JPH04148969A - serial printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make the manipulation of a printer easy for a user and also a maintenance worker by providing a switching means for switching the printer to a user setting mode by an input through a key of an operating part after a power source is turned ON. CONSTITUTION:In the case of selecting two modes, i.e., a mode wherein a user can set an item (user setting mode) and a mode wherein a worker (maintenance worker) etc. can set an item when the printer is manufactured (assembled, inspected) in the factory or during the maintenance service (a plant setting mode), after a power switch 53 of the printer is turned ON, a mode changing switch is manipulated. As a result, the user setting mode is selected. If the power switch 35 is turned ON while the mode changing switch 49 is being manipulated, the plant setting mode is set. A program is set as above by a control part 15. Therefore, unless the worker intentionally turns the power switch 53 ON with depressing the switch 49, the plant setting mode cannot be selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a dot impact type or inkjet type serial printer.

[Conventional technology]

In recent serial printers, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-23325
As disclosed in the publication, in order to provide versatility by connecting to various host computers and receiving print data from these computers and printing, the user can set various operating parameters, and This allows fine adjustments to the printer's mechanism to be made during the final manufacturing and maintenance stages. And, as mentioned in -L, a non-volatile memory that stores setting items that can be set arbitrarily by the user, setting items that are used by maintenance workers etc. to adjust the mechanical variations of the printer, and their setting values. Many printers are equipped with a readable/writable memory, a printer operation panel for executing (inputting) these rewriting operations, and a central processing unit for controlling these.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

By the way, as pointed out in the above-mentioned prior art, the display section of the printer's operation panel 1- shows [11] In the operation of calling up and correcting the setting items, there is a message for fine adjustment that is not originally open to the user. There is a risk of an erroneous operation in which the user incorrectly specifies and corrects the setting items. Even if the user tries to correct the erroneous operation, it is usually difficult to restore the printer to its original state because the user is not informed of the settings that will bring out the best performance of the printer. be.

Therefore, in the prior art, a one-hit setting information circuit (a kind of switch We have decided to establish a means to do so.

However, such a configuration requires additional parts, which increases costs, and also burdens maintenance workers with the troublesome work of operating the 1-bit setting enable/disable information circuit. There was a problem.

The present invention aims to solve these conventional technical problems.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a non-volatile readable and writable memory that stores both factory setting items including adjustments for mechanical variations in printers and setting items that can be arbitrarily set by the user; In a serial printer comprising an operation section for setting setting items and a central processing unit for controlling these, switching to a factory setting mode is executed by turning on the power of the printer when inputting a key on the operation section. A switching means is provided for switching to the user setting mode by key input on the operating section after turning on the power of the printer.

〔Example〕

Next, an embodiment applied to a dot-type serial printer as an impact printer will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 is a platen body in the serial printer 1, and the platen is driven by a step motor (line foot motor) not shown. A body 10 feeds the paper in the row direction. Reference numeral 2 denotes print heads disposed facing each other so as to move along the surface of the platen body 10 and along its longitudinal direction, and the print head 2 and a replaceable ribbon cassette 3 containing an ink ribbon are connected to each other. , carriage 4
The carriage 4 is mounted on the platen body l.
It is slidably fitted onto the support shafts 5, 6 so as to be movable along the axes of the support shafts 5, 6 which are arranged parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction.

If the printing head '2 is an inkjet type, the ink ribbon cassette +-3 is not necessary.

A plurality of pulleys 7a, 7b carry the carriage 4 at appropriate locations on a timing belt 8, which is an endless belt, and around which the timing belt 8 is wound.

One of the drive pulleys 7c and 7d, 7a, can be rotated in forward and reverse directions.
1, and is attached to the timing belt 6 (carriage 4
is configured to move back and forth along the longitudinal direction of the platen body 1 (the width direction of the paper).

Note that the paper is transported to the front side of the platen body 10 by a transport means (not shown), and the ink ribbon in the ribbon cassette 3 is suitably moved approximately parallel to the moving direction of the carriage 4 between the paper and the print head 2. Although the ribbon cassette is placed in a fixed position,
The ink ribbon may be configured to move relative to the carriage 4 (print head 2).

Reference numeral 13 denotes a gap adjustment mechanism including a step motor 14 for adjusting the printing gap between the print head 2 and the surface of the platen body 10.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a microcomputer in the controller unit 15 of the printer 1, in which reference numeral 16 is a central processing unit (CPU), and numeral 17 is a unit for transmitting and receiving data with the host computer 12 as a host device. interface, 18 is a read-only character generator that stores character patterns of commonly used kanji such as first-level kanji and second-level kanji, and character codes to specify them; 19 is an alphabetic character generator; , a read-only non-kanji character generator in which characters other than kanji such as numbers, hiragana characters, and katagana characters are stored in advance, and the reference numeral 20 indicates a control signal for controlling the operation of the mechanical part of the printing device. This is a work memory that is readable and writable.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a readable and writable memory for writing and storing image data such as images sent from the host computer 12 in response to an image print command, and reference numeral 22 denotes an optional memory that can be added upon request of the user. , readable and writable registration memory, memories 20.21. ．． 22 is a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) that can be electrically erased and written to, and is a memory that can retain stored contents even when the main power is turned off.

Reference numeral 23 indicates a printing unit for calling a predetermined character or image from a character generator 18.19 or other memory 21.22 according to a command from the central processing unit 17, or for converting the character into vertical or horizontal writing. 24 is a non-volatile memory (EEFROM) in which data can be written for fine adjustment according to the mechanism of the printing section; 25 is a non-volatile memory (EEFROM) for switching the mode of the interface 17; This is a print processing IC that switches between character fonts, high-density printing, and draft printing.

Reference numeral 26 is an IC (gate array) that constitutes a duty counter etc. for regulating the timing of printing, etc., and controls the print data memory (print buffer 27, 28). One of the two line print buffers 27 and 28 for temporarily storing one line of character data is the print buffer 27.
By storing data for the next line of characters in the other print buffer 28 while printing one line based on the data accumulated in , it is possible to quickly perform bidirectional printing.

Reference numeral 29 denotes an IC (gate array) for controlling the serial dot print head drive circuit 30, which controls the print head 2.
The dot pin protrusion data is then commanded to the print head drive circuit 30.

Furthermore, reference numeral 32 denotes a limit switch for detecting when the paper runs out and stopping the printing operation and paper feeding;
Reference numeral 3 indicates an alarm drive circuit for issuing a warning with a buzzer or the like when detecting paper feed or no paper, and 34 indicates a fan drive circuit for driving a fan for cooling the inside of the printing device, which is connected to the on/off operation of the power switch.

35 is a motor drive circuit for driving the DC servo motor 9 that moves the carriage 4 in the forward printing direction and the reverse printing direction; 36 is an encoder for counting the number of rotations of the DC servo motor 9; and 37 is the paper 15. 38 is an auto-cut sheet feeder for automatically feeding cut sheets.

Reference numeral 39 is a speed changeover switch for switching the printing speed between at least two types. For example, the printing speed can be set to a high-density printing speed (75 characters/second) when printing kanji, a standard speed (110 characters/second), and a standard speed (110 characters/second). seconds) and double speed (220
It is possible to switch between three types (characters/second).

Note that this printing speed switching can also be performed by a command from the host combination coater I2.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a gap adjustment drive circuit for rotating the step motor 14 in the gap adjustment mechanism 13 in forward and reverse directions to adjust the printing gap.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a panel switch as an operation section of the printer, and the panel switch 31 includes seven key switches 46.
52 and one display unit 45 (based on a liquid crystal display element LCD), and an online switch 46 allows data to be exchanged between the host computer 12 as a host device and the printer, and an online state to disable data exchange. This is a trouble switch that switches to the offline state, and numeral 47 is a line feed switch for commanding a "line feed" to vertically feed the paper one line, and numeral 48 is a line feed switch for commanding a "page feed" to vertically feed the paper one page at a time. A page break switch 49 is a switch for transitioning to a mode setting state.

The key switches 50 and 51 turn on the switch 119.
After moving to the V-do setting state, move (rotate) the setting items in one direction or downward JJ direction.
2 Display the table on the display 15, or increase/decrease or select the setting value (setting content) for each setting item 48
) is a switch for...

In addition, the ear switch 52 is configured as described above.
Using Yippu 50.51 to set up the table and T-Sazebu[
] Specified I-1, the decision switch that must be pressed when deciding the setting value (setting content)... 5, previous, ii
l! The "l-line 2 switch 1' switch 16 also has the function of 1) removing it from the tote setting state described in 7j at any time" and returning it to the 71 "flying" state., Key switches 47-' :12 is valid only when offline. Also, code 53 turns on the printer.
・1, which is the power switch that must be turned off, and the 4th
The figure shows an example of setting items, including major items 1 (paper settings) and 2 (print format). 3 (Format format>, , 4
(Serial interface), 5 (Other parameters) are user settings 1.
Major item 6 (correction item) is a factory setting item that is set only at the product finishing stage and at the time of first maintenance. ,however,
This maintenance, etc. (1) Factory setting mode sentry point IJ =,
For the above major items 1-5, set C to enable stains,
5: i is turned on (lower, becomes online state, receives print data from host combination, -ri 12 (, prints with
The state in which the relay enables item 1 setting aT (code)
Setting (-11) and Y field) 31J During production (assembly, inspection) or maintenance service (maintenance personnel), etc. 1.1 Setting C state (simply factory setting [ -1) and two "-1" settings.
If you turn on the printer's power switch 53 and turn on the printer's power switch 53, then turn the mode setting transition switch 1. When the ON operation is executed, the program is set in the control unit 15 so that the factory setting mode is entered. [)
After turning on the power (step 301) following "Start", which will be explained in the flowchart of the selection processing subroutine between "." and factory setting mode, a specific switch (mode setting transition switch) 49 is turned on. 11 to read the status
(Step 302), then step: E O:
At this point, if the operator previously presses down the switch 49 and turns on the power switch 53, step 303
The period from step 301 to step 3 ()3 is short enough to be able to determine whether the switch is not OFF (no).
Press (, why not turn on the power switch!' Turn on i3 [2
If you do not have 4, you cannot enter the factory setting mode as shown below.
Normally, -'N--G-Ka-den, source 1' Press down 53, then turn on P, 19 (this (-7, but...
In Ste-Tub 303, ()i' F 1.9) 1'
I ended up losing 11 points, and Coser or two (゛Hong 1.-1
．． 'l), :', 'e-1-～-1... Preventing erroneous operation when selecting the size - 1- and force ()
.

Step: 303 is determined to be 0 (switch 111 (is OFF))
If N), step 304 is performed to determine whether or not the state of the switch 49 has been read for the second time for reconfirmation.
), if the answer in step 304 is no, the state of the switch 49 is read again. If the switch 41 is already ON when the voltage is pes at step 30.1, that is, when the voltage rti ON is on the rising edge, the -L field setting mote flag is set at step 305. Therefore, the maintainers etc.
A setting process (step 30) in which all items 1 to 6 are set 2 and the setting values are corrected.
6) can be executed.

At step 303, 11] is OF
When it is determined that the online switch 46 is pressed (step 307), it is determined whether the online switch 46 is in the offline state (step 307). Print execution EiJ
Stand bar in active state! , , host combination, if there is a printing command such as -ml-nt, executes ten line processing such as printing work etc. (
Ste Tub, '3 ([8). In this state, operate
In step 309, switch 4. Press G and determine whether it is fortune-telling and press -4 (yes)
, Return to offline (step 310), Step 307 'C.
Then, Sue up: (lI - - IE knee 1 - Setting transition 1 - S - R - Soji 4! -1 is pressed [・'' It is determined whether it is again or not, and then -C・, 7-1・Setting 4 transition], press -F49+F), press -2, Soup...1, G L(12"'(': "-'Soup) 1) Determining if there is a fixed ox -1・C゛J, 1, Ko
- When the line setting is not 5 - + - 1 (old), other processing such as line feed, line break e, and snow is executed (step 1313), H in step 312). -,,,,,,,,,-4J
-・Setting device- (yes) l ”I'll
II 1. - If so, step; (let the user setting mohet flag in the book, and select only the person items 11 to 5 (step 315).
The operation of selecting setting items and modifying the setting contents in the step ``, (decision)'' is as follows.
When the user setting mode is entered by pressing the mote selection transition switch 49 in the off-line state ■ζ, the first major item 1 of each setting item is displayed on the display section 15.

Here, each time the down key switch 51 is pressed once, the major items change to 0, 2-3-4, 5, etc.
- Press the button and press the key switch for up 'f' 50
Each time you press ``, the number of major items increases from 1 to 5 >, 1->
3 > 2, so the row 1 - 3 con is ``(,)〈term H
Change the display, and when you reach the predetermined Omakime location, press the decision switch 52 to decide t,..., z-jin, person position 1■1, and then... As soon as the key switch 50 is pressed, the small items are displayed on the display section 45 in Vl-key mode. In addition, when the number of large items and the number of 7'' or small items are large, the large item is selected as described in [1; On the other hand, you can quickly select the desired sub-item.

When the total number of items is small, it is sufficient to eliminate the display of major items.

In this way, when the desired sub-item is displayed, press the decision switch 52 to confirm (select) the settings for the selected sub-item. Existing setting values or setting contents are displayed in the sub-item area, but the mark ``*l'', which means this confirmed value, disappears and the cursor 15 on the display section blinks.3. In this state, For down - t - s 4' to 1 - 51 ("Press the key switch 50 for up Execute, select the desired value, etc., and then press the decision switch 52 1. The cursor disappears and the value is determined.
＊ ``Light for 2 seconds and return to the item selection state゛C
1 The above-mentioned major items are selected and minor items [You just need to repeat the selection and setting value determination work in 1, 1t, l, o, su-1...
30
, You can also directly display the setting item [-1] of the first page 1J without pressing ``Mote Settings''. , select the specified item [''6[z] (, set content (value) 6 Modify (determine)
Then it's ID.

In addition, in order to enter the final setting mode, the key switch 4
Although the power switch 53 may be pressed while pressing any one of the key switches 6-52, the power switch 53 may be pressed while pressing the plurality of key switches at the same time.
If you enter the factory setting mode by pressing the button, it will be intentional, and it will be safer because it will prevent the user from accidentally entering the listing setting mode. .

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the setting item "I" which can be adjusted at the time of production (assembly) or maintenance service is provided at the factory.
You can either include the user setting item or not include this coser setting item.

[Effect of the invention] As shown in J.
To enter the factory setting mode, which is a state that allows you to set items by maintenance name, etc. during assembly (\'L) or maintenance service, enter (Y) on the printer's operation panel.
,,tsu-“) Turn on the power !: This is an operation that Nie-Ama-does not normally perform, and the user is not informed of this operation method, so there is an extreme possibility that the user will perform this operation by accident. This prevents users from accidentally entering the factory setting mode.

Moreover, to enter the user setting mode, turn on the power.
After setting the
On the other hand, when a maintenance person enters the factory setting mode, the order is only substantially different from that described above, and no other operations are required, so the operation is easy for both the user and the maintenance person.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, no extra parts are required except for the power switch and the switch on the operation panel, which are normally provided in a printer, so there is an effect that the cost does not increase.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the printer, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control device, FIG. 3 is a flowchart, and FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of setting items. ■... Printer, 10... Platen body, 2 print heads, 4... Carriage, 5, 6... Spindle,
8...Timing belt, 9...DC servo motor, 12...Host computer, 15...
Controller section, 16...Central processing unit, 18.1
9... Character generator, 20, 21, 22. 24...
・EEPROM, 23, 26. 29... Gate array, 30... Print head drive circuit, 35... Motor drive circuit, 31... Operation panel, 45... Display unit, 46... ...Online switch, 47...Line break switch, 48...Page break switch, 49...
・Mode setting transition switch, 50.51...Key switch, 52...Decision switch, 53...
power switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A nonvolatile readable and writable memory that stores both factory setting items, including adjustments for printer mechanical variations, and setting items that can be set arbitrarily by the user, and a memory for setting these setting items. In a serial printer comprising an operation section and a central processing unit that controls these, switching to the factory setting mode is executed by turning on the power of the printer at the time of key input on the operation section, and turning on the power of the printer. A serial printer characterized in that a switching means is provided for switching to a user setting mode by key input on the operating section after operation.