JP2000127519A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of quickly performing substitution printing and suppressing variation in timing in the substitution printing. SOLUTION: Printing data received from a host computer via a receiving circuit 101 is rasterized by a CPU circuit 102 and is stored in a page memory circuit 104 having a memory region corresponding to a maximum printing paper to be printed. In terms of the print data stored in the page memory circuit 104, the print data in a range from a reading start address to a reading end address of the page memory circuit 104 set in a reading start address register 110 and a reading end address register 111 corresponding to the size of the printing paper for the substitution printing is cut therefrom and is outputted to a printing mechanism 108 via a reading buffer 106, then the data is printed on the printing paper for the substitution printing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for receiving print data such as figures and characters and performing printing on print paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, a printing apparatus such as a multi-stage page printer apparatus has been provided with a plurality of paper feeders for accommodating a plurality of types of print papers of different sizes so as to select and print from the plurality of print papers. In the case where the normal print paper corresponding to the print data such as figures and characters has run out, if a print paper larger than the print paper that has run out is set in another paper feeder, Is designed to perform alternative printing using the printing paper as an alternative. In general, in the page printer engine, the number of dots in the main scanning direction (the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction) of page data is determined to be a fixed number by a printing mechanism for each size of print paper. Therefore, when alternative printing is performed on a large-size print sheet when a small-size print sheet runs out of paper, printing is performed on the large-size print sheet using the print data rasterized for the small-size print sheet as it is. It is not possible. For this reason, in a conventional printing apparatus, print data before rasterization is stored in a storage device, and when alternative printing is performed on a large print sheet when the paper runs out, the print data is stored. The print data is rasterized again for use on the large-size substitute print paper, and substitute print is performed.

[0003]

In the conventional printing apparatus, since the rasterization is performed again when the alternative printing is performed, there is a problem that it takes a long time to switch the printing. Also, depending on the type and amount of input data,
There is a problem that the time required for the substitute printing varies. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus which performs alternative printing quickly and suppresses variation in time of the alternative printing.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a printing means having a printing paper supply means for supplying a plurality of types of printing papers having different sizes. In a printing apparatus for selecting a substitute print sheet stored in the supply unit and printing the print data received by the receiving unit by the printing unit, the printing unit can print based on the print data received by the receiving unit. Storage means for generating and storing print data composed of valid data and white data in accordance with the largest print paper, and a predetermined range in accordance with the size of the print paper to be printed from the print data stored in the storage means. And print data extracting means for extracting the data to the printing means. The storage unit generates and stores print data composed of valid data and white data in accordance with the maximum printable print sheet based on the print data received by the reception unit. The print data extracting means extracts a predetermined range from the print data stored in the storage means in accordance with the size of the print paper to be printed, and outputs the predetermined range to the printing means. The extraction means includes a read start address register for setting a read start address and a read end address register for setting a read end address, and stores the print data in a range set by the read start address register and the read end address register. It can be configured to extract from the means. Further, the present invention includes a printing unit having a printing paper supply unit for supplying a plurality of types of printing paper having different sizes, and when the regular printing paper runs out of paper, the replacement unit stored in the printing paper supply unit. A printing device for selecting print paper for printing and printing the print data received by the receiving device by the printing device, wherein the storage device stores print data obtained by rasterizing the print data received by the receiving device, Print data creating means for creating new print data by adding white data to the print data stored in the storage means in accordance with the size, and storing the print data in the storage means. Is output to the printing means. The storage unit stores print data obtained by rasterizing the print data received by the reception unit. The print data creating means creates new print data by adding white data to the print data stored in the storage means in accordance with the size of the substitute print sheet, and stores the new print data in the storage means. The newly created print data is output to the printing means and printed. Further, the present invention includes a printing unit having a printing paper supply unit for supplying a plurality of types of printing paper having different sizes, and when the regular printing paper runs out of paper, the replacement unit stored in the printing paper supply unit. A printing apparatus for selecting print paper for printing and printing the print data received by the receiving means by the printing means,
Storage means for storing print data obtained by rasterizing the print data received from the receiving means, white data generating means for outputting white data, and print data stored in the storage means according to the size of the substitute print sheet And white data adding means for adding the white data from the white data generating means and outputting the white data to the printing means. The storage unit stores print data obtained by rasterizing the print data received from the reception unit. The white data adding means matches the size of the substitute print paper,
The print data stored in the storage unit is added with white data from the white data generation unit and output to the printing unit.
The white data adding means includes: a valid data start timing register that sets a start timing of valid data on a line; and a valid data end timing register that sets an end timing of valid data on the line. In the valid print data stored in the storage unit output within the range set by the register and the valid data end timing register, white data from the white data generation unit output outside the range is added for each line. In addition, it can be configured to output to the printing unit. Further, each of the printing apparatuses can be configured to include an operation unit for setting whether or not to perform alternative printing.

