JPH11252200A - Data communication equipment/method/system and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recognize the function of a unit corresponding to the communication system of a standard different from a communication system as one of functions of the unit constituting the communication system by resetting information on a data communication equipment used in a first communication means in accordance with the connection state of a second communication means. SOLUTION: A communication system is constituted of a printer 102, a personal computer 103 and a scanner 104. Respective units execute communication through a communication interface corresponding to the communication system of a common standard. A digital camera 101 communicates with the printer 102 through the communication interface of the standard different from the communication system. Thus, picture data can be transferred even if communication, based on the communication system of the different standard is executed. Thus, the function of the unit corresponding to the communication system of the standard different from the communication system can be recognized as one of the functions of the unit constituting the communication system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data communication device, a method, a system, and a storage medium, and more particularly to a technique for allowing a single communication system to recognize a plurality of devices corresponding to communication systems of different standards.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electronic devices such as a personal computer, a printer, a hard disk, a digital camera, and a digital video camera have been connected to each device via a digital interface corresponding to a communication system of a common standard, thereby achieving high-speed data communication. There is a growing movement to achieve this.

One of the next-generation high-speed digital interfaces developed from such a viewpoint is IEEE13
94-1995 High Performance Serial Bus Standard (hereinafter IEEE)
There is a digital interface for a serial bus based on the E1394 standard.

[0004] In the IEEE 1394 standard, Isochronous
Two transfer modes, a transfer mode and an asynchronous transfer mode, are defined. The isochronous transfer mode is a transfer method that guarantees transmission and reception of a fixed amount of data in each communication cycle period (125 μs), and is effective for real-time transfer of video signals and audio signals. The Asynchronous transfer mode is a transfer method that is transmitted and received asynchronously with respect to a communication cycle, and is effective when control commands and file data are transmitted and received as necessary. Note that within one communication cycle period, the asynchronous transfer mode is set to Isochronou.
The priority is set lower than in the s transfer mode.

In the IEEE 1394 standard, the connection configuration of a communication system can be automatically recognized. That is, adding a new device, deleting a connected device, turning on / off the connected device
In response to a change in the connection configuration due to off or the like, the connection configuration of the newly configured system is automatically recognized and the ID information for each device configuring the system is automatically set.

Further, the IEEE1394 standard has a function of relaying data transmitted from each device. As a result, communication packets based on the Isochronous transfer mode or Asynchronous transfer mode transmitted from each device are transferred to all devices on the communication system via other devices.

The details of the IEEE 1394 standard are described on August 30, 1996 by the Institute of Electrical
IEEE Standard published by and Electronics, Inc.
fora High Performance Serial Bus ".

[0008]

FIG. 9 shows an example of a serial bus type communication system configured by using a plurality of electronic devices having a digital interface (hereinafter, 1394 interface) conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard. In FIG. 9, each electronic device is connected in a tree shape.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 901 denotes a personal computer; 902, a portable digital VTR such as a camera-integrated digital VTR; and 903, a stationary digital VTR.
With the TR, for example, dubbing of digital image data with the camera-integrated digital VTR 902 can be performed.
A communication cable 904 connects the 1394 interfaces of the electronic devices.

When it is desired to connect a portable device such as a camera-integrated digital VTR 902 to such a communication system, the connection has to be made via a communication cable 904 as shown in FIG. However, connection of a portable device by a communication cable has drawbacks such as troublesome connection and impaired flexibility in connection due to the length and shape of the cable. In particular, there is a problem that a connector for a communication cable must be provided in a limited space in a portable device in which miniaturization is required.

In consideration of such inconvenience of connection using a communication cable, a portable device is connected to an IrDA (Infrared Data As
wireless connection with the above-mentioned communication system using a wireless communication system such as a sociation standard. However, in this case, the portable device is an IEEE13
Since communication is performed in accordance with a communication system of a standard different from the 94 standard, communication can be performed one-to-one with a device that can support the communication system, but communication with the entire communication system cannot be performed. . Further, in a system such as the above-mentioned communication system that automatically recognizes the connection of a new device, it is not possible to recognize the portable device that performs communication by a communication method different from the IEEE 1394 standard. Therefore, when performing communication between each device constituting the communication system and the portable device, it is necessary to provide each device with a communication interface corresponding to a communication method similar to that of the portable device.

[0012] From the above background, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to recognize a function of a device corresponding to a communication system of a standard different from that of a communication system as one of the functions of a device constituting the communication system. Data communication device, method,
To provide a system and a storage medium.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a data communication apparatus according to the present invention comprises: first communication means corresponding to a first communication method; Is a data communication device comprising: a second communication unit corresponding to a different second communication system, wherein the data used by the first communication unit is changed according to a connection state of the second communication unit. It is characterized in that information on the communication device is reset.

A data communication device according to the present invention is a data communication device connectable to a communication system constituted by a plurality of devices corresponding to a common communication system, wherein the data communication device includes a predetermined communication device different from the common communication system. A communication unit corresponding to a communication method; and a control unit for causing each device constituting the communication system to recognize a function of a device capable of communicating with the communication unit as a function of the data communication device. .

