JP2006092043A - Data transfer device and data transfer method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data transfer method capable of being connected to external devices of plural kinds of interface specifications. <P>SOLUTION: An interface converting device 10 interposed between an image processor 50 for inputting and outputting data with an external device 70 through a connector 60 corresponding to predetermined interface specifications and the external device 70 is provided with a connector 17 to be connected to a connector 60 of the image processor 50 corresponding to the predetermined interface specifications and first connectors 16A to third connector 16C corresponding to interface specifications which are different from the predetermined interface specifications. In a state that the image processor 50 is connected to the connector 17, and that the external device 70 is connected to at least one of the first connector 16A to the third connector 16C, conversion related with the data is performed between the connected image processor 50 and external device 70 so that at least one of the input and output of the data related with the image processor can be attained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a data transfer apparatus and a data transfer method, and in particular, has an external connection unit corresponding to a predetermined interface standard and performs predetermined processing such as image processing with an external device via the external connection unit. The present invention relates to a data transfer apparatus interposed between an information processing apparatus that performs at least one of data input and output, and the external apparatus, and a data transfer method in the data transfer apparatus.

  Image processing apparatuses such as digital multi-function peripherals, printers, and scanners usually include an external device interface unit that supports a predetermined interface standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or Ethernet (registered trademark). ing.

  Here, as an example, in the case of a high-function device or a high-priced device such as the image processing device 60A shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of interface standards (in the figure, three types of IEEE1284, USB, and Ethernet (registered trademark)). Can be implemented, but as an example, the image processing device 60B shown in FIG. 10 is limited to the size and processing capacity of the device, such as in the case of a low-priced machine or a small machine. When there is, there is only one interface standard (USB in the figure), it is not possible to mount an external device interface unit corresponding to a plurality of interface standards, or it can correspond to a high-speed interface standard In many cases, there was no ability. For this reason, in such an image processing apparatus, only an external apparatus compatible with the interface standard that it supports can be connected.

  Therefore, as a technique that can be applied to solve this problem, there has conventionally been a technique in which a data transfer device is interposed between two devices, and interface conversion between the two devices is performed by the data transfer device (for example, , Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3.)

By applying this technique, the image processing apparatus can be connected to an external apparatus that supports a standard other than the interface standard that it supports.
JP-A-3-241417 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-6615 JP 2003-6147 A

  However, the conventional technique has a problem that only one type of interface standard can be handled because it has only one-to-one connection capability for the two devices.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is a data transfer capable of connecting an external device of a plurality of types of interface standards other than the interface standard supported by the image processing device to the image processing device. Providing a device and a data transfer method, and connecting a second external device of a plurality of types of interface standards other than the interface standard supported by the first external device that executes a predetermined process to the first external device It is an object of the present invention to provide a data transfer device that can do the above.

  In order to achieve the above object, a data transfer apparatus according to claim 1 includes an external connection unit corresponding to a predetermined interface standard, and transmits data relating to image processing between the external apparatus via the external connection unit. A data transfer apparatus interposed between an image processing apparatus that performs at least one of input and output and the external apparatus, and corresponds to the predetermined interface standard and is connected to the external connection unit of the image processing apparatus The first connection means, a plurality of second connection means each corresponding to an interface standard different from the predetermined interface standard, the image processing apparatus is connected to the first connection means, and the plurality of second connection means In a state where the external device is connected to at least one of the connection means, the image processing-related data is connected between the connected image processing device and the external device. And a, a data converting means for converting related to the data as at least one of the input and output of data becomes possible.

  The data transfer apparatus according to claim 1, corresponding to a predetermined interface standard supported by an external connection unit provided in the image processing apparatus, and a first connection unit connected to the external connection unit, A plurality of second connection means corresponding to an interface standard different from the predetermined interface standard is provided. Note that the image processing apparatus includes all apparatuses that perform image processing, such as a printer, a scanner, and a digital multifunction peripheral. The interface standards include all interface standards related to data communication such as USB, Ethernet (registered trademark), IEEE1284, IEEE1394.

  Here, in the present invention, the data conversion means is connected in a state where the image processing apparatus is connected to the first connection means and an external device is connected to at least one of the plurality of second connection means. Conversion related to the data is performed so that at least one of input and output of data related to the image processing can be performed between the image processing apparatus and the external apparatus.

