JP2010260198A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer appropriately performing a memory management in accordance with the situation. <P>SOLUTION: A time to erase outputted printing data from a memory is changed in accordance with a communication state with a source from which the printing data is acquired. Thus, in the situation where the printing data can be easily acquired again, the outputted data are early erased from the memory so as to secure a vacant capacity, on the other hand, in the situation where it is difficult to acquire the data again, the outputted printing data are held in the memory for a longer period so as to be usable upon reprinting. Accordingly, the memory management is appropriately performed in accordance with the situation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

  Conventionally, as a printing apparatus, print data transmitted from a computer connected to a network interface or print data read from a storage medium such as a USB memory connected to a USB interface is stored in the memory, and the print data is stored in the print data. A printer that prints on a sheet based on this is known. In addition, such a printing apparatus has a function of holding print data of a printed page in a memory for a certain period, and reprinting the same page based on the print data when a print error occurs. There are also things.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-284818

  However, if the print data for reprinting is stored in the memory for a long period of time, there is a problem that the processing becomes slow due to insufficient free space.

  On the other hand, a method in which print data of a page that has been printed is immediately erased from the memory to secure a free space in the memory, and when it is necessary to reprint, the print data is obtained again from the acquisition source and printed. Is also possible. However, in this case, inconveniences such as difficulty in re-acquisition of print data and troublesome work may occur depending on the situation.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus capable of performing suitable memory management according to the situation.

  As means for achieving the above object, a printing apparatus according to a first invention comprises an acquisition means for acquiring print data by communicating with a data acquisition source, and a memory for storing the print data acquired by the acquisition means And printing means for printing on a recording medium based on the print data output from the memory; and reprinting based on the output print data stored in the memory for controlling the printing operation by the printing means And a memory control unit that changes the timing of erasing the output print data from the memory according to a communication mode with the data acquisition source in the acquisition unit.

  According to the first aspect, the timing for erasing the output print data from the memory is changed according to the communication mode with the print data acquisition source. As a result, for example, if it is easy to re-acquire the print data, the output print data is deleted from the memory early to secure free space, and if it is difficult to re-acquire, The print data can be stored in the memory for a long time and used for reprinting. Therefore, suitable memory management can be performed according to the situation.

  According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the print control unit, when executing reprinting, if the print target print data does not exist in the memory, the acquisition unit determines whether the print target is printed from the data acquisition source. Print data is re-acquired, and printing is executed based on the re-acquired print data.

  According to the second invention, when the print data to be printed does not exist in the memory at the time of reprinting, the print data to be printed is reacquired from the data acquisition source and printed. Thus, reprinting can be performed even after the output print data has been erased from the memory.

  According to a third invention, in the first or second invention, the acquisition means is an active communication that actively acquires print data from a data acquisition source, and a passive that passively acquires print data from the data acquisition source. The memory control means, when the acquisition means can perform active communication, print data that has been output earlier than when only passive communication is possible. Erase from the memory.

  According to the third invention, when active communication is possible with the data acquisition source, the output print data is erased from the memory earlier than when only passive communication is possible. That is, when active communication is possible, the print data can be re-acquired relatively easily. Therefore, the memory capacity can be secured by erasing the output print data at an early stage. Conversely, when only passive communication is possible, re-acquisition of print data is relatively difficult, so it is necessary to re-acquire print data at the time of re-printing by delaying the time to erase from the memory. The possibility of becoming can be reduced.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, when the memory control unit communicates with the data acquisition source by the acquisition unit by wireless, Print data that has already been output is erased from the memory at a later time than when no communication is performed.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when wireless communication is performed with the data acquisition source, the output print data is erased from the memory at a later time than when communication without wireless is performed. In other words, when performing wireless communication, it is necessary to reacquire print data by wireless communication at the time of reprinting by delaying the time to erase the output print data from the memory even when performing wired communication. The possibility of becoming can be reduced. As a result, re-acquisition of print data can be avoided using wireless communication, which is considered to be more likely to have a unstable communication state than wired communication.

  According to a fifth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, when the memory control means performs wireless communication with a data acquisition source by the acquisition means, the radio field strength of the radio Is weaker, the timing for erasing output print data from the memory is delayed.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when wireless communication is performed with a data acquisition source, the timing for erasing output print data from the memory is delayed as the wireless radio field intensity decreases. In other words, if the radio field strength is weak, it is highly likely that the communication status will be unstable or that communication will take a long time. By delaying the time of erasing, the possibility of reacquisition of print data by wireless communication at the time of reprinting can be reduced.

  According to a sixth invention, in any one of the first to fifth inventions, the memory control unit erases the output print data from the memory as the communication speed with the data acquisition source in the acquisition unit decreases. Delay the time to do.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the slower the communication speed with the data acquisition source is, the slower the timing for erasing output print data from the memory. In other words, when the communication speed is low, the possibility that the print data needs to be reacquired at the time of reprinting is reduced by delaying the timing of erasing the output print data from the memory. Thereby, it is possible to avoid a long waiting time for re-acquisition of print data.

  According to a seventh invention, in any one of the first to sixth inventions, the memory control means is output when the acquisition means becomes unable to communicate with the data acquisition source before printing is completed. The print data is erased from the memory later.

  According to the seventh aspect, when communication with the data acquisition source is disabled before printing is completed, the timing for erasing the output print data from the memory is delayed. That is, for example, when communication with the computer from which the print data is acquired is interrupted during printing, or when the USB memory from which the print data is acquired is removed, the communication is disabled. Since it is likely that it will take time to perform reprinting, it is possible to reduce the possibility that print data needs to be reacquired at the time of reprinting by delaying the time to erase the output print data from the memory. be able to.

  In an eighth invention according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, the printing means can perform double-sided printing in which printing is performed on the second surface of the recording medium after printing on the first surface of the recording medium. The memory control means sets the timing of erasing the print data of the first side stored in the memory at the time of duplex printing after the completion of the output of the print data of the first side and the printing of the second side. It is possible to switch between before completion and after completion of printing of the second surface.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the time for erasing the print data of the first surface stored in the memory at the time of duplex printing is after the completion of the output of the print data of the first surface and before the completion of printing of the second surface. It is possible to switch to any of after the completion of printing on the second side. By erasing the print data of the first surface after the completion of the output of the print data of the first surface and before the completion of printing of the second surface, it is possible to secure free memory capacity early. Further, by holding the print data of the first side in the memory until after the completion of printing of the second side, it is possible to secure a period during which reprinting is possible.

  In a ninth aspect based on any one of the first to eighth aspects, the memory control means outputs the output stored in the memory as the free capacity of the memory decreases or as the print data size increases. Advance the time to erase already printed data.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the smaller the available memory capacity or the larger the print data size, the earlier the time to erase the output print data stored in the memory. That is, when the memory has a small free space or when the size of the print data is large, the free space of the memory can be secured by erasing the print data at an early stage.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing device that communicates with a data acquisition source to acquire print data, a memory that stores print data acquired by the acquisition unit, and print data output from the memory. Printing means for printing on a recording medium based on the printing means, and print control means for controlling the printing operation by the printing means and executing reprinting based on the output print data stored in the memory And memory control means for changing the timing for erasing the output print data from the memory according to the communication path with the data acquisition source in the acquisition means.

  According to the tenth aspect, the timing for deleting the output print data from the memory is changed according to the communication path with the print data acquisition source. As a result, for example, if communication is performed through a route that facilitates reacquisition of print data, the print data that has already been output is erased early from the memory to ensure free space, and communication is performed via a route that is difficult to reacquire In this case, the output print data can be held in the memory for a longer period and used for reprinting. Therefore, suitable memory management can be performed according to the situation.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus for acquiring print data by communicating with a data acquisition source, a memory for storing print data acquired by the acquisition means, and print data output from the memory. Printing means for printing on a recording medium based on the printing means, and print control means for controlling the printing operation by the printing means and executing reprinting based on the output print data stored in the memory In the case where the acquisition unit performs wireless communication with a data acquisition source, the memory control unit deletes the output print data from the memory at a later time than when performing communication without wireless communication. And comprising.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, when wireless communication is performed with the data acquisition source, the output print data is erased from the memory at a later time than when communication without wireless is performed. In other words, when performing wireless communication, it is necessary to reacquire print data by wireless communication at the time of reprinting by delaying the time to erase the output print data from the memory even when performing wired communication. The possibility of becoming can be reduced. As a result, re-acquisition of print data can be avoided using wireless communication, which is considered to be more likely to have a unstable communication state than wired communication.

  A printing apparatus according to a twelfth aspect includes an acquisition unit that communicates with a data acquisition source to acquire print data, a memory that stores the print data acquired by the acquisition unit, and print data output from the memory. Printing means for printing on a recording medium based on the printing means, and print control means for controlling the printing operation by the printing means and executing reprinting based on the output print data stored in the memory And memory control means for delaying the timing of erasing output print data from the memory as the communication speed with the data acquisition source in the acquisition means is slower.

  According to the twelfth aspect, the slower the communication speed with the data acquisition source is, the later the timing for erasing output print data from the memory is delayed. In other words, when the communication speed is low, the possibility that the print data needs to be reacquired at the time of reprinting is reduced by delaying the timing of erasing the output print data from the memory. Thereby, it is possible to avoid a long waiting time for re-acquisition of print data.

  According to the present invention, the timing for erasing output print data from the memory is changed according to the communication mode (communication path, communication speed, presence / absence of wireless communication, etc.) with the print data acquisition source. As a result, for example, if it is easy to re-acquire the print data, the output print data is deleted from the memory at an early stage to secure free space, and if re-acquisition is difficult, The print data can be stored in the memory for a long period and used for reprinting. Therefore, suitable memory management can be performed according to the situation.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Schematic showing the overall configuration of the printing device Flow chart showing data acquisition processing Flow chart showing print processing A flowchart showing an erase timing setting process executed during the printing process The figure which shows the holding | maintenance period of the printing data on RAM at the time of performing duplex printing The figure which shows the holding | maintenance period of the printing data on RAM at the time of performing duplex printing 10 is a flowchart showing erase timing setting processing in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing erase timing setting processing in the third embodiment.

<Embodiment 1>
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Configuration of printing device)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of a printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the printing apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 10 includes a CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, NVRAM (nonvolatile memory) 14, a network interface 15, and a USB interface 16.

  The ROM 12 stores programs for executing various operations of the printing apparatus 10 such as data acquisition processing and printing processing described later. The CPU 11 (an example of print control means and memory control means) is read from the ROM 12. In accordance with the read program, each unit is controlled while the processing result is stored in the RAM 13 (an example of a memory) or the NVRAM 14. The network interface 15 (an example of an acquisition unit) is connected to an external computer 30 (an example of a data acquisition source) or the like via a network line so that mutual data communication is possible. A USB device such as a USB memory 31 (an example of data acquisition source) can be connected to the USB interface 16 (an example of an acquisition unit), and data communication with the connected USB device is possible. .

  The printing apparatus 10 includes an image forming unit 18, a display unit 19, and an operation unit 20. The image forming unit 18 (an example of a printing unit) forms an image on a sheet 22 (an example of a recording medium) as will be described later. The display unit 19 includes a display, a lamp, and the like, and can display various setting screens and operation states of the apparatus. The operation unit 20 includes a plurality of buttons, and the user can input various instructions.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 10 includes a supply tray 23 on which a plurality of sheets 22 can be stacked. The sheet 22 sent out from the supply tray 23 is conveyed to the image forming unit 18. The image forming unit 18 forms an image by a known electrophotographic method, and includes a process unit 24 and a fixing unit 25. The process unit 24 includes an exposure unit, a photoconductor, a development unit, a transfer unit (all not shown), and the like. At the time of printing, the exposure unit exposes the surface of the photoconductor to form an electrostatic latent image based on print data supplied from the CPU 11, and the developing unit develops the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. Further, the transfer unit transfers the toner image onto the paper 22, and the fixing unit 25 fixes the toner image.

  During single-sided printing, the sheet 22 after the image is formed on one side in the image forming unit 18 is discharged onto the discharge tray 27. In addition, during duplex printing, the paper 22 on which the image is formed on one side by the image forming unit 18 is conveyed again to the image forming unit 18 in an inverted state, where an image is formed on the other side. After that, it is discharged onto the discharge tray 27.

(Data acquisition process)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing data acquisition processing.
When the CPU 11 receives a print request from an external computer 30 or the like via the network interface 15, or a direct print execution instruction is input from the operation unit 20 with the USB memory 31 or the like connected to the USB interface 16. Sometimes this data acquisition process is executed.

  In the data acquisition process shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 11 first determines whether one page of data storage area for storing print data can be secured from the free area on the RAM 13 (S101). If the data storage area cannot be secured (S101: No), the process waits until there is enough space on the RAM 13 to secure one page of data storage area.

  If the data storage area can be secured (S101: Yes), print data for one page is obtained from the acquisition source (in this case, the computer 30 or the USB memory 31) and stored in the secured data storage area ( S102).

  Here, when a print request is transmitted from the computer 30, the spooler spools a series of print data to be printed on the computer 30, and the spooler performs printing based on the transmission request from the printing apparatus 10 side. Send data sequentially. In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 10 can only passively acquire print data transmitted from the computer 30, and causes the computer 30 to transmit arbitrary print data in response to a request from the printing apparatus 10 side. I can't.

  On the other hand, when performing direct printing on the USB memory 31, the printing apparatus 10 can actively acquire print data from the USB memory 31. That is, the printing apparatus 10 can access a file to be printed stored in the USB memory 31 through the USB interface 16 and read data at an arbitrary location.

  Subsequently, the CPU 11 determines whether or not acquisition of all print data has been completed (S103), and if there is remaining print data (S103: No), the CPU 11 returns to S101 and prints the print data of the subsequent page. Acquire. When the acquisition of all print data is completed (S103: Yes), this data acquisition process is terminated.

(Printing process)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the printing process, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the erase timing setting process executed during the printing process.

  When the print data for the first page is acquired in the data storage area on the RAM 13 by the data acquisition process, the CPU 11 executes this print process in parallel with the data acquisition process. In the printing process shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 11 first starts printing for the first page (S201). Here, print data for one page is read from the data storage area of the RAM 13, and processing such as development into bitmap data is performed on the RAM 13, and the processed print data is sequentially output from the RAM 13 to the exposure unit of the process unit 24. To do.

  Subsequently, the CPU 11 executes an erasure timing setting process for setting the timing for erasing the output print data from the data storage area of the RAM 13 (S202). In this erasure timing setting process, as shown in FIG. 5, it is first determined whether the print data acquisition path being processed, that is, whether the print data has been acquired via the USB interface 16 or via the network interface 15. (S301).

  When the print data is acquired from the network interface 15 (S301: No), the erasure timing of the print data is discharged at the time of discharge, that is, the paper 22 on which the image based on the print data is printed is discharged onto the discharge tray 27. The timing is set (S302). If the print data is acquired from the USB interface 16 (S301: Yes), it is further determined whether or not the USB memory 31 from which the print data is acquired is removed from the USB interface 16 (S303). If the USB memory 31 is removed from the USB interface 16 (S303: Yes), the process proceeds to S302, and the print data erasure timing is set at the time of paper discharge.

  If the USB memory 31 is not detached from the USB interface 16 (S303: No), it is determined whether the free space of the RAM 13 is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference (S304). If the free space is equal to or larger than the reference (S304: Yes), the process proceeds to S302, and the print data erasing timing is set at the time of ejection. If the free space is less than the standard (S304: No), the print data erasure timing is set to the timing when the output is completed, that is, the timing when the output of the print data from the RAM 13 to the process unit 24 is completed (S305). ).

  As described above, in this erasure timing setting process, the print data erasure timing is set to one of two types, that is, at the time of ejection and at the time when data output is completed earlier than that. When the print data is actively acquired from the USB interface 16, the print data is erased in a shorter time than when the print data is passively acquired from the network interface 15. When the USB memory 31 is removed and communication is disabled, the erasure timing is delayed from the communication enabled state, and the print data is held for a longer period. That is, in this process, as will be described later, when re-acquisition of print data is easy, the print data is erased in a relatively short period of time, and when re-acquisition is difficult, the print data is deleted for a relatively long period of time. I try to keep it.

  Further, when the free space of the RAM 13 is small, the free space can be secured by setting the print data erasing timing earlier than usual. Here, instead of determining the free space in S304, if the size of the print data (occupancy rate of the RAM 13) is equal to or larger than the reference, the print data is erased early (S305), and if it is less than the reference, the print data is kept for a longer period. You may set so that it may hold | maintain (S302).

  By executing the erase timing setting process, the print data being output is erased from the RAM 13 at the set timing. Note that either or both of the processes in S303 and S304 can be omitted. For example, when the print data is acquired from the USB memory 31 in S301 (S301: Yes), the process always proceeds to S302, and when the print data is acquired from the network interface 15 (S301: No), the process is always S305. You may make it progress to the process of.

  After exiting the erasure timing setting process (S202 in FIG. 4), the CPU 11 checks whether an error has occurred during the printing operation (S203). If no error has occurred (S203: No), the printing operation is continued until printing for one page is completed. If printing for one page is completed (S204: Yes), it is determined whether there is a next page (S205). If there is a next page (S205: Yes), the process returns to S201 to return to the next page. Start printing. If printing of all pages is completed (S205: No), this printing process is terminated.

  Further, when an error such as a jam occurs during the printing operation (S203: Yes), the CPU 11 interrupts the printing operation and the conveyance of the paper 22, and sends a message notifying the display unit 19 that the error has occurred. It is displayed (S206). Then, it waits for the cause of the error to be resolved (S207). Here, for example, when a jam occurs, it is detected by a paper sensor (not shown) in the apparatus whether or not the paper 22 left on the conveyance path has been removed.

  When the error is resolved (S207: Yes), the reprint data for reprinting the page to be printed on the paper 22 in the middle of printing or the paper 22 that has not been discharged after completion of printing (after fixing) (output completed) Is determined to be present in the data storage area of the RAM 13 (S208). If reprint data exists (S208: Yes), the process returns to S201, and reprinting is performed on the paper 22 sent out from the supply tray 23 based on the reprint data. To continue.

  Further, when there is no reprint data on the RAM 13 (S208: No), the CPU 11 determines whether the print data can be reacquired (S209). Here, for example, when the print data is acquired via the USB interface 16 and the USB memory 31 that is the acquisition source is connected to the USB interface 16, it is determined that re-acquisition is possible. If print data is acquired via the network interface 15, it is determined that re-acquisition is impossible.

  If the print data can be reacquired (S209: Yes), the reprint data is reacquired (S210). In other words, the USB memory 31 is accessed by the USB interface 16, print data corresponding to the above-described reprint data is read and stored in the data storage area of the RAM 13. Then, the process returns to S201, reprinting is performed based on the reacquired print data, and printing is continued. If it is determined that the print data cannot be reacquired (S209: No), an error message indicating that reprinting cannot be performed is displayed on the display unit 19, and the printing process is terminated.

  6 and 7 are diagrams showing the retention period of the print data in the data storage area of the RAM 13 when performing duplex printing. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the print data is retained for a long time, and FIG. An example of holding for a short period is shown.

  Here, an example in which double-sided printing of a total of four pages is performed on at least two sheets of paper 22 is shown. In each figure, the direction from top to bottom shows the passage of time. As shown in each figure, the CPU 11 first acquires the print data of the first to fourth pages and stores them in the data storage area of the RAM 13. In detail, the print data for the first page to the fourth page are acquired for each page by the data acquisition process described above.

  After storing the print data of the first page to the fourth page, in this example, the second page of the first sheet 22 is first printed, and then the first sheet 22 is reversed. Print the first page. Then, the first sheet 22 is discharged while the fourth page is printed on the second sheet 22, and then the third page is printed on the second sheet 22, and then the second sheet 22 The paper 22 is discharged.

  In the erasure timing setting process of FIG. 5, when the erasure timing of print data is set after paper discharge (S302), as shown in FIG. When the eye paper 22 is discharged, it is erased from the RAM 13. The print data for the third and fourth pages are erased from the RAM 13 when the second sheet 22 is discharged.

  On the other hand, in the erasure timing setting process of FIG. 5, when the print data erasure timing is set when the data output is completed (S305), as shown in FIG. Is output from the RAM 13 to the process unit 24.

  As shown in FIG. 6, by retaining output print data for a relatively long period of time, if an error such as a jam occurs during a printing operation, reprinting can be performed quickly without reacquiring the print data. It can be carried out. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the erasing time of the print data is advanced, so that an empty area can be secured on the RAM 13 at an early stage. This empty area can be allocated as an area for performing various processes such as a print data expansion process and display unit 19 control. Further, if there is subsequent print data, the free area can be allocated as a data storage area for storing the print data.

(Effect of this embodiment)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the timing for deleting the output print data from the RAM 13 is changed according to the communication mode with the print data acquisition source. Thus, for example, if it is easy to re-acquire the print data, the output print data is deleted from the RAM 13 at an early stage to secure free space, and if it is difficult to re-acquire, The print data can be stored in the RAM 13 for a long period and used for reprinting. Therefore, suitable memory management can be performed according to the situation.

  If the print data to be printed does not exist in the RAM 13 at the time of reprinting, the print data to be printed is reacquired from the data acquisition source for printing. Thereby, even after the output print data is erased from the RAM 13, reprinting can be performed.

When active communication is possible with the print data acquisition source, the output print data is erased from the RAM 13 earlier than when only passive communication is possible. That is, when active communication is possible, the print data can be re-acquired relatively easily. Therefore, the empty capacity of the RAM 13 can be secured by erasing the output print data at an early stage. Conversely, when only passive communication is possible, re-acquisition of print data is relatively difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to re-acquire print data at the time of re-printing by delaying the time to erase from the RAM 13. The possibility of becoming can be reduced.

  Further, when communication with the print data acquisition source becomes impossible before printing is completed, the timing for deleting the output print data from the RAM 13 is delayed. That is, for example, when communication with the computer 30 from which the print data is acquired is interrupted during printing, or when the USB memory 31 from which the print data is acquired is removed, the communication is disabled. Since there is a high possibility that it will take time to perform reprinting, it may be necessary to reacquire the print data at the time of reprinting by delaying the time to erase the output print data from the RAM 13. Can be reduced.

  Further, after performing printing on the first side (second page) of the paper 22, printing on the first side (second page) stored in the RAM 13 is performed when performing double-sided printing on the second side (first page). The time to erase the data is after the completion of the printing of the print data on the first side (second page) and before the completion of printing on the second side (first page), and the completion of printing on the second side (first page). It is possible to switch to any of after and after. By erasing the print data of the first side after the completion of the output of the print data of the first side and before the completion of printing of the second side, the free space of the RAM 13 can be secured early. In addition, by holding the print data of the first side on the RAM 13 until after the completion of printing of the second side, it is possible to ensure a period during which reprinting is possible.

  Further, the smaller the available capacity of the RAM 13 or the larger the size of the print data, the earlier the timing for deleting the output print data stored in the RAM 13. That is, when the free space of the RAM 134 is small or the size of the print data is large, the free space of the RAM 13 can be secured by erasing the print data early.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the erase timing setting process. Note that the configuration of the printing apparatus 10 and the flow of data acquisition processing and printing processing are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In the erasure timing setting process of the present embodiment, the CPU 11 determines whether the communication speed with respect to the acquisition source of the network interface 15 or the USB interface 16 is equal to or higher than a reference (S401). Note that a value obtained by actually measuring the data transfer speed may be used as the communication speed. Alternatively, as a communication speed, for example, a standard value corresponding to the communication method may be used such as 480 Mbps when the communication method with the USB memory 31 is USB 2.0 and 12 Mbps when the communication method is USB 1.1.

  If the communication speed with the acquisition source is less than the reference (S401: No), the CPU 11 sets the print data erasing timing at the time of paper discharge (S402), and if the communication speed is higher than the reference (S401). : Yes), the erase timing is set when the data output is completed (S403).

  According to this embodiment, the slower the communication speed with the data acquisition source is, the later the timing for deleting the output print data from the RAM 13 is delayed. In other words, when the communication speed is slow, the possibility that the print data needs to be reacquired at the time of reprinting is reduced by delaying the timing of erasing the output print data from the RAM 13. Thereby, it is possible to avoid a long waiting time for re-acquisition of print data.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the erase timing setting process. Note that the configuration of the printing apparatus 10 and the flow of data acquisition processing and printing processing are substantially the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and thus the description of the same portions is omitted.

  The network interface 15 of the present embodiment is capable of both wireless communication and wired communication. In the erasure timing setting process shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 11 determines whether or not wireless communication is performed with the print data acquisition source through the network interface 15 (S501). If wireless communication is being performed (S501: Yes), it is further determined whether or not the radio field intensity is greater than or equal to a reference (S502).

  If the radio field intensity does not satisfy the standard (S502: No), the print data erasure timing is set when the data output is completed (S503). If wireless communication is not being performed (S501: No), or if the wireless radio wave intensity is greater than or equal to the reference (S502: Yes), the print data erasure timing is set when data output is completed (S504). In the above processing, the processing of S502 may be omitted, and when wireless communication is used (S501: Yes), the erasing timing may always be set at the time of paper discharge (S503).

  According to the present embodiment, when performing communication with the data acquisition source via wireless, the print data that has been output is erased from the RAM 13 at a later time than when performing communication without wireless. In other words, when performing wireless communication, it is necessary to re-acquire print data by wireless communication at the time of reprinting by delaying the timing of erasing output print data from the RAM 13 compared to when performing wired communication. The possibility of becoming can be reduced. As a result, re-acquisition of print data can be avoided using wireless communication, which is considered to be more likely to have a unstable communication state than wired communication.

  Further, when wireless communication is performed with the data acquisition source, the time when the output print data is deleted from the RAM 13 is delayed as the wireless radio wave intensity is weaker. That is, when the radio field intensity is weak, it is considered that the communication state is likely to be unstable or the communication takes time. In such a case, the output print data is stored on the RAM 13. By delaying the time of erasing, the possibility of reacquisition of print data by wireless communication at the time of reprinting can be reduced.

<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) The present invention can also be applied to, for example, a multifunction machine having a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like. Further, the print data may be acquired from other than a computer or a USB memory. For example, print data transmitted from an external facsimile apparatus via a facsimile line may be acquired. In this case, if the print data is acquired via a facsimile line where it is difficult to re-acquire the data, the print data is retained for a long time, and if the print data is acquired via a USB interface or the like, the print data is It may be deleted in a short period.

(2) In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a direct transfer tandem printing apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be an intermediate transfer method, a 4-cycle method, an inkjet method, or the like. The present invention can also be applied to other types of printing apparatuses. The present invention can also be applied to a printing apparatus capable of only single-sided printing.

(3) In the above embodiment, the timing for erasing the output print data has been set to one of paper discharge and data output completion. However, according to the present invention, the erasure timing is set to 3 It may be possible to change in more than stages. Further, the timing of erasing the output print data can be changed as appropriate, for example, when development is completed, when fixing is completed, or when a predetermined period has elapsed after paper discharge.

(4) In the above embodiment, the reprint is executed when an error occurs. However, the print data that has been output can be reprinted based on a user instruction even when an error does not occur. good. For example, when the user instructs to execute reprinting after looking at the discharged paper, if the corresponding print data remains in the memory, reprinting can be performed promptly.

(5) When re-acquisition of print data, if it is in a state in which communication with the print data acquisition source is impossible (for example, a state in which the USB memory is removed), a message is displayed on the display unit, etc. May be restored to a communicable state (for example, a USB memory is connected) and then reacquired.

10. Printing device 11 ... CPU (printing control means, memory control means)
13 ... RAM (memory)
15 ... Network interface (acquisition means)
18. Image forming unit (printing means)
22 ... paper (recording medium)
30 ... Computer (data acquisition source)
31 ... USB memory (data acquisition source)

Claims (12)

An acquisition means for communicating with a data acquisition source to acquire print data;
A memory for storing print data acquired by the acquisition unit;
Printing means for printing on a recording medium based on the print data output from the memory;
Print control means capable of controlling the printing operation by the printing means and executing reprinting based on the output print data stored in the memory;
Memory control means for changing the timing of erasing output print data from the memory according to the communication mode with the data acquisition source in the acquisition means;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The print control unit re-acquires the print data to be printed from the data acquisition source by the acquisition unit when the print data to be printed does not exist in the memory at the time of executing the reprint, and the re-acquired Printing is executed based on the print data. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The acquisition means has a function of performing active communication for actively acquiring print data from a data acquisition source and passive communication for passively acquiring print data from a data acquisition source,
When active communication is possible by the acquisition unit, the memory control unit erases the print data that has been output earlier from the memory than when only passive communication is possible. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
In the case where the acquisition unit performs communication via wireless with the data acquisition source, the memory control unit outputs the print data that has been output from the memory at a later time than when performing communication without using wireless communication. to erase. In the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
In the case where the acquisition unit performs communication with the data acquisition source via wireless, the memory control unit delays the timing of erasing the output print data from the memory as the wireless radio wave intensity is weaker. . In the printing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5,
The memory control unit delays the timing of erasing output print data from the memory as the communication speed with the data acquisition source in the acquisition unit is slower. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The memory control unit delays the timing of erasing the output print data from the memory when the acquisition unit becomes unable to communicate with the data acquisition source before the printing is completed. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The printing unit is capable of duplex printing in which printing is performed on the second surface of the recording medium after printing on the first surface of the recording medium,
The memory control means erases the print data of the first side stored in the memory at the time of double-sided printing, after the completion of the output of the print data of the first side and before the completion of printing of the second side, It is possible to switch to any of after the completion of printing on the second side. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The memory control means advances the timing of erasing the output print data stored in the memory as the free space of the memory is small or the size of the print data is large. An acquisition means for communicating with a data acquisition source to acquire print data;
A memory for storing print data acquired by the acquisition unit;
Printing means for printing on a recording medium based on the print data output from the memory;
Print control means for controlling the printing operation by the printing means and capable of executing reprinting based on the output print data stored in the memory;
Memory control means for changing the timing for erasing output print data from the memory according to a communication path with the data acquisition source in the acquisition means;
A printing apparatus comprising: An acquisition means for communicating with a data acquisition source to acquire print data;
A memory for storing print data acquired by the acquisition unit;
Printing means for printing on a recording medium based on the print data output from the memory;
Print control means capable of controlling the printing operation by the printing means and executing reprinting based on the output print data stored in the memory;
A memory control unit for erasing print data that has already been output from the memory at a later time than when performing non-wireless communication when performing communication with a data acquisition source by the acquisition unit; ,
A printing apparatus comprising: An acquisition means for communicating with a data acquisition source to acquire print data;
A memory for storing print data acquired by the acquisition unit;
Printing means for printing on a recording medium based on the print data output from the memory;
Print control means capable of controlling the printing operation by the printing means and executing reprinting based on the output print data stored in the memory;
Memory control means for delaying the timing of erasing output print data from the memory as the communication speed with the data acquisition source in the acquisition means is slower;
A printing apparatus comprising:

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