JPH03158924A - Printer controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To constitute the controller so that a host device recognizes automatically a function peculiar to a printer device, and the subsequent data transfer processing can be started by transferring printer information to the host device from the printer device by an initialization control signal transferred to the printer device from the host device. CONSTITUTION:At the time of operation start of a printer device 200, its initializing operation is executed in advance and at the timing inputted to a printer controller by an initialization control signal, the printer device 200 outputs printer information to a parallel data transfer line 301. In this case, in this parallel data transfer line 301, a driver/receiver is connected in advance to a host device 100 side, and the printer device 200 side, respectively. In such a way, the printer information is transferred to the host device 100 from the printer device 200, the host device 100 reads this contents, can decide what kind of data transfer system is adopted, and also, a transfer of the initialization control signal is executed in a conventional device, as well, and it is unnecessary to change the constitution of an interface itself.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a blink control device characterized by an interface that connects a host device and a printer device.

(Prior Art) When a printer device is connected to a higher-level device such as a host computer and print data is transferred from the higher-level device to the printer device for printing, there are the following data transfer methods.

FIG. 2 shows an explanatory diagram of a conventional data transfer method to a general printer.

The device shown in (a) of the figure employs an image data transfer method.

In the figure, a host device 1 and a printer device 2 are connected by an interface 3 having a parallel data transfer path. This host device 1 is provided with a font memory 4. When a printer device 2 that does not have a built-in kanji font memory or external character memory is connected to the host device 1, the host device 1 converts the print data into image data (■) using the font memory 4 in advance, as shown in the figure. and transfer it to the printer device 2.

FIG. 2(b) employs the code data transfer method.

A printer device 2 having a built-in font memory 4 is connected to the host device 1 shown in the figure. In this way, when the font memory 4 is installed on the printer device 2 side, the code data is sent from the host device 1 via the interface 3.
is transferred to the printer device 2. This code data (2) is converted into image data using the font memory 4 in the printer device 2 and used for printing.

Generally, a parallel interface is often used for data transfer between the above-mentioned host device and printer device.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a conventional general parallel interface. .

The illustrated device connects a host device 1 and a printer device 2 with a parallel data transfer path 31 and a data strobe line 3.
2. Connection is made through an acknowledge line 33, a busy line 34, and a select line 35.

The host device 1 is equipped with a host control section 11 that controls the operation of the host device. Further, the printer device 2 is provided with a printer control section 21 that controls the operation of the entire printer device. The parallel data transfer path 31 is composed of lines for 8-bit data transfer. Further, a driver 12 and a receiver 22 are connected to both ends thereof.

The driver 12 is a circuit for outputting data output from the higher-level control unit 11 of the higher-level device 1 to the parallel data transfer path 31. Further, the receiver 22 is a circuit that transfers data input to the printer device 2 from the parallel data transfer path 31 to the blink control section 21. The data strobe line 32 is a line that transfers a row active data strobe signal from the host controller 11 to the printer controller 21 .

Note that the printer control unit 21 samples the data input from the parallel data transfer path 31 when the data strobe signal changes from low level to high level.

Acknowledgment line 33. The busy line 34 and the select line 35 are lines for transferring a response signal from the printer control section 21 to the upper control section 11.

When the select signal is at a high level, it indicates that the printer device 2 can receive data. Both the busy signal and the acknowledge signal are signals that change each time one byte of data is received. When this busy signal is at a high level, it indicates that the printer control section 21 is unable to receive data. Furthermore, when it is at low level, it indicates that data reception is possible. The acknowledge signal is a low active signal, and when it is at a low level, it indicates that character input has been completed or a function operation has been completed.

FIG. 4 shows a conventional parallel interface data transfer operation time chart. The operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 will be explained using this time chart.

First, the host device 1 sends parallel data to the parallel data transfer path 31, as shown in FIG. 4(a). For example, 8-bit data is sent between time t+''js.Furthermore, the upper control unit 11 sends out 8-bit data between time t2 and time t
3, the data strobe signal is set to low level [FIG. 3(b)]. In response, the printer control unit 21 raises the busy signal at time t4 and samples 1 byte of data on the parallel data transfer path 31. During this data processing, the busy signal is held at a high level for a certain period of time, and when the busy signal falls at time t8 [see figure (
c)], and then the acknowledge signal is sent from time t7 to t8.
[Figure (d)] The upper control unit 11 confirms that this acknowledge signal has become low level, and sends out the next 1 byte of data again between time t9 and time t12 [FIG. 4(a)].

By repeating the above sequence, the host control section 11 transfers print data and coat data one byte at a time to the printer control section 21, thereby controlling printing.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Generally, in a printer control device having the above configuration, the data transfer direction is limited to one direction from the host device 1 to the printer device 2 side.

Therefore, if the data transfer method differs depending on the configuration of the printer device 2, as shown in FIG. I needed to be aware of what was going on. That is, when connecting the host device 1 to the printer device 2, if the printer device 2 adopts the image data transfer method, the operator sets this in the internal circuit of the host device 1 and performs the data transfer operation. I was trying to get it to run. Also, when connecting a new device that transfers code data, the settings must be changed.

However, this poses a problem in that when a large number of link devices are connected to a host device, it places an excessive burden on the operator and impedes improvement in system operability.

The present invention has been made with the above points in mind. When a host device is connected to a printer device, the host device automatically recognizes the unique functions of the printer device and transfers data. The purpose of this invention is to provide a printer control device that can perform the following functions.

(Means for Solving the Problems) A printer control device of the present invention includes a parallel data transfer path for bidirectional data transfer connecting between a host device and a printer device, and a parallel data transfer path for bidirectional data transfer that connects a host device and a printer device, and a a driver/receiver for transmitting and receiving information, and a printer information holding unit connected to the driver/receiver on the printer side and holding printer information for transmitting functions unique to the printer device to the higher-level device, The information holding unit outputs the printer information to the parallel data transfer path when the host device outputs an initialization control signal to cause the printer to perform an initialization operation when the printer starts operating. It is characterized by:

(Function) The printer control device described above executes the initialization operation in advance when the printer starts operating. However, at the timing when the initialization control signal is input to the printer control device, the printer device connects to the parallel data transfer path. Output printer information. Here, a driver/receiver is connected in advance to the parallel data transfer path on the host device side and the printer device side, respectively. Therefore, the printer information is transferred from the printer device to the higher-level device, and the higher-level device can read this content and determine what data transfer method should be adopted. Transfer of initialization control signals is also performed in conventional devices, and there is no need to change the configuration of the interface itself.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail using embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a printer control device of the present invention.

In the illustrated device, a host device 100 and a printer device 200 are connected by a parallel interface including a parallel data transfer path 301 and an input plum line 302.

The actual device includes the data strobe line 32. shown in FIG. Acknowledgment line 33. Busy line 34.
Although a selector line 35 and the like are provided, the configuration and operation of these lines are the same as those of the conventional one, so their illustration is omitted in FIG.

The host device 100 shown in the figure is provided with a host control section 110, a driver/receiver 130, and a driver 140.

The printer device 200 also includes a printer control unit 210.
, a driver/receiver 220, a receiver 230,
A driver 240 and a printer information holding section 250 are provided.

A parallel transfer path 301 connects the driver/receiver 130 and the driver/register 0 bar 220 . Further, the upper control unit 110 and the driver/receiver +30 are connected by a pass line 118. On the other hand, on the printer device 200 side, the driver/
A path line 211 connects the receiver 220 and the printer control unit 2]0.

The above path line +18, parallel transfer path 301. The pass line 211 constitutes a data transfer line for printing.

In the apparatus of the present invention, printer information prepared for transmitting the unique functions of the printer apparatus 200 to the higher-level apparatus is transferred to this print transfer line.

A control line +22 is provided between the host controller 110 of the host device 100, the driver/receiver +30, and the driver 140, and the host controller 110 connects the printer controller 210 to the printer controller 210.
At the start of the operation, an initialization control signal for executing the initialization operation is transferred. This initialization control signal is received by receiver 230 from driver 140 via input prime line 302 . The output of receiver 230 is connected to driver/receiver 220 via control line 213.
, the driver 240 , and the printer control unit 210 .

Furthermore, in the printer device 200, the output of the printer information holding unit 250 is transmitted to the pass line 214 and the driver 24.
0 and the pass line 212, and is connected to be input to the pass line 211.

The higher-level control unit +10 is a circuit for controlling the overall operation of the higher-level device Ion. In addition, the printer control unit 21
0 is a circuit for controlling the overall operation of the printer device 200. Driver/Receiver 130 and 22
0 are circuits for enabling bidirectional data transfer at both ends of the parallel data transfer path 301.

Other drivers 140, 240, receiver 230, etc. use conventionally known circuits.

Further, the printer information holding unit 250 includes, for example, a deep switch, etc., and identifies whether the printer 1 device 200 operates in response to, for example, image data transfer or code data transfer. , the content representing the functions specific to the printer device.

The upper control unit 110 includes a 020 unit 1 consisting of a processor and the like.
11, a transmission data timing circuit 112, a reception data timing circuit 113, a register 114, and a register 115.

CPU section I11 and transmission data timing circuit 112
and the reception data timing circuit 113 are mutually connected by a path line +15. Further, the output of the transmission data timing circuit +12 is connected to be input to the register 114 via a path line 117. Further, the transmit data timing circuit 112 is connected to a control line 119.
The register 114 is wired to control the operation of the register 114 via the register 114.

On the other hand, the reception data timing circuit 113 connects the data read line 120 and the data set line +21 to the input terminal and control terminal of the register +15, respectively, and further connects the input prime line 1122 to the driver 140 etc. described earlier. It is wired like this.

Information sent from the printer device 200 to the parallel transfer line 301 is input to the register 115 via the pass line 118 . And register 11
The output of 5 is connected to the pass line 11 via the pass line 116.
It is wired to input to 5.

The printer control device of the present invention having the above configuration operates as follows.

FIG. 5 shows an initial operation timing chart of the printer control device of the present invention. The detailed operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be explained using this timing chart.

