JPH02231167A - Page printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten a time up to printing from the reception of data by calling fixed data from a fixed data memory when a power source is turned ON, writing it in a frame memory, and writing, when variable data is received, it in superposition on the fixed data in the frame memory. CONSTITUTION:When fixed data is transmitted from a host computer and received, the data is preset in a fixed data memory 41. Thereafter, even if a power source is turned OFF, the data preset in the memory 41 is stored and retained. When the power source is turned ON, the data is called from the memory 41, developed in a graphic image by a character ROM 3, and written in a frame memory 7. When variable data is transmitted from the computer and received, it is developed in the graphic image by the ROM 3, and the variable image is written in superposition on the fixed data in the memory 7. Thus, the variable data is received, followed by immediate starting for printing to shorten a time from the reception of the data to the end of printing.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention draws data such as characters, barcodes, ruled lines, figures, etc. in a frame memory as a graphic image, and prints out the data drawn in the frame memory. The present invention relates to a page printer that prints out information on paper.

[Prior Art] A conventional page printer is connected to a host computer such as a personal computer via an interface such as RS-232C, and when printing, for example, on label paper as shown in FIG. Title (RECEIVER. ADVICE) as shown in Figure 5.
NOTE NO (N, -), fixed data for printing ruled lines, etc. and variable data for printing characters, barcodes, etc. as shown in Figure 6 are received, and the received fixed data and variable data are was developed into a graphic image, drawn in frame memory, and then printed. In this case, the data is composed of format data indicating the coordinates to be printed, magnification, type of character, etc., and print data indicating the actual characters.

Conventionally, fixed data was also sent from the host every time the variable data changed, and the printer received it and drew it in the frame memory.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, if fixed data that does not change is received every time variable data changes, and the data is drawn as a graphic image in the frame memory and printed out, it is difficult to process the data. There is a problem in that it takes too much time, and as a result, the time from receiving data from the host to printing becomes long.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a page printer that can shorten the time from receiving data from the outside to printing.

[Means for Solving the Problem] The invention described in claim (1) provides a method for solving the problem by using characters, barcodes, ruled lines,
In a page printer that receives data such as figures from the outside, draws the received data as a graphic image in a frame memory, and prints out the data drawn in the frame memory on paper using the print output section, it is used to print titles, ruled lines, etc. A fixed data memory that can preset fixed data and retain data during a power outage; a fixed data drawing means that reads fixed data from the fixed data memory and draws it on the frame memory when the power is turned on; A variable data drawing means is provided for receiving variable data and drawing the variable data in a frame memory superimposed on fixed data.

The invention as claimed in claim (2) also provides a fixed data memory capable of retaining data in the event of a power outage in which fixed data such as tie marks and ruled lines are assigned various codes and preset in various ways, and A fixed data drawing means that calls the corresponding fixed data from memory and draws it on the frame memory, and a variable data drawing means that when variable data such as characters and barcodes is received from the outside, draws the variable data in the frame memory superimposed on the fixed data. This means that a means has been established.

Further, the invention according to claim (3) specifies a code and calls the corresponding fixed data from the fixed data memory.
Fixed data drawing means is provided to draw the fixed data in the frame memory when the fixed data has not been called.

[Operations] In the invention described in claim (1), when the power is turned on, the fixed data preset in the fixed data memory is called up and drawn as a graphic image in the frame memory. When variable data is received from the outside in this state, the variable data is developed into a graphic image in the frame memory and drawn. In other words, variable data is drawn superimposed on fixed data. Finally, the contents of the frame memory are printed on paper by the print output section.

Further, in the invention described in claim (2), a code is specified in advance, and necessary fixed data is read from the fixed data memory and drawn in the frame memory. In this state, variable data is received from the outside, drawn on the frame memory, and printed on paper by the print output unit.

Further, the invention described in claim (3) checks whether or not the fixed data has already been called when necessary fixed data is called from the fixed data memory by specifying a code, and only when the fixed data has not been called, the fixed data is Draws to frame memory, and does not draw if it has already been called.

[Example] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a block diagram, and 1 is a CP that constitutes the main body of the control unit.
U (central processing unit), 2 is a program R storing program data for the CPU to control each part;
OM (read-only memory), 3 is a character ROM that stores conversion data for developing data into a graphic image, 4 is a RAM with memory backup function
(Random Access Memory), 5 is a data processing RAM provided with various memories used for data processing, 6 is a RAM for data processing with a host computer such as an externally connected personal computer, and the like for controlling the transmission and reception of data. UART (asynchronous receiver/transmitter)
, 7 is a frame memory for drawing data expanded into a graphic image, 8 is a motor driver that drives a paper feed motor 9 that feeds paper, and 10 is a thermal head driver that drives a thermal head 11 that prints on paper. It is.

The backup RAM 4 includes a fixed data memory 41.
is provided.

The CPU is programmed to perform the control shown in FIG.

That is, when the power is turned on, the process starts, and first, the memory is initialized.

Subsequently, the fixed data preset in the fixed data memory 41 is loaded into a graphic image using the character ROM 3 and drawn in the frame memory 7. (Fixed data drawing means) Then, it waits to receive data from the host computer.

When data is received, it is checked whether the data is variable data, fixed data, or other data.

If the received data is variable data, the variable data is developed into a graphic image using the character ROM 3 and is drawn in the frame memory 7. (Variable data drawing means) Based on the data drawn in the frame memory 7, the motor driver 8 and the thermal head driver 10 are controlled to perform printing on paper.

If it is fixed data, it is preset in the fixed data memory 41, and then the preset fixed data is expanded into a graphic image using the recall character ROM 3 and drawn in the frame memory 7.

Further, if it is other data, other processing is performed.

In this embodiment with such a configuration, when the power is turned on without fixed data set in the fixed data memory 41, drawing processing of the fixed data is performed, but since there is no fixed data, the fixed data is not fixed in the frame memory 7. There is no data drawing. In this state, fixed data for printing titles, ruled lines, etc. is transmitted from the host computer, and upon receiving it, the fixed data is preset in the fixed data memory 41. Thereafter, even if the power is turned off, the fixed data preset in the fixed data memory 41 is stored and retained. Note that the contents of the frame memory 7 are erased when the power is turned off.

With the fixed data preset in the fixed data memory 41 in this way, when the power is turned on to print a label, for example, the fixed data is read from the fixed data memory 41, and the fixed data is developed into a graphic image by the character ROM 3 and is expanded into the frame memory 7. is drawn on. That is, data as shown in FIG. 5 is drawn in the frame memory 7.

In this state, variable data for printing barcodes, characters, etc. is transmitted from the host computer, and when received, the variable data is expanded into a graphic image by the character ROM 3 and drawn on the frame memory 7. That is, data as shown in FIG. 6 is drawn in the frame memory 7.

In this way, the data shown in FIG. 4, in which the data shown in FIG. 6 is superimposed on the data shown in FIG. 5, is drawn in the frame memory 7.

In this state, the motor driver 8 and the thermal head driver 10 are controlled to feed the paper and drive the thermal head 11 to perform printing.

In this way, a label with the contents shown in FIG. 4 printed thereon is obtained.

If fixed data is preset in the fixed data memory 41 in advance in this way, the fixed data will be read from the fixed data memory 41 and drawn in the frame memory 7 when the power is turned on, so that when printing labels, the host computer From then on, only the variable data needs to be sent. Therefore, the printer side can receive the variable data, develop it into a graphic image, draw it in the frame memory 7, and immediately start printing. The time required to finish printing can be shortened. In other words, labels can be printed quickly.

Furthermore, when it is desired to change the fixed data and print variable data, the fixed data and variable data are successively transmitted from the host computer. At this time, first, when fixed data is received, the fixed data is preset in the fixed data memory 41, and then the fixed data is developed into a graphic image and drawn in the frame memory 7. Subsequently, when variable data is received, the variable data is developed into a graphic image and drawn in the frame memory 7. Then, based on the data in the frame memory 7, printing is performed on the paper.

In this way, it is possible to deal with changes in fixed data.

Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

This uses a memory 41 for fixed data that can preset a plurality of fixed data with codes attached thereto.

The CPU then performs program control as shown in FIG. That is, when the power is turned on, the process starts, and first, the memory is initialized. It then waits to receive data from the host computer.

When data is received, it is checked whether the data is variable data, fixed data setting or calling, or other data. If the received data is a fixed data setting, a code is attached to the fixed data memory 41 and preset. In this way, a plurality of fixed data are each distinguished by a code and preset in the fixed data memory 41.

Further, if the received data is a fixed data call, it is checked whether the fixed data of the corresponding code has already been called and drawn in the frame memory 7. If it has already been called, it will not be called. If the call has not been completed yet, the fixed data specified by the code is developed into a graphic image using the call character ROM 3 and drawn in the frame memory 7. (Fixed Data Drawing Means) If the received data is variable data, the variable data is developed into a graphic image using the character ROM 3 and is drawn in the frame memory 7. (
The motor driver 8 and the thermal head driver 10 are controlled based on the data drawn in the frame memory 7 (variable data drawing means) to print on paper.

Further, if the received data is other data, other processing is performed.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, a plurality of fixed data can be preset in the fixed data memory 41 in advance.

Therefore, when changing fixed data, specify the code of the fixed data you want to change, and then
It is sufficient to call the fixed data from 1 and draw it in the frame memory 7.

In this embodiment as well, when printing on paper, since fixed data has already been drawn in the frame memory 7, only variable data needs to be sent from the host computer, and the time from data transmission to completion of printing is can be shortened.

Furthermore, even when changing fixed data, it is only necessary to specify the code, and there is no need to transmit the fixed data. Therefore, time can be shortened in this respect as well.

Furthermore, when calling fixed data from the fixed data memory 41, it is checked whether the fixed data has already been called, and if it has already been called, data is not called again and drawing is not performed. Time can be shortened.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a page printer that can shorten the time from receiving data from the outside to printing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the main parts of the CPU of the same embodiment, FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the main parts of the CPU showing another embodiment of the invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of drawing data to be printed, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of fixed data to be drawn, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of variable data to be drawn. 1... CPU (Central Processing Unit), 2... Program ROM, 4... Backup RAM, 41...
Fixed data memory, 7...Frame memory, 11.
...Thermal head. Applicant's representative Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue TOKYO ELECTRIC Co. , LTD, B-65 6th cause

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Receive data such as characters, barcodes, ruled lines, figures, etc. from the outside, draw the received data in a frame memory as a graphic image, and print out the data drawn in the frame memory on paper using the print output unit. Fixed data memory that can preset fixed data such as titles, ruled lines, etc. in a page printer that can hold data in the event of a power outage, and fixed data that reads fixed data from the fixed data memory and draws it in the frame memory when the power is turned on. A page printer comprising a drawing means and a variable data drawing means for receiving variable data such as characters and barcodes from the outside and drawing the variable data in the frame memory overlapping the fixed data. (2) Receive data such as characters, barcodes, ruled lines, figures, etc. from the outside, draw the received data in a frame memory as a graphic image, and print out the data drawn in the frame memory on paper using the print output unit. In a page printer that uses fixed data such as titles and ruled lines, there is a fixed data memory that can hold the data in the event of a power outage by assigning a code to each preset fixed data, and a fixed data memory that can store the corresponding fixed data from the fixed data memory by specifying a code. fixed data drawing means that calls and draws on the frame memory; and variable data drawing means that, when receiving variable data such as characters or barcodes from the outside, draws the variable data on the frame memory superimposed on the fixed data. A page printer characterized by: (3) Receive data such as characters, barcodes, ruled lines, figures, etc. from the outside, draw the received data in a frame memory as a graphic image, and print out the data drawn in the frame memory on paper using the print output unit. In a page printer that uses fixed data such as titles and ruled lines, there is a fixed data memory that can hold the data in the event of a power outage by assigning a code to each preset fixed data, and a fixed data memory that can store the corresponding fixed data from the fixed data memory by specifying a code. a fixed data drawing means that draws the fixed data in the frame memory when the fixed data has not been called; and a fixed data drawing means that draws the variable data in the frame memory when receiving variable data such as characters or barcodes from the outside; A page printer characterized by being provided with variable data drawing means for drawing.