JP2013043294A - Printing apparatus, printing method, computer program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively cope with memory shortage caused during RIP processing.SOLUTION: A memory capacity detecting part 18a of a printing apparatus 10 which carries out printing processing by dividing printing data of one page to a plurality of bands and performing RIP processing of the printing data for each band detects capacity shortage of a memory 16 secured for RIP processing. When the capacity shortage of the memory 16 is detected, a setting changing part 18b changes a first setting for RIP processing to a second setting in which RIP processing is performed with a smaller use amount of the memory than when RIP processing is performed on the basis of the first setting, and a video control part 17 performs RIP processing on the basis of the second setting.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, a computer program that causes a computer to execute the printing method, and a computer-readable recording medium that records the computer program.

  Conventionally, in RIP (Raster Image Processing) processing performed by a printer, print data is once converted into an intermediate language that can be processed inside the printer, and a bitmap image (raster image) is generated from the intermediate language. RIP processing of print data for one page is performed in units of bands divided into a plurality.

  Here, if the number of band divisions is reduced, the amount of intermediate language or bitmap image data that must be processed at one time increases, and a large memory capacity is required. On the other hand, if the number of divisions of the band is increased, the amount of data of intermediate language and bitmap image that must be processed at one time is reduced, so that the required memory capacity is reduced.

  However, when the number of divisions of the band is increased, the number of objects existing across a plurality of bands increases. In this case, an intermediate language for processing the band boundary portion needs to be generated and processed for each band, so that the printing performance is deteriorated.

  For this reason, the number of band divisions is adjusted in consideration of the balance between the amount of system memory allocated to the printer and the printing performance. However, for print data that contains many objects, intermediate language data Since the amount increases, memory shortage may occur and RIP processing may not be continued.

  For this reason, in RIP processing, intermediate language data for a plurality of bands is stored in a memory, and the overhead when generating a bitmap image from the intermediate language is reduced, thereby improving the printing speed. However, in this case, there is a problem that a necessary memory capacity increases.

  If processing is performed sequentially in units of bands from the first band, the required memory capacity can be reduced, but the overhead increases, and the printing speed decreases.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus that determines the number of bands so that the amount of memory to be used is minimized in consideration of the number of bands and the increase in memory for object information that increases due to object division.

  This printing device takes into consideration the sum of the memory usage of the band memory that decreases as the number of bands increases and the memory usage of the object information memory that increases as the number of bands increases, and is the most memory for printing a page. Determine the number of bands that use less.

JP-A-8-174920

  However, even if the number of bands with the smallest memory usage for printing a page is determined as in the printing apparatus of Patent Document 1, if the memory is used in a large amount other than the printing process, the memory is insufficient. May occur, making it impossible to continue the printing process. Patent Document 1 does not describe any countermeasures for such a case.

  In view of the above-described circumstances, the present invention provides a printing apparatus, a printing method, a computer program that causes a computer to execute the printing method, and a computer program that can effectively cope with a memory shortage that occurs during RIP processing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recorded computer-readable recording medium.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the first technical means of the present invention is a printing apparatus that divides print data for one page into a plurality of bands and performs print processing by performing RIP processing of print data for each band. A memory capacity detecting unit for detecting an insufficient capacity of the memory reserved for the RIP processing, and a first setting for the RIP processing when the insufficient memory capacity is detected, A setting change unit for changing to the second setting in which the RIP process is performed with a smaller memory usage than when the RIP process is performed based on the setting of the RIP, and the RIP process is performed based on the second setting And a video control unit.

  According to a second technical means of the present invention, in the first technical means, the video control unit performs the RIP processing only on the page where the memory capacity is insufficient based on the second setting. Features.

  According to a third technical means of the present invention, in the first or second technical means, the first setting includes setting a first division number of the band, and the second setting is the first setting. And the video control unit performs the RIP process based on the setting of the second division number of the band.

  According to a fourth technical means of the present invention, in any one of the first to third technical means, the first setting stores the data for the RIP processing for the plurality of bands in the memory. The second setting includes a second storage setting for storing in the memory a smaller number of data for the RIP processing than the plurality of bands, and the video control unit includes: The RIP process is performed based on a second storage setting.

  According to a fifth technical means of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth technical means, the first setting includes a first direction setting in which an image development direction in the RIP processing is a long side direction. The second setting includes a second direction setting in which the image development direction in the RIP processing is a short side direction, and the video control unit performs the RIP processing based on the second direction setting. It is characterized by.

  A sixth technical means of the present invention is a printing method for executing print processing by dividing print data for one page into a plurality of bands, and performing RIP processing of the print data for each band. A memory capacity detecting step for detecting a memory capacity shortage secured in the memory, and a first setting for the RIP processing when the memory capacity shortage is detected, based on the first setting. A setting change step for changing to the second setting in which the RIP processing is performed with a smaller memory usage than when the RIP processing is performed, and a RIP processing execution step for performing the RIP processing based on the second setting. It is characterized by that.

  A seventh technical means of the present invention is a computer program that causes a computer to execute the printing method.

  An eighth technical means of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium characterized by recording the above computer program.

  According to the present invention, when a shortage of memory capacity reserved for RIP processing is detected, and when a shortage of memory capacity is detected, the first setting for RIP processing is determined based on the first setting. Is changed to the second setting in which the RIP processing is performed with a smaller amount of memory usage than in the case where the RIP processing is performed, and the RIP processing is performed based on the second setting, which is effective for a memory shortage occurring during the RIP processing. Can be dealt with.

It is a figure which shows an example of the printing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the memory area of a memory. It is a figure explaining an example of the band division | segmentation of the image data for 1 page. It is a timing chart which shows an example of the process which a video control part performs. It is a figure explaining an example of the interruption of the production | generation process of intermediate language data. It is a timing chart which shows an example of operation | movement of a video control part when the time which a bitmap conversion process requires is short. It is a figure which shows an example of the memory shortage which generate | occur | produces during a RIP process. It is a figure which shows an example of the RIP process performed after the memory capacity shortage is detected. It is a figure explaining the change of the expansion | deployment direction of an image. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of print processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of print processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of a 1st RIP setting process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of a 2nd RIP setting process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 10 is connected to a host computer 20. The host computer 20 is a device that transmits print data described in PDL (Page Description Language) to the printing apparatus 10 and requests the printing apparatus 10 to print the print data.

  The printing apparatus 10 is an apparatus that prints print data received from the host computer 20. The printing apparatus 10 includes a print control unit 11, an operation panel 12, and a print engine 13. The print control unit 11 is a processing unit that performs RIP processing on data described in PDL and generates bitmap data.

  The operation panel 12 is an operation panel that displays various types of information and receives input of information from the user. The print engine 13 is a print engine including an image forming unit 13a. The image forming unit 13a prints the bitmap data generated by the print control unit 11.

  The print control unit 11 includes a network control unit 14, a hard disk device 15, a memory 16, a video control unit 17, and a control unit 18. The network control unit 14 is a control unit that controls communication processing performed between the printing apparatus 10 and the host computer 20 via a network.

  The hard disk device 15 is a hard disk device that stores print data 15 a received from the host computer 20 and bitmap data 15 b generated by the video control unit 17. The memory 16 is a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 16 is used for RIP processing of the print data 15a.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the memory area 30 in the memory 16. FIG. 2 shows an example of the memory area 30 at a certain point in time when the RIP process is being executed. As shown in FIG. 2, the memory area 30 includes an RIP work memory area 30a, an intermediate language data area 30b for band 1, an intermediate language data area 30c for band 2, an intermediate language data area 30d for band 3, and an intermediate language data area 30d for band 1. It has a bitmap data area 30e and a band 2 bitmap data area 30f.

