JPH0553739A - Method and device for selecting emulation - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the misprint caused between the emulations which are hard to automatically decide and at the same time to correctly perform the automatic switching of emulations even though the commands of the same form exist between the different emulations. CONSTITUTION:A sub-module is provided on a program ROM 13 in order to decide a specific emulation to which the data given from a host computer 4 are subjected. Based on this deciding result, the emulations to be automatically selected are set to a RAM 15 in the form of an emulation list. When a combination of emulations that cannot be automatically selected is set, an alarm is shown at the display part of a control panel device 3 to show the wrong set contents. At the same time, the emulation set later is validated and the emulations set precedently are deleted out of the automatic selection subjects among those combinations of emulations which cannot be automatically selected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an emulation selection method and apparatus in a printer controller for receiving data from a post computer, converting the data into a video signal and transmitting the video signal to a printer engine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to maintain compatibility with a conventional model, a printer controller often has a plurality of emulations and sometimes selects and uses an emulation that matches the output of an application.

In such a case, in the conventional printer controller, the emulation is manually selected from the printer operation panel device, or the emulation is selected by an explicit emulation selection command from the host computer.

To explain this concretely, when a certain emulation is selected and the data sent from the host computer does not match the emulation, the printer processing is interrupted and the emulation considered to be appropriate is selected. , The operator (user) to specify.

This is because the printer processing has been interrupted, and after this, the operator (user) must confirm the selected emulation and then retransmit the data, and the selection of emulation is completely automated. It has not been.

Therefore, as an automated method of selecting emulation, data from the host computer is received,
A method has been proposed which has a plurality of emulations as a command system for converting the data into a video signal, determines which emulation the data from the host computer follows, and automatically selects the emulation.

[0007]

Although there is no particular limitation on the emulation that can be discriminated by the above-mentioned conventional emulation automatic selection method, a plurality of emulations installed in the printer may have different operations depending on the command having the same format. There is emulation that is difficult to distinguish from the data from the host computer. If all the emulations installed in the printer, including these emulations, are targeted for automatic discrimination, erroneous printing occurs between the emulations that are difficult to discriminate.

It is a first object of the present invention to prevent erroneous printing that occurs between emulations that are difficult to distinguish automatically by enabling the setting of a combination of emulations that allows automatic judgment.

Further, although the automatic switching of emulation is usually performed by looking at the format of the command, there are cases where commands having the same format exist among different emulations. In that case, it is difficult to determine which emulation to switch to.

Therefore, a second object is to perform automatic switching of emulation without fail by simultaneously moving a plurality of emulation interprinters and moving only one emulation interprinter when a decision is made.

[0011]

In order to achieve the first object of the present invention, in a printer controller for receiving data from a host computer, converting the data into a video signal and transmitting the video signal to a printer engine, When there are at least three types of emulation as a command system for converting data into a video signal, it is determined which emulation the data from the host computer complies with, and the emulation to be the target of automatic selection is set by the determination. It is characterized by having done.

In order to achieve the second object of the present invention, a plurality of emulation interprinters are simultaneously operated, and all the operated interprinters process command sequences from the host computer to perform emulation. When it can be uniquely determined, the operation of the other emulation interprinter is stopped and the emulation is automatically switched.

[0013]

According to the first solution of the present invention, when the printer automatically selects the emulation based on the data from the host computer, the emulation combination that cannot be automatically selected cannot be set. Prevent erroneous printing due to selection.

When the operator sets a combination of emulations that cannot be automatically selected, a warning is issued to prompt the operator to set the correct combination of emulations. Furthermore, when a combination of emulations that cannot be automatically selected is set, the emulation set later is enabled so that the operator excludes the previously set emulation from the target of automatic switching and uses it. Set an easy emulation to make the operation easy to understand.

According to the second solving means of the present invention,
By moving a plurality of emulation interprinters at the same time and moving only one emulation interprinter when the emulation is determined, the emulation can be automatically switched without making a mistake.

[0016]

1 to 6 show the claims 1 to 4 of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer controller in an example laser printer embodying the present invention.

The printer roller 1 is a general term for a control mechanism that converts print data from the host computer into video data and outputs the video data to the printer engine according to the control mode set at that time and the control code from the host computer. It is composed of modules like.

The CPU 10 controls data (print data, control data) from the host computer 4 according to a program stored in the program ROM 13. The IC card 11 supplies font data, emulation programs, etc. from the outside.

