JP2003145893A - Printer and its controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a printer in which a detector outputting a signal on one signal line connected with a host computer can be selected flexibly by a control command from the host computer. SOLUTION: A detector selecting means 4 selects one of sheet detectors 1, 2 and 3 for detecting presence of a printer sheet by a control command being received from the host computer 7 through an interface 6. State of the selected sheet detector is transmitted to the host computer 7 by a transmission control means 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer connected to a host computer through a transmission line and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of notifying a host computer of the presence or absence of printer paper, the same number of transmission lines as the required paper detectors are prepared, and the state of one paper detector is changed to one transmission line. There is a method of notifying the host computer of the status of only the assigned paper detectors.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional technique has a problem that it is impossible to select a required paper detector and notify the host computer.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to select a predetermined detector to be detected by a control command of a host computer from a plurality of paper detectors for detecting the presence or absence of printer paper, and to detect the selected paper. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer that detects the presence or absence of printer paper by a container and notifies the host computer of the detected result as a status of the presence or absence of printer paper to a host computer and a control method thereof.

[0005]

The printer of the present invention comprises:
(1) In a printer connected to a host computer via a transmission line, a plurality of paper detectors for detecting the presence or absence of printer paper, an interface for receiving a control command from the host computer, and a receiver for receiving the control command from the host computer By the control command
Determining means for deciding whether or not to use the plurality of sheet detectors as sheet detectors for notifying the host computer of sheet detection states, and the determining means for notifying among the plurality of sheet detectors. For the paper detectors that are determined not to be paper detectors for paper, means for saving as paper present (low), logical sum acquisition means for taking the logical sum of the outputs of the respective paper detectors, and said logical sum acquisition means Transmission control means for notifying the host computer of the logical sum output by the above.

(2) In a printer connected to a host computer via a transmission line, a plurality of paper detectors for detecting the presence or absence of printer paper, an interface for receiving a control command from the host computer, and the host A determining unit that determines whether or not the plurality of sheet detectors are to be sheet detectors for notifying the host computer of the sheet detection state according to a control command received from the computer; When it is determined that all of the plurality of paper detectors are not to be used as the paper detectors for notification, a transmission control means for notifying the host computer of the result of paper presence (low) is provided.

Further, the printer control method of the present invention is
(1) A method of controlling a printer, which is used by being connected to a host computer through a transmission line and includes a plurality of paper detectors for detecting the presence or absence of printer paper, comprising the step of receiving a control command from the host computer. A determining step of determining whether or not each of the plurality of sheet detectors is a sheet detector for notifying the host computer of a sheet detection state by a control command received from the host computer, and the determining step. Accordingly, among the plurality of paper detectors, the paper detectors determined not to be the paper detectors for notification are stored as paper present (low), and the output of each paper detector is ORed. Transmission control for notifying the host computer of the logical sum acquisition step and the logical sum output by the logical sum acquisition step Extent and stage, characterized by comprising a.

(2) A method of controlling a printer, which is used by being connected to a host computer through a transmission line and has a plurality of paper detectors for detecting the presence or absence of printer paper, wherein a control command from the host computer is received. And a determining step of determining whether or not the plurality of paper detectors are the paper detectors for notifying the host computer of the paper detection state by the control command received from the host computer, And a transmission step of notifying the host computer of the result of paper presence (low) when it is determined by the determining step that all of the plurality of paper detectors are not to be used as notification paper detectors. And

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer controller according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numerals 1, 2, 3 in the figure
Is a paper detector that opens when the printer detects that there is no paper, and the detector selecting means 4 is required from the paper detectors 1, 2, and 3 by a control command from the host computer 7 via the interface 6. The stop control means 8 stops the printing operation of the printing mechanism 9 according to the state of the paper detector selected by the detector selecting means.

Further, the transmission control means 5 detects the state of the paper detector selected by the detector selection means, and notifies the host computer 7 via the interface 6 of the result of the predetermined calculation. There is.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a control command from the host computer to the stop control means.
"ESC + c + 4 + n" shown by 10 is an example of the control command, and the argument n selects the paper detector for detecting the presence or absence of the paper. 11 is an argument n
And a table showing an example of the function of the control command. For example, one paper detector is made to correspond to one bit, and if the corresponding bit is “1”, that paper detector is selected,
If it is "0", it is not selected, and any combination of paper detectors is possible. Therefore, it is possible not to select all the paper detectors, which indicates that the paper detector can create a condition where it is not installed in the printer.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a control command from the host computer to the transmission control means.
"ESC + c + 1 + n" indicated by 12 is an example of the control command, and the argument n selects the paper detector for detecting the presence or absence of the paper. 13 is the argument n
And a table showing an example of the function of the control command. For example, one paper detector is made to correspond to one bit, and if the corresponding bit is “1”, that paper detector is selected,
If it is "0", it is not selected, and any combination of paper detectors is possible. Therefore, it is possible not to select all the paper detectors, which means that it is possible to support a model in which the paper detector is not installed in the printer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a circuit which constitutes the detector selecting means, the stop controlling means and the transmission controlling means of the present invention. In FIG. In combination, it is a paper detector that opens when it detects that there is no printer paper. CPU 24,
A ROM 25, RAM 26, etc. constitute a microcomputer, and a signal indicating the presence or absence of printer paper from the paper detector and a control command from the host computer 28 via the interface 27 are input to detect a paper corresponding to the control command. The printing operation of the printing mechanism 29 is stopped according to the state of the paper detector that selects the paper detector, and the state of the paper detector is detected to notify the host computer 28 of the state of the paper detector. RO
In M25, a program for interpreting the control command from the host computer 28 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and selecting only the required paper detector, and a program for stopping the printing operation of the printing mechanism 29 depending on the state of the paper detector, A program for notifying the host computer 28 of the state of the paper detector is stored. The RAM 26 is used as a temporary memory for flags and the like necessary for the program.

Next, the operation of the apparatus constructed as described above will be described based on the flow chart of the detector selection step shown in FIG. 3, the flow chart of the stop control step shown in FIG. 4, and the flow chart of the transmission control step shown in FIG. Explain.

In the detector selection step of FIG. 3, the value of the first bit of the argument n in the control command of FIG. 6 or 7 is judged (step 30) based on the result of interpreting the control command from the host computer, and the result is obtained. Is 0, the paper detector 1 selection flag indicating that the paper detector 1 has been selected is set to "0" (step 31), and if it is "1", the flag is set to 1 (Step 32). Next, the second bit is judged (step 33) and the paper detector 2 selection flag is set (steps 34, 35). Next, the third bit is judged (step 36) and the paper detector 3 selection flag is set (steps 37, 38).

In the stop control process of FIG. 4, the state of the paper detector selection flag determined by the control command and the detector selection process determines which paper detector is used to execute the print stop process. It is a thing.

The process for the paper detector 1 judges the state of the paper detector 1 selection flag (step 40). If the result is "0", the process for the paper detector 2 is started.
If it is "1", the state of the paper detector 1 is detected and judged (step 41). If the result is "paper present", the process moves to the paper detector 2 and if "no paper", printing is stopped. The process shifts to (step 46).

In the process for the paper detector 2, the state of the paper detector 2 selection flag is judged (step 42), and if the result is "0", the process is shifted to the paper detector 3 and is "1". If there is, the state of the paper detector 2 is detected and judged (step 43). If the result is "paper is present", the process moves to the paper detector 3, and if "paper is absent", the printing is stopped (step 46). ).

The process for the sheet detector 3 judges the state of the sheet detector 3 selection flag (step 44). If the result is "0", the process is ended. The state is detected and judged (step 45). If the result is "paper present", the process ends, and if "paper is absent", the process proceeds to the print stop process (step 46).

The transmission control step of FIG. 5 determines which sheet detector state is notified to the host computer according to the state of the sheet detector selection flag determined by the control command and the detector selection step. is there.

The process for the sheet detector 1 judges the state of the sheet detector 1 selection flag (step 50), and if the result is "0", the process proceeds to the sheet detector 2.
If it is "1", the state of the paper detector 1 is judged (step 5).
1) Then, if the result is "paper is present", "0" is stored in memory 1.
Is set (step 52), and if "no paper", "1" is set in the memory 1 (step 53), and the process for the paper detector 2 is started.

In the process for the paper detector 2, the state of the paper detector 2 selection flag is judged (step 54). If the result is "0", the process for the paper detector 3 is started, and if "1". If there is, the state of the paper detector 2 is judged (step 55). If the result is "paper is present", "0" is set in the memory 2 (step 56). If "no paper", "2" is stored in the memory 2. 1 "is set (step 57) and the process for the paper detector 3 is started.

In the process for the paper detector 3, the state of the paper detector 3 selection flag is judged (step 58). If the result is "0", the process proceeds to post-processing, and if "1", the paper is detected. The state of the container 3 is judged (step 59), and if the result is "paper present", "0" is set in the memory 3 (step 60), and if "no paper", "1" is set in the memory 3.
Is set (step 61) and the process proceeds to post-processing.

In the post-processing, the logical sum of the memory 1, memory 2 and memory 3 is calculated (step 62), and the result is notified to the host computer via the interface (step 63).

The flowcharts of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show an embodiment in which there are three paper detectors for detecting the presence / absence of printer paper, and when there are three or more paper detectors. The control command determination and the paper detector selection flag setting are repeated for the number of paper detectors included in the printer.

Thereafter, the number of the sheet detectors is determined, the sheet selection flag is determined, the state of the sheet detector is detected, and the determination is performed.
Further, the number of the sheet detectors is determined and the state of the sheet detectors is detected, and the result is notified to the host computer.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By the control command from the host computer, using the transmission line connected to the host computer,
The state of two or more paper detectors can be notified to the host computer, the cost can be reduced and the host computer can flexibly control, and the range of control by the host computer is expanded.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the detector selection means, stop control means and transmission control means according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a detector selection process according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a stop control process according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a transmission control process according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a control command from a host computer to stop control means.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a control command from the host computer to the transmission control means.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Paper detector 1 for detecting the presence of printer paper 2 ... Paper detector 2 that detects the presence of printer paper 3 ... Paper detector 3 for detecting the presence of printer paper 4 ... Detector selection means 5: Transmission control means 6 ... Interface 7: Host computer 8: Stop control means 9 ... Printing mechanism

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 28, 2002 (2002.10.
28)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

(2) In a printer connected to a host computer via a transmission line, a plurality of paper detectors for detecting the presence or absence of printer paper, an interface for receiving a control command from the host computer, and the host A determining unit that determines whether or not the plurality of sheet detectors are to be sheet detectors for notifying the host computer of the sheet detection state according to a control command received from the computer; When it is determined that all of the plurality of paper detectors are not to be used as the paper detectors for notification, a transmission control means for notifying the host computer of the result of paper presence (low) is provided. (3) A printer including a plurality of detectors, which is used by being connected to a host computer through a transmission line, wherein the printer receives a control command from the host computer, and the detection results of the plurality of detectors. Is transmitted to the host computer, and whether the detection result of each of the plurality of detectors is notified to the host computer by the transmission unit is selected by the control command received from the host computer. It is characterized by doing.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A printer used by connecting to a host computer via a transmission line, a plurality of paper detectors for detecting the presence or absence of printer paper, an interface for receiving a control command from the host computer, and the host computer. Determining means for deciding whether or not to use the plurality of paper detectors as paper detectors for notifying the host computer of the paper detection state according to the control command received from the plurality of paper detectors; For the paper detectors that have been determined not to be the paper detectors for notification among the paper detectors of, the means to save as paper present (low) and the logical sum acquisition means to take the logical sum of the outputs of the respective paper detectors And notifying the logical sum output by the logical sum acquisition means to the host computer A printer comprising: a control unit; 2. A printer used by connecting to a host computer through a transmission line, a plurality of paper detectors for detecting the presence or absence of printer paper, an interface for receiving a control command from the host computer, and the host computer. Determining means for deciding whether or not to use the plurality of paper detectors as paper detectors for notifying the host computer of the paper detection state according to the control command received from the plurality of paper detectors; A transmission control means for notifying the host computer of the presence (low) of the paper when it is determined that all of the paper detectors of (1) are not used as the paper detector for notification. 3. A method of controlling a printer, which is used by connecting to a host computer through a transmission line and comprises a plurality of paper detectors for detecting the presence or absence of printer paper, the control command being received from the host computer. A step of deciding whether or not the plurality of sheet detectors are to be sheet detectors for notifying the host computer of the sheet detection state by a control command received from the host computer; Among the plurality of paper detectors, the paper detectors determined not to be the paper detectors for notification are stored as paper (low) in the determination step, and the logical sum of the outputs of the respective paper detectors. And a logical sum output by the logical sum acquisition step, and notifies the host computer of the logical sum output. Control method of the printer, characterized in that it and a transmission control step stage. 4. A method of controlling a printer, which is used by connecting to a host computer through a transmission line, and comprises a plurality of paper detectors for detecting the presence or absence of printer paper, the control command being received from the host computer. A step of deciding whether or not the plurality of sheet detectors are to be sheet detectors for notifying the host computer of the sheet detection state by a control command received from the host computer; When it is determined in the determining step that all of the plurality of paper detectors are not to be used as notification paper detectors, a transmission step of notifying the host computer of a paper present (low) result is provided. How to control the printer.