MXPA01007962A - Data transmission and reception system - Google Patents

Abstract

A command packet (C2) including a version command for checking a profile is sent from a data transmitter (STB) to a data receiver (printer), and a response packet (R2) including the resulting profile information is sent from the data receiver to the data transmitter. The data transmitter sends the data receiver a data packet (S2) including the image data corresponding to the profile information. Thus, a controller can quickly check the state of a device to be controlled.

Description

SYSTEM OF TRANSMISSION / RECEIPT OF DATA.

Technical Field This invention relates to a data receiving device, a data transmission device and a data processing method and a data transmission / reception system, advantageously employed in a system configured for processing an image between a device of control connected in circuit through an interface that adheres to the IEEE 1394 standard (The International Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and a controlled device.

Previous Technique The IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 standard provides the physical and electrical standards for connectors provided in interconnection to respective equipment. The equipment that has interfaces that adhere to the IEEE 1394 standard can be physically interconnected to achieve, for example, Hot Plug and Play adapted for automatic transmission / reception of digital data quickly or establish the interconnection between different equipment. This is currently accepted as a serial interface standard that provides criteria for relevant business circles. It has been recently proposed in 1394 TRADE ASSOCIATION to receive printed data from an external network circuit by means of a procedure box (STB) to print the data using a printer connected to the STB over the IEEE 1394 cable. If, with STB / DTV connected to the printer device, the image data acquired by STB / DTV is printed using the data 5 of images acquired in STB / DTV, and the procedure shown in FIG. 1 is carried out. Referring to FIG. 1, the STB / DTV transmits a command pack C101, comprising a command (SUBUNIT_INFO) that asks about the information such as sub-unit type 10 (interfacing portion or portion processing the image) of the printing device, and receiving a corresponding response packet R101. This allows the STB / DTV to recognize that the printing devices are capable of executing a printout using the image data 15 Afterwards, in order to verify whether or not it is printed with the image size and the image type at the same time as it can be make the impression, the STB / DTV consults the printing device to form the impression. At that time, the STB / DTV transmits a capture command C102 to the printer 20, including the information that asks whether or not the image size that is copied with (SPECIFIC INQUIRY) is needed to acquire the search result. included in the response package R102. The printing device 5 reads the corresponding portion (information block) of the subunit identity descriptor set therein, for storing the reading portion as the result of verification in the response packet R102. The STB / DTV then transmits a capture command C103 to the printing device, comprising the information that asks whether or not the type of image is copied with (SPECIFIC INQUIRY) to acquire the verification result included in e! response packet R103. This allows the STB / DTV to recognize whether the image size and the image source are necessary or not to be copied with the printing device. However, yes, in the STB / DTV described above and the printing device, which executes in the processing described with reference to Figure 1, the query processing of the printing device for two items of requests, namely the image size and the image classification is executed, if it is necessary for a packet to consult whether the image classification is copied or not with what is transmitted / received and a packet to ask if the image classification is copied or not with what is transmit / receive. That is, the command and response packets need to be changed twice (C102 to R103). So, a complicated processing sequence and long processing time are necessary for the STB / DTV to verify on the printing device. In addition, the means of accessing the dedicated descriptor need to be loaded for reading in the subunit identity descriptor. In addition, the subunit identity descriptor is occasionally of variable length, so that the processing for making the analysis through the descriptor access means sometimes becomes complex. On the other hand, the descriptor access means allow variable reading methods, such as quad reading, block reading or out-of-date utilization and therefore it is necessary to support the respective reading methods. The applicant hereby proposed the contents of Japanese Patent Application No. H11-350865, which is the basis of priority in the present application, to the IEEE 1394 Trade Association for standardization in appropriate synchronization, and the contents of the application. The proposal is made public as the following draft of IEEE 1394 Trade Association: AV / C Printer Subunit Specification Version 1.0, Draft 0.97: 60 (2Q00AVWG Off-Cycle Meeting from May 24 to 25, 2000); AV / C Prínter Subunit Specification Version 1.0, Draft 0.7: 5 (1Q00 TA QM AV-WG of January 18, 200); and AV / C Printer Subunit Specification Version 1.0, Draft 0.5: 145 (3Q99 TA QM AVWG Meeting from July 28 to 30, 1999).

Brief description of the invention. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of data reception, a data transmission device, a method of data processing and a data transmission / reception system that allows the control device to verify the status of the data. controlled device in a shorter time. In one aspect, the present invention provides a data reception apparatus that includes image processing means for effecting preset image processing using the image data from a data source member, input / output means to be fed from the data source member with the image data included in a package that conforms to the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 standard and to issue a response packet that answers a command package that conforms to the standard IEEE 1394 from the data source member, and control means for controlling the input / output means for transmitting to the data source member the profile information indicating a profile provided by the image processing means, such as search results, in response to the input of a search command of a profile towards the input / output means. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of data processing for effecting preset image processing using the image data from a data source member, which includes a step to be fed from the data source member with data. of images included in a package that conforms to the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standard 1394, a stage of issuing a reply package that answers a command packet that conforms to the I EEE 1394 standard. of the data source member, and a step of transmitting the data source member of the profile information that identifies a profile provided, as a search result, in response to the input of a command packet for search of the profile of the data of processable magen. In still another aspect, the present invention provides a data transmission device that includes means for processing the image to process i-gen data input from the outside to generate image data, input / output means for outputting the generated image data. by the image processing means according to the image data are comprised in a packet that conforms to the I EEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standard 1394, and control means to manage the control to generate a packet. of command to search for a profile provided by the image data that the destination emits to generate the command packet generated from the input / output means to a data reception member, the control means that also control the control for change the type of image data output of the input / output means based on the profile information that specifies the results of b Search from the member receiving data.

In still another aspect, the present invention provides a method of data processing that includes a step for processing image signals input from the outside to generate image data, a step of outputting the generated image data as the image data that is included in a package that conforms to the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standard 1394, a step of generating a command package to search for a profile provided by the image data emission destination to issue the package of command generated towards a member receiving data, and a control handling step for changing the type of image data output based on the profile information specifying the search results transmitted from the data receiving member. In still another aspect, the present invention provides a data transmission / reception system comprising a data transmission device and a data reception device, in which the data transmission device includes first image processing means for processing the input of image signals from the outside to generate image data, first input / output means for outputting the image data generated by the first image processing means to an image receiving device according to the image data generated they are comprised in a package that conforms to the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 standard, and first control means for managing the control to generate a command packet for searching a profile provided by the receiving device. image data to issue the command packet generated from the input / output means has the data receiving device, the control means that also control the control to change the type of image data output of the first input / output means based on the profile information specifying the search results from the data receiving member and in which the data receiving device includes second input / output means for receiving the image data from the first input / output means as the image data is comprised in a packet that adheres to the IEEE standard (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394, and to issue a response packet that answers the command package that conforms to the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standard 1394 from the first means of entry / output, second image processing means for executing the preset image processing using the image data input of the images. second image processing means and second control means for controlling the second input / output means, in response to the input to the second input / output means of a command to search for a profile from the first input means / output, to output the profile information that indicates the profile provided by the image processing means, such as search results, for the data transmission device.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

Figure 1 shows the conventional processing sequence for the STB / DTV that verifies the support status of the printing device. Figure 2 shows an image printing system presenting the current invention. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of an STB and a printing device that forms an image printing system according to the present invention. Figure 4 shows the data structure of an asynchronous packet transmitted / received between an STB and a printing device. Figure 5 shows a data structure of a data portion of an asynchronous packet. Figure 6 is a table of times for asynchronous packet transmission from a data transmission unit to a data entry unit. Figure 7 illustrates a type of image of a still image. Figure 8 shows a data structure of a version command comprised in a command package.

