JP5674573B2 - Printer alternative print data display and printer alternative print data display method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer alternative print data display and a printer alternative print data display method for displaying print contents on a screen instead of a serial printer or a line printer that prints work instructions and the like on a line-by-line basis.

  As a conventional printing apparatus, there is an apparatus that prevents a printing result that does not meet the user's expectation and suppresses unnecessary printing (for example, see Patent Document 1). In such a conventional technique, before printing the printing result itself obtained from the printing apparatus, printing is performed after obtaining confirmation from the user on the host computer.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-40608

However, the prior art has the following problems.
When changing from printer to screen display due to paperless for resource-saving reasons, it is necessary to change hardware including accompanying software such as computer application and driver software, or interface connection cable. The cost for that is necessary. In addition, there is a risk of causing defects due to software changes.

  Some data printers used in production lines and the like perform printing in line units. For example, as an application example in an assembly production line of a certain product, data of a plurality of parts required for assembly of the next flowing product is printed in units of lines, and based on the print data, It is conceivable to collect necessary parts and then flow them to the production line.

  In such a manufacturing site, a serial printer or a line printer that prints line by line is used. However, in order to change such a printer to the screen display method, communication specifications such as enlarged characters or barcodes differ depending on the manufacturer and model, and hardware and software changes depending on the target printer. It was necessary.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is a printer alternative that can easily change print data to a screen display regardless of the specifications of a printer that performs line-by-line printing. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a print data display and a printer alternative print data display method.

The printer alternative print data display according to the present invention includes print data via any interface included in an interface group configured to have two or more of a parallel interface, a serial interface, and a LAN interface. Data analysis that displays the interface processing unit that receives the data, the display unit that displays the display data, the printer language of the print data received by the interface processing unit, converts it into display data, and displays the converted display data on the display unit A conversion unit; and input means for checking the data displayed on the display unit in accordance with confirmation of display contents in line units or print units . The print data analysis conversion unit converts the display Within the display data in line and print units for the data It generates display data check control that adds a check box for checking is displayed on the display unit, in response to the check with an input from the input means to the display data check control, a check with the display in the check box Is.

  Also, the printer alternative print data display method according to the present invention is provided via any interface included in an interface group configured to have two or more interfaces among a parallel interface, a serial interface, and a LAN interface. For the interface processing step that receives print data, the print data analysis conversion step that analyzes the printer language of the print data received in the interface processing step and converts it into display data, and the display data converted by the print data analysis conversion step Display step for generating check management display data to which a check column for checking display data contents in line units and print units is added and displaying it on the display unit, and the check management display data displayed on the display unit Against Check input step for reading input for checking along with confirmation of display contents in line unit or print unit, and display management step for displaying check in check box according to input in check input step Are provided.

  According to the printer alternative print data display and the printer alternative print data display method according to the present invention, the print data is received according to different interfaces, the printer language of the received print data is analyzed and converted into display data, and the screen is displayed. A printer alternative print data display and a printer alternative print data display method that can easily change the print data to the screen display regardless of the specifications of the printer that performs line-by-line printing by providing the display function. Can be obtained.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system including a printer alternative print data display according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the example of a connection according to various communication specifications of the printer alternative print data display in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of the printing system containing the printer alternative print data display in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of the printing system containing the printer alternative print data display in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of a concrete screen display by the printer alternative print data display in Embodiment 3 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a printer alternative print data display and a printer alternative print data display method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system including a printer alternative print data display according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The printer alternative print data display 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an interface processing unit 11, a print data analysis / conversion unit 12, a display unit 13, a display data recording unit 14, a touch panel 15a, and a mouse 15b.

  Further, the printer alternative print data display 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a parallel interface 21, a serial interface 22, and a LAN interface 23 as various interfaces connected to the interface processing unit 11. In addition, a touch panel 15a and a mouse 15b are connected to the display unit 13 in order to operate a pointer on the screen.

  The printer alternative print data display 10 shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated as being connected to the parallel interface 31 provided in the computer 30 via the parallel interface 21 and the parallel cable 1.

Next, each function included in the printer alternative print data display 10 will be described based on the connection example of FIG.
The interface processing unit 11 has a function of receiving print data output from the computer 30 via the parallel cable 1 and the parallel interface 21 instead of a serial printer or a line printer.

  The print data analysis conversion unit 12 has a function of analyzing the printer language of the print data received by the interface processing unit 11 and converting it into display data, and a function of causing the display unit 13 to display the converted display data. Yes. The display data recording unit 14 has a function of storing display data to be displayed on the display unit 13. In addition, the touch panel 15a and the mouse 15b have a function as an input unit that indicates part or all of the data displayed on the display unit 13 in units of rows.

  By having such a configuration, the printer alternative print data display 10 according to the first embodiment receives parallel data for printing line by line, which is normally output from the computer 30 to the printer, Screen display can be performed. That is, the printer alternative print data display 10 simulates an operation equivalent to that of a serial printer, a label printer, etc., and can display necessary data on the screen.

