JPH05212917A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a printer having a function of properly managing a large amount of printing data or the like registered and stored. CONSTITUTION:When an occupying ratio of printing data or the like in a memory exceeds a predetermined amount alpha (1), data having the oldest history of use is compressed and stored in an unused area (2). When the data stored in a compressed state is to be used, the compressed data is expanded to be made available (4). On the other hand, when the overflow of the memory storing the data occurs, an empty area is ensured in the memory by erasing a part of data having the oldest history of use other than attribute information, and the content of the attribute information of the erased data is indicated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer having a data management function of registered and saved print data and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, as a method of using a printer, there is a method of printing using an external character or a download font. That is, print data such as external characters or downloaded fonts is registered in the memory area of the printer in advance, and the registered data is used when printing.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a general usage state of a memory area used in a printer. That is, the system area 17a is a work area for performing parameters and numerical calculations for the operation of the program. The bit map area 17b is an area for editing video data, and normally, an area that can hold an image of one page of recording paper is necessary. The image data area 17d is an area for temporarily holding these bit images when a raster image or the like read by a scanner or the like is printed by the printer.

The font download area 17c is an area for storing registered font data.
In other words, when the user wants to use a font other than the font data prepared by the printer (this data may be built in the printer in advance or may be added later), the host computer This area is provided for sending the corresponding font data from the computer and registering it so that it can be used. Further, in order to execute a so-called macro function that performs a series of processing by combining a plurality of control commands, a macro data area 17e is also required as an area for registering the macro function.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned font download data and macro data are stored in the memory of the controller built in the printer unless the registered data is canceled or reset by the user. It is supposed to be saved. Therefore, when a large number of downloaded fonts are registered by multiple users, there is a great possibility that memory overflow will occur.
That is, the progress speed of the memory pressure is increased, and there is a possibility that there is no room for new data registration.

For this reason, conventionally, a method of temporarily transferring data to an external storage device by virtual storage or compressing and saving downloaded data and the like has been used. For example, JP-A-61-264
A method of compressing and storing a character pattern in 377 is a method of collectively managing data having the same meaning in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-275789, and a method of compressing data when the memory usage rate increases. Is disclosed.

However, in the method of temporarily transferring the data to the external storage device by the virtual memory, it is necessary to frequently save and restore the data, and the method of compressing and saving the data Requires the work of expanding the compressed data one by one. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer having a function of appropriately managing a large amount of registered printing data and the like for printing.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a printer stores a memory for storing various data including print data, and data stored in the memory for each user. Data registration management means for registering and managing as a data block, data usage history storage means for storing usage history of registered data, data occupancy monitoring means for observing data occupancy in the memory,
A data compression / decompression unit that compresses registered data and decompresses the compressed data is provided, but when the data occupancy rate in the memory exceeds a predetermined amount, compression of the data with the oldest usage history is started. And a data compression start / storing means for storing the compressed data in an unused area of the memory, and a data decompression starting means for starting decompression of the compressed data when the stored compressed data is used. It has a feature.

Further, according to the present invention, when the printer overflows the memory for storing various data including print data, the data other than the attribute information of the oldest usage history data is erased to free the memory area. And a data attribute information display unit for displaying the content of the attribute information of the erased data.

[0010]

According to the above structure, the printer is provided with a memory for storing print data such as downloaded font data and macro data, and other data. These data are used by the data registration management means. Registered and stored as individual data blocks and managed. The use history of the data is stored by the data use history storage means.

Then, when the data occupancy monitoring means confirms that the registered amount of data has increased and the occupancy in the memory has exceeded a preset predetermined amount,
The data compression / decompression means compresses the data with the oldest usage history stored at that time by the data usage history storage means. In this case, the data compression start / storing means gives an instruction to start data compression, and the compressed data is stored in an unused area of the memory.

On the other hand, when the stored compressed data is used, the data decompression start means instructs the decompression of the compressed data, the data compression / decompression means decompresses the data, and the data is reused. It is made possible. Further, when the memory storing the data overflows, in order to secure a free area in the memory, a portion other than the attribute information of the oldest usage history data stored by the data usage history storage means is stored. , Erased by the data erasing means. Then, the attribute information display means displays the content of the attribute information about the erased data.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a printer according to the present invention. The printer 1 is a laser beam printer for performing electrophotographic recording using a laser beam, and a photoconductor drum for developing an image, a developing device, an exposure laser optical system, and a laser optical system for exposure, which will be described later. Each device (not shown) such as a controller for processing the image data to be processed is housed. Further, as shown in the figure, an operation panel 2 is provided on the front surface of the main body, an automatic paper feeding unit 3 for recording paper is provided on the lower part of the front surface of the main body, and a discharged recording paper is provided on the upper surface of the main body. Output tray 4
Are installed respectively.

The printer 1 is connected to a host computer and prints on a recording sheet according to the print data and control code sent from the host computer. When printing of one recording sheet is completed, the recording sheet is fed from the automatic sheet feeding unit 3 and printing is continued. Then, regarding the recording paper on which the printing was performed,
The paper is discharged and accumulated on the paper discharge tray 4.

FIG. 2A is a front external view showing the operation panel 2, and FIG. 2B is a modification thereof. (A)
On the panel surface indicated by, a reset key 21 for initializing the controller for controlling the printer 1, a form feed key 22 for discharging the stored image data, and a form feed key 22 sent from the host computer. Online key 23 to stop incoming data
, And a 7-segment LED 24 for displaying the operating status of the printer 1 as a code. Further, on the upper surface of the online key 23, the display LED 230
Is provided. The display LED 230 is turned off when data reception is stopped.

On the other hand, on the panel surface shown in (b), a liquid crystal display plate 25 for displaying the operating environment or setting contents of the printer 1, and a user for displaying the setting contents for each user on the liquid crystal display plate 25. A switching key 26, a menu switching key 27 for displaying setting items on the liquid crystal display plate 25, parameter setting keys 28, 29 for changing the setting value of each setting item, and discharging of stored image data. Form feed key 30 to
There are seven keys, a memory status display key 31 for displaying the usage status of the memory storing the set print data and an online key 32 for stopping the reception data sent from the host computer. It is provided.

Further, a display LED 320 is provided on the upper surface of the online key 32. This display LED 32
Regarding 0, the light is turned off when the data reception is stopped. Further, when the memory is full and the stored print data is erased, a warning is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 25. When the status display key 31 is turned on, the attribute information of the erased print data is displayed on the liquid crystal display plate 25. Note that such a function is unique to the printer 1 according to the present invention, and its details will be described later.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the printer 1 according to the present invention. The printer 1 can be connected to a plurality of host computers via a host interface (in the figure, 4 of A, B, C, and D).
One host computer is a host interface 15
a), 15b, 15c, and 15d are shown), and image data transmitted from each of the host computers A to D can be distinguished and processed. .. The received image data is processed by the controller 10 and sent as video data to the printer engine controller 100.
Then, the printer engine control unit 100 drives a printer engine (not shown), so that the print output is performed on the recording paper.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller 10 in the printer 1. The controller 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 11 including a micro computer that controls the entire operation of the controller 10, a program ROM 12 that stores a processing program, and an operation panel 2.
For controlling the RAM 17, which is used as a bitmap memory, stores a variety of data described below, a font ROM 18 in which font data is written, and a RAM 17 and a font ROM 18. Memory controller 1
4, the host interfaces 15a to 15d, which are external interfaces for connecting the host computers A to D as external devices, and the printer engine interface for connecting the printer engine control unit 100 for controlling the electrophotographic process. 16 and 16.

Here, the memory controller 14 operates from the host computers A to D to the host interface 15.
When image data is input through a to 15d, the image data is drawn in the bitmap area in the RAM 17 based on this data. Note that image data drawing includes graphic drawing such as lines and circles, and font drawing performed by reading font data from the font ROM 18 or RAM 17.

Further, the memory controller 14 responds to the print start code sent from the host computers A to D in the printing operation, in accordance with the synchronizing signal from the printer engine control unit 100, in the bitmap area. Image data from the
Output to the printer engine control unit 100. In the print engine control unit 100, the automatic paper feeding unit 3 is operated by a known electrophotographic process in which the laser light source blinks in response to the input image data to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. A control is performed to form an image of a predetermined image size with a margin around the recording paper supplied from the printer.

