JP2006167974A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which requires no troublesome operation. <P>SOLUTION: The printer which prints out printing data by developing the printing data in units of pages transmitted from an external device to print-out information has a transmitting means for transmitting information showing no paper remaining to be fed by the printer to the external device if paper feeding delay jam takes place when paper feeding processing execution is carried out in the printer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

  Conventionally, such a printing apparatus is generally used in a one-to-one connection with a host computer via one bidirectional interface (for example, serial, parallel, USB, etc.). As a result, the status of the printing apparatus can be displayed on the display unit of the host computer.

  On the other hand, the printing apparatus is moving toward a cheaper direction, and for this reason, functions that have been conventionally provided in conventional printing apparatuses have been removed. As one of them, it is considered to realize a cheaper printing apparatus by removing the sheet presence / absence detection function of the paper feeding unit of the printing apparatus.

When recording an image on a recording medium based on image data, the state of the recording unit is determined prior to image processing for processing the image data in accordance with an image data recording instruction and converting it to recording data, and an error occurs. There is known a technique for displaying an error when an error has occurred, and starting a print job and executing a printing process if no error has occurred (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-246127 A

  Here, in a printing system using a low-priced small-sized printing apparatus that does not have a paper-out detection function as described above, a paper feed delay jam occurs when there is no paper during printing. When an external device such as a host computer detects that a paper feed delay jam has occurred, “no paper” is displayed on the screen.

  Here, when the operator cancels the print job on the screen, there is no data to be printed, but the “no paper” display remains on the screen of the external device such as the host computer. In order to cancel this “paper out” error, the operator sets paper in the paper feed unit of the printing apparatus even though there is no data to be printed, and does not perform the “paper out” cancel operation. An annoying operation that should not be performed occurs.

  The present invention that solves the above-described problems is a printing apparatus that prints out print data in units of pages transmitted from an external apparatus into print output information, and executes a paper feed process in the printing apparatus. When a paper feed delay jam occurs, the external device includes transmission means for transmitting information indicating that there is no paper to be fed by the printing apparatus.

  When the “paper out” occurs, the operator can simply cancel the print job on the screen, and the printing device can return to the idle state. You are free from the annoying operations that you must not do.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Here, as the printing apparatus, a page-by-page printing apparatus using an electrophotographic process using a laser beam as a light emitting element as a printing mechanism (engine) will be described as an example.

  First, FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a functional configuration of a printing apparatus and a printing system according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a printing apparatus, and 101 denotes a host computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. Reference numeral 102 denotes a printing mechanism unit (engine) in the printing apparatus, and reference numeral 103 denotes a printing control unit for controlling the printing mechanism unit and controlling data exchange with the host computer 101.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes a printing mechanism control unit that controls each function in the 102 printing mechanism unit. The printing mechanism control unit controls various error detection units in the 102 printing mechanism unit and controls exchange of various data with the 106 printing control unit described later.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes a paper feed delay jam detecting means for detecting whether or not a paper feed delay jam has occurred in the 102 printing mechanism. The paper feed delay jam detection means regards that a paper feed delay jam has occurred when the paper cannot be fed correctly during paper feed processing, and notifies the 104 printing mechanism control means that the paper feed delay jam has been detected.

  Here, the 104 printing mechanism control means regards that the cause of the paper feed delay jam is that there is no paper to be fed, and notifies the 106 print control means described later of “no paper” information.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes a print control unit that controls the entire 103 print control unit. The print control means receives print output data from the host computer 101, converts the print output data into a video signal and transmits it to the print mechanism control means 104, or conversely, the print mechanism control means 104 to the 102 print mechanism. The status (status) of the copy is received and returned to the 101 host computer.

  The “no paper” information detected by the 104 printing mechanism control means is also notified to the 101 host computer via the 106 printing control means.

  Further, the “paper out” information is also notified to the 107 paper out canceling means described later via the 106 print control means.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes user interface means for canceling the paper-out condition. That is, means for displaying the “paper out” information notified from the print control means 106 in the previous period on the display unit of the 100 printing apparatus, and means for notifying the 106 print control means that the user has performed the paper empty release operation. Have.

  Reference numerals 104 to 107 represent functions in the 100 printing apparatus.

  Reference numeral 108 denotes a print processing means in the host computer 101. The print processing unit 108 generates print data for each page and transmits the print data to the 100 printing apparatus or receives the status of the printing apparatus returned from the printing apparatus.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes print canceling means for canceling printing on the host computer when the user wants to cancel print output while executing print output of an arbitrary document or in a state where an error has occurred during printing.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes display means in the 101 host computer. Generally, it represents a display means for a display device such as a CRT.

  Here, the 110 display means displays the status returned from the 100 printing apparatus on the display apparatus of the 101 host computer in a display form as shown in FIG. 15, for example.

  Further, when “no paper” information is notified from the first half 102 printing mechanism unit via the first half 106 printing control means, a status for prompting the user to replenish paper is displayed, for example, as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the display device of the 101 host computer.

  Next, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main point of the present invention.

  Here, the leftmost host computer represents the operation in the 101 host computer in FIG. 1, the central print control unit represents the operation in the 103 print control unit in FIG. 1, and the rightmost print mechanism unit in FIG. The operation in the printing mechanism is shown.

  First, when the user instructs to print out an arbitrary document on the host computer, the host computer issues an instruction 201 to start printing to the print control unit.

  When the printing mechanism unit receives the 201 printing start command, the printing mechanism unit transmits a paper feeding command 202 to cause the printing mechanism unit to perform paper feeding.

  In a normal case, the paper feeding operation is performed correctly and the print output is executed. By repeating this operation for the number of pages of an arbitrary document, a series of print output is completed.

  At this time, a status as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the screen of the host computer.

  On the other hand, when the printing mechanism section transmits a sheet feeding command 202 to the printing mechanism section, if a sheet feeding delay jam is detected in the printing mechanism section, the printing mechanism section prints the sheet feeding delay jam detection information 203. Return it to the department.

  Here, when the print control unit receives the paper feed delay jam detection information 203 from the print mechanism unit, the print control unit regards that there is no paper to be fed and returns “no paper” information 204 to the host computer.

  Next, when receiving “paper out” information 204 from the print control unit, the host computer displays a status 205 as shown in FIG. 14 on the screen of the host computer and waits for a user operation.

  At this time, in the print control unit, a 902 paper out LED (corresponding to the display unit of the 107 paper out cancel unit in FIG. 1) 408 in FIG. Inform.

  Here, in general, the user replenishes the printing apparatus with paper, and a 903 paper empty release button in 408 of FIG. 9 described later (corresponding to the paper empty release operation notification means of 107 paper empty release means of FIG. 1). Printing is continued by pressing.

  On the other hand, when the user cancels the printing process from the screen of the host computer by instructing a 1401 cancel button in FIG. 14 while waiting for the user operation 205, for example, the host computer prints the print cancel command 206. Issued to the department.

  Next, when the print control unit receives the print cancel command 206, it issues a paper feed delay jam release command 207 to release the “paper out” state to the print mechanism unit.

  Upon receipt of the paper feed delay jam release command 207, the print mechanism unit performs a paper feed delay jam release process 208 and returns a message to that effect to the print controller.

  Next, when receiving a paper feed delay jam release notification from the printing mechanism, the print control unit returns a paper feed delay jam release notification 209 to the host computer. At this time, the print control unit stops blinking of a 902 paper out LED (corresponding to the display unit of the 107 paper out canceling unit in FIG. 1) in 408 in FIG. 9 to be described later.

  Next, when the host computer receives the paper feed delay jam release notification 209 from the print control unit, the host computer recognizes that the print cancel process has been performed correctly, and sets the screen display of the host computer to the idle state as shown in FIG. return.

  Next, FIGS. 3 and 8 show an example of a laser beam printer as a printing apparatus.

  Here, reference numeral 801 in FIG. 8 denotes a sensor for detecting the presence / absence of paper in the paper feeding unit. However, the printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus having no paper presence / absence sensor in the paper feeding unit as shown in FIG. Assumed.

  Here, 302 and 303 represent paper detection sensors. Reference numeral 302 represents a jam sensor at the paper feed port, and 303 represents a jam sensor at the paper discharge port.

  In particular, a paper feed delay jam can be detected by the jam sensor 302 at the paper feed port.

  That is, even if a certain period of time has elapsed after starting the paper feed process, if the paper cannot be detected by the jam sensor 302 at the paper feed port, it is recognized as a paper feed delay jam.

  Next, FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

  Here, as a printing apparatus, a laser beam printer 402 (corresponding to 100 in FIG. 1) using a laser beam as a light emitting element is taken as an example, and a host computer 401 (in FIG. 1) for transmitting various print data to the printing apparatus. 101). The printing apparatus 402 includes a controller unit 403 (corresponding to the 103 printing control unit in FIG. 1) and an engine unit 404 (corresponding to the 102 printing mechanism unit in FIG. 1).

  The engine unit 404 includes a control unit 405 (corresponding to the 104 printing mechanism control unit in FIG. 1) that controls the entire engine unit, an optical system 406 for forming an image, and an electrophotographic process / paper feed for performing printing processing. A transport system 407.

  The control unit 405 receives a video signal and a control command from the controller unit 403, transmits a status of the engine unit 404 to the controller unit 403, and controls an electrophotographic process, a paper feed conveyance system, and an optical system. Further, the control unit 405 has various error detection functions, receives various error information from the electrophotographic process / paper feeding / conveying system 407, creates status information of the printing apparatus based on these information, and transmits the status information to the controller unit 403. Is done.

  The controller unit 403 has an operation panel 408 in the printing apparatus.

  Next, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an electrophotographic process / paper feeding / conveying system of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. The electrophotographic process / paper feed system 407 includes a paper feed cassette 501, a paper feed roller 502 for feeding paper from the paper feed cassette 501, a photosensitive drum 503, and a fixing device 504. FIG. 5 shows the conveyance state of the paper 505 in the paper feed conveyance system.

  Next, FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed configuration of the printer controller 403 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a host computer interface circuit, which functions as an input / output unit for signals with the host computer 401.

  Reference numeral 602 denotes a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the entire printer controller 403.

  Reference numeral 603 denotes a non-volatile memory for storing information that is not lost even when the power of the printing apparatus is turned ON / OFF, and is composed of, for example, an EEPROM.

  Reference numeral 604 denotes a memory (ROM) that stores a control program executed by the central processing unit (CPU) 602. Reference numeral 605 denotes a rewritable memory (RAM) for storing information necessary for executing the control program stored in the memory (ROM) 604.

  Here, the reception buffer of print data transmitted from the host computer 401, an area for generating and storing image data (bitmap data) based on the print data, and the like are secured in the memory (RAM) 605.

  Reference numeral 606 denotes an output buffer register for converting image data stored in a rewritable memory (RAM) 605 into an image signal VDO. Reference numeral 607 denotes a synchronous clock for generating an image clock signal VCLK synchronized with the BD signal. Reference numeral 608 denotes an generation circuit. Reference numeral 608 denotes an interface circuit which is a signal input / output unit for the printing mechanism unit 404.

  Next, the operation of the print control method in the print control system will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  First, simultaneously with the activation of the 401 host computer in FIG. 7, the 702 print information analysis unit, 706 print command generation unit, and 708 print environment detection unit in the host computer are activated.

  At that time, the screen display / operation control unit 709 can display the status of the printing apparatus 402 as shown in FIG. 15 through the screen of the host computer 401, or the user can set the printing environment for the printing apparatus 402. It is configured.

  Here, the print command generation unit 706 periodically transmits a print apparatus status information acquisition command to the printing apparatus 402, and the status information of the printing apparatus 402 is transferred to the host computer 401. Next, the printing environment detection unit 708 in the host computer 401 receives the status information transmitted from the printing apparatus 402 and notifies the status information to the screen display / operation control unit 709 and the printing information analysis unit 702.

  Based on the status information transmitted from the printing apparatus 402, the screen display / operation control unit 709 displays the status of the printing apparatus (printing apparatus status) in the format shown in FIG. 15 (printing apparatus status window). 401 is displayed on the screen.

  Next, print output processing from the host computer 401 will be briefly described.

  Here, when the user instructs print output during execution of some application program as shown by 701 in FIG. 7, the application program 701 sends print information such as a drawing command and a control command to the 702 print information analysis unit.

  The 702 print information analysis unit analyzes the print information output from the 701 application program, and then outputs the image information to the 703 image information generation unit.

  Here, the print information is a print drawing command for designating data such as character codes, figures, and images for actually performing print processing, a print position and size, a print direction (orientation), and the like. .

  An image information generation unit 703 converts the page unit image information into an intermediate language unique to the printing apparatus and the printing control method. Here, when the intermediate language for one page is generated, the image information generation unit 703 sends the intermediate language to the 704 image data expansion / compression unit.

  Next, the image data expansion / compression unit 704 expands the print image data based on the intermediate language, compresses the expanded image data, and sends the compressed image data to the 705 spool file management unit.

  Next, the 705 spool file management unit writes the compressed image data sent from the image data expansion / compression unit 704 to the spool file, and at the same time, when compressed image data for one page is written to the spool file, the compression is performed. The image data is sequentially read out and sent to the print command generation unit 706.

  A print command generation unit 706 transfers the compressed image data read from the spool file to the printing apparatus 402 via the interface cable.

  Here, the print cancel processing unit 707 in FIG. 7 cancels the print on the host computer when the user wants to cancel the print output while executing the print process or in a state where some error has occurred during the print. Represents a processing unit.

  For example, when “no paper” occurs during the printing process, the 707 printing cancellation processing unit cancels the printing process by instructing a 1401 cancel button in FIG. Actually, from the issuance of the 206 print cancel command in FIG. 2 to the reception of the 209 paper feed delay jam release notification as processing in the host computer.

  Here, reference numerals 702 to 709 in FIG. 7 correspond to the 108 print processing unit in FIG.

  Next, the 402 printing apparatus in FIG. 7 will be described.

  First, when the compressed image data for one page is written in the spool file, the 401 host computer transmits a print start command to the 402 printing apparatus via the 706 print command generation unit. The print start command sent from the host computer 401 is transferred to the engine controller 405 via the printer controller 403 (corresponding to 107 print control means in FIG. 1).

  Also, the compressed image data sent from the host computer 401 via the 706 print command generation unit is transferred to the image memory (corresponding to 605 RAM in FIG. 6) in the 403 printer controller and decompressed to the original image data. After that, it is converted into a video signal and further sent to a printer engine 407 which performs actual printing processing.

  Here, the engine controller 405 and the printer engine 407 constitute a printing mechanism 404 (corresponding to the 102 printing mechanism in FIG. 1).

  Further, various error information in the printing mechanism unit 404 is transferred to the host computer 401 via the printer controller 403. Next, as described above, the 708 printing environment detection unit in the 401 host computer receives various types of error information transmitted from the printing apparatus 402 and notifies the 709 screen display / operation control unit of these pieces of information.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the operation panel 408 shown in FIG. Here, reference numeral 901 represents a display device such as an LCD, and 902 represents an LED indicating a paper out condition. Reference numeral 903 denotes a paper empty release button.

  Next, the concept of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, the operation on the host computer will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the user executes some printing from the host computer, the process of this flowchart is started on the host computer.

  First, it is checked whether or not all pages of the document instructed to be printed by the user have been printed (step S1001 in FIG. 10). If all pages have been printed, the process ends.

  If there is a remaining page in step S1001 in FIG. 10, print output processing for the page is executed (step S1002 in FIG. 10). Details of this processing are shown in FIG.

  Next, when the print output of the page is normally completed in step S1002 of FIG. 10, the process returns to step S1001 of FIG.

  If any error occurs in step S1002 in FIG. 10, the process proceeds to step S1003 in FIG. 10, and the error content is displayed on the screen (status window) of the host computer (step S1003 in FIG. 10).

  For example, when a jam occurs, a status window as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed.

  Next, it is checked whether the error displayed in step S1003 in FIG. 10 is an “out of paper” error (step S1004 in FIG. 10). Otherwise, normal error processing (step S1005 in FIG. 10) is performed to print the page. In order to perform output, the process returns to step S1002 of FIG.

  If a “no paper” error has occurred in step S1004 in FIG. 10, the operation waits for the user (step S1006 in FIG. 10).

  Here, when the user sets the paper in the paper feeding unit of the printing apparatus and cancels the paper out by pressing the paper out cancel button 903 of the operation panel 408, in order to print out the page, Returning to step S1002 of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the user cancels the print processing from the host computer screen by instructing the 1401 cancel button in FIG. 14, the description has been made with the 206 print cancel command in FIG. 2 and the 707 print cancel processing unit in FIG. Print cancel processing is executed (step S1007 in FIG. 10).

  Next, when the print cancel process is completed, the status window is returned to the printable state (idle state) as shown in FIG. 15, and the process is terminated (step S1008 in FIG. 10).

  Next, details of the printing process for the page in step S1002 of FIG. 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, it is checked whether or not the printing apparatus is ready for printing (step S1101 in FIG. 11). If printing is not possible, the process returns with an error.

  If printing is possible in step S1101 in FIG. 11 (ready state), a print start command (corresponding to 201 in FIG. 2) is issued to the printing apparatus (step S1102 in FIG. 11).

  Next, in response to the print start command, it is checked whether the return status from the printing apparatus is “no paper” (step S1103 in FIG. 11). If “no paper”, the process returns with an error.

  In step S1103 of FIG. 11, if there is paper and the paper feeding process is performed correctly, the compressed image data for one page is transferred to the printing apparatus, the printing process for the page is terminated, and the process returns normally. (FIG. 11, step S1104).

  Next, paper feed processing in the print control unit will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the print control unit receives a 201 print start command in FIG. 2 from the host computer (step S1201 in FIG. 12), it issues a 202 paper feed command in FIG. 2 to the print mechanism unit (step S1202 in FIG. 12).

  Next, the print control unit receives a return status for the paper feed command from the printing mechanism unit (step S1203 in FIG. 12).

  Next, the return status is checked to determine whether a paper feed delay jam has occurred (step S1204 in FIG. 12).

  If a paper feed delay jam has occurred in step S1204 in FIG. 12, the 902 paper out LED in FIG. 9 on the operation panel of the printing apparatus blinks (step S1206 in FIG. 12), and “no paper” is displayed to the host computer. The status is returned and the process is terminated (step S1206 in FIG. 12).

  On the other hand, if the return status is normal, it is considered that the paper feed processing has been executed correctly, the normal end status is returned to the host computer, and the processing is terminated (step S1207 in FIG. 12).

  Next, the print cancel process when there is no paper in the print control unit will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when receiving the print cancel command 206 in FIG. 2 from the host computer (step S1301 in FIG. 13), the print control unit issues a 207 paper feed delay jam clear command in FIG. 2 to the print mechanism unit (step 13 in FIG. 13). S1302).

  Next, the print control unit receives a return status for the paper feed delay jam release command from the print mechanism unit (step S1303 in FIG. 13).

  Next, the return status is checked to check whether the paper feed delay jam has been released (step S1304 in FIG. 13).

  If the return status is normal, it is considered that the paper feed delay jam has been properly canceled, and the 902 paper out LED in FIG. 9 on the operation panel of the printing apparatus is turned off (step S1305 in FIG. 13). An end status is returned and the process is terminated (step S1306 in FIG. 13).

  On the other hand, if any error status is returned from the printing mechanism in step S1304 in FIG. 13, the error status is returned to the host computer and the process is terminated (step S1307 in FIG. 13).

<Other embodiments>
In the present invention, the laser beam printer is taken as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention is also effective for a printing apparatus using an LED array, a liquid crystal shutter, or the like as a light emitting element.

  Further, although a printing apparatus using an electrophotographic process is assumed as a printing mechanism, the present invention is not limited to any printing mechanism (inkjet) as long as it is a printing mechanism that performs printing processing in units of pages regardless of the printing mechanism. Needless to say, it is also effective for serial, thermal transfer, etc.).

It is a schematic block diagram which shows a printing apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram showing a print cancellation process. It is a figure which shows an example of the laser beam printer which is a printing apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram showing the general structure of the printing mechanism part in a printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a paper transport system. 2 is a block diagram of a printer controller unit. FIG. It is a block diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of a printing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the laser beam printer which is a printing apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram showing the operation panel. 6 is a flowchart illustrating printing control and processing when there is no paper in the host computer. It is a flowchart showing the detailed process of step S1002 of FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a paper feed process in a print control unit. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print cancel process in a print control unit. This is an example in which the status of the printing apparatus is displayed on the host computer. This is an example in which the status of the printing apparatus is displayed on the host computer. This is an example in which the status of the printing apparatus is displayed on the host computer. This is an example in which the status of the printing apparatus is displayed on the host computer.

Claims (2)

  In a printing apparatus that develops and outputs print data in units of pages transmitted from an external apparatus to print output information, when a paper feed delay jam occurs when executing a paper feed process in the printing apparatus, A printing apparatus comprising: transmission means for transmitting information indicating that there is no paper to be fed by the printing apparatus to an external apparatus.   After transmitting information indicating that the sheet has run out to the external apparatus, and when receiving a signal from the external apparatus to cancel the printing process in the printing apparatus, a canceling unit for canceling the printing process in the printing apparatus The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

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