The non-volatile storage device (NVRAM) 12 stores the operation mode instruction from the operation panel device 3 and the like.
The initial values of the automatically selectable emulation combinations according to the implementation of the present invention are stored here.

The program ROM 13 stores a control program for the printer controller 1, controls data processing in the printer controller and peripheral modules, and also receives data from the host computer 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Sub-module on program ROM 13 to determine if emulation is followed
Exists (see FIG. 2). The font ROM 14 stores font pattern data and the like.

The RAM 15 is used as a work memory of the CPU 10 and is used as a buffer for input data from the host computer 4, a page buffer for print data, a memory for download fonts, etc., and also emulation according to an embodiment of the present invention. List (EM List ...
(See FIG. 3).

Printer engine interface (I /
F) 16 communicates with the printer engine 2 for print control data of commands and statuses, and sends the data converted from the video signal from the host computer 4 to the printer engine 2.

The panel interface (I / F) 17 communicates commands and statuses with the operation panel device 3, and receives and sends signals for switching the printer status, mode, font and the like.

The host interface (I / F) 18 is for communicating with the host computer 4,
It is usually a Centronics I / F or RS232C.

The disk interface (I / F) 19 is
It is for communicating with the disk device 5.

The CPU 10 to the disk I / F 19 are connected by a bus to exchange control signals and data.

Here, the printer engine 2 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor by the video signal and the control signal from the printer controller 1, develops the latent image, and feeds the transfer paper from the paper feed unit to transfer and transfer the latent image. Fix and form an image. The operation panel device 3 includes a display unit for notifying an operator (user) of the current printer status and a key input unit for instructing an operation mode, and the display unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. When a combination of such emulations that cannot be automatically selected is set, it is displayed that the setting contents are incorrect. The host computer 4 is a higher-level device of the printer, and sends data (print data, control data) to the printer (controller 1) via the host interface (I / F) 18.

The disk device 5 stores various data such as font data, programs, print data, and the like, such as a floppy disk device and a hard disk device.

The operation of the printer controller having the above configuration will be briefly described. The data sent from the host computer 4 through the host (I / F) 18 is print data and print control data (SP, CR, LF, H) by the CPU 10.
T, VT, etc.) and others, and the print data and print control data are stored in the RAM 15. When the print command from the host computer 4 or the data received from the host computer 4 exceeds one page, the printer controller 1 issues a print start command to the printer engine 2 through the printer engine (I / F) 16.

The print data from the host computer 4 is printed through the printer engine 2 in the above-described series of steps.

The above-described printer controller shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, tp in order to maintain compatibility with conventional models.
It has four emulations of s, tpc1, tpr0, and tfx, and a part of command examples of each emulation is shown in Table (1), Table (2), and Table (3).

Each of these emulations has a different command system, but tpr0 and tfx are shown in Table (3)-
1. As shown in "c-1" and "d-1" of Table (3) -2, there are commands that perform different operations with the same code, so emulation cannot be determined from the command.

In the present embodiment, the program ROM 13 shown in FIG. 1 is used as means for discriminating the emulation.
It was mentioned above that it exists as a sub-module above. FIG. 2 shows a conceptual diagram of emulation discrimination. In FIG. 2, 20 is an emulation discrimination unit for automatically discriminating emulation, and 21, 22, 23, and 24 are tps and tpc1 shown in Tables (1) to (3). , Tpr0, and tfx emulation processing units.

This is the input data 4A from the host computer 4 and the signal 3A for instructing the emulation which is the object of automatic discrimination from the operation panel device 3 or the like.
Is input to the emulation discriminating unit 20, the emulation discriminating unit 20 recognizes the input data 4A from the host computer and automatically discriminates it.
To the corresponding emulation processing units 21 to 24 via.

The applicable emulation processing unit 21 to
Any one of the video data 21B to 24B processed by any one of 24 is sent to the printer engine 2 via the printer engine (I / F) 16.

Next, a method of setting an emulation (EM) which is a target of automatic selection will be described.

FIG. 3 shows an emulation list table "EM" for storing distinguishable emulations.
The format of “List” is shown. A unique EMID is given to each emulation EM, and the EMID of the emulation which is the target of automatic selection at that time is registered.
EMID2 is tpc1, EMID3 is tpr0, EMI
Let D4 be tfx. This emulation list
The table "EM List" is created in the RAM 15 of FIG.

