JPH05242001A - Peripheral equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To constitute the peripheral equipment so that a host system can utilize an extension function which is not defined by a conventional command, as well by using its command, while reducing or avoiding debug of an operating system, etc., of the connected host system. CONSTITUTION:A conventional command having an instructing part and an instruction modifying part is used. A command recognizing means 14 recognizes an extension function command defined by data of the instruction modifying part, being different from data usually corresponding to data of the instructing part. When it is recognized to be the extension function command by the command recognizing means 14, a command executing means 16 executes its command. Accordingly, an extension function can also be utilized by using the conventional command.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a peripheral device which is connected to a host system online and which is accessed from the host system by a command of a predetermined format having a command section and a command modification section. The present invention relates to a peripheral device that can be used by the host system by using the extended command, which is not defined by a conventional command, while reducing the modification of the operating system of the connected host system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art CPUs of general computers, from microcomputers to mainframe computers
The (central processing unit) uses a so-called internal bus to access a main memory device mainly using a semiconductor memory device, an IO (input output) device, and various arithmetic devices such as a multiplier and a divider. ..

As described above, the internal bus used directly by the CPU generally has a short signal transmission line in order to transfer data at a relatively high speed.

On the other hand, a hard disk device, a magnetic tape device, an auxiliary storage device such as an optical disk device which has been widely used in recent years, an image scanner for reading a two-dimensional drawing, a printed matter, etc., and outputting characters and figures. Peripheral devices such as a laser beam printer used for this purpose are connected to the internal bus to which the CPU is connected via the IO device. In some cases, hardware specifications such as electrical characteristics relating to the connection between the peripheral device and the IO device and software specifications such as commands used are defined for each peripheral device.

On the other hand, the specifications regarding such connection include:
Some are standardized. Standardized specifications for connecting peripheral devices include, for example, GPIB (general purpos).
e interface bus) and Centronics interface,
There are SCSI (small computer system interface) and the like. In recent years, the SCSI has been widely used for connecting an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk device.

According to such standardized specifications regarding the peripheral devices, the peripheral devices as described above can be commonly used in various computers. Further, not only the computer but also various digital processing devices such as an image processing device (hereinafter, these are referred to as a host system) can be commonly used. Further, also in the development of such a host system, it becomes easy to divert the conventional design property not only in terms of hardware but also in terms of software, and the design period and cost can be reduced.

In addition, connected to the host system,
Hereinafter, the auxiliary storage device, the input device such as the image scanner, the output device such as the laser beam printer, and the like are collectively referred to as peripheral devices.

[0008]

However, since the above-mentioned standardized specifications regarding the connection of the peripheral device assume only the existing functions of the peripheral device, the extended function which is not provided in the conventional peripheral device is provided. There was a problem that it was difficult to include

The problem regarding the function which is not covered by such standardized specifications occurs both in terms of hardware and software. However, only the software aspect will be discussed below. Therefore, of the standardized specifications for connecting peripheral devices,
In particular, a function that is not covered by the standardized specifications relating to a command is hereinafter referred to as an extended function.

Conventionally, when developing a peripheral device having such an extended function, not only the number of newly developed elements in the peripheral device itself increases, but also in the development of a host system connected to the peripheral device. There was a problem that the cost and time required increased. In addition, in order to support extended functions in a host system such as a computer, a conventional OS
(Operating system), for example, a core program such as a driver program in UNIX (registered trademark of Bell Laboratories in the United States) had to be modified. If the OS is modified in this way, a special OS that is independent of the standard OS will be used. Even if the modification is minimal, installation work such as system generation will be performed. And standard OS
There are many problems, such as the time and effort required for the OS being used to deal with this when upgrading the version.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and reduces or avoids the reworking of the OS of the host system to be connected, while at the same time providing an extended function that is not defined by a conventional command. Using the command,
It is an object to provide a peripheral device that can be used by the host system.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a peripheral device which is connected to a host system online and which is accessed from the host system by a command of a predetermined format having a command section and a command modification section. Command recognition means for recognizing that the received command is an extended function command based on the data of the command modification part of the received command, which is different from the data normally corresponding to the data of the command part Thus, the above-mentioned problems are achieved.

In the peripheral device, the command recognition means is a means for determining an extended function to be executed from a combination of the plurality of received extended function commands, thereby achieving the above object. is there.

