JPH04176677A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance working easiness and efficiency by providing a device to duplicate format data, in a frame buffer, which is retained in a drawn image by a format drawn image retaining device. CONSTITUTION:If print data for printing is entered based on format data and format, a drawn image is developed in a frame buffer 4a using the data. In this case, the format data is developed in a drawn image in protection memory 46 as a format drawn image retaining device. Unless there is a change in the format data, the format data retained in a drawn image in protection memory 4b as the format drawn image retaining device is duplicated in the frame buffer 4a when the frame buffer 4a is cleared using a clear command. Subsequently, the rest is to enter only the print data and synthesize the print data in a drawn image in the frame buffer 4a where the format data is developed in a drawn image. In addition, if a feed key on a keyboard 6 is operated, the format data duplicated in the frame buffer 4a is printed out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a printer used, for example, as a label printer for managing physical distribution or as a PO5 (point of sales) terminal.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a printer receives format data and data to be printed based on the format data from a host computer, draws and develops the format data in a frame buffer, and combines the drawn format data with data to be printed. In a label printer that prints out and issues labels afterward, the frame buffer is cleared once by a clear command from the host computer, and then format data is received from the host computer again, drawn and expanded in the frame buffer, and then formatted again. The data to be printed based on the data is received, combined with the format data drawn and developed in the frame buffer, and then the data is called from the frame buffer and printed out on the label.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] When printing a label, there are cases where only the data to be printed based on the format is changed without changing the format.

However, conventionally, after clearing the frame buffer with a clear command from the host computer, format data and data to be printed based on the format data are received from the host computer and drawn and developed in the frame buffer. The format has to be sent many times, and the printer side has to receive the same print format many times and draw and develop it in a frame buffer, resulting in poor workability and efficiency.

Further, depending on the circumstances, there may be cases where it is desired to print only the print format on the label, but in such cases, conventionally, only the format data must be sent from the host computer each time, which also poses a problem of poor workability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a printer in which the same format data only needs to be set once, thereby improving workability and efficiency.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can print only the format with a simple operation and improve workability in this respect as well.

[Means for Solving the Problem] The invention corresponding to claim (1) is a printer that renders and develops format data and print data to be printed based on the format in a frame buffer and then prints out the printer, which renders and holds the format data. The present invention is provided with a format drawing holding means and a means for copying format data drawn and held in the format drawing holding means to the frame buffer when the frame buffer is cleared based on a clear command.

Further, the invention corresponding to claim (2) provides a printer that renders and develops format data and print data to be printed based on the format in a frame buffer and then outputs the print data, including a format drawing holding means for drawing and holding the format data; A feed key for feeding the paper, a means for copying the format data drawn and held in the format drawing holding means to the frame buffer when clearing the frame buffer based on the clear command, and a means for copying the format data drawn and held in the format drawing holding means to the frame buffer when the feed key is operated. The device is provided with a means for printing out the formatted data.

[Function] In the present invention having such a configuration, when format data and print data to be printed based on the format are input, the data is drawn and developed in the frame buffer. At this time, the format data is stored in the format drawing holding means. Also expands the drawing.

If there is no change in the format data, when the frame buffer is cleared by a clear command, the format data drawn and held in the format drawing holding means is copied to the frame buffer.

Therefore, from now on, it is sufficient to input only the print data and draw and synthesize the print data into the frame buffer in which the format data has already been drawn.

Further, in the present invention, when the feed key is operated, the format data copied to the frame buffer is printed out.

[Example] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In Figure 1), 1 is a CPU that constitutes the main body of the control unit.
(Central Processing Unit) This CPU has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 3 in which program data for various processes performed by this CPU 1 is stored via a system bus 2, and various memories used by this CPU. R
AM (Random Access Memory) 4. Communication I/F (which is connected to the host computer through a line and controls communication)
interface) 5, a keyboard control section 7 for controlling the keyboard 6, and an l10 (input/output interface) section 8.

In the RAMJ, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a frame buffer 4a and a protect memory 4b as a format drawing holding means are formed.

The frame buffer 4a and the protect memory 4b
Data is stored in a dot pattern format, and the protect memory 4b is not cleared even when the frame buffer 4a is cleared by a clear command from the host computer.

The keyboard 6 is equipped with a feed key and the like.

The 110 section 8 includes a sensor 9, which constitutes a printing means.
Thermal head control unit 1 that controls the thermal head 1o
1 and a stepping motor control section 13 that controls the stepping motor 12 are connected.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the printing process performed by the CPUI.

That is, when a clear command is received via the communication I/F 5 from the host computer while the format data is drawn and developed in the protect memory 4b, the frame buffer 4a is cleared. The format data is then read from the protect memory 4b and copied to the frame buffer 4a. That is, at this point, as shown in FIG.
The same format data as that of the protect memory 4b is also rendered and expanded.

Next, when data to be printed based on the format is received from the host computer via the communication I/F 5, the print data is developed into a dot configuration and combined with the previously developed format data in the frame buffer 4a. let

Next, based on the dot data synthesized in the frame buffer 4a, the thermal head control section 11
and driving the stepping motor control section 13,
The thermal head 10 and the stepping motor 12 are controlled to output a print.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing format-only printing processing performed by the CPUI.

That is, when the feed key of the keyboard 6 is turned on, the frame buffer 4a is cleared.

Then, the format data is copied from the protect memory 4b to the frame buffer 4a. Subsequently, this copied format data is called to drive the thermal head control section 11 and the stepping motor control section 13, thereby controlling the thermal head 10 and the stepping motor 12 to print out.

In an embodiment with such a configuration, when format data is initially transmitted from the host computer, the format data is expanded into a dot configuration and drawn in both the frame buffer 4a and the protect memory 4b.

Subsequently, when data to be printed based on the format is received from the host computer, the print data is combined with the format data in the frame buffer 4a.

Then, the thermal head control section 11 and the stepping motor control section 13 are driven to control the thermal head 10 and the stepping motor 12 to print out, for example, a label.

Next, when only the print data is changed without changing the format, only the frame buffer 4a is cleared when a clear command is received from the host computer. The format data is then read from the protect memory 4b and copied to the frame buffer 4a.

In this state, the host computer transmits only print data. When the printer side receives this print data, it draws it as dot data over the format data already drawn in the frame buffer 4a.

Then, data is read from the frame buffer 4a, and the thermal head control section 11 and stepping motor control section 13 are driven, thereby controlling the thermal head 10 and stepping motor 12 to print and output.

In this way, the host computer only needs to send the format data once and thereafter only needs to send the print data to be changed, improving work efficiency. Further, on the printer side, there is no need to receive format data from the host computer and draw it in the frame buffer 4a each time print data is changed, so that efficiency can be improved.

Furthermore, when the user wishes to print only the format, the feed key on the keyboard 6 is operated. This clears the frame buffer 4a, copies the format data from the protect memory 4b to the frame buffer 4a, and further prints out the data.

In this way, when it is desired to print only the format, there is no need for the host computer to send the format data each time, and it is sufficient to simply operate the field key, which also improves work efficiency.

In the embodiment described above, the format data and print data are received from the host computer and printed, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the format data and print data may be received from the keyboard.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is only necessary to set the same format data once, and therefore it is possible to provide a printer that can improve workability and efficiency.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer that can print only a format by a simple operation, and can improve workability in this respect as well.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figures show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Figure 1 is a block diagram, Figure 2 is a diagram showing the main memory configuration of RAM, and Figure 3 is a diagram showing the main memory configuration of RAM.
The figure is a flowchart showing the printing process by the CPU, and Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the printing process by the CPU.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the printing process for only the U format, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the drawing state of the memory after copying. 1...CPU. 4a...Frame buffer, 4b...Protect memory, 6...Keyboard, 10...Thermal head. Applicant's Representative Patent Attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 5

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a printer that renders and develops format data and print data to be printed based on the format in a frame buffer and then prints out the data, a format drawing holding means for drawing and holding the format data, and clearing the frame buffer based on a clear command. 1. A printer according to claim 1, further comprising means for copying format data drawn and held in said format drawing holding means to said frame buffer. (2) In a printer that renders and develops format data and print data to be printed based on the format in a frame buffer and then prints out the format data, a format drawing holding means for drawing and holding the format data, and a feed key for feeding printing paper. and means for copying format data drawn and held in the format drawing holding means to the frame buffer when the frame buffer is cleared based on a clear command, and format data copied to the frame buffer when the feed key is operated. A printer characterized in that it is provided with means for printing out.