JPH08314660A - Printer device and communication log output method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To print communication log information by using a print unit of a printer device by sending the communication log information and printing the communication log information according to instruction information. CONSTITUTION: When a 'printer output flag' is ON, a CPU 202 reads the communication log information stored in a memory 207, expands the communication log information into a bit image by referring to a font pattern stored in, for example, a ROM 204, and outputs it to a printer engine 212 through an engine control part 210, thereby printing the bit image on recording paper. When the 'printer output flag' is OFF, on the other hand, the communication log information stored in the memory 207 is outputted to a serial line I/F 208A through a line control part 209. When its 'serial line output flag' is OFF, the communication log information stored in the memory 207 is outputted to a parallel line I/F 209 through the line control part 209.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is connected to an external device,
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of communicating with the external device and a communication log output method in the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer device has been equipped with interface means such as a serial interface and a parallel interface as a standard means for communicating with a host computer. However, in recent years, with the generalization of network construction, there has been proposed a printer device that optionally has various interface functions as an interface for connecting the printer device to various networks.

Generally, the addition of this optional interface function is achieved by connecting various types of external communication units (hereinafter referred to as network boards), and by exchanging this network board by a user, It is possible to connect a printer device to various networks.

A data communication method (protocol) between the network board and the printer device as described above is performed based on a unique protocol. Therefore, when some trouble occurs in the printer device or the network board, it becomes necessary to analyze this protocol. Therefore, it is necessary to create a new original protocol analysis device,
It was necessary to connect an ICE (Inter Circuit Emulator) or the like and analyze the communication procedure.

[0005]

As described above, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since it is necessary to newly create a dedicated protocol analysis device for analyzing the communication protocol or to use the ICE, the printer device There was a problem that maintenance was expensive.
Similarly, when developing a network board, it is necessary to create a protocol analysis device for that purpose and to use an ICE for the printer device, and the maintenance cost of the network board itself becomes expensive. There was a problem that it would end up.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and provides a printing apparatus capable of recording and outputting a communication log by a printer apparatus without adding an extra apparatus, and a communication log output method in the apparatus. The purpose is to do.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus capable of printing communication log information by using a printing unit of the printing apparatus and a communication log output method in the apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to print a communication protocol with an external device so that the communication protocol can be output, thereby eliminating the need for a protocol analysis device, ICE, etc., and reducing maintenance costs. And to provide a method for outputting a communication log in the device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of transmitting communication log information with an external apparatus to an apparatus connected to the printing apparatus through a line, and a communication log output method in the apparatus. To do.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the printing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a printing device that is connected to an external device and is capable of communicating with the external device, the storage device storing communication log information with the external device, and the communication stored in the storage device. Input means for inputting instruction information for instructing processing of log information, transmission means for transmitting the communication log information according to the instruction information input by the input means, and printing the communication log information according to the instruction information by a printing unit. And a print control unit for printing.

In order to achieve the above object, the communication log output method in the printing apparatus of the present invention includes the following steps. That is, a method of outputting a communication log in a printing apparatus that is connected to an external device and is capable of communicating with the external device, and an instruction to instruct processing of communication log information between the external device and the printing device. A step of inputting information, a step of storing communication log information with the external device in a memory according to the instruction information, and a step of storing the communication log information stored in the memory according to the instruction information via a line. The method further comprises a step of transmitting the communication log information to a connected device and a step of printing the communication log information by a printing unit according to the instruction information, the instruction information transmitting the communication log information via a line or printing. Instruct whether to do.

