JP4474990B2 - Printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to timing adjustment of data transfer to a print engine in a page printer.

  In the page printer, processing for writing image data sent from the host computer into the buffer memory and processing for reading the image data from the buffer memory and transferring it to the print engine are performed.

  Since the print engine of the page printer prints page by page, the transfer process to the print engine cannot be interrupted in the middle of the page once the print engine starts the print process. For this reason, the image data to be transferred to the print engine needs to be already written in the buffer memory when reading.

  This condition is surely satisfied when the transfer process to the print engine is started after the image data for one page is stored in the buffer memory. However, the print start time in the print engine is delayed.

  Therefore, a so-called flying start is performed in which transfer to the print engine is started when a certain amount of image data is stored in the buffer memory without waiting for image data for one page to be stored. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time until the start of printing and improve the printing performance.

  The faster the start of flying, the higher the printing performance. However, if the flying start timing is too early, a printing failure (underrun error) occurs because the data to be transferred is not stored in the buffer memory. Therefore, the flying start timing is set to a safe value to avoid failure.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a reference data amount or the number of bands on the printer side or the host computer side based on the data amount of one page, the number of buffer memory sizes, the data compression rate, the data reception speed, and the like. It is proposed to start the transfer process to the print engine when the reference data amount or the image data of the number of bands is stored in the buffer memory. Here, as the data reception speed, a predicted value determined in advance according to the transmission medium is used.

JP 2000-168175 A

  The actual data reception speed may not be stable because it fluctuates depending on the communication conditions such as network traffic conditions, but the predicted value must be the value when the communication conditions are bad for safety reasons. Absent.

  Therefore, even when the actual data reception speed is faster than the predicted value and higher printing performance can be realized, the flying start is performed at the timing calculated based on the predicted value of the data reception speed. .

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for performing a flying start in consideration of an actual data reception state for data transfer to a print engine in a page printer.

A printing system having order to solve the above problems, a host, a printing device for printing the image data in page units, which are transmitted from the host, wherein the printing apparatus, page units sent from said host A first storage device for storing the image data, a printing unit for printing the video data, and a reference included in the received image data after starting reception of the page-unit image data transmitted from the host. Transfer means for starting a process of converting image data in page units stored in the first storage device into the video data and transferring it to the printing means when the time has elapsed; The display device, the input device, for each item indicating its own performance, evaluation information having an evaluation value corresponding to each item value of the item, A transfer rate correction value, which is a value for correcting a transfer rate prediction value, which is a predicted value of the amount of image data transmitted per unit time from a strike to the printing apparatus, according to a total value obtained by summing the evaluation values Transfer rate correction information to be determined, and a transfer time that is necessary for the printing apparatus to convert the image data stored in the first storage device into the video data and transfer it to the printing means, A second storage device that stores data, a data size acquisition unit that acquires a total data size of image data for each page to be transmitted to the printing device, a performance acquisition unit that acquires an item value for each item, and the display The apparatus receives an input of a correction amount for correcting a transfer rate that is a data amount of image data transmitted from the host to the printing apparatus per unit time. Correction amount reception control means for outputting information for reference, reference time calculation means for calculating the reference time, image data transfer means for transferring image data in units of pages including the calculated reference time to the printing apparatus, The reference time calculation means acquires an evaluation value corresponding to each item value for each acquired item from the evaluation information, calculates a total value of the acquired evaluation values, and transfers the transfer rate. A transfer rate correction value of the calculated total value is acquired from correction information, and a value obtained by correcting the transfer rate prediction value based on the acquired transfer rate correction value is set as the transfer rate and input from the input device The transfer rate is corrected based on the correction amount for correcting the transfer rate, and the page unit is calculated from the corrected transfer rate and the acquired total data size. The image data transfer time, which is the time required to transfer all the image data from the host to the printing apparatus, is calculated, and the calculated image data transfer time is stored in the second storage device. The reference time is calculated from the difference from the transfer time .

