JP4670124B2 - Host computer, printer driver, control method therefor, and information recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, the host computer and foremost, these control methods, and an information recording medium.
[0002]
In particular, a real time clock (Real Time Clock; RTC) suitable for get or set the date and time information of a printing apparatus having a host computer, these control methods, and recording a program for realizing these The present invention relates to a computer-readable information recording medium.
[0003]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Printing apparatuses (printers) are widely used as apparatuses for printing characters and figures on a printed material such as paper. Such a printer is connected to a host computer (information processing apparatus such as a business computer), and the host computer transmits data for printing characters and graphics and data for controlling the printer itself to the printer. On the other hand, the printer can transmit data such as its own status to the host computer.
[0004]
Such printers use ink to print characters and graphics. Inkjet printers use replaceable ink tanks, and dot impact printers and thermal transfer printers use replaceable ink ribbons. Information such as the time when the ink supply unit is replaced and the service life is important as information for cost reduction, maintenance and operation of the printer.
[0005]
In addition, consumables such as print heads and paper cutters are used in printers. As with the ink supply unit, if necessary information such as replacement timing can be obtained, advice necessary for maintenance and operation is also available. Can be performed on the user.
[0006]
Here, in order to obtain information on the time of such replacement, information on the actual time, that is, year / month / day / hour / minute / second at a desired time point, is obtained with a predetermined accuracy (for example, daily unit, hour unit, minute unit). A method of incorporating an RTC that can be obtained in units, seconds, etc. is widely used.
[0007]
For example, the management information of the ink supply unit (for example, whether it is color or black and white, how many times to print, how long is the standard remaining life), and the flash EEPROM (when the ink supply unit is installed) This information is stored in a non-volatile storage device such as Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, and when such information is needed, it is sent from the printer to the host computer or printed on paper from the printer. It was.
[0008]
The RTC included in the printer generally performs time adjustment of the date / time information at the time of shipment from the factory, and otherwise it is configured so that time adjustment is not possible.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, such date / time information may be distorted, and if the date / time information is distorted, the printer management information cannot be used as meaningful data.
[0010]
On the other hand, if date and time information can be adjusted from the outside, a simple setting technique that is easy to understand for the user is strongly desired.
[0011]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, suitable for get or set the date and time information of the printing apparatus having the RTC, the host computer, these control methods, and Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer-readable information recording medium in which a program for realizing these is recorded.
Further, the instruction input receiving unit receives a user instruction input for matching the date and time information of the printing apparatus with the date and time information of the RTC of the host computer.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed in accordance with the principle of the present invention.
[0024]
A host computer according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an RTC, an RTC read command generation / transmission unit, a date / time information reception unit, a date / time information display unit, an input unit, an instruction input reception unit, and an RTC setting command generation And a transmission unit.
[0025]
The RTC updates the date / time information in real time.
[0026]
The RTC read command generation / transmission unit generates an RTC read command for acquiring date / time information of the printing apparatus, and transmits the RTC read instruction to the printing apparatus.
[0027]
The date / time information receiving unit receives date / time information transmitted from the printing apparatus.
[0028]
The date / time information display unit displays the date / time information acquired from the RTC and the received date / time information.
[0029]
The input unit receives an input for setting date information of the printing apparatus.
[0030]
The RTC setting command generation / transmission unit generates an input received by the input unit as an RTC setting command, and transmits the generated command to the printing apparatus.
[0031]
The instruction input receiving unit can select whether to match the date and time information of the printing apparatus with the date and time information of the real-time clock or to match the date and time information input from the input unit .
[0045]
A control method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a step of controlling a host computer to update date / time information in real time, an RTC read command generation / transmission step, a date / time information reception step, a date / time information display step, An input process, an instruction input reception process, and an RTC setting command generation transmission process are provided.
[0046]
In the process of updating the date information in real time, the RTC updates the date information in real time.
[0047]
In the RTC read command generation / transmission step, an RTC read command for acquiring date / time information of the printing apparatus is generated and transmitted to the printing apparatus .
[0048]
Further, in the date / time information receiving step, date / time information transmitted from the printing apparatus is received.
[0049]
In the date / time information display step, the date / time information acquired from the RTC and the received date / time information are displayed.
[0050]
In the input step, an input for setting date information of the printing apparatus is received.
[0051]
The instruction input receiving step selects whether to match the date and time information of the printing apparatus with the date and time information of the real-time clock or the date and time information input from the input unit,
In the RTC setting command generation / transmission step, the input received in the instruction input reception step is generated as an RTC setting command and transmitted to the printing apparatus.
[0054]
Each functional unit provided in the above-described host computer is installed and used as a printer driver in the host computer.
[0055]
And the host computer of the present invention stores a program for realizing these control methods compact disk, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, a digital video disk, a magnetic tape, an information recording medium such as a semiconductor memory be able to.
[0056]
Furthermore, the program for controlling the printing apparatus and the host computer of the present invention is arranged in a WWW (World Wide Web) server computer, from which the operator downloads it appropriately and stores it in the printing apparatus and the host computer. The program can be updated and executed by the printing apparatus or the host computer.
[0057]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The embodiments described below are for explanation, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0058]
(Embodiment of printing apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus (printer) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.
[0059]
The printer 101 is connected to the host computer 150 via the interface 102 and transmits / receives command data.
[0060]
When the host computer 150 transmits command data and the interface 102 detects the arrival of the command data, an interrupt is applied to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 104. In this interrupt process, the CPU 104 causes the interface 102 to receive the command data and store it in a reception buffer (not shown) in the RAM 103.
[0061]
On the other hand, the CPU 104 interprets the command data stored in the reception buffer, and if this is a print command, the CPU 104 develops a print image of characters and graphics designated in the print command in the print buffer in the RAM 103.
[0062]
Also, when the print buffer is full or when a line feed command is encountered, the print processing unit 105 including the print head, platen, paper feed mechanism, etc. is operated at a predetermined timing to print characters and figures on paper. To do. The definition of the character font is stored in the ROM 110.
[0063]
The ink supply unit 106 for supplying ink to the print head of the print processing unit 105 can be replaced, and the CPU 104 can obtain information on whether or not the ink supply unit has been replaced.
[0064]
The RTC 107 is set with date / time information (year / month / day / hour / minute / second information) at the time of factory shipment, and updates the date / time information in real time.
[0065]
The printer 101 can request the RTC 107 for time information as necessary, and obtain the current time information as a response, thereby knowing the actual time of replacement of the ink supply unit 106.
[0066]
In the flash EEPROM 108, the date and time of replacement of the ink supply unit 106, the management information of the ink supply unit 106 (monochrome or color, how many times it has been printed, how long it is estimated to have a lifetime, etc.) are nonvolatile To remember. These pieces of information are transmitted to the host computer 150 via the interface 102 and used as maintenance information for the printer 101.
[0067]
Also, the management information can be printed by operating the print processing unit 105.
[0068]
For convenience of explanation, the ink supply unit 106 is taken up as a management target. However, as other management targets, it is easy to add a cutter blade, a print head, or the like for cutting the paper, or to change the management target. is there. If there are a plurality of management targets, the flash EEPROM 108 may be provided with an area for each management target.
[0069]
Each unit operates under the control of the CPU 104. This control program is stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 110, and the CPU 104 sequentially executes the program stored in the ROM 110 when the power is turned on. The program stored in the ROM 110 can be upgraded as appropriate.
[0070]
Here, the RTC 107 functions as the RTC of the printing apparatus of the present invention.
[0071]
The interface 102 functions as a command data receiving unit of the printing apparatus of the present invention.
[0072]
The print processing unit 105 functions as a print processing unit of the printing apparatus of the present invention.
[0073]
The interface 102 functions as a date / time information setting unit of the printing apparatus of the present invention.
[0074]
The CPU 104 functions as a date / time information setting unit of the printing apparatus of the present invention.
[0075]
The flash EEPROM 108 functions as a storage unit of the printing apparatus of the present invention.
[0076]
The interface 102 or the print processing unit 105 functions as a reporting unit of the present invention.
[0077]
As the storage unit, a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk or a floppy disk can be used instead of the flash EEPROM 108. In addition, the host computer 150 connected via the interface 102 can be used as a storage unit. These embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0078]
The ROM 110 functions as an information recording medium that records a program for controlling the printing apparatus.
[0079]
(Host computer embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the host computer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG. As the host computer of the present invention, various information processing apparatuses such as a general-purpose business computer, a portable terminal, a register, and an accounting system can be employed. By causing these information processing apparatuses to execute programs stored in the information recording medium of the present invention, the host computer of the present invention can be realized.
