JP2000246979A - Printing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of efficiently printing the job fed from a host data processor. SOLUTION: Printing data containing image data is stored in a memory region A14 and converted by a bit map image forming means 16 to form bit map image data for printing. This bit map image data is compressed to be stored in a memory region B20 and, on the basis of the printing data and compressed bit map image data stored in the memory region A14 and the memory region B20, control storing data in either one of the memory regions or erasing the same is performed according to a predetermined condition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method, and more particularly to a printing apparatus and a printing method used for a printer, a copying machine, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional printing apparatus is disclosed in JP-A-9-2055.
And an image forming apparatus or an image processing apparatus as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-32787. It was an apparatus for producing (forming).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-205541 obtains a place where a generated image is to be stored by erasing an image that is no longer needed from a storage device. However, this is a very well-known method called "garbage collection", and although it creates free space in the storage device, it has the disadvantage that it does not destroy the total amount of image data. is there. Therefore, the apparent storage capacity has not increased.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-32781 attempts to reduce the size of data by applying irreversible compression to a generated image while suppressing image quality deterioration. That is, select a page that is less affected by image degradation due to the density gradient of the image data (for example, a page that is composed only of character data) and perform high-compression compression on such pages. Is intended to reduce the size of data. However, even if the effect of image quality degradation can be reduced, the decompressed image is in principle different from the original image because it is an irreversible transform. Not suitable. In particular, irreversible conversion is often not allowed in a printing apparatus that prints a form or a drawing, and in that case, this method cannot be used.

As described above, a fundamental solution for generating and printing an image when the size of the image data of a plurality of pages is larger than the storage capacity of the apparatus has not yet been found.

Further, there are the following problems with the size and storage capacity of image data.

[0007] Printing capable of printing a plurality of copies (multi-copy) of print data (character data, image data, data described in accordance with a page description language) sent from a higher-order heat treatment apparatus. Devices are known. In other words, the apparatus is capable of printing a plurality of sets of a document composed of a plurality of pages by designating in some way.

In such an apparatus, generally, transmitted data is generated as bitmap image data for each page, and the bitmap image data is stored in a storage device such as a magnetic disk. First, the bitmap image data is read from the storage device, and the first copy is printed. Next, the pit map data is read from the same storage device, and the second copy is printed. Hereinafter, similarly, by calling and printing the bitmap image data from the storage device, the time-consuming process of generating the print data as the bitmap image data can be performed only once, and the entire processing time of the multi-copy printing can be shortened. I have.

[0009]

However, the conventional printing apparatus has a problem in that if the capacity of the storage device is used up for a long job, the subsequent image data cannot be stored. Generally, in this case, the following measures are taken.

[0010] 1. All of the image data saved in the storage device or LIFO (Last-In-First)
-Out) method and FIFO (First-In-Fir)
(st-Out) method, and printing of the first copy is continued. When printing a page in which image data is not stored in the storage device when printing the second copy, the print data is again extracted from the storage device in which the print data is stored, and
Generate and print.

However, in the case of a long job exceeding the capacity of the storage device storing the print data, this method cannot be used.

2. All the image data saved in the storage device is erased by the FIFO method, or the printing of the first copy is continued. When printing a page in which image data is not stored in the storage device at the time of printing the second copy, a request is made to the upper information processing device to retransmit the print data, and a bitmap image is sent from the transmitted print data. Generate and print data.

However, in many cases, a higher-level information processing apparatus does not have a function of receiving a request for data retransmission, so that this method cannot be used in that case.

3. Treat as an error. That is, processing such as seeking a human instruction, canceling the job processing, printing only one copy, and giving up printing the second and subsequent copies is performed.

[0015] These are workarounds and are not fundamental solutions.

These problems occur when the capacity of the storage device is used up when printing a long job in plural copies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of efficiently printing a job sent from a higher-level information processing apparatus. .

[0018]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first method for storing print data.
Storage means, a bitmap image generating means for generating bitmap image data for converting the print data to print out, a second storage means for compressing and storing the bitmap image data, Control means for controlling erasure of data stored in the first storage means or the second storage means based on predetermined conditions quantitatively expressed when converting print data to the bitmap image data; , Are provided.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the print data is stored in the first storage means, and the bitmap image generation means generates bitmap image data for converting the print data for printing. . In the second storage means,
The bitmap image data is compressed and stored, and the control unit performs a predetermined condition quantitatively expressed when converting the print data into the bitmap image data, for example, a time when generating the bitmap image data, The first storage unit or the second storage unit based on the ratio of the file size obtained based on the print data and the generated bitmap image data.
Of the print data or the compressed bitmap image data stored in the storage means.

