JP2785798B2 - Page printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a page printer, and more particularly to a page printer for printing (copying) a plurality of copies of print data over a plurality of pages.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a page printer for performing page copying, as a conventional technique for enabling collation or page sorting without having a sorter in the printer main body, a collation described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 05-238114 is known. Page printer with function "or JP-A-05-2
There is a “page printer” described in JP-A-12941.

[0003] This "page printer with collation function"
Is to temporarily save print data transmitted from a higher-level device from a reception buffer to a hard disk, repeatedly read out, expand and print the print data, and output print results arranged in page order on a stacker. .

[0004] On the other hand, a "page printer" stores the expanded print data transmitted from a higher-level device for each page, repeatedly reads and prints the data, and arranges them in the page order on a stacker. The print result is output.

Comparing these, the former requires the provision of a hard disk, so the structure of the page printer body is more limited than the latter, and the printing data must be expanded every time printing is performed. The printing speed is more likely to be slower than the latter. Therefore, of these two inventions, the latter has more effects.

[0006]

However, the "page printer" described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 05-212941 has the following disadvantages.

[0007] 1. Since the data "Total number of pages" exists in the data sent from the host device to the printer,
The application software running on the higher-level device must output this specific data item. Therefore, there may be some inconvenience in versatility.

[0008] 2. In addition, according to the disclosed flowchart, the page data that should be performed only when the page sort is to be performed is originally performed before determining whether the sort execution setting is set (FIG. 2). Unnecessary printing time is required when sorting is not performed.

3. No consideration is given to the case where the number of pages of data transmitted from the host device to the printer exceeds the number of pages that can be stored in the page data storage unit.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a page printer which can solve the disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular, provides a page printer which has high versatility and can perform high-speed page copy without wasteful processing. Aim.

[0011]

Therefore, according to the present invention, as a first means (claim 1), a receiving section for receiving print data transmitted from a host device, and a print data stored in the receiving section. An analysis unit that analyzes the print data into image data and a page buffer that stores the image data expanded by the analysis unit; and a print unit that prints out the image data stored in the page buffer. A page data storage unit that stores image data analyzed by the analysis unit for a plurality of pages, and a page data management unit that manages print output of image data stored in the page data storage unit or the page buffer are provided. In addition, a copy number storage unit that stores the number of copies of the print data analyzed by the analysis unit, and a sort execution setting unit that sets execution of sorting based on the presence or absence of a sort command analyzed by the analysis unit. And are attached. Further, the page data management unit outputs the print data stored in the page buffer according to the copy number information in the copy number storage unit to the print unit the number of times when the sort execution setting unit does not set the sort execution. A control function, a page data storage function for storing bitmap data stored in the page buffer by the analysis unit when the sort execution setting is performed by the sort execution setting unit in the page data storage unit, and a page data storage function. A sort control function for sequentially outputting the bitmap data stored in the page data storage unit to the page buffer, and a sort copy control function for repeating the sequential output by the sort control function according to the copy number information in the copy number storage unit. The configuration is adopted.

According to the first means, a plurality of copies of print data can be printed out while sorting the print data of a plurality of pages by the sort copy control function.
Since it is performed inside the printing device, a sorting mechanism is not required,
Further, by transferring bitmap data for which time-consuming development processing has been completed between the page data storage unit and the page buffer, the same print data is developed a plurality of times in order to realize this sorting. Therefore, the sorting process is performed at high speed.

Further, when the copy control function does not perform sorting, the bitmap data stored in the page buffer is driven a plurality of times to drive the printing unit to print the same print data in a plurality of copies. Therefore, the copying process is performed at high speed without performing the useless process of storing in the storage unit.

[0014] In the second means (claim 2), in addition to the matter specifying the first means, the page data management unit may be configured to perform the operation based on the maximum number of stored pages of bitmap data determined by the storage capacity of the page data storage unit. When a print data of a page exceeding the maximum number of stored pages is transmitted from the host device, a temporary stop control function for temporarily stopping the reception of the print data is provided.

This pause control function does not receive print data that cannot be started until all processes of the number of pages stored in the page data storage unit have been completed. The sorting process is stabilized by receiving only the print data for the number of pages corresponding to the capacity of the data storage unit. Prevent long-term restraint. Furthermore, since the pause control function automatically stops receiving print data according to the capacity of the page data storage unit, the application of the supervisor device requests data items that reduce versatility such as the total number of pages of print data. You don't have to.

In the third means (claim 3), in addition to the matter specifying the second means, when the reception of the print data is stopped by the temporary stop control function, a reception stop message indicating the stop of the reception of the print data is transmitted. A configuration is provided in which a stopped display control function for external output is provided.

[0017]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

The page printer 2 of the present embodiment can print up to N pages at a time when executing page sorting. The number N of pages is uniquely determined by the storage capacity of the page data storage unit and the paper size of the print data.

As shown in FIG. 1, the page printer according to the present embodiment includes a receiving unit 4 for receiving print data transmitted from a host device 1, a receiving buffer 5 for temporarily storing received data, An analysis unit 6 that analyzes the data read from the buffer 5 and determines whether the data specifies the number of copies, specifies whether to execute page sorting, or determines whether to draw a page. Have.

The analysis unit 6 includes a copy number storage unit 9 for receiving and storing data determined to designate the number of copies by the analysis unit 6, and a unit for designating whether or not to execute page sorting by the analysis unit 6. A sort execution setting unit 10 for receiving and storing the data determined to be the same, and a drawing unit 7 for receiving and expanding the data determined to be used for drawing the page by the analysis unit 6 and drawing the page are provided. ing.

The drawing unit 7 stores data from the drawing unit 7 until one page is collected, and a page buffer 8 for temporarily storing one page of data to be printed at the time of executing page sorting. Reference is made to a page data storage unit 11 for storing data for one page collected in the page buffer 8 at the time of executing page sort in a storage area divided for each page, a sort execution setting unit 10 and a copy number storage unit 9. A page data management unit 12 for issuing an instruction to the printing unit 13 is also provided.

The page data management unit 12 stores the data in the page buffer 8 in accordance with the copy number information in the copy number storage unit 9 when the sort execution setting unit 10 does not set the sort execution. The copy control function 12a for outputting the print data to the printing unit 13 for the number of copies, and the bitmap data stored in the page buffer 8 by the analysis unit 6 when the sort execution setting unit 10 sets the sort execution. A page data storage function 12b for storing data in the data storage unit 11, a sort control function 12c for sequentially outputting bitmap data stored in the page data storage unit 11 by the page data storage function 12b to the page buffer 8, and a sort control function The sequential output by the function 12c is used to store the number of copies. And a sort copy control function 12d repeating accordance copy number information in the.

The page data management unit 12 moves the page data to the page data storage unit 11 when one page of data is collected in the page buffer 8 when the page execution is set in the sort execution setting unit 10. After the analysis of all data, each page is sequentially copied from the page data storage unit 11 to the page buffer 8 one page at a time, and printed one by one. When the page sorting is not executed in the sort execution setting unit 10, the pages are not moved to the page data storage unit 11, but are printed collectively by the number of copies stored in the number of copies storage unit 9. Let it. The sort copy control function 12d prints a series of documents arranged in the order of pages of the number of copies corresponding to the number of copies stored in the number-of-copies storage unit 9.

The page buffer 8 includes a page buffer 8
A printing unit 13 for reading and printing data in the printer is provided.

Here, if the number of pages of the print data transmitted from the host device 1 exceeds the number of pages storable by the page data storage unit 11: N, the page data storage unit 11 A stop signal is issued.

Further, the page printer 2 of this embodiment is
When the number of pages of the print data transmitted from the higher-level device 1 in the page data storage unit 11 exceeds the number of pages storable by the page data storage unit 11: N, the display unit 14 for displaying the fact to the user is also provided. Have.

The operation of all the above-mentioned units is controlled by the central control unit 3.

FIGS. 2 to 5 are flowcharts showing the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG.

First, when print data is transmitted from the host device 1 to the page printer 2, the reception unit 4 receives the print data (step S101), and temporarily stores the print data in the reception buffer 5. The data is analyzed by the analysis unit 6 (step S102), and the analysis unit 6 draws a page indicating whether it is for specifying the number of copies, for specifying whether or not to perform page sorting, or for drawing a page. Determine if it is for you.

If the data specifies the number of copies, the information on the number of copies is stored in the number-of-copies storage 9 (step S103). If the page execution is to be specified, the sort execution command is stored in the sort execution setting unit 10 (step S10).
4). Since all the data thereafter is for drawing a page, the drawing unit 7 develops the page and draws a page (step S105), and stores the data until one page is collected in the page buffer 8 (step S1).
06).

When one page of data is collected in the page buffer 8 (step S106), the page data management unit 12 refers to the sort execution setting unit 10 (step S107). Here, the sort execution setting unit 10
If it is set not to perform page sorting (step S200), the page data management unit 12 refers to the number-of-copies storage unit 9 and stores the page in the page data storage unit 11 as shown in FIG. Is issued to the printing unit 13 so that the number of copies stored in the number-of-copies storage unit 9 is printed together (step S20).
1). Further, after printing is completed, the page buffer 8 is cleared (step S202).

If it is set in the sort execution setting section 10 to execute page sorting (step S300), the data in the page buffer 8 is stored in the page data management section as shown in FIG. The print data is sent to the storage area corresponding to the page in the page data storage unit 11 by the storage unit 12 and stored until the actual printing is executed (step S301).

At this time, if the number of pages that can be stored in the page data storage unit 11 exceeds N (step S30).
2), the page data storage unit 11 outputs an internal signal for temporarily stopping data reception, and causes the display unit 14 to display the fact to the user (step S304). If N is not exceeded, the page buffer 8 is cleared (step S
303) Then, the process proceeds to the next step S.

When all the page drawing data has been developed in this way (step S108), the page data management unit 12 again refers to the sort execution setting unit 10 (step S109).

If it is set in the sort execution setting section 10 that page sorting is not to be executed, since all printing has already been completed, the copy number storage section 9 and the sort execution setting section 10 are cleared ( Step S110), all operations are terminated.

On the other hand, if it is set in the sort execution setting section 10 to execute page sorting (step S400), as shown in FIG.
2 copies the first page from the page data storage unit 11 to the page buffer 8 (step S401), instructs the printing unit 13 to print one sheet (step S402), and clears the page buffer 8 (step S403).

When this operation is performed once for all pages stored in the page data storage unit 11 (steps S404 and S405), the value in the copy number storage unit 9 is incremented by one.
Is subtracted (step S406). This is repeated until the value in the number-of-copies storage unit 9 becomes 0, that is, until all copies are completed (step S407). After all copies are completed, the page buffer 8 and the page data storage unit 11 are all cleared (step S408). ). Further, the number of copies storage unit 9 and the sort execution setting unit 10 are cleared (step S110), and all operations are terminated.

Note that “print” in the above sentence means that the printing unit 1
3 is performed by reading the data in the page buffer 8 and printing it.

As described above, the present invention relates to the method disclosed in
In the same manner as the “page printer” described in Japanese Patent No. 212941, the printer main body can perform page sorting without having a sorter. Problem 1
3 has the effect that the operability of the page printer can be further improved.

[0041]

According to the present invention, the sort copy control function sequentially outputs the image data stored in the page data storage unit to the page buffer according to the number of copies. It is possible to print out a plurality of copies while sorting the print data of a plurality of pages. Moreover, since this sorting process is performed using the page data storage unit, a sorting mechanism becomes unnecessary, and a time-consuming development process is completed. In order to realize this sort by transferring the bitmap data that has been performed between the page data storage unit and the page buffer, there is no delay in processing by expanding the same print data a plurality of times. Sort processing can be performed at high speed,
Further, when the copy control function does not perform sorting, the bitmap data stored in the page buffer is driven multiple times to drive the printing unit to print the same print data in multiple copies. A high-speed copy process can be performed without performing a useless process of storing data. As described above, it is possible to provide an unprecedented excellent page printer which can perform page copy at high speed without wasteful processing with high versatility.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation according to the configuration shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of page copy when page sorting is not performed among the operations shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation when saving page data in preparation for executing a page sort among the operations shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of page copy when executing page sorting among the operations shown in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 High-order apparatus 2 Page printer 3 Central control unit 4 Receiving unit 5 Reception buffer 6 Analysis unit 7 Drawing unit 8 Page buffer 9 Number of copies storage unit 10 Sort execution setting unit 11 Page data storage unit 12 Page data management unit 13 Printing unit 14 Display Department

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 5/30 B41J 21/00 B41J 29/38 B41J 29/42 G06F 3/12

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A receiving unit for receiving print data transmitted from a higher-level device, an analyzing unit for analyzing print data stored in the receiving unit and developing the print data into image data, A page buffer that stores the expanded image data, a printing unit that prints out the image data stored in the page buffer, a page data storage unit that stores the image data analyzed by the analysis unit for a plurality of pages, In a page printer comprising: a page data storage unit or a page data management unit that manages print output of image data stored in the page buffer, the analysis unit copies the print data analyzed by the analysis unit. A copy number storage unit for storing the number of copies, and a sort command analyzed by the analysis unit A sort execution setting unit that sets the execution of the sort based on the presence / absence of the page data management unit, wherein when the sort execution setting unit has not set the execution of the sort, the copy number information in the copy number storage unit And a copy control function of outputting the print data stored in the page buffer to the printing unit the number of times corresponding to the number of copies, and storing the print data in the page buffer by the analysis unit when the sort execution setting unit sets the sort execution. A page data storage function of storing the bitmap data obtained in the page data storage unit, and a sort control function of sequentially outputting the bitmap data stored in the page data storage unit to the page buffer by the page data storage function. , The sequential output by this sort control function Page printer being characterized in that a sort copy control function to repeat accordance copy number information in the number storage section. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the page data management unit transmits print data of a page exceeding the maximum storage page number from the higher-level device based on a maximum storage page number of bitmap data determined by a storage capacity of the page data storage unit. 2. The page printer according to claim 1, further comprising a temporary stop control function for temporarily stopping reception of the print data when the print data is received. 3. A suspension display control function for externally outputting a reception stop message indicating that print data reception is stopped when print data reception is stopped by the pause control function. The described page printer.