JPH0438519A - Printer controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To change an emulation from a host without any trouble by initializing an analysis condition when a designated analyzing means is different from an analyzing means selected at present after inputting the data of emulation designation from the host, and preventing initialization from being executed when those analyzing means are coincident. CONSTITUTION:The menu of a desired item to be set is displayed by a MENU key 715. Next, the value of the menu is changed by set value change keys 716 and 717 and at such a time, however, it is investigated whether the value is within the settable range of the set item or not according to a function correspondence table. When it can not be changed, the next value is displayed. Therefore, only the value with in the settable range is displayed. Afterwards, when pushing down an ENTER key 718, the value displayed at present is written into an edition mode table. Thus, when setting various functions corresponding to respective applications, the user can set only the value which generates no trouble.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a printer control device that supports an emulation function.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, printers have accepted and printed only input data of a specific code system. That is, a printer was associated with a specific host (host computer, CAD, etc.) on a one-to-one basis. Therefore, a specific type of printer can print only input data from a specific host, but cannot print data from other hosts.

However, today there are printers that can be connected to multiple types of hosts. In this case, the meaning of the code input to the printer generally differs depending on the host. That is, the format and meaning of print data and commands are different. Therefore, this type of printer supports an emulation function to deal with differences in the protocols of each host.
Data input to a printer is first analyzed by emulation and converted into the printer's protocol. Further, even when printers are connected to the same host, if the host operates as a different application, such as a word processor or a CAD (computer-aided design) device, some printers can print accordingly. In this case, as in the case above, emulation functionality is supported in order to support different protocols for each application.

On the other hand, the functions of today's printers have become more sophisticated, and accordingly, the number of setting items on the operation panel has increased, such as 7-ont type, margin, number of prints, paper size, etc.

Since it is cumbersome for the user to set such many items, there are printers that can be set to a predetermined initial state,
There was a printer that allowed you to register several combinations of setting items in advance.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) Some links that support conventional emulation functions require changing the emulation by replacing the cartridge (switching the emulation software) with the power turned off. When you turn on the power again, the printer will operate with the emulation you set.

Furthermore, there are printers that are equipped with a plurality of emulations and can switch between emulations using a command in the middle of input data from the host.

In this case, when switching between emulations, the setting items on the operation panel are uniquely initialized within the emulation.

In these printers, when switching emulation, all setting items on the operation panel are initialized to predetermined setting values. Therefore, the user needs to make various settings after that.

There are some printers that have a type of emulation that allow you to initialize the settings menu.

Considering user-friendliness, it would be good to have multiple emulations and be able to set the emulation as one of the settings on the operation panel.

However, as printers become more sophisticated, the number of setting items on the operation panel also increases. Setting items differ depending on the emulation, so for example, if you cannot set values such as font print pitch or print offset that cannot be set in that emulation, an error may occur or the print position may be printed beyond the paper size. There is a possibility that there is no such thing.

In addition, if two emulations for printing characters can be set, and the 7 onts supported by the original printer are different, the font that should originally be used will be used unless the selectable fonts are switched according to the emulation. is selected and compatibility is lost.

Therefore, in another application, the present applicant has disclosed a printer control device in which emulations can be switched from an operation panel in a printer that supports multiple emulations.

Further, in this printer device, one or more print modes made up of a plurality of setting items (including information necessary for emulation such as fonts) including a code indicating emulation can be stored in the memory. By specifying the print mode, various settings including emulation can be automatically and conveniently performed.

By the way, if it is possible to change the emulation from the host, there are different problems than when changing from the operation panel. In general, a host is capable of connecting to a wide variety of printers, so it does not correspond to the specifications of each individual printer. Therefore, when switching emulation from the host,
Trouble may occur if the various setting values set before switching exceed the specification range for that emulation. Furthermore, in a system where many users use a printer from one or more hosts, other users may destroy the settings made on the operation panel. Therefore,
If the host specifies a change in emulation, it may be sufficient to set an initial value for each emulation that will not cause any trouble.

However, simply performing initialization when switching emulations causes a problem in that the user cannot use the values previously set on the operation panel. For example, the same user who made the settings cannot use the settings from the host, making the printer less convenient to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printer control device that allows a host to change emulations without trouble in a printer that supports multiple emulations.

(Means for Solving the Problems) A printer control device according to the present invention includes a data input means for inputting print information from the outside, two or more analysis means for analyzing the print information input to the data input means, and an analysis means for analyzing the print information input to the data input means. An analysis condition holding means that can hold one or more analysis conditions for setting a plurality of print information processing conditions of the means, an analysis condition setting means that sets analysis conditions in the analysis condition holding means, and a value of the analysis condition corresponding to the analysis means. initialization means for setting to a predetermined value;
An operating means for changing the analysis means, and an initialization means for activating the initialization means when a code for changing the analysis means is input to the data input means, and when a change of the analysis means is input by the operation means. The invention is characterized by comprising a switching means for not activating.

(Function) In a printer that supports two or more analysis means (emulation), at least one or more analysis conditions (referred to as styles in the embodiment) can be held in the analysis condition holding means. One analysis condition consists of a plurality of print information processing conditions of the analysis means.

Now, when data specifying emulation is input from the host, if the specified analysis method is different from the currently selected analysis method, the analysis conditions are initialized, but if they match, no initialization is performed.

For example, when a user sets analysis conditions on the operation panel,
Easy to use when the same user uses the printer remotely from the host.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(a) Configuration of printer and control device First, the schematic configuration of the printer and control device will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a printer system l which is an embodiment of the present invention.
The configuration of the O processing system is shown.

In order to improve throughput, the data from multiple data processing devices (host computers, CAD, etc.) 1A, 1B, and lc is stored in an external file multiplex buffer 2, and then transferred to the printer system. Output to lO.

The file multiplex buffer 2 also has a function as a multiplexer for connecting each of a plurality of data processing devices IA, IB, and Ic to one printer.

The printer system IO is a printer controller 3
, a print engine 4 using an electrophotographic process and a laser, and accessory devices such as an external paper feed unit 5 and a sorter 6.

FIG. 2 shows the exterior of the printer system IO. The print engine 4 incorporates the printer controller 3 described above, and can be connected to an external paper feed unit 5 having three paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43 and a sorter 6 as attached devices. Further, an operation panel 7 is attached to the upper front surface of the print engine 4, and is provided with a display indicating the status of the system and keys for performing simple operations.

FIG. 3 shows the layout of the operation panel 7.

The operation panel 7 includes a message display 701. which can display characters. LEDs 702-705 and input oyster-7
It consists of 10 to 718. The reset key 710 is a key that discards the data being processed and returns the printer to its initial state.The test key 711 performs a test print during standby, and when an error such as an overflow of the downloaded font capacity occurs, cancels the error and prints. The eject key 712 is a key that forcibly prints data in the printer, and the online key 713 is a key that switches between prohibiting and permitting data reception from the data processing device.

In this printer, a plurality of print modes (styles) can be set, and the print mode is switched using the 5TYLE key 714. Each print mode has multiple setting items (menus), and pressing the MENU key 715
Switch the menu in the order of the MENU code shown in the figure. This setting item includes emulation settings. For each item, a specific value can be selected from a predetermined range, and the settable ranges for each item are sequentially displayed using change keys 716 and 717. Selected value is ENTER key 718
By pressing , the editing mode table (see Figure 5), which will be described later, will be displayed.
to the corresponding style.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the printer controller 3. The printer controller 3 is controlled by a processing device 31.

The printer controller 3 is connected to the outside through two interfaces 38 and 39 via an internal bus B30. Connected to the internal bus B30 are a font ROM 32 that stores information such as font patterns for printing and their sizes and attributes, a user RAM 33 that has an area for registering user-specific fonts, and a print image (editable) memory. After completion, it is output to the printer engine 4.) A 7-frame memory 34 has an area for editing the print image, a drawing section 35 that draws the print image in the frame memory 34, and a print mode set by the user that continues to be used even after the power is turned off. , a switch 37 for setting initial conditions after power-on, conditions for each destination, conditions for initializing the non-volatile memory 36, and the operation panel 7.

(b) Emulation settings This printer has three emulation Els.

E2. E3 is supported. Here, emulation E1. Both E2s are emulations of character printing printers, but they are separate emulations because the functions of the original printers are different. Specifically, the type of 7-ont used and the presence or absence of printing offset differ. On the other hand, emulation E3 is an emulation of a CAD plotter.

As shown in Table 1 below, the functions of each emulation are different, and the items that can be set and their ranges differ depending on the emulation. In the emulations E1 and E2, functions such as font pitch, font point, character set, and margin are set, but printing offset and line thickness cannot be set.

On the other hand, emulation E3 is the opposite.

In this printer, emulation can also be set on the operation panel 7. That is, the MENU key 71 of the operation panel 7
5 to switch the menu to display the emulation menu (MENU code = 1), then select a specific emulation in the menu using the setting value change keys 716 and 717, and then press the ENTER key 718 for the next +1 m to display the emulation menu (MENU code = 1). Memory edit mode table (
(see Figure 5). At this time, the initial values of various setting items of the relevant emulation are read from the initial value table (Table 2) stored in the memory, and the initial values are written into the edit mode table (see 5511-3536 in FIG. 14).

The setting values in the initial value table (Table 2) are determined in advance to avoid any trouble, so the user does not need to check all the setting items when changing the emulation.

Note that this initialization is performed by the emulation itself (Fig.
312.5314.5315), the initial value may be set.

Changes to the values of setting items in the set emulation are performed with reference to the function correspondence table (Table 1). That is, a menu of items desired to be set is displayed using the MENU key 715. At this time, if it is determined from the function correspondence table that the item cannot be set, that menu will not be displayed.

Next, change the value of that menu to the setting value change key 716.71
7. At this time, it is checked whether the setting item is within the settable range using the function correspondence table (Table 1), and if it is not possible, the next value is displayed. Therefore, only values within the settable range are always displayed. Next, when the ENTER key 718 is pressed, the currently displayed value is written into the edit mode table (see FIG. 14, 5511-3532). Therefore, when users configure various functions for individual applications, they can only set values that will not cause problems.

As explained above, when an emulation is specified, initial values corresponding to that emulation are set for each setting item, but in this embodiment, a set of setting values that also includes the emulation specification is set. (which may be different from the initial values) can be stored in memory, and emulation is also specified by specifying a set of these settings (a "style"). That is, emulation and various setting values for that emulation are registered as a print mode called "Style" in the edit mode table, and once that print mode is registered, you can press the 5 TYLE key 7
You can set the print mode with 14. Details will be explained in section (c).

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the emulation is y'
-9'A It can also be changed from the physical device (host) IA, IB, or IC. Since the host is not associated with a specific printer, setting items specific to each printer cannot generally be set from the host.

Therefore, consideration must be given to ensure that changes in emulation from the host do not cause trouble. In this case, when the printer analyzes input data from the host and determines that the input data is an emulation designation code, it performs emulation setting processing, the details of which will be explained in section (d).

(c) Print mode In this printer, up to four print modes (styles) can be registered in the editing mode table (see FIG. 5). Each print mode is a group of emulation and setting values of setting items suitable for each application under the emulation.

- By registering multiple print modes, the user can automatically change many setting values by selecting a print mode, and can easily use settings suitable for each application.

FIG. 5 shows the setting values in the edit mode table. The four print modes (styles) are individually set in areas separate from the common information, and are registered in the common information using 5 TYLE codes (0 (STD), l.

2.3) and are called standard style, style A, style B, and style C, respectively.

The standard style is initialized when the power is turned on (5105 in Figure 7).
to 5108), the emulation is initialized according to the emulation specified by the switch 37.

The other three styles (Style A, Style B, and Style C) can be selected using the 5TYLE key 714 (5504 to S508 in FIG. 14).

The currently selected style is called the current style. Various setting items for each style are automatically set according to the initial value table (Table 2) (see FIG. 8). Note that the three styles other than the standard style are also stored in the nonvolatile memory 36.

The settings for each style include the style name, emulation code, font pitch, font point, character set, margin,
Values such as print offset and line thickness. To change the setting value of each item, use the MENU code (-NME) shown on the right side of the figure.
Display the menu on the message display 701 by pressing the MENU key 715 (NU), change the displayed value with the display change keys 716 and 717, and press the ENTER key 718 to display the style ( (current style) setting values (5511 to 5532 in Fig. 14). In this way, it is possible to change the setting values under each emulation from the operation panel 7, but at that time, the displayed values on the menu are changed according to the function correspondence table (Table 1) that memorizes the settable items and ranges. ), only the values that can be set are displayed, so no trouble will occur.

Common information (EMTC) in the edit mode table (Figure 5)
is the default emulation font, the current font,
In addition to settings related to print modes such as the current style (STYLE), the paper size of each cassette,
Information regarding printing that is not based on emulation, such as the currently selected current cassette and the number of copies, is also stored.

In the editing mode table shown in FIG. 5, a setting area is provided for each style, but for example, an area may be provided for each setting function and read out in a matrix.

(d) Specifying emulation from the host side In this embodiment, in a printer having multiple emulations, the emulation can also be specified from the data processing devices (hosts) IA, IB, and Ic. Since hosts are not associated with specific printers, it is not possible to specify processing conditions for individual printers. Therefore, if only the emulation specification is enabled, since the host is located far from the printer (operation panel 7), there is a risk that this will conflict with the previous settings on the operation panel 7 and cause trouble. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent trouble from occurring.

In the example shown in FIG. 1O, it is first determined whether input data specifying emulation from the host is different from the current emulation. If a different emulation is used, the currently selected emulation will be replaced and the previous settings (usage environment) on the operation panel will be destroyed, which may cause trouble. Therefore, we changed the 5TYLE code to standard style (STD).
shall be.

Then, by referring to the initial value table (Table 2) and changing the set values according to the emulation, troubles can be prevented from occurring (see S304 to S5306).

On the other hand, if the emulation specification input from the host side is the same as the current emulation, the style settings are immediately executed without initializing each style item (5302.5303.5307). This allows previous settings in the same emulation to be used.

(e) 70-Fig. 6 of the control of the print controller,
The processing procedure of the processing device 31 that controls the print controller 3 is shown. When the power of the print controller 3 is turned on (Sl), the internal initialization is performed (S2), and then
Enter the main loop (S3 to S7). The main loop is
Processing of input data from the host (data processing devices IA, 1B, lc) input via the host interface 38 (53 to S5), control of the operation panel 7 (S6),
It consists of print control (S7) in the printer engine 4. These processes are performed sequentially without stopping.

FIG. 7 shows the initialization (S2) procedure. After initializing the hardware (SIOI), the common information area EMTC of the edit mode table is initialized (S102). Initialization items include the paper size of each cassette, paper feed cassette (current cassette), number of copies, etc. (see FIG. 5).

Next, main control parameters are initialized (S103
). That is, set 5TYLE to 5TD (-0), set the initial style to the standard style, and set the flags WRITEi,
! : to indicate that there is no data being edited in the frame memory 34, set the flag PRINT to 0 to indicate that there is no data to be printed in the printer engine 4, and set the flag J0BACT to 0 to indicate that there is no data being edited in the frame memory 34.
indicates that the editing of is not completed, sets the flag NMENU to 0, and initializes the state of the message display section 701;
The flag ONL INE is set to 0 to set the state of the host interface 38 to offline.

Next, each style (print mode) is initialized (S104-5106). First, the nonvolatile memory 36
Three 5TYLEs other than the standard style stored in
-11, 2, 3) information in the edit mode table (5th
(SIO4). This information is data previously registered by the user. Next, the setting values of the standard style (STYLE-0) are initialized (SIO5-5106).

The standard style is not stored in the non-volatile memory 36, but is initialized in a predetermined manner each time the power is turned on.

The contents of the standard style are determined by the initial value set in the switch 37. Load the emulation from switch 37 (5105) and read the edit mode table (
Figure 5). Next, the processing unit 31 copies the corresponding initial values such as font pitch from the emulation initial value table (corresponding to Table 2) stored in advance to the editing mode table (5106).

At this time, also write the name of the standard style. This name cannot be used in other styles.

Next, common information EMT according to the set standard style
Set the edit mode of C (SIO7).

This includes information such as the font used for drawing and the editing size depending on the margin.

Finally, display the standard style name on the message display section 701 (S l 08) and the data processing device (A).

Allow input from host interface 38 for B and C) 5109), 0NLINE LED 70
Turn on 5 (SIIO).

8th r! A shows 70- of the initialization of the style information of the edit mode table (5106 in FIG. 6 and 3306 in FIG. 1O).

First, check the emulation code set in advance in the edit mode table (see Figure 5).
201). The initial value is set to the current style by referring to the initial value table (corresponding to the second table) stored in the processing device 31 (S202). At this time,
Style name is not changed.

Next, check whether it is a standard style (S203),
In the case of a standard style, a dedicated name is written in the style name (5204).

FIG. 9 shows the flow of style execution (5107 in FIG. 6 and 5307 in FIG. 10) in which the values set in the style are analyzed and the parameters actually used in the editing process are set. The process of executing this style differs depending on the emulation of the selected style (current style 5TYLE). This is because the supported functions differ depending on the emulation. Therefore, analysis is performed while checking the function correspondence table (Table 1) stored in the processing device 31.

First, the emulation of the current style is read from the edit mode table (S221). Then, the emulation address is calculated from the function correspondence table (Table 1) (S222).

Next, it is determined whether or not the 7-onto pitch of the selected emulation is allowed (5223), and if it is allowed, the 7-onto pitch is selected according to the pitch (322).
4) Further, it is determined whether the font point of the selected emulation is permitted (S225
). If permitted, a font is selected based on the font point (S226).

Next, it is determined whether the selected emulation character set is permitted (3227), and if it is permitted, a font is selected according to the character set (S2
28).

Next, it is determined whether or not the margin of the selected emulation is permitted (5231), and if it is permitted, the margin is set (S232).

Next, it is determined whether the print offset of the selected emulation is permitted (5233), and if it is permitted, the offset is set (S234).

Finally, it is determined whether the line thickness of the selected emulation is permitted (5235), and if it is permitted, the line thickness is set (5236), and the process returns.

FIG. 1θ shows a data processing device (host) IA.

A flow (Fig. 6, 35) for analyzing input data from IB and IG is shown. Analysis of input data is performed page by page, and the previous page is being printed by the engine (No.
), it is not processed.

The input data includes one emulation designation command that is common to all emulations, and print data and commands that have different formats and meanings for each emulation.

First, data is input from the host interface 38 (S301). In this embodiment, the data processing device IA,
Since emulation can also be specified from IB and IC, data specifying emulation may be input. If the input data is emulation specified (S
302: YES), it is checked whether or not to change from the currently running emulation (S303). If there are no changes, immediately update the editing parameters (S
307).

As a result, the value previously set by the user on the operation panel 7 is set, which improves usability when the user who made the setting specifies it from the host.

If the emulation is switched remotely by input from the data processing means (YES in S303), the I
Since the emulation is switched to the one specified by the user in the t-collection mode table, the previous settings on the operation panel 7 are destroyed, which may cause trouble. Therefore, in order to prevent problems from occurring, I switched the style to the standard style (STD) (5.
304). Then, set the standard emulation code (5305), and then initialize the style of the standard mode table according to the initial value table (Table 1) (S306).
). Then, set the common information in the edit mode table (
5307).

If the input data is a command other than the emulator specified command, (S311.5313
(determined in S312, S53) and are processed individually (S312, S53).
14,5315).

Figure 11 shows the analysis procedure for emulation El (S3
12) is shown. The input data is broadly classified into print data (YES at 5331) and other commands (No at S331). In the case of print data, first set a flag indicating the start of editing in the frame memory 34 (533).
2) Output to the drawing unit 35 to draw in the frame memory 34 with the currently selected current font (S
333).

Then, the drawing (printing) position is updated in preparation for the next input data (S335). Then, return or in the case of a format control command that specifies the drawing position (S334
If YES), only the drawing position is changed (S335) and the process returns.

If the font is specified (YES in S336), the contents of the edit mode table corresponding to the current style are changed according to the command 5337), the font corresponding to the conditions is selected 3338), and the current 7 ont is changed. It is updated in preparation for the next drawing (S339) and returns.

If it is the number of copies (YES in 5341), the number of copies (copy) of the common information is changed (S342) and the process returns.

In the case of changing the cassette (YES in S344),
In the case of flag WRITE-0 (YES in S344),
That is, writing to the frame memory 34 and (S3
32), this is possible only if the margin change (3348) described below has not been performed, and if possible, the current cassette in the common information should be changed (5346), and the initial editing size is (
S347), return.

The margin specification command (YES in S347) changes the margin in the style setting information (5348),
Similar to drawing print data, changing the cassette is prohibited (S349). Return.

The page end command (YES in S350) indicates the end of editing one page, and the copy control counter C0U
Set the number of copies in NT and send a print request (JOBA
CT-1) is performed (S351), and the process returns.

The subsequent processing is performed by engine control processing (FIG. 15).

FIG. 12 shows I[l? for emulation E2. procedure(
S314) is shown. The input data is print data (S40
1: YES) and other commands (S401: No)
).

In the case of print data, first set a flag indicating the start of editing to the frame memory 34 (5402), and then save the frame memory 3 with the currently selected current font.
5403), and the drawing (printing) position is updated in preparation for the next input data (S405). and return. Also, in the case of a format control command that specifies the drawing position (S404
If YES), only the drawing position is changed (S405) and the process returns.

If the font is specified (YES in S411), the contents of the edit mode table corresponding to the current style are changed according to the command 5412), the font corresponding to the conditions is selected 5413), and the current font is used for the next drawing. The process is updated in preparation for the future (S414), and the process returns.

To switch the cassette (YES in S421), use the WRIT
In the case of E-0 (S422fYES), this is possible only if writing to the frame memory (3403) is not performed, and if possible, the current cassette of the common information is changed (5423), the new Initialize the editing size according to the paper size of the cassette (S4
24), return.

The copy number designation command (S431?'YES) updates the common information C0PY (S432) and returns. The page end command (3441fYES) indicates the end of editing one page, and the copy control counter C0
Set the number of copies in UNT and send a print request (JOB
ACT-1) (S442) and return.

The subsequent processing is performed by engine control processing (FIG. 15).

Figure 13 shows the CAD emulator E3 (S31
The analysis procedure for 5) is shown below. If the input data is a drawing command (YES in 5451), it is output to the drawing unit 35 to draw in the frame memory 24 with the currently set line thickness (5452), and editing to the frame memory 34 is started. A flag indicating this is set (5453). Then, update the drawing position in preparation for the next input data (S
455), return. If the format control command specifies a drawing position (YES at S454), only the drawing position is changed (S455) and the process returns.

If it is a print offset (YES in S457), the specified print offset is set (3458), the drawing position is updated in preparation for the next input data (S455), and the process returns.

If the line thickness is specified (S461: YES), the specified line thickness is set (S462), and the process returns.

The page end command (YES in S471) indicates the end of editing one page, and the copy control counter C0UN
Set the number of copies in T and issue a print request (JOBAC
T-1) (s472) and return.

The subsequent processing is performed by engine control processing (FIG. 15).

FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) show the processing of the operation panel 7 (sixth
Fig. 56) shows the flow of Fig. 56). Among the keys on the operation panel 7,
The 5TYLE key 714, MENU key 715, setting value change keys 716, 717 and ENTER key 718 are
This key is used to change the editing mode, and even if there is human power (YES in S501), data is being edited in the 7-frame memory 34 (NO in WRITE-1, 5503),
Entering host color data (ONLINE-1, 350
2 (No) is not processed.

Data is not being input from the host (YES in S502),
If data is not being edited in the 7-frame memory 34 (S
503: YES), first, style-related keys are processed. In this embodiment, the emulation can be changed on the operation panel 7. In this case, a style is set in which various settings are grouped, and the user can easily change settings for each individual application using the 5TYLE key 714. I'm trying to do it.

5TYLE key 714 is pressed (YES in S504)
S), current style (STYLE) in common information
is updated (S505). The style is standard style (STYLE code -0) → style A (STYLE
Code-1) → Style B (STYLE code-2) →
Style C (STYLE code-3) → Standard style →
Rotate repeatedly in this order. Initialize the menu code to be displayed next to the style name (-〇) 550
6) Display the style names stored in the style setting table (S507). Then, the editing mode is changed according to the newly selected style (S508), and the process returns.

When MENU key 715 is pressed (YES at 5511)
, please update the MENU code (-NMENU) 5512
), then check whether the menu item (for example, font pitch) corresponding to that MENU code can be displayed in the current emulation mode using the function correspondence table (Table 1) (5513).

If it is not supported, check the next menu (S513
(No) , in this case the style name is passed. If it is compatible, the current setting value of that menu is read out from the edit mode table and displayed (S514). And then return. The menu also includes an emulation menu, and the emulation mode can be changed on the operation panel 7.

While displaying menu values (YES at NMENU≠0,5521), press the set value change keys (R, KA) 716° 717 (YES at S 522) to update the displayed values (S 523) , it is checked from the function correspondence table (Table 1) whether the value is within the settable range for that item (for example, print offset) of the relevant emulation (S524).

If the value is impossible, return to 5523 and change to the next value. For example, if the displayed value is 30 and the settable range is +30, if the key 716 for changing in the increasing direction is pressed, it will become 31, and since that value cannot be set, it will be changed to -30. and check whether it is within the settable range. Conversely, if the decrease key (>) 717 is pressed at -30, the value becomes -31, which is changed to +30. When the correct value within the settable range is determined, it is displayed (S525) and the process returns.

In this way, by referring to the function correspondence table (Table 1), setting values can be changed only if they can be set in the emulation concerned. Since the function correspondence table stores in advance the items and ranges that can be set from the operation panel 7 for each emulation controller, no trouble will occur even if the emulation is switched.

When the ENTER key 718 is pressed (YES in S531)
), the currently displayed value is written into the edit mode table (S532). If the menu is emulation (YES in S533), the initial values of various setting items of the relevant emulation are read from the initial value table (Table 2) and written in the edit mode table (S534). Furthermore, if the style is not a standard style (N
o) also registers the set value in the nonvolatile memory 36 (S536) and returns.

FIG. 14(b) shows the ONL INE key 713 among the procedures for keys other than those related to style. ON
Each time the LINE key 713 is pressed, it switches between permission and prohibition of data input from the computer. Status is flag O
Managed by NL INE.

When the ONL INE key is pressed (YES in S551)
), input is prohibited (offline status) 11)
In the case of (YES at ONLINE-0,5552),
Switch online. That is, the flag 0NLIN
Set E to 1 5553), allow reception 5554),
Turn on 0NLINE LED 705 S 555)
, set the flag NMENU to 0 5556), and display the style name on the message display 701 5557)
, return.

On the other hand, if the state is such that input is permitted (offline state) (No in S552), the state is switched to offline.

In other words, set the flag ONL INE to 0 (5558)
, prohibit reception S 559), ONLI NE
Turn off the LED 705 (5560) and return.

Other key manual processes are omitted from illustration.

FIG. 15 shows a flow (57 in FIG. 6) for outputting the contents of the frame memory 34 to the print engine 4. A series of print sequences is a print request (JOBAC).
T-1) (S601). When a print request is detected for the first time (when PRINT-0, Y in 5602
ES), outputs a start request to the print engine 4 via the engine interface 39 (S604). Furthermore, a request is made to output one image (5605
), return. As a result, the contents of the frame memory 34 are transferred to the print engine 4 via the engine interface 39 in a procedure whose details are omitted in this embodiment.
It will be output to a hard copy.

When the printing of the paper sheet is completed (YES at 5606), the copy number control counter is decremented (5607), and when the copying is completed (YES at 5608), various flags WR are set.
Reset ITE, JOBACT, PRINT56
09), clear frame memory 34 5610)
, output a stop request to the print engine (5611),
Return. If printing has not finished (360
8), output the print request for the next paper 56
05), return.

(Effect of the invention) In a printer having multiple analysis means (emulation), when emulation is specified by the host, if it is the same as the analysis means currently selected in the printer, the analysis means various functions (print mode )
Do not change the settings. Therefore, for example, after the user sets various functions of the analysis means on the operation panel,
Printing can be performed from the host side using the previous settings on the operation panel.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer system. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer. FIG. 3 is a diagram of the layout of the operation panel. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the print controller. FIG. 5 is a diagram of an edit mode table. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of control of the processing device. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of initialization. FIG. 8 is a 70-chart of style initialization. FIG. 9 is a 70-chart of style execution. FIG. 1θ is a flowchart of input data analysis. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of analysis for emulation El. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of analysis for emulation E2. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of analysis for emulation E3. FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) are 70-charts of operation panel processing. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of engine control. 33...User RAM. 37...Switch, 701...Message display, 714-718
...Style-related key patent applicant Minolta Camera Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A data input means for inputting print information from the outside, two or more analysis means for analyzing the print information input into the data input means, and one or more analysis means for setting a plurality of print information processing conditions for the analysis means. An analysis condition holding means that can hold conditions; an analysis condition setting means that sets analysis conditions in the analysis condition holding means; an initialization means that sets the value of the analysis condition to a predetermined value corresponding to the analysis means; An operating means for changing the analysis means, and an initialization means that starts when a code for changing the analysis means is input to the data input means, and does not start the initialization means when a change of the analysis means is input by the operation means. A printer control device comprising: switching means.