JP2803598B2 - 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, and more particularly to a printer suitable for personal use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as personal computers have become more sophisticated and lower in price, their use in ordinary households has increased.

Further, as indicated by the term "multimedia", it has become easy and inexpensive to fetch, process and edit image data from a CD-ROM or scanner.

[0004] Accordingly, the demand for printers that can be used in ordinary households has increased, and small and inexpensive products have been marketed.

As shown in FIG. 4, a conventional printer device includes a CPU 21 for controlling the entire operation,
ROM 22 that stores control procedures (programs) and print data for maintenance tests, RAM 23 that temporarily stores print data from a higher-level device, and print control means 24 that controls printing operations based on print data. When,
A print unit 25 that prints out the print data under the control of the print control unit 24.

[0006] When the CPU 21 receives print data from a higher-level device via an external interface unit (not shown), the print data is stored in the RAM 23.

When the received print data reaches a predetermined amount, the CPU 21 reads the print data from the RAM 23,
Output to the print control unit 24. Further, the print control unit 2
Reference numeral 4 controls the operation of the printing unit 25 to output the print data.

When receiving a maintenance test print request from an operation panel (not shown), the CPU 21
The maintenance test print data stored in the OM 22 is sequentially read and output to the print control unit 24.

As described above, printing can be performed by a single printer without connecting a higher-level device.

[0010] However, this test printing is usually for confirming the operation of the print control unit (maintenance), and for promoting sales promotion at a store or the like for promotion of sales to customers. It was not.

In recent years, as the operating system of personal computers has become more sophisticated, printers called GDI printers and dumb printers which are aimed at small and low-priced personal use have been growing remarkably.

In this case, all print data including characters, figures, images and the like are developed into a bitmap on a personal computer as a host device, and the bitmap data is sent to a printer. .

Therefore, these printers do not require font data or a character generator for drawing characters, nor do they need a drawing function for drawing lines, and use bitmaps sent from a higher-level device. It has the function of simply printing data as it is.

Therefore, in such a printer, when test printing is to be performed, bitmap data for test printing must be stored in the ROM, but a plurality of bitmap data for the purpose of appealing to customers must be stored. It is difficult to mount a large amount of test print data on the printer body, which is contrary to miniaturization and cost reduction.

[0015] However, recently, there has been a great change in the sales form in the market. In many cases, the printer device is displayed at a store alone with the printer device alone, and the host computer is not always located nearby. is there.

That is, in such a case, various kinds of test printing for indicating the performance of the printing unit of the printer cannot be performed. Various types of test printing refer to test printing for printing a print sample showing accuracy such as gradation expression (gradation) and sharpness of character printing.

[0017]

In the above conventional example, the GD
Since the I printer and the dumb printer cannot perform test printing by the printer alone, there is an inconvenience that a print quality demonstration cannot be performed for a customer at a store.

Therefore, in order to solve this inconvenience, a device called a demo box, which is connected to an external interface unit of a printer only for use at a retail store, has only been developed for taking a print sample. Very expensive and almost unpopular.

[0019]

An object of the present invention is an object of the invention, such prior art to improve the disadvantages possessed by, even though it is not particularly connected host device, Kirutotomo in that perform various test printing by itself
Another object of the present invention is to provide a small and inexpensive printer device having high expandability .

[0020]

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a printing unit for printing out print data transmitted from a host device on a recording medium, a printing control unit for controlling the operation of the printing unit, and an operator. comprising an operation panel for performing various instructions, a CPU for controlling the control timing and operation panel of the printing control unit in accordance with a predetermined control procedure, the CPU, Te
RO data for additional printing pre-stored various print data for strike printing
Extension means for detachably mounting M or additional RAM
Connected. Further, a CPU is provided in the expansion means.
Is an additional RAM or an additional ROM
Function to check if there is any
If this is an additional RAM, send it from the host device
Of the receive buffer that temporarily stores the
The function set in the storage area and the one equipped in the expansion means
If the ROM is for expansion, test from the operation panel.
When the print instruction is received, the
Test to read the print data and output it to the print control unit.
Print function.

