JP4054387B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that receives and prints text data from an external apparatus such as a host computer, and more particularly to a printing apparatus that can perform optimal selection of a paper feed unit and a paper discharge unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, control of paper feeding means and paper delivery means (paper feeding unit, paper delivery unit) including options has been performed on the engine controller side of the printer.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described conventional method has some drawbacks as follows.
(1) When recovery printing several pages before is performed for jam recovery because the relationship between the data sent from the host computer and the paper feeding means and paper ejection means for printing the data is not managed The exact same means as the paper feeding and paper ejection means used before the jam occurred cannot be used. When using special paper such as colored paper or when specifying the paper ejection destination, recovery printing from the host computer I had to resend the data.
(2) If there are optional paper feed and paper discharge units, high performance is required as the CPU power of the engine controller so that they can be controlled including them.
(3) Information on the paper feed and paper discharge units to be connected, for example, information on the time required for paper feed and paper discharge for each unit is not managed, and default settings or from the upper device (external device) side Since the paper feed / discharge unit was selected according to the specification, it was not possible to control printing in the shortest printing time.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a printing apparatus that receives and prints text data from an external device such as a host computer, and includes an optional paper feed unit and paper discharge unit in addition to the paper feed unit and paper discharge unit that are installed as standard. In each printing device that can be added,
First control to control the printing section means When,
Optional unit control means for periodically obtaining status information from the paper feed unit and paper discharge unit added as an option and controlling the paper feed unit and paper discharge unit;
Obtain status information of the paper feeding unit and paper ejection unit mounted as standard from the first control means,
Further, the status information of the optional paper feed unit and paper discharge unit is acquired from the option unit control means,
Second control means for selecting a paper feed unit and a paper discharge unit to be used when printing text data based on the obtained status information;
It is characterized by having.
[0005]
【Example】
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0006]
Example 1
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 101 is text data sent from a host device (external device) such as a host computer (not shown), and 121 is an input / output buffer for receiving the data. (Notification means) 122 is a page memory for storing data in units of pages and 123 is a main control unit of the printing apparatus. (Second control means) 124 is a font ROM that stores character font patterns, and 125 is a RAM that stores a feed / discharge (feed and discharge) management table of the printing apparatus. (Management means) 126 is a bitmap memory for storing text data converted into dot data, and 127 is a FIFO (first-in-first-out memory) serving as a buffer when the dot data is sent to the printing unit 128. 129 is a read control unit that reads dot data from the FIFO 127 in synchronization with the horizontal synchronization signal 102 and the vertical synchronization signal 103 from the printing unit 128, and 130 converts the read dot data into serial data. A parallel-serial converter sent to the printing unit 128, 131 is a printing control unit that controls the printing unit 128. (First control means) 132 is an optional unit control unit that controls each paper supply / discharge (feed and discharge) unit connected to the printing apparatus as an option. (Option unit control means) 133 is an optional paper discharge unit, and 134 and 135 are paper supply units 1 and 2 connected as options.
[0007]
FIG. 2 is a diagram mainly showing a supply / discharge path in a printing apparatus constituted by the printing unit 128 and a supply / discharge unit connected to the periphery thereof. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes an upper paper feed unit built in the printing unit 128 as a standard, and 202 denotes a lower paper feed unit built in as a standard. A laser 203 is turned on / off in response to dot data sent from the parallel / serial converter 130, and a rotary polygon mirror 204 scans and irradiates the photosensitive drum 205 with laser light. , 206 is a developing device, 207 is a transfer roller, 208 is a fixing device, and 209 is a face-down paper discharge unit (hereinafter referred to as an optional connected paper discharge unit for reference). It may also be a paper unit).
[0008]
Next, the operation of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an electrical connection between the option unit controller 132 and each option unit, that is, the paper discharge unit 133, the paper feed unit 1 (134), and the paper feed unit 2 (135). As shown in FIG. 3, a paper feed unit is connected to the signal path 104 of the option unit control unit 132, and a paper discharge unit is connected to the signal path 105. The two paper feed units are connected in cascade, that is, the paper feed unit 2 is connected to the option unit controller 132 via the paper feed unit 1. If there is a new paper feed unit 3, the paper feed unit 3 is connected to the paper feed unit 2 as the paper feed unit 2 is connected to the paper feed unit 1. Similarly, when a new paper discharge unit is connected, the paper discharge unit is similarly connected to the rear (downstream side) of the paper discharge unit 133.
[0009]
In each option unit, 331, 341, and 351 are main control units of the respective units, 332, 342, and 352 are 8-bit (bit) shift registers, and 333, 343, and 353 are selectors. 306 and 308 are serial command lines for sending command signals from the option unit control unit 132 to each option unit. 307 and 309 are serial status lines for sending status signals from each option unit to the option unit control unit. 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 are signal lines used for checking the existence of each option unit, and 310, 311 are clock signal lines for commands to the option units and status lines. It is.
[0010]
Now, immediately after the power is turned on, each option unit enters a connection confirmation phase. That is, first, each output (signal line) 301, 302, 303 is set to a LOW level (step S1 in FIG. 5). After the elapse of 10 ms, the option unit controller 132 and each option unit check the signal levels of the inputs 301, 303, 304, 302, and 305, respectively (step S2 in FIG. 5). Since the signal lines 301, 303, 304, 302, and 305 are pulled up to Vcc, the signal lines 301, 303, 304, 302, and 305 are maintained at the HIGH (high) level unless the other party is connected and the output is set to the LOW level.
[0011]
First, since the signal lines 301 and 303 are at the LOW level, the option unit controller 132 knows that at least one paper feed unit and at least one paper discharge unit are connected. Further, since the signal line 302 is at the LOW level, the main control unit 341 of the option unit 134 knows that at least one paper feeding unit is connected behind (downstream), and the B input passes through the selector 343. Open like. Further, the main control units 331 and 351 of the option units 133 and 135 know that the signal lines 304 and 305 are at the HIGH level, so that nothing is connected after them. Open to pass.
[0012]
As a result, as shown by the thick line in FIG. 4, a command / status loop extending from signals 306 to 307 and a command / status loop extending from signals 308 to 309 are determined (step S3 in FIG. 5).
[0013]
Next, the option unit control unit enters a confirmation phase of the number of connected options. First, the option unit controller outputs confirmation commands 601 to 606 to the signal lines 306 and 308 as shown in FIG. 6 (step S4 in FIG. 5). The contents 601 to 606 are all the same, for example, a bit string such as 10101010. Each option unit does not perform any operation for this confirmation command.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 6, on the signal line 306, as shown in FIG. 6, the contents of the register 352 (previously set to 0 by the main control unit 351) and the contents of the register 342 (similarly 0 by the main control unit 341 in advance). 601) appears. The option unit controller detects that only 601 has been input, and knows that two option units are connected as the paper feed unit (step S5 in FIG. 5). Similarly, it is detected that 604 and 605 have returned as the signal 309, and it is known that one option unit is connected as a paper discharge unit (step S5 in FIG. 5). In this embodiment, it is assumed that a maximum of three units are connected as a paper supply / discharge unit.
[0015]
Next, the option unit controller checks what type of option unit is connected. As is clear from the above description, when a command is issued to the signal lines 306 and 308, the contents of the registers 342, 352 and 332 appear on the signal lines 307 and 309, and the mechanism sent to the option unit control unit is used. This mechanism will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
[0016]
The option unit control unit 132 always outputs a command to each option unit every 10 ms. The command is transmitted to each option unit through signal lines 306 and 308. For example, the command 801 is sent to the 135 register 352, and the command 802 is sent to the 134 register 342 and transmitted to the respective control units 351 and 341.
[0017]
Each option unit loads the response status for the command to each register 342, 352, 332 by 10 ms after the next command is sent. The contents of these registers (that is, the reply status) are returned to the option unit controller 132 through the signal lines 307 and 309 in accordance with the clocks 310 and 311 for the next command sent after 10 ms. That is, the response status to the command from the option unit control unit 132 returns after 10 ms.
[0018]
More specifically, the option unit control unit 132 outputs commands 801, 802, and 821 for inquiring the type of each option unit (step S6 in FIG. 7). After the elapse of 10 ms, the next command (a command for instructing to do nothing may be output unless otherwise specified) and answer statuses 811, 812, 841 from each option unit are obtained. The answer status is returned in accordance with the correspondence between a predetermined code and an optional unit. For example, the answer status is “10000001” representing an optional three-stage paper feeding unit.
[0019]
In addition, a command is output in the same manner, and detailed information on each option (for the paper feed unit, for example, the number of paper feed stages and the respective paper capacity, paper size, paper presence, whether paper feed can be started, For the unit, information on the number of stages of paper discharge, the capacity of paper discharge, the presence / absence of paper, and whether or not the paper can be discharged) is inquired. (Second control means) (See FIG. 1) (step S8 in FIG. 7). The main control unit 123 includes an option unit control unit 132. (Option unit control means) The option unit information received from the feed / discharge management table RAM 125 (Management means) To load. The main control unit 123 also has a print control unit 131. (First control means) The upper sheet feeding unit (upper sheet feeding unit) 201, the lower sheet feeding unit (lower sheet feeding unit) 202, and the face-down sheet ejection unit (sheet ejection unit) that are attached to the printing unit 128 as standard. The same information is obtained for 209, and similarly, the paper supply / discharge management table RAM 125 is obtained. (Management means) To load.
[0020]
As a result, the information shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is stored in the supply / discharge management table RAM 125. In FIG. 9, a column 901 indicates the type of the paper feed unit, a column 902 indicates the respective paper size, a column 903 indicates whether each paper is present, and 904 indicates whether each paper can be fed (ready). Indicate. Actually, information is represented by a bit string (1010 or the like). In this embodiment, the paper feed path length (that is, the time required for paper feed) from the top to the photosensitive drum 205 is registered in ascending order. Further, the absence of the last column of 901 indicates that there is no paper feed unit other than these.
[0021]
Also in FIG. 10, the column 1001 indicates the type of the discharge unit, the column 1002 indicates the discharge capacity of each, the column 1003 indicates the presence / absence of discharged sheets, and the column 1004 indicates each discharge sheet. Indicates whether it is possible. The information in the paper supply / discharge management table RAM 125 is rewritten by the main control unit 123 according to the state of the paper supply / discharge command. The same information is also reported to a host computer (not shown) via the data line 101. (Notification means) .
[0022]
Now, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the actual printing operation. Data coming from the host computer (not shown) through the data line 101 is composed of a character code and a control code. The character code is literally a code that indicates the character to be printed, and the control code is the character where the character is printed at which location, in which size, with which font, and the size of the paper to be printed. Designate, specify number of copies, etc.
[0023]
The character code and control code are then stored in page memory 122 on a page basis. Next, the main control unit 123 sequentially reads it, inquires the font ROM 124 from the character code and the control code, performs enlargement or the like as necessary, and develops it as a dot pattern in the bitmap memory 126. When the development of the dot pattern for one page is finished, the printing operation is finally started. As an example, a case where 8 copies are output on an A4 size sheet is given. This may be specified by a control code or by an operation panel on a printer (not shown).
[0024]
First, the main control unit 123 selects a paper feed unit and a paper discharge unit with reference to the paper supply / discharge management table RAM 125. In the states of FIGS. 9 and 10, all the paper supply / discharge sections are in a ready state. Since the paper size is A4, the standard upper paper feed unit with the shortest paper feed time is selected as the paper feed unit. This is because the time required for printing can be further shortened.
