JP2981400B2 - Printing apparatus and data processing method for printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a double-sided printing mechanism for performing double-sided printing based on bitmap data developed by band processing, and a data processing method for the printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of printing apparatus, there is a method called DART as one of methods for developing and printing with high resolution with a small amount of memory resources. In DART, usually
One page is divided into bands of a certain width, developed by repeatedly using a bitmap of one band width, and printed on paper.

[0003] If there is complicated data that can be predicted that the development for printing the next band will not be completed within the time for printing one band, or if there is a large amount of print data in one band. If the memory overflows, the band processing is not performed, the resolution is reduced, and the data is expanded into a full bit map, thereby preventing a printing error.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, when performing double-sided printing, the development of the next side cannot be started until the DART processing of one side is completed. The processing speed of the mechanism has become a bottleneck, causing a reduction in speed. Also,
Even when a paper jam occurs, it is necessary to retain the information of the previously output page and develop the page again, so that there has been a problem that high-speed recovery cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the first to eighth inventions according to the present invention is to simultaneously execute a plurality of pages of intermediate data at the time of double-sided printing processing. By securing data memory for multiple pages and processing the bitmap from the intermediate data of the preceding page and storing the intermediate data for the next page in the data memory in parallel, Alternatively, at the time of double-sided printing processing, a data memory for processing the intermediate data for a plurality of pages in parallel is secured for a plurality of pages according to the memory condition of the specified memory resource, and the bitmap is stored from the intermediate data of the preceding page. By performing the expansion process and the process of storing the intermediate data for the next page in the data memory in parallel, the printing process of each page during duplex printing is performed. To provide a user-friendly printing apparatus and a data processing method for the printing apparatus, which can reduce the time and can appropriately execute duplex printing with priority on image quality or priority on printing speed according to the condition of a specified data memory. It is.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having a two-sided printing mechanism for printing on both sides or one side of a fed recording medium, and a two-sided printing mode using the two-sided printing mechanism. A data creating means for analyzing input data and creating predetermined intermediate data,
A dividing unit that divides the intermediate data created by the data creating unit into bands, a plurality of data memories that store one page of intermediate data divided by the dividing unit, and a plurality of data memories that are stored in these data memories. Expansion processing means for expanding the data into bitmaps in a predetermined bandwidth unit based on the intermediate data; and starting the bitmap processing based on the intermediate data stored in one of the data memories by the expansion processing means, and And data processing means for executing first data processing for starting writing of intermediate data of a subsequent page divided by the division means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having a two-sided printing mechanism for printing on both sides or one side of a fed recording medium, wherein data input in a two-sided printing mode by the two-sided printing mechanism is provided. Data generating means for analyzing the data and generating predetermined intermediate data; dividing means for dividing the intermediate data generated by the data generating means into band units; and intermediate data for one page divided by the dividing means. A plurality of data memories to be stored, expansion processing means for expanding into a bit map in a predetermined bandwidth unit based on intermediate data stored in these data memories, and memory conditions of the data memory to be secured from memory resources A designating means for designating, and any of the data by the development processing means based on the memory condition designated by the designating means. A first data processing or expansion processing unit for starting writing of intermediate data of a subsequent page divided by the division unit into another data memory after starting bitmap processing based on the intermediate data stored in the memory; And data processing means for starting any one of the second data processing for sequentially starting the bitmap processing for each page based on the intermediate data stored in the data memory.

[0008] In a third aspect of the present invention, the specifying means comprises:
The configuration is such that the capacity of the data memory secured from the memory resources is specified as a memory condition.

In a fourth aspect according to the present invention, the designating means comprises:
The configuration is such that the number of data memories secured with a predetermined capacity from memory resources is specified as a memory condition.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the memory resources can be expanded by an external memory medium.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detecting means for detecting a jam of the double-sided printing mechanism, and a determining means for determining whether or not the time of the jam detected by the detecting means is during front page processing. The data processing means restarts the first data processing based on the intermediate data already stored in each data memory when the determination means determines that the front page processing is being performed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a double-sided printing mechanism for printing on both sides or one side of a fed recording medium,
Data creating means for analyzing input data to create predetermined intermediate data, dividing means for dividing the intermediate data created by the data creating means into band units, and one page divided by the dividing means A data processing method for a printing apparatus, comprising: a plurality of data memories for storing intermediate data, and expansion processing means for expanding a bitmap in a predetermined bandwidth unit based on the intermediate data stored in the data memories. In the two-sided printing mode by the two-sided printing mechanism, after the bitmap processing based on the intermediate data stored in one of the data memories is started by the expansion processing means, the subsequent data division is performed on the other data memories by the dividing means. Processing for executing first data processing for starting writing of intermediate data of a page to be written Those having.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a double-sided printing mechanism for printing on both sides or one side of a fed recording medium,
Data creating means for analyzing input data to create predetermined intermediate data, dividing means for dividing the intermediate data created by the data creating means into band units, and one page divided by the dividing means A plurality of data memories for storing intermediate data of the data memory, expansion processing means for expanding a bitmap in a predetermined bandwidth unit based on the intermediate data stored in these data memories, and the data memory secured from memory resources. A data processing method for a printing apparatus having a designating means for designating a memory condition. After starting bitmap processing based on the stored intermediate data, it is divided into other data memories A first data processing for starting writing of intermediate data of a subsequent page divided by a stage, or a second for sequentially starting bitmap processing for each page based on the intermediate data stored in the data memory by the expansion processing means. It has a data processing step for starting any of the data processing.

[0014]

In the first invention, after the bitmap processing based on the intermediate data stored in any one of the data memories is started by the expansion processing means, the data processing means is divided into the other data memories by the dividing means. The first data processing for starting the writing of the intermediate data of the succeeding page is executed, and before the bitmap development of the preceding page is completed, the preparation for the bitmap development of the next page of the duplex printing is performed in parallel. It becomes possible.

In the second invention, after the bitmap processing based on the intermediate data stored in any one of the data memories by the expansion processing means based on the memory condition given by the specifying means, the data processing means A first data processing for starting writing of intermediate data of a subsequent page divided by the division unit to another data memory or a bit for each page based on the intermediate data stored in the data memory by the expansion processing unit One of the second data processes for sequentially starting the map process can be started, and two-sided printing can be performed with priority given to either the print processing speed or the print image quality according to the memory conditions specified by the user for the data memory. I do.

In the third invention, the designating means designates the capacity of the data memory to be secured from the memory resources as a memory condition, and secures a data memory for a plurality of pages from the designated memory capacity.

In the fourth aspect, the designation means designates the number of data memories to be secured with a predetermined capacity from the memory resources as a memory condition, and secures the designated number of data memories.

In the fifth aspect, the memory resources can be expanded by an external memory medium, and the number of data memories is as large as possible.

In the sixth invention, when the determining means determines that the front page processing is being performed, the data processing means restarts the first data processing based on the intermediate data already stored in each data memory. In addition, the jam recovery time during double-sided printing processing is reduced.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the double-sided printing mode by the double-sided printing mechanism, the bitmap processing based on the intermediate data stored in any one of the data memories is started by the expansion processing means, and then the other data memories are started. A first data process for starting writing of intermediate data of a subsequent page divided by the division unit is executed, and preparation for bitmap development of the next page of double-sided printing is performed before completion of bitmap development of the preceding page. Can be processed in parallel.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the double-sided printing mode by the double-sided printing mechanism, based on the intermediate data stored in any one of the data memories by the expansion processing unit based on the memory conditions specified by the specifying unit. After the start of the bitmap processing, first data processing for starting writing of intermediate data of a subsequent page divided by the division means to another data memory or intermediate data stored in the data memory by the expansion processing means Starts one of the second data processes for sequentially starting the bitmap process for each page based on the data, and gives priority to either the print processing speed or the print image quality according to the data memory secured according to the specified memory condition. And double-sided printing.

