JP2002337399A - Image output unit, its controlling method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output unit, its controlling method, and a storage medium, in which print overrun can be prevented while sustaining a highest print speed. SOLUTION: When a page of intermediate data is stored in a page buffer 5020 and a page under processing or a page waiting processing exists in the page buffer 5020, a rendering predicting section 5070 makes a decision whether head two bands in the intermediate data can be rendered between sheets or not. The decision is made based on the inter sheet time measured for each kind of sheet and stored in a specified area in an RAM. When the head two bands can be rendered between sheets, a print signal is delivered from a print signal designating section 5090 to an engine output control section 5050 and the head two bands are rendered between sheets before being stored in a band memory. Upon receiving an output designation signal from a printer engine 5060, the engine output control section 5050 outputs the head two bands stored in the band memory 5040 in synchronism with the printer engine 5060.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image output apparatus such as a printer connected to an information processing apparatus such as a host computer, a control method thereof, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image output device, for example, a printer such as a well-known laser beam printer is connected to a host computer using a standard interface cable, and a PDL (Page Description Language) is transmitted from the host computer.
When the image signal described in (1) is input, the image signal is interpreted in a portion called a controller, and the bitmap data of 2 is output to the printer engine.
It is converted into a value signal so that a hard copy can be obtained from the printer.

In recent years, a laser beam printer, which is a page printer, has been required to have a high speed, and in particular, it has been required to realize a maximum printing speed when a plurality of pages are continuously output. On the other hand, cost reduction is also required. Therefore, in order to reduce the increased memory capacity, a laser beam printer, which is a page printer, does not have a bitmap memory for one page like a serial printer, but has a band memory. Many products that adopt a banding processing method that develops as a bitmap and outputs the data in synchronization with the printer engine have been commercialized. In such a laser beam printer, since it is necessary to output bitmap data from the controller in synchronization with the printer engine, it is necessary to render the first few bands in advance, and therefore, it is calculated from the theoretical printing speed. Within the specified paper interval time (fixed value), it is predicted whether or not the first few bands can be rendered. If rendering is possible, the controller outputs a print signal for notifying the printer engine of the output possible state in advance. I have to.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional laser beam printer, it is predicted whether or not the first few bands can be rendered within the inter-sheet time (fixed value) calculated from the theoretical printing speed. Since the actual paper interval varies depending on individual printers and usage conditions even for the same printer, if the actual paper interval is shorter than the above theoretical interval, the first few bands , The output of bitmap data of the first few bands may not be able to keep up with the processing speed of the printer engine (hereinafter, referred to as “print overrun”).

As a solution to this problem, there is a method of shortening the above logical sheet interval. However, if this method is adopted, it is predicted that rendering of the first few bands between sheets is impossible. However, there is a problem that the maximum printing speed cannot be maintained.

That is, while maintaining the maximum printing speed,
In order to prevent print overrun, it was necessary to use the measured inter-sheet time (variable value) to predict whether the first few bands could be rendered within the inter-sheet time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image output apparatus capable of preventing a print overrun while maintaining a maximum print speed, a control method thereof, and a storage medium. Aim.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an image output apparatus according to claim 1 interprets image information consisting of a plurality of pages input from an information processing apparatus, and comprises a plurality of bands and a plurality of pages. Control means for generating predetermined intermediate data consisting of intermediate codes of the above and developing (hereinafter referred to as “rendering”) into printable bitmap data; and printing means for printing the expanded bitmap data on a print medium. An image output apparatus that renders a predetermined number of bands at the head of each page in advance and outputs the band to the printing unit, wherein the inter-paper time from the rear end of each page of the plurality of pages to the front end of the next page is determined. A measuring means for measuring, and a prediction for predicting whether or not the predetermined band at the head can be rendered within the sheet interval time measured by the measuring means And a notifying means for notifying the printing means in advance from the control means when the prediction means predicts that the predetermined number of bands can be rendered from the beginning within the inter-sheet time. It is characterized by having.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image output apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the sheet interval time measured by the measuring means is stored in a storage device; Reading means for reading an interval time, wherein the predicting means predicts whether or not the predetermined number of bands at the beginning can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read by the reading means. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus according to the second aspect, the storage unit stores the sheet interval measured by the measurement unit in the storage unit for each type of print medium. The reading means reads the inter-sheet time from the storage device for each type of the same print medium, and the predicting means sets the top predetermined number of sheets within the inter-sheet time read by the reading means. It is characterized by predicting whether or not the band can be rendered.

In order to achieve the above object, an image output device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention interprets image information consisting of a plurality of pages input from an information processing device and generates a predetermined image consisting of a plurality of bands and a plurality of intermediate codes. Control means for generating intermediate data of the image data and developing the image data into printable bitmap data (hereinafter referred to as "rendering"); and printing means for printing the expanded bitmap data on a print medium. In an image output device that renders the leading predetermined band in advance and outputs it to the printing unit, a measuring unit that measures a sheet interval time from a rear end of each of the plurality of pages to a front end of the next page,
A predicting unit that predicts whether or not the predetermined number of bands can be rendered within the inter-paper time measured by the measuring unit; and, before printing is started by the printing unit, the printing medium is printed immediately before printing. Transport means for transporting to the state of, and instructing means for instructing transport by the transport means when the predicting means predicts that the predetermined band at the beginning can be rendered within the inter-sheet time. It is characterized by having.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus according to the fourth aspect, there is provided storage means for storing a sheet interval time measured by the measuring means in a storage device, and Reading means for reading an interval time, wherein the predicting means predicts whether or not the predetermined number of bands at the beginning can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read by the reading means. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the storage means stores, in the storage device, a sheet interval measured by the measurement means for each type of print medium. The reading means reads the inter-sheet time from the storage device for each type of the same print medium, and the predicting means sets the top predetermined number of sheets within the inter-sheet time read by the reading means. It is characterized by predicting whether or not the band can be rendered.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an image output apparatus, comprising: interpreting image information of a plurality of pages input from an information processing apparatus; Control means for generating predetermined intermediate data consisting of: and developing the bitmap data into printable bitmap data (hereinafter referred to as “rendering”); and printing means for printing the expanded bitmap data on a print medium. In a control method for controlling an image output apparatus that renders a predetermined number of bands at the head of each page in advance and outputs the band to the printing unit, a sheet interval from a rear end of each page of the plurality of pages to a front end of a next page A measuring step for measuring time, and the predetermined number of bands at the beginning can be rendered within the sheet interval time measured by the measuring step A predicting step of predicting whether or not the predetermined number of bands can be rendered from the beginning within the inter-paper time by the predicting step. And a notifying step of notifying the user.

An image output device control method according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the control method for the image output device according to the seventh aspect, wherein the inter-sheet time measured in the measurement step is stored in a storage device. A reading step of reading the sheet interval time from the storage device, wherein the predicting step predicts whether or not the leading predetermined band can be rendered within the sheet interval read by the reading step. It is characterized by doing.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the control method of the image output apparatus according to the eighth aspect, in the storing step, the paper interval measured by the measuring means is determined for each type of print medium. The time is stored in the storage device, and in the reading step, the sheet interval time is read from the storage device for each type of the same print medium, and in the prediction step, the time is set within the sheet interval read by the reading step. It is characterized in that it is predicted whether or not the first predetermined band can be rendered.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an image output apparatus, comprising the steps of: interpreting image information of a plurality of pages input from an information processing apparatus; Control means for generating predetermined intermediate data consisting of: and developing the bitmap data into printable bitmap data (hereinafter referred to as “rendering”); and printing means for printing the expanded bitmap data on a print medium. In a control method for controlling an image output apparatus that renders a predetermined number of bands at the head of each page in advance and outputs the band to the printing unit, a sheet interval from a rear end of each page of the plurality of pages to a front end of a next page A measuring step of measuring time, and rendering of the predetermined band at the top within the sheet interval time measured by the measuring step A prediction step of predicting whether or not the printing medium is to be conveyed to a state immediately before printing by a conveying means before printing is started by the printing means; and And an instruction step of instructing the conveyance means to convey when it is predicted that the predetermined number of bands can be rendered.

The control method of an image output device according to claim 11 is the control method of the image output device according to claim 10,
The method has a storage step of storing the sheet interval time measured by the measurement step in a storage device, and a reading step of reading the sheet interval time from the storage device. It is characterized in that it is predicted whether or not the predetermined number of bands at the top can be rendered within the paper interval time.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image output device control method according to the eleventh aspect.
In the storing step, the inter-paper time measured by the measuring step is stored in the storage device for each type of print medium, and in the reading step, the inter-paper time is stored in the storage device for each type of the same print medium. And predicting in the prediction step whether or not the predetermined number of bands at the top can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read in the reading step.

In order to achieve the above object, a storage medium according to a thirteenth aspect interprets image information composed of a plurality of pages input from an information processing apparatus, and stores a predetermined number of a plurality of bands and a plurality of intermediate codes. Generate intermediate data,
Control means for developing the bitmap data into printable bitmap data (hereinafter referred to as "rendering"); and printing means for printing the developed bitmap data on a print medium. A storage medium storing a computer-implementable program, including a control method for controlling an image output device that outputs an image to a printing unit after rendering in advance, wherein the control method includes a rear end of each of the plurality of pages. A measurement step of measuring a paper interval time from the top of the next page to a next page, and a prediction step of predicting whether or not the predetermined number of bands can be rendered within the paper interval time measured by the measurement step, When the prediction step predicts that a predetermined number of bands can be rendered from the top within the inter-paper time, , And having a notification step of notifying the output state from previously said control means to said printing means.

According to a fourteenth aspect, a storage medium according to the first aspect is provided.
3. In the storage medium of 3, the control method further includes a storage step of storing the sheet interval time measured in the measurement step in a storage device, and a reading step of reading the sheet interval time from the storage device. The predicting step predicts whether or not the first predetermined band can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read in the reading step.

A storage medium according to claim 15 is the storage medium according to claim 1.
In the storage medium according to the fourth aspect, in the storing step, the interval between sheets measured by the measuring unit is stored in the storage device for each type of print medium, and in the reading step, the same print medium is stored in the storage device. The inter-sheet time is read for each type, and in the predicting step, it is predicted whether or not the predetermined band at the top can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read in the reading step.

In order to achieve the above object, a storage medium according to a sixteenth aspect interprets image information composed of a plurality of pages input from an information processing apparatus, and stores a predetermined number of a plurality of bands and a plurality of intermediate codes. Generate intermediate data,
Control means for developing the bitmap data into printable bitmap data (hereinafter referred to as "rendering"); and printing means for printing the developed bitmap data on a print medium. A storage medium storing a computer-implementable program, including a control method for controlling an image output device that outputs an image to a printing unit after rendering in advance, wherein the control method includes a rear end of each of the plurality of pages. A measurement step of measuring a paper interval time from the top of the next page to a next page, and a prediction step of predicting whether or not the predetermined number of bands can be rendered within the paper interval time measured by the measurement step, Before the printing by the printing unit is started, the conveyance by which the printing medium is conveyed to a state immediately before printing by the conveyance unit. And a commanding step for giving a transporting instruction by the transporting means when the predicting step predicts that the predetermined number of leading bands can be rendered within the inter-paper time. I do.

[0024] The storage medium according to the seventeenth aspect is the first aspect.
6. The storage medium according to 6, wherein the control method further includes: a storage step of storing the sheet interval time measured in the measurement step in a storage device; and a reading step of reading the sheet interval time from the storage device. The predicting step predicts whether or not the first predetermined band can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read in the reading step.

[0025] The storage medium according to the eighteenth aspect is the first aspect.
7. In the storage medium, in the storage step, the paper interval time measured in the measurement step is stored in the storage device for each type of print medium, and in the reading step, the same print medium is stored in the storage device from the storage device. The inter-sheet time is read for each type, and in the predicting step, it is predicted whether or not the predetermined band at the top can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read in the reading step.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of an image output apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and exemplifies a laser beam printer (LBP) as an example.

In the present embodiment, a laser beam printer is taken as an example of the image output device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that another printer such as an ink jet printer may be used.

In the figure, the LBP main body 1000 inputs and stores print information (character codes and the like), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer, and according to the information. A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper.

On the operation panel 1012, switches for operation, an LED display and the like are arranged.

The printer control unit 1001 is an LBP
It controls the entire main body 1000 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer. The analyzed character information is converted into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and output to the laser driver 1002.

The laser driver 1002 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and switches on / off a laser beam 1004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 according to an input video signal.

The laser beam 1004 is supplied to a rotary polygon mirror 1005
To scan and expose on the electrostatic drum 1006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1007 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1006, and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the LBP 1000.
Paper feed roller 1009, transport roller 1010
Then, the toner is taken into the apparatus by the transport roller 1011 and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1006.

The LBP body 1000 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an optional font card or a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts. I have.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer control system to which the image output device of the present embodiment is applied. In the present embodiment, a printer control system including a laser beam printer (FIG. 1) and a host computer will be described as an example. In addition, if the function of the present invention is executed, whether it is a single device or a system including a plurality of devices,
Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a (local area network).

In FIG. 2, a host computer 300
0 is provided with a CPU 1 for executing document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets and the like) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in a program ROM 3b which is a part of the ROM 3, The CPU 1 generally controls the devices 2, 3, 5 to 8 connected to the system bus 4.

Also, the program ROM 3b has a CP
A control program of U1 is stored, a font ROM 3a which is a part of the ROM 3 stores font data and the like used in the document processing, and a data ROM 3c which is a part of the ROM 3 stores the document ROM. Various data (for example, a fixed pattern, a test print form, and the like) used when performing processing and the like are stored.

The RAM 2 functions as a main memory of the CPU 1, a work area, and the like.

The keyboard controller (KBC) 5
It controls key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown).

The CRT controller (CRTC) 6
The display of the RT display (CRT) 10 is controlled.

A memory controller (MC) 7 controls access to an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) for storing boot programs, various applications, font data, user files, edited files, and the like, and a flexible disk (FD). I do.

The printer controller (PRTC) 8
Predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21
Is connected to the printer 1000 via the
The communication control process with the 00 is executed.

The CPU 1 executes a process of developing (rasterizing) an outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, for example, and
YSIWYG (what you see is what you get) is possible. Further, the CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 1000, the printer CP
U12 is a program ROM which is a part of the ROM 13
Various devices 13, 16, 18 to 18 connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program or the like stored in the memory 13 b or a control program or the like stored in the external memory 14.
The controller 20 controls the access to the printing unit 20 and outputs an image signal as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the printing unit interface 16.

Further, the program ROM 13b has a CP
A control program of U12 is stored, and a font ROM 13a, which is a part of the ROM 13, stores font data and the like used when generating the output information.
In the case of a printer having no external memory 14, such as a hard disk, information used on the host computer 3000 is stored in the data ROM 13c which is a part of the OM 13.

The CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer 3000 via the input unit 18 and can notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer 1000 and the like.

The RAM 19 is a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown). In addition,
The RAM 19 is used for an output information development area, an environment data storage area, an NVRAM, and the like.

The external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card is provided with a memory controller (M
C) Access is controlled by 20. External memory 14
Is connected as an option and stores font data, emulation programs, form data, and the like.

The input unit 18 is the above-described operation panel, on which switches for operation, an LED display and the like are arranged.

The external memory 14 is not limited to one,
At least one or more may be provided so that a plurality of external memories storing an optional font card and a program for interpreting a printer control language of a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store the printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1012.

The image output processing executed by the image output apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image output apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is determined whether the rendering time of the first two bands is possible between sheets based on the actually measured time between sheets. It was done.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the procedure of an image output process executed by the image output apparatus of the present embodiment, in particular, the CPU 12.

First, when data is input from the host computer 3000, the data is temporarily stored in a receiving buffer (not shown), and then the command analysis / edit processing unit 5000 analyzes and edits the command (steps S1 and S5).
2). The command analysis and edited data is transmitted to the intermediate data generation unit 5010, and the intermediate data generation unit 5010
Generates intermediate data (step S3) and stores it in the page buffer 5020 (step S4). And 1
Until the intermediate data for the page is processed, the above step S
The processes of 1 to S4 are repeated (step S5).

