JPH0363813A - printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce a cost when a print system is extended by establishing the channel of a print data signal and outputting the print data signal only for an information processor responding to a print confirmation signal. CONSTITUTION:When print is performed, firstly, the print confirmation signal to inquire whether or not a print request exists is outputted from a prescribed printer 2 to all the connected information processors 1. The information processor 1 having print data responds by replying to the print confirmation signal by outputting a print request signal with a response means. The printer 2 establishes the channel of the print data for only the information processor from which a response is obtained with a channel establishing means. When the channel of the print data is established, the print data is outputted to the printer with the print data output means of the information processor 1, then, the print is performed. Thereby, cost reduction when the print system is extended can be attained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a printing system including an information processing device, a printing device that performs printing based on a print data signal from the information processing device, and , relates to an information processing device and a printing device that constitute a printing system.

[Conventional technology]

Edit and structure the document to create the final document.

A document production printing system whose purpose is to print documents is generally one in which one printing device, such as a thermal transfer printer or a wire dot printer, is connected to one document production device. .

In addition, in the case of document production printing systems equipped with expensive printing devices such as laser printers capable of high-speed, high-definition printing, the printing time can be added to the overall time using the production device. Since the proportion of these devices is small, one printing device is connected to a plurality of document creation devices.

As mentioned above, an example of a device in which multiple document creation devices share one printing device is a laser printer that serves as a printing control device for each document creation device, such as the Hitachi Japanese word processor rWordPal 860 J. It comes with a controller and connects each document creation device and printing device with a cable in a one-to-one relationship, and only two document creation devices can be connected to one laser printer. There was only one type of laser printer available.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in conventional printing systems, the number of information processing devices that can be connected to one printing device is limited to two at most, and when adding more information processing devices, additional printing devices must also be installed. However, there is a problem in that the cost increases when expanding the printing system or when installing a new printing system.

In addition, printing devices and information processing devices have low compatibility,
Only one type of printing device can be connected to an information processing device, so when replacing a printing device with a printing device with different performance such as resolution, you must also install an information processing device that supports that printing device at the same time. First, there was a problem in that the cost of changing the printing system increased.

The above-mentioned problems are particularly noticeable in expensive printing devices such as laser printers, which do not sufficiently meet the needs for high-speed, high-definition laser printers.

The first object of the present invention is that when adding a new information processing device, there is no need to add a printing device, thereby reducing costs when expanding a printing system or installing a new printing system. A printing system that can reduce
Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a printing device that constitute a printing system.

A second object of the present invention is to increase compatibility between an information processing device and a printing device, and to reduce costs when changing the printing system by replacing the information processing device or printing device with another device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system that can achieve the desired results, as well as an information processing device and a printing device that constitute the printing system.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present application provides the following invention as a means to achieve such an object.

The invention related to a printing system for achieving the first object is configured to include one or more information processing devices and one or more printing devices that perform printing based on print data signals from the information processing devices. A printing system, wherein one or more of the printing apparatuses and one or more of the information processing apparatuses are connected to each other so as to be able to receive and transmit signals, and the printing apparatus includes:
a calling unit that outputs a print confirmation signal for inquiring whether or not the information processing device has a print request; and a calling device that outputs the print data only to the information processing device that has responded to the print confirmation signal. channel establishment means for establishing a signal channel, and the information processing apparatus has response means for responding to the print confirmation signal by outputting a print request signal if it owns print data; The apparatus is characterized by comprising a print data output means for later outputting the print data signal.

Here, the information processing device and the printing device are connected to be able to receive and transmit the various signals.

Preferably, the information processing device and the printing device are provided with two or more input/output terminals that are connected to each other.

The invention relating to a printing system for achieving the second object is a printing system including an information processing device and a printing device that performs printing based on a print data signal from the information processing device, wherein the printing system comprises: The present invention is characterized in that it has a print data processing means for converting a print data signal to a printable one when the model of at least one of the processing device and the printing device is different. may be provided in either or both of the information processing device or the printing device, or may be provided as an independent device.

In addition, the print processing means has various print processing programs for converting the print data signals into printable data on various printing devices, and selectively outputs the print processing program corresponding to the printing device that performs printing. The printing apparatus may include an output means and a print data conversion means for converting the print data signal based on the print outer ring program. Preferably, the printing system includes a program supplying means for supplying the printing processing program from an external storage device to the printing processing program outputting means.

[Effect]

In a printing system configured with one or more printing devices having a calling means and one or more information processing devices having a response means, each printing device and each information processing device are respectively provided. Two or more input terminals are connected by a cable and connected serially.

Two or more input/output terminals provided on each device are connected internally, so a signal input from one input terminal can be output from the other input terminal, and a signal output from the device can be output from the other input terminal. can be output from both input terminals.

Therefore, even if a printing system is configured with two or more devices, signals output from a specific device can be transmitted to each device.

In a printing system that is connected in this way, when printing, first, a predetermined printing device checks all the connected information processing devices to see if there is a print request. Output a signal.

In response to the print confirmation signal, the information processing device that owns the print data responds by outputting a print request signal using a response means.

The printing device causes the channel establishment unit to establish a print data channel only to the information processing device that has responded. By establishing a channel, a device that receives and transmits print data is specified.

When the print data channel is established, the print data output means of the information processing device outputs the print data to the printing device, and printing is performed based on the print data.

In this way, print data can be sent to a specific printing device without conflict, and printing can be performed even in a printing system that includes a plurality of information processing devices and a plurality of printing devices.

When adding a new information processing device, by connecting it to the printing system, print data can be sent to the printing device in the printing system without adding a printing device, and the printing device It can be printed with .

In addition, in a printing system configured with a printing means having a print data conversion means and an information processing device having a print processing program output means, when printing, the print processing program output means of the information processing device Select the print processing program that corresponds to the printing device that supplies the print data from among the various print processing programs that are available.
It is output to the printing device.

In response to this print processing program, the printing device converts the print data supplied from the information processing device into a print processable data using a print data conversion means, and prints the data.

Even when you change the printing system by replacing the information processing device or printing device with a different model, the print processing program that corresponds to the device is selected from among the various print programs, and printing is performed according to that print processing program. The data is changed to be printable and then printed.

Further, in a printing system having a printing device having a calling means and a print data conversion means, and a response means and a print processing program output means, it is possible to realize the respective effects of the two types of printing systems described above. , it is possible to expand the printing system and reduce costs when changing the printing system.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of a document creation device and a printing device. In Fig. 3, 1 is a document creation device such as a Japanese word processor or a personal computer, 2 is a printing device for printing a document created by the document creation device, and 3 is a connection between document creation device 1 and printing device 2. This is a signal cable for

The document creation device 1 includes an overall control device 11 that performs processing for document creation such as kana-kanji conversion, an input device 2 for inputting characters, a display device 13 that is a display section, and a display device 13 for displaying created documents. It consists of an external storage device 14 for storing data on a floppy disk or the like.

The operator displays the desired document using the document creation device 1! ! 13, and if it is to be saved, it is registered as encoded data in an external storage device 14 such as a floppy disk, and if it is desired to be printed, it is printed as an image document by the printing device 2.

The printing device 2 includes a printing control device 21 and a printer 22 that is a printing machine. The print control device 21 performs processing to develop coded data sent from the document creation device 1 into a print image.

Controls the printer 22, etc. The signal cable 3 connects the document creation device 1 and the printing device 2 through serial communication, and includes at least one pair of signal lines.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the overall control device 11 shown in FIG. 3.

Inside the overall control device 11, there is a CPU 41 consisting of a program storage type computer unit, and a boot RO consisting of a non-volatile memory ROM having a program executed when the power is turned on.
M42, a main memory 43 consisting of a random access memory (RAM) for storing programs for executing the functions of the document creation device 1 and created document data, and a main memory 43 for creating screen display patterns according to instructions from the CPU 41. A display circuit 47 that creates a video signal and sends it to the display device 13, and an external storage bag 5 according to instructions from the CPU 41.
A flexible disk control circuit (FDC) 45 that controls the floppy disk drive 114 and a CPU 41 that controls the input device 12 and receives input signals from the input device 12.
It has an input control section 44 for transmitting data to and from the printer 2, and a communication control section 46 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the printing apparatus 2.

