JP3632422B2 - Printer, printer control device and printing system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a technique for setting an initial value of a printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The initial value setting (so-called default setting) function of the printer is a function held by the printer in order to provide an initial value that is most usable according to the destination country region and the user's usage environment. The initial value is set by selecting by a combination of on / off of the dip switch, or by setting a selection item or selection content while pressing a plurality of switches on the operation panel. In addition, during the setting, a device for displaying the selection item and the name of the selection content on the LCD display or printing a list of the current setting values to facilitate initial value setting has been implemented.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In recent years, with changes in the environment surrounding computers and the expansion of the printer use environment, the selection items of the initial values of the printer have become diversified and have a more complicated aspect. As an example, a character code table is a table in which characters necessary for each country are arranged. In recent years, the number of types has been increasing, and the latest model has about 40 types of tables. However, since there are so many kinds of code tables, and the names of the tables are unknown to the user such as PC437 and PC850, for example, the user can select which table to select. There is a problem of not knowing unless you read it carefully. Similarly, for other selection items, unless the manual is read carefully, there are many things that the user does not know what results will be obtained if they are selected.
[0004]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to make it easy to set an initial value of a printer.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A printer according to one aspect of the present invention includes initial value setting means for setting a setting content selected from a plurality of selectable setting contents as an initial value, and data representing an explanatory text of the plurality of setting contents. Including explanatory text information, and, when any setting content is selected, explanatory text output means for acquiring the explanatory text data corresponding to the selected setting content from the explanatory text information and outputting the explanatory text Prepare.
[0006]
According to this printer, whenever a certain setting content is selected as an initial value, an explanatory text of the setting content is output. There are various ways to output such as printing explanation text, outputting explanation text by voice, or sending explanation text to the host device connected to the printer and displaying it on the host device. obtain. In any case, the user can determine whether or not the selected setting content is appropriate by touching the output explanatory text, and can easily select the appropriate setting content and set it in the printer. The setting content can be selected by using a switch on the operation panel of the printer or by a command from the host device.
[0007]
Of the setting contents, for example, a setting item of a type that is easier for the user to make a determination when showing a specific print example when using it, such as a character code table, instead of the explanatory text, or Along with the explanatory text, an image of a test print example when the set content is used may be output.
[0008]
The output of the explanatory text and the test print image can be configured to be performed only when another setting content is not selected within a predetermined time such as one second after selection of the setting content. As a result, useless output is saved while the user searches for desired setting contents and switches the setting contents one after another.
[0009]
In addition, this output is not always performed when setting contents are selected, but is performed only when there is an output request from the user (or omitted when there is an output non-use request from the user). It can also be configured. As a result, a user who is familiar with the initial setting can efficiently perform the initial setting by not requesting the output.
[0010]
Furthermore, not only the description of each setting content but also the description of the initial value setting operation is prepared, for example, at the start of the initial value setting operation, this is printed or displayed, so that the user setting You may comprise so that an operation | work may be made easier.
[0011]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer control device that controls a printer so as to set a setting content selected from a plurality of selectable setting contents as an initial value, and a description of the plurality of setting contents. If any explanatory text information that includes data representing the selected setting content is selected, the explanatory text data corresponding to the selected setting content is acquired from the explanatory text information and the explanatory text is output. Explanatory text output means.
[0012]
When this printer control device is used, an explanatory text is output every time a certain setting content is selected. Therefore, the user can easily select an appropriate setting content and set it in the printer by touching the explanatory text. it can. This printer control device can be mounted on, for example, a host device connected to the printer, and the description is output on the display device of the host device, printed on the printer, or output by voice. Various methods can be employed.
[0013]
The printer control device can be realized by dedicated hardware, but can typically be realized by a computer program. The computer program can be installed or loaded on a computer through various media such as disk storage, semiconductor memory, and communication line.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a print system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0015]
A printer 3 is connected to the host computer 1. Any type of the printer 3 may be used, but a serial printer that performs printing in units of lines rather than a page printer that performs printing in units of pages is more suitable for carrying out the present invention. The printer 3 includes a host interface 5 that receives a print command from the host computer 1, a command analysis / character that analyzes the received print command, and converts a character code included in the command into corresponding font data. A code processing unit 7 is included. Upon receiving the command analysis result and the font data from the command analysis / character code processing unit 7, the print processing module 9 creates print image data, and the print engine 11 responds to the print image data with the actual print image on the paper. To form.
[0016]
The printer 3 also includes an operation panel 19 including a panel switch for setting initial values and a plurality of LEDs for performing status display, and an initial response in response to a predetermined switch operation from the operation panel 19. And an initial value setting module 15 for performing a value setting process. The initial setting module 15 is typically a process realized by computer software. However, the initial setting module 15 does not always have to be, and can be realized by dedicated hardware. This initial value setting module 15 selects a setting item for selecting a setting item in response to a predetermined panel switch operation for selecting an initial value setting item (for example, a character code table, print direction, page length, interface, etc.) Function, a setting item display function that displays the selected setting item on a plurality of LEDs in a lighting / extinguishing / flashing pattern, and specific setting contents for the selected setting item (for example, which character code table or print direction is simple) A setting content selection function for selecting a setting content in response to a predetermined panel switch operation for selecting direction or bidirectional, whether the interface is automatic selection, parallel designation or serial designation, and the selected setting contents. Setting contents display function that displays on / off / flashing patterns on multiple LEDs and selection Print the explanatory text on the setting contents (or if the setting contents are easier to understand for the user if a specific printing example is shown like a character code table, a specific printing example of the execution result of the setting contents) And a description print function for passing a print command to the command analysis / character code processing unit.
[0017]
In the setting content selection function described above, the selected setting content is written in a non-volatile memory such as the EEPROM 13, and thereafter, it is held until a new setting content is selected for the same setting item and written to the EEPROM 13.
[0018]
In order to perform the above-described explanatory note printing function, the initial value setting module 15 includes an explanatory sentence command group 17 which is a collection of print commands for printing the explanatory note for each setting content. The language format of the print command of each explanatory text may be the same as that of the print command from the host computer 1, or may be lower or higher class, and the command analysis / character code processing unit 7 may be in a language format that can be understood as it is, or may be in a language format that can be understood by the command analysis / character code processing unit 7 only after conversion processing in the initial value setting module 15. In the explanation print function, the initial value setting module 15 selects an explanation print command of the selected setting contents from the explanation command group 17 (if the language format is the command analysis / character code processing section 7). Is converted into a command in a language format that can be understood), the selected explanation sentence print command is passed to the command analysis / character code processing unit 7. The command analysis / character code processing unit 7 processes the explanatory note print command in the same manner as the print command from the host computer 1. As a result, when the user selects an arbitrary setting content, an explanatory text of the selected setting content (or a test print text as a print example of the setting result in the case of a character code table) is printed on paper. The user can determine whether or not the selection is appropriate by looking at this.
[0019]
In addition to the explanations of the individual setting contents, the explanation command group 17 described above includes a print command for explanation of the switch operation method for setting the initial value. The module 15 also has a function of selecting the switch operation instruction text print command and passing it to the command / character data processing unit 7 at the time of activation. Therefore, at the start of the initial value setting, a switch operation description for that purpose is also printed on the sheet, and the user can read it.
[0020]
FIG. 2 shows a flow of processing performed by the initial value setting module 15.
[0021]
For example, when a specific panel switch is pressed in a predetermined manner, the initial value setting module 15 is activated, and first, a process for printing the above-described initial value setting switch operation description is performed (step S1). The user can operate the panel switch to select a desired setting item and then select a desired setting content according to the printed switch operation description.
[0022]
When the panel switch operation for selecting the setting item is performed (S2), the initial value setting module 15 selects the setting item next to the setting item that has been selected so far, and the item of the selected setting item. The number is stored and the setting item is displayed on the LED (S3). Accordingly, when the user performs a switch operation for selecting the setting item, various setting items are selected by switching in order, for example, character code table → printing direction → page length → interface →. .
