JP2005131983A - Method of manufacturing printer, printer and integrated circuit therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of manufacturing a printer capable of manufacturing the printer without limiting a kind of a printing engine to be used. <P>SOLUTION: A control unit 20 comprises an image processing ASIC 23 and an IO control ASIC 24 capable of controlling the printing engine 30x (x=a, b) via a connector 31 for a printing control interface. The connection target of the connecter 31 can be selected when assembling the printer 10x. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus manufacturing method for manufacturing a printing apparatus, a printing apparatus, and an integrated circuit for a printing apparatus used in the printing apparatus.

  Among existing printing apparatuses, there is a printing apparatus 50 having the configuration shown in FIG.

  That is, the printing apparatus 50 includes a control unit 60 including a CPU 61, a memory control ASIC 62, an image processing ASIC 63, an IO control ASIC 64, several RAM modules 65, several ROM modules 66, and the like, and a print engine 70. ing.

  The print engine 70 is a unit that prints on the paper the contents corresponding to the video data input via the video data interface connector 72 (video data interface in the figure). The print engine 70 outputs state information (information indicating whether printing is possible, whether there is an error, etc.) via its print control interface connector 71 (print control interface in the figure). It also has a function.

  The CPU 61 that is a component of the control unit 60 is a control circuit that performs various processes (arithmetic processing and control processing) for operating the printing apparatus 50. The ROM module 66 is a memory module (usually DIMM) in which a plurality of ROMs and SPDs are mounted on a substrate. Each ROM on the ROM module 66 stores a program executed by the CPU 61, font data used by the CPU 61 (program), and the like. Note that SPD (Serial Presence Derect) is an EEPROM in which information indicating the capacity, speed, and type (types such as FlashROM, MaskROM, SDRAM, and EDO) of the memory mounted on the memory module is written. The SPD is controlled by a protocol (I2C) that allows communication by node designation.

  The RAM module 65 is a memory module in which a plurality of RAMs and SPDs are mounted on a substrate. Each RAM on the RAM module 65 is used for storing programs and data.

  The IO control ASIC 64 performs control processing for the ROM on the ROM module 66 connected by the bus, control processing for various external I / Fs [parallel interface, operation panel (LED, push button switch, LCD, etc.), etc. It is.

  The memory control ASIC 62 performs control processing on the RAM on the RAM module 65 connected by a bus, processing for supplying image data prepared by the CPU 61 (program) on the RAM module 65 to the image processing ASIC 63 (DMA transfer), and the like. ASIC. This memory control ASIC 62 also has a function for controlling each SPD on the RAM module 65 and the ROM module 66 (reading information from each SPD) (that is, a function for performing communication by I2C).

  The memory control ASIC 62 and the SPD on each memory module are connected by an SPD signal line 68. In the figure, the portion where the SPD signal line 68 to the ROM module 66 and the bus for the ROM module 66 intersect (the portion surrounded by the dotted line) is the printed circuit board (memory control ASIC 62, etc.) of the control unit 60. Corresponds to a portion where wirings intersect three-dimensionally (hereinafter referred to as an intersecting portion). In addition, the SPD signal line 68 to the SPD on the ROM module 66 is required to have an intersection between the SPD on the ROM module 66 and the memory control ASIC 62. This is because the connection with the signal line 68 is not preferable.

  The image processing ASIC 63 is an ASIC that generates video data by performing image processing such as color conversion on the image data supplied from the memory control ASIC 62 and supplies the video data to the print engine 60. The image processing ASIC 63 also has a function for communicating with the print engine 60 via the print control interface connector 71.

  The configuration in which the RAM bus and the ROM bus are separately provided in the printing apparatus 50 facilitates high performance (higher memory bus frequency and wider memory bus bit). It has the advantage of being. However, this configuration makes it difficult to design and manufacture the printed circuit board of the control unit 60 so that crosstalk and noise do not occur at the intersection.

  In addition, as schematically shown in FIG. 4, the print engine 70 ′ (print control interface connector 71 and video data cannot be connected to the image processing ASIC 62 unless two signal lines cross each other. However, there is a printing apparatus configured such that the print engine 70 ′ is used for the print engine 70. Incorporation into 50 is practically impossible. In other words, the configuration in which the print engine 70 and the image processing ASIC 63 of the printing apparatus 50 are connected by two signal lines is that the types of print engines that can be used are practically limited. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described present situation, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus manufacturing method capable of manufacturing a printing apparatus in a form in which the type of printing engine to be used (mounted) is not limited. There is.

  A second object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that is easy to design and manufacture.

