JP2008183886A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which increases a printing speed when print data recorded in an external memory area are directly printed. <P>SOLUTION: In the first printing of a print file as a print object, a CPU 28 records a bit map file, which is formed by performing processing for expanding the print file as the print object, in a USB memory 12 by associating the bit map file with the print file. In the second printing or later, the CPU 28 performs the printing by using the bit map file which is recorded in the USB memory 12, without performing expansion processing. Thus, since the CPU 28 does not have to perform the expansion processing each time it performs print processing, the printing speed can be increased. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus that can execute printing directly from print data recorded on a removable medium such as a USB memory or a memory card without using a personal computer (see Patent Document 1). In this case, when a memory card in which print data is recorded is inserted into a card slot of a printer and the user starts printing, the print data recorded in the memory card is printed.
Japanese Patent No. 3125924

  The print data recorded on the removable medium is read into the image forming apparatus and then developed into bitmap data. The bitmap data is used to perform print processing. According to the above configuration, the print data recorded on the removable medium is developed by the control circuit in the image forming apparatus.

  However, since the control circuit in the image forming apparatus has a relatively low processing speed, it is a heavy burden on the control circuit in the image forming apparatus to perform the above-described development processing. For this reason, there is a problem in that the printing speed becomes slower as a whole if the development process is executed each time the print data recorded on the removable medium is printed.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the printing speed when directly printing print data recorded in an external memory. To do.

  As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is an image forming apparatus, wherein a memory connecting portion to which an external memory is detachably connected, and print data recorded in the external memory are printed. A designation unit for designating as a target, a development unit for performing development processing on bitmap data based on the print data to be printed, a printing unit for performing print processing using the bitmap data, and the bitmap data. Recording means for recording in the external memory in association with the print data to be printed, and when the print data to be printed is designated by the designation means, the print data to be printed is associated with the external memory. Determining means for determining whether the bitmap data exists, and the determining means determines whether the bitmap data exists in the external memory. When it is determined that, without the expansion processing to the developing means, and a control means for executing the printing process giving the bit map data to said printing means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the display unit according to the first aspect, and a display control unit that causes the display unit to display identification information of the data recorded in the external memory as a candidate to be printed. Is provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the display control unit causes the display unit to display identification information of the print data recorded in the external memory as a print target designation candidate.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising setting means for setting print conditions for the print data to be printed, wherein the developing means is the print target. The bitmap data is expanded based on the print data and the print conditions, and the recording unit records the bitmap data in the external memory in association with the print data to be printed and the print conditions. When the setting unit sets a print condition for the print data to be printed, the determination unit stores the print data to be printed and the bitmap data recorded in association with the print condition in the external memory. If it is determined by the determining means that the bitmap data exists, the control means The Updater to execute print processing applied to said printing means.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention provides the apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising an internal memory, performing the expansion process on the internal memory, and performing the printing process. The bitmap data recorded in the internal memory is erased.

<Invention of Claim 1>
According to the first aspect of the present invention, bitmap data formed by developing the print data to be printed is associated with the print data and recorded in the external memory. If bitmap data recorded in association with print data to be printed is recorded in the external memory, printing is performed using this bitmap data without causing the decompressing means to perform decompression processing. . As a result, it is possible to improve the printing speed when directly printing the print data recorded in the external memory.

<Invention of Claim 2>
According to the invention of claim 2, the user can easily specify the print data to be printed by looking at the identification information of the data displayed on the display means.

<Invention of Claim 3>
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the bitmap data recorded in association with the print data to be printed exists in the external memory, the control means prints the bitmap data. To execute print processing. For this reason, the user does not need to be aware of the bitmap data. Even in such a case, it is troublesome for the user to display the bitmap data on the display means.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the print data is displayed on the display means, the user does not need to be aware of the bitmap data, and the burden on the user can be reduced.

<Invention of Claim 4>
Bitmap data is formed by executing an expansion process based on print data and printing conditions. For this reason, for example, when printing is performed by setting a plurality of different printing conditions for the same print data, a plurality of different bitmap data is formed.

  As described above, for example, when a plurality of bitmap data expanded based on the same print data is recorded in the external memory, printing is performed based on desired printing conditions using these bitmap data. When trying to do so, the user must be aware of the association between each bitmap data and the printing condition, and must specify which bitmap data is used for printing by the image forming apparatus, which is troublesome.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when bitmap data recorded in association with print data to be printed and printing conditions exists in the external memory, printing processing can be executed using the bitmap data. This eliminates the need for the user to be aware of the association between the printing conditions and the bitmap data, thereby reducing the burden on the user.

<Invention of Claim 5>
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, first, expansion processing is performed on the internal memory, and printing processing is performed using the expanded bitmap data. Since the internal memory has a higher processing speed than the external memory, for example, the printing speed can be improved as a whole as compared with the case where the expansion process is performed on the external memory.

(Entire printer configuration)
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A printer 10 (an example of an image forming apparatus) according to the present embodiment includes a case 11 in which a printing unit 25 (an example of a printing unit) that performs printing on a sheet (not shown) is accommodated. The upper wall of the case 11 is provided with a USB port 13 (an example of a memory connection unit) to which a USB memory 12 (an example of an external memory) is detachably connected. The USB memory 12 stores a print file that stores print data.

  On the upper wall of the case 11 is a display unit 14 (an example of display means) that displays the file name (an example of identification information) of a print file recorded in the USB memory 12 on the right front side of the USB port 13 in FIG. Is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 14 is composed of a horizontally long liquid crystal panel. On the right side of the display unit 14 in FIG. 4, a designation unit 15 (an example of a designation unit) for the user to designate a print target from a print file is provided. The designation unit 15 includes an up button 16, a down button 17, an execution button 18, and a cancel button 19.

  When the user designates a print file to be printed, print condition candidates for the print file are displayed on the display unit 14. The user can set printing conditions (color mode, document size, document orientation, resolution, Nin1 mode, etc.) by operating the buttons 16, 17, 18, and 19 of the designation unit 15. As described above, in the present embodiment, the designation unit 15 is configured to also serve as a setting unit for the user to set print conditions when printing the print data.

  For example, the printing conditions can be set from the following options. For example, for the color mode, either color or monochrome can be selected. Similarly, the document size can be selected from document sizes (A4, A3, B4, B5, etc.) that the printer 10 can print. For the orientation of the document, either vertical or horizontal can be selected. The resolution can be selected from resolutions (1200 dpi, 600 dpi, 300 dpi, etc.) that can be set by the printer 10. For the Nin1 mode, Normal, 2in1, 4in1, etc. can be selected.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of the printer 10. The printer 10 includes a printing unit (an example of a printing unit) 25, a display unit 14, a designation unit 15, a ROM 26, a RAM 27 (an example of a developing unit and an internal memory), a CPU 28 (a control unit, a recording unit, a developing unit, a determining unit, An example of display control means) and a USB interface 29 (an example of a memory connection unit) are provided.

  The USB memory 12 is detachably connected to the USB interface 29. Information recorded in the USB memory 12 is read into the printer 10 via the USB interface 29.

  The ROM 26 stores a program for controlling the printer 10 such as a program for executing USB print processing described later, various settings, initial values, and the like.

  When a print target is specified from the print file recorded in the USB memory 12 and a print condition for the print file is set, the CPU 28 executes an expansion process based on a program stored in the ROM 26. That is, the CPU 28 reads a print file from the USB memory 12 and performs expansion processing on the RAM 27. The RAM 27 temporarily stores bitmap data developed by the CPU 28. Further, the CPU 28 performs control to send the bitmap data to the printing unit 25. The printing unit 25 executes printing processing based on the sent bitmap data.

  Further, the RAM 27 temporarily stores various printing conditions input by the user operating the specifying unit 15.

  In the USB memory 12, a print file, a bitmap file storing bitmap data formed by expanding the print file to be printed, and a BitMapDataBase file are recorded. In the BitMapDataBase file, the file name of a print file that is a print target and that has been subjected to the expansion process is recorded. In addition, the file name of the bitmap file formed by developing the print file is recorded in association with the print file. Further, the printing conditions under which the bitmap data stored in the bitmap file has been developed are recorded in association with the bitmap file.

(USB print processing)
In the printer 10, the following USB print processing is executed under the control of the CPU 28. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of the USB print process.

  When starting the USB print process, the CPU 28 reads the print file recorded in the USB memory 12 and executes a display process for displaying the file name on the display unit 14 (S10).

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the display screen. The display unit 14 is divided into two upper and lower stages, and “Select a print target.” Is displayed in the upper part. In the lower part, the file name “Picture.jpg” of the print file to be printed is displayed. The user presses the up button 16 or the down button 17 to display a desired print file name in the lower part, and presses the execute button 18 to designate a print target. When a print symmetric print file is designated (S11: Y), the process proceeds to S12.

  In S <b> 12, the CPU 28 displays print condition items (for example, color mode) on the upper portion of the display unit 14, and displays print condition options (for example, monochrome) on the lower portion of the display unit 14. Then, the user presses the up button 16 or the down button 17 to display a desired printing condition in the lower part, and sets the printing condition by pressing the execution button 18. When one print condition is set, the CPU 28 displays another print condition item (for example, a document size) on the upper part of the display unit 14 and a corresponding print condition option on the lower part of the display unit 14. (For example, A4) is displayed. The user sets printing conditions by the same operation as described above. When the above processing is repeated and all the printing conditions are set (S12: Y), the process proceeds to S13.

  In S <b> 13, the CPU 28 determines whether the bitmap data developed based on the printing condition in which the print file to be printed exists is present in the USB memory 12. First, the CPU 28 reads the contents of the BitMapDataBase file recorded in the USB memory 12. Next, the CPU 28 reads the print file to be printed from the RAM 27, and determines whether the file name of the print file to be printed is recorded in the BitMapDataBase file. For example, when the print file to be printed is printed for the first time, since this print file is not yet recorded in the BitMapDataBase file, the CPU 28 has not yet executed the expansion process on the print file. Judge. If the expansion process has not been performed, the CPU 28 determines that there is no bitmap data obtained by expanding the print file to be printed in the USB memory 12 (S13: N). Then, the CPU 28 develops the print file to be printed on the RAM 27 based on the set printing conditions, and forms bitmap data (S14).

  Next, the CPU 28 reads the formed bitmap data from the RAM 27 and then gives it to the printing unit 25 to execute the printing process (S15).

  When the printing process is finished, the CPU 28 executes a recording process (S16). In this recording process, the CPU 28 reads the bitmap data from the RAM 27 and creates a bitmap file storing the bitmap data in the USB memory 12. Subsequently, the CPU 28 records the file name of the print file to be printed in the BitMapDataBase file. Further, the CPU 28 records the file name of the bitmap file storing the bitmap data formed by expanding the print file described above in association with the print file. Further, the CPU 28 records the printing conditions based on the above-described bitmap data in association with the bitmap data.

  When the recording process is finished, the CPU 28 deletes the bitmap data held in the RAM 27 (S17). When the bitmap data is erased, the USB print process ends.

  An example of the recorded contents of the USB memory 12 after the USB print processing is executed is shown in FIG. Picture. jpg, Document. pdf, and Table. pdf is a print file. Also, Picture001. dat, Picture002. dat, and Picture003. dat is Picture. jpg is a bitmap file in which bitmap data developed based on different printing conditions is stored. On the other hand, Document001. dat is Document. pdf is a bitmap file in which bitmap data developed based on a certain printing condition is stored. In the BitMapDataBase file, as described above, the relationship between the bitmap file recorded in the USB memory 12, the print file, and the print condition is recorded.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the contents recorded in the BitMapDataBase file. For example, Picture001. dat is Picture. It is recorded that jpg has been developed under the printing conditions of color mode, document size A4, document is landscape, resolution is 1200 dpi, and Nin1 mode is Normal printing. For other bitmap data, the relationship between the print file and the print condition is recorded.

  For example, when the data shown in FIG. 5 is recorded in the USB memory 12, the CPU 28 causes the display unit 14 to display only the print file names listed in FIG. Since only the print file is displayed on the display unit 14 in this manner, the user does not need to be aware of the bitmap file and the BitMapDataBase file. Thereby, the troublesomeness of the user can be reduced.

  When the user designates the printing target (S11: Y) and sets the printing conditions (S12: Y), as described above, the CPU 28 sets the printing condition in which the designated print file is set in the USB memory 12. It is determined whether there is bitmap data developed based on the result (S13). That is, first, the CPU 28 reads the contents of the BitMapDataBase file from the USB memory 12. Next, the CPU 28 reads a print file to be printed from the RAM 27. Subsequently, the CPU 28 determines whether the file name of the print file is recorded in the BitMapDataBase file. For example, when the file name of the print file is recorded, the CPU 28 determines that the print file has already been expanded, and the bit formed by expanding the print file in the USB memory 12. It is determined that a map file is recorded.

  Subsequently, the CPU 28 reads the printing conditions set for the current print file from the RAM 27. Next, the CPU 28 determines whether or not the bitmap file recorded in the BitMapDataBase file is the one in which the above-described print file is expanded and the one expanded under the same conditions as the above-described print conditions. to decide. When the corresponding bitmap file is not recorded, the CPU 28 determines that the corresponding bitmap file does not exist in the USB memory 12 (S13: N), and performs the processes of S14 to S17 in the same manner as described above. And the USB printing process ends.

  If the bitmap file exists, the CPU 28 determines that the corresponding bitmap file exists in the USB memory 12 (S13: Y).

  The above processing will be specifically described below. For example, when the user prints a Picture. Assume that jpg is specified, and the printing mode is set to color in color, document size is A4, document is in landscape orientation, resolution is 1200 dpi, and Nin1 mode is set to Normal.

  First, the CPU 28 reads the contents of the BitMapDataBase file from the USB memory 12. Next, the CPU 28 reads a print file to be printed from the RAM 27. Then, the CPU 28 determines whether the print file name to be printed is recorded in the BitMapDataBase file. In this case, the BitMapDataBase file includes a Picture. Since jpg is recorded, the CPU 28 uses the Picture. It is determined that a bitmap file formed by expanding jpg exists in the USB memory 12.

  Further, the CPU 28 allows the user to access the Picture. Read the printing conditions currently set for jpg. Next, the CPU 28 stores the Picture.DataBaseBase file in the Picture. As a bitmap file formed by expanding jpg, Picture001. dat, Picture002. dat, and Picture003. It is determined that dat is recorded. Next, the CPU 28 determines whether any of these has been developed under the same printing conditions as the currently set printing conditions. As shown in FIG. 6, among the bitmap files, Picture001. Since dat has been developed under the same printing conditions as the currently set printing conditions, the CPU 28 determines that the corresponding bitmap data exists (S13: Y), and executes the printing process (S18).

  In S18, after reading the corresponding bitmap file (Picture001.dat in the above example) from the USB memory 12, the CPU 28 gives the bitmap file to the printing unit 25 without performing the decompression process, and performs the printing process. Let it run. When the printing process ends, the USB print process ends.

  Since the CPU 28 in the printer 10 has a relatively low processing speed, it is a heavy burden on the CPU 28 in the printer 10 to perform the above-described development processing. For this reason, there is a concern that the printing speed will slow down as a whole if the development process is executed each time the print data recorded in the USB memory 12 is printed.

  In view of the above points, in the present embodiment, the CPU 28 records a bitmap file formed by developing a print file to be printed in the USB memory 12 in association with the print file at the time of initial printing. In the second and subsequent printing, the CPU 28 performs printing using the bitmap file recorded in the USB memory 12 without performing the expansion process. As a result, the CPU 28 does not have to execute the expansion process every time when performing the printing process, so that the printing speed can be improved.

  As described above, the bitmap data is formed by executing the expansion process based on the print file and the print conditions. For this reason, for example, when printing is performed by setting a plurality of different printing conditions for the same print data, a plurality of different bitmap files are formed. For example, as shown in FIG. By expanding jpg based on three types of printing conditions, Picture001. dat, Picture002. dat, and Picture003. Three bitmap files dat are formed.

  If the user directly designates these bitmap files and gives them to the printing unit 25 to execute printing based on desired printing conditions, the user is conscious of the association between each bitmap data and the printing conditions. Since it is necessary to designate which bitmap data is to be printed by the printer 10, it is troublesome.

  According to the present embodiment, when a bitmap file recorded in association with a print file to be printed and printing conditions exists in the USB memory 12, printing processing can be executed using this bitmap file. This eliminates the need for the user to be aware of the association between the printing condition and the bitmap file, thereby reducing the user's burden.

  In addition, since the display unit 14 is configured to display print data that is a candidate for designation, the user does not need to be aware of the bitmap data when setting the print target. The burden can be further reduced.

  Also, according to the present embodiment, first, the expansion process is performed on the RAM 27, and the print process is performed using the expanded bitmap file. Since the RAM 27 has a higher processing speed than the USB memory 12, it is possible to improve the printing speed as a whole as compared with the case where the development process is performed on the USB memory 12.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the present embodiment, the printer 10 having the function of printing the print data fetched from the external memory is shown, but the present invention prints the print data transmitted from the PC or the like in addition to the function. It can also be applied to a printer having a printer function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and the like.
(2) In the present embodiment, the display unit 14 is configured to display the print file name. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and arbitrary data recorded in the external memory such as displaying bitmap data and print condition data. May be displayed.
(3) In the present embodiment, the USB memory 12 is described as an example of the external memory. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. It may be.
(4) In this embodiment, the bitmap data is configured to be associated with the print data and the print conditions by the association database file (BitMapDataBase). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the bitmap data file name is printed. The association may be performed by making the data and printing conditions identifiable. For example, when printing data “Picture.jpg” is printed on A4 paper in a color mode under a printing condition of resolution 1200 dpi, the file name of the bitmap data may be “Picture_A4_c — 1200.dat”.
(5) In this embodiment, the configuration is such that a bitmap file for storing the bitmap data obtained by expanding the print file is created. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration for storing the bitmap data in the print file. It is good.
(6) In the present embodiment, the designation unit 15 is configured to also serve as a setting unit. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and a configuration in which a setting unit is provided separately from the designation unit 15 may be employed.
(7) For example, in the case of an inexpensive printer in which only several types of printing conditions can be set, whether there is a print file to be printed and a bitmap file recorded in association with the printing conditions in the USB memory 12 The process of judging can be omitted.

Overall perspective view of a printer according to this embodiment Block diagram showing electrical configuration of printer and USB memory Flow chart showing USB print processing Partial enlarged view showing the display unit and the instruction unit Schematic diagram showing an example of a data file recorded in a USB memory Schematic diagram showing an example of the contents of a BitMapDataBase file Schematic diagram showing an example of print file candidates displayed on the display unit

Explanation of symbols

10. Printer (image forming apparatus)
12 ... USB memory (external memory)
13 ... USB port (memory connection part)
14 ... Display section (display means)
15 ... Designation part (designation means, setting means)
25. Printing section (printing means)
27 ... RAM (internal memory, expansion means)
28 ... CPU (deployment means, control means, determination means, recording means, display control means)
29 ... USB interface (memory connection part)

Claims (5)

A memory connection part to which an external memory is detachably connected;
Designating means for designating print data recorded in the external memory as a print target;
Expansion means for performing expansion processing to bitmap data based on the print data to be printed;
Printing means for performing a printing process using the bitmap data;
Recording means for recording the bitmap data in the external memory in association with the print data to be printed;
A determination unit that determines whether or not bitmap data associated with the print data to be printed exists in the external memory when the print data to be printed is specified by the specifying unit;
If it is determined by the determination means that the bitmap data exists in the external memory, the bitmap data is given to the printing means without causing the expansion means to perform the expansion process, and the printing process is executed. Control means;
An image forming apparatus. Display means;
Display control means for causing the display means to display identification information of data recorded in the external memory as a candidate to be printed;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display identification information of print data recorded in the external memory as a candidate to be printed. Setting means for setting printing conditions for the print data to be printed;
The expansion means performs expansion processing to bitmap data based on the print data to be printed and the printing conditions,
The recording means records the bitmap data in the external memory in association with the print data to be printed and the printing conditions;
When the setting unit sets a print condition for the print data to be printed, the determination unit stores the print data to be printed and the bitmap data recorded in association with the print condition in the external memory. Determine if it exists,
The control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the determination unit determines that the bitmap data exists, the control unit supplies the bitmap data to the printing unit to execute a printing process. The image forming apparatus described in 1. With internal memory,
Performing the expansion process on the internal memory;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bitmap data recorded in the internal memory is deleted after the printing process is performed.

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