[0080]
The host computer 150 is controlled by the CPU 202. The CPU 202 communicates with the printer 101 via the interface 203. The CPU 202 uses the RAM 204 as a temporary storage area such as a buffer necessary for communication.
[0081]
An initial loader program (Initial Program Loader) executed by the CPU 202 when the power is turned on is stored in the ROM 205. The initial loader program appropriately reads a program stored in the information storage medium of the present invention such as the hard disk 206 or the floppy disk 207 into the RAM 204, and the CPU 202 executes it.
[0082]
The user inputs an instruction from the input device 208 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and in response to this, the printer 101 prints characters and figures or reports management information. The management information transmitted from the printer 101 and the RTC date and time information of the printer 101 can be displayed on a display device 209 such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or a liquid crystal display.
[0083]
The RTC 210 of the host computer 150 updates the date / time information in real time. In the present embodiment, the time and date information indicated by the RTC 107 of the printer 101 can be set to the date and time information indicated by the RTC 210 of the host computer 150. The RTC 210 is backed up by a battery, such as a battery or a large-capacitance capacitor, separately from the power source of the host computer 150 main body.
[0084]
Here, the RTC 210 functions as the RTC of the host computer of the present invention.
[0085]
On the other hand, the CPU 202 functions in cooperation with the interface 203 as a print command generation / transmission unit, an RTC read command generation / transmission unit, and an RTC setting command generation / transmission unit.
[0086]
Further, the display device 209 functions as a date / time information display unit.
[0087]
The input device 208 functions as an instruction input receiving unit.
[0088]
A program for operating these functional units is incorporated in a printer driver in the host computer. This printer driver is generally provided by a manufacturer that provides a printer.
[0089]
(Command data and its processing)
In the present embodiment, command data transmitted from the host computer 150 to the printer 101 includes the following.
Print Processing Command RTC Read Command RTC Setting Command FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control flow of normal processing executed in the printer 101 of this embodiment. This will be described below with reference to this figure.
[0090]
First, the CPU 104 checks whether or not the reception buffer in the RAM 103 is empty (step S301). If it is empty (step S301; Yes), after waiting (step S302), the process returns to step S301. In this standby mode, control can be transferred to other processing. This is a so-called coroutine process. Therefore, a reception interrupt may occur during standby, and command data may be accumulated in the reception buffer.
[0091]
On the other hand, when the reception buffer is not empty (step S301; No), the command data is read from the head (step S303). The command data may be one byte or a plurality of bytes depending on the type.
[0092]
Next, the type of the read command data is checked (step S304).
[0093]
When the command data is a print processing command (step S304; print processing), for example, command data of 0x20 to 0x7e (0x is a prefix indicating a hexadecimal number) in ASCII code, 0x0a, 0x0d, etc. are returned or returned In the case of the command data, the character designated by the ASCII code is printed, or the printing process associated with the command data such as return of the print head or line feed is performed (step S305). Further, the management information of the amount of ink used due to the printing of the character is stored in the flash EEPROM 108 together with the information on the date and time when the printing process was last performed (step S306), and the process returns to step S301.
[0094]
On the other hand, if the command data is an RTC read command (step S304; RTC read), date / time information is acquired from the RTC 107 (step S307), and this is reported to the host computer 150 via the interface 102 (step S308). ), The process returns to step S301.
[0095]
The RTC read command is expressed by command data in the following format, for example.
[0096]
• “0x1b ● ● Y”. The printer 101 reads and reports year information.
• “0x1b ● ● M”. The printer 101 reads out and reports the year and month information.
• “0x1b ● ● D”. The printer 101 reads out and reports the date information.
• “0x1b ● ● h”. The printer 101 reads and reports the date information.
• “0x1b ● ● m”. The printer 101 reads and reports information for the date and time.
• “0x1b ● ● s”. The printer 101 reads out and reports all information of year / month / day / hour / minute / second.
[0097]
However, “● ●” is a predetermined character string or code string, and is preset as a command code for controlling the printer.
[0098]
In this way, by preparing RTC read commands with various accuracies, date / time information of the RTC 107 of the printer 101 can be obtained with necessary accuracy. The accuracy of RTC reading may be set so that only one of the above can be used.
[0099]
For the date / time information reporting by the printer 101, it is desirable to use an ASB (Auto Status Back) function as disclosed in JP-A-7-137358.
[0100]
On the other hand, when the command data is an RTC setting command (step S304; RTC reading), the date and time information specified in the RTC setting command is acquired (step S309), and the RTC 107 is set in the date and time information (step S310). ), The process returns to step S301.
[0101]
The RTC read command is expressed by command data in the following format, for example.
[0102]
・ "0x1b ◆ ◆ Y 2000". Of the date and time information of the RTC 107, the year information is set to 2000.
・ "0x1b ◆ ◆ M 200012". Of the date and time information of the RTC 107, the date information is set to December 2000.
・ "0x1b ◆ ◆ D 20001231". Of the date and time information of the RTC 107, the date information is set to December 31, 2000.
・ "0x1b ◆ ◆ h 2000123106". Of the date and time information of the RTC 107, the date and time information is set at 6:00 on December 31, 2000.
・ "0x1b ◆ ◆ m 200012310645". Of the date and time information of the RTC 107, the information for the date and time is set to 6:45 on December 31, 2000.
・ "0x1b ◆ ◆ s 20001231064559". Of the date and time information of the RTC 107, the year information is set to 6:45:59 on December 31, 2000.
[0103]
However, “◆ ◆” is a character string or code string set in advance as described above.
[0104]
In this way, by preparing RTC setting commands with various accuracies, the date and time information of the RTC 107 of the printer 101 can be set with the required accuracy. The accuracy of RTC setting may be configured so that only one of the above can be used. It is desirable that the accuracy of RTC setting is the same as the accuracy of RTC reading.
[0105]
On the other hand, when the command data is other command data (step S304; other), the corresponding process is executed (step S311), and the process returns to step S301.
[0106]
The RTC 107 allows the CPU 104 to obtain information on the current time. By using this time information, for example, information such as the replacement time of the ink supply unit 106 and the information of the ink supply unit 106 can be stored in the flash EEPROM 108. FIG. 4 shows an example of such a flash EEPROM 108 area.
[0107]
The flash EEPROM 108 stores an area 601 for storing date and time information on which the ink supply unit 106 is mounted, an area 602 for storing the type of the ink supply unit, and an area for storing how much the ink supply unit has been used. 603 and an area 604 for storing a value that predicts how long the ink supply unit can be used.
[0108]
Further, by providing a plurality of these areas, the history of use of the ink supply unit may be stored in the printer 101 in a nonvolatile manner.
[0109]
These pieces of information can be transmitted to the host computer 150 or can be printed on paper by driving the print processing unit 105. Regarding the handling of these management information, since a well-known technique can be utilized, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted in this application.
[0110]
(Printer settings)
Many operating systems that are widely used now allow various settings of the printer 101 to be performed from the host computer 150. FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams showing the setting window for setting the printer 101 displayed on the display device 209 of the host computer 150. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.
[0111]
A basic tab 711, a detail tab 721, and a time tab 731 are assigned to the printer setting window 701. The user operates the input device 208 such as a mouse to select a tab.
[0112]
FIG. 5 shows that basic settings can be made by clicking a basic tab 711, and print quality 712, paper size 713, and paper type 714 can be set.
[0113]
FIG. 6 shows the setting of the RTC 107 of the printer 101 by clicking the time tab 731.
[0114]
The time of the RTC 107 of the printer 101 is obtained by clicking the printer time update button 732. When the printer time update button 732 is clicked, the CPU 202 of the host computer 150 generates the above RTC read command, transmits it to the printer 101, acquires the date / time information returned by the printer 101, and displays it in the printer time column 733. To do. An embodiment in which the printer 101 is automatically inquired when the time tab 731 is selected may be employed.
[0115]
On the other hand, in the PC time column 734, date / time information of the RTC 210 provided in the host computer 150 is displayed.
[0116]
Once the date and time information displayed in the printer time column 733 and the PC time column 734 is acquired from the RTCs 107 and 210, the inquiry may be omitted and updated in real time.
[0117]
To set the time, any one of the check boxes 735 and 736 of “Set to PC” and “Set to input date and time” may be selected and the confirm button 737 may be clicked.
[0118]
When “match with PC” is selected, the host computer 150 updates the RTC 107 of the printer 101 by generating an RTC setting command for specifying the date / time information acquired from the RTC 210 and transmitting the command to the printer 101. To do.
[0119]
On the other hand, when “same to input date / time” is selected, year / month / day / hour / minute / second information is input to the date / time input field 738 and then the confirmation button 738 is clicked. As a result, a corresponding RTC setting command is generated and transmitted.
[0120]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a printing apparatus, a host computer, a control method thereof, and these suitable for acquiring or setting date / time information of a printing apparatus having an RTC are realized. A computer-readable information recording medium in which a program is recorded can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a printer of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a host computer of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of normal processing executed by the printer of the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of management information recorded in a flash EEPROM of the printer according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a display example of a printer setting window provided by the host computer of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a display example of a printer setting window provided by the host computer of the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 Printer 102 Interface 103 RAM
104 CPU
105 Print Processing Unit 106 Ink Supply Unit 107 Counter 108 Flash EEPROM
110 ROM
150 Host computer 202 CPU
203 Interface 204 RAM
205 ROM
206 Hard disk 207 Floppy disk 208 Input device 209 Display device 210 RTC
601 Use start date and time area 602 Type area 603 Use amount area 604 Use period expected value area 701 Printer setting window 711 Basic tab 712 Print quality 713 Paper size 714 Paper type 721 Details tab 731 Time tab 732 Printer time update button 733 Printer time column 734 PC time field 735 Check box 736 Check box 737 Confirm button 738 Date / time input field

Claims (6)

A real-time clock that updates the date and time information in real time; a real-time clock read command generation and transmission unit that generates a real-time clock read command to acquire the date and time information of the printing device and transmits the command to the printing device;
A date and time information receiving unit for receiving date and time information transmitted from the printing apparatus;
A date and time information display unit for displaying the date and time information acquired from the real-time clock and the received date and time information;
An input unit for inputting the date and time information;
Or adjust the date and time information of the printing device at the date and time information of the real time clock, or match the date and time information input from the input unit, and a selectable set finger示入force reception unit,
A real-time clock setting command generation / transmission unit that generates an input received by the instruction input reception unit as a real-time clock setting command and transmits the input to the printing apparatus;
A host computer comprising: A real-time clock that updates the date and time information in real time;
A real-time clock read command generation and transmission unit for generating a real-time clock read command for acquiring date and time information of the printing device and transmitting the command to the printing device;
A date and time information receiving unit for receiving date and time information transmitted from the printing apparatus;
A date and time information display unit for displaying the date and time information acquired from the real-time clock and the received date and time information;
An input unit for inputting the date and time information;
An instruction input receiving unit configured to select whether to match the date and time information of the printing apparatus with the date and time information of the real-time clock or to match the date and time information input from the input unit;
A real-time clock setting command generation / transmission unit that generates an input received by the instruction input reception unit as a real-time clock setting command and transmits the command to the printing apparatus;
A printer driver comprising: A control method for controlling a printing apparatus having a real-time clock for updating date and time information in real time,
Updating the date and time information in real time with a real-time clock;
A real-time clock read command generation and transmission step for generating a real-time clock read command for acquiring date and time information of the printing device and transmitting the command to the printing device;
A date and time information receiving step for receiving date and time information transmitted from the printing device;
Date and time information display step for displaying the date and time information acquired from the real-time clock and the received date and time information;
An input step for inputting the date and time information;
Or adjust the date and time information of the printing device at the date and time information of the real time clock, or matched to the input date and time information, the instruction input reception step of setting a selectable,
Generating said acceptance is input as a real-time clock setting command, a real time clock setting command generating transmission step of transmitting to the printing apparatus,
A control method comprising: A program for controlling a host computer,
Procedure to update the date and time information in real time with a real time clock,
Real-time clock read command generation and transmission procedure for generating a real-time clock read command for acquiring date and time information of the printing device and transmitting the command to the printing device;
Date and time information reception procedure for receiving date and time information transmitted from the printing device;
Date and time information display procedure for displaying the date and time information acquired from the real-time clock and the received date and time information;
An input procedure for inputting the date and time information;
Or adjust the date and time information of the printing device at the date and time information of the real time clock, or matched to the input date and time information, the instruction input receiving instructions to set selectable,
The acceptance is input to generate a real-time clock setting command, a real time clock setting command generating transmission step of transmitting to the printing apparatus,
A computer-readable information recording medium on which a program is recorded. Information recorded recording medium the steps of the control method as computer-readable program according to 請 Motomeko 3. The program according to any one of claims 4 to 5 , wherein the information recording medium is a compact disk, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital video disk, a magnetic tape, or a semiconductor memory. An information recording medium on which is recorded.

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