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WO2001098864A2 - Procede et appareil d'amelioration d'une interface imprimante/ordinateur - Google Patents

Procede et appareil d'amelioration d'une interface imprimante/ordinateur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001098864A2
WO2001098864A2 PCT/US2001/019004 US0119004W WO0198864A2 WO 2001098864 A2 WO2001098864 A2 WO 2001098864A2 US 0119004 W US0119004 W US 0119004W WO 0198864 A2 WO0198864 A2 WO 0198864A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
computer
printer
command
bidirectional
input
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/019004
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001098864A3 (fr
Inventor
Adam Jude Ahne
Jay William Vessels
Original Assignee
Lexmark International, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lexmark International, Inc. filed Critical Lexmark International, Inc.
Priority to AU2001269809A priority Critical patent/AU2001269809A1/en
Publication of WO2001098864A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001098864A2/fr
Publication of WO2001098864A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001098864A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1203—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
    • G06F3/1209—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management resulting in adapted or bridged legacy communication protocols, e.g. emulation, protocol extension
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1224—Client or server resources management
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1236—Connection management
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
    • G06F3/1279—Controller construction, e.g. aspects of the interface hardware
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
    • G06F3/1284—Local printer device

Definitions

  • This invention relates to computer printers. More particularly, this invention relates to a computer printer having the ability to issue control commands to a computer.
  • Some previous printers have featured bidirectional communication between the computer and the attached printer.
  • the IEEE- 1284 Standard Signaling Method for a Bidirectional Parallel Peripheral Interface for Personal Computers defines a parallel interface that has been used to provide the bi-directional communication between a computer and an attached printer.
  • the computer controls the interface, and initiates all transfers between the computer and the printer and the printer can not initiate a transfer.
  • a printer could not feature a "PRINT" button that would cause the computer to initiate printing of the currently opened document.
  • a computer keyboards is periodically polled for new input by a personal computer, thus the keyboard is able to initiate actions on the personal computer. If a printer can perform the functions of both a printer and a keyboard, then the printer could initiate transfers from the printer to the computer.
  • the USB (Universal Serial Bus) protocol supports generation of keyboard functions by peripheral devices, thereby allowing a peripheral device to function emulate an additional keyboard connected to the computer. Therefore, there exists a need for a printer that emulates a keyboard with respect to generating printer control functions.
  • the present invention in one aspect is a method of executing commands on a printer coupled to a computer, in which at least one input is received from a user via a user interface on the printer. The input is translated into a corresponding computer command. The computer command is transmitted to the computer via a bidirectional computer interface bus so as to cause the computer to execute a predetermined action corresponding to the computer command.
  • the invention is a printer for use with a computer that includes a printer mechanism and a printer control circuit operatively coupled to the printer mechanism so as to control the printer mechanism.
  • a bidirectional computer interface bus that is operatively coupled to the printer control circuit, receives data from the computer and selectively transmits data to the computer.
  • a user interface is operatively coupled to the bidirectional computer interface bus. The user interface includes at least one user input that, when asserted, causes a computer command to be placed on the bidirectional computer interface bus so as to cause the computer to execute a predetermined action corresponding to the computer command.
  • control features of a printer will work on new versions of computer operating systems without changing any of the firmware in the printer, because the USB interface and the keyboard shortcuts will remain the same.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 A is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the user interface.
  • FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the user interface.
  • FIG. 3 is a flow chart describing a method employed in one embodiment of the invention.
  • the invention is a printer system 100 that includes a printer 120 connected to a computer 110 via a bidirectional computer interface bus 112.
  • the bidirectional computer interface bus could be of the type referred to as a Universal Serial Bus (USB).
  • the printer 120 includes a printer mechanism 122 that is controlled by a printer controller 124.
  • the printer controller 124 receives instructions from a user interface 130, which are transmitted to the bidirectional computer interface bus 112 through a bus interface 126 connected to the bidirectional computer interface bus 112 via a port 128.
  • the printer controller 124 Upon receiving an input from the user interface 130, the printer controller 124 translates the input into a computer command so that the printer controller 124 emulates a keyboard.
  • the translation may be done in one of several ways. For example, the printer controller could employ a look-up table resident in memory to generate a computer command. Similarly, the computer commands could be hard wired in the printer controller 124 or they could be resident in firmware.
  • the USB bus interface 126 implements a USB compound device consisting of a printer function and a keyboard function.
  • the USB interface 126 also implements a USB mass storage device function, which is used to upload the printer driver from the printer to the computer.
  • the user interface may include a button panel 210 included with the printer.
  • the button panel 210 includes a plurality of user input buttons 212 (or other input switches), each corresponding to a different function, which may be described with a plurality of adjacent inscriptions 214.
  • button 212a could cause the printer to send a command to the computer that causes the computer to send printer-specific instructions back to the printer to cause the current file in the computer to be printed.
  • next to button 212a is a "Print Current File" indication 214a.
  • button 212b could cause the printer to send a command to the computer that causes the computer to open a change printer settings window.
  • buttons 212b next to button 212b is a "Change Printer Settings" indication 214b.
  • Button 212c could cause the printer to send a command to the computer that causes the computer to send printer-specific instructions back to the printer to cause the printer to upload a printer driver embedded in the printer controller.
  • button 212c next to button 212c is a "Upload Driver” indication 214c.
  • the printer could also include a voice response unit 220, which could include a microphone 222 (which could be embedded in the printer housing, or a stand-alone microphone, as shown), an analog-to-digital converter 224 that converts the analog signal from the microphone 222 into a digital signal, and voice recognition processor 226, which may be included in the printer controller. Not shown, but also included, are any other necessary amplification and signal processing circuits and software necessary for the specific application, as is commonly known in the art.
  • the processor 226 would be programmed with conventional voice-recognition software, or could include dedicated voice recognition hardware. By having this voice recognition capability, one could control the printer using voice commands.
  • the user could issue a verbal "print current file” command to cause the printer to print the current file.
  • This would cause the controller to generate a data packet that is the same as a USB keyboard corresponding to when the user holds down the "CTRL” key while pressing the "P” key and then presses the "ENTER” key.
  • the printer controller waits until a control input is received 302 from the user interface. Once an input is received, the controller determines 304 if the input is from the button panel (in the case when the interface includes more than one source of input). If the input is not from the button panel, then the controller determines 306 if the input is from the voice response unit (if the printer is so equipped). If the input is a voice input, the controller converts 308 the voice signal to a corresponding digital signal. If the result of test 306 is "no," then an error has occurred and the controller performs an appropriate error routine 322.
  • the controller determines what type of command has been received. It performs a test 310 to determine if the input indicates that the user desires to print the current file. If the result of test 310 is "yes,” then the controller generates a "print current file” command 312. If it is "no,” then the controller performs a test 314 to determine if the user desires to edit the printer control settings. If the result of test 314 is "yes,” then the controller generates an "edit printer control settings" command 316. If the result of test 314 is "no,” then the controller performs a test 318 to determine if the user desires that an embedded printer driver be uploaded to the computer. If the result of test 318 is "yes,” then the controller generates an "upload driver” command 320. If the result of test 318 is "no,” then the an improper input has been received and the controller executes an appropriate error routine 322.
  • the command will take the form of a keyboard-generated command. For example, if the command is a "print current file” command, then the controller could generate a data packet corresponding to a "CNTL-P" input from a computer keyboard. Thus, the controller emulates a keyboard. Once a computer command corresponding to the user input has been generated, the controller transfers 324 the command packet to the Universal Serial Bus controller and the command is transmitted 326 to the host computer via the Universal Serial Bus.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un appareil d'exécution de commandes sur une imprimante couplée à un ordinateur recevant au moins une entrée provenant d'un utilisateur par l'intermédiaire de l'interface utilisateur de l'imprimante. Cette entrée est traduite en une commande informatique correspondante. La commande informatique est transmise à l'ordinateur via un bus d'interface ordinateur de manière à entraîner l'exécution d'une action déterminée de l'ordinateur, laquelle correspond à la commande informatique. Une imprimante s'utilisant avec un ordinateur selon le procédé de l'invention comprend un mécanisme d'imprimante et un circuit de commande d'imprimante couplé de manière fonctionnelle au mécanisme de l'imprimante de manière à commander ce mécanisme. Un bus d'interface ordinateur bidirectionnel, couplé de manière fonctionnelle au circuit de commande de l'imprimante, reçoit des données de l'ordinateur et en transmet de manière sélective à cet ordinateur. Une interface utilisateur est couplée de manière fonctionnelle au bus d'interface ordinateur bidirectionnel. Cette interface utilisateur comprend au moins une entrée utilisateur qui, lorsqu'elle est activée, entraîne le placement de la commande informatique sur le bus d'interface ordinateur bidirectionnel de manière à entraîner l'exécution d'une action déterminée, laquelle correspond à la commande informatique.
PCT/US2001/019004 2000-06-19 2001-06-13 Procede et appareil d'amelioration d'une interface imprimante/ordinateur WO2001098864A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001269809A AU2001269809A1 (en) 2000-06-19 2001-06-13 Method and apparatus for enhancing printer to computer interface

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US59908000A 2000-06-19 2000-06-19
US09/599,080 2000-06-19

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001098864A2 true WO2001098864A2 (fr) 2001-12-27
WO2001098864A3 WO2001098864A3 (fr) 2002-03-21

Family

ID=24398125

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/019004 WO2001098864A2 (fr) 2000-06-19 2001-06-13 Procede et appareil d'amelioration d'une interface imprimante/ordinateur

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001269809A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001098864A2 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7519307B2 (en) 2004-10-08 2009-04-14 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Methods and systems for configuration-based imaging device accounting
US7532835B2 (en) 2004-10-08 2009-05-12 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Methods and systems for remote configuration-based imaging device accounting
US20100058194A1 (en) * 2008-08-29 2010-03-04 Owen James E Remote Desktop on Multi-Function Peripheral
US8334999B2 (en) 2008-07-10 2012-12-18 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Method and system for augmenting imaging device with non-native job settings

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7633644B2 (en) 2004-10-08 2009-12-15 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Methods and systems for imaging device job management

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60105367A (ja) * 1983-11-11 1985-06-10 Murata Giken Kk フアクシミリ通信方式
US5580177A (en) * 1994-03-29 1996-12-03 Hewlett-Packard Company Printer/client network with centrally updated printer drivers and printer status monitoring
US5761480A (en) * 1994-04-20 1998-06-02 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Display control method
EP0747807B1 (fr) * 1995-04-11 2002-03-06 Dragon Systems Inc. Déplacement d'un élément montré sur un écran d'ordinateur
US5781028A (en) * 1996-06-21 1998-07-14 Microsoft Corporation System and method for a switched data bus termination

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7519307B2 (en) 2004-10-08 2009-04-14 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Methods and systems for configuration-based imaging device accounting
US7532835B2 (en) 2004-10-08 2009-05-12 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Methods and systems for remote configuration-based imaging device accounting
US8334999B2 (en) 2008-07-10 2012-12-18 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Method and system for augmenting imaging device with non-native job settings
US20100058194A1 (en) * 2008-08-29 2010-03-04 Owen James E Remote Desktop on Multi-Function Peripheral

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2001269809A1 (en) 2002-01-02
WO2001098864A3 (fr) 2002-03-21

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