 30 is found, data format negotiation occurs 32 to discover 18 a data format common between first device 2 and second device 4 for transferring information. A reference to the discovered data format is then associated 34 with an identifier indicating second device 4. The identifier and the reference are then recorded 36 in index 12. Either before or after the association 34 and recording 36, the information is communicated 26 from first device 2 to second device 4 using the common data format.
If a match 30 is found in index 12 to the identity of second device 4, the reference to the common data format is read 38 from index 12 and the information is communicated 26 between first device 2 and second device 4 using the data format referred to by the reference read from index 12.
In order to keep the data format associations in index 12 current, first device 2 may include means for maintaining index 12. For example, first device 2 may include managing software to keep track of elapsed time since first device 2 has communicated with second devices 4 identified in index 12. If first device 2 has not communicated with a second device 4 identified in index 12 for a preselected amount of time, the managing software could attempt to contact the second device 4. If no response was received, second device 4 could be removed from index 12.
It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. While the invention has been described with reference to storing index 12 on first device 2, second device 4 may also keep an index for associating data formats with devices. Various other alternatives and
<Desc/Clms Page number 7>
modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.
<Desc/Clms Page number 8>

Claims (10)

  1. CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1 . A method for communicating (26) information between a first device (2) and a second device (4), the method comprising: (a) discovering (18) a data format common between the first device (2) and the second device (4) for transferring information; (b) associating (20) the discovered data format with an identity of the second device (4); (c) initiating (22) communication between the first device (2) and the second device (4); (d) identifying (24) the second device (4); and, (e) communicating (26) the information between the first device (2) and the second device (4) using the data format associated with the identity of the second device (4).
  2. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein discovering (18) the data format common between the first device (2) and the second device (4) includes: (a) discovering (18) multiple data formats useable by both the first device (2) and the second device (4); and, (b) selecting one of the multiple data formats as the data format common between the first device (2) and the second device (4).
  3. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein discovering (18) the data format common between the first device (2) and the second device (4) includes: (a) initiating (22) communication between the first device (2) and the second device (4); and, (b) negotiating (32) between the first device (2) and the second device (4) the data format common between the first device (2) and the second device (4).
    <Desc/Clms Page number 9>
  4. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein discovering (18) the data format common between the first device (2) and the second device (4) includes preloading to the first device (2) the data format common between the first device (2) and the second device (4).
  5. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein associating (20) the discovered data format with the second device (4) includes: (a) associating (34) a reference to the discovered data format with an identifier indicating the second device (4); (b) recording (36) the identifier and the reference in an index (12) readable by the first device (2); and, wherein communicating (26) the information between the first device (2) and the second device (4) includes: (a) finding in the index (12) the identifier indicating the identity of the second device (4); (b) reading (38) from the index (12) the reference to the discovered data format associated with the identifier found in the index (12); and, (c) communicating (26) the information between the first device (2) and the second device (4) using the data format referred to by the reference read from the index (12).
  6. 6. A system for communicating information between a first device (2) and a second device (4) having an identity, the system comprising: (a) means for discovering a data format common between the first device (2) and the second device (4) for transferring information; (b) means for associating the discovered data format with the identity of the second device (4); (c) means for initiating communication between the first device (2) and the second device (4);
    <Desc/Clms Page number 10>
    (d) means for identifying the second device (4); and, (e) means for communicating the information between the first device (2) and the second device (4) using the data format associated with the identity of the second device (4).
  7. 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the means for discovering the data format common between the first device (2) and the second device (4) includes: (a) means for discovering multiple data formats useable by both the first device (2) and the second device (4); and, (b) means for selecting one of the multiple data formats as the data format common between the first device (2) and the second device (4).
  8. 8. The system of claim 6 wherein the means for discovering the data format common between the first device (2) and the second device (4) includes: (a) means for initiating communication between the first device (2) and the second device (4); and, (b) means for negotiating between the first device (2) and the second device (4) the data format common between the first device (2) and the second device (4).
  9. 9. The system of claim 6 wherein the means for discovering the data format common between the first device (2) and the second device (4) includes means for preloading to the first device (2) the data format common between the first device (2) and the second device (4).
  10. 10. The system of claim 6 wherein the means for associating the discovered data format with the second device (4) includes: (a) means for associating a reference to the discovered data format with an identifier indicating the second device (4); (b) means for recording the identifier and the reference in an index (12) readable by the first device (2); and,
    <Desc/Clms Page number 11>
    wherein the means for communicating the information between the first device (2) and the second device (4) includes: (a) means for finding in the index (12) the identifier indicating the identity of the second device (4); (b) means for reading from the index (12) the reference to the discovered data format associated with the identifier found in the index (12); and, (c) means for communicating the information between the first device (2) and the second device (4) using the data format read from the index (12).
GB0100923A 2000-01-24 2001-01-12 System and method for locally storing remote device data formats Expired - Fee Related GB2366019B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US49041400A 2000-01-24 2000-01-24

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GB0100923D0 GB0100923D0 (en) 2001-02-21
GB2366019A true GB2366019A (en) 2002-02-27
GB2366019B GB2366019B (en) 2004-07-14

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0096407A1 (en) * 1982-06-04 1983-12-21 Computers International Incorporated Universal computer-printer interface
US4500933A (en) * 1982-04-02 1985-02-19 Ampex Corporation Universal interface unit
EP0288713A2 (en) * 1987-04-29 1988-11-02 International Business Machines Corporation Concurrent multi-protocol I/O controller
GB2295699A (en) * 1994-12-03 1996-06-05 I Ireland Limited Sa Handling different data formats in inter-computer communications
US5961600A (en) * 1995-11-30 1999-10-05 Nec Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling data transfer

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4500933A (en) * 1982-04-02 1985-02-19 Ampex Corporation Universal interface unit
EP0096407A1 (en) * 1982-06-04 1983-12-21 Computers International Incorporated Universal computer-printer interface
EP0288713A2 (en) * 1987-04-29 1988-11-02 International Business Machines Corporation Concurrent multi-protocol I/O controller
GB2295699A (en) * 1994-12-03 1996-06-05 I Ireland Limited Sa Handling different data formats in inter-computer communications
US5961600A (en) * 1995-11-30 1999-10-05 Nec Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling data transfer

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
KarbosGuide.com-About operating systems. Copyright 1996. Site address:http://www.mkdata.dk/click/hardware/module6c1.htm *

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GB0100923D0 (en) 2001-02-21

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20110112