JPH03203680A - Printer controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To alleviate a load to a CPU and to print at a high speed by synchronously driving a circuit for controlling to drive scanning of a recording head with a circuit for communicating data. CONSTITUTION:A print timing pulse generator 151 sends drive control signals COM1-COM8 of a recording head and SEG1-SEG2 at a timing generated based on a clock signal CLK in response to an input of a signal (start signal) for instructing data reading from a recording data storage area of a buffer for starting to record from a CPU 100. An enable signal EN1 for allowing the operation of a reception buffer control counter 175 is deenergized during the generating period of the signals COM1-COM8. In this case, the counter 175 stops the operation, sends a busy signal BUSY to the transmission party of data to inform a gist of no data reception.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a printer control device.

C Conventional technology J Conventionally, a movable part (hereinafter referred to as a carriage) is equipped with a recording head that moves back and forth perpendicular to the conveyance direction of a recording medium such as paper or an OHP sheet (hereinafter also referred to as recording paper or simply paper). A so-called serial type printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a serial printer) having a serial type printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a serial printer) has been proposed in the form of being equipped with printing heads using various printing methods.

This serial printer, especially the dot matrix characters.

Recording heads used in printers that form graphics and other images include wire tod type, thermal type, thermal transfer type, and inkjet type.

In this type of printer, the movement of the carriage and the processing of revolving character codes and the like into dot data for recording and transferring them to the recording head have conventionally been performed by a single main control unit such as a CPU.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] Therefore, as the recording speed increases, C
A problem has arisen in that the processing by the PU alone cannot keep up with carriage control and print data conversion and transfer. Therefore, a method is used in which a line buffer is provided to store record data (print data) for one scan of the print head (one line), and the print data is converted first before being transferred. If you try to perform so-called bidirectional printing, which records during the movement process,
There was a problem in that after one line of printing was completed, the carriage came to a complete stop while the next line of data was being developed.

In addition, if all printing data is transferred by hardware, the CPU is freed from data transfer processing during printing, but there is a load on the CPU to align the currently transferred data with the carriage. Therefore, problems in high-speed printing have not yet been solved.

Furthermore, in a configuration in which recording is performed while sending and receiving data from the host, it may be necessary to send and receive data even during printing operations, and if high-speed printing is to be performed, an interface installed for sending and receiving data may be required. There was also a problem in that the interrupts and printing operations conflicted with each other.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention aims to solve these problems, and for this purpose, the present invention has a method of scanning a recording head that forms an image using a dot matrix in a predetermined direction with respect to a recording medium. A control device for a printer that performs recording, comprising: a drive control means for controlling drive for scanning of the recording head; a communication means for communicating data related to recording; It is characterized by comprising a synchronizing means for driving in synchronization.

Further, in the present invention, the synchronization means further synchronizes and drives a transfer means for transferring print data to be applied to the print head from a storage means storing the print data to the print head in synchronization with the communication means and the drive control means. It is characterized by

[Function] According to the present invention, by synchronizing and driving the circuit that controls the scanning of the recording head and the circuit that communicates data, the load on the CPU is reduced accordingly, and the printing speed is improved. enables high-speed operation. Furthermore, by controlling the circuit that transfers data from the storage means for storing recording data to the head using a common synchronization signal, the load on the CPU can be further reduced.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 (Al and (Bl) shows an example of the external configuration of an electronic typewriter as a device to which the present invention can be applied.

Here, 1 is a keyboard section, in which a group of keys 2 such as keys for inputting characters such as letters and numbers, control keys, etc. are arranged, and when not in use, by rotating around a hinge 3, 4 is a paper feed tray for feeding sheet-like recording media to the printer section inside the device, and when not in use, the printer section can be folded as shown in Figure (B). 5 is a feed knob for manually setting and ejecting a recording medium, 6 is a display for displaying input text, etc., and 7 is a knob for transporting the device according to this example. It is a handle used for.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the printer section according to this example.

Here, 9 is a head cartridge having an inkjet recording head, which will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, and 11 is a carriage on which this is mounted and for scanning in the S direction in the figure. 13, the head cartridge 9 is connected to the carriage 11;
15 is a lever for operating the hook 13. This lever 15 is provided with a marker 17 for indicating a scale provided on the cover, which will be described later, so as to read the printing position, setting position, etc. by the recording head of the head cartridge. Reference numeral 19 denotes a support plate that supports the electrical connection to the head cartridge 9. 21 is a flexible cable for connecting the electrical connection section and the main body control section.

23 is a guide shaft for guiding the carriage 11 in the S direction, and is inserted into a bearing 25 of the carriage 11. A timing belt 27 is fixed to the carriage 11 and transmits power for moving the carriage 11 in the S direction, and is stretched around pulleys 29A and 29B arranged on both sides of the apparatus. Driving force is transmitted to one pulley 29B from the carriage motor 31 via a transmission mechanism such as a gear.

A conveyance roller 33 is driven by a conveyance motor 35 for regulating the recording surface of a recording medium such as paper (hereinafter also referred to as recording paper) and for conveying it during recording or the like. 37 is a paper pan for guiding the recording medium from the paper feed tray 4 side to the recording position; 39 is disposed in the middle of the recording medium feeding path to press the recording medium toward the conveyance roller 33 and convey it. It is a feed roller for 34
A platen faces the ejection port forming surface of the head cartridge 9 and regulates the recording surface of the recording medium. 41 is arranged downstream from the recording position in the recording medium conveyance direction,
This is a paper discharge roller for discharging the recording medium toward a paper discharge port (not shown). Reference numeral 42 denotes a spur provided corresponding to the paper ejection roller 41, which presses the roller 41 through the recording medium to generate a force for conveying the recording medium by the paper ejection roller 41. 43 is a feed roller 3 when setting a recording medium, etc.
9. This is a release lever for releasing the urging of each of the presser plates 459 and spurs 42.

Reference numeral 45 denotes a press plate for suppressing floating of the recording medium in the vicinity of the recording position and ensuring close contact with the conveying roller 33. In this example, an inkjet recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink is used as the recording head.

Therefore, the distance between the ink ejection orifice forming surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium is relatively small, and the distance must be strictly controlled to avoid contact between the recording medium and the ejection orifice forming surface. , it is effective to provide a presser plate 45. 47 is a scale provided on the presser plate 45, 49 is a marker provided on the carriage 11 corresponding to this scale,
These also allow the printing position and setting position of the recording head to be read.

A cap 51 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and faces the ink ejection orifice forming surface of the recording head in the home position, and is supported so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the recording head. This cap 51 is used to protect the print head during non-printing and during ejection recovery processing of the print head. Ejection recovery processing is to eject ink from all ejection ports by driving an energy generating element installed inside the ink ejection ports and used for ink ejection, thereby eliminating air bubbles, dust, thickening, and recording. These processes include a process (preliminary ejection) for removing causes of ejection failure such as ink that is no longer suitable for use, and a separate process for removing causes of ejection failure by forcibly discharging ink from an ejection port.

Reference numeral 53 denotes a pump that applies a suction force to forcefully discharge the ink, and is used to suck the ink received in the cap 51 during ejection recovery processing by such forced ejection or ejection recovery processing by preliminary ejection. 55 is a waste ink tank for storing the waste ink exhausted by this pump 53, and 57 is a tube that communicates the pump 53 and the waste ink tank 55.

Reference numeral 59 denotes a blade for wiping the ejection orifice forming surface of the recording head, and it has two positions: one in which it protrudes toward the recording head and performs wiping during the head movement process, and the other in a retracted position where it does not engage the ejection orifice formation surface. movably supported. 61 is a motor; 63 receives power from the motor 61 to drive the pump 53 and the cap 51 and blade 5;
This is a cam device for making each of the movements of 9.

Next, details of the above-mentioned head cartridge 9 will be explained.

FIG. 3 shows an external perspective view of a head cartridge 9 that integrates an ejection unit 9a and an ink tank 9b, which constitute an inkjet recording head main body.
Denoted at e is a pawl that is hung by a hook 13 provided on the carriage 11 when the head cartridge 9 is mounted. As is clear from the figure, the pawl 906e is disposed inside the entire extension of the recording head. Further, near the front discharge unit 9a of the head cartridge 9, a positioning abutting portion is provided, although not shown in this figure. 90
6f is a flexible substrate (
This is the head opening into which a support plate for supporting electrical connections) and rubber pads is inserted.

FIG. 4 (Al and FB) shows an exploded perspective view of the head cartridge shown in FIG. 3, which is of a disposable type with an integrated ink storage section serving as an ink supply source as described above.

The same figure (In Al, 911 is an electrothermal conversion element (discharge heater) on a Si substrate, and an Aff that supplies power to it.
This is a heater board in which wires such as the above are formed by film-forming technology. 921 is a wiring board for the heater board 911, and the corresponding wiring is connected by wire bonding, for example.

Reference numeral 940 denotes a top plate provided with a partition wall for limiting the ink flow path, a common liquid chamber, etc., and in this example, it is made of a resin material and integrally has an orifice plate portion.

For example, 930 is a metal support, and 950 is a pressing spring. By sandwiching the heater board 911 and the top plate 940 between them and engaging them, the urging force of the pressing spring 950 causes the heater board 910 to Top plate 94
0 and fixed by crimping. Note that the support body 930 may also have a wiring board 921 attached thereto by adhesion or the like, and may also have a positioning reference for the carriage/mount 11 that scans the head. The support body 930 also functions as a member that radiates and cools the heat of the heater board 911 that is generated during driving.

960 is a supply tank which receives ink supply from the ink storage section 9b serving as an ink supply source, and which is connected to the heater board 911.
It functions as a sub-tank that guides ink to a common liquid chamber formed by joining the top plate 940 and the top plate 940. Reference numeral 970 indicates a filter disposed within the supply tank 960 near the ink supply port to the common liquid chamber, and reference numeral 980 indicates a lid member of the supply tank 960.

Reference numeral 900 denotes an absorber for impregnating ink, and is disposed within the ink tank body 9b. Reference numeral 1200 is a supply port for supplying ink to the recording element 9a consisting of the above-mentioned parts 911 to 980, and ink is injected from the supply port 1200 in a process before placing the unit in the section 1010 of the ink tank body 9b. By doing so, the absorber 900 can be impregnated with ink.

1100 is a lid member of the cartridge main body, and 1400 is an atmosphere communication port provided in the lid member for communicating the inside of the cartridge with the atmosphere. Reference numeral 1300 denotes a liquid repellent material disposed inside the atmosphere communication port 1400, so that the atmosphere communication port 14
Ink leakage from 00 is prevented.

When the filling of ink into the ink tank 9b via the supply port 1200 is completed, the ejection unit 9a consisting of each part 911 to 980 is positioned and disposed in the part 1010.

Positioning or fixing at this time can be performed, for example, by fitting the protrusion 1012 provided on the ink tank body 9b with the corresponding six 931 provided on the support body 930, and thereby, as shown in FIG. The head cartridge 9 shown in (B) is completed.

The ink is supplied from inside the cartridge through the supply port 1200.
, a hole 932 in the support 930 and a supply tank 96
FIG. 4(A) of FIG. 0: The ink is supplied into the supply tank 960 through the inlet provided on the middle layer side, and after passing through the inside, the ink is supplied from the outlet to an appropriate supply pipe and the ink inlet 942 of the top plate 940. The liquid flows into the common liquid chamber through the. A packing made of, for example, silicone rubber or butyl rubber is disposed at the above-mentioned connection portion for ink communication, and this seals the ink supply path to ensure an ink supply path.

5(A) and (B) respectively show the carriage 1
FIG. 1 is a top view, a left side view, and a right side view showing details of FIG.

In these figures, 606 is a support plate erected at the bottom of the carriage 11, and a flexible substrate 60
4, and a rubber pad 605 having a protrusion 605A provided corresponding to the terminal pad formed on the substrate 604.
support.

Reference numeral 607 denotes an abutting member that is also erected at the bottom in front of the carriage 11. The abutment member 607 is formed to have a thin wall thickness in order to secure as much space for the ink tank as possible within the limited installation space of the head cartridge 9 and carriage 11. Therefore, three ribs 608 are formed on the member 607 to ensure strength. The direction in which the ribs 608 extend corresponds to the moving direction of the carriage 11 so that the ribs 608 have strength corresponding to the movement in the turning direction when the head cartridge is attached or detached. Further, the rib 608 is formed so as to protrude approximately 0.1 mm forward from the ejection surface of the head cartridge 9 when it is installed. Thereby, even if the recording paper protrudes into the movement path of the recording head due to some action, it is possible to prevent the recording paper from rubbing against the ejection surface and causing damage.

The operating lever 15 for attaching and detaching the head cartridge is attached to a shaft 601d provided on the main body of the carriage 11.
It is pivoted so that it can rotate freely. The hook 13 is used to attach and detach the head cartridge 9, which is partially engaged, by the movement of the hook 13 when the hook 13 is engaged with a portion of the operating lever 15. The hook 13 has a long hole 603 formed therein.
c is a guide shaft 601c provided on the main body of the carriage 11
The above-mentioned attaching/detaching operations are performed by being guided by.

The attachment/detachment operation mechanism consisting of the operation lever 15, the hook 13, etc. is located on the side of the carriage 11, that is, on the side of the carriage 1.
1, the attachment/detachment operation mechanism does not form a large dead space due to movement of the cannage.

Next, the abutting portion for positioning when installing the head cartridge will be described.

Reference numeral 601a denotes abutment portions for positioning in the left-right direction, and two abutment portions are provided on the sides of the abutment member 607. Note that for positioning in the left-right direction, an abutment section 601f provided on the support plate 606 is used in addition to the abutment section 601a.

Reference numeral 601b denotes an abutment portion for positioning in the front-rear direction, and is formed at the lower side of the abutment member 607.

Reference numeral 601c denotes abutting portions for vertical positioning, which are formed at two locations, one at the lower side of the abutment member 607 and the lower side at the side of the support plate.

Figure 6 (Al and CB+ are respectively carriage 1
1 is a top view and a left side view showing a state when a head cartridge 9 is attached to the device 1. FIG.

In these figures, 906a is a contact portion provided in the head cartridge 9 so that it can come into contact with the abutment portion of the carriage 11 when the recording head is attached, and 906b and 906C are the abutment portions 601b and 601C, respectively. This is a contact part that corresponds to

Here, with reference to FIG. 6 (Al), the engagement of each part when the recording head is mounted will be outlined.

The contact portion 906a of the head cartridge 9 is in contact with the abutment portion 601a of the carrier rod, and at the same time, the claw 906 of the head cartridge 9 is biased by the biasing force of the coil spring 610 via the hook 13 hooked thereto. , a force is applied to the left in the figure. As a result, the head cartridge 9 receives a moment force centered on the abutting portion. At this time, the substrate 906d provided on the head comes into contact with the abutting portion 601f, and as a result, the head cartridge 9 is positioned in the left-right direction and the position is maintained.

At this time, the protrusion 605A of the rubber pad 605 is compressed and deformed by contact with the substrate 906d. This deformation causes the terminal pads of the flexible substrate 604 and the substrate 9 to
A force is generated that presses the terminal 06d. In this case, since the substrate 906d is in contact with the abutment portion 601f, the amount of deformation of the protrusion 605A is constant, and the above-mentioned stable pressure contact force can be obtained.

Note that the above diagram does not show the compressed and deformed state of the protrusion 605A.

Further, the positioning of the head cartridge 9 in the front-rear and up-down directions is done during the installation process.

(The following is a blank space) FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of a control system of a character processing device according to this example.

Here, 100 is a CPU in the form of a microprocessor, which serves as the main control section of the apparatus, and executes necessary processing based on data and control signals input from the keyboard 1. Reference numeral 102 denotes a crystal oscillator that generates a basic clock for regulating the operation timing of each section. 104 is a ROM that stores programs and other fixed data corresponding to recording control procedures executed by the CPU 100;
6 is R having a data storage area for work used as a register and a development area for documents (text), etc.
AM, 108 is a ROM used as a character generator. Reference numeral 110 is a display controller for displaying data on, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) type display.

114 is a head controller which will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 12, and generates control signals (C0M1-8, 5EGI-8) for the head driver 116 for driving the ejection energy generating element group of the ejection unit (recording head) 9a. .

118 is a motor driver for driving the carriage motor 31 and the transport motor 35, and the drive control signals CMI to CM4 of the carriage motor 31 are sent from the head controller 114 to the drive control signal PMI of the transport motor 35.
~PM4 is supplied from the CPU 100.

120 is a RAM used as a buffer for storing, for example, one line of data received for recording and processed data used for recording. 1
22 is each part 104.106.108.110 and 11
Address/data bus connecting 4, R/W is each part 10
This is a control signal for switching read/write states of 4 to 10g and 114.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the electrical configuration of the recording head and head driver 116.

Here, in this example, the discharge unit 9a has 64 discharge ports, and #1 to #64 indicate numbers corresponding to the positions of the discharge ports provided in the discharge unit 9a. R1-R64 are heating resistors as ejection energy generating elements provided corresponding to the ejection ports #1 to #64, respectively. The heating resistors R1 to R64 are divided into eight blocks, and switching transistors Q1 to Q8 in the common side driver circuit C are commonly connected to each block. Transistor Ql-08 turns on/off the current-carrying path according to on/off of control signals COMI to C0M8, respectively. In addition, each heating resistor R1 to R64
D1 to D64 arranged in the current supply path are diodes for preventing backflow.

On/off transistors Q9 to Q016 in the segment side driver circuit S are connected to the heat generating resistors located at corresponding positions in each block.

The transistors Ql-016 each receive a control signal 5E.
The energizing path to the heating resistor is turned on/off in accordance with the on/off of G1-5EG8.

FIG. 9 shows a timing chart for driving the head with this configuration. At a certain position in the head scanning direction, common side control signals C0M8 to COMI are sequentially turned on. When turned on, one block is selected and becomes energized, so the segment side control signal 5EG8 is sent according to the image to be recorded in the selected block.
By turning ON or OFF 5EGI, the heating resistors are selectively energized, and ink is ejected in response to heat generation to perform dot recording.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of the main parts of the carriage motor 31 and motor driver 118, and FIG. 11 shows the driving timing thereof. In this example, a stepping motor having coils φ1 to φ4 is used as the carriage motor 31, and drive signals CMI to CM4 appropriately turn on/off switching transistors Tri to Tr4 connected to each coil.
By turning it off, it is driven in a two-phase excitation system as shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a detailed configuration example of the head controller 114 according to this example.

Here, 151 is a print timing pulse generator,
In response to input from the CPU 100 of a signal (start signal) instructing data reading from the print data storage area of the buffer to start printing, the print head drive control signal COMI is activated at a timing generated based on the clock signal CLK. Send ~C0Mg and 5EGI~5EG2. In the buffer 120, PB has a capacity for one line of data, for example, and is an area for rasterizing data to be recorded (print buffer), and IB is an area for rasterizing data received for recording (receiving buffer). ), and the selector 153 selects any address in any area.

Reference numeral 155 denotes an address counter in the form of an up/down counter, in which a start address on the recording data development area PB stored in a start address register 157 is set, and in response to input of a start signal, the count value is incremented in accordance with a clock signal CLK. , outputs the corresponding count value. This count value becomes the address designated for reading on the recording data development area PB, that is, the print address read for recording (printing). 159 is a comparator, which compares the print address output by the address counter 155 and the end address on the area PB stored in the end address register 161, and determines that they match, that is, prints up to the set end address. It is determined that reading for has been completed.

The print timing pulse generator 151 receives signals COMI~
Outside the generation period of C0M8, the enable signal ENI that enables the operation of the address counter 155 is deactivated, and the gate 1 is turned off.
The operation is stopped via 63. The operation is also stopped when the comparator 159 determines a match signal.

165 is a dot/step counter, and clock C
LK, that is, a clock CLK for determining printing timing, is received, and an output is generated for step-driving the carriage motor 31, which is a stepping motor, every predetermined number of dots in the scanning direction. This output is applied as a shift clock to a shift register 167 that generates excitation signals CMI to CM4. Reference numeral 169 is a start phase pattern register for setting a phase pattern when the carriage motor 31 is started.

In this example, the address counter 155 is an up-down counter, and the shift register 167 is bidirectional. For example, the counting direction of the address counter 155 is switched according to a scanning direction switching signal (direction signal) given by the CPU 100. The data reading order from the recording data buffer PB is changed, and the shift direction of the shift register 167 is also changed so that the motor 31
By switching the direction of rotation, so-called bidirectional printing is possible. In addition, in this example, in order to quickly reach the recording speed before the recording area in the carriage scanning direction and quickly stop after the recording area, the dot/step counter 165 outputs a shift clock. Acceleration/deceleration control unit 1 that provides a shift clock for acceleration/deceleration different from
71 has been established. As this acceleration/deceleration control section 171,
For example, it stores a frequency divider or a multiplier that divides a predetermined clock signal (which may be a clock signal CLK) by a set multiplication factor, and a table of frequency division factors or multiplication factors according to the acceleration/deceleration pattern. storage unit (e.g. R
(a predetermined area of the OM 104).

175 is a reception buffer control counter that outputs a signal to the selector 153 that designates the reception buffer address (reception address) at which reception data is to be stored when storing reception data in the reception buffer IB; A start address on the buffer IB is set, and in response to the input of the write signal, the count value is incremented in synchronization with the clock signal CLK, and the count value is output.

A comparator 179 compares the reception address output by the counter 175 with the end address on the reception buffer IB stored in the IB end address register 181, and determines that they match, that is, the set rB end address. It is determined that storage of received data has been completed.

The print timing pulse generator 151 receives signals COMI~
During the generation period of C0M8, the reception buffer control counter 17
The enable signal ENI, which allows the operation of step 5, is turned off.

At this time, the counter 175 stops its operation and sends a busy signal BUSY to the data transmission source to notify that data cannot be received.

Further, when the comparator 179 determines that the IB end address matches the received address, the operation of the counter 175 is also stopped.

H is a data supply source that serves as a host for the head controller, and in FIG.
For example, it may be a device 132 connected via a Centronics-specification interface 131 coupled to the device 2, or it may be a RAM 106 that directly stores document data (text) input from such a device. The data received from this data supply source H is expanded into the reception buffer IB, read out at an appropriate timing prior to recording, processed into a format suitable for recording, and expanded into the recording data buffer PB. .

In addition, each part register 157.161°16 according to this example
9, 177, and 181 can use predetermined areas of the RAM 10B.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the arrangement of the recording data buffer area PB and the reception buffer area IB provided in the buffer RAMI 20 in the memory space. In this way, the printing start address PBST is indicated by the contents of the start address register 157 and the end address l/raster 161, respectively.
The range from ART to print end address PBEND becomes recording data buffer area PB, and IB start address register 177 and 1. Reception data start address I indicated by the contents of B end address register 181
The range from BSTART to the reception data end address IBEND becomes the reception buffer area IB.

In the figure, PBPOINT is a pointer (printed address pointer) indicating the address at which printing has finished on the recording data buffer area PB, and the address counter 15
It corresponds to the contents of 5. IBDATA is the address at which data reception on the reception buffer area IB has ended (data received address), and is related to the contents of the counter 175.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an address map of the recording data buffer area PB. Each address “00” to “FF”
” (hereinafter expressed as addresses $00 to $FF) each stores 8 bits of data, and 1 bit corresponds to 1 dot of the recorded data. Therefore, the addresses $00 to $0
7. The number of bits included in each of the address groups indicated by $08~OF, . and correspond as shown. In addition,
One line of data (a line recorded by one operation of the print head) is developed in the print data buffer area PB, but the figure only shows up to the address $FF for the sake of simplicity.

In contrast to the configuration of the recording data buffer area corresponding to the actual dot recording data, the reception buffer IB stores data, for example, in the form of a character code, received from the data supply source H, and the size of the data area is limited to the area. P.B.
It is small compared to .

Figure 15 shows signals C0M8 to C during recording with the above configuration.
OMI output timing, motor drive signal CMI~CM
4 is a timing chart showing the output timing, data reception timing, and area PB and IB selection timing in FIG. In the figure, one dot in the scanning direction corresponds to one step of the motor.

As shown in the figure, when printing at a certain position in the scanning direction, the buffer area PB is selected, and the address (for example $00 to $07) storing the data to be printed at that position
are sequentially designated and the relevant data is selected, and the signal C0M8
~COMI is output sequentially, and at the timing of each output, the signal 5EG8 is output corresponding to the data as shown in FIG.
Recording is performed by outputting ~5EGI.

Then, at the end of recording at that position, the buffer area IB is selected and the received data is stored.

FIG. 16 shows an example of an operation procedure during recording according to this example.

When this procedure is started, first, in step S1, the recording data buffer area PB is cleared in preparation for writing recording data, and then in step S3, the settings of the various registers mentioned above, i.e., the number of dots per step, the buffer P
Start address PBSTART on B, end address PBEND, recording direction and carriage motor 31
Set the start phase pattern, etc. Next, C
For example, the GROM 108 is used to develop the data in a predetermined area on the RAM 106, and this data is written on the recording data buffer PB as the first row of dot data.

Next, in step S7, a printing start signal is output to the address counter 155 and the printing timing pulse generator 151, thereby starting the printing operation. During the recording operation, the next row of data corresponding to the address position on the recorded buffer PB is written. That is, the current value of the address counter 155 is compared with the storage address of the next line data (step S9), and when the current piece of data has been printed, the next line data is written to that address (step 511). This writing process can be performed using the period between the common side drive signals, that is, the period Δ in FIG. 15. However, since the recording operation is performed by the operation of the address counter and timing pulse generator, the CP
U100 can perform other processing during any generation period of the common side drive signal. The reception and processing of data to be stored in the recording data buffer PB will be described later with reference to FIG. 17.

Step sp:! The processes of 3 and Sll are executed for each recording position in the scanning direction (step 513), and therefore, when recording of one row of data is completed, the next row of data has been developed on the buffer area PB.

After printing for one line is completed, in step S15, a predetermined amount of recording medium is conveyed and the scanning direction is reset for performing reciprocating printing, and steps S7 and subsequent steps are performed until printing for one page is completed. Repeat procedure.

Figure 17 shows the common side signals C0M8 to C in Figure 15.
12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when receiving data performed after outputting OMI, that is, after recording at a certain position in the scanning direction.

In this procedure, the received data end address IBEND is set in the register 181 in step S21, and the received data end address IBEND is set in the register 181 in step S21.
23, the receive data start address IB is stored in the register 177.
Set the STAR block.

Next, in step S25, the received data end address IBE
Compare ND with data received address IBDATA,
If they match, a signal is sent to the data supply source H to the effect that reception is not possible since data reception for one line has already been completed in step S27, and if they do not match, a signal is sent in step S29. Allow. These steps S2
5. The processing in S27 and S29 is executed as a comparison operation by the comparator 179 in FIG. 12, and an operation in which the reception buffer control circuit 175 outputs or cancels the BIJSY signal when there is a match or mismatch. Then, the data supply source responds to transmission permission (busy signal release),
Perform data transmission.

Next, in step S31, the received data address IBDA
TA is compared with the current value of the start address IBSTART, and if they match, it means that the data supply source H is not transmitting data, so it waits.

On the other hand, if the two match, the process advances to step S33,
The contents of the address indicated by the current value of the address IBSTART are read out, subjected to appropriate processing such as being expanded into dot data, and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 106. This stored data is developed into the recording data buffer PB at the timing during the recording operation as described above.

Next, in step S35, the value of address IBSTART is incremented by +1, and in step S37, the value is changed to IBEND.
Determine whether or not the value has been exceeded. If it is affirmative here, it is 1
Since this is the case where the reading process for the rows of received data has been completed, this procedure is ended, and if the determination is negative, the process returns to step S25 and the subsequent steps are repeated.

As described above, according to this example, the recording data buffer PB
By controlling the print timing pulse generator 151, which is a circuit that transfers data from the printer to the recording head, and the dot/step counter 165, which is a circuit that controls carriage movement, using a common synchronization signal, the CPU 100 Processing such as data storage for the next line can be concentrated, making it possible to cope with high-speed printing by printers. Furthermore, by synchronizing these circuits with the reception buffer control counter 175, which controls data reception, and operating them in an appropriate time-sharing manner, the load on the CPU 100 during printing operations can be further reduced, and the printing throughput can be increased. It also has the effect of further improving.

FIG. 18 shows the relationship between the excitation phase switching time of the carriage motor 31 and the carriage speed, which can be employed in the above embodiment.

The acceleration/deceleration control unit 171 described with reference to FIG. 12 quickly accelerates the carriage from the initial speed V, (=0) to the recording speed ■1 before and after the printing area where the carriage should be moved at a constant speed. conversely, it can be stopped from speed ■1 (time t3 to t1).
). However, immediately after switching from the acceleration zone to the equidistant zone, overshoot or even undershoot may occur, and the speed may not necessarily be acceptable for recording. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, an area in which printing is not performed may be provided during the period (1+ to 1.) until this is stabilized, and printing may be made to wait until an allowable error range is reached. For example, a buffer area corresponding to several dots in the scanning direction from the print start address PBSTART is an area where no recording data is written (“O”).
can be used as a writing area). Further, the size of the area where such data is not written can be made variable depending on the recording speed and acceleration pattern.

Furthermore, on the upper side, the next row of data is written into the buffer PH during the recording operation, but it is desirable that the address associated with the writing be cleared prior to this.

For this reason, it is convenient if the address from which the print data is read is immediately cleared, since when writing the next line of data, it is sufficient to directly overwrite the data without clearing it again by software. Therefore, for example, a circuit can be added to the print timing pulse generation circuit 151 to clear the address to O after reading the data at the set address and before the value of the address counter changes.

However, on the other hand, when recording not only characters such as letters but also images etc. using the device according to this example, bidirectional printing as described above is not performed, and recording is performed only by scanning in one direction. is desirable for improving image quality. In such a case, after recording one line, a carriage return is executed to return the carriage to a predetermined position. However, if the carriage return is synchronized with the operation of the print timing pulse generator 151, the carriage return At times, the next line data that has already been stored will be cleared, so clearing etc. should not be performed during the carriage return operation during such image recording. For this purpose, read/write signals may not be sent to the buffer memory 120 and output may be stopped.

Furthermore, in this example, it is also effective to add a command for forcibly stopping the operation of each part during printing. for example,
This is because a forced stop may be required when, for example, the device cover is opened to resume printing. When such a command is given, if the state of the stopped address is maintained, the operation will start from the next address when printing is at the lowest position, so there is no need to redo the process.

In addition, although the case where only data reception is performed from the data supply block that serves as the host has been described above, the present invention can also be applied to an interface part that can transmit data, and synchronization can be performed at the time of data access. can do. This is an effective configuration when data is further transferred to the outside.

In addition, on the upper side, the circuit that controls carriage movement and the control circuit that performs data communication are synchronized with the circuit that transfers data from the recording data storage unit (PB) to the head, but they are synchronized with other circuits. This also reduces the burden on the CPU compared to the case where each control is performed separately.

Furthermore, the present invention can be easily applied to the case where data is transferred serially using a print head with built-in shift registers, latches, and drivers. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20, serial data is output, and the shift clock (SCLK) and latch (LA
Data is stored in the TCH) signal and heat is generated (HEAT).
An output is produced by inputting a signal. By switching the motor excitation phase (CM) after the heat operation is performed, synchronization with the heat timing can be achieved. Furthermore, in consideration of the receiving interface, the received data may be read after sending one column of data, and then the phase may be switched.

Further, although the case where an inkjet recording head is used as the recording head is described above, a thermal head may also be used.

(Others) Note that when the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus, excellent effects can be brought about in bubble jet type recording heads and recording apparatuses. This is because such a system can achieve higher recording density and higher definition.

