JPH11175303A - Printer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform an appropriate processing in the case that a status error is generated at the time of connecting a host device to a printer device and being in an ID response mode. SOLUTION: When the ID response mode is started, this printer device checks the reception of data from the host device, and at the time of receiving the data within fixed time, changes a status to be sent to the host device (steps S1-S5). In the case of not receiving the data within the fixed time, it is judged as the status error, a host I/F is closed, a key operation is changed from invalid to valid and a user is notified. Further, the other host I/F is opened and the reception of the data from the other host device is made possible (S6-S9).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer for receiving print data from a computer and printing the data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional printers are designed to operate in accordance with the state of the printer, such as out of paper, jam, and cover open.
The status of the BUSY signal, PE signal, SELECT signal, and the like is changed. The host device can know the status of the printer device by changing the status of the printer device. Further, the printer may not only change the status according to the status of the printer, but also change the status according to data received from the host device. For example, there are a printer ID response mode command and a print end request command.

[0003] After receiving the printer ID response mode command, the printer enters the ID response mode. During the ID response mode, the status is changed according to the data received from the host device. After confirming that the status changed by the printer device corresponds to the data, the host device transmits the next data to the printer device. As described above, the host device transfers data while performing handshake with the printer device, and checks the status of the printer device.

[0004] The data transmitted by the host device during the ID response mode includes a case where only one byte is transmitted and a case where 0x00-0.
There is a case where transmission is performed up to xFF. The host device transmits normal print data and the like after confirming that the printer device has correctly changed the status according to all data transmitted during the printer ID response mode, and the printer device sets the ID response mode. Exit and return to the normal processing mode.

In the conventional printer, key operations from the panel are invalid during the ID response mode. Further, even when a plurality of host I / Fs are connected, other I / Fs may be connected.
Since F is closed, data cannot be transmitted from another host device.

[0006]

In the conventional printer described above, if the printer cannot change to a status corresponding to the data during the ID response mode, the printer enters an error state and thereafter becomes a host. There is a problem that the device cannot transmit data.

There is no problem if the ID response mode ends normally, but if an error occurs during the ID response mode, no data can be transmitted from the host device thereafter, and the connection is not possible. There is a problem that data cannot be transmitted from another host device.

Further, the key operation from the panel is invalid, so that the printer device stops. Release the error,
To release the stopped state of the printer, the power of the printer must be turned off. However, when the power is turned off, there is a problem that print data and the like stored in the RAM are cleared.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and has as its object to enable appropriate processing to be performed on a status error that has occurred during an ID response mode.

[0010]

According to the present invention, in order to attain the above object, an interface means for connecting a host device and a status in an ID response mode in response to a command from the connected host device are provided. In receiving data from the host device, output means for outputting a status signal corresponding to the data to the host device, and after the status signal has changed, the next data from the host device within a predetermined time period. There is provided a detecting means for detecting whether or not the data has been received, and determining that a status error has occurred when the data has not been received within a predetermined time.

Further, a control means for closing the interface means when the status error occurs may be provided. Further, an operation means for invalidating the operation in the ID response mode and validating the operation after the occurrence of the status error may be provided.

Further, display means for displaying that the interface means has been closed may be provided. Further, a plurality of interface means may be provided, and a control means for opening other interface means except the interface means to which the host device is connected when the status error occurs may be provided.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram around the controller 100 of the printer device. In FIG.
Is a CPU that controls the entire controller in accordance with a program in the program ROM 104, a mode instruction from the panel device 110, and a command from the host devices 1 and 2. An IC card 102 supplies font data and a program from the outside. 103 is a panel device 1
This is a nonvolatile storage device that stores the contents of the mode instruction from 10 and the like, and is an NVRAM.

A program ROM 104 stores a control program for the controller. 105 is
Font RO that stores font pattern data, etc.
M. Reference numeral 106 denotes a RAM used as a work memory of the CPU 101, an input buffer for input data, a page buffer for print data, a memory for download fonts, and the like.

Reference numeral 107 denotes an engine interface for communicating commands, statuses, and print data with the engine 108. Reference numeral 108 denotes an engine that actually performs printing. A panel interface 109 communicates commands and status with the panel device 110. Reference numeral 110 denotes a panel device for notifying the user of the current status of the printer and for giving a mode instruction.

Reference numeral 111 denotes host interfaces 1 and 2 for communicating with the host device 112, which is usually a Centro I / F or RS232C. Reference numeral 112 denotes host devices 1 and 2 which are higher-level devices of the printer. Reference numeral 113 denotes a disk interface for communicating with the disk device 114. A disk device 114 stores various data such as font data, programs, and print data, such as a floppy disk device or a hard disk device.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. If the data received from the host device 1 (112-1) through the host I / F 1 (111-1) is a printer ID response mode command, the printer device enters the ID response mode. While the printer device is in the ID response mode, the host I / F 2 (111-2) is closed. Therefore, data cannot be transmitted from the host device 2 (112-2). Further, during the ID response mode, key operations from the panel device 109 are invalidated.

The printer device communicates with the host device 1 (11-1) through the host I / F 1 (111-1) during the ID response mode.
When data is received from 2-1) (step S2:
Y), the status of the host I / F1 (111-1) is changed according to the data (step S3). Data is I
If the data ends the D response mode (step S
4: Y), and end the ID response mode (step S1)
0), and then perform normal printing processing. However, if the data is not data for terminating the ID response mode (step S4: N), the CPU 101 resets the aging process of the timeout period and newly starts the aging process (step S1).

Even if no data has been received from the host device 1 (112-1) through the host I / F 1 (111-1) (step S2: N), if the timeout time set in the RAM 106 has not elapsed. (Step S
5: N), and waits for reception of data from the host device 1 (112-1) through the host I / F1 (111-1) until the timeout period elapses (step S5: Y). If the data is received before the time-out period elapses (step S5: N, step S2: Y), the processing after step S3 is performed. However, the host I / F1 (1
If no data is received from the host device 1 (112-1) through 11-1) (step S2: N) and the timeout period has elapsed (step S5: Y), I
It is determined that an error has occurred during the D response mode.

Next, when it is determined that an error has occurred in the printer, the host I / F 1 (111-1) is closed (step S6). If it is determined that an error has occurred in the printer device, the key operation from the panel device 109 is validated (step S7). This enables emulation switching and reset processing.

Further, the printer device is connected to the host I / F 1
The user is notified that (111-1) has been closed so that the user can recognize it (step S8). As an example of the notification method, when the host I / F 1 (111-1) closes, a printing condition list as shown in FIG. 3 is automatically printed, and an error history is recorded therein. If it is determined that an error has occurred in the printer, the host I
/ F2 (111-2) is opened. Thus, data can be received from the host device 2 (112-2).

[0022]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, by performing time-out aging processing during the ID response mode, when data is not transmitted from the host device within a certain period of time, the host computer can execute the processing. It can be determined that an error has occurred in the device or the printer device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a status error occurs, the interface can be closed. According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a status error occurs during the ID response mode, the emulation switching and reset processing can be performed without turning off the power, so that the print data and the like stored in the RAM are not cleared. In this case, it is possible to avoid an error during the ID response mode and to stop the printing apparatus.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the user enters the ID
It is possible to recognize that a status error has occurred during the response mode. According to the invention of claim 5, after the occurrence of the status error, data can be received from another host device. Further, it is possible to avoid stopping the printer device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a print example for notifying occurrence of an error.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 controller 101 CPU 109 panel I / F 110 panel device 111 host I / F 1, 2 112 host device 1, 2

Claims (5)

[Claims] An interface means for connecting a host device, and an ID in response to a command from the connected host device
Output means for outputting a status signal corresponding to the data to the host device when receiving data from the host device in the response mode; and after the status signal changes, the host device within a predetermined time. And a detecting means for detecting whether or not the next data has been received from the printer, and determining that a status error has occurred if the next data has not been received within a predetermined time. 2. When the status error occurs,
2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising control means for closing said interface means. 3. The printer device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation means for invalidating the operation in the ID response mode and validating the operation after the occurrence of the status error. 4. The printer device according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit for displaying that said interface unit is closed. 5. A system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of interface means are provided, and control means for opening other interface means except for the interface means to which said host device is connected when said status error occurs. Item 2. The printer according to Item 1.