JP2787093B2 - Printer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device which is connected to a host device such as a host computer and performs a printing operation in accordance with print information sent from the host device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, page printers have become widespread as printer devices connected to document creation devices such as word processors and office computers. Such a page printer includes an image generation control unit (commonly called an interface (I / F) controller) for transmitting and receiving data to and from a host computer, and a printing unit having a print head (exposure head) and a photosensitive drum. It is configured.

[0003] That is, this type of page printer uses an I / F.
In the controller, the character code transmitted from the host computer is converted into a character pattern (image) composed of dots, expanded on a bitmap memory (frame memory), and the image data expanded on this frame memory Is printed out on a printing paper by a printing unit.

In such a printer, the print information transmitted from the host computer includes coded code data corresponding to characters, graphic images, and the like, and a print operation defined in advance in the printer. And print operation designation information (hereinafter, referred to as a command) for instructing execution of the command.

[0005] The code data representing the above characters and the like is based on JI
Common ones are used according to standards such as S (ASCII) code (partly, codes uniquely defined by machines are used). On the other hand, in the case of the above command, since there is no unified standard, a command uniquely defined by each printer maker is used.

However, since the host computer and the printer are separate and independent, it is not determined what standard printer is connected to the host computer. In view of this, the host computer is adapted to output commands of various printer manufacturers by variously changing the printer driver of the application software.

On the printer side, more and more printers are equipped with a command analysis program so that printing can be performed not only for commands unique to the company but also for commands defined for printers of other companies. (Usually called an emulated printer). That is, if you stick to the command of a specific printer device,
It is not versatile and unacceptable to the market, so it can handle commands from other companies.

In this case, since there are many types of commands for the printer, even if the same command is used, it means that a completely different printing operation is designated.
It cannot simply respond to all printer commands. However, since it is unlikely that a command for a different type of printer device is output from the host computer at the same time, information indicating the type of command is set in advance by a setting switch or the like, or the command is received by receiving the information from the host computer side. By switching the analysis programs correspondingly, various commands can be handled.

A specific example of the corresponding method will be described below. However, in the following description, the type of command independently created by each printer maker is referred to as a "type", and a command group classified by this type is referred to as a "system". , "Type B command system". The "type A command" means a command that can be defined by the company, and the "type B command" means an existing command defined by another company. That is, since the grammar (syntax) of the type B command is an existing one, it is assumed that there is no degree of freedom in setting.

In order to operate various command systems and functions on the same printer, (1) method A: a method of operating by a command for switching the command system (2) method B: an external ROM storing a command program (3) Method C: A new command is defined in the same system while avoiding the existing syntax. The three methods are used alone or in combination. I have.

In the method A, as shown in FIG. 5A, a program corresponding to two different command systems is provided in a command analysis program (ROM), and a transition is made between the two command systems by a switching command. It is a system that is configured to Here, a switch command to the type B command system is included in the type A command system, and a switch command to the type A command system is included in the type B command system. That is, each time a command of another system is used, the host computer outputs a command for switching the command system, and the printer apparatus receiving the command changes the command analysis program. However, a command for instructing switching to the B system (hereinafter, referred to as a B type change command) is an A type analysis program, and a command for instructing switching to the A system (hereinafter, referred to as an A type change command) is Since the analysis is performed by the B type analysis program, the syntax of the A type change command is
It must be defined to avoid duplication with type commands.

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of a printer apparatus to which the method A is applied. That is, the code data of characters and the like transmitted from the host computer 100 is a standardized code data analysis program 1.
02 analyzed by character generator (CG)
The image data is converted into a character pattern (image) composed of dots by 104 and is developed on a bitmap memory (frame memory) 108 by an image data processing unit 106. The image data developed on the frame memory 108 is printed by a printing unit 110. Is printed out on the printing paper.

On the other hand, the command sent from the host computer 100 is analyzed by the command analysis program 112, and the printing operation processing unit 114 performs an operation according to the analysis result. Here, two types of command analysis programs 112 are prepared, one for an A-type command and one for a B-type command, and are switched by the print operation processing unit 114 in response to the reception of the switching command.

In the above method B, as shown in FIG. 5C, by mounting an emulation cartridge (EMC) 116 in which a command program of another system is stored, commands of the other system are supported. It is a method. Here, the switching between the types A and B is performed when the power is turned off, that is, the operation for initializing the setting of the command program and E
It is necessary to insert and remove the MC 116. In this method B, since not all users need a command analysis program of both types A and B, an EMC (external ROM) can be selectively attached, the ROM capacity is reduced, and the cost is reduced. It can be down. In this method B, since the command system is completely distinguished and used,
There is no effect if syntax is duplicated.

