JPH0895720A - Printer type acquisition method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a printer type acquisition method and device that uses existing interface lines and that only requires software modification for existing host devices. [Structure] The host device 1 sends a command for inquiring about the printer type via the "DATA" signal line by the inquiry command sending unit 11, and responds to the sending of the inquiry command by the "+ 5V" signal line data read / accumulation unit 12 in response to the inquiry command. The data on the "+ 5V" signal line is read and stored according to the timing signal received through the "ACK bar" signal line, and the stored data decoding unit 13 decodes the stored data to acquire the printer type of the printer 2. .

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer type acquisition method and apparatus, and more particularly to a printer type acquisition method and apparatus suitable when various printers are connected and used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the conventional printer type acquisition method, as a hardware method, a printer type is set by a DIP switch or the like, and this is read by software, and as a software method, By setting the type of printer to be connected to an external storage device such as a hard disk and reading it by software, control suitable for different types of printers is performed.

However, the above-described conventional printer type acquisition method has a problem in that the printer malfunctions due to a mistake in setting the connected printer type by the operator and the complexity of operation for each printer connection change.

Therefore, in the known technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-110625, a part of the signal lines of the existing printer interface is made bidirectional to obtain the printer type, thereby solving the above problem.

That is, according to the description of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-110625, both data signal lines which were conventionally used to send a code such as a control code or a character code from a host device to a printer in only one direction are disclosed. By modifying the model to be directional, the printer type inquiry code is sent from the host device to the printer via this modified data signal line, and in response, the printer type data is sent from the printer to the host device via the same data signal line. Is sent back to obtain the printer type.

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
In the conventional printer type acquisition method described in Japanese Patent No. 10625, it is necessary to remodel some signal lines to be bidirectional. Therefore, the signal lines remodeled to be bidirectional with respect to the existing existing host device. However, there is a problem in that the hardware needs to be modified to add a receiving function for.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer type acquisition method and apparatus which utilizes an existing interface line and requires only the software modification of the existing host apparatus.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer type acquisition method, wherein a data signal line for transferring code data from the higher-level device to the printer and a printer as a printer interface between the higher-level device and the printer. A power-on state signal line for transferring data indicating a power-on state of the printer to the higher-level device and a data indicating that the printer has received the data from the higher-level device from the printer to the higher-level device without error Timing for having a data reception response signal line, wherein the higher-level device transmits a command for inquiring the printer type through the data signal line, and receives through the data reception response signal line in response to the transmission of the inquiry command. The data on the power-on state signal line is read and stored according to a signal, and the read and stored data is stored. The decrypts is configured to include obtaining the printer type of the printer.

In the printer type acquisition method of the second invention, in the first invention, the printer receives a command for inquiring the printer type transferred from the host device via the data signal line, decodes this command, and inquires. In response to command reception, the type code of the printer itself is transmitted as bit serial data via the power-on status signal line, and its read timing signal is transmitted via the data reception response signal line.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer type acquisition device, which comprises a data signal line for transferring code data from the host device to the printer as a printer interface between the host device and the printer, and the printer from the printer to the host device. A power-on status signal line for transferring data indicating a power-on status of the printer and a data reception response signal line for transferring data indicating that the printer has received the data from the higher-order apparatus from the printer to the higher-order apparatus without error. The higher-level device has an inquiry command transmitting means for transmitting a command for inquiring the printer type via the data signal line, and a timing signal received via the data reception response signal line in response to the transmission of the inquiry command. The power-on status signal for reading and storing the data on the power-on status signal line according to And line data read storage means is configured to include a stored data decoding means decodes the read stored data to obtain the printer type of the printer.

In the printer type acquisition method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the printer receives a command for inquiring the printer type transferred from a higher-level device via a data signal line and inquiring to decode the command. Command decoding means and printer type code for transmitting the type code of the printer in response to receiving the inquiry command as bit serial data through the power-on status signal line and transmitting the read timing signal through the data reception response signal line Bit serial transfer means is included.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

A so-called printer interface for exchanging signals between a host device such as a personal computer, a workstation, and a terminal device and a printer connected to the host device transfers data and control commands from the host device to the printer.
"TA" signal line and "ACK bar" signal line for transferring data indicating that the printer has received data from the higher-order device from the printer to the higher-order device without error (transfer data is L level in the binary signal) Similarly, there is a "+ 5V" signal line (the transfer data is the H level in the binary signal) for transferring data indicating that the printer is powered on from the printer to the upper device. The present invention utilizes these three types of signal lines.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the printer type acquisition apparatus of the present invention.

The printer type acquisition apparatus of this embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the host device 1 has an inquiry command sending unit 11 for sending a command for inquiring the type of the printer 2 to the printer 2 via the “DATA” signal line, and a “+ 5V”.
"+ 5V" signal line data read / accumulation unit 12 for reading and accumulating the printer type code transmitted from the printer 2 via the signal line as serial data at the timing according to the timing signal transmitted via the "ACK bar" signal line. And a stored data decoding unit 13 that decodes the stored data and outputs the printer type, and inquires of the printer 2 about the printer type sent from the higher-level device 1 via the “DATA” signal line. An inquiry command decoding unit 21 for decoding a command, and a printer for transmitting a printer type code indicating a printer type as bit serial data via a "+ 5V" signal line and transmitting a read timing signal thereof through an "ACK bar" signal line. It has a type code bit serial transfer unit 22.

The higher-level device 1 and the printer 2 each have a central processing unit, a main storage unit, etc., and by the program control, the inquiry command sending unit 11, the "+ 5V" signal line data read / storage unit 12, and the stored data decoding unit 13 described above. The functions of the inquiry command decoding unit 21 and the printer type code bit serial transfer unit 22 are executed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the host device 1.

When the transmitted command (step 111) is not the printer type inquiry command (N branch of step 112), the inquiry command transmission unit 11 outputs the higher order device 1
Performs the processing conventionally performed (step 31) and ends. When the transmitted command is the printer type inquiry command (Y branch of step 112), the "+ 5V" signal line data read / accumulation unit 12 is activated.

The "+ 5V" signal line read / accumulate unit 12 stores "A
It is monitored whether the "CK bar" signal line becomes L level (step 123), and L is maintained even if a certain time (T) or more has elapsed.
When it does not reach the level (Y branch of step 124),
The accumulated data decoding unit 13 is notified and the accumulated data decoding unit 13 is notified.
Then, the connected printer is determined to be a conventional printer (step 131), and the process ends.

When the "ACK bar" signal line becomes L level within a fixed time (T) (Y in step 123).
(Branch), the data Sn on the “+ 5V” signal line is read and accumulated (step 125), and waits for the “ACK bar” signal line to reach the H level (step 126). The operation from step 123 to step 126 is a 1-bit reading operation for reading 1 bit in the printer type code.

This 1-bit reading operation is repeated the same number of times as the number of bits N constituting the printer type code (Y branch of step 128), and then the accumulated data decoding section 13 is notified.

The stored data decoding unit 13 reads the stored N data (S1, S2, ... SN) and acquires the printer type (step 132).

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the printer 2.

The inquiry command decoding unit 21 receives a command from the higher-level device 1 (step 211). If the received command is not the printer type inquiry command (N branch of step 212), the printer 2 is conventionally operated. The processing is performed (step 32).

When the received command is the printer type inquiry command (Y branch of step 212), the printer type code bit serial transfer unit 22 is notified.

Next, the printer type code bit serial transfer section 22 uses the first printer type code of the own printer.
It is checked whether the bit is a binary signal (step 221), if it is 1, the "+ 5V" signal line is set to the H level (step 223), and if it is 0, the "+ 5V" signal line is set. Is set to L level (step 222), then the "ACK bar" signal line is set to L level and "+ 5V" is set.
A read timing signal for the signal line is sent, and a fixed time (t
After 1), the "ACK bar" signal line is set to H level (step 226), and then the "+ 5V" signal line is set to H level (step 227). The operation from step 221 to step 227 is the 1-bit transfer operation of the printer type code.

This 1-bit transfer operation is performed for a fixed time (t2).
The bit serial transfer operation of the printer type code is ended by repeating the same number of times as the number of bits N forming the printer type code at intervals (step 228) (step 23).
0 Y branch).

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for transferring the printer type code from the printer 2 to the bit serial via the "+ 5V" signal line, and correspondingly "+ 5V" via the "ACK bar" signal line. A timing chart for transferring a timing signal for reading a signal line is shown.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the existing three types of interface signal lines are used to temporarily change the use and acquire the printer type. The printer control program need not be modified without modifying the hardware, and the operator does not need to set the type of the connected printer, and the operation is simple, and the printer malfunction due to a setting error can be eliminated.

The first and third inventions describe a printer type acquisition method and a printer type acquisition device, respectively, in the case where the conventional upper level device is provided with the functions of the higher level device as in this embodiment, respectively. The invention of No. 4 describes a printer type acquisition method and a printer type acquisition device in the case where a conventional host device is provided with the functions of the host device as in this embodiment and the printer includes the printer of this embodiment. .

[0032]

As described above, the printer type acquiring method and apparatus of the present invention can use the existing three types of interface signal lines to temporarily change the use and acquire the printer type. By doing so, it is only necessary to modify the printer control program without modifying the hardware of the existing higher-level device, and the operator does not need to set the type of connected printer, and the operation is easy and This has the effect of eliminating malfunction of the printer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a printer type acquisition device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a higher-level device in the printer type acquisition device of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the printer in the printer type acquisition device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a time chart of bit serial transfer of a printer type code.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Upper Device 2 Printer 11 Inquiry Command Sending Unit 12 “+ 5V” Signal Line Data Read-out Storage Unit 13 Stored Data Decoding Unit 21 Inquiry Command Decoding Unit 22 Printer Type Code Bit Serial Transfer Unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A data signal line for transferring code data from the host device to the printer as a printer interface between the host device and the printer, and data indicating the power-on state of the printer from the printer to the host device. And a data reception response signal line that transfers data indicating that the printer has received the data from the higher-level device from the printer to the higher-level device without error, and the higher-level device A command for inquiring the printer type is transmitted via a signal line, and in response to the transmission of the inquiry command, the data on the power-on state signal line is read and accumulated according to the timing signal received via the data reception response signal line. And to acquire the printer type of the printer by decoding the read and accumulated data. Printer type acquisition method characterized by 2. The printer receives a command for inquiring the printer type transmitted from the host device via the data signal line, decodes the command, and responds to the reception of the inquiry command by turning on the type code of the printer itself. 2. The printer type acquisition method according to claim 1, wherein the read timing signal is transmitted as bit serial data through a signal line and the read timing signal is transmitted through a data reception response signal line. 3. A data signal line for transferring code data from the host device to the printer as a printer interface between the host device and the printer, and data indicating a power-on state of the printer from the printer to the host device. And a data reception response signal line that transfers data indicating that the printer has received the data from the higher-level device from the printer to the higher-level device without error, and the higher-level device Inquiry command transmitting means for transmitting a command for inquiring about the printer type via a signal line, and on the power-on state signal line in response to a timing signal received via the data reception response signal line in response to the transmission of the inquiry command Power-on state signal line data reading and storing means for reading and storing the data of And a stored data decoding means for decoding the stored data to acquire the printer type of the printer. 4. The printer receives inquiry commands transmitted from a higher-level device via a data signal line for inquiring about the printer type, and decodes the inquiry command, and responds to the inquiry command reception by the own printer. 4. A printer type code bit serial transfer means for transmitting a type code as bit serial data through a power-on status signal line and transmitting a read timing signal thereof through a data reception response signal line. The printer type acquisition device described.