CN85107217A - Dot-matrix printer with cassette memory of character style - Google Patents

Abstract

Deposit the character font data that is different from standard character in this memory cell in advance in, and the storage portions that is divided into many page pools is arranged, the ROM and the RAM group of storage font data wherein arranged.When carrying out the non-standard character printing, CPU places the page address reservoir with a predetermined page address, and reads required font data in the page pool with corresponding predetermined page address.Can not from ROM, read as data, just CPU identifies the no ROM in this district.CPU also can write the page pool with tentation data, and when the predetermined page pool of visit, therefrom reads as no datat, and then CPU confirms that this page pool do not have corresponding.

Description

Dot-matrix printer with cassette memory of character style

The present invention relates to a kind of dot-matrix printer with font boxlike depositing element, it can read the font data that deposits in advance in the memory that is contained in the font boxlike depositing element, and prints by font data.

In order to print the character font of multiple class shape, dot-matrix printer must have the read-only memory (ROM) of the font data of each font of storage.But, in country variant, use different fonts usually.For this reason, when giving the read-only memory of the storage font data that each country is provided with dot-matrix printer, require to have the read-only memory of quite big memory capacity, resultant costs increases.In order to overcome such shortcoming, will prepare a plurality of font boxlike storage parts that the read-only memory of storing a large amount of font datas and random access memory (RAM) be housed and, used font boxlike depositing element is assemblied on the printer, so that read the font data of used font when printing, but, in this way, when font boxlike depositing element is assemblied on the dot-matrix printer, printer control circuit can not identify in the address area that memory is arranged on that font boxlike depositing element, or just read-only memory or the random access memory (RAM) that are provided with.Therefore, discern complex procedures, overlong time like this.

The purpose of this invention is to provide the dot-matrix printer that has font boxlike depositing element, the residing status pole of font boxlike storage component font boxlike storage component internal memory that is provided with the memory that has the font data of having stored multiple font in the printer is easy to identify.The letter of removing outside the printer standard character also can print.

For finishing above-mentioned purpose, provide a font boxlike memory cell with following structure to dot-matrix printer.By the present invention, the printer with a font boxlike memory cell comprises:

The font boxlike memory cell that comprises some read-only memorys or read/write memory, (memory has a storage portions that is divided into many page pools) as storing various font datas in each page pool, and the input/output bus that is used to input or output the font data of reading from read-only memory or read/write memory; Pick-up unit is used for seeking by input/output bus the presumptive address of each page of font boxlike memory cell, so that go out standing state corresponding to the read-only memory or the read/write memory of each page pool according to the content detection of the specific read data that finds;

Print control unit is used for according to producing print data according to the read-only memory of the testing result font boxlike memory cell of pick-up unit or the font data that the read/write memory reads out.

Connector is used for the input/output bus of font boxlike memory cell is connected on the print control unit and pick-up unit, so as transmission of digital between input/output bus and the print control unit or between input/output bus and detecting device the specific reading word of transmission;

The printing numeral that printing equipment is used for producing according to print control unit is carried out the point type printing.

For above structure, dot printer can detect the storage arrangement position of font storage in font boxlike depositing element.Thereby printer main body can identify the storage zone corresponding to reserved word graphic data in the font boxlike memory cell.Like this, the character except that standard character can be simply installs to just printable come out on the printer main body to font boxlike memory cell.

Fig. 1, expression is by the block scheme of the structure of the dot-matrix printer with font boxlike memory cell of the present invention.

Fig. 2 represents the block diagram of printing mechanism controller of the present invention.

Fig. 3, memory distributor in the printer of the present invention.

Fig. 4 represents the block scheme of font boxlike memory cell structure of the present invention.

Fig. 5 A explains the process flow diagram of work of the present invention to 5C and Fig. 6.

Referring to figs. 1 to Fig. 6 the embodiment of the invention is described.As shown in Figure 1, the diagram dot-matrix printer comprises: one prints a control module 10 and a printing mechanism.Printing mechanism comprises: a dozen heads 11, support motor 12, the be used for drive installation bearing of printhead 11, the feed motor 13 of transporting paper.

