JP4605003B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for providing bitmap data to each of image forming apparatuses that execute multiple continuous printing.

  Recent image forming apparatuses are capable of many types of printing such as full-color printing and double-sided printing. Of these, double-sided printing is time-consuming printing compared to single-sided printing because the reverse side of the paper is printed in the image forming apparatus after the front side is printed and the back side is printed. Also, full-color printing is also time-consuming printing compared to monochrome printing.

  As a method for performing such printing at high speed, there is a double continuous printing. In the double continuous printing, for example, two printers are arranged, the first printer prints the front side, and the second printer prints the back side. Alternatively, spot color printing is performed in which the first printer prints in black and the second printer prints in color.

Each printer prints information described in a page description language based on bitmap data developed by a RIP (Raster Image Processor). Patent Document 1 discloses redundant printing by a printer equipped with a RIP. ing.
JP 7-237336 A

  In addition to those that perform continuous printing with a printer equipped with RIP as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the bitmap printing is provided by providing bitmap data from an image processing apparatus such as a print server equipped with RIP. Some do.

  In any of the conventional techniques, in the case of multiple continuous printing, the information described in the page description language is developed by RIP in the order of pages to be printed, and bitmap data is created. The time for developing the bitmap data used for printing in this time may differ greatly from the time for developing the bitmap data used for printing with the second printer.

  For example, in the case of document data where the front side is only the address and there are many descriptions on the back side, the time to develop the bitmap data used for printing the back side is developed to the bitmap data used for printing the front side. It will be longer than the time to do. In this case, although the printing by the first printer is completed, printing cannot be performed by the second printer, and the printer is temporarily stopped.

  Conversely, when the first printer cannot print and printing is performed using continuous paper, the slack of paper between the two printers disappears and the second printer also stops.

  Due to the structure of a printer that performs continuous printing, once it stops, even if bitmap data is provided immediately thereafter, it takes a certain time to restart for printing, so the printing speed of the printer will extremely decrease. It becomes.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for suppressing printing stop of an image forming apparatus in an image processing apparatus that provides bitmap data to a plurality of image forming apparatuses that perform continuous printing. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a first image forming apparatus that forms an image first and a second image forming apparatus that forms an image are arranged adjacent to each other, The image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus are provided corresponding to the first image forming apparatus of the multiple continuous printing apparatus that executes the multiple continuous printing, and the page description information for each page is stored in the first image forming apparatus or A first data expansion unit that expands bitmap data used when the second image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium; a second data forming apparatus corresponding to the second image forming apparatus; Second data expansion means for expanding the description information into bitmap data used when the first image forming apparatus or the second image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium; the first data expansion means; Day 2 Bit map data for the first image forming apparatus developed by the developing means is provided to the first image forming apparatus, and the second data developed by the first data developing means and the second data expanding means. And providing means for providing bitmap data for the image forming apparatus to the second image forming apparatus; and the number of bitmap data for the second image forming apparatus based on the number of bitmap data for the first image forming apparatus. The first data developing means and the first data developing means and the first data developing means are arranged so that the number obtained by subtracting the number becomes a prescribed number determined based on the amount of recording medium that can exist between the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus. First distribution means for distributing the page description information to each of the two data expansion means.

  Here, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the first image forming apparatus that forms an image first and the second image forming apparatus that forms an image later are arranged adjacent to each other, The image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus are provided corresponding to the first image forming apparatus of the multiple continuous printing apparatus that executes the multiple continuous printing, and the page description information for each page is stored in the first image forming apparatus or The second image forming apparatus develops the bitmap data used when the image is formed on the recording medium, is provided corresponding to the second image forming apparatus, and provides page description information for each page as the first image. The image forming apparatus or the second image forming apparatus develops bitmap data used when forming an image on a recording medium, and provides the decompressed bitmap data for the first image forming apparatus to the first image forming apparatus. As well as The developed bitmap data for the second image forming apparatus is provided to the second image forming apparatus, and the bit for the second image forming apparatus is calculated from the number of bitmap data for the first image forming apparatus. The page description information is distributed so that the number obtained by subtracting the number of map data is a prescribed number determined based on the amount of recording medium that can exist between the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that suppresses the printing stop of the image forming apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first holding unit for temporarily holding the bitmap data expanded by the first data expansion unit, and the bit expanded by the second data expansion unit. The second holding means for temporarily holding map data, and the first holding means and the number of bitmap data for the first image forming apparatus held in the second holding means, The absolute value of the value obtained by subtracting the number of bitmap data for the second image forming apparatus held in the first holding unit and the second holding unit is compared with a predetermined number, and the subtraction is performed. When the absolute value of the value is equal to or greater than the predetermined number and after distribution by the first distribution unit, the number of bitmap data for the first image forming apparatus and the bitmap for the second image forming apparatus Pieces of data DOO has a second allocation means for allocating said page description information to each of the first data expansion means and second data expansion means so that the same number.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the same number of bitmap data for the first image forming apparatus and bitmap data for the second image forming apparatus can be secured. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that suppresses the printing stop of the image forming apparatus.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the first image forming apparatus until the second image forming apparatus can print the recording medium on which the first image forming apparatus has finished printing. Is the number of printable sheets.

