JPH071793A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable high speed command process to be conducted selectively. CONSTITUTION:The apparatus comprises pass-through command processing control means 21, 22, quick start requiring command means 29Q, pass-through permission control means 21, 22, and unidentified period returning control means 21, 22, and is formed such that it can perform a pass-through command process capable of selectively processing at high speed on behalf of a common command process for monitoring a state of engine parts 30, 40, and can return it to a common command process for failure.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus comprising a control section and an engine section, which sets various statuses in the engine section by command processing and then performs printing processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 shows a conventional electrophotographic printing apparatus 10P including a control section 20 and an engine section (engine controller 30 and engine 40). 100 is
It is a higher-level device (host computer) that sends print data PDS to the control unit 20. The external appearance is shown in FIG. However, in many cases, the both 10P and 100 are distantly arranged.

The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22,
RAM 23, video data conversion chip 24, EEPR
OM25, interfaces 26 and 27, operation panel 2
When the print data PDS from the host device 100 is received, the print data PDS is temporarily stored in the RAM 23, and the image data related to the print data PDS is written in the video data conversion chip 24 and the stored video data conversion data is used. It is converted into video data VDS and sent to the engine controller 30.

The engine controller 30 has a CPU 3
1, ROM 32, RAM 33, display (LCD) 34,
The interface 40, the input / output port 37, etc. are included, and the engine 40 is drive-controlled based on the video data VDS received from the control unit 20 and stored in the RAM 33 to print. The engine 40 includes an image carrier, a charger, an exposure unit,
In addition to a process unit including a developing device and a transfer device, a sheet conveying device driven by a stepping motor, a heat fixing device with a built-in heater, and the like are included. Printing speed and image quality differ depending on the combination of these components.

The printing apparatus 10P receives various commands (print paper size, number of prints, etc.) transmitted from the host device 100 before starting the printing process operation (see FIG. 5).
The control unit 20 that has performed (YES in ST20) executes the normal command processing function to set various statuses in the engine unit (30, 40).

That is, the normal command processing function calculates the address of each command processing based on the received command code (YES in ST20) (ST21), and then monitors the state of the engine section (30, 40) to determine whether it is normal. If there is (YES in ST23), the command is transmitted to the engine section (30) (ST25). If there is an abnormality (ST
23), the error processing (ST24) is also performed.

Then, the engine section (30) confirms a response indicating that the setting of each status is normally completed (ST2).
6) and the process is completed. However, when the normal command processing (ST22 to 25) fails (NO in ST26), the normal command processing is repeated a preset number of times Ns (for example, 2 to 3 times). Repeated for the set number of times Ns, but failed (S
In the case of NO in T26), failure of command processing is displayed (ST28).

Confirmation of ST26 is performed by checking the engine section (30, 4).
0) is received (ST34, 35 in FIG. 6). That is, the engine controller 30 receives a command from the control unit 20 (YE in ST30 of FIG. 6).
In S), the address of each command process is calculated (ST31) by the command code, and the command process is performed (S).
T32). If the command processing (ST32) is normal (YES in ST33), the normal end status is transmitted to the control unit 20 (ST34), and if abnormal (NO in ST33), the error end status is transmitted (ST3).
5).

It should be noted that, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the inquiries and responses between the two units 20 and 30 relating to the state monitoring of the engine unit (30, 40) by the control unit 20 are not shown.

[0010]

By the way, in most cases, the normal command processing (ST22 to ST25 in FIG. 5) can be normally set to the engine section (30, 40) only once. On the other hand, there is a strong demand for smaller size and lighter weight by further increasing the printing speed and reducing the load on the control unit 20. If the state monitoring of the engine unit (30, 40) during normal command processing, that is, the inquiry / response time between the control unit 20 and the engine controller 30 can be reduced, a part of the request can be easily satisfied. You should get it.

An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-handle printing apparatus that can perform command processing at high speed.

[0012]

In analyzing the operation results of many conventional printers, the electronic, electrical and mechanical conditions on the engine side are stable and normal in most cases. However, in the case of the entire device, an engine that requires a relatively long time due to repeated inquiries and responses in order to achieve reliable print processing even when the operation is restarted due to initial assembly / adjustment, inspection / repair, etc. It is constructed so that normal command processing is executed uniformly while monitoring the parts.
Focusing on these points, the present invention is conceived in order to achieve the above-mentioned object by forming a pass-through command process that does not always monitor the normal state of the engine unit instead of the normal command process so as to be selectively executable. It is a thing.

That is, the printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a control section and an engine section, and while the control section monitors the state of the engine section, it usually sends commands to the engine section to set various statuses to the engine section. In a printing apparatus formed to execute a command processing function and then perform print processing based on print data received from a higher-level device, unlike the normal command processing function, the control unit transfers the engine unit status Pass-through command processing control means formed so as to immediately send a command without monitoring, a quick start request command means for issuing a quick start request command, and the normal command if there is a quick start request command. Allow execution of the processing function to pass and allow execution of the pass-through command processing control means Pass-through permission control means and a non-confirmation return control means for returning the sequence so as to execute the normal command processing function when it is not confirmed that the engine section status is normally completed in response to the command transmission by the pass-through command processing control means. And are provided.

[0014]

In the case of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, when the quick start request is issued by using the quick start request command means, the pass-through permission control means permits the execution of the pass-through command processing control means. Then, the pass-through command processing control means operates to immediately send the command to the engine section. Therefore, since it is possible to pass the normal command processing that takes a relatively long time while monitoring the state of the engine unit, it is possible to set various statuses to the engine unit at high speed.

In addition, when the status normal end of the engine is not confirmed for this pass-through command processing, the unconfirmed return control means returns the sequence so as to execute the normal command processing function. Therefore, it is possible to automatically return to the normal command processing originally performed by the apparatus, so that the execution of the printing processing can be ensured.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus (10) has the same basic configuration as the conventional example (FIGS. 3 and 4), and has a pass-through command processing control means (21, 22) and a quick start request command means. (29Q), pass-through permission control means (21, 22), unchecked return control means (2
1, 22) are provided to selectively pass normal command processing that requires a relatively long time, and engine unit (30, 40)
It is configured such that various statuses can be set in the engine section (30, 40) at high speed by the pass-through command processing that does not monitor and the printing processing can be immediately transferred.

The normal command processing function of the apparatus 10 is the same as that of the conventional example (FIG. 5) and is executed in ST14 of FIG. Further, the same parts as those of the conventional example (FIGS. 3 and 4) are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

The pass-through command processing control means, unlike the normal command processing function, is a control means for immediately transmitting a command from the control section 20 to the engine section (30) without monitoring the state of the engine section (30, 40). ,
ST12 of FIG. 2 which is formed from the CPU 21 and the ROM 22
Run on. Since the inquiry / response time between the control unit 20 and the engine unit (30) can be eliminated, the time can be greatly reduced.

The quick start request command means is used to request execution of a quick start, that is, a pass-through command process (YES in ST11 of FIG. 2), and the quick start key 2 on the operation panel 29 of FIG.
It is made of 9Q. The fact that there is a quick start request command is stored in the RAM 23. In this embodiment, it is stored and held until the quick start key 29Q is pressed again.

The pass-through permission control means is a CPU.
21 and ROM 22 and provided that there is a quick start request command (YES in ST11).
It is a control unit that passes the execution of the normal command processing function (ST14) and permits the execution of the pass-through command processing control unit (21, 22). That is, the command is immediately transmitted to the engine section (30) (ST12).

The pass-through command processing (ST
The operation on the engine controller 30 side in the case of 12) is the same as the case of the conventional example (FIG. 6). However, unlike the case of normal command processing, no response from the control unit 20 to the status monitoring inquiry is required.

Next, the unconfirmed return control means is the CPU 2
1 and the ROM 22 and command transmission by the pass-through command processing control means (21, 22) (S
When there is no response from the engine unit (30) to T12) indicating that the status has normally ended (NO in ST13), the sequence is returned to execute the normal command processing function (ST14). That is, error processing (ST24 in FIG. 5)
When it is necessary to perform the above, the normal command processing function is returned to the execution, and the print processing is backed up as possible.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The control unit 20 receives a command from the host device 100 (S in FIG. 2).
If the quick start request command is issued by using the quick start request command means (quick start key 29Q) prior to this (YES in T10) (ST
11), the pass-through permission control means (21, 2)
2) works and the pass-through command processing control means (21, 2)
The execution of 2) is permitted (ST12). That is, the monitoring of the state of the engine unit (30, 40) is omitted, and the host device 100
The command received from the engine controller 3 immediately
It is transmitted to 0 (ST12).

On the other hand, the engine section (30, 40) side processes the command by the same operation as the conventional example (FIG. 6) (ST32). Then, when the process ends normally, the control unit 2
The normal end status is transmitted to 0 (ST34), and if not, the error end status is transmitted (ST35).

Therefore, when the control unit 20 receives the normal termination status (YES in ST13 of FIG. 2), it immediately notifies the host device 100 that the status setting in the engine unit (30, 40) has been completed. To do. Then, the print data PDS is sent from the host device 100. The control unit 20 converts this into video data VDS and sends it to the engine controller 30. Therefore, printing is immediately started according to the setting status (print paper size, number of copies, etc.).

On the other hand, the error end status is received (ST
13), that is, the engine section (30, 4)
If the normal termination of 0) is not confirmed,
The unconfirmed return control means (21, 22) operates to execute the normal command processing (ST14). Therefore, although various statuses to the engine unit (30, 40) cannot be set at high speed by the pass-through command process, the print process can be executed as usual.

According to this embodiment, however, the pass-through command processing control means (21, 22), the quick start request command means (29Q), the pass-through permission control means (21, 22), and the unconfirmed return control means (21). , 22)
Is provided, and instead of the normal command processing for monitoring the state of the engine unit (30, 40), pass-through command processing capable of selective high-speed processing can be performed, and in the case of malfunction, the normal command processing is restored. Therefore, when the engine part (30, 40) is in a stable state, when the same contents are repeatedly interrupted and restarted, or when it is urgently performed, various statuses can be sent to the engine part (30, 40) at high speed. Since the settings can be made, the printing process can be done immediately and the quick start request only needs to be made, so the handling is easy. Further, in the case of a malfunction, the normal command processing is returned to, so that the print processing can be reliably guaranteed.

Further, the quick start request command means is the quick start key 2 on the operation panel 29 of the control unit 20.
Since it is formed from 9Q, the quick start can be easily selected from this point as well, and the handling is easy.

[0029] In addition, until the quick start request is issued, RA is pushed until the quick start key 29Q is pressed again.
Since it is configured to be stored and held in M23, the pass-through command processing can be adopted on a daily basis to speed up the printing processing.

[0030]

According to the present invention, pass-through command processing control means, quick start request command means, pass-through permission control means and unconfirmed return control means are provided to replace the normal command processing for monitoring the state of the engine section. Since it is configured to selectively perform high-speed pass-through command processing and to return to normal command processing when there is a malfunction, when the engine is in a stable state, the same contents are repeated while restarting. When performing or urgently performing, various statuses can be set at high speed in the engine unit, so that the print processing can be performed immediately and only a quick start request is required, which is easy to handle. Further, in the case of a malfunction, the normal command processing is returned to, so that the print processing can be reliably guaranteed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is likewise a flow chart for explaining a pass-through command processing operation.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view for explaining a conventional example.

FIG. 4 is likewise a block diagram.

FIG. 5 is likewise a flowchart for explaining a normal command processing operation.

FIG. 6 is likewise a flowchart for explaining the operation on the engine section side.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 printing device 20 control unit 21 CPU (pass-through command processing control unit, pass-through permission control unit, unconfirmed return control unit) 22 ROM (pass-through command processing control unit, pass-through permission control unit, unconfirmed return control unit) 23 RAM 26, 27 Interface 29 Operation Panel 29Q Quick Start Key (Quick Start Request Command Means) 30 Engine Controller (Engine Section) 31 CPU 32 ROM 33 RAM 34 Display 40 Engine (Engine Section) 100 Upper Device

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A normal command processing function, which comprises a control unit and an engine unit, transmits a command to the engine unit while monitoring the state of the engine unit and sets various statuses to the engine unit, and thereafter In a printing device formed to perform print processing based on print data received from a host device, unlike the normal command processing function, a command is immediately sent from the control unit to the engine unit without monitoring the state of the engine unit. Pass-through command processing control means formed to transmit, quick start request command means for issuing a quick start request command, and execution of the normal command processing function on condition that there is a quick start request command Pass-through permission control means for permitting execution of the pass-through command processing control means, And an unconfirmed return control means for returning the sequence so that the normal command processing function is executed when the normal completion of the status of the engine is not confirmed in response to the command transmitted by the through command processing control means. A printing device characterized by.