Figure 9 illustrates the contents of the information on subunit specifications. Figure 10 illustrates the contents of the profile information. Figure 11 illustrates the type of image and image size supported in each arrangement. Figure 12 illustrates a data structure of a capture command comprised in a command packet. Figure 13 illustrates the contents stored in the subfunction. Figure 14 illustrates the naming of the type of image stored in image_format_specifier. Figure 15 illustrates another type of typical image stored in image_spec_format. Figure 16 illustrates the order of transmission of the pixel data in sequential point transmission of the static image data with a YCC pixel format of 4: 2: 2 for the printing device. Figure 17 illustrates the order of transmission of pixel data in dot-sequence transmission of static image data with a YCC pixel format of 4: 2: 0 for the printing device. Figure 18 illustrates the order of transmission of pixel data in line-sequential transmission of the static image data with a YCC pixel format of 4: 2: 2 for the printing device.

Figure 19 illustrates the order of transmission of the pixel data in line-sequential transmission of static image data with a YCC pixel format of 4: 2: 0 for the printing device. Figure 20 illustrates how a still image with the image type of 480_422_4x3 is transmitted by point-sequential. Figure 21 illustrates how a still image with the image type of 480_420_4x3 is transmitted by point-sequential. Figure 22 illustrates how a still image with the image type of 480_422_4x3 is transmitted per sequential-line. Figure 23 illustrates how a still image with the image type of 480_420_4x3 is transmitted by line-sequential. Fig. 24 is a flow chart for illustrating the printing sequence executed by p4 which forms an image printing system embodying the current invention. Figure 25 illustrates the processing sequence for printing by a printing device of the image printing system presenting the current invention. Fig. 26 is a flow diagram for illustrating the processing sequence of the STB in the printing of an image displayed on the television device by a printing device. Figure 27 shows a sequence of transmission / reception processing of an asynchronous packet between a data transmission unit and a data input unit for transmitting fixed image data from the data transmission unit to the data entry unit .

Best Way to Carry Out the Invention With reference to the drawings, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail. An image printing system embodying the present invention is configured as shown for example in Figure 2.

