JP2006150690A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which can efficiently use a page memory without generating wastes in a data transmission between memories in either case when a monochrome image is formed, or when a color image is formed. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming device is equipped with a storage means which temporarily stores image data corresponding to a monochrome image or a color image. The image forming device analyzes a command included in printing data which is received from the outside, prepares image data from the printing data in response to the content of the analyzed command, and forms an image based on the formed image data on a recording medium. In the image forming device, when it is judged that a command regarding a color image formation is included in the printing data, a memory region of a capacity for storing image data when one page of monochrome images is formed is used as a memory region for storing a plurality of single color data required for forming a color image in order by the unit of page. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine. In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image data generated by analyzing a unique PJL (print job language) received from an external computer.

  Along with the rapid development of communication means, as an image forming device for copiers, printers, facsimile machines, etc., or their combined machines, data is transmitted / received via an information processing device such as a personal computer via a network such as a LAN or the Internet. Many image forming apparatuses that can be connected to each other and can be shared by a plurality of information processing apparatuses have been developed. In such an image forming apparatus, print data related to document data, drawing data and the like created by the information processing apparatus is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and by analyzing a command included in the print data received by the image forming apparatus, Image data for image printing (raster data) is generated, and image formation based on the generated image data is performed.

  As image data, not only monochrome image data but also color image data is handled. Since the capacity of the color image data is larger than the capacity of the monochrome image data, it is necessary to make effective use of the memory area of the page memory in order to shorten the printing time. In addition, in order to reduce the size and weight, it is necessary to devise a method for forming a color image with a small-capacity page memory even at the expense of printing time.

  With respect to the former, for example, in Patent Document 1, by using only a page memory for a color necessary for developing image data into a dot pattern, the dot pattern can be sent to a printer and the dot pattern of the next page can be transmitted. A color page printer control apparatus capable of performing development in parallel is disclosed. Thereby, the transmission of the dot pattern to the printer and the development of the dot pattern to the page memory can be performed in parallel, and the dot pattern printing speed can be improved.

Regarding the latter, for example, in Patent Document 2, a page memory is secured for each of the four colors corresponding to CMYK, and when CMYK color representation is used, data is sequentially expanded in the page memory in units of pages. An image processing apparatus that outputs to a color printing apparatus at a time point when monochrome data for one minute is stored in a page memory is disclosed.
JP 9-314924 A JP-A-8-142414

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus described above, it is necessary to secure a page memory on the assumption that color image data is handled. Therefore, when printing monochrome image data, null data is stored in the same page memory area. There is a problem that it is difficult to shorten the printing time due to wasteful processing such as sending out the image.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even when a monochrome image or a color image is formed, there is no waste in data transfer between the memories, and the page memory An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently using the image forming apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises storage means for temporarily storing image data corresponding to a black and white image or a color image, analyzes a command included in print data received from the outside, In an image forming apparatus that generates image data from the print data according to the contents of the analyzed command and forms an image based on the generated image data on a recording medium, does the print data include a command related to color image formation? And determining means for determining whether or not the determination means includes a command relating to color image formation, the memory area acquisition setting of the storage means corresponds to the color image from the setting corresponding to the monochrome image. Control means for changing the setting, and the control means has a capacity for storing image data when forming one page of a monochrome image. The memory area, characterized in that are configured for use as a memory area for sequentially storing a plurality of single-color data necessary for forming a color image in page units.

  In the first aspect of the invention, command analysis of print data received from the outside is executed, and when a command related to color image formation is included in the command, a memory area in which image data is expanded when a monochrome image is formed is stored in the color image. The single color data for each of a plurality of colors necessary for forming the data is used as a memory area for sequentially developing. As a result, even if a printer driver that does not accept a command corresponding to a monochrome image is provided, a monochrome image is normally developed as a monochrome image data in a corresponding memory area, and a color image is analyzed by command analysis. For example, for each of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), a memory area similar to that for forming a monochrome image is secured, and C, By storing single color data of M, Y, and K sequentially in the memory area to form an image, the memory area can be used without waste, and a color image can be formed without reducing the use efficiency of the page memory. It becomes possible.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the plurality of single color data includes data of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

  In the second invention, single color data of a plurality of colors necessary for forming a color image is four colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). As a result, by securing an area for four colors as the memory area, it is possible to form a color image while using the memory area efficiently without using a useless memory area for each single color. .

