JPH058463A - Output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily set a relatively optimum ratio at the time of the setting of the memory ratio of the next time by designating the ratio of an output memory or adjusting the same corresponding to resolving power. CONSTITUTION:A part of a RAM 6 is allotted to a frame memory according to the designation of the memory distribution preliminarily stored in an NVRAM 8 and the other part of the RAM 6 becomes a work region for the operation of an output device. Next, data is processed to issue printing output. This printing data is one sent from a host computer 2. It is investigated whether the alteration of the size of the frame memory is designated and, when there is designation, the designated numerical value is stored in the NVRAM 8 to reset the allotment of the RAM 6. When there is no designation of alteration, it is investigated whether the operation of the output device is completed and, in the case of completion, operation is completed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an output device which holds distribution information of a memory area for storing information of an output page and controls the distribution of the memory according to the distribution information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional multicolor output device, when it is difficult to hold a bit image of an entire page to be output in a memory at one time (called a frame memory),
The output page was divided, stored in a limited amount of memory, and this operation was repeated for drawing. Then, it was used as a work area for outputting the remaining memory.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However,
The above conventional example has the following problems in terms of memory usage efficiency.

(1) Although the capacity of the frame memory may be small when the resolution is low compared to the resolution when the resolution is high, the size is actually the same as that at the time of the high resolution.

(2) Due to the reason mentioned in (1) above, even when the user desires to take a larger work area at the time of low resolution, it is difficult to realize the desire.

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However,
The above conventional example has the following problems in terms of memory usage efficiency.

(1) From the limited memory capacity, the amount to be used for the output image is predetermined.

(2) Due to the reason described in (1) above, even if the user desires to take a larger work area, it is difficult to realize that desire.

[0009]

Means (and Action) for Solving the Problems
By automatically adjusting the ratio of the output memory (frame memory) according to the resolution and holding that information,
Alternatively, you can specify the output memory (frame memory) ratio, and by holding that information, you can set a relatively optimal memory ratio when setting the next memory ratio. You can

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of Laser Beam Printer (FIG. 1) Before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, the configuration of a laser beam printer to which the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a laser beam printer (hereinafter abbreviated as LBP) of the embodiment.
The BP can register a character pattern and a fixed form (form data) from a data source (not shown).

In the figure, reference numeral 1 is an LBP main body, which is an externally connected host computer (2 in FIGS. 1 and 2).
Input and store the character information (character code) and form information or macro commands supplied from
A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created according to the information, and an image is formed on a recording paper, which is a recording medium. Reference numeral 300 is an operation panel on which switches for operation and LED indicators are arranged, and 101 is an LBP1.
This is a printer control unit that analyzes the entire control and character information supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit 101 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern to convert the laser driver 1 into a video signal.
Output to 02.

The laser driver 102 is the semiconductor laser 10.
3 is a circuit for driving the laser beam 3, and the laser beam 1 emitted from the semiconductor laser 103 according to the input video signal.
Switch 04 on / off. The laser light 104 is swung in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 105 to scan the electrostatic drum 106. As a result, an electrostatic latent image having a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 106. After the latent image is developed by the developing unit 107 around the electrostatic drum 106,
Transferred to recording paper. A cut sheet is used as the recording sheet, and the cut sheet recording sheet is stored in a sheet cassette 108 mounted on the LBP 100 and taken into the apparatus by a sheet feeding roller 109 and conveyance rollers 110 and 111.
It is supplied to the electrostatic drum 106.

Description of Printer Control System (FIG. 2) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of the laser beam printer shown in FIG.

The control system of this laser beam printer inputs the character code sent from the host computer 2 which is the source of the print information and the data 121 consisting of the external character font or form information or macro registration information, It is controlled to print document information and the like in page units. Reference numeral 202 is an input interface unit for inputting various information from the host computer 2, and 203 is an input buffer for temporarily storing various information input via the input interface unit 202. A character pattern generator 204 includes a ROM storing pattern information corresponding to a character code compressed by a run length or a normal character code, a read control circuit for the ROM, and the like when the character code is input. It also has a code conversion function for calculating the address of the character pattern corresponding to the code.

Reference numeral 205 denotes a RAM, which is a character pattern generator 2
A font cache area 207 for storing the character pattern output from 04, and a storage area 206 for storing the external character font and form information sent from the host computer 201 are included. In this way, by storing the pattern information once expanded into a character pattern in the font cache area 207 as a font cache, it is not necessary to decode the same character again to expand the pattern when printing the same character. The expansion to the character pattern becomes faster.

