JP2000079727A - Printing control apparatus, method for processing data for printing control apparatus, and memory medium storing computer readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To process to print received print data or image data without lowering a designated resolution even when a situation that a page memory of a lower resolution than the designated resolution is secured to bit map develop the data occurs. SOLUTION: In the case where print data received via an interface part 101 cannot be transferred to a recording part 110 while being developed on a work buffer memory 105 by a memory control part 109 with a designated resolution, a printing process speed is switched to a low-speed mode to bit map develop the data with the designated resolution, while a bit map image developed with the designated resolution is interpolated to a bit map image of a high resolution and transferred by an interpolating circuit 112.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus that performs printing processing in band units while analyzing input printing information and performing resolution conversion processing, a data processing method of the printing control apparatus, and a computer. Is related to a storage medium storing a readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic printer represented by a laser beam printer, print data (code data, image data, etc.) is received from an external device such as a host computer, and the received print data is received. Bitmap data based on the data is expanded, and after the expansion is completed, the expanded bitmap data is output to the printer engine as video data.

[0003] By the way, the resolution of this type of apparatus has become extremely high these days, and accordingly, the memory capacity for developing bitmaps also becomes enormous. A well-known solution to this is to divide one page into multiple bands instead of having one page of memory. This is a method in which memories for a plurality of bands are provided and bitmap development is performed in band units.

Further, printers having a switching mode of 600 dpi / 1200 dpi have been introduced in order to output a high quality and high quality image such as a natural image.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating the relationship between resolution switching and print processing in a conventional print control apparatus. FIG. 5A shows a resolution corresponding to 600 dpi, and FIG. 5B shows a resolution corresponding to 1200 dpi. .

For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when a mode for printing at a normal resolution of 600 dpi is selected, the printing time is determined by setting the vertical feed speed to T.
a, the transfer time of one band is ta, and the video frequency in the main scanning direction is X MHz.
To convert to the dpi mode, the video frequency is doubled and the number of lines in the sub-scanning direction is doubled in order to double the number of pixels in the main scanning direction, as shown in FIG. 5B. Therefore, if the paper feed speed is halved and the time for writing one line (the time of the main scanning synchronization signal: tb) is the same, it is possible to write twice as many lines in the same area as 600 dpi. I can do it.

Accordingly, the mode switching between 600 dpi and 1200 dpi is performed by halving the printing speed and doubling the video frequency.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, 600
When trying to output all images in the high-speed mode of dpi, the image is expanded by band processing, so the image of the next band does not end while the video transfer of the current band is performed. However, since the resolution is reduced to 300 dpi, the image is transferred to the printing apparatus while interpolating the image to 600 dpi, there is a problem that a high-quality image cannot be printed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for processing a received print data when the received print data cannot be transferred to a printing unit while being developed at a specified resolution. Is switched to the low-speed mode and the bitmap image expanded at the specified resolution is transferred while interpolating the bitmap image expanded at the specified resolution to the high-resolution bitmap image. Even if a situation occurs in which bitmaps are developed by securing a page memory for resolution, printing that can freely construct a print processing environment that can print received print data or image data without lowering the resolution Data processing method of control device and print control device and computer readable program stored To provide a 憶媒 body.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus capable of receiving print data by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, and analyzing the print data. Developing means for developing a bitmap image at a designated resolution (the CPU 102 controls the memory control unit 10 based on a control program stored in the firmware memory 107, font data stored in the font memory 108, and the like).
9) and a plurality of band memories (secured on the work buffer memory 105) for storing the bitmap image developed by the developing means.
Calculating means for predicting and calculating expansion processing time for each band in the band memory (CPU 102 executes a control program stored in firmware memory 107 to perform arithmetic processing); and bit map expanded in the band memory Transfer means (CPU 10) for transferring an image to a printing unit
(2) the video signal control circuit 111 performs the transfer processing based on the instruction of (2)) and a determination means for determining whether or not the expansion processing time calculated by the calculation means is longer than the transfer time of the bitmap image by the transfer means ( CPU1
02 executes a control program stored in the firmware memory 107 to perform the determination process). When the determination unit determines that the expansion processing time is longer than the transfer time, the resolution is higher than the designated resolution. Control means for switching the print processing speed to the low-speed mode so as to expand to a resolution (the CPU 102 executes a control program stored in the firmware memory 107 and performs the switching process).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interpolation means (interpolation circuit 112) for interpolating the print data expanded at a designated resolution by the expansion means into a high-resolution bitmap image, and the transfer means Is for transferring the high-resolution bitmap image interpolated by the interpolation means to the printing unit.

A third invention according to the present invention is a print control apparatus capable of receiving image data compressed at a predetermined resolution by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, Decompression means (CPU 102
Executes a control program stored in the firmware memory 107 to perform decompression processing or decompression via an ASIC (not shown)), and transfer means (CP) for transmitting the bitmap image data decompressed by the decompression means to a printing unit.
A video signal control circuit 111 performs a transfer process based on an instruction from U102), and a calculation unit (CPU) for predicting and calculating the expansion processing time of image data in band units by the expansion unit
102 executes a control program stored in the firmware memory 107 to perform arithmetic processing), and determines whether the decompression processing time calculated by the arithmetic means is longer than the transfer time of the bitmap image by the transfer means. Determination means (the CPU 102 executes the control program stored in the firmware memory 107 and performs the determination processing)
When the determination unit determines that the expansion processing time is longer than the transfer time, the control unit switches the print processing speed to the low-speed mode so that printing is performed at a higher resolution than the designated resolution (the CPU 102 The switching process is executed by executing a control program stored in the firmware memory 107).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interpolation means (interpolation circuit 112) for interpolating the print data expanded at a designated resolution by the expansion means into a high-resolution bitmap image. Is for transferring the high-resolution bitmap image interpolated by the interpolation means to the printing unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method for a print control device capable of receiving print data by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium. A developing step of developing a bitmap image at a designated resolution (step (5) in FIG. 3), and a calculating step of predicting and calculating the processing time of developing the bitmap image in the band memory storing the bitmap image developed by the developing step 3), a transfer step of transferring the bitmap image developed in the band memory to the printing unit (step (4) of FIG. 3), and a transfer time of the bitmap image by the transfer step. A determining step (step (2) in FIG. 3) for determining whether or not the expansion processing time calculated by the calculating step is long; A switching step (step (3) in FIG. 3) for switching the print processing speed to a low-speed mode so as to expand the image to a higher resolution than the designated resolution when it is determined that the expansion processing time is longer. Things.

A sixth invention according to the present invention has an interpolation step (step (4) in FIG. 3) of interpolating the print data expanded at a designated resolution in the expansion step into a high-resolution bitmap image. The transferring step transfers the high-resolution bitmap image interpolated in the interpolating step to the printing unit.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method for a print control device capable of receiving image data compressed at a predetermined resolution by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, A decompression step (not shown) for decompressing the compressed image data; a transfer step for transferring the bitmap image data decompressed in the decompression step to a printing unit (step (4) in FIG. 3); A calculating step (step (4) in FIG. 3) for predicting and calculating the decompression processing time of the image data in band units, and the decompression processing time calculated in the calculation step being shorter than the bitmap image transfer time in the transfer step A determining step (step (2) in FIG. 3) for determining whether or not the transfer processing time is longer than the transfer time in the determining step; Than the specified resolution and a step switch switches the print processing speed to print at a high resolution in the low-speed mode (Step of Fig. 3 (3)).

An eighth invention according to the present invention has an interpolation step (step (3) in FIG. 3) of interpolating the print data expanded at a designated resolution in the expansion step into a high-resolution bitmap image. The transferring step transfers the high-resolution bitmap image interpolated in the interpolating step to the printing unit.

A ninth invention according to the present invention is a storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a printing apparatus capable of receiving print data by communicating with an external apparatus via a predetermined communication medium. Developing a bitmap image at a designated resolution by analyzing the print data (step (5) in FIG. 3); and developing the bitmap image into a band memory for storing the bitmap image developed by the developing process. Calculation process for predicting time (FIG. 3
(2)), a transfer step of transferring the bitmap image developed in the band memory to the printing unit (step (4) of FIG. 3), and the transfer time of the bitmap image in the transfer step is shorter than the transfer time of the bitmap image. A determining step (step (2) in FIG. 3) for determining whether or not the expansion processing time calculated by the calculation step is longer; and a case where the determination processing determines that the expansion processing time is longer than the transfer time. A computer readable program stored in a storage medium having a switching step (step (3) in FIG. 3) for switching a print processing speed to a low speed mode so as to develop a higher resolution than a designated resolution. It is.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interpolation step (FIG. 3) for interpolating the print data expanded at a designated resolution in the expansion step into a high-resolution bitmap image.
(4)), wherein the transfer step stores a computer-readable program for transferring the high-resolution bitmap image interpolated in the interpolation step to the printing unit in a storage medium. .

