Network connection apparatus and network system using this
US7076550B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/28
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A scanner (1) and a printer (2) each comprise a network interface unit (11/21) for transferring data with a network (7), an apparatus information interpretation unit (12/22) for interpreting information from other apparatuses, an apparatus information updating unit (13/23) for updating apparatus information based on this interpretation, and a functional information storing unit (14/24) for storing in advance functional information of its own apparatus. For example, when a new printer (2) is connected to a network (7) to which a scanner (1) is already connected, the printer (2) broadcasts functional information of its own apparatus stored in the function storing unit (14) by means of the network interface unit (21). The scanner (1) recognizes that a new apparatus has been connected and the functions of the new apparatus through the apparatus information interpretation unit (12) that interprets this information.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.