JP2012064044A - Print image data generation device, printer, print control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase transfer efficiency of image data.SOLUTION: In a print image data generation device, print image data generated based on data input by a host is transferred to a printer engine inside a printer through a first transfer line, and control information for controlling the printing of the print image data is transferred to a controller inside the printer through a second transfer path different from the predetermined transfer line. The print image data generation device includes determination means for determining colorless parts included in each line of the print image data and transfer means for transferring the each line to the controller while excluding the colorless parts determined in the each line from the transfer objects.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print image data generation device, a printing device, a printing control method, and a program.

  Conventionally, a print request from a host device is temporarily received by a host device provided separately from the printer, and print image data generated by the host device according to the received print request is sent to the printer via a data transfer path. A printing system that transmits and prints the print image data in a printing apparatus is known.

  Further, in such a printing system, the data transfer path connecting the upper apparatus and the printing apparatus, the first data transfer path for transferring the print image data, and the control information regarding the print control for the print image data are transferred. There is known a technique in which the data transfer path is separated from the data transfer path 2 to increase the data transfer speed from the upper apparatus to the printing apparatus.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, an image to be printed is divided into bands, drawn and developed, and for blank areas that are not printed, blank area information is transferred to the printer engine instead of blank area image data. A technique for reducing the amount of image data to be transferred and transferring the image data at high speed is disclosed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for improving transfer efficiency by using a data compression technique for image data and reducing the amount of transfer data using the compressed data.

  However, in the technique of separating the control information and the print image data and transferring them through individual transfer paths, it is necessary to secure a memory area for one page and perform data transfer even when the blank area data is not transferred. there were. That is, since the memory size of one page is transmitted as print control information common to each color, a certain amount of memory area must be secured even if the position and size of the blank area varies for each color. . As a result, there is a problem that the secured memory area cannot be released quickly and it is difficult to improve the transfer efficiency of print image data from the host device to the printing device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a print image data generation device, a printing device, a print control method, and a program capable of improving the transfer efficiency of image data.

  In order to achieve such an object, a print image data generation device according to the present invention transfers print image data generated from data input from a host to a printer engine in the printing device via a first transfer line, A print image data generation device that transfers control information for controlling printing of the print image data to a controller inside the printing device via a second transfer path different from the predetermined transfer line, the print image data Determining means for determining a colorless portion included in each line, and transfer means for transferring each line to the controller while excluding the colorless portion determined in each line from a transfer target. And

  A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described print image data generation apparatus, the controller, and a printer engine that executes printing of print image data received by the controller.

  The print control method according to the present invention transfers print image data generated from data input from a host to a printer engine in a printing apparatus via a first transfer line, and controls printing of the print image data. A print control method for a print image data generation apparatus that transfers control information to a controller inside the printing apparatus via a second transfer path that is different from the predetermined transfer line, wherein each line of the print image data A determination step of determining an achromatic part included, and a transfer step of transferring each line to the controller while excluding the colorless part determined in each line from a transfer target.

  A program according to the present invention transfers print image data generated from data input from a host to a printer engine in a printing apparatus via a first transfer line, and controls printing of the print image data. A program for causing a print image data generation apparatus to transfer information to a controller inside the printing apparatus via a second transfer path that is different from the predetermined transfer line, and for each line of the print image data The print image data generation device executes a determination process for determining an included colorless part, and a transfer process for transferring each line to the controller while excluding the colorless part determined for each line from a transfer target. Let

  According to the present invention, since a colorless portion included in a line of print image data is excluded from the transfer target, a print image data generation device, a printing device, a print control method, and a program capable of improving the transfer efficiency of image data are provided. It can be realized.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a printing system applicable to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of the host device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the host device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of the printer apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of the data management unit shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the virtual memory according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of an image output unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a structure of an example of a printer apparatus including a paper conveyance system applicable to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of print image data in the present embodiment. FIG. 10A is a diagram for explaining band division processing according to the present embodiment (part 1). FIG. 10B is a diagram for explaining band division processing according to the present embodiment (part 2). FIG. 10C is a diagram for describing band division processing according to the present embodiment (part 3). FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of control information transmitted and received between the control information communication unit and the printer controller when the bitmap size is different for each color. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of control information transmitted and received between the control information communication unit and the printer controller when the bitmap size for each color is the same. FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart showing the flow of printing processing according to the present embodiment (part 1). FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart showing the flow of printing processing according to the present embodiment (part 2). FIG. 15 is a schematic flowchart of data transfer preparation processing according to this embodiment. FIG. 16 is a schematic flowchart of one-line processing shown in step S225 of FIG. FIG. 17 is a schematic flowchart of the color processing shown in step S235 of FIG. FIG. 18 is a schematic flowchart of the colorless process shown in step S232 of FIG. FIG. 19 is a schematic flowchart of the data transfer destination position specifying process according to this embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an operation when data transfer for three lines is performed in the present embodiment (part 1). FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the operation when data transfer for three lines is performed in this embodiment (part 2).