Further, the data communication apparatus of the present invention uses a plurality of communication means corresponding to a plurality of communication methods and ID information set based on any one of the plurality of communication methods. A control unit for controlling communication between devices capable of communicating with each of the plurality of communication units.

Further, the data communication method according to the present invention includes a first communication means corresponding to a first communication method and a second communication means corresponding to a second communication method different from the first communication method. In a data communication method applicable to an apparatus comprising: the first communication device according to the connection state of the second communication means.
The information about the device used by the communication means is reset.

Further, the data communication method of the present invention is a data communication method applicable to a communication system constituted by a plurality of devices corresponding to a common communication system. Communication based on different communication methods is performed, and a function of the predetermined device is recognized by a device included in the communication system as a function of a device performing communication based on the different communication method.

Also, the data communication system of the present invention has a first
In a data communication system including a first communication device corresponding to the first communication method and a second communication device corresponding to a second communication method different from the first communication method, the first communication device According to the connection state with the second communication device,
The information on the first communication device is reset.

Further, a data communication system according to the present invention is a communication system comprising a plurality of devices corresponding to a common communication system, wherein a communication device corresponding to a communication system different from the common communication system is provided. It is characterized in that the function provided by the device is constituted by a device that makes the device constituting the communication system recognize the function of the device capable of communicating with the communication device.

Further, the data communication system of the present invention includes a plurality of communication devices corresponding to a plurality of communication systems, and an I / O set based on any one of the plurality of communication systems.
A control device that controls communication between the plurality of communication devices using the D information.

Further, the storage medium of the present invention comprises a first communication means corresponding to a first communication method, and a second communication means corresponding to a second communication method different from the first communication method. A program for controlling to reset information on the device used in the first communication means in accordance with the connection state of the second communication means. .

In addition, the storage medium of the present invention is a data communication device connectable to a communication system constituted by a plurality of devices corresponding to a common communication system, wherein a predetermined device is different from the common communication system. A program for performing communication based on a communication method and storing a program for controlling a function of the predetermined device as a function of the data communication device to be recognized by a device configuring the communication system is stored.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a data communication device according to the present invention will be described.
The method, system and storage medium will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a communication system includes a printer 102, a personal computer 10
3. Each device is constituted by the scanner 104, and each device communicates via a communication interface corresponding to a communication system of a common standard. The digital camera 101 communicates with the printer 102 via a communication interface of a different standard from the communication system.

In FIG. 1, the digital camera 101 is
It is a portable device provided with a communication interface for wireless communication. The printer 102 has a communication interface capable of wireless communication with the digital camera 101, and has two functions of a direct printer and a network printer.
Here, the direct printer is a digital camera 10
1 is an operation state in which communication with the digital camera 101 and the communication system is possible. Also, the printer 102
A communication interface (hereinafter, 1394 interface) conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard is provided.

The 1394 interface of each device is composed of a physical layer, a link layer, and a bus management unit. Hereinafter, functions and processing operations of the 1394 interface will be described.

The 1394 interface is 100, 200, 40
It supports a data transfer rate of 0Mbps. The 1394 interface corresponding to the higher data rate is configured to support the lower data rate.

The 1394 interface has a function of receiving data transmitted from a certain device and repeating the data to another device. In addition, 13
The 94 interface executes a process called a bus reset according to the increase / decrease of the devices constituting the communication system and the ON / OFF of the power of each device. The bus reset executes the following processing.

First, after automatically detecting a change in the connection configuration of the communication system, the 1394 interface resets the connection configuration recognized up to then. Second,
The 1394 interface determines the parent-child relationship with the connection device, and recognizes the new connection configuration as a hierarchical connection relationship. Third, the 1394 interface automatically sets an ID from a device at the end of the communication system, and sets its own configuration information (for example, connection relations with other devices, compatible data transfer speed, supply or consumption). (Information related to the power to be transmitted) to devices on the communication system. The above processing is executed by the physical layer of the 1394 interface.

The physical layer of the 1394 interface is
Always monitor the change in the bias voltage applied to the communication port,
A change in the connection configuration is detected based on the change in the voltage. The device that has detected the change in the bias voltage is 1394 of another device.
A signal for requesting a bus reset is transferred to the interface. The above-described bus reset is activated after all devices finally receive a signal requesting the bus reset. The above-described bus reset can be started by the device itself directly issuing a request to the physical layer, in addition to the start due to the change in the connection configuration.

The physical layer also has a function of transmitting and receiving data.
It has functions related to encoding and decoding by the DS-Link method, arbitration of the right to use the bus, and the like.

The link layer controls the asynchronous transfer mode and the isochronous transfer mode, generates and detects communication packets conforming to the asynchronous transfer mode and the isochronous transfer mode, generates and detects an error detection code added to each communication packet, and performs communication. It has a function of generating a cycle start packet for controlling the cycle. The bus management unit controls the operations of the physical layer and the link layer,
It manages the bandwidth and channel number in the hronous transfer mode, manages the communication between the application and the link layer, and manages information on the connection configuration of the communication system, the data transfer speed of each device, and the power supply.

In the present embodiment, the printer 102
One 394 interface and one wireless interface corresponding to a communication method different from the IEEE 1394 standard.
I have one. Node ID automatically assigned by the physical layer constituting the 1394 interface
Indicates the printer 102 itself. In this embodiment, the wireless interface of the printer 102 is IrDA
It supports the infrared communication system that conforms to the standard. The node ID is ID information for identifying each device (node) constituting a communication system conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard. The node ID includes a node number and a bus number, and is automatically set in accordance with a change in the connection configuration of the communication system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an address space of a communication system conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard. The IEEE 1394 standard defines an address space having a width of 64 bits according to the IEEE 1212 standard. 6
Of the 4-bit address, the first 10 bits are the bus I
Called D and used for bus identification. The next 6 bits are called a node ID and are used to identify each device. The remaining 48 bits are an address space that can be used uniquely for each device.
The address space of the communication system is 1394.
It is managed by a bus management unit provided in the interface.

The above-mentioned 48-bit address space further includes 2
It is divided into 0 bits and 28 bits. An area indicated by “FFFFF16” of the first 20 bits is called a register space. Information exchange between the devices is performed using this register space.

The first 512 Kbyte area of the register space is the core of the well-known CRS (Control and Status Register) architecture. The next 512 Kbyte area is a serial bus register. The register space is 1024 bytes of configuration R
OM and a unit space for storing information unique to each device.

Here, the configuration ROM is
In order to represent the function of each node, for example, it is configured as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, a bus information block 301 includes a company I indicating a supplier of each device.
D is stored. The root directory 302 shows information unique to each device and the storage location of the next unit directory 303. The unit directory 303 hierarchically stores control / status information on functions of each device, control / status information on a communication protocol that each device can support, and the like. Each device is stored in this unit directory 303.
By reading the contents of the device, it is possible to determine the function of the device and the communication protocol that can be supported.

In the communication system of this embodiment, when the printer 102 functions as a direct printer, the printer 102 can print an image captured by the digital camera 101. When the printer 102 functions as a network printer, the printer 10
2 is an image read by the scanner 104, the PC 10
In step 3, the processed and edited image can be printed.
Further, when the printer 102 functions as a network printer, it is also possible to receive image data captured by the digital camera 101 and transfer the data to the PC 103 via the 1394 interface.

At this time, the printer 102 converts the image data transmitted based on the communication system based on the IrDA standard into data to be transferred based on the communication system based on the IEEE 1394 standard, and supplies the data to the 1394 interface. It is configured as follows. Accordingly, even when the digital camera 101 performs communication based on a communication system of a different standard from the PC 103 or the scanner 104, the digital camera 101 can transfer image data to those devices. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide all devices constituting the communication system of the present embodiment with a wireless interface capable of communicating with the digital camera 101. In the present embodiment, communication between the digital camera 101 and the printer 102 is performed by a wireless method. For this reason, the digital camera 101 can transfer image data to each device without impairing the mobility of the portable device and without bothering the cable connection.

In this embodiment, the data communication between the printer 102 and the digital camera 101 is performed by the infrared communication system conforming to the IrDA standard. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, any standard communication system may be used as long as it does not impair the characteristics of the portable device such as mobility and miniaturization. In this embodiment, the digital camera 101 is described as a portable device that performs wireless communication with the printer 102. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a portable device such as a camera-integrated digital VTR may be used.

In the present embodiment, the communication system shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and a plurality of devices having a 1394 interface are connected directly or indirectly to the PC 103 or the scanner 104. Is also good. or,
The equipment constituting the communication system of the present embodiment is a printer 1
02, PC 103, and scanner 104, but the IEEE
An external storage device such as a hard disk and a digital device such as a CD player and a DVD player may be used as long as the device can form a communication system conforming to the E1394 standard.

FIG. 4 shows the digital camera 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer 1 and a printer 102.

In the digital camera 101 shown in FIG.
01 is an imaging unit that captures an optical image of a subject, 402 is an image processing unit that converts a captured image output from the imaging unit 401 into image data of a predetermined format, and 403 is an image processing unit that converts the image data output from the image processing unit 402. The coding / decoding unit performs predetermined high-efficiency coding (for example, DCT transform, variable-length coding after quantization). The encoding / decoding unit 403 also decompresses and decodes the compressed image data reproduced from the recording / reproducing unit 404, and
02.

In the digital camera 101 shown in FIG. 4, reference numeral 404 denotes a recording / reproducing unit for recording and reproducing compression-encoded image data on a recording medium (not shown); 405, an operation unit for instructing a processing operation in the digital camera 101; 406
A control unit that includes a microcomputer and a memory capable of storing a predetermined program code, and controls and manages the operation of each processing unit included in the digital camera 101;
Reference numeral 7 denotes an image captured by the image capturing unit 401 as an EVF (Electr
A display unit 408 that displays images using an IC View Finder, a liquid crystal panel, or the like, and a wireless interface 408 that wirelessly communicates image data captured by the image capturing unit 401 based on, for example, a data communication method conforming to the IrDA standard.

Further, in the digital camera 101 of FIG. 4, reference numeral 409 denotes a ROM in which information relating to the functions of the digital camera 101 is stored. In the present embodiment, the control unit 406 sets the RO
The information data stored in M409 is read, and the information data is wirelessly transmitted to the printer 102. Note that the digital camera 101 of the present embodiment employs, for example, JPEG (Joint Photographic Expe
(rts Group) method.

In the printer 102 shown in FIG. 4, reference numeral 409 denotes a wireless interface capable of performing infrared communication with the digital camera 101 in accordance with the IrDA standard, and reference numeral 410 denotes image data wirelessly transmitted from the wireless interface 409 by IEEE.
A data conversion unit 411 that converts the data format into a data format conforming to the E1394 standard and supplies the data format to the 1394 interface 411 is a 1394 interface that outputs image data from the digital camera 101 to a communication system including the PC 103 and the scanner 104.

Here, the 1394 interface 411
Receives the control command (control command for controlling the operation of the digital camera 102) transferred from the communication system to the digital camera 102, and supplies the control command to the data conversion unit 410. Data converter 410
Converts a communication packet conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard into a communication packet conforming to the IrDA standard, and supplies the communication packet to the wireless interface 409.

In the printer 102 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 2 denotes an image processing unit for processing image data supplied from the 1394 interface 411 and the wireless interface 409 as a printable image; 413, a memory used for forming image data as a printable image; A head 415, a driver for controlling the operation of the printer head 414 and the paper feeding mechanism;
Reference numeral 416 denotes an operation unit for operating the operation mode and the like of the printer 102. Reference numeral 417 denotes a microcomputer having a microcomputer and a memory capable of storing predetermined program codes.
The printer controller 418 controls and manages the operation of each processing unit constituting the 1394 interface 41.
1. A power supply unit for supplying necessary power to the wireless interface 409.

In this embodiment, the printer 102
1394 interface 411, and the node ID set by the interface indicates the printer 102 itself. In the present embodiment, a communication packet conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard is configured as shown in FIG. A communication packet conforming to the IrDA standard is configured as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication packet communicated between the respective communication interfaces according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5A shows the structure of a communication packet based on the IrDA standard. In FIG. 5, a communication packet of the IrDA standard is wirelessly transmitted in units of a predetermined amount of information data called a “frame”. A BOF (beginning of frame) 501 is added to the beginning of each frame, and an EOF (end of frame) 5 is added to the end of each frame.
06 is added. Each frame has an FCS (frame check sequence) field 5 for storing data for error correction.
05, an address field 502 for storing a destination address, and a control field 50 for storing control data.
3. It is composed of an information field 504 for storing information data.

In the present embodiment, the information field 504
Stores image data compression-encoded by the JPEG method and control data relating to the compression-encoding processing. In this embodiment, data indicating the operation mode of the digital camera 201 is also stored in the information field 504. The communication packet shown in FIG. 5 is generated by the wireless interfaces 408 and 409, and the communication packet is wirelessly transmitted between the digital camera 101 and the printer 102.

The printer 102 that has received the communication packet in such a format determines the data content stored in the information field 504 from the data stored in the control field 503 of the communication packet. The data stored in the information field 504 is the digital camera 1
When the data indicates the operation mode of No. 01, the printer controller 417 controls the processing operation of the printer 102 according to the content of the data. Information field 5
If the data stored in 04 is JPEG encoded image data, it is supplied to the data conversion unit 410 or the image processing unit 412.

FIG. 5B shows the structure of a communication packet based on the isochronous transfer method. In FIG. 5, a communication packet includes a header 508 and a CRC 50 for the header.
9, a data part 510, and a CRC 511 for the data part. In this embodiment, the JPEG compressed image data stored in the information field 504 of the communication packet conforming to the IrDA standard is stored in the data section 510 of the communication packet conforming to the IEEE standard.
Communication packets conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard are 13
The data is transferred to a predetermined device on the communication system via the communication port of the 94 interface 411.

Here, devices (for example, PC 103) constituting a communication system conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard.
However, when it is desired to communicate with the digital camera 101 using the communication packet configured as described above, the communication packet is transmitted to the 1394 interface 411 of the printer 102,
Via the data converter 410, the wireless interface 4
09 is input. The data conversion unit 410 converts the data of the data unit 510 supplied from the 1394 interface 411 into a communication packet of the IrDA standard stored in the information field 504. The communication packet of the IrDA standard is modulated by the wireless interface 409 into a signal for infrared communication, and wirelessly transmitted to the digital camera 101. Wireless interface 4 of digital camera 101
09 receives a wirelessly transmitted communication packet and supplies data included in the communication packet to the recording / reproducing unit 404 or the system controller 306.

A configuration ROM shown in FIG. 6 is mounted on the 1394 interface 411 of the printer 102. 1394 interface 41
The unit directory 303 in the configuration ROM included in 1 is configured as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, a first area 601 hierarchically stores control / status information related to the function of the printer 102 itself, control / status information related to a communication protocol that the printer 102 can support, and the like. In the second area 602, devices that can communicate with the wireless interface 409, that is, the digital camera 10
The control / status information related to the first function and the control / status information related to the communication protocol that the digital camera 101 can support can be hierarchically written.