  An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the invention analyzes a command included in print data corresponding to a black-and-white image or a color image, and generates an image data from the print data according to the contents of the analyzed command, and an external Image forming apparatus comprising: a main body substrate that transfers print data corresponding to a monochrome image or color image received from the PCL substrate to the PCL substrate and transfers an image based on the image data generated on the PCL substrate to a printing unit that forms on a recording medium In the apparatus, the PCL board includes a first memory for temporarily storing image data, means for determining whether or not a command relating to color image formation is included in the print data, and the means relates to color image formation. If it is determined that a command is included, the memory area acquisition setting of the first memory is changed from the setting corresponding to the black and white image. Means for changing to a setting corresponding to an image, and when forming one page of a monochrome image, a memory area having a capacity for storing image data, and a plurality of single color data necessary for forming a color image in units of pages The main body board reads out the image data from the second memory, the second memory temporarily storing the image data transferred from the PCL board, and the second memory. And means for transferring to the printing unit.

  In the third invention, the PCL board that analyzes the command included in the print data, generates image data from the print data according to the contents of the analyzed command, and transfers the print data received from the outside to the PCL board. And a main body substrate for transferring an image based on the image data generated in step (1) to a printing unit formed on a recording medium, and the PCL substrate does not depend on the timing of image data transfer from the main body substrate to the printing unit. Image data can be generated. In addition, when a failure occurs, it is easy to identify the location where the failure occurred, and maintenance becomes easy.

  According to the present invention, even if a printer driver that does not accept a command corresponding to a black and white image is provided, the black and white image is normally developed as a black and white image data to form a black and white image, and command analysis is performed. If it is determined that a color image is to be formed, for example, for each of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), a memory area similar to that for forming a monochrome image is secured. , C, M, Y, and K are sequentially stored in the memory area to form an image, so that the memory area can be used without waste, and a color image can be used without reducing the use efficiency of the page memory. Can be formed.

  Also, image data can be generated on the PCL board without depending on the timing of image data transfer from the main board to the printing unit. In addition, when a failure occurs, it is easy to identify the location where the failure occurred, and maintenance becomes easy.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment forms an image of print data received via the NIC (Network Interface Control) unit 2 and the communication network N connected to the communication network N such as a LAN or the Internet. PCL (Printer Control Language) controller 3 for converting to image data, printer unit 4 for performing image forming processing based on image data (raster data) generated by PCL controller 3, NIC unit 2, PCL controller 3, and printer unit 4 is provided.

  The NIC unit 2 includes a network interface 20 that is connected to the communication network N so as to be able to send and receive data, and a main unit connection interface 21 that is connected to be able to send and receive data to and from the main unit 1. ing. The NIC unit 2 transfers print data based on document data, drawing data and the like created by a plurality of computers 5, 5,... Connected to the communication network N from the main unit connection interface 21 to the main unit 1. .

  The main unit 1 includes a control unit 10 constituted by a CPU, an MPU, a ROM 11, a RAM 12, a NIC interface 13 for connecting to the NIC unit 2, a PCL interface 14 for connecting to the PCL controller 3, a memory control unit 15, an image A memory 16, a printer connection unit 17 for connecting to the printer unit 4, and the like are provided, and each is connected to each other via an internal bus 18.

  The control unit 10 controls each hardware unit as described above of the main body unit 1 connected via the internal bus 18 and executes software functions according to various control programs stored in the ROM 11. The RAM 12 is configured by an SRAM, a flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the control program is executed by the control unit 10.

  The main body 1 transfers the print data acquired from the NIC interface 13 to the PCL controller 3 via the PCL interface 14. The PCL controller 3 converts the print data acquired from the main unit 1 into image data (raster data) in a format that allows the printer unit 4 to form an image, and returns the image data to the main unit 1. Therefore, the main body 1 stores the image data acquired from the PCL controller 3 via the PCL interface 14 in the image memory 16 by the memory control unit 15. Thereafter, the control unit 10 reads the image data from the image memory 16 at a predetermined timing, and transfers the image data to the printer unit 4 via the printer connection unit 17.

  The printer unit 4 includes a main body connection unit 40 for connecting to the main body unit 1, a printer control unit 41, a page memory 42, an image forming unit 43, and the like, each of which can transmit and receive data via an internal bus 44. Connected as possible. The printer control unit 41 first stores the image data transmitted from the main unit 1 in the page memory 42 in units of pages, and the image forming unit 43 outputs an image based on the stored image data to a sheet. The image forming unit 43 may be any type of printer device such as an electrophotographic system, an inkjet system, a thermal transfer system, and a sublimation system.

  The PCL controller 3 includes a control unit 30 constituted by a CPU, an MPU, etc., a ROM 31, a RAM 32, a main body connection interface 33 for connecting to the main body unit 1, a spooler 34, and the like. It is connected so that it can send and receive.

  The control unit 30 controls each hardware unit as described above of the PCL controller 3 connected via the internal bus 35 and executes software functions according to various control programs stored in the ROM 31. The RAM 32 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, and the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the control unit 30 executes the control program. The ROM 31 stores a command analysis program for developing print data received from external computers 5, 5,... Via a communication network and analyzing commands included in the print data. .

  The control unit 30 acquires print data from the main body unit 1 via the main body connection interface 33 and stores the print data in the spooler 34. Further, the control unit 30 reads out and executes a command analysis program stored in the ROM 31 to the RAM 32, executes command analysis processing on the print data sequentially read from the spooler 34, and generates image data. The generated image data is sequentially input from the main body connection interface 33 to the main body 1 and stored in the image memory 16 by the memory control unit 15.

  When transmitting print data via the communication network N, the computers 5, 5,... Transmit PDL (page description language) including PJL (print job language) unique to the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of a PDL that forms a color image transmitted from the computers 5, 5,... In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the PDL according to the present embodiment performs detailed settings for color image forming processing using PJL. The control unit 30 can determine that a command related to color image formation is included when a command equal to or lower than 'Palette Control ID' is detected by command analysis.

  When forming a color image, the user selects a color image forming process, for example, a color image print job, on the printer driver setting screen on the computers 5, 5,. When a color image print job is selected, the computers 5, 5,... Add a command related to color image formation to the PJL included in the print data, and the PDL including the PJL after the command is added to the image forming apparatus 100. Send to.

  The image forming apparatus 100 receives print data related to a color image print job at the NIC unit 2 via the communication network N, and sends the print data to the PCL controller 3 via the NIC interface 13 and the PCL interface 14 of the main unit 1. The PCL controller 3 receives print data via the main body connection interface 33 and executes a control program stored in the ROM 31.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the PCL controller 3 of the image forming apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing a procedure of image forming processing by the PCL controller 3 in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The following processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is executed by the control unit 30 of the PCL controller 3 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 31.

  The print job received from the external computers 5, 5,... Connected to the communication network N via the NIC unit 2 is stored in the spooler 34 of the PCL controller 3 via the main unit 1. At this time, the control unit 30 of the PCL controller 3 sets the memory area acquisition setting of the RAM 32 to be a setting corresponding to a monochrome image, and acquires a memory area for one page (step S301). That is, a sufficient memory area is secured on the RAM 32 to render one page of K (black) expression data.

  The control unit 30 of the PCL controller 3 determines whether or not there is a print job in the spooler 34 with the color image formation flag set to the off state (step S302), and the control unit 30 determines whether the spooler 34 has a print job. If it is determined that there is no print job in 34 (step S303: NO), the process waits.

  When the control unit 30 determines that there is a print job in the spooler 34 (step S303: YES), the control unit 30 reads the command analysis program stored in the ROM 31 into the RAM 32 and executes it, so that the spooler 34 Command analysis processing is executed for the sequentially read print jobs (step S304).

  The control unit 30 determines whether or not the analyzed command includes a command related to color image formation (step S305), and the control unit 30 determines that the command related to color image formation is included (step S305). (Step S305: YES), the control unit 30 sets the color image formation flag to the on state (step S306).

  The control unit 30 determines whether or not the color image formation flag is on (step S307). If the control unit 30 determines that the color image formation flag is on (step S307: YES), Based on the received print data, the control unit 30 sequentially renders data of each color of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) (step S308), and converts the color image data into the color image data. Generate and transfer to the main unit 1.

  When the control unit 30 determines that the color image formation flag is in an off state (step S307: NO), the control unit 30 renders K (black) data for one page based on the received print data. In step S309, monochrome image data is generated.

  The control unit 30 determines whether or not the rendering process for the print job for one page has been completed (step S310), and the control unit 30 determines that the rendering process for the print job for one page has not been completed. If so (step S310: NO), the control unit 30 returns the process to step S303, and determines whether there is a print job in the spooler 34 (step S303).

  When the control unit 30 determines that the rendering process for the print job for one page has been completed (step S310: YES), the control unit 30 transfers the generated image data to the main body unit 1 (step S311). The image is stored in the image memory 16 of the unit 1.

  The control unit 30 determines whether or not the rendering process for one print job has been completed (step S312). If the control unit 30 determines that the rendering process has not been completed (step S312: NO), the control unit 30 Then, the process returns to step S303, and the processes of step S303 to step S311 are repeated. When the control unit 30 determines that the process has ended (step S312: YES), the above-described process ends.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the image forming process when the color image forming flag by the PCL controller 3 is on in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The following processing shown in FIG. 5 is executed by the control unit 30 of the PCL controller 3 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 31.

  When the control unit 30 of the PCL controller 3 determines that the color image formation flag is on (step S307: YES), the control unit 30 develops C (cyan) data in the RAM 32 (step S501). The control unit 30 determines whether or not the development of C (cyan) data for one page in the RAM 32 is completed (step S502), and the control unit 30 finishes the development of C (cyan) data for one page. If it is determined that it has not been performed (step S502: NO), the process waits.

  When the control unit 30 determines that the development of C (cyan) data for one page has been completed (step S502: YES), the control unit 30 outputs the C (cyan) data for one page developed in the RAM 32. The data is transferred to the main unit 1 (step S503), and it is determined whether or not the transfer of C (cyan) data for one page is completed (step S504).

  When the control unit 30 determines that the transfer of C (cyan) data for one page has not been completed (step S504: NO), the control unit 30 returns to step S503 and waits. When the control unit 30 determines that the transfer of C (cyan) data for one page has been completed (step S504: YES), the control unit 30 develops M (magenta) data in the RAM 32 (step S505). Processing similar to that for C (cyan) data is executed.

  Thereafter, similar processing is executed for Y (yellow) data and K (black) data, and the process proceeds to step S312 when transfer to the main unit 1 is completed for all color data.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, normally, when image data is generated while being expanded in the memory area of the RAM 32 corresponding to monochrome image data and a color image is formed, for example, C (cyan), M For each of (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), a memory area having the same capacity as that for forming a monochrome image is secured on the RAM 32, and single color data for each of C, M, Y, and K is stored. By sequentially developing to the memory area and generating image data of each color, the memory area can be used without waste, and a color image can be formed without reducing the use efficiency of the page memory.

  In the above description, a case has been described in which after the development of one page of data in the RAM 32 is completed, the developed image data is sent to the main unit 1. However, the developed image data is transmitted to the main unit 1. The timing of sending the image data to the main body 1 is not particularly limited to this. For example, the transfer of the image data to the main body 1 is performed in parallel at a predetermined timing before the development of the image data for one page in the RAM 32 is completed. May be executed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the image forming process when the PCL controller 3 does not wait for the end of the development of the image data for one page in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The following processing shown in FIG. 6 is executed by the control unit 30 of the PCL controller 3 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 31.

  When the control unit 30 of the PCL controller 3 determines that the color image formation flag is on (step S307: YES), the control unit 30 develops C (cyan) data in the RAM 32 (step S601). The control unit 30 determines whether or not the development of C (cyan) data having a predetermined capacity (threshold less than the capacity for one page) is completed in the RAM 32 (step S602). If it is determined that the expansion of the C (cyan) data of the capacity has not been completed (step S602: NO), the process waits.

  When the control unit 30 determines that the development of C (cyan) data having a predetermined capacity has been completed (step S602: YES), the control unit 30 stores the C (cyan) data developed in the RAM 32 in the main body unit 1. The data is transferred (step S603), and it is determined whether or not the transfer of C (cyan) data having a predetermined capacity is completed (step S604).

  When the control unit 30 determines that the transfer of C (cyan) data having a predetermined capacity is not completed (step S604: NO), the control unit 30 returns to step S503 and waits. When the control unit 30 determines that the transfer of C (cyan) data having a predetermined capacity has been completed (step S604: YES), has the control unit 30 completed the transfer of C (cyan) data for one page? It is determined whether or not (step S605).

  When the control unit 30 determines that the transfer of C (cyan) data for one page is not completed (step S605: NO), the control unit 30 returns to step S601 and repeats the above-described processing. When the control unit 30 determines that the transfer of C (cyan) data for one page has been completed (step S605: YES), the control unit 30 expands M (magenta) data in the RAM 32 (step S606). Processing similar to that for C (cyan) data is executed.

  Thereafter, similar processing is executed for Y (yellow) data and K (black) data, and the process proceeds to step S312 when transfer to the main unit 1 is completed for all color data.

  Further, the development of the next data is started after the transfer of the image data for one page to the main body unit 1, but the timing for starting the development of the next data is not particularly limited to this. It may be started before the transfer for one page is completed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the image forming process when the PCL controller 3 does not wait for the end of the transfer of the image data for one page in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The following processing shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the control unit 30 of the PCL controller 3 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 31.

  When the control unit 30 of the PCL controller 3 determines that the color image formation flag is on (step S307: YES), the control unit 30 develops C (cyan) data in the RAM 32 (step S701). The control unit 30 determines whether or not the development of one page of C (cyan) data has been completed in the RAM 32 (step S702), and the control unit 30 finishes the development of one page of C (cyan) data. If it is determined that it has not been performed (step S702: NO), the process waits.

  When the control unit 30 determines that the development of C (cyan) data for one page has been completed (step S702: YES), the control unit 30 stores the C (cyan) data developed in the RAM 32 in the main body unit 1. The transfer is started (step S703), and it is determined whether or not the transfer of C (cyan) data having a predetermined capacity is completed (step S704).

  When the control unit 30 determines that the transfer of C (cyan) data having a predetermined capacity has not been completed (step S704: NO), the control unit 30 stands by. When the control unit 30 determines that the transfer of C (cyan) data having a predetermined capacity has been completed (step S704: YES), the control unit 30 expands M (magenta) data in the free area of the RAM 32 (step S704). S705).

  The control unit 30 determines whether or not the expansion of the M (magenta) data for one page to the RAM 32 is completed (step S706), and the control unit 30 expands the M (magenta) data for one page. If it is determined that the transfer has not been completed (step S706: NO), the control unit 30 determines whether the transfer of C (cyan) data for one page has been completed (step S707).

  If the control unit 30 determines that the transfer of C (cyan) data for one page has not been completed (step S707: NO), the control unit 30 returns to step S704 and repeats the above-described processing. When the control unit 30 determines that the transfer of C (cyan) data for one page has been completed (step S707: YES), the control unit 30 returns to step S705 and repeats the above-described processing.

  When the control unit 30 determines that the expansion of the M (magenta) data for one page has been completed (step S706: YES), the control unit 30 transfers the M (magenta) data for one page to the main body unit 1. Transfer is started (step S708), and the same processing is executed for Y (yellow) data and K (black) data, and when transfer to the main unit 1 is completed for all color data, the process advances to step S312. Transition.

  As described above, the use efficiency of the RAM 32 can be improved and the image forming time can be shortened by adjusting the timing of starting development to the RAM 32 and the timing of starting transfer of the developed image data to the main body 1. It becomes possible to plan.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has been described with respect to a form in which the main body 1 and the PCL controller 3 are physically different from each other. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. A configuration in which the PCL controller 3 is integrally formed may be employed.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is not particularly limited. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to all image forming apparatuses that record acquired print data, such as facsimile machines, digital copying machines, and printers. .

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a PDL that forms a color image transmitted from a computer in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image forming processing by a PCL controller in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image forming processing by a PCL controller in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image forming processing when a color image forming flag by a PCL controller is in an on state in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image forming processing when the PCL controller does not wait for completion of development of image data for one page in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image forming processing when the PCL controller does not wait for the completion of transfer of image data for one page in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main part 2 NIC part 3 PCL controller 4 Printer part 10, 30 Control part 11, 31 ROM
12, 32 RAM
16 Image memory

Claims (3)

A storage unit that temporarily stores image data corresponding to a black and white image or a color image is provided, a command included in print data received from the outside is analyzed, and image data is generated from the print data according to the content of the analyzed command. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image based on the generated image data on a recording medium,
Determining means for determining whether or not a command relating to color image formation is included in the print data;
Control means for changing the memory area acquisition setting of the storage means from a setting corresponding to a monochrome image to a setting corresponding to a color image when the determining means determines that a command relating to color image formation is included. ,
The control means uses a memory area having a capacity for storing image data when forming one page of a monochrome image as a memory area for sequentially storing a plurality of single color data necessary for forming a color image in units of pages. An image forming apparatus configured to be configured as described above.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of single color data includes cyan, magenta, yellow, and black data. A PCL board that analyzes commands included in print data corresponding to a monochrome image or color image and generates image data from the print data according to the contents of the analyzed command, and a monochrome image or color image received from the outside An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body substrate that transfers print data to the PCL substrate and transfers an image based on the image data generated on the PCL substrate to a printing unit that forms the image on a recording medium;
The PCL substrate is
A first memory for temporarily storing image data;
Means for determining whether or not a command relating to color image formation is included in the print data;
Means for changing the memory area acquisition setting of the first memory from a setting corresponding to a monochrome image to a setting corresponding to a color image when it is determined by the means that a command relating to color image formation is included. ,
A memory area having a capacity for storing image data when forming one page of a monochrome image is configured to be used as a memory area for sequentially storing a plurality of single color data necessary for forming a color image in units of pages. Yes,
The body substrate is
A second memory for temporarily storing image data transferred from the PCL board;
An image forming apparatus comprising: means for reading out image data from the second memory and transferring the image data to the printing unit.

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