[0005]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The printing apparatus has a plurality of paper feeders for storing print papers of different sizes. 2 shows an example of a multi-stage printer device for switching and selecting the print paper and performing printing. In FIG. 1, a receiving circuit 101 as a receiving means for receiving print data such as figures and characters transmitted from a host computer, and a central processing unit (CPU circuit) 10 for performing processing and control described later.
2. Operation means 103 provided on the operation panel for setting whether or not to perform alternative printing, etc .; page memory as storage means for storing and outputting bitmap print data in which the print data is rasterized by the CPU circuit 102 A circuit 104, a page memory control circuit 105 for performing write / read control and address designation of the page memory circuit 104,
A read buffer 106 for temporarily storing and outputting the print data stored in the page memory circuit 104; detecting a presence or a size of the print paper stored in a paper feeding device (not shown); And a printing mechanism 108 as printing means for printing the print data output from the read buffer 106 on print paper. Although not shown, the printing mechanism 108 contains a plurality of paper feeders as print paper supply means for storing a plurality of types of print papers having different sizes and selectively supplying the print papers. I have. Also, a row offset register 109 for registering an offset value of a row address when reading print data from the page memory circuit 104, a page memory circuit 1
04, a read start address register 110 for registering the first address when the print data is read, a read end address register 111 for registering the last address when the print data is read from the page memory circuit 104, and the page memory circuit 104. A cell size register 112 for registering the cell size of the stored print data, a line size register 113 for registering a line size corresponding to the number of dots in the main scanning direction of the printing paper to be printed,
Selection circuit 114 for selectively outputting signals from read start address register 110 and addition circuit 119, selection circuit 1
A register circuit 117 for registering the output signal of the selector 14;
Of the page memory circuit 104
Counter 11 which outputs a read address signal of
8. A cell which is constituted by a down counter, counts the signal from the page memory control circuit 105, counts down from the cell size data registered in the cell size register 112, and controls the selection circuit 114, the register circuit 117 and the address counter 118. Size counter 11
5. A line size counter 116, a register circuit 117, and a line which are constituted by a down counter, count signals from the page memory control circuit 105, count down from the line size data registered in the line size register, and control the read buffer 106. An adding circuit 119 for adding the output signal of the offset register 107 and outputting the added signal to the selection circuit 114; comparing the output signal of the address counter 118 with the output signal of the read end address register 111; A comparator 120 is provided. CPU circuit 102, page memory control circuit 105, read buffer 106, print paper detecting means 107, row offset register 109, read start address register 110, read end address register 111, cell size register 11
2. Line size register 113, selection circuit 114, cell size counter 115, line size counter 11
6, the register circuit 117, the address counter 118, the adder circuit 119, and the address comparator 120 constitute an extracting means.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the contents stored in the page memory circuit 104.
It is indicated by a base number (represented by 0x). Each cell to which an address is assigned is constituted by print data of 64 bits (D63 to D0). FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the printing operation of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Hereinafter, using FIGS. 1 to 4,
The operation of the first embodiment will be described. First, the print paper detecting unit detects the size of the print paper that can be supplied by the plurality of paper feeders, and outputs a paper size detection signal indicating the size of each print paper to the CPU circuit 102. C
The PU circuit 102, based on the paper size detection signal,
Among the print papers that can be supplied by the plurality of paper feeders, the largest print paper size 407 is recognized, and an area 404 of a size corresponding to this is reserved in the page memory circuit 104. As a result, the reserved area 404 is once occupied by white data that becomes a blank area when printed on print paper. After that, the print data received from the host computer by the receiving circuit 101 is rasterized by the CPU circuit 102 and stored in the page memory circuit 104. At this time, the page memory circuit 10
Reference numeral 4 is controlled to a write state by the page memory control circuit 105, a write address is sequentially designated, and print data in a bitmap format is sequentially stored at the designated address. Thereby, the page memory circuit 104 includes:
In the area where the write address is designated in the reserved area, the valid print data 402 received by the receiving circuit 101 is stored, and the other address areas (area 4)
04 (excluding the area 402) stores white (blank) print data. That is, as a whole, as shown in FIG. 4, not only the valid print data corresponding to the print paper 405 but also the print data 401 corresponding to the print paper 404 of the largest size is stored in the page memory circuit 104. It will be. When printing on the regular print paper 405, the print data of the area 402 is extracted and printed. When printing on the substitute print paper 406, the print data of the area 403 is extracted and printed. When printing, the print data in the area 404 is extracted and printed.

Next, an operation for printing the print data stored in the page memory 104 on a print sheet will be described. If there is a regular print sheet, by performing a print data extraction process as described below, the area 4
02 and extract the print data of regular print paper 405
Print on On the other hand, if the regular print paper 405 runs out of paper, the print paper detection unit 107
Detects that the regular print paper 405 has run out of paper and outputs an out-of-paper detection signal to the CPU circuit 102;
It detects that the substitute print paper 406 having a size larger than 05 is stored in another paper feeding device, and outputs a substitute paper detection signal to the CPU circuit 102. At this time,
If the setting for performing the alternative printing has not been made by the operating means 103, that is, if the alternative printing setting signal has not been input, the operating means 10 indicates that the print paper has run out.
The display is stopped at 3 and the process is stopped, and the operation waits for an instruction from the operator. If print paper larger than the regular print paper 405 is not stored in another paper feeder,
The alternative sheet detection signal is not input to the CPU circuit 102, and the operation means 103 displays that the print sheet is out of print, stops the process, and waits for an instruction from the operator. When an alternative print setting signal is input to the CPU circuit 102 by the operation unit 103 and a paper out detection signal and an alternative paper detection signal are input to the CPU circuit 102 from the print paper detection unit 107, the following alternative printing is performed. Done. The alternative print setting signal, the out-of-sheet detection signal, and the alternative sheet detection signal constitute an alternative print instruction signal. When performing alternative printing on the alternative print paper 406, that is, when extracting and printing the thick line portion in FIG. 2 from the print data stored in the page memory circuit 104, first, the row offset register 109 includes: Page memory circuit 10
The offset value “20” of the row address of No. 4 is set. The read start address register 110 is set with the leading address “1048” to be read, and the read end address register 111 is set with the last address “1110” to be read. In the cell size register 112, a value corresponding to the number of columns of cells to be read (in this example, “1” because there are two columns) is set, and in the line size register 113, the print paper 40 to be printed is set.
6, a value corresponding to the number of dots in the main scanning direction is set.

In this state, the read start address register 1
The resist value of 10 is output to the selection circuit 114, the resist value of the cell size register 112 is output to the cell size counter 115, and the resist value of the line size register 113 is output to the line size counter 116.
The line size counter 116 is a line size register 1
13 is registered. On the other hand, the cell size counter 115 registers the output signal of the cell size register 112 to set its count value to “1”, and also selects the selection circuit 114, the register circuit 117 and the address counter 1.
The control signal is output to 18. The selection circuit 114 outputs the register value “1048” of the read start address register 110 to the register circuit 117 and the address counter 118 in response to the control signal from the cell size counter 115. The register circuit 117 and the address / address counter 118 register the output signal of the selection circuit 114 in response to a control signal from the cell size counter 115. From the resist circuit 117, the resist value "104"
8 ”is output to the adder circuit 119, and the adder circuit 119 outputs an address value obtained by adding the address value“ 1048 ”registered in the register circuit 117 and the offset address value“ 20 ”registered in the row offset register 109. “1068” is output.

From the address counter 118, the register value “1048” is stored in the page memory control circuit 10.
5 is output. The page memory control circuit 105 outputs to the page memory circuit 104 a read signal for reading the print data of the address corresponding to the address value from the address counter 118. As a result, the print data stored at the address 1048 of the page memory circuit 104 becomes 64
The data is output to the read buffer 106 in bit units. The read buffer 106 outputs the print data to the printing mechanism 108 in 8-bit units while temporarily storing the received print data. Next, the cell size counter 115 counts down by 1 in response to a signal from the page memory control circuit 105 and outputs a count value “0”. Further, the line size counter 116 counts down by one in response to a signal from the page memory control circuit 105. Address counter 118 outputs the address value “1050” of the next cell to page memory control circuit 105 in response to a signal from cell size counter 115. The page memory control circuit 105 outputs a read signal corresponding to the address signal from the address counter 118 to the page memory circuit 104. Thereby, 105 of the page memory circuit 104
The print data stored at the address 0 is output to the read buffer 106.

Next, the cell size counter 115 registers the output signal of the cell size register 112 to set the count value to "1" again, and sends a control signal to the selection circuit 114, the register circuit 117 and the address counter 118. Output. The selection circuit 114 includes the cell size counter 1
The address value “1068” from the adding circuit 119 is output to the register circuit 117 and the address counter 118 in response to the control signal from the control circuit 15. The register circuit 117 and the address counter 118 respond to the control signal from the cell size counter 115 and
Register the output signal. The register circuit 117 outputs the register value “1068” to the adder circuit 119, and the adder circuit 119 outputs the address value “1068” registered in the register circuit 117 and the offset address value registered in the row offset register 109. An address value “1088” obtained by adding “20” is output.

From the address counter 118, the register value “1068” is stored in the page memory control circuit 10.
5 is output. The page memory control circuit 105 outputs a read signal corresponding to the address value from the address counter 118 to the page memory circuit 104. As a result, the print data stored at the address 1068 of the page memory circuit 104 is output to the read buffer 106. Next, the cell size counter 115 counts down by 1 in response to a signal from the page memory control circuit 105 and outputs a count value “0”. Further, the line size counter 116 counts down by one in response to a signal from the page memory control circuit 105. Address counter 118 outputs the address value “1070” of the next cell to page memory control circuit 105 in response to a signal from cell size counter 115. Page memory control circuit 10
5 outputs a read signal corresponding to the address value from the address counter 118 to the page memory circuit 104.
As a result, the print data stored at the address 1070 of the page memory circuit 104 is output to the read buffer 106.

Thereafter, the same operation as described above is performed, and the print data in the area surrounded by the thick line in FIG.
The data is output to the reading buffer 106 in units of 4 to 64 bits, and is output to the printing mechanism 108 in units of 8 bits from the reading buffer, and is printed on the selected print paper 406. As a result, printing is performed in accordance with the number of dots in the main scanning direction determined by the printing mechanism 108, and the valid print data and white (margin) data received by the receiving circuit 101 are printed on the substitute print paper 406. The combined printing is performed. It should be noted that the address counter 118 is reset by the address comparator 120 when the count value becomes “1110”. When the data of the number of dots corresponding to the selected print paper is counted by the line size counter 116, the output of the reading buffer 106 is stopped. Thus, unnecessary data exceeding one line of the selected print sheet is not output, and print data of the number of dots corresponding to the selected print sheet per line is output to the print mechanism 108. Print paper 40
When printing on 5, 407, printing is performed by changing the register values of the read start address register 110, the read end address register 111, the cell size register 112, and the line size register 113 according to the size of the printing paper. The data can be changed and printing can be performed in the same manner as described above. As described above, since the rasterization is not performed again at the time of switching the printing to the substitute printing paper, it does not take much time to switch the printing, and the variation in the time required for the alternate printing due to the difference in the input data is reduced. . In the present embodiment,
The largest size print paper 40 that can be printed in advance
7 is prepared in the page memory circuit 104, and the print data is extracted and printed also when printing on the regular print paper 405.
When the substitute print setting signal is not input by the operation unit 103, the print data received by the receiving circuit 101 is rasterized and stored in the area 402 as in the related art. Various changes are possible, such as a configuration in which only printing is performed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing an example of a multi-stage printer. In FIG. 5, a receiving circuit 501 as a receiving means for receiving print data such as figures and characters transmitted from a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU circuit) 502 constituting a print data creating means, and a substitute provided on an operation panel Operation means 50 for setting whether to print or not
3. First storage area 70 for storing bitmap print data rasterized by CPU circuit 502
1, a page memory circuit 504 as storage means capable of forming a second storage area 702 for storing print data including valid print data and blank print data, and write / read switching control and address designation of the page memory circuit 504. Memory control circuit 50 that constitutes print data creating means for performing
5. a read buffer 506 for temporarily storing and outputting the print data stored in the page memory circuit 504; a CPU circuit for detecting the presence / absence and size of the print paper stored in a paper feeding device (not shown) and outputting a detection signal to the CPU circuit A print paper detection unit 507 for outputting the print data 502 and a print mechanism 508 as a print unit for printing the print data output from the read buffer 506 are provided. Although not shown, the printing mechanism 508 has a plurality of paper feeding devices for storing printing paper, and has built-in printing paper supply means for selectively supplying a plurality of types of printing paper having different sizes. I have.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of the CPU circuit 502, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents stored in the page memory circuit 504, and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the printing operation. Hereinafter, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, regular print paper 80 to be printed
In a normal state in which the print data 1 is stored in the sheet feeding device, the print data received from the host computer by the receiving circuit 501 is rasterized by the CPU circuit 502 and stored in the page memory circuit 504. At this time,
The page memory control circuit 50
5, the write state is controlled, the write address is sequentially designated, and the bit map print data is sequentially stored at the designated address. Thereafter, the page memory circuit 504 is controlled to the read state by the page memory control circuit 505, and the read address is sequentially designated, and the stored print data is sequentially read. The read print data is output to the print mechanism 508 via the read buffer 506. At this time, the CPU circuit 502 selects a paper feeder that accommodates the regular print paper 801 corresponding to the print data from among a plurality of paper feeders provided in the print paper supply unit and accommodates print papers of different sizes. Therefore, the print data is printed on the regular print paper 801.

Next, the operation when the regular print paper 801 has run out of paper will be described. The print paper detecting means 507 detects that the regular print paper 801 has run out of paper, outputs a paper shortage detection signal to the CPU circuit 502, and has a size larger than the regular print paper 801 that has run out of paper. The alternative print paper 802 is stored in another paper feeder, and an alternative paper detection signal is output to the CPU circuit 502.
At this time, if the setting for performing the alternative printing has not been made by the operating unit 503, that is, if the alternative printing setting signal has not been input, the fact that the print paper is out is displayed on the operating unit 503 and the processing is performed. Is stopped, and the operation waits for an instruction from the operator. If a print sheet larger than the regular print sheet 801 is not stored in another sheet feeder, the alternative sheet detection signal is output from the CPU circuit 50.
2, the operation means 503 displays a message indicating that the print paper has run out, stops the process, and waits for an instruction from the operator. When an alternative print setting signal is input to the CPU circuit 502 by the operation unit 503 and a paper out detection signal and an alternative paper detection signal are input to the CPU circuit 502 from the print paper detection unit 507, the following alternative printing is performed. Done. The alternative print setting signal, the out-of-paper detection signal, and the alternative paper detection signal constitute an alternative print instruction signal.

First, upon receiving the substitute print instruction signal (step S601), the CPU circuit 502 stores the substitute print instruction in an area other than the first storage area 701 where the print data is stored in the page memory circuit 504. The second storage area 702 is secured as a page memory for the print paper 802 (step S602), and the secured second storage area 702 is cleared so that the area is occupied by white (blank) data (step S602). S603). Next, the print data of the first column stored in the first storage area 701 is copied to the first column of the second storage area 702 (step S605).
This copying operation is sequentially performed up to the print data of the last column (step S604). As a result, in the second storage area 702, as shown in FIG. 7, print data in which white print data 703 is added to valid print data 702 corresponding to the print data stored in the first storage area 701 is formed. You. When copying is completed up to the print data of the last column, the print data stored in the second storage area 702 is output to the read buffer 506, and the printing process is performed (step S606).
On the substitute paper 802, substitute printing of characters and the like is performed in a state where a white (margin) area is formed by a printing mechanism. As a result, printing is performed in accordance with the number of dots in the main scanning direction determined by the printing mechanism 508, and the print data obtained by combining the valid print data received by the receiving circuit 501 with the white data is printed on the substitute print paper 802. Is performed. As described above, since the rasterization is not performed again when the print is switched to the substitute print paper, it does not take much time to switch the print, and the variation in the time required for the substitute print due to the difference in the input data is reduced. .

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, showing an example of a multi-stage printer apparatus. In FIG. 9, a receiving circuit 901 as a receiving means for receiving print data such as figures and characters transmitted from a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU circuit) 902 for performing processing and control described later, and a substitute provided on an operation panel An operation unit 903 for setting whether to print or not, and C
A page memory circuit 904 as storage means for storing and outputting bitmap print data in which the print data is rasterized by the PU circuit 902, and a page memory control circuit for performing write / read control and address designation of the page memory circuit 904 905, a read buffer 906 for temporarily storing and outputting the print data stored in the page memory circuit 904, and a CPU circuit 902 for detecting the presence and size of print paper stored in a paper feeding device (not shown)
And a printing mechanism 908 as printing means for printing the print data output from the read buffer 906 on print paper, and generating white data for outputting white (blank) data to the read buffer 906. A white data circuit 909 is provided as a means.
Although not shown, the printing mechanism 908 stores a plurality of types of print papers having different sizes and incorporates a plurality of paper feeders as print paper supply means for selectively supplying the print papers. I have.

A read start address register 910 for registering a head address when reading print data from the page memory circuit 904, and a read end address for registering a last address when reading print data from the page memory circuit 904. A register 911, a valid data start timing register 912 for registering start timing data indicating a timing at which valid print data such as characters and figures start, and a valid data end for registering end timing data indicating a timing at which the valid print data ends. The page memory control circuit 9 is determined based on a timing register 913, a line size register 914 that registers a value corresponding to the number of dots in the main scanning direction of a print sheet to be printed as a line size, and a registration value of a reading start address register 910. Address counter 915 outputs read address signal counts up in response to signals from 5 the page memory circuit 904, the address counter 91
The address comparator 916 resets the count value of the address counter 915 when the output signal of No. 5 coincides with the register value of the read end address register 911. The signal from the page memory control circuit 905 is counted and registered in the line size register 914. The first comparator 918 and the second comparator 919 count down from the line size data.
The line size counter 917 outputs a count value to the read buffer 906 and outputs a control signal to the read buffer 906. A control signal is output to the read buffer 906 when the output signal of the line size counter 917 matches the register value of the valid data start timing register 912. The first comparator 918 outputs a control signal to the read buffer 906 when the output signal of the line size counter 917 matches the registration value of the valid data end timing register 913.
19 is provided. CPU circuit 902, page memory control circuit 905, read buffer 906, read start address register 910, read end address register 911, valid data start timing register 912, valid data end timing register 913, line size register 9
14, address counter 915, address comparator 91
6. The line size counter 917, the first comparator 918, and the second comparator 919 constitute white data adding means.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the storage contents of the page memory circuit 904, in which memory addresses (addresses) are represented by hexadecimal numbers (represented by 0x). FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the printing operation of the third embodiment shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in a normal state where the regular print paper 1204 to be printed is stored in the paper feeder, the receiving circuit 901
The print data received from the host computer is rasterized by the CPU circuit 902 and stored in the page memory circuit 904. At this time, the page memory circuit 904 is controlled to be in a write state by the page memory control circuit 905, and a write address is sequentially designated, and print data in a bitmap format is sequentially stored at the designated address. Thereafter, the page memory circuit 90
4 is controlled to a read state by the page memory control circuit 905, and the read address is sequentially designated, and the stored print data is sequentially read. The read print data is output to the print mechanism 908 via the read buffer 906. At this time, the CPU circuit 902 selects a paper feeder that stores regular print paper corresponding to print data from among a plurality of paper feeders provided in the print paper supply unit and stores print papers of different sizes. The print data is a regular print paper 1
205 is printed.

Next, the operation when the regular print paper 1205 runs out of paper will be described. The print paper detection means 907 detects that the regular print paper 1205 has run out of paper, outputs a paper shortage detection signal to the CPU circuit 902, and has a size larger than the regular print paper 1205 that has run out of paper. The alternative print paper 1206 is detected to be stored in another paper feeder, and an alternative paper detection signal is output to the CPU circuit 902. At this time, if the setting for performing the alternative printing has not been made by the operation unit 903, that is, if the alternative print setting signal has not been input, the fact that the print paper has run out is displayed on the operation unit 903 and the processing is performed. Is stopped, and the operation waits for an instruction from the operator. In addition, regular print paper 1
If a print sheet larger than 205 is not stored in another sheet feeder, the alternative sheet detection signal is output from the CPU.
It is not input to the circuit 902, and the fact that the print paper is out is displayed by the operation means 903, the processing is stopped, and the operation waits for an instruction from the operator. CPU circuit 9 by operating means 903
When an alternative print setting signal is input to the CPU 02 and a paper out detection signal and an alternative paper detection signal are input from the print paper detector 907 to the CPU circuit 902, the following alternative printing is performed. The alternative print setting signal, the out-of-sheet detection signal, and the alternative sheet detection signal constitute an alternative print instruction signal.

A description will be given of a case where effective print data surrounded by a thick line in FIG. 10 is extracted from the print data stored in the page memory circuit 904 and printed with white data added. In this case, first, the CPU circuit 902 outputs the substitute print paper 1 output from the print paper detection unit 907.
Based on a paper size detection signal indicating the size of 206,
The line size data in the main scanning direction is registered in the line size register 914, the read start address value (“1020” in this example) of the page memory circuit 904 is stored in the read start address register 910, and the page memory is stored in the read end address register 911. The read end address value (“1088” in this example) of the circuit 904 is stored in the valid data start timing register 912, and the valid data start timing data (“12” in this example) is stored in the valid data end timing register 913. The data (in this example, “2”) is registered. In this state,
The address value “1020” registered in the read start address register 910 is registered in the address counter 915. The line size data registered in the line size register 914 is stored in the line size counter 9.
17 is registered. The address value “1020” registered in the address counter 915 is output to the page memory control circuit 905. Page memory control circuit 905
Outputs to the page memory circuit 904 a read signal for reading print data at an address corresponding to the address value from the address counter 915. As a result, the print data stored at address 1020 of the page memory circuit 904 is output to the read buffer 906 in 64-bit units. As described below, the read buffer 106 outputs the print data to the print mechanism 908 in 8-bit units while temporarily storing the input print data.

On the other hand, since the count value of the line size counter 917 is larger than the register value of the valid data start timing register 912, the first comparator 918 detects this and outputs white (blank) output from the white data circuit 909. And) controlling the read buffer 906 so that data is output to the printing mechanism 908 via the read buffer 906. Next, the line size counter 917 counts down by one in response to the output signal of the page memory control circuit 905. Thereby, the count value of the line size counter 917 and the register of the valid data start timing register are
Both are equal to “12”. The first comparator 918 detects that both have become equal, and the output signal changes to the L level. As a result, valid print data (print data at address 1020) from the page memory circuit 904 is transferred in a unit of 8 bits via the read buffer 906 to the printing mechanism 9.
The read buffer 906 is controlled so as to be output to 08. Next, the address counter 915 counts up in response to a signal from the page memory control circuit 905,
The count value “1028” is stored in the page memory control circuit 905.
Output to On the other hand, the line size counter 917 counts down in response to a signal from the page memory control circuit 905 and outputs a count value “11”. The page memory control circuit 905 outputs a read signal corresponding to the address value “1028” from the address counter 915 to the page memory circuit 904. As a result, the print data stored at the address 1028 of the page memory circuit 904 is output to the read buffer 906. At this time, since the count value of the line size counter 917 is still smaller than the register value of the valid data start timing register 912 and larger than the register value of the valid data end timing register 913, the valid print data from the page memory circuit 904 Is output to the printing mechanism 908 via the read buffer 906. Thereafter, similarly, the address counter 915 counts signals from the page memory control circuit 905 and sequentially outputs address values, and the page memory control circuit 905 stores print data corresponding to the address values in the page memory circuit 9.
04 to the read buffer 906. When the address value becomes the register value "1088" of the read end address register 911, the address comparator 916
Reset by

On the other hand, when the count value of the line size counter 917 becomes “2” which is equal to the register value of the valid data end timing register 913, the second comparator 919
Upon detecting this, the white data output from the white data circuit 909 is sent to the printing mechanism 908 via the read buffer 906.
The read buffer 906 is controlled so as to be output to
When the count value of the line size counter 917 becomes equal to one line size of the print paper, the output of the reading buffer 906 is stopped. As a result, unnecessary data exceeding one line of the selected substitute print paper 1206 is not output, and print data corresponding to the substitute print paper 1206 is printed. By repeating the above processing, the print data in which the white data is added to the effective print data is output for each line of the substitute print paper 1206, and as a result, the effective data area 120 such as a character or a figure is output.
2 is output to the printing mechanism 908 with white data areas 1203 and 1204 added to both sides, and characters and characters are printed on the substitute print paper 1206 in accordance with the number of dots in the main scanning direction determined by the printing mechanism 908. The figure or the like and the blank are combined and printed. As described above, since the rasterization is not performed again when the print is switched to the substitute print paper, it does not take much time to switch the print, and the variation in the time required for the substitute print due to the difference in the input data is reduced. .

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing of the printing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example of a multistage printer apparatus. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. The fourth
The hardware configuration in this embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, and the normal printing process and the process in the case where the alternative printing is not performed when the paper runs out are also the same as those in the second embodiment. Therefore, the block diagram and the description thereof are omitted, and only different points will be described below. In the fourth embodiment, when valid print data such as characters and graphics is output from the page memory circuit 504, white data of a dot number that is insufficient for the line size of the substitute print paper is output to the CPU.
The second embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that it is generated at 502 and output to the read buffer 506. That is, the CPU circuit 502 constitutes white data generating means for generating white data, and the CPU circuit 502, the page memory control circuit 505, and the read buffer 506 add white data to the valid print data. They differ in that they function as Hereinafter, the difference will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 13, and 14.

First, when the regular print paper runs out of paper and receives an alternative print instruction signal (step S1301), the CPU circuit 502 selects a substitute print paper of a size larger than the regular print paper (step S1301). Step S1302). Next, the page memory control circuit 505
To read the Nth (N is an integer) column of the print data stored in the page memory circuit 504 (step S13).
04), and sends out the missing page data for one column (step S1305). This is performed from the first column to the last column (step S1303). As described above, as shown in FIG. 14, based on the original print data 1401, the area 1403 corresponding to the original print data
The print data to which the 404 is added is stored in the read buffer 506.
Is output to the printing mechanism 508 via the. Printing mechanism 508
According to the embodiment, according to the determined number of dots in the main scanning direction, printing in which valid print data received by the receiving circuit 501 and white data are combined is performed on a substitute print sheet. At this time, since the rasterization is not performed again when the printing is switched to the substitute printing paper, it does not take much time for the printing to be switched, and the variation in the time required for the substitute printing due to the difference in the input data is reduced.

[0026]

According to the present invention, the alternative printing can be performed quickly, and the variation in the time of the alternative printing can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory diagram of a page memory circuit used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an aspect of printing on a print sheet in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of a page memory circuit used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an aspect of printing on a print sheet in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of a page memory circuit used in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart of a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an aspect of printing on print paper in a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a form of print data according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101, 501, 901: receiving circuit as receiving means 102: CPU circuit constituting extracting means 103, 503, 903: operating means 105: page memory control circuit constituting extracting means 106 .. Readout buffer 107 constituting the extraction unit. Print sheet detection unit 108, 508, 908 constituting the extraction unit. Printing mechanism 109 constituting the printing unit 109 .... row offset register 110 constituting the extraction unit. ·········································································································· ... Selection circuit constituting extraction means 115 ... Cell size constituting extraction means Counter 116: a line size counter forming the extracting means 117: a register circuit forming the extracting means 118: an address counter forming the extracting means 119: an adding circuit forming the extracting means 120 ... Address comparator 104 constituting extraction means 104 page memory circuit as storage means 502 CPU circuit constituting print data creation means or white data generation means and white data addition means 504 ... storage means Page memory circuit 505... Page memory control circuit constituting print data creating means or white data adding means 506... Read buffer constituting print data creating means or white data adding means 902. CPU circuit 904... Page memory circuit 90 constituting storage means 90 5: A page memory control circuit constituting the white data adding means 906: a read buffer constituting the white data adding means 909: a white data circuit as a white data generating means 910: a white data adding means Read start address register 911 to configure Read end address register 912 to configure white data addition means Valid data start timing register to configure white data addition means 913 Valid data to configure white data addition means End timing register 914... Line size register forming white data adding means 915... Address counter forming white data adding means 916... Address comparator forming white data adding means 917. Line size counter 918 constituting the adding means ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ White data Second comparator constituting the first comparator 919 ... white data adding means constituting the pressurizing means

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 16, 1999 (1999.11.
16)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0016

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

First, upon receiving the substitute print instruction signal (step S601), the CPU circuit 502 stores the substitute print instruction in an area other than the first storage area 701 where the print data is stored in the page memory circuit 504. The second storage area 702 is secured as a page memory for the print paper 802 (step S602), and the secured second storage area 702 is cleared so that the area is occupied by white (blank) data (step S602). S603). Next, the print data of the first column stored in the first storage area 701 is copied to the first column of the second storage area 702 (step S605).
This copying operation is sequentially performed up to the print data of the last column (step S604). Thus, in the second storage area 702, as shown in FIG. 7, the print data added with the valid print data 70 3 white print data 70 4 to corresponding to the print data stored in the first storage area 701 It is formed. When copying is completed up to the print data of the last column, the print data stored in the second storage area 702 is output to the read buffer 506, and the printing process is performed (step S606).
On the substitute paper 802, substitute printing of characters and the like is performed in a state where a white (margin) area is formed by a printing mechanism. As a result, printing is performed in accordance with the number of dots in the main scanning direction determined by the printing mechanism 508, and the print data obtained by combining the valid print data received by the receiving circuit 501 with the white data is printed on the substitute print paper 802. Is performed. As described above, since the rasterization is not performed again when the print is switched to the substitute print paper, it does not take much time to switch the print, and the variation in the time required for the substitute print due to the difference in the input data is reduced. .

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0019

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the storage contents of the page memory circuit 904, in which memory addresses (addresses) are represented by hexadecimal numbers (represented by 0x). FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the printing operation of the third embodiment shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in the normal state in which the print paper 120 5 regular for printing are accommodated in the sheet feeding device, the receiving circuit 901
The print data received from the host computer is rasterized by the CPU circuit 902 and stored in the page memory circuit 904. At this time, the page memory circuit 904 is controlled to be in a write state by the page memory control circuit 905, and a write address is sequentially designated, and print data in a bitmap format is sequentially stored at the designated address. Thereafter, the page memory circuit 90
4 is controlled to a read state by the page memory control circuit 905, and the read address is sequentially designated, and the stored print data is sequentially read. The read print data is output to the print mechanism 908 via the read buffer 906. At this time, the CPU circuit 902 selects a paper feeder that stores regular print paper corresponding to print data from among a plurality of paper feeders provided in the print paper supply unit and stores print papers of different sizes. The print data is a regular print paper 1
205 is printed.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 2C058 AB08 AC12 AE02 AF04 HA09 HD02 HD07 2C087 AB05 BC05 BD10 CA03 CA04 CB13 DA02 DA17 5B021 AA01 AA01 CC05 CC10 KK02 KK07 5C062 AA05 AB08 AB22 AB30 AB38 AB42 AB53 AC22 AC04 BA04

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A printing device comprising a printing paper supply means for supplying a plurality of types of printing papers having different sizes, and when a regular print paper runs out of paper, the substitute paper stored in the printing paper supply means is provided. In a printing apparatus for selecting a print sheet and printing the print data received by the receiving unit by the printing unit, based on the print data received by the receiving unit,
A storage unit for generating and storing print data including valid data and white data in accordance with the maximum print paper printable by the printing unit; and a print paper size for printing based on the print data stored in the storage unit. And a print data extracting means for extracting a predetermined range and outputting the extracted data to the printing means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the extracting unit includes a read start address register for setting a read start address and a read end address register for setting a read end address. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein print data is extracted from the storage unit. 3. A printing unit having a printing paper supply unit for supplying a plurality of types of printing papers having different sizes, and when the regular printing paper runs out of paper, the replacement unit stored in the printing paper supply unit. A printing apparatus for selecting print paper and printing the print data received by the receiving means by the printing means, comprising: storage means for storing print data obtained by rasterizing the print data received by the receiving means; A print data creating unit that creates new print data by adding white data to the print data stored in the storage unit and stores the print data in the storage unit. A printing apparatus for outputting to the printing means. 4. A printing apparatus comprising a printing paper supply means for supplying a plurality of types of printing papers having different sizes, and when the regular printing paper runs out of paper, the substitute paper stored in the printing paper supply means is provided. In a printing apparatus for selecting print paper and printing the print data received by the receiving means by the printing means, storage means for storing print data obtained by rasterizing the print data received from the receiving means, and white data for outputting white data Generating means, and white data adding means for adding white data from the white data generating means to the print data stored in the storage means and outputting the white data from the white data generating means to the printing means in accordance with the size of the substitute print sheet. A printing apparatus, comprising: 5. The white data adding means includes a valid data start timing register that sets a start timing of valid data on a line, and a valid data end timing register that sets an end timing of valid data on a line. The valid print data stored in the storage unit output within the range set by the valid data start timing register and the valid data end timing register is added to the white data from the white data generation unit output outside the range. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein data is added to each line and output to said printing means. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising operation means for setting whether or not to perform alternative printing.