JP2012003525A - Electronic device, electronic device control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to rapidly and efficiently select one of interfaces in the case in which an electronic device is provided with a plurality of interfaces to be connected to an external device.SOLUTION: A printer 100 includes a connector 141 provided on a sub substrate 30 which can be connected to a main interface substrate 120, a connector 142 provided on the side of the main interface substrate 120, a main controller 121 selecting one of the sub substrate and the connector, a print engine 110 for receiving and transmitting information between a host computer 11 via the interface selected. The main controller 121 selects with priority the interface on the already designated side or selects the interface on the side on which the connection with the host computer 11 is detected.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device connected to an external device, a control method for the electronic device, and a program.

  Conventionally, an electronic device connected to an external device via an interface such as a USB is known. These devices are usually connected to external devices on a one-to-one basis. For example, a configuration is known in which a plurality of external devices are USB-connected to one electronic device by switching the connection via a USB switch. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-353145 A

As described in Patent Document 1, as a method of connecting an electronic device connected to an external device on a one-to-one basis to a plurality of external devices, the external device is switched, and any one of the external devices is connected to the electronic device. The configuration that enables communication is reasonable. By the way, although it is possible to provide a plurality of interfaces in the electronic device itself, in such a case as well, any one interface is selected and the external device and the electronic device communicate on a one-to-one basis. However, it is not easy to appropriately select one interface from a plurality of interfaces, and a method for efficiently selecting one interface has been demanded.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and when an electronic apparatus includes a plurality of interfaces connected to an external device, any one interface can be selected quickly and efficiently. For the purpose.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an electronic device that can be connected to an external device, a main body substrate, an interface substrate that is detachably connected to the main body substrate in the electronic device, and the interface substrate. A first interface having a first connector connectable to the external device, and a second interface having a second connector provided on the main body substrate side of the electronic device and connectable to the external device A selection unit that selects any one of the first interface on the interface board side and the second interface on the main body board side, and the external interface through the interface selected by the selection unit. A communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from the device, and the selection unit includes the first interface. Eisu and of the second interface, or select a pre-specified side interface, or be selected with priority on the side that has received the signal from the external device before the interface, characterized.
According to the present invention, the first interface that can be connected to the external device is provided on the interface board, the second interface is provided on the main body board side, and the first and second interfaces can be connected to the external apparatus. The selection unit for selecting one of the interfaces selects the interface on the side designated in advance, or preferentially selects the interface on the side where the connection with the external device is detected first. As a result, of the two interfaces, the interface designated in advance or the interface to which the user connected the external device is selected, so the necessary interface is selected quickly and efficiently, and the communication with the external device is executed. it can.

According to the present invention, in the electronic device, a switch that specifies any one of the first interface and the second interface, or a storage unit that stores information that specifies any interface The selection unit obtains designation information of the switch or the storage unit when the electronic device is powered on or receives a reset command or a reset signal from the external device, and based on the designation information , Characterized by selecting a specified interface.
According to the present invention, the interface to be selected from the first and second interfaces can be easily designated by the designation information stored in the switch or the storage unit.

Further, according to the present invention, when the electronic device receives a predetermined command including information specifying one of the interfaces from the external device, the selection unit selects the interface specified by the predetermined command. It is characterized by that.
According to the present invention, an interface to be selected from the first and second interfaces can be easily specified by transmitting a command from an external device.

Further, the present invention provides the electronic device, wherein the selection unit is designated in advance to select the first interface based on designation information of the switch or the storage unit, and the interface board Is not connected to the main body board, the second interface is selected.
According to the present invention, when an external device cannot be connected to a predetermined interface, another interface is selected and communication with the external device is enabled. For example, even when the designated interface board is not connected due to maintenance or misoperation, it can be connected to an external device through another interface. As a result, when the designated interface cannot be selected, another interface can be selected regardless of the designation, and the connection possibility of the external device can always be maintained.

In addition, the present invention provides the electronic device described above, which is provided on the interface board side, and includes a third interface having a third connector that can be connected to another controlled device. Control information for controlling the electronic device is input from the external device, and the first interface controls the control information for controlling the electronic device and the other controlled device from the external device. Control information to be input, and the interface board receives control information of the electronic device and control information of the other controlled device input from the external device via the first interface. A separation unit that discriminates and separates the control information of the other controlled device separated by the separation unit from the third interface. Output to the controlled device via the control information of the electronic device separated by the separation unit, and outputs to the main body substrate.
According to the present invention, information that is connected to another controlled device via the third interface and is input from the external device via the first or second interface is used as the control information of the electronic device and the other controlled device. Separated into device control information, the information is output to the main board and the controlled device. Thereby, when the interface board has a function of outputting control information to other controlled devices, among the first interface on the interface board side and the second interface on the body board side, A necessary interface can be quickly selected to enable communication with an external device and output of control information to other controlled devices.

