JPH08263239A - Printing controller, printer and printing control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To exactly perform automatic switching as desired by selecting any printing control program by analyzing the printing control program based on the control data of input information stored in a second storage means and the control codes of printing control programs stored in a first storage means and an external storage device. CONSTITUTION: At the time of printing, printing data such as received document data or control data are analyzed and any EM is selected by discriminating which EM the control data are stored for in a ROM 27 or an EM unit. Next, control is moved to the selected EM and on the other hand, the document data or the like extends bit map data in the page buffer area of a RAM 28. Then, prescribed printing processing is executed by outputting these bit map data to a printing main body part. Namely, control data or the like supplied from a first or second host computer are stored, the EM corresponding to the control data is selected, a character pattern is prepared based on character information and an image is formed on recording paper.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing control device, a printing device and a printing control method, and more particularly to a printing control device for converting print data into a predetermined printing format and outputting the printing data, and the printing control device. And a printing control method for the printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a printer connected to a host computer receives print data such as character codes and control codes from the host computer, converts the print data into a predetermined print format, and prints the desired data. Are doing.

In this case, the protocol for data communication executed between the printing apparatus and the host computer must be the same, which limits the model of the host computer connected to the printing apparatus. Become.

Therefore, in order to realize a general-purpose printing device that can be used by connecting to a plurality of host computers, conventionally, communication data of host computers having different protocols is converted so as to be compatible with a desired printing device. A print control program (emulation program; hereinafter referred to as EM) is provided to supply desired document data to the printing apparatus via the EM.

Further, a plurality of EMs are built into the printing apparatus or the EMs are supplied to the printing apparatus via an external storage device or the like, and a command from the host computer or a control code peculiar to the control data group received from the host computer is extracted. By doing so, the EM is automatically switched to perform printing. As a result, multiple host computers can be connected to an input switching device or LAN (internal network; local
It can be used by simultaneously connecting to a printing apparatus via an area network or the like.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional printing apparatus, the built-in printing apparatus is built in by extracting the command from the host computer or the control code peculiar to the control data group received from the host computer. Since one EM is selected from the EM group and the external EM group supplied from the external storage device and automatically switched, the EM selection logic is the type of all EM supplied by the external storage device. Therefore, there is a problem that it is impossible to provide an EM other than the above assumed EM by an external storage device later.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a print control apparatus capable of accurately executing desired automatic switching control of EMs in any combination of EMs and built-in EMs from an external storage device. And a printing apparatus and a printing control method.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a print control apparatus according to the present invention stores a plurality of print control programs different from each other and has the print control programs included in the plurality of print control programs. First storage means for storing the control codes unique to each of the respective print code groups in a predetermined code group, and external storage storing at least one or more print control programs and control data unique to the print control programs. Connection means for detachably connecting the device, second storage means for storing control data input from an arbitrary external device, control data stored in the second storage means, and the first storage means First analysis result creating means for creating a first analysis result by comparing the control code stored in the second storage means with the control data stored in the second storage means. Second analysis result creating means for creating a second analysis result by comparing with the control code stored in the storage device, and printing to be executed based on the second analysis result and the first analysis result. And a program selecting means for selecting a control program.

A printing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by including the print control apparatus.

Further, in the print control method according to the present invention, a plurality of print control programs different from each other are stored, and a control code unique to each of the print control programs included in the plurality of print control programs is stored for each predetermined code group. In addition to dividing and storing, control data input from an arbitrary external device is stored, and then the control code divided for each of the predetermined code groups is compared with the control data input from the external device. While creating a second analysis result by comparing the control code specific to at least one print control program stored in the external storage device with the control data input from the external device. The printing control program to be executed is selected based on the second analysis result and the first analysis result.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an internal structural diagram of a laser beam printer as an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. The laser beam printer 1 includes an operation panel 3 provided on an upper surface of an apparatus body 2. A print main body 4 that performs a predetermined print operation, and a print control device 5 that analyzes the input character data, control data, and the like to control the print operation of the print main body 4.
It consists of and.

The printing main body portion 4 stores predetermined recording paper (cut paper) and supplies the recording paper through a paper feed cassette 7 having a paper feed roller 6 and an appropriate number of transport rollers 8. The electrostatic drum 9, an optical system 10 for irradiating the electrostatic drum 9 with a laser beam, a developing device 11 for accommodating toner of a predetermined color and arranged around the electrostatic drum 9, Fixing device 1 for fixing the toner image developed by developing device 11
2 and the discharge roller 1 for the document data etc. printed on the recording paper
3 and a paper discharge unit 14 that discharges the paper to the outside.

The optical system 10 includes a semiconductor laser 15 for emitting a laser beam having a predetermined wavelength, and the semiconductor laser 1.
Laser driver 17 for driving 5 and rotary polygon mirror 18
And a reflecting mirror 1 for reflecting the laser light entering through the rotary polygon mirror 18 and supplying the laser light onto the electrostatic drum 9.
9 and 9.

