JP2002023984A - Radio printer switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio printer switching device capable of being simply introduced into a house and selectively switching a plurality of computers and printers that are connected by radio while inheriting the existing software resources as they are and using the software resources. SOLUTION: A printer driver and a client driver share a parallel port, the client driver performs the situation examination and arbitration processing of the parallel port by favorably utilizing a port arbitration function offered by an operating system operating on a personal computer (computer), and the printer driver uses the parallel port and controls the operations of both the radio switching units of the personal computer side and the printer side while the printer driver does not use the parallel port. The client driver also transmits a control command with a communication protocol being different from that of the printer command.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless printer switch for wirelessly connecting a computer such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) to a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are printer-like products such as a printer switching device by a wired or wireless connection and a printer server for connecting a printer to a LAN (local area network).

Most of the above-described printer switching devices switch the connection destination using switches of the switching device, for example, a rotary switch or a push switch. Therefore, there is a restriction that the number of nodes of a personal computer or a printer to be connected is limited. In addition, the switching device is often installed at a place away from the personal computer, and there is a problem that the usability at the time of switching is not good. Further, the wired system has restrictions in use, such as the complexity of the connection cable and the limited installation location.

[0004] On the other hand, the printer server is premised on the fact that a LAN is provided, and setting up a new LAN requires cumbersome settings, and is not suitable for use in homes with little knowledge of computers. Was.

Further, the printer server requires dedicated software, and there is a problem that existing software such as a printer utility used for local connection cannot be used for network connection. In addition, the printer server normally supports only printers manufactured by the printer server manufacturer, and it is possible to support printers of multiple manufacturers if only printing is performed, but the printer status is acquired. It was impossible to do anything.

[0006] Most of printer drivers and utility software that operate on an operating system (OS) on a personal computer operate in a point-to-point (one-to-one) connection. Therefore,
When a printer is used in a network form such as a printer server (Ethernet (registered trademark) connection) or a point-to-multipoint (one-to-many) connection, it is necessary to reconstruct the above-described printer driver and utility software.

This is because the timing of the reverse transfer (transfer from the printer to the personal computer) of the printer is governed by polling control from the personal computer as the host. However, rebuilding software for all diversified printers in order to use printers on a network requires enormous development man-hours and costs, and the firmware on the printer side also takes this into account. There was a problem that must be.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and can be easily introduced into a home. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless printer switch which can selectively switch between a computer and a plurality of printers.

[0009]

This object is achieved by the following (1)
This is achieved by the present invention of (9).

(1) A wireless switching unit on the computer connected to the computer is provided, and the wireless switching unit on the computer and the wireless switching unit on the printer connected to the printer are wirelessly connected. A wireless printer switch, comprising: a printer driver for controlling the operation of the printer; and a client driver for controlling the operation of the wireless switch unit on the computer side and the wireless switch unit on the printer side; The wireless switch unit is connected to a parallel port of the computer, the printer driver and the client driver share the parallel port, and the client driver operates during a period when the printer driver is not using the parallel port. The parallel port A wireless printer switch, wherein the operation of the wireless switch unit on the computer side and the wireless switch unit on the printer side is controlled using a port.

(2) The computer-side wireless switch unit includes a printer command transmitted from the computer for controlling printing in the printer, the computer-side wireless switch unit, and the printer-side wireless switch unit. A command analysis unit that analyzes a control command that controls the operation of the controller, a command processing unit that processes the control command, and wireless communication between the wireless switching unit on the computer and the wireless switching unit on the printer. The wireless printer switching device according to the above (1), further comprising a wireless interface unit for performing the operation.

(3) A wireless switching unit on the computer connected to the computer and a wireless switching unit on the printer connected to the printer, wherein the wireless switching unit on the computer and the wireless switching on the printer are provided. A wireless printer switcher for wirelessly connecting to a switcher unit, the printer driver controlling the operation of the printer, and controlling the operations of the computer-side wireless switcher unit and the printer-side wireless switcher unit. A wireless driver unit on the computer side is connected to a parallel port of the computer, the printer driver and the client driver share the parallel port, and the client driver is The parallel port A wireless printer switcher for controlling operations of the wireless switcher unit on the computer side and the wireless switcher unit on the printer side using the parallel port during a period when the printer is not used.

