JP3469388B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine,
In an image forming apparatus such as a printer, the present invention relates to processing particularly when data from a host device is in a time-out state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus that receives data from a host device and prints the data, the speed of print processing by an image forming device such as a printer is so slow that it cannot be compared with the data transmission speed from the host device. After sending a predetermined amount of data to the printer, the host device often executes other tasks. Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 3
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 22128, when it is determined that the data from the host device has timed out, the printer forcibly ejects the paper after printing the data that has already been captured in the reception buffer. It was

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, in the case of a program list or the like that does not include a paper discharge command, when one job is completed when it is judged that a time-out condition has occurred, it is imported. Since the paper was forcibly ejected after printing certain data, there is some effect, but under the situation where it is common for the host device to perform multitask processing as in today, There has been a problem that the apparatus is also involved in other work for a long time, and the desired print output cannot be obtained even though the host device sends data following the same work. Also, if the host device side interrupts the transfer in the middle of image transfer and the new job data is transferred from the host device after a while, the new job data is interpreted as a continuation of the image data and the desired printing is performed. There was a problem that it could not be obtained. Therefore, according to the present invention, when it is determined that the data from the host device is in the time-out state, the data string obtained next is analyzed to determine whether the data is data for continuing the previous print processing job.
It is judged whether it is data for new print processing business, and there is a problem that it is printed on a different page despite sending the subsequent data, or it is processed as continuous data despite new business data. It is to solve the problem that you can't get the exact print.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus for receiving data from a host device and performing print processing. By analyzing the received data sequence after the time-out condition and the reception time-out determination unit that determines the time-out condition in which no data is received for a predetermined time or more, the data can be used for a new print processing job. If it is determined that the data is a data or the data of the continuation of the print processing business before the time-out state, and the processing data determining means determines that the data string of the new print processing business is received, The most important feature is that a print processing switching means for switching from data processing of print processing business to data processing of new print processing business is provided. That. The image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the processing data determination unit is a data in which a received data sequence from the beginning after a time-out state is predetermined. If the lines match, it is considered that the data processing of the new print processing business has been switched to, and the print processing switching means switches the data processing of the print processing business before the time-out state to the data processing of the new print processing business. The main feature is that it is a device. According to the invention of claim 3 of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the print processing switching means is newly added.
Receive instructions to switch to data processing for various print processing tasks
, The data interpretation means initializes the data interpretation state,
Further, the main feature of the image forming apparatus is that it detects the presence of residual pages for which print ejection is not performed and issues an instruction to discard the residual pages.

A fourth aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
In the image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The processing data determination means is data for a new print processing job.
The predetermined data sequence that determines that a sequence has been received is
The main feature is that it is an image forming apparatus that holds several sets.
To do.

[0006]

When the image forming apparatus configured as described in claim 1 analyzes the received data string after the time-out state by the processing data judging means, and judges that the data string of the new print processing job is received. Since the data processing of the new print processing business is switched by the print processing switching means,
It is possible to solve the problem that a different page is printed even though the subsequent data is sent, and that the desired print cannot be obtained by processing the continuous data despite the new business data. In the image forming apparatus configured as described in claim 2, the data string to be compared by the processing data determination means is a predetermined data string, and if they match, the data processing is switched to a new print processing job. It can be judged easily and instantly. In the image forming apparatus configured as described in claim 3, it is considered that a series of print processing jobs are completed for the time being.
For example, an instruction to initialize the data interpretation state can be issued.
In addition, since it is possible to detect the presence of residual pages for which print ejection is not executed and issue an instruction to discard the residual pages, it is possible to print the pages from the initial state with regard to new print processing data. It can be carried out.
In the image forming apparatus configured as described in claim 4 , the data string to be compared when receiving the next data string after the time-out state and determining whether to start a new print processing job is Since multiple sets are prepared, it is possible to grasp the switching point for entering a new print processing job without fail, and the printer side does not have any troublesome restrictions on the data transferred by the host device. It's done.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a flow of received data (solid line arrow in the figure) in the printer control unit in the normal printing process, and FIG. 2 shows that no data is received for a predetermined time or more (hereinafter referred to as “data reception”). In the text, it is a diagram showing a flow of received data (a solid arrow in the figure) after recognizing a state (a timeout) and a flow of processing information (a dotted arrow in the figure). In these figures,
Reference numeral 10 denotes a printer control means, which is a data reception means 1, a reception buffer 2, a data interpretation means 3, a data printing hand 4, a temporary buffer 5, a reception time-out determination means 6, a processed data determination means 7, and a print. It comprises a process switching means 8. In FIG. 1, the data received from the host device is first the data receiving means 1 of the printer control means 10.
And is stored in the FIFO (first-in first-out) format reception buffer 2. If the data is stored in the receiving buffer 2, the data interpreting means 3 takes out the received data in the input order, interprets the data to be printed, the data designating the setting conditions of the printer, etc. Each element such as a figure and an image is developed and a printing instruction is issued to the data printing means 4. The data printing unit 4 internally includes a page buffer for each page,
It is provided with a frame buffer and the like which is expanded into a bit map and stored as a print image, and is sent to a printer engine section (not shown) in a signal format of video data to cause the printer engine section to execute printing.

