JP2005157791A - Printer simulator and simulation method of printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer simulator realizing an operation nearer to a real machine. <P>SOLUTION: The simulator simulates the operation of the printer real machine having a print engine and a mechanism device. The simulator is also provided with a first simulator operating a print engine model simulating the print engine performing a print processing based on a signal transmitted from a controller by a simulation processing based on a first control program, a second simulator operating a mechanism device model simulating the mechanism device performing printing to a print medium based on a signal inputted from the print engine by simulation calculation based on a second control program and outer hardware having an interface for transmitting/receiving a signal following a communication system between the controller and the printer real machine. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer simulator and a printer simulation method that provide an operating environment of a printer controller.

  Conventionally, the printer controller has been debugged for the actual printer itself including a print engine and a mechanism device. However, since the development of the actual printer takes time, there is a problem that the printer controller cannot be debugged until the actual printer is completed.

Therefore, a simulator for simulating a printer has been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-143260 discloses a simulation apparatus including a printer hardware simulator unit that implements an external environment necessary for the operation of a printer controller as a software interface (Patent Document 1). Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-30251 discloses a simulation apparatus that constructs a virtual mechanism model on a computer instead of a mechanism apparatus (mechanism) and operates the virtual mechanism model by simulation calculation according to input data. (Patent Document 2).
JP-A-5-143260 JP 2003-30251 A

  However, since the simulation apparatus described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-143260 is a simulator for a print engine, the operation relating to the mechanical part which is a mechanism apparatus is not targeted. Therefore, a simulation device closer to a real machine having a function of simulating both the print engine and the mechanism device is desired.

  Therefore, a printing engine simulation device (hereinafter referred to as “engine simulator”) as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-143260 and a mechanism device as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-30251 are disclosed. It is proposed to combine both functions (software) of a simulation apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “mechanical simulator”). However, when the engine simulator by software and the mechanical simulator by software are simply combined, there are the following problems.

  In the simulator, the image data printing operation (for example, the laser beam irradiation operation) is not performed as in the actual machine. Therefore, in order to inspect the image data sent from the printer controller to the actual machine, the simulator side outputs the image data to a predetermined storage medium instead of printing it on the print medium, and later stores the image data from the storage medium. The work of reading and confirming this is effective.

  However, in the case of a laser printer, for example, image data is transferred from the printer controller to the actual machine according to a horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC: Horizontal Synchronizing Signal) according to the laser scanning timing. It is difficult to store image data in real time in accordance with this transfer operation. Therefore, in the conventional simulator, there is a problem that even if the printer controller can simulate the transfer of the image data by the same transfer operation as that of the actual machine, the content of the transferred image data cannot be inspected.

  In addition, the simulator must generate a signal related to the printing process at the same timing as the actual machine and notify the printer controller. However, when the simulation operation of the simulator is based on control by software, a signal that is required to be controlled at high speed among signals related to printing processing (for example, a signal such as the horizontal synchronization signal described above) There is a problem that the signal cannot be generated in a simulated manner and notified to the printer controller at the same timing.

  Further, a software simulator cannot cover the configuration of a physical communication interface between the simulator and the printer controller. Therefore, the interface on the printer controller side needs to be matched with the interface provided in the simulator, that is, the computer on which the software is installed, and there is a problem that debugging cannot be performed with the same configuration as the actual machine.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer simulator that realizes an operation closer to a real machine.

  Specifically, an object of the present invention is to realize a printer simulator capable of confirming image data transferred from a printer controller by a transfer operation similar to a real machine.

  Another object of the present invention is to realize a printer simulator that can generate a simulation signal related to a printing process at a timing closer to a real machine.

  It is another object of the present invention to realize a printer simulator capable of transmitting and receiving data through an interface similar to that of a real machine.

  The present invention for solving the above-described problems has the following configuration.

