JPH11198486A - Printer and method for printing printer set information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a printer, to reduce the printer in cost and to perform printing of self printer set information. SOLUTION: A printer 15 that performs printing in accordance with received printing data and a computer 50 that generates the printing data and transmits it are connected with each other such that bi-directional communication can be performed therebetween. The printer 15 comprises a self information memory means 33 and self information transmitting means 31, 32 and the computer 50 comprises a received information memory means 53 and information printing data generating means 51, 52. Self printer set information can be printed out by a printer 15 based on the data from a side of the printer or a side of the computer even when a generating function of information printing data in relation to the self printer set information and a printingout function of the generated information printing data are not provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus including a computer that creates and transmits print data, a printer that prints print data received from the computer, and a method of printing printer setting information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one form of a printing apparatus, there is a printing apparatus formed of a computer for creating and transmitting print data and a printer for printing the print data received from the computer. So-called electrophotographic apparatuses, ink jet printers, and the like are also in this form. Also, it does not matter whether it is monochrome or color.

Further, such a printing apparatus is often constructed by connecting a computer and a printer of different manufacturers, for example. Thus, the printer stores printer setting information on diversification of printing modes and functions, expansion of adaptability to paper and the like, adjustment of print image quality, reduction of power consumption, and the like. It is formed so that it can be selected.

[0004] By the way, especially in a printing apparatus for business use or color printing, printer setting information is very large and some of them are technically and technically advanced. Therefore, it is highly necessary to print out the printer setting information and check or examine it while reading it. Therefore, the function of creating the information print data for the printer setting information stored in the printer itself and the function of the created information print data are required. A print output function is provided.

[0005]

By the way, there is a strong demand for further simplification of the configuration and handling of the computer and the printer, as well as further reduction in cost.

Thus, focusing on the printer alone, there is a strong demand for an improvement in the function of creating the information print data for the printer setting information stored in the printer itself and the function of printing out the created information print data.

On the other hand, since the users and the purpose of use have been diversified with the spread of the use, the printing operation is often performed for a long time with the items set once at the start of the operation. In other words, it is pointed out that both functions are excessively performed depending on the viewpoint, since the setting is rarely changed.
That doesn't mean we can't eliminate both features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method of printer setting information which enable the printer to print out its own printer setting information while simplifying and reducing the cost of the printer.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus comprising: a computer for creating and transmitting print data; and a printer for printing print data received from the computer. Are connected so that the printer can store its own printer setting information, and when the printer requests transmission from the computer or when an information print request is generated in the printer, the printer stores the printer setting information in the printer. The printer is formed so as to be able to transmit machine printer setting information to the computer, to be able to store the printer setting information received from the printer by the computer, and to be able to create information print data for the printer setting information.

According to this invention, when the computer requests the printer to transmit the printer setting information, the printer which has received the transmission request transmits the printer setting information of the self apparatus stored in advance to the computer. Then, the computer creates information print data for the printer setting information received from the printer. Therefore, if the created information print data is transmitted to the printer in the same manner as normal print data, the printer can print out its own printer setting information.

Further, the printer transmits its own printer setting information stored in its own device to, for example, the nearest computer even when an information printing request is issued in its own device. In this case, the computer also operates in the same manner as when the transmission request is issued by itself (computer).

That is, even if the printer is not provided with a function of creating information print data for its own printer setting information and a function of printing out the created information print data, the printer can print out its own printer setting information. it can. That is, it is possible to make the printer print out its own printer setting information while simplifying and reducing the cost of the printer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus comprising a computer for creating and transmitting print data and a printer for printing the print data received from the computer. A self-device information storage means for communicatively connecting the printer and storing the printer setting information of the self-device, and a self-device information storage unit when a transmission request is issued from the computer or an information print request is generated within the self-device. Self-device information transmitting means for reading the printer setting information stored in the information storage means and transmitting the read information to the computer, wherein the computer receives, from the printer, Receiving information storage means for storing printer setting information received for spontaneous transmission; Providing information print data creation means for creating information print data for printer setting information, and eliminating the need for the printer to have a function of creating information print data for its own printer setting information and a function of printing out created information print data. This is also a printing device formed so that the printer can output its own printer setting information by printing.

In this invention, when, for example, the request transmitting means on the computer side requests the printer to transmit the printer setting information, the own device information transmitting means on the printer side receiving the transmission request stores the request in the own device information storing means. The printer setting information is read and transmitted to the computer. The computer stores the received printer setting information in the reception information storage unit in response to the transmission request from the computer. Immediately thereafter or after a certain time, the information print data creating means creates information print data for the printer setting information stored in the received information storage means.