Reference numeral 208 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire control system of the printer, which is the CPU 20 stored in the ROM 215.
The control program 8 controls the entire apparatus. A frame buffer 209 stores pattern information expanded into character patterns for at least one page corresponding to a print image. An output interface unit 210 generates a video signal corresponding to the pattern information from the frame buffer 209 and executes interface control with the page printer printing unit 211. A printing mechanism portion 211 of the page printer receives the video signal from the output interface unit 210 and prints image information based on the video signal.

Other Configuration Diagram of Printer 1 Next, FIG. 3 is a structural diagram when the printer is a color printer.
Reference numeral 778 is a pulse width modulation circuit, which converts a multi-valued digital image signal from the host 2 into an analog image signal and compares the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to form a pulse width modulation signal. . The pulse width modulation signal is applied to the laser output unit 711 in the subsequent stage to on / off modulate the laser to form a gradation image. 711 is a scanner,
778), a laser output section for converting an image signal from the optical signal into an optical signal, a polyhedral (eg, octahedral) polygon mirror 712,
It has a motor (not shown) for rotating the mirror 712, an f / θ lens (imaging lens) 713, and the like. 714
Is a reflection mirror for changing the optical path of the laser beam, and 715 is a photosensitive drum. Laser light emitted from the laser output unit is reflected by the polygon mirror 712, linearly scans (raster scans) the surface of the photosensitive drum 715 through the lens 713 and the mirror 714, and forms a latent image corresponding to the input image. .

Further, 717 is a primary charger, 718 is a full-surface exposure lamp, 723 is a cleaner part for collecting the untransferred residual toner, 724 is a pre-transfer charger, and these members are arranged around the photosensitive drum 715. It is arranged.

Reference numeral 726 denotes a developing device unit for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 715 by laser exposure, and 731Y, 731M, 731C, 731.
Bk is a developing sleeve that is in direct contact with the photosensitive drum 715 for direct development, 730Y, 730M, 730C, and 730Bk are toner hoppers that hold preliminary toner, and 732 is a screw that transfers developer, and these sleeves 731Y ~ 731Bk, toner hopper 730Y ~ 7
The developing device unit 726 is composed of 30 Bk and the screw 732, and these members are arranged around the rotation axis P of the developing device unit. For example, when a yellow toner image is formed, the yellow toner is developed at the position shown in the figure, and when a magenta toner image is formed, the developing unit 726 is rotated about the axis P in the figure to expose the toner. The developing sleeve 731M in the magenta developing device is arranged at a position in contact with the body 715. Cyan and black development work similarly.

A transfer drum 716 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 715 onto a sheet.
19 is an actuator plate for detecting the moving position of the transfer drum 716, and 720 is this actuator plate 719.
A position sensor 7 for detecting that the transfer drum 716 has moved to the home position by being close to
25 is a transfer drum cleaner, 727 is a paper pressing roller,
728 is a static eliminator and 729 is a transfer charger, and these members 719, 720, 725, 727, 729 are arranged around the transfer roller 716.

On the other hand, 735 and 736 are sheet feeding cassettes for storing sheets (paper sheets), and 737 and 738 are cassettes 73.
Paper feed rollers for feeding paper from 5, 736, 739, 7
Reference numerals 40 and 741 denote timing rollers for timing of feeding and conveying, and the sheet fed and conveyed through these is guided to a paper guide 749 and wrapped around the transfer drum 716 while the leading end is carried by a gripper described later. , Shift to the image formation process.

Reference numeral 550 is a drum rotation motor, which synchronously rotates the photosensitive drum 715 and the transfer drum 716. 7
Reference numeral 50 denotes a peeling claw for removing the sheet from the transfer drum 716 after the image forming process is completed, 742 is a conveyor belt for conveying the removed sheet, and 743 is an image fixing unit for fixing the sheet conveyed by the conveyor belt 742. The image fixing unit 743 has a pair of thermal pressure rollers 744 and 745.

(Block Diagram) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the features of the present invention. In FIG. 4, 1 is a printer main body which is an output device, 2 is a host computer for transmitting data to the printer main body 1, and 4 is a host computer. A reception buffer for receiving data sent from the host computer 2, a CPU 3 for controlling the entire printing apparatus, and an RO 5 for storing a program for executing a flow chart described later.
M and 6 are RAMs that are work areas when the printing apparatus main body 1 performs a printing operation. Reference numeral 6a denotes a RAM in the RAM 6 as a place for expanding and storing the data in a plurality of bitmaps corresponding to each color, and 8 denotes an NVRAM which retains the contents even when the power is turned off. so,
The memory allocation according to the resolution in this embodiment is stored. 7 is an output unit. This is a structure having an engine portion as shown in FIG. 1 or 3.

