JPH04344925A - Printing controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a controller capable of controlling printing without imposing any special burden on a printer side. CONSTITUTION:The kind of the printer 38 of a connected destination designated from a keyboard, etc., is discriminated, and on the other hand, its own control code 34 for controlling the printing of the printer 38 is discriminated from among printing data to be processed by a prescribed unit like a record unit. Then, a printing data processing part 37 converts its own control code into the control code of a printer 38 side by using a control command correspondence table 35 to meet the kind of the printer 38 and the control code table 34 for conversion into the code of the printer side, and sends it to the printer 38. Thus, the control code need not be converted at the printer 38 side.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print control device, such as a host computer, which sends print data to a printer, and more particularly to a print control device to which various printers can be connected.

0002

[Background Art] Various information processing devices such as Japanese word processors and workstations have become widespread, and offices are now equipped with various printers that print print data created by these devices. . The control codes for printing control output from these information processing devices are code information created when the device creates print data, and such control codes are based on the specific information assumed by the information processing device. It was designed to be compatible with several printers. In other words, a control code output from an information processing device of the same manufacturer may not be able to control all printers of that manufacturer, and may even be unable to control printing for printers of different manufacturers. It was obvious.

0003

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Therefore, efforts have been made to unify the control codes of printers, and common control codes have come to be used among some devices. However, between devices other than such standardized devices,
As in the past, a dedicated converter or software for converting control codes must be used, which poses problems such as the configuration and operation of the printer becoming complicated and the printer not being able to be manufactured at a low cost.

On the other hand, in some types of host computers,
Instead of the control code, the data itself to be printed was used to control page breaks, paper breaks, and changes in print color and printing paper. In other words, in such a device, the logic for identifying control codes and normal print data is notified to the printer in advance, and the logic of the corresponding data is determined to determine which one it corresponds to. It was designed to control the printing process. For example, the printer side determines whether certain data sent from the host computer represents a value greater than or equal to A or less than A, and if it represents a value greater than or equal to A, it is treated as normal print data. If the value is less than A, this is interpreted as a predetermined control code and control such as page break processing is performed.

However, this method requires that conditions for determining whether certain data corresponds to a control code be transmitted to the printer in advance, which is troublesome. Therefore, a method of converting the control code into a control code on the host computer side has been proposed, but as already explained, this method has the problem that it cannot be applied when the control code cannot be interpreted on the printer side.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a print control device that can control printing without placing any particular burden on the printer.

[0008] In the invention as claimed in claim 1, there are provided a type determining means for determining the type of a connected printer, and a control code determining means for determining its own control code for controlling printing of the printer from print data. , a control code correspondence table that describes the correspondence between the own control code and the control code prepared independently for each printer, and a control code correspondence table when the own control code does not match the control code of the connected printer. The print control device is provided with a control code converting means for converting these into a control code of a connected printer based on the above information, and a sending means for sending the converted control code together with print data to the connected printer.

In other words, in the invention as claimed in claim 1, the own control code is determined from the print data, and this is converted into the printer side control code and sent to the printer, thereby reducing the burden on the printer side. and achieve the above objectives.

In the invention as claimed in claim 2, there is provided a type determining means for determining the type of the connected printer, and a type determining means for determining the type of the connected printer, and a type determining means for determining whether specific data is located at a position a predetermined distance from the head position of print data in units of records. a determination means for determining whether or not the record is a record in which a control code for controlling printing of the printer is recorded by determining the record; A control code reading means for reading out control codes in a record, a control code correspondence table that describes the correspondence between own control codes and control codes prepared independently by each printer, and a control code reading means for reading control codes read by the control code reading means. A control code conversion means converts the control code to the control code of the destination printer based on a control code correspondence table when the control code does not match the control code of the destination printer, and a control code conversion means that converts the control code to the control code of the destination printer. The print control device is provided with a sending means for sending out the print data.

In other words, in the invention as claimed in claim 2, by determining whether or not specific data is located at a position a predetermined amount away from the head position of each print data processed in record units, the record is processed by the printer. It is determined whether the record contains a control code for controlling the printing of the record. If the record includes a control code, the control code for the own device is extracted from this record, converted to a control code for the printer, and sent to the printer. This reduces the burden on the printer and
Achieve the above objectives.

[0012] In the invention as set forth in claim 3, a type determining means for determining the type of a connected printer; a comparing means for comparing predetermined data of the print data with a predetermined value;
A comparison result correspondence table that compares the comparison results of this comparison means with the control contents on the printer side, and a control code correspondence table that describes the correspondence between various control contents and control codes uniquely prepared for each printer. a control code conversion means for converting the control contents compared by the result correspondence table into a control code corresponding to a connected printer;
The printing control device is equipped with a sending means for sending the converted control code to a connected printer.

In other words, in the invention as claimed in claim 3, predetermined data of the print data is logically compared and based on the result, it is determined whether the data is regarded as normal data or as data representing control contents. If the data is viewed as data representing the control content, it is converted into a corresponding printer control code and sent to the printer, thereby reducing the burden on the printer side and achieving the above-mentioned purpose.

[0014]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be explained in detail with reference to Examples below.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a printing control device in one embodiment of the present invention. This printing control device 1
0 is equipped with a CPU (central processing unit) 11. CPU
11 is connected to a working memory 13, an input circuit 14, a disk control circuit 15, a display control circuit 16, and a communication control circuit 17 through a bus 12 such as a data bus. The working memory 13 is a memory that temporarily stores programs and various data for controlling this device. The input circuit 14 is connected to a keyboard 22 to which a mouse 21 is connected, and is a circuit for inputting key information, coordinate data, etc. Here, the keyboard 22 can be used to input the type of printer connected, and also input a document to be printed if necessary. The mouse 21 is a type of pointing device. The disk control circuit 15 is connected to the magnetic disk 23, and inputs and outputs data to and from the magnetic disk 23. Here, the magnetic disk 23 is configured to store data such as a program for controlling this apparatus and data to be saved for printing. Display control circuit 1
6 is connected to the CRT 24 to control this display. The communication control circuit 17 is connected to a printer (not shown) via a cable 25.

FIG. 2 shows the principle of the configuration of this printing control device. The print control device 10 stores (1) a printer definition 31 that specifies the type of printer to be connected, (2) print data 32, and (3) a print control record that defines a print control record on the magnetic disk 23 shown in FIG. Control record definition 33, (4) control code table 34 and (5)
) Each of the control command correspondence tables 35 is stored.

Here, the print data 32 is read into the print data input section 36, and after being temporarily stored there,
The data is supplied to the print data processing section 37. The print data processing unit 37 is supplied with a printer definition 31, a print control record definition 33, a control code table 34, and a control command correspondence table 35, and inputs the control code portion of the print data 32 to the print control device 10. A process of converting the control code to a control code suitable for the connected printer 38 is performed. The print data obtained in this manner is input to the print data output unit 39 and then output from there to the printer 38, so that desired printing can be performed.

FIG. 3 shows the printer definition data format. In the printer definition 31, a printer type as a type of printer to be printed is inputted from the keyboard shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows the format of a print data record. In this way, print data 32
is processed in units of records 41.

FIG. 5 shows the format of the print control record definition and the method of comparing print data. The print control record definition 33 is the record 4 of print data.
It consists of data representing the starting position from the beginning of 1, a defined character, and the length of the defined character. After this definition character, control commands for instructing various controls are stored.

FIG. 6 shows the correspondence between the format of the control command correspondence table and the control code table described below. The control commands shown in FIG. 5 are created from the standpoint of the printing control device, and must be converted into control codes for the printer. The control command correspondence table 35 includes control command table names representing a list of control commands for each printer type. When the control command table name corresponding to the connected printer is retrieved, a control code table for converting the control command name and printer-side control code is revealed from this table.