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present embodiment has the following characteristics when transferring image data from a host device such as a DFE server that generates print image data to a controller in the printer main body. That is, in this embodiment, white data is not transferred, thereby reducing the data transfer amount and increasing the transfer efficiency of image data. Specifically, an area having data that is not to be printed (hereinafter referred to as colorless data) is identified, and other areas are designated as data to be printed (hereinafter referred to as colored data). The data transfer is performed by designating the data transfer amount.

  Next, production printing to which the printing system according to the present embodiment is applied will be schematically described. In production printing, the basic idea is to perform a large amount of printing in a short time. For this reason, in production printing, in order to speed up printing and efficiently manage jobs and print data, a workflow system that manages from creation of print data to distribution of printed materials is constructed. .

  The printing system according to the present embodiment relates to a part that executes printing in a production printing workflow. RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing and printing of bitmap data obtained by RIP processing are performed by different apparatuses. Do. The RIP process takes the longest processing time in the printing process, and the printing speed can be increased by separating the apparatus that performs the RIP process from the apparatus that performs the printing process.

(Outline of printing system applicable to the embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary configuration of a printing system applicable to an embodiment of the present invention. This printing system is configured by, for example, a host device 10 configured by a DFE (Digital Front End) server or the like and a printer device 13 as a printing device connected by a plurality of data lines 11 and control lines 12. The The host device 10 performs RIP processing in accordance with print job data supplied from the host device, and creates bitmap data for each color, which is print image data. At the same time, the upper level apparatus 10 creates control information for controlling the printing operation based on the print job data, host apparatus information, and the like.

  The print image data for each color created by the host device 10 is supplied to a printer engine unit (not shown) of the printer device 13 via a plurality of data lines 11. Control information is transmitted and received between the upper level apparatus 10 and the printer controller 14 via the control line 12. The printer controller 14 controls the printer engine unit based on the transmission / reception of the control information, and executes printing according to the print job.

  Although the printing method is not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, a print image is formed on a printing paper by an inkjet method. Further, as the printing paper, continuous form paper (continuous form) that is continuous paper in which perforable perforations are punched at a predetermined interval is used. In production printing, this continuous paper is often used as printing paper. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to this, and a cut sheet having a fixed size such as A4 size or B4 size may be used as the printing paper. In the continuous paper, a page refers to an area sandwiched between perforations that are struck at a predetermined interval, for example.

(Host device)
FIG. 2 shows an exemplary configuration of the host device 10. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1103, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 1104 are connected to the bus 1100. An external I / F 1110, control information I / F 1111, and image data I / F 1112 are further connected to the bus 1100. These units connected to the bus 1100 can communicate with each other via the bus 1100.

  In ROM 1102 and HDD 1104, a program for operating CPU 1101 is stored in advance. The RAM 1103 is used as a work memory for the CPU 1101. That is, the CPU 1101 controls the overall operation of the host device 10 using the RAM 1103 as a work memory in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 1102 and the HDD 1104.

  The external I / F 1110 corresponds to, for example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) and controls communication with the host device. The control information I / F 1111 controls communication of control information. The image data I / F 1112 controls communication of print image data and has a plurality of channels. For example, the print image data of each color by the colors Y (Yellow), C (Cyan), M (Magenta), and K (Black) created in the host device 10 is output from each of the plurality of channels. Since the image data I / F 1112 is required to have a high transfer rate, for example, PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect Bus Express) is used. The method of the control information I / F 1111 is not particularly limited, but here, as with the image data I / F 1112, PCI Express is used.

  In such a configuration, print job data transmitted from the host device is received by the external I / F 1110 of the upper level device 10 and stored in the HDD 1104 via the CPU 1101. The CPU 1101 performs RIP processing based on the print job data read from the HDD 1104, generates bitmap data for each color, and writes it to the RAM 1103. For example, the CPU 1101 renders PDL (Page Description Language) by RIP processing, generates bitmap data of each color, and writes it to the RAM 1103. The CPU 1101 compresses and encodes the bitmap data of each color written in the RAM 1103 and temporarily stores it in the HDD 1104.

  For example, when the printing operation is started in the printer device 13, the CPU 1101 reads out the bitmap data of each color compressed and encoded from the HDD 1104, decodes the compressed code, and stores the decompressed bitmap data of each color in the RAM 1103. Write. Then, the CPU 1101 reads out the bitmap data of each color from the RAM 1103, outputs it as print image data of each color from each channel of the image data I / F 1112, and supplies it to the printer device 13. Further, the CPU 1101 transmits / receives control information to / from the printer device 13 via the control information I / F 1111 according to the progress of the printing operation.