[0014]

The present invention has been made with particular attention to the following technical aspects.

(1) Advantages of using standardized specifications in connecting peripheral devices.

(2) Finding a technique that can use an extended function that is not defined by a conventional command while using a standardized specification.

From such a technical point of view, in the present invention,
In the standardized commands, attention is paid to commands of a predetermined format having an instruction part and an instruction modification part.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the gist of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the peripheral device 10 of the present invention is shown.
The characteristic part of the present invention is the command recognition means 14. The command recognition means 14 is means for recognizing that the received command is an extended function command based on the data of the command modification part of the received command, which is different from the data normally corresponding to the data of the command part. Is.

Although the present invention is not limited to this,
Peripheral device 10 usually has interface means 12 and command execution means 16 together with command recognition means 14.
With. When the peripheral device 10 is, for example, an auxiliary storage device, the peripheral device 10 further includes a storage medium 18, for example.

The interface means 12 is provided between the command recognition means 14 and the host system. The interface means 12 is, for example,
It is hardware such as parallel IO (input output) or software such as a driver program that directly operates the hardware.

The command executing means 16 is means for actually executing the extended function command recognized by the command recognizing means 14. It goes without saying that the command executing means 16 differs depending on the extended function.

The storage medium 18 is for actually storing the storage data transmitted for storage in the peripheral device 10 when the peripheral device 10 is an auxiliary storage device. The storage medium 18 is, for example, a disk-shaped magnetic body in a hard disk device, an optical disk in an optical disk device, and the magnetic tape itself in a magnetic tape device.

As described above, the present invention utilizes standardized commands and transmits commands related to extended functions within the range of specifications such as the format. Therefore, according to the present invention, while reducing or avoiding the reworking of the OS of the host system to be connected, the host system can be used by using the extended function not defined by the conventional command. Peripheral devices can be provided.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram including an embodiment of the present invention and a host system to which the embodiment is connected.

As shown in FIG. 2, an auxiliary storage device 10a, which is a peripheral device of each embodiment of the present invention,
Image scanner 10b and laser beam printer 10c
And the image processing apparatus 10d are connected to the host system 50 online. Note that these are also referred to as peripheral devices 10a to 10d hereinafter.

The host system 50 uses U as an OS.
It is a workstation in which UNIX is used.

The auxiliary storage device 10a is a hard disk device in this embodiment. The auxiliary storage device 10
The storage capacity of a is ((1024 bytes / block) x 3
2768 blocks = about 32 M) bytes. The storage medium of the auxiliary storage device 10a can be ejected or replaced by a command from the host system 50.

The image scanner 10b reads a two-dimensional image such as a printed matter or a drawing.

The laser beam printer 10c is an output device for printing characters and graphics.

The image processing apparatus 10d, for example, with respect to the two-dimensional image input by the image scanner 10b,
According to a command from the host system 50, predetermined image processing is performed and the image is output to the laser beam printer 10c, for example.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the main part of the host system to which one auxiliary storage device of the above embodiment is connected.

In FIG. 3, the main part of the host system to which the auxiliary storage device of the above embodiment is connected is particularly shown. That is, this part mainly includes an application program 52, an operating system 54, and interface hardware 56.

The application program 52 is
This is a program that uses the auxiliary storage device 10a.
The application program 52 is not particularly specified, but for example, the image scanner 10b or
It is an application program using the laser beam printer 10c and the image processing apparatus 10d.

In the present embodiment, the application program 52 can use the extended function which is not defined by the standardized conventional command regarding the connection of the peripheral device. This is used as an extended function command by using the data of the instruction modification part of the conventional command.

Such an extended function may be directly instructed in each part of the application program 52 that uses it, but in the present embodiment, a subroutine of the application program called an "extended function function" is used. .. When the predetermined extended function is used, the extended function function generates a command to the auxiliary storage device 10a for this purpose by setting the data of the instruction modifier of the conventional command. ing.

The interface hardware 56 is
It is interface hardware for SCSI. That is, SCSI is used for the connection between the host system 50 and the auxiliary storage device 10a.

The operating system 54 mainly includes a management program 54a, management information 54b, and a driver program 54c for connection to the auxiliary storage device 10a.

The management program 54a is a program that can be used by an application program to access the auxiliary storage device 10a by a file name while using the management information 54b. For this reason,
The management information 54b stores and manages the file name of the file stored in the auxiliary storage device 10a and the physical address of the auxiliary storage device 10a in which the data of the file name is stored.

Further, the management program 54a is the physical address of the auxiliary storage device 10a,
It is also available for direct access to a. Hereinafter, this is referred to as a physical address access function.

In the application program 52 of this embodiment, the extended function function uses this physical address access function.

The driver program 54c performs a process directly related to the interface hardware 56. The driver program 54c is, for example, various settings of the interface hardware 56,
It is a program such as a buffering process of data to be passed.

The image scanner 10b and the laser beam printer 10c, which are embodiments of the present invention, respectively.
The main part of the host system, to which the image processing device 10d is connected, is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

In these peripheral devices 10b to 10d,
The application program 52 and part of the operating system 54 shown in FIG. 3 are common to the peripheral device 10a which is an auxiliary storage device.

However, these peripheral devices 10b-1
At 0d, the management information 54b is not used, and the management program 54a only generates a conventional SCSI command. Further, the driver program 54c and the interface hardware 56 are provided in the peripheral device 10.
It is provided for each of a to 10d.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one of the peripheral devices of the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows the construction of the main part of one auxiliary storage device 10a of the peripheral device of the above embodiment. That is, the auxiliary storage device 10a mainly includes an interface means 12a and a command recognition means 14a.
A door lock device 16a, a storage medium eject device 16b, and a storage medium 18.

The interface means 12a is an SCS.
It has interface hardware for I, a buffer memory, and a program directly related to these hardware.

The command recognition means 14a is means for recognizing an extended function command using a SCSI command having an instruction part and an instruction modification part. In the extended function command, the data of the instruction modification section is different from the data normally corresponding to the data of the instruction section. This point will be described later in detail by dividing it into the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention.

The storage medium 18 is mainly composed of a plurality of disk-shaped magnetic bodies. By using the door lock device 16a and the storage medium eject device 16b, the storage medium 18 is similar to another storage medium 18
Can be exchanged.

The door lock device 16a and the storage medium eject device 16b are both operated by the host system 50 by the extended function command as described above.
It operates according to the command from. That is, the door lock device 16a is manually operated by the extended function command, which will be referred to as a door lock command hereinafter.
the storage medium 18 set in a
The data stored in the storage medium 18 is loaded in an accessible state and the door of the storage medium 18 is locked. On the other hand, the storage medium ejecting device 16b ejects the storage medium 18, which has been accessible from the host system 50, manually by an extended function command hereinafter referred to as a storage medium eject command.

The image scanner 10b and the laser beam printer 10c, which are embodiments of the present invention, respectively.
The configuration of the image processing apparatus 10d and the image processing apparatus 10d is substantially the same as that of FIG.

Also in these peripheral devices 10b to 10d, the interface means 12a similar to that in FIG.
Command recognition means 14a.

However, the command recognition means 14a
Regarding the peripheral devices 10a and 10b to 10d,
The command to be recognized, in particular, the extended function command is different for each. Further, the command executing means for executing the extended command recognized by the command recognizing means 14 shown by the door lock device 16a and the storage medium ejecting device 16b in FIG. 4 is the peripheral device 10a-10d.
It differs for each and every extended function.

That is, the peripheral device 1 which is an image scanner
0b includes a setting device 16c for setting the reading range of a two-dimensional image indicated by each of A5, A4, A3, B6, B5 and B4 paper sizes. The peripheral device 10c, which is a laser beam printer, includes a setting device 16d for setting a print character font set. The peripheral device 10d, which is an image processing device, is provided with an initialization device 16e, which is included therein, for initializing a frame memory for storing an image 1 screen and various registers. These setting devices 16c, 16
Both d and the initialization device 16e are command executing means for executing the extended function.

FIG. 5 is a memory map of one auxiliary storage device of the above embodiment.

One auxiliary storage device 10a of this embodiment is
The access start address is designated by a 4-digit hexadecimal block address. Further, the continuous address of the series of data to be accessed is the access start address,
It is designated by the number of blocks from the access start address (hereinafter referred to as the number of data). One block of the auxiliary storage device 10a is 1024 bytes.

