JPH05345457A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect installation of an additional function device and automatically perform setting in accordance with the installed additional function device so as to largely improve operability. CONSTITUTION:At a step S501, installation information of a function adding device is received from a printing mechanism periodically when power is supplied and at resetting so as to determine whether the function adding device is installed or not. Here, the installation information relates to whether the function adding device is installed or not, and to type of the installed function adding device when it is installed. When the function adding device is installed at the step S501, processing proceeds to a step S502 where a corresponding control program is designated from a program memory in accordance with the installed function adding unit and setting is performed so as to let the function adding unit function. At a step S503, the contents of the setting is stored in an NVRAM and the present processing ends.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer capable of adding a function by mounting a function adding device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a printing apparatus capable of adding a function by mounting a function adding apparatus. For example, a printing device normally prints on only one side of a recording sheet and ejects the recording sheet, but by mounting a double-sided printing unit as a function addition device on this printing device, printing is performed on both sides of the recording sheet. It becomes possible to do.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, when the function adding device is mounted, in order to enable the additional function of the function adding device, the setting corresponding to the function is performed by the panel operation. Is common. As described above, there is a problem in that the procedure for mounting the function addition device becomes complicated, and if the user is unfamiliar, it causes an erroneous operation and the function of the function addition device cannot be used.

Further, in the conventional printing apparatus, even if a double-sided printing command is output from the host apparatus to the printing apparatus equipped with the above-mentioned double-sided printing unit, the setting of double-sided printing is not made on the printing apparatus side. Duplex printing is not executed. Therefore, if the setting operation of the above-mentioned additional function is forgotten when the power of the printing apparatus is turned on or reset, the printing according to the instruction from the host apparatus is not performed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and makes it possible to detect the mounting of the function adding device and automatically perform the setting in accordance with the mounted function adding device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that significantly improves the printing performance.

[0006]

A printer according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is,
In a printing device capable of adding a function by mounting the function adding device, a detecting unit that detects that the function adding device is mounted, and if the detecting unit detects that the function adding device is mounted, the function adding device And setting means for automatically executing the setting for using.

[0007]

With the above construction, when the user wears the function adding device, the detecting means detects it. Then, based on the detection information from the detection unit, the setting unit executes the setting for using the attached function adding device to the printing device. As described above, when it is detected that the function adding device is attached to the printing apparatus, the function to be added is automatically enabled.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the outline of the functional arrangement of a printing apparatus according to this embodiment. In the figure, 1
An input data receiving unit 01 receives the input data transmitted from the host computer. The input data is composed of print data and control data for actually performing print processing. The print data are character code, figure,
It is data such as an image and data that specifies a print position, a size, and the like. The control data is data for controlling the printing mechanism unit (printer engine),
For example, it is data that specifies a paper feed mode (cassette paper feed / manual paper feed) / paper discharge mode and single-sided / double-sided printing switching control. An input data analysis unit 102 analyzes the input data received by the input data reception unit 101 and classifies the input data into print data and control data. A print data expansion unit 103 expands the print data classified by the input data analysis unit 102 to generate bitmap information for one page, and uses this as output data. A video data transfer unit 104 outputs the bitmap information for one page expanded by the print data expansion unit 103 to the printing mechanism unit 2.
00 to the print control unit 201.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a panel operation unit, which displays the state of the printing apparatus and allows the operator to set the printing environment for the printing apparatus. Reference numeral 106 denotes a paper feeding / discharging and transfer control unit, and based on the control data classified by the input data analysis unit 102 or the print environment specified by the panel operation unit 105, the print data expansion unit 103,
The video data transfer unit 104 and the printing mechanism unit 200
The print control unit 201 and the conveyance control unit 202 are controlled. The functional configurations 101 to 106 described above are included in the controller unit 100 of the printing apparatus.

With the above-described functional configuration, the controller unit 100 receives, for example, page unit data from the host computer in order to execute printing based on the image data received from the external device, and the received data is bitmap data. Expand to. Then, the bitmap information for each page is created and printed out. The data developed in the bitmap includes character codes, graphic data, image data, external character fonts, logos, etc. transmitted from the host computer.

