JP2018111273A - Printer controller, program, and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer controller and a printing system which reduce overhead via handling communication for each page, and can shorten a data transfer time from a printer controller to a printer engine part.SOLUTION: A printer controller creates first relevant information and second relevant information as relevant information related to printing of image data, and transfers the first relevant information to a printer engine part so as to included in page-start via serial communication before transfer of image data and transfers the second relevant information to the printer engine part via the serial communication during transfer of the image data. When the printer controller transfers a plurality of pages with the same page size, the page is made to include page size information (A4 or the like) only in the page-start of the first page, and not to include the page size information in the page-start after the second page.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer controller, a program for transmitting image data obtained by rasterizing each page of a print job to a printer engine unit, and a printing system including the printer controller and the printer engine unit.

  When printing related to a print job described in PDL (Page Descript Language), the print job is transmitted from a PC or the like to the printer controller, and each page of the print job is rasterized (RIP) by the printer controller. (Image data). The printer controller transmits the developed image data and related information (for example, specification of page size, paper feed tray, binding margin, etc.) used for printing the image data to the printer engine unit. Printing based on the image data received from the controller is executed using the related information received from the printer controller.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the printer controller and the printer engine unit are normally connected to the image bus via a serial I / F (Interface). The image bus is used for transmission of RIP-completed image data, and the serial I / F is used for initial communication, handling for image data transmission, and transmission of related information. Specifically, job-start / end job communication and page-start / end handling communication are performed via the serial I / F. Also, transmit related information in page-start.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of communication when data relating to a job composed of three pages is transmitted from the printer controller to the printer engine unit. First, job-start indicating job start is transmitted by serial I / F, then page-start is transmitted by serial I / F for each page, and image data for one page is transmitted through the image bus, After the transmission of the image data, page-end is transmitted with the serial I / F. Finally, job-end is transmitted by serial I / F.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of communication when three pieces of job data consisting of one page are continuously transmitted from the printer controller to the printer engine unit. Send job-start via serial I / F, then send page-start via serial I / F, send image data for one page via image bus, and send page-end via serial I / F. Then, the procedure of transmitting job-end with the serial I / F is repeated three times for each job. Therefore, the number of transmissions of job-start and job-end increases as compared with the case shown in FIG. 12, and transmission overhead increases.

  Even in such a case, in order to satisfy the print productivity (PPM) of the printer engine unit, it is necessary that the transmission time of data related to one job composed of one page be within the time required for printing one page. There is.

  As the print productivity of the printer engine unit and the RIP speed of the printer controller increase, the interface between the printer engine unit and the printer controller also needs to be increased. In order to increase the interface speed, hardware speed and software processing can be reduced.

  In general, the hardware speed can be increased by expanding the bus width or increasing the transmission clock frequency, but from the viewpoint of reduced routing performance, increased power consumption, cost increase, etc. It is not preferable.

  With regard to software processing, it is important to take measures against the increase in job communication (job-start, job-end) overhead due to continuous jobs with a small number of pages as shown in FIG. It is disclosed in Document 1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the overhead of job communication is reduced by combining a plurality of jobs submitted in succession into one job. For example, when 100 jobs for one page are continued, this is processed as one job composed of 100 pages. As a result, the number of job communications (job-start, job-end) is greatly reduced, and the transmission time is shortened. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for making the same paper continuous by rearranging the processing order of a plurality of jobs.

JP 2007-109155 A JP 2014-233867 A

  According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a large number of jobs with a small number of pages are consecutive, these can be combined into one job to reduce overhead due to job communication (job-start, job-end). . However, the handling communication for each page has not been reduced. For example, in page-start, in addition to information indicating the start of the page, there are many related items for printing image data such as job type, user name, document name, number of copies, image size, paper size, color mode, binding margin, etc. Information is transmitted.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to solve the above problems, and a printer controller, a program, and a printing that can reduce the overhead of handling communication for each page and reduce the data transmission time from the printer controller to the printer engine unit. The purpose is to provide a system.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] a receiving unit for receiving a print job;
A storage unit for storing received print jobs;
A developing unit that rasterizes each page of the print job stored in the storage unit to generate image data;
A first transmission unit that transmits the image data generated by the expansion unit to the printer engine unit through a first transmission path;
A second transmission unit for transmitting related information used for printing the image data to the printer engine unit through a second transmission path;
A control unit that controls transmission of the image data and the related information to the printer engine unit;
With
The control unit creates first related information and second related information as the related information, the first related information is transmitted to the printer engine unit before transmission of the image data, and the second related information is an image. A printer controller, wherein data is transmitted to the printer engine unit during transmission.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [12] below, the printer controller creates first related information and second related information as related information related to printing of image data, and the first related information is transmitted before transmission of the image data. The second related information is transmitted to the printer engine section through the second transmission path, and the second related information is transmitted to the printer engine section through the second transmission path during the transmission of the image data through the first transmission path. The first related information includes data that should be notified to the printer engine unit before the start of image data transmission, and the second related information is data that does not need to be notified to the printer engine unit before the start of image data transmission.

[2] The printer controller according to [1], wherein the first related information includes page size information of a page represented by the image data.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [13] below, the printer controller notifies the printer engine unit of page size information represented by the image data before starting transmission of the image data. The printer engine unit reserves a memory area corresponding to the page size indicated by the received page size information, and stores image data sent from the printer controller in the reserved memory area.

[3] When the control unit continuously transmits image data of a plurality of pages having the same page size to the printer engine unit, the control unit outputs the page size information before transmitting image data of the first page of the plurality of pages. The printer controller according to [2], wherein transmission of the page size information before image data transmission is omitted for image data of the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [14] below, if the page sizes of a plurality of consecutive pages are the same, the page size information notified before the transmission of the image data of the first page can be diverted to subsequent pages. For image data on the second and subsequent pages, notification of page size information before image data transmission is omitted.

