JPS62126430A - Printer controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve sharply printing efficiency by varying a control command sending timing to a printing part in accordance with a processing time stored in a table memory. CONSTITUTION:A control part 2 stores the number of whole characters, the size of characters, etc., of page data in a work memory 10 in parallel with work for constituting data in a page memory 2. At the collection of data in a page, a font memory 4 is accessed from code data in a page obtained from the work memory 10 to find out the approximate time TN of a total time required for the development of a dot pattern and store the time TN in the table memory 11. The control part 2 compares an allowable time TS with the approximate time Tn, and when TN>Ts a paper feed command is sent to the printing part prior to the end of the data development of one page to a dot image memory 6 or 7 to execute printing without losing throughput.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to a page that reconstructs code data input from an external controller page by page, develops the constructed code data into image data, and prints the page. This invention relates to a printer control device.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, data analysis and printer control for page printers, especially high-speed printers, have had an image dot memory for one page, and accessed the font memory from one page of code data to extract characters corresponding to the code data. The dot pattern was read and the dot pattern was expanded into the image dot memory. After the image data for page 1 has been created, the printing section is activated and printing is performed.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In particular, in the electrophotographic method that uses a photoreceptor for printing, the dot image signal is immediately sent to the printing unit even if a print command is sent, depending on the relationship between the pre-rotation of the photoreceptor, paper feeding timing, and dot image sending timing. I can't do it,
There was a problem in that the throughput of the printer was significantly reduced.

This invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is a printer that can increase the throughput of the printer by immediately sending out the dot image data to the printing section once the dot image data for one page is prepared. The purpose is to obtain a control device.

[Means for solving problems]

The printer control device according to the present invention includes a table memory that calculates and stores the processing time required for dot image development from page-by-page code data on a page-by-page basis in parallel with analysis of control commands; The apparatus is provided with a control means for varying the timing of sending control commands to the printing section in accordance with the processed processing time.

[Effect]

In this invention, in parallel with the analysis of control commands in input data, the calculated processing time is stored in page units in a table memory, and a dot image of each page stored in this table memory is stored. The control means varies the timing of sending control commands to the printing section depending on the processing time required for development.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and ] is an interface circuit.
It receives data (code data, control commands) sent from an external controller (not shown). Reference numeral 2 denotes a control unit which constitutes the control means of the present invention, which analyzes control commands among data inputted via the interface circuit 1, and
The input code data is reconstructed page by page and stored in the page memory 3. Reference numeral 4 denotes a font memory, which develops the font pattern image dot data corresponding to the coat data stored in the page memory 3. 5
A is a switch circuit which causes the image dot data developed in the font memory 4 to be stored alternately in the dot image memories 6.7. A switch circuit 5b alternately reads out the image dot data stored in the dot image memory 6.7 and transfers the read image dot data to the parallel/serial conversion circuit 8. Reference numeral 9 denotes a laser unit which turns the laser on and off in accordance with the serial dot image signal (video signal) output from the parallel-serial conversion circuit 8. Reference numeral 10 denotes a work memory which, in parallel with data writing to the page memory 2, stores information such as the total number of characters of the page and the size of one character.

11 is a table memory, and the control unit 2 is a font memory 4.
The approximate processing time (total time) required to develop a dot pattern from one page of code data is stored.

Next, the operation shown in FIG. 1 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of a printer to which the present invention is applied, and the same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals. FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the operation.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a photoreceptor, on which a latent image is formed by on/off signals sent from the laser unit 9.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a paper feeding section that feeds recording paper 23. A registration roller 24 temporarily stops the recording paper 23 fed from the paper feeding section 22 and aligns it with the leading edge of the image formed on the photoreceptor 21. A fixing device 25 fixes the transferred image onto the recording paper 23.

26 is a paper output tray on which hard copies are placed.

FIGS. 3(a) to 3(f') are timing charts explaining the operations in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 3(a) shows a paper feed command, which is sent from a data control unit (not shown). .

FIG. 6B shows a registration roller drive command, in which the leading edge of the fed recording paper 23 is aligned by the registration roller 24,
It shows the timing of the next drive. FIG. 1C shows a video signal, which is sent out from the parallel-to-serial conversion circuit 8 shown in FIG. As a result, the time it takes for the fed recording paper 23 to reach the photoreceptor 21 and the position on the photoreceptor 21 irradiated by the laser unit 9 are determined by the rotation of the photoreceptor 21. The timing of transmitting the video signal is determined so that the time until the contact occurs is equal. FIG. 1D shows a write timing, at which dot image data is written into the dot image memory 6 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1(e) shows the write timing, at which the dot image data shown in FIG. 1 is written into the dot image memory 7. FIG. FIG. 1(f) shows the allowable write timing, and the dot image data shown in FIG. 1 is written into the dot image memory 7 at this write timing. Note that the number of pages written is N-N+
Shows up to 3 sheets, To (=TI +72 +T3
) indicates the paper feeding cycle, TI indicates the time from the sending of the video signal to the time when the next paper feeding command is sent, T2 indicates the time from sending the paper feeding command to the end of sending the video signal, and T
S indicates the time corresponding to the feeding interval of the recording paper 23 being fed, and T (=To - T2) indicates the time allowed to write dot image data in the dot image memory 6.7. .

Now, consider the paper feed command (N+1) to be output after the preparation of data for page (N+1) is completed, as shown in FIG. 3(e), for example.

To print with the highest throughput, after paper feed command N,
It is necessary to output the paper feed command for (N+1) after 10 hours, but as shown in 31st ffl (e), if the data for page (N+1) is not yet prepared in the dot image memory 2, ( The paper feed command for page N+1) is not output,
Eventually, throughput will drop. Here, (N+1
) page is output at the timing of TO just after N before the data preparation is completed, if *a of the data for page (N+1) is completed by (T2 +"r3) after that, then This is a good thing. The timing is shown in Figure 3(f), and in the end, the total is TI72 +T3 =
To −T2 +T2 +T3=T, )+73=Ts, and the time required for writing into the dot image memory 2 increases significantly.

In FIG. 1, data from an external controller (not shown) is input to a control section 2 via an interface circuit 1. In FIG. The control unit 2 analyzes the control commands in the input data, reconstructs the input data page by page, and stores it in the page memory 3. font memory 4
is accessed, code data is converted into dot pattern data, and the data is written into dot image memory 6 or dot image memory 7 through switch circuit 5a.

The switch circuits 5a and 5b operate in opposite directions, that is, when the switch circuit 5a is accessing the dot image memory 6, the switch circuit 5b is accessing the dot image memory 7, and the dots accessed by the switch 5b are A dot image is sent from the image memory 6 or the dot image memory 7 to a parallel-to-serial conversion circuit 8, and a parallel-to-serial converted video signal (shown in FIG. 3(C)) is sent to a laser unit 9.

On the other hand, the control unit 2 stores data in the page memory 2
In parallel with the work being completed, the total number of characters (9 characters), size, etc. of the page data are stored in the work memory 10. Next, when one page of data is complete, work memory 1
0, the font memory 4 is accessed from the code data of one page, the approximate total time TN required for developing the dot pattern is obtained, and the table memory 11 is
Store and go. Next, when the control unit 2 executes printing, the above-mentioned allowable time Ts = To + T3 and the approximate time T
If TN≦Ts, a paper feed command (as shown in FIG. 3(a)) is sent to the printing section before data development for one page is completed in the dot image memory 6 or 7. to print without damaging the throughput.

On the other hand, if TN > TS in the above judgment, one page of dot image data cannot be prepared within the required time Ts even if the paper feed command is sent first, so the paper is not fed after (TN - TS) time has elapsed. Send a paper command.

Next, the page data creation operation will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the page data creation operation according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (6) indicate each step.

The control unit 2 determines whether the input data is a control command (1), and if YES, performs a command analysis routine and returns to the main routine (2). On the other hand, step (1
) If the judgment is NO, that is, if it is code data, the page memory 3 is stored (3). Next, the character size is stored in the work memory 10, and
Increment the character counter (not shown) by flJ 4), then judge whether one page of code data has been captured 5); if NO, return to the main routine; if YES, read the contents of the work memory 10. The time required to develop one page of code data into a dot pattern is calculated, the data is written to the table memory 11, and the process returns to the main routine (6).

Next, the printing operation according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b).

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are flowcharts showing an example of a printing operation by a printer control device showing an embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (22) indicate each step.

First, the font pattern from the font memory 4 is developed into the dot image memory 6 (1). Next, the font pattern from the font memory 4 is developed into the don't image memory 7 (2). Here, give the paper feed command (
3), and starts sending the font pattern from the dot image memory 6 to the parallel/serial conversion circuit 8 (4). Next, Figure 3 (
As shown in a), after time TI has elapsed, a paper feed command for the next page is output (5). Subsequently, it waits for the end of transmission of one page's worth of image dot data (6), and after a time T3 has elapsed from the time of completion, it starts transmitting data from the dot image memory 7 to the parallel/serial conversion circuit 8 (7).

Next, it is determined whether all pages have been printed (8). If YES, the process returns to the main routine; if NO, that is, if there is another print, the dot pattern of the third page is stored in the dot image memory 6. (9).

Next, the approximate time TN is read from the table memory 11 (10), and the approximate time Ts is the allowable time Ts = TO + T
3 or less11), and if No, after the time elapses by subtracting the time To from the sum of the approximate time TN and the time T1, the paper feed command shown in Fig. 3(a) is sent. Proceed to step (14) and later (12), YES
Then, after the time equal to time T3 plus time TI has elapsed, the paper feed command shown in FIG. 3(a) is sent out (13). Next, wait for the end of reading from the dot image memory 7 (14), and when it is finished, judge whether printing of all pages has been completed (15). If YES, return to the main routine, and if No, read the next to the dot image memory 7. Data expansion of the page is started (16). Next, table memory 1
1 to lead the approximate time TN17), the approximate time TN
If the answer is NO, after subtracting the time To from the sum of the approximate time TN and time TI, issue the paper feed command shown in Fig. 3(a). Send and proceed to step (21) (19),
If YES, time T3! When the time added up has elapsed, the paper feed command shown in FIG.
). Next, wait for the completion of sending one page of data21)
When finished, judge whether all pages have been printed22).If YES, return to the main routine and press N.
If o, return to step (!3).

In the above embodiment, the input data is character code data, but it may also be vector data such as graphics, and in that case,
It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied as long as the approximate time for expansion processing is determined from the number of vectors and the sizes of the start and end points of the vector data.

Furthermore, when performing processing such as superimposing a dot pattern on a character with an underline or an underline, or when enlarging a dot pattern, the same effect can be expected by multiplying the approximate time by eight.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention includes a table memory that calculates and stores the processing time required to develop a dot image from page-by-page code data on a page-by-page basis in parallel with the analysis of control commands; Since we have provided a control means that changes the timing of sending control commands to the printing unit according to the processing time that has been applied, it is possible to issue paper feed commands to the printing unit early, and the time required to develop a dot image can be adjusted to the standard development time. Even if the length is longer, there is no need to reduce throughput, which has the excellent advantage of greatly improving printing efficiency.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a printer control device showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of a printer to which the invention is applied, and FIGS. Timing chart explaining the operation of FIG. 4 and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a page data creation operation according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printing operation by a printer control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an interface circuit, 2 is a control unit, 3 is a page memory, 4 is a font memory, and 5a. 5b is a switch circuit, 6 and 7 are dot image memories,
8 is a parallel/serial conversion circuit, 9 is a laser unit, 10 is a work memory, and 11 is a table memory. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 = IO and 13 Figure 4 Figure 5 (b)

Claims (1)

[Claims] A printer that analyzes control commands in input data, reconstructs data page by page, and then prints.
In parallel with the analysis of the control command, there is a table memory that calculates and stores the processing time required for dot image development from page-by-page code data on a page-by-page basis, and A printer control device characterized by comprising a control means for varying the timing of sending control commands to a printing section.