JPH11321036A - Image-processing apparatus and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-processing apparatus and its control method whereby a next print data can be printed by units of pages or by units of parts without taking a transfer state of the print data at an external input device taken into account when the print data is canceled at the image-processing apparatus. SOLUTION: This apparatus includes a data-analyzing means 40 for analyzing whether it is a data indicating sections of units of pages and units of parts added to a print data, a data-setting means 60 for setting which of the data indicating sections of units of pages and units of parts the analyzing means is to detect, and a data-processing means 70. The data-processing means 70 processes for print data to be received next and afterwards the data indicating sections of units of pages or units of parts selected by the data-setting means as an invalid data until the data-analyzing means detects the data when the print data input via an external interface from an external input device is canceled not to be printed by the image-processing apparatus and the data present in a memory means 80 has been cleared.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and a control method thereof in which an operation when print data is canceled is considered.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the prior art, when an image processing apparatus is receiving print data from an external input device such as a host computer or a print server, the print data being received is canceled and cleared on the image processing apparatus side. May be.

[0003]

In the above case, the print data in the state of being transferred from the external input device is directly canceled and cleared by the external input device unless the next print data is cleared. On the other hand, the image processing apparatus could not expect a correct printing operation.

In such a case, if the image processing apparatus tries to receive print data as it is, the image processing apparatus prints meaningless data that does not hold as print data. .

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to print the next print data in page units or copy units without considering the transfer status of the print data of the external input device when the print data is canceled by the image processing apparatus. And an image processing apparatus capable of performing the control.

[0006]

The present invention for solving the above problems is as described below. The invention according to the present invention is directed to a data analysis unit that analyzes whether the data is data representing a page unit and a copy unit added to print data, and data representing a page unit or a copy unit for the analysis unit. A data setting unit for setting which of the following is to be detected; and a print data input from an external input device via an external interface is subjected to data print cancellation by the image processing apparatus and data present in the storage unit is cleared. In the case of, when the print data to be received from the next time, data processing means for processing data representing a page unit or a set of units selected by the data setting means as invalid data until the data analysis means detects, An image processing apparatus comprising:

According to the present invention, when the print data is canceled by the image processing apparatus while the print data is being received, the print data in the state of being transferred to the external input device is canceled (cleared) by the external input device. When the print data is received by the image processing device, the image processing device processes the data as invalid data up to the page unit or the copy unit which is satisfied as the print data, so that the image processing device performs unnecessary printing. To prevent the risk of

That is, when print data transferred from an external input device is canceled during reception in the image processing apparatus, the print data being transferred remains even if the external input device is connected directly or through a network. Case occurs. In such a case, if the image processing apparatus tries to receive print data as it is, the image processing apparatus prints meaningless data that does not hold as print data.

However, according to the present invention, since the transfer method for adding data indicating a page unit or a copy unit to the print data transferred by the external input device is implemented, the image processing apparatus receives the data. It is possible to process, as invalid data, up to a well-divided portion that is set as print data, which is set as either a page unit or a copy unit by analyzing the print data thus set.

As a result, without clearing the remaining data to the external input device or the print server of the network, and also avoiding the useless printing in the image processing apparatus, the next data is processed in page units or copy units. Printing can be performed.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a laser beam printer will be described as an example. However, as will be apparent from the following description, the printing method can be applied to a thermal transfer, an ink jet, or a wire dot impact method. is there. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the method shown in the specific example.

<Structure of Image Processing Apparatus> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conceptual structure of the present invention. The outline of the operation of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

The external input device 10 mainly has a role of transmitting print data necessary for the image processing device 20 to form a print image, and corresponds to a host computer or a print server. The external input device 10 will be described later in detail.
It has a function of adding command data that is delimited in units of copies and pages.

The image processing apparatus 20 is a characteristic part of the present embodiment, and includes the external input device 1 as a print data generation source.
0 is connected. The print data from the external input device 10 to the image processing apparatus 20 includes control command data necessary for controlling the image processing apparatus, such as a command indicating a set unit or a command indicating a page unit, and printing of each page. It consists of drawing command data and image data necessary for forming an image.

