JPH1199730A - Printer and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To complete a processing normally for a completed receiving data by deleting a printed data stored by a storage means in the case the printed data is judged not normal by a judging means. SOLUTION: When a printer is started to work, the state of interface is checked first of all (S301). Then, when the interface is in the normal communicable state (S302), the processing is moved back to the initial stage (S301). When the interface is in the normal state, the processing is moved over to the following stage and data are not stored therein (S303), the processing moved back to the initial stage (S301), while the interface is stored therein (S303), the processing is moved over to the following stage. All data stored in a buffer memory are deleted (S304), and the processing is moved back to the initial stage (S301). Unprocessed data can be deleted in the case the data receiving is discontinued by some trouble by carrying out a series of said processing works to eliminate the useless processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus which is connected to, for example, a host computer directly or via a network and executes a printing process based on received data and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printing apparatus, when data reception is interrupted due to disconnection of an interface cable or power off of a host computer, the processing is continued until already received data can be processed.

[0003]

Therefore, when the received data becomes incomplete, all the incomplete data is processed. If the received data is print data, useless print processing is performed. Also, there is a problem that an incorrect operating environment is set in the printing apparatus if the environment is set.

Further, in such a case, if the processed data is interrupted at a halfway position, data re-received from the host computer after reconnection is erroneously interpreted, and a meaningless printout is performed. This could have resulted in settings that were far from the user's intention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned prior art, and a printing apparatus and a control thereof for preventing wasteful or illegal operation caused by processing odd data when data reception is interrupted. The aim is to provide a method.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and a control method thereof that can normally complete processing of completed received data even when data reception is interrupted.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus and a control method thereof according to the present invention have the following arrangement. That is, a printing apparatus that prints based on received print data, a receiving unit that receives print data from an external device, a storage unit that stores the received print data, and that the print data is normally received by the receiving unit. Determining means for determining whether the print data has been deleted, and deleting means for deleting the print data stored by the storing means when the determining means determines that the print data is not normal.

Alternatively, there is provided a control method of a printing apparatus for printing based on print data received by a receiving means, wherein a storing step of storing the received print data in a storing means; And a deletion step of deleting the print data stored by the storage means when the determination result indicates that the print data is not normal.

Alternatively, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program for controlling a printing apparatus for printing based on received print data, the program comprising: reception code means for receiving print data from an external device; Storage code means for storing the print data obtained, determination code means for determining whether the print data is normally received by the reception code means, and storage code means for determining that the print data is not normal by the determination code means. And delete code means for deleting the print data stored by.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First Embodiment <Configuration of Printing Apparatus> Before describing an embodiment of the present invention, a configuration of a laser beam printer suitable for applying the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The printer to which the embodiment is applied is not limited to a laser beam printer, but may be a printer of another printing method such as an ink jet printer.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. FIG. 1 shows a laser beam printer (LB) as an example.
P). In the figure, the LBP main body 1000
Inputs and stores print information (character codes, etc.), form information, macro instructions, etc., supplied from an externally connected host computer, and creates corresponding character patterns, form patterns, etc. according to the information. Then, an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper.

The operation panel 1012 is provided with switches for operation, an LED display, and the like. The control unit 1001 controls the entire LBP main body 1000 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1002. Laser driver 100
Reference numeral 2 denotes a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and the semiconductor laser 1α according to the input video signal.
3 can be turned on and off. The laser beam 1004 is swung in the left-right direction at the multi-plane boundary 1005 and scans and exposes the electrostatic drum 1006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006.

The latent image is developed by a developing unit 1007 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1006, and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used for the recording paper. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the LBP1000,
9 and transport rollers 1010 and 1011, are taken into the apparatus and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1006. The LBP main body 1000 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 fonts.

