JP3302112B2 - Composite communication control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite communication control device for controlling each communication with a plurality of peripheral devices connected to a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a computer to which a plurality of devices can be connected, a plurality of peripheral devices such as a printer,
When a facsimile device, a communication control device (modem), a scanner device, and the like are connected, they are connected via respective interface cables and independently perform communication processing using respective communication protocols.

[0003] Further, since each peripheral device communicates individually, an application or an OS determines and controls each device to communicate. Further, some devices have the same device but a plurality of different protocols.

[0004]

Therefore, there are the following problems (1) to (4).

(1) When connecting a plurality of peripheral devices, if there are a plurality of cables for physical connection and the number of peripheral devices increases, each cable and the corresponding peripheral device are determined at a glance. It becomes difficult and confused.

(2) When exchanging information by connecting a plurality of peripheral devices, an individual interface protocol is required, and a port is required for each peripheral device.
The economic burden increases for expansion such as system version upgrade.

(3) It becomes difficult to communicate with a device other than a device that can be specified by an application or an OS, and usable peripheral devices are limited.

(4) In communication with each device, information is exchanged between the peripheral devices using an independent protocol, so that output to other devices becomes difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is intended to share communication data output from a peripheral device connectable to a computer and communication data output from each driver for controlling each peripheral device with a different control protocol. Various peripheral devices and computers are converted by converting them into internal information that is shared on the road and transferring the information, and by receiving the internal information, decoding the internal information according to a predetermined conversion rule to obtain unique communication data. A communication control device that can share a communication line with a communication device and manage transfer information for changing a transfer destination of each communication data, thereby transferring communication data for one peripheral device to another peripheral device for processing. The purpose is to do.

[0010]

A first composite communication control apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of device drivers for a plurality of peripheral devices, and a plurality of driver emulators for executing the function processing of each device driver on a computer. For converting communication information between the plurality of driver emulators and each of the device drivers into internal information for transmission / reception via a shared communication path using a common protocol or decoding the internal information into communication information. The signal processing means is provided on each of the peripheral device side and the computer side.

[0011] A second composite communication control device according to the present invention comprises:
A plurality of device controllers for controlling each peripheral device, a plurality of device drivers for controlling each peripheral device connected to the host computer, and a shared device for performing data communication between these device drivers and each device control unit A communication path, input means for inputting a control protocol for controlling a communication transfer destination between each peripheral device and each device control unit, and changing a transfer destination of communication information by analyzing the control protocol from the input means A change information storage unit for acquiring and storing change information; and analyzing communication information to which predetermined identification information is added from each device driver or device control unit with reference to the stored change information, and transferring the communication information. Changing means for changing the destination.

[0012] A third composite communication control device according to the present invention comprises:
A plurality of device controllers for controlling each peripheral device, a plurality of device drivers for controlling each peripheral device connected to the host computer, and a shared device for performing data communication between these device drivers and each device control unit A communication path, input means for inputting change information for changing a communication transfer destination between each peripheral device and each device control unit and a control protocol for performing communication transfer destination control between each peripheral device and each device control unit; Change information storage means for storing the change information from the input means, data storage means for storing communication data between each peripheral device and each device control unit, and communication data stored in the data storage means Transfer control means for changing the communication information transfer destination while referring to the stored change information and transferring the communication information.

A fourth composite communication control device according to the present invention comprises:
When the transmission source of the communication data is registered in the change information as the destination device control unit or the destination device driver, and the change information regarding the transmission destination of the communication data is not registered,
The change means is configured to change the communication data transmission destination based on the conversion information stored in advance, which changes the communication data transmission destination device control unit or the device driver.

A fifth composite communication control device according to the present invention comprises:
When the communication data is changed to the data of another device control unit or device driver, the change unit determines that the change information regarding the transmission destination of the communication data is not registered and the transmission destination of the communication data is the change destination based on the other change information. When registered as a device control unit or a change destination device driver, the change of the communication data send destination device control unit or device driver is configured to determine the communication data send destination based on the change information stored in advance. Things.

[0015] A sixth composite communication control device according to the present invention comprises:
At the time of inputting the change information, a management means is provided for managing the registration or discard of the change information already registered in the change information storage means and the input change information.

[0016]

In the first composite communication control device, the signal processing means transmits and receives communication information between the plurality of driver emulators connected via a shared communication path and the respective device drivers using a common protocol. Since the internal information is converted into the internal information or the internal information is decoded into the communication information, it is possible to unify the communication path between the plurality of driver emulators and each of the device drivers.

In the second composite communication control device, the changing means analyzes communication information to which predetermined identification information is added from each device driver or device control unit with reference to the stored change information, and performs communication. Since the information transfer destination is changed, it is possible to transfer the communication data output from the device driver corresponding to one peripheral device while changing the transfer destination to the device control unit corresponding to another peripheral device.

In the third compound communication control device, the change information from the input means is stored in the change information storage means, and communication data between each peripheral device and each device control section is stored in the data storage means. The transfer control means transfers the stored communication data while changing the transfer destination of the communication information while referring to the change information stored in the change information storage means. It is possible to transfer communication data output from a device driver corresponding to a peripheral device while changing the transfer destination of the communication data to a device control unit corresponding to another peripheral device.

In the fourth compound communication control apparatus, the transmission source of the communication data is registered in the change information as the change destination device control unit or the change destination device driver, and the change information regarding the transmission destination of the communication data is not registered. In this case, the change unit changes the communication data transmission destination based on the conversion information stored in advance to change the transmission destination device control unit or device driver of the communication data. Therefore, the communication data from each device driver or device control unit is changed. It is possible to transfer the communication data to each desired device driver or device control unit by referring to the already registered conversion information even if the transfer destination conversion information is not registered.

In the fifth compound communication control device, when the communication data is changed to data of another device control unit or device driver, the change means is configured so that change information regarding the transmission destination of the communication data has not been registered, and When the transmission destination of the communication data is registered as a change destination device control unit or a change destination device driver by another change information, the change of the communication data transmission destination device control unit or the device driver is changed to the change information stored in advance. Since the transmission destination of the communication data is determined based on the communication data, even if the transfer destination conversion information for the communication data from each device driver or device control unit is unregistered, the communication data is desirably referred to by referring to the already registered conversion information. The data can be transferred to each device driver or device control unit.

In the sixth compound communication control device, when the change information is input, the management means manages the registration or discarding of the change information already registered in the change information storage means and the input change information. It is possible to limit the race condition of the transfer destination of the communication data due to the change or modification of the communication data.