FIG. 7 shows the format of the control code table. In the control code table 34, for each control command before conversion, the length of the control code after conversion and the content of the control code are written as a set. Since the length of the control code may vary depending on each printer, the length is displayed.

FIG. 8 shows an overview of the operation of this printing control device. The operator of the printing control device inputs various information from the keyboard 22 before sending print data to the printer 38 (FIG. 2) connected to this device (step S101). Here, various information refers to printer definition 3.
1, print control record definition 33, control code table 34, and control command correspondence table 35.

Once these pieces of information have been input, print data for one record to be sent to this printer is input (step S102). For this input record, it is determined whether a defining character exists at a predetermined position in the record as shown in FIG.
103). If the result is that the defined character does not exist (N), this record is composed of print data itself as print content or a control code that is not expected by this printing control device, so please do not change it in any way. Send to the printer 38 side without conversion (step S1
04). In the latter case, the printer 38 will print the control code as is, so if there is a possibility that such a result has occurred due to an error, it can be confirmed based on the printed content.

After sending one record worth of print data to the printer, the CPU 11 determines whether or not subsequent print data exists (step S105). If print data exists (Y), return to step S102 and print the next one.
Input print data for records for processing.

On the other hand, if the definition character exists at the predetermined position of the record in step S103 (Y), the control command placed following the definition character of the record is read out as shown in FIG. Step S106). Based on this control command, the control code table 34 that matches the printer type is stored in the working memory 13 (Fig.
) (step S107). Then, the corresponding control code in this control code table 34 is transferred to the printer 38 by the code length (step S108).
. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not subsequent print data exists (step S105), and if so (Y), the process returns to step S102 and print data for the next record is input. If it does not exist (N), sending out the print data ends (end). In this way, printer 3
Print data using a control code that can be interpreted as 8 will be sent to the printer 38.

In the embodiment described above, a control code corresponding to the printer 38 is searched and sent, but this control code may require additional information such as parameters. In such a case, it is necessary to perform parameter conversion processing for each printer. In this case, in the process of step S108 shown in FIG. 8, a process of adding the converted parameters to the control code may be added.

(Modified example)

FIG. 9 shows a format of a print control record definition and a method of comparing print data in a modified example of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 5 of the previous embodiment. Print control record definition 51 in this modification
consists of a comparison method and an execution command in addition to data representing the starting position from the beginning of the print data record 41 (see FIG. 4), a defining character, and the length of the defining character. Here, an example of the comparison method is a method of using the numerical value A as a threshold value, assuming that the defined character normally takes a value that does not reach the numerical value A. In this case, when the value is smaller than the numerical value A, the defined character itself is regarded as printing data and normal printing is performed for this character as well. If the value is greater than or equal to the value A, this is regarded as a control code and predetermined control is performed. An execution command represents this type of control.

However, since this execution command is a command that can be used by the printing control device itself of this modification, it is necessary to convert it to suit the printer. Therefore, in the print control device of this modified example, printer definition (see FIG. 3), print data record (see FIG. 4)
and a control command correspondence table (see FIG. 6).

FIG. 10 shows an overview of the operation of this modified example of the printing control device. The operator of the print control device inputs various information from the keyboard 22 before sending print data to the printer 38 (see FIG. 2) connected to this device (step S201). Here, the various information is
It refers to a printer definition 31, a print control record definition 51, a control code table 34, and a control command correspondence table 35.

Once these pieces of information have been input, print data for one record to be sent to this printer is input (step S202). For this input record, as shown in FIG. 9, it is determined whether a defining character exists at a predetermined position in the record (step S
203). If the result is that the defined character does not exist (N), the input record is sent to the printer 38 (step S204). Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not subsequent print data exists (step S205). If print data exists (Y), the process returns to step S202 and print data for the next record is input for processing.

