Printing system for controlling limiting a reception of command packets other than a transmit data command upon receiving the transmit data command for receiving printing data

A printing method comprising:

• a step of receiving printing data contained in a packet conforming to the IEEE 1394 Standards from outside;
• a step of outputting a response packet in response to the command packet conforming to the IEEE 1394 Standards received by it from outside;
• and
• a step of controlling the operation mode of the printing control section for controlling the printing operation using printing data and/or the operation mode of the input/output section;
• said controlling step being adapted to controlling said input/output section so as to make it operate in a command packet reception mode of receiving command packets upon receiving an add printing command from outside and limiting the reception of command packets other than the one containing said transmit data command upon receiving a transmit data command for receiving printing data.

A printing control device comprising:

• an image processor for generating printing data for printing operations;
• a data interface for outputting a command for controlling the operation mode of a printing apparatus for carrying out a printing operation by using printing data generated by said image processor, said command being contained in a packet conforming to the IEEE 1394 Standards;
• and
• a controller for monitoring the operation mode of said printing apparatus and generating a command to be output to said printing apparatus from said data interface;
• said controller controlling said processing apparatus so as to operate in a command receive mode for receiving commands by outputting an add printing command for making said printing apparatus carry out a printing operation from said data interface and in a command limit mode for limiting the reception of command packets other than the one containing said transmit data command by outputting a transmit data command for receiving input data from said data interface.

A printing control method adapted to:

• generating a printing data to be used for a printing operation;
• outputting a command for controlling the operation mode of a printing apparatus for carrying out a printing operation using said generated printing data, said command being contained in a packet conforming to the IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 Standards;
• and
• controlling said printing apparatus so as to output an add printing command to said printing apparatus in order to making said printing apparatus carry out a printing operation and bring said printing apparatus into a command limiting mode for limiting the reception of command packets other than the one containing a data transmission command by outputting said data transmission command for receiving a printing data to said printing apparatus.

A printing system comprising:

• a printing control device including:
• an image processing means for generating printing data to be used for printing;
• a first input/output means adapted to outputting a command for controlling the operation mode of the printing apparatus for printing, using the printing data generated by said image processing means, said command being contained in a packet conforming to the IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 Standards;
• and
• a first controller for monitoring the operation of said printing apparatus and generating the command to be output from said input/output means to said printing apparatus;
• and
• a printing apparatus including:
• a printing means for printing, using the printing data from said printing control device;
• a second input means adapted to inputting printing data contained in a packet conforming to the IEEE 1394 Standards and outputting a response packed in response to said command packet conforming to the the IEEE 1394 Standards from said printing control device;
• and
• a second controller for controlling the operation mode or said printing means and/or said second input/output means;
• said first controller being adapted to controlling said second input/output means so as to make it operate in a command receive mode for outputting an add printing command for making said printing apparatus carry out a printing operation from said first input/output means to said second input/output and receiving a command packet and in a command limit mode for outputting a transmit data command for receiving printing data from said first input/output means to said printing apparatus and limiting the reception of command packets other than the one containing said transmit data command.