JP2006076058A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder capable of taking optimal circuitry with the same control circuit by selecting a storage means depending on the volume of data being stored therein when such conditions as the size of the recorder, arrangement of a recording head, print resolution, number of recording colors, and the like, are different. <P>SOLUTION: The recorder comprises a means for selecting, as a first storage means for storing externally inputted data, a third storage means incorporated in an integrated circuit or a fourth storage means provided on the outside of the integrated circuit. Based on at least one of the scanning width of a recording head, resolution of the data, number of colors of the data, and the number of rasters, the capacity required for storing the data is calculated, a decision is made whether the calculated storage capacity exceeds the capacity of the third storage means or not, and the data are stored in the fourth storage means if the capacity of the third storage means is exceeded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a control circuit for controlling recording apparatuses having different recording head configurations using the same control circuit, and a recording apparatus using the control circuit.

  In the conventional recording apparatus, a memory for storing recording data in each data processing stage is fixed.

  For example, in a small inkjet printer capable of printing up to A4 size paper, storage of data received from the host (for example, a reception buffer), temporary data storage (for example, work buffer) when performing various processes, a recording head Usually, a single memory is responsible for storing data (for example, a print buffer) to be transferred to the printer and storing various parameters.

  In addition, for those that require higher processing speed due to higher recording resolution and higher recording speed, it is possible to write and read received data and perform various processing by preparing multiple storage memories. However, in this case, the memory to be stored is fixed and the configuration is optimized.

  Some of these recording devices have a configuration that can expand the recording size by expanding the memory capacity without changing the control circuit. However, the storage memory is similarly fixed and the configuration can be optimized. It was planned.

In addition, when the control circuit is an integrated circuit and the memory size is small, by having a memory in the integrated circuit, the configuration can be simplified, the access speed can be increased, and the selection range of the bus width is expanded. Advanced optimization can be achieved.
JP-A-8-25754

  However, in the above conventional example, when trying to optimize a recording apparatus having different specifications, it is necessary to prepare an optimal control circuit for each. For example, if the printhead configuration differs greatly, such as the number of printheads, the number of printhead nozzles, or the number of printable colors, the printhead control method, the required memory capacity, the required memory Due to differences in access speed and other conditions, it was necessary to prepare a control circuit for each. In addition, even if the recording head used is the same, models with greatly different recording speeds and models with greatly different recording resolutions also have different memory conditions, required memory access speeds, etc. It was necessary to prepare a control circuit.

  Of course, if optimization is not performed, it is possible to prepare a control circuit that can be controlled by a recording apparatus having a different configuration, but there is a drawback that the assist circuit becomes large.

  The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above-described problems, and by selecting the storage means according to the amount of data stored in the storage means, an optimal circuit configuration can be achieved with the same control circuit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus that can be used.

  In order to solve the above problems, a recording apparatus of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores data input from the outside for each raster, a conversion unit that converts raster data read from the storage unit into column data, and A recording apparatus having second storage means for storing column data, transferring column data read from the second storage means to a recording head, and performing recording by scanning the recording head; As the storage means, a selection means for selecting a third storage means built in the integrated circuit and a fourth storage means provided outside the integrated circuit, and the selection according to the data size of one raster Control means for switching the selection of means.

  In the present invention, by selecting the storage means according to the amount of data stored in the storage means, it is possible to adopt an optimum circuit configuration with the same control circuit.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below based on examples.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of main parts of a recording apparatus described in an embodiment of the present invention. The recording head 1 is mounted on the carriage 2 and scans the recording paper P left and right to perform recording.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the recording apparatus described in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of a portion according to the present invention in the control block of the recording apparatus described in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereafter, the part concerning the Example of this invention of FIG. 2 is demonstrated. The I / F circuit 20 is a circuit that receives data sent from a host computer, an image processing circuit, a data processing circuit, an I / F circuit in the previous stage, and the like (not shown). This circuit may exist in the recording data processing circuit 21. The recording data processing circuit 21 stores the data received by the I / F circuit 20 in the built-in memory 103, the RAM (2) 22, or the RAM (3) 23 and converts it into data that can be recorded by the recording head 1. Thereafter, data is transferred to the recording head 1 in synchronization with the scanning of the carriage 2 and recording is performed. In the process of performing the previous data conversion, the data is stored in the built-in memory 103, the RAM (2) 22, the RAM (3) 23, or the RAM (1) 13. Note that the RAM (1) 13, the RAM (2) 22, and the RAM (3) 23 are not limited to the RAM as long as they are memories that can be read / written. The built-in memory 103 is also a memory that can be read / written. The recording data processing circuit 21 is a circuit including a built-in memory. Here, an explanation will be given by taking an integrated circuit (ASIC) as an example. Note that the recording data processing circuit 21 may include a control circuit that is not related to the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the recording data processing circuit 21 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The CPU bus I / F 100 is a block that transmits and receives data between the recording data processing circuit 21 and the CPU (CPU bus). Through this block, each block described below and the CPU are connected. The same applies when the function of the CPU bus I / F 100 is provided in each block.

  The first processing block 101 is a block for instructing to process the data received by the I / F circuit 20 and store it in the memory. Here, the internal memory 103 and the RAM (3) 23 can be selected as the data storage destination. As an example of a storage method in the memory, a case of storing N raster data of one color or a plurality of colors will be described. In this case, the required memory size varies depending on the length of one raster (the length in the scanning direction), the resolution, the number of recording colors, and the like. If the required memory size is small, it may be stored in the built-in memory 103, and therefore the RAM (3) 23 is unnecessary.

  If the required memory size is large and the built-in memory 103 is insufficient, the RAM (3) 23 can be added to store the data.

  Since the built-in memory 103 is accessible from the CPU, it can store various parameters, and can read / write data that requires a processing block (not shown).

  The first memory controller 102 is a block that performs I / F with each processing block when data is read / written to the built-in memory 103. Similarly, the second memory controller 105 is a block that bears an I / F with each processing block when data is read / written to the RAM (3) 23. Further, the third memory controller 107 is a block that bears an I / F with each processing block when data is read / written to the RAM (2) 22.

  The second processing block 104 reads data stored in the built-in memory 103 or the RAM (3) 23, performs data processing, and stores the data in the RAM (2) 22. As an example of data processing, received raster image data is subjected to HV conversion (horizontal / vertical conversion) and converted into a form (for example, column data) that can be recorded by a recording head.

  The third processing block 106 is a block that performs processing of reading out data stored in the RAM (2) 22 and transferring it to the recording head 1.

  Since the RAM (3) 23 and the RAM (2) 22 are external memories, an optimum size can be selected according to the configuration of the recording apparatus.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of data reception control of the recording apparatus described in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The flow of data reception processing will be briefly described below with reference to FIG. First, in step S1, a necessary memory capacity (X) is calculated. Here, the factors include the recording size (width in the raster direction), recording resolution (resolution of recording data or resolution of received data), number of color data stored in memory (number of types of recording data), number of stored rasters. An example in which (the number of rasters of data necessary for the processing of the second processing block 104) is given and obtained by the product is shown. Consider any other factors.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S2, the required memory capacity (X) is compared with the capacity of the built-in memory 103, and if it is determined (determined) that the data can be stored in the built-in memory 103, the process proceeds to step S3 and the received data is transferred. Store in the built-in memory 103. However, if it is determined in step S2 that the data cannot be stored in the built-in memory 103, the number of color data stored in the memory (number of types of recording data) and the number of stored rasters (processing of the second processing block 104) are determined in step S4. It is determined whether the data capacity to be stored can be reduced by reducing the number of data rasters required.

  If it is possible, the process returns to step S1 to determine again whether the memory capacity is sufficient. If it is impossible in step S4 to reduce the data capacity to be stored, or if the external memory is used without reduction, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, first, it is determined whether or not the external memory RAM (3) 23 exists. If it exists, the required memory capacity (X) is compared with the capacity of the external memory (RAM (3) 23) in step S6, and if it is determined that the data can be stored in the RAM (3) 23, the process proceeds to step S7. Then, the received data is stored in the RAM (3) 23. However, if it is determined in step S6 that the data cannot be stored in the RAM (3) 23, in step S8, as in step S4, the number of color data stored in the memory (number of types of recording data) and the number of stored rasters (first number) It is determined whether the data capacity to be stored can be reduced by reducing the number of data rasters required for the processing of the two processing blocks 104, and if it is possible, the process returns to step S1 and the memory capacity is sufficient again. Determine whether or not. In step S5, if there is no external memory (RAM (3) 23), or if it is determined in step S8 that the data capacity to be stored cannot be reduced, it is determined that an error has occurred. An error process such as issuing a warning is performed and the process ends.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of received data read control of the recording apparatus described in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the flow of the reception data reading process will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  In step S100, a memory storing received data is determined. If it is determined that the data is stored in the internal memory 103, the process proceeds to step S101, data is read from the internal memory 103, and the second processing block 104 performs processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not stored in the built-in memory 103, the process proceeds to step S102 to determine whether it is stored in the external memory (RAM (3) 23). If it is stored, it is determined in step S103. Then, data is read from the external memory (RAM (3) 23), and the second processing block 104 performs processing. If it is determined in step S102 that the data is not stored in the external memory, the process proceeds to step S104, error processing is performed as an error, and the process ends.

  The flow shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be determined every time processing occurs, but it is also possible to select the data storage destination by determining before data reception occurs. is there.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a main part of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a control block diagram of the recording apparatus described in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a detailed block diagram of the part concerning this invention in the control block of the recording device as described in the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the data reception control of the recording device as described in the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of reception data read-out control of the recording device as described in the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Recording Head 2 Carriage 3 Carriage Motor 6 LF Motor 11 CPU
12 ROM
13 RAM (1)
20 I / F circuit 21 Recording data processing circuit 22 RAM (2) [first external memory]
23 RAM (3) [second external memory]
103 Internal memory

Claims (2)

Storage means for storing data input from the outside for each raster; conversion means for converting raster data read from the storage means into column data; and second storage means for storing the column data. 2. A recording apparatus for transferring column data read from the storage means to a recording head and performing recording by scanning the recording head,
Selection means for selecting, as the first storage means, third storage means built in an integrated circuit and fourth storage means provided outside the integrated circuit;
A recording apparatus comprising: a control unit that switches selection of the selection unit according to a data size of one raster. Calculation means for calculating a storage capacity necessary for data storage based on at least one of the scan width of the recording head, the resolution of the data, the number of colors of the data, and the number of rasters;
Determining means for determining whether the result calculated by the calculating means exceeds the capacity of the third storage means;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the result calculated by the calculation unit exceeds the capacity of the third storage unit, the recording unit stores the result in the fourth storage unit. .

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