JP4072286B2 - Output control device, control method, storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an output control apparatus that controls output to a printing unit based on an image file in a page description language data format received from a data processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, printer apparatuses including output control apparatuses have been networked, and printers have been incorporated into networks from local printers so that a plurality of users can share a single printer. Under such a network printing environment, a network printer incorporating a large sorter has been put into practical use.
[0003]
There has also been proposed a printer equipped with an electronic sorter in which a memory medium such as a hard disk is incorporated in a printer device, a print image is temporarily stored, and the sorter functions.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above conventional example, an image file described in a page description language is expanded into a raster image, and the expanded image is stored in a memory medium. Raster image images with many changes also require the same memory area on the hard disk, resulting in problems such as ineffective use of memory resources such as the hard disk.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a control command for an image file in a page description language data format received from a data processing device when storing the image file. It is to provide a mechanism that can adapt and select the data format of the image file to be stored.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The output control apparatus according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration.
An output control device for controlling output to a printing unit based on an image file in a page description language data format received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, the page description language data received from the data processing device Determining means for determining an output condition for an image file in a page description language data format received from the data processing device by interpreting a control command for the image file in the format; and converting the image file in the page description language data format Generating means for generating an intermediate file; developing means for expanding a raster image file on an image memory based on the intermediate file generated by the generating means; storage means for temporarily storing an image file of a predetermined data format; The raster image file expanded by the expansion means is According to the print output means for printing out by the printing section and the output condition determined by the determination means, the image file of the predetermined data format is stored in the storage means or the print output by the print output means is executed. Selecting means for selecting either of the printing speed or the file capacity included in the output condition when storing the image file of the predetermined data format in the storage means. A file format to be stored in the storage means is selected based on one condition.
[0026]
According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, a program for executing the output control method of any one of the first to twentieth aspects is stored in a computer-readable storage medium.
[0036]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system to which an output control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. A host computer 101 and a network printer 102 are connected to a predetermined communication medium, for example, a high-speed such as Ethernet. The communication network 103 is configured to be communicable.
[0037]
In the figure, when a network printer 102 is designated from the host computer 101 and a print output is obtained, a file in which a print control program in the host computer 101, a so-called printer driver is edited, is described in a predetermined page description language. And can be transferred to the network printer 102 via the high-speed network 103.
[0038]
As will be described in detail later, it can be directly output to the printer engine 209 or temporarily stored in the hard disk (HD) 207 so that a print output can be obtained at a convenient time. These file conversion and print output selection are performed by driver software (printer driver) installed in the host computer 101.
[0039]
In the network printer 102, reference numeral 201 denotes a network controller that controls communication with the host computer 101 and a host computer (not shown) via the network 103. For example, the network controller 201 is connected to the network 103 and receives data from the host computer 101. Control the protocol to receive. The network controller 201 may be installed as an option or installed as a standard.
[0040]
Reference numeral 202 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire network printer 102 based on a control program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 203.
[0041]
Reference numeral 204 denotes a work RAM, which can be expanded in capacity by an optional RAM (not shown). The work RAM 204 stores various types of information and also functions as a work area for the CPU 202. An image controller (ASIC) 205 controls rendering processing to the image memory 210 and transfer of the rendered image data to the printer engine 209. Specifically, the ASIC 205 is an image controller, which develops a raster image in the image memory 210 based on a file described in a page description language, and transfers the developed image based on a synchronization signal from the printer engine 209. It has a function. Details of the ASIC 205 will be described later.
[0042]
A hard disk interface (HD / I / F) 206 controls access to the hard disk 207. An operation unit 208 includes a key and a display for confirming the printing state and set contents, and can perform various operations from outside and display various information such as error information.
[0043]
Reference numeral 211 denotes a CPU bus, and the CPU 202 controls access to each device connected via the CPU bus 211. The printer engine 209 includes an inkjet printer engine, a laser beam printer engine, and the like, and drives a printer unit (not shown). The printer engine 209 is connected to the ASIC 205 via the video bus 213 and outputs a synchronization signal. The image memory 210 is connected to the ASIC 205 to develop a raster image.
[0044]
Next, the operation of each part of the system configured as described above will be described.
[0045]
The image file of the page description language data described in the page description language, for example, LIPS, PS, which is instructed to be printed directly from the host computer 101, is received by the network controller 201 and secured on the work RAM 204 via the CPU 202. For example, it is temporarily stored in a reception buffer or the like. The CPU 202 refers to the page description language data temporarily stored in the work RAM 204, converts it into intermediate language data that can be used by the ASIC 205, and sequentially stores it in the work RAM 204 again.
[0046]
When the conversion processing to the intermediate language data is completed, the CPU 202 sends an image expansion start command to the ASIC 205, and the ASIC 205 refers to the intermediate language data stored in the work RAM 204 at high speed. A raster image processing process (rendering process) is performed.
[0047]
When the CPU 202 receives an interruption from the ASIC 205 for completing the image data development processing, the CPU 202 sends an activation command to the printer engine 209 to activate the printer engine 209. At the same time, the CPU 202 sends a command to the ASIC 205 to enter the video output mode and waits for the synchronization signal 212 from the printer engine 209.
[0048]
When the printer engine 209 is activated in this way, although not shown, printing paper is fed, a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal (hereinafter collectively referred to as a synchronization signal 212) are generated and sent to the ASIC 205, When the ASIC 205 receives the synchronization signal 212, the image data developed in the image memory 210 is sequentially transferred to the printer engine 209 via the video bus 213.
[0049]
Next, an operation for temporarily storing image data in the HD 207 shown in the figure will be described. In the HD 207, a memory area (hereinafter referred to as a memory box) is individually reserved for each of a plurality of users, and an address for distinguishing each is assigned.
[0050]
As described above, when printing a document, the user can select on the print start request screen for the printer driver of the host computer 101 whether to directly obtain a print output or to store the document in a temporarily provided memory box. It has become.
[0051]
This is because, when a plurality of users on the network 103 share and use one network printer 102, for example, when print outputs overlap, they overlap on the output tray, making sorting complicated, and collecting print outputs This is because forgetting may cause loss.
[0052]
Therefore, it is devised to increase convenience by temporarily storing the document in a given memory box so that the document can be obtained in a convenient free time.
[0053]
Further, when extracting a document stored in each memory box, it can be specified from the host computer 101 or from the operation unit 208 of the network printer 102.
[0054]
The procedure for temporarily storing a document in a memory box secured on the HD 207 will be described below.
[0055]
First, a document created and edited by the host computer 101 is converted into a file composed of page description language data described in the page description language as described above, and transferred to the network printer 102 via the high-speed network 103. It has become so.
[0056]
At the same time, apart from the print command, for example, a command “store on hard disk” and a memory box number, for example, a memory box number No. 11 is secured, the memory box No. 11 is issued. This can be freely selected by the user at the host computer 101.
[0057]
In addition, when storing in the memory box, whether to give priority to the file capacity or to give priority to the speed when obtaining the print output can be selected by a command issued at the same time.
[0058]
For example, when the command “capacity” is issued, priority is given to the capacity of the file when obtaining the print output. For example, when the command “speed” is issued, priority is given to the speed when obtaining the print output, which is stored in the memory box. File format is determined.
[0059]
Detailed commands and reference values for control are added to these commands, and these commands can be sent to the printer together with these commands. These detailed parameters and reference values are set by the operation unit 208 of the printer 102 or a printer setting application or printer driver that is connected to the network 103 and started on the host computer. Each reference value of the file capacity can be set in advance.
[0060]
For example, when the command “speed” is issued, if a print output is obtained faster than a preset reference value, the file format on the hard disk 207 is advantageous in terms of speed even if the file capacity increases. Stored.
[0061]
On the other hand, for example, when the command “capacity” is issued, even if the file format is disadvantageous in speed, the hard disk 207 is given a file format in which the capacity is prioritized if the capacity can be made smaller than the reference value in advance by the setting means. Stored on top.
[0062]
Next, the flow of processing inside the network printer 102 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0063]
2 to 4 are flowcharts showing an example of a data processing procedure in the output control apparatus according to the present invention. In addition, S201-S209, S301-S308, S401-S412 show each step.
[0064]
First, in FIG. 2, in step S <b> 201, it is interpreted whether the transferred command is a normal print or stored in a memory box in the HD 207. In step S202, it is determined whether or not the print is a normal print. If it is determined that the print is a normal print, the normal print is performed in step S209, and the processing operation is terminated.
[0065]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 that the data is stored in a memory box instead of the normal print, the free capacity of the designated memory box in the HD 207 is checked in step S203.
[0066]
In step S204, it is determined whether or not the designated memory box in the HD 207 has free space. If it is determined that there is no free space, in step S210, the normal printing operation is performed, and that is indicated. To terminate the process.
[0067]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S204 that there is free space in the designated memory box in the HD 207, in step S205, the temporarily transferred image file described in the page description language is stored in the designated memory box. Note that the file name at this time is specified by the driver in the host computer 101 and is, for example, “file.P”. Here, although the suffix “.P” will be described later, the intermediate language file “.M” and the raster image file “.I” are distinguished.
[0068]
Next, in step S206, it is determined whether there is another new job or a job from another host computer. If it is determined that there is a job from another new job or another host computer, In step S211, priority is given to a new job.
[0069]
This is because the process described below uses the idle time of the job of the network printer 102 to improve the efficiency of the entire process. If it is determined in step S206 that there is no other new job or job from another host computer, the process proceeds directly to step S207.
[0070]
In step S207, the file having the file name “file.P” in step S205 is read from the hard disk 207 to the work RAM 204, and conversion into intermediate language data that can be used by the ASIC 205 is started. .M ”. Note that since the number of pages and the paper size of the raster image image developed in the image memory 210 are known in advance, the memory capacity of the raster image image after development can be calculated from the information.
[0071]
Therefore, in step S208, the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.P” and the file with the file name “file.M” and the raster image after development is compared, or the time until the print output is obtained is compared. Then, by determining the file type for storing the received language file and file with the file name “file.P” and storing it in the box designated by HD 207, efficient use of HD 207 in consideration of speed or capacity Is possible.
[0072]
In step S209 and subsequent steps, as described above, the process is switched according to the received command, “speed” or “capacity”.
[0073]
Next, referring to FIG. 3, processing when priority is given to speed will be described.
[0074]
It is assumed that the network printer 102 is currently set to select a file format with a printing speed faster and a smaller capacity than a preset reference value and store it in the HD 207.
[0075]
First, in step S301, the memory capacity of the file name “file.P” and the raster image after development are compared, and the file name “file.P” file. If it is determined that the memory capacity for the specified page of the raster image after the expansion is smaller than the memory capacity of P, the process proceeds to step S302, and the file with the file name “file.M” and the raster image image after the expansion are stored. The memory capacity for the specified page is compared, and if the memory capacity for the specified page of the raster image after development is smaller than the memory capacity of the file name “file.M”, the process proceeds to step S303 and the ASIC 205 uses the intermediate language. File file. The raster image is expanded in the image memory 210 based on the intermediate data of M, and the file name in the designated memory box secured on the HDD 207 from the image memory 210 via the ASIC 205 as the file name “fl1e.I”. After the file “file.P” is replaced and stored, this operation is terminated.
[0076]
Generally, when the same image is printed, the relationship between the print speed and the file format is file. P <file. M <file. I. This is because when the print output is obtained, the file name file. P file and file name file. It is clear that the M file requires an output preparation time as much as file conversion and image development processes are required.
[0077]
Accordingly, in step S303, the file format (image format) having the smallest capacity and the fastest printing speed is selected and stored in the hard disk 207.
[0078]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S301 that the memory capacity of the specified page of the raster image after development is larger than the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.P”, the file name “file.P” is determined in step S304. The memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.M” is compared with the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.M” by comparing the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.M”. If it is determined that the file is smaller, the process proceeds to step 305, where it is determined whether the file with the selected file name “file.P” has a print speed higher than a preset reference value. If it is determined that the value condition is satisfied, the file name “ As ile.P ", after storing in the specified memory box on the HD 207, this sequence is terminated.
[0079]
As a result, the file with the file name “file.P” has the smallest capacity and a file format that satisfies a preset speed reference value.
[0080]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S302 that the memory capacity for the specified page of the raster image after development is larger than the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.M”, the process proceeds to step S307 and the selected memory capacity is selected. It is determined whether or not the file with the file name “file.M” has a printing speed faster than a preset reference value. If it is determined that the condition for the reference value is satisfied, the file name “file.M” is determined in step S308. ”And the file with the file name“ file.P ”in the designated memory box secured in the HD 207 and stored, and then this processing operation ends.
[0081]
As a result, the file with the file name “file.M” has the smallest capacity and a file format that satisfies a preset speed reference value.
[0082]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S304 that the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.P” is larger than the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.M”, the process proceeds to step S307, and the selected file name “file. It is determined whether the file “file.M” has a printing speed faster than a preset reference value, and if it is determined that the condition of the reference value is satisfied, the file with the file name “file.M” is determined in step S308. As described above, after storing the file with the file name “file.P” in the designated memory box secured in the HD 207 and storing it, this processing operation is terminated.
[0083]
As a result, the file with the file name “file.M” has the smallest capacity and a file format that satisfies a preset speed reference value.
[0084]
On the other hand, in step S305, it is determined whether or not the file with the file name “file.P” has a printing speed faster than a preset reference value, and if it is determined that the reference value condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S307. If the file name “file.M”, which is determined to have the next smallest file capacity, is checked whether the print speed is faster than a preset reference value, and if it is determined that the condition of the reference value is satisfied In step S308, the file having the file name “file.M” is stored as a file having the file name “file.P” in the designated memory box secured in the HD 207, and then this processing operation is terminated.
[0085]
As a result, the file name “file.M” satisfies the preset reference value of speed and becomes the file format with the smallest capacity.
[0086]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S307 that the file name “file.M” has a printing speed faster than a preset reference value, and if it is determined that the reference value condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S303. After the raster image is developed on the image memory 210 by the ASIC 205, it is stored in the HD 207 as a file with the file name “file.I”.
[0087]
As a result, the file with the file name “file.I” satisfies the speed reference value set in advance and becomes the file format with the smallest capacity.
[0088]
Next, in FIG. 4, processing when priority is given to the file capacity will be described. It is assumed that a file format having a smaller capacity and a speed as fast as possible is selected from a preset reference value and stored in the HD 207.
[0089]
First, in step S401, the memory capacity for the specified page of the raster image image after development is compared with a preset reference capacity value, and the memory capacity for the specified page of the raster image image after development is compared with the reference capacity value. If the memory capacity for the specified page of the raster image after development is larger than the reference capacity value, the process proceeds to step S402, and the file with the file name “file.M” is preliminarily stored. When the file with the file name “file.M” is larger than the reference capacity value, the file with the file name “file.M” is larger than the reference capacity value. When it determines, it progresses to step S403.
[0090]
In step S403, the file name “file.P” is compared with a preset reference capacity value to determine whether the file with the file name “file.P” is larger than the reference capacity value. If it is determined that the file with the file name “file.P” is larger than the capacity value, the process proceeds to step S404.
[0091]
In step S404 and subsequent steps, the capacities of the file with the file name “file.M”, the file with the file name “file.P”, and the file with the file name “file.I” all satisfy the preset reference capacity. This corresponds to the step of finding the file format having the smallest capacity when it is determined that the file format is not satisfied.
[0092]
First, in step S404, the specified memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.P” and the raster image after development is compared, and the raster capacity after development is compared with the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.P”. It is determined whether the memory capacity for the specified page of the image image is small, and it is determined that the memory capacity for the specified page of the raster image image after development is smaller than the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.P”. If so, the process proceeds to step S405.
[0093]
In step S405, the memory capacity of the specified page of the raster image image with the file name “file.M” is compared with the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.M”. It is determined whether the memory capacity for the specified page of the raster image image is small, and it is determined that the memory capacity for the specified page of the raster image image after development is smaller than the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.M”. If so, the process proceeds to step S406.
[0094]
In step S406, the raster image is developed in the image memory 210 by the ASIC 205 from the file having the file name “file.M” as the intermediate language file, and the file having the file name “file.I” is transferred from the image memory 210 to the ASIC 205. Then, the file is replaced with the file with the file name “file.P” in the designated memory box secured in the HD 207, and then this operation is terminated.
[0095]
By these steps, even if the preset reference capacity is not satisfied, the file with the file name “file.I” is selected as the smallest file format and stored in the hard disk 207.
[0096]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S401 that the memory capacity for the specified page of the raster image after the expansion is smaller than the reference capacity value, the file name “file.I” is expanded after the raster image is expanded in step S407. It is stored on the HD 207 as a file.
[0097]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S402 that the file name “file.M” is smaller than the reference capacity value, the file having the file name “file.M” is stored in the HD 207 as it is in step S408.
[0098]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S403 that the file with the file name “file.P” is smaller than the reference capacity value, the file with the file name “file.P” is stored in the HD 207 as it is in step S409.
[0099]
When the process proceeds to step S407, step S408, and step S409, respectively, the fastest file format having a capacity equal to or smaller than the reference value is selected.
[0100]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S404 that the memory capacity for the specified page of the raster image after development is larger than the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.P”, the file name “file.P” is determined in step S410. Compare the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.M” by comparing the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.M” and whether the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.P” is smaller than the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.M”. If it is determined that the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.P” is smaller than the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.M”, the file name “file.P” is directly used in step S411. This processing operation is terminated after the file is stored in the specified memory box on the HD 207 as To.
[0101]
As a result, the file with the file name “file.P” has the smallest capacity even if it does not satisfy the preset capacity reference value.
[0102]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S405 that the memory capacity of the specified page of the raster image after development is larger than the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.M”, the process proceeds to step S412 and the file name “file. After the file “file.M” is replaced with the file with the file name “file.P” in the designated memory box on the HD 207 and stored, this processing operation ends.
[0103]
As a result, the file name “file.M” has the smallest capacity even if it does not satisfy the preset capacity reference value.
[0104]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S410 that the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.P” is larger than the memory capacity of the file with the file name “file.M”, the process proceeds to step S412 and the file name “file.P”. After the file “M” is replaced with the file with the file name “file.P” in the designated memory box on the HD 207 and stored, this processing operation ends.
[0105]
As a result, the file with the file name “file.M” has the smallest capacity even if it does not satisfy the preset capacity reference value.
[0106]
In this way, the available time of the job is used to find a file format that satisfies the conditions, and the HD 207 in which the memory box is arranged is used effectively.
[0107]
When printing a file in the memory box, for example, by designating the memory box from the operation unit 208 and designating a desired one of the stored files, a print output can be obtained. It is.
[0108]
Of course, the host computer 101 can also specify the same output. Further, when obtaining a print output, the processing is changed depending on the suffix of the file name read from the memory box on the HD 207.
[0109]
For example, when the file name suffix is “.P”, it is read out to the work RAM 204, and the normal print processing is performed as described above. When the file name suffix is “.M”, it is read out to the work RAM 204. However, if the intermediate language conversion process is omitted, the process is performed, and the file name suffix is “.I”, it is naturally read out to the image memory 210 as it is, transferred to the printer engine 209 by the ASIC 205 and printed. It has become so.
[0110]
In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the determination in step S202 is “NO” when an instruction to store in the HD 207 is received from the host computer 101.
[0111]
However, for example, when printing a document, a command to be printed in the reverse page order is received, or when printing a plurality of copies of a multi-page document (page order is 1, 2, 3, ... 1, When all the pages of the document are to be stored, such as when a command to set (print in order of 2, 3,...) Is received, an explicit command such as “job spool instruction to hard disk” is used. Even if it is not received, it is controlled to be “NO”.
[0112]
That is, in the case of a job for which a plurality of copies are designated, the print data is further analyzed, and the number of copies (1, 1, 1,... 2, 2, 2,... 3, 3, 3,. Determine whether the output is in units of pages to be output, or output in units of copies (print in the order 1, 2, 3, ... 1, 2, 3, ...). In the case of page unit output, the job is not spooled to the hard disk, but is processed as a normal job. In the case of copy unit output, the raster image is processed as a spool job spooled on the hard disk 207 with priority. .
