JPH07160450A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate misprinting which is caused when a set mode is easily changed by providing a mode holding means which holds the set mode for a certain time. CONSTITUTION:The printer main body has an operation panel for mode setting operation. Respective mode data are stored in a memory 3, and specific data are called in response to mode setting input from the operation panel to be in the set mode. And, a timer 4 as the mode holding means resets the memory 3. Namely, the set mode can be held for a time set by this timer 4. Thus, since the mode can not be changed for a certain time, the set mode can not be changed at least until a mode setting person sends a print command, thereby preventing misprinting. Further, since the holding time can optionally be set, a use time matching the purpose of use can be set.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer, and more particularly to a printer connected to a plurality of host computers, and more particularly to a mode setting control thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent printers, one printer has been commonly used by a plurality of personal computers since one printer is connected to one personal computer. The printer is designed so that the user can set the mode such as the paper size and the character font to be used on the operation panel provided on the front of the printer.

As techniques related to mode setting, display, etc., there are known Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-12267, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-14660, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-101166, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-126279. ing.

[0004]

By the way, if the set mode does not correspond to the use desired by the user, a satisfactory print sample cannot be obtained. For example, when the printer mode is set to A4 size and the screen for A3 size is output, printing is interrupted. Therefore, the user needs to confirm the setting mode for each print. As described above, when a printer is shared by a plurality of personal computers, there is a risk that the co-owner may change the printer settings.

The operation panel is an infrared wireless remote controller (remote control),
Techniques for facilitating operation have been proposed. Since the remote controller can be manufactured at a relatively low cost (much cheaper than the printer body), it is designed as a printer that supports multiple remote controllers so that multiple people can use the printer body. Therefore, in such a system, another person may easily change the setting without knowing that the system is in use.

An object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of eliminating a printing error caused by easily changing the setting mode.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printer in which a mode such as a paper size and a character font to be used is called from a memory provided in the printer body and set. Is provided for a certain period of time, and a mode holding means is provided.

Further, the present invention is characterized by comprising holding time setting means for arbitrarily setting the mode holding time by the mode holding means.

Further, the mode holding means is configured to hold the mode until printing is executed in the set mode.

Further, the present invention is characterized by further comprising mode releasing means for forcibly releasing the mode holding state by the mode holding means.

Further, a timer display relating to the mode holding time is made possible on the operation panel portion provided in the printer body.

Further, the mode setting unit is a remote controller, and the remote controller can display a timer relating to the mode holding time.

[0013]

According to the printer having the above structure, the mode holding means prevents the mode from being changed for a certain period of time.

Further, since the mode holding time can be arbitrarily set, the printer user can finely set the usage time according to the purpose.

Further, since the setting mode cannot be changed until at least one print job is completed, the first print is surely performed by the user's setting.

Further, since the setting mode can be released, even if another person occupies the printer, the mode can be canceled when the output is urgently necessary.

Since the timer display mechanism is provided, it becomes possible to know the waiting time when the setting cannot be changed.

Further, since the timer display mechanism is provided on the remote controller side, it becomes possible to know the remaining time, for example, while the personal computer is working, away from the printer.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of the printer of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of its mode setting section. The printer main body 1 has an operation panel 2 for setting the mode. Each mode data is stored in the memory 3 of FIG. 2, and predetermined data is called by the mode setting input from the operation panel 2 of FIG. 1 to enter the setting mode.

In the first embodiment, the memory 3 is reset by the timer 4 which is the mode holding means shown in FIG. That is, the setting mode is held only for the time set by the timer 4.

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of the printer of the second embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of its mode setting section.

In the second embodiment, a time setting unit 5 which is a holding time setting means for controlling the timer 4 is provided, and the ten key 2a of the operation panel 2 is operated to set the mode holding time set value in the time setting unit 5. The timer 4 is determined according to this value. That is, the mode holding time by the timer 4 can be arbitrarily changed.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of the printer of the third embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of its mode setting section.

The third embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment, and the timer setting time by the time setting unit 5 is the time setting key (for example, 1
Minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.) 2b. This makes it possible to easily select the holding time to be set, so that the operation can be simplified.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a mode setting unit of the printer of the fourth embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the setting cannot be changed until at least one print is completed.

That is, the timer 4 is reset only after a new print start signal S1 is input to the timer 4 from the operation panel 2.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a mode setting unit of the printer of the fifth embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment, a forced release section 6 which is a mode release means capable of forcibly resetting the mode setting time (mode holding time) by the timer 4 is provided.
The forced release unit 6 can be operated from the operation panel 2.

FIG. 9 is a simplified diagram of the operation panel of the printer of the sixth embodiment.

In the sixth embodiment, the liquid crystal display window 2c of the operation panel 2 is provided with a timer display function for displaying the mode holding time.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the printer of the seventh embodiment.

The seventh embodiment is a modification of the sixth embodiment, in which the mode is set by the remote controller 7, and a timer for displaying the mode holding time on the liquid crystal display window 7a of the remote controller 7. Has a display function.

[0035]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the printer according to the first aspect of the present invention prevents the mode holding means from changing the mode for a certain period of time. The setting mode cannot be changed until the print command is sent, which prevents printing errors.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the mode holding time can be arbitrarily set, the printer user can finely set the usage time according to the application, and the printer mode is fixed more than necessary. It is possible to prevent annoyance to others such as doing.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the setting mode cannot be changed until at least one print job is completed. Therefore, the first print can be surely performed by the user's setting. From the viewpoint of sharing the printer, it is possible for the sharer to perform print work with less waiting time and less waste.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 4, since the setting mode can be released, even when another person occupies the printer, the mode is canceled and used when it is urgently necessary to output. It can be possible.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the timer display mechanism is provided, it is possible to easily know the waiting time when the setting cannot be changed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the timer display mechanism is provided on the remote controller side, it is possible to know the remaining time, for example, while the personal computer is working, away from the printer, and print while the other person is using. Efficient work is possible, such as being able to transfer to work other than work.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a first embodiment of a printer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a mode setting unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a mode setting unit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a mode setting unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a mode setting unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a mode setting unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a simplified diagram of an operation panel according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Printer main body, 2 ... Operation panel, 3
... memory, 4 ... timer (mode holding means), 5 ... time setting section (holding time setting means), 6 ... forced release section (mode releasing means), 7 ... remote control.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A printer for calling and setting a mode such as a paper size and a character font to be used from a memory provided in a printer main body is equipped with a mode holding means for holding the set mode for a certain period of time. Printer to do. 2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising holding time setting means for arbitrarily setting a mode holding time by the mode holding means. 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the mode holding unit is configured to hold the mode until printing is executed in the set mode. 4. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising mode releasing means for forcibly releasing the mode holding state by the mode holding means. 5. The printer according to claim 1, wherein a timer display relating to a mode holding time is made possible on an operation panel section provided on the printer body. 6. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the mode setting unit is a remote controller, and the remote controller is capable of displaying a timer relating to the mode holding time.