JP2015044343A - Image forming apparatus, image formation control method and image formation control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which accepts a printing setup change after starting image formation and efficiently forms an image on the basis of the changed printing setup.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus 1, an RIP processing part generates drawing data from image data on the basis of a printing attribute, to store the generated data into an RIP data storage part, and an engine part 20 forms an image on a sheet on the basis of the drawing data and the printing attribute. When the image forming apparatus 1 accepts a request for changing the printing attribute via an operation panel 40 in the process of printing by the engine part 20 on the basis of the drawing data, a printing attribute analysis part generates a changed printing attribute, and an RIP processing part generates the changed RIP data on the basis of the changed printing attribute and stores the data in to the RIP data storage part, a print control part changes from the drawing data to a changed drawing data at timing when the image formation based on the changed drawing data reaches a last part, and causes the engine part 20 to form an image.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image formation control method, and an image formation control program, and more specifically, an image that accepts a print setting change after starting image formation and efficiently performs image formation based on the changed print setting. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus, an image forming control method, and an image forming control program.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a printer apparatus, a copying apparatus, or a composite apparatus, a user may want to change print settings by looking at an image formed on a sheet after image formation is started.

  Therefore, conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus equipped with a sample printing function in the image forming apparatus, and this sample printing function forms an image of only one copy under the print setting conditions (hereinafter also referred to as printing as appropriate). After that, the image formation is stopped and the user is prompted to confirm the image formation result. The user looks at the paper on which the image is formed by sample printing, changes the print settings as appropriate, and issues a print start instruction again.

  When the print setting is changed and a print start instruction is issued, the image forming apparatus regenerates image formation data (usually drawing data) based on the changed print setting, and the recreated image formation data Based on the changed print settings, image formation is started.

  When an image forming apparatus having a conventional sample printing function performs one copy of sample printing, the image forming is temporarily terminated, the print setting is changed, and the like, and a print instruction is again issued. Thus, image formation is started (see Patent Document 1).

  However, in the above prior art, when the print setting information is changed, once the print job is canceled, the image forming data is generated again with the changed print setting information, and printing is performed. . Therefore, the printing is stopped after the print setting information is changed until the image forming data is generated with the changed print setting and printing is started. As a result, it takes a long time to complete image formation of the number of copies intended by the user, and the problem of poor usability has not been solved.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to perform an efficient image forming process even when a print setting is changed.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, a data generating unit that generates image forming data from image data based on print setting information, and the image forming unit generated by the data generating unit. A storage unit that stores data and the print setting information; an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the image formation data and the print setting information; and a request for changing the print setting information is received and changed Print setting changing means for generating print setting information, and image forming data control for causing the data generating means to generate changed image forming data from the image data based on the changed print setting information, and storing the changed image forming data in the storing means And the changed print setting information is generated during image formation based on the image forming data by the image forming means, and the changed image forming When the data is stored in the storage unit, the image forming image data is switched from the image forming image data to the changed image forming data at a timing when image formation based on the image forming data is executed up to a specific separation position. Image forming control means for forming an image on the forming means.

  According to the present invention, an efficient image forming process can be performed even when the print setting is changed.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. 1 is a functional block configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. The sequence diagram of normal printing processing. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram continued from FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of normal printing processing between a print control unit and an engine control unit. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of a printing process that involves changing printing attributes. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram continued from FIG. 6. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of a printing process involving a printing attribute change among a print job management unit, a printing control unit, and an engine control unit. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram continued from FIG. 8. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print control process in a print control unit with a print attribute change. FIG. 11 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 10.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 11 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus, an image forming control method, and an image forming control program according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 to which an embodiment of a formation control program is applied.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 is an image forming apparatus having at least an image forming function such as a printer apparatus, a copying apparatus, and a composite apparatus, and is a host computer via a network NW such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Connected to Pc.

  The host computer Pc is a personal host computer Pc having a normal hardware configuration and software configuration. The host computer Pc sends to the image forming apparatus 1 a print job including print data generated in an arbitrary PDL (Page Description Language), print setting information (print attribute) in PJL (Printer Job Language), and the like. Generated by the printer driver and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network NW.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller unit 10, an engine unit 20, a post-processing unit 30, an operation panel 40, and the like.

  The controller unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 13, an engine I / F (interface) 14, a program ROM (Read Only Memory) 15, A network I / F 16, a panel I / F 17, a font ROM 18, a hard disk (HDD) 19, and the like are provided.

  A network NW such as a LAN (Local Area Network) is connected to the network I / F 16, and the host computer Pc that makes a print request to the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to the network NW. The network I / F 16 receives a print job transmitted from the host computer Pc via the network NW, and sends out a status signal transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 to the host computer Pc.

  The program ROM 15 stores data processing and management in the controller unit 10 and controls peripheral modules, specifically, a basic processing program as the image forming apparatus 1 and print settings (print attributes) of the present invention. Stores various programs such as an image formation control program for executing an image formation control method for performing an efficient image formation process even if it is changed, and various data necessary for executing these programs. Is stored.

  Based on the program stored in the program ROM 15, the CPU 11 controls each part of the image forming apparatus 1 while using the RAM 12 as a work memory, performs print processing, and print settings (print attributes) described later. Even when it is changed, the image formation control method for executing the image formation control method for performing efficient image formation processing is executed.

  The RAM 12 is used as a work memory of the CPU 11 and manages the image data from the host computer Pc in units of pages and temporarily stores the data stored in the buffer and drawing data (images suitable for actual printing). It is used as a bitmap memory or the like that is converted into (formation data) and expanded. The RAM 12 has a capacity for storing a plurality of pages of the print data or drawing data converted from the print data or intermediate data.

  The NVRAM 13 is a memory that retains stored contents even when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off. The system setting value and the number of printed sheets that need to be retained even when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off. Various setting information such as values, printing attributes, and engine characteristic parameters (such as dark red) indicating the engine characteristics of the engine unit 20 are stored under the control of the CPU 11.

  The engine unit 20 is connected to the engine I / F 14, and the engine I / F 14 exchanges control signals and drawing data from the controller unit 10 to the engine unit 20 and status signals from the engine unit 20 to the controller unit 10. I do.

  An operation panel 40 is connected to the panel I / F 17 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or a serial cable. The panel I / F 17 exchanges signals between the CPU 11 and the operation panel 40.

  The operation panel 40 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad, a start key, and a mode selection key for selecting a mode, and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel. The operation panel 40 performs an efficient image forming process even when various commands such as a print operation, in particular, a print setting (print attribute) described later is changed by a key operation of an operation key or a touch operation of a display unit. Various inputs necessary for the image formation control processing to be performed are performed. The operation panel 40 displays on the display unit the contents of commands input from the operation keys and various information notified to the user from the image forming apparatus 1, in particular, various information necessary for image forming control processing to be described later and images to be processed. indicate.

  The font ROM 18 stores various fonts used for printing on the engine unit 20 and display on the display unit of the operation panel 40, and is read and used under the control of the CPU 11.

  The hard disk 19 stores expanded print data and data such as a print job sent from the host computer Pc under the control of the CPU 11 and is read out. The hard disk 19 stores a display image and the like generated from the print job (image data) by the CPU 11 and displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 40.

  The engine unit (image forming means) 20 is a printer of various image forming methods, for example, a printer such as an ink jet method or an electrophotographic method. The engine unit 20 operates based on the drawing data and the control signal passed from the engine I / F 14 and forms an image on a sheet (recording medium) in units of pages.

  The post-processing unit 30 is connected to the engine unit 20 and operates based on a control signal sent from the controller unit 10 via the engine unit 20. The post-processing unit 30 receives a sheet on which an image has been formed from the engine unit 20, and performs post-processing such as sorting, stapling, punching, and the like on the sheet.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a ROM, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM, a flash memory, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), and a DVD. An image formation control program for executing the image formation control method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a (Digital Video Disk), an SD (Secure Digital) card, or an MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) is read. Thus, it is constructed as an image forming apparatus that executes an image forming control method for performing an efficient image forming process even when a print setting (print attribute) to be described later is changed. ing. This image formation control program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like, and is stored in the recording medium. And can be distributed.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured with functional blocks as shown in FIG. 2 by introducing the image forming control program. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 includes, in the controller unit 10, a print job receiving unit 51, a print data dividing unit 52, a print job managing unit 53, a job data storing unit 54, a print attribute analyzing unit 55, a RIP processing unit 56, and RIP data. A storage unit 57, a print control unit 58, and a user I / F processing unit 59 are constructed, and an engine control unit 61 is constructed in the engine unit 20.

  The print job receiving unit 51 is constructed by the network I / F 16 or the like, communicates with the host computer Pc via the network NW, receives a print job from the host computer Pc, and transmits necessary status information to the host computer Pc. .

  The print data division unit 52 is constructed by the CPU 11 or the like, analyzes the print job received by the print job reception unit 51, divides the print job into print attributes (print setting information) and image data, and passes them to the print job management unit 53. . In the following description, print setting information and print settings are referred to as print attributes.

  The print job management unit (image forming data control means) 53 is constructed by the CPU 11 or the like, and manages the print job until the execution of the print job received by the print job reception unit 51 is completed. In particular, as will be described later, when a print attribute is changed during printing, the print job management unit 53 analyzes the print attribute, changes the print attribute during print processing based on the analysis result, and recreates the RIP data. To control.

  The job data storage unit (storing means) 54 is constructed by the hard disk 19 or the like, and under the control of the print job management unit 53, the image data and print attributes of the print job are displayed until the execution of the print job is completed. store.

  A print attribute analysis unit (print setting change unit) 55 is constructed by the CPU 11 and the like, analyzes print attributes (print setting information) in a print job, and generates print attributes necessary for image formation. Further, when the print attribute is changed from the user I / F processing unit 59, the print attribute analysis unit 55 analyzes the print attribute and generates a changed print attribute that is the changed print attribute from the previous print attribute. To do.

  The RIP processing unit (data generating unit) 56 is constructed by the CPU 11 or the like, and is drawn data (image forming data) that can be interpreted by the engine unit 20 based on print attributes under the control of the print job management unit 53. RIP processing (image processing) for conversion (generation) into

  The RIP data storage unit (storage means) 57 is constructed by the RAM 12, the hard disk 19, and the like, and temporarily stores the drawing data generated by the RIP processing unit 56. The job data storage unit 54 and the RIP data storage unit 57 function as a storage unit as a whole.

  The print control unit (image formation control means) 58 is constructed by the engine I / F 14 and the like, and under the control of the print job management unit 53, print control signals (print instructions) according to print settings to the engine unit 20 and Send drawing data.

  The user I / F processing unit 59 is constructed by the panel I / F 17 or the like, receives various instructions from the operation panel 40 for a print job, and outputs necessary information to the operation panel 40. In particular, the user I / F processing unit 59 receives a change request and change contents for the print attribute from the operation panel 40 and passes them to the print job management unit 53.

  The engine control unit 61 of the engine unit 20 controls the operations of the engine unit 20 and the post-processing unit 30 based on the print instruction and the drawing data received from the print control unit 58, and performs image forming operation and image forming on the sheet. Controls the post-processing operation of used paper.

  In the middle of printing (during image formation), the print control unit 58 outputs a print control signal corresponding to the change of the print attribute from the operation panel 40 to the engine control unit 61 by the user I / F processing unit 59 to set the print attribute. Switch. Further, when the RIP processing unit 56 generates drawing data corresponding to the changed printing attribute in accordance with the change of the printing attribute, the print setting switching processing unit 58a sends the changed drawing data and the printing control signal to the engine unit 20. The print attribute switching process to be transmitted is performed. The print control unit 58 outputs the changed drawing data and the print control signal to the engine unit 20 at an appropriate delimiter of printing with the pre-changed drawing data, for example, a set delimiter, so that the drawing data before the change Switch from printing to printing with changed drawing data.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 of the present invention performs an efficient image forming process even when the print setting is changed.

  First, normal printing processing (image forming processing) in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, functional blocks that are not involved in the processing are omitted from the drawings.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when a print job is transmitted from the host computer Pc via the network NW, the print job receiving unit 51 receives the print job and prints it to the print job management unit 53 as shown in FIG. Report that the job has been received (S1). When there is a print job reception report, the print job management unit 53 issues a job ID for the print job.

  When the print job receiving unit 51 receives the job ID, it passes the job ID and job data (image data and print attributes) to the print data dividing unit 52 and makes a job division request (S2).

  The print data dividing unit 52 analyzes the print job, divides the print job into print attributes and image data (S3), notifies the job data storage unit 54 of the job ID, and makes a storage request (S4). When the print data division unit 52 completes the division of the print job, it issues a division completion report to the print job management unit 53 together with the job ID (S5).

  The print job management unit 53 notifies the print attribute analysis unit 55 of the job ID and makes a print attribute analysis request for requesting analysis of the print attribute of the print job (S6).

  The print attribute analysis unit 55 acquires the print attribute of the notified job ID from the job data storage unit 54 (S7), and analyzes the print attribute (S8). When the print attribute analysis unit 55 completes the print attribute analysis, it passes the print attribute analysis result report (print attribute analysis result report) to the print job management unit 53 together with the job ID (S9).

  The print job management unit 53 passes the print attribute analysis result and the job ID to the RIP processing unit 56 and makes an image processing request (RIP processing request) (S10).

  The RIP processing unit 56 acquires image data from the job data storage unit 54 using the job ID (S11).

  When the image data is acquired, the RIP processing unit 56 generates drawing data (RIP data) that can be processed by the engine unit 20 based on the printing attributes for the number of pages (S12), and the drawing data is stored in the RIP data storage unit 57. The process of storing in is repeated (S13). When the RIP processing unit 56 completes the RIP processing for all pages, the RIP processing unit 56 reports the RIP completion together with the job ID to the print job management unit 53 (S14).

  Upon receiving the RIP completion notification, the print job management unit 53 passes the job ID and print attribute to the print control unit 58 and makes a print start request (S15).

  When there is a print start request, the print control unit 58 acquires RIP data (drawing data) of the job ID from the RIP data storage unit 57 based on the notified job ID (S16), and sends it to the engine control unit 61. The RIP data is output and a print request is made (S61). When there is a print request together with the RIP data, the engine control unit 61 forms an image on the sheet based on the RIP data and print attributes, and controls the post-processing unit 30 to perform necessary post-processing. When the print control unit 58 obtains RIP data for the number of pages required and makes a print request to the engine control unit 61, the print control unit 58 sends a print completion report to the print job management unit 53 together with the job ID (S18).

  Upon receiving the print completion report, the print job management unit 53 sends a print data deletion request for the job ID to the job data storage unit 54 (S19), and also requests the RIP data storage unit 57 to delete the RIP data for the job ID. (S20).

  When the deletion of the print data in the job data storage unit 54 and the deletion of the RIP data in the RIP data storage unit 57 are completed, the print job management unit 53 deletes the job ID and ends the normal printing process (S21).

  Then, in the normal printing process, the image forming apparatus 1 performs the process shown in FIG. 5 between the print control unit 58 and the engine control unit 61. That is, the print control unit 58 issues a job start command to the engine control unit 61 (S31), and when there is a response, specifies a print attribute (S32). In the designation of the print attribute, the print control unit 58 designates, for example, a paper feed destination, a paper discharge destination that is a discharge destination of image-formed paper, a post-processing method, and the like.

  The print control unit 58 issues a document start command to the engine control unit 61 when the print attribute specification is completed (S33), and if there is a response, the RIP data (drawing data) for the first page is sent to the engine control unit 61. Transmit (S34). When the RIP data for the first page is transmitted, the engine control unit 61 controls the engine unit 20 based on the RIP data according to the previous print attribute to form an image on the sheet. When the printing of the first page is completed, the engine control unit 61 notifies the print control unit 58 of completion.

  When the printing of the RIP data for the first page is completed, the print control unit 58 sequentially performs the processing for sending the RIP data for the second page to the engine control unit 61 and causing the printing to be performed (S35 to S35). S37). When the printing of the last page is completed by the engine unit 20, the print control unit 58 issues a document end command to the engine control unit 61 (S38).

  Then, when there are a plurality of designated copies, the print control unit 58 repeats the processing from issuing the document start command to issuing the document end command for the number of copies (S33 to S38).

  When printing of all pages and all copies is completed, the print control unit 58 issues a job end command to the engine control unit 61 and ends the printing process (S29).

  Then, when a change in print attribute is requested by the operation panel 40 or the host computer Pc during the printing process, the image forming apparatus 1 changes the print attribute as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9. The print control process corresponding to is performed. In the following description, a case where a print attribute change operation is performed from the operation panel 40 will be described. However, a print attribute change operation is performed by the host computer Pc, and a print attribute change request is sent via the network NW. The same processing can be performed in the case of a failure. Also, FIG. 6 shows a processing sequence from the timing when the printing attribute is changed during printing. The processing before that is omitted, and the processing portion similar to FIG. 3 and FIG. The same reference numerals are given to simplify the description.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the user I / F processing unit 59 receives a print attribute change from the operation panel 40 during the execution of the print processing of S16 and S17 of FIG. This is performed to the job management unit 53 (S41). This print attribute change notification notifies that the print attribute (print setting) has been changed and the change contents.

  When there is a print attribute change notification, the print job management unit 53 sends the changed print attribute to the print attribute analysis unit 55 and makes a print attribute analysis request for requesting the analysis (S41).

  The print attribute analysis unit 55 analyzes the print attribute (S42), and passes the print attribute analysis result report (print attribute analysis result report) to the print job management unit 53 (S44).

  When the “RIP-related print attribute” is changed from the contents of the print attribute analysis result, the print job management unit 53 requests the RIP processing unit 56 to perform the re-RIP process (S45).

  When there is a re-RIP processing request, the RIP processing unit 56 obtains image data from the job data storage unit 54 again (S46), and again RIP data for the required number of pages according to the changed print attribute (changed print setting information). The re-RIP process to be generated is performed (S47). The RIP processing unit 56 requests the RIP data storage unit 57 to store the re-RIP data in a storage area (location) different from the RIP data, and the RIP data storage unit 57 stores the re-RIP data, The storage location is notified to the RIP processing unit 56 (S48). When the RIP processing unit 56 performs the re-RIP generation processing for the required number of pages and stores it in the RIP data storage unit 57, it performs a re-RIP completion report to the print job management unit 53 (S49).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the print job management unit 53 notifies the print control unit 58 of the changed print attribute, and changes the print attribute so that the changed print attribute (changed print setting) is applied to the remaining number of copies. A request (print setting change request) is made (S50).

  When the print control unit 58 receives the print attribute change request, the print control unit 58 checks the number of pages of RIP data (drawing data) already transmitted to the engine control unit 61. The print control unit 58 notifies the engine control unit 61 of a print job end command after continuing printing until the number of copies is cut. The print control unit 58 obtains the re-RIP data from the RIP data storage unit 57 again (S52), transmits the re-RIP data to the engine control unit 61, and transmits the print job start command in the same manner as described above. The process is executed to resume printing with the changed printing attribute (S53).

  When the print control unit 58 causes the above process to be performed by the number of pages × (the number of designated copies−the number of printed copies), the print completion report is sent to the print job management unit 53 together with the job ID as described above (S18).

  Upon receiving the print completion report, the print job management unit 53 sends a print data deletion request for the job ID to the job data storage unit 54 (S19), and also requests the RIP data storage unit 57 to delete the RIP data for the job ID. (S20).

  When the deletion of the print data in the job data storage unit 54 and the deletion of the RIP data in the RIP data storage unit 57 are completed, the print job management unit 53 deletes the job ID and ends the normal printing process (S21).

  The image forming apparatus 1 performs the processes shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in the print processing with the print attribute change, the print control unit 58, the engine control unit 61, and the print job management unit 53. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the same processes as those in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals to simplify the description.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the print control unit 58 issues a job start command to the engine control unit 61 (S31), and when there is a response, specifies a print attribute (S32). The print control unit 58 issues a document start command to the engine control unit 61 when the print attribute specification is completed (S33), and if there is a response, the RIP data (drawing data) for the first page is sent to the engine control unit 61. Transmit (S34). When the printing of the RIP data for the first page is completed, the print control unit 58 sequentially performs the processing for sending the RIP data for the second page to the engine control unit 61 and causing the printing to be performed (S35 to S35). S37).

  When the print job management unit 53 notifies the print control unit 58 of the changed print attribute during this printing process (S60), the print control unit 58 executes the printing being executed up to the final page (S37). , S38).

  When the printing control unit 58 completes printing up to the last page of the copy being executed, the print control unit 58 issues a job end command to the engine control unit 61 in a state where printing of all the copies has not been completed. Is temporarily terminated (S61).

  Subsequently, the print control unit 58 issues a job start command to the engine control unit 61 again, and registers a new print job in the engine control unit 61 (S62). The print control unit 58 designates the changed print attribute (S63). In the designation of the changed print attribute, for example, the print control unit 58 designates a paper feed destination, a paper discharge destination that is a discharge destination of the image-formed paper, a post-processing method, and the like, but the number of copies is also changed. Specify the number of copies to be changed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the designation of the changed print attribute is completed, the print control unit 58 issues a document start command to the engine control unit 61 (S64), and when there is a response, the re-RIP data (first page) ( Redraw data) is transmitted to the engine control unit 61 (S65). When the re-RIP data for the first page is transmitted, the engine control unit 61 controls the engine unit 20 based on the re-RIP data according to the previous changed print attribute to form an image on the sheet. When the printing of the first page is completed, the engine control unit 61 notifies the print control unit 58 of completion.

  When the printing of the re-RIP data for the first page is completed, the print control unit 58 transmits the re-RIP data for the second page to the engine control unit 61 in the same manner, and sequentially performs processing for the designated pages ( S66 to S68). When the printing of the last page is completed by the engine unit 20, the print control unit 58 issues a document end command to the engine control unit 61 (S69).

  Then, when there are a plurality of (designated number of copies−number of printed copies), the print control unit 58 repeatedly performs the processing from the issuance of the document start command to the issuance of the document end command for the number of designated copies−the number of printed copies. (S64-S69).

  When printing for all pages and all (specified number of copies-number of printed copies) is completed, the print control unit 58 issues a job end command to the engine control unit 61 and ends the printing process (S70).

  Then, the print control unit 58 performs a print control process with a print attribute change as shown in FIGS.

  In other words, when receiving a print request from the print job management unit 53, the print control unit 58 extracts the copy designation from the print attribute and stores it in the copy counter as shown in FIG. 10 (step S101).

  The print control unit 58 transmits a job start command to the engine control unit 61 to notify the start of printing (step S102), and checks whether the changed print attribute reception flag owned by itself is ON (step S103).

  In step S103, since the changed print attribute reception flag is OFF in this state, NO is transmitted and the print attribute is transmitted to the engine control unit 61 (step S104), and the RIP for all pages is sent to the RIP data storage unit 57. A data storage location is acquired (step S105).

  Next, the print control unit 58 transmits the RIP data to the engine control unit 61 (step S107), and checks whether the changed print attribute is received from the print job management unit 53 (step S108).

  If the changed print attribute is not received in step S108 (NO in step S108), the print control unit 58 proceeds to step S110 and has transmitted all the RIP data of the set to the engine control unit 61. Is checked (step S110). For example, when there are 10 pages of RIP data, the print control unit 58 checks whether transmission of 10 pages of RIP data has been completed.

  In step S110, when not all the RIP data of the copy has been transmitted (NO in step S110), the print control unit 58 proceeds to step S107, and from the transmission of the RIP data of the next page, the same as above. Process (steps S107, S108, S110).

  When the changed print attribute is received in step S108 (YES in step S108), the print control unit 58 turns on the changed print attribute reception flag (step S109). Then, the print control unit 58 checks whether all the RIP data of the unit has been transmitted to the engine control unit 61 (step S110).

  When the transmission of all the RIP data of the copy is completed in step S110 (YES in step S110), the print control unit 58 exits the repetitive process and transmits a document end command to the engine control unit 61 (step S110). S111).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the print control unit 58 increments (adds) the printed copy counter by “1” (step S112), and checks whether the changed print attribute reception flag is ON (step S112). Step S113).

  In step S113, if the changed print attribute reception flag is OFF (NO in step S113), the print control unit 58 proceeds to step S116 and checks whether printing of all print copies has been completed ( Step S116).

  In step S116, when printing of all the copies has not been completed (NO in step S116), the print controller 58 checks whether the changed print attribute reception flag is ON (step S117). .

  If the changed print attribute reception flag is OFF in step S117 (NO in step S117), the print control unit 58 proceeds to step S106 in FIG. 10 and performs the same processing as above (steps S106 to S113). , S116, S117).

  If the changed print attribute reception flag is ON in step S113 (YES in step S113), the print control unit 58 extracts the copy designation from the changed print attribute and stores it in the copy counter (step S114). Then, the print control unit 58 transmits a job end command (step S115), and checks whether printing of all print copies has been completed (step S116). In step S116, when printing of all the print copies has not been completed, the print control unit 58 proceeds to step S106 and performs the same processing as described above (steps S106 to S117).

  If the changed print attribute reception flag is ON in step S117 (YES in step S117), the print control unit 58 returns to step S102 and performs the same processing as described above from the transmission of the job start command (step S102). S102 to S117).

  If the changed print attribute reception flag is ON in step S103 (YES in step S103), the print control unit 58 transmits the print attribute received from the print job management unit 53 to the engine control unit 61. (Step S118). Next, the print control unit 58 acquires the storage area (storage location) of the re-RIP data for all pages in the RIP data storage unit 57 in a storage area (location) different from the RIP data (step S119). Since the re-RIP process has not been completed, the print control unit 58 continues to print using the RIP data acquired in the normal print process. Thereafter, the print control unit 58 sets the changed print attribute reception flag to OFF west (step S120), processes the document start command in the same manner as described above, and prints the remaining number of copies (steps S106 to S117).

  In step S116, when printing of all the print copies is completed (YES in step S116), the print control unit 58 transmits a job end command to the engine control unit 61 and ends the print control process. (Step S121).

  In the processing of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, for example, a case will be specifically described in which the initial print attribute is set to 10 pages for all pages and 3 copies. Now, a processing flow of the print control unit 58 when the changed print attribute is received from the print job management unit 53 during the printing process for the fifth page of the second copy will be described. Here, for example, after printing the 10th page and the 3rd job, as post-processing, staples are selected and the number of copies is changed to 5 copies.

  In step S107, it is assumed that the print control unit 58 has transmitted the second copy of the fifth page of RIP data. When the changed print attribute is received from the print job management unit 53 in step S108, the print control unit 58 has its own changed print attribute. The reception flag is set to ON (step S109).

  Next, in step S110, the print control unit 58 determines whether all the RIP pages of the number of copies have been transmitted. However, since the process for the fifth page of the second copy has been performed, the result is NO. Therefore, the print control unit 58 returns to step S107, and sequentially transmits the RIP data on and after the sixth page to the engine control unit 61 up to the final page, and causes the engine unit 20 to print (steps S107 to S110).

  When the print control unit 58 transmits the RIP data of the 10th page, which is the final page of the second copy, to the engine control unit 61 in step S110, a document end command indicating the end of printing of the second copy is sent to the engine control unit 61. Transmit (step S111), and “1” is added to the printed copy counter (step S112).

  The print control unit 58 determines whether or not the changed print attribute reception flag is ON. However, since it is turned ON in step S109, the copy designation is extracted from the changed print attribute and is overwritten and stored in the copy counter of its own (step S109). S114). Now, as described above, since 3 copies were initially designated, the designation was changed to 5 copies, so the print control unit 58 changes the number counter to 5 copies. Next, the print control unit 58 issues a job end command to the engine control unit 61 to internally end the print job printed up to two copies (step S115). In this state, the copy counter is changed to “5”, and the printed copy counter counts “2”.

  Then, the print control unit 58 checks whether or not all the copies have been printed (step S116), but since only two copies have been completed at the present time, the changed five copies have not been reached. It is checked whether the changed print attribute reception flag is ON (step S117). Note that if the number of copies to be printed is changed to 2 or less due to the changed printing attribute, the print control unit 58 assumes that printing of all the number of copies has been completed in step S116, in order to simplify the description. Although not shown in FIG. 11, the print control unit 58 confirms the double transmission check before transmission so that various commands transmitted to the engine control unit 61 are not transmitted twice. Therefore, even if the number of copies is changed to 2 or less, the print control process is terminated without performing the job end command transmission process in step S121.

  Since the number of print copies has been changed to 5 copies and the changed print attribute reception flag is ON, the print control unit 58 returns to step S102 and transmits a job start command to the engine control unit 61. It notifies the start of a new job (step S102).

  Subsequently, the print control unit 58 checks the optical print attribute reception flag, but since it is currently ON, the print control unit 58 transmits the changed print attribute to the engine control unit 61 (step S118). Therefore, stapling is performed in subsequent printing. Thereafter, when the print job management unit 53 instructs that the re-RIP process has been performed, the print control unit 58 acquires the re-RIP data storage location of all pages (step S119). Since this processing is not performed, this processing is omitted. Subsequently, the print control unit 58 performs printing using the RIP data acquired in the normal printing process. Thereafter, the print control unit 58 sets the changed print attribute reception flag to OFF, and then proceeds to step S106, sequentially performs printing processing, and prints the remaining three copies with staple designation (steps S106 to S117).

  Note that the image forming apparatus 1 has the print attribute change contents that are data generation unnecessary change print attributes (data generation unnecessary change print setting information) that do not require the generation and change of the drawing data, and must be processed collectively for each copy. If there is no print setting, the print control unit 58 transmits the changed print attribute to the engine control unit 61 without waiting for the print processing to be completed until the end of the copy, and promptly changes the changed print group system. You may apply.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes the RIP processing unit (data generating unit) 56 that generates drawing data (image forming data) based on the print attributes (print setting information) from the image data, and the RIP. An image is formed on a sheet (recording medium) on the basis of the drawing data and the print attribute, and storage means including a RIP data storage unit 57 and a job data storage unit 54 for storing the drawing data and printing attribute generated by the processing unit 56. An engine unit (image forming unit) 20, a print attribute analyzing unit (print setting changing unit) 55 that receives a print attribute change request and generates a changed print attribute (changed print setting), and a RIP based on the changed print attribute A print job management unit (which causes the processing unit 56 to generate changed drawing data (changed image forming data) from the image data and store it in the RIP data storage unit 57) When the changed printing attribute is generated and the changed drawing data is stored in the RIP data storage unit 57 during the image formation based on the drawing data by the image forming data control unit 53 and the engine unit 20, the drawing is performed. A print control unit (image formation control unit) 58 that switches the drawing data to the changed drawing data and forms an image on the engine unit 20 at a timing at which image formation based on the data is executed up to a specific separation position. ing.

  Therefore, the change of the print setting is permitted even during the image formation, and even if the change of the print setting requires the change of the image forming image data (drawing data), the image formation is not interrupted. Image formation can be continued by switching image forming image data at an appropriate timing. As a result, an efficient image forming process can be performed even when the print setting is changed.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment is generated in a data generation processing step that generates drawing data (image forming data) from image data based on print attributes (print setting information), and the data generation processing step. A storage control processing step for storing the drawing data and the printing attribute in a storage unit including a RIP data storage unit 57 and a job data storage unit 54; and a sheet (recording medium) based on the drawing data and the printing attribute. An image forming process step for forming an image, a print setting changing process step for receiving a change request for the print attribute and generating a changed print attribute (changed print setting information), and the data generating process step based on the changed print attribute A modified drawing data (changed image forming data) is generated from the image data and stored in the storage means. When the changed print attribute is generated and the changed image drawing data is stored in the storage unit during the image formation based on the drawing data by the formation data control step and the image forming processing step, An image formation control processing step of switching from the drawing data to the changed drawing data and forming an image in the image formation processing step at a timing at which image formation based on the image is executed up to a specific separation position. doing.

  Therefore, the change of the print setting is permitted even during the image formation, and even if the change of the print setting requires the change of the image forming image data (drawing data), the image formation is not interrupted. Image formation can be continued by switching image forming image data at an appropriate timing. As a result, an efficient image forming process can be performed even when the print setting is changed.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment performs a data generation process for generating drawing data (image forming data) from image data based on print attributes (print setting information) from the image data, and the data generation process. A storage control process for storing the generated drawing data and the print attribute in a storage unit including a RIP data storage unit 57 and a job data storage unit 54, and a sheet (recording medium) based on the drawing data and the print attribute An image forming process for forming an image on the image, a print setting changing process for receiving a change request for the print attribute and generating a changed print attribute (changed print setting information), and the data generating process based on the changed print attribute. An image forming data control process for generating modified drawing data (changed image forming data) from the image data and storing the modified drawing data in the storing unit; When the changed print attribute is generated during the image formation based on the drawing data by the image forming process and the changed image drawing data is stored in the storage unit, the image formation based on the drawing data is executed up to a specific separation position. At this time, an image formation control program for switching from the drawing data to the changed drawing data and performing image formation by the image formation processing is installed.

  Therefore, the change of the print setting is permitted even during the image formation, and even if the change of the print setting requires the change of the image forming image data (drawing data), the image formation is not interrupted. Image formation can be continued by switching image forming image data at an appropriate timing. As a result, an efficient image forming process can be performed even when the print setting is changed.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the print control unit 58 as the image formation control unit performs image formation based on the drawing data to the end of the part with the end of the part as the specific separation position. As a result, the drawing data is switched to the changed drawing data, and the engine unit 20 forms an image with the remaining number of copies.

  Therefore, the print settings of the drawing data can be switched with the print settings for each set being aligned, and even when the print settings are changed, efficient image forming processing is performed while improving the image quality. Can do.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the print control unit 58 serving as the image formation control unit changes the drawing data when the changed print attribute generated by the print attribute analysis unit (print setting change unit) 55 is changed. When the data generation unnecessary change print attribute (data generation unnecessary change print setting information) that does not need to be generated is included, the data generation unnecessary change print attribute is included even before the image formation is executed up to the specific separation position. Based on this, the engine unit 20 forms an image.

  Therefore, even when the print setting is changed, if the image forming data is not changed, the image quality can be improved and the image forming process can be performed more quickly and efficiently.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus NW network Pc Host computer 10 Controller part 11 CPU
12 RAM
13 NVRAM
14 Engine I / F
15 Program ROM
16 Network I / F
17 Panel I / F
18 Font ROM
19 Hard disk (HDD)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Engine part 30 Post-processing part 40 Operation panel 51 Print job receiving part 52 Print data division part 53 Print job management part 54 Job data storage part 55 Print attribute analysis part 56 RIP processing part 57 RIP data storage part 58 Print control part 59 User I / F processing part 61 Engine control part

JP 2007-066308 A

Claims (5)

Data generation means for generating data for image formation based on print setting information from image data;
Storage means for storing the image forming data and the print setting information generated by the data generation means;
Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image forming data and the print setting information;
Print setting change means for receiving a change request for the print setting information and generating changed print setting information;
Image forming data control means for causing the data generating means to generate changed image forming data from the image data based on the changed print setting information, and to store the changed image forming data in the storing means;
When the changed print setting information is generated during the image formation based on the image formation data by the image forming unit and the changed image formation data is stored in the storage unit, the image formation based on the image formation data is performed. Image forming control means for switching from the image forming image data to the changed image forming data at the timing when the image forming means is executed up to a specific separation position, and causing the image forming means to form an image.
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image formation control means
When image formation based on the image forming data is executed to the end of the part with the end of the part as the specific separation position, the image forming image data is switched to the changed image forming data and the remaining number of copies is set. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit forms an image. The image formation control means
When the changed print setting information generated by the print setting changing unit includes data generation unnecessary changed print setting information that does not require the generation of the image forming data, the image formation is executed up to the specific separation position. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit causes the image forming unit to form an image based on the data generation unnecessary change print setting information. A data generation processing step for generating image formation data from the image data based on the print setting information;
A storage control processing step for storing the image forming data and the print setting information generated in the data generation processing step in a storage unit;
An image forming process step of forming an image on a recording medium based on the image forming data and the print setting information;
A print setting change processing step for receiving a change request for the print setting information and generating changed print setting information;
An image formation data control processing step for causing the data generation processing step to generate changed image formation data from the image data based on the changed print setting information and storing the data in the storage unit;
When the changed print setting information is generated during the image formation based on the image formation data in the image formation processing step and the changed image formation data is stored in the storage unit, the image based on the image formation data An image formation control processing step of switching from the image formation image data to the changed image formation data at the timing when the formation is executed up to a specific separation position, and forming an image in the image formation processing step;
An image formation control method characterized by comprising: To the control processor,
Data generation processing for generating image formation data based on print setting information from image data;
A storage control process for storing the image forming data and the print setting information generated in the data generation process in a storage unit;
An image forming process for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image forming data and the print setting information;
A print setting change process for receiving a change request for the print setting information and generating changed print setting information;
An image forming data control process for causing the data generating process to generate changed image forming data from the image data based on the changed print setting information, and storing the data in the storing unit;
When the changed print setting information is generated during the image formation based on the image formation data by the image formation process and the changed image formation data is stored in the storage unit, the image formation based on the image formation data is performed. An image forming control process for switching from the image forming image data to the changed image forming data and forming an image in the image forming process when
An image formation control program for executing

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