JP2000227843A - Interface device, its control method and information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device interface device which receives data, appropriately buffers it and sends it to a printing device by storing received data when effect that data cannot be received is detected and transmitting received data after effect that data can be received by following stored data is detected when effect that data can be received is detected. SOLUTION: When data is received, a CPU checks whether a printing device can receive data or not (S302). When it cannot receive data, received data is stored in the buffer area of a RAM (S304). It is discriminated whether a buffer area becomes full or not (S305). When it becomes full, effect is informed (S306). When it can be received, it is checked whether buffered data stored in the buffer area exists or not (S307). When it exists, data are transmitted to the printing device (S308). Received data are transmitted to the printing device after a buffer is cleared.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an interface device for a printing apparatus (printer), a control method thereof, and
The present invention relates to an information recording medium. In particular, the printer is installed in an expansion slot of a printing apparatus, is connected to a host computer, receives a print command (data) transmitted from the host computer while monitoring the buffering status of the printing apparatus, and appropriately buffers the received print command (data). The present invention relates to an interface device for a printing device to be transmitted to the device, a control method thereof, and an information recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of interfaces for connecting a printing apparatus to a host computer have already been proposed. For example, a host computer via a parallel port or an RS-232C port,
EEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Eng
ineers (American Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394, a USB (Universal Serial Bus), which has recently become widespread, and a communication network to which a host computer is connected.

[0003] By interpreting such an interface, the host computer sends a print command to the printing apparatus as data, which instructs processing for actually printing characters and figures and processing for controlling the printing apparatus itself. .

As described above, the shape of the connector is variously changed based on various standards, but it is desired that the hardware of the printing apparatus itself be common even if the connection status on the host computer side changes. In particular, there is a desire to exchange the host computer but to use the printing device as it is.

[0005] In view of the above, the interface device receives data and commands transmitted through the various connection modes as described above, and performs voltage conversion and impedance adjustment, buffering of the transmitted data and commands, and furthermore, Interpretation and filtering, followed by a printing device specific port format, e.g., RS-
Convert to 232C format and output.

As described above, by exchanging the interface device, one printing device can be used according to various situations. That is, a printing device corresponding to various connector shapes can be provided by a combination of the interface device and the printing device. Accordingly, the printing apparatus itself can be mass-produced, and the cost required for the entire printing apparatus can be reduced.

When a conventional interface device is used, a print command (data) is buffered in the following manner. That is, when the host computer sends a print command to the interface device, the interface device sends the print command to the printing device, and the printing device stores the print command in the reception buffer. When the receiving buffer of the printing device is full, the interface device is provided with, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-137.
No. 358 discloses an ASB (Auto Status)
Back) This is notified to the host computer as it is via a function or a busy signal line. The host computer
If the reception buffer full of the printing apparatus is notified, the transmission of the print command is interrupted.

[0008]

However, by using an interface device incorporated in the printing apparatus without changing the printing apparatus itself, data buffering can be performed more appropriately, and the processing speed in the host computer and the printing apparatus can be improved. There is a great demand to improve the printing speed.

When the printing apparatus responds to a real-time command as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-333856, when the interface apparatus receives the real-time command, the real-time command is simply stored in a buffer. In addition, it is necessary to have a function to respond to an urgent information request or the like from the host computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. The present invention is mounted on an expansion slot of a printing apparatus, connected to a host computer, and monitored by the host computer while monitoring the buffering status of the printing apparatus. A printing device interface device that receives the transmitted data, appropriately buffers the data, and transmits the data to the printing device;
An object of the present invention is to provide a control method and an information recording medium.

Further, according to the present invention, when data received by the interface device includes a print command to be transferred prior to the printing device, this is reliably transmitted to the printing device, and the print command from the host computer is transmitted. An object of the present invention is to provide an interface device for a printing apparatus capable of performing a buffer process according to characteristics, a control method thereof, and an information recording medium.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed in accordance with the principle of the present invention.

The interface device of the present invention is mountable in an expansion slot of a printing device, and includes a receiving unit, a transmitting unit, a detecting unit, a storing unit, and a controlling unit, and the receiving unit is connected to a host connected to the interface device. The data transmitted by the computer is received, the transmitting unit transmits the data to the printing device via an expansion slot of the printing device in which the interface device is mounted, and the detecting unit determines whether the printing device can receive the data. If the detection unit detects that the printing device cannot receive the data, the storage unit stores the data received by the reception unit, and the control unit can detect that the printing device can receive the data. If the detection means detects that the data can be received following the data stored in the storage means, the data is received by the reception means. The data is transmitted to the transmission means.