[0022]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a composite communication control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an OS or an application group (application / OS) operating on the host computer. 2 is a FAX driver emulator that operates in the same manner as a FAX device driver that operates on the host computer, 3 is a printer driver emulator for a printer device, 4 is an RS232C driver emulator for an RS232C device driver, for example, and 5 is an image scanner for an image scanner device driver. Driver emulator, 6 is the FA
A fax code converter for converting between the X driver emulator 2 and an internal code used in the system; a printer code converter for converting between the printer driver emulator 3 and an internal code used in the system; RS2 converts between the RS232C driver emulator 4 and the internal code used in the present system.
A 32C code converter 9 is an image scanner code converter for converting between the image scanner driver emulator 5 and an internal code used in the present system.
Reference numeral 0 denotes a selector, which is selected from the facsimile code converter 6, the printer code converter 7, the RS232C code converter 8, and the image scanner code converter 9, and transfers the internal code to the header processing unit 11 and the header. Processing unit 1
FAX code conversion unit 6, printer code conversion unit 7, RS232C code conversion unit 8,
Distribution to the image scanner code converter 9 is performed.
The header processing unit 11 adds a device identification header to the internal code from the selector 10 or analyzes the device identification header from the internal code from the signal conversion unit. Reference numeral 12 denotes a device information list, which is used to generate a header of the header
Used for analysis. Reference numeral 13 denotes a signal conversion unit that converts an internal code and a transfer signal.

Reference numeral 6a denotes a facsimile code converter for converting the facsimile driver 14 into an internal code used in the present system. A printer code converter 7a converts between the printer driver 15 and an internal code used in the present system. Reference numeral 8a denotes an RS232C code conversion unit which converts the RS232C driver 16 into an internal code used in the present system. Reference numeral 9a denotes an image scanner code conversion unit which converts the image scanner driver 17 into an internal code used in the present system. 10a is a selector, which is a FAX code converter 6a,
Transfer the internal code to the header processing unit 11a by selecting it as appropriate from the printer code conversion unit 7a, the RS232C code conversion unit 8a, and the image scanner code conversion unit 9a, and convert the internal code from the header processing unit 11a to FAX code. Unit 6a, printer code conversion unit 7a, RS2
The distribution is performed to the 32C code converter 8a and the image scanner code converter 9a. The header processing unit 11 adds a device identification header to the internal code from the selector 10a, or analyzes the device identification header from the internal code from the signal conversion unit. A device information list 12a is used for header generation and analysis of the header processing unit 11a. 13a is a signal converter for converting the internal code and the transfer signal.

In the composite communication control device thus configured, the signal converter 13 and the like are connected between the plurality of driver emulators 2 to 4 connected via the shared communication path COMCOM and the device drivers 14 to 17. Communication information is converted to internal information for transmission and reception using a common protocol, or the internal information is decoded into communication information, so that the communication line between the driver on the computer and the device driver on the peripheral device is unified, and shared communication is performed. Data can be communicated with each other.

Hereinafter, a compound communication control method in the compound communication control device according to the present invention will be described.

In the first compound communication control method, information output to each device driver or signalized information output to a port through the device driver can be used to specify the communication information content with the communication destination device and to connect to the device. By converting to a data format (internal code) conforming to one protocol (internal interface protocol) commonly used for all and communicating, one common communication path COCO
M enables communication with each of the plurality of peripheral devices.

At this time, in the information transfer process on the computer side, communication control information and device data information from an application to a device driver (interface driver) that interfaces with each device operating on the computer main body are acquired and used internally. The information is converted into unified information, identification information for identifying each device is generated, and then converted into an internal code for communication on the shared communication path COMCOM. The internal code sent from the peripheral device is decoded in the reverse procedure and managed by the present system. That is, the internal code is stored in the common communication path CO.
Input from COM, obtains identification information, analyzes internal code, emulates interface driver, and sends information by calling from application. This processing means is called a multi-interface driver.

A second composite communication control method for obtaining a signal output to the outside through the device driver other than obtaining the output information to the device driver is as follows.

A signal output to a device through a port on a computer body is obtained, and the signal is converted into information, converted into an internal code as described above, and output to a composite peripheral device. Information from the composite peripheral device is stored in the shared communication path CO.
The internal code is input from the COM, the composite conversion into communication information is performed based on the identification information, the information about the interface driver is obtained and analyzed, converted into each interface signal, and output to the bus on the computer side.

The data communication processing on the peripheral device side in the composite communication control device will be described below.

A driver (multi-device driver) that controls each peripheral device passes information to each peripheral device in the reverse procedure of the conversion to the internal interface protocol by the multi-interface driver.

More specifically, the internal code is input from the shared communication channel COMCOM, the internal code is decoded and converted, the identification information is analyzed, and the information to be output to the device driver is obtained, so that each device control unit is controlled. Output information to Also, it obtains output data and control information from each device, converts them as communication information, generates identification information for identifying the device driver of each device, converts it into an internal code, and outputs it.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the device information list shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, this embodiment is composed of a device name, a header code, a transmission packet number, a reception packet number and the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of an internal code used in the composite communication control device shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes a device code area in which a header code is set. 32 is a sequence number area in which a packet number is set. 33-35
Is a device information area, an information identification code is set in an area 33, a data length is set in an area 34, and data information / control information is set in an area 35.

Hereinafter, the operation of the multi-interface driver in the composite communication control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the data processing state transition diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a transition diagram of the data processing state of the multi-interface driver in the composite communication control device according to the present invention. (A) to (e) show each data processing level.

As shown in this figure, at the processing level (a), when, for example, FAX data information is transmitted from the application / OS 1, emulation of a device driver is performed in the FAX driver emulator 2 and output to the device. “Data” indicating a code attribute is added to the data information and output to the FAX code conversion unit 6. Also, from the application / OS1, for example, FA
When the port control information for X is sent, the signal state of the port is stored and converted, the signal change is converted into an internal control code, and “control” indicating a code attribute is added to the output, and output to the FAX code conversion unit 6. . In this embodiment, the internal control code is information obtained by independently coding signal information of each control line.

At the processing level (b), the FAX code converter 6 converts the data information from the FAX driver emulator 2 into an internal code (MODE; data string) and outputs it to the selector 10.

At the processing level (c), the selector 10
Upon receiving the internal code from the AX code conversion unit 6, the internal code is output to the header processing unit 11 together with the device identification code “FAX”.

At the processing level (d), the header processing unit 11
Refers to the device information list 12 and adds a FAX identification header ("31" in the illustrated example) to the head of the internal code.

At the processing level (e), the signal converter 13 converts the internal code into a transfer signal, and transmits the data to a multi-interface driver on the peripheral device (the facsimile machine in this embodiment) via a common signal bus. The data and the control code which are sent out, are sequentially reverse-processed from the processing level (e) at the time of facsimile data transmission to the processing level (a), and are decoded and converted to the FAX driver 14 as a device driver are delivered. The above is the information transfer process from the emulator to the device driver.

