Abstract: A printer for reporting a printer error state to a user using sound, a control method for the printer, and a data storage medium storing the control method as a computer-readable program use a printing unit (print head 208) that prints text or graphics, a detector (cover open sensor 251, no-paper sensor 252, temperature sensor 253) that detects specific printer error states, and settings memory (RAM 204) that stores a setting determining whether errors are reported using sound. A sound generator (buzzer 231) emits sound when a particular error state is detected by the detector and a setting instructing acoustic error state reports is stored in the settings memory (RAM 204).

Abstract: According to the present invention, a printer apparatus connected to a host computer, in such a manner that permits bidirectional communication, has a nonvolatile memory that allows its contents to be rewritten and read from the host computer. Allocated to the nonvolatile memory is an area for retaining a plurality of types of information for identifying the printer apparatus. Each piece of information comprises a key for identifying the type of information and a terminator indicating the end of the information. Thus, efficiently storing a plurality of pieces of information regarding the printer apparatus in the nonvolatile memory permits flexible change or addition of information.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a medium on which the control method is stored, enable selection of a resume operation to be performed when the printing apparatus resumes operation following an off-line state. The resume operation to be performed after an off-line state is determined by a command received from a host device according to the cause for the off-line state. The resume operation thus determined is performed when the printing apparatus goes on-line again following the off-line state. A marker indicating a particular location in a continuous data stream can be set. If the marker is placed at the beginning of a particular data stream, printing can be resumed from the beginning of the data stream after recovery from an off-line state. By also storing various printer definitions (settings) when a marker is set, the printing apparatus can also be restored to the printer definitions in use when the printer went off-line.

Abstract: While eliminating the need for a dedicated on-line selector switch, a printing apparatus and control method is provided to improve the processes required to replenish consumable printing materials consumed during the printing operation. Using a transport mechanism for transporting the print medium and a printing mechanism for printing to the print medium, the printing apparatus accomplishes the printing process based on data received from a host device, selectively switches between an on-line state and an off-line state and notifies the host device of the currently selected state. The printing apparatus further comprises sensors for detecting the presence of consumable products, including roll paper and ink, that are consumed by the printing process, a switch with two functional settings, and a control device.