JPH10264456A - Printer adjustment value setting system and driver generation system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] In the prior art, when operating values such as the number of characters to be printed and the number of line feeds of a printer device are written into a non-volatile memory, that is, when the power of the printer device is turned off, noise gets on the data bus. Incorrect data may be written to the non-volatile memory. For this reason, when the adjustment value of the suction position or the gap stored in the non-volatile memory is read out next time when the power is turned on, a parity error or the like occurs, the adjustment value cannot be set, and the printer device is set to the operating state. There was a problem that it became impossible. An information processing apparatus to which a printer device is connected, a printer driver unit that controls transfer of print data to the printer device, and an adjustment value storage unit that stores adjustment values such as a suction position and a gap of the printer device. And the printer driver unit transfers the adjustment value data and sets the adjustment value of the printer device before the print data is transferred from the information processing device to the printer device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an adjustment value setting system and a driver generation system for a printer device in an information processing device to which the printer device is connected. Printer failures caused by abnormal reading of adjustment values such as suction position and gap stored in the printer can be eliminated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of a conventional configuration. In the figure, reference numeral 111 denotes a printer device, and 117 denotes an information processing device.

The printer 111 includes a work memory 112 for storing print data and control information, a non-volatile memory 113 for storing operating values 1131 such as the number of print characters and the number of line feeds, and adjustment values 1132 such as a suction position and a gap. Print line feed control unit 1 that controls the print mechanism and line feed mechanism to perform printing
14 and a CP for performing various controls based on the control program
U115 and an interface unit 116 for controlling data transfer with the information processing device 117 are provided.

[0004] The information processing apparatus 117 includes a printer driver 118 that controls printing of a printer stored in a system disk by installing a printer driver.
And an interface unit 119 for controlling data transfer with the printer device 111.

[0005] The information processing device 117 and the printer device 111 are connected via a network or an interface.

Normally, when the printer device 111 is turned on, it reads the adjustment value 1132 stored in the nonvolatile memory 113 and reads the adjustment position 1132 from the leading edge of the paper of the printer device 111 to the printable top line. And the gap between the paper and the print head. After this setting ends normally, print data from the information processing device 117 can be received.

When the printer 111 is operating, operating values 1131 such as the number of print characters and the number of line feeds up to the present are counted in order to grasp the operating state of the printer 111. Then, when the power of the printer apparatus 111 is turned off, the counted operation value 1131 is written in the nonvolatile memory 113, and is stored so as to continue counting when the power is turned on next time.

[0008]

However, FIG.
In the prior art shown in FIG. 1, operating values 1131 such as the number of print characters and the number of line feeds of the printer 111 are stored in a nonvolatile memory 113.
In other words, when the power of the printer device 111 is turned off, noise may occur on the data bus, and erroneous data may be written to the nonvolatile memory 113. Therefore, when the adjustment value of the suction position or the gap stored in the non-volatile memory 113 is read out next time when the power is turned on, a parity error or the like occurs, the adjustment value cannot be set, and the printer device is set to the operating state. There was a problem that it became impossible.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and a printer driver for controlling the transfer of print data to a printer in an information processing apparatus to which the printer is connected. Unit and an adjustment value storage unit that stores adjustment values such as a suction position and a gap of the printer device, and the printer driver unit performs adjustment before the print data is transferred from the information processing device to the printer device. The value data is transferred, and the adjustment value of the printer is set. As a result, when the power of the printer device is turned on, it is possible to eliminate a printer failure caused by an abnormality in reading an adjustment value such as a suction position or a gap stored in the nonvolatile memory.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In an adjustment value setting system for a printer device in an information processing device to which the printer device is connected, a work memory for storing print data and control information, and a print memory for controlling the number of print characters and the number of line feeds are provided in the printer device. A non-volatile memory for storing operating values, a print line feed control unit for printing by controlling a print mechanism and a line feed mechanism, a CPU for performing various controls based on a control program, and an interface for controlling data transfer with the information processing device And a printer driver for controlling the printing of the printer stored in the system disk by installing the printer driver in the information processing apparatus, and adjusting the suction position and the gap stored in the system disk simultaneously with the printer driver. An adjustment value storage unit in which values are stored and an interface for controlling data transfer with the printer device. And an adjustment unit for transferring an adjustment value stored in an adjustment value storage unit to a printer before sending print data to a printer driver unit, and setting the adjustment value in a work memory provided in the printer device. By providing the unit, it is possible to eliminate a printer failure caused by an abnormality in reading an adjustment value such as a suction position or a gap stored in the nonvolatile memory when the power of the printer device is turned on.

Further, in an adjustment value setting system for a printer in an information processing apparatus to which the printer is connected,
The printer device has a work memory that stores print data and control information, a non-volatile memory that stores operating values such as the number of characters to be printed and the number of line feeds, and adjustment values such as the suction position and gap, and a print mechanism and a line feed mechanism. Print line feed control unit that performs printing, and CP that performs various controls based on the control program
U, a printer driver unit for controlling printing of a printer stored in a system disk by installing a printer driver in the information processing device, and a printer driver, comprising: an interface unit for controlling data transfer with the information processing device; At the same time, it has an adjustment value storage unit that stores adjustment values such as the suction position and gap stored in the system disk, and an interface unit that controls data transfer with the printer device, and print data is stored in the printer driver unit. Check the normality of the data in the non-volatile memory before sending.If the data is abnormal, transfer the adjustment value stored in the adjustment value storage unit to the printer and set the adjustment value in the non-volatile memory of the printer device. By providing an adjustment value setting unit, the power stored in the non-volatile memory Adjustment value read abnormality such as entrance position and a gap can be eliminated printer failure caused by.

In the above adjustment value setting system,
The printer device has a device identification number storage unit for identifying the device, and whether the device identification number of the printer device corresponds to the adjustment value storage unit before setting adjustment values such as the suction position and the gap in the printer driver unit. When a different printer device is connected to the information processing device, a different printer device adjustment value is not erroneously set.

In the printer driver generation system for an information processing apparatus to which a printer device is connected, the information processing device includes: a printer driver storage unit for copying to an installation medium; and adjustment of a suction position and a gap of the connected printer device. By providing an adjustment value acquisition unit that acquires a value, and a driver generation unit that stores the printer driver unit and the adjustment value in an installation medium of the printer driver,
An installation medium for a driver attached to the printer device can be efficiently generated.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an adjustment value setting system according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a printer device, and 2 is an information processing device.

The printer 1 has a work memory 101 for storing print data and control information, a non-volatile memory 102 for storing operating values such as the number of characters to be printed and the number of line feeds, and adjustment values such as a suction position and a gap, and a printing mechanism. And line feed control unit 103 for controlling the line feed mechanism and printing, and a device identification number storage unit 104 for storing a number for identifying a printer device
And a CPU 1 for performing various controls based on a control program
And an interface unit 106 for controlling data transfer with the information processing apparatus 2.

The information processing apparatus 2 includes a printer driver unit 201 for controlling printing of a printer stored in a system disk by installing a printer driver, and an adjustment value storage unit 202 for storing adjustment values such as a suction position and a gap. And an interface unit 203 for controlling data transfer with the printer device 1. The printer driver unit 201 includes an adjustment value setting unit 2011 that sets adjustment values such as a suction position and a gap in the printer device.
Is stored in the adjustment value storage unit 202.
Device identification number confirmation unit 20- for confirming whether the
12 are provided.

The information processing device 2 and the printer device 1
Are connected via a network or an interface.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of the adjustment value setting system according to the present invention. In the figure, 21 is a printer device, and 22 is an information processing device.

The printer device 21 includes a work memory 211 for storing print data and control information, and a non-volatile memory 21 for storing operating values 2121 such as the number of print characters and the number of line feeds.
2, a line feed control unit 213 for controlling a printing mechanism and a line feed mechanism to perform printing, a CPU 215 for performing various controls based on a control program, and an interface unit 216 for controlling data transfer with the information processing device 22. Have been.

The information processing apparatus 22 includes a printer driver 221 for controlling printing of a printer stored in a system disk by installing a printer driver;
An adjustment value storage unit 222 that stores adjustment values such as a suction position and a gap, and an interface unit 223 that controls data transfer with the printer device 21 are provided. In addition,
The printer driver unit 221 includes an adjustment value setting unit 221 that sets adjustment values such as a suction position and a gap in the printer device.
1 is provided.

The information processing device 22 and the printer device 21 are connected via a network or an interface.

In this example, only the operation value 2121 is stored in the non-volatile memory 212, and when the printer is powered on, the operation value 2121 is read out by the CPU 215 and the operation value such as the number of print characters and the number of line feeds is counted. Ready to be. When the printer device 21 is in the operation state, the operation value is counted. Then, when the power of the printer device 21 is turned off, the counted operation value 2121 is written in the nonvolatile memory 212. When the operating value 2121 is written to the nonvolatile memory 212, even if a writing error occurs, a message indicating that the reading of the nonvolatile memory 212 has occurred and the operating value cannot be counted is given to the operator at the next power-on. After the warning, it will be in normal operation.

The setting of the adjustment value of the printer device is performed by the printer driver unit 221. FIG. 3 shows an example of a processing flowchart of the printer driver unit of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation will be described according to this flow.

In step S301, it is determined that there is no print instruction within a predetermined time. If there is no print instruction, the process proceeds to step S302, and if there is a print instruction, the process proceeds to step S303. In this process, if there is no print instruction for a predetermined time, it is determined that the power of the printer device has been turned off.

In step S302, adjustment value data such as a suction position and a gap is read from the adjustment value storage section 222 and transferred to the work memory 211. Thereby, the adjustment value setting of the printer device is performed.

A step S303 transfers the print data to the work memory 211. Then, the process ends.

In this example, steps S301 to S302 correspond to the adjustment value setting unit 2211.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the adjustment value storage unit.
In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes an adjustment value storage unit.
Is composed of a device identification number storing a number for identifying a printer device, a suction position, and a gap.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the adjustment value setting system according to the present invention. In the figure, 51 is a printer device, and 52 is an information processing device.

The printer device 51 includes a work memory 511 for storing print data and control information, a non-volatile memory 512 for storing operating values 5121 such as the number of characters to be printed and the number of line feeds, and adjustment values 5122 such as a suction position and a gap. A print line feed control unit 51 that controls a print mechanism and a line feed mechanism to perform printing.
3 and a CPU that performs various controls based on the control program
515 and an interface unit 516 for controlling data transfer with the information processing device 52 are provided.

The information processing apparatus 52 includes a printer driver 521 for controlling printing of a printer stored in a system disk by installing a printer driver;
An adjustment value storage unit 522 that stores adjustment values such as a suction position and a gap, and an interface unit 523 that controls data transfer with the printer device 51 are provided. In addition,
The printer driver unit 521 includes an adjustment value setting unit 521 that sets adjustment values such as a suction position and a gap in the printer device.
1 is provided.

The information processing device 52 and the printer device 51 are connected via a network or an interface.

In this example, an operation value 5121 and an adjustment value 5122 are stored in a non-volatile memory 512, and the operation value 51 is
21 and the adjustment value 5122 are read out, and the preparation for counting the operating values such as the number of print characters and the number of line feeds and the preparation for printing are completed. When the printer device 51 is in the operation state, the operation value is counted. When the power of the printer device 51 is turned off, the counted operation value 5121 is written to the nonvolatile memory 512. When the operation value 5121 is written to the non-volatile memory 512, even if a writing error occurs, the next time the power is turned on, a reading error of the non-volatile memory 512 occurs, the message that the operation value cannot be counted, and the offline state After alerting the operator of a message that cannot be printed with, the machine is normally operated.

The setting of the adjustment value of the printer is performed by the printer driver 521. FIG. 6 shows an example of a processing flowchart of the printer driver unit of the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation will be described according to this flow.

Step S 601 is performed in the nonvolatile memory 51.
2 is determined to be abnormal. If abnormal, the process proceeds to step S602, and if not, the process proceeds to step S603.

In step S602, adjustment value data such as the suction position and the gap is read from the adjustment value storage unit 522 and transferred to the nonvolatile memory 512. Thereby, the adjustment value setting of the printer device is performed.

A step S603 transfers the print data to the work memory 511. Then, the process ends.

In this example, steps S601 to S602 correspond to the adjustment value setting section 5211.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a third embodiment of the adjustment value setting system according to the present invention. In the figure, 71 is a printer device, and 72 is an information processing device.

The printer device 71 includes a work memory 711 for storing print data and control information, a non-volatile memory 712 for storing operating values 7121 such as the number of print characters and the number of line feeds, and adjustment values 7122 such as a suction position and a gap. Print line feed control unit 71 that controls the print mechanism and line feed mechanism to perform printing
3, a device identification number storage unit 714 that stores numbers for identifying printer devices, a CPU 715 that performs various controls based on a control program, and an interface unit 716 that controls data transfer with the information processing device 72. ing.

The information processing device 72 includes a printer driver 721 for controlling printing of a printer stored in a system disk by installing a printer driver;
An adjustment value storage unit 722 that stores adjustment values such as a suction position and a gap, and an interface unit 723 that controls data transfer with the printer device 71 are provided. In addition,
The printer driver unit 721 includes an adjustment value setting unit 721 that sets adjustment values such as a suction position and a gap in the printer device.
1 and the device identification number of the printer device are stored in the adjustment value storage unit 72.
Device identification number confirming unit 72 for confirming that the device is compatible with the device 2
12 are provided.

The information processing device 72 and the printer device 71 are connected via a network or an interface.

In this example, an operation value 7121 and an adjustment value 7122 are stored in a nonvolatile memory 712, and the operation value 71
21 and the adjustment value 7122 are read out, and the preparation for counting the operating values such as the number of print characters and the number of line feeds and the preparation for printing are completed. When the printer device 71 is in the operating state, the operating value is counted. Then, when the power of the printer device 71 is turned off, the counted operation value 7121 is written to the nonvolatile memory 712. When writing the operation value 7121 to the non-volatile memory 712, even if a writing error occurs, the next time the power is turned on, a reading error of the non-volatile memory 712 occurs, the message that the operation value cannot be counted, and the offline state After alerting the operator of a message that cannot be printed with, the machine is normally operated.

The setting of the adjustment value of the printer is performed by the printer driver unit 721. FIG. 8 shows an example of a processing flowchart of the printer driver unit of the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation will be described according to this flow.

In step S701, the apparatus identification number of the connected printer is read.

In step S702, it is determined whether the device identification number read in step S701 matches the device identification number in the adjustment value storage unit 722. If they match, the process proceeds to step S703. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step S705.

In step S703, adjustment value data such as a suction position and a gap is set in the printer. In addition,
This processing is performed from step S301 to step S3 in FIG.
02 or steps S601 to S in FIG.
602 is performed in the same process.

A step S704 transfers the print data to the work memory 711. Then, the process ends.

In step S705, the operator is notified of an error message in which the device identification number of the connected printer does not match the device identification number of the adjustment value storage unit 722. Then, the process ends.

In this example, steps S701, S702, and S705 are performed by the device identification number confirmation unit 7
212.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a driver generation system with adjustment values. In the figure, reference numeral 91 denotes an information processing device for setting adjustment values of the printer device and creating a printer driver installation medium; 92, a printer driver installation medium attached to the printer device;
Is a printer device in which adjustment values are set.

Further, the information processing apparatus 91 obtains and sets adjustment values of the printer apparatus, and creates a printer driver installation medium.
The printer driver storage unit 912 stores printer drivers copied to the installation medium for each type of printer device, and an adjustment value obtaining unit 913 that obtains adjustment values for the connected printer device 93.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a processing flowchart of the driver generation unit. Hereinafter, the operation will be described according to this flow.

In step S1001, the adjustment value acquisition unit 913 performs acquisition of the adjustment value of the connected printer 93, setting of the adjustment value in the nonvolatile memory, and the like.

In step S1002, the acquired adjustment value is stored in an adjustment value storage unit not described for each device.

In step S1003, the acquired adjustment value is stored in the installation medium 92.

In step S1004, a printer driver corresponding to the connected printer device 93 is selected from the printer driver storage unit 912 and stored in the installation medium. Then, the process ends.

[0058]

The present invention is embodied in the form described above, and has the following effects.

In a printer adjustment value setting system in an information processing apparatus to which a printer is connected, a work memory for storing print data and control information, and operating values such as the number of print characters and the number of line feeds are stored in the printer. A non-volatile memory, a print line feed control unit that controls the print mechanism and the line feed mechanism to perform printing, a CPU that performs various controls based on a control program, and an interface unit that controls data transfer with the information processing device. , And the information processing device,
A printer driver unit that controls printing of a printer stored in a system disk by installing a printer driver; an adjustment value storage unit that stores suction position and gap adjustment values stored in the system disk at the same time as the printer driver; A work memory provided with an interface unit for controlling data transfer with the printer device, and for transferring adjustment values stored in an adjustment value storage unit to the printer before sending print data to the printer driver unit; By providing an adjustment value setting unit that sets the adjustment value, it is possible to eliminate printer failures caused by abnormal reading of adjustment values such as the suction position and gap stored in the non-volatile memory when the printer is powered on. it can. Further, since a non-volatile memory for storing only the operation values such as the number of print characters and the number of line feeds is provided, the memory capacity can be reduced, and the cost of the printer device can be reduced.

Further, in the adjustment value setting system of the printer in the information processing apparatus to which the printer is connected,
The printer device has a work memory that stores print data and control information, a non-volatile memory that stores operating values such as the number of characters to be printed and the number of line feeds, and adjustment values such as the suction position and gap, and a print mechanism and a line feed mechanism. Print line feed control unit that performs printing, and CP that performs various controls based on the control program
U, a printer driver unit for controlling printing of a printer stored in a system disk by installing a printer driver in the information processing device, and a printer driver, comprising: an interface unit for controlling data transfer with the information processing device; At the same time, it has an adjustment value storage unit that stores adjustment values such as the suction position and gap stored in the system disk, and an interface unit that controls data transfer with the printer device, and print data is stored in the printer driver unit. Check the normality of the data in the non-volatile memory before sending.If the data is abnormal, transfer the adjustment value stored in the adjustment value storage unit to the printer and set the adjustment value in the non-volatile memory of the printer device. By providing an adjustment value setting unit, the power stored in the non-volatile memory Adjustment value read abnormality such as entrance position and a gap can be eliminated printer failure caused by. In addition, since the adjustment values such as the suction position and the gap are also provided in the printer device, the printer device can be operated in an off-line state, and test printing can be performed by the printer device alone.

In the adjustment value setting system,
The printer device has a device identification number storage unit for identifying the device, and whether the device identification number of the printer device corresponds to the adjustment value storage unit before setting adjustment values such as the suction position and the gap in the printer driver unit. When a different printer device is connected to the information processing device, a different printer device adjustment value is not erroneously set.

Further, in the printer driver generation system of the information processing apparatus to which the printer is connected, the information processing apparatus is provided with a printer driver storage unit for copying to an installation medium, and adjustment of the suction position and gap of the connected printer. By providing an adjustment value acquisition unit that acquires a value, and a driver generation unit that stores the printer driver unit and the adjustment value in an installation medium of the printer driver,
An installation medium for a driver attached to the printer device can be efficiently generated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an adjustment value setting system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of a first embodiment of an adjustment value setting system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example of a processing flowchart of a printer driver unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an adjustment value storage unit.

FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram of a second embodiment of the adjustment value setting system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by a printer driver according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a configuration block diagram of a third embodiment of the adjustment value setting system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by a printer driver according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an example of a configuration block diagram of a driver generation system with an adjustment value.

FIG. 10 is an example of a processing flowchart of a driver generation unit.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a conventional configuration.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 printer device 2 information processing device 91 information processing device 92 installation medium 93 printer device 101 work memory 102 non-volatile memory 103 print line feed control unit 104 device identification number storage unit 105 CPU 106 interface unit 201 printer driver unit 202 adjustment value storage unit 203 Interface section 911 Driver generation section 912 Printer driver storage section 913 Adjustment value acquisition section 2011 Adjustment value setting section 2012 Device identification number confirmation section

Claims (4)

[Claims] In an adjustment value setting system for a printer in an information processing apparatus to which a printer is connected, a work memory (101) for storing print data and control information in a printer (1); A non-volatile memory (102) for storing an operation value such as the number of line feeds, and a print line feed control unit (10) for controlling a printing mechanism and a line feed mechanism for printing.
3) and a CP that performs various controls based on the control program
U (105), and an interface unit (106) for controlling data transfer with the information processing device (2), and
A printer driver unit (201) that controls printing of a printer stored in a system disk by installing a printer driver in an information processing device (2), and an adjustment value of a suction position and a gap stored in the system disk simultaneously with the printer driver. Is stored in the adjustment value storage unit (20).
2) and an interface section (203) for controlling data transfer with the printer device (1), and stored in the adjustment value storage section (202) before sending print data to the printer driver section (201). An adjustment value setting unit (2) that transfers the adjusted value to the printer device (1) and sets the adjustment value in a work memory (101) provided in the printer device (1).
011), wherein the adjustment value setting system for a printer device is provided. 2. An adjustment value setting system for a printer in an information processing apparatus to which the printer is connected, a work memory (101) for storing print data and control information in the printer (1), A non-volatile memory (102) for storing operating values such as the number of line feeds and adjustment values such as a suction position and a gap, a print line feed control unit (103) for controlling a printing mechanism and a line feed mechanism for printing, and a control program. An information processing device (2) including a CPU (105) for performing various controls, and an interface (106) for controlling data transfer with the information processing device (2);
A printer driver unit (201) for controlling printing of a printer stored in a system disk by installing a printer driver, and adjustment values such as a suction position and a gap stored in the system disk simultaneously with the printer driver are stored. An adjustment value storage unit (202), an interface unit (203) for controlling data transfer with the printer device (1), and a printer driver unit (2)
01) before sending the print data to the non-volatile memory (10
2) The normality of the data is confirmed. If the data is abnormal, the adjustment value stored in the adjustment value storage unit (202) is transferred to the printer device (1), and the non-volatile memory included in the printer device (1) is transferred. An adjustment value setting system for a printer device, wherein an adjustment value setting unit (2011) for setting an adjustment value is provided in (102). 3. A printer device (1) comprising a device identification number storage unit (104) for identifying a device, and a printer device (201) comprising: 3. The adjustment value setting of the printer device according to claim 1, further comprising a device identification number confirmation unit (2012) for confirming whether the device identification number of the printer corresponds to the adjustment value storage unit (202). system. 4. A printer driver generation system for an information processing device to which a printer device is connected, wherein the information processing device (91) copies a printer driver to an installation medium (92), a printer driver storage unit (912), and the connected printer device. (93) an adjustment value acquisition unit (913) for acquiring the adjustment values such as the suction position and the gap; and a printer driver unit and a driver generation unit (911) for storing the adjustment values in the printer driver installation medium (92). A printer generation system for a printer device, comprising: