JP3209859B2 - Printing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for analyzing a control code, a character code, and the like input from an external device and performing a printing process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus that transmits a control code, a character code, and the like from an external apparatus to a printing apparatus and performs printing, a drawing memory for developing and storing one page of print data in a bitmap format has a size corresponding to a sheet size. Otherwise, the output image will be missing.

[0003]

Conventionally, even in such a case, "printing with insufficient drawing memory is executed (image may be missing)", "part where image is missing in print result" The printing is executed without the information such as "there is" being clearly indicated to the user, and it is determined whether a correct output has been obtained by actually checking the printing result.

[0004] This is unfriendly to the user, and there is a problem that he or she misses that the printing was not performed correctly.

When the drawing memory is insufficient, the range of the page (paper) covered by the drawing memory is fixedly determined, and the drawing is performed in the other range (filled dots exist). ) There was also a problem that data could not be obtained with correct output.

As described above, the drawing memory for storing the print information edited by the application on the external device side, for example, the bitmap corresponding to the paper size specified on the instruction screen of the print driver or the like is provided by the memory resources on the printing device main body side. If it cannot be secured, there is no notification to that effect,
There is a problem that desired print information is lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and can develop bitmap data within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with a page size specified by print data input from an external device. When it is determined whether or not the page can be expanded, a notification to that effect is given before the start of printing, and after the notification, the page area in which the drawing memory can be expanded is specified automatically, By adjusting the specified page range to store the bitmap data corresponding to the print data in the drawing memory based on the range specification, all the print data input within the capacity of the drawing memory is drawn. Even if it becomes impossible, the image data is drawn within the specified page range, and even if image loss occurs, the page range specified by the user or automatically It is that providing a printing apparatus capable of outputting an image of integer page ranges normally.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus which receives print data such as a control code and a character code from an external device and performs a printing operation in a printing apparatus main body. A drawing memory for expanding and storing a map, a determination unit for determining whether bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with a page size specified by the print data, and an expansion impossible by the determination unit Notification means for notifying the user before the start of printing, a specifying means for specifying the expandable page range of the drawing memory after the notification by the notification means, and a page range specification by the determination means. Adjusting a page range designated to contain bitmap data corresponding to the print data in the drawing memory based on And the step, and has a.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus which receives print data such as a control code and a character code from an external apparatus and performs a printing operation in a printing apparatus main body, and develops and stores the print data in a bit map. Drawing memory,
Determining means for determining whether bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory at the page size specified by the print data; and, when the determination means determines that expansion is not possible, printing to that effect It has a notifying unit for notifying before the start, and an adjusting unit for adjusting a page range designated to contain bitmap data corresponding to the print data in the drawing memory.

[0010] In a third aspect of the present invention, when the notifying means determines that deployment is impossible by the determining means,
This is notified to the operation panel of the printing apparatus main body before the start of printing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the designating means designates a page range in which the drawing memory can be expanded by a command from an external device.

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

[0025]

[0026]

[0027]

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Description of Laser Beam Printer> Before describing the configuration of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a laser beam printer and an inkjet printer suitable for applying this embodiment.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The printer to which this embodiment is applied is not limited to the laser beam printer and the ink jet printer, and it goes without saying that a printer of another printing method may be used.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. For example, a laser beam printer (L)
BP).

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body (printer) which inputs and stores print information (character codes, etc.), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer; A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created according to the information, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as a recording sheet. 1012 is a switch for operation and L
An operation panel on which an ED display and the like are arranged.
A printer control unit that controls the entire BP main body 1000 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to a laser driver 1002. The laser driver 1002 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and switches on / off a laser beam 1004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 according to an input video signal.

The laser beam 1004 is swung right and left by a rotary polygon mirror 1005 to scan and expose an electrostatic drum 1006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is
Developing unit 10 arranged around electrostatic drum 1006
After being developed by 07, it is transferred to recording paper. This recording paper uses a cut sheet, and the cut sheet recording paper is L
The sheet is stored in a sheet cassette 1008 mounted on the BP 1000, is taken into the apparatus by a sheet feeding roller 1009, a conveying roller 1010 and a conveying roller 1011, and is supplied to the electrostatic drum 1006. First Embodiment <Explanation of Printer Control System (FIG. 2)> FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Here, a laser beam printer (FIG. 1)
Will be described as an example. Note that, as long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention is applicable to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, and a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. It goes without saying that the invention can be applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer which executes document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3. C
The CPU 1 is provided with a PU 1 and controls each device connected to the system device 4 as a whole.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
Stores a control program of the CPU 1 and the like.
The font ROM stores font data and the like used in the document processing, and the data ROM of the ROM 3 stores various data used in the document processing and the like.

A RAM 2 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls a key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), and a CRT display (CR
T) Control the display of 10.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a memory controller (MC) for accessing the external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, and editing files, and a floppy disk (FD). Control.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a printer controller (PRTC)
A predetermined bidirectional interface (interface)
The communication device 21 is connected to the printer 1000 via the printer 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1000.

The CPU 1 executes, for example, a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, and executes WY processing on the CRT 10.
SIWYG is possible. Further, the CPU 1
Various registered windows are opened based on a command designated by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on T10, and various data processes are executed.

In the printer 1000, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU, which controls various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program or the like stored in a program ROM of a ROM 13 or a control program or the like stored in an external memory 14. And outputs an image signal as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via a printing unit interface 16.

The program ROM of the ROM 13
Has a CP as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
The control program of U12 is stored. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information.
In the case of a printer having no external memory 14, such as a hard disk, the OM stores information used on the host computer. The CPU 12 can perform communication processing with the host computer via the input unit 18.
The information and the like in the printer can be notified to the host computer 3000.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).

The RAM 19 is used as a drawing memory, an environment data storage area, and other work areas for developing and storing print data in a bit map. Access to the external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option, and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Also, the input unit 18
A switch for operation on the operation panel 102 and an LED display are arranged.

The external memory 14 is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting control languages of different language systems are connected. It may be configured to be able to. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1012.

[0044]

[0045]

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of the print control method according to the present invention. In addition, (1)-
(4) shows each step.

First, in step (1), it is determined to which paper size the print data input from the host computer 3000 is to be bit-mapped. This may be determined by a command included in the print data or may be specified from the operation panel 1012, but the determination method is not limited in the present invention.

Next, in step (2), step (1)
Is compared with the size of the currently secured drawing memory, and if the size is larger or the drawing memory is larger, the bitmap of the print data is immediately executed. On the other hand, if the currently secured drawing memory is smaller, it is clearly indicated in step (3) (that the output image may be missing due to lack of drawing memory), and then bitmap expansion is performed. (4).

[0049]

There are various methods to be specified, such as displaying on the panel of the operation panel 1012 using an LED or LCD, warning by a buzzer, transmitting the status to the host computer 3000, and displaying it on the display of the host computer 3000. These methods are not limited, and any method may be used as long as the user can know.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is necessary to clearly indicate to the user that the output image may be missing because the drawing memory size is smaller than the paper size on which the print data is to be bitmap-developed. Can be. Second Embodiment FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the print control method according to the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment. In addition, (1)-
(3) shows each step.

First, in step (1), the print data is stored in a drawing memory smaller than the paper size of the print data. In step (2), it is determined whether or not the fill dot (black dot) of the bitmap developed in step (1) is within the range covered by the drawing memory. By printing the portions not covered by the memory as white dots, a correct printing result can be obtained. On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the filled dots are out of the range covered by the drawing memory, that is the case in step (3) (a part of the output image is missing printing). Is specified.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a drawing memory (in this embodiment, a drawing in a RAM 19 as a memory resource in the present embodiment) is developed from a host computer 3000 such as an external device based on print data such as control codes and character codes and developed. In the print control method of the printer 1000 that performs a printing operation in the printing apparatus main body via the assigned drawing memory as a memory, the bitmap data is expanded in the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data. A printing process (step (2) in FIG. 4) for determining whether or not the printing is possible and a notification process (step (3) in FIG. 4) for notifying the user after starting printing based on the determination are executed. If the page size specified in the data is used, printing is performed in such a way that all data cannot be expanded into a bitmap using the memory resources of the printer. Reliably notify the user after printing a possible printing failure.

As a clear method, a warning is given by a buzzer, which is displayed on the operation panel 1012 by an LED, an LCD, or the like. Various methods are possible, such as transmitting the status to the host computer 3000 and displaying the status on the display of the host computer 3000. However, these methods are not limited, and any method may be used as long as the user can know.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to clearly indicate to the user that a missing portion has occurred in the output image. In other words, it is possible to reliably notify the user that there is a state such as "printing is executed even though the drawing memory is not large enough for the paper size" or "printing is missing in the print result". [Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, the print data is stored in the RAM 1
When a bitmap is developed on a drawing memory such as a frame memory secured on the drawing 9, if the drawing memory for storing is not secured by the size of the paper to be developed, the drawing memory covers the page (paper). Allow the user to specify a range.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the drawing memory secured on the RAM shown in FIG. 2 and the drawing data. For example, when only the A4 size drawing memory is secured, the legal size printing is performed. This is an example of specifying a range of pages covered by a drawing memory when printing data.

In the figure, (a) to (d) show examples of a range specification that can be specified by the user, in which a bold legal size paper frame is shown, and the shaded area is the range covered by the A4 size drawing memory. (Printable area).

[0058]

In the printing apparatus configured as described above, in other words, the printing apparatus receives print data such as control codes and character codes from the host computer 3000 such as the external apparatus shown in FIG. In the apparatus, a drawing memory for developing and storing print data in a bit map (in this embodiment, a RAM 19 is used as a memory resource).
Assigned drawing memory as a drawing memory), and
Determining means (by the CPU 12) for determining whether or not bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data; The notification unit CPU12 notifies the user before the start of printing.)
A designating unit (either on the printing device side or on an external device side) for designating a page range in which the drawing memory can be developed after the reporting by the reporting unit; and the drawing memory based on the page range designation by the determining unit. Adjusting means CPU12 for adjusting a page range designated to contain bitmap data corresponding to the print data.
When the CPU 12 determines that the bitmap data cannot be expanded in the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data by the CPU 12,
After the PU 12 notifies that fact before the start of printing, based on the page range specification by the specifying means, the CPU 12 sets the page range specified to store the bitmap corresponding to the print data in the drawing memory (RAM 19). After the adjustment as shown in FIG. 5, the input print data is printed as a normal image as much as possible within the designated page range.

[0060]

[0061]

The designating means (such as the operation panel 1012 of the printing apparatus main body) of the printing apparatus main body includes a drawing memory (RA
The page range that can be expanded in M12) is specified by the panel operation of the printing apparatus main body, and the page range to be adjusted from the page range specified by the print data is specified from the printing apparatus main body side.

The designating means (CPU 1 of the host computer 3000) on the external device side is provided with a drawing memory (RAM
The page range which can be expanded in 12) is specified by a command from the external device, and the page range to be adjusted from the page range specified by the print data from the external device side is specified by the command on the printing apparatus main body.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the structure of print data edited on the host computer 3000 shown in FIG. 1, and corresponds to, for example, a case where print data is edited in legal size.

The user considers the content of the data to be printed,
Although an appropriate range is secured by designating the print data edited in legal size as shown in FIG. 6 on legal paper, there is no solid dot on the right side of the paper. By specifying a), a normal image output can be obtained.

As the designation method, a panel operation of the operation panel 1012, a command issued from the host computer 3000, or the like can be considered, but these methods are not limited.

The specifiable page range may be selected from several selection area range pattern options as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, or may be specified by an arbitrary coordinate value. It may be.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to increase the possibility of obtaining a normal image output even if there is no drawing memory for the sheet size to be developed. [Fourth Embodiment] In the third embodiment, the user specifies the range of pages (paper) covered by the drawing memory. However, all the painted dots can be covered in the process of developing the print data into a bitmap. Alternatively, the range of the page covered by the drawing memory may be automatically optimized.

[0069]

In the printing apparatus configured as described above, print data such as a control code and a character code is received from an external device and the printing operation is performed by the printing apparatus main body. Drawing memory for determining whether or not bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the print data, and when the determination unit determines that expansion is not possible And a notifying means for notifying the user before the start of printing, and an adjusting means for adjusting a page range designated to store bitmap data corresponding to the print data in the drawing memory. Determines that bitmap data cannot be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory at the page size specified by the print data. In this case, after the CPU 12 notifies the user before the start of the printing, the adjusting unit based on the page range designation specifies the page range designated to store the bitmap data corresponding to the print data in the drawing memory. Is automatically adjusted, and the input print data is printed as a normal image as much as possible.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, unlike the third embodiment, it is possible to increase the possibility of obtaining a normal image output without knowing the contents of the print data in advance.

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

[0073]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the fourth aspect, when it is determined whether or not bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory at the page size specified by the print data input from the external device, it is determined that expansion is impossible. If so, a notification is given before the start of printing to that effect, and after the notification, the page range that can be expanded in the drawing memory is specified automatically, and the drawing memory is specified to the drawing memory based on the page range specification. Since the specified page range is adjusted to contain bitmap data according to the print data, even if all the input print data cannot be drawn within the capacity of the drawing memory, Draws image data in the range, and even if an image is missing, the image in the page range specified by the user or the page range automatically adjusted can be output normally. There is an effect that that.

[0074]

[0075]

[0076]

[0077]

[0078]

[0079]

[0080]

[0081]

[0082]

[0083]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of a print control method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the print control method according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence between drawing memory and drawing data secured on a RAM shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of print data edited on the host computer shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 CPU 13 ROM 14 External memory 17 Printing unit 19 RAM 1000 Printer 1001 Printer control unit 3000 Host computer

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-62-203223 (JP, A) JP-A-2-39973 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/12

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for receiving print data, such as control codes and a character code from the external apparatus performs the printing operation in the printing apparatus main body, a drawing memory for storing the print data to bit map development, the printing Determining means for determining whether the bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the data; and, if the determination means determines that expansion is not possible, before the start of printing to that effect And a notifying means for notifying the drawing memory after the notifying by the notifying means.
Means for designating a simple page range, and the drawing based on the page range designation by the determination means.
Bitmap data corresponding to the print data is stored in the memory.
To adjust the page range specified to fit the data
Printing apparatus characterized by having a settling unit. 2. A printing device which receives print data such as a control code and a character code from an external device and performs a printing operation in a printing device main body, wherein a drawing memory for developing and storing the print data in a bitmap format; Determining means for determining whether the bitmap data can be expanded within the memory capacity of the drawing memory with the page size specified by the data; and, if the determination means determines that expansion is not possible, before the start of printing to that effect And a bit corresponding to the print data to the drawing memory.
Adjust the specified page range to contain the map data
A printing device , comprising: an adjusting unit that adjusts the image . 3. The notification means according to claim 1 , wherein said notification means comprises
If it is determined that it cannot be opened, that fact is printed before printing starts
The notification is made to the operation panel of the device main body.
3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said specifying means expands said drawing memory.
Specify the range of possible pages using a command from an external device
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: