JPH09183259A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable data to be recorded without incorporated character font by storing character font data downroaded from another system part into a storage address in a character font storage area, then referring to a table storage area as to a character identifying code, and outputting recorded data based on the character font data. SOLUTION: When the operation is set to the downroad mode, the input buffer area 7c of RAM 7 is divided into an input buffer area 7d, a table storage area 7e for downroaded font and a downroaded font storage area 7f. The input buffer area 7d buffers an ASCII code, the downroaded font storage area 7f stores downroaded character font data and the table storage area 7e for downroaded font stores a table for pointing out a storage location in the downroaded font storage area 7f corresponding to the ASCII code. Thus this printer device is equipped with incorporated character font.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device for reading rasterized image data input from at least another device while sequentially accumulating the raster image data in the input buffer memory and recording and outputting it.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional printer device has a dot image such as a character character or an image character as built-in character font data, and is sequentially input from software running on another device such as a connected personal computer. Regarding the character identification code such as ASCII code, the dot image of the corresponding character is taken out from the built-in character font data, and is recorded and output to perform printing in accordance with a command from the personal computer.

In the above-mentioned conventional printer device, the dot image of the character to be printed is not sent from the personal computer side by side, but a character identification code having a much smaller amount of information than that is sent. The processing load is reduced, and information transmission between the personal computer and the printer device can be performed at high speed, resulting in relatively high speed printing. On the other hand, the dot image of the character printed by the printer device is Since the printer device depends on the character font data contained in the printer device, even if the character identification code is the same, the corresponding character font image on the printer device side and the software running on the personal computer handle it. There is a drawback that the image of the character font is different.

On the other hand, with the recent advances in performance of personal computers, software running on personal computers can handle a wide variety of character fonts relatively easily, and these various character fonts can be recorded as they are on a printer device. When outputting, the character font handled by the software is converted into a raster image code and sent to the printer device, and the printer device records and outputs the raster image code as image data as it is. The raster image code is a transfer method in which pixel data is transferred line by line from left to right in the main scanning direction and advanced by one line in the sub scanning direction, as in a facsimile or television.

As described above, the conventional printer device is designed to handle the character identification code sent from the text-based software (software that sends the character identification code to the printer device to record and output it) running on the personal computer. While having a built-in character font, it was compatible with both a raster image code sent from graphic-based software (software that sends a raster image code to a printer to record and output it).

However, in recent years, the transition from text-based software to graphic-based software is progressing rapidly, and the number of users who rarely use text-based software is increasing.

Therefore, for users who mainly use such graphic-based software, the ROM storing the built-in character fonts and the structure associated therewith are omitted, and only the graphic-based software can be used. Therefore, low-cost printer devices have begun to be provided.

[0008]

However, in the printer device dedicated to the graphic-based software, the built-in character font is omitted even if the user needs to record and output the text-based software. Therefore, there is a problem that the need cannot be satisfied.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a printer device capable of recording and outputting from text-based software without having a built-in character font.

[0010]

To achieve the above object, a printer apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an input buffer memory, and raster image data input from at least another apparatus is sequentially stored in the input buffer memory. In a printer device for reading and recording and outputting while simultaneously reading out and recording and outputting the input raster image data while sequentially accumulating in the input buffer memory, or based on character font data downloaded from another device. An operation mode setting means for setting the operation mode to any of the download modes for recording and outputting, a character font storage area for storing character font data when the operation mode is set to the download mode, and the character font storage Each character font stored in the area A table storage area for storing a table in which the storage address of the data and the character identification code for specifying the character font are stored in the input buffer memory and downloaded from the other device. Character font download means for storing each character font data to be stored in a corresponding storage address of the character font storage area, and the character font storage by referring to the table storage area for a character identification code input from the other device. A recording and outputting means for extracting character font data from the corresponding storage address in the area and recording and outputting based on the character font data is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer device according to the first aspect.
The printer device described in the above is provided with means for recording and outputting the character font data stored in the character font storage area together with predetermined additional information when the download of the character font data from the other device is completed. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer device according to the first aspect.
In the printer device according to any one of the items 1 and 2, a backup unit that retains the stored contents of the character font storage area and the table storage area even when the apparatus power is turned off at least when the operation mode is set to the download mode. It is characterized by having.

[0013]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a printer device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the CPU 2 controls the operation of the entire apparatus by reading and executing the system program stored in the ROM 3. The operation panel 4 has display lamps and switches (not shown), and its input / output is controlled by the CPU 2. In addition, the operation panel 4
Is a printer device 1 as a switch according to the present invention.
The mode setting switch 4a is provided for setting the operation mode of 1 to either a normal mode corresponding to raster image data or a download mode described later.