Further, the interface device of the present invention comprises:
Further, it can be provided with a discriminating means and a notifying means, and the discriminating means judges whether or not data can be further stored in the storage means, and the notifying means cannot store further data by the discriminating means. If it is determined, the host computer is notified of the determination.

[0015] The transmitting means of the interface device of the present invention may have a connector conforming to the RS-232C standard.

Further, the interface device of the present invention comprises:
When installed in the expansion slot of the printing device, the size can be set to fit in the housing of the printing device.

Further, the interface device of the present invention comprises:
Further, a real-time command transmission control means can be provided, and the real-time command transmission control means, when the informing means detects that the printing apparatus cannot receive the data, if the data received by the communication means is a real-time command, The data is transmitted to the transmission means.

According to the method of the present invention, a receiving step of receiving data transmitted by a host computer and a detecting step of detecting whether or not the printing apparatus can receive data are provided. And when detecting that the printing apparatus cannot receive data in the detecting step, storing the received data in the receiving step, and detecting in the detecting step that the printing apparatus can receive data, And transmitting the data stored in the storing step to the printing apparatus, if any, and then transmitting the data received in the receiving step to the printing apparatus.

Further, in the control method of the interface device according to the present invention, a discriminating step for discriminating whether or not data can be further stored in the storage means, and discriminating that no further data can be stored in the discriminating step. And a notifying step of notifying the host computer of the fact.

Further, in the control method of the interface device according to the present invention, when it is detected in the detecting step that the printing device cannot receive the data, if the data received in the receiving step is a real-time command, the data is printed. A step of transmitting a real-time command to be transmitted to the device. Can be further provided.

A program for controlling the interface device of the present invention can be stored in an information recording medium such as a compact disk, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital video disk, and a magnetic tape.

Further, a program for controlling the interface device of the present invention is provided by a WWW (World Wide Web).
The program can be updated by arranging it on the server computer of b), downloading it from here as appropriate, storing it in the interface device, updating the program, and causing the interface device to execute this program.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The embodiments described below are for explanation, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can adopt embodiments in which each of these elements or all elements are replaced with equivalents, but these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an embodiment of an interface device according to the present invention.

The interface device 101 is connected to the host computer 1 via the host interface 103.
02, and receives data transmitted from the host computer 102.

On the other hand, the interface device 101 is connected to the printing device 10 via the printing device interface 105.
4 and transmits the data transmitted from the host computer 102 to the printing apparatus 104. Printing device 104
Then, based on a print command in this data, characters and figures are printed on a print target such as paper or film.

The host interface 103 and the printing device interface 105 transfer serial data according to the RS-232C standard, parallel data transfer according to the Centronics standard, and Ethernet 10Base-code.
T, network connection such as 100Base-T, and a device compatible with a new data transfer standard such as USB can be adopted.

The host computer 102 and the printing device 10
In the case where the TTL (Transistor Transistor Logic) circuit inside the interface device 4 and the inside of the interface device 101 operate at different drive voltage levels, a driver circuit that performs level conversion to the host interface 103 and the printing device interface 105 is provided. With this arrangement, the signal level can be easily converted.

In particular, in a printing apparatus that has already become widespread, a portion connected to the printing apparatus interface 105 has an R
Since the connector having the shape of the S-232C standard is used and a connector having a different TTL signal level is used, the connection can be easily performed only by adding an inexpensive driver circuit as described above. Help in terms.

Further, since the connector shape based on the existing standard can be adopted, the cost can be reduced.

The printing apparatus interface 105
Notifies the interface device 101 whether the receiving buffer of the printing device 104 is full. Therefore, CP
U (Central Processing Unit) 1
06 can monitor the printing device interface 105 to detect whether data can be transmitted to the printing device 104. For this detection, the ASB function of the printing apparatus 104 can be used. When the printing apparatus interface 105 is provided with a busy signal line, it can be detected by checking this.

The CPU 106 monitors the host interface 103, detects whether the data can be transmitted to the printing apparatus 104 when the data is received, and buffers the data until the data can be transmitted. Ring. The buffering function is not provided in the conventional interface device.

For data buffering, RAM (Ra
ndom Access Memory) 113 is used. RAM 113
Is used for other temporary storage.

The ROM (Read Only Memory) 112 stores C
The program executed by the PU 106 is stored. When the power of the printing apparatus 104 is turned on, the interface apparatus 1
01 is started, the CPU 106
Reads out the program from the ROM 112, starts execution, and controls the interface device 101.

When the power is turned on, the CPU 106 checks the setting of the DIP switch 108 and sets the data length of communication performed by the host interface 103 and the printing device interface 105, the presence or absence of parity check, the transfer speed, and the like.

The operation display lamp 110 indicates that the interface device is operating. Further, the communication status of the host interface 103 and the printing device interface 105, the processing status of the CPU 106, and the like can be displayed by color change or blinking.

Here, the host interface 103
Functions as a receiving unit and a notifying unit, and the printing apparatus interface 105 functions as a transmitting unit and a detecting unit.
The CPU 106 functions as a control unit and a determination unit.
The AM 113 functions as a storage unit.

The ROM 112 stores the CPU 106
Functions as an information recording medium for storing a program to be executed. BIOS stored in ROM 112
(Basic Input Output System) The program can take an embodiment that can be updated from the host computer 102 or the like. In this case, a compact disk, floppy disk, magneto-optical disk, hard disk, A digital video disk magnetic tape or the like can also serve as an information recording medium for storing a program executed by the CPU 106.

In this embodiment, the host interface 103 and the printing device interface 105 are used.
, Operation indicator lamp 110, ROM 112, RA
Although M113 and M113 are configured to be directly connected to CPU 106, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which they are connected by a bus.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the interface device according to the present invention.

On the back of the interface device 101,
The host interface 103 and the operation indicator lamp 110 of the interface device 101 are arranged. The interface device 101 is designed to have a size that fits in an expansion slot provided in the printing device 104. An interface device designed in such a shape is sometimes called an “extension module for a printing device”.

Since it is designed to have such a size,
When the interface device 101 is mounted on the printing device 104, it looks as if the host interface 103 and the operation display lamp 110 are arranged on the back of the printing device 104 itself.

As described above, it is useful to save space for disposing devices inside the printing apparatus 104 and to prevent careless contact or collision with the interface apparatus 101. In addition, it is useful in improving the beauty of the office.

(Data Transmission / Reception Processing) Hereinafter, an embodiment of data transmission / reception processing of the interface device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the data transmission / reception processing of the interface device of the present invention.

First, the CPU 106 waits until the data transmitted by the host computer 102 is received by the host interface 103 (step S30).
1).

At the time of this standby, it is possible to take a coroutine processing form in which control is transferred to another processing. In this case, the host interface 103 is connected to the CPU 10
6 by generating a reception interrupt,
106 can proceed to the subsequent processing.

Upon receiving the data, the CPU 106
It is checked whether the printing device 104 is ready to receive data (step S302). The reception status is determined by directly checking the busy signal line or by checking the status of the printing device 104 notified by the ASB function in the RAM 11.
3, it can be obtained by a method of examining the value.

If reception is not possible (step S302; N
o), the data received in step S301
It is stored in the buffer area of M113 (step S30).
4). A predetermined area is allocated to the RAM 113 in advance as a buffer area, and data buffering is performed using this area.

As described above, when the printing apparatus 104 cannot receive the data, the data is sequentially stored in the buffer area and accumulated, so that the usable area gradually decreases. The state where there is no usable area is the “full” state.

Then, it is determined whether or not the buffer area is full by the processing of step S304 (step S304).
305), when it is full (step S305; Ye)
s) Then, the fact is notified to the host computer 102 (step S306), and the process returns to step S301. This notification may be made based on the same rules as the ASB, or when the host interface has a busy signal line, the signal may be sent using this signal line.

If it is not full (step S30)
5; No), and returns directly to step S301. Alternatively, the host computer 102 may indicate that it is not full.
May be notified.

As described above, by storing the received data in the buffer area and then checking whether or not the buffer is full, and notifying the host computer, the area in which the received data can be stored always remains in step S304. Is guaranteed.

On the other hand, if reception is possible (step S30)
2; Yes), the CPU 106 checks whether or not there is data stored and buffered in the buffer area (step S307).
Yes), and transmits to the printing device 104 via the printing device interface 105 (step S308), clears the buffer (step S309), and returns to step S309.
The data received in 301 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 104 (step S309), and the process returns to step S301.

On the other hand, when there is no buffered data stored in the buffer area (step S307; N
o), and proceed to step S309.

In step S308, if the receiving buffer of the printing device 104 becomes full while the buffered data is being sent to the printing device 104, the unsent data remaining in the buffer area is not transmitted. The data received in step S301 in addition to the data may be the new data stored in the buffer area.

(Second Embodiment) In a second embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the functions of the first embodiment, there are two types of print commands in data, a normal command and a real-time command. Real-time commands
It is provided with a function of immediately transmitting to the printing apparatus. Therefore, the embodiment of the second embodiment is based on the embodiment of the first embodiment, but further includes a real-time command transmission control means realized by the host interface 103 and the CPU 106 working together. The difference is that data transmission to the host is also performed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the data transmission / reception processing of the interface device of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a data transmission / reception process of the interface device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the following, "not in a state in which data can be transmitted to the printing apparatus 104" means "the printing apparatus 104 cannot receive a print command (normal command) other than a real-time command, but can receive a real-time command." Yes. " Upon receiving the real-time command, the printing device immediately executes a corresponding process.

When the data transmission / reception processing is started, the interface device 101 sets the host interface 10
It is checked whether the process of No. 3 is in a state to receive data (step S401).

When the host interface 103 is not in a state to receive data (step S401; N
o) Further, the interface device 101 is connected to the printing device 104 via the printing device interface 105.
It is checked whether or not the data from the server is to be transmitted to the host 102 (step S402).

When data is to be transmitted to the host 102 (step S402; Yes), a data transmission process for transferring the data acquired via the printing device interface 105 to the host 102 is executed (step S402).
403), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the data is not in a state to be transmitted (step S402; No), the process returns to step S401.

If the host interface 103 is in a state to receive data (step S40)
1; Yes), the interface device 101 checks whether or not data can be transmitted to the printing device 104 via the printing device interface 105 (step S404).

When transmission is possible (step S4)
04; Yes) whether or not previously received data remains in the buffer area in the RAM 113 (step S40)
5) If the data remains (step S405; Yes), the data is transmitted to the printing device 104 via the printing device interface 105 (step S406).
The data received from the host interface 103 is transferred to the printing device 104 via the printing device interface 105 (step S407), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if there is no previously received data remaining in the buffer area in the RAM 113 (step S
405; No), and proceeds directly to step S407.

The printing apparatus interface 105
If data is not ready to be transmitted to the printing device 104 via the interface device (step S404), the interface device 1
01 receives data via the host interface 103 (step S408).

Next, it is checked whether or not the received data includes a real-time command (step S409). If the data is included (step S409; Yes), the real-time command is transmitted to the
5 to the printing apparatus (step S410), and stores the received data in a buffer area in the RAM 113 (step S411).

On the other hand, if no real-time command is included (step S409; No), the received data is stored in the buffer area in the RAM 113 (step S411).

Further, it is checked whether or not data can be continuously received (step S412). If there is no data to be continued (step S412; No), this processing is terminated.

When there is data to be continued (step S4)
12; Yes), and return to step S409.

In step S411, the first
As in the embodiment, the RAM of the interface device 101
Check whether the 113 buffer area is full,
When it becomes full, processing such as notifying the host computer of the fact can be performed.

In the above embodiment, step S41
In the first embodiment, the data is stored in the buffer area irrespective of whether the command is a real-time command. However, since the real-time command has already been transmitted to the printing apparatus 104, the real-time command is not stored in the buffer area. Is also possible.

The procedure of the processing in the first and second embodiments is an example of the embodiment, and it is possible to modify the procedure and execute the same processing in the interface device. Such an embodiment is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects are obtained.

The printer is installed in an expansion slot of the printing apparatus, is connected to the host computer, receives the data transmitted by the host computer while monitoring the buffering status of the printing apparatus, appropriately buffers the data, and transmits the data to the printing apparatus. And a control method therefor.

Further, when buffering cannot be performed even with the interface device, an interface device for a printing device that notifies the host computer of the fact and a control method thereof can be provided.

As a result, the data transmission waiting time in the host computer can be reduced, and the printing process can be speeded up.

Further, since communication with the printing apparatus can be performed using an inexpensive connector, the cost can be reduced.

Further, since the interface device can be mounted inside the printing apparatus, the space in the office can be saved and the appearance can be improved.

If the printing apparatus supports a print command such as a real-time command which should be transmitted with priority to the printing apparatus, this is transmitted to the printing apparatus without fail and the characteristics of the print command from the host computer are transmitted. It is possible to provide an interface device for a printing apparatus capable of performing a buffer process according to the above and a control method thereof.

Further, the information recording medium on which the program is recorded can be easily distributed or sold as a software product independently of the interface device. When the program recorded on the information recording medium of the present invention is executed by the interface device, the interface device and the control method of the interface device according to the above invention can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an example of an embodiment of an interface device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an interface device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a data transmission / reception process of the interface device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a data transmission / reception process of the interface device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Interface device 102 Host computer 103 Host interface 104 Printing device 105 Printing device interface 106 CPU 108 Dip switch 110 Operation display lamp 112 ROM 113 RAM

Claims (12)

[Claims] An interface device mountable in an expansion slot of a printing device, comprising: (A) receiving means for receiving data transmitted by a host computer connected to the interface device; and (b) transmission for transmitting data to the printing device via an expansion slot of the printing device to which the interface device is mounted. Means, (c) detecting means for detecting whether the printing apparatus can receive data, and (d) receiving by the receiving means when the detecting means detects that the printing apparatus cannot receive data. (E) when the detecting unit detects that the printing apparatus can receive the data, the detecting unit detects that the printing device can receive the data following the data stored in the storing unit. Control means for causing the transmission means to transmit the data received by the reception means; 2. The interface device according to claim 1, further comprising the following means. (F) discriminating means for discriminating whether or not data can be further stored in the storage means; and (g) when it is discriminated that the data cannot be further stored by the discriminating means, the fact is indicated. Notification means for notifying the host computer. 3. The interface device according to claim 1, wherein said transmission means has a connector conforming to the RS-232C standard. 4. The interface device according to claim 1, wherein the interface device has a size that fits in a housing of the printing device when installed in an expansion slot of the printing device. 5. The interface device according to claim 1, further comprising: (H) real-time command transmission control means for transmitting the data to the transmission means if the data received by the reception means is a real-time command, when the detection means detects that the printing apparatus cannot receive the data. 6. A method for controlling an interface device mountable in an expansion slot of a printing device, comprising the following steps. (A) a receiving step of receiving data transmitted by the host computer; (b) a detecting step of detecting whether or not the printing apparatus can receive the data; and (c) a printing apparatus receiving the data in the detecting step. A storage step for storing the data received in the receiving step when detecting that the printing apparatus cannot receive the data; and (d) storing the data stored in the storage step when detecting that the printing apparatus can receive the data in the detecting step. A transmitting step of transmitting data, if any, to the printing apparatus, and then transmitting the data received in the receiving step to the printing apparatus; 7. The method of controlling an interface device according to claim 6, further comprising the following steps. (F) a determination step of determining whether or not data can be further stored in the storage means; and (g) if it is determined in the determination step that further data cannot be stored, the fact is determined. Notification step for notifying the host computer. 8. The control method for an interface device according to claim 6, further comprising the following steps. (H) a real-time command transmitting step of transmitting the data to the printing apparatus if the data received in the receiving step is a real-time command, when detecting that the printing apparatus cannot receive the data in the detecting step. 9. An information recording medium having recorded thereon a program for controlling an interface device mountable in an expansion slot of a printing apparatus, comprising the following steps: (A) a receiving step of receiving data transmitted by the host computer; (b) a detecting step of detecting whether or not the printing apparatus can receive the data; and (c) a printing apparatus receiving the data in the detecting step. A storage step for storing the data received in the receiving step when detecting that the printing apparatus cannot receive the data; and (d) storing the data stored in the storage step when detecting that the printing apparatus can receive the data in the detecting step. A transmitting step of transmitting data, if any, to the printing apparatus, and then transmitting the data received in the receiving step to the printing apparatus; 10. The information recording medium according to claim 9, further comprising the following steps. (F) a determination step of determining whether or not data can be further stored in the storage means; and (g) if it is determined in the determination step that further data cannot be stored, the fact is determined. Notification step for notifying the host computer. 11. An information recording medium recording a program according to claim 9, further comprising the following steps. (H) a real-time command transmitting step of transmitting the data to the printing apparatus if the data received in the receiving step is a real-time command, when detecting that the printing apparatus cannot receive the data in the detecting step. 12. The program according to claim 9, wherein the information recording medium is a compact disk, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital video disk, or a magnetic tape. Information recording medium on which information is recorded.