JPH09185468A - Method and device for recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable proper printing processing even when a command having no interchangeability is inputted by checking a command contained in recorded data and detecting a non-supported command. SOLUTION: Print data are inputted from an external line, these print data are analyzed, a command and a data argument to the command are extracted and this command is executed. Then, similar processing is repeated and when there is no command sequence to be inputted any more, an input waiting state is provided. The commands are roughly divided into types for changing the state of printer 100, performing image processing and performing printing processing, etc. In this case, filtering processing is performed between print data input processing and command analytic processing and the command is erased. In the filtering processing, the command sequence is scanned, the command having no interchangeability is retrieved and when such a command is found out, that command sequence is erased.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a recording method and apparatus,
Particularly, the present invention relates to a recording method and an apparatus therefor when an unsupported command is input.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a print data analysis program (translator) installed on a controller of a printing apparatus receives a command which is incompatible due to the version upgrade, the compatibility is considered. If not, error processing occurred when the command was received.

[0003]

However, it often happens that the print data of the old version is desired to be output by the printing apparatus of the new version. In this case, in particular, when an incompatible command appears, there is a problem that a correct print result cannot be obtained or the printing apparatus itself hangs up.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording method and apparatus for avoiding the above problems of the conventional example.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording method and an apparatus thereof according to the present invention have the following configurations. That is, a command included in recording data including a command related to recording is checked, and a detection process of detecting an unsupported command and a predetermined process corresponding to the unsupported command detected in the detection process are executed. And an updating step of updating the recording data.

Another aspect of the invention is to check a command included in recording data including a command relating to recording,
A detection unit that detects an unsupported command and an updating unit that executes a predetermined process corresponding to the unsupported command detected by the detection unit to update the recording data are provided.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and eliminates the occurrence of an error caused by a difference in the version of the translator, and makes it possible to continue processing. In order to solve this problem, before the command analysis unit analyzes the print data string from the input / output interface, the incompatible command is extracted,
The command sequence is deleted and replaced with an alternative command sequence. A so-called filtering process is performed. Since this processing is performed before the command analysis processing, it can be realized without changing the analysis processing itself.

Alternatively, the RAM is not the filtering process of extracting the incompatible command and then changing the command sequence, but the process performed when the incompatible command is found during command analysis.
It is possible to change it later by referring to the above table. In this case, the incompatible command is specified before the printing process is performed on the printing apparatus, and the alternative command is specified.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Description of Apparatus Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The printing apparatus 100 is roughly divided into two parts, which are a controller part 110 and an engine part 120. Controller unit 110
Receives print data, control commands, and the like from an external host computer, creates image memory data according to the print data, and transfers the information to the engine unit 120 as a video signal.

The engine section 120 includes a controller 110.
The above-mentioned video signal is received from and the visible image corresponding to the signal is formed on the paper surface. Further, the controller 110
Communicates with the engine unit 120, transmits the state of the engine unit 120 to the outside, and controls the engine unit 120 as a whole. Next, the controller unit 110 will be described in detail.

The controller 110 includes a host interface IOP (I / O Processor) 111, a display panel 112, an operation panel 113, a CPU 114, and a ROM 1.
15, a RAM 116, and a data bus 118 are provided.
The IOP 111 transmits / receives data to / from an external device (for example, a host computer).

The display panel 112 displays printing device information such as display of various parameters of the printing environment. The operation panel 113 is used for inputting settings and changes of various parameters of the printing environment. The CPU 114 reads the program stored in the program ROM, interprets the program, and executes processing such as control of the entire apparatus, analysis of print data, and creation of image memory data.

The ROM 115 is a control program for the device,
Stores various printer control languages, font information, etc. R
The AM 116 is used for storing data received from the outside through an interface, storing various print parameters, and temporarily storing information such as a work area for information processing.

The data bus 118 is a medium for transmitting data transmitted inside the controller. <Description of Operation> Next, the printing process will be described with reference to FIG. In step S1, print data is input from the external line, in step S2 the print data (command string) is analyzed, and in step S3, the command and the data argument to the command are extracted, and the command is executed. Then, the process returns to step S1, the same processing is repeated, and when there is no command string to be input, the input waiting state is entered.

The commands are roughly classified into those that change the state of the printing apparatus, those that perform image processing, and those that perform printing processing. In the present invention, print data input processing (step S1) and command analysis processing (step S2)
Then, the filtering process (step S11) is performed to delete the command (see FIG. 3).

In the filtering process, the command sequence is scanned, an incompatible command is searched for, and if found, the command sequence is deleted. <Other Embodiment 1> In the above description, the command is deleted in order to ignore it when an incompatible command is found in the filtering process, but it may be replaced with a command having a different function. Also, it may be replaced with a plurality of commands having equivalent functions.

