JPH0981334A - Information processor and its data transfer method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continuously transfer the data at a speed that is accordant with the data transfer capability of the transfer destination side. SOLUTION: The information on the data transfer capability is acquired from a printer 10 in response to the inquiry of an information processor 100. Then a converter 5 changes the transmission timing of the strobe signal to fetch the print information based on the information acquired from the printer 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having an interface for transferring data between electronic devices and a data transfer method for the information processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for parallel data transfer between information processing devices, an interface of Centronics standard which is a de facto standard has been widely used.

[0003]

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the data transfer timing of the conventional interface device. Hereinafter, problems in data transfer will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, in order to send 1-byte data, the data strobe signal STB * is manipulated and the other party's response signal, the busy signal BUSY and the ACK signal A.
Since it is necessary to monitor CK *, there are the following problems. (1) A strobe signal corresponding to 1-byte data needs to be given as a level restoration type pulse, and if the transfer rate is increased, the transfer characteristic of the interface is restricted. (2) Even if the other party has a sufficiently fast reception processing capability, the transmitting side always checks the busy signal BUSY and the ACK signal ACK * before transferring the next data data, resulting in a low transfer rate. It will be suppressed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to fourth inventions of the present invention is to obtain the data transfer capability of the data transfer destination and transfer the data. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and a data transfer method of the information processing apparatus, which can continuously transfer data at a transfer speed according to the data transfer capacity of a transfer destination by changing and controlling the timing of capturing the data.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus for outputting a predetermined capture control signal to a printing apparatus via a predetermined interface to perform data communication is provided in the printing apparatus. Inquiry means for inquiring the data transfer capacity, acquisition means for acquiring the data transfer capacity information from the printing device in response to the inquiry from the inquiry means, and the data transfer capacity information acquired by the acquisition means. And changing means for changing the timing of sending the predetermined fetch control signal for fetching print information based on the print information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the changing means sends out a data latch signal for taking in the print information based on the rise or fall of the input predetermined take-in control signal. is there.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the data transfer capability is a data transfer rate or a reception buffer size of the printing device.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a data transfer method for an information processing apparatus which outputs a predetermined capture control signal to a printing apparatus via a predetermined interface to perform data communication, wherein Inquiring step for inquiring about data transfer capability, obtaining step for obtaining data transfer ability information from the printing device in response to the inquiry, and the predetermined process for taking in the print information based on the obtained data transfer ability information And a changing step of changing the timing of sending the capture control signal.

[0010]

In the first aspect of the invention, when the acquisition unit acquires the data transfer capability information from the printing device in response to the inquiry from the inquiry unit, the changing unit prints based on the acquired data transfer capability information. By changing the transmission timing of the predetermined capture control signal for capturing information, it is possible to continuously transfer data with a data length according to the data transfer capability of the data transfer destination.

In the second invention, the changing means is
It is possible to freely change the data length for the transfer destination by sending out a data latch signal for taking in the print information based on the rise or fall of the input predetermined take-in control signal.

In the third invention, when the acquisition unit acquires the data transfer rate or the reception buffer size from the printing device in response to the inquiry from the inquiry unit, based on the acquired data transfer rate or the reception buffer size. It is possible for the changing means to change the transmission timing of the predetermined take-in control signal for taking in the print information so that the data can be continuously transferred at the data length according to the data transfer speed of the data transfer destination or the receiving buffer size. To do.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, an inquiry is made to the printing device about the data transfer capability, data transfer capability information is acquired from the printing device in response to the inquiry, and the acquired data transfer capability information is acquired. It is possible to automate the process of continuously transferring the data with the data length according to the data transfer capability of the data transfer destination by changing the transmission timing of the predetermined acquisition control signal for acquiring the print information based on .

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of an information processing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.
Information processing apparatus 1 including M, ROM, etc., and a printer driver installed in a hard disk (not shown)
This corresponds to the case where 00 is configured to be communicable with the printing apparatus 101 via a predetermined interface.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining the timing of each signal shown in FIG.

In these figures, 1 is parallel data, which is generated by an application not shown. Two
Is a strobe signal, which is input to the strobe input 4 from a CPU (not shown) of the information processing apparatus 100.

Reference numeral 5 is a converter, which is data transfer information (for example, data transfer speed, reception buffer size, etc., received by communication with a transfer destination not shown, for example NVRAM.
A conversion strobe signal 3 for converting the data latch timing is generated from the strobe signal 2 and output to the strobe output 6 side. Since the parallel data 1 is strobed at both edges of the conversion strobe signal 3 from the converter 5, the parallel data 1 has a pulse rate of 1 as compared with the one-edge strobe.
Since it becomes / 2, it is advantageous in terms of the propagation characteristics of the strobe line.

A selector 7 selects either the strobe signal 2 on the selector β terminal side or the converted strobe signal 3 on the α terminal side on the basis of the select signal Select from the CPU, which is referred to in the conventional centro interface. , And outputs the strobe signal STB * via line 8.

It should be noted that the selector 7 is on the β side in the initial state, and it is adapted to handle the conventional Centro standard. Then, if a high speed mode is selected by a communication command, it switches to the α side, and thereafter,
The output of the converter 5 (the converted strobe signal 3 in FIG. 2) is taken in as the strobe STB *.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each means of the first to third inventions and their operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

The first aspect of the present invention is to provide a predetermined capture control signal (strobe signal (STB signal (STB
*)) Is output to the printing apparatus 101 to perform data communication, and an inquiry unit (by the CPU of the information processing apparatus) for inquiring the data transfer capability of the printing apparatus 101 and the inquiry unit. Acquisition means (by the CPU of the information processing device) for acquiring the data transfer capability information from the printing device in response to the inquiry from
Change means (converter 5) for changing the transmission timing of the predetermined capture control signal for capturing the print information based on the data transfer capability information acquired by the acquisition means.
Since the data transfer capability information is acquired from the printing device in response to the inquiry from the information processing device 100, a strobe for causing the converter 5 to capture the print information based on the acquired data transfer capability information. Signal STB *
It is possible to continuously transfer data with a data length according to the data transfer capability of the data transfer destination by changing the transmission timing of the data.

A second aspect of the present invention is the changing means (converter 5).
Makes it possible to freely change the data length for the transfer destination by sending out a data latch signal for taking in the print information based on the rise or fall of the input predetermined take-in control signal.

In a third aspect of the present invention, when a data transfer rate or a reception buffer size is acquired from the printing apparatus 101 in response to an inquiry from the information processing apparatus 100, conversion is performed based on the acquired data transfer rate or the reception buffer size. The device 5 changes the transmission timing of the predetermined capture control signal for capturing the print information so that the data can be continuously transferred at a data length according to the data transfer rate of the data transfer destination or the receiving buffer size. .

Thus, according to the present invention, in the interface device for transferring data between devices, the transfer speed of data and the transmittable data length can be designated from the other party before starting the transfer of a large amount of data collectively.

Further, since the speed at which the data can be captured by the other party is known in advance, the sending side does not check the response signal from the other party for each data, but continuously transmits the data up to the amount receivable by the other party. It can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the state transition of the communication mode in the interface device shown in FIG. Note that ST1 to ST4 indicate each state, and a to g indicate each transition.

As shown in the figure, when the power is turned on in the state ST1, the transition a causes the normal mode (state ST
2). After that, when the command indicating the nego-shade is received, the transition to the nego-shade mode (state ST3) is performed by the transition c.

On the other hand, in the state ST2, when the command indicating the nego-shade is not received, the transition b causes the mode to remain. In the negotiated mode, the communication speed and the buffer capacity of the other party are obtained, and the transition d returns to the normal mode or the transition e enters the high speed mode (state ST4). The mode is maintained by the transition g during the high speed mode. Further, when a command indicating the nego-shading is received in the same manner as described above, the transition f causes a transition to the nego-shading mode.

Here, in the normal mode, if the interface does not respond even when the command indicating the nego-shade is received, the transition c does not enter the nego-shade mode, but the transition b keeps the normal mode. Becomes

Further, during the high speed mode, when the transfer of the empty buffer obtained in the nego shading mode is completed, the high speed mode is returned to the nego shading mode and the empty buffer is confirmed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a communication interface of a printer system to which the present invention can be applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 11 is a host computer, which synchronizes with parallel data 13 in synchronization with the strobe signal 14.
Are output to the printer 12, respectively. A printer controller 15 includes an interface unit 16 that performs communication processing with the host computer 11. The printer engine has a laser printer engine or an inkjet engine, which is not shown.

Here, in the high speed mode as shown in FIG. 3, since the reception speed of the printer 12 is known in advance, the host computer 11 does not wait for a response from the printer 12, and the predicted reception capacity of the printer 12 is not required. The parallel data 13 is continuously output in synchronization with the strobe signal 14 at a rate according to

In the above embodiment, the case where the transfer fetch timing is changed and controlled by hardware has been described, but the transfer fetch timing may be changed and controlled by software on the information processing apparatus side. Hereinafter, the embodiment and the fourth invention will be described.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a data transfer method for an information processing apparatus which outputs a predetermined capture control signal to a printing apparatus via a predetermined interface (Centronics) to perform data communication. Capability inquiry step, acquisition step of acquiring data transfer capability information from the printing device in response to the inquiry, and the predetermined acquisition for acquiring the print information based on the acquired data transfer capacity information A CPU (not shown) for changing the control signal transmission timing
Can be executed based on a printer control program such as a printer driver to automate the process of continuously transferring data with a data length according to the data transfer capability of the data transfer destination.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by downloading and reading a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0038]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the invention, when the acquisition unit acquires the data transfer capability information from the printing device in response to the inquiry from the inquiry unit, the changing unit loads the print information based on the acquired data transfer capability information. Since the transmission timing of the predetermined acquisition control signal is changed, data can be continuously transferred with a data length according to the data transfer capability of the data transfer destination.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the changing means sends out the data latch signal for taking in the print information on the basis of the rise or fall of the input predetermined take-in control signal. The data length for can be freely changed.

According to the third invention, when the acquisition means acquires the data transfer rate or the reception buffer size from the printing device in response to the inquiry from the inquiry means, the acquired data transfer rate or the reception buffer size is set to the acquired data transfer rate or the reception buffer size. On the basis of this, the changing means changes the transmission timing of the predetermined capture control signal for capturing the print information, so that the data can be continuously transferred at a data length according to the data transfer speed of the data transfer destination or the receiving buffer size. .

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, an inquiry is made to the printing device about the data transfer capability, data transfer capability information is acquired from the printing device in response to the inquiry, and the acquired data transfer capability is acquired. Since the transmission timing of the predetermined capture control signal for capturing the print information is changed based on the information, the process of continuously transferring the data with the data length corresponding to the data transfer capability of the data transfer destination can be automated.

Therefore, there is an effect that data can be continuously transferred at a transfer speed according to the data transfer capability of the transfer destination.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an interface device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart explaining the timing of each signal shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining state transition of a communication mode in the interface device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a communication interface of a printer system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the data transfer timing of the conventional interface device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Strobe input 5 Converter 6 Strobe output 7 Selector

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for performing data communication by outputting a predetermined capture control signal to a printing apparatus via a predetermined interface, and an inquiry unit for inquiring the data transfer capability of the printing apparatus, and the inquiry. An acquisition unit that acquires data transfer capability information from the printing device in response to an inquiry from the matching unit; and a predetermined acquisition control signal that causes the print information to be acquired based on the data transfer capability information acquired by the acquisition unit. An information processing apparatus comprising: a changing unit that changes a transmission timing. 2. The changing means sends out a data latch signal for taking in the print information based on the rise or fall of the predetermined take-in control signal inputted. Information processing equipment. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data transfer capability is a data transfer rate of the printing apparatus or a reception buffer size. 4. A data transfer method of an information processing apparatus which outputs a predetermined capture control signal to a printing apparatus through a predetermined interface to perform data communication, and inquires the printing apparatus about a data transfer capability. When,
An acquisition step of acquiring data transfer capability information from the printing device in response to the inquiry, and a timing of transmitting the predetermined acquisition control signal for acquiring the print information based on the acquired data transfer capability information A data transfer method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: a changing step.