Printer controller

• US 5,047,957 A
• Filed: 10/19/1989
• Issued: 09/10/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Ikenoue, Yoshikazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Evans, Arthur G.
• Application Number:
  US07/424,526
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 364/518-520, 364/930.5 MS File, 364/930.4 MS File, 364/235 MS File, 364/235.6 MS File, 364/235.4 MS File , 364/956.2 MS File, 346/154, 400/76, 400/70-73
• US Class Current: 358/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1229 Printer resources management or printer maintenance, e.g. device status, power levels
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1285 Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0011 characterised by a particular command or data flow, e.g. Page Description Language, configuration commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0017 Preparing data for the controlling system, e.g. status, memory data

Abstract

A printer controller for controlling a printer shared with plural external data processors is disclosed.

The printer controller includes a first memory for memorizing control data received from either one of the data processors when connected, a second memory for saving the received control data when another data processor is connected and a memory controller for saving the control data from the first memory to the second memory and for returning the control data from the second memory to the first memory when the printer is switched from one of the data processors to another one or vice versa.

The printer controller further includes a communication device for controlling communication between either one of the data processors and the printer which is capable of identifying individual data processors.

Claims

1. Printer controller for controlling a printer responsive to a host machine or a terminal, comprising:

receiver means for receiving data sent from said host machine or terminal, said data including an identification code for identifying individual users;

font memory means for storing font data indicating respective patterns of characters of at least one set in a memory area corresponding to the identification code received;

selection means for selecting one of memory areas corresponding to the identification code received; and

print control means for controlling printing action using font data stored in the memory area selected by said selection means.

2. Printer controller for controlling a printer responsive to a host machine or a terminal, comprising:

receiver means for receiving data sent from said host machine or terminal, said data including an identification code for identifying individual users and font data indicating respective patterns of characters of at least one set;

font memory means for storing the font data together with the identification code into one of a plurality of memory areas;

selecting means for selecting the font data stored in one of memory areas according to the identification code received; and

print control means for controlling a printing action using the font data selected by said selection means.

3. Printer controller as claimed in claim 2, wherein said receiver means receives control data sent from said host machine or terminal, said control data being sued by said print control means for controlling a printing action.

4. Printer controller as claimed in claim 3, further comprising control data memory means for storing the control data into one of memory areas corresponding to the identification code.

5. Printer controller as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control data memory means stores font set information representing font data stored in said font memory means.

6. Printer controller as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control data memory means is backed up by a battery.

7. Printer controller as claimed in claim 2, further comprising detection means for deleting the font data stored in the memory area of the font memory means.

8. Printer controller for controlling a printer responsive to a host machine or a terminal, comprising:

receiver means for receiving data sent from said host machine or terminal, said data including an identification code for identifying individual users and font data indicating respective patterns of characters of at least one set;

rewritable memory means having a plurality of memory areas;

storing means for storing the font data received by said receive means together with the corresponding identification code into the memory area of the rewritable memory means;

selection means for selecting the font data stored in the memory areas according to the identification code; and

print control means for controlling a printing action using the font data selected by said selection means.