JP2006014369A - Multi-functional peripheral device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make reservation of a printer part shared as a resource or the like properly for facilitating effective printing process, in a multi-functional peripheral device which can concurrently implement facsimile functions and printer functions. <P>SOLUTION: In a time-shared parallel processing of a FAX task and a printer task with multi-task processing, the printer task checks for a printing request from a host system (S41); and if there is a printing request, it refers to a flag stored in a flag storage area to determine whether the printer part is in operation (S43); and if the printer part is not in operation, the flag is turned on to reserve the resource (S44); then uses the printer part to perform the printing process of the print data sent from the host system. After the use of the printing part, the flag is turned off, to release the resource (S47). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of a multifunction peripheral device having a facsimile function and an image forming function such as a printer and connected to a host device such as a personal computer.

  In recent years, multifunction peripheral devices having a plurality of functions as computer peripheral devices have been developed. As an example of the multifunction peripheral device, there is a facsimile device with a printer function in which a function as a printer is added to a facsimile device. This facsimile apparatus with a printer function is configured so that print data output from an external device such as a personal computer or a word processor can be printed using a printer that the facsimile apparatus originally has for printing facsimile data. Is. When this facsimile apparatus with a printer function receives facsimile data transmitted from another facsimile apparatus or the like via a communication line, it prints the facsimile data, and on the other hand, print data output from an external apparatus such as a personal computer. When input, the print data is printed.

  Such a facsimile device with a printer function (multifunctional peripheral device) has a configuration in which a printer (printing device) is added to the facsimile device, and therefore includes two CPUs, a CPU for facsimile control and a CPU for printer control. It was. The reception of facsimile data and the input of print data may be performed at the same time. However, since individual CPUs are provided for each control, the facsimile data reception printing process and the print data input printing process are: It was possible to execute in parallel without any problems.

  However, in such a configuration, since two CPUs are used, it has been difficult to reduce the cost of the product. Therefore, multi-task processing that switches between facsimile-related control and printer-related control in a time-sharing manner at 1/60 second intervals is adopted, and both controls can be executed simultaneously (in parallel) by a single CPU. And tried to.

  However, even if parallel processing of the facsimile operation and the printing operation is performed, if there is a print request from the host device during printing of the received facsimile data, the data output from the host device and the facsimile data Cannot be printed at the same time, for example, without refusing a print request from the host device, it reserves resources when it becomes possible to print without waiting, and prints the print data sent from the host device. It is necessary to appropriately perform processing such as processing.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a multi-function peripheral device capable of simultaneously realizing a plurality of functions by processing two or more sets of control programs in a time-sharing manner by a single CPU. Even when the functions are used in common, it is an object to ensure that resources are appropriately secured for each function so that the printing process can be efficiently performed.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the multifunction peripheral device according to claim 1 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and a printer unit that is used in common for a plurality of functions including at least a printer function. The printer unit operates in a multi-functional peripheral device capable of simultaneously realizing a plurality of functions by incorporating a plurality of sets of control programs corresponding to the functions of the above and processing two or more sets of control programs in a time-sharing manner in parallel. When a flag storage area for storing a flag indicating whether or not there is a storage area is allocated to a part of the RAM and the printer unit is used when executing each group of control programs, each group of control programs Refers to the flag stored in the flag storage area to check whether the printer unit is operating and If the unit is not operating, the flag is turned on to secure the resource, and then the printer unit is used. After use, the flag is turned off to release the resource. Yes.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the multi-function peripheral device according to the first aspect, a facsimile function is provided in addition to a printer function as a plurality of functions that commonly use the printer unit, and the facsimile function is executed. A control program uses the printer unit to output facsimile data received via a telephone line, and a control program for executing the printer function uses the printer unit to output print data received from an external host device. It is characterized by using a printer unit.

  According to the multifunction peripheral device according to claim 1, a printer as a resource in the multifunction peripheral device capable of simultaneously realizing a plurality of functions by processing two or more sets of control programs in parallel in a time division manner. Even when the unit is used in common for a plurality of functions, it is possible to appropriately perform the printing process by appropriately securing resources for each function. This eliminates the need for a dedicated program for the purpose of managing resources separately from the control program for realizing each function.

  According to the multifunction peripheral device according to claim 2, in addition to the control program for executing the facsimile function or the control program for executing the printer function, there is no dedicated program only for resource management, Each set of control programs that realize the facsimile function or printer function can appropriately output the facsimile data or the print data received from the external host device by appropriately securing the printer unit as a common resource. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction peripheral device and a host device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the multifunction peripheral device, and FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a multifunction peripheral device 1 according to the present invention includes an I / O port (input / output port) 3 as a connection means and a PC (personal computer) 2 as a host device via a cable 4. It is connected to the.

  The multi-function peripheral device 1 includes both a facsimile unit for realizing a facsimile function and a printer unit for realizing a printer function for printing data transmitted from the facsimile unit or the PC 2, which will be described later. By such multitask processing, both functions can be exhibited in parallel.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the facsimile unit includes an NCU (network controller unit) 5 for performing line control, and is connected to a telephone line via the NCU 5. Further, the CPU 10 as a control means is connected to the following units of the device via a bus line, and controls each unit of the device according to a predetermined communication control procedure to realize a facsimile operation, that is, data communication.

  The modem 11 for facsimile communication modulates the image information as a digital signal into an analog signal and transmits it to the telephone line via the NCU 5, or the analog signal as the image information sent from the NCU 5 via the telephone line. It demodulates to a digital signal and transmits and receives various signals for transmission control.

  The buffer memory 12 has a plurality of areas such as a transmission buffer area 12a and a reception buffer area 12b for temporarily storing encoded image data transmitted and received via a telephone line.

  The ROM 13 stores a control program for controlling not only the facsimile unit but also the printer unit by multitask processing as will be described later. The EEPROM 14 stores various setting information such as the data of the dial number of the other party and the name of the other party and the one-touch number. The EEPROM 14 does not erase the contents even if the multifunction peripheral device 1 is turned off. The RAM 15 temporarily stores various data during operation execution.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner 16 is a means for reading an image of the document 32, and is configured as follows. First, a plurality of documents 32 stacked on a document placing table 31 disposed on the upper side of the main body 1 a are separated one by one by a separator 33 and a first transport roller 34, and the direction of the second transport roller pair 35. Sent to. The front surface (lower surface in the present embodiment) of the document 32 transported from the second transport roller pair 35 to the paper discharge roller 36 is irradiated with light from the light source section 38 and reflected by the reading section 37 disposed therebetween. The light enters a reading head 39 such as a line image sensor through a lens system or a reflection system, and image data for each page of the document 32 is obtained by the reading head 39.

  The image data read by the scanner 16 in this way is encoded by the encoding unit 17 shown in FIG. 3 and is automatically transmitted sequentially through the transmission buffer area 12a or temporarily stored in the image memory 19. After that, send it at the specified time. The time-designated transmission is convenient when there is a time difference with the called facsimile machine or when group transmission is performed. The image data output from the PC 2 can be temporarily stored in the image memory 19 and then printed by the printer unit.

  On the other hand, in a normal reception operation in which recording is performed in real time in the facsimile unit, a predetermined communication control procedure is performed with another facsimile apparatus via a telephone line, and then transmission image information is received and a reception buffer area. At 12b, it is temporarily stored as image data. This image data is decoded (decompressed) by the decoding unit 20 and developed into a dot image and written in the bit image storage area of the image memory 19 for storage in units of one page. Then, the bit development is performed with a predetermined resolution, which is sent to the printer 18 and imaged (printed) in units of one page.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 21 provided in the facsimile unit includes a display unit 43 such as a liquid crystal display unit for displaying the operation state of the facsimile unit and registration characters such as a partner name. In addition, a numeric key 44, a function key 45, a one-touch registration key 46, an abbreviated key 47, and the like are provided for the operator to execute various operations.

