JP2011104880A - Printer and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve power saving without making a user conscious of printing mode switching, and to improve the convenience of a printer. <P>SOLUTION: Printing data D1, D2 for every print document received are temporarily held in a print data holding means U1. It is judged whether at least either of the number and amount of the printing data D1, D2 held in the print data holding means U1 is in a predetermined reference. A power-saving printing mode based on the held printing data D1, D2 is performed when the judgement result is in the reference. The printing based on the held printing data D1, D2 is performed with an ordinal printing mode when the determination result is not in the reference. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method for performing printing in a normal printing mode and a power saving printing mode.

In recent years, printing apparatuses that can operate in a power-saving printing operation mode that consumes less power but have a slower printing speed than the normal printing mode are increasing.
The printing apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 includes a normal mode in which the number of printed matter output per unit time is maximum, and a power saving output mode in which power consumption and the number of printed matter output per unit time are lower than those in the normal mode. ing. In this printing apparatus, a user can select a normal mode and a power saving output mode.

JP 2009-86106 A

  However, in order to realize power saving of the printing apparatus, it is necessary for the user to perform an operation for switching the print mode.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to realize power saving without making the user aware of print mode switching, and to improve the convenience of the printing apparatus.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a normal printing mode in which printing is performed at a first printing speed, and a second printing speed that consumes less power than the normal printing mode and is slower than the first printing speed. A printing apparatus that performs printing based on print data in a power saving printing mode in which printing is performed in
Print data holding means for temporarily holding the print data for each received print document;
Mode determining means for determining whether at least one of the number and amount of print data held in the print data holding means is within a predetermined standard;
A power saving print execution means for performing printing based on the held print data in the power saving print mode when the determination result is within the reference;
And a normal print execution means for performing printing based on the held print data in the normal print mode when the determination result is not within the reference.

According to the present invention, printing is performed at a normal printing mode in which printing is performed at the first printing speed, and at a second printing speed that consumes less power than the normal printing mode and is slower than the first printing speed. A printing method for performing printing based on print data in the power saving printing mode,
The print data for each received print document is temporarily held in the print data holding means,
Determining whether at least one of the number and amount of print data held in the print data holding means is within a predetermined standard;
When the determination result is within the reference, printing based on the held print data is performed in the power saving printing mode,
When the determination result is not within the reference, printing based on the held print data is performed in the normal print mode.

That is, when at least one of the number and amount of print data held in the print data holding unit is small, printing based on the print data is performed in the power saving print mode with low power consumption although the printing speed is relatively slow. Is called. On the other hand, when at least one of the number and amount of print data held in the print data holding unit is large, printing based on the print data is performed in the normal print mode in which the power consumption is relatively high but the printing speed is high. .
As described above, it is possible to realize power saving without making the user aware of print mode switching, and it is possible to improve the convenience of the printing apparatus.

Here, the power saving printing mode may include a plurality of modes, and in particular, may include a plurality of modes in which printing is performed at a plurality of printing speeds. A plurality of modes may exist as the normal print mode.
Within the standard, which is a criterion for determining the number or amount of print data, when a positive threshold value is set as a criterion for determining the number or amount of print data, the value corresponding to the number or amount of print data is equal to or less than the threshold value. And that the value corresponding to the number or amount of print data is less than a threshold value.

  The number of print data includes the number of print documents of the print data, the number of print pages of the print data, a combination thereof, and the like. The amount of print data includes the amount of print data. By determining at least one of the number of print documents of the held print data, the number of print pages of the held print data, and the data size of the held print data, the power saving print mode It is possible to more appropriately determine a good situation.

  The received print data includes a command for developing a bitmap, and the print data holding means interprets the command and a pre-interpretation data holding unit that holds the print data before interpreting the command. A post-interpretation data holding unit that holds the print data after the printing. In this case, there may be provided command interpretation means for interpreting the command of the print data held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit and sequentially developing the bitmap in the post-interpretation data holding unit. The mode determination unit may determine whether at least one of the number and amount of print data held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit is within the reference. As a result, the print mode can be determined at an early stage when the print data is received.

  The mode determination means is a first print document in which the number of print documents of the print data held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit is within a reference number of the number of print documents and the post-interpretation data holding unit holds It may be determined whether the number of printed pages is within the reference number of the number of printed pages. Even if the number of print documents held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit is small, if the number of print pages of the first print document to be printed soon is large, the number of print documents received up to the above determination is increased until printing. It will take a long time. Therefore, if the normal printing mode is set in such a case, the situation where the power saving printing mode may be set is determined more appropriately, and the convenience of the printing apparatus can be improved. In addition, it is possible to provide a suitable configuration when the number of print pages of a print document is known only after the command of the print document is interpreted.

  The mode determining means determines whether or not the number of print documents of print data held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit when print data in print document units is received is within a reference number of the number of print documents. Printing of print data in units of print documents received immediately before the determination held in the post-interpretation data holding unit after the command of print data in units of print documents received immediately before the determination is interpreted It may be determined whether the number of pages is within the reference number of the number of printed pages. Even if the number of print documents held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit is small, if the number of print pages of the print document received immediately before the determination is large, it takes a long time to print the print document. Therefore, if the normal printing mode is set in such a case, the situation where the power saving printing mode may be set is determined more appropriately, and the convenience of the printing apparatus can be improved. In addition, it is possible to provide a suitable configuration when the number of print pages of a print document is known only after the command of the print document is interpreted.

