JP3305079B2 - Printing apparatus, information processing apparatus, and control method therefor - 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, an information processing apparatus for outputting print data to the printing apparatus, and a control method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When print data sent from a host computer is printed by a page printer such as LBP, if the page printer does not have a full bitmap memory for one page (a page printer that prints in band units). In the case of (1), if the content of the print data is too complicated or the data amount is extremely large, printing may not be performed and an error may occur.

[0003] This is because the bitmap image has to wait for a part of one page as a so-called band, and the data content is too complicated or the data amount is very large. Occurs when it is too late.

[0004]

In order to prevent such a problem, it is basically sufficient to mount a memory having a capacity of a full bitmap memory in the printer, but this increases the cost. However, on the other hand, since printing can be sufficiently performed in most cases, even if an unnecessary memory is mounted, the memory is wasted.

[0005] Whether or not such an error occurs must be actually performed in a printing operation. However, in that case, there remains a problem that recording paper as a recording medium is wasted.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to know in advance whether an error will occur, and to make it possible to use an effective amount of resources. And an information processing apparatus and a control method thereof.

[0007] In order to solve this problem, for example, the printing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, in a printing apparatus having a printing unit that records a visible image based on print data transmitted from a higher-level device on a predetermined recording medium, the print data is dot-converted every predetermined number of lines and bit
And expansion means for writing the sort map memory, or the host system
When a predetermined instruction is received from the
The read operation at the same cycle as the read signal
And determining means for determining whether catch up to the operation write attempts, the determination
Output means for outputting the judgment result by the means to the host device
And

[0008] A method for controlling a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes the following steps. That is, a visible image based on print data transmitted from a higher-level device is recorded on a predetermined recording medium .
A method of controlling a printing apparatus including a that printing unit, the printing de
Data is converted to dots for each predetermined number of lines, and
A developing step of writing to the memory;
Received, the same as the actual read signal of the printing unit
The read operation of the same cycle is the write operation of the developing step.
A judgment step of judging whether to catch up with
An output step of outputting a determination result to the host device .

[0009]

In the configuration or process of the present invention, when a predetermined instruction is received from the host device, the actual reading of the printing unit is performed.
The read operation of the same cycle as the output signal
Judge whether or not it can catch up. And this judgment result
It is output to the host system.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a control section of a laser beam printer.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a host computer for sending data to the laser beam printer;
Reference numeral 28 denotes an interface (I / F) signal between the host computer 101 and the laser beam printer.

The laser beam printer according to the embodiment has the following configuration.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a host I / F for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the host computer 101; 103, a CPU for controlling the entire apparatus; 104, a RAM; and a reception buffer 105, a page memory 106, a bit map memory 1
07. Reference numeral 110 denotes a ROM,
3 is composed of a program ROM 111 storing an operation program (described later) and a font ROM 112 storing character font data. 114 is a system bus.

Reference numeral 115 denotes a printing unit I / F which transfers bitmap data developed in the bitmap memory 107 to the printing unit (printer engine unit) shown in FIG. 7 at a predetermined timing, and 116 denotes print dot data ( parallel)
Is a parallel-to-serial converter that converts into a serial signal and outputs it as a video signal. Reference numeral 117 denotes a print simulation unit, the details of which will be described later.

The configuration and operation of the printing unit of the laser beam printer according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The laser beam printer of this embodiment can register a character pattern and a fixing format (form data) from a host computer.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 740 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores character information (character code), 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, and an image is formed on recording paper as a recording medium. Reference numeral 700 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation and an LCD display are arranged, and 701 denotes an LBP 740.
It is a printer control unit that analyzes control and character information supplied from the host computer as a whole,
Each circuit configuration shown in FIG. 1 is included. The control unit 701 mainly converts a character pattern corresponding to character information into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 702.
The laser driver 702 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 703, and switches on and off a laser beam 704 emitted from the semiconductor laser 703 according to an input video signal. The laser light 704 is swung right and left by a rotary polygon mirror 705 to scan on an electrostatic drum 706. As a result, an electrostatic latent image such as a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 706. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 707 around the electrostatic drum 706 and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a detachable paper cassette 708 mounted on the LBP 740, taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 709 and delivery rollers 710 and 711, and It is supplied to the drum 706. And the developing device 7
The toner image adhered on the electrostatic drum 706 by 07 is transferred onto the conveyed recording paper. Thereafter, the recording paper is conveyed in the direction of the fixing device 712, where the toner is fixed,
Finally, the sheet is discharged outside by a discharge roller 713.

Next, the laser beam printer (host I / F of the print control unit) according to the embodiment having the above configuration.
And the host computer 101 (hereinafter simply referred to as the host 101
The operation timing of the I / F signals 121 to 128 during the operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, in FIG. 1, a signal 121 is a printer ready signal indicating that the printer is in a printable state, and indicates that the LOW level is TRUE. A signal 126 is a busy signal sent from the printer to the host, and indicates that the HIGH level is TRUE. Signal 1
A data strobe signal 23 is sent from the printer to the host, and indicates that the LOW level is TRUE.
The signal 124 is a printer-to-host transmission request signal sent from the printer to the host, and has a LOW level of TR
Indicates a UE.

The signal 125 is a bidirectional data line,
It has an 8-bit width. A signal 122 is a data strobe signal from the host 101 to the print side, and indicates that the LOW level is TRUE. The signal 127 is the host 10
This signal is sent from 1 to the printer and indicates the host-side receivable state, and indicates that the LOW level is TRUE. A signal 128 is a busy signal sent from the host 101 to the printer, and indicates that the HIGH level is TRUE.

Next, the operation timing of the signals 121 to 128 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when data is transmitted from the host 101 to the printer, the host 101 first checks with a signal 121 whether the printer is in a printable state. Signal 121 is L
If it is at the OW level, printing is possible, so the host computer 101 outputs print data to the data line 125 and outputs a data strobe signal 122 (timing 201). Signal 1 at the falling edge of signal 122
26 goes high, indicating that the printer is busy.

When the printer takes in the data on the data line 125 and enters a state in which the next data can be input, the signal 126 is returned to the LOW level (timing 202). With the data strobe signal 122.

Next, when sending data from the printer to the host, the printer first receives the host-side receivable signal 127.
I see. If the signal 127 is not at the LOW level,
For the host 101, the printer → host data transmission request signal 124 is set to the LOW level (timing 20).
3). When the signal 127 from the host 101 goes low and the host 101 is ready to receive, the printer busy signal 126 goes high (timing 204).

Next, data is output to the data line 125 together with the data strobe signal 123 (timing 2).
05). At the falling edge of the data strobe signal 123, the signal 128 becomes HIGH level and the host 101
Is busy. When the input processing of the host 101 is completed, the signal 128 becomes LOW level.
The printer sends the next data to the data strobe signal 123
(Timing 206).

When the transmission from the printer has been completed, the signal 124 is returned to the HIGH level to notify the host 101 that the transmission has been completed (timing 207). Host 1
01 is HIG signal 127 when sending data to the printer
Send it after setting it to H level.

The normal printing operation of this embodiment is as follows.

The print data sent from the host computer 101 passes through the host I / F 102 to the RAM 1
The data is loaded into the reception buffer 105 in the memory 04 and then stored in the page memory 106 in page units.

The print data for one page is stored in the page memory 1
06 is stored in the page memory 1
The print data is sequentially read from 06 and interpreted, converted into dot data by referring to the font ROM 112 in the ROM 108 as necessary, and stored in the bitmap memory 107.

FIG. 3 shows the data storage state in the bitmap memory 107.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 302 denotes dot data for one line, and reference numeral 301 denotes a flag area. "1" is set when dot data is stored. The value is reset to 0 when the printing unit I / F reads out dot data to send to the printing unit.

That is, from the flag area 301, it is possible to determine whether the dot data of the line has been read or not read, in other words, whether or not the print data has been printed.

In the apparatus of the embodiment, such a set of the flag area 301 and the dot data area 302 has 128 lines. That is, the apparatus of the embodiment records an image of one page in units of minute bands. Incidentally, the number of lines for one page is about 2320 lines in the case of A4 size and a print density of 8 lines / mm, but 128 lines is much smaller than this. this is,
This is because the capacity of the bitmap memory is reduced for cost reduction.

The first 128 bits are stored in the bitmap memory 107.
When the development for the line is completed, the CPU 103
/ F 115 and print start signal 144
Output. The signal 141 is HIG by default.
Since the signal is at the H level, the signal 144 is sent to the printing unit as the print start signal 131. After that, the printing unit I / F 115 reads dot data from the bitmap memory 107 in order from the top according to the known horizontal synchronization signal and vertical synchronization signal sent from the printing unit, and controls the parallel / serial converter 116. The video signal is transferred to the printing unit via the printer.

During this time, the CPU executes the dot data development processing of the band to be printed next on the line of the dot data read by the printing unit I / F. That is, the writing process of the CPU and the reading process of the printing unit I / F follow what is called.

If the writing by the CPU is faster than the reading by the printing unit I / F, printing of one page is performed. However, the input data is complicated or too much. Is delayed, the print unit I / F
Read out catches up, and eventually there is no more dot data to read.

This is determined by whether the printing unit I / F is set to 1 when the flag area 301 of each line in the bitmap memory 107 is read out by itself,
If it has reached 0, if it has caught up, it is reported to the CPU 103 as an error.

Upon receiving the error report, the CPU 103 stops the subsequent printing operation and sends the error report to the host computer. As described with reference to FIG.
Once recording on paper starts, it will not stop,
That is, the paper that has been printed halfway is printed.

Next, a printing simulation operation directly related to the embodiment will be described.

The print data sent from the host computer 101 is not different from that at the time of normal printing.
In the case of a simulation, a special control code indicating that the simulation is a simulation is attached to the top of the print data. FIG. 6A shows this state.

Regardless of the presence or absence of the simulation code, the CPU performs dot conversion on the print data in the same manner as in a normal print operation, and stores the first 128 lines of dot data in the bitmap memory 107.

Next, the CPU 103 sets the line number data in the register 503 in FIG. 5 from the paper size information 602 in FIG. The line number data indicates the number of lines for one sheet of paper. In the case of a printing speed of 8 lines / mm, A4
The size is 2320 and the A3 size is 3300 (both are decimal numbers).

Next, a print start command is issued to the print unit I / F 115 in the same manner as in a normal print operation, and a simulation start command is issued to the print simulation unit 117 via the system bus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the print simulation section 117 in more detail.

A simulation start instruction from the CPU 103 is output as a signal 511 by the decoder 501 and sets the flip-flop 502. Therefore, the signal 141 becomes LOW level, and the printing unit I / F1
The print start instruction 144 from the AND gate 11
Since it is gated by 8, it is not supplied to the printing unit (that is, the recording paper is not conveyed, the laser element is not driven, etc., and the non-printing operation is performed).

Since a trigger is applied to the monostable multivibrator 504, a pulse signal 142 is output.
Since the signal 133 is at a HIGH level in a state where printing is not performed, the signal 142 is used as a vertical synchronizing signal by the printing unit I.
/ F115.

Further, since the AND gate 550 is opened, the output of the oscillator 507 is output as 143. Similarly, when no printing is performed, the signal 132 is at the HIGH level.
5 is recognized.

The pulse cycle of the signal 143 is set to be the same as the cycle of the actual horizontal synchronizing signal. Upon receiving the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals, the printing unit I / F 115 performs the same operation as the normal printing operation, and the CPU 103 also writes the dot data of the 129th and subsequent lines into the bitmap memory 107 as in the normal printing operation.

The counter 506 counts up as the number of lines progresses, and when the number of lines for one page finally reaches the output of / P = Q of the comparator 505, the output of / P = Q becomes LOW level. The printing operation for the page ends. FIG. 4 shows a timing chart of the above signals.

The simulation result is transmitted to the host computer 101 as data in a format as shown in FIG. 6B. Here, the error presence / absence information 606 is the printing unit I / F 115.
If the read operation of c. Has caught up with the write operation of the CPU 103, it is determined that an error has occurred. If the read operation has not caught up, no error has occurred.

Next, the operation on the host computer 101 will be described. The host computer may be a general-purpose workstation, a personal computer, or the like. An OS (Operating System) operating on the host computer, a software driver (for example, a driver for monitoring a printer driver, etc.), or an application may be used as shown in FIG. The processing shown in FIG. Therefore, although the configuration of the host computer 101 is not described here, it is necessary that at least a program for performing the processing in FIG.

However, in the embodiment, an example will be described in which a program based on the drawing is attached to the OS as a software driver.

A document (including figures, images, etc.) created by an operator using an application running on the host computer 101 using the application.
Is given, a selection menu window is displayed on the display screen as to whether to perform normal printing or to instruct / cancel simulation printing. The operator looks at this menu window and selects one of them.

If it is determined that the instruction is a simulation print instruction, the process advances from step S801 to step S802 to output a simulation instruction command to the printing apparatus. Thereafter, the printer driver included in the host computer 101 performs normal processing based on the data obtained from the application.

If it is determined that a simulation release instruction has been issued, the process proceeds to step S804, and a simulation release instruction command is transferred (this command is not particularly described, but it can be easily obtained from the above description. Could be).

In any case, the process proceeds to step S805
To determine whether the printer is performing a simulation process. If it is determined that the simulation is being performed, the process advances to step S806 to monitor the reception of data in the format shown in FIG. 6B. When the data is received, the process advances to step S807 to display the content of the received error on a screen provided in the host computer.

In FIG. 8, the screen is displayed only during the simulation processing. However, the display processing may be performed regardless of whether the simulation is being performed. However,
Normal print mode (simulation mode is released)
Is selected and if no error data is received,
You won't need that.

To return an error to the host, a dedicated signal line may be newly provided on the interface in addition to the control command data.

<Description of Another Embodiment> Next, an application example of the present invention will be described.

In the above embodiment, the printer is adapted to an apparatus for printing in band units. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, if there is an error in the print data itself output by the host computer, the CPU 103 of the printer cannot understand it naturally.

