JP6068090B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus incorporating a RIP processing function.

  Conventionally, there is a case where a print job is output without performing RIP conversion from vector data to raster data. As one example, there is variable printing in which a print image having individual contents and the number of pages according to a customer is continuously printed for a plurality of customers in a fixed layout such as a direct mail or an invoice.

  In variable printing, variable data that can be changed for each customer (destination) such as name, address, and notification content is inserted into invariable reusable data such as layout information and logos. Print the image. For this purpose, reusable data and variable data are output as a set to the printer controller, where they are RIP converted and then output to the printer.

  In recent years, a printer having a built-in RIP conversion unit corresponding to a print job requiring RIP conversion such as variable printing has been proposed. In this type of printer, when print jobs that require RIP conversion and print jobs that do not need to be input in succession, it is desirable to perform print processing for each print job in parallel.

  As a conventional technique for performing print processing of a plurality of print jobs in parallel, for example, there is a technique in which a plurality of reception buffers for receiving a print job and a plurality of expansion buffers for expanding a bitmap of the received print job are provided. ing. In this prior art, bitmap drawing development processing is individually performed for each print job, and printing processing is performed by a printing unit first from a print job for which drawing development processing has been completed first. Therefore, according to this prior art, it is possible to reduce the waiting time when a plurality of print jobs are generated, and to improve the throughput of the printing process in the printing unit (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-3188

  However, in the above-described prior art, print jobs are printed in the order in which the bitmaps have been developed, so that the print job reception order does not necessarily match the print processing end order. For example, a print job that has been received after RIP conversion may start printing processing earlier than a print job that has been received before RIP conversion, and the order of the print processing may be changed at random.

  In particular, since the variable printing described above performs RIP conversion processing by the built-in RIP processing unit prior to bitmap development processing, it takes time to complete bitmap development processing, and the order of printing processing is random. There is a high possibility of replacement. However, if the order of the printing process is changed at random, the discharge order of the printed matter is changed at random, which is not preferable particularly in the case of variable printing.

  However, if the print processing end order is made to match the print job reception order, the expansion processing of the received print job bitmap is started until the print processing of the previously received print job starts. I can't do that. Then, if the next print job is received during the bitmap development process for the previously received print job, it will be received first no matter how short the bitmap development process for the received print job will be. Until the bitmap development processing for the print job is completed, the bitmap development processing for the print job received later cannot be started.

  This eventually hinders improving the throughput of the printing process in the printing unit.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to receive a plurality of print jobs in succession while suppressing the end order of print processing from being randomly changed with respect to the order of reception of print jobs. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the throughput of the printing process in the printing unit.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes:
A developing unit that performs processing for developing a bitmap of the print data in the engine transfer memory and outputting the print data to the print engine when the print data of the received print job has been converted into bitmap data by the RIP process;
When the print data of the received print job is vector data before being converted into bitmap data by RIP processing, the bitmap of the print data converted from vector data to bitmap data is expanded in the engine transfer memory, and In an image forming apparatus including an RIP conversion unit that performs processing to be output to a print engine,
An identifier assigning unit that assigns an identifier of the reception order to the print job;
A memory for giving an address in the engine transfer memory of the memory area to the request source of the allocation request in response to an allocation request of the memory area for expanding the bitmap from the expansion unit and the RIP conversion unit The management department,
Print instructions for the print data in which a bitmap is developed by the development unit or the RIP conversion unit in association with the identifier at an address assigned by the memory management unit of the engine transfer memory in the order of reception indicated by the identifier. A print processing control unit for outputting to the print engine,
The print processing control unit is configured such that when either the expansion unit or the RIP conversion unit performs a process of expanding a bitmap of print data into the engine transfer memory, the expansion unit and the RIP When one of the conversion unit and the other receives a print job to process the print data, the process of the print data by the other is started before the end of the process of the print data by the one,
In accordance with the print instruction from the print processing control unit, the print engine causes the print data, which has been bitmap-expanded in the engine transfer memory, to be output from an address instructed by the print instruction in the engine transfer memory.
An image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 2 is the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, wherein the print processing control unit is one of the developing unit and the RIP converting unit. On the other hand, in a state where there is a print job waiting to be processed in addition to the print job being processed, and there is no print job being processed in either one of the development unit and the RIP conversion unit. When a print job to be processed occurs , a new print job is created in a state in which there is no print job being processed in either the development unit or the RIP conversion unit prior to the print job waiting to be processed. condition that the expansion processing of the generated job is completed, following the instruction to print the print data of the print job in the process by the pre-Symbol one, the said processed print job by the other A print instruction for printing data, characterized by interrupt output to the print engine.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the throughput of print processing in a printing unit when a plurality of print jobs are received in succession while suppressing the end order of print processing from being randomly changed with respect to the order of reception of print jobs. Can do.

