JPH05224843A - Control method for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable instantaneous print-out by developing data on a bit map and printing them after code conversion with emulation corresponding to respective data. CONSTITUTION:Since received data require corresponding emulation information, the information is stored while being correspondent to data by one-to-one, and reception history is formed by additionally storing a user ID or receiving time and the like as well. By making this printing history to be recognized by a user while using a display device or a method such as table printing or the like, code conversion is executed to data desired by the user corresponding to the order or emulation and by performing access to a character generator(CG) 7 with the code, data are converted to a correspondent character pattern. Then, the converted character pattern is developed on the bit map in a DRAM 6. These bit map data are read again, converted to serial data, transferred through a bus 11 and a video interface to a printer engine 10 and printed out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for controlling a printing apparatus, and more particularly to a method for controlling a printing apparatus with a built-in mass storage medium such as a laser printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a host computer, when a system of a new model is replaced with an old model, an emulation is performed so that the program of the old model can be efficiently executed by the system as it is. ing. Some of these emulations are executed interpretively by software, and some are executed by a combination of hardware and software. Generally, since there are differences in word lengths and configurations of processing devices, conversion is performed by a microprogram and software. By the way, when sending data from the host computer to the printing apparatus to instruct printing, the printing apparatus temporarily holds the data received from the host in the RAM. In that case, the data is bit map information at the time of printing, and it was necessary to convert the data by each emulation before expanding it in the RAM. Further, since the capacity of the RAM built in the printing apparatus is limited, it is difficult to hold a large amount of data for each of a plurality of emulations. Also, in the past,
Interfaces have been used to connect a plurality of printing devices to each other. Even in that case, however, it is not possible to share a large-capacity storage medium in a single printing device and use it in a plurality of printing devices. Was not done. Further, since the reception data from different host computers includes a plurality of code systems, these code systems are converted into one kind of code system (intermediate code). Had to do. In the past, there has not been a printing device that can freely share data among printing devices having an intermediate code system.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional printing apparatus, since the RAM capacity is limited, it is difficult to hold the reception data from the host by a plurality of emulations. Further, even if there is only one printing device having a large-capacity storage device, it is impossible for another printing device to share the storage device. Further, it has been impossible to freely share data among printing apparatuses having an intermediate code system. An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and to perform processing without storing the RAM for each emulation and receiving data from a plurality of hosts at the same time. Further stored data
It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method for a printing device, which allows the printer to be shared by a plurality of printing devices and which can develop a bitmap at high speed.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, a method of controlling a printing apparatus according to the present invention is: (a) In a printing apparatus having a large-capacity storage medium, receiving data and receiving data at the same time. After storing the reception history of the above in the mass storage medium, the reception history is displayed on the user at the time of output, and if the user selects the desired reception data, the selected reception data is displayed. Read from the mass storage medium and
It is characterized in that after code conversion by an emulation corresponding to the data, the code-converted data is developed on a bitmap and printed. The printer (b) stores the data received simultaneously from a plurality of interfaces in the large-capacity storage medium as it is without converting the code, and sequentially receives the received data. Another feature is that the code-converted data is expanded on a bitmap and printed after the code-converted by the emulation corresponding to the data. Further, (c) the printing device is connected to another printing device via the network, and after receiving the reception data in the mass storage medium or immediately after receiving the reception data, the printing device is transmitted via the network. It is also characterized in that the data is transferred to another available printing device, and the transferred printing device performs code conversion, develops on a bitmap, and prints. Furthermore, (d) the printing device temporarily converts the received data into an intermediate code and then stores it in a large-capacity storage medium, or immediately after the conversion, prints another data via the network. The intermediate code data is transferred to the device, or the mass storage medium itself is exchanged between printing devices, and at the time of output, the intermediate code is converted again and expanded on the bitmap. It is also characterized by printing.

[0005]

According to the present invention, (a) a printing apparatus incorporating a large-capacity storage medium (hard disk, magneto-optical disk, flexible disk, etc.) is used to store received data as it is in the storage medium. Which emulation is to be operated is received from the host side and stored, or set by the device itself, and stored in a storage medium together with the above reception data. It also stores necessary data such as reception time and user ID. The user recognizes these reception histories by printing or a display device and selects only the necessary data. Only the data selected in this way will be copied for the first time by the corresponding emulation.
Since the data is converted and expanded on the bit map, the storage capacity can be saved more than when the conversion data is stored in the storage medium.
At the same time, the data can be given priority. (B) The data stored in this way are stored in order from the document which received the end of the page, and the corresponding emulation data.
The code is converted by the application and expanded on the bitmap. Therefore, even if data is received from a plurality of hosts at the same time, the data can be processed and the data can be repeatedly used. (C) The stored data is stored in the temporary storage device, but by connecting to another printing device via a network, this data can be printed by another printing device. It will be possible. Therefore, since the stored data is the data before the code conversion, it can be connected to any printing device, and at the same time, an available printing device can be selected and printed. (D) The received data is converted into a temporary intermediate code. The data once converted into the intermediate code is stored in the storage device, but at the same time, it is printed by another printing device by a method such as data transfer between printing devices or exchange of storage media. Will be possible. If the printing apparatus has an intermediate code system, it can be expanded into a bit map at a higher speed than in the past because the intermediate code is converted.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus to which the control method of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, 1 is a CPU that controls the inside of the printing apparatus, 2 is a ROM that stores a program executed by the CPU 1, 3 is an SRAM that stores data used for the program executed by the CPU 1, 4
Is a hard disk controller or flexible disk controller, 5 is a large-capacity storage medium, 6 is a DRAM for expanding received data on a bit map, and 7 is a character pattern for printing a code on a printer. A character generator (CG) for converting into a character, 8 is an external interface (I / F) for connecting to a host or other printing device via a line, and 9 is a video interface, Reference numeral 10 is a printer engine for printing. CPU1 is a ROM
The program stored in 2 is read and executed. First, the data received by the external interface (for example, Centronics I / F) 8 is not code-converted but is stored in the storage device (SRAM 3 or DRAM 6 as a large-capacity storage medium as it is. 5) is stored. Since code conversion is unnecessary, the host to communicate with is changed, and reception is possible even if the code system is not the same. For example, even hosts manufactured by companies A, B, and C can receive, but in that case, it is necessary to receive by the same interface (for example, Centronics I / F). Since the data received in this way requires the emulation information corresponding to the data, it receives the information from the host side or inputs it from an input device such as an operation panel and the like. Ta and 1
It is stored in association with one to one. Besides this, User I
If D, the reception time, etc. are also stored, the reception history is obtained.

After that, when printing the data, the print history is made to be recognized by the user by a method such as a display device or a list printing, so that the data desired by the user can be selected from these.
The characters are sequentially converted into codes by emulation, and by accessing the character generator (CG) 7 with the codes, the characters are converted into corresponding character patterns, and the converted character patterns are obtained. Are expanded on the bit map in the DRAM 6. The expanded bitmap data is read again, converted into serial data, transferred to the printer engine 10 via the bus 11 and the video interface 9, and printed by the printer. In the code conversion by emulation, the code conversion is performed for each emulation according to the emulation information stored together with the data. This emulation program is stored in a storage device such as SRAM 3 or DRAM 6 or an optional IC card, and is accessed according to an instruction. 2 (a) and 2 (b)
3 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The received data is stored in the mass storage device 5 before code conversion, but the data received simultaneously from a plurality of external interfaces (I / F) 8 is stored in the storage device 5. Areas A, B, C, ... Are stored. When the end of a document or the end code of a page is received from the host, or when it is determined that the reception of data has been completed after a certain period of time, the data of the document is sequentially output. Start deployment. As shown in FIG. 2A, first, when data is received (step 101), it is judged whether or not the data is finished (step 102), and the received data is kept until it is finished. The data is stored in the mass storage device 5 as it is (step 103). When the reception is completed, the print history information is received from the host (step 104). Then, the received print history information is stored in the storage device (SRAM) 3 or the like (step 105). Processing for printing is started in order from the completed document. As shown in FIG. 2B, the print history is first displayed and the user is allowed to select it (step 2001). When the user selects the print document (step 202), the print document is read from the mass storage device 5 and initialized by the corresponding emulation (step 203). Next, the development is started on the bit map area on the DRAM 6 (step 204). When the expansion is completed (step 205), it is judged whether the selected document is completed (step 206). If it has not been completed yet, initialization by the corresponding emulation is performed again (step 203), and data development is started. In this way, when the expansion of the document selected by the user into the bitmap is completed, the processing is completed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a network between printing apparatuses showing an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, 20 is a printing device, 5 is a mass storage device connected to the printing device 20, 21 and 22, 23 are other printing devices, and 25, respectively.
Is a host computer located above each printing device.
The printing device 20 stores the received data in the mass storage device 5 before the code conversion. The printing device 20 communicates with other printing devices 21, 22 and 23 via the external interface 8. It is connected. Therefore, of the data stored in the mass storage device 5, required data can be transmitted to another printing device via the external interface 8. The received data is code-converted based on the emulation information sent together, and then printed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a network between printing devices by intermediate code conversion according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, 20 is a printer, 21 is another printer, 25 is a host computer, 26 is an intermediate code, and 2 is a printer.
Reference numeral 7 is another printing device, and 28 is a mass storage device connected to the printing device 27. In this embodiment, the data received from the host computer 25 is first transferred to the intermediate code 26.
Convert to. Then, the converted data of the intermediate code 26 is stored in the mass storage device 5. The stored data is then transferred to another printing device 21 by transferring it via the inter-printing device network shown in FIG.
The bitmap is developed here and then printed. Alternatively, by exchanging the storage medium itself with another printing device 27, data is transferred to and from the other printing device 27, and the code is again transferred between the printing devices having the intermediate code system. -Printing is performed after performing de-conversion and developing to a bitmap.

As described above, in the present invention, (a) the received data is stored as it is along with the print history such as the type of emulation, the reception time, the user ID, etc. By printing or displaying the print history on the display screen, it is possible to print only the one that the user needs from among these. Therefore, when a large number of documents are transmitted from a plurality of different hosts, it is possible to give priority to printing. Also, if the same interface is used, data that requires different emulations
Even data (data from a host of a different manufacturing company) can be received without emulation, so that the trouble of switching emulation can be saved. (B) Different emulators with the same interface
At the same time that the application data can be received, the data from a plurality of hosts can be printed out at page breaks or document breaks at any time. Therefore, immediately,
When it is necessary to print out, the time can be shortened. (C) By connecting the printing devices to each other via the network, the received data can be transferred to the vacant printing device and printed out there. Also, by transferring the same document to multiple printing devices,
It is also possible to print out the same document at the same time. (D) By temporarily converting the received data into the intermediate code and then storing it in the storage device, the time required for the recode conversion can be shortened. Also, by exchanging storage media and transferring data between printing devices, data can be transferred between printing devices having an intermediate code system, so that bit map expansion can be performed at higher speed. You can

[0011]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Data requiring different emulation can be received without emulation, and data from a plurality of hosts can be received simultaneously and printed out immediately. Further, since the printing apparatuses can be networked, they can be transferred to an empty printing apparatus and printed out. Furthermore, by converting the received data into an intermediate code and then storing the intermediate code, the time required for the recode conversion can be shortened, and the storage medium itself can be replaced or the data between the printing devices can be exchanged. Data transfer enables higher-speed bitmap expansion.

[0012]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus to which a control method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a network between printing apparatuses showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a network between printing apparatuses showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU 2 ROM 3 SRAM (Static RAM) 4 Hard Disk or Flexible Disk Controller 5 Mass Storage Device (Medium) 6 DRAM (Dynamic RAM) 7 Character Generator (CG) 8 External Interface (I / I) F) 9 video interface 10 printer engine 20, 21, 22, 23, 27 printer 25 host computer 26 intermediate code converter 28 mass storage device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus having a large-capacity storage medium, wherein a reception history of the reception data is stored in the large-capacity storage medium at the same time as the reception data, and the reception history is output at the time of output. When the desired reception data is selected by the user, the selected reception data is read out from the mass storage medium and the emulation corresponding to each data is read. A method of controlling a printing apparatus, wherein the code-converted data is expanded and printed on a bitmap after being code-converted by. 2. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus directly converts data received from a plurality of interfaces into a large-capacity storage medium without code conversion. After the data is stored and received, the code conversion is sequentially performed by the emulation corresponding to each data, and the code-converted data is expanded on the bit map. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, which comprises printing. 3. The method of controlling a printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is connected to another printing device via a network, and the received data is stored in a large-capacity storage medium. Immediately after being stored in, or after receiving, transfer to another vacant printing device via the above network, code conversion by the transferred printing device, development on a bitmap and printing. And a method for controlling a printing apparatus. 4. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the printing apparatus temporarily converts the received data into an intermediate code and then stores the data in a large capacity storage medium. Or immediately after conversion, the data of the intermediate code is transferred to another printing device via the network, or the mass storage medium itself is exchanged between the printing devices, and at the time of output. A method of controlling a printing apparatus, which comprises converting the intermediate code again into code, and then developing and printing on the bitmap.