  As described above, according to the data transfer device of the first aspect, the external connection unit corresponding to the predetermined interface standard is provided, and the data input and output related to the image processing is performed with the external device via the external connection unit. A data transfer apparatus interposed between the image processing apparatus that performs at least one of the above and the external apparatus corresponds to the predetermined interface standard and is connected to the external connection unit of the image processing apparatus. And a plurality of second connection means each corresponding to an interface standard different from the predetermined interface standard, the image processing apparatus is connected to the first connection means, and the plurality of second connection means are provided. 2 In the state where the external device is connected to at least one of the connection means, the image processing is performed between the connected image processing device and the external device. Conversion is performed so that at least one of data input and output can be performed. Therefore, an external device having a plurality of types of interface standards other than the interface standard supported by the image processing apparatus is used as the image processing apparatus. Can be connected.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the data conversion means, when the data related to the image processing is input from the external device to the image processing device, as described in the second aspect of the invention, When the data related to the image processing is output from the image processing apparatus to the external apparatus, the data corresponds to the interface standard corresponding to the second connection means to which the external apparatus is connected. It can be converted to a state.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the third aspect of the present invention, storage means for storing device information relating to the image processing device in advance and request data for requesting presentation of the device information from the second connection means are input. And a device information presentation unit that reads out the device information from the storage unit and outputs the device information to an external device connected to the second connection unit.

  The storage means includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), a semiconductor storage element such as a flash EEPROM (Flash EEPROM), smart media (SmartMedia (registered trademark)), xD. Picture card (xD-Picture Card), compact flash (CompactFlash), ATA (AT Attachment) card, micro drive, floppy disk, CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable), CD-RW (Compact Disc-ReWritable), optical Examples include a portable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a fixed recording medium such as a hard disk, or an external storage device provided in a server computer connected to a network.

  In particular, the invention described in claim 3 outputs request data for requesting presentation of the device information to the image processing device at a predetermined timing, as in the invention described in claim 4, and in response to the request data, Device information storage means for storing device information input from the image processing device in the storage means may be further provided.

  Further, in the invention described in claim 3 or 4, as in the invention described in claim 5, the device information includes the specification information for specifying the image processing device and the state of the image processing device. It may be at least one of the state information shown.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 6, the plurality of interface standards corresponding to the plurality of second connection means may include different interface standards, and the present invention further includes: As in the invention described in claim 7, the plurality of interface standards corresponding to the plurality of second connection means may include the same interface standards having different communication speeds.

  On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the data transfer device according to claim 8 has an external connection unit corresponding to a predetermined interface standard and is connected to the second external device via the external connection unit. A data transfer device interposed between the first external device that performs at least one of data input and output related to predetermined processing executed by itself and the second external device, the predetermined interface A first connection unit corresponding to the standard and connected to the external connection unit of the first external device; a plurality of second connection units each corresponding to an interface standard different from the predetermined interface standard; The first external device is connected to one connection means, and the second external device is connected to at least one of the plurality of second connection means. And a, a data converting means for converting related to the data as the predetermined at least one of the input and output of data relating to processing is possible between the first external device and a second external device.

  The data transfer device according to claim 8 is connected to the external connection unit corresponding to a predetermined interface standard supported by the external connection unit provided in the first external device that executes the predetermined process. First connection means and a plurality of second connection means each corresponding to an interface standard different from the predetermined interface standard. The first external device includes any information processing device that performs predetermined processing, such as a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant, personal digital assistant), a digital camera, a tablet, and an ICE (In-Circuit Emulator). included. The interface standards include all interface standards related to data communication such as USB, Ethernet (registered trademark), IEEE1284, IEEE1394.

  Here, in the present invention, the first external device is connected to the first connection means by the data conversion means, and the second external device is connected to at least one of the plurality of second connection means. In this state, the conversion related to the data is performed so that at least one of the input and the output of the data related to the predetermined processing can be performed between the connected first external device and the second external device.

