JP2002073306A - Printer system, printer control device, method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a printer which automatically and properly prints the data from a various printing hosts as well as a various types of data, with its simple structure. SOLUTION: This invention is equipped with a wireless means which sends/ receives data, a header interpretation means which interprets if the data is images or print data/command array with the header of the data received by the wireless means, a data switching means which converts image data into print data, a switching means which switches the data switching means between valid and invalid in accordance with the interpretation of the header interpretation means, and a printer which prints a data sent through the switching means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer system, a printer controller, a method, and a storage medium for processing data received by wireless communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art First, an example of a printing method from a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) to a printer will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 8, a printer 51 having a connector 52 is connected to a personal computer 53 (PC 53 in the figure) also having a connector 54 by a connection cable 55. Print instructions issued from various applications on the personal computer 53 are also converted into data / command strings for printing by the printer driver on the personal computer 53 and transferred to the printer 51 via the connection cable 55. The printer 51 develops this data / command sequence into its own buffer (not shown) and performs an actual printing operation.

[Conventional example 2] Next, an example of a printing method from a digital camera (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera) to a printer device will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, the connector 52
Is connected to a printer adapter 61 also having a connection connector 62 by a connection cable 55. Further, the printer adapter 61 has a memory card slot 63 so that an external memory card 64 such as a digital camera (not shown) can be connected. Image data captured by a digital camera or the like is usually stored in the memory card 64. When the card 64 storing the image is inserted into the slot 63, the printer adapter 61 reads out the image data on the card 64, converts the image data into a data / command sequence for printing, and outputs the data via the connection cable 55. Transfer to 51. The printer 51 develops the raster data into its own buffer (not shown) and performs an actual printing operation. In some cases, a printer adapter is built in the printer and apparently does not exist, that is, a printer with an image printing function.

[Conventional example 3] Next, an example of a printing method when a printer device capable of printing data of both a personal computer and a digital camera is used will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 10, a printer 71 has a connection connector 72, and a personal computer 53 having a connection connector 54 and a connection cable 5.
5 is connected. The printer 71 also has a memory card slot 73 to which an external memory card 64 such as a digital camera (not shown) can be connected. The data from the connector 72 is a data / command string for printing from the personal computer 53, and the printer 71 develops the data in its own buffer (not shown) and then proceeds to the actual printing operation. When the card 64 in which an image is stored is inserted into the slot 73, the image data on the card 64 is read out, converted into a print data / command string (printer adapter function), and then used for an actual print operation. Move on.

[0005]

In the prior arts 1 and 2, only one device is connected to the printer at a time. In the third conventional example, the personal computer 53 and the memory card 64 can be simultaneously connected to the connection connector 72 and the memory card slot 73, respectively, but the type of transfer data is determined for each connection means. That is, in the case of the connection connector 72, the data / command string for printing was fixed, and in the case of the memory card slot 73, the image data was fixed. However, when the connection unit is made wireless, even if there is only one wireless connection unit, there may be a case where there are a plurality of connected devices (print hosts). In addition, PC /
It is conceivable that different types of data (print data / command sequence, image data) are transferred from the digital camera to the same wireless connection means, and the conventional method cannot cope with it.

[0006] The present invention has been made to address the above-described problem, and a plurality of printing hosts can exist during wireless connection, and printing can be performed correctly even when different types of data are transferred. It is an object to provide a simple printer device.

[0007]

The present invention comprises means for discriminating between a print data / command sequence and image data.
When the wireless transfer data is a data / command sequence for printing, printing is performed as it is, and when the data is an image, printing is performed after the data conversion unit is enabled. With the above configuration, it is possible to realize a printer that automatically and appropriately prints data from various print hosts and various types of data.

[0008]

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a printer that automatically and appropriately prints data from various print hosts and various types of data with a simple configuration.

[0009]

[Embodiment 1] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a printer system to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, 1 is a printer main body, 2
Is a connection connector of the printer 1, 3 is a printer adapter which is a center of the present embodiment, 4 is a connection connector of the printer adapter 3, 5 is a wireless interface section of the printer adapter 3, and 6 is a connection for connecting the connection connectors 2 and 4. A connection cable 7 is a printing host such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer), a digital camera (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera) or a portable terminal, and 8 is a wireless interface unit of the printing host.

The printer adapter 3 receives wireless data from the print host 7 at the wireless interface unit 5, performs various processes (described later), and transfers the wireless data to the printer 1 from the connector 4 via the connection cable 6. It has become.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the printer adapter 3. In the figure, 9 is a header discriminating means for reading a header portion of the wireless data and discriminating the type of data, 10 is a converting means for converting image data into a data / command string for printing, 11 is an input terminal i, and an output terminal a , B, and switch means having control terminals c.

