JPH09149219A - Extension use communication equipment, electronic device and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the reception efficiency in the electronic device making communication via the extension communication equipment by devising a reception buffer for a printer so that its capacity is properly selected. SOLUTION: Information (buffer specified information) 305a relating to a maintenance system and a communication speed or the like between a network board 217 and a host computer 250 is stored in a ROM 305. At application of power, the network board 217 references the buffer specified information 305a to generate information (board information) to designate a capacity of a reception buffer in a printer to be connected and the information is sent to the printer. The printer based on the board information selects a capacity of the reception buffer suitable for the network board 217.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an expansion communication device and an electronic device and a control method thereof, and more particularly to an expansion communication device for expanding a communication function with an external device and an external device via the expansion communication device. The present invention relates to an electronic device that communicates with a device and a method of controlling the electronic device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer has generally been equipped with a serial interface, a parallel interface, etc. as standard as means for communicating with a host computer. However, due to recent networking, an increasing number of printer devices are equipped with an optional interface as an interface for connecting the printer device to various networks.

Generally, as the optional interface, various types of expansion communication devices (hereinafter, also referred to as network boards) can be connected to the printer device, and a user can exchange the network boards to make various types of communication devices. It is possible to connect a printer device to the network.

In such an interface between the network board and the printer device, the total capacity of the receive buffers for the network board in the printer device is the size of the individual receive buffers (hereinafter, simply referred to as the receive buffer) constituting the network buffer and the size thereof. Determined by the total number.
Normally, the user can increase the capacity of the entire reception buffer by changing the total number of reception buffers.

For example, if the size of the receiving buffer is 1 kbyte and the number is 30, the total capacity of the receiving buffer provided in the printer is 30 kbyte. For example, if it is desired to change the total capacity of the reception buffer to 60 kbytes for efficient reception, the number of reception buffers may be changed to 60.

[0006] Normally, the receiving buffer is used in such a manner that when one receiving buffer is filled with the receiving data, the receiving buffer is passed to the data analysis section, and the following receiving data is stored in the next receiving buffer. It

[0007]

By the way, when a large amount of data is received and processed through a high-speed interface, not only the number of receive buffers must be increased, but also the size of the receive buffers must be increased. Conversely, when receiving and processing a large amount of data via a low-speed interface, it is better to reduce the size of the receive buffer so that the received data can be passed to the data analysis section at a higher speed. It can be operated efficiently. In other words, if the size of the reception buffer is uniquely determined, the printer device may not be able to operate efficiently depending on the reception speed.

The speed of transmitting data to the printer device is
It varies depending on the type of network board. Therefore, there is a problem in that the size of the receive buffer uniquely determined allows efficient operation on a specific network board, but does not operate efficiently on other network boards.

The above problem can be said to be a common problem that occurs when the communication function of an electronic device including an information processing device as well as a printer device is expanded by an expansion communication device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to appropriately set the capacity of a reception buffer of an electronic device that communicates via an extension communication device, so that the reception in the electronic device can be performed. The purpose is to improve efficiency.

[0011]

In order to solve the above problems, an expansion communication device according to the present invention is an expansion communication device for expanding the communication function of an electronic device, and the capacity of a reception buffer of the electronic device. And an informing means for informing the electronic device of the acquired information.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for example, the information is information on a communication speed with an external device.

Further, for example, the information is information on a communication system with an external device.

Further, for example, the information is information designating the capacity of the reception buffer.

Further, for example, the acquisition means has a non-volatile memory medium, and acquires the information from the memory medium.

Further, for example, the acquisition means and the notification means operate immediately after the power is turned on.

The electronic equipment according to the present invention is an electronic equipment having a function of connecting an extension communication device for extending a communication function, and temporarily receives data received from an external device via the extension communication device. Receive buffer that keeps
Setting means for setting the capacity of the reception buffer according to information from the connected expansion communication device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for example, the setting means sets the capacity of the reception buffer based on the communication speed between the expansion communication device and the external device.

Further, for example, the setting means sets the capacity of the reception buffer based on a communication method between the expansion communication device and the external device.

Further, for example, the setting means sets the capacity of the reception buffer in accordance with the designation by the expansion communication device.

Further, for example, the setting means sets the capacity of the reception buffer immediately after the power is turned on.

Further, for example, the electronic device further includes an image generating means for generating an image based on the received data.

An electronic device control method according to the present invention is a method for controlling an electronic device having a function of connecting an expansion communication device for expanding a communication function, the external device being connected via the expansion communication device. It is characterized in that the capacity of the receiving buffer for temporarily holding the data received from is set according to the information from the connected expansion communication device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for example, the setting of the capacity of the reception buffer is determined based on the communication speed between the expansion communication device and the external device.

Further, for example, the setting of the capacity of the reception buffer is determined based on the communication system between the expansion communication device and the external device.

Further, for example, the capacity of the reception buffer is set according to the designation by the expansion communication device.

Further, for example, the capacity of the reception buffer is set immediately after the power is turned on.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the internal structure of a laser beam printer suitable for applying this embodiment.
In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a main body of a laser beam printer (hereinafter, also referred to as LBP), which is used to register a character pattern from an external device (not shown) and form a partnership (form data).
It is configured to be able to register such as. Also, L
The BP 101 inputs and stores character information (including a character code) supplied from an external device (for example, a host computer) (not shown), form information, or a macro command, and a corresponding character pattern according to the information. And form patterns are formed, and an image is formed on a recording medium which is a recording medium.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a switch and an LB for operation.
The operation panel is provided with an LED display and an LCD display for displaying the status of P101. 103 is LBP
A printer control unit for controlling the entire 101 and analyzing character information and the like supplied from an external device. The printer control unit 103 mainly converts a video signal of a character pattern corresponding to character information into a laser driver 10
6 is output. 217 is an external communication device unit,
It is connected to the printer control unit 103.

The laser driver 106 is the semiconductor laser 1
This is a circuit for driving 07, and switches the laser light 105 emitted from the semiconductor laser 107 on / off in accordance with the input video signal. This laser light 105
Is horizontally swung by the rotary polygon mirror 104 to scan and expose on the electrostatic drum 108. As a result, the electrostatic drum 1
An electrostatic latent image of a character pattern will be formed on 08.

This latent image is developed by the developing unit 109 arranged around the electrostatic drum 108 and then transferred to the recording paper. A cut sheet is used for this recording paper. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 112 adhered to the LBP 101, taken into the apparatus by the paper feed roller 111 and the conveyance roller 110, and supplied to the electrostatic drum 108. The transferred recording paper is the discharge roller 1
The sheet is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by 15.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the printer control unit 103. Printer control unit 1
03 is an option bus interface control unit 214 for controlling the option bus interface 215.
Via the network board 217. An expansion bus 216 connects the network board 217 and the printer control unit 103.

Reference numeral 202 denotes a CPU, which controls each device connected to the bus 203 based on the program code stored in the ROM 204. Reference numeral 205 denotes a RAM, which temporarily stores data used by the CPU 202, print data, and the like. A memory control unit 206 controls the memory 207. On the memory 207, there are reception buffers 207a (n) for temporarily storing data sent from the network 218 (host computer 250) via the network board 217.
When one receive buffer 207a is filled with received data, it is used to parse the data, and the data that is subsequently sent is the other unused receive buffer 207a.
a.

An engine control unit 210 controls the printer engine 212 via an engine interface (I / F) unit 211 to perform print processing. 20
A line control unit 9 is a parallel line I / F unit 208A.
Controls the serial line I / F unit 208B. A panel control unit 213 controls the panel 102. 218
Is a network to which the network board 217 is connected. A host computer 250 and the like are connected to the network 218.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the network board 217 connected to the LBP 101.
The network board 217 is connected to the printer control unit 103 via the printer interface 216, and is also connected to the host computer 250 etc. via the network 218. Then, the data from the network 218 (host computer 250) is transferred to the L
It has a function of transmitting to the BP 101 and transmitting data from the LBP 101 to the network 218 (host computer 250).

In the figure, 301 is a CPU, and R
It controls each device connected to the bus 308 based on the program code stored in the OM 305. A RAM 304 temporarily stores data used by the CPU 301, data from the network 218, and data from the LBP 101. A printer interface control unit 302 communicates with the LBP 101 via the printer interface 303. A network line control unit 306 communicates with the network 218 via the network line interface unit 307.

In the ROM 305, in addition to the program code for controlling the CPU 301, the network board 2
Information (buffer definition information) 305a on 17 functions (for example, communication method, communication speed, appropriate capacity of receiving buffer required for electronic device, etc.) is also held. The buffer definition information 305a is read from the CPU 301 and notified to the LBP 101.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the network board. The program code corresponding to this flowchart is stored in the ROM 305, and the CPU 301 executes a series of processes based on this program code. When the power is turned on, first, in step S701, the network board 2
Board information for making the 17 types known to the LBP 101 is created by referring to the buffer definition information 305a.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data format of the board information. The board information 400 is a board information header 40 indicating that this data is board information.
1, board type information 402 indicating the type of network board (for example, serial interface, parallel interface, or communication speed), and a data end symbol 403 indicating the end of this data.

In step S702, the created board information 400 is transmitted to the LBP 101. Step S703
Then, in step S704, data transmission from the LBP 101 is awaited, and it is determined whether or not it is a data transfer permission command (see FIG. 6) that permits data transfer. This process is repeated until the data transfer permission command is received. When the data transfer permission command is received, the CPU
301 enters the idle state, and is ready to receive data from the network 218 and transmit it to the LBP 101 (step S705). The communication via the network 218 and the communication with the LBP 101 may be performed according to a normal technique. For example, an interrupt relating to reception or transmission or a communication error is generated, and the execution is shifted to a routine corresponding to the interrupt from step S905. Just do it.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the LBP 100. The program code corresponding to this flowchart is stored in the ROM 204, and the CPU 202 executes a series of processes based on this program code.

When the power is turned on, first, the board information 400 is received from the network board 217 (step S801).

In the following processing, the network board 21
7 types are specific serial communication board, specific parallel communication board, specific ethernet board (ethernet
Determines whether it corresponds to XEROX (registered trademark of XEROX) or another communication board, and appropriately allocates the size of the reception buffer corresponding to each case. The type of the network board 400 can be determined from the board information 402. This classification is not limited to four types, but may be an appropriate classification number depending on the embodiment. Further, the classification form is not limited to that according to the communication system, and the classification may be performed based on information (for example, communication speed) sufficient to appropriately allocate the reception buffer. At this time, it goes without saying that the network board 217 should transmit the board information 400 corresponding to this type of classification.

Hereinafter, description will be given according to an exemplary flowchart. When the network board 217 is a specific serial communication board (step S802), the unit of the reception buffer is set to 256 bytes (step S80).
3). The setting of the unit of the receiving buffer means securing a corresponding area (n receiving buffers 207a) in the memory 207. If the network board 217 is a specific parallel communication board (step S80)
4) The unit of the receiving buffer is set to 1024 bytes (step S805). Also, the network board 21
If 7 is a specific ethernet board (step S
806), the unit of the receiving buffer is set to 2048 bytes (step S807). If the network board 217 does not correspond to any of the above boards, the unit of the reception buffer is set to 512 bytes (step S808).

When the setting of the unit of the receiving buffer is completed, a data transfer permission command is then transmitted to the network board 400 (step S809).

As described above, the LBP 101 receives the information regarding the board type from the network board at the time of initialization and determines the unit of the receiving buffer based on the information, thereby setting the unit of the receiving buffer to the communication speed or the communication system. Can be adapted to. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform efficient communication.

<Application Example of Embodiment> In the above embodiment, the board information 400 is transmitted from the network board 217 to the LBP 101, and the unit of the receiving buffer is indirectly set by the board information 400. This application example also makes it possible to directly specify the unit of the reception buffer.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the network board in this application example. In addition, the program code corresponding to this flowchart is ROM
Stored in 305, the CPU 301 executes a series of processes based on this program code.

When the power is turned on, first, step S9
In 01, buffer information for making the unit of the receiving buffer known to the LBP 101 is created. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data format of the buffer information.
The buffer information 500 includes a buffer information header 501 indicating that this data is buffer information, request buffer size information 502 indicating the unit of the receiving buffer to be requested,
A data end symbol 503 indicating the end of this data is included.

In step S902, the created buffer information 500 is transmitted to the LBP 101. Step S90
3 and step S904 waits for data transmission from the LBP 101, and determines whether or not it is a data transfer permission command (see FIG. 6) that permits data transfer. This process is repeated until the data transfer permission command is received. When the data transfer permission command is received, the CPU
301 enters the idle state, and is ready to receive data from the network 218 and transmit it to the LBP 101 (step S905).

FIG. 10 shows the LBP 100 in this application example.
6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the above. The program code corresponding to this flowchart is stored in the ROM 20.
No. 4, and the CPU 202 executes a series of processes based on this program code. This application example
In the example, the board information 400 or the buffer information 500 is received from the network board 217 and the unit of the receiving buffer is set. However, the unit of the receiving buffer can be changed only by the buffer information 500. Note that the same reference numerals (step S801) are used for steps that perform the same processing as in the above-described embodiment.
-S809) are attached and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

In step S1001, it is determined whether the data received from the network board 217 is the board information 400 or the buffer information 500. This can be done by checking the header part (board information header 401 or buffer information header 501). As a result of the judgment, the received data is the board information 40.
If it is 0, step S802 and subsequent steps are executed (the same processing as in the above-described embodiment).

On the other hand, the received data is the buffer information 50.
If it is 0, step S1002 and subsequent steps are executed.
In step S1002, the buffer information 500 is read. Then, in step S1003, the unit of the receiving buffer is set based on the read buffer information 500 (for example, the setting value of the receiving buffer includes information on the number of bytes, etc.).

As described above, the unit (size) of the receiving buffer can be directly set by the buffer information 500. To describe the substantial difference between the two, when the unit of the reception buffer is determined by the board information 400, the network board 217 notifies the LBP 101 of its type (communication speed, communication method, etc.), and therefore the LBP 101 has it. It is not necessary to recognize the capacity (for example, the capacity of the entire reception buffer, the processing speed, etc.). However, on the side of the LBP 101, it is necessary to determine the unit of the reception buffer based on the board information 400, it is necessary to prepare information indicating the corresponding relationship, etc., and it is also necessary to deal with the specification change. On the other hand, when the unit of the receiving buffer is determined by the buffer information 500, the unit of the receiving buffer is directly set by the buffer information 500, and thus the setting is not necessarily optimal for the LBP 101 ( Although it depends on the capability of the LBP 101), it is not necessary to make a judgment on the LBP 101 side, and it is possible to easily cope with a completely new type of network board, for example. in this way,
The case of using the board information 400 and the case of using the buffer information 500 are complementary to each other, and it is desirable to provide both of them as in this application example.

Although the above description is an example in which the network board is connected to the laser beam printer, the present invention is also applicable to the case of connecting to another printer such as an ink discharge type printer. Further, it can be widely applied to other types of electronic devices related to data communication.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), and can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, Facsimile machine, etc.).

An object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, by making it possible to appropriately set the capacity of the receiving buffer,
There is an effect that it is possible to improve the reception efficiency in an electronic device that communicates via the expansion communication device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a laser beam printer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printer control unit of a laser beam printer.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network board connected to a laser beam printer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of board information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of buffer information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing data exchange between a laser beam printer and a network board.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a network board.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a laser beam printer.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a network board in an application example.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a laser beam printer in an application example.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Agency reference number FI Technical display location H04N 1/32 H04N 1/32 Z

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An expansion communication device for expanding a communication function of an electronic device, wherein the acquisition device acquires information for controlling a capacity of a reception buffer of the electronic device, and notifies the electronic device of the acquired information. A communication device for expansion, comprising: 2. The expansion communication device according to claim 1, wherein the information is information regarding a communication speed with an external device. 3. The expansion communication device according to claim 1, wherein the information is information regarding a communication method with an external device. 4. The expansion communication device according to claim 1, wherein the information is information designating a capacity of the reception buffer. 5. The extension according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit has a non-volatile memory medium, and acquires the information from the memory medium. Communication device. 6. The acquisition means and the notification means operate immediately after power is turned on.
The expansion communication device according to claim 5. 7. An electronic device having a function of connecting an expansion communication device for expanding a communication function, the reception buffer temporarily holding data received from an external device via the expansion communication device, An electronic device comprising: a setting unit configured to set the capacity of the reception buffer according to information from the connected expansion communication device. 8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the setting unit sets the capacity of the reception buffer based on a communication speed between the expansion communication device and the external device. 9. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the setting unit sets the capacity of the reception buffer based on a communication method between the expansion communication device and the external device. 10. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the setting unit sets the capacity of the reception buffer in accordance with designation by the expansion communication device. 11. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the setting unit sets the capacity of the reception buffer immediately after the power is turned on. 12. The electronic device according to claim 7, further comprising an image generation unit that generates an image based on the received data. 13. A control method for an electronic device having a function of connecting an extension communication device for extending a communication function, the method comprising: temporarily receiving data received from an external device via the extension communication device. A method of controlling an electronic device, wherein the capacity of a buffer is set according to information from the connected expansion communication device. 14. The method of controlling an electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the setting of the capacity of the reception buffer is determined based on a communication speed between the expansion communication device and the external device. . 15. The method of controlling an electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the setting of the capacity of the reception buffer is determined based on a communication method between the extension communication device and the external device. . 16. The method of controlling an electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the capacity of the reception buffer is set according to designation by the expansion communication device. 17. The capacity of the reception buffer is set immediately after power is turned on.
A method of controlling an electronic device according to claim 16.