JPS61270182A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a printer capable of inhibiting other processing when information required for a printing operation is not yet set into a memory, by providing an information-checking means and an informing means, in a printer of the type in which information is set from an external controller into a memory capable of retaining stored information even after a power source is turned OFF, and a printing operation is carried out based on the set information. CONSTITUTION:When the power source is turned ON under the condition where FLAG 31 is not set, the content of the FLAG 31 disaccords with the content of a PATTERN value 26 set in a ROM 2, so that it is judged that information required for a printing operation is not yet set, and a lamp 5 is turned ON to inform the operator of this condition. Next, a host computer is operated to send switch-setting information to the printer side. When the switch-setting information is received, the received data are stored into SWITCH 32 in a RAM 3, and the PATTERN value 26 in the ROM 2 is stored into the FLAG 32 in the RAM 3, thereby setting the information required for the printing operation.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] This invention provides a memory that stores and retains stored information even when the power is turned off, and information is set in the memory from an external control device, and the setting The present invention relates to a printer that performs printing operations based on information.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, printers have been known to use DIP switches to set various flags and print formats necessary for printing operations. Since the switch is used, there are problems such as space and cost when installing the switch. For this reason, memory backed up by a battery or non-volatile EEFROM is used.
In that memory, an external vI such as a host computer, etc.
It is conceivable to set the necessary information using the Ill@ setting and eliminate the DIP switch.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, unlike DIP switches, devices that set necessary information in a memory cannot confirm whether or not the necessary information is set in the memory when used for the first time. occurs.

This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points.In a device that can set and hold information necessary for a print operation in memory, if the information necessary for the print operation is not set in the memory, An object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can notify the following information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can prohibit other processing while the information necessary for the print operation is not set in the memory.

[Means for Solving the Problems] This invention provides a memory that stores and retains stored information even when the power is turned off, and information is set in the memory from an external control device, and based on the setting information. In a printer that performs a printing operation using and notifying means for notifying the unset state when the setting is made.

Further, the present invention further includes means for prohibiting other processing until the setting of information in the memory is completed.

[Operation] In the present invention having such a configuration, if information to be set in the memory has not been set, this is notified when the power is turned on.

Additionally, it notifies the unset state and prohibits other processing until the information is set in the memory.

[Embodiments of the invention] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a CPU (central processing unit) that controls the system, and this CPU 1 includes a control block 11 that controls the inside and outside of CPIJ, and an arithmetic block 1 that controls calculations.
2. A determination block 13 that determines the result of an operation, a register block 14 provided with a plurality of registers, and an instruction execution block 15 that interprets and executes a program.

2 is ROM (read only memory), and this R
The OM2 stores an initialization program 21, a setting check program 22, a reception check program 23, a switch setting program 24, a program 25 other than switch settings, and a PATTERN value 26 stored in the price tag 6.

3 is a RAM (random access memory), and this RAM 3 is provided with a FLAG 31, a SWI TCH 32, a reception buffer counter 33, and a reception buffer 34 for storing data received from, for example, a host computer as an external 11i1J control device. There is. This R.A.
A backup battery 35 is connected to the M3 so that the information stored in the memory will not be erased even if the power is turned off.

The reception buffer counter 33 increases by "1" each time data is received from the host computer, and decreases by "1" each time data is processed.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an output boat, and a lamp 5 is connected as a notification means to the output boat 4, which is turned on when information to be set necessary for a print operation is not set.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an address bus line through which address designation data for specifying an address when the CPLJ 1 performs reading or writing, and a data bus line through which read or write information flows. 7 is a control path line used by the CPLJ 1 for control (reading, writing, IC selection, etc.).

PATTERN value 26 stored in the ROM 26
For example, the price tag consists of 8 bits as shown in Figure 6, and bit
rOJ ~ “0” for “7” rlJ rOJ rIJ
rOJ rlJ The value of rOJ rlJ is set.

5WITCH32 in the RAM3 has an 8-bit configuration,
bitrOJ~r7Jk: vs. shite each -bit is "0"
” or “1”, the meanings are given, for example, as shown in the table below. Note that this table shows up to bit "2".

When the power is turned on, the above-mentioned CPLJ1 performs the processing shown in FIG. 3. That is, when the power is turned on, the control block 11 of the CPU 1 selects the ROM 2 using the control path line 7, and sequentially reads the initialization program into the instruction execution block 15 and executes it. Note that this program is used to initialize the hardware and software.

After initialization, the CPU 1 starts the setting check program 22. The control block 11 of the CPU 1 uses the control path line 7, the data bus, and the address bus line 6 to read FLAG 31 in the RAM 3 into the register block 14, and then reads the PATTERN value 2 in the ROM 2.
6 into calculation block 12, register block 1
Compare with FLAG31 of 4. and decision block 13
Get the result from . If the determination results match, the CPU 1 starts the reception check program 23 and executes the steps starting from "A" in the figure. Also, if they do not match, control block 11
drives the bitrOJ of the output boat 4 to light the lamp 5, starts the reception check program 23, and executes the steps after rAJ in the figure.

In the reception check program 23, the control block 11 connects the control path line 7, data bus, and address bus line 6.
is used to read the contents of the receive buffer counter 33 in RAMa into the calculation block 12, compare it with the zero value, and obtain the result from the decision block 13. If the result of the determination is zero, it is determined that no data has been received from the host computer, and the process returns to rAJ in the figure. Note that data reception from the host computer is performed by interrupt.

When the value of the reception buffer counter 33 is no longer zero, C
The control block 11 of the PU 1 uses the control path line 7, data bus, and address bus line 6 to transfer data from the receive buffer 34 in RAMa to the register block 14.
calculation block 12 to determine whether or not to perform switch setting processing.
Check it out. Then, the result is obtained from the determination block 13, and if the process is other than the switch setting process, a program 25 other than the switch setting process is activated, and the process returns to rAJ in the figure.

Further, if the determination result is switch setting processing, the switch setting program 24 is activated. In this switch setting program 24, the control block 11 uses the control path line 7, data bus, and address bus line 6 to
The received data of the switch in the receive buffer 34 in
Transfer to WITCH32, then PA in ROM2
Transfer TTERN value 26 to FLAG31 of RAM3,
Also, the drive of the bitrOJ of the output boat 4 is stopped and the lamp 5 is turned off. Then, the routine returns to rAJ in the figure.

In the embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration, FLAG31
If no information is set for the flag, the contents of FLAG 31 are not determined as shown in FIG. Note that "x" indicates either "1" or "0". Therefore, if you turn on the power with FLAG31 unset, the contents of FLAG31 and R
Since the contents of the PATTERN value 26 set in OM2 do not match, it is determined that the information necessary for the print operation is not set, and the lamp 5 is turned on to notify the operator. This allows the operator to know that the information is in an unset state, and operates the host computer to send switch setting information to the printer side. Therefore, there is no risk of operating the printer even though the information necessary for operating the printer has not been set. Then, the switch setting information is sent from the host computer, and when it is received, the received data is stored in the RAM.
3 (7) SVITCH32G: stored and 80M2
PATTERN II 26 is stored in FLAG 31 of RAM 3, and information necessary for the print operation is set. That is, FLAG31 has PATT as shown in FIG.
The ERN value of 26 is the set price tag of 6. As a result, the lamp 5 is turned off, and from then on, processing other than switch setting processing becomes possible based on information from the host computer, and the printer is able to perform normal printing operations.

In this way, it is possible to reliably notify that the information necessary for the print operation is in an unset state.

Note that although a lamp is used as the notification means in the above embodiment, the notification means is not necessarily limited to this, and for example, a buzzer, a chime, etc. may be used.

Next, another embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 6, this is the processing program of CPU1,
In particular, this is a slightly modified version of the reception check program 23, and the contents of FLAG 31 in RAM 3 after the power is turned on.
! =ROM2 (7) When comparing PATTERN126, if they match, rA in Figure 3 mentioned above.
The processing after J is performed, but if the two do not match, that is, the information is not set, the processing after rBJ in the figure is performed. This r
A characteristic feature of the processing after BJ that is different from the processing after rAJ described above is that when the contents of the reception buffer counter 33 become non-zero, the contents of FLAG 31 of RAM 3 are read again.
! :ROM2(7) Compare PATTERN value 26 Price tag 6
If they match, it is assumed that the switch setting has been performed at least once, and a calculation block 12 checks whether the received data is for switch setting processing. If the data is other than switch settings, receive buffer 3
Transfer the received data of the switch in 4 to 5WITCH32, and then transfer the data to PATTERNlli2 in ROM2.
6 is transferred to FLAG 31 of RAM 3, and driving of bitrOJ of output boat 4 is stopped to turn off lamp 5. Then, the routine returns to rBJ in the figure.

In addition, if the received data is other than switch setting processing, a program other than switch setting processing is started and the routine is executed as shown in the figure.
Return to BJ.

Also, the contents of FLAG31 of RAM3 and the PA of ROM2
The TTERN value 26 is compared and if the two price tags do not match, a calculation block 12 checks whether the received data is for switch setting processing. And if it is data for switch setting processing, is it a receive buffer? Transfer the received data of the switch in 34 to 5WITCH32, and then transfer the PATTERN value 26 in ROM2 to the RA price tag 6F.
Transfer to LAG31 and output port 4 bit “0”
The driving of the lamp 5 is stopped and the lamp 5 is turned off. Then, the routine returns to rBJ in the figure. Further, if the received data is other than the switch setting process, the routine returns to rBJ in the figure.

Therefore, in this embodiment, if the information necessary for the print operation is not set, the lamp 5 is lit to notify the user, and since the contents of FLAG 31 and PATTERNa[26 do not always match, no processing other than switch setting processing is performed. In other words, processing other than switch setting processing is prohibited.

Therefore, there is no risk that the printer will malfunction.

Although not directly related to the present invention, an 8-bit DEFAULT value (optimal initial I) as shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the ROM2.
I) is set, and as shown in FIG. 8, if the ratio between FLAG 31 and PATTERN value 26 after initialization does not match, the ROM 2 is set even if the switch setting information is not received from the host computer. DEF
Store AULT value in 5WITCH32 and PATTER
It is also conceivable to store the N value 26 in the FL price tag 61 and automatically create the information setting state. In this way, even if no settings are made from the host computer, the printer can always print using a certain standard pattern. Of course, in this case, there is no need for the lamp 5 to notify the unset state.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, in a device that can set and hold information necessary for a print operation in the memory, if the information necessary for the print operation is not set in the memory, It is possible to provide a printer that can notify this.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer that can prohibit other processing while the information necessary for the printing operation is not set in the memory.

[Brief Description of the Drawings] Figures 1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration, and Figure 2 is a PAT.
Diagram showing TERNIII, Figure 3 is N8 by CPU
A flowchart showing the processing at the time of input, Figure 4 is the FL in an unset state.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the contents of FLAG in the setting state. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing when the power is turned on by the CPU showing another embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of DEFA
FIG. 8, which is a diagram showing the ULT value, is a flowchart showing automatic information setting processing by CPLI. 1... CPLI (central processing unit), 11... control block, 12... calculation block, 13... judgment block, 2... ROM (read only memory), 22... setting Check program, 23...Reception check program, 24...Switch setting program, 3...RAM (random access memory), 31...FLAG, 32...SWI TCH1
33... Reception buffer counter, 34... Reception buffer, 5... Lamp. Applicant's representative Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 2 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 3 Figure 6

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a printer that is equipped with a memory that stores and retains stored information even when the power is turned off, information is set in that memory from an external control device, and print operations are performed based on the setting information, when the power is turned on. an information checking means for checking whether information to be set is set in the memory; and a notification means for notifying the unset state when the information checking means detects the unset state of the information; A printer characterized in that it is provided with. (2) In a printer that is provided with a memory that stores and retains stored information even when the power is turned off, information is set in that memory from an external control device, and print operations are performed based on the setting information, when the power is turned on. an information checking means for checking whether information to be set is set in the memory; and a notification means for notifying the unset state when the information checking means detects the unset state of the information; and means for prohibiting other processing until the setting of information in the memory is completed.