In the electronic device, the control information for controlling the electronic device input from the second interface, and the control information for the electronic device separated by the separation unit of the interface board, After being selected by the selection unit, it is inputted to the common communication unit.
According to the present invention, the control information for the electronic device input and separated from the first interface and the control information input from the second interface can be processed by the common communication unit, so that the circuit is shared. By doing so, a useless circuit configuration can be omitted, and the configuration and operation can be made efficient.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an electronic device that can be connected to an external device, and is provided on a main body substrate, an interface substrate that can be connected to the main body substrate in the electronic device, and the interface substrate. A first interface having a first connector detachably connected to the external device, and a second interface having a second connector provided on the main body substrate side and connectable to the external device; A method for controlling an electronic device comprising: a first interface on the interface board side and a second interface on the body board side, wherein an interface on a predetermined side is selected, or Priority is given to the interface on the side that previously received the signal from the external device, and the interface on the selected side is selected. To transmit and receive information to and from the external device via the over face, characterized by.
According to the present invention, the first interface that can be connected to the external device is provided on the interface board, while the second interface is provided on the main body board side, and the electronic that can be connected to the external device by the first and second interfaces. When the device selects any one of the interfaces, the device selects the interface on the side designated in advance, or preferentially selects the interface on the side where the connection with the external device is detected first. As a result, an interface designated in advance or an interface on the side to which the user has connected the external device is selected, so that a necessary interface can be selected quickly and efficiently and communication with the external device can be executed.

According to the present invention, in the electronic device control method described above, the electronic device includes a switch that specifies one of the first interface and the second interface, or any one of the interfaces. When a storage unit for storing specified information to be specified is provided, the specified information for the switch or the storage unit is acquired when the electronic device is turned on or when a reset command or a reset signal is received from the external device. The designated interface is selected based on the designation information.
According to the present invention, the interface to be selected from the first and second interfaces can be easily designated by the designation information stored in the switch or the storage unit.

According to the present invention, in the electronic device control method described above, when a predetermined command including information specifying any of the interfaces is received from the external device, the electronic device is specified by the received predetermined command. It is characterized by selecting an interface.
According to the present invention, an interface to be selected from the first and second interfaces can be easily specified by transmitting a command from an external device.

According to the present invention, in the above-described electronic device control method, the interface board is designated in advance to select the first interface based on designation information of the switch or the storage unit. When not connected to the main body substrate, the second interface is selected.
According to the present invention, when an external device cannot be connected to a predetermined interface, another interface is selected and communication with the external device is enabled. For example, even if the designated interface board is not connected due to maintenance or misoperation, it can be connected to an external device through another interface. As a result, when the designated interface cannot be selected, another interface can be selected regardless of the designation, and the connection possibility of the external device can always be maintained.

According to the present invention, in the electronic device control method, the electronic device is provided on the interface board side, and includes a third interface having a third connector connectable to another controlled device. Control information for controlling the electronic device from the external device is input to the second interface, and control information for controlling the electronic device from the external device is input to the first interface; Control information for controlling the other controlled device is input, and the control information of the electronic device and the other controlled device input from the external device via the first interface by the interface board Control information of the other controlled device separated from the control information of the other controlled device through the third interface. And outputs to the controlled device, the control information of the electronic device separated by the separation unit, and outputs to the main body substrate.
According to the present invention, information that is connected to another controlled device via the third interface and is input from the external device via the first or second interface is used as the control information of the electronic device and the other controlled device. Separated into device control information, the information is output to the main board and the controlled device. Thereby, when the interface board has a function of outputting control information to other controlled devices, among the first interface on the interface board side and the second interface on the body board side, A necessary interface can be quickly selected to enable communication with an external device and output of control information to other controlled devices.

According to the present invention, in the electronic device control method, the control information for controlling the electronic device input from the second interface and the control information for the electronic device separated by the interface board are shared. It inputs to the said communication part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
According to the present invention, the control information for the electronic device input and separated from the first interface and the control information input from the second interface can be processed in the same way by the common communication unit. By sharing, it is possible to omit a useless circuit configuration and to make the configuration and operation more efficient.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an electronic device that can be connected to an external device, and includes a main board having a control unit and an interface board that is detachably connected to the main board in the electronic device. And a first interface having a first connector provided on the interface board and connectable to the external device, and a second interface provided on the main body substrate side and connectable to the external device. 2 is a program that can be executed by the control unit of the electronic device including the first interface on the interface board side and the second interface on the body board side. Select the interface on the other side, or select the interface on the side that previously received the signal from the external device. Preferentially scan selected, to transmit and receive information to and from the external device via the selected side interface, characterized.
According to the present invention, the interface board is provided with the first interface that can be connected to the external device, while the main body board is provided with the second interface, and the first and second interfaces can be connected to the external device. When the selected electronic device selects one of the interfaces, the interface on the side designated in advance is selected, or the interface on which the connection with the external device is detected first is given priority. To do. As a result, an interface designated in advance or an interface on the side to which the user has connected the external device is selected, so that a necessary interface can be selected quickly and efficiently and communication with the external device can be executed.

