JP2005059550A - Image forming device and its controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which efficiently executes error-free drawing process, and also to provide its controlling method. <P>SOLUTION: A path graphic generated with print data is divided according to memory remaining amount or the like (Step S705). It is determined whether a drawing error due to a type of logical drawing designated in the print data occurs in an outline overlapping area in a connection when the divided path graphics are connected with each other (Step S707). Then, when it is judged that the drawing error occurs, the type of the logical drawing is changed to another type of logical drawing which causes no drawing error (Step S708). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

    The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a technique for avoiding drawing fraud.

  In an image forming apparatus, in order to avoid drawing fraud due to a lack of working memory, when it is predicted that a memory over will occur when generating outline data of a path (route) graphic, the path graphic is divided. A technique for generating an outline for each divided figure is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Thereafter, each divided figure is connected. At this time, outline data is regenerated so that such overlapping does not occur after extracting the overlapping portion in the connecting portion.

JP-A-8-123391

  However, according to the above-described conventional method, there is a problem in that it takes a calculation cost for extracting an overlapped portion and it takes time to draw a line. However, if outline data generation is performed without extracting overlapping parts in order to shorten the outline generation time, drawing fraud may occur depending on the type of logical drawing specified by the page description language (PDL). There was a problem of end.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus that efficiently performs a drawing process that does not cause drawing fraud and a control method therefor.

  In order to achieve the above object, for example, an image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is, an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on print data described in a page description language, a dividing unit that divides a path graphic generated based on a drawing command in the print data, and a divided path graphic A determination unit that determines whether or not a drawing fraud caused by a logical drawing type specified in the print data occurs in an overlapping region of an outline at a connection portion when connecting each other; And changing means for changing the logical drawing type when it is determined that the occurrence of the error occurs.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that efficiently performs a drawing process that does not cause drawing fraud and a control method thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  A configuration example of a laser beam printer will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the embodiment of the present invention can be applied. The present embodiment can be applied not only to a laser beam printer but also to other types of image forming apparatuses such as an inkjet printer and an MFP (Multi Function Printer).

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 102 denotes a laser beam printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”). A data processing apparatus 101 is, for example, a computer, and functions as a print data supply source or a control apparatus for the printer 102.

  The printer 102 includes a printer controller 103, a panel unit 104, and a printer engine 105 as illustrated.

  The printer controller 103 generates bitmap data for each page based on print data described in a page description language (hereinafter referred to as “PDL”) supplied from the data processing device 101, and the bitmap data is generated. It is sent to the printer engine 105.

  The printer engine 105 forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum based on the bitmap data supplied from the printer controller 103, and transfers and fixes the latent image on a recording medium according to a so-called electrophotographic method. Record.

  The panel unit 104 is used as a user interface. The user can instruct a desired operation by operating the panel unit 104. The panel unit 104 displays processing contents of the printer 102 and warning contents to the user.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the printer 102.

  In the figure, 201 is a printer casing, 202 is a switch for giving various instructions by a user, an operation panel on which an LED display or an LCD display for displaying messages, printer settings, etc. are arranged. This corresponds to the panel unit 104 shown in FIG. A board accommodating unit 203 accommodates boards constituting the electronic circuit portions of the printer controller 103 and the printer engine 105.

  A paper cassette 220 holds a paper (recording medium) S and has a mechanism for electrically detecting the paper size by a partition plate (not shown). Reference numeral 221 denotes a cassette clutch, which takes out the uppermost sheet S of paper S placed on the paper cassette 220 and supplies the taken paper S to the paper feed roller 222 by a driving force transmitted from a driving means (not shown). It has a cam to convey. The cam rotates intermittently each time a sheet is fed, and feeds one sheet S corresponding to one rotation. Reference numeral 223 denotes a paper detection sensor that detects the amount of paper S held in each paper cassette 220.

  The paper feed roller 222 is a roller that conveys the leading edge of the paper S to the registration shutter 224. Reference numeral 224 denotes a registration shutter, which can stop paper feeding by pressing the paper S. 230 is a manual feed tray, and 231 is a manual paper feed clutch. The manual paper feed clutch 231 is used to convey the leading edge of the paper S to the manual paper feeding roller 232, and the manual paper feeding roller 232 is used to convey the leading edge of the paper S to the registration shutter 224. The paper S to be used for image recording is fed by selecting one of the paper cassette 220 and the manual feed tray 230.

