Information processing apparatus

An information processing apparatus having a main body which comprises a CPU for executing a program, a memory for storing said program and data, a display for outputting the execution result of said program and an I/O controller for controlling key inputs, and a timer for controlling time, said apparatus comprising:

• a host module for carrying out communication operation as a host of a network;
• a first communication path connected to said host module;
• a device module for carrying out communication operation as a device of a network;
• a second communication path connected to said device module;
• a controller unit for monitoring an electric potential of signal lines included in said first communication path;
• and
• a switch unit selecting either one of said first communication path and said second communication path based on a control signal from said controller unit,
• wherein said controller unit generates and outputs to said switch unit the control signal which designates that the information processing apparatus operate as a device when it is detected that the electric potential shows that another apparatus is connected to said network operating as a host and the information processing apparatus is operating as a host, and
• wherein said switch unit selects said second communication path when the information processing apparatus is designated to operate as a device.