  The mode determination unit includes a print document of print data held in the print data holding unit and the number of print pages of the print data held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit is within a reference number of the number of print pages. It may be determined whether the number is within a reference number for the number of printed documents. Even if the number of print data print pages held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit is small, if the number of print data print documents held in the print data holding unit is large, the print documents received up to the determination are It will take a lot of time to print. Therefore, if the normal printing mode is set in such a case, the situation where the power saving printing mode may be set is determined more appropriately, and the convenience of the printing apparatus can be improved.

  The mode determining means determines whether or not the number of print pages of the print data held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit when the print data in print document units is received is within a reference number of the number of print pages. And the number of print documents of the print data held in the print data holding means after the print data unit command received immediately before the determination is interpreted is the reference number of the number of print documents. It may be determined whether it is within. Even if the number of print pages of the print data held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit is small, the print data held in the print data holding means immediately after the command of the print document received up to the determination is interpreted If the number of print documents is large, it takes a lot of time to print the print documents after the print document received immediately before the determination. Therefore, if the normal printing mode is set in such a case, the situation where the power saving printing mode may be set is determined more appropriately, and the convenience of the printing apparatus can be improved.

  The above-described invention can be applied to a print program that causes a computer to realize a print data holding function, a mode determination function, a power-saving print function, and a normal print function, a computer-readable medium that records the program, and the like.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an outline of a configuration of a printing apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an outline of a configuration of a printing system S1. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a print engine unit 40 of the printing apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an electric circuit configuration of the printing apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system S2 in which a printing apparatus 1 and a plurality of host apparatuses 100 are connected to a network. It is a figure which shows typically the flow of print data D1, D2. 3 is a flowchart illustrating print data processing performed by the printing apparatus 1; 4 is a flowchart illustrating print mode setting processing performed by the printing apparatus 1; 10 is a flowchart illustrating print mode setting processing according to a modification. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print mode setting processing according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print mode setting processing according to a modification. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print mode setting processing according to a third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print mode setting processing according to a modification. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print mode setting processing according to a modification.

(1) Configuration of printing apparatus:
As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system S1 including a printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured by connecting a printing apparatus 1 and a host apparatus 100. Of course, the printing system may be an apparatus in which a host device and a printer are integrated.
The printing apparatus 1 includes the respective units U1 to U6 illustrated in FIG. 1, and includes a normal printing mode in which printing is performed at the first printing speed V1, and less power consumption than the normal printing mode, and the first printing speed V1. Printing based on the print data D1 is performed in the power saving printing mode in which printing is performed at the slower second printing speed V2. The printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a laser printer that is a page printer capable of color printing. Needless to say, the printing apparatus 1 may be an inkjet printer, a scanner, a multifunction machine with a facsimile, or the like as long as printing can be performed in the normal printing mode and the power saving printing mode.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the host device 100 is a host computer that supplies print data D1 to the printing device 1 in units of print documents, such as a personal computer. In the host device 100, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, semiconductor memories 112 and 113, various devices 114 to 117, a communication interface (I / F) 118, and the like are connected to a bus so that information can be input / output to / from each other. Yes. The storage device 114 stores an operating system (OS), a printer driver PD, and the like. The input device 115 includes an operation input device such as a keyboard or a pointing device. The output device 116 includes an image output device such as a display, an audio output device, and the like. The data input / output device 117 inputs / outputs data to / from a recording medium when a computer-readable recording medium is detachably connected. The communication I / F 118 is connected to the communication I / F 18 of the printing apparatus and inputs / outputs information to / from the printing apparatus 1.

The printing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 attaches C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) toner (recording agent) to the print medium M1, and uses a predetermined page description language. A printed material is formed according to the command C1 (see FIG. 6) included in the described print data D1. The printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, an operation panel 29, a print engine unit 40, an engine control unit 50, a paper feed tray 61, and the like.
In the control unit 10, a CPU 11, semiconductor memories 12 and 13, a storage device 14, a communication I / F 18, a timer circuit 19, and the like are connected to a bus so that information can be input and output with each other. The CPU 11 controls the operation of the entire printing apparatus according to a program written in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12. The program includes a print data holding unit (print data holding unit) U1, a mode determination unit (mode determination unit) U2, a power saving printing execution unit (power saving printing execution unit) U3, and a normal printing execution unit (normal printing execution unit). Functions corresponding to U4, command interpreting unit (command interpreting means) U5, receiving unit U6, etc. are realized in the printing apparatus 1.

  A RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 constitutes a print data holding unit U1, and stores print data D1 in document units before command interpretation, print data D2 after command interpretation, and the like. The print data D1 is a print job transmitted from the host device 100 in units of print documents and causing the printing device 1 to execute printing.

As shown in FIG. 6, the print data D1 before command interpretation includes a plurality of commands C1 for bitmap development, document name, status, owner, number of printed pages, data size, reception time, port, Etc. are included. A command is provided for each type of object, such as character drawing, vector graphics drawing, or photo drawing. Here, bitmap development refers to development of print data having a command into a bitmap image.
The print data D2 after command interpretation is data representing a bitmap image, and gradation values are stored in each of the pixels arranged in the dot matrix in an orderly manner in the X direction (horizontal direction) and the Y direction (vertical direction). It is considered as data.

The bitmap image generation program PR stored in the storage device 14 generates a bitmap image data (print data D2) for forming an image I1 in which dots are arranged based on the print data D1 (command interpreter). U5) is realized on a computer.
The communication I / F 18 (reception unit U6) can input / output information to / from the host apparatus 100, and receives print data D1 for each print document from the host apparatus 100.

The screen processing unit 21 screen-processes the print data D2 after the bitmap development, and generates screen image data to be sent to the print engine unit 40. For example, in the case of a laser printer having a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) processing unit in the print engine unit 40, the print data D2 may be converted into a pulse signal suitable for dot formation by a laser beam.
The engine management unit 22 sends the screen image data to the print engine unit 40. The print engine unit 40 arranges toner dots on the print medium M1, such as print paper, according to the screen image data, and forms the print image I1 on the print medium M1.
The operation panel 29 includes an input device such as an operation switch and an output device such as a liquid crystal display, and is connected to the control unit 10.

  The basic portion of the printing apparatus 1 includes a print data holding unit U1, a mode determination unit U2, a power saving print execution unit U3, and a normal print execution unit U4. The print data holding unit U1 temporarily holds the print data D1 and D2 for each received print document. The mode determination unit U2 determines whether at least one of the number and amount of the print data D1, D2 held in the print data holding unit U1 is within a predetermined standard. The power saving printing execution unit U3 performs printing based on the held print data D1 and D2 in the power saving printing mode when the determination result is within the reference. The normal print execution unit U4 performs printing based on the held print data D1 and D2 in the normal print mode when the determination result is not within the reference.

  The print data holding unit U1 of the present embodiment includes a pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 that holds print data D1 before interpreting the command C1, and a post-interpretation data holding unit that holds print data D2 after interpreting the command C1. U12. The mode determination unit U2 holds the number D3 of print data held in at least one of the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 and the post-interpretation data holding unit U12, and holds it in at least one of the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 and the post-interpretation data holding unit U12. At least one of the printed print data amount D6 is set as a determination target. Here, the print data number D3 includes the print document number D4 of print data, the print page number D5 of print data, a combination thereof, and the like. The print data amount D6 includes the data size D7 of the print data.

  The printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment receives print data D1 from the host apparatus 100 by the receiving unit U6. Further, the command interpretation unit U5 interprets the command C1 of the print data D1 held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 and sequentially develops the bitmap in the post-interpretation data holding unit U12.

3 and 4, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a charging unit 42, an exposure unit 43, a YMCK developing device 44, a primary transfer unit 45, an intermediate transfer body 46, and the like along the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 41. And a control unit 10 that controls the secondary transfer unit 47, the fixing unit 48, and the operation of the printing apparatus 1 by controlling these units.
The photoconductor 41 is rotationally driven according to the control of the photoconductor drive control circuit 51.

The charging unit 42 charges the photoconductor 41 according to the control of the charging unit drive control circuit 52.
The exposure unit 43 irradiates a laser according to the control of the exposure unit drive control circuit 53 to form a latent image on the charged photoconductor 41.

The YMCK developing device 44 includes a rotary 44a as a rotating body, a black developing unit 44k, a magenta developing unit 44m, a cyan developing unit 44c, and a yellow developing unit 44y mounted on the rotary 44a. The YMCK developing device 44 is rotationally driven according to the control of the developing device drive control circuit 54.
The primary transfer unit 45 is rotationally driven under the control of the primary transfer unit drive control circuit 55, and transfers the single color toner image formed on the photoconductor 41 to the intermediate transfer body 46. When the four color toners are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer member 46, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 46.

The secondary transfer unit 47 is driven to rotate in accordance with the control of the secondary transfer unit drive control circuit 57, and the single-color toner image or full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 46 is applied to a printing medium M1 such as paper, film, or cloth. Transcript.
The fixing unit 48 is rotationally driven according to the control of the fixing unit drive control circuit 58, and fuses the single-color toner image or full-color toner image transferred onto the print medium M1 to the print medium M1 to form a permanent image. The fixing unit 48 is provided with a heater 48a, which energizes the heater 48a according to the control of the heater drive control circuit 58a.

  As described above, the printing medium M1 accommodated in the paper feed tray 61 is transferred by the secondary transfer unit 47 while being transferred by the roller, and is heated and pressed by the fixing unit 48 to form the image I1. . In the normal printing mode, since the fixing unit 48 is heated to a relatively high temperature, the printing speed V1 can be made relatively high. However, the power consumption of the heater 48a also becomes relatively large. On the other hand, in the power saving printing mode, since the fixing unit 48 is heated at a relatively low temperature, the toner is not sufficiently fixed on the print medium unless the printing speed V4 is set at a relatively low speed, but the power consumption of the heater 48a is relatively low. Less is enough.

  In order to realize the operation of each print mode, the memories 13 and 14 of the control unit 10 store the mode information 13a indicating the current print mode and the drive speed of each unit (41, 43, 44, 45, 47, etc.). Speed information 14a for controlling the speed according to the temperature, temperature information 14b for controlling the temperature of the heater 48a to a temperature corresponding to the printing mode, and the like are stored. The speed information 14a and the temperature information 14b are preferably stored in the storage device 14 from the viewpoint of holding the printing apparatus 1 even when the printing apparatus 1 is turned off. Of course, if the RAM 13 is backed up when the power is turned off, the speed information 14a and the temperature information 14b may be stored in the RAM 13.

Note that a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 and a plurality of host apparatuses 100 may be connected via a network N1, as in the printing system S2 shown in FIG. The network N1 includes a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, a combination thereof, and the like.
Assuming an environment where there are a plurality of printing apparatuses such as printers connected via a network, conventionally, the printing mode selected by the user is absolute, and the user selects and outputs the optimum printing apparatus. In an environment where there is only one printing apparatus, a printing document for which the power saving printing mode is selected always has a low printing speed. Therefore, when there are a plurality of print documents, it takes more time than the time for printing in the normal print mode until all printing is completed. Therefore, a user who has issued a print request for a back print document among a plurality of print documents will wait longer than expected.
On the other hand, since the power-saving printing mode is selected according to the status of the print document, the printing apparatus 1 does not make the user aware of the print mode for each print document, makes the user feel inconvenience, and saves appropriately. Electric power can be realized.

FIG. 6 schematically shows the flow of print data D1, D2.
The printing apparatus 1 receives print data D1 including the command C1 in units of print documents, and prints in units of print documents in a pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 provided in the RAM 13 by a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller (not shown), for example. Data D1 is transferred. In the example of FIG. 6, the i-th (i is an integer equal to or greater than 1) print document is indicated by “doc i”, and N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) print documents doc1, doc2,. It is shown that the previous data holding unit U11 is temporarily held. If priority is set for the print document, doc1 is the highest priority print document, and docN is the lowest priority print document. If no priority is set for the print document, doc1 is the first received print document, and docN is the last received print document.

The command interpretation unit U5 interprets the command C1 of the print document doc1 received first in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 as soon as the print queue area (after-interpretation data holding unit U12) provided in the RAM 13 is empty, for example. Then, the print document doc1 is developed into a bitmap in the post-interpretation data holding unit U12. If the number of print pages of the print document doc1 is M (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1), the print document doc1 is bitmap-expanded into M pages. In the example of FIG. 6, the j-th print page (j is an integer equal to or greater than 1) is indicated by “page j”, and M print pages (print queues) page1, page2,. U12 is shown to be temporarily held. Here, page1 is the first print page, and pageM is the last print page.
The print data D2 is transferred to the screen processing unit 21 in order from the first print page in the post-interpretation data holding unit U12.

(2) Operation, operation and effect of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment:
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing print data processing performed by the printing apparatus 1. Here, the printing apparatus 1 that performs the processes of steps S104 to S106 constitutes a command interpretation unit U5. Hereinafter, the description of “step” is omitted. This print data processing starts when the power of the printing apparatus 1 is turned on, and is performed in parallel with other processing by multitasking.
When the process is started, the printing apparatus 1 determines whether or not the received print data D1 exists, that is, whether or not the print data D1 is held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 (S102). If there is no print data D1 in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11, the determination process in S102 is repeated. When the print data D1 is received, it is transferred to the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11, so that the number of print documents in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 is increased by one.

  When the print data D1 is held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11, the printing apparatus 1 interprets the command C1 of the print document doc1 received first in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 (S104). In S106, the print document doc1 is bitmap-developed in the post-interpretation data holding unit U12, and print data D2 representing a bitmap image is generated. Accordingly, the print pages page1, page2,..., PageM as shown in FIG. 6 are held in the post-interpretation data holding unit U12. In S108, a print request is output to the screen processing unit 21, engine management unit 22, and print engine unit 40, and the process returns to S102. Then, the print pages page1, page2,..., PageM of the post-interpretation data holding unit U12 are sequentially transferred to the screen processing unit 21, and printing is executed in the set print mode.

For example, it is assumed that the mode information 13a stored in the RAM 13 is information indicating the current print mode. When the printing request is issued, the printing apparatus 1 reads the temperature information 14b corresponding to the printing mode represented by the mode information 13a from the memory, and sets the heating temperature of the heater 48a to the heater driving control circuit 58a in the printing mode. It is sufficient to output a drive signal for controlling the temperature according to the above. Of course, the heating temperature in the normal printing mode is relatively high, and the heating temperature in the power saving printing mode is relatively low. Of course, the higher the heating temperature of the heater 48a, the higher the power consumption, and the higher the power consumption in the normal printing mode than in the power saving printing mode.
When the above print request is issued, the printing apparatus 1 reads the speed information 14a corresponding to the print mode from the memory, and outputs each part of the print engine unit to the drive control circuits 51, 53, 54, 55, 57, etc. A drive signal for controlling the drive speed of 41, 43, 44, 45, 47, etc. to a speed corresponding to the print mode is output. Of course, the drive speed in the normal print mode is relatively high, and the drive speed in the power saving print mode is relatively low.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating print mode setting processing performed by the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In the flowchart, the processing that the mode determination unit U2, the power saving printing execution unit U3, and the normal printing execution unit U4 perform is indicated by a symbol. This print mode setting process is triggered by the fact that the print data D1 for each print document is received and stored in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11, and is performed in parallel with other processes by multitasking.
When the process is started, the printing apparatus 1 acquires the number N of print documents of the print data D1 before command interpretation held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 (S202). For example, the print documents stored in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 may be counted. In S204, it is determined whether or not the acquired print document number N is within the reference number Ns of the print document number.

  For example, the standard number of print pages printed per unit time in the normal print mode is the standard print speed VS1 (pages / minute), and the standard number of print pages printed per unit time in the power saving print mode is the standard print. The speed is VS2 (0 <VS2 <VS1). Further, it is assumed that the print data of many print documents is for one print page, and the waiting time for printing that occurs between print documents in the power saving print mode is TW (minutes). In the power saving print mode, the time TP1 (minutes) required for printing N print documents is (N / VS2) + (N-1) · TW. This printing time TP1 corresponds to the waiting time of the user who has requested printing of the Nth print document. When the threshold TH1 for the printing time TP1 is set as a time that the user can wait, the maximum number of printed documents that satisfies TP1 ≦ TH1 can be set as the reference number Ns. For example, assuming that the standard printing speed VS2 is 10 (pages / minute), the waiting time TW between printed documents is 0.05 (minutes), the threshold TH1 is 1 (minutes), and the number N of printed documents is 7, (N / VS2) ) = 0.7 (min), (N−1) · TW = 0.3 (min), so the reference number Ns is 7.

The process of S204 can be, for example, a process of determining whether or not the number N of print documents is equal to or less than the reference number Ns. Of course, it is possible to determine whether or not the number N of printed documents is less than the reference number Ns. The same applies to the determination processing in other steps. If N is outside the reference number, that is, if N> Ns (or N ≧ Ns), it is expected that it will take a relatively long time to complete printing of N print documents, so the normal print mode is set in S212 and S202. Return to.
The setting process in S212 can be, for example, a process in which the mode information 13a stored in the RAM 13 is changed to information indicating the normal print mode. When a printing request is issued in S108 of FIG. 7, the printing apparatus 1 reads the temperature information 14b and speed information 14a corresponding to the normal printing mode from the memory, and the heating temperature of the heater 48a is relatively high according to the normal printing mode. The temperature is controlled, and the drive speed of each part 41, 43, 44, 45, 47, etc. of the print engine part is controlled to a relatively high speed V1 corresponding to the normal print mode. That is, the processes of S108 and S212 correspond to the normal print execution unit U4 together with the screen processing unit 21, the engine management unit 22, and the print engine unit 40.

  When N is within the reference number in the determination process of S204, that is, N ≦ Ns (or N <Ns), the printing apparatus 1 prints the first print after interpretation of the command held in the post-interpretation data holding unit U12. The number M of printed pages of the document is acquired (S206). For example, the print pages of the first print document stored in the post-interpretation data holding unit U12 may be counted. Of course, the number of pages included in the print data D1 of the first print document may be acquired. In S208, it is determined whether or not the acquired print page number M is within the reference number Ms of the print page number.

  For example, in the power saving printing mode, when the standard printing speed is VS2 (pages / minute), the time TP2 (minutes) required for printing N print pages is M / VS2. When the threshold TH2 for the printing time TP2 is set as a time that the user can wait, the maximum number of printed pages that satisfies TP2 ≦ TH2 can be set as the reference number Ms. The threshold value TH2 may be the same as or different from the threshold value TH1. For example, if the standard printing speed VS2 is 10 (pages / minute), the threshold value TH2 is 1 (minutes), and the number of printed pages M is 10, TP2 = 1 (minutes), so the reference number Ms is 10.

In the determination processing of S208, if M is out of the reference number, that is, if M> Ms (or M ≧ Ms), it is expected that it will take a relatively long time to complete printing of the M print page. Set and return to S202. On the other hand, if M is within the reference number, that is, M ≦ Ms (or M <Ms), the power saving printing mode is set in S210, and the process returns to S202.
As described above, the power saving print mode is set because the number N of print documents of the print data D1 held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 is within the reference number of the number of print documents and the post-interpretation data holding unit The print page number M of the first print document held in U12 is within the reference number of the print page number.

  The setting process in S210 can be, for example, a process in which the mode information 13a stored in the RAM 13 is changed to information indicating the power saving printing mode. When the printing request is issued in S108 of FIG. 7, the printing apparatus 1 reads the temperature information 14b and the speed information 14a corresponding to the power saving printing mode from the memory, and compares the heating temperature of the heater 48a according to the power saving printing mode. The driving speed of each part 41, 43, 44, 45, 47 etc. of the print engine part is controlled to a relatively slow speed V2 corresponding to the power saving printing mode. That is, the processes of S108 and S210 correspond to the power saving print execution unit U3 together with the screen processing unit 21, the engine management unit 22, and the print engine unit 40.

  Even if the number N of print documents before command interpretation in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 is small, if the number of print pages M of the first print document to be printed is large, the print document before command interpretation is printed. Will take a lot of time. In the present embodiment, the normal print mode is set in such a case, so that a situation where the power saving print mode may be set is more appropriately determined.

As described above, when the number of print data held in the print data holding unit U1 is small, printing based on the print data is performed in the power saving print mode with low power consumption although the printing speed is relatively slow. Is called. On the other hand, when the number of print data held in the print data holding unit is large, printing based on the print data is performed in the normal print mode in which the power consumption is relatively high but the printing speed is high. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 is convenient because it can appropriately realize power saving without making the user aware of switching the print mode.
This embodiment is suitable when the number of printed pages of a print document is known only after the command is interpreted, such as when the received print document does not include the number of pages.

As shown in FIG. 9, the process of S206 may be performed after the command C1 of the print data D1 in print document units received immediately before the determination of S204 is interpreted. This print mode setting process is performed on the print data D1 for each print document at the time of reception, which is a trigger for starting the process. Of course, when another print data is received before the process of S206, another print mode setting process is executed by multitasking.
When the process is started, the printing apparatus 1 acquires the number N of print documents of the print data D1 before command interpretation held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11, and determines whether it is within the reference number Ns ( S202 to S204).

  In S222, it is determined whether or not the command C1 of the print data D1 received immediately before the determination in S204 is interpreted, and the processing from S206 is performed until the command C1 of the print data D1 is interpreted. Do not. When the command C1 of the print data D1 is interpreted, the printing apparatus 1 acquires the print data D1 held in the post-interpretation data holding unit U12, that is, the print page number M of the first print document (S206). . Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the acquired print page number M is within the reference number Ms. If M ≦ Ms (or M <Ms), the power saving print mode is set, and M> Ms (or M If ≧ Ms), the normal printing mode is set (S208 to S212).

  As described above, if the number N of print documents before command interpretation is large at the processing timing (A) in FIG. 7, the normal print mode is set. When the print data D1 received immediately before the timing (A) reaches the processing timing (B), if the number M of print pages constituting the first print document after command interpretation is small, the power-saving print mode is available. Normal printing mode.

  Since the print mode setting process only needs to be completed before the print request in S108 of FIG. 7, in S222, whether or not the print data D1 for each print document received immediately before the determination in S204 has been bitmap-expanded. Thus, the processing from S206 onward may not be performed until the print data D1 is expanded into a bitmap. Accordingly, when the print data D1 received immediately before the timing (A) in FIG. 7 reaches the processing timing (B), if the number M of print pages constituting the first print document after the command interpretation is small, the power can be saved. If there are more print modes, the normal print mode is selected.

  As described above, the power saving print mode is set so that the number N of print documents of the print data D1 held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 is within the reference number of the number of print documents and immediately before the determination in S204. The number M of print pages of the first print document held in the post-interpretation data holding unit U12 after the received command C1 of the print data D1 in print document units is within the reference number of the print pages.

  Even if the number N of print documents before command interpretation in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 is small, if the number of print pages M of the print document received immediately before the determination in S204 is large, it takes a lot of time to print the print document. Will take. In this modification, the normal print mode is set in such a case, and therefore, a situation where the power saving print mode may be set is more appropriately determined. This modification is suitable when the number of printed pages of the print document is known only after the command is interpreted, for example, the received print document does not include the number of pages.

(3) Second embodiment:
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print mode setting processing performed by the printing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. This print mode setting process is triggered by the fact that the print data D1 for each print document is received and stored in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11, and is performed in parallel with other processes by multitasking.
When the process is started, the printing apparatus 1 acquires the number P of print pages of the print data D1 before command interpretation held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 (S302). For example, the number of pages Pi included in the print data D1 of each print document may be acquired, and the sum of these page numbers Pi may be set as the number of printed pages P. In S304, it is determined whether or not the acquired print page number P is within the reference number Ps of the print page number. For example, the threshold value for the time TP3 = P / VS2 (minutes) required for printing the P print page is TH3, and the maximum number of print pages satisfying TP3 ≦ TH3 can be set as the reference number Ps.

If P is out of the reference number in the determination process of S304, that is, P> Ps (or P ≧ Ps), it is expected that it will take a relatively long time to complete printing of the print data D1 of the P print page. The normal print mode is set, and the process returns to S202.
When P is within the reference number in the determination process of S304, that is, P ≦ Ps (or P <Ps), the printing apparatus 1 performs the entire print data holding unit U1, that is, the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 and the post-interpretation data. The number T of print documents of the print data D1 and D2 held in the holding unit U12 is acquired (S306). For example, the print documents stored in the entire pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 may be counted. The process of S306 may be a process of acquiring the number N of print documents of the print data D1 held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11. In S308, it is determined whether or not the acquired print document number T is within the reference number Ts of the print document number. For example, the threshold for the time TP4 = (T / VS2) + (T−1) · TW (minutes) required for printing T print documents is TH3, and the maximum number of print documents satisfying TP4 ≦ TH4 is the reference number. It can be Ts.

If T is out of the reference number in the determination process of S308, that is, T> Ts (or T ≧ Ts), it is expected that it will take a relatively long time to complete printing of T print documents. The mode is set and the process returns to S202.
If T is within the reference number in the determination process of S308, that is, T ≦ Ts (or T <Ts), the power saving printing mode is set in S310, and the process returns to S202.
As described above, the power-saving print mode is set so that the print page number P of the print data D1 held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 is within the reference number Ps of the print page and the print data holding unit U1. The print document number T of the print data D1 and D2 held in the whole is within the reference number Ts of the print document number.

  Even if the print page number P of the print data D1 held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 is small, if the print document number T of the print data D1, D2 held in the print data holding unit U1 is large, the process of S304 is performed. It takes a long time until the print document received by the determination is printed. In the present embodiment, the normal print mode is set in such a case, so that a situation where the power saving print mode may be set is more appropriately determined.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 11, the processing of S306 may be performed after the command C1 of the print data D1 in print document units received immediately before the determination of S304 is interpreted. This print mode setting process is performed on the print data D1 for each print document at the time of reception, which is a trigger for starting the process. Of course, when another print data is received before the process of S306, another print mode setting process is executed by multitasking.
When the process is started, the printing apparatus 1 acquires the print page number P of the print data D1 before command interpretation held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11, and determines whether it is within the reference number Ps ( S302 to S304).

In S322, it is determined whether or not the command C1 of the print data D1 received immediately before the determination in S304 is interpreted, and the processes in and after S306 are performed until the command C1 of the print data D1 is interpreted. Do not. When the command C1 of the print data D1 is interpreted, the printing apparatus 1 acquires the number T of print documents of the print data D1 and D2 held in the entire print data holding unit U1 (S306). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the acquired number T of printed documents is within the reference number Ts. If T ≦ Ts (or T <Ts), the power saving printing mode is set, and T> Ts (or T If ≧ Ts), the normal printing mode is set (S308 to S312).
As described above, if the number of print pages P of the print data D1 before command interpretation is large at the processing timing (A) in FIG. 7, the normal print mode is set. If the number T of print documents held in the print data holding unit U1 is small when the print data D1 received immediately before the timing (A) reaches the processing timing (B), the power saving printing mode is set. Normal printing mode is selected.

