JPH028080A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable classification of printing information and assortment of each host machine to be easily correctly performed by a method wherein an output form is established to be for each class of printing information from the host machine connected to a host interface or for each host machine which sends printing information. CONSTITUTION:When an output form established state of an indicated host machine among respective host machine HT1 to HT3 stored in an output form information storage area of a control panel memory 12 overlaps an output form to be established with another host machine, a control panel controlling part 11 indicates on indication parts 5, 8 of a panel 5 or panels SP1 to SP3, and alteration of establishment of the output form is accelerated again. Further, when does not overlap, the procedure is returned to treatment in which the state of the established output form is indicated. When the established state becomes OK thus, established output form information is registered by storing in storing areas of the host machine HT1 to HT3 to which an establishing mode is indicated in the output form information storing area of the panel memory 12. When the procedure is thus done, printing can be outputted by the output form registered by establishing or each host machine when printing is outputted.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] This invention relates to a word processor and an image processing device.

Personal computer, office computer.

The present invention relates to a printer that prints out print information from various host machines such as workstations.

[Conventional technology]

For example, in a printer that is equipped with a plurality of host interfaces and can connect a plurality of host machines and simultaneously perform independent operations on each interface, print information generally differs for each host machine.

However, if the number of paper output trays or paper output positioning devices is smaller than the number of host machines that can be connected, the printed paper will be mixed up, and it will take a lot of effort to sort it by host machine. Not only is it necessary, but there is also the risk of sorting by mistake.

Furthermore, when different types of print information are printed out from the same host machine, similar sorting poses a problem in terms of work.

Therefore, in order to make this kind of sorting work easier, for example, as seen in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-44233, sorting paper of a different color or size from the printing paper is prepared, and the printed information is changed. There is a printer that inserts partition paper between each printed sheet.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, such printers not only require sorted paper different from printing paper, but also require a paper feed tray to store the sorted paper and a paper feed/delivery mechanism for the sorted paper. There was a problem that the structure became complicated.

This invention was made in view of the above points, and it is possible to print different types of information or connect multiple host machines without complicating the structure of the printer or requiring special paper such as partition paper. To easily and accurately sort print information by type or host machine even if print information from each host machine is printed out and the paper is ejected onto the same paper output tray. The purpose is to

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printer that has a host interface and prints out print information from a host machine connected to the host interface, and sets an output format for each type of print information. The printer is equipped with a storage means, and can print in different output formats for each type of print information from the host machine.

Furthermore, in a printer that has multiple host interfaces and prints out print information from multiple host machines connected to each host interface,
It is equipped with a means for setting and storing the output format of print information for each of the host interfaces mentioned above, so that the print information from each host machine connected to each host interface can be printed in different output formats. be.

Further, in the above printer, an input section for inputting information for setting the output format of print information for each host interface, and a display section for selectively displaying information on the output format for each host interface whose settings have been stored. It is preferable to include a control panel having:

Alternatively, separate remotely controllable sub-control panels may be provided corresponding to each host interface, and each sub-control panel may have an input for inputting information for individually setting the output format of print information from the host machine. A display unit may be provided for displaying information about the output format set and stored for the host machine.

Furthermore, any of the printers described above may preferably include a clock and means for printing out date and time information from the clock together with print information.

Note that the "output format" here refers to, for example, the orientation of printing, addition of annotations, addition of two covers, change of font, etc.

[For production]

Since the printer according to the present invention is configured as described above, an output format is set and stored for each type of print information from a host machine connected to the host interface or for each host machine that sends print information, As a result, printing can be performed in different output formats, so printed sheets can be easily and accurately sorted by type of print information or by host machine.

In addition, by providing a control panel or a separate sub-control panel that can be remotely controlled for each host interface, it is easy to set the output format for each interface and check the output format information that has been set and stored. can be done.

Furthermore, if the date and time information from the clock is printed out along with the print information, printed sheets can be sorted based on that information as well.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the connection between a laser printer embodying the present invention and a host machine.

The laser printer 1 is provided with two removable paper feed trays 2.3 on the side, a paper discharge stacker 4 on the top, and a main body control panel 5 on the front top.

This main body control panel 5 includes a display section that displays various statuses such as the operating mode settings, the usage status of the printer 1 by various host machines (including information on output formats whose settings are stored), and error messages. 6, printer emulation settings, font selection, online/
It includes an input section 7 for inputting information necessary for off-line switching, reset, annotation settings, and output format settings, which will be described later.

Although not shown inside, the printer engine includes a photosensitive drum, a charging section, a laser writing section, a developing section, a transfer section, a fixing section, and a cleaning section.

It is equipped with a transport mechanism for feeding and discharging paper, an engine driver, a printer controller, etc.

This laser printer 1 has multiple host interfaces (connectors) and sub control panels.
Each host interface has multiple (three in this example) host machines such as word processors, image processing devices, personal computers, office computers, workstations, etc.
Connect I to HT3, and each sub control panel
Sub control panels SPI to SP3 for each host machine HTI to HT3 are connected to the interface.