In the present invention specified by each of these items, first, when performing test printing without transmitting print data from a higher-level device, the operator performs a test according to information such as a message displayed on an operation panel. Select the print mode and key in the print content.

When the CPU receives the test print request from the operation panel, it reads out the print data from the extension storage unit via the extension unit and prints it via the print control unit.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
A description will be given based on FIG.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes an interface means 6 for receiving print data from a host device 10,
A RAM 7 for temporarily storing print data received via the interface means 6, a print control unit 8 for controlling printing based on the print data, and a ROM 5 for storing control procedures and various control information (hereinafter simply referred to as ROM5)
An extended storage unit 1 (expansion ROM 1 ) for storing various print data for test printing, an operation panel 3 for an operator to instruct test printing, and an extended storage unit (extended storage unit).
An expansion ROM 2 for mounting an additional ROM 1 or an additional RAM, and operates according to the control procedure stored in the ROM 5. When a test print instruction is issued from the operation panel 3, the expansion storage 1 The CPU 4 reads out print data and prints it via the print control unit 8.

Here, the CPU 4 is configured in the form of a sequence control circuit having a clock pulse generation circuit, a delay circuit, a gate circuit, other logic circuits, and the like, which is usually called a CPU board.

When the power is turned on, the CPU 4
The control procedure (program) stored in the ROM 5 is sequentially read, and various controls are performed based on the contents. As shown in FIG. 3, a SIMM connector (single in-line memory module) which is widely used in recent years for connecting an extension RAM of a personal computer is provided in the extension means 2, as shown in FIG.
e, a type of RAM) . However, it is not limited to this. For example, a connector for DIMM may be used.

The terminal of the SIMM connector is an address line A
0 to A9, data lines D0 to D35, column address signals CAS0 to CAS3, row address signals RAS0 to RA
S3, write signal WE, power supply Vcc, ground Vss,
And detection signals PD1 to PD4. Also,
As shown in FIG.
Flash memory (extended ROM) 1a to 1d. However, the mounting number and the type of the storage medium are not limited to these.

Here, the SIMM connector is designed on the assumption that a RAM is connected as a storage medium. Therefore, when a ROM is connected as a storage medium as in the present embodiment, each of the connections is connected to the SIMM connector. The signal line cannot be used as it is.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, an address generator 1e for generating an address signal for each flash memory based on each signal line, and a read signal generator for generating a read signal for each flash memory. 1f.

The operation panel 3 includes a display unit for notifying the operator of various information such as messages and data, and a key unit for the operator to give an instruction.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(1). When the power is turned on, the CPU 4 initializes the RAM 7 (step S1 in FIG. 2) and the print control unit 8 (step S2 in FIG. 2).

Here, a diagnosis may be made as to whether or not the operation is normal.

(2). Subsequently, the CPU 4 checks via the extension means 2 whether or not the extension storage means 1 is mounted (Step S3 in FIG. 2). This is expansion means 2
Can be determined from the output of each signal line.

(3). Here, when the CPU 4 determines that the extended storage means 1 is not mounted, the CPU 4 waits for data input from the host device 10 (step S6 in FIG. 2).

That is, in this case, it is determined that the test printing function of the printer alone is not installed, and
Only the data from the host device 10 is printed.

On the other hand, if the CPU 4 determines that the extended storage means 1 is mounted, then the extended storage means 1
M is checked (step S in FIG. 2).
4).

Here, the determination is made based on whether or not data can be written to a specific address of the extended storage means 1.

(4). When the CPU 4 determines that the mounted extended storage means 1 is a RAM, the CPU 4 initializes the extended storage means (RAM) 1 (step S5 in FIG. 2).
Then, it enters a state of waiting for data input from the host device 10 (step S6 in FIG. 2).