  A third object of the present invention is to provide an integrated circuit for a printing apparatus that can be easily designed and manufactured by using it.

  In order to solve the first problem, in the printing apparatus manufacturing method of the present invention, a print control interface connector for outputting status information relating to its own operation status, and video data for defining print contents are input. A control unit for controlling a print engine provided with a video data interface connector for connecting the video data connector to the video data interface connector and two prints connectable to the print control interface connector It is configured as a unit having a control connector, and the video data interface connector is connected to the video data connector, and the print control interface connector is easily connected between the two print control connectors. By connecting to the other connector. , The printing apparatus is manufactured.

  That is, in this printing apparatus manufacturing method, a printing apparatus is manufactured using a control unit having two print control connectors connectable to a print control interface connector of a print engine. Therefore, according to this printing apparatus manufacturing method, printing can be performed with less restrictions on the type of print engine to be used (mounted) (position of each interface connector) as much as the connection destination of the print control interface connector can be selected. The device can be manufactured.

  Also, in the printing apparatus manufacturing method according to another aspect of the present invention, a print control interface connector for outputting status information relating to its own operation status, and a video data interface for inputting video data defining print contents A function for communicating with a print engine via a print control interface connector, and a print engine via a video data interface connector A video data supply integrated circuit having a function for supplying video data to the printer, a second integrated circuit having a function for communicating with a print engine via a print control interface connector, and video data integration A CPU for controlling the print engine via the circuit and the second integrated circuit; The video data interface connector is connected to the video data integrated circuit, and the print control interface connector is connected to the video data integrated circuit and the second integrated circuit. By connecting to the easier integrated circuit, the printing device is manufactured.

  That is, in the printing apparatus manufacturing method of this aspect, the printing apparatus is manufactured using a control unit having two integrated circuits that can be connected to the print control interface connector of the print engine. Accordingly, even if this printing apparatus manufacturing method is used, the connection destination of the print control interface connector can be selected, so that there are few restrictions on the type of print engine to be used (mounted) (position of each interface connector). A printing device can be manufactured.

  When the printing apparatus is manufactured by the printing apparatus manufacturing method of this aspect, the control unit includes a first memory module provided with the SPD, a second memory module provided with the SPD, and the first And a first integrated circuit having a function for using the SPD and the memory on the memory module, and an integrated circuit having a function for using the SPD and the memory on the second memory module as the second integrated circuit. It can be made to become a unit equipped with. In such a case, the control unit is manufactured using a printed circuit board that can be manufactured without intersecting the SPD signal line for controlling the SPD on each memory module with other signal lines. Therefore, the printing apparatus can be manufactured more easily (in a form in which the design and manufacture of the printed circuit board is easier).

  Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention includes a CPU, a first integrated circuit connected to the CPU, a second integrated circuit connected to the first integrated circuit, a first memory module provided with an SPD, and an SPD. Is a printing apparatus having a control unit mounted on a printed circuit board, and the first integrated circuit uses a function for using the SPD on the first memory module and the second memory module. An integrated circuit having a function for using the memory on one memory module, and the second integrated circuit uses a function for using the SPD on the second memory module and the memory on the second memory module. And an integrated circuit having a function for the purpose.

  In this printing apparatus, the control unit can be manufactured using a printed circuit board that can be manufactured without crossing the SPD signal line for controlling the SPD on each memory module with other signal lines. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus that can be easily manufactured (printed board can be easily designed and manufactured).

  The integrated circuit for a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a print control interface connector for outputting status information relating to its own operation state, and a video data interface connector for inputting video data defining print contents. An integrated circuit for a printing apparatus used in combination with a video data supply integrated circuit for supplying video data to a print engine via a video data interface connector It has a function for communicating with the print engine via the interface connector, a function for using the SPD on the memory module, and a function for using the memory on the memory module.

  In other words, the integrated circuit for a printing apparatus can be used as the second integrated circuit in the printing apparatus manufacturing method according to claim 3. Therefore, by using this integrated circuit for a printing apparatus, it is possible to realize an easily manufactured printing apparatus having a configuration with few restrictions on the type of print engine to be used (mounted) (position of each interface connector).

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The printing apparatus manufacturing method according to the present embodiment is a method for manufacturing the printing apparatus 10a configured as shown in FIG. 1A and the printing apparatus 10b configured as shown in FIG. 1B. .

  The print engine 30a used in the printing apparatus 10a is a unit that prints on the paper the content corresponding to the video data input via the video data interface connector 32 (video data interface in the figure). The print engine 30a outputs status information (information indicating whether printing is possible, whether there is an error, etc.) via the print control interface connector 31 (print control interface in the figure). It also has a function to do.

  The print engine 30b used in the printing apparatus 10b is an engine that can be controlled in the same manner as the print engine 30a. However, in the print engine 30b, the video data interface connector 32 and the print control interface connector 31 are respectively provided in the print engine 30a where the print control interface connector 31 and the video data interface connector 32 are provided. It has been provided.

  A control unit 20 used in each printing apparatus 10x (x = a, b) includes a CPU 21, a memory control ASIC 22, an image processing ASIC 23, an IO control ASIC 24, a RAM module 25, a ROM module 26, and the like mounted on a printed board. Unit.

  The CPU 21 included in the control unit 20 is a control circuit that performs various processes (arithmetic processing and control processing) for operating the printing apparatus 10x. The ROM module 26 (corresponding to the second memory module in the present invention) is a memory module (in this embodiment, a DIMM) in which a plurality of ROMs and an SPD (Serial Presence Derect) are mounted on a substrate. Each ROM on the ROM module 26 stores a program executed by the CPU 21, font data used at the time of printing, and the like.

  A RAM module 25 (corresponding to the second memory module in the present invention) includes a plurality of RAMs used for storing programs and data and an SPD mounted on a substrate. ).

  The IO control ASIC 24 (corresponding to the second integrated circuit and the integrated circuit for the printing apparatus in the present invention) controls the SPD to the IO control ASIC 64 used in the conventional printing apparatus 50 (see FIG. 3) (from the SPD). This is an ASIC to which a function for reading information) and a function for acquiring status information from the print engine 30x (x = a, b) are added.

  The memory control ASIC 22 (corresponding to the first integrated circuit in the present invention) and the image processing ASIC 23 (corresponding to the video data supply integrated circuit in the present invention) are respectively a memory control ASIC 62 and an image used in the conventional printer 50. A processing ASIC 63 and an ASIC having the same function.

  The printed circuit board for the control unit 20 is created so that the CPU 21, the memory control ASIC 22 and the like (element group excluding the print engine 30x in the figure) can be connected to each other in the form shown in the figure. Yes. That is, the printed circuit board for the control unit 20 includes an SPD signal line 18m for connecting the SPD on the RAM module 25 and the IO control ASIC 24, and an SPD for connecting the SPD on the ROM module 26 and the IO control ASIC 24. None of the signal lines 18i intersect with other signal lines.

The printed circuit board for the control unit 20 includes a video data connector 27v for connecting the image processing ASIC 23 to the video data interface connector 32, and a first for connecting the image processing ASIC 23 to the print control interface connector 31. A first print control connector 27 ₁ and a second print control connector 27 ₂ for connecting the IO control ASIC 24 to the print control interface connector 31 are provided.

In this printing apparatus manufacturing method, when the print engine 30a is used, the video data interface connector 32 of the print engine 30a and the video data connector 27v of the control unit 20 are used for the print control interface of the print engine 30a. The connector 31 and the first print control connector 27 ₁ (image processing ASIC 23) of the control unit 20 are connected to each other, and the CPU 21 obtains status information from the print engine 30a as the program ROM module 26. The printing apparatus 10a is manufactured by using a module that stores a program to be executed via the ASIC 23.

On the other hand, when the print engine 30b is used, between the video data interface connector 32 of the print engine 30b and the video data connector 27v of the control unit 20, the print control interface connector 31 of the print engine 30b and the control unit 20 are connected. The second print control connector 27 ₂ (IO control ASIC 24) is connected to each other, and the program ROM module 26 causes the CPU 21 to acquire status information from the print engine 30a via the IO control ASIC 24. Is used, the printing apparatus 10b is manufactured.

As described above, in the printing apparatus manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, the first and second print control connectors 27 ₁ connectable to the print control interface connector 31 of the print engine 30x (x = a, b). , 27 ₂ is used to manufacture the printing apparatus 10x. Therefore, according to this printing apparatus manufacturing method, since the connection destination of the print control interface connector 31 can be selected, there are few restrictions on the type of print engine to be used (mounted) (position of each interface connector). A printing device can be manufactured.

  The control unit 20 of the printing apparatus 10x manufactured by the printing apparatus manufacturing method according to the present embodiment includes a memory control ASIC 22 that can control the RAM and SPD on the RAM module 25, and a ROM on the ROM module 26. And an IO control ASIC 24 that can control the SPD is used. Therefore, the control unit 20 can be manufactured using a printed circuit board that can be manufactured without crossing each SPD signal line 28y (y = i, m) with another signal line. Therefore, it can be said that the printing apparatus 10x is an apparatus that is easy to design and manufacture.

<Deformation>
The printing apparatus manufacturing method described above can be variously modified. For example, in the printing apparatus manufacturing method, the printing apparatuses 10c and 10d configured as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, that is, the RAM module 25 and the ROM module 26 are connected to the same bus. The printing apparatuses 10c and 10d in which the SPD signal line 28 does not cross the bus may be manufactured. However, since this configuration is difficult to achieve high performance, when it is desired to manufacture a high-performance printing apparatus, like the printing apparatuses 10a and 10b, the bus for the RAM module 25 and the ROM module 26 are used. It is desirable to produce a device that is provided separately from the bus.

  In addition, although the problem that it is difficult to design and manufacture the printed circuit board remains, the configuration related to the memory module is the same as the conventional printing apparatus 50 (see FIG. 3) (the configuration related to the print engine is different). ) The printing apparatus manufacturing method of the embodiment may be modified so that the printing apparatus is manufactured. Further, although the problem that the types of print engines that can be used are limited remains, the configuration related to the print engine is the same as that of the conventional printing apparatus 50 based on the above technique (related to the RAM module 25 and the ROM module 26). The printing apparatus may be manufactured.

Further, the image processing ASIC 23 has two pin groups for obtaining status information from the print engine 30x on both sides of the bin group for outputting video data. The first print control connector 27 ₁ and the second print control connector 27 ₂ may be attached.

The block diagram of the printing apparatus manufactured with the printing apparatus manufacturing method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing of the modification of the printing apparatus manufacturing method which concerns on embodiment. The block diagram of the existing printing apparatus. The figure for demonstrating the problem which the existing printing apparatus has.

Explanation of symbols

10a, 10b printing device, 20 control unit, 30a, 30b print engine 31 connector for print control interface 32 connector for video data interface 21 CPU, 22 memory control ASIC, 23 image processing ASIC
24 IO control ASIC, 25 RAM module, 26 ROM module 28, 28i, 28m SPD signal line

Claims (5)

Manufacture a printing device using a print engine equipped with a print control interface connector for outputting status information related to its own operation status and a video data interface connector for inputting video data for defining print contents A printing apparatus manufacturing method for
A control unit for controlling the print engine;
While being configured as a unit having a video data connector connectable to the video data interface connector and two print control connectors connectable to the print control interface connector,
The video data interface connector is connected to the video data connector, and the print control interface connector is connected to one of the two print control connectors that is easier to connect. A printing apparatus manufacturing method comprising manufacturing a printing apparatus. Manufacture a printing device using a print engine equipped with a print control interface connector for outputting status information relating to its own operation status and a video data interface connector for inputting video data for defining print contents A printing apparatus manufacturing method for
A control unit for controlling the print engine;
Video having a function for communicating with the print engine via the print control interface connector and a function for supplying the video data to the print engine via the video data interface connector An integrated circuit for supplying data;
A second integrated circuit having a function for communicating with the print engine via the print control interface connector;
CPU for controlling the print engine via the video data integrated circuit and the second integrated circuit
As a unit that includes
The video data interface connector is connected to the video data integrated circuit, and the print control interface connector is connected to the video data integrated circuit and the second integrated circuit, which is easier to connect. A printing apparatus manufacturing method comprising manufacturing a printing apparatus by connecting to an integrated circuit. The control unit is
A first memory module provided with an SPD;
A second memory module provided with an SPD;
A first integrated circuit having a function for using the SPD and the memory on the first memory module;
The printing apparatus manufacturing method according to claim 2, wherein the second integrated circuit is a unit including an integrated circuit having a function for using an SPD and a memory on the second memory module. A CPU, a first integrated circuit connected to the CPU, a second integrated circuit connected to the first integrated circuit, a first memory module provided with an SPD, and a second provided with an SPD The memory module is a printing apparatus having a control unit mounted on a printed circuit board,
The first integrated circuit is an integrated circuit having a function for using the SPD on the first memory module and a function for using the memory on the first memory module;
The second integrated circuit is an integrated circuit having a function for using the SPD on the second memory module and a function for using the memory on the second memory module. apparatus. A print engine having a print control interface connector for outputting status information relating to its own operation status and a video data interface connector for inputting video data defining print contents; and the video data interface connector; An integrated circuit for a printing device used in combination with an integrated circuit for video data supply for supplying the video data to the print engine via
A function for communicating with the print engine via the print control interface connector;
A function for using the SPD on the memory module;
And a function for using the memory on the memory module.

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