Unit 10 comprises a microprocessor (CPU) 14, one font read-only memory (ROM) 15, one program read-only memory (ROM) 16, one read/write memory (RAM) 17, the procedure operation that one a printing mechanism controller 18 and a system bus 19, CPU (central processing unit) (CPU) 14 are stored in advance according to read-only memory is to control whole printing mechanism.When CPU (central processing unit) 14 produced print datas, random access memory (RAM) 17 was as the work memory corresponding to the font data (character font data) of standard letter for font read-only memory storage.Controller 18 is carried out printing head 11, the drive controlling of bearing motor 12 and feed motor 13 according to print data that provides from CPU (central processing unit) (CPU) 14 and control data.

Font boxlike memory cell 22 is connected with unit 10 by connector 21.Connector 21 can separate with unit 10, and when connecting, it can be connected on the system bus 19 by bus 20.

As shown in Figure 2, controller 18 comprises a print data register 23 and the required print head drive circuit 24 of printhead 11 drive controlling.Register 23 is stored the print data that transports from reading writing memory (RAM) 17 by system bus 19 under the control of CPU (central processing unit) (CPU) 14.Circuit 24 is according to being stored in the some pin that register 23 and print data drive printhead 11 selectively.Be noted that print data is made up of the font data of delegation.

And then controller 18 comprises a phase data register 25 and bearing motor drive circuit 26, is used for the drive controlling of motor 12, and a phase data register 27 and a feed motor driving circuit 28 are used for the drive controlling of feed motor 13. Register 25 and 27 is stored the various phase data that have as step motor 12 and the control of 13 excitation phase switches.Circuit 26 is added to exciting current on the field coil of motor 12 and drives it.Circuit 28 is added to exciting current on the field coil of motor 13 and drives it.By system bus 19 the data delivery of phase place on relevant register 25 and 27.

Fig. 3 represents the memory distribution plan of printer of the present invention.There is program read-only memory (ROM) 16 in storage zone by CPU (central processing unit) (CPU) 14 accesses, font read-only memory (ROM) 15, random access memory (RAM) (RAM) 17 and a page pool 29.Page pool 29 is made of 8 pages, just from the page 1 district to the page 8 districts, this part is arranged in the font boxlike depositing element.The font data of a font is stored in each page pool.CPU (central processing unit) 14 specified page are so that controlled valve, then, ask a page pool of visiting among 8 page pools.The page 1 district and the page 2 districts constitute the random access memory (RAM) district of placing random access memory (RAM).The page 3 districts constitute the read-only memory district of placing read-only memory to the page 8 districts.Use the page 1 district and 2 districts so that the predetermined font of the font data that employed CPU (central processing unit) transmission (carrying row) desire will be printed in the printer of the present invention.The random access memory (RAM) district can connect also can not connect battery.As shown in Figure 4, font boxlike memory cell 22 comprises by random access memory (RAM) 39 and 40, the memory group that read-only memory 41 to 43 is formed, a page address register 30; One page code translator, 31, one I/O (I/O) code translator 32.

Random access memory (RAM) 39 and 40 has respectively to be enough to store the font data of a font and to be equivalent to the page 1 and the capacity in the page 2 districts; Each all stores the font data of two class fonts read-only memory 41 to 43, and is corresponding to the page 3 to 8 districts.In this embodiment, read-only memory 41 and 42 the insides are not provided with storaging chip.

Random access memory (RAM) 39 and 40 is read/write memories of storing corresponding to the font data of predetermined font.When the reserved word graphic data is read from read-only memory 41 to 43 and random access memory (RAM) 39 and 40, register 30 is just stored from the page address that CPU (central processing unit) 14 sends by connector 21, code translator 32 is deciphered from I/O (I/O) address (first level address) that CPU (central processing unit) 14 sends by connector 21 handles, and, required time clock CK is provided for the storage operation of register 30 by decode results.Code translator 31 is deciphering from the page address that register 30 is sent here, and chip select signal CS is added on read-only memory 41 to 43 and random access memory (RAM) 39 and 40 by decode results, by input and output (I/O) bus 35, font data is sent to unit 10 from read-only memory 41 to 43 and random access memory (RAM) 39 and 40, I/O (I/O) bus 35 is connected on the pull-up resistor 38, and adds voltage V by resistance 38 _Cc