[0023]
Further, when a panel switch operation for selecting setting contents is performed in a state where one setting item is selected (S4), the initial value setting module 15 selects the selected setting item so far. The next setting content of the set content that has been set is selected, the selected setting content is written to the EEPROM 13, and the content number of the selected setting content is stored and the setting content is displayed on the LED (S5). For example, when the user performs a setting content selection switch operation in a state where the character code table is selected as a setting item, various character code tables as the setting content are, for example, PC437 → PC850 → PC860 →. Thus, the selection is made in order and the EEPROM 13 is overwritten. Also, for example, when the user performs a switch operation for selecting setting contents while the interface is selected as a setting item, the various setting items are switched in order, for example, automatic → parallel → serial →. Are selected and overwritten in the EEPROM 13.
[0024]
Each time one setting content is selected, the initial value setting module 15 is the type for which the selected setting content is a type for which the execution result is to be indicated by test printing or a description is to be printed. (S6). As a result, for example, in the case of setting contents of the type that the execution result should be indicated by test printing, such as a character code table, a test print sentence that is a specific example of the execution result of the setting contents is obtained using a known test print function. Processing for printing is performed (S7). For example, when the character code table “PC437” is selected by this test printing process, all characters on the character code table of the PC437 are printed as character strings extending over several lines. The user can determine whether or not he / she has selected his / her desired character code table by looking at the test print character string. In the case of setting contents of a type for which an explanatory note is to be printed, the initial value setting module 15 uses the stored item number and content number as a key, and prints a print command for the explanatory note of the setting content. 17 is read and the description is printed (S8). As a result, for example, when the setting item “Automatic” is selected in the setting item “Interface”, an explanatory note such as “Data can be received from any interface” and the setting content “Parallel” was selected. In this case, an explanation such as “Data can be received only from the standard parallel interface” is printed. From this, the user can determine whether or not his selection is appropriate.
[0025]
This explanation printing or test printing is not performed immediately when the user selects the setting content, but when another setting content is not selected after waiting for a predetermined time, for example, about 1 second from the selection of the setting content. Can only be configured to do. Then, while the user switches the setting contents while repeating the panel switch operation (for example, while searching for a desired table by switching the character code table in order of PC437 → PC850 → PC860 →...) Since no explanatory text printing or test printing is performed on the setting contents, useless printing can be omitted, and the time required for initial value setting can be reduced.
[0026]
If it is determined that the selection is not appropriate by looking at the explanatory text and the test print result, the user can perform another panel switch operation to select another setting content. In response, the initial value setting module starts from step S4. Repeat the process.
[0027]
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a print system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0028]
In this embodiment, a printer utility 25 for performing various operations on the printer 3 is installed in the host computer 1, and an initial value setting module 27 for the printer utility 25 to set initial values for the printer is provided. Have. The printer utility 25 is typically realized by computer software, but it is not always necessary, and may be realized by dedicated hardware. The printer utility 25 may be different from a printer driver (not shown) for sending a print command to the printer 3 or may be incorporated in the printer driver.
[0029]
The printer utility 25 further displays on the display 21 initial value setting screen data 29 for displaying a graphic user interface screen for initial value setting on the display 21 of the host computer 1 and explanations of individual initial value setting contents. It also has an explanatory text data group 31 which is a collection of explanatory text data for this purpose. The explanatory text of each setting content in the explanatory text data group 29 is basically a text explaining the meaning of each setting content, but in the case of setting content of a type such as a character code table, the explanatory text Instead of this, for example, data indicating a specific print example image of a setting result such as a list of characters on the character code table may be used. On the initial value setting screen displayed on the display 21 based on the initial value setting screen data 29, all selectable setting items and all selectable setting contents are shown.
