JP3679491B2 - Printing apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a print medium and a control method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, a printing apparatus that prints an image on a print medium grasps the current error and other settings using various sensors and physical positional relationships. Among these sensors, the current state information is updated by looking at the state of the sensor at a certain timing. In general, this timing is determined by a certain time interval or occurrence of an operation.
[0003]
For example, a conventional printing apparatus has paper presence / absence, paper jam, paper width, head setting (color, monochrome, etc.), head position adjustment (plain paper, thick paper), ink remaining amount, abnormal head temperature rise, carriage Information such as errors is obtained by sensors. For these items, the sensor is checked at regular time intervals or when an operation occurs, and the current state is checked.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For this reason, if the host refers to the printer settings and status information at a certain point in time, and if the interval for updating the printer settings and status information is long, the settings and status information much earlier than when the status was referenced are displayed. The printer sometimes responded. Conversely, if the interval between the setting and the state information update is very short, other processing may be affected, and the original performance of the printing apparatus may be degraded.
[0005]
FIG. 10 is a timing diagram of a conventional method in which each sensor is checked at a certain time interval and the current state is updated.
[0006]
The update of the state information is performed at a constant update timing using a timer with a certain period. The time required for updating the state information at this time is time 101 in FIG. A time 102 other than the time 101 is a time that the printer can use for other operations (for example, printing). When some state change occurs at the timing 103, the information is updated at the next update timing 104. When an attempt is made to acquire the status of the printing apparatus from the host device at timing 106 during the time 105 from when the status change occurs until the status information is updated, the status change that occurred at timing 103 is included in the status information. It is not included, and the current actual state does not match the state information.
[0007]
As described above, a situation has occurred in which the status information read from the host device does not match the actual status of the printing device.
[0008]
FIG. 11 is a timing chart of the update when the time interval for updating the state information is shortened compared to FIG. A time 202 other than the time 201 required for the update is a time that can be used for other operations. When a state change occurs at the timing 203, the state information is updated to include the change at the next update timing 204. At this time, the time from the change of state to the update is time 205. Compared to FIG. 10, the time lag from when the change occurs until it is updated is shortened and improved. However, since information is frequently updated, the time 202 that can be used for other operations is reduced, and performance is degraded. If the status information is acquired at a timing 206 between the time 205 after the status change occurs and the status information is updated, the result is the same as in the case of FIG.
[0009]
FIG. 12 is a timing chart when updating is performed when an operation occurs.
[0010]
When an operation such as printing or head replacement occurs at timing 301, the status information is updated at timing 302 using this as a trigger. When the state change occurs at the timing 303, the state is reflected in the state information updated at the next update timing 302. The update time at that time is time 304. The time 305 other than the update time is a time that can be used for other operations. At this time, when the state information is acquired at the timing 306, the current state is reflected in the acquired state information. However, when the state information is acquired at the timing 307 during the time 308 from when the state change occurs until it is reflected in the state information, the current state does not match the state information.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus capable of acquiring the latest status information and a control method thereof without reducing processing efficiency.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention improves the above problems and has the following configuration. That is, the printing apparatus which is connected to the interface to change the mode by negotiation phase, when a signal negotiation phase is input from the host, and returns the update means to update the status information, the status information to the host And a reply means .
[0013]
Further, the control method of the present invention comprises the following arrangement. In other words, the host A control method in a printing apparatus connected to the interface to change the mode by negotiation phase, when a signal negotiation phase is input from the host, and updating step of updating the status information, the status information A reply step for replying to
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a timing chart when the status information of the printing apparatus is updated by a command or signal line from the host. The status information includes not only the error status of the printing apparatus, but also setting values that are directly input to the printing apparatus.
[0015]
When a status information update request by a command or signal line from the host is generated as a trigger 401, the printing apparatus updates the status information at timing 402. The time required for the update at this time is time 403. The time 404 other than the update time can be used for other operations. When a change occurs in the state of the printing apparatus at the timing 405, the change is reflected in the state information at a state information update timing 402 by a trigger from the host. At this time, the time from when the state changes to when the state is updated is time 406.
[0016]
In this case, since the printing apparatus updates the status information using the status information update request 401 from the host as a trigger, the host can acquire the status information at timing 407 after waiting for the completion of the update of the status information. . When the host acquires the status information of the printing apparatus in this procedure, the host can obtain the status information reflecting the current status of the printing apparatus. In addition, since the printer updates the status information when a request for status information is received from the host, there is no need to periodically update the status information, and it is possible to concentrate on other work and not reduce performance. .
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system when a request for status information from the host is based on a command.
[0018]
A command 506 is transmitted from the host 501 instructing printing to the printing apparatus 502. The printing apparatus 502 includes a reception buffer 503 for stocking commands, a command analysis unit 504, and a printing unit 505.
[0019]
In response to a status information update request command 506 from the host 501, the printing apparatus 502 updates the information. When there is only one transmission path from the host 501, it is processed after being taken into the reception buffer in the same manner as other commands used in printing or the like.
[0020]
That is, a specific command transmitted from the host 501 to the printing apparatus 502 becomes the trigger 401 in FIG. 1, and the printing apparatus 502 updates the status information 507 and then returns the status information to the host 501.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a printing system using a printing apparatus equipped with two channels of communication paths with the host 601. A command 606 is transmitted from the host 601 that instructs printing to the printing apparatus 602. The printing apparatus 602 includes a reception buffer 603 for receiving commands, a command analysis unit 604, a printing unit 605, a switching determination 607, and a second command analysis unit 608.
[0022]
In response to a command 606 from the host 601, the printing apparatus 602 updates the status information. In this case, for example, even when printing is being performed, the printing apparatus 602 determines whether the received command is a command to be buffered in the reception buffer 603 or a command that is not buffered, such as a status information update request or a status information acquisition request. A switching unit 607 switches the path. If the command does not perform buffering, the second analysis unit analyzes the command, reads the status of the printing unit 605, and updates the status information 609.
[0023]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the printing apparatus at this time. When the status information update command is received (step S601), the status is read from the printing unit and the status information is updated (step S602).
[0024]
FIG. 4 is an extension of the IEEE 1284 specification Extensibility link. As a result, even when the printing apparatus 602 is printing, a transmission path for the command 606 is secured and an instruction can be issued to the printing apparatus immediately. After sending the status information update command, the host acquires confirmation information that the status information has been updated in the IEEE1284 Nibble mode, confirms that the status information has been updated, and updates the current status information in the same Nibble mode. get.
[0025]
Similarly, command transmission by channel designation in the ECP mode of IEEE1284 can be performed in the same manner. In this case, another path is secured by channel designation in the ECP mode and a command is transmitted. Also in this case, even when a command is transmitted, this is used as a trigger to check information update, and status information is acquired in the same ECP mode.
[0026]
In FIG. 4, a status information request command is sent from the host to the printing apparatus at event numbers 51 to 53 (“Command” in the Data (8..1) signal), which is analyzed by the second analysis unit 608. The status information 609 is updated. The host acquires the updated state after this.
[0027]
With the above configuration, since the status information can be updated by a request from the host immediately before the status information is acquired, it is not necessary to periodically update the status information on the printing apparatus side, and the efficiency of the printing process is improved. be able to. In addition, by updating the status information immediately before updating the status information, the host can grasp the latest status.
<Second Embodiment>
In the second embodiment, the information update instruction from the host is not a change instruction by a command but an update method by a signal line trigger. The state information update trigger from the host, the update timing, and the like are as shown in FIG. 1, and the configuration of the apparatus is also as shown in FIG. However, the trigger is not a command but an interface signal itself.
[0028]
FIG. 5 shows a method in which a signal line interrupt is used as a trigger for updating state information. When a Negotiation Phase signal is transmitted from the host (events 1 to 6), the printing apparatus updates state information using the Negotiation Phase signal as a trigger 401 in FIG. In this case, since it takes time to update the data, in the Nibble mode, the host is set to the Data Not Availabel (DNA) state to perform the update by waiting for the host (period 802), and the status to the host by the interrupt 803 from the printing apparatus Reply to information.
[0029]
Note that the negotiation phase is a phase for changing the mode.Being in this phase has a high probability of shifting to a mode that returns the status information, so the status information is updated at this timing. Negotiation does not necessarily return status information to the host computer.
[0030]
FIG. 7 shows the processing procedure of the printing apparatus in this case. When the negotiation phase signal is input from the host, the state information is updated (step S71), and it is tested whether it is a status request command (step S72). It transmits to the computer (step S73).
[0031]
In the ECP mode, the same method is used, and the printing apparatus updates information in the Negotiation Phase, waits for the host, then instructs the host to return information by Peripheral Request, and returns the information.
[0032]
In this way, the latest status information can be acquired and the printing apparatus is not made to perform useless processing. In addition, even a host that does not support a command for updating status information can enjoy the above effect by using the printing apparatus of this embodiment.
[0033]
In addition to the above-described updating of the status information by the trigger from the host, the status information may be periodically updated by the printing apparatus. In this way, it is possible to cope with a host that does not issue a status information update request.
<Structure of printing section>
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a laser beam printer (hereinafter abbreviated as LBP) that can be used as the printing unit 505 or 605. This LBP can input character pattern data or the like and print it on recording paper. .
[0034]
In the figure, reference numeral 740 denotes an LBP main body, which forms an image on a recording paper as a recording medium based on a supplied character pattern and the like. Reference numeral 700 denotes an operation panel on which an operation switch and an LED display are arranged. Reference numeral 701 denotes a printer control unit for controlling the entire LBP 740 and analyzing character pattern information. This printer control unit 701 mainly converts character pattern information into a video signal and outputs it to the laser driver 702.
[0035]
The laser driver 702 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 703, and switches on / off the laser beam 704 emitted from the semiconductor laser 703 in accordance with the input video signal. The laser beam 704 is swung left and right by the rotary polygon mirror 705 to scan the electrostatic drum 706. As a result, 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, taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 709 and transport rollers 710 and 711, and supplied to the electrostatic drum 706. Is done.
[0036]
Although the laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to an ink jet printer described below.
[0037]
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an ink jet recording apparatus IJRA that can be applied as the printing unit 505 or 695. In the drawing, the carriage HC engaged 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). And 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 that presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote photo-couplers, which are home position detection means for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this region and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013 or the like. 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 suction means that sucks 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, and reference numeral 5019 denotes a member that enables the blade to move in the front-rear direction, and these are supported by a main body support plate 5018. Needless to say, the blade is not in this form, and a known cleaning blade can be applied to this example. Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery, which moves in accordance with the movement of the cam 5020 engaged with the carriage, and the driving force from the driving motor is controlled by a known transmission means such as clutch switching. Is done.
[0038]
These capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired processing can be performed at their corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage comes to the home position side region. Any of these can be applied to this example as long as the above operation is performed.
[0039]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), or a device (for example, a copier, a facsimile device, etc.) including a single device. You may apply to.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the printing apparatus and the control method thereof according to the present invention acquire the latest status information without degrading the performance of the printing apparatus by updating the status information when an instruction is issued from the host. It is possible to provide a printing apparatus and a control method for the printing apparatus.
[0041]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a timing chart in the case of updating with a command or signal line from a host.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an update method using a command.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an update method by a command based on a model equipped with two channels.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a signal line for switching by a model equipped with two channels.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method of using a signal line interrupt as a print update trigger.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing in which the printing apparatus updates state information using a command as a trigger.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of processing in which the printing apparatus updates state information using a predetermined signal as a trigger.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a laser beam printer.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the structure of an ink jet printer.
FIG. 10 is a timing diagram for updating the current state at regular time intervals.
FIG. 11 is a timing chart in which the update time interval is shortened compared to FIG.
FIG. 12 is a timing chart when updating is performed when an operation occurs.

Claims (8)

A printing device connected to an interface for changing a mode by a negotiation phase ,
If the signal of the negotiation phase is input from the host, and updating means for updating the state information,
A printing apparatus, comprising: reply means for returning the status information to the host . 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, in the nibble mode, the reply unit causes the host to wait and returns status information to the host by an interrupt from the printing apparatus. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, in the ECP mode, the reply unit causes the host to wait and returns status information to the host through a Peripheral Request . The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the update unit also updates the state information periodically . A control method in a printing apparatus connected to an interface whose mode is changed by a negotiation phase ,
If the signal of the negotiation phase is input from the host, and updating step of updating the state information,
Features and to that control method that has a return step for returning the status information to the host. 6. The control method according to claim 5, wherein, in the nibble mode, the reply step causes the host to wait and returns status information to the host by an interrupt from the printing apparatus. 6. The control method according to claim 5, wherein, in the ECP mode, the return step causes the host to wait and returns status information to the host by Peripheral Request. The control method according to claim 5, wherein the update unit also updates the state information periodically.

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