JP2008023802A - Printer, printer control device, and printer control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer preventing beforehand an abnormal action by practice of a command, a printer control device for selecting a command which is to be used by the printer, and a printer control program. <P>SOLUTION: Each of the printer, the printer control device and the printer control program comprises a printing control means (34) for controlling a printing section (18) for performing printing, and a judgment means (33) for judging whether or not a command for allowing the printing control means (34) to control the printing section (18) adequately works. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing apparatus control apparatus, and a printing apparatus control program, and more particularly to a printing apparatus controlled by a command, a printing apparatus control apparatus that controls the printing apparatus by a command, and a printing apparatus control program.

  A printing apparatus (printer) connected to a computer or the like is controlled by a command output from the computer or the like. Examples of the control of the printing apparatus include printing a desired character, changing a character font and size, line feed, page feed, paper cutting, and the like. Commands for controlling the printing apparatus vary depending on the type of printing apparatus. In some cases, a unique command is used only for specific control.

When a command that is not supported by the printing apparatus is received, a malfunction or the like occurs. In order to prevent this, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for giving a warning to a user when input print data does not match the command system of the printing apparatus. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for printing by replacing or optimizing a command when the command is inappropriate for the printing apparatus.
JP-A-9-198207 JP 2002-205445 A

  However, there may be a command that is not compatible between printer models or a command that is not compatible between the same model depending on the firmware version of the printer. Even if the command opcodes are compatible, the allowable range of command operands may be different. Further, even if the command is normal, the printing apparatus may operate abnormally depending on the state of the printing apparatus such as the remaining paper amount, head temperature abnormality, and remaining memory amount. The technique of Patent Document 1 is a technique for determining whether or not a command system matches a printing apparatus, and cannot cope with a difference in some commands or the state of the printing apparatus as described above. The technique of Patent Document 2 cannot cope with the state of the printing apparatus. Further, a computer or the like cannot select an appropriate command for the printing apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a printing apparatus capable of preventing an abnormal operation by executing a command in advance, and a print for selecting a command that can be used in the printing apparatus An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus control apparatus and a printing apparatus control program.

  The present invention includes a print control unit that controls a print unit for printing, and a determination unit that determines whether a command for causing the print control unit to control the print unit functions normally. This is a printing apparatus. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the printing apparatus from operating abnormally by executing a command in advance.

  In the above configuration, the determination unit may determine whether the command is a command that causes the print control unit to function normally. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the printing apparatus from malfunctioning when an incorrect command is input.

  In the above configuration, when the command is output to the print control unit based on the status information of the print unit included in the print control unit, the determination unit is configured so that the print control unit and the print unit function normally. It can be configured to determine whether or not. According to this configuration, even if the command is normal, it is possible to prevent the printing apparatus from operating abnormally depending on the state of the printing apparatus.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said determination means can be set as the structure which outputs the result of determination to the exterior, when it determines whether the said command functions normally. According to this configuration, the determination result can be acquired by an external computer or the like.

  In the above configuration, the determination unit is configured to determine whether or not the command is a command that causes the print control unit to function normally, and based on status information of the printing unit included in the print control unit, the command is the print unit. When output to the control unit, it is possible to select a mode for determining whether the print control unit and the printing unit function normally or a mode for outputting to the print control unit without determining the command It can be set as a simple structure.

  The present invention provides a first storage means for storing a command that is set in advance and controls the printing apparatus, and outputs a command in the first storage means to the printing apparatus, from which the command is sent to the printing apparatus. A selection unit that obtains determination information indicating whether or not to normally function, and based on the determination information, selects a command that can be used in the printing apparatus; and a second storage unit that stores the selected command. And a printing apparatus control apparatus. According to the present invention, commands that can be used can be selected and stored according to the type of printing apparatus.

  In the above configuration, the selection unit uses another command or another command combination in the first storage unit in the printing apparatus as an alternative to a command that does not indicate that the corresponding determination information operates normally. It can be configured to select as a possible command.

  In the above configuration, a printing apparatus control unit that controls the printing apparatus based on a command stored in the second storage unit may be provided. According to this configuration, the printing apparatus can be controlled using a command that can be used for the printing apparatus.

  The present invention provides a first storage means for storing a command that is set in advance and controls the printing apparatus, and outputs a command in the first storage means to the printing apparatus, from which the command is sent to the printing apparatus. A selection unit that obtains determination information indicating whether or not to normally function, and based on the determination information, selects a command that can be used in the printing apparatus; and a second storage unit that stores the selected command. , A printing apparatus control program. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a program capable of selecting and storing commands that can be used in accordance with the type of printing apparatus.

  The present invention provides an output means for outputting a command for controlling a printing apparatus to the printing apparatus, and an input for obtaining from the printing apparatus determination information for determining whether or not the printing apparatus functions normally according to the command. And a printing apparatus control unit that controls the printing apparatus using the command when it is determined that the printing apparatus functions normally. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the printing apparatus from operating abnormally depending on the state of the printing apparatus.

  The present invention provides an output means for outputting a command for controlling a printing apparatus to the printing apparatus, and an input for obtaining from the printing apparatus determination information for determining whether or not the printing apparatus functions normally according to the command. And a printing apparatus control program for controlling the printing apparatus using the command when it is determined that the printing apparatus functions normally. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the printing apparatus from operating abnormally depending on the state of the printing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, a printing apparatus capable of preventing an abnormal operation by executing a command in advance, or a printing apparatus control apparatus and a printing apparatus control program for selecting a command that can be used for the printing apparatus. Can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a printer 10 (printing apparatus) and a computer 20 (printing apparatus control apparatus) that controls the printer 10. The printer 10 includes a printing unit 18 for printing on paper, a CPU 14 for controlling the printing unit 18, a storage device 16 such as a hard disk or a nonvolatile memory for storing commands and print data, and an input / output device for inputting / outputting commands to / from the CPU 14. 12. The computer 20 includes a CPU 24, an input / output device 22 for inputting / outputting commands and print data to / from the printer 10, and a storage device 26. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the printer 10 and the computer 20 according to the first embodiment. The CPU 14 of the printer 10 includes a determination unit 33 that determines a command and a print control unit 34 that controls the printing unit 18. Furthermore, it has the input means 31 which inputs a command into the determination means 33, and the output means 32 which outputs the determination information which the determination means 33 determined to the computer 20. FIG. The CPU 24 of the computer 20 includes a selection unit 43 that selects a command and a printing apparatus control unit 44 that controls the printer 10. Furthermore, it has an output means 42 for outputting a command or the like to the printer 10, an input means 41 for inputting determination information or the like, a first storage means 45, and a second storage means 46.

  First, the operation of the printer 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. Referring to FIG. 3, when a command is input to the input unit 31 of the printer 10 (step S10), the determination unit 33 determines the mode (step S12). That is, the determination unit 33 determines whether the command is a command for determining whether or not the command is a function of the print control unit 34 (determination mode), and the status of the printing unit 18 included in the print control unit 34. When output to the means 34, a mode (analysis mode) for determining whether or not the print control means 34 or the printing unit 18 functions normally, or a command is output to the print control means 34 without being determined, and the print control means A mode (normal mode) in which the printer 34 is controlled by the printer 34 is selected.

  In the normal mode, the determination unit 33 outputs the command input to the input unit 31 to the print control unit 34 (step S14), the print control unit 34 executes the command, and the determination unit 33 displays the command execution result. The data is output from the output means 32 to the computer 20 (step S16). In the determination mode, the determination unit 33 executes a determination mode to be described later (step S18). The determination means 33 outputs the determination result as determination information from the output means 32 to the computer 20 (step S20). In the analysis mode, the determination unit 33 executes an analysis mode to be described later (step S22). The determination unit 33 outputs the analysis result as determination information to the computer from the output unit 32 (step S24). The mode selection may be based on an instruction from the computer 20 or may be set with a switch.

  Next, the operation in the determination mode will be described with reference to FIG. The command has an opcode and an operand. For example, the operation code indicates execution contents such as paper feed and printing, and the operand indicates the number of lines of paper feed and print characters. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show examples of command opcode lists and operand setting ranges that the determination means 33 has in the storage device 16, respectively.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the determination unit 33 checks the operation code of the input command (step S30). That is, it is checked whether or not the command is in the list of operation codes in FIG. For example, when the operation code is “AAA”, the operation code of the command is valid. If it is determined in step S32 that the operation code is OK, the determination unit 33 checks the operand (step S34). That is, it is checked whether the command operand is within the range of the corresponding opcode operand shown in FIG. For example, when the operation code is “AAA”, it is checked whether the operand is in the range of 1 to 10. If it is determined in step S36 that the operand is OK, the determination unit 33 determines that the command is normal (step S38). The determination result is output as determination information (step S44).

  If the operation code is determined to be NG in step S32, for example, if the operation code is "AAB", the determination means 33 determines that the command operation code is abnormal (step S40) and outputs the determination result (step S44). In step S36, when the judgment of the operand is NG, for example, when the operand is “20”, the judging means 33 judges that the operand of the command is abnormal (step S42) and outputs the judgment result (step S44).

  As described above, in the determination mode, the determination unit 33 prints the input command based on the command list data of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B stored in the storage device 16 in advance. It is determined whether or not the command causes the control unit 34 to function normally. Thereby, when an incorrect command is input, it is possible to prevent the printer 10 from malfunctioning. As a matter of course, in the example of FIG. 4, when the determination unit 33 determines that the input command is normal, the determination unit 33 outputs the command to the print control unit 34 and operates the printing unit 18. You can also.

  Next, the operation in the analysis mode will be described with reference to FIG. The determination unit 33 determines the input command (step S52). The determination unit 33 acquires the status information of the printing unit 18 related to the command from the print control unit 34 (step S54). FIG. 5C shows an example of status information. For example, the status information includes the remaining amount of paper, the presence / absence of cover open, and the like. Thus, the status information is information representing the state of the printing unit 18. The determination unit 33 determines whether the printing unit 18 and the print control unit 34 operate normally based on the status information (step S56). For example, when the remaining amount of paper is 5, it becomes abnormal when printing or feeding six or more sheets. Therefore, in this case, it is determined as abnormal. In step S58, when normal, the determination unit 33 outputs normality from the output unit 32 as determination information (step S62). In step S58, in the case of abnormality, the determination means 33 confirms the abnormality content (step S64). For example, it is confirmed that the remaining amount of paper is insufficient. As the determination information, the abnormal content and the fact that there is an abnormality are output from the output means 32 (step S66).

  As described above, when the command is output to the print control unit 34 based on the status information of the print unit 18 included in the print control unit 34, the determination unit 33 functions normally. It is determined whether or not. Even if the command is normal, it is possible to prevent the printer from operating abnormally due to, for example, the state of the printer 10 such as insufficient paper remaining. Of course, in the example of FIG. 6, when the determination unit 33 determines that the input command functions normally, the determination unit 33 outputs the command to the print control unit 34 and operates the printing unit 18. It can also be made.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, the determination unit 33 determines whether or not a command for controlling the printing unit 18 functions normally. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an abnormal operation due to the execution of the command in advance. In addition, although Example 1 was an example which can select normal mode, determination mode, and analysis mode, you may have only determination mode or analysis mode. The printing apparatus may be a thermal printer or other printer.

  The second embodiment is an example of the operation of the computer 20 that controls the printer 10 of the first embodiment. With reference to FIG. 7, an operation in which the computer 20 selects a command usable in the printer 10 will be described. The first storage unit 45 stores command candidates for controlling the printer 10 in advance. Referring to FIG. 8A, the first storage unit 45 has opcodes and operand candidates corresponding to the control of the printer 10. For example, in FIG. 8A, the first storage means 45 stores three operation codes “AAA”, “AAB”, and “AAC” as candidates when the control item is paper feeding. As an operand of “AAA”, a range of “1 to 100” is stored as candidates. The printer 10 is set to the determination mode shown in FIG.

