Method and apparatus for controlling data communication in a copying system

摘要

A method and apparatus for controlling data communication in a copying system which is provided with a copying machine and a plurality of peripheral units cooperating with the copying machine. The copying machine has a single serial transmitting port. Data from the copying machine is first transmitted to one of the peripheral units through the serial transmitting port. Then, a connection between the serial transmitting port and the one of the peripheral units is electrically switched to a connection between the serial transmitting port and the other of the peripheral units. Thereafter, data from the copying machine is transmitted to the other of the peripheral units through the same serial transmitting port.