That is, in this case, the extended storage unit 1
Is used to temporarily store print data from the host device 10 as in the RAM 7. That is, it has a function of a reception buffer.

Therefore, test printing cannot be performed by the printer alone.

On the other hand, the CPU 4 has the
If it is determined that it is not, then it is checked whether the extended storage means 1 is a ROM (step S7 in FIG. 2).

Here, the CPU 4 reads out the data stored at a specific address of the extended storage means 1 and matches it with a preset value, and when data other than the specific data cannot be written,
It detects that the ROM is connected.

(5). Here, when the CPU 4 determines that the extended storage means 1 is a ROM, the extended storage means (RO
M) It is in a print waiting state for the test print data stored in 1 (step S8 in FIG. 2).

That is, test printing becomes possible.

The operator instructs the test print mode from the operation panel 3, selects one of the plurality of print data, and inputs the data from the operation panel 3.

When receiving the test print start request from the operation panel 3, the CPU 4 reads out the test print data stored in the expansion storage means (ROM) 1 via the expansion means 2 and controls the print control unit 8. To start printing.

Here, as means for transferring print data from the extended storage means (ROM) 1 to the print control unit 8, DMA
It is also possible to use a controller.

On the other hand, the CPU 4 determines that the extended storage
If it is not M, an abnormal process is performed (step S9 in FIG. 2).

As described above, by instructing test printing from the operation panel, the operator can easily perform test printing even when the host device is not connected.

Further, since a SIMM connector is used as the extension means 2, if test printing is unnecessary, the extension storage means may be removed from the connector. That is, it is possible to easily mount the extended storage means (ROM) only on the products to be displayed at the store.

Further, if a RAM is attached to the SIMM connector, the reception buffer from the host device can be enlarged. That is, the function can be expanded according to a request from the user.

[0053]

Since the present invention is constructed and functions as described above, according to this, when the operator requests test printing from the operation panel, the test is performed from the ROM connected via the general-purpose extension means (connector). , It is possible to select and extract predetermined print data and perform a test print.
Even if the host device is not connected, the printing performance can be instantly demonstrated in front of customers like a store, without adversely affecting downsizing and price reduction, and expansion means. If you attach RAM to
The receiving buffer from the device can be enlarged,
It is possible to provide an unprecedented excellent printer device in which functions can be expanded as required .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an expansion unit and an expansion storage unit of FIG. 1 in detail;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Expansion storage means 1a 1st flash memory 1b 2nd flash memory 1c 3rd flash memory 1d 4th flash memory 1e Address generation part 1f Read signal generation part 2 Expansion means 3 Operation panel 4 CPU 5 ROM 6 Interface means 7 RAM 8 print control unit 10 host device

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 29/46 B41J 5/30 G06F 3/12

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A print unit that prints out print data transmitted from a host device on a recording medium, a print control unit that controls the operation of the print unit, an operation panel on which an operator gives various instructions, CPU for controlling the control timing in the print control unit, the operation panel, and the like according to a predetermined control procedure
In the printer device having the following , various print data for test printing is stored in the CPU in advance.
ROM or RAM for expansion
Connected to the extension means provided, and the CPU provided in the extension means is the additional RAM.
A function to check if there is a ROM or the ROM for expansion
What is provided in the expansion means is the RAM for expansion.
In some cases, the print data transmitted from the higher-level device
In the receive buffer storage area for temporarily storing
Functional and, ROM for the those equipped added to said expansion means
In some cases, a test print instruction from the operation panel
When received, the print data stored in the additional ROM
Test printer for reading data and outputting it to the print control unit
And a printer device having a function. 2. An extension means, comprising:
If a setting ROM is provided, the address of the ROM
An address generation unit for generating a signal, and the additional ROM
A read signal generation unit for generating the read signal of
2. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein: