JP2003341152A - Print control device, print control method, print system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A print control device, a print control method, and a print control method capable of using a RAM efficiently and executing reliable printing.
A printing system and a program are provided. SOLUTION: In a tandem printer, each color (Y) to be printed and output from a host computer is transferred.
MCK) The data size of the bitmap data is obtained (S12). The ratio of each color image data is calculated from the acquired data size (S13). Depending on the calculated percentage,
The size of the receiving buffer for each color bitmap data is set (S14).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print control device, a print control method, a print system, and a program for causing a printing device to print out bitmap data of a plurality of colors transferred from an external device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A color laser printer has four colors (YM
CK) toner is transferred to one photoconductor drum for each color, and is transferred to paper when all four color images are over, and four photoconductor drums corresponding to each color are arranged in series. There is a so-called tandem system in which a sheet is conveyed and transferred between images generated on each drum.

Further, as a printing method, PCL, LIPS
Page description language (PDL) such as
The printer interprets the PDL, expands the bitmap and executes the printing operation, and the PDL printing method in which an external device such as a host computer expands all the print data and transmits the bitmap data to the printer. There is a host-based printing method in which the bitmap data received in step 2 is output as video data to a printer engine to execute a printing operation.

In the host-based printing system, when the host starts transmitting the bitmap data and stores it in the printer's reception buffer to some extent, the printer performs the printing operation and starts the output of the video data. While receiving map data, it also outputs video.

This enables printing with a small receiving buffer capacity. Further, since rendering (bitmap expansion) is performed by the host computer, it is not necessary to mount a high-performance CPU on the printer, and it is possible to provide a printing system at low cost.

When a host-based printing system having such an advantage is constructed by a tandem type color laser printer, it is necessary to transfer image data from the host computer at the same time for four colors and output the four colors simultaneously as video data to the printer engine. There is. Therefore, the printer needs a reception buffer for four colors (YMCK). Conventionally, four receiving buffers of the same size for each color are fixedly secured in the memory (RAM).

[0007]

Normally, the image data for four colors that have been bit map expanded have the same size (A4, 600).
Although it is 4 Mbytes for each color in dpi), in order to reduce the data transfer time and the installed RAM capacity,
It is common to compress image data. Print image type (text, graphic, image, etc.)
Due to factors such as unevenness in colors used, dither patterns of different colors, and the like, the data size of each color after compression may vary considerably.

However, if the host-based printing system is constructed with a small-capacity RAM in order to reduce the cost and the receiving buffers are evenly assigned to each color, the buffer is insufficient for a certain color and data reception is in a waiting state. Since it was compressed to a very small size, it would all fit in the receive buffer, and there will be a situation in which there is room in the buffer.

In order to ensure successful printing with a small capacity RAM, it is necessary to capture as much image data as possible before printing is started. On the other hand, from the fact that the RAM has a margin, the usage of the RAM is inefficient, and it also causes printing to fail.

The present invention is for solving the above-mentioned problems, and acquires the data size of each color bitmap data to be printed out, and according to the acquired data size, the receiving buffer of each color bitmap data is stored. An object of the present invention is to provide a print control device, a print control method, a print system, and a program that can use a RAM efficiently and execute reliable printing by setting a size.

Further, the ratio of each color image data to be output to the printer engine is calculated in page units, and the size of the reception buffer of each color image data is set according to the calculated ratio, so that the RAM is used efficiently. An object of the present invention is to provide a print control device that can output image data to a printer engine smoothly and smoothly.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a print control apparatus of the present invention is a print control apparatus that causes a print apparatus to print out bitmap data of a plurality of colors transferred from an external device. And an acquisition unit that acquires the data size of each color bitmap data to be printed out, and a setting unit that sets the size of the reception buffer of each color bitmap data according to the data size acquired by the acquisition unit. It is characterized by

Further, the print control device of the present invention is a print control device for executing the processing for outputting the image data transferred from the external device to the printer engine in parallel with respect to a plurality of colors and should be output to the printer engine. It is characterized in that it has a calculating means for calculating the ratio of each color image data in page units, and a setting means for setting the size of the receiving buffer of each color image data according to the ratio calculated by the calculating means.

The print control method of the present invention is a print control method for causing a printing apparatus to print out bitmap data of a plurality of colors transferred from an external device, and the data size of each color bitmap data to be printed out. And an setting step of setting the size of the reception buffer of the bitmap data of each color according to the data size acquired in the acquisition step.