Therefore, the addressable area of the auxiliary storage device 10a is 65536 blocks from block address 0000h to block address FFFFh, which are shown by area A and area B in FIG.
Of these, as shown as area A in FIG. 5,
The accessible area to which the storage medium 18 is actually allocated is 32768 blocks from block address 0000h to block address 7FFFh. Also, in area B shown by a broken line in FIG. 5, that is, from block address 8000h to block address FFF.
The area up to Fh is an area which can be addressed by the host system 50 by a conventional SCSI command, however, it is an area which is not allocated to the storage medium 18. The area B is used as an extended function command in a first embodiment of the present invention described later.

FIG. 6 is a data format diagram of a message used between one auxiliary storage device and the host system of the above embodiment.

In FIG. 6, a message T1 from the host system is composed of a command section T1a, a command modification section T1b, and a data section T1e.

The command section T1a indicates the type of command from the host system. In the conventional commands, the types of commands indicated by the command section T1a are “write command”, “read command”, “magnetic head seek command”, etc., and the door lock device 16a and the storage medium eject device are used. There is no command type for 16b and so on.

The instruction modification unit T1b has a start address T1.
1c and the number of data T1d. The start address T1c designates the start address of a series of addresses to be accessed by the block address described above with reference to FIG. The number of data T1d is as shown in FIG.
The number of blocks mentioned above is designated by.

The data section T1e is write data provided when the message is a write command. If it is not a write command, the data part T1e is omitted.

In FIG. 6, a message T2 to the host system is composed of a command section T2a, a command modification section T2b, and a data section T2e.

The command section T2a corresponds in structure to the command section T1a. Also, the command section T2a
Indicates the type of response, such as what kind of command sent from the host system the electronic message T2 to the host system including this corresponds to.

The instruction modification section T2b is similar in structure to the instruction modification section T1b. For example, when the electronic message T2 to the host system including this is a response corresponding to the electronic message T1 from a certain host system, the instruction modifying unit T2b uses the content of the instruction modifying unit T1b of the electronic message T1 as it is, for example. There is something.

The data section T2e corresponds in structure to the data section T1e. The data section T2
For example, e is configured as read data when the electronic message T2 to the host system in which it is included is a response to the electronic message of the read command from the host system.

As described above, the electronic message T2 to the host system is composed of a plurality of parts including the command part T2a, the command modification part T2b and the data part T2e. However, in the following description, the electronic message T2 to the host system will be simply expressed as "read data".

The image scanner 10b and the laser beam printer 10c, which are embodiments of the present invention, respectively.
Also, the configuration of the data format used for each of the image processing device 10d and the image processing device 10d is similar to that of FIG.

For these peripheral devices 10b to 10d as well, the electronic message T1 from the host system similarly includes the command section T1a, the command modifying section T1b, and the data section T1e. Similarly, the instruction modifier T1b
Equipped with types of data. Also, a telegram T to the host system
2 is exactly the same.

FIG. 7 is a communication sequence diagram at the time of write access of one auxiliary storage device of the above embodiment.

In FIG. 7, the command section T1a, the start address T1c, and the number of data T1d between the host system 50 and the auxiliary storage device 10a at the time of writing of the host system 50. And the data portion T1e are sequentially transmitted.

FIG. 8 is a communication sequence diagram at the time of write access to one auxiliary storage device of the above embodiment.

In FIG. 8, when the host system 50 is read, the command section T1a, the start address T1c, and the data number T1d between the host system 50 and the auxiliary storage device 10a are read. It is shown that and are sequentially transmitted. Further, FIG. 8 shows that the data portion T2a is subsequently transmitted from the auxiliary storage device 10a.

Peripheral devices 10a to 10 as described above
In d, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the data of the start address T1c is different from the data normally corresponding to the data of the instruction part T1a, that is, the area B of FIG. By making it the data corresponding to, it is used as an extended function command.

(1) Door lock command (command for operating the door lock device 16a): Command part T1a: READ command Start address T1c: 8001h Number of data T1d: 0h Data part T1e: None

(2) Storage medium eject command (command for operating the storage medium ejecting device 16b): Command part T1a: READ command Start address T1c: 8002h Number of data T1d: 0h Data part T1e: None

(3) Setting command (the setting device 16c
Command to activate): Command part T1a: READ command Start address T1c: 8003h Number of data T1d: 0h (when paper size A5): 1h (when paper size A4): 2h (when paper size A3): 10h ( Paper size B6): 11h (Paper size B5): 12h (Paper size B4) Data section T1e: None

(4) Setting command (the setting device 16d
Command to activate): Command part T1a: READ command Start address T1c: 8004h Number of data T1d: 0h (in Mincho type): 1h (in Gothic type) Data part T1e: None

(5) Initialization command (said initialization device 1
Command for activating 6e): Command part T1a: READ command Start address T1c: 8005h Number of data T1d: 0h Data part T1e: None

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the extended function command can be defined while using the conventional command having the command section and the command modification section, and the OS of the host system to be connected can be defined. Rework or the like can be reduced or avoided.

FIG. 9 is a data format diagram of the door lock extension function command according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The second embodiment of the present invention defines the extended function command in the range of the format permitted by the conventional command, similarly to the first embodiment. Further, in the second embodiment, the extension function to be executed is defined by a plurality of combinations of such extension function commands.

That is, in the second embodiment, the start address T1c is "0h" and the number of data T1 is T1c.
A command in which d is a value of "20h" or more is defined as an extended function command. In addition, the total of eight such extended function commands are used to represent the extended function to be executed.

Further, in FIG. 9, the instruction part T1a in FIG. 6 is "READ", and the start address T1 is
1c is "START (0)", and the number of data T1
There are a total of eight messages from No. 1 to No. 8 in which b is “BLOCK (x)” (x is 40 ≦ x <50). These eight messages in total are No. 1 in order.
Up to 8 are sequentially transmitted.

The two telegrams No. 1 and No. 2 indicate the start of a plurality of extended function commands, and are common regardless of the types of extended function commands.

The message of No. 3 and No. 4 is "BLOCK
(X) ", that is, the extended function command 1 and the extended function command 2 representing the extended function by the data number T1d. In FIG. 9, the data number T1d of the extended function command 1 is" 41h ". The extension function command 2 is "42h", which indicates that the extension function is a door lock.

The following telegrams of No. 5 and No. 6 are the above No.
The checksum 1 and the checksum 2 are for the telegrams No. 4 and No. 5.

The final telegrams No. 7 and No. 8 are end mark 1 and end mark 2 indicating the end of the extended function command by a total of eight telegrams.

FIG. 10 is a data format diagram of the storage medium eject command of the second embodiment.

In this storage medium eject command, the telegrams No. 3 and No. 4 are different from the door lock function of FIG. 9 described above, and the data number T1d is "BLOCK (43)" and "BLOCK (43)", respectively. BLOCK (44) ”. This indicates that the command is the recording medium eject command.

The extended functions of the setting devices 16c and 16d and the initialization device 16e including the extended function commands relating to the door lock device 16a and the storage medium eject device 16b described above with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The commands are identified (distinguished) from each other by the message of No. 3 and No. 4, and are listed below. The other telegrams of No. 1, No. 2, No. 7 and No. 8 are the same as each other. Since the No. 5 and No. 6 telegrams are checksums, they are determined by the No. 3 and No. 4 telegrams.

(1) Door lock command: No. 3: READ: START (0), BLOCK (41): Extended function command 1 No. 4: READ: START (0), BLOCK (42): Extended function command 2

(2) Ejection command of storage medium: No. 3: READ: START (0), BLOCK (43): Extended function command 1 No. 4: READ: START (0), BLOCK (44): Extended function command Two

(3) Setting command (setting device 16c): No. 3: READ: START (0), BLOCK (45): Extended function command 1 No. 4: READ: START (0), BLOCK (40): Extended function command 2 (when paper size is A5) * BLOCK of extended function command 2 in No. 4 above
The value of x in (x) is determined by the specified paper size as follows. (A) Paper size A5: 40 (b) Paper size A4: 41 (c) Paper size A3: 42 (d) Paper size B6: 45 (e) Paper size B5: 46 (f) Paper size B4: 47

(4) Setting command (setting device 16d): No. 3: READ: START (0), BLOCK (46): Extended function command 1 No. 4: READ: START (0), BLOCK (40): Extended function command 2 (in the case of character font set Mincho type) * In addition, BLOCK of extended function command 2 in No. 4 above
The value of x in (x) is determined by the specified character font set as follows. (A) Mincho: 40 (b) Gothic: 41

(5) Initialization command (initialization device 16e
): No.3: READ: START (0), BLOCK (47): Extended function command 1 No.4: READ: START (0), BLOCK (40): Extended function command 2

FIG. 11 is a communication sequence diagram of the door lock extension function command of the second embodiment.

No. 1 to No. 1 described above with reference to FIG.
A total of 8 telegrams of 8 door lock extension function commands
As indicated by the read commands (1) to (8) in FIG. 11, the host system 50 sequentially operates the auxiliary storage device 1
Transmitted to 0a. Further, the read data (1) to the read data (7) are transmitted from the auxiliary storage device 10a to the host system 50 corresponding to the first seven of these eight electronic messages in total. Further, when the last read command (8) is transmitted from the host system 50 to the auxiliary storage device 10a, by receiving the transmitted total of eight read commands (1) to (8), The auxiliary storage device 10a executes 30 the extended function. When the execution 30 of the extended function is completed, the auxiliary storage device 1
0a indicates the read data (8) to the host system 50.
Transmit to.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the extended function command can be defined within the range of the conventional command format, and the OS rework of the connected host system can be reduced. Or you can avoid it. In addition, in the second embodiment, since the types of extended functions are expressed by a plurality of telegrams, the types of extended functions that can be defined can be increased.

In the first embodiment, the type of extended function is mainly represented by the start address T1c.
On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the type of extended function is represented by the number of data T1d. Therefore, when the OS of the host system to be connected needs to define the data number T1d more strictly, it is preferable to use the first embodiment. On the other hand, the OS of the host system to be connected
Is to set the start address T1c more strictly, it is preferable to use the second embodiment. The setting of the start address T1c and the number of data T1d is, for example, various settings relating to the auxiliary storage device at the time of UNIX system generation.

[0103]

As described above, according to the present invention, an extended function not defined by a conventional command can be used by using the command while reducing or avoiding the modification of the OS of the host system to be connected. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that a peripheral device that can be used by the host system can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the gist of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram including an embodiment of the present invention and a host system to which the embodiment is connected.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a main part of the host system to which one auxiliary storage device of the embodiment is connected.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one auxiliary storage device of the peripheral device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a memory map of the auxiliary storage device.

FIG. 6 is a data format diagram of a message used between the auxiliary storage device and the host system.

FIG. 7 is a communication sequence diagram at the time of write access to the auxiliary storage device.

FIG. 8 is a communication sequence diagram during read access of the auxiliary storage device.

FIG. 9 is a data format diagram of a door lock extension function command according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a data format diagram of a storage medium eject command of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a communication sequence diagram of a door lock extension function command of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 10a ... Auxiliary storage device, 10b ... Image scanner, 10c ... Laser beam printer, 10d ... Image processing device, 12, 12a ... Interface means, 14, 14a ... Command recognition means, 16 ... Command execution means, 16a ... Door Lock device, 16b ... Storage medium ejecting device, 18 ... Storage medium, 30 ... Execution of extended function, 50 ... Host system (workstation), 52 ... Application program, 54 ... Operating system, 54a ... Management program, 54b ... Management information , 54c ... Driver program, 56 ... Interface hardware, T1 ... Message from host system, T2 ... Message to host system, T1a, T2a ... Command section, T1b, T2b ... Command modification section, T1c, T2c ... Start address , T1d, T2d ... day Number of data, T1e, T2e ... Data section.

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Isao Yoshizawa 2-3 2-3 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Kawasaki Steel Co., Ltd. Tokyo headquarters (72) Inventor Kaname Sawada 2-3 2-3 Uchiyuki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Kawasaki Steel Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Tokyo head office

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A peripheral device which is connected to a host system online and has a predetermined format having an instruction section and an instruction modification section, and which usually corresponds to data of the instruction section in a peripheral device accessed from the host system. A peripheral device comprising command recognition means for recognizing that the received command is an extended function command based on the data of the command modification portion of the received command, which is different from the data. 2. The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the command recognizing means is means for determining an extended function to be executed from a combination of the plurality of received extended function commands.