JP4573781B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having at least two data storage devices, and more particularly, to transfer printing data (data copy) from one data storage device to another data storage device. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, the amount of printing data processed in offices has increased dramatically, and image forming apparatuses such as printers used in offices are often provided with large-capacity storage devices. As this mass storage device, a hard disk device is mainly used in consideration of the cost per storage capacity, the input / output speed, and the like.

  However, since this hard disk device includes physical moving parts such as a disk and a head, it takes time to access data and consumes much power compared to a semiconductor memory or the like that does not include such moving parts. It has the property. In particular, in image forming apparatuses such as printers that are often required to operate constantly, reduction of power consumption is a very important issue. For this reason, the hard disk drive is often equipped with a power saving mode that is an operation mode for stopping the rotation of the disk when it is not used.

  However, shifting the operation of the hard disk device to the power saving mode means stopping the rotation of the built-in disk. Therefore, until the hard disk device returns to the normal operation mode from the power saving mode, Access is impossible.

  Therefore, conventionally, when the hard disk device is shifted to the power saving mode, a part of the stored contents is transferred to the semiconductor memory (data copy), and access to the transferred data occurs compared to the hard disk device. There has been proposed a computer system that performs access control so as to refer to a semiconductor memory that can be accessed at high speed and consumes little power (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, this configuration is referred to as a first conventional example. With such a configuration, in the first conventional example, it is possible to avoid accessing the hard disk device as much as possible in the power saving mode.

  However, mainly due to cost problems, it is almost impossible to mount a semiconductor memory having the same capacity as that of the hard disk device in the computer system, and the storage capacity of the semiconductor memory is actually considerably smaller than the storage capacity of the hard disk device. Therefore, depending on which information is preferentially transferred to the semiconductor memory among the information stored in the hard disk, there is an effect of speeding up access and a power saving effect by avoiding accessing the hard disk device as much as possible. Will be different. This is not taken into account in the first conventional example.

In view of this, an information processing apparatus that preferentially stores a kana-kanji conversion dictionary, an unused program, or the like in a semiconductor memory has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Hereinafter, this configuration is referred to as a second conventional example. In the second conventional example, compared to the configuration in which only frequently accessed data is transferred to the semiconductor memory, when the data such as the Kana-Kanji conversion dictionary is accessed, the access frequency is not high. Since only the semiconductor memory needs to be accessed, the access speed can be increased and power saving can be achieved.
JP-A-6-274251 JP 2000-250716 A

  However, in the second conventional example, when data other than the Kana-Kanji conversion dictionary or the like is accessed, the effect of speeding up the access cannot be obtained. In particular, these data are not stored and the printing data is mainly stored. The effect is not obtained at all in the image forming apparatus for storing.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that speeds up access to print data or an image forming apparatus that saves power by appropriately selecting print data and transferring (copying) the data to a storage device. For the purpose.

A first invention is an image forming apparatus that outputs an image corresponding to predetermined print data,
First storage means for storing the printing data;
A second storage means for temporarily storing the printing data, wherein the power consumption is lower than that of the first storage means;
Of the print data stored in the first storage means, the print data that is likely to be read at a near time within a predetermined range from the present time should be transferred to the second storage means and output. When the printing data corresponding to the image is stored in the second storage unit, the printing data is read from the second storage unit, and when the printing data is not stored in the second storage unit, the printing Control means for reading out the data for use from the first storage means ;
Output means for outputting an image corresponding to the printing data read by the control means ,
The control unit stores, in the second storage, the print data that is likely to be read out of the print data stored in the first storage unit before the period of the predetermined power saving mode. And reading from the first storage means is stopped during the period .

A second invention is an image forming apparatus for outputting an image corresponding to predetermined printing data,
First storage means for storing the printing data;
A second storage means for temporarily storing the printing data and having a higher reading speed than the first storage means;
Of the print data stored in the first storage means, the print data that is likely to be read at a near time within a predetermined range from the present time should be transferred to the second storage means and output. When the printing data corresponding to the image is stored in the second storage unit, the printing data is read from the second storage unit, and when the printing data is not stored in the second storage unit, the printing Control means for reading out the data for use from the first storage means ;
Output means for outputting an image corresponding to the printing data read by the control means ,
The control unit stores, in the second storage, the print data that is likely to be read out of the print data stored in the first storage unit before the period of the predetermined power saving mode. And reading from the first storage means is stopped during the period .

The third inventions, in the first or second aspect,
Wherein, during said period, the print data to be stored with is stored in the second storage means to the first storing means, after said period of time, in the second storage means during said period The stored printing data is stored in the first storage means.

The fourth inventions, in the first or second aspect,
The first storage means is a hard disk storage device;
The second storage means is a semiconductor memory;
The control means stops driving the hard disk storage device during the period.

According to a fifth invention, in the first or second invention,
The control means is a printing data that is highly likely to be read out of the printing data stored in the first storage means, corresponding to an image that has not yet been output by the output means. And transferring to the second storage means.

A sixth invention is the first or second invention, wherein
The control means is a print that is likely to be read out of the print data stored in the first storage means, corresponding to an image that has been output a predetermined number of times or more by the output means. The data is transferred to the second storage means as business data.

In a seventh invention according to the first or second invention,
The control means is highly likely to read out the printing data corresponding to the image output at predetermined intervals by the output means from among the printing data stored in the first storage means. The printing data is transferred to the second storage means.

In an eighth aspect based on the seventh aspect ,
The control means outputs the print data output at intervals corresponding to a predetermined period based on the output history of the print data stored in the first storage means by the output means. extracted from the print data stored in the first storage means, the printing data expected to be output from the current time to the time point close to that of a predetermined range among the extracted print data, the possibility of read Is transferred to the second storage means as print data having a high value.

According to a ninth invention, in the first or second invention,
The control unit may read the printing data stored in the first storage unit at a time when a predetermined output time is close to a predetermined time from the current time. The data is transferred to the second storage means as high printing data.

In a tenth aspect of the first or second aspect of the invention,
The control means includes, as the print data having a high possibility of being read, print data having contents to be repeatedly output among the print data stored in the first storage means. It transfers to a memory | storage means, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

In an eleventh aspect based on the first or second aspect,
The control means uses the second print data stored in the first storage means as print data that is highly likely to be read out. It transfers to the memory | storage means.

In a twelfth aspect based on the first or second aspect,
The control means print data that is highly likely to be read out, among the print data stored in the first storage means, that is designated to be preferentially output. And transferring to the second storage means.

In a thirteenth invention according to the first or second invention,
The control means includes, among the printing data stored in the first storage means, users who are specified to be permitted to output and have not yet been output to the user. The printing data is transferred to the second storage means as the printing data that is highly likely to be read out.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a first storage unit that stores predetermined print data, a second storage unit that temporarily stores the print data and consumes less power than the first storage unit, the provided, a method of controlling an image forming apparatus for outputting an image corresponding to the printing data,
Of the printing data stored in the first storage unit, printing data that is highly likely to be read at a near time within a predetermined range from the present time should be transferred to the second storage unit and output. If printing data corresponding to an image is stored in the second storage unit, the printing data is read from the second storage unit, and if not stored in the second storage unit, the printing A control step of reading data for use from the first storage unit ;
An output step of outputting an image corresponding to the printing data read in the control step ,
In the control step, the print data that is likely to be read out of the print data stored in the first storage unit before the period of the predetermined power saving mode is stored in the second storage. And reading from the first storage unit is stopped during the period .

A fifteenth aspect of the invention is a first storage unit that stores predetermined print data, a second storage unit that temporarily stores the print data, and has a higher reading speed than the first storage unit, the provided a control method of an image forming apparatus for outputting an image corresponding to the printing data,
Of the printing data stored in the first storage unit, printing data that is highly likely to be read at a near time within a predetermined range from the present time should be transferred to the second storage unit and output. If printing data corresponding to an image is stored in the second storage unit, the printing data is read from the second storage unit, and if not stored in the second storage unit, the printing A control step of reading data for use from the first storage unit ;
An output step of outputting an image corresponding to the printing data read in the control step ,
In the control step, the print data that is likely to be read out of the print data stored in the first storage unit before the period of the predetermined power saving mode is stored in the second storage. And reading from the first storage unit is stopped during the period .

A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is a first storage unit that stores predetermined print data; a second storage unit that temporarily stores the print data and consumes less power than the first storage unit; the image forming apparatus includes, for outputting an image corresponding to the printing data,
Of the printing data stored in the first storage unit, printing data that is highly likely to be read at a near time within a predetermined range from the present time should be transferred to the second storage unit and output. If printing data corresponding to an image is stored in the second storage unit, the printing data is read from the second storage unit, and if not stored in the second storage unit, the printing A control step of reading data for use from the first storage unit ;
An output step of outputting an image corresponding to the printing data read in the control step ;
In the control step, the print data that is likely to be read out of the print data stored in the first storage unit before the period of the predetermined power saving mode is stored in the second storage. And a program for stopping reading from the first storage unit during the period .

A seventeenth aspect of the invention is a first storage unit that stores predetermined print data, a second storage unit that temporarily stores the print data, and has a higher reading speed than the first storage unit, the image forming apparatus includes, for outputting an image corresponding to the printing data,
Of the printing data stored in the first storage unit, printing data that is highly likely to be read at a near time within a predetermined range from the present time should be transferred to the second storage unit and output. If printing data corresponding to an image is stored in the second storage unit, the printing data is read from the second storage unit, and if not stored in the second storage unit, the printing A control step of reading data for use from the first storage unit ;
An output step of outputting an image corresponding to the printing data read in the control step ;
In the control step, the print data that is likely to be read out of the print data stored in the first storage unit before the period of the predetermined power saving mode is stored in the second storage. while transfer section, during the time period, the order is executed to stop the reading from the first storage unit, a program.

According to the first invention, out of the printing data stored in the first storage means, the printing data that is highly likely to be read at a near time is transferred to the second storage means for output. When the printing data corresponding to the power image is stored in the second storage unit, it is not necessary to read out from the first storage unit. Therefore, the number of times of reading from the first storage unit can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the power consumption by reading the printing data (as a whole).
In addition, printing data that is highly likely to be read before the power saving mode period is transferred from the first storage unit to the second storage unit, and reading from the first storage unit is stopped during the period. The number of times of reading out again after releasing the stop of the stopped first storage means can be reduced. As a result, the printing data can be read (as a whole) to save power. When the reading speed of the second storage means is higher than that of the first storage means, the printing data can be read (as a whole) at a higher speed.

According to the second invention, among the printing data stored in the first storage unit, the printing data that is highly likely to be read at a near time is transferred to the second storage unit for output. When the printing data corresponding to the power image is stored in the second storage unit, it is not necessary to read out from the first storage unit. Therefore, the number of times of reading from the first storage unit can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to speed up the reading of printing data (as a whole).
In addition, printing data that is highly likely to be read before the power saving mode period is transferred from the first storage unit to the second storage unit, and reading from the first storage unit is stopped during the period. The number of times of reading out again after releasing the stop of the stopped first storage means can be reduced. As a result, the printing data can be read (as a whole) to save power. Note that the printing data can be read more quickly (as a whole).

According to the third invention, in the power-saving mode period, the print data to be stored in the first storage means is stored in the second storage means, since re-stored in the first storage means after a stop It is possible to reduce the number of times of writing again by releasing the stop of the first storage means. As a result, it is possible to save power for writing print data.

According to the fourth invention, the hard disk storage device having a large capacity and high power consumption is used as the first storage means, and the semiconductor memory having low power consumption is used as the second storage means. Since the drive is stopped, the number of times the hard disk storage device that has been stopped is restarted and read again can be reduced. As a result, the printing data can be read (as a whole) to save power.

According to the fifth aspect , the print data corresponding to the image that has not yet been output is transferred as the print data that has a high possibility of being read out. Therefore, the print data is likely to be read at a near time. It can be easily and surely determined whether or not.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the print data corresponding to the image that has been output a predetermined number of times or more is transferred as the print data that has a high possibility of being read out. Therefore, the print data that is highly likely to be read at a near time It can be easily and surely determined whether or not.

According to the seventh aspect , since the print data corresponding to the image output every predetermined cycle is transferred as the print data having a high possibility of being read, the print data having a high possibility of being read at a near time Judgment as to whether or not the data is easy and reliable.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, based on the output history, the printing data output for each period corresponding to a predetermined period is extracted, and is further output from the current point in time within a predetermined range. the print data expected to that, since the transfer as print data is likely to be read, the output cycle of the print data easily and reliably extract, likely print to be read in the near time Judgment as to whether or not the data is easy and reliable.

According to the ninth aspect , since the printing data whose predetermined output time is close within the predetermined range from the current time is transferred as the data for printing having a high possibility of being read, it can be read at a near time. It is possible to easily and reliably determine whether or not the data is printing data with high performance.

According to the tenth aspect, since the print data having the contents to be repeatedly output is transferred as the print data having a high possibility of being read, is the print data having a high possibility of being read at a near time? The determination of whether or not can be made easy and reliable.

According to the eleventh aspect, the printing data stored in the predetermined storage position is transferred to the second storage means as the printing data having a high possibility of being read out, so that it can be read out at a near time. It is possible to easily and reliably determine whether or not the data is printing data with high performance.

According to the twelfth aspect , print data for which preferential output is to be specified is transferred as print data that is highly likely to be read. It is possible to easily and surely determine whether the data is business data.

According to the thirteenth invention, printing data that includes a user who has been designated to be permitted to output and has not yet been output to the user is likely to be read. Therefore, it is possible to easily and surely determine whether or not the print data is likely to be read at a near time.

According to the fourteenth aspect , it is possible to provide a method for controlling an image forming apparatus that exhibits the same effect as that of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect.

According to the fifteenth aspect , it is possible to provide a control method for an image forming apparatus that exhibits the same effect as that of the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect.

According to the sixteenth aspect , it is possible to provide a program that exhibits the same effect as that of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect.

According to the seventeenth aspect , it is possible to provide a program that exhibits the same effect as that of the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<1. Overall configuration of device>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a printer (printing apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer shown in FIG. 1 receives print data (hereinafter referred to as “print job” or simply “job”) provided from an external computer terminal or the like via a communication line (not shown), and responds to the received print job. Output the image on a predetermined sheet. The print job is a file including data described in a page description language (PDL) that can be specifically interpreted by a printer.

  This printer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a memory (semiconductor memory) 102, a main control unit 10 including various interfaces, a display device including a liquid crystal display and an input device including a touch panel and buttons. Including an operation display unit 20, a hard disk storage device (hereinafter abbreviated as “hard disk” or “HDD”) 30 including a disk-shaped magnetic storage medium, an image is formed on a sheet, and the sheet is discharged out of the apparatus. An image forming unit 40, a power control unit 50 for appropriately supplying power to each unit in the printer, and a communication unit (not shown) for receiving a print job from an external computer terminal or the like via a communication line (not shown). .

  Here, the power supply control unit 50 performs an operation of saving power consumption (during standby) by turning off the power supply of the hard disk 30 in accordance with control by the main control unit 10. In contrast to the normal operation mode, such an operation mode is hereinafter referred to as a power saving mode. In this power saving mode, the power supply of each unit other than the hard disk 30 (except for the main control unit 10) is actually turned off according to circumstances. However, for convenience of explanation, the hard disk is used in the power saving mode. Assume that only 30 power sources are disconnected. Further, in the power saving mode, it is only necessary to save power consumption in the hard disk 30, so that only the rotation of the magnetic disk in the hard disk 30 may be stopped.

  Therefore, the main control unit 10 cannot access data (particularly print jobs) stored in the hard disk 30 unless the power saving mode is canceled. Therefore, in the power saving mode, the printer appropriately selects the print job and stores it in the memory 102 so that the print job can be acquired without accessing the print job stored in the hard disk 30 as much as possible. An operation of transferring (data copying) is performed. The above operation related to the power saving mode will be described in detail later.

  The memory 102 is a semiconductor memory with high speed and low power consumption, typically a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The communication line is a line for known communication connection means such as a LAN (Local Area Network) including a predetermined cable or a hub, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, or various parallel interfaces. The image forming unit 40 has a well-known configuration corresponding to various methods for image formation (for example, an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method, and the like), and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main control unit 10 connects a CPU 101, a memory 102, a system controller 103, a power supply control unit interface 111 that is a connection interface with the power supply control unit 50, and an operation display unit 20. An operation display unit interface 112 that is an interface, a hard disk interface 113 that is a connection interface with the hard disk 30, an image processing control unit 114 that performs predetermined image processing (typically by a dedicated processor or the like), and an image forming unit And an image forming unit interface 115 which is a connection interface with 40.

  The various interfaces and the system controller 103 are connected by a peripheral bus, the system controller 103 and the CPU 101 are connected by a system bus, and the system controller 103 and the memory 102 are connected by a memory bus. Since the connection by these buses is a well-known configuration in a general computer, detailed description thereof is omitted. The contents of various image processes (for example, creation of bitmap data, etc.) performed by the image processing control unit 114 and the configuration of the image processing control unit 114 are also well known, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Here, various operations of the main control unit 10 are typically realized by the CPU 101 executing a program expanded in the memory 102. Here, the program is provided by, for example, a CD-ROM that is a recording medium on which the program is recorded. That is, a CD-ROM as a recording medium for the program is mounted on a CD-ROM drive (not shown) built in the printer (or an external computer) as an auxiliary storage device, and the program is read from the CD-ROM. And installed in the hard disk 30 or written in a non-volatile memory (not shown) such as a flash memory. The program may be provided via a recording medium other than a CD-ROM or a communication line. When a predetermined operation for starting up the printer is performed, the program is transferred from the hard disk or flash memory to the main memory and expanded (temporarily stored) there. The CPU is executed. Thereby, various control processes of the main control unit 10 are realized.

  This printer accepts various instructions to the user by receiving a function for managing the state related to the image formation of the printer, such as out of toner and out of paper, and an instruction input such as the number of prints and density specified by the user via the operation display unit 20. Although it has a function of presenting information and the like, a configuration for realizing these functions is well known, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

<2. Power saving mode related operations>
<2.1 Overall operation related to power saving mode>
Next, the various operations of the main control unit 10 performed when the normal operation mode is shifted to the power saving mode described above, and when the power saving mode is canceled and the normal operation mode is restored will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a program for realizing such a power saving mode-related operation.

  In step S10 shown in FIG. 2, the main control unit 10 receives a user's operation input to the operation display unit 20, and measures a time (no operation time) during which the operation input is not received by a predetermined timer.

  In step S20, the main control unit 10 determines whether or not the no-operation time measured in step S10 has exceeded a predetermined time. As a result of the determination, if the predetermined time is exceeded (Yes in Step S20), the process proceeds to Step S30. If the predetermined time is not exceeded (No in Step S20), no operation is performed. By repeating the process of step S20 until the time exceeds a predetermined time, the camera enters a standby state. If a user operation input is received during this time, or if a print job is received from an external computer, this processing ends and the corresponding processing is performed.

  In step S <b> 30, the main control unit 10 secures a sufficient free area in the memory 102 so that the print job can be transferred (copied) to the memory 102 in step S <b> 50 described below. Note that the size (memory size) of this empty area is appropriately determined in consideration of the size of various areas such as the program placement area and its work area. In addition, when a free area is secured or at an appropriate time, among print jobs stored in the memory 102, old ones or jobs that are not likely to be reprinted are accepted automatically or a user's selection instruction is accepted. May be deleted.

  In step S <b> 40 (job selection process), the main control unit 10 performs an operation of appropriately selecting a job from print jobs stored in the hard disk 30. The selected job is a print job stored in the hard disk 30 that is considered to have a high possibility of being accessed near the main control unit 10 (at a time close to the current time). Details of this process will be described later.

  In step S50, the main control unit 10 transfers (copies) the print job selected in step S40 from the hard disk 30 to the free area in the memory 102 secured in step S30. Note that the name (or job ID) of the transferred (copied) print job is added to a predetermined copy list (not shown).

  In step S60, the main control unit 10 controls the power supply control unit 50 to turn off (turn off) the power of the hard disk 30 and shift the printer operation mode from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode.

  In step S <b> 70, the main control unit 10 takes out the data in the hard disk 30 or monitors access to the hard disk 30 for writing data into the hard disk 30.

  In step S80, the main control unit 10 determines whether or not the hard disk 30 has been accessed. As a result of the determination, if there is an access (Yes in step S80), the process of step S90 is performed. If there is no access (No in step S80), the process returns to step S70, and these processes are repeated until the hard disk is accessed (S80 → S70 → S80). Even when there is no access to the hard disk 30, if a predetermined instruction for canceling the power saving mode is received, the process of step S90 is performed in the same manner as when there is an access.

  In step S90, the main control unit 10 controls the power supply control unit 50 to connect (turn on) the power supply of the hard disk 30 and shift the printer operation mode from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode. Thereafter, the process in step S10 is started again, and these processes are repeated until the operation of the entire apparatus is stopped (S10 →... S90 → S10).

<2.2 Job selection process when shifting to power saving mode>
Next, the job selection process in step S40 shown in FIG. 2 will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the job selection process.

  In step S41 shown in FIG. 3, the main control unit 10 acquires the size (memory size) of the free area secured in step S30 shown in FIG. 2, and sets it as the current free memory size.

  In the subsequent step S42, the main control unit 10 accesses the management table including information such as the output history of each print job among the print jobs stored in the hard disk 30 to access the main control unit 10 sooner. A print job that matches a predetermined condition indicating that the print job is likely to be selected is extracted as a print job candidate to be finally selected. The specific contents of this management table and conditions will be described later.

  In step S43, the main control unit 10 determines whether the print job extracted in step S42 already exists on the memory 102 (because it has been copied). As a result of the determination, if it does not exist (No in step S43), the process proceeds to step S44. If the job already exists (Yes in step S43), the process returns to the process in step S42, the job that matches the condition is extracted, and the extracted job exists in the memory 102. The above-described processing is repeated until it is determined that there is a thing (S43 → S42 → S43). If the job to be extracted does not exist in the hard disk 30 because the condition is met in step S42, the job selection process ends, and the process returns to the process flow shown in FIG.

  In step S44, the main control unit 10 subtracts the size of the print job extracted in step S43 from the free memory size (that is, the memory size to be consumed by being arranged in the free area on the memory 102). The obtained value is set as the current free memory size.

  In step S45, the main control unit 10 determines whether or not the current free memory size obtained in step S44 is a negative value, that is, whether or not there is a free area on the memory 102. As a result of the determination, if there is an empty area (Yes in step S45), the process proceeds to step S46. If there is no free area (No in step S45), the job selection process ends, and the process returns to the flow shown in FIG.

  In step S46, the main control unit 10 selects (finally) the print job extracted as a candidate in step S42 as a print job to be copied in step S50 shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process of step S42 is started, and these processes are repeated (S46 → S42 →... → S46) until there is no print job to be extracted (or there is no empty area on the memory 102).

<2.3 Specific example conditions>
As described above, in the process in step S42, a predetermined condition indicating that the print job is considered to be likely to be accessed soon by the main control unit 10 is set. This will be specifically described with reference to eight example conditions. In addition, although the following example conditions are considered as independent conditions for convenience of explanation, some or all of these eight conditions may be used together. That is, only a print job that satisfies any one or more of the following conditions may be extracted in step S42 as having a high possibility of being accessed by the main control unit 10 soon.

(First condition example)
First, in the first condition example, the print job stored in the hard disk 30 is a print job that has not been output yet. A print job instructed to be stored in the hard disk 30 is a print job that has a high possibility of being repeatedly output, but has not been output yet. This means that the main control unit 10 may access the print job soon. It is because it is thought that is high. By setting the conditions in this way, the above condition determination can be made easily and surely. Further, a specific print job will be described as an example.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the management table including various information such as the name of the print job, the creator, and the output history stored in the hard disk 30. This management table is held in the memory 102 and is rewritten every time a print job is stored in the hard disk 30 or every time a print job is output.

  As shown in FIG. 4, this management table includes an output history, and this output history is stored in the form of the date and time (year / month / day and time) when the corresponding print job was output. Therefore, if a print job is a print job that has not been output, no date and time is stored in the corresponding output history. In FIG. 4, jobs 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 correspond to print jobs that have not yet been output. Therefore, in the first condition example, in step S42, the output history included in the management table is referred to, and there is a high possibility that a print job for which no date and time is stored in the output history will be accessed soon. Extracted as a thing.

(Second condition example)
Next, in the second condition example, the condition is that the print job stored in the hard disk 30 has been output a predetermined number of times (here, twice) or more. This is because it is considered that the print job stored in the hard disk 30 and repeatedly output is likely to be accessed by the main control unit 10 soon. By setting the conditions in this way, the above condition determination can be made easily and surely. Further, a specific print job will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the output history included in the management table is stored every time when the corresponding print job is output (year / month / day and time). D and H are output a total of three times, and job 4 is output a total of two times at dates E and I. Therefore, in this second condition example, in step S42, the output history included in the management table is referred to, and the print jobs (here, jobs 3 and 4) whose date and time are stored twice or more in the output history are close. Is extracted as having a high possibility of being accessed. Although the predetermined number of times is 2 here, it may be an integer of 3 or more, or may be an average number of times of output per one print job calculated as appropriate.

(Third condition example)
Next, in the second condition example, the print job stored in the hard disk 30 is a print job that is output every predetermined cycle. A print job stored in the hard disk 30 and outputted at a predetermined cycle is accessed by the main control unit 10 soon when a time corresponding to the predetermined cycle is near the current time from the immediately previous output time. This is because there is a high possibility that By setting the conditions in this way, the above condition determination can be made easily and surely. Further, a specific print job will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the output history included in the management table is stored every time when the corresponding print job is output (year / month / day and time). It is output at D and H. If the period from the date and time C to the date and time D and the period from the date and time D to the date and time H are substantially equal (for example, one week), when the period elapses from the date and time H that is the previous output time, Output is expected. Therefore, in the third condition example, in step S42, the output history included in the management table is referred to, and according to the output history, the print job is output at every predetermined cycle, and the output job is output from the immediately preceding output time point. A print job in which a time point corresponding to one cycle has passed is extracted as having a high possibility of being accessed soon.

  Here, since the above cycle is formed based on the user's print instruction, it is closely related to the cycle of the user's life. Typically, each output time point is almost the same (for example, around 9 o'clock). Etc.), the periodicity is often seen in the form of almost the same day of the week or almost the same day (for example, the end of the month). In some cases, periodicity may be seen in the form of the same amount (for example, around every 0 minutes), the same month, the same quarter, the same half-year, or the same year. Therefore, it is determined whether or not periodicity is seen at each output time point in consideration of the period in some or all (length) types, and the next output time point is predicted from the immediately preceding output time point. It is preferable. Such determination will be specifically described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an output history for a certain print job. The output history shown in FIG. 5 is another example of the output history shown in FIG. 6 and shows output histories corresponding to ten print jobs. Referring to FIG. 5, there are four print jobs whose output time points are in the time zone from 15:00 to 16:00, and there is no bias in other time zones. Therefore, the print job has a periodicity that printing is performed every time zone from 15:00 to 16:00. In order to determine the presence or absence of this periodicity, it is determined whether or not there is a time zone in which the number of outputs counted for each (1 hour) time zone exceeds a predetermined threshold (for example, 3). If there is a band, it is determined that the data is periodically output for each time slot. Further, it may be determined whether or not there is a time zone in which the number of outputs totaled for each (1 hour) time zone exceeds a predetermined ratio (for example, 20%) with respect to the total number of output times.

  Therefore, in step S42, the output history included in the management table is referred to, and according to the output history, it is determined that the print job is periodically output in the time zone from 15:00 to 16:00, and the current time is 15. If it is close to the time zone from 16:00 to 16:00, the print job is extracted as having a high possibility of being accessed soon.

  Furthermore, referring to FIG. 5, there are five print jobs whose output day is Thursday, which is easily derived from the output date and time, there are two print jobs which are Monday, and the other days are only one or less. So there is no big bias on days other than Thursday. Therefore, the print job has a periodicity of printing every Thursday. In order to determine the presence or absence of this periodicity, in the same manner as described above, it is determined whether there is a day of the week when the number of outputs counted for each day of the week exceeds a predetermined threshold (for example, 3). Is determined to be output periodically for each day of the week. Further, it may be determined whether or not there is a day of the week when the total number of outputs for each day of the week exceeds a predetermined ratio (for example, 30%) with respect to the total number of outputs.

  Therefore, in step S42, the output history included in the management table is referred to, and according to the output history, it is determined that the print job is periodically output on Thursday, and the current time is Thursday (or close to Thursday). In this case, the print job is extracted as having a high possibility of being accessed soon.

  Note that all the print jobs that exhibit periodicity according to the type of period may be extracted in order for each type, or priorities may be assigned according to the type of periodicity during extraction. For example, a print job having a periodicity related to a time zone may be preferentially extracted, and if there is an empty area in the memory 102, a print job having a periodicity related to a day of the week may be extracted.

  In addition, although an output history is created for each print job in the management table, some or all of these print jobs are grouped and grouped when performing the aggregation for determining the periodicity. The output history may be aggregated for each job group (hereinafter referred to as “unique job”). This grouping is performed based on a file name, a dedicated attribute (for example, a pre-assigned job ID), a storage location (stored folder), or the like. Specifically, when a character string (for example, “0112”) indicating the date and time is attached to the file name (for example, “weekly report 0112”), this is removed, and the file name from which the character string is removed (for example, “0112”) The print jobs that match the “weekly report”) are graced and handled as a set of unique jobs. The periodicity can be determined for each unique job by adding the output histories of the print jobs included in the unique job.

(Fourth condition example)
Next, in the fourth condition example, the print job stored in the hard disk 30 is a print job in which the output designation date and time is set to a date and time before the current date and time and close to a predetermined range. As a condition. This is because a print job stored in the hard disk 30 and whose output designation date and time is approaching is likely to be accessed by the main control unit 10 (at the output designation date and time close to the current time). By setting the conditions in this way, the above condition determination can be made easily and surely. Further, a specific print job will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the output designation date and time included in the management table stores the date and time (only the year / month / day and time or time) at which the corresponding print job is to be output. Output is specified in. Therefore, in the fourth condition example, in step S42, the output designation date / time included in the management table is referred to, and if the difference between the output designation date / time and the current date / time is within a predetermined value (for example, within 6 hours). The print job (for example, job 1) is extracted as having a high possibility of being accessed soon.

(Fifth condition example)
Next, in the fifth condition example, the print job stored in the hard disk 30 is a print job having the contents to be printed repeatedly (here, the file name). This is because a print job having such contents is likely to be accessed soon by the main control unit 10. By setting the conditions in this way, the above condition determination can be made easily and reliably. Further, a specific print job will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the job names included in the management table store the names of jobs 1 to 10, specifically the file names. For example, the file name of job 1 is “A-Gr daily report.doc”, the file name of job 2 is “B-Gr weekly report.doc”, and the file name of job 3 is “XX circuit specification.pdf”. It is assumed that file names indicating the contents (typically in summary) of other print jobs are also attached.