Further, the printing system of the present invention is a printing system including a printing control device that causes the printing device to print out bit map data of a plurality of colors transferred from an external device, wherein the printing control device is a printing output. An acquisition unit that acquires the data size of each color bitmap data to be obtained, and a setting unit that sets the size of the reception buffer of each color bitmap data according to the data size acquired by the acquisition unit. And

Further, the program of the present invention is a program for executing a print control method for causing a printer to print out bitmap data of a plurality of colors transferred from an external device, and each color bitmap to be printed out. It is characterized by comprising an acquisition step of acquiring the data size of the data and a setting step of setting the size of the reception buffer of each color bitmap data according to the data size acquired in the acquisition step.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> [Description of Printer Control System (FIG. 1)] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a color host-based printer control system to which the present invention is applicable in the present embodiment. It is a figure. Here, a color laser beam printer (a printer having a configuration shown in FIG. 3 described later) will be described as an example. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied 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.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, which is based on a document processing program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3,
It is provided with a CPU 1 that executes document processing in which tables (including spreadsheets) are mixed. The CPU 1 generally controls each device connected to the system bus 4.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
The ROM 3 stores a control program of the CPU 1 and the like.
This font ROM stores font data and the like used in the above document processing, and the data ROM of ROM 3 stores various data used in the above document processing. A RAM 2 functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 1. 5 is a keyboard controller (KB
In C), key input from the keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown) is controlled. A CRT controller (CRTC) 6 controls the display of a CRT display (CRT) 10. 7 is a memory controller (MC),
Hard disk (HD), floppy (R) disk (F) that stores boot programs, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, etc.
Control access to the external memory 11 such as D). A printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 1000 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21, and the printer controller unit 10
The communication control processing with 01 is executed. The CPU 1
For example, WYSIWYG on the CRT 10 is possible by executing outline font rasterization processing on the display information RAM set on the RAM 2. Further, the CPU 1 opens various windows registered based on a command designated by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 1000, a printer CPU 12 generally controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in a program ROM of the ROM 13 and a printing unit. An image signal as output information is output to a print mechanism unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the interface 16. The program ROM of the ROM 13 stores the control program of the CPU 12 as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.
The CPU 12 is capable of performing communication processing with the host computer via the input unit 18, and is configured to notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer and the like. Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, etc. of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 19 is used for the YMCK color image data reception buffer area and the like according to the present invention. An operation panel 110 is provided with switches for operation, an LED display, and the like.

Next, FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 2 shows a control unit 1 of the host computer and a control unit 1 of the printer shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram illustrating a processing configuration of the host-based printing system in FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 3000 is a host computer that functions as a server or a client, for example, which outputs print information including print data and control codes to the printer 1000.

The printer 1000 is functionally divided into a controller section 100 and an operation panel section 11.
0, the printing mechanism unit 17. In this embodiment, as the printer 1000, specifically, a tandem type color laser beam printer (a printer having a configuration shown in FIG. 3 described later) is assumed.

In the printer 1000, 100 is a controller unit which is a main part of the present invention. The controller unit 100 is an interface (I / F) unit 18 which is a connecting means with the host computer 3000.
(Corresponding to the input unit 18), a reception buffer 101 for temporarily holding and managing received data and the like, a transmission buffer 102 for temporarily holding and managing transmission data and the like, and a command analysis unit 104 for analyzing print data. , Print control processing execution unit 105, image / memory control unit 103, output control unit 1
07 and the like. Interface (I /
The F) unit 18 is a communication unit that transmits / receives print data to / from the host computer 3000. The print data received through the interface (I / F) unit 18 is sequentially accumulated in the reception buffer 101, which is a storage unit that temporarily holds the data, and the command analysis unit 1 is used as necessary.
04 or the image / memory control unit 103 to read and process. The command analysis unit 104 is composed of a control program conforming to each print control command system and print job control language. The commands analyzed by the command analysis unit 104 are those related to image data such as bitmap data, which are processed by giving instructions to the image / memory control unit 103, and commands other than drawing such as paper feed selection and reset commands. The print control process execution unit 105 is instructed to perform the process.

The image control unit 103 removes the command portion from the transferred image data command data and stores it in the image data reception buffer 106. The video output buffer may be managed by this image data reception processing and the chasing of the output of the video signal to the printing mechanism unit (printer engine) 17, that is, banding control, or if there is sufficient memory, one page An area capable of storing minutes may be reserved as a video output buffer.

The operation panel 110 is for setting / displaying various states of the printer. The output control unit 107 converts the image bitmap data stored in the video output buffer 106 into a video signal, and transfers the video signal to the printing mechanism unit (printer engine) 17.
The printing mechanism unit 17 is a mechanism for forming a permanent visible image on the recording paper by using the received video signal.

The printer 1000 has been described above. Next, the configuration of the host computer 3000 will be described.

The host computer 3000 is configured as one computer system including the keyboard 9 as an input device, the mouse 220 as a pointing device, and the display monitor 10 as a display device. The host computer 3000 may be Windows (R), UNIX (R),
It is assumed that it is operating under a basic OS such as MacOS.

On the host computer side, the functions on the basic OS are roughly classified by focusing only on the portions related to the present invention.
Graphic device interface (hereinafter referred to as GDI) 202 which is a part of S, printer driver 20
3. It can be considered separately from the print spooler 204 that temporarily stores the data generated by the printer driver.

Although these names and functional frameworks may be slightly different depending on the basic OS, these names and frameworks are a big problem for the present invention as long as they are modules that can realize the functions related to the present invention. is not. Modules called GDI and printer drivers are Windows (R) 98 and Windows (R)
It is unique to NT, and can be realized in other basic OSs with a module called a graphic kernel or a print filter, for example. Similarly, the print spooler 204 can be realized by incorporating a process in a module called a print queue.

In general, the host computer 3000 including these components is the CPU shown in FIG.
Under hardware such as 1, RAM2, ROM3, and external memory 11, software called basic software (B
IOS) controls the control, and the application software operates under the basic software.

The printer driver 203 is also positioned as one of the application software. The application software 201 is, for example, application software that operates on basic software such as a word processor and a spreadsheet. Further, a plurality of application software programs are activated at any timing (varies depending on the main memory capacity), and these are shown as an application 206.

Next, a case where arbitrary image editing software is used as the application 201 will be described as an example.

In the application 201, the image editing work is mainly performed, and when printing the image,
Printing is executed by selecting a print menu displayed on the display monitor 10 with the mouse 220 or the like. Next, the application 201 calls the GDI 202 which is a partial function of the basic OS. This GDI202
Is a group of basic functions that controls display devices such as screen displays and printouts, and printing devices. By using this group of basic functions, application software of each company can identify parts that depend on the model (hardware). It is possible to operate application software without being aware of it.

Next, in the GDI 202, the printer driver 2 that manages information depending on the model of each printing device
03 to printing device (printer 1000 in this case)
The information such as the drawing capability and print resolution of the printer is fetched, the API function called from the application software 201 is processed, and the function provided by the printer driver to the GDI 202 is called according to the processing contents. This function is a predetermined interface (Div
ce Driver Interface (aka DDI)
Therefore, the creator of the printer driver creates the printer driver focusing on the data conversion from this interface to the actual printing device.

The printer driver 203 is a GDI 202.
Generation processing 207 of print data (image bitmap data) and generation of printer control commands based on the received DDI information and the print environment setting set by the graphical user interface (GUI) that the user has. The process 208 is performed.

The data compression processing 205 compresses the image data of four colors that have been bit-mapped in order to reduce the data transfer time and to reduce the RAM usage capacity of the printer.

Y compressed by the data compression processing 205
The print data of each color of MCK is sent to the print spooler 204. Further, these data are sent to the print spooler 204 and further to the host computer 30.
00 is sent to the printer 1000 via the I / F unit 8 which is a connecting means.

[Description of Laser Beam Printer (FIG. 3)]
In this embodiment, a printing mechanism of a tandem type color laser beam printer to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 304 denotes a laser output unit, which converts the pulsed image bit map data into an optical signal and turns on / off the irradiation of the laser beam. Laser output unit 304
The laser light emitted from is reflected by one side surface of the polygon mirror 305, and linearly scans (raster scans) the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 300. The photosensitive drum 3
00 is previously charged by the charger 303. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image is formed on the photosensitive drum 3.
00 surface. Next, the latent image is visualized by applying toner of each color from the developing device unit 301 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 300.

Such an image forming unit is operated by K (Bl
ack), M (Magenta), C (Cyan), Y
(Yellow) Four toners are provided, and four toners are arranged in series. That is, in each image forming unit, the steps of charging, exposing, developing and transferring are performed substantially in parallel. A sheet conveyed from a sheet feeding port such as a sheet feeding cassette 307 has a toner image transferred onto the sheet when passing through a transfer device 302. When all the toner images of KMCY are transferred onto the paper, the fixing devices 306 finally fix the toners of the respective colors onto the paper.

With the above configuration, full-color printing with four YMCK colors is realized.

[Description of Printer Operation] Next, the print operation in the color host-based printer control system of this embodiment will be described. As described above, if an attempt is made to construct a host-based printing system with a small-capacity RAM, a problem will occur in the storage process using the image data reception buffer 106.

That is, due to factors such as the type of print image (text, graphic, image, etc.), the bias of the colors used, the dither pattern of each color, and the like, the size of the received data of each color after compression varies considerably. Sometimes.

For this reason, when the image data receiving buffers 106 are evenly allocated for each color, there is a shortage of RAM for a color with a large data size, and a margin for the RAM for a color with a small data size. The law is inefficient.

If the video data output to the printer is faster than the image data reception, there will be no video data to be output to the printer during printing, which may cause printing failure.

In this embodiment, in order to prevent the occurrence of this problem, the following image data reception buffer control procedure is adopted.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the image data reception buffer control procedure in the printer of this embodiment. A program for executing the processing of this flowchart is stored in the ROM 13, and the CPU 12
Executed under the control of.

In the present embodiment, first, in step S11, it is waited whether printing has been executed. Normally, the print start command is issued from the host computer, so the printer may wait for it.

When printing is started, the process proceeds to step S12, and Y (Yellow), M (Magenta) of the page to be printed compressed by the data compression processing 205,
The image data size of each color of C (Cyan) and K (Black) is acquired based on the exchange of commands / status.

In the present embodiment, the size of each color data after compression varies due to factors such as the type of print image (text, graphic, image, etc.), the bias of the colors used, and the dither pattern of each color. Is occurring.

Then, in step S13, with respect to the total image data size obtained by adding all the color image data sizes,
The ratio of each color image data size is calculated. For example, assume that the size ratio is as follows.

Y: M: C: K = 4: 2: 3: 1 It is to be noted that the size ratio of each color data obtained here does not require high precision, and a simple integer ratio does not cause any problem.

Next, the RAM installed in step S14
The capacity (capacity that can actually be used as an image data reception buffer) is proportionally distributed according to the image data size ratio of each color, and the image data reception buffer size of each color is calculated. In the above example, if the installed RAM capacity is 20 Mbytes,
The receive data buffer size for each color is determined as follows.

Y: 8 MByte M: 4 MByte C: 6 MByte K: 2 MByte Then, an area is secured as a ring buffer structure generally called based on the determined color image data reception buffer size, and the FIFO method is used. Set the function as a buffer of.

In this embodiment, the receiving buffer size is determined so as to be equal to the image data size ratio as a method of determining the receiving buffer size for each color image data size, but the present invention is not limited to this.
Any method may be used as long as the size of each color image data buffer is dynamically changed for each print page, such as adding a fixed amount only to the largest color of each color image data size.

After that, each color image data is actually transmitted from the host computer and stored in the corresponding image data receiving buffer. On the other hand, the image data is read from each color reception buffer in accordance with the print timing of the printer engine, is subjected to decompression processing, and is output as a laser beam in the printing mechanism section for printing. Step S
Wait until the printing is completed in step 15, and finally in step S16.
By canceling the setting of each color reception buffer and releasing the memory, color printing for one page is completed.

As described above in the present embodiment, according to each color image data size for each print page,
By dynamically changing and setting the size of each color image data receive buffer, efficient memory control can be performed without waste even with a small capacity RAM, so the image output to the printer at low cost and during printing There is an effect that it is possible to reduce printing failures such as loss of data.

<Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment,
The size of each receiving buffer is always adjusted in correspondence with the image data size of each color on each page. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the reception buffer size is adjusted when the image data size is large, and the reception buffer is set to a uniform size when the image data size is small.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the image data reception buffer control procedure in the printer of this embodiment. A program for executing the processing of this flowchart is stored in the ROM 13, and the CPU 12
Executed under the control of.

First, in step S21, the process waits for printing. When printing is started, step S22
Then, the process proceeds to step S4 and acquires the YMCK color image data size of the print page through communication with the host computer. Then, in step S23, the total image data size obtained by adding the YMCK color data sizes is compared with the mounted RAM capacity (capacity that can actually be used as the image data reception buffer), and (total image data size)> (mounted RAM capacity) If it is, the process proceeds to step S24, and for all the image data sizes obtained by adding all the image data sizes of the respective colors,
The ratio of each color image data size is calculated. Then, the RAM capacity (capacity that can actually be used as the image data reception buffer) mounted in step S25 is proportionally distributed according to the image data size ratio of each color, and the image data reception buffer size of each color is determined.

