JPH04146180A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize total comprehension of current operating mode of printer by utilizing the display in a host computer connected with the printer. CONSTITUTION:Printer operation mode receiving operation is executed synchronously with printer operation mode transferring operation on the host computer side and an operation controller 12 on the host computer side sums and edits received data and then stores the data in a memory 13 while furthermore a printer operation mode table is displayed on a display 14. Data entered on a keyboard 11 into the memory 13 is then updated and a printer operation mode set request is delivered through an I/O interface 16 to the printer side. The data inputted through a printer I/O interface 1 is then interpreted on the printer side and printer operation mode setting operation is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device having means for displaying an operating mode.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventionally, printers have become mainstream that are equipped with some sort of display means on the display device of the printer itself that allows the current printer mode setting status to be displayed and confirmed. Display devices for this type of printer typically use a one-line display.

A conventional printer device will be described below.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of a conventional printer device, in which 1 is a printer input/output interface for exchanging data with a host computer, 2 is a printer mode setting pushbutton for changing the printer's operating mode, and 3 is printer input/output. A printer storage device that temporarily stores data and commands input through interface 1 or the printer operation mode set with printer mode setting pushbutton 2; 4 is a printing device that prints on paper (omitted in the figure); 5 is a print control device that controls the printing device 4; 6 is a print control device that processes the data input from the printer input/output interface 1 and the data stored in the printer storage device 3 and provides the data to the print control device 5; 7 is a printer display device that displays the printer operation mode stored in the blink storage device 3; 8 is an output to the printer display device 7 according to the printer operation mode stored in the printer storage device 3; This is a printer display control device for controlling the printer.

On the other hand, 11 is a keyboard that gives data or commands;
12 is an arithmetic control unit that interprets data or commands input from the keyboard 11 and performs data processing operations;
3 is a storage device that stores the results of processing operations performed by the arithmetic and control device 12; 14 is a display device that displays the data processed by the arithmetic and control device 12; 15 is a display control device that drives and controls the display device 14; 16 is a general configuration of a host computer consisting of an input/output interface that allows data or commands to be sent and received to an external device.

The mutual relationship and operation of the above components will be explained.

Data and commands input via the printer input/output interface 1 are stored in the printer storage device 3 by the printer arithmetic and control device 6. The operating mode of the printer is also changed according to the input command as described above. To know the current printer operation mode, operate printer mode setting push button 2 to place the printer in an offline state where it is not connected to the host computer, and then operate push button 2 in multiple steps to determine the desired printer operation. The mode is displayed on the printer display device 3.

On the other hand, the printer arithmetic control device 6 sends the data temporarily stored in the printer storage device 3 to the printer print control device 5 according to the current printer operation mode, so that the printing device 4 prints characters and figures on paper. do.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the above conventional configuration, the printer display device f
Since a one-line display is normally used in the printer storage device 3, in order to check the current printer operation, normally operate the printer mode setting push button 2 in multiple steps to display the required printer information stored in the printer storage device 3. It is necessary to selectively display the operating mode on the printer display device 7. Furthermore, since the number of characters that can be displayed on a one-line display is limited, there is a problem in that it is not possible to grasp the current operating mode of the printer at once.

The present invention solves the above problems and aims to provide a printer device that utilizes a large screen display device of a host computer.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the printer device of the present invention includes a communication means capable of bidirectional communication with a host computer;
A push button for changing the operating mode of the printer, a storage means for storing the changed operating mode of the printer in response to the operation of the push button, and a control means for processing and editing data commands input via the communication means. and a means for printing the data in accordance with the operating mode of the printer.According to the above configuration, the display device of the host computer connected to the printer is used.
It becomes possible to grasp the current operating mode of the printer at once.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer device in an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a printer input/output interface, 2 is a printer input/output interface, and 2 is a printer input/output interface.
is the printer mode setting push button, 3 is the printer storage device, 4
5 is a printing device, 5 is a printing control device, and 6 is a printer arithmetic control device, which have the same configuration as the conventional example. Note that 11 is a keyboard, 12 is an arithmetic control unit, 13 is a storage device, 14 is a display device, and 15 is a display control device, which are the same configurations as those on the host computer side of the conventional example.

The mutual relationship and operation of each of the above constituent elements will be explained according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3.

First, on the printer side, after power is turned on, various variables are initialized in process 41. In process 42, it is determined whether or not the printer mode setting push button has been pressed, and if it has been pressed, mode setting processing is performed in process 43.

Next, data is input from the host computer via the printer input/output interface in process 44. In process 45, the type of data is determined and various processes are performed.

On the host computer side, a printer processing resident program is activated in step 31 by manipulating a predetermined specific key. After startup, in process 32, a printer operation mode transfer request is sent to the printer side via the input/output interface 16.
sent via.

On the printer side, the data input through the printer input/output interface 1 is interpreted and judged in process 45, and then processed in process 4.
At step 6, printer operation mode transfer processing is performed. On the host computer side, a printer operation mode reception process is performed in process 33 in synchronization with the printer operation mode transfer process.

Based on the received data, the arithmetic and control unit 12 on the host computer side processes and edits the data, and the data is stored in the storage device 13. In step 34, a list of printer operation modes is displayed on the display device 14. Next, in process 35, the data stored in the storage device 13 is updated through the keyboard 11, and in process 36, a printer operation mode setting request is sent to the printer side via the input/output interface 16. On the printer side, data input through the printer input/output interface 1 is interpreted and determined in process 45, printer operation mode setting processing is performed in process 47, and the printer operation mode is stored in the printer storage device 3.

Examples of printer operating modes include:

(1) Typeface: Courier, 5c
ript, Mincho typeface,... (2) Points: 10.12, 18.24
゜48,... (3) Attribute 2 bold, underline.

italic.

In this way, according to the printer of the embodiment of the present invention, the printer operation mode is transferred from the printer side to the host computer side, so that a list of printer operation modes can be displayed on the display device on the host computer side. .

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above embodiments, according to the present invention, by using the display device of the host computer connected to the printer, various setting states of the operation mode can be changed without increasing the price of the printer itself. A printer device capable of displaying images can be provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart on the host computer side, FIG. 3 is a flowchart on the printer side, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional printer. be. 1... Printer input/output interface, 2... Old printer mode setting push button, 3... Printer storage device, 4... Printing device, 5... Old... Printing control. Device, 6...Printer calculation control device, 12.
... Arithmetic control device, 14 ... Display device,
15... Display control device, 16... Input/output interface. Name of agent Patent attorney Haruaki Koebi Haga 28 Fig. Fig. Fig. Hostco) Viewa hard 1 Pudding 9

Claims (1)

[Claims] a communication means capable of bidirectional communication with a host computer; a push button for changing the operating mode of the printer; a storage means for storing the changed operating mode of the printer in response to the operation of the push button; A control means for processing and editing data commands input via a communication means, and a means for printing the data according to an operation mode of the printer, and a control means for processing and editing data commands input through a communication means, and a means for printing the data according to an operation mode of the printer, and printing the data through a display device of the host computer in response to a keyboard input request from the host computer. A printer device that displays the operating mode of the printer.