JP6753317B2 - Printer controller, program, printing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printer controller, a program, and a printing system including a printer controller and a printer engine unit that transmit image data obtained by rasterizing each page of a print job to a printer engine unit.

When printing related to a print job described in PDL (Page Disscript Language), the print job is sent from a PC or the like to the printer controller, and each page of the print job is rasterized (RIP) by the printer controller to perform image data (RIP). Expand to image data). The printer controller transmits the expanded image data and related information used for printing this image data (for example, specifying the page size, paper feed tray, binding allowance, etc.) to the printer engine unit, and the printer engine unit transmits the printer. Printing based on the image data received from the controller is executed using the related information received from the printer controller.

As shown in FIG. 11, the printer controller and the printer engine unit are usually connected to the image bus by a serial I / F (Interface). The image bus is used for transmission of RIP-completed image data, and the serial I / F is used for initial communication, handling for image data transmission, and transmission of the above-mentioned related information. Specifically, job-start / end job communication and page-start / end handling communication are performed via the serial I / F. In addition, page-start includes related information and is transmitted.

FIG. 12 shows an example of communication when data relating to a job composed of three pages is transmitted from the printer controller to the printer engine unit. First, the job-start indicating the start of the job is transmitted by the serial I / F, then the page-start is transmitted by the serial I / F for each page, and the image data for one page is transmitted through the image bus. After the transmission of the image data is completed, the page-end is transmitted by the serial I / F. Finally, a job-end is transmitted by serial I / F.

FIG. 13 shows a communication example in which three job data composed of one page are continuously transmitted from the printer controller to the printer engine unit. Job-start is sent by serial I / F, then page-start is sent by serial I / F, image data for one page is sent by image bus, and page-end is sent by serial I / F. After that, the procedure of transmitting the job-end with the serial I / F is repeated three times for each job. Therefore, as compared with the case shown in FIG. 12, the number of times job-start and job-end are transmitted increases, and the transmission overhead increases.

Even in such a case, in order to satisfy the print productivity (PPM) of the printer engine unit, it is necessary that the data transmission time for one job composed of one page is within the required printing time for one page. There is.

As the print productivity of the printer engine unit and the RIP speed of the printer controller increase, the interface between the printer engine unit and the printer controller also needs to be increased in speed. In order to speed up the interface, it is possible to speed up the hardware and reduce the software processing.

In general, as a method for increasing the speed of hardware, it is conceivable to expand the bus width and increase the frequency of the transmission clock. Not preferred.

Regarding software processing, it is especially important to take measures against the increase in job communication (job-start, job-end) overhead due to continuous jobs with a small number of pages as shown in FIG. 13, one of which is the following patent. It is disclosed in Document 1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the overhead of job communication is reduced by combining a plurality of jobs submitted in succession into one job. For example, when 100 jobs on one page are consecutive, this is processed as one job composed of 100 pages. As a result, the number of job communications (job-start, job-end) is significantly reduced, and the transmission time is shortened. In addition, Patent Document 2 below discloses a technique for rearranging the processing order of a plurality of jobs so that the same paper is continuous.

JP-A-2007-109155 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-233867

According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a large number of jobs with a small number of pages are consecutive, the overhead due to job communication (job-start, job-end) can be reduced by combining these into one job. .. However, the handling communication for each page has not been reduced. For example, in page-start, in addition to information indicating the start of the page, many associations for printing image data such as job type, user name, document name, number of copies, image size, paper size, color mode, binding margin, etc. Information is transmitted.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and is capable of reducing the overhead of handling communication for each page and shortening the data transmission time from the printer controller to the printer engine unit. Printer controller, program and printing The purpose is to provide a system.

The gist of the present invention for achieving such an object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] A receiver that receives print jobs and
A storage unit that stores received print jobs and
An expansion unit that generates image data by rasterizing each page of the print job stored in the storage unit,
A first transmission unit that transmits the image data generated by the development unit to the printer engine unit through the first transmission line, and
A second transmission unit that transmits related information used for printing the image data to the printer engine unit through the second transmission line, and
A control unit that controls transmission of the image data and the related information to the printer engine unit, and
With
The control unit creates first related information and second related information as the related information, transmits the first related information to the printer engine unit before transmitting the image data, and the second related information is an image. A printer controller characterized in that data is transmitted to the printer engine unit during data transmission.

In the above invention and the invention described in the following [12], the printer controller creates the first related information and the second related information as the related information related to the printing of the image data, and the first related information is before the transmission of the image data. It is transmitted to the printer engine unit through the second transmission line, and the second related information is transmitted to the printer engine unit through the second transmission line during the transmission of image data by the first transmission line. The first related information includes data to be notified to the printer engine unit before the start of transmission of the image data, and the second related information is data that does not need to be notified to the printer engine unit before the start of transmission of the image data.

[2] The printer controller according to [1], wherein the first related information includes page size information of a page represented by the image data.

In the above invention and the invention described in the following [13], the printer controller notifies the printer engine unit of the page size information represented by the image data before starting the transmission of the image data. The printer engine unit secures a memory area corresponding to the page size indicated by the received page size information, and stores the image data sent from the printer controller in the reserved memory area.

[3] When the control unit continuously transmits image data of a plurality of pages having the same page size to the printer engine unit, the control unit transmits the page size information before transmitting the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages. The printer controller according to [2], wherein the transmission of the page size information before the image data transmission is omitted for the image data of the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages to be transmitted.

In the above invention and the invention described in the following [14], if the page sizes of a plurality of consecutive pages are the same, the page size information notified before the transmission of the image data of the first page can be diverted to the subsequent pages. For the image data on the second and subsequent pages, the notification of the page size information before the image data transmission is omitted.

[4] The control unit sets a special page size capable of including all the page sizes of the plurality of pages when continuously transmitting image data of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed to the printer engine unit. , The image data of each page of the plurality of pages is converted into the image data of the special page size by adding redundant data and transmitted to the printer engine unit, and before the transmission of the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages. The page size information of the special page size is transmitted to, and the transmission of the page size information before the image data transmission is omitted for the image data of the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages. The printer controller according to [2] or [3], wherein the data can be obtained.

In the above invention and the invention described in the following [15], when a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed are continuously transmitted, a special page size capable of including all the page sizes of the plurality of pages is set, and the plurality of pages are set. Is unified to a special page size and transmitted. By unifying the page size in this way, it is sufficient to transmit the page size information only before the transmission of the image data of the first page.

[5] When the control unit transmits image data by applying at least the transmission method of the page size unified method, the second related information to be transmitted to the printer engine unit during transmission of the image data is described. The printer controller according to [4], wherein the original page size information indicating the page size before adding redundant data is included.

In the above invention and the invention described in the following [16], when the image data is transmitted in a unified manner with a special page size, the original page size information is included in the second related information and notified to the printer engine unit. Since the process of trimming the original page size image from the special page size image data may be performed after the image data is stored in the memory, the original page size information is notified to the printer engine unit as the second related information.

[6] The control unit transmits a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed by using the page size unified method, and a normal method of transmitting image data of each page in the original page size. The printer controller according to [4] or [5], wherein the transmission method is compared with the transmission time when transmission is performed using the above, and the transmission method having the shorter transmission time is used.

In the above invention and the invention described in the following [17], by unifying the special page size, the page size information is not included in the first related information after the second page, so that the transmission time of the first related information is shortened. However, the transmission time of the image data becomes longer by the amount of the redundant data added. Therefore, compare the total transmission time when transmitting with the unified page size method and the total transmission time when transmitting the image data of each page with the original page size, and the one with the shorter transmission time. Adopt the transmission method of.

[7] The control unit groups a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a second group in which two or more page sizes different from the first group are mixed. The printer controller according to any one of [4] to [6], which is divided and the page size unification method is individually applied to the first group and the second group.

In the above invention and the invention described in the following [18], if a special page size is set for pages having significantly different page sizes, redundant data added to the original image data increases and the transmission time of the image data becomes long. Therefore, a plurality of pages are divided into a first group and a second group so that the page sizes are close to each other, and a page size unification method is applied to each group.

[8] The control unit divides a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a third group having a page size different from that in the first group. [4] to [7], wherein the page size unification method is applied to one group, and a normal method of transmitting image data of each page in the original page size is applied to the third group. The printer controller according to any one.

In the above invention and the invention described in the following [19], if a special page size is set for pages having significantly different page sizes, redundant data added to the image data increases and the transmission time of the image data becomes long. Therefore, the page size unification method is applied to those with similar page sizes (first group), and the normal method of transmitting image data in the original page size is applied to pages with significantly different page sizes (third group). Apply.

[9] The printer controller according to [7] or [8], wherein the control unit performs the grouping after changing the page order of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed.

In the above invention and the invention described in the following [20], the page size unification method is applied to a plurality of consecutive pages. Therefore, when grouping a plurality of pages, the page order is arranged so that pages having similar page sizes are continuous. Transmission efficiency can be improved by grouping after changing.

[10] The control unit combines a plurality of jobs into one job.
The printer controller according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the plurality of pages are pages constituting the combined job.

[11] A program executed by an information processing device.
A program characterized in that the information processing apparatus functions as the printer controller according to any one of [1] to [10].

[12] A printing system including a printer controller that rasterizes each page of a print job to generate image data, and a printer engine unit that prints based on the image data transmitted from the printer controller.
The printer controller
The receiver that receives the print job and
A storage unit that stores received print jobs and
An expansion unit that generates image data by rasterizing each page of the print job stored in the storage unit,
A first transmission unit that transmits image data generated by the development unit to the printer engine unit through a first transmission line, and
A second transmission unit that transmits related information used for printing the image data to the printer engine unit through the second transmission line, and
A control unit that controls transmission of the image data and the related information to the printer engine unit, and
With
The control unit creates first related information and second related information as the related information, transmits the first related information to the printer engine unit before transmitting the image data, and the second related information is an image. During data transmission, it is transmitted to the printer engine section,
The printer engine unit is a printing system characterized in that printing based on image data is performed based on the related information received from the printer controller.

[13] The first related information includes page size information of the page represented by the image data.
When the printer engine unit receives the page size information, the printer engine unit secures a memory area corresponding to the page size indicated by the page size information, and stores the image data transmitted from the printer controller in the secured memory area. [12] The printing system according to [12].

[14] When the control unit continuously transmits image data of a plurality of pages having the same page size to the printer engine unit, the control unit transmits the page size information before transmitting the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages. For the image data on the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages, the transmission of the page size information before the image data transmission is omitted.
The printing system according to [13], wherein the printer engine unit secures a memory area corresponding to the page size indicated by the page size information for each page of the plurality of pages.

[15] The control unit sets a special page size capable of including all the page sizes of the plurality of pages when continuously transmitting image data of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed to the printer engine unit. , The image data of each page of the plurality of pages is converted into the image data of the special page size by adding redundant data and transmitted to the printer engine unit, and before the transmission of the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages. The page size information of the special page size is transmitted to, and the transmission of the page size information before the image data transmission is omitted for the image data of the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages. The printing system according to [13] or [14], wherein the printing system can be adopted.

[16] When the control unit transmits image data by adopting at least the transmission method of the page size unified method, the second related information to be transmitted to the printer engine unit during transmission of the image data is described. Includes original page size information that indicates the page size before adding redundant data
The printing system according to [15], wherein the printer engine unit trims and prints image data of each page based on the original page size information.

[17] The control unit transmits a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed by using the page size unified method, and a normal method of transmitting image data of each page in the original page size. The printing system according to [15] or [16], wherein the printing system according to [15] or [16] is characterized in that the transmission method is compared with the transmission time when transmission is performed using the above, and the transmission method having the shorter transmission time is adopted.

[18] The control unit groups a plurality of pages having different page sizes into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a second group in which two or more page sizes different from the first group are mixed. The printing system according to any one of [15] to [17], which is divided and individually adopts the page size unification method for the first group and the second group.

[19] The control unit divides a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a third group having a page size different from that in the first group. [15] to [18], wherein the page size unification method is adopted for one group, and the normal method for transmitting the image data of each page in the original page size is adopted for the third group. The printing system according to any one.

[20] The printing system according to [18] or [19], wherein the control unit performs the grouping after changing the page order of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed.

[21] The control unit combines a plurality of jobs into one job.
The printing system according to any one of [14] to [20], wherein the plurality of pages are pages constituting the combined job.

According to the printer controller, the program, and the printing system according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the overhead due to the handling communication for each page and shorten the data transmission time from the printer controller to the printer engine unit.

It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the printing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which contrasts the conventional transmission in the case of printing A4, 3 pages with the transmission of Example 1 which concerns on embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows the process performed by the printer controller which transmits data by the procedure of Example 1 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the special page size (special size) which can include the page size of both A4 size and Letter size. It is a figure which contrasts the conventional transmission in the case of printing 3 pages of A4, Letter, and A4, and the transmission of Example 2 which concerns on embodiment which sets a special size. It is a figure which contrasts the conventional transmission in the case of printing 4 pages of A4, Letter, A4, and A3 with the transmission of Example 3 which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which contrasts the conventional transmission in the case of printing 4 pages of A4, Letter, B5, and B6S with the transmission of Example 4 which concerns on embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows the process when the printer controller performs the operation corresponding to Example 2 to Example 4. It is a flow chart which shows the process which performs when the printer engine part receives data from a printer controller. It is a flow chart which shows the process when the printer engine executes printing based on the image data stored in the memory. It is a figure which shows the connection of a printer controller and a printer engine part. It is a figure which shows the conventional communication example which transmits the data of the job composed of A4 and 3 pages from a printer controller to a printer engine part. It is a figure which shows the conventional communication example in the case of transmitting three job data of one page consecutively from a printer controller to a printer engine part. It is a figure which shows the conventional communication example which reduced the overhead of job communication by grouping a plurality of jobs into one job.

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

FIG. 1 shows an example of a printing system 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 5 has a printer controller 10 that receives a print job and rasterizes each page to generate image data (image data), and a printer engine that prints on recording paper based on the image data generated by the printer controller 10. It is configured to include a unit 30.

An information processing device such as a PC (personal computer) is connected to the printer controller 10 through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and the printer controller 10 receives a print job from the information processing device or the like. The print job describes the contents of each page in PDL (Page Discription Language).

The printer controller 10 includes a control unit 11, a reception unit 12, a storage unit 13, a serial communication unit 14, an image data transmission unit 15, and the like. The control unit 11 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The storage unit 13 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a non-volatile memory, a hard disk device, and the like.

The receiving unit 12 receives a print job from an information processing device connected via a network. The image data transmission unit 15 transmits the image data generated by the development unit 22, which will be described later, to the printer engine unit 30 through the image bus (first transmission line). The serial communication unit 14 transmits the related information used for printing the image data to the printer engine unit 30 by serial communication (second transmission line).

The control unit 11 controls the transmission of image data and related information to the printer engine unit 30. The control unit 11 functions as a special size setting unit 21, a development unit 22, a redundant data addition unit 23, a related information generation unit 24, and the like.

The developing unit 22 rasterizes (RIPs) each page included in the print job received by the receiving unit 12 to generate image data (image data).

The special size setting unit 21 sets a special page size that can include all the page sizes of the plurality of pages when the image data of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed is continuously transmitted to the printer engine unit 30.

The redundant data addition unit 23 converts the image data of each page into image data of a special page size by adding the redundant data. For example, add invalid data or margins.

The related information generation unit 24 generates related information (first related information and second related information) transmitted by the serial communication unit 14 to the printer engine unit 30. Here, information to be transmitted by job communication of job-start / end and handling communication of page-start / end is created.

The storage unit 13 stores a program executed by the CPU of the control unit 11. When the CPU of the control unit 11 executes the program, the function as the printer controller 10 is realized. The storage unit 13 temporarily stores the print job received by the receiving unit 12, the image data developed by the developing unit 22, the related information generated by the related information generating unit 24, and the like. Further, the RAM of the storage unit 13 is used as a work area for storing various data when the CPU of the control unit 11 executes a program.

The image data of each page stored in the storage unit 13 is read out by the image data transmission unit 15 and transmitted to the printer engine unit 30 through the image bus.

The printer engine unit 30 is configured by connecting buses such as a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an image forming unit 33, a serial communication unit 34, and an image data receiving unit 35.

The control unit 31 is composed of a CPU. The storage unit 32 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, a non-volatile memory, a hard disk device, and the like. The operation of the printer engine unit 30 is controlled by the control unit 31 executing a program stored in the ROM or the like of the storage unit 32.

The image forming unit 33 functions to form and print an image corresponding to the image data (image data) on the recording paper. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photoconductor drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device, and image formation is performed by an electrophotographic process. Do. The image forming unit 33 may use another method.

The image data receiving unit 35 receives the image data sent from the printer controller 10 and stores it in a predetermined area of the storage unit 32. The serial communication unit 34 receives information related to job communication and handling communication sent from the serial communication unit 14 of the printer controller 10 through serial communication.

The control unit 31 functions as a trimming unit 36 and a memory allocation unit 37. The memory allocation unit 37 allocates a memory area for storing image data of each page transmitted from the printer controller 10 on the RAM of the storage unit 32. The trimming unit 36 has a function of deleting redundant data and cutting out image data of the original page size when the image data received from the printer controller 10 is the image data of the original page size with redundant data added. Fulfill.

In addition, the control unit 31 uses the image data received by the printer controller 10 to the image forming unit 33 using the related information (original page size, paper feed tray, binding allowance, etc.) received from the printer controller 10. Performs various controls for printing.

Next, various examples of operations related to transmission of data (image data and related information) between the printer controller 10 of the printing system 5 and the printer engine unit 30 will be described.

(Example 1) When transmitting image data of the same page size continuously for a plurality of pages Here, a case of executing a job of transmitting image data of A4 size continuously for three pages will be described as an example.

The upper part of FIG. 2 shows the conventional transmission, and the lower part of FIG. 2 shows the transmission of (Example 1) in the printing system 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the transmission of Example 1 of the embodiment, the printer controller 10 first transmits a job-start to the printer engine unit 30 by serial communication. The job-start contains information indicating that the number of pages that make up the job and the page size of all pages are the same.

Next, the printer controller 10 transmits page-start by serial communication. The first page-start includes information indicating the start of the page and page size information (information indicating the A4 size) of the page represented by the image data as the first related information.

The printer engine unit 30 that has received the page-start secures a memory area for storing image data for all the pages of this job with a page size corresponding to the page size information included in the page-start. In this example, a memory area for storing image data for three pages in A4 size is secured.

Following page-start, the printer controller 10 transmits the image data of the first page to the printer engine unit 30 via the image bus. Further, the printer controller 10 transmits related information (second related information) for printing the image data of the first page to the printer engine unit 30 by using serial communication during the transmission of the image data of the first page. .. Here, the page size (A4) to be printed, the information of the paper feed tray as the paper feed source of the paper used for printing, and the like are transmitted as the second related information during the transmission of the image data. In addition, the second related information includes information on the binding allowance, the color mode, post-processing, and the like.

After the transmission of the image data is completed, the printer controller 10 transmits a page-end indicating the end of the page by serial communication.

Subsequently, the printer controller 10 transmits the page-start of the second page. This page-start only indicates the start of the page and does not include page size information. The page-start transmission time is shortened by that amount compared to the first page.

The printer controller 10 transmits the image data of the second page to the printer engine unit 30 through the image bus following the page-start of the second page, and uses serial communication during the transmission to transmit the image data of the second page. The second related information for printing the image is transmitted to the printer engine unit 30. Similar to the first page, the page size (A4) to be printed, the information of the paper feed tray, and the like are transmitted as the second related information.

After the transmission of the image data on the second page is completed, the printer controller 10 transmits a page-end indicating the end of the page by serial communication. Then, the page-start, the image data, the second related information, and the page-end are transmitted to the third page in the same manner as the second page. After that, a job-end is sent to end the transmission of data related to the job.

As described above, in the printing system 5 according to the present embodiment, the related information (second related information) used for printing the image data by serial communication while the image data is being transmitted from the printer controller 10 to the printer engine unit 30. Since the information) is transmitted from the printer controller 10 to the printer engine unit 30, it accompanies the transmission of the related information as compared with the conventional transmission (FIG. 2, upper example) in which all the related information is included in the page-start. The overhead can be reduced and the transmission time can be shortened.

The printer engine unit 30 needs to secure a memory area for storing the next image data to be received before the start of receiving the image data. Since the printer engine unit 30 secures the memory based on the page size information received from the printer controller 10, the printer controller 10 needs to notify the printer controller 10 of the page size information of the image data before transmitting the image data. There is.

The page size information used for the purpose of allocating memory in this way can be included in the page-start for each page and notified as in the past. However, if the page size is the same, notification for each page is not necessary, and one notification is sufficient.

Therefore, in Example 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, the printer controller 10 notifies the printer engine unit 30 of the number of pages by job-start, and notifies the printer engine unit 30 of page size information only by the first page-start. However, page-start on the second and subsequent pages adopts a protocol that does not notify page size information. The printer engine unit 30 secures a memory area of a size corresponding to the page size notified by the first page-start for the number of pages notified by job-start, and uses this memory area to obtain image data of each page. Is received and stored.

As a result, the overhead associated with the transmission of page size information can be further reduced, and the transmission time can be shortened.

The above-mentioned plurality of pages may be pages that originally constitute one job, or may be pages that constitute a combined job in which a plurality of jobs are combined.

FIG. 3 shows the flow of processing performed by the printer controller 10 that transmits data in the procedure of Example 1. The printer controller 10 determines whether or not there are a plurality of received and unprocessed waiting jobs in the storage unit 13 (step S101). If there are a plurality of waiting jobs (step S101; a plurality), the printer controller 10 combines the plurality of jobs into one job (step S102), and proceeds to step S103. If there is one waiting job (step S101; one), the process proceeds to step S103.

In step S103, it is checked whether all the pages of the job are the same size. Cases where the sizes are not the same will be described later in order to correspond to other examples (Example 2, Example 3, etc.).

If all pages are the same size, create job-start, job-end, page-start (first related information) of each page, second related information to be transmitted during image data transmission, and information to be transmitted by page-end. (Step S104). job-start contains information indicating that the total number of pages and the page size of all pages are the same. The page-start on the first page contains page size information. The page-start of the second and subsequent pages is only the information indicating the page start and does not include the page size information. The second related information corresponding to each page is the page size at the time of printing, the information of the paper feed tray, and the like.

Next, the printer controller 10 transmits a job-start (step S105). Following this, the printer controller 10 transmits a page-start corresponding to the next page to be transmitted (step S106), and then continuously transmits image data through the image bus, and the second association by serial communication. Information is transmitted (step S107), and when the transmission of image data is completed, page-end is transmitted (step S108).

Then, it is determined whether or not the transmission of the final page is completed (step S109), and if there is a continuation page (step S109; No), the process returns to step S106 and the process is continued. When the transmission of the final page is completed (step S109; Yes), the job-end is transmitted (step S110), and this process ends.

(Example 2) When a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed are continuously transmitted Here, a case where A4 size and Letter size are mixed will be described as an example. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the special size setting unit 21 of the printer controller 10 sets a special page size (hereinafter referred to as a special size) that can include both A4 size and Letter size page sizes. .. In the example of FIG. 4, the A4 size is vertical (L1) and horizontal (W1), the Letter size is vertical (L2) and horizontal (W2), and the relationship is L1> L2 and W2> W1. In this case, the longer size is adopted for each of the vertical and horizontal directions, and the special size is set to vertical (L1) and horizontal (W2).

The upper part of FIG. 5 is the conventional transmission in the case of transmitting three pages of A4, Letter, and A4, and the lower part of FIG. 5 is the present invention in which three pages of A4, Letter, and A4 are transmitted by setting a special size. The transmission of Example 2 according to the embodiment of is shown.

In the transmission of Example 2 of the embodiment, the printer controller 10 first transmits a job-start to the printer engine unit 30 by serial communication. The job-start contains information indicating that the number of pages that make up the job and the page size of all pages are the same.

Next, the printer controller 10 transmits page-start by serial communication. The first page-start includes information indicating the start of the page and page size information (information indicating the special size (L1 × W2)) of the page represented by the image data as the first related information.

The printer engine unit 30 that has received the page-start secures a memory area for all the pages of this job with a page size corresponding to the page size information included in the page-start. In this example, a memory area for storing image data for three pages in a special size (L1 × W2) is secured.

Following page-start, the printer controller 10 transmits the image data of the first page to the printer engine unit 30 via the image bus. This image data is obtained by adding redundant data (margins, etc.) to A4 size image data and converting it into a special size. The printer controller 10 transmits the second related information for printing the image data of the first page to the printer engine unit 30 by using serial communication during the transmission of the image data of the first page. Here, the image data includes information indicating the page size (A4) before adding redundant data (original page size information), information on the paper feed tray as the paper feed source of the paper used for printing, and the like as second related information. Is transmitted during transmission. In addition, the second related information includes information on the binding allowance, the color mode, post-processing, and the like.

After the transmission of the image data is completed, the printer controller 10 transmits a page-end indicating the end of the page by serial communication.

Subsequently, the printer controller 10 transmits the page-start of the second page. This page-start only indicates the start of the page and does not include page size information. The page-start transmission time is shortened by that amount compared to the first page.

Following page-start on the second page, the printer controller 10 transmits the image data on the second page to the printer engine unit 30 via the image bus. The image data on the second page is converted to a special size by adding redundant data to the Letter size image data. Further, during the transmission of the image data, the second related information for printing the image data on the second page is transmitted to the printer engine unit 30 by using serial communication. The second related information includes original page size information indicating the true size of the image data of the second page (page size before adding redundant data (here, Letter size), information on the paper feed tray, and the like.

After the transmission of the image data on the second page is completed, the printer controller 10 transmits a page-end indicating the end of the page by serial communication. Then, for the third page as well as the second page, page-start, image data converted to a special size by adding redundant data, second related information (including original page size information (A4)), page. Send -end. After that, a job-end is sent to end the transmission of data related to the job.

The printer engine unit 30 secures three pages of memory areas capable of storing special-sized image data, and stores the received image data of each page in the reserved memory areas. Then, this image data is trimmed to the size indicated by the original page size information notified in the second related information and printed out.

As described above, in Example 2 of the embodiment, when transmitting image data of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed from the printer controller 10 to the printer engine unit 30, a special size including each page size is set and each is set. The image data of the page is unified to a special size and transmitted. As a result, as in Example 1, the number of pages is notified to the printer engine unit 30 by job-start, the page size information is notified to the printer engine unit 30 only by the first page-start, and the second and subsequent pages are page-. At start, a protocol that does not notify page size information can be adopted, and the overhead associated with transmitting page size information can be reduced and the transmission time can be shortened.

The above-mentioned plurality of pages may be pages that originally constitute one job, or may be pages that constitute a combined job obtained by combining a plurality of jobs.

When the special size is used, the transmission time of the image data becomes longer than when the original image data is transmitted because the redundant data is included in a part of the image data. Therefore, multiple pages with different page sizes are transmitted in a special size (this transmission method is a unified page size method), or the original page size is transmitted without adding redundant data (this transmission method, this transmission method). Whether to use the normal method) is determined by comparing the total transmission time.

That is, in the case of the increase amount of the image data transmission time by using the special size> the reduction time of the overhead, the effect of shortening the transmission time cannot be obtained even if the page size unification method is adopted.

Since the transmission time of image data depends on the hardware, once the page size is determined, the transmission time of image data of that page size can be calculated accurately.

On the other hand, the overhead due to handling communication (SW (software) overhead) is determined by the software processing, so the overhead in the normal method and the overhead in the page size unified method are measured at the time of initial setting of system connection, etc., and each overhead Record the average value of.

For example, when page size 1 and page size 2 are mixed, the transmission time of image data is A seconds for page size 1, B seconds for page size 2, and a special size image including page size 1 and page size 2. The data transmission time is C seconds. In addition, it is assumed that the overhead in the pre-measurement is X seconds in the case of the normal method and Y seconds in the case of the unified page size method. In this case, the total transmission time when the normal method is used is A + B + X seconds, and the total transmission time when the page size unified method is used is 2C + Y. Therefore, if 2C + Y <A + B + X seconds, the page size unification method is adopted, and if 2C + Y <A + B + X seconds, the normal method is adopted.

(Example 3) When dividing multiple pages into a group of pages transmitted by the unified page size method and a group of pages transmitted by the normal method. Special size for different page sizes that are relatively close, such as A4 size and Letter size. It is efficient to transmit in a unified manner. However, when pages with significantly different sizes are mixed, if one special size is set for all pages, the special size becomes large, the amount of redundant data increases, and the transmission time becomes long. It ends up.

Therefore, the total transmission time is shortened by grouping a plurality of pages to be printed into a group of pages transmitted by the unified page size method and a group of pages transmitted by the normal method.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which four pages of A4, Letter, A4, and A3 are printed continuously. The upper part of FIG. 6 shows the case where the conventional method is used for transmission, and the lower part of FIG. 6 shows the case where the page size unified method is adopted for the A4 and Letter pages and the normal method is minimized for transmission to the A3 page. .. The special size is a page size (see FIG. 4) including A4 size and Letter size.

Here, the printer engine unit 30 shall secure a memory area for the next page each time it receives a page-start. Specifically, if the received page-start contains page size information, it is determined that the page related to the page-start is the page size indicated by the page size information, and a memory area of the corresponding size is determined. To secure. If the received page-start does not include page size information, the page related to the page-start is determined to be the same size as the previous page, and a memory area of the same size as the previous page is secured.

In the transmission of Example 3 of the embodiment, the printer controller 10 first transmits a job-start to the printer engine unit 30 by serial communication. job-start contains the number of pages that make up the job. It does not contain information that indicates that all page sizes are the same.

Next, the printer controller 10 transmits page-start by serial communication. The first page-start contains page size information (information indicating a special size) of the page represented by the image data, as well as information indicating the start of the page. The printer engine unit 30 that has received the page-start secures a memory area for the page corresponding to the page-start with the page size corresponding to the page size information included therein.

Following page-start, the printer controller 10 transmits the image data of the first page to the printer engine unit 30 via the image bus. This image data is obtained by adding redundant data (margins, etc.) to A4 size image data and converting it into a special size. The printer engine unit 30 stores the received image data in the memory area secured earlier. Further, the printer controller 10 transmits the second related information for printing the image data of the first page to the printer engine unit 30 by using serial communication during the transmission of the image data of the first page. Here, the image data is being transmitted using the original page size information indicating the page size (A4) before adding redundant data, the information of the paper feed tray as the paper feed source of the paper used for printing, and the like as the second related information. Send to.

After the transmission of the image data is completed, the printer controller 10 transmits a page-end indicating the end of the page to the printer engine unit 30 by serial communication.

Subsequently, the printer controller 10 transmits the page-start of the second page. This page-start only indicates the start of the page and does not include page size information. Therefore, the printer engine unit 30 secures a memory area with the same size as the previous page.

Following page-start on the second page, the printer controller 10 transmits the image data on the second page to the printer engine unit 30 via the image bus. The image data on the second page is converted to a special size by adding redundant data to the Letter size image data. The printer engine unit 30 stores the received image data in the memory area secured earlier. Further, the printer controller 10 transmits the second related information for printing the image data of the second page to the printer engine unit 30 by using serial communication during the transmission of the image data. The second related information includes original page size information indicating the true size of the image data of the second page (page size before adding redundant data (here, Letter size), information on the paper feed tray, and the like.

After the transmission of the image data on the second page is completed, the printer controller 10 transmits a page-end indicating the end of the page by serial communication. Then, for the third page as well as the second page, page-start, image data converted to a special size by adding redundant data, second related information (including the original page size information (A4)), page. Send -end.

Next, the printer controller 10 transmits the page-start of the fourth page. The fourth page is transmitted by the normal method. The page-start on the fourth page includes information indicating the start of the page and page size information indicating the A3 size. Since the page-start includes page size information, the printer engine unit 30 that has received the page-start secures a memory area (memory area corresponding to A3) having a size corresponding to the page size information.

Following page-start, the printer controller 10 transmits the image data of the fourth page to the printer engine unit 30 via the image bus. This image data is A3 size image data, and redundant data is not added. The printer engine unit 30 stores the received image data in the memory area secured earlier. Further, the printer controller 10 transmits the second related information for printing the image data of the fourth page to the printer engine unit 30 by using serial communication during the transmission of the image data of the fourth page. Here, redundant data is not added, but in order to standardize the processing, the original page size information (A3), the information of the paper feed tray as the paper feed source of the paper used for printing, etc. are secondly related. It is transmitted as information during transmission of image data.

After that, the printer controller 10 transmits a job-end and ends the transmission of data related to the job.

The printer engine unit 30 prints the special size image data after trimming it to the page size indicated by the original page size information included in the second related information. Image data received in a standard size such as A3 is printed in that size.

In deciding whether to adopt the unified page size method or the normal method, the transmission time may be calculated and compared each time, but the transmission time of image data is tabulated in advance for each page size (image). Since data transmission depends on hardware, the transmission time can be calculated in advance), and when the average value of overhead is obtained by initial setting, the transmission time is compared for various cases of summarization, and the appropriate summarization method is determined in advance. You may do so.

In this way, pages with similar image sizes (for example, A4 and Letter) are transmitted using the page size unification method, and pages with significantly different sizes (for example, A3) are transmitted by the normal method without grouping. , Can be optimized to minimize transmission time.

(Example 4) When multiple pages are divided into groups, the first group transmits special size A using the page size unification method, and the second group transmits special size B using the page size unification method. For example, when printing multiple pages in which A4 size, Letter size, B5 size, and B6S size are mixed, the first group (A4 and Letter pages) and the first group (A4 and Letter pages) so that pages with similar sizes are in the same group. Divide into the second group (pages of B5 and B6S), set special size A in the first group and special size B in the second group, and set the page size individually in the first group and the second group. Adopt a unified method.

The upper part of FIG. 7 shows the case where the above four pages (A4, Letter, B5, B6S) are transmitted by the conventional method, and the lower part of FIG. 7 shows the above four pages as the first group (A4 and Letter pages). The case where the transmission is divided into the second groups (pages of B5 and B6S) and the page size unification method is individually applied to each group is shown.

The printer controller 10 notifies the special size A at the page-start on the first page, and does not notify the page size information at the page-start on the second page. Further, the printer controller 10 notifies the printer engine unit 30 of A4 as the original page size information in the second related information on the first page, and notifies the printer engine unit 30 as the original page size information in the second related information on the second page. Notify 30.

The printer controller 10 notifies the special size B at the page-start on the third page, and does not notify the page size information at the page-start on the fourth page. Further, the printer controller 10 notifies the printer engine unit 30 of B5 as the original page size information in the second related information on the third page, and B6S as the original page size information in the second related information on the fourth page. Notify 30.