FIG. 4 shows an emulation file format. This emulation file is divided into an emulation file header section 41 and an emulation program section 42. In the emulation file header section 41, the section in which the attributes of the emulation file (copyright, version, etc.) are registered 45
And, as an attribute necessary for automatic discrimination of emulation,
EMIDXX43, which indicates the type of emulation,
In combination with this emulation, the ID of the emulation that cannot be automatically selected is registered as “Un Comb”.
There is a List ”44 and a dictionary 46 for identifying emulation.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the emulation setting procedure. First, the power is turned on or a reset operation is started (S ₁ ). Next, the NVRAM 12 of FIG.
The initial value of the combination of automatically selectable emulations set in is set to "EMList" in FIG.
(S ₂ ). Next has a new emulation setting operation
(S ₃ ).

When the setting operation is performed, it is checked whether or not the same emulation as that registered in the "Un Comb List" 44 of the file header of the new emulation exists in "EM List" (FIG. 3).
(S ₄ ). If the same emulation exists (when a new emulation is added to the target of automatic selection and there is a combination of emulations that cannot be automatically selected), letting the operator continue the setting operation deletes the already set emulation. A warning display and an inquiry display as to whether or not to continue the setting operation are displayed on the display section of the operation panel device 3 (S ₅ ).

If a new emulation is not set, check again whether the emulation setting operation has been performed.
(S ₃₎ moves to the processing (S _6). When performing the setting operation,
From "EMList" (Fig. 3) to "Un Comb Lis"
Delete the emulation registered in t "44
(S ₇ ).

In this embodiment, when the newly set emulation is tfx, EMID4 is registered in "UnComb List" 44, and EMID3 (tpr0) in "EM List" (FIG. 3) is deleted. Then newly set emulation "EM the List" is registered in (FIG. 3) (S _8). The emulation to be newly set in the step S ₄ is if automatic selectable registers immediately "EMList" the EMID (S _8).

Next, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of automatic selection of emulation (EM). The above-described processing for judging which emulation the data from the host computer follows is based on the emulation judgment set in the RAM 15. This is done by allocating a work buffer. That is, the work buffer stores the data sent from the host computer, and the printing process is not performed for this data until the emulation mode is established.

First, the data from the host computer 4 is loaded into the 1-byte work buffer (S ₉ ). Then "EM
“0” is set to EMCNT (not shown, but EM counter secured in RAM 15 of FIG. 1) for sequentially scanning “List” (S ₁₀ ). Next, the content of “EM List” indicated by EMCNT Is an EOF (S ₁₁ ). If it is not EOF, then the emulation dictionary 4 of “EM List” indicated by EMCNT.
6 (FIG. 4), it is checked whether the data from the host computer 4 is the emulation (S ₁₂ ).

[0045] When the data from the host computer is determined and its emulation performing printing processing by operating the emulation (S _13). If it is determined that the data from the host computer is not the emulation, EMCNT is incremented.
(S ₁₄ ), the process returns to step S ₁₁ .

On the other hand, if EOF is determined in step S ₁₁ , it is checked whether the work buffer is full (S ₁₅ ).
If not full capture data again from the host computer returns to step S _9. If the work buffer is full is set in SEQ ID value content of "EM the List" of EMCNT is set to the default emulation (S _16), performs printing processing by operating the default emulation accordance with the contents ( S ₁₃ )
(Default emulation information is set in NVRAM12).

This is a case where only text is sent as data without using any printer command. In this embodiment, since only text can be processed by tpc1, the default emulation is set to tpc1. This allows normal operation.

Next, the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operation will be described with reference to the printer controller shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the case of two emulations 1 and 2 will be described. First, start the two emulation Inter printer simultaneously (S _17), analyzes and executes the inter printers both command emulation from a host computer 4 (S _18).

The interprinter receives one piece of data from the host computer and determines whether it is an escape code. If it is not an escape code, characters are printed and control codes are executed according to the table prepared for each emulation. Also, if it is an escape code,
Prepare an escape sequence table for each emulation. Then, the next code is received from the host computer, the command is recognized by referring to the escape sequence table, and the process corresponding to the command is performed.

If the command received from the host computer is not in the escape sequence table of one emulation (hereinafter, emulation 1) (S
₁₉ No of), determines that the emulation 2 is the correct emulation stop inter printer emulation 1 (S _20), the other emulation
(Emulation 2 below) By processing the remaining command sequence by the interprinter (S ₂₁ , S ₂₂ ), the emulation is switched to emulation 2 (S ₂₃ ).

