JP2000141785A - Imaging apparatus and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus in which a selection can be made whether development and output of a bit map data is performed in unit of page or job. SOLUTION: The formatter section of an imaging apparatus makes a decision whether output of total page spool, i.e., conversion into a total page bit map, is designated or not (step S502). Conversion to a total page bit map is made if it is designated (S503, S504) otherwise conversion is made page by page (S507, S508).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a printer and functions, such as a digital multifunction peripheral, and a control method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when such an image forming apparatus supplies and prints print data described in a page description word, one print job is converted into bitmap data for all pages by a printer function. Output and 1
Switching to the case of outputting by the printer function after conversion into bitmap data for each page depends on the device. If the device has both functions, one of them is selected by the device, and if the device has only one of the functions, the output is of course based on the function that the device has.

[0003] When selected by an apparatus, this output method has been used unconditionally in an image forming apparatus capable of performing a printer function after conversion into bitmap data for each page.

[0004]

In a case where print data is converted into bitmap data for each page by such an image forming apparatus and then printed out, if the data is complex, the bitmap data for one page is converted to bitmap data. The conversion time may be longer than the time required for printing one page. In that case, the output interval between pages is widened, and during that time, the print job occupies the printer function. For this reason, if the image forming apparatus also has a copier function or a facsimile function, other functions cannot be used for the open output interval. In addition, if the printing device can be used from a plurality of external devices, if the time used in a print job from a certain external device is extended by the amount of the output interval, the time that can be used by another device is correspondingly increased. Becomes shorter.

[0005] In addition, when the output is performed after converting to all page bitmap data, the conversion to bitmap data and the output cannot be performed in parallel. Total output time was longer than in the case where

As described above, each printing method has its advantages and disadvantages, but it is not possible to switch between these methods according to the capabilities of the image forming apparatus and the contents of the print data. Furthermore, there is no means for the user to select these methods from an external device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and when printing and converting print data to bitmap data, switching between conversion and printing is performed for the entire print job or for each page. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and a control method therefor.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention converts and converts bitmap data into bitmap data according to designation from an external device.
Switches between performing the entire print job and performing each page.

Further, the switching is performed according to a designation from an external device.

Further, if the switching cannot be performed according to the designation, the switching is made to an appropriate one regardless of the designation.

Further, it is possible to designate from an external device to switch to the one set in advance by the image forming apparatus.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus. The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document, and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on recording paper. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 and includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, an image memory unit 9, a core unit 10, and the like.

The facsimile unit 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10, and compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10. The compressed image data is transmitted via a telephone line. The hard disk 12 is connected to the facsimile unit 4 and can temporarily store the received compressed image data.

A magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 is connected to the file section 5. File part 5 is core part 1
The image data transferred from 0 is compressed and stored on the magneto-optical disk set in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 together with a keyword for searching the image data. The file section 5 searches compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred through the core section 10, reads out the searched compressed image data, decompresses the image data, and decompresses the decompressed image data. The data is transferred to the core unit 10.

The computer interface unit 7 is provided with a personal computer or a workstation (PC /
WS) 11 and the core unit 10. The formatter unit 8 expands code data (described in a page description language or the like) representing an image transferred from the PC / WS 11 into image data (bitmap data) that can be recorded by the printer unit 2. Formatter part 8
A hard disk 13 is connected to the PC / WS.
It is possible to temporarily store the code data or the image data representing the image transferred from the device 11. The image memory unit 9 temporarily stores data transferred from the PC / WS11. Although the core unit 10 will be described later, the core unit 10 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8, and image memory unit 9.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. The document feeder 101 of the reader unit 1 feeds a document one by one sequentially from the last page onto the platen glass 102, and after the reading operation of the document is completed, the platen glass 10
2 discharge the original. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started, and the document is exposed and scanned. The light reflected from the original at this time is reflected on mirrors 105, 1
The light is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) 109 by 06, 107 and a lens. The image of the document thus scanned is read by the CCD 109. The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to predetermined processing and then transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3.

A laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2 drives the laser light emitting unit 201 and causes the laser light emitting unit 201 to emit a laser beam corresponding to the image data output from the reader unit 1. The laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by a developing device 203. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of the laser beam irradiation, the recording paper is fed from one of the cassettes 204 and 205, is conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to the recording paper. I do. The recording paper on which the developer is loaded is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207.

The recording paper that has passed through the fixing section 207 is discharged by discharge rollers 208, and the sorter 220 sorts the recording paper by storing the discharged recording paper in each bin. The sorter 220 stores the recording paper in the uppermost bin when the sorting is not set. When double-sided recording is set, the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the recording paper is guided to the re-feed conveyance path by the flapper 209. If multiple recording is set, the recording paper is
The sheet is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path by the flapper 209 so as not to be conveyed to 08. The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the above-described timing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the reader unit 1. C
The image data output from the CD 109 is A / D · SH
The analog / digital conversion is performed by the unit 110 and shading correction is performed. A / D / SH unit 1
The image data processed by the image processing unit 111
And to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface unit 113. The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface 113 according to the settings set by the operation unit 115. For example, when the copy mode in which the trimming process is performed and the copy is performed by the operation unit 115 is set, the image processing unit 111 performs the trimming process and transfers the image data to the printer unit 2. The operation unit 115
When the facsimile transmission mode is set in step (1), the interface 113 transfers image data and a control command corresponding to the set mode to the core unit 10. Such a control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116.
The CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. Further, the memory 116 stores the CPU 11
4 is also used as a work area.

As will be described later, a first mode in which print data is converted into bitmap data for one job and printed, and a second mode in which print data is converted into bitmap data for each page and printed. In the case where the image processing apparatus is selected from the above, it is possible to specify which to select from the operation unit 115.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the core unit 10. The image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and the control command from the reader unit 1 is
Transferred to U123. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. The image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 is transferred to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7 via the interface 120 according to the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. .
The code data representing the image input via the computer interface unit 7 is transmitted to the data processing unit 121.
After that, the image data is transferred to the formatter unit 8 and developed into image data. This image data is sent to the data processing unit 121
Is transferred to the facsimile unit 4, the printer unit 2, and the like. The image data from the facsimile unit 4 is
After being transferred to the data processing unit 121, the data is transferred to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7. The image data from the file unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then to the printer unit 2, the facsimile unit 4, and the computer interface unit 7. The CPU 123 performs such control according to a control program stored in the memory 124 and a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The memory 12
Reference numeral 4 is also used as a work area of the CPU 123. As described above, it is possible to perform processing combining functions such as reading of an original image, printing of an image, transmission and reception of an image, storage of an image, input and output of data from a computer, and the like, centering on the core unit 10. .

Upon receiving the code data representing the image transferred from the PC / WS 11 from the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8 notifies the core unit 10 of the start of the print job. Thereafter, after receiving a print job start command from the core unit 10, the formatter unit 8 develops the data into bitmap image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2, and stores the data in the hard disk 13. This bitmap image is sent to the printer unit 2 or facsimile unit 4 via the core unit 10 for image data and output operation setting via the bus.
And output.

At this time, the data is attached to the top of the print job and output after conversion to bitmap data for all pages (first mode) or output after conversion to bitmap data for each page (first mode). 2) or an instruction to select one is sent before the PC / WS 11 sends print data.

The formatter unit 8 can record the code data for one job by the printer unit 2 when the data transferred from the PC / WS 11 is designated to be output after the conversion into the bitmap data of all pages. The data is developed into bitmap image data and stored in the hard disk 13. This process is performed on all pages of one print job, and after storing the bitmap image data of all pages in the hard disk 13, the image data and the output operation settings are transferred to the printer unit 2 or the facsimile unit via the core unit 10. 4
And sequentially outputs each page data.

The formatter unit 8 records the code data for one page in the printer unit 2 when the data transferred from the PC / WS 11 is designated to be output after conversion into bitmap data for each page. The image data is developed into bitmap image data that can be stored in the hard disk 13, and the image data and the output operation settings are transferred to the printer unit 2 or the facsimile unit 4 via the core unit 10, and the data for each page is sequentially output.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the formatter unit 8.

The formatter unit 8 receives the above-mentioned mode designation data from the computer via the computer interface unit 7. In step S501, the contents of the designated data are checked to determine which mode is designated. For example, if the output after conversion to all page bitmap data of five pages is specified, that is, if the first mode is specified, the formatter unit 8 converts the bitmap data of all pages to bitmap data in step S502. While determining whether the conversion is completed, step S50
In step 3, the code data for one page is converted into bitmap image data and stored in the hard disk. That is, the first page is first developed into bitmap image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2 and stored in the hard disk 13.
In the same way, the printer unit 2 sequentially from the second page to the fifth page
Is developed into bitmap image data that can be recorded in step (1) and stored in the hard disk 13.

Thereafter, while determining in step S504 whether output of all pages has been completed, in step S505, the bitmap image data is output to the printer unit 2 and printed. That is, the image data and the output operation settings are sequentially transferred to the printer unit 2 via the core unit 10 from the first page, and the first to fifth pages are printed. The output operation settings refer to settings related to the operation of the printer unit, such as double-sided printing, designation of a paper cassette, designation of the use of a sorter, and the like.

On the other hand, if the designated data is not in the first mode, it is assumed that the second mode has been designated, and development and output to bitmap data are performed for each page. Therefore, in step S506, it is determined whether output of all pages is completed, and in step S507, bitmap image data for one page is expanded and stored. In step S508, the stored bitmap data is sent to the printer unit 2. Output. That is, if the received designated data is in the second mode, the formatter unit 8 develops the first page into bitmap image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2, stores it on the hard disk 13, and stores the image data via the bus. Output operation setting to core 1
0 to the printer unit 2. This operation is sequentially repeated from the first page to the fifth page, for example.
Perform printing.

If the designated mode cannot be executed in the image forming apparatus, the designation is ignored and the output is performed in an executable manner.

As described above, according to the specification from the external host computer or the like, the first mode in which print data is converted into image data for the entire job and then output collectively is provided. And the second mode of converting the output to the second mode. For this reason, it is possible to specify that the first mode is selected to reduce the occupation time of the apparatus for data having a heavy load of the conversion process to image data, and the second mode is selected for data that is not so. .

[Second Embodiment] In the present embodiment, in addition to the first mode and the second mode, the first mode can be specified according to the setting in the image forming apparatus in addition to the first mode and the second mode that can be designated from the external device. A third mode for switching between the first mode and the second mode is provided as an option. An example is shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the operation mode of the image forming apparatus designated by the host computer is designated as a variable "Spool" prepared in the memory of the host computer. As the value of this variable “Spool”, FIG.
"Spool", "None", "Auto"
The following three options are provided. These options are: (1) Spool: designation for output after conversion to all page bitmap data (first mode) (2) None: designation for output after conversion to bitmap data for each page (first mode) (Mode 2) (3) Auto: A designation depending on the output mode of the image forming apparatus.

The mode selected by the user is transferred to the computer interface unit 7 together with the print data. The formatter unit 8 of the image forming apparatus determines this value and performs output processing. FIG. 7 illustrates the present embodiment.
This is a procedure executed by the formatter unit instead of FIG. FIG. 5A is common to the first embodiment, and thus the description is omitted.

In the first mode, that is, when it is not specified that all pages of a job be converted to bitmap data and then output, the process proceeds to step S701 in FIG. Then, it is determined whether or not conversion and output to have been designated, and if so, the processing of step S506 and subsequent steps is performed. If none is specified, it is assumed that “Auto” in FIG. 6 is specified, and the setting in the image forming apparatus is determined in step S702. This setting is made on the operation unit 1
15 or may have been prepared in advance.

The mode may be determined in view of the complexity of the print data and the capabilities of the formatter unit 8 and the printer unit 2. In this case, for example, the complexity of the print data is evaluated based on the number of objects and the like, the capability of the formatter unit 8 is the number of objects that can be converted into bitmap data in a unit time, and the capability of the printer unit is one. Evaluation is based on the time required for output per page. By combining these, if the time required to generate one page of bitmap data is longer than the time required to output one page, and if it is expected that the printer will idle, the first mode is selected. Otherwise, control such as selecting the second mode may be performed in step S702.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, how to output print data can be determined according to the state of the image forming apparatus. Even in the case where the user does not know the above method, an appropriate method can be selected and output can be performed.

[0038]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

An object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
Or MPU) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, 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, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or 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. ) Performs 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 case where the CPU of the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the print data is converted into bitmap data and printed, it is switched between performing the conversion and printing for the entire print job or for each page. be able to. For this reason,
It is possible to specify and output a printing method according to the contents and capabilities of the print data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a reader unit and a printer unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a reader unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a core unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of image output by a formatter unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing data for specifying a mode.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of image output by the formatter unit according to the second embodiment.

Claims (11)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus that converts print data into a bitmap and prints out the bitmap, converts print data included in one print job into bitmap data for all pages, An image forming apparatus for outputting in one of a first mode for outputting map data and a second mode for converting the data into bitmap data for each page and printing out the data. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that selects the first mode and the second mode in accordance with a designation from an external device. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selecting unit outputs in an appropriate mode when the designated mode is inappropriate. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said selection means can further select a third mode for selecting one of a first and a second preset mode in accordance with a designation from an external device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. 5. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus for converting print data into a bitmap and printing out the bitmap, comprising converting print data included in one print job into bitmap data for all pages. And a second mode in which the bitmap data is output from the first mode or a second mode in which the bitmap data is converted into bitmap data for each page and output. Method. 6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising a selecting step of selecting the first mode and the second mode in accordance with designation from an external device. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein in the selecting step, when the designated mode is inappropriate, the output is performed in an appropriate mode. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the selecting step, a third mode for selecting one of the first and second preset modes can be further selected according to a designation from an external device. Item 7. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to Item 6. 9. A first mode in which the computer converts print data included in one print job into bitmap data for all pages and outputs the bitmap data, or a bitmap data for each page. Means for judging whether to output in the second mode or in which mode the image data is outputted, and in accordance with the judgment result by the judgment means, means for expanding the print data into bitmap data and outputting it A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that functions as a computer. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bitmap data is output by printing. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bitmap data is output by facsimile transmission.