JP2861461B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording input print data on a sheet under conditions set by an operation panel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of computers and word processors, many image recording apparatuses for recording documents and images created by them have been used. In such an image recording apparatus, for example, various conditions for printing print data sent from a host computer can be set based on an instruction from an operation panel provided in the image recording apparatus. is there. The setting items include the number of copies, paper size, magnification, and the like.

In the conventional image recording apparatus, when setting conditions such as the number of copies on the operation panel, the system is temporarily shifted to an offline mode in which data transmission to and reception from the host computer is interrupted.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for setting the number of copies in a conventional image recording apparatus.
In this procedure, first, step (hereinafter, referred to as S) 20
In step 1, a mode key on the operation panel is pressed to shift to an offline mode in which data transmission to and reception from the host computer is interrupted. Next, in S202, the number of copies is selected by pressing the number of copies selection key on the operation panel. Next, S203
Press the setting key on the operation panel to set the selected number of copies. Next, in S204, the mode key is pressed to shift to an online mode in which data can be transmitted to and received from the host computer. In step S205, the data is received from the host computer, and printing is performed for the set number of copies.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional image recording apparatus, the condition is set after the mode is shifted to the offline mode so that data cannot be received from the host computer. This is because, if the condition setting is enabled in the online mode, data may be input from the host computer during the condition setting, resulting in inadvertent printing. In addition, the program for setting the conditions is relatively simple when the mode is shifted to the offline mode.

However, when the setting conditions are frequently changed, it is very troublesome to shift to the offline mode, set the conditions and return to the online mode again each time the conditions are set.

The operation panel is provided with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display. When printing is performed, necessary setting conditions such as the number of copies are displayed on the display unit. . However, since this display section is usually small, it is difficult in the online mode to display guidance for setting conditions such as which setting items can be input and to display all settable items. Therefore, conventionally, at the time of setting the condition, the mode is shifted to the offline mode, the item for which the condition is to be set is selected, and the display content of the display unit is changed for each item. For example, when setting the number of copies, after shifting to the offline mode, a menu for setting the number of copies is selected, and only information necessary for setting the number of copies is displayed on the display unit.

However, when the mode is shifted to the off-line mode and the item for setting the condition is selected, the number of key operations is increased, and the operation for setting the condition is complicated. Further, when the condition of one item is set, the other setting items are not displayed, so that it is inconvenient to know how much the condition has been set at the setting stage.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus which simplifies the operation of setting conditions and prevents inadvertent printing.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus in which a user can simultaneously recognize necessary setting conditions in a setting stage, in addition to the above objects.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention ,
Is (i) a condition input means for inputting various conditions necessary for printing, (b) in the handset connected state of the print data source and data, an input condition from the criteria input means And the data input from the print data source are monitored, while the data input from the print data source is prohibited, the input of the condition from the condition input means is prohibited, and when there is no data input from the print data source. Arbitration means for permitting input of a condition from the condition input means and prohibiting input of data from a print data transmission source while the condition is being input;
(C) condition setting means for setting conditions necessary for printing, and changing setting conditions based on conditions from the condition input means permitted to be input by the arbitration means; and (d) input permitted by the arbitration means. print data an image based on data from the source, an image recording apparatus and a recording means for recording on a sheet in accordance with the condition set by the condition setting means
To be prepared.

In this image recording apparatus, while data is being input from the print data source, the arbitration means inhibits input of conditions from the condition input means, and an image based on the data from the print data source is set. It is recorded on paper according to the conditions set by the means. On the other hand, when there is no data input from the print data transmission source, input of various conditions necessary for printing the conditions from the condition input means is permitted, and the condition setting means sets the conditions based on the conditions from the condition input means. Is changed. Also, this printing
During the input of various conditions necessary for inputting, input of data from the print data transmission source is prohibited.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, further, in a state in which the print data transmission source and the data can be transmitted and received, the image recording apparatus can be changed by the condition setting means in this state. Display means for displaying all condition items.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, (a) a key for outputting a signal for instructing various conditions necessary for printing,
In handset connected state of (b) the print data source and data, monitors the input data from the input and the print data transmission source of a signal from the key described above, the data from the print data source During input, input of signals from the key is prohibited.When there is no data input from the print data transmission source, input of the signal from the key is permitted.While the key is pressed, data from the print data transmission source is input. Arbitration means for prohibiting the input of a key, and (c) a signal from a key whose input is permitted by the arbitration means in a state in which the conditions necessary for printing are set and the print data transmission source is connected to be capable of transmitting and receiving data. based on the condition setting means for changing at least some of the setting conditions, (d) in transmission and reception connected state of the print data source and data, conditions in this state Display means for displaying all the changeable condition item by the setting means, (e) an image based on data from the print data source, the input of which is permitted by the arbitration means, the paper according to the conditions set by the condition setting means Recording means for recording is provided in the image recording apparatus.
Let