  That is, the present invention is a simulator for simulating the operation of an actual printer having a print engine and a mechanism device, and a print engine model for simulating a print engine that executes print processing based on a signal transmitted from a controller. A mechanism device model that simulates a first simulator (engine simulator) that is operated by simulation processing based on a control program 1 and a mechanism device that executes printing on a print medium based on a signal input from the print engine; A second simulator (mechanical simulator) that is operated by a simulation calculation based on the control program of No. 2, and external hardware that includes an interface for transmitting and receiving signals according to a communication format between the controller and the actual printer. The external hardware is the interface And the first simulator operates the print engine model by a simulation process based on the output signal and sends a predetermined simulation signal to the second simulator. The second simulator operates the mechanism device model by simulation calculation based on the output simulation signal.

  According to this configuration, the controller can transmit and receive signals to and from the simulator via the interface for transmitting and receiving signals according to the communication format between the controller and the actual printer. Further, even when the first control program and the second control program are mounted on a general-purpose computer, it is possible to transmit and receive signals similar to those of an actual machine, so that high-quality debugging can be performed. .

  In addition, the interface includes a first signal line for transferring an image signal and a second signal line for transferring a control signal.

  The external hardware unit generates a first simulated synchronization signal that simulates a synchronization signal transmitted from the printer to the controller in order to control the timing at which the controller transfers the image signal. And a generation circuit for transmitting the simulated synchronization signal to the controller.

  According to this configuration, a synchronization signal equivalent to the synchronization signal transmitted from the actual printer to the controller can be generated in order to control the timing at which the controller transfers the image signal. Can be realized.

  Furthermore, the generation circuit generates the first simulated synchronization signal according to a second simulated synchronization signal output as an operation result of the mechanism device model from the second simulator, and transmits the first simulated synchronization signal to the controller. It is characterized by that.

  According to this configuration, since the synchronization signal can be generated according to the simulation operation of the mechanical simulator, it is possible to generate a synchronization signal close to the actual machine in the flow of the printing sequence.

The external hardware unit includes a memory for storing an image signal, and a storage circuit for storing in the memory an image signal transferred from the controller at a timing according to a first simulated synchronization signal transmitted by the generation circuit According to this configuration, the image signal can be transferred to the simulator by the same transfer operation as that of the actual machine, and the transferred image signal can be stored.

  The simulator may further include a display device that displays an image based on an image signal, and a display circuit that reads the image signal stored in the memory and displays the image signal on the display device.

  According to this configuration, the image signal transmitted by the same transfer operation as that of the actual device can be confirmed on the display device.

  Furthermore, the external hardware unit includes a timer generation circuit that generates an interrupt signal based on a timer and outputs the generated interrupt signal to each of the first simulator and the second simulator. The simulator operates the print engine model according to the output timer interrupt, and the second simulator operates the mechanism device model according to the output timer interrupt.

  According to this configuration, both the first simulator and the second simulator can be simulated by real time operation similar to that of a real machine.

  Further, the present invention is a simulator for operating on a computer a printer model that simulates an actual printer having a print engine and a mechanism device, and simulates a print engine that executes a printing process based on a signal transmitted from a controller. A first control program for operating a print engine model and a second control for operating a mechanism device model that simulates a mechanism device that executes printing on a print medium based on a signal input from the print engine And an external hardware having an interface for transmitting and receiving a signal in accordance with a communication format between the controller and the actual printer. The first control program includes the external hardware via the interface. Operate the print engine model based on the received signal And causing the computer to execute a process of supplying a predetermined drive signal to the second control program, and the second control program performs a process of operating the mechanism device model based on the supplied drive signal. The computer is executed.

  Further, the present invention is a simulation system comprising a controller for executing a control program to control an actual printer, and a simulator for simulating the operation of the actual printer based on a signal transmitted from the controller. The simulator includes: a first simulator that operates a print engine model that simulates a print engine that executes print processing based on a signal transmitted from a controller by simulation processing based on a first control program; and a print engine A second simulator for operating a mechanism device model for simulating a mechanism device that performs printing on a print medium based on an input signal by simulation calculation based on a second control program; the controller; To send and receive signals according to the communication format between External hardware including an interface, and the external hardware supplies a signal received via the interface to the first simulator, and the first simulator simulates based on the supplied signal. The print engine model is operated by processing to supply a predetermined drive signal to the second simulator, and the second simulator operates the mechanism device model by simulation calculation based on the supplied drive signal. Features.

  The simulator of the present invention is also established as a simulation method. This simulation method can be implemented by a computer, and a computer program therefor can be installed or loaded on the computer through various media such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, and a communication network. . It also includes the case where a computer program is recorded and distributed on a printer card or printer option board.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer simulator capable of realizing an operation closer to a real machine.

(First embodiment)
(Configuration of simulation device)
First, the configuration of a printer simulator (hereinafter referred to as “simulation apparatus”) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a simulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration diagram of the external hardware unit in the simulation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration diagram of the simulator unit in the simulation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a simulation system 100 according to this embodiment includes a printer controller 1 and a simulation device 2 that simulates the operation of an actual printer that includes a print engine and a mechanism device.

  The printer controller 1 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a video interface 12, and executes predetermined printing processing by controlling a printer engine. The CPU executes predetermined programs stored in a ROM, RAM, external storage medium, etc., thereby executing various commands (for example, a print start command and status request) necessary for print processing and raster data (image data, (Also referred to as print data) is transmitted to the simulation apparatus 2 via the video interface 12.

  Assuming that the printer controller 1 according to the present embodiment is used for a laser printer, a simulation apparatus for debugging the printer controller 1 used for a laser printer will be described below. Note that the configuration of the printer controller 1 is not limited to that used for the laser printer, and a configuration according to the specifications of the printer can be used. The configuration of the simulation apparatus is also changed as appropriate according to the configuration of the printer controller 1. Is possible.

  The simulation apparatus 2 includes an external hardware unit 3 for simulating the operation of the actual printer using hardware, and a simulator unit 4 for simulating the operation of the actual printer using mainly software (program). Each process in the simulation apparatus 2 is a process (simulation process) for simulating the operation of the actual printer, and data generated in the simulation apparatus 2 is data for simulating data generated in the actual printer ( (Simulated data).

  The external hardware unit 3 includes a control circuit unit 30, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 31, and a video interface 32. The external hardware unit 3 is provided so as to be interposed between the printer controller 1 and the simulator unit 4. The external hardware unit 3 and the printer controller 1 communicate with each other by connecting the video interfaces 12 and 32 via dedicated lines. The external hardware unit 3 and the simulator unit communicate via a common bus (for example, a PCI bus).

  By configuring the external hardware unit 3 as an expansion card (for example, a PCI card) including the control circuit unit 30, SDRAM 31, and video interface 32, a general-purpose processing device can easily function as a simulator.

  The control circuit unit 30 is a dedicated circuit for covering a process that is difficult to realize by software, and corresponds to, for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The function of the control circuit unit 30 will be described later.

  The SDRAM is a memory for storing raster data sent from the printer controller 1 via the video interfaces 12 and 32 together with the transfer speed to the actual machine. The raster data stored in the SDRAM is read to confirm the contents of the data sent to the actual machine. Note that the memory is not limited to the SDRAM, and a memory according to the specification can be adopted.

  The video interface 32 is for transmitting and receiving signals in accordance with the communication format between the printer controller 1 and the actual printer. The video interface 32, for example, a first signal line for transferring an image signal, a second signal line for transferring a control signal (print start command or status), and a first signal line for transferring an interrupt signal. 3 signal lines. The control signal is transferred according to serial communication, for example, UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) communication.

  The video interface 32 is based on the premise that the video interface 32 has the same configuration as the interface used in the actual machine, and an interface according to the specifications of the actual machine can be adopted. The video interface 32 on the simulation apparatus 2 side and the video interface 12 on the print controller 1 side are connected by a dedicated cable.

  Next, details of the control circuit unit 30 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration diagram of the control circuit unit 30 in the external hardware unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. The control circuit unit 30 includes a data input / output unit 301, an image data input / output unit 302, a control command input unit 303, a synchronization signal generation unit 304, and a timer interrupt signal generation unit 305.

  The data input / output unit 301 inputs various commands (print start command and status request) sent from the printer controller 1 via the video interface 32, and outputs the input various commands to the simulator unit 4. Further, the data input / output unit 301 receives a status response signal sent from the simulator unit 4 and outputs the status response signal to the printer controller 1 via the video interface 32. The data input / output unit 301 and the printer controller 1 transmit and receive various commands and status response signals using the signal lines for control signals of the video interface 32.

  The image data input / output unit 302 receives raster data (image data) sent from the printer controller 1 via the video interface 32, and outputs (stores) the input raster data to the SDRAM 31. The image data input / output unit 302 stores the raster data in the SDRAM 31 at high speed in synchronization with the horizontal synchronization signal during the printing operation of the actual machine, thereby realizing real-time storage in accordance with the printing operation of the actual machine.

  When the image data input / output unit 302 receives an output request from the simulator unit 4, the image data input / output unit 302 reads the raster data stored in the SDRAM 31 and outputs (displays) the raster data to the simulator unit 4. The image data input / output unit 302 receives image data from the printer controller 1 using a signal line for image signals of the video interface 32.

  The control command input unit 303 is for inputting a control command sent from the simulator unit 4 to the external hardware unit 3, and the input control command is written to the I / O register. Examples of control commands for the external hardware unit 3 include a generation instruction command for instructing generation of a horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC) and a vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC), a timer setting command for setting a timer interrupt signal, and the like. Is applicable.

  The synchronization signal generation unit 304 refers to an area in which generation instruction commands in the I / O register of the control command input unit 303 are written at predetermined intervals. When the generation instruction command is stored, the vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC) and the horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC) are generated in the same cycle as the actual printer according to the value of the generation instruction command, and are transmitted via the video interface 32. Output to the printer controller 1. The vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC) is generated according to the generation instruction command. The horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC) is generated for a predetermined number of lines every set period with a generation instruction command as a trigger. It is desirable to set the same number of lines and cycle (for example, 200 micro SEC) as the actual machine as the number of lines and cycle that are the generation conditions of the horizontal synchronization signal.

  The printer controller 1 transmits raster data to the simulation apparatus 2 in accordance with the horizontal synchronization signal and the vertical synchronization signal sent from the synchronization signal generation unit 304. This raster data is for directly controlling the printer engine (print task), and controls the printing process of the printer engine in real time. The transmitted raster data is output to the SDRAM 31 by the image data input / output unit 302 with clock synchronization in accordance with the horizontal synchronization signal.

  The timer interrupt signal generation unit 305 refers to an area where the timer setting command is written in the I / O register at a predetermined interval. When a timer setting command is stored, a timer interrupt is generated according to the value of the timer setting command, and the generated interrupt signal is sent to the simulator unit 4 (engine simulator 40 and mechanical simulator 50). The engine simulator 40 and the mechanical simulator 50 are synchronized with each other by executing processing in accordance with a timer interrupt.

  Next, functions of the simulator unit 4 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration diagram of the simulator unit in the simulation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the simulator unit 4 operates a print engine model that simulates a print engine that executes a print process based on a signal transmitted from a controller by a simulation process based on a first control program. And a mechanism device model for simulating a mechanism device (engine simulator) 40 and a mechanism device that executes printing on a print medium based on a signal input from the print engine, by a simulation calculation based on a second control program. 2 simulator (mechanical simulator) 50.

  The engine simulator 40 receives a printer control command from the printer controller 1 as a printer engine model for simulating the printer engine, analyzes it, performs status response, etc., and performs mechanical control on the mechanical simulator 50. . The engine simulator 40 includes a communication task 401, a print task 402, an engine control task 403, and an engine status control unit 404.

  A communication task 401 is for controlling serial communication with the printer controller 1. Commands to the printer engine sent from the printer controller 1 and status sent from the printer engine to the controller 1 are performed by serial communication in the same manner as in the actual machine.

  When the communication task 401 receives serial data from the printer controller 1 via the external hardware unit 3, the communication task 401 analyzes a command in the serial data in the same manner as the actual machine. If the command is a setting of engine information, the parameter value indicating the engine setting is updated. If the command is a status request, status information is acquired from the engine status control unit 404 and transmitted to the controller 1. If the command is a print start command, this is notified to the print task 402.

  The print task 402 is activated by receiving a print start command from the printer controller 1 via the external hardware unit 3 and performs a printing process while controlling the mechanical simulator 50 as in the case of the actual machine. Specifically, when the start of printing is notified from the communication task 401, the status of the engine status control unit 404 is set to “Printing”. Then, as the print start setting process, various trigger signals (motor drive signal and toner control signal) for instructing the start of the printing operation are issued to the mechanical simulator 50. With this trigger signal, the mechanical simulator 50 simulates the operation of the mechanical unit (simulation operation) and sends back a simulation result (sensor signal or the like).

  The print task 402 executes processing corresponding to various sensor signals sent from the mechanical simulator 50, almost the same as the actual machine. However, when the printer task 402 of this embodiment receives a horizontal synchronization signal, the synchronization signal generation unit 304 of the external hardware unit 3 generates a horizontal synchronization signal at the same cycle as the actual machine based on the horizontal synchronization signal. It is different from the actual machine in that it is controlled to do so.

  That is, the horizontal synchronization signal sent from the mechanical simulator 50 is not the same signal as the actual machine because it is based on software control. Therefore, in this embodiment, although the mechanical simulator 50 generates a horizontal synchronization signal based on the sensed result, when the print task 402 receives this signal, the generated horizontal synchronization signal is used as a trigger at the actual machine level. Control is performed so that the horizontal synchronization signal is generated by the synchronization signal generation unit 304 of the external hardware unit 3.

  When the printing process by the mechanical simulator 50 is completed, the print task 402 sets the status of the engine status control unit 404 to “Ready”. When a sensor signal indicating “no paper” is received from the mechanical simulator 50, the status of the engine status control unit 404 is set to “no paper (Error)”.

  The engine control task 403 performs initialization of the printer engine, communication with a user interface and a mechanical simulator, update of information in the engine status control unit 404 and signal processing. The engine control task 403 outputs a read request to the control circuit unit 30 when a read request for SDRAM image data is input from an input unit that is a user interface. Then, an image based on the image data read from the control circuit unit 30 is output to a display device such as a display.

  The engine status control unit 404 is for recording and managing the status of the printer engine. In response to a notification from the communication task 401 or the print task 402, the status value (printing, waiting, etc.) is updated. Further, in response to a request from the communication task 401 or the print task 402, the current status is notified.

  Each task operates in response to a timer interrupt sent from the external hardware unit 3. Each of the above tasks is functionally realized by the CPU executing a program for engine simulation stored in the ROM or RAM in the simulation apparatus 2 or an external storage medium.

  Next, the mechanical simulator 50 includes a virtual mechanism model that is virtually constructed corresponding to a printer mechanism (mechanism device) to be controlled by the printer controller 1 and the engine simulator 40. A known method can be used to construct the virtual mechanism model. However, in order to bring the virtual mechanism model closer to the actual machine, it is desirable to define the operation of the part using the CAD data of the actual machine.

  The mechanical simulator 50 mainly includes an input / output unit 501, an arithmetic processing unit 502, and a drawing processing unit 503. The input / output means 501 inputs various trigger signals (motor drive signals and toner control signals) sent from the engine simulator 40, and outputs sensor signals as simulation results.

  The arithmetic processing unit 502 performs the movement of each mechanism element with respect to the movement of the motor in accordance with the model definition when the trigger signal input from the input / output unit 501 is input to the virtual mechanism model built on the simulation apparatus 2. Executes the calculation process to be calculated. Each mechanism element includes a sensor, and information detected by the sensor is notified to other mechanism elements (parts) and the print controller 1 as in the actual machine.

  The drawing processing unit 503 executes drawing processing for outputting the mechanism model on the display (display device) based on the calculation result by the calculation processing unit 502.

  Each of the above units operates in response to a timer interrupt sent from the external hardware unit 3. The above means are functionally realized by the CPU executing a mechanical simulation program stored in the ROM or RAM in the simulation apparatus 2, an external storage medium, or the like.

(Processing in the simulation device)
Hereinafter, the processing in the simulation apparatus 2 when the printer controller 1 is debugged will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing a processing flow of the simulation apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment. In addition, each process (including the partial process to which the code | symbol is not provided) can be arbitrarily changed in order within the range which does not produce contradiction in the processing content, or can be performed in parallel.

  Here, as an example of the debugging process of the printer controller 1, a case where the printer controller 1 performs printing using the simulation apparatus 2 and then a paper out error is notified will be described as an example.

  The engine simulator 40 and the mechanical simulator 50 write a timer setting command and an interrupt permission command in a predetermined area of the I / O register in order to set a timer interrupt (S1).

  When the timer interrupt signal generator 305 reads the timer setting command from the I / O register, it generates a timer interrupt according to the value of the timer setting command, and periodically issues a timer interrupt to the engine simulator 40 and the mechanical simulator 50, respectively. (S2).

  The engine simulator 40 and the mechanical simulator 50 each perform the following operation according to a timer interrupt. As a result, the mechanical simulator 50 can be brought close to real-time operation while the engine simulator 40 and the mechanical simulator 50 are synchronized.

  Prior to the start of printing, the printer controller 1 transmits a parameter setting command (engine information setting) by serial communication (S3). The communication task 401 of the engine simulator 40 receives the parameter setting command via the video interface 32 and the control circuit unit 30 in the same manner as the actual machine (S4).

  Upon receiving the setting command, the communication task 401 analyzes this command and executes a process according to the analysis result in the same manner as the actual machine. Specifically, the parameter value is updated according to the analysis result. The status is acquired from the engine status control unit 404, and a status response signal is sent back to the printer controller 1 via the control circuit unit 30 and the video interface 32 (S4).

  The printer controller 1 that has received the status next transmits a print start command via the video interface 32 and the control circuit unit 30 (S5).

  When the communication task 401 receives the setting command, the communication task 401 analyzes the command, and notifies the print task 402 when it is determined that the command is a print start command. The print task 402 changes the status of the engine status control unit 404 to “printing” (S6).

  Then, the print task 402 executes a print start process (S7). Specifically, the print task 402 transmits motor start signals such as an Hsync motor start signal, a paper feed motor start signal, and a paper transport motor start signal to the mechanical simulator 50 as in the actual machine.

  In the mechanical simulator 50, the input / output means 501 receives each motor start signal, and the arithmetic processing means 502 executes arithmetic processing based on each motor start signal (S8). For example, the arithmetic processing unit 502 calculates a paper feed operation based on the paper feed motor start signal and a paper transport operation based on the paper transport motor start signal, and an image of the mechanism device model based on the calculation result is displayed on the display by the drawing processing unit 503. Output.

  Also, the print task 402 transmits a print toner position control signal to the mechanical simulator 50 (S9). The mechanical simulator 50 receives the print toner position control signal by the input / output unit 501 and calculates a drum rotation operation based on the print toner position control signal received by the arithmetic processing unit 502 (S10). Then, a sensor signal (a trigger signal for generating Vsync) corresponding to the calculation result is sent back to the engine simulator 40 as in the actual machine (S12).

  Upon receiving the trigger signal for generating Vsync, the print task 402 instructs the trigger circuit for generating Vsync to the control circuit unit 30 (S13).

  When receiving the trigger signal for generating Vsync, the control command input unit 303 of the control circuit unit 30 stores it in a predetermined area of the I / O register. When the synchronization signal generation unit 304 reads the trigger signal for Vsync generation from the I / O register, the synchronization signal generation unit 304 generates a Vsync signal and an Hsync signal and sends them to the printer controller 1 via the video interface 32 (S14). Note that the Hsync signal is generated every set cycle, and is generated for the number of set lines. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the same cycle and the number of lines as the actual machine are set.

  The printer controller 1 sends the raster data stored in the RAM or the like to the simulation apparatus 2 via the video interface 12 in synchronization with the Hsync signal sent from the control circuit unit 30 in the same cycle as the actual machine (S15).

  The control circuit unit 30 (image data input / output unit 302) of the external hardware unit 3 receives raster data sent in synchronization with the Hsync signal via the video interface 32, and a clock in which the raster data is matched with the Hsync signal. The data is stored in the SDRAM synchronously (S16).

  Then, the printer controller 1 and the simulation apparatus 2 repeat the processing from S9 to S16 until raster data for one page is sent from the print controller 1.

  When the print task 402 finishes processing the raster data for one page, it sends a paper discharge motor start signal to the mechanical simulator 50 (S17).

  The mechanical simulator 50 receives the paper discharge motor start signal by the input / output means 501 and executes a calculation process (paper discharge operation) based on the paper discharge motor start signal received by the arithmetic processing means 502 (S18). The calculation result is output to the display by the drawing processing means 503.

  When the printer controller 1 sends a status request by serial communication (S19), the communication task 401 performs status response processing (S20). Here, since “Ready” is set as the status of the engine status control unit 404, the value is returned as a status response signal by serial communication, as in the case of the actual machine. It is assumed that the status is changed to “Ready” at a predetermined timing when the engine simulator 40 finishes printing and paper discharge.

  Here, when the sensor detects "no paper" in the arithmetic processing means 502 of the mechanical simulator 50, a sensor signal indicating "no paper" is notified to the print task 402 of the engine simulator 40 (S21).

  Upon receiving the sensor signal indicating “no paper”, the print task 402 updates the status of the engine status control unit 404 to “no paper” (S22).

  Thereafter, when the printer controller 1 sends a status request (S23), the communication task 401 performs status response processing (S24). Here, since “no paper” is set as the status, the value is returned as a status response signal.

  When the printer controller 1 receives the status response signal, the printer controller 1 analyzes the status value, and when there is no paper, performs processing to output a message for supplying paper, for example, to the display device.

  When the printing simulation is completed, the person in charge of debugging instructs a check request for raster data from the user interface in order to inspect the raster data. When the raster data confirmation request is input via the user interface, the engine simulator 40 transmits a raster data read request to the control circuit unit 30 of the external hardware unit 3 (S25).

  When the raster data read request is input via the image data input / output unit 302, the control circuit unit 30 reads the raster data from the SDRAM 31 and transmits the read raster data to the engine simulator 40 (S26).

  The engine simulator 40 displays the transmitted raster data as an image on the display (S27).

  According to the configuration of the above embodiment, the raster data transmitted to the actual machine (simulation apparatus 2) can be confirmed by one debugging operation, and the raster data stored in accordance with the printing operation (laser irradiation) of the actual machine is stored. It becomes possible to confirm.

  When debugging is performed assuming that a predetermined error (for example, paper jam) occurs during the printing operation, raster data up to the time when the error has occurred after the start of printing is stored in the SDRAM 31. . Therefore, the raster data at the time of error occurrence can be confirmed.

  In addition, since the raster data is stored in the external hardware unit 3 and the simulation relating to the printing operation of the mechanism is performed in the simulator unit 4, the raster data storage process which is unnecessary in the case of an actual machine is printed. It is possible to avoid affecting the simulation related to the operation.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, since the simulation apparatus 2 is provided with the same video interface as that of the actual machine, it is necessary to match the interface on the printer controller side with a general interface provided in the simulation apparatus (general-purpose computer). Disappear.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified and applied.
(1) For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the engine simulator 30 and the mechanical simulator 50 are combined has been described. However, the simulator unit 4 may be the engine simulator 30 alone, or the simulator unit 4 is configured by the mechanical simulator 50 alone. May be.

  When the simulator unit 4 is the engine simulator 30 alone, the sensor signal from the mechanical simulator 50 is not input. Therefore, the engine simulator 30 is provided with means for generating a sensor signal at a predetermined timing, or the sensor is detected from the user interface. A configuration for inputting a signal may be employed. When a sensor signal serving as a trigger for the synchronization signal is input, the engine simulator 30 controls the external hardware unit 3 to generate HSYNC and VSYNC as in the above embodiment.

According to this configuration, even if the simulator unit 4 is the engine simulator 30 alone and the mechanical unit simulator is not used, HSYNC and VSYNC can be generated at the same frequency as the actual machine. It becomes possible to further improve the performance of the simulator applied to the engine.
(2) The external hardware unit 3 of the above embodiment has functions such as a video interface 32, storage and reading of raster data to and from the SDRAM, generation of horizontal and vertical synchronization signals, timer interruption, etc. It can be determined according to the specification whether the function is provided. It is also possible to add or change new functions according to the specifications.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a simulation apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the function block diagram of an external hardware part. It is a block diagram which shows the function block diagram of a simulator part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of a simulation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of a simulation apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer controller, 2 Simulation apparatus, 3 External hardware part 3, 4 Simulator part, 12 Video interface, 30 Control circuit part, 31 SDRAM, 32 Video interface

Claims (9)

A simulator for simulating the operation of a printer having a print engine and a mechanism device,
A first simulator for operating a print engine model that simulates a print engine that executes a print process based on a signal transmitted from a controller by a simulation process based on a first control program;
A second simulator for operating a mechanism device model for simulating a mechanism device that executes printing on a print medium based on a signal input from a print engine by simulation calculation based on a second control program;
External hardware including an interface for transmitting and receiving signals in accordance with a communication format between the controller and the actual printer,
The external hardware outputs a signal received via the interface to the first simulator, and the first simulator operates the print engine model by a simulation process based on the output signal and performs predetermined processing. The simulation signal is output to a second simulator, and the second simulator operates the mechanism device model by simulation calculation based on the output simulation signal. 2. The simulator according to claim 1, wherein the interface includes a first signal line for transferring an image signal and a second signal line for transferring a control signal. The external hardware unit is
In order to control the timing at which the controller transfers the image signal, a first simulated synchronization signal that simulates the synchronization signal transmitted from the printer to the controller is generated, and the generated simulated synchronization signal is transmitted to the controller. The simulator according to claim 1, further comprising a generation circuit that performs the operation. The generation circuit includes:
4. The first simulated synchronization signal is generated and transmitted to the controller in accordance with a second simulated synchronization signal output as an operation result of the mechanism device model from the second simulator. The simulator described. The external hardware unit is
A memory for storing image signals;
A storage circuit for storing in the memory an image signal transferred from the controller at a timing according to a first simulated synchronization signal transmitted by the generation circuit;
The simulator according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising: The simulator
A display device for displaying an image based on an image signal;
6. The simulator according to claim 5, further comprising a display circuit that reads an image signal stored in the memory and displays the image signal on the display device. The external hardware unit is
A timer generation circuit for generating an interrupt signal based on a timer and outputting the generated interrupt signal to each of the first simulator and the second simulator;
The first simulator operates the print engine model according to the output timer interrupt, and the second simulator operates the mechanism device model according to the output timer interrupt. The simulator according to any one of 1 to 6. A simulator for operating on a computer a printer model that simulates an actual printer having a print engine and a mechanism device,
A first control program for operating a print engine model that simulates a print engine that executes print processing based on a signal transmitted from a controller;
A second control program for operating a mechanism device model that simulates a mechanism device that executes printing on a print medium based on a signal input from a print engine;
External hardware including an interface for transmitting and receiving signals in accordance with a communication format between the controller and the actual printer,
The first control program causes the computer to execute a process of operating the print engine model based on a signal received by the external hardware via the interface and supplying a predetermined drive signal to the second control program. Let it run
The second control program causes the computer to execute processing for operating the mechanism device model based on the supplied drive signal. A controller for executing the control program to control the actual printer,
A simulator for simulating the operation of the actual printer based on a signal transmitted from the controller,
The simulator
A first simulator for operating a print engine model that simulates a print engine that executes a print process based on a signal transmitted from a controller by a simulation process based on a first control program;
A second simulator for operating a mechanism device model for simulating a mechanism device that executes printing on a print medium based on a signal input from a print engine by simulation calculation based on a second control program;
External hardware including an interface for transmitting and receiving signals in accordance with a communication format between the controller and the actual printer,
The external hardware supplies a signal received via the interface to the first simulator, and the first simulator operates the print engine model by a simulation process based on the supplied signal and performs predetermined processing. The driving signal is supplied to a second simulator, and the second simulator operates the mechanism device model by simulation calculation based on the supplied driving signal.

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