JPH04101877A - Control apparatus of printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance the adjusting efficiency of a printer system by indicating the data giving and receiving mode between a server and a printer and the individual behaviors of both of them during the going off-line period before the printer substantially becomes an off-line state after an off-line command is issued to the printer from the server. CONSTITUTION:In the control apparatus of a printer system, both of a printer server 10 and a printer 20 are respectively loaded with GOFL programs 11b, 21b in which new control modes on the side of the server or printer are respectively entered during a going off-line period and, when an off-line command is once emitted to reach the going off-line period, the new printer control operation between the printer server 10 and the printer 20 is started corresponding to the contents defined by the respective GOFL programs 11b, 21b.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] This invention relates to a printer system, particularly a printer using a printer such as a xerographic printer, which causes a time lag after an offline command is sent until the printer becomes substantially offline. The present invention relates to implementing a control device for suitably controlling printer operations after receiving an offline command in a printer system.

[Prior Art] With the recent networking of workstations, personal computers, etc., printers, which are one of the final output devices, are also used to communicate between multiple users through a dedicated service device called a printer server. It is increasingly being shared and used.

Also, perhaps due to these circumstances, demand for printers in terms of printing speed and print quality is increasing.
In recent years, so-called xerographic printers, which actively incorporate xerographic technology, have suddenly been attracting attention as printers that can meet this demand.

By the way, although this xerography printer certainly has satisfactory performance in terms of printing speed and print quality, it is difficult to stop a series of processing operations, such as xerography technology, midway through. For the reason that, for example, when an offline (disconnection of logical connection on the network) command is issued through the printer server, etc., if some processing is continuing at that time, this command will not be followed. Unable to respond immediately, as described above, by the time you are effectively offline.
This creates a time lag that cannot be ignored.

By the way, with these xerographic printers, the paper being printed is
Issue JI.

(B) Check for abnormalities inside the machine.

(C) Refresh the memory (printer buffer memory) in preparation for accepting the next job.

CD) If there is no job, set the power save mode. That is, the xerography laser power source and the fixing device power source are temporarily turned off.

These processes must be completed, and the virtual offline state is reached only after all of these processes are completed.

During this time, it takes about several seconds to several tens of seconds. reach.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, in xerographic printers, there is often a time lag that cannot be ignored from when an offline command is issued to when the printer becomes substantially offline. However, this itself can be said to be somewhat unavoidable as it is the fate of using xerography technology.

However, conventionally, during this period, that is, after an offline command is issued to the printer from a printer server, etc.,
Since no agreement had been made between these servers and the printer regarding the period until the printer was effectively offline, the period of time was between about a few seconds and several tens of seconds. The operation of these servers and printers during this period was extremely ambiguous.

For example, if a feed command to start the printer is issued immediately after the above offline command is issued, the reaction on the printer side is extremely ambiguous; sometimes it starts, sometimes it does not start, It may remain offline.

Also, after the above offline command is issued, a jam (
In the event of a printer error such as a paper jam (paper jam), these errors should not normally occur while the printer is operating, but if there is the time lag mentioned above, it may actually occur. ),
Sometimes a status indicating that the error has occurred is normally returned to the server, but sometimes the server stops without any report.

This ambiguous relationship between servers and printers
This often leads to serious trouble,
This problem is particularly serious when the printer is used by multiple users via a network as described above.

Note that these printers are usually developed by different people or organizations, so if an offline command is issued to the printer from the server, etc., the printer will The behavior of these servers and printers during the period before they go offline varies depending on the model, and the reality is that you don't know what will happen until something actually happens.

Furthermore, this situation is generally common not only to the above-mentioned xerographic printers but also to printer systems that use printers that cause a time lag from when an offline command is issued until the printer becomes substantially offline.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and it is possible to manage the behavior between the server and the printer after an offline command is generated in the printer system described above, and to appropriately control their operations. The object of the present invention is to provide a printer system control device that can greatly improve the efficiency of development and system adjustment of these servers and printers.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In the present invention, the above-mentioned "period after an offline command is issued to the printer from a server etc. until the printer becomes substantially offline" is newly defined as "going offline". ”, and the manner in which information is exchanged between the server and the printer during this “going offline” period, as well as the individual behaviors based on the information exchanged, are newly defined. For example, the first control means is a control means on the server side that mainly outputs various commands to the target printer, and the first control means is on the printer side and returns the status indicating the status of the printer each time. When the second control means is defined as a control means that mainly directly controls each part of the printer in response to commands, the second control means includes: (a) control of the printer from the first control means; When a command to take the printer offline is issued, a first status (1) that defines the printer state during the period from when the offline command is issued until the printer becomes substantially offline, that is, the "going offline" period. means for sending back a going offline status) to the first control means;

(b) After returning this first status, the command issued from the first control means is determined to be a first command that can be executed normally in the printer state during this "going offline" period, and normal execution is at risk. When the first command is accepted, the commanded control is executed, and when the second command is accepted, the commanded control is classified as a second command. means for returning the status) to the first control means;

(C) After the first status has been returned, the command for which the second status has been returned will be processed on the condition that the printer is in the online state. means of retransmission.

should be established.

[Operation] When an offline command command is issued, at least the means (a) on the printer side recognizes that the printer has transitioned to the "going offline" state, and changes the first status to the first status. The data will be sent back to the control means.

Further, the first control means also recognizes that the target printer has transitioned to the "going offline" state by returning the first status.

Therefore, after that, both the first and second control means can shift to a new control mode based on the newly defined "going offline" period, and in particular, as this control mode, the above (b) If the behavior of the printer is defined based on the classification of commands through the means of (b), ambiguous behavior on the printer side can be avoided even during the same period, and commands whose execution is refused through the means of (b) can be avoided. Even if there is such a problem, the command retransmission control using the method (C) above will effectively avoid the occurrence of abnormal commands on the server side and the loss of command information due to the "going offline" state of the printer. become.

Note that even during this "going offline" period, printers may experience jams or other unrecoverable errors as described above. In order to deal with such errors, the second control means should also: (d) return the printer to the printer after returning the first status. Means for emergency stopping the operation and returning a third status indicating this to the first control means.

All you have to do is set up a . This allows these “
Even during the "going offline" period, abnormalities on the printer side can be reliably detected on the server side, making it possible to prevent major troubles from occurring.

In any case, when the second control means issues a command to take the printer offline from the first control means, the printer becomes substantially offline from the generation of the offline command. A specific status (going offline status) is generated that defines the printer status for a period of If the control device of the printer system basically has a function of shifting to a specific control mode to define various operations in the state, the above-mentioned ambiguous operations between the server and the printer can be avoided.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows an example of a printer system to which the present invention is applied, and an embodiment of its control device.

This printer system, as shown in FIG.
A letter printer server 10 connected to the network NW together with the work stations WSI, WS2, etc.
It is mainly configured by a xerographic printer 20.

Of these, the printer server 10 has a printer control program 1a1 in which basic printer control procedures as a printer server are described, and a "going offline" program newly defined in this invention, that is, the printer 20 from the printer server 10. After the offline directive was issued,
GOFL that describes the printer control procedure for the period until the printer 20 becomes substantially offline.
(Going OFF Li
ne) The program memory 11 in which the program 11b is mainly stored, and the printer server 10, including sending various commands to the printer 20 while reading the program stored in the program memory 11.
a server controller 12 that centrally executes various processes and controls required for the network NW;
a communication IF (interface) 13 that mainly controls data exchange between the 13 and 4, a data memory in which these exchanged data are temporarily stored; Server controller 12
and the display 16 of this information based on the display command of various information from the server controller 12.
A printer I is in charge of data exchange (mainly sending commands and receiving status) between the console control unit 15, which mainly performs display control, etc., and the service target printer 2o.
In particular, this printer server 1o not only sends printer control commands based on its own operations, but also sends out printer control commands to the workstations WS 1 through the communication IF 13. WS 2. Printer control commands based on operations such as , , etc. can also be interpreted and the corresponding commands can be sent to the service target printer 20. Incidentally, in this case, various statuses sent back from the printer 2o are also sent back to the workstation.