  As described above, according to the data transfer device of the eighth aspect, the external device having the external connection unit corresponding to the predetermined interface standard is executed by itself with the second external device via the external connection unit. Corresponding to the predetermined interface standard for a data transfer device interposed between the first external device that performs at least one of input and output of data related to predetermined processing and the second external device, A first connection unit connected to the external connection unit of the first external device; and a plurality of second connection units each corresponding to an interface standard different from the predetermined interface standard. In the state where the first external device is connected to the connection means and the second external device is connected to at least one of the plurality of second connection means, the connected first device Since the conversion related to the data is performed so that at least one of the input and output of the data related to the predetermined processing can be performed between the external device and the second external device, the first external device corresponds to the conversion. A second external device having a plurality of types of interface standards other than the existing interface standard can be connected to the first external device.

  On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a data transfer method according to claim 9 has an external connection unit corresponding to a predetermined interface standard and relates to image processing with an external device via the external connection unit. A data transfer method in a data transfer apparatus interposed between an image processing apparatus that performs at least one of data input and output and the external apparatus, the data transfer method corresponding to the predetermined interface standard, A first connection means connected to the external connection means and a plurality of second connection means each corresponding to an interface standard different from the predetermined interface standard are provided in the data transfer device, and the first connection means In a state where the image processing apparatus is connected and an external apparatus is connected to at least one of the plurality of second connection means. And performs a conversion related to the data as at least one of the input and output of data relating to the image processing is possible with the image processing apparatus and an external device.

  Therefore, according to the data transfer method of the ninth aspect, since it operates in the same manner as the first aspect of the invention, the interface standard supported by the image processing apparatus is the same as the first aspect of the invention. External devices of a plurality of types of interface standards other than the above can be connected to the image processing apparatus.

  As described above, according to the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 7 and the invention described in claim 9, the external connection means corresponding to a predetermined interface standard is provided and the external connection is performed. The predetermined interface standard for an image processing apparatus that performs at least one of input and output of data relating to image processing with an external apparatus via a means and a data transfer apparatus interposed between the external apparatus Corresponding to the external connection means of the image processing apparatus, and a plurality of second connection means each corresponding to an interface standard different from the predetermined interface standard, Connected images in a state where the image processing apparatus is connected to the first connecting means and an external device is connected to at least one of the plurality of second connecting means. Since the conversion related to the data is performed so that at least one of the input and output of the data related to the image processing can be performed between the processing device and the external device, a plurality of other than the interface standards supported by the image processing device An excellent effect is obtained that an external apparatus of various interface standards can be connected to the image processing apparatus.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an external connection unit corresponding to a predetermined interface standard, and a predetermined process executed by itself with the second external device via the external connection unit. For the data transfer device interposed between the first external device that performs at least one of data input and output and the second external device, the first interface device corresponds to the predetermined interface standard, and The first connection means connected to the external connection means of the external device, and a plurality of second connection means each corresponding to an interface standard different from the predetermined interface standard, and the first connection means In a state where the first external device is connected and the second external device is connected to at least one of the plurality of second connection means, the connected first external device and the second external device are connected. Since the conversion related to the data is performed so that at least one of the input and output of the data related to the predetermined processing can be performed with the external device, a plurality of data other than the interface standard supported by the first external device An excellent effect is obtained in that a second external device of various interface standards can be connected to the first external device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, an overall system configuration using the interface conversion apparatus 10 as a data transfer apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the interface conversion apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is connected between an image processing apparatus 50 configured as a digital multifunction peripheral and an external apparatus 70 configured as a personal computer.

  The image processing apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment accommodates an image input unit 52 that optically reads an image of a document placed on a document placement table (not shown), and recording sheets of a plurality of types of sizes. An image output unit 54 that records a toner image on a sheet of a specified size, and an image input unit 52 and an image output unit 54 that are connected to the image output unit 54 and perform image processing relating to the operation of these units. .

  Further, the image processing apparatus 50 includes a connector 60 provided outside the apparatus, and an external apparatus interface unit (hereinafter referred to as “the external device interface unit”) connected between the connector 60 and the image processing unit 56 and corresponding to a predetermined interface standard. "External device I / F section") 58. In the external device I / F unit 58 according to the present embodiment, USB that employs 12 Mbps (full speed mode) as the data transfer rate is employed as the interface standard. Therefore, the connector 60 is also compatible with USB.

  Note that the image processing apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment, in response to input of request data from the outside via the external apparatus I / F unit 58, converts the apparatus information requested by the request data into the external apparatus I / F. A function of outputting via the F unit 58 is provided. Here, in the image processing apparatus 50, as the apparatus information, for example, specification information for specifying the apparatus such as a model name, an ID number, a serial number, and the like, and a paper size supported by the image output unit 54, for example. Status information indicating the status of the apparatus, such as the type of paper, the remaining amount of paper, and the remaining amount of toner.

  On the other hand, the interface conversion apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment corresponds to the interface standard (here, USB (full speed mode)) adopted by the image processing apparatus 50, and is connected to the connector 60 of the image processing apparatus 50. And a plurality of (in this case, three) first connector 16A to third connector 16C corresponding to a plurality of interface standards different from the interface standards employed by the image processing apparatus 50, respectively. It has been. In the interface conversion apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, IEEE1284, USB (high speed mode (data transfer rate: 480 Mbps)), and Ethernet (registered trademark) (data transfer rate :) are used as the plurality of interface standards. 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps) is employed. Accordingly, the first connector 16A corresponds to IEEE1284, the second connector 16B corresponds to USB, and the third connector 16C corresponds to Ethernet (registered trademark).

  Therefore, the interface conversion apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an external apparatus corresponding to any one of IEEE1284, USB (high speed mode), and Ethernet (registered trademark) (10 Mbps or 100 Mbps) as an interface standard. Can be connected.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the principal part structure of the interface converter 10 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  As shown in the figure, the interface conversion device 10 temporarily stores a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that controls the operation of the entire device and data input from an external device or an image processing device 50 that is mainly connected. A first memory 12, a second memory 13 mainly storing the device information, an external device interface unit (hereinafter referred to as "external device I / F unit") 14 corresponding to the plurality of interface standards, and an image. And an image processing device interface unit (hereinafter referred to as “image processing device I / F unit”) 15 corresponding to the same interface standard adopted by the processing device 50.

  Here, the external device I / F unit 14 is connected to the first connector 16A, the second connector 16B, and the third connector 16C, and the connectors of the first connector 16A to the third connector 16C are controlled by the CPU 11. The data can be input via the corresponding connector with the protocol corresponding to the interface standard that is compatible with, and the input data can be stored in the first memory 12, while the image processing apparatus I / F unit 15 The data stored in the first memory 12 is read by the external device via the corresponding connector according to the interface standard corresponding to each connector of the first connector 16A to the third connector 16C. Can be output.

  The image processing device I / F unit 15 is connected to the connector 17, and the image processing device 50 corresponds to the data stored in the first memory 12 by the external device I / F unit 14 under the control of the CPU 11. The data can be output to the image processing apparatus 50 with a protocol according to the interface standard being used, and the data can be input and input via the connector 17 with the protocol according to the interface standard supported by the image processing apparatus 50. The stored data can be stored in the first memory 12.

  The CPU 11, the first memory 12, the second memory 13, the external device I / F unit 14, and the image processing device I / F unit 15 are connected to each other via a bus BUS. Therefore, the CPU 11 controls access to the first memory 12 and the second memory 13, exchanges various data with the external device via the external device I / F unit 14, and controls the operation of the external device I / F unit 14. And exchange of various data with the image processing apparatus 50 via the image processing apparatus I / F unit 15 and control of the operation of the image processing apparatus I / F unit 15 can be performed. In the interface conversion apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, a relatively large-capacity SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) is applied as the first memory 12, and a nonvolatile flash memory is applied as the second memory 13.

  Next, the operation of the interface conversion apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, with reference to FIG. 3, the operation of the interface conversion apparatus 10 at the time of executing a device information update process, which is a process for updating the device information stored in the second memory 13, will be described. Note that FIG. 3 shows the interface conversion apparatus 10 at a predetermined timing (in this embodiment, at a predetermined time interval (here, every 10 seconds) during a period in which the power supply of the interface conversion apparatus 10 is on). 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a device information update processing program executed by the CPU 11, and the program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the second memory 13. Here, a case where the image processing apparatus 50 is connected to the interface conversion apparatus 10 will be described.

  In step 100 of FIG. 9, request data for requesting device information is output to the image processing device 50.

  When the image processing apparatus 50 receives the request data, it outputs its own apparatus information as described above. Therefore, in the next step 102, it waits for input of the apparatus information.

  In the next step 104, the device information input from the image processing device 50 is stored (updated) in a predetermined area of the second memory 13, and then the device information update processing program is terminated.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows device information stored (updated) in a predetermined area of the second memory 13 by executing the above-described device information update processing program. As shown in the figure, by executing the device information update processing program, specific information such as model name, ID number, serial number, and status information such as paper size type, paper remaining amount, and toner remaining amount are Updated to the latest.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the operation of the interface conversion apparatus 10 when some data is input from an external device connected to at least one of the first connector 16A to the third connector 16C will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the input data transfer processing program executed by the CPU 11 of the interface conversion apparatus 10 at this time, and the program is also stored in a predetermined area of the second memory 13 in advance. .

  In step 200 in the figure, it is determined whether or not the input data is request data for requesting any information included in the device information. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 202 and the request data Is read from the second memory 13, and in the next step 204, the read device information is output to the requesting external device, and then the input data transfer processing program is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 200 is negative, the process proceeds to step 206, and it is determined whether the data input source is the first connector 16A. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 208.

  In step 208, the external device is configured to sequentially input data using a protocol corresponding to the interface standard (in this case, IEEE1284) supported by the first connector 16A and store the input data in the first memory 12. The I / F unit 14 is controlled, and the process proceeds to step 218 when input and storage of all data are completed.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 206 is negative, the process proceeds to step 210, and it is determined whether the data input source is the second connector 16B. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 212.

  In step 212, data is input using a protocol corresponding to the interface standard (here, USB (high speed mode)) supported by the second connector 16B, and the input data is stored in the first memory 12. The external device I / F unit 14 is controlled so as to sequentially perform the operations, and the process proceeds to step 218 when the input and storage of all data are completed.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 210 is negative, the process proceeds to step 214, and it is determined whether the data input source is the third connector 16C. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 216.

  In step 216, data is input using a protocol corresponding to the interface standard (here, Ethernet (registered trademark) (10 Mbps or 100 Mbps)) supported by the third connector 16C, and the input data is input to the first memory 12. The external device I / F unit 14 is controlled so as to sequentially store, and the process proceeds to step 218 when the input and storage of all the data are completed.

  If the determination in step 214 is negative, it is assumed that the determination that the data has been input is an erroneous determination for some reason, and the input data transfer processing program is terminated.

  In step 218, the data stored in the first memory 12 by any one of the processing of step 208, step 212, and step 216 is converted to the interface standard (here, USB (full speed) corresponding to the image processing apparatus 50. The image processing apparatus I / F unit 15 is controlled to perform processing to be output to the image processing apparatus 50 with a protocol according to the mode)), and when the transmission of all data is completed, the input data transfer processing program is executed. finish.

  Next, the operation of the interface conversion apparatus 10 when some data is input from the image processing apparatus 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the output data transfer processing program executed by the CPU 11 of the interface conversion device 10 at this time, and the program is also stored in a predetermined area of the second memory 13 in advance.

  In step 300 of the figure, data is input using a protocol according to the interface standard (here, USB (full speed mode)) supported by the image processing apparatus 50, and the first memory 12 of the input data is input. The image processing apparatus I / F unit 15 is controlled so as to sequentially store data, and the process proceeds to step 302 when input and storage of all data are completed.

  In step 302, the connector to which the external device is connected at this time is detected. In the next step 304, it is determined whether or not the detected connector is the first connector 16A. Control goes to step 306.

  In step 306, the data stored in the first memory 12 by the process of step 300 is read out, and the read data is read out by the protocol according to the interface standard (here, IEEE1284) supported by the first connector 16A. The external device I / F unit 14 is controlled so that the data is output to the output data, and when the output of all data is completed, the output data transfer processing program is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 304 is negative, the process proceeds to step 308, and it is determined whether the detected connector is the second connector 16B. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 310.

  In step 310, the data stored in the first memory 12 by the processing in step 300 is read out, and the read data is an interface standard that is supported by the second connector 16B (here, USB (high speed mode)). The external device I / F unit 14 is controlled to output to the external device with a protocol according to the above, and when the output of all the data is completed, the output data transfer processing program is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 308, the process proceeds to step 312, and it is determined whether the detected connector is the third connector 16C. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 314.

  In step 314, the data stored in the first memory 12 by the process of step 300 is read out, and the read data is interface standard (here, Ethernet (registered trademark) (10 Mbps or 100 Mbps) supported by the third connector 16C. The external device I / F unit 14 is controlled so as to output to the external device with a protocol according to)), and when the output of all data is completed, this output data transfer processing program is terminated.

  If a negative determination is made in step 312 above, it is assumed that the external device 70 is not normally connected, the process proceeds to step 316, and a buzzer (not shown) is sounded to indicate the occurrence of the error. After this is notified, this output data transfer processing program is terminated.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the external connection means (here, the connector 60) corresponding to a predetermined interface standard (here, USB (full speed mode)) is included and An image processing device that inputs and / or outputs data related to image processing with an external device via an external connection means, and a data transfer device (here, an interface conversion device) interposed between the external device 10), the first connection means (here, the connector 17) that corresponds to the predetermined interface standard and is connected to the external connection means of the image processing apparatus is different from the predetermined interface standard. Interface standards (here, IEEE 1284, USB (High Speed Mode), Ethernet (registered trademark) (1 A plurality of second connection means (here, the first connector 16A to the third connector 16C) corresponding to the first connection means, and the image processing apparatus is connected to the first connection means, and In a state where the external device is connected to at least one of the plurality of second connection means, at least one of data input and output related to the image processing can be performed between the connected image processing device and the external device. Therefore, external devices of a plurality of types of interface standards other than the interface standards supported by the image processing apparatus can be connected to the image processing apparatus.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when data related to the image processing is input from the external device to the image processing device, the data is converted into a state corresponding to the predetermined interface standard, and the image processing related When data is output from the image processing apparatus to the external apparatus, the data is transferred by converting the data into a state corresponding to an interface standard corresponding to the second connection means to which the external apparatus is connected. Therefore, the data transfer can be easily performed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, device information relating to the image processing device is stored in advance in storage means (in this case, the second memory 13), and a request for presentation of the device information is made from the second connection means. When the request data is input, the device information is read from the storage unit and output to the external device connected to the second connection unit, so that the power supply of the image processing apparatus 50 is in an off state. Even when the image processing apparatus 50 is in an energy saving state, the apparatus information can be input to an external apparatus, and convenience can be improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the request data for requesting the presentation of the device information is output to the image processing device at a predetermined timing, and the device information input from the image processing device in response thereto is stored in the memory. Since the information is stored in the means, the device information can be automatically updated, and the convenience can be further improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the apparatus information is specified information for specifying the image processing apparatus and state information indicating the state of the image processing apparatus. Therefore, regardless of the state of the image processing apparatus 50 These pieces of information can be input to an external device.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, different interface standards are included in the plurality of interface standards corresponding to the plurality of second connection means, so that it is possible to support a plurality of types of interface standards.

  In the present embodiment, the case where different interface standards are included in the plurality of interface standards corresponding to the plurality of second connection means has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, The plurality of interface standards supported by the plurality of second connection means may include the same interface standards having different communication speeds.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the interface conversion apparatus 10 in this case. In the example shown in the figure, USB (low speed mode) is adopted as an interface standard supported by the first connector 16A, and USB (high speed mode) is adopted as an interface standard supported by the second connector 16B. It has been adopted. In this case, a plurality of external devices corresponding to the same interface standard having different communication speeds can be supported.

  Further, the plurality of interface standards corresponding to the plurality of second connection means may include a plurality of interface standards having the same communication speed and interface standard.

  FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the interface conversion device 10 in this case. In the example shown in the figure, USB (High Speed Mode) is adopted as the interface standard to which the first connector 16A and the second connector 16B respectively correspond. In this case, both the communication speed and the interface standard can correspond to a plurality of external devices corresponding to the same interface standard.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the apparatus information update processing program (see FIG. 3) is executed every predetermined period has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the interface conversion apparatus 10 It is also possible to execute at the timing when the power source of the system is turned on. Also in this case, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the image processing apparatus 50 configured as a digital multifunction peripheral is applied as the first external apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any information processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing, such as a personal computer, a PDA, a digital camera, a tablet, or an ICE, can be applied. Also in this case, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, the configuration of the interface conversion apparatus 10 described in the present embodiment (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is merely an example, and it is needless to say that the configuration can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  Furthermore, the processing flow (see FIGS. 3, 5, and 6) of the various processing programs described in the present embodiment is also an example, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the output data transfer processing program according to the present embodiment (see FIG. 6), when the external device 70 is connected to the first connector 16A, the data input from the image processing device 50 is not Even when an external device is connected to at least one of the connectors 16B and 16C, the case where data is transferred only to the external device 70 connected to the first connector 16A has been described, but the present invention is limited to this. Instead of this, data may be transferred to all external devices connected to the first connector 16A to the third connector 16C. Also in this case, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the whole system by which the interface converter which concerns on embodiment was used. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the interface converter which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the apparatus information update process program which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the apparatus information memorize | stored in the 2nd memory of the interface converter which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the input data transfer process program which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the output data transfer process program which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the modification of the interface converter which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the other modification of the interface converter which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a problem of a conventional technique, and is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus when it is a high-function device, a high-priced device, or the like. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the problems of the prior art, and is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus when it is a low-priced machine, a small machine, or the like.