That is, the print data is stored in either the first storage means or the second storage means as the print data itself or as converted and compressed bitmap image data according to predetermined conditions. Printing can be performed efficiently.

For example, when a plurality of copies are to be printed, the print data is converted into the first storage means or the second storage means or converted and compressed according to a predetermined condition, as described above. When printing a plurality of copies after the second copy, printing is performed using the data stored in the first storage means or the second storage means. And efficient printing becomes possible.

Further, since data is stored in either the first storage means or the second storage means in accordance with a predetermined condition, the first storage means and the second storage means provided in the printing apparatus can be used. Operation can be performed efficiently, and the storage capacity stored in the entire printing apparatus can be increased.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the print data is directly output to the bitmap image generating means.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1,
In the invention described in (1), the print data may be directly output to the bitmap image generating means. That is,
Bitmap image data is directly generated without storing the print data in the first storage unit. By doing so, when printing one copy or when the number of prints is small, the time required to read the data stored in the storage means can be reduced, and printing can be performed efficiently.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, printing is performed directly from the bitmap image data.

According to the invention described in claim 3, according to claim 1
Alternatively, in the second aspect, printing may be performed directly from the bitmap image data. That is, printing is performed directly without storing the bitmap image data in the second storage unit. By doing so, the time required to read data stored in the storage means can be shortened when one copy is printed or the number of prints is small, as in the second aspect of the present invention. Printing can be performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, a bitmap image generation time for generating the bitmap image data by the bitmap image generation means. Is less than the predetermined time, the bitmap image data compressed in the storage in the second storage means is deleted, and if the bitmap image generation time exceeds the predetermined time, the data is stored in the first storage means. It is characterized in that the stored print data is deleted, and when the bitmap image generation time is a predetermined time, the data in either the first storage means or the second storage means is deleted.

According to the invention of claim 4, according to claim 1,
In the invention according to any one of claims 3 to 3, when the bitmap image generation time when the bitmap image data is generated by the bitmap generation means is less than a predetermined time, the bitmap image data is compressed into the second storage means. When the bitmap image generation time exceeds a predetermined time, the print data stored in the first storage unit is deleted, and when the bitmap image generation time is the predetermined time, Either the print data stored in the first storage means or the compressed bitmap image data stored in the second storage means is deleted.

As described above, by performing control to delete either the data stored in the first storage means or the data stored in the second storage means according to the bitmap image generation time,
The storage capacity of the entire printing apparatus can be efficiently operated.

If the time required to generate the bitmap image is shorter than the predetermined time, the compressed bitmap image is deleted from the storage area B, so that the storage capacity of the entire printing apparatus can be increased without significantly reducing the processing speed. Can be done.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the print data and the file size ratio of the compressed bitmap image data are compared with a predetermined value and stored in the first storage means or the second storage means. It is characterized by erasing any of the stored data.

According to the invention of claim 5, according to claim 1,
4. The data stored in the first storage unit or the second storage unit based on a ratio between a file size of the print data and a file size of the compressed bitmap image data according to any one of claims 3 to 3. Is erased.

For example, when the print data size / compressed bitmap image data size exceeds 1, the print data stored in the first storage means is deleted, and when the file size ratio is less than 1, the second Erases the compressed bitmap image data in the storage means, and the file size ratio is 1
At this time, either the print data stored in the first storage means or the compressed bitmap image data stored in the second storage means is deleted.

According to the ratio between the print data and the file size of the compressed bitmap image data, the first
By deleting the data stored in the storage unit or the second storage unit, the storage capacity of the entire printing apparatus can be efficiently operated.

Further, since redundant data can be erased as much as possible, the storage capacity of the entire printing apparatus can be maximized.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a bitmap image generation time for generating the bitmap image data by the bitmap image generation means. And erasing the data stored in the first storage means or the second storage means based on the ratio of the fill size of the print data and the compressed bitmap image data.