<Other Embodiment 2> In the above-mentioned embodiment, it was explained that incompatible commands have already been given in the filtering process.
This may be provided before the printing device performs the printing process. In other words, a means for designating an incompatible command and registering it in the printing apparatus is provided. As an example, a unit for specifying an incompatible command as print data and registering it in the printing apparatus is provided. <Other Embodiment 3> In the above embodiment, the filtering process is performed in advance,
Avoided errors caused by incompatible commands, but
If an incompatible command is found during command analysis instead of filtering processing, error processing can be avoided by performing processing corresponding to the command.

The procedure of command analysis processing will be described with reference to FIG. Command parsing usually involves command table A (eg RO
(Stored in M115), but in this embodiment, command analysis is performed in two stages. First, in step 30, the command table B (for example, stored in the ROM 115) in which incompatible commands are registered is searched, and when an incompatible command is detected, the process proceeds to step S34, Processing corresponding to the command, such as deletion, replacement with a replacement command,
Performs processing such as output of error message, and step S
Returning to step 30, the same processing is repeated for the next command. Conversely, if no incompatible commands are detected,
Proceed to step S32.

In step S32, the command table A in which the supported commands are registered is searched, and the processing corresponding to the searched command is performed in step S3.
Execute in 3. Then, the process returns to step S30 and the same process is repeated for the next command. In addition, the command table B in which incompatible commands are registered
By arranging it in the AM 116 or other rewritable memory, the command table B can be sequentially rewritten according to the command state, and the command analysis processing can be dynamically changed.

<Other Embodiment 4> It goes without saying that Embodiment 2 can be applied to Embodiment 3 described above. <Other Embodiment 5> Next, an embodiment in which each of the embodiments according to the present invention described above is applied to an inkjet recording apparatus will be described.

The present invention brings excellent effects particularly in a recording apparatus having an ink jet recording head for recording by forming flying droplets by utilizing thermal energy among the ink jet recording systems. For its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. No. 47.
What is performed using the basic principle disclosed by 23129 specification and 4740796 specification is preferable. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). Electrothermal transducers
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal converter, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. This is effective because bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signal can be formed as a result. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. When the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, excellent recording can be performed. As the structure of the recording head, in addition to the combination structure (straight liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) of the ejection port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting surface U.S. Pat. No. 4,558, which discloses a configuration in which is located in the area of flexion
It is also possible to adopt a configuration using the specification No. 333 and the specification of US Pat. No. 4,459,600.

In addition, JP-A-59-123670, which discloses a structure in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a pressure wave of thermal energy is absorbed. It is also possible to adopt a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which the opening corresponds to the ejection portion. Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum recording medium width that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is satisfied by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. It may have either a configuration or a configuration as one recording head integrally formed.

In addition, by being mounted on the apparatus main body, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can be supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by a replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.
Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, because the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and printing Performing a preliminary ejection mode for performing another ejection is also effective for performing stable printing.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. Alternatively, the device may be provided with at least one of full-color mixed colors. In the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the ink is described as a liquid, but an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens at room temperature, or is a liquid, or the above-mentioned inkjet method is used. Generally, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted within the range of 30 ° C to 70 ° C to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within the stable ejection range. Anything can be used.

In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink is solidified in a standing state for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink. In some cases, such as ink that is liquefied by applying heat energy according to a recording signal and ejected as a liquid ink, or one that has already started to solidify when it reaches a recording medium. The use of an ink having a property of being liquefied only by heat energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5684.
No. 7 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-71260, in which the porous sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter while being held in a liquid or solid state in the concave portions or through holes of the porous sheet. It may be. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, the recording apparatus according to the present invention is integrally or separately provided as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a word processor or a computer as described above, and is combined with a reader or the like. It may be in the form of a copying machine or a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function. <Schematic Description of Apparatus Main Body> FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an inkjet recording apparatus IJRA to which the present invention can be applied. In the figure, the carriage HC that engages with the spiral groove 5004 of the lead screw 5005 that rotates via the driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 in conjunction with the forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor 5013 has pins (not shown). Then, it is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b. An ink jet cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC. 500
Reference numeral 2 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage. 5007,50
Reference numeral 08 denotes a home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this area and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013. Reference numeral 5016 denotes a member for supporting a cap member 5022 for capping the front surface of the recording head. Reference numeral 5015 denotes suction means for sucking the inside of the cap.
, The suction recovery of the recording head is performed. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade. Reference numeral 5019 denotes a member which allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction. These members are supported by a main body support plate 5018. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form and a known cleaning blade can be applied to this example. Reference numeral 5012 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery.
It moves with the movement of 20, and the driving force from the drive motor is controlled by known transmission means such as clutch switching.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that the desired processing can be performed at their corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage comes to the area on the home position side. As long as the desired operation is performed at the timing, any of the above can be applied to this example. <Description of Control Structure> Next, a control structure for executing the recording control of the above-described apparatus will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. In the figure showing the control circuit, 1
Reference numeral 700 denotes an interface for inputting a recording signal, 170
Reference numeral 1 is an MPU, 1702 is a program ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 1701, and 1703 is a dynamic ROM for storing various data (the above-mentioned recording signals and recording data supplied to the head).
A gate array 1704 controls the supply of print data to the print head 1708.
It also controls data transfer between the 700, MPU 1701, and RAM 1703. Reference numeral 1710 denotes a carrier motor for transporting the recording head 1708, and reference numeral 1709 denotes a transport motor for transporting the recording paper. Reference numeral 1705 is a head driver for driving the head, and 1706 and 1707 are motor drivers for driving the carry motor 1709 and the carrier motor 1710, respectively.

The operation of the above control structure will be described. When a recording signal is input to the interface 1700, the gate array 1
The recording signal is converted into recording data for printing between the 704 and the MPU 1701. And the motor driver 1
The printheads 706 and 1707 are driven, and the printhead is driven according to the print data sent to the head driver 1705 to perform printing.

The interface 1700 is connected to the data bus 117 of FIG. 1 and inputs various commands and print data. The constituent elements of the present invention can be incorporated in the control configuration of the inkjet printer as described above. The example in which the constituent elements of the present invention are incorporated in the ink jet printer has been described above, but it goes without saying that the invention can also be applied to a laser beam printer.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if an incompatible command is input, proper print processing can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing procedure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a printing processing procedure including filtering processing.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a filtering processing procedure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a command analysis processing procedure.

FIG. 6 is an external view of an inkjet printer to which the configuration according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an inkjet printer to which the configuration according to the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Printer Main Body 200 Host Computer 110 Controller Section 120 Engine Section 111 Host Interface (IOP) 112 Display Panel 113 Operation Panel 114 CPU 115 Program ROM 116 Data RAM 117 Data Bus

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yasuko Amano 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A detection step of checking a command included in recording data including a command relating to recording to detect an unsupported command, and a predetermined step corresponding to the unsupported command detected in the detection step. An update step of executing a process to update the record data. 2. The predetermined process corresponding to the unsupported command detected in the detection step is deletion of the unsupported command from the recording data. Recording method. 3. The predetermined process corresponding to the unsupported command detected in the detection step is replacement of the recording data with a command supporting the unsupported command. Claim 1
Recording method described in 1. 4. The recording method according to claim 1, further comprising a recording step of recording the recording data updated in the execution step. 5. The detection of an unsupported command is performed by referring to a memory storing an unsupported command that can be replaced with another corresponding command. Recording method. 6. The recording method according to claim 5, wherein the memory is a rewritable memory. 7. The recording method according to claim 6, further comprising an additional registration step of additionally registering another unsupported command in the rewritable memory. 8. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the recording data is inputted from the outside and is stored in a predetermined buffer. 9. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the command includes a parameter relating to recording data. 10. A detection unit that checks a command included in recording data including a command related to recording to detect an unsupported command, and a predetermined unit corresponding to the unsupported command detected by the detection unit. A recording device, comprising: an updating unit that executes a process to update the recording data. 11. The predetermined process corresponding to an unsupported command detected by the detection means is deletion of the unsupported command from the recording data. Recording device. 12. The predetermined process corresponding to the unsupported command detected by the detection means is replacement of the recording data with a command supporting the unsupported command. The recording device according to claim 10. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a recording unit that records the recording data updated by the executing unit. 14. The non-supported command is detected by referring to a memory storing a non-supported command that can be replaced with another corresponding command. Recording device. 15. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the memory is a rewritable memory. 16. The recording apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising additional registration means for additionally registering another unsupported command in the rewritable memory. 17. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the recording data is input from outside and is stored in a predetermined buffer. 18. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the command includes a parameter regarding recording data. 19. The recording means includes a recording head for recording the updated recording data, and the recording head is an ink jet recording head that ejects ink to perform recording. Item 13
The recording device according to claim 1. 20. The recording head is a recording head that ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy, and is an inkjet recording head that includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. The recording device according to claim 19, wherein the recording device is a recording device. 21. The recording head causes a state change in ink due to thermal energy applied by the thermal energy converter, and causes the ink to be ejected from an ejection port based on the state change. 20. The recording device according to claim 19.