[0012]

In the above structure, when communication log information with an external device is stored and instruction information for instructing processing of the stored communication log information is input, the instruction information is input according to the input instruction information. The communication log information can be transmitted or the communication log information can be printed by the printing unit according to the instruction information.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration of the laser beam printer to which this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
The present invention is not limited to this laser beam printer, but can be applied to various printers such as an inkjet printer, a thermal printer, or a wire dot printer.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as LBP) 101 of this embodiment. This LBP 101 is, for example, a character pattern from a host computer (230 in FIG. 2) connected to a network. It is configured to be able to register and the registration of fixed form (form data).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores character information (character code) supplied from a host computer (external device), form information, macro commands, and the like, and responds in accordance with the information. A character pattern, a form pattern, etc. are created, and an image is formed on a recording medium, which is a recording medium. 10
Reference numeral 2 is an operation panel on which keys and switches for operation and an LED display or LCD display for displaying the status of the printer are arranged, and 103 is a control of the entire LBP 101 and character information supplied from an external device. This printer control unit 1, which is the printer control unit to analyze
03 mainly converts a character pattern corresponding to character information into a video signal and outputs it to the laser driver 106. 21
7 is an external communication device unit (network board)
Then, the communication control with the network is executed and the printer control unit 103 is connected.

The laser driver 106 is the semiconductor laser 1
This is a circuit for driving 07, and turns on / off the laser beam 105 emitted from the semiconductor laser 107 in accordance with the video signal input from the printer control unit 103. This laser light 105 is transmitted to the rotary polygon mirror 104.
Then, the electrostatic drum 108 is swung in the left-right direction to perform scanning exposure on the electrostatic drum 108. As a result, an electrostatic latent image having a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 108. The latent image is developed by the developing unit 109 arranged around the electrostatic drum 108, and then transferred to the recording paper. A cut sheet is used as the recording sheet, and the cut sheet recording sheet is LBP10.
The LBP 10 is accommodated in the paper cassette 112 attached to the No. 1 and is rotated by rotation of the paper feed roller 111 and the transport roller 110.
1 and is supplied to the electrostatic drum 108. The recording paper transferred on the electrostatic drum 108 in this way is rotated by the discharge roller 115, and the tray 113 of the LBP 101 is rotated.
It is ejected on top.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the printer control unit 103 of the LBP 101 of this embodiment.

In FIG. 2, the printer control unit 10
3 is optional bus interface (I / F) 2
Optional bus interface (I
/ F) The network board 2 via the control unit 214
17 is communicable. An expansion bus 216 connects the network board 217 and the printer control unit 103. 202 is a CPU, and ROM2
Based on the control program recorded in 04, the bus 20
Control each device connected to 3. 205 is RAM
Then, data used by the CPU 202, pudding and data, etc. are temporarily stored. 210 is an engine control unit,
Through the engine interface (I / F) unit 211, for example, an electrophotographic printer engine 212 as shown in FIG. 1 is controlled to perform print processing. A memory control unit 206 controls writing and reading of data to and from a memory 207 configured by a RAM or the like. A line control unit 209 is a parallel line interface (I / I
F) section 208A and serial line interface (I
/ F) unit 208B is controlled. A panel input / output (I / O) control unit 213 controls data input from the operation panel 102 or data output to the operation panel 102. Reference numeral 218 indicates a network to which the network board 217 is connected.
It is connected to the host computer 230 via.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a schematic structure of the operation panel 102 of the printer apparatus 101 of this embodiment.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes the printer device 10.
LCD display that displays the status and messages of 1. 3
Reference numeral 02 denotes an LED display that displays the status of the printer device 101. Reference numeral 303 is a ten-key pad operated by an operator. 304 is the status of the printer device 101,
Setting key to enter the parameter setting mode, 3
Reference numeral 05 is an enter key for confirming the numerical value set by the ten-key pad 303, and reference numeral 306 is an end key for ending the parameter setting mode. By operating these keys, the operator can set the operation mode and various parameters of the printer device 101 while confirming the contents displayed on the LCD display 301.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the network board 217 connected to the printer apparatus 101 of the present embodiment, and the portions common to the above-mentioned drawings are indicated by the same numbers.

In FIG. 4, the network board 21
7 is the printer control unit 1 via the expansion bus 216.
03, and further connected to the network 218 via a network line interface (I / F) unit 407. Then, it has a function of transmitting the data received from the network 218 to the printer apparatus 101 or transmitting the data from the printer apparatus 101 to the network 218.