In the laser beam printer 1 thus constructed, the video signal from the print control device 5 is input to the laser driver 17, and the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 15 is turned on / off in response to the video signal. Switch off. The laser light is oscillated in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 18 to scan the electrostatic drum 9, an electrostatic latent image such as a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 9, and the electrostatic latent image is formed. It is developed via the developing device 11. Then, the toner image attached on the electrostatic drum 9 is transferred to the recording paper fed from the paper feeding cassette 7, and then the toner image is fixed on the recording paper by the fixing device 12, and the recording paper is discharged. Laura 1
The sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge unit 14 via the sheet 3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system including the laser beam printer 1. The print control device 5 of the laser beam printer 1 is
The first host computer 2 via the input switching device 20
It is connected to the first and second host computers 22 and the input information from either the first host computer 21 or the second host computer 22 is supplied to the print control device 5 by operating the input switching device 20. To be done. An EM unit 23 is detachably attached to the print control device 5, and the EM unit 23 is attached to the laser beam printer 1.
The EM from the unit 23 can be supplied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the details of the print control device 5. The print control device 5 is connected to the input switching device 20 and is connected to the first and second host computers 21 and 22. Between the first main body (IF1) 24 for performing a predetermined interface operation and a second interface (I1) connected to the print main body portion 4 for performing a predetermined interface operation
F2) 25, a third interface (IF3) 26 connected to the EM unit 23 and performing a predetermined interface operation with the EM unit 23, and a read-only memory in which a predetermined command table and a control program are stored. (ROM) 27 and read / write for storing control data input from the first and second host computers 21 and 22 and for writing analysis results of control codes stored in the ROM 27 and EM unit 23 and comparison results thereof. Possible random access memory (RAM) 28
And a central processing unit (CPU) 29 having a logic circuit such as a clock pulse generating circuit, a delay circuit, and a gate circuit. These components are connected via a bus 30, and the CPU 29 allows the ROM 27, the RAM 28, and the like to be connected. Each component is controlled.

Therefore, the ROM 27 stores a command table (hereinafter referred to as "embedded EM command table") for two EMs (EM-A, EM-B) as built-in EMs. That is, as shown in FIG.
-EM-A specific command that only A has, EM-B unique command that only EM-B has, and EM-A and EM
Common commands shared by -B are stored respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the EM unit 23 stores a command table for the external EM (EM-C) (hereinafter referred to as "external EM command table").

Further, the RAM 28 stores the built-in EM command table or the external EM command table and the built-in EM analysis table created by comparing the input buffer with the external EM command table, and the built-in EM analysis table and the external EM analysis table. A comparison table created by comparison is stored.

6 to 8 show initial states of the built-in EM analysis table, the external EM analysis table and the comparison table, respectively. That is, as is apparent from FIGS. 6 to 8, in the initial state, each command group is blank and the count value written in the rightmost column is set to “0”.

In the print control device 5, however, print data such as document data or command data (control data) received at the time of printing is analyzed, and the command data is stored in the ROM 27 or the EM unit 23. E to determine if the command data is for EM
While M is selected and the control is transferred to the selected EM, the bitmap data is expanded in the page buffer area of the RAM 28 for the document data and the like, and the bitmap data is output to the print main unit 4 to perform a predetermined printing. Execute the process. That is, the first host computer 21 or the second
Command data, character information (character code), etc. supplied from the host computer 22 of FIG. 1 are stored, an EM corresponding to the command data is selected, and a character pattern or the like is created based on the character information, etc., on a recording paper. Form an image.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a print processing procedure executed by the print control device 5. In this program, print data from the first or second host computer 21, 22 is transferred via the input switching device 20. It is started when the input is made to the first interface 24 of the print control device 5.

In step S1, the command data input from the first or second host computer 21, 22 is stored in the input buffer of the RAM 28. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, AA1, AB1, ..., C
The command data is stored in the input buffer like C3 and END. Subsequently, in step S2, the command data "AA1" of the head address in the input buffer of FIG. 10 is stored in the pointer P1, and then the command code "AA of the head address in the built-in EM command table of FIG. 4 is stored.
After storing "1" in the pointer P2, the first subroutine (SUB-SCAN) is executed (step S4).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the first subroutine. In step S21, the command code "AA1" stored in the pointer P2 is copied to the storage area PESC in the RAM 28, and in the subsequent step S22, it is stored in the pointer P1. Command data "AA1"
After reading, the pointer P1 moves to "E" in step S23.
It is determined whether or not “ND” is stored. Then, in this case, since it is not "END", the process proceeds to step S25, the command code stored in the pointer P2 is compared, and in step S26, the command code pointed to by the pointer P2 and the command data pointed by the pointer P1 match. Determine whether or not. In this case, since “AA1” is stored in both the pointer P1 and the pointer P2, the command data and the command code match, so the process proceeds to step S29, and as shown in FIG. 12, the EM of the built-in EM analysis table is displayed. Write command data "AA1" in the command run of the -A specific command, and write "1" in the rightmost run (count run). Next, in step S30, the command data "AB1" at the next address of the input buffer is stored in the pointer P1, the command code in the storage area PESC is copied again in the pointer P2, and the process returns to step S22.

Then, the determination result of step S23 is negative (No) again, and since the pointer P2 stores the command code "AA1" and the pointer P1 stores the command data "AB1", The determination result of step S26 is negative (No), and step S
At 27, the address pointed to by the pointer P2 is incremented by "1", and the command code indicated by the pointer P2 is "E".
It is determined whether or not it is "ND". In this case, the determination result is negative (No), so the process returns to step S25 to repeat the above process. That is, the address pointed to by the pointer P2 is sequentially incremented by "1", and the command codes "AA3", "AA4" ... "BB1" ... "BB".
9 "and the command data" AB1 "stored in the pointer P1 are compared, and finally the command code pointed to by the pointer P2 becomes" AB1 ", and the determination result in step S26 becomes affirmative (Yes), and step S29 Then, the command data “AB1” is written in the command run of the common command of A and B in the built-in EM analysis table and “1” is written in the corresponding count run.

Next, in step S30, the next command data "CC1" of the input buffer is stored in the pointer P1. In step S31, the pointer P2 is stored in the storage area PESC.
Then, the process returns to step S25, and the pointer P1 and the pointer P2 match or the pointer P2 is set to "EN".
The command code pointed to by the pointer P2 is incremented by one in the same manner as described above until the "D" code is stored. In this case, the command table in FIG.
Since there is no 1 ”, the pointer P2 points to“ END ”without writing to the built-in EM analysis table. Therefore, the determination result of step S28 is affirmative (Yes).
Then, the process proceeds to step S30 and the above process is repeated for the next command data stored in the input buffer.

That is, the command data "CC2",
The above process is repeated for "AA2", "AB3", and "CC3", and the pointer P1 finally points to "END". As a result, the determination result of step S23 becomes affirmative (Yes), and the end of the built-in EM analysis table is reached. END is written to the tail (step S24), and the process returns to the main routine (FIG. 9).

FIG. 13 shows the built-in EM analysis table when the execution of step S4 is completed. That is, the command data stored in the input buffer and the built-in E
By comparing with the command code of M, command data is written in a predetermined command run, and the count value is written in the count run.

Next, the process proceeds to step S5, and again the command data "AA1" of the head address in the input buffer.
Is stored in the pointer P1 and then the command code "AA1" of the head address in the external EM command table shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the pointer P2 (step S
6), execute the above-mentioned first subroutine (SUB-SCAN) of FIG. 9 for the external EM (step S7),
Go to step S8.

FIG. 14 shows an external EM analysis table obtained as a result of executing step S7. That is, similar to step S4, the executable command is extracted from the command data by comparing the command data of the input buffer with the command code stored in the command table of the external EM, and a predetermined command is executed. The command data is written and the count value is written in the count field.

Then, in the following step S8, the command data "AA1" of the head address of the built-in EM analysis table created in step S4 is stored in the pointer P1.
Next, in step S9, the command data "AA1" of the start address in the external EM analysis table created in step S6 is stored in the pointer P2, and then
The second subroutine (SUB-VRFY) shown in 5 is executed (step S10).

That is, in step S41 of FIG. 15, the command data "AA1" of the head address in the external EM analysis table stored in the pointer P2 is copied to the storage area PESC, and then the process proceeds to step S42 to be stored in the pointer P1. Read out the command data "AA1". Then, in step S43, it is determined whether the read command data is END data. In this case, since it is not END data, step S43
Is negative (No), the command data stored in the pointer P2 and the command data stored in the pointer P1 are compared, and then in step S45, it is determined whether or not the command data match. In this case, since both command data are both "AA1", both match and the process proceeds to step S49, the designated address of the pointer P1 is incremented by "1" and stored in the next address of the built-in EM analysis table. Command data "AA2"
Is stored in the pointer P1, then the head command data “AA1” stored in the storage area PESC is copied to the pointer P2 (step S50), and then step S42.
Return to

After that, the above processing is executed for "AA2" and "AB1" stored in the built-in EM analysis table. When the pointer P1 points to the command data “AA3” in step S49, the command data “AA3” does not exist in the external EM analysis table, so the determination result in step S45 is negative (No),
After step S46, the determination result of step S47 becomes affirmative (Yes), the process proceeds to step S48, and as shown in FIG. 16, the command data “AB3” is written in the command run of the internal EM specific command of the comparison table, and the corresponding count is performed. Write "1" on the orchid.

Then, when the command data designated by the pointer P1 thereafter becomes "END", step S4
The determination result of No. 3 is affirmative (Yes), and the process returns to the main routine (FIG. 9).

Next, in step S11 (FIG. 9), the command data "AA1" of the head address in the external EM analysis table created in step S6 is stored in the pointer P1, and in step S12 the built-in EM created in step S4. The command data “AA1” at the start address of the analysis table is stored in the pointer P2, then the process proceeds to step S13, and the second subroutine (SUB-VRFY) shown in FIG. 15 is executed as in step S10.
A comparison table is created and stored in the RAM 28.

FIG. 17 shows the final result of the comparison table. In this way, the command data of the built-in EM-specific command and the command data of the external EM-specific command are written in each command run, and the total of these is written in the counting run.

Next, in step S14, the count values of the count values in the comparison table are compared. As is apparent from FIG. 17, the count value of the external EM-specific command is larger than the count value of the built-in EM-specific command.
The EM of the unit 23 is selected and printing is executed according to the command data in the input buffer.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the case where the two built-in EMs and the one external EM are mounted in the printing system has been described, but the same applies to the case where a plurality of EMs are stored in the EM unit 23. Needless to say.

[0040]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the control data which is the input information stored in the second storage means and the print control program stored in the first storage means and the external storage device are stored. The print control program is analyzed based on the control code, and a specific print control program is selected by comparing the results of these analyzes. Even if it is not unique when and are mixed, there is no mistake in selecting the print control program,
The desired automatic switching can be accurately performed by any combination of the print control program on the external storage device and the print control program built in the printing device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an internal structural diagram of a laser beam printer as an example of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system in which the printing apparatus of the present invention is installed.

FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram showing a print control apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a command table diagram of a built-in EM.

FIG. 5 is a command table diagram of an external EM.

FIG. 6 is a table diagram showing an initial state of a built-in EM analysis table.

FIG. 7 is a table diagram showing an initial state of an external EM analysis table.

FIG. 8 is a table diagram showing an initial state of a comparison table.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a main routine in the print control method of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a storage table diagram of an input buffer.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a first subroutine in the print control method.

FIG. 12: Built-in E during execution of first subroutine
It is a M analysis table figure.

13 is a built-in EM at the end of step S4 of FIG.
It is an analysis table figure.

14 is an external EM at the end of step S7 of FIG.
It is an analysis table figure.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a second subroutine in the print control method.

16 is a comparison table diagram at the end of step S10 of FIG.

17 is a comparison table diagram at the end of step S13 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 Print Control Device 20 Input Switching Device (Switching Unit) 21 First Host Computer (External Device) 22 Second Host Computer (External Device) 23 EM Unit (External Storage Device) 26 Third Interface (Connecting Device) 27 ROM (first storage means) 28 RAM (second storage means) 29 CPU (first and second analysis result creation means, program selection means)

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A first memory for storing a plurality of different print control programs and storing control codes unique to each of the print control programs included in the plurality of print control programs by classifying them into predetermined code groups. Means and
Connection means for detachably connecting an external storage device in which at least one print control program and control data specific to the print control program are stored; and control data input from an arbitrary external device The first storage means compares the control data stored in the second storage means with the control data stored in the first storage means.
And a control code stored in the external storage device are compared with the control data stored in the second storage to create a second analysis result. Print control comprising: a second analysis result creating unit for selecting the print control program to be executed based on the second analysis result and the first analysis result. apparatus. 2. The program selecting means extracts non-common control data that is not common to both from the first and second analysis results, and print control of the non-common control data. 2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a tallying unit that tallies each program, and selects a print control program based on a tallying result of the tallying unit. 3. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit capable of switching input paths from a plurality of the external devices. 4. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a host computer. 5. A printing apparatus comprising the print control apparatus according to claim 1. 6. A printing apparatus comprising the print control apparatus according to claim 2. 7. A printing apparatus comprising the print control apparatus according to claim 3. 8. A printing apparatus comprising the print control apparatus according to claim 4. 9. A plurality of print control programs different from each other are stored, and a control code unique to each of the print control programs included in the plurality of print control programs is divided into predetermined code groups and stored, and at the same time, an arbitrary number is stored. The control data input from the external device is stored, and then the control code divided for each predetermined code group is compared with the control data input from the external device to create a first analysis result. A second analysis result is created by comparing a control code specific to at least one print control program stored in the storage device with control data input from an external device, and the second analysis result and the above-mentioned A print control method, comprising selecting a print control program to be executed based on a first analysis result. 10. Non-common control data that is not common to both is extracted from the first and second analysis results, then the non-common control data is aggregated for each print control program, and the aggregation result of the aggregation means 10. The print control method according to claim 9, wherein the print control program is selected based on the.