[4] The control unit sets a special page size that can include all the page sizes of the plurality of pages when continuously transmitting a plurality of pages of image data in which different page sizes are mixed to the printer engine unit. The image data of each page of the plurality of pages is converted to the image data of the special page size by adding redundant data and transmitted to the printer engine unit, and before the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages is transmitted The page size information of the special page size is transmitted, and the transmission of the page size information is omitted for image data of the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages. The printer controller according to [2] or [3], wherein

  In the above invention and the invention described in [15] below, when continuously transmitting a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed, a special page size capable of including all the page sizes of the plurality of pages is set, and the plurality of pages Are transmitted to a special page size. Thus, by unifying the page size, it is sufficient to transmit the page size information only before the transmission of the image data of the first page.

[5] When the image data is transmitted by applying at least the transmission method of the page size unified method, the control unit includes the second related information to be transmitted to the printer engine unit during transmission of the image data. The printer controller according to [4], including original page size information indicating a page size before adding redundant data.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [16] below, when image data is transmitted in a unified special page size, the original page size information is included in the second related information and notified to the printer engine unit. Since the process of trimming the original page size image from the special page size image data may be performed after the image data is stored in the memory, the original page size information is notified to the printer engine unit as the second related information.

[6] The control unit transmits a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed using the uniform page size method, and a normal method for transmitting image data of each page at the original page size The printer controller according to [4] or [5], wherein a transmission method with a shorter transmission time is used by comparing with a transmission time when transmission is performed using

  In the above invention and the invention described in [17] below, the page size information is not included in the first related information after the second page by unifying the special page size, so the transmission time of the first related information is shortened. However, the transmission time of the image data becomes longer by adding the redundant data. Therefore, compare the total transmission time when transmitted with the uniform page size method with the total transmission time when transmitted with the normal method that transmits the image data of each page with the original page size. The transmission method is adopted.

[7] The control unit groups a plurality of pages having different page sizes into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a second group in which two or more page sizes different from the first group are mixed. The printer controller according to any one of [4] to [6], wherein the page size unification method is individually applied to the first group and the second group.

  In the above-described invention and the invention described in [18] below, when a special page size is set for a page having a significantly different page size, redundant data added to the original image data is increased and the transmission time of the image data is increased. Therefore, a plurality of pages are divided into a first group and a second group so that the page sizes are close to each other, and the page size unification method is applied to each group.

[8] The control unit groups a plurality of pages having different page sizes into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a third group having a page size different from the first group. [4] to [7], wherein the uniform page size method is applied to one group, and the normal method of transmitting image data of each page at the original page size is applied to the third group. The printer controller as described in any one.

  In the above-described invention and the invention described in [19] below, when a special page size is set for a page having a significantly different page size, redundant data added to the image data is increased, and the transmission time of the image data is increased. Therefore, the page size standardization method is applied to those with similar page sizes (first group), and the normal method of transmitting image data at the original page size is applied to pages (third group) with greatly different page sizes. Apply.

[9] The printer controller according to [7] or [8], wherein the control unit performs the grouping after changing the page order of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [20] below, the page size unification method is applied to a plurality of continuous pages. Therefore, when a plurality of pages are grouped, the page order is arranged so that pages with similar page sizes are continuous. If it is changed and then grouped, the transmission efficiency increases.

[10] The control unit combines a plurality of jobs into one job,
The printer controller according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the plurality of pages are pages constituting the combined job.

[11] A program executed by the information processing apparatus,
A program that causes the information processing apparatus to function as the printer controller according to any one of [1] to [10].

[12] A printing system comprising: a printer controller that rasterizes each page of a print job to generate image data; and a printer engine unit that prints based on image data transmitted from the printer controller.
The printer controller
A receiving unit for receiving a print job;
A storage unit for storing received print jobs;
A developing unit that rasterizes each page of the print job stored in the storage unit to generate image data;
A first transmission unit that transmits image data generated by the expansion unit to the printer engine unit through a first transmission path;
A second transmission unit for transmitting related information used for printing the image data to the printer engine unit through a second transmission path;
A control unit that controls transmission of the image data and the related information to the printer engine unit;
With
The control unit creates first related information and second related information as the related information, the first related information is transmitted to the printer engine unit before transmission of the image data, and the second related information is an image. Transmit to the printer engine during data transmission,
The printing system, wherein the printer engine unit performs printing based on image data based on the related information received from the printer controller.

[13] The first related information includes page size information of a page represented by the image data,
When receiving the page size information, the printer engine unit reserves a memory area corresponding to the page size indicated by the page size information, and stores image data transmitted from the printer controller in the reserved memory area. The printing system according to [12], characterized in that:

[14] When the control unit continuously transmits image data of a plurality of pages having the same page size to the printer engine unit, the control unit receives the page size information before transmitting image data of the first page of the plurality of pages. Transmitting, omitting transmission of the page size information before image data transmission for image data of the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages,
The printing system according to [13], wherein the printer engine unit reserves a memory area corresponding to a page size indicated by the page size information for each of the plurality of pages.

[15] The control unit sets a special page size that can include all the page sizes of the plurality of pages when continuously transmitting image data of a plurality of pages having different page sizes to the printer engine unit. The image data of each page of the plurality of pages is converted to the image data of the special page size by adding redundant data and transmitted to the printer engine unit, and before the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages is transmitted The page size information of the special page size is transmitted, and the transmission of the page size information is omitted for image data of the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages. The printing system according to [13] or [14], wherein the printing system can be adopted.

[16] In the case where image data is transmitted using at least the transmission method of the page size unified method, the control unit includes the second related information transmitted to the printer engine unit during transmission of the image data. Including original page size information indicating the page size before adding redundant data,
The printing system according to [15], wherein the printer engine unit trims and prints image data of each page based on the original page size information.

[17] The control unit transmits a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed using the page size unification method, and a normal method for transmitting image data of each page at the original page size The printing system according to [15] or [16], wherein a transmission method in which the transmission time is shorter is adopted by comparing the transmission time when transmitting using

[18] The control unit groups a plurality of pages having different page sizes into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a second group in which two or more page sizes different from the first group are mixed. The printing system according to any one of [15] to [17], wherein the page size unification method is individually adopted for the first group and the second group.

[19] The control unit groups a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a third group in which the page size is different from the first group. [15] to [18], wherein the one page employs the uniform page size method, and the third group employs a normal method of transmitting image data of each page at the original page size. The printing system according to any one of the above.

[20] The printing system according to [18] or [19], wherein the control unit performs the grouping after changing a page order of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed.

[21] The control unit combines a plurality of jobs into one job,
The printing system according to any one of [14] to [20], wherein the plurality of pages are pages constituting the combined job.

  According to the printer controller, the program, and the printing system according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the overhead due to the handling communication for each page and reduce the data transmission time from the printer controller to the printer engine unit.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which contrasts the conventional transmission in the case of printing A4 and 3 pages, and the transmission of Example 1 which concerns on embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a printer controller that transmits data in the procedure of Example 1 shown in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the special page size (special size) which can include the page size of both A4 size and Letter size. It is a figure which contrasts and shows the transmission of the example 2 which concerns on embodiment which sets the special transmission in the case of printing 3 pages of A4, Letter, and A4, and a special size. It is a figure which contrasts and shows the transmission of the conventional transmission at the time of printing 4 pages of A4, Letter, A4, and A3, and the transmission of Example 3 which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which contrasts the conventional transmission in the case of printing 4 pages of A4, Letter, B5, and B6S, and the transmission of Example 4 which concerns on embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the printer controller performs an operation corresponding to Example 2 to Example 4. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed when a printer engine unit receives data from a printer controller. 6 is a flowchart showing processing when the printer engine executes printing based on image data stored in a memory. It is a figure which shows the connection of a printer controller and a printer engine part. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a conventional communication example in which job data including A4 and page 3 is transmitted from a printer controller to a printer engine unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a conventional communication example when three pieces of job data for one page are continuously transmitted from the printer controller to the printer engine unit. It is a figure which shows the example of the conventional communication which put together the some job into one job, and reduced the overhead of job communication.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a printing system 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 5 receives a print job, rasterizes each page to generate image data (image data), and a printer engine that prints on recording paper based on the image data generated by the printer controller 10 Unit 30.

  An information processing apparatus such as a PC (personal computer) is connected to the printer controller 10 through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and the printer controller 10 receives a print job from the information processing apparatus. The print job is a description of the contents of each page in PDL (Page Discription Language).

  The printer controller 10 includes a control unit 11, a reception unit 12, a storage unit 13, a serial communication unit 14, an image data transmission unit 15, and the like. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The storage unit 13 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a nonvolatile memory, a hard disk device, and the like.

  The receiving unit 12 receives a print job from an information processing apparatus connected through a network. The image data transmitting unit 15 transmits image data generated by the developing unit 22 described later to the printer engine unit 30 through an image bus (first transmission path). The serial communication unit 14 transmits related information used for printing image data to the printer engine unit 30 by serial communication (second transmission path).

  The control unit 11 controls transmission of image data and related information to the printer engine unit 30. The control unit 11 functions as a special size setting unit 21, a development unit 22, a redundant data addition unit 23, a related information generation unit 24, and the like.

  The developing unit 22 rasterizes (RIP) each page included in the print job received by the receiving unit 12 to generate image data (image data).

  The special size setting unit 21 sets a special page size that can include all page sizes of the plurality of pages when image data of a plurality of pages having different page sizes is continuously transmitted to the printer engine unit 30.

  The redundant data adding unit 23 converts the image data of each page into image data of a special page size by adding redundant data. For example, invalid data and margins are added.

  The related information generation unit 24 generates related information (first related information and second related information) that the serial communication unit 14 transmits to the printer engine unit 30. Here, information to be transmitted by job communication of job-start / end and handling communication of page-start / end is created.

  The storage unit 13 stores a program executed by the CPU of the control unit 11. The function of the printer controller 10 is realized by the CPU of the control unit 11 executing the program. The storage unit 13 temporarily stores a print job received by the receiving unit 12, image data developed by the developing unit 22, related information generated by the related information generating unit 24, and the like. The RAM of the storage unit 13 is used as a work area for storing various data when the CPU of the control unit 11 executes a program.

  The image data of each page stored in the storage unit 13 is read by the image data transmission unit 15 and transmitted to the printer engine unit 30 through the image bus.

  The printer engine unit 30 is configured by connecting a bus such as a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an image forming unit 33, a serial communication unit 34, and an image data receiving unit 35.

  The control unit 31 is composed of a CPU. The storage unit 32 includes a ROM, a RAM, a nonvolatile memory, a hard disk device, and the like. The operation of the printer engine unit 30 is controlled by the control unit 31 executing a program stored in the ROM or the like of the storage unit 32.

  The image forming unit 33 functions to form and print an image corresponding to image data (image data) on a recording sheet. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device, and forms an image by an electrophotographic process. Do. The image forming unit 33 may use other methods.

  The image data receiving unit 35 receives the image data sent from the printer controller 10 and stores it in a predetermined area of the storage unit 32. The serial communication unit 34 receives information related to job communication and handling communication sent from the serial communication unit 14 of the printer controller 10 through serial communication.

  The control unit 31 functions as a trimming unit 36 and a memory securing unit 37. The memory securing unit 37 secures a memory area in the RAM of the storage unit 32 for storing the image data of each page transmitted from the printer controller 10. The trimming unit 36 has a function of cutting out original page size image data by deleting redundant data when the image data received from the printer controller 10 is obtained by adding redundant data to the original page size image data. Fulfill.

  In addition, the control unit 31 sends the image data received by the printer controller 10 to the image forming unit 33 using the related information (original page size, paper feed tray, binding margin, etc.) received from the printer controller 10. Various controls for printing are performed.

  Next, operations related to transmission of data (image data and related information) between the printer controller 10 and the printer engine unit 30 of the printing system 5 will be described with various examples.

(Example 1) When transmitting plural pages of image data of the same page size Here, a case of executing a job for transmitting A4 size image data of three pages continuously will be described as an example.

  The upper part of FIG. 2 shows conventional transmission, and the lower part of FIG. 2 shows (Example 1) transmission in the printing system 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the transmission of Example 1 of the embodiment, the printer controller 10 first transmits job-start to the printer engine unit 30 by serial communication. The job-start includes information indicating that the number of pages constituting the job and the page sizes of all pages are the same.

  Next, the printer controller 10 transmits page-start by serial communication. The first page-start includes information indicating the start of the page and page size information (information indicating A4 size) of the page represented by the image data as the first related information.

  The printer engine unit 30 that has received page-start secures a memory area for storing image data for all pages of the job with a page size corresponding to the page size information included in the page. In this example, a memory area for storing image data for three pages in A4 size is secured.

  Subsequent to page-start, the printer controller 10 transmits the image data of the first page to the printer engine unit 30 through the image bus. Further, the printer controller 10 transmits related information (second related information) for printing the image data of the first page to the printer engine unit 30 using serial communication during transmission of the image data of the first page. . Here, the page size to be printed (A4), information on the paper feed tray as the paper feed source of the paper used for printing, and the like are transmitted as the second related information during transmission of the image data. In addition, the second related information includes information related to a binding margin, a color mode, post-processing, and the like.

  After completing the transmission of the image data, the printer controller 10 transmits page-end indicating the end of the page by serial communication.

  Subsequently, the printer controller 10 transmits page-start for the second page. This page-start only indicates the start of the page and does not include page size information. Accordingly, the page-start transmission time is shortened compared to the first page.

  The printer controller 10 transmits the image data of the second page to the printer engine unit 30 through the image bus following the page-start of the second page, and the image data of the second page using serial communication during the transmission. The second related information for printing is transmitted to the printer engine unit 30. Similarly to the first page, the page size to be printed (A4), information on the paper feed tray, and the like are transmitted as second related information.

  After completing the transmission of the second page of image data, the printer controller 10 transmits a page-end indicating the end of the page by serial communication. For the third page, page-start, image data, second related information, and page-end are transmitted in the same manner as the second page. Then, job-end is transmitted, and transmission of data related to the job is terminated.

  As described above, in the printing system 5 according to the present embodiment, related information (second related information) used for printing image data by serial communication while image data is being transmitted from the printer controller 10 to the printer engine unit 30. Information) is transmitted from the printer controller 10 to the printer engine unit 30, which is associated with transmission of related information as compared with the conventional transmission (FIG. 2, upper example) in which all related information is transmitted in the page-start. The overhead can be reduced and the transmission time can be shortened.

  The printer engine unit 30 needs to secure a memory area for storing the next received image data before starting the reception of the image data. Since the printer engine unit 30 secures a memory based on the page size information received from the printer controller 10, the printer controller 10 needs to notify the printer controller 10 of the page size information of the image data before transmitting the image data. There is.

  As described above, the page size information used for the purpose of securing the memory can be notified by being included in the page-start for each page as in the past. However, if the page size is the same, notification for each page is not necessary, and only one notification is sufficient.

  Therefore, in Example 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, the printer controller 10 notifies the printer engine unit 30 of the number of pages by job-start, and notifies the printer engine unit 30 of page size information only by the first page-start. In the second and subsequent page-starts, a protocol that does not notify page size information is adopted. The printer engine unit 30 reserves a memory area corresponding to the page size notified by the first page-start by the number of pages notified by job-start, and uses this memory area to store image data of each page. Is received and stored.

  Thereby, the overhead accompanying transmission of page size information can be further reduced and the transmission time can be shortened.

  Note that the plurality of pages may originally be a page constituting one job, or may be a page constituting a combined job obtained by combining a plurality of jobs.

  FIG. 3 shows the flow of processing performed by the printer controller 10 that transmits data in the procedure of Example 1. The printer controller 10 determines whether there are a plurality of unprocessed waiting jobs that have been received in the storage unit 13 (step S101). If there are a plurality of waiting jobs (step S101; plural), the printer controller 10 combines these plural jobs into one job (step S102), and proceeds to step S103. If there is one waiting job (step S101; one), the process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S103, it is checked whether all pages of the job have the same size. The case where they are not the same size will be described later in order to correspond to other examples (example 2, example 3, etc.).

  If all pages are the same size, create job-start, job-end, page-start for each page (first related information), second related information to be transmitted during image data transmission, and information to be transmitted with page-end (Step S104). The job-start includes information indicating that the number of all pages and the page size of all pages are the same. The page-start of the first page includes page size information. Page-start for the second and subsequent pages is only information indicating page start and does not include page size information. The second related information corresponding to each page includes a page size at the time of printing, information on a paper feed tray, and the like.

  Next, the printer controller 10 transmits job-start (step S105). Subsequently, the printer controller 10 transmits page-start corresponding to the next page to be transmitted (step S106), and then continues to transmit image data through the image bus, and the second relationship by serial communication. Information is transmitted (step S107). When transmission of image data is completed, page-end is transmitted (step S108).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the transmission of the last page is completed (step S109). If there is a continuation page (step S109; No), the process returns to step S106 and the processing is continued. When transmission of the final page is completed (step S109; Yes), job-end is transmitted (step S110), and this process is terminated.

(Example 2) When continuously transmitting a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed Here, an example in which A4 size and Letter size are mixed will be described. In this case, the special size setting unit 21 of the printer controller 10 sets a special page size (hereinafter referred to as a special size) that can include both the A4 size and the Letter size, as shown in FIG. . In the example of FIG. 4, the A4 size is vertical (L1) and horizontal (W1), the Letter size is vertical (L2) and horizontal (W2), and there is a relationship of L1> L2 and W2> W1. In this case, the longer size is adopted in each of the vertical and horizontal directions, and the special size is set to vertical (L1) and horizontal (W2).

  The upper part of FIG. 5 shows the conventional transmission in the case of transmitting three pages of A4, Letter, and A4, and the lower part of FIG. 5 shows the three pages of A4, Letter, and A4 with a special size being transmitted. The transmission of Example 2 which concerns on this embodiment is shown.

  In the transmission of Example 2 of the embodiment, the printer controller 10 first transmits job-start to the printer engine unit 30 by serial communication. The job-start includes information indicating that the number of pages constituting the job and the page size of all pages are the same.

  Next, the printer controller 10 transmits page-start by serial communication. The first page-start includes information indicating the start of a page and page size information of the page represented by the image data (information indicating a special size (L1 × W2)) as the first related information.

  The printer engine unit 30 that has received page-start secures a memory area for all pages of the job with a page size corresponding to the page size information included in the page. In this example, a memory area for storing image data for three pages with a special size (L1 × W2) is secured.

  Subsequent to page-start, the printer controller 10 transmits the image data of the first page to the printer engine unit 30 through the image bus. This image data is obtained by adding redundant data (such as margins) to A4 size image data and converting it to a special size. The printer controller 10 transmits second related information for printing the image data of the first page to the printer engine unit 30 using serial communication during transmission of the image data of the first page. Here, information (original page size information) indicating the page size (A4) before adding redundant data, information on a paper feed tray as a paper feed source of paper used for printing, and the like are used as image data as second related information. Send during transmission. In addition, the second related information includes information related to a binding margin, a color mode, post-processing, and the like.

  After completing the transmission of the image data, the printer controller 10 transmits page-end indicating the end of the page by serial communication.

  Subsequently, the printer controller 10 transmits page-start for the second page. This page-start only indicates the start of the page and does not include page size information. Accordingly, the page-start transmission time is shortened compared to the first page.

  Following the page-start of the second page, the printer controller 10 transmits the image data of the second page to the printer engine unit 30 through the image bus. The image data on the second page is obtained by adding redundant data to letter-size image data and converting it to a special size. In addition, the second related information for printing the image data of the second page is transmitted to the printer engine unit 30 using serial communication during the transmission of the image data. The second related information is original page size information indicating the true size of the image data of the second page (page size before adding redundant data (here, Letter size), information on the paper feed tray, and the like.

  After completing the transmission of the second page of image data, the printer controller 10 transmits a page-end indicating the end of the page by serial communication. The third page is the same as the second page, page-start, image data converted to a special size by adding redundant data, second related information (including the original page size information (A4)), page Send -end. Then, job-end is transmitted, and transmission of data related to the job is terminated.

  The printer engine unit 30 reserves a memory area for storing three pages of special-size image data, and stores the received image data of each page in the reserved memory area. Then, the image data is trimmed to a size indicated by the original page size information notified by the second related information and printed out.

  As described above, in Example 2 of the embodiment, when transmitting image data of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed from the printer controller 10 to the printer engine unit 30, a special size including each page size is set, The page image data is transmitted in a uniform size. Thus, as in Example 1, the number of pages is notified to the printer engine unit 30 by job-start, the page size information is notified to the printer engine unit 30 only by the first page-start, and the page- In start, a protocol that does not notify page size information can be adopted, and overhead associated with transmission of page size information can be reduced and transmission time can be shortened.

  Note that the plurality of pages may be pages that originally constitute one job, or may be pages that constitute a combined job obtained by combining a plurality of jobs.

  When the special size is used, redundant data is included in a part of the image data, so that the transmission time of the image data becomes longer than when the original image data is transmitted. Therefore, a plurality of pages having different page sizes are transmitted in a special size (this transmission method is a unified page size method), or the original page size is transmitted without adding redundant data (this transmission method, It is determined by comparing the total transmission time.

  That is, in the case where the increase amount of the image data transmission time by using the special size> the overhead reduction time, the effect of reducing the transmission time cannot be obtained even if the page size unified method is adopted.

  Since the transmission time of image data depends on hardware, if the page size is determined, the transmission time of image data of that page size can be accurately calculated.

  On the other hand, the overhead due to handling communication (SW (software) overhead) is determined by software processing. Therefore, the overhead in the normal method and the overhead in the unified page size method are measured at the time of initial setting of the system connection, etc. Record the average value of.

  For example, when page size 1 and page size 2 are mixed, the transmission time of the image data is A second for page size 1, B seconds for page size 2, and a special size image including page size 1 and page size 2. The data transmission time is C seconds. In addition, it is assumed that the overhead in the prior measurement is X seconds for the normal method and Y seconds for the page size unified method. In this case, the total transmission time when the normal method is used is A + B + X seconds, and the total transmission time when the page size unified method is used is 2C + Y. Therefore, if 2C + Y <A + B + X seconds, the page size unified method is adopted, and if 2C + Y <A + B + X seconds, the normal method is adopted.

(Example 3) When dividing multiple pages into a group of pages that are transmitted using the uniform page size method and a group of pages that are transmitted using the normal method For different page sizes that are relatively close, such as A4 size and Letter size, use special sizes. It becomes efficient to transmit uniformly. However, if there are mixed pages that differ greatly in size, setting one special size for all pages increases the special size, increasing the amount of redundant data, and increasing the transmission time. End up.

  Therefore, the total transmission time is shortened by grouping a plurality of pages to be printed into a group of pages that are transmitted by the uniform page size method and a group of pages that are transmitted by the normal method.

  FIG. 6 shows an example in which four pages of A4, Letter, A4, and A3 are continuously printed. The upper part of FIG. 6 shows the case where transmission is performed by the conventional method, and the lower part of FIG. 6 shows the case where the page size unified method is adopted for the A4 and Letter pages and the normal method is transmitted to the A3 page with the minimum normal method. . The special size is a page size (see FIG. 4) including A4 size and Letter size.

  Here, it is assumed that the printer engine unit 30 secures a memory area for the next page every time page-start is received. Specifically, if page size information is included in the received page-start, it is determined that the page related to the page-start is the page size indicated by the page size information, and a memory area of the corresponding size Secure. If page size information is not included in the received page-start, the page related to the page-start is determined to be the same size as the previous page, and a memory area having the same size as the previous page is secured.

  In the transmission of Example 3 of the embodiment, the printer controller 10 first transmits job-start to the printer engine unit 30 by serial communication. job-start contains the number of pages that make up the job. Information indicating that all page sizes are the same is not included.

  Next, the printer controller 10 transmits page-start by serial communication. The first page-start includes page size information (information indicating the special size) of the page represented by the image data together with information indicating the start of the page. The printer engine unit 30 that has received page-start secures a memory area for the page corresponding to this page-start with the page size corresponding to the page size information included therein.

  Subsequent to page-start, the printer controller 10 transmits the image data of the first page to the printer engine unit 30 through the image bus. This image data is obtained by adding redundant data (such as margins) to A4 size image data and converting it to a special size. The printer engine unit 30 stores the received image data in the previously reserved memory area. In addition, the printer controller 10 transmits second related information for printing the image data of the first page to the printer engine unit 30 using serial communication during the transmission of the image data of the first page. Here, the original page size information indicating the page size (A4) before adding the redundant data, the information of the paper feed tray as the paper feed source of the paper used for printing, and the like are being transmitted as the second related information. Send to.

  After completing the transmission of the image data, the printer controller 10 transmits page-end indicating the end of the page to the printer engine unit 30 by serial communication.

  Subsequently, the printer controller 10 transmits page-start for the second page. This page-start is only information indicating the start of the page and does not include page size information. Therefore, the printer engine unit 30 reserves a memory area with the same size as the previous page.

  Following the page-start of the second page, the printer controller 10 transmits the image data of the second page to the printer engine unit 30 through the image bus. The image data on the second page is obtained by adding redundant data to letter-size image data and converting it to a special size. The printer engine unit 30 stores the received image data in the previously reserved memory area. In addition, the printer controller 10 transmits second related information for printing the image data of the second page to the printer engine unit 30 using serial communication during transmission of the image data. The second related information includes original page size information indicating the true size of the image data of the second page (a page size before adding redundant data (here, Letter size), information on a paper feed tray, and the like.

  After completing the transmission of the second page of image data, the printer controller 10 transmits a page-end indicating the end of the page by serial communication. The third page is the same as the second page, page-start, image data converted to a special size by adding redundant data, second related information (including the original page size information (A4)), page Send -end.

  Next, the printer controller 10 transmits page-start for the fourth page. The fourth page is transmitted by the normal method. The page-start of the fourth page includes information indicating the start of the page and page size information indicating the A3 size. The printer engine unit 30 that has received page-start secures a memory area (memory area corresponding to A3) having a size corresponding to the page size information because the page size information is included in the page-start.

  Subsequent to page-start, the printer controller 10 transmits the image data of the fourth page to the printer engine unit 30 through the image bus. This image data is A3 size image data, and no redundant data is added. The printer engine unit 30 stores the received image data in the previously reserved memory area. Further, the printer controller 10 transmits second related information for printing the image data of the fourth page to the printer engine unit 30 using serial communication during the transmission of the image data of the fourth page. Here, redundant data is not added, but in order to make the processing common, the original page size information (A3), information on the paper feed tray as the paper feed source of the paper used for printing, and the like are related to the second. Information is transmitted during transmission of image data.

  Thereafter, the printer controller 10 transmits job-end, and ends transmission of data relating to the job.

  The printer engine unit 30 prints the special-size image data after trimming it to the page size indicated by the original page size information included in the second related information. For image data received in a standard size such as A3, the size is printed as it is.

  When deciding whether to adopt the uniform page size method or the normal method, the transmission time may be calculated and compared each time, but the transmission time of the image data is tabulated in advance for each page size (image (Transmission time can be calculated in advance because data transmission depends on hardware), and when the average value of overhead is acquired in the initial setting, the transmission time is compared for various cases of summarization, and an appropriate summarization method is determined in advance. You may do it.

  In this way, pages with similar image sizes (for example, A4 and Letter) are transmitted using the unified page size method, and pages with greatly different sizes (for example, A3) are transmitted by the normal method without being collected. , Can be optimized to minimize the transmission time.

(Example 4) When multiple pages are grouped, the first group is transmitted using special size A and page size standardization method, and the second group is special size B and transmitted using page size standardization method For example, when continuously printing a plurality of pages in which A4 size, Letter size, B5 size, and B6S size coexist, the first group (A4 and Letter pages) so that pages of similar sizes are in the same group, Divided into second groups (B5 and B6S pages), special size A is set for the first group, special size B is set for the second group, and page sizes are individually set for the first group and the second group. Adopt a unified method.

  The upper part of FIG. 7 shows the case where the above four pages (A4, Letter, B5, B6S) are transmitted by the conventional method, and the lower part of FIG. 7 shows the above four pages as the first group (A4 and Letter pages). A case is shown in which a group is divided into second groups (B5 and B6S pages), and transmission is performed by individually applying a page size unification method to each group.

  The printer controller 10 notifies the special size A at the page-start of the first page, and does not notify the page size information at the page-start of the second page. Further, the printer controller 10 notifies the printer engine unit 30 of A4 as the original page size information in the second related information of the first page, and Letter as the original page size information in the second related information of the second page. 30 is notified.

  The printer controller 10 notifies the special size B in the page-start of the third page and does not notify the page size information in the page-start of the fourth page. The printer controller 10 notifies the printer engine unit 30 of B5 as the original page size information in the second related information on the third page, and B6S as the original page size information in the second related information of the fourth page. 30 is notified.

