Printer control device and printer apparatus with a printer control device

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to provide a printer apparatus capable of receiving concurrent input print data from plural input ports without increasing receiving buffer memory and image creator. A controller determines whether an image creator is used by other jobs when starting receiving print data through any one of the plural input ports. When not used, print data related to the current job is stored in a receiving buffer memory and at the same time create print data stored in the buffer memory via the image creator. On the other hand, when other jobs use the image creator, the print data related to the current job is stored in a hard disk unit and then is created the print data stored in the hard disk unit when the image creating device becomes available.

1 . A printer control device comprising: 
 a first port and a second port, each of which receives a print data from an external device;    a receiving buffer used by the first port and the second port to temporarily store the print data;    a storage used by the first port and the second port, to store the print data received by the first port and the second port;    an image creator to create an image data based on the print data from the external device; and    a controller to judge whether the image creator is creating the image data based on a previously received print data, when the first port or the second port receives a new print data from the external device, the controller controls to store the new print data in the receiving buffer when the image creator is not creating the image data, and to store the new print data in the storage in case the image creator is creating the image data.    
   
   
       2 . The printer control device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the image creator to sequentially create the image data based on the print data temporarily stored in the receiving buffer.  
   
   
       3 . The printer control device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the image creator to create the image data based on the print data stored in the storage.  
   
   
       4 . The printer control device of  claim 3 , wherein before the image creator completes creating the image data based on the print data, the controller judges whether another print data is stored in the storage, and controls the image creator to create the image data based on the stored data in case the anther print data is stored in the storage.  
   
   
       5 . The printer control device of  claim 4 , wherein the controller judges where the print data stored in the storage can be stored into the receiving buffer before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and the controller stores the print data stored in the storage into the receiving buffer, and then creates the image data based on the print data I case it is possible.  
   
   
       6 . The printer control device of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a memory, which temporarily stores the image data created by the image creator,    wherein the controller judges whether the image data created by the image creator can be stored into the memory before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and the controller stores the print data into the receiving buffer, and then creates the image data based on the print data stored in the receiving buffer in case it is possible.    
   
   
       7 . The printer control device of  claim 4 , wherein while the controller stores the print data received by the first port or the second port in the storage, the controller starts reading out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator starts creating the image data based on the print data before the completion of storing the print data in the storage.  
   
   
       8 . The printer control device of  claim 7 , wherein under a condition that the controller stores the print data received by the first port or the second port in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data stored in the storage, the controller stores the print data received by the first port or the second port in the receiving buffer when the print data to be read out from the storage for the image data creation does not exist.  
   
   
       9 . The printer control device of  claim 7 , wherein the controller judges whether the print data stored in the storage can be stored in the receiving buffer, before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and when possible, the controller stores the print data in the receiving buffer, and then creates the image data based on the print data.  
   
   
       10 . The printer control device of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a memory to temporarily store the image data created by the image creator, wherein    the controller judges whether the memory can store the image data created by the image creator before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and when possible, the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and the controller stores the image data in the memory.    
   
   
       11 . A printer control device comprising: 
 a first port and a second port, each of which receives a print data from an external device;    a receiving buffer used by the first port and the second port to temporarily store the print data;    a storage used by the first port and the second port, to store the print data received by the first port and second port;    an image creator to create an image data based on the print data from the external device; and    a controller to judges whether the receiving buffer can store the new print data, wherein the controller controls to store the new print data in the receiving buffer when the receiving buffer can store the new print data, and the controller stores the new print data in the storage when the receiving buffer cannot store the new print data.    
   
   
       12 . The printer control device of  claim 11 ,  
     wherein the controller controls the image creator to sequentially create the image data based on the print data temporarily stored in the receiving buffer.  
   
   
       13 . The printer control device of  claim 11 , wherein the controller controls the image creator to create the image data based on the print data stored in the storage.  
   
   
       14 . The printer control device of  claim 13 , wherein when the image creator completes creating the image data based on the print data, the controller judges whether another print data is stored in the storage, and controls the image creator to create the image data based on the stored data in case the anther print data is stored in the storage.  
   
   
       15 . The printer control device of  claim 14 , wherein the controller judges where the print data stored in the storage can be stored into the receiving buffer before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and the controller stores the print data stored in the storage into the receiving buffer, and then creates the image data based on the print data I case it is possible.  
   
   
       16 . The printer control device of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a memory, which temporarily stores the image data created by the image creator,    wherein the controller judges whether the image data created by the image creator can be stored into the memory before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and the controller stores the print data into the receiving buffer, and then creates the image data based on the print data stored in the receiving buffer in case it is possible.    
   
   
       17 . The printer control device of  claim 14 , wherein while the controller stores the print data received by the first port or the second port in the storage, the controller starts reading out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator starts creating the image data based on the print data before the completion of storing the print data in the storage.  
   
   
       18 . The printer control device of  claim 17 , wherein under a condition that the controller stores the print data received by the first port or the second port in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data stored in the storage, the controller stores the print data received by the first port or the second port in the receiving buffer when the print data to be read out from the storage for the image data creation does not exist.  
   
   
       19 . The printer control device of  claim 17 , wherein the controller judges whether the print data stored in the storage can be stored in the receiving buffer, before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and when possible, the controller stores the print data in the receiving buffer, and then creates the image data based on the print data in case.  
   
   
       20 . The printer control device of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a memory to temporarily store the image data created by the image creator, wherein    the controller judges whether the memory can store the image data created by the image creator before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and when possible, the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and the controller controls to store the image data in the memory.    
   
   
       21 . A printer control device comprising: 
 a first port and a second port, each of which receives a print data from an external device;    a receiving buffer used by the first port and the second port to temporarily store the print port;    a storage used by the first port and the second port, to store the print data received by the first port and the second port;    an image creator to create an image data based on the print data from the external device;    a memory to temporarily store the image data created by the image creator; and    a controller to judge whether the memory can store the image data in the memory, when the first port or the second port receives a new print data from the external device,    wherein the controller controls to temporarily store the new print data in the receiving buffer when the memory can store the image data, and the storage stores the image data when the memory cannot store the image data.    
   
   
       22 . The printer control device of  claim 21 , wherein the controller controls the image creator to sequentially create the image data based on the print data temporarily stored in the receiving buffer.  
   
   
       23 . The printer control device of  claim 21 , wherein the controller controls the image creator to create the image data based on the print data stored in the storage.  
   
   
       24 . The printer control device of  claim 23 , wherein when the image creator completes creating the image data based on the print data, the controller judges whether another print data is stored in the storage, and controls the image creator to create the image data based on the stored data in case the anther print data is stored in the storage.  
   
   
       25 . The printer control device of  claim 24 , wherein the controller judges where the print data stored in the storage can be stored into the receiving buffer before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and the controller stores the print data stored in the stroge into the receiving buffer, and then creates the image data based on the print data I case it is possible.  
   
   
       26 . The printer control device of  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 a memory, which temporarily stores the image data created by the image creator,    wherein the controller judges whether the image data created by the image creator can be stored into the memory before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and the controller stores the print data into the receiving buffer, and then creates the image data based on the print data stored in the receiving buffer in case it is possible.    
   
   
       27 . The printer control device of  claim 24 , wherein while the controller stores the print data received by the first port or the second port in the storage, the controller starts reading out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator starts creating the image data based on the print data before the completion of storing the print data in the storage.  
   
   
       28 . The printer control device of  claim 27 , wherein under a condition that the controller stores the print data received by the first port or the second port in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data stored in the storage, the controller stores the print data received by the first port or the second port in the receiving buffer when the print data to be read out from the storage for the image data creation does not exist.  
   
   
       29 . The printer control device of  claim 27 , wherein the controller judges whether the print data stored in the storage can be stored in the receiving buffer, before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and when possible, the controller stores the print data in the receiving buffer, and then creates the image data based on the print data in case.  
   
   
       30 . The printer control device of  claim 27 , further comprising: 
 a memory to temporarily store the image data created by the image creator, wherein    the controller judges whether the memory can store the image data created by the image creator before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and when possible, the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and the controller stores the image data in the memory.    
   
   
       31 . A Printer control device comprising: 
 a first port and second port, each of which receives a print data from an external device;    a receiving buffer used by the first port and the second port to temporarily store the print data from an external device;    a storage used by the first port and the second port, to store the print data received by the first port and the second port;    an image creator to create an image data based on the print data from the external device; and    a controller to select a first mode or a second mode when the first port or the second port receives a new print data from the external device, wherein the first mode is to store the new print data in the receiving buffer and the second mode is to store the new print data in the storage.    
   
   
       32 . The printer control device of  claim 31 , wherein the controller controls the image creator to sequentially create the image data based on the print data temporarily stored in the receiving buffer.  
   
   
       33 . The printer control device of  claim 31 , wherein the controller controls the image creator to create the image data based on the print data stored in the storage.  
   
   
       34 . The printer control device of  claim 33 , wherein when the image creator completes creating the image data based on the print data, the controller judges whether another print data is stored in the storage, and controls the image creator to create the image data based on the stored data in case the anther print data is stored in the storage.  
   
   
       35 . The printer control device of  claim 34 , wherein the controller judges where the print data stored in the storage can be stored into the receiving buffer before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and the controller stores the print data stored in the storage into the receiving buffer, and then creates the image data based on the print data I case it is possible.  
   
   
       36 . The printer control device of  claim 34 , further comprising: 
 a memory, which temporarily stores the image data created by the image creator,    wherein the controller judges whether the image data created by the image creator can be stored into the memory before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and the controller stores the print data into the receiving buffer, and then creates the image data based on the print data stored in the receiving buffer in case it is possible.    
   
   
       37 . The printer control device of  claim 34 , wherein while the controller stores the print data received by the first port or the second port in the storage, the controller starts reading out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator starts creating the image data based on the print data before the completion of storing the print data in the storage.  
   
   
       38 . The printer control device of  claim 37 , wherein under a condition that the controller stores the print data received by the first port or the second port in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data stored in the storage, the controller stores the print data received by the first port or the second port in the receiving buffer when the print data to be read out from the storage for the image data creation does not exist.  
   
   
       39 . The printer control device of  claim 37 , wherein the controller judges whether the print data stored in the storage can be stored in the receiving buffer, before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and when possible, the controller stores the print data in the receiving buffer, and then creates the image data based on the print data in case.  
   
   
       40 . The printer control device of  claim 37 , further comprising: 
 a memory to temporarily store the image data created by the image creator, wherein    the controller judges whether the memory can store the image data created by the image creator before the controller reads out the print data stored in the storage and when possible, the image creator creates the image data based on the print data, and the controller stores the image data in the memory.    
   
   
       41 . A printer having the printer control device of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       42 . A printer having the printer control device of  claim 11 .  
   
   
       43 . A printer having the printer control device of  claim 21 .  
   
   
       44 . A printer having the printer control device of  claim 31 .  
   
   
       45 . The printer control device of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving buffer is configured by semiconductor memory.  
   
   
       46 . The printer control device of  claim 11 , wherein the receiving buffer is configured by semiconductor memory.  
   
   
       47 . The printer control device of  claim 21 , wherein the receiving buffer is configured by semiconductor memory.  
   
   
       48 . The printer control device of  claim 31 , wherein the receiving buffer is configured by semiconductor memory.  
   
   
       49 . The printer control device of  claim 1 , wherein the storage is configured by a hard disk drive.  
   
   
       50 . The printer control device of  claim 11 , wherein the storage is configured by a hard disk drive.  
   
   
       51 . The printer control device of  claim 21 , wherein the storage is configured by a hard disk drive.  
   
   
       52 . The printer control device of  claim 31 , wherein the storage is configured by a hard disk drive.  
   
   
       53 . A print control method of a printer control device, a printer control device comprising: 
 a first port and a second port, each of which receives a print data from an external device;    a receiving buffer used by the first port and the second port to temporarily store the print data;    a storage used by the first port and the second port, to store the print data received by the first port and the second port; and    an image creator to create an image data based on the print data from the external device; wherein the print control method is comprising:    judging whether the image creator is creating the image data based on a previously received print data, when the first port or the second port receives a new print data from the external device;    storing the new print data in the receiving buffer when the image creator is not creating the image data or storing the new print data in the storage in case the image creator is creating the image data.    
   
   
       54 . The print control method of the printer control device of  claim 53 , the print control method further comprising: 
 sequentially creating the image data based on the print data temporarily stored in the receiving buffer.    
   
   
       55 . The print control method of printer control device of  claim 53 , further comprising: 
 controlling the image creator to create the image data based on the print data stored in the storage.    
   
   
       56 . The print control method of the printer control device of  claim 55 , the print control method further comprising: 
 judging whether another print data is stored in the storage when the image creator completes creating the image data based on the print data,    controlling the image creator to create the image data based on the stored data when the anther print data is stored in the storage.    
   
   
       57 . The print control method of the printer control device of  claim 56 , the print control method further comprising: 
 judging whether another print data is stored in the storage before the image creator completes creating the image data based on the print data; and    creating the image data based on the stored data when anther print data is stored in the storage.    
   
   
       58 . The print control method of the printer control device of  claim 56 , further comprising: 
 judging whether the print data stored in the storage can be stored into the receiving buffer before reading out the print data stored in the storage;    creating the image data based on the print data;    storing the print data stored in the storage into the receiving buffer; and    creating the image data based on the print data in case it is possible.    
   
   
       59 . The print control method of the printer control device of  claim 54 , wherein the printer control device further comprising: 
 a memory, which temporarily stores the image data created by the image creator, wherein the print control method further comprising:    judging whether the image data created by the image creator can be stored into the memory before reading out the print data stored in the storage;    creating the image data based on the print data;    storing the print data into the receiving buffer; and    creating the image data based on the print data stored in the receiving buffer when it is possible.    
   
   
       60 . The print control method of the printer control device of  claim 59 , the print control method further comprising: 
 storing the print data received by the first port or the second port in the receiving buffer when the print data to be read out from the storage for the image data creation does not exist, while storing the print data received by the first port or the second port in the storage and the image creator creates the image data based on the print data stored in the storage.    
   
   
       61 . The print control method of the printer control device of  claim 59 , further comprising: 
 judging whether the print data stored in the storage can be stored in the receiving buffer before reading out the print data stored in the storage; creating the image data based on the print data; and when possible,    storing the print data in the receiving buffer; and    creating the image data based on the print data.    
   
   
       62 . The print control method of the printer control device of  claim 59 , the printer control device further comprising: 
 a memory to temporarily store the image data created by the image creator, wherein the print control method further comprising:    judging whether the memory can store the image data created by the image creator before reading out the print data stored in the storage and when possible;    creating the image data based on the print data; and    storing the image data in the memory.