The host is
  Reference data calculation means for calculating a reference data amount from a product of the corrected transfer rate and the reference time, and the image data transfer means includes the calculated reference time and the calculated reference data. The image data of the page unit including is transferred to the printing apparatus, and the transfer unit of the printing apparatus includes:
  When reception of the image data transferred from the host is started, the reference time included in the image data is reached, and the data amount of the received image data reaches the reference data amount included in the image data , Starting a process of converting image data in page units stored in the first storage device into the video data and transferring it to the printing means;
  When the reference time included in the image data is reached after the reception of the image data transferred from the host is started, the data amount of the received image data reaches the reference data amount included in the image data. If not, the process of converting the page-unit image data stored in the first storage device into the video data and transferring it to the printing unit is started after the reference time is reached,
  The data amount of the received image data reaches the reference data amount included in the image data before starting the reception of the image data transferred from the host and before reaching the reference time included in the image data. In this case, the process of converting the page-unit image data stored in the first storage device into the video data and transferring it to the printing unit is started when the reference data amount is reached.

In addition, the printing system includes a host and a printing apparatus that prints image data in units of pages transmitted from the host, and the printing apparatus stores image data in units of pages transmitted from the host. A first storage device, a printing unit for printing video data, and a received data amount per unit time of image data transmitted from the host, and the image of the calculated received data amount per unit time When the amount of data corresponding to the number of transfer start bands included in the image data is received in accordance with the ratio to the transfer rate included in the data, the first time before or after the time Processing for converting image data in page units stored in one storage device into the video data and transferring it to the printing means Transfer means for starting, the host, the display device, the input device, for each item indicating its performance, evaluation information having an evaluation value corresponding to each item value of the item, A transfer rate correction value, which is a value for correcting a transfer rate prediction value, which is a predicted value of the amount of image data transmitted from the host to the printing apparatus per unit time, is determined according to a total value obtained by adding the evaluation values. Transfer rate correction information to be determined, and a transfer time that is necessary for the printing apparatus to convert the image data stored in the first storage device into the video data and transfer it to the printing means, From the second storage device for storing the item, performance acquisition means for acquiring the item value for each item, the number of bands for one page of the image data, and a fixed value that is a ratio to the number of bands A transfer start band number calculating means for calculating the transfer start band number, and a correction amount for correcting the transfer rate, which is a data amount of image data transmitted from the host to the printing apparatus to the display device per unit time. Correction amount reception control means for outputting information for receiving input, transfer rate calculation means for calculating the transfer rate, the calculated transfer start band number, and an image in units of pages including the calculated transfer rate Image data transfer means for transferring data to the printing device, and the transfer rate calculation means acquires an evaluation value corresponding to each item value for each of the acquired items from the evaluation information, and A total value of the acquired evaluation values is calculated, a transfer rate correction value of the calculated total value is acquired from the transfer rate correction information, and the transfer rate A value obtained by correcting the predicted value based on the acquired transfer rate correction value is set as the transfer rate, and the transfer rate is corrected based on a correction amount input from the input device for correcting the transfer rate. The corrected transfer rate is set as a transfer rate included in the image data.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the printing system includes a printer host 30 that functions as a printing control apparatus and a printer 10 that functions as a printing apparatus. The present invention can be applied particularly effectively when the printer host 30 and the printer 10 are connected via a computer network such as a local area network.

  The printer host 30 can be configured using a general-purpose computer having an arithmetic processing device, a storage device, a communication control device, and the like. The printer host 30 runs an operating system (OS) that is basic software for managing a computer system and a printer driver that is a computer program for causing the computer to function as the printer host 30. The printer driver is generally developed by the manufacturer of the printer 10 and is recorded and distributed on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or distributed via a computer network such as the Internet.

  The printer 10 is a page printer that receives print data transmitted from the printer host 30 and prints the data in units of pages, and includes a printer controller 100 and a print engine 200.

  The printer controller 100 receives the print data from the printer host 30, performs necessary processing, and performs a series of processing to be passed to the print engine 200 as an interface circuit 110, a DMA controller 120, a data decompression circuit 130, and a video controller 140. It has. These processing circuits can be configured by a dedicated hardware logic circuit such as an ASIC, for example.

  The printer controller 100 includes a CPU 150 that controls various processes in the printer 10, a DRAM 160 mainly used as a reception buffer memory, a ROM 170 that stores programs, and the like, and are connected to each other so as to exchange data.

  That is, print data sent from the printer host 30 is received by the interface circuit 110, and image data included in the print data is DMA-transferred to the DRAM 160 by the DMA controller 120 and stored. The image data stored in the DRAM 160 is read by the DMA controller 120. Since the image data is generally sent in a compressed state, the compressed image data DMA-transferred from the DRAM 160 by the DMA controller 120 is used as a data decompression circuit. 130 is expanded into video data. Then, the video controller 140 transmits video data to the print engine 200 in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal and horizontal synchronization signal from the print engine 200. The print engine 200 executes printing based on the video data, whereby an image is formed on the printing paper. A series of these processes is controlled by the CPU 150 according to a program recorded in the ROM 170.

  A first embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described. In the first embodiment, the printer 10 sets the timing value based on the actual value of the reception speed and the data size of the processing target page notified from the printer host 30. Furthermore, the printer 10 can adjust the timing of the flying start according to the subsequent reception status of print data.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the printer 10 in the first embodiment. This process is mainly controlled by the CPU 150 of the printer 10.

  This process starts when the printer 10 receives a print job from the printer host 30 (S101).

  The printer 10 starts receiving print data for the first page and stores the image data in the DRAM 160 (S102). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that information on the data size of the page is included in the head portion of the print data.

  When the reception of print data is started, the reception amount per unit time is measured and the reception rate is calculated (S103). Then, a reference value for flying start is set based on the calculated reception rate (S104).

  Here, an example of a method for setting a reference value for flying start will be described using a specific example. In the present embodiment, the reference value for flying start is the time from the start of reception and the amount of received data. Hereinafter, the former is referred to as “reference time” and the latter is referred to as “reference data amount”.

  It is assumed that the time T from reading data from the DRAM 160 to transferring it to the print engine 200 is 5 seconds. This value is determined by the performance of the printer and the like, and is a value that can be known in advance by actual measurement or the like, and is recorded in the printer 10. The data size V of the page being processed is assumed to be 2048 kbytes. As described above, in the present embodiment, this value is included in the head portion of the print data and is a value that can be acquired by the printer 10.

  Assume that the reception rate x measured in step S103 is, for example, 80 kbytes / second. Then, it takes V / x = 2048/80 = 25.6 (seconds) to receive the data of the page being processed.

  Since the time T until transfer to the print engine 200 is 5 seconds, assuming that the reception rate does not change, 25.6-5 = 20.6 (seconds) after the start of reception, the print engine 200 If the transfer is started, printing will be successful. This 20.6 seconds is set as a reference time.

  Further, the received data amount at the time when the reference time has elapsed since the start of reception is 80 × 20.6 = 1648 (k bytes), assuming that the reception rate does not change. This 1648 kbyte is set as the reference data amount.

  Assuming that the reception rate is constant from the time of measurement, the transfer process to the print engine 200 may be started when the reference time has elapsed since the start of reception, that is, when the reference data amount is received. However, the reception rate may change according to network traffic and the like. Therefore, the printer 10 continues to receive print data, and performs the following processing based on the elapsed time (S105) and the amount of received data (S106, S107) since the start of reception.

  That is, when the elapsed time does not reach the reference time (S105: N) and the received data amount does not reach the reference data amount (S110: N), data reception is continued.

  When the elapsed time reaches the reference time (S105: Y) and the received data amount reaches the reference data amount (S110: Y), the print data is continuously received at the same value as the measured reception rate. Therefore, the transfer process to the print engine 200 is started at the reference time as scheduled.

  When the elapsed time reaches the reference time (S105: Y) and the received data amount does not reach the reference data amount (S106: N), this indicates that the reception rate is worse than the measured reception rate. . For this reason, if the flying start is performed as scheduled, there is a possibility that printing may fail. For this reason, the flying start at this point is stopped. Then, after the print data for one page is stored in the DRAM 160 after that time, for example, the transfer process to the print engine 200 is started.

  When the elapsed time does not reach the reference time (S105: N) and the received data amount reaches the reference data amount (S110: Y), it indicates that the reception rate is improved from the measured reception rate. . For this reason, the transfer process to the print engine 200 is started at this point without waiting for the elapse of the reference time.

  When the print data for one page has been received, it is determined whether or not the print job has been completed (S108). If the print job has been completed, this process ends. On the other hand, if the print job has not ended, the processing subsequent to step S102 is performed again for the next page.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the printer 10 can acquire the data size of print data transmitted from the printer host 30. This embodiment can also be applied when the printer 10 cannot acquire the data size of the print data. Also, measurement of the reception rate at the printer host 30 can be omitted.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, when the printer host 30 generates print data, a flying start reference value is calculated based on the generated print data and the like and notified to the printer 10. On the other hand, the printer 10 adjusts the flying start reference value notified from the printer 10 and starts the transfer process to the print engine 200.

  Hereinafter, a specific processing example of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the printer driver, a predicted value f of the transfer rate is recorded in advance. This value is desirably a value that allows for safety as in the conventional case. The predicted value f of the transfer rate may be changed according to the transmission medium with the printer 10 or the like. Here, for example, 50 kbytes / second is recorded. The printer driver records a time T from reading data from the DRAM 160 in the printer 10 to transferring it to the print engine 200. Here, for example, it is assumed that 5 seconds are recorded.

  When the printer driver generates print data to be output to the printer 10 (S201), the printer driver acquires the data size V of the page to be processed (S202). Here, it is assumed that it is 1024 kbytes. The data size may be acquired based on the generated print data, or may be acquired based on data spooled intermediately for generating the print data.

  Then, the printer driver calculates the reference time and the reference data amount for this page by the following method (S203).

  First, the estimated transfer time for this page is calculated. In this example, the predicted transfer time is V / f = 1024/50 = 20.5 (seconds). Since the time T until transfer to the print engine 200 is 5 seconds, assuming that the transfer rate is as expected, printing is performed 20.5-5 = 15.5 (seconds) after the start of reception. If transfer to the engine 200 is started, printing will be successful. This 15.5 seconds is set as a reference time.

  Also, assuming that the transfer rate is as predicted, the received data amount at the time when the reference time has elapsed since the start of reception is 50 × 15.5 = 775 (k bytes). This 775 kbyte is set as the reference data amount.

  When transmitting the print data to the printer 10, the printer driver notifies the printer 10 of the calculated reference time and reference data amount (S204).

  The printer 10 that has received the print data including the reference time and the reference data amount starts measuring the elapsed time and the received data amount after receiving the print data. Then, the process after the process (S105) shown in FIG. 2 is performed, and the flying start is executed based on the elapsed time (S105) and the received data amount (S106, S107) after the start of reception.

  That is, when the elapsed time does not reach the reference time (S105: N) and the received data amount does not reach the reference data amount (S110: N), data reception is continued.

  If the elapsed time has reached the reference time (S105: Y) and the received data amount has reached the reference data amount (S110: Y), print data has been received at a value that is substantially the same as the predicted transfer rate. Therefore, the transfer process to the print engine 200 is started at the reference time as scheduled.

  When the elapsed time reaches the reference time (S105: Y) and the received data amount does not reach the reference data amount (S106: N), it indicates that the actual transfer rate is lower than the predicted transfer rate. . For this reason, if the flying start is performed as scheduled, there is a possibility that printing may fail. For this reason, the flying start at this point is stopped. Then, after the print data for one page is stored in the DRAM 160 after that time, for example, the transfer process to the print engine 200 is started.

  If the elapsed time does not reach the reference time (S105: N) and the received data amount reaches the reference data amount (S110: Y), it indicates that the actual transfer rate is higher than the predicted transfer rate. . For this reason, the transfer process to the print engine 200 is started at this point without waiting for the elapse of the reference time.

  By the way, the reference time / reference data amount, which is the reference for the timing of the flying start, is calculated based on the predicted value f of the transfer rate, as shown in step S203. Here, the actual transfer rate value is influenced by the processing capability of the printer host 30 in addition to the state of the transmission medium with the printer 10.

  Therefore, as a modification of the second embodiment, a case where the transfer rate prediction value is changed in accordance with the processing capability of the printer host 30 and the flying start timing is adjusted will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. To do. In this example, when the processing capability of the printer host 30 is higher than the processing capability assumed when the predicted value f of the transfer rate is determined, the predicted value f is used so that the flying start can be performed at an earlier timing. The reference time and the reference data amount are calculated using a high value as the transfer rate prediction value. On the other hand, when the processing capability of the printer host 30 is lower than the processing capability assumed when the predicted value f of the transfer rate is determined, a value lower than the predicted value f so that the flying start can be performed at a later timing. Is used to calculate the reference time and the reference data amount.

  In the modification of the second embodiment, when the printer driver generates print data to be output to the printer 10 (S301), the printer driver acquires the data size V of the page to be processed (S302). Up to this point, the process is the same as in the second embodiment.

  Next, the printer driver obtains information (spec) regarding the processing capability of the printer host 30 (S303). The spec can be acquired by, for example, inquiring the OS. Here, the acquired specifications are the CPU type, clock frequency, installed memory capacity, and empty memory capacity. However, these are examples, and are not limited thereto.

  Then, the transfer rate prediction value is changed based on the acquired specification of the printer host 30 (S304). Various methods can be employed for changing the predicted value. In this embodiment, the CPU type, clock frequency, mounted memory capacity, and empty memory capacity are scored, and the transfer rate prediction value is changed based on the total value.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a table for scoring the specifications of the printer host 30. This table is set in advance in the printer driver. In FIG. 5 (a), the points are distributed according to the combination of the CPU type and the clock frequency. Here, assuming that the combination of the CPU type and the clock frequency assumed when determining the predicted value f of the transfer rate is 0, the higher the processing capability, the higher the score, and the lower the processing capability. The points are assigned so that the score is lower.

  Also, in FIG. 5B, points are assigned according to the amount of installed memory, and in FIG. 5C, points are assigned according to the amount of free memory. Assuming that the amount of installed memory and the amount of free memory assumed at the time of determination are 0, the points are increased as the amount of memory is increased, and the points are decreased as the amount of memory is decreased.

  Then, from the total value of these points, the ratio for changing the transfer rate predicted value is acquired with reference to the table of FIG. 5D that defines the correspondence between the total value and the ratio.

  That is, if the total value is 0, it is almost the same as the spec assumed when determining the transfer rate prediction value f, so the change rate is 0 and the transfer rate prediction value is not changed.

  Further, it is assumed that the higher the total value is, the higher the processing capacity than the spec assumed when determining the predicted value f of the transfer rate, and a higher value is set as the predicted transfer rate. On the other hand, the lower the total value, the lower the processing capacity than the spec assumed when determining the predicted transfer rate f, and the lower value is set as the predicted transfer rate. If the total score falls below a certain reference value, the flying start is not performed.

  Then, the reference time and the reference data amount are calculated based on the changed transfer rate prediction value (S305), and the reference time and the reference data amount are transmitted to the printer 10 together with the print data (S306). As a result, the flying start timing can be adjusted according to the processing capability of the printer host 30. Note that when the specifications of the printer host 30 are high, the reference time is shortened, and the time when the printer 10 can physically start flying may fall below. In such a case, the shortest time allowed by the printer 10 is handled as the reference time.

  Further, the reference time and the reference data amount output to the printer 10 may be displayed. The reference time and the reference data amount can be displayed on a screen as shown in FIG. 6, for example. In the example of this figure, in addition to the reference time and the reference data amount, the file name and the data amount are displayed and presented to the user. In this case, when the printing system has a so-called bidirectional communication function, the printer driver acquires the received data amount and the reception time at the time of flying start actually performed by the printer 10, and combines the acquired actual values. May be displayed. Information such as the reference time and the reference data amount may be printed by the printer 10 instead of being displayed on the screen.

  In the modification of the second embodiment, the timing of the flying starter is adjusted by changing the transfer rate prediction value according to the specifications of the printer host 30. On the other hand, the flying start timing may be changed directly according to the specifications of the printer host 30.

  That is, conventionally, the flying start timing, which has been set uniformly for safety, is changed back and forth in accordance with the specifications of the printer host 30. For example, when the reference data amount A is uniformly determined as the timing of the flying start, the reference data amount A according to the ratio obtained from the values scored according to the specifications of the printer host 30 The adjusted data amount A is output to the printer 10, and the printer A starts the flying start when the adjusted data amount A is received.