(4) The computer-side wireless switch unit and the printer-side wireless switch unit are printer commands transmitted from the computer for controlling printing in the printer and the computer-side wireless switch unit. A command analysis unit that analyzes a control command that controls the operation of the printer-side wireless switch unit; a command processing unit that processes the control command; a wireless switch unit on the computer side and a wireless switch on the printer side The wireless printer switching device according to (3), further including: a wireless interface unit that performs wireless communication with the printer unit.

(5) As the wireless switching unit on the printer side, there are provided a plurality of wireless switching units on the printer side respectively connected to a plurality of printers, and the wireless switching unit on the computer and the plurality of printer side units are provided. The wireless printer switching device according to the above (3) or (4), wherein the wireless printer switching device is wirelessly connected to the wireless switching device unit through independent wireless communication channels.

(6) The client driver uses the port arbitration function provided by the operating system running on the computer to check the status of the parallel port, perform arbitration processing, and use the parallel port. The wireless printer switching device according to any one of 1) to (5).

(7) The client driver controls printing of the printer by transmitting a control command for controlling operations of the wireless switching unit on the computer side and the wireless switching unit on the printer side by the printer driver. The wireless printer switching device according to any one of the above (1) to (6), wherein the wireless printer switching device transmits the communication command using a communication protocol different from a printer command.

(8) The FHSS system is adopted as a wireless modulation system, and the wireless switching unit on the computer side and the wireless switching unit on the printer side are wirelessly connected to each other in the above (1) to (7). The wireless printer switching device according to any one of the above.

(9) The wireless switching unit on the computer side obtains and buffers the status data of the printer transmitted from the wireless switching unit on the printer side to which the printer is connected, and transmits the data in the reverse direction from the computer. (1) through (8), wherein when the transfer is requested, the status data of the printer is transferred from the wireless switching unit on the computer side to the computer and responded.
The wireless printer switching device according to any one of the above.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a wireless printer switch according to the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system using the wireless printer switch of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an example of a system in which a plurality of personal computers (computers) and a plurality of printers are wirelessly connected. On the left side, four personal computers PC1 to PC4 and the personal computers PC1 to PC4 are connected. The wireless switch units RFU1 to RFU4 on the personal computer side (computer side) and the two printers PR1 and PR2 on the right side
And a printer-side wireless switching unit RFU5, 6 connected to each of the printers PR1, PR2.

The wireless printer switch of the present invention employs the FHSS (frequency hopping / spread spectrum) method as a wireless modulation method, and includes a personal computer system including a personal computer and a wireless switch unit of the personal computer.
The printer comprises a printer and a printer-side system comprising a printer-side wireless switching unit.

In the FHSS system, data is modulated using an FH sequence (hopping pattern) in which the communication frequency is hopped at a constant time interval at a constant period in a different pattern for each wireless communication channel.

According to the FHSS system, a plurality of independent wireless communication channels corresponding to a hopping pattern can be mixed and used simultaneously in the same frequency band, and the frequency of transmission and reception is constant with respect to a fixed system. Since it is not stagnant at the frequency of, there is a feature that it is very excellent against disturbance from external noise.

Also, for example, TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)
In a system that configures independent transmission paths in a time series like the system, the transmission efficiency is reduced by the number of wireless communication channels to be used. However, since the FHSS system is a frequency multiplexing system, the case of a wired connection There is an advantage that a plurality of independent transmission paths having the same high transmission efficiency can be configured.

In the illustrated system, a personal computer PC
1 to 4 and wireless switch unit RFU1 to 4 on the PC side
Means that the parallel ports of the personal computers PC1 to PC4 and the corresponding connectors of the wireless switching units RFU1 to RFU4 on the personal computer side are connected directly or via a cable or the like. The connection between the printers PR1 and PR2 and the printer-side wireless switching units RFU5 and RFU6 is the same.

On the other hand, the wireless switching unit R on the personal computer side
FU1 to 4 and printer-side wireless switch unit RFU
Between 5 and 6, the wireless switch unit RF on the printer side
Wireless connection is made via independent wireless communication channels preset for each of U5 and U6. In the case of the illustrated example, it is assumed that, for example, wireless communication channels RFCH1 and RFCH2 are set in the wireless switch units RFU5 and 6, respectively, and that RF synchronization is performed in the FH sequences 1 and 2, respectively.

