JPS5959459A - Reverse-order printing system for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable to print in a reverse order by only software, by storing reverse-order character patterns in a character generator in addition to normal- order character patterns, in a dot matrix printer. CONSTITUTION:An ROM having a capacity of 2k bytes is used for the character generator 2, wherein the normal-order character patterns such as alphanumeric letters or the like each of which consists of a matrix of 7X5 dots are stored in a memory of 1k byte, and the reverse-order character patterns are stored in the remaining 1k byte. One of the reverse-order character pattern is appointed by a character-appointing signal S1 from a CPU1, the signal is inputted into the character generator 2 together with a line signal S2, and when a printing position appointing signal S3 is inputted into a decoder 3, each output signal is inputted into a thermal head 6 through buffers 4, 5 to print a reverse-order character. Accordingly, normal-order printing and reverse-order printing can be switchedly conducted with only software without using any exclusive-use capable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (1) Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing method for a printer, and more particularly to a reverse printing method for a printer used in both forward printing and reverse printing.

(2) Background of the technology In general, the printing methods of printers are the normal printing method, in which the fonts printed are erect in the direction of travel of the printing paper, as shown in Figure 1, and the normal printing method, as shown in Figure 1. As shown in (B), there is a reverse printing method in which the fonts printed are upside down relative to the direction in which the printing paper travels. Generally, depending on the printer model, the forward printing method or reverse printing method is predetermined, but for printers such as thermal printers that print dot matrix characters,
It is possible to use one model of printer for both forward printing and reverse printing.

(3) Prior Art and Problems A schematic configuration of a print control circuit of a conventional thermal printer is shown in FIG. In the circuit of Figure 2, CP
Character designation signal S1 and line designation signal S2 from UI
is input to a character generator (CG) 2, and a print location designation signal S3 is input to a decoder 3. The output signals of character generator 2 and decoder 3 are:
Thermal head 6 via buffers 4 and 5 respectively
is input. In character generator 2, character no J? When the turn is 1, for example, the third
It is stored in the form shown in the figure.

By the way, in the print control circuit shown in FIG. 2, when performing reverse order printing, the character pattern stored in the character generator 2 is for normal order printing, so the connection between the buffer 4 and the thermal head is It is necessary to switch. Therefore, using a connection cable exclusively for reverse order printing,
The connection between the buffer 4 and the thermal head 60 is switched. However, using a cable exclusively for reverse printing in this way requires a removable connector for connecting the cable, and also requires a space for replacing the cable connection. Therefore, there are problems in that the mounting space is large and the cost is high.

(4) Object of the Invention In view of the problems of the conventional type described above, the object of the present invention is to store the reverse 1-printing pattern together with the normal J[printing pattern] in the character generator. An object of the present invention is to provide a reverse order printing method for a printer, which allows software to perform reverse order printing without using a cable.

(5) Structure of the Invention In the present invention, in a printer configured to print character patterns stored in a character generator as a dot matrix, the character generator can print not only the normal JP&'' single character pattern but also the reverse character pattern. There is provided a reverse order printing method for a printer in which the reverse order printing is performed by storing the character pattern in reverse order and outputting the above-mentioned reverse order character pattern.

(6) Embodiment of the Invention A reverse printing method of a printer as an embodiment of the invention will be described below. The configuration of the print control circuit of a printer to which the reverse printing method according to the present invention is applied is basically the same as that of the conventional type shown in FIG. 2, but the character generator 2 in the circuit of FIG. This differs from the conventional case in that the reverse order character pattern is stored together with the normal order character pattern. For example, if one character is printed in reverse using a 7 x 5 dot matrix, 1 byte of memory can store alphanumeric characters, turns, etc. Therefore, 2 bytes of ROM can be stored. If used as a character generator, in the case of the conventional type, Fig. 3 (
As shown in 4), only lk bytes are used and the remaining 1 bytes are unused.

On the other hand, in the case of the present invention, 1 byte is the if-turn area for characters in normal order, and the remaining lk bytes are for characters in reverse order. Normal order characters/('The arrangement of data in the turn area is A, B as shown in FIG.

It is arranged on C...'s face. On the other hand, the data arrangement in the reverse order character pattern area is as shown in FIG.
Reverse letters are arranged in the order of ■, D, . . . . Therefore, in the reverse order printing method according to the present invention, when performing reverse JilR printing, it is sufficient to specify the data stored in the reverse order character pattern area by software;
A dedicated cable for bidirectional printing is not required.

(7) Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a reverse order printing method for a printer that can switch between normal order printing and reverse order printing using software without using a dedicated cable. It is possible to reduce the size and cost of the signal generator.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 (4) and (B) are diagrams showing normal order printing and reverse order printing in the printer. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the print control circuit of a thermal printer. Figure 3 (4) and (B) are diagrams showing the print control circuit of a thermal printer. , the character of the circuit in Figure 2.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the memory area of the ROM of the generator, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the memory configuration for normal character patterns, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the memory configuration for reverse character patterns. (Explanation of symbols) 1: CPU, 2: Character groove generator, 3: Decoder, 4, 5: Buffer, 6: Thermal head. Figure 1 (A) (B> Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a printer configured to print character patterns stored in a character generator as a dot matrix, the character generator stores not only normal character patterns but also reverse character patterns,
A reverse order printing method for a printer which performs reverse order printing by outputting the above-mentioned reverse order character pattern.