Here, the printer 102 of this embodiment converts image data for display, recording, and printing to IEEE
It supports a plurality of communication protocols for transferring data using communication methods (Isochronous transfer mode and Asynchronous transfer mode) based on the 394 standard. Therefore, the printer 10
2 can transfer image data wirelessly transmitted from the digital camera 101 to a predetermined device on the communication system by using any one of the communication protocols.

The printer 102 uses one of the communication protocols to transmit image data transferred from a predetermined device on the communication system to the digital camera 10.
1 can be transmitted wirelessly. Further, the printer 102
Can print image data transferred from a predetermined device on the communication system by using a communication protocol for transferring image data for printing.

The digital camera 10 shown in FIG.
1 and the operation of the printer 102 will be described.

In the digital camera 101, an image picked up by the image pickup unit 401 is usually converted into a data format suitable for display by the image processing unit 402 and then displayed on the display unit 407. At this time, the user
When the user operates the digital camera 101 to put the digital camera 101 in the recording state, the image captured by the
02 to the encoding / decoding unit 403. The image data supplied to the encoding / decoding unit 403 is JP
The data is compression-encoded using the EG method and recorded on a recording medium (not shown) provided in the recording / reproducing unit 404.

When the user operates the operation unit 405 to put the digital camera 101 in the playback state, the digital camera 1
In step 01, a desired image is read from a recording medium included in the recording / reproducing unit 404. At this time, the desired image is
5 is read by the control unit 406 controlling the recording / reproducing unit 404 based on the user's instruction input to 5.
The encoding / decoding unit 403 performs decompression decoding processing based on the JPEG method on image data reproduced from a recording medium (not shown). The image data after the decompression decoding is converted into a data format suitable for display by the image processing unit 402 and displayed on the display unit 407.

When the user operates the operation unit 405 to start communication with the printer 102 or a predetermined device on the communication system, the digital camera 101 transmits information related to the function of the digital camera 101 to the printer 102 wirelessly. Transmit. The device information wirelessly transmitted from the digital camera 101 is supplied to the printer controller 417 after being received by the wireless interface 409.

The printer controller 417 converts the function information of the digital camera 101 into data conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, and converts the information into the second area 6 in the configuration ROM of the 1394 interface 411.
02 is stored. After storing the function information of the digital camera 101 in the second area 602, the printer controller 4
17 requests the 1394 interface 411 to execute a bus reset.

The 1394 interface 411 sends a signal indicating the start of the bus reset to the communication system, and executes the ID setting of the devices constituting the communication system and the re-recognition of the connection configuration. After the bus reset, the devices on the communication system read the information stored in the first and second areas 601 and 602 of the unit directory 303 of the printer 101, and thereby the functions of the printer 101 and the communication protocol that can be supported. Can be determined.

With such a configuration, the communication system of the present embodiment can recognize the digital camera 101 and the printer 102 as one device, and
The device itself can be recognized as a composite device having a function of a printer and a function of a digital camera.

Thereafter, the digital camera 101 can transfer the reproduced desired image data to the printer 102 or a device (for example, the PC 103) on the communication system. From the recording / reproducing unit 404 to the wireless interface 4
08 is supplied to the printer 102 after being converted into a data format conforming to the IrDA standard while the data is compression-encoded using the JPEG method.
Is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless interface 409.

The wireless interface 40 of the printer 102
The image data received at 9 is supplied to the image processing unit 412 or the data conversion unit 410. At this time, output data from the wireless interface 409 corresponds to data before being input to the wireless interface 408.

When it is desired to transfer image data wirelessly transmitted from the digital camera 101 to each device on the communication system via the printer 102, the printer controller 41
7 controls the power supplied to the 1394 interface 411 and controls it to operate normally. At this time, the printer 102 functions as a network printer.

The printer 102 can communicate with any device constituting the communication system using a predetermined communication protocol. Further, devices on the communication system can also communicate with devices connected to the wireless interface 409 using a predetermined communication protocol.

The image data transmitted from the digital camera 101 is supplied from the wireless interface 409 to the 1394 interface 411 and is packetized into a communication packet based on a communication system conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, for example, an isochronous transfer mode.

The isochronous packet output from the 1394 interface 411 is transferred to all devices on the communication system. At this time, the image data transferred from the 1394 interface 411 is transferred using the isochronous transfer mode, but can be transferred to a specific device using the asynchronous transfer mode.

When the image data wirelessly transmitted from the digital camera 101 is directly printed from the printer 102 without using the PC 103 (that is, a direct printer), the printer controller 417 includes
4 The power supplied to the interface 411 is cut off, and its communication function is disabled. At this time, the 1394 interface of each device on the communication system determines that the printer 102 has been disconnected from the communication system, and automatically recognizes again the configuration of the communication system excluding the printer 102.