[0022]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, the configuration of a laser beam printer having a double-sided printing function to which the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

The printing apparatus in the embodiment will be described by taking a laser beam printer as an example. However, as will be apparent from the following description, a printing method such as a thermal transfer printing method, an ink jet printing method, a wire dot impact method, etc. Since the present invention can be applied, the present invention is not limited by the printing method.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. For example, a laser printer (LBP)
In this LBP, registration of a character pattern and registration of a fixed format (form data) are performed from a data source (not shown).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores character information (character code), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer (1 in FIG. 2). At the same time, a corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created according to the information, and an image is formed on a recording paper as a recording medium. Reference numeral 1012 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged.
Is a printer control unit that controls the entire LBP 1000 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer.

The printer control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1002. The laser driver 1002 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and switches on / off a laser beam 1004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 according to an input video signal. The laser 1004 is swung right and left by a rotary polygon mirror 1005 to scan on an electrostatic drum 1006.

Thus, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1007 around the electrostatic drum 1006 and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the LBP 1000, is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1009 and transport rollers 1010 and 1011, and is transferred to an electrostatic drum 1006. Supplied.

On the other hand, when re-feeding the paper, the reverse flapper 1
013, the sheet is sent to the reversing unit 1014,
It is taken into the apparatus again and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1006.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an information processing device such as a host computer, 2 denotes an input interface for receiving print data and a download emulator from the host computer, and 3 denotes printer control including emulator mounting / deletion processing and reading / writing of environmental values. CPU, 4 is C
R storing the control program and various data of PU3
OM, 5 is a RAM for temporarily storing various data, 7a
Is a memory A for performing DART processing, and 7b is a DART
The memories B and 8 for performing the processing are a print output interface for outputting the print processing result, 9 is an output mechanism (printer engine) for outputting the print processing result sent from the print output interface 8, and each of these components is , And a system bus 6. Hereinafter, this embodiment and the first and second embodiments will be described.
FIG. 2 shows the correspondence with each means of the sixth invention and its operation.
It will be described with reference to the like.

A first invention is a double-sided printing mechanism for printing on both sides or one side of a fed recording medium (corresponding to the output mechanism 9 shown in FIG. 2 and printing images on both sides of the recording medium as shown in FIG. 1). In a printing apparatus having a reversing mechanism for printing an image, in a double-sided printing mode by the double-sided printing mechanism, data generating means (CPU 3 in this embodiment) for analyzing input data and generating predetermined intermediate data. The print data received from the host computer 1 is analyzed from the RAM 5 functioning as a reception buffer to generate a predetermined intermediate code, and the intermediate data generated by the data generator is divided into band units. (Depending on the function of the CPU 3) and a plurality of data memories (real memory) for storing one page of intermediate data divided by the dividing means. In the example, DART memory 7a of the two pages, and 7b), the expansion processing means (in this embodiment that the expansion process in the bit map in a predetermined bandwidth units on the basis of the intermediate data stored in these data memories CPU3
However, the expansion processing may be performed by a dedicated hardware circuit), and after the bitmap processing based on the intermediate data stored in one of the data memories is started by the expansion processing means, A data processing unit (in this embodiment, by the CPU 3) for executing a first data process for starting writing of intermediate data of a subsequent page divided by the division unit;
After the start of the bitmap processing based on the intermediate data stored in the data memory 7a by 3, the first data processing for starting the writing of the intermediate data of the divided subsequent page to the other data memory 7b is executed. Before the bitmap development of the preceding page is completed, the preparation for the bitmap development of the next page of the duplex printing can be performed in parallel.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detecting means for detecting a jam of a double-sided printing mechanism (by an optical or mechanical sensor provided inside a printing apparatus main body), and whether or not the time of the detected jam is during front page processing. And a determination unit (by the function of the CPU 3) for determining the first data processing based on the intermediate data already stored in each of the data memories 7a and 7b when the CPU 3 determines that the front page processing is being performed. Is restarted, and the jam recovery time during double-sided printing processing is shortened.

Next, the processing contents of the printing apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the data processing method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. In addition,
(1) to (12) show each step.

First, the printing apparatus receives print data sent from an information processing apparatus such as the host computer 1 (1). This data is read into a reception buffer secured on the RAM 5 (2), and one page of print data is extracted from the data (3). Next, the print data is analyzed,
Intermediate data having an absolute print position where each print data is printed on the paper is created (4), and it is checked which band of the paper the individual intermediate data belongs to (5).

Next, it is determined whether there is data of the second page (6). If the processing is the processing of the first page (odd number page), the intermediate data is divided in band units for DART processing. Stored in a memory 7a (hereinafter referred to as DART memory A) (7) DART of the first page
The process is started (8). Next, the process returns to step (3), fetches the next one page of print data, and continues the process in the same manner.

On the other hand, if the process is for the second page (even page) in step (6), the intermediate data is stored in the memory 7b (9).

Next, it is checked whether the DART processing of the first page has been completed (10), and if not, wait until it is completed (11).
If the RT processing has been completed, the DART processing for the second page is started (12), and printing on both sides is completed.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and each step of the seventh invention and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

The seventh invention is a double-sided printing mechanism for printing on both sides or one side of a fed recording medium (corresponding to the output mechanism 9 shown in FIG. 2 and having images on both sides of the recording medium as shown in FIG. 1). In a printing apparatus having a reversing mechanism for printing an image, in a double-sided printing mode by the double-sided printing mechanism, data generating means (CPU 3 in the present embodiment) for analyzing input data and generating predetermined intermediate data. The print data received from the host computer 1 is analyzed from the RAM 5 functioning as a reception buffer to generate a predetermined intermediate code, and the intermediate data generated by the data generator is divided into band units. (Depending on the function of the CPU 3) and a plurality of data memories (real memory) for storing one page of intermediate data divided by the dividing means. In the example, DART memory 7a of the two pages, and 7b), the expansion processing means (in this embodiment that the expansion process in the bit map in a predetermined bandwidth units on the basis of the intermediate data stored in these data memories CPU3
However, the expansion processing may be performed by a dedicated hardware circuit.) In the data processing method of the printing apparatus, the expansion processing means stores the data in one of the data memories in the double-sided printing mode by the double-sided printing mechanism. After the start of the bitmap processing based on the divided intermediate data, a data processing step of executing a first data processing for starting writing of intermediate data of a subsequent page divided by the division unit into another data memory (FIG. Steps (6) and (9) of Step 3) are executed, and preparation for bitmap development of the next page of double-sided printing can be performed in parallel before the completion of bitmap development of the preceding page. .

In this embodiment, the DART memory has 2
However, a larger number may be prepared according to the amount of memory.

As described above, in this embodiment, the DAR
Compared to the case of one T memory, in step (9), preparation for DART processing of the next page can be performed without waiting for completion of DART processing of one page. It is possible to

Even if the paper jam occurs after step (12), if the processing does not reach step (7) of the processing of the third page of the next sheet, the intermediate memory is stored in the DART memory A used for the first page. Since data remains, recovery processing can be performed at high speed. [Second Embodiment] In the above-described first embodiment, two or a plurality of DART memories are always prepared. However, one or two DART memories may be selected.
Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a control configuration of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The difference from the first embodiment is that DART
This is a configuration in which one memory 7 is provided, and a point that a panel 10 is further provided. Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and each means of the second to fifth inventions and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

A second invention is a double-sided printing mechanism for performing printing on both sides or one side of a fed recording medium (an output mechanism 9 shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 1 and an image is printed on both sides of the recording medium as shown in FIG. 1). In a printing apparatus having a reversing mechanism for printing an image, in a double-sided printing mode by the double-sided printing mechanism, data generating means (CPU 3 in the present embodiment) for analyzing input data and generating predetermined intermediate data. The print data received from the host computer 1 is analyzed from the RAM 5 functioning as a reception buffer to generate a predetermined intermediate code, and the intermediate data generated by the data generator is divided into band units. (Depending on the function of the CPU 3) and a plurality of data memories (real memory) for storing one page of intermediate data divided by the dividing means. In the example, the DART memories 7a and 7b for two pages as shown in FIG. 2 or the DART memory 7 for one page as shown in FIG. 4) and predetermined data based on intermediate data stored in these data memories. Expansion processing means (in the present embodiment, the processing is performed by the CPU 3 but may be performed by a dedicated hardware circuit) for developing the data into a bitmap in units of bandwidth, and memory resources (such as the RAM 5 provided in the printing apparatus). Designating means (in the present embodiment, depending on the panel 10 of the printing apparatus main body)
Command may be specified from the host computer 1) and after the start of the bitmap processing based on the intermediate data stored in any of the data memories by the expansion processing means based on the memory conditions specified by the specifying means. A first data process for starting writing of intermediate data of a subsequent page divided by the division unit to another data memory or a page-by-page basis based on the intermediate data stored in the data memory by the expansion processing unit; Data processing means for starting any of the second data processing for sequentially starting the bitmap processing (in this embodiment, C
PU3), and after the CPU 3 starts bitmap processing based on intermediate data stored in one of the data memories based on the memory condition specified by the panel 10, the data is divided into other data memories. Starting either the first data processing for starting the writing of the intermediate data of the subsequent page or the second data processing for sequentially starting the bitmap processing for each page based on the intermediate data stored in the data memory; This enables double-sided printing in which either the print processing speed or the print quality is prioritized in accordance with a memory condition specified by the user for the data memory.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the specifying means specifies the capacity of the data memory to be secured from the memory resources as a memory condition, and secures a data memory for a plurality of pages from the specified memory capacity.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the designating means designates the number of data memories to be secured with a predetermined capacity from the memory resources as a memory condition, and secures the designated number of data memories.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the memory resources can be expanded by an external memory medium (the memory resources may be connected to the main body via an expansion slot, or the memory board may be mounted on a board). Secure as much memory as possible.

Hereinafter, a second data processing method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The fifth is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the second data processing method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. In addition, (1) to (16) indicate each step.

First, one or two DART memories 7 are secured according to the input contents specified by the user from the panel 10 (1). Then, the printing device receives the print data sent from the information processing device such as the host computer 1 (2). This data is read into a reception buffer secured in the RAM 5 or the like (3), and one page of print data is extracted from the data (4). Next, the print data is analyzed to create intermediate data having an absolute print position where each print data is to be printed on the paper (5), and it is checked which band of the paper each intermediate data belongs to. (6).

Next, it is determined whether there is a DART memory for two pages (7), and if NO, that is,
If only one DART memory is reserved, the intermediate data is sent to the DART memory 7 (11),
The RT process is started (12). Subsequent processing is the same as the conventional processing, and a description thereof will be omitted.

On the other hand, in step (7), if two DAs
If it is determined that the RT memory is secured, the process proceeds to step (8), and it is determined whether or not the dirt process is for the second page (even numbered page). For dirt processing, the intermediate data is DAR
The data is stored in the DART memory A on the T memory 7 (9), the DART processing of the first page is started (10), and the process returns to the step (4), and the print data of the next one page is taken out. Continue processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (8) that the process is for the second page (even numbered page), the intermediate data is stored in the DART memory B of the DART memory 7 (13).

Next, it is checked whether the DART processing of the first page has been completed (14). If it has not been completed, wait until it is completed (15).
DART processing of the second page is started (16), and printing on both sides is completed.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and the respective steps of the eighth invention and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is a double-sided printing mechanism for printing on both sides or one side of a fed recording medium (an output mechanism 9 shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 1 and an image is printed on both sides of the recording medium as shown in FIG. 1). ), Data creating means (by the function of the CPU 3) for analyzing input data and creating predetermined intermediate data, and banding the intermediate data created by the data creating means. Dividing means (by the function of the CPU 3) for dividing into units, a plurality of data memories for storing one page of intermediate data divided by the dividing means, and a predetermined memory based on the intermediate data stored in these data memories Expansion processing means (depending on the function of the CPU 3) for performing expansion processing to a bitmap in units of a bandwidth, and a finger for designating memory conditions of the data memory to be secured from memory resources Means (in this embodiment, the panel 10
(A command may be specified from the host computer 1) according to the data processing method of the printing apparatus, in the double-sided printing mode by the double-sided printing mechanism, based on the memory condition specified by the specifying unit. After the start of the bitmap processing based on the intermediate data stored in any one of the data memories, the first data processing in which the writing of the intermediate data of the subsequent page divided by the division means to the other data memory is started Alternatively, a data processing step of starting any one of the second data processing for sequentially starting bitmap processing for each page based on the intermediate data stored in the data memory by the expansion processing means (steps (7) and (7) in FIG. 5) 1
1), (12) or steps (8), (1) in FIG.
3) to (16) and steps (8) to (10)) to perform duplex printing with priority given to either the print processing speed or print image quality according to the data memory secured according to the specified memory conditions Is possible.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the user designates the number of DART memories, for example, in the case of text having a small number of print data per band, two are secured and printed at high speed. For graphic data with a large amount of print data per band, the print speed or jam recovery is reduced to one, but processing can be selected and performed as required, such as printing with high quality without lowering the resolution. .

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0062]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, after the bitmap processing based on the intermediate data stored in any one of the data memories is started by the expansion processing means, the data processing means sets the subsequent page divided by the division means with respect to another data memory. Since the first data processing for starting the writing of the intermediate data is executed, before the bitmap development of the preceding page is completed,
The preparation for the bitmap development of the next page of the duplex printing can be processed in parallel.

According to the second invention, after the bitmap processing based on the intermediate data stored in one of the data memories by the expansion processing means based on the memory condition specified by the specifying means, the data processing means A first data processing for starting writing of intermediate data of a subsequent page divided by the division unit to another data memory or a bit for each page based on the intermediate data stored in the data memory by the expansion processing unit Since any one of the second data processing for sequentially starting the map processing is started, double-sided printing is performed with priority given to either the print processing speed or the print image quality according to the memory condition specified by the user for the data memory. be able to.

According to the third aspect, the designating means designates the capacity of the data memory to be secured from the memory resources as the memory condition, so that the data memory for a plurality of pages can be secured from the designated memory capacity. .

According to the fourth aspect, the designating means designates the number of data memories to be secured with a predetermined capacity from the memory resources as a memory condition, so that the designated number of data memories can be secured.

According to the fifth aspect, since the memory resources can be expanded by the external memory medium, the number of data memories is secured as much as possible, and the bitmap expansion processing is efficiently performed from the intermediate data at the time of double-side printing. Can do well.

According to the sixth aspect, when the determination means determines that the front page processing is being performed, the data processing means restarts the first data processing based on the intermediate data already stored in each data memory. Therefore, the jam recovery time during the double-sided printing process can be reduced.

According to the seventh invention, in the double-sided printing mode by the double-sided printing mechanism, the bitmap processing based on the intermediate data stored in any one of the data memories by the expansion processing means is started, and then the other data memories are started. Performs the first data processing for starting writing of the intermediate data of the subsequent page divided by the division means.
Before completion of bitmap development of the preceding page, preparation for bitmap development of the next page of duplex printing can be processed in parallel.

According to the eighth aspect, in the duplex printing mode by the duplex printing mechanism, based on the intermediate data stored in any one of the data memories by the expansion processing means based on the memory condition designated by the designating means. After the start of the bitmap processing, first data processing for starting writing of intermediate data of a subsequent page divided by the division means to another data memory or intermediate data stored in the data memory by the expansion processing means Starts any one of the second data processing that sequentially starts the bitmap processing for each page based on the print data, and gives priority to either the print processing speed or the print image quality according to the data memory secured according to the specified memory condition. Performed double-sided printing efficiently.

Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the printing processing time for each page during the double-sided printing, and to appropriately execute the two-sided printing with the priority on the image quality or the printing speed according to the condition of the designated data memory. It works.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a printing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a data processing method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a second data processing method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 host computer 2 input interface 3 CPU 4 ROM 5 RAM 7a DART memory 7b DART memory 8 print output interface 9 output mechanism

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] In a printing apparatus having a double-sided printing mechanism for printing on both sides or one side of a fed recording medium, in a double-sided printing mode by the double-sided printing mechanism, input data is analyzed to determine predetermined intermediate data. Data dividing means for dividing the intermediate data created by the data creating means into band units, a plurality of data memories for storing one page of intermediate data divided by the dividing means, Expansion processing means for expanding the data into bitmaps in predetermined bandwidth units based on the intermediate data stored in the data memories; and a bitmap based on the intermediate data stored in any of the data memories by the expansion processing means. After the processing is started, writing of intermediate data of a subsequent page divided by the division unit into another data memory And a data processing means for executing a first data processing for starting the printing. 2. A printing apparatus having a two-sided printing mechanism for printing on both sides or one side of a recording medium to be fed, in a two-sided printing mode by the two-sided printing mechanism, analyzing input data to determine predetermined intermediate data. Data dividing means for dividing the intermediate data created by the data creating means into band units, a plurality of data memories for storing one page of intermediate data divided by the dividing means, Expansion processing means for expanding the data into bitmaps in predetermined bandwidth units based on the intermediate data stored in these data memories; specifying means for specifying memory conditions of the data memory to be secured from memory resources; The intermediate data stored in any one of the data memories by the expansion processing means based on the memory condition specified by the means. After the start of the bitmap processing based on the data, the first data processing for starting the writing of the intermediate data of the subsequent page divided by the division means to another data memory or the data stored in the data memory by the expansion processing means And a data processing means for starting any of the second data processing for sequentially starting the bitmap processing for each page based on the intermediate data. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the specifying means specifies a capacity of the data memory secured from the memory resources as a memory condition. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the designating means designates, as a memory condition, the number of data memories secured with a predetermined capacity from the memory resources. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory resources are expandable by an external memory medium. 6. A detecting means for detecting a jam of the double-sided printing mechanism, and a judging means for judging whether or not the jam detected by the detecting means is in front-side page processing. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data processing unit restarts the first data processing based on the intermediate data already stored in each data memory when it is determined that the first data processing is satisfied. 7. A double-sided printing mechanism for printing on both sides or one side of a recording medium to be fed, data creating means for analyzing input data and creating predetermined intermediate data, and creating by the data creating means Dividing means for dividing the divided intermediate data in band units, a plurality of data memories for storing one page of intermediate data divided by the dividing means, and a predetermined memory based on the intermediate data stored in these data memories. A data processing method for a printing apparatus, comprising: a raster processing unit for rasterizing a bit map into a bitmap in a unit of a bandwidth. After the start of the bitmap processing based on the data, the subsequent page divided by the division unit with respect to another data memory is A data processing method for a printing apparatus, comprising: a data processing step of executing first data processing for starting writing of intermediate data. 8. A double-sided printing mechanism for printing on both sides or one side of a recording medium to be fed, data creating means for analyzing input data and creating predetermined intermediate data, and data created by the data creating means. Dividing means for dividing the divided intermediate data in band units, a plurality of data memories for storing one page of intermediate data divided by the dividing means, and a predetermined memory based on the intermediate data stored in these data memories. A data processing method for a printing apparatus, comprising: a developing processing means for developing a bitmap in a unit of bandwidth; and a designation means for designating a memory condition of the data memory secured from memory resources. At the time, based on the memory condition specified by the specifying unit, the data is written in any one of the data memories by the expansion processing unit. After the start of the bitmap processing based on the stored intermediate data, the first data processing for starting writing of the intermediate data of the subsequent page divided by the division means into another data memory or the data processing by the expansion processing means A second method for sequentially starting bitmap processing for each page based on intermediate data stored in the memory
A data processing method for a printing apparatus, comprising a data processing step of starting any one of the data processing.