JP2012206319A - Information processing apparatus and processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus capable of speeding up rasterization processing.SOLUTION: A control means notifies at least one rasterization processing means of a deletion request of cache data associated with at least one object, according to calculation results by a calculation means and counting results notified by the notification means. The rasterization processing means receiving the notification executes deletion processing of the associated cache data stored in a storage means according to the deletion request.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a processing program.

  In general, a printer control unit as a type of information processing apparatus mounted on a high-speed printer or the like performs a so-called rasterization process for converting data (printing information) described in a page description language into bitmap data.

  Conventionally, a cache technique is known as a technique for speeding up the rasterization process.

  Here, the cache technology means that bitmap data after rasterization processing is stored in the cache memory for various objects (overlay, font, image, etc.) included in the data described in the page description language, and the next and subsequent times. This is a technique for speeding up the overall processing by calling each of the objects via the cache memory.

  Prior to rasterization processing, pre-scanning is performed to calculate the total number of appearances for each object, and the rasterization processing unit counts the number of times the cache is used for each object. A technique for effectively utilizing the cache area by cashing out the cache is disclosed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-186950).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-186950

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and a processing program capable of efficiently deleting cache data and increasing the speed of rasterization processing.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to claim 1 executes a receiving means for receiving print information described in a page description language, and a rasterizing process for converting the print information into bitmap data. A plurality of rasterization processing means; control means for controlling allocation of the print information received by the receiving means to each rasterization processing means; and before starting rasterization processing by each rasterization processing means, In the processing of the print information in each rasterization processing means, the calculation means for calculating the total number of appearances for each object in the print information by counting the number of calls of the plurality of types of objects included in the object, Counting means for counting the number of rasterization processes for each, and the counting result by the counting means A notification means for notifying the control means; and a storage means for saving the bitmap data generated by the rasterization process for each object as cache data, the control means including the calculation result by the calculation means and the notification According to the counting result notified by the means, the cache data deletion request for at least one object is notified to at least one rasterization processing means, and the received rasterization processing means receives the notification, In response to the deletion request, the cache data deletion process related to the corresponding object stored in the storage unit is executed.

  An information processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein each of the rasterization processing means includes the counting means and the notification means, and the control means is provided for each of the rasterization processing means. The counting result of each object is accumulated, and when the accumulated result reaches the total number of appearances, the cache data deletion request for the corresponding object is notified to each rasterization processing unit. To do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control means includes the counting means and the notification means, and the control means includes each object for each rasterization processing means. When the accumulated result reaches the total number of appearances, the cache data deletion request for the corresponding object is notified to each rasterization processing unit, and each rasterization processing unit In response to the deletion request, the rasterization process for the corresponding object is executed, and then the cache data deletion process for the object stored in the storage unit is executed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the calculating means determines the object of each object included in the print information based on a call command for the object included in the print information. The number of calls is counted to calculate the total number of appearances for each object in the print information, and the control means accumulates the count results for each object for each rasterization processing means, and the cumulative result is the total appearance number. When the number of times has been reached, the number of pages at that time is stored, and the rasterization processing means executes rasterization processing on the pages converted from the print information allocated under the control of the control means and performs rasterization processing. The completed page number is sequentially notified to the control means, and the control means is the rasterization processing means. Based on the received information on the number of pages for which rasterization processing has been completed, when it is determined that the rasterization processing has been completed for all the pages to which each object is called, the rasterization processing means stores cache data related to the object. A deletion request is notified.

  An information processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention further comprises a detection unit that detects a page on which each object is called last based on the print information, according to the first aspect of the invention, and the control unit includes: , After the last page on which any object is called is transmitted to each rasterization processing unit, the rasterization processing unit is notified of a cache data deletion request for the object, and each rasterization processing unit After executing the rasterization process for the page data already allocated at the time when the notification is received in response to the request, the cache data deletion process for the object stored in the storage unit is executed in response to the deletion request It is characterized by doing.

  An information processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a detection unit that detects a page on which each object is called last based on the print information, and the rasterization processing unit Sequentially notifies the control means of the page number for which the rasterization processing has been completed, and the control means is called up each object based on the information on the number of pages for which the rasterization processing has been received from each of the rasterization processing means. When it is determined that the rasterization processing for all pages has been completed, a cache data deletion request for the object is notified to each rasterization processing means.

  A processing program according to a seventh aspect of the invention is a processing program for receiving print information described in a page description language, and printing for a plurality of rasterization processing means for executing rasterization processing for converting the print information into bitmap data. Before starting rasterization processing by each rasterization processing means for controlling the allocation of information, each object in the print information is counted by counting the number of times each type of object included in the print information is called. A calculation process for calculating the total number of appearances for each object, a counting process for counting the number of rasterization processes for each object in the processing of the print information in each rasterization processing means, and a notification for notifying the control means of the counting result Process and the process generated by the rasterization process for each object. The cache relating to at least one object to at least one rasterization processing means in accordance with a saving process for saving the map data as cache data, and the calculation result and the counting result notified in the notification process The computing means is made to execute a notification process for notifying a data deletion request and a deletion process for deleting the cache data relating to the stored object in response to the deletion request.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  In other words, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus that efficiently deletes cache data and speeds up rasterization processing compared to a case where the present configuration is not provided. it can.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, the information processing for deleting the cache data and increasing the speed of the rasterizing process when the cumulative result reaches the total number of appearances. An apparatus can be provided.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus that deletes cache data after executing rasterization processing on an object to increase the speed of rasterization processing, compared to a case without this configuration. Can be provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the cache data is deleted and the rasterization process is executed when the rasterization process is completed for all the pages to which each object is called, as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. It is possible to provide an information processing apparatus that is speeded up.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the cache data after executing the rasterizing process for the page data already allocated at the time of receiving the notification of the deletion request, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. It is possible to provide an information processing apparatus that deletes the image data to speed up rasterization processing.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the cache data is deleted and the rasterization process is performed when the rasterization process is completed for all the pages to which each object is called, as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. It is possible to provide an information processing apparatus that is speeded up.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a processing program for efficiently deleting the cache data and speeding up the rasterizing process as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an overlay. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of information processing (1). It is a table | surface which shows the structural example of an overlay call frequency | count table. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of information processing (2). It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of information processing (3). It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of information processing (4). It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of the process sequence of information processing (4). It is a table | surface which shows the structural example of an overlay call frequency | count table. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of information processing (5). It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of the process sequence of information processing (5). It is a table | surface which shows the structural example of an overlay call frequency | count table. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of information processing (6). It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of information processing (7). It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of the process sequence of information processing (7). It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of information processing (8). It is a table | surface which shows the structural example of an overlay call table. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of information processing (9).

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 to 19, an information processing apparatus PR1 as a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus PR1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The information processing apparatus PR1 according to the present embodiment generates the print information described in the page description language from the information processing apparatus (external device) C1 configured by, for example, a host computer or the like via the network N such as a LAN. It is configured as a high-speed printer or the like that receives print information and forms an image on a recording medium such as roll paper.

  The information processing apparatus PR1 includes a receiving unit 100 (an example of a receiving unit) that receives print information described in a page description language, and a plurality of (in the present embodiment, rasterization processing that converts print information into bitmap data). Four rasterization processing units 101 (101a to 101d) (an example of rasterization processing means) and a microcomputer that controls the allocation of print information received by the reception unit 100 to each rasterization processing unit 101 Before the rasterization process is started by the page allocation control unit 102 (an example of a control unit) and each rasterization processing unit 101, the number of calls of a plurality of types of objects included in the print information is counted, and the print information Object total appearance count calculation unit 103 (calculation) for calculating the total appearance count for each object In the processing of print information in each rasterization processing unit 101, the rasterization processing number counting unit 104 (an example of a counting unit) that counts the number of rasterization processes for each object, and the count by the rasterization processing number counting unit 104 A count result notification unit 105 (an example of a notification unit) that notifies the page allocation control unit 102 of the result, and a cache data storage unit 106 (106a to 106a) that stores bitmap data generated by rasterization processing for each object as cache data. 106d) (an example of a storage unit).

  Further, a page detection unit 107 (an example of a detection unit) that detects a page on which each object is called last based on the print information is further provided.

  In addition, an image forming unit 200 that forms an image on a recording medium such as roll paper based on the data after the rasterizing process is provided.

  In addition, a received data storage unit 300 including a hard disk device or the like that stores print information (including page data, overlay data, etc.) received by the receiving unit 100 is provided.

  Then, the page allocation control unit 102 relates to at least one object with respect to at least one rasterization processing unit 101 according to the calculation result by the total appearance number calculation unit 103 and the counting result notified by the counting result notification unit 105. The rasterization processing unit 100 that has notified the cache data deletion request and executes the cache data deletion processing related to the corresponding object stored in the cache data storage unit 106 in response to the deletion request. ing.

  As a result, the cache data is efficiently deleted to speed up the rasterization process.

  Here, referring to FIG. 2, the effect of cache data deletion according to the present invention will be compared with a comparison target.

  The example shown in FIG. 2 shows a case where an overlay is used for each page and one set is configured with three pages.

  It is assumed that the third overlay is switched.

  In addition, it is assumed that the capacity stored in the cache data storage unit is up to three overlays.

  Here, the overlay refers to a technique for displaying or forming an image by superimposing something else (for example, text or graphics written on the form) on an image or screen (for example, a form such as a document).

  As a comparison target, in the method of deleting cache data in order from the oldest, data can be stored in the cache data storage unit up to 8 pages, but one overflows on the 9th page, so the cache data of Ovl1 is deleted and Ovl3- 2 is cached.

  Also, since there is no Ovl1 cache data on the 10th page, the Ovl1 data is processed again (creating a bitmap image), this time the Ovl2 cache data is deleted, and Ovl1 is cached.

  Since there is no Ovl2 cache data on the 11th page, the Ovl2 data is processed again (creating a bitmap image), this time the cache data of Ovl3-1 is deleted, and Ovl2 is cached, etc. Although it is desired to keep the cache data of Ovl1 and Ovl2, there is a problem in that it takes time because it is deleted and must be processed again.

  On the other hand, in the case of the present invention, since the Ovl3-1 is no longer used on the sixth page, the cache data of the Ovl3-1 is deleted.

On the 9th page, since the cache data of the new Ovl3-2 is cached, the cache data of the Ovl1 and OVL2 is not deleted, and it is not necessary to perform the process again like the comparison target. Speeding up.
(First embodiment)

  Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the first embodiment, for each of the functions shown in FIG. 1, each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d includes a rasterization processing number counting unit 104 and a count result notification unit 105, and the page allocation control unit 102 includes each rasterization processing unit 101a. The count results of each object are accumulated every -101d, and when the accumulated result reaches the total number of appearances, a request to delete cache data related to the corresponding object is notified to each rasterization processing unit 101a-101d. I am doing so.

  The configuration block diagram of FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the information processing apparatus PR1a according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the object call number detection / management unit is composed of a total object appearance number calculation unit 103, a rasterization processing number counting unit 104, and the like in the functional block diagram of FIG.

  The image forming unit 200 includes an output image output unit 201 and an output unit 202.

  Next, information processing executed by the information processing apparatus PR1a according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a processing procedure of information processing (1) from reception of print data to distribution to each rasterization processing device will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S100, reception of print information (print data) from the host computer C1 (see FIG. 1) is started, and the process proceeds to step S101.

  In step S101, the receiving unit 100 receives print data, and the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the receiving unit 100 analyzes the received print data for one job, classifies it into objects such as page data and overlay data, and proceeds to step S103.

  In step S103, it is determined whether data of the entire job has been received. If “No”, the process returns to step S101, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the object call count detection and management unit 103, 104 reads the received page data command of the print job, and proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, it is determined whether or not the command is an overlay call command. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S106, and the number of calls in the corresponding overlay job in the overlay call count table (see FIG. 5) is set to 1. After increasing, the process proceeds to step S107.

  If “No” in step S105, the process proceeds to step S107.

  In step S107, it is determined whether or not the command is the last command in the job. If “Yes”, the process returns to step S104, and if “No”, the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, the page allocation control unit 102 determines allocation to each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d for each page, and transmits the page number information and page data to each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d, and step S109. Migrate to

  In step S109, it is determined whether or not all pages in the job have been distributed. If “No”, the process returns to step S108, and if “Yes”, the distribution of page data ends.

  Next, a processing procedure of information processing (2) executed by each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d will be described with reference to a flowchart in FIG.

  In step S120, the distributed page data and object data are received, and the process proceeds to step S121.

  In step S121, a command is read from page data, and the process proceeds to step S122.

  In step S122, it is determined whether or not the command is an overlay call command. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S124, the corresponding overlay data is read from the object data, rasterized, and the number of called overlays is counted. Is increased by 1, and then the process proceeds to step S125.

  On the other hand, if “No” in step S122, the process proceeds to step S123, the rasterization process is executed according to the command, and then the process proceeds to step S125.

  In step S125, it is determined whether all the commands on the page have been processed. If “No”, the process returns to step S121, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S126.

  In step S126, the rasterized image data is passed to the output image output unit 201, and the processed overlay and the number of times are returned to the object call count detection and management units 103 and 104, and the process proceeds to step S127.

  In step S127, it is determined whether or not all pages of the print job have been rasterized. If “No”, the process returns to step S120, and if “Yes”, the process ends.

  Next, a processing procedure of information processing (3) related to detection of the number of object calls, determination of deletion of cache data executed by the management units 103 and 104, and notification processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S130, a print instruction is started to each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d, and the process proceeds to step S131.

  In step S131, the overlay processing result is received from each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d, and the process proceeds to step S132.

  In step S132, the number of times the corresponding overlay has been rasterized in the overlay call count table (see FIG. 5) is increased by the amount processed, and the process proceeds to step S133.

  In step S133, it is determined whether or not the number of times of rasterization processing has reached the number of times called in the job (total number of appearances). If “No”, the process proceeds to step S136. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S136. The process proceeds to step S134.

  In step S134, each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d is notified of a request to delete cache data of the corresponding overlay, and the process proceeds to step S135.

  In step S135, each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d deletes the cache data in response to the notification of the deletion request, and proceeds to step S136.

  In step S136, it is determined whether or not all pages have been rasterized. If “No”, the process returns to step S131, and if “Yes”, the process ends.

As a result, when the cumulative result reaches the total number of appearances, the cache data is deleted to speed up the rasterization process.
(Second embodiment)

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The configuration of the information processing apparatus PR1b according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the information processing apparatus PR1a according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the information processing apparatus PR1b according to the second embodiment, the page allocation control unit 102 includes a rasterization processing number counting unit 104 and a count result notification unit 105, and the page allocation control unit 102 is provided for each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d. When the count result of each object is accumulated, and the accumulated result reaches the total number of appearances, the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d are notified of cache data deletion requests for the corresponding object, and each rasterization is performed. In response to the deletion request, the processing units 101a to 101d execute a rasterization process for the corresponding object, and then execute a deletion process for the cache data related to the object stored in the cache data storage units 106a to 106d. It has become.

  With reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the processing procedure of information processing (4) executed by the information processing device PR1b will be described.

  In step S201, reception of print information (print data) from the host computer C1 (see FIG. 1) is started, and the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the receiving unit 100 receives print data, and the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S203, the receiving unit 100 analyzes the received print data for one job, classifies it into objects such as page data and overlay data, and proceeds to step S204.

  In step S204, it is determined whether data for the entire job has been received. If “No”, the process returns to step S202, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S205.

  In step S205, the object call count detection and management unit 103, 104 reads the received page data command of the print job, and proceeds to step S206.

  In step S206, it is determined whether or not the command is an overlay call command. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S207, and the number of calls in the corresponding overlay job in the overlay call count table (see FIG. 10) is set to 1. After the increase, the process proceeds to step S208.

  If “No” in step S206, the process proceeds to step S208.

  In step S208, it is determined whether or not the command is the last command in the job. If “Yes”, the process returns to step S205, and if “No”, the process proceeds to step S209 in FIG.

  In step S209, the page allocation control unit 102 reads a command in the page and proceeds to step S210.

  In step S210, it is determined whether or not the command is an overlay call command. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S211.

  In step S211, it is determined whether or not the command is an overlay call command. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S211 to increment the number of times the corresponding overlay is called in the overlay call count table by 1 and then to step S212. Transition.

  If “No”, the process proceeds to step S212.

  In step S212, it is determined whether or not all the commands on the page have been processed. If “No”, the process returns to step S209, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S213.

  In step S213, the page allocation control unit 102 determines allocation to each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d for each page, and transmits page number information, page data, and object data to each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d. The process proceeds to step S214.

  In step S214, it is determined whether or not the called number has reached the number called in the job. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S215.

  In step S215, a request to delete the overlay cache data corresponding to each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d is notified, and each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d has yet to perform rasterization processing on the page allocated at the time of receiving the notification. If there is no page data, after rasterizing the pages, the cache data of the corresponding overlay is deleted, and the process proceeds to step S216.

  Also in the case of “No”, the process proceeds to step S216.

  In step S216, it is determined whether or not all the jobs have been distributed. If “No”, the process proceeds to the next page in step S217, and then returns to step S209.

  In the case of “Yes”, the delivery of page data is terminated.

As a result, the cache data is deleted after the rasterization process for the object is executed, thereby speeding up the rasterization process.
(Third embodiment)

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The configuration of the information processing apparatus PR1c according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the information processing apparatus PR1a according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the information processing apparatus PR1c according to the third embodiment, the total appearance count calculation unit 103 of the object counts the number of calls of each object included in the print information based on the call command of each object included in the print information. Then, the total number of appearances for each object in the print information is calculated, and the page allocation control unit 102 accumulates the count results of each object for each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d, and the accumulated result is the total number of appearances. Is reached, the number of pages at that time is stored, and each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d executes rasterization processing on the pages converted from the print information allocated under the control of the page allocation control unit 102. The page allocation control unit 102 assigns the page number for which the rasterization process has been completed. The page allocation control unit 102 notifies that the rasterization processing has been completed for all pages for which each object is called based on the information on the number of pages for which the rasterization processing has been received from the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d. When the determination is made, each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d is notified of a cache data deletion request relating to the object.

  With reference to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, a processing procedure of information processing (5) executed by the information processing device PR1c will be described.

  In step S301, reception of print information (print data) from the host computer C1 (see FIG. 1) is started, and the process proceeds to step S302.

  In step S302, the receiving unit 100 receives print data, and the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, the receiving unit 100 analyzes the received print data for one job, classifies it into objects such as page data and overlay data, and proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, it is determined whether data of the entire job has been received. If “No”, the process returns to step S302, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S305.

  In step S305, the object call count detection and management units 103 and 104 read the page data command of the received print job, and the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S306, it is determined whether or not the command is an overlay call command. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S307, and the number of calls in the corresponding overlay job in the overlay call count table (see FIG. 13) is set to 1. After increasing, the process proceeds to step S308.

  If “No” in step S306, the process proceeds to step S308.

  In step S308, it is determined whether or not the command is the last command in the job. If “Yes”, the process returns to step S305, and if “No”, the process proceeds to step S309 in FIG.

  In step S309, the page allocation control unit 102 reads a command in the page and proceeds to step S310.

  In step S310, it is determined whether the command is an overlay call command. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S311.

  In step S311, it is determined whether or not the command is an overlay call command. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S311 to increment the number of times the corresponding overlay is called in the overlay call count table by 1 and then to step S312. Transition.

  In step S312, it is determined whether or not the called number has reached the number called in the job. If “Yes”, in step S313, the number of pages at that time is set to the page called at the end of the corresponding overlay. The number is registered, and the process proceeds to step S314.

  If “No”, the process directly proceeds to step S314.

  On the other hand, if “No” in step S310, the process also proceeds to step S314.

  In step S314, it is determined whether all the commands in the page have been processed. If “No”, the process returns to step S309, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S315.

  In step S315, the page allocation control unit 102 determines allocation to each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d for each page, and transmits page number information, page data, and object data to each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d. The process proceeds to step S316.

  In step S316, it is determined whether or not all of the jobs have been distributed. If “No”, the process proceeds to the next page in step S317, and the process returns to step S309.

  In the case of “Yes”, the delivery of page data is terminated.

  Next, a processing procedure of information processing (6) related to cache data deletion determination and notification will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S401, a print instruction is started from the page allocation control unit 102 to each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d, and the process proceeds to step S402.

  In step S402, the page allocation control unit 102 receives a page rasterization processing completion notification from each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d, and proceeds to step S403.

  In step S403, it is determined whether or not there is a page corresponding to the number of pages called at the end of the overlay call table within the range of the number of pages received from the first page of the job, and “No”. In the case of, the process proceeds to step S405, and in the case of “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S404.

  In step S404, the cache data deletion request for the last overlay in the corresponding page is notified to each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d, and the corresponding overlay is deleted from the table. Then, the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S405, it is determined whether or not all pages have been rasterized. If “No”, the process returns to step S402, and if “Yes”, the process ends.

As a result, when the rasterizing process is completed for all pages for which each object is called, the cache data is deleted to speed up the rasterizing process.
(Fourth embodiment)

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The configuration of the information processing apparatus PR1d according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the information processing apparatus PR1a according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The information processing apparatus PR1d according to the fourth embodiment includes a page detection unit 107 that detects a page on which each object is called last based on print information (see FIG. 1). After the last page on which the object is called is transmitted to each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d, each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d is notified of a cache data deletion request related to the object, and each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d. After executing rasterization processing for page data already allocated at the time of receiving the notification of the deletion request, the cache data relating to the objects stored in the cache data storage units 106a to 106d is executed in response to the deletion request. The deletion process will be executed There.

  With reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the processing procedure of information processing (7) executed by the information processing apparatus PR1d will be described.

  In step S501, reception of print information (print data) from the host computer C1 (see FIG. 1) is started, and the process proceeds to step S502.

  In step S502, the receiving unit 100 receives print data, and the process proceeds to step S503.

  In step S503, the receiving unit 100 analyzes the received print data for one job, classifies the received print data into objects such as page data and overlay data, and proceeds to step S504.

  In step S504, it is determined whether data for the entire job has been received. If “No”, the process returns to step S502, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S505.

  In step S505, the object call count detection / management units 103 and 104 read the received page data command of the print job, and the process proceeds to step S506.

  In step S506, it is determined whether or not the command is an overlay call command. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S507 to overwrite the number of pages being processed to the number of pages called at the end of the corresponding overlay in the overlay call table. Then, the process proceeds to step S508.

  In step S508, it is determined whether the command is the last command in the job. If “Yes”, the process returns to step S505. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S509 in FIG.

  In step S509, the page allocation control unit 102 determines allocation to each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d for each page, and transmits the page number information, page number information, and object data to each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d. The process proceeds to step S510.

  In step S510, it is determined whether there is a page corresponding to the number of pages called at the end of the overlay call table in the transmitted page. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S512. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S512. Moves to step S511.

  In step S511, the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d are notified of a deletion request for the cache data of the last overlay on the corresponding page. When each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d receives the notification, if there is any page data that has not been rasterized yet in the assigned page, the rasterization processing is performed on the page, and then the cache data of the corresponding overlay Is deleted, and the process proceeds to step S512.

  In step S512, it is determined whether or not all the jobs have been distributed. If “No”, the process proceeds to the next page in step S513, and then returns to step S509.

  In the case of “Yes”, the delivery of page data is terminated.

As a result, the rasterization process is executed for the page data that has already been allocated when the deletion request is notified, and then the cache data is deleted to speed up the rasterization process.
(Fifth embodiment)

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The configuration of the information processing apparatus PR1e according to the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the information processing apparatus PR1a according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The information processing apparatus PR1e according to the fifth embodiment includes a page detection unit 107 that detects a page on which each object is called last based on print information (see FIG. 1), and each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d includes The page allocation control unit 102 is sequentially notified of the page number for which the rasterization processing has been completed, and the page allocation control unit 102 determines each page number based on the information on the number of pages for which the rasterization processing has been received from each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d. When it is determined that the rasterization processing has been completed for all pages for which the object is called, the cache data deletion request for the object is notified to each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d.

  With reference to the flowchart in FIG. 17, a processing procedure of information processing (8) executed by the information processing device PR1e will be described.

  In step S601, reception of print information (print data) from the host computer C1 (see FIG. 1) is started, and the process proceeds to step S602.

  In step S602, the receiving unit 100 receives print data, and the process proceeds to step S603.

  In step S603, the receiving unit 100 analyzes the received print data for one job, classifies it into objects such as page data and overlay data, and proceeds to step S604.

  In step S604, it is determined whether or not data for the entire job has been received. If “No”, the process returns to step S602. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S605.

  In step S505, the object call count detection / management units 103 and 104 read the received page data command of the print job, and the process proceeds to step S606.

  In step S606, it is determined whether or not the command is an overlay call command. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S607 to process the number of pages called at the end of the corresponding overlay in the overlay call table (see FIG. 18). The page number is overwritten and the process proceeds to step S608.

  In step S608, it is determined whether or not the command is the last command in the job. If “Yes”, the process returns to step S605. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S609.

  In step S609, the page allocation control unit 102 determines allocation to each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d for each page, and transmits the page number information, page number information, and object data to each rasterization processing unit 101a to 101d. The process proceeds to step S610.

  In step S610, it is determined whether or not all the jobs have been distributed. If “No”, the process returns to step S609.

  In the case of “Yes”, the delivery of page data is terminated.

  Next, a processing procedure of information processing (9) related to cache data deletion determination and notification will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S701, a print instruction is started from the page allocation control unit 102 to each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d, and the process proceeds to step S702.

  In step S702, the page allocation control unit 102 receives a page rasterization processing completion notification from each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d, and proceeds to step S703.

  In step S703, it is determined whether or not there is a page corresponding to the number of pages called at the end of the overlay call table in the range of the number of pages received from the first page of the job and the number of continuous pages. In the case of, the process proceeds to step S705, and in the case of “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S704.

  In step S704, the cache data deletion request for the last overlay on the corresponding page is notified to each of the rasterization processing units 101a to 101d, and the corresponding overlay is deleted from the table. Then, the process proceeds to step S705.

  In step S705, it is determined whether or not all pages have been rasterized. If “No”, the process returns to step S702, and if “Yes”, the process ends.

  As a result, when the rasterizing process is completed for all pages for which each object is called, the cache data is deleted to speed up the rasterizing process.

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limited to the disclosed technology. Should not be considered. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed restrictively based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be construed according to the description of the scope of claims. All modifications that fall within the scope of the claims and the equivalent technology are included.

  When using a program, it can be provided via a network or stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  That is, the predetermined program including the image processing program is not limited to being recorded in a storage device such as a hard disk as a recording medium, and the predetermined program can be provided as follows.

  For example, a predetermined program may be stored in the ROM, and the CPU may load the predetermined program from the ROM to the main storage device and execute it.

  The predetermined program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, an MO (magneto-optical disk), a flexible disk, and distributed.

  Further, the image forming apparatus or the like is connected to a server apparatus or a host computer via a communication line (for example, the Internet), and after the predetermined program is downloaded from the server apparatus or the host computer, the predetermined program is executed. You may do it. In this case, examples of the download destination of the predetermined program include a memory such as a RAM and a storage device (recording medium) such as a hard disk.

  The information processing apparatus and the processing program according to the present invention can be applied to a printer, a multifunction machine, and the like.

PR1 (PR1a to PR1e) Information processing apparatus 100 Reception unit 101 Rasterization processing unit 102 Page allocation control unit 102 Page detection unit 102 Control unit 103 Total appearance count calculation unit 104 Processing frequency count unit 105 Count result notification unit 106 Cache data storage unit 107 Page detection unit 200 Image forming unit 201 Output image output unit 202 Output unit 300 Received data storage unit C1 Host computer N Network

Claims (7)

Receiving means for receiving print information described in a page description language;
A plurality of rasterization processing means for executing rasterization processing for converting the print information into bitmap data;
Control means for controlling allocation of the print information received by the receiving means to each rasterization processing means;
A calculation means for calculating the total number of appearances for each object in the print information by counting the number of calls of the plurality of types of objects included in the print information before starting the rasterization process in each rasterization processing means. When,
In the processing of the print information in each rasterization processing means, a counting means for counting the number of rasterization processes for each object;
Notification means for notifying the control means of the counting result by the counting means;
Storage means for storing bitmap data generated by the rasterization process for each object as cache data;
With
The control means issues a cache data deletion request for at least one of the objects to at least one of the rasterization processing means according to the calculation result by the calculation means and the count result notified by the notification means. Notify
In response to the deletion request, the rasterization processing unit that has received the notification executes the deletion processing of the cache data related to the corresponding object stored in the storage unit. Each of the rasterization processing means includes the counting means and the notification means,
The control means accumulates the count results of each object for each rasterization processing means, and when the cumulative result reaches the total appearance count, the control means relates to the rasterization processing means with respect to the object concerned. Notify cache data deletion request,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The control means includes the counting means and the notification means,
The control means accumulates the count results of each object for each rasterization processing means, and when the cumulative result reaches the total appearance count, the control means relates to the rasterization processing means with respect to the object concerned. Notify cache data deletion request,
Each rasterization processing means executes a rasterization process for the corresponding object in response to the deletion request, and then executes a deletion process of the cache data related to the object stored in the storage means.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The calculation means calculates the total number of appearances for each object in the print information by counting the number of calls for each object included in the print information based on a call command for each object included in the print information. ,
The control means accumulates the count results of each object for each rasterization processing means, and stores the number of pages at that time when the cumulative result reaches the total appearance count,
The rasterization processing means executes rasterization processing on pages converted from the print information allocated under the control of the control means and sequentially notifies the control means of the page number on which rasterization processing has been completed,
When the control means determines that the rasterization process has been completed for all pages for which each object is called, based on the information on the number of pages for which the rasterization process has been received from each of the rasterization processing means, Notifying the rasterization processing means of a cache data deletion request for the object,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Further comprising a detecting means for detecting a page on which each object is called last based on the print information;
The control means, after transmitting the last page on which any object is called to each rasterization processing means, notifies each rasterization processing means of a cache data deletion request for the object,
Each of the rasterization processing means executes the rasterization process for the page data already allocated at the time when the deletion request is notified, and then the object stored in the storage means in response to the deletion request Performing the cache data deletion process for
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Further comprising a detecting means for detecting a page on which each object is called last based on the print information;
The rasterization processing means sequentially notifies the control means of the page number where the rasterization processing is completed,
When the control means determines that the rasterization process has been completed for all pages for which each object is called, based on the information on the number of pages for which the rasterization process has been received from each of the rasterization processing means, 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a request for deleting cache data related to the object is notified to the rasterization processing unit. A receiving process for receiving print information described in a page description language;
A control process for controlling allocation of the print information to a plurality of rasterization processing means for executing rasterization processing for converting the print information into bitmap data;
A calculation process for calculating the total number of appearances for each object in the print information by counting the number of calls of the plurality of types of objects included in the print information before starting the rasterization process by each rasterization processing means. When,
In the processing of the print information in each rasterization processing means, a counting process for counting the number of rasterization processes for each object;
A notification process of notifying the control means of the counting result;
A storage process for storing bitmap data generated by the rasterization process for each object as cache data;
A notification step of notifying at least one of the rasterization processing means of a deletion request of the cache data related to at least one of the objects according to the calculation result and the counting result notified in the notification step;
In response to the deletion request, a deletion process of deleting the cache data related to the stored object,
A processing program characterized by causing an arithmetic means to execute.

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