The laser printer shown in FIG. 1 plays a role of a printing mechanism of a printing system. In order to realize a printing system other than the printing mechanism, a host computer which generates printing information and the like (not shown in FIG. 1) and supplies it to the laser printer is required.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printing system using the laser beam printer of FIG. In the figure, a host computer 3000 stores a program R in a ROM 3.
A CPU 1 is provided for executing document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in the OM. The CPU 1 controls each device connected to the system device 4 as a whole. RO3 for program in ROM3
M stores a control program of the CPU 1 and the like.
In the font ROM of M3, font data and the like used in the above document processing are stored.
The OM stores various data used when performing the document processing and the like. The RAM 2 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 1.

The keyboard controller (KBC) 5
It controls key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). CRT controller (CRTC)
6 controls the display of a CRT display (CRT) 10. The memory controller (MC) 7 controls access to an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) that stores a put program, various applications, font data, user files, edited files, and the like, and a floppy disk (FD). The printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 1500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21, and executes a communication control process with the printer 1000.
The CPU 1 executes, for example, a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, and performs WYSIWYG processing on the CRT 10.
Is possible. Further, the CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 1000, the printer CP
The U 12 comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program or the like stored in a program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program or the like stored in the external memory 14, and performs printing. An image signal as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via a unit interface 16. The program ROM of the ROM 13 includes a CPU as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
Twelve control programs and the like are stored. Font data and the like used when generating the output information are stored in the font ROM of the ROM 13. The data ROM of the ROM 13 is provided on the host computer when the printer does not have the external memory 14 such as a hard disk. Information to be used is stored. The CPU 12 can perform communication processing with the host computer via the input unit 18, and transmits information in the printer to the host computer 300.
0 can be notified.

The RAM 19 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an unillustrated expansion port. In addition,
The RAM 19 is used for an output information development area, an environment data storage area, an NVRAM, and the like. Further, a buffer memory 191 described later is also secured in the RAM 19.

The external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card is provided with a memory controller (M
C) Access is controlled by 20. External memory 14
Is connected as an option and stores font data, emulation programs, form data, and the like. The operation panel 18 is provided with switches for operation, an LED display, and the like. Further, the above-mentioned external memory is not limited to one, and at least one or more is provided,
In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages may be connected. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store the printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1012. <Control Procedure when an Error Occurs> A control procedure when an error occurs due to disconnection of communication with the host computer or the like in the printer control system thus configured will be described.

The printing apparatus of this embodiment uses a Centrox interface as the interface 21 for connecting the host computer 3000 and the printer 1000. In the case of this Centronics interface (to be precise, IEEE1284-C connector), 1
If the No. 8 pin is at a high level, it is in a state of being normally connected to the host computer. On the other hand, if the 18th pin is at a low level, the power of the host computer is turned off, an error occurs in the interface control of the host computer, or the connector of the interface 21 from the input unit 18 (in this embodiment, the Centronics interface・ Interface 2 such as disconnection of connector)
It can be determined that 1 is not in a normal communicable state.

The printing apparatus 1000 temporarily stores the data received via the interface 21 in the buffer memory 19.
Store in 1. In the present embodiment, the buffer memory 191
Is a memory area secured in the RAM 19 with an appropriate size as needed, and has a ring buffer structure. The ring buffer structure stores the start address and end address of the memory area reserved for the ring buffer,
Further, by storing a data read position address and a data insertion position address of data stored or stored in the ring buffer structure, data can be read and written in a time series.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing for monitoring the state of the interface 21 and deleting data in the buffer memory when detecting that the interface 21 is not in a normal communicable state. The process of receiving data and storing it in the buffer memory, and the printing process and environment setting process performed by reading data from the buffer memory are performed in parallel with the process of FIG. Therefore, the description is omitted here.

First, when the printing apparatus starts operating, the state of the interface 21 is checked in step S301, and the flow advances to step S302. In the case of the present embodiment, the interface 21
Since the Centronics interface is used, it is checked whether the state of the 18th pin of the Centronics interface is high level or low level.

In step S302, step S301
Interface 21 based on the state of the 18th pin
If is in a normal communicable state, the process returns to step S301. If the interface 21 is not in a normal communicable state, the process proceeds to step S303. If the interface 21 continues to be in a normal communication enabled state, steps S301 and S302
And the state of the interface 21 is continuously checked.

In step S303, the buffer memory existing in the RAM 19 is checked. If data is not stored, the process returns to step S301. If data is stored, the process proceeds to step S304. If no data is stored in the buffer memory, step S303
Steps S301 to S are performed without performing further processing.
By simply performing the processing up to 303, unnecessary processing need not be performed. In this embodiment, since the ring buffer structure is used as the buffer memory, if the data read position address and the data insertion position address match, it is determined that the data is not stored in the buffer memory, If not, it can be determined that the data is stored in the buffer memory. Further, in the present embodiment, a specific operation for storing data received via the interface 21 in the buffer memory is not described, but the description is omitted because it does not essentially relate to the realizing method of the present invention. Was.

In step S304, the buffer memory 1
Step S:
Return to 301. In the present embodiment, since a ring buffer structure is used as the buffer memory 191, either the data read position address or the data insert position address is forcibly changed, and the data read position address and the data insert position address are matched. , The data in the buffer memory 191 can be deleted.

By performing a series of operations described above,
When data reception is interrupted by some trouble, unprocessed data can be deleted, and the printing apparatus can be controlled so as not to perform useless operations. [Second Embodiment] In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which when a printing apparatus executes printing processing and operating environment settings based on received data, processing is performed in units of "jobs". The job is a unit for continuously using various operation environments set by executing the printing process and the operation environment setting. That is, the operating environment set for a certain job is used as valid during the job processing. When the job processing is completed, the various operating environments set during the job are cleared, so that each job can be processed independently without affecting other jobs in terms of various operating environments. Examples of these various operating environments include switching between double-sided / single-sided printing, switching between enlarged / reduced printing, and the like. In the present embodiment, a description is given assuming that a data sequence indicating a job start and a job end is defined in advance, and the job start position and the job end position are determined by detecting the specific data sequence in the received data. Perform In the present embodiment, by deleting print data included in an incomplete print job from the buffer memory, a complete print job is printed, and problems caused by processing incomplete print data are prevented.

In this embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the printer 1000 is connected to the host computer 3000 via Ethernet.

The flowchart of FIG. 4 shows that the status of the interface 21 is monitored, and if it is detected that the communication is not normal, the data stored in the buffer memory is checked. Is explained.

First, when the printing apparatus starts operating, the state of the interface 21 is checked in step S401, and the flow advances to step S402.

In step S402, step S401
If the interface 21 is in a normal communicable state based on the state of the interface 21 checked in step S40,
1 and if the interface 21 is not in a normal communication state, the process proceeds to step S403. If the interface 21 continues to be in a normal communicable state, the process proceeds to steps S401 and S401.
The processing of step 402 is continuously performed, and the state of the interface 21 is continuously checked.

In step S403, the buffer memory existing on the RAM 19 is checked. If data is not stored, the process returns to step S401. If data is stored, the process proceeds to step S404. If no data is stored in the buffer memory, step S403
Steps S401 to S are performed without performing further processing.
By performing only the processing up to 403, unnecessary processing need not be performed. In the present embodiment, the ring buffer structure is used as the buffer memory. Therefore, if the data read position address matches the data insertion position address, it can be determined that the data is not stored in the buffer memory, and the match occurs. If not, it can be determined that the data is stored in the buffer memory. Further, in the present embodiment, a specific operation for storing data received via the interface 21 in the buffer memory is not described, but the description is omitted because it does not essentially relate to the realizing method of the present invention. Was.

In step S404, to check whether there is a data string indicating the start of a job in the data stored in the buffer memory, in order from the most recently received data, which part in the ring buffer structure is to be checked. Then, the value of the data insertion position address is entered into the investigation position address storing whether the data is stored, and the process proceeds to step S405.

In step S405, the search position address is returned by one, and the process proceeds to step S406.

In step S406, it is checked whether or not all the data in the buffer memory has been checked. If all the data have been checked, the process proceeds to step S409, and if there is data that has not yet been checked, the process proceeds to step S407.

In step S407, it is checked whether or not there is a data string indicating the start of the job at the survey position address. If there is a data string indicating the start of the job, the process proceeds to step S408;
Return to 0S. Thus, steps S405 to S407
By repeating the processes up to, it is possible to check whether or not there is a data string indicating the start of the job in the buffer memory.

In step S408, since a data string indicating the start of the job is found, the data from the start of the job to the insertion position address in the buffer memory is deleted, and the flow returns to step S401. In the present embodiment, since the ring buffer structure is used as the buffer memory, the purpose is achieved by changing the value of the stored data insertion position address to the value of the address where the data string indicating the start of the job exists. it can.

In step S409, since a data string indicating the start of the job could not be found, all data stored in the buffer memory is deleted and step S401 is executed.
Return to In the present embodiment, since a ring buffer structure is used as the buffer memory, one of the data read position address and the data insert position address is forcibly changed, and the data read position address and the data insert position address are matched. Data in the buffer memory can be deleted.

By performing a series of operations described above,
Processing can be completed normally for received data for which the job has been completed, and processing can be interrupted for received data for which the job is incomplete, resulting in unnecessary print processing. It is possible to avoid setting an incorrect operating environment in the printing apparatus. In addition, these interruption processes can be performed without affecting the normal data for which the job has been completed.

[0040]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or the apparatus.
Or MPU) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) Performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, The case where the CPU of the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By deleting unprocessed data when data reception is interrupted due to some failure, the printing apparatus can be controlled so as not to perform useless operations.

Further, by deleting the received data in which the job is incomplete, the processing can be completed normally for the received data in which the job is completed, and the incomplete job can be completed. Can be interrupted, and as a result, it is possible to avoid performing useless printing processing and setting an incorrect operating environment in the printing apparatus.

[0048]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a first output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of abnormality control performed by the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a procedure of abnormality control by a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 System bus 12 CPU 13 ROM 19 RAM 3000 Host computer 1000 Printer

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A printing device for printing based on received print data, a receiving unit for receiving print data from an external device, a storing unit for storing the received print data, and a normal printing by the receiving unit. A printing apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether data is received; and a deletion unit that deletes print data stored by the storage unit when the determination unit determines that the data is not normal. 2. The receiving unit receives print data from an external device connected via a signal line, and the determining unit determines whether the data is normal based on a signal value on the signal line. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing is performed. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deletion unit deletes all print data stored by the storage unit. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deletion unit deletes print data included in an incomplete print job from the print data stored by the storage unit.
Or the printing device according to 2. 5. A control method of a printing apparatus for printing based on print data received by a receiving unit, the method comprising: storing a received print data in a storage unit; and receiving the print data normally by the receiving unit. And a deletion step of deleting print data stored by the storage means when the determination result indicates that the print data is not normal. 6. The receiving unit receives print data from an external device connected via a signal line, and the determining step determines whether or not the data is normal based on a signal value on the signal line. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the deleting step deletes all print data stored by the storage unit. 8. The printing method according to claim 5, wherein the delete control method deletes print data included in an incomplete print job among print data stored by the storage unit. How to control the device. 9. A computer-readable storage medium for storing a program for controlling a printing apparatus for printing based on received print data, the program comprising: reception code means for receiving print data from an external device; Storage code means for storing the received print data, determination code means for determining whether print data has been normally received by the reception code means, and storage code means for determining that the print data is not normal by the determination code means. And a deletion code means for deleting print data stored by the storage medium. 10. The reception code unit receives print data from an external device connected via a signal line, and the determination code unit determines whether the data is normal based on a signal value on the signal line. 10. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein: 11. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein said deletion code means deletes all print data stored by said storage code means. 12. The storage according to claim 9, wherein the deletion code unit deletes print data included in an incomplete print job among print data stored by the storage code unit. Medium.