As for typical configurations and principles thereof, it is preferable to use the basic principles disclosed in, for example, US Pat. No. 4,723,129 and US Pat. No. 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, it is necessary to arrange the liquid (ink) in accordance with the sheet and liquid path that hold it. The electrothermal converter that is
Generating thermal energy in the electrothermal transducer and producing film boiling on the thermally active surface of the recording head by applying at least one drive signal that corresponds to recorded information and provides a rapid temperature rise above nucleate boiling. As a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal, which is effective. The growth and contraction of the bubble causes liquid (ink) to be ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet. If this drive signal is in the form of a pulse, bubble growth and contraction will occur immediately and appropriately.
Particularly responsive liquid (ink) ejection can be achieved,
More preferred. This pulse-shaped drive signal is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262.
Those described in the specification are suitable. Furthermore, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 concerning the invention regarding the temperature increase rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, even more excellent recording can be performed.

The configuration of the recording head includes, in addition to the combination configuration of ejection ports, liquid paths, and electrothermal converters (straight liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting section. The present invention also includes configurations using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose configurations in which the wafer is placed in a bending region. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1989-5 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge part of a plurality of electrothermal converters.
No. 9-123670 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59/1989 which discloses a configuration in which a discharge portion is made to correspond to an opening that absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy.
The effects of the present invention are also effective even if the structure is based on the publication No.-138461. In other words, regardless of the form of the recording head, recording can be performed reliably and efficiently.

In addition, in serial type printers like the one shown above, a replaceable chip-type recording head that is attached to the device body enables electrical connection to the device body and ink supply from the device body. Alternatively, the present invention is also effective when using a cartridge type recording head that is integrally provided with the recording head itself.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus, to the present invention, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specifically, these include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressure or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element, or a combination thereof; It is also effective to perform a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing in order to perform stable printing.

In addition, regarding the type and number of recording heads installed, for example, in addition to one type that corresponds to single-color ink, there is also a plurality of recording heads that correspond to multiple inks with different recording colors and densities. It may be something that can be done.

In addition, the present invention can take the form of a device used as an image output terminal for information processing equipment such as a computer, a copying device combined with a second layer, or a facsimile device having transmitting and receiving functions. It may be something.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, by driving the circuit that controls the scanning of the recording head and the circuit that communicates data in synchronization, the amount of power that is transferred to the CPU is increased. This reduces the load on printers and enables high-speed printing. In addition, by controlling the circuit that transfers data from the storage means for storing recording data to the head using a common synchronization signal, the CP
The load on U is further reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1A and 1B are external perspective views of an electronic typewriter as a device according to an embodiment of the present invention during use and storage, and FIG. 2 is a diagram of a printer applicable to the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the head cartridge shown in FIG. 2; FIGS. 4A and 4B are exploded perspective views of the head cartridge shown in FIG. 5(A) and 5(B) are top and side views of the carriage shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6(A) and CB) show the head cartridge mounted on the carriage. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system of the character processing device according to this example; FIG. 8 is a recording head and a head in the printer section of the character processing device according to this example. FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the driver; FIG. 9 is a timing chart for driving the head; FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of the carriage motor and motor driver in the printer section according to this example; A timing chart of the motor drive; FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a head controller that constitutes the control device of the printer unit according to this example; FIG. 13 is a memory space arrangement of buffers for storing recording data. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an address map of the recording data buffer area in the buffer. FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation timing of each part of the head controller according to this example. is a flowchart showing an example of the operation procedure during recording according to this example, FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation when receiving data, and FIG. 18 is the excitation phase switching time and carriage speed of the carriage motor that can be adopted in this example. ...head cartridge, ...discharge unit, ...carriage motor, ...CPU, ...program ROM, ...work/text RAM, ...CG ROM, ...head controller , ...Head driver, ...Motor driver, ...Buffer RAM, ...Print timing pulse generator, ...Address counter, 179...Comparator, 179...Comparator, ... - Dot/step counter, ...shift register, ...reception buffer control counter, ...data supply source, ...reception data buffer, ...recording data buffer. Figure 1 Figure 5 (A) Figure 6 (A) Figure 6 (B) 5EG2 Figure 9 Figure 1O Figure 11 Figure 13 #J --- --- 464 Figure 16 Figure 17

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) In a control device for a printer that performs printing by scanning a print head that forms an image using a dot matrix in a predetermined direction with respect to a print medium, the control device performs drive control for scanning of the print head. A printer control device comprising: a drive control means; a communication means for communicating data related to recording; and a synchronization means for synchronizing and driving the communication means and the drive control means. 2) The synchronization means further drives a transfer means for transferring print data to the print head from a storage means storing print data given to the print head in synchronization with the communication means and the drive control means. The printer control device according to claim 1.