When one page of intermediate data is stored in the page buffer 5020, it is determined whether there is a page being processed or waiting for processing in the page buffer 5020 (step S6). If exists, the rendering prediction unit 5070 calculates
It is determined whether the first two bands of the intermediate data can be rendered between sheets (step S7). Here, the determination in step S7 is, for example, measured for each paper type,
This is performed based on the sheet interval time stored in the predetermined area of M19.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a storage format of the sheet interval measurement value for each sheet type stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 19. From the sheet interval measurement value for each sheet type stored in this way, the sheet interval measurement value of the sheet type for which an image is currently being output is read out.
It is determined whether or not the first two bands can be rendered within the time of the read sheet interval measurement value.

The paper interval time can be calculated, for example, from the paper passage time detected by a jam sensor (not shown) or the cycle of a TOP signal (vertical synchronization signal indicating the head of the paper) at the maximum throughput. The inter-sheet measurement value calculated in this manner is, for example, (1) every predetermined cycle,
(2) For each predetermined number of prints, and (3) At the time of starting the apparatus or at a timing after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start, the information is updated and stored.

Returning to FIG. 5, if it is determined in step S7 that the first two bands can be rendered between the sheets, a print signal is output from the print signal instructing unit 5090 to the engine output control unit 5050 (step S8). After the rendering of the first two bands, the data is stored in the band memory (step S9).

On the other hand, if there is no page being processed or waiting to be processed in step S6, rendering is performed for the first two bands, stored in the band memory 5040, and then a print signal is transmitted (steps S10 and S11). ).

Also, in step S7, even if the first two bands cannot be rendered between sheets, rendering of the first two bands is performed and stored in the band memory 5040, and then a print signal is transmitted (steps S10 and S11). ).

Upon receiving the output instruction signal from printer engine 5060 (step S12), engine output control unit 5050 outputs the first two bands stored in band memory 5040 in synchronization with printer engine 5060 (step S13). . Subsequently, rendering for the third and subsequent bands is performed, stored in the band memory 5040 (step S14), and output in synchronization with the printer engine 5060 (step S15). Then, printing is performed by the printer engine 5060 while maintaining synchronization with the printer engine 5060 until all the intermediate data for one page stored in the page buffer 5020 is processed (step S16).

The process of rendering the bitmap by the rendering processing unit 5030 must be equal to or faster than the process of inputting the bitmap by the printer engine 5060.

FIG. 7 shows the case where the top 2
10 is a timing chart illustrating exchange of signals between an engine output control unit 5050 and a printer engine 5060 when a band can be rendered between sheets of paper.

The engine output control unit 5050 outputs a print signal to the printer engine 5060,
It causes the rendering processing unit 5030 to perform rendering processing of the first two bands of the first page. Printer engine 5
060, upon receiving the print signal, outputs an engine output instruction signal to the engine output control unit 5050. The bit map data of the first page is output in synchronization with the engine output instruction signal, and then the sheet of the first page is conveyed. Immediately after the output of the bitmap data of the first page is finished, the engine output control unit 5050 outputs a print signal to the printer engine 5060, and at the same time, the rendering processing unit 5030 sends the print signal to the rendering processing unit 5030.
Causes the band to be rendered. Upon receiving the print signal, printer engine 5060 outputs an engine output instruction signal to engine output control unit 5050.
The bitmap data on the second page is output in synchronization with the engine output instruction signal, and then the second page is conveyed. Similar operations are repeated for the third and subsequent pages.

The time interval t1 between the first page and the second page
Is the shortest, and as a result, the time t2 from the start of feeding the first page to the end of the discharge of the second page is also short, and the same applies to the third and subsequent pages, so that the maximum printing speed can be maintained. Becomes

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the exchange of signals between the engine output control unit 5050 and the printer engine 5060 when the first two bands cannot be rendered between sheets between all pages.

When the rendering process of the first two bands of the first page is completed, the engine output control unit 5050 outputs a print signal to the printer engine 5060. Upon receiving the print signal, printer engine 5060 outputs an engine output instruction signal to engine output control unit 5050. The bit map data of the first page is output in synchronization with the engine output instruction signal, and then the sheet of the first page is conveyed. Immediately after the output of the bitmap data of the first page is completed, the engine output control unit 5050 causes the printer engine 5060 to perform the rendering processing of the first two bands of the second page. When the rendering process of the first two bands on the second page is completed,
The engine output control unit 5050 includes the printer engine 50
A print signal is output to 60. Printer engine 50
Upon receiving the print signal, 60 outputs an engine output instruction signal to engine output control unit 5050. The bitmap data of the second page is output in synchronization with the engine output instruction signal, and then the sheet of the second page is conveyed. Similar operations are repeated for the third and subsequent pages.

The time interval t3 between the first page and the second page
Is dependent on the rendering processing time of the first two bands of the second page, and as a result, the time t4 from the start of feeding the first page to the end of the discharge of the second page is also equal to the rendering of the first two bands of the second page. Since the same applies to the third and subsequent pages depending on the processing time, it is impossible to maintain the maximum print speed.

The paper interval measuring section 5080 is designed to use a paper sensor (not shown) attached to the printer engine 5060.

Next, an image output device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The image output device of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first
In the image output device according to the embodiment, when the rendering of the first two bands is possible between sheets, a prefeed is further performed. Note that pre-feed refers to a function of feeding paper from a paper cassette by a printer engine before starting printing and transporting the paper to a state immediately before printing. In this manner, by performing the pre-feed, the paper path is apparently shortened, so that the maximum print speed is easily maintained. However, printing of pre-fed paper must be started within a certain period of time due to mechanical restrictions. Therefore, rendering of the first two bands must be performed between papers.

The image output device of the present embodiment and the first
Since this is different from the image output device of the second embodiment, the image output device of the present embodiment can be realized only by changing the control processing of the image output device of the first embodiment. it can. Therefore, the same hardware as the image output device of the first embodiment, that is, the hardware shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image output apparatus according to the present embodiment, and is different from the block diagram of FIG. 3 in that a pre-feed signal instruction unit 5100 is added.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the procedure of an image output process executed by the image output apparatus, in particular, the CPU 12, of the present embodiment. This image output processing is different from the image output processing of FIGS.
1 in that a pre-feed signal output process 1 is added.

As described above, when the first two bands can be rendered between sheets, a print signal is output (step S8), and a pre-feed signal is output from the pre-feed signal instruction unit 5100 (step S21). Thus, the image output device according to the present embodiment can be realized.

A storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved by reading and executing the stored program code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
A D-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used. Further, the program code may be supplied from a server computer via a communication network.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS or the like running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. Does a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since it is determined whether or not the rendering time of the first predetermined band is possible between sheets, based on the actually measured sheet interval time, it is possible to prevent print overrun while maintaining the maximum print speed.

Further, according to the present invention, when the rendering time of the first predetermined band is possible between sheets, pre-feeding is further performed, so that the maximum printing speed is maintained while maintaining the maximum printing speed. It is possible to prevent print overrun.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image output device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer control system to which the image output device of FIG. 1 is applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image output device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an image output process executed by the image output device of FIG. 1, in particular, a CPU;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure following the image output processing of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a storage format of a memory that stores a sheet interval measurement time.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the exchange of signals between the engine output control unit and the printer engine in FIG. 3 when the first two bands can be rendered between sheets between all pages.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the exchange of signals between the engine output control unit and the printer engine in FIG. 3 when the first two bands cannot be rendered between sheets between all pages.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image output device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an image output process executed by an image processing apparatus, particularly, a CPU according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure following the image output processing of FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 System bus 12 CPU 13 ROM 19 RAM 3000 Host computer 1000 Printer 5000 Command analysis / edit processing unit 5010 Intermediate data generation unit 5020 Page buffer 5030 Rendering processing unit 5040 Band memory 5050 Engine output control unit 5060 Printer engine 5070 Rendering prediction unit 5080 Paper interval measurement unit 5090 Print signal instruction unit 5100 Pre-feed signal instruction unit

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AQ06 AS02 HJ03 HK23 HN15 2C087 AB05 AC08 BA03 BA05 BC01 BC05 BD46 5B021 AA01 BB00 DD00 NN12 5C074 AA15 BB03 DD11 EE06 HH02 HH04

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. Interpreting image information composed of a plurality of pages input from an information processing apparatus, generating predetermined intermediate data composed of a plurality of bands and a plurality of intermediate codes, and developing the intermediate data into printable bitmap data ( Hereinafter referred to as “rendering”), and printing means for printing the developed bitmap data on a printing medium, and rendering a predetermined number of bands at the top of each page in advance, and then An image output device for outputting, wherein a measuring means for measuring a paper interval time from a rear end of each page of the plurality of pages to a front end of the next page; and the predetermined predetermined time within the paper interval time measured by the measuring means. Estimating means for estimating whether or not the number of bands can be rendered; and the estimating means uses the predetermined number of bands from the top within the inter-sheet time. And an informing unit for informing the printing unit in advance of an output possible state when the control unit predicts that rendering is possible. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit configured to store a paper interval time measured by the measurement unit in a storage device; and a reading unit that reads the paper interval time from the storage device. 2. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is predicted whether or not the predetermined number of bands at the beginning can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read by the means. 3. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein:
The paper interval time measured by the measurement unit is stored in the storage device, the reading unit reads the paper interval time for each type of the same print medium from the storage device, and the prediction unit is configured by the reading unit 3. The image output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it is predicted whether or not the first predetermined band can be rendered within the read sheet interval time. 4. Interpreting image information composed of a plurality of pages input from an information processing apparatus, generating predetermined intermediate data composed of a plurality of bands and composed of a plurality of intermediate codes, and developing them into printable bitmap data ( Hereinafter referred to as “rendering”), and printing means for printing the developed bitmap data on a printing medium, and rendering a predetermined number of bands at the top of each page in advance, and then An image output device for outputting, wherein a measuring means for measuring a paper interval time from a rear end of each page of the plurality of pages to a front end of the next page; and the predetermined predetermined time within the paper interval time measured by the measuring means. Prediction means for predicting whether or not the number of bands can be rendered; and before printing is started by the printing means, the printing medium is directly printed. Transport means for transporting to the previous state; and instructing means for instructing transport by the transport means when the predicting means predicts that the leading predetermined band can be rendered within the inter-sheet time. An image output device comprising: 5. A storage device for storing a paper interval time measured by the measuring device in a storage device, and a reading device for reading the paper interval time from the storage device. 5. The image output apparatus according to claim 4, wherein it is predicted whether or not the predetermined number of the first bands can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read by the means. 6. The storage means, for each type of print medium,
The paper interval time measured by the measurement unit is stored in the storage device, the reading unit reads the paper interval time for each type of the same print medium from the storage device, and the prediction unit is configured by the reading unit 6. The image output apparatus according to claim 5, wherein it is predicted whether or not the first predetermined band can be rendered within the read sheet interval time. 7. Interpreting image information of a plurality of pages input from an information processing apparatus, generating predetermined intermediate data of a plurality of bands and a plurality of intermediate codes, and developing the intermediate data into printable bitmap data ( Hereinafter referred to as “rendering”), and printing means for printing the developed bitmap data on a printing medium, and rendering a predetermined number of bands at the top of each page in advance, and then In a control method for controlling an image output device to output, a measuring step of measuring a paper interval time from a rear end of each page of the plurality of pages to a front end of a next page, and within a paper interval time measured by the measuring step A prediction step of predicting whether or not the first predetermined number of bands can be rendered, and An informing step of informing the printing unit of an output enable state from the control unit in advance when it is predicted that the predetermined number of bands can be rendered from the top within a time period. Control method. 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage step of storing the sheet interval time measured in the measurement step in a storage device; and a reading step of reading the sheet interval time from the storage device. The method according to claim 7, wherein it is predicted whether or not the predetermined number of the first bands can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read in the step. 9. In the storing step, for each type of print medium, the inter-paper time measured by the measuring unit is stored in the storage device. In the reading step, the same print medium type is stored in the storage device. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the inter-sheet time is read every time, and in the estimating step, it is estimated whether or not the predetermined number of the first bands can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read in the reading step. 3. The method for controlling an image output device according to claim 1. 10. Interpreting image information consisting of a plurality of pages input from an information processing device, generating predetermined intermediate data consisting of a plurality of bands and a plurality of intermediate codes,
Control means for developing the bitmap data into printable bitmap data (hereinafter referred to as "rendering"); and printing means for printing the developed bitmap data on a print medium. A control method for controlling an image output device that renders in advance and outputs the image to the printing unit, comprising: a measuring step of measuring a sheet interval time from a rear end of each of the plurality of pages to a front end of a next page; A predicting step of predicting whether or not the leading predetermined band can be rendered within the inter-paper time measured by the step; and printing the print medium by a transport unit before printing is started by the printing unit. A transporting step of transporting the sheet to the immediately preceding state, and the predicting step, wherein the predetermined number of the heads within the inter-paper time is An instruction step of instructing a transport by the transport unit when it is predicted that the band can be rendered. 11. A storage step of storing the paper interval time measured in the measurement step in a storage device, and a reading step of reading the paper interval time from the storage device. 11. The control method according to claim 10, wherein it is predicted whether or not the first predetermined number of bands can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read in the step. 12. The storage step stores, for each type of print medium, the inter-paper time measured by the measurement step in the storage device, and in the reading step, the same print medium type is stored in the storage device. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the inter-sheet time is read every time, and in the estimating step, it is estimated whether or not the predetermined number of bands at the top can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read in the reading step. 3. The method for controlling an image output device according to claim 1. 13. Interpreting image information composed of a plurality of pages input from an information processing device, generating predetermined intermediate data composed of a plurality of bands and composed of a plurality of intermediate codes,
Control means for developing the bitmap data into printable bitmap data (hereinafter referred to as "rendering"); and printing means for printing the developed bitmap data on a print medium. A storage medium storing a computer-implementable program, including a control method of controlling an image output device that renders an image output to the printing unit in advance, wherein the control method includes: a rear end of each of the plurality of pages. A measurement step of measuring a paper interval time from the top of the next page to a next page, and a prediction step of predicting whether or not the first predetermined band can be rendered within the paper interval time measured by the measurement step, When it is predicted that the predetermined number of bands can be rendered from the top within the inter-paper time by the prediction step A notification step of notifying the printing unit of the output enabled state from the control unit in advance. 14. The control method further includes a storage step of storing the sheet interval time measured in the measurement step in a storage device, and a reading step of reading the sheet interval time from the storage device. 14. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein in the predicting step, it is predicted whether or not the predetermined number of leading bands can be rendered within the sheet interval read in the reading step. 15. The storage step stores, for each type of print medium, a paper interval time measured by the measuring unit in the storage device, and in the reading step, the same print medium type is stored in the storage device. 15. The inter-sheet time is read out every time, and in the predicting step, it is predicted whether or not the predetermined band at the beginning can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read out in the reading step. A storage medium according to claim 1. 16. Interpreting image information composed of a plurality of pages input from an information processing apparatus, generating predetermined intermediate data composed of a plurality of bands and composed of a plurality of intermediate codes,
Control means for developing the printable bitmap data (hereinafter referred to as "rendering"); and printing means for printing the developed bitmap data on a print medium. A storage medium storing a computer-implementable program, including a control method for controlling an image output apparatus that outputs an image to a printing unit after rendering in advance, wherein the control method includes: a rear end of each of the plurality of pages. A measuring step of measuring a paper interval time from the top of the next page to a next page, and a prediction step of predicting whether or not the first predetermined band can be rendered within the paper interval time measured by the measuring step, Before the printing by the printing means is started, the transport means transports the print medium to a state immediately before printing by the transport means. A feeding step; and an instruction step of instructing a transport by the transport unit when the predicting step predicts that the predetermined number of the first bands can be rendered within the inter-paper time. Storage medium. 17. The control method further includes: a storage step of storing the sheet interval time measured in the measurement step in a storage device; and a reading step of reading the sheet interval time from the storage device. 17. The storage medium according to claim 16, wherein in the predicting step, it is predicted whether or not the predetermined number of leading bands can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read in the reading step. 18. In the storing step, for each type of print medium, the inter-paper time measured in the measuring step is stored in the storage device. In the reading step, the same print medium type is stored in the storage device. 18. The inter-sheet time is read out every time, and in the predicting step, it is predicted whether or not the predetermined band at the beginning can be rendered within the inter-sheet time read out in the reading step. A storage medium according to claim 1.