This image printing system 1 is formed by an antenna 2 for receiving a moving image transmission using, for example, a communication satellite, a procedure box (STB) 3 to execute the pre-established signal processing on the data of received moving image, a television device 4 for demonstrating a moving image and a still image and a printing device 5 for printing and emitting an image. The antenna 2 receives image signals that represent a moving image to emit the received image signals towards the STB3. The image signals, received on the antenna 2, are formed of multiple channel image signals, on sets together. More specifically, the image signals are comprised of compressed image data in accordance with, for example, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) and encrypted according to a preset encryption system. The television device 4 is fed through the STB3 with moving image data from the NTSC system (National Television System Committee) to display a moving image. Furthermore, in the case of HDTV, the television device is powered from the STB3 with moving image data that adhere to the HD (High Definition) standard to display a moving image. In addition, the television device 4 has its display status controlled by the STB3 to display a still image or other teletext information. Referring to Figure 3, the STB3 includes a demodulator 11 for demodulating the image signals received on the antenna 2, a decryptor 12 for decoding the moving image data, a data conversion unit 13 for making the data conversion which conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard, a demultiplexer 14 for processing such that it extracts the moving image data in a preset channel, an image memory 15, an MPEG 16 processor for performing, for example, decoding, an NTSC encoder 18 to make the conversion to the data displayed on a screen on the television device 4 and a display controller 19. The STB also includes an operational input unit 21, powered by a command by a user, a RAM (memory) random access) 22 and a central processing unit (CPU) 23 to control several units. In this STB3, the demodulator 11, the decryptor 12, the data conversion unit 13, the demultiplexer 14, the MPEG processor 16, the operational input unit 21, the RAM (random access memory) 22 and the CPU 23 are connected to a bus, on which the operations of several components are controlled by the CPU 23. The demodulator 11 is fed from the antenna 2 with analog system image signals indicating, for example, a moving image current. This demodulator 11 performs demodulation and A / D conversion (analog to digital) on the image signals from the antenna 2 to output the resulting signals to the decryptor 12 as moving image data. The demodulator 11 is also fed on a bus with control signals from the CPU 23 to execute the demodulation and the A / D conversion based on those control signals. The decryptor 12 decodes the moving image data from the demodulator 11. That is, the decryptor 12 is fed with encrypted moving image data to execute the decoding according to the encryption system of the moving image data input . The decryptor 12 outputs the decoded moving picture data for the data conversion unit 13. The decoder 12 is fed over the bus with the control signals from the CPU 23 and executes the decoding using the encryption key contained in the signals of control. The data conversion unit 13 is for example included, of an interface circuit that conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard and that is responsible for the control signal from the CPU 23 to execute the signal processing that conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard on the moving image data from the decoder 12 to execute the processing to include the moving image data or fixed input in a packet that conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard. If you are temporarily going to transmit continuous data, such as moving image data, the data conversion unit 13 generates an asynchronous packet, whereas, if the still image data for printing of the printing device 5 or the fixed data such as command or data for connection arrangement, the data conversion unit 13 executes the processing to generate an asynchronous packet 100. The asynchronous packet 100, shown in Fig. 4, includes a header 101 and a part 102 that conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard. In the header 101 it is stored an ID on the packet receiving member, i.e., an ID of the printing device 5 (destination_ID), a transaction tag (ti: transaction tag), a recovery code (rt: recovery code), a security code transaction (tcode: transaction code), priority (pri: priority), an ID on the packet transmitting member, that is, the source ID indicating an ID of the STB3 (source_ID), destination_desp, indicating a memory address on the packet receiving member, a data field length (length_data), extended transaction code (extended_tcode), and a CRC header (CRC_head: CRC of the header field) for the header part 101. In the data part 102 , a data field is stored, in which the data is stored according to FCP (function control protocol) and with the AV / C protocol, and the data CRC (CRC_Data) that indicates the CRC for the header part 101. In the data field, a set of command transactions (CTS), a type of command (c: type), a type of subunit (subunit_type), which indicates the classification of data, are stored in the data field. subunit in the packet receiving member and a subunit ID indicating the subunit of the packet receiving member (subunit_ID), as shown in figure 5. For a subunit on the packet receiving member corresponding to an input unit of data 31 of the printing device 13. The type of subunits on the package receiving member is represented as "00010" for the printing device 5. Following the ID, the sub-unit, the opcode, which indicates the class of operations, and the operands [0] to [n], which indicate an object of the operations, are stored in the data field, in order to store an AV / C command for the printing device 5. With these operands, the still image data is stored (data) transmitted to the printing device 5 and AV / C commands for the printing device 5. The commands stored in the data field are those comprised in a command set, called AV / C commands, used to control the printing device 5. The CTS before mentioned classifies the FCPs, so that, if a transmitted packet is a command, and has a value of 0000, an AV / C command, defined in the Digital Interface Command Set AV / C of the IEEE 1394 standard, is stored in the data part 102. When an isochronous packet is issued outwardly, the data conversion unit 13 transmits isochronous packets at regular intervals. If the data conversion unit 13 transmits an asynchronous packet 100 as fixed image data for printing by the printing device 5 comprised therein, it transmits the asynchronous packet 100 in a cycle period of 125 μsec, as shown in the figure 6. It is noted that the data conversion unit 13 first transmits a cycle start packet 111, which is an asynchronous packet 100 comprising the cycle time data (cycle_time_time) indicating a start of cycle (start_cycle) in a header part 101, and after a lapse of a preset time slot, transmits a command packet 112 comprising a data part 102 a capture command indicating the direction of transmitting, for example, still image data. The data conversion unit 13 then transmits, each cycle period, a data packet 113, which has image data fjja stored in its data part 102, to the printing device 5 which has received the capture command. It should be noted that when still image data is output to the printing device 5, the data conversion unit 13 observes the asynchronous regulation. That is, when the still image data output to the printing device 5, the data conversion unit 13 transmits each asynchronous packet 100, inclusive of still image data, according to the response from the printing device 5. Specifically , the data conversion unit 13 executes the processing in the transaction layer, the link layer and the physical layer, under supervision of the serial bus that conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard. Thus, the data conversion unit 13 establishes the interconnection to the printing device 5, under the control of the CPU 23, while generating an asynchronous packet 100, including fixed image data and overloading as the control information, and transmitting asynchronous packets 100 to the printing device 5, connected to the same according to the IEEE 1394 standard, each cycle period, in order to execute the control by time division. When moving image data is directly received by the STB 3, which does not execute the processing that conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard by the television device 4, the data conversion unit 13 outputs the moving image data from the decryptor 12 to the demultiplexer 14, based on the control signal of the CPU 23. The demultiplexer 14 executes a channel classification processing of sorting a specified channel by CPU 23, from several channels superimposed on the moving image data from the data conversion unit 13, to output only the moving image data indicating the specified channel to the MPEG 16 processor. The demultiplexer 14 is fed with fixed image data, formed of luminance information and chromaticity information, from the MPEG 16 processor, under the control of the CPU 23, stores the still image data in the image memory 15 and outputs the stored data to the data conversion unit 13 under the control of the CPU 23. Based on the control signal from the CPU 23, the processor MPEG 16 executes the decoding processing, according to the MPEG standard, on the moving image data from the multiplexer 14, to output the resulting non-compressed moving image data to the NTSC 18 encoder. Thus, the MPEG 16 , formulates an image, comprised of pixel data, which includes the luminance information (Y) and the chromaticity information (Cr, Cb), referred to below as a YCC image, from respective frames that make up an image in motion . It is noted that the MPEG processor 16 incidentally stores various frame-based image moving data, such as a decoding object, in a memory for MPEG 17, for use as a work area. The MPEG processor 16 generates the YCC image of a pixel format so that the sampling frequency ratio of the luminance information Y, the chromaticity information Cr and the chromaticity information Cb is set to 4: 2: 2, is said so that the chromaticity information Cr, Cb is reduced in the horizontal or vertical direction to half the luminance information Y. Also, the MPEG 16 processor generates a YCC image of a 4: 2: 0 pixel format so that the chromaticity information CR, Cb is reduced in both horizontal and vertical directions to half the luminance information Y. It is noted that, in the 4: 2: 0 pixel format, the odd line lacks the Cr chromaticity information to give a sampling frequency ratio of 4: 0: 2. However, this format is expressed as 4: 2: 0 which is the previous relationship. It is possible that the MPEG 16 processor generates a YCC image not only of the 4: 2: 2 or 4: 2: 0 pixel format but also of the 4: 4: 4 pixel format in which the information of chromaticity. The MPEG processor 16 also executes the coding processing, which conforms to the MPEG standard, on the moving image data from the NTSC encoder 18, based on the control signal representing, for example, the compression ratio from the CPU 23, for compressing the moving image data in the temporal and spatial directions, for outputting the resulting compressed data to the demultiplexer 14. The MPEG 16 processor executes the processing of storing various moving image data on a frame basis for the memory encoding processing for MPEG 17. The NTSC encoder 18 executes the encoding processing to formulate the moving image data of the NTSC system, which may be displayed on a screen by the television device 4, from the input of image data in motion from the MPEG 16 processor, to output the resulting data on the TV device 4. The display controller 19 executes the display processing of the moving image data of the NTSC system by the NTSC encoder 18 in the television device 4. At that time, the display controller 19 incidentally stores the data. for processing in a display memory 20. Specifically, the display controller 19 executes the processing to provide an image size for display with 720 by 480 pixels of the NTSC system or the 1920 horizontal pixels by 1080 vertical pixels of the HD system ( high definition), depending on the television device 4, as an image size for display on the television device 4, in terms of a frame constituting image data in motion as a unit. In the generation of data of a pixel, the display controller 19 executes the emission processing of the 16-bit information with the pixel format in which the sampling frequency ratio of the luminance signal Y, the chromaticity signals Cr and the chromaticity signals Cb is set to 4: 2: 2, or the information with the pixel format in which the sampling frequency ratio of the luminance signal Y, the chromaticity signals Cr and the chromaticity signals Cb are set at 4: 2: 0, for the television device 4. The display controller 19 can be used not only in the case of the above described emission system towards the device 4 which is used, but also in the case of an image of the type of image, in which the image size is defined (pixel_x, pixel_y), the scanning system (interlacing / progressive), the pixel format ( pixel_format), the aspect ratio of the screen (aspect_screen_relation), the pixel aspect ratio and the image size will be produced as shown in Figure 7 In this figure, the type of image in which the pixel_y is of 720 pixels, the 4: 2: 2 pixel format and the screen aspect ratio is 16: 9, and is called 720_422_16x9. It is noted that the display controller 19 is also capable of generating an image of 720_422_16x9 and 720_420_16x9, as image types of the digital television transmission system used in the United States of America, and of generating an image of 576_422_4x3 and an image of 522_420_4x3, as PAL system image types (phase-by-line alternation).

