JPH08112960A - Data output device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The burden on the operator is reduced by automatically turning on the main power supply and starting the operation in response to data reception without checking the status of the recording device. Eliminates unnecessary operation and unnecessary power consumption such that unnecessary data is recorded even in an abnormal case. [Structure] The main power supply 7 is automatically turned on by data reception, and it is determined whether the received data is accurate or not. If it is normal, it is processed as normal data, and if data reception is abnormal, it is received. Discard the data you have created.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data output device for recording and outputting data received from an external device such as a word processor or a host computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having functions such as a printer, a copying machine and a facsimile, or a recording device used as an output device of a multifunction machine or a workstation including a computer, a word processor, etc., is a sheet or a plastic thin plate based on image information. Images (including characters and symbols) on recording materials (recording media) such as (sheets for OHP)
Is configured to record. The recording device can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a heat sensitive type, a thermal transfer type, a laser beam type and the like depending on the recording system of the recording means used.

In a serial type recording apparatus which employs a recording system in which a main scanning is performed in a direction intersecting a conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of a recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position and then the recording material is set. An image (including characters, symbols, etc.) is recorded by a recording unit (recording head) mounted on a carriage that moves (main scanning) along, and after one line of recording is completed, a predetermined amount of paper is fed (sub-scan). An image is recorded in a desired range of the recording material by repeating the operation of performing (scanning) and then recording (main scanning) the image of the next row. On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that records a recording material only in the sub-scanning direction in which the recording material is fed in the transport direction, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and one line of recording is continuously performed at one time. A predetermined amount of paper feed (pitch feed) is performed, and an image is recorded on the entire recording material.

Among them, the ink jet type (ink jet recording apparatus) is a means for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording material, and it is easy to make the recording means compact and high definition. Images can be recorded at high speed, plain paper can be recorded without requiring special processing, running costs are low, and the non-impact method reduces noise and uses multicolor inks. Therefore, it has an advantage that it is easy to record a color image. Above all, a line type recording apparatus using a line type recording means in which a large number of ejection ports are arranged in the paper width direction can further speed up recording.

In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy,
Through the semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, and sputtering, the electrothermal converter formed on the substrate, the electrode,
By forming the liquid passage wall, the top plate, and the like, it is possible to easily manufacture a liquid discharge device having a high-density liquid passage arrangement (ejection port arrangement), and to further reduce the size. Further, by utilizing the advantages of IC technology and micro processing technology, it is easy to make the recording means long and planar (two-dimensional), and it is also easy to make the recording means full-multi and high-density mounting. is there. On the other hand, there are various requirements for the material of the recording material, and in recent years, in addition to the ordinary recording material such as paper and resin thin plate, thin paper and processed paper (paper with punch holes for filing and perforation). Paper, paper of any shape, etc.)
It has been required to use such as.

The power supply of a data output device, which is also a recording device such as a recent printer, is divided into a main power supply and a sub power supply, and the main power supply is turned on by KEY processing such as a power switch to start an actual operation. It has become a structure. That is, the main power source is controlled by the data output device itself such as a recording device. Further, a configuration is adopted in which the main power supply is turned off after a lapse of a certain time after the recording operation is completed.

[0007]

However, in the conventional data output device, the operation can be started only by the turning-on operation of the main power supply section by the operator, and the operator records the data from the host computer (data recording device). It was necessary to check the state of the recording device such as a printer before transferring to the output device). Furthermore, when a part or all of the received data is abnormal data, there is a disadvantage that unnecessary data is recorded and unnecessary power is consumed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to automatically turn on the main power supply in response to data reception without checking the state of the recording apparatus one by one. It is possible to start the operation by reducing the burden on the operator, and eliminate unnecessary operation and unnecessary power consumption such as recording (outputting) unnecessary data when the received data is abnormal. It is to provide a data output device capable of performing.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a data output device for recording and outputting data received from an external device by a recording means, a main power source is automatically turned on by data reception or key processing, By determining whether or not the received data is correct, if it is normal, it is processed as normal data, and if the data reception is abnormal, by controlling so as to discard the received data, The above object is achieved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the data output device for recording and outputting the data received from the external device by the recording means, the main power source is automatically turned on by the data reception and the key processing, and the received data is accurate. It is determined by the signal line of the Centro interface whether the information is normal or not, and if it is normal, the data is processed as normal data, and if the data reception is abnormal, the received data is discarded. It achieves the above object.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect or the second aspect, when the data reception is determined to be abnormal, the main power is not turned on. By doing so, the above object can be achieved more efficiently.

