JPH02243370A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable arrangement of outputted printing papers in the order of decreasing page number by indicating and outputting, after the end of a series of printing operations by read, that the read of data through the full state of storage means is practiced when a collating mode is set. CONSTITUTION:At the time of a collating mode, CPU 103 does not conduct data processing immediately after decoding of data, but makes the table of a page pointer. When said CPU 103 reads all data stored in RX buffer 105, the CPU 103 then accesses the top data of a page with the greatest page number from the table of said page pointer and describes data for that page on a bit map memory 107 via a describing circuit 120. After that, printing is conducted on the basis of said bit map memory 107. Said processings are conducted in order from the page with the greatest page number to that with the smallest page number according to the page pointer. Also, when the number of duplicate copies is specified, the operation is repeated by that number.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a printer capable of setting a collating mode.

[Conventional technology]

Laser printer, LED printer, dot printer,
Various printers such as inkjet printers are provided.

In these printers, text data sent from the host CPU is sequentially converted into bitmap data,
Based on the bitmap data, a printing operation on paper is executed.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In the above, text data is generally sent to pages.

For this reason, in traditional printers, the printing operation also
Executed on pages.

Therefore, in face-up type printers, the pages of printed paper output are in reverse order, and it is necessary to align the pages manually or by a special mechanism.

In order to solve this problem, the present applicant has previously devised and filed an application for a printer that executes printing operations in descending order of the number of pages of text data (Patent Application No. 20992.5 of 1988). ).

The printer stores text data sent from the host CPU in a predetermined storage means, reads the data from the storage means in descending order of page number, converts it into bitmap data, and converts the data based on the bitmap data. (Hereinafter, a mode in which a print operation based on such data processing is executed will be referred to as a "collating mode").

Note that when the amount of text data exceeds the capacity of the storage means, the text data is sequentially divided into items corresponding to the capacity of the storage means, and the above-mentioned collating mode is applied to each divided series of data. The print operation below is executed.

For example, if the amount of text data consists of 13 pages and the storage capacity is only for 5 pages, first, 5 pages, 4 pages, etc. 1 page.

is printed, and then Page 10, page 9,...page 6.

Finally, after the printing of 13 pages...11 pages.

is printed.

Therefore, in this case, a series of print operations (in the above example, pages 5 to 1, pages 10 to 6, pages 13 to 11)
each page constitutes a sequence of printing operations)
Manual page alignment must be performed for each section. Therefore, the operator needs to know the above-mentioned delimiter.

In the embodiments of the invention according to the above-mentioned application, a technical concept is disclosed in which a warning is issued for each break (in the embodiments, an LED blinks).

The present invention is based on the above technical idea and seeks to obtain patent rights.

[Means and operations for solving the problems] The present invention provides: a storage means for storing text data to be transmitted; a print control means for reading out the text data from the storage means, converting it into bitmap data, and executing a printing operation. , a mode control means for setting a collating mode in response to a collating code added to text data; a full state of the storage means under the setting of the collating mode;
Alternatively, a data management means that prohibits reading of data from the storage means until the end of the text data and reads data in descending order of pages of text data, and a full state of the storage means under the collating mode setting. When data is read by
The printer includes display control means for outputting a display to that effect after a series of printing operations due to the reading is completed.

Further, in the above, the present invention provides that if there are multiple copies set for the same text data,
This is a printer that uses a display control means to output a display to that effect each time the print operation of each section is completed.

According to this configuration, when the collating mode is set, reading of text data transmitted from the host CPU is prohibited until the storage means becomes full or until the end of the text data is received. .

Furthermore, reading of data from the storage means is performed in descending order of pages, and printing operations are performed in the order of reading.

Therefore, the print sheets output face-up are arranged in ascending order of page number from the top.

Furthermore, if the capacity of the storage means is less than the amount of text data, for example, if the amount of text data consists of 13 pages and the capacity of the storage means is only for 5 pages, first, 5 pages, 4 pages. ,...1 page.

After printing is executed, the operator is warned that this is the end of a series of printing operations (the warning is given, for example, by blinking a predetermined LED display element).

next, Page 10, page 9,...page 6.

is executed, and the operator is similarly warned that this is a break in a series of print operations. Finally, page 13...page 11.

is printed.

Therefore, the operator can know the end of a series of printing operations by the above-mentioned warning, and can take appropriate measures such as removing the printed paper on the paper output tray.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The printer of this embodiment is a laser printer.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the principle of image formation of a laser printer.

A laser printer is an image forming device that uses an electrophotographic process, and forms an electrostatic latent image using laser light modulated according to image information.

