Printer, and printer characteristics identifying system

Claim 2

A printer (1) which is to be connected to a data processor (2) by an interface (3) having a status signal line (4) for transmitting a status signal from said printer to said processor, but no data signal line for transmitting a data signal from said printer to said processor, said printer characterized by comprising: means (6) storing the data of the characteristics of said printer; means (7) for decoding a read printer characteristics data command signal from said processor (2); and means (8) for setting said status signal line (4) in a printer characteristics data transmitting mode in response to said read printer characteristics data command signal to transmit said stored printer characteristics data to said processor through said status signal line (4).

Claim 3

A printer as described in Claim 1, wherein: said data of the characteristics of said printer include the type, functions, and capacities of said printer.

Claim 4

A data processing system wherein a printer (1) is connected to a processor (2) by an interface (3) having a status signal line for transmitting a status signal from said printer to said processor, but no data signal line for transmitting a data signal from said printer to said processor, incorporating a printer characteristics identifying system characterized by comprising: means (9) provided in said processor (2) for storing a program for inquiring the data of the characteristics of any connected printer; means (6) provided in said printer (1) for storing said printer characteristics data; means (14, 5) provided in said processor (2) for executing said program and transmitting a read printer characteristics data command signal to said printer (1); means (8, 10) for setting said printer and said processor in the read printer characteristics data mode in response to said read printer characteristics data command signal; means (8, 7) provided in said printer for reading out said printer characteristics data from said storing means (6) and transmitting said data to said processor through said status signal line (4) in said read printer characteristics data mode; and means (11, 12) provided in said processor (2) for storing said transmitted printer characteristics data in said processor.

Claim 5

A data processing system wherein a printer (1) is connected to a processor (2) by an interface (3) having a status signal line for transmitting a status signal from said printer to said processor, but no data signal line for transmitting a data signal from said printer to said processor, incorporating a printer characteristics identifying system characterized by comprising: means (9) provided in said processor (2) for storing a program for inquiring the data of the characteristics of any connected printer; means (6) provided in said printer (1) for storing said printer characteristics data; means (14, 5) provided in said processor (2) for executing said program and transmitting a read printer characteristics data command signal to said printer (1); means (8, 10) for setting said printer and said processor in the read printer characteristics data mode in response to said read printer characteristics data command signal; means (8, 7) provided in said printer for reading out said printer characteristics data from said storing means (6) and transmitting said data to said processor through said status signal line (4) in said read printer characteristics data mode; and means (11, 12) provided in said processor (2) for storing said transmitted printer characteristics data in said processor.

Claim 6

A printer characteristics identifying system as described in Claim 3 wherein: said setting means (8, 10) sets the signal decoding protocol of said processor (2) for said status signal line (4) in the printer character­istics identifying mode and sets said printer (1) in the printer characteristics data transmitting mode.

Claim 7

A printer characteristics identifying system as described in Claim 3 or 4, wherein: a read only memory cartridge having said means (6) for storing said printer characteristics data as a read only memory is removably connected to said printer (1).

Claim 8

A printer characteristics identifying system as described in any of Claims 3-5 , which is incorporated in a network system wherein a plurality of processors (2, 2′) are interconnected, one or more of which are respectively connected with one or more printers and stored with the characteristics data of said one or more printers, and a particular processor (2′) inquires sequentially or simultaneously said printer characteristics data stored in other processors until the printer characteristics data desired by said particular processor coincide with the characteristics data stored in one of said other processors, and said printer of said processor storing said coincided printer characteristics data prints out the data from said particular processor.

Claim 9

A process performed in a system wherein a printer is connected to a processor by an interface having a status signal line for transmitting a status signal from said printer to said processor, but no data signal line for transmitting a data signal from said printer to said processor, said process for identifying the characteristics of said printer to said processor comprising the steps of: generating a read printer characteristics data command signal from said processor to said printer; setting said processor and said printer in the read printer characteristics data mode in response to said read printer character­istics data command signal; transmitting said printer characteristics data from said printer to said processor through said status signal line in said read printer characteristics data mode; and storing said transmitted printer characteristics data in said processor for subsequently controlling said printer.

Claim 10

A process performed in a system wherein a printer is connected to a processor by an interface having a status signal line for transmitting a status signal from said printer to said processor, but no data signal line for transmitting a data signal from said printer to said processor, said process for identifying the characteristics of said printer to said processor comprising the steps of: generating a read printer characteristics data command signal from said processor to said printer; setting said processor and said printer in the read printer characteristics data mode in response to said read printer character­istics data command signal; transmitting said printer characteristics data from said printer to said processor through said status signal line in said read printer characteristics data mode; and storing said transmitted printer characteristics data in said processor for subsequently controlling said printer.

Claim 11

A printer (1) which is to be connected to a processor by an interface (3) having a status signal line (4) for transmitting a status signal from said printer to said processor, but no data signal line for transmitting a data signal from said printer to said processor, said printer characterized by comprising: means (6) for storing data consisting of words or characters comprising a plurality of bits; means (7) for decoding a read data command signal; and means (8) for setting said status signal line (4) in a data trans­mitting mode to transmit said stored data words or characters to said processor through said status signal line in response to said read data command signal.

Claim 12

A printer (1) which is to be connected to a processor by an interface (3) having a status signal line (4) for transmitting a status signal from said printer to said processor, but no data signal line for transmitting a data signal from said printer to said processor, said printer characterized by comprising: means (6) for storing data consisting of words or characters comprising a plurality of bits; means (7) for decoding a read data command signal; and means (8) for setting said status signal line (4) in a data trans­mitting mode to transmit said stored data words or characters to said processor through said status signal line in response to said read data command signal.

Claim 13

A printer as described in Claim 8, wherein: a plurality of status signal lines (4) are provided through which the statuses having contents independent from each other are transmitted respectively with one bit, and in said data transmitting mode, said stored data words or characters consisting of a plurality of bits are transmitted in parallel.