Work with dot-matrix printer of above structure will be narrated below.When font boxlike memory cell 22 loads, must identify set condition at the memory components of whole storage portions.Briefly narrate its work with reference to figure 5A to the process flow diagram of 5C.Among the step S1, but counter parameter N reset.But this parameter N indication access page number.Among the step S2, variable counting N adds 1.In order to allow CPU (central processing unit) 14 access page N, the page address A1 of page N is by bus 19 and 20 among the step S3.Connector 21 and bus 35 are seated in the register 30.Among the step S4, unlabeled data (ID) is from the particular address of page N, that is start address is read.In this case, CPU (central processing unit) 14 transmits an address A2 who indicates the corresponding page to code translator 32 by address bus 36, and code translator 32 selects signal the address A2 decoding from CPU (central processing unit) 14 according to the I/O of CPU (central processing unit) 14.And its decode results is added to time clock CK on the register 30.CK is synchronous with time clock, and register 30 deposits the page address A1 from CPU (central processing unit) 14 in, then, it is added on the code translator 31.Code translator 31 is deciphered the page address A1 from register 30, and chip select signal CS is added to, and for example, random access memory (RAM) 39 gets on.Like this, CPU (central processing unit) 14 is read from next sign (ID) data of start address of the random access memory (RAM) 39 that utilizes address A2.On the start address of each page, having stored the page is the random access memory (RAM) or the designation data of read-only memory, at the designation data and the similar indicated number of the font of this page storage.In step S5, check whether the data of reading from this page start address are to indicate (ID) data, just and since random access memory (RAM) can be active also can be passive, check exactly at step S5 whether random access memory (RAM) is active.In step S5, if " yES ", if promptly sense data is to indicate (ID) data, the sign " B " of active random access memory (RAM) of indicating the setting of the page 1 district so is in step S6, just write random access memory (RAM) 17, and flow process is got back to step S2.In step S5, if " NO " tentation data " FO " (getting rid of in the sexadecimal counting method " FF ") writes on the presumptive address, for example, on the start address in the page 1 district.Subsequently, just data be read out, as step S7 to shown in the S9.Then, one check that whether sense data is 16 to carry out the data " FF " of counting method.On the other hand, by storage read/write line 34, central processing unit CPU 14 is added to " writing " signal on the random access memory (RAM) 39, so that write tentation data at this point.Check among the step S9 that whether reading number is that the reason of " FF " is because will check whether storaging chip is placed in the random access memory (RAM) 39 in the corresponding page 1 district, if the data of reading in the address of storaging chip never are set, because bus loads, just can obtain data " FF " just looks like that " FF " reads.If sense data is among the step S9 " FF ", just can determine not to be provided with storaging chip.Among the step S10, the mark " RO " that the expression in the page 1 district is not provided with random access memory (RAM) writes in the random memory 17.Among the step S9, if " NO ", step S11 checks the data " FO " that sense data writes when whether meeting step S7.Step S ₁₁If " yES " deposits the cue mark " R1 " of getting memory at random in the page 1 district and just writes in the random access memory (RAM) 17.Step S11 is if " NO " is placed with random access memory (RAM) at the page 1 district's internal memory, but the cue mark of not depositing " E1 " writes in the random memory 17, when repeating aforesaid operations up to step S ₁₄In the time of till the acquisition " yES ", this just can detect in the page 1 and the page 2 whether deposited random access memory (RAM).

Step S ₁₄In, if " yES ", flow process just enters step S earlier ₁₅At step S ₁₅To S ₂₄Whether the middle page 3 to 8 districts of detecting the read-only memory district have deposited read-only memory.Step S ₁₉, if " yES " (if the unlabeled data of reading from page N (ID) is data " FF "), just the cue mark " MO " that read-only memory is not provided in page N district is at step S ₂₀The time write in the random access memory (RAM) 17 step S ₂₁The time, if " NO " (is not unlabeled data from page N read number), the cue mark " E2 " of the read-only memory error of performance that proposes in page N is at step S ₂₂The time, just be written in the random access memory (RAM) 17.At step S ₂₁If " yES " provides read-only memory cue mark " M1 " in page N district, at step S ₂₂In time, just write in the random access memory (RAM) 17.

After the above-mentioned detection, CPU (central processing unit) 14 is transformed into device 22 aspects to the memory access according to a dozen seal character codes that principal computer provides.Shown in step 30 among Fig. 6, CPU (central processing unit) 14 is by bus 19 and 20, and connector 21 and bus 35 are set a predetermined page address A1 according to the printable character sign indicating number in the register 30.In this situation, CPU (central processing unit) 14 is transferred to code translator 32 to the first level address of appointment one address in the page by bus 36.Code translator 32 is according to selecting signal the decoding of the first level address of CPU (central processing unit) 14 and according to decode results time clock CK to be added on the register 30 by control signal wire 33 from the I/O (I/O) of CPU (central processing unit) 14.Register 30 and time clock CK deposit the page address A1 from CPU (central processing unit) 14 synchronously in.Then, page address A1 is added in the code translator 31.Code translator 31 is the picture address A from register 30 ₁With first level address A from CPU (central processing unit) 14 ₂Decipher, and chip select signal CS is added to, for example, on the read-only memory 43.Therefore, as shown in Figure 3,, for example, there are the page 7 and 8 districts, select corresponding to the high density font data of printable character sign indicating number to having the read-only memory 43 in storage zone.

Step S ₃₁In, the read-only memory 43 that page address A1 is used in CPU (central processing unit) 14 visits for example, points to the address A in the page 7 districts and 8 districts ₁, and the first level address A2 that points to address in the respective page, so from read-only memory 43, read the font data that constitutes predetermined high density point type font.CPU (central processing unit) 14 is read control signal by 37 of storage sense wires and is added on the read-only memory 43, and by bus 35, connector 21 and bus 20 and 19 read out word graphic data from read-only memory 43.

CPU (central processing unit) 14 writes the font datas of reading from read-only memory 43 in the storage zone by the random access memory (RAM) 17 of first level address A2 appointment, CPU (central processing unit) repeats to read out up to the font data that is used for a character from the operation of read-only memory 43 read out word graphic data, and till being stored in the random access memory (RAM) 17.According to step S ₃₃Identification repeat this operating process till the font data that is used for a character reads and be stored in the random memory 17 from read-only memory 43, and CPU (central processing unit) 14 is according to step S ₃₄Identification repeat read operation from read-only memory 43 until in random access memory (RAM) 17, produced till delegation's font data.When delegation's font data formed in random access memory (RAM) 17, CPU (central processing unit) 14 was transformed into page address (the step S that need read corresponding to the font data of printable character sign indicating number ₃₆).CPU (central processing unit) 14 for example, is transformed into page address corresponding to the page 8 to the page address corresponding to the page 7 districts, and is put in the register shown in Figure 4 30 and goes.Like this, CPU (central processing unit) 14 is read the font data in the page 8 districts that are stored in the read-only memory 43 and it is deposited in the random access memory (RAM) 17 and goes.

In this way, when the character code of the printable character sign indicating number of a corresponding character rather than standard character sent from principal computer, CPU (central processing unit) 14 was read from install 22 read-only memory 43.For example, corresponding to the high density font data of printable character sign indicating number.When reading high density font data that delegation uses from read-only memory 43 when random access memory (RAM) 17 forms, CPU (central processing unit) 14 execution in step S ₃₇Printing.Some seal mode of operation with standard character is the same, and CPU (central processing unit) 14 is delivering to the controller 18 from the print data that comprises font data of random access memory (RAM) 17.Controller 18 is according to the high density font data control printhead 11 from register shown in Figure 2 23.Like this, printhead 11 is printed on the character corresponding to the high density font data on the paper.

CPU (central processing unit) 14 identifies the storage structure that storage portions is divided into the unit 22 of the read-only memory 41 to 43 of the page and random access memory (RAM) 39 and 40.Thereby if the structure of the memory group in the unit 22 as shown in Figure 4, CPU (central processing unit) 14 is just carried out print processing, as shown in Figure 6.If read-only memory 43 shown in Figure 4 is not designated, CPU (central processing unit) 14 is just interrupted read out word graphic data from read-only memory 43, and points out to carry out the print processing of the font data that read-only memory 43 stores.When random access memory (RAM) 39 and 43 did not add operation, CPU (central processing unit) 14 was just interrupted the read/write operation relevant with random access memory (RAM) 39 and 43 and is specified the font data of storage in random access memory (RAM) 39 and 40 to print the processing that can not be performed.

By the present invention, can identify storage zone (page) corresponding to storage structure reserved word graphic data in by unit 22 in the CPU (central processing unit) 14 of printer side.For this reason, read-only memory 41 to 43 in unit 22 and random access memory (RAM) 39 and 40 are participated in operation, and the structure of arranging is not when knowing, the CPU (central processing unit) 14 of printer side can identify the storage zone corresponding to the reserved word graphic data.Therefore, the character that is not used in standard character can be contained on the printer main body by font boxlike memory cell easily and just can print.

Claims (13)

1, a kind of dot-matrix printer with the font cassette memory has the printing equipment that the print data that forms according to the reserved word graphic data is carried out the point type printing, and its feature comprises;

A font boxlike memory cell that comprises a plurality of read-only memorys or read/write memory, have the storage portions that is divided into a plurality of pictures and be used in each page area and store different font datas, and the input/output bus that is used for the font data that input and output read from said read-only memory or read/write memory.

Pick-up unit is used for the presumptive address of each page pool by said input/output bus access font boxlike memory cell so that go out read-only memory or the residing state of read/write memory corresponding to each page pool according to the content detection of the specific sense data of access.

Print control unit, the font data that is used for reading according to said read-only memory or read/write memory produces print data, and these memories are that the testing result of controlling according to said pick-up unit is placed in the font boxlike memory cell; And

Coupling arrangement, be used for the input/output bus of font boxlike memory cell is connected to above-mentioned print control unit and pick-up unit, so that between input/output bus and print control unit, transmit data, or between input/output bus and pick-up unit, transmit specific reading number.

2, according to the printer of claim 1, it is characterized by: said pick-up unit comprises a microprocessor, and write particular data with the particular address in the specific webpage district of font boxlike memory cell, and, when the particular address in access specific webpage district, the particular data that writes and the specific sense data of access are given comparison, if coincide, the read/write memory is set between the two just detect on the position corresponding to the specific webpage district.

3, according to the printer of claim 1, it is characterized by: said pick-up unit comprises a microprocessor, if and identify predetermined specific sense data when what the particular address in the specific webpage district of said font boxlike memory cell found, detect setting corresponding to read-only memory on the position in specific webpage district.

4, according to the printer of claim 1, it is characterized by: said connector has a separable structure that connects and disconnect between input/output bus and print control unit.

5, according to the printer of claim 1, it is characterized by: said input/output bus is connected on the pullup resistor, and predetermined voltage is added on the said input/output bus so that apply voltage by pullup resistor.

6, according to the printer of claim 3, it is characterized by: if when the particular address in access specific webpage district, identify the predetermined said pick-up unit of specific sense data corresponding to the locational active read-only memory in specific webpage district and the setting of read/write memory.

7, according to the printer of claim 5, it is characterized by: this pick-up unit comprises a microprocessor, when the particular address in access font boxlike memory cell specific webpage district, identify input/output bus in the pull-up state data, just can detect or read-only memory or reading writing memory are not arranged on a certain position corresponding to the specific webpage district.

8, according to the printer of claim 1, it is characterized by: this font boxlike memory cell has a storage portions that is divided into many page pools, and each page pool is compiled to read-only storage portions or read/write storage portions group.

9, according to the printer of claim 8, it is characterized by: said pick-up unit comprises a microprocessor, and with the specific particular data that writes in the specific webpage district of font boxlike memory cell, then, when the particular address in access specific webpage district, the relatively particular data that writes of district and the specific sense data of access are if the two conforms to, just detect setting corresponding to the storage of the read/write on the specific webpage zone position.

10, according to the printer of claim 8, it is characterized by: this pick-up unit comprises a microprocessor, just detects the read-only memory that is provided with on the position corresponding to the specific webpage district if identify predetermined specific sense data when the particular address in access font boxlike memory cell specific webpage district.

11, according to the printer of claim 10, it is characterized by: when the particular address in access specific webpage district, detect corresponding to active read-only memory that is provided with on the specific webpage zone position or read/write memory if identify this pick-up unit of predetermined specific sense data.

12, according to the printer of claim 8, it is characterized by: said input/output bus is connected on the pullup resistor, and predetermined voltage is added to input/output bus by pullup resistor so that promote its voltage.

13, according to the printer of claim 12, it is characterized by: this pick-up unit comprises a microprocessor, when the particular address in access catridges or memory cell specific webpage district, if identify the data at the pull-up state of input/output bus, just detection promptly is not provided with read-only memory and does not install the read/write memory yet on the position in corresponding specific webpage district.

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