  Of the above three example file names, the daily report may only be printed on that day or the next few days, but the weekly report may be printed repeatedly on each day of the week or every few weeks thereafter High nature. Therefore, in the fifth condition example, in step S42, the job name included in the management table is referred to, and a predetermined search word (herein, “weekly report”) indicating the content to be printed repeatedly is the job name. If the print job is included, the print job is extracted as having a high possibility of being accessed soon.

  Here, an example has been described in which whether or not a predetermined search word (“weekly report”) is included in the file name assigned to each print job has been described. However, the print job is repeatedly printed. Since it is only necessary to be able to determine whether or not the print job has the content to be processed, for example, whether or not the search word is included in the document content (character string) of the print job is managed at or before the process in step S42. It may be searched when creating a table.

(Sixth condition example)
Next, the sixth condition example is a print job stored in a predetermined storage location (here, the TEMP folder) used for temporary storage among the print jobs stored in the hard disk 30. On the condition. This is because the print job stored in the storage location of the hard disk 30 is likely to be deleted soon, and is likely to be accessed soon by the main control unit 10 before being deleted. By setting the conditions in this way, the above condition determination can be made easily and surely. Further, a specific print job will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the storage location included in the management table includes the name of a folder (also referred to as “directory”) that is a logical storage location in the hard disk 30 in which the corresponding print job is stored, for example, “ Names such as “TEMP” and “Folder A” are stored. Of these names, there is a high possibility that a print job stored in the TEMP folder used for the temporary possibility will be printed soon as described above. Therefore, in the sixth condition example, in step S42, the storage location included in the management table is referred to, and if the storage location is the TEMP folder, the print job (here, jobs 5, 6, and 6 shown in FIG. 4). 10) is extracted as having a high possibility of being accessed in the near future.

  Note that the predetermined storage location used for temporary storage in the print job may be a predetermined folder or drive other than the TEMP folder. Further, as long as the storage position is highly likely to be accessed sooner than the main control unit 10, the storage position may not be used for temporary storage. For example, when a print job to be repeatedly printed is stored in a storage location with a predetermined name (for example, “repeat folder”), this condition may be that the print job is stored in the storage location.

(Seventh condition example)
Next, in the seventh condition example, the print job stored in the hard disk 30 is a print job that has been designated for priority printing (hereinafter referred to as “priority designation”). To do. This is because a print job stored in the hard disk 30 and designated for priority is likely to be accessed by the main control unit 10 soon. By setting the conditions in this way, the above condition determination can be made easily and surely. Further, a specific print job will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the priority designation included in the management table stores a priority order indicating how preferentially the corresponding print job should be printed. For example, jobs 3 and 4 have the highest priority. Priority designation of “A” indicating the priority order is performed. Therefore, in the seventh condition example, in step S42, the priority designation included in the management table is referred to, and if the priority designation is “A”, the print job (here, jobs 3 and 4) is near. Is extracted as having a high possibility of being accessed.

(Eighth condition example)
Next, in the eighth example condition, a part or all of the print jobs stored in the hard disk 30 that are permitted to print (hereinafter referred to as “printable persons”) have not been printed. Condition is a job. A print job that is stored in the hard disk 30 and has not been printed by some or all of the printable persons is accessed soon by the main control unit 10 in accordance with an instruction from a printable person who has not completed printing. This is because the possibility is high. By setting the conditions in this way, the above condition determination can be made easily and surely. Further, a specific print job will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the column of printable persons included in the management table, the user name of the person who is permitted to print the corresponding print job and the output result (date and time in parentheses) are displayed. For example, in the job 4, the user 9 prints the job at the date A and the user 8 at the date B, and the user 3 has not yet printed the job because there is no output record. Therefore, in the eighth condition example, in step S42, the printable person column included in the management table is referred to, and if there is a person who has no output record among the printable persons, the print job (here, Job 4) is extracted as having a high possibility of being accessed soon.

<3. Overall operation of print output>
Next, a print output operation by a printer that receives a print job or the like from an external computer will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of a program for realizing the operation of the main control unit 10 in the printer until receiving the above print job or the like and printing it out.

  In step S100 illustrated in FIG. 6, the main control unit 10 receives various data transmitted from an external computer. This data is generated according to an instruction from a user who uses an external computer, and is provided to the main control unit 10 via a communication line (not shown). In some cases, this data includes various requests to the printer and a print job, and the contents will be described in the processing described later.

  In step S110, the main control unit 10 determines whether or not the data received from the external computer in step S100 includes a request to output a print job stored in the hard disk 30 (hereinafter referred to as “storage output request”). to decide. This save output request includes the print job name (or job ID) to be output. As a result of the determination, if the storage output request is included (Yes in step S110), the process proceeds to step S170. If the storage output request is not included (No in step S110), the process of step S120 is performed. Proceed to

  In step S120, the main control unit 10 determines whether the data received from the external computer in step S100 includes a print job. If it is determined that the print job is included (Yes in step S120), the process proceeds to step S130. If the print job is not included (No in step S120), the process returns to step S100. The above processing is repeated until either the storage output request or the print job data is received (S120 → S100 → S110 → S120).

  In step S130, the main control unit 10 determines whether the data received from the external computer in step S100 includes a request to save the print job in the hard disk 30 together with the print job (hereinafter referred to as “save request”). To do. As a result of the determination, if the request is a save request (Yes in step S130), the process proceeds to step S140. If the request is not a save request (No in step S130), the process proceeds to step S160.

  In step S140, the main control unit 10 performs processing for storing the print job received from the external computer in step S100 in the hard disk 30. When the power of the hard disk 30 is turned off, that is, when it is in the power saving mode, the access to the hard disk 30 is generated by the storage process, so the power saving mode is canceled and the power of the hard disk 30 is turned on. (Steps S70 → S80 → S90 shown in FIG. 2).

  Subsequently, in step S150, the main control unit 10 updates the management table as shown in FIG. 4 to be referred to in step S42 shown in FIG. Specifically, the contents of the job name, creator name, printable person, output designation date / time, output history, storage location, and priority designation of the print job are newly created in the management table. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S160.

  In step S160, the main control unit 10 determines whether or not it includes a request to output the print job received from the external computer in step S100 (hereinafter referred to as “output request”). As a result of the determination, if the output request is included (Yes in step S160), the process proceeds to step S170. If the output request is not included (No in step S160), the series of the above processes is terminated. Then, a series of the above-described processes starts immediately from the process of step S100 until the apparatus stops.

  Each process shown in FIG. 2 (and FIG. 3) described above is not performed exclusively with the series of processes shown in FIG. 6, but partially (for example, step S10, FIG. 2 shown in FIG. 2). Each process in S20 and S70 to S90 is performed in parallel.

  In step S <b> 170, the main control unit 10 refers to the print job name (or job ID) to be output included in the save output request, and determines whether the print job is stored in the memory 102. . For this determination, the copy list created in step S50 shown in FIG. 2 is referred to. As a result of the determination, if it is stored in the memory 102 (Yes in step S170), a process of reading the print job from the memory 102, which is the process of step S190, is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S200. If it is not stored in the memory 102 (No in step S170), a process of reading the print job from the hard disk 30 that is the process of step S180 is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S200. As in the case of step S150, in the power saving mode, the power saving mode is canceled and the power of the hard disk 30 is turned on (steps S70 → S80 → S90 shown in FIG. 2).

  Subsequently, in step S200, the main control unit 10 updates the management table as shown in FIG. 4 to be referred to in step S42 shown in FIG. Typically, the output history in the management table corresponding to the print job to be output is rewritten. If other contents are changed, the management table is updated as appropriate.

  In step S210, the main control unit 10 reads the print job read from the memory 102 (S190) or the hard disk 30 (S180) via the image processing control unit 114 and the image forming unit interface 115. The image is sent to the image forming unit 40. As a result, an image corresponding to the print job is formed and output on a predetermined sheet. Thereafter, the series of processes is immediately started and the series of processes starts immediately from step S100 until the apparatus stops.

<4. Effect>
As described above, in the above-described embodiment, among print jobs stored in the hard disk 30, a print job that is considered to be likely to be accessed sooner than the main control unit 10 (for example, the first to eighth condition examples described above). Can be selected and transferred (copied) to the memory 102, so that the number of accesses that occur to the hard disk 30 that is powered off due to the power saving mode can be reduced. . As a result, the power consumption of the apparatus can be reduced, and access to the print job can be accelerated (as a whole).

<5. Modification>
In the above embodiment, referring to the management table shown in FIG. 4, a print job that is considered to be likely to be accessed in the near future among print jobs stored in the hard disk 30 is appropriately selected. Basis of judgment for selecting a print job that is likely to be accessed soon, such as data other than the above management table, such as attribute data attached to the print job and history data associated with the print job There is no limitation on the format or the like as long as the data can be.

  In the above-described embodiment, specific examples of eight typical conditions used in step S42 have been described. However, priorities may be assigned to these conditions. For example, first, the print job that matches the condition in step S42 is extracted as the first condition example with the first priority, and after there are no print jobs to be extracted, the process continues in step S42. A print job that matches the condition may be extracted as a second condition example in which the condition is given the second priority.

  In the above embodiment, an output history or the like is created for each print job in the management table. However, a part or all of these print jobs are grouped, and an output history or the like is displayed for each grouped job group. You may create it. This grouping is performed based on file names, dedicated attributes (such as job IDs assigned in advance), and the like. For example, when a character string indicating the date and time is attached to the file name, this is removed, and when the file name from which the character string is removed matches, it is converted into a group of jobs. The periodicity can be determined for each job group by creating a corresponding output history or the like.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print job is stored in the hard disk 30 built in the printer and appropriately bitmapped to form an image. However, the printer performs only image formation, and the other functions are the printer. The configuration may be realized by a data processing device such as a printer server connected to the computer. For example, the printer includes only the image forming unit 40 (and the image processing control unit 114) and components such as the CPU 101 for controlling them, and other components such as the hard disk 30 and the power supply control unit 50 are the above-described components. It may be provided in a data processing apparatus such as a printer server. In this case, the power consumption of the apparatus can be reduced in the data processing apparatus such as the printer server, and the access to the print job can be accelerated (as a whole).

  In the above embodiment, in step S140 shown in FIG. 6, when the power saving mode is set, the power saving mode is canceled and the print job is stored in the hard disk 30, but there is a free space in the memory 102. As long as the print job is temporarily stored only in the memory 102, the configuration may be adopted. In this configuration, after the power saving mode is canceled and the hard disk 30 is turned on (after the process of step S90 shown in FIG. 2), the operation of storing the temporarily stored print job in the hard disk 30 is performed. Done. With such a configuration, even when the save request is received, the print job is not stored in the hard disk 30 as long as there is an empty area in the memory 102. Therefore, it is not necessary to cancel the power saving mode, and the entire apparatus can be saved. Electricity can be promoted.

  In the above embodiment, the print job is transferred (copied) to the memory 102, which is a high-speed and low-power consumption semiconductor memory such as a DRAM. It may be configured to be transferred. Even in this case, the power consumption of the apparatus can be reduced. Alternatively, the data may be transferred to a storage device that is faster and consumes higher power than the hard disk 30. Even in this case, data access can be speeded up. Furthermore, the print job may be transferred during a predetermined period other than during the power saving mode.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printer (printing apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the program which implement | achieves a power saving mode related operation | movement in the said embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the job selection process in the said embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the content of the management table containing various information, such as the name of a print job stored in the hard disk in the said embodiment, a creator, and an output history. It is the figure which illustrated the output history about a certain print job in the above-mentioned embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process of the program which implement | achieves the operation | movement of the main control part in a printer until it receives and prints out the print job etc. in the said embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Main control part 20 ... Operation display part 30 ... Hard disk 40 ... Image forming part 50 ... Power supply control part 101 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 ... Memory 103 ... System controller 111 ... Power supply control part interface 112 ... Operation display part interface 113 ... Hard disk interface 114 ... Image processing control part 115 ... Image formation part interface

Claims (17)