  Furthermore, instead of or in addition to the modification of the second embodiment, a setting for adjusting the timing of flying start may be received from the user. The setting for adjusting the timing of the flying start can be received on a screen as shown in FIG. 7, for example.

  In the example of this figure, an instruction whether to perform a flying start is also accepted. When performing a flying star, an instruction for correcting the predicted transfer rate calculated according to the above-described standard is displayed in a slide bar format. To accept. Of course, you may make it accept by the numerical value of a ratio. Here, Max handles the shortest time allowable by the printer 10 as a reference time, and Min is set not to perform a flying start. Further, in the example of this figure, an instruction as to whether or not to output the reference data amount for flying start as shown in FIG. 6 is also accepted.

  When an instruction for a flying correction amount is received on this screen, the printer driver corrects the transfer rate predicted value f or the changed transfer rate predicted value according to the received correction amount. Based on the corrected transfer rate prediction value, the reference time and the reference data amount are calculated and transmitted to the printer 10 together with the print data.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described. This embodiment can also be applied when the printer 10 cannot acquire the data size of the print data.

  In the third embodiment, a fixed value is recorded in advance as a value related to the timing of the flying start in the printer driver. This fixed value is, for example, a ratio to the data amount for one page, and is determined based on a sample experiment at the time of development design. In the sample experiment, it is desirable to use data having a large data size and no data variation in the page.

  In this example, 95% is recorded as a fixed value. That is, it is shown that the flying start is started when 95% of the data amount for one page is received. The ratio to the data amount for one page can be converted into, for example, the number of bands.

  Here, an example of determining a fixed value will be described. As a sample value, if the transfer rate is 50 kbytes / second and the data amount for one page is 5120 kbytes, the data transfer time is 5120/50 = about 103 (seconds). Assuming that the transfer time to the engine is 5 seconds, the transfer to the print engine 200 may be started after receiving the data of 103−5 = 98 (seconds). That is, a fixed value 98/103 = about 95% can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the printer driver calculates the timing for performing the flying start using the fixed value as the number of bands, and notifies the printer 10 of it by including it in the print data. At this time, notification is made including the total number of bands per page.

  The number of bands for one page is determined according to the paper size, resolution, and the like. Here, it is assumed that one page is composed of 120 bands. Since 95% of 120 is approximately 114, the printer driver notifies the printer 10 of 114 bands out of 120 bands as the timing of flying start.

  Furthermore, the predicted value f of the transfer rate is recorded in advance in the printer driver. This value is desirably a value that allows for safety as in the conventional case. Further, it may be the same value as the transfer rate used when obtaining the fixed value. Further, the predicted value of the transfer rate may be changed according to the transmission medium with the printer 10 or the like. Here, for example, 50 kbytes / second is recorded. The printer driver also notifies this value to the printer 10 by including this value in the print data.

  On the other hand, when the printer 10 starts receiving print data sent from the printer host 30, the printer 10 measures the reception amount per unit time and calculates the reception rate, as in the first embodiment.

  Then, the calculated reception rate is compared with the predicted value f of the notified transfer rate.

  As a result, when the calculated reception rate is substantially equal to the notified predicted value f of the transfer rate, the flying start timing calculated by the printer driver is used. In other words, when the data for 114 bands notified as the timing of flying start is received, the transfer process to the print engine 200 is started.

  The remaining number of bands is the number of bands determined to be receivable during the engine transfer time based on the predicted transfer rate. Here, it is assumed that the rate of increase / decrease in the reception rate is related to the number of receivable bands.

  If the calculated reception rate is larger than the notified predicted value f of the transfer rate, the flying start is performed at a timing earlier than the flying start timing calculated by the printer driver. In this case, the degree of timing adjustment can be a value corresponding to the ratio of the calculated value to the predicted value f of the reception rate.

  For example, it is assumed that the predicted value f of the reception rate is 50 kbytes / second and the calculated value is 100 kbytes / second. At this time, the calculated value is twice the predicted value f. Therefore, with respect to the timing of starting flying start with 114 bands out of 120 bands notified from the printer 10, that is, 6 bands not received, the number of bands is double, that is, 12 bands are not received. It is determined that printing is possible even after the start of flying.

  Therefore, the printer 10 starts the transfer process to the print engine 200 when 120-12 = 108 (band) data is received.

  When the calculated reception rate is smaller than the notified transfer rate predicted value f, the flying start is performed at a timing later than the flying start timing calculated by the printer driver. In this case, the degree of timing adjustment can be a value corresponding to the ratio of the calculated value to the predicted value f of the reception rate.

  For example, it is assumed that the predicted value f of the reception rate is 50 kbytes / second and the calculated value is 40 kbytes / second. At this time, the calculated value is 0.8 times the predicted value f. Therefore, about the timing of starting the flying start in the state where 114 bands out of 120 bands notified from the printer 10, that is, 6 bands are not received, the number of bands is 0.8 times, that is, 4 bands (6 × 0). If the flying start is not started in a state where .8 = 4.8 is not received), it is determined that printing has failed.

  Therefore, the printer 10 starts the transfer process to the print engine 200 when 120-4 = 116 (bands) worth of data is received.

  Also in the third embodiment, the flying start timing can be adjusted according to the specifications of the printer host 30 as in the modification of the second embodiment.

  For example, the transfer rate prediction value f is changed based on the score obtained from the table shown in FIG. Moreover, you may make it change 95% of the fixed value which showed the example above.

  It should be noted that the present invention does not require the printer host 30 to acquire information relating to the processing status from the printer 10 as is apparent from the description of each embodiment described above. Therefore, the present invention can be effectively applied to a printing system that does not have a so-called bidirectional communication function.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the printer of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing in a printer host according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing in a printer host according to a third embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the table for scoring the specification of a printer host. The figure which shows the screen which displays reference | standard time and reference | standard data amount. The figure which shows the screen for receiving timing adjustment of a flying start.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer, 30 ... Printer host, 100 ... Printer controller, 110 ... Interface circuit, 120 ... DMA controller, 130 ... Data decompression circuit, 140 ... Video controller, 150 ... CPU, 160 ... DRAM, 170 ... ROM, 200 ... Printing engine

Claims (8)

  A printing system having a host and a printing device that prints image data in units of pages transmitted from the host,
  The printing apparatus includes:
  A first storage device for storing image data in units of pages transmitted from the host;
  Printing means for printing video data;
  The page-unit image data stored in the first storage device when a reference time included in the received image data has elapsed since the start of reception of the page-unit image data transmitted from the host And a transfer means for starting a process of converting the video data into the video means and transferring it to the printing means,
  The host is
  A display device;
  An input device;
  For each item indicating its own performance, evaluation information having an evaluation value corresponding to each item value of the item,
  A transfer rate correction value, which is a value for correcting a transfer rate prediction value, which is a predicted value of the amount of image data transmitted per unit time from the host to the printing apparatus, according to a total value obtained by summing the evaluation values. Transfer rate correction information determined by
  A second storage for storing a transfer time which is a time required for the printing apparatus to convert the image data stored in the first storage device into the video data and transfer the video data to the printing unit; Equipment,
  Data size acquisition means for acquiring the total data size of image data in units of pages to be transmitted to the printing apparatus;
  Performance acquisition means for acquiring an item value for each item;
  Correction amount acceptance control means for outputting information for accepting input of a correction amount for correcting a transfer rate, which is a data amount of image data transmitted per unit time from the host to the printing device, on the display device;
  A reference time calculating means for calculating the reference time;
  Image data transfer means for transferring image data in units of pages including the calculated reference time to the printing apparatus;
  The reference time calculation means includes
  From the evaluation information, obtain an evaluation value corresponding to each item value for each of the obtained items, calculate the total value of the obtained evaluation values,
  From the transfer rate correction information, the transfer rate correction value of the calculated total value is acquired, and the transfer rate predicted value is corrected based on the acquired transfer rate correction value as the transfer rate,
  Based on a correction amount for correcting the transfer rate input from the input device, the transfer rate is corrected, and the image in units of pages is calculated from the corrected transfer rate and the acquired total data size. An image data transfer time that is a time required to transfer all of the data from the host to the printing apparatus is calculated, and the calculated image data transfer time and a transfer time stored in the second storage device The reference time is calculated from the difference between
  A printing system featuring.   The printing system according to claim 1,
  The host is
  Reference data calculation means for calculating a reference data amount from the product of the corrected transfer rate and the reference time,
  The image data transfer means includes
  Transferring image data in page units including the calculated reference time and the calculated reference data to the printing apparatus;
  The transfer unit of the printing apparatus includes:
  When reception of the image data transferred from the host is started, the reference time included in the image data is reached, and the data amount of the received image data reaches the reference data amount included in the image data Starting a process of converting image data in page units stored in the first storage device into the video data and transferring it to the printing means.
  A printing system featuring.   The printing system according to claim 2,
  The transfer unit of the printing apparatus includes:
  When the reference time included in the image data is reached after the reception of the image data transferred from the host is started, the data amount of the received image data reaches the reference data amount included in the image data. If not, the process of converting the page-unit image data stored in the first storage device into the video data and transferring it to the printing means is started after the reference time is reached.
  A printing system featuring.   The printing system according to claim 2,
  The transfer unit of the printing apparatus includes:
  The data amount of the received image data reaches the reference data amount included in the image data before starting the reception of the image data transferred from the host and before reaching the reference time included in the image data. In this case, the process of converting the page unit image data stored in the first storage device into the video data and transferring the image data to the printing unit is started when the reference data amount is reached.
  A printing system featuring.   The printing system according to claim 1,
  The transfer rate correction value included in the transfer rate correction information is:
  The total value obtained by summing up the evaluation values indicates that the performance is higher as the transfer rate is higher.
  The total value obtained by summing up the evaluation values indicates that the transfer rate is lower as the performance is lower.
  A printing system featuring.   The printing system according to claim 1,
  The host is
  Further outputting information for displaying the calculated reference time to the display device
  A printing system featuring.   The printing system according to claim 1,
  The printing apparatus includes:
  A result transmitting means for transmitting to the host the elapsed time since the reception of the image data and the amount of received data at the time when the transfer means actually started the transfer;
  The host is
  Further outputting information for displaying the transmitted elapsed time and data amount to the display device
  A printing system featuring.   A printing system having a host and a printing device that prints image data in units of pages transmitted from the host,
  The printing apparatus includes:
  A first storage device for storing image data in units of pages transmitted from the host;
  Printing means for printing video data;
  The received data amount per unit time of the image data transmitted from the host is calculated, and the image data is determined according to the ratio of the calculated received data amount per unit time to the transfer rate included in the image data. When the amount of data included in the number of transfer start bands included is received, the image data in units of pages stored in the first storage device is stored at any timing before or after that time. Transfer means for starting the process of converting to video data and transferring it to the printing means,
  The host is
  A display device;
  An input device;
  For each item indicating its own performance, evaluation information having an evaluation value corresponding to each item value of the item,
  A transfer rate correction value, which is a value for correcting a transfer rate prediction value, which is a predicted value of the amount of image data transmitted per unit time from the host to the printing apparatus, according to a total value obtained by summing the evaluation values. Transfer rate correction information determined by
  A second storage for storing a transfer time which is a time required for the printing apparatus to convert the image data stored in the first storage device into the video data and transfer the video data to the printing unit; Equipment,
  Performance acquisition means for acquiring an item value for each item;
  Transfer start band number calculating means for calculating the transfer start band number from the number of bands for one page of the image data and a fixed value that is a ratio to the band number;
  Correction amount reception control means for outputting to the display device information for receiving an input of a correction amount for correcting the transfer rate, which is a data amount of image data transmitted from the host to the printing device per unit time; ,
  Transfer rate calculating means for calculating the transfer rate;
  Image data transfer means for transferring image data in units of pages including the calculated transfer start band number and the calculated transfer rate to the printing apparatus;
  The transfer rate calculation means includes:
  From the evaluation information, obtain an evaluation value corresponding to each item value for each of the obtained items, calculate the total value of the obtained evaluation values,
  A transfer rate correction value of the calculated total value is acquired from the transfer rate correction information, a value obtained by correcting the transfer rate prediction value based on the acquired transfer rate correction value is set as the transfer rate, and the transfer rate is The correction is performed based on the correction amount for correcting the transfer rate input from the input device, and the corrected transfer rate is set as the transfer rate included in the image data.
  A printing system featuring.

Images