On the other hand, the printer 20 performs basic state management procedures as a xerography printer, such as direct 1. The state management program 21a1 in which IJ control procedures, etc. are described, and the GOFL (in which the same state management procedures, control procedures, etc. for the going offline j period defined in this invention are described)
Going OFF Lin
e) The program memory 21 in which the program 21b is mainly stored, and while reading the program stored in this program memory 21, returning various statuses indicating the current status of the printer to the printer server 10, etc. , the printer internal controller 22, which collectively executes the necessary processing and control inside the printer, and the printer IF 18, exchange data (mainly commands) with the printer server 10. a server IF 23 that handles processing (acceptance and return of status); a data buffer 24 in which print data (one page worth of print data) transmitted via the server 10 is temporarily stored; and a xerography unit and a fixing device. It is directly connected to the printer body 26, which is equipped with sensors for detecting the status of each part, a display (usually a liquid crystal type), a keyboard (usually a simple one centered on a numeric keypad), an offline switch, etc. 26 and the printer internal controller 22 for exchanging various necessary data.
F (interface) 25.

As described above, in the printer system control device according to this embodiment, a new control or management mode is applied to both the printer server 1o side and the printer 20 side during the above-mentioned "going offline" period. Written GOFL program 11
GOFL programs 11b and 21b are installed, and if an offline command is issued and the "going offline" period defined herein is reached, each of these GOFL programs 11b
A new printer control operation between the printer server 10 and the printer 20 is started in accordance with the contents defined by the printer server 10 and the printer 21b.

In the printer 20, the printer main body 26 itself is assumed to be a commonly known xerography printer, and detailed illustrations and explanations thereof will be omitted.

Further, a normal printer control algorithm between such a xerographic printer and a printer server is well known, and a detailed explanation thereof will not be given here.

FIG. 2 shows the procedure contents mainly described in the GOFL program 11b, and FIG. 3 shows the procedure contents mainly described in the GOFL program 21b. Illustrate.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the program 11b, which is the GOFL program on the printer server 10 side, performs the Step 5110 in Figure 2), and if the OFL status is not returned, flag F1 is set on the condition that the above rGOFL (going offline) status is returned (Step 51 in Figure 2).
20, 5140 and 5141), until the same OFL status is returned, the reply of the numeric keypad status (status indicating that the keyboard arranged on the printer body 26 was operated) from the printer 20, or the There are printer self-diagnosis instructions, printer online instructions, and printer feed instructions accompanying processing requests such as the duplex printing request, stapling request, hole punching specification request, sorter pin specification request, or paper tray specification request from any user. If the
(Steps 8123 to 8130), if an error occurs from the printer 20 that cannot be immediately recovered, such as a "low temperature error" or "high temperature error" in the fixing unit, or a "paper jam". If there is a reply of ``emergency stop status'' or a reply of ``reject status'' that refuses to accept the command (steps 5121 and 512 in Figure 2),
2) The sending command corresponding to + is stored in the data memory 14, internal register, etc. as appropriate (step 3131 in FIG. 2), in preparation for the next online processing.

This is a program that mainly describes procedures such as. As a special case, if the above online instruction is received during the "going offline" period, only the flag operation such as setting flag F2 is performed (step 31 in Figure 2).
28), After receiving the reply from the printer 2o saying "rOFL (offline) status", the rONL (
Online: ON 1. lne) command" to enter online processing (Step 5IIO in Figure 2).

5111.5112 and 5113). Further, in FIG. 2, steps 8150 to 5180 indicate processing related to normal printer control defined in the printer control program 11a.

On the other hand, the program 21b which is the GOFL program on the printer 20 side, as shown in FIG.
), rGOFL (going offline) status”
is sent to the server controller 12 (step 5220 in FIG. 3), and thereafter, the printer 2
If the numeric keypad 0 is pressed (step 5251 in FIG. 3), a status indicating this ([numeric keypad status]) is sent to the server controller 12 (step 5252 in FIG. 3), and based on this, the server When a "number display command" is issued from the controller 12 (step 5253 in FIG. 3), the printer 20
Display the instructed content on the display of the server controller 12 (step 5254 in FIG. 3).
"Self-diagnosis command" corresponding to the above self-diagnosis instruction
is issued (step 5255 in FIG. 3), the self-diagnosis process of the printer 20 is executed in response (step 5256 in FIG. 3), and the server controller 1
2 to ``feed command'' corresponding to the above printer feed instruction, ``duplex printing command'' corresponding to the above various requests, ``stapling command'', ``hole punching specification command'', ``sorter bin specification command'', or ``tray specification command'' ” (Step 5257 in Figure 3), the same server controller 1
2, send the above “reject status” as a reply.

However, during this time, if an error that cannot be recovered immediately occurs in the printer 20 (step 823 in FIG.
0), the printer main body 26 is stopped by one position (3rd
When the offline condition of the printer 20 is satisfied without an error occurring (step 3232 in FIG. 3), an "emergency stop status" indicating this is returned to the server controller 12 (step 3232 in FIG. 3). Step 5240), the rOFL (offline) status is returned to the server controller 12 (
FIG. 3 step 5241).

This is a program that mainly describes the procedures toyed with. Note that in this FIG. 3, steps 8260 to 5
Reference numeral 270 indicates processing before the above-mentioned "rOFL (offline) command" is issued, that is, processing related to normal printer management and control defined in the state management program 21a.

In such a printer system, the off-line request is normally issued by (a) operating the off-line switch mounted on the printer body 26;

(b) A command to that effect is input through the keyboard 17 of the printer server 10.

(C) A command to that effect is issued through a workstation or the like connected to the network NW.

In any of these cases, it is interpreted as such through the server controller 12, and an "0FL (offline) command" is issued as a procedure of the printer control program 11a stored in the program memory 11. It happens.

Therefore, for example, (v) many print request jobs are being issued to the printer server 10 from each workstation on the network NW (FIG. 1).

(*) In the printer server 10, these print request jobs are queued (
(waiting for processing).

(*) The Nth job that specifies the number of sheets to be printed is 10 has been started, and currently three sheets of paper are present on the print process (paper transport path) within the printer main body 26.

(*) Prior to this, the printer 20 had been emitting a status indicating that the amount of toner remaining was low, and this status could be sent to the workstation or printer server]0
At this point, the operator who confirmed this through the monitor screen (display 16) pressed the offline switch installed in the printer 20 to replenish toner.

At this time, the job being printed had completed discharging one sheet, and the three sheets being printed were being processed inside the printer.

(*) When the offline switch is pressed, a status indicating this is immediately sent to the server controller 12, and upon receiving this, the server controller 12 executes a printer control program based on the printer control program lla stored in the program memory 11. tt sends a "feed command" that instructs 20 to feed the 5th sheet of paper.
At the same time, the above rOFL (offline) command was sent.

Then, in the control device of this embodiment, after recognizing the occurrence of this OFL command through the printer internal controller 22 (step 5210 in FIG. 3), the rGO command is sent to the server controller 12 through the printer internal controller 22.
FL (going offline) status" is returned (step 5220 in FIG. 3), and the control mode is shifted to a control mode (hereinafter referred to as "going offline" mode) that targets the "going offline" period.

Then, in the control device that has transitioned to the "going offline" mode, the GOFL program 11b (
Figure 4(a) based on Figure 2) and 21b (Figure 3).
Alternatively, in the manner shown in FIG. 4(b), the server 1
0 and the operation control of the printer 20 is started.

Incidentally, FIG. 4 shows each GOFL of this embodiment control device.
The control algorithms described and defined in programs llb and 21b are summarized and shown as a time chart for convenience.

First, Figure 4(a) shows the above "going offline"
These control procedures are schematically shown when an error that cannot be immediately recovered occurs on the printer 20 side during the period, and in this case, the control device issues (1) an offline request as described above. server controller]2
OFL to the printer internal controller 22 through
(Offline) Send a command (t11).

(2) Upon receiving this, the GOFL (Going Offline) status is returned to the server controller 12 through the printer internal controller 22 (112).

Through these procedures, the mode is shifted to the above-mentioned "going offline" mode, and then the sensor in the printer body 26 detects a problem that cannot be immediately recovered, such as a "low temperature error" or "high temperature error" in the fuser, or a "jam (paper jam)." On condition that the occurrence of a possible error has been detected (113), (3) emergency stop the operation of the printer main body 26, return a status indicating this to the server controller 12 through the printer internal controller 22, and at the same time Place the printer 20 offline (t14)
.

Such control is executed through each of the GOFL programs 11b and 21b.

In this case, the operator will take necessary measures according to the error content displayed on the display of the printer 20.

In addition, Fig. 4(b) shows this [going offline]
The control procedures for dealing with the above various commands that may be issued during mode are categorized and shown, and as above, (1) In response to an offline request, the printer internal controller 22 An OFL (offline) command is sent to (121).