The output of the radio unit 5 is input to the input terminal i of the switch 11 and the header discriminating means 9, and the output of the header discriminating means 9 is connected to the control terminal of the switch 11, so that the switch 11 is switched. ing. Switch 11
The output terminal b of the switch is input to the conversion means 10, and the output thereof and the output terminal a of the switch 11 are connected to the connector 4 for connection with the printer 1. That is, according to the output of the header discriminating means, the radio section 5 → the switch 11 → the connector 4
Route and wireless unit 5 → switch 11 → conversion means 10 →
The route of the connection connector 4 is switched.

FIG. 3 shows wireless data 12 output from the wireless unit 5.
FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 13 denotes header information, and if it is an image, TIFF / JPEG / BITMAP
Information such as format, size, and number of colors, such as / GIF, is recorded. However, print data differs depending on the type of printer, description language, and the like, and some of them have no header information. 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a data body in which image data corresponding to each file format or data / command strings for printing are recorded.

Next, a specific operation of the first embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described with reference to the general flowcharts of FIGS. The program related to the flowchart is stored in the memory of the printer adapter,
Performed by U. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the print host 7 is a personal computer. First, in step S1, print data is wirelessly transmitted from a personal computer. The printer driver converts a print instruction from application software on a personal computer into print data including a data / command sequence and sends the print data. Upon receiving the data in step S2, the printer adapter 3 analyzes the header portion of the data in step S3 (by the header discriminating means 9). In step S4, data is determined based on the analysis result. In this case, there is no header information, and the data is determined to be print data. In response to this determination, the switch 11 in FIG. 2 is set to the terminal a side. As a result, the process proceeds to step S6 to transfer data to the printer 1.
When the printer 1 receives the data in step S7,
In step S8, actual printing is performed.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which the print host 7 is a digital camera. In FIG. 5, first, in step S11, image data is wirelessly transmitted from the digital camera. Upon receiving the data in step S2, the printer adapter 3 analyzes the header portion of the data in step S3 (by the header discriminating means 9). In step S4, data is determined based on the analysis result.
The image file is determined. In response to this determination, the switch 11 in FIG. 2 is set to the terminal b side. As a result, the process proceeds to step S5, where the JPEG image file is converted into print data (FIG.
At step 6, the converted print data is transferred to the printer 1.

When the printer 1 receives the data at step S7, it performs actual printing at step S8. As described above, the printer adapter includes determination means for determining header information of data transmitted wirelessly, and conversion means for converting an image into print data, and enables the conversion means in accordance with the header information. By switching to invalid, it is possible to realize a printer that automatically and appropriately prints data from various print hosts and various types of data.

Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, a printer and a printer adapter are used. However, a printer adapter may be built in the printer. That is, the radio unit 5,
Header discriminating means 9, converting means 10, and switch 11
May be integrated with the printer 1 so that the printer directly receives wireless data.

With the integrated structure, the effect of eliminating the need for the connector 2 of the printer 1, the connector 4 of the printer adapter 3, and the connection cable 6 is produced.

[Embodiment 3] In the above embodiment, the header information discriminating means is used. However, an embodiment using a device discriminating means instead will be described below. FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the printer adapter 3. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a device discriminating means for receiving a negotiation with the print host by the radio unit 5 and discriminating the print host device. The input of the device is connected to the output of the radio unit 5. Connected to terminal c. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. The output of the device discriminating means determines the route of the wireless unit 5 → switch 11 → connector 4, and the route of wireless unit 5 → switch 11 → converter 10 → connector 4. The same is true for the point that is switched.

Next, a specific operation of the third embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described with reference to a general flowchart of FIG. First, negotiation of wireless connection is performed between step S21 of the print host and step S23 of the printer adapter. By this negotiation, the printer adapter acquires the device information of the print host. If there are a plurality of print hosts, all device information is acquired. The acquired device information is stored in its own buffer.

Next, in step S22, data is wirelessly transmitted from the print host. Upon receiving the data in step S24, the printer adapter 3 analyzes the information of the print host that transmitted the data in step S25 (by the device determining unit 21). This is performed based on the print host information stored in the buffer in step S23. In step S26, the print host is determined based on the analysis result. If the print host is a digital camera, the data received in step S24 is regarded as an image, and in step S5 the print data is converted to the print data by the conversion unit 10. After the conversion, the data is transferred to the printer 1 (step S6). If the print host is a personal computer, the data received in step S24 is regarded as a print data / command sequence, the conversion to print data in step S5 is skipped, and the data is transferred to the printer 1 in step S6. The printer 1 receives the data sent in step S6 in step S7, and performs actual printing in step S8.

As described above, the printer adapter is provided with the device discriminating means for discriminating the device of the print host wirelessly transmitted, and the converting means for converting an image into print data.
By switching the conversion unit between enabled and disabled according to the device information of the print host, data from various print hosts can be
Further, it is possible to realize a printer that automatically and appropriately prints various types of data.

Fourth Embodiment In the third embodiment, a printer and a printer adapter are used, but a printer adapter may be built in the printer. That is, the radio unit 5,
Device determination means 21, conversion means 10, and switch 11
May be integrated with the printer 1 so that the printer directly receives wireless data.

With the integrated structure, the connector 2 of the printer 1, the connector 4 of the printer adapter 3, and the connection cable 6 can be made unnecessary.

[Other Embodiments] The conversion means 10 shown in the above embodiment, the header discriminating means 9 shown in the first and second embodiments, and the device discriminating means 21 shown in the third and fourth embodiments are hardware. , Or may be realized by software.
In the first and second embodiments, the header information discriminating means is used, and in the third and fourth embodiments, the host device discriminating means is used. However, these may be used in combination. further,
Although only the radio is described in the embodiment, the present invention
It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to wireless devices such as TOOTH and IEEE802.11.

[0026]

As described above, the discriminating means for discriminating the header information of the data transmitted wirelessly to the printer system, or the device discriminating means for discriminating the device of the print host, and converts the image into print data. A conversion unit that converts data from various print hosts and data of various types automatically by switching the conversion unit between enabled and disabled according to header information or print host device information. It is possible to realize a printer that prints on a printer. Further, even when data in a format that cannot be printed by the printer is received by wireless communication, the printer can be caused to execute printing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a printer adapter according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of wireless data according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a printer adapter according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional printing method.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional printing method.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional printing method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Printer connection connector 3 Printer adapter 4 Printer adapter connection connector 5 Printer adapter wireless part 7 Print host 8 Print host wireless part 9 Header information discriminating means 10 Conversion means 11 Switching means 13 Wireless data header information 21 This is a print host device determination unit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/91 H04N 5/91 HF term (Reference) 2C061 AP01 HH03 HK03 HK04 HN02 HN05 HN15 2C087 AB05 BD01 BD13 BD41 BD46 CB03 DA02 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB02 EE01 QQ01 5C052 AA11 FA02 FA03 FA06 FA07 FB01 FC01 FD00 5C053 FA04 FA08 GB06 JA21 KA08 KA24 LA01 LA03 LA20

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. Wireless means for transmitting and receiving data, header interpreting means for interpreting whether the data received by the wireless means is image data or print data / command sequence, and converting the image data into print data. A data conversion unit for converting, a switching unit for switching the data conversion unit between valid and invalid according to the interpretation of the header interpretation unit, a printer for printing received data of the wireless unit or output data of the data conversion unit, A printer system comprising: 2. The printer system according to claim 1, wherein said wireless means, said header interpreting means, said data converting means, and said switching means are integrated with said printer. Wireless means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the host device; negotiation means for performing negotiation for determining device information of the host device via the host device and the wireless means; A data conversion unit for converting; a switching unit for switching the data conversion unit between valid and invalid according to a result of the determination of the device information by the negotiation unit; and printing data received by the wireless unit or output data from the data conversion unit. A printer system comprising: 4. The printer system according to claim 3, wherein said wireless means, said negotiation means, said data conversion means, and said switching means are integrated with said printer. 5. A wireless means for transmitting and receiving data to and from a host device; a negotiation means for performing negotiation for determining device information of the host device via the host device and the wireless means; A header interpreter for interpreting whether the data is image data or a print data / command sequence in a header portion of the data, a data converter for converting the image data into print data, and a switch for switching the data converter between valid and invalid And a printer for printing the received data of the wireless means or the output data of the data conversion means, wherein the control of the switching means is performed based on the result of determination by the negotiation means or the result of interpretation by the header interpretation means. A printer system characterized by the above-mentioned. 6. The printer system according to claim 5, wherein said wireless means, said negotiation means, said header interpreting means, said data conversion means, and said switching means have an integral structure with said printer. Printer system. 7. A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not data received by wireless communication is data that needs to be processed by a printer, and said discriminating means discriminates that the data needs to be processed. If the received data is processed so that it can be printed by a printer, the processed data is transferred to the printer, and if the determination unit determines that the data is not data requiring processing, the transfer unit transfers the received data to the printer. A printer control device comprising: 8. The printer control device according to claim 7, wherein said received data includes image data. 9. A discriminating step for discriminating whether or not data received by wireless communication is data that needs to be processed for printing by a printer, and the discriminating step determines that the data received requires data. If the received data is processed so that it can be printed by a printer, the processed data is transferred to the printer, and if it is determined by the determining step that the data is not data requiring processing, a transfer step of transferring the received data to the printer A printer control method comprising: 10. The printer control method according to claim 9, wherein said received data includes image data. 11. A discriminating step for discriminating whether data received by wireless communication is data that needs to be processed for printing by a printer, and the discriminating step determines that the data received requires data. If the received data is processed so that it can be printed by a printer, the processed data is transferred to the printer, and if it is determined by the determining step that the data is not data requiring processing, a transfer step of transferring the received data to the printer A storage medium storing a program having the following. 12. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein said received data includes image data.