  As described above, the facsimile unit includes the NCU 5, the modem 11, the buffer memory 12, the scanner 16, the encoding unit 17, the image memory 19, the decoding unit 20, and the like as the first transmission / reception unit. The facsimile function is realized by the control of the CPU 10.

  Also, data from an external facsimile machine as data output means is input by data input means such as the NCU 5, modem 11, buffer memory 12, and decoding unit 20, and is input under the control of the CPU 10 as control means. Are printed by the printer section below.

  Next, a printer unit as an image forming unit will be described. The printer 18 records image data and the like stored in the screen memory 19 as a hard copy on a recording paper as a recording material. In addition to the data received by the facsimile unit, the data includes a data output means. The data transmitted from the transmission means of the PC 2 and stored in the image memory 19 as the data input means is also included.

  That is, the CPU 10 and the image memory 19 function as second transmission / reception means, and data is transmitted / received between the printer unit and the PC 2 via the I / O port 3 and the cable 4 as connection means. The image data output from the PC 2 is temporarily stored in the image memory 19 and then printed by the printer 18. Input / output processing and storage processing of these data are performed under the control of the CPU 10.

  A specific configuration of the printer 18 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a paper feed cassette 22 is provided at the rear part of the main body 1a of the facsimile apparatus 1, and the recording paper 23 in the paper feed cassette 22 is a half-moon shaped paper feed roller of the paper feed unit. The sheet is fed toward the photosensitive drum 25 in the recording unit at 24 or the like. Next, a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 25 by scanning with laser light emitted from the optical scanning unit 26, and the latent image is developed using toner supplied from the toner cartridge 27 and the developing device 28, and recorded. The toner image is transferred to the paper 23 and passes through a fixing device 29 composed of a heating roller and a pressure roller, so that the toner image is fixed and sent to a paper discharge tray 30. As described above, the printer 18 of the present embodiment is an electrostatic electrophotographic printer.

  The printer 18 may employ a thermal printer system that prints an image on thermal paper with a thermal head.

  With the configuration as described above, in this embodiment, the parallel processing of the facsimile operation and the print operation is performed by one CPU. However, when the received facsimile data is printed, a print request from the PC 2 is received. If there are, they cannot be printed at the same time. The same applies when there is a request to print facsimile data while printing data output from the PC 2.

  Therefore, a configuration is also conceivable in which a print request generated during a printing operation is rejected and a BUSY signal or the like is output to the PC 2 or the facsimile unit.

  However, with this configuration, for example, printing of facsimile data is about to end, and even in a situation where printing is possible if waiting for a short time, a print request must be transmitted from the PC 2 again, which is very inconvenient. is there.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, if there is a print request from the PC 2 while printing facsimile data, or if there is a print request for facsimile data while printing data from the PC 2, the data being printed will be described. The printing request is treated as valid until the printing of the printer is completed, and the data from the PC is printed after the printing of the facsimile data is finished without outputting the BUSY signal or the like. Hereinafter, print processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 4 and the flowcharts of FIGS.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a FAX task and a printer task are switched at 1/60 second intervals, and a FAX-related operation and a printer-related operation are processed in parallel in a time-sharing manner. Thus, the FAX-related operation and the printer-related operation can be executed simultaneously.

  The FAX task is roughly divided into two processes as shown in FIG. First, in the key process (step S10), it is checked whether or not there is a key input from the operation unit 21, and for example, when a facsimile transmission key is operated, a facsimile data transmission process or the like is performed accordingly. It is processing. Next, the reception process (step S20) stores the received data in the buffer memory 12 and transmits the data to the PC 2 as described above when there is an incoming call request from an external facsimile machine, or the printer unit. This is a process for issuing a print request to print facsimile data. Therefore, in this reception process, data transmission to the PC 2 is performed when the mode for taking received data into the PC 2 is selected, but when the normal facsimile mode is selected, the printer 18 transfers the data to the recording paper. Is printed.

  In the following description, it is assumed that a normal mode for printing (printing) data received by facsimile on recording paper is selected.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the facsimile data reception process (step S20) in the FAX task. In this process, when there is an incoming call request from another facsimile machine (step S21; YES), first, the telephone line is closed, the facsimile data transmitted from the facsimile machine is received, and the data is received in the reception buffer 12b. Facsimile reception operation for writing to the terminal is started (step S22). At the same time, whether or not the facsimile data written in the reception buffer 12b can be immediately printed on the recording paper by the printer unit, that is, whether or not the printer 18 can be used (resources can be secured). A check is made (step S23).

  Specifically, it is one of the flags stored in the flag storage area allocated to a part of the RAM 15, and indicates whether or not the printer 18 is operating (hereinafter referred to as a printer operating flag). Is turned on and resources cannot be secured (step S23; NO), the printer 18 print data output from the PC 2, scanner data read by the scanner 16 by a copy process described later, and the like Since the printer operating flag is turned off and the printer 18 is released, that is, until the resource can be secured.

  When it is confirmed that the printer operating flag is turned off and resources can be secured (step S23; YES), the printer operating flag is immediately turned on, and the printer 18 is exclusively used for facsimile data printing processing. That is, resources are secured (step S24). Thereafter, until the printer operating flag is turned off (resources are released) by the process of step S27, the print data print process from the PC 2 shown in FIG. 7 or the copy process shown in FIG. Use is prohibited.

  After securing the resource by turning on the printer operating flag (step S24), the CPU 10 reads the facsimile data from the reception buffer 12b, develops it into a bit image by the decoding unit 20, and develops the decompressed data into the image memory 19. Write to. Each time the facsimile data for one page is developed into a bit image and written in the image memory 19, the data is output to the printer 18 and the facsimile data is printed (step S25).

  Until all the facsimile data stored in the reception buffer 12b is printed (step S26; NO), the development to the bit image and the printing process (step S25) are repeated, and all the facsimile data stored in the reception buffer 12b is printed. When it is done (step S26; YES), the printer operating flag is turned off to release the resources, and the printer 18 that has been used so far is released so that other processing can be used (step S27). The reception process is terminated.

  Next, the printer task performs only the print processing (step S40) as shown in FIG. 5. This print processing uses the printer 18 when a print request is received from the PC 2 via the I / O port 3. In this process, the data once stored in the image memory 19 is printed out.

  Next, details of the printing process (step S40) executed during the FAX task will be described with reference to FIG. In this process, first, it is determined whether or not there is a print request from the PC 2 side (step S41). If there is no print request (step S41; NO), the process ends as it is, but if it is determined that there is a print request (step S41; YES), the print data transmitted from the PC 2 is received and A print data receiving process for writing the received data to the image memory 19 is started (step S42). Next, it is determined whether resources can be secured using the printer operating flag, that is, whether the printer 18 is currently in use (step S43). If the printer operation flag is turned off and the printer 18 is not used (step S43; YES), the printer operating flag is turned on to secure resources (step S44). That is, the printer 18 is secured for use on the PC 2 side, and the printer 18 is exclusively used for print data printing processing. Thereafter, the use of the printer 18 in the facsimile data reception process shown in FIG. 6 and the copy process shown in FIG. 8 is prohibited until the printer operating flag is turned off (resources are released) by the process in step S47. Is done.

  On the other hand, even when it is determined that there is a print request (step S41; YES), if the print operation has already been performed, the resource can be secured without rejecting the print request from the PC 2, that is, the print. Wait until it becomes possible (step S43; NO). The printable state is, for example, a case where the currently executed facsimile data or copy printing process is completed and the printer operating flag is turned off.

  As described above, when the printing operation is not performed in the printer 18, resources are immediately secured, and the printing operation is performed in the printer processing in the printer task. However, even if the printing operation is being performed, the print request is validated. Since the computer waits until printing is possible and the resource is secured when printing is possible, it is not necessary to send a print request again from the PC 2 side.

  Next, when the resource securing process described above is performed and resources are secured (step S44), the printing operation is started. That is, the print data written in the image memory 19 is read out and output to the printer 18 for printing (printing). Thereafter, the printing operation is continued while determining whether or not all the printing processing of the print data has been completed (step S46). When all the printing is completed (step S46; YES), the printer operating flag is turned off to release the resources (step S47), and the other printer 18 can be used for other processes. Then, the print process is terminated.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the copy process. This copy process is executed when the operation of the copy start key is detected in the FAX task key process (step S10). First, whether or not the copy operation is possible, that is, the scanner 16 is processed. It is checked whether the scanner data read in (1) can be printed on recording paper by the printer 18 (whether resources can be secured) (step S51).

  If the printer operating flag is on, the printer 18 is printing the print data output from the PC 2 or the data received by facsimile, and cannot secure resources (step S51; NO). , Processing for rejecting copying, for example, a message such as “copying is not possible because the printer is currently in use” is displayed on the display unit 43 (step S56), and the operation of the copy start key is treated as invalid and immediately The copy process ends.

  When it is confirmed that the printer operating flag is turned off and the resource can be secured (step S51; YES), the printer operating flag is immediately turned on to secure the resource, and the printer 18 is set for the copy printing process. Exclusive (step S52). Thereafter, the printer 18 in the facsimile reception process shown in FIG. 6 or the print data printing process from the PC 2 shown in FIG. 7 until the printer operating flag is turned off (resources are released) by the process in step S55. Use is prohibited.

  After securing the resource by turning on the printer operating flag (step S52), the CPU 10 reads the original set on the original placement table 31 using the scanner 16, and sends the read signal (scanner data) to the printer 18. The data is output and printed on the recording paper (step S54).

  Until all the originals set on the original placing table 31 are printed (step S54; NO), reading and printing processing by the scanner 16 (step S54) is repeated, and when all the originals are copied (step S54; YES). Then, the printer operating flag is turned off to release the resources, and the other processing of the printer 18 that has been used up to that time is released (step S55), and the copying process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the multi-function peripheral device 1 of the present embodiment, the printing processing of the facsimile reception data shown in FIG. The print processing of the print data from the host device (PC 2) shown in FIG. 7 and the print processing for copying shown in FIG.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, when there is a print request from the PC 2 during printing or copying of facsimile data, or when there is a print request from the facsimile unit during printing or copying of data from the PC 2 In addition, since the print request is kept valid until the resources can be secured, it is possible to print the facsimile data and the PC 2 without rejecting the transmission request from the external facsimile apparatus or rejecting the print request from the PC 2. Both printing of data from the printer can be performed.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the printing process (step S40) executed by the printer task, in which the waiting period while the print request is valid is limited to a predetermined period, and other processes are common. . Hereinafter, the print processing of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the common location of 1st Embodiment, and description of the other common process after a resource securing process is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, as in the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not there is a print request from the PC 2 side (step S41). If there is no print request (step S41; NO), the process ends. However, if there is a print request (step S41; YES), print data reception processing is started (step S42), and whether or not resources can be secured using the printer operating flag, that is, the current printer 18 It is determined whether it is in use (step S43). If the printer operating flag is off and the resource can be secured (step S43; YES), the printer operating flag is immediately turned on to secure the resource (step S44). If resources cannot be secured (step S43; NO), the printer operating flag is off until a predetermined period has elapsed (step S48; NO) without rejecting the print request from the PC 2 side. Wait until the resource can be secured. However, if the predetermined period has passed without securing resources (step S48; YES), for example, a BUSY signal or the like is output to the PC 2, and print request invalidation processing for rejecting the print request is performed. (Step S49).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the standby period for securing resources is limited to a predetermined period. For example, when there is a large amount of facsimile data and printing takes a very long time, the PC 2 side is controlled from the print control. The degree of freedom of access to the printer 18 can be increased.

  The predetermined period can be appropriately set by the user. For example, the predetermined period may be a time required for receiving a plurality of facsimile data and performing a printing process. With this setting, the processing is completed in a relatively short time for the reception of one or several pieces of facsimile data, so that the printer waits until printing is possible as in the first embodiment. Thus, when a large amount of facsimile data is received, the predetermined period is exceeded, so the print request is invalidated.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, description of the common part of 1st Embodiment is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, only when printing facsimile data and printing PC data, when resources cannot be secured, the system waits until resources can be secured without rejecting the print request. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to copy processing for printing data read by the scanner unit. That is, in the above embodiment, when the copy start key is operated, if the resource cannot be secured, it is immediately rejected. However, as with other printing processes, the process waits until the resource can be secured. You may do it. According to this, even when facsimile data or print data from a PC is being printed, it is possible to print the data read by the scanner unit after the printing is completed, and once the original is set in the scanner unit, the data is read again. There is no need to perform key operations.

  In addition, although the apparatus provided with the facsimile part and printer part which have a copy function was demonstrated as the multifunction peripheral device 1, this invention is not limited to this, What is called a copy apparatus and a printer apparatus were united. It can also be applied to multi-functional peripheral devices.

1 is a perspective view showing a multifunction peripheral device and a host device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the multifunction peripheral device in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the functional block diagram seen from the hardware side of the multifunctional peripheral device in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the multitask in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing of a FAX task that is a main task and a printer task that is a subtask in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the facsimile data reception process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating details of print processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating details of copy processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating details of print processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Multifunctional peripheral device 2 ... PC
3 ... I / O port 4 ... Cable 5 ... NCU
10 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Modem 12 ... Buffer memory 12a ... Transmission buffer memory 12b ... Reception buffer memory 13 ... ROM
14… EEPROM
15 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Scanner 17 ... Encoding part 18 ... Printer 19 ... Image memory 20 ... Decoding part 21 ... Operation part 22 ... Paper feed cassette 23 ... Recording paper 24 ... Paper feed roller 25 ... Photosensitive drum 26 ... Optical scanning unit 27 ... Toner cartridge 28 ... developing device 29 ... fixing device 30 ... discharge tray 31 ... document placing table 32 ... document 33 ... separator 34 ... first transport roller 35 ... second transport roller 36 ... discharge roller 37 ... reading unit 38 ... Light source 39 ... Reading head 43 ... Display unit 44 ... Key 45 ... Function key 46 ... One-touch registration key 47 ... Speed key

Claims (2)

A CPU, a ROM and a RAM, and a printer unit commonly used for a plurality of functions including at least a printer function are provided. A plurality of sets of control programs corresponding to a plurality of functions are incorporated in the ROM, and two sets are set in a time-sharing manner. In a multi-functional peripheral device that can simultaneously realize multiple functions by processing the above control programs in parallel,
When a flag storage area for storing a flag indicating whether or not the printer unit is operating is allocated to a part of the RAM, and when the printer unit is used when executing each set of control programs, Each set of control programs checks whether the printer unit is operating by referring to the flag stored in the flag storage area. If the printer unit is not operating, the flag is turned on. The multifunction peripheral device is configured to use the printer unit after securing resources and to release the resource by turning off the flag after use. In addition to the printer function, a facsimile function is provided as a plurality of functions that commonly use the printer unit, and the control program for executing the facsimile function uses the printer unit to output facsimile data received via a telephone line. The multifunction peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the control program for executing the printer function uses the printer unit to output print data received from an external host device.

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