JP2000181670A - Data transfer device and its testing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To speed up an operation test of data transmission and reception without requiring any external device by providing a receive signal generating means which generates a data receive signal for a test. SOLUTION: In a printer control IC 4, a data reception part 11, a test signal generation part 12, and a selector 13 are built. The data reception part 11 stores data received through a parallel interface 3 in a receiving buffer in a RAM 5. Then the test signal generation part 12 generates a data transfer signal for a test. Further, the selector 13 switches signals between normal operation and testing operation. Therefore, data transfer in test mode does not require any external device such as a host computer. The data transfer speed can be equalized nearly to the maximum speed of the storage of data in the receiving buffer, so data can be transferred extremely fast.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data transfer device for controlling an interface for connecting to an external device, and more particularly to a data transfer device for controlling a printer interface, a test method therefor, and an application of the device. The present invention relates to a print controller, an information processing device, and an image forming device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of data transfer apparatus has a function of controlling an interface and testing the operation of the interface.

For example, an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral has an interface for connecting to an external device such as a host computer. In recent years, the interface is built in an ASIC or the like in order to improve a data transfer speed. Is controlled by the data transfer device. The received data is stored in a memory called a reception buffer. The reception buffer may use a dedicated memory in some cases, but most use a part of the RAM used in the entire printer from the viewpoint of cost.

When testing the operation of such an interface, data is transferred by actually connecting to an external device such as a computer or a dedicated test device, and the contents of data stored in a reception buffer are transferred. It is common to confirm. A method called loopback is also used in which the input and output of the interface are connected and the transmitted data is received by itself.

[0005]

However, since there is a function that cannot be confirmed unless a certain amount of data is stored in the reception buffer, the data transfer time increases as the reception buffer becomes larger, and the test of the reception buffer becomes difficult. It's getting harder.

For example, a data transfer device has a counter for counting the amount of data in a reception buffer. To check the operation of all bits of this counter, it is necessary to check whether the counter actually counts up to the maximum value. Alternatively, it is necessary to prepare a test mode and directly operate the upper bits of the counter.

However, in the test mode, failures may not be detected because actual operation conditions and timing are different. In general, the data transfer rate of the external interface is lower than the data transfer rate inside the device, and it takes a lot of time to transfer data from the external device and fill the reception buffer. In particular, since the test time is limited in the manufacturing process of mass-produced products, it is practically impossible to perform a test for filling the reception buffer.

Further, the data transfer apparatus performs processing such as prohibiting data transfer when the reception buffer becomes full. To test this function, the reception buffer must be full. However, this test also has a problem in terms of test time.

In addition, when performing a loopback test, it is necessary to connect a dedicated adapter, but it is troublesome to equip the adapter, and attaching / detaching the adapter deteriorates the test efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to enable a high-speed data transmission / reception operation test without the need for an external device. An object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer device, a test method thereof, and various devices to which the device is applied.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a data transfer apparatus for transferring received data, comprising a reception signal generating means for generating a test data reception signal. Features.

Here, it is characterized by further comprising input means for selectively inputting the test data reception signal and an external data reception signal.

[0013] Further, it is characterized in that it has a counter for counting data reception signals, and has reception stop processing means for performing processing to stop data reception when the number of data reception signals reaches a predetermined number.

Further, the present invention relates to a method of testing a data transfer device for transferring received data, wherein a test data reception signal is generated inside the data transfer device, and the test data reception signal is used by using the test data reception signal. A reception test is performed.

Further, the present invention is a print controller for transferring data input from an interface to a memory, characterized by having a reception signal generating means for generating a data reception signal for a data reception test.

Further, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus,
An interface for connecting to an external device, receiving means for receiving a data reception signal from the interface, and data corresponding to the data reception signal; storage means for storing data received by the reception means; Data reception signal generating means for generating a data reception signal of
Switching means for switching between a test reception signal from the data reception signal generation means and a reception signal received from the interface and inputting the received signal to the reception means.

Meanwhile, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus,
An interface for connecting to an external device, receiving means for receiving a data reception signal from the interface, and data corresponding to the data reception signal; storage means for storing data received by the reception means; Data reception signal generating means for generating a data reception signal of
Switching means for switching between a test reception signal from the data reception signal generation means and a reception signal received from the interface and inputting the received signal to the reception means; and forming an image based on the data stored in the storage means. And an image forming means for performing the following.

According to the above configuration, data can be stored in the reception buffer at high speed without the need for an external device, and the data reception function can be tested in a short time.

[0019]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the relative arrangement of components described in this embodiment, formulas, numerical values, etc., unless otherwise specified,
It is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer to which a data transfer device according to an embodiment can be applied.

In the figure, a lead screw 5005
Rotates through the driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 in conjunction with the forward / reverse rotation of the carriage motor 5013. The carriage HC is provided with a spiral groove 5 of the lead screw 5004.
It has a pin (not shown) that engages with the 005, and reciprocates in the directions of arrows a and b with the rotation of the lead screw 5004. An ink jet cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC.

A paper pressing plate 5002 presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage. Photo position sensors 5007 and 5008 are home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this area and switching the rotation direction of the carriage motor 8. A member 5016 supports a cap member 5022 for capping the front surface of the recording head. Reference numeral 5015 denotes a suction unit that suctions the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through the opening 5023 in the cap. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade. Reference numeral 5019 denotes a member which allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction. These members are supported by a main body support plate 5018. Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery. The lever 5021 moves with the movement of the cam 5020 that engages with the carriage, and the driving force from the driving motor is controlled by a known transmission means such as clutch switching. .

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired operations can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5004 when the carriage comes to the area on the home position side.

Reference numeral 5024 denotes a paper feed motor, which transmits a driving force to a platen 5000 via a belt 5025.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a control circuit of the printer. In FIG. 1, 1 is a CPU, 2 is a ROM, 3 is a parallel interface, 4 is a printer control IC, 5 is a RAM, 6 is a recording head, 8 is a carriage motor, and 9 is a paper feed motor.

The CPU 1 controls the entire printer, and incorporates a timer function, an input / output port, and the like, in addition to a processor section for executing a program. ROM2 is CPU1
It contains programs to be executed and various data necessary for control. The parallel interface 3 is connected to a host system such as a computer and receives print data and commands. The printer control IC 4 uses the bus signal to
It is connected to U 1 and controls the parallel interface 3, RAM 5, and recording head 6 based on instructions from the CPU 1. The RAM 5 is storage means for temporary storage, and includes a program load area for storing a program to be loaded, and a storage area for received data, image data, and the like. The recording head 6 is an ink jet head in which four color ink jet nozzles are arranged in a line, and a printer control IC.
4. The carriage motor 8 is the CPU 1
And scans the carriage in the main scanning direction. The paper feed motor 9 is controlled by the CPU 1 and conveys the print medium in the sub-scanning direction.

The printer control IC 4 includes a data receiving section 11, a test signal generating section 12, and a selector 13. The data receiving unit 11 stores data received via the parallel interface 3 in a reception buffer in the RAM 5. The test signal generator 12 generates a test data transfer signal. The selector 13 switches signals between a normal time and a test time.

FIG. 3 shows signals exchanged between the parallel interface 3 and the printer control IC 4, that is, signals between the host and the printer. The host sets the 8-bit data signal Data [8: 1] and sets nStr
When the ob signal is set to a low level, the printer receives the data by setting the Busy signal to a high level, and outputs a negative pulse to the nAck signal to respond to the Bus signal.
Set the y signal to low level.

FIG. 4 shows the test signal generator 12 and the selector 1
3 is shown. The test signal generator 12 includes a controller 21 and a counter 22. The control unit 21 outputs a switching signal Sel and a test strobe signal nTStrobe. The counter 22 counts the number of data transfers, that is, the number of pulses of the strobe signal. The selector 13 switches between inputting nStrobe and inputting nTStrobe based on the switching signal Sel. Also, TBBus is output as Busy.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a data transfer operation in a normal state, and FIG. 6 is a timing chart thereof. Normally, the switching signal Sel is set to the low level, and the strobe signal nStrobe from the parallel interface 3 is output as nSStrobe and input to the data receiving unit 11.

External data transmission strobe nStr
A negative pulse is input as “ob” and nSSStr
When “ob” goes low (S501), a counter (not shown) counts nSStrobe pulses (S5).
02), the data receiving unit 11 sets the TBusy signal to high level (S503) and receives data (S504).
When the reception data is stored in the reception buffer (S505),
It is checked whether the count value counted in S502 is a predetermined value (S506). If the count value is not the predetermined value, TB
The usy signal is set to low level (S507). TBus
The content (low level) of the y signal is output as it is to the parallel interface 3 as a busy signal (S50).
8). Then, it waits for reception of the next data. When the count value reaches the predetermined value in S506, for example, it is determined that the reception buffer is full, the Busy signal is kept at the high level, and the data reception process ends. At this time,
A signal indicating that the receive buffer is full is sent to interface 3
The notification may be sent to an external device via.

