JPH08147116A - Buffer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To display the operation completion time of a printer by providing the buffer device, which is placed in the middle between a host device and the printer connected by a general interface and has a function to temporarily preserve the data from the host device, with the means which calculates the processing time of the printer based on data transferred from the host device and displays the result. CONSTITUTION: Print data transferred from a host device 110 is temporarily preserved in a buffer memory circuit 122. When print data is preserved in the buffer memory circuit 122, a CPU 124 analyzes print data stored in the memory of the buffer memory circuit 122 to calculate the processing time of a printer 140. The calculated result is displayed on a display device 128 as the operation completion time of the printer. Next, the CPU 124 checks the state of the printer 140; and if data can be transferred, transfer of preserved print data is started. The value displayed on the display device 129 is updated under the time monitor of a timer 127 after the start of print data transfer to the printer 140.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a buffer device which is located between a host device and a printing device connected by a general-purpose interface and has a function of temporarily storing data from the host device. And a buffer device capable of displaying.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when comparing the processing speeds of a higher-level device and a printing device, the processing speed of the printing device is slower than that of the higher-level device. There is a problem in that it cannot be executed and the original processing performance of the host device cannot be fully exerted.

In order to solve this problem, a large amount of receive buffers are added to the printing device, or a buffer device having a large amount of receive buffers is connected to the general-purpose interface so that the print data transferred from the host device can be transferred. This solves the problem that the host device is released first by receiving the print data faster than the receiving speed of the printing device and storing the print data in the reception buffer, and the host device waits until the processing of the printing device is completed. For example, when the buffer device is not used as shown in FIG. 2A, the time when the host device is released is almost the same as the processing of the printing device is completed. On the other hand, when the buffer device is used as shown in (b), the host device is released when the print data is transferred to the buffer device, and therefore the host device is not affected by the printer device. The following processing can be performed. However, when the buffer device is used, the host device is released when the print data is transferred to the buffer device, so that the processing operation of the buffer device and the printing device cannot be grasped (the user cannot grasp the print completion time). The problem arises.

Therefore, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-9650, means for grasping the amount of data in the receiving buffer in a printer having a large-capacity receiving buffer, and the result on the printer display section. It has been proposed to provide a means for displaying the amount of data in the reception buffer to the user to present the time until the completion of printing in the printing device.

[0005]

The above-mentioned conventional technique has a problem that the user cannot grasp the print completion time when a large amount of reception buffers are used. Furthermore, according to the technique disclosed in the above-mentioned JP-A-2-9650,
Since it is the amount of data in the reception buffer of the printer that is displayed to the user, it is difficult to correctly grasp the print completion time. Note that this technique requires a dedicated printing device including a unit for calculating the data unprocessed rate and a display unit for displaying the calculation result, and the existing higher-level device and printing device cannot be used as they are.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a buffer device capable of displaying the operation completion time of the printing device without modifying the existing host device and printing device. Especially.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, the buffer device of the present invention analyzes the received data accumulated in the buffer in the device and calculates the processing time of the printing device (see FIG. 1). (124, 125, etc.) and means for displaying the calculation result (128 in FIG. 1), and the operation completion time of the printing apparatus is displayed.

[0008]

In the present invention, the buffer device is arranged between the existing host device and the printing device via the general-purpose interface, the received data accumulated in the buffer device is analyzed, and the processing time of the printing device is calculated. Create the information (eg item number, control code, processing time, etc.) necessary for
It is registered in advance in a conversion table for each printing device, which is stored in the ROM or RAM of the buffer device.

The data transferred from the host device is stored in the buffer memory circuit in the buffer device. When data is stored in the buffer memory circuit, the CPU sequentially retrieves the data from the beginning, searches for a control code that matches the control code in the conversion table stored in the ROM or RAM, and performs processing corresponding to the matched control code. Calculate the time from the conversion table. This processing is performed on all the received data, and the processing time of the printing apparatus is calculated by adding up the processing times obtained from the conversion table. The calculated processing time is displayed on the display unit as the processing completion time of the printing apparatus. Subsequently, the CPU checks the operation state of the data processing mechanism of the printing apparatus, and if the data processing mechanism determines that the data processing apparatus is in the data receivable state, it sequentially transfers the data stored in the buffer memory circuit to the printing apparatus, and at this transfer time. At the same time, the display of the print completion time previously displayed on the display unit is updated. Therefore, the operator can correctly grasp the print completion time.

As a display method of the print completion time, a real-time display method or a buffering display method can be selected by the mode switch. Also, the conversion table is selected by the mode switch. Furthermore, when an unregistered printing device is connected, the learning mode is selected with the mode switch, a new conversion table is selected, and the data transferred from the host device is analyzed to calculate the processing time. The necessary information is registered and the print completion time is displayed using this.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The buffer device 120 of this embodiment is located between the host device 110 and the printing device 140, and is connected by a general-purpose interface 150.

The buffer device 120 is a host device 1.
Data receiving circuit 1 for receiving data transferred from 10
21, a buffer memory circuit 122 that temporarily stores the transferred data, a data transmission circuit 123 that transfers the data to the printing device 140, an EEPROM 125 that stores a program / conversion table and the like, a RAM 126, a timer 127 that manages processing time, and a printing A display 128 that displays the processing completion time of the device, a mode switch 129 that determines an operation mode such as a learning mode, and a CP that controls all of these.
It consists of U124.

