JPH07323618A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a printer constituted so as to be capable of executing printing without wasting paper and taking labor for paper processing. CONSTITUTION:A printer control device 3 develops inputted printing data on a bit image in an image generation part 5 and a recording apparatus 9 receives the bit image from the printer control device to execute printing. A processing estimate time operation part 11 is provided in the printer control device 3 to calculate the processing estimate time being the estimate value of the time required in the development of the inputted printing data on the bit image. When this time is larger than the cycle of the paper feed timing signal generated in the recording apparatus 9, the value of the paper feed indication signal 8 applied to the recording apparatus is set to a paper feed non-indication value only for the period of the processing estimate time to stop paper feed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device capable of performing printing without wasting paper and without the trouble of processing paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a printer device that receives print data from a host computer or the like and executes printing, a semiconductor device or an electronic device is priced and improved in performance.
Various types of SCSI devices have been built in for higher functionality. An example of such a SCSI device is an auxiliary storage device having built-in format information and font information. Then, a page in which characters and images are mixed is also developed into a bit image and printed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing such a conventional printer device. In FIG. 7, 1 is a host computer, 2 is a printer operation unit, 3 is a printer control device, 4 is a communication protocol control unit, 5 is an image generation unit, 6 is an auxiliary storage device, 7 is a recording device interface unit, and 8 is a supply unit. A paper instruction signal, 9 is a recording device, 10 is a print result, and 20 is a printer device.

Print data is input online from the host computer 1. The print data includes
Character codes, vector image information, etc. may be included. The host computer 1 is given as an example of the input of print data, and although not shown, it may be input via a network or may be input offline from a magnetic disk or the like.

The print data input to the communication protocol controller 4 is sent to the image generator 5 and developed into a bit image. At that time, font information and format information are provided from the auxiliary storage device 6. The developed bit image is sent to the recording device 9 through the recording device interface unit 7. On the other hand, when print data is received by the communication protocol control unit 4, a paper feed instruction signal 8 is generated from the print data and sent to the recording device 9. Recording device 9
In, the bit image is printed on the fed paper, and the print result 10 is obtained.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

(Problem) However, in the above-described conventional printer device, it takes a long time to develop a bit image depending on the page, the target page is not printed on the fed paper, or the page is cut from the middle of the paper. Since only the copy is printed, there is a problem that the paper may be wasted or the processing time may be delayed due to reprinting.

(Explanation of Problems) Although it takes a short time to develop character data into a bit image, it takes a long time to develop image data, and the length depends on the size and complexity of the image. Therefore, depending on what kind of image is mixed in a page, the development time of the page into a bit image greatly differs.

On the other hand, in the recording device 9, the paper feed timing signal is generated at a constant cycle determined with reference to the time when the development into the bit image is considered to be completed for a normal page. If the paper feed instruction signal 8 is received from the printer control device 3, the paper feed is started when the paper feed timing signal is generated. Therefore, if the bit image is not sent by that time, it will not be printed correctly on the supplied paper. For example, if the bit image has not been sent by the time the paper has passed through the printing unit, it is discharged as a blank paper. If the bit image is sent while the paper is passing, it will be printed from the middle of the page. In any case, it is not printed correctly, so that the page is discarded and the printing process is performed again. This wastes paper and delays processing time. An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, there is provided a printer controller having an image generating unit, which expands input print data into a bit image, and a bit from the printer controller. In a printer device including a recording device that receives an image and executes printing, a process estimated time, which is a predicted value of a time required to develop input print data into a bit image, is calculated for each page, and the process is performed. When the estimated time is longer than the cycle of the paper feed timing signal generated in the recording apparatus, the paper feed instruction signal given to the recording apparatus is set to the value of the paper feed non-instruction for the period of the processing estimated time. The estimated processing time calculation unit is provided in the printer control device.

It is also possible to divide the image generating unit into a plurality of groups that can operate in parallel and determine the number of groups to be operated according to the calculated processing prediction time.