  In the above state, the selection unit 43 selects a command from the first storage unit 43 and outputs it to the printer 10 from the output unit 42 (step S70). The selection unit 43 acquires determination information, which is a determination result of the printer 10, from the input unit 41 (step S72). The selection unit 43 determines whether the operation code of the command is normal or abnormal based on the determination information (step S74). When the operation code is abnormal, the selection unit 43 searches for a candidate operation code from the list in the first storage unit 45 (step S76). For example, when the operation code is “AAC” and it is determined that the operation code is abnormal, “AAA” is selected from the data stored in the first storage unit 45 in FIG. In step S78, as an alternative, a method for controlling the printer with two commands may be selected. For example, in the case of a command for feeding a paper and cutting the paper, the command can be divided into a plurality of commands for paper feeding and paper cutting. As described above, the selection unit 43 can use another command or another command combination in the first storage unit 45 in the printer 10 as an alternative to the command that does not indicate that the corresponding determination information operates normally. Can be selected as a command. The selection means 43 determines whether or not an opcode candidate can be selected (step S78). If it is selectable, the operation code is changed (step S80), and the process returns to step S70. If it is not selectable in step S78, the process ends.

  If the opcode is normal in step S74, the selection means 43 determines whether the command operand is normal or abnormal based on the determination information (step S82). In the case of abnormality, the selection unit 43 changes the operand from within the data range of the first storage unit 45 (step S84). For example, if it is determined that the operation code is “AAA”, the operand is “100”, the operation code is normal, and the operand is abnormal, an operand is selected from 1 to 100 as shown in FIG. For example, “1” is selected, the operation code remains “AAA”, and the operand is changed to “1”. The process returns to step S70.

  In step S82, when the operand is normal, the selection unit 43 stores the operation code and the operand in the second storage unit 46 as usable. For example, “AAA” is registered as an opcode and “1” is registered as an operand. Similarly, the operand is changed while the operation code is fixed, and the allowable range of the operand is stored in the second storage means 46. In the example of FIG. 8A, when paper feed is performed as a control item, the operation code is “AAA” and the operand range is 1 to 10.

  According to the second embodiment, the command in the first storage unit 45 is output to the printer 10 as in step S70, and whether the command causes the printer to function normally from the printer 10 as in step S72. The determination information shown is acquired. Then, as in steps S74 to S84, the selection unit 43 selects a command that can be used by the printer based on the determination information. As in step S86, the second storage means 46 stores the selected command. Thus, the computer 20 can select and store commands that can be used according to the type of the printer 10 connected thereto. The computer 20 has printing apparatus control means for controlling the printer 10 based on the commands stored in the second storage means 46. Thus, the computer 20 can control the printer 10 using commands that can be used for the printer 10.

  7 can be selected when a program is installed in the computer 20, when the printer 10 is set, and when firmware is updated.

  With reference to FIG. 9, an example of printer control using commands in the second storage means 46 will be described. Commands usable for the printer 10 are stored in the second storage means 46. The printer 10 is set to the analysis mode of FIG. In this state, the printing apparatus control unit 44 outputs a command to the printer 10 from the output unit 42 (step S90). The printing apparatus control unit 44 acquires the determination information of the determination result made by the printer 10 in the analysis mode from the input unit 41 (step S92). The printing apparatus control unit 44 determines whether the status information of the printer 10 is normal or abnormal (step S94). If normal, the printing apparatus control unit 44 switches the printer 10 to the normal mode (step S104). The command output in step S90 is output to the printer 10. The printer 10 operates based on the command.

  If there is an abnormality in step S94, the printing apparatus control means 44 determines the content of the abnormality (step S96). The printing apparatus control unit 44 determines whether the abnormal content has a problem with the operation (step S100). If there is no problem in the operation, for example, if there is no problem when the printing range is not abnormal as if it is out of the next page, the process proceeds to step S104 and the printer 10 is controlled in the normal mode. In the case of No in step S100, the printing apparatus control unit 44 further determines whether or not there is an abnormality to be restored (step S102). In the case of an abnormality to recover, for example, when the printer 10 is printing other data, the process returns to step S90. If YES in step S102, the printing apparatus control unit 44 warns the user (step S108), sets the printer 10 in the normal mode (step S110), and ends.