On the contrary, although it exists in the escape sequence table of the emulation 1, the emulation 2
If a command that is not in the escape sequence table is encountered, the emulation 1 is determined to be the correct emulation, the emulation 2 interprinter is stopped (S ₂₄ ), and only the emulation 1 interprinter processes the remaining command sequence. By doing
(S ₂₁ , S ₂₂ ), emulation emulation 1
(S ₁₉ ).

As a result of the command analysis, if the command is also present in the escape sequence tables of both emulations, it cannot be determined which one is the correct emulation, so the interprinters of both emulations process (S ₂₅ ), Until it encounters a command that does not exist in either emulation's escape sequence table, it will process in both emulation's interprinters.

Even when three or more interprinters are used, analysis can be performed in the same sequence.

[0055]

[Table 1]

[0056]

[Table 2]

[0057]

[Table 3-1]

[0058]

[Table 3-2]

[0059]

As described above, the emulation selection method and device of the present invention have the following effects.

In a printer that automatically selects emulation based on data from a host computer, by preventing the combination of emulations that cannot be automatically selected from being set, it is possible to prevent erroneous printing due to incorrect emulation selection.

In a printer that automatically selects emulation based on data from the host computer, a warning is issued when the operator sets a combination of emulations that cannot be automatically selected, thereby prompting the operator to set the correct combination of emulations. It is possible to prevent erroneous setting by the operator.

[0062]

As described above, the emulation selection method and device of the present invention have the following effects.

By preventing a combination of emulations that cannot be automatically selected from being set in a printer that automatically selects emulation based on data from the host computer, erroneous printing due to incorrect emulation selection can be prevented.

In a printer that automatically selects emulation based on data from the host computer, a warning is issued when the operator sets an emulation combination that cannot be automatically selected, thereby prompting the operator to set the correct emulation combination. It is possible to prevent erroneous setting by the operator.

In a printer that automatically selects emulation based on data from the host computer, if an emulation combination that cannot be automatically selected is set, the operator is set previously by enabling the emulation that is set later. You can set the emulation you want to use without being aware of the emulation, and the operation of emulation is easy to understand.

By moving a plurality of emulation interprinters at the same time and moving only one emulation interprinter when the emulation is determined, it is possible to automatically switch the emulation without making a mistake.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer controller in an example of a laser printer embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of emulation discrimination according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format of an emulation list table for storing distinguishable emulations according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a file format of emulation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an emulation setting procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of automatic selection of emulation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for automatically switching emulation according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Printer controller, 2 ... Printer engine,
3 ... Operation panel device, 4 ... Host computer, 5
… Disk device, 10… CPU, 11… IC card,
12 ... Non-volatile memory (NVRAM), 13 ... Program ROM, 14 ... Font ROM, 15 ... RAM, 16 ...
Printer engine interface (I / F), 17 ... Panel interface (I / F), 18 ... Host interface (I / F), 19 ... Disk interface
(I / F), 20 ... Emulation discrimination section, 21-24 ...
Emulation processing section, 41 ... Emulation file header section, 42 ... Emulation program section, 43 ... EMIDXX, 44 ... Un Comb Lis
t, 45 ... Attributes of emulation file, 46 ... Dictionary.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A printer controller for receiving data from a host computer, converting the data into a video signal, and transmitting the video signal to a printer engine. At least three types of emulation as a command system for converting the data into a video signal. When it has, it is determined which emulation the data from the host computer follows, and the emulation to be the target of automatic selection is set based on the determination. 2. The emulation selection method according to claim 1, wherein when a combination of emulations that cannot be automatically selected is set, an error in the set contents is clearly indicated. 3. When an emulation combination that cannot be automatically selected is set, the emulation that is set later is validated, and the emulation combination that cannot be automatically selected is previously set. The emulation selection method according to claim 1, wherein the emulation is excluded from the target of automatic selection. 4. An emulation selection device for a printer, comprising: means for determining which emulation the data from the host computer follows, and means for setting the emulation to be the target of automatic selection by the determination means. 5. A plurality of emulation interprinters are simultaneously operated, and all the operated interprinters process the command sequence from the host computer, and when the emulation can be uniquely determined, the other emulation interprinters are processed. Stop the printer working,
An emulation selection method characterized by automatically switching emulation.