As a result, the printer engine unit 30 determines that the first page and the second page are special size A pages and secures a memory area, and determines that the third and fourth pages are special size B pages and memory. Secure the area. Further, the printer engine unit 30 trims the image data of the special size A to the A4 size when printing the first page, and trims the image data of the special size A to the Letter size when printing the second page. When printing the third page, the image data of the special size B is trimmed to the B5 size, and when printing the fourth page, the image data of the special size B is trimmed to the B6S size.

In addition, before grouping as in Examples 3 and 4, the order of the pages may be rearranged in an order suitable for grouping. For example, in FIG. 6, when A3 is located on the third page and A4 is located on the fourth page, they are rearranged as shown in FIG. 6 and then grouped.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing processing when the printer controller 10 performs operations corresponding to Examples 2 to 4. If all the pages constituting the job (or the combined job) are not the same size (step S103; No in FIG. 3), it is determined whether or not grouping is necessary (step S201).

When it is not necessary to divide into groups, one special size is set for a plurality of pages constituting the job (step S202). Then, redundant data is added to the image data of each page and converted into special size image data (step S203). After that, for each page, information to be transmitted by page-start and page-end, and second related information to be transmitted during image data transmission of each page are created (step S204). In this case, the page-start of one page includes the page size information indicating the special size set in step S202, and the page-start of each page after the second page does not include the page size information. In addition, the second related information of each page includes the original page size information indicating the page size before adding redundant data. After that, the process proceeds to step S105 of FIG. 3 to continue the process.

When grouping is required (step S201; Yes), a plurality of pages constituting the job are divided into a plurality of groups by referring to a table or the like created in advance (step S205). Here, similar page sizes are grouped into the same group or a group of a specified paper size (for example, A3).

Next, for each group, a special size or a specified page size is set for each group (step S207), and if the set page size is a special size (step S208; Yes), it belongs to the group. Redundant data is added to the image data of each page and converted into special size image data (step S209), and the process proceeds to step S210. If it is not a special size (step S208; No), the process proceeds to step S210.

In step S210, for each page of the group, information to be transmitted by page-start and page-end, and second related information to be transmitted during image data transmission of each page are created. For example, in the case of a group in which a special size is set, the page-start of one page in this group includes the page size information indicating the special size set in step S207, and is included in the page-start of each page after the second page. Does not include page size information. In addition, the second related information of each page belonging to this group includes the original page size information indicating the page size before adding redundant data.

In the case of a group in which a specified paper size is set, page-start of one page in this group includes page size information indicating the specified paper size set in step S207, and page- of each page after the second page. Do not include page size information in start. Further, the second related information of each page belonging to this group includes the original page size information indicating the specified paper size set in step S207.

It is determined whether or not the above processing has been completed for all groups (step S211), and if not (step S211; No), the process returns to step S206 and processes for the next group. When the processing is completed for all the groups (step S211; Yes), the process proceeds to step S105 of FIG. 3 and the processing is continued.

The redundant data may be added when the image data of the page is transmitted to the printer engine unit 30.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a process performed when the printer engine unit 30 receives data from the printer controller 10. This process is intended for Examples 3 and 4 described above. After receiving the job-start (step S301; Yes), it waits for the reception of the page-start (step S302). Then, when the page-start is received (step S302; Yes), it is determined whether or not the page-start includes the page size information (step S303).

If the page size information is included (step S303; Yes), a memory area for receiving image data in the size indicated by the page size information is secured (step S304), and the process proceeds to step S306. If the received page-start does not include page size information (step S303; No), a memory area is secured with the same page size as the previous time (step S305), and the process proceeds to step S306.

In step S306, the image data is received and stored in the memory area secured in step S304 or S305, and in parallel with this, the second related information transmitted from the printer controller 10 by serial communication is received. The second related information is stored in association with the image data being received.

After that, when the page-end is received (step S307; Yes), the process returns to step S302 and continues the process.

If the page-start is not received (step S302; No) and the job-end is received (step S308; Yes), this process ends.

When the examples 1 and 2 are targeted, the memory area for all pages may be first secured based on the information on the number of pages included in job-start.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a process when the printer engine unit 30 executes printing based on the image data stored in the memory. The printer engine unit 30 acquires the original page size information (page size information at the time of printing) included in the second related information stored in association with the image data of the page to be printed (step S401).

The printer engine unit 30 compares the size of the image data of this page (page size when allocating memory) with the original page size (step S402), and if they do not match (step S403; No), the image data is used as the original. It is trimmed to page size image data (step S404), and an image based on the trimmed image data is printed on original page size paper (step S405).

If the page size at the time of allocating the memory and the original page size match (step S403; Yes), the printer engine unit 30 does not trim the image and puts the image based on the image data on the paper corresponding to the page size of the image data. Print (step S405). In step S405, paper is fed from the paper feed tray specified in the second related information.

As described above, in the printing system 5 according to the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the overhead when transmitting the related information used for printing the image data from the printer controller 10 to the printer engine unit 30 and shorten the transmission time.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to those shown in the embodiments, and there are changes and additions within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. Also included in the present invention.

In the embodiment, the related information is transmitted by serial communication, but the transmission method of the related information is not limited to this. Any transmission method may be used as long as the related information can be transmitted to the printer engine unit 30 in parallel with the image data during the transmission of the image data.

Related information that does not need to be transmitted to the printer engine unit 30 before transmission of image data is preferably transmitted during transmission of image data as much as possible, but is transmitted to the printer engine unit 30 before transmission of image data. Some of the related information that is not needed may be included in the page-start and transmitted as the first related information.

In the embodiment, an example is shown in which the original page size information is included in the second related information even for a page in which redundant data is not added to the image data, but a page in which redundant data is not added to the image data is included in the second related information. The original page size information may not be included. In this case, in steps S402 to S404, if the second related information includes the original page size information, it may be trimmed to that size, and if it is not included, it may not be trimmed.

Redundant data is not limited to margin data. Any data can be used because it is a part that is trimmed and not printed.

5 ... Printing system 10 ... Printer controller 11 ... Control unit 12 ... Receiver unit 13 ... Storage unit 14 ... Serial communication unit 15 ... Image data transmission unit 21 ... Special size setting unit 22 ... Deployment unit 23 ... Redundant data addition unit 24 ... Related Information generation unit 30 ... Printer engine unit 31 ... Control unit 32 ... Storage unit 33 ... Image formation unit 34 ... Serial communication unit 35 ... Image data reception unit 36 ... Trimming unit 37 ... Memory securing unit

Claims (21)

The receiver that receives the print job and
A storage unit that stores received print jobs and
An expansion unit that generates image data by rasterizing each page of the print job stored in the storage unit,
A first transmission unit that transmits the image data generated by the development unit to the printer engine unit through the first transmission line, and
A second transmission unit that transmits related information used for printing the image data to the printer engine unit through the second transmission line, and
A control unit that controls transmission of the image data and the related information to the printer engine unit, and
With
The control unit creates first related information and second related information as the related information, transmits the first related information to the printer engine unit before transmitting the image data, and the second related information is an image. A printer controller characterized in that data is transmitted to the printer engine unit during data transmission. The printer controller according to claim 1, wherein the first related information includes page size information of a page represented by the image data. When the control unit continuously transmits image data of a plurality of pages having the same page size to the printer engine unit, the control unit transmits the page size information before transmitting the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages. The printer controller according to claim 2, wherein the transmission of the page size information before the image data transmission is omitted for the image data on the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages. The control unit sets a special page size capable of including all the page sizes of the plurality of pages when continuously transmitting image data of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed to the printer engine unit. The image data of each page of the page is converted into the image data of the special page size by adding redundant data and transmitted to the printer engine unit, and the special page is transmitted before the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages is transmitted. A page size unified transmission method can be adopted in which the page size information of the page size is transmitted and the transmission of the page size information before the image data transmission is omitted for the image data of the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages. The printer controller according to claim 2 or 3. When the control unit transmits image data by applying at least the transmission method of the page size unified method, the redundant data is added to the second related information transmitted to the printer engine unit during transmission of the image data. The printer controller according to claim 4, wherein the original page size information indicating the page size before addition is included. The controller uses a transmission time when a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed are transmitted by using the page size unified method, and a normal method of transmitting image data of each page in the original page size. The printer controller according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a transmission method having a shorter transmission time is used in comparison with the transmission time in the case of transmission. The control unit groups a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a second group in which two or more page sizes different from the first group are mixed. The printer controller according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the page size unification method is individually applied to the first group and the second group. The control unit divides a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a third group having a page size different from that in the first group, and groups them into the first group. Applies to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the page size unification method is applied, and a normal method of transmitting image data of each page in the original page size is applied to the third group. The printer controller described. The printer controller according to claim 7, wherein the control unit performs the grouping after changing the page order of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed. The control unit combines a plurality of jobs into one job.
The printer controller according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the plurality of pages are pages constituting the combined job. A program executed by an information processing device
A program characterized in that the information processing apparatus functions as the printer controller according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A printing system including a printer controller that rasterizes each page of a print job to generate image data, and a printer engine unit that prints based on the image data transmitted from the printer controller.
The printer controller
The receiver that receives the print job and
A storage unit that stores received print jobs and
An expansion unit that generates image data by rasterizing each page of the print job stored in the storage unit,
A first transmission unit that transmits image data generated by the development unit to the printer engine unit through a first transmission line, and
A second transmission unit that transmits related information used for printing the image data to the printer engine unit through the second transmission line, and
A control unit that controls transmission of the image data and the related information to the printer engine unit, and
With
The control unit creates first related information and second related information as the related information, transmits the first related information to the printer engine unit before transmitting the image data, and the second related information is an image. During data transmission, it is transmitted to the printer engine section,
The printer engine unit is a printing system characterized in that printing based on image data is performed based on the related information received from the printer controller. The first related information includes page size information of the page represented by the image data.
When the printer engine unit receives the page size information, the printer engine unit secures a memory area corresponding to the page size indicated by the page size information, and stores the image data transmitted from the printer controller in the secured memory area. The printing system according to claim 12, wherein the printing system is used. When the control unit continuously transmits image data of a plurality of pages having the same page size to the printer engine unit, the control unit transmits the page size information before transmitting the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages. For the image data on the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages, the transmission of the page size information before the image data transmission is omitted.
The printing system according to claim 13, wherein the printer engine unit secures a memory area corresponding to the page size indicated by the page size information for each page of the plurality of pages. The control unit sets a special page size capable of including all the page sizes of the plurality of pages when continuously transmitting image data of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed to the printer engine unit. The image data of each page of the page is converted into the image data of the special page size by adding redundant data and transmitted to the printer engine unit, and the special page is transmitted before the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages is transmitted. It is possible to adopt a unified page size transmission method that transmits page size information of page size and omits transmission of the page size information before image data transmission for the image data of the second and subsequent pages of the plurality of pages. The printing system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the printing system is characterized by the above. When the control unit transmits image data by adopting at least the transmission method of the page size unified method, the redundant data is added to the second related information transmitted to the printer engine unit during transmission of the image data. Including the original page size information that shows the page size before adding
The printing system according to claim 15, wherein the printer engine unit trims and prints image data of each page based on the original page size information. The control unit uses the transmission time when transmitting a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed by using the page size unified method and the normal method of transmitting the image data of each page in the original page size. The printing system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein a transmission method having a shorter transmission time is adopted by comparing with the transmission time in the case of transmission. The control unit groups a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a second group in which two or more page sizes different from the first group are mixed. The printing system according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the page size unification method is individually adopted for the first group and the second group. The control unit divides a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed into a first group in which two or more page sizes are mixed and a third group having a page size different from that in the first group, and divides the pages into the first group. Is one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the page size unification method is adopted, and the third group adopts a normal method of transmitting image data of each page in the original page size. The printing system described. The printing system according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the control unit performs the grouping after changing the page order of a plurality of pages in which different page sizes are mixed. The control unit combines a plurality of jobs into one job.
The printing system according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the plurality of pages are pages constituting the combined job.