Hereinafter, a device driver (in this embodiment, F
The information transfer processing operation from the AX driver 14) to the emulator will be described.

At the processing level (a), the FAX driver 1
Data information (data and control code) sent from 4
Is delivered to the FAX code conversion unit 6a.

At the processing level (b), the FAX code conversion unit 6a converts the data information from the FAX driver 14 into an internal code (MODE; data string),
Output to 0.

At the processing level (c), the selector 10
Upon receiving the internal code from the AX code conversion unit 6a, the internal code is output to the header processing unit 11a together with the device identification code "FAX".

At the processing level (d), the header processing unit 11
a adds a FAX identification header ("31") to the head of the internal code with reference to the device information list 12.

At the processing level (e), the signal converter 13a
Converts the internal code into a transfer signal, sends the data to the emulator via a common signal bus, and sequentially reverses the processing level (e) from the processing level (e) at the time of facsimile data transmission to the processing level (a), That is, the signal conversion unit 1
3 receives the transfer signal, returns it to the internal code, extracts the header added to the head of the internal code by the header processing unit 11, refers to the device information list 12, and determines the device identification code (FAX) of the delivery destination. Take out. Next, the selector 10 transfers the internal code to the code conversion unit 6 using the device identification code extracted by the header processing unit 11. The code converter 6 decodes and converts the internal code into data information or control information, and delivers the data information and the data information to the FAX driver emulator 2. The FAX driver emulator 2 performs an emulation operation of the interface according to the internal control code or the output information. Therefore, a buffer of signal information and data is stored in the FAX driver emulator 2, and the same information or data is stored in response to a request from the application / OS1. Returns buffer data.

In the above embodiment, the information transfer processing using the FAX identification code as an example has been described. However, the computer generates each identification code according to each of the corresponding emulators 3 to 5 and stores the identification code in the device information lists 12 and 12a. By storing information corresponding to each of the emulators 3 to 5, etc., various types of information relating to transfer between a computer connecting a plurality of devices and a complex peripheral device having a plurality of peripheral devices are converted into one internal code. It is possible to transfer information over one line. [Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a composite communication control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 denote the same parts.

In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes an OS or application group (application / OS) operating on the host computer. Reference numeral 102 denotes an F that performs the same operation as the FAX device driver that operates on the host computer.
AX driver emulator, 103 is a printer driver emulator for a printer device, 104 is, for example, an RS232C for an RS232C device driver.
A driver emulator 105, an image scanner driver emulator for an image scanner device driver, and a fax port communication unit 106, which transmits and receives signals to and from the FAX driver emulator 102 and retains signal states, converts signals into signal information operable by software. Convert. A printer port communication unit 107 transmits and receives signals to and from the printer driver emulator 103 and holds signal states, and converts signals into signal information operable by software. Reference numeral 108 denotes an RS232C port communication unit, and the RS232C driver emulator 10104
And the signal state is held, and the signal is converted into signal information that can be operated by software. An image scanner port communication unit 109 transmits and receives signals to and from the image scanner driver emulator 105 and holds signal states, and converts signals into signal information that can be operated by software. 110 is a FAX code conversion unit for converting between the FAX port communication unit 106 and an internal code used in the present system, and 111 is the FAX port communication unit 10
7, a printer code conversion unit for converting between the internal code used in the system and the RS232C port communication unit and an RS232C code conversion unit for converting the internal code used in the system.
Is an image scanner code conversion unit for converting between the image scanner port communication unit 109 and an internal code used in the present system.

The operation of the multi-interface driver configured as described above will be described by taking a fax information output process as an example.

FAX from application / OS 101
When the transmission information is sent, the fax signal output from the port of the fax device driver 102
The port communication unit 106 receives a signal and holds a signal state,
Conversion to signal information is performed. FAX code converter 11
“0” converts the output signal information from the FAX port communication unit 106 into an internal code and sends it to the selector 10. Subsequent data transfer processing is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Thus, the FAX device driver 10
In the case of a change in the control signal in the signal output from 2, the signal change is converted into an internal control code, and the attribute is added with the attribute "control".

On the other hand, when information is transferred from the FAX driver 14 to the host computer, the processing is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the internal code is converted by the FAX code converter 110 via the selector 10 into the data information. The FAX port communication unit 106 converts the signal into a signal, changes the internally held signal state, and sends a signal to the FAX device driver 102. At this time, if the internal code is control information, the state of the corresponding signal line of the port is changed and maintained according to the internal control code.

In the above-described embodiment, the information transfer processing using the FAX identification code as an example has been described. However, the computer generates each identification code according to each corresponding device driver, thereby connecting a plurality of devices. It is possible to convert various types of information related to transfer between a composite peripheral device in which a plurality of peripheral devices are mounted into one internal code and transfer information through one line.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a composite communication control apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the same components as in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In particular, this embodiment is characterized by communication processing by switching lines, and by transmitting and receiving line information for changing the device using the line in addition to the internal code having control information and data information of each device. Use device control. (A) to (e) show transfer states corresponding to the line mode.

In the figure, 18 and 18a are line information,
The header processing units 11 and 11a include transmission mode information and reception mode information which are line information for recording other line modes in addition to the device information.

The facsimile code converter 6 to the selector 10
, The selector 10 sends the device identification code “FAX” and the internal code to the header processing unit 11 (see transfer state (a)). Next, the header processing unit 11 refers to the transmission mode information in the line information 18 and, if the line mode is different, sends information (line information) indicating a line mode change to the signal conversion unit 13 and then sends the internal code. I do. The signal converter 13 converts each information into a transfer signal and sends it out.

On the other hand, on the system side in the composite peripheral device, the signal converter 13a receives the transfer signal, performs signal decoding, and sends out the decoded line information and internal code to the header processor 11a. Upon receiving the line information, the header processing unit 11a changes the reception mode information in the line information 18a to the FAX mode (see the transfer state (b)). The subsequent information decoding process is the same as in the above embodiment. Thereafter, the data information transmitted as the internal code is converted into the internal code to which the device identification code indicated by the line information 18a is added by the header processing unit 11a.
(See transfer state (c)). Next, when there is information using another device, the line mode information is similarly changed, and the device using the shared line is switched by transferring the line information (see transfer states (d) and (e)).

On the other hand, for information transfer from the composite peripheral device to the host, similarly, the header processing unit 11a refers to the transmission mode information in the line information 18a, and if different, sends the line information prior to sending the internal code. In response to this, the header processing unit 11 of the host computer changes the reception mode information in the line information 18 when receiving the line information, and adds a device identification code by referring to the line mode information when receiving the internal code thereafter. And send it out. [Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a composite communication control apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Particularly, the present embodiment is characterized in that information to a plurality of devices is transmitted to a line in parallel by an internal interface protocol.

In the figure, reference numerals 71 and 71a denote data components, which receive respective internal codes from the FAX code converter 6, the printer code converter 7, the RS232C code converter 8, and the image scanner code converter 9. While converting the received packet data into one packet data, disassembling the received packet data and distributing the internal code to the FAX code converter 6, the printer code converter 7, the RS232C code converter 8, and the image scanner code converter 9. I do.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating details of the data configuration unit shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 81 denotes an information memory which receives data from each code conversion trunk and sends data from an information construction unit 83 to each code conversion unit. Numeral 82 is a flag information section, and when the information memory 81 receives data,
It responds to the information memory 81 by operating a flag or receiving flag information from the information configuration unit 83. The information composition unit 83
The data of the information memory 81 and the flag information section 82 are combined or the data from the packet configuration decomposing section 84 is decomposed. The packet configuration decomposing unit 84 combines the data from the information configuration units 83 or decomposes the packet data from the signal conversion unit 13. Note that a data configuration unit similar to this configuration is also provided on the peripheral device side.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a structure of packet data transmitted from the packet structuring / disassembling section 84 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numerals 91, 93, 95 and 97 denote data valid flags, and reference numerals 92, 94, 96 and 98 denote storage areas for respective data.

In the composite communication control device thus configured, the internal code transmitted from the FAX code conversion unit 6, the printer code conversion unit 7, the RS232C code conversion unit 8, and the image scanner code conversion unit 9 are used. The information is stored in the buffer of the information memory 81. If there is data in the information memory 81, a flag indicating the presence of data is set in the valid flag 82. Reference numeral 84 periodically calls the information configuration unit 83 corresponding to each device, receives data, generates packet data, and sends it to the signal conversion unit 13. The information construction unit 83 receives each data from the information memory 81 and the flag processing unit 82 and sends it to the packet construction / disassembly unit 84. The information memory 81 transmits buffer data in specified units in response to a data request from the information configuration unit 83. When there is no more data in the information memory 81, the flag in the valid flag 82 is cleared. The packet data that has passed through the signal conversion units 13 and 13a is distributed to each information configuration unit by a packet configuration / disassembly unit on the peripheral device side, and each information configuration unit decomposes a flag. Pass the flag. Here, the flag processing unit on the peripheral device side notifies the information memory of the validity of the data, and the information memory receives the notification, and the internal code,
The data is distributed to the FAX code conversion unit 6a, the printer code conversion unit 7a, the RS232C code conversion unit 8a, and the image scanner code conversion unit 9a.

On the other hand, the information transfer from the composite peripheral device to the host is performed in the reverse order, and the data is decomposed by the data forming unit 71 to allow information transfer between various devices and the host computer. [Fifth Embodiment] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a composite communication control apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a data conversion unit for converting data relating to the device 1 in the host computer and internal data which is an internal information format, and reference numeral 102 denotes data relating to the device 2 in the host computer and internal data which is an internal information format. Data conversion unit 103 for converting
Is a data conversion unit for converting data on the device 3 in the host computer and internal data as an internal information format, and 104 is a control protocol conversion unit for inputting control information from the host computer to the present system and converting it into internal data. is there. Reference numeral 105 denotes a selector, which is a data conversion unit 10
1 to 103 and the data object of the internal data from the control protocol conversion unit 104 (data objects dev1 to dev3 for each device) or a control code is added to the data object and sent to the data object conversion unit 106. Conversion unit 6
Data conversion units 101 to 101
Distribute to 103. 106 receives the control information from the control protocol converter 104, analyzes the change information of the data object, registers it in the change information list 106a, and changes the data object of the information from the selector 105 with reference to the change information list 106a. Data conversion unit 107
Is a selector that adds a data target to the data from the device control units 108 to 110 and sends the data to the data target conversion unit 106, and distributes the data from the data target conversion unit 106 to the device control units 108 to 110. The device control unit 108 decodes the internal data and controls the device 1. The device control unit 109 decodes the internal data,
Controls device 2. The device control unit 110 controls the device 3 by decoding the internal data. In this embodiment, devices 1 to 3 are a printer, facsimile, data modem, image scanner, RS232C,
Compatible with devices such as barcode readers.

In the second apparatus of the composite communication control apparatus according to the present invention, the data conversion section 106 includes the data conversion sections 101-103 or the device control sections 108-103.
Since the communication information to which the predetermined identification information is added from 110 is analyzed with reference to the stored change information and the communication information transfer destination is changed, the communication output from the device driver corresponding to one peripheral device is changed. It is possible to transfer data while changing the data transfer destination to a device control unit corresponding to another peripheral device.

If the transmission source of the communication data is registered in the change information as the change destination device control unit or the change destination device driver, and the change information regarding the transmission destination of the communication data has not been registered, the data object conversion unit 106 Since the communication data transmission destination is changed based on the conversion information stored in advance in which the change of the communication data transmission destination device control unit or device driver is performed, the transfer destination conversion information for the communication data from each device driver or device control unit is changed. Is not registered, the communication data can be transferred to each desired device driver or device control unit with reference to the already registered conversion information.

Further, when the communication data is changed to data of another device control unit or device driver, the data object conversion unit 106, the change information regarding the transmission destination of the communication data is not registered, and the transmission destination of the communication data is not registered. When registered as a change destination device control unit or a change destination device driver by another change information, the change of the communication data transmission destination device control unit or the device driver is performed based on the change information stored in advance. Therefore, even if the transfer destination conversion information for the communication data from each device driver or device control unit is not registered, the communication data is referred to the already registered conversion information, and the communication data is transmitted to the desired device driver or device control unit. Section can be transferred.

When the change information is input, the data object conversion unit 106 and the like manage the registration or discard of the change information already registered in the change information list 106a and the input change information. , It is possible to limit the race condition of the transfer destination of the communication data.

The outline of an example of the composite communication control method in the composite communication control device according to the present invention will be described below.

In each driver on the peripheral device side, which performs communication between a composite peripheral device having a plurality of devices and a computer by using only one line, the computer side is the only driver that controls various devices in the composite peripheral device. Or a device driver for each device, and the composite peripheral device has one or more device control units for communicating with the computer and controlling various devices in the composite peripheral device, and as communication between the device driver and the device control unit. There are common or multiple different protocols between all devices, and a mutual conversion program between the common protocol and multiple different protocols for each device or between multiple different protocols is provided between the device driver and the device control unit, Device or device driver that handles communication information (communication data) A control protocol for changing and setting (a device or a device driver is sometimes referred to as a data object) a memory for storing conversion information obtained from the control protocol, or an operation panel for changing a data object of data on the complex peripheral device; By having a memory to store the change information input from the operation panel,
Means for sending a control protocol from the computer and means for analyzing the control protocol from the computer or analyzing the input from the operation panel and registering it in the memory as change information; identifying the data object of the transfer data; and storing the data object in the memory. Providing means (based on a control program) for changing the data object of the data to the data object indicated by the change information in accordance with the change information, and changing the information between the computer and the specific device to information for another device and outputting the changed information Becomes possible.

Further, in the above-mentioned system, a control protocol or an operation panel for setting a plurality of data objects is provided instead of a control protocol or an operation panel for changing a data object. With a memory for storing information to be changed and a means for storing data between the complex peripheral device and the computer in the memory, the control protocol from the computer or the input from the operation panel is analyzed and stored in the memory. A means for storing the data in a memory, and a means for converting the stored data into information for a plurality of data objects and outputting the information to each device in accordance with the change information stored in the memory. It is possible to change the information between devices and specific devices to information for multiple devices. .

Further, according to the information registered in the memory,
When the communication data is changed to information of another device control unit or device driver, the transmission source of the communication data is registered as the change destination device control unit or the change device driver in the change information, and the change regarding the transmission destination of the communication data is performed. In the case where the information is not registered, by controlling the change of the destination device control unit or the device driver of the communication data according to a control program prescribed in advance, the transmission of the response information from the destination device control unit or the destination device driver It is possible to change to a device control unit or a device driver according to the above rules.

When the communication information is changed to information of another device control unit or device driver in accordance with the information registered in the memory, the change information regarding the transmission destination of the communication information is not registered, and the transmission destination of the communication data is not registered. When registering as a change destination device control unit or a change destination device driver by other change information, each device driver is controlled by controlling the change of the transmission destination device control unit or the device driver of the communication data according to a control program stored in advance. Alternatively, it is possible to avoid competition and intermingling of communication information with the device control unit, and it is possible to prevent information from being mixed.

Further, when the control protocol is analyzed or the input from the operation panel is analyzed and registered as change information in the memory, when the change destination information to be registered is registered as already registered change information, the change information By managing the registration based on the management control program stored in advance, it is possible to reliably suppress the occurrence of the conflict / intersection of the change destination device driver or the device control unit.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the structure of the internal information of the data conversion unit shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, an information section and an identification header section are provided. The information section is information in a format unified by a data conversion section. The identification header is a control code for control information. Contains data objects.

Hereinafter, the internal information processing operation in the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data object conversion processing procedure in the multifunction controller according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

First, the internal information is obtained (1), and the header of the internal information is analyzed (2). As a result of this analysis, it is determined whether or not control information is added (3). If YES, for example, a control protocol indicating that the information of the device 1 is changed to the information of the device 2 is input to the control protocol conversion unit 104. If there is, the control protocol converter 10
4 converts the control protocol into internal data, sends it to the selector 105, attaches an identification header indicating a control code to the selector 105, creates the data shown in FIG. Send to And
The identification header is analyzed by the data object conversion unit 106 (4), and after discrimination as a control code, the format “dev” in which the source data object and the destination data object are paired as control information
“1 → dev2” is registered in the change information list 106a (5), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (3) is NO, it is determined by referring to the change information list 106a (6) whether or not there is change information (7).
If so, the process proceeds to step (9). If YES, the device identification header is changed (8), the internal information is sent to the selector 107 (9), and the process is terminated.

As a result, when information to the device 1 is input to the data conversion unit 101, the data is converted into internal data by the data conversion unit 101, and the data
ev1 is added, and the data shown in FIG. 13B is created and transmitted to the data conversion unit 106.
Change information list 106a by data object conversion unit 106
Of the change information “dev1 → dev2” in the
As shown in FIG. 13C, the data object is changed to dev2 and transmitted to the selector 107. And selector 1
07, the identification header is analyzed and the device control unit 109 is analyzed.
And the device control unit 109 decodes the information,
Controls device 2.

In this embodiment, in the information transmission from the device side, the data object is not changed, and the data is transmitted to the data object as it is. Therefore, the transmission from the device control unit 108, that is, the data transmission from the device 2 is not performed. The data is sent to the data conversion unit 102 as it is. In this processing, since a situation occurs in which information from the device 2 is not returned to the transmission source, the response from the device is changed in accordance with the switching of the data target as described later.

That is, as a rule for changing the response from the data target, when the data target is changed, the data target of the device-sent data is already registered in the change information list 106a as a change destination from another data target. The change information list 106a
Has a function of changing the change information registered as the change destination data object to the change source data object.

Therefore, when data is input from the device 2 to the device control unit 109, it is converted into internal data by the device control unit 109, and the selector 107 adds an identification header indicating that the data object is the device 2 in FIG. d)
Is generated and sent to the data conversion unit 106. Here, the data object conversion unit 106 refers to the change information list 106a and refers to the change information “dev1 → dev”.
2 is acquired, and the data shown in FIG. 13E is sent to the selector 105 as the new data object "dev1" as the original data object. In response to this, the selector 105 analyzes the identification header, sends out the data to the data conversion unit 1, restores the information by the data conversion unit 101, and sends out the information of the device 1 to the computer.

The rule for changing the response from the data target is not limited to the above. When data from the device is unnecessary, the change information is referred to when the data target is changed with reference to the change information list 106a. If the change is not set in the list 106a and the data target is set as a change destination from another data target, control may be performed so as to stop the transfer of the data.

When sending data to the device side, information from a plurality of device drivers to the device side may compete with each other due to change information in the change information list 106a. Therefore, a data object change rule for response data from a data object destination is controlled as follows to avoid conflict between device drivers.

When the change information of the data object of the transmission data is not registered and the change information to be changed from another data object is already registered, the data is changed to the already registered change source data object which is the change destination data object. Send out. At this time, when “dev1 → dev2” is registered as the change information, the output data of the data conversion unit 102 is set as the data target “dev2” by the selector 105, and the data target conversion unit 1
At step 06, search for change information having dev2 as the change destination data object, and if the change information exists, obtain the change source data object of the change information and send the data object to the selector 107 as the data send destination. . The processing operation in the data object conversion unit 106 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data object conversion processing procedure in the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. In addition, (1) to (5) indicate each step.

First, a data object is obtained (1), and identification information is obtained (2). Next, it is determined whether the data object has already been registered as a change destination data object (3), and N
If O, the process proceeds to step (5) and later, and if YES, the change source data object of the change information is changed to the data object of the transmission data (4). Next, the data object is selected by the selector 107.
(5), and the process ends.

Further, when the change information is set by the control protocol, the data object to be changed may already be registered. In this case, a conflict occurs in registration of the data object change. Conflict avoidance processing is being performed.

That is, when the change destination data object to be registered is registered as a change destination from another data object by the already registered change information in the data conversion unit 106, the change information to be newly registered is Priority is given to processing for canceling the registered information. In this case, the change information “dev1 → dev2” is included in the change information list 106a, and the change information “dev
If “3 → dev2” is set, the data object conversion unit 1
In step 06, a search is made for a change whose destination is dev2 in the change information list 106a. If the change is registered, the registration is released, and control is performed to newly register the change information “dev3 → dev2”. Note that the avoidance control is not limited to the above, and when registration already exists, control may be performed to stop registration. [Sixth Embodiment] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a composite communication control apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
The same components as those of 0 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and this embodiment is characterized in that an operation panel and a control panel are provided on the decoding peripheral device side instead of the setting of the change information by the control protocol and the control information shown in the fifth embodiment. A means for executing input control processing is provided.

Reference numeral 121 denotes a device conversion unit for changing the information data object in the information from the selectors 105 and 107 by referring to the change information list 106a. Reference numeral 123 denotes an operation panel. Reference numeral 122 denotes an input analysis unit that analyzes input from the operation panel 123 and stores change information in a change information list 106a.

In the third device of the composite communication control device according to the present invention thus configured, the operation panel 1
23 is stored in the change information list 106a, and communication data between each peripheral device (printer, facsimile, etc.) and each of the device controllers 108 to 110 is stored in the change information list 106a. The conversion unit 121 transfers the stored communication data by changing the transfer destination of the communication information while referring to the change information stored in the change information list 106a. Can be transferred while changing the transfer destination of the communication data output from the device driver corresponding to the other device to the device control unit corresponding to another peripheral device.

Hereinafter, the change information setting processing operation will be described.

On the operation panel 123, switching buttons for instructing switching of devices are arranged. Data exchange between the device 1 and the device 2, data exchange between the device 2 and the device 3, Selection of data exchange between device 1 and device 3 is performed. Here, for example, when a data exchange process between the device 1 and the device 2 is input from the operation panel 123, the input analysis unit 122 analyzes the input information and outputs the change information “dev1 → de”.
v2 "is recorded in the change information list 106a. Thereafter, the data object conversion unit 121 replaces the data object conversion unit 121 described in the above embodiment with the exception of processing that does not require analysis of control information in the change information list 106a.
06 and the processing is performed. [Seventh Embodiment] FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a composite communication control apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
The same reference numerals are given to the same components as 0, and the feature of this embodiment is that transmission destination change information is provided for each of data transmission from the computer side and data transmission from the device side. The configuration is a combination of the fifth and sixth embodiments.

The control protocol converter 10 in FIG.
4. The input analysis unit 122 and the operation panel 123 handle change information that includes information specifying the data transmission direction in the change information. In addition, the data object conversion unit 121 includes the selector 10
5 and receives the control information from the control protocol conversion unit 104, stores the change information of the data object in the change information list 106a, and changes the data object of the information from the selector and the selector 107 to the change information. It is changed by referring to the list 106a.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the structure of change information in the composite communication control device shown in FIG.

FIG. 14A shows the change information list 106.
A direction information indicating a flow of information to a device or information to a device driver, and a change source data target and a change destination data target are registered as a set corresponding to the format of change information registered in a. Therefore, when a control protocol including direction information, change source information, and change destination information is input from the control protocol conversion unit 104, the control protocol is recorded as change information in the change information list 106a. The operation panel 123
Similarly, when an input is made to set the direction information, the change source information, and the change destination information, the input analysis unit 122 analyzes the input information and records it as change information in the change information list 106a.

On the other hand, the selector 105
The processing from each device to the selector 107 is the same as in the fifth embodiment, and the selector 105 and the selector 1
The operation of changing the data object between 07 and 07 will be described with reference to FIG. 17 and FIG.

In this embodiment, the information of the device 1 is changed to the information of the device 2 with respect to the data to be sent to the device and the device 3 is changed with respect to the data to be sent to the device driver by the control protocol or the operation panel 123.
In this example, the change information indicating the change to the information of the device 2 is registered in the change information list 106a. In this case, the change information has a format shown in FIGS.

In FIG. 17, the transmission direction information “→” indicates the flow of data from the computer to the composite peripheral device, and “←” indicates the flow of data from the composite peripheral device to the computer. At the same time, change "→" to (in) and "←"
Is denoted as (out).

Since the data sent from the data conversion unit 101 has the data object "(out) dev1", the data shown in FIG.
7 is transmitted to the device 2 indicated by “dev2”, that is, the device control unit 109. Since the data sent from the data converters 102 and 103 does not have the corresponding change information, each device controller 10
9, 110. Also, the device control unit 108
Sent from the data object "(in) dev
Since the direction information in the change information shown in FIG. 17B has a different data flowing direction, the direction information is transmitted to the data conversion unit 101 as it is. Data having the data object “(in) dev2” from the device control unit 109 is output to the data conversion unit 102 because no change information is registered. The data from the device control unit 110 is shown in FIG.
The data object “(in) de
v2 ", which is the transmission data to the device 2. In the present embodiment, under the conditions for changing the data object, by having information on the direction in which the data flows, data from both the computer and the composite peripheral device can be controlled independently.

In this embodiment, the data conversion units 101 and 102
Is transmitted to the device control unit 109, and the data from the device control units 109 and 110 is transmitted to the data conversion unit 102, and data competition or crossover occurs. Therefore, when the change information for the data object of the transmission data is not registered and the transmitting side of the data is registered as the change destination data object by the change information, the change mode data object by the registration is set as the transmission destination. When the change information for the data object of the transmission data is not registered and the data object of the data is registered as the change source or the change destination data object by the change information, the destination data object by the registration is set as the transmission destination. Perform control.
However, the former control is executed prior to the latter control.

Hereinafter, the data object evaluation processing operation based on the change information in the composite communication control apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIG. 18 will be described.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a data object evaluation processing procedure based on change information in the composite communication control apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (21) indicate each step.

The first change information is extracted (1), and it is determined whether the data object and the direction information are in the same direction (2),
If YES, it is determined whether or not the data object matches the change source data object (6). If NO, the process returns to step (3). If YES, the change destination data object is set as the data object of the data (7). End data object evaluation (1
6).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (2) is NO, it is determined whether there is the next change information (3), and YE
If S, the next change information is extracted (5), and the process returns to step (2).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (3) is NO, the first change information is extracted (4), and it is determined whether the data object and the direction information are in opposite directions (8). It is determined whether the target matches the change destination data target (10), and if NO, the process returns to step (9),
If YES, the change source data object is set as the data object of the data (11), the process proceeds to step (16), and the data object evaluation ends.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (8) is NO, it is determined whether there is the next change information (9), and YE
If S, the next change information is fetched (21) and the process returns to step (8). If NO, one change information is fetched (1).
2) It is determined whether the data object and the direction information are in the same direction (13). If YES, it is determined whether the data object matches the change destination data object (17). If YES, the change source data is determined. Set the target as the data target of the data (1
8) Return to step (12).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (17) is NO, it is determined whether the next change information exists (15).
If NO, end the data object evaluation, and if YES, retrieve the next change information (20) and return to step (13).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (13) is NO, it is determined whether the data object matches the change source data object (14). If NO, the process proceeds to step (15), and if YES, the process proceeds to step (15). The change target data object is set as the data object of the data (19), and the process returns to step (12).

