JPH07152518A - Printing device and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and inexpensively extend the communication function of a printing device by attaching and detaching freely a terminal to and from the printing device via a connector to control the communication among a peripheral equipment, a host computer and the printing device. CONSTITUTION:A desired intelligent communication part 109 which controls the mutual communication between a prescribed peripheral equipment or a host computer and a printing device via a network is connected as necessary to a main control part 104 via a main body connector 110 of the printing device. Thus the communication function is extended. Plural parts 109 are used according to the communication processing speeds, etc., and selected by users. Furthermore the part 109 receives the supply of power from the main body of the printing device via the connector 110. As a result, an external power supply is not needed for execution of the communication control function.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing system capable of communicating with a host computer or network peripherals via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, OA equipment, such as copying machines, facsimiles, printers, scanners, etc., operate standalone or are connected to a personal computer or the like, and the personal computer is connected to another personal computer via a network. , Exchanging data and information.

[0003]

Therefore, conventionally, each O
Devices A could not directly exchange data and information.

Further, in order to systematize existing OA equipment and execute complex processing, it is necessary to equip each OA equipment with a communication control device in advance, which is very expensive for a user who does not need a network. It becomes a single device.

Further, even if a user who purchases a single device wants to construct a system to improve the efficiency of office processing, if the printer device side and each peripheral device do not have a communication control function, the user will eventually The equipment must be replaced with each equipment that can be systemized, and the economical burden on the user side becomes heavy, and there is a problem that the system cannot be introduced.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a terminal for controlling communication between an existing peripheral device having a communication function and a host computer and a printer is connected to the printer. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing system that can easily and inexpensively expand the communication function of the printing apparatus by making it detachable via the printer.

[0007]

A printing apparatus according to the present invention has a desired communication control terminal for controlling mutual communication between a predetermined peripheral device or a host computer and the printing apparatus via a network, and a connector of the printing apparatus main body. It is configured so as to be detachable via the.

Further, the communication control terminal is configured to receive power supply from the printing apparatus main body via the connector.

Further, the desired communication control terminal is configured to notify a predetermined peripheral device, a host computer or a printing apparatus of different communication resource information for each terminal through a network or a connector.

In the printing system according to the present invention, a desired communication control terminal for controlling mutual communication between a predetermined peripheral device or a host computer and the printing apparatus via a network is detachably configured via a main body connector of the printing apparatus. Further, a communication terminal for giving an operation instruction to the communication control terminal is configured to be connectable via the communication control terminal or the host interface of the printing apparatus.

Further, the desired communication control terminal is configured to notify a predetermined peripheral device, a host computer or a printing apparatus of different communication resource information for each terminal through a network or a connector.

[0012]

In the printing apparatus of the present invention, a desired communication control terminal for controlling mutual communication between a predetermined peripheral device or a host computer and the printing apparatus via a network is connected, if necessary, to the main body connector of the printing apparatus. By connecting, the communication function processing is expanded.

Further, since the communication control terminal receives power supply from the printing apparatus main body through the connector, an external power supply is unnecessary for executing the communication control function.

Further, the desired communication control terminal notifies the predetermined peripheral device, the host computer or the printing apparatus of the communication resource information which is different for each terminal through the network or the connector so that the communication processing which is different for each terminal is performed. It is something to do.

In the printing system of the present invention, a desired communication control terminal for controlling mutual communication between a predetermined peripheral device or a host computer and the printing apparatus via a network is connected via a main body connector of the printing apparatus as necessary. A communication terminal for connecting to the communication control terminal or a host interface of the printing device, if necessary.
The communication function processing is expanded and the data input / output through the communication terminal is edited.

Further, the desired communication control terminal notifies the predetermined peripheral device, the host computer or the printing apparatus of the communication resource information which is different for each terminal through the network or the connector, and the communication data which is different for each terminal is transmitted. Edit processing is performed.

[0017]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to a case where an engine unit is a laser beam printer, for example.

In the figure, 101 is a so-called host I / F such as Centronics I / F or RS-232-CI / F.
F, 102 is a page memory, 103 is a bitmap memory, 104 is a main control unit, 105 is a font memory, 10
6 is an operation panel, 107 is a printing unit control unit, and 108 is a printing unit.

Reference numeral 109 is an intelligent communication unit,
It is connected to the main control unit 104 via the connector 110.

A communication terminal 111 is composed of a CTR display and a keyboard. The intelligent communication unit 109 can be attached to and detached from the printing main body via the connector 110, and when the intelligent communication unit 109 is not connected, it operates as a so-called conventional printer.

That is, data is connected to the host computer (not shown) through the host I / F 101. The text data created on the host computer is sent through the host I / F 101.

The text data, which is composed of a control code and a character code, is temporarily stored in the page memory 102 in a page unit form. When at least one page of data is stored in the page memory 102,
The main control unit 104 sequentially reads the text data from the page memory 102, converts the character code into dot data by referring to the character code in the font memory 105 while following the command indicated by the control code, and converts the character data into dot data.
Expand to 3. When the dot data for one page is expanded in the bitmap memory 103, the main control unit 104 next reads the data from the bitmap memory 103 in order and sends it to the printing unit control unit 107.

The printing unit control unit 107 converts the sent dot data and serial data, and synchronizes the serial data with the horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals sent from the printing unit 108 to print the data (printer (printer)). It is sent to the engine section) 108 and printing is performed.

Next, the operation when the intelligent communication unit 109 is connected will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the intelligent communication unit 109 shown in FIG. 1. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, 201 is a communication unit I / F for exchanging data with an external device, 202 is a CPU for controlling the intelligent communication unit 109, 203 is a ROM in which a program for operating the CPU 202 is stored, Reference numeral 204 is a RAM, 205 is a non-volatile memory such as EEPROM, 206 is a main control unit I / F for communicating with the main control unit 104, and 207 is a communication terminal I / F.

Power is supplied to the intelligent communication section 109 via the connector 110 on the printer side. The intelligent communication unit 109 starts to operate at the same time as the power supply to the printer when the connector is connected.

Further, in this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the communication terminal 11 is used.
A case of the configuration except 1 will be described as a printing apparatus, and a printing system including the printing apparatus, the communication terminal 111, the intelligent communication unit 109, and the like will be described. However, it is also possible to configure the printing apparatus including the printing apparatus, the communication terminal 111, the intelligent communication unit 109, and the like.

In the printing apparatus or printing system configured as described above, a desired intelligent communication unit 109 for controlling mutual communication between a predetermined peripheral device or a host computer and the printing apparatus via a network is provided as necessary with the printing apparatus. Connect via the main body connector 110 of
It is intended to extend communication function processing. A plurality of intelligent communication units 109 are prepared according to the communication processing speed and the like, and are configured so that the user can select them.

Further, the intelligent communication unit 109 is
Since power is supplied from the printing apparatus main body via the connector 110, an external power supply is unnecessary for executing the communication control function.

Furthermore, the desired intelligent communication unit 1
Reference numeral 09 is for notifying a predetermined peripheral device, a host computer or a printing apparatus via a network or a connector of communication resource information different for each terminal, and performing a different communication process for each terminal.

Further, a desired intelligent communication unit 109 for controlling mutual communication between a predetermined peripheral device or a host computer and the printing apparatus via a network is connected via a main body connector 110 of the printing apparatus as necessary,
Further, if necessary, a communication terminal that gives an operation instruction to the intelligent communication unit 109 may be connected to the intelligent communication unit 109.
Alternatively, the host interface of the printing apparatus is connected to extend the communication function processing and edit the data input / output via the communication terminal.

Furthermore, the desired intelligent communication unit 1
Reference numeral 09 is for notifying predetermined peripheral devices, a host computer or a printing device via a network or a connector 110 of communication resource information different for each terminal, and performing edit processing on communication data different for each terminal.

Hereinafter, the intelligent communication unit 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS.
The communication processing operation of No. 9 will be described.

3 to 5 are flowcharts showing an example of the communication processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (19) indicate each step.

First, after the power is turned on, communication with the main control unit 104 is performed to inform the main control unit 104 that the intelligent communication unit 109 is operating (1). Where CP
U202 and the main control unit 104 are so-called multi-CPU
However, since the CPU 202 performs all communication with the outside in the intelligent communication unit 109, even if the intelligent communication unit 109 operates, the main control unit 1
The load of 04 does not become heavy.

In general, a CPU suitable for communication processing with the outside is used as the CPU 202, while a CPU suitable for real-time processing is used for the CPU used in the main control unit 104.

Next, the CPU 202 causes the communication unit I / F2
Communicate with the outside through 01 (2), and the result is
It is displayed on the communication terminal 111 (3). The communication terminal 111 is
CRT display, keyboard. Although it is configured by a mouse or the like, other configurations may be used as long as they are functionally the same.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the communication terminal 111. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a menu screen displayed on the communication terminal 111 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numerals 601 to 604 are menus, which are selected by the mouse. For example, menu 601
When is selected, the environment of the printer (paper that can be used, font, resolution, toner color, presence of error, etc.) is displayed.

A data input menu 602 is selected when determining where to input data. For example, as the data input destination, an external disk, a scanner device, a personal computer, a facsimile or the like connected to the communication line 112 can be selected through the communication unit I / F 201.

Reference numeral 603 denotes a data output menu, which can of course select this printer, and the communication unit I / F2.
01, an external printer or an external disk can be selected.

An edit key 604 is used to edit the input data through the CRT screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a connection state of each device through the communication line 112 shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, each device (external disk, copying machine, facsimile, scanner, personal computer, printer 701, etc.) is connected through a communication line 112.
Can freely exchange data and information.

Then, in step (4), it is determined whether or not an external input is made. There are two types of external inputs: text data input and non-data input such as information inquiry and command.

Therefore, in step (8), it is determined whether or not the input data is text data, and if the text data is input, the process proceeds to step (13) to temporarily store the RAM.
Store at 204.

This is because, in some cases, the printer is in the process of printing (14), and the input text data cannot be immediately printed. The printer has two hosts, a host I / F 101 and an intelligent communication unit 109, as data input ports, and selects a job unit for printing.

When the printer can print the text data from the external input (15), the text data is stored in the RAM 204.
From the main control unit I / F 206 to the main control unit 104. The main controller 104 sends the page memory 102 once, arranges it in page units, and then reads it again to perform the printing operation as described above (16).

During this time, the CPU 202 operates and responds to inquiries about whether or not printing work is being performed from an external device. Further, in response to an input from the communication terminal 111, for example, an inquiry using a mouse, the CPU 202 operates each time and the work is performed according to the flowcharts of FIGS.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (9) that an input other than data such as information inquiry or command is made, the information is processed from the outside and a response is made to the outside (10). Then, if necessary, the communication terminal 1
Display on 11 (11) and return to step (4).

On the other hand, if it is determined to be YES in step (9), if the main control unit 104 is released from the BUSY state (17), the main control unit 104 is queried and the result is sent to the external device if necessary. In response to the request, the message is displayed on the communication terminal 111 as required (18), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if NO is determined in step (4), the process proceeds to step (5). When an input is made from the communication terminal 111, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to make an inquiry to the outside (6). If NO, a judgment sheet (7) as to whether or not it is necessary to make an inquiry to the main control unit 104, and if NO, the process proceeds to step (12) to perform inquiry processing, and the result is displayed on the communication terminal 111, and step (4) Return to.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (7) is YES, then the process proceeds to step (17), and if the determination is YES in step (6), then step (1
Proceed to 9), make an inquiry to the outside through the communication unit interface 201, display the result on the communication terminal 111,
Return to step (4).

The intelligent communication unit 109 is
Since it can be attached and detached via the connector 110, it can be set as an optional function, but depending on the function required by the user, the performance of the CPU to be used, the capacity of ROM and RAM, the resolution of the display unit of the communication terminal to be used, etc. , Several kinds can be prepared.

According to this function, the intelligent communication unit 109 can report the function it has to an external device. This enables smooth data exchange with external devices. [Second Embodiment] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the control arrangement of a printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

This embodiment corresponds to the case where the host I / F 101 is used as a port for the communication terminal 111.

This is effective when the host I / F 101 is vacant and can reduce the cost of the intelligent communication unit 109.

Information is exchanged between the intelligent communication unit 109 and the communication terminal 111 through the host I / F 101, the page memory 102, and the main control unit 104.

In the above embodiment, the case where the communication terminal 111 is used for communication with the outside has been described. However, if the operation panel 106 originally existing in the printing apparatus is equipped with a certain function, this processing is performed. It is also possible to execute the above processing using the keyboard of the operation unit of the printing apparatus, the LCD display, or the like.

In the above embodiment, the case where the communication with the intelligent communication unit 109 and the printer is exchanged via the connector 110 has been described, but it goes without saying that the communication may be performed via the host I / F 101. Absent.

According to the above embodiment, the communication system and the operation panel for communication are prepared for each OA device.
Data and information can be directly exchanged between OA devices.

Further, by making the communication system as a detachable option, the user who does not need the communication system is provided with the conventional low-priced OA equipment and needs the communication system. An OA system capable of highly exchanging information can be provided to the user.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0065]

As described above, the printing apparatus according to the present invention requires a desired communication control terminal for controlling mutual communication between a predetermined peripheral device or a host computer and the printing apparatus via a network. Accordingly, since the connection can be made via the main body connector of the printing apparatus, the communication function processing can be easily extended to the existing printing apparatus.

Further, since the communication control terminal receives power supply from the printing apparatus main body through the connector to perform communication processing, an external power supply is not required to execute the communication control function.

Furthermore, the desired communication control terminal notifies the predetermined peripheral equipment, the host computer or the printing apparatus of different communication resource information for each terminal by way of the network or the connector, so that it is different by exchanging each terminal. Communication processing can be performed.

In the printing system of the present invention, a desired communication control terminal for controlling mutual communication between a predetermined peripheral device or a host computer and the printing apparatus via a network is connected via a main body connector of the printing apparatus as necessary. The communication control terminal or the host interface of the printing apparatus can be connected to the communication terminal which is connected and further gives an operation instruction to the communication control terminal, so that the communication function processing can be expanded and the communication terminal can be input via the communication terminal. You can edit the output data.

Further, since the desired communication control terminal notifies the predetermined peripheral equipment, the host computer or the printing apparatus of different communication resource information for each terminal by way of the network or the connector, different communication data is obtained for each terminal. Edit processing can be performed.

Therefore, there is an effect that the communication function of which the processing is different depending on the printing apparatus can be expanded later by a simple connection operation at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a printing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of an intelligent communication unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication processing procedure in the printing system according to the present invention.

6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a menu screen displayed on the communication terminal shown in FIG.

7 is a diagram showing a connection state of each device through the communication line shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a printing system showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of reference symbols] 101 host interface 102 page memory 103 bitmap memory 104 main control unit 105 font memory 106 operation panel 107 printing unit control unit 108 printing unit 109 intelligent communication unit 110 connector

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A desired communication control terminal for controlling mutual communication between a predetermined peripheral device or a host computer and a printing device via a network is detachably configured via a main body connector of the printing device. Printing device. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication control terminal receives power supply from the printing apparatus main body through a connector. 3. The desired communication control terminal notifies a predetermined peripheral device, a host computer, or a printing apparatus of different communication resource information for each terminal through a network or a connector. Printing device. 4. A desired communication control terminal for controlling mutual communication between a predetermined peripheral device or a host computer and a printing device via a network is detachably configured via a main body connector of the printing device, and the communication control is further provided. A printing system characterized in that a communication terminal for giving an operation instruction to a terminal is configured to be freely connectable via the communication control terminal or a host interface of the printing apparatus. 5. The desired communication control terminal notifies a predetermined peripheral device, a host computer, or a printing apparatus of different communication resource information for each terminal via a network or a connector. Printing system.