JPH0584750B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] In an information processing device that has a power supply device that supplies power to both the main device and the printer device, it is possible to prevent the printer device from being damaged or destroyed without affecting the operations of the main device. The purpose is to provide an information processing device that can return a printer device from an abnormal state to a normal state without causing any abnormality. is turned on, and the power to the printer mechanism is turned off. If a recoverable error occurs in the printer mechanism, the abnormal stop flag is turned on, the power to the printer mechanism is turned off, and the operation instruction switch is pressed. When the abnormal stop flag is off, the printer mechanism section is made to perform the operation determined by the type of operation instruction switch, and when the abnormal stop flag is on and the unrecoverable flag is off, the abnormal stop flag is turned off. The printer mechanism section is turned off, the power to the printer mechanism section is turned on, and then the printer mechanism section is operated, and when the abnormal stop flag is on and the unrecoverable flag is on, the printer mechanism section is not operated.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention provides an information processing device that has a power supply device that supplies power to both the main unit and the printer device, and when a switch provided in the printer device is pressed, it is possible to confirm that the cause of the abnormal state has been removed. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus in which, as a condition, a printer device is returned to a normal state from an abnormal state.

[Conventional technology]

In a computer system in which separate power supplies are installed for the main unit and the printer, when an abnormality occurs in the printer, the power to the printer is turned on again to return the printer to its initial state.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, printer devices that share a power source with the main device have a drawback in that when the power is turned on again, the main device's operations are also interrupted. Additionally, depending on the type of hardware error, there may be an abnormal state that cannot be recovered, and if the power is turned on again under such conditions, the entire printer device may be damaged or destroyed. There were flaws.

The present invention was created in view of this point, and is an information processing apparatus having a power supply device that supplies power to both the main body device and the printer device.
To provide an information processing device capable of returning a printer device from an abnormal state to a normal state without affecting the work of the main device and without causing damage or destruction to the printer device.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention. The information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied includes a printer mechanism section 220
, printer control unit 210 , and main device 100
, an operation instruction switch 230 that gives an operation instruction to the printer control unit 210, and a power supply device 310.
, a printer mechanism power switch 218 that is provided in the middle of the printer mechanism power line from the power supply device 310 to the printer mechanism section 220 and is controllable by the printer control section 210;
0 to an AC power source.

The printer control unit 210 includes a command operation control means 241 and a switch operation control means 242.
, unrecoverable flag 243, and abnormal stop flag 2
44.

The power supply device 310 supplies power to the main body device 100, the printer control section 210, and the printer mechanism section 230.

The command operation control means 241 operates when a command is sent and sets an abnormal stop flag 244.
is on, and if the abnormal stop flag 244 is on, an abnormal response is returned to the main device 100, and if the abnormal stop flag 244 is off, the printer mechanism performs an operation determined by the type of command. When it is detected that a predetermined unrecoverable abnormality has occurred in the printer mechanism section 220 while the printer mechanism section 220 is operating, the unrecoverable flag 243 is turned on. and printer mechanism section 2
20 , various motors and solenoid signals of the printer mechanism section 220 are turned off, the abnormal stop flag 244 is turned on, and an abnormal response is sent to the main device 100 .
In return, when it is detected that another recoverable abnormality has occurred in the printer mechanism section 220 while the printer mechanism section 220 is operating, the printer mechanism section 22
0, various motors and solenoid signals of the printer mechanism section 220 are turned off, the abnormal stop flag 244 is turned on, an abnormal response is returned to the main device 100, and the printer mechanism section 220 performs the operation specified by the command. If the process ends normally, it is configured to return a normal response to the main device 100.

The switch operation control means 242 operates when the operation instruction switch 230 is pressed and checks whether the abnormal stop flag 244 is on or not. If the abnormal stop flag 244 is off, it checks the type of the operation instruction switch 230. If the abnormal stop flag 244 is on, the abnormal stop flag 244 is turned off on the condition that the unrecoverable flag 243 is off; After turning on the power to the printer mechanism, the operation instruction switch 2
Control is performed to cause the printer mechanism unit 220 to perform an operation determined by the type of the printer mechanism unit 220, and a predetermined unrecoverable abnormality occurs in the printer mechanism unit 220 while the printer mechanism unit 220 is operating. When detected, the unrecoverable flag 243 is turned on and the printer mechanism unit 2
20 is turned off, various motors and solenoid signals of the printer mechanism section 220 are turned off, and the abnormal stop flag 244 is turned on.
When it is detected that another recoverable error has occurred, the unrecoverable flag 243 is left off.
It is configured to turn off the power to the printer mechanism section 220, turn off various motors and solenoid signals of the printer mechanism section 220, and turn on the abnormal stop flag 244.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the system of the present invention. In the same figure, 11
0 is the central processing unit, 120 is the display, 13
0 is a keyboard, 140 is a magnetic disk device, 1
50 is a floppy disk device, 210 is a printer control unit, 218 is an electromagnetic switch, 220 is a printer mechanism unit, 230 is a paper feed switch, 310
indicates a power supply device, and 320 indicates a power switch.

