JP2001310507A - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of preventing a decrease in image quality of an output material due to a lack of memory at the time of expanding and outputting a large amount of received print data. provide. SOLUTION: When print data is transferred from a personal computer 6 to a print controller 5 in a step S201, the print controller 5 develops the print data in the print controller memory 3 in a step S202. If the expansion memory is insufficient in step S203, step S20
Then, the development processing is temporarily interrupted, the free memory of the main controller memory 2 in the main controller 4 is checked, and the free memory is secured as the development memory in step S208, and then secured in step S208. The expansion process is restarted using the memory thus completed and is completed. Next, in step S205, the data subjected to the expansion processing is
, And in step S206, the print data is printed out using the developed data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a personal computer (PC) transmitted from a personal computer, a workstation, or the like.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for receiving print data such as CL data and image data and performing various processes, development, and output.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus that receives data transferred from a personal computer, a workstation, or the like, and performs various processing, development, output, and the like includes:
A laser beam printer or the like is used.

[0003] The image quality of an output from a laser beam printer or the like is determined by the memory capacity of a print controller that performs development.

[0004] Transferred data performed by a laser beam printer or the like, for example, data described in a page description language (PDL data) or data such as print data input by a scanner or the like (hereinafter, referred to as data).
The data processing procedure for obtaining an output from print data) is as follows. When code data sent from a personal computer is received by the print controller, the code data is expanded in the memory of the print controller, Basically, various processes are performed.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned development process, when a large amount of print data consisting of a large number of sheets is received at one time, or at a high resolution in order to reproduce a complicated and detailed image. When a large amount of print data is received, the expansion memory of the print controller may run short.

In the case where the expansion memory of the print controller is insufficient as shown in the above example, the reading resolution of the print controller is usually reduced before the expansion processing is performed in order to solve the memory shortage required for the expansion. Is set to

However, when the above processing is performed, the image quality is reduced in proportion to the amount of data to be expanded, and thus the image quality is often reduced due to the shortage of the expansion memory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to develop print data in advance when developing and outputting a large amount of received print data. Measure the required amount of memory, and if the measurement indicates that the amount of memory required for expansion is insufficient, secure the required memory and then expand the print data. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of preventing a decrease in the image quality of an output product caused by a decrease in the reading resolution of print data.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment according to the present invention has the following arrangement. That is, an image forming apparatus including: a developing unit configured to develop print data received from an external device into a developing memory; and an image forming unit configured to form an image using the print data developed by the developing unit. And a suspending means for suspending the rasterizing process when the rasterizing memory capacity is insufficient at the time of rasterizing the print data by the rasterizing unit, and usable when the rasterizing process is suspended by the suspending unit. A memory diverting means for searching for a suitable free memory area and, when the available free memory area is secured by the search, using a part of the free memory area as the expansion processing memory and restarting the expansion processing; , Is characterized by having.

Further, for example, the expansion means has the expansion memory. Further, for example, the main controller for controlling the whole has a control memory.

Further, for example, the image forming means, the image reading means for reading the image, or the display means for displaying the change of the setting and the use state have a dedicated memory.

Also, for example, if the expansion memory is saturated before the expansion processing using the expansion memory is completed, the fact that the expansion processing cannot be continued is notified by a status. I do.

Further, for example, the interruption means uses a part of the control memory as the expansion memory when the expansion memory is saturated.

In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment according to the present invention has the following arrangement. That is, an image forming method comprising: a developing step of developing print data received from an external device into a developing memory; and an image forming step of forming an image using the print data developed by the developing step. In the expansion step, when expanding the print data to the expansion memory, if the expansion memory capacity is insufficient,
An interruption step of interrupting the expansion processing; and, when the expansion processing is interrupted, searching for an available free memory area, and resuming the expansion processing when the available free memory area is secured by the search. Memory diversion process,
It is characterized by having.

Also, for example, in the expansion step, a special expansion memory is used.

Further, for example, in the control step of controlling the whole, a dedicated control memory is used.

For example, in the image forming step, the image reading step of reading an image, or the display step of changing a setting or displaying a use state, a dedicated memory is used.

Also, for example, if the expansion memory is saturated before the expansion processing using the expansion memory is completed, the status is notified that the expansion processing cannot be continued. I do.

For example, in the interruption step, when the expansion memory is saturated, a part of the control memory is used as the expansion memory.

