JPH0483663A - Printer with external memory part - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To directly read an external file for conducting printing by providing an application data processing part which forms data required for printing from the data of read files. CONSTITUTION:Because the type and number of data files are different for every application software or OS, a printer driver for forming data for printing from a data file is received by an application data processing part 14 from an external memory file 1 through an external memory file reading part 12. After reading the external memory file 1, the external memory file reading part 12 indicates file names on an operation panel 13. Then, when an operator selects ones to be printed out of the file names indicated on the operation panel 13, the external memory file reading part 12 reads the assigned data files from the external memory file 1 and transmits them to the application data processing part 14. The application data processing part 14 forms data for printing from one or more data files based on the previously read printer driver and transmits it to a printer control part 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a printer, and particularly to a printer that does not require a host device.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional printer connected to a host device for reading external storage files, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of FIG. 3.

In the figure, 1 is an external storage file including a plurality of data files, for example, A data file la, B data file 1b, and C data file 1C as shown in FIG. Input selection switch 3. A
Printer driver 1B printer driver 4b, c printer driver 4c + output selection switch 5. A host device such as a personal computer is equipped with a printer selection section 6 and a printer output section 7 for switching the input selection switch 3 and output selection switch 5 in synchronization; 8 is a printer control section 9. Operation panel 10
゜It is a printer equipped with a printing and printing control section 11.

In the printer configured as described above, the host device 2 is provided with a reading section for reading the external storage file 1, and the printer selection section 6
By switching the input selection switch 3 and the output selection switch 5 synchronously, you can read the external storage file and create print data suitable for the printer to be used. No reading section was provided to read the information.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

This conventional printer is not equipped with a reader to read external storage files, so it needs to be connected to a host device such as a personal computer, and it is also supported by software/software on the O8 side due to differences in dot density control codes, etc. It is necessary to provide a printer driver for each printer. Another disadvantage is that the user must select a print driver according to the printer being used.

[Means to solve the problem]

A printer with an external storage unit according to the present invention includes an external storage file reading unit that reads an external storage file, an operation panel that instructs the external storage file reading unit to read a file, and data necessary for printing from data of the read file. and an application data processing unit that creates an application data processing unit.

[Effect]

This invention can directly read and print external files.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a printer with an external storage unit according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data flow for explaining the operation of FIG. 1. In the figure, 12 is an external storage file reading section that reads the external storage file 1, 13 is an operation panel that instructs this external storage file reading section 12 which file to read, and 14 is the data necessary for printing from the read file data. 15 is an application data processing section that creates data; 15 is a printer control section; and 16 is a printing and printing control section.

Next, the operation of the printer with external storage section having the above configuration will be explained with reference to FIG. First, since the format of the data file and the haircut differ depending on the application format or O8, a printer driver (not shown) that creates data for printing from the data file reads the external storage file reading section 12 from the external storage file 1. The data is taken into the application data processing unit 14 via the application data processing unit 14. After reading the external storage file 1 containing the print data, the external storage file reading section 12 displays the name of the file on the operation panel 13. Therefore, when the operator selects the name of the file to be printed on the operation panel 13, the external storage file bladder collecting section 12 reads the specified data file from the external storage file 1, and the application data processing section 1 reads the designated data file from the external storage file 1.
Send to 4.

The application processing section 14 generates printing data from one or more data files based on the previously read printer driver and sends it to the printer control section 15. This printer control unit 15 controls the status of the device, the operation panel 13
Based on instructions from the printer, print data and print instructions can be sent to the print and print control section.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained in detail above, according to the printer with an external storage unit according to the present invention, since the external storage file is directly read, a host device is not required when printing, and the application software or O8 side does not require a printer driver. No need to provide.

Another advantage is that the user only has to select the application software or OS to be used.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a printer with an external storage unit according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data flow to explain the operation of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a conventional printer. FIG. 4 is a block diagram in which a host device for reading external storage files is connected to the computer, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of FIG. 3. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...External storage file, 12--External storage file reading unit, 13--Operation panel, 14--Application data processing unit, 15--Printer control unit, 16-- ...Printing and printing control section. Patent Applicant: NEC Corporation Agent Masaki Yamakawa Figure Figure Figure Figure E-8

Claims (1)

[Claims] an external storage file reading unit that reads an external storage file;
A printer with an external storage section characterized by comprising an operation panel for instructing the external storage file reading section which file to read, and an application data processing section for creating data necessary for printing from the data of the read file.