Digital copying machine and a digital copying machine system

Abstract

The digital copying machine has a MBD that controls the overall device of the digital copying machine. The machine also has an LDU that controls a drawing laser with which an image is drawn onto a photoconductive drum, an SCU that controls a scanner, and a PCU that controls a control panel through which a user gives an instruction for an operation. These units are directly connected to the MBD by serial cables via their respective high performance serial interfaces.

1 - 34 . (Canceled).  
   
   
       35 . A digital copying machine comprising: 
 a main control unit configured to control the overall digital copying machine; and    at least one high performance internal interface operably connected inside the digital copying machine to the main control unit.    
   
   
       36 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 35 , wherein said main control unit is operably connected to another unit by the at least one high performance internal interface.  
   
   
       37 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 35 , further comprising an image processing unit which performs digital image processing relative to an image being scanned by the digital copying machine, 
 wherein said image processing unit is operably connected to said digital copying machine by an image processing high performance serial interface.    
   
   
       38 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 35 , further comprising a panel control unit with which a user gives an instruction for an operation, 
 wherein said panel control unit is connected to said digital copying machine by a panel control high performance serial interface.    
   
   
       39 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 35 , wherein an option unit is connected to said digital copying machine by an optional high performance serial interface.  
   
   
       40 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 39 , wherein said option unit is at least one among a sorter unit, a paper tray unit, an ADF unit, a manual feeder unit, an auto page-turning unit, a charging unit, a bill recognition unit, an OCR unit, a remote diagnosis unit, a filing unit, a facsimile unit, a printer unit, a hard disk drive unit, a removal disk unit, and a paper turning-over unit.  
   
   
       41 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 40 , wherein all of said option units are connected to said digital copying machine by an individual optional high performance serial interface.  
   
   
       42 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 41 , wherein a control unit external of said option units is configured to control said individual optional high performance serial interfaces.  
   
   
       43 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 35  having an isochronous transfer mode and an asynchronous transfer mode as a data transfer mode, 
 wherein image data is transferred in the isochronous transfer mode and command(s) is transferred in the asynchronous transfer mode.    
   
   
       44 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 35 , wherein an IEEE 1394 bus is used as said at least one high performance internal interface.  
   
   
       45 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 35 , wherein a USB is used as said at least one high performance internal interface.  
   
   
       46 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 44 , wherein a plurality of high performance serial interfaces are included in said digital copying machine and said main control unit functions as a bus manager for said plurality of high performance serial interfaces.  
   
   
       47 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 45 , wherein a plurality of high performance serial interfaces are included in said digital copying machine and said main control unit functions as a controller for said plurality of high performance serial interfaces.  
   
   
       48 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 35 , wherein said digital copying machine is connected to an external device via a device high performance serial interface and a bridge.  
   
   
       49 . A digital copying machine comprising: 
 a main control unit inside the digital copying machine configured to control the overall digital copying machine; and    at least one high performance internal interface inside the digital copying machine and configured to interface with at least one external device.    
   
   
       50 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 49 , wherein said main control unit is further operably connected to another unit inside the digital copying machine by a high performance internal interface.  
   
   
       51 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 49 , further comprising an image processing unit which performs digital image processing relative to an image being scanned by the digital copying machine, 
 wherein said image processing unit is operably connected to said digital copying machine by an image processing high performance serial interface.    
   
   
       52 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 49 , further comprising a panel control unit with which a user gives an instruction for an operation, 
 wherein said panel control unit is connected to said digital copying machine by a panel control high performance serial interface.    
   
   
       53 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 49 , wherein an option unit is connected to said digital copying machine by an optional high performance serial interface.  
   
   
       54 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 53 , wherein said option unit is at least one among a sorter unit, a paper tray unit, an ADF unit, a manual feeder unit, an auto page-turning unit, a charging unit, a bill recognition unit, an OCR unit, a remote diagnosis unit, a filing unit, a facsimile unit, a printer unit, a hard disk drive unit, a removal disk unit, and a paper turning-over unit.  
   
   
       55 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 54 , wherein all of said option units are connected to said digital copying machine by an individual optional high performance serial interface.  
   
   
       56 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 55 , wherein a control unit external of said option units is configured to control said individual optional high performance serial interfaces.  
   
   
       57 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 49  having an isochronous transfer mode and an asynchronous transfer mode as a data transfer mode, 
 wherein image data is transferred in the isochronous transfer mode and command(s) is transferred in the asynchronous transfer mode.    
   
   
       58 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 49 , wherein an IEEE 1394 bus is used as said at least one high performance internal interface.  
   
   
       59 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 49 , wherein a USB is used as said at least one high performance internal interface.  
   
   
       60 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 58 , wherein a plurality of high performance serial interfaces are included in said digital copying machine and said main control unit functions as a bus manager for said plurality of high performance serial interfaces.  
   
   
       61 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 59 , wherein a plurality of high performance serial interfaces are included in said digital copying machine and said main control unit functions as a bus manager for said plurality of high performance serial interfaces.  
   
   
       62 . The digital copying machine according to  claim 49 , wherein said digital copying machine is connected to said external device via a bridge.