JPH0752384B2 - Printer device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printer device used as a peripheral device of a computer system.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a conventional host computer system and printer device. In the figure, 1 is a CPU, 2 is a memory, 3 is a keyboard interface, 4 is a keyboard, and 5 is a CR.
T interface, 6 is a CRT, 7 is a disk interface, 8 is a disk, 9 is a printer interface, 10 is a standard interface (Centronics specification) for connecting a host computer and a printer device, 11 is a CPU of the printer device, and 12 is a memory. , 13 is the interface, 1
4 is a printing mechanism, and 15 is an interface. FIG. 6 shows a part of the memory 2, and FIG. 7 shows a schematic flow chart of the printer output process of the CPU 1, that is, the flow of the program when the CPU 1 actually outputs the data to the printer device.
The figure shows the signal waveforms of the standard interface 10.

Next, the operation will be described.

When the host computer CPU1 attempts to output characters or figures to the printer device, it refers to the contents of the memory 2 (data indicating the printer type) (step S10),
The type of printer connected to the system is detected (step S3), and a printer output control routine corresponding to the type is selected and executed (staple S4n).

Here, in order to set an appropriate value in the area of the data indicating the printer type in FIG. 6, it is necessary for the user of the computer to input the appropriate value from the keyboard 4 in advance.

In such a system, if the host computer outputs DATA, STAROBE signals to the printer, the printer returns BUSY, ACKNLG signals to the host computer. Is it possible for the host to output the next data to the printer? BU is not
It is judged only by the SY signal or the ACKNLG signal.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Since the system including the conventional printer is configured as above, the host computer cannot confirm the type (model) of the printer actually connected, and the output control routine corresponding to the type specified by the operator is executed. Just run it. Therefore, if the operator makes a mistake in operation, a data string or command string that is correct to the printer, that is, a command string suitable for the model of the printer is not transmitted, and a printing error occurs.
In addition, when the printer is reconnected, the user must set the printer type by using the keyboard, resulting in poor operability.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and can be connected to a host computer through an international standard interface (Centronics specifications), and its type (model) can be set without operator operation. An object is to obtain a printer device that can be identified by a computer.

[Means for solving problems]

The printer device according to the present invention is provided with a timing pattern generator for generating a signal of a timing pattern corresponding to each printer model, and when a specific data string is received from the host computer, a predetermined one in the standard interface is received. One of the signal lines is turned on and off by the output signal of the timing pattern generator to notify the host computer of the model of its own printer through the standard interface.

[Action]

According to the present invention, when a specific data string from the host computer is received, a predetermined 1
Since one signal line is turned on and off by the output signal of the timing pattern generator to notify the host computer of the model of its own printer through the standard interface, the printer connected to the computer is The model can be identified by the host computer without operator operation.

In addition, since the configuration that notifies the printer type by serial communication is realized within the range of the standard interface specifications, there is no need to replace the standard interface or change the specifications when connecting different types of printers to the host computer. A system in which various types of printers are connected to the host computer can be realized very easily.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a computer system including a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
16 is the same as that shown in the figure, and 16 is a timing generation unit that is provided in the printer device and that generates a signal of a timing pattern according to the model (model) of the printer device.

FIG. 2 shows a part of the memory 2 in FIG. 1, in which a timing pattern for each printer model is stored as data, and an output control routine for each printer model is also stored.

FIG. 3 shows the flow of the program when the CPU 1 of FIG. 1 outputs data to the printer, and FIG. 4 shows a part of the signal waveform of the standard interface 10 of FIG. 17 is the last data of the data string (command) sent from the host to identify the printer model, and 18 is the timing waveform for the model notification output from the printer after receiving this command.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the CPU 1 outputs data to the printer device, first, a model-identifying data string (which is composed of an ESC sequence and is naturally the same for each printer) is transmitted (step S1). ). When the printer receives the data string for model identification, it activates the internal timing generator, and the timing pulse of the BUSY signal in Fig. 4
Outputs 18. At this time, the host computer does not output the data to be printed immediately, but rather BUSY from the printer.
Sample the signal. That is, within a certain time
The ON / OFF time and the number of times of the BUSY signal are monitored and compared with the timing pattern for each printer model stored in the memory 2 (step S2), and the connected printer type is automatically identified (step S3 ).

After that, an accurate processing can be performed by executing the output control routine according to the model (step S4n).

Here, since the timing pattern 18 is intended to be monitored by the host CPU 1 in terms of S / W, a pulse width of an appropriate length is required. As described above, in this embodiment, the timing generator for generating the signal of the timing pattern according to the model (model) of the printer is provided, and when the specific data string from the host computer is received, the busy signal line of the standard interface is provided. Is turned on and off by the output signal of the timing pattern generator to notify the host computer of the model of its own printer via the standard interface. Therefore, timing generation of a specific signal in the standard interface is performed. The printer can be turned on and off by the section to notify the host computer of the printer model, and an error in setting the printer model can be prevented. In addition, since the busy signal line that is always present in the standard interface (Centronics specifications) is used for the serial communication, that is, the configuration of performing the printer type notification by serial communication is realized within the range of the standard interface specifications. Since different models of printers are reconnected to the host computer, it is not necessary to replace the standard interface, and no special cable or special H / W is required. As a result, multiple printers of different models can be hosted. A system connected to a computer can be realized easily and inexpensively with only one standard interface.

In the above embodiment, the printer provided with a unique H / W called a timing generator is shown, but this uses the data stored in the memory 12 by the CPU 11 to interface with the S / W. It is also possible to output to the standard interface 10 via 15.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the printer device of the present invention, when a specific data string is received from the host computer, one predetermined signal line in the standard interface is turned on by the output signal of the timing pattern generator, Since it is turned off and the model of its own printer is notified to the host computer via the standard interface,
This has the effect of allowing the host computer to identify the type of printer connected to the computer without any operator operation.

In addition, since the configuration of performing the above printer type notification by serial communication is realized within the range of the standard interface specifications, it is necessary to replace the standard interface or change the specifications when a different type of printer is connected to the host computer. There is no such problem, and it is very easy to realize a system in which various types of printers are connected to the host computer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a computer system including a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of the memory of the computer, FIG. 3 is a flowchart of printer output, and FIG. 4 is a timing chart. 5 and 5 are block diagrams of a computer system including a conventional printer, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a part of the memory of the computer system, FIG. 7 is a flowchart of printer output, and FIG. 8 is a conventional system. 6 is a timing chart of the signal of FIG. In the figure, 1 is a CPU, 2 is a memory, 3 is a keyboard interface, 4 is a keyboard, 5 is a CRT interface, 6 is a CRT, 7 is a disk interface, and 8
Is a disk, 9 is a printer interface, 10 is a standard interface (Centronics specifications), 11 is a printer CPU, 12 is memory, 13 is an interface, 1
Reference numeral 4 is a printing model, 15 is an interface, 16 is a timing generator, 17 is a signal waveform of data output from the host to the printer, and 18 is a timing waveform. The same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a printer device in a system comprising a host computer and different types of printer devices connected to the computer by a standard interface, a timing pattern generating means for generating a signal of a timing pattern according to its own printer type. When a specific data string is received from the host computer, a predetermined one signal line in the standard interface is turned on / off by the output signal of the timing pattern generating means, and the model of its own printer is set. A printer device, comprising: notifying means for notifying the host computer via the standard interface.