  According to the second embodiment, the output unit 42 outputs a command to the printer 10 as in step S90. As in step S92, the input unit 41 acquires determination information for determining whether the printer 10 functions normally by the command. As in steps S94, S104, and S106, when it is determined that the printer 10 functions normally by the command, the printing apparatus control unit 44 controls the printer 10 using the command. Thereby, for example, it is possible to prevent the printer 10 from operating abnormally due to the state of the printer 10 such as a shortage of paper remaining.

  The computer 20 may execute both the control of FIG. 7 and the control of FIG. 9, or may execute either one. Further, the control device of the printing apparatus is not limited to the computer 20 and may be any control device that controls the printer 10. The program for executing FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 on the computer 20 may be a printing program itself, a printer driver, or the like.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. It can be changed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printer and a computer. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the configuration of the printer and the computer. FIG. 3 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating the control of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating the control of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5A shows an example of a command opcode, FIG. 5B shows an example of a command operand, and FIG. 5C shows an example of status information. FIG. 6 is a flowchart (part 3) illustrating the control of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating the control of the computer according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8A shows an example of data in the first storage unit, and FIG. 8B shows an example of the second storage unit. FIG. 9 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating the control of the computer according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Printer 12 Input / Output Device 14 CPU
16 Storage Device 18 Printing Unit 20 Computer 22 Input / Output Device 24 CPU
26 storage device 31 input means 32 output means 33 determination means 34 print control means 41 input means 42 output means 43 selection means 44 printing device control means 45 first storage means 46 second storage means

Claims (11)

Print control means for controlling a printing section for printing;
And a determination unit that determines whether a command for causing the print control unit to control the printing unit functions normally.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the command is a command that causes the print control unit to function normally.   The determination unit determines whether the print control unit and the print unit function normally when the command is output to the print control unit based on the status information of the print unit included in the print control unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit outputs the determination result to the outside when determining whether or not the command functions normally.   The determination unit outputs a command to the print control unit based on a mode for determining whether the command is a command for causing the print control unit to function normally, and status information of the printing unit included in the print control unit. In this case, it is possible to select a mode for determining whether the print control unit or the printing unit functions normally and a mode for outputting the command to the print control unit without determining the command. The printing apparatus according to claim 1. First storage means for storing a command set in advance to control the printing apparatus;
The command in the first storage means is output to the printing apparatus, and the determination information indicating whether the command causes the printing apparatus to function normally is acquired from the printing apparatus, and based on the determination information, the Selecting means for selecting the command usable in the printing apparatus;
And a second storage unit for storing the selected command.   The selection unit may use another command or another command combination in the first storage unit as a command that can be used in the printing apparatus as a substitute for a command that does not indicate that the corresponding determination information operates normally. The printing apparatus control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the printing apparatus control apparatus is selected.   7. The printing apparatus control apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a printing apparatus control means for controlling the printing apparatus based on a command stored in the second storage means. First storage means for storing a command set in advance to control the printing apparatus;
The command in the first storage means is output to the printing apparatus, and the determination information indicating whether the command causes the printing apparatus to function normally is acquired from the printing apparatus, and based on the determination information, the Selecting means for selecting the command usable in the printing apparatus;
And a second storage unit for storing the selected command. Output means for outputting a command for controlling the printing apparatus to the printing apparatus;
Input means for acquiring, from the printing apparatus, determination information for determining whether or not the printing apparatus normally functions according to the command;
And a printing apparatus control unit configured to control the printing apparatus using the command when it is determined that the printing apparatus functions normally. Output means for outputting a command for controlling the printing apparatus to the printing apparatus;
Input means for acquiring, from the printing apparatus, determination information for determining whether or not the printing apparatus normally functions according to the command;
A printing apparatus control program comprising: a printing apparatus control unit that controls the printing apparatus using the command when it is determined that the printing apparatus functions normally.

Images