JPS61185470A - Perfection printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain high-speed perfection printing system in which control data of which input data to be stored into page buffer are divided into even- number pages or odd-number pages. CONSTITUTION:The region of in out data buffer 21 is controlled by a buffer control table 21a. Pages formed by a page buffer control map 22a are rearranged for each odd-number pages by an odd-number page control map (OPM control map) 23. A control table 23a controls the map 23, and an even-number page control map (EPM control map) 24 rearranges pages formed by the map 22a for each even-number page. A control table 24a controls the map 24. Input data written in the page buffer 22 in reference to the control data are orderly transmitted to an image forming section synchronously with a recording paper delaying means alternately in terms of even and odd numbers or non- synchronously. Perfection printing system capable of hihg-speed printing can thus be obtained.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] □ '-, ゛r (Industrial Application Field) This invention is a double-sided printing method that controls the printing timing of a recording device that prints on both sides of the recording paper by reversing the recording paper. It is related to the method.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, printing devices were mainly capable of single-sided printing, so it was only necessary to consider the timing of the connection between the paper feed section, transfer section, and paper ejection section, and the timing of conveyance of the recording paper from the start of paper feeding to the start of transfer. This was done by controlling the starting point of a series of movements. Furthermore, even with printing devices capable of double-sided printing, only the front page of previously created pages is printed at first, and then the remaining back pages are printed continuously.

In this way, in a recording device that prints on both sides or on one side, images are printed according to a certain algorithm.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram explaining conventional double-sided printing control.
a) is input data input from an external device, and (b) is print data for printing, odd pages 1, 3, and 5.
, 7.9 followed by even pages 2.4, 6, 8. A page such as to page is specified. (C) shows the input data of each page stored in the page buffer memory. Note that t and -t3 indicate each timing.

At timing to, 10 pages of human data have already been stored in the page buffer, and timing 1. At this point, the page data from the 17th page onward is being input, and the page data from the 17th page onwards are stored in the page buffer in sequence. At timing t2, when the page data of the 20th page is stored in the page buffer, print data (b) is designated sequentially from odd-numbered pages.

In this way, the actual printing of 11 pages starts not at timing t1, but at timing t2, during which time (1+
~t2) Printing is on standby. Such a sequence is repeated one after another.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

Conventional marking devices are controlled as described above, so it takes a considerable amount of time to configure input print data page by page and send one page of configured image data to the printer. 1, which is capable of high-speed printing.
For example, in laser printers and the like, there have been problems such as an increase in printing standby time and a significant reduction in throughput. Furthermore, if the storage capacity of a page buffer that stores image data on a page-by-page basis is small, the single-sided printing sequence becomes complicated, resulting in a similar reduction in throughput.

This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a double-sided printing method that can greatly improve throughput by composing input data into pages and transferring them to a printer with minimal waiting time. purpose.

[Means for solving problems]

The double-sided printing method according to the present invention creates management data in which the input data stored in the page buffer is divided into even or odd pages in parallel with writing input data into the page buffer, and also creates management data in which the input data stored in the page buffer is divided into even or odd pages. Accordingly, the input data written in the page buffer is transferred to the image forming section while being synchronized with the recording paper retention means in an even/odd alternating manner or asynchronously. Create management data that divides data into even or odd pages, and refer to this management data to sequentially input data written to the page buffer alternately or asynchronously while synchronizing with the paper retention stages. The image is transferred to the image forming section.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a double-sided printing device showing an embodiment of the present invention, and numeral 1 indicates a top paper feed shutter to stop the top recording paper being fed. 2 is a paper feed switching claw that switches the direction of the recording paper being fed. 3 stops the lower recording paper fed by the lower paper feed shutter. 4 is a paper feed guide roller, 5
is a transfer body that is exposed to image signals from an optical system. Reference numeral 6 denotes an upper surface conveyance path which conveys the transferred recording paper to a fixing device 7. Reference numeral 8 denotes a paper ejection switching claw that controls the ejection of recording paper according to double-sided or single-sided copying. A guide roller 9 guides the recording paper on which one-sided copying has been completed to the intermediate tray 1o. The guide roller 9 is equipped with an input sensor 9 that detects the passage of recording paper.
A is provided. Reference numeral 11 denotes an intermediate tray paper feed shutter, which controls the feeding of recording paper (single-sided copy completion method) fed from the intermediate tray 10. The intermediate tray paper feed shutter is provided with an output sensor 10a that detects passage of recording paper. 12 is the paper feed roller.