Explanation of symbols

10 interface conversion device 11 CPU (data conversion means, device information presentation means, device information storage means)
12 1st memory 13 2nd memory (storage means)
14 External device I / F unit 15 Image processing device I / F unit 16A First connector (second connection means)
16B 2nd connector (2nd connection means)
16C 3rd connector (2nd connection means)
17 Connector (first connection means)
50 Image processing device 60 Connector 70 External device

Claims (9)

An image processing apparatus having an external connection unit corresponding to a predetermined interface standard and performing at least one of input and output of data related to image processing with the external apparatus via the external connection unit, and the external apparatus A data transfer device intervening in
A first connection unit corresponding to the predetermined interface standard and connected to the external connection unit of the image processing apparatus;
A plurality of second connection means each corresponding to an interface standard different from the predetermined interface standard;
In a state where the image processing apparatus is connected to the first connection means and an external apparatus is connected to at least one of the plurality of second connection means, the image processing apparatus is connected between the connected image processing apparatus and the external apparatus. Data conversion means for performing conversion related to the data so that at least one of input and output of data related to image processing is possible;
A data transfer device comprising: The data conversion unit converts the data related to the image processing into a state corresponding to the predetermined interface standard when the data related to the image processing is input from the external device to the image processing device. 2. The data transfer according to claim 1, wherein when the data is output from the processing device to the external device, the data is converted into a state corresponding to an interface standard corresponding to the second connection means to which the external device is connected. apparatus. Storage means for storing device information relating to the image processing device in advance;
When request data for requesting presentation of the device information is input from the second connection unit, the device information is read out from the storage unit and output to an external device connected to the second connection unit When,
The data transfer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Device information storage means for outputting request data requesting presentation of the device information to the image processing device at a predetermined timing, and storing device information input from the image processing device in the storage device in response to the request data; 4. The data transfer apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: The data transfer apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the apparatus information is at least one of identification information for identifying the image processing apparatus and status information indicating a state of the image processing apparatus. 6. The data transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of interface standards corresponding to the plurality of second connection means include different interface standards. The data transfer apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of interface standards to which the plurality of second connection units correspond include the same interface standards having different communication speeds. A first unit which has an external connection unit corresponding to a predetermined interface standard and which inputs and / or outputs data related to a predetermined process executed by itself with the second external device via the external connection unit; A data transfer device interposed between the external device and the second external device,
A first connection means corresponding to the predetermined interface standard and connected to the external connection means of the first external device;
A plurality of second connection means each corresponding to an interface standard different from the predetermined interface standard;
The first external device connected in a state where the first external device is connected to the first connection means and the second external device is connected to at least one of the plurality of second connection means. Data conversion means for performing conversion related to the data so that at least one of input and output of the data related to the predetermined processing is possible between the first external device and the second external device;
A data transfer device comprising: An image processing apparatus having an external connection unit corresponding to a predetermined interface standard and performing at least one of input and output of data related to image processing with the external apparatus via the external connection unit, and the external apparatus A data transfer method in a data transfer device intervening,
A first connection unit corresponding to the predetermined interface standard and connected to the external connection unit of the image processing apparatus; a plurality of second connection units each corresponding to an interface standard different from the predetermined interface standard; Provided in the data transfer device,
In a state where the image processing apparatus is connected to the first connection means and an external apparatus is connected to at least one of the plurality of second connection means, the image processing apparatus is connected between the connected image processing apparatus and the external apparatus. Performing conversion related to the data so that at least one of input and output of the data related to image processing is possible;
Data transfer method.

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