JP2000094797A - Printing controller, data processing method therefor, and memory medium storing program readable by computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To judge whether printing information having a complicated data configuration, or the like, can be printed normally on a single page by comparing an addition value of a developing time predicted by a predicting means and a margin set by a setting means, and a preset reference time for transmitting predetermined bit map data. SOLUTION: A CPU 1 reads printing data inputted from a host computer 2000 via an input part 5 for classifying the same into a band unit corresponding to a printing position designated by a control code and storing in a page buffer memory 6c of a RAM 6 as intermediate data. From the intermediate data configuration, an image forming part 11 comprising a hardware sets the time needed for developing the bit map data as a predicted value. Then, whether the sum of a preset margin value and the predicted value is larger than the preset time necessary for transferring the bit map data in a band buffer memory 6a to a printing part 9 is examined. In the case it is judged to be smaller, the image data are transferred.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print control apparatus for generating and printing bitmap data from intermediate data obtained by analyzing information input from an external apparatus, a data processing method of the print control apparatus, and a computer-readable program. Is related to a storage medium in which is stored.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, printing devices such as laser beam printers have been widely used as output devices for computers. In a page printer such as a laser beam printer, it is necessary to store an output image for one page in a bitmap memory, but one page is divided into a plurality of areas (bands) without having a memory for one page. A band memory system that prepares at least two memory areas where the divided print data can be developed, develops the print data sequentially for each band in synchronization with the paper transport speed of the printer engine, and transfers (shipping) the data to the printer engine There is.

In this method, a system can be configured with a smaller memory capacity than in a method requiring a bit map for one page, and the generation of an output image (rendering) and the transfer of print data to a printer engine can be performed at the same time. Is possible.

However, in the band memory type printing apparatus, once the printer engine once feeds the paper and starts the printing operation of the transferred print data, the transport of the paper cannot be temporarily stopped.

Therefore, if the time required for developing the print data of a certain band is longer, a problem arises in that a correct print result cannot be obtained (overrun).

To cope with this problem, the development time required for the print data of each band is measured and compared with the time required to transfer the data to the printer engine to predict whether or not overrun will occur. When it is predicted that the error will occur, various proposals have been made such as reducing the data resolution to reduce the data capacity and preventing overrun.

In recent years, as the performance of the printer engine has been rapidly improved and a very high frequency has been required for the data transfer rate to the printer engine, a bit map expansion to the band memory has been implemented by hardware to increase the speed. Without realization, printing at the required printing quality and printing speed has become impossible.

[0008]

However, if the bitmap development to the band memory is implemented by hardware, it is impossible to actually measure the development time in the above-mentioned conventional example.

For this reason, the time required for data generation (rendering) by hardware is predicted from the object configuration of intermediate data before expansion, and whether or not an overrun occurs from a value calculated by adding a certain margin to the predicted time. Have been determined.

There are two reasons for setting this margin. The former is because, when a print job is executed, the CPU executes the CPU while developing a band bitmap having a certain page.
Needs to generate intermediate data for the next page,
This is due to the frequent occurrence of memory access requests and the occurrence of waits.

[0011] The latter reason is due to the margin setting to cause a difference between the predicted and actual development times depending on the data structure.

However, in the case of a single page print job,
Since there is no need to generate intermediate data for the next page, there has been a problem that the former margin setting becomes unnecessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to determine whether a page configuration of received print data is a single page or a plurality of pages, and make the determination. A margin added when estimating the expansion processing time of each band based on the result is variably set, and the expansion processing time to which the margin is added is a reference time required for the transfer of the bitmap data expanded in the band buffer. By judging whether or not it exceeds, when estimating the band development processing time for the print information of a single page, the time required for analyzing the intermediate data of the next page is not added as a margin, and each band in a single page is Even if it is a little complicated, it can be correctly determined whether or not it is within the transfer reference time. Stores a print control apparatus, a data processing method of the print control apparatus, and a computer-readable program for freely preparing a print data processing environment capable of performing print processing without lowering the resolution of single-page print information converted into image resolution. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a storage medium.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system which analyzes print information input from an external device to generate intermediate data, and develops and prints the generated intermediate data by dot development. A first determining unit (CPU 1 determines whether the page configuration of the print information input from the external device is a single page or a plurality of pages)
OM2, the control program stored in the external memory is executed to perform the determination process), and a predicting unit (the CPU 1 controls the ROM 2, the external Executing the control program stored in the memory to perform the prediction process);
Setting means for setting different margins for the development time predicted by the predicting means based on the result of the determination by the first determining means (the CPU 1 executes the control program stored in the ROM 2 or the external memory to perform the setting processing Do)
And the sum of the expansion time predicted by the prediction means and the margin set by the setting means, and a preset reference time required to transfer bitmap data for a predetermined band buffer size. A second determining means (CP) for comparing and determining whether or not the printing process is possible;
U1 executes the control program stored in the ROM 2 and the external memory to perform the determination process).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the second determining means determines that the printing process cannot be performed, the converting means (the CPU 1 converts the resolution of the print information to a lower resolution than the designated resolution). A conversion program by executing a control program stored in the ROM 2 and the external memory).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method for a print control apparatus for analyzing print information input from an external device to generate intermediate data, and for developing and printing the generated intermediate data in dots. A first determining step (step (3) in FIG. 3) of determining whether the page configuration of the print information input from the external device is a single page or a plurality of pages; A prediction step (steps (5) and (8) in FIG. 3) for estimating a development time required to develop information in dot development for each band buffer;
A setting step (steps (6) and (9) in FIG. 3) for setting different margins for the development time predicted by the prediction step based on the determination result by the determination step; By comparing the added value of the development time and the margin set in the setting step with a preset reference time required to transfer bitmap data of a predetermined band buffer size, it is determined whether print processing is possible. And a second determining step (steps (6) and (9) in FIG. 3) for determining.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conversion step of converting the resolution of the print information to a lower resolution than a designated resolution when it is determined in the second determination step that the printing cannot be performed (FIG. 3). (11)).

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer for controlling a printing apparatus which analyzes print information input from an external device to generate intermediate data, and develops and prints the generated intermediate data in dots. A first determination step (step (3) in FIG. 3) for determining whether the page configuration of the print information input from the external device is a single page or a plurality of pages, which is a storage medium storing a readable program. )), A prediction step (steps (5) and (8) in FIG. 3) for estimating a development time required to develop the generated intermediate information into dots for each band buffer, and the first determination step. A setting step (steps (6) and (8) in FIG. 3) for setting different margins for the development time predicted by the prediction means based on the determination result; The print processing can be performed by comparing the added value of the expanded time and the margin set in the setting step with a preset reference time for transferring bitmap data of a predetermined band buffer size. A computer-readable program having a second determination step (steps (6) and (8) in FIG. 3) for determining whether the program is readable is stored in a storage medium.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conversion step of converting the resolution of the print information to a lower resolution than a designated resolution when it is determined in the second determination step that printing cannot be performed (FIG. 3). (11)) is stored in a storage medium, the program being readable by a computer.

[0020]

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 a laser beam printer, and it goes without saying that a printer of another printing method may be used.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the 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 1501 denotes a switch for scanning and L
An operation panel 1000 including an ED display and the like is 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 1000 mainly converts character information into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1502.

The laser driver 1502 is the 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. 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 showing an example of a printing system to which the printing control apparatus according to the first embodiment can be applied. The same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 denote the same parts.

In the figure, reference numeral 2000 denotes a host computer, which is connected to the printer control unit 1000 via a predetermined interface 10 (for example, a bidirectional interface) and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500.

In the printer control unit 1000,
Reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU that comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 4 based on a program ROM of the ROM 2 or a control program stored in the external memory 3, And outputs an image signal as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 9 connected thereto.

Further, the program ROM of the ROM 2 includes a program ROM as shown in a flowchart of FIG.
A control program of the CPU 1, an intermediate data generation program for generating intermediate data of image data used by the image generation unit 11 constituted by hardware (data obtained by processing print data by hardware to generate bitmap data), A prediction program for predicting the time required for bitmap development by the image generation unit 11 described later from the configuration of the intermediate data, and whether the print job input from the host computer 2000 is composed of a single page or a plurality of pages Is determined from a control code in the print data.

Further, the font ROM of the ROM 2 stores font data (dot font data or outline font data) used for generating the output image. The CPU 1 is configured to be able to communicate with the host computer 2000 via the input unit 5.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a RAM functioning as a main memory, a water area and the like of the CPU 1, and its memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown).

The RAM 6 has a page buffer memory 6c for storing input print data as intermediate data, a band buffer memory 6a having a band buffer size for expanding bitmap data, and an image for storing encoded image information (compressed data). Used for the storage memory 6b and the like. The capacity of the page buffer memory 6c and the band buffer memory 6a in the RAM 6 is changed to a dynamizer.

The external memory 3 is a hard disk (HD),
It is an IC card or the like, and the access is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 7. The external memory 3 is connected as an option and stores font data, emulation programs, form data, and the like.

Reference numeral 1501 denotes the above-described operation panel, on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged.
The above-mentioned external memory 3 is not limited to one, but includes one or more. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different printer languages can be connected. It may be configured as follows. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501.

In the printer control system configured as described above, the character code in the print data input from the host computer 2000 is changed for each band position corresponding to the print position specified by the control code in the print data. Classified page buffer memory 6c in RAM 6
Is stored as intermediate data.

When the intermediate data for one page has been stored, the image generation unit 11 generates bitmap data in the band buffer memory 6a for each band size, and forms bitmap data by the printing unit I / F8. Is converted into a video signal, output to the printing unit 9 and recorded on recording paper or the like.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present embodiment. The program shown in the flowchart of FIG.
For example, the program area of the ROM 2 or the external memory 3
And is executed by the CPU 1. In addition,
(1) to (11) show each step.

First, in step (1), the CPU 1 reads print data (such as a control code or a character code indicating a print position) input from the host computer 2000 via the input unit 5, and in step (2), executes control. Band unit (band memory size) corresponding to the print position specified by the code (print position specified for each object)
And stored as intermediate data in the page buffer memory 6c in the RAM 6.

In step (2), print data is stored as intermediate data of the same page until a page end code such as a page break command (control code) in the print data is detected.

When a page end code such as a page break command is detected, in step (3), after the page end code is detected, it is monitored for the next print data for a certain period of time, and the next print operation is continued. If data is detected, the print data is determined to be print data of a plurality of pages, and the process proceeds to step (4), where the print data is used for print data of a plurality of pages stored in the program area of the ROM 2 or the external memory 3. A margin value X to be added to the predicted time is set.

Next, in step (5), the time required for the image generation unit 11 composed of hardware to expand the bitmap data is estimated from the data structure of the intermediate data stored in the page buffer memory 6c. The predicted value is set as R.

In step (6), the sum of the margin value X and the predicted value R set in step (4) and step (5) is used to convert the bitmap data F in the band buffer memory 6a into a printer engine (printing unit). 9)
It is determined whether or not the time is longer than a predetermined time (output time) necessary for transferring the data to the printer. If the time is shorter (YES), it is determined that the desired print result can be obtained. In step (10), the transfer of image data to the printer engine is started, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (6) that the sum of the margin value X and the predicted value R is longer than the transfer time (output time), the process proceeds to step (11) to reduce the resolution of the print data. Although the desired print quality cannot be obtained by reducing the amount of data, a low-resolution process is performed to obtain a print output, and the process proceeds to step (10), where transfer of low-resolution image data to the printer engine is started. To end.

On the other hand, in step (3), after detecting the page end code, it continues to monitor whether or not the next print data comes for a predetermined time, and when it is determined that the next print data is not detected, The print data is determined to be print data of a single page, and the process proceeds to step (7), where a margin added to the estimated time used for print data of a plurality of pages stored in the program area of the ROM 2 or the external memory 3 is stored. Set the value Y.

Next, in step (8), the time required for the image generator 11 composed of hardware to expand the bitmap data is estimated from the data structure of the intermediate data stored in the page buffer memory 6c. Value is predicted value R
Set as Next, in step (9), in steps (7) and (8), the sum of the set margin value Y and the predicted value R is stored in the band buffer memory 6a.
It is determined whether the time is longer than a predetermined time required to transfer the bitmap data in the printer engine to the printer engine, and if it is smaller, it is determined that a desired print result is obtained. Then, the process proceeds to step (19) to start transferring the image data to the printer engine.

On the other hand, in step (9), the sum of the set margin value Y and the predicted value R is calculated based on a predetermined time required to transfer the bitmap data in the band buffer memory 6a to the printer engine. If it is determined that the print data is large, the process proceeds to step (11), in which the resolution of the print data is reduced to reduce the amount of data so that a desired print quality cannot be obtained but a print output can be obtained (low-resolution processing). Go to step (10)
The transfer of the low-resolution image data to the printer engine is started, and the process ends.

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 print 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, for example, version information, a creator, etc., is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored. 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 embodiment 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 in 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-described embodiment, it is determined whether the print data is information for one page of paper or information for a plurality of pages, and one information of the estimated time required to develop the bitmap data is obtained. It is possible to correctly print one page of print information having a complicated data configuration, which has not been possible to perform the desired printing conventionally.

[0058]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for analyzing print information input from an external device to generate intermediate data, dot-expanding the generated intermediate data for printing, and printing the input data from the external device. First determining means for determining whether the page configuration of the information is a single page or a plurality of pages, and predicting means for predicting a developing time required for developing the generated intermediate information in dots for each band buffer. ,
Setting means for setting a different margin with respect to the development time predicted by the prediction means based on a result of the determination by the first determination means; and a development time predicted by the prediction means and set by the setting means. Second determining means for determining whether print processing is possible by comparing the added value with the margin and a preset reference time for transferring bitmap data of a predetermined band buffer size. Because it has, the margin added to the dot development time to be developed to the band buffer can be changed by the configuration of the print data, and it can be printed normally from print information with a complicated data configuration to print information of multiple pages on a single page It can be reliably determined whether or not.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the second determining means determines that the printing process cannot be performed, the converting means for converting the resolution of the print information to a lower resolution than the designated resolution is provided. It is possible to reliably print from a print information having a complicated data structure on a single page to a print information of a plurality of pages at a designated resolution as much as possible.

According to the third and fifth aspects of the present invention, data processing of a print control apparatus for analyzing print information input from an external device to generate intermediate data, and developing and printing the generated intermediate data in dots. A method or a method for analyzing print information input from an external device to generate intermediate data, and storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing device that prints the generated intermediate data by dot development. A storage medium, a first determining step of determining whether the page configuration of the print information input from the external device is a single page or a plurality of pages; and A prediction step of predicting a deployment time required for deployment, and a deployment time predicted by the prediction step based on a result of the determination by the first determination step. Setting the different margins, transferring the sum of the expansion time predicted by the prediction step and the margin set by the setting step, and transferring bitmap data for a predetermined band buffer size. And a second determining step of determining whether print processing is possible by comparing with a preset reference time, so that a margin to be added to the dot developing time to be developed in the band buffer is determined by the configuration of the print data. It is possible to reliably determine whether print information that can be changed and has a complicated data structure in a single page to print information of a plurality of pages can be normally printed.

According to the fourth and sixth aspects of the present invention, there is provided a conversion step of converting the resolution of the print information to a lower resolution than the designated resolution when it is determined in the second determination step that the printing cannot be performed. Therefore, it is possible to reliably print from a print information having a complicated data structure on a single page to a print information of a plurality of pages at a designated resolution as much as possible.

Therefore, when estimating the band development processing time for the print information of a single page, the time required for analyzing the intermediate data of the next page is not added as a margin, and each band in a single page is somewhat complicated. Even if it is within the transfer reference time, it is possible to determine normally whether or not the resolution of not only the print data of multiple pages but also the print information of a single page which was conventionally converted to a low resolution without lowering the resolution The present invention has the advantage that a print data processing environment capable of performing print processing can be freely prepared.

[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 an example of a printing system to which the print control device according to the first embodiment can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first 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.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 External memory 6 RAM 9 Printing part 11 Image generation part

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A print control apparatus for analyzing print information input from an external device to generate intermediate data, developing the generated intermediate data in dots, and printing the intermediate data, wherein the print information input from the external device is provided. First determining means for determining whether the page configuration is a single page or a plurality of pages; predicting means for predicting a developing time required for developing the generated intermediate information in dots for each band buffer; Setting means for setting different margins for the development time predicted by the prediction means based on the determination result by the first determination means; and the development time predicted by the prediction means and set by the setting means. Compare the sum with the margin and the preset reference time required to transfer the bitmap data for the predetermined band buffer size. Print control apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a second determination unit configured to determine whether printing can be processed, a. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a conversion unit configured to convert a resolution of the print information to a resolution lower than a designated resolution when the second determination unit determines that the printing process cannot be performed. Print control device. 3. A data processing method for a print control device, which analyzes print information input from an external device to generate intermediate data, and develops and prints the generated intermediate data with dots. A first determining step of determining whether the page configuration of the input print information is a single page or a plurality of pages; and predicting a developing time required for developing the generated intermediate information in dots for each band buffer. A prediction step, a setting step of setting a different margin for a development time predicted by the prediction step based on a result of the determination by the first determination step, and a development time predicted by the prediction step and the setting step And a predetermined reference required for transferring bitmap data for a predetermined band buffer size. Data processing method for a printing control apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a second determination step of determining whether to print processable compared with during the. 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of converting the resolution of the print information to a lower resolution than a designated resolution when it is determined in the second determination step that the printing process cannot be performed. Data processing method of the print control device. 5. A storage for storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing apparatus for analyzing printing information input from an external device to generate intermediate data, developing the generated intermediate data in dots, and printing the intermediate data. A first determining step of determining whether the page configuration of the print information input from the external device is a single page or a plurality of pages; and dot-expanding the generated intermediate information for each band buffer A prediction step of estimating a deployment time required to perform, a setting step of setting a different margin for a development time predicted by the prediction unit based on a determination result of the first determination step, An added value of the predicted development time and the margin set in the setting step, and bit map data for a predetermined band buffer size. A second determination step of determining whether print processing is possible by comparing a predetermined reference time required to transfer the data with a predetermined time period, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program. . 6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of converting the resolution of the print information to a lower resolution than a designated resolution when it is determined in the second determination step that the printing process cannot be performed. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for the computer.