Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a system where the host device, a display device and the printer are connected in series. The system is capable of transmitting data from the host device to the printer through the display device. The display device has a normal mode for analysing an apparatus selection command specified by the host device and discriminating whether data following the apparatus selection command are to be internally processed or not and whether the data are to be transmitted to the printer or not in accordance with the analytical result, and a through mode for transmitting all commands and data which are transmitted from the host device to the printer without analysing these commands and data.

In a point-of-sales (POS) system, a printer is connected to a host computer, for example. Further, in some POS systems, a display apparatus is connected to the POS system. The display apparatus is directly connected to the host computer or connected to the host computer via the printer.

As such a display apparatus, there has been used a vacuum fluorescent display or a single-color liquid crystal display (LCD). In recent years, a display apparatus employing a high-definition color LCD has been required in order to cope with diversification of display content required for a customer display such as advertisement display, barcode display, or two-dimensional code display.

When the display apparatus is connected via the printer, the printer is required to determine whether data received from the host computer is data addressed to the printer itself or data for the customer display, and transmit only the data for the customer display to the customer display. Thus, when the host computer transmits data to the display apparatus, it is required to add to transmission data header data indicating that the transmission data is data for the customer display.

Further, when data received from the host computer and data received from the printer have different formats, the display apparatus is required to analyze which of the data formats the received data has, resulting in a loss of the processing capability of the host computer. Thus, in general, a common data format (e.g., format of adding header data indicating data for display apparatus) is employed regardless of whether the host computer directly transmits data or the printer transmits data.

However, in the related art, when the display apparatus is connected to the host computer via the printer, the host computer transmits data to the printer and the display apparatus in a common data format. As a result, when the high-definition color LCD is employed as the display apparatus, the related art is required to execute high-speed communication because an amount of communication data becomes much larger than that required for a single-color LCD, for example, resulting in a problem in that the cost of the system is increased in order to execute the high-speed communication.

In view of the above, in the field of this technology, there have been demanded a printer system, a printer, a method of controlling a printer system, and a method of controlling a printer, which are capable of reducing an amount of data addressed to a display apparatus.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a printer system, as described in claim <NUM>.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling a printer system, as described in claim <NUM>.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of further example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Now, a description is given of at least one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to in the following description, the scale of each component is appropriately changed to set the size of the component recognizable.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an appearance of a printer in a state in which a printer cover is closed in a first embodiment of the present invention. In <FIG> and subsequent figures, an upper side of the drawing sheet is defined as an upward direction (upward direction in a gravity direction), and a lower side of the drawing sheet is defined as a downward direction (downward direction in the gravity direction). Further, a front-and-back direction is denoted by L1. An up-and-down direction is denoted by L2. A direction orthogonal to the front-and-back direction L1 and the up-and-down direction L2 is defined as a right-and-left direction L3. Further, a forward direction is indicated by the arrow FW, and a backward direction is indicated by the arrow BA.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the printer <NUM> is a printer of a so-called "forward delivery" type, in which a recording paper P is delivered in the forward direction (on a front surface <NUM> side of the printer <NUM>). The printer <NUM> is used under a state in which the forward direction thereof is directed to, for example, a clerk, who is a first user, and the backward direction thereof is directed to, for example, a customer, who is a second user. This usage state of the printer <NUM> is merely an example, and there is no particular limitation on the usage state.

The printer <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> and a printer cover <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is installed on an installation surface <NUM> of a counter of a store. The housing <NUM> has a plurality of outer surfaces including a bottom surface <NUM>, the front surface <NUM>, and a back surface <NUM>. he bottom surface <NUM> is formed, in a large part, so as to be opposed to the installation surface <NUM> under a state of being separated therefrom. The front surface <NUM> is formed of the printer cover <NUM> arranged in the opening <NUM>. The back surface <NUM> forms a mounting surface 23A, on which a display apparatus <NUM> (see <FIG>) described later is removably mounted. The mounting surface 23A is positioned on a side opposite to the front surface <NUM>.

The printer cover <NUM> is coupled to a lower part of the housing <NUM> so as to open and close the opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. A delivery slot <NUM> (gap) is formed between a distal end part of the printer cover <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. The recording paper P is delivered in the forward direction from an inside of the housing <NUM> through the delivery slot <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the printer in a case where the display apparatus is connected to the printer according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the display apparatus <NUM> is removably mounted on the mounting surface 23A of the housing <NUM>, for example. The display apparatus <NUM> includes a display main body <NUM> and a display mounting portion <NUM>.

The display main body <NUM> has a plate shape. One end of a connection cable <NUM> is connected to the display main body <NUM>. One end of a connection cable <NUM> may be removably connected to the display main body <NUM>, for example, through a connector (not shown). A display <NUM> is provided on the display main body <NUM>. Data such as payment information sent from the information processing device <NUM> are displayed on the display <NUM> in the forms of characters and images.

The display mounting portion <NUM> has a plate shape. The display mounting portion <NUM> is mounted on the mounting surface 23A of the housing <NUM>. An upper part of the display mounting portion <NUM> is pivotably mounted on an upper part of the display main body <NUM> through intermediation of pivot portions <NUM> formed of, for example, hinges. With the pivot portions <NUM>, the display <NUM> of the display main body <NUM> can be changed in angle with respect to the mounting surface 23A.

A display arrangement portion <NUM> is formed so as to be recessed in the mounting surface 23A of the housing <NUM>. The display mounting portion <NUM> is arranged in the display arrangement portion <NUM>. The movement of a lower part of the display mounting portion <NUM> is regulated by holding the lower part of the display mounting portion <NUM> in abutment against a step portion <NUM> on a lower side of the display arrangement portion <NUM>.

A pair of sandwiching portions <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged so as to be opposed to each other in edge portions <NUM> and <NUM> on the right and left sides of the display arrangement portion <NUM>. The pair of sandwiching portions <NUM> and <NUM> is formed so as to be elastically deformable. The right and left sides of the display mounting portion <NUM> are sandwiched by the pair of sandwiching portions <NUM> and <NUM> through use of elastic force. In at least one embodiment, the right and left sides of the display mounting portion <NUM> are sandwiched by the pair of sandwiching portions <NUM> and <NUM> through snap-fitting. The shape of the printer <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> is only one example, and the shape of the printer <NUM> is not limited to this example. Further, the shape of the display apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is only one example, and the shape of the display apparatus <NUM> is not limited to this example.

Next, a description is given of an example of connection among the information processing device <NUM>, the printer <NUM>, and the display apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> are diagrams for illustrating examples of connection among the information processing device <NUM>, the printer <NUM>, and the display apparatus <NUM> in the first embodiment. A system including the information processing device <NUM>, the printer <NUM>, and the display apparatus <NUM> is used for a point-of-sales (POS) system, for example. The POS system is installed at a store such as a retail store or a restaurant. The POS system is a system for notifying a customer of payment information (predetermined information) such as the name and price of a product purchased by the customer.

The information processing device <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> configured to execute payment processing for a product, for example. The information processing device <NUM> is configured to control operations of the printer <NUM> and the display apparatus <NUM>. The information processing device <NUM> is a personal computer, for example. The printer <NUM> is a thermal printer, for example, and is installed at a counter of a store, for example. The display apparatus <NUM> is a liquid crystal display apparatus or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display apparatus, for example.

<FIG> is a diagram for illustrating an example of a configuration in which the printer <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via a connection cable <NUM>, and the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to the printer <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM>. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the printer <NUM> is directly connected to the information processing device <NUM>, and the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via the printer <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram for illustrating an example of a configuration in which the printer <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM>, and the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM>. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the printer <NUM> is directly connected to the information processing device <NUM>, and the display apparatus <NUM> is also directly connected to the information processing device <NUM>.

Next, a description is given of an exemplary configuration of the information processing device <NUM>. <FIG> is a block diagram for illustrating an exemplary configuration of the information processing device <NUM> in the first embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the information processing device <NUM> includes the processor <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, a first driver <NUM> (first connection portion), and a second driver <NUM> (second connection portion).

The processor <NUM> communicates to/from apparatus connected thereto (printer <NUM> (<FIG>) and display apparatus <NUM> (<FIG>)) to acquire identification information on each of the apparatus. The processor <NUM> adds header information to command data (instruction data) to be transmitted depending on the connected apparatus. The processor <NUM> outputs the command data to one of the first driver <NUM> and the second driver <NUM> to which the apparatus is connected. When an apparatus is connected to the first driver <NUM> or the second driver <NUM>, the processor <NUM> executes communication initialization processing to acquire identification information on the apparatus. The processor <NUM> determines whether the connected apparatus is the printer <NUM> or the display apparatus <NUM> based on the acquired identification information, and sets a direct connection flag. The processor <NUM> stores the set direct connection flag into the storage <NUM>. When the connection method is a universal serial bus (USB) standard, the communication initialization processing is negotiation processing to be executed when the printer <NUM> or the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via a connection cable (USB cable).

The storage <NUM> stores identification information on the apparatus (printer <NUM> and display apparatus <NUM>). The storage <NUM> stores header information to be added to the command data of the display apparatus <NUM>. Further, the storage <NUM> stores the direct connection flag.

The first driver <NUM> acquires identification information on an apparatus by communicating to/from the apparatus when the apparatus is connected, in accordance with control by the processor <NUM>. The first driver <NUM> transmits command data output by the processor <NUM> to the connected apparatus.

The second driver <NUM> acquires identification information on an apparatus by communicating to/from the apparatus when the apparatus is connected, in accordance with control by the processor <NUM>. The second driver <NUM> transmits command data output by the processor <NUM> to the connected apparatus.

Next, a description is given of an exemplary configuration of the printer <NUM>. <FIG> is a block diagram for illustrating an exemplary configuration of the printer <NUM> according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the printer <NUM> includes a communication initializer <NUM>, a first communicator <NUM> (first printer connection portion), a data analyzer <NUM> (analysis processor), a controller <NUM> (analysis processor), a printing unit <NUM> (analysis processor), and a second communicator <NUM> (second printer connection portion).

As described with reference to <FIG>, the printer <NUM> is connected to, for example, the first driver <NUM> of the information processing device <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM> (<FIG>). Further, the display apparatus <NUM> may be connected to the printer <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM> (<FIG>). The information processing device <NUM> is connected to the first communicator <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM>. Further, the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to the second communicator <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM>.

The communication initializer <NUM> executes communication initialization processing to be executed at a time of establishment of connection to the information processing device <NUM>. The communication initializer <NUM> stores identification information (printer information) on the printer <NUM>.

The first communicator <NUM> executes negotiation by acquiring data from and outputting data to the information processing device <NUM> when the first communicator <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM> (<FIG>). At the time of negotiation, the first communicator <NUM> transmits printer information to the information processing device <NUM>. Further, after the communication initialization processing, the first communicator <NUM> acquires command data from the information processing device <NUM>, and outputs the acquired data to the data analyzer <NUM>.

The data analyzer <NUM> acquires the command data output by the first communicator <NUM>, and determines whether header information for the display apparatus <NUM> is included in the acquired command data. When header information for the display apparatus <NUM> is not included in the command data, the data analyzer <NUM> outputs the command data to the controller <NUM>. When the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to the second communicator <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM>, the data analyzer <NUM> acquires display apparatus information, which is identification information on the display apparatus <NUM> and is output by the second communicator <NUM>. When header information for the display apparatus <NUM> is included in the command data, the data analyzer <NUM> outputs to the second communicator <NUM> command data from which the header information for the display apparatus <NUM> is removed.

The controller <NUM> generates print data based on the command data output by the data analyzer <NUM>. The controller <NUM> outputs the generated print data to the printing unit <NUM>. The printing unit <NUM> prints the print data generated by the controller <NUM>.

When the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to the second communicator <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM> (<FIG>), the second communicator <NUM> executes negotiation by acquiring data from and outputting data to the display apparatus <NUM>. At the time of negotiation, the second communicator <NUM> acquires display apparatus information, and outputs the acquired display apparatus information to the data analyzer <NUM>. Further, after the negotiation, the second communicator <NUM> transmits the command data output by the data analyzer <NUM> to the display apparatus <NUM>.

