JPH10329383A - Image outputting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent occurrence of quasi-boundary line or the like even when a high quality error diffusion method is adapted to printing of a long medium, by a method wherein a conversion method for a data conversion means is corrected corresponding to a set in a continuous job setting means. SOLUTION: A CPU reads print data as job data transmitted from an external section to store it in an HDD (S14). This step corresponds to an input means. When transmission of all of the print data and storing thereof in the HDD are completed, the CPU analyzes the print data to generate line data (S16). This step serves as a data conversion means. As this step is explained in a prior art and an error diffusion processing can be used as an actual binarizing means, those explanations can be used. The printing is performed based on the line data generated in the step S16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output apparatus capable of outputting a plurality of continuous job data as one integrated image output result.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to obtain a long print result, 3
There was a way.

The first method is to store all data in one print data and print it in a desired size. According to this method, since printing is performed only once, there is an advantage that the operation at the time of actual printing is facilitated, but there are actually various problems.

[0004] Since all the data must be contained in one print data, the data capacity increases, and the operation of creating the print data itself becomes complicated. In particular, when a high-definition bitmap image is used as data for a hanging curtain having a length of several meters, the data capacity becomes considerably large. In addition, this print data is
Is described by a page description language (PDL = Page Description Language) typified by PostScript of Hewlett Packard and PCL of Hewlett Packard, the printing device can print one page, that is, one print data. In order to perform the conversion process into the data format, it is necessary to store one page of converted data in a storage device. When printing a banner with a length of several meters, it is necessary to prepare a storage device of several hundred megabytes to several gigabytes for data of one page, and there is a problem that the cost increases. In addition, even if it is long, there is no rule on the length, so if you are going to correspond to long printing, it is necessary to prepare an infinite storage device, Not realistic.

[0005] The second method is to solve the problem in the first method. That is, rather than performing long printing with one piece of print data, print data for long printing is divided into a plurality of print data, the divided print data is sequentially printed, and all printing is completed. This is a method of obtaining a result of one long-size printing by pasting together. According to this method, there is a disadvantage that the operation at the time of actual printing is complicated, but there is a greatest advantage that any long-length printing is possible.

The data capacity of each divided print data can be adjusted according to the processing capacity of the printing apparatus and the print control apparatus. Further, since the printing itself only repeats the process of printing the divided print data, the number of divisions is not limited. In other words, any length of print data for long printing can be printed if it is divided into appropriate lengths. Further, even when the print data is described in the above-described page description language, one divided print data is
Since the data conversion process is performed by regarding the print data for one page, it is only necessary to prepare a storage device for one page after the data conversion.

However, in long printing, usually, when printing of one print data is completed, a predetermined amount of paper is fed so as to provide a cutting margin in order to cut it from long paper. That is, in the second method,
Since printing of all divided print data is performed in independent areas, after printing for all divided print data is completed, the work of cutting and pasting each print result may occur. In addition, there is a problem that the operation of obtaining a large-sized long print result becomes considerably complicated.

[0008] The third method is to solve the problem in the second method, and the present applicant has already
It is proposed as Japanese Patent Application No. 9-8316. Hereinafter, this already proposed one will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the print control device 200. CPU 101, ROM 1 via bus 105
02, RAM 103, HDD 104, input panel 10
6. The input interface 107 and the output interface 108 are connected. The CPU 101 performs arithmetic processing, a RAM 103, an HDD 104, and an input panel 10 connected to a bus 105 according to a procedure stored in a ROM 102, which is a read-only memory, in advance.
6. Write and read data to and from the input interface 107 and the output interface 108. RAM1, which is a memory that can be read and written at any time
Reference numeral 03 denotes a storage area for storing all data such as a paper feed amount described later. The HDD 104 is an external storage device, and is the same as the RAM 103 in the sense of a storage area for storing all kinds of data. However, since a large-capacity storage area can be secured, the print data 300 is temporarily stored, and after the data conversion, Is used as a storage area for the print image data 301.

The input panel 106 is a means for inputting setting values and the like from the outside. Input interface 1
07 is connected to the PC 110 via the input cable 9. The PC 110 is a computer device that sends print data 200 to the print control device. The output interface 108 is connected to the printing device 120 via an output cable 111.

The printing apparatus 120 has a paper feed mechanism as shown in FIG. The print image data 301 sent from the print control device 200 to the printing device 120 is converted into a head drive signal by the print image data sending circuit 121 and sent to the print head 122. Printing head 1
Reference numeral 22 indicates that a print image is formed on the recording paper 123 by ejecting ink in the case of an ink jet printer or controlling the application time of heat in the case of a thermal printer in accordance with a head drive signal. The paper feed amount is input to the paper feed control circuit 127, and instructs the motor drive circuit 126 on the rotation angle of the motor 125. The motor 125 is driven by a motor drive circuit 126 and rotates by a desired rotation angle. The rotation of the motor 125 is transmitted to a paper feed roller 128 via a gear mechanism 124 to feed the recording paper 123. After the printing head 122 completes printing for one line, the recording paper 12 is
3 is fed by one line, and this operation is repeated until print image data for one page is completed, whereby a print result for one page is obtained.

The paper feed roller 128 rotates in the direction A when the motor 125 rotates forward, and rotates in the direction B when the motor 125 rotates reversely.

Next, the printing operation of the print control device 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the PC
110, or in some way, the PC 10
The print data 300 transferred to the input cable 10
9 to the input interface 107. The print data 300 input from the input interface 107 is temporarily stored in the HDD 104 via the bus 105. Print data 3 stored in HDD 104
00 is converted in accordance with a print data conversion procedure 181 described later, which is stored in the ROM 102 in advance, and is stored in the HDD 104 as print image data 301 again. During this data conversion process, the RAM 103 is used as a work area. Print image data 301 created
Is output from the output interface 108 to the printing apparatus 120 via the output cable 111. The printing device 120 transmits the print image data 301 to the print image data transmission circuit 121, and printing is performed by the print head 122.

Next, the setting operation of the continuous printing mode will be described with reference to FIGS. The continuous print mode is a mode in which a plurality of continuous print image data 301 is printed by the printing apparatus 120 for the purpose of regarding a plurality of continuous print results as one print result. Here, the description will be given on the assumption that the continuous print mode is set on the input panel 106.

The input panel 106 includes a power switch 13
0, reset switch 131, continuous print mode setting switch 132, reverse paper feed amount setting box 133, U
A P key 134 and a DOWN key 135 are provided.
First, the value of the reverse paper feed amount setting box 133 is set with the UP key 134 and the DOWN key 135. UP key 13
When 4 is pressed, the value of the reverse paper feed amount setting box 133 becomes 1
Each time the DOWN key 135 is depressed, the value decreases by one. Since the value of the reverse paper feed amount setting box 133 in this embodiment is the amount (number of dots) of reverse paper feed (reverse rotation of the motor 125), it is limited so that only a numerical value of 0 or more can be input.

When the continuous print mode setting switch 132 is pressed after the value of the reverse paper feed amount setting box 133 is determined, the continuous print mode setting flag 140 is set to 1 and the reverse paper feed amount setting box 133 is set. Value is R
The data is transferred to the AM 103 and stored. Here, the continuous print mode setting flag 140 is set to 1 byte and the paper feed amount is set to 1
A 4-byte area is allocated to 41. When the continuous print mode setting flag 140 is 1, it is considered that the continuous print mode is set, and the value 141 of the paper feed amount becomes valid. If the value is any other value, it is determined that the continuous printing mode is not set.

Next, referring to FIG. 11, the printing head 1 will be described.
22 will be described. FIG. 11A shows the positional relationship between the recording paper 123 and the print head 122 before the start of printing. The position of the printing head 122 in this state in the main scanning direction is called a home position. First, printing is performed from left to right by the print head 122, and the printing is stopped until the right end of the print image 150 is printed (FIG. 11).
(b)). Next, the paper is fed by the width of the print head 122 (FIG. 11C). Next, printing is performed from right to left by the printing head 122, and the printing is stopped in a state in which printing is performed up to the left end of the print image 150 (FIG. 11D). Further, the paper is fed by the width of the print head 122 (FIG. 11E). As described above, one-way printing is performed by bidirectional printing, and the print head 122 is printed.
Returns to the home position. The operation from FIG. 11B to FIG. 11E is repeated until one print image 150 is printed. After the first print image 152 is printed, the paper is fed by the width of the print head 122 (FIGS. 11F and 11G).
The printing head 122 returns to the home position for the next printing (FIG. 11 (h)). Thus, the printing of the first print image 152 is completed.

Next, the operation of the third method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It is assumed that the setting of the continuous printing mode and the setting of the reverse paper feed amount described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 have already been executed, and a desired state has been set.

The print control device 200 determines that the print data 30
0, the print data 300 is stored in the HDD 104.
Is stored (S100 and S indicate steps, and the same applies hereinafter). When the input of the print data 300 is completed, the CP
U101 analyzes the print data 300 and generates print data for two reciprocating lines (S102). In addition, this 2
Since various conventional methods can be used for a specific method of generating print data for the line reciprocation, detailed description is omitted. Then, printing is executed by controlling the operation described with reference to FIG. 11 based on the print data for the two lines reciprocation (S104). And CPU
101 determines whether all printing based on the print data 300 stored in the HDD 104 has been completed (S10).
6).

Here, when it is determined that the processing has been completed (S10
6, Yes), the CPU 101 determines whether the continuous printing mode described with reference to FIG. 9 is selected (S10).
8). If it is determined that the continuous printing mode is selected (S108, Yes), the CPU 101 reads the value 141 of the reverse paper feed amount, and conveys the recording paper 123 in the reverse direction based on the value (S112). . Note that the value 141 of the reverse paper feed amount may be 0, in which case the paper is not fed. Then, step S100
And waits for the next print data 300 to be given,
When new print data 300 is provided, the same operation as described above is repeated.

If it is determined in step S108 that the continuous mode is not set (S108, No), the CPU 1
01 conveys the recording paper 123 by a preset conveyance distance stored in an area (not shown) (S110). As a result, a predetermined margin is formed behind the print result.

That is, when a plurality of print data 300 is given, if the continuous print mode is set,
As shown in FIG. 13A, when a continuous print mode is not set and the print is formed as one long print, FIG.
As shown in (b), a predetermined amount of blank space is formed between the print results formed by the individual print data, which facilitates separation.

If it is determined in step S106 that printing based on the print data 300 has not been completed (S106,
No) returns to step S102 to repeat the processing.

[0024]

However, the following problem occurs. For example, when only so-called binary control of whether or not ink adheres to recording paper can be performed as in an ink jet printer, a process of expressing a pseudo gradation is necessary to generate abundant gradations. Become. As such a method, a method called an error diffusion method is widely and generally used in terms of generating good image quality.

However, when the error diffusion method is used in the method presented as the third method described above, if a plurality of continuous print data are formed into one long image, the print data is formed by each print data. A problem has arisen that a pseudo boundary is generated between the images.

This situation will be described specifically. FIG. 14 shows an image serving as a source of print data. This image is assumed to be a long image and is divided into four parts. Assuming that the divided four are independent print data, the result of printing in the continuous mode described above so as to restore one long image is shown in FIG.
Shown in As is clear from FIG. 15, the original image (FIG. 1)
It can be seen that a pseudo boundary that does not exist in 4) is generated in the region indicated by the arrow in FIG.

Although this error diffusion method is originally intended to reproduce a high-quality image, application of this error diffusion method to the above-described third method results in image quality deterioration such that a pseudo boundary line occurs. A problem has arisen.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an image which can prevent the occurrence of a pseudo borderline or the like even when a high-quality error diffusion method is applied to long-size printing. It is intended to provide an output device.

[0029]

In order to achieve this object, an image output apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: an input unit for inputting job data for outputting an image, a document, or the like; Output means for outputting images and documents, data conversion means for converting job data into control signals used by the output means, and continuous job setting for setting a plurality of job data as output job data such as continuous images and documents And a conversion characteristic correction unit for correcting the conversion method of the data conversion unit in accordance with the setting in the continuous job setting unit.

In such an image output apparatus, job data for outputting an image, a document, or the like is input to the input unit. The data conversion unit converts the job data into a control signal used by the output unit. The output means outputs an image, a document, or the like based on the converted control signal. Then, the continuous conversion characteristic correcting means corrects the conversion method of the data converting means according to the setting in the continuous job setting means.

