JP2000062296A - Image forming apparatus, output control apparatus, image output apparatus, method for image forming, method for output controlling and for image outputting - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing a load of a communication processing between a video controller and a printer engine. SOLUTION: An engine section 25 judges whether or not it receives a status change monitoring command from a controller section 26 (S131). When receiving the command, whether or not it receives a status designating command (S132) is judged. When receiving the command, data of a second byte of the status designating command is stored in a RAM (S133). Whether or not the status designated by the status change monitoring command is equal to the designated data is judged (S134). When it is true, a signal of/CCHG is set to be in an L level for 10 msec (S136). The controller section is notified by a signal of the change at a time only when an arbitrary status becomes a specific condition.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming image data on a recording medium, an output control apparatus, an image output apparatus, an image forming method, an output control method and an image output method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus forms an image based on a video controller for converting video code data forming an image signal into pixel data and the pixel data from the video controller, and transfers and fixes the image on recording paper or the like. And a printer engine that

Next, a video interface for connecting the video controller and the printer engine will be described. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a signal list of the video interface. In the figure, "output" indicates the output from the engine controller to the video controller,
"Input" refers to the input from the video controller to the engine controller.

The / BD signal is a horizontal synchronizing signal in the main scanning direction of the printer engine, and the video controller is / BD.
The video data / VDO signal for one main scanning line is transmitted in synchronization with the falling edge of the signal. The / PPRDY signal is a signal indicating that the power supply is connected to the printer engine, the initialization of the engine controller is completed, and the command status can be communicated with the video controller.

The / RDY signal is a signal indicating that the printer engine is ready for a printing operation in response to a print start command (/ PRNT signal is true) from the video controller. The conditions for this / RDY signal to become true are:
The temperature of the heating roller in the fixing unit is proper (sufficient temperature for fixing the toner image on the paper), the recording paper is not in a jam state, the polygon mirror is rotating normally at the specified rotation speed, and the / BD signal is specified. For example, it is output normally in a cycle.

The / TOP signal is a print synchronizing signal in the sub-scanning direction in the printer engine, and the video controller sets the image writing position in the sub-scanning direction in synchronization with the trailing edge of the / TOP signal. The time from the detection of the leading edge of the recording paper by the paper feed sensor until the recording paper reaches the transfer roller, and the latent image formed on the photoconductor by the laser light reaches the transfer roller by the rotation of the photoconductor drum. The paper feed sensor is arranged so that the time until it reaches is equal. Therefore, when the engine controller detects that the paper feed sensor signal (PFSNS) from the paper feed sensor becomes true, it immediately sets the / TOP signal to true for 1 second.

The / SBSY signal is a level signal indicating that the printer engine is transmitting the status (printer status) to the video controller. The / STS signal is 8-bit serial information transmitted to the engine controller, and this signal is called status.

The / PCLK signal is a synchronous clock for serially transmitting the / STS signal. The / PPOUT signal is a signal indicating to the video controller that the recording paper for which printing has been completed is ejected.

The / CBSY signal is a signal indicating that the video controller is sending a command (command to the engine controller). The / PRNT signal is a signal for the video controller to instruct the printer engine to start the printing operation. However, in the case of continuous printing, it means that the printing operation is continued.

The / CPRDY signal is a signal indicating that power is supplied to the video controller, initialization of the video controller is completed, and communication of command status is possible with the printer controller.

The / VDO signal indicates an image signal to be printed by the printer engine. This image signal is transmitted by converting the image code data received by the video controller from the host computer into dot data.

The / CMD signal is 8-bit unit serial information transmitted from the video controller to the engine controller. The / CCLK signal is a synchronous clock of the serial data when transmitting the / CMD signal.

Next, the structure of commands sent from the video controller to the engine controller and status signals sent from the engine controller to the video controller by serial communication will be described.

As described above, the command and status information is an 8-bit serial signal. When the 1-byte command information is given from the video controller to the engine controller in synchronization with the / CCLK signal, the engine controller returns the 1-byte status to the video controller. This command includes a status request command for checking the status of the printer engine and an execution command for instructing the printer to perform some operation.