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a computer readable program for controlling a printing apparatus capable of receiving image data compressed at a predetermined resolution by communicating with an external apparatus via a predetermined communication medium is provided. A decompressing step (not shown) for decompressing the compressed image data, and a transfer step for transferring the bitmap image data decompressed in the decompressing step to a printing unit (step (FIG. 3) 4)), an operation step of predicting and calculating the expansion processing time of the image data in band units in the expansion step (step (4) in FIG. 3), and the calculation step is performed based on the transfer time of the bitmap image in the transfer step. A determining step (step (2) in FIG. 3) for determining whether or not the decompression processing time calculated by the above is long; A switching step (step (3) in FIG. 3) for switching the print processing speed to a low-speed mode so that printing is performed at a higher resolution than the designated resolution when it is determined that the development processing time is longer than the expansion processing time. A computer-readable program stored in a storage medium.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interpolation step of interpolating the print data expanded at a designated resolution in the expansion step into a high-resolution bitmap image (FIG. 3).
(3)) wherein the transfer step stores a computer-readable program for transferring the high-resolution bitmap image interpolated in the interpolation step to the printing unit in a storage medium. .

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing the configuration of this embodiment, a configuration of a laser beam printer suitable for applying this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition,
The printer to which this embodiment is applied is not limited to the laser beam printer and the ink jet printer, and it goes without saying that a printer of another printing method may be used.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, for example, a case of a laser beam printer (LBP).

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes, etc.), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer, and stores the information. , A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper.
Reference numeral 1512 denotes an operation panel on which switches for scanning, an LED display, and the like are arranged. Reference numeral 1501 denotes a printer control unit, which controls the entire LBP main body 1500 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit 1501 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to a laser driver 1502.

The laser driver 1502 is a semiconductor laser 1
A circuit for driving the laser beam 503 switches on / off a laser beam 1504 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 according to an input video signal. Laser light 15
Numeral 04 is rotated left and right by a rotary polygon mirror 1505 to scan and expose an electrostatic drum 1506. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1507 arranged around the electrostatic drum 1506,
Transferred to recording paper.

A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1508 mounted on the LBP main body 1500, and is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1509 and transport rollers 1510 and 1511. And supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506.
The LBP body 1500 has at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the print control apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes an interface unit (I / F unit) for inputting code data and image data from an external device (such as a host computer or an image scanner). A CPU 102 controls the entire printer by executing a control program stored in a ROM or an external memory (not shown). An interface unit (I / F unit) 103 communicates with a recording unit (printer engine) 110.

A page buffer memory 104 stores one page of recording data sent from the host computer. 105 is a work buffer memory,
A necessary work area is provided when the CPU 102 executes various controls. Reference numeral 106 denotes a frame buffer memory which stores image data obtained by expanding code data included in print data, image data input from an image scanner, and the like.

The above-described page buffer memory 10
4. The work buffer memory 105 and the frame buffer memory 106 are each constituted by a RAM.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a firmware, which is a CPU 1
02 stores various programs (firmware) to be executed. Reference numeral 108 denotes a font memory which stores various font data for developing code data into images. The above-mentioned firmware memory 107 and font memory 108 are each constituted by a ROM.

Reference numeral 109 denotes a memory control unit which transfers image data obtained by expanding code data and image data input from an image scanner to the frame buffer memory 106 and stores them. Reference numeral 111 denotes a video signal control circuit which receives a horizontal synchronization signal from the recording unit 110 and outputs the data read from the frame buffer memory 106 as a video signal to an interpolation circuit 112 composed of an ASIC or the like.

The interpolation circuit 112 converts the video signal received from the video signal control circuit 111 from 300 dpi to 600 dpi or from 600 dpi to 1200 dpi.
The interpolation data processing for converting the resolution to pi is performed at high speed. The recording unit 110 includes an engine controller that controls the printing process of the engine, and is configured to be able to communicate with the CPU 102 of the printer controller via the interface unit 103.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present embodiment. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), when the print processing based on the print information received from the host is started, the image is divided into several bands, and in step (2), the estimated time for developing each band is Calculated, and the calculated result is:
The image data for one band is compared with the time (stored in advance) for transferring it to the recording unit 110 as a video signal.

Here, the time when the band is developed in the frame buffer memory 106 is longer than the time when the video signal is stored in the recording unit 11.
If it is determined that it takes a longer time than the time to transfer the data to 1, the interpolation circuit 112 sends 600d
The setting is made so as to convert the image data into a resolution of 1200 dpi.

Next, when the first band is expanded in the frame buffer memory 106, in step (4),
After counting the top margin to the recording unit 110 in synchronization with the horizontal synchronization signal, transmission of the video signal is started. Then, when the transmission of the video signal is started, in step (5), the development of the next band is started. In step (6), it is determined whether or not the end of the l-band transfer is confirmed. Step (6) is repeated until is confirmed, and when the end of the l-band transfer is confirmed,
In step (7), it is determined whether or not the band is the last band. If it is determined that the band is not the last band,
Return to step (4).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (7) that the band is the last band, the transfer process is terminated at that time.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the time required to develop one band is longer than the time required to transfer one band. Is described, the compressed image data of 600 dpi is input from an external device (a host computer, an image scanner, or the like) and output as video data to the recording unit 111 while expanding the image data. Also in this case, in the high-speed mode of 600 dpi, it takes time to decompress, and if it is determined that it is not enough to transfer the video data, the recording unit 110 is set to the low-speed mode of 1200 dpi. The same effect can be obtained by converting the decompressed video data to 1200 dpi by the interpolation circuit 112 and outputting it. It is.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program that can be read by a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by a printing system to which the printing control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, such as version information and a creator, is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, such as a program, An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIG. 3 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

According to the above embodiment, in an apparatus capable of changing a print speed in order to perform resolution conversion,
When performing band transfer in the high-speed mode of 00 dpi, when it is determined that the band development time is not enough for the band transfer time, or when it is determined that the decompression speed is not enough for the video transfer speed, 1200 dpi is used. By using the low-speed mode, the image expanded or expanded to 600 dpi is sent to the printing device while interpolating at 1200 dpi, high-quality printing can be performed without reducing the resolution of the image.

[0052]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, a print control device capable of receiving print data by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium,
Developing means for analyzing the print data to develop a bitmap image at a designated resolution, a plurality of band memories for storing the bitmap image developed by the developing means, and processing time for developing each band into the band memory Calculating means for predicting the bitmap image, transferring means for transferring the bitmap image developed in the band memory to a printing unit, and the developing processing calculated by the calculating means based on the transfer time of the bitmap image by the transferring means. Determining means for determining whether or not the time is longer, and a print processing speed for expanding to a resolution higher than a designated resolution when the determining means determines that the expansion processing time is longer than the transfer time. And a control unit for switching to a low-speed mode. Even if the situation in which the processing time exceeds bitmap transfer time band unit occurs, it is possible to earn the development processing time expandable at the specified resolution by switching the print processing speed to the low speed mode.

According to the second invention, there is provided an interpolation means for interpolating the print data expanded at the designated resolution by the expansion means into a high-resolution bitmap image, and the transfer means comprises an interpolation means for interpolating by the interpolation means. The high-resolution bitmap image is transferred to the printing unit, so the high-throughput processing cannot be performed at the specified resolution and the throughput is reduced, but the received print data is developed at high resolution without deteriorating the print quality. Printing can be performed while printing.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus capable of receiving image data compressed at a predetermined resolution by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, Decompression means for decompressing, transfer means for transferring the bitmap image data decompressed by the decompression means to a printing unit, operation means for predicting and calculating decompression processing time of image data in band units by the decompression means, Determining means for determining whether the decompression processing time calculated by the calculation means is longer than transfer time of the bitmap image by the means; and determining that the decompression processing time is longer than the transfer time by the determination means. Control means for switching the print processing speed to a low-speed mode so that printing is performed at a higher resolution than the designated resolution. Even if the decompression processing time for decompressing the received compressed image data exceeds the bitmap transfer time in band units, the print processing speed can be switched to the low-speed mode to obtain decompression processing time that can be decompressed at the specified resolution. .

According to the fourth invention, there is provided an interpolation means for interpolating the print data expanded at the designated resolution by the expansion means into a high-resolution bitmap image, and the transfer means comprises an interpolation means for interpolating by the interpolation means. The high-resolution bitmap image thus transferred is transferred to the printing unit, so that the high-throughput cannot be expanded at the specified resolution and the throughput is reduced, but the print quality is reduced while the received image data is expanded without deteriorating. Can be printed at resolution.

According to the fifth and ninth aspects of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method for a print control device capable of receiving print data by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing apparatus capable of receiving print data by communicating with an external apparatus via the print apparatus, analyzing the print data and developing a bitmap image at a designated resolution A developing step; a calculating step of predicting and calculating a developing processing time to a band memory storing the bitmap image developed by the developing step; and a transferring step of transferring the bitmap image developed in the band memory to a printing unit. And whether the expansion processing time calculated in the calculation step is longer than the transfer time of the bitmap image in the transfer step. A determination step of determining whether or not the expansion processing time is longer than the transfer time by the determination step, and setting the print processing speed to the low-speed mode so as to expand to a resolution higher than the specified resolution. Since the switching process includes a switching process, even when the bitmap development processing time based on the specified resolution exceeds the bitmap transfer time in band units, the printing processing speed can be switched to the low-speed mode and the development can be performed at the specified resolution. The development processing time can be earned.

According to the sixth and tenth aspects, there is provided an interpolation step of interpolating the print data expanded at the designated resolution in the expansion step into a high-resolution bitmap image. Since the high-resolution bitmap image interpolated by the process is transferred to the printing unit, the processing cannot be performed at the specified resolution at high throughput and the throughput is reduced, but the received print data is reduced without deteriorating the print quality. Print processing can be performed while developing at the resolution.

According to the seventh and eleventh aspects, there is provided a data processing method of a print control apparatus capable of receiving image data compressed at a predetermined resolution by communicating with an external apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, Alternatively, a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing apparatus capable of receiving image data compressed at a predetermined resolution by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the compressed A decompression step of decompressing the image data, a transfer step of transmitting the bitmap image data decompressed by the decompression step to a printing unit, and a calculation step of predicting and calculating the decompression processing time of the image data in band units by the decompression step. Determining whether the decompression processing time calculated in the calculation step is longer than the transfer time of the bitmap image in the transfer step. And a switching step of switching a print processing speed to a low-speed mode so as to perform printing at a higher resolution than a designated resolution when the determination step determines that the expansion processing time is longer than the transfer time. Therefore, even if the decompression processing time for decompressing the received compressed image data exceeds the bitmap transfer time in band units, the decompression processing time can be decompressed at the specified resolution by switching the print processing speed to the low speed mode. Can earn.

According to the eighth and twelfth aspects of the present invention, there is provided an interpolation step of interpolating the print data expanded at the designated resolution in the expansion step into a high-resolution bitmap image, and the transfer step includes: Since the high-resolution bitmap image interpolated in the process is transferred to the printing unit, it is not possible to perform decompression processing at high throughput with the specified resolution, and the throughput is reduced, but the received image data is decompressed without deteriorating the print quality. While printing at high resolution.

Therefore, even if a page memory having a resolution lower than the specified resolution is originally secured and bitmap development is performed, the received print data or image data is printed without lowering the resolution. This makes it possible to freely construct a print processing environment capable of performing such operations.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which a print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between resolution switching and print processing in a conventional print control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 102 CPU 104 page buffer memory 105 work buffer memory 106 frame buffer memory 107 firmware memory 108 font memory 110 recording unit 112 interpolation circuit

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A print control device capable of receiving print data by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: developing means for analyzing the print data and developing a bitmap image at a designated resolution. A plurality of band memories for storing the bitmap image expanded by the expansion unit; an arithmetic unit for predicting and calculating an expansion processing time for each band in the band memory; and a bitmap image expanded in the band memory. Transfer means for transferring to the printing unit; determining means for determining whether the expansion processing time calculated by the calculating means is longer than transfer time of the bitmap image by the transfer means; and the transfer time by the determining means If it is determined that the expansion processing time is longer than the specified And a control unit for switching a print processing speed to a low-speed mode. 2. An interpolation unit for interpolating the print data expanded at a designated resolution by the expansion unit into a high-resolution bitmap image, wherein the transfer unit includes a high-resolution bit interpolated by the interpolation unit. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein the map image is transferred to the printing unit. 3. A print control device capable of receiving image data compressed at a predetermined resolution by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: a decompression means for decompressing the compressed image data; Transfer means for transferring the bitmap image data decompressed by the decompression means to a printing unit; calculation means for predicting and calculating decompression processing time of image data in band units by the decompression means; Determining means for determining whether or not the decompression processing time calculated by the calculation means is longer than transfer time; and determining if the decompression processing time is longer than the transfer time by the determination means. Control means for switching a print processing speed to a low-speed mode so as to print at a higher resolution than the selected resolution. Control device. 4. An interpolation means for interpolating the print data expanded at a designated resolution by the expansion means into a high-resolution bitmap image, wherein the transfer means includes a high-resolution bit interpolated by the interpolation means. 4. The print control device according to claim 3, wherein the map image is transferred to the printing unit. 5. A data processing method of a print control device capable of receiving print data by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein said print data is analyzed to develop a bitmap image at a specified resolution. And a calculating step of predicting and calculating a processing time for developing the bitmap image in the band memory storing the bitmap image developed in the developing step; and transferring the bitmap image developed in the band memory to a printing unit. A determination step of determining whether the expansion processing time calculated by the calculation step is longer than a transfer time of the bitmap image by the transfer step; and the expansion processing time is shorter than the transfer time by the determination step. If the print speed is determined to be long, the print processing speed is set to the low-speed mode so that it is expanded to a higher resolution than the specified resolution. Data processing method of a print control apparatus and a step switch is switched, the. 6. An interpolation step of interpolating the print data expanded at a designated resolution in the expansion step into a high-resolution bitmap image, wherein the transfer step includes the high-resolution bit interpolated by the interpolation step. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein a map image is transferred to the printing unit. 7. A data processing method of a print control device capable of receiving image data compressed at a predetermined resolution by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the compressed image data is decompressed. A decompression step; a transfer step of transferring the bitmap image data decompressed by the decompression step to a printing unit; an operation step of predicting and calculating a decompression processing time of image data in band units by the decompression step; A determination step of determining whether the decompression processing time calculated by the calculation step is longer than the transfer time of the bitmap image; and if the expansion processing time is determined to be longer than the transfer time by the determination step Switching the print processing speed to a low speed mode so as to print at a higher resolution than the designated resolution. Data processing method for a printing control apparatus according to claim. 8. An interpolation step of interpolating the print data decompressed at a designated resolution by the decompression step into a high-resolution bitmap image, wherein the transfer step includes the high-resolution bit interpolated by the interpolation step. 8. The data processing method for a print control device according to claim 7, wherein the map image is transferred to the printing unit. 9. A storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a printing apparatus capable of receiving print data by communicating with an external apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the storage medium stores the computer readable program. Developing a bitmap image at a designated resolution by using the bitmap image, and calculating an expansion processing time in a band memory storing the bitmap image expanded in the developing step; and a bit expanded in the band memory. A transfer step of transferring a map image to a printing unit; a determination step of determining whether the expansion processing time calculated by the calculation step is longer than a transfer time of the bitmap image by the transfer step; If it is determined that the expansion processing time is longer than the transfer time, the resolution is higher than a designated resolution. Storage medium from which a computer stores readable program characterized by having the steps switch switching to the low-speed mode printing speed to deploy the Zodo. 10. An interpolation step of interpolating the print data expanded at a designated resolution in the expansion step into a high-resolution bitmap image, wherein the transfer step includes the high-resolution bit interpolated by the interpolation step. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein the map image is transferred to the printing unit. 11. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing apparatus capable of receiving image data compressed at a predetermined resolution by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, A decompression step of decompressing the compressed image data; a transfer step of transmitting the bitmap image data decompressed in the decompression step to a printing unit; and a prediction calculation of the decompression processing time of the image data in band units in the decompression step. A determining step of determining whether the decompression processing time calculated by the calculating step is longer than a transfer time of the bitmap image by the transferring step; and If the processing time is determined to be long, print processing speed to print at a higher resolution than the specified resolution Storage medium from which a computer stores readable program characterized by comprising: a step switch is switched to the low speed mode, the. 12. An interpolation step of interpolating the print data decompressed at a designated resolution by the decompression step into a high-resolution bitmap image, wherein the transfer step includes the high-resolution bit interpolated by the interpolation step. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the map image is transferred to the printing unit.