[0113]
A job for which reverse order printing is designated is handled as a spool job spooled in the hard disk 207. In this case, the intermediate language state obtained by analyzing the page description language is preferentially spooled.
[0114]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the smallest data amount among the three page description languages, the intermediate language, and the raster image is stored in the hard disk 207 has been described. It may be configured to store information of a small amount of data by comparing the two.
[0115]
The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by a printing system to which the output control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.
[0116]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs that can be read out by a printing system to which the output control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.
[0117]
Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed Icons may also be stored.
[0118]
Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.
[0119]
The functions shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.
[0120]
As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.
[0121]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0122]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, an EEPROM, or the like is used. it can.
[0123]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0124]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0125]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when storing an image file, the data format of the image file to be stored is adapted to the control command for the image file in the page description language data format received from the data processing device. You can choose.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system to which an output control apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention can be applied.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the output control apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the output control apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the output control apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the output control apparatus according to the invention can be applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 Host computer
102 Network printer
103 network
201 Network controller
202 CPU
203 ROM
204 Work RAM
205 ASIC
207 Hard disk (HD)
209 Printer Engine

Claims (9)

An output control device that controls output to a printing unit based on an image file in a page description language data format received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium,
Determining means for determining an output condition for an image file in a page description language data format received from the data processing device by interpreting a control command for the image file in a page description language data format received from the data processing device;
Generating means for converting the image file in the page description language data format to generate an intermediate file;
Expanding means for expanding a raster image file on an image memory based on the intermediate file generated by the generating means;
Storage means for temporarily storing an image file of a predetermined data format;
Print output means for printing out the raster image file developed by the development means in the printing unit;
Selection means for selecting whether to store the image file in the predetermined data format in the storage means or to execute print output by the print output means in accordance with the output condition determined by the determination means; ,
In the case where the image file having the predetermined data format is stored in the storage unit, the selection unit stores the image file in the storage unit based on either the printing speed or the file capacity included in the output condition. An output control device characterized by selecting a file format . 2. The output control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the file format stored in the storage means is one of an image file in the page description language data format, the intermediate file, and the raster image file . The print speed condition is a print speed priority condition for selecting the file format with a fast print output speed even when the file capacity is large, when the print output can be obtained earlier than a preset reference value. the output control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. The file capacity condition is a file capacity priority condition for selecting the file format having a small file capacity even when the print output speed is reduced when the capacity can be made smaller than a preset reference value. The output control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein A control method in an output control device that controls output to a printing unit based on an image file in a page description language data format received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium,
A determination step of determining an output condition for an image file in a page description language data format received from the data processing device by interpreting a control command for the image file in a page description language data format received from the data processing device;
A generating step of converting the image file in the page description language data format to generate an intermediate file;
A developing step of developing a raster image file on an image memory based on the intermediate file generated by the generating step;
A storage step of temporarily storing an image file of a predetermined data format in a storage means;
A print output step of printing out the raster image file expanded in the expansion step in the printing unit;
A selection step of selecting whether to store the image file of the predetermined data format in the storage unit or to execute the print output by the print output step according to the output condition determined by the determination step. ,
In the case where the image file having the predetermined data format is stored in the storage unit, the selection step stores the image file in the storage unit based on one of a printing speed and a file capacity included in the output condition. A control method characterized by selecting a file format.   6. The control method according to claim 5, wherein the file format stored in the storage means is one of an image file in the page description language data format, the intermediate file, and the raster image file.   The print speed condition is a print speed priority condition for selecting the file format with a fast print output speed even when the file capacity is large, when the print output can be obtained earlier than a preset reference value. The control method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein:   The file capacity condition is a file capacity priority condition for selecting the file format having a small file capacity even when the print output speed is reduced when the capacity can be made smaller than a preset reference value. The control method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein   A storage medium storing the control method according to any one of claims 5 to 8 as a computer-readable program.

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