JPH0863301A - Printer system and method of displaying characters in printer system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Printable characters can be displayed at low cost on the display means. [Characteristics] A characteristic is that a character pattern developed according to character information obtained by analyzing print information by the CPU 12 based on a program ROM stored in the ROM 13 is displayed on a character display of the operation unit 1012.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer system in which a host computer and a printer device connected via a bidirectional interface communicate with each other for printing, and a character display method for the printer system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, characters to be displayed on a character display device on an operation panel of an output device, for example, a printing device (hereinafter, the printing device will be described as an example) are extremely limited to be stored in a ROM of the printing device. For example, only the bitmap pattern data such as Katakana in alphanumeric characters.

[0003]

Since the conventional printing apparatus is constructed as described above, when the bit map pattern data of the desired character is not stored in the ROM of the printing apparatus, the desired character, for example, the Kanji character is printed. Also, there is a problem in that characters of different typefaces (including hiragana, katakana, kanji, alphanumeric characters, etc.) cannot be displayed on the character display device on the operation panel of the printing device.

Further, according to the conventional printing apparatus, in order to store the bitmap pattern data to be displayed on the character display device on the operation panel of the printing apparatus in the printing apparatus, the size of the bitmap pattern data to be stored must be stored. ROM of
Since the capacity is required, there has been a problem that the device cost becomes high.

Further, according to the conventional printing apparatus, there is a problem that the character display device on the operation panel cannot display the bitmap pattern data of the character downloaded from the external device such as the host computer. .

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the objects of the first to sixth inventions of the present invention are to utilize the character resources on the printer side or the host computer side, By displaying characters on the display device on the operation panel of the printer device, the bit map pattern created by the character expansion process on the printer device side or the character expansion process on the host computer side, and the display character resource on the printer side and its surroundings. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer system and a character display method for the printer system, which can display printable characters at low cost on the display unit without drastically changing the configuration of the device or expanding the capacity of the storage medium for storing the character resource. .

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a host computer connected via a bidirectional interface and a printer device communicate with each other to analyze print information input. In a printer system for printing, character expansion means for expanding a character pattern on a bitmap memory according to character information obtained by analyzing print information, and display means for displaying the character pattern expanded by this character expansion means. It is provided on the printer side.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a printer system for performing printing by analyzing print information input by a host computer and a printer device connected via a bidirectional interface to communicate with each other. , Character expansion means for expanding a character pattern on a bit map memory according to outline character data, character resource memory for storing a predetermined character pattern, display means for displaying the character pattern, and character pattern for display on the display means. Instructing means for instructing corresponding character data, determining means for determining whether or not a character pattern corresponding to the character data instructed by the instructing means can be acquired from the character resource memory, and the determining means for instructing the character data. When it is determined that the pattern cannot be obtained from the character resource memory, the instruction means is instructed. A display character control means for a character pattern based on character data and developed on the character development means to be displayed on said display means is obtained by providing on the printer side.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the character expanding means is configured to expand a character pattern on a bit map memory according to the resolution of the character data instructed by the instructing means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a host computer connected through a bidirectional interface and a printer device having a display means for displaying a character pattern communicate with each other to input print information. In a printer system for analyzing and printing, character expansion means for expanding a character pattern as bitmap data on a bitmap memory according to outline character data, character resource memory for storing a predetermined character pattern, and display on the display means. Instruction means for instructing character data corresponding to the character pattern, determination means for determining whether the character pattern corresponding to the character data instructed by the instruction means can be obtained from the character resource memory, and the determination means It is determined that the specified character pattern cannot be obtained from the character resource memory. In this case, the host computer includes transfer means for transferring character data corresponding to the character pattern expanded by the character expanding means based on the character data instructed by the instructing means to the printer device through the bidirectional interface. Host transfer data storage means for storing the character data transferred by the transfer means, and display character control means for displaying the character data stored in the host data storage means on the display means on the printer device side. It is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a host computer, a display means for displaying a character pattern, and a printer device having a character resource memory for storing a predetermined character pattern communicate with each other via a bidirectional interface. A character display method for a printer system that analyzes and prints print information that is input by a step of instructing character data corresponding to a character pattern to be displayed on the display means;
A determining step of determining whether a character pattern corresponding to the instructed character data can be acquired from the character resource memory, and a case of determining that the instructed character pattern cannot be acquired from the character resource memory in the determining step. ,
The printer device side has a development step of developing a character pattern based on the instructed character data and a character display step of transferring the developed character data to the display means for display.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a host computer having a character resource memory for storing a predetermined character pattern and a printer device having a display means for displaying the character pattern are mutually connected via a predetermined bidirectional interface. In a character display method of a printer system for performing a print process based on print information input through communication, an instructing step of instructing character data corresponding to a character pattern to be displayed on a display means and corresponding to the instructed character data A determining step of determining whether a character pattern can be acquired from the character resource memory, and based on the instructed character data when the determining step determines that the specified character pattern cannot be acquired from the character resource memory. And a character data of the character pattern thus expanded, A transfer step of transferring to the printer device via an interface is provided on the host computer side, and a determination step of determining whether the transferred transfer data is character data, and a transfer step when it is determined to be character data The printer device has a registration means for registering the character data registered in the storage medium and a display step for displaying the character data registered in the storage medium on the display means.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the character expanding unit displays the character pattern expanded according to the character information obtained by analyzing the print information on the display unit, and printing can be performed on the printer side having no display character resource. A variety of characters can be displayed using character resources.

In the second invention, when the character data corresponding to the character pattern to be displayed on the display means is designated by the designating means, the character pattern corresponding to the character data designated by the judging means is stored in the character resource memory. When it is determined that the display character control means can not be acquired from the display means, the display character control means expands the character pattern based on the character data instructed by the instructing means to the character expanding means and displays it on the display means,
Even if a character cannot be displayed even if the character resource memory provided in the printer is used, various characters can be displayed by using the character resource that can be printed by the printer.

In the third invention, the character expanding means is
A character pattern is developed on the bitmap memory according to the resolution for the character data designated by the designating means, and various characters can be displayed in an appropriate size by utilizing the character resources printable on the printer device side.

In the fourth invention, when the character data corresponding to the character pattern displayed on the display means is instructed by the instructing means on the host computer side, the determining means changes the character pattern corresponding to the instructed character data. When it is determined that the character data cannot be acquired from the character resource memory, the transfer unit transmits character data corresponding to the character pattern expanded by the character expansion unit based on the character data specified by the instruction unit, via the bidirectional interface. The transferred character data is stored in the host transfer data storage means, the stored character data is displayed on the display means by the display character control means, and there is no character resource to be displayed. Even a printer device can display various characters by using the character resources on the host computer side.

In the fifth invention, the character data corresponding to the character pattern displayed on the display means is pointed out, and it is determined that the character pattern corresponding to the instructed character data cannot be obtained from the character resource memory. , Develops a character pattern based on the instructed character data, transfers the expanded character data to the display unit and displays the character data,
Even if a character cannot be displayed by using the character resource memory provided in the printer device, various character displays can be programmable by using the printable character resource on the printer device side.

In the sixth invention, when the character data corresponding to the character pattern to be displayed on the display means is designated and it is determined that the character pattern corresponding to the designated character data cannot be obtained from the character resource memory. A character pattern is developed based on the designated character data, the character data of the developed character pattern is transferred to the printer device via the bidirectional interface, and the transferred transfer data is character data. If it is determined that the transferred character data is registered in the storage medium, the registered character data is displayed on the display means, and even if the printer device does not have a character resource to be displayed, Various character displays can be programmable by using character resources.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing the structure of this embodiment, the structures of a laser beam printer and an inkjet printer suitable for applying this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Needless to say, the printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to the laser beam printer and the ink jet printer, and may be a printer of another printing system.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a printer of a printer system to which the present invention can be applied, for example, a case of a laser beam printer (LBP).

In the figure, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body (printing apparatus) which stores and stores print information (character codes, etc.) supplied from an externally connected host computer, form information, macro commands, etc. A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created in accordance with the information, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper. 1012 is a switch for operation and L
Operation panel with ED and character display, etc., 1
A printer control unit 001 controls the entire LBP main body 1000 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit (printer controller) 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1002.

The laser driver 1002 is the semiconductor laser 1
This is a circuit for driving 003, and switches on / off the laser light 1004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 according to the input video signal. Laser light 10
A rotary polygon mirror 1005 is swung in the left-right direction to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image having a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1007 arranged around the electrostatic drum 1006,
Transferred to recording paper. A cut sheet is used as this recording sheet, and the cut sheet recording sheet is stored in a sheet cassette 1008 mounted on the LBP 1000, and is taken into the apparatus by a sheet feeding roller 1009, a conveyance roller 1010, and a conveyance roller 1011 and is then electrostatic drum. 1006. The LBP main body 1000 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language can be connected in addition to the built-in font. [First Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a printer control system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

Here, a laser beam printer (FIG. 1)
Will be described as an example. As long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention can be applied to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, or a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. It goes without saying that the invention can be applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, which executes document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3. To do C
The CPU 1 is provided with the PU 1 and controls each device connected to the system device 4 as a whole.

Further, the program ROM of the ROM 3
4 stores a control program of the CPU 1 and a program of a character expansion mechanism for creating bitmap pattern data from outline data as shown in a flowchart of FIG. 4 which will be described later. Further, the font ROM of the ROM 3 stores the above document. The font data and the like used in the processing are stored, and further, the data ROM of the ROM 3 stores various data used in the above-described document processing and the like.

A RAM 2 functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key inputs from the keyboard 9 and a pointing device (not shown).

Reference numeral 6 is a CRT controller (CRTC),
Controls the display on the CRT display (CRT) 10.
A memory controller (MC) 7 controls access to an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files and the like.

Reference numeral 8 is a printer controller (PRTC)
With a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface)
It is connected to the printer 1000 via 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1000.

The CPU 1 executes the rasterizing process of the outline font in the display information RAM set in the RAM 2, and the W on the CRT 10 is executed.
It enables YSIWYG.

Further, the CPU 1 opens various windows registered on the basis of a command designated by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 1000, 1001 is a printer controller (printer control unit). A printer CPU 12 generally controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program stored in the external memory 14. Then, the image signal as output information is output to the printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the printing unit interface 16.

Further, the program ROM of the ROM 13
C as shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 3 and 5.
The control program of the PU 12 and the program of the character expansion mechanism for creating the bitmap pattern data from the outline data are stored.
The OM stores and stores the font data and the like used when generating the above output information, and the data RO of the ROM 13 is stored.
In the case of a printer having no external memory 14 such as a hard disk, M stores information used on the host computer.

The CPU 12 can perform communication processing with the host computer via the input unit 18, and can notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer. Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, etc. of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). 20
Is a memory controller.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each means of the first to fourth inventions and their functions will be described below with reference to FIG.

The first invention is a bidirectional interface 2
In a printer system in which a host computer 3000 and a printer device (printer 1000) connected via 1 communicate with each other to analyze and print input print information, characters obtained by analyzing the print information Character expansion means (a program R stored in the ROM 13 for expanding a character pattern on a bit map memory according to information)
And a display means for displaying a character pattern developed by the character development means (a character display (not shown) of the operation unit 1012, which is composed of, for example, an LCD). , A character composed of predetermined vertical / horizontal dots can be displayed for several crosses) and a character obtained by the CPU 12 analyzing print information based on a program ROM stored in the ROM 13. A character pattern developed according to the information is displayed on a character display device (not shown) of the operation unit 1012, and printing can be performed on the printer device side that does not have a display character resource (character (Katakana, alphanumeric) resource stored in the font ROM). A variety of characters can be displayed using character resources.

The second invention is a bidirectional interface 2
In a printer system in which a host computer 3000 and a printer apparatus (printer 1000) connected via 1 communicate with each other to analyze and print input print information, a character pattern is stored in a bitmap memory according to outline character data. Character expansion means for expanding on top (configured as means for expanding by the CPU 12 based on the program ROM stored in the ROM 13), a character resource memory (font ROM in the ROM 3) for storing a predetermined character pattern, and a character Display means for displaying a pattern (a character display (not shown) of the operation unit 1012,
For example, it is assumed that the character is composed of an LCD and is capable of displaying a character composed of predetermined vertical / horizontal dots for several crosses, and an instructing means for instructing the character data corresponding to the character pattern displayed on this display means (the user uses a keyboard 9 is configured as a means for instructing the CPU 1 based on the input from 9),
A determining unit (CPU 12) that determines whether the character pattern corresponding to the character data instructed by the instructing unit can be acquired from the character resource memory, and the determining unit cannot acquire the instructed character pattern from the character resource memory. And a display character control unit (depending on the function of the CPU 12) that causes the character expansion unit to expand the character pattern based on the character data instructed by the instruction unit and display the character pattern on the display unit. When the CPU 12 determines that the character pattern corresponding to the character pattern corresponding to the character pattern displayed on the display means is provided by the instruction means provided on the device side, and the CPU 12 cannot acquire the character pattern corresponding to the instructed character data from the font ROM. And CP
U12 is a character that cannot be displayed even if the character pattern based on the instructed character data is expanded by the character expansion processing and displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 1012 and the character resource memory provided in the printer device is used. Also, it is possible to display various characters by using the character resources that can be printed on the printer device side.

A third invention is a character expanding means (ROM 13
Is configured as a means for the CPU 12 to expand based on the program ROM stored in), and a character pattern is stored in the bit map memory (reserved on the RAM 19) according to the resolution for the character data instructed by the instructing means.
By expanding the above, it is possible to display characters in various and appropriate sizes by using the character resources that can be printed on the printer side.

The fourth invention is a bidirectional interface 2.
An outline of a printer system in which a host computer 3000 connected via 1 and a printer device (printer 1000) having display means for displaying a character pattern communicate with each other to analyze print information input and perform printing A character expanding unit (ROM3) for expanding a character pattern as bitmap data in a bitmap memory (which is secured in the RAM2) according to the character data.
The CPU 12 is configured as a means for expanding based on the program ROM stored in, a character resource memory (a font ROM in the ROM 3) for storing a predetermined character pattern, and a character pattern to be displayed on the display means. Instructing means (for example, host computer 3000) for instructing corresponding character data, and determining means (depending on the function of CPU 1) for determining whether or not the character pattern corresponding to the character data instructed by this instructing means can be acquired from the character resource memory. ) And the determination means determines that the designated character pattern cannot be acquired from the character resource memory, the character pattern corresponding to the character pattern developed by the character expansion means based on the character data designated by the instruction means. The character data to be transmitted via the bidirectional interface 21 to the printer device ( The transfer means (printer controller 8) for transferring to the printer 1000 is provided on the host computer 3000 side, and the host transfer data storage means (RAM 19 or external memory 14) for storing the character data transferred by the printer controller 8; A display character control unit (CPU 12 or VRAM and VRAM controller not shown) for displaying the character data stored in the host data storage unit on the display unit is provided on the printer side, and the display unit is operated by the instruction means on the host computer 3000 side. When the character data corresponding to the character pattern to be displayed on the ROM 3 is designated, the determination means determines that the character pattern corresponding to the designated character data is the ROM 3
If it is determined that the character data corresponding to the expanded character pattern cannot be obtained from the font ROM of the printer controller 8 by the printer controller 8 via the bidirectional interface 21, the printer 1 can generate the character data corresponding to the expanded character pattern. The character data is transferred to a device (printer 1000), the transferred character data is stored in the host transfer data storage means (RAM 19), and the stored character data is displayed on the display unit by the CPU 12 and the character resource to be displayed is displayed. Even in the case of a printer device that does not, it is possible to display various characters by using the character resources of the host computer.

The RAM 19 has an output information expansion area,
Used for environment data storage area, NVRAM, etc. The external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card described above is connected as an option and stores font data, emulation programs, form data and the like. Reference numeral 1012 denotes the above-mentioned operation panel, which is provided with switches for operation, an LED display, a character display, and the like.

The above-mentioned external memory is not limited to one, but at least one external memory is provided, and in addition to the built-in font, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages are connected. It may be configured to be capable.

Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1012.

In the printer control system configured as described above, the bit map pattern data created by the character expansion mechanism (sometimes called a font scaler) provided in the printing apparatus or the bit downloaded from the host computer. Use the map pattern data to display characters on the printer panel.

Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 1 of the printing apparatus 1000 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the first operation panel display control method in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, which describes the processing when displaying characters on the character display device on 012. Note that (1) to (4) indicate each step.

When performing the process of displaying characters on the character display device on the operation panel 1012 of the printing apparatus 1000, first, in step (1), the character display device on the operation panel 1012 of the printing apparatus 1000 displays the characters. It is determined whether or not the bitmap pattern data is stored in the storage device (memory resource) of the printing device, and in step (1), the bitmap pattern for displaying on the character display device on the operation panel 1012 of the printing device. If it is determined that the data is stored in the storage device of the printing device, in step (3), the printing device 10
00 acquires the bitmap pattern data stored in the memory device 00.

On the other hand, in step (1), the bitmap pattern data to be displayed on the character display device on the operation panel 1012 of the printing device 1000 is printed by the printing device 1.
000 storage device, it is determined in step (2) that the printing device 1000 is instructed to the character expansion mechanism equipped in the printing device 1000.
Information necessary for creating bitmap pattern data from outline format data, such as font name / character code / character size / resolution of a document to be displayed on the character display device on the operation panel 1012,
Create bitmap pattern data.

However, the outline data corresponding to the typeface and the character code specified here are already stored in the storage device of the printing apparatus.

Then, in step (4), the bitmap pattern data obtained by the above means is displayed on the character expansion mechanism of the printing apparatus, and the process is terminated.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each step of the fifth invention and its action will be described below with reference to FIG.

A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to a host computer 3000, a display means for displaying a character pattern (character display of the operation unit 1012), a character resource memory for storing a predetermined character pattern (font RO in the ROM 13).
In the character display method of the printer system for performing printing by analyzing print information input by communicating with the printer device having M) through the bidirectional interface 21, and corresponding to the character pattern displayed on the display means. Instruction step (preprocessing of step (1) in FIG. 3) for determining the character data to be processed, and a determination step for determining whether the character pattern corresponding to the instructed character data can be acquired from the character resource memory (FIG. 3). (1)) and the expanding step of expanding the character pattern based on the instructed character data when it is determined by the determining step that the instructed character pattern cannot be acquired from the character resource memory (FIG. 3). Step (2)) and a character display step (step (4) in FIG. 2) of transferring the expanded character data to the display means for display. Even if a character is displayed on the printer device side and cannot be displayed using the character resource memory of the printer device, a variety of character displays can be programmable using the printable character resource on the printer device side. To do. [Second Embodiment] FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an embodiment of a second operation panel display control method in a printing apparatus according to the present invention, in which bitmap pattern data downloaded from a host computer 3000 is Corresponding to the flow chart showing the processing when displaying on the character display device on the operation panel 1012 of the printing apparatus 1000, particularly FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the processing on the host computer side when performing the above processing, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing on the device 1000 side. Also,
Steps (1) to (4) of FIG. 4 and steps (1) to (5) of FIG.

First, in step (1) of FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the bitmap pattern data to be displayed on the character display device on the operation panel of the printing apparatus 1000 is stored in the storage device of the host computer. Then
In step (1), the host computer 3000
If it is determined that the desired bitmap pattern data is stored in this storage device, the bitmap pattern data is acquired from the storage device (font ROM in this embodiment) of the host computer 3000 in step (3). To do.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (1) that the desired bitmap pattern data is not stored in the storage device of the host computer 3000, in step (2) the host computer 30
Bitmap pattern data is created from the character expansion mechanism equipped with 00 and the outline character data stored in the storage device of the host computer 3000.

Next, in step (4), either the bitmap pattern data acquired from the storage device or the bitmap pattern data created by the font scaler based on the outline font data
The command for displaying on the character display device on the operation panel 1012 of the printing device 1000 is transmitted to the printing device together with the command (4), and the process is ended.

In this way, the host computer 30
00 to transfer font data, that is, the printer 1
From the viewpoint of 000, when the download of the font data is started, the processing shifts to the processing shown in FIG.

First, in step (1) of FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not data is input from the host computer 3000, and in step (1), it is determined that data is input from the host computer 3000. Determines whether the data input in step (2) is bitmap pattern data to be displayed on the character display device on the operation panel of the printing apparatus 1000, and is input in step (2). If it is determined that the data is bitmap pattern data to be displayed on the character display device on the operation panel 1012 of the printing apparatus 1000, in step (3),
The input bitmap pattern data is printed by the printer 10.
00 storage device (RAM 19 or external memory 14
Etc.), the stored bitmap data is displayed on the display of the operation unit 1012 (5), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the input data is data other than the bitmap pattern data to be displayed on the character display device on the operation panel 1012 of the printing apparatus 1000, In step (4), processing other than the character display on the operation panel of the printing apparatus 1000 is performed, and the process returns to step (1).