With respect to the font data in the font ROM 18, pattern font data that represents the shapes of characters and symbols as dot patterns as shown in the image, outline font (vector font) data that represents only the outline of characters, and data length reduction. There is code font data composed of compressed font data and the like. When the outline font data is used for printing, it becomes possible to easily form an image including high-quality deformed characters and enlarged characters. Also,
When a font other than the font data in the font ROM 18 is required for printing, the necessary font data consisting of pattern font data or code font data is downloaded from the host computers A to D to the RAM 17. Become. As described above, when printing is performed, various data such as image data and font data are placed and occupied in the area of the RAM 17.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a utilization state of the memory area used in the printer 1 according to the present invention.
The usage state is shown for the areas excluding the system area 17a and the bitmap area 17b in the area configuration of the RAM 17 shown in the conventional example. Now suppose
If the printer 1 is used by four users A, B, C, and D, each user will register individual print data. In view of this, in the present invention, semantically cohesive data (eg, 1 download data, 1 macro data, etc.) is placed on 1 block (hereinafter referred to as 1 block data), and the position of such block is set as a pointer. We have a management method to confirm it.

Specifically, a pointer table is provided in a part of the memory area, and pointers P (A), P (B), P (C), and P (D) assigned to each user are prepared therein. To do. Further, the one-block data registered by each user is sequentially arranged in the memory area for each registration. In the figure, the one-block data registered by the user A is shown as an oblique line, the one-block data registered by the user B is shown as a vertical line, and the one-block data registered by the user C is shown as a horizontal line. There is. Then, for one block data registered by each user, the position on the memory area is changed to the pointer P.
Since (A), P (B), P (C), and P (D) are shown as arrows, it is easy to manage one block data for each user.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of data stored as one block data. First, in order to determine the type content of 1-block data placed in the memory area, the header information placed at the beginning of the data is used. That is, as shown in the figure, at the head portion of one block in which data is stored, an entire information storage area 17 for storing information of the entire block and an attribute information storage area for storing attribute information of the data are stored. Area 17
And a position information storage area 17 for storing the position information of the data section 17 are provided, and each header information is stored in each area to form a header section,
After that, the print data is stored in the data section 17.

Here, in the overall information storage area 17,
[1] Data type (bitmap data, font data, raster image data, macro data, etc.),
[2] Overall block size, [3] Attribute information storage area 17, position information storage area 17, data section 17
Is the top address of each assigned area, [4] data storage method (normal storage method, compressed storage method or deletion of stored data), [5] address placed when compressed, [6] compressed The amount of data, [7] data usage history, and other information necessary for managing the entire data are collected.

[1] The information about the type of data is used when searching the stored data, and [2] the information about the size of the entire block and [3] the attribute information storage area 17 and the position information storage area. 17, data section 1
The information on the top address of each area to which 7 is assigned is used when accessing the data.
In addition, [4] data storage method, [5] address to be placed when compressed, [6] amount of compressed data,
[7] The usage history of data will be described later.

On the other hand, some data require attribute information. For example, for font data,
It is managed by attributes such as a type name, font points, proportional, and mono pace, but since this information is stored in the attribute information storage area 17, it can be used as needed. When searching for data in one block (for example, when reading data for one character),
Since the position information storage area 17 is provided with a pointer indicating the position of the data, it is possible to search by such a pointer.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the user pointer table. As shown in the figure, pointers P (A), P (B), P (C), and P (D) are prepared in the pointer table for the areas allocated for each user. As for each pointer P, four pointers of a bitmap area pointer, a font pointer, a raster image pointer, and a macro pointer are prepared. Therefore, the search can be performed by selecting the target pointer according to the type of data to be searched.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of stored data in the memory area. First, as shown by (1), print data (shown as a shaded area as one block data) is gradually placed in the memory area. When the amount of empty area (the area not shaded in the figure) becomes smaller than a predetermined value α, as shown in (2), the oldest data in the memory area ((1) Block data shown by hatching from the upper left to the lower right in the figure) is compressed and moved to the empty area. In this case, the compressed data is moved to the lower part of the empty area so as not to complicate the processing due to the mixture of the compressed data and the uncompressed data. That is, the upper and lower addresses are separated in the memory area.

Subsequently, as shown in (3), the vacant data area is filled, and a continuous vacant empty area is secured. Note that this work does not have to be performed at this point in time, and can be performed at an appropriate time. On the other hand, when compressed data is needed,
As indicated by (4), the compressed data is decompressed to return to the state before the compression, and the decompressed data is moved to the upper portion of the empty area. By this operation, the restored data again falls below the specified value α of the empty area amount, but since the restored data is the most recently accessed data, it is not processed yet again for the compression processing. The oldest of the data is the target and is not compressed.

Note that only the data portion in the block shown in FIG. 7 is compressed, and the header portion remains in the memory as it is. Although the header part is omitted in the drawing, this header part is put together in the same block when the data part is compressed and expanded. On the other hand, even if the data is compressed in order, if the memory is saturated, normal processing cannot be performed. In such a case, the oldest data is deleted in order. Specifically, the data part and the position information of the data part are deleted. On the other hand, the entire block information and the data attribute information in the header section are not erased but remain. In addition, the data storage method in the entire block information is “erasure”, and the compressed data amount is 0.
Becomes

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of memory management, which is a process for accessing stored data. That is, when the data stored in the memory is read (Yes in S1), the data read process is performed (S2), and when the data is registered (Yes in S3), Data registration processing is performed (S4). Further, after finishing those processes, a memory monitoring process for monitoring the amount of memory used is performed (S5).

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the processing for reading the stored data from the memory.
Since all the stored data are managed by the pointer table, first, after searching the corresponding pointer table, the address of the target data is found from the header information of the stored data (S11).
Subsequently, similarly, it is determined whether the data is compressed by the header information (S12). Here, if the data is compressed (Yes in S12)
In the case of s), it is further determined by the whole information in the header information whether or not the original data amount can be secured in the memory area, that is, whether or not the compressed data can be decompressed and restored. It is performed (S13). If the original amount of data can be secured (Yes in S13), the compressed data is decompressed and restored, and moved to a predetermined position in the memory area (S1).
4). Subsequently, in this state, the data read processing is performed (S15), and the data usage history is updated (S16). If the data is not compressed (No in S12), the data is read as it is and the processes of S15 to S16 are performed.

On the other hand, when the original amount of data cannot be secured in the memory area (No in S13), first, in order to compress the uncompressed data so that the memory area can be used, compression is first performed. The presence / absence of data that has not been recorded is confirmed (S17). If there is uncompressed data (Yes in S17), the oldest data in the usage history is searched for using the entire information in the header information (S18), and the searched data is further searched. Is compressed, and it is moved to a predetermined position in the memory area (S19). Further, the compression information is registered in the header (S20), and the data may not be arranged consecutively, so the data rearrangement process is performed (S21). When this state is reached, it is confirmed whether or not the original amount of data can be secured in the memory area (S22), and if it cannot be secured (No in S22), the process returns to S17, and the same process is performed until secured. Repeated. If it can be secured (S
If Yes in 22), the processing of S14 and thereafter is performed. If there is no uncompressed data (No in S17), the data cannot be restored, and error processing is performed to display "error status" on the display on the operation panel (S23). ..

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the processing when new data is registered. Since a continuous empty area is required to register a block of data, it is first determined whether or not a continuous empty area can be secured (S31). Then, if continuous empty areas can be secured (Yes in S31), data is stored in the empty areas (S3).
2) The header information is created (S33) and registered in the pointer table (S34).

On the other hand, when the continuous empty area cannot be secured (No in S31), the registered data is rearranged so as to be continuous (S35), and it is determined whether the continuous empty area can be secured. Is performed again (S3
6). If it can be secured (Yes in S36)
In the case of), the processing from S32 onward is performed. If continuous empty areas cannot be secured (No in S36), S17 to S23 shown in FIG.
The same process as the process is performed. That is, it is confirmed whether or not there is uncompressed data (S37), and when there is uncompressed data (Yes in S37).
Is searched for the oldest usage history data (S3
8) Further, the searched data is compressed and moved to a predetermined position in the memory area (S3).
9). Also, compression information is registered in the header (S4
0), followed by data rearrangement processing (S4).
1). When this state is reached, it is again judged whether or not continuous free areas can be secured (S42), and if it cannot be secured (No in S42), the process returns to S37 and the same processing is repeated until securement is possible. . If it can be secured (Yes in S42), S
The processing of 32-S34 is performed. If there is no uncompressed data (No in S37), it is not possible to register the data, so error processing is also performed to display "error status" on the display on the operation panel ( S43).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the memory monitoring process. First, the available remaining amount in the memory area (RAM) is obtained (S51), and it is determined whether the remaining amount is less than a predetermined value α (S51).
52). When the remaining amount is less than α (Y in S52
In the case of es), it is confirmed whether or not there is uncompressed data (S53), and when there is uncompressed data (in the case of Yes in S53), a search for the oldest usage history data is performed. This is performed (S54), the searched data is further compressed, and the data is moved to a predetermined position in the memory area (S55). Then, the compression information is registered in the header (S56). Further, when the remaining amount is larger than α (No in S52) and when there is no uncompressed data, that is, when all the data has been compressed (No in S53), The area remaining without performing the above processing is used.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing error processing when the memory is insufficient. First, the size of the required area is obtained (S61), and then the oldest data is obtained from the compressed data (or normal data if not compressed) by the header information (S62). Then, the data portion and the data position information in the obtained data are erased (S63). However, the attribute information is not erased but remains. Subsequently, the fact that the data has been erased is registered in the header portion (S64), and the warning flag (Warning) indicating the warning display state is set to 1 (S65. At the time of printer initialization,
Such warning flag is set to 0). Along with this, an "error status" indicating a warning is displayed on the display on the operation panel (S66), and it is further checked whether or not the necessary area has been secured by deleting the data (S67). Therefore, if it has not been secured (No in S67), the processes of S62 to S67 are repeated. In addition, if it can be secured (S
In the case of Yes in 67), the above series of error processing is ended.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing in the operation unit. When the above-mentioned warning flag is 1 (Yes in S71), it is checked whether or not the status key on the operation panel is pressed (S72), and when it is pressed (Yes in S72).
In the case of), the attribute information of the erased data is displayed on the display (S73). And the warning flag is 0
(S74). If no warning is given (No in S71) or the status key is not pressed (No in S72), normal display processing on the display is performed (S7).
5).

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, various data including print data stored in the memory unit of the printer is managed as a data block for each user.
When the data occupancy rate in the memory becomes large, the data with old usage history is compressed and stored. Therefore, even when the printer is used by multiple users, the progress of memory pressure can be effectively alleviated.

Further, the data compressed and stored in the memory unit can be decompressed and reused as needed, which greatly improves usability. Also,
Even if the memory part eventually overflows, the oldest data in the usage history will be erased and the empty area can be secured again in the memory part, so the printer will be stopped and registered first. It eliminates the need to erase data and secure a free area.

Further, the attribute information such as the erased print data is not erased but is stored, and the content of the attribute information is displayed so that it can be confirmed. Therefore, it is possible to completely prevent the problem that the registered data is completely erased without knowing it and cannot be used again. Therefore, as long as the printer according to the present invention is used, the registered data is properly managed even for use by multiple users, so that the user can use the printer with confidence without causing confusion. can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a front external view showing an operation panel of the printer, and FIG. 2B is a modification thereof.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a controller in the printer.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a general usage state of a memory area used in a printer.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a usage state of a memory area used in the printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of data stored as one block data.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a user pointer table.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a flow of stored data in a memory area.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of memory management, which is a process for accessing stored data.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process for reading stored data from a memory.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process for newly registering data.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a memory monitoring process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing error processing when the memory is insufficient.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process in the operation unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Laser Printer 10 Controller 11 CPU 14 Memory Controller 12 ROM 17 RAM 18 Font ROM

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A memory for storing various data including print data, and data stored in the memory,
Data registration management means for registering and managing as a data block for each user, data usage history storage means for storing usage history of registered data, and data occupancy monitoring means for observing data occupancy in the memory, A data compression / decompression unit that compresses registered data and decompresses the compressed data is provided, and when the data occupancy rate in the memory exceeds a predetermined amount, compression of the data with the oldest usage history is started. And a data compression start / storing means for storing the compressed data in an unused area of the memory, and a data decompression starting means for starting decompression of the compressed data when the stored compressed data is used. Characteristic printer. 2. A data erasing means for erasing a portion other than the attribute information of the oldest usage history data to secure an empty area of the memory when a memory storing various data including print data overflows. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising data attribute information display means for displaying the content of the attribute information of the erased data. 3. When the data occupancy rate in the memory exceeds a predetermined amount, the data with the oldest usage history is compressed and saved in an unused area of the memory, and the saved compressed data is used. In this case, the compressed data is decompressed so that it can be used. On the other hand, when the memory that stores the data overflows, the part other than the attribute information of the oldest used data is deleted and the memory 3. The printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an empty area is secured and the content of the attribute information of the erased data is displayed.