JP3581432B2 - Printing apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a plurality of emulation programs and performing output using an emulation program suitable for input data, and a control method therefor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus having a plurality of emulation programs, there is the following method for switching emulation programs.
[0003]
1. An emulation identification command is input prior to print data, and the emulation program is switched accordingly.
[0004]
2. A predetermined amount of the received print data is compared with a command code of each emulation program, the frequency of use is calculated, and the emulation program is switched according to the value.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the first method of the prior art, we do not have to know in advance whether to use the advance which emulation program, in the second method it takes much time to determine the emulation program.
[0006]
In the second method, a command interpreted by each emulation program included in the received data is analyzed. However, a command analysis table in which commands used for the analysis are registered is stored in a control program for controlling the printing apparatus. Thus, there is a disadvantage that the automatic emulation switching function is performed only for emulation programs for which support is determined in advance, and cannot be used for newly supported emulation programs.
[0007]
Also, depending on the emulation, there may be a plurality of commands having the same meaning, and registering them individually in the command table or searching for them individually takes a lot of time to determine the emulation program. There was a disadvantage.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example, and can determine an emulation program from input print data in a short time. Further, a new emulation program can be added or a command can be added to an existing emulation program. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of coping with addition and the like and a control method thereof.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A printing apparatus having a plurality of emulation programs, a registration unit for registering a plurality of commands including a characteristic command of each of the emulation programs as a table corresponding to each of the emulation programs, and input print data, The registration unit compares the characteristic command registered by the registration unit with at least one set of the command included in the print data and the characteristic command registered by the registration unit. A first determination unit that determines that the emulation program matches the emulation program corresponding to the characteristic command, and a command included in the print data when the emulation program that matches the first determination unit is not determined. Included in the matching table A second determination unit that determines that the emulation program corresponding to the command is a suitable emulation program, and a print control unit that executes and executes the emulation program determined by the first determination unit or the second determination unit. Wherein the table includes a command replacement table for replacing the command with a command having the same meaning when there are a plurality of commands having the same meaning. A method is disclosed.
[0010]
The printing apparatus further includes a plurality of emulation programs for analyzing the input print data and performing printing. The printing apparatus includes a replacement unit that replaces a plurality of different commands, and a plurality of predetermined units including a specific command using a command table. Replacement means for replacing a plurality of different commands including a specific command in the input print data by the command of the above, and comparison means for comparing predetermined different commands replaced by the replacement means using a command in a command table And an execution unit that executes one program from a plurality of emulation programs corresponding to the command in the command table according to a comparison result of the comparison unit, wherein the table includes commands having the same meaning. When the number was present, a method of controlling a printing apparatus which is characterized, and the printing apparatus that comprising a command replacement table to replace the command with the same meaning the command is disclosed.
[0011]
[Action]
With the above configuration, the print data is compared with the feature information corresponding to the emulation program, and the emulation program is determined.
[0012]
【Example】
(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, a printing apparatus main body 1 receives print data from a host computer 2 serving as a data supply source. The CPU 3 controls everything inside the printing apparatus main body 1. The input interface 4 inputs print data sent from the host computer 2. The program ROM 5 stores control programs shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. The font ROM 6 is a ROM that stores a scalable font (characters represented by stroke information instead of dot signals and stored) corresponding to character codes in input print data. The built-in RAM 7 serves as a memory medium for the CPU 3, and stores a reception buffer for temporarily storing print data (for example, a page description language including character codes and control codes) input via the input interface 4 and bit image data generated by the CPU 3. It is assigned to the bitmap memory or work area to be stored. This work area stores a plurality of emulation programs and tables. The output unit 8 is a printer engine that performs printing.
[0014]
<Structure of command analysis table>
FIG. 2 shows the structure of a command analysis table prepared for each emulation program. The table is stored in the work area of the RAM 7.
[0015]
(A) is a diagram for explaining the configuration, where "table identification flag" is a flag for identifying whether or not this command analysis table 9 is valid, and "table size" is a command analysis from the top of the command analysis table. The table size, “table information” is a flag including command information such as whether the command in the subsequent command table is a control code type or a character string code type, and the “relative pointer to the priority command table” is a table up to the priority command table 13. The relative pointer from the identification flag, the "relative pointer to the command table" is the relative pointer from the table identification flag up to the command table 10, and the "priority command table" indicates the command if any command exists in the print data. Emulation program Una command table that registered the priority command, "Command table" 10 shows a table that have registered the emulation program own command.
