JPS60232973A - printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To omit the period of time required for transferring form data, omit surplus memory constantly secured for receiving the form data and perform various kinds of forms overlay printing through a simple operation, by enclosing regular forms in a cartridge. CONSTITUTION:A main body 2 is embodied by a microprocessor comprising a RAM and a ROM, and comprises a controlling part 21 for main control relating to printing, a pattern-converting part 22 for converting code data in printing data inputted from a host computer 1 into pattern data, and a dot printer part 23 for forming permanent visual images on a paper in accordance with the pattern data or the like. A previously patternized and stored form is read from a form cartridge 3, and is written into a RAM in the controlling part 21. Next, printing data sent from the host computer 1 are converted by the part 22, and are developed over the form written in the RAM, followed by outputting to the printer part 23 the entire part of the forms overlay data thus formed in the RAM.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs form overlay printing.

[Prior Art] Since many dot printing devices can form and print out various patterns, many of them have a form overlay printing function.
When performing form overlay printing, form data is received from the host computer, this is temporarily stored in an internal form data storage memory, and then when actual print data is received, the stored form data and print data are stored. Form overlay printing was used to print on top of each other. However, the above method has the disadvantage that as the form becomes more complex, the amount of form data increases, resulting in a longer form data reception time.

Another disadvantage of printing devices is that they must always have free memory so that they can receive a large amount of form data.

[Purpose] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and its purpose is to omit the time required for form data transfer by converting a fixed form into a cartridge. To provide a printing device capable of performing various form overlay printing with simple operations without the need for extra notes and notes always reserved for receiving form data.

[Embodiment] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, l is a host computer that inputs print data consisting of images and codes and various print commands from the outside to the apparatus of this embodiment, 2 is the main body of the apparatus of this embodiment, and 3 is a form cartridge that stores form data. It is.

The main body 2 includes a control unit 21 that is realized by a microprocessor including RAM and ROM and performs main control related to printing;
It includes a pattern conversion section 22 that converts code data among print data inputted from the host computer 1 into corresponding pattern data, and a dot printer section 23 that forms a permanent visible image on paper using the pattern data and the like. There is.

Now, one feature of the apparatus of this embodiment is that the form cartridge 3 can be attached and detached via the connector 24 and can be sunk in to perform various forms overlay printing with a simple operation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the foam cartridge 3. FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes a connector that is detachably fitted into the connector 24 of the main body 2 and connects various electrical signals. For example, form data stored in the ROM or FROM in the cartridge 3 is read into the control unit 21 via the connectors 31 and 24.

Desired form data can be provided with simple operations. Generally, there are many types of form data depending on the printing job, but it is possible to prepare a plurality of cartridges in which various forms are stored in advance and exchange them with a simple operation. Furthermore, it is possible to store a plurality of types of form data in advance in the form cartridge 3, and to select them using an appropriate form selection means to perform form overlay printing. In this case, as a selection means, the form cartridge itself may be provided with a switch means for selecting the form,
Further, a switch means that performs such a function may be provided on the printing apparatus main body 2 side.

FIG. 4(A) shows an example of printing only the form stored in the form cartridge. The figure shows the form 11 when a visible image is output on the paper 10.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing print control in one embodiment executed by a microprocessor in the control unit 21. In the process shown in the figure, print data is received from the host computer 1 and input when a page break command is received.

In step Sl, it is determined whether the foam cartridge 3 is loaded into the connector 24 or not. If the cartridge 3 is not loaded, the determination becomes NO, and the process advances to step S2 to perform normal printing processing. An example of printing in this case is shown in FIG. 4(B). Here, paper l
Only information 12 sent from the host computer is printed on O.

Further, if the cartridge 3 is loaded in step Sl, the determination becomes YES, and the process advances to step S3 to execute form overlay printing. Whether or not the cartridge 3 is loaded can be easily determined by determining whether two arbitrary pins of the connector 24 are short-circuited by loading the cartridge 3. Form-off valley printing is a process in which the form read from the form cartridge 3 is overprinted by μ1 over the print data sent from the host computer 1.

Specifically, a form that has been patterned and stored in advance is read out from the form cartridge 3, written into the RAM of the control unit 21, and then written into the host computer l.
The pattern converting section 22 converts the print data sent from the printer, develops it by overlapping it on the form in the RAM, and outputs the entire form overlay data thus formed in the RAM to the dot printer section 23. be. An example of printing in this case is shown in FIG. 4(C). Here, it can be seen that when the information 12 sent from the host computer 1 is printed on the paper 10, the form 11 read from the form cartridge 3 is overlaid and printed.

In the embodiments described above, ROM or FROM is used as the element for storing the form, but a magnetic bubble memory or the like may be used to send the form data from the host computer 1 to the form cartridge 3 so that it can be stored. This allows the user to freely create form data in advance.

Further, the form data in the form cartridge 3 may be stored as a code before being patterned. In this case, the code data read from the form cartridge 3 may first be converted by the pattern conversion section 22.

[Effect 1] As described above, according to the present invention, by holding a form in the form of a cartridge and using this cartridge, it is possible to perform various form overlay printing with simple operations. Moreover, there is no need to always provide a free memory in the main body for storing form data, and there is no need for form data transfer time.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a form cartridge, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Flowchart showing print control. FIG. 4(A) is a diagram showing an example of printing only the form stored in the form cartridge. FIG. 4(B) is a diagram showing an example of printing only the information sent from the host computer. FIG. 4(C) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of form overlay printing. Here, l... host computer, 2... printer main body, 3... form cartridge, 21... control section, 22... pattern conversion section, 23... dot printer section, 24... - Connector, 31...A connector. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 1 (C)

Claims (1)

[Claims] A printing device that prints input image or pattern information includes a connector means for removably supporting a cartridge means for holding form printing information from the outside, and a connector means that is loaded into the connector means when printing the input image or pattern information. 1. A printing apparatus comprising: a print control means for performing form overlay printing of the form printing information read from the cartridge means.