Patent ID: 6633402
Filing Date: 2003-10-14
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A printer controller comprising:a first processor for exclusively controlling a print engine; a second processor for exclusively controlling a communication control means, a language control means, and a print control means according to priorities assigned to these control means; wherein said communication control means controls communication with host computers; wherein said language control means generates image data; wherein said print control means controls a said print engine; wherein said print control means is assigned a higher priority than both said communication control means and said language control means; wherein said communication control means is assigned a higher priority than said language control means; and wherein said second processor executes said communication control means instead of said language control means currently being executed if a communication interrupt occurs during the execution of said language control means, and executes said print control means instead of either one of said communication control means and said language control means currently being executed if an image data transfer request interrupt occurs during the execution of either one of said communication control means and said language control means.