JP2006240095A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of suppressing consumption of power even when it is constituted so as to process data in both of a host base type and a language type. <P>SOLUTION: This printer 10 supplies the power to circuit modules 161a, 161b, 162b, 162c used for converting print data to bitmap data only when the print data to be converted to the bitmap data is transmitted from a host computer. The power is not supplied to the circuit modules 161a, 161b, 162b, 162c as a whole in a time period except the time period while receiving the above data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

  As is well known, in a printing system including a printing apparatus and a host computer, the printing apparatus receives a print request from the host computer and prints a print image on paper. In addition, there are a host base method and a language method as a method for generating bitmap data of a print image in the printing system.

  In the host-based method, the host computer generates bitmap data of the document image from the document data and transmits it to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus uses the bitmap image received from the host computer as a print image on paper. Print.

  On the other hand, in the language system, the host computer creates print data from the document data in the page description language and transmits it to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus generates bitmap data from the print data received from the host computer, A print image is printed on paper based on the bitmap data.

For this reason, according to the host base method, it is not necessary to mount a circuit for performing processing for generating bitmap data in the printing apparatus, so that the manufacturing cost and power consumption of the printing apparatus can be greatly reduced. On the other hand, according to the language method, the host computer is not burdened with the process of generating bitmap data, so that there is no risk of performance degradation even if the host computer has a low processing capability.
JP 09-226188 A JP 2000-037929 A

  By the way, recently, a printing system that can perform both the host-based method and the language method has been proposed. In this printing system, in the host computer, the user selects whether to send bitmap data or print data to the printing apparatus, so that the printing apparatus operates in the host-based method or the language method. decide.

  However, in a printing apparatus that can process both bitmap data (host-base received data) and print data (language-based received data), only bitmap data is received. Even when the host-based method is set to be used normally, a lot of power is required because many built-in circuits must be operated compared to the printing system of a printing system that only uses the host-based method. Was supposed to be consumed. For this reason, there has been a demand from consumers to reduce the power consumption of a printing apparatus that can process both bitmap data and print data.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce the power consumption of a printing apparatus that can process both host-based and language-based data.

  A printing apparatus according to a first aspect invented to solve the above problems includes a printing mechanism for printing on paper, a communication unit for communicating various information via a host computer and communication means, When a data conversion unit for converting data that needs to be converted into bitmap data into bitmap data and the communication unit receives a print request from the host computer, the data included in the print request is bitmap data. If the data included in the print request is bitmap data, the printing mechanism is made to perform printing based on the bitmap data. When the data included in the print request is data that needs to be converted into bitmap data, the data converter is operated. A print control unit that converts the data included in the print request into bitmap data, causes the printing mechanism to perform printing based on the bitmap data, and then stops the operation of the data conversion unit. It is characterized by providing.

  With this configuration, the data conversion unit for converting the data into bitmap data operates only when data that needs to be converted into bitmap data is sent from the host computer. In most periods other than when the data is sent, the operation of the data conversion unit is stopped, so that the power consumption of the data conversion unit is suppressed.

  In addition, a printing apparatus according to a second aspect invented to solve the above-described problems includes a printing mechanism for printing on paper, a communication for communicating various types of information via a host computer and communication means. A reception unit for receiving various instructions from a user, a data conversion unit for converting data that needs to be converted into bitmap data into bitmap data, and an instruction for operating the data conversion unit If accepted, the data conversion unit is operated and the communication unit is notified to the host computer of information requesting the data included in the print request to be data that needs to be converted into bitmap data, When the reception unit receives an instruction to stop the operation of the data conversion unit, the operation of the data conversion unit is stopped, When the communication unit receives a print request from the host computer, and an operation state control unit for notifying the host computer of information requesting the data to be included in the print request as bitmap data. It is determined whether the data included in the print request is bitmap data or data that needs to be converted into bitmap data. If the data included in the print request is bitmap data, the bitmap data If the data included in the print request is data that needs to be converted into bitmap data, the data conversion unit converts the data included in the print request into a bitmap. After conversion to data, printing is performed on the printing mechanism based on the bitmap data. Further comprising a printing control unit for, it is characterized.

  With this configuration, the user can select the start or stop of the operation of the data conversion unit, and the data included in the print request is the data corresponding to the start or stop of the operation of the data conversion unit. The host computer can be controlled as follows. In this way, when the user wants to reduce power consumption in a normal state, the user stops the operation of the data conversion unit, and operates the data conversion unit as necessary, such as when printing image data. be able to.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the power consumption of a printing apparatus that can process both host-based and language-based data is reduced.

  Hereinafter, two examples of a printing apparatus which is a form for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

  First, the configuration of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. The printing apparatus 10 is an apparatus that operates by receiving either a host-based printing request or a language-based printing request from the host computer 20, and includes a printing mechanism 11, an external I / F apparatus as main components. 12, SDRAM 13, ROM 14, CPU 15, and ASIC 16 are incorporated.

  The printing mechanism 11 is a mechanism that actually performs printing on paper.

  The external I / F device 12 is a so-called communication interface port that receives a print request from the host computer 20. The external I / F device 12 receives a print request including compressed bitmap data from the host computer 20 in the host-based method described above, and print data created in the page description language in the language method. A print request including (data that needs to be converted into bitmap data) is received from the host computer 20.

  An SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 13 is used as a temporary storage area for print requests sent from the host computer 20 and as a work area when various processes are performed based on the print requests. Volatile memory.

  A ROM [Read Only Memory] 14 is a non-volatile memory that stores a program for controlling the printing apparatus 10 and font data used when generating bitmap data based on print data requested to be printed. .

  A CPU [Central Processing Unit] 15 is a control circuit that integrally controls each unit in accordance with a program in the ROM 14. Specifically, the CPU 15 obtains an instruction about a process to be executed by a user through an operation on a button or a touch screen of an operation display panel (not shown) provided on the upper surface of the printing apparatus 10, and a host A print control process for causing the printing mechanism 11 to perform a print process in response to a print request transmitted from the computer 20 is performed.

  The ASIC 16 is a semiconductor integrated circuit that controls exchange of data and instructions between the hardware units 11 to 15. The ASIC 16 includes an acceleration unit 161, an image processing unit 162, an IO control unit 163, a DRAM control unit 164, a ROM control unit 165, and a CPU control unit 166. Each unit 161 to 166 has an internal bus. Are connected to each other through communication.

  The acceleration unit 161 is a circuit module unit for performing predetermined processing at a high speed instead of the CPU 15, and includes several circuit modules that perform the predetermined processing. Specific circuit modules included in the acceleration unit 161 include circuit modules 161 a that perform processing (color conversion processing) for converting color components of bitmap data created from print data on the SDRAM 13 from RGB to CMYK. In addition, there is a circuit module 161b that performs processing (compression processing) for compressing bitmap data after color conversion.

  The image processing unit 162 is a circuit module unit for performing various types of processing on the compressed bitmap data to convert it into an electric signal in a form that can be processed by the printing mechanism 11. Circuit modules. Specific circuit modules included in the image processing unit 162 include a circuit module 162a that performs a process of decompressing compressed bitmap data (decompression process), and a process that adjusts the brightness of each color component (color adjustment process). There is a circuit module 162b that performs the processing, and a circuit module 162c that performs processing (screen processing) for changing the number of gradations by appropriately changing the number of lines, the shape, the angle, etc. of the halftone dots (screen) in the bitmap image.

  The IO control unit 163 is a circuit module for controlling the external I / F device 12 and an operation display panel (not shown). The IO control unit 163 and the external I / F device 12 connected thereto function as a communication unit. The IO control unit 163 and an operation display board (not shown) connected to the IO control unit 163 function as a reception unit.

  The DRAM control unit 164 is a circuit module having a function of controlling the operation of the SDRAM 13, a function of controlling reading and writing of programs and data with respect to the SDRAM 13, and a function of executing refresh of the SDRAM 13.

  The ROM control unit 165 is a circuit module that controls reading of programs and data from the ROM 14.

  The CPU control unit 166 is a circuit module that exchanges data and requests between the CPU 15 and the internal bus.

  Note that the printing apparatus 10 having the hardware configuration described above is configured to operate in one of the host base mode and the PDL [Page Description Language] mode.

  In the host base mode, the CPU 15 reduces (downs) the operating clock frequency of the SDRAM 13 and the CPU 15 from a normal value to a predetermined value. Further, the CPU 15 is configured to stop supplying power to circuit modules that are not necessary for processing compressed bitmap data. Specifically, the color conversion processing circuit module 161a of the acceleration unit 161, and The operations of the compression processing circuit module 161b, the color adjustment processing circuit module 162b of the image processing unit 162, and the screen processing circuit module 162c are stopped. In this host base mode, a print request including bitmap data compressed by a printer driver (not shown) is sent from the host computer 20, but it is not necessary to process the bitmap data. Therefore (because it is not necessary to perform image processing), there is no problem even if the operation of the circuit module unnecessary for the bitmap data processing is stopped or the operation clock frequency of the SDRAM 13 or the CPU 15 is down.

  On the other hand, in the PDL mode, the CPU 15 recovers (ups) the operating clock frequencies of the SDRAM 13 and the CPU 15 to normal values. The CPU 15 starts to supply power to the circuit module necessary for the process of converting the print data into the bitmap data. Specifically, the color conversion processing circuit module 161a, the color conversion processing circuit module 161a of the acceleration unit 161 is started. The operation of the compression processing circuit module 161b and the color adjustment processing circuit module 162b and the screen processing circuit module 162c of the image processing unit 162 are started. In this PDL mode, a print request including print data created in a page description language by a printer driver (not shown) is sent from the host computer 20, but conversion processing to bitmap data and color conversion processing are performed. Since the functions and processing speed necessary for color adjustment processing are ensured, there is no problem even if print data is sent.

  Next, on the assumption of what has been described above, processing executed by the CPU 15 when a print request is sent from the host computer 20 will be described.

  When the printing apparatus 10 is connected to the host computer 20 via a predetermined communication means (parallel cable, network cable, USB cable, etc.) and then the main power is turned on, the program in the ROM 14 is read by the CPU 15. The process is started. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the flow of this process.

  After starting the process, the CPU 15 first shifts to the host base mode (S101). At this time, as described above, power supply to the circuit modules 161a, 161b, 162b, and 162c for use in conversion of print data into bitmap data is stopped, and the operating clock frequencies of the SDRAM 13 and the CPU 15 are reduced. . Thereafter, the CPU 15 waits until a print request is sent from the host computer 20 (S102; NO).

  When a print request is sent from the host computer 20 (S102; YES), the CPU 15 determines whether or not an instruction to shift to the PDL mode is included in the header of the print request (S103). ). Note that a printer driver (not shown) of the host computer 20 receives a print execution instruction for a document, and then the document data is text data, not image data. When the threshold value is not exceeded, the bitmap data of the document image is generated from the document data, and the print request header including the bitmap data is printed without including the instruction to shift to the PDL mode. Transmit to device 10. On the other hand, after receiving an instruction to execute printing for a document, the printer driver (not shown) receives the document data as image data or text data and the amount of data is a predetermined threshold value. Is generated from the document data, the print data expressed in a predetermined page description language is generated, and the print request header including the print data includes an instruction to shift to the PDL mode. It transmits to the printing apparatus 10.

  If the instruction for shifting to the PDL mode is not included in the header of the print request (S103; NO), the CPU 15 executes the print control process according to the print request in the host base mode. Start (S105). At this time, the bitmap data included in the print request is once taken into the SDRAM 13 and then subjected to only decompression processing in the image processing unit 162 without going through the acceleration unit 161. Thereafter, the bitmap data is converted into an electrical signal in a form that can be processed by the printing mechanism 11 and output to the printing mechanism 11.

  On the other hand, when an instruction to shift to the PDL mode is included in the header of the print request (S103; YES), the CPU 15 shifts the operation mode from the host base mode to the PDL mode (S104). At this time, as described above, power supply to the circuit modules 161a, 161b, 162b, and 162c for use in conversion of print data into bitmap data is started, and the operating clock frequencies of the SDRAM 13 and the CPU 15 become normal values. Returned. Then, after shifting to the PDL mode, the CPU 15 starts executing a print control process corresponding to the print request (S105). At this time, the print data included in the print request is once taken into the SDRAM 13 and then converted into bitmap data by the CPU 15 according to a predetermined program in the ROM 14 (this conversion processing is related to FIG. 2). Done in parallel with processing). The converted bitmap data is subjected to color conversion processing and compression processing in the acceleration unit 161, and subsequently subjected to decompression processing, color adjustment processing, and screen processing in the image processing unit 162. Thereafter, the bitmap data is converted into an electrical signal in a form that can be processed by the printing mechanism 11 and output to the printing mechanism 11.

  After starting the print control process (S105), the CPU 15 waits until the print control process is completed (S106; NO). When the print control process ends (S106; YES), the CPU 15 determines whether or not the operation mode at this time is the PDL mode (S107).

  Then, when the operation mode at the time when the print control process is completed is the host base mode (S107; NO), the CPU 15 is in a standby state until the next print request is sent from the host computer 20 (S102). NO), when the operation mode at the time when the print control process is completed is the PDL mode (S107; YES), after the transition to the host base mode (S101), the next print request is sent from the host computer 20 It will be in a state of waiting until it comes (S102; NO).

  The CPU 15 that executes steps S101 to S107 corresponds to the above-described print control unit.

  Next, operations and effects of the printing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.

  As described above, the printing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment is a host only when a print request (print data based on image data or text data whose data amount exceeds a predetermined threshold value) that requires processing capability is received. After shifting from the base mode to the PDL mode and performing the print control process according to the print request, the host mode is immediately restored (S101, S102, S103; YES, S104 to S106, S107; YES).

  On the other hand, the printing apparatus 10 receives a print request (bitmap data based on text data whose data amount is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value) that does not require a processing capability, except when a printing request that requires a processing capability is received. When it comes, or while waiting for a print request to be sent, it operates in the host base mode (S102, S103; NO, S105, S106, S107; NO). As described above, while in the host base mode, the power supply to the circuit modules 161a, 161b, 162b, 162c used for converting the print data into the bitmap data is stopped, and the SDRAM 13 and the CPU 15 are stopped. The operation clock frequency is reduced from the normal value to a predetermined value.

  That is, according to the printing apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the circuit modules 161a and 161b are mostly used during most of the period other than when a print request requiring processing capability (that is, data that needs to be converted into a bitmap) is received. , 162b, 162c and the SDRAM 13 and CPU 15 are clocked down, so that power consumption is suppressed.

Embodiment 2

  The second embodiment is an example in which the user determines whether or not the data to be printed is data that requires processing capability. On the other hand, in the first embodiment described above, such a determination is made by a printer driver (not shown). Therefore, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that such a determination subject is different.

  Specifically, in the second embodiment, a printer driver (not shown) on the host computer 20 has a user interface function for accepting a user's judgment, and like the printer driver of the first embodiment, the document driver Does not have a function of determining whether the data is image data or text data. With this difference, the software configuration of the printing apparatus 10 is also slightly different from that of the first embodiment. However, the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  Next, processing executed by the CPU 15 when a print request is sent from the host computer 20 will be described.

  When the printing apparatus 10 is connected to the host computer 20 via predetermined communication means (parallel cable, network cable, USB cable, etc.) and then the main power is turned on, the program in the ROM 14 is read by the CPU 15. And processing is started. FIG. 3 shows the flow of this process.

