JPH0594267A - Data transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To transfer printing data from a computer to a printer without connecting the computer and the printer by a printer cable. CONSTITUTION:This device is equipped with a first storage part 2 to write a file management program for managing a data file, control part 5 to control the respective parts of the device according to the file management program, second storage part 3 to write the data file, data conversion part 5 to convert the data file to a printer code, and third storage part 4 to write the printer code converted by the data conversion part 5, and the control part 5' is equipped with a first function to manage the data file supplied from the computer, to supply the data file to the data conversion part 5 and to write the printer code outputted from here on the third storage part 4 and a second function to output the printer code written in the third storage part 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data transfer device suitable for transferring print data output from a computer (generally called "personal computer") to a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a personal computer and a printer are connected by a printer cable, and print data created by the personal computer is transferred to the printer through the cable (see FIG. 3). In this case, the print data is of course managed on the personal computer side.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. You need a printer cable to connect your computer to the printer. After connecting the printer cable, it is difficult to move the personal computer and the printer easily. When the print data is once recorded on an external recording medium such as a floppy disk and then the print data recorded on the floppy disk is printed, a predetermined operation must be performed. For example, when printing a text created using word processing software, it is necessary to start the computer and run the word processing software. Therefore, it takes time to print. In addition, a person who does not know how to use the adopted word processing software cannot print.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides a data transfer device which does not require a printer cable and can transfer print data to a printer without a troublesome operation procedure. It is an object.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first storage unit in which a file management program for managing data files is written, and controls each unit of the apparatus according to the file management program. And a second storage unit in which the data file is written, a data conversion unit that converts the data file into a printer code, and the data file converted into the printer code in the data conversion unit is written. A third storage unit, the control unit manages a data file supplied when the apparatus main body is connected to the computer, supplies the data file to the data conversion unit, and outputs the data file from the data conversion unit. The printer code that is used is the third
It is characterized by having a first function of writing in a storage unit and a second function of outputting the printer code written in the third storage unit when the apparatus body is connected to a printer.

[0006]

According to the above construction, when the data file is output from the computer after the main body of the apparatus is connected to the computer, the data file is written in the second storage unit and the printer is also executed by the data conversion unit. Converted to code. The data file converted into the printer code is written in the third storage unit. On the other hand, when the apparatus body is connected to the printer, the printer code stored in the third storage unit is supplied to the printer. Therefore, the print data from the computer can be transferred to the printer without using the printer cable.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a data transfer device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a conventionally used memory card is used, and a data transfer function is added to this memory card. The memory card is usually used as an external recording medium of a portable computer (commonly called "handy personal computer").

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 is a first storage section (constituted by a ROM) in which a file management program is written. This file management program is software that resides between application software such as word processing software and an operating system (for example, MS-DOS, a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States), and in this embodiment, at a minimum, It has a function for managing data files supplied from a personal computer, a function for converting data files into printer codes, a function for storing printer codes, and a function for outputting stored printer codes. There is. Here, the data file management function is a function of organizing a plurality of data files.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a second storage section (a plurality of static RAMs.
The data file is written.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a third storage unit (composed of a plurality of static RAMs) in which a data file converted into a printer code is written. 5 is a control unit (CPU: central processing unit,
It is composed of an interface and the like) and controls each part of the device according to the file management program. 6
Is a connector and is composed of 64 terminals. A card slot that can be connected to the connector 6 is attached to each of the personal computer and the printer.

In the data transfer device having such a configuration, for example, when the word processing software is used in the personal computer 7 shown in FIG. Mounting. Then, an operation for outputting print data corresponding to the text created by the personal computer 7 is performed. By this operation, print data is output from the card slot of the personal computer 7. When the print data is output, it is read by the data transfer device 1 and written in the second storage unit 3 of the device 1. In this case, each time one print data file is supplied, it is discriminated and written in the second storage unit 3. Print data is second
After being written in the storage unit 3, the first print data file is converted into a printer code and written in the third storage unit 4.

After the print data file is stored in the data transfer device 1 and the first print data file is converted into the printer code, the device 1 is taken out from the personal computer 7. Then, this is installed in the card slot S of a desired printer among the printers 8 to 10. As a result, the printer code stored in the third storage unit 4 is read and supplied to the printer. At this time, if there is another print data file in the second storage unit 3, it is sequentially read, converted into a printer code, and output from the time when the output of the first print data file is completed. In this way, the print data is transferred from the personal computer 7 to the printer via the data transfer device 1.

If a function of converting to a patent electronic filing format is added to the above embodiment, it is possible to print the patent electronic filing format by inserting it into the printer as it is. Further, the above embodiment may be provided with a game function. In this case, since the printer has a display such as a liquid crystal panel and a small number of switches for playing the game, it is possible to play the game using these switches.

Further, in the above embodiment, a personal computer and a printer in which a known memory card has a data transfer function and the memory card can be used have been described.
It can also be implemented with a personal computer and printer that cannot use memory cards. In this case, since the personal computer and the printer generally have different connector types, the data transfer device is equipped with two different types of connectors so as to correspond thereto.

[0014]

As described above, according to the data transfer apparatus of the present invention, the data file output from the computer is stored, converted into a printer code so that it can be directly supplied to the printer, and mounted on the printer. Since the printer code is sometimes output to the printer, there is no need for a printer cable for connecting the computer and the printer as in the conventional case. Further, since printing can be performed by connecting the data transfer device directly to the printer, it is not necessary to perform an operation procedure such as executing the word processor software after starting the computer. Therefore, by simply carrying this data transfer device, it is possible to print even at a printer in another place, and since it does not require operations such as computer startup and word processor software startup, printing related The time can be shortened.

[0015]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a data transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a usage state of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a conventional problem.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 1st memory | storage part 2 2nd memory | storage part 3 3rd memory | storage part 4 Control part (a data conversion part is included)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first storage unit in which a file management program for managing a data file is written, a control unit for controlling each unit of the apparatus according to the file management program, and a second storage in which the data file is written. Section, a data conversion section for converting the data file into a printer code, and a third storage section in which the data file converted into the printer code by the data conversion section is written, and the control section comprises: Connected to a computer, manages the supplied data file, supplies the data file to the data conversion unit, and writes the printer code output from the data conversion unit to the third storage unit. 1
And a second function of outputting the printer code written in the third storage unit when the apparatus body is connected to a printer.