JPH03217937A - Computer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To output processing information from a printer conforming to a port instructed by software by changing and setting arbitrarily the port output priority of a printer port to which a general printer is connected corresponding to he connecting state of a dedicated printer. CONSTITUTION:A first detecting means 7 which detects the connecting state of the dedicated printer 17 connected to either printer port 8 on one side out of plural printers 17, 18 and a first port sequence setting means 7 which automatically and arbitrarily sets the port setting priority of the printer ports 8,9 to which the dedicated printer 17 or the general printer 18 can be connected based on the detected state of the first detecting means 7 are provided. Therefore, the port output priority of each printer can be changed and set arbitrarily based on the detected state.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a computer device that can switch and output processing information to a dedicated printer and a general printer connected via one or more printer ports. be.

[Prior Art] In recent years, it has become increasingly important for personal computers to be compatible at the hardware level with personal computer devices introduced into the market in order to utilize software assets that have been developed up to now. is increasing.

In order to maintain compatibility at the hardware level, printer port addresses are also limited, but in order to make it possible to have multiple ports, 2-3
Often, different addresses are selected and defined as a first port, a second port, etc., respectively.

On the other hand, in order to improve portability, there are computer devices that have a printer that can be connected to the main body integrally without using an interface cable, and even in this type of device, the port for the printer is connected to the Alternatively, it is often set to the second port.

Furthermore, in the computer device mentioned above, in order to output to a general printer, a general printer port can be added at a location other than the dedicated printer port (if the dedicated printer port is set as the first port, it becomes the second port). In many cases, the configuration is such that this is possible.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the conventional example above, when using software that assumes that the output destination is a general first port, it is possible to output to a dedicated integrated printer, or to use a general port without using a dedicated printer. When outputting to or using different printers, the port for the dedicated printer should be the first port, the port for the -M printer should be the second port, or the port for the dedicated printer should be the second port. and set the port for a general printer as the first port,
If it is possible to change the settings or change the software settings, the output port must be set to the first port or the second port, but both are problems that require complicated procedures. There was a point.

Similarly to the above, when using software that assumes that the output destination is a general first port, you can output to a general printer without connecting a dedicated printer, or connect a dedicated printer. When outputting to that printer, the port for the 1M printer and the port for the dedicated printer should not be mapped to the same address.When the dedicated printer is not connected, the port for the general printer is When a port is set as the first port or a dedicated printer is connected, it is necessary to set the port for the 1M printer as the second or lower port or to make it unusable. Alternatively, if the software allows you to change the output port settings, you can set the dedicated printer port to the first port. Although it is possible to fix the general printer port as the second port and switch the settings of the software output port, this requires a complicated procedure.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems.In a computer device to which one or more general printers other than a dedicated printer can be connected, the general printer device is connected depending on the connection state of the dedicated printer. By making it possible to arbitrarily change and set the port output priority of the printer port that is used, processing information can be output from the printer that corresponds to the port order specified by the software without the need for complicated software changes or port switching connections. The purpose is to obtain a computer device that can output.

[Means for Solving the Problems 1] A computer device according to the present invention includes a first detection means for detecting a connection state of a dedicated printer connected to a printer port of one of a plurality of printers;
and a first port order setting means for arbitrarily automatically setting the port setting priority of each printer port to which a dedicated printer or a general printer can be connected based on the detection state of the detection means.

In addition, there is a second printer that detects the connection status of a dedicated printer to the dedicated printer port set to either printer port.
and a second port order setting means for arbitrarily automatically setting the port setting priority of a dedicated printer port or a printer port to which a general printer can be connected based on the detection state of the second detection means. It is something that

[Operation 1] In this invention, when the first detection means detects that a dedicated printer is connected to the printer port, the first port order setting means sets the port setting priority of each printer port based on this detection state. automatically set as desired and the first port is selected by the software, the first
It is possible to print processing information from a dedicated blink or general printer connected to a printer port set as a port.

