JP2004230824A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer in which print job data requesting color print (print job data transmitted erroneously to a computer by a user) can be processed in a form preferable for the user. <P>SOLUTION: The printer is arranged such that color print job data requesting color print is discarded (step S304) when it is received under a state capable only of monochromatic print (step S301; YES). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some printing apparatuses capable of only monochrome printing receive print job data that requests (instruct) color printing and receive the print job data (without assuming that an error has occurred) to generate a monochrome print. There are devices that do this.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
A printing apparatus capable of only monochrome printing receives print job data requesting color printing when a user incorrectly sets print conditions (or installs a printer driver not for the printing apparatus). Case). Also, a monochrome printed matter generated from a print job data requesting color printing by a printing apparatus capable of only monochrome printing has a lower quality than a monochrome printed matter generated based on print job data for monochrome printing.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide print job data (a print job data that a user has accidentally transmitted to a computer) requesting color printing to a user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus which can process in a preferable manner.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a print execution unit for generating a monochrome print, a reception unit that receives print job data, and print job data that has begun to be received by the reception unit. Discriminating means for discriminating between monochrome print job data requesting monochrome printing and color print job data requesting color printing, and print job data discriminated by the discriminating means as monochrome print job data , A process for causing the print execution unit to generate a printed matter having the content corresponding thereto is performed, and for the print job data determined to be color print job data by the determination unit, the print job data is discarded. Print control means for performing processing.
[0006]
That is, the printing apparatus of the present invention has a configuration in which, when print job data requesting color printing (print job data that the user has erroneously transmitted to the computer) is received, the print job data is discarded. . Therefore, the computer that has transmitted the print job data requesting the printing apparatus to perform color printing ends the process of transmitting the print job data without being stopped by an error. Further, if this printing apparatus is used, low-quality monochrome printed matter will not be generated based on print job data requesting color printing.
[0007]
In realizing the printing apparatus of the present invention, the printing apparatus has a function of presenting, to the user, information indicating that the print job data is determined to be color print job data by the determining unit, and a message corresponding to the information. It is desirable to add an information transmitting means for transmitting to the computer. This is because if the printing apparatus is configured in this manner, it is possible to immediately recognize that the user has performed an erroneous operation, and to stop the print job data transmission processing if necessary. This is because
[0008]
Further, a printing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a print execution unit operable in a first state capable of generating only a monochrome print and a second state capable of generating a monochrome print and a color print; Receiving means for receiving job data, and determining whether the print job data started to be received by the receiving means is monochrome print job data requesting monochrome printing or color print job data requesting color printing. When the determination unit and the print execution unit are operating in the second state, the print execution unit performs a process for generating a print of a type corresponding to the determination result of the determination unit based on the print job data, and executes the print execution. When the means is operating in the first state, the print job data determined to be monochrome print job data by the determination means is The print execution unit performs a process for causing the print execution unit to generate a monochrome print having the corresponding content, and performs a process of discarding the print job data determined to be the color print job data by the determination unit. Control means.
[0009]
In other words, the printing apparatus according to this aspect of the present invention uses the technique used in the above-described printing apparatus according to claim 1 in a state where only monochrome printing is possible (first state) and a state where color printing is possible (first state). (Second state)). In a printing apparatus that operates in either a state in which only monochrome printing is possible or a state in which color printing is possible in which color printing is possible, a user often mistakenly transmits color print job data to a computer. Since it is a device, it can be said that the present invention is a particularly effective invention when realized in this mode.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
First, an outline of a printing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, a printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus including a control unit 11, a control panel 12, and a printing mechanism unit 13.
[0013]
The control panel 12 constituting the printing apparatus 10 is an interface unit between the user and the printing apparatus 10 (control unit 11). The control panel 12 is a unit including a liquid crystal display, a plurality of push button switches, and the like.
[0014]
The printing mechanism unit 13 includes a print engine for printing (image formation) on a sheet based on a video signal supplied from the control unit 11, a sheet feeding device for supplying the sheet to the print engine, and a sheet on which printing has been performed. A unit including a sheet discharging device for discharging the sheet to the outside of the printing apparatus 10. The print engine used in the printing mechanism unit 13 uses four types of toner cartridges (C, M, Y, and K toner cartridges) and uses only the K toner cartridge. Can be done. Note that the print engine is also one in which the operation of replacing the toner cartridge is performed while the power of the printing apparatus 10 is turned on (the print engine that needs to move the toner cartridge to a replaceable position).
[0015]
The control unit 11 causes the printing mechanism unit 13 to generate a printed matter having a content corresponding to the print job data received from the host computer, the processing to cause the printing mechanism unit 13 to generate a status sheet, and various types of information managed by the control unit 11. This is a unit that performs processing for returning (mainly, information on the EEPROM 26 to be described later) to the device that has requested it. Here, the host computer is a computer in which a printer driver (to be described in detail later) for the printing apparatus 10 is installed.
[0016]
As illustrated, the control unit 11 included in the printing apparatus 10 includes a USB interface circuit (USB-I / F) 21u, a parallel interface circuit (parallel I / F) 21p, a CPU 22, a RAM 23, a ROM 24, a memory control unit. 25, an EEPROM 26, an interface circuit 27, a video signal generation circuit 28, and the like. Although not shown, the control unit 11 is also a unit to which a network interface circuit and an HDD prepared as options for the printing apparatus 10 can be added.
[0017]
The USB interface circuit 21u and the parallel interface circuit 21p (and a network interface circuit that can be added to the control unit 11; hereinafter, referred to as the interface circuit 21) used in the control unit 11 are connected to the host computer. This is a circuit for performing communication (such as reception of print job data) between them.
[0018]
The CPU 22 is a control circuit that integrally controls each unit in the control unit 11. The ROM 24 is a non-volatile memory in which various programs (to be described in detail later) that the CPU 22 loads into the RAM 23 and executes are stored in a compressed state.
[0019]
The interface circuit 27 is a circuit for performing communication (transmission of various instructions and reception of information) between the control panel 12 and the printing mechanism unit 13. The memory control unit 25 performs a process of transferring information (print job data and the like) received by the interface circuit 21 to the CPU 22 / RAM 23, a type of image data generated by the CPU 22 on the RAM 23 from the print job data (hereinafter referred to as print data). (Notation) is transferred to the video signal generation circuit 28. The video signal generation circuit 28 generates a video signal for operating the print engine from the print data (print data sent from the memory control unit 25) generated by the CPU 22, and supplies the video signal to the print engine. It is.
[0020]
The EEPROM 26 stores a model designation value, a model ID, a printer name, a device ID, panel setting information, MIB (Management Information Base), color calibration data, USB ID, total print count, jam count, power-on count, and the like. Therefore, it is a rewritable non-volatile memory mounted on the printing apparatus 10 (control unit 11).
[0021]
The model designation value stored in the EEPROM 26 is a value for designating the printing apparatus 10 to operate as a printer of a model capable of color printing (hereinafter referred to as a color printing model designation value). This is information that takes one of values (hereinafter, referred to as a monochrome printing-specific model designation value) that designates operation as a printer of a model capable of only monochrome printing.
[0022]
Each piece of information (model ID, printer name, device ID, USBID, MIB, etc.) other than the model designation value stored in the EEPROM 26 supports an existing printer (has a USB interface and supports DeviceID). The control unit 11 returns the same information (or similar name) stored in the control unit 11 to the device that transmitted the command requesting the same name (or similar name). Is the information to be used). However, the printer name, device ID, panel setting information, MIB, and color calibration data (and model ID) of an existing printer are information that cannot be rewritten even when the toner cartridge is replaced. Printer name, device ID, panel setting information, MIB, and color calibration data (hereinafter, these information are also referred to as model name related information) may be rewritten when the toner cartridge is replaced. There is some information.
[0023]
In the printing apparatus 10, a printer in which four types of toner cartridges are set in the printing mechanism unit 13 and the model designation value is a color printing-capable model designation value is sold as a color printer. A device in which only the K toner cartridge is set in the printer 13 and the model designation value is a model designation value for monochrome printing is sold as a monochrome printer. Further, the printing apparatus 10 includes a printer driver that displays a property dialog box as shown in FIG. 2A and a property dialog box (that is, an item related to color printing) as shown in FIG. Is a device that is prepared (created) with a monitor program for notifying the user of the operating state of the printing device 10 (whether or not an error / warning has occurred, etc.), and a CD-ROM on which those programs are recorded. The monitor program for the printing apparatus 10 has a status indicating an operating state (whether an error / warning has occurred, etc.) for the printing apparatus 10. By periodically transmitting a status information request command for transmitting information, the operation state of the printing apparatus 10 is grasped ( Vision) that when an error / warning has occurred in the printing apparatus 10 has intended to display a window for notifying an error / warning that occurred to the user.
[0024]
Further, in the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the printing mechanism unit 13 and the part of the control unit 11 that controls the printing mechanism unit 13 correspond to the print execution unit of the present invention, and the interface circuit 21 functions as the reception unit. The control unit 11 corresponds to a device corresponding to a print control unit.
[0025]
On the premise of the above, the configuration and operation of the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically below.
[0026]
The ROM 24 installed in the printing apparatus 10 (control unit 11) stores a common program, a program for a model dedicated to monochrome printing, a program for a model capable of color printing, and a program for a plurality of functions.
[0027]
Among these programs, the function program is a program for causing the control unit 11 to perform processing for a specific function. The program for a model dedicated to monochrome printing and the program for a model capable of color printing are programs for causing the control unit 11 to perform control processing for a monochrome printer and control processing for a color printer, respectively.
[0028]
The common program is a program that is first loaded into the RAM 23 when the power is turned on (or at the time of reboot). The common program causes the control unit 11 (CPU 22) to perform the startup process shown in FIG. 3 immediately after the common program is loaded. 11 is a program for performing a model specification value update process whose procedure is shown in FIG.
[0029]
First, the model specification value update processing (FIG. 4) will be described.
[0030]
As shown in the drawing, at the time of the model designation value updating process, the control unit 11 first determines whether or not a K toner cartridge is mounted on the printing mechanism unit 13 (step S201). Then, when the K toner cartridge is not mounted on the printing mechanism unit 13 (step S201; NO), the control unit 11 ends the model specification value updating process.
[0031]
If the K toner cartridge is mounted on the printing mechanism 13 (step S201; YES), the controller 11 determines whether a toner cartridge other than the K toner cartridge is mounted on the printing mechanism 13 (step S201). S202). If no toner cartridge other than the K toner cartridge is mounted on the printing mechanism unit 13 (step S202; NO), the control unit 11 determines whether the model designation value on the EEPROM 26 is a color printable model designation value. It is determined whether or not the model designation value on the EEPROM 26 is a color printable model designation value (step S203; YES), and the model designation value on the EEPROM 26 is changed to a monochrome print only model designation value. (Step S204), and then the model specification value updating process ends. If the model designation value on the EEPROM 26 is the model designation value for monochrome printing (step S203; NO), the control unit 11 ends the model designation value updating process without rewriting the model designation value on the EEPROM 26. I do.
[0032]
On the other hand, when a toner cartridge other than the K toner cartridge is mounted on the printing mechanism unit 13 (step S202; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the model designation value on the EEPROM 26 is a model designation value for monochrome printing. Is determined (step S205), and if the model designation value on the EEPROM 26 is the model designation value for monochrome printing (step S205; YES), the model designation value on the EEPROM 26 is changed to the model designation value for color printing (step S205). After step S206), the model designation value updating process ends. If the model designation value on the EEPROM 26 is the color printable model designation value (step S203; NO), the control unit 11 terminates the model designation value update process without rewriting the model designation value on the EEPROM 26. I do.
[0033]
Next, the contents of the startup process (FIG. 3) will be described.
[0034]
As shown in the figure, the control unit 11 that has started the startup process first reads out the model designation value and the model ID from the EEPROM 26 (step S101). Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the read model ID corresponds to the read model designation value (step S102).
[0035]
If the model ID does not correspond to the model designation value (step S102; NO), the control unit 11 sets the model-related information (model ID, device ID, printer name, MIB, MIB, panel setting information, color calibration) on the EEPROM 26. (Step S103) of rewriting only the application data) according to the model designation value. Then, the control unit 11 loads a program for a model designated by the model designation value (a program for a model dedicated to monochrome printing or a program for a model capable of color printing) and some function programs onto the RAM 23 ( Step S104) is performed. That is, in this step S104, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, a process for making the state of the RAM 23 correspond to the model designation value is performed.
[0036]
On the other hand, when the model ID read from the EEPROM 26 corresponds to the model designation value read from the EEPROM 26 (step S102; YES), the control unit 11 skips the processing in step S103 and performs the processing in step S104. I do. In other words, in this case, the control unit 11 does not rewrite the model-related information in the EEPROM 26, but rewrites the program for the model designated by the model designation value (the program for the model for monochrome printing or the program for the model capable of color printing) The function program is loaded on the RAM 23.
[0037]
Then, the control unit 11 that has completed the processing of step S104 is in a state of operating according to the program loaded on the RAM 23.
[0038]
The operation of the control unit 11 in this state is the same as the control unit in an existing monochrome printer or color printer. However, if the model designation value is a monochrome printing-dedicated model designation value, the control unit 11 functions as a unit that operates slightly differently from the control unit in an existing monochrome printer.
[0039]
More specifically, a program group to be loaded on the RAM 23 when the model designation value is a monochrome printing-dedicated model designation value is transmitted to the control unit 11 by the received print job data according to the procedure shown in FIG. It is to be processed.
[0040]
That is, the control unit 11 first determines whether the print job data requests color printing or performs monochrome printing based on information (a so-called job control command) included at the beginning of the print job data that has begun to be received. It is determined whether it is a request (step S301).
[0041]
If the print job data is a request for monochrome printing (step S301: NO), the control unit 11 prints a printed matter having a content corresponding to the print job data in step S302. After performing the processing for generating the data, the processing in FIG.
[0042]
On the other hand, if the print job data requests color printing (step S301: YES), the control unit 11 performs a warning handling process in step S303. Here, the warning handling process means that a predetermined warning message (a message indicating that print job data requesting color printing has been received in spite of a state in which only monochrome printing is possible) is sent to the liquid crystal display of the control panel 12. In addition to displaying the status on the display, returning the status information including information indicating that the print job data is being discarded when the status information request command (command transmitted by the monitor program) is received. This is the process for making the state.
[0043]
Then, after performing such a warning handling process, the control unit 11 performs a process of discarding the received print job data (step S304), and then ends the process illustrated in FIG.
[0044]
In short, when the model designation value is the model designation value for monochrome printing (when functioning as a monochrome printer), the printing apparatus 10 transmits print job data requesting color printing to the host computer. The apparatus is processed so that transmission processing of job data is not interrupted and printing based on the print job data is not performed.
[0045]
As described above, when the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment functions as a monochrome printer and receives print job data requesting color printing, the printing apparatus 10 discards the print job data. ing. Therefore, if the printing apparatus 10 is used, the process of transmitting the print job data on the host computer side that has transmitted the print job data requesting the color printing to the printing apparatus 10 ends without being stopped by an error. Will be. In addition, a low-quality monochrome print is not generated based on print job data that requires color printing. Further, since a window indicating that the print job data has been discarded is also displayed on the display of the host computer, the user of the printing apparatus 10 can immediately recognize that an erroneous operation has been performed, If necessary, the transmission process of the print job data can be stopped.
[0046]
<Modification>
The printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can perform various modifications. For example, the printing apparatus 10 has a different combination of programs on the RAM 23 depending on whether the printing apparatus 10 is operating as a printer of a model capable of performing color printing and is operating as a printer of a model capable of performing only monochrome printing. However, the printing apparatus 10 may be modified so that the same program is loaded on the RAM 23 when operating as any of the printers. However, when the printing apparatus 10 is modified in such a manner, a part of the program on the RAM 23 is not actually executed (the storage capacity of the RAM 23 is wasted). It is desirable to have such a configuration.
[0047]
Further, at the time of startup, the printing apparatus 10 may be modified so that the configuration of the apparatus itself (the type of the toner cartridge mounted on the printing mechanism unit 13) is checked and the model-related information on the EEPROM is rewritten. The printing apparatus 10 may be modified so that the model-related information on the EEPROM is rewritten when the toner cartridge is replaced.
[0048]
In addition, it is natural that the technology used in the printing apparatus 10 may be applied to realize a monochrome dedicated machine, or that some functions may be removed from the printing apparatus 10. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a property dialog box displayed by two printer drivers prepared for a printing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of startup processing executed by the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a model designation value changing process executed after completion of toner cartridge replacement in the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of processing performed at the time of startup processing.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing performed on received print job data in the printing apparatus according to the embodiment operating as a model capable of only monochrome printing.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing apparatus, 11 control part, 12 control panel 13 printing mechanism part, 26 EEPROM

Claims (3)

A print execution unit for generating a monochrome print,
Receiving means for receiving print job data;
Determining means for determining whether the print job data started to be received by the receiving means is monochrome print job data requesting monochrome printing or color print job data requesting color printing;
The print job data determined to be monochrome print job data by the determination unit is subjected to processing for causing the print execution unit to generate a printed material having the corresponding content, and the determination unit performs color printing. A printing apparatus, comprising: print control means for performing a process of discarding print job data determined to be job data. Information transmitting means for transmitting information indicating that the print job data is color print job data by the determining means to a computer having a function of presenting a user with a message corresponding to the information, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Print execution means operable in a first state capable of generating only a monochrome print and a second state capable of generating a monochrome print and a color print;
Receiving means for receiving print job data;
Determining means for determining whether the print job data started to be received by the receiving means is monochrome print job data requesting monochrome printing or color print job data requesting color printing;
When the print execution unit is operating in the second state, the print execution unit performs a process for causing the print execution unit to generate a printed material of a type corresponding to a determination result of the determination unit based on the print job data. When the print execution unit is operating in the first state, for the print job data determined to be monochrome print job data by the determination unit, a monochrome printed matter having a content corresponding to the print job data is transmitted to the print execution unit. A print control unit that performs a process for generating the print job data and discards the print job data determined as the color print job data by the determination unit. .

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