  The RIP work memory area 30 a is a work memory area used for RIP processing by the video control unit 17. The intermediate language data area 30b of band 1, the intermediate language data area 30c of band 2, and the intermediate language data area 30d of band 3 are areas in which intermediate language data generated by the video control unit 17 is stored. In the example of FIG. 2, intermediate language data for three bands among a plurality of bands formed by dividing image data for one page is stored.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of band division of image data for one page. In FIG. 3, the image data 40 for one page is divided into five bands 40a to 40e. Also, the image data 40 shown in FIG. 3 includes four objects 41a to 41d.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the bitmap data area 30 e of band 1 and the bitmap data area 30 f of band 2 are areas in which bitmap data generated by the video control unit 17 is stored. In the example of FIG. 2, bitmap data for two bands generated up to that point is stored.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the video control unit 17 generates intermediate language data from the print data 15a based on the setting for RIP processing, further generates bitmap data from the intermediate language data, and generates the generated bitmap. A controller that outputs data to the print engine 13.

  In the setting for RIP processing, setting of the division number when RIP processing is performed by dividing print data for one page into a plurality of bands, or intermediate language data corresponding to the plurality of bands is stored in the memory 16. Whether the image development direction in the RIP process is the long side direction or the short side direction is included. The setting information for RIP processing is stored in a memory in the video control unit 17.

  The control unit 18 is a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the print control unit 11 as a whole. The control unit 18 includes a memory capacity detection unit 18a and a setting change unit 18b.

  The memory capacity detection unit 18a is a processing unit that detects an insufficient capacity of the memory 16 reserved for RIP processing. When the memory capacity detection unit 18a detects that the memory 16 is insufficient in capacity, the setting change unit 18b sets the RIP processing setting with a smaller memory usage than when the RIP processing is performed based on the setting. It is a processing unit for changing to another setting for processing.

  Specifically, when a memory capacity shortage is detected, the setting changing unit 18b changes the number of bands set for RIP processing to a larger number of divisions, or a plurality of bands. The setting for storing the data for RIP processing (for example, intermediate language data) in the memory 16 is invalidated, or the image development direction in the RIP processing is changed from the long side direction to the short side direction. Based on this changed setting, the video control unit 17 generates bitmap data from the print data 15a.

  Next, processing performed by the video control unit 17 will be described. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of processing performed by the video control unit 17. 4A shows the timing of parser processing for analyzing print data described in PDL, and FIG. 4B shows intermediate language conversion processing for converting print data described in PDL into intermediate language data. (C) shows the timing of bitmap conversion processing for converting the intermediate language data into bitmap data, and (d) shows the data compression / compression stored in the hard disk device 15 by compressing the bitmap data. The timing of the storage process is shown. (E) shows the timing of the print control process in which the bitmap data is read from the hard disk device 15 and the read bitmap data is expanded and output to the image forming unit 13a. In FIG. 4, P1 and P2 indicate pages, and B1 to B5 indicate five bands formed by dividing one page.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the video control unit 17 performs a parser process on a certain page (P1, P2) (FIG. 4A), and print data described in PDL in band units (B1 to B5). Is converted into intermediate language data (FIG. 4B). Then, the video control unit 17 converts the intermediate language data into bitmap data from the band that has been converted into the intermediate language data (FIG. 4C).

  Further, the video control unit 17 performs data compression processing from the band that has been converted into bitmap data, and stores it in the hard disk device 15 (FIG. 4D). Then, the video control unit 17 completes the bitmap data for one page, stores the compressed data in the hard disk device 15, and outputs the bitmap data for one page to the image forming unit 13a (FIG. 4 (e)). )).

  If the number of intermediate language data stored in the memory 16 is preset, the intermediate language data generation process is interrupted when the number of intermediate language data is stored. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of interruption of the intermediate language data generation process. FIG. 5 shows the timing of intermediate language conversion processing (FIG. 5B) when intermediate language data for up to three bands is stored in the memory 16, and the timing of bitmap conversion processing (FIG. 5C). ))It is shown. In the example of FIG. 5, since the bitmap conversion processing for the B1 band takes time, the memory 16 stores intermediate language data for three bands, which is the maximum number that can be stored.

  The number of intermediate language data stored in the memory 16 is determined in consideration of the balance between the capacity of the memory 16 and performance. That is, if the number of intermediate language data stored in the memory 16 is large, the overhead is reduced and the performance is improved, but the capacity of the memory 16 is insufficient. On the other hand, when the number of intermediate language data stored in the memory 16 is small, the capacity of the memory 16 can be afforded, but the overhead increases and the performance decreases.

  In the case of FIG. 5, the video controller 17 increments the counter (Cnt) by 1 each time intermediate language data for one band is generated. When the counter (Cnt) reaches 3, the video control unit 17 stops generating the intermediate language data. When the bitmap conversion process for the band (B1) being subjected to the bitmap conversion process is completed, the video control unit 17 does not need the intermediate language data of the band (B1) for which the bitmap conversion process has been completed. Cnt) is decreased by 1, and the generation of intermediate language data is resumed. Then, the intermediate language data generated for the new band (B4) is stored in the memory 16 instead of the intermediate language data of the band (B1) for which the bitmap conversion processing has been completed.

  If the time required for the bitmap conversion process is short, the intermediate language data generation process will not be delayed. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the video control unit 17 when the time required for the bitmap conversion process is short. 6 shows the timing of intermediate language conversion processing (FIG. 6B) when intermediate language data for up to three bands is stored in the memory 16, and the timing of bitmap conversion processing (FIG. 6C). ))It is shown.

  Both the time required for the intermediate language conversion process and the time required for the bitmap conversion process vary depending on the number of objects 41a to 41d included in the image data 40 as shown in FIG. However, even when the time required for the bitmap conversion process is shortened, the video control unit 17 generates a sufficient number of intermediate language data, thereby suppressing the stagnation of the bitmap conversion process and improving the processing efficiency. Can be increased.

  Next, a memory shortage that occurs during RIP processing will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory shortage that occurs during RIP processing. 7A shows the timing of the parser process described with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 7B shows the timing of the intermediate language conversion process, FIG. 7C shows the timing of the bitmap conversion process, (D) shows the timing of data compression / storage processing. Further, (f) shows the detection timing of the capacity shortage of the memory 16.

  In FIG. 7C, since the amount of bitmap B4 data is large, the bitmap conversion process takes time. When the size of the memory area necessary for storing the band B4 bitmap data exceeds the memory area allocated for storing the band B4 bitmap data in the memory area 30 as shown in FIG. The memory capacity detection unit 18a detects a capacity shortage of the memory 16. Thereafter, the video control unit 17 temporarily stops the process of FIG.

  Next, a description will be given of the RIP process that is performed after the capacity shortage of the memory 16 is detected. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the RIP process performed after the lack of capacity of the memory 16 is detected. FIG. 8 shows an example of the RIP process performed as a result of detecting the lack of capacity of the memory 16 on the 10th page (P10) of the example of FIG. As in (a) to (e) of FIG. 4, (a) in FIG. 8 shows the timing of parser processing, (b) shows the timing of intermediate language conversion processing, and (c) shows The timing of bitmap conversion processing is shown, (d) shows the timing of data compression / storage processing, and (e) shows the timing of printing control processing.

  First, when preset to store intermediate language data for a plurality of bands in the memory 16, the setting changing unit 18b invalidates the setting, and a smaller number of intermediate language data than for the plurality of bands. Change the setting to remember. For example, the setting changing unit 18b changes the setting for storing the intermediate language data for a plurality of bands to the setting for storing the intermediate data for one band. As a result, only one band of intermediate language data is stored in the memory 16. As a result, although the performance of the RIP process is lowered, the usage amount of the memory 16 can be reduced.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the intermediate language data for three bands is set to be stored in the memory 16, but the setting is changed so that only one band of intermediate language data is stored in the memory 16. .

  Further, the setting changing unit 18b changes the setting of the number of divisions when dividing the image data for one page into a plurality of bands to a setting for increasing the number of divisions. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the number of divisions is 5, but the setting change unit 18b changes the number of divisions to 10 as shown in FIG. As a result, the amount of intermediate language data and bitmap data that must be processed at a time is reduced, so that the required capacity of the memory 16 can be reduced.

  Note that there are settings that apply to all pages at the beginning of the data described in PDL (for example, settings that synthesize a specific image with the background of all pages), or in the middle of data described in PDL. There may be a setting applied to the subsequent pages. If the RIP process is performed again from the data of the intermediate page, the above setting is not applied, and an inappropriate page image may be generated. Therefore, when redoing RIP processing, it is necessary to perform parser processing from the first page (P1). In this case, the video control unit 17 performs only the parser process without performing the RIP process up to the page (P9) before the 10th page (P10) in which the memory 16 capacity shortage is detected in FIG. In P10), the parser process is performed and the RIP process for each band (B1 to B10) is performed.

  In addition, when the capacity shortage of the memory 16 is detected, the capacity of the memory 16 necessary for the RIP process may be reduced by changing the setting of the image development direction. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the change of the image development direction. FIG. 9A shows the case where the image development direction is the long side direction, FIG. 9B shows the case where the image development direction is the short side direction, and FIG. 9C shows the image development direction. This shows a case where the development direction is the short side direction and the number of band divisions is increased from 5 to 10.

  When the size of the paper to be printed is small (for example, when the paper size is A4 size, B5 size, A5 size), the video control unit 17 develops the image in the long side direction, but the development direction is the short side direction. You can also change the setting to change to Therefore, when a shortage of the capacity of the memory 16 is detected, the setting changing unit 18b changes the setting of the image development direction from the long side direction to the short side direction. Then, the video control unit 17 expands the image in the short side direction based on the setting, and generates bitmap data.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the length of the long side and the short side in each band (B1 to B5) is changed by changing the image development direction from the long side direction to the short side direction. The ratio is close to 1. For this reason, it is expected that the number of objects existing across a plurality of bands will be reduced. If the number of such objects is reduced, the amount of intermediate language data for processing the boundary portion of the band is also reduced. As a result, memory usage is reduced.

  In the example of FIG. 9C, not only the image development direction is changed from the long side direction to the short side direction, but also the number of band divisions is increased. By increasing the number of band divisions, the amount of intermediate language data and bitmap data that must be processed at one time is reduced, so that the required capacity of the memory 16 can be reduced.

  In addition, in the case of FIG. 9C, there is a possibility that the number of objects that exist across a plurality of bands may be increased compared to the case of FIG. The increase amount is generally considered to be smaller than the amount that the memory usage decreases by increasing the number of band divisions.

  Next, the processing procedure of the printing process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing an example of the processing procedure of the printing process according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, when print data described in PDL is received from the host computer 20, the control unit 18 stores the print data in the hard disk device 15 (step S101).

  Then, the video control unit 17 reads print data for one page from the hard disk device 15 (step S102). Further, the video control unit 17 starts RIP processing for the read print data for one page (step S103).

  Thereafter, the memory capacity detection unit 18a detects whether or not the capacity of the memory 16 is insufficient due to the execution of the RIP process and the RIP process is interrupted (step S104). If the memory 16 is not short of capacity and the RIP process is not interrupted (NO in step S104), the image forming unit 13a prints one page of bitmap data obtained by the RIP process. (Step S105).

  Then, the video control unit 17 checks whether printing for all pages is completed (step S106). The video control unit 17 receives a notification from the image forming unit 13a when printing for one page is completed.

  If printing for all pages has not been completed (NO in step S106), the process proceeds to step S102, and the subsequent processing is continued. If printing for all pages is completed (YES in step S106), the printing process ends.

  In step S104, when the capacity of the memory 16 is insufficient and the RIP process is interrupted (in the case of YES in step S104), the setting changing unit 18b executes the first RIP setting process as shown in FIG. (Step S107).

  The first RIP setting process is a processing unit that changes a setting for RIP processing to another setting for performing RIP processing with a smaller memory usage than when RIP processing is performed based on the setting. The first RIP setting process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  Then, the memory capacity detection unit 18a detects whether or not the capacity of the memory 16 is insufficient and the RIP process is interrupted in the RIP process executed again in the first RIP setting process described with reference to FIG. (Step S108). For example, in the example of FIG. 8, the memory capacity detection unit 18a has a capacity shortage of the memory 16 in the RIP process for the 10 bands (B1 to B10) of the 10th page (P10), and the RIP process is interrupted. It is detected whether or not.

  When the capacity of the memory 16 is insufficient (YES in step S108), the setting changing unit 18b executes a second RIP setting process (step S109). Similarly to the first RIP setting process, the second RIP setting process is another setting in which the RIP process is performed with a smaller memory usage than when the RIP process is performed based on the setting. It is a processing part to change to. The second RIP setting process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  After the process of step S109, the memory capacity detection unit 18a detects whether or not the capacity of the memory 16 is insufficient and the RIP process is interrupted in the second RIP setting process described with reference to FIG. Step S110).

  If the capacity of the memory 16 is insufficient (YES in step S110), a notice page indicating that printing has not succeeded even if the setting for RIP processing is changed is printed (step S114). Thereafter, this printing process ends.

  If there is no shortage of memory 16 in step S110 (NO in step S110), or if no shortage of memory 16 occurs in step S108 (NO in step S108), The video controller 17 reads print data from the hard disk device 15 (step S111).

  Then, the video control unit 17 executes the parser process without performing the RIP process until the page where the RIP process is completed (step S112). In the example of FIG. 8, the parser process is executed up to the 10th page (P10) without performing the RIP process.

  Subsequently, the video control unit 17 performs processing for returning the setting changed in step S107 and step S109 to the original setting (step S113). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S102 in FIG. 10, and the video control unit 17 reads print data for one page from the hard disk device 15.

  If it is assumed that the parser processing is executed up to the 10th page (P10) in the example of FIG. 8 in step S112 of FIG. 11, the video control unit 17 reads the print data of the 11th page in step S102 of FIG. Then, the subsequent processing is continued.

  Next, the first RIP setting process shown in step S107 of FIG. 11 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the first RIP setting process. First, the setting changing unit 18b determines whether or not the setting for RIP processing stored in the memory of the video control unit 17 is set to store intermediate language data for a plurality of bands in the memory 16 ( Step S201).

  If the setting for RIP processing is set so that intermediate language data for a plurality of bands is stored in the memory 16 (YES in step S201), the setting changing unit 18b invalidates the setting and sets one band. The setting is changed so that only the intermediate language data for the minute is stored in the memory 16 (step S202). Thereby, the usage amount of the memory 16 can be reduced. Note that the number of intermediate language data stored in the memory 16 may be two or more bands as long as the number is less than the number of bands before the setting change. Also in this case, the memory usage can be reduced from before the setting change.

  After the process of step S202, or when the setting for RIP processing in step S201 is not set to store intermediate language data for a plurality of bands in the memory 16 (NO in step S201), the setting is changed. The unit 18b determines whether or not the setting of the number of band divisions at that time is smaller than the maximum settable number of band divisions (step S203).

  When the setting of the number of band divisions at that time is smaller than the maximum number of band divisions that can be set (YES in step S203), the setting changing unit 18b sets the maximum number of band divisions that can be set. The setting is changed so as to be the number of divisions (step S204). In the example of FIGS. 7 and 8, the setting changing unit 18 b changes the setting so that the number of band divisions is 5 to 10 which is the maximum number.

  After the process of step S204, or in step S203, when the setting of the number of band divisions at that time is not smaller than the maximum settable band division number (in the case of NO in step S203), the video control unit 17 Performs the RIP process again on the page where the RIP process is interrupted (step S205).

  7 and 8, the video control unit 17 executes the RIP process again for the tenth page (P10) where the RIP process is interrupted. Thereafter, the first RIP setting process ends.

  Here, in the example of FIG. 12, as the first RIP setting process, the process of step S201 and step S202 and the process of step S203 and step S204 are performed, but only one of the processes is performed. Also good. Moreover, it is good also as performing the process of step S203 and step S204 prior to the process of step S201 and step S202. In the example of FIG. 12, the processing of step S201 and step S202 and the processing of step S203 and step S204 are performed continuously, but are not necessarily performed continuously.

  Next, the second RIP setting process shown in step S109 of FIG. 11 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the second RIP setting process. First, the setting changing unit 18b determines whether or not a plurality of image development directions can be set (step S301).

  If setting of a plurality of image development directions is impossible (NO in step S301), that is, if the size of the paper to be printed is large, such as A3 size, and the image development direction cannot be changed, it remains as it is. This second RIP setting process ends. When a plurality of image development directions can be set (YES in step S301), the setting change unit 18b determines that the print setting of the image development direction at that time is the long side shown in FIG. 9A as an example. It is determined whether or not the direction is correct (step S302).

  If the print setting in the image development direction is not the long side direction but the short side direction (NO in step S302), the second RIP setting process is terminated. If the print setting in the image development direction is the long side direction (YES in step S302), the setting changing unit 18b changes the setting of the image development direction from the long side direction to the short side direction (step S303). .

  Thereafter, the video control unit 17 executes the RIP process again for the page where the RIP process is interrupted (step S304). 7 and 8, the video control unit 17 executes the RIP process again for the tenth page (P10) where the RIP process is interrupted. Then, the second RIP setting process ends.

  The embodiments of the printing apparatus and the printing method have been described so far. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the form as a computer program for realizing the functions of the printing apparatus. Alternatively, the present invention may be implemented as a form of a computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

  Here, as a recording medium, a disk system (for example, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.), a card system (for example, memory card, optical card, etc.), a semiconductor memory system (for example, ROM, nonvolatile memory, etc.), a tape system (for example) For example, various forms such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape can be employed.

  By recording and distributing a computer program for realizing the functions of the printing apparatus in the above embodiment or a computer program for causing the computer to execute the printing method on these recording media, cost reduction, portability and versatility can be achieved. Can be improved.

  Then, the above-described recording medium is mounted on a computer, a computer program recorded on the recording medium is read out by the computer, stored in a memory, and a processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit, MPU: Micro Processing Unit) included in the computer is the computer program. Is read from the memory and executed, the function of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment can be realized and the printing method can be executed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and corrections can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing apparatus, 11 ... Print control part, 12 ... Operation panel, 13 ... Print engine, 13a ... Image formation part, 14 ... Network control part, 15 ... Hard disk apparatus, 15a ... Print data, 15b ... Bitmap data, 16 ... Memory, 17 ... Video control unit, 18 ... Control unit, 18a ... Memory capacity detection unit, 18b ... Setting change unit, 20 ... Host computer.

Claims (8)

A printing apparatus that divides print data for one page into a plurality of bands and performs print processing by performing RIP processing of the print data for each band,
A memory capacity detection unit for detecting a shortage of memory capacity reserved for the RIP processing;
When the memory capacity shortage is detected, the RIP processing is performed with a smaller memory usage than when the RIP processing is performed based on the first setting. A setting changing unit for changing to the second setting,
A video control unit that performs the RIP processing based on the second setting;
A printing apparatus comprising:   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video control unit performs the RIP processing based only on the second setting only for a page in which the memory capacity is insufficient.   The first setting includes a setting of a first division number of the band, and the second setting includes a setting of a second division number of the band larger than the first division number, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video control unit performs the RIP process based on a setting of the second division number of the band.   The first setting includes a first storage setting for storing the data for the RIP processing for the plurality of bands in the memory, and the second setting is smaller in number than the plurality of bands. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a second storage setting for storing data for the RIP processing in the memory, wherein the video control unit performs the RIP processing based on the second storage setting. The printing apparatus according to any one of the above.   The first setting includes a first direction setting in which the image development direction in the RIP process is a long side direction, and the second setting is a second direction in which the image development direction in the RIP process is a short side direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video control unit performs the RIP processing based on the second direction setting. A printing method in which print data for one page is divided into a plurality of bands, and print processing is performed by performing RIP processing of the print data for each band,
A memory capacity detecting step for detecting a shortage of memory capacity reserved for the RIP processing;
When the memory capacity shortage is detected, the RIP processing is performed with a smaller memory usage than when the RIP processing is performed based on the first setting. A setting change step for changing to the second setting,
An RIP process execution step for performing the RIP process based on the second setting;
A printing method comprising:   A computer program for causing a computer to execute the printing method according to claim 6.   A computer-readable recording medium having the computer program according to claim 7 recorded thereon.

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