JP4400729B2 - Host-based printer, error recovery method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an error recovery technique in a host-based printer, and more particularly to an error recovery technique suitable when an error notification cannot be transmitted from a printer to a host device.

  Conventionally, in host-based printer systems, underrun errors (when printing starts before one page of print data is received, there is no data to be sent in time, and there is no data to be transferred to the print engine. There is known a framework for automatically recovering an error in the following procedure (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  (1) When an underrun error occurs, the printer transmits an error notification to the host device.

  (2) The host device recognizes the occurrence of an underrun error based on the error notification received from the printer, instructs the printer to cancel the error state, and discard the received print data. After adjusting the data size, send the print data again from the page that failed to print.

(3) The printer recovers from the error state by an instruction to cancel the error state from the host device, secures the storage area of the reception buffer by discarding the received print data, and based on the retransmitted print data To continue printing.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-237168 JP 2001-92604 A

  Depending on the network protocol between the host device and the host base printer and the configuration of the interface such as the host base printer, there may occur a situation where the host device cannot receive an error notification from the host base printer. For example, if the network between the two uses a protocol that does not support bidirectional communication such as NetBEUI (NetBIOS Extended User Interface) or Network, the host base printer cannot send an error notification to the host device. In addition, if the host-based printer interface is configured so that multiple protocols (TCP / IP and USB, etc.) cannot be communicated at the same time, the interface is occupied by other protocol communications when a status inquiry is received from the host device. Once again, the host-based printer cannot send an error notification to the host device.

  Under such circumstances, even if an error occurs in the host-based printer, the host device cannot recognize the occurrence of the error, and it is not possible to automatically return the printer from the error state using the conventional framework described above. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to directly input an instruction for canceling the error state to the host base printer and to restore the printer from the error state.

  Here, if the user directly inputs an instruction to cancel the error state, the conventional host-based printer will continue printing if the print data necessary to continue printing has been received at that time, but otherwise print. Normally, it is determined that the operation cannot be continued, and the printing operation is terminated.

  However, since the print data received by the host base printer is generated based on the developed print image and the data size is likely to increase, it is necessary to continue printing until the user inputs a release instruction. It is not always possible to receive print data. As a result, in many cases in which an underrun error has occurred under the above-described circumstances, printing is not automatically continued just by inputting an error state cancellation instruction to the printer (some instructions are also given to the host device). Otherwise, there is a problem that reprinting is not possible).

  Therefore, the present invention provides a framework that allows a host-based printer to automatically continue printing by accepting an instruction to cancel an error state even when an error notification cannot be transmitted from the printer to the host device. With the goal.

  In the host-based printer of the present invention, when an error occurs, an error has occurred when receiving a function to continue receiving data from the host device within a range that can be stored in the reception buffer and an instruction to cancel the error state from the user. And a function for executing printing of the print image on condition that data necessary for printing the print image is stored in the reception buffer. Preferably, the error is an underrun error.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to perform reprinting by executing the recovery process with the host base printer alone without interposing the host device. As a result, the conventional framework (a framework in which when the host device recognizes an error occurrence, the printer is instructed to cancel the error status or discard the print data, and then retransmit the print data to restart printing) Even if this is not possible, it is not necessary to input a reprint instruction to the host device, and a print image that has failed due to an underrun error can be reprinted more easily.

  An error recovery method of the present invention is an error recovery method in a host-based printer that performs print operation on a print image while receiving print data of the print image from the host device, and an error has occurred during the print operation. In this case, it is determined whether to continue receiving data from the host device for the print data of the print image in which the error has occurred, and whether or not an instruction to cancel the error state has been received from the user. And a recovery step of executing printing based on the print data when reception of the print data has been completed for the print image in which an error has occurred.

  The recovery method of the present invention can be implemented by a CPU provided in a host-based printer. A computer program for the recovery method is stored in a host device and a host base through various media such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, and a communication network. Can be installed or loaded into the printer. It also includes the case where a computer program is recorded and distributed on a printer card or printer option board.

  According to the present invention, even in a situation where the host base printer cannot transmit an error notification from the printer to the host device, printing can be automatically continued by receiving an instruction to cancel the error state.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printer system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer system 1 may be any of a host device 10 and a communication network (LAN, Internet, dedicated line, packet communication network, a combination thereof, etc., and includes both wired and wireless. And a host base printer (image forming apparatus) 20 configured to be communicable with the host apparatus 10 via the network.

  The host device 10 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, user interface, communication interface, and the like as hardware.

  The host device 10 also includes printer driver means 11 as a normal control function necessary for causing the printer 20 to execute printing.

  The printer driver unit 11 has a functional configuration similar to that of a normal printer driver, and is described in a predetermined printer control language such as a postscript in response to a print request from an application program operating on the host device 10, for example. RIP means 12 for generating a print image by executing rasterization processing based on print data (including text, graphics, images, etc.), and image processing means 13 for performing predetermined image processing (screen processing, etc.) on the print image The compression unit 14 executes compression processing on the print image and generates compressed data. Print data is generated by adding header information or the like to the compressed data and is transmitted to the host base printer 20. The generation / transmission means 15 is provided (see FIG. 2). Each of these functions is realized as a function unit by the CPU executing a program stored in the HDD, ROM, RAM, external storage medium or the like in the host device 10 or using dedicated hardware. .

  The host base printer 20 includes a power mechanism unit 21 and a printer controller 22.

  The power mechanism unit 21 includes a paper feed mechanism that supplies paper into the printer, a print engine that executes printing based on a print image, and a paper discharge mechanism that discharges paper outside the printer. As the print engine, for example, a serial printer that prints in units of characters, such as an inkjet printer or a thermal transfer printer, a line printer that prints in units of lines, a page printer that prints in units of pages, and the like are used. it can.

  The printer controller 22 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a user interface, a communication interface, and the like as hardware.

  The printer controller 22 has the same function as that of a printer controller in a normal host-based printer. For example, the receiving unit 23 receives commands and print data from the host device 10 and stores them in a receiving buffer (not shown). The decompression / transfer unit 24, the decompression / transfer unit 24, and the power mechanism unit 21 (print engine) which decompress the compressed data included in the print data to restore the print image and transfer the restored print image to the print engine And a printing control means 25 for controlling the printing operation.

  However, the receiving unit 23 of the present embodiment has a data reception continuation function for continuing data reception from the host device 10 when an underrun error occurs, and whether data reception has been completed for a print image in which an underrun error has occurred. A data reception end determination function is provided for determining whether or not, and the print control means 25 receives data necessary for printing a print image in which an underrun error has occurred when an instruction to cancel an error state is received from the user. A host non-recovery recovery function that controls printing of the print image on the condition that it is stored in the buffer, and an error notification cannot be transmitted from the host base printer 20 to the host device 10 It is configured to be able to execute recovery processing for underrun errors even under , It is different from the conventional configuration (see FIG. 2).

  Note that each of the above means and functions is a function means when the CPU executes a program stored in the RAM or ROM in the host base printer 20, an external storage medium or the like, or using dedicated hardware. As realized.

  Hereinafter, the printing process of the printer system 1 will be described.

(Print processing in the host device 10)
When the printer driver unit 11 receives a print request from an application program running on the outside or on the host device 10, the printer driver unit 11 transmits a print instruction command to the host base printer (printer controller 22) and also sends it to the RIP unit 12 and the like. Instruct the start of processing.

  Upon receiving the processing start instruction, the RIP unit 12 generates a print image based on the print target data (print target data described in a predetermined printer control language such as Postscript) received from the application program, and Store in a predetermined area. If the print target data can be received from an application program or the like in the form of a raster image, the processing by the RIP unit 12 can be omitted.

  The image processing unit 13 performs predetermined image processing (screen processing or the like) on the generated print image as necessary.

  The compression unit 14 executes a predetermined compression process on the print image in a band unit composed of a predetermined number of scanning lines (for example, 64 lines) to generate compressed data, and stores the compressed data in a predetermined area of the RAM. As the predetermined compression processing, various conventional compression algorithms such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) method and JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group) method can be adopted according to the design.

  The print data generation / transmission unit 15 generates print data by adding predetermined header information for each compressed data in band units, and sequentially transmits the print data to the host base printer 20. The print data generation / transmission unit 15 may operate in parallel with the print image compression processing by the compression unit 14 or may wait for the compression processing for one page to end, for example. .

(Print processing in the host base printer 20)
The receiving unit 23 receives commands, print data, and the like from the host device 10 and stores them in the reception buffer.

  The print control means 25 reads and interprets commands sequentially from the reception buffer. If the interpreted command is a print instruction command, the power mechanism unit 21 is controlled to prepare for printing, and at the time when the paper feed timing set in the host device 10 or the host base printer 20 is reached, printing is performed. Start operation. Specifically, the paper feed mechanism is controlled to wait for paper at the print start position (feed paper). Further, the expansion / transfer means 24 is controlled to sequentially expand the compressed data stored in the reception buffer to restore the print image, and to transfer the restored print image to the print engine. Further, the print engine is controlled to execute printing based on the print image.

  Here, in the present embodiment, in order to shorten the waiting time from when the printing instruction is received until the printing is actually started, the printing operation is performed on the printing image while receiving the printing data of the printing image from the host device. The paper feed timing is set so as to be performed (so that printing is started before receiving the print image for one page). In this case, if the data transfer speed is slow, or if the compression rate is not sufficient and the amount of compressed data increases, the print data will not be received in time, and there will be no data to be expanded / transferred, and printing will continue. An underrun error that cannot be performed may occur.

The printer controller 22 of the present embodiment monitors the print data storage status in the reception buffer, the processing status of the decompression / transfer means 24, the operating status of the print engine, etc. during execution of the print operation, and an underrun error has occurred. The same framework as before (when the host device recognizes an error occurrence, it instructs the printer to cancel the error status or discard the print data, retransmit the print data, and restart printing) In addition to error recovery processing, error recovery processing (host non-intervening error recovery processing) in a situation where an error notification cannot be transmitted from the host base printer 20 to the host device 10 is configured to be executable. For example, the user can set the error recovery process switching by specifying one of the processes. Alternatively, the host base printer 20 may transmit a signal to the host device 10 and switch the processing depending on the presence or absence of a response.

  The host non-intervening error recovery process, which is a characteristic process of the present invention, will be described below with reference to FIGS. In addition, each process (including the partial process to which the code | symbol is not provided) can be arbitrarily changed in order within the range which does not produce contradiction in the processing content, or can be performed in parallel.

(Host non-intervening error recovery processing in the receiving means 23)
When an underrun error occurs during the printing process, the receiving unit 23 executes the following host non-intervening error recovery process (S100 to S105: FIG. 3).

  First, the receiving unit 23 continues to receive print data for a print image in which an underrun error has occurred (S100), and monitors the reception buffer availability (S101).

  If it is determined that there is not enough space for storing the print data, the receiving unit 23 sets a recovery operation stop flag (S102) and ends the non-host error recovery process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is sufficient space in the reception buffer, the reception unit 23 determines a timeout (S103). For example, it may be determined that a timeout has occurred when a certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of the non-host error recovery process, or when a certain amount of time has elapsed since the reception of the most recently received print data.

  If the receiving unit 23 determines that a timeout has occurred, it sets a recovery operation stop flag (S102), and ends the non-host error recovery process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the time-out has not occurred, the receiving unit 23 determines whether or not the print data necessary for printing has been secured for the print image in which the underrun error has occurred (whether or not the print data has been received) ( S104). For example, when print data is sent in band units, when print data has been received for all bands for one page using information on the image size and the total number of bands included in the print data header, etc. It can be considered that the print data necessary for printing can be secured.

  If it is determined that the reception has not been completed, the receiving unit 23 returns to S101, and if it has determined that the reception has been completed, a recovery operation start flag is set (S105), and the non-host error recovery process is terminated. .

  Although not shown, when a part of the received print data of the print image in which the error has occurred is already discarded from the reception buffer when an underrun error occurs, the print data for that part is discarded. Since it is not possible to perform reprinting unless it is received again, the process is configured to set a recovery operation stop flag.

(Non-host error recovery process in print control means 25)
When an underrun error occurs during the printing process, the print control unit 25 executes the following host non-intervening error recovery process (S200 to S204: FIG. 4).

  First, the print control unit 25 notifies the user of the occurrence of an error via the user interface, stops the printing operation, and prepares for printing again by discharging paper that has failed to be printed (S200).

  Next, the print control unit 25 stands by until an instruction to cancel an error state related to an underrun error is input from the user via the user interface (S201).

  When the cancel instruction is input from the user, the print control unit 25 determines whether or not the recovery operation stop flag is set (S202). If it is set, the host non-intervening error recovery process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the recovery operation stop flag is not set, the print control unit 25 determines whether or not the recovery operation start flag is set (S203).

  If the recovery operation start flag is not set, the print control unit 25 returns to S202. If the recovery operation start flag is set, the print control unit 25 generates an underrun error based on the print data stored in the reception buffer. The printing operation is started again for the generated print image (S204).

  As described above, according to the host non-intervening error recovery processing of this embodiment, when an underrun error occurs, data reception is continued within a range that can be stored in the reception buffer, and an error state cancellation instruction is received from the user. In this case, the print image is printed on the condition that the data necessary for printing the print image in which the underrun error has occurred is stored in the reception buffer. Therefore, the re-printing can be performed by executing the recovery process with the host base printer alone.

  In particular, it is configured to reprint on the condition that the data necessary for printing is stored in the reception buffer (all the print data is secured), so reprinting reliably without causing an underrun error again. It becomes possible.

  As a result, the conventional framework (a framework in which when the host device recognizes an error occurrence, the printer is instructed to cancel the error status or discard the print data, and then retransmit the print data to restart printing) Even if this is not possible, there is no need to input a reprint instruction to the host device, and a print image that has failed due to an underrun error can be reprinted more easily.

(Other)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified and applied. For example, even when the host device can receive an error notification from the host base printer, the host base printer can be configured to perform recovery processing and perform reprinting using the framework of the present invention. Also good. According to such a configuration, it is possible to omit the time required for data re-transmission compared to the case of using the conventional framework, and it is possible to perform reprinting quickly.

  Further, for example, regarding a print image in which an underrun error has occurred, it is determined that data necessary for printing the print image has been secured before securing print data for one page, and a recovery operation is performed (printing is started). You may comprise as follows. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to avoid an underrun error in the recovery operation if more print data can be secured than when the underrun error occurred at the start of the recovery operation.

  The present invention is also applicable to errors other than underrun errors (such as paper jams). That is, when an error such as a paper jam occurs in a situation where the host device cannot receive an error notification from the host base printer, an error state release instruction corresponding to the error is received from the user, and based on the framework of the present invention. Printing can continue automatically.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration diagram of a printer driver unit 11 and a printer controller 22. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of host non-intervening error recovery processing in the receiving means 23. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of host non-intervening error recovery processing in the print control means 25.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer system, 10 Host apparatus, 11 Printer driver means, 12 RIP means, 13 Image processing means, 14 Compression means, 15 Print data generation / transmission means, 20 Host base printer, 21 Power mechanism part, 22 Printer controller, 23 Reception Means, 24 expansion / transfer means, 25 print control means

Claims (3)

An error occurs when printing is started before printing data for one page is received in a situation where an error notification can be sent to the host device, and printing cannot be continued due to insufficient data reception. A function for transmitting an error notification to the host device, receiving data necessary for printing the print image retransmitted from the host device, and printing the received print image. First error recovery processing means;
In a situation where an error notification cannot be sent to the host device, a function to continue receiving data from the host device within the range that can be stored in the reception buffer when the error occurs and an instruction to cancel the error state from the user are accepted A second error recovery processing unit having a function of executing printing of the print image on condition that data necessary for printing of the print image in which an error has occurred is stored in the reception buffer. And
Sends said signal to the host device, the host-based printer, wherein to switch between a first error recovery processing means and the second error recovery processing means depending on whether or not the response of the signal from the host device.   The function of printing the print image in the second error recovery processing means is
  If the data necessary for printing the print image in which the error has occurred is not stored in the reception buffer when an instruction to cancel the error state is received from the user, the data necessary for printing the print image in which the error has occurred is stored. The host-based printer according to claim 1, wherein printing of the print image is executed after waiting for storage in the reception buffer. An error recovery method in a host-based printer that performs a printing operation on a print image while receiving print data of the print image from a host device,
Sending a signal to the host device, determining the presence or absence of a response of the signal from the host device,
As a result of the determination, in a situation where an error notification can be transmitted to the host device, printing is started before receiving one page of print data, and printing is not performed in time. When an error that cannot be continued occurs, an error notification is transmitted to the host device, data necessary for printing the print image retransmitted from the host device is received, and the received print image is printed. Run,
As a result of the determination, when the error occurs in a situation where an error notification cannot be transmitted to the host device, the print data of the print image in which the error has occurred continues to be received from the host device, and the user It determines whether it has accepted the instruction for canceling the error state from then receives proceeds to recovery process if, printing based on the print data when it is finished receiving the print data for the print image errors occur performing recovery wherein the.

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