In the illustrated system, the personal computer P
Under the control of software operating on C1 to C4, wireless communication between the wireless switching units RFU1 to RFU4 on the personal computer side and the wireless switching units RFU5 and RFU6 on the printer side via independent wireless communication channels RFCH1 and RFCH2. Is performed, and printing is performed from each of the four personal computers PC1 to PC4 to an arbitrary printer selected from the two printers PR1 and PR2.

Next, the wireless printer switch of the present invention will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a conceptual block diagram showing the internal structure of the wireless printer switch of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a personal computer-side system 10 of the wireless printer switch of the present invention. The personal computer system 10 shown in FIG. As will be described, the printer side system is basically the same.

As described above, the personal computer side system 10
Is composed of a personal computer 12 and a wireless switch unit 14 on the personal computer side as shown in FIG.

First, the personal computer 12 of the personal computer side system 10 is connected to the IEEE1284 host controller 1.
6. a hardware portion including a parallel port 18 to which an external device such as a printer is connected, a printer driver 20, a client driver 22 for controlling the operations of the wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side and the wireless switching unit on the printer side VCOMM., A virtual device driver that runs on a Windows operating system (Microsoft). VxD24 and the like.

The printer driver 20 is software for controlling the operation of the printer by the personal computer 12. The printer driver 20 is not specially developed for the present invention but is an existing software supplied from a printer maker. It is. Although FIG. 1 shows only a portion related to the personal computer side system 10 of the wireless printer switch of the present invention, the personal computer 12 includes various components other than the illustrated hardware and software. Needless to say.

Hereinafter, Windows Operating System
The operation of the personal computer side system 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the software structure of the system.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a software stack of a standard printer and a printer switch. As shown in the figure, in the Windows operating system, a parallel port 18 to which a printer or the like is connected is connected.
The software that controls the operation of is a stack structure.

First, a VPD is placed on the parallel port 18.
26 are present. This parallel port is the parallel port 18 of the personal computer shown in FIG. The VPD 26 is a driver that actually controls the parallel port 18. On the VPD 26, VCOMM. VxD24 is present. VCOMM. V
xD is the VCOMM. VxD 24, which is a driver for monitoring the state of the parallel port 18.

This VCOMM. There are two independent stacks coexisting on VxD24. In the figure, the stack on the left is an existing software stack for controlling the operation of the standard printer, and the stack on the right is a software stack uniquely developed for controlling the operation of the wireless printer switch of the present invention. It is.

First, in the left stack, VCOM
M. The spooler 28 existing on the VxD 24 is a part that develops print data into a format that can be understood by a printer and temporarily stores the data on a hard disk or the like. This spooler 2
On top of 8 are a printer driver 20, a GDI (Graphics Device Interface) 30, and an existing 32-bit software 32 using a printer in this order. This printer driver is the printer driver 20 shown in FIG.

When a printer command for controlling printing in the printer is executed from the 32-bit software 32 of Windows, the printer command
The print data is processed by the printer driver 20 via I30, and is stored in the spooler 28 by background processing.

The print data held by the spooler 28 is
The processing is performed in accordance with the IEEE 1284 communication protocol under the control of the IEEE 1284 host controller 16 shown in FIG.

At this time, in the case of an existing system in which the personal computer 12 and the printer are connected by wire, the print data is VCOMM. It is sent directly from the parallel port 18 to the printer via VxD 24 and VPD 26,
In the system using the wireless printer switch of the present invention,
The data is transmitted from the parallel port 18 to the wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side.

The "printing" includes not only printing (displaying) characters, numbers, symbols, figures, and the like, but also, for example, printing (displaying) images and the like.

On the other hand, in the right stack, on the client driver 22, there is Windows 32-bit software 34 for controlling the operation of the wireless switching unit on the personal computer side and the printer side. This client driver is the client driver 22 shown in FIG.

The client driver 22 uses the port arbitration function of the Windows operating system to use the parallel port 18 while the printer driver 20 is not using the parallel port 18.
This is a driver for controlling the operation of the wireless switching unit on the personal computer and the printer. As a result, the existing printer driver 20 and the client driver 22 unique to the present invention can be connected to one parallel port 18 without collision.
Can be shared.

Windows 32-bit software 34 for controlling the operation of the wireless switching unit on the personal computer and the printer is utility software that operates on the personal computer 12 and will be described in detail later. It controls registration of a printer, designation of a connection destination printer, monitoring of a connection state, scanning of a registered printer, and the like.

When a control command for controlling the operation of the wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side and the wireless switching unit on the printer side is executed from the 32-bit software 34 of Windows, the control command is:
The VCO is processed by the client driver 22 according to the communication protocol of the interface unique to the present invention.
MM. The data is transmitted from the parallel port 18 to the wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side via the VxD 24 and the VPD 26.

In this embodiment, the case where the client driver 22 operates on the Windows operating system is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same applies to any operating system. It is feasible.

On the other hand, the personal computer side system 10 shown in FIG.
, The wireless switch unit 14 on the personal computer side includes a command analyzing unit 36 for analyzing a command transmitted from the personal computer 12, an IEEE1284 device controller 38, and a command processing unit for processing the command analyzed by the command analyzing unit 36. Wireless IF for performing wireless communication between the wireless switching unit 40 and a wireless switching unit on the printer side
(Interface) unit 42.

Printer commands and control commands sent from the personal computer 12 are analyzed by the command analysis unit 36.

At this time, if the command is a printer command transmitted in conformity with the IEEE1284 communication protocol, that is, an existing Windows 32 that uses a printer.
When printing is performed by the bit software 32, the printer command is processed by the IEEE 1284 device controller 38, and the printer command and print data are transmitted via a predetermined wireless communication channel under the control of the wireless IF unit 42 to be connected to the connection destination. The data is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless switching unit on the printer side.

On the other hand, if it is a control command transmitted according to the communication protocol of the unique interface of the present invention, that is, a Windows 32 for controlling the operation of the wireless switching unit on the personal computer side and the printer side.
When the bit software 34 executes the above-described registration of the printer, designation of the connection destination printer, monitoring of the connection status, scanning of the registered printer, and the like, the control command is processed by the command processing unit 40.

Hereinafter, control of the wireless printer switch of the present invention by utility software for controlling the operation of the wireless switch unit on the personal computer and the printer will be described with reference to the conceptual diagrams and flowcharts shown in FIGS. I do.

The wireless printer switch of the illustrated example is a Windows 32 operating on the personal computer 12 as described above.
With Bit Utility Software 34,
Printer registration, designation of a connection destination printer, monitoring of connection status, scanning of a registered printer, and the like are controlled.

First, in the registration of the printer, as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 4, the driver for the printer to be connected, the model name, the ID (serial number) of the wireless switching unit on the printer side, the wireless communication channel, etc. Information is entered by the user. This information is stored by the above-described software 34, and is stored even when the power of the personal computer 12 is turned off.

In the specification of the connection destination printer, as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 5, the user selects one printer to be printed from a list of a plurality of printers registered in the registration of the printer.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, when a command for designating a printer is executed by the user (S
11) First, VCOMM. The VxD 24 checks the status of the parallel port 18 (S12). At this time, if the parallel port 18 is not in use (free), the VCOMM. The parallel port 18 is occupied by the VxD 24 (S13). If the parallel port 18 is in use (busy), the process waits until the use ends.

Thereafter, information such as the ID of the selected printer and the selection command is transmitted to the wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side (S14), and the parallel port 18 is opened (S15).

The wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side
Analyze the selection command and over the wireless communication channel,
Wireless communication is performed by establishing synchronization with the wireless switching unit on the printer side, and the result is returned to the personal computer 12 (S16).

Software 3 running on personal computer 12
4 receives and analyzes the response from the wireless switch unit 14 on the personal computer side (S17), determines whether the operation is normally completed (S18) or abnormally completed (S19), and displays the status of the printer such as in operation or in suspension. And terminate the processing.

Subsequently, in monitoring the connection state, as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 6, the radio wave condition (electrolysis intensity) between the wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side and the wireless switching unit on the printer side is kept constant. Monitor at time intervals of.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, when a command to start monitoring the connection state is executed by the user (S21), the VCOMM. The VxD 24 checks the status of the parallel port 18 (S22), and the parallel port 18 is occupied (S23).