Specifically, when the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to the printer <NUM>, the printer <NUM> transmits to the information processing device <NUM> the display apparatus information, which is identification information on the display apparatus <NUM> acquired through negotiation between the printer <NUM> and the display apparatus <NUM>. The information processing device <NUM> determines whether only the printer <NUM> is connected or the display apparatus <NUM> is connected via the printer <NUM> based on the information received from the printer <NUM> in this manner.

Next, a description is given of an exemplary configuration of the display apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> is a block diagram for illustrating an exemplary configuration of the display apparatus <NUM> in the first embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the display apparatus <NUM> includes a communication initializer <NUM>, a communicator <NUM>, a data analyzer <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, a display data generator <NUM>, a display controller <NUM>, and a display <NUM>.

As described with reference to <FIG>, the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to, for example, the second driver <NUM> of the information processing device <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM> (<FIG>). Alternatively, the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to the second communicator <NUM> of the printer <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM>.

The communication initializer <NUM> executes communication initialization processing to be executed at a time of establishment of connection to the information processing device <NUM> or the printer <NUM>. The communication initializer <NUM> stores display apparatus information on the printer <NUM>.

The communicator <NUM> executes negotiation by acquiring data from and outputting data to the information processing device <NUM> when the communicator <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM> (<FIG>). At the time of negotiation, the communicator <NUM> transmits display apparatus information to the information processing device <NUM>. Further, after the communication initialization processing, the communicator <NUM> acquires command data from the information processing device <NUM>, and outputs the acquired data to the data analyzer <NUM>. When the communicator <NUM> is connected to the printer <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM> (<FIG>), the communicator <NUM> executes negotiation by acquiring data from and outputting data to the printer <NUM>. At the time of negotiation, the communicator <NUM> transmits display apparatus information to the printer <NUM>. Further, after the communication initialization processing, the communicator <NUM> acquires command data from the printer <NUM>, and outputs the acquired command data to the data analyzer <NUM>.

The data analyzer <NUM> analyzes the command data output by the communicator <NUM>, and stores the analyzed command data into the storage <NUM>. The data analyzer <NUM> divides the command data into setting information, font information, image information, and the other function information, for example, to store the information into the storage <NUM>. The data analyzer <NUM> outputs an analysis result obtained by analysis to the display data generator <NUM>.

The storage <NUM> includes a plurality of storage regions, for example. For example, the storage <NUM> stores the setting information into a first storage region, stores the font information into a second storage region, stores the image information into a third storage region, and stores the other function information into a fourth storage region.

The display data generator <NUM> reads the setting information, font information, image information, and other function information stored in the storage <NUM>, based on the analysis result output by the data analyzer <NUM>. The display data generator <NUM> generates display data based on the read setting information, font information, image information, and other function information, and outputs the generated display data to the display controller <NUM>.

The display controller <NUM> displays information on the display <NUM> based on the display data output by the display data generator <NUM>.

The display <NUM> is a color liquid crystal display (LCD), for example.

Next, a description is given of an example of command data to be transmitted by the information processing device <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram for illustrating an example of command data for the printer to be transmitted by the information processing device <NUM> in the first embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram for illustrating an example of command data for the display apparatus at a time when the display apparatus is directly connected to the information processing device <NUM> in the first embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram for illustrating an example of command data for the display apparatus in a case where the display apparatus is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via the printer <NUM> in the first embodiment.

<FIG> is a diagram for illustrating an example of the command data for the printer to be transmitted by the information processing device <NUM>. When the printer <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM>, the information processing device <NUM> transmits command data g11 for the printer to the printer <NUM> as command data as illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, header information for the printer is not assigned to the command data g11 for the printer.

<FIG> is a diagram for illustrating an example of the command data for the display apparatus at a time when the display apparatus is directly connected to the information processing device <NUM>. When the display apparatus <NUM> is directly connected to the information processing device <NUM>, the information processing device <NUM> transmits command data g21 for the display apparatus to the display apparatus <NUM> as command data as illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, header information for the display apparatus is not assigned to the command data g21 for the display apparatus.

<FIG> is a diagram for illustrating an example of the command data for the display apparatus in a case where the display apparatus is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via the printer <NUM>. When the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via the printer <NUM>, the information processing device <NUM> assigns header information g31 for the display apparatus to the command data g21 for the display apparatus as illustrated in <FIG>, and transmits the resultant data to the display apparatus <NUM> as command data.

Now, a description is given of an example of a processing procedure of the communication initialization processing to be executed by the information processing device <NUM>. <FIG> is a flowchart for illustrating an example of the processing procedure of the communication initialization processing to be executed by the information processing device <NUM> in the first embodiment.

(Step S11) The processor <NUM> checks whether an apparatus (printer <NUM> or display apparatus <NUM>) is connected to any one of the first driver <NUM> and the second driver <NUM>. When it is determined that an apparatus is connected (Step S11: "YES"), the processor <NUM> advances the processing to Step S12. When it is determined that an apparatus is not connected (Step S11: "NO"), the processor <NUM> repeats the processing of Step S11.

(Step S12) The processor <NUM> and the connected apparatus execute the communication initialization processing, and the processor <NUM> acquires identification information on the apparatus.

(Step S13) The processor <NUM> determines whether the connected apparatus is the printer <NUM> or the display apparatus <NUM> based on the acquired identification information. When it is determined that the connected apparatus is the printer <NUM> (Step S13: "printer"), the processor <NUM> advances the processing to Step S14. When it is determined that the connected apparatus is the display apparatus <NUM> (Step S13: "display apparatus"), the processor <NUM> advances the processing to Step S15.

(Step S14) The processor <NUM> clears the direct connection flag, that is, sets the direct connection flag to "<NUM>", for example, and stores the direct connection flag into the storage <NUM>. After the processing, the processor <NUM> ends the processing.

(Step S15) The processor <NUM> sets the direct connection flag to "<NUM>", for example, and stores the direct connection flag into the storage <NUM>. After the processing, the processor <NUM> ends the processing.

Next, a description is given of an example of the processing procedure to be executed by the printer <NUM> at the time of the communication initialization processing. <FIG> is a flowchart for illustrating an example of the processing procedure of the communication initialization processing to be executed by the printer <NUM> according to the first embodiment.

(Step S21) When the communication initializer <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM>, the communication initializer <NUM> executes the communication initialization processing.

(Step S22) The communication initializer <NUM> transmits printer information, which is identification information on the printer <NUM>, to the information processing device <NUM> via the first communicator <NUM>.

Next, a description is given of an example of the processing procedure to be executed by the display apparatus <NUM> at the time of the communication initialization processing. <FIG> is a flowchart for illustrating an example of the processing procedure of the communication initialization processing to be executed by the display apparatus <NUM> in the first embodiment.

(Step S31) When the communication initializer <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM> or the printer <NUM> via the connection cable <NUM>, the communication initializer <NUM> executes the communication initialization processing.

(Step S32) When the communication initializer <NUM> is directly connected to the information processing device <NUM>, the communication initializer <NUM> transmits display apparatus information, which is identification information on the display apparatus <NUM>, to the information processing device <NUM> via the communicator <NUM>. Alternatively, when the communication initializer <NUM> is directly connected to the printer <NUM>, the communication initializer <NUM> transmits the display apparatus information to the printer <NUM> via the communicator <NUM>.

Next, a description is given of an example of a processing procedure of generating command data to be transmitted by the information processing device <NUM> to the display apparatus <NUM> after the communication initialization processing. <FIG> is a flow chart for illustrating an example of a processing procedure of generating command data to be transmitted by the information processing device <NUM> to the display apparatus <NUM> after the communication initialization processing in the first embodiment.

(Step S41) The processor <NUM> generates command data for the display apparatus.

(Step S42) The processor <NUM> refers to the storage <NUM> to determine whether the direct connection flag is set or cleared. When it is determined that the direct connection flag is set (Step S42: "set"), the processor <NUM> outputs command data for the display apparatus to the display apparatus <NUM>. When it is determined that the direct connection flag is cleared (Step S42: "cleared"), the processor <NUM> advances the processing to Step S43.

(Step S43) The processor <NUM> adds header information for the display apparatus to the command data for the display apparatus. After the processing, the processor <NUM> transmits the command data to the display apparatus <NUM> via the printer <NUM>.

Next, a description is given of an example of a processing procedure of the printer <NUM> at a time when command data is received. <FIG> is a flowchart for illustrating an example of the processing procedure of the printer <NUM> at the time when the command data is received in the first embodiment.

(Step S51) The data analyzer <NUM> determines whether command data is received. When it is determined that command data is received (Step S51: "YES"), the data analyzer <NUM> advances the processing to Step S52. When it is determined that command data is not received (Step S51: "NO"), the data analyzer <NUM> repeats the processing of Step S51.

(Step S52) The data analyzer <NUM> determines whether header information for the display apparatus is added to the command data. When it is determined that header information for the display apparatus is added to the command data (Step S52: "YES"), the data analyzer <NUM> advances the processing to Step S53. When it is determined that header information for the display apparatus is not added to the command data (Step S52: "NO"), the data analyzer <NUM> advances the processing to Step S55.

(Step S53) The data analyzer <NUM> removes the header information for the display apparatus. After the processing, the data analyzer <NUM> advances the processing to Step S54.

(Step S54) The data analyzer <NUM> transmits command data from which the header information for the display apparatus is removed to the display apparatus <NUM> via the second communicator <NUM>. After the processing, the data analyzer <NUM> ends the processing.

(Step S55) The data analyzer <NUM> outputs the command data to the controller <NUM>. Next, the controller <NUM> causes the printing unit <NUM> to execute printing based on the command data. After the processing, the controller <NUM> ends the processing.

As described above, in the first embodiment, when the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via the printer <NUM>, the direct connection flag is cleared. As a result, the information processing device <NUM> adds header information to command data for the display apparatus <NUM>, and transmits the command data for the display apparatus to which the header information is added to the display apparatus <NUM> via the printer <NUM>. Further, the information processing device <NUM> transmits the command data for the printer <NUM> to the printer <NUM> without adding header information to the command data. Then, when header information is not added to the received command data, the printer <NUM> determines that the received command data is command data for the printer, and executes printing processing. Further, when header information is added to the received command data, the printer <NUM> removes the header information, and transmits command information to the display apparatus <NUM>. Then, the display apparatus <NUM> displays information on the display <NUM> (<FIG>) based on the received command information.

Further, in the first embodiment, when the printer <NUM> is directly connected to the information processing device <NUM> and the display apparatus <NUM> is directly connected to the information processing device <NUM>, the direct connection flag is set. As a result, the information processing device <NUM> transmits command data for the display apparatus <NUM> to the printer <NUM> without adding header information to the command data. The information processing device <NUM> transmits command data for the display apparatus <NUM> to the display apparatus <NUM> without adding header information to the command data. Then, the printer <NUM> executes printing processing based on the received command data. Further, the display apparatus <NUM> displays information on the display <NUM> based on the received command information. That is, the command data received by the display apparatus <NUM> does not include header information regardless of whether the display apparatus <NUM> is directly connected to the information processing device <NUM> or the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via the printer <NUM>.

As a result, according to the first embodiment, the printer <NUM> can extract header information for the display apparatus <NUM> from the command data received from the information processing device <NUM>. Then, the printer <NUM> transmits to the display apparatus <NUM> command data from which the header information for the display apparatus <NUM> is removed, to thereby enable the display apparatus <NUM> to execute the same analysis processing as that for command data transmitted from the information processing device <NUM>. As a result, according to the first embodiment, the amount of command data received by the display apparatus <NUM> is smaller than when header information is added. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture the display apparatus <NUM> in the first embodiment with a circuit configuration that is less expensive than in an apparatus configuration in which header information is added.

In the above-mentioned example and in subsequent examples and embodiments, a description is given of an example of the printer <NUM> and the display apparatus <NUM> as an example of an apparatus to be connected to the information processing device <NUM>. However, the apparatus to be connected to the information processing device <NUM> is not limited thereto. The apparatus to be connected to the information processing device <NUM> may be, for example, an input device (keyboard, touch panel sensor, and mouse) or a sound reproduction device (speaker). In this case, the sound reproduction device may receive command data including a digital signal from the information processing device <NUM>, and reproduce a sound based on the received command data. Then, when the sound reproduction device is connected via the printer <NUM>, for example, in this manner, the information processing device <NUM> may transmit command data to which header information for the sound generation device is added to the sound reproduction device via the printer <NUM>. Then, the printer <NUM> can transmit command data from which header information is removed to the sound reproduction device, to thereby obtain an effect similar to that of the display apparatus <NUM> described above.

In the first embodiment, a description has been given of an example in which the information processing device <NUM> adds or does not add header information depending on a topology of the display apparatus <NUM>. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a description is given of an example in which header information is added to command data to be transmitted to the printer <NUM> and header information is not added to command data to be transmitted to the display apparatus <NUM>.

The configurations of the information processing device <NUM>, the printer <NUM>, and the display apparatus <NUM> are similar to those of the first embodiment. Further, communication initialization processing of each of the printer <NUM> and the display apparatus <NUM> is similar to that of the first embodiment.

First, a description is given of an example of a processing procedure of communication initialization processing to be executed by the information processing device <NUM>. <FIG> is a flowchart for illustrating an example of the processing procedure of the communication initialization processing to be executed by the information processing device <NUM> in the second embodiment.

(Step S11 and Step S12) The processor <NUM> executes the processing of Step S11 and Step S12.

Next, a description is given of an example of a processing procedure of generating command data to be transmitted by the information processing device <NUM> to the printer <NUM> after the communication initialization processing. <FIG> is a flowchart for illustrating an example of the processing procedure of generating the command data to be transmitted by the information processing device <NUM> to the printer <NUM> after the communication initialization processing in the second embodiment.

(Step S61) The processor <NUM> generates command data for the printer and command data for the display apparatus.

(Step S62) The processor <NUM> determines whether the apparatus directly connected to the information processing device <NUM> is the printer <NUM> or the display apparatus <NUM> based on the acquired identification information. When it is determined that the printer <NUM> is connected (Step S62: "printer"), the processor <NUM> advances the processing to Step S63. When it is determined that the display apparatus <NUM> is connected (Step S62: "display apparatus"), the processor <NUM> advances the processing to Step S64.

(Step S63) The processor <NUM> adds header information for the printer to command data for the printer, and transmits to the printer <NUM> the command data for the printer to which the header information is added. When the display apparatus <NUM> is connected via the printer <NUM>, the processor <NUM> transmits to the printer <NUM> the command data for the printer to which the header information is added, and the command data for the display apparatus to which the header information is not added. After the processing, the processor <NUM> ends the processing.

(Step S64) The processor <NUM> transmits to the display apparatus <NUM> command data for the display apparatus to which header information is not added without adding header information for the display apparatus to the command data for the display apparatus. After the processing, the processor <NUM> ends the processing.

Next, a description is given of an example of a processing procedure of the printer <NUM> at a time when command data is received. <FIG> is a flowchart for illustrating an example of the processing procedure of the printer <NUM> at the time when the command data is received in the second embodiment.

(Step S51) The data analyzer <NUM> executes processing similar to that of Step S51 (<FIG>). When it is determined that command data is received (Step S51: "YES"), the data analyzer <NUM> advances the processing to Step S71. When it is determined that command data is not received (Step S51: "NO"), the data analyzer <NUM> repeats the processing of Step S51.

(Step S71) The data analyzer <NUM> determines whether header information for the printer is added to the command data. When it is determined that header information for the printer is added to the command data (Step S71: "YES"), the data analyzer <NUM> advances the processing to Step S72. When it is determined that header information for the printer is not added to the command data (Step S71: "NO"), the data analyzer <NUM> advances the processing to Step S73.

(Step S72) The data analyzer <NUM> removes the header information for the printer. After the processing, the data analyzer <NUM> advances the processing to Step S55.

(Step S55) The data analyzer <NUM> executes processing similar to that of Step S55 (<FIG>). After the processing, the controller <NUM> ends the processing.

(Step S73) The data analyzer <NUM> transmits command data to which header information is not added to the display apparatus <NUM> via the second communicator <NUM>. After the processing, the data analyzer <NUM> ends the processing.

In this manner, in the second embodiment, when two apparatus are connected to the information processing device <NUM>, header information is not added to one apparatus, but added to the other apparatus.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the information processing device <NUM> adds header information to command data for the printer <NUM>, and transmits to the printer <NUM> command data for the printer to which the header information is added. Further, in the second embodiment, when the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via the printer <NUM>, the information processing device <NUM> transmits to the printer <NUM> command data for the printer to which header information is added, and command data for the display apparatus to which header information is not added. In this case, the printer <NUM> transmits to the display apparatus <NUM> command data for the display apparatus to which header information is not added. Further, in the second embodiment, when the display apparatus <NUM> is directly connected to the information processing device <NUM>, the information processing device <NUM> does not add header information to command data for the display apparatus <NUM>, and transmits to the display apparatus <NUM> command data for the display apparatus <NUM> to which header information is not added.

Also in this case, command data received by the display apparatus <NUM> does not include header information regardless of whether the display apparatus <NUM> is directly connected to the information processing device <NUM> or the display apparatus <NUM> is connected to the information processing device <NUM> via the printer <NUM>. As a result, according to the second embodiment as well, it is possible to construct the circuit of the display apparatus <NUM> inexpensively similarly to the first embodiment.

A program for implementing a part or all of the functions of the information processing device <NUM> and the printer <NUM> in at least one embodiment of the present invention may be recorded into a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in this recording medium may be read into a computer system for execution, to thereby execute all or a part of the processing to be executed by the information processing device <NUM> and the printer <NUM>. It is assumed that the "computer system" includes an OS or a piece of hardware, for example, a peripheral device. Further, it is assumed that the "computer system" includes a WWW system having a webpage provision environment (or display environment). Further, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magnetooptical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM, or a storage device, for example, a hard disk drive incorporated in the computer system. Further, it is assumed that the "computer-readable recording medium" includes a medium holding a program for a fixed period of time, for example, a volatile memory (RAM) inside the computer system serving as a server or a client in a case where a program is transmitted via a network, for example, the Internet, or a communication line, for example, a telephone line.

Further, the above-mentioned program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device, for example, to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. The term "transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information such as a network (communication network), for example, the Internet, or a communication line, for example, a telephone line. Further, the above-mentioned program may be a program for implementing a part of the above-mentioned function. Further, the above-mentioned program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can implement the above-mentioned function in cooperation with a program already stored in the computer system.

Claim 1:
A printer system, comprising:
an information processing device (<NUM>);
a printer (<NUM>); and
a display apparatus (<NUM>),
the information processing device (<NUM>) being configured to control the printer (<NUM>) and the display apparatus (<NUM>),
wherein a topology of the information processing device (<NUM>) and the display apparatus (<NUM>) includes a first topology in which the display apparatus (<NUM>) is directly connected to the information processing device (<NUM>) and a second topology in which the display apparatus (<NUM>) is connected to the information processing device (<NUM>) via the printer (<NUM>), and
wherein the information processing device (<NUM>) includes a processor (<NUM>);
wherein the printer (<NUM>) includes:
two printer connection portions (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
an analysis processor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); wherein
the processor (<NUM>) is configured to
determine whether the information processing device is connected to the display apparatus directly in the first topology or via the printer in the second topology;
transmit, to the display apparatus (<NUM>), instruction data for the display apparatus (<NUM>) without adding header information to the instruction data in the first topology; and
transmit, to the printer (<NUM>), instruction data for the display apparatus (<NUM>) by adding header information to the instruction data in the second topology; and
whether the analysis processor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the printer (<NUM>) is configured to:
determine whether header information is added to instruction data when the information processing device (<NUM>) is connected to a first printer connection portion (<NUM>) of the two printer connection portions (<NUM>, <NUM>), the display apparatus (<NUM>) is connected to a second printer connection portion (<NUM>) of the two printer connection portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the analysis processor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) has received the instruction data from the information processing device (<NUM>);
determine the instruction data to which the header information is added as the instruction data for the display apparatus (<NUM>); and
transmit, to the display apparatus (<NUM>), the instruction data from which the header information is removed.