The CPU 2 can also set valid / invalid of communication with a PC (personal computer) device 5 which is another device. If the communication is valid, the transmission data from the PC device 5 is received through the interface circuit 6. To be done. The CPU 2 sends the data received from the PC device 5 to the RA
After being temporarily stored in the input buffer area 7c of M7, it is read out, the data is expanded in the expansion area 7b and decoded, and in the normal mode, it is judged whether or not the data is the raster image data to be recorded and output. In the download mode, it is determined whether the data is a character identification code (ASCII code) to be recorded and output. The work area 7a is an area for temporarily storing data necessary for the CPU 2 to operate.

If the data received from the PC device 5 is the data to be printed, the CPU 2 activates the recording paper conveying section 9 to convey the recording paper to the correct position, and when the recording paper is conveyed to the correct position, The raster image data transferred by the image printing unit 8 or the character corresponding to the character identification code is printed. The backup circuit 10 is the RAM 7
In order to retain the stored contents of the device even when the device power supply (not shown) is turned off, the on / off state of the device power supply is detected, and the device power supply is turned off in response to the backup permission / non-permission command from the CPU It is to switch whether or not the voltage of the battery 11 is applied to the RAM 7 during the operation.

In general, a printer device has a time required for its recording and outputting operation that is longer than the time required for the processing operation of the PC device that transmits data to be recorded and output to the printer device. In order to reduce the waiting time as much as possible, an input buffer memory is provided and the data to be recorded and output is stored and read in the input buffer memory to cover the difference in processing speed between the printer device and the PC device.

If the printer device dedicated to the text-based software has a capacity of the input buffer memory,
The character identification data such as an ASCII code transferred from the PC device side may be buffered instead of the character font data itself, and thus may be relatively small.

On the other hand, in the input buffer memory provided in the printer device dedicated to the graphic-based software and only compatible with the raster image data, the raster image data transferred from the PC device is transferred as data obtained by raster scanning the image data itself. Therefore, the amount of data to be transferred is larger than that of the ASCII code transfer, and a large capacity is required accordingly.

In the printer device according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1, when the operation mode is set to the normal mode,
The input buffer area 7c of the RAM 7 has a large capacity to occupy most of the RAM 7 in order to perform the same operation as the printer device dedicated to the graphic-based software. Further, in order to speed up the transfer from the PC device and release the PC device from the print compatible operation quickly, it is generally desired that the input buffer has a large capacity, and the input buffer area 7c also has a large capacity from that point of view. I am trying.

The printer device 1 having the above-described structure is connected to the PC device 5, and the printer device 1 and the PC device 5 are connected together.
Used by a common user of the device 5.

If the user operates the mode setting switch 4a of the operation panel 4 of the printer 1 to set the operation mode to the normal mode, the input buffer area 7
As shown in FIG. 2, the entire capacity of c is used for buffering the raster image data.

That is, when the user operates graphic-based software on the PC device 5, the software converts some image data into raster image data and transfers it to the printer device 1, the CPU 2 interfaces the raster image data. The same operation is performed as in the conventional printer device dedicated to graphic-based software, which stores the data in the input buffer area 7c via the circuit 6, reads it while buffering it, and records and outputs it in the image printing unit 8.

When the operation mode is set to the normal mode, the CPU 1 issues a backup non-permission command to the backup circuit 10. As a result, the backup circuit does not supply the voltage of the battery 11 to the RAM 7 even when it detects that the device power supply has been cut off. this is,
This is to prevent the raster image data remaining in the input buffer area 7c when the power source of the apparatus is shut off from being reprocessed after the power source of the apparatus is turned on again to restart the recording and outputting operation which is not expected by the user. The backup circuit 10 is the battery 1
The same effect can be obtained by always backing up the RAM 7 by 1 and discarding the raster image data remaining in the input buffer area 7c when the power of the apparatus is turned on again.

On the other hand, when the operation mode is set to the download mode, the CPU 2 makes the input buffer area 7
c is divided into three areas, as shown in FIG.

That is, the input buffer area 7d, the download font table storage area 7e, and the download font storage area 7f are secured in the input buffer 7c.

The input buffer area 7d is for buffering the ASCII code, whereas the input buffer area 7c is for buffering the raster image data. Buffering of character codes such as ASCII code, as described above,
Since the capacity of the input buffer area 7d is smaller than that of the buffering of the raster image data, it is sufficient to allocate a part of the capacity of the input buffer area 7c.

The download font storage area 7f is
It is for storing character font data downloaded from the PC device 5. The download font table storage area 7c is for storing a table in which an ASCII code is associated with a leading address indicating a storage location in the download font storage area 7f of character font data of a character corresponding to the ASCII code. is there.

The CPU 2 after securing the above areas
The processing procedure in the download mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

FIG. 3 shows a procedure for downloading character font data from the PC device 5. Note that this download processing is performed by the PC 1 so that the printer 1 can perform recording and output even from text-based software that operates on the PC and transfers data to be printed by ASCII code. This is a process of transferring character font data from the device 5 to the printer device 1. In this download process, when the font required by the user is not yet transferred to the printer device 1 or when the transferred font is desired to be changed, new font data is created on the PC device 5 side to obtain a desired ASCII. This is a process performed so that it can be transferred as a character corresponding to the code and can be used as a built-in font thereafter.

Now, in FIG. 3, the CPU 2 first stores a download font table storage area 7e secured in the input buffer area 7c in the download font storage area 7f as shown in FIG.
A list of head addresses of the storage locations of the respective character font data stored in is created (process 101). Then, an ASCII code is associated with each address in the list of the leading address, and the ASCII code is associated with the leading address of the storage location of the character font data of the character corresponding to the ASCII code (process 102).

By the above processing, the preparation for downloading the character font data from the PC device 5 is completed,
In the next process 103, the character font data is downloaded from the PC device 5, and the downloaded character font data is downloaded in the font storage area 4f.
Store in the corresponding place of. At this time, the character font data downloaded from the PC device 5 can be specified in ASCII code order to identify which ASCII code corresponds to the character font data. Alternatively, the ASCII code and the character font data of the character corresponding to it can be set and transferred sequentially, so that only the character fonts of the characters corresponding to some ASCII codes are not in the ASCII code order. It is also possible to transfer. In this embodiment,
Employing the former, the character font data is sequentially downloaded in ASCII code order. The downloaded character font data is stored in a predetermined position of the download font storage area 4f indicated by the head address corresponding to the corresponding ASCII code.

By the above processing, the printer device 1 which originally does not have a built-in character font is substantially in a state of having a built-in character font.

Although the procedure for downloading the character font data from the PC device 5 may be completed by the above processing,
In the present embodiment, further, in step 104, test printing is performed. That is, for the user, unlike the case where the conventional printer device corresponding to the text-based software always prints a fixed design character based on the built-in font data stored in the ROM or the like, the PC device 5 It is anxious that it is not possible to know whether the character font data is actually downloaded to the printer device 1 or what the design of the downloaded character font is, until it is actually used. For such a user, the font data, that is, the characters stored in the download font storage area 7f is printed after the download of the character font data is completed.

Therefore, the ROM 3 of the printer device 1
As shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the printer system program 3a for controlling the entire apparatus, a test printing program 3b for performing test printing and test printing data 3c are stored. Test printing program 3b
Is started after all the downloading of the character font data is completed, and by referring to the download font table storage area 7e, the character font data is ASCII-coded from the head address corresponding to each ASCII code in the download font storage area 7f. The characters are read in the order of codes, and a character list is printed as shown in FIG.

At this time, the test print program 3b
Is a data for reading out the test print data 3c and displaying the table matrix in hex (hexadecimal) or data for enclosing the character list with a frame line in order to make the character list easy to see. Is added, and processing is performed to prevent printing of ASCII codes 00h to 1Fh, which are not actual characters but indicate control code areas.

As a result, the user can clearly confirm whether the character font data has been normally downloaded from the PC device 5 or whether the downloaded character font data has a desired design.

As described above, the printer device 1 in which the character font data is downloaded from the PC device 5 and substantially has the built-in font is similar to the conventional text-based software compatible printer device. In addition, the ASCII code transmitted from the text-based software running on the PC device 5 can be received and the character corresponding to the code can be printed. Regarding the procedure, refer to FIG. explain.

In the figure, the ASCII code is transferred from the PC device 5 (process 201). Now, it is assumed that the ASCII code is the nth ASCII code (ASCII code n).

The ASCII code n is stored in the input buffer area 7d as shown in FIG. Then, the download font table storage area 7e is referred to (process 202). In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, in the download font table storage area 7e, the leading address m corresponds to the ASCII code n, and in the processing 203, the leading address m from the leading address m in the download font storage area 7f is changed from 1 to 1. Character font data for character N
Is read. Then, the read character font data is printed by the image printing unit (process 204).

The above steps 201 to 204 are repeated until the ASCII code transfer from the PC device 5 is completed. This makes it possible to handle printout from text-based software running on the PC device 5.

When the operation mode is set to the download mode, the CPU 1 causes the backup circuit 10
Command to allow backup. This allows
The backup circuit 10 supplies the voltage of the battery 11 to the RAM 7 when detecting that the power source of the device is cut off.

As a result, even if the power source of the apparatus is cut off, RA
The stored contents of the download font table storage area 7e and the download font storage area 7f stored in the M7 are retained, and the conventional text-based software-compatible printer device stores the built-in font in a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM. Even when the power is shut off, it can be handled in the same way as holding the built-in font.
It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the downloaded character font data is lost just because the device power is cut off.

In recent years, a flash memory (flash ROM = FR) which is a nonvolatile rewritable memory.
OM) was developed. This FROM has the properties of conventional RAM and ROM, and at the time of writing, it can be written in units that are internally divided into several blocks, while once written data can be stored in a backup power source such as a battery. Even if it is not used, the data can be maintained for the ROM, and at the time of reading, it is a memory that can be read randomly regardless of the internal block like the RAM.

Therefore, R of the printer device 1 shown in FIG.
By replacing a part of the area of AM7 with a FROM, the device power supply cuts off the stored contents of the download font storage area 7f and the download font table storage area 7e without the backup circuit 10 and the battery 11 of FIG. Even if it is done, it can be retained. Here is an example.

FIG. 8 shows the area distribution of the RAM 7 and the FRO when the operation mode of the printer device 1 is the normal mode.
Area allocation within M12. In the figure,
The RAM 7 includes a work area 7a, a development area 7b,
The input buffer area 7g. Work area 7a
And the expansion area 7b are the same as those provided in the RAM 7 shown in FIG.
Unlike the large-capacity input buffer area 7c in the RAM 7 shown in FIG. 1, is an area having the same size as the capacity of the position block formed inside the FROM 12. The raster image data transferred from the PC device 5 is recorded in the input buffer area 7g. Input buffer area 7g
When the raster image data transferred to is full, the CPU 2 of the printer device 1 returns an off line signal to the PC device 5, which means to temporarily stop the transfer, and stops the temporary transfer. The data recorded in the input buffer area 7g is transferred to the empty areas 1 to n of the input buffer area 12a, which are divided into the inside of the FROM 12 all at once and have the same capacity as the input buffer area 7g. . When the writing is completed, the CPU 2
ON, which means a request to restart transfer to the PC device 5.
The line signal is returned, the raster image data is transferred to the input buffer area 7g again, and the same operation is repeated thereafter.

The raster image data transferred to the FROM 12 is processed by the CPU 2 in the order of transfer time.
The data read at this time is FRO without going through the RAM 7.
Randomly performed directly from M12.

FIG. 9 shows the area allocation of the RAM 7 and the area allocation in the FROM 12 when the operation mode of the printer device 1 is the download mode. In the figure, the RAM 7 comprises a work area 7a, a development area 7b, and an input buffer area 7g. The distribution of each of these areas is the same as that in the normal mode shown in FIG. Further, the FROM 12 has a download font table storage area 12b corresponding to the download font table storage area 7e shown in FIG.
And the downloaded font storage area 7f shown in FIG.
1 of the download font storage area 12c corresponding to
To n are the input buffer areas 12a shown in FIG.
It is secured in place of 1 to n.

The character font data transferred from the PC device 5 is recorded in the input buffer area 7g. When the character font data transferred to the input buffer area 7g becomes full, the CPU 2 of the printer device 1 returns an off line signal to the PC device 5, which means that the transfer is temporarily stopped, and stops the temporary transfer. Then, the character font data recorded in the input buffer area 7g is immediately changed to FR.
The data is transferred to and written in the OM 12 divided into 1 and n in the download font storage area 12c having the same capacity as the input buffer area 7g. When the writing is completed, the CPU 2 returns to the PC device 5 an ON line signal indicating a request to restart the transfer, the raster image data is transferred again to the input buffer area 7g, and the same operation is repeated thereafter.

By the above procedure, 1 to n of the download font storage area 12c inside the FROM 12 are read.
The character font data downloaded from the PC device 5 is stored in the printer device 1, and the printer device 1 is substantially provided with the built-in font. Thereafter, the ASCII code transmitted from the PC device 5 is stored in the input buffer area 7g. The downloaded font calling signal table storage area 12b is read while accumulating, and the leading number in 1 to n of the download font storage area 12c in which the character font data of the character corresponding to the ASCII code is stored is obtained. Then, the character font data is taken out therefrom and sequentially recorded and outputted by the image printing section 8.

As a result, the main body of the input buffer area is provided not in the RAM 7 but in the FROM 12 and its FR
Since the input buffer area in the OM 12 is used as a reserved area for the download font table storage area 12b and the download font font storage 12c 1 to n required in the download mode, the download is performed even if the backup circuit 10 and the battery 11 are removed. It is possible to retain the downloaded download font data and the stored contents of the download font table storage area that stores the correspondence between the ASCII code and the start address of the storage location of the character font data, forcing the user to perform work such as battery replacement. Of course, the same handling as the conventional text-based software-compatible printer device in which the built-in font is stored in the ROM or the like becomes possible.

[0052]

According to the invention of claim 1, the input buffer memory for buffering the raster image data is used as a storage location of the character font data downloaded from another device, whereby the built-in font Even if you do not originally have a ROM that stores data, you can record and output characters according to the character identification code from other devices, so you can use text-based software without a built-in character font. It is possible to record and output. Further, since the character font data is not originally provided and is downloaded from the other device as needed, the character font can be replaced with one of various designs according to the user's need, Further, there is also an advantage that only the fonts necessary for the user can be downloaded by not downloading unnecessary character font data.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the download of the character font data from the other device is completed, the downloaded character font data is recorded and output together with the predetermined additional information. It is possible to clearly indicate to the user whether or not the operation has been performed correctly. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an adverse effect that may be caused by the fact that the character font data is not originally built in, which is not known until the character font is downloaded correctly until it is actually recorded and output using the downloaded character font. it can.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, at least in the download mode, the storage contents of the character font storage area and the table storage area are held by the backup means. Even if the power is turned off, the built-in character font data naturally operates like the conventional text-based software-compatible printer device. Therefore, the user turns the printer device off and then on again. Therefore, it is not necessary to re-download the character font data from the other device again, and when the user is using the printer device according to the present invention in the download mode, the user does not need to download the character font data as in the conventional text-based software compatible printer device. Can be handled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an RA of the printer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows distribution of the input buffer area in M.

FIG. 3 is a PC in which the printer device according to the embodiment of the present invention is used.
8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for downloading character font data from the device.

FIG. 4 is an RO of the printer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the content of M.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of test printing.

FIG. 6 is a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is a PC.
6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for printing based on an ASCII code transferred from the apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a mutual relationship among an input buffer memory, a download font table storage area, and a download font storage area.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data flow between a RAM and a FROM in a normal mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a data flow between a RAM and a FROM in a download mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Printer Device 2 CPU 3 ROM 4 Operation Panel 4a Mode Setting Switch 5 PC Device 6 Interface Circuit 7 RAM 7a Work Area 7b Development Area 7c, 7d, 7g Input Buffer Area 7e Download Font Table Storage Area 7f Download Font Storage Area 8 Images Printing unit 9 Recording paper transport unit 10 Backup circuit 11 Battery 12 FROM

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A printer device comprising an input buffer memory, which reads and records and outputs raster image data input from at least another device while sequentially accumulating the raster image data in the input buffer memory. Operation mode setting means for setting the operation mode to either a normal mode for reading and recording and outputting while sequentially accumulating in the input buffer memory or a download mode for recording and outputting based on character font data downloaded from the other device; To specify the character font storage area for storing character font data, the storage address of each character font data stored in the character font storage area, and the character font when the operation mode is set to the download mode Character identification code And a table storage area for storing a table in which the above are associated with each other, and each character font data downloaded from the other device is stored in a corresponding storage address of the character font storage area. Character font download means for extracting the character font data from the corresponding storage address in the character font storage area by referring to the table storage area for the character identification code input from the other device,
A printer device, comprising: a recording and outputting means for recording and outputting based on the character font data. 2. A means for recording and outputting the character font data stored in the character font storage area together with predetermined additional information when the download of the character font data from the other device is completed. Item 2. The printer device according to item 1. 3. The apparatus power source is OF when at least the operation mode is set to the download mode.
3. The printer device according to claim 1, further comprising a backup unit that retains the stored contents of the character font storage area and the table storage area even if F is set.