By actuating the user for example, a driving button provided on the STB 3, the operation input unit 21 generates an op-tional input signal for outputting the generated signal to the CPU 23. Specifically, the unit operative input 21 transiently stops the moving image displayed by the user on the television device 4 to generate an operational input signal for imaging a still image by the printing device 5. On the basis for example of the operational input signal from the operational input unit 21, the CPU 23 generates a control signal to control the different parts mentioned above that make up the STB 3. When the image signals received for example, on the antenna 2 are to be displayed on the television device 4, the CPU 23 outputs the control signals to the demodulator 11, the decryptor 12, the data conversion unit 13, the demultiplexer 14 and the MPEG processor 16 to operate the control to demodulate and decrypt the moving image data, execute the channel classification processing and decode the moving image data of according to the MPEG standard. If the still images on a frame basis, between the moving images displayed on the television devices 4 by the operational input signal from the operational input unit 21 will be captured, the CPU 23 generates the control signals that are going away. to read in the still image data on a frame basis, stored in the display memory 20 at a time point of input of the operational input signal, inside the image memory 15. If an input signal is operative for printing an image that generates the still image data by the printing device 5 is input, the CPU 23 controls the demultiplexer 14 and the data conversion unit 13 for emitting the YCC image, formed of luminance information Y and the chromaticity information Cr, Cb, and which is that of the still image data based on the frame stored in the image memory 15, for the printing device 5 through the data conversion unit 13, which l is an interface circuit that conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard. If the still image data is to be transmitted to the printing device 5, under the control of the CPU 23, the data conversion unit 13 transmits, after the subunit shown in Figure 5, the asynchronous packet 100, which has a capture command stored therein as explained below with reference to Figure 8, to transmit a capture command to receive the still image data to the printing device 5. In order to introduce the categorization of the transmission destination, as a premise for transmitting image data from the STB 3 to the printing device 5, the data conversion unit 13 formulates a version command to verify the profile information. The. data conversion unit 13, which issues the version command to acquire a response from the transmission source, acquires the information that can be provided by the source of image data transmission, here the printing device 5, to verify the data of image for transmission. Next, the printing device 5 is explained. With reference to figure 3, the printing device 5 includes a data input unit 31 for entering fixed image data from the printing device 5, a ROM (read only memory) 32 , which has stored in it a printing control program, a printing system 33 for printing on a support, a RAM 34, and a CPU 35 for controlling several components. The data input unit 31 is comprised of an interface circuit that adheres, for example, to the IEEE standard 1394, and which responds to a control signal from the CPU 35, executes signal processing that conforms to the IEEE standard 1394 over fixed image data comprised in the asynchronous packet 100 from the STB 3. Specifically, the data entry unit 31 executes the processing in a transaction layer, a link layer and a physical layer, under bus handling serial that sticks to the standard IEEE 1394. This allows the data entry unit 31 to output still image data comprised in the asynchronous packet 100 to the CPU 35.

The data entry unit 31 also executes the arrangement with the data conversion unit 13 of the STB 3, for transmission / reception interconnection of the asynchronous packet 100 between it and the printing device 5, such as in the case when the data input unit 31 is mechanically coupled to the STB 3 on for example an optical cable. The printing system 33 is comprised of a print media maintenance / drive mechanism, a printer head, a printer head drive and so on, and prints a still image on a support, under the control of the CPU 35. The CPU 35 generates a control signal to control the data input unit 31 and the printing system 33. At that time, the CPU 35 operates according to a print control program stored in ROM 32, while which controls the contents of RAM 34 using RAM 34 as a work area. If it is fed from the data entry unit 31 with a command to supply the profile information from the data conversion unit 13, the CPU 35 routes the profile information, specifying the executable processing contents on the program of printing control, to the data input unit 31 or to the printing system 33. Referring to Figure 8, a version command generated in the data conversion unit 13 is explained.

In the hexadecimal version 4416 command package that indicates a version command is represented as an opcode (operation code). The operand [0] is then set to Reserved, the subunit specification information (printer_subunity_version) of the printer device 5 is stored in the operand [1], and the profile information (implementation_profile_id) is stored as the operand [2] and the operands [3] - [4] are set to Reserved. The above subunit specification information indicates that the version information of the data transmission destination for the STB 3. The subunit specification information represents the relevant version information for the image processing function and the print function of the printing device 5. The subunit specification information is established by the data input unit 31 as shown in Figure 9, and input to the data conversion unit 13 as a response packet. In Figure 9, if operand [1] is set, [00] in hexadecimal. the data conversion unit 13 recognizes that the image processing function and the printing function of the printing device 5 are of the specifications prescribed in the version 1.0 specifications. If operand [1] is set to a value other than [00], it indicates that it satisfies other specifications. That is, a different value of [00] is associated with other specifications proposed in the future.

The profile information denotes the type of image data that can be satisfied by the printing device 5. The profile information is divided between the minimum (minimum) layout information, the DSC layout information, the DTV layout information ( digital television) and DSC and DTV layout information. The profile information is established by the data entry unit 31 as shown in Figure 10 and is entered as a response packet to the data conversion unit 13. Referring to Figure 10, if [00] in hexadecimal is set in operand [2], the data conversion unit 13 recognizes that the printing device is at its minimum disposition. If [01], [02] and [03] are set in operand [2], the data conversion unit 13 recognizes that the printing device is in the DSC arrangement, in the DTV arrangement and in the DSC and DTV arrangement , respectively. The data conversion unit 13 has a table shown in FIG. 11, and which responds to the arrangement of the printing device 5, recognized from the response package, which recognizes the profile that satisfies the printing device 5. This unit of data conversion 13 is responsible for the contents set in the operand [2] of the reference image indicating the search result to recognize the image size and the type of image (type of image format) supported by the printing device .5 For example, if the data conversion unit 13. recognizes that the printing device 5 is in a minimal arrangement, from the statement of [00] in the operand [2] of the response packet from the printing device 5 , the data entry unit 31 recognizes that only the image data of 640 pixels by 480 pixels of the sRGB form are supplied by the printing device 5. Referring to FIG. 12, the capture command, generated by the data conversion unit and transmitted to the data entry unit 31 is explained hereunder. In a capture command packet, a capture command expressed in XX16 in hexadecimal notation is stored as an opcode (operation code). Next, the subfunction information is stored as the operand [0], the information of the source subunit type (subunit-type source) and the source subunit ID information (sub_source unit_ID) are stored as the operand [1] in the subunits. three upper bits and in the three lower bits respectively, the source plug information (pin_source) is stored as the operand [2], the status information is stored as the operand [3], and the destination pin information (dest_pink ) is stored as the operand [4]. In a capture command, the job ID information (print_job_ID) is stored as operands [5] to [16], the data size information [size_data] is stored as operands [17] to [20], the image size information [image_x_size] is stored as the operands [21] to [22], the image size information [image_size_y] is stored as the operands [23] to [24], the image format information (image_specifier_format) is stored as the operands [25] to [26], the operands [27] to [29] are reserved, the image number information (next_image) that specifies the image number for printing that is stored as the operand [30] and the page number information (next_page) that specifies the page number for printing are stored as operands [31] to [32]. In this image printing system 1, the working means that process the contents through the processing of the data transmission and the printing processing and are comprised of at least one page. The page is comprised in the work and indicates a processing unit executed on a single printing medium, such as a print sheet, executed at work. The page is comprised of at least one page. The image indicates a processing unit included in a page and obtained in the division of each page. Specifically, the page denotes a processing unit used in an image pattern comprised in a printing medium. Referring to Figure 13, the subfunction information (subfunction) can be enumerated by the information expressed by 01 in the hexadecimal notation and called "obtaining", the information expressed by 02 in hexadecimal annotation and called "fixation", the information expressed by 03 in hexadecimal notation and called "query". The data conversion unit 13 sets the sub-function for [01 (obtaining)], [02 (setting)], and [03 (inquiry)] when it acquires the operation parameter of 2 indicating the printing disposition information of the device printer 5, when the mode parameter 2 of the printing device 5 is set and when it is desired to evaluate the adjustable range of the operation mode parameter 2 of the printing device 5. If the sub-function is different from 01, 02 or 03 in annotation hexadecimal (other values), the subfunction is reserved. The information of type of subunit source [source_subunity_type] is the information that specifies the type of the subunit to which STB 3 transmits the asynchronous packet 100, the information of subunit ID source [source_subunity_ID] is an ID of the subunit that transmits the packet asynchronous 100, the source pin information (pin_source) is the pin number of the sub-unit to which the asynchronous packet 100 is transmitted, the pin member information of reception (dest_speed) is a plug member of the sub-unit that receives the asynchronous packet 100, the work ID information (print_work_ID) is a printout (work) ID of a single still image, the data size information (size_data) is the amount of data transmitted from the STB 3 to the printing device 5 when printing a still image on the printing device, the image size information (image_size_x) is the number of pixels in the x direction, which corresponds to the type of image shown in figure 7, the image size information (image_size_y) is the number of pixels in the y direction, corresponding to the image type, and the image format information (image_specifier_format) is the name of the image type. The Reserved is constituted by an optional number of bits and is provided to provide the number of bits of the complete capture command equal to a multiple of 4. When providing this Reserved, the resulting number of bits is convenient for the unit of data in the transmission of the package that conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard. In the image_format_specifier, the image type designation is classified by the values of the hexadecimal number (Value) as shown in figure 14, where "large" in the type designation of image denotes that the image is the fixed image transmitted by dot-sequential from the data conversion unit 13 to the printing device 5, while "contour" denotes that the image is the still image transmitted by sequential-line from the data conversion unit 13 to the printing device 5. In the image_format_is? ecifier, not only the type designation of the image can be stored agen, as shown in figure 14, but also the naming of the type of image expressed in hexadecimal annotation (values, sub-values) and lacking the relevant information about the number of pixels, as shown in figure 15, in distinction of the type of image shown in Figure 14. The number of pixels for printing on the printing device 5 is defined by the size-x image set in the operands [21] to [22] and the image_size_and set in the operands [23] to [24] in the capture command shown in figure 12. For example, if [00] in hexadecimal notation is set in the msb of the image_specifier_format (meaning: original sRGB), it indicates that the RGB data as image data will be transmitted to the printer device 5. If [00] in hexadecimal notation is set to the msb of the spec_format_image, and [00] in hexadecimal annotation is set to its Isb (type: original sRGB), then the RGB data is transmitted in the R sequence, G; B, R, G, B, ... or in the sequence of R, G, B, O, R, G, B, O, ... if [00] (type: original sRGB) in the hexadecimal notation is set in its Isb or if [01] (type: original sRGB, quadruple) in hexadecimal notation is set in its Isb, respectively. That is, if [00] is set in the msb, the data 0 is transmitted between B and R so that R, G, B. O is transmitted as four-bit data of a unit. If [01] (meaning: original YCC) is set in the msg of the spec_form_magen, it indicates that the image data is transmitted as YCC data to the printer device 5. If [01] in hexadecimal notation is set to the msb of the image_specifier_format, the luminance information and the chromaticity information are transmitted by sequential-point (coarse) as data of the 4: 2: 2 pixel format, data of the 4: 2: 2 pixel format are transmitted by sequential-line ( contour), the luminance information and the chromaticity information are transmitted by dot-sequential (coarse) as data of the 4: 2: 0 pixel format and the data of the 4: 2: 2 pixel format are transmitted by sequential-line (contour), if [OX] in the hexadecimal notation, where X is an undefined number (type: YCC 4: 2: 2 original / pixel), it is set to Isb, if [1X] is set to Isb (type : YCC 4: 2: 2 original / line), if [8X] is set to Isb (type: YCC 4: 2 : 2 original / thick), or if [9X] is set to the Isb (type: YCC 4: 2: 0 original / line), respectively. If [01] in the hexadecimal notation (meaning: original YCC) is set in the msb of the spec_factor_magen_magen and if [X0-XC] in hexadecimal annotation is set in the Isb, that data is transmitted in which it is specified the pixel ratio (1.00x1.00 pixel ratio, 1.19x1.00 pixel ratio or 0.89x1.00 pixel ratio), the color space is specified (ITU-R (International Telecommunications Union-Radiocommunication Sector) BT. 709-2, ITU-R BT. 601-4 or ITU-R BT: 1203), point-sequential transmission (coarse) or sequential-line (contour) is specified. If [X0-X4] in hexadecimal notation is set in Isb, the interlaced image is transmitted, whereas, if [X8-XC] in hexadecimal notation is set in Isb, the progressive image is transmitted. If [X0-X2] and [X8-XA] are set in the Isb, it indicates that the data will adhere to ITU-R BT. 601 to 604 are transmitted. If [X4] and [XC] are set in the Isb, it indicates that the data that is attached to ITU-R BT..1203 (PAL system) is transmitted. If [10] in hexadecimal (meaning: DCF object) is set in the msb of the image_format_specifier, it indicates that the image data will be transmitted to the printing device in a format prewritten in the digital camera (DCF: design rule for camera format). If [10] in hexadecimal notation is set in the msb of the spec_format_image, and [00] (type: Exif 2.1) in hexadecimal annotation is set in the Isb, it indicates that the data to be transmitted is the Exif type data. , in which the image portion of the JPEG system and a header that records the photography states or conditions are appended. If Isb is [01] (type: JFIF (interim format - JPEG file playback)) in hexadecimal, it indicates that data of type J Fl F will be transmitted. If the Isb is [02] (type: TIFF (distinctive image file format)) in hexadecimal, it indicates that the data of the TIFF type will be transmitted, considering that if the Isb is [0F] (type: JPEG (group of experts of joint photographic coding)), indicates that the image data will be transmitted to the printing device 5 in the JPEG format. If [80 to 8F] in hexadecimal is set in the msb of the image_format_specifier, it indicates that the data to be transmitted is in accordance with a different format and that the data of the format specified by [00 to FF] is transmitted. in the Isb. In the image_specifier_format, it is also possible to set [FE] in hexadecimal (meaning: special meaning) in the msb, to set [00] (type: defined by unit plug) depends on STB3 and the plug of the printing device 5 in the Isb and to fix [01] (without attention) the data format is not specified, in distinction from the aforementioned example. The data conversion unit 13 transmits the asynchronous packet 100, which has the capture command stored therein, receives an ACK (acknowledgment) from the printing device 5 and transmits the asynchronous packet 100 comprising the still image data to the printing device 5. The transmission rules for static image data are shown in figures 16 to 19. Figure 16 shows the order of transmission of pixel data in the transmission of point-sequential (coarse) static image data with a YCC pixel format 4: 2: 2 towards the printing device 5. Figure 17 shows the order of transmission of pixel data in the transmission of point-sequential (coarse) static image data with a pixel format of YCC 4: 2: 0 towards the printing device 5.