[0016]
Further, since the location is indicated by the relative pointer, the priority command table and the command table need not be continuous with the command analysis table body.
[0017]
FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the command table 10 and the priority command table 13. The “command format” is a flag that indicates information such as how many bytes the head code of the registered command is composed of, the control code is composed, or whether the command is a character string only command. Up to the "command format" field is an entry for one command. The “head code” registers the head of a command unique to the emulation program. “Size” is the size of the command in the table, and is the size from the “command format” field to the next “command format” field. The “number of terminators” indicates the number of terminators following the head code of the command, and the “terminator” indicates a code string following the head code of the command.
[0018]
<Emulation program switching process>
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the emulation information section 11 necessary for reading the emulation program. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the emulation information section when the command analysis table is provided. The "emulation identification flag" is a flag that identifies whether the emulation program is valid when reading the emulation, the "emulation size" is the size from the base address to the end address of the emulation program, and the "relative pointer to the command analysis table" is the command from the base address to the command. Indicates the relative address up to the analysis table. According to the information in the emulation information section 11, the command analysis table 9 is referred to to determine an emulation program, and the CPU 3 executes the program body 12 in accordance with the determined emulation program.
[0019]
As described above, the command analysis table is provided for each emulation program, and the emulation information and the command analysis information are supplied to the work area of the RAM 7 in the printing apparatus 1 together with the emulation program for realizing the emulation. Automatic emulation switching can be performed for an emulation program.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of automatic emulation switching. Hereinafter, description will be made according to this flowchart. The control program shown in this flowchart is stored in the program ROM 5 and executed by the CPU 3.
[0021]
First, in step S1, it is checked whether or not print data exists in the reception buffer in the RAM 7. While there is no received data, a print data wait state is set. When the print data is accumulated in the reception buffer, a certain amount of print data is obtained from the reception buffer in the RAM 7 in step S2.
[0022]
Next, in step S3, a command analysis process is performed to determine an emulation program suitable for the received print data. The command analysis process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. For example, the emulation program A conforming to the received page description language A is determined.
[0023]
Next, the determination result is referred to in step S4. If the determination is successful, the operation mode of the emulation program is acquired in step S5, and the emulation program is executed in step S6 to perform the printing process.
[0024]
If it cannot be determined, a printing process is performed by executing a predetermined emulation program in step S7.
[0025]
After the printing process is completed, the process shifts to the command analysis process preparation state in step S8, and then the print data in the reception buffer in the RAM 7 is waited for, and the process is repeated from step S1.
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart specifically illustrating the command analysis processing procedure in step S3 in FIG. Hereinafter, description will be made according to this flowchart. The control program shown in this flowchart is stored in the program ROM 5 and executed by the CPU 3.
[0027]
First, in step S9, one command analysis table of the emulation program currently operable in the printing apparatus 1 is acquired from the work area in the RAM 7. Next, in step S10, the received data (obtained in step S2) acquired from the reception buffer by a certain amount is compared with the command in the priority command table 13 of the command analysis table. In step S11, it is determined whether or not a command that matches the priority command table 13 exists in the received data. If at least one command exists, the comparison process ends at that point. The ID of the emulation program is acquired from the emulation identification flag, and the process returns as determined.
[0028]
If no matching command exists in the priority command table 13, it is determined in step S13 whether there is a command analysis table of another emulation program. If so, the command analysis table is acquired in step S14. Then, the received data acquired again and the command in the priority command table 13 are compared as described above. If there is no other command analysis table, the command is compared with the command in the command table 10 at step S15.
[0029]
Next, in step S16, it is acquired whether some commands match, and in step S17, it is determined whether there is a command analysis table of another emulation program. If another command analysis table exists, the next command analysis table is acquired in step S18, and the acquired data is compared with the command in the command table 10 as described above. If there is no other command analysis table, the emulation program ID of the table that matches the most commands in the compared command tables 10 is acquired in step S19, and the process returns.
[0030]
In this case, if the number of matching commands is the same or if none of them match, a predetermined emulation program ID is returned.
[0031]
In this way, by associating the command analysis table for determining the emulation program with the emulation program for realizing the emulation for each emulation program, for example, when adding a new emulation program, the emulation By adding the command analysis table together with the program to the RAM 7 of the printing apparatus, the emulation program can be automatically determined from the print data without changing the control program.
[0032]
Also, for each emulation program, by registering a unique command code as a priority command in the priority command table 13, the emulation program can be determined quickly.
