JP2009220457A - Image forming device, image forming method and program for making computer execute the method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To do printing with switching page description languages with a small work memory capacity by starting a plurality of page description languages. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU (central processing unit) 24 secures a work memory of all PDLs (page description languages) available when starting the PDL in a RAM (random access memory) 21. When a PDL 1 is started first, a work region for PDL 1 is secured in the work memory, data for a printing is created using the same, and the printing with PDL 1 is started by a printer engine 40. When a request for interrupt printing is performed, the CPU 24 starts PDL 2, a work region for PDL 2 is secured in the work memory, data for a printing is created using the same, and the printing with PDL 2 is started by the printer engine 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program, and relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a method for creating print data in a page description language using a work memory in which a plurality of page description languages are activated and secured This invention relates to a program for causing a computer to execute.

  In recent years, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, when an interrupt request is made from a scanner during print output by a printer, the image data of a print job being printed is processed for interrupt processing in accordance with the memory consumption rate. When the usable capacity is calculated and the interrupt job cannot be expanded in the memory, the image data of the print job is temporarily saved in a storage medium such as the HDD of the scanner, and the saved image data is expanded in the memory after the interruption job is completed. Then, an image forming system for printing out, an interrupt processing method, and a printing apparatus have been proposed.

JP 2007-30252 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, when an interrupt from a scanner occurs during printing output by a printer, interrupt printing cannot be performed unless there is a sufficient capacity in the printer memory for storing image data. For this reason, the invention relates to a method for managing image data in the printer memory in which the interrupted job data is temporarily saved in another memory and restored after completion of the interrupt.

  On the other hand, in order to start a plurality of page description languages and create print data using a desired page description language from among these page description languages, a work memory that is a work area and the work memory are used. Data management for work memory is required to save downloaded font information.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus capable of printing while switching a page description language with a small work memory capacity by activating a plurality of page description languages, and An object is to provide a program for causing a computer to execute the method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 includes activation means capable of activating a plurality of page description languages, and work memories of all usable page description languages. Using work memory allocation means to be secured at startup, work area distribution means for distributing to the work area for each activated page description language among the secured work memory, and a work area distributed using the activated page description language It is characterized by comprising print data creating means for creating print data and output means for outputting the print data.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, when the work area distribution unit distributes the work area, a storage area for storing data in the work memory is provided. A storage area creating means for creating, and when there is interrupt printing by print data created by starting another page description language during output by the output means, The data is compressed and moved to a storage area.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when printing is resumed using the interrupted page description language, the data compressed in the storage area is stored in a work memory. It is characterized by expanding above.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the timing at which the data compressed in the storage area is expanded on the work memory is the time when printing of the interrupted page description language is completed. It is characterized by being.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a non-volatile storage medium that temporarily saves data in the work memory, wherein the work memory The securing means secures only a work memory that requires one page description language among the plurality of page description languages, and when interrupting using a different page description language, the data in the work memory is stored in the nonvolatile memory. It is characterized by using the work memory after being stored in a medium.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the data in the work memory stored in the nonvolatile storage medium resumes printing of the interrupted page description language. It is characterized by sometimes re-deploying on the work memory.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein only the work memory that requires one page description language among the plurality of page description languages is secured and printed, When switching to a different page description language after printing is completed, save the data in the work memory to the nonvolatile storage medium and then use the work memory to return to the page description language before switching. The data stored in the volatile storage medium is expanded on the work memory.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the work memory secured by the work memory securing unit is used as a work area for each page description language used by the work area distributing unit. When distributing, a work area that requires one page description language of the plurality of page description languages and a storage area for storing data in the work area are secured, and after printing, When switching to a different page description language, save the data in the work area in the storage area and then use that work area. To return to the page description language before switching, the data stored in the storage area is saved in the work area. It is characterized by expanding on the area.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the data stored in the nonvolatile storage medium includes font data or information of a plurality of page description languages. And

  The invention according to claim 10 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the data stored in the storage area includes font data or information of a plurality of page description languages. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 11 is an activation step for activating a plurality of page description languages, and secures all usable page description language work memories at the time of activation. Create print data using the work memory allocation step, the work area distribution step for distributing the work area for each activated page description language in the allocated work memory, and the distributed work area using the activated page description language And a print step for performing printing using the created print data.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an invention according to a twelfth aspect causes a computer to execute the steps of the image forming method according to the eleventh aspect. It is a program.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of page description languages are activated by the activation means, work memories of all page description languages that can be used by the work memory securing means at the time of activation are secured, and work memory secured by the work area distribution means Distribute to the work area for each activated page description language, create print data using the distributed work area using the page description language activated by the print data creation means, and output the print data by the output means . In this way, when multiple page description languages can be activated, work memory for all usable page description languages is secured, and the allocated work memory is allocated to the work area for each activated page description language. Therefore, since the work memory area of all page description languages is secured, it is possible to start multiple page description languages at the same time, and there is an overhead when switching between page description languages. There is an effect that it can be reduced. In addition, since the work memories of all usable page description languages are secured, there is an effect that the work memory capacity can be reduced to the minimum necessary when using a plurality of page description languages.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As this image forming apparatus, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine alone, or a digital multifunction machine (MFP: Multi Function Peripheral) that combines them with a scanner function can be used.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a printer 10, and the printer 10 and a host computer (host PC) 70 are connected via a network 80. The hardware configuration of the printer 10 includes a controller 20, a printer engine 40, an SDI / F 50, a card I / F 60, and the like. The controller 20 includes a RAM 21, a ROM 22, a font ROM 23, a CPU 24, an ASIC 25, an engine I / F 26, a host I / F 27, an HDD 28, a NIC 29, a timer 30, and the like.

  The controller 20 converts the print data converted by the actual page description language into video data under the condition of the print correction mode set by the main body or the driver, and outputs the video data to the printer engine 40. It is a general term for devices and has the following modular structure.

  The RAM 21 is a work memory when the CPU 24 performs processing. Also, a buffer for managing and temporarily storing data from the host PC 70 in units of pages, or as a bitmap memory for storing video data obtained by converting the data stored in the buffer into an actual print pattern Has also been used.

  The ROM 22 stores program data and the like. The font ROM 23 stores various font data that are actually used.

  The CPU 24 controls the entire controller 20 according to program data in the ROM 22. The ASIC 25 transmits and receives print data and the like from the host PC 70 via the bus. In processing the print data, the CPU 24 activates a page description language (PDL), a work memory securing means for securing all PDL work memories usable in the RAM 21 at the time of activation, and a secured work. Work area distribution means for distributing to areas for each PDL using the memory, and print data creation means for creating print data using the distributed work area using the activated page description language. The work area distribution means further includes storage area creation means for creating a storage area for storing data in the work memory when the work area is distributed.

  The engine I / F 26 is an interface for sending a control signal from the controller 20 to the printer engine 40 and sending an engine status signal from the printer engine 40 to the controller 20.

  The host I / F 27 is an interface for sending a status signal and data from the printer 10 to the host PC 70 and sending data from the host PC 70 to the printer 10.

  The HDD 28 is a mass storage device that stores document data information, document data, print data, and the like. Here, a nonvolatile storage medium for temporarily saving data in the work memory is configured.

  The NIC (network interface card) 29 is an interface for network connection. For example, when the print command from the host PC 70 or the data received from the host PC 70 exceeds one page, the controller 20 converts the intermediate code into video data and then sends it to the printer engine 40 via the engine I / F 26. In response, a print start command is output. By repeating this operation, data from the host PC 70 is actually printed through the printer engine 40.

  The timer 30 is a device that measures the current time.

  The printer engine 40 creates and develops an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor on the basis of the video signal and control signal from the controller 20, and performs transfer and fixing processing on the transfer paper fed from the paper feed unit. Form. In FIG. 1, the printer engine 40 as the output means is the one inside the printer 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and image formation may be performed using an external printer engine.

  The SDI / F 50 is an interface or an insertion slot for a removable external recording medium. When an SD card is inserted into this slot, it is possible to recognize whether a card is inserted by detecting a change in voltage or the like.

  The card I / F 60 is an interface for connecting an external charging apparatus or an authentication card insertion slot.

  The printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 is configured as described above, and an outline of data processing using the printer 10 will be described below.

[Reception processing]
First, the print data sent from the host PC 70 to the printer 10 is analyzed by the CPU 24 using the data analysis program on the ROM 22, and the print data and print control data (SP CR LF HT, VT, etc.) and other data are analyzed. Divided into data. The print data and print control data are temporarily stored in the reception buffer on the RAM 21.

[Drawing process]
The received data once stored on the RAM 21 is extracted one by one by the control program on the ROM 22 and processed. For example, if the extracted data is a character code, an intermediate code including a print position, a print size, a character code, font information, and the like is created and stored in an intermediate buffer provided on the RAM 21. In the case of commands such as control codes and escape sequences, processes defined in advance are performed on them. For example, if the print position is specified, the position of the next character code is changed to the specified position. If the font is changed, the font information of the next character code is changed to the specified font. The process is performed in a proper manner. In this way, when the print command from the host PC 70 is processed or the processed data exceeds one page, the intermediate code stored in the intermediate buffer (RAM 21) is converted into video data according to the control program in the ROM 22. The process of converting to is performed.

[Output processing]
After the conversion to video data, the controller 20 issues a print start command to the printer engine 40 via the engine I / F 26 and transfers the video data in synchronization therewith. Through such a series of processes, print data from the host PC 70 is printed out via the printer engine 40.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on each embodiment.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the work memory according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the first embodiment.

  A feature of the first embodiment is that a plurality of page description languages (hereinafter referred to as PDL) can be activated, and all usable PDL work memories are secured at the time of activation. The allocated work memory is distributed to the work area for each activated PDL (herein referred to as PDL1). When another PDL (PDL2) is activated, the work area of the activated PDL2 is distributed among the secured work memories. As described above, even if interrupt printing occurs, the work area for the page description language (PDL1) being printed can be left as it is, and the work area of the page description language (PDL2) on the interrupt side can be acquired. . When printing of the page description language (PDL2) on the interrupt side is completed, the work area of the page description language (PDL2) on the interrupt side is released and the page description language (PDL1) on the interrupted side is resumed. Yes.

  In the PDL work memory configuration according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, all usable PDL work memories 90 are secured at the time of activation. When the PDL1 is activated in the secured work memory 90, the PDL1 work area 91 is distributed. Subsequently, when another PDL2 is activated, the PDL2 work area 92 is distributed. When there is a possibility that another PDL is activated, the other work area 93 is secured. As described above, in the first embodiment, since all usable PDL work memories are secured at the first start-up, the interrupted PDL work area data is saved even if there is an interrupt from the middle. Can be left without.

  The operation according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the CPU 24 starts up, if there are a plurality of PDLs that can be used by the printer 10, here, there are a plurality of PDLs that can be used, the CPU 24 calculates the capacity required to start up a plurality of PDLs and secures the work memory 90. (Step S100). When the CPU 24 first activates PDL1 (step S101), the PDL1 work area 91 in the secured work memory 90 is distributed (step S102). As described above, when the work area 91 for PDL1 is secured (YES in step S102), print data is created using the work area 91, and printing of PDL1 is started by the printer engine 40 (step S103).

  When another PDL2 is activated during the printing of the PDL1 and interrupt printing is started (step S104), the CPU 24 activates the PDL2 (step S105), and the PDL2 work area 92 in the secured work memory 90 is stored. Distribution is performed (step S106). As described above, when the PDL2 work area 92 is secured (YES in step S106), print data is created using the work area 92, and printing of the PDL2 is started by the printer engine 40 (step S107).

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, since work memories of all PDLs that can be used at the first activation are secured, the corresponding work area is distributed every time each PDL is activated. There is no worry of running out of work area. For this reason, even if there is PDL2 interrupt printing during PDL1 printing, the data in the PDL1 work area 91 is kept as it is, and printing processing is continued using the data in the PDL1 work area 91 after the PDL2 printing is completed. can do.

  The flowchart in FIG. 3 is up to the start of PDL2 printing in step S107. However, after the PDL2 printing is completed, the PDL2 work area 92 in FIG. 2 is released and the PDL1 work area 91 is used. Printing of PDL1 is started.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, work memory for all PDLs is secured at the time of startup, and work areas are distributed for each PDL. Therefore, when interrupt printing occurs, both interrupted and interrupted PDLs A work area is used, and a memory capacity twice as large as usual is required. For this reason, there is a possibility that interrupt printing cannot be provided in a model with a small memory capacity. Therefore, the work memory of the interrupted PDL is not used while the interrupting PDL is operating. Therefore, if the area can be managed appropriately, even if the model has a small memory capacity, it can be interrupted. It is possible to provide a printing function. In the second embodiment and below, an example of an image forming apparatus that performs such memory management will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a work memory according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second embodiment is characterized in that, among the reserved work memory 100, at least the PDL work area 101 used by the active PDL and the PDL work that is not operating due to the occurrence of an interrupt. This is because the data in the memory is distributed to the PDL work storage area 102 for storing the compressed data. The information stored in the PDL work area 101 is moved to the PDL work storage area 102 after being compressed. For this reason, the size of the storage area can be varied in accordance with the change in the compression size. In the work memory 100, another work area 103 may be secured.

  The operation according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, all PDL work memories 100 that can be used at the time of activation are secured (step S110). Then, when the CPU 24 first activates PDL1 (step S111), the PDL work area 101 for use by the operating PDL in the secured work memory 100 is distributed (step S112). As described above, when the PDL work area 101 is secured (YES in step S112), print data is created using the work area 101, and printing of the PDL1 is started by the printer engine 40 (step S113).

  When another PDL2 is activated during the printing of the PDL1 and interrupt printing is started (step S114), the CPU 24 compresses the data in the PDL work area 101 used by the PDL1 and displays the result in FIG. It moves to the PDL work storage area 102 shown (step S115), and releases the PDL work area 101 used in PDL1 (step S116).

  Subsequently, the CPU 24 activates the PDL 2 (Step S117), and secures the released PDL work area 101 in the secured work memory 100 (Step S118). As described above, when the PDL 2 secures the PDL work area 101 (YES in step S118), print data is created using this, and printing of the PDL 2 is started by the printer engine 40 (step S119).

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when only one work area is used by the operating PDL, the PDL work area 101 is secured, and the PDL work that is not operating due to the occurrence of an interrupt is obtained. Since it is only necessary to secure the PDL work storage area 102 for compressing and storing data in the memory, an interrupt printing function can be provided even in an image forming apparatus equipped with a work memory with a small capacity. it can.

(Third embodiment)
The feature of the third embodiment is that in the second embodiment, the PDL1 data compressed and stored in the PDL work storage area 102 is converted into the normal PDL work area 101 after the interrupted PDL2 printing is completed. There is a point to expand to.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the third embodiment, and the PDL work memory configuration is the same as in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, after printing of the interrupted PDL2 is completed (step S120), the PDL work area 101 of FIG. 4 used by the PDL2 is released (step S121), and the PDL work storage area 102 is displayed. The compressed data stored in the PDL is expanded in the PDL work area 101 (step S122). If the expansion is successful (step S123), the printing of PDL1 is resumed (step S124).

  If the PDL work area 101 is not released in step S121 and if the compressed data cannot be expanded in the PDL work area 101 in step S123, the process ends.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, since the interrupted PDL1 save data is expanded in the PDL work area 101 when printing of the interrupted PDL2 is completed, the interrupted PDL2 The PDL work area 101 is released upon completion of printing, and at the same time, the saved data of the PDL 1 can be developed, and the PDL work area 101 can be used efficiently.

(Fourth embodiment)
The feature of the fourth embodiment is that the data in the work memory of the interrupted PDL1 is not compressed and stored in the PDL work storage area (RAM) 102 as in the third embodiment. In addition, the data is saved in a nonvolatile storage medium such as an SD card via the HDD 28 in the printer 10 or the SDI / F 50.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a work memory according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the work memory configuration according to the fourth exemplary embodiment includes a PDL work area 111 that is used by at least the active PDL and a PDL that is not operating due to an interrupt. A non-volatile storage medium 113 for storing data in the work memory is secured. When data in the work memory is stored in the non-volatile storage medium 113, it is stored in a non-compressed manner if there is a capacity of the medium, and is compressed and saved if there is no room. As the nonvolatile storage medium 113, as described above, the HDD 28, the SD card, and the like are given as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, when restoring the data in the work memory stored in the nonvolatile storage medium 113 to the PDL work area 111, if the nonvolatile storage medium 113 changes, the reading source also changes, and whether the data is read or expanded as it is depending on the presence or absence of compression. Will change.

  The operation according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, all PDL work memories 100 usable at the time of activation are secured (step S130). When the CPU 24 first activates the PDL 1 (step S131), the PDL work area 111 to be used by the operating PDL in the secured work memory 110 is distributed (step S132). As described above, when the PDL work area 111 is secured (YES in step S132), print data is created using the PDL work area 111, and printing of the PDL1 is started by the printer engine 40 (step S133).

  When interrupt printing is started during printing of this PDL1 (step S134), the CPU 24 moves the data in the PDL work area 111 used by the PDL1 to the nonvolatile storage medium 113 (step S135), and PDL1. The PDL work area 111 used in step S136 is released (step S136).

  Subsequently, the CPU 24 activates the PDL 2 (step S137), and secures the released PDL work area 111 in the secured work memory 110 (step S138). As described above, when the PDL 2 secures the PDL work area 111 (YES in step S138), print data is created using the PDL work area 111, and printing of the PDL 2 is started by the printer engine 40 (step S139).

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when only one work area is used by the active PDL, the PDL work area 111 is secured, and the PDL work that is not operating due to the occurrence of an interrupt. Since the data in the memory only needs to be stored using the existing nonvolatile storage medium 113, an interrupt printing function can be provided even in an image forming apparatus equipped with a work memory with a small capacity.

(Fifth embodiment)
The feature of the fifth embodiment is that, in the fourth embodiment, the PDL1 data saved in the non-volatile storage medium 113 is developed in the normal PDL work area 111 after the interrupted PDL2 printing is completed. It is in.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state transition of a series of work memory configurations from the flowchart of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the fifth embodiment. The basic work memory configuration of PDL is the same as that shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, after printing of the interrupted PDL2 is completed (step S140), the PDL work area 111 of FIG. 7 used by the PDL2 is released (step S141), and the non-volatile storage medium 113 is stored. The stored data in the work memory of PDL1 is read and expanded in the work area 111 for PDL (step S142). If the expansion is successful (step S143), printing of PDL1 is resumed (step S144).

  If the PDL work area 111 is not released in step S141 and if the compressed data or the like cannot be expanded in the PDL work area 111 in step S143, the process ends.

  FIG. 9 shows data transition in the work memory using the PDL work areas 121 to 123 in the series of sequences in the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 10. First, in order from the left side of FIG. 9, when PDL1 is activated in step S131 of FIG. 8, a PDL work area 121 is secured (step S132), and PDL1 uses this area. Subsequently, in step S137 of FIG. 8, when PDL2 is activated by an interrupt, a PDL work area 122 is secured (step S138), and this area is used by PDL2. In step S140 of FIG. 10, when the PDL work area is released after PDL2 printing is completed (step S141), the PDL1 data stored in the non-volatile storage medium 113 is expanded in the PDL work area 123. Then, the printing of PDL1 is resumed. As described above, when the PDL used by an interrupt or the like is switched to the PDL work area in the work memory, the data in the work memory is switched accordingly. In the case of temporary use such as an interrupt, the data in the work memory of the interrupted PDL is saved in the nonvolatile storage medium 113 and restored after the end of the interrupt.

  According to the fifth embodiment, since the interrupted PDL1 save data is expanded in the PDL work area 101 when the interrupted PDL2 print ends, the interrupted PDL2 print ends. At the same time as the PDL work area 101 is released, the saved data of PDL 1 can be expanded, and the PDL work area 101 can be used efficiently.

(Sixth embodiment)
In the case of the first to fifth embodiments, the function of saving the data in the work memory of the interrupted PDL at the time of interrupt printing and restoring the data in the work memory after completion of the interrupt printing has been described. However, this function can be applied to other than interrupt printing. In the sixth embodiment, a case where the present invention is used while switching PDLs other than interrupt printing will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of saving data in the work memory when PDL switching occurs in the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a state transition diagram of the work memory configuration in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of restoring the data in the work memory when returning to the PDL before switching in the sixth embodiment.

  Normally, data in the work memory is discarded when the PDL is switched, and when the same PDL is activated, it is necessary to acquire and collect data again. The data that needs to be acquired and collected for development on the work memory includes font data downloaded from the host PC 70.

  The operation according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 11, when PDL1 is activated (step S150), the CPU 24 secures a work area for PDL (step S151). As shown in FIG. 12, the PDL work area 131 is set for PDL1. Then, necessary data such as font data is downloaded to the PDL work area 131 from the host PC 70 (step S152). The CPU 24 creates print data using these data and PDL1, and printing of PDL1 is started (step S153).

  After printing of PDL1 is completed (step S154), when there is a print start request by a different PDL2 (step S155), the CPU 24 stores the data in the PDL work area 131 (see FIG. 12) used by PDL1 in a nonvolatile manner. The data is stored in the medium 113 (see FIG. 7) (step S156), and the PDL work area 131 is released (step S157).

  Subsequently, the CPU 24 activates PDL2 that has been requested to start printing (step S158), and secures a PDL work area (step S159). When this is seen in FIG. 12, the work area 132 for PDL is set for PDL2. Then, necessary data is downloaded using the PDL work area 132, print data is created using these data and PDL2, and printing of PDL2 is started (step S160).

  Next, a case where the printing of PDL1 is executed again after the printing of PDL2 is completed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, after printing of PDL2 is finished (step S170), when there is a print start request for PDL1, the work area for PDL used by PDL2 is released (step S172), and nonvolatile storage is performed in step S156. The data in the work memory of PDL1 saved in the medium 113 is developed in the work area 131 for PDL (see FIG. 12) (step S173).

  When the expansion to the PDL work area 131 is successful (step S174), the CPU 24 activates PDL1 (step S175), and reserves the PDL work area 131 as a work memory for PDL1 (step S176). Print data is created using the data in the work area 131 and PDL1, and PDL1 is printed (step S177).

  Thus, according to the sixth embodiment, the present invention can be applied not only when there is an interrupt print request but also when different page description languages (PDL) are used by switching. At that time, it was necessary to resend the font data from the host PC 70 or the like so far, but since the data stored in the nonvolatile storage medium 113 can be reused, printing can be performed in the same state as in the previous environment. it can.

  Note that the storage destination of data in the work memory has been described here using the nonvolatile storage medium 113. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a dedicated PDL work storage area is provided on the work memory as shown in FIG. It may be provided and stored.

  Also, here, the case where switching between two page description languages (PDL) of PDL1 and PDL2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and information between three or more types of page description languages (PDL) is retained. It may be used by switching as appropriate. As described above, in the case of an image forming apparatus that can use a plurality of page description languages (PDLs), when the PDL is switched and used, the overhead related to the data in the work memory becomes a problem. The sixth embodiment If this is applied, this overhead can be reduced.

  The program executed by the image forming apparatus according to each of the above embodiments is provided by being incorporated in advance in the ROM 14 shown in FIG.

  A program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is an installable or executable file, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). You may comprise so that it may record and provide on a computer-readable recording medium.

  Furthermore, the program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The program executed by the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  A program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a module including the above-described units (starting means, work memory securing means, work area distribution means, print data creation means, output means, storage area creation means, and the like). As actual hardware, a CPU (processor) 24 reads the program from the ROM 22 and executes the program, so that the above-described units are loaded on the main storage device, and start-up means, work memory securing means, work area Distribution means, print data creation means, output means, storage area creation means, and the like are generated on the main storage device.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the work memory concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the work memory concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the work memory concerning 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement concerning 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state transition of a series of work memory structures from the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement in 5th Embodiment. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of saving data in a work memory when PDL switching occurs in the sixth embodiment. It is a state transition diagram of the work memory configuration in the sixth embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement which restores the data in a work memory, when returning to PDL before switching in 6th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Printer 20 Controller 21 RAM
22 ROM
23 Font ROM
24 CPU
25 ASIC
26 Engine I / F
27 Host I / F
28 HDD
29 NIC
30 timer 40 printer engine 50 SDI / F
60 card I / F
70 Host PC
80 Network 90 Work memory 91 PDL1 work area 92 PDL2 work area 93 Other work area 100 Work memory 101 PDL work area 102 PDL work storage area 103 Other work area 110 Work memory 111 PDL work area 112 Other work area 113 Non-volatile storage medium 120 Work memory 121, 122, 123 PDL work area 124, 125, 126 Other work area 130 Work memory 131, 132 PDL work area 133, 134 Other work area

Claims (12)

Starting means capable of starting a plurality of page description languages;
Work memory securing means for securing work memory of all usable page description languages at startup,
A work area distribution means for distributing the work area to the work area for each activated page description language in the secured work memory;
Print data creation means for creating print data using the distributed work area using the activated page description language;
An output means for outputting print data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The work area distribution means further comprises storage area creation means for creating a storage area for storing data in the work memory when distributing the work area,
If there is an interrupt print by print data created by starting another page description language during printing by the output means, the data in the work area of the interrupted page description language is compressed and moved to the storage area The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when printing is resumed using the interrupted page description language, the data compressed in the storage area is expanded on a work memory.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the timing at which the data compressed in the storage area is expanded on a work memory is when printing of the interrupted page description language is completed. A non-volatile storage medium that temporarily saves data in the work memory;
The work memory securing means secures only a work memory that requires one page description language of the plurality of page description languages, and when interrupting using a different page description language, the work memory data is stored in the nonvolatile memory. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the work memory is used after being stored in the volatile storage medium.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the data in the work memory stored in the non-volatile storage medium is re-developed on the work memory when printing of the interrupted page description language is resumed. .   When printing is performed by securing only a work memory that requires one page description language among the plurality of page description languages, and switching to a different page description language after printing is completed, the data in the work memory is stored in the nonvolatile memory. 6. The data stored in the non-volatile storage medium is expanded on the work memory when the work memory is used after being saved in the storage medium and the page description language before switching is restored. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   A work area that requires one page description language among the plurality of page description languages when distributing the work memory secured by the work memory securing means to a work area for each page description language used by the work area distribution means And a storage area to save the data in the work area, and when printing, and after switching to a different page description language, save the data in the work area in the storage area 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the work area is used and the page description language before switching is restored, the data stored in the storage area is developed on the work area.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the data stored in the nonvolatile storage medium includes font data or information of a plurality of page description languages.   9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the data stored in the storage area includes font data or information of a plurality of page description languages. An activation step for activating multiple page description languages;
A work memory securing step for securing work memory of all usable page description languages at startup;
A work area distribution step for distributing to the work area for each activated page description language out of the secured work memory;
A print data creation step for creating print data using the distributed work area using the activated page description language;
A printing step for printing using the created print data;
An image forming method comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the image forming method according to claim 11.

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