In FIG. 4, 401 is a CPU, and ROM
Based on the control program stored in 405, the bus 4
Control each device connected to 08. 404 is RA
M, data used during control operation of the CPU 401,
The data from the network 218, and further the data from the printer device 101 are temporarily stored. A printer interface (I / F) control unit 402 communicates with the printer apparatus 101 via the printer interface (I / F) unit 403. A network line control unit 406 can perform communication with the network 218 via a network line interface (I / F) unit 407.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data format of a data packet when the network board 217 of this embodiment transmits the data received from the network 218 to the printer device 101.

Reference numeral 501 is information indicating the version of this protocol, and 502 is a packet control field indicating packet information. Reference numeral 503 is a sequential number indicating the order of packets. Reference numeral 504 indicates the effective data length of this packet, and 505 indicates print data.
Since these 501, 502, 503, and 504 are control headers, if these information are incorrect, data cannot be transmitted and received normally.

When the data is received from the network 218 to the network board 217, the CPU 401 of the network board 217 sends the data to the printer control unit 103 of the printer apparatus 101 in the data format as shown in FIG. . This allows
The CPU 202 of the printer device 101 uses the option I /
The packet data is received via the F control unit 214. Then, when the CPU 202 receives the packet, the network board 217 sends an ACK packet as shown in FIG. 6 including the meaning of permission to receive the next packet.
Will be output to.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data format of ACK packet data issued to the network board 217 when the printer apparatus 101 surely receives the data packet from the network board 217.

In FIG. 6, 601 indicates version information of this protocol, 602 is an ACK control field indicating that it is ACK information, and 603 is an ACK number indicating the number of ACK information. In addition, these 601-6
Since 03 is also a protocol control header, if these pieces of information are incorrect, the information cannot be received normally.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a description example of transmission / reception of protocol information in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, in such an information format, the protocol information is output from the network board 217 to the printer device 101 so as to be printed, or the network board 217 communicates with the host computer 230 via the network 218. You can send and receive between them.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes a network
A protocol version (version) transmitted from the board 217 to the printer apparatus 101, and 702 corresponds to the packet control field. 703
Is also the sequential number of the data packet (s
704 is the effective data length (datale
ngth) is shown. Reference numerals 705 to 707 relate to ACK packets issued from the printer apparatus 101 to the network board 217. 705 is protocol version information (version), 706 is an ACK control field (acknowledge field), and 707 is an ACK packet. It indicates an acknowledge number.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a data input control process from the operation panel 102 when the operator sets whether or not to record a communication log in the printer apparatus 101 of this embodiment. The control program to be executed is stored in the ROM 204.
When the printer device 101 is powered on, the printer device 1
When 01 enters the steady state, the printer apparatus 101 is in a state of waiting for an event such as reception of print data or key operation by an operator.

Now, in step S1, the operator operates the operation panel 10 to set the mode for recording the communication log.
When the setting key 304 of No. 2 is pressed, the CPU 202 causes the LCD display unit 301 via the panel I / O control unit 213.
Display the communication log menu on. Then, in step S2, when the operator presses the "1" key (communication log recording instruction) of the ten keys 303 using the ten keys 303, the CPU 202 determines that the instruction to record the communication log has been given. In step S3, the "communication log recording flag" provided in the RAM 205 is turned on. In step S2, if any key other than the "1" key on the ten-key pad 303 is pressed, the communication log setting mode is canceled and the process is terminated.

After step 3, the process proceeds to step S4, where C
The PU 202 waits for input of the ten key 303, and when the “2” key (print instruction for communication log) of the ten key 303 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S5, and the CPU 202 causes the RAM 2
The "printer output flag" 05 is turned on. On the other hand, when the "3" key (the output instruction to the communication line) of the ten-key pad 303 is pressed in step S4, the process proceeds to step S6 and CP
The U202 waits for the next numeric key 303 input. When the "4" key of the ten-key pad 303 (instruction to output to the serial line) is pressed here, the process proceeds to step S7, and the "serial line output flag" of the RAM 205 is turned on to output to the serial line.

On the other hand, when the "5" key is pressed (output instruction to the parallel line) in step S6, step S8
Then, the "parallel line output flag" of the RAM 205 is turned on.

When step S5, S7 or step S8 is executed in this way, the operation proceeds to step S9 and the operation panel 1
It is checked whether the end key 306 of 02 is pressed. If not, the process proceeds to step S2 to execute the above-described processing. When the end key 306 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S10, and the CPU 202 displays the communication log menu. Is erased, the menu is returned to the original state, and the setting process ends.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a process of outputting a communication log record based on the communication protocol with the network board 217 in the printer apparatus 101 of this embodiment. The control program for executing this process is ROM2.
It is stored in 04. In this process, when the printer control unit 103 communicates with the network board 217, the header received from the network board 217 and the contents of the ACK packet data to be output to the network board 217 are set according to the flowchart of FIG. The process of printing or transmitting to the line is shown according to each flag.

The processing of FIG. 9 is performed by the network board 21.
The process is started by receiving data from No. 7, and first in step S21, the CPU 202 determines whether or not the "communication log recording flag" provided in the RAM 205 is on. If it is off, there is no need to record and transfer the communication protocol information performed thereafter, so step S3
Create ACK packet with 1 and network board 2
17, the process is executed until the reception of all the packets is completed in step S32, and the process is completed when the reception of all the packets is completed.

On the other hand, if the "communication log recording flag" is turned on in step S21, the process proceeds to step S22, in which the protocol version 501 shown in FIG. 5 is the header of the data received from the network board 217.
Packet control field 502, sequential number 5
03, valid data length 504 is stored in a predetermined address of the memory 207 via the memory control unit 206.

Next, in step S23, in response to the packet data, the CPU 202 of the printer device 101
Similarly, the information about the ACK packet sent by the network board 217, that is, the protocol version 601, the ACK control field 602, and the ACK number 603 shown in FIG. 6 are also stored in the memory 207. Next, in step S24, the ACK packet is transmitted to the network board 217 via the option interface controller 214 and the option interface 215.

Next, in step S25, step S2
2 and step S23, it is determined where to output the communication log information (501 to 504, 601 to 603) stored in the memory 207. In step S25, when the "printer output flag" set in step S5 of FIG. 8 is on, the process proceeds to step S26, the CPU 202 reads the communication log information stored in the memory 207, and the communication log information is read. For example, referring to the font pattern stored in the ROM 204 and expanding it into a bit image,
Printer engine 212 via engine control unit 210
And print it on recording paper.

On the other hand, when the "printer output flag" is off in step S25, the process proceeds to step S27, and it is determined whether or not the "serial line output flag" transmitted to the serial line is on. When the "serial line output flag" is ON, the process proceeds to step S29, and the communication log information stored in the memory 207 is output to the serial line I / F 208A via the line control unit 209.

On the other hand, when the "serial line output flag" is off, the process proceeds to step S28, and the communication log information stored in the memory 207 is output to the parallel line I / F 209A via the line control unit 209. These processes are repeatedly executed until all packets are received.
Here, if the output is not to the serial line, it is judged to be the output to the parallel line (because there are only two line I / Fs, serial and parallel), and the "parallel line output flag" is checked. However, it may be determined here whether or not the “parallel line output flag” is on, and if it is not on, output to the line may not be performed.

In this embodiment, when the "communication log recording flag" is not on, the data header is not stored and the ack information is not stored. However, regardless of the state of the "communication recording flag". Instead, always store the header or acknowledge packet of the received data packet, and print or transmit the stored communication log information only when this "communication log recording flag" is on. May be determined.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the operator presses the setting key 304 and the ten key 303 on the operation panel 102 to turn on the "communication log recording flag". Alternatively, when the power of the printer apparatus 101 is turned on, whether or not to record a communication log may be determined by reading the pressed state of a key on the operation panel 102.

This processing is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, and the control program for executing this processing is the ROM 20.
4 is stored in the printer device 1.
It starts when the power of 01 is turned on.

When the printer apparatus 101 is powered on, the process proceeds to step S41, where the CPU 202 immediately proceeds to the panel I.
The key state of the operation panel 102 is sensed via the / O control unit 213. At this time, if the "1" key of the setting key 304 and the ten-key pad 303 is pressed, step S42 is performed.
By proceeding to step S43, it is determined that the communication log is recorded, and the "communication log recording flag" of the RAM 205 is turned on. Next, in step S44, the "printer output flag" is turned off and the "serial line output flag" is turned on.

In this way, the print data is
When it is received from the board 217, the communication log is output to the serial line I / F unit 208B as described in the first embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the network 2
Although the network board 217 connected to 18 has been described, the same effect can be obtained by an external communication device that directly communicates with the host computer or a FAX board that is connected to a telephone line.

The communication method between the printer device 101 and the network board 217 may be any device or unit as long as it is a communication unit capable of bidirectional communication.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. The present invention can also be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program for implementing the present invention to a system or an apparatus.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the printer device records the communication log between the network board and the printer device according to the instruction of the operator, and the recorded communication log information is recorded in the communication log information. It is possible to print using the engine section of the printer device or to transmit and output to any connected device.

Thus, it is possible to check the operation of the printer device and the network board with an inexpensive configuration without using a dedicated protocol analyzer.

Further, according to this embodiment, since it is not necessary to use a dedicated protocol analyzer, it is possible to reduce the cost required for the maintenance of the printer device and the interface board.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, the communication log can be recorded and output by the printer device without adding an extra device.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to print the communication log information by using the printing unit of the printing device.

Further, according to the present invention, by recording and outputting a communication protocol with an external device, there is an effect that a protocol analysis device, an ICE, etc. are unnecessary and maintenance cost can be reduced. .

Further, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the communication log information with the external device can be transmitted to the device connected to the printing apparatus through the line.

[0059]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a laser beam printer of this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the printer device according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation panel of the printer device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network board connected to the printer device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of a data packet for the network board of the present embodiment to transmit the data received from the network to the printer device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of an ACK packet showing a response to a data packet from the network board, which is performed by the printer apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of communication log recording information in which a communication protocol is recorded in the printer device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing executed based on a key operation by an operator in the printer device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of recording and outputting a communication log with the network board in the printer device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a process of detecting a panel key and setting a flag when the power of the printer is turned on in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 printer device 102 operation panel 103 printer control unit 202, 401 CPU 204, 405 ROM 205, 404 RAM 207 memory 208A parallel line I / F unit 208B serial line I / F unit 209 line control unit 210 engine control unit 213 panel I / O control unit 217 Network board 218 Network 230 Host computer 301 LCD display 303 Numeric keypad 304 Setting key

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus that is connected to an external device and is capable of communicating with the external device, the storage device storing communication log information with the external device; Input means for inputting instruction information for instructing processing of the communication log information, transmission means for transmitting the communication log information according to the instruction information input by the input means, and communication log information for transmitting the communication log information according to the instruction information. A printing apparatus comprising: a printing control unit that prints by a printing unit. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits to a device connected via a serial line. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits to a device connected via a parallel line. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit includes an operation panel operated by an operator. 5. The input means inputs the instruction information by a panel operation performed by an operator immediately after power is turned on.
The printing device according to the item. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external device and the printing apparatus are connected via a network. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a network board that connects the external device and the printing apparatus. 8. A method of outputting a communication log in a printing apparatus, which is connected to an external device and is capable of communicating with the external device, comprising: processing communication log information between the external device and the printing device. A step of inputting instruction information to instruct, a step of storing communication log information with the external device in a memory according to the instruction information, and a step of storing the communication log information stored in the memory according to the instruction information. And a step of printing the communication log information by a printing unit according to the instruction information, wherein the instruction information transmits the communication log information via a line, Alternatively, a communication log output method characterized by instructing whether to print. 9. The output method according to claim 8, wherein the transmission is performed to a device connected via a serial line. 10. The output method according to claim 8, wherein the transmission is performed to a device connected via a parallel line. 11. The output method according to claim 8, wherein the instruction information is input using an operation panel operated by an operator. 12. The output method according to claim 8, wherein the instruction information is input by a panel operation by an operator performed immediately after turning on the power. 13. The output method according to claim 8, wherein the external device and the printing device are connected via a network.