JPH07117317A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a testing process and facilitate a maintenance work by providing a second function-selecting means for selecting a test printing function according to a first state and a set state-printing function according to a second state among special functions. CONSTITUTION:An MPU block 20 constitutes a printer-controlling part 26, to which a reset signal from a source switch 12, signals from a line change switch 13 and a cover sensor 14 are input, and also signals from switches 18 setting a state of the printer and from an interface part 19 receiving a printing instruction and printing data from an external device, etc., are connected. Moreover, a signal for controlling each part of the printer is output from the MPU block 20 to a driving circuit block 21, when a printing head 17 and a motor 22 for the printing head are driven to print to a printing medium. At the same time, not only a motor 23 for sending the printing medium is driven to change lines and pages, but a display block 25 is driven to indicate the state or the like to an operator.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer operation test function, and more particularly to selection of a normal function and a special function and confirmation of operation of an abnormal state detecting means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in selecting a special function of a printer, a function selecting section in the printer reads the state of an operation designating means after a predetermined time has elapsed since power-on, and selects the special function when the operation designating means is in the designated state. I was doing it. If there are multiple special functions such as the test print function and the setting status print function, for example, if there are a plurality of operation designating means such as a line feed switch and a page break switch, the functions are selected by combining them. Further, in a printer which does not have a plurality of operation designating means, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-
As disclosed in 15185, the setting state printing function is incorporated into the test printing function to singularize a plurality of special functions and execute them simultaneously, and selection between special functions is omitted.

Further, conventionally, when the special function is selected, the normal function cannot be restored unless the power is turned on again. Even when there are a plurality of special functions, switching between them is performed by turning the power on again. It was

[0004]

However, such a conventional technique has the following problems.

(1) Since the function is selected only by the operation designating means after the power is turned on, the operation of the abnormal state detecting means of the printer cannot be confirmed, and a separate test process is required to make this confirmation. Therefore, the entire printer testing process became complicated.

(2) If a plurality of operation designating means are not provided, it is not possible to select only the test print function or only the set state print function. Therefore, for example, even when performing maintenance, the test state and the test data are not displayed at the same time. It was printed,
It became an obstacle to maintenance work.

(3) A plurality of special functions and normal functions cannot be switched unless the power is turned on again. Therefore, when these operations are continuously performed, the initialization time of the device when the power is turned on again is required. It became an overhead.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a printer having a simple test process and easy maintenance work.

[0009]

In addition to the normal function, the printer of the present invention has a test printing function for performing test printing on a print medium to test the operation of the printer and a setting status printing for printing the setting status of the printer. In a printer having a plurality of special functions such as functions, an initialization means for initializing printer settings, an operation designating means for causing the printer to perform a predetermined operation, and a status detection means for detecting an abnormal state of the printer. , A printer control unit for selecting and executing one of a test printing function, a setting status printing function, and a normal function, and the printer control unit is an operation designating unit after a predetermined time has passed since the initialization unit was in the starting state. Of the special function according to the first state of the first function selecting means for selecting the special function according to the first state and the normal function according to the second state, and the test printing machine of the special function according to the first state of the state detecting means. And characterized in that it is composed of a second function selecting means for selecting a set state printing function by the second state.

Further, the printer control section, in the test print function, has the first function transition means for transitioning to the normal function when the first state of the operation designating means is reappeared, and the test print function. Second function transition means for transitioning to the set state printing function according to the second state of the state detection means,
It is characterized in that it has a third function transition means for making a transition to a normal function according to the second state of the operation designating means at the end of the set state printing function.

Further, the printer of the present invention is characterized in that the state detecting means is a cover opening / closing sensor of the printing section.

[0012]

The operation of the present invention using the above means will be described. The printer control unit of the present invention detects the state of the operation designating unit after a fixed time after the initialization unit is in the starting state, and selects the special function if it is in the ON state, and selects the normal function otherwise. If the operation designating means is out of order, such a selection cannot be made correctly, so that the operator can detect the failure in the operation designating means.

When the special function is selected, the printer control section detects the state of the state detecting means for detecting an abnormal state. For example, if it is on, the test print function of the special functions is set, and if not, it is set. Select the status print function. Thus, even in a printer having only one operation designating means, the test print function and the setting state print function can be selected and executed separately. Further, at this time, if the state detecting means is out of order, such a selection cannot be made correctly, so that the operator can detect the failure in the state detecting means.

Further, the printer control unit shifts to a normal function if the operation designating means is turned on again during the execution of the test printing function, and to the set state printing function if the status detecting means is in a non-detecting state. If the operation designating means is in the OFF state at the end of the setting state printing function, the function shifts to the normal function. This enables transitions between two special functions and from special functions to normal functions.

Further, when the state detecting means is a cover opening / closing sensor of the printing section, the test printing function can be performed when the cover is closed, that is, the printing section is protected. It is possible to select a special function suitable for the state of the printer, such as selecting each of the set state printing functions in the state.

[0016]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described in detail below. FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the operation of the printer control unit in the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the printer of the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment. In FIG. 2, the power switch 12 functions as an initialization means for starting initialization of printer settings when the power switch 12 is turned on. The line feed switch 13 is an action designating unit that designates a line feed which is a manual action of the printer. The cover open / close sensor 14 is a limit switch for detecting the open / closed state of the cover 15 of the printing section, and is one of the abnormal state detecting means. The figure shows an open state of the cover, in which the print head 17 for printing on the print medium 16 and a head drive unit (not shown) are exposed.

In the circuit block diagram shown in FIG. 3, the MPU
A block 20 constitutes a printer control unit 26, which receives a reset signal 24 from the power switch 12, signals from the line feed switch 13 and the cover opening / closing sensor 14, and switches 18 for setting the printer state. Signal, a signal from the interface unit 19 that receives a print command and print data from an external device, and the like are connected. Further, the MPU block 20 outputs signals for controlling each part of the printer to the drive circuit block 21, and the print head 17 and the print head feed motor 25
To print on a print medium, to drive the print medium feed motor 23 to perform line feed and page break, and to drive the display block 25 to display a status and generate an alarm sound to the operator. Is configured.

The operation of the printer controller of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. When the power switch is turned on 1, the MPU block is reset and control of the printer is started. In the initialization 2 of the system, IO port setting, memory check, etc. abnormality check, drive circuit block initialization, print medium presence / absence check, etc. are performed. Do. At this time, if the print medium is not set, the display indicating that the print medium is absent and the process 4 for the print medium absent such as issuing a warning sound is executed. Next, the printer control unit detects the state 5 of the line feed switch, and if the switch is pressed (hereinafter referred to as the ON state), the special function processing is started. If not, the normal function processing 6 is started. . The above processing constitutes the first function selecting means.

In the processing of the special function, first, the state detection 7 of the cover opening / closing sensor is performed, and the state in which the cover is closed (hereinafter,
If it is called ON state), the test print function is selected, and if not, the setting state print function is selected. The above processing constitutes the second function selecting means.

After selecting the setting status printing function, the printer control section stores the status of signals from switches for setting the status of the printer, printing conditions such as the number of prints per unit length, the status of the interface section, and the ROM. A setting state printing process 8 is executed in which information such as the version number of the control program is edited in a predetermined format and printed on a print medium. When the printing process is completed, the process returns to the line feed switch state detection 5 as shown in the flowchart. Therefore, at this time, if the line feed switch is still in the ON state, the special function processing is further continued, and if not, the normal function processing 6 is started. The above processing constitutes the third function transition means. Therefore, while the line feed switch is held down, the setting status printing is repeated, and when the line feed switch is released, the normal function can be performed.

On the other hand, when the ON state is detected by the state detection 7 of the cover open / close sensor and the test print function is selected, the printer control section first moves the head to the print start position and executes a predetermined test. The test print data preparation process 9 for sequentially moving the print data to the print buffer is performed, and the test print is started. The printer control unit detects the state of the cover open / close sensor 10 each time one character is printed up to the end of the line. If the printer is on, it prints the next character. Run. The above processing constitutes the second function transition means. This process is a process when the operator opens the cover during the test print process. By this operation, the test print is terminated at the place where one character currently being printed is printed, and the printer setting status is printed. You can

When the printing process reaches the end of the line, the printer control section detects the state of the line feed switch 11, and if the result is the ON state, transitions to the normal function and performs the normal function process. Continue printing. The above processing constitutes the first function transition means. This process is a process when the operator turns on the line feed switch again during the test print process. By this operation, the test print is finished up to the end of the line currently being printed, and the test print is ended. Can be

The printer control section continues the above-mentioned test print processing until the test print data ends, and when the end of the test print data is detected, returns to the test print data preparation processing 9 again to continue the test print. Also, at the end of each line, the presence or absence of the print medium is also inspected. If the print medium is exhausted, the test printing is suspended until the print medium is set. In this case, if the line feed switch is turned on, the test printing is terminated and the normal function is entered as described above.

In this embodiment, the state of the switches and sensors is detected every time one character or one line of test printing is performed. These detections are performed every several characters or every few lines. Alternatively, it may be performed by interrupt processing.

The cover opening / closing sensor is not limited to the limit switch used in this embodiment, but may be a non-contact sensor such as a photo sensor or a magnetic sensor.

The initialization means is not limited to the power switch used in this embodiment, but may be a reset switch of the MPU block or a switch connected to a signal line input to the IO port. In the latter case, by not initializing only the setting items of the printer designated by the external device, these items can be printed together with the setting state printing.

[0027]

The printer of the present invention is a printer having two special functions of the test printing function and the setting status printing function in addition to the normal function, and the initialization means, the operation designating means,
The printer has a status detection unit and a printer control unit that selects and executes one of the test printing function, the setting status printing function, and the normal function. The printer control unit waits for a certain period of time after the initialization unit has started. Since the first function selecting means for selecting the special function according to the first state of the operation specifying means and the normal function according to the second state of the operation specifying means are provided, if the operation specifying means is out of order, such a selection is made. Is not performed correctly, and the operator can detect the failure of the operation designating means.

Further, since the first state of the state detecting means has the test printing function of the special functions and the second state has the second function selecting means for selecting the setting state printing function, the operation is performed. Even in a printer having only one designating means, the test printing function and the setting status printing function can be selected and executed separately. As a result, it is possible to select only the test printing function or only the setting status printing function. For example, when performing maintenance, test data will not be printed at the same time as the setting status, and maintenance work will be performed efficiently. be able to. Further, if the state detecting means is out of order, such a selection cannot be made correctly, and the operator can detect the failure of the state detecting means. In this way, when checking the operation of the printer, it is possible to check the failure of the operation designating means and the state detecting means at the same time as selecting the special function, so that it is not necessary to separately test switches and sensors, and the operation checking process is simplified. it can.

Further, the printer control unit has the first function transition means for transitioning to the normal function when the first state of the operation designating means is reappeared in the test print function. The test print function can be ended and the normal function can be entered by simply operating the designating means again.
Further, in the test printing function, the second of the state detecting means is used.
Since the second function transition means for making a transition to the setting state printing function depending on the state is provided, the test printing can be interrupted and the setting state printing can be performed only by changing the state detected by the state detecting means. . Further, since the third function transition means for transitioning to the normal function according to the second state of the operation designating means at the end of the setting status printing function is provided, the operation designating means at the end of the setting status printing. If is not operated, the special function can be terminated and the normal function can be performed. This makes it possible to easily switch between multiple special functions and from a special function to a normal function without restarting the power supply. It never happens.

Further, since the state detecting means is the cover opening / closing sensor of the printing portion, the test printing function is performed when the cover is closed, that is, the printing portion is protected, and the open state, that is, the printing result is immediately visible. It is possible to select and execute a special function suitable for the state of the printer, such as selecting each setting state printing function in the possible state.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of a printer control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an appearance of a printer which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Turn on the power switch 2 System initialization 3 Abnormal processing 4 Paper-free processing 5 Line feed switch status detection 1 6 Normal function processing 7 Cover open / close sensor status detection 1 8 Setting status printing processing 9 Test print data preparation processing 10 Cover Open / close sensor state detection 2 11 Line feed switch state detection 2 12 Power switch 13 Line feed switch 14 Cover open / close sensor 15 Printing section cover 16 Printing medium 17 Printing head 18 Switches for setting printer status 19 Interface section 20 MPU block 21 Drive circuit block 22 Print head feed motor 23 Print medium feed motor 24 Reset signal 25 Display block 26 Printer control unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A printer having a plurality of special functions such as a test printing function for performing test printing on a print medium to test the operation of the printer and a setting status printing function for printing the setting status of the printer in addition to the normal function. In the above, initialization means for initializing settings of the printer, operation designating means for causing the printer to perform a predetermined operation, state detection means for detecting an abnormal state of the printer, the test print function, the The printer control unit has a printer control unit for selecting and executing one of the setting state printing function and the normal function, and the printer control unit is provided for the operation designating unit after a predetermined time has passed since the initialization unit was in the start state. A first function selecting means for selecting the special function in the first state and a normal function in the second state; and the special machine for the first state of the state detecting means. A printer comprising: a test printing function of the functions, and a second function selecting means for selecting the setting status printing function according to a second status. 2. The printer control unit includes a first function transition unit that transitions to the normal function when the first state of the operation designating unit appears again in the test print function, and the test. In the printing function, second function transition means for transitioning to the setting state printing function according to the second state of the state detecting means, and the second of the operation designating means at the end of the setting state printing function. The third that transitions to the normal function depending on the state of
2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the state detecting means is a cover opening / closing sensor of the printing section.