[0033]
Further, since the priority command table 13 and the command table 10 have an expandable configuration, when a characteristic command code is added to a certain emulation program, the command can be additionally registered in the table. Emulation determination can be performed more quickly, and the success rate of the determination can be improved. In addition, each emulation program and each table described above may be stored in the flash memory.
[0034]
In addition, various printing mechanisms can be employed for the output unit 8 of the printing apparatus 1. As an example, a laser beam type mechanism and an ink jet type mechanism will be described.
[0035]
<Configuration of LBP>
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of a laser beam printer (hereinafter abbreviated as LBP). This LBP is input, for example, a page description language consisting of character codes and control codes, analyzed, and printed on a recording paper. Can be.
[0036]
In the figure, reference numeral 740 denotes an LBP main body, which forms an image on recording paper as a recording medium based on a supplied page description language or the like. Reference numeral 700 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation and an LED display are arranged. Reference numeral 701 denotes a printer control unit that controls the entire LBP 740 and analyzes a page description language and the like. The printer control unit 701 mainly converts pattern information into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 702.
[0037]
The laser driver 702 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 703, and switches on / 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. Thus, an electrostatic latent image of 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 paper cassette 708 mounted on the LBP 740, is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 709 and transport rollers 710 and 711, and is transferred to an electrostatic drum 706. Supplied.
[0038]
<Configuration of inkjet>
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the inkjet recording apparatus IJRA. In the figure, the carriage HC that engages with the spiral groove 5004 of the lead screw 5005 that rotates via the driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 in conjunction with the forward and reverse rotation of the drive motor 5013 has a pin (not shown). Then, it is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b. An ink jet cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the lever 5006 of the carriage in this area and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013. Reference numeral 5016 denotes a member that supports a cap member 5022 that caps the front surface of the recording head. Reference numeral 5015 denotes a suction unit that suctions the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through an opening 5023 in the cap. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade. Reference numeral 5019 denotes a member that allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction. These members are supported by a main body support plate 5018. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form and a known cleaning blade can be applied to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever for starting suction for recovery of suction, which moves in accordance with the movement of the cam 5020 engaging with the carriage, and the driving force from the driving motor is controlled by a known transmission means such as clutch switching. Is done.
[0039]
These capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired operations can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage comes to the area on the home position side. If this operation is performed, any of the present embodiments can be applied.
[0040]
(Second embodiment)
Although the priority command table 13 is used in the first embodiment, the emulation program can be determined without the priority command table 13. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the command analysis table according to the second embodiment.
[0041]
In the figure, a “table identification flag” is a flag for identifying whether the command analysis table 9 is valid, a “table size” is a command analysis table size from the beginning of the command analysis table, and a “table information” follows. A flag having command information such as whether a command in a command table is a control code type or a character string code type, a “relative pointer to a command table” is a relative pointer from a table identification flag up to the command table 10, and a “command table” 10 Indicates a table in which commands unique to the emulation are registered.
[0042]
Since the location is indicated by the relative pointer, the command table does not need to be continuous with the command analysis table body.
[0043]
The processing for printing using the table of FIG. 8 is as shown in FIG. 4, but the command analysis processing is slightly different. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the command analysis processing procedure of step S3 in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, description will be made according to this flowchart. The control program shown in this flowchart is stored in the program ROM 5 and executed by the CPU 3.
[0044]
First, in step S91, one command analysis table of an emulation program currently operable in the printing apparatus 1 is acquired from the work area of the RAM 7. Next, in step S92, the print data (obtained in step S2) acquired from the reception buffer by a certain amount is compared with the command in the command table 10 of the command analysis table.
[0045]
Next, in step S93, it is determined whether or not there is a matching command in the command table 10. If there is at least one, the comparison process is terminated at that time. In step S94, the emulation program of the matching table is determined. Is obtained from the emulation identification flag, and the process returns.
[0046]
If no matching command exists in the command table 10, it is determined in step S95 whether there is a command analysis table of another emulation program. If so, the command analysis table is stored in the RAM 7 in step S96. The data obtained from the area and obtained again are compared with the commands in the command table 10. If there is no other command analysis table, the process returns as determination is impossible.
[0047]
By performing such processing, a determination result can be obtained quickly.
[0048]
Further, since both the command table and the control program can be made smaller than those in the first embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a printing apparatus having a small memory capacity.
