JPH09198214A - Printing control method and printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) 【Abstract】 PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability and power saving performance of a printing apparatus. A power line 111 is turned on or off by receiving a signal or data of a predetermined format via an input / output interface 104 for receiving print data from a host. For example,
When the input / output interface 104 is the Centronics specification, a Strobe signal or INIT is formed in a predetermined pattern.
The power line 111 is turned on by transmitting a signal or transmitting a predetermined command sequence via the data line.
Or OFF.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing control method and a printing apparatus, and more particularly to a printing control method and a printing apparatus for automatically controlling a power source of a predetermined portion of the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers having various recording systems have been used as output devices for word processors and computer systems.

The conventional printing apparatus does not have an automatic power control mechanism, and the user turns on the power of the printer each time it is used, and then records the data by sending data from the connected host apparatus. Data is printed on paper. Regarding the control of the power supply of the printer, the main power supply of the apparatus is entirely supplied by the operation of turning on the power supply, and the power supply is continued unless the user turns off the power supply.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a conventional printer,
It was troublesome to turn the power on and off by manually operating the power switch.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art, realize power saving without the user being aware of it, and efficiently supply power to turn on the power, which is a troublesome task for the user. More reliable power control by eliminating the on / off work, improving operability, and having multiple automatic power on / off determination functions to ensure more reliable power on / off automation according to the system. Is to be able to do.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, when receiving print data from a host device and performing printing in a predetermined recording method according to the received print data, the host device By adopting a configuration in which automatic power control is performed by controlling the power on / off of a predetermined part of the device by receiving a predetermined command from the device.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> In this embodiment, a signal or data of a predetermined format is received from a host to turn on or turn off the power of a predetermined portion of the device.
Perform FF. For example, if the input / output interface is the Centronics specification, the Stro
A be signal or an INIT signal is transmitted, or a predetermined command sequence is transmitted via a data line to turn on or off the power of a predetermined portion of the device.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a printer adopting the present invention. In the figure, the CPU 101 is a ROM 102,
An arithmetic unit that realizes the print control method of the present invention together with the RAM 103, the input / output interface 104, and the like, and is an arithmetic unit for performing various settings by print data generation, command analysis, and input from the operation panel 112 of the printer. is there.

The ROM 102 stores printer control software executed by the CPU 101. The RAM 103 has a function as a work buffer for generating print data, and temporarily stores various setting information and is used for processing print data as necessary. The RAM 103 is also used as a buffer for temporarily storing data input from the host and commands.

The input / output interface 104 is connected to a host (not shown) such as a computer or a word processor, and is used for inputting data and commands. As an electrical specification, a Centronics compliant protocol is used which is composed of a Centronics compliant circuit and performs handshake communication with a Busy signal and a Strobe signal.

The EEPROM 105 is a non-volatile memory for storing the setting state of the printer. The EEPROM 105 stores font type, print sheet type and other information, and the stored contents of the EEPROM 105 are erased even when the power is cut off. Retained without.

The printing method of the apparatus may be arbitrary, but the printer of this embodiment is assumed to perform printing by scanning a carriage unit equipped with a print head in the main scanning direction. That is, in the printer according to the present embodiment, the carriage unit having the print head is scanned in the main scanning direction, and the paper is fed after one or a plurality of main scans, and further printing is performed, so that one sheet of paper Printing is completed. The motor controller 106 advances the carriage motor controller that moves in the main scanning direction and the paper advance,
Two line feed motor controllers for retreating are controlled.

The method of the print head may be arbitrary, but in the present embodiment, printing is performed by the ink jet method. The print head controller 107 has a function of transferring data to be printed to the print head and a function of controlling the ejection of ink from the print head. A CG (character generator) ROM 108 stores Japanese and national characters as image data that can be expanded as print data. CG depending on the printer specifications
Although the type and number of fonts stored in the ROM 108 are different, at least one font is incorporated in this embodiment.

The power supply controller 109 turns on the two power supply lines 110 and 111 under the control of the CPU 101.
/ OFF is controlled. The power supply line 110 is a power supply line of relatively low voltage (for example, about 5 V) that supplies power to the control system as illustrated. Further, the power supply line 111 is for supplying power to a member having a relatively high voltage (for example, about 12 V) and a large power consumption, such as a drive system such as a motor and a recording head, and each controller shown in the figure.

The operation panel 112 is composed of a display device such as an LCD, switches, operation keys and the like, and is used for a user interface.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the automatic power-on of the present embodiment, that is, the power-on without the power switch is turned on.
The control of will be described.

FIG. 4 shows in detail each signal line of the input / output interface 104. As a signal line necessary for receiving data, the Strobe supplied from the host
There is a signal. This signal is used for Centronics specification handshake control in response to the Busy signal.

That is, the Strobe signal is the signal line Da.
It is set to active (“Low”) by the host device at the timing when the print data is completed on ta0 to Data7. Further, in synchronization with the Strobe signal, the printer (this device), which is the receiving side of the print data, sets the Busy signal to active (“High”).

When the printer completes the reception and can further receive the data, the Busy signal is deactivated ("Lo").
w ") and has the function of preparing for the next reception. The INIT signal is used to reset the printer.

Other signals of the Centronics interface include an Ack signal (the printer is activated when data is normally received), PE (the printer is activated when the paper is out), and the like. No signals will not be described in detail here.

In the present embodiment, the power supply of the printer is automatically controlled using the above interface signal. The interface signal is received via the input / output interface 104, interpreted by the CPU 101, and the control described below is based on the state of the received interface signal.
Performed by 101.

The control example using the Strobe signal shown in FIG. 2 and the control example using the INIT signal shown in FIG. 3 will be described below.

In FIG. 1, when the power is off (operated by a main power switch (not shown)), the CPU 101 controls the power controller 109 to control the power line 111.
Is turned off so that power is not supplied through this line. However, even in this state, the power line 1
10 is ON, and the following control can be performed.

In the example of FIG. 2, a predetermined number of times (three times in this case)
When it is confirmed that the Strobe signal is received, the power supply line 111 is turned on (However, for the sake of certainty, Str
Not only the ob signal but the inactive state of the INIT signal is confirmed at the same time). That is, in this case, the power of the printer can be turned on by transmitting the Strobe signal a predetermined number of times (three times in this case) from the host.

FIG. 2 shows the control for one monitoring cycle of the interface signal. In FIG. 2, the Strobe signal from the host is active (“Lo”) as shown by reference numeral 201 when the power supply line 111 is OFF.
w ”).

When the Strobe signal from the host becomes active ("Low"), the INI signal is sent in the interval 202.
Check T signal. That is, in the section 202, it is confirmed that the INIT signal is "High" for 10 ms. The INIT signal is active “Low”, and in FIG. 2, the condition for detecting that the power supply is ON is that the “High” state of the INIT signal continues.

If a state in which the INIT signal is "Low" is detected even once in the section denoted by reference numeral 202, Stro is detected.
The process returns to the loop for monitoring that the be signal 201 becomes active (“Low”). That is, the process returns to the beginning of the monitoring cycle of FIG.

When the check of the INIT signal is completed in the section 202, it is monitored whether the Strobe signal 203 from the next host becomes active ("Low").

At this time, the time after the strobe signal 201 becomes active (“Low”) is measured, and the strobe signal 203 from the host remains active (“3” in this embodiment). Low ”)
If not, the Strobe signal 201 from the host
Returns to the loop that waits for ACT to become active (“Low”) (return to the beginning of the monitoring cycle in FIG. 2).

When the Strobe signal 203 from the host becomes active ("Low"), the interval 20 is repeated as described above.
In 4, it is confirmed that the INIT signal is "High" for 10 ms. Also in this case, when the state in which the INIT signal is “Low” is detected even once, the Strobe is detected.
Return to the loop that monitors for the signal going active ("Low") (return to the beginning of the monitoring cycle in FIG. 2).

When the check of the section 204 is completed, St
The robe signal 205 is monitored to become active (“Low”). Strobe signal 204 and Strobe
The interval of the signal 205 is also set to 3 seconds at the maximum, and the strobe signal 205 is active (“Low”) during the interval longer than that.
Is not obtained, the process returns to the loop that waits for the Strobe signal 201 to be active (“Low”) (returns to the beginning of the monitoring cycle in FIG. 2).

Then, when the active ("Low") of the Strobe signal 205 is detected, the INIT signal is checked in the section 206 as in the sections 202 and 204, and the state where the INIT signal is "Low" is detected even once. Then, the Strobe signal 20 from the host
Return to the loop that monitors for 1 going active ("Low") (return to the beginning of the monitoring cycle in FIG. 2).

When the check of the Strobe signal 205 is completed, that is, a predetermined number (three times in this case) of Str
When the reception of the obe signal is confirmed, the CPU 101 of FIG.
Controls the power supply controller 109, and the power supply line 111
Turn on. That is, the main power source is turned on (the power source of the entire printer is turned on).