The central processing unit 110, display 120, keyboard 130, magnetic disk device 140, and floppy disk device 150 constitute a main unit. The printer control section 210 and the printer mechanism section 220 constitute a printer device. The printer device is a dot matrix type serial printer device. Paper feed switch 2
30 is present on the operation panel of the printer device. The printer device prints print data sent from the main device. The power supply device 310 is connected to an AC power source via a power switch 320. The power supply device 310 supplies power to both the main body device and the printer device. When the electromagnetic switch 218 is turned on, power is supplied to the printer mechanism section 220.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printer mechanism section of the present invention. In the figure, 211 is a communication control section, 212 is a clock generation section, 213 is a memory, 214 is a timer, 215 is a microprocessor, 216 is an input control section, 21
7 indicates an output control section, and 218 indicates an electromagnetic switch.

The printer control unit 210 includes a microprocessor 215, a clock generator 212, a memory 213,
Timer 214, communication control section 211, input control section 2
16, an output control section 217, an electromagnetic switch 218, and the like. The microprocessor 215 executes the printer control program stored in the memory 213 in synchronization with the clock input from the clock generator 212, and processes the communication controller 211, memory 213, timer 214, input controller 216, and output controller 213. Controls the control unit 217 and the like, and controls the printer mechanism unit 22.
Operate 0. The communication control unit 211 performs interface control for inputting commands from the central processing unit 110 to the microprocessor 215 and outputting responses from the microprocessor 215 to the central processing unit 110. A printer control program is stored in the memory 213, and the microprocessor 215 sequentially executes the program.
Microprocessor 215 can write data to memory 213 as needed, and read data from memory 213 as needed. The timer 214 is the microprocessor 2
15 for time measurement and time monitoring. The input control unit 216 controls the paper feed switch 23
0 status and various timing/sensor signals from the printer mechanism section 220 to the microprocessor 215.
Performs interface control for input. The output control unit 217 supplies drive signals to various motors in the printer mechanism unit 220, supplies drive signals to solenoids, and controls closing/disconnection of the electromagnetic switch 218.

The printer control processing procedure will be explained. After the power is turned on, when a clock is input from the clock generator 212, the microprocessor 215 sequentially reads printer control programs stored in the memory 213 and executes processing accordingly. After turning on the power, the microprocessor 215 turns on the power to the printer mechanism section 220 and enters a standby state.
In the standby state, the paper feed switch 230 determines whether a command from the central processing unit 110 has been received.
It checks whether the button has been pressed and whether the solenoid is energized abnormally.

When a command is received from the central processing unit 110, if the abnormal stop flag is off, printing/breaking operation is performed according to the command from the central processing unit 110, and if the operation is completed normally, the central processing unit 110 Notify of a successful response. When the abnormal stop flag is on, the abnormal response is notified to the central processing unit 110. Further, if an abnormality is detected during the printing/resetting operation, a printer operation abnormality stop process is performed and the abnormality response is notified to the central processing unit 110. Upon receiving the abnormal response, the main unit displays a message on the display 120 to the effect that an abnormality has occurred. The operator sees the abnormality occurrence message on the display 120 and takes necessary measures.

The printing/reforming operation will be explained with reference to FIG. When the print head movement motor is turned on, mechanical timing signals and print head position sensor signals are input from the printer mechanism section 220. The mechanical timing signal is a signal that is output at regular intervals when the print head is moving normally. used condition)
If such an abnormality occurs, the interval will be outside the specified value or the mechanical timing signal will stop, so if the signal is monitored, the abnormality can be detected. The print head position sensor signal is a signal that is generated when the print head is at the left or right end, and the print head is reciprocating between the left end and the right end while the print head movement motor is turned on. Since the time it takes for the print head to move from the left end to the right end or from the right end to the left end is constant, if the time is monitored, it is possible to detect if the print head movement becomes abnormal.