[0030]
The printer 3 includes an explanatory text command group 17 similar to that in the first embodiment (the language format may be higher or lower than that of the command from the host computer 1, However, the command analysis / character code processing unit 7 can understand.) The command analysis / character code processing unit 7 not only responds to the print command from the host computer 1, but also writes the setting contents designated by the command to the EEPROM 13 in response to a special command for initial value setting. In addition, it has a function of reading out the description of the designated setting contents from the explanation data group 17 and printing (or performing test printing in the case of setting contents such as a character code table).
[0031]
The initial value setting module 27 of the printer utility 25 in the host computer 1 uses the initial setting screen data 29 to display an initial setting screen on the display 21 and issues a command for instructing the printer 3 to print a description of the operation method. An initial setting screen display function to be sent and an input device (for example, a keyboard or a mouse) 23 for selecting a setting item on the initial setting screen are selected in response to an operation, and the selected setting item is As can be seen, a setting item selection function to be displayed on the initial setting screen and an input device 23 for selecting setting contents on the initial setting screen are selected in response to an operation, and the selected setting contents are As you can see, it is displayed on the initial setting screen, and a setting content selection is sent to the printer 3 to send a command for specifying the selected setting content. It has a capacity, and a description display function for displaying on the display by selecting a description of the selected settings from the description data group 31.
[0032]
FIG. 4 shows the flow of processing performed by the initial setting module 27.
[0033]
When activated, the initial setting module 27 first displays the initial setting screen on the display 21 using the initial value setting screen data 29 and instructs the printer 3 to print the operating method description for the initial setting. A command is sent (S11). In response to the command, the command analysis / character data processing unit 7 of the printer 3 obtains an operation method explanation print command from the explanation command group 17 and prints the operation method explanation. The user understands the initial setting method by looking at the initial setting screen on the display 21 and reading the printed operation method explanation. Note that the operation method description may be printed at the time of activation, but may alternatively be performed only when the user inputs a request to print the description on the initial setting screen, for example.
[0034]
Next, when a predetermined operation of the input device 23 for selecting any setting item on the initial setting screen (for example, mouse click on a specific setting item column on the screen) is performed (S12), the initial setting is performed. The module 27 selects the setting item, stores the item number, and displays the selected setting item on the initial setting screen in, for example, a white display or moves the cursor to the setting item column. In such a manner, it is displayed so that it can be seen that it has been selected (S13).
[0035]
Further, in the state where one setting item is selected, an operation of the input device 23 for selecting some setting contents (for example, clicking a specific setting contents on the screen with a mouse or setting values and characters from the keyboard) (S14), the initial setting module 27 selects the setting content and stores the content number, and the selected setting content on the initial setting screen is stored in the initial setting module 27. It is displayed so that it can be seen that it has been selected (S15). Further, the initial setting module 27 extracts the explanatory text data of the selected setting content from the explanatory text data group 31 using the stored setting item number and the setting content number as keys, and the explanatory text is displayed on the display 21. At the same time, an initial value setting command including the setting item number and the setting content number is sent to the printer 3 to instruct the printer 3 to register the selected setting content in the EEPROM 13 (S16). In response to the initial value setting command, the command analysis / character code processing unit 7 of the printer 3 writes the selected setting contents into the EEPROM 13 and performs the processes of steps S6, S7 and S8 shown in FIG. Then, the explanatory text of the selected setting contents is printed or the execution result of the setting contents is test printed. The explanatory text printing or the test printing here may always be performed whenever each setting content is selected. Alternatively, however, it is performed only when the user requests the printing on the initial value setting screen, for example. Or may be omitted.
[0036]
Each time the user selects a setting content, the user can select a description of the setting content displayed on the display 21 (this is a description of the meaning of the setting content as described above, or a specific printing example. Or the printed description or printed example, it can be determined whether or not the setting contents are appropriate.
[0037]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is an illustration for description of this invention, Comprising: It is not the meaning which limits the scope of the present invention only to this embodiment. The present invention can be implemented in various forms other than the above-described embodiment. For example, in the system shown in FIG. 1, the initial value setting module 15 responds not only to the switch operation of the operation panel 19 but also to a special command for initial value setting from the host computer 1 in the same manner. It is also possible to configure so as to perform the process as shown in FIG. The initial value setting module 15 sends the explanatory text and the test print example image to the host computer 1 for display on the display in addition to or instead of printing the explanatory text and the test print example. Can also be configured to output by voice. In the system shown in FIG. 3, the printer 3 does not have the explanatory text command group 17, but instead the printer utility 25 in the host computer 1 uses the printer driver (not shown) to send the explanatory text print command to the printer. 3 can also be configured.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by an initial value setting module 15;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by an initial value setting module 27;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Host Computer 3 Printer 7 Command Analysis / Character Code Processing Unit 13 EEPROM
15, 27 Initial value setting module 17 Explanation sentence command group 19 Operation panel 31 Explanation sentence data group

Claims (16)

An initial value setting means for setting a setting content selected from a plurality of selectable setting contents as an initial value;
Explanatory text information including data representing explanatory text of the plurality of setting contents;
When any setting content is selected, explanation data corresponding to the selected setting content is acquired from the explanatory text information and an explanatory text output corresponding to the selected setting content is output. Means,
With printer. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the explanatory note output unit outputs the explanatory note only when another setting content is not selected within a predetermined time after the setting content is selected. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the explanatory note output means outputs the explanatory note by printing. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the explanatory note output means outputs the explanatory note by voice. Connected to a host device for controlling the printer;
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the explanatory note output means outputs data representing the explanatory note to the host device. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising an operation panel having a switch, wherein the selection is performed by a switch of the operation panel. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is connected to a host device for controlling the printer, and the selection is performed by a signal from the host device. 2. The description output means outputs an image of a test print example representing an execution result of the predetermined setting content instead of or in addition to the explanatory text when a predetermined setting content is selected. Printer. The explanatory text information includes data of an explanatory text of an initial value setting operation,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the explanatory note output unit acquires the explanatory note data of the initial value setting operation from the explanatory note information and outputs the explanatory note of the initial value setting operation at a predetermined opportunity. Means for controlling the printer to set a setting content selected from a plurality of selectable setting contents as an initial value;
Explanatory text information including data representing explanatory text of the plurality of setting contents;
When any setting content is selected, explanation data corresponding to the selected setting content is acquired from the explanatory text information and an explanatory text output corresponding to the selected setting content is output. Means,
A printer control device. A display device,
11. The printer control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the explanatory note output means outputs the explanatory text by displaying the explanatory text on the display device. The printer control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the explanatory note output means outputs the explanatory note by voice. The printer control device according to claim 10, wherein the explanatory note output means outputs the explanatory note by causing the printer to print. Means for controlling the printer to set a setting content selected from a plurality of selectable setting contents as an initial value;
Explanatory text information including data representing explanatory text of the plurality of setting contents;
When any setting content is selected, explanation data corresponding to the selected setting content is acquired from the explanatory text information and an explanatory text output corresponding to the selected setting content is output. Means,
A computer-readable recording medium carrying a program for causing a computer to function as a printer control device comprising: A printer and a host device for giving a print command to the printer;
The printer is
An initial value setting means for setting a setting content selected from a plurality of selectable setting contents as an initial value;
Explanatory text information including data representing explanatory text of the plurality of setting contents;
When any setting content is selected, explanation data corresponding to the selected setting content is acquired from the explanatory text information and an explanatory text output corresponding to the selected setting content is output. Means,
Printing system equipped with. A printer and a host device,
The host device is
Means for controlling the printer to set a setting content selected from a plurality of selectable setting contents as an initial value;
Explanatory text information including data representing explanatory text of the plurality of setting contents;
When any setting content is selected, explanation data corresponding to the selected setting content is acquired from the explanatory text information and an explanatory text output corresponding to the selected setting content is output. Means,
Printing system equipped with.

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