JP2015231673A - Printer, and interface substrate - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which allows an external device to be exclusively connected to an intended communication connector among a plurality of communication connectors, and an interface substrate.SOLUTION: A printer comprises a printing unit 14, a first communication connector 41 that receives print data, and a second communication connector 42 that receives setting data, wherein one of the first and second communication connectors 41 and 42 has a terminal 44 disposed inside a socket 43 of the other.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and an interface board.

  In general, a printing apparatus having a plurality of interfaces (connectors) to which external apparatuses such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) port, a USB port, an IEEE 1394 port, and a serial port are connected is known. Among these printing apparatuses, there is known a printer that detects whether or not an external apparatus is connected to a specific interface among a plurality of interfaces, and automatically changes an interface to be used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-33519 A

By the way, when connecting an external device to a printing apparatus having a plurality of communication connectors, an operator has to select and connect a communication connector suitable for the purpose of connection from the plurality of communication connectors. If an external device is connected to a communication connector that is not suitable for the purpose, or if an external device is connected to multiple communication connectors at the same time, it may not be possible to control the printing device as intended. there were. For this reason, the worker has to judge with sufficient consideration to select a communication connector to be connected and whether or not to connect to a plurality of communication connectors, which is a burden on the worker.
The present invention provides a printing apparatus and an interface board that can solve the above-described problems of the prior art and can connect an external device exclusively to an intended communication connector among a plurality of communication connectors. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a printing apparatus includes a printing unit, a first communication connector that receives print data, and a second communication connector that receives setting data. One of the second communication connector and the second communication connector has a terminal disposed inside the other receiving port.
According to this configuration, since the external device is not simultaneously connected to the first communication connector and the second communication connector, the external device is exclusively connected to the intended communication connector among the plurality of communication connectors. can do. Further, by arranging one of the communication connectors inside the other, the size can be reduced.

According to the present invention, the printing apparatus includes a control unit that controls the printing unit based on the print data to execute printing, and performs settings related to a printing operation based on the setting data. And
According to this configuration, one of a plurality of communication connectors to which an exclusive function is assigned is arranged inside the other and cannot be connected at the same time, so that a plurality of communication connectors are not erroneously connected. , Can reduce the burden of connection work.
Here, the setting data may be, for example, data for performing settings related to an operation in which the control unit performs printing based on the print data.

According to the present invention, in the printing apparatus, when the second communication connector is connected to an external device, a setting mode in which the control unit does not control the printing unit is executed.
According to this configuration, when an external device is connected to the second communication connector, the setting mode in which the control of the printing unit using the first communication connector is not performed is executed. Therefore, by placing one of the multiple communication connectors to which the exclusive function is assigned inside the other and making it impossible to connect at the same time, the multiple communication connectors are not accidentally connected, and the connection work The burden can be reduced.

In the printing apparatus, the present invention provides a control board on which the control unit is mounted, a first interface circuit connected to the control board and connected to the first communication connector, and the second communication. An interface board on which a second interface circuit connected to a connector is mounted, and the control board executes the setting mode when the second communication connector is connected to an external device. Features.
According to this configuration, the interface board having the interface circuit corresponding to the communication connector is provided separately from the control board for controlling and printing the printing unit, and the control board shifts to the setting mode. For this reason, it is possible to reliably stop the printing operation when the second communication connector is connected.
According to the present invention, in the printing apparatus, the setting mode is executed by controlling the interface board when the second communication connector is connected to an external apparatus.
According to this configuration, the control board quickly shifts to the setting mode by controlling the interface board provided with the interface circuit that detects the connection of the second communication connector.

According to the present invention, in the printing apparatus, the first communication connector is a LAN modular jack, and the terminal included in the second communication connector is a USB terminal.
According to this configuration, the second communication connector can be provided inside the first communication connector, and space saving of the interface board can be achieved. In addition, the second communication connector can be provided with a connection detection function. When an external device is connected to the second communication connector, the external device is quickly detected and starts operating under the control of the external device. it can.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a first communication connector connected to a control board for executing printing by controlling a printing unit in a printing apparatus in an interface board, and a setting data. And a second communication connector for receiving the signal, wherein one of the first and second communication connectors has a terminal disposed inside the other receiving port.
According to this configuration, since the external device is not simultaneously connected to the first communication connector and the second communication connector, the external device is exclusively connected to the intended communication connector among the plurality of communication connectors. can do. Further, by arranging one of the communication connectors inside the other, the size can be reduced.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the connector of an interface board. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer 1 as a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
The printer 1 described in the present embodiment is an apparatus that is connected to a host computer 6 as an external apparatus and prints characters, images, and the like on a recording medium based on print data input from the host computer 6. In this embodiment, as an example, a thermal roll paper as a recording medium is accommodated in the main body, and a print head 17 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.
In the present embodiment, the print data output from the host computer 6 to the printer 1 includes a command for instructing printing, and character and image data to be printed. In addition, the printer 1 can register and store an image to be printed (such as a logo) in advance. When the print data output from the host computer 6 includes data specifying an image registered in the printer 1, the printer 1 prints the specified image.

