JP3123634B2 - Printing apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus which receives print information such as control codes and character codes transmitted from an external device such as a computer and performs printing, and a control method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printing device is one of peripheral devices used by being connected to an external device such as a host computer.
If conditions such as "input data does not come from an external device for a certain period of time" or "panel operation is not performed for a certain period of time" are met, the printer engine or printer engine Some devices automatically cut off the power supply to the control panel and shift to the power saving mode. Then, the printing apparatus that has shifted to the power saving mode cancels the power saving mode when a cancel condition such as “input of data from an external device” or “panel operation” occurs.

In the conventional printing apparatus, the condition for canceling the input of data from the external device is determined by the type (content) of the received data.
Regardless of the power saving mode.

[0004]

However, the data transmitted from the external device to the printing device includes not only print data for actually performing a printing operation, but also a status response command for inquiring the status of the printing device and a printing device. Some data, such as font data to be downloaded, are not printed, leaving room for improvement. That is, when the printing apparatus is in the power saving mode, even when data without such a printing operation is received,
In the conventional printing apparatus, since the power saving mode is canceled and the power supply to the printer engine and the like is restarted, useless power is consumed.

The present invention has been made in view of this point, and provides a printing apparatus and a control method therefor which can appropriately set conditions for canceling a power saving mode and further reduce power consumption. The purpose is to do.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing apparatus which performs a printing operation in accordance with input data from an external device, to a power saving mode for saving power consumption of the printing apparatus. Transfer condition determining means for determining a transfer condition of the power saving mode; release condition determining means for determining a release condition for releasing the power saving mode; and when the transfer condition is satisfied, the printing apparatus is shifted to the power saving mode. the release conditions are satisfied is provided and a mode control means for releasing the power saving mode, the cancellation condition determination means determines that the input data is determined whether or not the predetermined data does not require the printing operation Means, the discriminator
The step determines that the input data is the predetermined data.
If separated, the mode control means may control the power consumption.
The saving mode is not canceled .

Further, the present invention achieves the same object,
In a control method for a printing apparatus that performs a printing operation in accordance with input data from an external apparatus , a shift for determining a shift condition to a power saving mode for saving power consumption of the printing apparatus.
A condition determining step, a release condition determining step of determining a release condition for releasing the power saving mode, and when the shift condition is satisfied, the printing apparatus is shifted to the power saving mode. A mode control step of releasing the power consumption saving mode, wherein the release condition determining step is performed.
It may determine whether the input data in the power saving mode is a predetermined data that does not require the printing operation
A discriminating step in which the input data is
If it is determined that the data is the predetermined data, the mode
In the power control step, the power saving mode is not released.

The predetermined data includes a status response command for inquiring various information of the printing apparatus, a control code for performing flow control of an interface of the printing apparatus, download font data to be registered in the printing apparatus, Desirably, it is at least one of overlay print data registered in the device, macro data registered in the printing device, and a display unit control command of the printing device.

[0009]

A transition condition to a power saving mode for saving power consumption of the printing apparatus and a release condition for canceling the power saving mode are determined. When the transition condition is satisfied, the printing apparatus operates in the power saving mode. When the release condition is satisfied, the power consumption mode is released, and when the input data in the power consumption mode is predetermined data that does not require a printing operation, the power consumption mode is not released. .

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, in the case of a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as "LBP").

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes and the like), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer, and A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created according to the information, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper.
Reference numeral 1012 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation, LEDs, a display, and the like are arranged, and 1001 denotes an LBP main body 1
This is a printer control unit that controls the entire 000 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to a laser driver 1002. Laser driver 100
Reference numeral 2 denotes a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and the semiconductor laser 1003 is driven in accordance with an input video signal.
3 is turned on / off. The laser beam 1004 is oscillated in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 1005 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is stored in a developing unit 100 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1006.
After being developed by 7, the image is transferred to recording paper. This recording paper uses a cut sheet, and the cut sheet recording paper is LB
The sheet is stored in a sheet cassette 1008 inserted in the P1000, is taken into the apparatus by a sheet feeding roller 1009, a conveying roller 1010, and a conveying roller 1011 and is supplied to the electrostatic drum 1006.

FIG. 2 shows the LBP (printer) 1000
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system including a printer and a host computer 3000.

Referring to FIG. 1, a host computer 300
0 is a C for executing document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3.
The CPU 1 has a PU 1 and controls each device connected to the system bus 4 as a whole.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
Stores a control program of the CPU 1 and the like.
The font ROM stores font data and the like used in the document processing, and the data ROM of the ROM 3 stores various data used in the document processing and the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 1. 5 is a keyboard controller (KB
In C), key input from the keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown) is controlled. Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC) which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 10. 7 is a memory controller (MC)
It controls access to an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edited files, and the like. Reference numeral 8 denotes a printer controller (PRTC) which controls the printer 10 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21.
00, and executes communication control processing with the printer 1000. The CPU 1 executes, for example, a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, and outputs the W on the CRT 10.
YSIWYG is possible. Further, the CPU 1
Various registered windows are opened based on a command specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the RT 10,
Perform various data processing.

In the printer 1000, the control unit 1001 comprises a printer CPU 12, a ROM 13, a RAM
19, an input unit 18, a printing unit interface 16, a memory controller (MC) 20, and a system bus 15. The printer CPU 12 comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program or the like stored in a program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program or the like stored in an external memory 14, An image signal as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via a printing unit interface 16. The program ROM of the ROM 13 stores a control program of the CPU 12 as shown in a flowchart of FIG. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information,
In the case of a printer without the external memory 14 such as a hard disk, the data ROM of the M13 stores information used on the host computer 3000 and the like. CP
U12 is connected to the host computer 300 via the input unit 18.
0, and can notify the host computer 3000 of information and the like in the printer. The RAM 19 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown). Note that the RAM 19 is used as a drawing memory for storing print data in bitmap development and storage, an environment data storage area, and other work areas. The external memory 14 has a hard disk (H
D), an IC card, etc., and a memory controller (M
C) Access is controlled by 20. External memory 14
Is connected as an option and stores font data, emulation programs, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 1012 denotes the above-described operation unit, in which switches, LEDs, indicators, and the like for the user to operate are arranged.

The above-mentioned external memory is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different language systems are provided. It may be configured to be connectable. Further, an NVRAM (non-volatile RAM) not shown may be provided to store the printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1012.

The processing operation of the control unit 1001 of the printer 1000 in the printing system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 shows the control unit 1 for explaining the operation.
001 is shown as a functional block diagram, in which an output unit 33 and a power saving mode control unit 3 are shown.
4 is constituted by the printing unit interface 16, and a part of the power saving mode determining unit 31, the print data analyzing unit 32 and the power saving mode control unit 34 is constituted by the printer CPU 12, the ROM 13, the RAM 19 and the like. The power-saving mode determining unit 31 determines whether to shift to the power-saving mode or cancel the mode, the print data analyzing unit 32 analyzes the print data and generates an output image in a bitmap format, and the output unit 33 generates the output image. ON / OFF control of the laser beam is performed according to the output image. Reference numerals 41 and 42 denote a display and an LED arranged on the operation panel 1012 for displaying various information of the printing apparatus. The power saving mode control unit 34 controls the power saving mode for the printing unit 17, the display 41 and the LED 42. O
N / OFF control is performed. Note that the printing unit 17 includes a fixing device heater that consumes a large amount of power.

Here, the power saving mode determining unit 31 and the power saving mode control unit 34 will be described in more detail.

When the printing apparatus is in the normal mode, the power saving mode judging section 31 detects a transition condition such that there is no input of data accompanying a printing operation from the external apparatus 3000 or panel operation by the user for a certain period of time. When the condition is satisfied, the power saving mode controller 34 is notified to shift to the power saving mode. The power saving mode controller 34 sets the printing unit 17, the display 41, and the LED 42 to the power saving mode. In the power saving mode, the power to the fixing device heater of the printing unit 17 and the display 41,
The energization of the LED 42 is stopped or limited.

In this case, the condition for shifting to the power saving mode is that "input of data accompanying a printing operation has not been performed for a certain period of time" and "panel operation by a user has not been performed for a certain period of time". The transition condition is not limited, and “there is no insertion / removal of the cassette for a certain time”, “no error has occurred”, and the like can be set as the transition condition. Although the printing unit (printer engine), the display unit, and the LED are the target devices in the power consumption saving mode, the present invention is not limited to this, and any device having a mechanism for saving power consumption may be used.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the power saving mode judging section 31 when the printing apparatus is in the power saving mode. First, in step S11, input data from the external device 3000 is stored. External device 300
When data is input from 0, it is determined in step S12 whether the input data is a status response command for asking various information of the printing apparatus 1000, and if it is determined that the input data is a status response command, the power saving mode is canceled. The input data is passed to the print data analysis unit 32 without performing the process (step S14). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S12 that the input data is not the status response command, in step S13 the power saving mode control unit 34
, And returns the printing unit 17, the display unit 41, and the LED 42, which were in the power saving mode, to the normal mode.

In the above-described embodiment, the status response command is input data that does not cancel the power saving mode. However, the status response command may be a control code for performing flow control of the interface. For example, R
XON (0x11) / when using S-232C
This is a control code such as XOFF (0x13).

Further, as input data which does not cancel the power saving mode, download font data registered in the printer, overlay print data registered in the printer, and / or macro data registered in the printer may be employed. Here, the macro data is, for example, printer control command data for enabling a plurality of processes to be executed by one command.

Further, the input data is displayed on the display 41 or the LED 4
In the case of a command for controlling the power consumption control mode 2, the power saving mode may not be canceled. However, in this case, the display 41 and the LED 42 are set according to the contents of the command.
Only release the power saving mode.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the host computer 3000 is in the power saving mode.
When the data input from the printer 1000 to the printer 1000 is predetermined data that does not require a printing operation, that is, a status response command, download font data, or the like,
Since the power saving mode is not canceled, the power consumption can be further reduced as compared with the case where the power saving mode is always canceled when data is input.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be applied to not only a laser printer but also other printers such as an ink jet printer. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, and a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN.

[0028]

As described above in detail, according to the printing apparatus or the control method of the present invention, the power saving mode is canceled.
When the release condition is determined, the input data from the external device
Whether the data is predetermined data that does not require a printing operation
Is determined, and the input data is the predetermined data.
When it is determined that the power saving mode is not canceled, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption as compared with the case where the power saving mode is always canceled when data is input.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of a laser beam printer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system including the printer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating the printer control unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a power saving mode release condition determination procedure.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 Printer CPU (shift condition determination means, release condition determination means, mode control means, determination means ) 13 ROM 16 printing section interface 17 printing section 18 input section 19 RAM 1000 printer (printing apparatus) 1012 operation panel

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-208538 (JP, A) JP-A-7-232469 (JP, A) JP-A-7-156512 (JP, A) JP-A 7-156 195803 (JP, A) JP-A-5-173730 (JP, A) JP-A-6-83353 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 29/38 G06F 3 / 12

Claims (16)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for performing a printing operation in accordance with input data from an external device, a shift condition determining means for determining a shift condition to a power saving mode for saving power consumption of the printing apparatus; Release condition determining means for determining a release condition for releasing the power saving mode; and when the transition condition is satisfied, the printing apparatus is shifted to the power consumption mode. When the release condition is satisfied, the power saving mode is released. and a mode control means, the releasing condition determination means, the input data is determined whether or not the predetermined data does not require the printing operation determination
Means for inputting said input data by said discriminating means.
When it is determined that the data is constant, the mode control
The printing apparatus does not cancel the power saving mode . 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined data is a status response command for asking various information of the printing apparatus. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined data is a control code for performing flow control of an interface of the printing apparatus. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined data is download font data registered in the printing apparatus. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined data is overlay print data registered in the printing apparatus. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined data is macro data registered in the printing apparatus. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined data is a display unit control command of the printing apparatus. 8. The predetermined data includes a status response command for asking various information of the printing apparatus, a control code for performing flow control of an interface of the printing apparatus, download font data registered in the printing apparatus, and the printing. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is at least one of overlay print data registered in the apparatus, macro data registered in the printing apparatus, and a display unit control command of the printing apparatus. 9. A method for controlling a printing apparatus which performs a printing operation in accordance with input data from an external apparatus, comprising : a transition condition determining step of determining a transition condition to a power saving mode for saving power consumption of the printing apparatus. determines cancel conditions for canceling the power consumption saving mode
And cancellation condition determining step, the transition conditions are satisfied is to shift the printing apparatus to the power saving mode, the release conditions are satisfied has a mode control step of releasing the power saving mode, the cancellation condition determination step, determination of the input data is determined whether or not the predetermined data does not require the printing operation
The input data in the determination step is the predetermined
If it is determined that the data is data, the mode control step
Is a method for controlling a printing apparatus , wherein the power saving mode is not canceled. 10. The printing apparatus control method according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined data is a status response command for asking various information of the printing apparatus. 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined data is a control code for performing flow control of an interface of the printing apparatus. 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined data is download font data registered in the printing device. 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined data is overlay print data registered in the printing apparatus. 14. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined data is macro data registered in the printing apparatus.
The control method of the printing apparatus according to the above. 15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined data is a display unit control command of the printing apparatus. 16. The predetermined data includes a status response command for asking various information of the printing apparatus, a control code for performing flow control of an interface of the printing apparatus, download font data to be registered in the printing apparatus, and the printing. The method according to claim 9, wherein the method is at least one of overlay print data to be registered in the device, macro data to be registered in the printing device, and a display unit control command of the printing device.