As a result, the data of the data object "(out) dev2" from the computer to the device does not have direct change information, but is transmitted as change information (in) dev3 → dev2 by the former control. de
The data of the data object "(out) dev3" is changed to the data object "(out) dev2" with the change information (in) dev3 → dev2 under the control of the latter, and is further changed to the data object "(out) dev2".
n) dev1 → dev2 and the data object “(ou
t) dev1 ”and transmitted to the device 1. Similarly, data objects (in) dev1, (in) dev2,
Similarly, (in) dev3 is (in) dev3, (in)
dev1, (in) dev2, and the correspondence of data transmission and reception between the computer and each device is taken. [Eighth Embodiment] FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a composite communication control apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 131 denotes a device driver belonging to a computer for operating the device 1;
32, a device driver belonging to a computer for operating the device 2; 133, a device driver belonging to a computer for operating the device 3;
Reference numeral 4 denotes a control information input unit that inputs control information from the computer to the present system and stores the control information in the change information list 135a. A data processing unit 135 includes device drivers 131 to 133 and device control units 137 to 139.
, And identifies a device as a target of the information, and performs device change processing with reference to the conversion information list 135a. A data conversion unit 136 performs data format conversion based on the change of the data target by the data target processing unit 135.

In the present embodiment, the direction of data flow, the source data object, and the destination data object are ignored, and a description will be given of an example in which two types of data objects are simply exchanged.

When control information for exchanging data of device 1 and device 2 is input to control information input section 134,
The control information input unit 134 analyzes the information and registers it in the conversion information list 135a as change information “dev1 to dev2” of the data object. When the information is transmitted from the device driver 131 to the device 1, the data conversion unit 136 determines that the data target is the device 1 from the signal line to which the information is transmitted, and transmits the data target "dev1" to the data target processing unit 135. The change evaluation is performed by the data object processing unit 135 with reference to the conversion information list 135a.
Dev2 is returned to the data conversion unit 136 as the evaluation result. The data conversion unit 136 changes the data into an information format for the device 2 according to the evaluation result, and sends it to the device control unit 138. Similarly, the information from the device driver 132 determines that the data target is the device 2 from the signal line to which the information is transmitted by the data conversion unit 136, and sends the data target “dev2” to the data target processing unit 135. Conversion information list 1 by the target processing unit 135
35a, a change evaluation is performed, and the result data object “d
ev1 ”and, at the same time, change the information format of the data and send it to the device control unit 137. Similarly, the information from the device control unit 137 is changed to the result data target "dev2" by the change evaluation of the data target processing unit 135, and at the same time, the data information format is also changed and the
To send to. As described above, in the present embodiment, the data conversion unit 1
By providing data replacement processing by 36, data conflict / intersection is avoided, and the above-described control shown in FIG. 18 becomes unnecessary. [Ninth Embodiment] FIG. 20 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a composite communication control apparatus according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
The same components as those of 0 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, a data processing unit 141 stores information from the selector 105 or the selector 107 in the data memory 141a, and stores the information in the data memory 141a.
The information stored in 1a is read out and sent to each selector 105 or selector 107. Reference numeral 142 denotes a data processing unit which analyzes control information from the data processing unit 141, stores the control information in the conversion information list 142a, and associates a plurality of devices with reference to the control information stored in the conversion information list 142a. .

FIGS. 21 and 22 are block diagrams showing a data processing state in the composite communication control device shown in FIG. 20, and the same components as those in FIG. 20 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The device 1 is transmitted to the control protocol conversion unit 104.
When a control protocol indicating that this information is distributed to the device 1 and the device 2 is input, the control protocol conversion unit 104 converts the protocol into internal information according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Adds an identification header to this control information and sends it to the data processing unit 141. When the data processing unit 141 determines that the control code is a control code, the control information is sent to the data processing unit 142. Data target processing unit 142
In the conversion information list 142a, the conversion information “dev1 →
dev1, dev2 ".

On the other hand, when information to the device 1 is input to the data conversion unit 1, the data conversion unit 1 performs internal format conversion to generate internal information, and the selector 105 adds the data target "dev1" to perform data processing. To the unit 141. The data processing unit 41 stores the data in the data memory 141a.
, And delivers the data object to the data object processing unit 142, and thereafter generates transmission data according to a flowchart shown in FIG. That is, for each of a plurality of data targets to which the information returned from the data target processing unit 142 is to be distributed, data is obtained from the data processing unit 141 to generate transmission data, and data for each device is transmitted to the selector 107. Output.

FIG. 23 shows the data processing unit 1 shown in FIG.
41 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an internal information processing procedure of 41. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

First, the header of the internal information received from the selector 105 is identified (1), and it is determined whether or not the internal information is control information (2). If YES, the control information is sent to the data processing unit 142. And terminate the processing.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (2) is NO, the internal information is transferred and stored in the data memory 141a (3). Next, the transfer destination information is sent to the data target processing unit 142 (4). Next, the change information is received from the change information list 142a (5), and the data memory 141a is received.
Then, transfer information is acquired from (6), one destination is extracted from the transmission information list, and transfer destination information is added (7). Next, the transfer information is transmitted (8), and it is determined whether or not there is a remaining destination in the transmission information list (9). If YES, the process returns to the step (6), and if NO, the process ends.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of the internal information processing procedure of the data object processing section 142 shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (10) indicate each step.

The internal information is received from the data processing unit 41 (1), it is determined whether the internal information is control information (2), and if YES, the control information is analyzed (8),
The conversion information list 142a is stored, and the process ends.

On the other hand, in the determination of step (2), the source and destination information is acquired from the internal information (3), and the conversion information list 142a is referenced (4), and the destination information is changed. It is determined whether or not it is (5). If NO, the current information destination information is listed (10) and the process returns to step (7).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (5) is YES, the destination information list is taken out (6), the destination information list is sent to the data processing section 41 (7), and the process is terminated.

[0133]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the composite communication control device of the above, the signal processing means converts communication information between the plurality of driver emulators connected via a shared communication path and the respective device drivers into internal information for transmitting and receiving with a common protocol. Since the conversion or the decoding of the internal information into the communication information, the communication path between the plurality of driver emulators and each of the device drivers can be unified.

According to the second compound communication control device, the change means analyzes the communication information to which predetermined identification information is added from each device driver or device control unit with reference to the stored change information, Since the transfer destination of the communication information is changed, the transfer destination of the communication data output from the device driver corresponding to one peripheral device can be transferred while being changed to the device control unit corresponding to the other peripheral device.

According to the third compound communication control device, the change information from the input means is stored in the change information storage means, and the communication data between each peripheral device and each device control section is stored in the data storage means. The transfer control means transfers the stored communication data by changing the transfer destination of the communication information while referring to the change information stored in the change information storage means. The transfer destination of the communication data output from the device driver corresponding to one peripheral device can be transferred while being changed to the device control unit corresponding to the other peripheral device.

According to the fourth compound communication control apparatus, the transmission source of the communication data is registered in the change information as the change destination device control unit or the change destination device driver, and the change information regarding the transmission destination of the communication data is not registered. In the case of (1), since the change unit changes the communication data transmission destination based on the conversion information stored in advance, the change of the communication data transmission destination device control unit or device driver, the communication from each device driver or device control unit is changed. Even if the transfer destination conversion information for the data is not registered, the communication data can be transferred to each desired device driver or device control unit with reference to the already registered conversion information.

According to the fifth complex communication control apparatus, when changing communication data to data of another device control unit or device driver, the changing means determines that the change information regarding the transmission destination of the communication data has not been registered. If the destination of the communication data is registered as a change destination device control unit or a change destination device driver by another change information, the change of the communication data destination device control unit or the change of the device driver is stored in advance. The destination of the communication data is determined on the basis of the conversion data. Therefore, even if the transfer destination conversion information for the communication data from each device driver or device control unit has not been registered, the communication data is desirably obtained by referring to the already registered conversion information. To each device driver or device control unit.

According to the sixth complex communication control apparatus, when the change information is input, the management means manages the registration or discard of the change information already registered in the change information storage means and the input change information. It is possible to limit a race condition of a transfer destination of communication data due to change or correction of information.

Accordingly, the communication line between the various peripheral devices and the computer can be shared, and the communication data for one peripheral device can be transferred to another peripheral device or a plurality of peripheral devices set independently of the OS or application. There is an effect that the data can be transferred and processed in parallel.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a composite communication control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a device information list shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of an internal code used in the composite communication control device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a data processing state transition diagram of a multi-interface driver in the composite communication control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a composite communication control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a data processing state in the composite communication control device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a composite communication control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating details of a data configuration unit illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a structure of packet data transmitted from the packet construction / disassembly unit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a composite communication control device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a structure of internal information of the data conversion unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data object conversion processing procedure in the complex control device according to the present invention.

13 is a diagram illustrating a structure of transfer information in the composite communication control device shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data object conversion processing procedure in the complex control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a composite communication control device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a composite communication control device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

17 is a diagram showing a structure of change information in the composite communication control device shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data object evaluation processing procedure based on change information in the composite communication control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a composite communication control device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a composite communication control device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

21 is a block diagram showing a data processing state in the composite communication control device shown in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a data processing state in the composite communication control device shown in FIG.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an internal information processing procedure of the data processing unit illustrated in FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an internal information processing procedure of the data processing unit illustrated in FIG. 20;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Application / OS 2 FAX driver emulator 3 Printer driver emulator 4 RS232C driver emulator 5 Image scanner driver emulator 6 Code conversion part 7 Code conversion part 8 Code conversion part 9 Code conversion part 10 Selector 6a Code conversion part 7a Code conversion part 8a Code conversion Unit 9a code conversion unit 10a selector 11 header processing unit 12 device information list 13 signal conversion unit 10a selector 11a header processing unit 12a device information list 13a signal conversion unit 14 fax driver 15 printer driver 16 RS232C driver 17 image scanner driver

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shin Tsuchiya 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Makida 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside (72) Inventor Naofumi Inoue 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Noriyuki Niwa 3-30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. ( 56) References JP-A-4-243457 (JP, A) JP-A-4-195332 (JP, A) JP-A-1-291314 (JP, A) JP-A-1-277917 (JP, A) 64-10832 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/00 G06F 13/00 G06F 13/10

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A computer comprising: a plurality of device drivers for a plurality of peripheral devices; and a plurality of driver emulators for executing function processing of the device drivers on a computer side. Signal processing means for converting the communication information into internal information for transmission / reception via a shared communication path with a common protocol or decoding the internal information into communication information, on the peripheral device side and the computer side, respectively. Characteristic composite communication control device. 2. A plurality of device controllers for controlling each peripheral device, a plurality of device drivers for controlling each peripheral device connected to the host computer, and a communication between these device drivers and each device control unit. A shared communication path for performing data communication, input means for inputting a control protocol for controlling a communication transfer destination between each peripheral device and each device control unit, and analyzing a control protocol from the input means to transmit communication information. A change information storage unit for acquiring and storing change information for changing a transfer destination, and analyzing communication information to which predetermined identification information is added from each device driver or device control unit with reference to the stored change information. And a changing means for changing a communication information transfer destination. 3. A plurality of device controllers for controlling each peripheral device, a plurality of device drivers for controlling each peripheral device connected to the host computer, and a communication between these device drivers and each device control unit. Input a shared communication path for data communication, change information for changing the communication transfer destination between each peripheral device and each device control unit, and a control protocol for controlling the communication transfer destination between each peripheral device and each device control unit. Input means, a change information storage means for storing the change information from the input means, a data storage means for storing communication data between each peripheral device and each device control unit, and a storage means for storing the data in the data storage means. Transfer control means for changing the transfer destination of the communication information while transferring the transferred communication data with reference to the stored change information. Communication control device. 4. If the transmission source of the communication data is registered in the change information as a change destination device control unit or a change destination device driver, and the change information on the transmission destination of the communication data has not been registered, the change unit transmits the communication data. 3. The composite communication control device according to claim 2, wherein the change of the data transmission destination device control unit or the device driver changes the communication data transmission destination based on the conversion information stored in advance. 5. When the communication data is changed to data of another device control unit or device driver, the change unit does not register change information on a transmission destination of the communication data.
If the destination of the communication data is registered as a change destination device control unit or a change destination device driver by another change information, the change of the communication data destination device control unit or the change of the device driver is stored in advance. 3. The composite communication control device according to claim 2, wherein the communication data transmission destination is determined based on the communication data. 6. The system according to claim 2, further comprising a management unit for managing registration or discarding of the change information already registered in the change information storage unit and the input change information when the change information is input. A composite communication control device according to claim 1.