  The printer engine 105 communicates with the printer controller 103 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol, selects one of the paper feeding means from the paper cassette 220 manual feed tray 230 in accordance with an instruction from the printer controller 103, and instructs to start printing. Accordingly, the sheet S is conveyed from the corresponding sheet feeding means to the registration shutter 224. As described above, the printer engine 105 includes a sheet feeding unit, a mechanism related to an electrophotographic process such as formation, transfer, and fixing of a latent image, a sheet discharge unit, and a control unit thereof.

  204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d are image recording units having photosensitive drums 205a, 205b, 205c, and 205d, a toner holding unit, and the like, and form a toner image on the paper S by an electrophotographic process. On the other hand, 206a, 206b, 206c, and 206d are laser scanner units, which supply image information by a laser beam to the corresponding image recording units.

  In the image recording units 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d, a sheet conveying belt 250 that conveys the sheet S is flattened in a sheet conveying direction (from the bottom to the top in the figure) by a plurality of rotating rollers 251 to 254. In the most upstream area, the sheet is electrostatically attracted to the sheet conveying belt 250 by the attracting roller 225 to which a bias is applied. Further, four photosensitive drums 205a, 205b, 205c, and 205d are arranged in a straight line so as to face the belt conveyance surface, and constitute an image forming unit. In each of the image recording units 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d, a charger and a developing device are disposed so as to sequentially surround the vicinity of the periphery of the photosensitive drum.

  207a, 207b, 207c, and 207d are laser units in the laser scanner units 206a, 206b, 206c, and 206d, respectively, and drive a built-in semiconductor laser in accordance with an image signal (/ VIDEO signal) sent from the printer controller 103. And fire a laser beam. Laser beams emitted from the laser units 207a, 207b, 207c, and 207d are scanned by polygon mirrors (rotating polygon mirrors) 208a, 208b, 208c, and 208d, respectively, and latent images are formed on the photosensitive drums 205a, 205b, 205c, and 205d. Form.

  A fixing device 260 fixes the toner image formed on the sheet S by the image recording units 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d to the recording sheet S by heat. A conveyance roller 261 conveys and conveys the paper S. A paper discharge sensor 262 detects the paper discharge state of the paper S. Reference numeral 263 denotes a paper discharge roller and double-sided printing conveyance path switching roller, which conveys the paper S in the paper ejection direction. If the conveyance instruction for the paper S is paper ejection, the paper S is ejected as it is to the paper ejection tray 264. In the case of conveyance, immediately after the trailing edge of the paper S passes the paper discharge sensor 262, the rotation direction is changed to the reverse direction, and the paper S is conveyed to the double-sided printing conveyance path 270 by switching back. Reference numeral 265 denotes a discharge stack amount detection sensor that detects the stack amount of the sheets S stacked on the discharge tray 264.

  Reference numeral 270 denotes a duplex printing conveyance path. The sheet S conveyed for duplex printing by the discharge roller / double-sided printing conveyance path switching roller 263 is conveyed again to the registration shutter 224 by the duplex conveyance rollers 271 to 274, and is imaged. It waits for a conveyance instruction to the recording units 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d.

  The printer 102 can be further equipped with optional units such as an optional cassette and an envelope feeder.

  Next, the configuration of the printer controller 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The printer controller 103 includes an input buffer (not shown) for inputting print data sent from the data processing apparatus 101 and settings for instructing the operation of the apparatus, and an output including a signal sent to the data processing apparatus 101 and device information data. A host interface (I / F) unit 302 having an output buffer (not shown) for temporarily storing data is provided, and the host I / F unit 302 is exchanged with the data processing apparatus 101. Signal and communication packet input / output unit, and performs communication control with the data processing apparatus 101.

  Print data described in PDL input via the host I / F unit 302 is given to the image data generation unit 303. The image data generation unit 303 analyzes the input print data (for example, PDL analysis processing), generates a drawing object as an intermediate language from the analysis result, and further generates bitmap data that can be processed by the printer engine 105. . Specifically, print data is analyzed and object information is created by the analysis, and rasterization processing is performed in parallel with the creation of the object information. In this rasterization process, the display color RGB (additive color mixture) included in the print data is converted to YMCK (subtractive color mixture) that can be processed by the printer engine, the bit pattern and outline stored in advance from the character code included in the print data Performs conversion to font data such as fonts, creates bitmap data in page units or band units, applies pseudo-gradation processing using a dither pattern to the bitmap data, and allows printing processing in the printer engine Generate bitmap data.

  The created bitmap data is stored in the image memory 305. Reading of the bitmap data stored in the image memory 305 is controlled by the DMA control unit 308, and the control for reading the bitmap data from the image memory 305 by the DMA control unit 308 is performed based on an instruction from the CPU 309.

  The bitmap data read from the image memory 305 is transferred to the engine 105 as a video signal via the engine I / F unit 306. The engine I / F unit 306 includes an output buffer (not shown) that temporarily holds a video signal transferred to the engine 105 and an input buffer (not shown) that temporarily holds a signal sent from the engine 105. The engine I / F unit 306 constitutes an input / output unit for signals exchanged with the engine 105 and controls communication with the engine 105.

  An instruction related to mode setting or the like issued by an operation input from the panel unit 104 (see FIG. 1) is input via the panel I / F unit 301, and the panel I / F unit 301 is connected between the panel unit 104 and the CPU 309. (Instructions for the printer such as mode setting issued by operation input can also be given via the host I / F unit 302 that performs bidirectional communication with the data processing apparatus 101).

  The CPU 309 controls each block described above according to the mode instructed from the panel unit 104 or the data processing apparatus 101, and this control is executed based on a control program stored in the ROM 304. The control program stored in the ROM 304 includes an OS (operating system) for performing time-sharing control in units of load modules called tasks according to a system clock, and a plurality of load modules that are executed and controlled in units of functions by the OS. It consists of. A control program including the load module is stored in an EEPROM (nonvolatile memory) 310 as necessary.

  A RAM 307 is used as a work area for arithmetic processing by the CPU 309. Each block including the above-described CPU 309 is connected to the system bus 320. The system bus 320 includes an address bus and a system bus.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing processing paths of input data in the printer controller 103 for each functional block.

  Print data input from the data processing apparatus 101 via the host I / F unit 302 is input to the image data generation unit 303. The print data input to the image data generation unit 303 is subjected to command analysis by the PDL analysis unit (303a), and then generated as a drawing object (intermediate language) by the drawing object generation unit (303b) and stored in the work memory on the RAM 307. Recorded temporarily.

  Then, the drawing memory is read from the working memory on the RAM 307 as needed and rasterized (303c), and the image data finally recorded on the recording medium is developed into a bitmap image and stored in the image memory 305. The engine I / F unit 306 Is output to the recording medium.

  As described above, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when drawing a path figure composed of the drawing objects, the outline of the path (path) figure is used to avoid drawing fraud due to a lack of working memory. (Outline) When it is predicted that a memory over will occur when data is generated, the path graphic is divided, and an outline is generated for each divided graphic.

  For example, when it is predicted that a memory over will occur when generating outline data of a path graphic as shown in FIG. 8A, it is divided into path graphics A1 and A2 as shown in FIG. 8B. , A1 and A2 are generated for each outline data.

  After that, each divided figure is connected. At this time, after extracting the overlapping portion of the outline in the connecting portion, such overlapping occurs as shown in the conventional example 1 in FIG. The outline data was regenerated so as not to. However, according to such a method, there is a problem that the calculation cost for extracting the overlapping portion is high and it takes time to draw the line. FIG. 4D shows a case where outline data is simply generated without extracting an overlapping portion as a conventional example 2 in order to shorten the outline generation time. In this case, there has been a problem that drawing fraud occurs depending on the type of logical drawing specified by the page description language (PDL).

  The present invention is an improvement of this point, but before describing the outline generation processing in the embodiment, the conventional outline generation processing having the above-described problems will be described in detail.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the outline generation processing according to the conventional example 1 described above.

  First, when the print data input via the host I / F and analyzed by the PDL analysis unit is a line drawing command, the line width, the tip shape, and the line connection shape designation referred to in the line processing are referred to (steps). S501), the number of dots (number of dots) of the path graphic is confirmed (step S502). Although not shown, at this time, a variable N for counting each path of the path graphic is initialized to 1.

  Next, the number of dots of outline data necessary for line drawing is calculated from each setting state referred to in step S501 and the number of dots of the path graphic confirmed in step S502, and the amount of outline data is estimated (step S503). .

  Next, it is predicted whether or not memory over will occur during outline generation based on whether or not the remaining amount of memory in the RAM is greater than or equal to the data amount estimated in step S503 (step S504). When it is predicted that the memory over will not occur, the processing after step S506 is performed to generate outline data. On the other hand, if it is predicted that memory over will occur, the path graphic is divided (step S505). The number of divisions at this time can be determined in advance, for example, 1/2 or 1/3 of the number of points of the path graphic. After dividing the pass graphic, the process returns to step S503, and the number of dots of the outline data of the path graphic is calculated again from the number of dots of the divided path graphic and each set value referred in step S502.

  In this way, after the path graphic is divided until the memory overflow does not occur in step S504, an outline of the Nth path graphic is generated (step S506), and then all the path graphic outline generation processing is completed. Is determined (step S507). If it is determined that all the path graphic outline generation processes have been completed, the outline generation process ends. On the other hand, if all the path graphic outline generation processes have not been completed, outline data is generated from the (N + 1) th path graphic (step S508), and line connection shape designation of the Nth outline data and the (N + 1) th outline data is performed. The outline data of the line connection unit is generated based on the above (step S509).

  Further, the outline data of the overlapping portion is extracted from the Nth outline data and the (N + 1) th outline data (step S510), and from the outline data of the line connecting portion generated in step S509 and the outline data of the overlapping portion extracted in step S510. The N + 1th outline data is regenerated (step S511).

  After the (N + 1) th outline data generation processing is completed, N is incremented to refer to the next path (step S512), and it is determined whether the outline generation processing for all the divided path figures has been completed (step S512). S513). If it is determined in step S513 that the outline processing of all the divided path graphics has not been completed, the process returns to step S508, and the processing of steps S508 to S513 is repeated until the processing of all the divided path graphics is completed. On the other hand, when the outline generation processing for all the path graphics divided in step S513 is completed, the outline generation processing is ended.

  In the conventional example 1 described above, the overlapping portion of the Nth and N + 1th outline data is extracted at the time of generating the outline of the divided path graphic (step S510), and the outline data of the overlapping portion and the outline data of the line connecting portion are further taken into consideration. Thus, the (N + 1) th outline data is regenerated (step S511). These processing steps reduce processing efficiency.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the outline generation process according to the second conventional example. In the conventional example 2, as described above, the outline generation process is performed without extracting the overlapping portion of the outline data at the connection portion of the divided figure.

  The processing content of Conventional Example 2 is substantially the same as that of Conventional Example 1 described above, and in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the same processing steps as those in the flowchart of FIG. The difference is that in the second conventional example, the processing corresponding to step S510 and step S511 is omitted. That is, in Conventional Example 2, when the outline of the divided path graphic is generated, the process of regenerating the (N + 1) th outline data in consideration of the overlapping portion of the Nth and (N + 1) th outline data is not performed (step S511). Therefore, Conventional Example 2 can increase the processing efficiency compared to Conventional Example 1. However, in this case, drawing fraud may occur depending on the type of logical drawing command.

  The present invention solves such a problem of the conventional example. According to the embodiment, it is determined whether or not a drawing fraud caused by a specified logical drawing type occurs in an outline overlapping region in a connection portion. When the determination is made and the occurrence of such drawing fraud is predicted, the logical drawing type is changed. Such processing eliminates the need to regenerate outline data in consideration of the overlapping portion in the connection portion, thereby realizing efficient drawing processing that does not cause drawing fraud.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating outline generation processing in the embodiment. A program corresponding to this flowchart is stored in the ROM 304 as a control program, loaded into the RAM 307, and executed by the CPU 309.

  First, when the print data input via the host I / F 302 and analyzed by the PDL analysis unit 303a is a line drawing command, the line width, the tip shape, and the line connection referred to in the line processing of the generated path graphic The shape designation is referred to (step S701), and the number of dots (number of dots) of the path graphic is confirmed (step S702). Although not shown, at this time, a variable N for counting each path of the path graphic is initialized to 1.

  Next, the number of dots of outline data necessary for line drawing is calculated from each setting state referred to in step S701 and the number of dots of the path graphic confirmed in step S702, and the amount of outline data is estimated (step S703). .

  Next, it is predicted whether memory over will occur during outline generation (step S704). This prediction can be made based on, for example, whether or not the remaining memory capacity of the RAM 307 is greater than or equal to the data amount estimated in step S703. The present invention is not limited to this prediction method. For example, the prediction may be made based on whether or not the remaining amount of memory in the RAM 307 is below a certain value. When it is predicted that the memory over will not occur, the processing after step S709 is performed to generate outline data.

  On the other hand, if it is predicted in step S704 that memory over will occur, the path graphic is divided (step S705). The number of divisions at this time can be determined in advance, for example, 1/2 or 1/3 of the number of points of the path graphic. For example, a path graphic as shown in FIG. 9A is divided into path graphics A1 and A2 as shown in FIG. 9B.

  Furthermore, the logical drawing type (logical drawing specification (ROP specification)) specified by the PDL is referred to (step S706), and drawing fraud occurs in the overlapping region of the outline at the connection portion due to the logical drawing type. It is determined whether or not (step S707). If it is determined that the drawing fraud does not occur, the process directly returns to step S703. On the other hand, if it is determined that the drawing fraud occurs, the logical drawing type is changed to another logical drawing type that does not cause the drawing fraud. (Step S708) Then, it returns to Step S703.

  In this way, after the path graphic is divided until the memory overflow does not occur in step S704, an outline of the Nth path graphic is generated (step S709), and then all the path graphic outline generation processing is completed. Is determined (step S710). If it is determined that all the path graphic outline generation processes have been completed, the outline generation process ends. On the other hand, if all the path graphic outline generation processes have not been completed, outline data is generated from the (N + 1) th path graphic (step S711), and line connection shape designation is performed from the Nth outline data and the (N + 1) th outline data. The outline data of the line connecting part is generated from the line (step S712).

  After the (N + 1) th outline data generation process is completed, N is incremented to refer to the next path (step S713), and it is determined whether the outline generation process for all the divided path figures has been completed (step S713). S714). If it is determined in step S714 that the outline processing of all the divided path graphics has not been completed, the process returns to step S711, and the processing in steps S711 to S714 is repeated until the processing of all the divided path graphics is completed. On the other hand, when the outline generation processing for all the path graphics divided in step S714 is completed, the outline generation processing is ended.

  In this way, it is determined whether or not a drawing fraud occurs in the overlapping portion of the outline in the connection portion due to the designated logical drawing type (step S707). Here, the drawing fraud occurs. In the case where it is determined that the result is changed to another logical drawing type that does not cause drawing fraud (step S708), drawing fraud is avoided as shown in FIG. 9C. In addition, since it is not necessary to regenerate outline data in consideration of the overlapping portion in the connection portion, efficient drawing processing is realized.

  In the above-described embodiment, before generating outline data, it is predicted whether or not memory over will occur during outline generation (step S704), and the path graphic is divided based on the prediction result. However, (step S705), when the memory over actually occurs during the outline data generation process, the path graphic may be divided.

  Further, when the memory (RAM 307) has a short remaining capacity, and has a function of retaining outline data in a storage device such as an EEPROM (nonvolatile memory) 310 or another hard disk, the remaining memory capacity in the storage device It may be determined that the memory is over when there is a shortage.

  Further, when the path graphic is divided when the memory overflow occurs, the fact that the memory overflow has occurred is displayed on the operation unit 104 or the screen of the data processing apparatus 101 that sent the print data, and whether or not the division is executed. You may make it instruct | indicate to a user.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention may be applied to the system comprised from several apparatuses, and may be applied to the apparatus which consists of one apparatus.

  In the present invention, a software program (a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in any of FIGS. 6 to 8) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus. This includes the case where the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code. In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, the form does not need to be a program.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the scope of the claims of the present invention includes the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R).

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in 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.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the printer controller in embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a processing path of input data in a printer controller for each functional block. 12 is a flowchart showing outline generation processing according to Conventional Example 1; 10 is a flowchart showing an outline generation process according to Conventional Example 2; It is a flowchart which shows the outline production | generation process in embodiment. It is a figure explaining the conventional outline production | generation process. It is a figure explaining the outline production | generation process in embodiment.

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image based on print data described in a page description language,
A dividing means for dividing a path graphic generated based on a drawing command in the print data;
A determination means for determining whether or not a drawing fraud caused by a logical drawing type specified in the print data occurs in an outline overlapping region in a connection portion when connecting divided path graphics; and
Changing means for changing the logical drawing type when it is determined by the determining means that a drawing fraud occurs;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dividing unit divides the path graphic in accordance with a remaining memory capacity of a memory unit that stores the outline data.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dividing unit divides the path graphic in accordance with a remaining memory capacity of the memory unit storing the outline data and a data amount of the outline. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on print data described in a page description language,
A dividing step of dividing a path graphic generated based on a drawing command in the print data;
A determination step for determining whether or not a drawing fraud caused by a logical drawing type specified in the print data occurs in an outline overlapping region in a connection portion when connecting divided path graphics; and
A change step of changing the logical drawing type when it is determined by the determining step that drawing fraud occurs;
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: A computer program for controlling an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on print data described in a page description language,
A dividing step of dividing a path graphic generated based on a drawing command in the print data;
A determination step of determining whether or not a drawing fraud caused by a logical drawing type specified in the print data occurs in an outline overlapping region in a connection portion when connecting the divided path graphics;
A change step of changing the logical drawing type when it is determined that the drawing fraud occurs in the determination step;
A computer program for running.

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