As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect can modify the control signal conversion method for controlling the output when a plurality of job data are formed into a continuous image or document. Therefore, it is possible to easily execute a special process that solves a problem that occurs only when a plurality of job data is output as a continuous image or a character, thereby solving the problem and always producing a good image. Will be able to output.

[0032] The image output device according to claim 2 is
In addition to the configuration of the image output apparatus according to claim 1, input determination means for determining input of job data, and conversion for initializing conversion characteristics of the data conversion means when the input determination means determines input of job data. Characteristic conversion means; and the conversion characteristic correction means corrects the initialization method of the conversion characteristic initialization means.

In such an image output apparatus, the input determining means determines the input of the job data, and the conversion characteristic initializing means initializes the conversion characteristic of the data converting means when the input determining means determines the input of the job data. I do. Then, the conversion characteristic correction means corrects the initialization method of the conversion characteristic initialization means.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the image output device according to the first aspect, the image output device according to the second aspect initializes the conversion characteristics after identifying the input of the job data. The control signal can be generated in the state, and the reproduced image can be stabilized. Further, since this initialization characteristic can be switched according to the setting in the continuous job setting means, when outputting continuous job data as one image or character, processing of a plurality of jobs is performed so as to have continuity. Initial settings can be given to the processing of individual jobs. This makes it possible to always output a good image.

The image output device according to claim 3 is
In addition to the configuration of the image output device according to the second aspect, the data conversion means is configured to perform error diffusion processing, and the conversion characteristic initialization means initializes an error buffer in the error diffusion processing.

As described above, the image output device according to the third aspect has, in addition to the effects of the image output device according to the second aspect, a method for initializing an error buffer in error diffusion processing, which is set by the continuous job setting means. When continuous job data is output as one image or character using the error diffusion method, the error buffer is initialized so that the processing of each job data maintains continuity. Can not be. As a result, the error data generated in the previous job data processing can be applied to the next job data processing, so that the continuity of the error diffusion processing is maintained and the generation of a pseudo boundary between the job data is performed. Can be prevented, and the image quality can be improved.

[0037]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image output apparatus according to the present invention. First, the error diffusion method used in the present embodiment will be briefly described.

The error diffusion method in a broad sense is called Floyd ("An
Adaptive Algorithm for Spatial Gray Scale "SID 17
[1976]) et al. This is known as a technique for converting a natural image having abundant gradations into a good binary image.

First, the operation of the error diffusion method will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the error diffusion process is started, all error buffers described later are initialized to 0, and the following procedure is executed.

In S1 and S2, variables x and y for determining the positions of the binarized pixels are initialized to zero.
The pixel indicated by the variables x and y is referred to as a target pixel.

In S3, the pixel density value I (0 ≦ I ≦ 255) of the input image corresponding to the pixel position (x, y) is read.

In step S4, the binarization error value e (x, y) corresponding to the target pixel is read from the error buffer, and the pixel density value I (x, y) is expressed by the following equation (1). Is corrected to obtain a corrected density value I ′.

I ′ = I + e (x, y)... [Formula 1] In S5, a predetermined threshold matrix Ma
From t (), the threshold value T is calculated according to the following equation 2 according to the pixel position (x, y)
Read as

T = Mat (x% 8, y% 8)... [Equation 2] Note that Mat () is a two-dimensional array matrix as shown in FIG. It is composed of 8x8 elements. Threshold values are stored one by one for each element. Further, “%” in the above expression is an operation for obtaining a remainder after division, and x% 8 indicates a remainder after x is divided by 8. That is, if x = 8, x% 8 = 0, and x = 12
Then, x% 8 = 4.

According to the example of FIG. 2, the thresholds read in this procedure are x% 8 = 0 and y% 8 = 0 if x = 0 and y = 0.
So, if T = 2, x = 10 and y = 100, then
Since x% 8 = 2 and y% 8 = 4, T = 64.

In step S6, the threshold value T read in step S5 is compared with the corrected density value I 'obtained in step S4, and the binarization process is branched.

In S7, if I ′ <T in S6, (Y
es), the output density O = 0.

In S12, if T ≦ I ′ in S6 (No), the output density O = 1.

In S8, a binarization error value E is calculated based on the corrected density value I 'and the output density value O as in the following equation (3).

E = I′-O... [Equation 3] In S9, a predetermined error distribution matrix Bm
Based on at (), the error value E is distributed to an error buffer e of peripheral pixels that have not been subjected to binarization as shown in the following Expression 4.

E (x + i, y + j) + = Bmat (i, j) × E... [Equation 4] Here, “+ =” is added to the value already existing in the error buffer e. Is an operator indicating that the data is stored in the same error buffer e. A specific example of Bmat () is as shown in FIG. 3, and i and j are variables that take the value as shown in FIG. 3 when the target pixel position is i = j = 0.

In S10, it is determined whether or not the binarization processing in the main scanning direction (x direction) has been completed.

In S11, when it is determined that the processing has been completed in S10 (Yes), it is determined whether or not the binarization processing for all pixels has been completed.

If it is determined in S13 that the processing has not been completed in S10 (No), 1 is added to x, and the flow returns to S3.

In S14, when it is determined in S11 that the binarization processing for all pixels has not been completed (No), y
And then returns to S2. In S11, 2 pixels of all pixels
If it is determined that the binarization processing has been completed (Yes), the error diffusion processing ends.

Next, a detailed operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. The configuration according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in the related art, and the detailed description is omitted by assigning the same reference numerals.

First, when the processing is started, the CPU 101
Initializes all storage areas of the error buffer configured in the RAM 103 to 0 (S2). This error buffer has already been described in the above description of the error diffusion processing.

Subsequently, the CPU 101 operates the input panel 106.
Is continuously monitored to determine whether the continuous print mode setting switch 132 is pressed (S4). Here, when it is determined that the continuous printing mode has been switched by operating the continuous printing mode setting switch 132 (Yes), as described in detail in the description of the related art, the continuous printing mode setting is instructed or canceled. Is written into the RAM 103 (S5). This step S5 functions as a continuous job setting unit.

Subsequently, the CPU 101 constantly monitors whether print data as job data is transferred from outside (S6). This procedure functions as input determination means.

Here, if it is determined that the data has not been transferred (No), it is determined whether or not the end of the processing is instructed by setting such as power-off (S8). Here, if it is determined that the processing end is instructed (Yes), all the processing ends. Here, if it is determined that no instruction has been given (No), the process returns to step S4 to repeat the processing.

Also, the procedure S as the input discriminating means described above.
If it is determined in step 6 that print data as job data has been transferred (Yes), the following series of processing is executed. First, the CPU 101 reads an area for specifying the continuous print mode of the RAM 103 set in step S5, and determines whether or not the continuous print mode is set (S1).
2). Here, if it is determined that the continuous printing mode is not set (No), the CPU 101 initializes the error buffer configured in the RAM 103 again as in step S2 (S13). If it is determined that the continuous print mode is set (Yes), the above-described procedure S1 is performed.
Skip step 3. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S14.
Note that the flow of a series of processes from step S12 to step S14 functions as conversion characteristic correction means. Step S13
Functions as conversion characteristic initialization means.

Then, the CPU 101 reads the print data as the job data transferred from the outside, and stores the read print data on the HDD 104 (S14). This procedure corresponds to the input means.

When the transfer of all print data is completed, the HDD
When the storage on the memory 104 is completed, the CPU 101
The print data stored on the DD 104 is analyzed to generate line data (S16). This procedure functions as data conversion means. This procedure is described in the prior art, and since the specific binarization means can use the above-described error diffusion processing, it is shown that these descriptions can be used, and the detailed description is omitted. I do.

Then, printing is executed based on the line data generated in step S16 (S18). Note that this procedure functions as an output means, and a detailed description of this operation has been already given in the description of FIG.

Then, the CPU 101 determines whether or not all printing corresponding to the print data stored in the HDD 104 has been completed (S20). If it is determined that the printing has not been completed (No), the process returns to step S16 and the printing process is repeated. If it is determined that the process has been completed (Yes), the process returns to step S4 to repeat a series of processes.

By performing such a configuration and operation, the following operation and effect can be obtained.

First, when the continuous printing mode is not set, the error buffer is initialized in step S13 for each job data, so that the error diffusion process performed in step S16 is always the same. The processing is started under the condition, and if the print data is the same, the same print result is always obtained, so that the stability of the output image can be improved.

Further, if the continuous printing mode is set, this state is identified in step S12, and step S13
The initialization of the error buffer performed in step (1) is not performed. As a result, the subsequent error diffusion process starts the process by inheriting the state of the error buffer generated by the previous print data. Thus, when the continuous printing mode is set, continuity with the previous error diffusion processing is maintained.

FIG. 5 shows an output result when the image of FIG. 14 used for explaining a specific phenomenon in the prior art is printed by using the continuous mode of the present invention. Compared to FIG. 15 of the output result when reproduced using the conventional technique,
In FIG. 5, which is the output result of the present embodiment, it can be easily determined that the pseudo boundary is removed and the image quality is improved.

According to the present invention, in an image output apparatus employing a so-called continuous mode for outputting a plurality of job data as one integrated image, a process for eliminating a process for eliminating continuity between job data, or securing continuity. Is added. It goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, setting items and commands for switching the above-described binarization method are attached to a printer driver or a so-called page description language for forming print control signals. In such a case, if the continuous printing mode is instructed, the switching setting item of the binarization method is grayed out in the printer driver so that it cannot be set. May not be output. If the characteristics of the binarization method are described in the page description language, the analysis process may be removed or a process for invalidating the analysis result may be added in the continuous printing mode.

The present invention can also be realized by these methods described above.

[0073]

As is apparent from the above description, the image output apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention controls the output when a plurality of job data is formed into a continuous image or document. Since the control signal conversion method can be modified, it is possible to easily execute a special process that eliminates a problem that occurs only when a plurality of job data is output as a continuous image or a character. The problem can be solved and a good image can always be output.

The image output device according to claim 2 is
In addition to the effect of the image output device according to the first aspect, since the conversion characteristics are initialized after the input of the job data is identified, the control signal can always be generated in the same state, and the reproduced image is stabilized. be able to. Further, since this initialization characteristic can be switched according to the setting in the continuous job setting means, when outputting continuous job data as one image or character, processing of a plurality of jobs is performed so as to have continuity. Initial settings can be given to the processing of individual jobs. This makes it possible to always output a good image.

Further, the image output device according to claim 3 is
In addition to the effect of the image output device according to the second aspect, the method of initializing the error buffer in the error diffusion processing can be switched according to the setting in the continuous job setting means, so that the continuous operation is performed using the error diffusion method. Job data 1
When outputting as one image or character, the error buffer may not be initialized so that processing of each job data maintains continuity. As a result, the error data generated in the previous job data processing can be applied to the next job data processing, so that the continuity of the error diffusion processing is maintained and the generation of a pseudo boundary between the job data is performed. Can be prevented, and the image quality can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation of an error diffusion process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a threshold matrix in an error diffusion process.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an error distribution matrix in an error diffusion process.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image output result in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an apparatus for achieving continuous printing in the related art.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a printing apparatus in a conventional apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating how print data is transferred.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an input panel.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining that a continuous print mode setting flag and a value of a paper feed amount are stored in a RAM;

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a continuous printing control procedure.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the conventional device.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a printing result corresponding to the setting of the continuous printing mode in the conventional apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an image serving as a source of print data.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a printing result when a continuous printing mode is set in a conventional apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 HDD 106 Input panel 107 Input interface 120 Printing device 127 Paper feed control circuit 132 Continuous print mode setting switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] An input unit for inputting job data for outputting an image, a document, and the like; an output unit for outputting an image, a document, and the like; and converting the job data into a control signal used by the output unit. An image output apparatus comprising: a data conversion unit; and a continuous job setting unit configured to set a plurality of the job data as output job data such as a continuous image and a document. An image output apparatus comprising: a conversion characteristic correction unit that corrects a conversion method of a unit. 2. An input determining means for determining the input of the job data, and a conversion characteristic initializing means for initializing the conversion characteristic of the data converting means when the input determining means determines the input of the job data. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion characteristic correction unit corrects an initialization method of the conversion characteristic initialization unit. 3. The data conversion means is configured to perform error diffusion processing, and the conversion characteristic initialization means initializes an error buffer in the error diffusion processing. Item 3. The image processing device according to item 2.