JPS61290519A - Output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To utilize effectively a multifunctional property to the maximum by providing a means for discriminating an information code train which can be specified optionally, and a means for converting an optional information code train which is defined in advance, to an output control command. CONSTITUTION:In case a print data or a printing command is sent from a host computer 1, when a body decides a user command start character #, the following one character is received, and in case of !, a data which is sent is a user command, therefore, the following several characters are received, and a user command analyzing part 26 refers to a fundamental command/user command conversion table 27, and converts this user defining command to a fundamental command. This converted fundamental command is analyzed by a fundamental command analyzing part 22, and a processing corresponding to the analyzed fundamental command is executed by a control part 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an output device that can specify an output control command using an arbitrary information code string.

[Summary of Disclosure] In the tree specification and drawings, an output control command can be specified by an arbitrary information code string, and the information code string can be output in accordance with the output control command specified by the arbitrarily specified information code string. The present invention discloses an output device that can be controlled to define and execute output control commands using code strings that are easy to use and suit the operator.

[Prior art] In recent years, the performance of microprocessors, RAM, and ROM have improved.
Due to the decline in the price of semiconductor devices, an increasing number of printing devices are equipped with a number of functions such as font switching during printing, shading, character rotation, enlargement, and reduction. However, these many functions of a printing device are controlled by a non-human code string consisting of alphanumeric characters and the like unique to the printing device.

Problems to be Solved by the L Invention 1 As explained above, in conventional printing devices, the more functions there are, the more print control commands that are combinations of codes, and the operator cannot remember all the commands. There were drawbacks. Therefore, when creating a print program by combining these complex print control commands, the operator may have to spend time referencing the print control command table each time, or may find it troublesome to use the useful information that the printing device has. There were problems such as not being able to use certain functions.

``Means for Solving Problem L'' As a means to solve this problem, there is a means for determining an arbitrarily specifiable information code string, and a means for converting any predefined information code string into an output control command. be equipped with suitable means.

"Function" In such a configuration, the control command can be replaced with any information code string (e.g., character string, symbol string) registered by the operator, and its multifunctionality can be used to the maximum effect with more human-like and easy-to-remember commands. make it possible to

[Embodiment] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a host computer that outputs print data and print commands consisting of images and codes to this embodiment, 2 is the main body of the device of this embodiment, and 3 is print data and print data sent from the host computer 1. A dot printer that forms a permanent visible image on paper according to a command.

The main body 2 includes a control section 21 that performs main control. A basic command analysis unit 22 that analyzes basic commands that are print control commands for the dot printer 3. A user command detection unit 23 that detects the start of a user-defined command; a user command start character storage table 24 that stores the start character code of a user-defined command; A user command start character counter 25 that stores the number of start characters of user-defined commands, a user command analysis unit 26 that converts user-defined commands into basic commands, and a basic command user command that stores the correspondence between user-defined commands and basic commands. a conversion table 27, a pattern conversion unit 2 that converts code data of print data input from the host computer 1 into corresponding pattern data;
It is equipped with 8. The main body 2 including the above-mentioned control section 21 is RO
It is realized by an microprocessor including M and RAM.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a data string used in this embodiment having the above configuration.

In Fig. 2, Fig. 2 (A) shows a data string for halftone dotting only the character ``B'' among the character strings ``A'', ``B'', and ``C'' using basic commands unique to the device. , $2
Figure (B) is the same as Figure 2 (A) using user-defined commands.
This shows a data string that yields a print result similar to .

In Figure 2 (A), the basic command to start halftone dots is rc
sIJ r2J rSJ rmJ, the basic command for finishing halftone dots is rcsIJ r2J rSJ r
In FIG. 2(B), which shows a data string of this embodiment corresponding to a similar data string of mJ, the user command start character is two characters rSJ rlJ, halftone dot start,
Each user-defined command for ending halftone dots is rA.
” rlJ r-J rSJ, rAJ rMJr
I"r-JrE". Registration of this user-defined command is performed as follows.

To register, first input a user-defined command and then input the corresponding basic command string. At this time, in the embodiment, it is required that the two characters ``ra'', ``rl'', and ``H'' be consecutive in this order as the starting characters of the user-defined command, and the user command starting character storage table 2
This "#""t" code is stored in 4. Of course, the starting character of the user-defined command may be defined as a requirement that the three characters ``\J rl rSJ'' are consecutive instead of the combination ``ra'' rlJ.
In other words, the starting character of the user-defined command may be any combination of character codes that does not occur in a series of data strings of normal print data.

For example, the user command start character counter 25 initially stores "2", and when "#" is detected, it becomes "1", and when "!" is detected, it becomes "0", and the user command detection unit 23 A user command is detected and the primary
! If a value other than `` is detected, the value returns to ``2'' again. Here, as another example, if the start character of the user-defined command is defined as the above-mentioned "\J" $J rSJ,
The user command start character counter 25 is "\J
Il” each time rSJ is detected consecutively.

The initial state of "3" changes to -2, "1", and '0', and if they all match, the user command detection unit 23 detects the user command.

By the above operations, register the start character of the user-initiated command, and then add rAMI to the halftone start command string.
-5J (or "AMI-" as the halftone end command)
"E") followed by the corresponding basic command sequence rC3I 5 ml (or rcsI 25
nB) to register.

Next, the overall control of the present invention will be explained using FIG. 3. Third
The figure is a flowchart showing print control in this embodiment.

The process shown in the figure starts when print data or a print command is received from the host computer 1. In step S1, it is determined whether the input data is a page break code, and if it is a page break code, step S7
Then, the print data that has been developed into a dot pattern by the pattern converter 28 is transferred to the dot printer 8.
Output to and get the print result. If it is determined in step s1 that the code is not a page break code, the process proceeds to step S2, where it is determined whether or not it is rcsIJ, which indicates the first character of a basic command. If it is rcsIJ, the process advances to step S3, where it receives several characters indicating a subsequent basic command string, analyzes this as a basic command, and executes it as necessary. Also rC
If it is not 3IJ, the process proceeds to step S4, and it is determined whether it is the user command start character, that is, "#", and "#"
If so, it receives the following l character and determines whether it is rlJ. If it is “!”, the next data sent is a user command, so the process advances to step S5, and after receiving the following several characters, the user command analysis unit 26 refers to the basic command/user command conversion table 27. , convert this user-defined command into a basic command. Then, execute the converted basic commands as necessary.

Further, when it is determined in step S4 that it is not a user command start character, that is, if it is not a basic command other than rSJ rlJ followed by a letter, the data is print data, so the process proceeds to step S6, and the general The print data is processed, specifically, the received print character code is converted into a corresponding dot pattern in the pattern converter 28.

In the above explanation, when a basic command is sent and received, or a basic command corresponding to a user-defined command analyzed and converted by the user command analysis unit 26 is analyzed by the basic command analysis unit 22 and handled by the control unit 21. The process will be executed.

In this example, the user-defined commands include start shading,
End rAJ rMJ rI” r-J rSJ
and rAJ rMJ rIJ r, -J r
It can be specified by simply inputting an extremely easy-to-understand character string such as EJ, and the basic command string is "C8I" and "5".
rmJ , rC3IJ r2J rSJ rmJ
It operates as a control command similar to complex and difficult to remember commands such as f).

In the embodiment described above, the user command start character storage table 24, the user command [& character counter 25. Although RAM may be used as a storage element for the basic command-to-the-command conversion table 27, if a magnetic bubble memory or EEFROM is used, user commands once defined can be reused semi-permanently even if the printer is turned off. It becomes possible.

[Effects of the Invention J As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to convert basic control commands unique to a device that are extremely difficult to remember and are non-human, into user-defined commands that are more human-like and easy to remember. It not only simplifies the use of troublesome control commands and makes it easier to effectively utilize the many functions of the output device, but also serves as a command converter between a host computer and printers from various manufacturers in fields other than output devices. Many effects can be obtained, such as being able to use it as well.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 (A) is a diagram showing a basic command sequence, and FIG. 2 (B)
is a diagram showing a user-defined command string. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing print control in this embodiment. In the figure, l... host computer, 21... control l
f3.23...User command F[tBm, 24...
User command start character storage table, 25...
・User command start character counter, 26...
User command analysis unit, 27...Basic command user command conversion table. Patent applicant Canon Co., Ltd. District 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] comprising means for determining an arbitrarily specifiable information code and means capable of converting any predefined information code string into an output control command; An output device characterized by converting a defined arbitrary character string into an output control command and controlling output according to the output control command.