The sub-control panels SPI to SP3 contain various status information such as error messages of the laser printer 1, usage status of the printer 1 by the host machine user, and operation mode setting status (output format settings stored for the host machine). (including information on the printer 1), a display section 8 that displays the usage status and status of the printer 1 by other host machines, and an input section 9 that inputs information for setting the operation mode and output format of the printer 1. ing.

In addition, printer 1 and subcontroller 1-roll panel SPI~
Although it is connected to SP3 by a signal line, it is also possible to provide a transmitter/receiver section on both sides and connect in a cordless manner.

In addition, communication is performed between the printer 1, each host machine, and HTI to HT3, and each host machine itself can display various types of information and input necessary information, thereby controlling the functions of the sub control panel. You can also prepare.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control system of the laser printer 1. As shown in FIG.

Host interfaces HrFl to HIF3 connect to each host machine HTI to HT3 and sub control panel SP.
This is an interface for transmitting and receiving data between I and SP3, and the sub control panel shown in Figure 2.
It also serves as an interface.

Input buffers IBI to IB3 are connected to the host machine H.
Data transferred from TI to HT3 is accumulated, and when the host machines HTI to HT3 reach a full state, full/ready control is performed to the host machines HTI to HT3.

Printer emulation software ESI to ES3 includes
Emulation software.

In other words, even if printers perform the same printing, the control codes input from the host vary from company to company, so software is stored to imitate the functions of the target printer from among the input control codes. There is.

The interpreters IPI to IP3 convert print commands from the host machines H, T1 to HT3, which are emulated by the printer emulation software ESI to ES3, into internal sequences of the printer.

The page composer PC has interpreters IPI to IP3.
The converted internal sequence is interpreted, the data is converted into a page-by-page format, and the data is stored in the page buffer FBI-PB3.

The video data conversion unit VC includes page buffers PBI to P
Data configured in page units stored in B3 is read out and converted into video data, and this video data is stored in video buffers VBI to VB3.

The printer engine PE has video buffers VB1 to VB.
3, and performs image forming processes such as charging, writing, development, transfer, and fixing, and prints out the video data.

The job separator JB is a multi-stage tray that has a function of sorting discharged sheets by shifting the sheet discharge position according to a request.

The control panel control unit 11 controls the import of various input information from the input units 7 and 9 of the main body control panel 5 and sub-control panels SP1 to SP3, and the sending of display information to the display units 6 and 8, Main body control panel 5 and sub control panel SPI
~ SP3 stores setting information such as the operating mode and output format in the control panel memory 12 made of non-volatile memory, and also controls reading of necessary information from the control panel memory 12.

Note that this control panel control unit 11 controls each host machine HT for controlling the main body control panel 5.
Display information and input information are stored for each of the host machines HTI to HT3, so that the main body control panel 5 can be switched and selectively used as a control panel for each of the host machines HTI to HT3.

Does clock 13 measure the date and time? The date and time information from this clock 13 is read out, converted into video data by the video data converter VC, and stored in the video buffers VBI to VB3, thereby printing the date and time information on the printing paper. can be added.

The printer control unit 14 controls the printer engine PE to execute an image forming process.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram functionally showing a portion of the laser printer control system related to output format setting registration.

The input section 21 inputs information necessary for setting the output format, and the display section 22 displays the information necessary for setting the output format. The output format setting section 23 takes in the output format setting information input from the input section 21, displays the set output format information on the display section 22 as necessary, and registers the set output format in the output format registration section 24. do.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained with reference to FIG. 4 and subsequent figures.

First, when the output format setting mode is instructed by the input section 7 of the main body control panel 5 or the input section 9 of the sub control panels SPI to SP3, the control panel control section 11 controls the control panel memory 12 as shown in FIG. The output format of the designated host machine among the host machines HTI to HT3 stored in the output format information storage area of is set to the initial state.

Thereafter, the control panel control unit 11 changes the output format setting state of the designated host machine among the host machines HTI to HT3 stored in the output format information storage area of the control panel memory 12 into the output format setting mode. is displayed on the display section 6 of the main body control panel 5 or the display section 8 of the sub-control panels SPI to SP3 that have instructed.

Here, select the main control panel 5 or sub control panels SPI to SPI that instructed the output format setting mode.
It is determined by P3 whether information indicating that the settings are OK has been input.

Here, if the settings are not OK, the information input from the main body control panel 5 or sub control panels SPI to SP3 that has instructed the output format setting mode is taken in to change the output format settings.

Then, it is determined whether or not the set output format overlaps with the output format set on another host machine, and when the set output format overlaps, information to the effect that the output formats overlap is displayed on the display unit 6.
, 8 to prompt the user to change the output format setting again, and if there is no overlap, the process returns to displaying the status of the set output format.

In this way, when the output format setting status becomes OK, the output format setting mode is set in the output format storage area of the designated host machine HTI to HT3 in the output format information storage area of the control panel memory 12. Store and register output format information.

In this way, if the output format can be set and registered for each host machine, printing can be performed in the output format that is set and registered for each host machine.

Next, regarding specific examples of output formats, the paper ejection position is the same on different host machines, and Figures 5 to 8.
This will be explained with reference to the figures.

(2) Format that changes the output format This output format is such that, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the print is output with the top and bottom reversed for each host machine.

When printing in this output format, it is possible to use signal processing when converting data configured in units of pages into video data using the page composer PC shown in Figure 3. For example, for video data on the host machine HTI, The video data may be sequentially stored in the video buffer VBI from the first address, and the video data of the host machine HT2 may be sequentially stored in the video buffer VB2 from the last address.

In addition, in the case of this output format, the printer has a reversing device, that is, a mechanism that reverses the front and back of the paper and feeds it again during double-sided printing, and a mechanism that ejects the paper while it is reversed without feeding the paper. In some cases, during one-sided printing, each host machine may switch between a state in which the paper is ejected with the print side facing up, and a state in which the paper is ejected through a reversing machine with the print side facing down.

(2) A format in which annotations are added to each output page This output format is a format in which annotation information is added to a specified position at the top or bottom of the page and output, as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

Notes include: a) Date and time of printing b) Name of the host machine used C) Work group (name given to the printed content) d) Name of the user of the host machine (user name) e) Number of pages Examples include the printing of .

As described above, the print contents and combinations of annotations can be changed using the main body control panel 5 or the sub-control panels S, P1 to SP3 as part of the output format setting change process.

(2) Format for adding a cover page This output format is a format for printing and outputting a sheet of paper that serves as a cover page (including the back cover) as shown in FIG. 7, for example.

For example, when performing a large amount of continuous printing for one job, before printing starts, print the front cover paper as shown in Figure (A), and after the continuous printing is completed, the paper shown in Figure 2 (A) indicates the end of the printing work. In this format, paper as shown in (b) is printed to serve as the back cover, and the print information of one host machine is sandwiched between the front and back covers. In this case, it is also possible to select a format in which only the front cover or back cover is sandwiched.

(2) Format for changing fonts This output format, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, is a format in which a different font is assigned to each host machine.

In other words, for example, for host machine HTI, use the font shown in the same figure (a), and for host machine HT2.
Use the font shown in the same figure (b) for
For host machine HT3, by using the font shown in the same figure (c), each host machine HT3
Distinguish between print outputs I to HT3.

Here, the font to use for each host machine is
As mentioned above, as part of the output format settings registration process,
Settings can be changed using the main control panel 5 or sub control panels SP1 to SP3.
Settings can also be changed using printer emulation software.

Note that even if this output format is used, the above-mentioned ■～■
The same font can be used on different host machines by using both output formats.

In this way, this printer has a function that allows you to set different output formats for each host machine, that is, for each print information, so even if multiple host machines conflict with each other regarding the paper output position, the print output of each host machine can be distinguished. This makes it easier to sort and organize sheets after printing, improving work efficiency.

In the above embodiment, as an example of outputting multiple types of print information, an example was described in which multiple host machines are connected and print information for each host machine is output. It can also be implemented when outputting information classified according to content etc.

In this case, for example, information on each output format may be stored on the printer side, and information specifying the output format may be sent prior to starting printing.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, when the printer prints out, the output format can be made different for each type of print information or for each host machine, so that printed paper can be easily and accurately printed. Can be sorted.

In addition, by providing a control panel or a separate sub-control panel that can be remotely controlled for each host interface, it is easy to set the output format for each interface and check the output format information that has been set and stored. can be done.

Furthermore, if the date and time information from the clock is printed out along with the print information, printed sheets can be sorted based on that information as well.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram functionally showing the part related to output format setting registration in a laser printer control system implementing the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of connection between the laser printer and a host system. , Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the control system of the laser printer, Fig. 4 is a flow diagram showing an example of the output format setting process, and Figs. 5 to 8 are the same as the output format setting process. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example. 1...Laser printer 5...Main body control panel 6.8.22...Display section 7,9.21...Input section 11...Control panel control section 12...Control panel memory 23...・Output format setting processing unit 24...Output format registration unit HTI to HT3...Host machine SPI to SP3...Sub control panel PC...
・Page composer VC...Video data conversion unit PE...Printer engine (Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a printer that has a host interface and prints out print information from a host machine connected to the host interface, means for setting and storing an output format for each type of print information. A printer comprising: a printer capable of printing in different output formats for each type of print information from the host machine. 2. In a printer that has multiple host interfaces and prints out print information from multiple host machines connected to each host interface, the output format of the print information is set and stored for each of the host interfaces. What is claimed is: 1. A printer comprising means for printing print information from each host machine connected to each host interface in different output formats. 3. The printer according to claim 2, further comprising an input section for inputting information for setting an output format of print information for each host interface, and selectively displaying information on the output format for each host interface whose settings have been stored. What is claimed is: 1. A printer comprising: a control panel having a display section; 4. In the printer according to claim 2, separate remotely controllable sub-control panels are provided corresponding to each host interface, and the output format of print information from the host machine is individually set on each sub-control panel. 1. A printer comprising: an input section for inputting information about the host machine; and a display section for displaying information about an output format set and stored for the host machine. 5. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a clock and means for printing out date and time information from the clock together with the print information.