JP4346761B2 - Data transfer apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data transfer apparatus and method for controlling transmission of data to a printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in general, a reset signal line is prepared for a Centronics interface that connects a printer and a computer, and the printer can be reset by asserting a reset signal on the reset signal line. It was.
[0003]
Even during printing by the printer, if the printer is forcibly reset by asserting the reset signal on this reset signal line, the paper is ejected and all the settings that have been set up to that point are Thus, once reset, the next printing can be started normally.
[0004]
On the other hand, in an environment designed on the assumption that the printer is shared on the network, there is an environment in which the reset signal on the reset signal line cannot be used. This is to avoid the danger that even a third party's printing is canceled.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, simply stopping the transfer of print data is not sufficient as a reset process in order to realize print cancellation in an environment where the reset signal on the reset signal line is not used. In other words, at this time, the printer may be waiting to receive a continuation of an unfinished command, and the head of the next print data will be misunderstood as the continuation. Even if the printing is completed, the form feed code is not received, so that there is a problem that the next printing is started from the middle of the paper without discharging the paper.
[0006]
Further, since the reset process is insufficient, there is a problem in that the setting value set up to that point is not initialized and is transferred to the next printing.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer apparatus and method capable of solving the above problems and starting printing normally for each job.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data transfer apparatus having a transmission unit for transmitting data to a printer, a determination unit for determining whether or not a print data block is completed in response to a data transfer request, and the determination unit If a negative determination is made, in response to the print end request, complementary data including data to be printed for completing the parameter length of the print data block and form feed code for discharging the paper being fed is generated. Complementary data generating means, and a transfer means for transferring the generated complementary data to the transmitting means after the print data block when the complementary data is generated by the complementary data generating means.
[0009]
The determination unit includes a detection unit that detects a command break, and can determine whether the print data block is completed based on the command break detected by the detection unit. . Further, the complementary data generation means can generate complementary data including a form feed code.
[0010]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, the complementary data generation means has a calculation means for calculating the number of bytes necessary for the complement, and can perform the complement for the number of bytes obtained by the calculation by the calculation means.
[0012]
In the first aspect , the complementary data generation means can generate complementary data including a printer reset command.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 5 is a determination step for determining whether or not the print data block is completed in response to the data transfer request, and in the case of negative determination, in response to the print end request, the parameter of the print data block A complementary data generation step for generating complementary data including data to be printed for completing the length and a form feed code for discharging the paper being fed, and if the complementary data is generated, the generated complementary data And a transfer step of transferring the data to a transmission means for transmitting data to the printer after the print data block.
[0015]
6. The determination step according to claim 5 , further comprising a detection step of detecting a command delimiter, and determining whether or not the print data block is complete based on the command delimiter detected in the detection step. .
[0016]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the complementary data generation step includes a calculation step for calculating the number of bytes necessary for the complementation, and the number of bytes obtained in the calculation step can be complemented.
[0018]
In the fifth aspect , the complementary data generation step can generate complementary data including a printer reset command.
[0020]
A program stored in a computer-readable storage medium includes a determination procedure for determining whether or not a print data block is completed in response to a data transfer request, and a print end request when a negative determination is made by the determination procedure. And a complementary data generation procedure for generating complementary data including print data for completing the parameter length of the print data block and form feed code for discharging the paper being fed , and the complementary data generation When complementary data is generated according to the procedure, the computer is caused to execute a transfer procedure for transferring the generated complementary data to a transmission unit that transmits data to the printer after the print data block.
[0021]
The program stored in the computer-readable storage medium has a detection procedure in which the determination procedure detects a command break, and whether or not the print data block is completed based on the command break detected by the detection procedure. Determine whether.
[0022]
The program stored in the computer-readable storage medium has a calculation procedure in which the complementary data generation procedure calculates the number of bytes necessary for the complementation, and complements the number of bytes obtained by the calculation by the calculation procedure.
[0024]
Program stored in a computer-readable storage medium, complement data generation procedure, Ru can generate supplemental data comprising a printer reset command.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0027]
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. This is an example of a system in which a computer 1 and a printer 2 are connected. Although the Centronics parallel interface is used as the external interface, other interfaces such as a SCSI interface may be used.
[0028]
The computer 1 includes an input interface 11, a CPU 12, a ROM 13, a RAM 14, an external storage device 15, an output interface 16, a display unit 17, and a mouse 18.
[0029]
The ROM 13 stores an initial setting program. As shown in FIG. 2, the external storage device 15 includes an application program, an OS (a data spool program, a data transmission processing program, an interface control program, etc.), a printer driver (a print data generation program, and a data transmission control program). Etc.) are stored.
[0030]
The application program is a program for providing a drawing environment and a printing environment and instructing the start of printing. The data spool program is a program for receiving the generated print data, dividing it into print data blocks of an arbitrary size, and issuing repeated data transfer requests. The data transmission processing program is a program for managing transmission of the print data block that has been parsed. The interface control program is a program that plays a role of issuing a busy signal in a situation where data cannot be received immediately such as when the data is actually written and read through the Centronics parallel interface and the reception buffer of the printer 2 is full. . The print data generation program is a program for converting the symbol information drawn according to the application program into a printer command. The data transmission control program is a program for receiving a data transfer request and parsing an input print data block to detect a printer command delimiter.
[0031]
The RAM 14 has a symbol information storage unit 14a, a print data storage unit 14b, and a program load area 14c, and stores each program stored in the external storage device 15. The CPU 12 controls each unit in accordance with a control program stored in the RAM 14.
[0032]
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the printer 2 of FIG. The printer 2 includes an interface unit 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, a CPU 204, and an engine 205. The interface unit 201 is connected to the output interface 16 of the computer 1. The ROM 203 stores a control program and the like. The CPU 204 controls each part of the printer 2 according to a control program stored in the ROM 203. The RAM 202 is used as a main memory and work memory of the CPU 204, and has a reception buffer for temporarily storing received data. The engine 205 performs printing based on data stored in the RAM 202.
[0033]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a data transmission control program stored in the RAM 14 of FIG. In step S1, it is determined whether or not the current request from the data spool program is a “print start request”. If it is determined that the request is a “print start request”, initialization in preparation for printing is performed in step S2. Do. Here, 0 is set to the incomplete flag as initialization work. On the other hand, if it is determined that the request is not a “print start request”, it is determined in step S3 whether the current request is a “data transfer request”.
[0034]
If it is determined that the request is a data transfer request, the print data block is parsed in step S4. Here, for example, the command ESC (x n p1 p2 p3...
In
ESC: Code indicating the start of the command (1 byte)
(: Preceding code of the next command ID (1 byte)
x: Command ID (1 byte) represented by a, b, c, etc. in the example
n: Length of parameter composed of p1 and p2 (1 byte)
p1: Parameter 1 (1 byte)
p2: Parameter 2 (1 byte)
p3: Parameter 3 (1 byte)
...
Represents.
[0035]
As a result of the parsing in step S4, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the parameter length of the last command included in the print data block is 01 and the parameter is 1 byte at the end, In step S5, it is determined that the print data block has been completed at the end of the command, and is completed. In step S6, 0 is set in the incomplete flag.
[0036]
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the parameter length of the last command included in the print data block is 02 and the parameter has only 1 byte at the end, this print data is displayed at step S5. It is determined that the block is not completed at the command segment and is not completed, and 1 is set to the incomplete flag in step S7. In step S8, the parsed print data block is transferred to the data transfer processing program for transmission to the printer. Thereafter, this process is terminated.
[0037]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the current request is not a “data transfer request”, it is determined in step S9 whether or not the current request is a “print end request”. If it is determined that the request is not a “print end request”, it is determined that the request is not a “print start request”, a “data transfer request”, or a “print end request”, and then the process ends. .
[0038]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the request is “printing end”, it is determined in step S10 whether or not the incomplete flag is 1, that is, whether or not it is necessary to send complementary data before ending printing.
[0039]
In the case of “print end request”, for the print data transmission control program, this “print end request” was requested last in the process of normally ending printing, or was requested in the middle according to the print stop command It does not have to be understood, and generating and transmitting complementary data according to the state of the “incomplete flag” set in step S2, step S6 or S7 results in the normal termination of printing.
[0040]
If the incomplete flag is not 1, this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the incomplete flag is 1, complementary data is generated in step S11, and the complementary data is transmitted to the data transmission processing program in step S12. Forward to.
[0041]
Next, a method for generating complementary data will be described in more detail. For example, in the case of the print data block shown in FIG. 6, first, pay attention to the parameter length of the last command included in this print data block, that is, 02, and calculate how many more bytes are to be complemented to complete the command. . From the calculation result, it can be seen that one more byte needs to be complemented to complete the command. Therefore, an arbitrary one byte, here, FF which is data to be printed when transmitted to the printer is added. However, what is complemented is not limited to FF, and other codes may be used as long as they are data to be printed. In the example of FIG. 6, in addition to this FF, 1 byte of 0C (form feed code) is also added for the purpose of discharging the paper being fed.
[0042]
Further, for example, the example shown in FIG. 7 is an example in which the command ID or parameter length portion of the last command in the print data block is not included in the print data block. The completion of the command in this example means that even if this print data block is sent to the printer, there is no effect on printing, and possibly a command that is judged as a command that the printer does not support and skips. This is performed by adding an ID (Z in FIG. 7B) and a parameter length (00 in FIG. 7B). In addition to the addition of these, 0C (form feed code) is added for the purpose of paper discharge, and a printer reset command as indicated by RESET for the purpose of initialization of the printer is issued as in the example of FIG. Added command to complete.
[0043]
After generating complementary data as described above, the generated complementary data is transferred to the data transmission processing program in step S12.
[0044]
As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus (or CPU or MPU (microprocessor unit)) It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.
[0045]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0046]
Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM (compact disk ROM), a CD-R (compact disk recordable), a magnetic tape, and a nonvolatile memory. Cards, ROM (read only memory), etc. can be used.
[0047]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0048]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since complementary data is transmitted to complete an incomplete command, unnecessary dust printing can be prevented at the head of subsequent printing.
[0050]
In addition, according to the present invention, since the form feed code is included in the complementary data, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of discharging the paper in the middle of printing and starting the next printing in the middle of the paper.
[0051]
Further, according to the present invention, since the reset command is included in the complementary data, it is possible to initialize the setting value that has been set so far, and prevent the inconvenience that the previous setting value is carried over to the next printing. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a program stored in the external storage device 15 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer 2 in FIG. 1;
4 is a flowchart showing an example of a data transmission control program stored in a RAM 14 of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print data block.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print data block when printing is stopped and an example of what is added to complete a command.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print data block when printing is stopped and an example of what is added to complete a command.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Computer 2 Printer 11 Input Interface 12 CPU
13 ROM
14 RAM
15 External storage device 16 Output interface 17 Display unit 18 Mouse

Claims (12)

In a data transfer apparatus having a transmission means for transmitting data to a printer,
Determination means for determining whether or not the print data block is completed in response to the data transfer request;
If the determination means makes a negative determination, in response to the print end request, the supplement including the data to be printed for completing the parameter length of the print data block and the form feed code for discharging the paper being fed Complementary data generation means for generating data;
And a transfer unit that transfers the generated complementary data to the transmission unit after the print data block when the complementary data is generated by the complementary data generation unit.   The determination unit according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit that detects a command break, and determines whether or not the print data block is complete based on the command break detected by the detection unit. A data transfer device.   2. The data transfer according to claim 1, wherein the complementary data generation means includes a calculation means for calculating the number of bytes necessary for the completion, and performs the complement for the number of bytes obtained by the calculation by the calculation means. apparatus. 2. The supplementary data generation means according to claim 1 , wherein, if the determination means makes a negative determination, in response to a print end request, if the parameter length of the print data block is not included, a parameter length of 0 is supplied. A data transfer device that generates complementary data including a form feed code for discharging a sheet of paper and a printer reset command for initializing the printer . A determination step of determining whether the print data block is completed in response to the data transfer request;
  If a negative determination is made, in response to the print end request, a complement that generates supplement data including print data for completing the parameter length of the print data block and a form feed code for discharging the paper being fed A data generation step;
  A transfer step of transferring the generated complementary data to a transmission means for transmitting the data to the printer after the print data block when the complementary data is generated;
  A data transfer method characterized by comprising: 6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the determination step includes a detection step of detecting a command break, and it is determined whether or not the print data block is completed based on the command break detected in the detection step. A featured data transfer method. 6. The data transfer method according to claim 5, wherein the complementary data generation step includes a calculation step of calculating the number of bytes necessary for the complement, and performs the complement for the number of bytes obtained in the calculation step. 6. The complementary data generation step according to claim 5 , wherein when the determination step makes a negative determination, in response to a print end request, when the parameter length of the print data block is not included, a parameter length of 0 is supplied. A data transfer method comprising generating complementary data including a form feed code for discharging a sheet of paper and a printer reset command for initializing the printer . A determination procedure for determining whether the print data block is completed in response to the data transfer request;
  Complement including a print data block for completing the parameter length of the print data block and a form feed code for discharging the paper being fed in response to a print end request when a negative determination is made by the determination procedure Complementary data generation procedure for generating data,
  A transfer procedure for transferring the generated complementary data to a transmission means for transmitting data to the printer after the print data block when the complementary data is generated by the complementary data generation procedure;
  A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute. The program according to claim 9, wherein the determination procedure includes a detection procedure for detecting a command delimiter, and determines whether or not the print data block is complete based on the command delimiter detected by the detection procedure. A stored computer-readable storage medium. 10. The computer-readable computer according to claim 9 , wherein the complementary data generation procedure includes a calculation procedure for calculating the number of bytes necessary for complementation, and stores a program for performing complementation for the number of bytes obtained by the calculation by the calculation procedure Storage medium. According to claim 9, wherein the complementary data generation procedure, if a negative determination by said determining step, in response to a print end request, does not contain the parameter length of print data blocks, feeding the parameters length of 0 A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for generating complementary data including a form feed code for discharging a sheet of paper and a printer reset command for initializing the printer.

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