[0049]
Further, when a plurality of emulation programs to be supported include mutually characteristic command codes, by registering them in the command table 10, not only the processing speed is increased but also the judgment rate can be improved.
[0050]
(Third embodiment)
The command analysis table in the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 2, and the command analysis table in the second embodiment is shown in FIG. 8, but the command analysis table in the third embodiment is shown in FIG.
[0051]
<Structure of command analysis table>
FIG. 10 shows the structure of a command analysis table prepared for each emulation program in the third embodiment. This table is stored in the work area of the RAM 7.
[0052]
(A) is a diagram for explaining the configuration, where "table identification flag" is a flag for identifying whether the command analysis table 9 is valid, and "table size" is the size of the command analysis table from the beginning of the command analysis table. , “Table information” is a flag including command information such as whether a command in the subsequent command table is a control code type or a character string code type, and “relative pointer to the priority command table” is a table identification flag up to the priority command table 13 A relative pointer to the command table is a relative pointer from the table identification flag up to the command table 10, and a "relative pointer to the command replacement table" is a relative pointer from the table identification flag to the command replacement table 14. , "Priority command text "Bull" is a command table in which priority commands are registered so that if any command exists in the print data, the emulation program contains the command. "Command table" registers commands unique to the emulation program. The table “command replacement table” indicates a table for replacing a plurality of commands having the same meaning with a command having the same meaning.
[0053]
Further, since the location is indicated by the relative pointer, the priority command table, the command table, and the command replacement table need not be continuous with the command analysis table body.
[0054]
FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the command table 10 and the priority command table 13. The “command format” is a flag that indicates how many bytes the head code of the registered command consists of, the control code, or whether it is a command consisting only of character strings. The field before the "" field is an entry of one command. The “head code” registers the head of the command unique to the emulation. "Size" is the size of the command in the table, and is the size from the "command format" field to the next "command format" field. The “number of terminators” indicates the number of terminators following the head code of the command, and the “terminator” indicates a code string following the head code of the command.
[0055]
FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the command replacement table 14. “Size” is the size of a replacement set. The “number of commands before replacement” describes the number of commands to be replaced, and the “command string before replacement” describes a command string to be replaced. The “number of commands after replacement” is the number of commands after replacement, and the “command sequence after replacement” describes the command sequence after replacement.
[0056]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a command analysis processing procedure according to the third embodiment. Hereinafter, description will be made according to this flowchart. The control program shown in this flowchart is stored in the program ROM 5 and executed by the CPU 3.
[0057]
First, in step S30, one command analysis table of the emulation program currently operable in the printing apparatus 1 is acquired from the work area of the RAM 7.
[0058]
At this time, in a step S31, it is determined whether or not the command replacement table 14 exists in the command analysis table. If no command replacement is required, NULL is described at the relative point to the command replacement table 14.
[0059]
If the command replacement table 14 exists, the data is replaced according to the replacement table 14 in step S32. If not, the replacement process is not performed.
[0060]
Next, in step S33, the received data acquired in a certain amount is compared with the command in the priority command table 13 of the command analysis table. In step S34, it is determined whether or not there is a matching command in the priority command table 13. If there is at least one matching command, the comparison process is terminated at that time, and emulation of the matching table is performed in step S35. The program ID is acquired, and the process returns as determination OK.
[0061]
If no matching command exists in the priority command table 13, it is determined in step S36 whether there is a command analysis table of another emulation program, and if so, the command analysis table is acquired in step S37. The acquired data is compared with the command in the priority command table 13 again. If there is no other command analysis table, the command is compared with the command in the command table 10 in step S38.
[0062]
Next, in step S39, the number of matched commands is acquired, and in step S40, it is determined whether there is a command analysis table of another emulation program. If another command analysis table exists, the next command analysis table is obtained in step S41, and it is determined whether or not the command replacement table 14 exists in step S42. Replace If the command replacement table 14 does not exist, the data obtained again and the command in the command table 10 are compared.
[0063]
If there is no other command analysis table, the emulation program ID of the table that matches the command most in the comparison command table 10 is acquired in step S44, and the process returns.
[0064]
At this time, if the number of matching commands is the same or if none of the commands match, a predetermined emulation program ID is returned.
[0065]
As described above, when a plurality of commands having the same meaning exist for each emulation program, the command replacement table 14 is added, and the command replacement processing is performed before the command search. improves.
[0066]
The present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or an apparatus including a single 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.
In addition, by registering a unique command code as a priority command for each emulation program in the priority command table 13, the emulation program can be determined quickly.
Further, since the priority command table 13 and the command table 10 have an expandable configuration, when a characteristic command code is added to a certain emulation program, the command can be additionally registered in the table. The emulation program can be determined more quickly, and the success rate of the determination can be improved.
Further, since the command table and the control program can be made smaller than those in the first embodiment, there is an effect that the present invention can be applied to a printing apparatus having a small memory capacity.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
By performing command replacement processing using the command replacement table, search processing speed is improved,The emulation program can be discriminated in a short time from the input print data, and furthermore, a new emulation program can be added or a command can be easily added to an existing emulation program.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a command analysis table.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an emulation information section when each emulation has a command analysis table.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an automatic emulation switching processing procedure.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a command analysis processing procedure;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a structure of a laser beam printer.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the structure of an inkjet printer.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a command analysis table according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a command analysis processing procedure according to the second embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a command analysis table according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a command analysis processing procedure according to a third embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Printer main body
2 Host computer
3 CPU
4 Input interface
5 Program ROM
6 Font ROM
7 Built-in RAM
8 Output section

Claims (6)

A printing device having a plurality of emulation programs,
Registration means for registering a plurality of commands including a characteristic command of each of the emulation programs as a table corresponding to each of the emulation programs;
The input print data is compared with the characteristic command registered by the registration unit, and at least one set of the command included in the print data and the characteristic command registered by the registration unit match. A first determination unit that determines that the emulation program is compatible with the characteristic command registered by the registration unit;
If no matching emulation program is determined by the first determination unit, the emulation program corresponding to the command included in the table that most frequently matches the command included in the print data is determined to be a suitable emulation program. Second determining means for performing
A print control unit that executes the emulation program determined by the first determination unit or the second determination unit and prints out the data.
The table includes a command replacement table for replacing a command related to the input data with a command having a predetermined same meaning when a plurality of commands having the same meaning exist in the input data. printing apparatus characterized that you and. In the processing by the second determination unit, the print control unit determines a command included in the print data and a command in the table if the number of matches with the command in each emulation program is the same or does not match any of them. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selected emulation program is selected and executed. A print control method having a plurality of emulation programs, a registration step of registering a plurality of commands including a characteristic command of each of the emulation programs as a table corresponding to each of the emulation programs,
The input print data is compared with the characteristic command registered by the registration unit, and at least one set of the command included in the print data and the characteristic command registered in the registration step match. For example, a first determination step of determining that the emulation program is compatible with the characteristic command registered in the registration step,
If no suitable emulation program is determined in the first determination step, the emulation program corresponding to the command included in the table that most frequently matches the command included in the print data is determined to be a suitable emulation program. A second determination step of
A print control step of executing the emulation program determined in the first determination step or the second determination step and performing print output.
The table includes a command replacement table for replacing a command related to the input data with a command having a predetermined same meaning when a plurality of commands having the same meaning exist in the input data. be that the print control method and. In the print control step, in the second determination step, if the number of commands included in the print data and the number of commands matching the command in the table are the same in each emulation program or if none of the commands match, it is determined in advance. 4. The printing control method according to claim 3, wherein the selected emulation program is selected and executed. A printing apparatus having a plurality of emulation programs for analyzing input print data and performing printing,
A replacement means for replacing a plurality of different commands;
Replacement means for replacing a plurality of different commands including a specific command in the input print data by a plurality of predetermined commands including a specific command using a command table,
Comparing means for comparing predetermined different commands replaced by the replacing means using the commands in the command table;
Executing means for executing one program from a plurality of emulation programs corresponding to the command in the command table according to a comparison result of the comparing means;
The table includes a command replacement table for replacing a command related to the input data with a command having a predetermined same meaning when a plurality of commands having the same meaning exist in the input data. It shall be the printing device. A print control method including a plurality of emulation programs for analyzing input print data and performing printing,
A replacement process for replacing a plurality of different commands;
A replacement step of replacing a plurality of different commands including a specific command in the input print data by a plurality of predetermined commands including a specific command using a command table;
A comparing step of comparing predetermined different commands replaced by the replacing step using the commands in the command table;
An execution step of executing one program from a plurality of emulation programs corresponding to the command in the command table according to the comparison result of the comparison step,
The printing control method according to claim 1, wherein the table includes a command replacement table for replacing a command related to input data with a command having the same meaning when a plurality of commands having the same meaning exist .

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