JPH0312727A - Communication control equipment for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the program capacity of a controller and simultaneously to improve the maintenance properties of a printer by providing a host interface (switching means), a printing switch (print-out means), etc. CONSTITUTION:A CPU of an engine driver 40 is driven when a printing switch 90 on the driver 40 is turned on and a print-out request is received for the maintenance information stored in the driver 40. A CPU 4 converts each maintenance information stored in a nonvolatile memory 70 into a data format similar to that defined when a host computer 20 sends the picture information to a controller 30. Then the converted maintenance information is sent to the controller 30 via a communication cable 200 and a host interface 60. The controller 30 converts the received information into the picture signals that can be printed by a printer and sends these picture signals to the driver 40. The driver 40 actuates the printer to print out the respective pieces of maintenance information. Consequently, the program capacity of the controller 30 can be reduced and simultaneously the maintenance properties of the printer can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a communication control device that controls communication between an engine driver and a controller of a printer.

(Prior Art) A printer generally includes a paper passing means for feeding, conveying, and ejecting recording paper on which image information is printed, and printing image information on the recording paper fed by the paper passing means. and a communication control device that converts print data sent from the host computer into an image signal and controls the above-mentioned sheet feeding and image forming sequences.

For example, the communication means and the image forming means are configured as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, a paper feed cassette is removably loaded into the printer main body 12. As shown in FIG. Recording paper 2 fed in the direction of arrow A from paper feeding device 1 is timed by registration rollers 3 and transported to a latent image carrier consisting of a drum-shaped photoreceptor 4 . The photoreceptor 4 is rotationally driven in a counterclockwise direction, the surface of which is charged by a charger 5, and irradiated with laser light from a laser optical system 6 to form an electrostatic latent image. This latent image is visualized by toner when passing through the developing device 7. This visible image is transferred to the recording paper 2 which is conveyed to the photoreceptor 4 by the transfer/separation charger 8.
transcribed into. The recording paper 2 in close contact with the photoreceptor 4 is electrostatically separated and then conveyed to the fixing device 9. The recording paper 2 on which the visible image has been fixed by the fixing device 9 is discharged to the discharge section 10 in the direction of arrow B. Additionally, during this period, the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 4 after the visible image transfer is removed by a cleaning blade and collected by the cleaning device 11.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the communication control device 1 includes a controller 30 that converts print data sent from the host computer 20 into an image signal that can be printed by the printer, and a controller 30 that controls the paper feeding and image forming sequences of the printer. It consists of an engine driver 40 that detects error operations and the like.

Conventionally, information exchange between the controller 30 and the engine driver 40 in this communication control device is performed using an internal communication line 50 such as a serial line connecting the controller 1 to the roller 30 and the engine driver 40. , when printing out information necessary for maintenance, such as error history stored on the engine driver 40 side, maintenance counter such as the number of prints, etc.

Conventionally, the controller 30 requires maintenance t#l&i
Sends a command requesting the engine driver 40,
The controller 30 collects maintenance information as a response from the engine driver 40, integrates each piece of information to create an image signal, sends this image signal as image information to the engine driver 40, and sends it to the engine driver 40 as required. The information ′ is printed out.

That is, in this case, the controller 30 and the engine driver 40 mutually detect whether the other side can receive the serial signal, and if the other side is in a receivable state, send the data. Here, the data sent by the controller 30 is divided into a status request and an operation instruction (9th
On the other hand, when the engine driver 40 receives a status request from the controller 30, it sends a reply matching the content to the controller 30, and when it receives an operation instruction from the controller 30, it sends a reply to the controller 30. A reply indicating that it has been received is sent to the controller 30, and the paper passing and image forming sequence is controlled so that the above-mentioned paper passing means and image forming means perform operations consistent with the received contents.

Further, the engine driver 40
When the internal status changes, data (event report) indicating the changed contents is automatically sent to the controller 30 (see FIG. 9).

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, when printing out information stored on the engine driver 40 side, the conventional communication control device for the printer described above has a communication control device between the controller 30 and the engine driver 40, as described above. Internal communication ports such as serial lines between
50 was used to repeatedly communicate between the controller 30 and the engine driver 40.