  Accordingly, the printer engine unit 30 determines that the first page and the second page are pages of the special size A and secures a memory area, and determines that the third page and the fourth page are pages of the special size B and stores the memory area. Reserve space. The printer engine unit 30 trims the special size A image data to A4 size when printing the first page, and trims the special size A image data to letter size when printing the second page. When printing the third page, the special size B image data is trimmed to the B5 size, and when printing the fourth page, the special size B image data is trimmed to the B6S size.

  In addition, before grouping like Example 3 and Example 4, you may make it arrange the arrangement order of a page in the order suitable for grouping. For example, in FIG. 6, when A3 is located on the third page and A4 is located on the fourth page, these are rearranged as shown in FIG. 6 and then grouped.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing when the printer controller 10 performs an operation corresponding to Example 2 to Example 4. If all pages constituting the job (or combined job) are not the same size (step S103; No in FIG. 3), it is determined whether grouping is necessary (step S201).

  If there is no need for grouping, one special size is set for a plurality of pages constituting the job (step S202). Then, redundant data is added to the image data of each page to convert it into special size image data (step S203). Thereafter, for each page, information to be transmitted by page-start and page-end, and second related information to be transmitted during image data transmission of each page are created (step S204). In this case, page size information indicating the special size set in step S202 is included in the page-start of one page, and page size information is not included in the page-start of each page after the second page. The second related information of each page includes original page size information indicating the page size before adding redundant data. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S105 in FIG.

  When grouping is necessary (step S201; Yes), a plurality of pages constituting the job are divided into a plurality of groups with reference to a table created in advance (step S205). Here, similar page sizes are grouped into the same group or a group of a prescribed paper size (for example, A3).

  Next, for each group, one special size or a specified page size is set for the group (step S207), and if the set page size is the special size (step S208; Yes), it belongs to the group. Redundant data is added to the image data of each page to convert it into special size image data (step S209), and the process proceeds to step S210. If it is not a special size (step S208; No), the process proceeds to step S210.

  In step S210, for each page of the group, information to be transmitted by page-start and page-end and second related information to be transmitted during image data transmission of each page are created. For example, in the case of a group for which a special size is set, the page-start for one page in this group includes the page size information indicating the special size set in step S207, and the page-start for each page after the second page. Does not include page size information. The second related information of each page belonging to this group includes original page size information indicating a page size before adding redundant data.

  In the case of a group in which a specified paper size is set, the page-start of one page in this group includes page size information indicating the specified paper size set in step S207, and the page- of each page after the second page. Start does not include page size information. The second related information of each page belonging to this group includes original page size information indicating the specified paper size set in step S207.

  It is determined whether or not the above processing has been completed for all groups (step S211). If not completed (step S211; No), the process returns to step S206 to process the next group. If the processing is completed for all groups (step S211; Yes), the processing proceeds to step S105 in FIG.

  The redundant data may be added when the image data of the page is transmitted to the printer engine unit 30.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing performed when the printer engine unit 30 receives data from the printer controller 10. This processing is intended for the above-described examples 3 and 4. If job-start is received (step S301; Yes), it waits for reception of page-start (step S302). When page-start is received (step S302; Yes), it is determined whether or not page size information is included in this page-start (step S303).

  If page size information is included (step S303; Yes), a memory area for receiving image data at the size indicated by the page size information is secured (step S304), and the process proceeds to step S306. If the received page-start does not include page size information (step S303; No), a memory area is secured with the same page size as the previous time (step S305), and the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S306, the image data is received and stored in the memory area secured in step S304 or S305, and the second related information transmitted from the printer controller 10 by serial communication is received in parallel therewith. The second related information is stored in association with the image data being received.

  Thereafter, when page-end is received (step S307; Yes), the process returns to step S302 and continues.

  If page-start is not received (step S302; No) and job-end is received (step S308; Yes), this processing is terminated.

  When Example 1 and Example 2 are targeted, memory areas for all pages may be secured first based on the information on the number of pages included in job-start.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing when the printer engine unit 30 executes printing based on image data stored in the memory. The printer engine unit 30 acquires the original page size information (page size information at the time of printing) included in the second related information stored in association with the image data of the page to be printed (step S401).

  The printer engine unit 30 compares the image data size of this page (page size at the time of memory allocation) with the original page size (step S402), and if they do not match (step S403; No), the image data is returned to the original The image data is trimmed to page size image data (step S404), and an image based on the trimmed image data is printed on the original page size paper (step S405).

  If the page size at the time of securing the memory matches the original page size (step S403; Yes), the printer engine unit 30 does not perform trimming and uses an image based on the image data on a sheet corresponding to the page size of the image data. Printing is performed (step S405). In step S405, the paper is fed from the paper feed tray specified by the second related information.

  As described above, in the printing system 5 according to the embodiment, the transmission time can be shortened by reducing the overhead when transmitting the related information used for printing the image data from the printer controller 10 to the printer engine unit 30.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment, the related information is transmitted by serial communication, but the transmission method of the related information is not limited to this. Any transmission method may be used as long as the related information can be transmitted to the printer engine unit 30 in parallel with the image data during the transmission of the image data.

  It is desirable that related information that does not need to be transmitted to the printer engine unit 30 before transmission of image data is transmitted during transmission of image data as much as possible, but is transmitted to the printer engine unit 30 before transmission of image data. A part of unnecessary related information may be included in page-start and transmitted as the first related information.

  In the embodiment, the example in which the original page size information is included in the second related information also for the page in which the redundant data is not added to the image data has been shown. However, the page in which the redundant data is not added to the image data The original page size information may not be included. In this case, in steps S402 to S404, if the original page size information is included in the second related information, trimming is performed at that size, and if not included, trimming is not performed.

  Redundant data is not limited to margin data. Arbitrary data is sufficient because it is a portion that is not trimmed and printed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Printing system 10 ... Printer controller 11 ... Control part 12 ... Reception part 13 ... Memory | storage part 14 ... Serial communication part 15 ... Image data transmission part 21 ... Special size setting part 22 ... Expansion | deployment part 23 ... Redundant data addition part 24 ... Related Information generating unit 30 ... Printer engine unit 31 ... Control unit 32 ... Storage unit 33 ... Image forming unit 34 ... Serial communication unit 35 ... Image data receiving unit 36 ... Trimming unit 37 ... Memory securing unit

Claims (21)

A receiving unit for receiving a print job;
A storage unit for storing received print jobs;
A developing unit that rasterizes each page of the print job stored in the storage unit to generate image data;
A first transmission unit that transmits the image data generated by the expansion unit to the printer engine unit through a first transmission path;
A second transmission unit for transmitting related information used for printing the image data to the printer engine unit through a second transmission path;
A control unit that controls transmission of the image data and the related information to the printer engine unit;
With
The control unit creates first related information and second related information as the related information, the first related information is transmitted to the printer engine unit before transmission of the image data, and the second related information is an image. A printer controller, wherein data is transmitted to the printer engine unit during transmission. The printer controller according to claim 1, wherein the first related information includes page size information of a page represented by the image data. The control unit, when continuously transmitting image data of a plurality of pages having the same page size to the printer engine unit, transmits the page size information before transmitting image data of the first page of the plurality of pages, The printer controller according to claim 2, wherein transmission of the page size information before image data transmission is omitted for image data of the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages. The control unit sets a special page size that can include all page sizes of the plurality of pages when continuously transmitting a plurality of pages of image data in which different page sizes are mixed to the printer engine unit, The image data of each page of the page is converted into the image data of the special page size by adding redundant data and transmitted to the printer engine unit, and the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages is transmitted before transmission of the special data. A page size unified transmission method can be used in which page size information of the page size is transmitted, and transmission of the page size information before image data transmission is omitted for the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages. The printer controller according to claim 2, wherein the printer controller is a printer controller. The control unit applies the redundant data to the second related information to be transmitted to the printer engine unit during transmission of image data when transmitting image data by applying at least the transmission method of the page size unified method. 5. The printer controller according to claim 4, further comprising original page size information indicating a page size before addition. The control unit uses a transmission time when a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed is transmitted using the unified page size method, and a normal method for transmitting image data of each page at the original page size. 6. The printer controller according to claim 4, wherein a transmission method with a shorter transmission time is used in comparison with a transmission time when the data is transmitted in the same manner. The control unit groups a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a second group in which two or more page sizes different from the first group are mixed, The printer controller according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the page size unification method is individually applied to the first group and the second group. The control unit groups a plurality of pages having different page sizes into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a third group having a page size different from the first group. 8 applies the page size unification method, and applies a normal method for transmitting image data of each page at the original page size to the third group. The printer controller described. The printer controller according to claim 7, wherein the control unit performs the grouping after changing a page order of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed. The control unit combines a plurality of jobs into one job,
The printer controller according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the plurality of pages are pages constituting the combined job. A program executed by an information processing apparatus,
A program for causing the information processing apparatus to function as the printer controller according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A printing system comprising: a printer controller that rasterizes each page of a print job to generate image data; and a printer engine unit that prints based on image data transmitted from the printer controller.
The printer controller
A receiving unit for receiving a print job;
A storage unit for storing received print jobs;
A developing unit that rasterizes each page of the print job stored in the storage unit to generate image data;
A first transmission unit that transmits image data generated by the expansion unit to the printer engine unit through a first transmission path;
A second transmission unit for transmitting related information used for printing the image data to the printer engine unit through a second transmission path;
A control unit that controls transmission of the image data and the related information to the printer engine unit;
With
The control unit creates first related information and second related information as the related information, the first related information is transmitted to the printer engine unit before transmission of the image data, and the second related information is an image. Transmit to the printer engine during data transmission,
The printing system, wherein the printer engine unit performs printing based on image data based on the related information received from the printer controller. The first related information includes page size information of a page represented by the image data,
When receiving the page size information, the printer engine unit reserves a memory area corresponding to the page size indicated by the page size information, and stores image data transmitted from the printer controller in the reserved memory area. The printing system according to claim 12, wherein: The control unit, when continuously transmitting image data of a plurality of pages having the same page size to the printer engine unit, transmits the page size information before transmitting image data of the first page of the plurality of pages, For image data of the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages, transmission of the page size information before image data transmission is omitted,
The printing system according to claim 13, wherein the printer engine unit reserves a memory area corresponding to a page size indicated by the page size information for each of the plurality of pages. The control unit sets a special page size that can include all page sizes of the plurality of pages when continuously transmitting a plurality of pages of image data in which different page sizes are mixed to the printer engine unit, The image data of each page of the page is converted into the image data of the special page size by adding redundant data and transmitted to the printer engine unit, and the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages is transmitted before transmission of the special data. It is possible to adopt a page size unified transmission method that transmits page size information of the page size and omits the transmission of the page size information before image data transmission for the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages. The printing system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: In the case where the control unit adopts at least the transmission method of the page size unified method and transmits image data, the redundant data is included in the second related information transmitted to the printer engine unit during transmission of image data. Including the original page size information indicating the page size before adding,
The printing system according to claim 15, wherein the printer engine unit trims and prints image data of each page based on the original page size information. The control unit uses a transmission time when a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed is transmitted using the unified page size method, and a normal method for transmitting image data of each page at the original page size. The printing system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein a transmission method in which the transmission time is shorter is adopted by comparing the transmission time with the transmission time when the transmission is performed. The control unit groups a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a second group in which two or more page sizes different from the first group are mixed, The printing system according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the page size unification method is individually adopted for the first group and the second group. The control unit groups a plurality of pages having different page sizes into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a third group having a page size different from the first group. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the page size is unified, and the third group employs a normal method for transmitting image data of each page at an original page size. The printing system described. The printing system according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the control unit performs the grouping after changing a page order of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed. The control unit combines a plurality of jobs into one job,
The printing system according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the plurality of pages are pages constituting the combined job.