  The printer alternative print data display 10 according to the first embodiment includes a serial interface 22 and a LAN interface 23 as well as a parallel interface 21 as an interface for receiving print data in accordance with the communication specifications of the computer 30. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing connection examples according to various communication specifications of the printer alternative print data display 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a connection example when displaying the parallel data output from the computer 30 on the printer alternative print data display 10 instead of printing on the printer 110. Conventionally, the parallel interface 121 provided in the printer 110 and the parallel interface 31 provided in the computer 30 are connected via the parallel cable 1.

  When the printer alternative print data display 10 is applied as an alternative to the printer 110 in such a printing system using parallel data, the parallel cable 1 is connected to the parallel interface 21 provided in the printer alternative print data display 10. Just connect.

  FIG. 2B shows a connection example when displaying the serial data output from the computer 30 on the printer alternative print data display 10 instead of printing it on the printer 110. Conventionally, the serial interface 122 provided in the printer 110 and the serial interface 32 provided in the computer 30 are connected via the serial cable 2.

  When the printer substitute print data display 10 is applied as a substitute for the printer 110 in such a printing system using serial data, the serial cable 2 is connected to the serial interface 22 provided in the printer substitute print data display 10. Just connect.

  FIG. 2C shows a connection example when displaying the LAN data output from the computer 30 on the printer alternative print data display 10 instead of printing on the printer 110. Conventionally, the LAN interface 123 provided in the printer 110 and the LAN interface 33 provided in the computer 30 are connected via the LAN cable 4 and a LAN device 4 such as a HUB.

  When the printer substitute print data display 10 is applied as a substitute for the printer 110 in such a print system using LAN data, the LAN cable 3 connected to the LAN device 4 is connected to the printer substitute print data display 10. What is necessary is just to connect to the LAN interface 23 provided.

  As described above, since the printer alternative print data display 10 according to the present invention performs the same operation as the printer 110 on the computer 30, it is not necessary to change the software or driver of the computer 30. Furthermore, the printer alternative print data display 10 according to the present invention has a function that can be connected to any communication specifications of parallel communication, serial communication, and LAN communication. The print data that has been used can be easily changed to a screen display.

  Note that the print data analysis conversion unit 12 can store the converted display data in the display data recording unit 14. As a result, the data displayed so far can be displayed again when the printer alternative print data display 10 is restored from the power-off state.

  Furthermore, by inputting from the touch panel 15a or the mouse 15b, part or all of the data displayed on the display unit 13 can be pointed out, and past display data can be called out or deleted. By providing such operability, it is possible to easily switch from a conventional printer to the printer alternative print data display 10 of the present invention in a production line that uses a printer that performs line-by-line printing.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the hardware and software can be used for various communication specifications simply by diverting the cable connected to the conventional printer and connecting it to an appropriate interface. Thus, it is possible to realize a printer alternative print data display that can easily change the print data to the screen display without changing the above.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system including a printer alternative print data display according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The printer alternative print data display 10 shown in FIG. 3 includes an interface processing unit 11, a print data analysis conversion unit 12, a display unit 13, a display data recording unit 14, a touch panel 15a, a mouse 15b, a conversion rule storage unit 16, and a corresponding manufacturer switching. A switch 17 and a corresponding manufacturer switching screen display processing unit 18 are provided.

  Further, the printer alternative print data display 10 shown in FIG. 3 includes a parallel interface 21, a serial interface 22, and a LAN interface 23 as various interfaces connected to the interface processing unit 11. In addition, a touch panel 15a and a mouse 15b are connected to the display unit 13 in order to operate a pointer on the screen.

  Compared with the configuration of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, the configuration of FIG. 3 in the second embodiment further includes a conversion rule storage unit 16, a corresponding manufacturer changeover switch 17, and a corresponding manufacturer switching screen display processing unit 18. It has different points. Therefore, the printer alternative print data display 10 according to the second embodiment will be described focusing on these differences.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the print data analysis conversion unit 12 analyzes the printer language of the print data and converts it into display data has been described. On the other hand, the printer alternative print data display 10 according to the second embodiment includes a conversion rule storage unit 16 that stores conversion rules as shown in FIG. By including such a conversion rule storage unit 16, it is possible to convert different printer languages such as extended commands for each printer manufacturer.

  Moreover, the corresponding manufacturer changeover switch 17 or the corresponding manufacturer switching screen display processing unit 18 has a function of causing the display unit 13 to display a selection screen for selecting a corresponding manufacturer. By providing such a function, an appropriate selection switching process according to the corresponding manufacturer can be easily realized based on the corresponding manufacturer switching screen displayed on the display unit 13 and the input from the touch panel 15a or the mouse 15b. it can.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, a printer alternative print data display device having a function of easily switching the printer language according to the corresponding manufacturer. Can be realized.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system including a printer alternative print data display according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 4 includes an interface processing unit 11, a print data analysis conversion unit 12, a display unit 13, a display data recording unit 14, a touch panel 15a, a mouse 15b, a conversion rule storage unit 16, and a corresponding manufacturer switching. The switch 17 includes a corresponding manufacturer switching screen display processing unit 18 and a data management unit 19.

  Further, the printer alternative print data display 10 shown in FIG. 4 includes a parallel interface 21, a serial interface 22, and a LAN interface 23 as various interfaces connected to the interface processing unit 11. In addition, a touch panel 15a and a mouse 15b are connected to the display unit 13 in order to operate a pointer on the screen.

  Compared with the configuration of FIG. 3 in the second embodiment, the configuration of FIG. 4 in the third embodiment is different in that the data management unit 19 is further provided. Therefore, the printer alternative print data display 10 according to the third embodiment will be described focusing on this difference.

  In the first and second embodiments, the data display method has been described. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, display data can be managed by the data management unit 19, and a specific method thereof will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific screen display example by the printer alternative print data display according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The data management unit 19 according to the third embodiment manages print data received by the interface processing unit 11 in units of lines or print units, and manages display data and print data converted by the print data analysis conversion unit 12. For example, the units can be linked as shown in FIG. 5 and displayed on the display unit 13 in the units.

  Furthermore, the data management unit 19 has a function that allows the display (screen) shown in FIG. 5 to be marked (checked) in line units or print units based on inputs from the touch panel 15a or the mouse 15b. Specifically, a column for inputting a check mark can be provided for each displayed row unit, such as the row unit check column 13a. Similarly, a column for inputting a check mark can be provided for each displayed print unit, such as the print unit check column 13b.

  In addition, the data management unit 19 can change the character color of the display line 13c displaying the character string or the background color in conjunction with such marking (checking). As a result, the user can easily visually check paperless whether or not the contents of the display data have been viewed, or if the data is a work instruction, and whether or not the work has been completed. I can leave it to you.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first and second embodiments, the printer alternative print data display device having the function of easily checking the display contents without paper can be provided. realizable.

  The configuration shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to the configuration of FIG. 3 corresponding to the previous embodiment 2 with the addition of the data management unit 19, but the configuration shown in FIG. It is also possible to add the data management unit 19 to this configuration.

  In the second embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the corresponding manufacturer switching screen display processing unit 18 is independently provided. However, the function of the corresponding manufacturer switching screen display processing unit 18 can be provided in the print data analysis conversion unit 12. It is.

  Similarly, in the third embodiment, the configuration having the data management unit 19 independently has been described. However, the print data analysis / conversion unit 12 may have the function of the data management unit 19.

  In the first to third embodiments, the case where all of the parallel interface 21, the serial interface 22, and the LAN interface 23 are provided has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. . Even if all three interfaces are not necessarily provided, the interface group can be configured to have two of these interfaces.

  1 parallel cable, 2 serial cable, 3 LAN cable, 4 LAN device, 10 printer alternative print data display, 11 interface processing unit, 12 print data analysis conversion unit, 13 display unit, 14 display data recording unit, 15a touch panel (input) Means), 15b mouse (input means), 16 conversion rule storage section, 17 compatible manufacturer changeover switch, 18 compatible manufacturer change screen display processing section, 19 data management section, 21 parallel interface, 22 serial interface, 23 LAN interface.

Claims (3)

An interface processing unit that receives print data via any interface included in an interface group configured to have two or more interfaces of a parallel interface, a serial interface, and a LAN interface;
A display unit for displaying display data;
A print data analysis / conversion unit that analyzes the printer language of the print data received by the interface processing unit and converts it into display data, and displays the converted display data on the display unit ;
Input means for performing a check on the data displayed on the display unit in accordance with confirmation of display contents in line units or print units ,
The print data analysis / conversion unit generates check management display data in which a check column for checking display data contents in line units and print units is added to the converted display data and displayed on the display unit A printer alternative print data display , wherein a check display is performed in the check field in response to a check input from the input means for the check management display data . The printer alternative print data display device according to claim 1,
A switch for switching and inputting printer manufacturer identification information corresponding to the print data;
A storage unit that stores in advance conversion rules for converting print data corresponding to the printer manufacturer's unique commands into display data;
The print data analysis conversion unit reads the conversion rule from the storage unit according to the switching input from the switch, analyzes the printer language of the print data based on the conversion rule, and converts it into the display data An alternative print data display for printers. An interface processing step of receiving print data via any interface included in an interface group configured to have two or more interfaces of a parallel interface, a serial interface, and a LAN interface;
A print data analysis conversion step of analyzing the printer language of the print data received in the interface processing step and converting it into display data;
For the display data converted by the print data analysis conversion step, check management display data is generated by adding a check column for checking the display data contents in line units and print units, and displayed on the display unit. A display step;
A check input step for reading the check management display data displayed on the display unit for checking in accordance with confirmation of display contents in line units or print units;
And a display management step of performing a check display in the check field in response to an input in the check input step.

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