JP3499043B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing device used as an output device for a personal computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, due to improvements in the performance of host computers and the performance of interfaces, there has been a demand for higher speed and higher functionality of printers. In particular, electrophotographic printers using a laser diode, an LED array, or the like as a light source have been greatly expanded in their fields of application because of high printing speed and high printing quality.

A printer of this type will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional printing device. As shown in FIG. 11, the printing apparatus 1 is composed of a controller section 3 for processing print data sent from the host computer 2 and a printing section 4 for printing on paper.

Further, the controller section 3 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 5 for processing print data, and a C
A read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) 6 in which a program for operating the PU 5 and font data for printing are stored, interface means 7 for receiving print data from the host computer 2, and temporarily storing the received data. A random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 8 for storing an I / O buffer, image data, etc.
The parallel / serial conversion unit 9 converts the image data stored in the RAM 8 into serial data and outputs the serial data to the printing unit 4.

In the above configuration, I in the RAM 8
The allocation size as the / O buffer is generally determined in consideration of the overall performance of the printing apparatus. Further, the data sent from the host computer 2 is stored in the I / O buffer via the interface means 7, and
It is read by the CPU 5 according to the program in the ROM 9.

[0006]

However, in the conventional printing device as described above, since the allocation size as the I / O buffer is fixed in the RAM 8,
Depending on the amount of print data, the data reception speed, and the usage status of the memory, there is a problem that the performance of the entire apparatus cannot be fully brought out.

The present invention solves the above problems,
Providing a high-performance printing device that can effectively utilize the memory resources in RAM regardless of the amount of print data, data reception speed, and memory usage status, and can bring out the full performance of the device. The purpose is to do.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a printer according to claim 1 of the present invention is allocated from an interface means for communicating with a host computer and a memory resource for storing data, and the interface is provided. and I / O buffer for storing data input through the unit, a memory resource detection means for detecting the usage of the memory resource, in accordance with the detection contents of the memory resource detecting means, as the I / O buffer The size of the allocation of the unused capacity of the memory resource and the I / O
Total allocation size of buffer and the I / O buffer
So that the ratio with the allocation size of
The I / O buffer control means for controlling is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus including an I / F use status detecting means for detecting respective use statuses of a plurality of types of interface means, and the I / O buffer control means according to the first aspect. The interface means that the I / F usage status detecting means determines to be unused is not allocated from the memory resource as an I / O buffer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer according to the first aspect, wherein the I / O buffer control means according to the first aspect is an I / O buffer from a memory resource depending on a data transfer rate from the host computer to the interface means. Configure to control the size of the allocation as.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer according to the first aspect, wherein the primary I / O buffer having a fixed size and a secondary I / O buffer which is an integral multiple of the primary I / O buffer. And the data accumulated in the primary I / O buffer via the interface means to the secondary I / O buffer.
It is configured to transfer to O buffer.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the I / O buffer and the image data are stored depending on the usage status of the memory resources .
Total capacity of memory resources or unused size and I / O buffer
By changing the ratio with the capacity of the
Size, the capacity of the I / O buffer is reset , and the allocation size of the memory resource as an I / O buffer is increased or decreased.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, unused interface means is not allocated from the memory resource as an I / O buffer.
Increase the user's available space within the memory resource to reduce out-of-memory errors.

According to the structure of claim 4, the allocation size as the I / O buffer from the memory resource is controlled according to the data transfer rate performance of the host computer, according to the performance.

According to the structure of claim 6, by providing the primary buffer and the secondary buffer, the controller unit is configured by hardware and the configuration is simplified.

[0016]

Embodiments of the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.
A description will be given with reference to the drawings. The same parts having the same functions as those of the conventional example shown in FIG. 11 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

A printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a printer according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a ROM 6 in which a program for operating the CPU 5 and font data are stored, a memory capacity as a memory resource of a RAM 8 mounted in the controller unit 3 and a memory resource detecting means 6a for detecting the usage status thereof. , An I / O buffer control means 6b for controlling the capacity size of the allocation as the I / O buffer 8a in the RAM 8.

In the above structure, the operation of the I / O buffer control means 6b, which is the main part of this embodiment, will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the initialization processing of the I / O buffer control means 6b when the power is turned on. At step # 1, the capacity N of the RAM 8 mounted on the device is detected by a memory check. In this embodiment, the capacity of the RAM 8 is 2 megabytes (hereinafter referred to as MB) when the standard memory is installed, and is 34 MB when the maximum memory is installed by adding the memory.

Then, in step # 2, the capacity of the I / O buffer 8a is set to be 1/100 of the mounted memory size. Therefore, it becomes 20 kilobytes (hereinafter referred to as KB) when the standard 2 MB is installed, and 340 KB when the 34 MB is installed.

FIG. 3 shows the I / O buffer control means 6
It is a flow chart which shows processing during normal operation of b, and this processing is repeated periodically. When this process is started,
First, in step # 3, the interface means 7 is disabled to temporarily prohibit data reception from the host computer 2, and in step # 4, an unused capacity in the RAM 8 is detected.

Then, this process is put into a rest state and step # 5 is repeated until the data remaining in the I / O buffer 8a is processed. If it is confirmed in step # 5 that the I / O buffer 8a is empty, step # 5
In step 6, the I / O buffer 8a is reset.
The unused capacity M detected in step S1 and the current I / O buffer size are set to 1/10 of the total, and step # 7
Then, the interface means 7 is re-enabled to enable data reception from the host computer 2 again, and the processing is ended.

FIG. 4 shows the I / O buffer control means 6
It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of the memory shortage error of b. Generally, in this type of printer, RA
Since M8 is used to store image data, download fonts, download macros, etc., it is known that a memory shortage error may occur due to insufficient memory capacity depending on the usage situation.

The operation of the I / O buffer control means 6b upon occurrence of a memory shortage error is such that the interface means 7 is disabled in step # 8, and the available capacity of the I / O buffer 8a is required in step # 9. If the free space of the I / O buffer 8a is larger than the required memory size by comparing the memory sizes, in step # 10, I
Release the empty area of the / O buffer 8a, and step # 1
1, the I / O buffer control means 6b is operated until the data remaining in the I / O buffer 8a is processed.
Repeats step # 11.

In step # 11, the I / O buffer 8a
If is confirmed to be empty, in step # 13,
The interface means 7 is enabled again, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if there is no free space in the I / O buffer 8a for the required memory size in step # 9, the memory shortage error is left as it is in step # 12, and the process is terminated.

A printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, the present embodiment will be described by applying it to the case where the interface device 7 has two interfaces (hereinafter referred to as I / F) in the printing apparatus described in the conventional example.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the printing apparatus in the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, a ROM 6 in which programs for operating the CPU 5 and font data are stored
Is a memory resource detecting means 6a for detecting the memory capacity of the RAM 8 mounted in the controller section 3 and its usage, and an I / O buffer control means for controlling the capacity of the receiving I / O buffer in the RAM 8. In addition to 6b,
I / F usage status detection means 6c for detecting the usage status of the interface means 7 is included.

In the above structure, the operation of the I / O buffer control means 6b, which is the main part of this embodiment, will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the initialization processing of the I / O buffer control means 6b and the I / F usage status detection means 6c when the power is turned on. First, in step # 14, the capacity of the RAM 8 mounted on the apparatus is detected by a memory check.
In this embodiment, the capacity N of the RAM 8 is 2 MB in standard time.
It is assumed that the maximum is 34 MB.

Then, in step # 15, each I
For / F, the capacities of the I / O buffers 8a and 8b are set to be 1/200 of the mounted memory size. Therefore,
It becomes 10 KB in standard time and 170 in 34 MB expansion.
It becomes KB.

FIG. 7 shows the I / O buffer control means 6
It is a flow chart which shows processing during normal operation of b, and this processing is repeated periodically. When this process is started,
First, in step # 16, the I / F usage status detecting means 6c
Detects the usage status of each I / F according to whether or not data is taken into the I / O buffer control means 6b through the interface means 7 within a certain time T. When it is detected that there is an unused I / F, the unused I / F is disabled by the interface means 7 in step # 18, and then step # 19.
Then, the I / O buffer corresponding to the unused I / F is reset so that the I / O buffer size becomes 3/5 that when the I / F is used, that is, the size of N × 0.002.

Then, in step # 20, the unused I / F is enabled by the interface means 7 and the process is terminated. On the other hand, in step # 17, the unused I /
If F is detected to be absent, then in step # 21 it is determined whether or not there is an I / F that has changed from the unused state to the used state, and if it is determined to be present, step # 22.
Then, that I / F is disabled, and step # 2
3, I / O buffer 8a or I / O buffer 8b
The I / O buffer control means 6b repeats step # 23 until the data remaining therein is processed.

In step # 23, the I / O buffer 8a
Alternatively, when it is confirmed that the I / O buffer 8b has become empty, in step # 24, the I / O buffer 8a or the I / O buffer 8b is reset and the size of the I / O buffer is set to N × 0. Then, in step # 20, the interface means 7 is enabled, and the process ends. In step # 21, if there is no I / F that has changed from the unused state to the used state, the process ends.

A printing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of the printing apparatus according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 8, the difference from the device described in the first embodiment is that the interface means 7 is provided in the ROM 6.
Transfer rate detecting means 6d for detecting the transfer rate V from the amount of data taken into the primary I / O buffer 8c through
And a secondary I / O buffer 8d having a capacity that is an integral multiple of that of the primary I / O buffer 8c.

In the above structure, the transfer speed detecting means 6d
The operation of the I / O buffer control means 6b will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the initialization processing of the I / O buffer control means 6b and the transfer speed detection means 6d when the power is turned on. First, in step # 25, the R mounted on the device
The capacity of AM8 is detected by a memory check. In this embodiment, the capacity N of the RAM 8 is 2 MB in the standard time and 34 MB in the maximum time.

Then, in step # 26, the size of the primary I / O buffer 8c is set to 10 KB, and the capacity of the secondary I / O buffer 8d is set to 1/100 of the mounted memory size. Therefore, the capacity of the secondary I / O buffer 8d is 20 KB in standard time, and is 3 KB in 34 KB expansion.
It will be 40 KB.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the processing during normal operation of the I / O buffer control means 6b and the transfer speed detection means 6d, and this processing is periodically repeated. When this process is started, first in step # 27,
The transfer rate detecting means 6d sends the I / O buffer control means 6b through the interface means 7 a predetermined time T.
The data transfer rate V from the host computer is calculated from the amount of data taken in. Then step #
At 28, the buffer capacity corresponding to the transfer speed V is determined from Table 1, and it is determined at step # 29 whether or not the buffer capacity is different from the previous time. Then, the interface means 7 is disabled, and the I / O buffer control means 6b repeats step # 31 until the data remaining in the secondary I / O buffer 8d is processed.

When it is confirmed in step # 31 that the secondary I / O buffer 8d is empty, step # 32
To reset the secondary I / O buffer 8d.
The size of the buffer 8d is set to the buffer capacity determined from Table 1, then the interface means 7 is enabled, and the process is ended.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step # 29 that the buffer capacities are the same, the process is terminated.
The operation of the interface means 7 requests the CPU 5 to release the bus when receiving the received data, outputs the data on the bus when the data is received, and outputs the primary I / O in the RAM 8.
Data is written in the O buffer 8c. The primary I / O buffer 8c has a ring buffer configuration, and when the ring buffer approaches full, the I / O buffer control means 6b transfers the data in the primary I / O buffer 8c to the secondary I / O buffer 8d. The interface means 7 is instructed to transfer to the I / F.
Is disabled and the data in the primary I / O buffer 8c is transferred to the secondary I / O buffer 8d.

When the transfer is completed, the interface means 7
Re-enables the I / F and the primary I / O buffer 8
Start importing data to c. By the operations of the first, second and third embodiments described above, the memory resources can be effectively used regardless of the amount of print data, the data receiving speed, and the use status of the memory, and the performance of the entire apparatus can be improved. Can be fully pulled out.

As a result, it is possible to realize a high-performance printing apparatus with higher performance and lower cost.

[0041]

[Table 1]

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, the I / O buffer and the image data can be changed depending on the usage status of the memory resources.
The total capacity or unused size of memory resources for storing data
By changing the ratio with the capacity of the I / O buffer
Reset the I / O buffer capacity along with the unused size.
Constant, and it is possible to increase or decrease the allocation size of the I / O buffer from the memory resources.

Further, it is possible not to allocate the I / O buffer from the memory resource to the unused interface means, and the area usable by the user in the memory resource is correspondingly allocated. Increasing,
Out-of-memory errors can be reduced.

Further, according to the data transfer rate performance of the host computer, the allocation size as the I / O buffer from the memory resource can be controlled according to the performance.

Further, by providing the primary buffer and the secondary buffer, the controller section can be configured by hardware and the configuration can be simplified. As described above, the memory resources can be effectively used regardless of the amount of print data, the data reception speed, and the memory usage status, and the performance of the entire apparatus can be sufficiently brought out.

As a result, it is possible to realize a high-performance printing apparatus of higher performance and lower cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of initialization of I / O buffer control means of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a normal operation of the I / O buffer control means of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the I / O buffer control means of the embodiment when an error occurs.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for initializing the I / O buffer control means of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the I / O buffer control means of the same embodiment when normal.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for initializing the I / O buffer control means of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the I / O buffer control means of the embodiment when it is normal.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a conventional printing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

7 Interface means 6a Memory resource detection means 6b I / O buffer control means 6c I / F usage status detection means 6d Transfer speed detection means 8a I / O buffer 8c Primary I / O buffer 8d Secondary I / O buffer

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-6-305204 (JP, A) JP-A-4-361348 (JP, A) JP-A-4-364556 (JP, A) JP-A-2-30557 (JP , A) JP-A-2-224191 (JP, A) JP-A-4-29863 (JP, A) JP-A-5-278273 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB) Name) G06F 3/12 G06F 13/10 330

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An interface means for communicating with a host computer, an I / O buffer allocated from memory resources for storing data, and accumulating data input via the interface means, and a usage status of the memory resources. and memory resources detection means for detecting, in response to detecting the content of the memory resource detecting means, the I /
The size of the allocation as O buffer is
Allocation of unused resource capacity and I / O buffer
Total size and I / O buffer allocation size
And a I / O buffer control unit for controlling the ratio so that the ratio of the ratio and the ratio becomes a predetermined ratio . 2. The printer according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of types of interface means. 3. An I / F usage status detecting means for detecting a usage status of the interface means, wherein the I / O buffer control means is provided for the interface means which the I / F usage status detecting means determines to be unused. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the printer is configured not to be allocated as an I / O buffer from a memory resource. 4. The I / O buffer control means is configured to control the size of allocation as an I / O buffer from memory resources according to the transfer rate of data from the host computer to the interface means. The printing device described in 1. 5. The I / O buffer control means is configured to physically secure the size of the allocation from the memory resource of the arbitrary I / O buffer, and the arbitrary I / O buffer is provided from the interface means. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein data is sequentially stored. 6. The I / O buffer is a fixed size primary I
/ O buffer and a secondary I / O buffer that is an integral multiple of the primary I / O buffer, and stores the data accumulated in the primary I / O buffer via the interface means in the secondary I / O buffer. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing is performed.