Electronic apparatus, image forming system, video printing system and camera-incorporated recording/reproduction apparatus

Abstract

The object of the present invention is, while employing only a simple structure, to engage in rapid communication with an external device and to display results of the communication. According to the present invention, disclosed is an electronic apparatus, which comprises conversion means for converting a target image into image signals, supply means for supplying, to a monitor, signals in consonance with the image signal obtained by the conversion means in order to reproduce the target image, communication means for using a DS-Link method to perform bidirectional communication with an external device handling the image signal for the target image and control means for displaying on the monitor information concerning the external device that is obtained by the communication means.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An electronic apparatus comprising: 
 supply means for supplying an image signal for a target image to a monitor in order to reproduce said target image;    communication means for using a DS-Link method to perform bidirectional communication with an external device, which handles said image signal for said target image; and    control means for displaying on said monitor information concerning said external device that is obtained by said communication means.    
     
     
         2 . An electronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said communication means is communication means that uses a bus.  
     
     
         3 . An electronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said external device is a printer for forming an image in consonance with said image signal.  
     
     
         4 . An electronic apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising recording/reproduction means for recording/reproducing said image signal.  
     
     
         5 . An electronic apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein recorded/reproduced image data transmission from said recording/reproduction means to said printer is enabled.  
     
     
         6 . An electronic apparatus according to one of  claims 3  to  5 , wherein information concerning the existence of an abnormal state at said printer is displayed on said monitor means.  
     
     
         7 . An electronic apparatus according to  claim 3  or  4 , wherein information indicating a lack of ink in said printer is displayed on said monitor means.  
     
     
         8 . An image forming system comprising: 
 an image input apparatus including display means with a backlight;    a printer; and    communication means for connecting said input apparatus to said printer,    wherein said backlight is turned off while image data are being transmitted, and    wherein when information concerning the state of said printer is received, said backlight is turned on and said information is displayed on said display means.    
     
     
         9 . A video printing system comprising: 
 display means with a backlight;    image recording/reproduction means;    a printer; and    communication means for connecting said display means, said image recording/reproduction means and said printer,    wherein said backlight is turned off while image data are being transmitted, and    wherein when information concerning the state of said printer is received, said backlight is turned on and said information is displayed on said display means.    
     
     
         10 . An image forming system according to  claim 9 , wherein, when information concerning a lack of ink in said printer is received, a search of a recording medium for an index, which is being performed by said image recording/reproduction means, is halted.  
     
     
         11 . An image forming system according to one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein said communication means conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard.  
     
     
         12 . An image forming system comprising: 
 an image input apparatus including monitor means;    a printer; and    communication means used for communication between said image input apparatus and said printer,    wherein said image input apparatus isochronously transfers video data, and asynchronously receives information concerning the state of said printer and displays said information on said monitor means.    
     
     
         13 . A video printing system comprising: 
 an image recording/reproduction apparatus including monitor means;    a printer; and    communication means used for communication between said image recording/reproduction apparatus and said printer,    wherein said image recording/reproduction apparatus isochronously transfers video data, and asynchronously receives information concerning a lack of ink in said printer and displays said information on said monitor means.    
     
     
         14 . A camera-incorporated recording/reproduction apparatus including monitor means, which is capable of communicating with another electronic apparatus using the DS-Link method, and which displays information concerning the state of said electronic apparatus on said monitor means.  
     
     
         15 . A video printing system comprising: 
 an image input apparatus including monitor means;    a printer; and    communication means used for communication between said image input apparatus and said printer,    wherein information concerning the state of said printer is displayed on said monitor means.    
     
     
         16 . A video printing system comprising: 
 an image recording/reproduction apparatus including monitor means;    a printer; and    communication means used for communication between said image recording/reproduction apparatus and said printer,    wherein information concerning the state of said printer is displayed on said monitor means.    
     
     
         17 . A video printing system according to  claim 15 , wherein transmission of image information from said image input apparatus to said printer is enabled.  
     
     
         18 . A video printing system according to  claim 16 , wherein recorded/reproduced image data transmission from said recording/reproduction apparatus to said printer is enabled.  
     
     
         19 . A video printing system according to  claim 15  or  16 , wherein information concerning an abnormal state of said printer is displayed on said monitor means.  
     
     
         20 . A video printing system according to  claim 15  or  16 , wherein information concerning a lack of ink of said printer is displayed on said monitor means.