The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 21, 2004
Filed:
Jul. 19, 2001
Toshihiko Yokoyama, Kanagawa, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
Controlling each of a plurality of serially connected electronic apparatuses without increasing the number of signal lines is provided. In an electronic apparatus, from among a plurality of electronic apparatuses serially connected to a computer, a control command signal and first and second control signals can be transmitted/received, and the transmission/reception of the control command signal is integrally controlled. The electronic apparatus provides the first control signal. The provided first control signal is output to an electronic apparatus to be connected at an immediately preceding stage of connection via a second input/output unit to be connected to that electronic apparatus. It is then determined whether or not the second control signal has been input in response to the output of the first control signal. When it has been determined that the second control signal has not been input, the computer is notified that the concerned electronic apparatus is at a last stage of connection via a first input/output unit to be connected to an electronic apparatus provided at an immediately preceding stage of connection.