JPH08169165A - Image output apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an image output apparatus demonstrating the optimum performance as a printer. CONSTITUTION: Received data from a host computer 100 are stored temporarily by an input buffer 105, the receiving time of bit map data from the host computer 100 is monitored by an input data monitor part 107. When the receiving time of the bit map data is T hours or more, the storage capacity of the input buffer 105 is increased by an input buffer capacity change part 106.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output device such as a laser beam printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image output device, for example, a laser beam printer has an input buffer of a fixed capacity that cannot be changed and receives print data sent from a host computer.

The content of the print data includes a page description language, bitmap data, etc., and handles a large amount of data and a small amount of data in various data contents and data volumes depending on the content of the print image. It was

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, the fixed value is irrelevant regardless of the data processing capacity of the printer depending on the performance of the CPU (central processing unit) and the content of the print data to be received. Since the input buffer having the capacity is provided, there is a problem that the optimum performance depending on the performance of the printer and the print data cannot be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the above-mentioned prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image output device which can obtain optimum performance as a printer. It is a thing.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, an image output apparatus of the present invention is an image output apparatus which receives data from a host computer and performs a printing operation,
A data storage means for temporarily storing the received data, a data reception time measurement means for measuring a reception time of the specific data from the host computer, and a measurement value of the data reception time measurement means is a predetermined time or more. And a first storage capacity changing means for increasing the storage capacity of the data storage means.

In order to achieve the above object, the data reception capacity measuring means for measuring the reception capacity of the specific data, and the data reception capacity measuring means when the measured value of the data reception capacity measuring means is equal to or more than a predetermined number of bytes. It is desirable to provide a second storage capacity changing means for increasing the storage capacity of the storage means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a job operating state monitoring means for monitoring an operating state of an image forming unit for forming an image and an empty state of the data storage means, and a monitoring result of the job operating state monitoring means. It is desirable to provide a third storage capacity changing means for increasing the storage capacity of the data storage means based on the above.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, it is desirable that the data storage means is an input buffer.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, it is desirable that the data is a character code and a control code, and that the specific data is bitmap data.

[0011]

According to another aspect of the image output device of the present invention, the data received from the host computer is temporarily stored by the data storage means, and the reception time of the specific data from the host computer is measured by the data reception time measuring means. When the measured value of the data reception time measuring means exceeds the predetermined time, the first storage capacity changing means increases the storage capacity of the data storage means.

An image output device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image output device according to the first aspect.
In addition to the function of the image output device, when the reception capacity of the specific data is measured by the data reception capacity measuring means, and the measured value of the data reception capacity measuring means exceeds a predetermined number of bytes, the second storage The storage capacity of the data storage means is increased by the capacity changing means.

An image output device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image output device according to the first aspect.
In addition to the operation of the image output device, the job operating state monitoring unit monitors the operating state of the image forming unit that forms an image and the empty state of the data storage unit, and based on the monitoring result of the job operating state monitoring unit. The storage capacity of the data storage means is increased by the third storage capacity changing means.

[0014]

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

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a laser beam printer (LBP) as an image output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Is a laser beam printer main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes, etc.) supplied from an externally connected host computer, form information, macro commands, etc., and the corresponding character pattern according to the information. And form patterns are formed, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper. An operation panel 2 is provided with switches for operation, an LED (light emitting diode) indicator, and the like. A printer control unit 3 analyzes character information and the like supplied from the laser beam printer body 1 and a host computer.

The printer control unit 3 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs it to the laser driver 4. The laser driver 4 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 5, and turns on / off the laser light 6 emitted from the semiconductor laser 5 according to the input video signal. The laser beam 6 is oscillated in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 7 and scans and exposes the electrostatic drum 8. As a result, an electrostatic latent image having a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 8.

This latent image is developed by a developing unit 9 arranged around the electrostatic drum 8 and then transferred to a recording paper. A cut sheet is used as the recording sheet, and the recording sheet made of the cut sheet is stored in a sheet cassette 10 mounted on the laser beam printer main body 1 and taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 11 and conveyance rollers 12 and 13. And is supplied to the electrostatic drum 8. Further, the laser beam printer body 1 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in font.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the image output apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in which 14 is a bidirectional interface for inputting recording signals, and 15 is an MPU (microprocessor) for controlling this apparatus. Unit), 16 is R
The OM (read-only memory) stores a control program executed by the MPU 15, print information, and the like. 17 is DRA
Various data (recording signals, recording data supplied to the printer engine, etc.) are stored in M (writing / reading memory at any time). A printer engine 18 is a printing unit of this apparatus.

In the control configuration of the image output apparatus configured as described above, input information is received from the host computer described later via the bidirectional interface 14.

The MPU 15 can perform communication processing with a host computer, which will be described later, via the bidirectional interface 14, and the host computer, which will be described later, stores memory information and resource data regarding the DRAM 17, print information in the ROM 16, and the like. It is configured to be able to notify.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the control configuration of the image output system by the image output device and the host computer shown in FIG. Here, a case where the image output device is a laser beam printer will be described.

As long as the functions of the present invention are executed, processing can be performed via a network such as a LAN (internal communication network) whether it is a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a system that is performed.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 19 denotes a host computer, which is C
It has a PU 20. This CPU 20 is a ROM 22
Based on the document processing program or the like stored in the program ROM 22b, the document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed is executed.
It comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 23. 21 is a RAM, which is the CPU 20
Functions as the main memory and work area of the. 22 is a ROM, including a font ROM 22a and a program RO
It has an M22b and a data ROM 22c. 24
Is a keyboard controller (KBC), keyboard 2
8 and key input from a pointing device (not shown).

A CRT (cathode ray tube) controller (CRTC) 25 controls the display on the CRT display 29. A disk controller (DKC) 26 controls access to an external memory 30 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files and the like. A printer controller (PRTC) 27 is connected to the printer 32 via a predetermined bidirectional interface 31 and executes communication control processing with the printer 32.

The CPU 20 executes a process (rasterize) of the outline font to the display information set on the RAM 21, for example, and the CRT display 2
9 WYSIWYG (Wizwig: You can get what you see, that is, you can check the final output form on the display each time, you can display it on the display as you want, or you can output from the printer as it is displayed) I am trying. Further, the CPU 20 opens a window registered based on a command designated by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT display 29,
Performs various data processing.

The printer 32 has a CPU 33. This CPU 33 is a program RO in the ROM 35.
Based on the control program stored in the M35b or the control program stored in the external memory 42 described later,
Access to various devices connected to the system bus 35 is controlled comprehensively, and the printing unit interface (I /
F) An image signal as output information is output to the printing unit 40 connected via 38. The CPU 33 is capable of communicating with the host computer 19 via the input unit 37, and stores information in the printer 32 and the like in the host computer 1.
9 can be notified. 34 is a RAM, CP
Option RA that functions as the main memory and work area of U33 and is connected to an expansion port (not shown)
The memory capacity can be expanded by M. The RAM 34 is used as an output information expansion area, environment data storage area, NVRAM (nonvolatile RAM), and the like.

A ROM 35 is a font ROM 35.
a, program ROM 35b and data ROM 35
have c. A font ROM 35a stores font data or the like used when generating the output information, a program ROM 35b stores a control program, and the data ROM 35c is a printer having no external memory 42 such as a hard disk. In this case, the information and the like used on the host computer 19 are stored.

The external memory 42 such as a hard disk (HD) or IC card is a disk controller (DKC) 3
9 controls access. This external memory 42
Is optionally connected to store font data, emulation programs, form data, etc. This external memory 42 is not limited to one, but at least one
In addition to the built-in font, an optional font card, a program for interpreting a printer control language having a different language system, may be stored, or a plurality of external memories 42 may be connected. In addition, the external memory 42
May have an NVRAM (not shown) to store printer mode setting information from the operation unit 41. 41
Is an operation unit (operation panel 2 in FIG. 1), and is provided with switches for operation and an LED display.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the control configuration of the image output apparatus shown in FIG. In the figure, 100
Is a host computer, 101 is a laser beam printer (image output device), and 102 is a laser beam printer 10.
A CPU that controls the control of the first control unit 103 is an R that stores a program that controls the operation of the laser beam printer 101.
OM, 104 is a page memory or a work area RAM, 105 is an input buffer (data storage means) for temporarily storing print data transmitted from the host computer 100, and 106 is the input buffer 10.
5, an input buffer capacity changing section (first and second storage capacity changing means) for changing the buffer capacity, and 107 is an input data monitoring section (data reception time) for monitoring the content of print data transmitted from the host computer 100. Measuring means and data receiving capacity measuring means).

The operation of the image output apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image output device according to this embodiment.

The laser beam printer 101 receives print data from the host computer 100 (step S501). The input data monitoring unit 107 determines whether the received print data includes bitmap data. When the bitmap data is included, the time required for communication in the bitmap data portion is measured, and it is determined whether or not the communication is performed for a predetermined time (T time) or longer (step S502). As the determination method, a method of determining whether or not the bitmap data has a predetermined capacity (N bytes) or more may be adopted. A method such as pattern matching may be adopted as a means for determining whether or not the data is bitmap data.

When the communication time of the bitmap data is T time (or N bytes) or more in step S502, the input buffer capacity changing unit 106 increases the capacity of the input buffer 105 to set the fixed area. After securing, this processing operation ends. As a method of securing the increased fixed area, the fixed area may be secured with a stepwise increase in accordance with the communication time (or the number of bytes) of the bitmap data. For example, the capacity may be doubled, tripled, or quadrupled.

When the communication time of the bitmap data is not longer than T time (or N bytes) in step S502, the capacity of the input buffer 105 is not changed,
This processing operation ends.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the image output apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 200 is a host computer, 201 is a laser beam printer (image output device),
A CP 202 controls the laser beam printer 201.
U and 203 are ROMs in which programs for controlling the operation of the laser beam printer 201 are stored. 204 is RAM, which is a page memory or work area.
Reference numeral 05 denotes a job management unit (job operating status monitoring unit) that manages the reception status of print data transmitted from the host computer 200 and the operating status of the CPU 202.
Reference numeral 207 denotes an input buffer (data storage means) for temporarily storing the print data transmitted from the host computer 200, and 207 denotes an input buffer capacity changing portion (third storage capacity changing means) for changing the capacity of the input buffer 206. is there.

Next, the operation of the image output apparatus according to this embodiment having the above structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image output device according to the present embodiment. The laser beam printer 201 receives print data from the host computer 200 (step S).
701). After receiving the print data, the job management unit 205 starts BUSY of the CPU 202 with the start of the image forming job.
Monitor the condition. The job management unit 205 determines whether the CPU 202 is in the BUSY state (step S702).
If it is not in the BUSY state, it is determined whether the image forming job is continuing (step S703). The input buffer capacity changing unit 207 increases the capacity of the input buffer 206 to secure a fixed area in consideration of the occurrence frequency of affirmative (YES) as the determination result in steps S702 and S703 (step S704).
The effective time for increasing the capacity of the input buffer 206 based on step S704 can be defined as valid for a plurality of jobs or valid until the printer is powered off, for example. Then, this processing operation is ended.

If the determination result in step S702 is affirmative (YES) and the determination result in step S703 is negative (NO), the processing operation is terminated without changing the capacity of the input buffer 206.

The reason why the capacity of the input buffer 206 is increased when the determination result in step S702 is negative (NO) and the determination result in step S703 is positive (YES) is as follows. Although the job is being continued, the CPU 202 is not in the BUSY state (processed) means that the processing capacity of the CPU 202 exceeds the capacity of the print data sent from the host computer 200 to perform image processing. It is considered that Therefore, the capacity of the input buffer 206 is increased to increase the capacity for capturing print data so that the CPU 202 is always in the BUSY state (image formation continues without a break) to improve the performance.

[0038]

As described above in detail, according to the image output apparatus of the present invention, the optimum performance as a printer can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an image output apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image output apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of an image output system including an image output device and a host computer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image output apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image output apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of an image output apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image output apparatus according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Host Computer 101 Laser Beam Printer (Image Output Device) 105 Input Buffer (Data Storage Means) 106 Input Buffer Capacity Change Unit (First and Second Storage Capacity Change Means) 107 Input Data Monitoring Unit (Data Reception Time Measurement Means and Data reception capacity measuring means) 200 Host computer 201 Laser beam printer (image output device) 205 Job management section (job operating status monitoring means) 206 Input buffer (data storage means) 207 Input buffer capacity change section (third storage capacity change) means)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image output apparatus that receives data from a host computer and performs a printing operation, and measures a data storage unit that temporarily stores the received data and a reception time of specific data from the host computer. Data reception time measuring means, and a first storage capacity changing means for increasing the storage capacity of the data storage means when the measured value of the data reception time measuring means exceeds a predetermined time, Image output device. 2. Data reception capacity measuring means for measuring the reception capacity of the specific data, and increasing the storage capacity of the data storage means when the measured value of the data reception capacity measuring means exceeds a predetermined number of bytes. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second storage capacity changing unit. 3. A job operating status monitoring means for monitoring an operating status of an image forming section for performing image formation and an empty status of the data saving means, and a data saving means for the data saving means based on a monitoring result of the job operating status monitoring means. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising third storage capacity changing means for increasing the storage capacity. 4. The image output device according to claim 1, wherein the data storage unit is an input buffer. 5. The image output device according to claim 1, wherein the data is a character code and a control code. 6. The image output device according to claim 1, wherein the specific data is bitmap data.