Figure 18 shows the order of transmission of pixel data in the line-sequential transmission (contour) of static image data with a YCC pixel format 4: 2: 2 to the printing device 5. Figure 19 shows the order of transmission of pixel data in the transmission of line-sequential (contour) of static image data with a pixel format of 4: 2: 0 towards the printing device 5. In figures 16 to 19, Yi (Lj) indicates the information of 'luminance Y which has a pixel number i included in a line number j. The pixel number i used to designate the pixel of the luminance information Y has an integer value of 1 'to N, and the line number j has an integer value of 1 to M. Cbi (Lj) indicates the difference information color Cb having a pixel number i included in a line number j The pixel number i used to designate the pixel of the color difference information Cb has a value of 1, 3, 5 N-1, and the number of 'line j has an integer value of 1 to M in the case of YCC 4 2 2 or a value of 1, 3, 5, N-1 in the case of YCC 4 : 2: 0 Cri (Lj) indicates the color difference information Cr having a pixel number i included in a line number j. The pixel number i used to designate the pixel of the color difference information Cr has a value of 1, 3, 5 .... N-1, and the line number j has an integer value of 1 to M, in the case of YCC 4: 2: 2 or a value of 1, 3, 5, ..., N-1 in the case of YCC 4: 2: 0. N indicates the total number of pixels in a line. M indicates the total number of lines within a screen. In this case, when the static image data included in the asynchronous packet 100 having an image type of 480_4224x3 shown in Figure 14 is transmitted to the printing device 5 in dot-sequential (thick), it consists of pixels with the numbers of pixels 1 to 720 provided in the x-direction and line numbers 1 to 480 provided in the address y, the data conversion section 13 transmits the pixel data as shown in figure 20. Specifically, subsequent to the address offset ( direction_disagreement), the data conversion section 13 transmits the luminance information Y1 (L1), luminance Y2 (L1), color difference information Cb1 (L1) and color difference information Cr1 (L1) with respect to the number of pixel 1 including the line number 1 After, subsequent to the pixel data up to the pixel number 720 included in the line number 1, the data conversion section 13 t transmits the luminance information and the color difference information of the next line number 2 and the subsequent line numbers. The data conversion section 13 transmits the pixel data to the pixel number 720 included in the line number 480, thereby completing the transmission of the static image data representing a static image.

When the image type is 480_420_4x3, the data conversion section 13 transmits the luminance information Y1 (L1), the luminance information Y2 (L1), the luminance information Y1 (L2) and the luminance information Y2 (L2) ) with respect to the pixel number 1 included in the line number 1 subsequent to the address offset (direction_desp), and then transmits the color difference information Cb1 (L1), color difference information Cr1 (L1), luminance information Y3 (L1) and luminance information Y4 (L1) included in the pixel data of the pixel number 1, as shown in FIG. 21. Then, the data conversion section 13 transmits the pixel data to the pixel number 720 included in the line number 480, thereby completing the transmission of the data of static image that represent a static image. When the static image data having the same type of 480_422_4x3 included in the asynchronous packet 100 is transmitted by line-sequentially, the data conversion section 13 transmits the luminance information Y1 (L1), the luminance information Y2 (L1). ), the luminance information Y3 (L1), the luminance information Y4 (L1), ..., luminance information Y720 (L1) with respect to the line number 1 subsequent to the address offset (direction_desplash), and then transmit color difference information Cb1 (L1), color difference information Cr1 (L1), difference information, color Cb720 (L1) and color difference information Cr 720 (L1) with respect to line number 1 , as shown in Figure 22. Then, the data conversion section 13 transmits the luminance information and the color difference information of the line number 2 and the subsequent line numbers and transmits the i color difference information Cr720 (L480) of line number 480, thereby completing the transmission of the static image data. When the static image data having the image type of 480_420_4x3 included in the asynchronous packet 100 is transmitted by sequential line, the data conversion section 13 first transmits the luminance information Y1 (L1) to the luminance information Y720 (L1) of the line number 1, then transmits the luminance information Y1 (L2) to the luminance information Y720 (L2) of the line number 2, and then transmits the color difference information Cb1 (L1), color difference Cr1 (L1) towards the color difference information Cb720 (L1), color difference information Cr719 (L1) of the line number 1, then transmitting the pixel data of the line number 1 and the line number 2, as shown in Fig. 23. Then, the data conversion section 13 transmits the luminance information and the color difference information of the line number 3 and the line numbers. It transmits the color difference information Cb719 (L479) and the color difference information Cr719 (L479), thereby completing the transmission of the static image data. The processing contents that make up the print control program on the printing device 5 are explained by reference to the flow chart of Fig. 24. The CPU 35 performs the processing shown in Fig. 24 according to the print control program . In Figure 24, the data input unit 31 of the printing device 5 in the step ST1 is fed from the data conversion unit 13 with a packet generated in accordance with the IEEE 1394 standard. The data entry unit 31 executes processing in the transaction layer, the link layer and the physical layer, in accordance with the IEEE 1394 standard to extract the still image data which is the YCC image formed from the luminance information Y and the chromaticity information Cr and Cb. In the next step ST2, the CPU 35 executes the screen dump to print everything that is displayed on the entire screen of the television device 4. In the next step ST3, the CPU 35 executes the scanning of frames on the image data fixed screen voids in the ST2 stage. That is, the CPU 35 performs the processing of converting the still image data into dot form to transfer the data to the printing system 33.

In I-a next step ST4, the CPU 35 performs the increase / shrink processing of the still image data scanned in the previous step ST3. That is, the CPU 35 executes processing to change the print size of the still image within a range specified by the user. In the next step, ST5, the CPU 35 adjusts the color of the still image data contracted in the previous step ST4 to prepare the print data of R (red), G (green) and B (blue). The expression of relationship of a pixel value with the color space designated in the Y format (ITU-RBT.601-4) and a pixel value with the color space designated by RGB is described as follows.

Y, 6OIYCC = 0.299 * R, RGB + 0.144 * B'RGB CG'6OIYCC = 0.713 * (R'RGB-Y'SOIYCC = 0.500 * R'RGB-0 419 * G'RGB-0.081 * B, RGB Cb ' 6oiYcc = 0.564 * (B'RGB-Y 6? IYcc) .... = 0.169 * R'RGB-0.331 * G'RGB + 0.500 * B'RGB As an 8-bit value, these can be expressed as follows.

Y'601YCC_8b¡t = (219.0 * Y'601YCc) + 16.0 Cr'6oiYcc_8 b¡t = (224.0 * Cr'6oi cc) "r128.0 The 8-bit value is transmitted as image data from STB3 to the printing device 5, and the 8-bit YCC value is converted to RGB in step ST5, the expression of the ratio of a pixel value to the color space designated in the Y format (ITU-RBT.709-2); A pixel value with the color space designated by RGB is described as follows.

Y'709YCC = 0.2126 * R'RGB + 0.7152 * G'RGB + 0.0722 * B'RGB Cb'7o9? Cc = 0.5389 * (B'RGB-Y 'o9Ycc) Cr' 09YCC = 0.6350 * (R'RGB-Y '709YCC As an 8-bit value, these can be expressed as follows.

Y'709YCC_8bit = (219.0 * Y'709YCc) + 6.0 Cb'709Ycc_8b, t = (224.0 * Cb'709Ycc) +128.0 Cr'7o9Ycc_8b? T = (224.O * Cr'709Ycc) + 128.O This value of 8 bits is transmitted as image data from STB3 to the printing device 5, and the 8-bit YCC value is converted to RGB in step ST5. In the next step ST6, the CPU 35 converts the image data with color adjustment of R, G and B into respective colors of turquoise, purple and yellow to decide the proportions of turquoise, purple and yellow at each point. The CPU 35 then executes the color simulation in step ST7. Next, in step ST8, the CPU 35 outputs the color simulation printing data for the printing system 33 to drive the drive system 33 to execute the printing process of drawing an image on the support. In the image printing system 1, configured as described above, the processing of the CPU 23 in the printing of image data received in the STB3 by the printing device 5 is explained with reference to figures 25 and 26. In the diagram of flow shown in Figure 26, the CPU 23 of the STB3 is powered in the step ST11 with an operational input signal of freezing of the moving image displayed on the television device 4, by the action of the user on the operating button provided in the STB3. The CPU 23 is responsible for controlling the display controller 19 to stop the emission (S1 in FIG. 25) of the moving image data from the NTSC encoder 18 to the television device 4 to demonstrate the still image on the television device 4. Yes, in the next step ST12, the operational input signal of selecting the still image based on frame data, frozen in the previous stage ST11 and displayed in the television device 4, to print the data of image on the printing device 5, are fed to the CPU 35 from the operational input unit 21, the CPU 25 controls the display controller 19, the MPEG processor 16, and the demultiplexer 14 to read the still image data on a frame basis stored in the display memory 20 in the image memory 15. This allows the CPU 35 to store the fixed image data, conformed by the luminance information Y and the information of the romaticity Cr, Cb, in the image memory 15. In the next step ST13, the CPU 35 controls the data conversion unit 13 to establish the interconnection between the STB3 and the printing device 5 according to the IEEE 1394 standard. That is, when it is powered with the control signal to establish the interconnection from the CPU 35, the data conversion unit 13 generates a command pack (S2) to effect the pin recognition between it and the data entry unit 31. At At the same time, the data input unit 31 of the printing device 5 sends a command packet, which has stored therein the information indicated by the source pin, for the data conversion unit 13. The data entry unit 31 of the printing device 5 transmits to the data conversion unit 13 a command packet (S2), which has stored therein the information indicated by the destination pin to make the connection asynchronous to the acknowledgment of the information indicated by the source plug, for the data conversion unit 13. This allows the data conversion unit 13 to recognize the information indicated by the destination plug of the data input unit 31 of the printing device 5. , while allowing the data entry unit 31 to recognize the information indicated by the bridge pin of the data conversion unit 13 of the STB3.

In the next step ST14, the CPU 23 requests the printing device 5 the size, direction and position of the print as well as the number of printing sheets in the printing of the still image. In the next step ST15, the CPU 23 controls the demultiplexer 14 and the data conversion unit 13 to output the still image data to the printing device 5 for printing thereby generating a data packet comprising the still image data stored in the image memory 15 for transmitting the data packet to the printing device 5. If the printing device 5 has received several data packets, including the information indicated by the destination pin, and has verified in this way that have received the complete still image data, the printing device 5 executes the processing shown in figure 15, under the control of the CPU 35, to print the image indicated by the still image data according to the specified print size and thus successively. A case of transmission / reception of the asynchronous packet 100 between the STB3 and the printing device 5 causes the printing device 5 to print the printing data (still image data) which is now explained with reference to figure 27. In this figure, the data conversion unit 13 of the STB3 first transmits to the data input unit 31 a command packet C1, inclusive of a command (SUBUNIT_INFO) which asks the information for the status of the data destination subunit (unit of data). data entry 31) and receives an answer packet R1 indicating the search result. This allows the data entry unit 31 to recognize that the destination of the data is the printing device that accommodates the AV / C command. The data conversion unit 13 prepares a capture command C2, including a version command, for the data entry unit 31, to receive the response packet R2 indicating the result of the search. This allows the data entry unit 31 to recognize the contents supported by the printing device 5 and the size and type of image of the image data in the transmission of subsequent image data. The STB3 responsible for the contents of the response packet R2 associated with the command pack C2 to verify whether the printing device 5 is able or not to print with an image with which the printing device 5 needs to perform the printing. Then, before proceeding to the data transmission, the data conversion unit 13 sends a command packet (JOB_QUEUE) made the printing device 5 to indicate that a print job of a still image exists and receives the corresponding response packet R3. The data conversion unit 13 then transmits to the printing device 5 a command pack C4 specifying the operating mode (OPERATION MODE) which specifies the printing arrangement, such as the type or size of the printing sheet, print quality. or color (monochromatic / color) or the printing position in the printing of the printing device 5 and receives a corresponding response package R4. The data conversion unit 13 establishes a pin for transmitting print data to the data input unit 31. That is, the STB3 transmits to the data input unit 31 a command pack C1, which is stored therein. a pin assignment command (ALLOCATE), in order to set the target pin, and receive a corresponding response packet R5. The data conversion unit 13 also transmits a command pack C6, which has stored therein a connection setup command (ATTACH), which indicates the pin for receiving a data packet comprising the print data for printing by the printing device 5 is set to effect the transmission / reception of the data packet, and acquires a corresponding response package R6. The data conversion unit 13 then establishes the subfunction to receive to transmit a command pack C7 comprising a capture command requesting the data entry unit 31 to receive the print data. The command pack C7 has stored therein the information indicated by a source pin of the data conversion unit 13 (source_plug). The data entry unit 31 is responsible for transmitting to the data conversion unit 13 a response packet (Interim) R7 indicating that the result can not be immediately returned to the data conversion unit 13. The data entry unit 31 then transmits to the data conversion unit 13 an S1 packet comprising the information of the APR (Output Asynchronous Port Register) indicating a port for asynchronously transmitting the print data. from the data conversion unit 13. The packet S1 has stored therein the information specified by the destination pin of the data entry unit 31 (dest_plug).