As shown in FIG. 5D, the above method C avoids the existing type B command syntax and defines a new type A command syntax. There is no duplication of tax, and therefore, there is no need to switch the command system. That is, instead of using the analysis programs completely differently as in the method A, the number of unique commands is increased into analysis programs of the same system using syntax that does not overlap with existing ones. . In other words, when defining a company-specific command, the company's own command is newly added to the command system of another company. Therefore, the function of the command system A unique to the company can be used without changing the command system without changing the command system B.

[0016]

There are many commands defined by other companies (type B1).
-Bn). Therefore, if a model equipped with a proprietary command (type A) and any one of the types B1 to Bn of a command analysis program is developed for each B type command type, the n types of command analysis programs are Equipped with a printer device.

[0017] However, a printer apparatus which can handle all types of the A type and all the B1 to Bn types is
A command analysis program for all commands must be installed, and the data becomes enormous, which is not practically feasible. Therefore, a model that covers one type of the type B and the command type A of the company is developed. That is, type A + type B1 model 1, type A + type B2 model 2,..., Type A
+ N types of printers of model n of type Bn are prepared.

In such a case, in order to use the type A command developed in-house by the above-mentioned method A as a syntax common to all models, the type A change command is already used in all commands of types B1 to Bn. Syntax must be used, and avoidance settings are cumbersome and difficult. Also, in the case of the above-described method C, similarly, it is necessary to design a command of the type A by avoiding all the syntaxes used for the types B1 to Bn, and the number of emulated models (= As n) increases, evasion becomes virtually impossible.

Further, in the method C, if a command having the same syntax is added to the type B command after the command A has been defined (other companies freely change and add), the duplication is made. When a command is generated, a trouble such as a malfunction of the printer device occurs.

In the above-mentioned method B, since the command analysis program is used independently for each type, duplication of commands is allowed, but a reset by power-off is always required at the time of change. There is a problem that.

As described above, if the above-described methods A and C are used to realize various command systems and functions in the same printer, the type A has a command system and a function common to each model of the company. When B is an emulation command system of a model of another company, the command syntax of type A cannot be common to each model of the company. Also, if the above method B is used, the command syntax of type A can be common to each model of the company,
To switch, the power must be turned off.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and eliminates the need to design a definition of a proprietary command developed in-house, taking into account the commands of other companies. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer device that is not required.

[0023]

In other words, the printer device of the present invention is arranged such that the upper-level device is provided prior to the print operation designation command information.
An n-byte (n is an integer of 2 or more) code input from the device
Receiving means for receiving an identifier consisting of a combination of password information
And print operation designation command information according to the first command information definition
The first printing operation which analyzes the data and converts it into the corresponding printing control information
Operation designation command information analysis means and a second command information definition.
Analyzes the print operation designation command information and corresponding print control information
A second print operation designation command information analyzing means for converting the
Identifying means for identifying the identifier received by the receiving means
And the received printing operation designation command information by the identification means.
A first print operation designation command information analyzing means or
Supply to any one of the second print operation designation command information analyzing means.
Selection means, the selection means comprising:
After the recognition of the identifier indicating the right
The first command is supplied to the first print operation designation command information analyzing means, and the second command
The data to be entered after recognition of the identifier indicating the
The information is supplied to a second print operation designation command information analyzing means .

[0024]

According to the present invention, a first command information definition is provided.
Analyzes the print operation designation command information according to
First print operation specifying instruction information analyzing means for converting the information into control information
And print operation designation command information according to the second command information definition
The second printing operation which analyzes the data and converts it into the corresponding printing control information
Operation designation command information analyzing means, and the receiving means performs printing operation
N bytes input from the host device before the specified command information
(N is an integer of 2 or more).
Receiving the identifier, the identification means being received by the receiving means.
The selecting means identifies the received print operation designation command.
Command information according to the identification result of the identification means in the first printing operation.
Designation command information analysis means or second printing operation designation command information solution
To any one of the
Is input after the recognition of the identifier indicating the first command information definition
A predetermined amount of data is stored in the first print operation designation command information analysis means.
After the recognition of the identifier supplied to the stage and indicating the second instruction information definition
The input data is converted into the second print operation designation command information analysis means.
Supply to the stage. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need to design the definition of a command developed in-house by taking into account the commands of other companies, and to provide a printer device that does not require power-off for switching the command analysis program.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing embodiments of the present invention, a description will be given of an HDA (Host Download Architecture) system used by the present invention. The HDA system is a data transfer system for downloading and printing specific print data from a host computer connected via a network line to a page printer connected to a terminal computer.

For a page printer connected to a terminal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a local host), a specific (eg, form print information) print information is loaded from a main computer (hereinafter, referred to as a main host). If it is desired to print out the data, the load data includes special command data as an operation command of the printer. For example, JIS extension code "ESC"
(JISX0201 "Code for information exchange").

Here, "ESC" is a hexadecimal number (hereinafter, H
“1B _H ” ( _H is HEX)
Code). However, there are limitations on the codes that can be transferred over a network line.
Code of "00 _H" - "1F _H" may not be transferred. In such a case, “1B _H ” representing “ESC”
Cannot be downloaded as it is.

Therefore, in order to make such command data transferable, in the HDA system, the HEX code itself is converted into a JIS character code and transferred. That is,
“1” is JIS text code “ _31H ”, “B”
It is expressed in the same manner as "42 _H", and can be transferred. However, when command data is transferred by such conversion,
Simple as it is "31 _H" is the printer side if you send to "1", such as "42 _H" is "B", it can not be interpreted only as text, misunderstand the character of the 1-byte code.

Therefore, in the HDA system, the command data sent by such a method is provided with an identifier indicating that up to how many bytes of the data to be transferred are command data, and then downloaded. ing. This identifier may be anything, for example, ““? ”“! ”“! ”“? A character string that cannot be used as a normal sentence, such as "", is used.

For example, as shown in FIG.
““ ESC ”“ (”“ H ”“ C ”“ A ”“ S ”“ I ”
If there is a command “O”, the HEX code notation is “1B _H 28 _H 48 _H 43 _H 41 _H 53 _H 49 _H”.
4F _H ". This is converted as described above, and an HDA header portion including an identifier at the head and a value indicating the data length is inserted after the identifier. ”“! ”“! ”“? ""
"" 0 "" 0 "" 0 "" 8 """1""B""2"
“8” “4” “8” “4” “3” “4” “1” “5”
"3", "4", "9", "4", "F". This is HE
In the X code notation, "3F _H 21 _H 21 _H 3F _H"
"30 _H 30 _H 30 _H 38 _H" "31 _H 42 _H 32 _H 3
8 _H 34 _H 38 _H 34 _H 33 _H 34 _H 31 _H 35 _H 33
By transferring the data of _{H 34 H 39 H 34 H 46} H ", system that HDA is being performed.

On the printer side receiving this, as shown in FIG. ”“! ”“! ”“? "" Is interpreted as an identifier for command transfer, and the data indicated by the subsequent data length is decoded according to the above rule and interpreted as a command.

In order to realize such an HDA function, the printer needs to have a functional configuration as shown in FIG. That is, the centro data receiving unit 1
Receives data from the host in 1-byte units. HDA
The function processing unit 2 converts 2-byte data into 1-byte data. The command analysis unit 3 analyzes a command sent from the host. The reception buffer 4 stores data that has been subjected to command analysis by the command analysis unit 3. The command execution unit 5 executes a command stored in the reception buffer 4.

That is, on the host side, the conversion of the HDA format is performed for the output of the normal command and character. This conversion processing is performed by a two-digit HEX code of a command and a character.
The EX value is converted into a character expression, and an HDA header is added at the beginning.

When the printer receives the data in the HDA format, the command analysis unit 3 recognizes the HDA header, and the HDA function processing unit 2 transmits data of a designated length after the HDA header. By passing
The 2-byte data is converted into 1-byte data and passed to the command analyzer 3.

An embodiment of the present invention utilizing the above-described HDA system will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an interface (I / F) controller of the printer of the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a page printer as the printer of the embodiment.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 10 denotes a host computer as a host device, and reference numeral 20 denotes a page printer. The page printer 20 includes an I / F controller 30, a printing unit 40, and a printer (PR) that connects between the I / F controller 30 and the printing unit 40.
An interface 50 is provided.

The I / F controller 30 includes a host interface (centro data receiving unit) 31, a CPU 3
2, ROM 33, RAM 34, reception buffer 35, image data generator 36, frame memory (FRAM) 3
7.

