JP3348913B2 - Printing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus comprising a control section and an engine section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 shows a conventional electrophotographic printing apparatus 10P comprising a control unit 20 and an engine unit (engine controller 30 and engine 40). 100 is
This is a host device (host computer) that sends print data PDS to the control unit 20.

The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22,
RAM 23, video data conversion chip 24, EEPROM
When the print data PDS from the host device 100 is received, the print data PDS is temporarily stored in the RAM 23 and the print data PD
The image data relating to S is written into the video data conversion chip 24, converted into video data VDS using the video data conversion data stored therein, and sent to the engine controller 30.

The engine controller 30 has a CPU 3
1, ROM 32, RAM 33, interface 36,
It includes an input / output port 34 and the like, and drives and prints the engine 40 based on the video data VDS received from the control unit 20. The engine 40 includes a paper feed mechanism and the like in addition to a process unit including an image carrier, a charger, an exposure unit, a developing unit, and a transfer unit. The printing speed and image quality differ depending on the combination of these constituent devices. Therefore, even if the engine controller 30 has the same specifications, many types can be combined with the engine 40. Further, even if the components (types) of the engine 40 are the same, the operation can be performed with the resolution adjusted to be higher or lower according to the scanning mode of the laser beam from the exposure unit, that is, the video data VDS from the control unit 20.

In such a printing apparatus, when the out-of-toner detection sensor 50 detects out-of-toner, printing is immediately stopped, and printing is continued for a preset number of sheets set in advance to improve the division of the printing operation. There is a type to let. In the latter conventional method, a continuous print number storage means 32N is provided in the ROM 32 of the engine controller 30 and when the toner is exhausted, printing is performed for the set continuous print number read from this.

[0006]

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional system, further simplification of handling and reduction of cost are hindered.
In other words, even if it is desired to increase or decrease the set number of continuous prints after the toner exhaustion is detected, depending on the results of actual operation and the structure / mounting position of the toner exhaustion detection sensor 50, the RO
Since M32 must be converted, it is difficult to execute it technically and cost-effectively. Also, in terms of production,
RO storing different set continuous printing number according to request
If M32 is incorporated individually, a large number of ROM3
2 must be prepared, so that it is difficult to manage it and the cost is high. That is, this is a factor that hinders mass production of engine controllers 30 having the same specifications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus which can easily change the setting of the number of continuous prints after the detection of toner exhaustion, is easy to handle, has wide applicability, and can achieve cost reduction.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus comprising: a control unit for generating video data; and an engine unit for printing based on the received video data. A continuous print number setting input means for setting and inputting the continuous print number; and a continuous print number transmitting means for transmitting the set continuous print number to the engine unit; a setting continue print number storage means for storing, receiving
The received video data is stored in the detecting means for detecting run- out of toner every time printing is performed and the continuous print number storing means is set on condition that the run- out of toner is detected. A print continuation control unit for continuing printing by the set continuation number of prints is provided .

[0009]

In the case of the present invention having the above construction, when an appropriate number of sheets is set and input using the continuous print number setting input means on the control unit side, the continuous print number transmission means transmits the set continuous print number to the engine unit side. . The engine part receiving this,
It is stored in the set continuous printing number storage means. Like this. When the running out of toner is detected, the printing continuation control means continues printing by the set continuation printing number stored in the setting continuation printing number storage means. Also, run out of toner in the previous job
Out of toner is detected in subsequent jobs even if
Otherwise, normal printing is performed.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the basic configuration of this printing apparatus is the same as that of the conventional example (FIG. 4). However, a continuous printing number setting input unit (28K) and a continuous printing number transmitting unit are provided on the control unit 20 side. (21, 22, 26), and a set continuous print number storage means 33N and a print continuation control means (31, 32) provided on the engine section (30) side to easily set and input the continuous print number of transmission. The printing is continued as much as possible and the set number of continuous printing is continued.

The parts common to the conventional example (FIG. 4) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

The continuous printing number setting input means is provided on the control unit 20 for setting and inputting the number of sheets to be continuously printed after the toner is exhausted. It can be formed with the keyboard 28 and the host device 100 in the device 20. In this embodiment, the number key 2 provided in the keyboard 28 shown in FIG.
8K. The number of continuous prints N entered
sf is a specific area 2 of the RAM 23 by the CPU 21.
3M (YES in ST10 in FIG. 2, ST
11).

The continuous print number transmitting means transmits the set continuous print number Nsf input as described above to the engine unit (30).
It is formed from the interface 26 and is executed in ST12 of FIG.

The CPU 31 shown in FIG. 1 on the engine unit (30, 40) side receives the set continuation print number Nsf (YES in ST20 of FIG. 3) and stores the set continuation print number Nsf formed from the partial storage area (33N) of the RAM 33. Printing number storage means 3
3N (ST21). Here, CPU
It is understood that the storage 31 and the ROM 32 constitute storage control means.

After receiving the video data (YES in ST22 of FIG. 3), the printing continuation control means detects that the toner has run out by the toner running out detection sensor 50 (FIG. 3).
(YES in ST23), means for continuing printing by the set continuous printing number Nsf stored in the storage means 33N, formed of the CPU 31 and the ROM 32, and executed in ST31 and ST32 in FIG. The set continuous printing number Nsf is read by the CPU 31 (ST3).
0).

In FIG. 3, the control unit 20 is configured to print the set number of continuous printing sheets Nsf on condition that the running out of toner is detected (ST30 to ST32).
When the number of prints Ns specified by the printer is completed, the printing can be completed and executed before reaching the set number of continuous prints Nsf.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. A desired number (Nsf) is set and input using a number key (continuous print number setting input means) 28K (YES in ST10 of FIG. 2). The CPU 21 temporarily stores the set continuous printing number Nsf in a specific area 23M in the RAM 23 (ST
11). Then, the continuous print number transmitting means (21, 22, 22)
26) operates to transmit the set continuous print number Nsf to the engine unit (30) (ST12).

The CPU (storage control means) 31 in the engine controller 30 receiving this (YES in ST20 of FIG. 3) stores it in the set continuous print number storage means 33N (ST21). Therefore, the engine unit (30, 4)
An arbitrary number of continuous prints (Nsf) can be easily set to 0). It can be seen that the ROM 32 may be of the same type.

Thereafter, when the control unit 20 receives the print data PDS including the designated number Ns transmitted from the host device 100 (YES in ST13 of FIG. 2), the control unit 20 converts the print data PDS into video data VDS using the video data conversion data. Yes (ST1
4). And it transmits to engine controller 30 (ST15).

The engine controller 30 receives (see FIG. 3)
The video data VDS obtained in step ST22 is stored in RAM.
33, and drive-controls the engine 40 to specify the designated number N
Only s is printed (ST24 to ST26). During this process, the toner-out detection sensor 50 detects the toner-out (ST23).
YES), the printing basically ends, but at this time, the printing continuation control means (31, 32) operates. That is, C
The PU 31 continues printing for the set continuous print number Nsf stored in the set continuous print number storage unit 33N (ST31, ST32).

Thus, according to this embodiment, the control unit 2
On the 0 side, a continuous print number setting input means (28K) and a continuous print number transmission means (21, 22, 26) are provided, and the set continuous print number storage means 3 is provided in the engine unit (30).
3N and a print continuation control means (31, 32) are provided, and printing is continued by the set continuation print number Nsf on condition that an arbitrary continuous print number Nsf can be set and input and that toner out is detected. Therefore, the desired number of sheets can be continuously printed without replacing the ROM 32 in the engine controller 30, the complicated management of the ROM 32 can be eliminated, the cost can be reduced, the handling is easy, and the applicability is wide.

Further, since the continuous print number setting input means is formed from the number key 28K on the keyboard 28,
The desired number (Nsf) can be set quickly and accurately with easier handling, and the setting can be easily changed.

[0023]

According to the present invention, the control unit is provided with the continuous print number setting input means and the continuous print number transmission means, and the engine unit is provided with the set continuous print number storage means and the print continuation control means, Since it is configured so that the user can set and input an arbitrary number of continuous prints and the continuous number of continuous prints is set on condition that the toner exhaustion is detected,
The desired number of sheets can be continuously printed without replacing the ROM in the engine controller, the complicated management of the ROM can be eliminated, the cost can be reduced, the handling is easy, and the applicability is wide. The detection means for detecting the toner exhaustion, since activated each time for printing and stores the bi Deodeta, be detected toner shortage in the previous job, the subsequent job, if out of toner is detected Normal printing can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the engine unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing apparatus 20 Control part 21 CPU (continuous printing number transmission means) 22 ROM (continuous printing number transmission means) 23 RAM 24 Video data conversion chip 26 Interface (continuous printing number transmission means) 28 Keyboard 28K number key (continuous printing number transmission means) Means) 30 engine controller (engine unit) 31 CPU (print continuation control unit) 32 ROM (print continuation control unit) 33 RAM 33N setting continuous printing number storage unit 36 interface 40 engine (engine unit) 100 host device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 29/38 B41J 29/46 G03G 15/08 114 G03G 21/00 370

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing apparatus comprising: a control unit for generating video data; and an engine unit for printing based on received video data. A continuous printing number setting input for setting and inputting a continuous printing number to the control unit side. means, and a continuous print number transmission means for transmitting the continuous printing number of sheets set and inputted to the engine unit is provided, and the engine unit, a setting continue print number storage means for storing a set continuous print number received, received Said
Detecting means for detecting running out of toner every time video data is stored and printing, and printing is continued for the set continuous printing number stored in the set continuous printing number storage means on condition that the toner running out is detected. A printing continuation control means for causing the printing apparatus to perform printing.