JP2006225108A5 - - Google Patents

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus having an apparatus main body and a plurality of external devices connected to the apparatus main body, wherein data transmission / reception between the apparatus main body and the plurality of external devices is performed using a common clock synchronous communication line Because
The device main body is connected to the device main body with a command added with unique information for recognizing the specific external device when requesting the specific external device status information . Command transmission means for transmitting all external devices all at once via the communication line,
Wherein the external device, when responding to the transmitted command, status information related to the external device corresponding to the specific information including the data in response to the command if applicable to the added specific information to the command was transmitted to the device main body in synchronization with the common clock, the case does not correspond to the unique information to synchronize the status information relating to the external device that does not correspond to the specific information to the common clock, the state Having status transmission means for transmitting to the apparatus main body at a timing different from the timing for transmitting information ,
An image forming apparatus. Information of the state, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sensor output of the transport path of the transfer material of the external device. The device body has a designation means of the external device information that specifies the information of the state to the external device, the external device, the device information of the state specified by the specification means of the external device information The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image forming apparatus transmits the image to the main body. The device body has a designation means of the timing of transmission of the state to specify the timing of the transmission of information of the state to the external device information, the external device, the timing of the transmission of information of the state the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that transmitting the information of the state designated timing by the specified means. A data communication method in an image forming apparatus that performs transmission / reception of data between an apparatus main body and a plurality of external devices connected to the apparatus main body using a common clock synchronous communication line,
When requesting information on the state of the external device from a specific external device, all commands added with specific information for recognizing the specific external device are connected from the device main body to the device main body. Transmitting to all external devices at once,
When responding to the transmitted command, data including data responding to the command is transmitted from the external device corresponding to the unique information added to the command to the device body in synchronization with the common clock. Transmitting from the external device not corresponding to the specific information to the device main body at a timing different from the timing of transmitting the state information in synchronization with the common clock data of the external device;
A data communication method in an image forming apparatus.