JP2007060096A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make compatible recognition of communication state to a user with visible light communication by using visible light communication that employs LEDs, preparing transmission data corresponding to the flickering of the LEDs, and performing visible light communication by adding a message, when the LED is lit. <P>SOLUTION: An optical communication device comprises a means for determining the lighting time of an LED from the message length divided for each unit, and a means for transmitting a message in matching with the time of lighting of the LED, wherein message data is carried on lighting of the LED and transmitted for a predetermined period. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a visible light transmitter, an optical communication data output method, and a computer program.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of LEDs as light sources, activities for performing visible light communication using LED switching have become active.

  Conventionally, invisible infrared light is used when performing wireless communication using light as a communication medium. The reason is that the transmission efficiency of infrared light transmitting devices and receiving devices is higher than that of visible light.

  On the other hand, when visible light is used, since the receivable area can be visually recognized by a person, it is excellent in convenience, entertainment, and the like depending on the application. In addition, since devices such as low-cost printers that only have LEDs on the display unit can notify the user only of power ON / OFF or error status through the LEDs, it is very difficult to send messages using visible light communication. It is valid.

  For example, when it is considered that two or more PCs (personal computers) are provided with light transmitters / receivers and face each other for communication, visible light is easier for users to place each PC.

  As conventional examples that enable the above arrangement, there are those disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Document 2, for example. In Patent Literature 1, a visible light LED that displays the status of an electronic device, an infrared LED that emits transmission light, and an optical guide that combines the emitted light of each of the visible light LED and the infrared LED are used. Both visible light and infrared light are output from one opening of the device.

Patent Document 3 also discloses a method for improving optical communication so that visible light is not affected by communication even during optical communication.
JP-A-10-303463 JP 2000-004238 A JP 2004-072365 A

  However, as shown in the above-mentioned conventional example, simply by incorporating visible light communication, the state of the visible light LED during data transmission is irregularly blinking or not knowing the blinking state at all. It is difficult to grasp whether or not optical communication is being performed correctly and what kind of visible light communication is being performed by the LED lighting state.

  The message clearly indicated by blinking cannot be displayed correctly as it was done in the conventional device operation unit.

  Further, if the transmitted data is simply divided at a certain interval, the voice message is interrupted in the prior art and it is difficult to hear.

[the purpose]
The present invention is for solving the above-mentioned problem. When visible light communication is performed, the communication state is clarified by regularly turning on the LEDs.

  The purpose is to be able to send the message correctly even in the blinking state.

  The output device of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

The transmission message is divided into transmission units, the data length is specified for each divided data, the LED lighting time is determined from the data length divided for each unit, and the LED lighting. And means for transmitting a message.

  By visible light communication using LEDs, it is possible to realize an apparatus that can transmit sufficient data to a user at low cost.

  Further, the LED blinks regularly and in an easy-to-understand manner during visible light communication, so that there is an effect that it is possible to visually notify the user what kind of visible light communication is being performed.

  Before describing the configuration of this embodiment, the configuration of a laser beam printer suitable for applying this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Needless to say, the apparatus to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to a printer, but can be applied to an apparatus having a display device. 1 has a one-drum type printing apparatus, the basic function is the same even in a tandem type printing apparatus capable of simultaneous printing of four colors.

  FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a first output device to which the present invention can be applied, and shows a case of a laser beam printer (LBP).

  In the figure, reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body which inputs and stores print information (character code, etc.), form information, macro instructions, etc. supplied from an externally connected host computer, and responds according to those information. A character pattern, a form pattern, or the like is created, and an image is formed on a recording sheet or the like that is a recording medium. Reference numeral 1501 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation and LED displays are arranged, and reference numeral 1000 denotes a printer control unit that controls the entire LBP main body 1500 and analyzes character information supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit 1000 mainly converts character information into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1502. The laser driver 1502 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1503, and switches on / off the laser light 1504 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 in accordance with the input video signal. The laser beam 1504 is shaken in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 1505 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1506. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1507 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1506 and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1508 mounted on the LBP 1500, and is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1509, a transport roller 1510, and a transport roller 1511, and is electrostatically charged. The drum 1506 is supplied. Further, the LBP main body 1500 is provided with at least one card slot (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in font.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the printer control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. As long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention can be used for a single device, a system composed of a plurality of devices, or a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. It goes without saying that the invention can be applied.

  In the figure, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, which has a CPU 1 that executes document processing in which figures, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets) and the like are mixed based on a document processing program stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3. The CPU 1 generally controls each device connected to the system device 4.

  The ROM 3 program ROM stores a control program of the CPU 1, the ROM 3 font ROM stores font data used for the document processing, and the ROM 3 data ROM. Stores various data used when performing the document processing or the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM which functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC) which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 10. A disk controller (DKC) 7 controls access to the external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or a flexible disk (FD) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like. A printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 1500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500. The CPU 1 executes, for example, an outline font rasterization process on the display information RAM set on the RAM 2 to enable WYSIWYG on the CRT 10. The CPU 1 opens various windows registered based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

  In the printer 1500, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU, which accesses various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program stored in the external memory 14. The image signal serving as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected through the printing unit interface 16 with overall control. Further, the control program of the CPU 12 and the like are stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13. The font ROM in the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. In the case of a printer without the external memory 14 such as a hard disk in the data ROM in the ROM 13, a host computer is used. -Stores information used on the computer. The CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer via the input unit 18 and is configured to notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer. Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 19 is used as an output information expansion area, environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like. Access to the external memory 14 such as the hard disk (HD) or IC card is controlled by a disk controller (DKC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 18 denotes an operation panel described above, on which switches for operation, LED indicators, and the like are arranged.

  The voice conversion unit 20 is a block that generates voice data.

  Further, the number of external memories is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided so that an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages with different language systems can be connected in addition to the built-in font. It may be configured. Further, a nonvolatile memory 22 may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501.

  An embodiment of visible light communication in the printer control system configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram relating to the audio signal generator 20 connected to the system bus and the display LEDs 211 in the display panel 1302. The setting register 201 is a block diagram for various setting registers for the operation of the audio signal generator. The control unit 203 is a block that controls the entire sound signal generation unit in accordance with the set value of the setting register. The pulse generator 202 is a pulse generator that controls ON / OFF of the LEDs according to the value set by the setting register. The line buffer 204 is a line buffer that holds transmission data for one transfer (here, audio data for one transfer is held). The pulse generator turns on / off the LED for the period set by the setting register, but also synthesizes the audio data while referring to the transmission data held in the line buffer during the ON period. The transistor 210 is turned ON / OFF by the ON / OFF signal generated from the pulse generator, and the LED 211 blinks.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the pulse signal of the LED ON / OFF signal generated by the pulse generator 202 and the transmission data transmitted during the LED ON period. The LED blinks during the ON period (in the case of the pulse, when the pulse is H), that is, during the HeightLength period. Further, the LED is OFF during the LowLength period. Next, transmission data is data stored in the line buffer, LENGTH indicates that data is being transmitted, and the interval indicates a period during which data is not being transmitted. During the LENGTH period, the pulse signal repeats high / low, so that the LED is turned on / off at high speed and visible light communication becomes possible.

  FIG. 5 shows a message list 13300 stored in the ROM 13. In the message list, header information about the message is stored for each item, and the message list is composed of message contents, Length_ON indicating HeightLength, Length_OFF indicating LowLength, and repetition indicating how many messages are displayed. For example, Initialize in message No. 1 is data for displaying a message when the printing apparatus is started up. HeightLength is 300 MS, LowLengt is 200 Ms, and the message is repeatedly displayed 8 times.

FIG. 6 is a diagram relating to message Data holding the contents of transmission data.
The message data 13400 stored in the ROM 13 has been described with respect to No. 1 Initialize 13401 described above. In Initiazlise, transmission data is divided into four blocks, and each transmission message is stored in a message. The length, interval, and actual message data of these transmission block data are stored.

  Details will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the printing apparatus is activated, the CPU reads the program data from the program ROM, activates it, and sequentially initializes the apparatus while analyzing the contents of the program. 501
Next, when basic initialization is completed, sequential state sensing and setting of attached devices are performed according to a program.

  For example, communication initialization of HDD, which is an expansion module connected to the controller board, network communication, communication with PCI devices and engines connected to the expansion module, status check of various sensors, paper stacker and option cassette Sense the state, etc., and initialize.

  Here, as described above, when each state is different from an initial value defined in advance in the program or when there is a change from the initial state, for example, print data is received through the network controller. Or when the engine sensor unit acquires information on a shortage of printing paper or paper jam. 502.

Then, the CPU determines 503 whether it is necessary to change the message on the display device in accordance with the instruction of the program ROM. If there is no need to change the message, wait for a change of status or monitor invitation changes periodically. 502
When the display needs to be changed, the CPU extracts a desired message from the message list 13300 stored in the ROM 13, Length_ON indicating the lighting time of the LED, LengthOFF indicating the lighting time, and lighting. The “repetition” value indicating the number of times is stored in the setting register 201 of the audio signal generation unit 20.

Next, it is determined whether or not voice communication is simultaneously performed when the LED is turned on. Whether to use the voice mode is stored in advance in the program ROM, but the setting can be edited using a printer driver or an operation panel. The setting contents are stored in the non-volatile memory 22, and when the printing apparatus is activated, the CPU refers to the contents of the non-volatile memory to determine a setting value. 505
When the voice mode of the printing apparatus is ON, the CPU reads message data 13400 corresponding to the message list stored in the ROM. This message data is prepared in advance for each delimiter unit in consideration of the delimiter of the sentence. In the Initialize13401 of this embodiment, the sentence “Initialization is being executed” is divided into four units. "Initialize", "execute", "do", and "is", even if there is a space between characters, the content of the message is transmitted. Here, the message data stores the voice data length (LENGTH), the interval between messages, and the actual contents of the voice message data for each data unit.

Therefore, the CPU sets the message data in the first and second LENGTH and the interval setting register. 506
When all the register settings are completed, the CPU issues a transmission start command to the setting register. Upon receiving a start command from the setting register, the control unit 203 accesses the ROM through the system bus, sequentially acquires MessageData, and stores the acquired data in the line buffer 204. 507
When the message data for one line is acquired, the pulse generator 202 sequentially acquires MessageData from the line buffer based on the transmission interval set in the register, and protocol data for performing visible light communication on the message data. The message data is added to the data and transmitted. 508.

  When data transmission for one line is completed, the pulse generator reads the setting for the second line from the setting register, determines the transmission length, obtains the information for the second line from the line buffer, and performs the same data. Is sent. The CPU also sequentially sets the setting register 201 in accordance with the transmission.

  FIG. 7 shows the relationship between LED lighting and transmission data. Data is transmitted during the Length period, and a message is transmitted at each interval in a manner that does not transmit data during the interval. In the figure, ON / OFF during message transmission is clearly shown, but in actual data transfer, LED switching is performed at high speed, so the OFF period is very short and the LED remains on appear.

Next, when the next operation is performed while the message is being transmitted, the state shifts to 502. 509
When data transmission is completed for the number of times specified in the repetition of the message list, 510.

  The audio signal generation unit stops the operation of the control unit and the pulse generation unit 511. End all operations.

When the voice mode 505 is selected and the message transmission is not performed, the CPU sets LengthON, LengthOFF, and repetition described in the message list in the register of the voice signal generation unit. 521
As indicated by LED_ON / OFF in FIG. 4, the pulse generator blinks the LED for the number of repetitions according to the setting register. 522
If the next operation is input here, the process returns to 502.

  The pulse generation unit ends the blinking of the LED when the lighting count is completed. 524

  In the first embodiment, in the blinking interval setting 506, the pulse waveform is configured based on the length and interval of the message data. However, it is also possible to use LengthON and LengthOFF in the message list. The length of this LenghtON / OFF is set in advance to be equal to or greater than the maximum value of message data.

  When using a message list, since MessageData does not match with HeightLengh, data that is always ON in a pseudo manner is generated inside the pulse generator, and data transmission is performed by adjusting the pulse length. .

It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the 1st output device which can apply this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the audio | voice signal generation part of the printer control system which shows 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the ON / OFF state of LED, and the relationship between transmission data which show the 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the transmission message list | wrist which shows the 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the transmission message data which shows the 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the ON / OFF state of LED, and the relationship between transmission data which show the 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 RAM
3 ROM
4 System bus 12 CPU
13 ROM
19 RAM
3000 Host computer 1500 Printer

Claims (3)

As a transmitter for optical data communication, equipped with a display unit with visible light LED,
Means for determining the blinking time of the LED from the transmission data of the selected transmission data divided in units;
Means for sequentially transmitting transmission data divided into units in accordance with LED lighting;
An optical communication device characterized by comprising:   The optical communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit data of the transmission data includes a transmission data length, a transmission interval length, and transmission data. As a transmitter for optical data communication, equipped with a display unit with visible light LED,
Means for determining the blinking time of the LED from the blinking information added to the selected transmission data;
A means for correcting the transmission data divided for each unit in accordance with the lighting of the LED to a lighting information length and transmitting the data,
An optical communication device characterized by comprising:

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