Abstract: A command packet C2 comprehending a version command, the profile of which is to be checked, from a data source (STB) to a data destination side (printer device) and a response packet R2 including the profile information as the search result is transmitted from the data destination side to the data source side, which then transmits a data packet S2 including the picture data conforming to the profile information to the data destination side. Thus, the status of a controlled device can be checked by a control device in a shorter time.

Abstract: An image printing system which enables printing after setting for printing in detail, even in case of an equipment connected to an interface pursuant to the IEEE 1394 standard. The image printing system includes an MPEG processor 16 for processing image signals inputted from outside to generate image data, a CPU 23 for generating the printing control information containing at least one of the printing sheet type information, printing sheet size information, printing color information, printing quality information, printing position information and the printing layout information, and a data conversion unit 13 for managing control so that the image data and the printing control information will be included in a packet pursuant to the IEEE 1394 standard and the resulting packet is outputting to a printing device 5 and so that the image data contained in the output packet will be printed in accordance with the printing control information.

Abstract: A capture command in the AV/C protocol of the IEEE 1394 standard is set as follows. The quantity of data to be transmitted (data_size), the number of pixels in the X-direction (image_size_x) and the number of pixels in the Y-direction (image_size_y) are all set to 0. The image type (image_format_specifier) is set to “Don't Care”. A printer device, having received such a capture command, makes a blank in the corresponding print area without printing the image and then prints the next image.

Abstract: In equipments interconnected over an interface pursuant to the IEEE 1394 standard, the information indicating the detailed printing state is transmitted/received to prompt the user to take proper measures. An image printing system, proposed to this end, includes an STB 3 having an data conversion unit 13 and a printing device 5 having a data input unit 31. The data conversion unit 13 of the STB 3 generates a printing state information request which demands the printing state information including the error information and the alarm information, outputs the image data and the printing state information request in a packet pursuant to the IEEE 1394 standard and is fed with a response to the printing state information request.

Abstract: A printing system including printing equipment in which, even if the equipment are interconnected through an interface pursuant to the IEEE 1394 standard, the printing image may be set to effect printing. There is provided a CPU 23 for generating the printing control information containing the text printing image information indicating the picture processing contents for the text at the time of printing and the picture printing image information indicating the processing contents for a picture at the time of printing. There is also provided a data conversion unit 13 which manages control so that picture data and the printing control information will be contained in a packet consistent with the IEEE 1394 standard and sent as output to a printer device 5, and so that the picture data contained in the packet sent as output to the printer device 5 will be printed in accordance with the printing control information.

Abstract: In a printing system in which with a plurality of different types of controllers connected to one serial bus, different types of print data can be inputted to and printed by a printing unit. When a set top box and desktop and portable personal computers, different in type from each other, are connected to a IEEE 1394 serial bus, screen data is outputted from the set top box to an AV/C printer and PDL data is outputted from the personal computers to the AV/C printer. The AV/C printer judges the image type of the input data. Based on the image type, the printing system converts the print data to a type of print data supported by the AV/C printer.

Abstract: An image-printing system for printing a fine image represented by digital image data, which is being displayed by a television receiver. The system comprises an image-processing section 13, an image output section 13, a printer apparatus 5, and a printing control section 23. The image-processing section 13 processes an externally input image signal, generating image data. The image output section 13 outputs a packet to the printer apparatus 5. The packet complies with the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 standards and contains the image data generated by the image-processing section 13. The printing control section 23 controls the printer apparatus 5 so that the apparatus 5 may print the data represented by the image data contained in the packet that the image output section 13 has output to the printer apparatus 5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus for printing character data information of an electronic program guide added to externally inputted image information, comprising: an information processor comprising: demodulating/decoding means for detecting and demodulating/decoding the character data information of the electronic program guide added to the externally inputted image information; storage means for storing the demodulated/decoded character data information of the electronic program guide by the demodulating/decoding means; and output means for including the character data information of the electronic program guide stored by the storage means into a packet compliant with the IEEE 1394 standard and outputting the packet to the printer, and a printer comprising: input means for inputting the character data information of the electronic program guide included in the packet compliant with the IEEE 1394 standard outputted from the output means; print control means for detecting print co

Abstract: If bus resetting occurs during transmission of printing data (ST21), a printer device is requested to transmit the information output before the occurrence of bus resetting by a STB (C18). Responsive to a request from the STB, the information input before the occurrence of the bus resetting is output from the printing device to the STB (R18). Based on the information input responsive to the request, printing data is again output from the STB to the printing device (C19). So, the system itself recognizes the information output by the STB before the occurrence of the bus resetting to re-initiate data transmission as from mid data (S14). Thus, data transmission is to be carried out in a shorter time even when the bus resetting occurs to shorten the entire printing time.

Abstract: A printing system including printing equipment in which, even if the equipment are interconnected through an interface pursuant to the IEEE 1394 standard, the printing image may be set to effect printing. There is provided a CPU 23 for generating the printing control information containing the text printing image information indicating the picture processing contents for the text at the time of printing and the picture printing image information indicating the processing contents for a picture at the time of printing. There is also provided a data conversion unit 13 which manages control so that picture data and the printing control information will be contained in a packet consistent with the IEEE 1394 standard and sent as output to a printer device 5, and so that the picture data contained in the packet sent as output to the printer device 5 will be printed in accordance with the printing control information.

Abstract: A printing apparatus provides with an interface conforming to the IEEE 1394 Standards can carry out printing operations on a stable basis. The printing apparatus comprises a printing engine for carrying out a printing operation by using a printing data and a data input section adapted to receive a printing data contained in a packet conforming to the IEEE 1394 Standards and a command packet from an STB. The printing apparatus is moved into an idle status M2 for receiving a command packet when an add printing command is input from the STB and into a reception status M3 for limiting the reception of command packets other than the one containing a data transmission command when a data transmission command for receiving a printing data is input.

Abstract: A printing system including printing equipment in which, even if the equipment are interconnected through an interface pursuant to the IEEE 1394 standard, the printing image may be set to effect printing. There is provided a CPU 23 for generating the printing control information containing the text printing image information indicating the picture processing contents for the text at the time of printing and the picture printing image information indicating the processing contents for a picture at the time of printing. There is also provided a data conversion unit 13 which manages control so that picture data and the printing control information will be contained in a packet consistent with the IEEE 1394 standard and sent as output to a printer device 5, and so that the picture data contained in the packet sent as output to the printer device 5 will be printed in accordance with the printing control information.

Abstract: A trace line picture which is manually drawn with a pen is taken in by a camera or a scanner, and is supplied to a personal computer as an original line drawing. The personal computer carries out thinning processing on the supplied line drawing, and paints all pixels in a closed area surrounded by the thinned line with a color designated by an operator. Then, the computer thickens the original trace line and colors pixels on the thickened trace line with a predetermined color, in accordance with a command from the operator. The computer synthesizes the picture of the closed area surrounded by the thinned line and the thickened picture in accordance with a predetermined synthesis formula. Finally, the computer checks whether or not pictures synthesized over several frames are displayed as an appropriate dynamic image. By the above-described production processing, an animation color image can be quickly produced by using the computer.

Abstract: If bus resetting occurs during transmission of printing data (ST21), a printer device is requested to transmit the information output before the occurrence of bus resetting by a STB (C18). Responsive to a request from the STB, the information input before the occurrence of the bus resetting is output from the printing device to the STB (R18). Based on the information input responsive to the request, printing data is again output from the STB to the printing device (C19). So, the system itself recognizes the information output by the STB before the occurrence of the bus resetting to re-initiate data transmission as from mid data (S14). Thus, data transmission is to be carried out in a shorter time even when the bus resetting occurs to shorten the entire printing time.

Abstract: A command packet C2 comprehending a version command, the profile of which is to be checked, from a data source (STB) to a data destination side (printer device) and a response packet R2 including the profile information as the search result is transmitted from the data destination side to the data source side, which then transmits a data packet S2 including the picture data conforming to the profile information to the data destination side. Thus, the status of a controlled device can be checked by a control device in a shorter time.

Abstract: A seller of the content, such as a program production company or a movie production company, possesses a personal computer. A buyer of the content, such as a terrestrial, BS, CS, or cable television broadcast company, also possesses a personal computer. The personal computers of the seller and the buyer are connected to a content distribution intermediary system via a network. An unregistered user is able to make registration in the services offered by the content distribution intermediary system by using a personal computer of the user. The seller registers data of the content to be sold in a database of the content distribution intermediary system. Then, after conducting negotiations for a purchase-and-sale contract by using the services provided by the content distribution intermediary system, the seller and the buyer are able to settle the contract.

Abstract: In a printing system in which with a plurality of different types of controllers connected to one serial bus, even different types of print data can be inputted to and printed by a printing unit. When a STB 2, desktop PC 3 and portable PC 4, different in type from each other, are connected to the IEEE 1394 serial bus 1 A, screen data is outputted from the STB 2 to an AV/C printer 5 and PDL data is outputted from the desktop PC 3 to the AV/C printer 5, the type of the input data is judged by the AV/C printer 5. Even a PDL data not supported by the AV/C printer 5 can be printed by converting it to PDL data interpretable by the AV/C printer 5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus for printing character data information of an electronic program guide added to externally inputted image information, comprising: an information processor comprising: demodulating/decoding means for detecting and demodulating/decoding the character data information of the electronic program guide added to the externally inputted image information; storage means for storing the demodulated/decoded character data information of the electronic program guide by the demodulating/decoding means; and output means for including the character data information of the electronic program guide stored by the storage means into a packet compliant with the IEEE 1394 standard and outputting the packet to the printer, and a printer comprising: input means for inputting the character data information of the electronic program guide included in the packet compliant with the IEEE 1394 standard outputted from the output means; print control means for detecting print co

Abstract: Being capable of avoiding a problem due to unmatching of versions among devices upon data transmission through a network such as IEEE1394 type. In case where data obtained in an output device connected to a predetermined network is transmitted from the output device to the network and received by an input device connected to the network, the output device or a controller for controlling transmission on the network sends a first instruction for inquiring about the version of a function set in the input device and recognizes the version set in the input device through return transmission corresponding to the first instruction. If the version of the confirmed input device is lower than the version set in the output device or controller, a second instruction for changing the version to be set in the input device is transmitted so as to change the version and then, transmission of data from the output device is started.

Abstract: A printing apparatus provides with an interface conforming to the IEEE 1394 Standards can carry out printing operations on a stable basis. The printing apparatus comprises a printing engine for carrying out a printing operation by using a printing data and a data input section adapted to receive a printing data contained in a packet conforming to the IEEE 1394 Standards and a command packet from an STB. The printing apparatus is moved into an idle status M2 for receiving a command packet when an add printing command is input from the STB and into a reception status M3 for limiting the reception of command packets other than the one containing a data transmission command when a data transmission command for receiving a printing data is input.