The print data sent from the external input device 10 is input to a receiving unit provided in the external interface 30 provided in the image processing device 20. The print data input to the receiving unit is sequentially transferred to the data analysis unit 40.

The data analysis means 40 determines whether the transferred print data is to be discarded by the image processing device 20, that is, only when the print processing of the print data is canceled in the image processing device 20. An operation of detecting a command indicating a set page or a set unit is performed.

The operation unit 50 is an operation input unit that receives various operations in the image processing apparatus 20, and receives a print cancel operation 50a. The data processing means 70 performs a print data print cancellation 50a in the image processing apparatus 20.
If not performed, normal data processing is performed to form image data from the print data, and the data is developed in the data storage unit 80. On the other hand, when the print data print cancel 50a is performed, the image data that is being developed in the data storage unit 80 is cleared, and the print data is deleted until the data analysis unit 40 detects a division in units of copies or pages. Perform invalidation processing. Then, when the data analysis unit 40 detects data representing a section or page unit, the data processing unit 70 forms image data from the print data and develops the image data in the data storage unit 80.

The print engine 90 forms the image data developed in the data storage means 80 on transfer paper, and obtains a print output 100 as a hard copy. <Control Method of Image Processing Apparatus> The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In the present embodiment, a case where the external input device 10 is a host computer (hereinafter referred to as a host), the image processing device 20 is a printer, and both are interfaced to transfer print data from the host to the printer. The operation will be described using a specific example.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of print data transferred from the host to the printer. FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing a control method when the printer 20 receives print data from the host 10 and prints out the data, or when the print data is cleared by canceling the print. With reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG.

In the embodiment shown here, as shown in FIG. 2, the print data transferred from the host 10 to the printer 20 is a total of two copies, and the first copy is print data for three pages. The second copy unit will be described as print data for two pages. However, in the present embodiment, as can be understood from the following description, the number of copy units and the number of pages thereof are not limited to this specific example.

In order to realize this embodiment, the host 1
0 adds command data indicating a break in print units and command data indicating a break in pages to the image forming data in a positional relationship as shown in FIG.

The image forming data can be roughly divided into command data for performing command processing and image data for performing image processing. Command data, like the command data indicating page breaks and the command indicating page breaks, refers to data to which an individual code is assigned in advance according to the processing mode and which can be analyzed by the image processing apparatus. . The command data includes a control command for controlling the operation of the image processing apparatus, a drawing command for forming an image, and the like.

The image data includes data indicating information such as a color and a bit format for forming an image, followed by data directly required for the image formation. To tell. The image portion is configured using all values from 0 to 255 that can be represented by 8 bits, for example, when the data is in byte units.

As a result, since the image data contains the same data as the individual code assigned according to the processing mode of the command data, the start of image processing and the total number of image data Is added so that the image processing apparatus can make the determination. Means for controlling the print data as described above can be easily realized by providing a known printer driver with such a function.

In a normal case, the printer 20 is provided with a switch on an operation panel or the like so that the received print data can be canceled.
The user can perform a cancel operation.

The print data is transferred from the host 10,
When the print data is canceled by the printer 20,
That is, when discarding and not printing, two cases are distinguished: a case where all the print data from the host 10 has been received by the printer 20 and a case where all of the print data has not been received.

In the former case, the printer 20 only clears all the memories storing the received print data, and should not cause any particular problem. However, it is very difficult for the user to cancel the print at the printer 20 at such a timing. In particular, when the printer 20 is connected on the network, it is impossible because a plurality of users simultaneously transfer the print data to the printer 20 asynchronously.

That is, if printing is canceled by the printer 20 while receiving print data, the printer 20
If the printer 20 only clears the received print data, the printer 20 thereafter receives the remaining data that is being transferred, and performs data processing for image formation.

However, since the leading portion of the print data is missing due to the print cancel, data processing for forming an image and developing it in the memory for printing by the printer 20 cannot be performed normally, and a proper print result cannot be obtained. Cannot output. In such a case, a state occurs in which characters of unknown meaning are printed out.

However, if the control method shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is performed by the printer 20, the above-described problem can be solved. Here, the processing methods of the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4 are roughly divided into the following four items, and each will be described. (1) Processing without print cancellation of commands and image data, (2) Processing with print cancellation of commands and image data, (3) Processing until detection of page and copy unit separation data after print cancellation, (4) Processing up to detection of page and copy unit separation data. The cancellation determination processing (S3, S10) performed by the printer 20 in the following description,
This is generated by means such as a user inputting a switch for canceling printing provided at 0, and the reception is not limited to the user.

Therefore, the printer 20 performs a cancel determination process (S3, S1) in the flowchart of FIG.
In order to be able to input a switch in a processing portion other than 0), the input of the switch can be temporarily stored in a key buffer or the like, and the cancellation process (S
(3, S10) is to be put on hold until the place to be performed. In addition, in order to allow the user to set whether to output the next print output after printing cancellation as a page or a copy,
Measures such as providing a switch in the printer 20 are taken.

(1) Processing without canceling printing of command and image data: The printer 20 receives print data from the host 10 (S1) and checks whether the data is data for command processing or data for image processing. Is determined (S2).

As the determination means, the data to be subjected to the command processing is determined by giving individual codes to the respective processing modes. In the case of image processing only, before starting the image data, the command must indicate the start of image processing and the total number of image data, and must be image processing in terms of the number of image data to be sent. Is determined.

If it is determined that the command is a command process, a command process (S4) corresponding to the command is performed. If the command is a command associated with image formation, the image data is expanded on the memory (S4).
Perform 5). If the development of one page has been completed (YES in S6), the image forming data developed in the data storage unit 80 is transferred to the print engine 90 (S7).
Then, print output (S8) is performed.

If it is determined that the image processing is to be performed, a command indicating the total number of image data (total number of image bytes) added by the external input device 10 is determined (S9) and temporarily stored. Then, the image data transmitted subsequently is received (S11), and image processing (S12) is performed.
Is performed to develop the image on the memory (S13). Every time the image processing is performed once, the above-mentioned series of processing is repeated until the total data number is zero, that is, the processing of the image data is completed (NO in S15). ). If the development of all pages has been completed (YES in S6) at the time when the above-described series of processing is completed, the image forming data developed in the data storage unit 80 is stored in the print engine 9 (S6).
0 (S7) and print out (S8). If the development of one page has not been completed, data reception (S1) is performed.

(2) Processing with print cancellation of command and image data: If print cancellation (S3) is performed during the processing of the command processing, the next item (3) page unit and copy unit after print cancellation The process up to the detection of delimiter data is started.

If the print cancellation (S10) is performed during the image processing, the received image data (S16) is once discarded as invalid data and discarded (S17).
Every time it is performed, the value is decremented by one from the temporarily stored total image data (S18). Then, whether the total number of data has become zero, that is, the image data has been completely discarded (S
Until 19), after repeating a series of processing of discarding and decrementing, the process proceeds to the next item (3) until the detection of page unit and copy unit separation data after printing is canceled.

(3) Processing up to detection of page and copy unit separation data after canceling printing: After canceling printing, image data in the middle of development is stored in the data storage unit 80
If it exists on (memory), clear that memory (S
20) to determine the set value set in the data setting means 60 (whether the next printout is to be performed in page units or in copy units) (S21), and receive the data (S2).
2, S31).

If the setting is in units of pages, the command data indicating a page break is detected (S24). If the setting is in units of copy, the command data indicating the break of a page is detected (S33). Processing for discarding the received data as invalid (S25, S28, S34,
S37) is performed.

In this series of processing, it is necessary to distinguish the processing method depending on whether the data to be discarded is command data or image data (S23, S32). The reason is that, for example, when the data is in byte units, all values from 0 to 255 represented by 8 bits are used for the image data, so that an individual code cannot be assigned like command data. Therefore, the image data includes the same data as the command data indicating a page or copy unit. For the image data, the image processing start and the total number of image data added to the beginning of the image data are added. Is determined (S26, S35) and temporarily stored. Then, the subsequently received image data is received (S27,
S36), and every time the image data is read and discarded as invalid data once (S28, S37), the decrement is performed by one from the total number of temporarily stored images (S29, S29).
S38), the series of processes is repeated until the total number of data becomes zero, that is, until all the image data is completely discarded (NO in S30, NO in S39). This eliminates the need to erroneously detect the same image data as the command data indicating the page or copy division included in the image data as the page or copy division data.

(4) Processing up to page- and copy-unit separation data detection: The above process (3) is executed, and a command representing a page or copy separation is detected (S24,
After performing S33), the process returns to the processing of the above-described items (S1).

<Specific Example of Control Method of Image Processing Apparatus> Specific examples of the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Specific Example 1: As Specific Example 1, a case will be described in which printing is canceled while the printer 20 is receiving print data for forming an image of the second page of one copy of the print data shown in FIG.

If the setting is in units of copies, the remaining second and third pages of the first set are discarded (discarded) and printed out from the second set. If the setting is per page,
Discard the rest of the second page of the first copy and discard the third page of the first copy.
The page and the second copy are printed out.

Therefore, the image processing device 20 can correct the print data in the state of being transferred from the external input device 10 without directly canceling and clearing the print data in the external input device 10. The printing operation can be expected.

That is, the image processing apparatus 20 processes invalid data up to the page unit or copy unit which is established as print data, thereby preventing the image processing apparatus 20 from performing useless printing.

Specific Example 2: As a specific example 2, a case will be described in which print data for forming the image of the first page of the second copy is canceled by the printer while the print data is being received.

If the setting is a copy unit, the print output is not performed for the second copy unit, and the print output is performed from the print data (first page) generated next in the host 10. If the setting is in page units, the first page of the second copy is discarded (read and discarded), and the second page is printed out.

Therefore, the image processing device 20 can correct the print data in the state of being transferred from the external input device 10 without directly canceling and clearing the print data in the external input device 10. The printing operation can be expected.

That is, the image processing apparatus 20 processes the invalid data up to the page unit or the copy unit which is realized as the print data, thereby preventing the image processing apparatus 20 from performing useless printing.

<Other Embodiments> External Input Device 1
0 and the image processing apparatus 20 may be directly connected, or may be connected via a network. According to the operation of the above-described embodiment, the same effect can be obtained in any of the direct connection and the network connection.

[0052]

As described above in detail, according to the invention described in this specification, when the print data is canceled by the image processing apparatus at the stage of receiving the print data, the transfer is performed by the external input device. Eliminates the need to cancel (clear) the print data in the external input device, and even if the print data is received by the image processing device, the image data is invalid up to the page unit or copy unit that is formed as the print data by the image processing device. Processing is performed as data to prevent the image processing apparatus from performing useless printing.

As a result, when the image processing apparatus cancels the print data, the next print data can be printed in page units or copy units without considering the transfer state of the print data of the external input device. Become. Therefore, the print data in the middle of the transfer from the external input device is not directly canceled and cleared in the external input device 10 so that the image processing device can expect a correct print operation for the next print data. become.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conceptual configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of print data transferred from a host computer to a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating how a printer processes print data from a host according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating how a printer processes print data from a host according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 external input device 20 image processing device 30 external interface 40 data analysis means 50 operation unit 60 data setting means 70 data processing means 80 data storage means 90 print engine

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A data analysis means for analyzing whether the data is data representing a page unit or a copy unit added to print data, and data representing a page unit or a copy unit for the analysis means. Data setting means for setting whether or not to detect, and when the print processing of the print data input from the external input device via the external interface is canceled by the image processing apparatus and the data existing in the storage means is cleared. Data processing means for processing data representing a page or copy unit selected by the data setting means for the print data received from the next time as invalid data until the data analysis means detects the data. An image processing apparatus characterized in that: 2. When print data input from the outside is cleared by a print cancel operation while the print data is being processed by the image processing apparatus, the data is received from the outside after the print cancel operation. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising detecting data representing a page-by-page or copy-by-page break in print data, and processing data until the data representing the break is detected as invalid data. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is connected to the external input device by one of a direct connection and a network connection.