JP2991305B2 - Printing apparatus and printing control method - 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 and a printing control method for printing on paper or the like in accordance with data input from an external device such as a host computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a processing flow in a conventional printing apparatus 1.

The printing apparatus 1 is a device for inputting and printing print data output from an external device 2 such as a host computer or the like, and includes an input unit 3 for receiving data, and an analyzing unit 4 for analyzing the input data. A page buffer 5 for storing the result of the analysis, a developing unit 6 for developing a bitmap image based on the contents of the page buffer 5, a frame memory 7 for storing the developed image data,
An output unit 8 for controlling an output mechanism 9 in accordance with the image data in the frame memory 7; The output mechanism 9
For example, it is composed of a laser beam or the like, and outputs data from the output unit 8 to a recording medium 10 such as paper.

In the printing apparatus 1, print data output from an external device 2 is received by a data input unit 3, the data is analyzed by an analysis unit 4, and based on the analysis result, the data is given to a developing unit 6. Data is stored in the page buffer 5 in an exponential format.

The page buffer 5 is configured in units of pages, and passes data to the expansion unit 6 in a form including all information of one page. According to the data passed from the page buffer 5, the developing unit 6 converts the output image into a frame memory 7 in the form of, for example, one page of binary bitmap data.
Create on top.

The output unit 8 records a print result on a recording medium 10 by performing, for example, ON / OFF control of a laser beam on the output mechanism 9 based on the binary bitmap data.

The printing apparatus is provided with a function of forcibly discharging a print when data input from the external device 2 is interrupted for a predetermined time (hereinafter, referred to as a forced discharge).

FIG. 5 shows an input unit 3 for realizing this forced paper ejection.
6 is a flowchart showing the processing of FIG.

First, the time measurement counter (TIME) is reset to "0" (S1), the next input data is received (S3), and the process returns to S1.

If there is no next data,
The counter (TIME) is incremented (S4), and the counter (TIME) is set to a predetermined threshold value (M
AX) is determined (S5).

If the value is smaller than the threshold value, the process returns to S2. If the value exceeds the threshold value, the forced paper discharge is performed (S2).
6) After the forcible discharge, the process returns to S1.

[0012]

However, in the above-described conventional example, the forced ejection is performed regardless of whether the input data is valid or not. For example, there is a drawback that the forced ejection is performed in a state where the forced ejection should not be performed, such as in the middle of a series of data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus capable of executing proper forced paper ejection.

According to the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having a function of printing out the input print data when the input of the print data is interrupted for a predetermined time while the print data is being input from an external device. In response to the input being interrupted for a predetermined time, it is determined whether or not the input print data is printed out. If the determination is affirmative, the input of the print data from the external device is interrupted for a predetermined time. In response to this, the input print data is printed out. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the input of the print data is interrupted despite the presence of the input print data. Thus, print output is suppressed.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes an input interface 101 for inputting print data from a host computer 200, a CPU 102 for controlling the entire printing apparatus 100, an operation processing procedure of the CPU 102, a character font pattern, and the like. ROM 103 and CP
A reception buffer for storing the print data received from the work area of U102 or the host computer 200,
Further, a RAM used as a page buffer or the like for constructing an output image for one page from the print data.
104, a frame memory 105 for developing the output image, and an output unit 107 for printing the output image
And an output interface 106 for outputting the output image to the output unit 107, and a system bus 108 for transferring data and the like between these components.

Since the flow of processing in this embodiment is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 4, the following description is based on each unit shown in FIG. It will be explained while supplementing.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing in the analysis unit 4 in the present embodiment.

The analysis section 4 is mainly constituted by the CPU 102.

In the analysis unit 4, first, a flag (FLAGFF) indicating whether forced paper discharge is possible is reset to OFF (S11), and the input unit 3, ie, the RAM 10 is reset.
4 receives one byte of input data from the receiving buffer (S12).

Next, it is checked whether the input data is the head of a command or print data such as character data (S13).
4, a page buffer is created as before (S14),
It returns to S12.

If it is the beginning of a command, the flag (F
LAGFF) is turned on (S15), the command is analyzed (S16), and it is checked whether the command is the last (S1).
7). If it is not the end of the command, 1-byte data is further received from the input unit 3 (S18), and S1
Return to 6. If it is the end of the command, the process returns to S11.

By performing such processing, control is performed such that the flag (FLAGFF) is turned on during a command, and is turned off otherwise.

Next, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing in the input unit 3 of this embodiment.

Here, the input unit 3 includes the input interface 101, the reception buffer in the RAM 104, and the C
It is configured by the PU 102.

In the processing in the input unit 3 of this embodiment, S
Steps 21 to S25 are the same as the conventional processing steps S1 to S5 in FIG. 5, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the counter (TIM) is set in S25.
If E) exceeds the preset threshold value (MAX), it is checked whether the flag (FLAGFF) is OFF (S26).

Then, the flag (FLAGFF) is turned off.
If so, the forced paper ejection is performed (S27).
Return to 21.

If the flag (FLAGFF) is ON, the flow returns to S21 without forcibly discharging the paper.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the input data can be forcibly discharged. For example, when the data is interrupted during a command or the like, the forcible discharge should not be performed. If it is in the state, control is performed so as not to perform forced discharge, and inappropriate forced discharge can be prevented.

In the above-described embodiment, even when the command is not currently being processed, for example, when the image data is being processed or the form data is being registered, the condition for not forcibly discharging the paper can be set.

In step S26, the flag (FLAGF
When F) is ON, the process returns to S21 and the threshold value is set to (MA).
A method of changing from (X) to (MAX2) and returning to S22 is also conceivable. In this case, when the command is in progress,
When the exclusive waiting time (MAX2) is exceeded, control for forcibly discharging the paper can be performed.

According to the present invention, in a printing apparatus having a forced paper discharge function for printing out the input print data when the input of the print data is interrupted for a predetermined time in a state where the print data is input from the external device, By setting the flag relating to the paper discharge function to the second state, even when the input of the print data is interrupted in a state where the print data is input, the print output of the input print data in response to the interruption is output. Since the suppression is performed, it is possible to prevent the problem that the already input data is forcibly ejected when the data should not be forcibly ejected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating processing in an analysis unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing in an input unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a processing flow in a conventional printing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing in a conventional input unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference numeral 100 denotes a printing apparatus, 101 denotes an input interface, 102 denotes a CPU, 103 denotes a ROM, 104 denotes a RAM, 105 denotes a frame memory, 106 denotes an output interface, 107 denotes an output unit, and 200 denotes a host computer.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 29/38 B41J 5/30 B41J 11/42 B41J 29/20 G06F 3/12

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A state in which print data is input from an external device.
If the input of print data is interrupted for a predetermined time in
With a forced ejection function to print out the printed data
In the printing apparatus, means and flagging regarding the forced paper discharge function; field flag for the forced paper discharge function is in a first state
If the input of print data is
The print data entered above in response to the
Printer, and printouts related to the forced paper ejection function
If the lag is in the second state, the print data
Even if the input of the print data is interrupted in the state,
Printing the input print data in response to the interruption
Output control means for suppressing output; 2. A state in which print data is input from an external device.
If the input of print data is interrupted for a predetermined time in
With a forced ejection function to print out the printed data
In printing equipment, Means for setting a flag relating to the forced paper ejection function; If the flag relating to the forced paper ejection function is in the first state,
If the input of print data is
The print data entered above in response to the
Print out the data, while checking the
If the lag is in the second state, the print data
Input of the print data exceeds the specified time
If the connection has not been completed after the waiting time
Output control means for printing out the printed data; A printing apparatus comprising: 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The means for setting the flag relating to the forced paper ejection function is as described above.
If the input print data is in the middle of a series of data,
Printing the flag in the second state.
apparatus. 4. The method according to claim 3, The means for setting the flag relating to the forced paper discharge function is as follows:
Print data entered above Is command or image data
If it is in the middle of the process, the second flag is set.
Printing equipment. 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein The means for setting the flag relating to the forced paper ejection function is as described above.
The entered print data is in the process of registering form data.
The second state flag is set.
Printing device. 6. A state in which print data has been input from an external device.
If the input of print data is interrupted for a predetermined time in
With a forced ejection function to print out the printed data
In a printing apparatus control method for controlling a printing apparatus, Setting a flag relating to the forced ejection function; If the flag relating to the forced paper ejection function is in the first state,
If the input of print data is
The print data entered above in response to the
Printing out the data; If the flag relating to the forced paper ejection function is in the second state,
Input the above print data with the print data input.
Responded to such an interruption, even when
Steps to Suppress Printing Output of Print Data Entered
When; A print control method comprising: 7. A state in which print data is input from an external device.
If the input of print data is interrupted for a predetermined time in
With a forced ejection function to print out the printed data
In a printing control method for controlling a printing apparatus, Setting a flag for the forced ejection function; If the flag relating to the forced paper ejection function is in the first state,
If the input of print data is
The print data entered above in response to the
Printing out the data; If the flag relating to the forced paper ejection function is in the second state,
Input the above print data with the print data input.
Exceeds the specified waiting time
When it is out of print, the above input print data is printed out.
And A print control method comprising: 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein In the step of setting the flag for the forced paper ejection function
Indicates that the input print data is in the middle of a series of data.
In this case, the flag in the second state is set.
Print control method. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein In the step of setting the flag for the forced paper ejection function
Indicates that the print data input is a command or image data
If the connection is interrupted on the way, the flag in the second state is set.
A printing control method characterized by: 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein In the step of setting the flag for the forced paper ejection function
Indicates that the input of print data is in the middle of registration of form data.
If it is interrupted, set the flag in the second state.
And a printing control method.