JP2002011905A - Print control method, print controller and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print control method, a print controller and an imaging apparatus in which a large capacity print data of AO size can be dealt with without requiring an enormous memory capacity and cost reduction can be realized. SOLUTION: The print controller comprises a stop circuit 27 for temporarily storing LYSNC and LGATE generated from a sync signal generating circuit 25 and print data stored in a data buffer 26. A line sync signal included in the valid interval of one frame sync signal FGATE is supplied for an arbitrary time and a page of print data contained in a frame buffer memory is supplied to a print engine while being divided into a plurality of parts.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print control method, a print control device, and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a print control method for a wide print engine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been developed a copier with a composite function which realizes both a copy function and a printer function by mounting a print control device on an A3-size digital copier for general office use. On the other hand, a model having a printer function has also been developed for a wide-width digital copying machine capable of handling the A0 version and the like.
Since the memory capacity of the frame buffer required for print data such as A0 version is enormous, it does not have a built-in print control device like an A3 version digital copier for general offices.
Generally, a method of sequentially receiving print data created by a host device such as C to obtain a print output has been used. As one of the methods, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-240072 (hereinafter referred to as a conventional example) discloses that one page of print data is divided into a plurality of parts (bands) and supplied to a print engine. A method has been disclosed in which a transfer setting process has a time margin to cope with high-speed recording.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method, since it is necessary to combine a host PC having a printer function as a printer server, it takes time to develop printer server software, and the installation area of the entire system. For reasons such as a reduction in printing, a system incorporating a print control device like a copier with a multifunction for general offices has been desired. However, mounting an enormous memory capacity corresponding to the A0 version or the like in the print control apparatus is very disadvantageous in terms of cost. In other words, the print control device for a wide print engine needs to supply a large amount of print data such as A0 print data to the print engine. However, if the entire frame buffer memory for one page is mounted on the print control device side, cost is reduced. Disadvantaged.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and a print control method capable of coping with large-capacity print data such as A0 size without requiring a huge memory capacity and realizing a reduction in cost. It is an object to provide a print control device and an image forming device.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, a frame buffer memory is stored in a frame buffer memory based on a line synchronization signal indicating synchronization of each line in print data and a frame synchronization signal indicating synchronization of each frame. According to the print control method of the present invention, which supplies stored print data to a print engine, a line synchronization signal included in a valid period of one frame synchronization signal is supplied for an arbitrary time, and a frame buffer is supplied. The print data stored in the memory is divided into a plurality of parts and supplied to the print engine. Therefore, the print data is divided into a plurality of parts, and the print data for one page, such as A0 version, which requires a huge memory capacity, is subdivided into appropriate sizes so as to be compatible with an economical memory capacity. Generate and generate a continuous line synchronization signal for the capacity of the subdivided print data during the valid period of one frame synchronization signal, perform divided supply, and use the empty frame buffer after the supply to complete the next subdivision. By generating the print data and repeating the supply of the line synchronization signal until the print data is completed, it is possible to cope with a large amount of print data such as A0 plate with an economical memory capacity.

In addition, print data consisting of a plurality of divided parts is sequentially accumulated in a buffer memory of a print engine and re-integrated with the original print data, so that the buffer memory of the print engine can store print data during a printing operation. It can be used for storage, does not require a frame buffer memory having an enormous memory capacity on the side of the print control device, can realize memory saving from the viewpoint of the entire system, and can achieve cost reduction.

Further, according to the printing control method of the present invention, the frame synchronization signal during the supply of a plurality of frames is made valid, and the plurality of frames are supplied to the print engine as print data of one integrated frame. Therefore, it is possible to cope with enormous print data processing of, for example, A0 version.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a frame buffer memory for storing print data for one page is provided, and a frame buffer memory based on a line synchronization signal indicating synchronization for each line and a frame synchronization signal indicating synchronization for each frame. According to the print control apparatus that supplies the print data stored in the buffer memory to the print engine, the print control apparatus includes a stop circuit that stops the supply of the line synchronization signal included in the valid period of one frame synchronization signal. Then, the supply of the line synchronizing signal included in the valid period of the frame synchronizing signal is stopped by the stop circuit for an arbitrary time, and the print data for one page stored in the frame buffer memory is divided into a plurality of parts. Supply to print engine. Therefore, print data for one page, such as A0 version, which requires an enormous memory capacity, is subdivided into an appropriate size so as to be able to cope with an economical memory capacity, and the effective data of one frame synchronization signal is generated. Divide and supply a continuous line synchronization signal by the amount of the subdivided print data during the period, create the next subdivided print data using the empty frame buffer after the supply is completed, and wait until the creation is completed. By repeating the operation of temporarily stopping the supply of the line synchronizing signal during this period, it is possible to cope with enormous print data such as A0 plate with an economical memory capacity.

Further, the print control apparatus is capable of storing print data composed of a plurality of divided portions sequentially in a buffer memory of the print engine and re-integrating the print data into the original print data for one page. By adding a simple circuit, it is possible to cope with enormous print data processing of, for example, A0 version.

Further, according to another print control apparatus, there is provided a frame synchronization signal fixing circuit for fixing a frame synchronization signal to be supplied to the print engine to an effective state while supplying a plurality of frames. Thus, the frame synchronization signal during the supply of a plurality of frames is fixed to an effective state, and the plurality of frames are supplied to the print engine as print data of one integrated frame. Therefore, while the print data for one page having an enormous capacity such as an A0 plate is divided into a plurality of frames and supplied, the supplied frame synchronization signal is fixed to be valid, and the general A3 format is fixed. A0 using the print control device corresponding to the plate
It can handle huge print data such as plates.

Further, an image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes:
It has the print control device described above. Therefore, for example, A0
It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with a wide composite function having at least a copying function and a printing function that can perform plate printing and save memory and cost.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The printing control apparatus of the present invention includes a stop circuit for stopping supply of a line synchronization signal included in a valid period of one frame synchronization signal. Then, the supply of the line synchronizing signal included in the valid period of the frame synchronizing signal is stopped by the stop circuit for an arbitrary time, and the print data for one page stored in the frame buffer memory is divided into a plurality of parts. Supply to print engine.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a copier with a wide multifunction printer provided with a print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The roll paper supply unit 13 of the copier 1 with a wide-width composite function shown in FIG. 1 is adapted to set roll paper, and can generally mount a roll paper having a width of up to A0 size. Can support up to A0, and can also handle long ones. In FIG. 1, a copier 1 with a wide-width composite function includes an original reading unit 11, an image storage unit 12, a roll paper supply unit 13, and an image writing unit 1.
4, a development transfer unit 15, a fixing unit 16, an operation unit 17, and a roll paper cutter 18. Further, a print control device 19 that receives a print command from a host device such as a personal computer and generates and processes print data is also provided.

Next, a copying operation and a printer operation in the copying machine with a wide-width composite function shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the copying operation will be described. A copy document is read by a document reading unit 11 provided at the top of the apparatus, and the read document image is converted into digital data after being subjected to appropriate image processing, and is converted into digital data. Is stored in Subsequently, the image developed by the development transfer unit 15 such as a photosensitive drum by the image writing unit 14 is supplied to the roll paper supply unit 13.
Is transferred onto the roll paper supplied from the printer, and the image is fixed on the roll paper by the fixing unit 16 and the roll paper cutter 1
8, the print is cut at a predetermined position to generate a printed material.

To explain the printer operation, the print control device 19 generates print data in response to a print command or the like from a host device (not shown). The print control device 19 supplies the generated print data to the image storage unit 12. The subsequent copying operation is the same as the above-described copying operation.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wide-width multifunction copying machine shown in FIG. Thick arrows in the figure indicate the flow of print data. In the copying operation, the print data supplied from the document reading unit 11 to the image processing unit 20 is digitized and stored in the image storage unit 12. Thereafter, at an appropriate timing, the image writing unit 14, the development transfer unit 15, the fixing unit 16
Are sequentially transferred to generate printed matter. In the printer operation, the print control device 19 stores the print data in the image storage unit 12.
Supply to The subsequent processing is the same as the copying operation. A series of these operations are entirely controlled by the system operation control unit 24 which receives an instruction from the operation unit 17 or the print control device 19. Further, the system operation control unit 24 includes various sensors 2
And issues an instruction to the paper passing control unit 23 based on the information from
The supply control of the roll paper supply unit 13 is also performed.

Here, an example in which print data is supplied from a conventional print control device to a print engine such as a multifunction copying machine will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the conventional print control device uses an FGATE as a frame synchronization signal. , And outputs LSYNC and LGATE as line synchronization signals. Accordingly, the sub-scanning direction (length) of the print data is defined by FGATE, and the main scanning direction (width) of the print data is defined by LSYNC and LGATE. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, there is a relationship between the print image of the frame a and each synchronization signal that defines the image. Note that each of the synchronization signals has negative logic, and a low level indicates valid. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a time chart showing a state in which LSNC and LGATE are output during the valid period of FGATE in the related art, and print data is output for each line in synchronization with LGATE. FIG. 5A shows the entire frame from a to d, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the inside A of the circle shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the print control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the print control apparatus according to the present embodiment includes LSYNC and LGATE generated from a synchronization signal generation circuit 25, and a data buffer 26.
Has a stop circuit 27 for temporarily stopping the print data stored in the printer. As shown in FIG. 7, LSYNC and LGATE, which are line synchronization signals corresponding to frame a,
After the print data is transmitted, the transmission of the line synchronizing signal and the print data is temporarily stopped by the stop circuit 27, so that a print image having a size of width WD1 × (length LN1 + length LN2) is converted into a frame a and a frame b. And can be supplied to the print engine. FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the operation at that time. The frame a shows a case composed of N lines and the frame b composed of M lines. It can also be seen from the figure that frame a and frame b are divided with the line synchronization signal pause period interposed therebetween.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a print control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a normal print control device is used, and FGATE is externally provided.
An FGATE fixing circuit 28 for fixing a signal to an effective state only for an arbitrary period is added. In the figure, a normal FGATE signal output from the print control apparatus of the present embodiment is shown in parentheses. This (FGATE) signal is output to the FGATE fixed circuit 2
8 and is converted into an FGATE signal fixed to a valid state during the number of frames to which the fixed instruction signal is supplied, and output. FIG. 10 is a time chart showing this situation as a situation where frames a to d are combined. FIG. 10A shows the entire frame from a to d, and FIG. (A) Inside the circle shown in B
It is an expansion of. FIG. 10A shows that one large frame is divided into four parts a to d and supplied. Therefore, if each of a to d is distributed so as to become print data of the size of the A3 size, the data of the A3 size is obtained by multiplying the data of the A3 size by four, and the data of the A0 size is obtained by multiplying the data of the A3 size by eight. Data.

As described above, even a print control apparatus that supports general A3 printing can supply print data of a large size in one frame by combining the required number of frames. In addition, after the supply of the part a, the line synchronization signal is stopped and the next b can be stored in the empty buffer memory.
It is possible to correspond to a large size such as the 0th edition.

On the print engine side, the parts (a to d) sequentially supplied during the valid period of one frame synchronization signal are sequentially accumulated in the already mounted frame buffer for a copy operation or the like. However, it is also possible to combine the parts up to the end of the frame synchronization signal to obtain a print output as one large frame.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope of the claims.

[0023]

As described above, the print data stored in the frame buffer memory is converted based on the line synchronization signal indicating the synchronization of each line in the print data and the frame synchronization signal indicating the synchronization of each frame. According to the print control method of the present invention, which is supplied to a print engine,
The line synchronization signal included in the valid period of one frame synchronization signal is supplied for an arbitrary time, and the print data stored in the frame buffer memory is divided into a plurality of parts and supplied to the print engine. Therefore, the print data is divided into a plurality of parts, and the print data for one page, such as A0 version, which requires a huge memory capacity, is subdivided into appropriate sizes so as to be compatible with an economical memory capacity. Generate and generate a continuous line synchronization signal of the capacity of the subdivided print data during the valid period of one frame synchronization signal, perform divisional supply, and use the empty frame buffer after the supply to complete the next subdivision. By generating the print data and repeating the supply of the line synchronization signal until the print data is completed, it is possible to cope with an enormous amount of print data such as an A0 plate with an economical memory capacity.

Further, the print data composed of a plurality of divided portions is sequentially accumulated in the buffer memory of the print engine and re-integrated into the original print data, so that the print memory at the time of the printing operation is stored in the buffer memory of the print engine. It can be used for storage, does not require a frame buffer memory having an enormous memory capacity on the side of the print control device, can realize memory saving from the viewpoint of the entire system, and can achieve cost reduction.

Further, according to the printing control method of the present invention, the frame synchronization signal during the supply of a plurality of frames is made valid, and the plurality of frames are supplied to the print engine as print data of one integrated frame. Therefore, it is possible to cope with enormous print data processing of, for example, A0 version.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a frame buffer memory for storing one page of print data is provided, and a frame is stored on the basis of a line synchronization signal indicating synchronization for each line and a frame synchronization signal indicating synchronization for each frame. According to the print control apparatus that supplies the print data stored in the buffer memory to the print engine, the print control apparatus includes a stop circuit that stops the supply of the line synchronization signal included in the valid period of one frame synchronization signal. Then, the supply of the line synchronizing signal included in the valid period of the frame synchronizing signal is stopped by the stop circuit for an arbitrary time, and the print data for one page stored in the frame buffer memory is divided into a plurality of parts. Supply to print engine. Therefore, one page of print data of, for example, the A0 version, which requires an enormous memory capacity, is subdivided into an appropriate size so as to be compatible with an economical memory capacity, and one frame synchronization signal is generated. During the valid period of the above, the continuous supply of the line synchronizing signal corresponding to the capacity of the subdivided print data is performed, the next subdivided print data is created using the empty frame buffer after the supply is completed, and the creation is completed. By repeating the operation of temporarily stopping the supply of the line synchronizing signal until this time, it is possible to cope with enormous print data such as A0 plate with an economical memory capacity.