Here, the coded document data for printing that is temporarily stored in the main memory 43 is sent to the communication control unit 46 in the form of parallel data in 8-bit or 16-bit units. In the unit 46, the input parallel data is converted into serial data, sent bit by bit to the signal cable 3, and finally transmitted to the printing device 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, in response to a print confirmation signal outputted from the printing device 2 to inquire as to whether or not there is a print request, if the printing device 2 owns print data, it outputs a print request signal. It has a response means for responding, a print data output means for outputting the print data after the response, and various print processing programs for converting the print data so that it can be printed by various printing devices, and supplies the print data. The print processing program output means for selectively outputting print processing program data corresponding to a printing device is a print processing program output means in which the CPU 41 sends various signals etc. via the communication control unit 46 based on a program stored in the main memory 43. It is executed by outputting. Note that various print processing program data are stored in the main memory 41 from a floppy disk via the external storage device 14.

Figure 5 is the printed bag shown in Figure 3! ! 2 is a block diagram showing details of a print control device 21 in the printer 2. FIG.

Overall control of the printing control device 21 is executed by a CPU 51 consisting of a program storage type computer unit. The boot ROM 52 consists of a ROM which is a non-volatile memory.
A program for operating the CPU 51 when the power is turned on and when performing common processing of the print control device 21 is stored. The program memory 53 is made up of a random access memory (RAM), and stores programs for controlling individual prints sent from the document creation device. The contents of the program memory 53 are data sent via communication when each document creation device executes printing, and are changed each time printing is performed.

A signal cable 3 connected to the document creation device 1 shown in FIG. 3 is connected to a communication control unit 54 in the print control bag [21].

The communication control unit 54 has a function of converting print processing program data or print data input in bit-by-bit serial format from the signal cable 3 into 8-bit or 16-bit parallel data, which is a processing unit of the CPU 51. be. The print processing program data from the document creation device II, which has been converted into parallel data by the communication control unit 54, is stored in the program memory 53 as described above, and the print data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 55, which is a RAM. Ru. The CPU 51 has a program memory 5
According to the print processing program in 3, the buffer memory 55
Character generator CG56 generates a character pattern for printing corresponding to the content of the encoded print data in
Read from RA bit by bit in the form of a print image
The data is expanded to a bitmap memory area 57 consisting of M.

By repeating the above operation for all the characters on one page to be printed, bit data for one page is developed in the bitmap memory 57, and then the CPU 5
1 sequentially sends the data in the bitmap memory 57 to the printer 22 via the printer control section 58, so that the printer 22 finally prints the print data. Note that in addition to controlling the transmission and reception of data to and from the printer 22, the printer control unit 58 also controls the transmission and reception of data to and from the printer 22.
It also controls the driving of the motor.

The calling means for outputting the print confirmation signal shown in FIG.
Based on the program stored in the program memory 53, the CPU 51 performs communication control on the printing confirmation signal and identification number data for identifying the printing device 2 stored in the printing device identification number storage section 59. This is executed by outputting through the section 54.

The channel establishment means for establishing the print data channel is
Based on the program stored in the program memory 53, the CPU 51 instructs the document creation device that has not received a print request not to issue a new print request, and
This is executed by requesting print data from the document creation device that made the print request.

The print data converting means for converting the print data into a print processable one is configured such that the CPU 51 converts the print data into the print data stored in the buffer memory 55 based on the print processing program outputted from the document creation device 1 and stored in the program memory 53. The printed print data is developed in the bitmap memory 57 in the form of a print image, and is then processed via the printer control unit 58.
This is executed by outputting to the printer 22.

Note that the print data processing means is composed of the print data processing means and the print processing program output means.

FIG. 2 shows details of the communication control unit 46 of the document creation device 1, and
2 is a block diagram showing details of a communication control unit 54 of the printing device 2 and a connection configuration between the two. FIG.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which two document creation devices 1.1a and one printing device 2 are connected.

The communication control unit 46 of the document creation device 1 is connected to C in FIG.
A universal serial transmission LSI that interfaces with the PU41 for serial transmission.
Synchronous receiver transmitter (USRT)
61, and an encoding circuit 62 which is the basis of transmission data and transmission timing for long-distance transmission, and which performs processing to include a clock in data to logically unify locks. , a transformer 66 whose purpose is to send only normal mode signals to the signal cable 3 for long-distance transmission, and a driver to amplify the signal output from the encoding circuit 62 and drive the transformer 66. 6
3, a receiver 65 that detects the signal input to the transformer 66 at the time of reception and converts the level to the logic level for primary stage decoding, and a received signal in which the data output from the receiver 65 and the synchronized clock are synthesized. It is composed of a decoding circuit 64 that restores only data.

The data flow when transmitting data is USRT61
, encoding circuit 62. Driver 63. The signal is output to the signal cable 3 in the order of the transformer 66.

In addition, the flow of data when receiving data is that data enters the transformer 66 from the signal cable 3, and the data flows through the receiver 6.
5. Decoding circuit 64. They are input in the order of USRT 61 and finally detected by CPU 41.

Note that the communication control section of the other document creation device 1a has the same configuration as the communication control section 46 of the document creation device 1 shown above.

Further, the block configuration of the communication control unit 54 of the printing device 2 is also as follows.
This is the same as the case of the document creation device 1 described above, and USRT
81. Encoding circuit 82. Driver 83, decoding circuit 84
．． Receiver 85. It consists of a transformer 86.

FIG. 6 is an example of data encoding in FIG. 2,
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing waveforms at each stage when data is sent from the CPU 41 in the communication control unit 46 of the document creation device 1. The data string is sent to the USRT 61 as parallel CPU data. U
From the SRT 61, O is serially sent out as L level and 1 as H level, and inputted as data A to the encoding circuit 62. The communication channel data C sent to the communication channels 3a and 3b via the encoding circuit 62 has a signal waveform as shown in FIG. 6, in which data A has a basic clock B component.

In this way, by combining the synchronized clock and data, which are the basic components of transmission, in the form of a single signal, communication is possible with at least one pair of signal lines, and a large number of document creation devices and printing devices can be connected and transmission distances can be extended. Even in such cases, it is possible to easily connect with a thin linear cable.

The communication control unit 46.46a of the document creation device 1, 1a includes:
Two connectors 67 and 68, each of which is an input/output terminal
Similarly, two connectors 87 and 78 are provided in the communication control unit 54 of the printing control device 2.
．． 88 are provided.

Two connectors provided in each communication control unit 46, 46a, 54 are communication control units 46, 46a.

The signals input from one connector are output from the other connector, and the signals output from the communication control units 46, 46a, and 54 are output from both of the two connectors. It has become so.

Therefore, by connecting the connector 68 and the connector 77 with the signal cable 3a, connecting the connector 78 and the connector 87 with the signal cable 3b, and serially connecting the document creation devices 1, 1a and the printing device 2, each It becomes possible to send and receive various signals between devices, as shown in Figure 7.
? M. It becomes possible to construct a printing system that connects several document creation devices and multiple printing devices.

Figure 7 shows Japanese word processors WP-A, WP-B, WP-C, and WP-D, which are document creation devices of different models.
2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a total of four printing bags and two printing bags [2A and 2B of different models are connected to configure the printing system of this embodiment.

FIG. 7(a) shows the printer 22A and the print control device 21A.
A printing device 2A, a printer 22B, and a printing control bag! i! 7(b) is an example in which a printing device 2A and a printing device 12B are arranged between document creation devices.

As described above, in this embodiment, the document creation device and the printing device can be serially connected without being restricted in the order of arrangement.

8(a) and 8(b) are flowcharts showing the flow of print processing in the printing system shown in FIG. 7, and mainly explain the outline of the processing on the printing control device side. be.

First, in process 90, the print control device 21A prints each WP-A.
, B, C, and D, and transmits identification number data indicating the printing device identification number of the printing device 2A, and processes 91,
In 92, 93, 94, respective WP-A, B,
A print confirmation signal is sequentially transmitted to C and D to inquire whether there is a print request to the printing device 12A.