[0011]

[Operation] In the printer control device, a processing prediction time calculator is provided for calculating the processing prediction time, which is a predicted value of the time required to develop the input print data into a bit image, for each page. Is larger than the cycle of the paper feed timing signal generated in the printing apparatus, the paper feed instruction signal given to the printing apparatus is set to the value of the paper feed non-instruction for the period of the estimated processing time. Then, since the paper is not fed unless the development into the bit image for one page is completed, it is not necessary to print even if the paper is fed or the printing is started from the middle of the paper.

[0012]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numerals correspond to those in FIG. 7, 11 is a processing estimated time calculation unit, 12 is a register, and 13 is a paper feed execution signal. The estimated processing time calculation unit 11 is a unit that receives information about print data input from the host computer 1 from the communication protocol control unit 4 and predicts the time required to develop a bit image for each page.

The calculation for prediction will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, but is performed in consideration of whether or not the data is in a compressed format, and whether or not the data needs to be combined with the format information. The register 12 is for temporarily storing a value required at the time of calculation. The paper feed execution signal 13, which will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, is a signal indicating that the paper feed motor in the recording device 9 has actually been driven. In the present invention, the paper feed instruction signal 8 for the next page cannot be sent unless the paper feed execution signal 13 for the previous page is received.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the processing estimated time calculation section. Here, the case where the input print data is in the form of vector image information is taken as an example. Step 1 ... First, the initial values are set in the parameters. As the number of parameters to be set here, the following A, B,
There are three, C. Parameter A is vector image 1
It is the time required to process a unit (eg, a unit of one vector quantity when a line forming an image is expressed in vector), which is the time required to process one unit of vector image. The standard processing time A ₀ , which is the time normally required, is set.

Parameter B is the time to do the necessary processing for rotation if it is required to rotate the image several times (eg 90 degree rotation). The standard processing time B ₀ , which is the time normally required to perform the rotation processing, is set. The parameter C is a magnification of the time required when performing the process of combining with the format information, and here, a value 1 (1 time) when the combining process is not performed is set. The values of these parameters are
It is set in the portions A, B, and C in the register 12 of FIG.

Step 2 ... It is checked whether or not the sent print data is expressed in a compressed format. Step 3: If the compression format is used, it is necessary to decompress it and restore it, so the processing time is several times as long as when it is not compressed. The magnification can be obtained in advance by experiments or the like, but if it is H times, the values of A and B set in step 1 are multiplied by H in this step.

Step 4 ... Next, it is checked whether or not combining with the format information is required. Whether or not composition is requested is written in the print data sent from the host computer 1 or the like, so it can be known by looking at it. Step 5: It is known in advance that how many times it usually takes to combine with the format information as compared with the case without combining, so the parameter C is multiplied by the multiplication factor. If the magnification is K times (eg, 1.6 times), multiply C by K.

Step 6 ... The vector image information amount of the page to be developed into the bit image is stored in the portion D of the register 12. Step 7: The number of images required to rotate among the images contained in the page is registered in the register 12
It is stored in the E part of the above. Step 8 ... A processing prediction time T for predicting the time until development into a bit image is calculated by the following formula. The calculated value of T is stored in the T portion in the register 12. T = A × D × C + B × E How to utilize the calculated processing prediction time T will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a paper feed motor drive circuit in the printer of the present invention. This drive circuit is included in the recording device 9. The reference numerals correspond to those in FIG. 1,
9-1 is a paper feed timing signal generator, 9-2 is an AND circuit, 9-3 is an inverter, 9-4 is an AND circuit, 9-5.
Is a flip-flop, 9-6 is a driver, 9-7 is a paper feed motor, and 9-8 is a delay circuit.

The paper feed timing signal generator 9-1 generates a paper feed timing signal at a constant cycle (t ₁ ). AN
The D circuit 9-2 ANDs the paper feed instruction signal 8 and the paper feed timing signal from the predicted processing time calculator 11, and the output is input to the set terminal of the flip-flop 9-5. That is, the flip-flop 9-5 is set when the paper feed timing signal is generated while the paper feed instruction signal is being received from the printer control device 3. The output of flip-flop 9-5 activates driver 9-6,
Thereby, the paper feeding motor 9-7 is driven. The sheet feeding motor 9-7 pulls out one sheet from a sheet feeding tray (not shown) and sends it to the sheet feeding roller.

The output of the flip-flop 9-5 is input to the reset terminal via the delay circuit 9-8. Delay circuit 9
If the delay time of −8 is t ₂ , the flip-flop 9−
The time when the output of 5 is output (that is, the time when the paper feeding motor 9-7 is driven) is t ₂ . This time t ₂ is set to the time at which the paper can be delivered to the paper feed roller if the paper feed motor 9-7 rotates for that time. The AND circuit 9-4 is for generating a paper feed execution signal 13 indicating that the paper feed motor 9-7 has been driven. It is generated by utilizing the inverted output of the AND circuit 9-2 and the output of the flip-flop 9-5.

FIG. 3 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the paper feed motor drive circuit according to the present invention. (A) represents a paper feed timing signal, A1 to A4 are respective signals,
t ₁ is the cycle of the paper feed timing signal. (B) is a paper feed instruction signal 8, which indicates a paper feed instruction during a high period and indicates a paper feed non-instruction during a low period.

In the conventional printer, when the print data is input to the communication protocol control unit 4, the signal (high) of the paper feed instruction is issued, but in the present invention, it is calculated by the estimated processing time calculation unit 11. The estimated processing time T is compared with the cycle t ₁ at which the paper feed timing signal is output. If it is larger than t ₁ , the paper feed instruction signal 8 is low (paper feed non-instruction) for the estimated processing time T. To be done. That is the part of b1 and b2. Even if the paper feed timing signal is output during this time (eg, a3), it is ignored (the AND circuit 9-2 does not output high). This is an important feature of the present invention.

The fact that the estimated processing time T is longer than t ₁ means that the development of the bit image is not completed by the time t ₁ after the next paper feeding timing. Therefore, in the present invention, the sheet feeding at the next sheet feeding timing signal is stopped, the bit image development processing is waited for, and the sheet feeding timing signal that comes after that is fed. As shown in FIG. 3C, since the flip-flop set signal is not generated by the signal a3 in (a), the paper feeding motor 9-7 is not driven.

FIG. 3D shows the output signal of the flip-flop 9-5, that is, the feed motor drive signal. It is driven only for the delay time t ₂ set in the delay circuit 9-8. FIG. 3E shows the flip-flop reset signal, which is the output of the delay circuit 9-8.
The waveform of (d) is a waveform delayed by t ₂ . Figure 3
(F) is the paper feed execution signal 13, and the inverter 9-3
3 (the signal obtained by inverting FIG. 3C) and the output of the flip-flop 9-5 (the signal shown in FIG. 3D) are high when both are high.

The paper feed execution signal 13 is processed for the next page before the expanded page is printed, even if the paper feed instruction signal 8 which has been set low goes back to high after the estimated processing time T elapses. It is used to calculate the estimated time and prevent the paper feed instruction signal 8 from going low again. That is, even if the predicted processing time T that is longer than the cycle t ₁ is calculated, the paper feed instruction signal 8 cannot be immediately made low, and it can be made low only when the paper feed execution signal 13 for the previous page comes. To use.

For example, there is some time from when the signal b1 of FIG. 3 returns to high until the signal a4 comes out (this time depends on the size of the estimated processing time T). During this period, the estimated processing time T of the next page may be calculated. Then, if the calculated predicted processing time T is longer than t ₁ , the paper feed instruction signal 8 is set low again. However, if the signal a 4 has not been received, it may be low. Is not executed, and the page previously developed into the bit image is not printed at the timing of signal a4. Therefore, the paper feed is executed so that it cannot be set low until after that.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. The reference numeral corresponds to that of FIG. 1 and is 5
-1 to 5-4 are image generation units, respectively.
The difference from the first embodiment is that the image generating section 5 is composed of a plurality of image generating units. In this embodiment, when it is determined that it takes a long time to develop a bit image, it can be completed in a short time by causing a plurality of image generating units to process in parallel. It was done like this. According to this embodiment, in many cases, the development into the bit image can be completed within the cycle t _{1 of the} paper feed timing signal.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the image generating section in the second embodiment. Step 1 ... Let F be a parameter indicating how many of a plurality of image generating units are used for bit image development processing, and set its initial value to 1. In other words, it is set to use only one at the beginning. Step 2 ... It is checked whether the value of the estimated processing time T calculated by the procedure of FIG. 4 is F times or more the cycle t ₁ of the paper feed timing signal. If F = 1, it is checked whether it is 1 time or more. If it is above, to increase the number of units used,
Go to step 3. If it is below, there is no need to increase,
Go to step 5.

Step 3 ... Check if the value of the parameter F is the same as the number of units of the image generating section.
In other words, find out if you are supposed to use them all. If you plan to use all of them, you cannot increase more, so go to step 5. Step 4 ... If there are remaining units, set the value of F to 1
Just increase. That is, increase one.

Step 5: The print data input to the communication protocol control unit 4 is divided into F groups, and the data amounts assigned to the image generating units to be used are made substantially equal. Step 6 ... The image generating unit develops the assigned print data into a bit image. Step 7 ... Confirm that the development is completed.

[0032]

As described above, according to the printer apparatus of the present invention, the estimated processing time, which is the estimated value of the time required to develop the input print data into a bit image, is displayed in the printer control apparatus. A processing prediction time calculation unit for calculating each processing is provided, and if the processing prediction time is longer than the cycle of the paper feed timing signal generated in the printing apparatus, a paper feed instruction signal given to the printing apparatus is predicted. The value of paper feed is not specified only for the period of time.

Therefore, since the paper is not fed unless the development into the bit image for one page is completed, it is not necessary to print even if the paper is fed or to start printing from the middle of the paper. In addition, if the image generation unit is composed of multiple units that can operate in parallel, and if the calculated processing estimated time is long, the units will operate in parallel in most cases if the image processing unit develops a bit image within the cycle of the paper feed timing signal. Can finish.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a paper feed motor drive circuit in the printer device of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the paper feed motor drive circuit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a processing estimated time calculation unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image generating unit in the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional printer device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Host computer, 2 ... Printer operation part, 3 ... Printer control device, 4 ... Communication protocol control part, 5 ... Image generating part, 5-1-5-4 ... Image generating unit,
6 ... auxiliary storage device, 7 ... recording device interface section,
8 ... Paper feed instruction signal, 9 ... Recording device, 9-1 ... Paper feed timing signal generator, 9-2 ... AND circuit, 9-3 ... Inverter, 9-4 ... AND circuit, 9-5 ... Flip-flop, 9-6 ... Driver, 9-7 ... Paper feed motor, 9-8 ...
Delay circuit, 10 ... Print result, 11 ... Predicted processing time calculation unit, 12 ... Register, 13 ... Paper feed execution signal, 20 ... Printer device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A printer controller having an image generation unit for expanding input print data into a bit image, and a recording device for receiving the bit image from the printer controller and executing printing. In a printer device, a predicted processing time, which is a predicted value of the time required to develop input print data into a bit image, is calculated for each page, and the predicted processing time is a paper feed timing signal generated in the recording device. If it is longer than the cycle, the processing control time calculation unit for changing the paper feed instruction signal given to the recording apparatus to the value of the paper feed non-instruction for the period of the processing prediction time is provided in the printer control apparatus. A printer device. 2. The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image generating unit is divided into a plurality of groups that can operate in parallel, and the number of groups to be operated is determined according to the calculated processing estimated time. .