JPS60182088A - Detecting and processing system of memory cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect that a memory cartridge is loaded on a cartridge holder and to decide the type of the loaded cartridge by outputting a control signal from a memory cartridge. CONSTITUTION:When a ROM cartridge 12a is loaded on a cartridge holder SL, the 1st signal of a logic zero and the 2nd signal of a logic zero are outputted from a signal line 121a and signal line 121b, respectively, inverted by invertors 13b and 13d, and go to a logic ''1'', which set flip-flops 13a and 13c. The contents of a register 13 are 11, that is, the memory cartridge 12a is loaded, and that the loaded cartridge is a ROM one is shown. When the RAM cartridge is loaded, ''0'' and ''1'' are outputted from the signal line 121a and the signal line 121b, respectively, and the contents of the register 13 go to ''10''. Whether or not a cartridge is loaded and what type the loaded cartridge can be decided by the contents of the register 13.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a processing method for detecting the attachment of a memory cartridge for detecting that a memory cartridge in which a memory is configured in the form of a cassette is attached to a main body. In particular, the present invention relates to a memory cartridge detection processing method that is capable of detecting the type of memory cartridge installed.

[Technology background]

With recent advances in memory technology, various types of memories are being used in large quantities in various ways. Such a memory is generally fixed to a printed board G inside the dragon, but in recent years, memory that can be attached to and detached from the device has come into use. This kind of memory is called a memory cartridge.
The part containing the memory and the connector is configured in a case/nod shape, and is attached to the connector on the main body of the device when necessary, while the part that is not needed (
, > Use it by removing it from the main body of the device.

[Prior art and problems]

For example, even in a printer configured as shown in Figure 1,
It uses a memory cartridge.

To explain the printer with the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the printer is composed of a control unit 1 and a printing mechanism section 2. The control unit 1 is connected to a host computer, and has a control section 10 composed of a microcomputer, a memory 11, and a pattern printer. It has a generator 12. Print data (print format, print code, etc.) is sent page by page from the host computer via a line or cable, and the control unit 10 stores it in the memory 11, reads it out, edits it, and sends it to the pattern generator 12. A video signal, which is a printing pattern, is created using the . In the printing mechanism section 2, a drive unit 21a receives this and outputs a laser diode (light emitting source).
Controls the light emission of 21b. The light from the laser diode 21b is scanned by the rotating mirror 21C and reaches the rotating photosensitive drum 22 via the lens 21d. Photosensitive drum 2
2 is charged by a charger 23a operated by a high voltage source 2'3b, a charge pattern (electrostatic latent image) corresponding to the e-deo signal is created by the light from the laser diode 21b, and this latent image is transferred to a developing device. 24.

On the other hand, the paper on the hopper (cassette/z) 28 is sent toward the photosensitive drum 22, the developed image on the photosensitive drum 22 is transferred, and after the transfer, the paper is fixed by the fixing rollers 26a and 26b while being transferred to the stacker 27. Sent. The photosensitive drum 22 is cleaned by a cleaner 25 and prepared for next use.

In a printer that operates in this manner, the pattern generator 12 stores patterns of characters, symbols, etc. corresponding to codes such as characters, symbols, etc., and is configured with an IC memory, and the pattern generator 12 stores character codes, etc. Outputs character patterns etc. according to etc.

On the other hand, the types of characters used by printer users are not uniform; for example, there are various types of characters, such as alphabets, numbers only, hiragana, katakana only, kanji, and other foreign characters (Arabic characters, Russian characters, etc.). It is.

Therefore, if the pattern memory, which is a character generator, is fixed on the circuit, it will not be easy to change it accordingly, and if the user wants to add a different character type to the initial character type. It is not easy to expand the number of units.

For this reason, the pattern memory 12 is constituted by a memory cartridge consisting of an IC memory 120 and a connector 121 shown in FIG. 2, and a ROM (Read 0
nly Mem.

ry) and is used by being attached to and detached from the printer body.