First, the printer control device of the present invention performs a characteristic operation before starting the transfer operation. When the host device 100 transfers print data to the printer device 200, it causes the printer device 200 to perform an initialization operation at the start of the operation.

Input prime line 302 is used for this.

The 020 unit 111 of the upper control unit 110 controls the received data timing circuit +13 and outputs an input prime signal (initialization control signal) to the control line 122.

This initialization control signal is used by driver 140 and input prime line 302 . Receiver 230. control line 213
The printer controller 210 is manually operated via the printer controller 210 . As a result, the printer control unit 210 is initialized. At the same time, an initialization control signal is input to the driver/receiver 130 via the control line 122 of the host device 100,
Driver/receiver 130 is configured to operate as a receiver.

On the other hand, a similar initialization control signal is also input to the driver/receiver 220 of the printer device 200,
Receiver 220 is configured to perform driver operations. This allows data to be transferred from the printer device 200 to the host device 100 side.

Further, on the printer device 200 side, a receiver 230
An initialization control signal is input to the driver 240 from the pass line 214 . The data is transferred to the host device 100 via the pass line 212 and the pass line 211. Upper device 10
In the upper control unit 110 of No. 0, the printer information is input to the register 115 via the lot line 118.

Here, the CPU section 111 of the host device 100 inputs the data set signal to the register 115 via the reception data timing circuit 113. This causes register 115
The printer information input from the pass line 118 is set to .

Subsequently, a data read signal is input from the CPU unit Ill to the register 115 via the reception data timing circuit 113, and as a result, the printer information held in the register 115 is transferred to the CPU via path lines 116 and 115.
111. As a result, the CPU section 111
It is recognized whether the printer device 200 is of an image data transfer type or a code data transfer type.

After that, when the initialization control signal returns to high level, the driver/receiver 130 of the host device 100 operates as a driver, the driver/receiver 220 of the printer device 2005 operates as a receiver,
A state is entered in which data is transferred from the host device 100 to the printer device 200. After that, C of the host device 100
The PU unit I11 starts transferring printing data to the printer device 200 via the parallel data transfer path 301. In this data transfer, the transmission data timing circuit 112 stores data one byte at a time in the register 114, and sequentially transfers the data to the parallel data transfer path 301.

The subsequent data transfer operation is exactly the same as that of the conventional device already explained in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 5 shows a specific operation timing chart of the apparatus shown in FIG.

That is, in FIG. 5(a), when the input prime line initialization control signal falls at time t1, on the printer device 2 side, as shown in FIG. 5(b) and (C), at time t2, Bring down the select signal and raise the busy signal. Also, at the same time as the initialization control signal falls, printer information is transferred to the parallel 6 data transfer line from the third-position device 10.
The direction toward the 0 side is output [FIG. 6(e)]. And the same figure (
f), the data set signal is output from the reception data timing circuit 113 to the register +15 in FIG.
11, printer information is read.

When the initialization control signal rises at time t5, the transfer of printer information is completed, the select signal rises at time t6 [same figure (b)], and the busy signal falls at time t7 [same figure (c)] , the acknowledge signal falls between time t8 and time t9 [FIG. 2(d)], and the printer device 2
00 side notifies the host device 100 that it is ready to receive data. Thereafter, conventional data transfer is performed according to the timing chart shown in FIG.

If the above control is performed, when printer information is transferred from the printer device 200 to the host device 100, other information will not be sent to the parallel data transfer path 301, and data collisions will not occur. . Moreover, since the initialization control signal that the host device outputs to initialize the printer when the printer starts operating is used as is to control the output of printer information, a new interface is added to the conventional interface. There is no need to add control lines, etc. Moreover, the printer information is information that only needs to be accepted once at the time of initialization, and the device of the present invention effectively uses the initialization control signal to control the parallel data transfer path capable of bidirectional transmission. There is.

(Effects of the Invention) The printer control device of the present invention described above connects a host device and a printer device through a parallel data transfer path capable of bidirectional data transfer, and initialization control is transferred from the host device to the printer device. Since the printer information is transferred from the printer device to the higher-level device based on the signal, the higher-level device can automatically recognize the unique functions of the printer device and start subsequent data transfer processing. Therefore, the burden on the operator is reduced and the operability of the system is improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the printer control device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional RQ data transfer method to the printer, Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional general parallel interface, and Fig. 4 5 is a conventional parallel interface data transfer operation time chart, and FIG. 5 is a parallel interface initial operation time chart of the present invention. 100... Host device, 200... Printer device, 2
50...Printer information holding unit, 301...Parallel data transfer path, 302...Input prime line.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A parallel data transfer path for bidirectional data transfer connecting between a host device and a printer device, and a driver/driver that transmits and receives the data at both ends of the parallel data transfer path.
a receiver; and a printer information holding unit that is connected to the driver/receiver on the printer side and holds printer information for transmitting functions specific to the printer device to the higher-level device, and the printer information holding unit includes the following: When the host device outputs an initialization control signal to execute the initialization operation of the printer device at the start of operation of the printer device, the parallel data transfer path is
A printer control device that outputs the printer information.