Both the command information and the status information use the 8th bit as a parity bit, and odd parity is added at the time of transmission. The status information returned by the engine controller further uses the first bit as a command error bit. When the command from the video controller is undefined data or a parity error occurs, the first bit is set to " 1 ”and send it back.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of status information when the command error is not detected, that is, when the first bit is "0". FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing status information when an error occurs. When an error occurs, the first bit becomes "1" and the type of error is specified by the second bit to the seventh bit.

The basic status information when no error has occurred is returned when the video controller sends "01" as the status request command, and the command error bit (first bit) and parity bit (8th bit). ) Are included as information.

That is, when the second bit becomes "1", it indicates that the printer engine is ready to receive the PRNT signal. When the third bit becomes "1", it indicates that the printer engine is transporting the recording paper. When the 4th bit becomes “1”, it indicates that a recording paper jam or misprint has occurred in the printer engine, and the print data needs to be retransmitted to the engine controller.

When the fifth bit becomes "1", it means that the temperature of the heating roller in the fixing unit of the printer engine is not at an appropriate temperature, so that the weight is being waited.
When the 6th bit becomes "1", it indicates that the printer engine is paused by the pause command from the video controller.

When the 7th bit becomes "1", it indicates that the printer engine is in a defective state that must be repaired by calling a serviceman or operator.

In addition to the above, commands from the video controller allow the engine controller to inform the video controller of jamming of recording paper, no paper, opening of front door, fixing failure, motor failure and the like.

[0022]

However, in the above conventional example, since the video controller monitors the state of the printer engine by using serial communication, there are the following problems.

That is, even if there is no change in the state of the printer engine, the video controller always has to perform serial communication in order to monitor a plurality of statuses, and the communication processing is a heavy load.

Therefore, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus, an output control apparatus, an image output apparatus, an image forming method, and an output control which can reduce the load of communication processing between two parties in the video controller and the printer engine for monitoring the state of the printer engine. A method and an image output method are provided.

[0025]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, and specifies a type of state. Receiving means for receiving designated information from an external device, monitoring means for monitoring at least the state of the type designated by the designated information, and a state of the type designated by the designated means is a specific state And a notification unit that notifies the external device of information indicating that the type of state is a specific state.

An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, characterized in that the image forming apparatus further comprises transmitting means for transmitting state information regarding a state monitored by the monitoring means to an external device. To do.

An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, further comprising specific information receiving means for receiving specific information for designating a specific state. And

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the notifying unit has a specific state of a type designated by the designation information. It is characterized in that it comprises an output means for outputting a level signal according to whether or not there is.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the external device includes an image processing unit that processes image data. To do.

An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein an image is formed on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method.

An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which the state of the type designated by the designation information is:
It is characterized in that it includes a state relating to the paper size.

An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which the state of the type designated by the designation information is:
Characterized by including an error condition.

An output control apparatus according to a ninth aspect is an output control apparatus connected to an image forming section, wherein the image forming section is provided with designation information for designating a state type of the image forming section. Transmitting means for transmitting, specific information transmitting means for transmitting specific information for designating a specific state to the image forming unit, and a specific type of state designated by the specific information designated by the specific information. And a receiving unit that receives from the image forming unit information indicating the state.

An output control apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the output control apparatus according to the ninth aspect, further comprising generation means for generating data to be output to the image forming section based on data from an external device. Is characterized by.

According to an eleventh aspect of the output control device, in the output control device according to the ninth or tenth aspect,
The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the output control device according to any of the ninth to eleventh aspects, an image is formed on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the output control apparatus according to any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, the type state designated by the designation information includes a state relating to a paper size. It is characterized by being

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the output control device according to any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, the state of the type designated by the designation information includes an error state. Is characterized by.

An image output apparatus according to a fifteenth aspect is an image output apparatus comprising an image forming section for forming an image on a recording medium and an output control section for outputting image data to the image forming section. A receiving unit that receives designation information for designating the type of state of the image forming unit from the output control unit, a monitoring unit that monitors at least the state of the type designated by the designation information, and a designation unit designated by the designation information. And a notification unit that notifies the output control unit of information indicating that the type of state is a specific state when the type of state is a specific state.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, the image output apparatus further comprises a transmission means for transmitting status information regarding a status monitored by the monitoring means to the output control section. Characterize.

An image output device according to a seventeenth aspect is the image output device according to the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, wherein:
It is characterized by having a specific information receiving means for receiving specific information for designating a specific state.

In the image output device according to the eighteenth aspect, in the image output device according to any one of the fifteenth to seventeenth aspects, the notifying means is in a specific state of a type designated by the designation information. Depending on whether or not
It is characterized in that it comprises an output means for outputting a level signal.

An image output apparatus according to a nineteenth aspect is the image output apparatus according to any one of the fifteenth to eighteenth aspects, wherein the output control includes an image processing unit that processes image data. To do.

An image output apparatus according to a twentieth aspect is the image output apparatus according to any one of the fifteenth to nineteenth aspects, wherein the image forming section forms an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method. Characterize.

An image output apparatus according to a twenty-first aspect is the image output apparatus according to any one of the fifteenth to twentieth aspects, wherein the type state designated by the designation information includes a state relating to a paper size. It is characterized by being

An image output device according to a twenty-second aspect is the image output device according to any one of the fifteenth to twentieth aspects, wherein the type of state designated by the designation information includes an error state. Is characterized by.

The image forming method according to claim 23 is an image forming method in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, the receiving step of receiving designation information for designating a state type from an external device. And a monitoring step of at least monitoring the state of the type designated by the designation information, and, if the state of the type designated by the designation information is a particular state, the state of the type is the particular state And a notification step of notifying the external device of the information indicating.

An image forming method according to a twenty-fourth aspect is the image forming method according to the twenty-third aspect, further comprising a transmitting step of transmitting state information regarding a state monitored by the monitoring step to an external device. To do.

The image forming method described in Item 25 is the image forming method according to Item 23 or 24, which further comprises a specific information receiving step of receiving specific information for designating specific information. .

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to any one of the twenty-third to twenty-fifth aspects, in the notifying step, the state of the type designated by the designation information is a particular state. It is characterized by comprising an output step for outputting a level signal depending on whether or not

An image forming method according to a twenty-seventh aspect is the image forming method according to any one of the twenty-third to twenty-sixth aspects, wherein the external device includes an image processing unit for processing image data. To do.

An image forming method according to a twenty-eighth aspect is the image forming method according to any one of the twenty-third to twenty-seventh aspects, wherein the image is formed on the recording medium by an electrophotographic method.

An image forming method according to a twenty-ninth aspect is the image forming method according to any one of the twenty-third to twenty-eighth aspects, wherein the type state designated by the designation information includes a state relating to a paper size. It is characterized by being

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to any one of the twenty-third to twenty-eighth aspects, the type of state designated by the designation information includes an error state. Is characterized by.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output control method in an output control device connected to an image forming section, wherein the designation information for designating a type of a state of the image forming section is provided. A transmission step of transmitting to the image forming unit, a specific information transmitting step of transmitting specific information for designating a specific state to the image forming unit, and a state of the type designated by the designation information is designated by the specific information. And a receiving step of receiving from the image forming unit information indicating that the specified specific state has been established.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output control method according to the thirty-first aspect, further comprising a generation step of generating data to be output to the image forming section based on data from an external device. Is characterized by.

In the output control method according to claim 33, in the output control method according to claim 31 or 32, the image forming section forms an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method. .

In the output control method according to a thirty-fourth aspect, in the output control method according to any one of the thirty-first to thirty-third aspects, the state of the type designated by the designation information includes a state relating to a paper size. It is characterized by being

The output control method according to a thirty-fifth aspect is the output control method according to any one of the thirty-first to thirty-third aspects, wherein the type of state designated by the designation information includes an error state. Is characterized by.

An image output method according to a thirty-sixth aspect is an image output method in an image output apparatus, which comprises an image forming section for forming an image on a recording medium and an output control section for outputting image data to the image forming section. And a receiving step of receiving designation information for designating the type of state of the image forming unit from the output control unit, a monitoring step of monitoring at least the state of the type designated by the designation information, and the designation When the type of state designated by the information is a specific state, a notification step of notifying the output control unit of information indicating that the type of the type is the specific state is provided.

An image output method according to a thirty-seventh aspect is the image output method according to the thirty-sixth aspect, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting status information regarding the status monitored by the monitoring step to the output control section. Characterize.

An image output method according to claim 38 is the image output method according to claim 36 or 37,
It has a specific information receiving step of receiving specific information for designating a specific state.

An image output method according to a thirty-ninth aspect is the image output method according to any one of the thirty-sixth to thirty-eighth aspects, wherein in the notifying step, the state of the type designated by the designation information is a specific state. It is characterized by comprising an output step for outputting a level signal depending on whether or not

The image output method according to claim 40 is the image output method according to any one of claims 36 to 39, wherein the output control section includes an image processing section for processing image data. And

The image output method according to claim 41 is the image output method according to any one of claims 36 to 40, wherein the image forming section forms an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method. Characterize.

An image output method according to a forty-second aspect is the image output method according to any one of the thirty-sixth to forty-first aspects, wherein the state of the type designated by the designation information includes a state relating to a paper size. It is characterized by being

The image output method according to claim 43 is the image output method according to any one of claims 36 to 41, wherein the type of state designated by the designation information includes an error state. Is characterized by.

[0068]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an output control apparatus, an image output apparatus, an image forming method, an output control method and an image output method of the present invention will be described. The image forming apparatus of this embodiment is applied to a printer.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical arrangement of a printer according to the first embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 16 is a CPU, which executes an external interface 17 by executing a control program stored in the ROM 19.
The coded image information (code data) is received from an external device such as a host computer via the. The received code data is input to the image processing unit 20, and the image processing unit 20 stores the code data in the RAM 21 and analyzes the code data. Also, external interface 1
Various settings can be made to the controller unit 26 from an external device such as a host computer via 7.

Reference numeral 18 is a RAM used as a register or the like. The ROM 22 stores font data corresponding to the value of the code data. The font data corresponding to the code data is read from the ROM 22, the received code data is converted into video data consisting of all dots, and stored in the frame memory 23. To do.

When one page of video data is stored in the frame memory 23, the CPU 16 sends a print command to the engine section 25 via the video interface 24 and is synchronized with the main and sub-scanning synchronizing signals of the engine section 25. And sends the video data stored in the frame memory 23 to the engine unit 25. Reference numeral 26 is a controller unit, which is composed of the above 16 to 24.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the engine section 25. In the figure, 1 is a printer main body, and in the present embodiment, a case of a laser beam printer is shown. Reference numeral 2 is a photosensitive drum for visualizing video data.
3 is an optical unit, which is a video interface 24
The laser light is modulated by the video data sent via, and the photosensitive drum 2 is scanned by the rotating polygon mirror.

Numeral 4 is a folding mirror for reflecting the laser light emitted from the optical unit 3, and numeral 5 is a charger, which uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 2. A developing device 6 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2 into a toner image. A transfer device 7 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 2 to a recording sheet.
A cleaner 8 collects the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 2 after the transfer.

An upper paper feed roller 10a feeds the paper stored in the upper paper cassette 9a. A lower paper feed roller 10b feeds the paper stored in the lower paper cassette 9b. A paper feed / conveyance roller 11 conveys the fed paper to a transfer position. A paper feed sensor 12 detects the presence or absence of the fed paper. A fixing device 13 fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet by heating and pressing the toner image. 14
Is a paper discharge sensor that detects the presence or absence of paper discharged from the fixing device 13. Reference numeral 15 is a paper discharge tray. 25a is an engine controller.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a signal list of the video interface 24. Descriptions of those already described in the section of the related art will be omitted. In this embodiment, a designated state change signal (/ CCHG signal) is added. When the engine unit 25 receives a state change monitoring designation command, which will be described later, from the controller unit 26, the engine unit 25 monitors the designated internal state, and when a change occurs in the internal state, immediately /
The CCHG signal is set to true for 10 msec.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a list of states of the engine section 25. The basic status indicated by the status number 0 indicates a state required to start the printing operation of the engine unit 25. The description of each bit has been described in the section of the related art, and thus will be omitted.

For each status of status numbers 1 to 6, the detailed configuration of each bit is omitted, but an operator call indicates that an error that can be recovered by the user of the printer has occurred, and a service call requires repair. The error indicates that an error occurred during the printing operation and the image was defective in the middle.The number of resent sheets is defective when the misprint occurs. The upper paper size indicates the size of the paper contained in the upper paper cassette 9a, and the lower paper size indicates the size of the paper contained in the lower paper cassette 9b.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the format of the status change monitoring designation command sent by the controller unit 26. Two bytes represent one command. The first byte is fixed to 7F (HEX), and the engine unit 25 receives the first byte and recognizes that it is a state change monitoring designation command,
Wait for the second byte. The second byte specifies the status number by a 6-bit binary number excluding the command error bit (MSB) and parity bit (LSB). For example, when specifying the lower paper size (status number 6) status Is 0D (HEX).

The engine section 25 monitors the value of the status designated by the state change designation command, and when the value changes, sets the / CCHG signal to true (L level) for 10 ms. For example, when the status of the upper sheet size (status number 5) is specified (command 7F (HEX) +
0B (HEX), the / CCHG signal becomes L level for 10 ms each time the paper size of the upper paper cassette changes.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a control process in which the CPU of the engine unit 25 receives a state change monitoring command and monitors the state. In the figure, the controller unit 26
It is determined whether or not a status change monitoring command has been received from (step S111). When the status change monitoring command is received, the status status designated by the status change monitoring command is monitored (step S112). When the content of the status changes, the / CCHG signal is set to the L level for 10 msec (step S113). ).

As described above, the controller unit 26 designates one of the statuses of the engine unit 25 for which the state change is to be known, and the engine unit 25 informs the video interface 24 that the contents of the designated status have changed. By notifying the controller unit 26 via the notification, the controller unit 26 does not need to always read the status using the serial communication of the video interface 24 in order to know the state change, and the communication process for reading can be simplified.

Although the / CCHG signal is pulse output in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, / CCHG signal is output.
A signal release command is provided to maintain the state when the engine unit 25 detects the change and sets the / CCHG signal to be true, and receives the / CCHG signal release command from the controller unit 26 and returns the / CCHG signal to the original state. It may be configured.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a printer according to a second embodiment will be described. Since the configuration and operation of the printer of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the format of a serial communication status monitoring mask command of the video interface 24 in the printer of the second embodiment.

The status monitoring mask command represents one command with 2 bytes, and is used together with the status change monitoring designation command described in the first embodiment. The first byte of the status monitoring mask command is fixed to 3E (HEX), and the engine unit 25 receives the first byte and recognizes that it is a status monitoring mask command, and waits for the second byte. In the second byte, the mask position is specified by 6 bits excluding the command error bit (MSB) and the parity bit (LSB).

When the mask position designation bit corresponding to each bit of the status is 1 in the status change monitoring designation command, masking for stopping the status change monitoring is performed. When the value is 0, monitoring is continued.

For example, the basic status (status number 0) is designated by the status change monitoring command (command 7F
(HEX) +01 (HEX)), in order to monitor the status change of only the print request (second bit) with the status monitoring mask command, the first byte as a command is 3E
(HEX) The second byte is 3E (HEX).
As a result, when the print request bit changes,
The / CCHG signal becomes L level for 10 msec. On the other hand, even if other bits in the basic status change, / CC
The HG signal remains at H level.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a control process in which the CPU of the engine unit 25 receives the state monitoring mask command and monitors the state. First, it is determined whether or not a status change monitoring command has been received from the controller unit 26 (step S121). If so, it is further determined whether or not the status monitoring mask command is received from the controller unit 26 (step S122). If you have
A value obtained by changing the first bit and the eighth bit of the data of the second byte (see FIG. 7) of the status monitoring mask command to the value 1 is held in the RAM as mask data (step S12).
3).

When the status monitoring mask command is not received in step S122, the data obtained by ORing the status of the status designated by the status change monitoring command and the mask data is monitored, and the content of the data is changed. At this time, the / CCHG signal is set to the L level for 10 msec.

The mask data is 81 (HE
X) so that the status is not masked.

As described above, the status can be monitored for each bit by monitoring masking the status change for each bit.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a printer of the third embodiment will be described. Since the configuration and operation of the printer of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the format of a serial communication status designation command of the video interface 24 in the printer of the third embodiment.

The status designation command represents one command with 2 bytes, and is used together with the status change monitoring designation command described in the first embodiment. The first byte of the status designation command is fixed to 5E (HEX), and the engine unit 25 receives the first byte and recognizes that it is a status designation command, and waits for the second byte. The second byte is designed to specify the status value with 6 bits excluding the command error bit (MSB) and parity bit (LSB). A specific value is specified for the status specified by the status change monitoring specification command. Put in.

For example, when the lower paper size status (status number 6) is specified by the status change monitoring command (command 7F (HEX) + 0D (HEX)) and the legal paper size is specified by the status specification command, the first byte 5E (HEX) sends 1C (HEX) at the second byte. As a result, when legal paper enters the lower paper cassette, the lower paper size status becomes 1C (HEX), and the engine unit 25 detects this and sets the / CCHG signal to the L level for 10 msec.

When a paper other than legal paper is loaded in the lower paper cassette, the lower paper size status becomes 1C.
Other than (HEX) (for example, 01 (HE
X)), and the / CCHG signal remains at H level.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control process in which the CPU of the engine unit 25 receives a state designation command and monitors the state. First, it is determined whether or not a status change monitoring command is received from the controller unit 26 (step S131). If received, the controller unit 2
It is determined whether or not the status designation command is received from the CPU 6 (step S132), and if the status designation command is received, the second byte (see FIG. 9) of the status designation command is held in the RAM (not shown) as the designation data (step S13
3).

It is judged whether or not the status designated by the status change monitoring command is equal to the designated data (step S134). If they are equal, the / CCHG signal is set to 10 m.
It is set to L level for sec (step S136).

On the other hand, if the status designation command is not received in step S132, the status of the status designated by the status change monitoring command is monitored (step S135).
When the content of the status has changed, the process proceeds to step S136.

As described above, the controller section 26 changes only when an arbitrary status becomes a specific state.
By informing the signal to, the load on the communication processing of the controller unit 26 can be further reduced.

In the above embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus is applied to the printer is shown, but it is needless to say that the image forming apparatus may be applied to the copying apparatus.

[0100]

According to the present invention, when the status of an image forming apparatus is monitored and status information related to the status is transmitted to an external apparatus, for example, an output control apparatus, the status type is specified by the specification information. When the state of the designated type has changed, particularly when the state of the designated type is a specific state, the notification means notifies the fact, so that the external device is in the state of the image forming apparatus. Changes, in particular, it is possible to easily know that there is a particular state, and the load of communication processing between two parties is reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of an engine unit 25.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a signal list of a video interface 24.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a list of states of the engine unit 25.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of a state change monitoring designation command sent by the controller unit 26.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control process in which the CPU of the engine unit 25 receives a state change monitoring command and monitors the state.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of a serial communication status monitoring mask command of a video interface 24 in the printer of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control process in which the CPU of the engine unit 25 receives a status monitoring mask command and monitors the status.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of a serial communication state designation command of a video interface 24 in the printer of the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control process in which the CPU of the engine unit 25 receives a state designation command and monitors the state.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a signal list of a video interface.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of status information when a command error has not occurred, that is, when the first bit is “0”.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing status information when an error occurs.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 Image processing unit 24 video interface 25 Engine part 25a engine controller 26 Controller section

Claims (43)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: receiving means for receiving designation information for designating a state type from an external device; and a state of a type designated by the designation information. At least monitoring means for monitoring, and when the type of state designated by the designating means is a specific state, notifying means for notifying the external device of information indicating that the type of state is a specific state. An image forming apparatus having. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit that transmits status information regarding a status monitored by the monitoring unit to an external device. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a specific information receiving unit that receives specific information for designating a specific state. 4. The notifying means comprises an output means for outputting a level signal according to whether or not the state of the type designated by the designation information is in a specific state. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external device includes an image processing unit that processes image data. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image is formed on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the type of state designated by the designation information includes a state relating to a paper size. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the status of the type designated by the designation information includes an error status. 9. An output control device connected to an image forming unit, comprising: a transmitting unit for transmitting to the image forming unit designation information for designating a type of state of the image forming unit; and a specific state. Specific information transmitting means for transmitting specific information for designating to the image forming section, and information indicating that the state of the type designated by the specific information is the specific state designated by the specific information. An output control device comprising: a receiving unit that receives from an image forming unit. 10. The output control device according to claim 9, further comprising a generation unit that generates data to be output to the image forming unit based on data from an external device. 11. The output control device according to claim 9, wherein the image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method. 12. The output control device according to claim 9, wherein an image is formed on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method. 13. The output control device according to claim 9, wherein the state of the type designated by the designation information includes a state regarding a paper size. 14. The output control device according to claim 9, wherein the type of state designated by the designation information includes an error state. 15. An image output device comprising an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium and an output control unit for outputting image data to the image forming unit, wherein the type of the state of the image forming unit is designated. Receiving means for receiving designated information for controlling from the output control unit, monitoring means for monitoring at least the state of the type designated by the designated information, and the state of the type designated by the designated information is in a specific state. In some cases, the image output device further comprises a notification unit that notifies the output control unit of information indicating that the type of state is a specific state. 16. The image output apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a transmission unit that transmits status information regarding a status monitored by the monitoring unit to the output control unit. 17. The image output apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a specific information receiving unit that receives specific information for designating a specific state. 18. The notifying means comprises an output means for outputting a level signal according to whether or not the state of the type designated by the designation information is in a specific state. The image output device according to any one of claims 15 to 17. 19. The image output device according to claim 15, wherein the output control unit includes an image processing unit that processes image data. 20. The image output device according to claim 15, wherein the image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method. 21. The image output device according to claim 15, wherein the type status designated by the designation information includes a status regarding a paper size. 22. The image output device according to claim 15, wherein the type of state designated by the designation information includes an error state. 23. An image forming method in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: a receiving step of receiving designation information for designating a state type from an external device; and a designation step designated by the designation information. A monitoring step of at least monitoring the status of the type, and, when the status of the type specified by the specification information is a specific status, notifies an external device of information indicating that the status of the type is a specific status. An image forming method comprising: a notification step. 24. The image forming method according to claim 23, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting status information regarding a status monitored by the monitoring step to an external device. 25. The image forming method according to claim 23, further comprising a specific information receiving step of receiving specific information for designating specific information. 26. The notifying step comprises an output step of outputting a level signal according to whether or not the state of the type designated by the designation information is in a specific state. The image forming method according to claim 23. 27. The image forming method according to claim 23, wherein the external device includes an image processing unit that processes image data. 28. The image forming method according to claim 23, wherein an image is formed on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method. 29. The image forming method according to claim 23, wherein the state of the type designated by the designation information includes a state relating to a paper size. 30. The image forming method according to claim 23, wherein the status of the type designated by the designation information includes an error status. 31. An output control method in an output control device connected to an image forming unit, comprising: a transmitting step of transmitting designation information for designating a type of a state of the image forming unit to the image forming unit. A specific information transmitting step of transmitting specific information for designating a specific state to the image forming unit, and a state of a type designated by the specific information is a specific state designated by the specific information. And a receiving step of receiving the indicated information from the image forming unit. 32. The output control method according to claim 31, further comprising a generation step of generating data to be output to the image forming unit based on data from an external device. 33. The output control method according to claim 31, wherein the image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method. 34. The output control method according to claim 31, wherein the state of the type designated by the designation information includes a state relating to a paper size. 35. The output control method according to claim 31, wherein the type of state designated by the designation information includes an error state. 36. An image output method in an image output device, comprising: an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium; and an output control unit for outputting image data to the image forming unit, wherein the state of the image forming unit is A receiving step of receiving designation information for designating a type from the output control unit, a monitoring step of at least monitoring a state of the type designated by the designation information, and a state of the type designated by the designation information And a notification step of notifying the output control unit of information indicating that the type of state is a specific state when the image output method is a specific state. 37. The image output method according to claim 36, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting status information regarding a status monitored by the monitoring step to the output control unit. 38. The image output method according to claim 36 or 37, further comprising a specific information receiving step of receiving specific information for designating a specific state. 39. The notifying step comprises an output step of outputting a level signal according to whether or not the type of state designated by the designation information is in a specific state. 39. The image output method according to claim 36. 40. The image output method according to claim 36, wherein the output control unit includes an image processing unit that processes image data. 41. The image output method according to claim 36, wherein the image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method. 42. The image output method according to claim 36, wherein the type status designated by the designation information includes a status relating to a paper size. 43. The image output method according to claim 36, wherein the type of state designated by the designation information includes an error state.