JPH0224163A - Data process system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce a waiting time till the start of printing by a method wherein with respect to data applied with a priority indication code the data is outputted to a first processing means until it is applied with a code indicated as a priority indication end mode code, and the data is processed prior to others as far as the first data processing means has the data. CONSTITUTION:If data read from a data processor interface 105 is a priority indication end code and a code mode flag for representing the end of the priority indication is ON according to this priority indication end code, a priority flag is turned OFF, an edition parameter which has been retracted at the time of the priority flag being ON is reset, a page feed code is generated internally to be outputted to a priority R-buffer 120, and the process returns to a main routine. If the end code mode flag is OFF or the priority flag has been turned OFF already in the presence of the priority indication end code, this code is ignored, and the process returns as it is.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a data processing method for a printer such as a racer printer.

(Prior Art) Conventional electrophotographic printers internally receive two types of drawing data: text data drawn using a font pattern prepared in advance, and graphic data in raster and vector formats. are processed and drawn in the order in which they appear.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, there is a considerable difference in processing time between text data and graphic data. Text data requires almost no time to process because it only involves reading font pattern data, but graphic data requires complex arithmetic processing, which takes several minutes to sometimes tens of minutes to process. Therefore, in the method described above, in which received data is processed in the order in which it is received,
If print data consisting only of text data, which requires less processing time, is received after print data containing graphic data, it is necessary to wait for the processing of the print data containing graphic data to finish, even though it would take almost no processing time. However, it is not possible to process print data that is only text data. Therefore, even in printers that can analyze and perform various processing on the next received data during printing, a waiting time may occur until printing starts.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
Even if print data containing text data is received first, if print data containing only text data is received, that print data containing only text data is processed first, and graphics are printed while printing the processed text. The purpose is to reduce the waiting time between processing data and starting printing.

(Means for Solving the Problem) In order to solve the above object, the data processing method of the present invention includes a data storage means for temporarily storing data input from the outside, and a data storage means for storing a print image. a print image storage means; a data analysis means for analyzing the data stored in the data storage means; and if the result of the analysis by the data analysis means or a code of the print data, it is stored in the print image 7 storage means. a first data processing means for priority processing, which includes a drawing means for writing as a print image on the computer; a data storage means for temporarily storing data input from the outside; and a print image storage for storing the print image. means, a data analysis means for analyzing the data stored in the data storage means, and if the result of the analysis by the data analysis means is a code of print data,
a second data processing means for normal processing, comprising a drawing means for writing the data as a print image in the print image storage means; the data includes print data including text data and graphic data; A priority designation code that is added to the beginning of the print data to perform priority processing for that print data, a priority designation end code that is added to the end of certain print data to end the priority processing of that print data, and a priority designation end code that is added to the end of a certain print data to terminate the priority processing of that print data, and the beginning of a group of print data. In addition to this, the control code includes a priority specification end mode code and a page break code that specify whether priority processing is to be terminated by the priority processing end code or by the page break code, and the types of these data. and an identification means for identifying the
If a priority designation code is recognized in the above data, subsequent data will be processed until the code for terminating the priority processing specified by the priority designation end mode code is recognized in the data. 1. When the data storage means of the data processing means manually performs data processing, and the code for terminating the priority processing specified by the priority specification termination mode code is recognized, subsequent data is processed manually. , until the priority designated coat is recognized in the above data.
The data is input to the data storage means of the second data processing means to be processed, and as long as there is data in the first data processing means, the processing of the data in the second data processing means is continued until the processing is completed. The feature is that it is controlled so that it does not occur.

(Operation) Data to which a priority designation code has been attached is output to the first (priority) data processing means until the code designated by the priority designation end mode code is attached, and the data to which a priority designation code is not attached is outputted to the first (priority) data processing means. Data is output to the second (normal) data processing means, and as long as there is data in the first data processing means, that data is processed preferentially.

Also, when performing priority processing for only one page, it is best to end the priority specification using a page break code,
When specifying or canceling priority processing within one page, it is best to end the priority designation using the priority designation end code, so the code that instructs the end of the priority designation can be set as the priority designation end code by the priority designation end mode code. Make sure that one side with the page break code is specified.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a printer system IO which is an embodiment of the present invention.
The configuration of the processing system is shown below.

Data from the general-purpose data processing device 1 is temporarily stored in an external filing buffer 2 and then output to the printer system IO in order to improve the throughput of the data processing device 1. The data sent from this data processing device 1 includes text data and graphic data for printing, codes for controlling the print engine to perform line breaks, page breaks, etc., and priority processing related to the present invention. It consists of a priority designation code for specifying and canceling the priority designation, and a control code including a priority designation end code and a priority designation end mode code.

This electrophotographic printer/stem 10 includes a bitmap data processing device 3, a print engine 4, an external paper feed unit, a tray 5, and a sorter 6.

FIG. 3 is a central sectional view showing a paper passing path of an electrophotographic printer to which the present invention is applicable. Vapor is selectively fed from three removable paper feeders (51.5253). After the toner is removed from the photoreceptor tram 401 by a cleaner 406, the photoreceptor tram 401 is transferred to a charger 404. The optical system 4 is uniformly charged by the eraser lamp 405.
Image exposure is performed from 09 onwards. Then, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 401 by the developing device 402, and the toner image is transferred onto the fed paper by the transfer charger 403. The paper is carried to the fixing device 408 by a conveyance bell h407, and after being fixed by the fixing device 408, it is stored in the sorter 6.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the bitmap type data processing device 3 of FIG. 2, in which a priority processing section necessary for carrying out the present invention is provided in parallel with a normal processing section.

This bitmap processing device 3 is composed of several blocks connected by an internal bus.

101-106 are 2. This block is commonly connected to the priority processing section and the normal processing section. BM-CPUIOl is
It is the central control unit of the bitmap processing device 3, and communicates with the data processing device 1 via the data processing device interface 105 via the external file buffer 2, and also communicates with the data processing device 1 via the data processing device interface 105 and the print engine interface 106.
As will be described later, the print engine 4 is controlled through the bitmap writing unit 113 through the bitmap writing unit interface 112 and the priority pitmap writing unit interface 122 by converting the print data.
and controls the priority bitmap writing section 123. SYS
-RAM 103 stores the BM-CPUIOI program. SYS-RAM103 is 13M-CP[J
Iol's working storage area, used to store stacks and basic flags.

110 to 114 are normal processing units for processing received data that does not require priority processing;
Configure data processing means.

Reference numerals 120 to 124 are priority processing units for performing priority processing on received data to which a priority designation code has been attached in the present invention. established in

It should be noted that the font section 115 is shared between the priority processing section and the normal processing section since it is not necessary to have each of them.

The normal processing section and the priority processing section will be explained below. Furthermore, data to be processed with priority and assigned a priority designation code is stored in the priority R-buffer 120, and data to be processed normally is stored in the R-buffer 110.
- It is controlled by the CPU 101, and the basic operation of the priority processing section is the same as that of the normal processing section.

The R-buffer 110 and the destination R-buffer 120 are buffers for communicating with the outside (data processing device 1 and file buffer 2), and can perform communication between the processing program of the BM-CPUIol and the data processing device 1 even asynchronously. make it possible.

The P-RAMI 11 and the priority P-RAM 121 store various data from the data processing device 1 as intermediate codes that are easy to process.

Actual drawing is performed by the bitmap writing section 1.13 and the priority bitmap writing section 123, but the information to the bitmap writing section 113 and the priority bitmap writing section 123 includes the pattern built-in address of the font section 115, etc. , bitmap RAM 114 and priority bitmap RA
There are parameters such as a drawing address to M124. Calculating these parameters takes a certain amount of time. Therefore, the bitmap RAM 114 and the priority bitmap RA
While printing the data of M124, the data of the next page is pre-processed (this is to speed up the processing. Therefore, P-RAMI 11 and priority P'-
The movement of data in RAMI 21 is first-in.
First out.

In this embodiment, the bitmap RAM I4 and the priority bitmap RAM 124 are provided in the same memory, but they may be separate memories. In addition, if graphic data is also subject to priority processing, not only the bitmap RAMlI4 but also the priority bitmap R
AM124 also requires a storage capacity for one page.

Further, the print engine interface 106 is an interface with the print engine 4, and exchanges JOB control commands such as print commands with the interface of the print engine 4 through a communication bus.

An embodiment of the present invention that performs priority processing can be achieved by using the configuration of the bitmap type data processing device 3 described above and by the control flow of the printer device described below.

FIG. 5 shows the main flow of the printer device.

When the power is turned on, internal initialization is performed (step S
(steps below 11 are omitted), various buffers and RAM
(S2), read font attribute information such as cell size from the font section 115 (S3), and set switch settings (interface switching, etc.) and internal default values (
Initial settings are performed using margins, etc.) (S4).

After the above initial operations are completed, data reception from the data processing device l such as a host computer is permitted, and a received data processing loop is entered.

In the received data processing (S5), it is determined whether there is data in the R-buffer 110 or the priority R-buffer 120, and
Perform processing.

FIG. 6 shows the flow of received data processing. This process mainly involves converting received data into intermediate code.

This is because by converting to an intermediate hood in advance, the time for data analysis during printing is shortened, and the total printing time is shortened.

If there is priority data in the priority R-buffer 120 (S51
(YES), processes 852 to S57 are performed to perform priority processing. In S52, the priority data is read from the priority R-buffer 120, and if the data is not a control code (No in S53), that is, if it is print data or graphic data, it is converted into a predetermined format as an intermediate code (554). ), output to the priority P-RAM 121 (
S57). In addition, if it is a control code (S53
(YES at 856), the details are omitted, but if it is necessary to process various control codes (S55) and output them to the priority P-RAM 21 (YES at 856), then the priority P-RAM 12
1 (S57).

If there is no data in the priority R-buffer 120 (No in S51), normal processing from 362 to S67 is performed.

This normal processing includes the priority R-buffer 120 (S52) and the priority P-buffer 120 (S52) used in the priority processing of 352 to S57 above.
R buffer 1 instead of RAM 121 (S57)
10. If P-RAMI l 1 is used, the procedure will be the same, so the explanation will be omitted.

Returning to FIG. 5, the explanation will be continued. After processing this received data, the priority bitmap RAM 124 and the bitmap R
If AM114 is accessible (YES in S6),
Packet processing to be described next is performed (S7).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of packet processing. Priority P-RA
If M121 has priority data (YES in S71),
Priority packet processing from 372 to S77 is performed. In S72,
Read data from priority P-RAM 121 (S72)
, if the data indicates a control code (S7
3: YES), the control code is analyzed (S74),
If the code specifies a page break (YES in S75), a paper discharge request is made (S76) and the process returns. If it is not a page break designation code (No in S75), the process returns directly. Furthermore, if the data read from the priority P-RAM 121 does not indicate a control code (No in S73), that is, if it is print data or graphic data,
Predetermined font data and raster data are developed in the priority bitmap RAM 124 (S77), and the process returns.

If there is no data in the priority P-RAMI 21 (No in S71), normal packet processing of 382 to 887 is performed.

In this normal processing, the P-RAM
If the MI 11 and bitmap RAM 114 are used, the same procedure will be used, so the explanation will be omitted.

Returning to FIG. 5 again, the explanation will be continued. After the above packet processing, if a paper ejection request (876 or 886) is issued (S
8 (YES), and perform print control in S9 (S
9) Eject the paper and feed the next paper.

Data reception is performed asynchronously with the above processing. 1st
The figure shows the flow of this data reception.

In order to perform the above priority processing, the data processing device 1 such as a host computer newly adds a priority designation code and a priority designation end code when transmitting data, and data below these codes is , it is necessary for the printer system 10 to identify that the data should be processed with priority and that priority processing is not specified.

In addition, in the present invention, the priority specification end mode code allows
Since the end of priority designation is switched, if the processing is basically for one page, it is better to end the priority designation using a page break code.
If it is desired to designate and end priority processing within one page, the priority designation is ended using a priority designation end code. For example, if you want to completely separate text data and graphic data and give priority processing to each type of print data, use the priority specification end mode code to specify the priority specification end code and give priority to the beginning of the text data group. A priority specification end code is added to the end of the text data group, that is, to the beginning of the graphic data group.

At this time, the priority designation may change in the middle of the page, so in that case, a page break code is generated inside the printer.

This data reception flow will be explained below.

First, data is read from the data processing device interface 105 (S101), and if the data is a priority specified end mode code (YES at 8102) or indicates an end code mode (YES at S103).
S), turn the end foot mode flag ONt (S104
), return. In addition, if you do not specify the end code mode, that is, if you want to end with priority specification using the page break code (NO in 5103), turn off the end code mode flag.
(S105) and returns.

Next, if it is a priority designation code (YES in S106),
Unless the priority flag that determines that the following received data is data that should be processed with priority is already turned on (NO in S107), it should be turned on (5IO8),
The editing parameters are saved (S109) and the process returns.

Further, the data read from the data processing device interface 105 is the priority designated end food (S110
(YES in S111), if the end code mote flag indicating the end of priority designation by this priority designation end code is ON (YES in S111), the priority flag is already ON.
If it is (YES in S112), turn off the priority flag to indicate that the priority designation has been completed.
13), At 5tO9, restore the editing parameters that were saved when the priority flag was turned ON.S114), Generate a page break code internally (S115), and set priority R to buffer 1.
20 (S122), and return.

Even if it is a priority specification end code, if the end food mode flag is OFF (No in S111) or the priority flag is already OFF (NO in S112), this is ignored and the process returns directly.

It is a page break code (YES in S116), and if the end code mode flag is not ON (NO in S117), and if the priority flag is ON in order to end the priority specification using the page break code (YES in S118). , set the priority flag to O
FF 5119), the editing parameters saved in 5109 are restored (S120), outputted to the priority R-buffer 120 (S122), and the process returns. If the exit code mode flag is ON (Y in S117)
ES), if the priority flag is OFF (S l 18
(No) This page break code is a control code that simply causes a page break, so the process moves directly to 5121.

If it is data read from the data processing device interface, print data, or normal control code, determine whether the priority flag is ON or OFF (S121) and turn it ON.
If so (YES), output the data to the priority R-buffer +20 (S122), if it is OFF (No),
It is output to the R-buffer 110 (S123).

Through this received data processing, the priority processing data and the normal processing data are distinguished, and the priority R-buffer 1
20 and R-buffer 110.

(Effects of the Invention) By adding a priority designation code to data and giving it priority, data processing can be performed regardless of the order in which the data is received. For example, graphics can be created using a printer that can process data while printing.

For data parts that take a long time to process, such as
If priority is not specified and the processing time is short for a group of text data, priority is specified, and even if it is received after graphic data, the graphic data can be processed and printed first. This process can be performed while text data is being printed, so by the time text data printing is completed and graphic data printing begins, some (or all) of the graphic data has already been processed. , wasteful waiting time until printing starts can be reduced.

In addition, if the priority processing target is only one page, it is sufficient to instruct the end of the priority processing using the page break code instead of the priority specification end code, and the priority processing target spans several pages. Or, if it is text data on a single page that includes text and graphics, it is necessary to instruct the end of priority processing using a priority specification end code instead of a page break code, so these switches can be used as a priority specification end code. This can be done by mode code.

Further, it is also possible to specify priority for data to be processed preferentially, regardless of whether it is text data or graphic data.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of data reception according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a processing system of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a central cross-section showing the paper passing path of the printer system. 4 is a block diagram of a bitmap type data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
This figure is a main control flowchart of the printer system, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of received data processing, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of packet processing. l...Data processing device, 101...BM-CPU. 102...SMS-ROM. 103...SYS-RAM. 110...R-buffer, 111 P-RAM. 112・Bitmap writing unit interface, 113
...Bitmap writing section, 114...Bitmap RAM. 115... Font section, 120... Priority R-B, F, 121... Priority P-RAM. 122...Priority bitmap writing unit interface, 123...Priority bitmap writing unit, 124...Priority bitmap RAM. Patent Applicant Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Representative Patent Attorney Haka Aohaku 1 person Figure 2 Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) a data storage means for temporarily storing data input from the outside; a print image storage means for storing a print image; and a data analysis means for analyzing the data stored in the data storage means; When the analysis result by the data analysis means is a code of print data, a first data processing means for priority processing includes a drawing means for writing the code as a print image in the print image storage means; a data storage means for temporarily storing data input from the data storage means, a print image storage means for storing a print image, a data analysis means for analyzing the data stored in the data storage means, and the data analysis means. If the analysis result is a code of print data, a second data processing means for normal processing is provided with a drawing means for writing the code as a print image in the print image storage means; Print data including data and graphic data, a priority designation code that is added to the beginning of certain print data to give priority processing to that print data, and a priority specification code that is added to the end of certain print data to give priority to that print data. A priority specification end code that ends the process, and a priority specification end mode code or page break code that is added to the beginning of the print data group to specify whether the priority process ends with the priority process end code or with the page break code. and an identification means for identifying the type of data, and if the identification means recognizes a priority designation code in the data, subsequent data is The data is input to the data storage means of the first data processing means until the code for terminating the priority processing designated by the priority designation end mode code is recognized in the data, and the data is processed. When the code for terminating the priority processing specified by the end mode code is recognized, subsequent data is stored in the data storage means of the second data processing means until the priority designation code is recognized in the data. as long as there is data in the first data processing means, until the processing is completed.
A data processing method for a printer, characterized in that the data in the second data processing means is controlled so as not to be processed.