According to the invention of claim 6, according to claim 1,
3. The first storage device according to claim 1, wherein the first storage is performed based on a ratio of a bitmap image generation time for generating the bitmap image data by the bitmap generation unit to a file size of the print data and the compressed bitmap image data. Erasing either of the means or the data stored in the second storage means. For example, when the file size ratio is 1 or less and the bitmap image generation time is equal to or less than a predetermined time, or when the file size ratio is 1 or more and the bitmap image generation time is equal to or more than a predetermined time. In this case, the bitmap image data compressed in the second storage unit is deleted, and the ratio of the file size is 1 or more and the bitmap image generation time is a predetermined time or more, and When the ratio is 1 or less and the bitmap image generation time is a predetermined time or less,
The print data stored in the first storage unit is deleted.

As described above, by controlling the data stored in the first storage means and the second storage means, the storage capacity of the entire printing apparatus can be efficiently operated.

Further, since the total storage capacity can be increased while balancing the time required to generate the bitmap image and the capacity that can be saved, efficient printing can be performed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is further provided an input means for performing a predetermined input to the control means. According to a predetermined input that is input, a bitmap image generation time for generating the bitmap image data by the bitmap image generation unit, a ratio of a fill size between the print data and the compressed bitmap image data, or Data stored in the first storage means or the second storage means is erased based on one of a bitmap image generation time and a ratio of the file size.

According to the invention described in claim 7, according to claim 1,
In the invention according to any one of the third to third aspects, the above-described inventions according to the fourth to sixth aspects can be selectively performed by performing a predetermined input to the input means.

That is, the storage capacity of the entire printing apparatus can be efficiently used, and the storage capacity of the entire printing apparatus can be increased.

The invention according to claim 8 is a printing method for printing a plurality of copies, wherein bitmap image data for storing print data in a first storage means, converting the print data, and printing out the data. The bitmap image data is subjected to a compression process and stored in a second storage unit, and the bitmap image data is converted into the bitmap image data according to a predetermined condition that is quantitatively expressed. The print data stored in the first storage unit, or the second
And deleting any one of the compressed bitmap image data stored in the storage means.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing method for printing a plurality of copies, wherein print data including image data is stored in the first storage means, and the print data is converted and printed. The bitmap image data is subjected to compression processing and stored in the second storage means. The print data stored in the first storage unit may be deleted or compressed in the second storage unit according to a predetermined condition quantitatively expressed when the print data is converted into bitmap image data. Data control such as erasing the bitmap image data. By controlling the data stored in the first storage means and the second storage means in this manner, the storage capacity of the entire printing apparatus can be efficiently used, and the storage capacity of the entire printing apparatus can be increased. it can.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, when the bitmap image generation time for conversion to the bitmap image data is less than a predetermined time, the second storage is performed. Means for erasing the compressed bitmap image data, and when the bitmap image generation time exceeds a predetermined time, erasing the print data stored in the first storage means; In the case of a predetermined time, data in either the first storage means or the second storage means is erased.

According to the ninth aspect, according to the eighth aspect,
In the invention described in (1), when the bitmap image generation time when converting to bitmap image data is shorter than a predetermined time, printing is performed without storing the compressed bitmap image data in the second storage means. When the bitmap image generation time exceeds a predetermined time, the print data stored in the first storage unit is deleted, and when the bitmap image generation time is the predetermined time, the print data stored in the first storage unit is deleted. Either the print data or the compressed bitmap image data stored in the second storage unit is deleted. That is, if the time required to generate the bitmap image is shorter than the predetermined time, the compressed bitmap image is not stored in the storage area B, so that the storage capacity of the entire printing apparatus can be increased without significantly reducing the processing speed.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eighth aspect, a ratio between a file size of the print data and a file size of the compressed bitmap image data is compared with a predetermined value, and the first storage is performed. And deleting any one of the data stored in the storage means and the second storage means.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect of the present invention, based on a ratio between the print data and the file size of the compressed bitmap image data,
The data stored in the first storage means or the second storage means is deleted.

For example, when the print data / compressed bitmap image data exceeds 1, the print data stored in the first storage means is deleted, and when the ratio of the file size is less than 1, the second storage is performed. Means for erasing the bitmap image data compressed by the means, and when the file size ratio is 1, the print data stored in the first storage means or the compressed bitmap image data stored in the second storage means Is erased. That is, since the data stored in the first storage means and the second storage means is controlled in accordance with a file size ratio of 1 which is a predetermined condition, 1 or more or 1 or less, redundant data can be obtained. As long as the storage can be erased, the storage capacity of the entire printing apparatus can be maximized.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eighth aspect, the ratio of the print data size / the file size represented by the compressed bitmap image data size is 1 or less and the bit size When the map image generation time is equal to or less than a predetermined time, and when the file size ratio is 1 or more and the bitmap image generation time is equal to or more than a predetermined time, the bitmap image data is stored in the second storage unit. Erase, when the file size ratio is 1 or less and the bitmap image generation time is a predetermined time or more, and when the file size ratio is 1 or more and the bitmap image generation time is a predetermined time or less. Preferably, the print data stored in the first storage means is deleted.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eighth aspect, the ratio of the file size (print data size / compressed bitmap image data size) is 1 or less and bitmap image generation is performed. When the time is equal to or less than a predetermined time and when the file size ratio is 1 or more and the bitmap image generation time is equal to or more than a predetermined time, printing is performed without storing the bitmap image data in the second storage unit; When the file size ratio is 1 or less and the bitmap image generation time is equal to or more than a predetermined time, and when the file size ratio is 1 or more and the bitmap image generation time is equal to or less than a predetermined time, the first storage is performed. The print data stored in the means is deleted. That is, by controlling the data stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit according to a predetermined condition of the ratio between the bitmap image generation time and the file size, the time required for bitmap image generation can be saved. Since the total storage capacity can be increased while balancing the capacities, efficient printing can be performed.

[0052]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a communication unit 12, a bitmap image generation unit 16,
Data compression means 18, data decompression means 22, control means 2
6, a storage area A14 as a first storage means, a storage area B20 as a second storage means, a storage area C24 and a printer engine 28 are connected to the data bus 32, respectively.

The communication means 12 is connected to the upper information processing apparatus 30 and communicates between the printing apparatus 10 and the information processing apparatus 30. Further, the communication unit 12 takes in the print job, and when the capacity of the storage area A14 becomes insufficient,
It has a function of sending an instruction to the host information processing apparatus 30 to temporarily stop communication of a print job and a function of prompting the resumption of the print job.
The data is output to the storage area A14.

In the storage area A14, the print job transmitted from the communication means 12 (at this stage, not the bitmap image, but the print data (that is, the state including the symbols and languages for describing the bitmap image) data)
Is stored.

The print data stored in the storage area A14 or the print data taken in from the communication means 12 is interpreted by the bitmap image generation means 16 and an image (bitmap image) for printing on paper or the like is provided. )
Is generated.

The data compression unit 18 makes the data size of the bitmap image sent from the bitmap image generation unit 16 smaller than the data size of the bitmap image. The compression process performed by the data compression unit 18 is a reversible compression process that can completely restore the same bitmap image when decompressed, and some of the image information is lost in order to increase the compression ratio. It is not an irreversible compression process.

The compressed bitmap image data which has been subjected to the compression processing by the data compression means 18 is stored in a storage area B 20, and the compressed bitmap image data stored in the storage area B is stored in a data decompression means 22. Thus, the decompression process for returning to the bitmap image of the original data size is performed by a known decompression method.
The bitmap image data restored to the original size bitmap image data by the data decompression means 22 is output to the printer engine 28, and the printer engine 28 prints the bitmap image on paper or the like, An operation such as discharging is performed.

The storage area C24 stores information for each page. Here, the information of each page includes not only general information as a printing apparatus such as paper size and billing information, but also print data captured by the communication unit 12 or printing of each page stored in the storage area A14. Data size as data, bitmap image generating means 1
6, the data size of the bitmap image generated by the data compression unit 6, the data size of the compressed bitmap image data compressed by the data compression unit 18, the time required to generate the bitmap image by the bitmap image generation unit 16, It indicates the time required for data compression by the data compression means 18.

The control means 26 performs control by integrating the above-described means, and particularly, controls the storage area A14 and the storage area B2.
Control of data stored in 0 is performed. The control means 2
Numeral 6 is configured so that a predetermined input can be performed by an external operation input 34.

Next, a printing process in the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, the basic flow of the printing process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

A long job of 1 to m pages is as follows.
The information is transmitted from the higher-level information processing apparatus 30 and transmitted by some method (for example, an instruction from an operator or the higher-level information processing apparatus 1).
, Or a method embedded in the print data), it is assumed that a plurality of copies of 1 to m pages are to be printed.

1, 2, 3,... N,... M First, in step 100, the print data of the first page is sent to the storage area A 14 via the communication unit 12, and one page is stored in the storage area A. The print data of the eyes is stored, and the print data is output to the bitmap image generating means 16. In the following step 102, bitmap image data is generated by the bitmap image generation means 16, and the bitmap image data is output to the data compression means 18. In step 104, the bitmap image data is subjected to compression processing by the data compression means 18, and the process proceeds to step 106. In step 106, the compressed bitmap image data is stored in the storage area B2.
0, the process proceeds to step 108, and step 10
In step 8, the compressed bitmap image data stored in the storage area B 20 by the data decompression means 22 is decompressed and restored, and the process proceeds to step 110. Step 11
At 0, the restored bitmap image data is output to the printer engine 28, and the printer engine 28 prints the bitmap image on paper or the like, performs operations such as discharging, Is output and returned, and the second print processing is performed.

Such a process is repeated up to the m-th page, and after printing the first copy, in order to print the second copy, the bit map image generation process is not performed again and the data is stored in the storage area B20. It is sufficient to print using the compressed file of the first page. The third and subsequent copies may also use the compressed file.

However, in this case, the capacity of the storage area A14 is used up to the nth page. In other words, the capacity for printing multiple copies does not increase as it is.

Therefore, the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment performs a printing process as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 120, the print data of the first page is sent to the storage area A14 via the communication means 12, and the print data of the first page is stored in the storage area A14. Print data is output. In the following step 122, the bitmap image data is converted from the print data into the bitmap image
6 and the bitmap image data is transferred to the data compression means 18, and the process proceeds to step 124.
In step 124, the bitmap image generation processing time (bitmap generation time) performed by the bitmap image generation means 16 is calculated by the control means 26, and the process proceeds to step 126. In step 126, the calculated bitmap image generation processing time and the page data as information for each page are stored in the storage area C24, and the process proceeds to step 128.

In step 128, the control means 26 determines whether the calculated bitmap generation time is longer than a predetermined time.

In step 128, if the control means 26 determines that the bitmap generation time is longer than the predetermined time, the flow shifts to step 130, where the print data stored in the storage area A14 is erased under the control of the control means 26. To step 132. In step 132, the bitmap image data generated by the bitmap image generation means 16 is transferred to the data compression means 18,
A compression process is performed on the bitmap image data.

In the following step 134, the compressed bitmap image data is stored in the storage area B20.
Move to step 136. In step 136, the compressed bitmap image data stored in the storage area B20 is transferred to the data decompression means 22, and the compressed bitmap image data is restored to the original bitmap image data. Output. In the following step 138, the printer engine 28 prints a bitmap image on paper or the like, and performs operations such as discharging.
The first print is output and returned.

If it is determined in step 128 that the bitmap generation time is shorter than the predetermined time, step 14 is executed.
0 and the bitmap image data is stored in the storage area B20.
Output to the printer engine 28 without storing it in
Move to step 138. In step 138, as described above, the bitmap image is printed on paper or the like by the printer engine 28, an operation such as discharging is performed, the first print is output, and the process returns.

The above processing is repeated up to the m-th page, and after printing the first copy, the printing of the second copy is performed by storing the compressed bitmap image data in the storage area B20 under the control of the control means 26. In the case of a blank page, the print data stored in the storage area A14 is output to the bitmap image generating means 16 to create bitmap image data again, output to the printer engine 28, and output to the storage area B20.
The page with the bitmap image data stored in
Data expansion means 2 for compressing bitmap image data
2 to perform decompression processing and output to the printer engine 28 for printing.

By performing printing in this manner, compared with a conventional printing apparatus which erases all of the storage area B20 or data stored uniformly by the LIFO or FIFO method, the stored print data or Bitmap image data can be deleted.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the time required to generate the bitmap image is shorter than the predetermined time, the compressed bitmap image is not stored in the storage area B.
The overall storage capacity can be increased without significantly reducing the processing speed.

In this embodiment, the data compression means 1
8, the compression processing of the bitmap image data and the storage in the storage area B20 are performed after the comparison of the bitmap image generation time in step 130.
A compression process may be performed before and the compressed bitmap image data may be stored in the storage area B20.
In this case, before the process performed in step 140, a process of deleting the compressed bitmap image data stored in storage area B20 is added. [Second Embodiment] The configuration of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment, and only the printing process is different. The printing process will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the printing apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG.
7 shows a flowchart in the case where an instruction to print a plurality of copies of pages 1 to m is issued from the upper information processing apparatus 30 as in the first embodiment.

First, in step 150, the print data of the first page is sent to the storage area A14 via the communication means 12, and the print data of the first page is stored in the storage area A14. Print data is output. In the following step 152, the control unit 26 calculates the file size of the print data stored in the storage area A14, and the process proceeds to step 154. In step 154, the page data as information for each page and the file size of the print data calculated by the control unit 26 are stored in the storage area C24, and
Move to 6. In step 156, the bitmap image data is converted from the print data to the bitmap image
The process proceeds to step 158. In step 158, the data compression unit 18 performs a compression process, and the process proceeds to step 160. In step 160, the file size of the bitmap image data before and after compression is calculated by the control means 26 and stored in the storage area C24.

Subsequently, at step 162, the control means 2
6, it is determined whether the file size of the bitmap image data is smaller than the file size of the print data and bitmap image data stored in the storage area C24.

If it is determined in step 162 that the bitmap image data is smaller than the print data, the process proceeds to step 164, and in step 164, the storage area A14
Is deleted, and the routine goes to step 166. In step 166, the compressed bitmap image data that has been subjected to the compression processing by the data compression unit 18 is stored in the storage area B20, and the flow proceeds to step 168. In step 168, the compressed bitmap image data stored in the storage area B20 is subjected to decompression processing by the data decompression means 22, restored to the original bitmap image data, and output to the printer engine 28. In the following step 170, the bitmap image is printed on paper or the like by the printer engine 28, an operation such as discharge is performed, the first print is output, and the process returns.

If it is determined in step 162 that the bitmap image data is larger than the print data, the flow advances to step 172 to output the bitmap image data to the printer engine 28 without storing it in the storage area B20. , To step 170. In step 170, as described above, the printer engine 28
The bitmap image is printed on paper or the like, operations such as ejection are performed, the first print is output, and the process returns.

This process is repeated up to the m-th page, and after printing the first copy, the printing of the second copy is performed by storing the compressed bitmap image data in the storage area B20 under the control of the control means 26. In the case of a blank page, the print data stored in the storage area A14 is output to the bitmap image generating means 16 to create bitmap image data again, output to the printer engine 28, and output to the storage area B20.
The page with the bitmap image data stored in
Data expansion means 2 for compressing bitmap image data
2 to perform decompression processing and output to the printer engine 28 for printing.

By performing printing in this manner, compared to a conventional printing apparatus that erases all of the storage area B20 or data stored uniformly by the LIFO or FIFO method, the stored print data or Bitmap image data can be deleted.

That is, since redundant data can be erased as much as possible, the overall storage capacity can be maximized.

In the present embodiment, step 162
After the process of comparing the file size ratios, the compressed bitmap image data is stored in the storage area B20. However, the compressed bitmap image data is stored in the storage area before comparing the file size ratios. The configuration may be such that the data is stored in B20. In this case, before the process of step 172, a process of deleting the compressed bitmap image data stored in the storage area B20 is added. [Third Embodiment] The configuration of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment is the same as that of the printing apparatuses according to the first and second embodiments, except for the printing process. Is omitted, and the printing process will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the printing apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG.
7 shows a flowchart in the case where an instruction to print a plurality of copies of pages 1 to m is issued from the upper information processing apparatus 30 as in the first and second embodiments.

First, in step 200, the print data of the first page is sent to the storage area A14 via the communication means 12, and the print data of the first page is stored in the storage area A14. Print data is output. In the following step 202, the control unit 26 calculates the file size of the print data stored in the storage area A14, and proceeds to step 204. In step 204, the page data as information for each page and the file size of the print data calculated by the control means 26 are stored in the storage area C24, and
Move to 6. In step 206, the bitmap image data is converted from the print data to the bitmap image
The process proceeds to step 208. In step 208, the bitmap image generation processing time (bitmap generation time) performed by the bitmap image generation means 16 is calculated by the control means 26.
Move to. In step 210, the calculated bitmap image generation processing time and the page data as information for each page are stored in the storage area C24.
Move to. In step 212, the data compression means 18
The compression process is performed, and the process proceeds to step 214. In step 214, the file size of the bitmap image data before and after compression is calculated by the control means 26 and stored in the storage area C24.

Subsequently, the flow shifts to step 216, where the control means 26 controls the storage area C2.
4, the file size ratio (the file size of the print data / the file size of the bitmap image data) is calculated from the file size of the print data and the file size of the compressed bitmap image data. It is determined whether it is smaller than.

At step 216, the file size ratio is 1
If it is determined to be smaller, the process proceeds to step 218,
In step 218, the control unit 26 determines whether the bitmap generation time stored in the storage area C24 is longer than a predetermined time.

If it is determined in step 218 that the bitmap generation time is longer than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step 220.

At step 220, the print data stored in the storage area A14 is erased by the control means 26,
Move to step 222. In step 222, the compressed bitmap image data is stored in the storage area B20, and the process proceeds to step 224. In step 224,
The compressed bitmap image data stored in the storage area B20 is subjected to decompression processing by the data decompression means 22, restored to the original bitmap image data, and output to the printer engine 28. Following step 226
Then, the bitmap image is printed on paper or the like by the printer engine 28, an operation such as discharge is performed, and the first print is output and returned.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 216 that the file size ratio is greater than 1, the process proceeds to step 228. In step 228, the bitmap generation time stored in the storage area C by the control means 26 is longer than a predetermined time. It is determined whether it is larger.

If it is determined in step 228 that the bitmap generation time is longer than the predetermined time, the flow advances to step 230 to output the bitmap image data to the printer engine 28 without storing it in the storage area B20. Move to. In step 226, as described above, the printer engine 28 prints a bitmap image on paper or the like, and performs operations such as discharging, and the like.
The print of the first sheet is output and the process returns.

If it is determined in step 228 that the bitmap generation time is shorter than the predetermined time, step 22 is executed.
0 and the above-described steps 220 to 22
6 is performed and the process returns.

Further, if it is determined in step 218 that the bitmap generation time is shorter than the predetermined time, the process shifts to step 230 described above, where the processes in steps 230 and 226 are performed and the process returns.

The above processing is repeated up to the m-th page, and after the first copy is printed, the compressed bitmap image data is stored in the storage area B20 under the control of the control means 26 for the printing of the second copy. In the case of a blank page, the print data stored in the storage area A14 is output to the bitmap image generating means 16 to create bitmap image data again, output to the printer engine 28, and output to the storage area B20.
The page with the bitmap image data stored in
Data expansion means 2 for compressing bitmap image data
2 to perform decompression processing and output to the printer engine 28 for printing.

That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, when the file size ratio is smaller than 1 and the bitmap image generation time is longer than the predetermined time, the print data is deleted from the storage area A14. When the print data is left in the storage area A14, the file size ratio is smaller than 1, and the bitmap generation time is smaller than the predetermined time,
The print data is left in the storage area A14 without storing the bitmap image data in the storage area B20. When the file size ratio is larger than 1 and the bitmap image generation time is longer than the predetermined time, the print data is stored in the storage area A without storing the bitmap image data in the storage area B20.
14 (the bitmap image data is deleted), and when the file size ratio is larger than 1 and the bitmap generation time is shorter than the predetermined time, the print data is deleted from the storage area A14 and the print data is stored in the storage area A14. The printing process is performed so as to leave it in A14.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the total storage capacity can be increased while balancing the time required for bitmap image generation and the capacity that can be saved, so that the storage area of the printing apparatus is efficiently used. And an efficient print job can be performed.

In this embodiment, the compressed bitmap image data is stored in the storage area B20 after the process of comparing the file size ratios in step 216. However, the file size ratios are compared. A configuration may be employed in which previously compressed bitmap image data is stored in the storage area B20. In this case, before the process of step 230, a process of deleting the compressed bitmap image data stored in the storage area B20 is added.

In the first to third embodiments, the communication unit 12 and the bitmap image generation unit 1
6. Although various means such as the data compression means 18, the data decompression means 22, and the control means 26 have been described as separate means, they may be realized as devices on the same computer, or It may be realized by software.

In the first to third embodiments, the storage area A, the storage area B, and the storage area C are described as separate storage areas. However, one or two storage areas are separated. You may use it. The dividing method may be fixed or a mechanism may be provided such that the capacity of each area changes as needed.

Further, the upper information processing device 30 in the first to third embodiments may be any computer. That is, a known so-called mainframe, workstation, or personal computer may be used, and the size and format are not limited.
Also, it is not necessary to have a high degree of computational power, and it is not necessary to use a magnetic tape, magnetic disk, or CD-ROM.
A storage device such as various optical devices such as an optical disk and an MO or a magneto-optical device may be used.

The communication means 12 of the first to third embodiments described above may be of any type, and may be connected one-to-one with a higher-level information processing apparatus (BUS & TA).
G, parallel connection, etc.)
Many-to-one connection method (method represented by Ethernet or token ring) may be used.

