JP2871981B2 - Printing apparatus and control method thereof - 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 at least two or more command interpreters corresponding to different print control commands, and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus having two or more command interpreting units corresponding to print control commands, the command interpreting unit is switched by using a physical switch such as an operation panel, or by using data in data. This has been done by providing a special command for command switching. In recent years, as a method of automatically switching commands without performing such a troublesome operation, a method of reading a few hundred bytes at the head of data in advance, judging characteristic data of each command, and selecting a command interpretation unit has been used. Have been.

[0003]

However, in the above-described determination method, it is difficult to make a correct determination when data includes binary data such as image data. In addition, the more strict the determination, the more complicated the control program for the determination, the larger the program memory amount, the longer the time required for the determination, and the lower the overall performance. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the command interpreting unit integrates interpretation of a command and determination of a command system, thereby increasing a control program for determining a command system. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a control method therefor, which can prevent the occurrence of a command system accurately and can perform a quick print process.

[0005]

A printing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following arrangement. That is, a printing apparatus having a plurality of command interpretation units for interpreting a print control command of input print data,
Storage means for temporarily storing the input print data, interpretation means for interpreting the print data read from the storage means using one of the plurality of command interpretation units, and If a command that cannot be processed by the command interpreter in use is detected during execution, the command interpreter used by the interpreter is sequentially switched to another command interpreter without determining a command interpreter suitable for the print data. Switching means, wherein the interpreting means starts interpreting the print data using a predetermined command interpreting unit at the start of inputting the print data, and when the command interpreting unit is switched by the switching means, The print data is interpreted using the switched command interpreter. Also,
A method for controlling a printing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes the following steps. That is, a control method of a printing apparatus having a plurality of command interpretation units for interpreting a print control command of input print data, a storage step of temporarily storing the input print data in a storage unit,
An interpreting step of interpreting the print data read from the storage unit using one of the plurality of command interpreting units; and detecting a command that cannot be processed by the command interpreting unit in use during execution of the interpreting step. In this case, without determining the command interpreter suitable for the print data,
A switching step of sequentially switching the command interpreting unit used by the interpreting step to another command interpreting unit, wherein the interpreting step uses a predetermined command interpreting unit at the start of the input of the print data to convert the print data. Start interpretation,
When the command interpretation unit is switched by the switching step, the print data is interpreted using the switched command interpretation unit.

[0006]

According to the above arrangement, in a printing apparatus having at least two or more command interpreting units, when print data is input, the interpreting means first uses one predetermined command interpreting unit to print data. Command interpretation. When the command interpreting unit in use detects a command that cannot be processed, the switching unit sequentially switches the command interpreting unit used by the interpreting unit to another command interpreting unit without determining the appropriateness of the command interpreting unit. Switch.

During the interpretation of the input print data,
The determination as to whether or not the print data can be interpreted is normally made by the command interpreter. In the above configuration, the result of the determination by the command interpreter is used for automatic determination of the command interpreter to be used. Use. With this configuration, accurate command switching can be realized without increasing the program for automatic determination of the command interpretation unit. Further, when the print data is sent to an appropriate command interpreting unit, the print data can be executed as it is, so that it is not necessary to make a determination in advance and quick print processing can be performed.

[0008]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Before describing the configuration of this embodiment, the configuration of a laser beam printer to which this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of a laser beam printer (hereinafter abbreviated as LBP) of this embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an LBP main unit, which inputs character information (character code), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer (201 in FIG. 2). In addition, a corresponding character pattern, form pattern, and the like are created according to the information, and an image is formed on a recording sheet as a recording medium. 112 is an operation panel on which switches for operation and an LED display are arranged;
Reference numeral 101 denotes a printer control unit that controls the entire LBP 100 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit 101 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to a laser driver 102.

The laser driver 102 is a semiconductor laser 1
A circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 103 switches on / off a laser beam 104 emitted from the semiconductor laser 103 in accordance with an input video signal. The laser beam 104 is swung right and left by a rotating polygon mirror 105 to operate on an electrostatic drum 106. Thus, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 106. After this latent image is developed by the developing unit 107 around the electrostatic drum 106,
Transferred to recording paper. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 108 mounted on the LBP 100, taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 109 and conveyance rollers 110 and 111, and Supplied to

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic control configuration in the control unit 101 of the LBP 100 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a host computer, which is connected to the control unit 101 of the LBP 100 shown by a broken line via a connector (not shown). In the control unit 101, the host computer 2
It is configured to receive a command, data, and the like from No. 01 and print it out.

Reference numeral 203 denotes a CPU, which performs calculations and controls for performing the entire control of the LBP 100. A reception buffer 204 temporarily stores reception data such as commands and data from the host computer 201. 2
Reference numeral 05 denotes a program ROM, which stores a program for executing a series of controls according to a flowchart of FIG. 208 is a font ROM,
Contains character fonts. A RAM 209 functions as a work area when the CPU 203 executes each program. An image output unit 212 outputs image data to the printer engine unit. Further, a power supply device (not shown) is connected to the control unit 101.

The program ROM 205 has two command interpreting units (command interpreting unit a206 and command interpreting unit b20) for interpreting different print commands.
7) is stored. Further, the RAM 209 has a command switching flag 210 for switching these command interpretation units (206, 207), and an image memory 21.
1 is secured.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus (LBP 100) having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, when power is first supplied to the main body of the LBP 100, the command switching flag 210 is initialized in step S301 so as to select the command interpreting unit a206. Next, in step S302, data is received from the host computer 201, the received data is stored in the reception buffer 204, and data for one unit code is read from the stored reception buffer 204.
Then, in step S303, the command switching flag 210
Are the command interpreter a206 and the command interpreter b20
It is determined which of 7 is set to be selected.

If the command interpreter a 206 is selected by the command switching flag 210, the command interpreter a
Interpretation of the received data is performed using 206. First, in step S304, the received data is interpreted as a command, and it is determined whether or not this is a correct command that can be processed by the command interpreting unit a206. If it is determined that the command is correct, the process proceeds to step S305, executes an instruction corresponding to the command, and returns to step S302. On the other hand, in step S304, an erroneous command (command interpreting unit a206)
In step S306, the command switching flag 210 is switched to select the command interpreter b207 in step S306. Then, in step S307, the read pointer of the reception buffer 204 is initialized, and the process returns to step S302 to read the received data again from the beginning.

In step S303, the command interpreter b2
If 07 has been selected, step S30 is executed in order to interpret the received data using the command interpretation unit b207.
Proceed to 8. In step S308, the received data is interpreted as a command, and it is determined whether or not the command is a correct command. If it is determined that the command is correct, an instruction corresponding to the command is executed in step S309, and the process returns to step S302. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S308 that the command is an erroneous command, the process advances to step S310 to display an error of the command, and the process ends.

As described above, according to the printing apparatus (LBP 100) of the present embodiment, the program for automatic command determination is shared with the existing command interpreting section, so that the control program for automatic determination of the command system is provided. Can prevent an increase in program memory, and can realize accurate command switching. Further, when a command is sent to an appropriate command interpreting unit, the process can be executed as it is, so that it is not necessary to perform the work of determining in advance, and there is an effect that the execution speed of the whole is improved accordingly.

The number of command interpreting units may be two or more. In the case of three or more, the priority order to be selected may be made selectable by a panel, a command, or the like.

When it is determined that all commands are erroneous in interpretation, a predetermined priority command may be executed instead of error processing as in the present embodiment. You may make it selectable by a panel, a command, etc.

Although the laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, 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. 4 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).
OM. Reference numeral 1704 denotes a gate array that controls supply of print data to the print head 1708, and includes an interface 1700, an MPU 1701, and a RAM 1703.
It also controls data transfer between them. 1710 is a recording head 17
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 in the above-described control structure of the ink jet printer, and that the present invention is not limited to the laser beam printer but can be applied to the above ink jet printer and the like.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single 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.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, the command interpreter integrates the interpretation of the command and the determination of the command system, thereby preventing an increase in the number of control programs for determining the command system. Thus, it is possible to determine an accurate command system and to perform a quick print process.

[0032]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of a laser beam printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic control configuration in a control unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a printing operation in the laser beam printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an inkjet recording apparatus I to which the present invention can be applied.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of JRA.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration for executing printing control of the inkjet printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 LBP main unit 101 Printer control unit 201 Host computer 203 CPU 204 Receive buffer 205 Program ROM 206 Command interpreter a 207 Command interpreter b 208 Font ROM 209 RAM 210 Command switching flag 211 Image memory 212 Image output unit

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing apparatus having a plurality of command interpreting units for interpreting a print control command of input print data, comprising: a storage unit for temporarily storing the input print data; Interpreting means for interpreting the print data read from the storage means using one of the units, and when a command which cannot be processed by the command interpreting unit in use is detected during execution of the interpreting means, the printing is performed. Switching means for sequentially switching the command interpreting section used by the interpreting means to another command interpreting section without determining a command interpreting section suitable for data, wherein the interpreting means is predetermined at the start of input of the print data. When the interpretation of the print data is started using the command interpreting unit that has been set, and the command interpreting unit is switched by the switching unit. Printing apparatus characterized by interpreting the print data using the switched command interpreter. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for stopping the printing process and notifying the control process when the switching unit detects a control command that cannot be processed by all of the command interpreting units included in the printing apparatus. Claim 1
A printing device according to claim 1. 3. A continuation unit that employs a predetermined command interpretation unit to continue printing processing when the switching unit detects a control command that cannot be processed by all of the command interpretation units included in the printing apparatus. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. A control method for a printing apparatus having a plurality of command interpretation units for interpreting a print control command of input print data, comprising: a storage step of temporarily storing the input print data in a storage unit; An interpreting step of interpreting the print data read from the storage unit using one of the plurality of command interpreting units; and a command which cannot be processed by the command interpreting unit in use at the time of executing the interpreting step. A switching step of sequentially switching a command interpreting section used in the interpreting step to another command interpreting section without determining a command interpreting section suitable for the print data when the detection is performed. At the start of data input, the interpretation of the print data is started using a predetermined command interpretation unit, and the command interpretation unit If Rikae was, method for controlling the printing apparatus characterized by interpreting the print data using the switched command interpreter. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a processing step of, when a control command that cannot be processed by all of the command interpretation units of the printing apparatus is detected in the switching step, stopping printing processing and notifying the user of the printing command. Claim 4
6. A method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 1. 6. A continuation step of adopting a predetermined command interpretation unit and continuing printing processing when a control command which cannot be processed by all of the command interpretation units of the printing apparatus is detected in the switching step. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: