Communication scheme for imaging systems including printers with intelligent options
US6614545B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K15/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A print system comprises a printer including a printer controller. One or more optional support devices are associated with the printer, wherein each optional support device includes a device controller. The system further includes a bi-directional serial communications path, including one or more trunklines, which provides serial electrical interconnection between the printer controller and each device controller of each optional support device of the system. The printer controller automatically assigns a unique device address to each optional support device. Each optional support device further includes logic circuitry which, based upon a command of the printer controller, enables passage of information generated by the printer controller through a first optional support device to a next electrically serially connected optional support device following an assignment of a first device address to the first optional support device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.