Also, the print control apparatus is capable of storing print data composed of a plurality of divided portions sequentially in the buffer memory of the print engine and reintegrating the print data into the original print data of one page, thereby simplifying the printing. By adding a simple circuit, it is possible to cope with enormous print data processing of, for example, A0 version.

Further, according to another print control apparatus, there is provided a frame synchronization signal fixing circuit for fixing a frame synchronization signal to be supplied to the print engine to an effective state while supplying a plurality of frames. Thus, the frame synchronization signal during the supply of a plurality of frames is fixed to an effective state, and the plurality of frames are supplied to the print engine as print data of one integrated frame. Therefore, while the print data for one page having an enormous capacity such as an A0 plate is divided into a plurality of frames and supplied, the supplied frame synchronization signal is fixed to be valid, and the general A3 format is fixed. A0 using the print control device corresponding to the plate
It can handle huge print data such as plates.

Further, an image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes:
It has the print control device described above. Therefore, for example, A0
It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with a wide composite function having at least a copying function and a printing function that can perform plate printing and save memory and cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a copier with a wide multifunction printer provided with a print control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the wide-width multifunctional copying machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of supplying print data from a conventional print control device to a print engine.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a print image of one frame by a conventional print control device and respective synchronization signals that define the print image.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing each synchronization signal and print data in a conventional print control device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a print image by a print control apparatus according to the first embodiment and each synchronization signal that defines the print image.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing each synchronization signal and print data in the print control device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a time chart showing each synchronization signal and print data in the print control apparatus of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of Signs] 1; Copy machine with wide-width multifunction, 11; Document reading unit, 12;
Image storage unit 13; roll paper supply means unit 14; image writing unit 15; development transfer unit 16; fixing unit 17; operation unit 18; roll paper cutter 19;
0: image processing unit, 21; print engine, 22; various sensors, 23; paper feed control unit, 24; system operation control unit, 2
5; synchronization signal generation circuit; 26; data buffer; 27;
Stop circuit, 28; FGATE fixed circuit.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A printing method for supplying print data stored in a frame buffer memory to a print engine based on a line synchronization signal indicating synchronization of each line in print data and a frame synchronization signal indicating synchronization of each frame. In the control method, supply of a line synchronization signal included in a valid period of one frame synchronization signal is performed for an arbitrary time, and print data stored in a frame buffer memory is divided into a plurality of parts and supplied to a print engine. A printing control method characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The print control method according to claim 1, wherein print data comprising a plurality of divided portions is sequentially accumulated in a buffer memory of the print engine and re-integrated into original print data. 3. A printing method for supplying print data stored in a frame buffer memory to a print engine based on a line synchronization signal indicating synchronization of each line in print data and a frame synchronization signal indicating synchronization of each frame. In the control method, a frame synchronization signal during supply of a plurality of frames is made valid, and the plurality of frames are supplied to a print engine as print data of one integrated frame. 4. A frame buffer memory for storing print data for one page, wherein the frame buffer memory stores the print data for one page based on a line synchronization signal indicating synchronization for each line and a frame synchronization signal indicating synchronization for each frame. A print control device for supplying the print data to the print engine, the print control device comprising: a stop circuit for stopping supply of a line synchronization signal included in a valid period of one frame synchronization signal; Stop supplying the line synchronization signal included in the period for an arbitrary time,
A print control apparatus, wherein one page of print data stored in the frame buffer memory is divided into a plurality of parts and supplied to a print engine. 5. The print control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the print data composed of a plurality of divided portions is sequentially stored in a buffer memory of the print engine and re-integrated into the original print data of one page. 6. A frame buffer memory for storing print data of one page, and storing the print data in the frame buffer memory based on a line synchronization signal indicating synchronization for each line and a frame synchronization signal indicating synchronization for each frame. A print control device for supplying the print data to the print engine, comprising: a frame synchronization signal fixing circuit for fixing a frame synchronization signal to be supplied to the print engine to an effective state while supplying a plurality of frames; A print control device, wherein a frame synchronization signal during supply of a plurality of frames is fixed to a valid state by a fixed circuit, and the plurality of frames are supplied to a print engine as print data of one integrated frame. 7. An image forming apparatus comprising the print control device according to claim 4.