JP5874265B2 - Printing apparatus and printing apparatus control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing according to print image data transferred from a host apparatus and a control method for the printing apparatus.

  As an image forming system, there is known a system including an image forming apparatus and a DFE (Digital Front End Processor) server, which is a higher-level apparatus that sends print data to the image forming apparatus and gives a print instruction. The DFE server having a drawing function executes, for example, RIP (Raster Image Process) processing for generating a raster image from print data described in the page description language PDL transmitted from the host device, and the generated raster image is displayed as an image. A system for transferring to a forming apparatus is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Also, unlike the image forming apparatus, a printer apparatus including a printer controller, a printer engine, and a data line connecting the printer controller and the printer engine is known (for example, Patent Document 2). In this printer apparatus, in order to speed up data transfer, control lines for transmitting / receiving various control information and data lines for transmitting / receiving print data are separated to increase the speed of data transfer.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which control lines and data lines between a printer controller and a printer engine are separately provided for the purpose of improving the printing speed of the entire printer apparatus. Furthermore, by separating the data lines between the printer controller and the printer engine for each color, it is possible to transfer the print data of the color components in parallel, and the data transfer speed is increased.

  If an image forming system such as Patent Document 1 is configured such that control lines and data lines are separated and data lines are separated for each color as in Patent Document 2, the DFE server and the image forming apparatus can be separated from each other. It is considered possible to increase the speed of data transfer during this period.

  However, in the image forming system having such a configuration, when a failure occurs in a control unit (data transfer control unit) that controls data transfer, an output unit (for example, a head) downstream of the data transfer control unit is used. Data cannot be transferred. Therefore, it is necessary to suspend the operation of the image forming system and correct the data transfer control unit (replace the data transfer control unit if it is a hardware problem, reinstall the software if it is a software problem, etc.) Occurs. That is, there is a problem that there is no method for effectively dealing with a failure of the data transfer control unit without interrupting the operation of the image forming system.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is intended to increase the speed of data transfer between a host device and a printing device and to operate even when a data transfer control unit that controls data transfer fails. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and a control method for the printing apparatus that can continue the operation.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a printing apparatus according to the present invention is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of storage units, and performs bidirectional communication from a higher-level apparatus separate from the printing apparatus. A plurality of data transfer control units that store image data transferred through a plurality of first transfer paths, respectively , and the corresponding image data stored in the plurality of storage units. Is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of data transfer control units, and outputs an output control unit that outputs to the designated output unit among a plurality of output units that print the image data, and prints the image data. A print control unit that receives control information for control from the host device via a second transfer path and independently controls the plurality of data transfer control units based on the control information, Control unit, when an abnormality in the data transfer control unit of any occurs, the transfer instruction of the first image data and the data transfer control unit that abnormality has occurred to be transferred, the abnormality is not occurring, and The free space of the corresponding storage unit is sent to the data transfer control unit larger than the size of the first image data, and the first image is output to the output unit corresponding to the data transfer control unit in which an abnormality has occurred. outputting the data that instructs the output control unit, and wherein and this.

In the printing apparatus control method according to the present invention, a plurality of data transfer control units are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of storage units , and bidirectional communication is performed from a host device separate from the printing apparatus. A plurality of data transfer control steps for storing image data transferred through a plurality of first transfer paths to be performed in the corresponding storage unit, and an output control unit stored in the storage unit each image data is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of the data transfer control unit, and an output control step of outputting to the output unit which is instructed among the plurality of output unit that prints the image data, the image Printing that receives control information for controlling printing of data from the host device via a second transfer path, and independently controls the plurality of data transfer control units based on the control information It includes a control step, wherein the print control step, when an abnormality in the data transfer control unit of any occurs, the transfer instruction of the first image data to be the data transfer control unit that abnormality has occurred transfer The abnormality corresponding to the data transfer control unit corresponding to the data transfer control unit in which an abnormality has occurred and the corresponding free space of the storage unit is sent to the data transfer control unit larger than the size of the first image data. instructing to output the first image data to the output unit to the output control unit, and wherein and this.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the speed of data transfer between a host device and a printing device, and to continue operation even when a data transfer control unit that controls data transfer fails. Play.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a printing system applicable to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of the host device. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the functions of the host device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the printer apparatus. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the printer controller. FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an example of the data transfer control unit. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing in more detail the configuration of an example of the data transfer control unit. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of the image output unit. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating the structure of an example of a printer apparatus including a paper conveyance system applicable to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of control information transmitted and received between the host device and the printer controller of the printer device. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a memory management method when the data transfer control unit is normal. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print management table applied to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the state of the memory. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a calculation method of the free space. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a memory management method when an abnormality occurs in the K data transfer control unit. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a memory management method when an abnormality occurs in the K data transfer control unit. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a memory management method when an abnormality occurs in the K data transfer control unit. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a memory management method when an abnormality occurs in the K data transfer control unit. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall flow of the transfer destination determination process. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall flow of the update process. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall flow of the acquisition process. FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall flow of the storage process. FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a printing process according to the present embodiment. FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a printing process according to the present embodiment.

  Exemplary embodiments of a printing apparatus and a printing apparatus control method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The printing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of data transfer control units that transfer image data from the host apparatus, thereby speeding up data transfer between the host apparatus and the printing apparatus. Further, when an abnormality occurs in any of the plurality of data transfer control units, the image data transfer is replaced by another data transfer control unit in which no abnormality has occurred. As a result, even if the data transfer control unit that controls data transfer fails, the operation can be continued.

  First, for easy understanding, production printing to which the printing system according to each embodiment is applied will be schematically described. In production printing, the basic idea is to perform a large amount of printing in a short time. For this reason, in production printing, in order to speed up printing and efficiently manage jobs and print data, a workflow system that manages from creation of print data to distribution of printed materials is constructed. .

  The printing system according to each embodiment relates to a part that executes printing in a production printing workflow. RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing and bitmap data obtained by RIP processing are printed by different apparatuses. Do. The RIP process takes the longest processing time in the printing process, and the printing speed can be increased by separating the apparatus that performs the RIP process from the apparatus that performs the printing process.

(Outline of printing system applicable to each embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary configuration of a printing system applicable to the present embodiment. This printing system is configured by connecting a host device 10 and a printer device 13 as an image forming apparatus by a plurality of data lines 11 and control lines 12. The host device 5 is a computer, for example, and generates print job data including print image data and print setting information.

  The print job data includes, for example, data in a page description language (PDL) (hereinafter referred to as PDL data). By interpreting this PDL data, print image data composed of bitmap images to be printed and print setting information related to print settings such as page information, layout information, and information indicating the number of copies to be printed are generated. Is done.

  The host device 10 performs RIP processing according to the print job data supplied from the host device 5 and creates bitmap data for each color, which is print image data. At the same time, the upper level apparatus 10 creates control information for controlling the printing operation based on the print job data and information from the host apparatus 5.

  The print image data for each color created by the host device 10 is supplied to a printer engine unit (not shown) of the printer device 13 via a plurality of data lines 11. Also, control information for controlling printing is transmitted and received between the upper level apparatus 10 and the printer controller 14 via the control line 12. The printer controller 14 controls the printer engine unit based on the transmission / reception of the control information, forms an image on the print medium, and executes printing according to the print job. A specific example of this control information will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Although the printing method is not particularly limited, in each embodiment, a printing paper is used as a printing medium, and a printing image is formed on the printing paper by an inkjet method. Not only this but each embodiment is applicable also to the printing apparatus which forms a printing image with respect to printing paper using a toner. Further, as the printing paper, continuous form paper (continuous form) that is continuous paper in which perforable perforations are punched at a predetermined interval is used. In production printing, this continuous paper is often used as printing paper. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to this, and a cut sheet having a fixed size such as A4 size or B4 size may be used as the printing paper. In the continuous paper, a page refers to an area sandwiched between perforations that are struck at a predetermined interval, for example.

  Note that the print medium to be printed by the printing system according to each embodiment is not limited to paper printing paper. That is, other printing media may be used as long as printing is possible by the printing method applied to each embodiment and can be provided as a roll. For example, a plastic film or cloth may be used as the print medium.

(Host device)
FIG. 2 shows an exemplary configuration of the host device 10. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 104 are connected to the bus 100. An external I / F 110, a control information I / F 111, a print image data I / F 112, and a display device 115 are further connected to the bus 100. These units connected to the bus 100 can communicate with each other via the bus 100.

  In ROM 102 and HDD 104, a program for operating CPU 101 is stored in advance. The RAM 103 is used as a work memory for the CPU 101. That is, the CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the host device 10 using the RAM 103 as a work memory in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 102 and the HDD 104. The display device 115 displays various screens by the CPU 101 or the like.

  The external I / F 110 corresponds to, for example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) and controls communication with the host device 5. The control information I / F 111 controls communication of control information. The print image data I / F 112 controls communication of print image data and has a plurality of channels. For example, the print image data of each color, which is created in the host device 10 and has colors Y (Yellow), C (Cyan), M (Magenta), and K (Black), is output from each of the plurality of channels. Since the print image data I / F 112 requires a high transfer speed, for example, PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect Bus Express) is used. The method of the control information I / F 111 is not particularly limited, but here, as with the print image data I / F 112, PCI Express is used.

  In such a configuration, print job data transmitted from the host device 5 is received by the external I / F 110 of the upper level device 10 and stored in the HDD 104 via the CPU 101. The CPU 101 performs RIP processing based on the print job data read from the HDD 104, generates bitmap data for each color, and writes it to the RAM 103. For example, the CPU 101 renders PDL (Page Description Language) data by RIP processing, generates bitmap data of each color, and writes it to the RAM 103. The CPU 101 compresses and encodes the bitmap data of each color written in the RAM 103 and temporarily stores it in the HDD 104.

  For example, when the printing operation is started in the printer device 13, the CPU 101 reads out the bitmap data of each color compressed and encoded from the HDD 104, decodes the compressed code, and stores the decompressed bitmap data of each color in the RAM 103. Write. Then, the CPU 101 reads out the bitmap data of each color from the RAM 103, outputs it as print image data of each color from each channel of the print image data I / F 112, and supplies it to the printer device 13. The CPU 101 transmits / receives control information for controlling printing to / from the printer device 13 via the control information I / F 111 according to the progress of the printing operation.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an example for explaining the functions of the host device 10. The host device 10 includes interfaces (I / F) 120, 123 a to 123 d and 125, an RIP unit 121, a storage unit 122, and a control unit 124. The interfaces 120, 123a to 123d, and 125 correspond to the external I / F 110, the print image data I / F 112, and the control information I / F 111 in FIG. 2, respectively. The RIP unit 121 and the control unit 124 are configured by programs that operate on the CPU 101 in FIG. The storage unit 122 corresponds to at least one of the RAM 103 or the HDD 104 in FIG.

  Print job data including PDL data is created by the host device 5 and transmitted to the host device 10. This print job data is received by the interface 120 and supplied to the RIP unit 121. The RIP unit 121 performs rendering based on the PDL data included in the supplied print job data, and generates print image data using bitmap data of each of Y, C, M, and K colors. The RIP unit 121 sequentially stores the generated print image data for each color of Y, C, M, and K in the storage unit 122.

  The control unit 124 communicates with the printer controller 14 of the printer device 13 via the interface 125. For example, the control unit 124 generates control information for controlling printing in the printer device 13 based on print job data supplied from the host device 5 via the interface 120. This control information is transmitted from the control unit 124 to the printer controller 14 via the interface 125.

  The interfaces 123a to 123d can independently access print image data of each color Y, C, M, and K stored in the storage unit 122. The interfaces 123a to 123d are connected to the printer device 13 via a plurality of data lines 11a to 11d corresponding to the colors Y, C, M, and K, and the printer device is connected via the data lines 11a to 11d. 13 exchanges control information related to Y, C, M, and K print image data transfer, and transfers Y, C, M, and K print image data.

(Printer device)
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary configuration of the printer device 13. The printer device 13 includes a printer controller 14 and a printer engine 15. The printer controller 14 is connected to the control line 12 and controls the printing operation by transmitting / receiving control information to / from the host apparatus 10 via the control line 12. The printer engine 15 is connected to a plurality of data lines 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d, and each color transferred from the host device 10 through the data lines 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d, respectively, under the control of the printer controller 14. Print processing using the print image data.

  The printer controller 14 and the printer engine 15 will be described in more detail. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary configuration of the printer controller 14. The printer controller 14 includes a CPU 321, a print control unit 322, a RAM 323, and a ROM 324. The CPU 321, the print control unit 322, the RAM 323, and the ROM 324 are connected to the bus 320 so that they can communicate with each other. The control line 12 is also connected to the bus 320 via a communication I / F (not shown). The CPU 321 operates using the RAM 323 as a work memory in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 324 and controls the overall operation of the printer device 13.

  The print control unit 322 is configured by, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and a microprocessor, a plurality of direct memory access controllers (DMAC), and the like are communicably connected to each other via a bus. The print control unit 322 is connected to data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d, which will be described later, by engine I / F control lines 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d. The print control unit 322 transmits and receives control signals individually to and from the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d. The print control unit 322 is connected by a conveyance control unit 51 (described later) and a conveyance control line 41, and transmits / receives a control signal for controlling paper conveyance to / from the conveyance control unit 51.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 4, the printer engine 15 has a plurality of data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d having the same configuration, and outputs an image based on the print image data on a sheet to form an image. And a conveyance control unit 51 that controls conveyance of the printing paper.

  Data lines 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d are connected to data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d, respectively. The data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d include memories 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d, respectively, and print each color transferred from the host device 10 through the data lines 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d. The image data is stored in the memories 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d, respectively.

  These memories 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d have, for example, the same memory capacity and address configuration. Each of the memories 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d preferably has a capacity capable of storing print image data for at least three pages. The print image data for three pages corresponds to, for example, the print image data of the page being transferred from the upper level device 10, the print image data of the page currently being output, and the print image data of the next page. Not limited to this, each of the memories 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d may be capable of storing print image data of two pages or less.

  Further, the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d are connected to the print control unit 322 by engine I / F control lines 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d, respectively. The print control unit 322 individually transmits and receives control signals to and from the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d via the engine I / F control lines 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d. Can do.

  FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an exemplary configuration of the data transfer control unit 30a. Since the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d have a common configuration, in FIG. 6, the configuration of the data transfer control unit 30a is represented by the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d. Indicates.

  The data transfer control unit 30a includes a memory 31a and a logic circuit 32a. The engine I / F control line 40a and the data line 11a are connected to the logic circuit 32a. The logic circuit 32a stores, in the memory 31a, print image data transferred from the upper level device 10 via the data line 11a in accordance with a control signal received from the print control unit 322 via the engine I / F control line 40a. . Similarly, the logic circuit 32a reads print image data from the memory 31a in accordance with a control signal received from the print control unit 322 via the engine I / F control line 40a, and an image output unit described later via the output line 33a. 50.

  Note that the control by the logic circuit 32a configured in hardware by a combination of logic circuits and the like has an advantage that higher-speed processing is possible compared to control using a CPU that branches processing by interruption to a program. is there. For example, the logic circuit 32a performs logic determination on a control signal based on a bit string received via the engine I / F control line 40a and determines a process to be executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a function equivalent to that of the logic circuit 32a may be realized by software using a CPU.

  The print image data of each color output from the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d is supplied to the image output unit 50. The image output unit 50 executes printing using print image data of each color. In each embodiment, printing using print image data is performed by an ink jet method in which printing is performed by ejecting ink from nozzles provided in a head. Of course, the printing method is not limited to the ink jet method, and for example, a laser printer method or the like may be used.

  FIG. 7 shows the configuration of an example of the data transfer control unit 30a in more detail. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are given to the portions common to FIG. 6 described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The data transfer control unit 30a includes a memory 31a, a memory controller 132a, data transfer DMAs (Direct Memory Access) 133a and 134a, and a data transfer control unit controller 135a. Among these, a memory controller 132a, data transfer DMAs (Direct Memory Access) 133a and 134a, and a data transfer control unit controller 135a are included in the logic circuit 32a in FIG.

  The memory controller 132a controls access to the memory 31a. The data transfer DMA 133a receives print image data from the host device 10 and writes it to the memory 31a via the memory controller 132a. The data transfer DMA 134a reads data from the memory 31a via the memory controller 132a and transfers it to the image output unit 50 via the output line 33a. The data transfer control unit controller 135a receives control information transmitted from the print control unit 322 in the printer controller 14 via the engine I / F control line 40a, and controls the data transfer DMAs 133a and 134a according to the received control information. .

  For example, when a data transfer start request transmitted from the print control unit 322 is received by the data transfer control unit controller 135a via the engine I / F control line 40a, the data transfer control unit controller 135a follows the request. The data transfer DMA 133a is instructed to start data transfer. In accordance with this instruction, the data transfer DMA 133a transmits a data transfer request to the host device 10 via the data line 11a. Data transmitted from the higher-level device 10 in accordance with this request is received by, for example, the data transfer DMA 133a and written to a predetermined address in the memory 31a via the memory controller 132a.

  When the print instruction transmitted from the print control unit 322 is received by the data transfer control unit controller 135a via the engine I / F control line 40a, the data transfer control unit controller 135a sends the data transfer DMA controller 134a to the data transfer DMA 134a. Instruct to read data from the memory 31a. In response to this instruction, the data transfer DMA 134a reads data from the memory 31a via the memory controller 132a. Then, the data transfer DMA 134a transfers the read data to the image output unit 50 via the output line 33a.

  FIG. 8 shows an exemplary configuration of the image output unit 50. The image output unit 50 includes heads 56 a, 56 b, 56 c and 56 d, and an output control unit 55. The output control unit 55 includes selection units 131a, 131b, 131c, and 131d, output I / F units 57a, 57b, 57c, and 57d, connection lines 58-1, 58-2, 58-3, and 58-4, including. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 8 shows only connection lines 58-1, 58-2, 58-3, and 58-4 that are connected to the selection unit 131c. Connection lines 58-1, 58-2, 58-3, and 58-4 are also connected to the other selection units 131a, 131b, and 131d, respectively.

  The selection units 131a, 131b, 131c, and 131d are connected to the output lines 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d to which the print image data of the data transfer control units 30a to 30d are output, respectively. The output I / F units 57a, 57b, 57c and 57d are connected to the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d, respectively.

  The output control unit 55 controls connection between the selection units 131a, 131b, 131c, and 131d and the output I / F units 57a, 57b, 57c, and 57d. That is, the output control unit 55 connects the connection lines 58-1, 58-2, 58-3, and 58 connected to the output lines 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d to the heads 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d, respectively. -4 can be selected to set the route.

  For example, the output control unit 55 connects the output lines 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d and the heads 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d in a one-to-one relationship with the connection lines 58-1, 58-2, 58-3 and 58-4 can be set. Further, for example, the output lines 33a, 33b, 33c and 33d and the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d are connected to the output line 33a by connecting the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d. Connection lines 58-1, 58-2, 58-3, and 58-4 can be set so as to be connected in a many-to-many manner. The output control unit 55 sets the connection lines 58-1, 58-2, 58-3 and 58-4 according to the setting information 42 from the print control unit 322. As the setting information 42, for example, a print management table described later is used.

  A path connecting each output line 33a, 33b, 33c and 33d and each head 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d can be set by a user operation using, for example, a dip switch. Not limited to this, the path may be set by a control signal from the print control unit 322.

  As described above, in the printer device 13 according to each embodiment, transfer of print image data from the host device 10 and transmission / reception of a control signal for controlling printing by the print image data between the host device 10 and the printer device 13 are performed. Are performed via different paths. Also, the print image data of each color is transferred from the host device 10 via different data lines 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d, and each color transferred via these data lines 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d is transferred. The print image data is controlled independently of each other and supplied to the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d having a common configuration. Further, in the image output unit 50, the connection path between the output of each data transfer control unit 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d and the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d of each color can be set by a user operation or the like.

  Therefore, the printer device 13 according to each embodiment corresponds to the number of colors of print image data (four colors Y, C, M, and K, or only K colors) and the number of heads used in the image output unit 50. The configuration of the printer engine 15 can be easily changed. At this time, the printer engine 15 can be provided with only the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d that are required according to the required configuration.

  For example, when it is desired to perform full-color printing with four colors Y, C, M, and K, the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d are all provided for the printer engine 15, and the output control unit 55 The outputs of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d may be connected to the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d, respectively. Further, for example, when printing with one color K, as an apparatus cost priority, only one data transfer control unit 30a and head 56a are provided, and the output control unit 55 outputs the data transfer control unit 30a to the head 56a. Can be connected to. Further, for example, when printing with one color K, as a priority for the printing speed, one data transfer control unit 30a and four heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d are provided, and the output control unit 55 performs data transfer control. The output of the section 30a can be connected to the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d, respectively. In this case, since the same color is printed a plurality of times, for example, the ink ejection time at each of the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d is set to 1/4 of the normal time, and the conveyance speed of the printing paper is normally set. It is conceivable to perform high-speed printing at four times as high.

(Printing paper transport system)
Referring to FIG. 4, the conveyance control unit 51 is connected to the print control unit 322 by a conveyance control line 41, and controls conveyance of a sheet on which an image based on print image data is formed by the image output unit 50. FIG. 9 schematically shows an example of the structure of a printer apparatus 200 including a paper transport system that can be applied to each embodiment. As described above, in each embodiment, the printer device 200 uses continuous paper as printing paper.

  The printing paper 201 is supplied from the printing paper supply unit 210 to the first transport unit 230 via the power operation box 220. The printing paper 201 is conveyed by the first conveyance unit 230 through a plurality of rollers and the like by the conveyance control of the conveyance control unit 51, and is aligned, and the printer engine units 240 and 250 corresponding to the printer engine 15 described above. To be supplied.

  The printer engine units 240 and 250 perform printing in accordance with the print image data on the printing paper 201 supplied from the first transport unit 230 in the printing unit 241 corresponding to the image output unit 50 described above. The printing paper 201 that has been printed is discharged from the printer engine unit 250 by the conveyance control of the conveyance control unit 51 and is supplied to the second conveyance unit 260. The printed printing paper 201 is transported in a predetermined manner inside the second transport unit 260 and discharged, and is supplied to the cutting unit 270. The printing paper 201 after printing is cut according to the perforation by the cutting unit 270, and each page is separated.

  Here, since the printer apparatus 200 performs printing on the printing paper 201 that is a continuous sheet of continuous pages, the printing paper 201 is printed on the printing paper 201 by the printer engine units 240 and 250, and the printing paper 201 is then transferred to the second transport unit 260. The printing paper 201 is always present in the path from the printer to the paper.