The data conversion unit 13 then transfers to the data input unit 31 a data packet S2 which has the print data stored therein in its data part 102. The data conversion unit 13 divides the data of the data unit 13. printing on preset data portions to transmit several S2 data packets. The data conversion unit 13 comprises the image data of the image size and image type corresponding to the search results recognized by the contents of the response packet R2 in the data packet S2. When the transmission of the complete still image data is completed, the data conversion unit 13 transmits to the data input unit 31 a command packet S3 comprising the relevant information for the iAPR (Input Asynchronous Port Register) of the flow control register of the source plug. The data entry unit 31 then transmits to the data input unit 13 an answer packet S3 (accepted) indicating the acceptance of the command packet C7 comprising the capture command. The data conversion unit 13 is responsible for this to transmit the command packet C8, which comprises a disconnection (DETACH) for the data input unit 31 of the printing device 5 to acquire a response packet R9 from the input unit of data 31. The data conversion unit 13 transmits to the data input unit 31 of the printing device 5 a command pack C9 comprising the disconnection (RELAY) for acquiring an answer packet R9 from the input unit of data 31. The data conversion unit 13 then transmits a command packet (JOB_QUEUE) C10, indicating the end of the sequence indicating the print job of a still image to acquire a corresponding response packet R10. The STB3, when doing this processing, verifies, depending on the contents of the response packet R2 for the command pack C2, whether the printing device 5 is able or not to execute the printing with an image of the same STB3 that it needs and, if printing is possible, the STB3 sequentially transmits to the printing device 5 a command to verify whether the image size is provided and a command whether or not the image type is desired, to execute the processing to acquire the results of search contained in the response package. With the image printing system 1 executing the above processing, it is possible to recognize the image size and the type of image supported by the printing device 5 at the output by transmitting the command pack C2 comprising the version command for the printing device 5 for verifying the type of profile supported by the printing device 5, while it is possible to recognize several support states, such as the image size or the type of image to acquire the profile of the printing device 5 so Extremely simple With this image printing system 1, it is possible to define the profile by means of the STB3, ie in the data source member, to make the printing arrangement suppress the difference in the images that can be printed depending on the type of printer . This allows the image printing system 1 to absorb the difference in the interconnection capacity between the printing devices of different types to achieve the assembly of the data source, i.e. the control device. Although the STB3 and the printing device 5 are interconnected in the above embodiment, the present invention is applicable to a case where other equipment is interconnected.

Although the data conversion unit 13 and the data input unit 31 as interface circuits that adhere to the IEEE 1394 standard are provided in the STB3 and in the printing device 5, respectively, the interface circuit can also be any appropriate different interface circuits, such as USB. That is, with the image printing system 1 having the STB3 and the printing device 5 including the USB, it is possible to transmit / receive packages between the STB3 and the printing device 5 by means of a digital system to have a fine image printed by means of a digital system. the printing device 5 Industrial Applicability In the data reception and transmission devices, in the data processing method and in the data transmission / reception system, described above, in which a command packet for verifying the profile is transmitted to the receiving member of data and the 'profile information as a search result is transmitted from the data receiving member to the data source member, the processing can be achieved in a shorter time without the need to verify the support status of the data receiving member on a plurality of occasions.

Claims (7)

CLAIMS.

1. A data receiving apparatus comprising: data processing means for performing the preset image processing using image data from a data source member; means of input / output to be fed from the data source member with image data comprised in a packet conforming to the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standard 1394 and to issue a response packet for a packet of command that adheres to the IEEE 1394 standard from the data source member; and control means for controlling the input / output means for transmitting to the data source member the profile information indicating a profile supplied by the image processing means, such as search results, which respond to the input of a command to search for a profile towards the input / output means.

2. A method of processing data in the execution of pre-set image processing using image data from a data source member, comprising: a step of being fed from the data source member with the image data comprised in a package that adheres to the IEEE standard (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394; a. response packet issuance stage that responds to a command packet that conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard from the data source member; and a step of transmitting to the source data member the profile information indicating a profile provided, as a search result, that responds to the input of a command packet for searching the processable image data profile.

3. A data transmission device comprising: image processing means for processing the input of image data from the outside to generate image data; input / output means for outputting the image data generated by the image processing data as image data that are comprised in a package that conforms to the IEEE standard (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394; and control means for operating the control to generate a command packet for searching a profile provided by the destination image data output to issue the generated command packet from the input / output means to a data receiving member , the control means also handling the control to change the type of image data output through the input / output means based on the profile information specifying the search results from the data receiving member.

4. A data processing method comprising: a. processing step of inputting image signals from the outside to generate image data; a step of transmitting the image data generated as image data that are comprised in a package that conforms to the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standard 1394; a step of generating a command packet for searching a profile provided by the image data output destination to issue the generated command packet to a data receiving member; and a handling control step for changing the type of image data output based on the profile information specifying the search results transmitted from the data receiving member.

5. A data transmission / reception system comprising a data transmission device and a data reception device; the data transmission device including: first image processing means for processing the input of image signals from the outside to generate image data; first input / output means for outputting the image data generated by the first processing means to an image receiving device according to the generated image data are comprised in a package that conforms to the IEEE standard (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394; and first control means for driving the control to generate a command packet for searching a profile provided by the receiving device gives image data for emitting the generated command packet from the input / output means towards the receiving device. data, the control means that also control the control to change the type of image data output through the first input / output means based on the profile information specifying the search results from the receiving member of data; the data reception device including second input / output means for receiving image data from the first input / output means according to the image data are comprised in a package that conforms to the IEEE standard (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394, and to issue a response packet that answers the command package that conforms to the IEEE standard (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 from the first means of entry / exit; second image processing means for executing the preset image processing using the image data input by the second image processing means; and second control means for controlling the second input / output means responsive to the input for the second input / output means of a command to search for a profile from the first input / output means, to output the profile information which indicates the profile provided by the image processing means, such as search results, for the data transmission device.

6. A data receiving apparatus comprising: an image processing section for performing preset image processing using television image data from a television signal reception device member; an input / output section to be fed from the television signal reception device member with the television image data comprised in an FCP (Function Control Protocol) package that conforms to the I EEE standard (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 and for issuing a response packet that answers a command packet that conforms to the I EEE 1394 standard from the television signal receiving device member; and a controller for controlling the input / output signal for transmitting to the television reception signal device the profile information indicating a profile provided by the image processing section, as search results, in response to the input of the a version command package to search for a profile of the image data that can be printed for the input / output section.

7. A data transmission device comprising: an image processing section for inputting image processing television data from the outside to generate image data; an input / output section for outputting the image data generated by the image processing section as the image data that is comprised in a FCP (Function Control Protocol) package that conforms to the IEEE standard (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394; and a controller for handling control for the generation of a version command packet for searching a profile of the printable image data provided by a data reception device such as the image data output destination for issuing. the version command packet generated from the input / output section to the data receiving device, the controller that also handles the control to change the type of image data output by the input / output section based on information Profile that specifies the search results from the data receiving device.