Feed the recording paper. Reference numeral 13 denotes intermediate conveyance path shutters, which are provided in plural along the conveyance path, and each intermediate conveyance path shutter 13
A sensor 13a for detecting the passage of recording paper is provided at.

Next, the double-sided printing sequence will be explained.

The recording paper that has been fed up to the top paper feed shutter 1 is as follows.

At the same time as the top paper feed shutter 1 is opened, the paper is conveyed to the transfer member 5 through the paper feed guide rollers 4.

□Next, the toner image is transferred onto the recording paper by the transfer body 5 in synchronization with the operation timing of the top paper feed shutter 1. The transferred recording paper passes through a conveyance path 6, and the toner image is fixed by a fixing device 7. The recording paper that has been fixed passes through a guide roller 9 in accordance with the designation of a paper ejection claw 8 that is interlocked with the paper feed switching claw 2.

It is accommodated in the intermediate tray 10. The recording paper that has been continuously conveyed to the intermediate tray 10 temporarily stops its operation.Next, the recording paper activated by the intermediate tray paper feed shutter 11 passes through the paper feed roller 12 and is moved to the bottom paper feed shutter 3. (closed in conjunction with any intermediate transport path shutter 13). When the bottom paper feed shutter 3 is opened, the toner image formed on the transfer body 5 passes through the paper feed guide roller 4 and remains on the recording paper in synchronization with the bottom paper feed shutter 3 according to the specification of the paper feed switching wind 2. The toner image is transferred to the front side, the recording paper is conveyed through the L side conveyance path 6, the toner image is fixed in the fixing device 7 in the same manner as described above, and the toner image is designated to the paper discharge switching claw 8 which is linked to the paper feed switching wind 2 after the double-sided transfer has been completed. and the paper is ejected. Note that at normal timing, recording sheets on which single-sided or double-sided copies have been made are alternately conveyed on the conveyance path.

□゛ Fig. 2 is a control block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, 21 is an input data buffer, and online/
Data read via an offline input device is stored. A buffer management table 21a manages the area of the input data buffer 21. A page buffer 22 stores the analyzed data page by page after analyzing the input data. 22a is a page buffer management map.

Information necessary for printing is stored in one-to-one correspondence with the page buffer 22. 22b is a page buffer management map (
PBM management table) to manage the page creation area.

23 is an odd page management map (OPM management map),
The pages created in the page buffer management map 22a are rearranged into odd-numbered pages. 23a is the OPM management table.

Manages the OPM management map 23. , 24 is an even-numbered page management map (EPM management map), which rearranges the pages created in the page buffer management map 22a into even-numbered pages. 24a is an EPM management table that manages the EPM management map 24.

Reference numeral 25 denotes an intermediate tray number counter for counting the number of sheets accommodated in the intermediate tray 10. 26 is a front print counter, 2
7 is a back print counter.

Next, the input data buffer 21 and buffer management table 21a shown in FIG. 2 will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of the input data buffer 21 and buffer management table 21a shown in FIG. Total capacity information 32. Vacant position information 33° Processing position information 34. Read capacity information 35. Consists of free capacity information 36, head position information 31 and total capacity information 32 are fixed information, and each information 33 to
36 is set at an initial value and then dynamically changes.

At the initialization stage, empty position information 33 and processing position information 3
The head position information 31 is set to 4, and the read capacity information 3
5 and free capacity information 36, rQJ and total capacity information 32 are set, respectively.

At the reading processing stage, empty position information 33. The read capacity information and free capacity information 36 are updated.

In the analysis processing stage, processing position information 34 and read capacity information 35 are sequentially updated.

Note that when the empty position information 33 reaches the bottom end of the input data buffer 21, it is initialized when the read capacity information 35 becomes "0".

Next, while referring to FIG. 4, the page buff 7 shown in FIG.
722, PBM management table 22a, and PBM management table 22b will be explained.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the page buffer 22° PBM management map 22a and PBM management table 22b shown in FIG. Processing position information 42, empty position information 43. It is composed of total number information 441 and creation number information 45. The page buffer management map 22a stores print data and page addresses regarding page-by-page data input to the page buffer 22. Note that the head position information 41 and the creation number information 45 are fixed information, and each information 42 to 44 changes dynamically after initialization is completed.

At the initialization stage, processing position information 42. Head position information 41 and total number information 44 are set for empty position information 43 and creation number information 45, respectively.

At the page creation processing stage, the page buffer 22 contains the following information:
For example, page information PI and P2 are created, page information PI and P7 are set in the empty position information 43 shown in the 18M management table 22b, and the number-of-one creation information 45 is updated.

Although the page information PI and P2 in page creation are numerical values, the page boundaries on the page buffer 22 have a maximum amount, and correspond one to one with the page buffer management map 22a. Although this is undesirable for capacity efficiency, it speeds up the page creation process since it does not perform that space management.

Next, while referring to Figure 5, create a page buffer management map 2.
2a and OPM and EPM management map 23.24 and OP
The M and EPM management tables 23a and 24a will be explained.

Figure 5 shows the page buffer management map shown in Figure 2.
This is a configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of a PM and EPM management map and an OPM and EPM management table, in which OPM and EPM management tables 23a and 24a each have leading position information 51° processing position information 52. Vacant position information 53. It is composed of total number information 54 and created number information 55, and control data such as pointers are set in the OPM and EPM management maps 23 and 24 according to each piece of information. Each pointer points to the page buffer management map 22a.

When page creation is completed in the page buffer 22 and registered in the page buffer management map 22a, it is determined whether the page is an odd numbered page or an even numbered page, and the corresponding OPM and EPM management maps 23, 24 are determined.
will be registered.

At the initialization stage, the head position information 51 is replaced by the processing position information 52.
．． The empty position information 53 is set, and the creation number information 55 is “0.”
As pages are created, the OPM and EPM management maps 23 and 24 are updated, but the correspondence with the page buffer management map 22a is unique.

Next, the double-sided printing system according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating created page management. Note that (1) to (13) represent each step.

The input data is reduced to one page's worth of data, the processing position information 34 in the buffer management table 21a is advanced, and the data is analyzed while reducing the read capacity information 35 l)1
Next, it is determined whether the analysis of one page's worth of human data has been completed in the page buffer 22 (2). If this determination is NO, the process returns to step (1), and if YES, the 18M management table 22b total number information 44 and creation number information 45 3), page buffer management MAP2
2a is empty (4), if No, waits for processing (5); if YES, the page buffer management map 22a specified by the empty position information 43 of the 18M management table 22b is The print information is set in the map, and the page data is transferred to the area of the page buffer 22 specified by the set page and address (6).

Next, the empty position information 43 and creation number information 45 of the 18M management table 22b are updated (7), and it is then determined whether the created page is an even page (8).
If No, empty position information 5 of the EPM management table 24a
Set the address of the EPM management map in the area of the EPM management map 24 indicated in step 39), advance the empty position information 53 of the EPM management table 24a by one, and advance the creation number information 55 by one (10), On the other hand, step (
If the judgment in 8) is YES, OPM management table 23
OPM management map 23 indicated by vacant position information 53 of a
Enter the address of the OPM management map in the area of )L, (1
1), set the empty position information 53 of the OPM management table 23a to 1
At the same time, advance the number of creation information 55 by one (12
), then 1 to determine whether the input data is finished.
3) If YES, the control ends; if NO, the process returns to step (1) and repeats steps (1) to (13).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating page management after printing. Note that (1) and (2) indicate each step.

The flow shown in FIG. 7 starts when the recording paper passes the paper discharge switching claw 8 shown in FIG. 1, and when the passage of paper discharge is detected, the processing position information 42 in the PBM management table 22b is advanced by two At the same time, the number of creations 45 is reduced by 2 (1
)0 then OPM and EPM management table 23a,
The processing position information 52 on 23b advances by one, and the creation number information 55 decreases by one (2), thereby freeing the page data.

Next, the double-sided printing control operation will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating double-sided printing on the recording paper stopped by the top paper feed shutter 1 shown in FIG. (1) to (7) indicate each step.

When a print command is given to the recording paper that has been stopped by the top paper feed shutter 1 shown in FIG.
), it is determined whether it is double-sided printing (3), and if No, the paper ejection switching paper 8 is unconditionally set upward, the transferred recording paper is ejected, and the control is terminated (0° On the other hand, if the determination in step (3) is YES, it is further determined whether the printing mode is double-sided mode (5) 0Double-sided mode means that recording paper that has been printed on one side (front side) This is a mode in which the recording paper on which front side printing is to be performed is conveyed alternately.If the judgment in step (5) is NO, the paper ejection switching paper 8 is unconditionally set face down, and the intermediate tray 10 is The control is ended by conveying the recording paper to step (6).
), if the answer is YES, the paper ejection switching paper 8 that is linked to the top paper feed shutter 1 is set downward at a predetermined timing, and the recording paper that has been printed on one side is conveyed to the intermediate tray 10 for control. (7).

Next, referring to FIG. 9, back side printing control during double-sided printing will be explained.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating back side printing control during double-sided printing. Note that (1) to (5) indicate each step.

The paper feed switching wind 2 is set downward (1), the bottom paper feed shutter 3 is opened, and the recording paper on which one-sided printing has been completed is fed (2).0 Next, the intermediate shutter flag of the intermediate conveyance path shutter 13 is set. OFF, all intermediate conveyance path shutters 13 are opened for the time required for one sheet of recording paper to pass (3), the intermediate shutter flag is set to OFF (4), and the intermediate conveyance path shutters 13 to which the intermediate shutter flag is set are opened (3). 13 is closed. Next, when the feeding of the recording paper is completed, after a certain delay, the paper discharge switching sheet 8 is turned upward and the recording paper on which double-sided printing has been printed is discharged (5).

Next, the intermediate tray management control operation will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 10(a) to 10(C).

In addition, (1) to (4), (11), (21
) to (24) indicate each step, respectively.

The flow shown in FIG. 10(a) is based on the input sensor 9a.
When the recording paper passes through, "1" is added to the intermediate tray counter 25 shown in Fig. 2 (1) to determine whether the printing mode is double-sided mode or not, and if NO, the control is terminated. , If YES, the paper feed flag for the intermediate tray 10 is 1, that is, it is determined whether there is enough room in the conveyance path.3) If NO, the control is terminated, and if YES, the intermediate tray paper feed is performed. Open the shutter 11 and feed the recording paper (4). When the recording paper is fed, the output sensor 11a is energized, the flow shown in FIG. 10(b) starts, and the intermediate tray counter 25 "1" is subtracted (11), and then, when the recording paper passes through the intermediate tray shutter 13 near the intermediate tray 10, the sensor 13a is energized, and the flow shown in FIG. 10(C) starts.
First, at the time of energization, it is determined whether the previous sensor 13a was energized or not (21). If NO, the control is ended, and if YES, the intermediate tray shutter 13 corresponding to the sensor 13a that was energized at the later stage is closed (21). 22). Then,
It is determined whether the energized sensor 13a is the one closest to the bottom paper feed shutter 323),
If so, the control is terminated, and if YES, the intermediate tray paper feed flag is set to prevent double feeding of recording sheets, and the control is terminated (24).

Next, the double-sided printing control operation will be explained with reference to FIGS. 11(&) and (b).

1 FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) are flowcharts illustrating a double-sided printing control operation showing an embodiment of the present invention.

(1) to (17) indicate each step. Note that this double-sided printing device is of a type that can print on 10 sheets of recording paper at one time.

When the operator sets the duplex printing mode from the operation board (not shown), a duplex control command is issued, and each table 2
+a, 22b, 23a, 24a are initialized (
1), the single-sided mode flag serving as a system flag is turned on, and the duplex mode flag is turned off (2). Next, subtract “10” from the front print counter 26 and set it to 3.
), it is determined whether the value is positive or not (4). If No, proceed to step (11); if YES, the one-sided mode flag is turned on and the one-sided mode flag is turned off (5). Next, it is determined whether the paper feed switching claw 2 is facing downward 8). If NO, proceed to step (11); if YES, it is determined whether the number of back pages to be created is rQJ 7); if NO, it is determined whether or not ,Furthermore, wait to prepare the back side m88), After the preparation is completed, execute H side paper feeding and printing9), 'rlJ to the 23 side print counter 27.
is added and the process returns to step (3) (10). On the other hand, if the determination in step (7) is YES, check whether the number of front page creation is rQJ, that is, whether the previous printing has been completed and the recording paper has reached the top paper feed shutter 2. 11) If NO, wait for front side printing preparation 12). After the preparation is completed, front side paper feeding and printing is executed (13). Then, "
1" and return to step (3). On the other hand, if the determination in step (11) is YES, it is determined whether the input data is finished (15), if NO, it is determined whether the duplex mode flag is on (16), and if No, step If YES to (11), step (7)
Return to On the other hand, if the determination in step (15) is YES, it is further determined whether the number of back pages created is "0" (17), and if NO, the process returns to step (8).
If YES, the control ends.

First, referring to FIG. 12, the page data creation operation according to the present invention will be explained.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the page data creation operation according to the present invention, and the same parts as in FIG. 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As can be seen from this figure, by executing the flow shown in FIG. 11, the printing surface is determined by the odd numbered pages and the presence or absence of paper in the intermediate tray 10, regardless of whether the front or back sides are alternately printed, so there is a waiting time between timing tl and timing t2. Therefore, at timing t2, for example, the 19th print data can be transferred to the printer.

In the above embodiments, an electrophotographic double-sided printing device has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to thermal, thermal transfer, inkjet, and other printing devices.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in parallel with writing input data to a page buffer, the present invention creates management data in which the input data stored in the page buffer is divided into even pages or odd pages, and The input data written to the page buffer □ is
Since the data is transferred to the image forming unit while being synchronized with the recording paper retention means in an odd alternating or asynchronous manner, input data can be written to and read from the page buffer in parallel, and even if input processing is delayed, optimization processing can be performed. can be executed, which has the advantage of greatly improving the overall throughput.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a double-sided printing device showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a control block diagram showing an embodiment of the invention, and Figs. 3 to 5 are explanations of the operation of Fig. 2. Figures, Figures 6 to 1
1(a) and (b) are flowcharts explaining the double-sided printing method of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram explaining the page data creation operation of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a flow chart explaining the conventional double-sided printing control. It is a schematic diagram for explaining. In the figure, 1 is a hill paper feed shutter, 2 is a paper feed switching claw, 3 is a bottom paper feed shutter, 4 is a paper feed guide roller, 5 is a transfer body,
6 is a top conveyance path, and 7 is a fixing device. 8 is a paper discharge switching claw, 9 is a guide roller, 9a is an input sensor, 1o is an intermediate tray, 11 is an intermediate tray paper feed shutter, +1a is an output sensor, 12 is a paper feed roller, 13 is an intermediate conveyance path counter, 13a is a sensor, 21 is an input data buffer, 21a is a buffer management table,
22 is a page buffer, 22a is a hesi puffer management map, 22b is a page buffer management table, 23 is a note number page management map, 23a is an OPM management table, 2
4 is an even page management map, 24a is an EPM management table, 25 is an intermediate tray counter, 26 is a front print counter, and 27 is a back print counter. [1”l J +1 Fig. 1 - To the season - Fig. 3 Batsufa w Physician category - Tabasofa Zla
21 Gu Mari N Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a double-sided printing device having a recording paper retention means for retaining conveyed recording paper and a page buffer that configures input data on a page-by-page basis, the input data is stored in the page buffer in parallel with writing input data to the page buffer. Management data is created by dividing input data into even-numbered pages or odd-numbered pages, and according to this management data, the input data written to the page buffer is synchronized with the recording paper retention means in an even/odd alternating manner or asynchronously. This double-sided printing method is characterized in that the image is transferred to the image forming section while being transferred.