JPH0574855B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a control device used in a device that performs printing based on a print request file input from a network or the like. The present invention relates to a control device that selectively changes and controls how to use the memory according to the print request file when sending a video to a printer and printing it through writing/reading from the memory.

[Prior art]

Conventionally, a print request file input via a network or other input terminal using an appropriate protocol is expressed using fonts and graphics owned by the device, and is output to a scan-type electrophotographic printer used as a printing machine for printing. There is something like this.

To print, first, if a print request from a printer user is accepted, the print request file is processed under the control of the processor.
The data is temporarily stored in an external storage device, such as a magnetic disk device, in which font bitmaps, print control software, etc. are stored. Since this print request file has information indicating which type of font or graphics should be printed at which position on the print paper, the video data is sent to the printer and printed in accordance with this information.

When obtaining a print based on the print request file input in this way, this printer device has a constant speed for writing/reading video (from buffer memory, etc.) due to the nature of the printer, but the speed of writing/reading video (from buffer memory, etc.) is constant; Some of these may include complex figures, figures that require appropriate arithmetic processing, many types of fonts, and fonts that require modification/editing. If the video data cannot be read in time to be written, part of the image will be lost.

Conventionally, in such a case, the printer user would request printing again by re-creating the created image or gradually reducing the complicated parts of the image.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

This invention is an attempt to solve the problem that in order to ensure that no image is missing, it is necessary to re-create the image created in this way and issue a print request again.

[Means and actions for solving problems]

The invention as set forth in claim 1 of the present invention provides a printer control device that outputs video data created based on a print request file supplied from the outside to a printer, wherein the video data created based on the print request file is a first video data writing/output means for writing into a part of a buffer memory which also serves as a memory for a printer control program, and reading from the buffer memory and sending it to the printer; and a predetermined amount of the video data to be printed to the buffer memory. a second video data write/output means that sends the data to the printer after writing; and whether video data is missing when the video data is output to the printer by the first video data write/output means. a determining means for determining whether the first video data writing/outputting means is to write or output the video data; and a selection means for selecting an input output means.

Further, the invention as set forth in claim 2 of the present invention provides a printer control device that outputs video data created based on a print request file supplied from the outside to a printer, wherein the video data created based on the print request file supplied from the outside is provided. a first video data writing/output means for writing data into a part of a buffer memory which also serves as a memory for a program for controlling the printer, and reading the data from the buffer memory and sending it to the printer; and a predetermined amount of the video data to be printed. When the video data is output to the printer by the second video data write/output means which sends the data to the printer after writing it to the buffer memory, and the first video data write/output means, video data is missing. a determining means for determining whether or not a second video data selecting means for selecting a data writing/outputting means; and when the second video data writing/outputting means is selected by the selecting means, the second video data writing/outputting means is selected, leaving a memory capacity necessary for controlling the operation of the printer. and memory capacity securing means for performing processing to secure the memory capacity necessary for the operation of the data write/output means in the buffer memory.

According to the above configuration, since the printing method can be selectively changed according to the print request file, there is no loss of images during printing even when printing is complicated, and the printing method can be changed as required by the conventional method. This eliminates the need for work such as recreating an image and issuing a print request again, and furthermore, the deterioration in performance can be minimized.

Further, according to the present invention, normally, video data to be printed based on a print request file supplied from the outside is written to a part of the buffer memory that also serves as memory for a program for controlling the printer, and read from the buffer memory. Since the printer can be controlled based on the first video data writing/outputting means sent to the printer side, the printer control program using the first video data writing/outputting means is necessary. Since only a part of the buffer memory that also serves as memory can be used, the other part of the buffer memory can be used to control the printer's operation, allowing efficient printer control and high-speed printing.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, if it is determined that data is missing under the control by the first video data write/output means based on the contents of the print request file, the second video data write/output is performed. By means of this means, it is possible to write and output video data to be printed by making maximum use of the capacity of the buffer memory, and it is possible to reliably print data even with complicated contents.

Further, according to the invention set forth in claim 2 of the present invention, when the second video data writing/outputting means is selected by the selection means, a memory capacity necessary for controlling the operation of the printer is left. Since the printer is configured to include memory capacity securing means for performing processing to secure the memory capacity necessary for the operation of the second video data writing/outputting means in the buffer memory, there is no problem in the operation of the printer. Therefore, the memory capacity of the buffer memory can be used as effectively as possible without causing any problems.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an example in which a scan type electrophotographic printer is shared by a plurality of workstations on a network.

In the figure, 1 is the network through which the print request file from the workstation is sent, 2 is the lead-in line (cable), and 3 is the processor that constitutes the control section. In the illustrated embodiment, a magnetic disk device 4 as an external storage device is connected, as well as a scan type electrophotographic printer 5 and a monitor display 6.

The magnetic disk device 4 stores printable fonts, graphics, print control software, etc., and print request files sent through the network 1 are also sent via the drop-in line 2 and the processor 3. and is temporarily stored in this magnetic disk device 4. As described above, the case shown in FIG. 1 is equipped with a magnetic disk device 4 for storing several types of font bitmaps and print request files from the network 1.

The above-mentioned print request file includes information such as paper size, requester's name, date and time of creation, etc., as well as information such as which type of font or graphics should be printed on which position on the paper. After being stored in the magnetic disk device 4, the data is taken out when printing is performed by the printer 5 used as a printing machine.

In addition to storing and retrieving print request files into and from the magnetic disk device 4, the processor 3 also performs various controls such as monitoring the status of the printer 5 and operating a monitor operator interface, as shown in FIG. Before printing a requested file, its complexity is measured and control is performed to select a printing method by changing memory usage based on a certain standard. That is, when the print request file inputted from the network 1 using an appropriate protocol is expressed using fonts and graphics and output to the printer 5, the content of the print request file is investigated before starting up the printer 5, and its content is Selectively change printing methods depending on complexity.

The method selected according to the result of examining the print request file performed before starting the printer 5 determines how to use the memory when sending video data to the printer 5 via memory writing/reading. There are two types:

One method is to set up an appropriate buffer area in the RAM area of the processor 3, start the printer 5, send video data from the buffer at a constant speed, and write new video data into the buffer area (partially This is called the Batsuhua method. This is selected if the print request file is less complex than a certain criterion.

The other method is selected when the print request file is more complex than a certain standard, and it is selected by securing a large video data area for one page in the RAM area of the processor 3 and temporarily printing all page images. The video data is written there, and then the printer 5 is activated and the video data is continuously sent directly from the RAM to the printer 5 (full buffer method).

In this way, the processor 3 has the function of performing various controls according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the processor 3 converts the video data created based on the print request file into a printer control program, as described in the fourth step of the flowchart in FIG. It has a function as a first video data writing/output means for writing into a part of the buffer memory which also serves as the memory of the first video data and reading the data from the buffer memory and sending it to the printer side.

In addition, the processor 3 writes a predetermined amount of video data to be printed into the buffer memory, and then writes the video data to the buffer memory, as described in the fourth step in the flowchart of FIG. It also has a function as a second video data writing/output means for sending data to the printer side.

Further, the processor 3 writes the video data using the first video data writing/output means, as described in the second step in the flowchart of FIG. It has a function as a determining means for determining whether or not video data will be missing when output to a printer.

Furthermore, the processor 3 compares the allowable time S≦execution time, as stated in the third step in the flowchart of FIG. Selection means for selecting a second video data writing/outputting means when it is determined by the judgment means that a dropout of video data occurs in the writing/outputting of video data by the first video data writing/outputting means; It has the function of

Further, the processor 3 selects the second video data write output by the selection means, as described in the fifth step in the flowchart of FIG. When the means is selected, processing is performed to secure the memory capacity necessary for the operation of the second video data writing/output means in the buffer memory while leaving the memory capacity necessary for controlling the operation of the printer. It functions as a memory capacity securing means.

The monitor display 6 requests operator intervention in the event of a series of operational failures, including the reception and storage of print request files as described above, such as a full disk or a paper jam occurring in the printer 5. or change the paper size of the printer 5, the list of stored print request files,
Used for tasks such as changing and adding to the list of stored fonts.

Next, the operation will be further described with reference to FIG. 3, which shows an image of the preliminary scan of the print request file, and FIG. 4, which shows a state in which characters are written on the buffer.

A print request is sent from a workstation on the network 1, and when the request is accepted, the print request file input from the network 1 is temporarily stored in the magnetic disk device 4 via the drop-in line 2 under the control of the processor 3.

The stored print request file is retrieved for printing, and based on the print request file, video data is sent to the printer 5 and printed. Such processing is performed.

In other words, if it is retrieved as described above, the print request file contains information such as the size of the print paper, as well as information about which type of font and graphics should be printed at which position on the paper. , this latter information is examined before printing to select a printing method. This investigation performed on the print request file is performed when using the method described above when sending video data to the printer 5 using a predetermined area of the RAM area in the processor 3 as a video data buffer. The purpose is to judge whether or not a omission occurs, and it is done as follows.

First, the methods described above use the RAM area in the processor 3 as a video data buffer, but on the other hand, the processor 3 of the printer control device receives prints from the network 1, etc. in this RAM area. From the standpoint of being able to operate efficiently without stopping other tasks, such as monitoring the status of the printer 5, managing the contents of the magnetic disk, and communicating with the operator using the monitor display 6, the required boundaries are It needs to be assigned to that software operation. In other words, if the boundaries are not sufficient,
Swapping occurs frequently between the magnetic disk device 5 and the RAM, which significantly reduces the efficiency of other tasks. Therefore, it is desirable to allocate a certain amount of space to software operations.

Therefore, from this point of view, when using part of the RAM area for video data buffer,
For example, if two boundaries for n lines are allocated as a video data buffer, in this case, if an image is generated corresponding to the transfer time of this buffer, the amount of time needed to send the video data to the printer 5 is Therefore, even if you use a method of writing new video data while sending video from the buffer at a constant speed, there will be no loss of the image being printed, but if the image being written to the buffer is complex and the transfer time exceeds this , image loss will occur.

The above-mentioned investigation is performed to determine whether or not such image deletion occurs. That is, when a print request file is taken out, the specified paper size L is assumed for the print request file, and a pseudo scan is performed on the memory with a width d corresponding to n lines (Figure 3). , calculates whether there is an instruction in the n lines that would exceed the transfer time of the n line buffer.

For example, 1 line scanning time = 1m sec, n = 48
If it is a line, the buffer transfer time is 1×48 m sec (=S), and this is the allowable time to determine whether there is any image loss or not. Then, if the time to write one font for the width of this buffer is 300 μsec (the fourth
(Figure), if there is a part where more than 160 fonts are written, part of the image in that part will be missing. Note that when n=48, if the resolution is 12 lines/mm as described later, the size is 48/12 = 4 mm, which is 8 points. In addition, in the above, the operation of writing on the font was the subject of judgment, but in reality, in addition to the time to simply write the font, the judgment is made on a circle, an arbitrary curve, a straight line with an arbitrary angle, a specified shaded pattern, etc. Including the time spent on font changes, editing, etc., the entire area of the print paper is checked to see if this exceeds the allowable time, which is 48 m sec in this example, and the allowable time and execution time are compared.

In this way, the print request file is examined before printing, and it is determined whether or not an image is missing.

If 48 m sec is not exceeded at all locations, the above method is selected; otherwise, the above method is selected.

In the former case, in this example, two 48-line boundaries are allocated as video data buffers, so the two 48-line buffers alternately and continuously transfer video data at a constant video rate requested by the printer 5. is sent to the printer 5 for printing. In this case, continuous page printing is possible, there is no image loss, and only two 48-line boundaries are allocated as video data buffers, so the RAM area in processor 3 is free of software for other jobs. The desired boundaries for wear operations can be assigned. Therefore, interrupt processing is not performed when the method described below is selected. In other words, if other print requests are being sent from the workstation, you can temporarily stop accepting print requests (STOP) and print without interrupting other work. .

On the other hand, if even one point exceeds 48m sec,
Since the above method causes image loss, the above method is selected. In this case, a larger video data area is required in the RAM area of processor 3 than in the method described above, so an interrupt is made to another task, the loop of each interrupted task is temporarily stopped, and each task is Evacuate all related data and tables from the RAM area to the magnetic disk, and at the same time perform the minimum alternative task for the task stopped using this method, such as a task that performs the minimum processing such as a paper jam in the printer 5 that occurs during printing. Let it run.

In other words, the processor 3 temporarily swaps out the software on the RAM that was installed at the time of the interrupt, as well as the data and tables necessary for that software, to the magnetic disk, and then swaps out the operating range of the software used for print operations and video data generation. Allocate only one part to the software, and allocate the rest to the video data buffer. In this way, a large video data area is provided in the RAM area within the processor 3. In the case of the above method, unlike the case of the above method, a page image for one page is written, so the buffer capacity described above must be large enough to point all the addresses of the specified paper size at the resolution of the printer 5. Therefore, something with this capacity will be allocated as a video data buffer. For example, if the resolution is 12 lines/mm,
If the paper size is A4, the buffer capacity is 12 ²
× 297 × 210 = 1097 kbytes is required, so the RAM of processor 3 is
In the above example, it is sufficient to select a capacity larger than 1097 kbytes by the amount of software allocation.

In this way, if the method is selected, a large video data area for one page is secured in the RAM area, and all page images are temporarily written there. Once written, the printer 5 is activated and the video data is sent out. Once everything is changed to video data, even if
Even if there is a part that exceeds 48 m sec, the video data is sent to the printer 5 at a constant speed without being dropped, as in the case of the method described above.
printed by.

During printing, the above-mentioned minimum substitution is performed, and after printing is completed, the interrupt is canceled by performing the reverse process of the interrupt.

In the case of this method, continuous page printing is possible in the case of method (2), but in order for the processor 3 to perform other tasks, the printing process for the corresponding page must be completed, and Since the process of changing all the data to video data is performed between page processing, the print throughput is reduced by the amount of the corresponding page mixed in, but even if the print is complicated, image loss can be prevented.

In this way, the print method is selectively changed depending on the print request file, thereby preventing omission of output images and minimizing deterioration in performance.

In the above explanation, when using the method, two buffers are allocated, such as two boundaries for n lines are allocated as video data buffers,
Although the example of alternately outputting to the printer 5 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and a method having three or more buffers may be selected.

In the case of three or more buffers, even if one buffer has a complex image and therefore takes time to write, etc., exceeding 48 m sec (S), the other buffers can make up for it.

If there are three buffers used in the method, the maximum allowable time for writing to one buffer is as in the previous example, 1 line scanning time =
If 1m sec, n=48 lines, 48m sec (S)
It will be within ×(3-1). However, like this 3
If there are more than one buffer, two or more buffers at the limit of the allowable time cannot be consecutive.

Therefore, generally speaking, if the buffer transfer time is Sm sec, when there are three or more buffers like this, (number of buffers - 1) x Sm sec
Whether the permissible time of is exceeded or not is the deciding factor in choosing the method of or not. Furthermore, if the buffer generation time is less than Sm sec, the buffer consumed just before that time can be recovered.

In this way, various modifications can be made to the number of buffers in the case of the method.

Further, in the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the print request file is from the network 1, but this is not limited to the network, and may be input from another input terminal. Even in such a case, as in the above embodiment, by selecting the method according to the print request file, it is possible to eliminate missing images during printing, and the throughput can also be complicated. It is possible to get away with only lowering it when printing.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to this invention, it is possible to selectively change the printing method using the print request file, so even when printing a complex image, there will be no loss of the image being printed, and it is possible to recreate the image created in the conventional manner. This makes it possible to eliminate the need for a print request to be made again, and furthermore, the deterioration in performance can be kept to a minimum.

Further, according to the present invention, normally, video data to be printed based on a print request file supplied from the outside is written to a part of the buffer memory that also serves as memory for a program for controlling the printer, and read from the buffer memory. Since the printer can be controlled based on the first video data writing/outputting means sent to the printer side, the printer control program using the first video data writing/outputting means is necessary. Since only a part of the buffer memory that also serves as memory can be used, the other part of the buffer memory can be used to control the printer's operation, allowing efficient printer control and high-speed printing.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, if it is determined that data is missing under the control by the first video data write/output means based on the contents of the print request file, the second video data write/output is performed. By means of this means, it is possible to write and output video data to be printed by making maximum use of the capacity of the buffer memory, and it is possible to reliably print data even with complicated contents.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 2 of the present invention, when the second video data writing/outputting means is selected by the selection means, the memory capacity necessary for controlling the operation of the printer is left. Since the configuration includes a memory capacity securing means for securing all the memory capacity of the other buffer memory for the operation of the second video data writing/output means, the buffer memory memory capacity can be used as effectively as possible.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall processing flow, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of a pre-scan of a print request file. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which characters are written on the buffer. Explanation of symbols: 1...Network, 2...Leading line, 3...Processor, 4...Magnetic disk device, 5...Printer, 6...Monitor display.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a printer control device that outputs video data created based on an externally supplied print request file to a printer, the video data created based on the print request file is stored in a memory of a printer control program. a first video data writing/output means that reads out the data from the buffer memory and sends it to the printer while writing to a part of the buffer memory that is also used; a second video data writing/outputting means for sending the video data to the printer; and a determining means for determining whether video data is missing when the first video data writing/outputting means outputs the video data to the printer; Selection means for selecting a second video data writing/outputting means when it is determined by the judgment means that a dropout of video data occurs in the writing/outputting of video data by the first video data writing/outputting means; A printer control device comprising: 2. In a printer control device that outputs video data created based on an externally supplied print request file to a printer, a part of a buffer memory that also serves as memory for a program for controlling the printer stores video data created based on the print request file. a first video data writing/output means that reads out the video data from the buffer memory while writing to the buffer memory and sends it to the printer; and a second video data write/output means that writes a predetermined amount of the video data to be printed to the buffer memory and then sends the data to the printer. a video data writing/outputting means; a determining means for determining whether video data is missing when the first video data writing/outputting means outputs the video data to the printer; and the determining means: selecting means for selecting a second video data writing and outputting means when it is determined that video data is missing in the writing and outputting of video data by the first video data writing and outputting means; When the second video data writing/outputting means is selected, the memory capacity necessary for the operation of the second video data writing/outputting means is set as above, leaving the memory capacity necessary for controlling the operation of the printer. A printer control device comprising memory capacity securing means for performing processing for securing memory capacity in a buffer memory.