Printer having a multi-mode control panel selectively manipulatable between varying modes of operation

• US 4,994,988 A
• Filed: 03/07/1988
• Issued: 02/19/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Yokoi, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Clark, David L.
• Application Number:
  US07/165,100
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 341/22, 341/23, 364/709.1, 364/709.14, 364/709.15, 364/519
• US Class Current: 358/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/387 Automatic cut-off devices

Abstract

A printer selectively manipulatable between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, and attachable to a host computer, the printer comprising, a main printer body having a multimode control panel, versatile multiple function switches disposed in the control panel, each of the versatile switches for performing different functions in each of the first and second modes, at least a portion of the switches being allocated with a plurality of selectable functions within each mode of operation. A first label portion is fixed to the printer body in a recess of the control panel and disposed adjacent the versatile switches, the first label portion containing a first group of labels indicating first mode functions of the versatile switches, a lid member movable between a first position for exposing the first label portion, the first position corresponding to the first mode and the second position corresponding to the second mode. A second label portion is disposed on the lid member, the second label portion containing a second group of labels indicating second mode functions of the versatile switches. A controller is provided for changing the function of the versatile switches between their first mode functions and their second mode functions, and a detector is provided for detecting a change in the position of the lid member and sending a signal to the control means to change the mode of the switches in response to the change of position of the lid member.

Claims

1. A printer selectively manipulatable between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, and attachable to a host computer, the printer comprising:

a main printer body having an operating portion disposed thereon;

switches disposed at said operating portion, each of said switches for performing different functions in each of said first and second modes, at least a portion of said switches being allocated with a plurality of selectable functions within each mode of operation;

a first label portion fixed to said printer body at the operating portion and disposed adjacent said switches, said first label portion containing a first group of labels indicating first mode functions of said switches;

a lid member movable between a first position for exposing said first label portion, and a second position for covering said first label portion, said first position corresponding to said first mode and said second position corresponding to said second mode;

a second label portion disposed on said lid member, said second label portion containing a second group of labels indicating second mode functions of said switches;

control means for changing the function of said switches between their first mode functions and their second mode functions, said control means comprising a central processing unit, a read-only memory connected to said central processing unit for storing programs for controlling overall operations of said printer, said read-only memory for also storing information for setting said printer at an initialized state, a random access memory connected to said central processing unit for temporarily storing output data from said host computer, and an erasable and programmable read-only memory connected to said central processing unit for storing renewal information corresponding to a change of functions in said printer, said switches being connected to said central processing unit;

detection means responsive to a change in the position of the lid member for changing the function of the switches between the first and second mode, said detection means being connected to said central processing unit; and

dual in-line package switches disposed in said operating portion and connected to said central processing unit, one of said dual in-line switches having a function for selecting priority between said read-only memory and said erasable and programmable read-only memory.

2. A printer as defined in claim 10, further comprising a third label portion disposed at a rear surface of said lid member and containing a third group of labels indicating operations of said dual in-line package, said third label portion being visible when said lid member is at said first position.

3. A printer selectively manipulatable between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, and attachable to a host computer, the printer comprising:

a main printer body having an operating portion disposed thereon;

switches disposed at said operating portion, each of said switches for performing different functions in each of said first and second modes, at least a portion of said switches being allocated with a plurality of selectable functions within each mode of operation;

a first label portion fixed to said printer body at the operating portion and disposed adjacent said switches, said first label portion containing a first group of labels indicating first mode functions of said switches;

a lid member movable between a first position for exposing said first label portion, and a second position for covering said first label portion, said first position corresponding to said first mode and said second position corresponding to said second mode;

a second label portion disposed on said lid member, said second label portion containing a second group of labels indicating second mode functions of said switches;

control means for changing the function of said switches between their first most functions and their second mode functions, said control means comprising a central processing unit, a read-only memory connected to said central processing unit for storing programs for controlling overall operations of said printer, said read-only memory for also storing information for setting said printer at an initialized state, a random access memory connected to said central processing unit for temporarily storing output data from said host computer, and an erasable and programmable read-only memory connected to said central processing unit for storing renewal information corresponding to a change of functions in said printer, said switches being connected to said central processing unit;

detection means responsive to a change in the position of the lid member for changing the function of the switches between the first and second mode, said detection means being connected to said central processing unit; and

a designation switch disposed in said operating portion and connected to said central processing unit, said designation switch having a function for selecting priority between said read-only memory and said erasable and programmable read-only memory.

4. A printer as defined in claim 3, further comprising a third label portion disposed at a rear surface of said lid member and containing a third group of labels indicating operations of said designation switch, said third label portion being visible when said lid member is at said second position.

5. A printer selectively manipulatable between an off-line mode and an on-line mode, and attachable to a host computer, wherein the printer is not responsive to output data from the host computer in the off-line mode and the printer is responsive to the output data in the on-line mode, the printer comprising:

a main printer body having an operating portion disposed thereon;

function switches disposed in said operating portion, each of said function switches for performing different functions in each of said off-line and on-line modes, at least a portion of said function switches being allocated with a plurality of selectable functions within each mode of operation;

a first label portion fixed to said printer body in the operating portion and disposed adjacent said function switches, said first label portion containing a first group of labels indicating first mode functions of said function switches, said first mode functions being available only in the off-line mode;

a lid member movable between a first position for exposing said first label portion and a second position for covering said first label portion, said first position corresponding to said off-line mode and said second position corresponding to said on-line mode;

a second label portion disposed on said lid member, said second label portion containing at least a second group of labels indicating on-line mode functions of said function switches;

control means for changing the function of said function switches between their first mode functions and their second mode functions, said control means including a central processing unit, a read-only memory connected to said central processing unit for storing programs for controlling overall operation of said printer, said read-only memory for also storing information for setting the printer at an initialized state, a random access memory connected to said central processing unit for temporarily storing output data from said host computer, an erasable and programmable read-only memory connected to said central processing unit for storing renewal information corresponding to a change of function in said printer, said function switches being connected to said central processing unit;

dual in-line package switches disposed in said operating portion and connected to said central processing unit, one of said dual in-line switches having a function for selecting priority between said read-only memory and said erasable and programmable read-only memory;

a third label portion disposed on a rear surface of said lid member and containing a third group of labels indicating operations of said dual in-line package switches, said third label portion being visible when said lid member is in said first position; and

detection means connected to said central processing unit and responsive to a change in the position of the lid member for changing the function of the function switches between the off-line and on-line modes.

6. A printer selectively manipulatable between an off-line mode and an on-line mode, and attachable to a host computer, wherein the printer is not responsive to output data from the host computer in the off-line mode and the printer is responsive to the output data in the on-line mode, the printer comprising:

a main printer body having an operating portion disposed thereon;

switches disposed in said operating portion, each of said switches for performing different functions in each of said off-line and on-line modes, at least a portion of said switches being allocated with a plurality of selectable functions within each mode of operation;

a first label portion fixed to said printer body in the operating portion and disposed adjacent said switches, said first label portion containing a firs group of labels indicating first mode functions of said switches, said first mode functions being available only in the off-lien mode;

a lid member movable between a first position for exposing said first label portion and a second position for covering said first label portion, said first position corresponding to said off-line mode and said second position corresponding to said on-line mode;

a second label portion disposed on said lid member, said second label portion containing at least a second group of labels indicating on-line mode functions of said switches;

control means for changing the function of said switches between their first mode functions and their second mode functions;

detection mean s responsive to a change in the position of the lid member for changing the function of the switches between the off-line and on-line modes; and

latching means for maintaining said lid member in said second position, said latching means cooperating with said detection means for changing the function of said switches between the first and second modes.

7. A printer selectively manipulatable between an off-line mode and an on-line mode, and attachable to a host computer, wherein the printer is not responsive to output data from the host computer in the off-line mode and the printer is responsive to the output data in the on-line mode, the printer comprising:

a main printer body having an operating portion disposed thereon;

function switches disposed in said operating portion, each of said function switches for performing different functions in each of said off-line and on-line modes, at least a portion of said function switches being allocated with a plurality of selectable functions within each mode of operation;

a first label portion fixed to said printer body in the operating portion and disposed adjacent said function switches, said first label portion containing a first group of labels indicating first mode functions of said function switches, said first mode functions being available only in the off-line mode;

a lid member movable between a first position for exposing said first label portion and a second position for covering said first label portion, said first position corresponding to said off-line mode and said second position corresponding to said on-line mode;

a second label portion disposed on said lid member, said second label portion containing at least a second group of labels indicating on-line mode functions of said function switches;

control means for changing the function of said function switches between their first mode functions and their second mode functions said control means including a central processing unit, a read-only memory connected to said central processing unit for storing programs for controlling overall operation of said printer, said read-only memory for also storing information for setting the printer at an initialized state, a random access memory connected to said central processing unit for temporarily storing output data from said host computer, an erasable and programmable read-only memory connected to said central processing unit for storing renewal information corresponding to a change of function in said printer, said function switches being connected to said central processing unit;

dual in-line package switches disposed in said operating portion and connected to said central processing unit;

a designation switch disposed in said operating portion and connected to said central processing unit, said designation switch having a function for selecting priority between read-only memory and said erasable and programmable read-only memory;

a third label portion disposed on a rear surface of said lid member and containing a third group of labels indicating operations of said dual in-line package switches and said designation switch, said third label portion being visible when said lid member is in said first position; and

detection means connected to said central processing unit and responsive to a change in the position of the lid member for changing the function of the function switches between the off-line and on-line modes.