(2) Upon receiving this, the GoFL (Going Offline) status is returned to the server controller 12 through the printer internal controller 22 (t22).

In the control device that has entered the "going offline" mode through the following procedure, if the numeric keypad on the printer main body 26 is operated, for example, (3) printer internal controller]--through the roller 22, the server controller 12 The above-mentioned "numeric keypad status" is sent to (123).

(4) Through the server controller 12 that received this,
A "number display command" is sent to the printer internal controller 22 (124).

(5) The sent ``number display command'' is determined to be a command that can be executed even in the ``going offline mode,'' and the printer internal controller 22
The contents are displayed on the display of the printer body 26 through the printer main body 26.

(6) When a self-diagnosis request or an online request is made to the printer 20, (6) the corresponding "self-diagnosis command" is executed through the GOFL programs 11b and 21b mentioned above. Ya rONL (online)
command" is sent to the printer internal controller 22 (L24).

(7) These sent commands are also determined to be executable commands during the "going offline mode", and the printer internal controller 22 is caused to execute the respective requested commands.

The same control is carried out by the same GOFL programs llb and 2.
1. Execute through b.

However, as explained earlier with reference to FIG. 2, regarding the above rONL (online) command,
After the "going offline" mode ends, the commanded control is executed again (t27).
). Alternatively, it is of course possible to interrupt the "going offline mode" and immediately shift to the "online" state when the "rONL (online) command" is sent.

In addition, during this "going offline" mode, processing requests such as a double-sided printing request, a stapling request, a hole punching specification request, a sorter bin specification request, a paper tray specification request, etc. are issued to the printer 20 along with the activation request. (8) In addition to a “feed command” that commands startup,
"Double-sided printing command", "stapling command", "drilling command", "
A command such as "sorter bin designation command" or "tray designation command" is sent to the printer internal controller 22 through the server controller 12 (t24).

However, in the case of these commands, they cannot necessarily be executed normally in the printer state related to the "going offline", so (9) "Reject status" is set to refuse reception of these commands through the printer internal controller 22. server controller 1
2 is sent back (t 25).

The following control is executed through the GOFL program 21b, and at the same time, on the server 10 side, (10) If this "reject status" is received, this command is executed for the command that received the "reject status". as a pair with the above "feed command", the data memory 14 or server controller 1
2. Temporarily store it (queue registration) in an internal register, etc., and then when it is in the "online" state mentioned above,
The command pair will be sent again.

Such control is executed through the GOFL program llb.

In parallel with these processes, the control device monitors the state of the printer main body 26, and when the printer main body 26 enters the above-described substantially off-line state, that is, (^) the paper being printed is ejected.

(13) Check for abnormalities inside the machine.

(C) Refresh the memory (printer buffer memory) in preparation for accepting the next job.

(D) If there is no job, set the power save mode.

When all such processing is completed, the server controller 12 is sent back an "rOFL (offline) status" via the printer internal controller 22 (12B).
.

As a result, the server 10 and printer 20 are effectively placed in an offline state.

Of course, even immediately after the "0FL (offline) command" is issued, as long as the conditions for going offline on the printer 20 side are met, the rOFL (offline) command is sent through the printer internal controller 22. status" is returned, and the transition to the offline state between the server 10 and the printer 20 is completed.

When the transition to the offline state is completed in this way, the operator replaces the toner after confirming the offline display displayed on the display almost at the same time as the printer 20 stops.

Thereafter, when the same operator presses the online switch (not shown; for example, an offline switch and a toggle switch) of the printer 20, the printer status management and control are performed based on the status management program 21a. A key online status, that is, a status indicating that the online switch has been pressed, is sent to the server controller 12 through the printer internal controller 22, which executes the key online status. Thereafter, the predetermined printer control will be executed based on the blink control program l1g, and the "online command" will be sent out according to the key online status, and the job (
In order to restart the Nth job), the "feed command" whose transmission was stopped is started.

In this way, according to the embodiment control device, even if the above “
Even if commands are sent during the "Going Offline" period, these commands will be
By pre-classifying commands into commands that can be executed even during the "going offline" period and commands whose normal execution is at risk, it is possible to specify whether or not they can be executed to avoid any inconvenience. Even if an error occurs during the period, since the procedure and countermeasures are clearly defined, it is possible to eliminate ambiguous behavior between the server 10 and the printer 20 after the offline command is issued. It becomes like this.

In the above embodiment, even commands whose normal execution is at risk during the [going offline] period are sent from the server controller. Of course, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the server side determines the appropriateness of sending commands and prohibits the sending of these commands. In short, as long as the behavior of the server and printer is uniquely defined during the period when the above-mentioned "going offline status" is valid, as long as the operation of the server and printer is agreed upon, the above-mentioned behavior of the same control device can be It is possible to obtain similar effects.

Also, depending on the printer system, when the offline switch is operated on the printer side, there are systems in which an "offline command" is generated directly within the printer without going through the server controller; Application of the control device according to the invention is possible.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a printer system using a xerography printer is assumed, but this is not limited to a printer system using a printer that causes a time lag before going offline after an offline command is issued. If so, the control device according to the present invention can be applied to any other system.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the period from when an offline command is issued to a printer from a server etc. until the printer becomes substantially offline is newly defined as "going offline". '', and newly defined the manner in which information is exchanged between servers and printers during this ``going offline'' period, as well as the individual behavior based on the information exchanged, so these servers and printers during the same period Also, ambiguous behavior between printers is avoided, and the reliability of the printer system is significantly improved.

In addition, by defining the "going offline" period for servers and printers in this way, and also newly defining each operating condition or operation sequence during that period, it is possible to Operation and behavior will become more common, and in turn, the many operation tests and adjustment tasks that were previously repeated when developing these devices or introducing them into new systems will be eliminated or simplified. .

This means that the efficiency of development and system adjustment of these servers and printers can be greatly improved through the control device according to the present invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a control device for a printer system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure on the server side in the "going offline" mode of the control device of the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure on the printer side in the "going offline" mode of the control device of the same embodiment. FIG. 4 is a time chart summarizing the operation of the control device of the embodiment in the "going offline" mode. 10, ,Printer server, 11, ,Program memory, 11a, ,Printer control program, 11
b., GOFL (Going Offline) Program, 12. ,,Server Controller,1B,,. Communication IF (interface), 14. ,,data memory,15. , , console control section, 16. , ,Display, 17 , ,Keyboard, 18. ,,Printer I
F (interface), 20. ,, printer, 21
,,,Program memory, 21. a., state management program, 21b, GOFL (going offline) program, 22., printer internal controller, 23. ,,server IF (interface), 24
．． ,,data buffer,25. ,. Internal IF (interface), 26. ,,The printer itself. Procedural amendment (method) % formula % Name of invention Printer system control device 3゜Relationship with the person making the amendment case

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A first control means that is externally connected to the printer as a printer server and mainly outputs various commands to the printer, and a first control means that is disposed in the printer body and returns status indicating the status of the printer each time, and The second part mainly controls each part of the printer directly according to commands.
A control device for a printer system that controls the operation of the printer through exchange of commands and status between the first and second control means, the second control means comprising: A first status that defines the printer state for a period from when the first control means issues a command to take the printer offline until the printer becomes substantially offline. means for returning the first status to the first control means; and after returning the first status, a command issued from the first control means can be normally executed in the printer state corresponding to the first status. The command is classified into a first command that is safe and a second command whose normal execution is at risk, and when the first command is accepted, the commanded control is executed, and when the second command is accepted, the commanded control is executed. means for returning a second status that refuses execution of the control to the first control means; A control device for a printer system comprising means for resending a command for which a status has been returned on condition that the printer is in an online state. (2) After returning the first status, when an unrecoverable error occurs in the printer, the second control means emergency stops the operation of the printer and sends a third message to that effect. The printer system control device according to claim 1, further comprising means for returning the status to the first control means. (3) A first control means that is externally connected to the printer as a printer server and mainly outputs various commands to the printer; and a first control means that is disposed in the printer body and returns status indicating the status of the printer at each time; The second part mainly controls each part of the printer directly according to commands.
A control device for a printer system that controls the operation of the printer through exchange of commands and status between the first and second control means, the second control means comprising: When a command to take the printer offline is issued from the first control means, a specific status defining the printer state during the period from generation of the offline instruction command to when the printer is substantially offline. occurs, and during a period during which the generated specific status is valid, the first and second control means are control devices of the printer system that shift to a specific control mode that defines various operations in the printer state. .