The printer 102 itself enables only the communication function of the wireless interface 409 and communicates with a device that can communicate with the wireless interface 409. At this time, the image data transmitted from the digital camera 101 is supplied only to the image processing unit 412.

In the present embodiment, 13
The 94 interface detects insertion / removal of a device constituting the communication system according to a change in a bias voltage supplied on the communication cable. Therefore, when functioning as a direct printer, the printer 102 completely shuts off the power supplied to the 1394 interface 411, and
The configuration is such that all functions relating to communication of the 94 interface 411 are stopped, and the supply of the bias voltage supplied on the communication cable is stopped.

The image processing unit 412 converts the JPEG-compressed image data into a JPEG decoding program file stored in a ROM (not shown) or decoding data transmitted from the digital camera 101 together with the compressed image data. And decrypt it. Image processing unit 41
2 further converts the decoded image data into a data format suitable for printing using the memory 413 and stores it in the memory 413. The image data stored in the memory 413 is sent to the printer head 216 and printed.

When the printer 102 prints data output from a device constituting the communication system (for example, the PC 103), the 1394 interface 411
By supplying the data input from the printer to the image processing unit 412, printing is possible.

The functions of the direct printer or the network printer are set by inputting instructions to the operation units 405 and 416 of the digital camera 101 or the printer 102.

With the above configuration, the communication system of the present embodiment can be recognized as one device even if the device performs communication using a communication method different from that of the communication system, and can be recognized as one device. Data communication can be performed using a communication method.

Further, the communication system of the present embodiment can recognize the printer 102 as a multifunction device having the function of the digital camera 101.

Further, the printer 102
By controlling the power supplied to the 1394 interface, a function as a network printer and a function as a direct printer can be selectively used. Especially when functioning as a direct printer, the printer 102 is not affected by the communication of the communication system,
Rapid data communication becomes possible.

In this embodiment, the image data compressed by using the JPEG method is transferred from the digital camera 101 to the printer 102, and is decoded by the printer 102. The transfer efficiency is better than the transfer. In addition, the decoding process corresponding to the JPEG method can be performed by a configuration in which a JPEG decoding circuit (board) is provided as a hardware decoding process, but it is also possible to perform decoding by software. In this case, even if a decoder is provided in the printer 102 itself, there is no problem in terms of cost, which is convenient for downsizing the circuit configuration. Furthermore, JP
When data that does not need to be subjected to decoding processing corresponding to the EG method is input, a structure in which a decoding circuit is not operated or a through structure may be employed.

A method for switching the function of the printer 102 according to the present embodiment in accordance with the operation mode of the digital camera 101 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a part of the operation unit 405 of the digital camera 101.
Switch 7 for switching between a plurality of operation modes of
01. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication system of this embodiment shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, “OFF” indicates a state in which the power of the main body of the digital camera 101 is turned off, “photographing” indicates a state in which the imaging unit 401 of the digital camera 101 is operating to image a subject, and “reproduction” indicates A state is shown in which captured image data is reproduced from a recording medium (not shown) in response to a user instruction. In the present embodiment, the three operation states are described above.
This is referred to as “normal operation mode”. In this mode, the digital camera 101 does not communicate with an external device.

In the "normal operation mode", the digital camera 101 does not communicate with the printer 102 (step S801). At this time, the printer 102
It functions as a network printer that can communicate only with the communication system except the digital camera 101. Also, the printer 102 activates the functions of the 1394 interface 411 and the wireless interface 409, and
The operation mode of the digital camera 101 is constantly monitored for changes.

Although the printer 102 of this embodiment determines that the printer is in the “normal operation mode” based on the control data transmitted from the digital camera 101, the control data indicating the “normal operation mode” is transmitted to the operation unit of the printer 102. 416
It is also possible to configure so that it can be directly input from.
Further, a timer is provided in the printer 102 to measure the time from the end of the communication with the digital camera 101 and to automatically determine the “normal operation mode” when a predetermined time has elapsed. It is also possible.

The “direct printer” in FIG. 7 is an operation mode in which image data designated by the digital camera 101 is directly communicated with the printer 202 and printed. At this time, the printer 102 is connected to a device on the communication system, for example, the PC 12 connected to the 1394 interface 411.
Do not communicate with 03. In this embodiment, such an operation mode is referred to as a “direct printer mode”. In this mode, the printer 102 prints only the output from the digital camera 101.

When the "direct printer mode" is set, the digital camera 101 transmits control data indicating the "direct printer mode" to the printer 102 (step S802). Since the printer 102 performs data communication only with the digital camera 101, the power supply unit 418
And the 1394 interface 4 of the printer 102
Eleven functions are invalidated (step S803).

After receiving the control data indicating the "direct printer mode", the printer 102 receives the information on the function of the digital camera 101 (step S8).
04). The printer 102 converts the content of the device information into an IE.
After conversion into control / status information conforming to the EE1394 standard, the second
(Step S805).

The information about the digital camera 101 is stored in the second
Of the 1394 interface 4
11 requests a bus reset process to the communication system and executes re-recognition of the connection configuration (step S80).
6). As a result, the communication system automatically recognizes that the printer 102 has been disconnected from the network.

Thereafter, the printer 102 receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the digital camera 101 and supplies the image data to the image processing unit 412 (Step S).
807). The printer 102 prints the image data converted into a printable data format by the image processing unit 412 (step S808).

If the user wants to print another image data of the digital camera 101, the user controls the operation unit 405 of the digital camera 101 to transmit the image data (step S809). Accordingly, the printer 102 can communicate only with the digital camera 101 without being affected by the communication on the communication system, so that the user can preferentially execute the output from the digital camera 101.

In this embodiment, the digital camera 101
The printer 102 is controlled to be a direct printer in accordance with the control data transmitted from the
It is also possible to configure so as to control according to the input from the control unit 6.

In the case of “PC import” in FIG. 7, the captured image data designated by the digital camera 101 is
, An operation mode in which the data is transferred to the PC 103 on the communication system via the PC. In the present embodiment, such an operation mode is called a “network mode”. In this case, the printer 1
Reference numeral 02 functions as a network printer that prints information data output from devices on the communication system including the digital camera 101.

When the changeover switch 701 selects "PC import", the digital camera 101 transmits control data indicating the operation mode (step S810).
The printer 102 controls the power supply unit 418 to perform data communication with the communication system including the digital camera 101, and controls the 1394 interface 41 of the printer 102.
The first function is enabled (step S811).

After receiving the control data indicating the “network mode”, the printer 102
1 (step S81).
2). The printer 102 transmits the content of the device information to the IEEE
After being converted into control / status information conforming to the E1394 standard, it is stored in the second area 602 of the unit directory 303 (step S813).

The information on the digital camera 101 is stored in the second
Of the 1394 interface 4
11 requests a bus reset process to the communication system and executes re-recognition of the connection configuration (step S81).
4). Accordingly, the communication system can recognize the printer 102 as a multifunction device having the function of the digital camera 101.

When the image data of the digital camera 101 of this embodiment is to be transferred to the PC 103, the printer 102
After receiving the compressed image data wirelessly transmitted from the digital camera 101, the
After converting to a communication packet based on the s transfer method,
103 (steps S815 and S816).

The PC 103 receives a communication packet transferred based on the isochronous transfer method, stores compressed image data included in the communication packet, and performs image processing such as editing and processing. When the user wants to transfer still another image data to the PC 103, the user needs to use the digital camera 1
The control unit 405 controls the operation unit 405 to transmit the image data (step S817).

In the present embodiment, it is also possible to select and designate an image captured by the digital camera 101 by transmitting a control command for controlling the digital camera 101 from the PC 103.

Further, the 1394 interface 4 of the present embodiment
Reference numeral 11 denotes packetizing image data transmitted from the digital camera 101 into a communication packet based on the isochronous transfer method.
It is also possible to packetize a communication packet based on the ronous transfer method.

In the "network print mode" of this embodiment, the PC 103 is selected as a communication destination, but any device may be used as long as it is a device on the communication system.

Further, in this embodiment, the digital camera 10
Although the printer 102 is controlled to be a network printer according to the control data transmitted from the control unit 1, the printer 102 may be configured to be controlled according to an input from the operation unit 416.

With this configuration, the functions of the printer 102 can be controlled in accordance with the operation mode of the digital camera 101, and an optimal network configuration for the digital camera 101 and the printer 102 can be realized. That is, when the digital camera 101 enters the “normal operation mode” (power OFF state, shooting state, playback state) or “network mode”, the printer 102
Can function as a network printer. When the digital camera 101 is in the direct printer mode, the printer 102 can function as a direct printer.

With the above configuration, the digital camera 101 can be connected to a communication system conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard without having a 1394 interface.

Further, the communication system of the present embodiment can recognize the printer 102 as a multifunction device having the function of the digital camera 101. Thereby, the digital camera 101 can transmit the captured image data to a predetermined device or all devices on the communication system. Further, the digital camera 101 can be controlled from each device on the communication system.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, the function of a device corresponding to a communication system of a standard different from the communication system conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard is changed to the function of a device constituting the communication system. It can be recognized as one of the functions.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, a device having a plurality of communication interfaces disables communication with a device other than the external device in accordance with the operation state of the predetermined external device. Thus, quick data communication can be performed without being affected by communication with other devices.

It should be noted that the present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features.

It should be noted that the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

The communication system shown in this embodiment is based on IEEE
It is configured with a communication interface conforming to the 1394 standard, but is not limited thereto. IEEE13
For example, if the system can automatically recognize the setting of the ID information of the devices constituting the communication system and the connection configuration of the communication system as in the U.S. 94 standard, for example, USB (Un
(iversal Serial Bus) standard.

In the communication system shown in this embodiment, the processing operation of each device can be realized by software. For example, a storage medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the present embodiment is recorded may be supplied to a control unit (including a microcomputer) included in the system or apparatus of the present embodiment. And
A control unit included in the system or apparatus of the present embodiment reads out the program code stored in the recording medium and controls the operation of the system or apparatus so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment. Can also achieve the embodiments of the present invention.

For example, a program code for realizing the processing and functions shown in FIG. 8 of this embodiment is stored in the memory of the printer controller 417 shown in FIG. Then, the printer controller 417 itself reads out the program code, and implements the function of each embodiment.
Each processing circuit of the printer 102 shown in FIG. 4 may be operated.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code is a part of the components of the present invention. .

As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

An OS (operating system) or application software running on the control unit controls the operation of the system or apparatus of the present embodiment based on instructions of a program code read from a recording medium. Needless to say, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized is also included in the present invention.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit connected to the control unit,
The control unit of the function expansion board or the function expansion unit controls the operation of the system or apparatus of the present embodiment based on the instructions of the program code, so that the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized. Needless to say, it is included in the invention.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely examples in every aspect, and should not be construed as limiting.

[0120]

As described above, according to the present invention, the function of a device corresponding to a communication system of a standard different from that of a communication system can be recognized as one of the functions of a device constituting the communication system. it can.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, a device having a plurality of communication interfaces invalidates communication with a device other than the external device according to the operation state of the predetermined external device. Thus, quick data communication can be performed without being affected by communication with other devices.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an address space of a communication system conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a configuration ROM provided in a 1394 interface.

FIG. 4 illustrates a digital camera 101 and a printer 1 according to the embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication packet communicated between communication interfaces according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a unit directory in a configuration ROM.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a part of an operation unit 405 provided in the digital camera 101 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional communication system.

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A data communication apparatus comprising: a first communication unit corresponding to a first communication system; and a second communication unit corresponding to a second communication system different from the first communication system. A data communication device for resetting information on the data communication device used in the first communication means according to a connection state of the second communication means. 2. The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit adds information on a device that communicates with the second communication unit to information on the data communication device itself. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second
A data communication apparatus characterized in that information about a device that communicates with the communication means and information about the data communication apparatus itself are stored in different areas of a predetermined memory space. 4. The data communication according to claim 1, wherein the first communication means sets ID information indicating the data communication device based on the first communication method. apparatus. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device that communicates with the first communication unit can communicate with the first communication unit by using ID information indicating the data communication device. A data communication device for communicating with a device. 6. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first communication means performs communication via a wired transmission path, and the second communication means performs communication via a wireless transmission path. A data communication device, characterized in that: 7. The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the data communication device converts information data communicated based on the second communication system into information capable of communicating based on the first communication system. A data communication device for converting data into data. 8. The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the information data is image data. 9. The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first communication method is a communication method conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard. 10. The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the second communication method is a communication method conforming to the IrDA standard. 11. The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the data communication device is a printer including printing means for printing the image data received by the first and second communication means. Data communication device. 12. The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the data communication device disables a function of the first communication unit according to an operation state of a device that communicates with the second communication unit. A data communication device, characterized in that: 13. A data communication device connectable to a communication system constituted by a plurality of devices corresponding to a common communication system, comprising: a communication unit corresponding to a predetermined communication system different from the common communication system; A data communication device comprising: a control unit that causes each device constituting the communication system to recognize a function of a device that can communicate with the communication unit as a function of the data communication device. 14. An apparatus comprising: a first communication unit corresponding to a first communication system; and a second communication unit corresponding to a second communication system different from the first communication system. A data communication method, wherein information on the device used in the first communication unit is reset according to a connection state of the second communication unit. 15. A data communication method applicable to a communication system constituted by a plurality of devices corresponding to a common communication system, wherein communication is performed with a predetermined device based on a communication system different from the common communication system. A data communication method for causing a device included in the communication system to recognize a function of the predetermined device as a function of a device performing communication based on the different communication scheme. 16. A data communication system comprising: a first communication device corresponding to a first communication method; and a second communication device corresponding to a second communication method different from the first communication method, A data communication system, wherein information on the first communication device is reset according to a connection state between the first communication device and the second communication device. 17. A communication system configured by a plurality of devices corresponding to a common communication method, a communication device corresponding to a communication method different from the common communication method, and a function provided by the communication device, A data communication system comprising a communication device and a device that allows a device constituting the communication system to recognize the function of the device capable of communicating with the communication device. 18. A plurality of communication means corresponding to a plurality of communication methods, and each of the plurality of communication means using ID information set based on any one of the plurality of communication methods. A data communication device, comprising: control means for controlling communication between communicable devices. 19. Communication between the plurality of communication devices using a plurality of communication devices corresponding to a plurality of communication methods, and ID information set based on any one of the plurality of communication methods. A data communication system, comprising: a control device for controlling the data communication. 20. An apparatus comprising: a first communication unit corresponding to a first communication system; and a second communication unit corresponding to a second communication system different from the first communication system, A storage medium storing a program for controlling to reset information on the device used in the first communication unit according to a connection state of a second communication unit. 21. A data communication device connectable to a communication system configured by a plurality of devices corresponding to a common communication system, wherein the data communication device communicates with a predetermined device based on a communication system different from the common communication system. A storage medium storing a program that controls a device constituting the communication system to recognize a function of the predetermined device as a function of the data communication device.