The printer 1 includes a printer control board 10 that controls a printing operation, and an interface board 20 that controls communication between a host computer 6 externally connected to the printer 1. The printer control board 10 and the interface board 20 can be configured to be detachably connected. Specifically, a connector (not shown) may be provided on the printer control board 10, and the interface board 20 or a flexible cable connected to the interface board 20 may be inserted into and removed from the connector.
The printer control board 10 includes a control unit 11, a nonvolatile memory 12, a buffer memory 13, and a printing unit 14. The control unit 11 controls each unit of the printer 1. The nonvolatile memory 12 stores programs executed by the control unit 11 and various data. Specifically, the nonvolatile memory 12 is configured by a semiconductor storage element such as an EEPROM or a flash memory. The buffer memory 13 temporarily stores data received from the host computer 6. The buffer memory 13 is a volatile storage device that stores commands, data, and the like input from the interface board 20 to the control unit 11 in the order of reception. The printing unit 14 executes printing by controlling a driving unit included in the printer 1.

The printer 1 includes a print head 17 connected to the printing unit 14, a transport motor 18, and a cutter unit 19. The print head 17 prints characters, images, and the like by applying heat to the recording surface of the thermal roll paper. The transport motor 18 rotates a transport roller (not shown) based on the drive current and drive pulse output from the printing unit 14 and transports the thermal roll paper by a necessary amount. The cutter unit 19 cuts the heat-sensitive roll paper after printing at a predetermined timing based on the drive current output by the printing unit 14.
Further, the printer 1 includes a paper sensor 15 connected to the control unit 11. The paper sensor 15 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the thermal roll paper on the conveyance path of the thermal roll paper and that the remaining amount of the thermal roll paper has become a predetermined amount or less, and outputs a detection value to the control unit 11.

  The control unit 11 executes a program read from the nonvolatile memory 12, and based on commands and data stored in the buffer memory 13 and a detection value of the paper sensor 15, a head driver ( (Not shown) is driven. The control unit 11 controls energization of each heating element of the head driver and controls the printing unit 14 to operate the transport motor 18 and the cutter unit 19 to perform printing on the thermal roll paper.

The control unit 11 is connected to a main controller 21 mounted on the interface board 20.
The interface board 20 of the present embodiment corresponds to an Ethernet interface and a USB interface as an example. That is, a LAN controller (first interface circuit) 22 and a USB controller (second interface circuit) 23 are connected to the main controller 21 of the interface board 20. The LAN controller 22 controls communication between the printer 1 and the host computer 6 via a LAN (Local Area Network) using Ethernet. Further, the USB controller 23 is configured to control communication between the printer 1 and the host computer 6 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) and to behave as a slave device with respect to the host computer 6.

  The LAN controller 22 is connected to a connector 41 that is a first communication connector exposed to the outside of the interface board 20. The USB controller 23 is connected to a connector 42 that is a second communication connector exposed to the outside of the interface board 20.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the connectors 41 and 42 included in the interface board 20, and shows the appearance of the back cover 1 a of the printer 1 that houses the interface board 20.
As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 41 is configured by an 8P8C modular jack (female jack) generally called a LAN modular jack. The connector 41 has a receiving opening 43 that is exposed to the outside of the back cover 1a. A LAN cable 51 having an 8P8C modular plug (LAN modular plug) is connected to the connector 41, and the host computer 6 is connected via the LAN cable 51. In this embodiment, a modular jack is illustrated as a communication connector having a receiving port, but any communication connector having a recess may be used.
The connector 42 has a Micro USB female terminal 44 conforming to the USB standard, and the female terminal 44 is exposed outside the back cover 1a. A USB cable 52 having a Micro USB male terminal is connected to the connector 42, and the host computer 6 is connected via the USB cable 52.