The host interface 31 includes an 8-bit parallel interface (conforming to Centronics) and a serial interface (conforming to RS-232C), and transmits and receives data to and from the host computer 10 having the same standard interface.

The CPU 32 executes I / O according to a command analysis and system management program stored in the ROM 33.
It controls each part in the F controller 30. in this case,
The CPU 32 includes a bus controller, an address latch, and the like. That is, it is a CPU block that outputs an address and a read / write signal and can read / write data. Also, the RAM 34
Is used as a work area of the CPU 32.

Here, assuming that the command system common to each model is A and the command system for each model is B, the page printer of this embodiment has a command analysis unit and execution unit of A, and a command analysis unit of B. And the execution unit are mounted on one interface controller. That is, the CPU 32, R
By the OM 33 and the RAM 34, as shown in FIG.
Data identification unit 61, HDA function processing unit "A" 62, HD
A function processing unit “B” 63, command analysis unit “A” 64,
Command analyzer "B" 65, text data analyzer 6
6, write processing unit 67 and execution unit 68 (including command execution unit “A” 68a, command execution unit “B” 68b, and character generator (CG) output unit 68c)
Has been realized.

The data identification section 61 identifies data input from the host computer 10. That is, 1-byte data input to the data receiving unit 31 is sequentially read, and 4 bytes are buffered.
DA data (for example, “?” “&” “&” “?”) Or HDA data of command system B (for example,
"? ”“! ”“! ”“? "") Is detected. If they do not match, the text data is analyzed as normal text data by the text data analysis unit 66.
Transfer to ""? "&&"&&"?"" For HD
To the A function processing unit “A” 62, ““? ”“! ”“! "
In the case of "?", It is transferred to the HDA function processing section "B" 63.

The write processing section 67 converts the command into intermediate code data which has been analyzed by the command analysis section 64 or 65 and has been converted into internal control instruction data, or has been converted into the internal CG address by the text data analysis section 66. The received intermediate code data is sequentially transferred to the reception buffer 35.
Write processing to.

As described above, the reception buffer 35 temporarily stores the intermediate code data corresponding to the command and data from the host computer 10 received by the host interface 31.

The image data generator 36 is a CGROM in which a character pattern (image data) corresponding to a character code sent from the host computer 10 is stored.
And a CGRAM in which a character pattern (external character) designed by the user is stored.

The frame memory 37 is a bitmap memory for developing an image for one page, and has a storage capacity for the maximum printable paper (for example, B4 size).

That is, as described above, the reception buffer 35
Is read from the beginning,
The processing program corresponding to the intermediate code is executed by the execution unit 68a or 68b, and the pattern data is read from the corresponding CG address and expanded in the frame memory 37.

The PR interface 50 converts the image data developed in the frame memory 37 from the I / F controller 30 into a video signal and transmits the video signal to the printing unit 40. The printing unit 40 monitors the state of the printing unit 40. Is transmitted to the I / F controller 30.

The printing section 40 includes a printer controller (not shown) and various loads such as a print head controlled by the printer controller, various sensors, and a photosensitive drum. Since the printing unit 40 is not directly related to the gist of the present invention, a detailed description is omitted.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the data sent from the host computer 10 is data, the data receiving unit 31, the data identifying unit 61, the text data analyzing unit 66, the writing processing unit 6
7, reception buffer 35, execution unit 68 (CG output unit 68)
The data shifts to c), and processing is performed. When a normal command is sent from the host computer 10, the data receiving unit 31, the data identifying unit 61, the command analyzing unit "B" 65, the write processing unit 67, the receiving buffer 35, and the executing unit 68 ( Command execution unit "B" 68
The data is shifted to b), and the processing is performed.

Here, the host computer 10 sends the command system B HDA data (“?” “!” “!”
"?") Is sent to the data identification unit 61
Is transmitted to the command analysis unit “B” 65 via the HDA function processing unit “B” 63 to recognize the header portion. Then, the data of the data length recognized by the command analysis unit “B” 65 is converted from 2-byte data to 1-byte data by the HDA function processing unit “B” 63.
The converted data is transferred to the command analysis unit “B” 65, the write processing unit 67, the reception buffer 35, and the execution unit 68 (command execution unit “B” 68b), and is processed.

