JPH1083366A - Information recorder, information converting means and information output system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the structure and system capable of outputting information to an output equipment such as a printer even an information recorder. SOLUTION: This information recorder 10 is constituted of an information input/output means 12 for writing and reading information to/from a magnetic recording medium, an MPU 13 connected to the means 12 through a switching circuit 14, and an operation means 15 connected to this MPU 13 and the circuit 14. The means 12 can be used as a normal information recorder by being connected to an internal information processor 20 and can output recorded information to a printer 30 by the MPU 13 without requiring a any other device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information recording apparatus, an information converting means, and an information output system, and more particularly to an apparatus suitable for transmitting print data from an information recording apparatus to a printing apparatus and executing printing. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in information processing equipment, an information processing apparatus having a microprocessor unit (MPU) including a central processing unit (CPU) has been input via input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. It is common practice to process input data or various data transmitted from other devices and record the data on an information recording medium by an information recording device.

There are various types of information recording devices, such as a device having a built-in information recording medium such as a hard disk, and a device having a detachable information recording medium such as a flexible disk, CD-ROM, MO or other optical disk. Things exist. Each of these information recording devices performs a write operation and a read operation of predetermined information on an information recording medium based on a command from the information processing device.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned information recording apparatus, even if various kinds of information are recorded on the information recording medium, in order to display and print the information, it is necessary to use an information recording apparatus other than the information recording apparatus. Processing equipment is required. Even if it is not necessary to process the recorded information, the information cannot be output unless it is connected to some external information processing device. There is a problem that preparations such as carrying in and connecting with each other are required.

In an information processing apparatus, it is necessary to read information from an information recording apparatus, convert the information into print information described by a control code suitable for the printer, and send the print information to the printer. However, there is a problem that the processing load on the information processing apparatus is incurred and the progress of other information processing is hindered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a structure and a system which can output information to an output device such as a printer by using an information recording apparatus alone.

[0007]

Means taken by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems is to provide a function of writing and / or reading information to and from an information recording medium, and to control the information from a connected external information processing unit. In an information recording device configured to write and / or read information based on a signal, an internal information processing unit for reading recorded information from the recording medium and transmitting the recorded information to an information output device; An operation unit for operating the internal information processing unit is provided.

According to this means, since the internal information processing section is provided inside the information recording device, the information can be output to the information output device by the information recording device alone. As long as the information is recorded on the information recording medium, it is possible to output the information at an appropriate place without any trouble even without the external information processing unit.

Here, it is preferable that the record information is output information described by a control code of the information output device.

According to this means, since the record information is described by the control code of the information output device, the information output is directly performed without performing the conversion process of the record information corresponding to the information output device in the internal information processing section. Information can be output to the device, and a quick output operation can be performed.

In this case, the record information includes additional information relating to the output content of the output information and recorded in a record form directly recognizable in the internal information processing unit. It is desirable to be.

According to this means, since the contents of the record information can be directly recognized by the additional information associated with the record information, for example, a plurality of record information can be appropriately selected and the record information can be appropriately selected. Can be grasped before outputting the information.

Note that the recording form that can be directly recognized is a recording form that can be recognized by the internal information processing unit of the information recording apparatus before or after the output of the record information, not after the record information is output to the information output device. Yes, for example, when a predetermined display unit is present in the information recording device, it refers to a recording form that can be displayed in a readable form on the display unit, and when the information recording device includes a predetermined sound generating unit. Indicates a recording form capable of generating a sound recognizable by the sound generating means. In general, these recording modes are different from the recording modes of the recording information output to the information output device.

In this case, the additional information further includes:
It is preferable that code information indicating directly or indirectly the type of the control code is included.

According to this means, since the code information indicating the control code of the information output device is included, the user can know the type of the information output device that can be output from the information recording device, or It is possible to know the record information described by the control code suitable for the selected information output device.

It is preferable that a switching unit is provided for determining whether to connect an information path for accessing the recording medium to the external information processing unit or the internal information processing unit.

According to this means, the information path for accessing the recording medium is switched so that the information path can be connected to the external information processing unit and used alone by using the internal information processing unit. Can be selected with a configuration similar to that of the conventional information recording apparatus, and can be reliably operated.

Further, in the information conversion means for converting an original information file into output information described by a control code of an information output device by an information processing section, when converting the original information file into the output information, The additional information relating to the content of the information, which is recorded in a recording form directly recognizable in the information processing unit, is associated with the output information.

Next, the information output system sends the output information converted from predetermined information by the external information processing device to the information recording device described in claim 2, and outputs the output information to the information recording medium. Recorded as the record information,
The recording information is sent to the information output device and output by the internal information processing unit based on an operation of the operation unit.

According to this means, since the record information is recorded in a state where it is converted into output information corresponding to the information output device by the external information processing section in advance, it is not necessary to process the information at the time of information output. Thus, the load on the internal information processing unit can be reduced, and the information output operation can be performed quickly.

Here, when converting the predetermined information into the output information,
It is preferable that additional information recorded in a directly recognizable recording form is added by input information or by automatically reading from the predetermined information.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of an information recording apparatus, information conversion means and information output system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the information output system according to the present embodiment. The information recording device 10 has a large capacity (100 MB or the like).
An information input / output means 12 for writing and reading information to and from the magnetic recording medium 11 is provided. The information input / output means 12 includes a recording / reproducing head for accessing the magnetic recording medium 11, a driving means for the recording / reproducing head, and a buffer memory for appropriately storing and removing information.

The information recording device 10 includes a card-type microprocessor unit (MPU) as an internal information processing unit.
The MPU 13 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 13a and a read-only memory (RO).
M) 13b and a random access memory (RAM) 13
c.

The information input / output means 12 and the MPU 13 are connected to a switching circuit 14, and the switching circuit 14
Through an operation to be described later, it is possible to select whether to connect the information input / output means 12 to the external information processing device 20 composed of a personal computer or the like, or to connect the information input / output means 12 to the MPU 13.

The information recording apparatus 10 is provided with operation means 15 including a liquid crystal display section and operation buttons, which will be described later, and the operation means 15 includes an MPU 13 and a switching circuit 14.
And are configured to be able to control them.

The external information processing device 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, and a RAM 2 in the same manner as a normal computer configuration.
3 and other various peripheral devices are connected as needed. The external information processing apparatus 20 is configured so that the above-described information recording apparatus 10 is connected as one peripheral device.

The information recording device 10 is connected to a printer device 30 as an information output device. As the information output device, in addition to the printer device, an image display device such as a CRT, a communication device such as a communication modem, and the like can be considered.

The information recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment
As shown in FIG. 2, a drive device 17 for a magnetic recording medium is detachably accommodated from the front side of a casing 16 formed in a box shape, and the accommodation position of the drive device 17 is provided. MPU1 on the side of the card
3 are accommodated. Above the drive device 17 inside the casing 16, a wiring board 18 that constitutes a circuit portion of the switching circuit 14 and the operation unit 15 is housed.

It is more preferable that the drive device 17 is detachable from the front side of the casing 16 because the drive device can be easily replaced and the device can be easily assembled.

On the upper surface of the casing 16 located outside the wiring board 18, a liquid crystal display section 15a configured to display a predetermined number of characters, four operation buttons 15b,
Two changeover switches 15c are provided.

The four operation buttons 15b are a power switch, a file selection switch, a header content display switch, and a print start / stop switch, respectively. It is possible to select the header content to be executed, and start and stop printing.

When the file selection switch is pressed while the power switch is turned on, the file name of the print information recorded on the magnetic recording medium 11 (which constitutes a part of a header described later) is displayed on the liquid crystal display. When the file name is displayed at 15a and the file selection switch is continuously pressed, the file names recorded on the magnetic recording medium are sequentially displayed, and the print information of the displayed file name is selected.

When a header content display switch is pressed while a specific file is selected as described above, the contents of a plurality of headers associated with the file are displayed as described later. In other words, when there are a plurality of header contents, the contents of the plurality of headers are cyclically displayed by repeatedly pressing the header content display switch.

When printing is not started in a state where a file of specific print information is selected, pressing the print start / stop switch starts printing, and printing is stopped when printing is already started. Is done.

Each of the two changeover switches 15c is
By selecting the positions provided one by one, switching between single-sheet printing and continuous printing as the printing mode is performed, and the switching circuit 14 of the information recording device 10 is switched to use the information recording device 10 as a mere drive device. The operation is switched between when the information recording apparatus 10 is used to send print information to the printer apparatus 30 and when the information recording apparatus 10 is used.

The print information file stored in the magnetic recording medium 11 is created by the external information processing apparatus 20 by the method shown in FIG. The external information processing device 20 that executes the procedure shown in FIG. 3 constitutes an information conversion unit.

First, data is input to an image / text editing software from an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, a flexible disk, a hard disk or other information recording device, or a communication line, and is appropriately edited as necessary. Is converted into print data by a printer driver. The printer driver normally converts the original information file into a print information file described by a control code of the printer, and causes the printer to output a print result corresponding to the original information file. The print information file described by the control code is stored in the information recording device 1
It is also possible to store it at 0.

Next, a header corresponding to the print information file is created by header creation software. This header records information such as the file name of the original information file, the corresponding printer name of the converted print information file, printer resolution, paper size, creation date, and creator name. A plurality of headers 1, headers 2, headers 3,..., Headers n are fetched by input from an input device and recorded in the information recording device 10 in a state of being associated with a print information file.

Here, the header creation software may be configured to take in the contents of the plurality of headers from the original information file and the printer driver and automatically create the headers. That is, the file name, paper size, number of pages, creation date, creator name, etc. are automatically read from the original information file, and the printer model or control code name, resolution and other print data are read from the printer driver. It is.

FIG. 4 conceptually shows the print information files P1, P2, P3,... Pn created by the above method and recorded on the magnetic recording medium 11 of the information recording apparatus 10. Each print information file has a header information recording area Hp1, Hp2, Hp3,... Hpn and print information recording areas Ap1, Ap2, Ap3,. One or a plurality of headers described above are recorded in, for example, a text format, and print information described by a control code corresponding to each printer model is recorded in a print information recording area.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, when the information input / output means 12 is connected to the external information processing device 20 by the switching circuit 14 by operating one of the changeover switches 15c of the information recording device 10, The information recording device 10 can be used for the device 20 in the same manner as a normal peripheral device.
Playback can be performed.

On the other hand, by operating one of the changeover switches 15c, the MPU 13 of the information recording apparatus 10 and the information input / output means 12 can be connected by the changeover circuit 14. In this state, the MPU 13 can access the magnetic recording medium 11, and the operation unit 15
With this operation, the print information file can be read and sent to the printer.

When the print start / stop button is pressed while a predetermined print information file is selected by the file selection button, the MPU 13
Then, the print information file is read from the magnetic recording medium 11 via the CPU 13 and temporarily stored in the RAM 13c. Next, M
The PU 13 sends out the print information recorded in the print information recording area, other than the header information recorded in the header information recording area, from the stored print information file to the printer device 30 and prints the print information in the printer device 30. Execute printing information.

Here, if continuous printing is designated by the other switch provided on the operation means 15, the print information of the selected print information file can be repeatedly and continuously printed. In this case, printing can be terminated by pressing the print start / stop button again. When single-sheet printing is designated by the changeover switch, only one copy of the printing information is printed and the printing operation is completed.

According to this embodiment, the information recording device 10 can be used as a normal drive device and used as a peripheral device of the external information processing device 20 such as a computer, and the information recording device 10 can be used alone as a printer device. 3
It can also be used as a device that sends print data to "0". In particular, since the information recording apparatus 10 can be carried by itself and connected to the printer 30 at another location to execute printing, even if the computer itself is not used in demonstrations or exhibitions of the printer 30, there is no problem. It is possible to operate the printer device 30 without the need.

FIG. 5 shows an external configuration of another embodiment of the information recording apparatus. In this information recording device 40, two card slots 4 are provided on the upper surface of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body 41.
2 and 42 are formed, and an operation unit 43 including a liquid crystal display unit and operation buttons and selection switches is provided in front of the liquid crystal display unit.
Are formed.

The memory card 44 is inserted into the card slot 42.
Is connected to a computer via a code (not shown) so that information can be written to and read from the memory card 44. A print information file similar to that described above is recorded on the memory card 44, and the information recording device 40 is connected to a printer device, and the operation unit 43 is operated to print out the print information file. Become.

In the present embodiment, the case where print data is supplied to a printer has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be used for supplying data to various output devices other than a printer, such as a display device and a communication device.

Further, in the above embodiment, an information recording apparatus for writing and reading on a removable magnetic recording medium has been described as an example, but an information recording apparatus using a built-in recording medium such as a fixed magnetic disk may also be used. It can be used, and can also be applied to those using other types of information recording media such as optical recording media, magneto-optical recording media, and semiconductor memories.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect, since the internal information processing unit is provided inside the information recording device, the information can be output to the information output device by the information recording device alone. As long as even information is recorded on the information recording medium, it is possible to output information at an appropriate place without any trouble without an external information processing unit.

According to the second aspect, since the record information is described by the control code of the information output device, the information information is directly transmitted without performing the conversion process of the record information corresponding to the information output device in the internal information processing section. Information can be output to an output device, and a quick output operation can be performed.

According to the third, sixth, or eighth aspect, the content of the record information can be directly recognized by the additional information associated with the record information. Therefore, for example, a plurality of record information is appropriately selected. This makes it possible to grasp the contents of the record information before outputting the record information.

According to the fourth aspect, since the code information indicating the control code of the information output device is included, the user can know the type of the information output device that can be output from the information recording device. It is possible to know the record information described by the control code suitable for the already selected information output device.

According to the fifth aspect, when the information path for accessing the recording medium is switched, the information path is used by connecting to the external information processing unit, and when the unit is used alone by using the internal information processing unit. Can be selected with the same configuration as the conventional information recording apparatus, and can be reliably operated.

According to the seventh aspect, since the record information is recorded in a state where it is converted into the output information corresponding to the information output device by the external information processing unit, it is not necessary to perform the information processing at the time of outputting the information. Therefore, the load on the internal information processing unit can be reduced, and the information output operation can be performed quickly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an entire configuration of an embodiment of an information recording apparatus and an information output system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the information recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a print information file creation procedure (information conversion unit) according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a conceptual configuration of a created print information file.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of another information recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 information recording device 11 magnetic recording medium (information recording medium) 12 information input / output means 13 MPU (internal information processing unit) 14 switching circuit 15 operation means 20 external information processing device (external information processing unit) 30 printer device (information output device) )

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An information recording apparatus comprising: a function of writing and / or reading information to and from an information recording medium, and configured to write and / or read information based on a control signal from a connected external information processing unit. In the device, an internal information processing unit for reading out the recording information from the recording medium and sending the recording information to an information output device,
An information recording device, comprising: an operation unit for operating the internal information processing unit. 2. The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording information is output information described by a control code of the information output device. 3. The recording information according to claim 2, wherein:
An information recording apparatus, characterized by including additional information associated with the output information and recorded in a recording form directly recognizable in the internal information processing unit, regarding output contents of the output information. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the additional information includes:
An information recording apparatus comprising code information indicating directly or indirectly the type of the control code. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit that determines whether to connect an information path for accessing the recording medium to the external information processing unit or the internal information processing unit. Information recording device. 6. An information conversion means for converting an original information file into output information described by a control code of an information output device by an information processing unit, wherein the conversion from the original information file to the output information is performed by the original information file. Information conversion means for associating additional information relating to the content of the information, which is recorded in a recording form directly recognizable by the information processing section, with the output information. 7. The output information converted from predetermined information by the external information processing unit to the information recording device according to claim 2, and recorded as the recording information on the information recording medium; An information output system configured to output the recording information to the information output device by the internal information processing unit based on an operation of the operation unit. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when converting the predetermined information into the output information, additional information regarding an output content of the output information, which is recorded in a directly recognizable recording form, is converted by the input information. Alternatively, the information output system is configured to be added by automatically reading from the predetermined information.