JPH04205224A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To secure a normal communication between an external device and a printing device by enabling the external device and printing device to mutually communicate specific test data and automatically diagnosing the communication state. CONSTITUTION:The communication test data stored in the test data storage part 36 of a printing device main body 3 are read out and sent from a transmission/reception part 31 to a radio communication device 2 by radio. The external device 1 while communicating the communication test data to and from the radio communication device 2 diagnoses the communication state and thus confirms the communication state prior to the radio communication process of print information. When the communication test data is transmitted from the external device 1 to the printing device main body 3 through the radio communication device 2, a control part 33 functions as a communication state diagnostic means. Consequently, data to be printed, print commands, etc., which are transmitted and received between the external device and printing device can accurately be communicated by radio at all times.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field 1] The present invention relates to a printing system in which an external device performs printing processing while a printing device communicates wirelessly via a wireless communication device.

[Prior Art] A printing system that receives print information and performs print processing while wirelessly communicating with an external device requires less installation space between the printer itself and the host external device than a wired system that requires wiring cables. The system is configured so that it can be freely selected and its installation location can be easily changed.

In this case, the printing device is configured to automatically execute printing processing without checking the communication status wirelessly transmitted from the external device.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, in an environment where wireless communication is forced under poor communication conditions, the external device and the printing device cannot perform accurate communication processing, and the desired communication process cannot be performed. There was a problem that printed information could not be received.

The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and the present invention enables communication between the external device and the printing device by mutually communicating predetermined test data and automatically diagnosing the communication state. The purpose is to obtain a printing system that can guarantee normal communication.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A printing device according to the present invention includes a storage means for storing predetermined communication test data, and a communication test data stored in the storage means between a transmitting/receiving means and a wireless communication device. A communication state diagnosis means for diagnosing the communication state while communicating with each other is provided.

[Operation] In the present invention, when the communication test data stored in the storage means is read and the communication test data is wirelessly transmitted from the transmitting/receiving means of the printing device 3 to the wireless communication device, for example, the communication state diagnosing means To diagnose a communication state while mutually communicating communication test data between a transmitting/receiving means and a wireless communication device, and to make it possible to confirm the communication state in advance before wireless communication processing of print information.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system showing an embodiment of the present invention, which is roughly divided into an external device 1 such as a host computer, a wireless communication device 2, and a printing device main body 3.
It is composed of.

An external device 1 such as a host computer transmits data to be printed, print commands, etc. to the printing device main body 3 via a wireless communication device 2, and causes the printing device to perform printing processing.

The wireless communication device 2 is an external device 1 such as a host computer.
An interface section 21 for transmitting and receiving data with. It includes a transmitting/receiving section 22 that performs communication by converting data from a wired communication format to a wireless communication format or vice versa.

The printing device main body 3 is composed of a microprocessor including ROM and RAM, and converts print data, print commands, etc. sent from an external device 1 such as a host computer via a wireless communication device 2 from a wireless communication format to a wired communication format. , or vice versa, a transmitting/receiving unit 31 that performs communication by converting from a wired communication format to a wireless communication format. Interface section 32 for transmitting and receiving data. A control unit 33 that controls the entire printing apparatus. A command analysis unit 34 that analyzes print data, print commands, etc. sent from an external device 1 such as a host computer via the wireless communication device 2. An operation panel 35 that allows setting and changing of printing environment parameters and specific operations; a test data storage section 36 that stores test data information necessary for testing communication status;
．． A data bus 37 used for exchanging data and control signals with each part of the printer main body 3. It includes a printer section 38 that forms a permanent visible image on a recording medium such as paper.

In the printing system configured as described above, the communication test data stored in the storage means (in this embodiment, the test data storage section 36) is read out, and the communication test data is read out and sent to the printing device 3, for example.
When the communication test data is wirelessly transmitted from the transmitting/receiving means (transmitting/receiving unit 31) to the wireless communication device 2, the communication state diagnosis means (provided in the external device 1 in this case) transmits the communication test data to the transmitting/receiving means and the wireless communication device 2. While communicating with the device, the communication status is diagnosed based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, and the communication status is confirmed in advance prior to wireless communication processing of print information. Note that when communication test data (see FIG. 4) is transmitted from the external device 1 to the printer main body 3 via the wireless communication device 2, the control section 33 functions as a communication state diagnostic means.

The communication status test data transmission processing operation in the printing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication status test data transmission processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (8) indicate each step.

To identify whether there is a wireless communication device 2 whose communication status is to be tested 11, if NO, end the process; if YES, determine whether communication status test data can be transferred from the printing device body 3 to the wireless communication device 2. 2), if NO, return to step (1); if YES, identify whether the test data identifier (start) identifies the start of the communication state test from the test data storage unit 31;
If so, end the process, and if YES, read the test data of the communication state from the test data storage unit 36 (4), and identify whether the read data is a test data identifier (end) that identifies the end of the test of the communication state. 5), N
If o, return to step (4); if YES, identify the notification that the communication status is normal from the wireless communication device 2 6); if YES, display the communication status normal on the operation panel 35 7); if NO, display the notification that the communication status is normal 7) For example, a communication error is displayed on the operation panel 35 (8), and the communication state test is completed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication state diagnosis processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (months indicate each step.

Read the test data sent to the control unit 33 (1)
, read the test data in the communication state from the test data storage unit 36 (2), identify whether the transmitted test data and the test data read from the test data storage unit 36 are the same 3), and if No, perform the operation. panel 35
7) If YES, a test data identifier (end) that identifies the end of the communication state test.
4) If NO, return to step 11; if YES, notify the wireless communication device 2 that the communication status is normal 5); display the normal communication status on the operation panel 35 6) , ends the communication status snooping process.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of test data stored in the test data storage section 36 shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in this figure, the test data consists of a character code that is actually compared with a test data identifier that identifies the start and end of a communication state test. , check the communication status.

Note that the test data is not limited to the above data shown in FIG. 4, and any identifiable test data may be set as appropriate.

In this way, the printer body 3, which communicates with the external device 1 such as a host computer via the wireless communication device 2, communicates communication status test data and checks the communication status to ensure accurate wireless communication at all times. Can communicate.

In the above embodiment, there is one external device 1 such as a host computer, one wireless communication device 2, and one printer main body 3.
Although the case where there are two or more external devices 1 such as host computers and two or more wireless communication devices 2 has been described as an example, the present invention can be easily applied to the case where there are two or more external devices 1 such as host computers and two or more wireless communication devices 2.

Further, in the above embodiment, the operation panel 35 of the printer main body 3
I explained how to test the communication status from
The present invention can be easily applied to the case where a communication state test is performed from an external device 1 such as a host computer and an operation panel of the wireless communication device 2.

[Advantageous Effects of the Invention 1] As explained above, the present invention includes a storage means for storing predetermined communication test data, a communication test data stored in the storage means, and a method for mutually communicating the communication test data stored in the storage means between the transmitting/receiving means and the wireless communication device. In a printing system that performs wireless communication, printing data and print commands sent and received between the wireless communication device and the printing device are always accurately wirelessly transmitted and received. Can communicate.

Therefore, communication reliability in the printing system can be maintained, and printing errors can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a communication status test data transmission processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication state diagnosis processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram showing an example of test data stored in the test data storage section shown in FIG. 1. In the figure, 1 is an external device, 2 is a wireless communication device, 3 is a printer main body, 21.32 is an interface section, 22.31 is a transmitting/receiving section, 33 is a control section, 34 is a command analysis section, 35 is an operation panel, 36 is a test data storage section, and 38 is a printer section. Figure 3 Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a printing system in which the printing device includes a transmitting/receiving means for performing a printing process while an external device wirelessly communicates with the printing device via a wireless communication device, a storage device for storing predetermined communication test data; 1. A printing system comprising: communication state diagnostic means for diagnosing a communication state while mutually communicating said communication test data between said transmitting/receiving means and said wireless communication device.