  According to the present invention, in a configuration including a plurality of interfaces to which an external device can be connected, a necessary interface can be selected quickly and efficiently, and communication with the external device can be executed.

It is a general | schematic block diagram of the POS terminal system of embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration block diagram of a printer. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a printer. It is a figure which shows the specific structural example of a selection part.

[First Embodiment]
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a POS terminal system according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
The POS terminal system 10 is connected to a POS management computer (not shown) via a network (not shown). The POS terminal system 10 includes a host computer 11 as an external device that performs various controls in the POS terminal system 10 and a plurality of USB (Universal Serial Bus) connectors (interfaces), and the host is connected via any of these USB connectors. A printer 12 as an electronic device that is connected to the computer 11 and performs processing for printing receipts, coupons, and the like, and connected to the printer 12 as another controlled device under the control of the host computer 11 via the printer 12 And a display 13 (customer display) connected to an RS232C connector 32 (third interface, see FIG. 2) for displaying various kinds of information.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration block diagram of the printer.
The printer 12 is roughly divided into a main board 21 (main body board) for centrally controlling the printer 12, a print engine 22 including a mechanism for performing actual printing under the control of the main board 21, and the main board 21. A universal interface board (UIB) 23 (interface board) as an expansion board connected to an optional board connector (not shown), and a USB connector 24 (second interface) provided on the printer main body 12A. Has been.
The main board 21 includes a main controller 25 that centrally controls the main board 21, a USB controller 26 (communication unit) that performs an interface operation of a USB signal, and a control signal for printer control that is input from the UIB 23 or the USB connector 24. And a changeover switch 27 (selection unit) that exclusively switches the USB signal B (control information B) corresponding to and outputs the signal to the USB controller 26.

  The UIB 23 is a USB to which a USB signal (A + B) of a USB signal A (control information A) for controlling the display 13 and a USB signal B for controlling the printer 12 is input from the host computer 11. A connector 31 (first interface), an RS232C connector 32 to which the display 13 is connected, and a controller 33 for centrally controlling the UIB 23 are provided.

  Here, the USB signal (A + B) is actually a time series of a series of control information for controlling the display 13 and a series of control information for controlling the printer 12 with a time difference. A signal to be transmitted. When a USB signal (A + B) including the USB signal A is input to the USB connector 24, the USB controller 26 cannot properly process the USB signal (A + B), and thus does not operate normally. .

Therefore, the host computer 11 that outputs the USB signal (A + B) needs to be connected to the USB connector 31.
Conversely, the USB signal B can be appropriately processed in the USB controller 26 regardless of whether the USB signal B is input to the USB connector 24 or the USB connector 31, and therefore the USB signal B is output. The host computer 11X can be connected to either the USB connector 24 or the USB connector 31. However, when connected to the USB connector 24, display on the display 13 cannot be performed.
As the changeover switch 27, a memory switch, a signal selection circuit based on a DIP switch, or the like is used.

  The controller 33 is configured as a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown). The ROM stores the control system of the printer 12 and the control system of the display 13. The CPU inputs from the USB connector 31. A signal for determining whether the received USB signal (A + B) is control information based on any one of the control systems, separating the USB signal A and the USB signal B, and outputting the USB signal B to the changeover switch 27 The separation circuit 34 (separation unit) and the USB signal A separated by the signal separation circuit 34 are input, the USB signal A is converted into a signal for the RS232C interface, and the display control signal X for controlling the display 13 Signal conversion circuit that outputs to the display 13 via the RS232C connector 32 35 (conversion unit), and a. The USB signal (A + B) includes ID information indicating either the printer 12 or the display 13 at the beginning of a series of control information, and the controller 33 separates the USB signal A and the USB signal B based on the ID information. It may be.

Next, a specific operation will be described.
First, the case where the host computer 11 that outputs a USB signal (A + B), which is one of signals for controlling the printer 12 and the display 13, is connected to the USB connector 31 will be described.
In this case, it is assumed that the changeover switch 27 has been previously switched to the UIB 23 side (USB connector 31 side).
The host computer 11 outputs a USB signal (A + B) to the UIB 23 via the USB connector 31.
When a USB signal (A + B) is input via the USB connector 31, the signal separation circuit 34 of the UIB 23 uses the USB signal (A + B) as the USB signal A that is control information of the display 13 and the control information of the printer 12. Separated into USB signal B. Then, the USB signal A is output to the signal conversion circuit 35, and the USB signal B is output to the changeover switch 27.

The signal conversion circuit 35 to which the USB signal A is input performs signal conversion of the USB signal A for the RS232C interface, and outputs the display control signal X to the display 13 via the RS232C connector.
As a result, the display screen of the display 13 displays information such as the price of the product, the name, the total amount of purchase, and the sale information, which can be confirmed by the customer.
On the other hand, the USB signal B is input to the USB controller 26 via the changeover switch 27.

As a result, the USB controller 26 delivers control information corresponding to the USB signal B to the main controller 25.
The main controller 25 controls the print engine 22 based on the control information, and executes various types of printing such as receipt and coupon printing.

Next, a case where the host computer 11X that outputs the USB signal B as a control signal for controlling the printer 12 (information processing apparatus) is connected to the USB connector 24 will be described.
In this case, it is assumed that the changeover switch 27 has been previously switched to the USB connector 24 side (main body side).
When the host computer 11X outputs the USB signal B via the USB connector 31, the USB signal B is input to the USB controller 26 via the changeover switch 27.

As a result, the USB controller 26 delivers control information corresponding to the USB signal B to the main controller 25, and the main controller 25 controls the print engine 22 based on the control information and executes various printing such as receipt and coupon printing. Will be.
As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the host computer 11X is connected to the USB connector 24 and when the host computer 11 is connected to the USB connector 31, the single USB controller 26 is also used. Can do.
Accordingly, since it is not necessary to provide a separate USB controller on the UIB 23 side, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the UIB 23 and, in turn, to reduce the introduction cost of the POS terminal system 10. Further, the main board 21 and the printer 12 can be reduced in size.

Further, an RS232C connector 32 that can be connected to the display 13 is provided on the UIB 23 side, and the USB connector 24 receives control information for controlling the printer 12 from the host computer 11. The USB connector 31 is connected to the host computer 11. The control information for controlling the printer 12 and the control information for controlling the display 13 are input to the UIB 23. The UIB 23 receives the control information for the printer 12 and the display input from the host computer 11 via the USB connector 31. And a signal separation circuit 34 that discriminates and separates the control information from the control information of the display 13, and outputs the control information of the display 13 separated by the signal separation circuit 34 to the display 13 via the RS232C connector 32. By minutes Since the control information of the printer 12 is output to the main board 21, the USB connector 31 on the UIB 23 side having the function of outputting the control information to the display 13 and the USB connector 24 on the main board 21 side are necessary. It is possible to quickly select an appropriate connector and to communicate with an external device and output control information to the display 13.
The control information for controlling the printer 12 input from the USB connector 24 and the control information for the printer 12 separated by the signal separation circuit 34 of the UIB 23 are switched by the changeover switch 27 and input to the common USB controller 26. Therefore, the control information for the printer 12 input and separated from the USB connector 31 and the control information input from the USB connector 24 can be processed by a common communication unit. Thereby, by sharing the circuit, a wasteful circuit configuration can be omitted and the configuration and operation can be made efficient.

In the first embodiment described above, a case has been described in which the changeover switch 27 is previously switched to the UIB 23 side or the USB connector 24 side in accordance with the configuration of the POS terminal system 10. On the other hand, as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the signal input state in the changeover switch 27 is detected by the input state detection signal ST, and two points are provided on the side where the signal is input first (UIB 23 side or USB connector 24 side). It is also possible to configure so that the changeover switch 27 is switched by a switch changeover signal CSW indicated by a chain line and is switched to the side to which the signal has been input first.
Alternatively, it may be configured to switch preferentially to either the UIB 23 side or the USB connector 24 side by the switch switching signal CSW. In this case, instead of detecting the input state detection signal ST, it is possible to detect that the UIB 23 is mounted and to switch the main controller 25 to the UIB 23 side preferentially.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer 1 according to the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
The printer 100 is a device that is connected to a host computer 11 as an external device and prints (records) characters and images on a recording medium based on data input from the host computer 11. In this embodiment, as an example, a thermal roll paper as a recording medium is accommodated in the main body, and a print head 117 including a heating element prints characters, images, and the like by applying heat to the recording surface of the thermal roll paper. It will be described as a printer.
The printer 100 includes a main interface board 120 (main body board) and a sub board 130 (interface board) that control communication between a print engine 110 that controls a printing operation and a host computer 11 that is externally connected to the printer 100. Configured.
The print engine 110 includes a control unit 111 that controls each unit of the printer 100, a nonvolatile memory 112 that stores programs executed by the control unit 111, various data, and the like, and temporarily stores data received from the host computer 11. And a driver 114 (drive circuit) that controls the drive unit included in the printer 100 to execute printing. The control unit 111 is connected to a paper edge sensor 115 and a paper remaining amount sensor 116. Yes. Specifically, the nonvolatile memory 112 is configured by a semiconductor storage element such as an EEPROM or a flash memory. The buffer memory 113 is a volatile storage device that stores commands, data, and the like input from the main interface board 120 to the control unit 111 in the order of reception.

The printer 100 includes a print head 117 that prints on thermal roll paper, a conveyance motor 118 that rotates a conveyance roller (not shown) that conveys the thermal roll paper, and a cutter unit 119 that cuts the thermal roll paper after printing. ing.
The driver 114 is connected to the conveyance motor 118 and the cutter unit 119 provided in the printer 100, outputs a driving current and a driving pulse to the conveyance motor 118, conveys a thermal roll paper by a necessary amount, and is driven by the cutter unit 119. The thermal roll paper is cut at a predetermined timing by outputting an electric current.
Further, the paper end sensor 115 connected to the control unit 111 detects the presence or absence of the thermal roll paper on the thermal roll paper conveyance path, and the paper remaining amount sensor 116 has the remaining amount of the thermal roll paper below a predetermined amount. This is a sensor that detects that the detected value is output to the control unit 111.

The control unit 111 executes the program read from the nonvolatile memory 112, and based on the commands and data stored in the buffer memory 113 and the detection values of the paper edge sensor 115 and the paper remaining amount sensor 116, the print head 117. The head driver (not shown) connected to the printer is driven to control the energization of each heating element, and by controlling the driver 114, the transport motor 118 and the cutter unit 119 are operated to print on the thermal roll paper. I do.
The control unit 111 is connected to the main controller 121 mounted on the main interface board 120. A USB controller 123 mounted on the main interface board 120 together with the main controller 121 and a selection unit 124 are connected to the main controller 121. The USB controller 123 controls communication via USB, and is configured to behave as a slave device (secondary device) with respect to the host computer 11 (main device).

The printer 100 includes two USB connectors, a connector 142 (second interface) provided on the side surface of the printer 100 and exposed to the outside, and a connector 141 (first interface) exposed on the back of the printer 100. ing. These connectors 141 and 142 are provided with, for example, two power terminals and two data terminals (D +, D−) in accordance with the USB standard, and connect the host computer 11 via the USB cables 53 and 54. it can.
The connector 141 is provided on the sub-board 130 connected to the main interface board 120 via the connector 131. The connector 141 is connected to the selection unit 124 mounted on the main interface board 120 via the connector 131. The connector 142 is directly connected to the selection unit 124.
The connectors 141 and 142 function as a first interface and a second interface in cooperation with the USB controller 123.

The selection unit 124 is interposed between the connectors 141 and 142 and the USB controller 123. The selection unit 124 selects one of the connectors 141 and 142 according to the control of the main controller 121 and connects it to the USB controller 123. The connection to the connectors 141 and 142 is exclusive or alternative, and the host computer 11 cannot be connected to both the connectors 141 and 142 at the same time. For this reason, in FIG. 3, the host computer 11 connected to the connector 141 is shown by a solid line, and the host computer 11 connected to the connector 142 is shown by a virtual line.
When the host computer 11 is connected to the connectors 141 and 142, communication with the host computer 11 is controlled by the function of the main controller 121, and printing is performed by the print engine 110 in accordance with commands and data transmitted from the host computer 11. I do. In this operation, the main controller 121 causes the selection unit 124 to select one of the connectors 141 and 142.

The main controller 121 includes a memory 122. The memory 122 is a storage unit that stores designation information for designating which side of the connectors 141 and 142 is selected by the selection unit 124. This stored designation information is called a memory switch. It can also be specified by a command from the host computer 11. In this case, the host computer 11 needs to be connected to a preselected connector. After designation by the command, communication is possible from the designated connector. When both the connectors 141 and 142 are usable, the main interface board 120 causes the selection unit 124 to select the connector on the side designated by the designation information in the memory 2 among the connectors 141 and 142. A dip switch can be mounted on the main interface board 120 and designated as either the connector 141 or 142. When the power is turned on by operating a power switch (not shown) of the printer 100, when a reset command is received from the host computer 11, or when a reset signal instructing reset is received from the host computer 11, the main controller 121 stores the memory The switch or dip switch designation is acquired and designated to one of the connectors 141 and 142.
Further, the sub-board 130 can be detached from the main body of the printer 100 and is electrically detachable from the main interface board 120. For this reason, the sub-board 130 is not connected when the printer 100 is activated, and the printer 100 can be connected to the host computer 11 only via the connector 142. In this case, even if the connector 141 is specified by the specification information stored in the memory 122, the main controller 121 uses the selection unit 124 to select the connector 142 that is the only usable interface.

When the printer 100 is turned on by operating a power switch (not shown), the printer 100 performs an operation of detecting whether or not the host computer 11 is connected to the connectors 141 and 142. Since the connectors 141 and 142 are connected to the USB controller 26, the connection of the host computer 11 can be automatically detected by a procedure defined in the USB standard.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer 100, showing the operation until the selection unit 124 selects one of the connectors 141 and 142 under the control of the main controller 121.
When the printer 100 is powered on (step S101), the main controller 121 determines whether or not the sub board 130 is connected to the printer 100 (step S102). When the sub board 130 is not connected (step S102; No), the main controller 121 controls the selection unit 124 to select the connector 142 (step S103), and shifts to a state in which communication with the host computer 11 is possible. This process ends.

  On the other hand, when the sub-board 130 is connected (step S102; Yes), the main controller 121 determines whether or not one of the connectors 141 and 142 is preferentially selected by the designation information stored in the memory 122. Is determined (step S104). When one of the connectors is designated by the designation information (step S104; Yes), the main controller 121 causes the connector 141, 142 to select the connector designated by the designation information (step S105), and the host computer 11 and the process ends.

Further, when the connector is not specified by the specification information stored in the memory 122 (step S104; No), the main controller 121 determines whether or not to make settings relating to the specification of the connectors 141 and 142 (step S106). . That is, it is determined whether or not new designation information is stored in the memory 122 or processing for updating the designation information is performed. Whether or not the setting is to be made can be designated by designation information stored in the memory 122 in advance.
Here, when the setting is not performed (step S106; No), the main controller 121 shifts to a standby state for preferentially selecting the connector 141, 142 to which the host computer 11 is connected first. (Step S107) Wait until the connection of the host computer 11 is detected (Step S108). When it is detected that the host computer 11 is connected to any one of the connectors (step S108; Yes), the main controller 121 controls the selection unit 124 and causes the selection unit 124 to select the detected connector (step S109). ), Transition to a state in which communication with the host computer 11 is possible, and the process is terminated.

  In the printer 100, when setting related to the designation of a connector is performed (step S106; Yes), the main controller 121 detects a command input from the host computer 11 (step S110), and whether or not the detected command is a setting command. Is determined (step S111). If the detected command is not a setting command (step S112; No), the process proceeds to step S107. If the detected command is a setting command (step S112; Yes), designation information is generated or updated in accordance with the command and the memory 122 is updated. The selection unit 124 selects the connector on the side designated by this designation information (step S112), shifts to a state in which communication with the host computer 11 is possible, and ends this processing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the printer 100. FIG. 5A shows the operation of the host computer 11, FIG. 5B shows the operation of the USB controller 123, and FIG. ) Shows the operation of the main controller 121.
When the printer 100 is turned on (step S131), the USB controller 123 detects the bus power voltage to the connectors 141 and 142 (step S132). In step S132, a voltage and a signal can be input from either of the connectors 141 and 142 to the USB controller 123 via the selection unit 124, and the USB controller 123 is connected to either of the connectors 141 and 142. A bus power voltage is applied to 123.
When the host computer 11 is connected to one of the connectors 141 and 142, a voltage of +5 V is supplied from the host computer 11 via the USB cables 53 and 54, so the USB controller 123 detects this voltage.

The USB controller 123 that has detected the bus power voltage shifts to the connection detection (Attached) state (step S133), and the host computer 11 detects the attachment (connection) of the slave device (step S121). Thereafter, the USB controller 123 enters a power-on state, that is, a state in which normal operation is possible (step S134), and the host computer 11 transmits a reset signal to the printer 100 (step S122).
Here, the main controller 121 detects that the reset signal is input from either of the connectors 141 and 142 to the USB controller 123 (step S141), and the connector to which the reset signal is input is the connectors 141 and 142. Is specified (step S142). Then, the main controller 121 causes the selection unit 124 to select the specified connector (step S143).
As a result, the connector to which the host computer 11 is connected via the selection unit 124 is connected to the USB controller 123.
The USB controller 123 receives the reset signal input from the host computer 11 (step S135), initializes the communication state, and sends the reset signal to the control unit 111 to perform printing of the printer 1. The operation is initialized (step S136). Thereafter, the USB controller 26 and the host computer 11 transmit / receive setting values and the like to execute configuration (steps S123 and S137), and shift to a normal operation.

As described above, according to the printer 100 according to the second embodiment, the printer 100 that can be connected to the host computer 11 is detachably connected to the main interface board 120 and the main interface board 120 in the printer 100. A sub board 130, a connector 141 provided on the sub board 130 and connectable to the host computer 11, a connector 142 provided on the main interface board 120 side of the printer 100 and connectable to the host computer 11, and the sub board 130 side The selection unit 124 for selecting one of the connector 141 and the connector 142 on the main interface board 120 side, and the host computer via the interface selected by the selection unit 124 The selection unit 124 selects a connector on the predesignated side out of the connector 141 and the connector 142 under the control of the main controller 121, or the print engine 110 that transmits / receives information to / from 1. The connector on the side where the connection with the host computer 11 is detected is preferentially selected.
Thus, in the configuration in which the sub-board 130 is provided with the connector 141 that can be connected to the host computer 11 and the main interface board 120 is provided with the connector 142, the selection unit 124 that selects one of the connectors 142 is provided on the side designated in advance. The connector on which the connection with the host computer 11 is detected is preferentially selected. As a result, the designated connector or the connector on the side where the user actually connected the host computer 11 is selected. Therefore, the necessary connector (interface) can be selected quickly and efficiently, and the connection with the host computer 11 can be made. Communication can be performed.

In addition, the printer 100 includes a memory 122 that stores designation information that designates one of the connectors 141 and 142, and the main controller 121 that controls the selection unit 124 is configured when the printer 100 is turned on, or When a reset command is received from the host computer 11 or when a reset signal is received from the host computer 11, the designation information in the memory 122 is acquired and the designated connector is selected based on the designation information. Can be easily specified by specifying information.
Further, when the printer 100 receives a predetermined command including information specifying any interface from the host computer 11, the selection unit 124 selects the interface specified by the predetermined command. By sending, it is possible to easily specify the connector to be selected.
Furthermore, in the printer 100, even when the selection unit 124 is designated in advance to select the connector 141 based on the designation information in the memory 122 under the control of the main controller 121, the sub board 130 is the main interface board. When not connected to 120, the connector 142 is selected. Therefore, even when the sub-board 130 is not connected due to the convenience of maintenance or an erroneous operation, the host computer 11 can be connected by the connector 142 and communication can be executed. As a result, when the designated interface cannot be selected, another interface can be selected regardless of the designation, and the connection possibility of the external device can always be maintained.

  The printer 100 is a USB connector in which both of the connectors 141 and 142 can detect the connection state with the host computer 11, and the selection unit 124 first connects to the host computer 11 out of the connectors 141 and 142. Therefore, it is possible to quickly select the connector and to communicate with the host computer 11.

  In the second embodiment, the method of storing the designation information in the memory 122 has been described as an example of the method for preliminarily designating the connectors 141 and 142 to be preferentially selected. For example, the preferential selection is performed. A dip switch indicating a connector may be provided, and one of the connectors 141 and 142 may be designated by switching the dip switch. In this case, the connector is specified by the physical state of the switch. The connectors 141 and 142 can be easily specified by manually operating the physical switch of the printer 100 while visually checking the state of the switch.

The specific configuration of the selection unit 124 is not particularly limited, and the selection unit 124 can be realized by a hardware circuit or virtually by software.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of the selection unit 124. As shown in FIG. 6, the selection unit 124 can be configured as a circuit represented by gate elements 161, 162, and 163. The gate element 161 representing the logical configuration of the selection unit 124 is an AND element whose output becomes a high level when the inputs of the input terminals 164 and 165 match, and the gate element 162 matches the inputs of the input terminals 166 and 167. In this case, the output is an AND element. The gate element 163 is an OR element that outputs a high level when the output of one of the gate elements 161 and 162 becomes a high level.
A connector 141 is connected to the input terminal 164, and a connector 142 is connected to the input terminal 166. Further, the main controller 121 is connected to the input terminals 165 and 167, and the main controller 121 can switch the input to the input terminals 165 and 167.

  In an initial state, that is, in a state where the selection unit 124 has not selected either of the connectors 141 and 142, the main controller 121 keeps the inputs of the input terminals 165 and 167 at a high level. When the host computer 11 is connected to the connector 141 and the input of the input terminal 164 becomes high level, the output of the gate element 161 is switched from low to high. As a result, the output of the gate element 163 switches to high, whereby the main controller 121 detects that the host computer 11 is connected. Here, the main controller 121 switches the output to the input terminal of the gate element (in this case, the gate element 162) on which the output is low among the gate elements 161 and 162, to low. As a result, the output of the gate element 162 is kept low. The gate element 161 whose output is switched to high thereafter changes in the same manner as a signal input from the input terminal 164. That is, a signal is output through the gate element 163 from the connector to which the signal from the host computer 11 is input first. As described above, the function of the selection unit 124 that selects the connector according to the control of the main controller 121 can be realized by the hardware circuit configuration. In the configuration of FIG. 6, the output of the gate element 163 may be input to the USB controller 123.

  Each of the above embodiments shows a specific example to which the present invention is applied, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the connector 42 configured as a USB interface and the connector 41 configured as a legacy interface are described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of legacy interfaces may be provided, or an IEEE 1394 interface may be provided as an interface with a detection function, and the total number and types of interfaces are not limited.

The electronic apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not particularly limited as long as it is a printer that can control the recording speed onto the recording medium. For example, the electronic apparatus can be a dot impact printer, an ink jet printer, a thermal sublimation printer, or a laser printer. The present invention can also be applied to a printer incorporated in another apparatus, and the application target is not limited.
In the above description, the case of a printer as an electronic device has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to any electronic device having one communication controller and a plurality of interfaces to which an external host computer can be connected. . Specifically, it can be applied to a hard disk device, an optical disk recording device, and the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... POS terminal system 11, 11X ... Host computer (external device), 12, 100 ... Printer (electronic device), 12A ... Printer main body, 13 ... Display (other controlled device, display device), 23 ... UIB, 24 ... USB connector (second interface), 25 ... main controller, 26 ... USB controller (communication unit), 27 ... changeover switch (selection unit), 31 ... USB connector (first interface), 32 ... RS232C connector (third Interface), 33 ... controller, 34 ... signal separation circuit (separation unit), 35 ... signal conversion circuit (conversion unit), 110 ... print engine (communication unit), 120 ... main interface board (main body board), 121 ... main Controller (selection unit, control unit), 23 ... SB controller (communication part), 130 ... sub board (interface board), 141 ... connector (first interface), 142 ... connector (second interface), 53, 54 ... USB cable, 122 ... memory (storage part) 123, USB controller, 124, selection unit, A, B, USB signal, CSW, switch switching signal, ST, input state detection signal, X, display control signal.

Claims (8)

An electronic device that can be connected to an external device,
A main board, and an interface board detachably connected to the main board in the electronic device;
A first interface provided on the interface board and having a first connector connectable to the external device;
A second interface provided on the main board side of the electronic device and having a second connector connectable to the external device;
A selection unit that selects one of the first interface on the interface board side and the second interface on the body board side;
A communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from the external device via the interface selected by the selection unit;
The selection unit selects an interface on a side designated in advance among the first interface and the second interface, or gives priority to an interface on a side that has received a signal from the external device first. To choose,
Electronic equipment characterized by A switch for designating any one of the first interface and the second interface, or a storage unit for storing information for designating any interface;
The selection unit acquires designation information of the switch or the storage unit when the electronic device is powered on or receives a reset command or a reset signal from the external device, and is designated based on the designation information. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein an interface is selected. When receiving a predetermined command including information specifying any interface from the external device,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects an interface designated by the predetermined command.   The selection unit is a case in which the first interface is selected in advance based on designation information of the switch or the storage unit, and the interface board is not connected to the main body board. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the second interface is selected. Provided on the interface board side, comprising a third interface having a third connector connectable to another controlled device,
The second interface receives control information for controlling the electronic device from the external device,
The first interface receives control information for controlling the electronic device and control information for controlling the other controlled device from the external device,
The interface board includes a separation unit that discriminates and separates control information of the electronic device and control information of the other controlled device input from the external device via the first interface, The control information of the other controlled device separated by the separation unit is output to the controlled device via the third interface, and the control information of the electronic device separated by the separation unit is output to the main body. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device outputs to a substrate.   The control information for controlling the electronic device input from the second interface and the control information for the electronic device separated by the separation unit of the interface board are selected by the selection unit, and then the common information The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the electronic apparatus is input to a communication unit. An electronic device connectable to an external device, comprising: a main body substrate; an interface substrate connectable to the main body substrate in the electronic device; and a first interface provided on the interface substrate and detachably connected to the external device. A control method of an electronic device comprising: a first interface having one connector; and a second interface provided on the main body substrate side and having a second connector connectable to the external device,
Of the first interface on the interface board side and the second interface on the main body board side, the interface on the side designated in advance is selected, or the side that has received a signal from the external device first Preferentially selecting the interface, and transmitting / receiving information to / from the external device via the selected interface,
A method for controlling an electronic device. An electronic device that can be connected to an external device, a main body substrate having a control unit, an interface substrate that is detachably connected to the main body substrate in the electronic device, and the external device provided on the interface substrate, The control unit of an electronic device comprising: a first interface having a connectable first connector; and a second interface having a second connector provided on the main body substrate side and connectable to the external device. Is an executable program,
Of the first interface on the interface board side and the second interface on the main body board side, the interface on the side designated in advance is selected, or the side that has received a signal from the external device first Preferentially selecting the interface, and transmitting / receiving information to / from the external device via the selected interface,
A program characterized by

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