Thereafter, wireless communication is performed between the wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side and the wireless switching unit on the printer side.
The information on the electric field strength with the connected printer is returned to the personal computer 12 (S24).

The software 34 receives the response from the wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side and opens the parallel port 18 (S25), and then analyzes the response (S26) and displays the result on the screen of the personal computer 12. An illustration is displayed (S27). This operation is repeatedly performed until the end of the monitoring of the connection state is instructed by the user (S28).

Finally, in the scan of the registered printer, as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 7, all the registered printers are accessed at regular time intervals, and the result is displayed on the screen of the personal computer 12. .

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, when a command to start scanning of a registered printer is executed by the user (S31), N = 0 is set as an initial value (S31).
32), N = N + 1 (S33).

Then, in the same manner as in the case of the designation of the connection destination printer, the registered printers are successively accessed, and the wireless switching units 14 on the personal computer side and the wireless switching units on the printer side are accessed. The electric field intensity data and the operation status data are collected (S11 to S19 in FIG. 5).
(S34), and displays the result on the screen of the personal computer 12 (S35). In the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 7, the process of designating the connection destination printer is shown.

The above operation is repeated at regular time intervals until N reaches the number of registered printers (S
36).

The control of the wireless printer switch by the utility software 34 is performed by the client driver 22 and the VCOMM. This is performed by transmitting a control command to the wireless switch unit 14 on the personal computer side via the parallel port 18 via the VxD 24 and the VPD 26.

At this time, prior to using the parallel port 18, VCOMM. The port status investigation and arbitration processing are performed by the VxD 24 to occupy the parallel port 18. This allows the existing printer driver 20 used by application software running on another Windows operating system and the client driver 22 unique to the present invention to share one parallel port 18 in a time-sharing manner without conflict. Can be
Existing software assets can be used without modification.

Next, the operation of the wireless printer switch of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the flow chart of FIG. 8, the left side in the figure shows the operation of the wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side, and the right side in the figure shows the operation of the wireless switching unit on the printer side. Works. In the following description, the wireless switching unit on the printer side includes:
It is assumed that an independent wireless communication channel has been set in advance.

First, the wireless switch unit 1 on the personal computer side
4 starts (powers on) (PCS1), detects an active printer, and selects a printer to connect to. In other words, the FH sequence of the wireless communication channel preset in the wireless switch unit on the printer side of the connection destination is specified (PCS2).

The wireless switching unit on the printer side starts (powers on) (PRS1) and performs frequency hopping on a wireless communication channel unique to each printer, that is, an FH sequence preset for each printer. While transmitting the synchronization frame (PRS2).

The synchronization frame contains time information for synchronizing the wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side with the wireless switching unit on the printer side on the time axis, channel information of frequency hopping, and the like. It is always transmitted at a fixed interval as a broadcast frame that can be received by the wireless switching unit on the side.

The wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side
If the radio wave condition is good, the synchronization frame transmitted from the wireless switching unit on the printer side is received, the synchronization of the FH sequence is supplemented, and a wireless communication channel for physically communicating is established (PCS3). The radio wave condition is, for example,
It is determined by the distance between the wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side and the wireless switching unit on the printer side.

When the synchronization acquisition is completed, the wireless switching unit on the printer side obtains status data from the printer at regular intervals, and acquires the status data from the printer.
(PRS3). The status data of the printer includes, for example, a device ID (identification information) of the printer, such as a printer manufacturer name and a model name, and a remaining ink amount. Note that the wireless switch unit 14 on the personal computer side
Transmission and reception of printer status data between the printer and the wireless switch unit on the printer side and buffering described later are always performed at fixed time intervals regardless of the presence or absence of a print job.

The wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side
It acquires (receives) status data transmitted from the wireless switch unit on the connected printer side and buffers it (PCS4).

I that defines the operation of a device such as a printer
According to the EEE1284 standard, the maximum response time of the printer is specified as 35 ms for polling control from the personal computer 12 in the nibble mode, that is, in the reverse transfer mode from the printer to the personal computer 12. However, in a system in which the personal computer 12 and the printer are wirelessly connected, the wireless communication channel is momentarily interrupted according to, for example, radio wave conditions and the like.
It is assumed that the standard of 35 ms cannot be satisfied.

