JPS61235939A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a stop of printing processing by forming a sequence of development and transfer, which has excluded an abnormal bit map memory part, when the bit map memory part is abnormal. CONSTITUTION:When a faulty memory element is detected from an abnormality detecting part 4 by an initial diagnosis of a microprocessor 1, prescribed bit map memory parts (2-1, 2-2) which do not contain its faulty memory element are selected by a switching part 6 so that development and transfer of printing data are executed. That is to say, in case when an abnormality has been detected, when its abnormality has been detected in the bit map memory part 2, the development and the transfer to the printing data are executed by using only the bit map memory part 1 by switching 1, and on the other hand, if its abnormality is detected in the bit map memory part 1, the development and the transfer of the printing data are executed by using only the bit map memory part 2 by switching 2, and when both of them are abnormal, this device is formed so that the printing processing is stopped.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] A printing device is provided with a plurality of bit map memory units in which print data and data are stored in predetermined units, and in an initial diagnosis at the time of printing, the bit map is If any of the map memory sections is abnormal, printing processing is performed by disconnecting the abnormal bit map memory section.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a printing device having a plurality of bitmap memory sections, and particularly to a printing device that is controlled so as not to stop printing processing even if an abnormality occurs in any of the bitmap memory sections during initial diagnosis. Regarding.

Normally, the print data sent to the printing device is developed in a predetermined unit in a bitmap memory section for printing, and is transferred from the bitmap memory section to the printing mechanism section via the interface control section to perform printing.

In such a printing apparatus, when a defect occurs in a memory element forming a bitmap memory section, printing processing is generally stopped and printing processing is performed by replacing the defective memory element.

Therefore, even if multiple bitmap memory sections are provided, if there is one defective memory element, printing processing cannot be performed even if there are other bitmap memory sections without defective memory elements, which is an inconvenience. Ta.

Further, there are cases where there is no time to replace a defective memory element and there is a need to perform print processing as soon as possible, and in such an emergency case, it is desired that printing processing be performed even if a defective memory element occurs.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, the configuration was as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 4.

An abnormality in the bitmap memory 2-1, 2-2 is detected by the detection unit 4, and if there is no abnormality, the microprocessor 1
Accordingly, a predetermined amount of print data is developed from the buffer memory section 7 into the respective bitmap memories 2-1, 2-2.

The expanded print data is transferred to the interface control section 3 by the data transfer control section 8, and further sent from the interface control section 3 to the printing mechanism section 5 for printing processing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining the operation.

When the power is turned on, initial diagnosis is performed by performing a parity check by reading the memory elements of each bitmap memory section 2-1, 2-2.

If there is an abnormality in this initial diagnosis, the printing process will be stopped, and if it is normal, one bitmap memory section (
The print data is expanded in 1), and when this expansion is completed, the print data is expanded in the other bitmap memory section (2), and the expanded print data is sent to the printing mechanism section. After each transfer is completed, the bitmap memory sections (1) and (2) are transferred again.
) is repeatedly developed and transferred, and the predetermined printing process is completed.

Normally, such print data is configured in page units; for example, one page is developed in the bitmap memory section (1), and two pages are developed in the bitmap memory section (2). The page is printed by transferring the image to the printer.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In such a configuration, if even one defective memory element occurs during initial diagnosis, printing processing is stopped even if one bitmap memory section is normal.

Therefore, printing cannot be performed unless the defective memory element is repaired by replacing it or the like.

However, such repairs require a lot of time,
There were problems that could not be addressed in an emergency.

[Means for solving problems]

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the principle of the present invention. in this way,
If any of the bitmap memory sections (2-1, 2-2) is abnormal, an expansion and transfer order is created excluding the abnormal bitmap memory section (2-1, 2-2), and the expansion is performed. , a switching unit (6) that notifies the microprocessor (1) of the transfer.

With this configuration, the above-mentioned problems can be solved.

[For production]

That is, even if one of the bitmap memory sections becomes abnormal, the printing process can be executed by expanding and transferring the print data using the other normal bitmap memory section.

Therefore, even if a defective memory element occurs, in an emergency, printing processing can be performed in advance, and the defective memory element can be replaced in a time slot with plenty of time after the printing process is completed.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram of the present invention, and the same reference numerals indicate the same objects throughout the figures.

As shown in FIG. 2, when a defective memory element is detected by the abnormality detection section 4 during the initial diagnosis of the microprocessor 1, the switching section 6 selects a predetermined bitmap memory section (2-1) that does not contain the defective memory element. , 2-2) to expand the print data.

The configuration is otherwise the same as the one described above.

Therefore, the printing process is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

If there is no abnormality in the initial diagnosis after turning on the power, the printing process is performed in the same way as described above, but if an abnormality is detected, and if the abnormality is detected in the bitmap memory section (2), the printing process is performed in the same way as described above. 1) Bitmap memory section (1)
Develop and transfer print data using only the If the abnormality is detected in the bitmap memory section (1), the print data is expanded and transferred using only the bitmap memory section (2) by switching (2). In either case, the printing process can be stopped when an abnormality occurs.

Therefore, unlike the conventional method, when even one defective memory element occurs, the printing process is not stopped, and the printing process can be executed although the printing process speed is slightly reduced.

Further, if a display panel is provided in the switching section 6, and if a defective memory element occurs, the bitmap memory section will be displayed by lighting up a light emitting element, etc., which will be convenient during repair.

Although the present invention has been described based on the case where two bitmap memory sections are provided, the same structure can be achieved with three or more bitmap memory sections, and the same effect can be obtained.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in the present invention, if one bitmap memory section is abnormal, printing data can be developed and transferred to another normal bitmap memory section and printing processing can be performed without stopping the printing process. It was formed in

Therefore, the occurrence of stoppages in which printing cannot be performed is extremely rare, and especially in the system configuration, there is no system down, which has a great practical effect.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a circuit configuration diagram. FIG. 3 is a flow chart diagram of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a conventional circuit configuration diagram. FIG. 5 shows a conventional flowchart diagram. In the figure, 1 is a microprocessor. 2-1.2-2 is a bitmap memory section. 3 is an interface control unit. 4 is an abnormality detection section. 5 is a printing mechanism section. 6 is a switching section. 7 is the puffer memory section. 8 indicates a data transfer control section. Risa March's Rebellion Arbron 2 Akira 1 ■ The day of the end of the unlucky period 岑　2　 Explant υ mouth route R skin map Figure 4 Flowchart F diagram of Tatsurai Glass

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plurality of bitmap memory units (2-
1, 2-2), a detection unit (4) that detects an abnormality in the bitmap memory section (2-1, 2-2), and a detection section (4) that detects an abnormality in the bitmap memory section (2-1, 2-2). A microprocessor (1
) and the respective bitmap memory sections (2-1, 2-2)
and an interface control unit (3) that sends print data transferred from the printer to a printing mechanism unit (5), wherein either of the bitmap memory units (2-1, 2-2) In the case of an abnormality, a switching unit () forms an expansion and transfer order excluding the abnormal bitmap memory section (2-1, 2-2) and notifies the microprocessor (1) of the expansion and transfer order; 6) A printing device characterized by comprising: