JPH03140268A - Character generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a memory medium from being arbitrarily extracted by the other persons to improve a manageability by a method wherein the memory medium can be extracted by inputting the same passward as that inputted when the memory medium is inserted. CONSTITUTION:An operator inserts a memory card 30 into a memory card loading mechanism 23 of a printer, thereafter inputting a lock command and a passward by operating a keyboard of a host device 22. In a printer controller 100, the inputted passward is stored in a non-voltatile memory 9, and the lock command is issued to a solenoid control circuit 20. Then, a solenoid 24 is turned OFF to make a locking mechanism 25 in a locked state, in which the memory card 30 cannot be extracted. On the other hand, when the memory card 30 is to be extracted, the operator inputs an unlock command and the passward. When the coincidence of the inputted passward with the passward which has been stored in the non-volatile memory 9 is judged, the controller 100 outputs the unlock command to the solenoid control circuit 20. Then, the solenoid 24 is turned ON to unlock the locking mechanism 25 to make the memory card 30 extractable.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a character generation device, and particularly to a device that generates characters based on instructions from a host device such as a computer printer or a word processor printer. It is.

<Prior Art> There are printers that are connected to a host device such as a computer or word processor and generate characters in response to a character generation command from the host device.

Since this type of printer must generate characters of various types and sizes in response to commands, it is usually equipped with a storage device that stores a plurality of types of fonts.

In addition to the storage device inside the character generator, fonts can be stored in an external storage medium such as a memory card, IC card, or ROM cartridge, and by attaching the external storage medium to the character generator, a wider variety of types can be created. There are also devices that allow the use of fonts.

Of the conventional devices described above, the latter device is equipped with a locking mechanism to prevent the removal of a storage medium such as a memory card. Conventional locking mechanisms can be released by a simple operation such as simply pressing a release button or the like (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-68254).

This is because the conventional locking mechanism was only provided to prevent the storage medium from being accidentally removed.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in cases where a printer is connected to multiple host devices and is used jointly by operators of the multiple host devices, it is difficult for anyone to use the storage medium installed in the printer. There are various disadvantages to being able to easily remove it.

For example, a memory card containing original fonts owned by an operator may be stolen. In addition, if the usage time or usage date of the printer is determined in advance by the hour or by the number of units,
Despite wanting to keep the memory card inserted in the printer inside or in the mouth, there is a risk that the attached memory card may be removed without permission.

In other words, with conventional storage medium locking mechanisms, not only a predetermined operator can unlock the locking mechanism, but anyone can unlock the locking mechanism, so you can safely operate the device with the storage medium attached. The drawback was that he could not leave his side.

The present invention was made in order to eliminate such drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is to provide a character generator that allows a specific user to extract a storage medium by inputting a password. .

<Means for Solving the Problems> The present invention is a character generation device that generates characters based on pre-stored character data in response to a character generation command, and includes an attachment for attaching a storage medium. A mechanism, a storage medium storing character data that can be inserted into and removed from the mounting mechanism, and locking the insertion state to prevent the storage medium from being removed when the storage medium is inserted into the mounting mechanism. A character generating device is characterized in that it includes a locking means for a password, and a locking operation control means for setting the locking means to an unlocked state in response to a password being given.

Further, in the above-mentioned character generating device, the locking operation control means locks the locking means in response to the password storage means and the password being given after the locking command, and also sets the locking means to the locked state. a first control means for storing the received password in a password storage means;
In response to the password being given following the release command, it is determined whether the given password matches the password stored in the password storage means, and the locking means is activated based on the fact that the two match. The invention is characterized by including a second control means for setting the release state.

According to the present invention, the lock operation control means releases the lock means in response to the password being given, so that only a person who knows the determined password can remove the storage medium. can.

If the storage medium can be removed by being given the same password as the password entered when inserting the storage medium, the configuration is such that only the person who inserted the storage medium can remove the storage medium.

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer controller 100 as a character generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The printer controller 100 includes a CPU as the center of control processing. font memory 5, R in which fonts of
A page buffer 6 consisting of an AM and capable of storing one page of received data, and a bit map consisting of a RAM and capable of storing one page of processed print output data. Memory 7, consisting of RAM, into which data is written as needed during data processing; work memory 8, consisting of EEPROM, which retains information such as the type of font used, character pitch, number of lines on one page, and other information even when the controller power is turned off. A nonvolatile memory 9 storing data to be saved, an output buffer 712, and the like are connected.

Further, a solenoid control circuit interface 15 is connected, and a solenoid control circuit 20 is connected to the interface 15 as described later.

Further, a host interface 13 is provided,
Data is provided to the receive buffer 3 via the host interface 13 from a host device such as a word processor or workstation. The given data is C
PU], the data is subjected to predetermined processing, and finally stored in the bitmap memory 7 as print output data.
The output data is provided to the output circuit 14 via the output buffer 12. Then, a printer engine (not shown) is driven to generate characters.

Furthermore, connected to the printer controller 100 are an operation section 10 for inputting a lock command, a release command, a password, etc., which will be described later, and a display section 11, such as an LCD, for displaying predetermined contents to be notified to the operator. ing.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram showing the characteristic configuration of the printer according to this embodiment.

A host device 22 is connected to the printer controller 100 via an interface cable 21. The host device 22 is equipped with an operation section (not shown),
Various data and commands can be input. The input data and instructions are sent to the printer controller 10 via the interface cable 21.
given to 0.

As described above, the printer controller 100 is connected to the operation section 10 and the display section 11, and is also connected to the solenoid control circuit 20.

The solenoid control circuit 20 is connected to a memory card mounting mechanism 23.
This is a circuit for controlling the on/off of a solenoid 24 provided in the vehicle.

The solenoid 24 is connected to a locking mechanism 25, and when the solenoid 24 is turned on, the locking mechanism 25 is released.
When the solenoid 24 is turned off, the lock mechanism 25 is locked by the elastic force of the spring 26.

A memory card 30 can be attached to the memory card attachment mechanism 23. The memory card 30 that can be mounted on the mounting mechanism 23 has a triangular notch 31 formed in a part of its side.

When the memory card 30 is inserted into the memory card loading mechanism 23, the tip of the engagement piece 27 of the lock IN mechanism 25 engages with the notch 31, and the memory card 30 is locked so that it cannot be removed. ing.

Although not shown, the memory card 30 has a built-in memory device and stores a predetermined bitmap font.

Further, in FIG. 1, a mechanism for electrically reading data from the memory device of the memory card 30 is omitted.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the configuration shown in FIG.

Next, with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the characteristic operation of this embodiment will be explained.

After inserting the memory card 30 into the memory card loading mechanism 23 of the printer, the operator operates the keyboard of the host device 22 to input a lock command and password.

For example, lock commands rESC, BELL, LJ
If the password is rLOcKJ, the operator inputs the lock command by pressing the ``ESC'' key, the ``BELL'' key, the ``L'' key, and then the ``L'' key, the ``0'' key, the ``C'' key, and the ``K'' key. Press the ° key to enter the password manually.

The lock command and password input from the host device 22 are given to the printer controller 100 via the interface cable 21. When the printer controller 100 determines that a lock command has been input (step S1), it further determines whether a password has been input (step S2).

If a password has been input, the input password rLOcKJ is stored, for example, in a predetermined area of the non-volatile memory 9 (step S3), and a lock command is given to the solenoid control circuit 20 (step S3).
4).

In response, the solenoid control circuit 20 turns off the solenoid 24 and locks the locking mechanism 25 so that the inserted memory card 30 cannot be removed.

On the other hand, when removing the memory card 30, the operator inputs a release command and password. For example, if the release commands are rESC, BELL, and FJ,
The operator operates the keyboard of the host device 22 to select “
Press "ESC" key "BELL'key" F key,
Create passwords manually. The entered password is given to the printer controller 100 via the interface cable 21.

In response, since no lock command has been input in the printer controller 100 (step S1), the process proceeds to step S5 and determines that a release command has been input (step S5).

Then wait for a password to be given (step S
6).

The operator inputs a password from the keyboard of the host device 22, but the password at this time must be the same as the password input during the lock operation.

When the password is input (step S6), the printer controller 100 determines whether the input password matches the password stored in the nonvolatile memory 9 at step S3, that is, in this case, whether the input password is rLOcKJ or not. It is determined whether or not (step S7).

If the password input after the release command does not match the password input after the lock command and stored in the non-volatile memory 9, the display of the host device 22 or the display section 11 of the printer
to perform re-input display (step S9), and step S1
Perform processing from

If the password input after the release command matches the password input after the lock command and stored in the non-volatile memory 9, the printer controller 100 outputs a release command to the solenoid control circuit 20 (step S8). ).

In response, solenoid control circuit 20 turns on solenoid 24, releases locking mechanism 25, and locks memory card 30.
Make it possible to remove it.

In this embodiment, the lock command, password, and release command are input from the keyboard of the host device 22, but the lock command, password, and release command may also be input from the operation unit 10 of the printer.

Furthermore, since the password is stored in the non-volatile memory 9 in step S3, even if the printer power is turned off after inserting the memory card 30 into the memory card loading mechanism 23, the stored password will not be erased. ,
Next, when the printer is turned on and a release command and password are input, it is possible to determine whether the input password is correct or not.

Note that if you want to extend the memory life of the nonvolatile memory 9, the input password is first stored in the work memory 8, and is stored in the work memory 8 only when the device power is turned off. The password may be transferred to the nonvolatile memory 9.

Further, the locking mechanism 25 of this embodiment has a solenoid 24
Since the printer is configured to be locked by the spring 26 in the off state, the lock will not be released even if the printer power is turned off.

In this embodiment, after inserting the memory card 30, a lock command and a password are input to output a lock command and cause the lock mechanism 25 to lock. , the solenoid $IJ control circuit 2° may normally turn off the solenoid 24, and only the memory card 30 may be inserted, and only the mechanical locking may be performed first. In this case, after inserting the memory card 30, if a lock command and password are input, they will be accepted, and the password will be used when unlocking.

In the above embodiment, the memory card 30 was used as an example of the storage medium, but other than the memory card, a ROM cartridge, an IC card, etc. may also be used.

Furthermore, the content stored in the storage medium may be not fonts such as bitmap fonts or outline fonts, but other character data.

<Effects of the Invention> Since the present invention is configured as described above, locking is completed by the person who inserts the storage medium by inputting the password, and when the storage medium is removed, the password is input when the storage medium is inserted. Since the storage medium cannot be removed unless the same password as the one entered is entered, the storage medium can be removed only by the owner or administrator of the storage medium.

Therefore, the portable storage medium cannot be removed without permission by another person, and the device can be easily managed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram showing a characteristic configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a controller of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1...CPU, 9...Nonvolatile memory, 15...Solenoid control circuit interface, 2
O...Solenoid control circuit, 23...Memory card mounting mechanism, 25...Lock mechanism, 30...Memory card, 100...Printer controller.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In response to a character generation command, the pre-stored Create characters based on character data A character generator comprising: a mounting mechanism for mounting a storage medium; Insertion and removal from the attachment mechanism A storage medium that stores character data that can be body and A state in which a storage medium is inserted into the loading mechanism , the insertion state is locked and the storage medium is A lock to prevent the body from being removed. and in response to being given a password. to release the locking means. a motion control means; A character generator comprising: 2. In the character generating device according to claim 1 There, The lock operation control means is a password storage means; The password is given after the lock command. locking means in response to the given package. password in the password storage device. a first control means; After the release command, a password is given. in response to the given path Words and passwords are stored in the storage means. match the password that is being used, and Lock based on matching a second control means for placing the means in a released state; It is characterized by including.