JP2860210B2 - Printing control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a plurality of input interfaces.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of printing apparatus, the state of an unselected interface is set to be busy when data is transferred to the selected interface, or the state of data is transferred to an unselected interface. A method in which only the transfer is performed when the temporary storage area becomes full or only one of the methods is fixedly used.

In a conventional printing apparatus of this type, when a failure occurs in an interface that is not selected, even if another printing is being performed by receiving from the selected interface, error processing is performed, and printing is performed. Was suspended.

Conventionally, in a printing apparatus of this type, a case where a reset signal via a dedicated line is input to an unselected interface has been ignored.

[0005]

In the above printing apparatus, in the method of making the data busy at the time when the data is transferred to the selected interface, it is possible to transfer even data having a capacity that can be taken into the temporary storage area. Can not. In the method in which the printer is busy when the temporary storage area becomes full, there is a possibility that the printer is busy during data transfer even if the printer is in a ready state before data transfer.

Incidentally, there are the following two methods as communication protocols between the host computer and the printing apparatus. That is, if the printing apparatus is busy at the start of the printing process by the host computer, the system waits for a ready state. If the printing apparatus is busy at the start of the printing process by the host computer, the printing process is stopped. It is a method.

In the method, even if the printing apparatus is busy from the beginning of printing, the host computer is restricted by the printing process. Therefore, from the viewpoint of quickly releasing the host computer from the printing process, even when data is transferred to an unselected interface, the data is sent to the buffer for the time being, thereby improving the processing efficiency.

In the method, the state of the printing apparatus is checked at the start of printing, and if the printing apparatus is busy, the printing process is not executed. If the printing device is ready, the printing process is executed. Start. If the printing device becomes busy after the start of the printing process, the process waits until the printing device becomes ready in the same manner as in the method described above. Therefore, when data is transferred to an interface that is not selected by this method, it is advantageous from the viewpoint of processing efficiency that the printing process is not started by a busy signal from the printing apparatus.

As described above, it is desirable that the timing of issuing the busy signal of the interface not selected be switched according to the characteristics of the communication protocol between the host computer and the printing apparatus. However, in the conventional printing apparatus, these two methods cannot be selected by the user according to the application.

Further, in the above printing apparatus, when a failure occurs in an unselected interface, printing is interrupted even though normal communication has been performed on the selected interface. There was a defect. Further, in the above-described printing apparatus, when a reset signal by a dedicated line is input to an interface that is not selected, it is ignored. For this reason, when it is desired to perform printing by resetting the parameters and the like set in the printing apparatus, the reset signal is ignored, the parameter is not reset, and the print result intended by the user may not be obtained. Was.

As described above, when a failure or a reset request occurs in an unselected interface, the conventional printing apparatus may affect the selected interface or may not execute processing reliably. There was a problem such as doing.

The present invention seeks to solve some of the problems encountered with printing devices having multiple input interfaces as described above. That is, a first object of the present invention is to perform a process corresponding to the control signal without affecting the selected interface when the control signal is received at the non-selected interface. A printing control device is provided.

Further, a second object of the present invention is to be able to deal with a failure without affecting the selected interface even if a failure occurs in an unselected interface. The present invention is to provide a print control device.

[0014]

A printing control apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the first object has the following arrangement. That is, a print control device having a plurality of interface units for receiving data and control signals from a plurality of data sources, wherein a selection is made to select an interface unit that has received data first among the plurality of interface units. Means for storing a control signal received via a signal line different from a data line of another interface unit which is not selected while processing data received by the interface unit selected by the selecting unit. Storage means;
After the processing of the data received by the interface unit selected by the selection unit is completed, the control unit selects the other interface unit and executes a process corresponding to the control signal stored in the storage unit. Is provided.

Further, a print control apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the second object has the following configuration. That is, a print control apparatus having a plurality of interface units for receiving data from a plurality of data sources,
Selecting means for selecting an interface unit that has received data first among the plurality of interface units, and another interface unit not selected while processing data received by the interface unit selected by the selecting unit A storage unit that stores error information indicating an error that has occurred in, and after the processing of the data received by the interface unit selected by the selection unit is completed, the other interface unit is selected and stored in the storage unit. Control means for executing an error process corresponding to the error information.

[0016]

According to the above arrangement, when a control signal (for example, a reset signal) is received at an interface which is not selected, the control signal is stored in the storage means. Then, after the data processing by the selected interface is completed, the interface storing the control signal is selected, and the processing corresponding to the control signal is executed.

According to another configuration, when an error occurs in an unselected interface, error information indicating the error is stored. Then, after the data processing by the selected interface is completed, the interface storing the error information is selected, and the error processing corresponding to the error information stored in the storage unit is executed.

[0018]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a laser beam printer will be described as an example of application of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a laser beam printer (hereinafter abbreviated as LBP) of the present embodiment. This LBP 102 is connected to an external host computer 10.
0 and the host computer 101 via parallel interface cables (110, 111). Then, it is configured to receive a command from the host computer (100, 101) and print out.

Here, the LBP 102 has the following configuration. Input interface units 103 and 108 receive print data and the like from host computers (100, 101) connected to the input interface units. 10
Reference numerals 4 and 109 denote reception buffers for temporarily storing data sent from the host computer via the input interface units (103, 108). 105 is a CPU
And controls the entire LBP 102. 112 is R
It is an OM element and stores a control program executed by the CPU 105 (including a control program represented by flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 described later). A RAM element 113 is used as a work area when the CPU 105 executes a program. Also, this RAM element 1
Reference numeral 13 also has an area as a bitmap memory.

Reference numeral 106 denotes an external interface which transfers data in a bitmap memory to a print output unit as a video signal. A print output unit 107 actually performs print output. Reference numeral 121 denotes a timer circuit which generates an interrupt signal to the CPU 105 at a predetermined timer cycle. The interrupt signal from the timer circuit 121 is used to determine the end of data reception. A panel operation unit 114 performs various operation inputs. The specification of the busy signal generation timing described later is also performed using the panel operation unit 114.
The interface cables (110, 111) have data lines (119, 120) and busy signal lines (115, 11).
6) and reset signal lines (117, 118). In this embodiment, a parallel interface is used.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of the LBP 102. In the figure, reference numeral 102 denotes an LBP main body, which is connected to a host computer and interface cables (110, 11).
1). A panel operation unit 114 includes switches for operation, an LED display, and the like. Reference numeral 201 denotes a printer control unit, which converts data in a bitmap memory, which is mainly character / graphic information, into a video signal and outputs the video signal to a laser driver 202. The laser driver 202 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 203. The laser driver 202 emits laser light 2 emitted from the semiconductor laser 203 in response to an input video signal.
04 is turned ON / OFF. The laser light 204 is lowered by the rotating polygon mirror 205 in the left-right direction, and
6 is scanned. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of an image is formed on the electrostatic drum 206. This latent image is stored on the electrostatic drum 2
After the image is developed by the developing unit 207 around 06, the image is transferred to recording paper. A cut sheet is used for the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 208 mounted in the opposite direction, and is supplied to a paper feed roller 209 and a transport roller 2.
10 and 211 are taken into the apparatus and supplied to the electrostatic drum 206.

The present LBP 102 having the above configuration
Will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the algorithm of the receiving process. Use different interrupt vectors for each interface and prepare different interrupt routines. Here, each interface is identified by a number. FIG. 3 illustrates an interrupt process in mode n when print data is received by the n-th interface. For the sake of error processing, n is set to 0 or more.

First, in step S301, one byte of data is read from the I / F port of the input interface (103, 108). Then, the interrupt is prohibited in step S302. In step S303, if the flag (flag) indicating permission or non-permission of switching of the interface is ON, the process proceeds to step S304; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S309.

In step S304, OFF is substituted for flag. In step S305, a variable currentm indicating the currently selected mode (interface)
If mode is n (that is, the interface has already been selected), the process proceeds to step S309; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S306. Step S30
In step 6, n is substituted for currentmode. cur
The interface n can be selected by substituting n into rentmode.

In step S307, a busy indicating a mode for issuing a busy immediately when data comes to the selected interface with respect to the non-selected interface
If the mode is ON, the process proceeds to step S308, and a busy is issued to another interface. busym
If mode is OFF, the process moves to step S309.
Here, the setting of the busymode can be changed by the panel operation unit 114. Also, busymod
When e is OFF, a busy signal is generated when the buffer of each interface is full in steps S310 and S311 described below. Then, in step S309, the interruption prohibition is released. In step S310, it is checked whether or not the buffer is full. If it is full, the flow shifts to step S311 to issue a busy to the interface in mode n. Otherwise, control proceeds to step S312.

In step S312, the occurrence of an error is checked. If an error has occurred, in step S313, the mode number n is substituted into a flag "errorflag" indicating the occurrence of the error. If no error has occurred, the process moves to step S314. In step S314, the data is stored in the buffer.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining an algorithm of processing by a timer interrupt. This timer interrupt signal is generated by the timer circuit 121, and the timer processing routine is periodically executed at a sufficiently short cycle.

In step S401, it is determined whether the interface can be switched. The switchable state can be determined based on the fact that data is not transferred for a certain period of time on the currently selected interface. If switching is possible in step S401, the process proceeds to step S402, and if switching is not possible, this process ends. In step S402, if the errorflag is other than 0, that is, if a failure has occurred, the process proceeds to step S407; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S403.

Step S407 and subsequent steps are the processing when a failure has occurred. First, it is determined in step S407 whether printing has been completed, and if printing has not been completed, this processing ends. If the printing has been completed, the process proceeds to step S408, in which the value of errorflag indicating the mode in which the error has occurred is substituted for currentmode, and switching to the interface in which the error has occurred is executed. Then, error processing is performed in step S409, and step S413 is performed.
Then, 0 is substituted for currentmode to clear the flag, and the process ends.

In step S403, it is checked whether there is data to be processed in a buffer other than the buffer of the currently selected interface. If there is data, the process proceeds to step S410, and if there is no data, the process proceeds to step S404.

In step S404, ON is substituted for a flag indicating permission of mode switching, and switching is permitted. If busymode is ON in step S405, the process proceeds to step S406, and ready is issued to all interfaces. Otherwise, the process ends.

In step S410, an interface corresponding to a buffer having data is selected, and in step S41
If busymode is ON in step S412, step S412
Proceed to. In step S412, a busy is issued to another interface, and a ready is issued to the selected interface. Also, in step S411, bu
If symmode is OFF, the process ends.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the processing when a reset interrupt occurs. FIG. 5 shows the interface n
9 shows a reset interrupt process when a reset interrupt corresponding to. In step S501, if the current mode is n, the flow shifts to step S515 to execute normal reset processing. Otherwise, step S502
Step S302 to Step S3 in FIG. 3
The same processing as in step 13 is performed. In step S514, the control code corresponding to the reset processing is stored in the buffer. Then, when the command is processed by the command analysis routine, a reset process corresponding to the control code is performed. Note that the buffer is not cleared in the reset processing at this time.

As described above, the LBP 10 of this embodiment
According to 2, in a printing apparatus having a plurality of interfaces, it is possible to select an interface that automatically takes in data to be printed corresponding to the interface to which data is transferred from the host computer. Also,
The timing for issuing a busy signal to an interface that has not been selected can be selected.

Further, when a failure occurs in an unselected interface, error processing is performed after data processing of the selected interface is completed. Has no effect. Also, when a reset signal via a dedicated line is input, by storing a reset command in a buffer corresponding to the interface,
Save the reset instruction.

In this embodiment, the parallel interface is used as the interface.
Similar control is possible when a serial interface such as C is used. When the serial interface is used, the busy state is set to Xon / Xo which is generally used.
The host can be notified by transferring a code such as ff.

In the above embodiment, when a failure occurs, the information is stored in an error flag, and a buffer dedicated to each interface is used for the reset signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example,
A flag indicating that a reset signal has been input may be used, or information on occurrence of a failure may be stored in a buffer of the interface.

Further, in the above embodiment, the occurrence of a fault or a reset is mentioned as the control information, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, control information for setting a printer parameter or setting an emulation mode may be used.

The laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to an ink jet printer described below.