In this image recording apparatus, during input of data from the print data transmission source, input of a signal from the key is inhibited by the arbitration means, and an image based on the data from the print data transmission source is converted by the condition setting means. It is recorded on paper according to the set conditions. On the other hand, if there is no data input from the print data source, it is necessary to print from the key
Input of signals for various conditions is permitted, and at least some of the setting conditions are changed by the condition setting means based on the signals. Also required for printing from keys
After the input of signals for various conditions is permitted, the input of data from the print data transmission source is prohibited while the key is pressed. In a state in which the printer is connected to the print data transmission source so that data can be transmitted and received, the display means provides various conditions necessary for printing from the key in this state.
All condition items that can be changed based on the traffic light are displayed.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 relate to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image recording apparatus of the present embodiment. This image recording device 11
A recording unit 12 serving as a printer unit that exclusively records images;
And an image supply device 1 for supplying an image to the recording unit 12
And a commercial power supply (A) (not shown).
A predetermined DC or AC power is supplied from a power supply unit 14 connected to C). Image supply device 13
Denotes an operation panel 1 disposed on the front of the apparatus main body (not shown).
5 is connected.

In the image recording apparatus 11, print data to be recorded can be input in two systems. One of the methods is to input print data from a host computer (not shown) via a host interface (I / F) terminal 17. For example, the print data is input from a personal computer (not shown) to the image recording device 11 via a dedicated cable. Is supplied. Another method uses a local area network (L, not shown).
AN) via the input terminal 18 to input print data. In the latter case, there is a possibility that a plurality of devices on the local area network will be sources of print data.

As described above, the image recording apparatus 11 of the present embodiment
Is the host interface terminal 17 or the input terminal 1
The print data can be supplied from various information processing devices such as a host computer and a workstation via the printer 8. There are many types of information processing devices, and the control data transmitted by these is not necessarily unified. That is, the control data sent from a certain device is designed to finely specify the size of paper or characters to be printed, but the control data of another device cannot perform such specification. Therefore, this image recording device 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes necessary instruction information 1 regarding recording from the operation panel 15.
9 can be input and can be transmitted to the image supply device 13. The image supply device 13 returns the response information 21 to this.

Since the image recording apparatus 11 is provided with the operation panel 15, even if the information processing apparatus specifies the size of the paper to be recorded or the size of the characters as the control data, the operation panel 15 is not used. Can input the instruction information 19. In such a case, it is possible to always give priority to the instruction from the information processing device,
The input on the operation panel 15 can also be prioritized. It is also possible to give priority to the one given the instruction later in time.

The recording section 12 in the image recording apparatus 11 of the present embodiment is composed of, for example, a laser printer.
A recording operation is performed by transmitting and receiving various signals to and from the image supply device 13, and the recording paper 2 on which recording is performed on one side or both sides
3 is discharged. That is, the recording unit 12 outputs various status signals such as what kind of recording paper is stored in a cassette tray (not shown) equipped with the recording unit 12 and whether or not the fixing unit (not shown) has reached a fixing temperature. 24 to the image supply device 13. A synchronization pulse 25 for synchronizing the image transfer with the recording unit 12 is also sent to the image supply device 13. The image supply device 13 supplies various operation command signals 26 and an image signal 27 as recording contents to the recording unit 12 in response thereto.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main part of a circuit configuration of the image supply device in FIG. Image supply device 13
Is provided with a CPU (central processing unit) 31 which performs a central function of various controls. The CPU 31 is a CPU bus 3
2 are connected to various circuit devices. The panel interface circuit 33 is a circuit for interfacing with the operation panel 15 shown in FIG.
For example, when the operator of the apparatus operates the operation panel 15, an instruction signal corresponding to the operation is output and the CPU bus 3
2 will be transferred.

The host interface circuit 34 is a circuit for interfacing with a host such as a host computer. For example, the host interface circuit 34 has a circuit configuration that receives print data input from the host based on the RS232C standard. The non-volatile memory (NVM) 35 is a memory backed up by a battery (not shown),
Necessary data can be retained even when the power of the image recording apparatus 11 itself is turned off. Programmable
The timer counter (PTC) 37 is a type of a known counter circuit, and performs processing such as measuring time and generating timing. The RAM 38 is a working memory, and temporarily stores data necessary for performing various controls of the image recording apparatus 11 and print data input from the host interface circuit 34. The program memory 39 is a memory storing a program for controlling the image recording apparatus. The character pattern memory 41 is a memory called a so-called font memory, and stores character patterns used when performing printout. The bitmap memory 42 is a memory for performing electronic editing by pasting the generated character pattern in correspondence with one page of the recording paper. Recording unit interface circuit 4
3 supplies the bit data developed in the bit map memory 42 to the recording unit 12 shown in FIG. 2 as an image signal 27 as raster data, or converts the other various signals 24 to 26 shown in FIG. An interface circuit for transmitting and receiving data to and from the recording unit 12. Bitmap controller 4
Reference numeral 4 controls such image transfer.

Since the image recording apparatus can be connected to various hosts as described above, a program or a character pattern corresponding to print data or control data sent from the host may be required. The program memory 46 and the character pattern memory 47 are both read-only memories in the form of removable cartridges, and can be selectively used to correspond to these various hosts or to realize special functions required by the operator. Is to be connected to.

FIG. 5 shows an operation panel 1 of the image recording apparatus 11.
5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of FIG. This operation panel 15
A display unit 50 made of, for example, a liquid crystal display is provided at an upper part, and eight keys 51 to 58 are provided at a lower part. Also,
A lamp 59 indicating that printing is possible is provided between the display unit 50 and the keys 51 to 58, and the word "printable" is written beside the lamp 59.

The display section 50 has a display area of 16 characters × 2 lines. In the online mode in which data can be transmitted to and received from the host computer, this display area is divided into the following seven display areas 61 to 67. The seven display areas include a document selection display area 61 for displaying the size of the selected document, a determination result display area 62 for displaying a result of determination as to whether or not printing is possible at the specified magnification, and a storage area in the selected tray. A paper selection display area 63 for displaying the size of the paper, a copy number display area 64, a paper direction display area 65, a paper position display area 66, and an emulation display area 67 for displaying a device name to be emulated.

The contents of the eight keys 51 to 58 are as follows. The mode key 51 is for switching between an online mode in which data can be transmitted / received to / from the host computer and an offline mode in which data transmission / reception to / from the host computer is interrupted. The document selection key 52 is used to select the size of a document in the online mode. Each time the key is pressed, “A3”, “B4”,
The document size is switched in the order of “A4”,. The size of the document selected by the document selection key 52 is displayed in a document selection display area 61. Note that this document selection key 5
In 2, the size can be set independently of the actual document size. The menu that can be selected with the document selection key 52 also includes an instruction for printing at the same size. When this is selected, “TOWER” is displayed in the document selection display area 61. The tray selection key 53 is used to select the size of the paper to be printed by selecting the tray containing the paper in the online mode. Each time the key is pressed, the “upper tray”, “lower tray”, “ The order is switched in the order of “manual feed”, and the size of the paper stored in the selected tray is displayed in the paper selection display area 63. Therefore, the image recording device 1
A size that is not actually set to 1 cannot be selected.
The two copy number selection keys 54 and 55 are for selecting the number of copies in the online mode.
Pressing the upper key 54 increases the number of copies, and pressing the lower key 55 decreases the number of copies. The selected number of copies is displayed in the number of copies display area 64. The memory key 56 is for storing items set for a specific application in the offline mode. The key 57 is a key for selecting whether the paper direction is vertical or horizontal in the online mode, the selected paper direction is displayed in the paper direction display area 65, and is a key for forcibly discharging the paper in the offline mode. . The key 58 is a key for selecting a position to place a sheet from, for example, “left” or “center” in the online mode. The selected sheet position is displayed in the sheet position display area 66, and is input in the offline mode. Key to set items. Pressing the keys 51 and 56 simultaneously resets the setting items.

Next, a configuration relating to condition setting in the image recording apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a main part of the image recording apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the image recording device 11
An operation panel 15 including keys 51 to 58 and a display unit 50;
In the online mode in which the image recording apparatus 11 is connected to the host computer 71 so that data can be transmitted and received, the input of the signal 81 from the keys 51 to 58 and the input of the data 82 from the host computer 71 are monitored. Key 51-58 while the data 82 is being input.
Input of the signal 81 from the host computer 7 is prohibited.
Keys 51 to 5 when there is no input of data 82 from
Input of the signal 81 from the key 8 and keys 51 to 5
While the button 8 is pressed, the arbitration means 72 for prohibiting the input of the data 82 from the host computer 71 and the conditions necessary for printing are set.
Keys 51 to 58 whose input has been permitted by the arbitration means 72
And a condition setting means 73 for changing at least a part of the setting conditions based on the signal 81 from the controller 81. In the online mode, all the condition items which can be changed by the condition setting means 73 in this state are displayed on the display unit 50. And a display control unit 74. Data 82 from the host computer 71 whose input has been permitted by the arbitration means 72
Is stored in the RAM 38, and an image based on this data is recorded on a sheet in accordance with the conditions set by the condition setting means 73.

Here, the data 82 from the host computer 71 includes print data and control data.
When prohibiting the input of the data 82 from the host computer 71, the arbitration unit 72 sends a busy (BUSY) signal 83 to the host computer 71.

In FIG. 1, the arbitration means 72, the condition setting means 73 and the display control means 74 are realized by the CPU 31 of FIG. 3 executing a predetermined program stored in the program memory 39.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting conditions such as the number of copies in the online mode. In the online mode, first, in step (hereinafter, referred to as S) 101, it is determined whether or not data has been input from the host computer 71.
Proceed to 107. In the case of YES, key input on the operation panel 15 is prohibited in S102, data is received from the host computer 71 in S103, and printing is started. Next, it is determined in S104 whether or not data is being received. If YES, printing is continued in S105, and the determination in S104 is repeated. If the data reception is completed and NO is obtained in S104, the prohibition of the key input is released in S106, and the process proceeds to S107. In this way, key input is prohibited during data reception.

In S107, it is determined whether or not a key (except the keys 51 and 56) on the operation panel 15 has been pressed. If NO, the process proceeds to S117. If YES, S
At 108, input of data from the host computer 71 is prohibited, and at S109, it is determined whether or not the pressed key is the copy number increasing key 54. If NO in S109, S1
At 10, it is determined whether or not the pressed key is the copy number decrease key 55. In the case of NO in S110, in S111, processing such as document size selection and tray selection in accordance with other keys is performed, and the flow proceeds to S115. In this embodiment,
The image is enlarged and reduced at a magnification corresponding to the ratio of the selected document size to the size of the paper stored in the selected tray, and the image is printed. If the copy number increase key 54 has been pressed and the result in S109 is YES, S112
The setting is changed to increase the number of copies, and the changed number of copies is displayed in the number-of-copies display area 64 of the display unit 50 in S114, and the process proceeds to S115. If the number-of-copies reduction key 55 is pressed and YES is determined in S110, the process proceeds to S1.
In step 13, the setting is changed to reduce the number of copies.
At 114, the changed number of copies is displayed in the number-of-copies display area 64, and the routine proceeds to S115.

In S115, it is determined whether or not a key (except key 51 and key 56) has been pressed, and if YES, this determination is repeated. In the case of NO, the prohibition of the data input from the host computer 71 is released in S116. Thus, after the key input is permitted, the input of data from the host computer 71 is prohibited while the keys (except the keys 51 and 56) are pressed. Next, in S117, it is determined whether or not the mode key 51 has been pressed and an instruction to shift to the offline mode has been issued, and if YES, the processing ends (shift to the offline mode).
Then, in the case of NO, the process returns to S101.

In FIG. 4, while the key is being pressed, S
115 is repeated, the condition is changed when the key is stopped once and then a new key is pressed. However, when the same key is kept pressed, the condition is continuously changed. You may do it. This corresponds to, for example, S115
In the case of YES, the procedure can be realized by returning to S109 after a predetermined waiting time. In this case, S1
The number of times that the answer is 15 in YES may be counted, and the waiting time at the first time may be longer than the waiting time at the second time and thereafter. Further, in FIG. 4, detailed description of the condition setting other than the number of copies is omitted, but the procedure for setting the conditions is the same as that for setting the number of copies. Will be displayed.

In the present embodiment, not all the conditions necessary for printing are set in the online mode, but important and frequently changed conditions can be set in the online mode. Conditions that can be set in the offline mode include the name of the device to be emulated. In the off-line mode, the magnification can be set in units of 1%.

Printing is performed as follows. Print data from the host computer or the like is temporarily stored in the RAM 38 in the image supply device 13. CPU31
Interprets the data stored in the RAM 38, reads a character pattern from the character pattern memory 41 or the character pattern memory 47, and pastes the character pattern on the bitmap memory 42. When an image for one page is developed in the bitmap memory 42, the bitmap controller 4
4 supplies an image signal 27 as raster data to the recording unit 12. The recording unit 12 receives the image signal 27 and prints according to the operation command signal 26 based on the conditions such as the set number of copies.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the conditions such as the number of copies can be set in the online mode without shifting to the offline mode, the operation of setting the conditions is simplified. Also, the host computer 7
During data reception from the host computer 1, key input is prohibited, and when data reception is not being performed, key input is permitted. After key input is permitted, while a key is pressed, a key input from the host computer 71 is performed. Since the reception of data is prohibited, it is possible to prevent data from being input from the host computer 71 during the setting of conditions and inadvertent printing.

Further, in the online mode, since all the condition items that can be changed based on signals from the keys in the online mode are displayed on the display unit 50 of the operation panel 15, the user can make necessary settings in the setting stage. The condition can be recognized at the same time. Further, as described above, if only important and frequently changed conditions among the conditions necessary for printing can be changed in the online mode, even if the display unit 50 is small, the conditions can be changed in the online mode. All condition items can be displayed.

[0039]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set various conditions necessary for printing in the online mode without shifting to the offline mode, so that the operation of setting the conditions is simplified. Yes, and
Arbitration between the input of various conditions required for printing and the input of data from the source of print data is performed, so that careless printing due to data input from the host computer during condition setting can be prevented. There is an effect that it can be prevented. Moreover, assuming that the print data transmission source is the transmission destination
An image record that can be printed in a format that was not
Even if print data is sent to the recording device, the image recording device
Various conditions required for printing can be set.
The effect of being able to obtain satisfactory printing results
Will be terrified.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, in the online mode, all the condition items that can be changed in this state are displayed. At the stage, there is an effect that necessary setting conditions can be recognized at the same time. of course,
According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, the print data transmission
A sign in a format that the source did not expect as the destination
Print data is sent to an image recording device that can perform printing
Even if this is done, various conditions required for printing are set on the image recording device side.
To obtain a satisfactory print result.
be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main part of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of a circuit configuration of the image supply device in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting conditions such as the number of copies in an online mode of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation panel of the image recording apparatus in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for setting the number of copies in a conventional image recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Image recording apparatus, 12 ... Recording part, 13 ... Image supply apparatus, 15 ... Operation panel, 50 ... Display part, 51-58 ... Key, 71 ... Host computer, 72 ... Arbitration means, 73
... condition setting means, 74 ... display control means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 21/00 B41J 5/30 B41J 29/38 H04N 1/00 H04N 1/23

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A condition input means for inputting various conditions necessary for printing, and a condition input means and a print data transmission from the condition input means in a state in which the condition input means is connected to a print data transmission source so that data can be transmitted and received. Monitors the input of data from the source and prohibits the input of conditions from the condition input means while data is being input from the print data source, and from the condition input means when there is no data input from the print data source. Arbitration means for permitting the input of the above conditions and prohibiting the input of data from the print data source while the conditions are being input; and setting the conditions necessary for printing and inputting the conditions permitted by the arbitration means. Condition setting means for changing setting conditions based on conditions from the means, and an image based on data from a print data source permitted to be input by the arbitration means. Recording means for recording on a sheet in accordance with the conditions set by the condition setting means. 2. A condition input means for inputting various conditions necessary for printing, and a condition input from the condition input means and a print data transmission in a state where the condition input means is connected to a print data transmission source so as to be able to send and receive data. Monitors the input of data from the source and prohibits the input of conditions from the condition input means while data is being input from the print data source, and from the condition input means when there is no data input from the print data source. Arbitration means for permitting the input of the above conditions and prohibiting the input of data from the print data source while the conditions are being input; and setting the conditions necessary for printing and inputting the conditions permitted by the arbitration means. Condition setting means for changing a setting condition based on a condition from the means, and in a state in which the apparatus is connected to a print data transmission source so that data can be transmitted and received, the condition setting means in this state A display unit for displaying all condition items that can be changed by the arbitration unit; and an image recording unit that records an image based on data from the print data transmission source permitted to be input by the arbitration unit on a sheet according to the condition set by the condition setting unit. And an image recording apparatus. 3. A key for outputting a signal for instructing various conditions necessary for printing, and a signal input from the key and transmission of print data in a state where the key is connected to a print data transmission source so that data can be transmitted and received. Monitors the input of the original data and inhibits the input of the signal from the key during the input of the data from the print data transmission source.
An arbitration unit that permits input of signals from the key when there is no data input from the print data source and prohibits data input from the print data source while the key is pressed. In addition to setting a condition, at least a part of the setting condition is changed based on a signal from a key permitted to be input by the arbitration unit in a state in which the print data transmission source and the data can be transmitted and received. Condition setting means, display means for displaying all condition items that can be changed by the condition setting means in this state in a state in which data can be transmitted and received with a print data transmission source, and input is permitted by the arbitration means. Recording means for recording an image based on the data from the print data transmission source on a sheet in accordance with the conditions set by the condition setting means; Image recording apparatus characterized by comprising.