  In addition, another set of configurations including the first transport unit 230, the printer engine units 240 and 250, and the second transport unit 260 is prepared, and the printing paper 201 after printing discharged from the front second transport unit 260 is prepared. Is reversed and supplied to the first conveyance unit 230 on the rear side, whereby double-sided printing on the printing paper 201 becomes possible.

(Details of print processing applicable to each embodiment)
Next, the printing process applicable to each embodiment will be described in more detail. FIG. 10 shows an example of control information transmitted / received via the control line 12 between the upper level apparatus 10 and the printer controller 14 of the printer apparatus 13. In FIG. 10, the host device 10 is shown as DFE (Digital Front End Processor), and the printer controller 14 is shown as PCTL. The control information roughly includes (1) job (JOB) information, (2) information indicating a printer status and a printing process, (3) information indicating a printing condition, and (4) information indicating a connection. included.

  The job information of (1) notifies the start and end of a job (JOB). The job start includes a job start notification from the host device 10 to the printer controller 14 and a response from the printer device 13 to the host device 10 in response to the notification. The job end includes a notification from the host apparatus 10 to the printer controller 14 that all print processes requested by the job start and a response from the printer controller 14 to the host apparatus 10 in response to the notification. In response to these job start and job end responses, a job identifier (JOBID) for identifying the job is transmitted from the printer controller 14 to the upper level apparatus 10.

  The information indicating the printer status and the printing process in (2) includes printing process acceptance start, printer information request and notification, printing process start, printing process request, data transfer completion, data reception completion, and printing. Notification of process completion, process status report, SC (Service Control) notification, error occurrence and cancellation.

  In the printing process acceptance start, the printer device 14 notifies the upper level device 10 that the printer controller 14 can accept the printing process. The printer information request and notification includes a request for necessary printer information from the host apparatus 10 to the printer controller 14 and a response from the printer controller 14 to the host apparatus 10 in response to the request.

  The start of the printing process includes a notification from the upper level apparatus 10 that the preparation of print image data is completed to the printer controller 14 and a response from the printer apparatus 13 to the upper level apparatus 10 for the notification. The print image data preparation completion notification is performed in the output order of print image data and in units of pages (processes). A page can be said to be a printing unit in which printing is performed in a series of printing operations.

  The print process request includes a print process notification from the printer controller 14 to the upper level device 10 and a response from the higher level device 10 to the printer controller 14 in response to the notification. In response to this print process request, the printer controller 14 sends color information (Yellow, Cyan, Magenta or Black) indicating the colors Y, C, M, and K to be printed, a process identification number processID, and a plane identification number to the upper level device 10. Notify them. Note that the plane corresponds to each image based on print image data of each color printed on one page. The printer controller 14 notifies these pieces of information according to the request order of the plane unit and the engine, that is, the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d. That is, print image data composed of bitmap data goes to the upper level apparatus 10 from the printer engine 15 side.

  The completion of the data transfer is notified from the upper level device 10 to the printer controller 14 of the completion of the transfer of the requested plane print image data. The completion of data reception is notified from the printer controller 14 to the upper level device 10 that reception of the requested plane print image data has been completed. The completion of the printing process is notified from the upper level device 10 to the printer controller 14 that the printing request for all pages (processes) has been completed. In the process status report, the print status of the page (process) is notified from the printer controller 14 to the upper level apparatus 10. At this time, the printer controller 14 acquires information regarding paper feed, paper discharge, and printing start from the printer engine 15, adds the acquired information to the notification and transmits the information to the upper level device 10.

  In the SC notification, the host apparatus 10 requests the printer controller 14 to acquire the fault information of the printer apparatus 13, and the fault information acquired in response to the request is notified from the printer controller 14 to the host apparatus 10. Is done. The error occurrence and cancellation is notified from the host device 10 to the printer controller 14 of the occurrence of the error on the host device 10 side and the cancellation of the error.

  The information indicating the printing condition (3) includes setting of the printing condition, that is, notification of the printing condition from the upper level apparatus 10 to the printer controller 14 and the response of the printer controller 14 to the notification. Examples of printing conditions include a printing form, printing type, paper supply / discharge information, printing surface order, printing paper size, printing data size, resolution and gradation, and color information.

  The print mode indicates, for example, whether to perform double-sided printing or single-sided printing on the printing paper 201. The print type indicates whether print image data exists and is to be printed, or whether print image data does not exist and is a blank page. The paper supply / discharge information indicates identification information such as a paper source and a paper output destination stacker of the printing paper 201. The printing surface order indicates whether printing is performed on the printing paper 201 from the front surface to the back surface or from the back surface to the front surface. For example, when a continuous paper is used as the printing paper 201, the printing paper size indicates the length in the transport direction of the printing paper 201 of the page to be printed. The print data size indicates the data size of the print image data. That is, the print data size indicates the size of print image data for one page. The resolution and gradation indicate the resolution and gradation when printing the print image data on the printing paper 201. The color information indicates whether, for example, printing is performed in full color using each of the colors Y, C, M, and K or single color using only the color K.

  The information indicating the connection in (4) includes registration and cancellation, and the host device 10 and the printer controller 14 register each other's information and cancel the registered information.

  Next, the printing process according to the present embodiment will be described. In the following, a case where the K (Black) data transfer control unit 30d has failed will be mainly described as an example. The print control unit 322 checks the free capacity of the memories 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d, and transmits data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d that transfer image data. decide. For example, when the data transfer control unit 30d corresponding to K fails, Y, C, and M are assigned to the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, and 30c, respectively, and K is assigned to the data transfer control unit 30c. The data transfer control unit to which K is allocated is determined according to the free capacity of the memory 31. Details of the transfer destination determination process in which the print control unit 322 determines the transfer destination of the image data will be described later.

  At the time of printing, the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d instruct the output control unit 55 to perform printing in accordance with an instruction from the print control unit 322. The output control unit 55 calls the image data from the memories 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d, and corresponds to the designated color among the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d. An image is output to the head 56.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the colors of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d are determined to be Y, C, M, and K, respectively, but are not limited thereto. The colors associated with the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d and the data lines 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d are dynamically determined when the printing system is activated.

  In other words, the print control unit 322 acquires the connection order, normal / abnormal state, and head mounting order of the connected data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d at the time of activation, and transfers each data transfer. Color information to be output is determined by the control units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d. Information such as the connection order and output color information may be determined with reference to a function that recognizes the hardware configuration (for example, a DIP switch). The connection order is acquired, for example, in ascending order from the order closest to the printing paper supply unit 210. As a result, the order of print output can be obtained. The print control unit 322 holds information acquired for each of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a memory management method when all the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d are normal. Each of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d stores the image data sent from the host device 10 in the memories 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d in accordance with an instruction from the print control unit 322. The print control unit 322 manages use states of the memories 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d using image data management queues corresponding to the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d. The contents held in the image data management queue are address, data size, storage color, and PBID. PBID represents an identifier (page identifier) for identifying a print page. These correspond to the PBID, Color identifier, data storage destination address, and image data size in the print management table shown in FIG. The information to be stored may be the above four, or may be held using the information in the print management table itself. Note that the image data management queue is realized by, for example, a FIFO.

(Print management table)
Here, the print management table used in the printing process will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print management table applied to the present embodiment. The print management table includes information common to each color of C, M, Y, and K and information for each color. The information common to each color and the information for each color are information for data transfer used for transfer of print image data from the host device 10 and information for printing which is information regarding a print instruction to the image output unit 50, respectively. Information. Each piece of information included in the print management table is not limited to being managed in a table format, but may be managed in another data management format.

  Information common to each color according to the present embodiment will be described. The information common to each color includes a page identifier PBID and the number of data per page as information other than data transfer and printing. The page identifier PBID is a page identifier for identifying a print page, and the print management table is identified by this page identifier PBID. The number of data per page is the number of colors used for the page identified by the page identifier PBID. For example, the value is “1” for monochrome and the value is “4” for full color.

  Information for printing in information common to each color applied to the present embodiment will be described. The information for printing includes resolution and gradation as information of print image data to be printed, and information on a print target includes paper width, paper feed length, printing surface (front / back), non-printable area (up / down / left) / Right) and image information. The image information includes an X-direction effective size and a Y-direction effective size.

  In the information of the print image data to be printed, the resolution indicates the print resolution in each of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. The gradation indicates the number of bits per pixel. The paper width indicates the length of the printing paper in the width direction by the number of dots. The paper feed length indicates the length of one page in the print paper feed direction by the number of dots. The printing surface indicates whether the page is printed on the front surface or the back surface of the printing paper.

  Non-printable area Upper, lower, left, and right are the non-printable areas that are prohibited from printing. This is indicated by the number of dots from each of the right end (toward the left end) and the right end (to the right end in the paper feeding direction in the paper width direction).

  Of the image information, the effective size in the X direction indicates the size not including the boundary adjustment area in the X direction (paper width direction) by the number of dots. The boundary adjustment area is provided to align the data size to a predetermined unit when the data size of one raster data includes a fraction less than a predetermined unit (for example, byte unit). In addition, the effective size in the Y direction indicates the size in the Y direction (paper feeding direction) by the number of dots. In other words, the X-direction effective size indicates an effective size printed by one raster data, and the Y-direction effective size indicates the number of rasters (lines) printed at the X-direction effective size.

  That is, the area indicated by the effective size in the X direction and the effective size in the Y direction is the print area. In addition, in the print area, an area that overlaps the non-printable area is not printed.

  Information for each color according to the present embodiment will be described. In the information for each color, a color identifier indicating which print color information among C, M, Y, and K colors is described as information other than the data transfer destination, data transfer, and print. Since the information for each color has the same configuration, information with the color identifier “cyan” will be described below. The print management table includes information for each color for each color of C, M, Y, and K.

  The data transfer destination information in the information for each color applied to the present embodiment indicates information for specifying the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d that transfer the image data from the higher-level device 10. During normal printing, the value is the same as the Color identifier. At the time of degenerate printing, a value that specifies one of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d determined by the print control unit 322 based on the free capacity of the memories 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d is set.

  Here, in the reduced print, when an abnormality occurs in any of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d, printing is continued by the remaining data transfer control units other than the data transfer control unit in which the abnormality has occurred. Means that. In such degenerate printing, printing is continued by a data transfer control unit that replaces the data transfer control unit in which an abnormality has occurred, so the number of data transfer control units to be used is smaller than in normal printing processing. Therefore, the printing speed in the degenerate printing is slower than the normal printing speed. For this reason, it may be configured such that whether or not the degenerate printing is executed even at a printing speed slower than the normal printing speed is finally determined according to the judgment of the user.

  For example, let us consider a case where an abnormality has occurred in the K data transfer control unit 30d and it has been determined to transfer K image data to the M data transfer control unit 30b. In this case, a value for specifying the M data transfer control unit 30b is set in the data transfer destination of the print management table passed to the K data transfer control unit 30d. In this case, not only the information for each color for the color M but also the information for each color for the color K is set in the print management table passed to the M data transfer control unit 30b. For example, a value for specifying the M data transfer control unit 30b is set in the data transfer destination of the information for each color of Color identifier = K. Accordingly, it is possible to notify the M data transfer control unit 30b that not only M but also K image data is to be transferred. The notification method is not limited to this. For example, any method can be applied as long as it can transfer image data of other colors and can notify information for data transfer of image data of other colors.

  The information for data transfer in the information for each color applied to this embodiment includes data transfer necessity / unnecessity, data transfer source address, image data size, and data storage destination address. Data transfer necessity indicates whether or not transfer of print image data of the print color is necessary. For example, when blank paper, that is, when printing is not performed, the data transfer necessity / unnecessity is set to “No” for all colors C, M, Y, and K. Further, the data transfer necessity / unnecessity is set to “No” for colors other than those indicated by Color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black).

  The data transfer source address indicates an address where the print image data of the page indicated by the page identifier PBID is stored in the upper level device 10. The data transfer source address specifies print image data in raster (line) units, for example.

  In the present embodiment, the same address is used as the transfer source address for the print image data of each color. As an example, the host device 10 stores print image data of each color in the storage unit 122 shown in FIG. More specifically, for example, the print image data of each color is stored in each data line 11a to 11d or an address identified by each color in the RAM 103 shown in FIG.

  The image data size includes a boundary adjustment size for aligning the size of the print image data in a predetermined unit (for example, byte unit). When one page is printed, print image data having a data size indicated by the image data size is stored in each of the memories 31a to 31d. For example, the value obtained by adding the boundary adjustment size to “print data size” in the information indicating (3) print conditions described with reference to FIG. 10 is the image data size.

  The data storage destination address is an address (input address) for storing image data transferred from the host device 10. Therefore, every time the input address is updated, the data storage destination address is also updated. The image data size indicates the data size of the print image data transferred in response to a request from the data transfer control units 30a to 30d, and is, for example, the data size of the print image data of the page indicated by the page identifier PBID.

  The information for printing in the information for each color applied to the present embodiment includes necessity of printing. The necessity of printing indicates the necessity of printing the print image data of the print color. For example, when blank paper, that is, when printing is not performed, the necessity of printing is set to “No” for all colors of C, M, Y, and K. Further, for the colors other than those indicated by the Color identifier, the necessity of printing is set to “No”.

  Returning to FIG. When the host apparatus 10 completes preparation for transferring image data for the first page, it notifies the print control unit 322 of preparation completion. At this time, the host device 10 notifies the print control unit 322 of the data size of each color image.

  The print control unit 322 confirms the free capacity of the memories 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d. The free capacity of the memories 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d is calculated from the input address and the output address. The output address indicates an address of image data output to the output control unit 55.

  The print control unit 322 determines whether each of the memories 31 a, 31 b, 31 c, and 31 d has a free capacity corresponding to the size of each image data received from the host device 10. When there is a free capacity that can store image data in the memories 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d, the print control unit 322 updates a data storage destination address that is information for data transfer in the print management table.

When the print control unit 322 completes the update of the print management table, the print control unit 322 stores the information of the address, the data size, the storage color, and the PBID in the image data management queue in order to hold the image data information. Thereafter, the print control unit 322 updates the input address by the image data size. For example, the input address is updated as shown in the following equation (1). The buffer size represents the size of the memories 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d.
Input address = (Input address + Image data size)% Buffer size (1)

  Next, the data transfer process will be described. The print control unit 322 requests the host apparatus 10 to transfer image data of each color according to the print management table. The print control unit 322 requests the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d to start data transfer for each color in the order of early printing order according to the information in the print management table.

  Each of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d stores the image data received from the host device 10 in the memories 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d according to the information in the print management table. The data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d perform the image data size from the address indicated by the data storage destination address of the print management table to any of the memories 31 corresponding to the color specified by the data transfer destination. Save image data for minutes. When the data transfer is completed, the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d notify the print control unit 322 of the completion of the transfer.

When the transfer of all pages is completed, the print control unit 322 instructs the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d to print. The print control unit 322 updates the output address after receiving the discharge completion from the conveyance control unit 51. The print control unit 322 retrieves the address, image data size, color, and PBID from the image data management queue, and updates the output address by, for example, the following expression (2).
Output address = (Output address + Image data size)% Buffer size (2)

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a state after the transfer of the image data of the first page is completed. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the state of the memory 31 after the transfer of the image data of the second page has been completed.

  Next, a method for calculating the free capacity of the memories 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d provided in the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a calculation method of the free space.

As shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment, the memories 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are ring buffers and include a mechanism that holds image data in a circular manner. When the image data management queue is empty, the buffer size itself is the free capacity. When the image data management queue is not empty, the free space is calculated by the following equation (3).
Free capacity = buffer size-(input address-output address) (3)

  15 to 18 are diagrams illustrating a memory management method when an abnormality occurs in the K data transfer control unit 30d and image data cannot be transferred to the memory 31d of the K data transfer control unit 30d. FIG. 15 shows a state before image data of the first page is transferred. FIG. 16 shows a state where the transfer destination of the image data of the first page of K has been determined. FIG. 17 shows a state where the transfer destination of the image data of the first page of YMC has been determined. FIG. 18 shows a state after the transfer of the image data of the first page is completed.

  When the host apparatus 10 completes preparation for transferring data of the first page, it notifies the print control unit 322 of preparation completion. At this time, the host device 10 notifies the print control unit 322 of the data size of each color image.

  The print control unit 322 checks the free capacities of the Y, C, and M data transfer control units 30a, 30b, and 30c of the memories 31a, 31b, and 31c that are operating normally. The print control unit 322 assumes that the data received from the host device 10 has been transferred to the Y, C, and M memories 31a, 31b, and 31c, and holds the free capacities of the memories 31a, 31b, and 31c in descending order. .

  In the example shown in FIG. 15, it is determined that the free capacities of the memories 31a, 31b, and 31c are large in the order of M, C, and Y. Note that when the free capacity becomes the same, the data transfer control unit 30 with a slower printing order is placed at the higher order to improve the printing efficiency. The print control unit 322 confirms whether or not K image data can be stored in the M memory 31b having the largest available capacity in accordance with the print output order. If the data can be stored, the print control unit 322 updates the data transfer destination information in the K print management table to M. When the print control unit 322 completes the update of the print management table, the print control unit 322 stores the information of the image data, stores the address, image data size, color, and PBID information in the image data management queue, and updates the input address. To do. An example of the image data management queue updated in this way is shown in the lower part of FIG.

  Further, the print control unit 322 updates the Y, C, and M print management tables, stores the image data management queue, and updates the input address. An example of the image data management queue updated in this way is shown in the lower part of FIG.

  The subsequent data transfer process will be described. The print control unit 322 requests the host apparatus 10 to transfer image data of each color according to the print management table. The print control unit 322 issues a data transfer start request for each color to the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, and 30c according to the information in the print management table in order of the printing order. Each of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, and 30c transfers image data from the upper level device 10 in accordance with information in the print management table. The data transfer control units 30a, 30b, and 30c, for any one of the memories 31 corresponding to the color designated by the data transfer destination, from the address indicated by the data storage destination address of the print management table, the image data size. Save the image data. When the data transfer ends, the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, and 30c notify the print control unit 322 of the transfer completion.

  When the transfer of all pages is completed, the print control unit 322 instructs the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, and 30c to print. The print control unit 322 updates the output address after receiving the discharge completion from the conveyance control unit 51.

  In the case of degenerate printing, the output control unit 55 needs to read the image data from the data transfer control unit 30 that has replaced the data transfer, and print the image data on the head 56 corresponding to the color of the read image data. Therefore, the output control unit 55 selects the connection lines 58-1, 58-2, 58-3, and 58-4 by referring to the print management table as the setting information 42 (see FIG. 8). For example, when the color identifier on the print management table is K and M is set as the data transfer destination, the head 56b corresponding to M and the head 56d corresponding to K are connected to the connection line corresponding to M. The selection unit 131 may be set so that the connection line 58-4 corresponding to 58-3 and K can be connected.

  When transferring image data from the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d to the heads 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d, the output control unit 55 transfers the data of each color identifier on the print management table. The corresponding output line 33 is selected from the data transfer destination with reference to the destination and the data storage destination address. Further, the output control unit 55 transfers necessary image data from the data storage destination address to the head 56 corresponding to the Color identifier. Since the transfer destination of the image data is determined with reference to the print management table, the transfer destination can be determined regardless of the normal printing or the reduced printing.

  Next, details of the transfer destination determination process will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall flow of the transfer destination determination process. The transfer destination determination process is executed by the print control unit 322 when, for example, the host apparatus 10 completes preparation for transferring one page.

  The print control unit 322 executes update processing for updating information indicating whether each of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d is normal or abnormal (step S11). The print control unit 322 executes an acquisition process of acquiring the free capacity of the memories 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d for each color (step S12). The print control unit 322 determines whether the buffer is full indicating that there is no memory that can store the image data to be transferred (step S13). If the buffer is full (step S13: Yes), the print control unit 322 returns to step S11 and repeats the process. If the buffer is not full (step S13: No), the print control unit 322 executes a storage process for storing the transfer destination (data transfer destination) of the image data in the print management table (step S14), and performs a transfer destination determination process. finish.

  Next, the update process in step S11 will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall flow of the update process.

  The print control unit 322 selects one of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d, and determines whether or not the selected data transfer control unit 30 is operating normally (step S21).

  For example, the print control unit 322 determines whether or not it is operating normally depending on whether or not it has been notified from the selected data transfer control unit 30 that an abnormality has occurred. In this case, the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d have a function of notifying the print control unit 322 that an abnormality has occurred when an abnormality has occurred. For example, the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d are configured to execute PCI Express link training to determine the connection state, and notify the print control unit 322 of the occurrence of an abnormality when disconnected. May be. Note that the method for determining whether or not the device is operating normally is not limited to this. For example, the determination may be made based on the number of times of data transfer time-out and the number of times of data error detection.

  If the data transfer control unit 30 is not operating normally (step S21: No), the print control unit 322 holds information indicating that the selected data transfer control unit 30 is abnormal, for example, in the RAM 323 (step S22). ). When the data transfer control unit 30 is operating normally (step S21: Yes), the print control unit 322 holds information indicating that the selected data transfer control unit 30 is normal, for example, in the RAM 323 (step S23). ).

  The print control unit 322 determines whether or not all the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d have been processed (determined) (step S24). When all the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d have not been processed (step S24: No), the process returns to step S21 and is repeated. When all the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d have been processed (step S24: Yes), the update process ends.

  Next, the acquisition process in step S12 will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall flow of the acquisition process.

  The print control unit 322 selects one of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d, and calculates the free capacity of the memory 31 of the selected data transfer control unit 30 (step S31). As described above, the print control unit 322 calculates the free capacity by, for example, the expression (3).

  The print control unit 322 determines whether the calculated free space is equal to or larger than the size of the image data to be transferred (step S32). If the free capacity is not equal to or larger than the size of the image data to be transferred (step S32: No), the print control unit 322 determines that the buffer is full (step S33), and ends the acquisition process. When the free space is equal to or larger than the size of the image data to be transferred (step S32: Yes), the print control unit 322 increases the free space of the memory 31 in descending order of the “free space of memory” after transferring and storing the image data. The data is stored in the RAM 323 or the like (step S34).

  The print control unit 322 determines whether or not all the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d have been processed (step S35). When all the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d have not been processed (step S35: No), the process returns to step S31 and is repeated. When all the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d have been processed (step S35: Yes), the acquisition process ends.

  Next, the storage process in step S14 will be described. FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall flow of the storage process.

  The print control unit 322 selects one of the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d and determines whether the selected data transfer control unit 30 is operating normally (step S41). For example, the print control unit 322 refers to the information held in the update process (step S11 in FIG. 19) to determine whether the data transfer control unit 30 is operating normally.

  When not operating normally (step S41: No), the print control unit 322 determines whether or not the maximum value of “free memory capacity” is equal to or larger than the size of the image data to be transferred (step S42). If the maximum value of “free memory capacity” is not equal to or larger than the size of the image data to be transferred (step S42: No), the print control unit 322 determines that the buffer is full (step S43), and ends the storage process.

  When the maximum value of “free memory capacity” is equal to or larger than the size of the image data to be transferred (step S42: Yes), the print control unit 322 determines that the data transfer control unit 30 having the maximum value of “free memory capacity”. The Color identifier is set as the data transfer destination of the print management table (step S44). The print control unit 322 deletes the information on the maximum value of “free memory capacity” (step S45).

  If it is determined in step S41 that the printer is operating normally (step S41: Yes), the print control unit 322 is the same as the color corresponding to the selected data transfer control unit 30 as the data transfer destination of the print management table. A Color identifier is set (step S46).

  After step S45 or step S46, the print control unit 322 determines whether all the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d have been processed (step S47). If all the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d have not been processed (step S47: No), the process returns to step S41 and is repeated. When all the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d have been processed (step S47: Yes), the acquisition process ends.

(Print sequence)
Next, details of the printing process according to the present embodiment will be described. 23 and 24 are sequence diagrams illustrating an example of the printing process according to the present embodiment. 23 and 24, reference signs A to H indicate that the process shifts to a corresponding reference sign between different drawings.

  In the following, it is assumed that the print job prints all two pages. In the following, when an error occurs in the color Y data transfer control unit 30a (that is, the color Y data transfer control unit 30a breaks down) and the mode is changed to a mode for performing reduced printing (degenerate printing mode). Will be described as an example. Further, in this example, the color C data transfer control unit 30b replaces the color Y data transfer control unit 30a in the first page printing, and the color M data transfer control unit 30c in the second page printing. It is assumed that the data transfer control unit 30a for color Y is substituted. That is, in the printing of the first page, the free capacity of the memory 31b of the color C data transfer control unit 30b is the maximum, and in the printing of the second page, the free capacity of the memory 31c of the data transfer control unit 30c of color M is Assume that it was the maximum.

  First, control information for starting a job is transmitted from the upper level apparatus 10 to the printer controller 14 via the control line 12 (step S101). In response to this control information, the printer controller 14 transmits, for example, control information that responds with a job identifier to the upper level apparatus 10 via the control line 12 (step S102). At the same time, the printer controller 14 acquires resources for executing the job as the job starts.

  The printer controller 14 transmits a request for print information including print conditions to the upper level device 10 via the control line 12 (step S103). The host device 10 transmits control information for setting printing conditions to the printer controller 14 via the control line 12 (step S104). The printing conditions set for the printer controller 14 include, for example, printing mode, printing type, paper supply / discharge information, printing surface order, printing paper size, data size of print image data, resolution and gradation, and color information. including. Also, information on the number of pages to be printed can be included in the printing conditions. When the control information is received by the printer controller 14, various printing conditions included in the received control information are written in, for example, a register of the printer controller 14, and the printing conditions are set.

  Next, the printer controller 14 refers to conditions such as the print paper size and sets the paper feed length to the transport control unit 51 (step S105). The paper feed length is, for example, the size of one page in the transport direction.

  The transfer destination determination process shown in FIG. 19 is executed, for example, when the host device 10 completes transfer preparation for one page thereafter.

  Next, the printer controller 14 transmits the print management table for the first page to the data transfer control units 30b, 30c, and 30d through the print control unit 322 (steps S301, S302, and S303). By referring to the print management table, each of the data transfer control units 30b, 30c, and 30d can grasp whether or not the data transfer control unit 30a is used as a substitute for the failed data transfer control unit 30a.

  Further, each of the data transfer control units 30b, 30c, and 30d can acquire the data transfer source address of the print image data of each color from the print management table. For example, the data transfer control unit 30b replacing the failed data transfer control unit 30a on the first page can read the print image data of color C from the data transfer source address of color Y.

  Here, the transmission of the print management table is performed at an arbitrary timing if it is performed before the printer controller 14 transmits the data transfer start request for page # 1 to each of the data transfer control units 30b, 30c, and 30d. Also good.

  Next, the printer controller 14 transmits control information for requesting print image data for the first page of color Y to the upper level device 10 via the control line 12 (step S106). This control information includes a process identification number for designating a process notified from the host device 10 and color information for designating the color Y. The host device 10 returns control information including the image identification number to the printer controller 14 as a response to the control information (step S107).

  When this control information is received, the printer controller 14 has an error in the color Y data transfer control unit 30a, and therefore the data transfer of the color C set in the print management table, not the data transfer control unit 30a. The control unit 30b is requested to start transferring the print image data of color Y (step S108).

  In response to this request, the data transfer control unit 30b requests the print image data of the plane of color Y from the host device 10 via the data line 11b in step S109, and in response to this request, the host device The print image data of color Y is transferred from 10 to the data transfer control unit 30b (step S109). The transferred print image data is stored in an area allocated for the print image data of the first page in the memory of the data transfer control unit 30b.

  When the transfer of the print image data from the upper level apparatus 10 via the data line 11b is completed, the data transfer control unit 30b transmits a notification to that effect to the printer controller 14 (step S110).

  Thereafter, the same processing as in steps S106 to S110 is repeated for each of the other colors C, M, and K, and the print image data of each color is subjected to data transfer control from the host device 10 via the data lines 11b, 11c, and 11d. Transferred to the units 30b, 30c, and 30d, respectively (steps S111 to S125). However, in this example, since no error has occurred in the data transfer control units 30b, 30c, and 30d for the colors C, M, and K, the data transfer control units 30b, 30c, and 30d are print image data of corresponding colors, respectively. Is acquired from the host device 10.

  When the printer controller 14 receives notification of the completion of data transfer for the first page from all of the data transfer control units 30b, 30c, and 30d, the printer controller 14 requests the conveyance control unit 51 to start paper conveyance (step S126). In response to this request, the conveyance control unit 51 starts conveying the printing paper at a predetermined speed. In addition, the printer controller 14 requests the conveyance control unit 51 to start conveyance of the paper and instructs each data transfer control unit 30b, 30c, and 30d to start printing the first page.

  In this example, the printer controller 14 first transmits a print instruction for the first page including the designation of the color Y to the data transfer control unit 30b (step S127). Further, the printer controller 14 transmits a print instruction for the first page including the designation of the color C to the data transfer control unit 30b (step S128). Similarly, the print instruction for the first page including the designation of the color M and the color K is transmitted to the data transfer control units 30c and 30d, respectively (step S129 and step S130).

  On the other hand, the printer controller 14 responds to the notification that the transfer of the print image data for the first page has been completed, respectively, with respect to the data transfer control units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d. ) Request to start data transfer.

  In this example, first, the printer controller 14 transmits the print management table for the second page to the data transfer control units 30b, 30c, and 30d that have not failed through the print control unit 322 (steps S303, S304, and S305). . The printer controller 14 transmits control information requesting print image data for the second page of color Y to the upper level device 10 via the control line 12 (step S131). The host device 10 returns control information including the image identification number to the printer controller 14 as a response to the control information (step S132).

  Upon receiving this control information, the printer controller 14 detects that the data transfer control unit 30a for color Y has failed, and therefore the data transfer control unit for color M set in the print management table, not the data transfer control unit 30a. A request is made to start transfer of print image data of color Y to 30c (step S133).

  In response to this request, the data transfer control unit 30c requests the host device 10 for the print image data of the color Y plane via the data line 11b in step S134, and in response to this request, the host device The print image data of color Y is transferred from 10 to the data transfer control unit 30c (step S134). When the transfer of the print image data from the upper level apparatus 10 via the data line 11b is completed, the data transfer control unit 30c transmits a notification indicating that to the printer controller 14 (step S135).

  Thereafter, the same processing as in steps S131 to S135 is repeated for each of the other colors C, M, and K, and the print image data of each color is subjected to data transfer control from the host device 10 via the data lines 11b, 11c, and 11d. The data are transferred to the units 30b, 30c, and 30d (steps S136 to S150).

  Further, the printer controller 14 instructs each data transfer control unit 30b, 30c, and 30d to start printing the second page.

  In this example, the printer controller 14 first transmits a print instruction for the second page including the designation of the color Y to the data transfer control unit 30c (step S151). Further, the printer controller 14 transmits a print instruction for the second page including the designation of the color C to the data transfer control unit 30b (step S152). Similarly, the print instruction for the second page including the designation of the color M and the color K is transmitted to the data transfer control units 30c and 30d, respectively (steps S153 and S154).

  For example, when the printing paper 201 reaches a predetermined position, the conveyance control unit 51 notifies the printer controller 14 that the printing is possible (step S155). In response to the printable state report from the transport control unit 51, the printer controller 14 first transmits a print instruction to the output control unit 55 corresponding to the color Y (step S156).

  On the other hand, the printer controller 14 instructs each data transfer control unit 30b, 30c, 30d to specify the print start position (step S157, step S159, step S161). Each data transfer control unit 30b, 30c, 30d instructs printing to the output control unit 55 in accordance with the print head instruction (step S158, step S160, step S162).

  Thereafter, since the print instruction is received, the output control unit 55 refers to the print management table and reads out the print image data of the first page to the data transfer control unit 30b instead of the data transfer control unit 30a. A request is made (step S163). In other words, the output control unit 55 selects one of the connection lines 58 (for example, the connection line) so as to connect the selection unit 131b connected to the data transfer control unit 30b and the output I / F unit 57a connected to the head 56a. 58-1) is selected. The output control unit 55 acquires the print image data from the data transfer control unit 30b (step S164), and transfers it to the printing paper 201 (step S165). The output control unit 55 transmits the print end of the first page to the printer controller 14 (step S166). Thereafter, the output control unit 55 requests the data transfer control unit 30c to read the print image data of the second page (step S167).

  On the other hand, for the colors Y, M, and K, the output control unit 55 reads the print image data from the corresponding data transfer control units 30b, 30c, and 30d and transfers them to the printing paper 201.

  For example, for color Y, the output control unit 55 requests the data transfer control unit 30b to read the print image data for the first page (step S168). The output control unit 55 acquires the print image data from the data transfer control unit 30b (step S169) and transfers it to the printing paper 201 (step S170). The output control unit 55 transmits the end of printing the first page to the data transfer control unit 30b (step S171). The data transfer control unit 30b transmits the end of printing the first page to the printer controller 14 (step S172). Thereafter, the same processes as in steps S168 to S172 are repeated for the other colors M and K (steps S173 to S182).

  When the printing of all the colors on the first page is completed in this way, the printer controller 14 notifies the upper level device 10 that the printing of the first page has been completed (step S183).

  The data transfer control unit 30c requested to read the print image data of the second page in step S167 reads the print image data of the second page in response to the request and transmits it to the output control unit 55 (step S184). The output control unit 55 transfers the read print image data to the printing paper 201 (step S185), and transmits the end of printing of the second page to the printer controller 14 (step S186).

  Hereinafter, Steps S187 to S201, which are printing processes for the colors C, M, and K of the second page, are the same as Steps S168 to S182, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  When all the printing up to two pages is completed, the printer controller 14 requests the conveyance control unit 51 to stop conveyance of the printing paper (step S202). In response to this request, the conveyance control unit 51 stops conveyance of the printing paper and reports to that effect to the printer controller 14 (step S203). When the printing of all the colors of the second page is completed, the printer controller 14 notifies the upper level device 10 that the printing of the second page has been completed (step S204).

  For example, when the upper apparatus 10 receives a paper discharge report corresponding to the information indicating the number of print pages included in the control information transmitted in step S104 from the printer controller 14, printing by the job notified of the start in step S101 is performed. When it is determined that the job has been completed, control information for ending the job is transmitted to the printer controller 14 (step S205). Upon receiving this control information, the printer controller 14 transmits response control information including the identification number of the designated job to the upper level apparatus 10 (step S206). Thereby, a series of printing processes is completed.

  As described above, according to the printing apparatus of the present embodiment, even if any of the data transfer control units fails, or even if any of the data lines (data communication paths) from the host apparatus fails, the failure occurs. The print data can be transferred through the output control unit by using a data transfer control unit that is not defective or a data line that is not faulty. Thereby, it is possible to provide a printing system capable of continuing operation without interrupting printing.

  In the present embodiment, the printer controller (printing control unit) dynamically stores the image data of the failed color in a memory having a large free space among the memories of the data transfer control unit of the non-failed color. To the host device. For this reason, even in a system that presupposes storing image data with variable data sizes in the memory of each color's data transfer control unit, the free space in the memory is made uniform and print processing is executed efficiently. It becomes possible.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined. Various modifications are possible.

10 Host device 11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Data line 12 Control line 13 Printer device 14 Printer controller 15 Printer engine 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d Data transfer control unit 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d Memory 40a, 40b, 40c , 40d Engine I / F control line 41 Conveyance control line 50 Image output unit 51 Conveyance control unit 55 Output control units 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d Head

JP 2004-287519 A JP 2002-254663 A

Claims (3)

A printing device,
Corresponding image data that is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of storage units and is transferred from the upper apparatus separate from the printing apparatus via the plurality of first transfer paths that perform bidirectional communication. A plurality of data transfer control units stored in the storage unit;
Each of the image data stored in the plurality of storage units is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of data transfer control units, and the output unit instructed from among a plurality of output units for printing the image data An output control unit for outputting to
A print control unit that receives control information for controlling printing of the image data from the host device via a second transfer path, and independently controls the plurality of data transfer control units based on the control information; With
In the case where an abnormality occurs in any one of the data transfer control units, the print control unit does not give an abnormality to the transfer instruction of the first image data to be transferred by the data transfer control unit in which the abnormality has occurred. And the corresponding free space in the storage unit is sent to the data transfer control unit larger than the size of the first image data, and the output unit corresponding to the data transfer control unit in which an abnormality has occurred you instruct the output control unit to output the first image data,
Printing device comprising a call. When an abnormality occurs in any one of the data transfer control units, the print control unit issues an instruction to transfer the first image data, and there is no abnormality in the corresponding storage unit. Sending to the data transfer control unit that is larger than the size of the first image data and has the largest available capacity;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. A method for controlling a printing apparatus,
A plurality of data transfer control units are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of storage units, and are transferred from a higher-level device separate from the printing device via a plurality of first transfer paths that perform bidirectional communication, respectively. A plurality of data transfer control steps for storing the image data to be stored in the corresponding storage unit;
An output control unit is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of data transfer control units for each of the image data stored in the plurality of storage units, and indicates an instruction from among the plurality of output units for printing the image data An output control step for outputting to the output unit,
A print control step of receiving control information for controlling printing of the image data from the host device via a second transfer path, and independently controlling the plurality of data transfer control units based on the control information; Including,
In the printing control step, when an abnormality occurs in any of the data transfer control units, the transfer instruction of the first image data to be transferred by the data transfer control unit in which the abnormality has occurred is not abnormal. And the corresponding free space in the storage unit is sent to the data transfer control unit larger than the size of the first image data, and the output unit corresponding to the data transfer control unit in which an abnormality has occurred you instruct the output control unit to output the first image data,
Method for controlling the printing apparatus according to claim and this.

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