Therefore, in this conventional communication M control device, a separate program is required on the controller 30 side to understand the information from the engine driver 40 and create a character string as image information. This increases the burden on the controller 30, and it also has the disadvantage that it cannot be handled when this controller is replaced with a controller with other specifications.Furthermore, this communication control device has the disadvantage that the number of internal mutual communications increases. With this increase, there has been a problem that increases the probability of malfunctions such as communication errors occurring.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a transmitting means for creating image information on the engine driver and transmitting the image information to the controller via the host interface, and A switching means for selectively switching between image information on the host interface directed to the controller and image information on the host interface directed from the engine driver to the controller, and input from the engine driver to the host interface for printing. The configuration includes a printout means for making a request for an order.

(Function) According to the present invention, information stored on the engine driver side is transmitted from the engine driver to the controller via the host interface by the transmitting means and the switching means, without using a serial line or the like. Since the information is transmitted, the above information is converted into a form that can be printed by a printer and then transmitted to the controller as image information.

(Example of implementation) The present invention allows maintenance information stored in the engine driver, such as various maintenance counters such as error history and number of prints, to be collected normally without using the communication port m (serial line, etc.) inside the machine. By inputting the image signal to the controller via the host interface using the transmission means consisting of the image information input communication line used, this information can be transmitted without having a program for processing the information on the controller side. It is characterized by printing out the information stored on the engine driver side.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer communication control device according to the present invention includes a controller 30. Engine driver 40.
Host interface 60 and non-volatile memory 70
It consists of etc.

The controller 30 has a function of converting print data sent from the host computer 20 into an image signal that can be printed by a printer (see FIG. 7).

The engine driver 40 has a function of controlling the paper feeding and image forming sequence of the printer, and also detecting the status of the printer such as an error.

The host interface 60 has a switching function that selectively switches between information from the host computer 20 and information from the engine driver 40 among the information passing through the communication line 80 headed for the controller 30 .

The non-volatile memory 70 is comprised of a battery-backed RAM or EEFROM, and has a function of storing maintenance information detected by the engine driver 40, such as a maintenance counter and error history.

On the other hand, the controller 30 and the engine driver 40
are operated according to a program as shown in FIG. 2(a).

In FIG. 1, a non-volatile memory 70 built into the engine driver 40 stores maintenance count information such as printer power on time, main motor on time, total number of prints, total number of jams, and number of errors since the printer started being used. It stores information such as the date and time of the error type 9 when the serviceman call error occurred, and the error history.

In order to obtain the maintenance information stored in the non-volatile memory 70, switch the switching means (changeover switch) built in the host interface 60 to the "engine driver controller" side, and This is executed by turning on the printout means (print switch 90).

That is, the communication control device configured as described above is operated according to a program as shown in FIG. 3 when a main switch (not shown) of the printer is turned on.

In FIG. 1, when the main switch is turned on, first, the position of the changeover switch of the host interface 60 changes from the "host computer to controller" side.
It is determined which side has been switched to the "engine driver controller" side (step I in Figure 3). Under normal conditions, the position of this changeover switch is from the "host computer to controller" side. placed in position.

That is, under normal conditions, the host interface 6
0 connects a communication cable 100 for transmitting image information from the host computer 20 to the controller 30. In this case, print data (image information) sent from the host computer 20 is sent to the controller 30 via the host interface 60. The controller 30 converts this print data into an image signal that can be printed by a printer, and sends the image signal to the engine driver 40 through the internal communication line 50. As a result, the engine driver 40 controls the paper feeding means and image forming means of the printer to perform normal printing operation (step ■ in FIG. 3).
The image information from the host computer 20 is printed on the recording paper 2 (see FIG. 7).

On the other hand, in step 3 of FIG. communication cable 200 (e.g. R523
2C, or Centronics, etc.) to the controller 30
It is connected to In this connected state, the print switch 90 on the engine driver 40 is turned on (Step 3 in Figure 3).
), when the engine driver 40 side receives a request to print out the maintenance information stored, the CPU of the engine driver 40 is driven, and the host computer 20 prints out each maintenance information stored in the non-volatile memory 70. Convert to the same data format as when sending image information to the controller 30 (Step 3 in Figure 3)
) is sent to the controller 30 via the host interface 60 via the communication cable 200 (Step V in FIG. 3). Similar to the image information sent from the host computer 20, the controller 30 converts each piece of maintenance information into an image signal that can be printed by a printer, and sends the image signal to the engine driver 40.
Upon receiving the image signal, the engine driver 40 operates the printer (step ■ in FIG. 3) in the same way as during normal printing, and prints out each maintenance information stored on the engine driver 40 side on the recording paper 2. .

By the way, the nonvolatile memory 7 in the engine driver 40
The maintenance information stored in 0 includes counts such as the total number of prints since the printer started being used, the number of jams that have occurred, and the number of serviceman call errors, as shown in Figure 4. Each item of maintenance information is stored in a binary format using 3 bytes at a preset address on the memory, and the memory contents are rewritten each time there is a change in this information. On the other hand, the CPU in the engine driver 40 receives a request to print out these pieces of information.
converts each data in the above format into image information as shown in FIG. in particular.

The binary count information is converted into a decimal number and an ASCII code.
A character string such as "tal Pr1nt" and a control code such as CR (carriage return), LF (line feed), or FF (print start) are added and stored. Therefore, according to this communication control device, the above-mentioned The image information created in the RAM is input to the controller 30 as if it were data from the host computer 20, and is printed out as maintenance information.

Further, as a means for inputting image information from the engine driver 40 to the controller 30, as shown in FIG. 6, a connector or cable for outputting the host interface 60 is provided on the engine driver 40. This can also be realized by configuring the communication cable 300 of the controller 30 connected to the host computer 20 to be reconnectable to the engine driver 40 side.

Furthermore, the engine driver 40 communicates with the engine driver 40 to control optional units 400 that can be installed in the printer, such as a duplex unit for double-sided printing, and a paper feed unit and paper ejection unit that are installed when adding paper feed and ejection trays. As the line 500, 11s of the same type as the communication cable 300 connecting the host computer 20 and the controller 30
If a cable such as 232c is used, the communication line 50 to the option unit 400 of the engine driver 40 can be connected to the optional unit 400.
0 to the controller 30 side as shown in FIG. 6, image information from the engine driver 40 can be transmitted to the controller 30.

Therefore, in this case, the option unit 4
By utilizing the existing communication line 500 to 00, the present invention can be implemented at no cost.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, among the mutual communication of various information between the 5 engine drivers and the controllers 1 to 1, the controller requests and processes information stored on the engine driver side. This eliminates the need for the controller, reducing the program capacity of the controller, and even if this controller is replaced with another model's controller, the information in the engine driver can be printed out, improving printer maintainability. Ru.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the controller and engine driver in the above embodiment, Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above embodiment, and Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above embodiment. Data table showing an example of the storage format of maintenance information in the example, No. 5
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a printer in which the present invention is implemented; FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a conventional communication control device, and FIG. 9 is a data table showing an example of communication data in the communication control device. 20... Host computer, 30... Controller, 40... Engine driver, 50... Internal communication line. 60...Host interface, 70...Nonvolatile memory, 80...Communication line, 90...Print switch, 100, 200.300...Communication cable. Good 5 2 Four mouths (Bokenryo 2X (4) Raku 3 Figure % 4 Figure % 5 Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A controller that converts print data sent from a host computer into image signals that can be printed by the printer, and an engine driver that controls the paper feeding and image creation sequences of the printer and detects error operations, etc. a transmitting means for creating image information on the engine driver and transmitting the image information to the controller via the host interface, image information on the host interface from the host computer to the controller, and the engine driver. switching means for selectively switching image information on the host interface from the engine driver to the controller; and printout means for inputting input from the engine driver to the host interface and requesting printout. communication control device for printers. 2. A non-volatile memory for storing information such as a maintenance counter and error history, and a control means for this non-volatile memory are arranged in the engine driver, and the information in this non-volatile memory is transmitted to the controller through the transmitting means. 2. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control device prints out the information.