As shown in FIG. 2 as an example of the arrangement of the connector 41 and the connector 42, the connector 42 has an electrical and physical influence on the connection of the LAN cable 51 to the connector 41 inside the receiving port 43 of the connector 41. It is arranged at the position without.
In the present embodiment, the connector 42 is disposed at a position avoiding the connector pin of the connector 41. Although not shown, the micro USB male terminal fitting is provided with two claws projecting outside at a position opposite to the electrical contact portion, and the claws are hooked on the female terminal and are difficult to remove. It becomes the structure which becomes. The connector 42 is arranged so that the protruding direction of the nail of the male terminal inserted into the female terminal 44 faces the connector pin side of the connector 41. That is, the connector 42 is disposed such that the electrical contact portion is in a direction opposite to the electrical contact portion of the connector 41.

As described above, since the connector 42 is provided inside the jack of the connector 41, the connection to the connectors 41 and 42 is exclusive or alternative, and the host computer 6 is simultaneously connected to both the connectors 41 and 42. It is not possible. For this reason, in FIG. 1, the host computer 6 connected to the connector 41 is indicated by a solid line, and the host computer 6 connected to the connector 42 is indicated by a virtual line.
As described above, the host computer 6 can be connected to the connector 41 via the LAN cable 51 in the printer 1. Further, the host computer 6 can be connected to the connector 42 via the USB cable 52.

When the printer 1 is turned on and the host computer 6 is not connected to any of the connectors 41 and 42, the printer 1 is in a standby state with respect to the connection of the host computer 6. Specifically, the main controller 21 of the interface board 20 enters a standby state in which connection between the USB controller 23 and the LAN controller 22 is detected, and performs processing for establishing a connection when the connection is detected.
In the standby state, when the host computer 6 is connected to the connector 41, the connection of the host computer 6 is detected by the functions of the main controller 21 and the LAN controller 22, and communication control between the printer 1 and the host computer 6 is performed. Is called. In this case, the control unit 11 controls the printing unit 14 based on print data received from the host computer 6 via the connector 41, and executes printing.

Further, when the host computer 6 is connected to the connector 42 in the standby state, the main controller 21 detects the connection of the host computer 6 based on a change in terminal voltage, an input signal, or the like by the function of the USB controller 23. . When the host computer 6 is detected, communication control between the printer 1 and the host computer 6 is performed by the functions of the main controller 21 and the USB controller 23.
When communication with the host computer 6 becomes possible via the connector 42, the control unit 11 shifts to the setting mode. The setting mode is an operation mode in which the printer 1 receives setting data related to the printing operation from the host computer 6 via the connector 42 and performs settings related to the printing operation based on the received setting data. The contents set in the setting mode include, for example, registration of an image such as a logo, on / off of an automatic cutting function by the cutter unit 19, the language used (printed) by the printer 1, the size (width) of the thermal roll paper, printing For example, setting of resolution. In the setting mode, settings relating to a network for receiving print data may be performed. For example, the network address of the LAN controller 22, the presence / absence of encryption, a network ID, a password, and the like may be set.
In contrast to the setting mode, an operation mode in which printing is performed under the control of the control unit 11 is referred to as a normal mode. The control unit 11 performs switching between the normal mode and the setting mode. In the setting mode, the control operation of the printing unit 14 by the control unit 11 is stopped and cannot be executed during the setting mode.
The standby state described above is an operation state of the interface board 20, and the setting mode and the normal mode are operation modes of the printer control board 10.

When the connection of the host computer 6 to the connector 42 is detected, for example, the main controller 21 notifies (or instructs) the control unit 11 to shift to the setting mode. That is, the printer control board 10 shifts to the setting mode by the control of the interface board 20. Thereby, when the host computer 6 is connected to the connector 42, it is possible to promptly shift to the setting mode. As described above, the interface board 20 can be replaced. For example, an interface board having only a USB interface such as the connector 42 can be mounted on the printer 1. In this case, since the USB interface receives not only the setting data related to the printing operation but also the printing data, it is preferable not to execute the setting mode even if the connection to the USB interface is detected. It is more preferable if the setting related to the printing operation can be performed in the normal mode. Therefore, the configuration in which the interface board 20 controls the switching of the operation mode of the printer control board 10 has an advantage that the switching of the operation mode can be controlled in accordance with the type of interface mounted on the interface board 20.
When the connection of the host computer 6 to the connector 42 is detected, the operation mode may be switched from the normal mode to the setting mode under the control of the control unit 11 of the printer control board 10. In this case, since the control unit 11 that executes the print control switches the operation mode, the printing operation and the switching of the operation mode can be integrated and controlled, and the processing load on the interface board 20 can be reduced.