  Here, in the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect, it is possible to use a specified number of pages suitable for the printing speed of the image forming apparatus and the arrangement of the image forming apparatus.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a first image forming apparatus that forms an image first and a second image forming apparatus that forms an image later are arranged adjacent to each other, and the first image forming apparatus and the first image forming apparatus The second image forming apparatus is provided corresponding to the first image forming apparatus of the continuous printing apparatus that executes the continuous printing, and the page description information for each page is provided as the first image forming apparatus or the second image forming apparatus. A first data development stage for developing the bitmap data used when the apparatus forms an image on a recording medium, and a page description information for each page is provided corresponding to the second image forming apparatus. A second data development stage for developing the bitmap data used when the image forming apparatus or the second image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium, and the first data development stage and the second data development stage. Unfold in The bitmap data for the first image forming apparatus is provided to the first image forming apparatus, and the second image forming apparatus developed in the first data development stage and the second data development stage is provided. A provision stage for providing bitmap data to the second image forming apparatus, and page language information developed in the first data development stage and the second data development stage are converted into bits for the first image forming apparatus. The difference between the number of map data and the number of bitmap data for the second image forming apparatus is based on the amount of recording medium that can exist between the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus. A first distribution stage that distributes the predetermined number of sheets to be determined by the image processing method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus that provides bitmap data to a plurality of image forming apparatuses that perform multiple continuous printing, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method that suppress printing stoppage of the image forming apparatus. The effect that it can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a multiple printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a print server 10, a printer A12, and a printer B14. The print server 10 provides bitmap data to the printer A12 and the printer B14. The detailed configuration of the print server 10 will be described later. The print server 10 corresponds to the image processing apparatus, the printer A12 that forms an image first corresponds to the first image forming apparatus, and the printer B14 that forms an image later corresponds to the second image forming apparatus. . In the following description, forming an image by the image forming apparatus is simply expressed as printing.

  The printer A 12 and the printer B 14 execute double continuous printing by receiving bitmap data from the print server 10. In order to execute double continuous printing, the printer A12 and the printer B14 are arranged adjacent to each other as illustrated. Further, a recording medium such as a sheet printed by the printer A12 is transported between the printers as shown in the drawing, and is printed by the printer B14.

  Further, “S sheets” in the figure is a number determined based on the amount of recording media that can exist, and is determined by the distance between the printers and the printing speed of the printer. Specifically, this is the number of sheets that can be printed by the printer A12 before the printer B14 can print the paper on which the printer A12 has finished printing. Therefore, the value of S is already determined when the printer is installed. The number S is a specified number and is a specified number of pages used in later explanation.

  The print server 10 described above is connected to the printer A12 and the printer B14 via a network.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the print server 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The print server 10 includes a CPU 18, HDD 20, RAM 22, network I / F unit 24, ROM 26, display unit 28, operation input unit 30, and bus 32.

  The CPU 18 controls the overall operation of the print server 10, and a flowchart showing processing of the print server 10 described later is executed by the CPU 18. The HDD 20 is a non-volatile storage device in which an OS (Operating System), a program for executing RIP processing, and the like are recorded. The RAM 22 is a volatile storage device in which programs for executing OS and RIP processing and bitmap data are stored. The network I / F unit 24 is for connecting to a network, and includes a NIC (Network Interface Card) and its driver. The ROM 26 is a non-volatile storage device that stores a boot program that operates when the print server 10 is started. The display unit 28 displays information related to the print server 10 to the operator. The operation input unit 30 is used when an operator inputs operations and information of the print server 10. The bus 32 is used when information is exchanged.

  Next, the software configuration of the print server 10 will be described. In the following description, information for each page described in the page description language is expressed as page description information. Further, in the following description, bitmap data used when the printer A12 performs printing is expressed as printer A print data, and page description information corresponding to the printer A print data is expressed as printer A page description information. The same applies to the printer B14.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the print server 10. The software configuration of the print server 10 includes a distribution unit 40, a RIPa 42, a RIPb 44, a buffer A 46, a buffer B 48, a buffer comparison unit 50, and a bitmap data providing unit 52.

  The distribution unit 40 RIPA 42 so that the number of printer B print data subtracted from the number of printer A print data is equal to or greater than a predetermined number determined based on the amount of recording medium that can exist between the printer A 12 and the printer B 14. And RIPb 44, the first distribution means for distributing the page description information to each of the RIPb 44.

  The distribution unit 40 subtracts the number of bitmap data for the printer B14 held in the buffer A46 and the buffer B48 from the number of bitmap data for the printer A12 held in the buffer A46 and the buffer B48. If the absolute value of the value is compared with a predetermined number and the absolute value of the subtracted value is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the number of bitmap data for printer A12 and the number of bitmap data for printer B14 are This is also a second distribution means for distributing the page description information to each of the RIPa 42 and the RIPb 44 so that the number is the same. Details of the processing of the distribution unit 40 will be described with reference to a flowchart described later.

  The RIPa 42 is provided corresponding to the printer A12, and is a first data expansion means for expanding page description information for each page into bitmap data used when the printer A12 or the printer B14 forms an image on a recording medium. .

  The RIPb 44 is provided corresponding to the printer B14, and is a second data expansion means for expanding page description information for each page into bitmap data used when the printer A12 or the printer B14 forms an image on a recording medium. .

  Each RIP expands the page description information distributed from the distribution unit 40 into bitmap data.

  The buffer A46 corresponding to the first holding unit is a buffer provided corresponding to the RIPa42, and the buffer B48 corresponding to the second holding unit is a buffer provided corresponding to the RIPb 44. These buffers are provided in the RAM 22 described above. Each buffer temporarily holds bitmap data developed by the corresponding RIP.

  The buffer comparison unit 50 compares values relating to three values including the number of printer A print data, the number of printer B print data, and the number of specified pages held in the buffer A 46 and the buffer B 48.

  The bitmap data providing unit 52 is a providing unit that provides the printer A print data expanded by the RIPa 42 and RIPb 44 to the printer A 12 and also provides the printer B print data expanded by the RIPa 42 and RIPb 44 to the printer B 14.

  The distribution process executed with the configuration described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In this flowchart, PAD indicates page language information for printer A, PBD indicates page language information for printer B, S indicates the specified number of pages, PAR indicates print data for printer A, and PBR indicates print data for printer B. Data, N and M are arbitrary integers.

  Note that the processing in this flowchart is roughly divided into processing from step S101 to step S104 and processing from step S105 to end. The former process is a process of securing printer A print data and printer B print data to some extent and further securing printer A print data. The latter process is a process for preferentially securing printer A print data.

  The flowchart will be described below. In step S 101, PADs for N pages are allocated to RIPa 42 and PBDs for N pages are allocated to RIPb 44. The next step S102 is to determine whether or not the monitoring timing of the buffer B48 of RIPb has come. The monitoring timing includes, for example, the timing when a predetermined number of sheets are printed by the printer A12, the timing when a predetermined time elapses, and the like. When the monitoring timing comes, in step S103, the buffer comparison unit 50 determines whether the RIPb 44 has developed the print data for printer B for S / 2 pages.

  If development of the print data for printer B for S / 2 pages has not been completed in step S103, the process returns to step S101. If completed, the process proceeds to step S104.

  Although “S / 2”, the value determined in this process is not limited to S / 2, and is a value obtained by subtracting the number of pages allocated to the RIPb 44 in the next step S104 from the specified number of pages S. If it is good.

  In step S104, PADs for S / 2 pages are allocated to both RIPa42 and RIPb44.

  With the above processing, PAR is secured for at least S pages, and PBR is secured for at least S / 2 pages. As a result, the printer A12 can provide the printer B14 with paper for S pages, and therefore the printer B14 can be prevented from being temporarily stopped due to the printer A12 being unable to print.

  The next step S105 is a determination as to whether or not the monitoring timings of the two buffers A46 and B48 have arrived. This buffer monitoring timing is the same timing as the timing of step S102.

  In step S106, the buffer comparison unit 50 determines whether the absolute value of the value obtained by subtracting the PBR number from the PAR number is smaller than M. This determination is a determination for equalizing the number of PARs and the number of PBRs.

  If the absolute value obtained by subtracting the PBR number from the PAR number is less than M, it can be determined that the PAR number and the PBR number are almost the same number. Therefore, in step S108, N pages of PADs are allocated to RIPa 42, and RIPb 44 is allocated to N pages. Allocate PBD.

  If the absolute value obtained by subtracting the PBR number from the PAR number is equal to or greater than M, it can be determined that the difference between the PAR number and the PBR number is large. Then, the PBD for N + (number of PAR−number of PBR) pages is allocated to the RIPb 44. In step S109, it is determined whether or not the distribution of all page information has been completed. If the distribution of all page information has been completed, the distribution process ends. If not, the process returns to step S105 again.

  In step S107, it is simply set as (PAR number-PBR number) and not an absolute value. For example, when the number of PAR is 10 and the number of PBR is 1, (PAR number-PBR number) is 9. This is because N pages are allocated to RIPa and N + 9 pages are allocated to RIPb, and the number of PARs can be equal to 10 + N and the number of PBRs can be equal to 1 + N + 9 (= 10 + N).

