Image processing system, image data processing method, and storage medium

An image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, comprising:

• the communication control step of controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• the step of executing a connection process to a card device via a card interface;
• the card control step of controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• the communication step of sharing device information between said host device and said card device via processes of the card control step and the communication control step;
• and
• the control step of allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by a process of the communication step.

A computer readable storage medium which stores a program module for making a computer implement an image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, said program module comprising:

• a communication control module for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• a connection process module for executing a connection process to a card device via a card interface;
• a card control module for controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• a communication module for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via processes of said card control module and said communication control module;
• and
• a control module for allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by a process of said communication module.

An image processing system built by connecting a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, wherein said device connected to said system comprises:

• communication control means for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• a card interface for connecting a card device;
• card control means for controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• communication means for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via said card control means and said communication control means;
• control means for allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by said communication means;
• and
• detection means for detecting based on the information shared by said communication means if said host device can communicate with said device, and
• when said host device cannot communicate with said device as a result of detection, and when said card device receives a data transmission request from the other device connected to said host device, said control means saves the transmission request as error history information in storage means in said device, and when said host device can communicate with said device later, said communication means sends to said host device a message indicating that the error history information is stored in said device, and sends back the error history information to said host device in response to a request from said host device which received that message.

An image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, comprising:

• the communication control step of controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• the step of executing a connection process to a card device via a card interface;
• the card control step of controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• the communication step of sharing device information between said host device and said card device via processes of the card control step and the communication control step;
• the control step of allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by a process of the communication step;
• and
• the detection step of detecting based on the information shared by the process of the communication step if said host device can communicate with said device, and
• in that in the control step when said host device cannot communicate with said device as a result of detection, and when said card device receives a data transmission request from the other device connected to said host device, the transmission request is saved as error history information in storage means in said device, and in the communication step when said host device can communicate with said device later, a message indicating that the error history information is saved is sent to said host device, and the error history information is sent back to said host device in response to a request from said host device which received that message.

A computer readable storage medium which stores a program module for making a computer implement an image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, said program module comprising:

• a communication control module for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• a connection process module for executing a connection process to a card device via a card interface;
• a card control module for controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• a communication module for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via processes of said card control module and said communication control module;
• a control module for allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by a process of said communication module;
• and
• a detection module for detecting based on the information shared by the process of said communication module if said host device can communicate with said device, and
• in that when said host device cannot communicate with said device as a result of detection, and when said card device receives a data transmission request from the other device connected to said host device, said control module saves the transmission request as error history information in storage means in said device, and when said host device can communicate with said device later, said communication module sends to said host device a message indicating that the error history information is stored in said device, and sends back the error history information to said host device in response to a request from said host device which received that message.

An image processing system built by connecting a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, wherein said device connected to said system comprises:

• communication control means for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• a card interface for connecting a card device;
• card control means for controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• communication means for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via said card control means and said communication control means;
• and
• control means for allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by said communication means, and
• when said device is in a power saving mode upon receiving a processing request from the other device connected via said card device, said control means starts a printer initial operation, and said control means sends the request information to said host device, and
• when a request other than the print request is received, said control means does not start the printer initial mode operation even when said device is in the power saving mode, and said communication means sends the request information to said host device.

An image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, comprising:

• the communication control step of controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• the step of executing a connection process to a card device via a card interface;
• the card control step of controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• the communication step of sharing device information between said host device and said card device via processes of the card control step and the communication control step;
• and
• the control step of allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by a process of the communication step, and
• in that in the communication step when said device is in a power saving mode upon receiving a processing request from the other device connected via said card device, a printer initial operation is started in the control step, and the request information is sent to said host device, and
• in the communication step when a request other than the print request is received, the printer initial mode operation is not started in the control step even when said device is in the power saving mode, and the request information is sent to said host device.

A computer readable storage medium which stores a program module for making a computer implement an image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, said program module comprising:

• a communication control module for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• a connection process module for executing a connection process to a card device via a card interface;
• a card control module for controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• a communication module for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via processes of said card control module and said communication control module;
• and
• a control module for allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by a process of said communication module, and
• in that when said device is in a power saving mode upon receiving a processing request from the other device connected via said card device, said control module starts a printer initial operation, and said control module sends the request information to said host device, and
• when a request other than the print request is received, said control module does not start the printer initial mode operation even when said device is in the power saving mode, and said communication module sends the request information to said host device.

An image processing system built by connecting a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, wherein said device connected to said system comprises:

• communication control means for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• a card interface for connecting a card device;
• card control means for controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• communication means for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via said card control means and said communication control means;
• and
• control means for allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by said communication means,
• said host device comprises:
• recognition means for recognizing a device connected by said communication control means;
• and
• driver detection means for automatically detecting driver software optimal to the device recognized by said recognition means, and
• said card control means checks compatibility between the detected driver software and said card device, and automatically updates a control program of said card device.

An image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, comprising:

• the communication control step of controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• the step of executing a connection process to a card device via a card interface;
• the card control step of controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• the communication step of sharing device information between said host device and said card device via processes of the card control step and the communication control step;
• the control step of allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by a process of the communication step;
• the recognition step of recognizing a device connected by a process of the communication control step;
• and
• the driver detection step of automatically detecting driver software optimal to the device recognized by a process of the recognition step, and
• in that a process of the control step checks compatibility between the detected driver software and said card device, and automatically updates a control program of said card device.

A computer readable storage medium which stores a program module for making a computer implement an image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, said program module comprising:

• a communication control module for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• a connection process module for executing a connection process to a card device via a card interface;
• a card control module for controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• a communication module for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via processes of said card control module and said communication control module;
• a control module for allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by a process of said communication module;
• a recognition module for recognizing a device connected by a process of said communication control module;
• and
• a driver detection module for automatically detecting driver software optimal to the device recognized by a process of said recognition module, and
• in that a process of said control module checks compatibility between the detected driver software and said card device, and automatically updates a control program of said card device.

An image processing system built by connecting a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, wherein said device connected to said system comprises:

• communication control means for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• a card interface for connecting a card device;
• card control means for controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• communication means for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via said card control means and said communication control means;
• control means for allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by said communication means;
• means for detecting a type of device connected to said host device in accordance with the device information shared by said communication means;
• and
• means for selecting and setting a control program that is compatible with the device from storage means in accordance with the detection result, and
• said control means executes the control program, and controls the device to output a processing result.

An image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, comprising:

• the communication control step of controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• the step of executing a connection process to a card device via a card interface;
• the card control step of controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• the communication step of sharing device information between said host device and said card device via processes of the card control step and the communication control step;
• the control step of allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by a process of the communication step;
• the step of detecting a type of device connected to said host device in accordance with the device information shared by the process of the communication step;
• and
• the step of selecting and setting a control program that is compatible with the device from storage means in accordance with the detection result, and
• in that a process of the control step executes the control program, and controls the device to output a processing result.

A computer readable storage medium which stores a program module for making a computer implement an image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, said program module comprising:

• a communication control module for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• a connection process module for executing a connection process to a card device via a card interface;
• a card control module for controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• a communication module for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via processes of said card control module and said communication control module;
• a control module for allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by a process of said communication module;
• a module for detecting a type of device connected to said host device in accordance with the device information shared by the process of said communication module;
• and
• a module for selecting and setting a control program that is compatible with the device from storage means in accordance with the detection result, and
• in that a process of said control module executes the control program, and controls the device to output a processing result.

An image processing system built by connecting a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device which can exchange information such as image data, audio data, and the like with said host device, said device including at least a device comprising a print function, wherein said device connected to said system comprises:

• communication control means for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• communication means for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via said communication control means;
• control means for allowing another device connected to use information shared by said communication means;
• means for detecting a type of device connected to said host device in accordance with the device information shared by said communication means;
• and
• means for selecting and setting a control program that is compatible with the device from storage means in accordance with the detection result, and
• said control means executes the control program, and controls the device to output a processing result.

An image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between devices in an image processing system built by connecting a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device which can exchange information such as image data, audio data, and the like with said host device, said device including at least a device comprising a print function, said method comprising:

• the communication control step of controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• the communication step of sharing device information between said host device and said card device via a process of the communication control step;
• the control step of allowing another device connected to use information shared by a process of the communication step;
• the step of detecting a type of device connected to said host device in accordance with the device information shared by the process of the communication step;
• and
• the step of selecting and setting a control program that is compatible with the device from storage means in accordance with the detection result, and
• in that a process of the control step executes the control program, and controls the device to output a processing result.