Further, to increase the capacity handled at the time of printing a plurality of copies, which is the object of the present invention, means to use a so-called electronic sort (not to sort paper or the like by physical means, but to sort by electronic means). This is a concept similar to that described above, and the present invention can naturally be used to increase the number of pages that can be handled by electronic sorting.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printing process when printing a plurality of copies has been described. However, when printing is performed for each copy, the print data is stored in the storage area A via the communication unit 12.
The bitmap image data may be directly generated without being stored in the storage area 14 and output to the printer engine 28. If the bitmap image data is stored once in either the storage area A14 or the storage area B20, the efficiency is improved. Printing can be performed.

Note that the first, second, and third embodiments described above may be made switchable by inputting a predetermined operation input 34 from outside with the same printing apparatus.

[0107]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that a job sent from a higher-level information processing apparatus can be efficiently printed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a printing process which is a basic printing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating conditions for leaving either print data or bitmap image data in a printing apparatus in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process of a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a condition for leaving either print data or bitmap image data in a printing apparatus in a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 printing device 14 storage area A 16 bitmap image generating means 18 data compression means 20 storage area B 26 control means

Claims (11)

[Claims] A first storage unit that stores print data; a bitmap image generation unit that converts the print data to generate bitmap image data for printout; and compresses the bitmap image data. A second storage unit that stores the data as the first storage unit or the second storage unit based on a predetermined condition quantitatively expressed when the print data is converted into the bitmap image data. A control unit for controlling erasure of stored data. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data is directly output to the bitmap image generating unit. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing is performed directly from the bitmap image data. 4. When the bitmap image generation time for generating the bitmap image data by the bitmap image generation means is less than a predetermined time, the bitmap image data compressed in the second storage means is deleted. And
If the bitmap image generation time exceeds a predetermined time, the print data stored in the first storage means is deleted. If the bitmap image generation time is a predetermined time, the first storage means is erased. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein any one of the data in the second storage unit is deleted. 5. 5. A method for comparing a ratio between a file size of the print data and a file size of the compressed bitmap image data with a predetermined value, and selecting one of the data stored in the first storage unit or the second storage unit. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the printing apparatus (10) is deleted. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first bitmap image generating unit generates the first bitmap image data based on a bitmap image generation time and a fill size ratio between the print data and the compressed bitmap image data. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data stored in the storage unit or the second storage unit is deleted. 7. A bitmap, further comprising an input unit for performing a predetermined input to the control unit, wherein the bitmap image generating unit generates the bitmap image data according to a predetermined input input to the input unit. The first storage unit or the first storage unit based on any of an image generation time, a fill size ratio of the print data and the compressed bitmap image data, or a ratio of the bitmap image generation time to the file size. 2. The data stored in the second storage means is erased.
The printing device according to claim 3. 8. A printing method for printing a plurality of copies, comprising: storing print data in a first storage unit; converting the print data into bitmap image data to be printed out; The image data is subjected to compression processing and stored in the second storage means, and is stored in the first storage means in accordance with a predetermined condition quantitatively expressed when converting the print data into the bitmap image data. A method of erasing any one of the print data and the compressed bitmap image data stored in the second storage means. 9. When the bitmap image generation time for converting to the bitmap image data is shorter than a predetermined time, the bitmap image data compressed in the second storage means is deleted, and the bitmap image data is deleted. When the image generation time exceeds a predetermined time, the print data stored in the first storage means is erased. When the bitmap generation time is a predetermined time, the first storage means or the second storage means deletes the print data.
9. The printing method according to claim 8, wherein any of the data stored in the storage means is deleted. 10. A method for comparing a ratio between a file size of the print data and a file size of the compressed bitmap image data and a predetermined value, and selecting one of the data stored in the first storage unit or the second storage unit. The printing method according to claim 8, wherein is erased. 11. A case where a ratio of a file size represented by the print data size / the compressed bitmap image data size is 1 or less and the bitmap image generation time is a predetermined time or less, and When the ratio is equal to or greater than 1 and the bitmap image generation time is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, the bitmap image data is erased in the second storage unit, and the file size ratio is equal to or less than 1 and the bitmap image data is equal to or smaller than 1. When the image generation time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time and when the file size ratio is 1 or more and the bitmap image generation time is equal to or less than a predetermined time, the print data stored in the first storage unit is deleted. The printing method according to claim 8, wherein the printing is performed.