In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is, an image forming process including: a developing process of developing print data received from an external device in a developing memory; and an image forming process of forming an image using the print data developed by the developing process. A storage medium storing an image forming processing program for controlling the image forming processing program, wherein the image forming processing program runs out of the developing memory capacity when developing the print data in the developing memory in the developing step. An interruption step of interrupting the expansion processing in the event that the processing is interrupted, and searching for an available free memory area when the expansion processing is interrupted, and securing the available free memory area by the search. And a memory diversion step of restarting the processing.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiments, the image forming apparatus and the image forming method are described, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the described examples.

[Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The main controller 4, the scanner 7, the display 9, the print controller 5, and the printer 8 are connected to the image forming apparatus 10 via the main bus 1.

The main controller 4 includes a main bus 1
The main controller unit 4 has a built-in control memory 2 used for the main controller unit 4.

The print controller unit 5 is connected to an external personal computer (PC) 6 or the like by, for example, a dedicated line 11, and has a print controller memory 3 built therein.

Data described in a page description language (PD
L data) and data such as print data input by a scanner or the like (hereinafter, referred to as print data).
Is transmitted to the print controller unit 5 via the dedicated line 11 by an external personal computer (PC) 6 or the like.

The print controller 5 develops the print data transferred from the personal computer 6 in the print controller memory 3 and sends the data to the main bus 1.

The scanner unit 7 sends read data such as a document image to the main bus 1 and the printer unit 8
Is to obtain data created by the print controller 5 or the like from the main bus 1, print out print data on recording paper, and obtain a print image.

The display section 9 displays the state of the image forming apparatus 10 on a panel, and allows the user to perform various operations such as changing various settings of the image forming apparatus 10 using ten keys.

[Measurement of Expanded Memory Amount and Method of Eliminating Memory Insufficiency] Next, when a large amount of received print data is expanded and output, the image quality of an output object caused by insufficient memory at the time of expansion is reduced. To prevent this, the amount of memory required to expand the print data is measured in advance, and if it is determined by measurement that the amount of memory required for expansion is insufficient, the necessary memory is secured before the print data is expanded. The method will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

For example, the procedure from receiving the print data transmitted from the personal computer 6, developing the data, and outputting the print data is as follows.

First, in step S201, when the print controller 5 receives the print data transferred from the personal computer 6, then in step S201
Proceeding to 202, the print controller 5 uses the built-in print controller memory 3 to start developing the received print data.

Next, the process proceeds to step S203, where the developed data is stored in the print controller memory 3 while the received print data is sequentially developed in the receiving order.

At the time of developing the print data, a status check at the time of storage in the print controller memory 3 is performed in order to check that the required development memory is secured in the print controller memory 3. Here, the status of the print controller memory 3 is checked, and if it is determined that the expansion memory necessary for expansion of the print data is not insufficient, the process proceeds to step S204 to expand the print data. Check if it has finished.

If it is determined in step S204 that the development of the print data has not been completed, the process returns to step S202, and the above-described processing of developing the print data is continuously performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S204 that the processing for expanding the print data has been completed, the flow advances to step S205.

In step S205, the developed print data is transferred to the main bus 1 in accordance with an instruction from the main controller 4, and then in step S206.
Proceed to.

In step S206, the print data transferred to the main bus 1 is transferred to the printer unit 8 under the control of the main controller 4, and printed by the printer unit 8.

On the other hand, in step S203, the status of the print controller memory 3 is checked, and in step S202, the amount of memory required for expanding the print data calculated in advance and the remaining capacity of the print controller memory 3 are determined. In comparison, if it is determined that the expansion memory required for expanding the print data is insufficient, the process proceeds to step S207.

In step S207, the print controller 5 temporarily suspends the processing for expanding the print data and performs processing for securing the memory, so that the print controller 5 transmits the print data to the main controller 4 via the main bus 1. On the other hand, after inquiring about the availability of the main controller memory 2, the process proceeds to step S208.

In step S208, the main controller 4 has a sufficient memory 2 for the main controller to perform the overall control of the image forming apparatus 10.
The main controller memory 2 has a free space.

In order to confirm the free space of the main controller memory 2, the main controller 4 first calculates the value of the memory amount required for expanding the print data calculated in step S 202, When an inquiry is made to the print controller unit 5 via the main bus 1 and the value of the memory is obtained, the value is compared with the free space of the main controller memory 2 to confirm that the free space of the main controller memory 2 is secured. Then, the amount of memory required for data expansion is secured.

Next, the main controller 4 reserves a part of the vacant capacity of the main controller memory 2 for the print data expansion processing with respect to the print controller 5 via the main bus 1. , And the process proceeds to step S209.

In step S209, the interruption of the print data development processing is released, and the print data development processing is resumed using the free space secured in the main controller memory 2 of the main controller 4. ,
Proceed to step S210.