Therefore, in such a situation,
The data in the format shown in FIG. 6B may be returned to the host computer. In this case, the error presence / absence information 606 in FIG. 6B includes a code that can identify the type of error to deal with other than the error of the first embodiment. Naturally, in the processing based on the flowchart of FIG. 8 operating on the host computer side,
A message or the like corresponding to the error code is displayed.

It goes without saying that the information shown in FIG. 6B may be returned to the host computer immediately upon detecting the error.

Instead of simply returning error information, time information required until printing is actually started or completed may be returned to the host computer.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is an advantage that whether or not printing can be performed can be determined in advance without wasting paper. In particular, as described in the first embodiment, an error that occurs despite the correct operation of both the host computer and the printer is of a level that can be dealt with at the operator level. A sufficient effect can be expected. For example, an operator who is notified that normal printing cannot be performed performs an operation (for example, using a small number of fonts) on the application to reduce the complexity and amount of information to be printed, thereby saving the printer memory. Without increasing, any print data can be printed normally.

It can be easily inferred from the above description that the present invention can be applied to any type of printer. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to a laser beam printer. The principle of not actually performing printing is not limited to the above example.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to determine in advance what the actual printing will be by the printing apparatus, so that resources such as recording paper can be used effectively.

[0068]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing two-way communication between the medical examination device of the embodiment and a host computer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a bitmap memory of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating an operation of a print simulation unit in the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the print simulation unit of the embodiment in further detail.

FIG. 6 shows commands between a host computer and a printer,
It is a figure showing the contents of status.

FIG. 7 is a sectional structural view of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a part of a program operating on a host computer in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 102 Host I / F 103 CPU 104 RAM 108 ROM 115 Printing unit I / F 117 Printing simulation unit

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing unit for recording a visible image based on print data transmitted from a host device on a predetermined recording medium.
In obtaining the printing apparatus, and the dot converting the print data for every predetermined number of lines bitmask
Developing means for writing to a backup memory; and a printing unit when a predetermined instruction is received from the higher-level device.
Read operation with the same cycle as the actual read signal of
Judge to judge whether it can catch up with the writing operation of the writing and developing means
And outputting the result of the determination by the determining means to the higher-level device.
A printing apparatus comprising: an output unit . 2. A simulation as the predetermined instruction.
If no instruction is received, the bitmap is
Read the dot data written to the
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing operation is performed by protruding . 3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a visible image based on the print data is stored in a predetermined
Printing unit to record on recording media and dot conversion of the print data
And a developing means for writing the data to a bitmap memory. The information processing apparatus outputs print data to a printing apparatus , wherein an actual read signal of the printing unit in the printing apparatus is provided.
The read operation of the same cycle as that of
Simulation mode to judge whether to catch up
And simulation setting means for accepting a setting, simulation by the simulation setting means
When receiving the mode setting, the printing device
Read operation of the same cycle as the actual read signal of the printing section
It is determined whether the operation catches up with the writing operation of the developing means.
Output the instruction information of the simulation mode
Output means for performing the read operation in the printing apparatus
An information processing apparatus, comprising: a notifying unit that receives, from the printing apparatus, simulation result information indicating whether or not to catch up with the information, and notifies the result. 4. A printing unit for recording a visible image based on print data transmitted from a host device on a predetermined recording medium.
In a method of controlling a printing apparatus , dot conversion is performed on print data for each predetermined number of lines, and a bit map is generated.
A developing step for writing to a memory, and when a predetermined instruction is received from the higher-level device, the printing unit
Read operation with the same cycle as the actual read signal of
Judgment process to judge whether it can catch up with the writing operation in the writing and developing
And the determination result of the determination step is output to the host device.
A control method for a printing apparatus, comprising: an output step . 5. A simulation as the predetermined instruction.
If no instruction is received, the bitmap
Read the dot data written to the
5. The control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing operation is performed . 6. A method for storing a visible image based on print data in a predetermined
Printing unit to record on recording media and dot conversion of the print data
And a developing means for writing the data to a bit map memory. The method for controlling an information processing apparatus for outputting print data to a printing apparatus , comprising: an actual read signal of the printing unit in the printing apparatus;
The read operation of the same cycle as that of
Simulation mode to judge whether to catch up
A simulation setting step of receiving a setting; and a simulation by the simulation setting step.
When receiving the mode setting, the printing device
Read operation of the same cycle as the actual read signal of the printing section
It is determined whether the operation catches up with the writing operation of the developing means.
Output the instruction information of the simulation mode
An output step of performing the reading operation in the printing apparatus.
Receiving from the printing apparatus simulation result information indicating whether or not to catch up with the printing apparatus, and informing the printing apparatus of the simulation result information.