<Schematic Description of Apparatus Main Body> FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an ink jet recording apparatus IJRA to which the present invention can be applied. In the figure, the carriage HC that engages with the spiral groove 5004 of the lead screw 5005 that rotates via the driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 in conjunction with the forward and reverse rotation of the drive motor 5013 has a pin (not shown). And
It is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b. This carriage HC
Is equipped with an ink jet cartridge IJC. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage. 5
Reference numerals 007 and 5008 denote photocouplers, which confirm the presence of a carriage lever 5006 in this region, and
This is a home position detecting means for performing the rotation direction switching and the like of No. 3. A member 5016 supports a cap member 5022 for capping the front surface of the recording head.
Reference numeral 5 denotes suction means for sucking the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through the opening 5023 in the cap. 5
Reference numeral 017 denotes a cleaning blade. Reference numeral 5019 denotes a member which allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction. These members are supported by a main body support plate 5018. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form and a known cleaning blade can be applied to this example. Reference numeral 5012 denotes a lever for starting suction for recovery of suction. The lever 5012 moves with the movement of the cam 5020 engaging with the carriage, and the driving force from the drive motor is controlled by known transmission means such as clutch switching. Is done.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired operations can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage comes to the area on the home position side. If a desired operation is performed at a timing, any of the examples can be applied.

<Description of Control Structure> Next, a control structure for executing the recording control of the above-described apparatus will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. In the figure showing a control circuit, 1700 is an interface for inputting a recording signal, 1701 is an MPU, 1702 is a program ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 1701,
Reference numeral 1703 denotes a dynamic R for storing various data (such as the recording signal and recording data supplied to the head).
AM. A gate array 1704 controls supply of print data to the print head 1708, and includes an interface 1700, an MPU 1701, and a DRAM 170.
It also controls data transfer between the three. 1710 is a recording head 1
Reference numeral 1709 denotes a transport motor for transporting recording paper. Reference numeral 1705 denotes a head driver for driving the head, and reference numerals 1706 and 1707 denote motor drivers for driving the transport motor 1709 and the carrier motor 1710, respectively.

The operation of the above control configuration will be described. When a recording signal enters the interface 1700, the gate array 1
The recording signal is converted into recording data for printing between the 704 and the MPU 1701. And the motor driver 1
The printheads 706 and 1707 are driven, and the printhead is driven according to the print data sent to the head driver 1705 to perform printing.

It is apparent that the components of the present invention can be incorporated into the above-described control structure of the ink jet printer, and that the present invention can be applied not only to the laser beam printer but also to the above ink jet printer and the like.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When a control signal is received at a non-selected interface, processing corresponding to the control signal can be reliably performed without affecting the selected interface. For this reason, the stability of the operation of the print control device having a plurality of input interfaces can be significantly improved.

Further, according to the present invention, even when a failure occurs in a non-selected interface, it is possible to reliably deal with the failure without affecting the selected interface. For this reason, the stability of the operation of the print control device having a plurality of input interfaces can be significantly improved.

[0050]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a laser beam printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an LBP according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm of a reception process in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm of processing by a timer interrupt.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing when a reset interrupt occurs.

FIG. 6 is an inkjet recording apparatus I to which the present invention can be applied.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of JRA.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration for executing printing control of the inkjet printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100, 101 Host computer 102 LBP 103, 108 Input interface unit 104, 109 Reception buffer 105 CPU 106 External interface unit 110, 111 Interface cable 112 ROM element 113 RAM element 114 Panel operation unit 115, 116 Busy signal line 117, 118 Reset signal Line 119, 120 Data signal line 121 Timer circuit

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 5/30 B41J 29/38 G06F 3/12

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A print control device having a plurality of interface units for receiving data and control signals from a plurality of data sources, wherein the interface unit which has received data first is one of the plurality of interface units. Selecting means for selecting, and a control signal received via a signal line different from a data line of another interface unit not selected while processing data received by the interface unit selected by the selecting means After the processing of the data received by the interface unit selected by the selection unit is completed, the other interface unit is selected, and the storage unit stores the control signal corresponding to the control signal stored in the storage unit. And a control unit for executing processing. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit is connected to a data source via an interface cable, and the interface cable has a data line for transmitting the print data and a signal line for transmitting the control signal. The print control device according to claim 1. 3. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control signal is a reset signal. 4. A print control apparatus having a plurality of interface units for receiving data from a plurality of data sources, wherein said selecting unit selects an interface unit which received data first among said plurality of interface units. A storage unit that stores error information indicating an error that has occurred in another interface unit that has not been selected while processing data received by the interface unit selected by the selection unit; and And control means for selecting the other interface unit and executing error processing corresponding to the error information stored in the storage unit after the processing of the data received by the interface unit is completed. Printing control device.