A print control unit 201 controls the electrophotographic process and the like in the printing apparatus. A conveyance control unit 202 controls the paper feed / conveyance system (paper feed mode, paper ejection processing) of the printing apparatus. A double-sided printing control unit 203 controls a double-sided printing unit, which is a function adding device additionally mounted to the apparatus, and changes a part of the functions of the transport control unit 202. 201 to 20 described above
Each functional configuration of No. 3 is included in the printing mechanism unit 200.

With the above-described functional configuration, the printing mechanism unit 2
At 00, printing is executed using the electrophotographic process.
After the page unit bitmap information is converted into a video signal by the controller unit 100, the printing mechanism unit 2
00. In the printing mechanism section 200, an image corresponding to bitmap information in page units is formed on the photosensitive drum by using light emitting elements such as a laser beam, an LED array, and a liquid crystal shutter in synchronization with the video signal. Then, the formed image is transferred onto a recording paper (plain paper) with toner. A visible image transferred onto a recording paper (plain paper) is fixed using a high-temperature and high-pressure fixing device, and a stable print result is output.

Next, the configuration of the printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of this printing apparatus. In the figure, 1 represents the entire printing apparatus. In this embodiment, a laser beam printer (LBP) using a laser beam as a light emitting element is used. Two
Is a host computer, and this printing device (LBP1)
To transmit various print data to the LBP1. Reference numeral 100 denotes a controller unit, which has the functions shown by the reference numerals 101 to 106 in FIG.
110 is a control board, and the control unit 10
Various controls within 0 are performed. Reference numeral 111 is an operation panel.

Reference numeral 200 denotes a printing mechanism section which executes printing on a recording medium. A control unit 210 controls the entire inside of the printing mechanism unit 200. In addition, the control unit 2
At 10, the video signal, the control command, and the like from the controller unit 100 are received, and the status information and the like of the printing mechanism unit 200 is transmitted to the controller unit 100. Further, the control unit 210 includes a unit that controls an electrophotographic process, a paper feeding / conveying system, an optical system, and the like. Reference numeral 211 represents an optical system in the printing mechanism unit 200. Also, 212 is
The electrophotographic process system and the paper feeding / conveying system in the printing mechanism unit 204 are shown.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of the LBP1. Here, 301 and 302 are paper feed cassettes. Reference numeral 111 represents a panel operation unit. Reference numeral 303 is a rotating mirror for irradiating a laser on the photosensitive drum.
Reference numeral 304 is a photosensitive drum, and 305 is a fixing device. Three
Reference numeral 06 denotes a double-sided printing unit which is a function adding device. As a standard, only one-sided printing is possible without mounting this unit. By mounting the double-sided printing unit 306, the LBP1 can perform double-sided printing. 307 and 30
8 is a paper discharge tray. Further, the arrows in the figure represent the transport direction in the paper feed transport system.

Next, the control board 210 of the controller section 203 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control board 210. In the figure, a central processing unit (CPU) 401 controls the entire controller unit 100. A program memory 402 is a CPU
A program for controlling the controller unit 401 is stored, and a control program for the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 described later is also stored. The program memory 402 is composed of, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). In addition, control programs corresponding to various option units are stored in this program memory. A font memory 403 stores font information for expanding a character code into a bitmap. The font memory 403 is, for example,
It is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory). 404
Is a direct memory access controller (DMAC)
Is a hardware circuit for transferring the bitmap image obtained by expanding the print data to the printing mechanism unit 200. The DMAC 404 is composed of, for example, a direct memory access controller circuit, a FIFO circuit, and the like. An input / output interface circuit (input / output I / F circuit) 405 connects the host computer 201 and the controller unit 203 to exchange signals.

A work memory 406 is a memory that provides a work area required for the programs of the program memory 402 to operate. Work memory 406
Is composed of, for example, a RAM (random access memory). The work memory 406 is also provided with an input data storage area, a print data expansion area, and the like. An input / output I / F circuit 407 is a data input / output interface circuit that connects the controller unit 203 and the printing mechanism unit 204. An image signal generator 408 generates a video signal in synchronization with the print mechanism unit 204 from the bitmap expanded in the print data expansion area in the work memory 406. A panel I / F circuit 409 connects the operation panel 111 and the controller unit 203. Also,
An internal bus 410 connects the memories and circuits described above to the central processing unit. An NVRAM (nonvolatile RAM) 411 stores various setting states by the user.

In the LBP1 of this embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the control sequence when the function adding device is mounted will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 5 shows an L corresponding to the mounting of the function adding device.
It is a flowchart showing a setting process of BP1. Here, the double-sided printing unit 3 is used as an example of the function adding device.
06 will be explained. Duplex printing unit 3
By mounting 06, the LBP1 having a basic function of only one-sided printing can perform double-sided printing. In addition, the flowchart of FIG. 5 is started at the time of power-on, reset, and periodically.

First, in step S501, at the time of power-on and reset, the mounting information of the function adding device is received from the printing mechanism unit 200, and it is determined whether or not the function adding device is mounted. Here, the mounting information is whether or not the function adding device is mounted, and if mounted, the type of the function adding device that is mounted (for example, double-sided printing unit, sorter unit, etc.). In addition, the mounting information includes a sensor provided at the mounting position of the function adding device or L
It can be obtained from a signal connection or the like with the BP1 main body.
If the function addition unit is not attached in step S501, this processing ends as it is. If it is attached, the process proceeds to step S502.

In step S502, the program memory 40 is selected according to the type of the function adding unit installed.
Specify the corresponding control program from step 2 and set the function addition unit to operate. For example, when the double-sided printing unit is installed, the setting of LBP1 is changed so that double-sided printing is performed. Then, step S50
In step 3, the contents set in step S502 are changed to NVRA.
The data is recorded in M411, and this processing ends.

Further, the use state of the additional function set by the above-mentioned flowchart can be invalidated by operating the operation panel 111. For example, operating the operation panel 111 to perform double-sided printing to normal printing (single-sided printing)
By changing the setting to, the setting contents of the NVRAM 411 are rewritten and this state is held.

As described above, the LBP1 of this embodiment
According to this, regardless of the type of the function adding device, there is an effect that the time and effort of the selection operation from the panel when the function adding device is attached can be saved.

In this embodiment, a double-sided unit in a printing apparatus using an electrophotographic process is assumed as the printing mechanism, but the present invention is equipped with a function addition device (option device) regardless of the printing mechanism. It is effective for any printer (inkjet, serial, etc.) as long as it is a printer that does. In addition, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained if any optional device can change the printer settings by mounting the optional device. Examples include option cards, option cassettes, option feeders, and the like.

In the above embodiment, the case where one type of function adding device is mounted is explained, but when a plurality of function adding devices are mounted, all of these additional functions become effective. It is also possible to configure so as to be set automatically.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0030]

As described above, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to detect the mounting of the function adding apparatus and automatically perform the setting according to the mounted function adding apparatus. This has the effect of significantly improving the operability of.

[0031]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a functional configuration of a printing apparatus in this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control board.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for setting a printing apparatus in response to mounting of the function adding apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 controller section 110 control board 111 operation panel 200 printing mechanism section 210 control section 211 optical system 212 transport system 306 double-sided printing unit

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A printing device capable of adding a function by mounting the function adding device, wherein the detecting means detects that the function adding device has been mounted; and the mounting of the function adding device is detected by the detecting means. And a setting unit that automatically executes setting for using the function addition device. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising invalidating means for invalidating the setting by the setting means by a predetermined operation. 3. The detecting unit detects a mounting state and a type of the function adding device, and the setting unit detects the mounting of the function adding device when the mounting of the function adding device is detected by the detecting unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a setting for using the printing apparatus is made according to the type of the printing apparatus. 4. The setting means by the detecting means is executed at least at any one of the time when power is supplied to the apparatus main body, the time when resetting is executed, and the time when the apparatus is reset. The printing device according to claim 1.