JP2002178617A - Printer, its controlling method, and information process using the printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a easy-use-use printer in which a high data reliability is ensured while lessening burden on a host computer by recognizing occurrence of an error and facilitating recovery from error, and an information processor using the printer. SOLUTION: The printer comprises a real time command analyzing section for analyzing a control command upon receiving data even under off-line state of the printer, and the state of the printer is detected even if the printer is stopped. Furthermore, an error is recovered by a real time command interpreting means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus which is connected to a host computer and performs printing in accordance with a command from the host computer, and more particularly to a printing apparatus which is optimal for an information processing apparatus which handles money such as POS / ECR. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printing apparatus, when printing paper runs out, when the cover of the printing apparatus is opened,
If it is not appropriate to continue the printing operation, such as when an error occurs, stop the printing mechanism including the print head,
In addition, by taking the interface with the host computer off-line (logically disconnected), it is intended to maintain the security of the printing device and communication data and the safety of the user. At this time, since the control inside the printing apparatus is stopped, data already received by the printing apparatus is not processed after the time when the off-line occurs. Further, since the data is not received after the occurrence of the off-line, this data is not processed, and the response from the printing apparatus is completely lost.

The printing apparatus is also off-line when the paper feed switch is pressed and the paper is being fed, or when the receiving buffer for storing the received data is full (hereinafter referred to as buffer full), and the printing is performed. It is difficult to distinguish the off-line state when the continuation of the operation is inappropriate.

When the printing apparatus goes offline, the host computer cannot transmit print data, and the entire system such as POS and ECR stops. In this case, the host computer displays a message such as "Printer is abnormal. Check it out" on the display device, and the user must check the printer and eliminate the cause of the offline. However, it is difficult for a general POS or ECR user to investigate the cause, and it takes a long time.

On the other hand, the control commands stored in the receiving buffer are analyzed in order from the oldest (the previously stored control command), and the command processing is executed. Then, the processed control command is deleted from the reception buffer. Therefore, when control commands are continuously sent from the host computer, the control commands are stored in the receiving buffer one after another, and the stored control commands are processed in order from the oldest one. , A time lag (hereinafter, referred to as a time lag) occurs before the printing apparatus actually performs processing.

[0006] Further, among errors that occur in the printing apparatus, there are recoverable errors caused by jamming of paper in the paper transport path (so-called paper jam) and the like.
There are irrecoverable errors due to abnormalities in the power supply voltage supplied from the DC converter and damage to the print head temperature detector, and the measures to be taken are very different. It is necessary, but it is difficult for the user to judge it.

Further, in the conventional printing apparatus, even if the cause of the error is removed, the only way to escape from the state is to reset the printing apparatus or to turn on the power again. The stored data will be lost.

In order to reduce the influence of such a problem, in an information processing system using a conventional printing device, the host computer sends a status response request command for each line without sending print data of a plurality of lines. Attached, he checked the status of the printing device. For this reason, a heavy burden is imposed on the host computer, and the throughput of the information processing system is reduced.

[0009]

In view of the circumstances described above, in the conventional POS / ECR field, a stand-alone dedicated information processing system in which a data input device, a processing device, and a printing device are integrated has been widely used. A system in which a computer and a printing device are connected by a general-purpose interface is highly evaluated for its flexibility,
Due to concerns about data reliability (so-called security), it has not been widely used. Then, in order to improve the reliability of the data and at the same time to further enhance the operability, even when the operation of the printing apparatus is stopped, the host computer can know the cause and promptly cancel the stopped state. The realization of a simple information processing system is expected.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, to provide a printing apparatus capable of realizing a highly reliable information processing apparatus, to reduce a load on a host computer, and to provide a user with a user-friendly information processing apparatus. It is to provide an easy printing device.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed in accordance with the principle of the present invention.

[0012] A printing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes:
A printing device connected to the host device, controlling the printing unit in accordance with the control command and the print data transmitted from the host device, and performing printing on a print medium; a data transmission unit for transmitting data to the host device; Data receiving means for receiving print data, received data storing means for storing at least a control command, and processing executing means for reading out the control commands stored in the received data storing means on a first-come-first-served basis and executing processing according to the control commands And a control command analyzing means for analyzing a control command at the same time as being received by the data receiving means, and an abnormal state detecting means for detecting an abnormal state of the printing apparatus and determining whether or not the printing apparatus can be restored. When the detecting means determines that the abnormal state has occurred, the processing executing means responds to the analysis result of the control command analyzing means. It is executed in priority to the process of passing the determination information to the data transmitting means Te characterized. Accordingly, when an error has occurred in the printing apparatus, it is possible to notify the host computer what error has occurred and whether the error is recoverable or unrecoverable.

Further, a printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the printing apparatus has error state storage means for storing error information set in response to occurrence of an abnormal state.

Further, a printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that at least the data receiving means, the control command analyzing means, and the data transmitting means do not stop operating during the period in which the error information is set. As a result, a command from the host computer can be accepted even when the host computer is offline.

A printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the processing execution means includes a reception data canceling means for canceling reception data including at least a control command stored in the reception data storage means. I do.

Further, in a printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention, when performing recovery from an abnormal state, a first recovery mode in which printing is resumed from a print line in which the abnormal state has occurred, and a time when the abnormal state occurs And a second recovery mode for recovering after erasing all data of the received data storage means already received.

