JP5239632B2 - Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a program.

In Patent Document 1, cover page data serving as a cover and back cover and body page data serving as a body are continuously transmitted from the controller to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus uses different cover page data and body page data. There is disclosed a technique for printing on different types of printing paper based on a set printing format and continuously supplying printed paper corresponding to a cover part and a text part to an automatic bookbinding machine.
JP 2002-361967 A

  If different processing is specified for the last output page corresponding to the back cover in the print data, and other processing is specified, the final output page is recognized by reading the image information to the end before executing the print processing. Different processing was performed on the page and other pages.

  The present invention provides an image processing apparatus capable of performing processing as specified without having to read out image information to the end before executing print processing even when different processing is specified for the final output page corresponding to the back cover and other pages. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a program.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to an image processing apparatus according to claim 1 includes at least one command of a page start command indicating the start of a page and a page end command indicating the end of the page; Recording paper for each of page information including page data representing an image corresponding to each page, the number of pages corresponding to each page, and page information of the last page and page information other than the last page of the page information wherein the designation information specifying the image forming condition relates to an image forming surface to form an image represented by the page data, and storage means for storing print data including, corresponding to the last page stored in said storage means The designation information is read and pre-read according to the image forming conditions designated by the designation information corresponding to the last page. Setting means and the image page information is stored in the storage means before being read which corresponds to the last page of the image information stored in said storage means for setting the number of pages read ahead representing the number of said command starts the process of page unit to the information, after reading one page page information from the image information stored in the storage unit, from the remainder of the image information subsequent to the read page information, the The commands for the number of prefetched pages set by the setting unit are sequentially read, and when the commands for the number of prefetched pages are read, the page information other than the last page is changed to the read page information. If processing corresponding to the corresponding designation information is performed and the commands for the number of prefetched pages cannot be read, the reading is performed. It comprises a processing unit that performs processing according to the designation information corresponding to the page information of the last page to the page information that has issued, the.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming condition may be double-sided formation in which an image represented by the page data is formed on both sides of the recording paper, or the recording paper. The setting means reads out the designation information corresponding to the final page stored in the storage means, and uses the designation information corresponding to the final page. When the image forming condition relating to the designated image forming surface is the single-sided formation, the number of pre-read pages is set to 1, and image formation relating to the image forming surface designated by the designation information corresponding to the last page is formed. When the condition indicates the double-sided formation, the prefetch page number is set to 2.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the image information is an end indicating an end of a process of forming an image represented by the page data for the number of pages. The information processing unit includes the information, and the processing unit ends the page unit processing on the image information when the end information is read.

The invention according to an image forming apparatus according to claim 4, at least one command of a page end command indicating the end of a page start command and the page indicating the beginning of a page, the page data representing an image of the page Image information including the number of pages corresponding to each page, and the page information of the last page and the page information other than the last page of the page information are represented by the page data on a recording sheet. receiving means for receiving a designation information specifying the image forming condition regarding the image forming surface for forming an image, the print data including being a storage means for sequentially storing the print data received by said receiving means, said storage The designation information corresponding to the last page stored in the means is read, and the designation information corresponding to the last page is designated. Depending on has been the image forming condition setting means for setting the number of pages read ahead representing the number of commands to read ahead, the page information corresponding to the last page of the image information stored in said storage means is read starts the processing for each page to the image information stored in the storage means before, after reading the page information for one page from the image information stored in said storage means, read the When the commands for the number of prefetched pages set by the setting unit are sequentially read from the remaining image information subsequent to the page information, and the commands for the number of prefetched pages can be read, the read page The information is processed according to the specified information corresponding to the page information other than the last page, and the information corresponding to the number of prefetched pages If the serial command can not be read, the processing means performs processing according to the designation information corresponding to the page information of the last page to the read page information, the page information that has been processed by said processing means And image forming means for forming an image based on the above.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the image forming condition is a double-sided formation in which an image represented by the page data is formed on both sides of the recording paper, or the recording paper. The setting means reads out the designation information corresponding to the final page stored in the storage means, and uses the designation information corresponding to the final page. When the image forming condition relating to the designated image forming surface is the single-sided formation, the number of pre-read pages is set to 1, and image formation relating to the image forming surface designated by the designation information corresponding to the last page is formed. When the condition indicates the double-sided formation, the prefetch page number is set to 2.

Further, the inventions of claim 6, in the invention of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the specification information, the size and the material of the recording sheet on which the image represented by the page data is formed The recording sheet further includes information designating at least one of the recording paper , wherein the image forming unit selects an image based on the page data included in the page information processed by the processing unit based on the designation information. Is formed .

Further, the invention described in claim 7 is an image processing program for causing a computer to function as a setting unit and a processing unit constituting the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. .

According to the first, second , and seventh aspects of the present invention, even when different processing is specified for the final output page corresponding to the back cover and the other pages, before executing the printing processing. Thus, the printing process can be started without reading the image information to the end.

According to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to repeatedly perform page-by-page processing on image information until end information is read.

According to the invention described in claim 4 and claim 5 , even if different processing is specified for the final output page corresponding to the back cover and other pages, the image information is executed before executing the printing processing. The printing process can be started without reading out to the end, and an image can be formed based on the different processes.

According to the invention described in claim 6 , even if different processing is specified for the final output page corresponding to the back cover and other pages, the final output page corresponding to the back cover is the other page. Even if a different paper is designated, an image corresponding to the different paper can be formed.

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

  FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming engine unit 14 that performs a printing process for forming an image indicated by image information on the recording paper P, and supplies the recording paper P to the image forming engine unit 14. A paper portion 16.

  The image forming engine unit 14 includes a photoconductive drum 20, and the photoconductive drum 20 has a rotation shaft, and a toner image indicated by image information is rotated in the direction of arrow A about the rotation shaft. It is formed.

  A charger 22 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 20. The charger 22 includes a charging roll 22A that is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 20, and the charging roll 22A charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 with a superimposed voltage in which an AC voltage is superimposed on a DC voltage.

  An optical scanning device 24 is disposed downstream of the contact position of the photosensitive drum 20 with the charging roll 22A in the rotation direction. The optical scanning device 24 includes a laser diode that irradiates a light beam, and scans the light beam along the axial direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 20 with a rotating polygon mirror, whereby the photosensitive device charged by the charger 22 is scanned. An electrostatic latent image indicated by image information is formed on the surface of the body drum 20.

  A developing device 26 is disposed downstream of the scanning position of the light beam on the photosensitive drum 20 in the rotation direction. The developing device 26 includes a developing roller 26 </ b> A that is arranged so that the distance from the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is a predetermined distance. The developing unit 26 stores toner therein, and the developing roller 26A rotates to convey the toner stored therein to a position facing the photoconductive drum 20 to form a static image formed on the photoconductive drum 20. By electrostatically attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 20 is developed to form a toner image.

  Further, an endless intermediate transfer belt 28 is disposed on the downstream side in the rotational direction from the position of the photosensitive drum 20 facing the developing device 26. The intermediate transfer belt 28 is wound around a plurality of rollers 29 and is disposed so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 20. Each roller 29 rotates the intermediate transfer belt 28 in the direction of arrow B in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 20.

  On the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 20 to the intermediate transfer belt 28 at the position where the photosensitive drum 20 and the intermediate transfer belt 28 are in contact with each other, the transfer device 32 is sandwiched between the photosensitive drum 20 and the intermediate transfer belt 28. Is arranged. The transfer device 32 applies a predetermined bias voltage to the intermediate transfer belt 28 rotated by each roller 29, and the toner image conveyed to a position in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 28 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 20. Is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 28 by the potential difference between the predetermined bias voltage and the toner image.

  A cleaning device 30 is disposed downstream of the contact position of the photosensitive drum 20 with the intermediate transfer belt 28 in the rotation direction. The cleaning device 30 includes a cleaning blade 30 </ b> A that is disposed so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 20. After the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 28, the cleaning device 30 rubs the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 after the transfer with the cleaning blade 30A to collect the residual toner remaining on the surface, and the contact position. Then, a part of the residual toner is held, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is polished by the held residual toner, thereby removing the discharge products attached to the surface.

  On the other hand, the paper feed unit 16 includes a plurality of paper feed units 34. Each paper feed unit 34 stores a plurality of recording papers P in a stacked state. Note that the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment accommodates recording paper P having different paper sizes and recording paper P having different paper qualities in each paper feed unit 34.

  A take-out roller 36 is disposed in each paper feed unit 34. The recording paper P is picked up one by one from the paper feed unit 34 as the take-out roller 36 rotates, and a transfer position where the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 28 via the transport path 40 by a plurality of roller pairs 38. It is conveyed to.

  A transfer device 48 is disposed at the transfer position, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 28 is transferred to the recording paper P conveyed to the transfer position by the transfer device 48. An endless conveyance belt 52 wound around two rollers 50 is provided downstream of the transfer device 48 in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P. The recording paper P onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the position where the fixing device 54 is disposed by the transport belt 52, and after the toner image is heated and fixed by the fixing device 54, the recording paper P is discharged to the paper discharge unit 60.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a reversing path 56 for double-sided printing. The inversion path 56 inverts the front and back of the recording paper P on which an image is formed on one side. The recording paper P with the front and back reversed is transported again to the transfer position, whereby images are formed on both sides.

  FIG. 2 shows the main configuration of the electrical system of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 70 that controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 72 in which various programs, various parameters, various table information, and the like are stored in advance, and various programs by the CPU 70. RAM (Random Access Memory) 74 used as a work area at the time of execution, HDD (Hard Disk) for storing various information and sequentially storing print data (see FIG. 3) received by an external interface 82 described later Drive) 76, an operation button 78 for inputting various operation instructions, a numeric keypad, and an operation panel 78 provided with a display unit for displaying various messages.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is connected to a control target used for printing processing such as the optical scanning device 24 and the developing device 26, and is connected via an image forming control unit 80 that controls driving of each control target and a communication line. And an external interface 82 that is connected to an external terminal device and receives the print data and transmits / receives various information to / from the terminal device.

  The CPU 70, ROM 72, RAM 74, HDD 76, operation panel 78, image formation control unit 80, and external interface 82 are electrically connected to each other via a system bus 84. Therefore, the CPU 70 accesses the ROM 72, RAM 74, and HDD 76, grasps the operation status on the operation panel 78, displays various messages, controls the operation of the image forming control unit 80, and the terminal device via the external interface 82. Various types of information can be transmitted and received.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of print data that the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment receives from the terminal device via the external interface 82. The print data according to the present embodiment includes image information including a page start command indicating the start of each page and a page end command indicating the end. Also, for example, image information in PDL (Page Description Language) format is applied as image information included in the print data according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, at the head of the image information included in the print data, a job start indicating the start of a process (hereinafter referred to as “print process”) for forming an image indicated by the image information on the recording paper P. The command is described.

  The image information is divided in units of pages by a page start command indicating the start of each page and a page end command indicating the end, and an image to be formed on the recording paper P between the page start command and the page end command is displayed. The page data to be shown is described.

  A job end command indicating the end of the image forming process is described at the end of the image information, and the image forming apparatus 10 ends the execution of the printing process when the job end command is read out.

  Further, the print data includes a process designation command that designates process contents for the last page in the print mode of the image information and the other pages. More specifically, as the processing contents, more specifically, whether or not the paper quality of the recording paper P is changed between the back cover and the cover (hereinafter referred to as “cover part”) which are the last page and the body, Whether or not to change the paper size of the recording paper P in the body text, and whether or not to perform double-sided printing are also specified as the processing content. The processing designation command is described in, for example, a job control language.

  When double-sided printing is specified by the processing specification command, the page data for the two pages from the top indicates the image forming the cover page, and the page data for the last two pages including the last page indicates the back cover page. The image to be formed is shown, and the page data between the cover and back cover shows the image forming the text. On the other hand, when single-sided printing is designated by the processing designation command, page data for one page from the top indicates an image forming a cover, and page data of the last page indicates an image forming a back cover. FIG. 4 shows a printing result when single-sided printing is designated by the process designation command and different recording paper P is designated for the display unit and the body. In the following description, the recording paper P on which the cover portion is formed is referred to as recording paper P1.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is based on the contents of the process specified by the process specifying command (change in the quality of the recording paper P on which the image is formed, the paper size of the recording paper P, etc.). After determining each color space to perform processing and performing color space conversion processing as necessary based on the determination result, for example, color correction processing, density correction processing, image compression processing, etc. are converted into page data. The application process (hereinafter referred to as “decompose process”) is executed, and an image indicated by the page data subjected to the decompose process is formed on the recording paper P. For example, when an image is formed on recording paper P having different paper quality for the cover portion and the body, for the page data of the page corresponding to the cover portion, the paper quality and paper size of the recording paper P corresponding to the cover portion, etc. Is applied to the page data corresponding to the body, and the composition is performed according to the paper quality, paper size, etc. of the recording paper P corresponding to the body.

  However, since the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment reads the page data in order from the first page and executes the printing process, it is confirmed that the reading of the last page data is completed when the job end command is read. recognize. For this reason, even if different processing contents are specified for the back cover and the body by the processing specification command, when the job end command is read, the print processing for the page data indicating the back cover has been completed. The specified process cannot be supported.

  For this reason, when the number of pages indicated by the image information is read in advance and the page data of the page corresponding to the back cover is read, processing corresponding to the back cover may be performed. However, in order to read the number of pages from the image information, it is necessary to read the image information to the end and read the number of page start commands or page end commands before executing the print processing. And a memory for reading out the number of pages is further required.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, before the last page of the print data stored in the HDD 76 is read, the image information stored in the HDD 76 starts processing in units of pages and the reading is performed. If there is no page start command after the page determined according to the process designation command for the selected page, the process according to the process designation command designated for the last page is performed.

  The page determined according to the processing designation command is a page determined depending on whether or not double-sided printing is performed, that is, whether or not an image is formed on both sides of the back cover. When the process designation command designates single-sided printing, the back cover is formed with one page, so the page determined in accordance with the process designation command (hereinafter referred to as “number of pre-read pages”) is defined as one page. When the processing designation command designates double-sided printing, the back cover is formed with two pages, so the number of pre-read pages is determined as two pages.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of an image forming program executed by the CPU 70 when a print processing start instruction is input to the image forming apparatus 10. The program is stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 72 in advance. It is remembered.

  First, in step 100, a process designation command is read.

  In the next step 102, it is determined whether or not double-sided printing is instructed by the processing designation command. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 104. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 106.

  In step 104, if double-sided printing is instructed, an image is formed on both sides of the back cover, so the number N of pre-read pages is set to 2.

  In step 106, if single-sided printing is instructed, an image is formed on one side of the back cover, so the number N of pre-read pages is set to 1.

  In the next step 108, the image information stored in the HDD 76 is read out in units of pages.

  In the next step 110, the processing designated for the cover based on the processing designation command (the recording paper P1 of the paper quality and paper size designated for the cover by the take-out roller 36 is sent from the corresponding paper feed unit 34. The processing to be taken out is executed.

  In the next step 112, an image is formed on the recording paper P1 based on the image information read in units of pages. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment executes image processing corresponding to the paper quality of the recording paper P1 designated as the cover for the image information read in units of pages, and executes the image processing. An image is formed on the recording paper P1 based on the image information.

  In the next step 114, it is determined whether or not the cover has been formed. If it is determined that double-sided printing has been performed by the process in step 102, a positive determination is made when the cover has been formed for the first two pages, and single-sided printing has been determined by the process in step 102. If the formation of the cover is completed for the first page, an affirmative determination is made, and the routine proceeds to step 116. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made, the process returns to step 108.

  In step 116, the image information stored in the HDD 76 is read in units of pages.

  In the next step 118, the page start command for the number N of pre-read pages after the page read in step 108 is read. When a page start command corresponding to the number N of pre-read pages is read, the first one byte corresponding to the page start command is read, and if it can be recognized as a page start command, the next command is reached. You may skip reading.

  In the next step 120, it is determined whether or not the page start command for the number N of pre-read pages has been read. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 122. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 126. Note that the case where the page start command with the number N of pre-read pages can be read is the case where the image information of the page read at step 116 is image information indicating the text, and the page start command with the number N of pre-read pages cannot be read. The case is a case where the image information of the page read in step 116 is image information indicating a back cover.

  In step 122, the processing designated for the text based on the processing designation command (the recording roller P having the paper quality and paper size designated for the text is taken out from the corresponding paper feed unit 34 by the take-out roller 36). Process).

  In the next step 124, an image is formed on the recording paper P based on the image information read in page units, and the process returns to step 116. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment performs image processing on the image information read in units of pages according to the quality of the recording paper P specified as the text, and executes the image processing. An image is formed on the recording paper P based on the image information.

  In step 126, the processing designated for the back cover based on the processing designation command (the recording paper P1 of the paper quality and paper size designated for the back cover by the take-out roller 36 is sent from the corresponding paper feed unit 34. The processing to be taken out is executed.

  In the next step 128, an image is formed on the recording paper P1 based on the image information read in units of pages, and the process proceeds to step 130. Note that the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment performs image processing on the image information read in units of pages according to the paper quality of the recording paper P1 designated as the back cover, and performs the image processing. An image is formed on the recording paper P1 based on the executed image information.

  In step 130, it is determined whether or not a job end command has been read from the image information. If the determination is affirmative, the program ends. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 116 until the job end command is read. Steps 116 to 128 are repeated.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using the said embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment without departing from the gist of the invention, and embodiments to which such modifications or improvements are added are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Further, the above embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims (claims), and all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention. Not exclusively. The embodiments described above include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations of a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. Even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the above embodiment, as long as an effect is obtained, a configuration in which these some constituent elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the page start command is read as the number of prefetched pages has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the mode of reading the page end command as the number of prefetched pages, the page start command, and The page end command may be read as the number of prefetched pages.

  In the above embodiment, the image information to be printed is described as the PDL format image information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any image information divided in units of pages may be used. Other types of image information may be targeted for printing processing.

  Also, in the above embodiment, when double-sided printing is specified, it is assumed that double-sided printing is specified for both the cover part and the text. When single-sided printing is specified, single-sided printing is specified for both the cover part and the text. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and double-sided printing is designated for the text, and single-sided printing is designated for the cover part, or the text The single-sided printing may be designated for the cover, and the double-sided printing may be designated for the cover portion.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the image information stored in the HDD 76 is read in units of pages has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is connected via, for example, the external interface 82. The image information stored in the terminal device may be read out in units of pages. In the case of this form, in the terminal device, processing of image information stored in the storage unit of the terminal device is started in units of pages before the final page of the print data stored in the storage unit of the terminal device is read. At the same time, when there is no page start command or page end command after the page determined according to the process designation command for the read page, the process according to the process designation command designated for the last page is performed.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the cover portion and the text are formed on the recording paper P has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cover and the text are not formed on the recording paper P. A back cover may be formed on the recording paper P.

  In addition, the configuration (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the image forming apparatus 10 described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and unnecessary portions are deleted or new portions are within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, you can add.

  The processing flow of the image forming program described in the above embodiment (see FIG. 5) is also an example, and unnecessary steps can be deleted or new steps can be added without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, they can be added or the processing order can be changed. In the above embodiment, the image forming program is stored (installed) in the ROM 72 in advance. However, the image forming program according to the present invention is stored in the HDD 76 in advance, such as a CD-ROM or DVD- A form provided in a state of being stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a ROM, a form distributed via a wired or wireless communication unit, and the like can be applied.

1 is a cutaway side view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of an electric system of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating that a recording sheet on which a body is formed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment and a recording sheet on which a cover or back cover is formed are different. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the image information which concerns on embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing of an image forming program according to an embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Image forming apparatus 70 CPU (processing means)
76 HDD (storage means)
82 External interface (receiving means)
P Recording paper (paper)

Claims (7)

Page information including at least one of a page start command indicating the start of a page and a page end command indicating the end of the page and page data representing an image of the page is included corresponding to the number of pages. For each of the image information and the page information of the last page of the page information and the page information other than the last page, the image forming conditions relating to the image forming surface on which the image represented by the page data is formed on the recording paper are designated storage means for storing the print data including a designation information, and
A prefetch page that reads the designation information corresponding to the last page stored in the storage means and represents the number of commands to be prefetched according to the image forming conditions designated by the designation information corresponding to the last page Setting means for setting the number;
Before the page information corresponding to the last page of the image information stored in the storage means is read out , processing for each page of the image information stored in the storage means is started, and the storage means The page information for one page is read from the image information stored in the image information, and then the commands for the number of the pre-read pages set by the setting unit are sequentially used from the remaining image information subsequent to the read page information. When the command corresponding to the number of read-ahead pages is read, the read page information is processed according to the designation information corresponding to the page information other than the last page, and the number of read-ahead pages Minute of the command cannot be read out, the read page information corresponds to the page information of the last page. And processing means for performing a process corresponding to the designated information,
An image processing apparatus. The image forming condition is a condition for designating whether double-sided formation for forming an image represented by the page data on both sides of the recording paper or single-sided formation on one side of the recording paper,
The setting unit reads the designation information corresponding to the last page stored in the storage unit, and an image forming condition related to the image forming surface designated by the designation information corresponding to the last page is the one-sided formation. In this case, when the number of prefetched pages is set to 1 and the image forming condition relating to the image forming surface designated by the designation information corresponding to the final page indicates the double-sided formation, the number of prefetched pages is set. Set to 2
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The image information includes end information indicating the end of image formation processing represented by the page data for the number of pages ,
The processing means, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein ends the processing of the page unit with respect to the image information when the termination information has been read. Page information including at least one of a page start command indicating the start of a page and a page end command indicating the end of the page and page data representing an image of the page is included corresponding to the number of pages. For each of the image information and the page information of the last page of the page information and the page information other than the last page, the image forming conditions relating to the image forming surface on which the image represented by the page data is formed on the recording paper are designated receiving means for receiving print data including a designation information, and
Storage means for sequentially storing the print data received by said receiving means,
A prefetch page that reads the designation information corresponding to the last page stored in the storage means and represents the number of commands to be prefetched according to the image forming conditions designated by the designation information corresponding to the last page Setting means for setting the number;
Before the page information corresponding to the last page of the image information stored in the storage means is read out , processing for each page of the image information stored in the storage means is started, and the storage means The page information for one page is read from the image information stored in the image information, and then the commands for the number of the pre-read pages set by the setting unit are sequentially used from the remaining image information subsequent to the read page information. When the command corresponding to the number of read-ahead pages is read, the read page information is processed according to the designation information corresponding to the page information other than the last page, and the number of read-ahead pages Minute of the command cannot be read out, the read page information corresponds to the page information of the last page. And processing means for performing a process corresponding to the designated information,
Image forming means for forming an image based on the page information processed by the processing means;
An image forming apparatus. The image forming condition is a condition for designating whether double-sided formation for forming an image represented by the page data on both sides of the recording paper or single-sided formation on one side of the recording paper,
The setting unit reads the designation information corresponding to the last page stored in the storage unit, and an image forming condition related to the image forming surface designated by the designation information corresponding to the last page is the one-sided formation. In this case, when the number of prefetched pages is set to 1 and the image forming condition relating to the image forming surface designated by the designation information corresponding to the final page indicates the double-sided formation, the number of prefetched pages is set. Set to 2
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. The designation information further includes information designating at least one of a size and a material of the recording paper on which an image represented by the page data is formed,
Said image forming means, according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein forming an image based on the page data included in the page information that has been processed by said processing means to said recording paper selected on the basis of the designation information Image forming apparatus. An image processing program for causing a computer to function as a setting unit and a processing unit constituting the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

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