JPH05224841A - Switching system operation attribute of printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To lighten the load on host data processing by informing the printer of the attribute of following data with attribute discrimination data at the head of print data. CONSTITUTION:The attribute discrimination data are added at the head or a specific position of the print data 2 and those data are sent from a host computer 1 to a printer 4 or a printer branching device 5. The printer 4 decides what attribute the attribute discrimination data indicates by an attribute decision part and sorts respective data processing parts matching the attribute with a switcher to perform processes. The respective data processing parts process data so as to match the attribute with print parts, and the data are sent to an image processing part and printed out at a printing part after converted into dot data matching the printing mechanism and system of the printing part. The attribute decision part and switcher of the printer branching device 5 operate similarly to the printer 4 and the functions of the respective data processing part, image processing part, and printing part are realized by individual printers 13-15.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to data processing in an information system connected to a host computer through various networks without the host computer being aware of the attributes and types of printers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional technique is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-77124.
As described in the publication, the host computer side has determined the attributes of the printer.

[0003]

In a system to which a current printer is connected, the host computer, which is the data sending side, has a data structure depending on various modes and attributes such as the printing method and performance of the connected printer. Alternatively, the data transfer method or the like is changed or generated and then sent to the printer.

The present invention determines / determines the printer attribute intended by the host computer on the side of the printer or the printer branching device controlling a plurality of types of individual printers.
The purpose is to provide an erasing function and obtain an optimum print result.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adds attribute identification data to the head of print data from a host computer and attaches the attribute identification data to a printer or printer branching device that receives this data. An attribute determination unit that determines whether the data is determined, a switcher that distributes the determined data to a corresponding data processing unit or individual printer, a data processing unit that emulates a data format or function that matches the attribute, and a processing unit that matches the predetermined attribute. This can be solved by comprising an image processing unit that integrates each data processed into a shape and a printing unit.

[0006]

The attribute identification data at the head of the print data from the host computer informs the printer or the printer branching device of the attributes of the following data. An attribute determination unit in the printer or the printer branching device determines what attribute the host computer intends to print from the attribute identification data. Here, the printing of the intended attribute means that various realization means such as a data processing method and a printing method are included from matters relating to the workability such as the size, color, typeface, layout and size of characters. The switcher distributes the determined data to the data processing unit that matches the attribute, and the data processing unit processes and escalates the distributed data so that the printing unit can print the data. The image processing unit rearranges the data processed in (1) into an array of data (dots) suitable for the printing mechanism of the printing unit, and the printing unit prints on paper or a predetermined interposer. The printer according to the present invention is provided with the above means in one device, and the printer branching device is composed only of an attribute determination unit and a switcher.
The individual printers are responsible for the functions after the data processing unit.

As described above, the burden of host data processing is reduced and the complexity of printer connection / attribute management is eliminated.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
4 and FIG.

In FIG. 1, the host computer 1 adds attribute identification data 3 for notifying the attribute of the data to the head of the print data 2 or to a predetermined position and sends it to the printer 4 or the printer branching device 5. Referring to FIG. 4, in the printer 4, the attribute determination unit 6 determines what attribute the attribute identification data 3 is intended to be printed, and the switcher 7 divides the data into the data processing units 8 to 9 corresponding to the attribute. Transfer. The data processing units 8 to 10 have attributes (character size,
This data processing unit 8 processes data for the purpose of matching the various information such as data processing / printing method, etc. with respect to the printing result such as color, typeface, layout, size, etc., and the printing unit.
The roles of 10 to 10 are divided according to the classification of attributes. The data processed by the data processing units 8 to 10 are sent to the image processing unit 12, converted into dot data suitable for the printing mechanism and method of the printing unit 11, and printed by the printing unit 11. Further, in the printer branching device 5, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The attribute determining unit 6 and the switcher 7 operate in the same manner as those described above, but the data processing units 8 to 8 in FIG.
The functions of 10, the image processing unit 12, and the printing unit 11 are realized by the individual printers 13 to 15 in FIG. That is, the individual printers 13 to 15 are assigned a character suitable for the attribute, and the printer branching device 5 distributes the data according to the attribute.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the host computer can perform data processing without being aware of the attributes / characteristics of the printers connected to the end, can reduce the load of host data processing, and can connect printers. This has the effect of eliminating the complexity of attribute management.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection of a host computer, a printer, a printer branching device, and an individual printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a transfer format of print data sent from a host computer, showing an example in which attribute identification data is at the head.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a printer branching device and an individual printer connected thereto.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of each unit in the printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Host computer, 2 ... Host sending data, 3 ... Attribute identification data, 4 ... Printer, 5 ... Printer branching device, 6 ... Attribute determination part, 7 ... Switcher, 8-10 ... Data processing part, 11 ... Printing part, 12 ... Image processing unit, 13-15 ... Individual printers.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A printer controller, which receives print data from a host and uses a plurality of printers, or a printer in which one printer has a plurality of attributes (functions), deciphers and decodes the data sent from the host. It is possible to print by selecting an optimum printer or attribute (function) by data, by providing an attribute reading unit and a printer selection unit that selects the optimum printer from a plurality of printers or plural attributes of the printer according to the attribute. A method of switching the operating attributes of the characteristic printer.