In this way, after the bitmap pattern data downloaded from the host computer 3000 side is stored in the storage device of the printing apparatus 1000, the first pattern
According to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 shown in the embodiment,
It becomes possible to perform processing for displaying characters on the operation panel 1012 of the printing apparatus 1000.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each step of the sixth invention and its action will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a host having a character resource memory for storing a predetermined character pattern has a computer 3000 and a printer device having display means for displaying the character pattern (display of the operation unit 1012). In a character display method of a printer system for performing a printing process based on print information input by communicating with each other via a predetermined bidirectional interface 21, an instructing step of instructing character data corresponding to a character pattern displayed on a display means. (Pre-processing of step (1) in FIG. 4) and a determining step (step (1) in FIG. 4) of determining whether the character pattern corresponding to the instructed character data can be acquired from the character resource memory, When the determination step determines that the designated character pattern cannot be obtained from the character resource memory, the designated character A development step of developing a character pattern based on the data (step (2) in FIG. 4) and a transfer step of transferring the character data of the developed character pattern to the printer device via the bidirectional interface (FIG. 4 (step (4)) is executed on the side of the host computer to determine whether the transferred transfer data is character data (step (1) in FIG. 5), and it is determined to be character data. In this case, a registration means for registering the transferred character data in the storage medium (step (3) in FIG. 5).
And a display step for displaying the character data registered in the storage medium on the display means (step (5) in FIG. 5) on the printer apparatus side, and the printer apparatus does not have a character resource to be displayed. Also uses the character resources on the host computer side to enable programmable display of various characters.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

According to each of the above embodiments, when the bit map pattern data of the desired character is not stored in the ROM of the printing device, or even when the desired character is stored as outline data in the printing device, A desired character can be displayed on the character display device on the operation panel of the printing device. Further, it is possible to reduce the ROM capacity for storing the bit map pattern data to be displayed on the character display device on the operation panel. Further, the bitmap pattern downloaded from the external device such as the host computer can be displayed on the character display device on the operation panel of the printing device.

[0062]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the invention, since the character expanding means displays the character pattern expanded according to the character information obtained by analyzing the print information on the display means, the character resource printable on the printer device side without the display character resource is used. It is possible to display various characters.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the character data corresponding to the character pattern displayed on the display means is designated by the designating means, the character pattern corresponding to the designated character data is displayed by the determining means as the character resource. When it is determined that the character cannot be obtained from the memory, the display character control means expands the character pattern based on the character data instructed by the instructing means to the character expanding means and displays the character pattern on the display means. Even a character that cannot be displayed using the character resource memory can be displayed in various ways by using the character resource that can be printed by the printer device.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the character expanding means expands the character pattern on the bitmap memory according to the resolution for the character data instructed by the instructing means, so that the character resources printable on the printer device side are used. Therefore, it is possible to display characters in various sizes and in appropriate sizes.

According to the fourth invention, when the character data corresponding to the character pattern to be displayed on the display means is instructed by the instructing means on the host computer side, the determining means is in charge of the character pattern corresponding to the instructed character data. When it is determined that cannot be obtained from the character resource memory, the transfer means transmits character data corresponding to the character pattern expanded by the character expanding means based on the character data instructed by the instructing means via the bidirectional interface. Are transferred to the printer device, the transferred character data is stored in the host transfer data storage means, and the stored character data is displayed on the display means by the display character control means. Even a non-printing device can display various characters by using the character resources on the host computer side.

According to the fifth invention, when the character data corresponding to the character pattern displayed on the display means is pointed out and it is determined that the character pattern corresponding to the instructed character data cannot be obtained from the character resource memory. , A character pattern based on the instructed character data is expanded, and the expanded character data is transferred to and displayed on the display means. Therefore, characters that cannot be displayed by using the character resource memory provided in the printer device are displayed. Even if there is, a variety of character display can be programmable by utilizing the printable character resource on the printer side.

According to the sixth aspect, the character data corresponding to the character pattern displayed on the display means is designated, and it is determined that the character pattern corresponding to the designated character data cannot be obtained from the character resource memory. In this case, a character pattern is expanded based on the instructed character data, the character data of the expanded character pattern is transferred to the printer device via the bidirectional interface, and the transferred transfer data is a character. If the transferred character data is registered in the storage medium when it is determined to be data and the registered character data is displayed on the display means, even if the printer device does not have a character resource to display, the host computer side Various character displays can be programmable by using the character resource of.

Therefore, printable characters can be displayed at low cost on the display means without drastically changing the configuration of the display character resource on the printer side and its peripheral device or expanding the capacity of the storage medium for storing the character resource. Produce the effect of.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printer of a printer system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a first operation panel display control method in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a second operation panel display control method in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a second operation panel display control method in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 12 CPU 13 ROM 14 External Memory 1000 Printing Device 1001 Printer Controller 1012 Operation Unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A printer system for analyzing and printing print information input by a host computer and a printer device connected to each other via a bidirectional interface, and analyzing the print information. A printer system characterized in that a character expansion means for expanding a character pattern on a bit map memory according to the obtained character information and a display means for displaying the character pattern expanded by the character expansion means are provided on the printer device side. . 2. A printer system for performing printing by analyzing print information input by a host computer and a printer device connected to each other through a bidirectional interface, and printing a character pattern according to outline character data. Character expansion means for expanding on the bit map memory, character resource memory for storing a predetermined character pattern, display means for displaying the character pattern, and instruction for instructing character data corresponding to the character pattern displayed on the display means Means for determining whether the character pattern corresponding to the character data instructed by the instructing means can be acquired from the character resource memory, and the determining means cannot acquire the instructed character pattern from the character resource memory. If it is determined that the sentence based on the character data instructed by the instructing means A printer system, comprising display character control means for expanding a character pattern on the character expansion means and displaying it on the display means on the printer device side. 3. The printer system according to claim 2, wherein the character expanding means expands the character pattern on the bitmap memory according to the resolution of the character data instructed by the instructing means. 4. A printer system in which a host computer connected via a bidirectional interface and a printer device having a display unit for displaying a character pattern communicate with each other to analyze print information input and perform printing. , Character expansion means for expanding a character pattern as bitmap data on a bitmap memory according to outline character data, a character resource memory for storing a predetermined character pattern, and character data corresponding to the character pattern displayed on the display means. And a determining means for determining whether a character pattern corresponding to the character data instructed by the instructing means can be acquired from the character resource memory, and the determining means determines the instructed character pattern as a character resource. If it is determined that it cannot be obtained from the memory, the instruction means is instructed. The transfer means for transferring the character data corresponding to the character pattern expanded by the character expansion means based on the indicated character data to the printer device via the bidirectional interface is provided on the host computer side, and the transfer means is provided. And a display character control means for displaying the character data stored in the host transfer data storage means on the display means. Printer system. 5. A print information input by a host computer, a display unit for displaying a character pattern, and a printer device having a character resource memory for storing a predetermined character pattern, communicating with each other via a bidirectional interface. In a character display method of a printer system for analyzing and printing, an instructing step of instructing character data corresponding to a character pattern to be displayed on a display means, and a character pattern corresponding to the instructed character data is stored in the character resource memory. A determination step of determining whether the character pattern can be acquired, and a development step of expanding a character pattern based on the instructed character data when it is determined by the determination step that the specified character pattern cannot be acquired from the character resource memory A character display step of transferring the expanded character data to the display means for display. A character display method for a printer system, which is provided on the input device side. 6. A print information input by communicating with each other via a predetermined bidirectional interface with a host computer having a character resource memory for storing a predetermined character pattern and a printer device having a display means for displaying the character pattern. In a character display method of a printer system for performing a printing process based on, an instructing step of instructing character data corresponding to a character pattern displayed on a display means, and a character pattern corresponding to the instructed character data from the character resource memory. A determining step of determining whether the character pattern can be acquired, and a expanding step of expanding the character pattern based on the instructed character data when the determining step determines that the instructed character pattern cannot be acquired from the character resource memory. And the character data of the expanded character pattern is forwarded via the bidirectional interface. A transfer step of transferring to the printer device is provided on the host computer side, and a determination step of determining whether the transferred transfer data is character data and a character data transferred when the transfer data is determined to be character data. A character display method for a printer system, comprising: a registration unit that registers in a storage medium; and a display step that causes the display unit to display the character data registered in the storage medium.