Further, when the second detection means detects that a dedicated printer is connected to the dedicated printer port, the second port order setting means determines whether the dedicated printer port or a printer to which a general printer can be connected is selected based on this detection state. If the port setting priority of the ports is automatically set arbitrarily and the first port is selected by the software, and the dedicated printer port is connected to the dedicated printer port, processing information will be printed from one of the dedicated printers. When the dedicated printer port is not connected to the dedicated printer port, the processing information can be printed by the general printer connected to the other printer port to which the general printer can be connected.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a computer device showing a first embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a CPU circuit including a CPU, a control circuit, etc., 2 is an address bus, and 3 is an address bus. 7 is a decoding circuit for decoding the printer port address; 8 and 9 are printer ports; 10 and 11 are enable signals; port 8 or port 9 for printer. 14 is a connector to which a dedicated printer 17 is connected. 12 is a bus, and the main body and the dedicated blink 17 communicate with each other via this bus 12 to process print information. 4 to 6 are buses.

Reference numeral 16 is a connection signal, which is held at the H level by a pull-up resistor 19 when not connected, and is set to the L level when the dedicated printer 17 is connected to the connector 14, and indicates whether or not the dedicated printer 17 is connected to the connector 14. Notification is made to the decoding circuit 7. Note that the dedicated printer 17 is configured so that it can be integrated and connected to the main body.

15a and 15b are connectors to which a general printer 18 is connected. 13 is an interface cable, and the main body and the dedicated printer 17 are connected via this interface cable 13.
communicate with each other to process print information.

In the computer device configured in this way, the first
The dedicated printer 17 is connected to the printer port 8 whose detection means (in this embodiment, the decoding circuit 7 detects by identifying the H/L level of the identification signal 16) is set as the dedicated printer port. When it is detected that the printer port 8 has been set as a dedicated printer port or a general printer 18 can be connected based on this detection state, the first port order setting means (in this embodiment, the decoding circuit 7 also serves as the decoding circuit 7) This is a case where the port setting priority of each printer port (printer port 9 in this example) is arbitrarily automatically set and the first port is designated by software, and the dedicated printer 17 is connected to printer port 8. In this case, the processing information is printed from the dedicated printer 17, and when the dedicated printer 17 is not connected to the printer port 8, the 1M printer 18 is connected to any one of the print ports 9 in this embodiment.
The processing information can be printed by a general printer 18 connected to the printer.

Specifically, when the dedicated printer 17 is not connected, the identification signal 16 is held at H level by the pull-up resistor 19 and input to the decoding circuit 7. In this case, the decode circuit 7 enables the printer port 9 via the enable signal 11 when the contents of the address bus 2 match the address of the first port. Therefore, we installed software that outputs print data to the first port using C.
When operating with the PU circuit 1, when print data is output from the CPU circuit 1 to the data bus 3, the address of the first port is output to the address bus 2, and the decode circuit 7
Since printer port 9 is enabled, print data is sent to general printer 1 via printer port 9.
8 can be transferred.

On the other hand, when the dedicated printer 17 is connected to the main body side, the dedicated printer 17 sets the identification signal 16 to L level and inputs it to the decoding circuit 7. In this case, the decoding circuit 7 enables the printer port 8 via the enable signal 10 when the content of the address bus 2 matches the address of the first port, and enables the printer port 8 via the enable signal 11 when the content matches the address of the second port. to enable printer port 9. Therefore, when software that outputs print data to the first port (or second port) is operated on the CPU circuit 1, the data bus 3
When print data is output to address bus 2, the address of the first port (or second port) is output to address bus 2.
Since the printer port 8 (or printer port 9) is enabled by the decoding circuit 7, print data can be transferred to the dedicated printer 17 (or general printer 18) via the printer port 8 (or printer port 9).

The first port priority setting process in the computer device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 shows the first computer system in the computer device according to the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a port priority setting processing procedure. Note that (1) to (1l) indicate each step.

First, it is determined whether the identification signal 16 is in the H level state (
1) If No (when the dedicated printer 17 is connected), the content of the address bus 2 is analyzed (2) CPU circuit 1 determines whether the software being executed is specifying the first port (3) ), if YES, enable signal 10
(4), and set printer port (port A) 8 to the first
port (5) and waits for the print data transfer to finish (6), and when the data transfer is finished, the process ends.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (3) is NO, the second port is enabled (7) and the process returns to step (6).

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (1) is YES (when the dedicated printer 17 is not connected), the contents of the address bus 2 are analyzed (8) and the software being executed by the CPU circuit 1 specifies the first port. (9)
If No, return to step (7); if YES, output enable signal 11 (10), set printer port (port B) 9 as the first port (11), and step (
Return to 6).

This allows the software to set the printer port to
Even if a port is specified, printer port 9 or printer port 8 can be set as the first port depending on the connection state of dedicated printer 17.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a computer device showing a second embodiment of the present invention, in which 21 is a CPU circuit including a CPU and a control circuit, 22 is an address bus, and 23 is a
24 is a data path, and 24 is a bus, which connects the address bus 22 and the decoding circuit 26. A bus 25 connects the general printer port 28 and the data bus 23. A decoding circuit 27 is connected to the address bus 22 of the main body via a connector 38. 29 is a dedicated printer port,
It is connected to the data bus 23 of the main body via the connector 3, and to the dedicated printer 36 via the bus 33, and supplies print information outputted via the data bus 23 to the dedicated printer 36.

Reference numeral 30 denotes an enable signal that enables the general printer port 28 based on the address decoding result of the decoding circuit 26. 32 is a bus, connectors 37a, 37
It is connected to the general printer 35 via the -M printer port 28, and supplies the print information outputted through the -M printer port 28 to the general printer 35. Reference numeral 39 denotes a pull-up resistor which becomes L level when the dedicated printer 36 is connected on the 3rd day of the connector, and outputs an identification signal 4o indicating whether or not it is connected to the decoding circuit 26.

In the computer device configured in this way, the second
When the detection means (also served by the decoding circuit 26) detects that the dedicated printer 36 is connected to the dedicated printer port (dedicated printer port 29), the second port order setting means selects the dedicated printer based on this detection state. If the port setting priority of the printer port (general printer port 28) to which the printer port 29 or the general printer 35 can be connected is arbitrarily set automatically, and the first port is selected by the software, the dedicated printer port 29 When a dedicated printer port is connected to the dedicated printer port 29, the processing information is printed from one dedicated printer 36, and when the dedicated printer port 29 is not connected to the dedicated printer port 29, the -M printer 35 is printed from the other connectable printer port. It is possible to print processing information from a general printer connected to the general printer port 28.

Specifically, when the dedicated printer 36 is not connected, the identification signal 4o is set to H level by the pull-up resistor 39 and is input to the decoding circuit 26. in this case,
The decode circuit 26 enables the general printer port 28 using the enable signal 3o when the contents of the address bus 22 match the address of the first port. Therefore, when software that outputs print data to the first port is operated by the CPU circuit 21, when print data is output from the CPU circuit 21 to the data path 23, the address of the first port is output to the address bus 22. Since the general printer port 28 is enabled by the decoding circuit 26, the print data is transferred to the general printer 35 via the general printer port 28.

On the other hand, when the dedicated printer section 34 is connected to the main body,
The identification signal 40 becomes L level, and the decoding circuit 26 is notified that the dedicated printer section 34 is connected. In this case, the decoding circuit 26 determines that the contents of the address bus 22 are
When it matches the port address, enable signal 3
Enable the general printer port 28 via o.

On the other hand, the decoding circuit 27 outputs an enable signal 31 when the contents of the address bus 22 match the address of the first port.
This enables the dedicated printer port 29.

Therefore, when the cPU circuit 21 executes the software that outputs print data to the first port, the CPU
When print data is output from the circuit 21 to the data bus 23, the address of the first port is output to the address bus 22, and the decoding circuit 27 in the dedicated printer section 34 enables the dedicated printer port 29. The print data is transferred to the dedicated printer 36 via the dedicated printer port 29. In addition, the CPU circuit 21 has software that outputs printer data to the second port.
When the print data is output to the data bus 23 as described above, the address of the second port is output to the address bus 22 and the general printer port 28 is enabled by the decoding circuit 26. The print data will be transferred to the general printer 35 via the general printer port 28.

The second port priority setting process in the computer device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 shows the second computer system in the computer device according to this invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a port priority setting processing procedure. Note that (1) to (l8) indicate each step @ First, it is determined whether the identification signal 4o is in the H level state (
11 If No (when the dedicated printer 36 is connected), analyze the contents of the address bus 22 (2) determine whether the software being executed by the CPU circuit 21 indicates the first port (3) YES Then enable signal 3
1 and (4) Dedicated printer port (dedicated port)
29 is enabled (5), it waits for print data to be received (6), and prints using the dedicated printer 36 (7), ending the process.

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (3) is NO, the enable signal 30 is output (8) and -M printer port 2
8 (general port) is enabled (9), waits for printer data reception (1o), prints on the general printer 35 (11), and ends the process.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (1) is YES, the content of the address bus 22 is analyzed (l2), and the CPU circuit 21 determines whether or not the software being executed is instructing the first port (13). , if No, step (18)
Proceed to , perform error handling, and end the process.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (13) is YES, the enable signal 3o is output (14) and the 1M port is enabled (15). Next, it waits for print data to be received (16), and if YES, prints using the general printer 35 (17), and the process ends.

In this way, by automatically setting the dedicated printer port designation by the software to the general printer port designation depending on whether or not the dedicated printer 36 is connected, the desired print designation/cancellation can be performed without performing software print designation/cancellation. Print information can be sorted and output using a printable printer.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention includes a first detection means for detecting the connection state of a dedicated printer connected to a printer port of one of a plurality of printers, and a The first port order setting means automatically sets the port setting priority of each printer port to which a dedicated printer or general printer can be connected based on the detection state of the printer port. The output order of each printer port can be arbitrarily set based on the connection state of a dedicated printer connected to any printer port without changing the output order.

In addition, there is a second printer that detects the connection status of a dedicated printer to the dedicated printer port set to either printer port.
and a second port order setting means for arbitrarily automatically setting the port setting priority of a dedicated printer port or a printer port to which a general printer can be connected based on the detection state of the second detection means. Therefore, the output order of ports to which general printers are connected can be automatically switched in accordance with the dedicated printer connection state without changing the printer port address designation by software. Therefore, without having to be aware of hardware or software processing such as changing the settings of the print output destination, the requested print information can be easily sorted and output from a printable general printer or dedicated printer connected to the general printer port. It has the following effects.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a computer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first port a priority setting processing procedure in the computer device according to the present invention. , FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a computer device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the second port priority setting processing procedure in the computer device according to the present invention. It is. In the figure, 1 is a CPU circuit, 2 is an address bus, 3 is a data path, 7 is a decoding circuit, 8 and 9 are printer ports,
17 is a special printer, and 1 and 8 are general printers. 1 Figure 1

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a computer device having one or more printer ports to which a printer other than a dedicated printer can be connected,
a first detection means for detecting a connection state of a dedicated printer connected to one of the printer ports among the plurality of printers, and a dedicated printer or a general printer connected based on the detection state of the first detection means; 1. A computer device comprising: first port order setting means for arbitrarily automatically setting port setting priorities of each possible printer port. (2) A second device that detects the connection status of a dedicated printer to the dedicated printer port set to either printer port.
and a second port order setting means for automatically setting port setting priority of a dedicated printer port or a printer port to which a general printer can be connected based on the detection state of the second detection means. The computer device according to claim 1, characterized in that: