Data processing device, recording device

Abstract

To provide a data processing device and a recording apparatus in which upsizing of a serial communication unit can be suppressed.SOLUTION: A recording apparatus 10 includes: a signal output unit 51 that is capable of outputting parallel signals S10 including a first signal S11 for use in transmission of image data and a second signal S12 which is for use in transmission of setting data and which entirely overlaps with the first signal S11, and that outputs a signal S10 including either the image data or the setting data; a serial communication unit 8 that executes serial communication based on the parallel signal S10 outputted from the signal output unit 51; and a driver IC 36 that executes processing based on the image data or the setting data included in the parallel signal S10 outputted from the serial communication unit 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a data processing device and a recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Image processing devices such as printers include an image processing unit that executes processing based on input image data (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Also, an image processing device is known that transmits image data to the image processing unit according to a serial communication method. Specifically, this image processing device includes a serial communication unit capable of transmitting and receiving data according to the serial communication method. The serial communication unit includes a transmission unit and a reception unit connected via a serial communication path. For example, a parallel signal including image data and setting data used to set the image processing unit is input to the transmission unit. The serial communication unit executes serial communication based on the parallel signal input to the transmission unit, and outputs the parallel signal from the reception unit. The image processing unit executes image processing based on the image data included in the parallel signal output from the reception unit. Also, the image processing unit executes setting processing of the image processing unit based on the setting data included in the parallel signal output from the reception unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-36739 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the image data and the setting data may be transmitted to the image processing unit at different times. In this case, if parallel signals having a number of signals capable of including both the image data and the setting data are input to the serial communication unit, the number of input / output terminals in the serial communication unit increases, and the size of the serial communication unit increases.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a data processing device and a recording device that can prevent an increase in the size of a serial communication section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A data processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a signal output unit, a serial communication unit, and a data processing unit. The signal output unit is capable of outputting parallel signals including a first signal used for transmitting first data and a second signal used for transmitting second data and overlapping in part or in whole with the first signal, and outputs the parallel signal including the first data at a first timing, and outputs the parallel signal including the second data at a second timing different from the first timing. The serial communication unit executes serial communication based on the parallel signal output from the signal output unit. The data processing unit executes a first process based on the first data included in the parallel signal output from the serial communication unit at the first timing, and executes a second process different from the first process based on the second data included in the parallel signal output from the serial communication unit at the second timing. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the serial communication unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first control unit and the second control unit of the recording device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a parallel signal including image data output from a signal output section of a recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a parallel signal including setting data output from a signal output section of a recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Configuration of recording device 10] First, the configuration of a recording device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Here, Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the recording device 10. In Figure 1, transport paths R1, R2, and R3 are indicated by two-dot chain lines. Also, in Figure 2, the flow of electrical signals is indicated by dashed lines with arrows.

[0012] The recording device 10 is a printer capable of recording an image on a recording medium such as a sheet by an inkjet method. The recording device 10 is an example of a data processing device of the present invention. The present invention may be applied to a recording device such as a facsimile machine, a copy machine, and a multifunction machine capable of forming an image by an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method. The present invention may also be applied to an image processing device or a data processing device such as a scanner, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, and a television. In this case, the first data of the present invention is not limited to image data, and may be data such as audio data.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording apparatus 10 includes a housing 1, a transport section 2, an image forming section 3, a transport unit 4, a first control section 5, and a second control section 6. The housing 1 includes a transport section 2, an image forming section 3, a transport unit 4, a first control section 5, and a second control section 6.

[0014] The housing 1 houses each of the components of the recording device 10. A paper feed cassette 11 (see FIG. 1) is removably provided in the housing 1. The paper feed cassette 11 houses sheets, which are recording media on which an image is formed. For example, the sheets housed in the paper feed cassette 11 are sheet materials such as paper, coated paper, postcards, envelopes, and overhead projector sheets. A paper output tray 12 (see FIG. 1) is provided on the outer surface of the housing 1. Sheets on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 3 are discharged to the paper output tray 12.

[0015] Inside the housing 1, there are provided transport paths R1, R2, and R3 (see FIG. 1) that guide the sheet transported by the transport unit 2. The transport path R1 is a passageway along which the sheet moves from the paper feed cassette 11 to the paper discharge tray 12 via the image forming unit 3. The transport path R2 is used to invert the sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 3. The transport path R3 is used to re-transport the sheet that has been inverted using the transport path R2 to the image forming unit 3.

[0016] The transport unit 2 transports a sheet inside the housing 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the transport unit 2 includes a pick-up roller 21, a first transport roller pair 22, a second transport roller pair 23, and a third transport roller pair 24.

[0017] The pickup roller 21 picks up sheets one by one from the paper feed cassette 11 and sends the sheets to the transport path R1. The first transport roller pair 22 is provided on the transport path R1 and transports the sheet in the transport direction L1 (see FIG. 1). The second transport roller pair 23 is provided on the transport path R2 and transports the sheet in the transport direction L2 (see FIG. 1), and then transports the sheet in the direction opposite to the transport direction L2 to send the sheet to the transport path R3. The third transport roller pair 24 is provided on the transport path R3 and transports the sheet in the transport direction L3 (see FIG. 1).

[0018] The image forming unit 3 forms an image on the sheet supplied from the conveying unit 2 based on image data D11 (see FIG. 3) input from the second control unit 6. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 3 includes line heads 31, 32, 33, and 34 corresponding to the colors black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively, and a head frame 35 that supports these. The image forming unit 3 also includes a driver IC 36 shown in FIG. 2. The head frame 35 is supported by the housing 1. The number of line heads included in the image forming unit 3 may be one, or may be multiple, excluding four.

[0019] Each of the line heads 31 to 34 is a so-called line head type recording head. That is, the recording device 10 is a so-called line head type recording device. Each of the line heads 31 to 34 is long in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction L1. Specifically, each of the line heads 31 to 34 has a length in the width direction corresponding to the width of the largest size sheet among the sheets that can be accommodated in the paper feed cassette 11. Each of the line heads 31 to 34 is fixed to a head frame 35 at a predetermined interval along the transport direction L1.

[0020] Each of the line heads 31 to 34 has a plurality of recording heads 30. The recording heads 30 eject ink toward a sheet transported by the transport unit 4. Specifically, a large number of nozzles (not shown) having openings for ejecting ink are provided on the surface of the recording heads 30 facing the sheet transported by the transport unit 4. The recording heads 30 also include pressure chambers (not shown) corresponding to the respective nozzles, piezoelectric elements (not shown) provided corresponding to the respective pressure chambers, and communication channels (not shown) communicating with the respective pressure chambers. The piezoelectric elements eject ink from the nozzles in response to application of a predetermined driving voltage. Specifically, the piezoelectric elements pressurize the ink contained in the pressure chambers to eject ink from the nozzles.

[0021] In this embodiment, the line head 31 has three recording heads 30 arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction. Similarly to the line head 31, each of the other line heads 32 to 34 also has three recording heads 30 arranged in a staggered manner along the width direction. Ink of the same color as the color corresponding to the recording head 30 is supplied to the recording head 30 from an ink container (not shown). The ink supplied to the recording head 30 is sent to the pressure chamber via the communication flow path.

[0022] That is, the recording device 10 of this embodiment is a so-called line printer. Note that, as another embodiment, a so-called serial printer can be considered, which alternates between scanning, in which a carriage carrying a head is moved back and forth relative to the recording medium, and transport, in which the recording medium is moved in a direction intersecting the scanning direction.

[0023] The driver IC 36 executes a drive process for driving the recording head 30 based on the image data D11 (see FIG. 3) input from the second control unit 6. As a result, the recording head 30 outputs an image based on the image data D11. The driver IC 36 also executes a setting process for setting the drive conditions of the recording head 30 based on the setting data D12 (see FIG. 4) input from the second control unit 6. The setting data D12 is data used to set the drive conditions. The drive conditions are drive waveforms of the drive voltages corresponding to the gradations of the pixels included in the image data D11. The driver IC 36 is an example of a data processing unit of the present invention. The recording head 30 is an example of an image output unit and an ejection unit of the present invention. The image data D11 is an example of first data of the present invention. The setting data D12 is an example of second data of the present invention. The drive process is an example of a first process of the present invention. The setting process is an example of a second process of the present invention.

[0024] 1, the transport unit 4 is disposed below the line heads 31 to . The transport unit 4 transports the sheet while facing the recording head 30. Specifically, the transport unit 4 transports the sheet by a predetermined transport amount every time the recording head 30 ejects ink. Furthermore, the transport unit 4 stops transporting the sheet while the recording head 30 ejects ink.

[0025] 1, the transport unit 4 includes a transport belt 41 on which a sheet is placed, tension rollers 42 to 44 that tension the transport belt 41, and a transport frame 45 that supports them. The gap between the transport belt 41 and the recording head 30 is adjusted so that the gap between the surface of the sheet and the recording head 30 during image formation is 1 mm, for example.

[0026] The tension roller 42 is rotated by a rotational driving force supplied from a motor (not shown), whereby the conveyor belt 41 rotates in a direction capable of conveying the sheet in a conveying direction L1 (see FIG. 1).

[0027] The conveying unit 4 is also provided with a suction unit (not shown) that sucks air through a large number of through holes formed in the conveying belt 41 in order to adhere the sheet to the conveying belt 41. In addition, a pressure roller 46 is provided opposite the tension roller 42 to press the sheet against the conveying belt 41 for conveyance.

[0028] The first control unit 5 is a main control unit that performs overall control of the recording device 10. The first control unit 5 includes control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.

[0029] The second control unit 6 is an engine control unit that controls the transport unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the transport unit 4. For example, the second control unit 6 is configured with an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC, DSP, FPGA).

[0030] Incidentally, there is known an image processing device that transmits image data D11 and setting data D12 to a driver IC 36 according to a serial communication method. Specifically, this image processing device includes a serial communication unit capable of transmitting and receiving data according to the serial communication method. The serial communication unit includes a transmitting unit and a receiving unit connected via a serial communication path. A parallel signal including image data D11 (see FIG. 3) and setting data D12 (see FIG. 4) is input to the transmitting unit. The serial communication unit executes serial communication based on the parallel signal input to the transmitting unit, and outputs the parallel signal from the receiving unit.

[0031] Here, the image data D11 and the setting data D12 may be transmitted at different times to the driver IC 36. In this case, when parallel signals having a number of signals capable of including both the image data D11 and the setting data D12 are input to the serial communication unit, the number of input / output terminals in the serial communication unit increases, and the size of the serial communication unit increases.

[0032] In contrast, in the recording device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as will be described below, it is possible to prevent the size of the serial communication unit from increasing.

[0033] [Configuration of first control unit 5 and second control unit 6] Next, the configurations of the first control unit 5 and the second control unit 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0034] 2, the first control unit 5 includes a signal output unit 51 and a signal transmission unit 52. For example, the signal output unit 51 and the signal transmission unit 52 are configured with electronic circuits such as integrated circuits (ASIC, DSP, FPGA).

[0035] The signal output unit 51 is capable of outputting a parallel signal S10 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0036] Here, the parallel signal S10 is a signal including a first signal S11, a second signal S12, and an identification signal S13, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. For example, the parallel signal S10 is a signal including 32 signals, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0037] The first signal S11 is a signal used to transmit image data D11 (see FIG. 3). For example, the image data D11 is 24-bit data. In this case, the first signal S11 is a signal with 24 signals. Note that in FIG. 3, each bit of data included in the image data D11 is represented by "X", which represents "1" or "0".

[0038] The second signal S12 is a signal used to transmit the setting data D12 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the second signal S12 overlaps with the first signal S11 in its entirety. The overlapping portion of the first signal S11 with the second signal S12 is used for both transmitting the image data D11 and the setting data D12. For example, the setting data D12 is 16-bit data. In this case, the second signal S12 is a signal with 16 signals. Note that in FIG. 4, each bit of data included in the setting data D12 is represented by "Y" which represents "1" or "0".

[0039] The identification signal S13 is a signal used to transmit the identification data D13 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The identification data D13 is data used to identify data included in the parallel signal S10. For example, the identification data D13 is 1-bit data. In this case, the identification signal S13 is a signal with a signal count of 1.

[0040] For example, the identification data D13 is set to "1" (an example of a first specific value of the present invention) when the data included in the parallel signal S10 is image data D11 (see FIG. 3). Also, the identification data D13 is set to "0" (an example of a second specific value of the present invention) when the data included in the parallel signal S10 is setting data D12 (see FIG. 4).

[0041] The signal output unit 51 outputs a parallel signal S10 including image data D11 at a first timing when the driving process is executed. For example, in the recording device 10, when the driving process is executed, image data D11 stored in an image memory (not shown) is input to the signal output unit 51. When the image data D11 is input from the image memory, the signal output unit 51 outputs a parallel signal S10 including the image data D11.

[0042] Furthermore, the signal output unit 51 outputs a parallel signal S10 including the setting data D12 at a second timing when the setting process is executed. For example, in the recording device 10, when the setting process is executed, the setting data D12 generated by the CPU is input to the signal output unit 51. When the setting data D12 is input from the CPU, the signal output unit 51 outputs a parallel signal S10 including the setting data D12. Note that the setting process is executed at a timing different from that of the drive process. For example, the setting process is executed before the drive process is executed.

[0043] The signal transmitting unit 52 is connected to a signal receiving unit 61 of the second control unit 6 via a serial communication path 7 (see FIG. 2). The signal transmitting unit 52 and the signal receiving unit 61 configure a serial communication unit 8 (see FIG. 3) that performs serial communication based on the parallel signal S10 output from the signal output unit 51.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the signal transmission unit 52 includes a processing unit 521, a PS conversion unit 522, and a transmission unit 523.

[0045] The processing unit 521 executes a predetermined first signal processing on the parallel signal S10 input from the signal output unit 51. For example, the first signal processing is a scrambling process and an encoding process according to the 8B10B system. The processing unit 521 outputs to the PS conversion unit 522 a transmission parallel signal generated based on the parallel signal S10 by executing the first signal processing.

[0046] The PS conversion unit 522 converts the parallel signals for transmission output by the processing unit 521 into serial signals. The PS conversion unit 522 outputs the serial signal to the transmission unit 523.

[0047] The transmitting unit 523 transmits the serial signal output by the PS conversion unit 522 to the signal receiving unit 61 via the serial communication path 7 .

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the second control unit 6 includes a signal receiving unit 61 and an input switching unit 62.

[0049] The signal receiving unit 61 is provided corresponding to the signal transmitting unit 52. For example, the signal receiving unit 61 is configured with an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC, DSP, FPGA).

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the signal receiving unit 61 includes a receiving unit 611, an SP conversion unit 612, and an output unit 613.

[0051] The receiving unit 611 receives the serial signal transmitted from the signal transmitting unit 52 via the serial communication path 7 .

[0052] The SP conversion unit 612 converts the serial signal received by the receiving unit 611 into the parallel signal for transmission. In other words, the SP conversion unit 612 restores the parallel signal for transmission based on the serial signal. The SP conversion unit 612 outputs the restored parallel signal for transmission to the output unit 613.

[0053] The output unit 613 executes second signal processing corresponding to the first signal processing on the parallel signals for transmission output from the SP conversion unit 612. For example, the second signal processing is a descrambling process corresponding to the scrambling process and a decoding process corresponding to the encoding process. The output unit 613 outputs parallel signals S10 generated (restored) based on the parallel signals for transmission by the second signal processing.

[0054] When the parallel signal S10 output from the signal receiving unit 61 includes image data D11, the input switching unit 62 inputs the first signal S11 included in the parallel signal S10 to a first input unit 36A (see FIG. 2) of the driver IC 36. The first input unit 36A is an input terminal provided in the driver IC 36, and is connected to a signal line used for transmitting the first signal S11.

[0055] Furthermore, when the parallel signal S10 output from the signal receiving unit 61 includes the setting data D12, the input switching unit 62 inputs the second signal S12 included in the parallel signal S10 to a second input unit 36B (see FIG. 2) of the driver IC 36. The second input unit 36B is an input terminal provided in the driver IC 36, and is connected to a signal line used for transmitting the second signal S12.

[0056] Specifically, the input switching unit 62 identifies the data included in the parallel signal S10 output from the signal receiving unit 61 based on the identification data D13 included in the parallel signal S10.

[0057] For example, the input switching unit 62 includes a first buffer 621 and a second buffer 622 shown in FIG.

[0058] The first buffer 621 is a storage device that temporarily stores the parallel signal S10 output from the signal receiving unit 61. When the identification data D13 is "1" indicating image data D11, the first buffer 621 inputs the first signal S11 included in the stored parallel signal S10 to the first input unit 36A. When the identification data D13 is not "1" indicating image data D11, the first buffer 621 does not input the first signal S11 included in the stored parallel signal S10 to the first input unit 36A.

[0059] The second buffer 622 is a storage device that temporarily stores the parallel signal S10 output from the signal receiving unit 61, separate from the first buffer 621. When the identification data D13 is "0" indicating the setting data D12, the second buffer 622 inputs the second signal S12 included in the stored parallel signal S10 to the second input unit 36B. When the identification data D13 is not "0" indicating the setting data D12, the second buffer 622 does not input the second signal S12 included in the stored parallel signal S10 to the second input unit 36B.

[0060] The input switching unit 62 may not include the first buffer 621 and the second buffer 622. The input switching unit 62 may identify data included in the parallel signal S10 output from the signal receiving unit 61 based on a signal input from the CPU. The input switching unit 62 may be provided in the driver IC 36 instead of the second control unit 6. In this case, the driver IC 36 may be provided with a third input unit to which the parallel signal S10 is input, instead of the first input unit 36A and the second input unit 36B.

[0061] At the first timing, the driver IC 36 executes the driving process based on image data D11 included in the parallel signal S10 output from the signal receiving unit 61. Specifically, when the first signal S11 is input from the first buffer 621, the driver IC 36 executes the driving process based on the image data D11 included in the first signal S11.

[0062] Furthermore, at the second timing, the driver IC 36 executes the setting process based on the setting data D12 included in the parallel signal S10 output from the signal receiving unit 61. Specifically, when the second signal S12 is input from the second buffer 622, the driver IC 36 executes the setting process based on the setting data D12 included in the second signal S12.

[0063] The driver IC 36 may drive a display unit (another example of the image output unit of the present invention) such as a liquid crystal display provided in an operation display unit (not shown).

[0064] In this manner, in the recording device 10, a parallel signal S10 including a first signal S11 used to transmit image data D11 and a second signal S12 used to transmit setting data D12 and overlapping in part or in whole with the first signal S11 is input to the serial communication unit 8. This makes it possible to reduce the number of input / output terminals of the serial communication unit 8, compared to a configuration in which a parallel signal including the first signal S11 and the second signal S12 that does not overlap with the first signal S11 is input to the serial communication unit 8. This makes it possible to prevent the size of the serial communication unit 8 from increasing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 Case 2. Conveyor section 3. Image forming section 4 Transport unit 5. First Control Section 6 Second Control Section 7 Serial Communication Channel 8 Serial communication section 10 Recording Device 30 Recording head 36 Driver IC 36A First input section 36B Second input section 51 Signal output section 52 Signal transmitter 61 Signal receiving unit 62 Input switching section 621 1st Buffer 622 2nd Buffer

Claims

1. a signal output unit capable of outputting parallel signals including a first signal used for transmitting first data and a second signal used for transmitting second data, the second signal being partially or completely overlapping with the first signal, the signal output unit outputting the parallel signals including the first data at a first timing and outputting the parallel signals including the second data at a second timing different from the first timing; a serial communication unit that performs serial communication based on the parallel signals output from the signal output unit; a data processing unit that executes a first process based on the first data included in the parallel signal output from the serial communication unit at the first timing, and executes a second process, different from the first process, based on the second data included in the parallel signal output from the serial communication unit at the second timing; A data processing device comprising: the data processing unit includes a first input unit to which the first signal is input and a second input unit to which the second signal is input, The data processing device includes: an input switching unit that inputs the first signal included in the parallel signal to the first input unit when the parallel signal output from the serial communication unit includes the first data, and inputs the second signal included in the parallel signal to the second input unit when the parallel signal output from the serial communication unit includes the second data, the signal output unit outputs the parallel signals including identification data used to identify data included in the parallel signals; the input switching unit identifies data included in the parallel signal based on the identification data included in the parallel signal output from the serial communication unit; The input switching unit is a first buffer that inputs the first signal to the first input unit when the identification data is a first specific value corresponding to the first data, and does not input the first signal to the first input unit when the identification data is not the first specific value; a second buffer that inputs the second signal to the second input unit when the identification data is a second specific value corresponding to the second data, and does not input the second signal to the second input unit when the identification data is not the second specific value; 2. A data processing device comprising:

2. the first data includes image data; the first processing includes a driving processing of driving an image output unit that outputs an image based on the image data, the second data includes setting data used to set a driving condition of the image output unit, the second process includes a setting process for setting the driving condition.

2. A data processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. 3. The data processing device according to claim 2, further comprising an ejection unit that ejects ink onto a recording medium as the image output unit; a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium and the ejection unit relatively; A recording device comprising:

Images