  Conversely, if the number of PAR is 1 and the number of PBR is 10, then (PAR number-PBR number) is -9, and N pages are allocated to RIPa and N-9 pages are allocated to RIPb, and the number of PARs is 1 + N. The number of PBR can be made the same as 10 + N-9 (= 1 + N).

  As described above, the distribution unit 40 determines that the difference between the number of printer A print data and the number of print B print data is determined based on the number of recording media that can exist between the printer A12 and the printer B14. By distributing the page description information to each of the RIPa 42 and RIPb 44, the bitmap data to be printed by the printer A12 is preferentially secured while the bitmap data to be printed by the printer B14 is also secured. The print server 10 that suppresses the stop can be provided.

  In addition, since the first page data buffer is created with two RIPs by effectively using the time required from the start of the first print to the second print, the waiting time at the start of printing is shortened. can do.

  In addition, even if there is a small amount of buffer and there is a difference in the development time to bitmap data, the buffer is used as one buffer, so the RAM capacity may be small, which is a merit in terms of cost. It becomes.

  Furthermore, since the print server 10 has the RIP as compared with the configuration having the RIP for each printer, the cost of hardware is also reduced.

  Next, bitmap data provision processing will be described with reference to FIG. In step S201, it is determined whether a bitmap data request from the printer has been received. When a bitmap data request is received from the printer, bitmap data corresponding to the requested printer is provided in step S202.

  Instead of providing the bitmap data request after receiving the bitmap data request as described above, the print server 10 may voluntarily provide the bitmap data.

1 is a diagram showing a multiple printing system according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of a print server. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of a print server. It is a flowchart which shows a distribution process. It is a flowchart which shows a bitmap data provision process.

Explanation of symbols

10 Print server 12 Printer A
14 Printer B
18 CPU
20 HDD
22 RAM
26 ROM
34 Network I / F unit 40 Distribution unit 42 RIPa
44 RIPb
46 Buffer A
48 Buffer B
50 Buffer comparison unit 52 Bitmap data providing unit

Claims (4)

A first image forming apparatus that forms an image first and a second image forming apparatus that forms an image are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other, and the multiple continuous printing is performed by the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus. The first image forming apparatus or the second image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium by providing page description information for each page. First data expansion means for expanding the bitmap data to be used at the time;
The page description information for each page is provided as bitmap data used when the first image forming apparatus or the second image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium. A second data expansion means for expanding;
Bit map data for the first image forming apparatus expanded by the first data expanding means and the second data expanding means is provided to the first image forming apparatus, and the first data expanding means and the first data expanding means Providing means for providing the second image forming apparatus with bitmap data for the second image forming apparatus developed by the second data developing means;
The number obtained by subtracting the number of bitmap data for the second image forming apparatus from the number of bitmap data for the first image forming apparatus is the number of the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus. First distribution means for allocating the page description information to each of the first data expansion means and the second data expansion means so as to be a prescribed number determined based on the amount of recording media that can exist between;
An image processing apparatus. First holding means for temporarily holding the bitmap data developed by the first data developing means;
Second holding means for temporarily holding the bitmap data developed by the second data developing means;
Based on the number of bitmap data for the first image forming apparatus held in the first holding unit and the second holding unit, the first holding unit and the second holding unit hold the data. The absolute value of the value obtained by subtracting the number of bitmap data for the second image forming apparatus is compared with a predetermined number, and the absolute value of the subtracted value is greater than or equal to the predetermined number and the first In the case after distribution by the distribution means, the first data is set so that the number of bitmap data for the first image forming apparatus is equal to the number of bitmap data for the second image forming apparatus. A second distribution unit that distributes the page description information to each of the expansion unit and the second data expansion unit;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   The predetermined number of sheets is a number of sheets that can be printed by the first image forming apparatus before the second image forming apparatus can print a recording medium that has been printed by the first image forming apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A first image forming apparatus that forms an image first and a second image forming apparatus that forms an image are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other, and the multiple continuous printing is performed by the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus. The first image forming apparatus or the second image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium by providing page description information for each page. A first data development stage for developing bitmap data to be used at the time,
The page description information for each page is provided as bitmap data used when the first image forming apparatus or the second image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium. A second data expansion stage to expand;
Bit map data for the first image forming apparatus developed in the first data development stage and the second data development stage is provided to the first image forming apparatus, and the first data development stage and the first data development stage Providing a second image forming apparatus with bitmap data for the second image forming apparatus developed in the second data development stage;
The page language information developed in the first data development stage and the second data development stage includes the number of bitmap data for the first image forming apparatus and the bitmap data for the second image forming apparatus. A first distribution step of allocating the difference between the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus so that the difference between the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus is a prescribed number determined based on an amount of recording medium that can exist
An image processing method.

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