[0025]
As the paper discharge unit, the optional paper discharge unit 133 is selected because eight copies are made. If there is one copy, the standard face-down paper discharge section with the shortest paper discharge time is selected. First, the main control unit 123 informs the print control unit 131 that the standard upper sheet feeding unit has been selected, and the option unit control unit 132 selects the paper discharge unit 133 and uses all eight levels of the sorter. .
[0026]
Next, the main control unit 123 outputs a read start command signal 141 to the read control unit 129, reads the dot pattern stored from the bitmap memory 126, and starts writing to the FIFO 127. The read control unit 129 receives the signal 141 and outputs a print start command signal 142 to the print control unit 131. The print control unit 131 receives the signal 142 and starts the rotation of the rotary polygon mirror 204, the rotation of the photosensitive drum 205, and the operation of the paper conveyance system. Therefore, the printing unit 128 starts horizontal operation according to the rotation of the rotary polygon mirror 204. A synchronization signal 102 and a vertical synchronization signal 103 accompanying the rotation of the photosensitive drum are output.
[0027]
In synchronization with the synchronization signals 102 and 103 (which are signals used for horizontal and vertical synchronization when the read control unit 129 sends image dot data to the printing unit 128), the read control unit 129 performs FIFO (fast In-first-out memory) 127 reads a dot pattern, and the read dot pattern is converted into a serial signal by the parallel-serial converter 130 and sent to the printing unit 128. ON / OFF is performed, scanned, and image data is written on the photosensitive drum.
[0028]
On the other hand, the printing control unit 131 feeds the printing paper from the upper paper feeding unit 201 in the meantime and feeds the printing paper to the front of the paper feeding unit registration roller 210, and the image pattern on the photosensitive drum 205 and the leading edge of the paper. The sheet feeding unit registration roller 210 is rotated at the timing when the leading ends coincide with each other, and the printing paper is fed to the position of the photosensitive drum 205. At this time, in the paper feed management table shown in FIG. 9, from the start of paper feed until the paper finishes passing through the paper feed unit registration roller 210, as shown in FIG. The standard lower stage paper feeding section cannot feed the paper (the next paper cannot be fed), and returns to the state after passing through the registration roller 210 as shown in FIG. 11B.
[0029]
Also, the option paper feed command remains acceptable because the paper can be moved up to the front of the optional paper feed unit registration roller 211. However, if paper is fed from the optional paper feed unit at this time, it changes to be impossible (the next paper cannot be fed).
[0030]
As described above, the above-described state of the paper feeding unit is sent from the print control unit 131 to the main control unit 123 and reflected in the management table RAM 125.
[0031]
The paper sent to the photosensitive drum 205 is printed and fixed by the fixing device 208. Meanwhile, the main control unit 123 issues a paper discharge operation start command to the option control unit 132, and the option unit control unit 132 causes the paper discharge unit 133 to start a paper discharge operation to the sorter A. In this case, in the paper discharge management table shown in FIG. 10, until the printed paper enters the paper discharge unit 133, as shown in FIG. When the paper enters the paper discharge unit 133, it changes as shown in FIG. The paper is discharged to the sorter A of the paper discharge unit 133. Upon completion of the paper discharge, the paper can be discharged as shown in FIG. Next, it goes without saying that the printed paper is sent to the sorter B, and printing is repeated up to the sorter H in order.
[0032]
Next, a case where B4 and one copy number are designated as the paper size will be described. In this case, the optional paper feed unit B of the optional paper feed unit 1 (134) is selected as the paper feed unit, and the standard face-down paper discharge unit with the shortest paper discharge time is selected as the paper discharge unit. In the following, since other operations are the same, only the sheet conveyance timing will be described.
[0033]
When the development of the image dot data is completed to the bitmap memory 126, the main control unit 123 notifies the option unit control unit 132 that the sheet feeding unit B of the option sheet feeding unit 1 has been selected, and the print control unit 131. Is notified that standard face-down paper discharge is to be performed.
[0034]
Along with the start of printing, a paper feed start command is issued from the main control unit 123 to the option unit control unit 132, paper is fed from the paper feed unit B of the optional paper feed unit 1, and reaches the registration roller 210. The paper supply / discharge management table changes from the start of paper supply as shown in FIG. When the registration roller 210 is actuated and the sheet is fed into the photosensitive drum 205, the table changes as shown in FIG. 13B to indicate that there is a sheet feeding unit that can perform the next sheet feeding. The state shown in FIG. 13C is performed until printing is performed and discharge is completed.
[0035]
As described above, by referring to the paper supply / discharge management table 125, control of paper feed and paper discharge can be integrated including the standard unit and option unit.
[0036]
(Example 2)
FIG. 14A shows that a paper jam or the like has occurred in the optional paper feed unit 2 and paper cannot be fed. In this case, since the sheet can be fed by using the optional sheet feeding unit 1, the main control unit 123 performs printing by switching the sheet feeding to the optional sheet feeding unit 1.
[0037]
Also, as shown in FIG. 14B, when a jam or the like occurs in the paper discharge unit 133 and the paper cannot be discharged, the main control unit 123 performs printing by discharging the paper to the standard face-down paper discharge unit 209.
[0038]
(Example 3)
In the first embodiment, a combination of short feeding and discharging times is selected as the feeding and discharging unit. However, an optional connected feeding and discharging unit may be selected.
[0039]
Example 4
For example, when paper is being fed from a standard paper feed unit and printing is being performed, if the paper in the paper feed unit runs out, or if automatic paper feed is specified, the throughput condition is automatically In the fourth embodiment, a good one, that is, the paper feeding unit A of the optional paper feeding unit 1 that requires a shorter time for paper feeding is operated to be selected next.
[0040]
(Example 5)
When the optional paper supply unit or paper discharge unit is added, the contents of the management table RAM 125 are naturally added. However, if there is no instruction for paper supply / discharge from the above-mentioned apparatus or an operation panel (not shown), the default is set. A mode for preferentially selecting the added paper feed unit or paper discharge unit may be added.
[0041]
(Example 6)
For example, when paper is being fed from a standard paper feed unit and printing is being performed, if the paper in the paper feed unit runs out, or if automatic paper feed is not specified, the paper in the paper feed unit is Temporary printing is interrupted until paper is fed.
[0042]
Further, even in the automatic paper feed mode, there is a case where it is necessary to recover even printing before a shift to the automatic paper feed mode occurs due to a paper jam. In this case, it is also possible to select and reprint the paper feed unit selected when it was previously printed.
[0043]
This is achieved by registering information on units fed for each paper and the paper supply / discharge management table RAM 125 shown in FIG. An example is shown in FIG. FIG. 15 shows a table that manages information for 10 sheets. In the table, 1501 indicates a sheet number indicating the order of sheets to be printed, 1502 indicates sheet size information to be printed, and 1503 indicates sheet feeding. 1504 indicates information indicating whether or not a paper feed unit is designated, 1505 indicates a unit to be ejected, and 1506 indicates information on whether or not a paper ejection unit is designated. 1507 indicates information indicating whether or not the paper is printed and the paper discharge is completed. In 1507, what is completed is information that it has been completed, and what is not yet is information that has not been printed yet, or that printing has not been completed yet.
[0044]
Therefore, information that does not have 1507 needs to be recovered when a jam occurs. Further, since all the information that is complete in 1507 is completed, it can be rewritten. Therefore, since the paper numbers 1501, 1, 2, and 3 are complete in FIG. 15, the paper information of the 11th, 12th, and 13th sheets, respectively. Is used in a circular fashion, such as. In FIG. 15, for example, if it is detected that a jam has occurred in the row 1508, that is, the eighth sheet, recovery printing after the jam processing is performed for the fourth to eighth sheets. For the paper with the paper designation “present”, the printing operation is performed according to the designation.
[0045]
At that time, if paper cannot be fed from the specified paper feed unit, it waits until the paper feed unit is ready for paper feed. It will wait until it becomes ready for paper discharge.
[0046]
(Example 7)
FIG. 16 shows that the optional paper supply unit 2 cannot be used as a paper supply unit due to a failure, and the optional paper output sorter cannot be used as a paper output unit. Even in such a case, if the failed feeding / discharging means is not specified as the data in the feeding / discharging means, as apparent from the feeding / discharging route of FIG. Since the route for feeding and printing on the standard face-down paper discharge unit can be used, the main control unit 123 selects this route for printing.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to manage the text data sent from the host computer and the optimum feeding / discharging route. In particular,
(1) Even if all the paper supply / discharge units are not ready, printing is possible if there is a combination of units that can supply / discharge paper.
(2) A combination of a paper supply / discharge unit for printing in the shortest time is possible.
(3) A combination of feeding and discharging means that can maintain continuous printing for maximizing printing throughput is possible.
(4) At the time of jam recovery, it is possible to reproduce the paper supply / discharge route necessary for recovery printing, and it is possible to provide a more flexible printer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a supply / discharge system of the printing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating connection of option units.
FIG. 4 is an option unit connection diagram showing determination of a signal route;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of an option unit control unit;
FIG. 6 is a timing chart (paper feeding system) showing exchange of signals between the option unit control unit and the option unit.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of an option unit control unit;
FIG. 8 is a timing chart (paper discharge system) showing signal exchange between the option unit control unit and the option unit.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a paper feed management table.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a paper discharge management table.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the movement of a paper feed management table;
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the paper discharge management table;
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the movement of a paper supply / discharge management table;
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the movement of a paper supply / discharge management table;
FIG. 15 is an example of a table for managing the relationship between paper and paper supply / discharge means.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a paper feed / discharge management table according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
123 Main control unit
125 Feed / discharge management table
128 printing section
131 Print control unit
132 Option unit controller
133 Optional paper discharge unit
134, 135 Optional paper feed unit 1, 2

Claims (7)

A printing device that receives text data from an external device such as a host computer and prints it. In addition to the standard paper feed unit and paper discharge unit, an optional paper feed unit and paper discharge unit are added. In a printing device that can
First control means for controlling the printing unit;
Optional unit control means for periodically obtaining status information from the paper feed unit and paper discharge unit added as an option and controlling the paper feed unit and paper discharge unit;
Obtain status information of the paper feeding unit and paper ejection unit mounted as standard from the first control means,
Further, the status information of the optional paper feed unit and paper discharge unit is acquired from the option unit control means,
Second control means for selecting a paper feed unit and a paper discharge unit to be used when printing text data based on the obtained status information;
A printing apparatus comprising: Management means for managing the status information of the paper feed unit and paper discharge unit mounted as standard acquired by the second control means, and the status information of the paper feed unit and paper discharge unit added as options In addition,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit selects a paper feed unit and a paper discharge unit to be used when text data is printed with reference to the management unit.   The status information of the paper feeding unit includes at least one information of paper capacity, paper size, paper presence / absence, and availability, and the status information of the paper ejection unit includes paper ejection capacity, paper presence / absence The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of information on whether or not it can be used. The management means includes status information on the standard paper feed unit and paper discharge unit acquired by the second control means, and status information on the paper feed unit and paper discharge unit added as options. The printing apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a management table for management.   The second control means updates information in the management table in response to obtaining status information of the paper feed unit and paper discharge unit from the first control means or option unit control means. The printing apparatus according to claim 4.   The second control means indicates that the selected paper feed unit and paper discharge unit cannot be selected after selecting the paper feed unit and paper discharge unit to be used when printing the text data. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the management table is updated as described above.   The printing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the external device of information in the management table updated by the second control unit.

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