Printing apparatus with mode selection

A printing apparatus for printing characters by entering printing information including at least a control code and character codes, converting the control code by one of a plurality of emulation modes corresponding to the control code, and printing characters corresponding to the character codes according to the converted control code, comprising:

• emulation mode memory means for storing a plurality of emulation modes and a plurality of judgment data, the emulation modes and the judgment data corresponding to each other, the judgment data being for a judging operation which judges whether the control code is compatible with a one of the plurality of emulation modes;
• priority order input means for operator input of a priority of the plurality of emulation modes stored in said emulation mode memory means;
• control code detection means for detecting the control code from the entered printing information;
• emulation mode selection means for selecting one of the emulation modes which corresponds to the control code, according to a result of the judging operation which judges whether the control code detected by said control code detection means is compatible with one of the emulation modes stored in said emulation mode memory means and according to the priority set by said priority order input means;
• and
• emulation mode execution means for converting the control code of the entered printing information into a control code peculiar to the printing apparatus according to the emulation mode selected by said emulation mode selection means.

A printing apparatus, comprising:

• input means for inputting at least one control code and character codes;
• control code detection means for detecting the inputted control code from the character codes;
• emulation mode internal memory means built into the printing apparatus for storing an internal execution unit and an internal judgment unit, the internal execution unit storing an emulation mode, the internal judgment unit storing judgment data corresponding to the emulation mode stored in the internal execution unit and executing a judging operation which judges whether the control code detected by said control code detection means is compatible with the emulation mode stored in the internal execution unit according to the judgment data;
• emulation mode external memory means, structured to be freely inserted into and removed from the printing apparatus, for storing an external execution unit and an external judgment unit, the external execution unit storing an emulation mode different from the stored in the internal execution unit, the external judgment unit storing judgment data corresponding to the emulation mode stored in the external execution unit and executing a judging operation which judges whether the control code detected by said control code detection means is compatible with the emulation mode stored in the external execution unit according to the judgment data;
• priority order setting means for setting a priority of a plurality of emulation modes stored in both said emulation mode internal memory means and said emulation mode external memory means;
• emulation mode selection means for selecting one of the emulation modes which corresponds to the control code, based on a result of the judging operation in one of the internal judgment unit and the external judgment unit when said emulation mode external memory means is inserted, and according to the priority set by said priority order setting means;
• and
• emulation mode execution means for converting the control code of the entered printing information into a control code peculiar to the printing apparatus according to the emulation mode selected by said emulation mode selection means.

A method for use with a printer for converting a control code for printing by an emulation mode, comprising the steps of:

• inserting an emulation mode external memory means into a printer, the emulation mode external memory means containing at least one emulation mode executing unit and associated judgment unit storing judgment data corresponding to the emulation mode;
• creating a table containing address data for the at least one emulation mode executing unit and associated judgment unit in the emulation mode external memory means and at least one emulation mode executing unit and associated judgment unit in an emulation mode internal memory means internal to the printer;
• establishing by an operator a priority for each of the emulation mode executing units and associated judgment units;
• inputting printing data with an associated control code;
• determining whether the control code of the input printing data is compatible with one of the emulation modes in emulation mode executing units of both the emulation mode external memory means and the emulation mode internal memory means according to the judgment data stored in judgment units of both the emulation mode external memory means and the emulation mode internal memory means and according to the established priority;
• and
• activating the emulation mode executing unit of the emulation mode compatible with the control code of the input printing data to initiate printing.