When it is determined that the print head is at the left end (or right end) based on the print head position sensor signal, the print head solenoid is driven in synchronization with the mechanical timing signal that comes afterward to start the printing operation. If the printing operation is performed to the right end (or left end) on the opposite side from where it started, the printing operation for one line is completed. If the line feed solenoid is driven at that point, the line feed operation will be performed, and if the print head movement motor is then turned off, the series of printing/line feed operations will be completed.

As described above, since the timing of driving each type of solenoid is determined, abnormality in energization of the solenoid can be detected by checking whether current is flowing through the solenoid when the solenoid is not being driven.

In general, a mechanical timing signal abnormality can be fixed by the operator removing the paper jam or ribbon jam, so it can be recovered, and a solenoid energization abnormality means that the drive element or printer mechanism 220 is broken.
It is determined that recovery is not possible and the unrecoverable flag is turned on.

When such an abnormality is detected, the electromagnetic switch 218 is turned off to stop the power supply to the printer mechanism 220, the drive of various motors and solenoids is stopped, and the printer abnormality stop flag is set as printer operation abnormality stop processing. Turn on.

When the paper feed switch 230 is pressed in the standby state, unless the abnormal stop flag is on, only the paper feed switch 230 is performed in the same way as the above-described print/paper feed operation. Paper feed switch 23 when the abnormal stop flag is on
When 0 is pressed, if a solenoid energization error has occurred before that (if the non-recovery flag is on)
It is determined that recovery is not possible, and no action is taken and the system returns to standby mode. If a mechanical timing signal abnormality has occurred (when the unrecoverable flag is off), the abnormal stop flag is turned off, the electromagnetic switch 218 is turned on to supply power to the printer mechanism section 220, and the change operation is started. Start.

If the cause of the mechanical timing signal abnormality that occurred previously, such as paper jam or ribbon jam, has been removed by the operator, printer mechanism section 2
Since the various timing/sensor signals from 20 have returned to normal, the normal changeover operation is performed and the machine returns to the standby state. If the cause of the abnormality is not removed, the mechanical timing signal becomes abnormal again, the printer performs abnormal printer operation stop processing, and returns to the standby state.

Conventionally, if the abnormality stop flag was on when the paper feed switch 230 was pressed, the system would return to the standby state regardless of the type of abnormality that occurred before, so even if recovery was possible, it would be necessary to turn on the power again. There was no way to recover.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic flowchart of printer control processing. The following processing is performed by the printer control program.

Turn on the power to the printer mechanism.

Check whether command is received. If yes, proceed to step; if no, proceed to step.

Check whether the abnormal stop flag is on. Yes
If , proceed to , and if No, proceed to .

Turn on the print head movement motor.

Performs printing/breaking operations.

Check whether the solenoid is energized abnormally. If Yes, proceed to processing; if No, proceed to processing.

Check whether the mechanical timing signal is abnormal. If yes, proceed to step; if no, proceed to step.

Check whether the printing/editing operation has finished.
If yes, proceed to step, if no, return to step.

Turn off the print head movement motor.

Returns a normal response. Return to

Check whether the paper feed switch is on.
If yes, proceed to step; if no, proceed to step.

Check whether the abnormal stop flag is on. Yes
If , go back to , and if no, go to .

Check whether the solenoid is energized abnormally. If yes, proceed to step, if no, return to step.

Performs abnormal printer operation stop processing.

Turn on the non-recoverable flag.

Performs abnormal printer operation stop processing.

Returns an abnormal response. Return to

Check whether the abnormal stop flag is on. Yes
If , proceed to , and if No, proceed to .

Check whether the unrecoverable flag is on. Yes
If , go back to , and if no, go to .

Turn off the abnormal stop flag.

Turn on the power to the printer mechanism.

Turn on the print head movement motor.

〓〓 Perform a change action.

〓〓 Check whether the solenoid is abnormally energized. If Yes, proceed to 〓〓; if No, proceed to 〓〓.

〓〓 Check whether there is any mechanical timing signal abnormality. If Yes, proceed to 〓〓; if No, proceed to 〓〓
Proceed to.

〓〓 Check whether the change action is completed. If Yes, return to 〓〓, if No, return to 〓〓.

〓〓 Turn on the unrecoverable flag.

〓〓 Perform abnormal printer operation stop processing.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of abnormal printer operation stop processing. In the printer operation abnormality stop processing, the following processing is performed.

Turn off the power to the printer mechanism.

Turn off various motors and solenoids.

Turn on the printer abnormal stop flag.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, when an abnormal condition occurs, the operator can intervene by pressing a switch provided in a normal printer device other than the power switch, such as a paper feed switch, etc. By controlling the printer device to return to normal state from an abnormal stop state only when the cause of the abnormal state has been removed and recovery is possible, the main device's operations can be maintained even when the power source is shared. It is possible to achieve the remarkable effect of preventing damage or destruction of the printer device without affecting the printer.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the system of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the printer control section of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic flowchart of printer control processing in the invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of abnormal printer operation stop processing in the invention. The diagram shown in FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a timing chart of printer printing/change operation. 110...Central processing unit, 120...Display, 130...Keyboard, 140...Magnetic disk device, 150...Floppy disk device, 210...Printer control unit, 211...Communication control unit, 212...Clock Generation part, 213...
Memory, 214...Timer, 215...Microprocessor, 216...Input control unit, 217...
Output control unit, 218... Electromagnetic switch, 220...
Printer mechanism section, 230...Paper feed switch,
310...power supply device, 320...power switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A printer control unit 210 having a printer mechanism unit 220, a command operation control unit 241, a switch operation control unit 242, an unrecoverable flag 243, and an abnormal stop flag 244.
The main unit 100 inputs a command to the printer control unit 210 and receives a response output from the printer control unit 210; The operation instruction switch 230 provides an operation instruction to the printer control unit 210; The main unit 100, the printer A power supply device 310 that supplies power to the control section 210 and the printer mechanism section 220; and a printer that is provided in the middle of the printer mechanism section power line from the power supply device 310 to the printer mechanism section 220 and that can be controlled by the printer control section 210. The information processing device includes a mechanism section power switch 218 and an AC side power switch 320 for connecting the power supply device 310 to an AC power source, and the command operation control means 241 is configured to operate when a command is sent. Abnormal stop flag 244
is on, and if the abnormal stop flag 244 is on, an abnormal response is returned to the main device 100, and if the abnormal stop flag 244 is off, the printer mechanism performs an operation determined by the type of command. When it is detected that a predetermined unrecoverable abnormality has occurred in the printer mechanism section 220 while the printer mechanism section 220 is operating, the unrecoverable flag 243 is turned on. and printer mechanism section 2
20 , various motors and solenoid signals of the printer mechanism section 220 are turned off, the abnormal stop flag 244 is turned on, and an abnormal response is sent to the main device 100 .
In return, when it is detected that another recoverable abnormality has occurred in the printer mechanism section 220 while the printer mechanism section 220 is operating, the printer mechanism section 220 is turned off with the unrecoverable flag 243 turned off.
, turns off the various motors and solenoid signals of the printer mechanism section 220, turns on the abnormal stop flag 244, returns an abnormal response to the main device 100, and causes the printer mechanism section 220 to perform the operations specified by the command normally. The switch operation control means 242 operates when the operation instruction switch 230 is pressed and determines whether the abnormal stop flag 244 is on or not. If the abnormal stop flag 244 is off, control is performed to cause the printer mechanism section 220 to perform an operation determined by the type of the operation instruction switch 230, and if the abnormal stop flag 244 is on, On the condition that the unrecoverable flag 243 is off, the abnormal stop flag 244 is turned off, and after turning on the power to the printer mechanism, the operation instruction switch 2 is turned off.
Control is performed to cause the printer mechanism unit 220 to perform an operation determined by the type of the printer mechanism unit 220, and a predetermined unrecoverable abnormality occurs in the printer mechanism unit 220 while the printer mechanism unit 220 is operating. When detected, the unrecoverable flag 243 is turned on and the printer mechanism unit 2
20, various motors and solenoid signals of the printer mechanism section 220, and the abnormal stop flag 244 are turned on. When it is detected that an abnormality has occurred, the printer mechanism unit 220 leaves the unrecoverable flag 243 off.
An information processing apparatus characterized in that the information processing apparatus is configured to turn off the power of the printer, turn off various motors and solenoid signals of the printer mechanism section 220, and turn on an abnormal stop flag 244.