[Switching Memory Allocation According to Resolution and Retaining Its Data] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention. Details are shown below. In step S1, the output device 1 starts up. Next, in step S2, NV
A part of the RAM is assigned to the frame memory according to the designation of the memory allocation according to the resolution stored in the RAM. The other part of the RAM serves as a work area for operating the output device. Next, in step S3, a normal operation of the output device (that is, data processing and printout) is performed. This print data is stored in the host computer 2 shown in FIG.
It was sent from. In step S4, it is checked whether the resolution is switched. This change is instructed by the host computer 2 in FIG. At this time, if there is a change designation, the process returns to step S2 to reset the RAM allocation. Then, the information is written in the NVRAM. Then, the above operation is repeated. If no change is designated, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, it is checked whether the operation of the output device is completed. If it is completed, the process proceeds to step S6 and is completed. If not finished yet, the process returns to step S3.

(Other Embodiments) The means for adjusting the required size of the frame memory according to the resolution may be calculated each time instead of the table in the NVRAM. It is also possible to store the calculation result in NVRAM and use it at the next startup.

[Keeping Memory Area Allocation] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention. Details are shown below. In step S1, the output device starts up. Next, in step S2, a part of the RAM is allocated to the frame memory in accordance with the memory allocation designation stored in advance in the NVRAM. The other part of the RAM serves as a work area for operating the output device. Next, in step S3, a normal operation of the output device (that is, data processing and printout) is performed. This print data is sent from the host computer 2 shown in FIG. Step S4
Then, it is checked whether or not the size of the frame memory is changed. This change designation is instructed from the host computer 2 in FIG. At this time, if a change is designated, the process proceeds to step S5, and the designated numerical value is stored in NVRAM. This value is for reference in the next startup processing. After that, the process returns to step S2 to reset the RAM allocation. Then, the above operation is repeated. If no change is designated, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, it is checked whether the operation of the output device is completed. If it is completed, the process proceeds to step S7 and is completed. If not finished yet, the process returns to step S3.

[FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the frame memory and the output paper] FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the frame memory and the output paper in relation to the above operation. Hereinafter, FIG. 7 will be described. In Case 1, the frame memory has a sufficient size, and the entire bit image of the output paper size can be stored. In this case, divided drawing is unnecessary. Case 2 is a case where the RAM capacity is relatively limited, and the size of the frame memory cannot cover the entire output page. At this time, one output image is formed by three divisions. Case 3 is a case where the allocation of the frame memory is further limited as compared with Case 2, and the number of divisions in this case is 5 times. Also, RA
Looking at the distribution state of M in each case, when the frame memory allocation is small, there are many work areas on the contrary, so the user can use the work area freely, for example, to register download characters. it can.

As described above, the effect of the present embodiment becomes more remarkable when the output unit is a color device.

As described above, by changing the size of the (frame memory) for storing the bit image of the output page according to the resolution, the memory can be used efficiently and the information can be held. By setting the memory ratio, a relatively optimum memory ratio can be determined when the memory ratio is designated next time.

[0032]

Since the size of the (frame memory) for storing the bit image of the output page can be variably specified, for example, when the frame memory allocation is small, there are many work areas, and the user can The area can be used freely, and it can be used for registering download characters, etc., and it has become possible to control the usage pattern of the memory desired by the user. Then, when the memory ratio is designated next time, the relatively optimum memory ratio can be determined.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a controller of the printer.

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a color printer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing retaining a percentage of frame memory based on resolution.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing that the proportion of the room memory is held based on a frame memory proportion switching instruction.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a frame memory and an output page.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 device body 2 Host computer 3 CPU

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A deciding means for deciding a size of an output memory according to a resolution, a holding means for holding information on the output memory size decided by the deciding means, and a holding means for holding the information. An output device, comprising: a control unit that controls the size of the output memory based on the size information of the output memory. A multicolor output device having: 2. Designating means for designating a size of an output memory, holding means for holding size information of the output memory designated by the designating means, and output means held by the holding means. An output device comprising: a control unit that controls the size of the output memory based on information about the size of the memory.