Next, FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a data transfer operation at the time of a test, and FIG. 8 shows a timing chart thereof.

At the time of testing, the test signal generator 12 sets the switching signal Sel to high level (S701), and sets the test strobe signal nTStrobe to nSStrob.
The signal is output as the e signal (S702). continue,
The test signal generator 12 outputs a negative pulse as the nTStrobe signal (S703). The counter 22 counts up according to the negative pulse output in S703 (S704). Data receiving unit 11
Sets the TBusy signal to a high level when nSStrobe goes to a low level (S705). If the count value does not reach a predetermined value, the TBusy signal is set at a predetermined timing.
The y signal is set to low level (S707).

While the switching signal Sel is at the high level,
The Busy signal is set to a high level regardless of the state of the TBusy signal. When the TBusy signal goes to a low level, the test signal generator 12 immediately starts nTStor
The next negative pulse is output to the be signal (S70).
3). When the count value reaches a predetermined value (S706), T
Check whether the Busy signal remains at the high level.
Here, it is assumed that the predetermined value is the value of the counter when the reception buffer is full. If the TBusy signal goes low even though the count value has reached a predetermined value, new data will be received even though the reception buffer is full,
This means that the data transfer function has an abnormality. Therefore, if the TBusy signal is not at the high level in S708, the CPU 1 determines in S711 that it is Error. After that, the switching signal Sel is set to a low level in S710. If it is confirmed in S708 that the TBusy signal is at the high level, the TBusy signal is set to the low level in S709 (S710).
2 sets the switching signal Sel to low level and ends the test mode.

That is, in step S711, the CPU 1 sets the Error
If it is not determined, there is no problem as a result of the test.

The data transfer in the test mode does not require an external device such as a host computer. Further, since the data transfer rate can be made almost equal to the maximum rate at which data can be stored in the reception buffer, data can be transferred at a very high speed.

By confirming the data transfer amount after the end of the test mode, it is possible to test whether the function of the counter in the data receiving unit 11 is normal. Also, the data transfer amount is set according to the capacity of the reception buffer, and it is possible to test the reception buffer full processing function by confirming whether the processing when the reception buffer is full is performed normally.

(Other Embodiments) In the above embodiment, B
Although the interface and the data receiving device of the J printer have been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and a laser printer, a copying machine, a facsimile device, and a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.) ) May be applied.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, an operation test for data transmission / reception can be performed at a high speed without requiring an external device and without requiring an external device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a control circuit of a printer.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic internal configuration of the printer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing interface signals.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a test signal generator and a selector.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a normal data transfer operation.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a normal data transfer operation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a data transfer operation during a test.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing a data transfer operation during a test.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 Parallel interface 4 Printer control IC 5 RAM 6 Recording head 8 Carriage motor 9 Paper feed motor 11 Data reception unit 12 Test signal generation unit 13 Selector 21 Control unit 22 Counter

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A data transfer device for transferring received data, comprising a reception signal generating means for generating a test data reception signal. 2. The data transfer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising input means for selectively inputting the test data reception signal and an external data reception signal. 3. A data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a counter for counting data reception signals; and reception stop processing means for stopping reception of data when the number of data reception signals reaches a predetermined number. Or the data transfer device according to 2. 4. A method for testing a data transfer device for transferring received data, comprising: generating a test data reception signal inside the data transfer device; and using the test data reception signal to generate a data. A test method for a data transfer device, comprising: performing a reception test. 5. A print controller for transferring data input from an interface to a memory, the print controller having a reception signal generating means for generating a data reception signal for a data reception test. 6. An interface for connecting to an external device, receiving means for receiving a data reception signal from the interface, and data corresponding to the data reception signal, and storage for storing data received by the reception means. Means, a data reception signal generating means for generating a test data reception signal, and switching between a test reception signal from the data reception signal generation means and a reception signal received from the interface to the reception means. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a switching unit for inputting. 7. An interface for connecting to an external device, receiving means for receiving a data reception signal from the interface, and data corresponding to the data reception signal, and storage for storing data received by the reception means. Means, a data reception signal generating means for generating a test data reception signal, and switching between a test reception signal from the data reception signal generation means and a reception signal received from the interface to the reception means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a switching unit for inputting; and an image forming unit for forming an image based on data stored in the storage unit.