JP2001105668A - Image output apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive printer having a mechanism for holding received print data. SOLUTION: When print data is received from a host, a page of data to be outputted is converted into bit map data and stored in the image output memory of RAMs1-6. Upon finishing output of data, a page of data stored in the RAM1-6 is stored in hard discs P3 and the RAMs are released. At the time of reprint, data is written from the hard discs 1-3 into the RAMs1-6 before being outputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output apparatus connected to, for example, a computer and a control method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, computers are often interconnected by a LAN (local area network), and not only printers but also various peripheral devices such as multi-function image processing apparatuses having copy and fax functions are also connected to LANs. Connection is possible.

[0003] The LAN as a premises connection such as a floor is
One user group can share and use connected devices and transfer data, but connect several LANs at geographically distant locations via a high-speed integrated digital network (ISDN) line or a public telephone line. This may constitute a WAN (Wide Area Network) represented by the Internet such as the WWW (World Wide Web).

Normally, each LAN / WAN is composed of a group of computers including a file server and a print server, and functions of a network operating system installed in each computer include transfer and sharing of data and files, sharing of a printer, and the like. It supports various protocols that perform

[0005] A print job transferred from an application running on each computer can be generally transferred to a printer connected on a network via a print server.

Further, a communication protocol for remotely managing various devices for constructing a network and devices including computers connected to the network has been standardized. For example, a simple network management protocol (SNMP: Simple Network Management Protocol) has been standardized. Management Protocol)
and so on. In the case of network devices that implement these protocols, various devices can be managed from a remote location on the network by network management software. For example, in the case of a printer, acquisition of printer information and status monitoring , Notification of a state change, initialization control, and the like.

In general, a LAN is constructed by connecting a computer and a printer with an Ethernet cable, or in recent years, a higher speed IEEE has been used.
E1394-1995 (High Performance Serial Bus)
Network connection of digital devices by this method has also been realized. Devices equipped with an IEEE 1394 serial bus I / F have their own unique IDs, and recognize each other to constitute one network. Each of the devices connected to the network may be configured to be able to independently transmit data to another device without using a computer and to receive data.

[0008] There are various types of user applications running on each computer constituting the LAN, such as document creation software and spreadsheet software. Data created by using these applications is converted into a printer control language (PDL) by a printer driver software as a function of the operating system.
After being converted into cription language (Cription Language) data, the print job is temporarily stored in a print spooler as a print job and sent to a printer.

Here, a print job is a unit generated from one or a plurality of application document files to constitute one print document as PDL data one-to-one corresponding to each printer by printer driver software. It is separated by a start command and a job end command. Further, the type and version information of PDL data are added to the job start command and the like, and are used as discrimination information of the print job processing module when processing is performed by the printer.

In such an image output apparatus connected to a network, data is received from a host computer as a data transmission source, and when the data transfer is completed, the transmitting side deletes the stored data, and the receiving side receives the data. It is configured to delete the data after securely executing the output process.

In the image output apparatus which ensures the output processing of the data transmitted from the data transmission source as described above, it is necessary to hold the image data until the data output is normally completed. As a hard disk. Particularly, in the case of an image output apparatus connected to a network, a large amount of output data has to be held because it is used by a plurality of users, and therefore, it often has a large capacity memory such as a hard disk.

Further, the printing apparatus includes a stapling process for bundling a plurality of pages, a sorting process for sorting and outputting a plurality of copies, and a bookbinding printing process combining these functions with double-sided printing. Some can perform processing. The printing apparatus having such a function is configured to be able to include a hard disk as a large-capacity secondary storage memory because it is necessary to hold all page data constituting a print job.

[0013]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the print job data transferred from the information processing apparatus which is the data transmission source is stored on a large-capacity hard disk. The hard disk has a low read / write speed, and is difficult to apply to a high-speed printing apparatus.

Further, in order to hold the page image data on the hard disk, it is necessary to execute a writing process and a reading process prior to the printing process, and there is a disadvantage that processing time such as a print job analysis time increases. In particular, the access time to the hard disk is simply added to the processing time of the first page of the print job, and the output time is significantly increased compared to the case where data is stored in the random access memory. Would.

On the other hand, there is a printing apparatus that uses a random access memory to hold print job data transferred from an information processing apparatus that is a data transmission source, but it is more expensive than a secondary storage device such as a hard disk. For this reason, the cost of the apparatus is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and holds print job data transferred from a data transmission source in a high-speed storage unit during output processing requiring high speed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image output apparatus capable of performing high-speed processing at a low cost by holding the data in a low-speed storage unit when high-speed processing is no longer required, and a control method thereof.

[0017]

An image output apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration. That is, a first print data storage unit that stores print data input from a data supply source in a first storage medium, and generates image data from data by printing stored in the first storage medium. Image generating means for outputting, second print data storing means for storing print data corresponding to the image data generated by the image generating means in a second storage medium, and printing by the second print data storing means Releasing means for releasing an area on the first storage medium in which the print data is stored after storing the data.

[0018] More preferably, there is further provided a deleting means for deleting print data stored in the area released by said releasing means.

More preferably, a judgment means for judging whether or not the output by the image generation means has been normally completed, and the print data judged to have failed in the normal output by the judgment means are stored in the second storage. Print data reading means for reading from a medium and storing the read data in the first storage medium, wherein the image generating means generates and outputs an image from the print data read by the print data reading means.

More preferably, instructing means for instructing re-output of the print data stored in the second storage medium, and the print data instructed to be re-output by the instructing means are stored in the second storage medium. And a print data read unit that reads the print data from the print data and stores the print data in the first storage medium. The print data read by the print data read unit generates an image from the print data and outputs the image.

[0021] More preferably, the first storage medium is a high-speed storage medium capable of following the speed of image data generation by the image generation means.

The first storage medium is a randomly accessible semiconductor memory, and the second storage medium is a magnetic disk device.

A method for controlling an image output apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a first print data storage unit that stores print data input from a data supply source in a first storage medium, and generates image data from data by printing stored in the first storage medium. An image generating step of outputting, a second print data storing step of storing print data corresponding to the image data generated by the image generating step in a second storage medium, and printing by the second print data storing step After storing the data, releasing the area on the first storage medium in which the print data is stored.

A storage medium according to another aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a first print data storage means for storing print data input from a data supply source in a first storage medium by a computer, and image data from print data stored in the first storage medium. Image generating means for generating and outputting, second print data storing means for storing print data corresponding to the image data generated by the image generating means in a second storage medium, and storing the second print data After the print data is stored by the means, a computer program for realizing a release means for releasing an area on the first storage medium in which the print data is stored is stored.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing the configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, a configuration of a laser beam printer suitable for applying the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 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. In the following description and drawings, an example in which two optional units are connected will be described. However, more optional units can be connected, and the functions of the optional units may be shared by the main body.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a first output device to which the present invention can be applied, and shows a case of a laser beam printer (LBP).

Laser beam printer (printer) 102
Is connected to an external device 101 such as a host computer by a general-purpose interface (for example, a LAN interface or Centronics), and is connected to the external device 101 via the general-purpose interface.
A print image based on print information (including character code data based on a predetermined printer language, graphic drawing instructions, image information such as image data, and device control information such as paper switching and paper ejection opening reshuffling) is transmitted. External device 101
Will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

The video controller 103 is connected to the external device 1
01 and the external device 1
01, print data (various PDL data, etc.) transferred via the general-purpose interface, generates page information including dot data based on the print data, and generates an engine controller 105 described later via the video interface 80. Image data (binary or multi-valued) to the
A command for specifying a paper feed and a specification of a paper discharge is transmitted to the option controller unit 106 described later via.

The engine controller 105 forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum by a well-known electrophotographic process based on the image data transferred from the video controller 103, and transfers and fixes it on the supplied paper to print. Do. At this time, the control unit 106 instructs the option controller unit 106 to supply and discharge paper.

The panel unit 104 is an interface with a user including various switches (buttons) for operation, an LED display, an LCD display, and the like. The user operates the panel unit 104 to connect to the printer 102. A predetermined operation can be instructed. Various data set by the user are stored in a non-insertable memory, for example, NV.
It is stored and managed in a RAM or the like (shown in FIG. 3 described later).

The option controller unit 106 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM (not shown), and the like. This is a general controller for controlling the above optional devices (units) collectively, and communicates with an optional controller unit included in various optional devices via the optional unit interface 70 to control the various optional devices collectively.

In the RAM of the option controller unit 106, there is a shared memory (not shown) accessible by the video controller 103.
The video controller 103 includes a transport status management area for pages, a basic status area, a command status management area, and the like. The video controller 103 specifies each optional device via each area of the shared memory.

The transport status management area is set by the video controller 103 in a printing method (sheet feeding port, sheet discharging port, color,
The area for notifying each optional device of stapling, shifting, etc., and the status of each option (how much printed, normally completed, etc.) are indicated by the video controller 10.
3 to be notified.

The basic status area is an area for notifying the video controller 103 of an abnormality of each optional device (paper jam, no paper, staples, etc.).
The command & status management area is an area for exchanging command status with the video controller 103.

Paper feed optional device (unit) 107
Is a paper deck option unit, for example, having a paper deck controller (large capacity paper feed cassette controller) 107a therein, and an optional controller unit 1
Paper feed control is performed based on the control information transmitted from 06. The paper deck controller 107a includes:
A CPU, ROM, and RAM (not shown) are provided.
It controls the paper feed option device 107 based on a program stored in M. Further, the ROM stores extended information of the paper feed option device 107, for example, information on paper sizes that can be stored in the paper deck.

Paper ejection optional device (unit) 108
Is a finisher option unit having, for example, a staple function, and has a finisher controller 10 inside.
8a, and performs a stapling operation and a paper discharging operation based on control information transmitted from the option controller unit 106. Note that the finisher controller 108
a includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM (not shown);
Is stored in the ROM and controls the paper discharge option device 108 based on the program. Further, in the ROM, extended information of the paper discharge option device 108, for example, the number of paper discharge bins, the presence or absence of a staple function, the presence or absence of a shift function for shifting the paper discharge in a predetermined direction, and the direction of the face of the paper discharge is reversed Information on the presence or absence of the inversion function is stored.

The paper feed option device 107 and the paper discharge option device 108 are provided with operation units 107b and 108b having a display unit and various keys, respectively, for displaying a message to the user when each option is used, an operation method, and the like. Operation is possible.

Further, the control unit 109 controls the printer 1
02, an engine controller 105 for controlling a printing process, a video controller 103 for controlling the entire printer 102, analyzing data from an external device 101 such as a host computer, and converting the data into image data, and an optional controller for controlling various optional units. It is constituted by a unit 106.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the printer 102 shown in FIG. 1. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, a paper cassette 230 has a mechanism for holding the recording paper S and electrically detecting the size of the recording paper S by a partition plate (not shown). The cassette paper feed clutch 231 separates only the topmost recording paper S of the recording paper S placed on the paper cassette 230 and transports the separated recording paper S to the paper feed roller 204 by a driving unit (not shown). The cam rotates intermittently each time paper is fed, and feeds one sheet of recording paper corresponding to one rotation. The recording paper detection sensor 230S detects the amount of the recording paper S held in the paper cassette 230.

The resist shutter 227 presses the sheet to stop the sheet feeding. The paper feed roller 204 conveys the leading end of the recording paper S to the registration shutter 227. The manual feed tray 202 places the recording paper S thereon. The manual paper feed clutch 203 transports the recording paper S placed on the manual paper feed tray 202 to the registration shutter 227. The optional paper feed roller (paper feed relay roller) 233 feeds the recording paper S fed from the paper feed option 107 to the printer 10.
2 Supply into the main body.

The manual paper feed roller 203, cassette paper feed clutch 231, optional paper feed roller 233
A registration roller pair 205 for synchronously transporting the recording paper S is provided downstream of the registration roller. A laser image emitted from a laser scanner unit 206 is provided downstream of the registration roller to form a toner image on the recording paper S by a known electrophotographic method. An image recording unit 207 formed by a process is provided.

In the laser scanner section 206, a laser unit 215 emits a laser beam based on an image signal sent from the video controller 103. The laser light emitted from the laser unit 215 is scanned by the polygon mirror 216 to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 220 via the imaging lens group 218 and the folding mirror 219.

The beam detector 217 is connected to the laser unit 2
The main scanning synchronizing signal is outputted by detecting the laser beam emitted from 15. The light amount sensor 270 is connected to the laser unit 21.
The light amount of the laser light emitted from the light source 5 is detected.

In the image recording unit 207, the primary charger 222 charges the photosensitive drum 220 uniformly. The developing device 223 is charged by the primary charging device 222 and is exposed to laser light by the laser scanner unit.
The toner image formed on the latent image 20 is developed. Transfer charger 2
Reference numeral 24 transfers the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum by the developing device 223 to the recording paper S fed by the registration roller 205. The cleaner 225 is a photosensitive drum 2
20 to remove residual toner. Pre-exposure lamp 221
Removes light from the photosensitive drum 220.

The fixing unit 208 thermally fixes the toner image formed on the recording paper S by the image recording unit 207 to the recording paper S. The transport roller 210 discharges and transports the recording paper S.
The paper discharge sensor 209 detects a paper discharge state of the recording paper S (the occurrence of a paper jam, the occurrence of a misprint, and the like). The flapper 211 switches the conveyance direction of the recording paper S on which recording has been completed to the paper discharge tray 213 side or the paper discharge option 108 side. The discharge rollers 214 and 212 feed the recording paper S conveyed by switching the flapper 211 to the stacking tray 213.
Paper. The discharged sheet stacking amount detection sensor 213 detects the stacking amount of the recording sheets stacked on the stacking tray 213.

The engine controller 105 in the control unit 109 controls the electrophotographic process by the laser scanner unit 206, the image recording unit 207, and the fixing unit 208, and controls the conveyance of the recording paper in the main body of the laser printer 102. The engine controller 105 detects the paper conveyance state (such as occurrence of paper jam) in the printer engine main body by the paper discharge sensor 209 and
Is configured to be notified.

Next, various optional units detachably connected to the main body of the printer 102 will be described.

The option controller 1 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 06 is provided in the main unit shown in FIG. 2, and is configured to be able to communicate various option units with the same protocol via the option unit interface 70 serving as a common bus. Also, the option controller unit 106
Is connected to the video controller 103 via the general interface 90.

In the paper feeding option 107 such as a paper deck option unit, a paper deck 241 loads a large amount of recording paper S on a deck that moves up and down. The paper deck feed roller 242 feeds the recording paper S stacked on the paper deck 241.

The transport roller 244 transports the recording paper S fed from the paper deck paper feed roller 242 toward the optional paper feed roller 233. Paper feed relay conveyance roller 243
Relays and conveys a recording sheet fed from another sheet feeding system option unit (capable of feeding recording sheets of different size or the same size) detachably connected to a plurality of detachable units below the paper deck option. Further, the recording paper storage amount detection sensor 241 detects the recording paper S placed on the paper deck 241.
The loading amount of is detected.

The paper deck option unit 1
07 is controlled by the paper deck controller 107a.

In a discharge option 108 such as a finisher option unit, a first discharge bin 251 and a second discharge bin
The paper discharge bin 252 and the third paper discharge bin 253 sort and stack the recorded recording paper S. The bin elevating motor 260 sorts the recording paper S into each bin by moving the discharge bins 251 to 253 up and down. Flapper 254
Performs the paper ejection switching so that the recording paper S distributed by the flapper 211 of the printer 102 and sent to the finisher option unit 108 is subjected to paper face switching based on an instruction from the video controller 103. Also, the discharged paper stacking amount detection sensor 261 is
First discharge bin 2 raised and lowered by bin raising and lowering motor 260
The stacking amount of recording paper discharged to the third to third discharge bins 253 is detected.

Further, the discharged paper stacking amount detection sensor 261 is
With the height sensor, the height of the recording paper stacked in the first discharge bin 251 to the third discharge bin 253 is, for example, 88 mm.
(Equivalent to about 700 sheets) when it reaches (detects)
When the finisher controller 108a is fully loaded, the video controller 10
Notify 3.

When the face-up is designated by the video controller 103 through the general interface 90,
The recording paper S distributed to the flapper 254 is
The sheet is directly sent to the sheet discharge port by 55. When the video controller 103 designates the face-down operation through the general interface 90, the recording paper S distributed to the flapper 254 is supplied to the rollers 256 and 257.
Thus, the rear end of the recording sheet S is once conveyed until it passes over the roller 256, and then the roller 257 is reversed and fed from the rear end of the recording sheet S to the roller 258, and is sent to the sheet discharge port.

When the stapler 259 is designated to be stapled by the video controller 103 through the centralized interface 90, the stapler 259 stores the recording paper S in a staple tray (not shown), arranges the recording paper S, and arranges the stapler 25.
9 executes stapling and discharges paper to one of the first discharge bin 251 to the third discharge bin 253. When the shift is designated by the video controller 103 through the general interface 90, the sheets are stored in a staple tray (not shown), the recording paper S is aligned, and the recording Stagger,
In other words, the recording area S on which the recording paper S to be discharged is placed is shifted, and then the recording paper S is discharged to one of the first discharge bin 251 to the third discharge bin 253. Staple Needle Remaining Sensor 25
9S detects the remaining amount of the staples stored in the staple 259.

The finisher option unit 1
08 is controlled by the finisher controller 108a.

The option controller 106,
The paper deck controller 107 and the finisher controller 108 are connected by connectors, respectively, and perform serial communication by the option unit interface 70. The two units are connected in series by the same connector. Therefore, the paper deck option unit 107 and the finisher option unit 108 can be connected in a different order.

The manual paper feed roller 203, the cassette paper feed clutch 231 and the paper deck paper feed roller 24
The pair of registration rollers 205 for transporting the recording paper S, the paper supply roller 204, and the conveyance roller 244 are provided downstream of the pair 2, and the laser emitted from the laser scanner unit 206 is provided downstream of the pair of registration rollers 205. The image recording unit 207 that forms a toner image on the recording paper S by light is provided. Further, the fixing unit 208 for thermally fixing the toner image formed on the recording sheet S is provided downstream of the image recording unit 207, and the conveyance state of the sheet discharging unit is detected downstream of the fixing unit 208. A paper discharge sensor 209, a transport roller 210 for transporting the recording paper, a flapper 211 for switching a transport direction of the recording paper S on which recording is completed, and the like are provided.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This printer control system is for controlling the laser beam printer shown in FIGS. Note that, as long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention is applicable to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, and a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. The invention can be applied. The present invention can also be applied to a case where the present invention is implemented by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, the storage medium that stores the program of the procedures of FIGS. 4 to 6 described below according to the present invention constitutes the present invention. Then, by reading the program from the storage medium to a system or an apparatus, the system or the apparatus functions in a specific mode. In addition, by the computer executing the read program code, not only the functions of the embodiments described below are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. This also includes a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. This also includes the case where the CPU provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

In FIG. 3, a print job is generated as a control language for a printer by an application program running on the personal computer 1 (PC) 300 and stored in a print spooler in the print server 301. The PC 300 and the print server 301 are realized as functions provided by the network operating system. The print server 301 is the printer 10
2 and the LAN interface card 304 constituting the LA
The communication control process is executed via N302 and the print job is transferred to the video controller 103.

A personal computer 303 used by another user is similarly generated as a control language for a printer by an application program running on the computer, and stored in a print spooler in the print server 301. The print server 301 is the printer 10
2 and the LAN interface card 304 constituting the LA
The communication control process is executed via N302 and the print job is transferred to the video controller 103.

Here, the print job is input in data units delimited by a job start instruction and a job end instruction that define a group of input pages, and indicates the group.

In the video controller 103, the printer CPU 1-1 executes the program RO of the ROM 1-2.
M, based on a control program stored in the M, controls overall access to various devices connected to the system bus 1-4, and controls the printing unit controlled by the engine controller 105 via the printing unit interface 1-8. An image signal as output information is output to 1-9. Further, a notification such as a paper conveyance status detected in the engine controller 105 is also input via the printing unit interface 1-8.

The option interface (I / F) unit 1-10 controls communication with the option controller unit 106 (transmission of an instruction command to the optional device and control of the paper transport state of the optional device) in response to an instruction from the CPU 1-1. Receiving detection information, etc.). In addition, the communication signal between the engine interface unit 1-8 and the option controller unit 106 is transmitted through the centralized interface 9
Sometimes sent to 0.

The program ROM of the ROM 1-2 has a CP as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
A control program executed by U1-1, a job analysis module for analyzing a print job, an image generation module for generating a bitmap image transferred to the printing unit 1-9, and the like are stored. Font data (outline font data or dot font data) used to generate the output image is stored in the font ROM of the ROM 1-2.
Etc. are stored. The CPU 1-1 is configured to perform a communication process with the print server 301 by the input unit 1-12 via the LAN interface card 304.

RAM 1-6 is a main memory of CPU 1-1,
RAM functioning as work area, reception buffer, etc.
The option RA connected to the expansion port (not shown)
The memory capacity can be expanded by M. The RAM 1-6 stores the print data input to the input unit 1-12 as an intermediate code or an intermediate bitmap image, a page buffer memory, an image output memory for generating a bitmap image, and a hard disk 1-3. It is used as a cache memory for temporarily storing registered data such as external characters and form images.

The processing status of the paper discharge unit obtained by the paper discharge detection sensor in the paper discharge option 108 via the option I / F 1-10, the presence / absence of paper loading for each paper discharge bin, and the loading amount information It is also used as a paper discharge port information storage unit for storing the information.

The hard disk 1-3 is connected as a secondary storage device whose access is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 1-7.

The hard disk 1-3 is used as a page storage memory for storing print data input from the host computer 300 and converted into intermediate codes or output bitmap images by the image swap control unit 1-13. The detailed operation will be described later. It is also used as a registration memory for storing registration data transferred from an external character file or form file on the host computer 300.

The operation unit 104 is provided with switches for operating the operation panel described above, an LED display, and the like.

The hard disk described above is not limited to one hard disk, and includes one or more hard disks storing an emulation program for interpreting an optional font card and a printer control language of a different language (PDL) in addition to the built-in fonts. May be configured to be able to be connected to a plurality. The secondary storage device is not limited to a hard disk, but may be a flash memory card or the like.

The control program for controlling the CPU 1-1 includes a real-time OS for performing time-division control in units of load modules called tasks by a system clock (not shown), and a plurality of load modules (tasks) operating in units of functions. It shall be constituted by

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of output processing by the printer control system according to the first embodiment.
This procedure is executed by the CPU 1-1.

When printing is instructed by a user using an application program on the host computer 300, the generated print job executes communication control between the print server 301 and the LAN interface card 304, and sends it to the input unit 1-12. Is entered.

The input print job is temporarily stored in a reception buffer in the RAM 1-6 (S401), and the stored print job (PDL data in which a control code or a character code indicating a print position is described) is stored in the ROM1. -2 is read and analyzed by the job analysis module in
It is stored as intermediate page data in the page buffer in M1-6 (S402).

The job analysis module classifies the print data into band units corresponding to the print position specified by the control code or the like, and stores the data as intermediate data in the page buffer in the RAM 1-6. Until a page end control code is detected, the data is stored in page units as intermediate data of the same page (S403).

When the input one page is stored in the page buffer (S403), the intermediate page data is read from the page buffer in the RAM 1-2 by the image generation module in the ROM 1-2, and is read from the RAM 1-6. The bitmap image is sequentially developed in band units in the image output memory, and the generated bitmap image to be output is printed by the printing unit I.
/ F1-8 to the engine controller 105 and the printing unit 1-9 executes the printing process (S40).
4).

As soon as the output of the image for one page to the engine controller 105 is completed, the intermediate data storage module in the image swap control section 1-13 is activated, and the page data is stored in the hard disk 1-. If not stored in the hard disk 1-3, the intermediate page data stored in the page buffer in the RAM 1-6 is stored in the hard disk 1-3 via the memory controller 1-3 (S405).

When the storage in the hard disk 1-3 is completed, the page buffer memory in the RAM 1-6 is released (S406).

When the output processing of one page is completed in this way, the print job output processing of S401 to S406 is repeatedly executed until a print job end command indicating the end of the print data is detected (S407).

If it is determined in step S407 that the print job has been completed, the processing status of the engine controller 105 obtained via the printing unit I / F 1-8 or the option controller 106 obtained via the option I / F 1-10 It is determined whether the processing state, that is, whether or not the recording paper S has been printed normally without occurrence of a paper jam or a misprint (S410). At this time, it may be necessary to wait until the conveyance of the recording paper S is completed.

In step S410, if it is determined that a paper jam or the like of the recording paper S has occurred and the printing process has not been completed normally, the intermediate page reading module in the image swap control unit 1-13 switches to the RAM 1-6. A new page buffer memory is obtained (S409), and the printing unit I / F1-8 and the option I / F1-10 are obtained from the engine controller 105 and the option controller 106, respectively.
Is read from the hard disk 1-3, and is read into the newly acquired page buffer memory (S408).

For the read intermediate page, a bitmap image is generated in step S404 described above and re-output is executed. Until the re-output is completed in this way, steps S409, S408, S404, S406
Is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S410 that all pages of the print job have been output normally, the intermediate page deletion module in the image swap control unit 1-13 causes the intermediate page deletion module in the image swap control unit 1-13 to store the intermediate page stored in the hard disk 1-3. The page data is deleted and the processing of the print job ends (S
411).

In the first embodiment, Step S40
Although 1 to S407 have been described as sequential processing, the processing is divided into an intermediate page data generation processing task (S401 to S403) and a bitmap image output task (S404 to S407) so that parallel processing can be performed. You may. In this case, the page regeneration processing module group (S408, S409, S404) of the page where the abnormal output has occurred interrupts the bitmap image output task and re-outputs the paper jam page.

Although the data stored in the hard disk 1-3 is the intermediate data generated by the job analysis module in the ROM 1-2, the print job data (PDL data) stored in the reception buffer in the RAM 1-6 is used. ) May be stored. In this case, hard disk 1
When the print data stored in -3 is read out and re-outputted, the image swap control unit 1-13 reads out and stores the data in the page buffer in the RAM 1-2 using the job analysis module in the ROM 1-2. become.

As described above, the print job data transferred from the host computer, which is the data transmission source,
During output processing that requires high-speed processing, the data is held and processed in the random access memory. During the stage when high-speed processing is no longer required, that is, during the print job holding High-speed processing becomes possible by holding the data in the secondary storage memory.

Further, it is possible to reduce the number of times of accessing the hard disk when outputting and holding the print job data transferred from the host computer, so that the speed is increased.

Further, it is possible to minimize the expensive primary storage area for holding the data while holding the data transmitted from the host computer and completing the output, while minimizing the cost. An output device can be provided.

Since the data stored in the hard disk is intermediate data, image data can be generated and printed quickly when reprinting a page that cannot be printed normally.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing output processing in a print control system according to a second embodiment. The configuration of the system is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is as shown in FIGS.

When a user instructs printing using an application program on the host computer 300, the generated print job is transmitted to the print server 301 and the L.
The communication control with the AN interface card 304 is executed, and is input to the input unit 1-12.

The input print job is temporarily stored in a reception buffer in the RAM 1-6 (S501), and the stored print job (PDL data in which a control code or a character code indicating a print position is described) is stored in the ROM 1-6. -2, the job analysis is executed, the job analysis is executed, the bitmap image is generated by the image generation module in the ROM 1-2, and the output bitmap page data is stored in the page buffer in the RAM 1-6. Is performed (S502).

The job analysis module stores a copy number command, a discharge port designation (discharge bins 251 to 253) of the discharge section 1-11, and the like described in the print job. An instruction is issued for the re-output processing for printing multiple copies in S511.

After the job analysis module makes the print position specified by the control code or the like correspond to the print position, the image generation module stores the output bitmap page data in the page buffer in the RAM 1-6. Until a page end control code such as a page command is detected, the data is stored in units of pages as intermediate data of the same page (S503).

When the input output bitmap image for one page is stored in the page buffer (S503), R
The bitmap image output module in OM1-2 is RA
The output bitmap page data is read from the page buffer in M1-2, the bitmap image is sequentially written in the image output memory in the RAM 1-6, and the engine controller 105 is transferred from the image output memory via the printing unit I / F1-8. And the printing unit 1-9 executes the printing process (S504).

When the output of the image for one page to the engine controller 105 is completed in this way, immediately
The intermediate data storage module in the image swap control unit 1-13 is activated, and the page data is stored in the hard disk 1
-3, the output bitmap page data stored in the page buffer in the RAM 1-6 is transferred to the hard disk 1 via the memory controller 1-3.
-3 (S505). At this time, the bitmap image is compressed and stored by a compression module (not shown).

When the storage in the hard disk 1-3 is completed, the page buffer memory in the RAM 1-6 is released (S506).

When the output processing of one page is completed in this way, the print job output processing of S501 to S506 is repeatedly executed until a print job end command indicating the end of the print data is detected (S507).

If it is determined in step S507 that the print job has been completed, the processing status of the engine controller 105 obtained via the printing unit I / F 1-8 or the option controller 106 obtained via the option I / F 1-10. It is determined whether the processing state, that is, whether the recording paper S has been printed normally without occurrence of a paper jam or a misprint or the like (S510). At this time, it may be necessary to wait until the conveyance of the recording paper S is completed.

If it is determined in step S510 that a paper jam has occurred in the recording paper S and that the printing process has not been completed normally, the intermediate page reading module in the image swap control unit 1-13 switches to the RAM 1-6. A new page buffer memory is acquired (S509), and the printing unit I / F1-8 and the option I / F1-10 are obtained from the engine controller 105 and the option controller 106, respectively.
Is read from the hard disk 1-3, and is read into the newly acquired page buffer memory (S408).

The read output bitmap page data is transferred to the image output memory in step S504 described above and re-output is executed. Until the re-output is completed in this way, steps S509, S508, S5
04, the processing of S506 is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S510 that all pages of the print job have been output normally, the RO
The bitmap image output module in M1-2 is ROM
It is determined whether or not there is a reprint instruction from the job analysis module in 1-2 (S511), and if multiple copy printing is instructed, re-output is executed (S513). This description will be described later.

On the other hand, if there is no multiple copy instruction in step S511, or if re-output is completed in step S511, the output bitmap deletion module in the image swap control unit 1-13 stores the data in the hard disk 1-3. The bitmap page data thus deleted is deleted, and the processing of the print job ends (S511).

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the reprint execution processing in step S513 of FIG.

Prior to the printing process, the paper output location of the recording paper S is specified by an option I, such as designation of a paper discharge bin of the paper discharge unit 1-11.
/ F1-10.

The bitmap image output module in the ROM 1-2 acquires the page buffer memory in the RAM1-2 (S601), and stores it on the hard disk 1-3 by the bitmap image reading module in the image swap control 1-13. The first page of the print job to be re-output is read and stored in the acquired page buffer memory (S602).

The bitmap image output module in the ROM1-2 reads out the output bitmap page data from the page buffer in the RAM1-2, and sequentially writes the bitmap images in the image output memory in the RAM1-6.
The image data is transmitted from the image output memory to the engine controller 105 via the printing unit I / F 1-8, and the printing unit 1-9 executes the printing process (S603).

When the re-output processing of one page is completed in this way, the print job re-output processing of S601 to S604 is repeatedly executed until a print job end command indicating the end of the print data is detected (S605).

As described above, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, reprinting can be performed using the data stored in the hard disk.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device).

[0114]

As described above, according to the present invention, print data transferred from a data transmission source is processed while being held in a high-speed storage medium during output processing requiring high speed. By storing the data in a low-speed storage medium at the stage where processing is no longer necessary, there is an effect that high-speed processing can be performed.

Further, in outputting and holding the print job data transferred from the data transmission source, it is possible to reduce the number of accesses to a low-speed storage medium, thereby achieving high-speed operation.

Further, it is possible to minimize the required amount of an expensive high-speed storage medium for holding data while configuring so as to hold data transmitted from the data transmission source and complete the output. Thus, it is possible to provide a cheaper device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the configuration of an image output system using an image output apparatus and an optional unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the printing system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a printing system according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a reprinting process when printing a plurality of copies according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-1 CPU 1-2 ROM 1-3 Hard disk 1-4 System bus 1-5 NVRAM 1-6 RAM 1-8 Printing section I / F 1-9 Printing section 1-10 Option I / F 1-11 Paper ejection Unit section 1-13 Image swap control section 101 External device 102 Printer 103 Video controller 104 Operation panel 105 Engine controller 106 Option controller 107 Paper feed option device 108 Paper discharge option device 300 Personal computer 1 301 Print server 302 LAN 303 Personal computer 2 304 LAN interface card

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AB05 BB16 BB17 BC04 BC05 BD47 CB05 5B021 AA01 AA02 AA05 AA19 CC05 DD14 DD20 5C062 AA13 AA34 AA35 AB11 AB22 AB43 AC23 AC49 BA04 5C073 AA02 AA03 AB07 BB01 BB07 CDN JJ35 KK42

Claims (13)

[Claims] A first print data storage unit for storing print data input from a data supply source in a first storage medium; and image data from the print data stored in the first storage medium. Image generating means for generating and outputting; second print data storing means for storing print data corresponding to image data generated by the image generating means in a second storage medium; and storing the second print data. Releasing means for releasing the area on the first storage medium in which the print data is stored, after the print data is stored by the means. 2. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a deletion unit that deletes print data stored in the area released by the release unit. A determining unit for determining whether or not the output by the image generating unit has been normally completed; and transmitting, from the second storage medium, print data determined to have failed to be output normally by the determining unit. Print data reading means for reading and storing the read data in the first storage medium, wherein the image generating means generates and outputs an image from the print data read by the print data reading means. The image output device according to claim 1. 4. An instruction unit for instructing re-output of the print data stored in the second storage medium, and reading out the print data instructed to be re-output by the instruction unit from the second storage medium. Print data reading means for storing the print data in the first storage medium, wherein the image generation means generates and outputs an image from the print data read by the print data read means. The image output device according to claim 1. 5. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage medium is a high-speed storage medium that can follow the speed of image data generation by the image generation unit. 6. The image according to claim 1, wherein the first storage medium is a semiconductor memory that can be randomly accessed, and the second storage medium is a magnetic disk device. Output device. 7. A first print data storage method for storing print data input from a data supply source in a first storage medium, and converting image data from data by printing stored in the first storage medium. An image generation step of generating and outputting; a second print data storage step of storing print data corresponding to the image data generated by the image generation step in a second storage medium; and the second print data storage Releasing the area on the first storage medium on which the print data is stored after storing the print data in the step. 8. The control method according to claim 7, further comprising a deletion step of deleting print data stored in the area released by said release step. 9. A determining step of determining whether or not output in the image generating step has been normally completed, and printing data determined to have failed in normal output in the determining step from the second storage medium. A print data reading step of reading and storing the read data in the first storage medium, wherein an image is generated and output by the image generating step from the print data read in the print data reading step. The method for controlling an image output device according to claim 7. 10. An instruction step for instructing re-output of print data stored in the second storage medium, and reading out the print data instructed to be re-output in the instruction step from the second storage medium. And a print data reading step of storing the print data in the first storage medium. The print data read in the print data read step generates and outputs an image in the image generation step. A method for controlling an image output device according to claim 7. 11. The control of the image output apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first storage medium is a high-speed storage medium capable of following the speed of image data generation in the image generation step. Method. 12. The image according to claim 7, wherein the first storage medium is a semiconductor memory that can be randomly accessed, and the second storage medium is a magnetic disk device. Output device control method. 13. A first print data storage means for storing print data input from a data supply source in a first storage medium by a computer; and a print data stored in the first storage medium, Image generation means for generating and outputting image data; second print data storage means for storing print data corresponding to the image data generated by the image generation means in a second storage medium; A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for realizing, after storing the print data by the print data storage means, a release means for releasing an area on the first storage medium in which the print data is stored.