Here, the HDA data of the command system A (“?” “&” “&”
"?") Is sent to the data identification unit 61
Is transmitted to the command analysis unit “A” 64 via the HDA function processing unit “A” 62 to recognize the header part. Then, the data of the data length recognized by the command analysis unit “A” 64 is converted from 2-byte data to 1-byte data by the HDA function processing unit “A” 62.
The converted data is transferred to the command analysis unit “A” 64, the write processing unit 67, the reception buffer 35, and the execution unit 68 (command execution unit “A” 68a), and is processed. Then, the data after the completion of the HDA format data is processed by the command analyzer “B” 65.

As described above, by using the HDA function, that is, by adding an identifier for distinguishing the command system to the command and outputting the command from the host computer, the command for changing the command system can be omitted. This makes it unnecessary to be aware of overlapping commands in the command system.

That is, conventionally, the proprietary command (type A) syntax of the type B1 emulated model has been changed to a command called A1 group to avoid duplication with the type B1 command, and the proprietary command syntax of the type B2 emulated model has been used. Avoids duplication with the type B2 command,
According to the present invention, as the number of emulation targets increases, the syntax of the own command cannot be unified, and the number of types (A1 to An) must be designed as the number of emulation targets increases. By using, even if multiple command analysis programs with different command systems are prepared, the syntax is not affected by each other, so the syntax can be defined independently by each other, and therefore various emulated models can be used. Even if a large number of products are developed, the syntax of in-house developed commands can be unified into one, and the design burden is drastically reduced.

The identifier assignment processing and the decoding processing can be easily realized because the existing HDA system is utilized.

In the above embodiment, two types of command systems, A and B, have been described, but three or more types of command systems may be mounted. In the embodiment, since the existing HDA system is applied, the 2-byte to 1-byte data conversion process is performed in the HDA function processing unit. However, since only the command identification is not necessarily required, the host computer is not required. The number of bytes conversion process (1 byte → 2 bytes → 1 byte) performed on the printer side and the printer side is as follows.
It can be omitted.

[0056]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to eliminate the necessity of designing the definition of the proprietary command developed in consideration of the commands of other companies, and to provide a printer device which does not require power-off for switching the command analysis program.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an interface controller in a printer device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a diagram for explaining processing on the host computer side in the HDA (host download architecture) system, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating processing on the printer device side in the HDA system; FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration on a printer side for realizing an HDA function.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a page printer as a printer device according to the embodiment.

5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a method of a conventional printer, wherein FIG. 5A shows a method A by a command for switching a command system, and FIG. 5B is a block configuration of the printer to which the method A is applied; FIG. 1C shows a method B by mounting an external ROM storing a command program, and FIG. 2D shows a method C in which a new command is defined in the same system by avoiding the existing syntax. FIG.

[Explanation of Signs] 31: Centro data receiving unit, 35: Receive buffer, 6
1. Data identification unit, 62: HDA function processing unit "A", 6
3 HDA function processing unit “B”, 64 command analysis unit “A”, 65 command analysis unit “B”, 66 text data analysis unit, 67 write processing unit, 68 execution unit,
68a: Command execution unit “A”, 68b: Command execution unit “B”, 68c: CG output unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-1-235670 (JP, A) JP-A-3-142271 (JP, A) JP-A-4-130918 (JP, A) JP-A-62-162 2344 (JP, A) JP-A-62-77960 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 29/38

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] We claim: 1. have your printer apparatus <br/> executing the printing operation processing in accordance with the printing operation specification instruction information sent from the host device, from the host device prior to the printing operation specification instruction information
Of the input n-byte (n is an integer of 2 or more) code information
Receiving means for receiving the identifier comprising the combination, and decomposing the printing operation designation command information according to the first command information definition;
A first print operation finger for analyzing and converting the corresponding print control information
Fixed instruction information analysis means, and interprets the print operation designation instruction information according to the second instruction information definition.
A second print operation finger for analyzing and converting the corresponding print control information
Fixed instruction information analyzing means, and an identification means for identifying the identifier received by the receiving means.
And the print operation designation command information received by the identification means.
The first print operation designation command information analyzing means or the second
The selection to be supplied to any of the print operation designation command information analysis means
And a-option means, said selection means, recognition of the identifier indicating the first instruction information definition
The predetermined amount of data to be input later is the first print operation designation command.
Identification to supply to the information analysis means and to indicate the second instruction information definition
The data to be input after the recognition of the child
A printer device for supplying the information to information analysis means . 2. A top Ki識 Besshi the printer apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a special combination of ASCII code.