  In S322, it is determined whether or not print data D1 for each print document received immediately before the determination in S304 has been bitmap-developed, and the processing from S306 is continued until the print data D1 is bitmap-expanded. It may not be performed. Accordingly, when the print data D1 received immediately before the timing (A) in FIG. 7 reaches the processing timing (B), the power saving printing mode is set if the number of print documents T is small, and the normal printing mode is set if there is more.

  As described above, the power saving print mode is set because the power saving print mode is set because the print page number P of the print data D1 held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 is the reference of the print page. The number of print documents of the print data D1, D2 held in the entire print data holding unit U1 after the command C1 of the print data D1 in print document unit received within the number Ps and immediately before the determination of S304 is interpreted T is within the reference number Ts of the number of print documents.

  Even if the number of print pages P of the print data D1 held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 is small, it is held in the print data holding unit U1 immediately after interpretation of the received print document command C1 until the determination in S304. If the number of print documents T of the print data D1 and D2 being large is large, it takes a lot of time to print the print documents after the print document received immediately before the determination in S304. In this modification, the normal print mode is set in such a case, and therefore, a situation where the power saving print mode may be set is more appropriately determined.

(4) Third embodiment:
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating print mode setting processing performed by the printing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. This print mode setting process is triggered by the fact that the print data D1 for each print document is received and stored in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11, and is performed in parallel with other processes by multitasking.
When the process is started, the printing apparatus 1 acquires the number N of print documents of the print data D1 before command interpretation held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 (S402). In S404, the number P of print pages of the print data D1 before command interpretation held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 is acquired. In S406, it is determined whether or not the acquired print document number N is within the reference number Ns of the print document number, and the acquired print page number P is within the reference number Ps of the print page number.

If N is not within the reference number (for example, N> Ns) or P is not within the reference number (for example, P> Ps) in the determination process of S406, the normal print mode is set in S410, and the process returns to S402.
If N is within the reference number and P is within the reference number (for example, N ≦ Ns and P ≦ Ps) in the determination processing of S406, the power saving printing mode is set in S408, and the process returns to S402.

  As described above, if the number N of print documents of the print data D1 before command interpretation is large or the number of print pages P of the print data D1 is large at the processing timing (A) in FIG. 7, the normal print mode is set. On the other hand, if the number N of print documents of the print data D1 before command interpretation is small and the number of print pages P of the print data D1 is small at the timing (A), the power saving print mode is set. Thus, the print mode can be determined at an early stage immediately after reception of the print data D1.

(5) Other variations:
The order of the steps of the above-described processing can be changed as appropriate. For example, the process of S404 may be performed before the process of S402.

  As in the print mode setting process shown in FIG. 13A, the print mode may be set based only on the number N of print documents. The printing apparatus according to the modification shown in FIG. 13A acquires the number N of print documents before command interpretation held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 (S502), and whether N is within the reference number Ns. (S504), if N ≦ Ns (or N <Ns), the power-saving printing mode is set (S506), and if N> Ns (or N ≧ Ns), the normal printing mode is set. (S508). The determination processing in S504 may include the number of print documents after command interpretation.

  As in the print mode setting process shown in FIG. 13B, the print mode may be set based only on the print page number P. The printing apparatus according to the modification shown in FIG. 13B acquires the number of print pages P of the print data D1 before command interpretation held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 (S522), and P is within the reference number Ps. (S524), if P ≦ Ps (or P <Ps), the power saving printing mode is set, and if P> Ps (or P ≧ Ps), the normal printing mode is set. Set. The determination processing in S524 may be determination processing using the number M of printed pages after command interpretation, or may be determination processing using the number of print pages of the print data D1 and D2 held in the entire print data holding unit U1. .

  As in the print mode setting process shown in FIG. 13C, the print mode may be set based on the number of print data D1 and D2. The printing apparatus of the modified example shown in FIG. 13C acquires the data size S of the print data D1 before command interpretation held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 (S542). For example, the data size Si included in the print data D1 of each print document may be acquired, and the sum of these data sizes Si may be set as the data size S. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not S is within the reference number Ss (S544). If S ≦ Ss (or S <Ss), the power saving printing mode is set, and S> Ss (or S ≧ Ss). In this case, the normal print mode is set. The determination processing in S544 may be determination processing using the data size of the print data D2 after command interpretation, or determination processing using the data sizes of the print data D1 and D2 held in the entire print data holding unit U1. Good.

As in the print mode setting process shown in FIG. 14, the print mode may be set based on both the amount and the number of print data. The printing apparatus of the modification shown in FIG. 14 acquires the number N of print documents of the print data D1 before command interpretation held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 (S602). In S604, the number P of print pages of the print data D1 before command interpretation held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 is acquired. In S606, the data size S of the print data D1 before command interpretation held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit U11 is acquired. Thereafter, it is determined whether N is within the reference number, P is within the reference number, and S is within the reference amount (S608), and when the condition is satisfied (for example, N ≦ Ns and P ≦ Ps and S ≦ Ss) Is set to the power saving printing mode (S610), and when the condition is not satisfied, the normal printing mode is set (S612). The determination processing in S608 may be determination processing using the number or amount of print data D2 after command interpretation, or determination using the number or amount of print data D1, D2 held in the entire print data holding unit U1. Processing is also acceptable.
Of course, the print mode may be set based on the print page number and the data size without using the print document number, or the print mode may be set based on the print document number and the data size without using the print page number. Also good.

In addition, the above-described basic operations and effects can be obtained even by an apparatus, system, method, and program that do not have the configuration requirements according to the dependent claims but only include the configuration requirements according to the independent claims.
As described above, according to the present invention, according to various aspects, a printing apparatus capable of realizing power saving without making the user aware of print mode switching and improving the convenience of the printing apparatus, Print control device for controlling the print engine unit, printing system, printing method, printing control method, printing system control method, printing program, printing control program, printing system control program, and computer readable recording of these programs Recording medium and printing system can be provided.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modifications are mutually replaced or the combination is changed, the known technology, and the above-described configurations. Configurations in which the respective configurations disclosed in the embodiment and the modified examples are mutually replaced or combinations are changed are also included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus, 10 ... Control part, 13, 14 ... Memory, 13a ... Mode information, 14a ... Speed information, 14b ... Temperature information, 18 ... Communication interface (reception part), 40 ... Print engine part, 100 ... Host apparatus , C1 ... command, D1, D2 ... print data, D3 ... print data count, D4 ... print document count, D5 ... print page count, D6 ... print data amount, D7 ... data size, I1 ... image, U1 ... print data retention Unit (print data holding unit), U2 ... mode determination unit (mode determination unit), U3 ... power saving printing execution unit (power saving printing execution unit), U4 ... normal printing execution unit (normal printing execution unit), U5 ... command Interpreting unit (command interpreting means), U6... Receiving unit, U11... Pre-interpretation data holding unit, U12.

Claims (8)

A normal printing mode in which printing is performed at a first printing speed, and a power saving printing mode in which printing is performed at a second printing speed that consumes less power than the normal printing mode and is slower than the first printing speed; A printing apparatus for performing printing based on the print data in
Print data holding means for temporarily holding the print data for each received print document;
Mode determining means for determining whether at least one of the number and amount of print data held in the print data holding means is within a predetermined standard;
A power saving print execution means for performing printing based on the held print data in the power saving print mode when the determination result is within the reference;
And a normal printing execution unit configured to perform printing based on the held print data in the normal printing mode when the determination result is not within the reference.   The mode determination unit is configured to determine at least one of the number of print documents of the held print data, the number of print pages of the held print data, and the data size of the held print data. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The received print data includes a command for developing a bitmap,
The print data holding unit includes a pre-interpretation data holding unit that holds print data before interpreting the command, and a post-interpretation data holding unit that holds print data after interpreting the command,
Command interpretation means for interpreting the print data command held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit and sequentially developing the print data in the post-interpretation data holding unit is provided.
3. The mode determining unit determines whether at least one of the number and the amount of print data held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit is within the reference. The printing apparatus as described in. The mode determination means is a first print document in which the number of print documents of the print data held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit is within a reference number of the number of print documents and the post-interpretation data holding unit holds Whether the number of printed pages is within the reference number of the number of printed pages,
The power-saving printing execution unit performs printing based on the print data of the first print document when the determination result is within the reference number of the print document number and the reference number of the print page number. In power printing mode,
The normal printing execution unit performs printing based on the print data of the first print document when the determination result is not within the reference number of the number of print documents or the reference number of the number of print pages. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the printing apparatus is performed in a printing mode. The mode determining means determines whether or not the number of print documents of print data held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit when print data in print document units is received is within a reference number of the number of print documents. Printing of print data in units of print documents received immediately before the determination held in the post-interpretation data holding unit after the command of print data in units of print documents received immediately before the determination is interpreted Determine whether the number of pages is within the standard number of the printed pages,
The power saving printing execution means is based on print document unit print data received immediately before the determination when the determination result is within the reference number of the number of print documents and the reference number of the number of print pages. Printing in the power saving printing mode,
The normal printing execution unit is based on print document unit print data received immediately before the determination when the determination result is not within the reference number of the number of print documents or not within the reference number of the number of print pages. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the printing is performed in the normal printing mode. The mode determination unit includes a print document of print data held in the print data holding unit and the number of print pages of the print data held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit is within a reference number of the number of print pages. Determine whether the number is within the standard number of the number of printed documents,
The power saving printing execution unit is based on the print data held in the print data holding unit when the determination result is within the reference number of the print page number and the reference number of the print document number. Printing is performed in the power saving printing mode,
The normal printing execution unit is based on the print data held in the print data holding unit when the determination result is not within the reference number of the number of printed pages or is not within the reference number of the number of print documents. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein printing is performed in the normal printing mode. The mode determining means determines whether or not the number of print pages of the print data held in the pre-interpretation data holding unit when the print data in print document units is received is within a reference number of the number of print pages. And the number of print documents of the print data held in the print data holding means after the print data unit command received immediately before the determination is interpreted is the reference number of the number of print documents. To determine whether or not
The power saving printing execution unit is based on the print data held in the print data holding unit when the determination result is within the reference number of the print page number and the reference number of the print document number. Printing is performed in the power saving printing mode,
The normal printing execution unit is based on the print data held in the print data holding unit when the determination result is not within the reference number of the number of printed pages or is not within the reference number of the number of print documents. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein printing is performed in the normal printing mode. A normal printing mode in which printing is performed at a first printing speed, and a power saving printing mode in which printing is performed at a second printing speed that consumes less power than the normal printing mode and is slower than the first printing speed; A printing method for performing printing based on print data in
The print data for each received print document is temporarily held in the print data holding means,
Determining whether at least one of the number and amount of print data held in the print data holding means is within a predetermined standard;
When the determination result is within the reference, printing based on the held print data is performed in the power saving printing mode,
A printing method, wherein printing based on the held print data is performed in the normal printing mode when the determination result is not within the reference.

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