JPH10340171A - Printer inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer inspection method capable of executing necessary inspection by setting a protocol between with a host computer without operating a dip switch. SOLUTION: The inspection method of a printer 2 with an interface 44 in which the protocol of data transmission/reception by a dip switch 47 is set temporarily invalidates the setting of the switch 47 to set a prescribed protocol in the printer 2 by a switch 48 installed separately from the switch 47 and inspects the printer 2 by a host computer 8 with which the protocol is set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for inspecting a printer device such as a printer which sets a protocol using a dip switch for exchanging data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is necessary for a printer to set a protocol for data transfer according to a connected computer. This protocol setting is performed by a dip switch. Therefore, a printer or a computer is provided with a dip switch including a plurality of switches. Dip switches installed in the printer include, for example, a switch for setting a data transfer rate, D
8 switches such as a switch for switching between TR mode and X-ON / X-OFF mode, a switch for switching between 8 data bits and 7 data bits, a switch for switching between no parity check and vertical parity check, and a switch for switching between odd parity and even parity. It consists of a set of switches.

As prior art relating to diagnosis of printers and terminal devices, there are JP-A-3-125231 "diagnosis program control device" and JP-A-3-121878 "printer system". Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 3-125231 discloses a diagnostic program control device that sets a mode setting switch of a terminal device to a diagnostic mode and shifts to a diagnostic mode only when an operation check switch is on. In this case, in order to return the terminal device to the normal operation state, an operation of returning the mode setting switch to the operation mode is required. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 3-121878 discloses an online diagnosis for executing a diagnosis program by connecting a host system and a printer system and an offline diagnosis for operating only with a printer mechanism, with respect to a printer system and a host system comprising a printer controller and a printer mechanism. Is disclosed. However, if the protocol between the host system and the printer system is incorrectly set, online diagnosis is impossible. On the other hand, in the offline diagnosis, only the operation of the printer mechanism alone can be checked, and it cannot be checked whether data transfer can be performed correctly.

[0004] For example, when a malfunction occurs in a printer, the printer is taken to a maker or a maintenance company with a DIP switch set for repair. In the case of performing inspection such as operation analysis of the printer, it is necessary to connect the printer to be inspected to a host computer and to newly set a protocol with the host computer. This protocol must be set by a dip switch, and the protocol set by the consumer is changed.

[0005] Inspection of the printer is performed, for example, by referring to FIG.
Is executed by the inspection program shown in FIG. That is, in step S41, the DIP switch of the inspection printer is checked. Next, in step S42, it is confirmed whether or not the dip switch of the inspection printer is the same as the interface (I / F) protocol of the host computer. If it is determined in step S42 that the DIP switch is different from the I / F protocol of the host computer, the process proceeds to step S43, and if it is determined that the DIP switch is the same as the I / F protocol of the host computer, Move to step S44. In step S43, the DIP switch of the inspection printer is set to the I / F protocol setting of the host computer. In this case, set all the DIP switches to the ON state,
Move to step S44. In step S44, the host computer and the inspection printer are connected via an I / F cable, and the respective power supplies are turned on. Then, the process proceeds to step S45. In step S45, the printer is inspected to confirm the operation of the printer. Next, in step S46, each power supply of the inspection printer and the host computer is turned off, the I / F case is removed, and the process proceeds to step S47. In step S47, it is determined whether or not the inspection printer is non-defective. If the inspection printer is defective, the process proceeds to step S48. In step S48, a failure analysis, which is the eye of the inspection, is performed to extract a defective portion. In step S49, necessary measures such as repair of the defective portion are performed, and the process returns to step S44. Then, if it is determined through step S44 to S47 that it is non-defective in step S47, step S5
Move to 0. In step S50, the dip switch of the inspection printer is returned to the setting before the inspection, and the inspection is completed.

[0006]

Incidentally, the protocol is changed depending on the computer to be connected, and the protocol at the time of inspection and the protocol set by the customer are usually different. Therefore, when the protocol set by the customer is changed, it is necessary to return to the protocol after the inspection, but since the DIP switch is configured with a plurality of fine switches, the setting or The change is very cumbersome. In the case of inspection, since the setting of the protocol shifts all of the dip switches to the ON state, the operation itself is not so troublesome, but the return operation after the inspection is rather troublesome. The inspector records the set protocol before the inspection, and after the inspection, performs operations such as operating a dip switch based on the record, and such an operation is very troublesome,
There is a risk of causing an error in the return of the DIP switch or forgetting the return operation of the DIP switch itself.

[0007] Further, when an inspection is performed on a printer that is determined to be abnormal, no abnormality is found in the printer, and there is a case in which a computer on the customer side malfunctions or a dip switch is set incorrectly. If the protocol is not set correctly due to a dip switch setting error, data transfer with the host computer cannot be performed correctly. In such a case, changing the setting of the DIP switch
It also leads to troubles with consumers.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a printer device inspection method in which a protocol setting by a DIP switch is temporarily invalidated and a required inspection is performed by setting a predetermined protocol with a host computer. The purpose is to do.

[0009]

According to the inspection method of a printer device of the present invention, an interface (4) in which a data transfer protocol is set by a dip switch (47).
4) A method of inspecting a printer device comprising: 4) temporarily disabling a protocol setting by the dip switch by using a switch (48) installed on the printer device separately from the dip switch; A printer is inspected by setting a predetermined protocol and enabling data transmission / reception with a host computer in which the protocol is set. According to this inspection method, data can be exchanged with the host computer even in a printer device in which the protocol is incorrectly set, and the inspection can be executed reliably. In this case, it is conceivable that the mode is switched to the inspection mode by operating the switch when the power of the printer is turned on. By doing so, it is possible to shift to the inspection mode without operating the DIP switch for setting the protocol. Further, the inspection method of the printer device according to the present invention includes:
When the power of the printer is turned on again, the protocol setting by the DIP switch becomes valid again.
According to the present invention, it is possible to return to the setting state before the execution of the inspection without performing any special operation for return. After shifting to the inspection mode, the print control system is first diagnosed by self-printing, and then the data reception control system is diagnosed, so that a reliable inspection process can be executed.

[0010]

After connecting a printer device to which a protocol is to be set and a host computer required for inspection, a switch installed in the printer device separately from the dip switch temporarily disables the protocol setting by the dip switch. A predetermined protocol is set in the printer device, and an inspection program is executed by receiving data from a host computer in which the protocol is set, and an inspection such as an operation check of the printer device and a failure analysis is performed.

[0011]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an inspection method for a printer according to the present invention. The printer 2 is provided with a printer control unit 4 for performing various controls required for printing, such as print control and paper feed control. The printer control unit 4 includes a printer mechanism unit 6 for performing printing and paper feed based on output data. It is connected.

A central processing unit (CPU) 41 that receives print information and performs data processing such as calculation for print processing is installed in the printer control unit 4.
Read only memory (ROM) 42 and write-once memory (RAM) 43 as storage means for the data processing
Is installed. Various control programs such as a print control program and other fixed data are written in the ROM 42, and various data being calculated by the CPU 41 are written in the RAM 43 as needed.

The printer controller 4 is provided with an interface (I / F) 44 for linking with an external data processing device, in this embodiment, a host computer 8 for performing inspection. A driver 45 and a receiver 46 are provided for transmitting and receiving print output and the like to and from the printer mechanism 6. The host computer 8 is a computer used for inspecting the printer 2 at the time of factory shipment or the like.

The printer controller 4 is provided with a dip switch 47 for setting a required protocol, and a switch 48 as an inspection switch capable of setting a protocol separately from the dip switch 47. The switch 48 is provided with a line feed switch 481 and an online switch 482.

Based on the above configuration, the operation is shown in FIGS.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a control program of the printer 2. In step S1, the power of the printer 2 is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, it is determined whether or not the LF switch 481 has been pressed. If the LF switch 481 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, self-printing is performed, and the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, it is determined whether or not the online switch 482 has been pressed. If the online switch 482 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, all the interface settings are set to the ON state, and preparation for the inspection is completed, and the process proceeds to step S8.

Then, in step S2, the LF switch 48
If it is determined in step S4 that the online switch 482 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, after reading the dip switch, the process proceeds to step S7 to set the interface settings according to the dip switch 47, and then proceeds to step S8.

In step S8, data from the host computer 8 is received, and predetermined data processing, that is,
Processing such as inspection of the printer 2 is performed.

According to such a program processing, the protocol necessary for cooperation with the host computer 8 can be changed without changing the setting of the dip switch 47.
Required for the printer 2, and the operation of returning the DIP switch 47 after the inspection is not required at all.

FIG. 3 shows an inspection program. That is, in step S11, the host computer 8 and the printer 2 to be inspected are connected by an I / F cable, each power is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the power of the printer 2 to be inspected is turned on while pressing the LF switch 481, and the on-line switch 482 is pressed at the end of the self-printing to adjust the I / F to the host computer 8. At this time, a protocol corresponding to the host computer 8 is set in the interface 44 of the printer 2.

Then, in step S13, the inspection, that is,
After the operation is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S14, in which the power of the printer 2 and the host computer is turned off, and the I / F cable between them is disconnected. Next, in step S15, it is determined whether or not the printer 2 is a non-defective product. If not, the process proceeds to step S16, where a failure analysis is performed to extract a defective portion.
The process shifts to step S17 to perform necessary processing such as repair of a defective portion and replacement of parts, and shifts to step S11 again.
Then, after steps S11 to S15, step S1
If it is determined to be non-defective in 5, the inspection is terminated. Thereafter, when the power of the printer is turned on again, S6 to S in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, the DIP switch is read, the interface setting, that is, the protocol is set according to the DIP switch, and the data is received from the host computer 8 to perform the processing.

As described above, the protocol can be set for the interface 44 and the inspection program can be executed without operating the DIP switch 47, and the printer is turned on again after the inspection is completed. Since the protocol returns to the protocol before the inspection alone, there is no need to perform the return operation of the DIP switch as in the related art, and the setting mistake of the DIP switch 47 can be prevented.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, the protocol setting by the DIP switch is temporarily invalidated even when data cannot be exchanged with the host computer due to a protocol setting error on the printer side. ,
The printer can be set to a predetermined inspection protocol, and data can be reliably transmitted and received to and from the host computer, and inspections such as operation confirmation and failure analysis can be performed. Also, after the inspection is completed, simply turning the printer power on again enables the protocol setting by the DIP switch again, and returns to the protocol before the inspection. Can be prevented beforehand, and the inspection efficiency can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of an inspection method for a printer device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a program of the printer device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a program of a printer device inspection method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a conventional inspection program in a printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Printer 4 Printer Control Unit 8 Host Computer 41 CPU (Control Means) 42 ROM 44 Interface 47 DIP Switch 48 Switch

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A method of inspecting a printer device provided with an interface in which a data transfer protocol is set by a DIP switch, wherein a switch installed in the printer device separately from the DIP switch is used. A printer for temporarily inspecting the printer device by temporarily disabling the setting, setting a predetermined protocol in the printer device, and enabling data exchange with a host computer in which the protocol is set. Equipment inspection method. 2. The inspection method for a printer device according to claim 1, wherein the mode is shifted to an inspection mode by a switch operation when the power of the printer device is turned on. 3. The inspection method for a printer device according to claim 2, wherein the protocol setting by the DIP switch becomes valid again when the power of the printer device is turned on again. 4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising, after shifting to the inspection mode, diagnosing a print control system by self-printing and then diagnosing a data reception control system. .