JPH11129556A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recover a printed matter by backing up a print data, or the like. SOLUTION: A print control section 22 performs printing using a print data received from a host unit 2. When printing is performed at the print control section 22, a backup control section 23 stores the print data and associated information, as one file, in a hard disc 20 thus backing up the print data. A print result recovery processing section 26 performs printing again using the print data stored in the hard disc 20 in response to a command from a user or a reprint command from the host unit 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printer device, and more particularly to restoration of a print result and management of a print history.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a printer device, when printing of print data received from a host device is completed, the print data is erased in order to release a storage area for storing the print data.

[0003]

However, when the print data is erased, the print data disappears from the printer device. Therefore, when the file on the host device is updated, it is difficult to restore the same printed material.

[0004] Further, the print history does not remain in the printer device,
It is inconvenient for the user to manage the print history.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such disadvantages, and it is intended to make it easy to restore a print result and to easily manage a print history.

[0006]

A printer device according to the present invention has a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and when printing is performed using print data received from a host device, the print data and the print data are printed. Information in a single file and stored in the non-volatile storage device, back up the print data, and use the print data stored in the non-volatile storage device in response to a user's instruction or a reprint command from the host device. And reprint.

Further, the past print history is printed in a list form based on the information on the print data stored in the nonvolatile storage device, so that the print history can be easily managed.

Another printer device has a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, receives print data from a host device, and prints the print data and the print data when printing is performed using the received print data. The information about the print data stored in the non-volatile storage device and the information about the print data are transmitted to the host device according to a user's instruction or a transmission instruction command from the host device. Then, the host device can manage the print data and the print history.

Another printer device has a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and sets in advance whether print data and information on the print data are to be recorded and stored, and the user prints in advance. When the user inputs a designation to record and save the data and the information on the print data, the print data and the information on the print data are converted into a single file when the print data received from the host device is printed, and is stored in the nonvolatile storage device. It is stored so that only necessary print data can be backed up.

Further, according to a user's instruction or a reprint instruction command from the host device, the same contents as those previously printed are printed using the print data stored in the nonvolatile storage device, and the print result is restored. .

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A printer device according to the present invention has a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk, and print data and information related to the print data are backed up on the hard disk, thereby restoring printed matter. This facilitates management of the print history.

The printer of the present invention has, for example, an image forming controller, an operation panel, and a printer engine. The image forming controller includes, for example, a host interface (hereinafter, referred to as “host I / F”), a font storage unit, a volatile storage unit, a panel interface (hereinafter, referred to as “panel I / F”), a hard disk, and a print control unit. , A backup control unit, a print history table creation unit, a print data transfer unit, a print result restoration processing unit, and an engine interface (hereinafter referred to as “engine I /
F ". ).

The host I / F bidirectionally communicates data and commands with the host device. The font storage unit
For example, it is composed of a ROM and stores various fonts used when converting print data into video data to be sent to a printer engine. The volatile storage unit is, for example, a volatile RAM
And print data received from the host device, and video data and the like converted using fonts. The panel I / F inputs and outputs data and the like from the operation panel. The hard disk stores print data and information about the print data. The print control unit converts the print data received from the host device into video data with the font stored in the font storage unit, sends the converted video data to the printer engine via the engine I / F, and Control to print out.

When the print control unit converts the print data received from the host device and prints out the print data, the backup control unit collects the print data received from the host device and information about the print data into one file, And backs up the print data and the like. Here, information on the print data (hereinafter referred to as “print data attribute”) stored together with the print data includes, for example, a user name, a registration time when the print data is registered on the hard disk, and a file name of a file storing the print data. And the file size of the file. As described above, since the print data and the information on the print data are backed up, the printed matter can be easily restored.

The print history table creator inputs a print history list creation instruction (hereinafter referred to as a “print history list”) from the operation panel, or issues a print history list creation instruction command from the host device. Upon receipt, the print data attributes of each print data are read from the hard disk, the image data of the print history list is created based on the read print data attributes, and the created print history list image data is sent to the print control unit for printing. I do. Thus, the user can easily manage the print history such as when and what kind of printing was performed.

When the print data transfer unit receives the print data backed up from the host device via the host I / F and the transmission instruction command of the print data attribute, the print data transfer unit transfers the print data file designated by the transmission instruction command to the hard disk. And sends it to the host device via the host I / F. As a result, the host device can manage the print data and the information related to the print data, so that the load on the printer device can be reduced.

The print result restoration processing unit receives an instruction to print again based on the specific print data from the operation panel, or receives a command to print again based on the specific print data from the host device. The designated print data is read from the hard disk and sent to the print control unit for printing. This makes it possible to easily output the same printed matter as the previously printed matter.

[0018]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a printer 1 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG.
Image forming controller 11 and operation panel 12
And a printer engine 13.

The image forming controller 11 includes, for example, a host I / F 14, a program storage unit 15, a font storage unit 16, a volatile storage unit 17, a nonvolatile storage unit 18, a panel I / F 19, a hard disk 20, a main control unit 21, Print control unit 22, backup control unit 23, print history table creation unit 24, print data transfer unit 25, print result restoration processing unit 2
6 and an engine I / F 27.

The host I / F 14 is bidirectional to the host device 2
Interface for communicating data and commands with the The program storage unit 15 is composed of, for example, a ROM, and stores a program for managing data in the image forming controller 11 by the main control unit 21 and controlling peripheral modules. The font storage unit 16
For example, it is composed of a ROM and stores various fonts used when converting print data into video data to be sent to the printer engine 13. The volatile storage unit 17 includes, for example, a volatile RAM, and includes print data, print control data (SP, CR, LF, HT, VT, and the like) of the print data, video data in page units converted using fonts, and the like. Is stored. Hereinafter, the print data and the print control data are collectively referred to as “print data or the like”. The non-volatile storage unit 18 stores data and the like that should be retained even when the power is turned off. Panel I / F
Reference numeral 19 denotes an interface for inputting and outputting control signals and data from the operation panel 12. The hard disk 20 stores print data and the like and print data attributes such as the print data. The main control unit 21 controls the entire printer 1 based on the programs and the like stored in the program storage unit 15. The print control unit 22 stores the print data received from the host device 2 in the font storage unit 1
6, and converts the converted video data into video data in page units using the font stored in the engine I / F 27.
Is transmitted to the printer engine 13 via the printer engine 13 so that the printer engine 13 performs printing.

The backup control unit 23 includes the print control unit 2
2 converts print data and the like received from the host device 2 into video data in page units and prints out the print data and the like received from the host device 2 and print data attributes of the print data and the like in one file. The data is collectively stored in the hard disk 20 to back up print data and the like and print data attributes of the print data and the like. here,
The print data attributes include, for example, a user name, a registration time when print data and the like are registered on the hard disk, a file name of a file storing print data and the like, a file size of the file, and the like.

When a print history list creation instruction is input from the operation panel 12 or a print history list creation instruction command is received from the host device 2, the print history table creation unit 24 sends each print data list from the hard disk 20. The print data attributes are read out, a print history list is created based on the read print data attributes, and the created print history list is sent to the print control unit 22 for printing. When receiving the print data backed up from the host device 2 via the host I / F 14 and the transmission instruction command for the print data attribute, the print data transfer unit 25 transfers the file such as the print data specified by the transmission instruction command to the file. The data is read from the hard disk 20 and transmitted to the host device 2 via the host I / F 14. The print result restoration processing unit 26 receives an instruction to print again based on the specific print data or the like from the operation panel 12 or receives a command of an instruction to print again based on the specific print data or the like from the host device 2. Then, the designated print data and the like are read from the hard disk 20 and sent to the print control unit 22 for printing.

The engine I / F 27 is an interface for transmitting video data and control signals from the image forming controller 11 to the printer engine 13, and transmitting status signals from the printer engine 13 to the image forming controller 11. The operation panel 12 displays the status of the printer 1, designates the mode of the printer 1, and switches the font. The printer engine 13 forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor (not shown) based on video data and a control signal from the image forming controller 11, and supplies the formed electrostatic latent image from a paper feeding unit (not shown). After the image is transferred onto the transfer paper, and subjected to a developing process and a fixing process, the sheet is discharged and a printing process is performed.

The operation when the printer 1 having the above configuration receives print data and the like from the host device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The host device 2 displays, for example, a print instruction screen, and from the print instruction screen, specifies whether or not print data and the like and print data attributes are to be stored in the printer device 1 and inputs a print instruction. The host device 2 transmits the print data and the like to the printer device 2 after specifying whether or not to save the print data and the like and the print data attribute.

When the printer device 1 receives from the host device 2 a designation as to whether or not to save the print data and the like and the print data attribute, the printer device 1 sets or resets the save designation status according to the designation (step S1). Next, when receiving the print data and the like from the host device 2 (step S2), the printer device 1 stores the received print data and the like in the buffer of the host I / F 14.

If the save designation status is set,
If the host device 2 indicates that the storage of the print data or the like is designated (step S3), the backup control unit 23 reads the print data or the like stored in the buffer and attaches the print data attribute to the header as a header. One file is stored in the hard disk 20 (step S4).

The print control unit 22 reads out the print data and the like stored in the buffer one page at a time, converts the read data into control codes, and converts the converted control codes into video data using the font stored in the font storage unit 16. (Step S5). The print control unit 5 sends the converted video data to the printer engine 13 via the engine I / F 27, sends a print start command to the printer engine 13, performs print processing one page at a time, and prints the completed data. Erase (step S6). As described above, since the print data and the like and the print data attribute of the print data are stored in the hard disk 20 before the print processing, the print data and the like and the print data attribute can be used when the same printing is performed later. Further, since the print data and the like are stored in the hard disk 20 using the print data attribute as a header, the print history can be checked based on the print data attribute stored in the hard disk 20.

Further, when the print data and the like and the print data attribute are designated to be stored from the host apparatus 2 as described above, the print data and the like and the print data attribute are stored, so that it is only necessary to print once. The print data and the like and print data attributes such as the print data can be prevented from being stored, and unnecessary print data and the like can be prevented from being accumulated in the storage area of the hard disk 20.

Next, the case of reprinting using the print data and the like and the print data attribute stored in the hard disk 20 as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the user inputs a reprint instruction from the operation panel 12 (step S11),
The print result restoration processing unit 26 displays a reprint designation screen on the operation panel 12 via the panel I / F 19 (step S12). When the user inputs print data attributes such as print data desired to be reprinted on the reprint designation screen and specifies print data (step S13), and subsequently inputs a print instruction (step S14), the print result is obtained. The restoration processing unit 26 reads the designated print data and the like from the hard disk 20 (step S15), and
2 converts the print data and the like read by the print result restoration processing unit 26 into video data (step S16), and converts the video data into the printer engine 1 via the engine I / F 27.
3 and printing (step S17). As described above, since printing is performed using the print data and the like stored in the hard disk 20, even if the data is broken in the host device 2, for example, the printed matter printed using the print data or the like is easily restored. be able to.

The user operates the operation panel 12.
When an instruction to create a print history list is input from the user (step S18), the print history table creation unit 24
Then, the header part of the file such as each print data is read from and the print data attribute such as each print data is read (step S19). The print history table creating unit 24 creates image data of the print history list based on the read print data attributes (step S19). The print control unit 22 converts the image data of the print history list created by the print history table creation unit 24 into video data (step S16), and sends the converted video data to the printer engine 13 via the engine I / F 27. Feed printing is performed (step S17). As described above, since the print history list is created and printed based on the print data attributes of each print data and the like stored in the hard disk 20, the user can check the print history at a glance and easily manage the print history. Can be performed.

The user of the host device 2 inputs a designation to manage the print data and the like up to that time to the host device 2, and the host device 2 transfers the print data and print data attributes stored in the hard disk 20. When the command is sent to the printer 1 and the printer 1 inputs the command (step S21), the print data transfer unit 25 of the printer 1 sequentially transmits all print data and the like and print data attributes from the hard disk 20. The data is read and transmitted to the host device 2 via the host I / F 14 in the order of reading (step S22). Further, the print data transfer unit 25 deletes the print data and the like and the print data attribute that have been transmitted from the hard disk 20 (step S23). As a result, the print history can be managed by the host device 2 as well as a free storage area can be created in the hard disk 20, and the storage area of the hard disk 20 can be used effectively.

In this embodiment, all the print data and the like and the print data attribute are transmitted. However, the print data and the like can be designated by the host device 2 and the designated print data and the like are transmitted by the printer device 1. And the print data attribute thereof may be transmitted to the host device 2.

A reprint instruction and a print history list creation instruction can be input from the host device 2, and the host device 2 transmits a reprint instruction command or a print history list creation instruction command to the printer device 1. Alternatively, the printed material may be restored or the print history list may be printed.

In the above embodiment, the hard disk 20 is used as a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device. However, a cartridge tape or an optical disk may be used.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, when printing is performed using print data received from a host device, the print data and information relating to the print data are stored in a non-volatile storage device as one file. Since the backup of the print data and the like is taken, it is possible to easily restore the printed matter and manage the print history.

Further, according to a user's instruction or a reprint instruction command from the host device, the same contents as those previously printed are printed using the print data stored in the nonvolatile storage device, so that the print result can be easily restored. Can be performed.

Further, since the past print histories are printed in the form of a list based on the information on each print data stored in the non-volatile storage device, the print histories can be searched at a glance.
The print history can be managed more easily.

When printing is performed using the print data received from the host device, the print data and information on the print data are stored in a non-volatile storage device as one file, and are transmitted from the user device or transmitted from the host device. In accordance with the instruction command, the print data stored in the nonvolatile storage device and information about the print data are transmitted to the host device so that the host device can manage the print data and the print history.

Further, since the host device can manage the print data and the print history, the print data and the information on the print data can be deleted from the nonvolatile storage device, and the storage area of the nonvolatile storage device can be effectively used. Can be used.

When the user inputs in advance whether to record and save the print data and the information on the print data, and the user inputs in advance the designation to record and save the print data and the information on the print data. When printing the print data received from the host device, the print data and the information about the print data are stored in one file in a nonvolatile storage device so that only the necessary print data can be backed up. Unnecessary print data and information about the print data can be prevented from accumulating in the sexual storage device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printer device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when print data is received.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when performing a reprint process or the like.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 printer device 11 image forming controller 12 operation panel 13 printer engine 14 host I / F 20 hard disk 22 print control unit 23 backup control unit 24 print history table creation unit 25 print data transfer unit 26 print result restoration processing unit 2 host device

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A non-volatile storage device having a large-capacity non-volatile storage device, wherein when printing is performed using print data received from a host device, the print data and information related to the print data are converted into one file. Wherein the printer device performs reprinting using print data stored in the nonvolatile storage device in response to a user's instruction or a reprint instruction command from a host device. 2. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein a past print history is printed in a list format based on information on print data stored in said nonvolatile storage device. 3. A printer device that bidirectionally communicates data and commands with a host device, has a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and performs printing using print data received from the host device. And the information about the print data is stored in a non-volatile storage device as one file in the non-volatile storage device, and the print data and the information about the print data stored in the non-volatile storage device according to a user's instruction or a transmission instruction command from the host device are stored in the host device. A printer device for transmitting to a printer. 4. A printer device for bidirectionally communicating data and commands with a host device, having a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and determining whether to record and store print data and information about the print data. When the user inputs settings and designates recording and saving of print data and information on the print data in advance, when printing is performed using the print data received from the host device, the print data and the print data A printer device which stores information in a non-volatile storage device as one file. 5. The printing according to claim 3, wherein the same contents as those previously printed using the print data stored in the non-volatile storage device are performed by a user's instruction or a reprint instruction command from a host device. Printer device.