JPS6164470A - Printing method of printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable continuous printing operation even if data memory has only data capacity corresponding to one line, by starting printing operation when data filling up capacity are received in the data memory and inputting the remaining data to the part emptied by printing. CONSTITUTION:When data to be printed are slightly more than the capacity of data memory 1, the editing of said is performed in the timing of data input and, when the data corresponding to one line are inputted to the data memory, printing operation is started at this point of time. The data printed by the printing operation are erased from the data memory and the remaining data are inputted to the part emptied by erasion. Subsequently, printing is successively performed as shown by the drawing (e) to finish the printing of one line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing method for a printer that prints characters and figures using a collection of dots.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Generally, in this type of printer, the capacity of the data memory is kept to the minimum required due to price constraints, but a memory with sufficient capacity is used when printing ordinary characters. However, when performing graphic printing, the amount of data is large and the data memory capacity is insufficient.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention For example, assume that the data memory consists of 3 bytes, and the graphic print mode is 144 (
H)X160 (V) = 144 per inch in vertical direction
160 dots per inch horizontally...
In this case, if one line is 8 inches, the required capacity is 160X3X8=3840 bytes. However, it is assumed that one line is 3 bytes. Therefore, it is impossible to store and print out one line of data.

Under these conditions, it is possible to print one line in two passes, but when you actually print with a thermal printer, the boundary between the first and second passes becomes clear, and the print quality deteriorates. It will decline. This is because in the case of a thermal printer, the print density differs due to heat accumulation.

This is thought to be due to the influence of some damping.

Means to Solve the Problem Input data into data memory 1 by starting a print operation when the capacity of data memory 1 becomes full, and while the print operation continues, by printing data memory 1, the data becomes free. By inputting the remaining data into the section, the data memory 1 can be used beyond its capacity.

Operation Now, assume that the data to be printed is slightly larger than the capacity of the data memory 1. In FIGS. 1 and 2, editing is performed at the timing of data input, and when one row of data is input into the data memory 1 (states shown in FIGS. 2a and 2).

At this point, the printing operation begins. Then, as shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the data printed in the print operation is erased from the data memory 1, and the remaining data is input into the space vacated by this erasure. Then, as shown in FIG. 2e, printing is performed one after another, and printing for one line is completed.

Example First, a CPU consisting of a one-chip microcomputer
2, the CPU 2 is provided with an interface 3 connected to a host (not shown), a ribbon detection switch 4,
A line feed switch (LF) 5, an online switch 6, a color ribbon switch 7, and a paper end switch 8 are connected, respectively. Further, the CPU 2 has the following information.

ROM9. RAM10 is connected to form a one-chip microcomputer. This ROM 9 includes a character generator for high resolution printing and a character generator for low resolution printing. Furthermore, the data memory 1 is provided in the RAM10.

Next, the CPU 2 includes a carrier motor driver 11, a feed motor driver 12, a thermal head driver 13 . A thermal head solenoid driver 14 is connected to each. A carrier motor 15 is connected to the carrier motor driver 13, and a feed motor 16 is connected to the feed motor driver 12. Further, a thermal head driver 17 is connected to the thermal head solenoid driver 14 .

The operation of this configuration will be explained.

First, the main flow will be explained with reference to FIG. 4. At the start, initial settings are made and the home position of the print head is detected. The operation differs depending on whether it is an ON line or an OFF line.

First, in the case of an ON line, it is checked whether there is received data unless it is a paper end, and if the received data is found, the data is edited and input into the data memory 1. Then, printing is started under conditions to be described later, print settings are made, a carrier system interrupt is started, and the process returns.

Further, in the case of an OFF line, if the line feed switch 5 is pressed, line feed processing is performed, and then a reprocessing key check and a paper end check are sequentially performed.

Thus, data editing is performed as shown in FIG.

Since the capacity of the data memory 1 is insufficient in the case of graphic printing, it is assumed that the data memory 1 is in the 144×160 mode, that is, in the graphic mode. Further, as mentioned above, it is assumed that the capacity of the data memory 1 is 3 bytes. If the data is less than 3 bytes,
Normal processing is fine, and if it is 3 or more, set the [PRINT] flag and print PREND (print end mark).
Add +1 to That is, when PREND reaches 3000, it returns to 1. Then, following PREND, a parallel flag is set so that new data can be input. At this time, the printing operation has started in terms of timing. At the same time as this printing operation, the remaining data is inputted, but this is inputted on the condition that there is a printed out area in the data memory 1. Then, if there is data to be printed out, the printing operation is performed in the same manner as in the above-mentioned state, and if there is no data to be printed out, the parallel flag is cleared and the process returns.

Next, what is shown in FIG. 6 is a printing process, in which data is taken out from the data memory 1 and one line is output to the print head from the left end. Then, the printer waits, stops outputting to the print head, and repeats output for one line until all printing is completed.

Next, what is shown in FIG. 7 is an interruption of the carrier system, in which the carrier motor 17 is operated in steps while the print head is turned on, and when the slow-up is completed, the print system is activated. Then, the carrier motor 17 is operated in steps until the constant speed movement is finished, and when the constant speed movement is finished, slowdown is started, and when the slowdown is finished, the head is turned off and returned to the home position.

Effects of the Invention The present invention starts the printing operation when the data memory is full of data as described above,
At the same time, the data left in the vacant area by printing is inputted, so that continuous printing can be performed even if the data memory has a capacity that cannot store one line's worth of data. It is something that can be done.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a timing chart showing the relationship between data input and printing operations, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the state of data storage in the data memory, and FIG. The block diagrams of FIGS. 4 to 7 are flowcharts. l...Data memory applicant Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd.: Pa1

Claims (1)

[Claims] The printing operation is started on the condition that the data memory of a certain capacity has been stored to its full capacity, and the data that has been printed by this printing operation is erased from the data memory, and the data remaining in the empty space due to this erasing is A printing method for a printer, characterized in that the printing operation is continued by inputting data.