JPH05201073A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to utilize preserved data in other method than printing by storing data received from a host device in an external memory device, and eliminate interruption of data transmission from the host device to a printer by storing the data received from the host device in the external memory device at the time that record media run out. CONSTITUTION:A memory means 7 stores data received from a host device. A print means 3 prints the data received from the host device or the data from the memory means 7. Further, in a control means 1, storing of the data received from the host device to the memory means 7 is controlled and switching output of said received data and the data received from the memory means 7 to the print means 3 is controlled by signals from instruction means 4-6. As a result, data in an external memory device can be preserved in other method than printing and data transmission from the host device to a printer can be performed without interruption even when record media or recording agent run out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer, and more particularly to a printer control system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional printer only prints data received from a higher-level device, and prints data from the higher-level device when the recording medium runs out or when recording materials such as toner and ink ribbon run out. I could not receive it.

[0003]

The conventional printer has a problem that it cannot be reused because the data received from the host device is not saved after the printing process is completed. In addition, if the state where there is no recording medium or recording agent in the printer occurs while the host device is transmitting data, the printer will not receive subsequent data, and the data transmission process of the host device will be interrupted and the process of the host device will be interrupted. There was a problem of reducing efficiency.

[0004]

A printer according to the present invention comprises a storage means for storing received data from a host device, a printing means for printing the received data from the host device or the data from the storage device, and an instruction. Control means for controlling storage of received data from the host device in the storage means and switching output control of the received data and data from the storage means to the printing means in response to a signal from the means.

Further, the instructing means is a sweep switch, and even if the control means controls the output of the data in the storage means to the printing means when the sweep switch is depressed, the instructing means is also available. Is a sensor for detecting the presence / absence of at least one of a recording medium and a recording agent, the control means stops the data output to the printing means by the absence state detection signal from the sensor, and the printing by the presence state detection signal. The control for restarting the data output to the means may be performed.

[0006]

The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the printer of the present invention. In this embodiment, a control unit 1 connected to a host device
And a switching unit 2 for switching and outputting the received data from the host device to the printing unit 3 and the external storage device 7 according to the instruction of the control unit 1.
And a sweep switch 4 for instructing the control unit 1 to output the data stored in the external storage device 7 to the printing unit 3.
A recording medium sensor 5 for detecting the presence / absence of a recording medium in the printer, and a recording medium sensor 6 for detecting the presence / absence of a recording medium in the printer.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
The control unit 1 outputs the received data from the host device to the printing unit 3 or the external storage device 7 through the switching unit 2 according to the set contents. Further, when the data is stored in the external storage device 7, the control unit 1 causes the switching unit 2 to output the data stored in the external storage device to the printing unit 3 by pressing the sweep switch 4. Give instructions.

Next, when the recording medium sensor 5 detects that the recording medium is exhausted, a medium-less signal is sent to the control unit 1. Based on this signal, the control unit 1 instructs the switching unit 2 to store the received data from the host device in the external storage device 7. When the recording medium is replenished, the recording medium sensor 5 sends a medium presence signal to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 confirms that the data received from the higher-level device has been stored in the external storage device 7, and instructs the switching unit 2 to output the data in the external storage device 7 to the printing unit 3.

When the recording agent sensor 6 detects that the recording agent is exhausted, it sends a recording agent no signal to the control unit 1. Based on this signal, the control unit 1 instructs the switching unit 2 to store the received data from the host device in the external storage device 7. When the recording agent is replenished, the recording agent sensor 6 sends a recording agent present signal to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 confirms that the data received from the higher-level device has been stored in the external storage device 7, and instructs the switching unit 2 to output the data in the external storage device 7 to the printing unit 3.

When the control unit 1 receives a medium-free signal or a recording agent-free signal, it instructs the host device to stop data transmission, and when it receives a medium presence signal or recording agent presence signal, it sends data transmission from the host device. You may control so that it may be restarted.

[0011]

As described above, according to the present invention, the data received from the host device is stored in the external storage device, so that the stored data can be used by a method other than printing. Further, since the data received from the host device is stored in the external storage device when the recording medium runs out, the data transmission from the host device to the printer is not interrupted. Further, since the data from the host device is stored in the external storage device when the recording material is exhausted, there is an effect that the data transmission from the host device to the printer is not interrupted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a printer of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Control Section 2 Switching Section 3 Printing Section 4 Ejection Switch 5 Recording Medium Sensor 6 Recording Agent Sensor 7 External Storage Device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Storage means for storing received data from a host device, printing means for printing the received data from the host device or data from the storage device, and a signal from the host device for sending data from the host device. A printer, comprising: a control unit that controls storage of received data in the storage unit and a switching output control of the received data and data from the storage unit to the printing unit. 2. The instructing means is a sweep switch,
2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein when the sweep switch is pressed, the control means controls the output of the data in the storage means to the printing means. 3. The instructing means is a sensor for detecting the presence / absence of at least one of a recording medium and a recording agent, and the control means stops the data output to the printing means in response to the absence state detection signal from the sensor. The printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein control is performed to restart data output to the printing unit according to a presence state detection signal.