JP2996701B2 - Printing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that receives code information or image data transmitted from a host computer and executes a printing process based on output information expanded into a bitmap. It is about.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, this type of printing apparatus receives and processes print data from a host computer, converts the print data into a video signal, and transmits the video signal to a printing mechanism (printer engine). A printing mechanism (printer engine) for forming a visible image of the video signal on a recording medium (recording paper) using an electrophotographic process and outputting it.

In this case, the controller develops one page of print information as a bit map in the image memory based on the print data (character code, graphic, image, print position and size designation, etc.) received from the host computer, A print output is obtained by converting the development result of the image memory into a video signal and transferring it to the printing mechanism.

On the other hand, the printing mechanism unit operates the paper feeding and conveying system in the printer engine based on the control information from the controller unit, and simultaneously transmits a video signal transmitted from the controller unit to a laser beam, an LED array, and a liquid crystal shutter. An image is formed on the photosensitive drum with a developer such as toner by using a light emitting element such as, and the formed image is transferred to a sheet (plain paper) fed by a sheet feeding conveyance system, and further, a sheet (plain paper)
Generally, a stable printing result is obtained by using a high-temperature, high-pressure fixing device to transfer the visible image transferred to the printer.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing a printing sequence of a conventional printing apparatus.

First, at time T1, when the controller unit in the printing apparatus becomes capable of outputting the first page video signal based on the print data transmitted from the host computer, the controller unit instructs the printing mechanism unit apparatus to start printing. . However, in the case of the first print, the printing mechanism device starts the engine start-up process at this time T1, and at the time T1
The engine start process is performed over a period Tw from the time T2 to the time T2, and the printing process (start of sheet feeding) of the first page print is started at the time T2 for the first time. That is, the transfer of the video signal can be started only at time T2. At time T2, printing processing is performed on the paper fed using the electrophotographic process, and at time T3, the paper discharge processing of the paper ends.

If the output of the video signal of the next page is already possible at time T3, the controller instructs the printing mechanism apparatus to start printing the next page.

Hereinafter, in the case where the printing process is continuously performed in the same manner, and the instruction to start printing the next page is not issued during the time Te from the time when the discharge process of the last page is completed (time T5 in FIG. 13). In the general printing process of a conventional printer, the printing mechanism device performs an engine stop process at time T6.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Here, in the printing apparatus as described above, when the controller unit develops the print data transmitted from the host computer into a bitmap and outputs it as a video signal to the print mechanism unit (printer engine), the print mechanism unit (printer engine) The printer engine) prints the first page after the power is turned on or the first page after not performing the printing process for a long time (first page print), and performs the following processes (1) to (3). Execute

(1) Processing for raising the temperature of the fixing unit to a high temperature at which printing is possible (2) Processing for raising the rotation number of the photosensitive drum to a predetermined rotation number at which printing is possible (3) Including laser beam, LED array, liquid crystal shutter, etc. A process for setting the optical system to a printable state (for example, increasing the rotation speed of the rotating mirror to a printable rotation speed) and unless the above process (this process is referred to as an engine start process) is performed. However, it is not possible to actually feed the paper by operating the paper feeding conveyance system or to operate the electrophotographic process.

However, in the first print, it is necessary to secure a time for executing the above (1) to (3), and even if the controller unit performs the print data expanding process at a high speed, the above (1) to (3) are performed. It is necessary to wait until the execution of the process (3) is completed, and the printing speed of the printing apparatus decreases.

Therefore, when the printing apparatus is viewed from the operator of the host computer, there is a problem that a long waiting time is required until a printing result is obtained at the time of first printing, regardless of the amount of print data.

Therefore, if the fixing device, photosensitive drum, optical system, etc. are kept in a printable state at all times, the first page printing can be performed at high speed, but various problems such as shortening of the life of the photosensitive drum and overheating of the fixing device. Is newly generated.

Therefore, if the printing mechanism (printer engine) does not start the next printing operation within a predetermined time after performing the last printing operation, that is, if the video signal is not transferred from the controller unit, the photosensitive drum (E.g., stopping the rotation of the photosensitive drum in order to prevent a reduction in the service life of the photosensitive drum, and lowering the temperature in order to avoid overheating of the fixing device).

However, when the video signal is transferred from the controller unit to the printing mechanism unit (printer engine) by performing the stop process for protecting the engine, the processes of (1) to (3) similarly occur. Will be done.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and starts the printing mechanism when a first predetermined time has elapsed after the printing mechanism stopped, and started the printing mechanism. When the printing process in the printing mechanism unit is not started until the second predetermined time has elapsed from the time, the printing mechanism unit is stopped to change the state of the printing mechanism unit to a printable state or a stop state at predetermined time intervals. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus which can automatically switch the printing mode, and can shorten the first print start time and improve the printing speed without reducing the durability of the printing mechanism.

[Means for solving the problem]

The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a printing mechanism section including an image carrier or a fixing device that performs printing processing based on printing information input from a host computer, and the printing mechanism section based on control information input during standby for printing processing. A processing unit for executing a predetermined start process or a predetermined stop process for the printing mechanism unit, wherein the processing unit performs a predetermined stop process for the printing mechanism unit for a first predetermined time. When a predetermined time elapses, a predetermined activation process for the printing mechanism is executed, and after the predetermined activation process is executed for the printing mechanism, the printing process in the printing mechanism starts until a second predetermined time elapses. If not, a predetermined stop process for the printing mechanism is executed.

Further, the predetermined start-up process includes a spinning process of the image carrier or a heat process of the fixing device.

The predetermined stopping process includes a process of stopping the rotation of the image carrier or a process of lowering the temperature of the fixing device.

[Action]

In the present invention, when a first predetermined time has elapsed since the processing unit executed the predetermined stop process for the printing mechanism unit, the processing unit executes a predetermined activation process for the printing mechanism unit,
After executing a predetermined startup process for the printing mechanism, the second
If the printing process in the printing mechanism is not started before the predetermined time elapses, the predetermined stopping process for the printing mechanism is executed when the second predetermined time elapses. The printable state can be maintained intermittently so as not to be dropped, and the printing speed can be improved by shortening the first print start time.

Further, since the predetermined start-up process includes a rotation process of the image carrier and a heat process of the fixing device, it is necessary to start up the image carrier or the fixer which requires a long time until a printable state is obtained. Can be.

The predetermined stopping process includes a process of stopping the rotation of the image carrier or a process of lowering the temperature of the fixing device. It is possible to avoid shortening the life of the photosensitive drum and overheating of the fixing device.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 101 denotes an input data receiving unit for receiving print data transmitted from a host computer. Here, the print data includes data such as character codes, figures, images, etc., print data for designating a print position and size, etc., for actually performing print processing, and print data for a print mechanism (printer engine). Consists of control data. The control data is, for example, control data for designating switching control of a paper feed mode (cassette feed / manual feed), and an engine start / stop command is also control data.

Reference numeral 102 denotes an input data analysis unit which analyzes print data received by the input data reception unit 101 and divides the print data into print data and control data.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a print data developing unit, which develops the print data divided by the input data analysis unit 102 into bit map information for one page as output data.

A control data execution unit 104 converts the control data divided by the input data analysis unit 102 into a control command for the printing mechanism (printer engine) and outputs the control command to the engine control mechanism of the printing mechanism (printer engine). I do. Here, 101 to 104 correspond to functions inside the controller of the printing apparatus.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a printing mechanism (printer engine), reference numeral 106 denotes a printing mechanism in charge of an electrophotographic process in the printing mechanism 105, and reference numeral 107 denotes a paper feeding / conveying system (feeding mode and sheet discharging processing) in the printing mechanism 105. And a control mechanism for controlling start / stop of the engine.

In the printing apparatus configured as described above, the processing unit (the controller unit 303 shown in FIG. 3) includes a printing mechanism unit including an image carrier or a fixing unit (a printing mechanism including the image forming system 307 illustrated in FIG. 3). The first predetermined time (time T shown in FIG. 10) after executing the predetermined stop processing for the section 304)
After the elapse of s), a predetermined activation process for the printing mechanism is executed, and a second predetermined time (time Tc shown in FIG. 10) elapses after executing the predetermined activation process for the printing mechanism. When the printing process in the printing mechanism unit is not started before, a predetermined stop process is executed for the printing mechanism unit, so that the printable state can be maintained intermittently so as not to reduce the durability of the printing mechanism unit, and the first print The printing speed can be improved by shortening the printing start time.

Further, since the predetermined start-up process includes a rotation process of the image carrier and a heat process of the fixing device, it is necessary to start up the image carrier or the fixer which requires a long time until a printable state is obtained. Can be.

In addition, the predetermined stop process includes a process of stopping the rotation of the image carrier or a process of lowering the temperature of the fixing device, so that the printing speed can be improved while avoiding a reduction in the life of the image carrier and overheating of the fixing device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a control command system in the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. Reference numeral 201 denotes a printing command group which can be transmitted to a printing apparatus by a host computer connected to the printing apparatus. 202 is an engine start instruction defined in the print instruction group 201, and 203 is the print instruction group 2
This is the engine stop command defined in 01.

Here, the engine start instruction 202 or the engine stop instruction 203 transmitted from the host computer reaches the control data execution unit 204 through the input data reception unit 101 and the input data analysis unit 102 shown in FIG. Here, the control data execution unit 204 transmits various control commands to the printer engine, such as a paper feeding conveyance system (paper feeding mode and paper discharging process), and transmits an engine startup processing command in response to the engine startup command 202. And an engine stop control processing execution unit 206 for transmitting an engine stop processing command to the engine stop instruction 203.

Next, the engine start control process execution unit 205 sends an engine start process to the control mechanism 207 (corresponding to the control mechanism unit 107 shown in FIG. 1) in the printing mechanism (printer engine) 105 shown in FIG. When the command is transmitted, the control mechanism 207
The engine start-up mechanism 208 for the engine start-up processing command in the above operates to perform actual engine start-up processing.

Similarly, the engine stop control processing execution unit 206 sends the engine start processing to the control mechanism 207 (corresponding to the control mechanism 107 shown in FIG. 1) in the printing mechanism (printer engine) 105 shown in FIG. When a command is sent, the control
The engine stop mechanism 209 for the engine stop processing command in 7 operates to perform the actual engine stop processing.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a laser beam printer showing an example of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. Reference numeral 301 denotes a host computer which transmits various print data to a laser beam printer 302.

303 is a controller of the laser beam printer 302, 304 is a printing mechanism of the laser beam printer 302,
A control unit 305 controls the entire inside of the printing mechanism unit 304, receives a video signal from the controller unit 303, receives a control command from the controller unit 303, and transmits an engine status to the controller unit 303. And a part for controlling the electrophotographic process, the sheet feeding and conveying system, and the optical system.

Reference numeral 306 denotes an optical system in the printing mechanism unit 304, which includes a rotating mirror,
It is composed of a laser unit and the like. Reference numeral 307 denotes an image forming system in the printing mechanism unit 304, which comprises an electrophotographic process execution system and a paper feeding system for transporting a recording medium. Details are shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the configuration of the image forming system 307 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes a paper feed cassette, and 402 denotes a paper feed roller, which feeds paper from the paper feed cassette 401. Reference numeral 403 denotes a photosensitive drum serving as an image carrier, and 404 denotes a fixing device.
The developed toner image is fixed on the paper from the printer. Reference numeral 405 denotes a paper transport state in the paper transport system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the controller unit 303 shown in FIG. 3, where 501 is a central processing unit (CPU) for controlling the entire controller unit, and 502 is for controlling the controller unit 303. Program memory in which programs are stored, such as read-only memory (RO
M).

Reference numeral 503 denotes a font memory that stores font information for expanding a character code into a bitmap,
For example, it is composed of a read only memory (ROM).

Reference numeral 504 denotes a work memory required to execute the program stored in the program memory 502, and is constituted by, for example, a random access memory (RAM). 505
Is a data input interface circuit for connecting the host computer 301 (see FIG. 3) and the controller unit 303. Reference numeral 506 denotes an image memory for developing a bit map for one page from the print data, and is composed of, for example, a RAM (random access memory). Reference numeral 507 denotes a data input / output interface circuit for connecting the controller unit 303 and the printing mechanism unit 304. Reference numeral 508 denotes an image signal generator for generating a video signal from the image memory 506 in synchronization with the printing mechanism 304. Reference numeral 509 denotes an internal bus connecting each memory or circuit and the central processing unit 501.

Next, a printing sequence in the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of a first print sequence in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a first print sequence processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (6) indicate each step.

First, the controller unit 303 issues an engine start command to the printing mechanism unit 304 at time T1 shown in FIG. 6 (1).

By the way, as described above, it is not preferable that the printing mechanism unit 304 rotates the photosensitive drum 403 from above or keeps the fixing unit 404 at a high temperature for a certain time (time Tc shown in FIG. 6) or more. Therefore, the timer must be monitored at the time Tc shown in FIG. The timer count for that is initialized (2). The time Tc is a fixed value fixedly determined for each type of the printer engine. Also,
The timer count is counted up by the controller unit 30.
It is common to use the system timer in 3.

Next, it is determined whether or not the set timer has exceeded the time Tc (3), and if YES (after time T2 in FIG. 6),
The controller unit 303 issues an engine stop command to the printing mechanism apparatus to perform engine stop processing for protection (6), and ends the processing.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (3) is NO (if the timer does not exceed the time Tc), it is determined whether an engine stop command (engine stop command 203) has been received from the host computer 301 (4). If YES, the process proceeds to step (6) in order to issue an engine stop command from the controller unit 303 to the printing mechanism unit.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (4) is NO, it is determined whether the printing process has actually started (paper transport) (5). If NO, the process returns to step (3). If YES, normal printing is performed. In order to execute the processing, an engine stop processing is performed (6), and this processing ends.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart corresponding to the printing sequence shown in FIG.

As can be seen from this figure, the host computer 301
When the engine start command is transmitted to the printing apparatus at time T1 in FIG. 8, the engine start process is completed at time T2, and the first page print is performed at any time between time T2 and time T8. Printing processing (paper feeding processing) is started.

Incidentally, actually, the first page print cannot always be executed at the timing shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, a sequence for recursively starting and stopping the printer engine is executed.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of a second printing sequence in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

At time T1, the printing apparatus issues an engine start instruction 20.
2 is received, an engine start process is performed, and at a time (time T2) after a lapse of a predetermined time Tc from the time T1, an engine stop process is temporarily performed for engine protection. Further, when a predetermined time Ts has elapsed from time T2 (time T3), the engine start processing can be executed again. In this way, by starting / stopping the printer engine recursively, it becomes possible to process the first page print at high speed while protecting the printer engine.

The fixed time Ts is a fixed value fixedly determined for each type of the printer engine. If the first page print is started during the fixed time Ts, the engine start processing is performed at that time, and then the actual print processing is started.
In many cases, such as 4 is close to the printable temperature, the printing process is actually performed earlier than the first page printing shown in FIG.

Next, a third printing sequence in the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the timing charts shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are timing charts showing an example of a third printing sequence in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are flowcharts showing an example of a third printing sequence processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (13) indicate each step.

First, first, the controller unit 303 is configured as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
At time T1 shown in FIG. 1, an engine start command is issued to the printing mechanism unit 304 to execute engine start processing (1).

By the way, as described above, the printing mechanism unit 304 does not rotate the photosensitive drum 403 or leave the fixing unit 404 at a high temperature for a certain period of time (the time Tc shown in FIGS. 10 and 11). Not preferred.

Therefore, it becomes necessary to monitor the time Tc shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 using a timer. Therefore, in step (2), the timer count for timer monitoring is initialized (2). The time Tc is a fixed value fixedly determined for each type of the printer engine.

In general, the count up of the timer count is performed using a system timer in the controller unit 303.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer set in step (2) has exceeded the time Tc (3). If YES (overtime) (time T2 in FIG. 11), the controller unit 303 sends the printing mechanism unit 304 Issue an engine stop command
Proceed to step (8) and subsequent steps to protect the engine.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (3) is NO, it is determined whether or not an engine stop command 203 has been received from the host computer 301 (4).
Issues an engine stop command to the printing mechanism unit 304 to execute engine stop processing (7), and ends the processing.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (4) is NO, it is determined whether the printing process has actually started (paper transport) (5). If NO, the process returns to step (3).
It waits until the actual printing process is completed from time T7 shown in FIG. 0 (6). Note that a plurality of sheets are continuously printed during a time Tp from the time T7 shown in FIG. 10 to the end of the printing process (time T8 shown in FIG. 10). Where the tenth
At time T8 shown in the figure, if there is no print data for the next page, it is necessary to issue an engine stop command from the controller unit 303 to the printing mechanism unit 304 to protect the engine. For this purpose, next, the controller unit 303 issues an engine stop command to the printing mechanism unit 304, and executes an engine stop process (8).

Next, as described above, the printing mechanism unit 304 initializes a timer counter to monitor the timer for a predetermined time (Ts time shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) (9).

Note that the time Ts is a fixed value fixedly determined for each type of the printer engine similarly to the time Tc, and the count up of the timer count is generally performed using a system timer in the controller unit 303. is there.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer set in step (9) has exceeded the time Ts (10). If YES, the controller unit 303 can issue an engine start command to the printing mechanism unit 304 again. Returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (10) is NO, it is determined whether an engine stop command has been received from the host computer 301 (11), and if YES, the process ends.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (11) is NO, it is determined whether the printing process has actually started (paper conveyance) (1).
2) If NO, return to step (10); if YES, wait until the actual printing process is completed from time T7 shown in FIG. 11 (13), and then return to step (8).

During a time Tp from the time T7 shown in FIG. 11 to the end T8 of the printing process, a plurality of sheets are continuously printed and output.

Here, at time T8 shown in FIG. 11, if there is no print data for the next page, an engine stop command is issued from the controller unit 303 to the printing mechanism unit 304 to protect the engine. Return to step (8).

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the start / stop command of the printer engine is explicitly defined and transmitted from the host computer 301 to the printing apparatus at an optimal timing has been described. You may comprise so that an instruction may be included.

Similarly, the engine stop command may be included in a job end command, a reset command, a job stop command, a reset operation from the operation panel of the printing apparatus, or a job stop command.

Further, in the above embodiment, the controller unit 303 and the control unit 305 of the printing mechanism unit 304 are clearly divided as shown in FIG. 3, but one controller (CPU) controls the entire printing apparatus. It may be configured as follows.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, the present invention provides a printing mechanism for performing a printing process based on printing information input from a host computer, and a predetermined activation for the printing mechanism based on control information input during standby for printing. And a processing unit for executing a predetermined stop process, wherein the processing unit executes the predetermined stop process for the print mechanism unit and the print mechanism when a first predetermined time has elapsed. Executing a predetermined start-up process for the printing unit, and executing the predetermined start-up process for the printing mechanism unit, and when the printing process in the printing mechanism unit is not started until a second predetermined time elapses, the printing is performed. Since a predetermined stop process is performed on the mechanism, the printable state can be maintained intermittently so as not to reduce the durability of the printing mechanism,
The printing speed can be improved by shortening the first print start time.

Further, since the predetermined start-up process includes a rotation process of the image carrier and a heat process of the fixing device, it is necessary to start up the image carrier or the fixer which requires a long time until a printable state is obtained. Can be.

In addition, the predetermined stop process includes a process of stopping the rotation of the image carrier or a process of lowering the temperature of the fixing device, so that the printing speed can be improved while avoiding a reduction in the life of the image carrier and overheating of the fixing device.

Therefore, the state of the printing mechanism can be automatically switched to the printable state or the stopped state at predetermined time intervals, and the printing speed can be improved by shortening the first print start time without reducing the durability of the printing mechanism. And the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a control command system in the printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a laser beam printer showing an example of a printing apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of a first printing sequence in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of a first printing sequence in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a printing sequence processing procedure, FIG. 8 is a timing chart corresponding to the printing sequence shown in FIG. 7,
FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of a second print sequence in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIGS.
FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing an example of a third print sequence in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a third print sequence processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing a printing sequence of a conventional printing device. In the figure, 101 is an input data receiving unit, 102 is an input data analyzing unit, 103 is a print data expanding unit, 104 is a control data execution unit, 105 is a printing mechanism unit, 106 is a printing mechanism unit, and 107 is a control mechanism unit. .

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A printing mechanism for performing a printing process based on printing information input from a host computer, the printing mechanism including an image carrier or a fixing device; and the printing mechanism based on control information input during standby for printing. And a processing unit for executing a predetermined start process or a predetermined stop process for the printing device, wherein the processing unit executes a predetermined stop process for the print mechanism unit and a first predetermined time has elapsed. A predetermined start-up process for the printing mechanism is executed, and the printing process in the printing mechanism is not started until a second predetermined time elapses after executing the predetermined start-up process for the printing mechanism. A printing apparatus for executing a predetermined stop process for the printing mechanism. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined start-up process includes a spinning process of the image carrier or a heat process of the fixing device. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined stop processing includes a rotation stop processing of the image carrier or a temperature lowering processing of the fixing device.