JP4095296B2 - Printing apparatus and printing control method therefor - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing by converting print image data transmitted from, for example, a host computer into data suitable for an output format of a printing mechanism unit And its Print control method To the law Related.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a general usage pattern, this type of printing apparatus is connected to a host computer on a one-to-one basis via one bidirectional interface (for example, serial, parallel, USB, etc.).
[0003]
The printer driver that operates on the host computer receives print data output from an application program that also operates on the host computer, expands it into image data for each page, and performs compression processing to generate compressed image data. In addition, the compressed image data is transferred to the printing apparatus after further spool processing.
[0004]
On the other hand, when the printing apparatus starts to receive the compressed image data from the host computer, it starts the paper feeding process at the same time in order to improve the printing performance, and further performs the expansion process while sequentially receiving the compressed image data transmitted from the host computer. The decompressed image data is converted into a video signal, and the converted video signal is output to a printing mechanism (printer engine) in the printing apparatus.
[0005]
In general, such a printing process is performed for each page, and a series of printing processes is terminated. In addition, the reception processing of compressed image data transmitted from the host computer, the decompression processing of the compressed image data, and the processing of converting the decompressed image data into a video signal and outputting the video signal to the printer engine in the printing apparatus may be performed in parallel. In general, it is possible to realize high printing performance even if the storage area of the compressed image data in the printing apparatus has a small capacity.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional printing apparatus, such as a laser beam printer, once the paper feeding process is started, the printing apparatus in which the conveyance of the paper cannot be stopped halfway, the size capable of transferring the compressed image data within the paper conveyance time. Correct print results could only be obtained up to (maximum transferable size).
[0007]
In other words, when the compressed image data for each page is very large, the print processing cannot keep up with the transfer of the compressed image data from the host computer with respect to the paper conveyance speed, resulting in a lack of printing (OVER RUN). There was a problem that would cause.
[0008]
Further, recently, a print control method in which the compressed image data is once secured in a storage area (memory) in the printing apparatus and then the paper feeding process is started has been generalized. In this case, it is necessary to provide a large-capacity memory in the printing apparatus for securing one page of compressed image data. Furthermore, since the printing operation is started after all the compressed image data is once secured in the storage area in the printing apparatus, there has been a problem that the printing speed is greatly reduced.
[0009]
Accordingly, the present invention provides a printing apparatus capable of performing printing processing from a host computer while maintaining high printing performance without causing printing loss even when the memory in the printing apparatus has a small capacity. And its Print control method Law The purpose is to provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the printing apparatus of the present invention receives print data in page units and stores it in a memory, starts feeding a recording medium, and sends the print data stored in the memory to the feed In the printing apparatus for printing on the recorded recording medium, receiving means for receiving print data compressed in each segment unit and having the size of one page after compression added to the head, and the print data received by the receiving means Prepended to After compression 1 page No Acquisition means for acquiring the Izu, and the acquired After compression 1 page No Comparing means for comparing the maximum transferable size indicating the size of the compressed print data that can be transferred within the paper transport time of the printing apparatus and the comparison result by the comparing means After compression 1 page No When the size is smaller than the maximum transferable size, feeding of the recording medium is started in response to reception of the data portion of the print data, while the acquisition is performed based on the comparison result by the comparison unit. After compression 1 page No When the noise is larger than the maximum transferable size, After compression 1 page Min No A feeding start time determining unit that calculates a difference between the size and the maximum transferable size, reads the compressed print data by the calculated difference, and starts feeding the recording medium after the reading is completed. Features.
[0012]
According to the printing control method of the printing apparatus of the present invention, print data in units of pages is received and stored in a memory, feeding of the recording medium is started, and the printing data stored in the memory is sent to the fed recording medium In the printing control method of the printing apparatus for printing on the receiving device, the receiving unit of the printing apparatus receives the print data that is compressed in units of segments and the size of one page after compression is added to the head, and The acquisition unit of the printing apparatus is added to the head of the print data received in the reception step. After compression 1 page No The acquisition step for acquiring the noise and the comparison means of the printing apparatus After compression 1 page No A comparison step for comparing the size and the maximum transferable size indicating the size of the compressed print data that can be transferred within the paper conveyance time of the printing device, and a feeding start time determination means of the printing device in the comparison step It was acquired by the comparison result of After compression 1 page No When the size is smaller than the maximum transferable size, the feeding of the recording medium is started in response to reception of the data portion of the print data, while the acquisition is performed based on the comparison result in the comparison step. After compression 1 page No When the noise is larger than the maximum transferable size, After compression 1 page Min No A feed start time determination step of calculating a difference between the size and the maximum transferable size, reading the compressed print data by the calculated difference, and starting feeding of the recording medium after the reading is completed. And
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Printing apparatus of the present invention And its Print control method Legal Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a printing apparatus (laser beam printer) that performs printing in page units by an electrophotographic process method using a laser beam is shown. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. This printing system includes a host computer 100 and a printing apparatus 101.
[0015]
In the host computer 100, reference numeral 102 denotes a print information analysis unit that analyzes print information output from the application program and outputs image information when print processing of the application program running on the host computer 100 is executed.
[0016]
An image information generation unit 103 converts the image information analyzed by the print information analysis unit 102 into an intermediate language unique to the printing apparatus 101. An image data expansion / compression unit 104 expands the print image data based on the intermediate language generated by the image information generation unit 103 and compresses the expanded print image data.
[0017]
A compressed data size calculation unit 105 calculates the size of the compressed image data created by the image data expansion / compression unit 104. A spool file management unit 106 writes the compressed image data output from the image data development / compression unit 104 into a spool file. The spool file management unit 106 writes the compressed image data to the spool file, and at the same time, sequentially reads the compressed image data written to the spool file and sends it to the compressed image data transfer unit 107. A compressed image data transfer unit 107 transfers the compressed image data sent from the spool file management unit 106 to the printing apparatus 101 in synchronization with the processing in the printing apparatus 101.
[0018]
In addition, a screen display / operation control unit 210, a printing environment detection unit 209, and an application 202 are provided in the host computer 100 (see FIG. 2). The above-described units are realized by a CPU (not shown) in the host computer 100 executing a control program stored in a recording medium (not shown).
[0019]
On the other hand, in the printing apparatus 101, the print information 108 receives the compressed image data transmitted from the host computer 100, performs decompression processing, converts the decompressed image data into a video signal, and transfers it to the print mechanism unit 110. It is a control unit.
[0020]
Reference numeral 109 denotes a sheet feeding timing for realizing optimum printing performance without causing a missing page printing (OVER RUN) based on the size of the compressed image data calculated by the compressed data size calculation unit 105. A paper feed start timing determination unit, which instructs the printing mechanism unit 110 to start paper feed processing according to the timing determined by the paper feed start timing determination unit 109.
[0021]
Reference numeral 110 denotes a printing mechanism unit, which includes a printing mechanism (printer engine) 214 that controls printing control, and a control mechanism (engine controller) 213 that controls paper feeding / conveying processing (paper feeding mode and paper discharge processing) in the printing mechanism unit. (See FIG. 2).
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of each functional unit in the printing system. On the host computer 100 side, simultaneously with the activation of the host computer 100, the print information analysis unit 102, the compressed image data transfer unit 107, and the printing environment detection unit 209 in the host computer 100 are activated.
[0023]
When the operator instructs print output during execution of some application program 202, the application program 202 sends print information such as a drawing command and a control command to the print information analysis unit 102. The print information analysis unit 102 analyzes the print information output from the application program 202 and outputs image information that is the analysis result to the image information generation unit 103. Here, the print information is a print drawing command for designating data such as character codes, graphics, and images for actually performing print processing, a print position and size, a print direction (orientation), and the like.
[0024]
The image information generating unit 103 converts the image information in page units into an intermediate language unique to the printing apparatus 101 and the printing system in segment units to be described later, and generates the intermediate language for one page. The data is sent to the data expansion / compression unit 105.
[0025]
An image data expansion / compression unit 104 expands print image data based on an intermediate language in segment units, compresses the expanded print image data into compressed image data, and uses the compressed image data as a spool file management unit 106. At this time, the compressed data size calculation unit 105 performs an addition process of the size of the image data compressed in units of segments in synchronization with the compression process of the image data development / compression unit 104, and finally, for one page. Calculate the size of the compressed image data. The calculated size of the compressed image data is sent to the spool file management unit 106 together with the compressed image data.
[0026]
The spool file management unit 106 writes the compressed image data sent from the image data decompressing / compressing unit 104 to the spool file, and at the same time, sequentially reads the compressed image data for one page written in the spool file, and transfers the compressed image data. To the unit 107. The compressed image data transfer unit 107 transfers the compressed image data read from the spool file to the printing apparatus 101 via the interface cable.
[0027]
The printing environment detection unit 209 also monitors the status (status) of the printing apparatus sent from the printing apparatus 101 via the interface cable. Further, the screen display / operation control unit 210 displays the status (status) of the printing apparatus from the printing environment detection unit 209 on the screen of the host computer 100, or the printing environment performed by the operator on the printing apparatus. Set. 3, 4, and 5 are views showing the status (status) of the printing apparatus displayed on the screen of the host computer 100 by the screen display / operation control unit 210. In FIG. 3, it is displayed that printing has failed (warning), in FIG. 4, it is displayed that printing is possible, and in FIG. 5, it is displayed that printing is in progress.
[0028]
Next, the operation of each functional unit on the printing apparatus 101 side is shown. When the compressed image data for one page is written in the spool file, the host computer 100 transmits a print start command to the printing apparatus 101 via the compressed image data transfer unit 107. A print start command sent from the host computer 100 is transferred to the engine controller 213 via the printer controller 212. Here, the printer controller 212 constitutes the print information control unit 108 and the paper feed start timing determination unit 109 of FIG.
[0029]
Also, the segment unit compressed image data sent from the host computer 100 via the compressed image data transfer unit 107 is transferred to an image memory (RAM) 1304 in the printer controller 212 and decompressed to the original image data. After that, it is converted into a video signal and further sent to the printer engine 214 which performs the actual printing process.
[0030]
Here, as will be described later, the control program incorporated in the printer controller 212 is based on the size of the compressed image data sent from the host computer 100, without causing this page to be missing (OVER RUN). A paper feed start timing determining unit 109 that determines a paper feed timing for realizing optimum printing performance is realized.
[0031]
The printer controller 212 instructs the printer engine 214 to start the paper feed process at an optimal timing.
[0032]
The printing environment information of the printing mechanism unit 110 is transferred to the host computer 100 via the printer controller 212. The printing environment detection unit 209 in the host computer 100 receives the printing environment information transmitted from the printing apparatus 101 and notifies the printing information analysis unit 102 and the screen display / operation control unit 210 of the printing environment information.
[0033]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an intermediate language generation operation on the host computer 100. First, a print image for one page is divided into a plurality of portions (segment units) 302. Here, the print information analysis unit 102 and the image information generation unit 103 divide the drawing commands output from the application program 202 into segment units, convert them into intermediate language format data 301, and the host computer. 100 work memories are stored.
[0034]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of the printing process. The drawing command output from the application program 202 is converted into intermediate language format data 301 for each segment. When the intermediate language format data 301 for one page is prepared, the image data expansion / compression unit 104 sequentially expands the image data from the intermediate language in units of segments, and further compresses the data, and then writes it to the spool file 402. .
[0035]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing decompression / compression processing. First, image data expansion processing is performed for each segment from the intermediate language format data 301 generated for each segment, and further, compression processing is performed on the expanded image data 401 to generate compressed image data 901 for each segment. . This series of processing is performed for all segments, and finally, the compressed image data 902 for all segments (page units) is combined and written into the spool file 402. At this time, the total size of the image data 901 compressed for each segment by the compressed data size calculation unit 105 is written into the spool file 402 together with the compressed image data 902.
[0036]
Next, when the compressed image data 902 for one page is written in the spool file 402, the compressed image data is sequentially transferred from the spool file 402 to the printing apparatus 101.
[0037]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the format of the spool file 402. First, the spool file 402 is stored in a secondary storage device such as a hard disk as one file per document. Each file has the format shown in FIG.
[0038]
Reference numeral 1001 denotes document start information for storing information on the entire document. Information such as the number of copies is set in the document start information. Reference numeral 1002 denotes information (print data) for each page. Reference numeral 1003 denotes page start information in each page information. In the page start information 1003, information such as paper size and paper feed / outlet designation is set. As described above, reference numeral 902 denotes compressed image data in units of pages. The page-by-page compressed image data 902 includes a compressed data size and actual compressed image data. Reference numeral 1004 denotes page end information. Reference numeral 1005 denotes end information of the entire document.
[0039]
Next, an outline of the print control process of the present embodiment is shown. 10, 11 and 12 are diagrams showing the relationship between the compressed image data for one page and the maximum transferable size. In an electrophotographic process type printing apparatus such as a laser beam printer, once paper feeding is started, paper conveyance cannot be stopped during printing. Therefore, in order to improve printing performance, paper feeding is started simultaneously with the start of transfer of compressed image data from the host computer. However, in this case, a correct print result can be obtained only up to the size of the compressed image data (maximum transferable size) that can be transferred within the paper conveyance time of the printing apparatus.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 10, when the compressed image data for one page is smaller than the maximum transferable size, the maximum throughput can be realized by starting the paper feeding simultaneously with the transfer of the compressed image data. However, as shown in FIG. 11, when the compressed image data for one page is larger than the maximum transferable size, if the paper feeding is started simultaneously with the transfer of the compressed image data, the transfer of the compressed image data cannot catch up with the sheet conveyance. , Printing loss (OVER RUN) occurs. In this case, for example, the warning shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the screen of the host computer 100.
[0041]
Therefore, when the compressed image data for one page is larger than the maximum transferable size, the difference between the compressed image data size and the maximum transferable size is preceded in the reception buffer (BUFFER) of the printing apparatus 101 as shown in FIG. By transferring and starting paper feeding at the end of the differential transfer, the maximum throughput can be realized without causing printing loss.
[0042]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of the printing apparatus 101. The host computer 100 is connected to the printing apparatus 101 via an interface cable, and transmits various print data to the printing apparatus 101 and receives statuses from the printing apparatus 101.
[0043]
As described above, the printing apparatus 101 is a laser beam printer that uses a laser beam by a light emitting element, and mainly includes a printer controller 212 and a printing mechanism unit 110.
[0044]
The printer controller 212 receives print data transmitted from the host computer 100, generates a print image (bitmap data) based on the print data, and sequentially converts the bitmap data to a video signal to the print mechanism unit 110. Convert and send. The printer controller 212 receives various statuses from the printing mechanism unit 110 and transmits the statuses to the host computer 100 as necessary.
[0045]
The printing mechanism unit 110 actually forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum based on the video signal sent from the printer controller 212, reveals the latent image using toner, and transfers the latent image to paper (plain paper). Stable printing output is obtained by passing the paper through the fixing device. The printing mechanism unit 110 includes an engine controller (control unit) 213 that controls the entire printing mechanism unit, an optical system 1106, and an electrophotographic process / paper conveyance system 1107.
[0046]
The control unit 213 receives a video signal and a control command for the printing mechanism unit 110 from the printer controller 212, transmits the status of the printing mechanism unit 110 to the printer controller 212, and includes an electrophotographic process / paper transport system 1107 and an optical system. 1106 is controlled.
[0047]
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the electrophotographic process / paper transport system 1107. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 1201 denotes a paper feed cassette. Reference numeral 1202 denotes a paper transport roller. Reference numeral 1203 denotes a photosensitive drum. Reference numeral 1204 denotes a fixing device. Reference numeral 1205 denotes a sheet.
[0048]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the printer controller 212. In the figure, reference numeral 1301 denotes a host computer interface circuit, which functions as a signal input / output unit for the host computer 100. A central processing unit (CPU) 1302 controls the entire printer controller 212. A memory (ROM) 1303 stores a control program executed by a central processing unit (CPU) 1302. Reference numeral 1304 denotes a rewritable memory (RAM) that stores necessary information when the CPU 1302 executes a control program stored in a memory (ROM) 1303.
[0049]
As described above, the paper feed start timing determination unit 109 is realized by the CPU 1302 executing the control program stored in the memory (ROM) 1303. In addition, a reception buffer for compressed image data transmitted from the host computer 100 and a decompression area for the received compressed image data in segment units are secured in a memory (RAM) 1304. An output buffer register 1305 converts print image data (bitmap data) expanded in a rewritable memory (RAM) 1304 into an image signal VDO. Reference numeral 1306 denotes a synchronous clock generation circuit that generates an image clock signal VCLK synchronized with the BD signal. Reference numeral 1307 denotes an interface circuit which is a signal input / output unit for the printing mechanism unit 110.
[0050]
The printing control operation of the printing system having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the expansion / compression processing procedure of the print image data for one page and the calculation processing procedure of the compressed data size in the host computer 100. This processing program is stored in a recording medium such as a hard disk in the host computer 100, and once loaded into a RAM (not shown) in the host computer 100 at the time of execution, the CPU (in FIG. (Not shown).
[0051]
First, the compressed data size is set to 0 (step S1). Then, it is determined whether or not the processing of all the segments on this page has been completed (step S2). If all segments have not been processed, image data is developed from the intermediate language of this segment (step S3). Further, the decompressed image data is compressed (step S4). Then, the size of the compressed image data is added to the compressed data size, and the processing of the next segment is performed, so that the processing returns to step S2. On the other hand, when all the segments have been processed in step S2, the compressed data size is set at the head of the compressed image data 902 for one page, and the compressed data size is written in the spool file 402.
[0052]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a printing processing procedure in the printer controller 212 in the printing apparatus 101. This processing program is stored in the ROM 1303 in the printer controller 212 and is executed by the CPU 1302. First, the printer controller 212 in the printing apparatus 101 waits for data input from the host computer 100 (step S11). If there is any input, the input data is analyzed (step S12).
[0053]
If the input data is document start information 1001 as a result of the analysis, a print start process is performed (step S13), and the process returns to step S11 to receive the next input data. On the other hand, if the input data is information (print data) 1002 for each page, a print process is performed (step S14), and the process returns to step S11 to receive the next input data. Details of this printing process will be described later. On the other hand, if the input data is the document end information 1005, a print end process is performed (step S15), and the process returns to step S11 to receive the next input data. If the input data is other, the process returns to step S11 to receive the next input data without performing any processing.
[0054]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the print processing procedure in step S14. First, it waits for input of print data from the host computer 100 (step S21). If there is any input, the input data is analyzed (step S22). If the input data is page start information 1003 as a result of the analysis, a page start process is performed (step S23), and the process returns to step S21 to receive the next input data. On the other hand, when the input data is the compressed image data 902, the printing process is performed (step S24), and the process returns to the process of step S21 to receive the next input data. Details of this printing process will be described later. On the other hand, if the input data is page end information 1004, page end processing is performed (step S25), and this processing ends. If the input data is other, the process returns to step S21 without doing anything.
[0055]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the print processing procedure in step S24. First, the compressed data size set at the head of the compressed image data 902 is referred to, and the size of the compressed image data is compared with the maximum transferable size (step S31). If the size of the compressed image data is smaller than the maximum transferable size, the process proceeds to step S34.
[0056]
On the other hand, if the size of the compressed image data is larger than the maximum transferable size, the difference between the compressed image data size and the maximum transferable size is calculated (step S32). The compressed image data is read in advance in the reception buffer (BUFFER) by the calculated difference (step S33). After this reading is completed, the printer engine 214 is activated to start paper feeding (step S34).
[0057]
Further, while the remaining compressed image data is transferred to the reception buffer, the compressed image data is decompressed and the decompressed image data is transferred to the printer engine 214, and the processing of the compressed image data for one page is completed. This process is terminated.
[0058]
As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, only the difference between the size of the compressed image data and the maximum transferable size is transferred in advance, so that even if the reception buffer in the printing apparatus 101 has a small capacity, printing is lost. It is possible to perform printing processing from the host computer 100 while maintaining high printing performance without causing it.
[0059]
The above is the description of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments, and the functions shown in the claims or the functions of the configurations of the embodiments are included. Any configuration that can be achieved is applicable.
