JPH08286567A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To control an option unit without increasing the cost of a printing device by making the function of the engine controller of the printing device high. CONSTITUTION: The printing device is provided with a printing device main body 1 including a video controller 27 provided with a video signal generation means generating a video signal from image information based on a recording command from an external device and a control means and an integrating controller 114 having an option unit control means which can be connected to the main body 1 and which controls at least one option unit 32. The controller 27 is provided with a processing time information means reporting a plotting/ expansion processing time with respect to the controller 114. The controller 114 is provided with a paper carrying time storage means storing a paper carrying time required to carry the paper from the optional paper supply point to the entrance of the printing device, a comparison means comparing the processing time with the paper carrying time and a paper supply destination change means changing the paper supply destination when it is judged by the comprison means that the processing time is shorter than the paper carrying time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and in particular, it is constructed by connecting an optional paper feeding unit (for example, paper deck option unit) and a paper discharging unit (sorter option) to the printing apparatus main body. Control of the printing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus such as a laser printer using an electrophotographic process has been constructed as shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 201 denotes an image recording apparatus main body, which has a video controller 202 and an engine controller 203 described later.

The video controller 202 mainly controls image processing, and bit-transmits image information sent from an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer through a general-purpose interface such as a Centronics interface. Expand to data. The engine controller 203 mainly controls charging, exposure, development, transfer, fixing, paper conveyance, and the like related to the electrophotographic process. 20
A video interface 4 connects the video controller 202 and the engine controller 203 to enable mutual communication.

Reference numeral 205 denotes a paper deck option, which accommodates a large amount of recording paper and stores it in the engine controller 2.
According to the command 03, the recording paper is fed to the printing apparatus 201. A paper deck interface 206 includes an engine controller 203 and a paper deck option 20.
It connects with 5 and enables mutual communication.

A sorter option 207 has a plurality of stacking trays and sorts and stacks the recorded recording paper discharged from the printing apparatus 201 into a predetermined classification according to an instruction from the engine controller 203. is there. 20
Reference numeral 8 denotes a sorter interface, which connects the engine controller 203 and a sorter option to enable mutual communication.

In the above configuration, the video controller 2
02 receives the image information and the print command from the external device,
Via the video interface 204, a video signal converted from image information into bit data and a print command are sent to the engine controller 203. At this time, the video controller 202 also sends an instruction regarding the use of the paper deck option 205 or the sorter option 207 based on the user's instruction from an operation panel (not shown) connected to the external device or the video controller 202. To do.

Then, the engine controller 203 is
The electrophotographic process built in the printing apparatus 201, that is, the members related to charging, exposure, development, transfer, fixing, paper conveyance, and the like are controlled to perform image recording based on the received video signal. At the same time, based on the instruction from the video controller 202, the paper deck interface 206 is controlled to control the paper deck option 205 to issue a paper feed timing instruction, and the sorter interface 208 is used to control the sorter option. Instructs sorting of recording paper.

[0008]

However, the above-mentioned conventional example has the following problems. That is, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the engine controller and each option unit are connected one-to-one, and the combination thereof is fixed. Therefore, in order to make the option unit highly functional, it is necessary to improve the ability of the engine controller to control it.

In recent years, the environment in which electronic recording devices are used has diversified, and along with this, it has been desired to enhance the functionality of optional units equipped and to freely combine and use various optional units. However, in order to control a wide variety of optional units with the conventional configuration, the number of control objects other than the electrophotographic process control of the engine controller is increased, and the cost of the engine controller is increased. Especially for users who do not use the option unit, the cost is completely wasted.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention integrally controls a plurality of various option units between a video controller and an engine controller,
Providing a printing apparatus that can use various optional units without increasing the cost of the engine controller by providing a general controller that also gives commands to the engine controller and the video controller giving instructions to the general controller With the goal.

[0011]

The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and has the following structure as means for solving the above-mentioned problems.

A printing apparatus main body including a video controller having a video signal generation means for generating a video signal from image information based on a recording command from an external device and a control means, and at least one printing apparatus main body connectable to the printing apparatus main body. In a printing apparatus having a general controller including an option unit control means for controlling an option unit, the video controller has a processing time notification means for notifying the general controller of drawing development processing time, and the general controller is Paper transport time storage means for storing the paper transport time from the optional paper feed source to the printer entrance, the processing time notified from the processing time notification means, and the paper transport time stored in the paper transport time storage means If the comparison means and the comparison means determine that the processing time is shorter, Those having a sheet feeding source changing means for changing the first.

The video controller includes a processing order changing means for changing the processing order of a plurality of data received from the external device and a processing order changing means for the external device so that the paper conveyance continues without stopping. And a notification means for notifying the change of the processing order.

The video controller has a designating means for designating to the general controller the information concerning the paper feed / paper of the data received from the external device, and the general controller feeds the paper based on the information designated by the designating means and the state of the option unit. The video controller has a paper feed information determining means for determining information, and the video controller has a paper feed information detecting means for detecting the paper feed information determined by the paper feed information determining means of the general controller, and a paper feed information detecting means for an external device. And a paper feed information notifying means for notifying the paper feed information detected by.

The overall controller detects the start of sheet feeding in the option unit, the position information detecting means for detecting sheet position information in the option unit, and the end of sheet discharging in the option unit. The paper feed end detection means for detecting, and the information notifying means for notifying the video controller of the information about the paper feed start, the position, and the paper ejection end detected by each of the detection means are provided. It has an information notifying means for notifying the external device of the above information.

When the general controller determines that there is a path that can be printed without passing through the jam occurrence path when a jam occurs, and if the path judgment means determines that there is a path that can be printed, the video The video controller continues the print processing by using a path capable of performing the print processing after receiving the information from the continuation possible notification means, and having the continuation possible notification means for notifying the controller that the print processing can be continued. .

When the route determining unit determines that there is a route that can be printed, the general controller further includes a table changing unit that rearranges the page management table for the previously fed sheets in the option unit, The printing process is continued from the page changed by the table changing unit.

When the operator judges that there is a printable path by the path judging means, when the operator executes a test print which is a utility function of the printing apparatus, a test print printing means for printing the jam occurrence position information on the test print. Is further included.

When an operator executes a test print, which is a utility function of the printing apparatus, a sheet feeding means for feeding sheets from all the sheet feeding option units connected,
It further comprises a sheet discharging unit that discharges sheets from all the connected sheet discharging option units.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a printing apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention, for example, a case of a laser beam printer. The printing apparatus to which this embodiment is applied is
It is needless to say that the printer is not limited to the laser beam printer, and may be a printer of another printing method such as an inkjet printer. Further, in the following description and drawings, an example in which two option units are connected is described, but more option units can be connected. The configuration and operation will be described below.

[Configuration of Printing Apparatus Main Body and Optional Unit] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a printing apparatus main body such as a laser beam printer main body (hereinafter referred to as “main body”), and the recording paper S accommodated in the cassette 2 is It is supplied into the main body 1 by the paper feed roller 3. Further, the option paper feed roller 4 supplies the recording paper S fed from a paper feed option whose details will be described later into the main body 1. And. A registration roller pair 5 that synchronously conveys the paper S is provided downstream of the paper feed roller 3 and the optional paper feed roller 4, and a laser beam emitted from a laser scanner unit 6 is provided downstream of the registration roller pair 5. An image recording unit 7 that forms a toner image on the recording paper S is provided.

Further, a recording sheet S is provided downstream of the image recording section 7.
A fixing roller 8 for thermally fixing the toner image formed thereon is provided. Downstream of the fixing roller 8, a paper ejection sensor 9 for detecting the paper conveyance state of the paper ejection portion, and a conveyance roller 10 for conveying the recording paper S. ,
A flapper 11 and the like are provided for switching the conveying direction of the recording paper S on which recording has been completed. When the flapper 11 is switched, the recording paper S passes through the paper ejection roller 12 and is stacked on the stacking tray 13, or is conveyed to the optional paper ejection roller 14 to be conveyed to a paper ejection option.

The laser scanner section 6 emits a laser beam modulated based on an image signal (image signal VDO) sent from a video controller 27, which will be described later, and a laser beam from the laser unit 15. Polygon motor 1 for scanning the photosensitive drum 20 with
6. Beam detector 1 for detecting the laser beam position in the scanning direction
7, an imaging lens group 18, a folding mirror 19 and the like. The image recording unit 7 is composed of a photosensitive drum 20, a pre-exposure lamp 21, a primary charger 22, a developing device 23, a transfer charger 24, a cleaner 25, etc., which are necessary for a known electrophotographic process.

An engine controller 26 controls the electrophotographic process by the laser scanner 6, the image recording unit 7, and the fixing device 8 and the conveyance control of the recording paper in the main body 1. A video controller 27 is connected to an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer through a general-purpose interface (Centronics, RS232C, etc.), and develops image information sent via the general-purpose interface into bit data. The bit data is the signal VD
O is sent to the engine controller 26. Also, 2
A video interface 8 enables communication between the video controller 27 and the engine controller 26.

Next, various option units detachably connected to the main body 1 will be described. Reference numeral 32 denotes an option control unit, which includes a control controller 101 that controls various option units, and the control controller 101 controls the video controller 2 via a control interface 114 connected by a connector 31.
Connected to 7. Further, a paper feed relay conveyance roller 33 and a paper feed relay conveyance path 34 that relay the recording paper conveyance from the paper feed system option unit, and a paper ejection relay conveyance roller 35 that relays the recording paper conveyance to the paper ejection system option. A paper discharge relay conveyance path 36 is provided.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a large-capacity paper deck option unit for accommodating the recording papers S, which is provided with a paper deck 41 which moves up and down, and the recording papers S loaded on the deck.
Paper feed is performed by using the paper deck paper feed roller group 42 as needed. Further, a sheet feeding relay conveyance roller 43 and a sheet feeding relay conveyance path 44 for relaying the recording sheet conveyance from another sheet feeding system option unit, and a sheet ejection relay conveyance roller for relaying the recording sheet conveyance to the sheet ejection system option. 45 and discharge relay conveyance path 46
It has. Paper deck option unit 4
0 is controlled by the paper deck controller 102.

50 is a sorter option unit,
A plurality of output bins, namely a first bin 51, a second bin 52,
The third bin 53 and the fourth bin 54 are provided, and the recording sheets S on which recording has been completed are sorted and stacked. The recording paper S is sorted into each bin by the first flapper 55, the second flapper 56, the third flapper 57, and the fourth flapper 58. Further, a paper feed relay conveyance roller 61 and a paper feed relay conveyance path 62 for relaying the recording paper conveyance from the paper feed system option, and a paper ejection relay conveyance roller 60 for relaying the recording paper conveyance to another paper ejection system option. And a sheet discharge relay conveyance path 59. The sorter option unit 50 is controlled by the sorter controller 103.

The overall controller 101 includes a paper deck controller 102 and a sorter controller 10.
3 is connectors 71a, 71b and connectors 72a, 7
Option unit interface 7 connected by 2b
Connected by 0. Also, 71a, 72a, 73
a is the same connector, and 71b and 72b are also the same connector. Therefore, the paper deck option unit 40 and the sorter option unit 50 can be connected with their upper and lower sides interchanged.

[Connection of Printing Apparatus Main Body and Option Unit and Configuration of Control System] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a connection state of each controller. Integrated interface 11
4 is a serial communication interface line 80 and OP
The TRDY signal 81, the POUTT signal 82, the PFEDT signal 83, and the SPCNG signal 84 are composed of four hard signals.

Through the serial communication interface 80, commands such as a paper feed designation to the paper deck option unit 40 and a paper ejection bin designation to the sorter option unit 50 are transmitted from the video controller 27, and the commands of the paper deck option unit 40 are transmitted. Statuses such as paper presence / absence status and stacking status of each discharge bin of the sorter option unit 50 are transmitted from the general controller 101. The general controller 101 and the video controller 27 can also be directly connected by a CPU bus.

The OPTRDY signal 81 is a signal indicating whether or not the option designated by the video controller 27 is in a usable state, the POUTT signal 82 is a timing signal for discharging the recording paper from the main body 1, and the PF
The EDT signal 83 is a signal indicating the timing when the main body 1 can receive the recording paper from the option unit, and SP
The CNG signal 84 is a signal for speeding down the recording paper S that has been conveyed at high speed in the option unit so as to match the conveyance speed of the main body 1. The POUTT signal 82, the PFEDT signal 83, and the SPCNG signal 84 are output from the engine controller 26, and the video controller 27 is supplied via the video interface 28.
And is input to the overall controller 101.

In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the video controller 27 receives image information and a print command from an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer, the video controller 27 sends the image information and the print command via the video interface 28. To the engine controller 26, and the engine controller 26 that has received the print command and the image information
An image is recorded on the recording sheet S based on the VDO signal by controlling each member involved in the electrophotographic process, and the POUTT signal, the PFEDT signal, and the S are recorded in accordance with the conveyance of the recording sheet.
The PCNG signal is generated at a predetermined timing. On the other hand, the video controller 27 designates the paper feed to the paper deck option unit 40 and the sorter option unit 50.
A paper discharge designation, a paper discharge bin designation, and the like are transmitted to the overall controller 101 via the serial communication interface 80.

The general controller 101 receives the video controller 2 received via the general interface 114.
The paper deck controller 102 and the sorter controller 103 are controlled via the option unit interface 70 based on the state of the instruction and the hardware signal from the device 7, and the paper transport control in each option unit is centralized.

(Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 having the above-mentioned configuration
Paper feed control of the above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It is assumed that a large amount of paper of the same size exists in the cassette 2 and the paper deck option unit 40.

In FIG. 3, first, in S100, the video controller 27 issues a command requesting the connection state of the option unit and the status of various sheet information to the general controller 101. In step S101, the overall controller 101 returns the status of various option units to the video controller 27. S102
Then, it is assumed that the video controller 27 receives data from the host computer (not shown), and the paper feed source designation in the data is the paper deck option unit 40. S
In 103, the video controller 27 is the general controller 1
A command for setting the paper deck option unit 40 as a paper feed destination is issued to 01, and a command for notifying the drawing development processing time is issued in S104. In step S105, the overall controller 101 refers to the sheet conveyance time table provided in advance, and determines the drawing development processing time and sheet conveyance from the paper deck option unit paper feed roller 42 to the option paper feed roller 4 of the main body notified in step S106. Compare the times. If the drawing development processing time notified in S107 is shorter, the paper feed from the cassette 2 is changed in S108. In step S109, the video controller 27 detects the change status of the paper feed destination of the general controller 101.
In S110, the video controller 27 notifies the host computer (not shown) that the paper source has been changed,
Similarly, in S111, it is displayed on the display (not shown) of the main body. If the drawing development time notified in S107 is longer, the process is executed without changing the paper feed source. In the present embodiment, the paper feed destination is between the cassette 2 and the paper deck option unit 40, but it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to the case where the paper deck option unit is further connected and the number of cassettes in the printing apparatus is increased. Nor.

(Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 having the above-mentioned configuration
Paper feed control of the above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

A large amount of sheets of the same size are present in the cassette 2 and the paper deck option unit 40, and two data from the paper deck option unit 40 (data A, data A, designated by the host computer (not shown) are specified.
It is assumed that the data C) and one data (data B) from the cassette 2 are designated as the paper feed destination. Also, it is assumed that the specified paper size and the mounted paper size match.

