JPH0995025A - Printer and off-line processing method for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To release a forced data-standby condition preset by a user immediately, and return it to a data receivable condition from an external device. SOLUTION: An off-line counter OC counts non-set elapsed time with an operation indicating part 23 after conducting switching to a non-receivable condition by means of the off-line/on-line change-over switch of the operation indicating part 23, and according to the counted time, a control part 21 and an operation indicating and control part 213 releases the non-receivable condition preset by the off-line/on-line change-over switch of the operation indicating part 23 and transits it to a receivable condition.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for forming a visible image based on input print information and having an operation unit as a user interface, and an off-line processing method for the printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printer device capable of communicating with an information processing device through a predetermined interface, when a user cannot form a visible image, that is, when the printer is put into an offline state, the printer can be re-enabled. The process for forming a visible image could not proceed until the state where a visual image could be formed, that is, the online state was changed.

[0003]

As described above, in the above-described conventional example, when the user makes the offline state, the visible image formation process cannot be performed until the user makes the online state again. However, there is a problem that the processing of the printer device is stopped when the user makes an offline state by an erroneous operation.

Further, in an environment in which a plurality of users are used because they are connected to a network,
There is a problem that a process for forming a visible image desired by other remaining users is stopped due to an erroneous operation by a human user.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and the objects of the first to fourth inventions of the present invention are, after switching to a state in which data from an external device is not received. By changing the data reception status to a data reception status based on the elapsed time and the data input status or the print environment setting status, the forced data standby status set by the user is quickly released, and (EN) Provided are a printing device excellent in operability capable of returning to a data receivable state and an offline processing method of the printing device.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a state switching means for switching a data receiving state from an external device to either a receivable state or a non-receivable state and a desired printing environment are set. Setting means, time measuring means for measuring a non-set elapsed time by the setting means after switching to the unreceivable state by the state switching means, and setting by the state switching means based on the time measured by the time measuring means And a first control means for releasing the unreceivable state and shifting to the receivable state.

A second invention according to the present invention is a status switching means for switching a data reception status from an external device to either a receivable status or a non-receivable status, a setting means for setting a desired printing environment, and Timing means for timing the non-set elapsed time by the setting means after switching to the unreceivable state by the state switching means, determination means for determining the presence / absence of data input from the external device, and the counting time by the timing means and the above Second control means for releasing the unreceivable state set by the state switching means and transitioning to the receivable state based on the discrimination result of the discriminating means.

A third invention according to the present invention has a status switching means for switching a data reception status from an external device to either a receivable status or a non-receivable status, and setting means for setting a desired printing environment. In the off-line processing method of the printing apparatus, a time measuring step of measuring a non-set elapsed time by the setting means after switching to the unreceivable state by the state switching means, and the state switching means set based on the time counting time. And a first transition step of releasing the unreceivable state and transiting to the receivable state.

A fourth invention according to the present invention has a status switching means for switching a data reception status from an external device to either a receivable status or a non-receivable status, and setting means for setting a desired printing environment. In an off-line processing method for a printing apparatus, a time measuring step of measuring a non-set elapsed time by the setting means after switching to the unreceivable state by the state switching means, and a determination step of determining whether or not data is input from the external device. And a second transition step of canceling the unreceivable state set by the state switching means and transitioning to the receivable state based on the measured time and the determination result of the determining means.

[0010]

In the first aspect of the invention, the time measuring means measures the non-set elapsed time by the setting means after the state switching means switches to the unreceivable state, and the first control means controls the time based on the time counting time. Even if the unreceivable state set by the state switching unit is released and transitioned to the receivable state, and the printer is left in the state set to the forced data reception standby state, no setting operation of the printing environment is performed during the predetermined time period. If not,
It is possible to surely return to the data reception state.

In the second invention, the time measuring means measures the non-set elapsed time by the setting means after the state switching means switches to the unreceivable state, and the time measured by the time measuring means and the data from the external device. The second control means cancels the unreceivable state set by the state switching means and shifts to the receivable state based on the determination result of the determining means for determining the presence or absence of the input, and the forced data reception standby state is set. Even if it is left unattended, it is possible to surely return to the data receiving state if there is no setting operation of the printing environment and no data is input from the external device within a predetermined time.