On the other hand, if a definition character exists in the predetermined position of the record in step S203 (Y), a logical comparison is performed using the comparison method explained in FIG. 9 to determine whether or not it represents the control content. A check is performed (step S206). If the control content is not represented, the process advances to step S204 and the input record is sent to the printer 38 as before.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S206 that the definition character corresponds to the control content, (Y
), the execution command in the print control record definition 51 is read out and stored in the working memory 13 (see FIG. 1) (step S207). Next, this execution command is converted into a corresponding control command for the printer 38 (step S208). This control code is transferred to the printer 38 (step S209). In the printer 38, for example, if this control code means a line feed, the printing paper is line fed. Furthermore, if it means switching to red printing paper, for example, a supply tray (not shown) is controlled so that printing is performed on red printing paper from the next printing.

In this manner, the print control device transfers the corresponding control code to the printer 38, and then transfers the entire record currently being processed to the printer 38 (step S20).
4). Therefore, when the printing paper is switched as in the previous example, the definition character does not end its role at this stage, but is further used for printing as print data. The above control is performed for each record of print data, and ends when there is no more print data.

[0036] Even in this modification of the printing control device, it may be necessary to add additional information such as parameters to the control code. In this case, it is sufficient to add such additional information on the print control device side and then send it to the target printer.

Note that in the modified example, the definition character was explained as corresponding to one control code or execution command, but the conditions may be complicated and two or more control codes or execution commands may be made to correspond to one definition character. You can. This enables printing control such as switching to either red or blue printing paper, for example.

[0038]

Effects of the Invention As explained above, according to the present invention, there is no need for a means for converting control codes on the printer side, so even a relatively simple printer that does not have a special conversion device can use the printing control device. Desired printing control can be performed while connected to the printer. Moreover, since the printing control device converts the control code according to the printer, there is no need for the printer to convert the control code to a control code or insert the converted control code between print data. This has the advantage that the time required can be shortened.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of a printing control device in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the principle of the configuration of this printing control device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a printer-defined data format in the apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the format of a record of print data in the apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of a print control record definition in the apparatus of this embodiment and a method of comparing print data.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the format of a control command correspondence table in the apparatus of this embodiment and the correspondence relationship between a control code table to be described next.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the format of a control code table in the apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an overview of the operation of the apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of a print control record definition and a method of comparing print data in a modified example of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an overview of the operation of the print control device of this modification.

[Explanation of symbols]

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A type determining means for determining the type of a connected printer; a control code determining means for determining a self-control code for controlling printing of the printer from among print data; and a self-control code. and the control code correspondence table that describes the correspondence between the control code and the control code prepared independently for each printer, and when the own control code does not match the control code of the connected printer, these are based on the control code correspondence table. What is claimed is: 1. A printing control device comprising: a control code converting means for converting a control code into a control code for a connected printer; and a sending means for sending the converted control code together with print data to a connected printer. 2. Type determining means for determining the type of printer to be connected, and determining whether specific data is placed at a position a predetermined amount away from the head position of print data in units of records, A determination means for determining whether or not the record records a control code for controlling printing by the printer; and a control code in the record determined by the determination means to be a record recording a control code. A control code reading means to read out, a control code correspondence table that describes the correspondence between own control codes and control codes uniquely prepared for each printer, and a control code read out by the control code reading means to the connected destination. control code converting means for converting the control code into a control code of a connected printer based on the control code correspondence table when the control code does not match the control code of the connected printer; and a sending unit that sends the converted control code to the connected printer. A printing control device comprising: means. 3. Type determining means for determining the type of printer to which the printer is connected; comparing means for comparing predetermined data of the print data with a predetermined value; and controlling the comparison result of the comparing means on the printer side. A comparison result correspondence table that compares the contents, a control code correspondence table that describes the correspondence between various control contents and control codes uniquely prepared for each printer, and control contents that are compared by the comparison result correspondence table. A printing control device comprising: a control code converter that converts the control code into a control code corresponding to the destination printer; and a sending device that sends the converted control code to the destination printer.