(Functional configuration of the host device)
Next, an example of a functional configuration of the higher-level device 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The host device 10 includes a data reception unit 111, an image data generation unit 112, a memory 113, a colorless determination unit 114, and a data transmission unit 115. The data receiving unit 111 receives data from a host computer (not shown). The image data generation unit 112 generates print image data for each color by performing RIP processing on the data received by the data reception unit 111. The memory 113 stores print image data for each color generated by the image data generation unit 112. The colorless determination unit 114 reads the print image data stored in the memory 113, and determines whether or not the colorless data portion that is data not to be printed continues in the read print image data for a threshold value or more. The colorless determination unit 114 may be configured to adjust the threshold value according to the transfer status of print image data from the upper level apparatus 10 to the printer controller 14. For example, when the data amount (data transfer amount) of the print image data to be transferred from the upper level apparatus 10 to the printer controller 14 is small (for example, smaller than a predetermined threshold value), the colorlessness determination unit 114 performs the print to be transferred. A larger threshold value may be used than when the image data amount (data transfer amount) is large (for example, larger than a predetermined threshold value). The data transmission unit 115 includes a color determination unit that determines a colored portion in the print image data from the determination result of the colorless determination unit 114, and the image data (colored portion) of the portion determined to be colored is transmitted to the printer device 13. Forward to. Similarly, the control information communication unit 116 includes a color determination unit, color portion position information (for example, a transfer destination address (designated address)) indicating the position of the color portion on the image data, and a color portion indicating the data amount of the color portion. The amount of data is transmitted to the printer controller 14 of the printer device 13.

(Printer device)
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary configuration of the printer device 13. The printer device 13 includes a printer controller 14 and a printer engine 15. The printer controller 14 is connected to the control line 12 and controls the printing operation by transmitting / receiving control information to / from the host apparatus 10 via the control line 12. The printer engine 15 is connected to a plurality of data lines 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d, and each color transferred from the host device 10 through the data lines 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d, respectively, under the control of the printer controller 14. Print processing using the print image data.

  The printer controller 14 and the printer engine 15 will be described in more detail. The printer controller 14 includes a CPU 21 and a print control unit 22, and the CPU 21 and the print control unit 22 are connected to the bus 20 so that they can communicate with each other. The control line 12 is also connected to the bus 20 via a communication I / F (not shown). The CPU 21 operates according to a program stored in a ROM (not shown), and controls the overall operation of the printer device 13. The print control unit 22 transmits / receives commands and status information to / from the printer engine 15 based on transmission / reception of control information to / from the host device 10 via the control line 12 to control the operation of the printer engine 15. To do.

  The printer engine 15 includes a plurality of data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d, an image output unit 50 that outputs an image based on print image data to a sheet, and forms an image, and a conveyance that controls conveyance of the print sheet And a control unit 51.

  Data lines 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d are connected to the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d, respectively. The data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d include memories 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d, respectively, and print images of the respective colors transferred from the host device 10 via the data lines 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d. Data is stored in the memories 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d, respectively.

  Each of these memories 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d has a capacity capable of storing print image data for at least three pages. The print image data for three pages corresponds to, for example, the print image data of the page being transferred from the upper level device 10, the print image data of the page currently being output, and the print image data of the next page.

  Further, the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d are connected to the print control unit 22 by engine control lines 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d, respectively. The print control unit 22 can individually transmit and receive control signals to and from the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d via the engine control lines 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d.

  FIG. 5 shows an exemplary configuration of the data management unit 30a. Since the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d can apply a common configuration, in FIG. 5, the configuration of the data management unit 30a is represented on behalf of the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d. Show.

  The data management unit 30a includes a memory 31a and a logic circuit 32a. The engine control line 40a and the data line 11a are connected to the logic circuit 32a. The logic circuit 32a stores the print image data transferred from the upper level device 10 via the data line 11a in the memory 31a according to the control signal received from the print control unit 22 via the engine control line 40a. Similarly, the logic circuit 32a reads print image data from the memory 31a in accordance with a control signal received from the print control unit 22 via the engine control line 40a, and supplies the print image data to the image output unit 50 described later.

  Note that the control by the logic circuit 32a configured in hardware by a combination of logic circuits and the like has an advantage that higher-speed processing is possible compared to control using a CPU that branches processing by interruption to a program. is there. For example, the logic circuit 32a performs logic determination on a control signal based on a bit string received via the engine control line 40a, and determines a process to be executed.

  The print image data of each color output from the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d is supplied to the image output unit 50. The image output unit 50 executes printing using print image data of each color. In the present embodiment, printing based on print image data is performed by an ink jet method in which printing is performed by ejecting ink from nozzles provided in the head. Of course, the printing method is not limited to the ink jet method, and for example, a laser printer method or the like may be used.

  In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, in the printer controller 14, a virtual memory 60 having the same memory space as each of the memories 31a to 31d (hereinafter referred to as a virtual memory 60). Define The printer controller 14 writes the image data transferred from the host device 10 to each of the memories 31a to 31d (referred to as an input pointer) and reads the image data from the memories 31a to 31d (the output pointer). Are each managed on the virtual memory 60.

  When writing to each of the memories 31a to 31d, the printer controller 14 passes the address indicated by the input pointer to each of the data management units 30a to 30d. Each of the data management units 30a to 30d starts writing data with the address indicated by the input pointer passed from the printer controller 14 as a head address. Similarly, when the printer controller 14 reads data from each of the memories 31a to 31d, it passes the address indicated by the output pointer to each of the data management units 30a to 30d. The data management units 30a to 30d start reading data from the memories 31a to 31d using the address indicated by the output pointer passed from the printer controller 14 as a head address.

  The printer controller 14 updates the input pointer by moving the address for one page when writing for one page is completed. Similarly, the output pointer is updated by moving the address of one page when reading of one page is completed. Since the write start position and the read start position of each of the memories 31a to 31d are centrally managed on the printer controller 14 side, it is easy to secure and release the storage area of each of the memories 31a to 31d in units of pages.

  The virtual memory 60 is configured as an address map that is information indicating the memory space of each of the memories 31a to 31d, for example. This address map may be constructed on the RAM by the CPU 21, for example, or may be stored in advance in the ROM. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the CPU 21 exchanges information with the data management units 30a to 30d via the interface 22 at the time of initialization processing at the time of starting the printer device 13, and indicates the memory space of the memories 31a to 31d. It is also possible to obtain information directly. Further, the virtual memory 60 may be constructed by actually securing a memory space on the RAM 23 of the printer controller 14.

  Next, the configuration of an example of the image output unit 50 is shown. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of the image output unit 50 according to the present embodiment. The image output unit 50 includes an output control unit 55 and heads 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d for the colors C, M, Y, and K. The relationship between each color and the heads 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d is not limited to this example. Each output control unit 55 connects each output line 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d to which the print image data of each data management unit 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d is output and the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d. To control. That is, the output control unit 55 can set a path so that each head 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d selects and connects one from each output line 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d.

  For example, the output control unit 55 can set the output lines 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d and the heads 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d to be connected one to one. Further, for example, each head 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d is connected to the output line 32a, and the output lines 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d and the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d are 1 Can be set to connect to many.

  The path connecting each output line 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d and each head 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d can be set by a user operation using, for example, a dip switch. Not limited to this, the path may be set by a control signal (not shown) from the print control unit 22.

  As described above, in the printer device 13 according to the present embodiment, transfer of print image data from the host device 10 and transmission / reception of a control signal for controlling printing by the print image data between the host device 10 and the printer device 13 are performed. Are performed via different paths. Also, the print image data of each color is transferred from the host device 10 via different data lines 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d, and each color transferred via these data lines 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d is transferred. The print image data is controlled independently of each other and supplied to the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d having a common configuration. Further, in the image output unit 50, connection paths between the outputs of the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d and the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d of the respective colors can be set by a user operation or the like.

  Therefore, the printer device 13 according to the present embodiment depends on the number of colors of print image data (four colors of C, M, Y and K, or only K colors) and the number of heads used in the image output unit 50. The configuration of the printer engine 15 can be easily changed. At this time, the printer engine 15 can be provided with only the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d that are required according to the required configuration.

  For example, if it is desired to perform full-color printing with four colors C, M, Y, and K, the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d are all provided for the printer engine 15, and the output control unit 55 What is necessary is just to connect each output of the management parts 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d to the heads 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d, respectively. Further, for example, when printing with one color K, as an apparatus cost priority, only one data management unit 30a and head 56a are provided, and the output control unit 55 connects the output of the data management unit 30a to the head 56a. can do. Further, for example, when printing with one color K, as a priority for the printing speed, one data management unit 30a and four heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d are provided. The output of 30a can be connected to heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d, respectively. In this case, since the same color is printed a plurality of times, for example, the ink ejection time at each of the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d is set to 1/4 of the normal time, and the conveyance speed of the printing paper is normally set. It is conceivable to perform high-speed printing at four times as high.

(Printing paper transport system)
The conveyance control unit 51 is connected to the print control unit 22 by the conveyance control line 41 and controls conveyance of a sheet on which an image based on print image data is formed by the image output unit 50. FIG. 8 schematically shows an example of the structure of a printer apparatus 200 including a paper transport system that can be applied to the present embodiment. As described above, in this embodiment, the printer device 200 uses continuous paper as printing paper.

  The printing paper 201 is supplied from the printing paper supply unit 210 to the first transport unit 230 via the power operation box 220. The printing paper 201 is conveyed by the first conveyance unit 230 through a plurality of rollers and the like by the conveyance control of the conveyance control unit 51, and is aligned, and the printer engine units 240 and 250 corresponding to the printer engine 15 described above. To be supplied.

  The printer engine units 240 and 250 perform printing in accordance with the print image data on the printing paper 201 supplied from the first transport unit 230 in the printing unit 241 corresponding to the image output unit 50 described above. The printing paper 201 that has been printed is discharged from the printer engine unit 250 by the conveyance control of the conveyance control unit 51 and is supplied to the second conveyance unit 260. The printed printing paper 201 is transported in a predetermined manner inside the second transport unit 260 and discharged, and is supplied to the cutting unit 270. The printing paper 201 after printing is cut according to the perforation by the cutting unit 270, and each page is separated.

  Here, since the printer apparatus 200 performs printing on the printing paper 201 that is a continuous sheet of continuous pages, the printing paper 201 is printed on the printing paper 201 by the printer engine units 240 and 250, and the printing paper 201 is then transferred to the second transport unit 260. The printing paper 201 is always present in the path from the printer to the paper.

  In addition, another set of configurations including the first transport unit 230, the printer engine units 240 and 250, and the second transport unit 260 is prepared, and the printing paper 201 after printing discharged from the front second transport unit 260 is prepared. Is reversed and supplied to the first conveyance unit 230 on the rear side, whereby double-sided printing on the printing paper 201 becomes possible.

  Here, an example of print image data will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of print image data in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the print image data includes characters, pictures, photographs and the like. Further, the print image data includes a blank portion having no data. For example, in the case of a business card image (business card image 300), generally, a name, a company name, an address, etc. are drawn in black (black part 320), and a company logo is colored (color part 310). Has been drawn. If the print image data is divided into CMYK for each color and analyzed, the print image data for each color includes more blank portions. Note that the blank portion is at a different position for each color of CMYK. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the image data generation unit 112 in the higher-level device 10 detects a blank portion included in the print image data for each color after being converted into print image data for each color (print image for each color). By performing a process that does not transfer at least a part of the blank portion, the amount of data transferred from the host device 10 to the main body controller 130 is reduced.

  Subsequently, the band division processing in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining the band division processing in the present embodiment. 10A, in the band division process, one print image data 500 is divided into a plurality of bands 510 (for example, bands 1 to 7 in this description). Further, as shown in FIG. The band 510 includes a plurality of lines 520. Further, as shown in Fig. 10C, each line 520 is divided into a plurality of blocks 530. The division into the bands 510 is performed as necessary. In the following, the description of the band division process is omitted.

(Control information)
Next, control information transmitted and received in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 shows an example of control information transmitted / received via the control line 12 between the control information communication unit 116 of the upper level device 10 and the printer controller 14 of the printer device 13 when the bitmap size differs for each color. Is shown. FIG. 12 shows an example of control information transmitted / received via the control line 12 between the control information communication unit 116 of the upper level device 10 and the printer controller 14 of the printer device 13 when the bitmap size for each color is the same. Is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the bitmap size is different for each color, the control information communication unit 116 uses PBID (page identifier) and the number of data per page (number of colors) as common control information for each color. And printing information (resolution of print image data, gradation, paper feed length, paper width, and print surface (front / back)) are transmitted. Further, the control information communication unit 116, as control information unique to each color, a color identifier, data transfer information (data transfer necessity / non-necessity, data transfer source address, data storage destination address, and data transfer size), and printing Information (necessity of printing, upper / lower / left / right, non-printable area, image information (effective size in X direction, effective size in Y direction)) is transmitted.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 12, when the bitmap size for each color is the same, the control information communication unit 116 uses PBID (page identifier) and the number of data per page (number of colors) as common control information for each color. ), Data transfer information (data transfer source address, data storage destination address, data transfer size, print information (resolution of print image data, gradation, paper feed length, paper width, print side (front / back), unprintable) Area upper / lower / left / right), image information (X-direction effective size, Y-direction effective size)). Further, the control information communication unit 116 transmits a color identifier, data transfer information (data transfer necessity / non-necessity), and print information (print necessity / non-necessity) as control information unique to each color.

(Operation flow)
Next, the printing process according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 13 and 14 are schematic flowcharts showing the flow of the printing process according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, when the printer controller 14 starts the printing process in response to a print request from the host computer, first, the printer controller 14 is released in each of the memories 31a to 31d of the data management units 30a to 30d corresponding to each color. It is determined whether or not the memory is one page or more (step S101). If there is one or more pages of freed memory (YES in step S101), the printer controller 14 notifies the upper level device 10 of the location (MEM0) of the released memory that is the data transfer destination (step S102).

  On the other hand, when the host apparatus 10 starts the printing process and receives the data transfer destination position (MEM0) from the printer controller 14 (step S201), the host apparatus 10 executes a data transfer preparation process, which is a preprocess of the data transfer (step S202). ). When preparation for data transfer is completed, the upper level apparatus 10 transfers the print image data, the color part position information, and the color part data amount to the printer controller 14 (step S203). When the printer controller 14 receives the print image data, the color part position information, and the color part data amount from the upper level apparatus 10 (step S103), the memory amount (memory reservation) to be secured based on the received data and the state of the memory. The amount (Ryou)) is specified (step S104), and then the data transfer permission is notified to the host device 10 (step S105).

  Upon receiving the data transfer permission (step S204), the host device 10 transfers the prepared print image data for each color to the printer controller 14 via the data lines 11a to 11d (step S205). The printing process ends. On the other hand, when the printer controller 14 receives the print image data from the host device 10 (step S106), the printer controller 14 prints the print image data for each color in the image output unit 50 (step S107), and then waits for the completion of printing. The memory is released (step S108). Thereafter, the printer controller 14 resets various printing parameters (transfer destination address, data transfer amount, etc.) set in the control information (step S109), and ends the printing process.

  If it is determined in step S101 in FIG. 13 that the released memory is less than one page (NO in step S101), the printer controller 14 receives print image data, color part position information, and color part from the host device 10. Wait to receive the amount of data. The host device 10 executes a data transfer preparation process in advance (step S210), and then, when the preparation is completed, transmits the print image data, the color part position information, and the color part data amount to the printer controller (step S211). . When the printer controller 14 receives the print image data, the color part position information, and the color part data amount (step S110), the data transfer that specifies the transfer position (absolute address MEM0) based on the received data and the state of the memory. The position specifying process is executed, and the memory reservation amount (Ryou) is specified (step S111).

  Next, the printer controller 14 determines whether or not the data transfer amount is smaller than the memory reservation amount (Ryou) (step S112). If not smaller (No in step S112), the printer controller 14 waits for a predetermined time (step S113). ) It is determined whether printing for one page has been completed (step S114). If not completed (NO in step S114), the printer controller 14 returns to step S113 and waits for a predetermined time again. On the other hand, if printing for one page has been completed (YES in step S114), the printer controller 14 returns to step S112. If it is determined in step S112 that the data transfer amount is smaller than the memory reservation amount (Ryou) (YES in step S112), the printer controller 14 notifies the host device 10 of the memory reservation amount (Ryou) (step S115). ).

  Upon receiving the memory reservation amount (Ryou) (step S212), the host device 10 adds the data transfer destination position (MEM0) to the color portion position information of the print image data, and sets the obtained value as the data transfer address. (Step S213). Subsequently, the upper level apparatus 10 transfers the print image data (step S214), and then ends the printing process. On the other hand, when receiving the print image data from the host device 10 (step S116), the printer controller 14 prints the print image data for each color on the image output unit 50 (step S117), and then waits for the completion of printing. The memory is released (step S118). Thereafter, the printer controller 14 resets various printing parameters (transfer destination address, data transfer amount, etc.) set in the control information (step S119), and ends the printing process.

  Next, the data transfer preparation process shown in step S202 of FIG. 13 and step S210 of FIG. 14 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 15 is a schematic flowchart of data transfer preparation processing according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, when starting the data transfer preparation process for one page, the host device 10 first determines whether or not the next line exists in the unprocessed portion of the print image data (step S221). In this determination, if the next line exists (Yes in step S221), the upper level apparatus 10 determines the transfer destination address AD at the time of data transfer and the amount of colorless data included in the print image data to be transferred (colorless data amount). B) and the data transfer amount C are respectively initialized (steps S222 to S224). Subsequently, the upper level apparatus 10 executes one line processing for processing print image data for one line (step S225), and then returns to step S221 to determine whether the next line exists. . If the result of this determination is that there is no next line, the host device 10 ends the data transfer preparation process for one page shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the one-line process shown in step S225 of FIG. 15 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 16 is a schematic flowchart of one-line processing shown in step S225 of FIG. Note that a block is the amount of information held by the smallest unit address that can be specified during data transfer. As shown in FIG. 16, when one line of data processing is started, the host device 10 first determines whether or not all pixels are colorless for each block (step S231). If all the pixels are colorless (Yes in step S231), the upper level apparatus 10 executes a colorless process described later with reference to FIG. 18 (step S232). On the other hand, when all the pixels are not colorless, that is, when there is even one colored pixel (No in step S231), the upper level apparatus 10 executes a colored process described later with reference to FIG. 17 (step S235). ).

  Next, the host device 10 determines whether or not there is a next block (step S233). If there is a next block (Yes in step S233), the target block is set as the next block (step S234). Return to step S231. On the other hand, if the next block does not exist, that is, if the block being processed is the last block in one line (No in step S233), the upper level device 10 subtracts the colorless data amount B from the data transfer amount C. (C = C−B: Step S236) Subsequently, based on the calculation result, the print image data, the color portion position information, the color portion data amount, and the color portion data for each line are stored in the memory 113 (Step S237). Thereafter, the one-line process is terminated. In step S236, the colorless data portion at the end of the line is not included in the data transfer even if it is less than the threshold value. This reduces the amount of transfer data.

  Next, the color processing shown in step S235 of FIG. 16 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 17 is a schematic flowchart of the color processing shown in step S235 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, when the color processing is started, the host device 10 first determines whether or not there is a color block (color data portion) that has not been transferred (step S241). No in S241), the process proceeds to step S243. On the other hand, if it does not exist (Yes in step S241), the higher-level device 10 substitutes the transfer destination address “ADx” for the transfer destination address AD (step S242), and proceeds to step S243. In step S243, the higher-level device 10 increases the transfer target data transfer amount C by the number of blocks (C = C + G: step S243). Subsequently, the host device 10 clears the colorless data amount B (B = 0: step S244), and then ends the colored process.

  Further, the colorless process shown in step S232 of FIG. 16 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 18 is a schematic flowchart of the colorless process shown in step S232 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, when the colorless processing is started, the host device 10 first determines whether or not there is a colored block that has not been transferred (step S251), and if it does not exist (No in step S251), The process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if it exists (Yes in step S251), the host device 10 increases the colorless data amount B by the number of blocks (B = B + G: step S252) and increases the data transfer amount C by the number of blocks (C = C + G: Step S253). Subsequently, the host device 10 determines whether or not the colorless data amount B is larger than the threshold value D (step S254), and if not larger (No in step S254), the process is ended as it is. On the other hand, if larger (Yes in step S254), the host device 10 subtracts the invalid data amount B from the data transfer amount C (C = C−B: step S255), and then the data transfer amount obtained in the above step. C is stored in the memory 113 (step S256). Next, the host device 10 resets the colorless data amount B (step S257), clears the data transfer amount C (step S258), and then ends the colorless processing.

  Further, the data transfer destination position specifying process shown in step S111 of FIG. 14 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 19 is a schematic flowchart of the data transfer destination position specifying process according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, when the printer controller 14 starts the data transfer destination position specifying process, first, it receives the color part position information (transfer destination address) and the color part data amount for one page from the host device 10. Waiting and receiving the color portion position information (transfer destination address) and the color portion data amount for one page (step S121), an address obtained by subtracting the top position of the sheet from the first transfer destination address is set as the print start position. (Step S122).

  Next, the printer controller 14 subtracts the first transfer destination address from the last transfer destination address to calculate the memory reservation amount (Ryou) (step S123), and then the released memory address and memory. A transfer destination address is determined from the secured amount (Ryou) (step S124), and then the data transfer destination position specifying process is terminated.

  Next, the operation described above will be described by taking as an example the case of transferring data for three lines. 20 and 21 are diagrams for explaining the operation in the case where data transfer for three lines is performed in the present embodiment. In this example, data transfer is performed on line 0 (900), line 1 (910), and line 2 (920). Assume that the transfer destination addresses 930 of the lines 900 to 920 are ‘AD00 to AD09’, ‘AD10 to AD19’, and ‘AD20 to AD29’, respectively. That is, four pixels 940 are set as one block 950, and one line is set as 10 blocks. Furthermore, the threshold value of the block amount required for designating the transfer destination address and the data transfer amount to the main body controller 130 is set to “2”. That is, when two or more colorless blocks are continuous, they are not included in the print image data to be transferred.

  First, the line 0 (900) will be described. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the colorless block 901 (see FIG. 21) is scanned from the address “AD00” to the address “AD04”. The colorless block 901 is not included in the print image data to be transferred, and the subsequent address ‘AD06’ is scanned using the head address ‘AD05’ of the subsequent colored block 904 as the transfer destination address 902. Note that the block 903 at the address “AD07” is a colorless block, but since there is no continuous colorless block and is sandwiched between colored blocks, the colorless block 903 is treated as a part of the colored block 904. As a result, the print image data at addresses ‘AD05 to AD09’ becomes print image data (transfer data) to be transferred and transferred. This completes the processing for line 0 (900). Thus, for the line 0 (900), data transfer for 5 blocks from the address “AD05” is executed.

  Next, the line 1 (910) will be described. As shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the address “AD10” is set as the transfer destination address 911, and the address “AD11” and thereafter are scanned. Here, the address 'AD16' is a colorless block, but, like the colorless block 904, there is no continuous colorless block, and since it is sandwiched between colored blocks, this colorless block is treated as a part of the colored block, Scan after address 'AD17'. However, the address “AD19” is a colorless block having no continuous colorless block, but is not included in the data transfer target because it is a block at the end of the line. As a result, the data transfer of the block of the addresses “AD10 to AD18” is performed, and the processing for the line 1 (910) is completed. Thus, for the line 1 (910), data transfer for 9 blocks from the address "AD10" is executed.

  Next, the line 2 (920) will be described. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the colorless block 921 at the address “AD20” is not included in the data transfer target because it is the beginning of the line. Therefore, the head address ‘AD21’ of the color data portion 924 is set as the transfer destination address 922, and the address ‘AD22’ and beyond are scanned. Here, since the blocks of the addresses ‘AD25’ and ‘AD26’ are continuous colorless blocks 923, the data transfer of the colored blocks 924 from the addresses ‘AD21 to AD25’ is performed first. Next, the head address “AD27” of the color data portion 926 is set as the transfer destination address 925, and the address “AD28” and the following are scanned. Here, since the colorless block of the address “AD29” is the block at the end of the line, the data transfer relating to the print image data of the addresses “AD27 to AD29” is performed, and the processing for the line 2 (920) is completed. Thus, for line 2 (920), data transfer for two blocks from address 'AD21' and three blocks from address 'AD27' is executed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, blank portions (colorless blocks) smaller than the blank region in units of bands in the print image data generated by the host device 10 are not transferred. As a result, in the present embodiment, when transferring an image from the host apparatus 10 to the printer controller 13, the data transfer amount can be reduced, and the transfer efficiency of image data can be improved even when there is no blank area in band units. Is possible.

  The operations of the host device 10 and the printer controller 13 described above are executed by a control device such as a CPU reading out a program stored in a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM, HDD, or CD drive device. But it is feasible. In addition to the provision method that is preinstalled in the apparatus, this program is configured to be provided by distribution of a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, or download via a network such as the Internet. Can do.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is described by taking an example in which the image forming apparatus is applied to a multifunction machine having at least two functions among a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The present invention can be applied to any image forming apparatus such as a printer, a scanner apparatus, and a facsimile apparatus.

  Further, the above embodiment is merely an example for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications according to specifications and the like are within the scope of the present invention. It is obvious from the above description that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, it is needless to say that the modification examples illustrated as appropriate for each embodiment can be applied to other embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Host apparatus 11, 11a-11d Data line 12 Control line 13 Printer apparatus 14 Printer controller 15 Printer engine 20 Bus 21 CPU
22 Print control unit 30a-30d Data management unit 31a-30d Memory 32a-32d Logic circuit 40a-40d Engine control line 50 Image output unit 51 Transport control unit 55 Output control unit 56a-56d Head 60 Virtual memory 111 Data reception unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 112 Image data generation part 113 Memory 114 Colorlessness determination part 115 Data transmission part 116 Control information communication part 200 Printer apparatus 201 Printing paper 210 Printing paper replenishment part 220 Power supply operation box 230 1st conveyance part 240, 250 Printer engine part 241 Printing part 260 Second conveying unit 270 Cutting unit 300 Business card image 310 Color unit 320 Black character unit 500 Print image data 510 Band 520 line 530 block 900, 910, 920 line 901, 921, 923 902, 922, 925, 930 Transfer destination address 903, 950 Block 904, 924 Colored block 926 Colored data part 940 Pixel 1100 Bus 1101 CPU
1102 ROM
1103 RAM
1104 HDD
1110 External I / F
1111 I / F for control information
1112 I / F for image data

JP-A-8-258378 Japanese Patent No. 3655457

Claims (7)

Print image data generated from data input from the host is transferred to the printer engine in the printing apparatus via the first transfer line, and control information for controlling printing of the print image data is transferred to the first transfer line. Is a print image data generation device for transferring to a controller inside the printing device via a different second transfer path,
Determination means for determining a colorless portion included in each line of the print image data;
Transfer means for transferring each line to the controller while excluding the colorless portion determined in each line from being transferred;
A print image data generation apparatus comprising: Each line comprises a plurality of blocks,
The print image data generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the colorless portion in units of blocks.   3. The printing according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit determines that the continuous colorless block is the colorless portion when the colorless block has a number of colorless portions equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Image data generation device.   The print image data generation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit adjusts the threshold according to a transfer state of the print image data from the data generation unit to the controller. Print image data generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The controller;
A printer engine that executes printing of print image data received by the controller;
A printing apparatus comprising: Print image data generated from data input from the host is transferred to the printer engine in the printing apparatus via the first transfer line, and control information for controlling printing of the print image data is transferred to the predetermined transfer line. Is a print control method of a print image data generation device that transfers to a controller inside the printing device via a different second transfer path,
A determination step of determining a colorless portion included in each line of the print image data;
A transfer step of transferring each line to the controller while excluding the colorless portion determined in each line from a transfer target;
A printing control method comprising: Print image data generated from data input from the host is transferred to the printer engine in the printing apparatus via the first transfer line, and control information for controlling printing of the print image data is transferred to the predetermined transfer line. Is a program for causing a print image data generation device to transfer to a controller inside the printing device via a different second transfer path,
A determination process for determining a colorless portion included in each line of the print image data;
A transfer process for transferring each line to the controller while excluding the colorless portion determined in each line from the transfer target;
For causing the print image data generation apparatus to execute the program.

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