JPS61208149A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the need to generate a memory dumping program and to perform efficient printing operation by providing a printer with a function which converts binary codes into hexadecimal codes in response to a command and prints them. CONSTITUTION:The printer 20 stores a command register 30 with the data conversion command received from a host device 10 through an interface 100, and binary codes sent to an output buffer 231 from the host device 10 through the interface 100 as well are code-converted into hexadecimal and character data by a conversion part 22 according to the decoding result of the command by a decoder 31; and the hexadecimal and character data are stored in a line buffer 23 and then printed out on a printing part 24 when stored by one line. When a normal data output command arrives, data are printed out as they are without code conversion.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a printing device used in an information processing system, and particularly to a data output labor-saving method for a printing device (prior art). In such cases, it is important to output the contents of the storage device included in the computer system for fault analysis, a so-called memory dump. However, providing the output program with editing functions to obtain output requires a lot of man-hours to develop the program, and in addition, once developed, the output program often cannot be used with different types of programs or computers. .

(Problem to be solved by the invention) Therefore, if a similar function is to be realized in another program or in another computer system, a new editing routine must be developed. There were drawbacks.

An object of the present invention is to provide, in addition to a printing means, a means for converting a binary code into, for example, a hexadecimal number or a character and outputting it, thereby eliminating the above-mentioned drawbacks and making efficient printing possible. The purpose is to provide a printing device.

(Means for Solving the Problems) A printing device according to the present invention is composed of a command register, an output data buffer, a decoder, a converting section, a line buffer, and a printing section.

The command register is connected to the host device and is used to receive and store at least an output data conversion command from the host device.

The output data buffer is for storing binary data from the host device in response to an output data conversion command.

The decoder is for analyzing commands stored in the command register.

The conversion unit is for converting binary data in the output data buffer into a designated code when the decoder detects an output data conversion command.

The line buffer is for storing the output of the converter.

The printing section is for printing data in the line buffer.

(Example) Next, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1 showing an embodiment of the present invention, a printing device 20
is connected by an interface signal line 100 to a host device 10 that sends commands and data to the printing device 20. In FIG. 1, the printing device 20 includes a command register sO for holding commands sent from the host device 10 via an interface signal line 100, and an output data buffer 21 for holding output data from the host device 10. , command register 3
0, and if it is an output data conversion command, the decoder 31 changes the state on the decoder output signal line 200 to a low level (on) and notifies the converter 22, and the decoder output signal line 200 When the state of is low level (on), binary output data from the output data buffer 21 is input via the output data signal line 101,
A conversion section 22 for converting hexadecimal data and an EBCDIC code, a printing section 24 for printing characters line by line, and a line buffer input data signal line 102 connected to the conversion section 22. Printing section 24
A line buffer 26 is connected to the print section input data signal line 103 to hold one line of output data from the print section 24.

In FIG. 2, (a) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the output data buffer 21, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the output data buffer 21.
It is an explanatory view showing an example of the contents.

The details of the operation of this embodiment will be explained below with reference to FIG.

First, the operation in the normal printing mode will be explained with reference to FIG. The operation in this mode is similar to the printing operation according to the prior art.

In FIG. 1, there is a program in the host device 10 that sends commands to the printing device 20 to perform printing, and this program provides normal output data printing commands for printing multiple output data, as well as printing as is. Output data consisting of a possible code, for example EBCDIC, is sent to the printing device 20 via the interface signal m1aa.

What is the output data print command and output data? Printing device 20
command register 30 and output cuff"-p/(offer 2
1 and 1, respectively, and the command stored in the command register 30 is interpreted by the decoder 51. Since the input command is a normal output data print command, the state of the decoder output signal [200, which serves as a control signal for the converter 22, becomes a high level (off) state, and the converter 22 does not function. Therefore, the contents of the output data buffer 21 are transferred to the line buffer 2 via the output data signal line 101 and the line buffer input data signal line 102.
3, and is further transferred to the input data signal line 1 of the printing section 24.
03 to the printing unit 24, where it is printed.

Next, a printing operation when an output data conversion command, which is the main technique of the present invention, is sent from the host device 10 to the printing device 20 will be described.

In FIG. 2, the output data conversion command does not need to be edited into an EBCDIC code or the like in the host device 10 in order to print out binary data, and is sent to the printing device 20 as binary data. This is a command to convert 20 to hexadecimal code or EBCDIC code.

Now, the interface signal line 100 is connected from the host device 10.
The output data conversion command sent through is stored in the command register 50, and when the output signal line 200 of the decoder 31 becomes low level (on) by the datar 31, the function of the conversion unit 22 is enabled.

That is, from the host device 10 to the interface signal line 1
The binary data sent out via 00 is stored in the output data buffer 21, and is further input from the output data buffer 21 to the conversion unit 22 via the output data signal line 101. At this time, since the state of the output signal line 200 of the decoder 31 is at a low level (on), the contents of the output data buffer are converted into hexadecimal data and EBCDIC by the converter 22.
The data is converted into a code and stored as print data in the line buffer 25 via the input data signal line 10'2 of the line buffer 2S.

Next, the relationship between the contents of the output data buffer 21 and the contents of the lie/buffer 25 will be explained with reference to FIG. Second
In the figure, the contents 5 of the output data buffer 21 are composed of a binary display address field 501 and a binary display data field 502.
0G is converted to the specified code and line buffer 2
3 is stored as a hexadecimal display address field 601 and a hexadecimal display data field 602 of the contents 600. In addition, the data in the binary display data section 502 is converted into EBC by 8 bits per unit.
Convert to DIC code, line buffer contents 600f
7) Stored as the EBCDIC display section 605. The print data stored in the line buffer 2 is stored in the print section 24.
By sending print data to the printing section 24 via the input data signal line 103 of the printer, the printing section 24 prints the data.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, the present invention has advantages by providing, in addition to the printing means, means for converting binary output data sent to the printing device into hexadecimal data and characters. This has the effect of enabling accurate and economical printing.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a printing device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of data in the output data buffer and line buffer shown in FIG. 1. 10... Host device 20... Printing device 21... Output data buffer 22... Conversion section 2311... Line buffer 24, φ, Printing section 30... Command register 31... Decoders 100 to 103 , 200... Signal line 600-502, 600-603 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・
...Data content

Claims (1)

[Claims] a command register connected to a host device, for receiving and storing at least an output data conversion command from the host device, and storing binary data from the host device in response to the output data conversion command; an output data buffer for analyzing the command stored in the command register, a decoder for analyzing the command stored in the command register, and converting the binary data of the output data buffer into a specified code when the decoder detects the output data conversion command. 1. A printing device comprising: a conversion section for conversion; a line buffer for storing the output of the conversion section; and a printing section for printing data in the line buffer.