If a print request signal is received from any one wp, the process 95 is executed. If there is no print request from any of the WPs, the process moves to process 101, and the print control device 21A sends the print request to each WP-A and WP-B.

It transmits to the print control device 21B that the transmission of print confirmation signals for C and D has been completed.

Next, in process 102, each WP-
The identification number data of the printing device 2B is sent to A, B, C, and D, and the respective WP-A, B, C, and D
104, 105, 106).

If a print request signal is received from any one WP, the process 95 is executed. If there is no print request from any of the WPs, the process moves to step 107, and the print control device 21B sends the print request to each WP-A and WP-B.

A message indicating that the transmission of print confirmation signals to C and D has been completed is transmitted to the print control device [21A].

Next, the process returns to process 90, and the print control device 2iA.

Once again, the identification number data of the printing device 2A is transmitted to each WP-A, B, C, and D, and a print request confirmation signal is transmitted.

As described above, each print control device [21A, 21B loops in a state of waiting for a print request until a print request is received from one of the WPs.

When there is a print request, one of the print control devices 21A and 21B that received the 5 print requests in process 95.

The printers 22A and 22B connected to the respective print control devices 21A and 21B inform the WPs other than the print requesting WP that they are currently executing print processing, instruct them not to generate new print requests, and then Next, in step 96, the print control device requests the print request WP to send print processing program data and print data, and establishes a print data channel only for the print request WP.

The document creation device that outputs the print request signal performs print confirmation based on the identification number data from among the various print processing program data for each model of printing device stored in the main memory from the floppy disk via the external storage device. Print processing program data for the printing device that sent the signal is selected and output.

In process 97, the print control device receives the print processing program data sent from the print request wp and stores it in the program memory.

In process 98, print data is received from the print request WP,
Temporarily stored in buffer memory.

In process 99, according to the contents of the print processing program data received in process 97, the print data received in process 98 is developed into a print image in the bitmap memory area, and specific print processing is performed, such as causing the printer to execute printing. Execute.

When all print processing is completed, in step 100, the WP that requested the printing is notified that the printing has been completed. after that,
The print control device returns to process 90 again and checks whether there is a print request for each wp.

By repeating the above process, two printing devices 2A
, 2B is serially connected to four document production devices WP-A and WP-B.
, C, and D are connected, without conflicting print requests from each WP.

Sequentially, according to the print processing program of each WP,
It becomes possible to print.

When replacing a document production device or a printing device with a different model, remove the installed device from the printing system, connect the new device to the printing system with a cable, and start printing on the newly connected device. A floppy disk containing processing program data may be stored in an external storage device.

Furthermore, when adding more document creation devices or printing devices, it is only necessary to connect the additional devices to the printing system using unused connectors among the connectors of the devices configuring the printing system. .

In this embodiment, the print control device 21 is provided in the printing device 2, but it may be provided in the document creation device or as an independent device.

Furthermore, although various print processing programs are supplied to the printing device via the document creation device using a floppy disk, they may be stored in advance in the memory of the printing device.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, when adding a new information processing device, there is no need to add a printing device, and even when adding a printing device, there is no need to add an information processing device, and the printing system can be expanded. It is possible to reduce costs when installing a new printing system or when installing a new printing system.

In addition, since we have provided a print program output means or print data processing means that holds various print processing programs, when changing the printing system by replacing the printing device,
There is no need to replace the information processing device along with the printing device, making it possible to increase compatibility between the information processing device and the printing device, and to reduce costs when changing the printing system.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the document creation device and the printing device, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of the communication control section of the document creation device and the communication control section of the printing device, and the connection configuration between the two. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of the document creation device and printing device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the overall control device. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the print control device. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the print control device. FIG. 7 is a layout block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a document creation device and a printing device, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an overview of print processing by the print control device. 1.1a... Document creation device, 2... Printing device, 3゜3a, 3b... Signal cable, 11... Overall control device, 14... External storage device, 21... Printing control Device, 22... Printer, 46, 46a, 54... Communication control section, 59... Printing device identification number storage section, 67.6
8゜77.78, 87, 88... Connector. High School 1 Figure High 4 - Figure S Figure 30 Kyu Zu High 1 Cause (CL) (b) Rate 8 Ward (Wholesale 3t58 Figure (b)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A printing system comprising one or more information processing devices and one or more printing devices that perform printing based on print data signals from the information processing devices, the printing system comprising: The printing device and one or more of the information processing devices are connected to each other so as to be able to receive and transmit signals, and the printing device includes:
a calling unit that outputs a print confirmation signal for inquiring whether the information processing device has a print request; and a calling device that outputs the print data signal only to the information processing device that has responded to the print confirmation signal. a channel establishment means for establishing a channel for the print confirmation signal, and a response means for responding to the print confirmation signal by outputting a print request signal if the information processing apparatus owns the print data; A printing system comprising: print data output means for outputting the print data signal. 2. In a printing device that performs printing based on a print data signal from an information processing device, a calling unit that outputs a print confirmation signal for inquiring whether or not there is a print request to the information processing device; and the print confirmation signal. channel establishing means for establishing a channel for the print data signal only for the information processing device that has responded to the request; and at least two or more input/output terminals to which the various signals are input/output and which are connected to each other. A printing device comprising: 3. In the information processing device that supplies the print data signal to the printing device, if it owns the predetermined print data and receives the print confirmation signal for inquiring whether there is a print request, it sends the print request signal. a response means for outputting and responding; a print data output means for outputting the print data signal after the print request signal is output; and at least two or more input/output units to which the various signals are input/output and which are connected to each other. An information processing device characterized by having a terminal. 4. In a printing system configured with an information processing device and a printing device that performs printing based on a print data signal from the information processing device, at least one model of the information processing device or the printing device is A printing system comprising print data processing means for converting print data signals for different cases into printable data. 5. In a printing device that performs printing based on a print data signal from an information processing device, a print data conversion means that converts the print data signal based on a print processing program for converting the print data signal into a print processable one. A printing device comprising: 6. An information processing device that supplies a print data signal to a printing device, the information processing device having various print processing programs for converting the print data signal so that it can be printed by various printing devices; An information processing apparatus comprising a print processing program output means for selectively outputting a corresponding print processing program. 7. A printing system comprising one or more information processing apparatuses and one or more printing apparatuses that perform printing based on print data signals from the information processing apparatuses, the one or more printing apparatuses and one or more printing apparatuses. The above-mentioned information processing device is connected to be able to receive and transmit signals to each other, and the printing device is configured to:
a calling unit that outputs a print confirmation signal for inquiring whether the information processing device has a print request; and a calling device that outputs the print data signal only to the information processing device that has responded to the print confirmation signal. a channel establishment means for establishing a channel for the print confirmation signal, and a response means for responding to the print confirmation signal by outputting a print request signal if the information processing apparatus owns the print data; and print data output means for outputting the print data signal, and print data processing means for converting the print data signal into printable data when at least one of the information processing device and the printing device is of a different model. A printing system comprising: 8. In a printing device that performs printing based on a print data signal from an information processing device, a calling unit that outputs a print confirmation signal for inquiring whether or not there is a print request to the information processing device; and the print confirmation signal. channel establishing means for establishing a channel for the print data signal only for the information processing apparatus that has responded to the print request; and a print processing program for converting the print data signal into a print processable one. a print data conversion means for converting data signals; and input/output of the various signals;
A printing device characterized by having at least two input/output terminals that are connected to each other. 9. In an information processing device that supplies a print data signal to a printing device, if it owns predetermined print data and receives a print confirmation signal for inquiring whether there is a print request, it sends a print request signal. a response means for outputting and responding; a print data output means for outputting the print data signal after the print request signal is output; and various print processing programs for converting the print data signal so that it can be printed by various printing devices. a print processing program output means that selectively outputs a print processing program corresponding to the printing device that supplies the print data signals; An information processing device characterized by having an input/output terminal. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising program supply means for supplying the print processing program from an external storage device to the print processing program output means.