Now, a method of displaying the print completion time in this embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, either the real-time display method or the buffering display method can be selected as the printing completion time display method. The difference between these display methods is as shown in FIG. In the real-time display method (a), as shown in the display change 601 of the real-time display, the display is started at the same time as the data transfer from the host device is started, and the display value of the print completion time is displayed until the data transfer is completed. Will increase once, and the display value of the print completion time will decrease with the completion of data transfer. On the other hand, in the buffering display method (b), as shown in the display change 602 of the buffering display, the display is started after the data transfer completion monitoring time has elapsed from the completion of the data transfer from the host device. The display value of the print completion time is
It does not grow once unlike the real-time display method. These display methods are shown in FIG.
5 is selected by the mode switch 129 having the configuration shown in FIG. 5 and is digitally displayed on the display 128 as shown in FIG.

The "learning mode" of the mode switch 129 is to create a conversion table (to be described later) suitable for an unregistered printing device when the unregistered printing device is connected.
“Select conversion table” is the conversion table (EE
Any one of (registered in the PROM 125 for each printing device) is selected. In the conversion table of this embodiment, the control code corresponding to the received print data, the processing time per second by the control code, and the item number indicating the control code are registered.

Next, the printing operation of this embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, the print data transferred from the host device 110 using the general-purpose interface 150 is
The data is received by the data receiving circuit 121 controlled by the CPU 124 and temporarily stored in the buffer memory circuit 122.

At this time, the CPU 124 searches for the received print data and a control code that matches the control code of the conversion table stored in the EEPROM 125, and reads the processing time for the matched control code.

The read processing time depends on the mode switching unit 12
When 9 is a real-time display, it is added to the value currently displayed on the display 128 and displayed on the display 128 as the time until the printing process in the printing apparatus 140 is completed. On the other hand, when the mode switch 129 is in the buffering display, the data transfer state from the host device 110 is monitored, and when the data transfer from the host device 110 is being performed, the read processing time is not displayed. No, RAM126
It is added to the print completion time stored in the memory and stored in the RAM 126. If the data transfer from the host device is not performed even after the data transfer completion monitoring time has elapsed, the RAM is
The print completion time stored in 126 is displayed on the display unit 128 as the time until the print processing is completed.

Subsequently, the CPU 124 controls the data transmission circuit 1
23, the state of the printer 140 is checked, and if the print data can be transferred, the buffer memory circuit 122
The print data stored therein is transferred from the data transfer circuit 123 to the printing device 140 through the general-purpose interface 150.

At this time, the CPU 124 searches for a control code that matches the transmitted print data and the control code of the conversion table stored in the EEPROM 125, and reads the processing time for the matched control code.

The read processing time is determined by the mode switching unit 12
When 9 is a real-time display, the value displayed on the display 128 is subtracted from the value currently displayed on the display 128 and displayed on the display 128 as the time until the printing process in the printing apparatus 140 is completed. On the other hand, when the mode switch 129 is the buffering display and the print completion time is being displayed on the display 128, the read processing time is subtracted from the value currently displayed on the display 128 and displayed. When the print completion time is not displayed on the display 128, the read processing time is subtracted from the print completion time stored in the RAM 126 to obtain RA.
Store in M128.

For the printing device 140 registered in advance in the EEPROM 125, the registered conversion table is used in the "normal mode" shown in FIG. However, when an unregistered printing device is connected to the EEPROM 125, the mode switching unit 129 sets the “learning mode”, and the conversion table No. to be newly registered is set. Switch to. In this state, the print data is transferred from the higher-level device 110 so that the CPU 124 creates a conversion table suitable for the connected printing device and stores it in the EEPROM 125. After that, by returning the mode switch 129 to the “normal mode”, the operation of the buffer device 120 is started using the newly registered conversion table.

[0026]

According to the present invention, in the case of using a large amount of receive buffers, which is a problem of the conventional device, in the buffer device located between the host device and the data processing mechanism connected by the general-purpose interface. The time until the printing device completes processing all the print data stored in the reception buffer can be displayed to the operator, and the operator can judge when the processing of the printing device is completed. Become.

Further, by adding a time display until the processing of the printing device is completed to the buffer device, the time until the processing of the printing device is completed without modifying the existing host device and the printing device. It becomes possible to display.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a difference in processing when a buffer device is used and when it is not used.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a difference between a real-time display method and a buffering display method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a mode switching unit operating unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display unit of a display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a conversion table according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

110: host device, 120: buffer device, 121: data receiving circuit, 122: buffer memory circuit, 123:
Data transmission circuit, 124: CPU, 125: EEPRO
M, 126: RAM, 127: timer, 128: display device, 129: mode switching device, 140: printing device, 15
0: General-purpose interface, 601: Display change of real-time display, 602: Display change of buffering display.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A buffer device, which is located between a host device and a printing device connected by a general-purpose interface, temporarily holds data from the host device and transfers the data to the printing device, analyzes the temporarily held data, and prints the data. A buffer device comprising means for calculating a processing time of the device and means for displaying a calculation result.