Patent ID: 7042596

Claim:
A multifunction apparatus, adapted such that any device of a plurality of types of devices can be selectively attached thereto, for executing control on an attached device, wherein the control differs depending upon the type of device attached, said apparatus comprising: transmitting means for transmitting a timing signal to the attached device for acquiring identifying information stored in the attached device; receiving means for receiving the identifying information, represented as digital information comprising a plurality of bits of information, including specific data indicating the type of the attached device and characteristic data of the attached device that has been transmitted serially from the attached device in accordance with the timing signal; determination means for determining, whether the attached device is a device of a specific type, based on bits of information contained in the specific data; and control means for exercising control on the attached device, upon construing that the attached device is of the specific type based on the determination made by said determination means, wherein the plurality of types of devices include a scanner unit for reading a document image and a printhead cartridge for use in outputting an image to a printing medium, and wherein said determination means determines that the attached device is the scanner unit if all bits of information in the specific data correspond to zero, and instead determines that the attached device is the printhead cartridge, if values of successive bits in the specific data correspond to 1 and 0 respectively, and wherein otherwise, said determination means determines that the attached device has not been electrically connected correctly.