Then, in the known printer, various initialization operations of the printer are performed in the same manner as when the main power source is turned on. When performing this initialization operation,
The received data is not erased but stored in the reception buffer in the RAM 103. The data printed after the initialization operation is the data stored in the reception buffer. By this operation, the received data can be printed without being lost.

Next, the control of turning on the power using the INIT signal will be described with reference to FIG.

In the printer of this embodiment, the power source OF
At F (operated by the main power switch not shown),
The power supply controller 109 is controlled by the CPU 101,
The power supply line 111 is turned off so that power is not supplied through this line. However, also in this case, the power supply line 110 is ON, and the following control can be performed.

In the method of automatically turning on the power by the INIT signal of FIG. 3, the INIT signal 300 is active ("Lo").
After "w"), the detection condition is to return to inactive ("High") (however, for the sake of certainty,
At the same time, the inactive state of the Strobe signal as well as the INIT signal is confirmed).

FIG. 3 shows the control for one monitoring cycle of the interface signal. In FIG. 3, when the active (“Low”) of the INIT signal is detected while the power supply line 111 is OFF, the INIT signal is detected. Thirty
“Low” of 1 and “High” of the Strobe signal 302
h "at the same time for a fixed time (1 ms in this embodiment)
The monitoring is performed (the strobe signal is "Low" active, and in FIG. 3, the condition that the strobe signal is "high" continues is a detection condition of power ON).

In the meantime, one of the signals has the code 3 even once.
"LOW" of the INIT signal of 01 and Str of reference numeral 302
If the status is other than "high" of the obe signal,
The processing is stopped and the "LOW" of the next INIT signal 300 is monitored (return to the beginning of the monitoring cycle in FIG. 3).

INIT signal 301, Strobe signal 3
When the check of 02 is completed, the INIT signal 303 is set to “Low” at the next 10 ms and the Strobe
The "High" of the e signal 304 is simultaneously monitored for a fixed time (1 ms in this embodiment).

In this case as well, as in the case of the reference numerals 301 and 302, one of the signals is once in the other state, that is, I
NIT signal 303 is “Low”, Strobe signal 30
When 4 becomes a state other than "High", the processing is stopped, and control is performed to monitor again from "Low" of the INIT signal 300 in the next cycle (return to the beginning of the monitoring cycle in FIG. 3).

INIT signal 303, Strobe signal 3
When the check of 04 is completed, the same check work as the INIT signal 303 and the strobe signal 304 is repeated with an interval of 10 ms (305, 306).

Also in this case, if the INIT signal is in a state other than "Low" and the Strobe signal is in a state other than "High" even once, the processing is stopped and the IN of the next cycle is performed.
The same process is performed again from the detection of the IT signal. That is,
The process is repeated from the detection of "Low" of the INIT signal of reference numeral 300 in FIG. 3 (return to the beginning of the monitoring cycle in FIG. 3).

After the above-mentioned check is performed three times or more (that is, the "Low" state of the INIT signal is confirmed),
Similarly, the Strobe signal "High" is continuously checked, but even if the INIT signal changes, it does not return to the beginning of the monitoring cycle, and this time the "High" state of the INIT signal is confirmed.

That is, the INIT signal "307"
“High”, a Strobe signal “308” denoted by reference numeral 308
Moving to the process of monitoring the state of h ", INIT,
Even if one of the signals of Strobe is in the other state even once, that is, the INIT signal 307 is "High", Strobe
When the be signal 308 becomes other than "High", the processing is stopped, and the processing is performed again from the detection of "Low" of the INIT signal 300 (return to the beginning of the monitoring cycle in FIG. 3).

INIT signal 307 "High", St
When the check of “high” of the robe signal 308 is completed, the same check is similarly performed at intervals of 10 ms.
Do it twice.

In the meantime, one of the signals is in another state even once, that is, the INIT signal is "High", Str.
If the obe signal 308 is other than "High",
The processing is stopped, and the processing is performed again from the detection of "Low" of the INIT signal 300 (return to the beginning of the monitoring cycle in FIG. 3).

When these three checks are completed, the CPU
In response to a command from 101, the power supply controller 109 turns on the power supply line 111.

As a result, power is supplied to the entire printer and the initialization operation is performed. Unlike the case of Strobe, when the power is automatically turned on by the INIT signal, INIT
According to the meaning of the signal (reset the entire printer), all input (reception) data buffers are cleared during the initialization operation.

As described above, from the host to Strob
Depending on the pattern in which the e signal is transmitted a predetermined number of times, or I
The power of the printer can be automatically turned on by transmitting the NIT signal.

That is, in the example of FIG. 2, the power of the printer can be turned on by explicitly transmitting the sequence of the Strobe signal independent of the host.
Further, if the control of FIG. 2 is always executed, the power of the printer can be turned on by the continuous Strobe signal accompanying the print data transmission from the host. Does not require control.

<Second Embodiment> FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment. The second embodiment has the same circuit configuration as that of the first embodiment and has an automatic power source O set by a host.
The format of the N command can be changed.

That is, FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG.
The check time of the INIT signal of No. 8 and the interval and the number of times of the Strobe signal of the section 509 are programmable.

That is, reference numeral 501 in FIG. 5 indicates the active ("Low") state of the first Strobe signal. As described in the first embodiment, INIT is set here.
Check the “High” of the signal 502. In the first embodiment, this time is 10 ms, but in the present embodiment, the check time of the section 508 is programmable and is set in advance by the host.

Naturally, the time setting of the check time of the section 508 cannot be extended until the set time 509, which is the maximum interval of the Strobe signal, is exceeded.
A reliable check can be performed by appropriately setting the check time of the section 508.

That is, the longer the check time in the section 508 is, the more the reliability is improved, but the active (“Low”) of the next Strobe signal may not be detected. I won't.

The set time 509 (3 seconds in the previous embodiment), which is the maximum time setting of the active interval of the Strobe, is also programmable in this embodiment, and the active state of the Strobe signal after this time is monitored again. Work the cycle back to the initial position in the figure.

Further, in this embodiment, the number of active times N of the strobe signal, which is a condition for turning on the power supply, is N.
Can be set in advance by the host. This setting can also be set by data set in advance by the host.

The time setting of the sections 508 and 509 or the number of times the Strobe signal is input can be performed by transmitting a predetermined command sequence from the host using the data line of the interface signal in advance. Alternatively, it may be set by performing a predetermined operation from the operation panel 112.

FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 3 and corresponds to the INI of the section 613.
T signal check time and Strob in section 612
The check time of the e signal is programmable.

In FIG. 6, first, it is confirmed that the INIT signal 600 is active (“Low”).
Check the logic of robe and INIT (601, 60
In 2), the check times 612 and 613 here can be set by the data from the host. If the time is set too long, the reliability is improved, but the reaction may be deteriorated. Therefore, it is necessary to set the time according to the model and the method of use.

Reference numeral 614 denotes an active ("Lo") signal of the INIT signal required to determine that the power-on command has been issued.
w ”) is the minimum time setting. This setting can also be set by the data from the host. This time setting improves reliability when the time is increased, but does not respond to a short INIT signal. If the set time is shortened, it may malfunction due to the influence of noise, etc.
Since the response is improved, it is necessary to set an appropriate time according to the model used and the method of use.

Reference numeral 615 denotes an inactive ("High") level of the INIT signal required to determine that the power-on command has been issued.
h ") is the minimum time setting. This setting can also be set by the data from the host. If this time setting is made longer, the reliability is improved but the reaction may deteriorate. If is shortened, it may malfunction due to the influence of noise, etc., but since it has the characteristic of improving the response, it is necessary to set an appropriate time according to the model used and the method of use.

Each parameter that can be set in FIG.
This can be performed by transmitting a predetermined command sequence in advance from the host using the data line of the interface signal. In addition, the operation panel 11
It may be set by performing a predetermined operation from step 2.

<Other Modifications> As described above, the power supply can be controlled from the host by using the existing interface signal. In the first and second embodiments, S
Although the check was made only on the combination of the probe signal and the INIT signal, the reliability is further improved by checking the other signals together.

Further, it is conceivable that not only the independent signal lines of the Centronics interface such as the Strobe signal and the INIT signal are used, but also a predetermined command sequence is transmitted by using the data line to automatically turn on the power. For example, automatic power-on can be performed by continuously transmitting predetermined command data for n bytes, or a command sequence that is more complicated than "n bytes continuous" can be used.

Of course, the same configuration is possible even with an interface specification other than Centronics, and in that case, an appropriate interface signal or command sequence can be selected for automatic power-on.

Further, in the various setting parameters relating to the automatic power supply control illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, not only the setting of the setting time and the number of times of setting but also the check by the Strobe signal and the check by the INIT signal can be set independently. It is also possible, and if set according to the model used, a higher effect can be obtained.

Further, although the power-on is explained above, the power-off can also be controlled automatically, that is, without the power switch.

Various methods can be considered for turning off the power supply. First, as in the case of turning on the power supply, a predetermined sequence can be transmitted via the interface signal line. When automatic control is performed for both power-on and power-off, it is naturally necessary to adopt a sequence that can distinguish the two.

In addition, a power switch and the above-mentioned automatic power source O
It is also conceivable that the power is automatically turned off after a predetermined time has passed after the power was turned on by the N control. It is also possible to automatically turn off the power when no print data is received from the host for a predetermined time or longer. The predetermined time to automatically turn off the power is
Both can be set by transmitting a predetermined command sequence from the host or a predetermined operation from the operation panel 112.

Alternatively, when the power is turned on by the power switch, the automatic power-off control is not performed, and the above various automatic power-offs are performed only when the power is turned on by the automatic power-on described above. You may

Further, whether or not to perform the automatic power ON / OFF control of the present invention is determined by a predetermined operation on the operation panel 112,
It is possible to control by sending a predetermined command from the host.

As described above, according to the information set by the setting from the host, the command of the predetermined format is received from the host, the command is checked, and the power is automatically turned on by discriminating the normal signal. Alternatively, it can be controlled to be turned off. This makes it possible to set the timing of automatic power-on according to the model used by the user, not only reducing unnecessary power when not in use, but also turning on the power only when it is in use The device can be made easier to use.

[0076]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when the print data is received from the host device and the printing is performed by the predetermined recording method according to the received print data, the predetermined command is issued from the host device. The automatic power control that controls the turning on and off of the power of a predetermined part of the device is received by receiving the information. Therefore, the trouble of turning the power on and off is not required, and the power is turned on.
It has excellent operability with no failure of ON / OFF operation, and can reduce wasteful power when not in use, and can turn on the power only when it is used, making it easy to use the printing device. effective.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing checking of a Strobe signal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing checking of an INIT signal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an interface signal line of Centronics specification.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing checking of a Strobe signal according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing checking of an INIT signal according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Input / Output Interface 105 EEPROM 106 Motor Controller 107 Print Head Controller 109 Power Supply Controller 110 Power Supply Line 111 Power Supply Line 112 Operation Panel

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A print control method for receiving print data from a host device and performing printing according to a predetermined recording method in accordance with the received print data, by receiving a predetermined command from the host device, and thereby a predetermined device A print control method comprising an automatic power control process for controlling power-on or power-off of a part. 2. The print control according to claim 1, wherein the power supply to a predetermined portion of the apparatus is turned on or off based on the predetermined command including a plurality of predetermined signals transmitted from the host device. Method. 3. The Strobe signal or IN in a Centronics interface is the plurality of predetermined signals.
The print control method according to claim 2, wherein the print control method is an IT signal. 4. The print control method according to claim 1, wherein the format of the predetermined command is programmable. 5. The print control method according to claim 1, wherein the format setting of the predetermined command is performed by control via a host device or an operating unit. 6. The print control method according to claim 1, wherein when the elapsed time in a predetermined state of the apparatus becomes a predetermined time or more, the power supply to a predetermined portion of the apparatus is automatically cut off. 7. The automatic power-off control of the predetermined part of the device is performed when the power of the predetermined part of the device is automatically turned on by the automatic power control process. The printing control method described in. 8. The print control method according to claim 1, wherein whether or not to execute the automatic power supply control process relating to turning on / off of a power supply of a predetermined portion of the apparatus is set through an operation unit. 9. A printing device, which receives print data from a host device and prints according to a predetermined recording method in accordance with the received print data, by receiving a predetermined command from the host device to supply power to a predetermined portion of the device. A printing apparatus having an automatic power supply control means for controlling turning on and off of the printing apparatus. 10. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the power supply to a predetermined portion of the apparatus is turned on or off based on the predetermined command including a plurality of predetermined signals transmitted from the host device. 11. The plurality of predetermined signals are Strobe signals or I in a Centronics interface.
The printing device according to claim 10, wherein the printing device is a NIT signal. 12. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the format of the predetermined command is programmable. 13. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the format setting of the predetermined command is performed by control via a host device or an operating unit. 14. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the elapsed time in the predetermined state of the apparatus becomes a predetermined time or more, the power of a predetermined portion of the apparatus is automatically cut off. 15. The automatic power-off control of the predetermined portion of the device is performed when the power of the predetermined portion of the device is automatically turned on by the automatic power control means. The printing device according to. 16. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein whether or not to execute automatic power control for turning on / off the power of a predetermined portion of the apparatus is set via an operation unit. 17. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a printing unit of a predetermined recording system that forms an image on a recording medium based on print data transmitted from the host apparatus. 18. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the printing unit is an inkjet printer.