JP2878445B2 - Data printing method - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data printing method in which a plurality of host devices can efficiently print data using a plurality of printers.

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a data processing device such as a Japanese word processor of a personal computer, only one printer can be used at the same time, and it takes a long time to record and output a document of one page. It takes a very long time to record and output a document having a very large number of pages.

In order to avoid such a situation, a so-called printer buffer, which is disposed between the data processing device and the printer, temporarily stores print data from the data processing device and outputs the print data to the printer, has been used. ing.

When such a printer buffer is used, the data processing device can complete the output of the print data in a short period of time, and the time in which the data processing device is bound for the printing operation is greatly reduced.

In a LAN (local area network) to which a number of data processing devices are connected, a print server for receiving print services in the LAN is provided, and print data of the data processing devices is received and stored by the print server. Thus, the load on the data processing device is reduced.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in such a conventional technique, the time during which the data processing device is bound to output print data is reduced, but the user of the data processing device prints out the printed material. Has a disadvantage that the time required to obtain the same is not shortened.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a data printing method capable of greatly reducing the time required for a user of a data processing apparatus to obtain a printed output.

Means for Solving the Problems According to the present invention, one printer input / output port of a plurality of host devices having a plurality of printer input / output ports is connected to one printer input / output port of the same host device. One of a plurality of printers provided with one host input / output port is connected to the host input / output port of one of the plurality of printers so as to be connected to different printers. When the printer receives an inquiry about the usage status from the host device, the printer notifies the host device of the usage status at that time.
One or more available printers are determined based on the use status information notified by the printer, and if there are a plurality of determined printers, the print data is appropriately divided and sent to each printer. Prints out the data. In addition, the host device has registered therein information for identification, and the printer, when notifying the host device of the use status information, the identification information of the host device being used and the information indicating the printing capability. Also to notify.

[Operation] Therefore, the host device can use a plurality of printers in parallel, and can obtain a large amount of printed matter in a short time.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this printing system, three printers PRT1, PRT2, PR
T3 is shared by three host devices HST1, HST2, and HST3.

Each printer PRT1, PRT2, PRT3 has one
One host input / output port HPR is provided, and each of the host devices HST1, HST2, HST3 is provided with three printer input / output ports PPR1, PPR2, PPR3.

Then, the printer input / output ports PPR1, PPR2, and PPR of the host devices HST1, HST2, and HST3 are connected by cables C1 to C9, respectively.
The PPR3 is interconnected to the host input / output port HPR of each of the different printers PRT1, PRT2, PRT3.

Connector on the host I / O port side of cables C1 to C9
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the CA is configured so that a plurality of connectors CA can be overlapped and connected. Therefore, each pin of the connector CA connected to the same host input / output port HPR Are connected to each other, and assuming that the signal level applied to the signal lines of the cables C1 to C9 is a signal of negative logic, the signal level of each pin is equal to the signal level of all the connected connectors CA. The result is the signal of OR.

FIG. 4 shows printers PRT1, PRT2, PRT3 and host device HST.
1 shows an example of signals exchanged between HST2 and HST3.

Via a signal line L1 of the cable C (= C1 to C9), an address enable signal ADE indicating that the output address data ADD is valid is output to the printer PRT (=
PRT1 to PRT3) are output to the host device HST (= HST1 to HST3).

Via the signal lines L2 to L6 of the cable C, address data ADD having a data width of 5 bits representing the host device HST using the printer PRT is transmitted from the printer PRT to the host device HS.
Output to T.

Via the signal line L7 of the cable C, command response data corresponding to the input command data is transmitted, and a command response enable signal CRE indicating that the command response data is valid is transmitted to the printer P.
Output from the RT to the host device HST.

A command response confirmation signal CR indicating that command response data has been normally input via the signal line L8 of the cable C.
A is output from the host device HST to the printer PRT.

Command response busy signal indicating that command response data is being output via signal line L9 of cable C
The CRB is output from the printer PRT to the host device HST.

Via the signal line L10 of the cable C, a status signal STD for distinguishing whether the output data is print data or command data is output from the host device HST to the printer PRT. This status signal STD is set to data "1" for print data and "0" for command data.

The print data or command data is transmitted via the signal line L11 of the cable C, and a data enable signal DTE indicating that the print data or command data is valid is transmitted from the host device HST to the printer PRT.
Is output to

Through the signal line L12 of the cable C, a data confirmation signal DCA indicating that the print data or the command data has been normally input is output from the printer PRT to the host device HST.

A data busy signal DCB indicating that print data or command data is being output is output from the host device HST to the printer PRT via the signal line L13 of the cable C.

Via the signal lines L14 to L21 of the cable C, print data, command data, and command response data having a data width of 8 bits are exchanged as data DAT between the printer PRT and the host device HST.

The printer PRT and the ground level GND of the host device HST are connected to each other via the signal line L22 of the cable C.

A reset signal RST for resetting the printer PRT is output from the host device HST to the printer PRT via the signal line L23 of the cable C.

At both ends of the signal lines L1 to L13 and L23 of the cable C, output circuits OP1 to OP14 are connected to a signal output side, and input circuits IP1 to IP14 are connected to a signal input side, respectively. Eight-bit bidirectional bus buffers BB1 and BB2 are connected to both ends of the signal lines L14 to L21.

Further, a command response busy signal CRB and a data busy signal DCB are added to the bidirectional bus buffers BB1 and BB2 as control signals for defining the data direction.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the output circuit OP1 and the input circuit IP1. Note that the other output circuits OP2 to OP14 and the input circuit IP2
To IP14 have the same configuration.

The output circuit OP1 is realized by an open collector circuit of the transistor TR, and its output terminal is pulled up.

The input circuit IP1 is realized by a Schmitt trigger circuit TG having an inverted output, and its input terminal is pulled up.

FIG. 6 shows a circuit example of one signal line (signal line L14) of the bidirectional bus buffers BB1 and BB2.

In the bidirectional bus buffer BB1, the input terminal of the tri-state buffer 11 and the output terminal of the tri-state buffer 12 are connected to each other, and the signal at the connection terminal is converted to one digit data DAT (1) on the printer PRT side. Equivalent to.

The output of the tri-state buffer 21 is connected to the signal line L14 via the open collector circuit 13. The output terminal of the open collector circuit 13 is pulled up.

The signal on the signal line L14 is applied to the input terminal of the tri-state buffer 12 after being shaped through the Schmitt trigger circuit 14.

The command response busy signal CRB is applied to one input terminal of the exclusive OR circuit 15 and one input terminal of the AND circuit 16, and the data busy signal DCB is applied to the other input terminal of the exclusive OR circuit 15. The input terminal and one input terminal of the AND circuit 17 are provided.

The output of the exclusive OR circuit 15 is applied to the other input terminals of the AND circuits 16 and 17, and the output signal of the AND circuit 16 is applied to the control input terminal of the tri-state buffer 11, and The output signal of 17 is applied to the control input of the tristate buffer 12.

In the bidirectional bus buffer BB2, the input terminal of the tri-state buffer 21 and the output terminal of the tri-state buffer 22 are interconnected, and the signal at the interconnection terminal is a one-digit data DAT (1) on the host device HST side. Is equivalent to

The output of the tristate buffer 11 is connected to the signal line L14 via the open collector circuit 23. The output terminal of the open collector circuit 23 is pulled up.

The signal on the signal line L24 is subjected to waveform shaping via the Schmitt trigger circuit 24 and then applied to the input terminal of the tristate buffer 22.

The data busy signal DCB is supplied to the exclusive OR circuit 25.
The command response busy signal CRB is applied to the other input terminal of the exclusive OR circuit 25 and one input terminal of the AND circuit 27. ing.

The output of the exclusive OR circuit 25 is applied to the other input terminals of the AND circuits 26 and 27, and the output signal of the AND circuit 26 is applied to the control input terminal of the tristate buffer 21. The output signal of 27 is applied to the control input of tristate buffer 22.