  That is, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the order in which the print processing control unit outputs the print data print instruction to the print engine is basically the order of the identifiers given by the identifier giving unit. It will be true. Therefore, the print engine basically performs print processing of print data in the order in which print jobs are received.

  On the other hand, the process including the process of expanding the bitmap of the print data into the engine transfer memory, which is performed by the expansion unit and the RIP conversion unit, is performed at any time unless the expansion unit and the RIP conversion unit are processing.

  Then, the print processing control unit performs the processing between the expansion unit and the RIP conversion unit while either the expansion unit or the RIP conversion unit performs the process of expanding the bitmap of the print data into the engine transfer memory. When one of the other receives a print job to process the print data, the process of the print data by the other is started before the process of the print data by one ends.

  For this reason, processing of print data by either the expansion unit or the RIP conversion unit until the print engine finishes executing the print processing of the print data processed by either the expansion unit or the RIP conversion unit. , And the free time from the end of the print processing of the print data processed by one to the start of the print processing of the print data processed by the other can be reduced or eliminated. As a result, the print engine can continuously execute print processing without a break, and throughput can be improved.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 2, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, the received print job is sent to either the developing unit or the RIP converting unit. On the other hand, print data to be processed may be received in a state where processing of print data is concentrated and waiting for processing occurs.

  In this case, if the print data of the received print job is processed on the other side before the print job on which print data processing has not been completed, the print data print instruction is output to the print engine as an interrupt. Is done. Therefore, the print processing of the print job whose print data is processed on the other side does not wait until the print processing of the other print job whose reception order is earlier than that print job is completed, thereby improving the print processing throughput. Can be made.

  Even in this case, when the print job waiting for processing is concentrated between the development unit and the RIP conversion unit and processing of a certain print data is completed, only one processing is waiting for the other. Except for the exceptional case of interrupting the print job, the print job is processed in the order of reception in principle, so that the end order of the print processing can be prevented from being randomly changed.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the various modules virtually constructed | assembled on CPU of FIG. FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing processing timing of a print job by each module of FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed by an image formation control unit in FIG. 2.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is an ink jet line color printer. The ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes a plurality of ink heads having a large number of nozzles, and discharges black or color ink from each of the ink heads to perform printing in units of lines, thereby forming a plurality of images on recording paper on a conveyance belt. It forms so that it may mutually overlap.

(Overall configuration of printer network system)
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer network system of this embodiment includes an inkjet recording apparatus 1 (corresponding to an image forming apparatus in claims) and a client terminal 14.

(Configuration of client terminal)
Each client terminal 14 is configured by a PC (personal computer) or the like. The client terminal 14 has a CPU 16 that executes various processes based on a control program stored in the ROM 17. The CPU 16 includes a RAM 18 that functions as a working area, an input unit 19 that includes a keyboard and a mouse, an output unit 20 that includes a liquid crystal display, an external storage device 21, and a disk drive 22. It is connected.

  The external storage device 21 has a storage area for application programs for generating document data including print images such as documents and images, a storage area for printer driver programs of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, and a storage area for various other application programs. It is secured. The external storage device 21 also has a database area for storing original data generated by using an application program and print data obtained by converting a print image of the original data into image data for printing according to predetermined print setting information. It is secured.

  Here, the print setting information is information necessary for normal printing, such as document data size, resolution, printing paper size, and printing direction. The print setting information also includes information related to a printing mode such as variable printing and a finishing process such as an encapsulating and sealing process.

  The CPU 16 is an arithmetic device configured by a processor, a memory, and other peripheral devices, and activates an application program in the external storage device 21 in accordance with an activation request input from the input unit 19. Further, the CPU 16 generates document data indicating an image instructed by parameter input from the input unit 19 on the activated application program. The generated document data is displayed and output at the output unit 20, and is stored in the database area of the external storage device 21 when a save request is input from the input unit 19.

  The document data stored in the database area of the external storage device 21 is read from the external storage device 21 when a read request is input from the input unit 19 while the application program is activated. The read print image of the document data can be displayed and output on the output unit 20, or can be processed on the application program and regenerated as new document data.

  The CPU 16 virtually constructs the printer driver 110 on the CPU 16 by executing the printer driver program on the CPU 16 when a print request for the original data generated by the original application program or the like is input. Then, the printer driver 110 causes the inkjet recording apparatus 1 to output a print job.

  The printer driver 110 is a data conversion program executed on the client terminal 14 in order to control the ink jet recording apparatus 1 connected to the client terminal 14. The printer driver 110 acquires document data having a print image generated by a document application or the like, and generates print data in a bitmap data format according to predetermined print setting information. Then, the generated print job is output from the external interface unit 15 to the external interface unit 11 of the control unit 10.

  In inputting the document data generated by the application program to the printer driver 110, the graphic engine provided by the OS is used in the present embodiment. For example, when the OS (operating system) is Windows (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States), GDI (Graphic Device Interface) is used as the graphic engine.

  Specifically, the graphic engine receives an output command (GDI function) in a format dependent on the OS, converts the command into a format that can be processed by an output device such as the inkjet recording apparatus 1, and the converted command. (DDI function) is output to the printer driver 110.

  Based on the DDI function received from the graphic engine, the printer driver 110 converts the control command into a control command that can be recognized by the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and outputs the control command to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 as a print job having print data in the bitmap data format. To do.

  Further, the CPU 16 generates a print job and outputs the print job to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 when a variable print request such as a form generated by an application program for creating a form is input.

  Here, the variable printing is to print a print image with individual contents according to a customer in a fixed layout such as a direct mail or an invoice. In this variable printing, variable data that is variable for each customer (destination) such as name, address, and notification contents is inserted into invariable reusable data such as layout information and logos, and the contents and number of pages differ for each customer. Print the print image.

  The print data for variable printing that can be created using the form creation application program is vector data that is a set of reusable data and variable data.

  The printer driver program and various application programs for causing the CPU 16 to execute the processing described above are read from the disk-shaped recording medium 50 such as an optical disk by the disk drive 22 of the client terminal 14 and installed in the external storage device 21. (Remember).

(Configuration of inkjet recording apparatus)
The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a scanner unit 101 that reads image information on a document as a print image and outputs an image signal, and a print image on recording paper (one side or both sides) based on the image signal output from the scanner unit 101. Is provided with a printer unit 102 for printing (recording) and a control unit 10 for overall control. A recording sheet used for printing a print image in the printer unit 102 is conveyed from a paper supply unit (not shown) to a paper discharge unit (not shown) via the printer unit 102.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the external interface unit 11 of the control unit 10 is connected to the external interface units 15 of a plurality of client terminals 14 (typically one client terminal 14 in FIG. 1) via a local area network LAN. Are only connected). From each client terminal 14, the control unit 10 receives a print job of a print image. The control unit 10 generates raster data of the print image based on the print data of the received print job, and develops the bitmap. Further, when the print data of the received print job is vector data, the control unit 10 performs RIP conversion from vector data to raster data and then develops the bitmap. The ink jet recording apparatus 1 causes the printer unit 102 to print a print image on a recording sheet under the conditions specified in the print job.

  A display 80 is connected to the control unit 10. The display 80 is disposed on the upper part of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. The display 80 can be used as an input operation unit or the like for a user to input copying conditions such as the number of copies and a copy magnification when a print image set on the scanner unit 101 is copied and printed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 that causes the printer unit 102 to perform a printing operation includes a CPU 90. The CPU 90 controls the operation of the scanner unit 101 and the printer unit 102 according to the contents input and set from the display 80 based on the program and setting information stored in the ROM 91.

  The control unit 10 is provided with a RAM 92. In the RAM 92, a print job input from the client terminal 14 to the control unit 10, the number of printed copies input from the display 80, various setting contents, and the like. Is stored from time to time.

  The RAM 92 is provided with a frame memory area (corresponding to the engine transfer memory in the claims). In this frame memory area, raster data of a print image generated by the CPU 90 by a print job input from the client terminal 14 to the control unit 10 is temporarily stored until it is output to the printer unit 102.

  Further, the control unit 10 is provided with an external storage device 93, and this external storage device 93 is connected to the CPU 90. The external storage device 93 is provided with a plurality of areas for storing print jobs transferred from the RAM 92 described above.

  The CPU 90 virtually executes various programs for causing the printer unit 102 to perform a printing operation on the CPU 90 by causing the program stored in the ROM 91 to be executed on the CPU 90. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing various modules virtually built in the CPU 90.

  As shown in FIG. 2, various modules virtually constructed in the CPU 90 are a job receiving unit 111, a job control unit 112, an image formation control unit 113, a variable data RIP engine 114, a bitmap development module 115, an engine transfer memory. A management unit 116 and a print engine 117 are included.

  The job control unit 112 (corresponding to the identifier assigning unit in the claims) assigns an identifier in the order of reception to a print job input from the client terminal 14 to the external interface unit 11 of the control unit 10 and received by the job receiving unit 111. The image formation control unit 113 is instructed to form an image of the print image by the print job.

  The image formation control unit 113 (corresponding to the print processing control unit in the claims) sends the print data of the print job instructed by the job control unit 112 to the variable data RIP engine 114 according to the data format. The data is output to one of the bitmap expansion modules 115.

  The variable data RIP engine 114 (corresponding to the RIP conversion unit in the claims) receives print data based on vector data before RIP conversion from the image formation control unit 113. The variable data RIP engine 114 converts vector data which is print data of the received print job into raster data (bitmap data). Then, the variable data RIP engine 114 performs processing for expanding the converted print data bitmap into the frame memory area of the RAM 92.

  The bitmap development module 115 (corresponding to the development unit in the claims) receives the RIP converted print data in the bitmap data format from the image formation control unit 113. The bitmap development module 115 performs processing for developing a bitmap of print data (bitmap data format) of the received print job in the frame memory area of the RAM 92.

  The engine transfer memory management unit 116 (corresponding to the memory management unit in the claims) includes a frame of the RAM 92 that develops a bitmap of print data (bitmap data format) from the variable data RIP engine 114 and the bitmap development module 115. An allocation request for requesting allocation of a memory area (corresponding to an allocation request for a memory area in claims) is input.

  Further, the engine transfer memory management unit 116 responds to the input allocate request to the request source (variable data RIP engine 114 or bitmap development module 115) in the frame memory area of the RAM 92 that develops the bitmap. Give an address.

  When the address of the frame memory area of the RAM 92 that expands the bitmap is assigned, the variable data RIP engine 114 and the bitmap expansion module 115 expand the bitmap to the address assigned to the frame memory area, and when the expansion ends. This is notified to the image formation control unit 113 together with the address.

