JPH04124657U - Printing operation control device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] A printer printing operation control device (I/F
controller). [Configuration] A small board 12 on which a built-in system ROM 12a is mounted, an emulation cartridge 13 as a memory cartridge, and a mother print as a main body control board, which corresponds to a conventional I/F controller printed board minus the built-in system ROM. A connector 14 for removably electrically connecting the small board 12 and a socket 15 for removably electrically connecting the emulation cartridge 13 are mounted on the mother printed circuit board 11. Mother printed circuit board 11
is commonly used for all specifications, and the small board 12 and emulation cartridge 13 are installed as appropriate according to each specification.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

This invention uses printing operation designation information sent from a host computer or other host device. Therefore, it is used in printers that perform printing operations, and is generally used as an interface controller. The present invention relates to a printing operation control device called a controller (I/F controller).

0002

[Conventional technology]

The printer's I/F controller receives the prints sent from the host computer. An analysis program that analyzes character operation specification information and performs the corresponding printing operation. RAM is installed as a system ROM. Typically, such system ROM By configuring them to be interchangeable, it is possible to support multiple types of host computers. It has become. The specifications for making the system ROM replaceable in this way are as follows: For example, three methods as shown in FIGS. 4(A) to 4(C) are known.

0003 In the specifications shown in Figure 4(A), the printed circuit board ( The system ROM is mounted on the I/F controller printed circuit board (I/F PCB)1. All system ROMs are emulators, which are external memory cartridges. It is supplied in a cartridge (EMC) 2.

0004 In the specifications shown in Figure 4(B), a kind of built-in system ROM3 of the standard specifications is installed in the printer. The system ROM of other types is mounted on the emulation card board 1. It is designed to be supplied by replacing the cartridge 2. In this specification, the printer By installing the emulation cartridge 2 on the target board 1, the program is used by switching.

[0005] The specifications shown in Figure 4 (C) are compatible only with a type of genuine host computer. It is a type of built-in system RO that is fixedly mounted on the printed circuit board 1. Only M3 can be used.

[0006]

[Problems with conventional technology]

Models with specifications for the three types shown in Figures 4 (A) to (C) can be installed on a common printed circuit board. When manufacturing using This results in a wasted area A corresponding to the mounting area of the built-in system ROM, and the program There was a problem in that the entire lint board 1 became larger than necessary.

[0007] In addition, the printed circuit board 1 is equipped with a built-in system ROM as shown in Figure 4(A). Fix the built-in system ROM3 as shown in Figure 4 (B) and (C). There are two types of parts: one that is installed in There was a problem that

[0008] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4 (B), it is possible to support two or more types of host computers. Uni, replace the emulation cartridge 2 in addition to the built-in system ROM 3. In this case, the built-in system ROM 3 is mounted once on the printed circuit board 1. Once it is stored, replacing it with another system ROM requires installing a large number of ROM ICs. This requires troublesome work such as inserting and removing the connector from the socket and removing the solder. , built-in system ROM3 to respond to changes such as specification changes and version upgrades. There was a problem in that it was almost difficult to put on and take off.

[0009]

[Purpose of invention]

In view of the above conventional problems, the present invention aims to miniaturize the printed circuit board and It reduces the complexity of product management and can easily accommodate diversifying specifications. The purpose is to provide a printing operation control device (I/F controller) for printers. Ru.

0010

[Key points of the idea]

In order to achieve the above purpose, this invention uses predefined data sent from the host device. Printing by a printer that performs printing operations according to printing operation specification information configured according to a grammar. In the character operation control device, analyze and respond to the printing operation specification information according to the first grammar. a small base mounted with a first memory means for storing a program for executing a printing operation; and the printing operation designation information according to a second grammar different from the first grammar. and a second memory means for storing a program for executing a corresponding printing operation. a re-cartridge; and a memory device from either the first or second memory means. includes a processor that reads the program and executes printing information processing according to the program. and a main body control board on which a control section is mounted, and the main body control board includes the small board. a first connecting means for removably electrically connecting the memory cartridge; and a second connection means for removably electrically connecting the device. .

[0011]

【Example】

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an I/F controller according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in the same figure In general, this embodiment uses a mother printed board as the main body control board. 11, a small board 12 for system ROM, and an emulator as a memory cartridge. The configuration includes an emulation cartridge (or emulation card) 13. be done.

0012 The mother printed circuit board 11 is a conventional I/F controller shown in FIGS. 4(B) and 4(C). The built-in system ROM 3 is removed from the roller printed circuit board 1, and the specifications are different. Even when configuring various I/F controllers, all circuits that can be used in common It consists of The mother printed circuit board 11 configured in this way is similar to the conventional Compared to the printed circuit board 1, there is no mounting space for the built-in system ROM 3. The overall area is smaller. In addition, the schematic circuit of the mother printed circuit board 11 The configuration will be described later based on FIG. 3.

[0013] The small board 12 has specifications that correspond to a single host computer (hereinafter referred to as single-edition). (referred to as emulation type specification), and built-in system R for standard emulation. An emulation compatible host is created between the OM and the ROM in the emulation cartridge. Any of the specifications (hereinafter referred to as double emulation type A specifications) that can be changed This is a small board for system ROM that can be used for any application. This small board 12 has conventional Built-in system ROM12a, which is equivalent to storage system ROM3, is installed. The built-in system ROM 12a stores print data sent from various host computers. Executes printing operation processing in response to print specification information (control commands, page description language) In order to A system program that interprets printing operation specification information according to the syntax (grammar) is stored. There is. In order to match such a small board 12 with a corresponding host computer, Multiple types are available.

[0014] The emulation cartridge 13 is an emulation cartridge without a built-in system ROM. Specifications that operate only with emulation cartridges (hereinafter referred to as double emulation) ), and any of the above double emulation type A specifications. It is a memory cartridge that can be used for A base equipped with a ROM that stores a system program with the same configuration as OM12a. It has a built-in board. Such an emulation cartridge 13 is Multiple types are available depending on the type of computer.

[0015] Furthermore, a small board 12 is electrically connected to the mother printed board 11 in a detachable manner. connector 14 as a first connection means, and emulation cartridge 13. A socket 15 as a second connection means for detachably electrically connecting the A socket 16 for electrically connecting the character generator in a detachable manner is mounted. The desired type of small board 12 and emulation cartridge 13 are attached to it. By appropriately attaching them to the connector 14 and socket 15, I /F controller printed circuit board can be configured efficiently. For example, in Figure 2 As shown, the desired emulation is inserted into the socket 15 of the mother printed circuit board 11. Compatible with double emulation type B specification by installing cartridge 13 It can also be connected to the connector 14 and socket 15 of the mother printed circuit board 11. By installing the desired small board 12 and emulation cartridge 13, Compatible with blue emulation type A specifications, and also supports the mother printed circuit board. Single emulation is possible by attaching the desired small board 12 to the connector 14 of 11. It is possible to correspond to the version type specifications. In addition, the emulation cartridge 13 Connector 14 is used in case of double emulation B type specification which is supported only by single emulation supported only by the built-in system ROM12a. Although the socket 15 is not used in the case of connector type specifications, these connectors and sockets is relatively low-priced and requires only a small space for mounting, which further reduces the number of parts. In order to reduce the complexity of the process, the mother printer is implemented in common across all specifications. A hard board 11 is used.

[0016] Next, FIG. 3 shows a block configuration of the I/F controller of this embodiment. Broken in figure The part surrounded by lines is the I/F controller 20 of this embodiment, and this and the printer A page printer is configured with the unit 30, and the I/F controller 20 further includes a page printer. An external host computer 40 is connected.

[0017] The I/F controller 20 has, on its mother printed circuit board 11 (see FIG. 1), Host interface 21, CPU 22, RAM 23, reception buffer 24, interface image data generation section 25, frame memory 26, operation control section 27, switching section 2 8, printer interface 29, and connectors 14 and 14 also shown in FIG. It is equipped with sockets 15, 16, etc. Furthermore, on the small board 12 (see Figure 1) there is a built-in It is equipped with a system ROM 12a, which can be attached to and detached from the connector 14. Ru. In addition, an emulator is installed separately from the mother printed circuit board 11 and the small board 12 described above. tion cartridge 13 and a character generator 17, these are They can be attached to and detached from sockets 15 and 16 on the mother printed circuit board 11, respectively. ing.

[0018] The host interface 21 is, for example, an 8-bit parallel interface ( Centronics compliant) and serial interface (RS-232C compliant) The host computer 40 is configured as follows and has an interface of the same standard. Sends and receives data. The CPU 22 has a built-in system ROM 12a or an emulator. Command analysis and system management stored in the ROM in the application cartridge 13 I/F control according to the program and input information from the operation control unit 27. It is a part that controls each part in the roller 20, and the RAM 23 is a part that controls the work of the CPU 22. used as an area. The switching unit 28 switches between built-in system RO according to each specification. Program from either M12a or emulation cartridge 13 Check the connection between the connector 14 or socket 15 and the inside so that only This is the part that can be selectively switched.

[0019] The reception buffer 24 receives host data via the host interface 21. This is a memory that temporarily stores commands and data from the computer 40. stomach The image data generation unit 25 generates a character pattern (image data) corresponding to the received character code. This is the part that reads out image data) from the character generator 17. Fray The memory 26 develops image data for one page of printing paper as a dot pattern. It is a bitmap memory for printing on the largest printable paper (e.g. B4 size). ) has a storage capacity of The printer interface 29 has a frame memo The image data developed in the printer section 26 is converted into a video signal and sent to the printer section 30. a status signal for transmitting and monitoring its own status from the printer unit 30; This is the part that receives the data into the I/F controller 20.

[0020] The printer unit 30 includes a printer controller (not shown), a print head, and various sensors. , and various loads such as photoreceptor drums. According to the information sent from the controller 20 via the printer interface 29, This is the part that forms images on printing paper using an electrophotographic method. In addition, this pudding Since the data section 30 is not directly related to the gist of the present invention, a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. do.

[0021] In the I/F controller of this embodiment described above, the built-in system ROM 12a is configured to be mounted on a small board 12 separate from the mother printed board 11. , mother printed circuit board 1 by the amount corresponding to the mounting space of the built-in system ROM. 1 can be made smaller than a conventional I/F controller printed circuit board.

[0022] In addition, all circuit parts (emulated ROM parts) that differ depending on the specifications are motherboarded. Separated from printed circuit board 11, mother printed circuit board 11 is commonly used for all specifications. By making this possible, the complexity of parts management can be significantly reduced. Moreover, , simply combine and configure only the necessary parts according to the specifications, so there is no need to worry about the manufacturing process. It is possible to simplify the work at

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. Small board 12 on which stem ROM 12a is mounted and emulation cartridge 1 By using 3 and 3 as appropriate, it is possible to easily respond to diversifying specifications. Wear.

[0024] In addition, the system ROM can be checked using only an independent ROM board. , can be run separately from the larger motherboard-wide check, and is very efficient This makes it possible to conduct a thorough check.

[0025] Note that the number of built-in system ROMs 12a mounted on the small board 12 and the connector 1 4 and sockets 15 and 16 on the board are limited to those shown in Figures 1 and 2. It can be set as appropriate.

[0026] Furthermore, the circuit configuration of the I/F controller is also limited to that shown in Figure 3. rather, printing operation specification information sent from a higher-level device such as a host computer. If the configuration allows the printer unit to perform printing operations according to the A circuit configuration can also be adopted.

[0027]

[Effect of the idea] According to the present invention, the circuit part (emulated ROM part) that differs depending on the specifications can be All are separated from the main body control board (mother printed circuit board 11 in the example), and the above Attach the circuit part appropriately to the main body control board in the form of a small board and memory cartridge. By adopting a removable structure, the circuit section on the above small board can be mounted on one printed circuit board. The entire printed circuit board can be made smaller compared to conventional products that are equipped with Moreover, the main body control board can be used commonly for all specifications, reducing the complexity of parts management. Furthermore, the main control board can be used as a base for the above small board and the above memo board. Easily respond to diversifying specifications by using different cartridges as appropriate. I can do it.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing combinations corresponding to each specification in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram corresponding to various specifications in a conventional I/F controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Mother printed circuit board 12 Small board 12a Built-in system ROM 13 Emulation cartridge 14 Connector 15 socket 20 I/F controller 30 Printer section 40 host computer

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] Claims: 1. A printing operation control device for a printer that performs a printing operation according to printing operation specification information configured according to a predefined grammar sent from a host device, which analyzes and takes action according to the printing operation specification information according to a first grammar. a small board mounted with a first memory means for storing a program for executing a printing operation, and analyzing the printing operation specification information according to a second grammar different from the first grammar and executing a corresponding printing operation. A control section is mounted, including a memory cartridge including a second memory means for storing a program, and a processor that reads the program from either the first or second memory means and executes print information processing according to the program. a main body control board, and the main body control board includes a first connecting means for removably electrically connecting the small board, and a second connecting means for removably electrically connecting the memory cartridge. A printing operation control device characterized in that a connecting means is mounted.