[0012]

As an embodiment of the present invention, the main power supply is turned on / off by the CPU in the data output device, and the main power supply is selectively selected by discriminating the data sent from the external device. Executes the closing operation. As a result, the operator does not have to perform extra operations. Moreover, since the power is automatically turned on during operation, useless power consumption is prevented. Furthermore, it is determined whether the received data is accurate or not, if it is normal, it is processed as normal data, and if it is abnormal, the received data is discarded and unnecessary data is recorded (output). It is possible to prevent unnecessary operation of the device itself such as

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a data output device which is also a recording device to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a host computer as an external device that transmits recording data and the like to a data output device which is also a recording device, and 2 is a main control unit that controls the recording operation and the like of the data output device. The main controller 2 controls the control RO
According to the contents of the M section 3, the entire data output device is controlled by using various signals as output or input conditions.

In FIG. 1, 4 is a data receiving section,
Reference numeral 5 is a display operation unit. The data receiving unit 4 executes communication control between the data output device and the host computer 1 under the control of the main control unit 2 and receives recording data and the like from the host computer 1. The display operation unit 5 displays a message to an operator (handler), recording modification information received from the host computer 1, and the like, and can further instruct the operation of the data output device by the operation of the operator. is there.

Reference numeral 6 is a recording unit. The recording unit is provided with a recording mechanism unit and the like, and records the recording data stored in a recording data memory (not shown) on a recording material such as a recording sheet. The control ROM section 3 stores a procedure for controlling the apparatus, etc. The control ROM section 3 reads a character code into a bit image prior to recording and a control ROM read and executed by the main control section 2. A character generator (CG) ROM for conversion is provided.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 7 denotes a main power source section controlled by the main control section 2 (power on / off). The main power supply unit 7 is a collection of power supply units such as a motor and a recording head required for executing a recording operation. Reference numeral 8 is a sub power supply unit. The sub-power supply unit 8 supplies power to part of the main control unit 2 and the data receiving unit 4.

In this embodiment, ink jet recording means is used as the recording means used in the recording section 6. The recording means (recording head) is an inkjet recording means for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy, and is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. Further, the recording head performs recording by ejecting ink from an ejection port by utilizing a pressure change caused by growth and contraction of bubbles due to film boiling generated by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. is there.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection portion of the recording head (recording means). In FIG. 2, a plurality of discharge ports are formed at a predetermined pitch on a discharge port forming surface 81 that faces a recording material such as recording paper with a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to 2.0 mm). 82 is formed, and an electrothermal converter (heat generating resistor, etc.) 85 for generating energy for ink ejection is arranged along the wall surface of each liquid passage 84 that connects the common liquid chamber 83 and each ejection port 82. It is set up. In this example, the recording heads are mounted on the carriage in such a positional relationship that the ejection ports 82 are arranged in a direction intersecting the main scanning direction. In this way, the corresponding electrothermal converter 85 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid passage 84 to film-boil, and the ink generated from the ejection port 82 is ejected by the pressure generated at that time. Recording means is configured.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the power-on processing portion of the recording operation according to the first embodiment of the data output apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 3, when power is supplied to the sub-power supply unit 8 in FIG. 1, the process proceeds to step S1 to set the display on the display unit 5 in FIG.
The initialization work of the interface unit 4 in the inside is executed. Then, the process proceeds to step S2, and it is confirmed whether or not the main power source is currently turned on. Here, if the current state is the main power-on state, the following steps are omitted and the processing (normal recording operation) of the normal recording apparatus (not shown) is executed.

On the other hand, if the main power source is not turned on in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the data is transmitted from the host computer 1 in FIG. 1, and if the data is not yet received, the process returns to step S2. If data is received from the host computer 1 in FIG. 1, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the data received from the host computer 1 in FIG. 1 is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the code can be used in the recording device 6.

In FIG. 3, if the result of determination in step S4 is a code that cannot be used in the recording device 6, the process moves to step S5 and the above received data is deleted. On the other hand, if it is determined that the received data is valid, step S is performed with the received data remaining.
Go to 6. In step S6, the main controller 2 in FIG.
The main power supply unit 7 is activated (turned on) according to the instruction. By this start-up operation of the main power source, power is supplied to the recording unit 6, a part of the display operation unit 5, etc., and the data output device (recording device) can be operated.

Next, in step S7, each unit of the data output device is set to the initial state. However, the data receiving unit 4 is not set to the initial state. That is, step S7
Then, the recording head of the recording unit 6 is returned to the home position, and work such as resetting the display data of the display unit 5 is performed. When the above work is completed, the process moves to the next process in order to execute the normal operation of the recording apparatus. In FIG. 3, the process returns to step S1 of the flowchart again when the power-off operation occurs.

According to the first embodiment described above, the main power source is automatically turned on by receiving data from the host computer or the like, and it is determined whether the received data is accurate or not. The data is processed as normal data, and if the data reception is abnormal, the received data is controlled to be discarded, so the main power is automatically turned on in response to data reception without checking the status of the recording device one by one. By starting the operation in this way, the burden on the operator can be reduced, and by discarding abnormal data, unnecessary data is recorded (output), resulting in unnecessary operation of the device and unnecessary recording. It is possible to obtain a data output device capable of avoiding production of goods and wasteful power consumption.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the power-on processing portion of the recording operation according to the second embodiment of the data output device to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 4, when power is supplied to the sub-power supply unit 8 in FIG. 1, the process proceeds to step S1 to set the display on the display unit 5 in FIG.
The initialization work of the interface unit 4 in the inside is executed. Then, the process proceeds to step S2, and it is confirmed whether or not the main power source is currently turned on. Here, if the current state is the main power-on state, the following steps are omitted and the processing (normal recording operation) of the normal recording apparatus (not shown) is executed.

On the other hand, if the main power source is not turned on in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the INIT of the Centro interface signal
It is determined whether or not the (initial) signal is on (it is valid or not, not the logic level), and if it is on, the process proceeds to step S4 and the timer T1 is started. Here, the reason why the INIT signal is not turned off is that the INIT signal may remain on for a long time, and therefore only the timer T1 is activated. The time of the timer T1 seems to change depending on the host computer 1, but generally it is 100
It seems that about msec is an appropriate value.

In FIG. 4, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the data is transmitted from the host computer 1 in FIG. 1, and if the data is not yet received, the process returns to step S2. If data is received from the host computer 1 in FIG. 1, the process proceeds to step S6.
In step S6, the timer T started in step S4
The state of 1 is confirmed, and it is determined whether the timer is still counting or whether the timer has already timed out.

In FIG. 4, if it is determined in step S6 that the timer T1 is still counting, the process proceeds to step S7 and the received data is deleted (discarded). On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer T1 has timed out, the process proceeds to step S8 while leaving the received data. In step S8, as shown in FIG.
The main power supply unit 7 is activated (turned on) according to an instruction from the main control unit 2. By this start-up operation of the main power source, power is supplied to the recording unit 6, a part of the display operation unit 5, etc., and the data output device (recording device) can be operated.

Next, in step S9, each unit of the data output device is set to the initial state. However, the data receiving unit 4 is not set to the initial state. That is, step S9
Then, the recording head of the recording unit 6 is returned to the home position, and work such as resetting the display data of the display unit 5 is performed. When the above work is completed, the process moves to the next process in order to execute the normal operation of the recording apparatus. In FIG. 4, the process returns to step S1 of the flowchart again when the power-off operation occurs.

According to the second embodiment described above, the main power supply is automatically turned on by the data reception, and whether the received data is accurate information or not is discriminated by the signal line of the Centro interface, and when the data is normal, Is processed as normal data, and when the data reception is abnormal, the received data is controlled so as to be discarded. Therefore, as in the case of the first embodiment described above, the data is recorded without checking the state of the recording device one by one. The load on the operator can be reduced by automatically turning on the main power supply to start the operation in response to reception, and by discarding abnormal data, even unnecessary data is recorded (output). Wasteful operation of the device due to
It is possible to obtain a data output device capable of avoiding wasteful production of printed matter and wasteful power consumption.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the power-on processing portion of the recording operation according to the third embodiment of the data output apparatus to which the present invention is applied. This embodiment is a modification of part of the processing of the first embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, steps S1 to S4 and steps S6 to S7 are the same as those in the first embodiment of FIG. 3, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 5, also in this embodiment, step S
In step 4, it is determined whether or not the received data transmitted from the host computer 1 is a code that can be used in the recording device 6, and if the result of the determination is an unusable code, the process proceeds to step S5. Although the received data is erased (deleted), it is not necessary to turn on the main power source when the data is erased in this way. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the data is erased in step S5, the step is performed as it is.
It is configured to shift to step 2 and repeat the above-described steps S2 to S4. The other processing of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment of FIG. 3 described above.

Also according to the third embodiment of FIG. 5, the above-mentioned first embodiment is used.
As in the case of the embodiment, the main power supply is automatically turned on by data reception, it is determined whether the received data is accurate, and if it is normal, it is processed as normal data and data reception is abnormal. In this case, the received data is controlled so as to be discarded.Therefore, without checking the state of the recording device one by one, the main power is automatically turned on and the operation is started in response to the data reception. In addition, by discarding abnormal data, it is possible to avoid useless operation of the apparatus, useless recording material creation, and useless power consumption by recording (outputting) unnecessary data. A data output device that can be used is obtained.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the power-on processing portion of the recording operation according to the fourth embodiment of the data output apparatus to which the present invention is applied. This embodiment is a modification of part of the processing of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, steps S1 to S6 and steps S8 to S9 are the same as those in the second embodiment of FIG. 4, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 6, also in this embodiment, step S
In step 6, it is determined whether the timer T1 started in step S4 is still counting the timer or timed out. If the determination result is counting, the process proceeds to step S7 and the received data is erased ( However, since it is not necessary to turn on the main power source when the data is erased in this way, also in this embodiment, when the data is erased in step S7, the step is directly performed in step S7.
It is configured to shift to step 2 and repeat the above-described steps S2 to S6. The other processing of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment of FIG. 4 described above.

Also according to the fourth embodiment of FIG. 6, the above-mentioned second
As in the case of the embodiment, the main power is automatically turned on by the data reception, and the received data is determined by the signal line of the Centro interface to determine whether or not the information is accurate. When the data reception is abnormal, the received data is controlled so as to be discarded. Therefore, as in the case of the second embodiment described above, the data is automatically received in response to the data reception without checking the state of the recording device one by one. By turning on the main power and starting the operation, the burden on the operator can be reduced. Furthermore, by discarding abnormal data, unnecessary data can be recorded (output), which is a waste of equipment. It is possible to obtain a data output device capable of avoiding operation, useless recording material creation, and useless power consumption.

That is, according to each of the above-described embodiments, power consumption can be reduced by turning on the main power source of the recording apparatus by receiving data from the host computer or the like, and turning on the power source of the host apparatus. By determining whether the data output to the recording device is normal or abnormal and discarding the abnormal data, unnecessary operation and wasteful consumption can be eliminated.

Since the main power source is automatically turned on to start the operation by receiving the data such as the record information from the external device, the burden on the operator is reduced. Also,
When receiving data from the host computer, check the received code and if information other than the device-specific data is entered, the data is automatically discarded, so eject the recording paper on which unnecessary data is recorded. It is possible to eliminate unnecessary operations such as discarding. Furthermore, when the data is received from the host computer, the Centro signal line is checked, and if there is an abnormal signal state, the data is automatically discarded, so that the recording paper on which unnecessary data is recorded can also be ejected. It is possible to eliminate unnecessary operations such as discarding. Furthermore, since the main power supply is controlled so as not to be turned on when the above abnormality is found, useless power consumption can be eliminated.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case of recording by the ink jet recording means has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the wire dot type, heat sensitive type, thermal transfer type or laser beam type. The same can be applied to the case where the recording means is used, and the same effect can be obtained.

In the above-described embodiment, the case of the serial recording method in which the recording means (recording head) is moved in the main scanning direction has been described as an example, but the present invention is the entire width or a part of the recording material. The same can be applied to the case of the line recording method in which the line recording unit having a length covering the above is used to perform recording only in the sub-scan, and the same effect can be achieved. Further, the present invention provides a single-color recording device for recording with one recording device, a color recording device using a plurality of recording devices for recording with different colors, or a plurality of recording devices for recording with the same color but different densities. The same can be applied to the gradation recording device used, and further to the recording device in which these are combined, and the same effect can be achieved.

When the ink jet recording means is used, the present invention can be applied to, for example, a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, but among them, thermal energy is used. Then, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect in a data output device that uses a recording unit of a type that ejects ink. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

[0041]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the invention of claim 1, in the data output device for recording the data received from the external device by the recording means and outputting the data,
The main power is automatically turned on by data reception and key processing, and it is determined whether the received data is accurate or not. If it is normal, it is processed as normal data, and if the data reception is abnormal, it is received. Since it is configured to control so that the recorded data is discarded, it is possible to automatically turn on the main power and start the operation in response to data reception without checking the state of the recording device one by one. Provided is a data output device capable of reducing the load and eliminating unnecessary operation and unnecessary power consumption of recording unnecessary data when received data is abnormal.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in the data output device for recording and outputting the data received from the external device by the recording means, the main power is automatically turned on by the data reception and the key processing, and the received data is received. Is determined by the signal line of the Centro interface whether it is accurate information, and if it is normal, it is processed as normal data, and if the data reception is abnormal, the received data is discarded. Therefore, it is possible to automatically turn on the main power supply and start the operation in response to data reception without checking the status of the recording device one by one, thus reducing the burden on the operator and the received data is abnormal. Provided is a data output device capable of eliminating unnecessary operation of recording unnecessary data and unnecessary power consumption in such cases.

According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the configuration of claim 1 or the configuration of claim 2, when the data reception is determined to be abnormal, the main power is not turned on. Since the configuration is adopted, it is possible to more efficiently and automatically turn on the main power supply and start the operation in response to data reception without checking the state of the recording device one by one, thereby reducing the burden on the operator. A data output device is provided which can eliminate unnecessary operation and unnecessary power consumption of recording unnecessary data when the received data is abnormal.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a data output device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of a recording unit used in the recording unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a power-on processing portion of a recording operation of the first embodiment of the data output device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a power-on processing portion of a recording operation of a second embodiment of a data output device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a power-on processing portion of a recording operation of a third embodiment of a data output device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a power-on processing portion of a recording operation of a fourth embodiment of a data output device to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 2 Main control unit 3 Control ROM unit 4 Data receiving unit 5 Display operation unit 6 Recording unit 7 Main power supply unit 8 Sub power supply unit 81 Discharge port surface 82 Discharge port 84 Liquid path 85 Electrothermal converter

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. In a data output device for recording and outputting data received from an external device by a recording means, a main power source is automatically turned on by data reception or key processing,
Data characterized by determining whether the received data is accurate, processing as normal data if normal, and discarding the received data if data reception is abnormal Output device. 2. In a data output device for recording and outputting data received from an external device by a recording means, a main power source is automatically turned on by data reception or key processing,
Whether or not the received data is accurate information is determined by the signal line of the Centro interface, and if it is normal, it is processed as normal data, and if the data reception is abnormal, control is performed to discard the received data. A data output device characterized by the above. 3. The data output device according to claim 1, wherein when the data reception is determined to be abnormal, the main power supply is not turned on. 4. The data output device according to claim 1, wherein the recording means is an inkjet recording means for performing recording by ejecting ink onto a recording material. 5. The data output device according to claim 4, wherein the recording means is an ink jet recording means provided with an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used for ejecting ink. 6. The data output device according to claim 5, wherein the recording unit ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter.