JP2875411B2 - Printer 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 printer capable of forming an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic process based on print information input from an external device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of printer,
In order to perform continuous printing at the maximum throughput, a process for printing the next page is started immediately after printing of a predetermined page is completed.

Further, with the recent advance in electronic technology, there has been proposed a printer capable of switching the resolution of a printer engine and switching process conditions such as a print speed (process speed).

[0004]

In this case, the host side of the printer device confirms that the printer device is in the process of setting the desired process conditions in the printer engine by the currently designated resolution switching or the like. Since it cannot be recognized, it is necessary to execute the process condition switching control by accurately managing the complicated timing of the timing of shifting to the next process, for example, the printing operation, etc., in anticipation of such a process, which greatly increases the cost. At the same time, there are problems such as an increase in software load.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and informs an external device serving as a data supply source during a switching process for enabling an engine unit to perform printing under process conditions switched. By doing so, the printer can reduce the control load on the external device side due to the switching of the process conditions, and can promptly start a printing process based on the switched process conditions in a series of subsequent printing process sequences without any trouble. It is intended to provide a device.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a printer capable of forming an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic process by controlling an engine based on print information input from an external device. A switching unit for switching process conditions of the electrophotographic process; and a notifying unit for notifying the external device during a switching process for enabling the engine unit to perform printing under the process conditions switched by the switching unit. is there.

Further, a canceling means is provided for judging the process condition switching occurrence timing by the switching means and canceling the printable state which has already been notified to the external device.

[0008]

According to the present invention, when the process condition switching processing is performed by the switching means, the notifying means notifies the external device during the switching processing for enabling the engine unit to print under the process conditions switched by the switching means. Informing the external device that the printer device is in the process condition switching state without erroneously determining that the printer device is in an error state even when the print information request is not obtained from the printer device for a predetermined period of time. Is possible.

When the process condition switching request is made by the switching device, the canceling device judges the timing of the process condition switching by the switching device, cancels the printable state already notified to the external device, and cancels the process by the switching device. It is possible to reduce the control load for adjusting the information processing timing accompanying the condition switching.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view for explaining the structure of a printer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows, for example, a case of a laser beam printer capable of executing an electrophotographic process. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation will be described.

The laser beam printer 1 has a cassette 2 for storing recording paper S, a cassette paper presence / absence sensor 3 for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper S in the cassette 2, and a cassette for detecting the size of the recording paper S in the cassette 2. Size sensor 4 (composed of a plurality of micro switches), cassette 2
A paper feed roller 5 for feeding the recording paper S out of the printer is provided. A registration roller pair 6 for synchronously transporting the recording paper S is provided downstream of the paper feed roller 5. Also,
An image forming unit 8 that forms a toner image on the recording paper S based on a laser beam from the laser scanner unit 7 is provided downstream of the registration roller pair 6.

Further, a recording paper S is provided downstream of the image forming section 8.
A fixing unit 9 for thermally fixing the toner image formed thereon is provided, and a discharge sensor 10 for detecting a discharge state of a discharge unit and a recording sheet S are discharged downstream of the fixing unit 9. Discharge roller 1
1, and a loading tray 12 for loading the recording paper S on which recording has been completed is provided. The laser scanner unit 7 applies a laser beam from a laser unit 13 that emits a laser beam modulated based on an image signal (VDO signal) transmitted from an external device 28 described later on a photosensitive drum 17 described later. It comprises a polygon motor 14 for scanning, an imaging lens group 15, a folding mirror 16, and the like. The image forming section 8 includes a photosensitive drum 17, a pre-exposure lamp 18, a primary charger 19, a developing device 20, a transfer charger 21, and a cleaner 2 required for a known electrophotographic process.
2 (22a is a cleaner blade) and the like.

The main motor 23 is connected to the paper feed roller 5.
To the registration roller pair 6 via a registration roller clutch 25, and to the image forming unit 8 including the photosensitive drum 17.
, The fixing unit 9 and the paper discharge roller 11 are also given a driving force. Reference numeral 26 denotes a printer control device for controlling the laser beam printer 1;
The external device 28 is connected via the.

In the printer constructed as described above, when the process condition switching processing is performed by the switching means 26a, the notifying means 26b controls the process conditions by the switching means 26a, for example, the resolution of the printer engine,
It is possible to notify the external device 28 that the condition switching process such as the print speed switching is being performed, and to make the external device 28 surely recognize the presence or absence of the process condition switching process.

If the process condition switching process is performed by the switching device 26a, the canceling device 26c determines the timing of the process condition switching by the switching device 26a and cancels the printable state that has already been reported to the external device. The control load for adjusting the information processing timing (for example, the printing operation of the next page, etc.) with the external device 28 accompanying the process condition switching by the switching means 26a is reduced.

FIG. 2 shows the interface 27 shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the detail of.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the timing of each signal shown in FIG.

First, SBSY, CBSY, SC, CLK
Is a signal used for serial communication in a handshake format. SBSY is a status valid signal and is sent from the printer control device 26 to the external device 28. C
BSY is a command valid signal, which is sent from the external device 28 to the printer control device 26. SC is status /
Command valid signal, status valid signal SBS
When Y is TRUE, the printer control device 26 sends status data indicating the internal state of the printer to the external device 28, and the command valid signal CBSY is TRUE.
In this case, the external device 28 sends the command data to the printer control device 26 as command data indicating a command to the printer. CLK is a synchronous clock of the status / command data signal SC, and is sent from the external device 28 to the printer control device 26. In response to one command from the external device 28, the printer control device 26 returns one status corresponding to the command.

Next, RDY is a ready signal to be set to TRUE when the printer control device 26 is ready to print, and is sent from the printer control device 26 to the external device 28. PRINT is a print signal that is set to TRUE when the external device 28 instructs a print start, and is sent from the external device 28 to the printer control device 26. further,
VSREQ is a vertical synchronization request signal that the printer control device 26 requests the external device 28 to output a later-described vertical synchronization signal VSYNC. VSYNC is an external device 28
Is a vertical synchronization signal for synchronizing the image output sent from the printer control device 26 to the printer control device 26 in the vertical direction (sub-scanning direction / paper transport direction). HSYNC is the printer controller 26
This is a horizontal synchronizing signal for synchronizing the image output sent from the external device 28 to the external device 28 in the horizontal direction (main scanning direction / laser scanning direction). VDO is an image signal from which the external device 28 serially transmits a dot image to the printer control device 26 in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC and the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC.

Next, the printing operation of the laser beam printer 1 will be described with reference to a timing chart shown in FIG.

The external device 28 outputs the ready signal RDY to TR
After confirming the UE, the print signal PRINT
Is TRUE. When the print signal PRINT becomes TRUE, the printer control device 26
Then, the driving of the polygon motor 14 is started. When the main motor 23 is driven, the photosensitive drum 17, the fixing roller (inside the fixing device 9), and the paper discharge roller 11 rotate. At this time, high-voltage driving of the primary charger 19, the developing device 20, and the transfer charger 21 is also performed sequentially. The printer control device 26 turns on the paper feed roller clutch 24 to drive the paper feed roller 5 after t1 seconds when the rotation of the polygon motor 14 becomes a steady state, and feeds the recording paper S toward the registration roller pair 6. . Then, the printer control device 26 sends the vertical synchronization request signal VSREQ to the external device 28 at the timing when the leading end of the recording paper S reaches the registration roller pair 6 (t2 seconds after driving the paper feed roller 5), and Then, the feed roller clutch 24 is turned off, and the driving of the feed roller 5 is stopped. The external device 28 confirms that the vertical synchronization request signal VSREQ is TRUE when the output preparation of the image signal VDO is completed after the development of the image information into the dot image is completed.
The vertical synchronization signal VSYNC is set to TRUE, and in synchronization with this, the output of the image signal VDO for one page starts after tv seconds.

The printer control unit 26 sets the registration roller clutch 25 at t3 seconds after the rise of the vertical synchronizing signal.
Is turned on, and the registration roller pair 6 is driven. The registration roller pair 6 is driven for a time t4 seconds until the rear end of the recording paper S passes through the registration roller pair 6. During this time, the printer control device 26 sends the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC to the external device 28 at a predetermined timing in synchronization with the laser scanning, and modulates the laser light generated from the laser unit 13 based on the image signal VDO.

As shown in FIG. 5, the external device 28 synchronizes with the rising edge of the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC, and after one second t.
The image signal VDO of the scanning unit is output. When the next page is to be printed, the print signal PRINT is set to TRUE again after t5 seconds. Thereafter, the same operation as that of the first page is performed. Such a printer control device 26
The operation of the external recording device 28 causes the recording paper S to be sequentially conveyed to the paper feed roller 5, the pair of registration rollers 6, the image recording section 8, the fixing device 9, and the paper discharge roller 11 to record an image.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a command system of an interface between the external device 28 and the printer control device 26 shown in FIG.

For commands other than the print speed instruction command, command data and status data are communicated between the external device 28 and the printer control device 26 by one byte each.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the dialogue formation of the print speed instruction command (abbreviated as “EC20”) shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, upon receiving the header (d-701), the printer control device 26
When TUS0 (d-702) is transmitted to the external device 28 and then command data (d-703) describing the print speed by the first to sixth bits is received, STATUS0 (d-704) is transmitted again. I do.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of STATUS0 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG.
If the second bit of 2,704 is set, it indicates that if the print signal PRINT becomes valid, the vertical synchronization request signal VSREQ can be made valid within, for example, 3.6 seconds, and the fifth bit is set. Indicates that the printer is powered on, is warming up, or is in the process of switching speeds in continuous printing.
Note that whether or not the factor in which the fifth bit is set is caused by the switching of the speed can be determined from the contents of the fifth bit of STATUS 15 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a print speed instruction command receiving procedure in the printer according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (4) indicate each step.

In continuous printing, it is assumed that the external device 28 has finished outputting image data of a predetermined page and has transmitted a print speed instruction command (“EC20”). When the printer control device 26 receives this print speed instruction command (“EC20”), first, the STATUS 1
The fifth bit of STATUS 5, ie, the print speed switching bit, is set, and the fifth bit of STATUS 0, ie, the wait bit, is set (1). Then, the main motor 2 is controlled to follow the instructed speed.
Of course, the fixing roller temperature and the polygon motor rotation speed are controlled (2). For example, if the print speed switches to the faster one, the fusing roller will be adjusted to a higher temperature,
Furthermore, if the resolution is the same, the polygon motor 14 must rotate at a higher speed. When these process conditions are ready (3), the fifth bit of STATUS15, that is, the print speed switching bit, is reset, and the fifth bit of STATUS0, that is, the wait bit, is reset (4). Thereafter, a series of operations for the next page are performed, such as the printer controller 26 requesting a print and the external device 28 outputting a print signal.

In addition to notifying the external device 28 by setting the switching bit, the external device 28 is reset by resetting the ready signal RDY or outputting a pulse signal.
Notification is also considered as a method. Also, notification to the operator by issuing died (LED) may be executed as necessary.

Normally, the printer control device 26 sets a print request bit immediately after printing a predetermined page in order to achieve the maximum throughput in continuous printing, and also outputs the vertical synchronization request signal VSREQ quickly. Is controlled. For this reason, after the print signal is output from the external device 28, if the vertical synchronization request signal VSREQ is not output within 3.6 seconds, the external device 28 regards the printer control device 26 as an error.

However, after the command “EC20” is output,
Only when the process condition is ready, the vertical synchronization request signal VS
There is a delay in the REQ waiting time. That is, the above error detection condition (VSREQ waiting time)
Also need to be divided. In addition, this delay also needs to be divided into cases where the speed switching direction is fast and slow. Further, the ready amount may be in various modes depending on the type of the printer, so that the control procedure becomes complicated and the software load increases.

Therefore, during the start-up of the process condition for switching the printing speed, the procedure shown in FIG. 11 is followed.
Cancel a print request. Further, the vertical synchronization request signal VSREQ is also canceled, and the vertical synchronization signal VSREQ is canceled.
By controlling the external device 28 to notify that it is not possible to shift to the printing operation even if the YNC is received, the delay time management procedure of the vertical synchronization request signal VSREQ can be simplified.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for canceling the vertical synchronization request signal VSREQ in the printer according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (15) indicate each step.

It is assumed that the external device 28 has finished outputting image data of a predetermined page and has transmitted a print speed instruction command (“EC20”) during continuous printing. When this printer speed command ("EC20") is received by the printer control device 26 (1), a RAM (not shown)
This is stored in a work memory such as (2). And
When printing of the page is completed (3), it is determined whether or not a print speed instruction command ("EC20") has been received (4).
If it is ES, the print speed switching processing routine shown in FIG. 10 is executed (5), and the storage of the reception of the command "EC20" is cleared. If NO, the print request bit is set (6). Next, it is determined whether a print speed instruction command ("EC20") has been received (7),
If YES, first, the print request (based on the set state of the print request bit) is canceled (8), the print speed switching processing routine shown in FIG. 10 is executed (9), and the reception of the command "EC20" is stored. Clear and return to step (6).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (7) is NO, it is determined whether the print signal PRINT has been detected (10). If NO, the process returns to step (7), and if YES, the print request bit is reset. To output the vertical synchronization request signal VSREQ to the external device 28 (1
1). After that, if the print speed instruction command (“EC20”) is received while receiving the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC (12), the vertical synchronization request signal VSREQ is canceled (13), and the print speed shown in FIG. The switching process routine is executed (14), the storage of the reception of the command "EC20" is cleared, and the process returns to step (6).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (12) is NO, it is determined whether the vertical synchronizing signal VSYNC has been received (15). If NO, the process returns to step (12). If YES, the process returns to step (1). And returns to the printing process.

[0040]

As described above, the present invention relates to a printer capable of forming an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic process by controlling an engine unit based on print information input from an external device. A switching unit for switching a process condition of a photographic process; and a notifying unit for notifying the external device of a switching process for enabling the engine unit to perform printing under the process condition switched by the switching unit. However, even when the print information request is not obtained from the printer for a predetermined time, the external device can recognize that the printer is in the process condition switching state without erroneously recognizing that the printer is in an error state.

Further, since the canceling means for judging the process condition switching occurrence timing by the switching means and canceling the printable state which has already been notified to the external device is provided, the process condition switching request can be made at an arbitrary timing during the continuous printing process. Automatically cancels the print request that has already been reported to the external device even if the error occurs, so that the data processing timing adjustment control between the external device and the printer can be controlled in common by the process conditions and the process condition switching request generation timing. It can be realized in steps.

Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the control load on the external device side due to the switching of the process conditions, and to promptly start a subsequent series of print processing sequences based on the switched process conditions without any trouble. And so on.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of an interface shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the timing of each signal shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of a print sequence of the laser beam printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing output timings of image signals in the laser beam printer shown in FIG.

6 is a diagram showing a command system of an interface between the external device shown in FIG. 1 and a printer control device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the dialog formation of the print speed instruction command shown in FIG. 6;

8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the status shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bit configuration of the status shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print speed instruction command receiving processing procedure in the printer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for canceling a vertical synchronization request signal in the printer according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 26 Printer control device 27 Interface 28 External device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takeji Gima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masanori Ishizu 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toshihiko Inuyama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takeya Endo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-4-84315 (JP, A) JP-A-2-238963 (JP, A) JP-A-2-235770 (JP, A) JP-A-3-262027 (JP, A) JP-A-59-81777 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 29/38 B41J 2/44 G03G 15/00 303 H04N 1/23 103

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printer device capable of forming an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic process by controlling an engine unit based on print information input from an external device, a switching unit for switching process conditions of the electrophotographic process. Before the process conditions switched by the switching means.
Printer whose serial engine is characterized in that through the switching process for the printable were anda informing means for informing the external device. 2. A printer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a canceling means for judging a process condition switching occurrence timing by said switching means and canceling a printable state which has already been notified to an external apparatus.