JPS6141568A - Electronic typewriter with interface - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain to enhance the efficiency of printing work by making it possible to automatically perform paper feed even in the case of mere use as a printing apparatus, by providing a means inserting printing paper in a platen in response to the closing operation of an automatic paper feed switch to perform paper feed by a set amount. CONSTITUTION:When the operation lever 13 attached to the lateral side of a platen 8 is pulled to this side direction, a paper bale 11 is separated from the peripheral surface of the platen 8 and printing paper is freely slid along the peripheral surface of said platen 8. When the automatic paper feed switch 14 is closed, the printing paper is fed by the set amount of automatic paper feed amount memory RA2. By this mechanism, the operation lever 13 can be manually operated even during printing output operation based on the order from a host computer 17 by closing I/F.SW10 (control switch) and the printing paper set to an automatic paper feed apparatus can be automatically fed to the platen 8. Because it is unnecessary to operate I/F.SW10 in order to automatically feed the printing paper, the efficiency of printing work can be enhanced.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention incorporates an interface for inputting character codes etc. from an external control unit, and also provides an automatic paper feeding device for automatically feeding printing paper to a platen. This invention relates to an electronic typewriter with an interface that can be attached to an electronic typewriter.

[Prior Art] Some electronic typewriters are capable of printing out characters corresponding to character codes keyed in from their own keyboard on printing paper, and are also capable of exchanging data with an external control unit such as a host computer. Some printers incorporate an interface for this purpose, receive a character code sent from the external control unit, and can also print out characters corresponding to this character code. Furthermore, some electronic typewriters with an interface incorporating such an interface are configured so that an automatic paper feeder for automatically feeding printing paper to the platen can be attached. In such electronic typewriters, first, the automatic paper feeder is attached to the paper insertion slot for inserting printing paper into the platen on the top of the housing, and the required number of printing paper is set in advance in this automatic paper feeder. . Then, when printing on one sheet of paper is finished, press the automatic paper feed switch installed near the keyboard, for example, and one sheet of printing paper set in the automatic paper feeder will be fed to the platen. Ru.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the electronic typewriter with an interface that incorporates the interface as described above and can also be equipped with an automatic paper feeder has the following problems that still need to be solved. Ta. In other words, such electronic typewriters generally function at the same time as a typewriter that inputs keys from a keyboard and as a printing device that inputs character codes from an external control unit. Since this is not possible, a switch or the like is usually used to select whether to use it as a typewriter or a printing device.

For example, when the changeover switch is set to the typewriter side, the functions of the interface are completely stopped and all character codes or various control command signals from the external control section cannot be input. On the other hand, when the above changeover switch is set on the printing device side, all key input signals from the keyboard or keys installed near it are cut off, and only the character code or various control command signals input through the interface are printed out. I have to.

However, even when printing is performed using a character code or control command signal from an external control unit, the paper feed switch must be manually operated when printing paper is first fed from the automatic paper feeder to the platen. It is necessary to operate the paper device.

Further, even when the control command signal sent from the external control section does not include a page break command signal, it is necessary to manually operate the automatic paper feeder. However, as described above, when this electronic typewriter is controlled by the external III 1111 section, the automatic paper feed switch operation of the automatic paper feed device is also interrupted. Therefore, in the past, each time the automatic paper feeder was driven, the switch was set to the typewriter side, and after the automatic paper feeder was driven, the switch was returned to the printer side. the result,
There is a problem in that printing efficiency decreases when printing out character data sent from an external control unit.

The present invention has been made based on these circumstances, and its purpose is to enable the automatic paper feeder to be driven by manual switch operation even when an electronic typewriter is used simply as a printing device. To provide an electronic typewriter with an interface that can always automatically feed printing paper to a printing start line position on a platen and improve the efficiency of printing work.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention prints out characters corresponding to character codes keyed in from a keyboard on printing paper fed from an automatic paper feeder to a platen, and also prints out characters from an external control unit. An electronic typewriter with an interface that prints the character code input via the interface on printing paper.
, there is an interface control switch that controls on/off data input from an external control unit connected to the interface, and a paper feeder that allows the automatic paper feeder to feed printing paper set in the automatic paper feeder to the platen. An automatic paper feed switch for inputting a command is provided, and while the automatic paper feed switch is turned on, the printing paper set in the automatic paper feed device is inserted into the platen regardless of the switch state of the interface control switch. The above paper is continuously fed.

In another invention, in response to an input operation of an automatic paper feeder, printing paper set in an automatic paper feeder is inserted into a platen, and the paper is fed by a predetermined amount on this platen. This is how it was done.

In yet another invention, an interlocking mechanism is provided for interlocking the automatic paper feed switch and the operating lever of the paper bail that presses the printing paper against the platen.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the paper feed amount of the print paper inserted into the platen from the automatic paper feeder can be arbitrarily set by key operations on a keyboard.

In still another invention, the paper feed amount of the printing paper inserted into the platen from the automatic paper feeder is set by initial paper feed amount data input from an external control unit via an interface. be.

[Function] In the electronic typewriter with an interface configured as described above, while the automatic paper feed switch is turned on, the printing paper set in the automatic paper feed device is placed on the platen regardless of the switch state of the interface control switch. Since the electronic typewriter is inserted into the machine and feeds the paper continuously, even if this electronic typewriter is used as a simple printing device that prints out character codes from an external control unit, when the automatic paper feed switch is turned on, the paper will start printing. Paper is automatically fed.

Furthermore, when the automatic paper feed switch is turned on, the printing paper inserted into the platen is automatically fed by an amount set internally in advance.

Furthermore, an interlocking mechanism is provided that links the automatic paper feed switch and the paper bail operation lever that presses the print paper against the platen, so when the paper bail operation lever is operated, the print paper is automatically fed to the platen. It is papered.

Furthermore, the paper feed amount of the print paper inserted into the platen from the automatic paper feeder can be set arbitrarily by key operation on the keyboard, so when the automatic paper feed switch is turned on, the paper feed amount of the print paper inserted into the platen is set as described above. The paper is automatically fed by the paper feed amount.

Furthermore, since the paper feed amount of the printing paper inserted into the platen from the automatic paper feeder is set by the initial paper feed amount data input from the external control unit via the interface,
While this electronic typewriter is being used as a printing device, all controls, including the amount of paper feed for printing paper that is automatically fed to the platen, are executed by commands from an external control section.

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electronic typewriter with an interface according to an embodiment, in which a keyboard 2 is provided on the front surface of a housing 1. This keyboard 2 has alphabetic keys 3. Numeric keys 4. Space key 5° Carriage return (CR
) key〇 and shift key 7, there is also an API (automatic paper feeding) setting key 9 for setting the automatic paper feed amount of printing paper inserted into the platen 8 in the automatic paper feeding device. This electronic typewriter is equipped with a lock type interface control switch (I/F, 5W) 10, etc. that controls on/off operation of the interface used for printing poems using the character code sent from the host computer as an external control unit. Various function keys are arranged.

The platen 8 for setting printing paper (not shown) is provided in the second part of the housing 1, and a paper bail 11 is provided parallel to the platen 8 for pressing the printing paper against the circumferential surface of the platen. is installed. Also, a paper insertion slot 12 for inserting printing paper into this platen 8.
An automatic paper feeding device (not shown) is attached to the platen 8 for automatically feeding printing paper.

The paper bail 11 is shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(a).
As shown in b), it is operated by an operating lever 13 attached to the side of the platen 8, and when this operating lever 13 is pulled in the direction shown by the arrow, the paper bail 11 is separated from the circumferential surface of the platen 8 and the printing paper is removed. slides freely on the circumferential surface. Further, in front of the operating lever 13, an automatic paper feed switch 14 composed of a microswitch is attached. Then, when the operating lever 13 is pulled toward the user to separate the paper bail 11 from the peripheral surface of the platen 8, the contact point of the automatic paper feed switch 14 is opened.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electronic typewriter with an interface. In the figure, reference numeral 15 denotes an MPU (microprocessor unit) that incorporates an input board, an output board, a ROM for storing control programs, etc., and executes various arithmetic processes. ). This MPL 115 sends a scanning signal to the keyboard 2 from an output terminal SC, receives a key input signal from the keyboard 2 to an input terminal 1, and also connects a data bus.

RA that temporarily stores variable data via address bus, etc.
M16 and controls an interface 18 connected to a host computer 17 as an external control unit via a data bus. The MPU 15 also drives a paper feed motor 20 . connected to the platen 8 via a motor drive circuit 19 based on character codes and various control command signals input from the keyboard 2 or the host computer 17 via the interface 18 . It controls a carriage motor 21.degree. 2 that controls the movement of a carriage equipped with a printing mechanism that prints on printing paper fed to the platen 8, a print wheel motor 23 that controls rotation of a print wheel, and the like.

In addition, the hammer solenoid drive circuit 24 is connected to the output terminal H.
A drive signal is sent to the hammer solenoid 25 via.

In addition, each input terminal B1 of the MPU 15. B2 has APxm fixed key 9 and I/F provided on keyboard 2, 5W
Each operation signal from 10 is input. In addition, input terminal B3
includes an automatic paper feed switch 1 that is linked to the operating lever 13.
No. 4 operation signal is input.

Note that a power supply circuit 26 is connected to the power input terminal VC of the MPU 15.
Voltage is supplied from

As shown in FIG. 4, the RAM 16 includes a data buffer RA1 that temporarily stores character codes to be printed out that are input from the host computer 17 via the interface 18, as well as a data buffer RA1 that temporarily stores character codes to be printed out that are input from the host computer 17 via the interface 18. Set the paper feed amount to automatically feed the print paper inserted into the
Automatic paper feed memory RA2 that stores digit numbers. A flag area RA4.Flag area stores paper feed setting flags (APl, FLAG, AP2.FLAG) indicating that the paper feed amount setting task for each digit of the automatic paper feed amount memory RA2 has started. RA3 etc. are formed.

Therefore, when the power is turned on with the automatic paper feeder attached to the paper insertion slot 12 of the platen 8, the MPU
Reference numeral 15 controls each part according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. That is, when the power is turned on, the motor drive circuit 19
．． After performing initial settings of the interface 18, RAM 16, etc., it is checked at Pl whether the I/F and SW (interface control switch) 10 are turned on.

If it had been turned on, it would be determined that this electronic typewriter would operate under control from the host computer 17.
At P2, it is checked whether character codes to be printed are stored in the data buffer RA1 of the RAM 16.

Note that character codes and the like are stored in the data buffer RA1 by the interface 18 every time the internal clock signal of the MPLI 15 is input as an interrupt, as shown in FIG.
The character code etc. input from the host computer 17 is read out and executed.

If data is stored in the data buffer RAI at P2, check whether the data is a command to set the automatic paper feed amount of the printing paper inserted into the platen 8 from the automatic paper feeder, and set the setting command. If there is, the automatic paper feed amount included in this setting command is stored in the automatic paper feed amount memory RA2.

Then, the setting command in the executed data buffer yRA1 is cleared and the process returns to P2 to read the next data from the data buffer RA1. If the read data is not an automatic paper feed amount setting command, it is determined to be normal data such as a character code, carriage return command, etc., and processing corresponding to the data is executed.

If no data is stored in the data buffer RA1 at P2, the automatic paper feed switch 14 interlocked with the operating lever 13 of the paper bail 11 is turned on. Operation lever 1
3 is pulled forward and the automatic paper feed switch 14 is turned on, it is checked whether or not the automatic paper feed amount is set in the automatic paper feed amount memory RA2. If it is set, the paper feed motor 20 is driven via the motor drive circuit 19 to rotate the platen 8 and feed the printing paper by the set amount.

If the automatic paper feed amount is not set in the automatic paper feed amount memory RA2, the paper feed motor 19 is sequentially and continuously rotated for each line of printing paper. Then, the operation lever 13 is returned to its original position, and the automatic paper feed switch 1
4 is released, the paper feed motor 19 is stopped. Then, the continuous paper feed operation stops.

If r/F and 5WIO are open at Pl, it is determined that this electronic typewriter operates by key input operations from its own keyboard 2, and the process advances to P3 in FIG. Waits for key input data. When data is input from the keyboard 2, this data is used to set the automatic paper feed setting for the printing paper inserted into the platen 8.
It is checked whether the key input data is the PI setting key 9.

Then, if it is the A P I mQ fixed main key 9 key input data, it is determined that the task of setting the 1st digit paper feed interval for the automatic paper feed amount memory RA2 has started, and the paper feed amount setting of the flag area RA4 is performed. Flag API.

Set F'LAG to 1 and return to P3 to wait for the next key input data.

If the key input data is not the data of the API setting key 9, the paper feed amount setting flag AP of the flag area RA4 is set in P4.
1. Verify that Fl'AG is set to 1.

When the confirmation is completed, it is confirmed that the key input data is numerical data obtained by operating the numerical keys 4, and this one-digit numerical data is stored in the first digit of the set value of the automatic paper feed amount memory RA2. Thereafter, the paper feed setting flag AP2. Set FLAG to 1 and flag area RA40 paper feed setting flag API.

Clear FLAG to O. In addition, if the key input data at this time is not numeric data, it will be judged as a key operation error, and
The paper feed amount setting flag AP1 in the flag area RA4 is set without storing the data in the automatic paper feed amount memory RAI. FLAG to 0
Clear to.

At P4, set the paper feed amount setting flag AP1 in flag area RA4.
．． If FLAG has been cleared to O, it is confirmed that the paper feed amount setting flag AP2 and FLAG in the flag area RA3 are set to 1. Once the confirmation is completed, it is confirmed that the key input data is the numeric data obtained by operating the numeric key 4 in the same way as described above, and this numeric data is stored in the second digit of the setting value of the automatic paper feed amount memory RA2. . When the storage is completed, the paper feed amount setting flag AP in the flag area RA3 is
2. Clear the FLAG to O and complete this paper feed amount setting task.

Note that if the key input data is not the key data of the API setting key 9 and each paper feed amount setting flag is cleared to O, this key input data will be used for normal printing such as characters ]-, carriage return commands, etc. , and performs normal processing on that key data.

Also, if no key input data is input from keyboard 2 at P3, check the status of 1/F, 5W10,
, 5W10 have been input, the process returns to P2 in FIG.

In the case of an electronic typewriter with an interface configured in this way, when the T/F and SWl 0 are turned on, the paper feed amount can be set from the host computer 17 while printing is being output according to a command from the host computer 17. An automatic paper feed item can be set in the automatic paper feed amount memory RA2 by a command.

Also, open the I/F and 5WIO to connect the keyboard 2.
It is also possible to set the automatic paper feed amount in the automatic paper feed amount memory RA2 by key input operation from . Further, it is not necessarily necessary to set the automatic paper feed amount in the automatic paper feed amount memory RA2.

Even when the I/F and 5WIO are turned on, when the operating lever 13 of the paper bail 11 is pulled toward you to feed printing paper from the automatic paper feeder to the platen 8, the automatic paper feeder When the printing paper set in 1 is inserted into the platen 8 and an automatic paper feed amount is set in the automatic paper feed amount memory RA2, the paper is fed on the platen 8 by the set amount. On the other hand, automatic paper feed memory RA
If the automatic paper feed amount is not set in 2, when the operating lever 13 is pulled toward the user, the printing paper is continuously fed line by line. Then, when the operating lever 13 is returned to its original position, the paper feeding operation is stopped.

Note that the above-mentioned paper feeding operation is naturally the same even when the 1/F and 5WIO are opened and key input is performed from the own keyboard.

With the electronic typewriter with an interface configured in this way, even if the I/F and 5W10 are turned on and printing is being performed based on commands from the host computer 17, the operation lever 13 of the paper bail 11 By manually operating the printer, it is possible to automatically feed printing paper set in the automatic paper feeder to the platen 8. Therefore, the I/F is used to automatically feed printing paper.

Since there is no need to operate 5W10, printing work efficiency can be improved.

The automatic paper feed amount for printing paper can be set arbitrarily from the host computer and keyboard, so by adjusting the setting amount, the printing paper can always be automatically fed to the printing start line position on the platen. Work efficiency can be further improved.

In addition, it is possible to continuously feed the printing paper for the time that the operating lever 13 of the paper bail 11 is pulled toward you without setting the automatic paper feeding amount in the automatic paper feeding memory RA2. This is very convenient when the print start line position differs for each paper.

Also, an automatic paper feed switch 14 that operates the automatic paper feed device.
is linked to the operation of the operating lever 13 of the paper bail 11, so when you pull the operating lever 13 toward you to set new printing paper on the platen 8, the automatic paper feeder operates, so the switch operation is one step. This can further improve printing efficiency.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, even when an electronic typewriter is used as a mere printing device controlled by printing commands from an external control unit, the automatic paper feeder can be driven manually. The printing paper can always be automatically fed to the printing start line position on the platen, improving the efficiency of printing work.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figures show an electronic typewriter with an interface according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the whole, Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view showing the main parts, and Fig. (b) is a side view of the same essential parts, Figure 3 is a block configuration diagram,
Figure 4 is a diagram showing the main memories of the storage section, Figures 5 to 7.
The figure is a flowchart showing the operation. 2...Keyboard, 3. ...Alphabet key, 4...Numeric key, 8...Platen, 9...API setting key,
10...I/F, SW (interface control switch), 11...paper bail, 12...paper insertion slot, 13...operation lever, 14...automatic paper feed switch, 15... MPU, 16...RAM, 17...
Host computer, 18... Interface, 2
0...paper feed motor, RAI...data buffer,
RA2...Auto paper feed amount memory, RA3. RA4...
-Flag area. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue N.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) Print out the characters corresponding to the character codes keyed in from the keyboard on the printing paper fed from the automatic paper feeder to the platen, and also print out the characters corresponding to the character codes inputted from the external control unit via the interface. An electronic typewriter with an interface that prints out on printing paper includes an interface control switch that controls on/off data input from the external control unit in the interface, and an interface control switch that is set in the automatic paper feeder for the automatic paper feeder. an automatic paper feed switch for inputting a paper feed command to feed print paper to the platen; and a switch set in the automatic paper feed device during the ON period of the automatic paper feed switch, regardless of the switch state of the interface control switch. An electronic typewriter with an interface, characterized in that the electronic typewriter is equipped with an insertion paper feeding means for inserting printed printing paper into the platen and continuously feeding the paper on the platen. (2) Print out the characters corresponding to the character codes keyed in from the keyboard on the printing paper fed from the automatic paper feeder to the platen, and also print out the characters corresponding to the character codes inputted from the external control unit via the interface. An electronic typewriter with an interface that prints out on printing paper includes an interface control switch that controls on/off data input from the external control unit in the interface, and an interface control switch that is set in the automatic paper feeder for the automatic paper feeder. an automatic paper feed switch for inputting a paper feed command to feed print paper to the platen; and an automatic paper feed switch that inputs a paper feed command to feed printing paper to the platen; An electronic typewriter with an interface, characterized in that the electronic typewriter is equipped with an insertion paper feeding means for inserting printing paper set in the device into the platen and feeding the paper by a predetermined amount on the platen. (3) Print out the characters corresponding to the character codes keyed in from the keyboard on the printing paper fed from the automatic paper feeder to the platen, and also print out the characters corresponding to the character codes inputted from the external control unit via the interface. An electronic typewriter with an interface that prints out on printing paper includes an interface control switch that controls on/off data input from the external control unit in the interface, and an interface control switch that is set in the automatic paper feeder for the automatic paper feeder. an automatic paper feed switch for inputting a paper feed command to feed print paper to the platen; an interlocking mechanism for interlocking the automatic paper feed switch and a paper bail operation lever for pressurizing the print paper to the platen; Regardless of the switch state of the interface control switch, during the ON period of the automatic paper feed switch, the printing paper set in the automatic paper feeder is inserted into the platen and the paper is continuously fed on this platen. An electronic typewriter with an interface, characterized by comprising means. (4) Print out the characters corresponding to the character codes keyed in from the keyboard on the printing paper fed from the automatic paper feeder to the platen, and also print out the characters corresponding to the character codes inputted from the external control unit via the interface. An electronic typewriter with an interface that prints out on printing paper includes an interface control switch that controls on/off data input from the external control unit in the interface, and an interface control switch that is set in the automatic paper feeder for the automatic paper feeder. an automatic paper feed switch for inputting a paper feed command to feed print paper to the platen; and a paper feed amount of the print paper inserted into the platen from the automatic paper feed device to be set by key operations on the keyboard. Insert the printing paper set in the automatic paper feeder into the platen in response to the turning-on operation of the automatic paper feed switch regardless of the switch state of the paper feed amount setting means and the interface control switch. An electronic typewriter with an interface, characterized in that the electronic typewriter is equipped with an insertion paper feeding means for feeding paper by an amount set by the paper feeding amount setting means on the platen. (5) Print out the characters corresponding to the character codes keyed in from the keyboard on the printing paper fed from the automatic paper feeder to the platen, and also print out the characters corresponding to the character codes inputted from the external control unit via the interface. An electronic typewriter with an interface that prints out on printing paper includes an interface control switch that controls on/off data input from the external control unit in the interface, and an interface control switch that is set in the automatic paper feeder for the automatic paper feeder. an automatic paper feed switch for inputting a paper feed command to feed print paper to the platen; and an automatic paper feed switch for inputting a paper feed command to feed print paper to the platen; and a paper feed amount for the print paper inserted into the platen from the automatic paper feed device from the external control unit via the interface. paper feed amount setting means that sets the paper feed amount based on the initial paper feed amount data inputted by the user; an electronic type with an interface, characterized in that the electronic type is equipped with an insertion paper feeding means for inserting printing paper set into the platen into the platen and feeding the paper by an amount set by the paper feeding amount setting means on the platen. Writer.