An image forming apparatus that outputs an image corresponding to predetermined printing data,
First storage means for storing the printing data;
A second storage means for temporarily storing the printing data, wherein the power consumption is lower than that of the first storage means;
Of the print data stored in the first storage means, the print data that is likely to be read at a near time within a predetermined range from the present time should be transferred to the second storage means and output. When the printing data corresponding to the image is stored in the second storage unit, the printing data is read from the second storage unit, and when the printing data is not stored in the second storage unit, the printing Control means for reading out the data for use from the first storage means ;
Output means for outputting an image corresponding to the printing data read by the control means ,
The control unit stores, in the second storage, the print data that is likely to be read out of the print data stored in the first storage unit before the period of the predetermined power saving mode. And an image forming apparatus that stops reading from the first storage unit during the period . An image forming apparatus that outputs an image corresponding to predetermined printing data,
First storage means for storing the printing data;
A second storage means for temporarily storing the printing data and having a higher reading speed than the first storage means;
Of the print data stored in the first storage means, the print data that is likely to be read at a near time within a predetermined range from the present time should be transferred to the second storage means and output. When the printing data corresponding to the image is stored in the second storage unit, the printing data is read from the second storage unit, and when the printing data is not stored in the second storage unit, the printing Control means for reading out the data for use from the first storage means ;
Output means for outputting an image corresponding to the printing data read by the control means ,
The control unit stores, in the second storage, the print data that is likely to be read out of the print data stored in the first storage unit before the period of the predetermined power saving mode. And an image forming apparatus that stops reading from the first storage unit during the period . Wherein, during said period, the print data to be stored with is stored in the second storage means to the first storing means, after said period of time, in the second storage means during said period The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stored printing data is stored in the first storage unit. The first storage means is a hard disk storage device;
The second storage means is a semiconductor memory;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit stops driving the hard disk storage device during the period.   The control means is a printing data that is highly likely to be read out of the printing data stored in the first storage means, corresponding to an image that has not yet been output by the output means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus transfers to the second storage unit.   The control means is a print that is likely to be read out of the print data stored in the first storage means, corresponding to an image that has been output a predetermined number of times or more by the output means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is transferred to the second storage unit as data for use.   The control means is highly likely to read out the printing data corresponding to the image output at predetermined intervals by the output means from among the printing data stored in the first storage means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus transfers the print data to the second storage unit. The control means outputs the print data output at intervals corresponding to a predetermined period based on the output history of the print data stored in the first storage means by the output means. extracted from the print data stored in the first storage means, the printing data expected to be output from the current time to the time point close to that of a predetermined range among the extracted print data, the possibility of read The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the image data is transferred to the second storage unit as high printing data.   The control unit may read the printing data stored in the first storage unit at a time when a predetermined output time is close to a predetermined time from the current time. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is transferred to the second storage unit as high printing data.   The control means includes, as the print data having a high possibility of being read, print data having contents to be repeatedly output among the print data stored in the first storage means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus transfers to a storage unit.   The control means uses the second print data stored in the first storage means as print data that is highly likely to be read out. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus transfers the data to a storage unit.   The control means print data that is highly likely to be read out, among the print data stored in the first storage means, that is designated to be preferentially output. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus transfers to the second storage unit.   The control means includes, among the printing data stored in the first storage means, users who are specified to be permitted to output and have not yet been output to the user. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data is transferred to the second storage unit as the print data having a high possibility of being read. 4. A first storage unit for storing a predetermined printing data, and temporarily stores the print data, and a first second power consumption than storage unit is small the storage unit, the printing A method of controlling an image forming apparatus that outputs an image corresponding to data,
Of the printing data stored in the first storage unit, printing data that is highly likely to be read at a near time within a predetermined range from the present time should be transferred to the second storage unit and output. If printing data corresponding to an image is stored in the second storage unit, the printing data is read from the second storage unit, and if not stored in the second storage unit, the printing A control step of reading data for use from the first storage unit ;
An output step of outputting an image corresponding to the printing data read in the control step ,
In the control step, the print data that is likely to be read out of the print data stored in the first storage unit before the period of the predetermined power saving mode is stored in the second storage. And reading from the first storage unit is stopped during the period . A first storage unit for storing a predetermined printing data, and temporarily stores the print data, and a first second reading speed is greater than the storage unit of the storage unit, the printing A method of controlling an image forming apparatus that outputs an image corresponding to data,
Of the printing data stored in the first storage unit, printing data that is highly likely to be read at a near time within a predetermined range from the present time should be transferred to the second storage unit and output. If printing data corresponding to an image is stored in the second storage unit, the printing data is read from the second storage unit, and if not stored in the second storage unit, the printing A control step of reading data for use from the first storage unit ;
An output step of outputting an image corresponding to the printing data read in the control step ,
In the control step, the print data that is likely to be read out of the print data stored in the first storage unit before the period of the predetermined power saving mode is stored in the second storage. And reading from the first storage unit is stopped during the period . A first storage unit for storing a predetermined printing data, and temporarily stores the print data, and a first second power consumption than storage unit is small the storage unit, the printing In an image forming apparatus that outputs an image corresponding to data,
Of the printing data stored in the first storage unit, printing data that is highly likely to be read at a near time within a predetermined range from the present time should be transferred to the second storage unit and output. If printing data corresponding to an image is stored in the second storage unit, the printing data is read from the second storage unit, and if not stored in the second storage unit, the printing A control step of reading data for use from the first storage unit ;
An output step of outputting an image corresponding to the printing data read in the control step ;
In the control step, the print data that is likely to be read out of the print data stored in the first storage unit before the period of the predetermined power saving mode is stored in the second storage. while transfer section, during the time period, the order is executed to stop the reading from the first storage unit, a program. A first storage unit for storing a predetermined printing data, and temporarily stores the print data, and a first second reading speed is greater than the storage unit of the storage unit, the printing In an image forming apparatus that outputs an image corresponding to data,
Of the printing data stored in the first storage unit, printing data that is highly likely to be read at a near time within a predetermined range from the present time should be transferred to the second storage unit and output. If printing data corresponding to an image is stored in the second storage unit, the printing data is read from the second storage unit, and if not stored in the second storage unit, the printing A control step of reading data for use from the first storage unit ;
An output step of outputting an image corresponding to the printing data read in the control step ;
In the control step, the print data that is likely to be read out of the print data stored in the first storage unit before the period of the predetermined power saving mode is stored in the second storage. while transfer section, during the time period, the order is executed to stop the reading from the first storage unit, a program.

Images