Patent ID: 6266711
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A control apparatus in which an external unit is connected to an apparatus main body so as to add a function to said apparatus main body and said external unit is provided outside said apparatus main body, wherein:(i) said external unit comprises program storage means on the external unit side for previously storing thereinto a program used to control operation of a circuit built in said external unit; and(ii) said apparatus main body comprises:program storage means on the main body side for previously storing thereinto a program used to control operation of said external unit;connection detecting means for detecting a connection between said apparatus main body and said external unit;program judging means for judging as to whether or not said program previously stored into said program storage means on the external unit side is identical to said program previously stored into said program storage means on the main body side under such a condition that the connection between said apparatus main body and said external unit is detected by said connection detecting means; andcontrol means for controlling the operation of the circuit employed in said external unit in accordance with the program previously stored in said program storage means on the external unit side in such a case that said program judging means judges that the program previously stored in said program storage means on the external unit side is not identical to the program previously stored in said program storage means on the main body side.