Further, a printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it is possible to specify a location where an abnormal state has occurred.

In the printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention, the abnormal state includes a paper jam error, a carriage error,
It includes at least one abnormal state among a home position error, a cutter error, a power supply voltage error, and a head temperature detection error.

A printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the paper jam error is an abnormal state that can be recovered.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a printing apparatus, which is connected to a host apparatus, controls printing means in accordance with a control command and print data transmitted from the host apparatus, and performs printing on a print medium. In the method of controlling a printing apparatus, a data transmission step of transmitting data to a host apparatus, a data reception step of receiving a control command and print data, a reception data storage step of storing at least a control command, and a reception data storage step A control command analysis step of reading out the control commands that have been received on a first-come-first-served basis and executing processing in accordance with the control commands; and a control command analysis step of analyzing the control commands at the same time as being received in the data reception step.
An abnormal state detection step of detecting an abnormal state of the printing apparatus and determining whether or not the printing apparatus can be recovered, and when the abnormal state is determined by the abnormal state detection step, the processing execution step includes:
The process is characterized in that the process of passing the determination information to the data transmission process is preferentially executed according to the analysis result of the control command analysis process. Accordingly, when an error has occurred in the printing apparatus, it is possible to notify the host computer what error has occurred and whether the error is recoverable or unrecoverable.

Further, a control method of a printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention has an error state storing step of setting and storing error information when an abnormal state is detected.

A printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that at least the data receiving step, the control command analyzing step, and the data transmitting step do not stop during a period in which error information is set. And

A printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the processing execution step includes a received data canceling step of canceling stored received data including at least a control command.

An information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention has a printing apparatus, and a host apparatus for transmitting data including a control command and print data to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus executes printing means according to the data. In an information processing apparatus that controls and prints on a print medium, the printing apparatus stores a data transmission unit that transmits data to a host device, a data reception unit that receives a control command and print data, and at least a control command. Received data storage means, control command analysis means for analyzing control commands received by the data reception means, and processing for reading out control commands stored in the received data storage means on a first-come, first-served basis and executing processing in accordance with the control commands Executing means, and an abnormal state detecting means for detecting an abnormal state of the printing apparatus and determining whether or not the printing apparatus can be restored, When the abnormal state is determined by the normal state detecting means, the processing executing means performs processing of passing the determination information to the data transmitting means in accordance with the analysis result of the command analyzing means, and executes the processing. Received data storage state detection means for detecting the state of the storage control means, and a control command for requesting the printing device to transmit device state detection data, and a command for transmitting a device state report command that can be analyzed by the control command analysis means Transmitting means. Thus, even when the printing apparatus goes offline, the cause can be specified and the host computer can determine the cause. Then, the host computer notifies the user of the cause by a message or the like, and if the user removes the cause of the cause, an information processing apparatus capable of recovering from the offline state by operating the host computer can be provided. .

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
This will be described with reference to the drawings.

In general, recording papers used in the distribution industry include cut-sheet paper and continuous paper. The cut-sheet paper is an irregular form called slip paper or a relatively fixed number of sheets called validation paper. Some have copy paper.
As continuous paper, there are journal paper for storing as a store record and receipt paper as a receipt.

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a printing apparatus capable of printing on slip paper, journal paper, and receipt paper of these recording papers.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a print head body, which is a so-called wire dot head in which a plurality of wires are arranged vertically. The print head 1 performs printing while reciprocating in the directions of arrows 1A and 1B. 3 is an ink ribbon.

The receipt paper 17 and the journal paper 18 are inserted in the state of roll paper from behind the printing mechanism as shown in the figure, and are discharged to the upper part. The slip paper 19 is inserted from the front of the printing mechanism (arrow 19A), and is discharged upward (arrow 19B).

Both the receipt paper and the journal paper are provided with a near-end detector 20 for detecting the end of the paper.
The near-end detector 20 has an arrow 2 according to the outer diameter of the roll paper.
It comprises a near-end detection lever 20a that rotates in the 0A direction and a push switch 20b that is turned on and off by the near-end detection lever 20a. When the roll paper approaches the end, the outer diameter decreases. When the roll paper reaches the center of the roll paper, the near-end detection lever 20a rotates in the direction of the arrow 20B, and the push switch 20b turns off to detect the near end of the paper.

The receipt paper 17 is cut by the cutter unit 14 after printing and handed to the customer.

The printing device is covered by a main body case (not shown), and is divided into a cover (not shown) and a lower case 15. Reference numeral 21 denotes a cover detector, which is composed of a facing photosensor. When the cover is closed, the light of the cover detector 21 is shut off, and the cover close can be detected.

FIG. 2 is a mechanism diagram showing an operation when printing continuous paper and cut-sheet paper in the printing apparatus of the present invention. 2A shows a case where printing is performed on continuous paper (receipt paper in the figure), and FIG. 2B shows a cut sheet (slip paper).
Shows the case of printing on.

The print head 1 has a wire pin (not shown) in the wire support portion 1a, and prints on the receipt paper 17 with the ink ribbon 3 interposed between the print head 1 and the platen 2.

The receipt paper 17 is inserted between the paper guide plates 4a and 4b via the guide roller 5, and
The paper is fed by a and 6b. The paper feed roller 6a is connected to a drive source (not shown) such as a motor. A receipt paper detector 12 is arranged in the middle of the paper guide plates 4a and 4b. The receipt paper detector 12 is configured by an opposing photo sensor, a lever switch, or the like. The figure shows an example of a facing photosensor. Paper feed rollers 6a, 6
The receipt paper 17 sent by (b) passes between the ink ribbon 3 and the platen 2 and is discharged to the upper part of the printing apparatus via the paper pressing rollers 7a and 7b and the cutter unit 14.
The cutter unit 14 includes a cutter blade 14a and a cutter cover 14b. The cutter blade 14a is moved in the direction of arrow 14A by a driving source such as a motor (not shown), and cuts the receipt paper 17.

Although the drawing shows the case of receipt paper, the case of journal paper has the same configuration except for the cutter unit.

When printing on slip paper (FIG. 2)
(B)) The slip paper 19 is inserted in the direction of arrow 19A from the slip paper insertion opening 21 in front of the printing device. During roll paper printing, the slip feed roller 9a is pulled by the plunger 10 in the direction of arrow 10A as shown in FIG. 2A, and is separated from the opposing slip feed roller 9b. Therefore, the slip paper 19 can be inserted. When the slip paper 19 is inserted, the slip paper 19 strikes the slip feed rollers 8a and 8b via the slip paper guides 11a and 11b. At this time, slip paper detector 13
To detect whether paper is inserted. When the paper is inserted, the plunger 10 is released, and the lever 10a is
Rotating in the direction of arrow 10B, the slip feed roller 9b is pressed by the slip feed roller 9a, and the slip paper 19 is held. The slip feed rollers 8b, 9b are connected to a driving source such as a motor (not shown), and together with the opposing slip feed rollers 8a, 9a, arrows 8A, 8B, 9 are provided.
It rotates in the directions A and 9B, respectively, and feeds the slip paper 19. When the printing is completed, the slip paper 19 turns to the arrow 19
The paper is discharged in the direction B, the plunger 10 is driven, the slip feed roller 9a is separated from the slip feed roller 9b, and the next slip sheet can be inserted.

The receipt paper 17 can be printed on the slip paper 19 while being attached as shown in FIG.
If copy paper is attached to 9, it is possible to print the same content on slip paper 19 and receipt paper 17 simultaneously.

As the slip paper detector 13, a facing photo sensor is used similarly to the receipt paper detector 12.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a lower case of the main body, and 16 denotes a case for supporting the head mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a printing unit of a printing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

A method for detecting step-out of the head carriage drive motor will be described with reference to FIG.

The head 1 is fixed on a head carriage 1b together with a wire holder 1a. The head carriage 1b is moved right and left by a carriage transmission belt 32 and carriage driving gears 31a and 31b. The carriage drive gear 31a is connected to a head carriage drive motor (not shown). As this motor, a pulse motor is generally used, and a pulse motor is also used in the embodiment. Carriage drive gear 31a
Rotates the rotation detection plate 34 via the transmission gear 33. A carriage detector 35 composed of an opposing photo sensor is arranged so as to sandwich the rotation detection plate 34. The rotation detection plate 34 rotates according to the movement of the head carriage 1b, and the carriage detector 35 detects this. The rotation detection plate 34 is formed in a propeller shape.
The output of the carriage detector 35 turns on and off periodically. That is, when the head carriage 1b moves left and right by a head carriage driving motor (not shown),
The carriage detector 35 detects the head carriage 1b.
Detect movement.

If the receipt paper, journal paper or slip paper between the print head 1 and the platen 2 gets caught between the wire holder 1a and the platen 2, a paper jam occurs, and the head carriage 1b drives the carriage. Without following the rotation of the motor, the carriage drive motor steps out. This is detected by the carriage detector 35. This is called a carriage error.

The print head 1 needs a home position to specify the reference position of the print position. The home position detector 36 is an opposing photo sensor, and detects the head carriage 1b. That is, the head carriage 1b moves to the left and the home position detector 36
Is a reference position for the home position.

When the head carriage 1b attempts to move to the home position, the home position detector 36 can detect that the head carriage 1b does not reach the home position due to paper jam or the like. This is called a home position error.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a control circuit for realizing the present invention.

The print head 40, the motors 41, and the plungers 42 constitute a mechanism of the above-described printing apparatus.
A printing mechanism driving circuit 43 for driving these printing mechanisms.
have. Further, the printing mechanism is equipped with detectors such as a carriage detector 44, a home position detector 45, an automatic cutter detector 46, each paper detector 47, and a cover detector 54. 50). The auto cutter detector 46 is
This is a detector that detects the position of the cutter blade 14a in FIG. 2, and drives a cutter blade drive motor (not shown) to generate a detection signal at a predetermined position. If a paper jam or the like occurs in the cutter blade, the cutter blade does not move to a predetermined position, and an error occurs because no detection signal is generated. This is called a cutter error.

The paper detector 47 includes the near-end detector 20
(FIG. 1), receipt paper detector 12, slip paper detector 1
3 (FIG. 2).

The CPU 50 for controlling the entire printing apparatus includes:
A display device 48 composed of an LED or the like, a panel switch 49 for manually performing paper feeding and the like, an interface 51 for communicating with a host computer, a ROM 52 for storing a control program and print character patterns, a reception buffer and a print buffer, and the like. Is connected.

When print data is input from the interface 51, it is stored in a reception buffer in the RAM 53,
The PU 50 decodes the data, reads a character pattern corresponding to the data code from the ROM 52, and outputs the print head 40 and the motors 4 via the print mechanism drive control circuit 43.
1. The plungers 42 are driven to execute printing.

When a carriage error, a home position error, a cutter error or the like occurs, the CPU 50 can drive the display device 48 to notify the user of the occurrence of the error.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the overall configuration of the present invention, and shows the relationship between the respective functional means.

Reference numeral 61 denotes a host computer for transmitting command data, print data, and the like to the printing device. 62
Is a data receiving means for receiving a data code from the host computer 61 via the interface 51, and is an interrupt activated by the interface 51. Numeral 64 denotes a real-time command analyzing means for analyzing and executing the received data at the time of reception, and is processed together with the data receiving means 62 in an interrupt. The real-time command analysis means 64 determines whether the received data is a real-time control command, and if the received data is a real-time control command, executes a predetermined process according to the command. All the data received through the real-time command analysis means 64 is temporarily stored in the reception buffer 65. The received data in the receiving buffer 65 is taken out one by one by the command analyzing means 66, and the data code is analyzed to determine the print data and the command data for setting various commands to the printing device. If it is command data, the control means 68 executes predetermined setting or predetermined operation according to the command code. If it is print data, a character pattern is stored in the print buffer 67 according to the data code. When printing is performed by the control means 68, a printing pattern is read out from the printing buffer 67 and the printing mechanism
0 is controlled to perform printing.

In this embodiment, the interface uses the RS-232C which is a bidirectional serial interface, and the RS-232C can communicate with the host computer even in an offline state. Generally RS-
In the 232C bidirectional serial interface, there is a possibility that several bytes of data may be on the line until one device goes offline and the other device detects it offline and stops transmitting communication data. For this reason, the device on the off-line side must receive data after the off-line. Therefore, it is necessary to go offline before the reception buffer becomes full. Therefore, even if an error occurs in the printing apparatus and the printer goes offline, the communication data is received and stored in the reception buffer as long as there is free space in the reception buffer. When the reception buffer becomes full, the subsequent reception data is discarded. However, in this embodiment, since the command is analyzed by the real-time command analysis means 64 activated by the reception interrupt before the command is stored in the reception buffer, even if the command is discarded, the command is processed.

The real-time command includes a command for requesting the status of the printing device. When this command is received, the real-time command analyzing means 64 returns the status of the printing device to the host computer 61 via the data transmitting means 63. I do. Even in the error occurrence state, since the data receiving means 62, the data transmitting means 63 and the real-time command analyzing means 64 are operating, it is possible to transmit the state of the printing apparatus.

If the command analysis means 66 determines that the command is a cut sheet selection command, it notifies the control means 68. The control means 68 notifies the display means 72 that the cut sheet has been selected, and displays a wait for the insertion of the cut sheet. At the same time, the cut sheet state storage means 79 selects the cut sheet in the RAM 53. The fact that the operation has been performed and the waiting for insertion of cut-sheet paper are stored as cut-sheet paper information. When the cut sheet is selected, the cut sheet detector 73 detects the insertion of the cut sheet and notifies the controller 68 of the cut sheet. The control means 68 monitors the cut-sheet paper insertion waiting information, and stops driving the printing apparatus until the contents of the cut-sheet paper insertion waiting information are deleted or the insertion of the cut-sheet paper is detected. The command analysis means 66 also stops because the control means 68 cannot be activated, but the real-time command analysis means 64 can operate irrespective of waiting for the insertion of a cut sheet.

The real-time command includes a command for canceling the cut-sheet insertion wait. When this command is received, the cut-sheet insert wait information and cut-sheet information stored in the RAM 53 by the real-time command analyzing means 64. Clear paper selection information. When the control means 68 monitoring the cut sheet insertion wait state confirms that the cut sheet insertion wait information has been deleted, the control means 68 releases the cut sheet insertion wait state, deletes the print buffer 67, and resets the initial value. Select paper. There is a time-out as a method of canceling the waiting for the insertion of the cut sheet, and the control means 68 controls the timer 78.

When an error such as a paper jam occurs in printing, paper feeding, paper cutting, or the like, the error is detected by the error detecting means 71, notified to the control means 68, and stored in the state storage means 77. Control means 68
Notifies the display means 72 that an error has occurred, displays the error, and stores the occurrence of the error as error information in the RAM 53 by the error state storage means 69 at the same time. The control means 68 monitors the error information and stops driving of the printing apparatus until the error information is deleted. The command analysis means 66 also stops because the control means 68 cannot be activated, but the real-time command analysis means 64 activated by the reception interrupt of the interface 51 can operate irrespective of occurrence of an error. However, since the command analysis means 65 is stopped, the data received by the interface 51 is stored in the reception buffer 65 while the data is being stored. Notify the host computer that the device cannot receive data (so-called offline).

The real-time command includes an error recovery command. When this command is received,
The error information stored in the RAM is erased by the real-time command analysis means 64. When confirming that the error information has been erased, the control means 68 monitoring the error state restarts the printing device and resumes printing.

Another one of the error recovery commands is:
There is a command for erasing received data and restarting printing. When this command is received, the reception buffer 65 and the print buffer 67
Is erased, the error information stored in the RAM is erased.

The paper detector 73 detects no paper, the cover detector 74 detects cover open, and the switch detector 7
Also during the paper feed by the paper feed switch 5, the printing device is off-line, the state is stored in the state storage unit 77, and the information is returned to the host computer 61 by the real-time command analysis unit 64.

FIG. 6 shows a command code of one embodiment of the real-time command.

In FIG. 6, "GS", "R", and "n" are 1-byte received data, which indicate 1Dh, 52h, and n, respectively, in hexadecimal notation. “GS” and “R” indicate real-time commands, and the content to be executed is selected according to the value of n.

In this embodiment, the contents to be executed are determined as shown in Table 1 by the value of n.

[0066]

[Table 1]

When n is 0, one byte of printer status information according to Table 2 is transmitted to the host computer.

[0068]

[Table 2]

The status of the drawer and the online / offline status of the printing device can be determined on the host computer side from the printing device status information. Further, when the printing apparatus is off-line, more detailed off-line information can be obtained by setting n to 1.

When n is 1, one byte of offline information according to Table 3 is transmitted to the host computer.

[0071]

[Table 3]

Thus, off-line information can be identified on the host computer side.

The host computer can call the user's attention based on the identification result. Further, in the case of an error, n can be set to 2 to continuously obtain detailed error information.

When n is 2, one byte of error information according to Table 4 is transmitted to the host computer.

[0075]

[Table 4]

In Table 4, a mechanical error is mainly an error caused by a paper jam, and includes a carriage error and a home position error. These are paper jams around the print head and are distinguished from auto cutter errors. As a result, the host computer can identify whether the paper jam has occurred around the print head or the automatic cutter. Based on the result of the identification, the user can accurately indicate the location of the error by the display means of the host computer, and prompt the user to remove the paper jam.

In the case of an error such as a paper jam, printing can be resumed by removing the paper jam that causes the error. However, it is necessary to identify these errors because it is difficult to restart printing, such as an abnormality in the external power supply or damage to the head temperature detector of the print head. An error that has occurred outside the paper jam is assigned to bit 5 as an unrecoverable error.

When n is 3, one byte of continuous paper detector information such as a receipt or a journal according to Table 5 is transmitted to the host computer.

[0079]

[Table 5]

When n is 4, one byte of slip paper detector information according to Table 6 is transmitted to the host computer.

[0081]

[Table 6]

In Table 6, it is possible to determine whether the continuous paper, the validation paper, or the slip paper is selected by selecting the slip paper. Also,
During the selection of the slip sheet, it can be determined whether the sheet is waiting for insertion or whether the sheet is already present and ready for printing.

When n is 5, one byte of validation sheet detector information according to Table 7 is transmitted to the host computer.

[0084]

[Table 7]

In Table 7, by selecting the validation paper, it can be determined whether continuous paper, slip paper, or validation paper has been selected. In addition, during the selection of the validation sheet, it can be determined whether the sheet is waiting for insertion or whether the sheet is already present and ready for printing.

Next, the real-time command data receiving means and the real-time command analyzing means will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 shows the initialization process of the printing apparatus, and the processing is started at the same time when the power is turned on (step 120).
In the initialization, the printing mechanism is initialized (step 12).
1) In general, all information in the RAM 53, including the cut sheet status flag, error information, buffer clear flag, GS flag, GSR flag, etc., is initialized (step 122). Buffer clear flag, GS flag, GS
The R flag is a flag used in the reception interrupt processing, and is used by the real-time command analysis means. Finally step 1
At 24, the reception interrupt of the interface is permitted, and the initialization process ends (step 124).

FIG. 8 shows the process of the reception interrupt processing of the interface, showing the data receiving means and the real-time command analyzing means. Through the interface,
Since the received data from the host computer is received one byte at a time, the process of FIG. 8 is started every time each byte is received. The real-time command is "G" as shown in FIG.
Since it is composed of three bytes of S, R, and n, G
Controlled by a GS flag that is set when an "S" is received, a GSR flag that is set when an "R" is received when the GS is set, and an "n" received when the GSR flag is set . There is also a buffer clear flag that stores whether or not to clear the buffer according to the value of “n”.

In step 125, data is received and a reception interrupt is activated. At step 126, the received data is read from the interface, and at step 127, it is determined whether or not the GSR flag is set. If the GSR flag is set, that is, "GS" has already been set.
If the data has been received up to “R”, the processing is performed with the received data (here, C) as “n”. GS at step 136
The R flag is cleared, and the following operation is performed based on the value of the received data (C) (step 137).

When C = 0, the transmitting means 63 sends the data to the RAM 5
The printer information stored in the printer 3 is transmitted to the host computer via the interface (step 138).

When C = 1, the transmitting means 63 sends the RAM 5
3. The offline information stored in the server 3 is transmitted to the host computer via the interface (step 13).
9).

When C = 2, the transmitting means 63 sends the RAM 5
The error information stored in 3 is transmitted to the host computer via the interface (step 140).

When C = 3, the transmitting means 63 sends the data to the RAM 5
3 is transmitted to the host computer via the interface (step 141).

When C = 4, the transmitting means 63 sends the data to the RAM 5
3 is transmitted to the host computer via the interface through the slip state information (step 14).
2).

When C = 5, the transmitting means 63 sends the data to the RAM 5
The validation status information stored in the server 3 is transmitted to the host computer via the interface (step 143).

If C = 6, it is determined whether or not a cut-sheet paper waiting state is set (step 144). If the cut-sheet paper is waiting, the cut-sheet paper waiting flag is cleared (step 145). FIG.
As shown by, by clearing the cut sheet waiting flag, it is possible to recover from the cut sheet waiting state.

If C = 8, the buffer clear flag is set (step 146), and the error information in the RAM 53 is cleared (step 147). When the buffer clear flag is cleared, the reception buffer and the print buffer are cleared at the time of recovery from an error as shown in FIG. C =
In the case of 7, the error information is simply cleared (step 14).
7).

The received data is temporarily stored in the reception buffer even if it is a real-time command (step 13).
2).

If the GSR flag has been cleared in step 127, it is determined in step 128 whether the GS flag has been set. That is, "GS"
In the case where the GS flag has already been received, the GS flag is set, and the GS flag is cleared in step 129, and the received data (C)
Is "R" (step 129). C =
If "R", set the GSR flag (step 13
1) The received data is stored in the reception buffer (step 132).

If the GS flag is cleared in step 128, it is determined in step 134 whether the received data (C) is a "GS" code. C = “G
In the case of "S", the GS flag is set; otherwise, the GS flag is stored in the reception buffer as it is (step 132), and the reception interruption process is terminated (step 133).

Next, the control means for setting the cut sheet will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows the process from the selection of a cut sheet to the setting of the cut sheet, and the process of releasing the cut sheet. When the command interpreting means 66 determines that the command is a cut sheet selection command, the process starts (step 151). A cut sheet selection flag is set, and a cut sheet insertion wait flag is set (step 152). After confirming that the mechanical operation has stopped (step 153), the cut-sheet paper insertion waiting timer 78 is started, and the display device 48 is caused to blink by the display means 72 (step 155). In step 156, it is determined whether the cut sheet insertion waiting flag is cleared. If the cut sheet insertion wait flag is cleared, that is, if the cut sheet insertion wait is canceled by the real-time command "GS""R""6", the cut sheet insertion wait timer is stopped (step 157). , Display indicating means 7
2 turns off the display device 48 (step 158).
The cut sheet selection flag and the cut sheet insertion wait flag are cleared (step 159), the sheet of the initial value is set (step 160), and the cut sheet selection process ends (step 161).

If the cut sheet insertion wait flag has not been cleared in step 156, it is determined whether the cut sheet insertion wait time has passed (step 162). If the cut sheet paper wait time has passed, step 158 is performed. Jump to processing.

If it is determined in step 162 that the cut sheet insertion waiting time has not elapsed, it is determined in step 163 whether the cut sheet has been inserted. If it is determined that the cut sheet is not inserted, the process proceeds to step 156 to determine whether the cut sheet insertion wait flag has been cleared again, and whether the cut sheet insertion wait flag is cleared or the cut sheet insertion wait. The above operation is repeated until the time expires or until the cut sheet is inserted.

If it is determined in step 163 that the cut sheet has been inserted, the cut sheet insertion wait timer 78 is stopped (step 164), the display device 48 is turned on (step 165), and the operation start waiting time is waited (step 165). Step 166).
If it is determined in step 167 that the cut sheet has not been inserted, the process returns to step 154, and the above operation is repeated.

If it is determined in step 167 that the cut sheet is inserted, the cut sheet insertion waiting flag is cleared (step 168), and the cut sheet is set at the correct position (step 169). The paper selection process ends (step 161).

As described above, by including the data receiving means and the real-time command analyzing means in the reception interrupt processing, even when the printing apparatus is stopped by waiting for the cut sheet insertion, the command is analyzed and the cut sheet form is detected. Waiting for insertion can be released.

FIG. 10 shows a case where a carriage error is detected as an embodiment for detecting an error.

In step 101, a print command is started, and in step 102, the printing apparatus for one-line printing is initialized.
At steps 103 to 105, printing for one line is performed. In step 103, printing of one dot row is performed, and the print carriage is moved by one dot row. At 104, it is checked whether or not there is a detection pulse from the carriage detector 35 by moving the carriage. Normally, the detection pulse is periodically generated because the carriage normally moves. In step 105, it is determined whether or not printing for one line has been completed.
Repeat from If printing for one line has been completed, printing ends in step 106.

If the carriage stops due to a paper jam or the like, no detection pulse is detected in step 104, and the process proceeds to step 107. That is, the processing after step 107 is performed when a carriage error occurs. First, in step 107, the host computer is notified that the printing apparatus cannot receive communication data, that is, the processing is so-called offline. Step 1
08 indicates that a carriage error has occurred.
Stored in 3. Since the carriage error is a recoverable error, the information is stored as a recoverable error.
At the same time, at 109, the printing mechanism is stopped. Thereafter, until the error information is erased in step 111, the fact that an error has occurred is displayed on the error display device in step 110. When the real-time command is received, the error information is erased, and in step 112, depending on whether the received real-time command instructs buffer clear, if so, the buffer is cleared in 113. The buffer in this case is
Shows both receive and print buffers. Thereafter, in step 114, the printer is subjected to recovery processing, and step 1 is executed.
At 15, the host computer is notified that the printing device is ready to receive data, so-called online.

As described above, by including the data receiving means and the real-time command analyzing means in the reception interrupt processing, even if the printing apparatus is stopped due to an error, the command can be analyzed and the error can be recovered. Becomes

Next, control of the printing apparatus as viewed from the host computer will be described.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. The printing apparatus 300 is connected to a host computer 61 via a communication cable 305 of RS-232C. In the host computer 61, an RS-232C interface control circuit is incorporated as the communication means 304. A display device 302 such as a CRT and an input device 303 such as a keyboard are connected to the host computer 61.
Connected to

FIG. 12 shows the host computer.
It is a flowchart figure which shows the control process in consideration of canceling the cut sheet insertion waiting. Here, a case where printing is performed on slip paper is shown as an example of cut sheet paper.

When printing on slip paper (step 2)
50) First, a slip paper selection command is transmitted (step 251). Next, a real-time command "GS""R""4" is transmitted to check the state of the slip sheet (step 252), and a response to the command is received (step 253). This response includes the information shown in Table 6. Based on this information, it is determined whether slip paper has been selected (step 254).

If slip paper is selected, it is determined whether or not slip insertion is awaited based on the information in step 253 (step 255). If it is not waiting for insertion, after confirming the existence of slip paper (step 256),
The print data is transmitted (step 257), and the printing of the slip paper is completed (step 258).

In step 255, when waiting for slip insertion, a specific key of the input device 303, for example, a "slip cancel key" is monitored to determine whether or not this key has been pressed (step 259). This key is a key to which a function of canceling slip insertion waiting is assigned, and is operated by an operator.

If the key is pressed, the slip insertion wait can be canceled by transmitting a slip insertion wait cancel command "GS""R""6" (step 260).

In steps 254 and 256, even when slip is not selected and when there is no paper, slip printing can be terminated by monitoring this key (step 259).
In this case, the slip cancel command “GS” “R”
Even if "6" is transmitted, it is ignored because the printing apparatus is not in a state of waiting for the insertion of the cut sheet (step 260). If the key has not been pressed, the process returns to step 252 to wait for the selection of slip (step 254) or the presence of paper (step 256).

FIG. 13 shows the host computer.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process in which recovery from an error is considered.

After the start of printing (step 200), every time one line of print data is transmitted (step 201), it is monitored whether or not the printing apparatus has gone offline (step 202). Generally, in the RS-232C interface, when the receiving side (printing device in this case) goes offline, it can be known by a CTS (Clear To Send) signal, a DSR (Data Set Ready) signal, or an XOFF code. If the printing device is online, the printing data continues to be transmitted, and if the printing data ends (step 203), printing ends (step 204).

If the printing device goes offline in step 202, it is considered that printing has become impossible due to an error in the printing device or other causes (for example, running out of printing paper). Then, in order to confirm whether or not an error has occurred, the real-time commands "GS", "R", and "2" are transmitted in step 205. A response to this is received in step 206, and it is determined whether an error has occurred (step 207). If no error has occurred, it is considered that the device has gone offline due to a cause other than the error. Therefore, the other cause is examined (step 208), and processing is performed for it (step 2)
09). For other causes, "GS", "R", "1"
Thus, information such as that the cover is open or the print paper has run out is obtained. The host computer displays “Close the cover” or “Please set paper” on the display device 302 to alert the user.

This is repeated until the printing apparatus is online (step 210), and when the printing apparatus is online, printing is resumed (step 201).

If an error occurs in step 207,
Determine whether the error can be recovered (step 2
11). Whether the error is a recoverable error can be determined by bit 5 shown in Table 4. In the case of a recoverable error, the user is notified that the error has occurred, and is instructed to remove a paper jam or the like that is expected to cause the error. At this time, the location of the paper jam occurrence is determined by bits 2 and 3 in Table 4.
The user can be notified of the carriage or the auto cutter. After the user removes the paper jam, a confirmation input is performed using the input device 303 (for example, a keyboard) of the host computer to confirm the elimination of the cause of the error (step 213). Thereafter, the printing apparatus is recovered from the error by the real-time command “GS” “R” “6” or “7”. It is desirable to confirm the occurrence of the error again from step 205 in consideration of the case where the user has not completely removed the cause of the error or the case where a plurality of errors have occurred at the same time.

In the case of an unrecoverable error in step 211, there is an abnormality in the printing device and the user cannot recover it. In this case, the user is notified that the printing device is abnormal (step 215), and the printing process is stopped (step 216).

For an information processing apparatus such as a POS / ECR that handles money, there must be no data loss or duplication. When an error occurs in the printing apparatus, it is important to recover from the error without erasing the received data and restart printing. However, in order to support an information processing apparatus using a conventional printing apparatus, a mode in which received data is deleted and then recovered is made possible, and can be selected by a control command from a host computer. In other words, in the information processing device using the conventional printing device, the received data is always deleted after the printing device recovers from the error. Therefore, when printing the same data as before the error occurred, the second printing is performed. Special characters were printed at the beginning of the line to clearly indicate that they were data. In order to cope with this, a mode in which the received data is deleted and then recovered is required.

[0126]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the printing apparatus goes offline, the cause can be known on the host computer side.

Further, by including the data receiving means and the real-time command analyzing means in the reception interrupt processing, if an error occurs due to the off-line, the host computer determines whether the error can be recovered. If it can be known and can be recovered, the user is notified of the location causing the problem, and if the cause is removed, printing can be resumed without erasing the received data.

Further, when recovering, it is possible to select to erase already transmitted data and restart it, or to restart printing from the line where an error has occurred.

As a result, a highly reliable and high-throughput printing apparatus can be provided as a printing apparatus in the distribution industry dealing with money, and the burden on the host computer can be reduced.
It is possible to provide a printing device that is easy for a user to handle and an information processing device using the printing device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a printing apparatus for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a mechanism diagram of a printing apparatus illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a printing unit of a printing apparatus for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a control circuit illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a command used in the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the steps of an embodiment of the control method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of an embodiment of the control method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of an embodiment of the control method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the steps of an embodiment of the control method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a control process of a host computer using the printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a control process of a host computer using the printing apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 61 Host computer 62 Data receiving means 63 Data transmitting means 64 Real-time command analyzing means 66 Control command analyzing means 68 Control means 69 Error status storage means 79 Slip sheet status storage means 71 Error detection means 72 Display means 73 Paper detection means 74 Cover detection Means 75 Switch detecting means 76 Peripheral device state detecting means 77 State storage means 300 Printing device 302 Display device 303 Input device

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Mitsuaki Teradaira 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Seiko Epson Corporation (72) Inventor Masayo Miyasaka 3-3-5 Yamato Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Seiko Epson Corporation (72) Inventor Takuya Hyunaga 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Nagano F-term in Seiko Epson Corporation (reference) 2C061 AS02 AS05 HK06 HK07 HK10 HN23 HQ20 HQ21 HR01 HV04 HV09 HV34 HV60 5B021 BB20 DD05 NN21

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus connected to a host apparatus, for controlling a printing unit in accordance with a control command and print data transmitted from the host apparatus and performing printing on a print medium, wherein data for transmitting data to the host apparatus is provided. Transmitting means, data receiving means for receiving the control command and the print data, received data storing means for storing at least the control command, and reading out the control commands stored in the received data storing means on a first-come, first-served basis. Processing execution means for executing processing according to the control command; control command analysis means for analyzing the control command at the same time as being received by the data receiving means; Abnormal state detecting means for determining the abnormal state, wherein the abnormal state is determined by the abnormal state detecting means In case, the processing execution unit, the printing apparatus characterized by performing preferentially the process of passing the determination information to the data transmitting means according to the analysis result of the control command analyzing means. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said printing apparatus has an error state storage unit for storing error information set in response to the occurrence of said abnormal state. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least the data receiving unit, the control command analyzing unit, and the data transmitting unit do not stop operating during a period in which the error information is set. Printing device. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing execution unit includes a reception data cancel unit that cancels reception data including at least a control command stored in the reception data storage unit. Printing device. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when returning from the abnormal state, a first return mode in which printing is resumed from a print line in which the abnormal state has occurred, and wherein the abnormal state has occurred. A printing apparatus, wherein a second recovery mode for recovering after erasing all data in the received data storage means already received at a point in time can be selected. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a location where the abnormal state occurs can be specified. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the abnormal state includes a paper jam error, a carriage error, a home position error, a cutter error, a power supply voltage error,
A printing apparatus comprising at least one abnormal state among head temperature detection errors. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the paper jam error is a recoverable abnormal state. 9. A control method for a printing apparatus connected to a host apparatus, for controlling a printing unit in accordance with a control command and print data transmitted from the host apparatus and performing printing on a print medium, wherein the data is transmitted to the host apparatus. A data transmitting step of transmitting, a data receiving step of receiving the control command and the print data, a receiving data storing step of storing at least the control command, and reading out the control commands stored in the receiving data storing step on a first-come-first-served basis. Performing a process in accordance with the control command, performing a control command analysis process of analyzing the control command at the same time as being received in the data receiving process, and detecting whether an abnormal state of the printing apparatus can be recovered. Abnormal state detecting step of determining whether or not the abnormal state is detected by the abnormal state detecting step. In case where it is, the process executing step, the control method of a printing apparatus and to execute with priority the process to pass the determination information according to the analysis result of the control command analyzing process on the data transmission process. 10. The control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an error state storing step of setting and storing error information when the abnormal state is detected. . 11. The control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least the data receiving step, the control command analyzing step, and the data transmitting step do not stop during the period in which the error information is set. A control method for a printing apparatus, comprising: 12. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the processing execution step includes a reception data canceling step of canceling stored reception data including at least a control command stored therein. Control method. 13. A printing apparatus comprising: a printing apparatus; and a host apparatus for transmitting data including a control command and print data to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus controls a printing unit according to the data and performs printing on a print medium. In the information processing apparatus, the printing apparatus includes: a data transmission unit configured to transmit data to the host device; a data reception unit configured to receive the control command and the print data; and a reception data storage unit configured to store at least the control command. Control command analysis means for analyzing the control command received by the data reception means; and execution of processing for reading the control commands stored in the reception data storage means on a first-come-first-served basis and executing processing in accordance with the control command Means for detecting an abnormal state of the printing apparatus and determining whether recovery is possible or not. In addition, when the abnormal state is determined by the abnormal state detection unit, the processing execution unit gives priority to the process of passing the determination information to the data transmission unit according to the analysis result of the command analysis unit. Executing the host device, a reception data storage state detection unit for detecting a state of the reception data storage control unit, and a control command for requesting the printing device to transmit the device state detection data, wherein the control command A command transmission unit for transmitting a device status report command that can be analyzed by the analysis unit.