[0060]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the printing apparatus is a laser beam printer has been described. Nor. Further, although an electrophotographic process type printing apparatus has been shown as a printing mechanism, the present invention is applicable to any printing mechanism that performs printing processing in units of pages regardless of the printing mechanism. It is also effective for printing mechanisms (inkjet, serial, thermal transfer, etc.).
[0061]
It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus. In this case, the program code itself realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the program itself and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.
[0062]
In the above embodiment, the program codes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 17, 18, and 19 are stored in the ROM that is a storage medium. The storage medium for supplying the program code is not limited to the ROM, and for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a DVD, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, even if the memory in the printing apparatus has a small capacity, printing processing from the host computer can be performed while maintaining high printing performance without causing printing loss.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation of each functional unit in the printing system.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state (status) of the printing apparatus displayed on the screen of the host computer 100 by the screen display / operation control unit 210;
4 is a diagram illustrating a state (status) of a printing apparatus displayed on the screen of the host computer 100 by the screen display / operation control unit 210. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state (status) of the printing apparatus displayed on the screen of the host computer 100 by the screen display / operation control unit 210;
6 is a diagram showing an intermediate language generation operation on the host computer 100. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a printing process.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating decompression / compression processing;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a format of a spool file 402;
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between compressed image data for one page and a maximum transferable size.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between compressed image data for one page and a maximum transferable size.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between compressed image data for one page and a maximum transferable size.
13 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the printing apparatus 101. FIG.
14 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an electrophotographic process / paper transport system 1107. FIG.
15 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printer controller 212. FIG.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a print image data expansion / compression processing procedure and a compression data size calculation processing procedure for one page in the host computer 100;
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing procedure in the printer controller 212 in the printing apparatus 101.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a printing processing procedure in step S14.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a printing processing procedure in step S24.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Host computer
101 Printing device
110 Printing mechanism
212 Printer controller
402 Spool file
902 Compressed image data
1302 CPU
1303 ROM

Claims (2)

In a printing apparatus that receives print data in page units and stores it in a memory, starts feeding a recording medium, and prints the printing data stored in the memory on the fed recording medium,
Receiving means for receiving print data that is compressed in units of segments and the size of one page after compression is added to the head;
Acquisition means for acquiring one page size after compression, which is added to the head of the print data received by said receiving means,
Comparing means for comparing the size of one page after compression that the acquired, the maximum transferable size indicating the size of the compressed print data can be transferred in the sheet conveyance time of the printing apparatus,
When one page size after compression that the acquired by the comparison result by the comparing means is smaller than the maximum transferable size, it performs feeding start of the recording medium in response to the reception of the data portion of print data, on the other hand, if the acquired size of one page is greater than the maximum transferable size after compression by the comparison result by the comparison means, the difference between the size of one page after the compression and the maximum transferable size And a feeding start time determining means for reading the compressed print data by the calculated difference and starting feeding of the recording medium after the reading is completed. In a printing control method for a printing apparatus that receives print data in units of pages, stores the print data in a memory, starts feeding a recording medium, and prints the print data stored in the memory on the fed recording medium.
A receiving step in which the receiving unit of the printing apparatus receives print data that is compressed in units of segments and the size of one page after compression is added to the head;
Acquisition means of the printing apparatus, an acquisition step of acquiring one page size after compression, which is added to the head of the print data received in said receiving step,
Comparing the comparison means of the printing apparatus, to compare the size of one page after compression that the acquired, the maximum transferable size indicating the size of the compressed print data can be transferred in the sheet conveyance time of the printing device Process,
The feeding start timing determining means of the printing apparatus, when the size of one page after compression that the acquired comparison result in said comparing step is less than the maximum transferable size, the reception of the data portion of the print data performs feeding start of the recording medium in accordance with, on the other hand, one page of the size after compression that the acquired comparison result in said comparison step if the maximum transferable larger size after the compression calculates a one page size and the difference between the maximum transferable size, only the calculated difference reads print data after compression, and feeding start timing determining step performs feeding start of the recording medium after reading completion A printing control method for a printing apparatus, comprising:

Images