JPH05233170A - Printer output system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability in the case of outputting data from plural terminal devices to one output device. CONSTITUTION:At the time of starting the power source supply of a terminal equipment (e.g. a terminal equipment A), a healthy check function part 150 checks whether the terminal equipment A 120 is connected to an output device 160 through a printer switching device 140 or not to output a connection check information. A printer switching output function part 110 receives/stores the connection check information through the terminal equipment A 120 and instructs the output to a terminal equipment (in such a case, the terminal equipment A 120) connected to the output device 160 by referring to the connection check information so as to output the processing data of central processing unit 100 based on an output requirement, from an optional terminal equipment (e.g. a terminal equipment B 130) to the output device 160.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer output system when data output is requested from a terminal device in an online system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 2, a printer output system of this type has a terminal device A 120 to an output device 160.
Printer output device 14
When the 0 switch is switched to the terminal device A 120 side, and when the terminal device B 130 outputs to the output device 160, the switch of the printer switching device 140 is switched to the terminal device B 130 side.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional printer output system, when the terminal device outputs to the output device, the switch of the printer switching device must be connected to the terminal device side to be output. There was the inconvenience of having to check whether

Further, if the switch of the printer switching device is not connected to the side of the terminal device to be output, if data is output to the output device, the output data is lost and the printer switching device is restarted. After switching the switch, the output had to be restarted.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer output system in which a plurality of terminal devices output processing data from a central processing unit to a single printer through a printer switching device. A health check function unit that is located between the printer switching device and the printer switching device and checks whether the terminal device and the printer are connected via the printer switching device at the time of power-on startup of the terminal device and outputs connection check information. , Between the central processing unit and the plurality of terminal units, receiving and storing the connection check information via the terminal unit, and processing data of the central processing unit based on an output request from any of the terminal units to the printer. Refer to the connection check information so as to output, and connect to the printer via the printer switching device. Wherein the relative been said terminal device comprises a printer switching output function unit for performing an output instruction.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

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

In FIG. 1, it is assumed that the central processing unit 100 is used.
The printer switching device 1 with the power of the
40 switches are connected by the terminal device A120,
When the terminal device A 120, the terminal device B 130, the printer switching device 140, and the output device 160 are not powered on, the terminal device A 120, the terminal device B 130, the printer switching device 140, and the output device 160 are powered on and started up. To do.

[0009] First, when the terminal device A 120 is started up, the healthy check function section 150 operates, and the terminal device A 12 is activated.
0 and the output device 160 check whether data can be exchanged. In this case, the printer switching device 140
Since the switch is connected to the terminal device A 120 side, the healthy check function unit 150 notifies the terminal device A 120 that the output device 160 is available. Next, the terminal device A 120 uses the printer switching output function unit 11
0 signal that output device 160 is available.

The printer switching output function unit 110 stores that the terminal device A 120 can use the output device 160. Next, when the terminal device B130 is started up, the healthy check function unit 150 also operates, and notifies the terminal device B130 that the terminal device B130 and the output device 160 cannot exchange data. The terminal device B 130 notifies the printer switching output function unit 110 that the output device 160 is unusable,
The printer switching output function unit 110 includes a terminal device B130.
Stores that the output device 160 is unavailable.

From the terminal device B130 to the central processing unit 100
When there is an output request to the output device 160, the central processing unit 100 performs output request processing, and then transfers control to the printer switching output function unit 110. The printer switching output function unit 110 stores information about which terminal is connected to the output device 160, and therefore issues an output instruction to the target terminal device (in this case, the terminal device A120). Since the terminal device A 120 and the output device 160 are connected, the terminal device A outputs to the output device 160 after receiving the output instruction. The output device 160 outputs the output information from the terminal device B 130 without any trouble.

When the switch of the printer switching device 140 is switched to the side of the terminal device B130, the healthy check function section 150 operates to notify the terminal device B130 that the output device 160 is available. Terminal device B1
In 30, the printer switching output function unit 110
The fact that the terminal device B 130 and the output device 160 are connected is transmitted. The printer switching output function unit 110 stores that the terminal device B 130 can use the output device 160, and performs the data output process from the central processing unit 100.

[0013]

As described above, according to the present invention, the processing data from the central processing unit is automatically issued to the terminal device connected to the output device via the printer switching device. As a result, the operator does not need to check whether the switch of the printer switching device is connected to the terminal device side that is the output target, and the operability and the processing efficiency are significantly improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Central Processing Unit 110 Printer Switching Output Function Unit 120 Terminal Device A 130 Terminal Device B 140 Printer Switching Device 150 Healthy Check Function Unit 160 Output Device

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A printer output method in which a plurality of terminal devices output processed data from a central processing unit to one printer via a printer switching device, and the terminal is provided between the printer and the printer switching device. A healthy check function unit for checking whether or not the terminal device and the printer are connected via the printer switching device at the time of turning on the power of the device and outputting connection check information, the central processing unit, and the plurality of terminals. Refer to the connection check information so as to receive and store the connection check information between the devices via the terminal device and output the processing data of the central processing unit to the printer based on an output request from any of the terminal devices. To the terminal device connected to the printer through the printer switching device. Printer output system which comprises a printer switching output function unit for performing instructions.