Since the data from the host device is continuously input from the above-mentioned data reception to the printing process of the printer engine section, every time the data receiving means 1 receives the data, the data receiving means 1 receives the reception time-out judging means. A data reception interrupt signal is sent to 6. The reception time-out determination means 6 determines whether or not the interval time between the data reception interrupt signals has exceeded a predetermined time.
Judge each time an interrupt occurs. In the case of normal printing processing, since the interval time of the data reception interrupt signal is within a predetermined fixed time, the temporary buffer 5, the processing data judging means 7, the printing processing switching means 8 and the like are instructed to operate. There is no communication. On the other hand, when the time interval of the data reception interrupt signal is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the reception time-out determination unit 6 causes the data reception interrupt signal interval time to be equal to or longer than the predetermined time, as shown in FIG. Recognizing that the time has elapsed, a signal indicating that a time-out has occurred is sent to the processing data judging means 7, and the reception time-out judging means 6 until the processing data judging means 7 gives a notification of the end of judgment.
Temporarily suspends the timeout determination operation that is performed each time an interrupt occurs.

Further, the processed data judging means 7 which has received the time-out occurrence signal instructs the data receiving means 1 to change the destination of the received data of the data receiving means 1 from the receiving buffer 2 to the temporary buffer 5. That is, the temporary buffer 5 collects data from the first data after the time-out state until the number of digits of data for comparing the match is reached,
After that, the data held in the temporary buffer 5 is compared with the data string stored in advance in the processed data judging means 7 to check the coincidence. Here, the data string stored in advance in the processed data determination unit 7 is a data string transmitted at the start of a new print processing job. Therefore, as a result of the determination, when the data string held in the temporary buffer 5 and the data string previously stored in the processed data judging means 7 match,
The processing data judging means 7 judges that a data string of a new print processing job has been received, and issues a data processing switching instruction signal to the printing processing switching means 8. Upon receiving the switching instruction signal, the print processing switching means 8 initializes the data interpretation state to the data interpretation means 3, and issues a discarding instruction for the remaining pages or print waiting pages. At the same time, the print processing switching means 8 sends a notification of the completion of the switching instruction to the new print processing business to the processing data determining means 7, and the processing data determining means 7 receives the notification and saves the data in the temporary buffer 5 to it. Writing from the input point of the reception buffer 2, returning the storage location of the reception data of the data receiving means 1 to the input point of the reception buffer 2, and further instructing the reception timeout determination means 6 to restart the determination of the timeout of the data reception interrupt signal,
Prepare to start data processing for a new print processing operation promptly.

On the other hand, when the data string held in the temporary buffer 5 and the data string held in advance in the processed data judging means 7 do not match, the processed data judging means 7 times out the data after the time-out state. It is determined that the data is the continuation data of the print processing work before the state, the data in the temporary buffer 5 is returned to the reception buffer 2 without operating the print processing switching means 8, and the storage destination of the reception data of the data receiving means 1 is changed. Return to the input point of receive buffer 2,
For example, the reception timeout determination unit 6 is instructed to start the determination of the timeout of the data reception interrupt signal, and the normal printing process is resumed. In the above description, when the reception time-out determination means 6 recognizes that the time-out state has occurred, the destination of the reception data of the data reception means 1 is
The receiving buffer 2 is changed to the temporary buffer 5, but the destination of the received data of the data receiving means 1 is kept in the receiving buffer 2 until the number of digits of the data to be compared is compared from the first data after the timeout. Data is copied from the receiving buffer 2 to the temporary buffer 5, and the processed data judging means 7 checks whether the data string matches a predetermined data string, and causes the data interpreting means 3 to prohibit the data interpreting operation. It is also possible to Further, a plurality of sets of data strings are held as the head start data string of the new print processing job held in the processing data judging means 7,
Needless to say, if the held data string is compared with the data held in the temporary buffer 5, the ability to detect a new print processing task is further enhanced.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the main operation after the time-out state in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. The data after the reception time-out determining unit 6 determines that the time-out has occurred is received by the data receiving unit 1 byte by byte (step S1) and stored in the temporary buffer 5 (S2). The processing data determination means 7 determines whether or not the data length that can be checked for a match with a predetermined data string has been reached (S3), and if the data length that can be checked for a match has not been reached (S3, No). Then, the process returns to step S1 and steps S1 to S3 are repeated. When the data length is such that the match can be checked in step S3 (S3, Yes), the process proceeds to step S4, and the processed data determination means 7 compares it with a predetermined data string (S4). Therefore, if the data sequence matches the predetermined data sequence (S5, Yes), the process data determination unit 7 determines that the new data sequence of the print processing job has been received, and the print process switching unit 8 determines that the data process has been completed. The switching operation is performed, the received data after the time-out state is treated as data for a new print processing job (S6), and the process proceeds to step S7. If the data does not match the predetermined data string (S5, No), the processing data determination unit 7 determines that the data after the time-out state is also the continuous data of the print processing work before the time-out state, and the step Proceed to S7. In step S7, the data held in the temporary buffer 5 is returned to the reception buffer 2 (S7), the storage destination of the reception data of the data reception means 1 is returned to the input point of the reception buffer 2 (S8), and the reception timeout determination means 6 is operated. The time-out determination of the data reception interrupt signal is restarted (S9), the state of the normal print processing is returned to, and this flow ends.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the main operation for explaining another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. That is, in addition to the operation flow shown in FIG.
6 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a print processing switching unit 8 and a data interpretation unit 3. FIG. After the processing data determination unit 7 determines that the data string of the new print processing work is received, the data interpretation unit 3 receives an instruction from the print processing switching unit 8 to perform a new print processing work. Means 3
When the data of a new print processing job is received in a state where the interpretation status of the command of the previous print processing job is set, there is a possibility that the command or the like may be interpreted incorrectly. For example, even if it is determined that the data from the host device is interrupted in the interpretation state in which the data of the previous print processing job is received in the binary state, and the data after that is for the new print processing job, the data interpreting means 3 As long as the data is received in the binary state, the data of the new print processing job will be erroneously interpreted. Therefore, when the data interpreting means 3 is instructed to perform a new print processing task, the data interpreting means 3 first resets the interpretation state of data such as a command to the initial state (S11). After that, it is checked whether or not there are remaining pages or pages waiting to be printed (S12). If there are no remaining pages or pages waiting to be printed (No in S12), this flow is ended, and the remaining pages or printing is performed. If there are any waiting pages (S12, Yes), the remaining pages and the pages waiting to be printed are discarded (S13), and this flow ends. By doing so, it is possible to perform print processing of a new print processing job from the new first page.

[0013]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the received data string after the time-out state is analyzed by the processing data determination means, and the new data string of the print processing job is received. When judged, the print processing switching means switches to the data processing of the new print processing business, so that even if the subsequent data is sent, it may be printed on a different page or the data of the new business may be printed. Following comprising an image forming apparatus which overcomes treated the problem of say not obtained a print as desired as data to be able to provide regardless. According to the invention described in claim 2, as a result of the comparison with the predetermined data string, it is judged whether or not the printing job has been switched to a new print processing task, so that it is easy and instantaneous. so it can be determined, the processing efficiency is improved. Claim 3
According to the described invention, a series of print processing operations are completed for the time being.
If completed, it will issue an instruction to initialize the data interpretation state.
I received the data of the new print processing business.
Will not make a mistake in the interpretation state. In addition, since it is interpreted from the received data whether or not there is a residual page due to incomplete processing of the print processing job, there are few mistakes, and the incomplete data is discarded. waste is eliminated of paper and print processing time. Claim
According to the invention described in claim 4 , since a plurality of sets of data strings for determining that a new print processing job is to be entered are prepared, it is possible to accurately grasp the switching point at which the new print processing job is entered, and the transfer of the host device is performed. Only the printer side needs to deal with it without any troublesome restrictions on the data to be stored.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow of received data in a normal print process in a control unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow of received data and processing information after a time-out in the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main operation of the image forming apparatus showing the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the main operation of the inventions of claims 3 and 4 in the image forming apparatus showing the embodiment of the invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Data receiving means 2 Receive buffer 3 ... Data interpretation means 4 ... Data printing means 5 ... Temporary buffer 6 ... Reception timeout determination means 7 ... Processing data determination means 8 ... Printing process switching means

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for receiving data from a host device and performing print processing, a reception time-out determining means for determining a time-out state in which no data is received for a predetermined time or more, and a time-out state. Processing data determining means for determining whether the data is data of a new print processing job or data of continuation of the print processing job before the time-out state by analyzing the received data string afterwards, and the processing data. When the determining means determines that the data sequence of the new print processing job is received, the print processing switching means is provided for switching from the data processing of the previous print processing job to the data processing of the new print processing job. Image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
If the received data sequence from the beginning after the time-out state matches a predetermined data sequence, the processing data determination means considers that the data processing of a new print processing operation has been performed, and the print processing switching means An image forming apparatus, wherein data processing of a print processing job before a time-out state is switched to data processing of a new print processing job. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
New print processing data from the print processing switching means
Initialization of data interpretation state in response to the instruction to switch to processing
Performs reduction, it detects the presence of residual pages that do not perform printing paper discharge, further Bei data interpretation unit which performs discarding of residual pages
Image forming apparatus characterized by obtaining. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The processing data determination means is data for a new print processing job.
The predetermined data sequence that determines that a sequence has been received is
An image forming apparatus characterized in that several sets are held.