In the third aspect of the invention, the non-set elapsed time by the setting means after the switching to the unreceivable state by the state switching means is timed, and the reception set by the state switching means is based on the timed time. Even if it is left in the state where the forced data reception standby state is set after canceling the disabled state and transitioning to the receivable state, if there is no printing environment setting operation within the specified time, the data reception state is sure It is possible to automate the process of returning to.

In the fourth invention, the non-setting elapsed time by the setting means after the switching to the unreceivable state by the state switching means is timed, the presence or absence of data input from the external device is discriminated, and the time counting time and Based on the discrimination result of the discriminating means, the unreceivable state set by the state switching means is released to transit to the receivable state, and a predetermined time elapses even if the state is set in the forced data reception standby state. If there is no printing environment setting operation during this period and there is no data input from an external device, it is possible to automate the process of reliably returning to the data receiving state.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS This embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a host computer,
Print information including print data and a control code is transmitted to the printer 2. The printer 2 includes a control unit 21, a memory unit 22, an operation instruction unit 23, and a printer unit 24.

The control unit 21 further includes a host interface control unit 211, a memory control unit 212, an operation instruction unit control unit 213, and a printer control unit 214. The control unit 21 controls the entire printer and measures the time during which the user has stopped the operation.
Also, it is determined whether to change the state of the printer device according to the measured time.

The host interface controller 211 controls communication with the host computer for receiving print information from the host computer, and determines whether print information is input. The memory control unit 212 stores the print information and the print pattern, which is a visible image, received from the host computer in the memory unit 22. The operation instruction control unit 213 sends the setting by the operation instruction unit 23 to the control unit 21.

The printer control section 214 transfers the print pattern to the printer section 24. The memory unit 22 stores print information and print patterns. The operation instructing section 23 is a setting means for setting the state of the printer device, and the user sets the offline state and the online state by the operation instructing section 23.

The setting by the operation instructing section 23 is sent to the control section 21 by the operation instructing section control section 213. The printer unit 24 includes a printing mechanism unit (printer engine) for forming a desired permanent visible image on a recording sheet.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each means of the first and second inventions and their operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

The first aspect of the present invention is a state switching means (offline / online of the operation instructing section 23) for switching the data receiving state from the external device (host computer 1) to either the receivable state or the unreceivable state. Changeover switch), setting means for setting a desired printing environment (various keys of the operation instructing section 23), and timing for measuring the non-set elapsed time by the setting means after the state switching means switches to the unreceivable state. Means (offline counter OC of the counter 21a) and first control means (control unit 21) for canceling the unreceivable state set by the state switching means on the basis of the time measured by the time measuring means and transitioning to the receivable state. , The operation instruction unit control unit 213), and the off-line counter OC is used for offline / online operation of the operation instruction unit 23. The non-setting elapsed time by the operation instructing unit 23 after the switching to the unreceivable state by the changeover switch is timed, and the control unit 21 and the operation instructing unit control unit 213 switch the operation instructing unit 23 offline / online based on the timed time. If there is no print environment setting operation within the specified time even if the switch is set to the receivable state by setting the switch to the receivable state set to the receivable state and the forced data reception standby state is set It is possible to surely return to the data receiving state.

A second aspect of the present invention is a state switching means (offline / online of the operation instructing section 23) for switching the data receiving state from the external device (host computer 1) to either the receivable state or the unreceivable state. Changeover switch), setting means for setting a desired printing environment (various keys of the operation instructing section 23), and timing for measuring the non-set elapsed time by the setting means after the state switching means switches to the unreceivable state. Means (offline counter OC of the counter 21a), determination means (host interface control section 211, control section 21) for determining the presence / absence of data input from the external device, the time measured by the time counting means, and the determination result of the determination means The unreceivable state set by the state switching means is canceled based on Second control means for (the control unit 2
1, the operation instruction unit control unit 213) and measures the non-set elapsed time by various keys of the operation instruction unit 23 after the offline counter OC is switched to the unreceivable state by the offline / online changeover switch, Reception set by the state switching means by the control unit 21 and the operation instruction unit control unit 213 based on the determination result of the host interface control unit 211 and the control unit 21 that determines the time counted by the OC and the presence / absence of data input from the external device. Even if it is left in the state where it is set to the forced data reception standby state after canceling the disabled state and transitioning to the receivable state, there is no printing environment setting operation during the predetermined time, and data from the external device If there is no input, it is possible to surely return to the data receiving state.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a first embodiment of an off-line processing method for a printing apparatus according to the present invention.
Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

It should be noted that in the present embodiment, when an off-line state is entered, processing is performed by the subsequent operation from the operation instructing section 23. At that time, the time during which no operation is performed from the operation instructing section 23 is measured, and if the time during which no operation is performed exceeds a certain amount and the print information is input, the online state is entered. Further, an offline counter (in this embodiment, an internal counter 21a in the control unit 21)
Is a counter indicating the time when no operation is performed, and is incremented by a time interrupt in the offline state.

First, in step (1), the offline counter OC is cleared, and in step (2), the operation instruction control unit 2
The state of the operation instruction section 23 is read through 13. Then, in step (3), it is determined whether or not an operation from the operation instructing section 23 is occurring. When it is determined that an operation is occurring, the process proceeds to step (4), and no operation is occurring. When it is determined that, the process proceeds to step (7).

Therefore, when an operation from the operation instructing section 23 has occurred, a process corresponding to the operation is performed in step (4), and then the offline counter OC is cleared in step (5) to execute the step ( Proceed to 6) to determine whether or not the operation that occurred in step (2) is a transition operation to the online state, and perform the transition operation to the online state (instruction operation by the offline / online changeover switch on the operation panel (not shown)). If it is determined that there is an operation, the process is terminated, and if it is determined that it is not an operation for shifting to the online state, the process returns to step (2).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (3) that no operation has occurred, the offline counter OC determines in step (7) that the off-line counter OC has reached a certain time (an arbitrary time is not shown in the NV chart).
(It can be set in RAM, etc.) is determined, and if it is determined that a certain time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step (8), and if the certain time has not elapsed. When the determination is made, the process returns to step (2).

Next, in step (8), it is judged whether or not the print information is input to the host computer 1 or the like. If it is judged that the print information does not exist, the process returns to step (2) and if the print information exists. When the determination is made, the process of shifting to the online state is performed in step (9), and then the process ends.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each step of the fourth invention and its action will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a state switching means (offline / online of the operation instructing section 23) for switching the data receiving state from the external device (host computer 1) to either the receivable state or the unreceivable state. In the off-line processing method for a printing apparatus having a changeover switch) and setting means (various keys of the operation instructing section 23) for setting a desired printing environment, the setting means after the state switching means has switched to the unreceivable state The timekeeping process (step (1) in FIG. 2,
(7)), a determination step for determining the presence / absence of data input from the external device (step (8) in FIG. 2), and the state switching means sets the time based on the time count and the determination result of the determination means. The second transition process (step (9) in FIG. 2) for canceling the unreceivable state and transiting to the receivable state is executed, and even if the state is set in the forced data reception standby state If there is no printing environment setting operation during the lapse of time and there is no data input from an external device, it is possible to automate the process of reliably returning to the data receiving state.

In the above embodiment, the offline state is switched to the online state when the operation instruction section 23 has not been operated for a certain period of time and print information is input. It is also possible to control the transition to the online state depending on the elapse of the time when the operation is not performed from the operation instructing unit 23, regardless of whether or not the print information is input. Hereinafter, an explanation will be given of the embodiment (an example of shifting to an online state due to a lapse of time when an operation is not performed from the operation instructing unit regardless of whether print information is input) with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. To do.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the off-line processing method for a printing apparatus according to the present invention, in which (1) to (8) show respective steps. In addition, this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that when the offline counter reaches a certain time or more, it shifts to the online state without discriminating the input of print information. Therefore, the steps (7), (8) will be described.

In step (7), it is determined whether or not the offline counter OC has passed a certain period of time, and if it is determined that the certain period of time has passed, then it is determined whether print information has been input. In step (8), the process of shifting to the online state is performed without performing the above, and the process ends. As a result, when the offline counter OC exceeds a certain time, it is possible to shift to the online state without discriminating the input of print information.

Correspondence between this embodiment and each step of the third invention and its action will be described below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

A third aspect of the present invention is a state switching means (offline / online of the operation instructing section 23) for switching the data receiving state from the external device (host computer 1) to either the receivable state or the unreceivable state. In the off-line processing method for a printing apparatus having a changeover switch) and setting means (various keys of the operation instructing section 23) for setting a desired printing environment, the setting means after the state switching means has switched to the unreceivable state The timekeeping process (step (1) in FIG. 3,
(7)), and a first transition step (step (8) in FIG. 3) for releasing the reception-disabled state set by the state switching means based on the time count and transitioning to the reception-enabled state.
Automating the process to reliably return to the data reception state if the printing environment setting operation is not performed within the predetermined time even if the printer is left in the forced data reception standby state by executing Is possible.

[Third Embodiment] In the present embodiment, the criterion for the transition to the online state is the case where the time during which the operation from the operation instructing section 23 is not performed exceeds a certain time. The time can be a variable value set by the user. As a method of setting the fixed time by the user, setting by the operation instructing section 23, setting by print information from the host computer 1 or the like is possible. In addition,
The control algorithm in the off-line state is
Since it is similar to the second embodiment, detailed description will be omitted.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or to an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0040]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the invention, the time measuring means measures the non-set elapsed time by the setting means after the state switching means switches to the unreceivable state, and the first control means controls the state switching means based on the time measuring time. Since the set unreceivable state is released and the state transitions to the receivable state, even if the printer is left in the state set to the forced data reception standby state, if there is no printing environment setting operation within the predetermined time, It is possible to surely return to the data receiving state.

According to the second invention, the time measuring means measures the non-set elapsed time by the setting means after switching to the unreceivable state by the state changing means, and the time measured by the time measuring means and the external device. The second control means releases the unreceivable state set by the state switching means and shifts to the receivable state based on the discrimination result of the discriminating means for discriminating the presence / absence of data input. Even if the printer is left in the set state, it is possible to surely return to the data receiving state if there is no setting operation of the printing environment and no data is input from the external device within the predetermined time.

According to the third invention, the non-setting elapsed time by the setting means after the switching to the unreceivable state by the state switching means is timed, and is set by the state switching means based on the timed time. Since the unreceivable state is canceled and the state transitions to the receivable state, even if the printer is left in the state set to the forced data reception standby state, if there is no printing environment setting operation within the predetermined time, the data will be reliably The process of returning to the reception state can be automated.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the non-setting elapsed time by the setting means after the switching to the unreceivable state by the state switching means is timed, the presence or absence of data input from the external device is discriminated, and the timed time is measured. Also, the unreceivable state set by the state switching means is released based on the discrimination result of the discriminating means to shift to the receivable state. Therefore, even if the forced data reception standby state is left, If there is no setting operation of the printing environment during the lapse of time and there is no data input from the external device, the process of surely returning to the data receiving state can be automated.

Therefore, there is an effect that the forced data standby state set by the user can be quickly released to return to a state in which data can be received from an external device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of an off-line processing method for a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of an off-line processing method for a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 host computer 2 printer 21 control unit 21a counter 22 memory unit 23 operation instruction unit 24 printer unit 211 host interface control unit 212 memory control unit 213 operation instruction control unit 214 printer control unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A state switching means for switching a data receiving state from an external device to either a receivable state or a non-receivable state, and a setting means for setting a desired printing environment.
The clocking means for clocking the non-set elapsed time by the setting means after switching to the unreceivable state by the state switching means, and the unreceivable state set by the state switching means based on the clocked time by the timing means And a first control unit for making a transition to a receivable state. 2. A state switching means for switching a data reception state from an external device to either a receivable state or a non-receivable state, and a setting means for setting a desired printing environment.
A time measuring means for measuring a non-set elapsed time by the setting means after switching to the unreceivable state by the state switching means, a judging means for judging presence / absence of data input from the external device, and a time measuring time by the time measuring means, And a second control unit for releasing the unreceivable state set by the state switching unit and shifting to the receivable state based on the determination result of the determination unit. 3. An off-line processing method for a printing apparatus, comprising a status switching means for switching a data reception status from an external device to either a receivable status or a non-receivable status, and setting means for setting a desired printing environment. A time counting step of measuring a non-set elapsed time by the setting means after the state switching means switches to the unreceivable state, and the reception disabled state set by the state switching means based on the timed time is canceled and received. And a first transition step of transitioning to a ready state. 4. An off-line processing method for a printing apparatus, comprising a status switching means for switching a data reception status from an external device to either a receivable status or a non-receivable status, and setting means for setting a desired printing environment. A time counting step of measuring a non-set elapsed time by the setting means after the state switching means switches to the unreceivable state, a determination step of determining the presence or absence of data input from the external device, the time counting time and the determination means A second transition step of releasing the unreceivable state set by the state switching means and transitioning to the receivable state based on the determination result of the above.