On the other hand, in the system shown in the drawing, the status data of the printer is buffered in advance in the wireless switch unit 14 of the personal computer, so that the personal computer 12 can request the reverse transfer by polling control. The printer status data within the time that satisfies the standard
4 has the advantage that it can be immediately transferred to the personal computer 12 for a response.

Thereafter, the wireless switching unit 14 of the personal computer waits until a print request is made from the personal computer 12 to the printer (PCS5).

At this time, as described above, the wireless switch unit 14 of the personal computer repeatedly acquires and buffers the status data of the printer (PCS).
4). Further, in the wireless switching unit on the printer side, the acquisition and transmission of the synchronization frame and the status data are repeatedly performed until a link request is made from the wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side (PRS4) (PRS2, PRS2).
3).

When a print request is issued from the software 32 on the personal computer 12, a link request is output from the wireless switch unit 14 on the personal computer side to the wireless switch unit on the printer side (PCS6).

At this time, in response to a link request from the wireless switch unit 14 on the personal computer side to the wireless switch unit on the printer side, a frame returned from the wireless switch unit on the printer side to the wireless switch unit 14 on the personal computer side. The link is established between the wireless switch unit 14 of the personal computer and the wireless switch unit of the printer unless the wireless switch unit on the printer side is processing another print job (link free). (PCS7, PRS
5) If the job is being executed (link busy), a link request is repeatedly made until another print job is completed (PC).
S6, PRS4).

When the link connection is established (PCS7, P
RS5), transmission of print data from the wireless switch unit 14 on the personal computer side to the wireless switch unit on the printer side is started (PCS8), and the wireless switch unit on the printer side receives the print data and prints out the print data (RS5). PRS6).

When the transmission of the print data from the wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer is completed (PCS9), and the printing on the wireless switching unit 14 on the printer is completed (PR).
S7) The link between the wireless switching unit 14 on the personal computer side and the wireless switching unit on the printer side is released (PCS10, PRS8).

Thereafter, in the wireless switching unit 14 of the personal computer side, if there is no change in the connection destination printer (PCS
11 ("NO" at step 11), as described above, waits until a print request is made from the personal computer to the printer (PC
S5) If there is a change ("YES" in PCS11), the flow returns to step PCS2 to select a printer to be connected again (PCS2), and the above processing is repeated.

In the wireless printer switch of the present invention, an arbitrary printer can be selected from a plurality of printers and printed out from a plurality of personal computers 12 as described above.

In the above embodiment, a plurality of personal computers and a plurality of printers are wirelessly connected. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
It does not matter even if they are connected with each other, or one-to-many or many-to-one connection can be used without any problem.

Further, using the port arbitration function of the operating system to share the parallel port between the printer driver and the client driver is as follows.
The present invention is not limited to a wireless printer switch that employs the FHSS method as the wireless modulation method, but is applicable to various wireless printer switches that employ various wireless modulation methods. The wireless printer switching device of the present invention is basically as described above.

Although the wireless printer switch of the present invention has been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

[0089]

As described above in detail, according to the wireless printer switch of the present invention, the connection of a cable or the like can be simplified by connecting the computer and the printer wirelessly, as compared with the wired printer switch. The inconvenience of printer switching can be eliminated, and complicated setting is not required unlike LAN connection, so that it can be easily introduced into homes.

Further, according to the wireless printer switching device of the present invention, by utilizing the port arbitration function provided by the operating system, the existing printer driver and the client driver uniquely developed by the present invention share the parallel port. To inherit existing software assets,
It can be used without any changes.

According to the wireless printer switch of the present invention, the status data of the printer is buffered in the wireless switch unit on the computer side, so that when the computer requests reverse transfer by polling control. The printer can immediately transfer the status data of the printer to the computer within a time satisfying the standard and respond.

Further, according to the wireless printer switching device of the present invention, by adopting the FHSS system as the wireless modulation system, it is possible to secure a large number of independent transmission paths, and it is also possible to secure transmission in comparison with the wired communication system. Error-free communication can be performed without deteriorating quality or transmission speed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system using a wireless printer switch of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block conceptual diagram of one embodiment showing the internal structure of the wireless printer switch of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of an embodiment showing a software stack of a standard printer and a printer switch.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of one embodiment showing control of a wireless printer switch of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram and a flowchart of an embodiment representing control of the wireless printer switch of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram and a flowchart of an embodiment representing control of the wireless printer switch of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram and a flowchart of an embodiment representing control of the wireless printer switch of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the wireless printer switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

PC1 to PC4 Personal computer RFU1 to RFU6 Wireless switch unit PR1, PR2 Printer 10 Personal computer system 12 Personal computer 14 Personal computer wireless switch unit 16 IEEE 1284 host controller 18 Parallel port 20 Printer driver 22 Client driver 24 VCOMM. VxD 26 VPD 28 Spooler 30 GDI (graphics device
Interface) 32, 34 Software 36 Command analysis unit 38 IEEE1284 device controller 40 Command processing unit 42 Wireless IF (interface) unit

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Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A wireless switching unit on a computer connected to a computer, wherein the wireless switching unit on the computer is wirelessly connected to a wireless switching unit on a printer connected to a printer. A printer switch, comprising: a printer driver that controls the operation of the printer; and a client driver that controls the operation of the wireless switch unit on the computer and the wireless switch unit on the printer. A wireless switch unit connected to a parallel port of the computer; the printer driver and the client driver sharing the parallel port; Parallel Po Use, wireless printer switch, characterized by controlling the operation of the wireless switching unit of the wireless switch unit and the printer side of the computer. 2. The wireless switch unit on the computer side includes: a printer command transmitted from the computer for controlling printing in the printer; and a wireless switch unit on the computer side and a wireless switch unit on the printer side. A command analysis unit that analyzes a control command for controlling operation, a command processing unit that processes the control command, and performs wireless communication between the wireless switching unit on the computer and the wireless switching unit on the printer. The wireless printer switch according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless interface unit. 3. A wireless switching unit on the computer side connected to a computer, and a wireless switching unit on the printer side connected to a printer, wherein the wireless switching unit on the computer side and the wireless switching unit on the printer side are provided. A wireless printer switcher for wirelessly connecting to a printer unit, the printer driver controlling the operation of the printer, and controlling the operations of the computer-side wireless switcher unit and the printer-side wireless switcher unit. A wireless driver unit on the computer side is connected to a parallel port of the computer; the printer driver and the client driver share the parallel port; Parallel port Using the parallel port has no period using a wireless printer switch, characterized by controlling the operation of the wireless switching unit of the wireless switch unit and the printer side of the computer. 4. The wireless switch unit on the computer side and the wireless switch unit on the printer side include a printer command transmitted from the computer for controlling printing in the printer, and a wireless switch unit on the computer side. A command analyzer for analyzing a control command for controlling operation of the printer-side wireless switcher unit, a command processor for processing the control command, the computer-side wireless switcher unit and the printer-side wireless switcher 4. A wireless interface unit for performing wireless communication with the unit.
3. The wireless printer switching device according to claim 1. 5. The printer-side wireless switching unit includes a plurality of printer-side wireless switching units respectively connected to a plurality of printers, wherein the computer-side wireless switching unit and the plurality of printer-side wireless switching units are connected to each other. The wireless printer switch according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the wireless printer switch is wirelessly connected to the wireless switch unit via independent wireless communication channels. 6. The client driver according to claim 1, wherein the client driver uses a port arbitration function provided by an operating system operating on the computer to perform status investigation and arbitration processing of the parallel port, and uses the parallel port. 6. The wireless printer switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The client driver controls printing in the printer, which is transmitted by the printer driver, with a control command for controlling operations of the wireless switching unit on the computer side and the wireless switching unit on the printer side. 7. The wireless printer switch according to claim 1, wherein the wireless printer switch transmits the print command using a communication protocol different from a printer protocol. 8. The wireless switching system according to claim 1, wherein an FHSS system is adopted as a wireless modulation system, and the wireless switching unit on the computer and the wireless switching unit on the printer are wirelessly connected. Wireless printer switcher. 9. The wireless switching unit on the computer side obtains and buffers status data of the printer transmitted from the wireless switching unit on the printer side to which the printer is connected, and transfers the data in the reverse direction from the computer. 9. The wireless printer switch according to claim 1, wherein when the request is made, the printer status data of the printer is transferred from the wireless switch unit on the computer side to the computer.