  After starting the processing, the CPU 15 first shifts to the host base mode (S201), and then a print request is sent from the host computer 20 until a mode switching instruction is input on an operation display panel (not shown). (S202; NO, S205; NO).

  The mode switching instruction may be input by the operator through an operation on a predetermined menu screen displayed on an operation display panel (not shown) or may be sent from the host computer 20. The latter case will be described in detail. When the user selects on the printer driver setting screen (not shown) whether the printing apparatus 10 is operated in the host base mode or the PDL mode, the printing device 10 is not shown. The printer driver generates a mode switching instruction designating the mode selected by the user and transmits it to the printing apparatus 10. At this time, when the operation mode is designated by the user, the printer driver (not shown) stores in the RAM (not shown) that the operation mode has been designated, and the print request generated thereafter Data corresponding to the mode (bitmap data in the host base mode, print data in the PDL mode) is generated and incorporated. Therefore, when a mode switching instruction is received by a printer driver (not shown), the host computer 20, the external I / F device 12 and the IO control unit 163 equipped with the printer driver (not shown) correspond to the receiving unit. Yes.

  When an input of a mode switching instruction is received on an operation display panel (not shown) (S202; YES), the CPU 15 determines whether or not the mode specified in the mode switching instruction is the PDL mode (S203). ).

  If the mode specified in the mode switching instruction is the PDL mode (S203; YES), the CPU 15 shifts the operation mode to the PDL mode (S204), and the mode switching instruction is displayed on the operation display panel (not shown). Until a print request is sent from the host computer 20 (S202; NO, S205; NO).

  On the other hand, when the mode designated in the mode switching instruction is the host base mode (S203; NO), the CPU 15 shifts the operation mode to the host base mode (S201), and the mode is displayed on the operation display panel (not shown). The process waits until a switching instruction is input or until a print request is sent from the host computer 20 (S202; NO, S205; NO).

  The CPU 15 that executes steps S201 to S204 corresponds to an operation state control unit.

  When a print request is sent from the host computer 20 in the standby state (S202; NO, S205; NO) (S205; YES), the CPU 15 executes a print control process corresponding to the print request. Is started (S206).

  At this time, if print data is included in the print request, the PDL mode is set, so that the circuit modules 161a, 161b, 162b, 162c are in operation, and the operation clock frequencies of the SDRAM 13 and the CPU 15 are at normal values. . The print data included in the print request is once taken into the SDRAM 13 and then converted into bitmap data by the CPU 15 according to a predetermined program in the ROM 14 (this conversion process is parallel to the process according to FIG. 3). To be done). The converted bitmap data is subjected to color conversion processing and compression processing in the acceleration unit 161, and subsequently subjected to decompression processing, color adjustment processing, and screen processing in the image processing unit 162. Thereafter, the bitmap data is converted into an electrical signal in a form that can be processed by the printing mechanism 11 and output to the printing mechanism 11.

  On the other hand, if the compressed bitmap data is included in the print request, since the host base mode is set, the circuit modules 161a, 161b, 162b, 162c are stopped, and the operating clock frequencies of the SDRAM 13 and the CPU 15 are It is reduced from the normal value. The bitmap data included in the print request is once taken into the SDRAM 13 and then subjected to only decompression processing in the image processing unit 162 without passing through the acceleration unit 161. Thereafter, the bitmap data is converted into an electrical signal in a form that can be processed by the printing mechanism 11 and output to the printing mechanism 11.

  Thereafter, the CPU 15 waits until the print control process is completed (S207; NO). When the print control process is completed (S207; YES), the CPU 15 sends a mode switching instruction or a print request from the host computer 20. It is in a state of waiting until it is received (S202; NO, S205; NO).

  The CPU 15 that executes steps S205 to S207 corresponds to the above-described print control unit.

  Next, operations and effects of the printing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment will be described.

  In the second embodiment, when the user selects the PDL mode as the operation mode of the printing apparatus 10 in an operation display panel (not shown) or a printer driver (not shown) on the host computer 20, the operation mode of the printing apparatus 10 is changed. When the mode is switched to the PDL mode (S202; YES, S203; YES, S204) and the host base mode is selected as the operation mode of the printing apparatus 10, the operation mode of the printing apparatus 10 is switched to the host base mode (S202; YES, S203). NO, S201).

  When the printing apparatus 10 is operating in the PDL mode, print data is incorporated in the print request received from the host computer 20, but the circuit modules 161a, 161b, 162b, and 162c operate. Since the SDRAM 13 and the CPU 15 are also operating at a normal operation clock frequency, this print data is properly processed, and language printing is normally performed.

  On the other hand, when the printing apparatus 10 is operating in the host base mode, the operation of the circuit modules 161a, 161b, 162b, 162c is stopped, and the operation clock frequencies of the SDRAM 13 and the CPU 15 are lower than the normal values. Since the compressed bitmap data is incorporated in the print request received from the host computer 20, the bitmap data is properly processed, and the host-based printing is normally performed.

  In other words, according to the printing apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, the user determines in advance whether the document data that designates execution of printing requires processing capability, and the printing apparatus 10 in advance. Can be selected to operate in PDL mode or in host-based mode. In this way, when the user wants to reduce power consumption in a normal state, the user needs to select the host base mode in advance and operate the printing apparatus 10 in the host base mode to print image data. Accordingly, the printer 10 can be used with the maximum performance by switching to the PDL mode.

1 is a configuration diagram of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. The figure which shows the flow of the process performed by CPU after the main power supply is turned on The figure which shows the flow of the process performed by CPU after the main power supply is turned on in the printing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing apparatus 11 Printing mechanism 12 External I / F apparatus 13 SDRAM
14 ROM
15 CPU
16 ASIC
161 Acceleration unit 161a Color conversion processing circuit module 161b Compression processing circuit module 162 Image processing unit 162a Decompression processing circuit module 162b Color adjustment processing circuit module 162c Screen processing circuit module

Claims (4)

A printing mechanism for printing on paper,
A communication unit for communicating various information with the host computer via communication means,
A data conversion unit for converting data that needs to be converted into bitmap data into bitmap data; and
When the communication unit receives a print request from the host computer, it determines whether the data included in the print request is bitmap data or data that needs to be converted into bitmap data, and is included in the print request. When the data is bitmap data, the printing mechanism is made to perform printing based on the bitmap data, and when the data included in the print request is data that needs to be converted to bitmap data, The data conversion unit is operated to convert the data included in the print request into bitmap data, and then the printing mechanism performs printing based on the bitmap data, and then the operation of the data conversion unit is performed. A printing apparatus comprising a print control unit for stopping. A printing mechanism for printing on paper,
A communication unit for communicating various information with the host computer via communication means,
Reception part for receiving various instructions from users,
A data converter for converting data that needs to be converted into bitmap data into bitmap data,
When the reception unit receives an instruction to operate the data conversion unit, the data conversion unit is operated, and the communication unit includes data that needs to be converted into bitmap data for inclusion in a print request. When the reception unit receives an instruction to stop the operation of the data conversion unit, the operation of the data conversion unit is stopped and the communication unit is notified. An operation state control unit for notifying the host computer of information for requesting that data included in the print request be bitmap data; and
When the communication unit receives a print request from the host computer, it determines whether the data included in the print request is bitmap data or data that needs to be converted into bitmap data, and is included in the print request. When the data is bitmap data, the printing mechanism is made to perform printing based on the bitmap data, and when the data included in the print request is data that needs to be converted to bitmap data, A printing apparatus comprising: a printing control unit that causes the printing mechanism to perform printing based on bitmap data after converting data included in the print request into bitmap data in the data conversion unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reception unit is an operation display panel in which an input device and a display device are incorporated. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reception unit is a user interface activated by a printer driver on the host computer connected to the communication unit via the communication unit.