JPH08324011A - Color printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce the cost by decreasing a memory capacity to 1/3 and to shorten the printing time by concurrently conducting the printing operation and a communication in a color printer for a personal computer. CONSTITUTION: The image data memory in a printer is provided only for one color, and the memory area of a memory 202 is repeatedly used at each color printing. In this case, the image data of next color is received from a host computer 210 and stored in the memory 202 while conducting the printing operation of a printing unit 204. At this time, in order not to damage the color data during printing at present when the received data is stored in the memory 202, the pointer 101 for indicating the place of the print-finished color data of printing at present and the memory address in the case of storing the received data in the memory 202 are managed, and the data is printed while controlling the communication so that the memory address does not pass the pointer 101.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color printer that receives image data of a plurality of colors from a personal computer and prints the image data, and is particularly characterized by the image data receiving and image memory storing system in the printer. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A color printer for a personal computer receives image data from a personal computer and prints it. FIG. 3 is an image diagram of this system. That is, the image data inside the personal computer 210 is sent to the printer 201 through the transmission line 220. Printer 2
In 01, by printing based on this image data,
The image 301 is output. Here, in the case of a printer that prints characters and the like, the amount of data sent from the personal computer to the printer per page is the number of characters per page and its control code. For example, one page of A4 has an information amount of about 80 characters × 30 lines, and the memory required on the printer side was not so large. However, in contrast, in a printer that prints image data, for example, A
One page of 4 has a huge amount of information, 2000 pixels × 2500 pixels × 3 colors. Therefore, if all of these are stored in the printer's memory, the printer requires an extremely large memory, and at the same time, if these data are transferred from a personal computer and then printed, the data transfer Since it takes a considerable amount of time to print, there is a problem that the printing time including this takes a long time.

In order to solve this time problem, there is a method of starting printing only for one color when data transfer for one color is completed. This method is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-73970. The outline will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing the relationship between a full-color printer and a personal computer.
Reference numeral 210 denotes a personal computer, which has image data in the storage unit 211 in the form of RGB. The image data is converted from RGB into yellow, magenta, and cyan (hereinafter referred to as YMC) for printing by the data conversion unit 212, and the transmission line 2
It is sent to the printer 201 via 20. Printer 20
Inside 1, the image data is stored in the memory 202. It is assumed that the memory 202 can store data for one screen of YMC three colors.

At the time of printing, the control unit 203 transfers the image data line by line from the memory 202 to the printing unit 204 in synchronization with the printing sequence, and performs printing. In the simple printing method, this process is performed in sequence. That is, the procedure is such that the YMC data is received from the personal computer 210, and the printer 201 starts printing when all the image data is stored in the memory 202. However, this method has a problem in that the total printing time becomes long because the entire data transfer time is required for the printing time. For this reason, in the above-described conventional invention, the start of printing is not waited until the communication of all color data is completed, but the process is started when only one kind of color data is completed (printing order is Y, M, C). ). That is, Y printing is performed after all Y data are gathered, but M data communication is performed using the period during which Y printing is performed, and at the end of Y printing, the end of M data communication is determined. If the communication is not completed, a means for interrupting the temporary printing operation is provided, and the printing of M is started after all the M data are prepared. Similarly, C data communication is performed while printing M, and if the data of C is not available after the printing of M is finished, the printing operation is temporarily interrupted and C printing is performed after all of the C data are available. ing. Here, the print suspension for waiting the data is performed after each color printing is completed.
The reason why the printing is not performed in the middle of the color is that if the printing is paused in the middle of the screen, printing irregularities often occur at that location.

[0005]

The conventional color printer described above has a problem in that the image memory 202 is required for three colors, which increases the cost of the printer. When the printing speed is slower than the data communication speed as in the thermal sublimation printer, the printing operation is rarely temporarily stopped at the head of M and C until the end of data transfer, and at the end of printing of each color, The method of not starting the printing of the next color until all the color data to be printed has a problem that the total printing time becomes long.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the capacity of the memory 202 to 1.
The purpose is to reduce the number of colors, reduce the printer cost, and shorten the printing time.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, in the color printer of the present invention, the capacity of the memory in the printer is set to one color, and YMC data is written in the same memory area. M data while printing
C data is received from a personal computer during printing, and during printing, the data of the next color to be printed is sequentially stored in the memory area of the memory where printing has finished. is there.

[0008]

By the above means, printing is started when Y data is gathered from the personal computer to the memory, and only the area of the Y data that has been printed is overwritten with M data received from the personal computer during Y printing. Therefore, the Y data that has not been printed is not destroyed. Further, since the M data is prepared almost at the same time when the printing of the Y data is completed, the printing time is shortened, and since the same memory is used for the YMC, the memory capacity can be reduced to 1/3.

[0009]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, an example in which the present invention is applied to a thermal sublimation printer will be described. Therefore, first, a thermal sublimation printing method will be briefly described. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of the printing unit of the thermal sublimation printer. In FIG. 4, the ink sheet 401 and the printing paper 402 are the thermal head 118 and the platen 403.
By being sandwiched between the two and energizing the heating resistor 404,
The temperature of the contact portion between the heating resistor 404 and the ink sheet 401 rises, the color material of the ink sheet 401 moves to the receiving portion on the surface of the printing paper 402, and an image for one line is formed on the printing paper 402. The heat generation resistor 404 can change the heat generation amount for each pixel, and the amount of the color material transferred from the ink sheet 401 to the printing paper 402 varies depending on the difference in the heat generation amount. Each shade can be realized. The photographic printing paper 402 is sandwiched between the pinch roller 406 and the capstan 405 under pressure, and the pinch roller 406 is rotated during 1 line printing to
By advancing the line photographic printing paper 402, the next one line can be continuously printed. Further, in order to perform full-color printing, it is necessary to repeat the three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan for printing by the above method. Therefore, the ink sheet has three colors lined up, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows the flow of the basic printing operation sequence at this time. When printing is started, in step 601, the paper is pulled into the printer and brought to the yellow print start position. Next, in process 602, cueing is performed in which the ink sheet is wound up to the head of yellow around the head mark formed at the head of each color. In process 603, yellow printing is performed for one screen. Similarly, after the paper is brought to the print start position in processing 604, processing 605 is performed.
In, the ink sheet is wound up to the beginning of magenta, and in step 606, magenta printing is overlaid on yellow. Further, after the paper is brought to the print start position in processing 607, the ink sheet is wound up to the head of cyan in processing 608, and cyan printing is repeated in processing 609. Finally, in process 610, the paper is ejected, and full-color printing is completed.

The printing method of the basic thermal sublimation printer has been described above. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the relationship between a color printer and a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 210 denotes a personal computer, and the storage unit 211 has a vertical 640
It is assumed that image data of pixels and horizontal 480 pixels is held in the form of RGB each 1 byte. The image data is converted from RGB into yellow, magenta, and cyan (hereinafter referred to as YMC) for printing by the data conversion unit 212, and the communication cable 2 is used.
It is sequentially sent to the printer 100 via 20. Inside the printer 100, the control unit 203 stores the image data sent from the communication cable 220 in the memory 202 in synchronization with the printing unit 204 while observing the state of the pointer 101. The memory 202 has a capacity for one color.

These timings in each process of the printing sequence will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 203 receives the first data from the communication cable 220,
This is stored in the memory 202 and the printing sequence is started, and in process 601, the paper is pulled to the Y printing start position. At this time, while performing the operation of the processing 601, the Y index of the ink sheet is simultaneously performed (that is, the processing 60).
2). Further, while performing the operation of this processing 601, the data sent from the communication cable 220 is sequentially written in the memory 202. At this time, the control using the pointer 101 is not performed because it is the first color data import. When the operation of the process 601 is completed and the paper comes to the Y start position, the operation of the process 602 is checked, and if the cueing of the ink sheet Y is not completed, it waits until this is completed. If all the Y data are not available at the time when the operations of processing 601 and 602 are completed (that is, when the data amount is less than 640 * 480 bytes), the data is continuously stored in the memory and all the Y data is stored. Other operations are stopped until are aligned. On the contrary, if the operation of the process 601 or 602 is not completed at the stage where all the Y data is stored in the memory, the control unit 203 instructs the host computer 210 to suspend the data communication, and the process 601. The printing unit 204 is controlled so that both of steps 602 and 602 are completed.

The Y data are complete, and the processings 601 and 60 are performed.
When both of the steps 2 are completed, the Y print operation processing 603
To start. The processing contents of the control unit 203 at this time will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a processing flow of the control unit. Y
Immediately after the start of printing, the pointer indicating how far the printing has ended is set to 0, and at the same time, the memory address for storing the M data is set to 0 (process 701). Next, processing 702
Then, one line (480 bytes) of the Y data stored in the memory 202 from the position pointed by the pointer is sent to the printing unit 204 and then transferred to the head. Process 703
Then, since the 480 bytes may be crushed, the pointer is advanced by 480. In step 704, the head is instructed to start applying heat using the data transferred in step 702. In process 705, it is checked whether the application of heat to the head is completed. In the case of the thermal sublimation type, it takes a dozens of milliseconds to complete, so this period is used for M data communication. That is, in process 706, the current pointer is compared with the memory address. If the memory address is smaller, process 707 receives 1 byte of M data, and the data is stored in the memory 20 indicated by the memory address.
Write to 2. After that, the memory address is incremented by 1 in the process 709, and the following processes 705 to 709 are repeated. If the pointer and the memory address match in processing 706, it means that the content pointed to by the memory address is unprinted Y data, so that it is impossible to write more M data. Suspend. At that time, the process continues to wait until the application of heat to the head is completed in process 705, and when this is completed, the process proceeds to process 710. The process 710 is the printing unit 2.
This is for synchronizing with the paper feed mechanism in 04, and keeps waiting until mechanically one line paper feed is completed. In process 711, it is checked whether or not all 640 lines have been printed. If not, the processes 702 to 711 are repeated.
As described above, it is possible to take in the maximum amount of M data without crushing the Y data by utilizing the free time of Y printing.

Next, the processing returns to FIG. 6, and the paper in processing 604 is moved to the M start position. Also at this time, similarly to the processing 601, the processing 604 is performed, and at the same time, the head of M of the ink sheet is performed (processing 605). Furthermore, this processing 6
While performing the operation of 04, the remaining M data is received and sequentially written in the memory 202. At this time,
Since the printing of Y is completed, the control using the pointer 101 is not performed, and the data is sequentially written in the memory until the M data is prepared. When the operation at step 604 ends and the paper reaches the M start position, the operation at step 605 is checked, and if the cueing of the ink sheet M is not completed, it waits until this is completed. When all the data of M are not complete at the time when the operations of processing 604 and 605 are completed (640 * 4
(When it is less than 80 bytes), the data is continuously stored in the memory, and other operations are stopped until all the data of M are prepared. On the other hand, when the operation of the process 604 or 605 is not completed at the stage when all the data of M is stored in the memory, the control unit 203 instructs the host computer 210 to suspend the data communication, and the process 604. And 605
The printing unit 204 is controlled so that both of the above are completed.

The data of M are complete, and processing 604 and 60
When all the processes of No. 5 are completed, the M print operation process 606 is started. The processing content of the control unit 203 at this time is the same as that at the time of Y printing described above, and printing is performed while fetching the data of C using the pointer and the memory address as shown in FIG. After the printing operation process 606 of M is completed, the operations of processes 607 and 608 are as follows.
This is the same as step 5, and the remaining C data is taken in while simultaneously performing the processes 607 and 608 in parallel.

The data of C are complete, and processing 607 and 60
When all the processes of No. 8 are completed, the printing operation process 609 of C is started. At this time, since it is not necessary to perform data communication, the operation of the control unit 203 is the processing of steps 706 to 7 in FIG.
It will be the one with 09. That is, the pointer is set to 0 in step 701 when C printing is started. At this time, since the memory address is not used, it is not necessary to set it to 0. Process 70
In 2, the C data stored in the memory 202 is transferred from the position indicated by the pointer to the head of the printing unit 204 for one line (480 bytes). In process 703, the pointer is advanced 480 so as to point to the next print data. In step 704, the head is instructed to start applying heat using the data transferred in step 702. Process 705
Check if the application of heat to the head is completed. Process 7
In 05, waiting is continued until the application of heat to the head is completed, and when this is completed, the process proceeds to step 710. The process 710 is for synchronizing with the paper feeding mechanism in the printing unit 204, and keeps waiting until the one-line paper feeding is mechanically completed. In process 711, it is checked whether all 640 lines have been printed. If not, the following processes 702 to 71 are performed.
Repeat 1. After C printing, the paper is discharged in step 610, and the printing is completed.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configuration is the same as in the first embodiment described above, and printing is performed in the sequence shown in FIG. At this time, the Y print processing 603 and the M print processing 606 are printed in the sequence shown in FIG. That is, immediately after the start of Y printing,
The memory address in which the data of M is to be stored is set to 0 (process 801). Next, in process 802, one line (480 bytes) of Y data stored in the memory 202 is
Transfer to the head of the printing unit 204. In the process 803, since the 480 bytes may already be crushed, the memory 20
The counter for counting the number of bytes that can be transferred to 2 is set to 0. In process 804, the process 802 is performed on the head.
It is instructed to start applying heat by using the data transferred in. In process 805, it is checked whether the application of heat to the head is completed. In the case of the thermal sublimation type, it takes a dozens of milliseconds to complete, so this period is used for M data communication. That is, in process 806, the current value of the counter is compared with 480, and if the counter is less than 480, 1 byte of M data is received in process 807 and the data is written to the memory 202 indicated by the memory address. After that, the counter is incremented by 1 in the process 809, and the process 81
When 0, the memory address is also incremented by 1, and the following processing 805-8
Repeat 10. In process 806, the counter value 48
When it becomes 0, it means that it is impossible to write more M data, and the reception is temporarily stopped by the control signal 104. At that time, the process continues to wait until the application of heat to the head is completed in process 805, and when this is completed, the process proceeds to process 811. The process 811 is for synchronizing with the paper feeding mechanism in the printing unit 204, and keeps waiting until the mechanical one-line paper feeding is completed.

That is, the maximum number of bytes that can be transferred to the memory 202 during the head heating period for one line is 480 for the data number for one line. In process 812, it is checked whether all 640 lines have been printed, and if not, the following process 80
Repeat 2 to 812. As described above, it is possible to take in the M data by utilizing the free time of Y printing and without destroying the Y data.

[0019]

As described above, the color printer of the present invention can reduce the memory capacity by using a common memory for Y, M, and C data as compared with the prior art, and the cost of the printer can be reduced. . Also, with this method,
By processing the printing operation and the communication in parallel as much as possible, the total printing speed can be maximized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a color printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional color printer.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a printer system.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a printing unit of a thermal sublimation printer.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an ink sheet used in a thermal sublimation printer.

FIG. 6 is a printing sequence chart for a color printer.

FIG. 7 is a printing operation flowchart of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a print operation flowchart according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 pointer 104 control signal 202 memory 203 control unit 204 printing unit 211 storage unit 212 data conversion unit 220 communication cable

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Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A memory for storing color image data sent in a frame-sequential manner for each color from a host computer,
In a color printer that performs multicolor printing based on image data stored in a memory, during printing, image data of the next color to be printed is sequentially stored in a storage area of the memory where printing has been completed. A color printer. 2. A pointer for pointing to a portion where printing is completed in a memory for storing image data, and image data of a color to be printed next is sequentially stored in a storage area up to the pointer during printing operation. Claim 1 characterized by the above.
Color printer described in. 3. A structure in which a predetermined number of image data stored in a memory are sequentially sent to a printing unit all at once, and multicolor printing is performed based on the image data, and a printing operation is in progress. 2. The color printer according to claim 1, wherein image data of a color to be printed next is sent from the host computer to the memory within a range of the number of image data sent to the printing unit or less. 4. When printing of one color image data from the memory is completed and immediately before the printing operation of the next color, the image data of the next color is not all stored in the memory storage area, The color printer according to claim 1, having a function of temporarily suspending printing. 5. A print sequence is started as soon as communication from the host computer is started, and concurrently with reception from the host computer, the print sequence is simultaneously executed until immediately before the actual print operation. The color printer according to claim 1, wherein the color printer stands by until all the image data of the first color in the state is stored in the storage area of the memory. 6. In a color printer in which each color is printed with an ink sheet, and a head mark of ink is attached to the head of each color of the ink sheet, the printing paper is moved to the print start position and the ink mark is cued. The color printer according to claim 1, wherein at least two or more of data reception from the host computer are simultaneously performed.