  When the printer 1 is turned on by operating a power switch (not shown), the printer 1 shifts to the above-described standby state, and executes an operation of detecting whether or not the host computer 6 is connected to the connectors 41 and 42. Since the connector 42 is connected to the USB controller 23, the connection of the host computer 6 can be automatically detected by a procedure defined by the USB standard. Further, the main controller 21 can detect whether the host computer 6 is connected to the connector 41 based on the detection state of the USB controller 23 and the data reception state from the host computer 6.

Here, the operation when the host computer 6 is connected to the connector 42 in the standby state and when the host computer 6 is connected to the connector 41 will be described in detail.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation when the host computer 6 is connected to the connector 42 in the standby state. 3A shows the operation of the host computer 6, FIG. 3B shows the operation of the interface board 20, and FIG. 3C shows the operation of the printer control board 10.

  When the printer 1 is turned on, the interface board 20 shifts to a standby state (step S21), the USB controller 23 detects the bus power voltage to the connector 42, and determines whether or not the USB is connected to the connector 42. To detect. When it is detected that the USB is connected to the connector 42 (step S21: Yes), the USB controller 23 and the main controller 21 establish a USB connection by transmitting / receiving a prescribed packet to / from the host computer 6 (step S21). S22, step S11).

After establishing the USB connection, the main controller 21 notifies the control unit 11 of the transition to the setting mode (step S23). When the control unit 11 receives a notification of transition from the interface board 20 to the setting mode, the control unit 11 starts the setting mode (step S31).
When the USB connection with the printer 1 is established, the host computer 6 transmits setting data to the printer 1 via the connector 42 (step S12). The USB controller 23 and the main controller 21 receive the setting data transmitted from the host computer 6, and output the received setting data to the printer control board 10 (step S24). The control unit 11 receives the setting data from the interface board 20 and executes the setting according to the received setting data (step S32).

  Subsequently, the USB controller 23 and the main controller 21 detect whether or not the connection of the connector 42 has been released (step S25). When it is detected that the USB connection is released (step S25: Yes), the main controller 21 notifies the control unit 11 that the USB connection is released (step S26). The control unit 11 receives the USB connection release notification from the interface board 20, and returns to the standby state in which the host computer 6 is waited for connection (step S33).

In the example of FIG. 3, the configuration has been described in which when the host computer 6 is connected to the interface board 20 by USB, the printer control board 10 notifies the interface board 20 of the transition to the setting mode.
The present invention is not limited to this, and as a modified example, when the USB connection between the printer 1 and the host computer 6 is established, the mode may be shifted to the setting mode by the control of the control unit 11. In this case, the main controller 21 of the interface board 20 may notify the control unit 11 that the host computer 6 is connected by USB.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation when the host computer 6 is connected to the connector 41 in the standby state. 4A shows the operation of the host computer 6, FIG. 4B shows the operation of the interface board 20, and FIG. 4C shows the operation of the printer control board 10.
When the main controller 21 is in a standby state (step S51) and detects that the connector 41 is connected to the LAN (step S51: Yes), the LAN connection with the host computer 6 is performed by the function of the LAN controller 22. Is established (step S52, step S41).

After establishing the LAN connection, the main controller 21 notifies the control unit 11 that the LAN connection has been established (step S53). When notified from the interface board 20 that the LAN connection has been established, the control unit 11 controls the printing unit 14 to start a printing operation (step S61).
When the LAN connection is established with the printer 1, the host computer 6 transmits print data to the printer 1 (step S42). The print data transmitted from the host computer 6 is received by the interface board 20 and transferred to the printer control board 10 (step S62), and the control unit 11 executes printing based on the print data (step S63).

As described above, according to the embodiment to which the present invention is applied, the printer 1 includes the printing unit 14, the first communication connector 41 that receives print data, and the second communication connector 42 that receives setting data. And one of the first and second communication connectors 41 and 42 has a terminal 44 disposed inside the other receiving port 43.
According to this configuration, since the terminal of one communication connector 42 is disposed inside the receiving port 43 of the other communication connector 41, the first communication connector 41 and the second communication connector 42 are simultaneously connected to the external device. Is never connected. Therefore, an external device can be exclusively connected to the intended communication connector among the plurality of communication connectors 41 and 42.

  The printer 1 also includes a control unit 11 that controls the printing unit 14 based on print data to execute printing, and performs settings related to a printing operation based on the setting data. According to this configuration, one of the plurality of communication connectors 41 and 42 to which the exclusive function is assigned is arranged inside the other and cannot be connected at the same time, thereby erroneously connecting the plurality of communication connectors 41 and 42. It is possible to reduce the burden of connection work.

  In addition, when the second communication connector 42 is connected to the host computer 6, the printer 1 executes a setting mode in which the printing unit 14 is not controlled by the control unit 11. Accordingly, for example, the setting mode can be executed without the user performing a manual operation such as switching a switch, so that the setting mode can be easily executed. In addition, as described above, one of the plurality of connectors 41 and 42 to which an exclusive function is assigned is arranged inside the other and cannot be connected at the same time. Therefore, both the connectors 41 and 42 are mistakenly connected to the host computer. 6 will not be connected. For this reason, the burden of connection work can be reduced.

Also, a printer control board 10 on which the control unit 11 is mounted, a LAN controller 22 connected to the printer control board 10 and connected to the first communication connector 41, and a USB controller connected to the second communication connector 42. The printer control board 10 executes the setting mode when the second communication connector 42 is connected to the host computer 6. For this reason, when the host computer 6 is connected to the connector 42, the printing operation can be reliably stopped.
The printer 1 executes the setting mode under the control of the interface board 20 when the second communication connector 42 is connected to the host computer 6. According to this configuration, the printer 1 can control the connection of the host computer 6 to the first and second communication connectors 41 and 42 by the interface board 20, and can quickly establish and release the connection. Can do. When the host computer 6 is connected to the second communication connector 42, the setting mode can be quickly executed under the control of the interface board 20.

  The first communication connector 41 is a LAN modular jack, and the terminal of the second communication connector 42 is a USB terminal. Accordingly, the second communication connector 42 can be provided by effectively using the space inside the jack of the first communication connector 41. In addition, since the second communication connector 42 can be provided with a connection detection function, either when the host computer 6 is connected to the second communication connector 42 or when it is connected to the first communication connector 41. In addition, the host computer 6 can be detected quickly.

The interface board 20 is connected to the printer control board 10 that controls the printing unit 14 in the printer 1 to execute printing, and the first communication connector 41 that receives print data and the second communication connector 41 that receives setting data. A communication connector 42, and one of the first and second communication connectors 41, 42 has a terminal 44 disposed inside the other receiving port 43.
According to this configuration, two connectors that are not used at the same time can be arranged together in the space of one connector, so that a useless space generated in the interface board 20 can be eliminated and space saving can be achieved. . Further, the host computer 6 is not simultaneously connected to the first and second communication connectors 41 and 42, and the connection to the plurality of connectors 41 and 42 can be made exclusive or alternative.

  In addition, the said embodiment shows one specific example to which this invention is applied, and this invention is not limited to this. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the host computer 6 is connected to the printer 1 via the first communication connector 41 in a one-to-one relationship has been described as an example. The configuration is not limited, and the first communication connector 41 may be configured such that a plurality of host computers 6 can be connected via a network.

  The present invention can also be applied to printing devices such as dot impact printers, ink jet printers, thermal sublimation printers, laser printers, etc., and can also be applied to printers incorporated in other devices, The application target is not limited.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer (printing apparatus), 6 ... Host computer (external device), 10 ... Printer control board, 11 ... Control part, 20 ... Interface board, 21 ... Main controller, 22 ... LAN controller (1st interface circuit), 23 ... USB controller (second interface circuit), 41 ... connector (first communication connector), 42 ... connector (second communication connector), 43 ... receiving port, 44 ... female terminal (terminal), 51 ... LAN Cable, 52 ... USB cable.

Claims (7)

A printing section;
A first communication connector for receiving print data;
A second communication connector for receiving configuration data;
With
Either one of the first and second communication connectors has a terminal disposed inside the other receiving port,
A printing apparatus characterized by the above. A control unit that controls the printing unit based on the print data to execute printing, and performs settings related to a printing operation based on the setting data;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the second communication connector is connected to an external device, a setting mode in which the control unit does not control the printing unit is executed. A control board on which the control unit is mounted;
A first interface circuit connected to the control board and connected to the first communication connector; and an interface board carrying a second interface circuit connected to the second communication connector;
The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control board executes the setting mode when the second communication connector is connected to an external device.   5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the second communication connector is connected to an external device, the setting mode is executed under the control of the interface board.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communication connector is a LAN modular jack, and the terminal included in the second communication connector is a USB terminal. Connected to a control board for controlling the printing unit and executing printing in the printing apparatus;
A first communication connector for receiving print data;
A second communication connector for receiving setting data;
Either one of the first and second communication connectors has a terminal disposed inside the other receiving port,
An interface board characterized by

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