  The image formation control unit 113, which has received the completion notification of the bitmap development for the frame memory area of the RAM 92 from the variable data RIP engine 114 or the bitmap development module 115, issues a print data print instruction for which the bitmap development has been completed. Output to the print engine 117. At this time, the image formation control unit 113 receives the identifier given by the job control unit 112 to the print job of the print data to be printed and the address notified from the variable data RIP engine 114 or the bitmap development module 115. It is output to the print engine 117 together with the print instruction.

  Upon receiving the print instruction, the print engine 117 reads out the bitmap-expanded print data (bitmap data) from the address of the frame memory area of the RAM 92 received together with the print instruction, and causes the printer unit 102 to perform print processing. At this time, the print engine 117 basically receives the print job indicated by the identifier given by the job control unit 112 to the target print job for the print processing corresponding to the print instruction from the image formation control unit 113. The printer unit 102 is sequentially executed.

(Print job processing timing)
Next, the processing timing of each print job when the inkjet recording apparatus 1 receives print jobs from the client terminal 14 in succession will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, following the reception of the first print job having the print data based on the vector data before the RIP conversion, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 performs the second print job having the print data in the bitmap data format subjected to the RIP conversion. In addition, a third print job having print data based on vector data before RIP conversion is continuously received.

  In this case, the first print job is received, RIP conversion from vector data that is the print data to bitmap data, and expansion of the converted bitmap into the frame memory area of the RAM 92, variable data While the RIP engine 114 is executing, the bitmap development module 115 starts a process of developing the bitmap of the print data of the second print job in the frame memory area of the RAM 92.

  When the development of the bitmap of the first print job is completed, print processing using the print data of the first print job is started in the printer unit 102, and a vector which is print data of the third print job is started. The variable data RIP engine 114 starts RIP conversion from data to bitmap data and expansion of the converted bitmap into the frame memory area of the RAM 92. Thereafter, when the print data processing by the bitmap development module 115 for the second print job is completed, the print processing for the second print job is started after the print processing for the first print job is completed. .

  Further, when the print data processing by the variable data RIP engine 114 for the third print job is finished, the print processing for the third print job is started after the print processing for the second print job is finished. .

(Action / Effect)
As described above, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the variable data RIP engine 114 and the bitmap development module 115 respectively perform processing on print data before RIP conversion and print data after RIP conversion, When the processing is completed, print processing of print data is performed in the printer unit 102 in the order in which the print jobs are received.

  For this reason, the variable data RIP engine 114 and the bitmap expansion module until the print engine 117 finishes executing the print processing of the print data processed by either the variable data RIP engine 114 or the bitmap expansion module 115. The processing of the print data by either one of the print data 115 and the print data 115 can be ended, and the print engine 117 can continuously execute print processing without a break, thereby improving the throughput.

  If the order of receiving the print jobs is switched between the second and third, the RIP conversion of the first print job and the RIP conversion of the second print job until the variable data RIP engine 114 ends the bitmap development. The variable data RIP engine 114 cannot start the development of the bitmap.

  Therefore, in this case, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the bitmap development of the third print job is first executed by the vacant bitmap development module 115, and exceptionally the first After the print job print process, the third print job print process is executed, and then the second print job print process is executed.

  For this reason, when print jobs for processing print data by the variable data RIP engine 114 are received in succession first and second, before the second print job that has not finished processing the print data, When the print data of the third received print job has been processed by the bitmap development module 115, the third print job is printed by interruption prior to the second print job.

  Therefore, the print processing throughput of the third print job is not waited until the print processing of the second print job is finished after the print data of the second print job is processed by the variable data RIP engine 114, thereby improving the throughput of the print processing. Can do. However, this configuration may be omitted.

  In order to improve the throughput of the printing process, it is effective to avoid stopping the print engine 117 as much as possible. In other words, if the print engine 117 is not stopped, it is necessary to execute an initial operation for returning the print engine 117 from the stopped state when the printer unit 102 performs the printing process of the next print job. Therefore, the printing process for the next print job can be started earlier.

  For this purpose, the image formation control unit 113 may output the print job print instruction to the print engine 117, and then perform the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the image formation control unit 113 checks whether or not there is a received print job for which a print instruction has not been output to the print engine 117 (step S1). If it exists (YES in step S1), the print data is output to the variable data RIP engine 114 and the bitmap development module 115 (step S3), and the series of procedures is terminated.

  On the other hand, if there is no received print job for which no print instruction has been output to the print engine 117 (NO in step S1), the process waits for a predetermined time (step S5), and the next print job is received by the job receiving unit 111. It is confirmed whether or not it has been received (step S7). If received (YES in step S7), the process proceeds to step S3, the print data is output to the variable data RIP engine 114 and the bitmap development module 115 (step S3), and the series of procedures is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the next print job has not been received by the job receiving unit 111 (NO in step S7), the print engine 117 is stopped (step S9), and the series of procedures is terminated.

  Note that the configuration for the image forming control unit 113 to execute the processing of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 may be omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is used as an image forming apparatus has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the ink jet method, and can be widely applied to a case where an image forming apparatus is a printer using a method other than the ink jet method such as an electrophotographic method or a stencil printing method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 10 Control unit 11 External interface part 14 Client terminal 15 External interface part 16 CPU
17 ROM
18 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 Input part 20 Output part 21 External storage device 22 Disk drive 50 Disc-shaped recording medium 80 Display 90 CPU
91 ROM
92 RAM
93 external storage device 101 scanner unit 102 printer unit 110 printer driver 111 job receiving unit 112 job control unit 113 image formation control unit 114 variable data RIP engine 115 bitmap development module 116 engine transfer memory management unit 117 print engine LAN local area network

Claims (2)

A developing unit that performs processing for developing a bitmap of the print data in the engine transfer memory and outputting the print data to the print engine when the print data of the received print job has been converted into bitmap data by the RIP process;
When the print data of the received print job is vector data before being converted into bitmap data by RIP processing, the bitmap of the print data converted from vector data to bitmap data is expanded in the engine transfer memory, and In an image forming apparatus including an RIP conversion unit that performs processing to be output to a print engine,
An identifier assigning unit that assigns an identifier of the reception order to the print job;
A memory for giving an address in the engine transfer memory of the memory area to the request source of the allocation request in response to an allocation request of the memory area for expanding the bitmap from the expansion unit and the RIP conversion unit The management department,
Print instructions for the print data in which a bitmap is developed by the development unit or the RIP conversion unit in association with the identifier at an address assigned by the memory management unit of the engine transfer memory in the order of reception indicated by the identifier. A print processing control unit for outputting to the print engine,
The print processing control unit is configured such that when either the expansion unit or the RIP conversion unit performs a process of expanding a bitmap of print data into the engine transfer memory, the expansion unit and the RIP When one of the conversion unit and the other receives a print job to process the print data, the process of the print data by the other is started before the end of the process of the print data by the one,
In accordance with the print instruction from the print processing control unit, the print engine causes the print data, which has been bitmap-expanded in the engine transfer memory, to be output from an address instructed by the print instruction in the engine transfer memory.
An image forming apparatus. The print processing control unit is configured such that, in any one of the development unit and the RIP conversion unit, the print job waiting for processing exists in addition to the print job being processed, and the development unit and the RIP conversion unit. When a print job to be processed occurs in a state where there is no print job being processed in either one of the conversion units, the expansion unit and the RIP conversion unit are preceded by the print job waiting for processing. printing on the other, for the new condition that the expansion process is completed jobs generated, the print data of the print job in the process by the pre-Symbol while in the absence of a print job state during processing of the The print instruction for the print data of the print job to be processed by the other is interrupted and output to the print engine following the instruction. Image forming apparatus.

Images