JPH03230979A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform printing processing without generating an error even when the paper size of an upper stage is different from that of a lower stage by controlling whether an attendant processing start urging means is executed or only the processing original to a specific command is allowed to function on the basis of the value of an initializing parameter file. CONSTITUTION:When the feed of the paper of a lower stage is indicated in perfecting printing, a host computer 1 sends prepared printing data to an input buffer memory 2. When the value of the initializing parameter file stored in a RAM 15 is set so that attendant processing start is not executed, only the function original to a surface indicating control code is performed. When the value of the initializing parameter file is set so as to execute the attendant processing start, function changing over a paper feed table is added other than the function original to the surface indicating control code and, therefore, the character code indicated so as to apply printing to a surface on the basis of the surface indicating control code is written on a page buffer memory 4 and, at the same time, corresponding to this, the paper feed table change-over flag of the page concerned is set to an upper stage to continuously perform the analysis of printing data.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a printing device that processes input print information page by page, and particularly relates to a printing device that processes input print information page by page, and particularly relates to a printing device that processes input print information on a page-by-page basis. The present invention relates to a printing device capable of printing.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, this type of device processes input print information page by page, and controls a print engine to print the processed print information on both sides of a fed recording medium. and performs advanced printing processing.

In addition to the above printing function, for example, a series of printed information (
There is also a device that is configured so that it can print a certain page on the front side while outputting double-sided printing data (print data), and also feed paper from a paper feed tray that is different from the paper feed tray that is currently feeding paper. It has been devised. In such devices, the paper feed table is automatically switched by a specific command, such as a surface specification control code that prints print data on the front side, and only the pages specified for the front side are fed from a different paper feed table. Proposals have also been made to provide means for prompting the activation of accompanying processing.

[Problem that the invention is trying to solve]

However, in a printing device that can feed paper from two paper feed trays, upper and lower, for example, if the lower paper is A4 size and the upper paper is B4 size, the surface When the paper feed tray is automatically switched using a specified control code, there is a problem in that the size of the paper that is currently being printed does not match the size of the paper that is currently being printed, and printing cannot be performed.

This invention was made to solve the above problem, and when a specific command is analyzed, the accompanying processing (for example, paper feed tray switching processing) that accompanies the specific command is executed based on the values of the initialization parameter file. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing device that performs control (for example, controls whether or not to switch paper feed trays) and functions only for the original processing of a specific command depending on the operational mode of printing processing.

[Means and effects for solving the problem] The printing device according to the present invention includes an adjunct that prompts the activation of a series of specific processes associated with a specific command based on the command analysis result in the printed information analyzed by the data analysis unit. A process start prompting means is provided, and a control means is provided for controlling whether to execute the accompanying process start prompt means or to make only the original processing of a specific command function based on the value of the initialization parameter file.

Further, the accompanying processing activation prompting means is configured to prompt processing for temporarily switching the paper feed port for the recording medium before and after a specific page based on the command analysis result in the print information analyzed by the data analysis means. It is something.

In this invention, when a specific command is analyzed according to the command analysis result in the printed information analyzed by the data analysis means according to the value of the initialization parameter file, the ancillary process activation prompting means executes a series of operations accompanying the specific command. The system prompts the startup of a specific process and controls whether a single command executes a complex process or only the original function of the specific command.

Further, the accompanying process activation prompt means prompts a process for temporarily switching the paper feed port for the recording medium before and after a specific page based on the command analysis result in the print information analyzed by the data analysis means, and Along with the processing, paper feeding to the recording medium is controlled.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a host computer;
It is connected to the outside and outputs print data (print information) including at least a character code and a control code for editing or outputting the character code to the printer section.

An input buffer memory 2 temporarily stores print data sent from the host computer 1.

3 is a data analysis function unit that analyzes the print data stored in the input buffer memory 2 and generates a specific control code (control command (in this embodiment, surface specification control code)).
). 4 is a page buffer memory that stores the paper feed flag and the analyzed print data in units of pages.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an output processing function unit that converts the information in the page buffer memory 4 into corresponding dot pattern information and develops it in the image buffer memory 6, and also outputs the paper feed tray to the printer I/F unit 7 according to the instructions of the paper feed flag. Gives switching instructions.

The printer I/F unit 7 transfers the dot pattern information in the image buffer memory 6 to the printer engine unit 8.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an initialization parameter read section in which an initialization parameter file is written, which is read from the storage device and stored into the RAM.

The printer engine section 8 includes a plurality of paper feed trays for feeding recording media, and also includes a known recording medium transport mechanism (not shown) for selectively printing print information on both sides/one side of the recording medium. ) is provided.

The operations of the data analysis function section 3 and the output processing function section 5 are performed using a control program, which will be described later, stored in the ROM 12.
This is done by the UII. In addition, when a specific command is analyzed as a result of command analysis in the printed information analyzed by the data analysis function section 3, which is the data analysis means, the output processing function section 5, which also serves as the accompanying process activation means and the control means, Depending on the value of the initialization parameter file stored in the RAM 15, a series of accompanying processes associated with a specific command can be activated, allowing a single command to execute multiple processes, or allowing only the original process of a specific command to function. control whether to execute the process, and execute either process. That is, the output processing function section 5 performs control based on the command analysis result in the print information analyzed by the data analysis function section 3 and the values of the initialization parameter file. If you want to start ancillary processing,
A specific command process (in this example, a process to temporarily switch the paper feed tray light for the recording medium (recording paper) before and after a specific page after specific command analysis (in this example, it is prompted along with a surface designation control code, and a series of pages (processing), the paper feed port for the recording medium is controlled as described below.

Furthermore, if the accompanying process activation is not executed, only the original process of the specific command is executed after analyzing the specific command.

Next, the operation shown in FIG. 1 will be explained □.

In this configuration, when lower paper feeding is instructed for double-sided printing, the host computer 1 sends the created print data to the input buffer memory 2. Data analysis function section 3
analyzes the print data, and if the control code specifies the surface, closes the page being created and checks whether the closed page is the front or back side. If it is "tails", the next process is performed as is.

On the other hand, if it is the "front" page, the corresponding back page is created as a blank page, and the next page is printed on the front page.

For example, when the front side designation control code is analyzed at the beginning of the fourth page, the print data for the fourth page that should be printed on the back side of the third page is printed on the front side of the fifth page,
The back of page 3 will be blank. This processing is the original function of the surface designation control code. In the present invention, when the value of the initialization parameter file stored in the RAM 15 is set so as not to execute the accompanying process activation, only the original function of the above-mentioned surface specification control code is performed. If the value of the initialization parameter file is set to execute the accompanying process startup, the following process is also performed. In other words, in addition to the original function of the surface specification control code, the function of switching the paper feed tray is added, so that the character code instructed to be printed on the front surface by the surface specification control code is written to the page buffer memory 4 at the same time. , Concomitantly, the paper feed tray switching flag for the page is set to the upper stage, and the print data is continuously analyzed.

Next, when the print data to be printed on the front surface is analyzed, the paper feed tray switching flag for the page is set to the lower stage and written to the page buffer memory 4. The output processing function unit 5 converts the contents of the page buffer memory 4 written in this way into dot pattern information, and develops it in the image buffer memory 6. Furthermore, when the dot pattern development process is completed, the printer I/F unit 7 is instructed to transfer the contents of the image buffer memory 6 to the printer engine unit 8, and at the same time, the paper feed tray for the relevant page in the page buffer memory 4 is switched. Printer I/F receives paper feed tray instructions according to flag instructions
A series of processes to be passed through the unit 7 to the printer engine unit 8 are executed incidentally.

As a result, the paper feed tray was previously switched using a dedicated control code to switch the paper feed tray, but now recording paper is fed from the upper tray using only the surface specification control code, and the next page is fed from the lower tray again. be done. Therefore, chapter divisions, department divisions, etc. can be printed on colored paper without a dedicated paper feed control code.

In addition, when operating with different paper sizes for the upper and lower rows, printing can be performed without switching the paper feed tray by setting the value of the initialization parameter file according to the present invention to not start ancillary processing.

Next, the printing processing operation according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print information processing procedure in the printing apparatus shown in FIG. In addition,
(1) to (14) indicate each step.

First, from the host computer 1 to the input buffer memory 2
Receive print data (1). Next, the data analysis function unit 3 determines whether the print data has ended or not.
In the case of o (print data is being received), data analysis processing is executed (3).

Next, the data analysis function unit 3 determines whether the received code is a surface specification control code 4), and if NO,
The analyzed print data is written to the page buffer memory 4 (5). Next, it is determined whether data for one page has been written to the page buffer memory 46), N
If the answer is O, the process returns to step (1), and if the answer is YE or S, the process proceeds to step (10) and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (4) is YES, the process proceeds to step (7), closes the page being created, and performs the original processing of the surface designation control code.

Next, the process proceeds to step (8), where it is determined whether or not to execute the accompanying process activation, and if not, the process proceeds to step (10).

If it is to be executed, the process advances to step (9), and the paper feed tray switching flag for the front page is set to the upper stage.

Next, dot development is performed from the page buffer memory 4 to the image buffer memory 6 (step (10)). Next, it is determined whether the page to be output is the same as the paper feed tray of the previous page based on the paper feed tray switching flag of the page in the page buffer memory 4 (step (11)), and if NO, the process goes to the printer engine section 8. The printer I/F unit 7 transfers the dot information in the image buffer memory 6 and switches the paper feed tray.
Step (12)) and return to step (1) as instructed.

On the other hand, if YES in step (11), an instruction to transfer the dot information in the image buffer memory 6 is sent to the printer I/O.
The signal is given to the F section 7 (step (13)), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (2) is YES, it is necessary to judge whether or not data for one page is being created.
14)) If NO, the process ends; if YES (in the process of creation), there is unoutputted data in the page buffer memory 4, so the process returns to step (10).

[Other Examples]

In the above description, there is one CPU II, but a separate CPU may be provided to realize the output processing function unit 5.

Further, although the print data is generated from the host computer 1, other sources such as a magnetic tape device, a disk device, etc. may be used.

Further, although the specific control code is a surface specification control code, it may also be a control code indicating a break in a series of data flows, such as a control code such as job start, section start, etc.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when a specific command is analyzed, the paper feed tray switching process accompanying the specific command is performed depending on the value of the initialization parameter file. , it is possible to determine and control whether only the original function of the command is to be processed, and even if the paper sizes of the upper and lower rows are different, printing processing can be performed without causing an error.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a print output control procedure of the embodiment. 1...Host computer 2...Input buffer memory 3...Data analysis function unit 4...Page buffer memory 5...Output processing function unit 6...Image buffer memory 7...Printer I/ F section 8...Printer engine section 1 l...CPU 12...ROM ■

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of paper feed ports for feeding recording media, a data analysis means for analyzing the input print information page by page, and a data analysis means for analyzing the print information for each page analyzed by the data analysis means. In a printing device having a printer engine unit that prints on both sides or one side of a recording medium fed from a paper slot, a printer engine unit that prints information attached to a specific command based on a command analysis result in the print information analyzed by the data analysis means. ancillary process activation prompting means for prompting the activation of a series of ancillary processes; storage means for storing an initialization parameter file related to the ancillary process; 1. A printing apparatus, comprising: control means for controlling based on values of an initialization parameter file. (2) The accompanying process activation prompting means prompts a process for temporarily switching the paper feed port for the recording medium before and after a specific page based on the command analysis result in the print information analyzed by the data analysis means. Claim (1)
Printing device as described.