As shown in FIG. 1, a laser beam emitted by a laser beam emitting section 1 is modulated by image information by a modulation circuit 2, and is irradiated onto a polygon mirror 3. While rotating at high speed, the polygon mirror 3 reflects the modulated Raded light and horizontally scans the photoreceptor drum 4 from the other end in the axial direction to one end. With this laser light, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photoreceptor drum 4 charged by the charger 5. This electrostatic latent image is visualized with toner by the developing device 6, and the toner image is transferred and fixed onto the paper by a transfer means and a fixing means (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the operation panel of the laser printer.

As shown, the operation panel 200 has a pause LED 201 and a key switch 202 for specifying a collating mode. Note that the collating mode can be specified using this switch 202 or remotely from the host computer system.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of data sent from a computer system called a host to a printer. Here, the collating start code and collating end code that are added to the beginning and end of the data are added on the printer side before and after the transmitted data when the collating mode is selected on the printer side with the switch 202. It is not included in the transmitted data. on the other hand,
If the collating mode is selected remotely from the host, the collating start code and collating end code are already added when the data is transmitted from the host. The data sent from the host is 1
It is serial data according to page order such as page, page 2, and
Normally, one page's worth of data is made up of data arranged from the top row from the first line to the Nth line, and the line data is made up of, for example, data for X characters from left to right.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the transmission data processing circuit 100 in the printer according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission data processing circuit 100 is
An I/F board 101 is an interface for data communication between the host and the printer, an engine I/F 102 is an interface between the data processing circuit 100 of the printer and a print output section called an engine, and a central processing unit (
CPU) 103, ROM 104 in which control programs etc. are stored, and system RAM 105 (corresponding to an input buffer and capable of storing received data for a predetermined page).
RX buffer (described later), a DRAM controller 106 that controls access to the RAM 105, etc.
Bitmap memory 10 having a dot image of a purchase order
7, and a drawing circuit 120 (including two font memories 121) that decodes the data stored in the RAM (RX buffer) 105 and develops it as a dot image in the bitmap memory 107.

Hereinafter, the outline of data processing in the data processing circuit 100 will be explained first, and then the frating mode (
CPU 1 mainly performs processing in page alignment mode)
I will talk about the processing in 03.

(Outline of data processing) (Normal mode) Data sent from the host is stored in the RX buffer 105 via the I/F board 101. The CPU 103 is
Deciphers the data in the order input to the RX buffer 105,
Perform processing according to that data. For example, if the data is print data, a dot image is formed at a predetermined position on the bitmap 107 via the drawing circuit 120. When one page of data has been developed into the bitmap 107, printing is started via the engine r/F 102.

When printing for one page is completed, the data for the next page is read from the RX buffer 105 and is stored in bitmap 1.
07 and print in the same way as above.

(In collating mode) Transmitted data from the host stored in the RX buffer 105 is sequentially decoded by the CPU 103 as in the normal mode. As described above (FIG. 3), in the collating mode, a collating start code and a collating end code are added to the beginning and end of the transmitted data.

In the collating mode, the CPU 103
After decoding the data, create a page pointer table without processing the data immediately.

When the CPU 03 reads out all the data stored in the RX buffer, the CPU 103 then calls the first data of the page with the largest true number from the page pointer table and stores that buy data. Bitmap memo! At 7107, drawing is performed via the drawing circuit 120.

Thereafter, printing is performed based on the bitmap memory 107.

These processes are performed in order from the page with the largest number of pages to the page with the smallest number of pages according to the page pointer. Further, when the number of copies is specified, the above operation is repeated for that number of copies.

(Processing in CPU 103) Processing in CPU 103 will be described below, focusing on processing in collating mode. Furthermore, the details of the drawing and printing process on the bitmap will be omitted since they are performed using known procedures.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the interrupt handling routine. 6 to 9 are flowcharts showing details of the main routine.

The main routine runs all the time and data from the host is saved to the RX buffer by the interrupt routine. The data stored in this RX buffer is processed in the main routine.

In the flow chart described below, the RX buffer is controlled based on the following data.

Write pointer (PNTWRT): A pointer indicating the address to which data is written to the RX buffer.

Read pointer (PNTRED): A pointer indicating the address to read data from the RX buffer.

Buffer counter (CNTBUF): A counter that counts the number of data stored in the RX buffer.

Page pointer (PNTPAG (Y)')...
・This is a pointer table that stores the address of the RX buffer at which the first data of each page is located in the collating mode.

Buffer full flag (FLGFUL): A flag indicating that the RX buffer is full.

Communication error flag (FLGERR): A flag indicating that an error has occurred in data communication from the host.

Collating mode flag (FLGCOL>...Flag indicating collating mode.

Collating mode buffer full print flag (FLG)
FLP)...Buffer full print flag in collating mode.

Collating mode read pointer (PNTCOL
)...A pointer indicating the read destination address of the RX buffer for collating mode.

Print standby flag (PRPWAP): A flag indicating the wait state during printing.

Print number counter (PRNTNO): A counter that indicates the number of prints.

First page pointer for collating mode (PNTF
ST) ...A pointer that stores the address of the first data of the first page for collating mode.

(Description of Flowchart) As shown in FIG. 5, the interrupt processing routine is activated every time data from the host is transmitted, and stores the data from the host in the RX buffer (page buffer).

First, data transfer is prohibited until the interrupt processing is completed (S
l). Next, it is determined whether or not a communication error has occurred, and on the condition that no communication error has occurred, the data transmitted from the host is read and the data is stored in the RX buffer (33.34).

At this time, the write pointer and buffer counter are incremented for each data (S5).

Next, it is determined whether the RX buffer area is full or not based on whether the value of the buffer counter is a predetermined value (S6). - If it is not full, processing of one data is completed and transfer of the next data is permitted (
S7). On the other hand, when the RX buffer is full, a buffer full flag is set (S8). Further, if a communication error has occurred (S2>), a communication error flag is set (S9).

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, in the main routine, it is first determined whether a communication error flag is set (320). When the communication error flag is not set, it is determined from the buffer counter whether the RX buffer is empty or not (521>. If the value of the buffer counter is not 0, the collating mode flag ( FLGCOL) (322>. Here, the collating mode is
For example, if there are eight pages of data, the mode is to print out sequentially from the later page (page 8) to the previous page (page 1).

On the other hand, when not in collating mode (in normal mode)
prints out sequentially from the previous page to the next page.

When in collating mode, the process advances to S32.

On the other hand, when the mode is not collating, the RX buffer is read out according to the read pointer (S23).

Next, it is determined whether the read data is a control code for paper cassette selection, font selection (font selection), etc. (S24). If it is a control code, it is determined whether the control code is a collating start code (S25). When it is a collating start code, set the collating mode flag)
L (326), sets the first page pointer for collating mode. Also, the value of the read pointer is incremented (528).

On the other hand, if it is not a collating start code, processing according to the control code is performed (329). Also, the read pointer is incremented and the buffer counter is decremented (330).

If it is not a control code (S24), it is print data, so processing is performed according to the print data (33).
1).

At 332, it is determined whether the communication error flag is set. If the communication error flag is not set, it is determined whether there is any unchecked data based on whether the value of the write pointer matches the whistle of the read pointer for collating mode (S33).

If there is unchecked data, the data is read from the RX buffer according to the collating mode read pointer (S34). It is determined whether the read data is a control code (535), and if it is not a control code, it jumps to 341.

If it is a control code, the following processing is performed in sequence. That is, if the control code is the number-of-copies designation data, the number of copies to be printed is set (336). Next, it is determined whether the control code is a collating end code (338). The collating end code indicates that data is added to the end of data transmitted from the host in collating mode.

If it is not a collating end code, it is determined whether it is a page eject code (S39). The page eject code is a code indicating that the data on that page has ended and that the next data will be the next page data. If it is a page eject code, the address of the first data of the next page is stored in the page pointer (540). Then, the collating mode read pointer is incremented (S41). Next, it is determined whether the data in the RX buffer has been checked to the end, and if the data has been checked to the end, the buffer full flag is determined (S42.54).
3). When the buffer full flag is set,
The buffer full print flag is set and the pointer of the page to be printed is set (S44.548). FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the setting of the buffer full flag in the RX buffer. The buffer full flag indicates that the RX buffer is partially full without storing all the data sent from the host. As shown in FIG. 10 (1), for example, if the RX buffer becomes full of data in the middle of page 8, the page pointer for page 7 is set (348). Thereafter, a subroutine for print 1 processing, which will be described later, is executed and the buffer full print flag is reset (S49.50). Also, if you want to allow data transfer, click 551.
), initialize the pointer (352). That is, after setting the buffer full flag, print operation is performed, and after printing is completed,
Receive the next data.

As shown in FIGS. 10(2) and 10(3), the next data is processed from the beginning of the middle page (in this case, page 8).

Also, the RX buffer is used cyclically.

On the other hand, if the control code is a collating end code (S38), a pointer to the page to be printed is set (545). That is, the value of the page pointer of the last page is set as the value of the collating mode read pointer (S45).

After that, execute the print 1 processing subroutine and reset the collating mode flag (S46.547)
.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the print 1 processing subroutine.

First, execute the print 2 processing subroutine (381
). For details on this print 2 processing subroutine, see Chapter 9.
I will explain based on the diagram. That is, in FIG. 9, data is first read from the RX buffer according to the collating mode read pointer (360). Next, it is determined whether the read data is a page eject code (361). The page eject code is a code indicating that the page is at its end. If the read data is not a page eject code, print data is drawn on a bitmap (S62). Then, the value of the collating mode pointer is incremented (363). On the other hand, if it is a page eject code, it is determined whether the buffer full flag is set in the collating mode (S64). If not set, 56
If the wait flag is set, there is still data to be input from the host, so it is determined whether the wait flag is set (S65).

If the wait flag is set, it is determined whether there is a start request from the operator (S66). For example, the start request from the operator is configured such that a start command is issued on the host side (performed by sending data).
Alternatively, a start command switch may be provided on the operation panel of the printer to manually determine whether or not a start command has been issued.

Pause LED when there is a start request from the operator
201 is turned off (S67). Thereafter, a printing operation is performed (368). Also, the page pointer of the next page, that is, the page preceding the printed page is extracted (569). After that, repeat steps S60 to S369 until all printing is completed, and after the completion, it is determined whether or not the buffer full print flag is set, and if it is set, the pause LED is blinked to warn the operator. 571), and also sets a wait flag (S73). Print processing is executed in this manner.

Next, as shown in Figure 8, the number of copies (number of prints)
is decremented (S82). Then, it is determined whether all copies have been printed (383), and if so, the process returns.

If the process has not ended, it is determined from the collating mode flag whether or not the collating mode is in effect (S84). When in collating mode, the pause LED should be lit (585). Wait for the start instruction from the operator and turn off the pause LED S86
．． 387) Similarly to S48 and S45, the value of the page pointer of the last page is set as the value of the collating mode read pointer (388), and the process returns to 381.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the present invention provides a storage means for storing text data, a print control means for reading text data, converting it into bitmap data and executing a printing operation, a mode control means for setting a collating mode, and a mode control means for setting a collating mode. A collating mode setting is a data management means that prohibits reading of data from the storage means until the storage means is full or the end of the text data, and reads the data in descending order of pages of text data. The following printer has a display control means for displaying and outputting a display to that effect after a series of printing operations due to the reading is completed when data is read out when the storage means is in a full state.

As described in the embodiments, according to the present invention, when the collating mode is set, print sheets output face-up are arranged in ascending order of page number from the top.

Furthermore, if the capacity of the storage means is less than the amount of text data, for example, if the amount of text data consists of 13 pages and the capacity of the storage means is only for 5 pages, first, 5 pages, 4 pages...1 page.

After printing has been executed, a predetermined LED display element is blinked to indicate that this is the end of a series of printing operations, etc.
Operator is alerted. Next, page 10, page 9, page 6.

is executed, and the operator is similarly warned that this is a break in a series of print operations. Finally, pages 13, . . . 11 are printed.

Therefore, the operator can know the end of a series of print operations by the above-mentioned warning, and can take appropriate measures. For example, a series of separated print sheets can be removed together from the printed paper tray and then the printing operation can be resumed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the principle of image formation in the laser printer according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the operation panel of the printer according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of transmission data. , FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the transmission data processing circuit 100 in the printer according to this embodiment, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the interrupt processing routine, FIGS. 6 to 9 are flowcharts showing the main routine, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the main routine. R
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the setting of a buffer full flag in the X buffer. 103...CPU 105...System RAM (RX buffer) 107
・ ・Bitmap memory 121 ・ ・Font data memory

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Storage means for storing the text data to be transmitted; print control means for reading the text data from the storage means, converting it to bitmap data, and executing the printing operation; a mode control means for setting the collating mode; under the setting of the collating mode, a full state of the storage means;
or a data management means that prohibits reading of data from the storage means until the end of the text data and reads the data in descending order of pages of text data; 1. A printer comprising: display control means for displaying and outputting a display to that effect after a series of print operations resulting from the reading is completed when data reading is executed by the printer. (2) In claim 1, when the number of print copies set for the same text data is plural under the collating mode setting, the display control means is configured to control the display control means every time the printing operation of each copy is completed. A printer that outputs a display to that effect.