JP3311112B2 - External operation panel and printer, control method using external operation panel, and control method using printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an external operation panel and printer capable of communicating with a host computer and devices such as an external operation panel via a plurality of interfaces, a control method using the external operation panel, and a control method using the printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus having intelligence such as a page printer has a display unit such as a liquid crystal,
Usually, an operation panel provided with an LED lamp and a key switch for setting various modes is provided.

On the other hand, as a low-end printer (such as a line printer), a printing apparatus in which only an indicator such as an LED is provided has been put to practical use.

[0004]

However, in a conventional low-end printing apparatus, there is often no operation panel for reasons such as cost reduction. However, even in a page printing device or the like, in a printing device in which an operation panel or a display unit such as a liquid crystal is not provided for the above-described reason, complicated user operation becomes difficult when performing various mode settings, and operability is remarkably increased. There was a problem of being damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide an external operation panel capable of communicating via a predetermined interface, which can be connected to a host computer. By causing the printer to transfer data for causing the printer to recognize that the device communicable through the predetermined interface is the external operation panel, the externally connected device can be connected to the host computer via the predetermined interface. The printer recognizes the device to be used as an external operation panel, makes effective use of the predetermined interface connectable to the host computer, and uses the external operation panel without using a special interface on the printer side. Display and various complicated key operations can be instructed with good operability. The method of Part operation panel and an external control panel is to provide. A second object is a printer provided with a predetermined interface, which communicates with a device via a predetermined interface connectable to a host computer, and the device transmitted from the device is transmitted to an external operation panel. By recognizing predetermined data for causing the printer to recognize that there is, and controlling print processing based on the data input from the recognized external operation panel, a predetermined interface to which a host computer can be connected. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer and a control method by the printer, which can effectively use the external operation panel to instruct display and various complicated key operations on the printer, and reflect the instruction in the printing process.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an external operation panel communicable through a predetermined interface, the transmitting means transmitting data for instructing print control of a printer. Means for transferring, to the printer, data for causing the printer to recognize that the device communicable via the predetermined interface is an external operation panel, wherein the predetermined interface includes a host computer. Is connectable. A second invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the means for transferring transmits the data for causing the printer to recognize that the data is an external operation panel using a protocol for causing the printer to recognize the data. A third invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the printer is a printer having no operation panel. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printer, a first interface usable at least for communication with a host computer and a second interface provided separately from the first interface are provided.
And a means for causing the printer to recognize that the device communicable via the first interface or the second interface is an external operation panel. Is transferred to the printer. A fifth invention according to the present invention is a printer provided with a predetermined interface, wherein the printer is capable of communicating with a device through the predetermined interface, and is communicable through the predetermined interface. Means for recognizing predetermined data transmitted from the device to make the printer recognize that the device is an external operation panel, in order to recognize that the device is an external operation panel; and Means for controlling print processing based on data input from the external operation panel by means, and a host computer can be connected to the predetermined interface. In a sixth aspect according to the present invention, the means for recognizing comprises:
It is characterized in that protocol data for recognizing that the data comes from the external operation panel can be recognized. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention,
The communication means transmits data to be displayed on a display unit provided in the external operation panel to the external operation panel. An eighth invention according to the present invention provides:
The external operation panel is capable of instructing the printer to perform print control. In a ninth aspect according to the present invention, the predetermined interface is a first interface usable for communication with a host computer, and further includes a second interface provided separately from the first interface. The recognizing means may transmit predetermined data transmitted from the device via the first interface or the second interface to the printer to recognize that the device is an external operation panel. It is characterized by recognition. A tenth invention according to the present invention is an external operation panel communicable via a predetermined interface, comprising: a transmission step of transmitting data for instructing print control of a printer; Transferring data for causing the printer to recognize that the communicable device is an external operation panel to the printer, wherein a host computer can be connected to the predetermined interface. I do. An eleventh invention according to the present invention is a control method for a printer provided with a predetermined interface, wherein the communication step includes communicating with a device via the predetermined interface, and communicating via the predetermined interface. Recognizing that the enabled device is an external operation panel, and recognizing predetermined data for causing the printer to recognize that the device is an external operation panel transmitted from the device; A control step of controlling print processing based on data input from the external operation panel by the communication step, wherein a host computer can be connected to the predetermined interface.

[0007]

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a host computer such as a personal computer, 2 is an operation panelless printer (body), 3
Is a Centronics-compliant cable, which functions as a communication medium between the host computer 1 and the printer 2. 5
Is an RS232C cable, the main body 2 and the external operation panel 4
Functions as a communication medium between and.

Reference numeral 2a denotes a printer controller which controls the printer engine, controls communication with the host computer 1 connected via an interface port, and controls communication with an external operation panel 4 described later. The printer controller 2a includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.
Etc. are provided.

[0011] In the printing apparatus configured as described above,
When the printer controller unit 2a recognizes the connected device as the external operation panel 4 according to the communication state with the device, the printer controller unit 2a controls the printing process based on the data input from the external operation panel 4. It is possible to easily perform complicated print control by connecting the external operation panel 4 even if the printing apparatus is not equipped with.

The external operation panel 4 is provided with a Centronics interface or a connector for RS232C. Usually, the printer device has at least a Centronics interface or RS232C
Is usually provided. However, other interfaces such as SCSI and AppleTalk (product name) may be provided.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the external operation panel 4 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes an interface control unit for performing bidirectional communication with a printer, which includes a port 11-1 for Centronics and a port 11 for RS232C.
2, and a port 11-3 corresponding to another interface, and the cables 3 and 5 shown in FIG. 1 are connected to the corresponding ports.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a switch sensing receiver which detects a pressed state of a switch and notifies the microcomputer 18 of the detected state. Reference numeral 14 denotes an LCD or VF for displaying an operation panel.
A display unit 15 composed of a D (fluorescent display tube) is a display driver, which controls the display on the display unit 14. 16 is LED
The driver 17 controls turning on / off / flashing. The microcomputer 18 is composed of one chip, and includes a ROM,
Built-in RAM and the like. Reference numeral 19 denotes a system bus, together with the system address bus 20, by which the microcomputer 18 transfers input / output signals and control signals to / from each device between the microcomputer 18 and each input / output device.

Based on the data fetched from each port of the interface control unit 11, the microcomputer 18 stores in the ROM a display on the display unit 14, an instruction to turn on / off / blink the LED 16, and a detection of the pressed state of the switch 13. Execute based on stored programs. Also, the switch 13
Is also sent back to the body 2 side.

Further, it is necessary for the main body 2 to recognize that the data comes from the external operation panel 4. In this embodiment, the data is transmitted using a different protocol from the normal interface without using the same protocol as the normal interface. There is a need to.

Hereinafter, FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
A method of recognizing the external operation panel 4 with respect to the main body 2 shown in FIG.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining a pin arrangement configuration of a connector conforming to Centronics. FIG. 3A shows a relationship between a pin number and each interface signal, and FIG. 3B shows a pin arrangement corresponding to the pin number. .

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining communication between the main body 2 and the external operation panel 4 shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, the external operation panel 4 sets the signal nIMPRM to LOWTRUE and simultaneously sets the signals nAUXIN1 and 2 to LOWTRUE.
When the main body 2 detects this state, the device connected to the main body 2 connected via the port 11-1 is recognized as an external operation panel. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to the case where the pin arrangement and the signal function have the relationship shown in FIG. 5, that is, if the configuration conforms to Centronics.

Hereinafter, the port 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
A case will be described in which the device connected to the main body 2 connected via 1-2 is recognized as the external operation panel 4.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the pin arrangement of the RS232C-compliant connector. FIG. 6A shows the connection relationship between terminals, and FIG. 6B shows the pin arrangement corresponding to the pin numbers.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining communication between the main body 2 and the external operation panel 4 shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, during a hardware handshake, the main unit 2 receives a signal DTR (Data Terminal R).
eady), and the other party recognizes this and sends the data, but the signal RTS (Request to Send Data) is H
True, where the interface control unit 11 of the main unit 2 transmits the signal RTS (Request to Send Data) to Lo.
When the main body 2 detects that data has been transmitted from a device connected via the port 11-2 as wTrue at this time, the device can be recognized as the external operation panel 4.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the external operation panel 4 is connected to each port of the main body 2 and recognized by hardware has been described. Control may be performed so as to be recognized as the operation panel 4.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to use an interface which is not used in a printing device and is provided for a display device, and it is possible to use the interface means effectively. it can. Further, the data input through the interface means can be displayed on a display unit provided in the display device by the connected display device. Further, by operating the operation panel means, it is possible to easily instruct complicated printing control of the printing apparatus. Further, a program execution unit for executing a display program stored in the storage unit is provided, and a display based on external data can be performed.

Further, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus capable of connecting a device to any one of the plurality of interfaces other than the interface used for communication with the host computer, and the printing apparatus can be provided with any of the interfaces. It is possible to recognize whether or not the device is connected, and when it is recognized, the control unit can control the printing process based on the data input from the device. Further, the device has an operation panel,
Even for a printing device or the like in which the operation panel section is not operated, it is possible to easily perform a complicated print instruction by inputting from a device, that is, an operation panel, and a user-friendly operation panel is provided. As a result, a printing device corresponding to the device can be provided.

As described above, according to the external operation panel and the control method using the external operation panel according to the present invention, the external operation panel is communicable via a predetermined interface and can be connected to a host computer. By transmitting data for causing the printer to recognize that the device communicable through the predetermined interface is the external operation panel to the printer, the printer can determine that the externally connected device is the external operation panel. It allows the host computer to effectively use a predetermined interface that can be connected to it, and can use the external operation panel to display on the printer and perform various complicated key operations without using a special interface on the printer side. You can give instructions with good operability. According to the printer and the control method by the printer, the printer is provided with a predetermined interface, communicates with the device via a predetermined interface connectable to a host computer, and is transmitted from the device. By recognizing predetermined data for causing the printer to recognize that the device is an external operation panel, and controlling the printing process based on the data input from the recognized external operation panel, the host computer Since a predetermined interface that can be connected can be effectively used, an external operation panel can be used without preparing a special interface, and display to a printer and various complicated key operation instructions can be easily realized.
This can be reflected in the printing process.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an external operation panel shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a pin arrangement configuration of a connector conforming to Centronics.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating communication between the main body and the external operation panel illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another pin arrangement of a Centronics-compliant connector.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a pin arrangement configuration of a connector conforming to RS232C.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining communication between the main body 2 and the external operation panel 4 shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 2 Main body 2a Printer controller 3 Cable 4 External operation panel 5 Cable

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/12

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] An external operation panel communicable via a predetermined interface, which transmits data for instructing print control of a printer.
Yes transmitting means, the data for the prescribed in-tough Esu devices can communicate via the causes recognized as an external operation panel to the printer, means for transferring to the printer
And the predetermined interface is a host computer.
An external operation panel characterized by being connectable . 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein said transferring means causes the printer to recognize that the data is an external operation panel .
The external operation panel according to claim 1 , wherein the data for the recognition is transmitted by a protocol . 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer does not have an operation panel.
External operation panel described in. 4. A first-in tough Esu available for communication with at least the host computer to the printer, second, which is separately disposed from the first-in tough Esu
Interface and are provided, said means for transferring, said first-in tough Esu or devices can communicate via the second i <br/> down tough Esu is in external operation panel 4. The external operation panel according to claim 1, wherein data for causing the printer to recognize the data is transmitted to the printer. 5. A pre <br/> printer a predetermined interface is provided, a communication unit for communicating with the device via the predetermined in-tough Esu, via the predetermined in-Tough Esu Means for recognizing predetermined data transmitted from the device for causing the printer to recognize that the device is an external operation panel, in order to recognize that the communicable device is an external operation panel Control means for controlling a printing process based on data input from the external operation panel by the communication means ;
The predetermined interface has a host computer.
A printer to which data can be connected . Wherein said recognizing means, according to claim 5, wherein the data is recognizable data protocol for recognizing that the those coming from an external operation panel Printer. 7. The external operation panel according to claim 5, wherein the communication unit transmits data to be displayed on a display unit provided on the external operation panel to the external operation panel.
Printer according to. 8. The printer according to claim 5, wherein the external operation panel is capable of instructing the printer to perform print control. Wherein said predetermined Inn tough Esu is a first-in tough Esu available for communication with the host computer, second-in tough that is separately provided from the further first-in tough Esu Means for recognizing,
Said first-in tough Esu or the second in-Tough E <br/> over scan the device transmitted from the device via the predetermined for to recognize the printer that the external operation panel 9. The printer according to claim 5, wherein the printer recognizes data. 10. A external operation panel capable of communicating via a predetermined interface, a transmission step of transmitting the data for instructing the printing control of the printer, can communicate with via the predetermined in-Tough Esu devices are data for causing recognized as an external operation panel to the printer, comprising the step of transferring to said printer, said the predetermined interface is a host computer against
A method for controlling an external operation panel, wherein the method is controllable. 11. A method for controlling a predetermined flop interface disposed <br/> printer, a communication step of communicating with the device via the predetermined in-tough Esu, the predetermined in-Tough Esu In order to recognize that the device enabled to communicate via the external operation panel, predetermined data transmitted from the device and causing the printer to recognize that the device is an external operation panel is transmitted. includes a step for recognizing, and a control step for controlling the printing processing based on data input from the external operating panel by the communication step, the host in the predetermined interface
A printer control method , wherein a computer is connectable .