JP2018094750A - Image formation apparatus, image formation system, program and image formation control apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus, image formation system, program and image formation control apparatus which can suppress increase in the stand-by time of processing related to formation of an allocation image.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes: command reception means which receives from an image formation control apparatus an allocation image formation command formed by allocating a plurality of images in a recording region of a recording medium; setting information output means which generates setting information of setting the transmission mode from the image formation control apparatus of a plurality of pieces of image data related to the plurality of images and outputs the setting information to the image formation control apparatus; and recording control means which causes a recording unit to form the allocation image to the recording medium on the basis of the allocation image formation command and transmitted image data. The setting information is the information for transmitting from the image formation control apparatus the plurality of pieces of image data so that at least portions of the plurality of pieces of image data are transmitted in parallel with each other in the mode of allocation of the plurality of images in the allocation image and the order defined based on the direction of the recording region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a program, and an image forming control apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming unit that includes a recording unit that applies a color material such as toner or ink to a recording medium, and forms an image on the recording medium by applying the color material while relatively moving the recording unit and the recording medium. There is a device. Among such image forming apparatuses, there is an image forming apparatus that can form an allocated image in which a plurality of images are allocated within a predetermined recording area of a recording medium (for example, Patent Document 1). The layout image is recorded in the arrangement and order according to the layout mode and the direction of the recording area based on the image data of the plurality of images related to the layout image transmitted from the external image formation control device. This is done by forming a plurality of images on the medium.

  Further, in the formation of such an allocated image, a plurality of image data related to the allocated image is concurrently transmitted from the image forming control apparatus to the image forming apparatus via a data transmission path capable of transmitting two or more pieces of image data in parallel. The time required for forming the allocated image (specifically, FPOT (First Print Out Time), which is the time from the start of image data transmission to the completion of the first allocated image formation) There is a technology to shorten. Furthermore, without waiting for completion of transmission of the entire image data relating to the assigned image, the assigned image is formed when the image data relating to the first image formed on the recording medium among the plurality of assigned images is transmitted. A technique for shortening the FPOT by starting the processing according to the above is also used.

JP 2013-220607 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technique, depending on the relationship between the layout mode of the plurality of images in the allocated image, the orientation of the recording area, and the transmission order of the image data from the image formation control device, the plurality of images on the recording medium In some cases, the image data related to the first formed image may be transmitted later than the image data of other images, and there is a problem that the waiting time until the processing related to the formation of the allocated image is started becomes long. is there. If this waiting time is lengthened, it leads to an increase in the time for forming the allocated image.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a program, and an image forming control apparatus capable of suppressing an increase in the waiting time of processing related to formation of an allocated image.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 comprises:
An image forming apparatus for forming an image related to image data transmitted from an image forming control apparatus via a data transmission path capable of transmitting two or more image data in parallel on a recording medium,
A recording unit for applying a coloring material on the recording medium;
Command receiving means for receiving an allocated image forming command for allocating a plurality of images in a predetermined recording area of the recording medium to form an allocated image from the image forming control device;
Setting information output means for generating setting information for designating a transmission mode from the image forming control apparatus for a plurality of image data relating to the plurality of images based on the assigned image forming instruction and outputting the setting information to the image forming control apparatus When,
Based on the assigned image formation command and the plurality of image data transmitted based on the setting information from the image formation control device, a color material is applied to the recording medium by the recording unit, and the recording medium is provided with the color material. Recording control means for forming an allocated image;
With
In the setting information, the plurality of image data are arranged in an order determined on the basis of an allocation mode of the plurality of images in the allocated image and an orientation of the recording area. It is information for transmitting from the image forming control apparatus so as to be transmitted in parallel on the data transmission path.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect,
A moving unit that relatively moves the recording medium and the recording unit;
The recording control unit causes the recording unit to apply a color material on the recording medium in accordance with the relative movement from the downstream side in the recording area with respect to the moving direction of the relative moving recording medium with respect to the recording unit. The plurality of images in the allocated image are formed by going,
The setting information is information for transmitting the plurality of image data in an order according to the formation order of the plurality of images in the recording area.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect,
Image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the plurality of image data according to the layout mode of the plurality of images in the layout image and the orientation of the recording area;
The image processing means is characterized in that the predetermined image processing is performed on the plurality of image data in an order in accordance with a forming order of the plurality of images in the recording area.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect,
The setting information is allocated in the width direction when more images than the maximum number of image data that can be simultaneously transmitted through the data transmission path are allocated in the allocated image in the width direction orthogonal to the moving direction. It is information for switching image data of at least a pair of images among the received images to be transmitted from the image formation control device every predetermined period.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
The setting information is information for causing the image formation control device to transmit image data that has been subjected to rotation processing based on the layout mode of the plurality of images in the layout image and the orientation of the recording area. Yes.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects,
The data transmission path can transmit in parallel a plurality of image data relating to a plurality of different color images constituting one color image,
The setting information output means, when the command receiving means receives an assigned image formation command relating to an assigned image to which a plurality of monochrome images are assigned, at least one of the plurality of image data relating to the monochrome images. Generating and outputting the setting information for transmitting the units from the image forming control apparatus in parallel via the data transmission path.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the image forming system according to claim 7 provides:
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An image forming control device that transmits the assigned image forming command to the image forming device and transmits the plurality of image data to the image forming device via the data transmission path based on the setting information;
It is characterized by having.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention of a program according to claim 8 is:
An image relating to the image data transmitted from the image formation control device via a data transmission path capable of transmitting two or more pieces of image data in parallel is provided on the recording medium. A computer provided in the image forming apparatus to be formed
Command receiving means for receiving an allocated image forming command for allocating a plurality of images in a predetermined recording area of the recording medium to form an allocated image from the image forming control device;
Setting information output means for generating setting information for designating a transmission mode from the image forming control apparatus for a plurality of image data relating to the plurality of images based on the assigned image forming instruction and outputting the setting information to the image forming control apparatus ,
Based on the assigned image formation command and the plurality of image data transmitted based on the setting information from the image formation control device, a color material is applied to the recording medium by the recording unit, and the recording medium is provided with the color material. Function as a recording control means to form an allocated image,
In the setting information, the plurality of image data are arranged in an order determined on the basis of an allocation mode of the plurality of images in the allocated image and an orientation of the recording area. It is information for transmitting from the image forming control apparatus so as to be transmitted in parallel on the data transmission path.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the image formation control device according to claim 9 provides:
An image formation control apparatus that transmits image data to an image forming apparatus via a data transmission path capable of transmitting two or more pieces of image data in parallel, and causes the image forming apparatus to form an image on a recording medium.
Command transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus an allocated image forming command for forming an allocated image in which a plurality of images are allocated within a predetermined recording area of the recording medium by the image forming apparatus;
The plurality of image data are arranged in the order determined based on the layout mode of the plurality of images in the allocated image and the direction of the recording area, and at least a part of the plurality of image data is transmitted through the data transmission path. Image data transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus so as to be transmitted in parallel;
It is characterized by having.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the image forming system according to claim 10 provides:
An image formation control device according to claim 9,
A recording unit that applies a color material on a recording medium, and a recording material that applies a color material to the recording medium by the recording unit based on the assigned image formation command and the plurality of image data transmitted from the image formation control device. An image forming apparatus having recording control means for forming the allocated image on the recording medium;
It is characterized by having.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention of a program according to claim 11 is:
A computer provided in an image formation control apparatus that transmits image data to an image forming apparatus via a data transmission path capable of transmitting two or more pieces of image data in parallel and forms an image on a recording medium by the image forming apparatus. The
Command transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus an allocated image forming command for forming an allocated image in which a plurality of images are allocated in a predetermined recording area of the recording medium by the image forming apparatus;
The plurality of image data are arranged in the order determined based on the layout mode of the plurality of images in the allocated image and the direction of the recording area, and at least a part of the plurality of image data is transmitted through the data transmission path. It is characterized by functioning as image data transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus so as to be transmitted in parallel.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to suppress an increase in the standby time of processing related to the formation of the allocated image.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of an image forming system. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus constituting an image forming system. It is a figure explaining the transmission method of the image data by a data transmission path. It is a figure which shows the example of the formation aspect of the allocation image in an image forming system. It is a figure explaining the example of the transmission aspect of the several image data based on setting information. It is a figure explaining the other example of the transmission aspect of several image data. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the allocation image formation process. It is a figure explaining the example of the transmission aspect of the image data in the modification 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the example of the transmission aspect of the several image data in the modification 2. FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a program, and an image forming control apparatus according to the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main functional configuration of an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 constituting the image forming system 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 10 that forms an image on a recording medium P (FIG. 4) such as paper or a resin sheet, and an image forming controller that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. 20 (image formation control device).

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a first control unit 11 (command receiving unit, setting information output unit, recording control unit, computer), a first storage unit 12, a first operation display unit 13, and a first communication unit 14. , A scanner 15, a first image processing unit 16 (image processing means), an image forming unit 17 (recording unit), an image fixing unit 18, a transport unit 19 (moving unit), a bus 32, and the like. The first control unit 11 includes a first storage unit 12, a first operation display unit 13, a first communication unit 14, a scanner 15, a first image processing unit 16, an image forming unit 17, and an image fixing unit 18 via a bus 32. And connected to the transport unit 19.

The first control unit 11 includes a CPU 111 (Central Processing Unit), a RAM 112 (Random Access Memory), and a ROM 113 (Read Only Memory). The CPU 111 reads and executes a control program stored in the ROM 113 or the first storage unit 12 and performs various arithmetic processes. The RAM 112 provides a working memory space for the CPU 111 and stores temporary data. The ROM 113 stores various control programs executed by the CPU 111, setting data, and the like. Instead of the ROM 113, a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash memory may be used.
The first control unit 11 comprehensively controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the above-described various control programs. For example, the first control unit 11 operates each unit of the image forming apparatus 10 based on the image formation command and the image data stored in the first storage unit 12 via the first communication unit 14 and follows the image formation command. An image is formed on the recording medium P.

  The first storage unit 12 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and the like, and an image formation command and image data input from the image formation controller 20 via the first communication unit 14; The image data acquired by the scanner 15 is stored. These image data and the like may be stored in the RAM 112.

  The first operation display unit 13 includes an operation unit and a display unit. Among these, the operation unit includes an input device such as an operation key and a touch panel arranged on the screen of the display unit, converts an input operation on these input devices into an operation signal, and outputs the operation signal to the first control unit 11. . The display unit includes a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays an operation screen and the like indicating the state of the image forming apparatus 10 and the content of an input operation to the touch panel.

  The first communication unit 14 communicates with the image forming controller 20 via the data transmission path 31. The image forming command acquired through the first communication unit 14, the target image data, setting information related to the recording operation, and the like are stored in the first storage unit 12 or the RAM 112.

  The scanner 15 reads an image formed on the recording medium P, generates image data including single-color image data for each color component of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) and generates the first storage unit 12. Remember me.

  The first image processing unit 16 performs various types of image processing such as enlargement processing, reduction processing, and rotation processing on the image data stored in the first storage unit 12, and the image data after the image processing and the image processing Composite image data obtained by combining a plurality of subsequent image data is stored in the first storage unit 12. The first image processing unit 16 may be configured to perform rasterization processing, color conversion processing, gradation correction processing, halftone processing, and the like in addition to the image processing.

  The image forming unit 17 forms an image on the recording medium P based on the image data stored in the first storage unit 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 17 includes four sets of exposure units 171 and photoconductors respectively corresponding to color components of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). 172 and a developing unit 173. Further, the image forming unit 17 includes a transfer body 174 and a secondary transfer roller 175.

The exposure unit 171 includes an LD (Laser Diode) as a light emitting element. The exposure unit 171 drives the LD based on the image data, and irradiates and exposes laser light onto the photosensitive member 172 to be charged, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 172. The developing unit 173 supplies toner (color material) of a predetermined color (any one of Y, M, C, and K) by a developing roller that is charged on the exposed photoconductor 172, and is formed on the photoconductor 172. The developed electrostatic latent image is developed.
Images (monochromatic images) formed with Y, M, C, and K toners on the four photoconductors 172 corresponding to Y, M, C, and K are sequentially superimposed on the transfer body 174 from each photoconductor 172. To be transcribed. As a result, a color image having Y, M, C, and K as color components is formed on the transfer body 174. The transfer body 174 is an endless belt wound around a plurality of transfer body transport rollers, and rotates according to the rotation of each transfer body transport roller.
The secondary transfer roller 175 transfers the color image on the transfer body 174 onto the recording medium P fed from the paper feed tray 191. Specifically, the secondary transfer roller 175 feeds the recording medium P and the transfer body 174 in a state where the recording medium P and the transfer body 174 are in pressure contact with each other by rotating while sandwiching the recording medium P and the transfer body 174. The secondary transfer roller 175 applies a predetermined transfer voltage between the secondary transfer rollers 175 so that the color image is formed on the transfer body 174 at a portion where the recording medium P and the transfer body 174 are pressed. Is transferred to the recording medium P side, and a color image is formed on the recording medium P. Thus, on the recording medium P, toner is transferred in order from the downstream side in the conveyance direction (movement direction) of the recording medium P by the secondary transfer roller 175 to form an image.

  The image fixing unit 18 performs a fixing process for fixing the toner onto the recording medium P by heating and pressing the recording medium P onto which the toner has been transferred.

  The transport unit 19 includes a plurality of transport rollers that transport the recording medium P by rotating while sandwiching the recording medium P, and transports the recording medium P along a predetermined transport path. The transport unit 19 feeds the recording medium P from the paper feed tray 191 and transports it to the secondary transfer roller 175 of the image forming unit 17, or the recording medium P on which the fixing process has been performed by the image fixing unit 18. A reversing mechanism 192 including a conveyance roller that reverses the front and back and conveys the secondary transfer roller 175 is provided. The transport unit 19 transports the recording medium P on which an image is formed on one side or both sides to a paper discharge tray 193 and discharges it.

  The bus 32 is a path for transmitting and receiving signals between the first control unit 11 and another configuration.

  The image forming controller 20 includes a second control unit 21 (command transmission unit, image data transmission unit, computer), a second storage unit 22, a second operation display unit 23, a second communication unit 24, and a second image. A processing unit 25 and a bus 33 are provided. The second control unit 21 is connected to the second storage unit 22, the second operation display unit 23, the second communication unit 24, and the second image processing unit 25 via the bus 33. The image forming controller 20 is configured by a personal computer such as a desktop type or a notebook type.

  The second control unit 21 includes a CPU 211, a RAM 212, and a ROM 213. The CPU 211 reads out and executes a control program stored in the ROM 213 or the second storage unit 22 and performs various arithmetic processes. The RAM 212 provides a working memory space to the CPU 211 and stores temporary data. The ROM 213 stores various control programs executed by the CPU 211, setting data, and the like. Instead of the ROM 213, a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash memory may be used. The second control unit 21 comprehensively controls each unit of the image forming controller 20 in accordance with the various control programs described above.

  The second storage unit 22 is configured by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), or the like, and various data such as image data input from the outside via the second communication unit 24, or second communication. Setting information and the like input from the image forming apparatus 10 via the unit 24 are stored. These data and information may be stored in the RAM 212.

  The second operation display unit 23 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel arranged on the screen of the display device. The second operation display unit 23 causes the image forming controller 20 to display various types of information on the display device, converts a user input operation on the input device into an operation signal, and outputs the operation signal to the second control unit 21.

  The second communication unit 24 communicates with the image forming apparatus 10 and the external device 2 such as a personal computer and an external storage device via the data transmission path 31. Various data and information acquired via the second communication unit 24 are stored in the second storage unit 22 or the RAM 212.

  The second image processing unit 25 performs predetermined image processing on the image data stored in the second storage unit 22 and stores the image data in the second storage unit 22. The second image processing unit 25 is configured to be able to execute image processing similar to that of the first image processing unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The bus 33 is a path for transmitting and receiving signals between the second control unit 21 and another configuration.

  The data transmission path 31 that connects the first communication unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 10 and the second communication unit 24 of the image forming controller 20 includes a plurality of data buses (signal lines) that can each perform serial data communication. It is configured by a network cable such as a LAN cable. In the present embodiment, a network cable capable of communicating data (image data or the like) in parallel via at least five data buses is used as the data transmission path 31.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method of transmitting image data through the data transmission path 31.
In the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment, a color mode for forming a color image and a monochrome mode for forming a monochrome image (single color image) can be switched. Among these, in the color mode, Y, M, and C based on data and attribute information A related to Y, M, C, and K images transmitted from the image forming controller 20 to the image forming apparatus 10 via the data transmission path 31. The four sets of exposure unit 171 corresponding to C and K, the photosensitive member 172, and the development unit 173 respectively apply Y, M, C, and K toners on the recording medium P so that one color image is formed. It is formed. On the other hand, in the monochrome mode, the exposure unit 171 corresponding to K and the photoconductor based on the data and attribute information A relating to the K image transmitted from the image forming controller 20 to the image forming apparatus 10 via the data transmission path 31. By applying K toner onto the recording medium P by the 172 and the developing unit 173, a monochrome image is formed.
Here, the attribute information A is information indicating an attribute (for example, a character, a photograph, etc.) of each pixel of the formed image. With this attribute information A, for example, the first image processing unit 16 performs predetermined image processing only on the pixels corresponding to the photo among the image data of the image including the character and the photo, so that the image quality of the character portion is the image. Occurrence of defects that deteriorate due to processing can be suppressed.
Hereinafter, the attribute information A and data related to each color image are collectively referred to as image data. That is, the color image image data includes Y, M, C, and K image data and attribute information A, and the monochrome image image data includes K image data and attribute information A.

  In the color mode, data relating to Y, M, C, and K images and attribute information A are transmitted in parallel through the five data buses a to e in the data transmission path 31. On the other hand, in the monochrome mode, image data (K1, A1) related to the first image via the data buses a and b and image data (K2, A2) related to the second image via the data buses d and e are transmitted. Are performed in parallel. That is, in the monochrome mode, image data relating to two different images can be transmitted in parallel. Note that the data bus c is not used in the monochrome mode.

Next, an image forming operation by the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment, particularly an assigned image forming operation will be described.
In the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment, an allocated image in which a plurality of images are allocated in a predetermined recording area of one recording medium P in response to an instruction by an input operation on the second operation display unit 23 from a user. Can be formed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form of forming the allocated image LIm in the image forming system 1. The numbers in each assigned image LIm in FIG. 4 indicate the arrangement order (for example, page numbers) of the plurality of images Im included in the assigned image LIm, and the direction of the numbers indicates the direction of the image Im. Further, FIG. 4 shows a form in which the allocated image LIm is formed in such a direction that the conveyance direction (that is, the printing direction) of the recording medium P at the time of image formation is upward.
As shown in FIG. 4, in the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment, the numbers of images Im (hereinafter also referred to as the number of allocated images) allocated to the recording area R of the recording medium P are 2, 4, and 8, respectively. The assigned image LIm can be formed by the “2 in 1”, “4 in 1”, and “8 in 1” methods. The arrangement order of the images Im in the assigned image LIm is “horizontal arrangement” in which images Im in which the arrangement order is adjacent is arranged in the horizontal direction, or “vertical arrangement” in which images Im in which the arrangement order is adjacent are arranged in the vertical direction. The allocated image LIm can be formed. Furthermore, the direction of the recording region R (and hence the direction of the recording medium P) can be selected from two types of length and width. In the example of FIG. 4, “A4” (hereinafter referred to as the recording medium P) is formed by using the A4 paper so that the long side is in the landscape direction and transporting the recording medium P in the extending direction of the short side. This orientation is also referred to as “landscape”), and “A4R” (hereinafter, referred to as “A4R”) is used to form the image Im by transporting the recording medium P in the extending direction of the long side using A4 paper with the short side facing sideways. This orientation of the recording medium P is also referred to as “vertical orientation”). In the present embodiment, the allocated images LIm are formed in the ten modes shown in FIG. 4 by combining the respective methods relating to the number of allocated images, the order of adjacent images Im, and the orientation of the recording area R. can do. In the following, the number of allocated images (“2 in 1”, “4 in 1”, “8 in 1”), the order of image Im (“horizontal alignment”, “vertical alignment”), the direction of the recording area R (“A4”, “A4R”) By listing each of the methods, the form of the allocated image LIm is represented as, for example, “2 in 1 / horizontal arrangement / A4”.

  Hereinafter, an operation when the image forming system 1 forms the allocated image LIm to which the monochrome image is allocated will be described. The formation operation of the assigned image LIm is started when the user performs an input operation to instruct the second operation display unit 23 of the image forming controller 20 to form the assigned image LIm related to the monochrome image. In the operation of forming the monochrome image allocation image LIm, as described above, a plurality of pieces of image data are transmitted in parallel on the data transmission path 31, and the allocation image LIm is formed at high speed. Further, by appropriately setting the transmission order of the image data in this case, an increase in the waiting time of processing related to the formation of the allocated image LIm is suppressed.

  When the input operation is performed on the second operation display unit 23, the image forming controller 20 generates an assigned image forming command based on the content of the input operation and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 10. This assigned image formation command is a command for designating the number of assigned images, the order of arrangement of images Im, the images to be formed, the number of images Im to be formed, and the like in the assigned image LIm. Here, an explanation will be given by taking an example of an assigned image forming command in which the number of assigned images is 4 (that is, “4 in 1” method) and the order of arrangement of the images Im in the assigned image LIm is “horizontal”.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, when the allocated image forming command is received, the number of allocated images specified by the allocated image forming command and the arrangement order of the images Im, and the direction of the recording medium P stored in the paper feed tray 191 are determined. Based on the setting information, setting information for designating a transmission mode of image data from the image forming controller 20 to the image forming apparatus 10 is generated and transmitted to the image forming controller 20. This setting information is information that specifies at least the transmission order of a plurality of image data related to a plurality of images Im included in the allocated image LIm. Here, a case where the recording medium P stored in the paper feed tray 191 is a vertically oriented A4 paper will be described as an example. Therefore, the formation method of the allocated image LIm in this example is “4 in 1 / horizontal arrangement / A4R”.

  When the setting information is received by the image forming controller 20, a plurality of pieces of image data are transmitted from the image forming controller 20 to the image forming apparatus 10 in a mode (order or combination) designated by the setting information. Then, in the image forming apparatus 10, when transmission of the image data of the image Im formed on the recording medium P for the first time among the plurality of images Im of the allocated image LIm is started, the image data is processed at the earliest possible timing. The first image processing unit 16 starts predetermined image processing such as reduction processing according to the allocation mode, rotation processing, and synthesis processing according to the allocation mode of the image data after each of these processes. Then, based on the composite image data after the image processing, each image Im of the allocated image LIm is formed on the recording medium P by the image forming unit 17 in the order according to the allocation mode in the allocated image forming command.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission mode of a plurality of image data based on the setting information. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a transmission mode of image data and an execution period of image processing for the image data when the allocated image LIm is formed by the “4 in 1 / horizontal arrangement / A4R” method in the present embodiment. It is. FIG. 5B shows the transmission mode of image data and the execution period of image processing for the image data when the allocated image LIm is formed by the “4 in 1 / horizontal arrangement / A4R” method according to the conventional method. FIG.
As shown on the right side of FIG. 5A, in the “4 in 1 / horizontal arrangement / A4R” method, the images Im of the first and second pages are downstream in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P in the image forming unit 17. After being formed side by side, the images Im for the third and fourth pages are formed side by side upstream of the image Im for the first and second pages. The image data of each image Im is serially transferred pixel by pixel along the direction from the left to the right in the figure of each line in order from the line data of the first line (the uppermost line in the figure) of the image data. Is done. Therefore, in the “4 in 1 / horizontal arrangement / A4R” method, the transfer direction of pixel data in each image data is a direction corresponding to a direction orthogonal to the transport direction (hereinafter also referred to as the width direction).

  As shown on the left side of FIG. 5A, in this embodiment, the image data related to each image Im of the first to fourth pages included in the allocated image LIm is transmitted in the order according to the formation order of the images Im. And two image data are transmitted in parallel. Specifically, first, transmission of image data of the first page via the data buses a and b (that is, data relating to the K image and attribute information A) and the second page via the data buses d and e are performed. The transmission of the image data starts simultaneously and is performed in parallel. When the transmission of the image data of the first page and the second page is completed, the transmission of the image data of the third page via the data buses a and b and the fourth page of the data via the data buses d and e are continued. Transmission of image data is performed in parallel. The above setting information corresponding to the example of FIG. 5A is information for transmitting the image data from the image forming controller 20 in the order and combination shown in FIG.

  The first image processing unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 10 performs various types of image processing such as reduction, rotation, and composition on the image data of each page of the transmitted allocated image LIm, and generates composite image data of the entire allocated image LIm. Generate. Here, the first image processing unit 16 performs various processes in units of line data related to the entire allocated image LIm among the image data of each image Im included in the allocated image LIm. That is, in the example of FIG. 5A, the first image processing unit 16 can start image processing at the stage where the line data of the first line of the image data of the first page and the second page are transmitted. it can. Similarly, for the second and subsequent lines, image processing can be performed when the line data for the first page and the second page are transmitted.

  Here, in the example of the 4in1 / horizontal arrangement / A4R method shown in FIG. 5A, the transfer direction of the pixel data in each image data is a direction corresponding to the width direction. Transmission of the line data of the first line in the image data of the first page and the second page ends. Therefore, when the waiting time T1 until the transmission of the first line of line data ends after the transmission of the image data has elapsed, the transmission of the first line data in the entire allocated image LIm is completed, and the transmitted line The image processing by the first image processing unit 16 can be started in order from the data.

  On the other hand, in the conventional method shown in FIG. 5B, when the transmission of the image data related to the allocated image LIm is started, the odd-numbered row (that is, the odd-numbered row of the image data of the first page via the data buses a and b). Line data of the first line, the third line, the fifth line,... Is transmitted, and the even-numbered lines (that is, the second line, the fourth line, the sixth line) of the image data of the first page via the data buses d and e. Line data of line ...) is transmitted. When the transmission of the image data of the first page is completed, the odd-numbered line data is sequentially transmitted via the data buses a and b for the second and subsequent pages, and the even-numbered lines are transmitted via the data buses d and e. Line data is transmitted. According to such a conventional method, even when the number of pages of the image Im to be transmitted is an odd number, the transmission of the image data can be completed in the shortest time by effectively using the data buses a, b, d, and e. There is an advantage that can be. However, since transmission of the first line data in the image data of the second page is started after transmission of the entire image data of the first page is completed, transmission of the first line data in the entire allocated image LIm is completed. There is a problem that the waiting time T2 until the time becomes longer.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, the image data of the first page and the second page are transmitted by the data buses a and b and the data buses d and e, respectively, thereby assigning the allocated image LIm. Since the transmission of the first line data in the entire image data can be completed at an early stage, the waiting time T1 until the start of image processing is significantly shortened compared to the waiting time T2 according to the conventional method.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a transmission mode of a plurality of image data. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a transmission mode of image data and an execution period of image processing on the image data when the allocated image LIm is formed by the “4 in 1 / horizontal arrangement / A4” method in the present embodiment. It is. FIG. 6B shows the transmission mode of image data and the execution period of image processing for the image data when the allocated image LIm is formed by the “4 in 1 / horizontal arrangement / A4” method according to the conventional method. FIG.
As shown on the right side of FIG. 6A, in the “4 in 1 / side by side / A4” method, the images Im of the first and third pages are downstream in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P in the image forming unit 17. After being formed horizontally, the second and fourth page images Im are formed horizontally on the upstream side of the first and third page images Im. In addition, since each image Im is formed horizontally, the transfer direction of the pixel data in each image data is a direction corresponding to the transport direction of the recording medium P.

  As shown on the left side of FIG. 6A, when the allocated image LIm is formed by the “4 in 1 / horizontal arrangement / A4” method in the present embodiment, first the first page via the data buses a and b is used. The transmission of the image data and the transmission of the third page of image data via the data buses d and e are started at the same time and performed in parallel. When the transmission of the image data for the first page and the third page is completed, the transmission of the image data for the second page via the data buses a and b and the fourth page via the data buses d and e are continued. Transmission of image data is performed in parallel. The above setting information corresponding to the example of FIG. 6A is information for transmitting the image data from the image forming controller 20 in the order and combination shown in FIG.

  Since each image Im is formed in the horizontal direction, the first line data in the entire allocated image LIm corresponds to the leftmost vertical line data in the first page and third page image data. Therefore, the timing of completion of transmission of the first line data in the image data of the entire allocated image LIm is the timing of completion of transmission of the entire image data of the first and third pages (more precisely, the left end of the last line). At the completion of transmission of the pixel data. Therefore, the first image processing unit 16 starts the image processing after the waiting time T3 until the transmission of the entire image data of the first page and the third page is completed after the transmission of the image data is started.

On the other hand, in the conventional method shown in FIG. 6B, the timing of completion of transmission of the first line data in the image data of the entire allocated image LIm is the timing of the entire image data from the first page to the third page. This is when transmission is complete. Accordingly, the waiting time T4 until image processing is started is longer than the waiting time T3 in this embodiment by the transmission time for one page of image data.
As described above, according to the method of the present embodiment, even when the allocated image LIm is formed on the horizontally oriented recording medium P, the waiting time until the start of image processing is significantly shortened compared to the conventional method.

  Next, control procedures by the first control unit 11 and the second control unit 21 of the image forming controller 20 in the assigned image forming process executed in the image forming system 1 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the assigned image forming process.
This assigned image forming process is started, for example, when the user performs an input operation for instructing the second operation display unit 23 of the image forming controller 20 to form the assigned image LIm related to the monochrome image.

  When the allocated image forming process is started, an allocated image forming command based on the input operation is generated by the second control unit 21 of the image forming controller 20 and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 via the second communication unit 24. . Further, the first control unit of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the assigned image forming command via the first communication unit 14 (step S101).

  When the first control unit 11 receives the layout image formation command, the first control unit 11 determines the number of layout images specified by the layout image formation command and the order of arrangement of the images Im and the direction of the recording medium P stored in the paper feed tray 191. Based on this, the setting information for designating the transmission mode of the image data from the image forming controller 20 to the image forming apparatus 10 is generated and transmitted to the image forming controller 20 via the first communication unit 14 (step S102). .

  When receiving the setting information, the second control unit 21 of the image forming controller 20 sends a plurality of pieces of image data to the image forming apparatus 10 in parallel via the second communication unit 24 in the order and combination specified by the setting information. Then send. Then, the first control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the plurality of image data in the order of transmission via the first communication unit 14 (step S103).

The first control unit 11 performs predetermined image processing such as reduction processing, rotation processing, and composition processing according to the layout mode on the received image data at the timing when reception of the first line data in the entire layout image LIm is completed. The process is started by the first image processing unit 16 (step S104). Further, the first control unit 11 causes the image forming unit 17 to place each image Im of the allocated image LIm on the recording medium P in the order corresponding to the allocation mode in the allocated image forming command based on the composite image data after the image processing. It is formed (step S105).
When the process of step S105 ends, the first control unit 11 and the second control unit 21 end the allocated image forming process.

(Modification 1)
Next, Modification 1 of the above embodiment will be described. This modification relates to an image forming direction in a case where more images Im than the maximum number of image data that can be simultaneously transmitted through the data transmission path 31 are allocated in the allocated image LIm in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Hereinafter, differences from the above embodiment will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission mode of image data in the present modification. Among these, FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a transmission mode of image data and an execution period of image processing on the image data in the present modification.
In this modification, as shown on the right side of FIG. 8A, the allocated image LIm is formed by the “8 in 1 / horizontal arrangement / A4” method. In the “8 in 1 / side by side / A4” method, four images Im from the first page to the fourth page are formed side by side downstream in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P, and then the first to fourth pages are formed. The images Im from the fifth page to the eighth page are formed side by side on the upstream side of the images Im.

  In this modification, as shown on the left side of FIG. 8 (a), first, transmission of image data of the first page and the second page is transmitted via the data buses a and b, and in parallel therewith. The image data of the third page and the fourth page are transmitted via the data buses d and e. When the transmission of the image data of the first page to the fourth page is completed, the image data of the fifth page and the sixth page are continuously transmitted via the data buses a and b, and at the same time. The image data of the seventh page and the eighth page are transmitted via the data buses d and e.

FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining the transmission order of line data in the present modification. FIG. 8B shows a line data transmission method immediately after transmission of image data for the first to fourth pages.
That is, in the transmission of the first page and second page image data via the data buses a and b, the first page and the second page are transmitted every transmission period of each line data of the image data defined by the INDEX signal. Line data of image data is transmitted alternately. That is, the first line data of the first page is transmitted in the transmission period of the line data in which the HV signal is asserted in accordance with the first INDEX signal, and the first page of the second page is transmitted in the transmission period in accordance with the next INDEX signal. Thereafter, the second line data of the first page, the second line data of the second page, the third line data of the page, etc. in order for each transmission period corresponding to the INDEX signal. Sent.
Similarly, in the transmission of the third page and fourth page image data via the data buses d and e, the line of the third page and fourth page image data in the same transmission period according to the INDEX signal. Data is transmitted alternately.
The setting information in this modification is information for transmitting each image data from the image forming controller 20 in the order and combination shown in FIGS.

  According to such a method, the transmission of the first line data in the entire allocated image LIm (that is, the first line data in each of the image data on the first to fourth pages) is performed immediately after the transmission of the image data is performed twice. It is completed when the transmission period corresponding to the signal ends. Therefore, the first image processing unit 16 can start the image processing at an early timing after the start of the transmission of the image data and the waiting time T5 until the two transmission periods end.

In the above description, the image data of a plurality of images Im is switched and transmitted for each line data. However, the switching timing is not limited to this, and switching is performed for every two or more predetermined number of line data. May be performed.
Further, although an example in which four images Im are assigned in the width direction has been described, the number of images Im assigned in the width direction may be three or five or more. For example, when three images Im are allocated in the width direction, the image data may be switched and transmitted for each line data of two images Im among them.

(Modification 2)
Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described. This modification may be combined with Modification 1 described above. In this modified example, when each image Im in the assigned image LIm is formed in the horizontal direction, the image forming controller 20 performs a rotation process in which the image data of each image Im is rotated by 90 degrees in advance, and then the image forming apparatus 10 The transmission point is different from the above embodiment. Hereinafter, differences from the above embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a transmission mode of a plurality of image data in this modification.
In the example shown in FIG. 9, as shown on the right side of FIG. 9, the assigned image LIm is formed by the “4 in 1 / horizontal arrangement / A4” method, and each image Im included in the assigned image LIm is formed horizontally. The Here, in the present modification, the second image processing unit 25 of the image forming controller 20 performs a rotation process in which the image data of each image Im in the assigned image LIm is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and the rotation process is performed after the rotation process. Are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10. Thereby, the vertical data string in the original image data can be used as line data in the row direction in the image data after the image processing. Therefore, in the “4 in 1 / horizontal arrangement / A4” system in which each image is horizontally oriented, the transfer direction of the pixel data can be set to a direction corresponding to the width direction.

  By transmitting the image data after the rotation processing in this way, when the waiting time T6 from the start of image data transmission to the end of transmission of the line data for the first line elapses, the first line in the entire allocated image LIm. Data transmission is completed, and image processing by the first image processing unit 16 can be started in order from the transmitted line data. That is, according to this modification, even when each image Im is assigned to be horizontally formed in the assigned image LIm, each image Im is formed horizontally with the waiting time T6 until the start of image processing. Can be shortened to a length substantially equal to the waiting time in the case of

(Modification 3)
Subsequently, Modification 3 of the above embodiment will be described. This modification may be combined with each of the above modifications. In the present modification, the setting information is not transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 to the image forming controller 20, and the transmission mode of the plurality of image data related to the allocated image LIm is set on the image forming controller 20 side. Different from form. Hereinafter, differences from the above embodiment will be described.

  In this modification, the second control unit 21 of the image forming controller 20 first performs an input operation for instructing the second operation display unit 23 to form the allocated image LIm related to the monochrome image from the user. Then, information relating to the orientation of the recording medium P stored in the paper feed tray 191 of the image forming apparatus 10 is acquired. The information may be transmitted from the first control unit 11 to the second control unit in response to a control signal from the second control unit 21 for the first control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10, or in advance the image forming controller 20. It may be stored in the second storage unit 22. Next, based on the information related to the orientation of the recording medium P and the allocation mode of the instructed allocation image LIm, the second control unit 21 transmits the plurality of image data related to the allocation image LIm in parallel and in parallel. Set the combination of image data to be transmitted. The transmission order and combination of image data set here are the same as the order and combination indicated by the setting information in the embodiment. Further, the second control unit 21 transmits a plurality of image data to the image forming apparatus 10 through the data transmission path 31 in the set order and combination. The following image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 10 is the same as that in the above embodiment. According to this modification, it is possible to omit the process of generating and transmitting setting information specifying the transmission mode of image data in the image forming apparatus 10.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment receives the image Im related to the image data transmitted from the image forming controller 20 via the data transmission path 31 capable of transmitting two or more pieces of image data in parallel. An image forming unit 17 that is formed on the recording medium P and applies toner to the recording medium P, and a first control unit 11 are provided. The first control unit 11 is in a predetermined recording area R of the recording medium P. An allocated image forming command for allocating a plurality of images Im to form an allocated image LIm is received from the image forming controller 20 (command receiving means), and based on the allocated image forming command, a plurality of image data related to the plurality of images Im Setting information for designating the transmission mode from the image forming controller 20 is generated and output to the image forming controller 20 (setting information output means). Based on the plurality of image data transmitted from the formation controller 20 based on the setting information, the image forming unit 17 applies toner to the recording medium P to form the allocated image LIm on the recording medium P (recording control unit). ), The setting information includes a plurality of image data in which at least a part of the plurality of image data is arranged in an order determined based on an allocation mode of the plurality of images Im in the allocated image LIm and a direction of the recording area R. This information is transmitted from the image forming controller 20 so as to be transmitted in parallel on the data transmission path 31.
According to such a configuration, the transmission mode (order and combination) of the plurality of image data transmitted from the image forming controller 20 can be specified by the setting information. Therefore, the allocation mode and recording of the plurality of images Im Depending on the orientation of the recording area R of the medium P, for example, transmission is performed in the order according to the order in which the plurality of images Im are formed on the recording medium P, that is, in order from the image data that is processed earlier in the image forming apparatus 10 Can be started. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the waiting time of the processing relating to the formation of the allocated image LIm. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time (FPOT) from the start of transmission of image data to the completion of the formation of the first allocated image.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a transport unit 19 that relatively moves the recording medium P and the image forming unit 17, and the first control unit 11 transports the relatively moved recording medium P with respect to the image forming unit 17 ( A plurality of images Im in the allocated image LIm are formed by applying toner on the recording medium P by the image forming unit 17 in accordance with relative movement from the downstream side in the recording area R in the movement direction) (recording control). The setting information is information for transmitting a plurality of image data in an order according to the order of forming the plurality of images Im in the recording area R. As a result, transmission can be started in order from image data that is first processed in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the layout mode of the plurality of images Im in the layout image LIm and the orientation of the recording area R. . Therefore, it is possible to reliably suppress an increase in the waiting time for processing related to the formation of the allocated image LIm.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a first image processing unit 16 that performs predetermined image processing on a plurality of image data in accordance with an allocation mode of the plurality of images Im in the allocated image LIm and a direction of the recording region R. The first image processing unit 16 performs predetermined image processing on the plurality of image data in the order according to the order of forming the plurality of images Im in the recording region R. According to such a configuration, image processing is performed in the order of transmission on a plurality of pieces of image data transmitted in the order according to the formation order of the image Im, so that the standby time of the image processing is increased. It can be surely suppressed.

  In addition, the setting information according to the first modification example is when the image Im that is larger than the maximum number of image data that can be simultaneously transmitted through the data transmission path 31 is allocated in the allocated image LIm in the width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. This is information for switching the image data of at least a pair of images Im among the images Im allocated in the width direction to be transmitted from the image forming controller 20 every predetermined period. According to such a configuration, even when the image data of all the images Im assigned in the width direction cannot be transmitted in parallel by the data transmission path 31, the processing in the image forming apparatus 10 first among the image data. Can be transmitted at an early stage. Therefore, even when the number of images Im allocated in the width direction with respect to the transmission capacity of the data transmission path 31 is large, it is possible to suppress an increase in the waiting time of processing related to the formation of the allocated image LIm.

  The setting information according to the second modification is information for causing the image forming controller 20 to transmit image data that has been subjected to rotation processing based on the layout mode of the plurality of images Im and the orientation of the recording region R in the layout image LIm. is there. According to such a configuration, even if the orientation of each image Im in the allocated image LIm is vertical or horizontal, the portion that is the target of processing in the image forming apparatus 10 first in the image data of each image Im is early. Can be sent to. Therefore, it is possible to reliably suppress an increase in the waiting time for processing related to the formation of the allocated image LIm.

  Further, the data transmission path 31 can transmit a plurality of pieces of image data related to a plurality of different color images constituting one color image in parallel, and the first control unit 11 can receive a plurality of single-color images Im. When receiving an assigned image forming command related to the assigned image LIm, the image forming controller 20 transmits at least a part of the plurality of image data related to the plurality of monochrome images Im in parallel via the data transmission path 31. Generating and outputting setting information for transmitting from (setting information output means). According to such a configuration, it is possible to shorten the FPOT when the image forming apparatus 10 capable of forming a color image forms the allocated image LIm to which the monochrome image is allocated.

  Further, the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment transmits the above-described image forming apparatus 10 and an assigned image forming command to the image forming apparatus 10 and transmits a plurality of image data via the data transmission path 31 based on the setting information. And an image forming controller 20 for transmitting to the image forming apparatus 10. According to the image forming system 1 having such a configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the standby time of processing related to the formation of the allocated image LIm, and thereby to shorten the FPOT.

  In addition, the program of the present embodiment uses a computer provided in the image forming apparatus 10 to assign an assigned image formation command for assigning a plurality of images Im in a predetermined recording area R in the recording medium P to form an assigned image LIm. Based on the command receiving means received from the forming controller 20 and the assigned image forming command, the image forming controller 20 generates setting information for designating the transmission mode from the image forming controller 20 of the plurality of image data related to the plurality of images Im. The image forming unit 17 applies toner to the recording medium P based on the setting information output means to be output to the image forming apparatus, the assigned image forming command, and a plurality of image data transmitted based on the setting information from the image forming controller 20. The setting information is made to function as a recording control unit for forming the allocated image LIm on the recording medium P. At least a part of the plurality of pieces of image data is parallel in the data transmission path 31 in the order determined based on the layout of the plurality of images Im in the layout image LIm and the orientation of the recording area R. Information transmitted from the image forming controller 20 so as to be transmitted. According to such a program, it is possible to suppress an increase in the standby time of processing related to the formation of the allocated image LIm in the image forming apparatus 10, thereby shortening the FPOT.

  Further, the image forming controller 20 of Modification 3 includes a second control unit 21, and the second control unit 21 receives an assigned image LIm in which a plurality of images Im are assigned within a predetermined recording area R in the recording medium P. An allocated image forming command to be formed by the image forming apparatus 10 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 (command transmitting means), and a plurality of image data are allocated to a plurality of images Im in the allocated image LIm and the direction of the recording area R Are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 so that at least a part of the plurality of image data is transmitted in parallel on the data transmission path 31 in the order determined based on (image data transmitting means). Also with such a configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in processing standby time in the image forming apparatus 10 related to the formation of the allocated image LIm, thereby shortening the FPOT. In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 can receive a plurality of pieces of image data related to the assigned image LIm from the image forming controller 20 in an appropriate order and combination without generating and transmitting setting information for designating the transmission mode of the image data. Can be sent to. As a result, the processing burden on the image forming apparatus 10 can be reduced, and the processing time for forming the allocated image can be shortened.

  Further, the image forming system 1 according to the modified example 3 includes the image forming controller 20, the image forming unit 17 that applies toner to the recording medium P, and an assigned image forming command and a plurality of image data transmitted from the controller. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a first control unit 21 (recording control unit) that causes the image forming unit 17 to apply toner onto the recording medium P and form the allocated image LIm on the recording medium P. According to the image forming system 1 having such a configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the standby time of processing related to the formation of the allocated image LIm, and thereby to shorten the FPOT. In addition, the processing burden on the image forming apparatus 10 can be reduced, and the processing time for forming the allocated image can be shortened.

  The program of the modification 3 causes the computer provided in the image forming controller 20 to cause the image forming apparatus 10 to form an allocated image LIm in which a plurality of images Im are allocated in a predetermined recording area R on the recording medium P. Command transmitting means for transmitting the allocated image forming command to the image forming apparatus 10, the plurality of image data in the order determined based on the allocation mode of the plurality of images Im in the allocated image LIm and the orientation of the recording area R It is made to function as an image data transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus 10 so that at least a part of the plurality of image data is transmitted in parallel in the data transmission path 31. According to such a program, the processing burden on the image forming apparatus 10 can be reduced, and the processing time for forming the allocated image can be shortened.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the description has been given using the example of forming the allocated image LIm to which the monochrome image is allocated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the data transmission path 31 is configured to transmit a plurality of color image image data composed of Y, M, C, and K image data and attribute information A, a plurality of color images. The present invention may be applied to the forming operation of the assigned image LIm to which is assigned.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment and each modification, although demonstrated using the example which transmits each image data in the allocation image LIm by the serial communication via data bus ae, it is not the meaning limited to this, for example, each The image data may be transmitted by parallel communication.

  Further, the function of the first image processing unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 10 may be realized by the operation of the first control unit 21. Further, the function of the second image processing unit 25 of the image forming controller 20 may be realized by the operation of the second control unit 21.

  In the above-described embodiment and each modification, the example in which the attribute information is included in the image data has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to the case of transmitting image data that does not include the attribute information.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to an apparatus that forms an image by applying toner to the recording medium P as in the above-described embodiments and modifications, and applies a color material to the recording medium P. The present invention can be applied to various types of image forming apparatuses. For example, the image forming apparatus may be an ink jet type apparatus that forms an image by ejecting ink as a color material onto a recording medium P from a nozzle.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, an example in which a sheet is used as a recording medium has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a long roll paper may be used as a recording medium. In this case, the allocated image LIm is formed for each of the plurality of recording regions R set on the recording medium.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 10 Image forming apparatus 11 1st control part (command receiving means, setting information output means, recording control means)
14 First communication unit 16 First image processing unit (image processing means)
17 Image forming unit (recording unit)
19 Transport unit (moving unit)
20 Image formation controller (image formation control device)
21 2nd control part (command transmission means, image data transmission means)
24 Second communication unit 25 Second image processing unit 31 Data transmission path Im Image LIm Allocated image P Recording medium R Recording area

Claims (11)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image related to image data transmitted from an image forming control apparatus via a data transmission path capable of transmitting two or more image data in parallel on a recording medium,
A recording unit for applying a coloring material on the recording medium;
Command receiving means for receiving an allocated image forming command for allocating a plurality of images in a predetermined recording area of the recording medium to form an allocated image from the image forming control device;
Setting information output means for generating setting information for designating a transmission mode from the image forming control apparatus for a plurality of image data relating to the plurality of images based on the assigned image forming instruction and outputting the setting information to the image forming control apparatus When,
Based on the assigned image formation command and the plurality of image data transmitted based on the setting information from the image formation control device, a color material is applied to the recording medium by the recording unit, and the recording medium is provided with the color material. Recording control means for forming an allocated image;
With
In the setting information, the plurality of image data are arranged in an order determined on the basis of an allocation mode of the plurality of images in the allocated image and an orientation of the recording area. The image forming apparatus, which is information to be transmitted from the image forming control apparatus so as to be transmitted in parallel in the data transmission path. A moving unit that relatively moves the recording medium and the recording unit;
The recording control unit causes the recording unit to apply a color material on the recording medium in accordance with the relative movement from the downstream side in the recording area with respect to the moving direction of the relative moving recording medium with respect to the recording unit. The plurality of images in the allocated image are formed by going,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting information is information for transmitting the plurality of image data in an order according to a formation order of the plurality of images in the recording area. Image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the plurality of image data according to the layout mode of the plurality of images in the layout image and the orientation of the recording area;
3. The image formation according to claim 2, wherein the image processing unit performs the predetermined image processing on the plurality of image data in an order according to a formation order of the plurality of images in the recording area. apparatus.   The setting information is allocated in the width direction when more images than the maximum number of image data that can be simultaneously transmitted through the data transmission path are allocated in the allocated image in the width direction orthogonal to the moving direction. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is information for switching image data of at least a pair of images among the received images to be transmitted from the image forming control apparatus every predetermined period. 5.   The setting information is information for causing the image formation control device to transmit image data that has been subjected to rotation processing based on the layout mode of the plurality of images in the layout image and the orientation of the recording area. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The data transmission path can transmit in parallel a plurality of image data relating to a plurality of different color images constituting one color image,
The setting information output means, when the command receiving means receives an assigned image formation command relating to an assigned image to which a plurality of monochrome images are assigned, at least one of the plurality of image data relating to the monochrome images. 6. The setting information for causing the image forming control devices to transmit the units in parallel via the data transmission path is generated and output. 6. Image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An image forming control device that transmits the assigned image forming command to the image forming device and transmits the plurality of image data to the image forming device via the data transmission path based on the setting information;
An image forming system comprising: An image relating to the image data transmitted from the image formation control device via a data transmission path capable of transmitting two or more pieces of image data in parallel is provided on the recording medium. A computer provided in the image forming apparatus to be formed
Command receiving means for receiving an allocated image forming command for allocating a plurality of images in a predetermined recording area of the recording medium to form an allocated image from the image forming control device;
Setting information output means for generating setting information for designating a transmission mode from the image forming control apparatus for a plurality of image data relating to the plurality of images based on the assigned image forming instruction and outputting the setting information to the image forming control apparatus ,
Based on the assigned image formation command and the plurality of image data transmitted based on the setting information from the image formation control device, a color material is applied to the recording medium by the recording unit, and the recording medium is provided with the color material. Function as a recording control means to form an allocated image,
In the setting information, the plurality of image data are arranged in an order determined on the basis of an allocation mode of the plurality of images in the allocated image and an orientation of the recording area. A program characterized by being information to be transmitted from the image forming control apparatus so as to be transmitted in parallel in the data transmission path. An image formation control apparatus that transmits image data to an image forming apparatus via a data transmission path capable of transmitting two or more pieces of image data in parallel, and causes the image forming apparatus to form an image on a recording medium.
Command transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus an allocated image forming command for forming an allocated image in which a plurality of images are allocated within a predetermined recording area of the recording medium by the image forming apparatus;
The plurality of image data are arranged in the order determined based on the layout mode of the plurality of images in the allocated image and the direction of the recording area, and at least a part of the plurality of image data is transmitted through the data transmission path. Image data transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus so as to be transmitted in parallel;
An image formation control apparatus comprising: An image formation control device according to claim 9,
A recording unit that applies a color material on a recording medium, and a recording material that applies a color material to the recording medium by the recording unit based on the assigned image formation command and the plurality of image data transmitted from the image formation control device. An image forming apparatus having recording control means for forming the allocated image on the recording medium;
An image forming system comprising: A computer provided in an image formation control apparatus that transmits image data to an image forming apparatus via a data transmission path capable of transmitting two or more pieces of image data in parallel and forms an image on a recording medium by the image forming apparatus. The
Command transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus an allocated image forming command for forming an allocated image in which a plurality of images are allocated in a predetermined recording area of the recording medium by the image forming apparatus;
The plurality of image data are arranged in the order determined based on the layout mode of the plurality of images in the allocated image and the direction of the recording area, and at least a part of the plurality of image data is transmitted through the data transmission path. A program that functions as an image data transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus so as to be transmitted in parallel.

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