JP5834401B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

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

  Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus in which an auxiliary storage unit such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) is mounted and data can be stored in the HDD. For example, in Patent Document 1, print data used when printing is performed in accordance with a user instruction, and the stored print data is used when reprinting or a print instruction from another user is used. An image forming apparatus that can perform printing efficiently is disclosed.

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when the HDD is not mounted, it is difficult to accumulate print data and reuse it.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and even when an auxiliary storage unit such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) is not mounted, the print data can be accumulated and reused to be printed. It is an object to provide a forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program.

In order to solve the above-described problem and achieve the object, the present invention includes a storage unit, a reception unit that receives an image and a first print data indicating a first print condition together with a print instruction, and Using the first print data received by the receiving means, a raster image that is an image in a raster format is drawn to generate image data representing the raster image, the image data, and the image data First control means for generating third print data in which the image data is deleted from the second print data after drawing including the second print condition recognized by generating, the first print data, and the third print data Bei second control means for storing in the storage means in association with the print data, using the image data to which the drawing means is generated, and an image forming means that form a picture image by executing the job, the Characterized in that that.

Further, the present invention provides an image forming method executed in images forming device, a receiving step of receiving the first print data representing an image and first printing conditions with an indication of the print from the information processing apparatus, before A drawing step of drawing a raster image, which is a raster format image, using the first print data received in the receiving step to generate image data representing the raster image, the image data, and the image A first control step of generating third print data in which the image data is deleted from the second print data after drawing including the second print condition recognized by generating the data; the first print data; using a second control step of storing in the storage means in association with the third print data, the image data generated in the previous SL drawing step, form images by running the job Characterized in that it comprises an image forming step.

  The present invention is also an image forming program for causing a computer to execute the above image forming method.

  According to the present invention, even if an auxiliary storage unit such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) is not installed, print data can be stored and reused for printing.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the flow of the printing process realized in the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating print data stored in the JOB management area 122 of the data storage area 121 of the RAM 12a. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating print data stored in a conventional job management area. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 1 by reusing print data stored in the data storage area 121.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a complex machine that can realize a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, and has a configuration in which a controller 10 and an engine 60 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. The controller 10 is a controller that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 and controls drawing, communication, and input from an operation unit (not shown). The engine unit 60 is a printer engine or the like that can be connected to a PCI bus, and is, for example, a monochrome plotter, a 1-drum color plotter, a 4-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit. The engine unit 60 includes image processing parts such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to what is called an engine such as a plotter. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a colorant that is used when the engine unit 60 forms an image. The colorant is, for example, toner, and at least one colorant of each color such as C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1. The

  The controller 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a north bridge (NB) 13, a system memory (MEM-P) 12, a south bridge (SB) 14, a local memory (MEM-C) 17, and an ASIC. (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 16 and the North Bridge (NB) 13 and the ASIC 16 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 15.

  The CPU 11 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1, has a chip set including the NB 13, the MEM-P 12, and the SB 14, and is connected to other devices via the chip set. The NB 13 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 11 to the MEM-P 12, SB 14, and AGP 15, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 12, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

  The MEM-P 12 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a drawing memory for printers, and the like. The ROM (Read Only Memory) 12a and the RAM (Random Access Memory) 12b Have The ROM 12a is a read-only memory used as a memory for storing programs and data. For example, the ROM 12a stores a printer application for causing the engine unit 60 to form an image on a print medium based on print data requesting image printing. The RAM 12b is a writable and readable memory used as a program and data expansion memory, a printer drawing memory, and the like. The RAM 12b stores print data and image data, which will be described in detail later, as data.

  The SB 14 is a bridge for connecting the NB 13 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The SB 14 is connected to the NB 13 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit and the like are also connected to the PCI bus. The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a host that is an information processing apparatus of a host device of the image forming apparatus 1 via the network interface unit. When print data indicating an image and printing conditions is transmitted together with a print instruction from the host, the print data is received via the network interface unit and stored in the RAM 12b. This print data is described in a PDL (page description language) format, for example.

  The ASIC 16 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP 15, PCI bus, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 18, and MEM-C 17. . The ASIC 16 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 16, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 17, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that perform rotation of image data by hardware logic or the like. Access Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 60 via the PCI bus. The ASIC 16 includes an operation display unit 20, an FCU (Fax Control Unit) 30, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 70, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 40, and an IEEE 1394 (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) via a PCI bus. An interface 50 is connected.

  The operation display unit 20 is integrally formed with an operation input unit configured with operation keys, operation buttons, a mouse, and the like for inputting an operation from a user, and a display unit configured with a liquid crystal display for displaying information. It has been done. The MEM-C 17 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.

  The AGP 15 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed for speeding up graphics processing. The AGP 15 speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 12 with high throughput. .

  Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the flow of printing processing realized in the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a data reception control unit 100, a printer control unit 102, an image drawing unit 106, a memory control unit 107, and an engine control unit 108. The function of the data reception control unit 100 is realized by the CPU 11 executing various programs stored in the ROM 12b and the network interface unit. The functions of the printer control unit 102, the image drawing unit 106, and the engine control unit 108 are realized by the CPU 11 executing various programs stored in the ROM 12b and the ASIC 16. The function of the memory control unit 107 is realized by the CPU 11 executing various programs stored in the ROM 12b. In addition, a reception data storage area 120 and a data storage area 121 are secured in the RAM 12b described with reference to FIG. The data storage area 121 has a JOB management area 122.

  The data reception control unit 100 controls communication with the host 2 and includes a data reception unit 101. When the data reception unit 101 receives print data from the host 2 connected to the image forming apparatus 1 under the control of the data reception control unit 100, the data reception unit 101 receives the print data and the print data via the memory control unit 107. A print data ID for identifying the position is associated with the received data storage area 120 and stored. The image drawing unit 106 interprets the print data stored in the received data storage area 120 and uses the image and print conditions indicated by the print data to form an image in a raster format for causing the engine unit 60 to form an image. A raster image is drawn to generate image data representing the raster image.

  The printer control unit 102 includes a JOB control unit 103, a PAGE control unit 104, and a data management unit 105. The data management unit 105 duplicates the print data stored in the received data storage area 120, assigns a print data ID for uniquely identifying the print data to the print data, and sets the memory control unit 107. Then, the print data and the print data ID are associated with each other and stored in the JOB management area 122 of the data storage area 121. Further, assuming that the duplicated print data is print data before drawing and the print data generated by the PAGE control unit 104 described below is print data after drawing, the data management unit 105 displays the print data before drawing and the drawing data after drawing. Manage the correspondence of print data. Specifically, for example, the data management unit 105 stores the print data ID of the print data before drawing and the print data ID of the print data after drawing in the RAM 12b in association with each other.

  The PAGE control unit 104 deletes the portion of the print data indicating the image from the print data used by the image drawing unit 106 to generate the image data, and generates print data indicating the print conditions without showing the image. Thus, a print data ID for uniquely identifying the print data is assigned to the print data, the print data and the print data ID are associated with each other, and the data storage area 121 is connected via the memory control unit 107. It is stored in the JOB management area 122. The print conditions indicated by the print data after drawing may be only those recognized by the image drawing unit 106 generating image data, for example. As such printing conditions, for example, an image is formed in color. In the JOB management area 122, for the same print job, print data before drawing by the image drawing unit 106 and print data generated by the PAGE control unit 104 after drawing by the image drawing unit 106 are stored in association with each other.

  The job control unit 103 stores the print data in the received data storage area 120 so that the print job is executed in response to a print instruction instructing execution of print processing using the print data stored in the data storage area 121. Remember me.

  The engine control unit 108 executes a print job using the image data generated by the image drawing unit 106, causes the engine unit 60 to form an image using a colorant, and transfers the image onto a transfer sheet. The transfer paper is discharged.

  The memory control unit 107 controls access to the RAM 12b. The print data received by the data receiving unit 101 is stored in the received data storage area 120, the print data copied by the data management unit 105, and the print A print data ID for uniquely identifying data is associated with the data and stored in the JOB management area 122 of the data storage area 121. Also, the memory control unit 107 stores the print data generated by the PAGE control unit 104 in the JOB management area 122 in association with the print ID for uniquely identifying the print data. At this time, for the same print job, the memory control unit 107 associates the print data before drawing by the image drawing unit 106 with the print data generated by the PAGE control unit 104 after drawing by the image drawing unit 106. 122 is stored. Note that print data IDs respectively associated with print data before drawing and print data after drawing are different from each other. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish these print data corresponding to the same print job by the print data ID.

  An outline of the printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the configuration as described above will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the data receiving unit 101 receives print data transmitted from the host 2, the memory control unit 107 stores the received data in the received data storage area 120. Further, the PAGE control unit 104 assigns an area in the JOB management area 122 of the data storage area 121 to a print job executed by the print data, and uniquely identifies the print data for the print data. The print data ID is assigned, and the memory control unit 107 stores the print data (print data before rendering) and the print data ID in association with each other in the JOB management area 122 of the data storage area 121. In addition, the image drawing unit 106 interprets the print data stored in the received data storage area 120, draws a raster image using the image and print conditions indicated by the print data, and represents the raster image Generate image data. Then, the PAGE control unit 104 deletes the portion indicating the image from the print data for which the image data has been generated, generates print data indicating the print condition without indicating the image, and generates the print data. A print data ID for uniquely identifying the print data is assigned to the data, and the memory control unit 107 associates the print data (print data after rendering) with the print data ID in the data storage area 121. It is stored in the JOB management area 122. At this time, the print data after drawing is stored in association with the print data before drawing stored in the area assigned to the print job in the JOB management area 122 of the data storage area 121. The data management unit 105 stores the print data ID of the print data before drawing and the print data ID of the print data after drawing in the RAM 12b in association with each other.

  When there is a print instruction for instructing printing that reuses the print data stored in the RAM 12b, the memory control unit 107 reads out the pre-rendering print data stored in the data storage area 121, and the print data A new area is allocated in the JOB management area 122 of the data storage area 121 to a new print job executed using the, and the print data is stored in the area for the print data. Then, the JOB control unit 103 stores the print data in the reception data storage area 120 via the function of the memory control unit 107, and the image drawing unit 106 stores the print data stored in the reception data storage area 120. Interpretation is performed to draw a raster image using the image and printing conditions indicated by the print data, and image data representing the raster image is generated. Then, the engine control unit 108 executes a print job using the generated image data, causes the engine unit 60 to form an image, transfers the image to the print medium, and discharges the print medium.

  Next, a detailed procedure of the printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the image forming apparatus 1 receives the print data transmitted from the host 2 by the function of the data receiving unit 101 (step S1), the image forming apparatus 1 stores the received data in the received data storage area 120 by the function of the memory control unit 107. . Further, the image forming apparatus 1 assigns an area in the JOB management area 122 of the data storage area 121 to the print job executed by the print data, and the print control unit 104 functions to print the print data. A print data ID for uniquely identifying the data is assigned, and the function of the memory control unit 107 associates the print data (print data before rendering) and the print data ID with each other by the function of the memory control unit 107, and the JOB management area of the data storage area 121 It memorize | stores in the said area | region of 122 (step S2). Further, the image forming apparatus 1 interprets the print data stored in the received data storage area 120 by the function of the image drawing unit 106 and draws a raster image using the image and print conditions indicated by the print data. Then, image data representing the raster image is generated (step S3). Then, the image forming apparatus 1 deletes the portion of the print data indicating the image from the print data for which the image data has been generated in step S4 by the function of the PAGE control unit 104, and displays the print condition without displaying the image. (Step S4), a print data ID for uniquely identifying the print data is assigned to the print data, and the print data (drawing) is performed by the function of the memory control unit 107. The subsequent print data) and the print data ID are associated with each other and stored in the JOB management area 122 of the data storage area 121. At this time, the image forming apparatus 1 associates the print data after drawing with the print data before drawing stored in the area assigned to the print job in the JOB management area 122 of the data storage area 121 in step S2. (Step S5). The image forming apparatus 1 stores the print data ID of the print data before drawing and the print data ID of the print data after drawing in the RAM 12b in association with each other by the function of the data management unit 105.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating print data stored in the JOB management area 122 of the data storage area 121 of the RAM 12a. In the drawing, as print jobs, print data before drawing showing images and printing conditions and print data after drawing showing printing conditions without showing images are stored in association with each other as job jobs JOBA and JOBB, respectively. It has been shown. In this way, by storing the print data before drawing and the print data after drawing in the RAM 12a, it is possible to realize operability equivalent to the case of storing in the HDD. Further, by storing the print data before drawing in the RAM 12a, it is possible to appropriately change the print condition and execute the print process using the print data again. Further, since the print data after drawing that is stored does not indicate an image, the data amount of the print data stored in the RAM 12a can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to store more print data in the RAM 12a having a relatively small storage capacity. On the other hand, in the conventional technology, as illustrated in FIG. 6, in the RAM 12a, an area for storing print data is allocated for each print job, and print data before drawing and print data after drawing are assigned for each print job. Are not stored in association with each other, but areas are allocated depending on whether before or after drawing, and print data before drawing and print data after drawing are stored in separate areas.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 executes a print job using the image data generated in step S3 by the function of the engine control unit 108, causes the engine unit 60 to form an image, and transfers the image to a print medium. And the print medium is discharged. As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 performs the image forming process.

  Next, the procedure of image forming processing performed by reusing print data stored in the data storage area 121 as described above will be described with reference to FIG. For example, when the image forming apparatus 1 receives a print instruction for instructing printing using the print data stored in the RAM 12b (step S20), the image forming apparatus 1 reads the print data from the data storage area 121 (step S21). For example, the print instruction is given by an operation input from the user via the operation display unit 20 or is received from the host 2. In the print instruction, the print data after drawing stored in the RAM 12b is specified and printing is instructed.

  For example, when receiving a print instruction via the operation display unit 20, the image forming apparatus 1 is stored in the data storage area 121 as an operation screen for the user to instruct a print process that reuses print data. When a list of printing conditions indicated by the print data after drawing is displayed on the operation display unit 20 and an operation input for selecting any one of the printing conditions is performed via the operation display unit 20, the operation input unit responsive to the operation input. Then, a print instruction for instructing printing that reuses the print data is received. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 uses the function of the data management unit 105 to set the print data ID of the print data before rendering associated with the print data ID of the print data for the print data indicating the selected print condition. Then, by the function of the memory control unit 107, the print data before drawing stored in the data storage area 121 in association with the print ID is read.

  For example, when a print instruction is received from the host 2, the print instruction includes a print data ID associated with print data to be reused (print data after rendering). Yes. Therefore, in step S21, the image forming apparatus 1 uses the function of the data management unit 105 to print data corresponding to the print data ID indicated by the print instruction (print data after drawing). The print data ID of the print data before drawing associated with the ID is specified, and the print data before drawing stored in the data storage area 121 in association with the print ID by the function of the memory control unit 107 Is read.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 1 assigns a new area in the JOB management area 122 of the data storage area 121 to the new print job executed using the print data read in step S21, and The print data is stored in the area (step S22).

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 receives an operation input for designating a new print condition via the operation display unit 20 (step S23: YES), the image forming apparatus 1 indicates the print condition designated by the operation input. The print data read in step S21 is updated (step S24). Then, the image forming apparatus 1 stores the print data updated in step S24 in the received data storage area 120 through the function of the memory control unit 107 by the function of the JOB control unit 103, and proceeds to step S25. On the other hand, when there is no operation input for designating a new printing condition via the operation display unit 20 (step S23: NO), the image forming apparatus 1 uses the function of the JOB control unit 103 to change the function of the memory control unit 107. Then, the print data read in step S21 is stored in the received data storage area 120, and the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S <b> 25, the image forming apparatus 1 interprets the print data stored in the received data storage area 120 by the function of the image drawing unit 106, and uses the image and the print condition indicated by the print data to generate a raster image. Is drawn to generate image data representing the raster image. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 uses the function of the engine control unit 108 to execute a print job using the generated image data to form an image on the engine unit 60 and transfer the image to the print medium. Then, the print medium is discharged (step S26). Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 1 deletes the print data stored in the area assigned to the print job in the JOB management area 122 of the data storage area 121 (step S27).

  For example, in the example of FIG. 3, when print data before drawing and print data after drawing are stored in the JOB management area 122 for JOBA, in step S21 according to the print instruction received in step S20, The print data before drawing is read, and in step S22, an area is allocated to the JOBC in the JOB management area 122 as a new JOBC, and the read print data is stored in the area. In step S25, after the image data is generated using the print data, the print data after drawing is generated, and the print data after drawing is printed in the area assigned to JOBC before the drawing. It is stored in association with each other. Thereafter, in step S26, when the image data generated in step S25 is used to transfer the image to the print medium and the print medium is ejected, in step S27, the job management area 122 is stored with respect to the JOBC. The stored print data is deleted.

  According to the configuration as described above, even if an image forming apparatus is not equipped with an HDD, it is possible to store the print data in the RAM, thereby realizing the accumulation of the print data. A new print job that reuses the print data can be executed with the same operability as the image forming apparatus. Further, since the image portion is deleted and stored from the print data after drawing, the amount of print data can be reduced, and the storage capacity for storing the print data can be reduced. In addition, when a print job is executed by reusing the print data, even if the print condition is changed by the user, the print job is reflected to reflect the changed print condition. The printing result under the printing conditions desired by the user can be obtained. For this reason, it is possible to ensure user convenience.

[Modification]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, you may delete some components from all the components shown by embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined. Further, various modifications as exemplified below are possible.

  In the embodiment described above, various programs executed by the image forming apparatus 1 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The various programs are recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) in a file in an installable or executable format. May be configured to be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has been described with reference to an example in which the image forming apparatus 1 is applied to a multifunction peripheral capable of realizing a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. However, at least one of these functions is used. It may be feasible. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment is applied to any of a copying machine that realizes a copy function, a printer that realizes a printer function, a scanner apparatus that realizes a scanner function, a facsimile apparatus that realizes a facsimile function, and the like. Also good.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Host 10 Controller 20 Operation display part 60 Engine part 100 Data reception control part 101 Data reception part 102 Printer control part 103 JOB control part 104 PAGE control part 105 Data management part 106 Image drawing part 107 Memory control part 108 Engine Control unit 120 Received data storage area 121 Data storage area 122 JOB management area

JP 2009-037409 A

Claims (6)

Storage means;
Receiving means for receiving, from the information processing apparatus, first print data indicating an image and a first print condition together with a print instruction;
Using the first print data received by the receiving means, drawing a raster image, which is an image in a raster format, and generating image data representing the raster image;
First control means for generating third print data in which the image data is deleted from the second print data after drawing including the image data and the second print condition recognized by generating the image data;
Second control means for storing the first print data and the third print data in association with each other in the storage means;
An image forming means for executing a job to form an image using the image data generated by the drawing means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit stores the first print data and the third print data in association with each other in the storage unit for each job. Print instruction receiving means for receiving a new print instruction specifying the third print data;
Specifying means for specifying the first print data corresponding to the specified third print data with reference to the storage means when the print instruction receiving means receives the new print instruction; ,
The second control means reads the first print data specified by the specifying means from the storage means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the drawing unit generates the image data using the first print data read by the second control unit. The print instruction accepting unit further accepts designation of a new third print condition different from the second print condition when the new print instruction is accepted,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the drawing unit generates the image data using the third printing condition received instead of the first printing condition . An image forming method executed by an image forming apparatus,
A receiving step of receiving, from the information processing apparatus, first print data indicating an image and a first print condition together with a print instruction;
A drawing step of drawing a raster image, which is a raster format image, using the first print data received in the receiving step, and generating image data representing the raster image;
A first control step of generating third print data in which the image data is deleted from the second print data after drawing including the image data and a second print condition recognized by generating the image data;
A second control step of storing the first print data and the third print data in a storage unit in association with each other;
An image forming step of executing a job to form an image using the image data generated in the drawing step;
An image forming method comprising:   An image forming program for causing a computer to execute the image forming method according to claim 5.

Images