Therefore, in order for the host device HST to output data to the printer PRT, after setting the output data in the data DAT (1), the data busy signal DCB outputs data "1".
Is set, the outputs of the exclusive OR circuits 15 and 25 become logic H level, and the AND circuits 16 and 17 and the AND circuits 26 and 27 become operable. At this time, the data busy signal The DCB is added to the tri-state buffer 12 and the tri-state buffer 21, and the tri-state buffers 12, 21 become operable.

As a result, output data from the host device HST is input to the printer PRT via the tri-state buffer 21, the open collector circuit 23, the signal line L14, the Schmitt trigger circuit 14, and the tri-state buffer 12.

Further, in order for the printer PRT to output data to the host device HST, after setting output data in the data DAT (1), the command response busy signal CRB is set to data "1".
, The outputs of the exclusive OR circuits 15 and 25 go to a logic H level, and the AND circuits 16 and 17 and the AND circuits 26 and 27 become operable. The signal CRB is applied to the tristate buffer 11 and the tristate buffer 22, so that the tristate buffers 11, 22 become operable.

As a result, the output data from the printer PRT is output to the tri-state buffer 21, the open collector circuit 13, and the signal line.
The data is input to the host device HST via L14, the Schmitt trigger circuit 24, and the tristate buffer 21.

The printer PRT and the host device HST do not output data, and the command response busy signal CRB
When both the data busy signal DCB and the data busy signal DCB are “0”, and the printer PRT and the host device HST are simultaneously in the data transmission state, the command response busy signal CRB
When both the data busy signal DCB and the data busy signal DCB are “1”, the outputs of the exclusive OR circuits 15 and 25 become logic L level, and the AND circuits 16 and 17 and the AND circuits 26 and 27 become inactive. , Tri-state buffers 11, 12, 21, 22
Does not operate, and data is not transmitted to the signal line L14.

By the way, in the host devices HST1, HST2, and HST3, a 5-bit binary address for identifying each is registered in advance, and in this case, "1" is stored in the host device HST1.
(= 00001) ", but the host device HST2 has" 3 (= 0001
1) "and" 7 (= 00111) "are registered in the host device HST3.

It is also assumed that the data formats of the printers PRT1, PRT2, and PRT3 are common, and that the printing speed ratio of the printers PRT1, PRT2, and PRT3 is 2: 1: 1.

Here, a case where the host device HST2 prints a document of 200 pages while the host device HST1 is using the printer PRT3 will be described. At this time, since the printer PRT3 is used by the host device HST1, the address data ADD output from the printer PRT3 is set to "1" and the address enable signal ADE is set to data "1". I have.

As shown in FIG. 7, first, the host device HST2 acquires the right to use the printers PRT1, PRT2, and PRT3 that are not in use (process 101).

That is, the connector connected to the printer PRT1 is selected, the signal input via the connector is checked, it is determined whether or not the printer is in use, and when it is determined that the printer is not in use, the address data is transmitted as command data. And register it with printer PRT1, and thereby printer PRT1
Acquire the right to use. Similarly, the right to use the printer PRT2 is obtained.

When the connector connected to the printer PRT3 is selected, at this time, it is determined that the printer PRT3 is being used by another host device because the address data ADD contains the address data of another host device. To not use the printer PRT3.

As a result, the address data ADD of the printers PRT1 and PRT2
Is set to “3”, the address enable signal ADE is set to data “1”, and the printer P
RT1 and PRT2 declare that the use right has been acquired by the host device HST2, respectively.

Next, the printers PRT1 and PRT2 that have obtained the usage right request transmission of performance data, and obtain performance data of each of the printers PRT1 and PRT2 (process 102).

Accordingly, the host device HST2 determines that the printing speed ratio between the printers PRT1 and PRT2 is 2: 1.
1. The number of pages to be printed on PRT2 is determined (process 103).
In this case, the host device HST2 causes the printer PRT1 to print from page 1 to page 134 and
To print from 135 pages to 200 pages.

Then, based on the determination result of the number of printed pages, print data is output in parallel with each of the printers PRT1 and PRT2, and each page is printed out by the printers PRT1 and PRT2 (process 104).

When this printing operation is completed, the host device HST2 notifies the respective printers PRT1 and PRT2 of the release of the usage right (process 105), and ends the printing operation.

As a result, the printers PRT1 and PRT2
DD is set to "0", and data "0" is set to the address enable signal ADE to notify that the use state has ended.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the host devices HST1 and HST
2, HST3 can print the print data by appropriately using a plurality of printers PRT1, PRT2, and PRT3 that are not in use, respectively. You can get in time.

FIG. 8 shows an example of processing executed by the printers PRT1, PRT2, and PRT3 when acquiring the printer in the processing 101 of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 shows an example of processing executed by the host devices HST1, HST2, and HST3 when acquiring the printer. Show. FIG. 10 shows connection error processing during the processing of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 shows printer release processing during the processing of FIG.

In these processes, the host device HST selects a connector of one printer PRT, checks whether or not the printer is in an unused state, and sends a registered address as command data in the case of an unused state. . At this time, the first digit of the data is
Data "0" is set in DAT (1).

When the printer PRT is started from the host device HST, it inputs an address, sets its contents in address data ADD, and outputs it.

In addition, the host device HST processes a connection error when an appropriate response signal cannot be obtained, and when a value different from the registered address is set in the address data ADD, the It is determined that the printer PRT has been started simultaneously by another host device having a higher priority, and the printer is released.

Note that, when the printer is started from two or more host devices at the same time, the address input by the printer is set to the value obtained by logically ORing the addresses of those host devices for each bit. In the address data output from the printer, the value of the largest address is set.

FIG. 12 shows a processing example of the printer in the processing 103 and 104 in FIG. 7, and FIG. 13 shows a processing example of the host device. FIG. 14 shows an example of the data input / output processing of FIG. 12, and FIG. 15 shows an example of the data input / output processing of FIG.

In this process, data is exchanged between the printer and the host device according to a predetermined handshake sequence. When the printer completes a series of data input / output processing, it returns to the processing of FIG. 8 and enters a standby state.

In the embodiment described above, three printers are connected to three printers.
Although the description has been given of the case where the host device is shared, the present invention can be similarly applied to combinations of other host devices.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the data format of each printer is the same has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied even when each printer has a unique data format.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of printers and a plurality of host devices are interconnected so that one host device can use a plurality of printers in parallel. Therefore, an effect that a large amount of printed matter can be obtained in a short time is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a connector, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of connection of a connector, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an input / output circuit, FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a bidirectional bus buffer, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an operation during printing. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the printer when acquiring the printer in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the host apparatus when acquiring the printer, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a connection error process during the process, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a printer release process during the process of FIG. 9, and FIG. 12 is a process 103, FIG.
Flow chart showing a processing example of the printer in 104,
13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the host device in the processing 103 and 104 of FIG. 7, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of data input / output processing of FIG. 12, and FIG. 15 is a data input / output processing of FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the above.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of printer input / output ports of a plurality of host devices provided with a plurality of printer input / output ports are connected to different printers of the same host device. One of a plurality of printers having one host input / output port is connected to the host input / output port of one of the printers, and the host device is connected to the printer connected to the plurality of printer input / output ports. When the printer inquires the usage status, the printer notifies the host device of the usage status at the time of receiving the usage status inquiry from the host device.
One or more available printers are determined based on the use status information notified by the printer, and if there are a plurality of determined printers, the print data is appropriately divided and sent to each printer. A data printing method characterized by causing a printer to print out data. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein each of the host devices has registered therein information for identification, and the printer notifies the host device of identification information of the host device in use when notifying the host device of information on the use status. 2. The data printing method according to claim 1, wherein information indicating printing capability is also notified.