JPH0675722A - Printer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the waiting time of a host device when the print data received from the host device are printed out by providing plural interface parts connected to plural host devices and the reception buffers corresponding to those interface parts. CONSTITUTION:A printer device 11 is provided with two interface parts 3 and 4 connected to the host devices and two reception buffers 5 and 6 corresponding to both parts 3 and 4. The buffers 5 and 6 are always controlled by a control part 7, and the part 7 selects the print data equivalent to one page that are stored in the buffer 5 or 6. The selected buffer sends the print data equivalent to one page to a processing part 8. The part 8 evolves the received data into a printable state and sends them to a print part 9. The forms printed at the part 9 are ejected to an ejecting position corresponding to the reception buffer storing the relevant print data under the control of an ejecting position control part 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device which is used by connecting to a plurality of host devices such as a personal computer and which receives print data sent from the host device and outputs and prints the print data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional printer device that is used by connecting to a plurality of host devices such as personal computers to receive and print print data sent from the host device is one of a plurality of connected host devices. When receiving the print data sent from one host device, it sends a busy signal to the other host device until the other host devices finish printing all the print data from the host device. The device is in the standby state.

[0003]

As described above, the conventional printer device connected to a plurality of host devices and used is
When receiving print data sent from one of a plurality of connected higher-level devices, the other higher-level devices are put in a standby state, and the waiting time of the other higher-level devices is wasted. have.

[0004]

A printer device according to the present invention is a printer device which is connected to a plurality of host devices to receive and print print data sent from the plurality of host devices. A plurality of interface units connected to each of the devices, and a plurality of reception buffers provided corresponding to each of the plurality of interface units, and further provided corresponding to each of the plurality of interface units. It also has a plurality of paper ejection units.

[0005]

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.

The printer device 11 shown in FIG. 1 has two interface units 3 and 4, and the interface units 3 and 4 are connected to the host devices 1 and 2, respectively. The interface units 3 and 4 are provided with receiving buffers 5 and 6, respectively, and the print data 12 and 13 sent from the host devices 1 and 2 are received via the interface units 3 and 4, respectively. Stored in buffers 5 and 6.

The receiving buffers 5 and 6 are constantly controlled by the control unit 7.
Of the receive buffers 5 and 6
Among them, select the one that can be printed after storing the print data for one page, or the one that can be printed after receiving and storing the print data from the host device, The print data for one page in the reception buffer 5 or 6 (for example, the reception buffer 5) which is capable of printing first is sent to the processing unit 8. The processing unit 8 expands the print data sent from the control unit 7 into a printable state and sends it to the printing unit 9, and the printing unit 9 outputs and prints it. The paper printed by the printing unit 9 is ejected to the ejection position corresponding to the reception buffer 5 (that is, the interface unit 3) that has stored the print data under the control of the ejection position control unit 10.

During this time, the reception buffer 5 receives and stores the next print data from the corresponding higher-level device 12 via the interface unit 3.

At the time when printing of the print data for one page in the printing unit 9 is completed, the control unit 7 checks whether or not the other reception buffers 6 are ready for printing,
When printing is possible, the receive buffer 6
1 page of print data is sent to the processing unit 8 and is output and printed by the printing unit 9 via the processing unit 8.
By the control of 0, it is discharged to the discharge position corresponding to the reception buffer 6 (that is, the interface unit 4).

When the receiving buffer 6 is not ready for printing, the control unit 7 controls the next 1 in the receiving buffer 5.
The print data for one page is processed. In this way, one of the two receiving buffers, which is in a printable state first, is given priority and the print data for one page stored alternately is output and printed. The above operation is repeated until the output printing of all the print data 12 and 13 sent from Nos. 2 and 2 is completed.

[0012]

As described above, the printer device of the present invention is provided with a plurality of interface units connected to each of a plurality of host devices and a plurality of reception buffers corresponding to each of the plurality of interface units. Further, a plurality of paper discharge units are provided corresponding to the plurality of interface units, respectively, and one of the plurality of reception buffers which is in a printable state is preferentially stored and is alternately stored therein. Output printing of 1 page of print data,
By ejecting the printed paper to the ejection position corresponding to the receive buffer that stored the print data, and repeating this operation until the output printing of all print data sent from the host device is completed Therefore, the waiting time of the host device can be shortened, and the printed sheets can be easily processed.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

[Explanation of symbols]

 1.2 Higher-level device 3.4 Interface section 5.6 Receive buffer 7 Control section 8 Processing section 9 Printing section 10 Ejection position control section 11 Printer device 12/13 Print data

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A printer device, which is connected to a plurality of host devices and receives and prints print data sent from the plurality of host devices, and a plurality of interface units connected to each of the plurality of host devices. And a plurality of reception buffers provided corresponding to the plurality of interface units, respectively. 2. The printer device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of paper discharge units provided corresponding to the plurality of interface units, respectively.