A computer readable storage medium which stores a program for making a computer implement an image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between devices in an image processing system built by connecting a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device which can exchange information such as image data, audio data, and the like with said host device, said device including at least a device comprising a print function, said program module comprising:

• a communication control module for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• a communication module for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via a process of said communication control module;
• a control module for allowing another device connected to use information shared by a process of said communication module;
• a module for detecting a type of device connected to said host device in accordance with the device information shared by the process of said communication module;
• and
• a module for selecting and setting a control program that is compatible with the device from storage means in accordance with the detection result, and
• in that a process of said control module executes the control program, and controls the device to output a processing result.

An image processing system built by connecting a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, wherein said device connected to said system comprises:

• communication control means for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• a card interface for connecting a card device;
• card control means for controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• communication means for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via said card control means and said communication control means;
• and
• control means for allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by said communication means, and
• said host device comprises:
• identification means for identifying for all devices connected on the basis of the device information shared by said communication means if the devices are usable;
• and
• suppression control means for, when none of devices which are used upon executing an application program can be used in accordance with an identification result of said identification means, inhibiting the application program from being launched.

An image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, comprising:

• the communication control step of controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• the step of executing a connection process to a card device via a card interface;
• the card control step of controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• the communication step of sharing device information between said host device and said card device via processes of the card control step and the communication control step;
• the control step of allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by a process of the communication step;
• the identification step of identifying for all devices connected on the basis of the device information shared by the process of the communication step if the devices are usable;
• and
• the suppression control step of inhibiting, when none of devices which are used upon executing an application program can be used in accordance with an identification result of a process of the identification step, the application program from being launched.

A computer readable storage medium which stores a program module for making a computer implement an image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device added with a card device function, said program module comprising:

• a communication control module for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• a connection process module for executing a connection process to a card device via a card interface;
• a card control module for controlling a card device which is detachably connectable to said card interface;
• a communication module for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via processes of said card control module and said communication control module;
• a control module for allowing another device connected via said card device to use information shared by a process of said communication module;
• an identification module for identifying for all devices connected on the basis of the device information shared by the process of said communication module if the devices are usable;
• and
• a suppression control module for, when none of devices which are used upon executing an application program can be used in accordance with an identification result of a process of said identification module, inhibiting the application program from being launched.

An image processing system built by connecting a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device which can exchange information such as image data, audio data, and the like with said host device, said device including at least a device comprising a print function, wherein said device connected to said system comprises:

• communication control means for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• communication means for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via said communication control means;
• control means for allowing another device connected to use information shared by said communication means, and
• said host device comprises:
• identification means for identifying for all devices connected on the basis of the device information shared by said communication means if the devices are usable;
• and
• suppression control means for, when none of devices which are used upon executing an application program can be used in accordance with an identification result of said identification means, inhibiting the application program from being launched.

An image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between devices in an image processing system built by connecting a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device which can exchange information such as image data, audio data, and the like with said host device, said device including at least a device comprising a print function, said method comprising:

• the communication control step of controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• the communication step of sharing device information between said host device and said card device via a process of the communication control step;
• the control step of allowing another device connected to use information shared by a process of the communication step;
• the identification step of identifying for all devices connected on the basis of the device information shared by the process of the communication step if the devices are usable;
• and
• the suppression control step of inhibiting, when none of devices which are used upon executing an application program can be used in accordance with an identification result of a process of the identification step, the application program from being launched.

A computer readable storage medium which stores a program for making a computer implement an image data processing method for processing data by exchanging information between devices in an image processing system built by connecting a host device which reads out and executes program data stored in a storage medium, and a device which can exchange information such as image data, audio data, and the like with said host device, said device including at least a device comprising a print function, said program module comprising:

• a communication control module for controlling a communication between said host device and said device;
• a communication module for sharing device information between said host device and said card device via a process of said communication control module;
• a control module for allowing another device connected to use information shared by a process of said communication module;
• an identification module for identifying for all devices connected on the basis of the device information shared by the process of said communication module if the devices are usable;
• and
• a suppression control module for, when none of devices which are used upon executing an application program can be used in accordance with an identification result of a process of said identification module, inhibiting the application program from being launched.