The method of determining the reception buffer size based on the color image data size of each color as in the first embodiment is not limited to this, and the color image data buffer size of each print page is dynamically changed ( Any method may be used as long as it is a mechanism for changing to dynamic).

On the other hand, in step S23, if (total image data size) = <(installed RAM capacity), the process proceeds to step S26, and the installed RAM capacity (actually usable as an image data receiving buffer) (Capacity) is evenly divided into four, and this is determined as each color image data reception buffer size.

Then, based on the determined color image data reception buffer size, an area is secured as a generally called ring buffer structure and a function as a FIFO buffer is set.

After that, each color image data is actually transmitted from the host computer and stored in the corresponding image data receiving buffer. On the other hand, image data is read from each color reception buffer and subjected to decompression processing in accordance with the print timing of the printer engine, and then output as a laser beam for printing in the printing mechanism unit. Wait until the printing is completed in step S27, and finally in step S27.
At 28, the setting of each color reception buffer is canceled and the memory is released, whereby the color printing for one page is completed.

As described above in the present embodiment, when the total image data size is large with respect to the mounted RAM capacity, each color image data reception buffer size is dynamically changed according to each color image data size. ), While RA is required to print if smaller
Since M is sufficient, the receive buffer size is simply and evenly distributed, and efficient memory control can be performed without waste even with a small-capacity RAM. Therefore, an image output to the printer at low cost and during printing There is an effect that it is possible to reduce printing failures such as loss of data.

<Third Embodiment> As a third embodiment, the receiving buffer size is adjusted when the on-board RAM capacity is smaller than a fixed value determined as a threshold value, and when it is larger, the receiving buffer is made uniform in size. The case of setting will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the image data reception buffer control procedure in the printer of this embodiment. A program for executing the processing of this flowchart is stored in the ROM 13, and the CPU 12
Executed under the control of.

First, in step S31, the process waits for printing. When printing is started, step S32
Then, the process proceeds to step S4 and acquires the YMCK color image data size of the print page through communication with the host computer. Then, the RAM capacity determined as the threshold value in step S33 is compared with the mounted RAM capacity (capacity that can be used as the image data receiving buffer). Here, the RAM capacity used as the threshold is a RAM sufficient for printing even print data such as a natural image that is very complicated and has a large data amount.
Refers to capacity. The method of calculating the threshold value is not particularly limited, and any method may be used.

Then, (RAM capacity set as threshold value)> (Mounted RAM
Capacity), the process proceeds to step S34, and the total image data size is calculated by adding all the color image data sizes.
The ratio of each color image data size is calculated. Then, the RAM capacity (capacity that can actually be used as an image data reception buffer) mounted in step S35 is proportionally distributed according to the color image data size ratio, and the color image data reception buffer size is determined.

As in the first embodiment, the method of determining the reception buffer size based on each color image data size is not limited to this, and each color image data buffer size is dynamically changed for each print page ( Any method may be used as long as it is a mechanism for changing to dynamic).

On the other hand, in step S33, (RAM capacity set as a threshold value) = <(mounted RA
If it is M capacity), the process proceeds to step S36, the installed RAM capacity (capacity that can actually be used as an image data reception buffer) is equally divided into four, and this is determined as the image data reception buffer size for each color. To do.

Then, based on the determined color image data reception buffer size, an area is secured as a generally called ring buffer structure, and a function as a FIFO buffer is set.

Thereafter, the image data of each color is actually transmitted from the host computer and stored in the corresponding image data reception buffer. On the other hand, image data is read from each color reception buffer and subjected to decompression processing in accordance with the print timing of the printer engine, and then output as a laser beam for printing in the printing mechanism unit. Wait for the printing to end in step S37, and finally to step S37.
At 38, the setting of each color reception buffer is canceled and the memory is released, whereby the color printing for one page is completed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when only a small capacity RAM is installed, each color image data reception buffer size is dynamically changed according to each color image data size. On the other hand, if the installed RAM capacity is large enough to print a complicated image due to the addition of optional RAM, etc.
Since efficient memory control can be performed without waste in accordance with the AM capacity, there is an effect that it is possible to reduce printing failures at low cost, such as when there is no image data to be output to the printer during printing.

<Other Embodiments> In the above embodiments, the present invention has been described by using the host-based printer system. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the process of outputting image data to the printer engine is not limited to this. As long as a printer that executes parallel processing for a plurality of colors is used, the system can be applied to systems other than the tandem system.

In the above embodiment, the C of the printer is used.
Although the PU executes the print control according to the present invention based on the program stored in the ROM of the printer, the print control according to the present invention may be executed by another device.

For example, on the host computer side,
A configuration is conceivable in which the printer driver executes the processing procedure shown in FIGS. Further, a configuration in which a server is provided on the network and the server executes the processing procedure shown in FIGS. In the system having such a configuration, as shown in FIG.
Each step shown in to 6 is achieved by communicating between each device via a network.

The present invention supplies a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. Needless to say, it is completed by reading and executing the created program code.
This storage medium is the ROM 1 in the first to third embodiments.
In the other embodiment, the CD-RO in which the print control program such as the driver installed in the host computer or the server is stored.
M etc. are considered.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As the storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (R) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, or a ROM can be used. it can. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also based on the instruction of the program code,
It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the OS or the like running on the computer performs some 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 in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the next program code is instructed. Based on this, the case where a CPU or the like included in an expansion board or an expansion unit performs the expansion function to perform a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the function of the above-described embodiment is also included. Needless to say.

Similarly, the present invention is supplied to a system or an apparatus by downloading it from an external apparatus (for example, a server apparatus) that stores the program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments via a network. Needless to say, the computer of the system or the apparatus is completed by reading and executing the downloaded program code.

[0084]

As described above, according to the present invention, the data size of each color bitmap data to be printed out is acquired, and the size of the receiving buffer of each color bitmap data is acquired according to the acquired data size. By setting, there is an effect that the RAM can be used efficiently and reliable printing can be executed.

Further, according to the present invention, the ratio of each color image data to be output to the printer engine is calculated for each page, and the size of the receiving buffer for each color image data is set according to the calculated ratio. The RAM can be used efficiently and the image data can be smoothly output to the printer engine.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer control system including the LBP of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a host-based printing system configuration in a tandem curler laser printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of a tandem type color laser beam printer (LBP) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control processing in the printer controller according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control processing in the printer controller according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing control processing in the printer controller according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 CPU 13 ROM 15 system bus 16 Printing section I / F 17 Printing mechanism 18 Input section 19 RAM 21 Bidirectional interface 30 MC 31 HDD 100 controller 101 receive buffer 102 send buffer 103 image / memory control unit 104 Command parser 105 print control processing execution unit 106 image data reception buffer 107 Output control unit 110 Operation panel 1000 printers 1001 Printer controller section 3000 host computer

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A print control device for causing a printing device to print out bit map data of a plurality of colors transferred from an external device, and an acquisition unit for acquiring a data size of each color bit map data to be printed out. And a setting unit configured to set the size of the reception buffer for the bitmap data of each color according to the data size acquired by the acquisition unit. 2. The setting means sets the size of the receiving buffer of each color so as to be proportionally distributed in accordance with the ratio of the bitmap data of each color to the total data size of the bitmap data of each color. The print control apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The setting means sets the size of the reception buffer so as to be evenly distributed when the total data size of the color bitmap data is less than or equal to a predetermined size. The printing control device described in 1. 4. The predetermined size of available RAM
The print control device according to claim 3, wherein the print control device has a capacity of 5. The setting means sets the receive buffer size so as to be evenly distributed when the usable RAM capacity is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value. Print controller. 6. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is a tandem type printing apparatus. 7. A print control method for causing a printing device to print out bitmap data of a plurality of colors transferred from an external device, the obtaining step of obtaining a data size of each color bitmap data to be printed out, Depending on the data size acquired in the acquisition process,
A setting step of setting the size of the reception buffer of the bitmap data of each color. 8. A printing system including an external device, a printing device, and a printing control device that causes the printing device to print out bit map data of a plurality of colors transferred from the external device. An acquisition unit that acquires the data size of each color bitmap data to be printed out, and a setting unit that sets the size of the reception buffer of each color bitmap data according to the data size acquired by the acquisition unit. A printing system characterized by the above. 9. A program for executing a print control method for causing a printing device to print out bit map data of a plurality of colors transferred from an external device, wherein the data size of each color bit map data to be printed out is acquired. And a setting step of setting the size of the reception buffer of each color bitmap data according to the data size acquired in the acquisition step. 10. A print control apparatus for executing processing for outputting image data transferred from an external device to a printer engine in parallel for a plurality of colors, wherein the ratio of each color image data to be output to the printer engine is in page units. And a setting unit configured to set the size of the reception buffer of each color image data according to the ratio calculated by the calculation unit.