In FIG. 4, first, in S200, the video controller 27 issues a command to the general controller 101 requesting the connection state of the option unit and the status of various sheet information. In step S201, the overall controller 101 returns the status of various option units to the video controller 27. The video controller 27 in the main body receives data A from S202 and data B and S from S203 from the host computer (not shown).
The data C is received at 204. Video controller 27
Changes the data processing order from the status of various option units in the following manner so that the overall printing time is shortened and paper conveyance continues. In S205, the change of the processing order of the data A and the data B is considered. Since the data transfer time from the paper feed destination to the printing device is shorter for the data B, the processing order is changed in S206. Then, in S207, the video controller 27 is a host computer (not shown).
To the effect that the data processing order has been changed.
Similarly, in S208, the change of the processing order of the data A and the data C is considered. Do not change the processing order because the paper source is the same. In the opposite case of the above example in S207, the data B in S211.
And the processing order of the data C is examined. If the processing order can be changed, the processing order is changed in S212 and S2
At 13, the video controller 27 notifies the host computer (not shown) that the data processing order has been changed. In S208, in the opposite case to the above example, the processing order of the data A and the data C is examined in S211. Then, when the processing order can be changed, the processing order is changed in S209, and the video controller 27 notifies the host computer (not shown) that the data processing order has been changed in S210. Therefore, in this embodiment, the processing is performed in the order of data B, data A, and data C. In this embodiment, the paper feed destination is the cassette 2 and the paper deck option unit 40.
However, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to the case where a paper deck option unit is further connected and the number of cassettes in the printing apparatus is increased.

(Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 having the above-mentioned structure
Paper feed control of the above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

There are 3 sheets of A4 size in the cassette 2 and 10 sheets of A4 size in the paper deck option unit 40. From the host computer (not shown), the number of pages is 10, the sheet size is A4, and the paper feed destination. Undefined data shall be sent. In FIG. 5, first, in step S300, the video controller 27 of the main body receives data from a host computer (not shown). In S301, the video controller 27 issues a command for setting the paper feed information to the general controller 101. In S302, the overall controller 101 feeds paper from the cassette 2 for the first three pages because the paper size is the same as the paper size mounted in the cassette 2 and the paper deck option unit 40 and the paper feed destination is undefined. . In S303, the paper deck option unit 40 feeds the remaining seven pages. In S304, the video controller 27 detects the paper feed information of the general controller 101. In step S305, the host computer (not shown) is notified of the paper feed information, and similarly in step S306, the information is displayed on the display (not shown) of the main body. In the present embodiment, the paper feed destination is between the cassette 2 and the paper deck option unit 40, but it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to the case where the paper deck option unit is further connected and the number of cassettes in the printing apparatus is increased. Nor.

(Embodiment 4) Embodiment 4 having the above-mentioned configuration
The paper conveyance control of the above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 6, first, in S400, the video controller 27 of the main body receives data from a host computer (not shown). Video controller 2 in S401
Reference numeral 7 issues a command for designating a paper feed destination to the paper deck option unit 40 and a paper feed start command to the overall controller 101. It is assumed that the data paper size is the same as the installed paper size. In S402, the overall controller 101 detects the start of sheet feeding, and S403
Then, the video controller 27 detects the start of sheet feeding of the general controller 101. Video controller 2 in S404
Reference numeral 7 notifies the host computer (not shown) that feeding has started, and executes drawing development in S405.
During this time, in S406,
A command for periodically obtaining paper position information is issued. S4
In 07, the overall controller 101 is the video controller 2
When the paper passes through a sensor (not shown) on the transport path, the status is notified to the printer 7. S4
At 08, the video controller 27 sequentially notifies the host computer (not shown) of the current paper position.
In step S409, the overall controller 101 detects the end of sheet ejection, and in step S401, the video controller 27 detects the end of sheet ejection by the overall controller 101. Then, in step S411, the host computer (not shown) is notified of the end of paper discharge. When it is not possible to detect the discharge end in S409, the process returns to S406 and is repeated until the discharge end can be detected.
In the present embodiment, the paper feed destination is the paper deck option unit 40, but it goes without saying that it can be applied to the case where a paper deck option unit is further connected.

(Embodiment 5) Embodiment 5 having the above-mentioned structure
The paper conveyance control of the above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

It is assumed that a large amount of sheets of the same size are present in the cassette 2 and the paper deck option unit 40, and the host computer (not shown) sends the data of the paper deck option unit 40 when the paper source is designated.
In FIG. 7, first, it is assumed that a jam occurs in the paper feed relay conveyance path 34 during the paper feed from the paper deck option unit 40 in S500. In step S501, the overall controller 101 detects the location of the jam and notifies the video controller 27 that an error has occurred in step S502. In step S <b> 503, the video controller 27 issues a command requesting the error content to the general controller 101. Integrated controller 101 in S504
Returns a status notifying the occurrence of a jam and its location to the video controller 27. In step S505, the video controller 27 notifies the host computer (not shown) that a jam has occurred, and in step S506, the video controller 27 also displays it on the display (not shown) of the main body. In step S <b> 507, the overall controller 101 searches for a conveyance path capable of feeding and discharging. When there is a conveyance path capable of feeding and discharging in S508, S5
In this case, it is detected that the sheet can be fed from the cassette 2. In step S510, the video controller 27 is notified that the processing can be continued, and in step S511, sheet feeding is started from the cassette 2. In step S512, the video controller 27 receives the notification from the general controller 101 and performs the jam recovery process. When there is no transport path capable of feeding and discharging in S507, the process returns to S505 and S506 to ask the operator to remove the jammed paper. In the present embodiment, the paper feed destination is between the cassette 2 and the paper deck option unit 40, but it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to the case where the paper deck option unit is further connected and the number of cassettes in the printing apparatus is increased. Nor.

(Embodiment 6) Embodiment 6 having the above-mentioned structure
The paper conveyance control of is described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

It is assumed that a large amount of paper of the same size exists in the cassette 2 and the paper deck option unit 40, and the host computer (not shown) sends the data of the paper deck option unit 40 when the paper feed destination is designated.
In FIG. 8, first, it is assumed that the paper feed roller 42 of the paper deck option unit 40 is jammed in S600. In S601, the overall controller 101 detects the location of the jam, and in S602, the video controller 27
To notify that an error has occurred. In step S603, the video controller 27 issues a command requesting the content of the error to the general controller 101. S
In 604, the general controller 101 returns to the video controller 27 a status notifying the occurrence of a jam and its location. Video controller 2 in S605
Reference numeral 7 notifies the host computer (not shown) that a jam has occurred, and similarly displays it on the display (not shown) of the main body in step S606. In step S <b> 607, the overall controller 101 searches for a sheet feeding / conveying path. When there is a transport path capable of feeding and discharging in S608, it is detected in S609 that the sheet can be fed from the cassette 2 in this case. S
At 610, the information of the jammed page is restored in the page management table in the overall controller 101, and the information of other pages is shifted one by one. Then, in S611, the video controller 27 is notified that the processing can be continued, and in S612, the sheet feeding from the cassette 2 is started. S
In 613, the video controller 27 is the general controller 1
Upon receiving the notification from 01, the jam recovery process is performed. S
If there is no path capable of feeding and discharging in 607, S605,
Returning to step S606, the operator is requested to remove the jammed paper.
In the present embodiment, the paper feed destination is between the cassette 2 and the paper deck option unit 40, but it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to the case where the paper deck option unit is further connected and the number of cassettes in the printing apparatus is increased. Nor.

(Embodiment 7) Embodiment 7 having the above-mentioned structure
The paper conveyance control of the above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

It is assumed that a large amount of paper of the same size exists in the cassette 2 and the paper deck option unit 40, and the host computer (not shown) sends the data of the paper deck option unit 40 when the paper source is designated.
In FIG. 9, first, it is assumed that a jam occurs in the paper feed roller 42 of the paper deck option unit 40 in S700. In S701, the general controller 101 detects the location of the jam, and in S702, the video controller 27
To notify that an error has occurred. In step S703, the video controller 27 issues a command requesting the content of the error to the general controller 101. S
At 704, the general controller 101 returns to the video controller 27 a status notifying the occurrence of a jam and its location. Video controller 2 in S705
Reference numeral 7 notifies the host computer (not shown) that a jam has occurred, and similarly displays it on the display (not shown) of the main body in S706. In step S <b> 707, the overall controller 101 searches for a conveyance path that allows paper supply and discharge. In S708, when there is a transport path capable of feeding and discharging, in this case, the cassette 2
Detects that paper can be fed from. In step S709, the video controller 27 is notified that the processing can be continued. When there is no path capable of feeding and discharging in S708, the process returns to S705 and S706 to ask the operator to remove the jammed paper. In step S710, the operator executes test printing, which is a utility function of the printing apparatus. S7
11, the video controller 27 is the general controller 10
The jam occurrence position information notified from 1 is converted into a predetermined character string, and the character string is inserted into the test print format. Then, the sheet feeding is started from the cassette 2 capable of feeding the sheet. Then, in step S712, print processing after bitmap expansion is performed. In the present embodiment, the paper feed destination is between the cassette 2 and the paper deck option unit 40, but it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to the case where the paper deck option unit is further connected and the number of cassettes in the printing apparatus is increased. Nor.

(Embodiment 8) Embodiment 8 having the above-mentioned structure
The paper conveyance control of the above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 10, first, in S800, the power source is turned off.
After N, the video controller 27 issues a command requesting the connection state of the option unit and the status of various sheet information to the general controller 101 in step S801. In step S <b> 802, the overall controller 101 returns the status of various option units to the video controller 27. In step S803, test printing, which is a utility function of the operator guide printing apparatus, is executed. In step S804, the video controller 27 checks whether there is a selectable paper feed source. If there is a selectable paper feed source in S804, the video controller 27 checks in S805 whether there is a selectable paper discharge destination. If there is a discharge destination that can be selected in S805, S80
At 6, the video controller 27 issues a paper source command. Then, in step S807, a paper discharge destination command is issued. S
At 808, the video controller 27 executes drawing processing,
The printing process is executed in S809. If there is no paper feed destination and paper discharge destination selectable in S804 and S805, S81
When 0, the test print ends.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the optional unit is connected to the printing apparatus, there is an effect that the paper transport control can be efficiently controlled.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus and an option unit according to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection relating to control of a printing apparatus and an option unit according to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a controller of the printing apparatus and the option unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a control unit of the printing apparatus and the option unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a control unit of the printing apparatus and the option unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a controller of the printing apparatus and the option unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a controller of the printing apparatus and the option unit according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a controller of a printing apparatus and an option unit according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the control unit of the printing apparatus and option unit according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the control unit of the printing apparatus and option unit according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Laser beam printer main body (main body) 2 Cassette 3 Paper feed roller 4 Optional paper feed roller 5 Registration roller pair 6 Laser scanner section 7 Image recording section 8 Fixing roller 9 Paper ejection sensor 10 Conveying roller 11 Flapper 12 Paper ejection roller 13 Loading tray 14 Optional Paper Ejection Roller 15 Laser Unit 16 Polygon Motor 17 Beam Detector 18 Imaging Lens Group 19 Folding Mirror 20 Photosensitive Drum 21 Pre-exposure Lamp 22 Primary Charger 23 Developer 24 Transfer Charger 25 Cleaner 26 Engine Controller 27 Video Controller 28 Video interface 31 Connector 32 Option control unit 33 Paper feed relay transport roller 34 Paper feed relay transport path 35 Paper discharge relay transport roller 36 Paper discharge relay transport path 40 Paper deck option unit 41 -Pattecks 42 Paper-tacks Paper feed roller group 43 Paper feed relay transport rollers 44 Paper feed relay transport paths 45 Paper discharge relay transport rollers 46 Paper discharge relay transport paths 50 Sorter options 51-54 Bins 55-58 Flap 59 Discharge relay transport paths 60 Supply Paper relay transport roller 61 Paper discharge relay transport roller 62 Paper feed relay transport path 70 Option unit interface 71-72 Connector 101 General controller 102 Paper handling controller 103 Sorter controller 114 General controller

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Shigeru Ueda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Satoshi Egawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Incorporated (72) Inventor Yoichi Toyokura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Akihiro Nakamura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. ( 72) Inventor Junichi Kimizuka, Canon Inc., 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus main body including a video controller having a video signal generating means for generating a video signal from image information based on a recording command from an external device and a control means, and at least a printing apparatus main body connectable to the printing apparatus main body. In a printing apparatus having a general controller equipped with option unit control means for controlling one option unit, the video controller has processing time notification means for notifying the general controller of drawing development processing time. Is a paper conveyance time storage means for storing the paper conveyance time from the optional paper feed source to the printer entrance, the processing time notified by the processing time notification means, and the paper conveyance time stored in the paper conveyance time storage means. When comparing means for comparing with the time and the comparing means determines that the processing time is shorter And a sheet feeding source changing means for changing the paper feed source, the printing apparatus characterized by. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the paper feed destination is changed by the paper feed destination changing unit, the video controller detects a paper feed destination change by the paper feed destination changing unit, A printing apparatus, which notifies the apparatus of a change in a paper feed source. 3. A printing apparatus main body including a video controller having a video signal generation means for generating a video signal from image information based on a recording command from an external device and a control means, and at least a printing apparatus main body connectable to the printing apparatus main body. In a printing apparatus having a general controller provided with option unit control means for controlling one option unit, a video controller uses a video controller to process a plurality of data received from an external device so that paper conveyance continues without stopping. And a notification unit for notifying an external device of the change of the processing order by the processing order changing unit. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the processing order changing means determines whether or not the paper feeding means for feeding the paper for printing each of the plurality of data is the same, and A printing apparatus, which determines whether or not to change a processing order based on whether or not a sheet conveyance time to a printing unit of a printing apparatus main body is short. 5. A printing apparatus main body including a video controller having a video signal generating means for generating a video signal from image information based on a recording command from an external device and a control means, and at least a printing apparatus main body connectable to the printing apparatus main body. In a printing apparatus having a general controller equipped with option unit control means for controlling one option unit, the video controller has a specification means for specifying information concerning paper feed / paper of data received from an external device to the general controller. The general controller has a paper feed information determining unit that determines paper feed information from the information specified by the specifying unit and the state of the option unit, and the video controller is determined by the paper feed information determining unit of the general controller. Paper feed information detection means for detecting paper feed information and the above-mentioned feeding to external devices. A printing apparatus further comprising: paper feed information notifying means for notifying paper feed information detected by the paper information detecting means. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the paper feed information detected by the paper feed information detecting unit is displayed on a display in the main body of the printing apparatus. 7. A printing apparatus main body including a video controller having a video signal generation means for generating a video signal from image information based on a recording command from an external device and a control means, and at least a connection possible to the printing apparatus main body. In a printing apparatus having a general controller including an option unit control unit that controls one option unit, the general controller includes a paper feed start detection unit that detects a paper feed start in the option unit and a paper sheet in the option unit. Position information detection means for detecting position information,
Equipped with a paper discharge end detecting means for detecting the paper discharge end in the option unit, and an information notifying means for notifying the video controller of the paper feed start, position and paper discharge end information detected by the respective detecting means. The video controller has an information notifying unit for notifying the external device of the information from the information notifying unit. 8. A printing apparatus main body including a video controller having a video signal generation means for generating a video signal from image information based on a recording command from an external device and a control means, and at least a connection possible to the printing apparatus main body. In a printing apparatus having a general controller having option unit control means for controlling one optional unit, the general controller judges whether or not there is a path that can be printed without passing through the jam occurrence path when a jam occurs. Means and a continuation possible notification means for notifying the video controller that the print processing can be continued when the path determination means determines that there is a print processing possible path. Continue print processing by using the route that can be printed after receiving information from the availability notification unit A printing device characterized by the above. 9. The printing device according to claim 8, wherein the video controller notifies an external device of the continuation of the printing process and causes the display in the printing device main body to display it. 10. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the path determining unit determines that there is a print processing available path, the overall controller manages pages for the previously fed paper in the option unit. A printing apparatus further comprising table changing means for arranging the tables and continuing the printing process from the page changed by the table changing means. 11. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a jam occurs when an operator performs a test print, which is a utility function of the printing apparatus, when the path determining unit determines that there is a printable path. A printing apparatus further comprising a test print printing means for printing position information on a test print. 12. A printing apparatus main body including a video controller having a video signal generating means for generating a video signal from image information based on a recording command from an external device and a control means, and at least a printing apparatus main body connectable to the printing apparatus main body. In a printing apparatus having a general controller having option unit control means for controlling one option unit, when an operator executes a test print, which is a utility function of the printing apparatus, paper is fed from all connected paper feeding option units. A printing apparatus further comprising a paper feed unit for paper and a paper discharge unit for discharging paper from all connected paper discharge option units.