Further, the own device information transmitting means on the printer side includes:
When an information print request occurs in the own device, the operation is the same as when a transmission request is received from a computer. The information print data creating means for creating the information print data for the storage in the reception information storage means on the computer side and for the stored printer setting information also receives the printer setting information for the spontaneous transmission of the printer. ), And works in the same way as when a response is received from the printer.

Thus, in any case, if the information print data created by the computer is transmitted to the printer in the same way as the normal print data, the information print data creation function for the own printer setting information can be provided to the printer. Even without providing a print output function of the created information print data, the printer can print out the information print data, that is, the printer setting information of the own device.

Further, a third aspect of the present invention is a method of printing printer setting information for a printer which creates print data by a computer, transmits the print data to the printer, and prints the print data received from the computer. A request for transmission of the printer setting information is sent to the printer, and the printer that has received the transmission request reads out its own printer setting information stored in its own device and transmits it to the computer, and stores the printer setting information in the computer that has received the request. Printing of printer setting information, causing the printer to generate information print data for the printer setting information, transmitting the generated information print data to the printer, and causing the printer to print out the information print data for the own printer setting information received. Is the way.

In this invention, the computer sends a request for transmission of printer setting information to the printer, and the printer that has received the transmission request reads out the printer setting information stored in its own device, transmits it to the computer, and receives the received data. The computer stores the printer setting information, creates information print data for the printer setting information, and transmits the created information print data to the printer. The printer prints out the received information print data, that is, its own printer setting information.

Therefore, even if the printer is not provided with a function of creating information print data for its own printer setting information and a function of printing out the created information print data, the printer can provide its own printer setting information at the request of the computer. Can be printed out. That is, the printer can output its own printer setting information while simplifying the printer and reducing the cost.

Further, the invention of claim 4 is a method of printing printer setting information for a printer which creates print data by a computer, transmits the print data to a printer, and prints the print data received from the computer. When an information print request is issued in the own device, the printer setting information stored in the own device is read out and spontaneously transmitted to the computer. Causing information print data to be created for the information and transmitting the created information print data to the printer,
This is a method of printing printer setting information that causes the printer to print out information print data of the printer setting information received by the printer.

According to this invention, when an information printing request is generated in the printer, the printer reads the printer setting information stored in the printer and transmits the read printer setting information to, for example, the nearest computer. The computer that has received the information stores the printer setting information, creates information print data for the printer setting information, and transmits the created information print data to the printer. The printer prints out the received information print data, that is, its own printer setting information.

Therefore, even if the printer is not provided with a function of creating information print data for its own printer setting information and a function of printing out the created information print data, it can print its own printer setting information at the request of the printer. Can be output. That is, the printer can output its own printer setting information while simplifying the printer and reducing the cost.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a printing apparatus 10 suitable for carrying out the printing method of the printer setting information includes a printer 1 for printing based on received print data.
5 and a computer 50 for creating and transmitting print data
Are connected so that bidirectional communication is possible, and the printer 1
5 has its own information storage means (33) and its own information transmission means (31, 32), and the computer 50 has a request transmission means (51, 52) and a received information storage means (5, 52).
3) and information print data creating means (51, 52), and the printer 15 does not need to have the function of creating information print data for its own printer setting information and the function of printing out created information print data. The printer 15 is formed so that its own printer setting information can be printed out.

In FIG. 1, a printer 15 is an ink-jet type color printer formed of a printing unit and a control unit 30, and is connected to a computer 50 via a data communication line 58 so as to be capable of two-way communication.

The printing section includes a print head 20 mounted on the carrier 16, a carrier reciprocating mechanism including a carrier motor 21, a paper transport mechanism including a transport motor 22, a detection section including a plurality of sensors 17, and the like. Have been.

The control unit 30 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32,
RAM 33, operation unit (PNL) 34, display unit (IND)
35, an interface (I / F) 36 and an input / output port (I / O) 37. The print data received from the computer 50 is output to the printing unit while being converted into bitmap data depending on the model.

Head driver 20D, motor driver 2
The 1D and the motor driver 22D are described as being arranged in the control unit 30 for convenience.

The basic printing function of the printer 15 is to receive print data from the computer 50 (Y in ST10 of FIG. 2).
ES), it is stored in the RAM 33 (ST11), and it is printed as it is (ST12, ST13).

The own device information storage means is means for storing printer setting information of the own device (10), and is formed from the RAM 33.

In the printer setting information, diversification of printing modes (for example, monochrome, color, etc.) and functions (for example, automatic paper feeding, etc.), and adaptability for papers (for example, size, paper feeding direction) are expanded. , And various kinds of information for changing or selecting each setting item related to adjustment of print image quality (for example, γ correction, etc.), reduction of power consumption (for example, sleep mode, etc.).

However, a function for printing out the printer setting information by itself is not provided. That is,
It does not have a function of creating information print data for its own printer setting information and a function of printing out the created information print data. That is, the printer 15 transmits the print data (information print data) transmitted from the computer 50.
May be simply printed out according to the preset items.

Thus, the printer setting information stored in the own device information storage means (33) is converted or edited into a predetermined format to create information print data, and the created information print data is transferred to the computer 50. Since it is not necessary to perform the print output process for enabling the print data to be handled in the same manner as when print data is received from, for example, the program stored in the ROM 32 can be greatly simplified and reduced in capacity.
31 can be reduced, and the functional and cost can be greatly simplified and downsized.

The computer 50 has a CPU 51 and a ROM.
52, RAM 53, HDD 54, keyboard (KB) 5
5, display unit (IND) 56 and interface (I)
/ F) 57 to generate print data and send it to each printer 15 (50) via the data communication line 58.

As a basic function, when a print request is issued (YES in ST25 in FIG. 3), the created print data (information print data) is read (ST26) and transmitted to the designated (pertinent) printer 15 (ST26). ST27).

The reception information storage means is formed of the RAM 53, and can store and hold the printer setting information received from the printer 15 (30). The information reception control means (CPU 51, ROM 52) and the reception information storage control means (CPU 51, ROM 52) function.

The information reception control means (51, 5)
2) and the received information storage control means (51, 52) respond to the transmission request of the own device (50), and
0) is received (S in FIG. 3).
As in the case of YES in T22, the printer 15 (3
It also works when the printer setting information sent voluntarily from the 0) side is received (YES in ST22 of FIG. 3).

Here, the own device information transmitting means on the printer 15 (30) side is formed of the ROM 32 storing the own device information transmission control program and the CPU 31, and transmits a transmission request for the own device printer setting information from the computer 50. When the information is received (YES in ST14 of FIG. 2), the printer setting information is retrieved (ST15) in the own device information storage means (RAM33), the printer setting information is read (ST16), and transmitted to the computer 50 (ST17).

The own device information transmitting means (31, 32)
An information print request is generated in own device (30) (YE in ST18)
S) also receives a transmission request from the computer 50 (ST).
(YES in 14).

Thus, in any case, the printer 1
5 (30) is a simple program that requires only reading out the own printer setting information stored in the own machine information storage means (RAM 33) and transmitting it to the computer 50, and the amount of data to be processed is small. .

The request transmitting means (CP
U51, ROM 52), if there is a transmission request command (YES in ST20 of FIG. 3), the designated printer 15 (3
0) (ST2).
1).

In response, the printer setting information returned from the printer 15 (30) is transmitted to the information reception control means (5).
1, 52) receives (YES in ST22), the reception information storage control means (51, 52) stores the printer setting information in the reception information storage means (RAM 53) (ST2).
3) Yes.

Here, the information print data creation means includes a ROM 52 storing an information print data creation control program.
And the CPU 51, and the received information storage means (5
3) The information print data (that is, the data converted in the same manner as the normal print data in order to print out the printer setting information) about the printer setting information stored in (ST23) is created (ST24), and the RAM 53 To memorize it. It is also preferable to make a backup in the HDD 54.

Thus, the data transmission control means (CPU 5
1, the ROM 52) transmits a transmission request (ST) from its own device (50).
21), the information print data with the printer number stored in the received information storage means (53) is read out immediately after the creation of the information print data or when necessary, and the same as the normal print data, The printer 15 is designated and transmitted to the printer 15.

The printer setting information is stored in the printer 15.
When the information is sent from (30) spontaneously and received by the computer 50, the information print data is sent to the printer 15 (30) immediately after the information print data is created.

The printer 15 prints out the received information print data as it is (ST12 in FIG. 2) in the same manner as when normal print data is received (YES in ST10 in FIG. 2) (ST12). That is, the printer setting information of the own device can be printed out.

Therefore, even if the function of creating information print data and its print output function for the printer setting information of the own device stored in the printer 15 (30) is not provided in the printer, the printer 50 can be used from the computer 50 side when necessary. The printer setting information can also be printed out from the printer 15 from the side of the printer 15 (30). The software burden on the computer 50 for this purpose is very small even if it is different from the manufacturer of the printer 15 (30). For example, it is only necessary to install from a floppy disk.

[0047]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a computer and a printer are connected so as to be capable of two-way communication, and the printer is automatically activated when a transmission request is issued from the computer or when an information printing request is generated within the apparatus. Since the printer is formed such that the printer setting information stored in the machine can be transmitted to the computer, the printer setting information received by the computer from the printer can be stored, and information print data about the printer setting information can be created. Even if the printer does not have a function to create information print data for its own printer setting information and a function to print out the created information print data, the printer prints its own printer setting information in the same way as normal print data Can be output.
That is, it is possible to make the printer print out its own printer setting information while simplifying and reducing the cost of the printer.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the printer is provided with its own information storing means and its own information transmitting means, and the computer is provided with the receiving information storing means and the information print data creating means. Since the printer is formed so that the information print data created on the computer side based on the transmitted own printer setting information and on the printer side can be printed out in the same manner as the normal print data on the printer side, the printer It is not necessary to provide the function of creating information print data for the printer setting information and the function of printing out the created information print data. Therefore, not only can the same effects as in the case of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained, but also it can be further automated, so that handling is easy.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer requests a printer to transmit printer setting information, and causes the printer which has received the transmission request to read out its own printer setting information stored in its own apparatus and transmit it to the computer. Receiving the printer setting information in the computer, and causing the computer to generate information print data for the printer setting information; transmitting the generated information print data to the printer; This is a method of printing printer setting information that causes the information print data to be printed out. Therefore, even if the printer is not provided with a function of creating information print data for its own printer setting information and a function of printing out the created information print data, At the request of the computer, the printer It can be printed outputs a constant information. That is, the printer can output its own printer setting information while simplifying the printer and reducing the cost.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, when an information printing request is issued in the printer, the printer reads out the printer setting information stored in the printer and transmits it to the computer, and the computer receiving the information reads the printer setting information. Stores printer setting information, creates information print data for the printer setting information, transmits the created information print data to the printer, and prints out the information print data for the own printer setting information received by the printer. Printer setting information to be printed,
Even if the printer does not have a function of creating information print data for its own printer setting information and a function of printing out the created information print data, it is possible to print out its own printer setting information at the request of the printer. . That is, the printer can output its own printer setting information while simplifying the printer and reducing the cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is also a flowchart (1) for explaining the operation.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart (2) for explaining the operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 printing device 15 printer 16 carrier 17 sensor 20 print head 21 carrier motor 22 transport motor 30 control unit 31 CPU (own device information transmitting unit) 32 ROM (own device information transmitting unit) 33 RAM (own device information storing unit) 34 operation Unit (PNL) 35 display unit (IND) 50 computer 51 CPU (information print data creation unit) 52 ROM (information print data creation unit) 53 RAM (received information storage unit) 54 HDD 55 keyboard (KB) 56 display unit (IND) ) 58 Data communication line

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus comprising: a computer that creates and transmits print data; and a printer that prints print data received from the computer, wherein the computer and the printer are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The printer can store its own printer setting information and transmit its own printer setting information stored in its own device to the computer when there is a transmission request from the computer or when an information printing request is issued in the own device. A printing apparatus formed so that the computer can store printer setting information received from the printer and can create information print data for the printer setting information. 2. A printing apparatus comprising: a computer that creates and transmits print data; and a printer that prints print data received from the computer, wherein the computer and the printer are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, The printer has its own information storage means for storing its own printer setting information, and has its information stored in its own information storage means when there is a transmission request from the computer or when an information print request is made in its own apparatus. Self-device information transmitting means for reading out printer setting information and transmitting the same to the computer, wherein the computer receives a request from the printer in response to a transmission request from the own device, or a printer which receives the spontaneous transmission of the printer. Reception information storage means for storing setting information and stored printer setting information Information print data creating means for creating the information print data of the printer. Even if the printer does not have the function of creating the information print data for the printer setting information of its own device and the function of printing out the created information print data, A printing device formed so that its own printer setting information can be printed out. 3. A method of printing printer setting information for a printer which creates print data on a computer, transmits the print data to the printer, and prints the print data received from the computer, wherein the computer sends the printer setting information to the printer. A transmission request is made, and the printer that has received the transmission request reads out its own printer setting information stored in its own device and transmits it to the computer. A printer setting information printing method in which information print data is created, the created information print data is transmitted to the printer, and the information print data about the own printer setting information received by the printer is printed out. 4. A method for printing printer setting information for a printer that creates print data on a computer, transmits the print data to the printer, and prints the print data received from the computer, wherein an information print request is sent to the printer in its own device. When this occurs, the printer setting information stored in the apparatus is read out and transmitted to the computer, and the computer which has received the printer setting information stores the printer setting information and creates and prints information print data on the printer setting information. A printer setting information printing method in which the information print data transmitted to the printer and the information print data of the own printer setting information received by the printer are printed out.