In step S210, the processing is continued until the development (writing) of the print data to the secured main controller memory 2 is completed. When the development of the print data is completed, step S205 is performed.
Proceed to.

In step S205, the developed print data is transferred to the main bus 1, and then in step S205.
In step 206, the developed print data is transferred to the print unit, and printed.

As described above, in the image processing apparatus 10, even when the data amount of the print data is large and the capacity of the print controller memory 3 in the print controller 5 is insufficient, the development of the printer data is performed in advance. The required amount of memory is measured, and a part of the vacant area of the control memory of the main controller is diverted as a memory for developing data for printing, so that the main controller memory 2 in the main controller 4 can be used. Even if the data amount of the print data is large regardless of the capacity of the memory 3, the data can be developed without any problem, and printing can be performed without lowering the resolution.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a part of the vacant area of the control memory of the main controller is diverted and used as the print data developing memory. However, the scope of the present invention is limited to the described example. Instead, any memory that can be used can be used.

Further, the print data need not be limited to data transferred from the dedicated personal computer 6, but may be various devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device) via a LAN or the Internet. , A reader, a copier, a facsimile machine, a multifunction peripheral, etc.).

[0049]

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

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. Alternatively, it is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing some or all of the actual processing, and the processing performs the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into 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. Needless to say, the CPU included 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.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the above-described flowchart (shown in FIG. 2).

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When expanding and outputting a large amount of received print data, the amount of memory required for expanding the print data is measured in advance, and if it is determined by measurement that the amount of memory required for expansion is insufficient, another It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of borrowing memory and securing necessary memory before developing print data, thereby preventing a decrease in image quality of an output product due to a shortage of memory at the time of development.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming method according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main bus 2 Memory for main controller 3 Memory for print controller 4 Main controller unit 5 Print controller unit 6 Personal computer (PC) 7 Scanner unit 8 Printer unit 9 Display unit 10 Image forming device 11 Dedicated line

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2C087 AA03 AA09 AB01 AB05 AC08 BA14 BC06 BC07 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB04 BB10 CC02 CC06 DD03 QQ04 5B047 AA01 CA21 CB25 EA01 EB15 5C073 AA03 BA06 BC02 CB01 9A001 BB03 BB03 BB03

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing unit configured to develop print data received from an external device into a developing memory; and an image forming unit configured to form an image using the print data developed by the developing unit. In the image forming apparatus, when the expansion memory capacity is insufficient when expanding the print data by the expansion unit, an interruption unit that interrupts the expansion process; and a case where the expansion process is interrupted by the interruption unit. A memory that searches for an available free memory area and, when the available free memory area is secured by the search, uses a part of the free memory area as the expansion processing memory and resumes the expansion processing An image forming apparatus comprising: a diversion unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developing unit includes the developing memory. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main controller for controlling the whole includes a control memory. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the image forming unit, the image reading unit that reads an image, and the display unit that displays a setting change or a use state has a dedicated memory. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 5. If the expansion memory saturates before the expansion processing using the expansion memory is completed, a status is notified that the expansion processing cannot be continued. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the suspending unit uses a part of the control memory as the development memory when the development memory is saturated. 7. A developing step of developing print data received from an external device into a developing memory, and an image forming step of forming an image using the print data developed by the developing step. In the image forming method, an interruption step of interrupting the expansion processing when the expansion memory capacity is insufficient when expanding the print data in the expansion memory in the expansion step; and wherein the expansion processing is interrupted. A method of searching for an available free memory area, and resuming the expansion process when the available free memory area is secured by the search. 8. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein the developing step uses a dedicated developing memory. 9. The control step for controlling the entire system includes using a dedicated control memory.
Or the image forming method according to claim 8. 10. A dedicated memory is used in each of the image forming step, the image reading step of reading an image, and the display step of changing settings and displaying a use state. The image forming method according to any one of the above items. 11. When the expansion memory saturates before the expansion processing using the expansion memory is completed, a status is notified that the expansion processing cannot be continued. The image forming method according to claim 7. 12. The image forming method according to claim 9, wherein in said suspending step, when said developing memory is saturated, a part of said control memory is used as said developing memory. 13. An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing step of developing print data received from an external device into a developing memory; and an image forming step of forming an image using the print data developed by the developing step. A storage medium storing an image forming processing program for controlling image forming processing, wherein the image forming processing program stores the print data in the developing memory when the print data is developed in the developing memory in the developing step. An interruption step of interrupting the expansion processing when the capacity is insufficient; and, when the expansion processing is interrupted, searching for an available free memory area and securing the available free memory area by the search. And a memory diversion step of restarting the expansion processing.