For printers that use memory cartridges like this, if you prepare memory cartridges for each character type in advance, the user can select and install the desired character type as needed. A pattern can be generated,
The change is also extremely easy and convenient by replacing the memory cartridge.

Since such memory cartridges are composed of ROM as mentioned above, they cannot be rewritten, and although they store various character types, they are not created for each user. Rather, since a plurality of standard patterns are created in advance, patterns of characters and symbols (for example, company marks, trademarks, etc.) required only for a specific industry cannot be output with such memory cartridges.

To solve this problem, we have developed a rewritable RAM (Random Access System) as a memory cartridge.
It is conceivable to write these patterns into RAM from the host computer and use them, but if the installed memory cartridge is ROM
There was a problem in that it was difficult to use a memory cartridge using this RAM because it could not be determined whether it was a RAM or a RAM.

[Purpose of the invention]

An object of the present invention is to provide a memory cartridge detection processing method that can determine not only whether a memory cartridge is installed but also the type of memory cartridge.

[Structure of the invention]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a memory cartridge that outputs a first signal and a second signal indicating the type of memory, a cartridge boulder in which the memory cartridge is mounted, and a memory cartridge that outputs a first signal and a second signal indicating the type of memory. processing means for detecting the presence of a first signal and a second signal and performing processing using the memory cartridge, and the presence of the first signal causes the memory cartridge to be attached to the cartridge holder. The present invention is characterized in that the type of the installed memory cartridge is determined based on the second signal.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the types of memory of the memory cartridge are rewritable memory and non-rewritable memory, and according to another embodiment of the present invention, the memory According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a pattern is stored in a cartridge, and the processing means outputs the pattern using the memory cartridge, and the installed memory cartridge is rewritable. The present invention is characterized in that when the processing means makes a determination based on the memory and the second signal, the pattern is written in the memory cartridge.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to Examples.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are indicated by the same symbols. BD is the main body, and Those having a control unit 1 and a printing mechanism 2, and equipped with a hopper 28 and a stacker 27 at the front and rear, SLl, SL2, SL3,
Each SL4 is a cartridge holder, into which the memory cartridge 12 is inserted, and has a connector therein for electrical connection with the connector 121 of the memory cartridge 12. One cart resocibo.

The data storage devices SLI to SL4 are provided in the main body BD.

OP is the operation section, which includes various operation buttons and a display 16.
It has the following.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are indicated by the same symbols, and 13 is a register; 14 is an interface, which is composed of a driver and a receiver, and exchanges addresses and data with the memory cartridge 12; 15 is a power supply and a control terminal; 16a is a register for supplying various power supply voltages into the unit 1 and also supplying operating power to the memory cartridge 12 via a power line as described later. 16b is a decoder. , which decodes the contents of the register 16a and drives the display 16. I7 is a print control section, which is similar to the printing mechanism section 2 in FIG.
18 is an address/data bus, which connects a control unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as processor), registers 13, 16a1 interface 14, memory 11,
It is connected to the print control section 17 to exchange data. 121a to 121e are signal lines of the connector 121 of the memory cartridge 12, respectively;
1a is a mounting detection signal line, 121b is a memory type detection signal line, 121c is an address bus, 121d is a data bus,
121e is a power line, and when the memory cartridge 12 is attached to the cartridge holder S7 and the connector 121 of the memory cartridge 12 is inserted into the connector of the cartridge holder SL, the signal line 121a, 121b is register 1
3, the address bus 121C and the data bus 121d are connected to the interface 14, and the power line 121e is connected to the power source 15.

FIG. 5 is a detailed program diagram of the cartridge detection terminal.
), the rewritable RAM cartridge 12b has the signal line 121a set to ov' (i!i logic "0"), and the signal line 121
b is set to 5V (logic "1"), a first signal ("0") is output from the signal line 121a, and a second signal ("0" or "'1") is output from the signal line 121b. On the other hand, in the preceding stage of the register 13, an inverter 13b and a flip-flop 1
3a is provided for the signal line 121a, and an inverter 13d1 and a flip-flop 13c are provided for the signal line 121b.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5(A), the cartridge boulder SL
When the ROM cartridge 12a is installed in the
A second signal of logic "0" (indicating that it is a ROM cartridge) is output from 1b, and each inverter 13
b, 13d, and becomes logic "1", setting flip-flops 13a, 13b. As a result, the content of the register 13 becomes "11", that is, the memory cartridge 12
a is installed and the installed memory cartridge is R.
Indicates that it is an OM car 1-ridge.

Conversely, as shown in Fig. 5(B), press R on the cartridge holder SL.
When the AM cartridge 12b is installed, the signal line 1
A first signal of logic "o" from 21a is connected to signal line 12.
A second signal of logic "1" (indicating a CRAM cartridge) is output from 1b, respectively.
The signals 3b and 13d are inverted and become logic "1" and "0", respectively. Therefore, since the flip-flop 13a is set and the flip-flop 13b is set, the content of the register 13 is "10", that is, the memory cartridge 12a
is installed and the installed memory cartridge is RAM
Indicates that it is a cartridge.

In this manner, it can be determined from the contents of the register 13 whether the memory cartridge 12 is attached to the cartridge boulder SL and what type of memory cartridge is attached.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configuration shown in FIG. 4 will be explained according to the processing flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

(1) Control unit -> When the computer 1 receives print data from the host computer through an interface (not shown), the processor 10 stores it in the memory 11 . Next, processor 10 reads the contents of memory 11 and determines the presence or absence of a cassette (cartridge) select signal. When the host computer transmits a code such as a character to be printed, it transmits a cassette select signal indicating that a cassette (cartridge) should be used to generate a pattern corresponding to the code.

(2) When the processor 10 finds the cassette select signal, it goes to read the contents of the register 13 via the lotus 18. If the cassette (cartridge) is not installed,
Since the contents of register 13 are “00”, register 1
If the content of 3 is "oo", it is determined that the cartridge is not installed, and the cassette not installed bit of the register 16a is turned on via the bus 18. The contents of the register 16a are decoded by a decoder 16b, and the display 16 displays, for example, an error number corresponding to a case where a cassette is not installed, giving a warning to the operator, stopping the apparatus, and waiting for a cartridge to be installed.

On the contrary, if the contents of the register 13 are "10" or "11", the cartridge is installed, so the processor 10 issues a print permission signal and passes the subsequent print code to pass 1.
address bus 121 from interface 14 via B
c, a pattern such as a corresponding character is read out from the memory cartridge 12, and can be passed through the interface 14 and the lotus 18 from the data bus 121d. Then, the processor 10 supplies the pattern data as a video signal to the printing control section 17 via the lotus 18, and causes the printing mechanism section 2 to perform the above-described printing operation.

In this way, it is possible to prevent the printing pattern from being missing due to the character cartridge not being installed.

This memory cartridge 12 includes a ROM cartridge 1.
If it is a RAM cartridge 2a, each character pattern is stored in advance, and if it is a RAM cartridge 12b, an arbitrary special pattern from the host computer is stored as shown in FIG.

(a) The host computer sends a download command when the printer starts operating. This download command is executed to write arbitrary patterns in the host computer's file to the RAM cartridge and cause the printer to print these patterns.

(When the BL processor 10 receives a download command, it checks the contents of the register 13 via the hash 18. As mentioned above, when the RAM cartridge 12b is installed, the contents of the register 13 are "10". Then, the processor 10 determines whether the contents of the register 13 are "10".

(C) The processor 10 determines that the contents of the register 13 are “10”
If it is other than that, it is determined that the RAM cartridge 12b is not installed, and the RA of the register 16a is read through the lotus 18.
If the M cartridge is not installed, turn on the focus. register 16
The contents of a are decoded by the decoder 16 and displayed on the display 16.
For example, an error number corresponding to non-installation of a RAM cartridge is displayed to alert the operator, and the apparatus is stopped to wait for the RAM cartridge to be installed.

(d) On the other hand, if the content of register 13 is "10",
Since the RAM cartridge is installed, processor 10 notifies the host computer that preparation is complete and waits to receive pattern data from the host computer.

(e) When pattern data is transmitted from the postcomputer, the processor 10 stores it in the memory 11 and then sends the address and pattern data from the interface 14 via the bus 18 to the RAM cartridge 12.
Write to .

When a pattern is written in the RAM cartridge 12b in this manner, it is thereafter used as a character pattern generator in the same manner as in steps ① to ① described above.

In the above description, one cartridge holder was explained, but if there are four cartridge holders as shown in FIG. 3, a register 13 and an interface 14 are provided for each, and the processor 10 is designated by the host computer Determine whether the cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder.

Further, although the cartridge detection operation is performed in response to the cartridge selection signal from the post computer, the processor 10 may perform the cartridge detection operation independently at the start of operation of the printer without using this signal.

Furthermore, the memory cartridge can be used not only as a printer but also as a display, and not only for character patterns but also for other data.

Although the present invention has been described above using one embodiment, the present invention can be modified in various ways according to the gist of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the present invention.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a memory cartridge that outputs a first signal and a second signal indicating the type of memory, a cartridge holder in which the memory cartridge is mounted, and a memory cartridge that outputs a first signal and a second signal indicating the type of memory. a processing membrane that detects the presence of a first signal and a second signal and performs processing using the memory cartridge, and the presence of the first signal causes the memory cartridge to be attached to the cartridge bolter. The present invention is characterized in that it detects whether the memory cartridge is installed and also determines the type of the installed memory cartridge based on the second signal. For example, if it is used as a pattern memory, it is possible to prevent output patterns from being omitted.

Furthermore, this type of detection has the effect that a memory cartridge whose memory contents can be easily changed and expanded can be handled in the same way as a fixed memory. Further, since the type of the installed memory cartridge can be determined, it is possible to select or mix ROM and RAM cartridges as necessary, and the range of use of the memory cartridge can be expanded. Moreover, since the memory cartridge outputs a control signal and detects this, it has the effect of detecting that the memory cartridge is actually electrically connected. It is also extremely useful in practice because there is no risk of detection of wearing the device even if the device is not worn.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a memory cartridge according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an external view of a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of essential parts of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are processing flow diagrams of the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 4. In the figure, 1-=-control unit, 2-printing mechanism section, 12-
Memory cartridge 7ji, SL-cartridge holder,
13-register, 10-control unit (processing means). Patent Applicant Fujitsu Limited Agent Patent Attorney Akira Yamatani 1 Figure 2 Figure 4 Figures 5 and 5 @

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A memory cartridge that outputs a first signal and a second signal indicating the type of memory, a cartridge holder into which the memory cartridge is installed, and the first signal and second signal from the cartridge holder. detect the presence of
processing means for performing a process using the memory cartridge, the presence of the first signal detects that the memory cartridge is mounted on the cartridge boulder, and the second signal detects that the memory cartridge is mounted on the cartridge boulder. A memory cartridge detection processing method characterized by determining the type of memory cartridge. (2) The memory cartridge detection processing method according to claim 11, wherein the memory type of the memory cartridge is a rewritable memory or a non-rewritable memory. (3) a pattern is stored in the memory cartridge;
Claim 1, wherein the processing means outputs a pattern using the memory cartridge.
The memory cartridge detection processing method described in items 1 to (2). (4) When the processing means determines that the installed memory cartridge is a rewritable memory based on the second signal, a pattern is written in the memory cartridge. Memory cartridge detection processing method described in Section 2.