JP7384032B2 - Printing device, control method, and control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing device, a control method, and a control program.

2. Description of the Related Art As a printing device that performs printing processing on a medium such as recording paper, one having an interrupt printing function is known. The interrupt printing function is a function that executes a print process other than the print process while the printing device is executing the print process.

Patent Document 1 discloses that when an interrupt notice for print processing that is being executed is received, RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing is performed using the period from when an interrupt button is operated until when an execution button is operated. An image recording apparatus that continuously performs the following is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-193514 (published on November 17, 2016)

According to one aspect of the present invention, even if interrupt print processing is executed while print processing is being executed first, the completion of the print processing that was being executed is compared to the case where interrupt print processing was not executed. The purpose is to reduce the delay caused by

In order to solve the above problems, a printing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a printing unit that prints an image on a recording medium, and a communication unit that receives first data written in a page description language from an external terminal. an operation panel that receives user operations; an image reading section that reads an image of a document in response to input from the operation panel; a storage section; and a control section; A reception buffer area for storing first data to be received, a work area for use in RIP processing, and a page memory area for storing raster data generated by the RIP processing are provided, and the control unit controls the reception buffer area for storing first data to be received. A RIP process that analyzes the first data stored in the area and generates raster data using the work area, and an image based on the raster data generated by the RIP process using the print unit. During execution of a first printing process of printing, a second printing process of printing second data, which is an image of a document read by the image reading unit, using the printing unit, and the first printing process, an interrupt acceptance process in which an interrupt print instruction for executing the second print process is accepted by the operation panel; and when the interrupt print instruction is accepted by the interrupt acceptance process, the page memory area is transferred to the work area; RIP processing that expands the first printing process to stop the first print process, continues the RIP process, and stores the raster data generated by the continued RIP process in the expanded page memory area. Execute continuation processing.

According to the above-described configuration, when an interruption of the second print process is accepted, the first print process that is being executed (on the interrupted side) is stopped, but the RIP process continues to be executed. At this time, a part of the work area for RIP processing is used as a page memory area for storing raster data. Therefore, the page memory area for storing raster data becomes large, and the RIP process can be continued even when the first print process is stopped. Therefore, even if the interrupt print process is executed while the print process is being executed first, the print process that was being executed will complete later than if the interrupt print process had not been executed. It is possible to reduce the amount of storage.

In the above-described printing apparatus, the control unit may perform a process of lowering a task priority of the RIP process to a task priority of the second print process in the RIP continuation process.

According to the above-described configuration, when the printing device receives an instruction for interrupt printing to execute the second print process, the second print process is executed with priority over the RIP process. This prevents the completion of the first print process from being delayed compared to the case where the interrupt print process is not executed, while also preventing the completion of the second print process from being delayed compared to the case where the RIP process is not continuously executed. This can reduce delays caused by

In the above-described printing apparatus, the control unit may execute a process of restoring the task priority of the RIP process after the second print process is completed.

According to the above-described configuration, after the second printing process is completed, the RIP process is executed with the original priority order. This can reduce the delay in completing the first print process compared to the case where the priority order of the tasks is not restored.

In the above-described printing apparatus, the control unit may execute a process of putting the RIP process task to sleep during a part of the period from when the second print process is started until it is completed.

According to the above-described configuration, when the printing device receives an instruction for interrupt printing, task sleep processing is performed in the RIP processing until the second printing processing is completed. This prevents the completion of the first print process from being delayed compared to the case where no interrupt printing occurs, and also prevents the completion of the second print process from being delayed compared to the case where the RIP process is not continuously executed. This can reduce delays.

In the printing apparatus described above, in the RIP continuation process, each time the RIP process for each page is started, the control unit sets an area capable of storing one page of raster data as an expanded area in the page memory area. May be added to.

According to the above-described configuration, each time RIP processing is started in page units, the page memory area is expanded by an area that can store one page of raster data. This prevents the work area from becoming unnecessarily small.

In the above printing device, the control unit restarts the first print process after the second print process is completed, and executes a process of releasing an area expanded as the page memory area in the work area. You can.

According to the above-described configuration, the printing device releases the expanded area as a page memory area after interrupt printing is completed. This allows the entire work area to be used for its intended purpose after the interrupt printing is completed.

In the above-described printing apparatus, the control unit may extend the page memory area by using a part of the free space as an expansion area when the free space in the work area is equal to or greater than a threshold value in the RIP continuation process. good.

According to the above-described configuration, the work area 132 used in RIP processing is prevented from running out.

A control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a printing unit that prints an image on a recording medium, a communication unit that receives first data written in a page description language from an external terminal, and an operation panel that receives user operations. A control method for controlling a printing device comprising: an image reading unit that reads an image of a document according to an input from the operation panel; and a storage unit, the storage unit including an image received by the communication unit. A receive buffer area for storing first data, a work area used in the RIP process, and a page memory area for storing raster data generated by the RIP process, and the first data stored in the receive buffer area is provided. a RIP processing step of analyzing the first data and generating raster data using the work area; and a step of printing an image based on the raster data generated by the RIP processing step using the printing unit. during the execution of a first print processing step, a second print processing step of printing second data, which is an image of a document read by the image reading section, using the printing section, and the first print processing step, an interrupt reception processing step in which an interrupt print instruction for executing the second print processing step is accepted by the operation panel; and when the interrupt print instruction is accepted by the interrupt reception processing step, the page memory area is expanding into the work area, stopping the first printing process, continuing the RIP process, and transferring the raster data generated by the continued RIP process to the expanded page memory area. The RIP continuation processing step for storing information is executed.

According to the above-described configuration, when an interruption of the second print process is accepted, the first print process that is being executed (on the interrupted side) is stopped, but the RIP process continues to be executed. At this time, a part of the work area for RIP processing is used as a page memory area for storing raster data. Therefore, the page memory area for storing raster data becomes large, and the RIP process can be continued even when the first print process is stopped. Therefore, even if the interrupt print process is executed while the print process is being executed first, the print process that was being executed will complete later than if the interrupt print process had not been executed. It is possible to reduce the amount of storage.

A control program according to one aspect of the present invention is a control program for causing a computer to function as a control unit in the above-described printing apparatus.

According to the above-described configuration, when an interruption of the second print process is accepted, the first print process that is being executed (on the interrupted side) is stopped, but the RIP process continues to be executed. At this time, a part of the work area for RIP processing is used as a page memory area for storing raster data. Therefore, the page memory area for storing raster data becomes large, and the RIP process can be continued even when the first print process is stopped. Therefore, even if the interrupt print process is executed while the print process is being executed first, the print process that was being executed will complete later than if the interrupt print process had not been executed. It is possible to reduce the amount of storage.

According to one aspect of the present invention, even if the interrupt print process is executed while the print process is being executed first, if the print process that was being executed is completed without the interrupt print process being executed. It is possible to reduce the delay compared to .

1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a printing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a printing device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating details of RIP processing. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining expansion processing for expanding a page memory area. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of PC print processing performed by the printing device. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of PC print processing performed by the printing device. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a return process from interrupt copying performed by the printing device. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of PC print processing performed by the printing device. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of RIP processing performed by the printing device.

[Embodiment 1]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a printing system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The printing system 100 includes a printing device 1 and a PC (Personal Computer) 9. The printing device 1 executes print processing such as PC print processing and copy processing. The PC print process is a process of printing an image on a recording medium using data received from the PC 9. The copy process is a process of printing an image of a document read by the printing device 1 onto a recording medium. The recording medium is a medium on which an image is printed, such as paper. The PC 9 is a device that transmits data to the printing device 1, and is, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The user U1 performs various operations on the printing apparatus 1, such as instructing copy processing.

<Configuration of printing device 1>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing device 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 1 includes an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a printing section 14, a reading section 15, It includes a communication interface 16 and an operation panel 17.

(ASIC11)
ASIC 11 includes a control section 111. The ASIC 11 is communicably connected to a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a printing section 14, a reading section 15, a communication interface 16, and an operation panel 17. Note that the ASIC 11 may include one or both of the ROM 12 and the RAM 13. The ASIC 11 transmits and receives signals to and from each connected unit under the control of the control unit 111. The control unit 111 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), reads a control program stored in the ROM 12, expands it to the RAM 13, and executes various processes according to the expanded program.

(ROM12)
The ROM 12 is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, for example. The ROM 12 stores a control program for causing the control unit 111 to function as a control unit or a computer in the present invention. The control program stored in the ROM 12 is an example of a control program in the present invention.

(RAM13)
The RAM 13 is an example of a storage unit in the present invention. The RAM 13 is constituted by a volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The RAM 13 is used as a work area when the control unit 111 executes a control program. When the control unit 111 executes PC print processing and copy processing, a reception buffer area 131, a work area 132, a page memory area 133, and a registration buffer area 134 are secured in the RAM 13. That is, the RAM 13 includes a reception buffer area 131, a work area 132, a page memory area 133, and a registration buffer area 134.

The reception buffer area 131 stores first data received from the PC 9. The first data is data generated by the PC9. In this embodiment, the first data is written in a page description language (PDL) such as PCL (registered trademark), Postscript (registered trademark), LIPS (registered trademark), or PDF (Portable Document Format). It is data. Each time the first data is received, the received first data is stored in the reception buffer area 131.

The work area 132 is an area used as a work area in RIP processing, which will be described later. The page memory area 133 is an area for storing raster data generated by RIP processing. The registration buffer area 134 stores image data (hereinafter referred to as "print data") used when the printing unit 14 prints an image on a recording medium. The print data stored in the registration buffer area 134 is, for example, raster data obtained by performing color conversion processing on the raster data stored in the page memory area 133. Further, the print data is, for example, image data representing an image of the document read by the reading unit 15, which is obtained from the second data.

(Printing section 14)
The printing section 14 is an example of a printing section in the present invention. The printing unit 14 is a printing mechanism that prints an image represented by the print data stored in the registration buffer area 134 of the RAM 13 onto a recording medium. The printing unit 14 prints an image on the printing surface of the recording medium that is conveyed along the conveyance path. The printing method may be an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or a thermal method. The printing unit 14 may be capable of double-sided printing or may be dedicated to single-sided printing.

(Reading unit 15)
The reading unit 15 is an example of an image reading unit in the present invention. The reading unit 15 reads the image of the document in response to input from the operation panel 17, and generates second data representing the read image. The second data is, for example, bitmap data. The reading unit 15 generates second data indicating information recorded on the original by detecting reflected light from the original placed on the mounting table using an image sensor. The reading unit 15 stores the second data in a reading buffer (not shown).

(Communication interface 16)
The communication interface 16 is an example of a communication unit in the present invention. Communication interface 16 receives first data from PC9. The PC 9 is an example of an external terminal in the present invention. The communication interface 16 stores the received first data in the reception buffer area 131. For example, the communication interface 16 may be a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, a serial communication interface such as RS-232C, an infrared ray, a short-range communication interface such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or any of these. It is composed of a combination of

(Operation panel 17)
The operation panel 17 is an example of an operation panel in the present invention. The operation panel 17 accepts user operations. For example, the operation panel 17 includes a touch panel in which a touch pad and a display are integrally formed. For example, the operation panel 17 displays a user interface screen including an operation area on a touch panel, and detects a user's touch operation on the operation area.

<Functional configuration of printing device 1>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, a RIP processing section 101, a first print processing section 102, a second print processing section 103, an interrupt reception section 104, and a RIP continuation processing section 105 are configured so that a control section 111 reads out a control program stored in a ROM 12. The program is implemented in the printing device 1 by executing the program. The RIP processing unit 101, first print processing unit 102, second print processing unit 103, interrupt acceptance unit 104, and RIP continuation processing unit 105 are implemented as separate tasks by a multitasking OS (operation system). These multiple tasks can be executed in parallel under the control of the OS.

The RIP processing unit 101 analyzes the first data stored in the reception buffer area 131, and executes RIP processing to generate raster data while using the work area 132 as a work area. In this embodiment, the RIP processing unit 101 develops the first data for each object included in the first data, generates intermediate data for each object, and generates raster data for each page from the generated intermediate data. In the RIP process, the work area 132 is used as a work area, and intermediate data is stored in the work area 132.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the contents of RIP processing. As shown in FIG. 4, the first data P1 includes descriptions of objects OBJ1 to OBJ3 indicating text, shapes, bitmaps, etc., respectively. The RIP processing unit 101 generates intermediate data for each object by analyzing the description of each object, and stores the generated intermediate data in the work area 132. In the example of FIG. 4, intermediate data D1 is generated by analyzing the description of object OBJ1. Intermediate data D2 is generated by analyzing the description of object OBJ2. Intermediate data D3 is generated by analyzing the description of object OBJ3. When the analysis of the first data is completed in a processing unit of RIP processing (hereinafter referred to as "page unit"), the RIP processing unit 101 generates raster data LAS with reference to intermediate data D1 to D3.

Further, when the RIP processing unit 101 completes development of the first data into raster data in page units, the RIP processing unit 101 deletes the first data from the reception buffer area 131. Furthermore, when the RIP processing unit 101 completes the raster data development of the first data in units of pages, the RIP processing unit 101 deletes from the work area 132 the intermediate data stored in the work area 132 during the process of rasterizing the first data.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 3. The first print processing unit 102 executes a first print process in which the printing unit 14 prints an image represented by raster data generated by RIP processing. In this embodiment, the first print processing unit 102 executes color conversion processing on the raster data stored in the page memory area 133 (i.e. raster data generated by RIP processing), and the color conversion processing is performed. The raster data is stored in the registration buffer area 134. The raster data stored in the registration buffer area 134 is used when the printing unit 14 prints an image on a recording medium. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the raster data stored in the page memory area 133 and before color conversion processing is performed will be referred to as "raster data before color conversion." Note that the first print processing unit 102 may store the raster data stored in the page memory area 133 as is in the registration buffer area 134 without performing color conversion processing.

The second print processing unit 103 executes a second print process of printing second data, which is an image of the document read by the reading unit 15, using the printing unit 14. In this embodiment, the second print process is a copy process. The interrupt accepting unit 104 executes an interrupt accepting process in which the operation panel 17 accepts an interrupt printing instruction to execute the second printing process while the first printing process is being executed. For example, assume that the user interface screen displayed on the operation panel 17 includes a copy button area for instructing copying. In this case, if a user's touch operation on the copy button area is detected during execution of the first print process, the control unit 111 determines that the instruction for the second print process has been accepted.

When the interrupt printing instruction is accepted by the interrupt acceptance process, the RIP continuation processing unit 105 executes the RIP continuation process in which the first printing process is stopped and the RIP process is continued. In the RIP continuation process, the RIP continuation processing unit 105 expands the page memory area 133 to the work area 132 and stores the pre-color conversion raster data generated by the continued RIP process in the expanded page memory area 133. To go.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the process of expanding the page memory area 133 (hereinafter referred to as "expansion process"). In the figure, the storage unit 130A is an example of each area (reception buffer area 131, work area 132, page memory area 133, and registration buffer area 134) before expansion processing is performed. The storage unit 130B is an example of each area (reception buffer area 131, work area 132, page memory area 133, and registration buffer area 134) after the expansion process is performed. The storage unit 130A and the storage unit 130B are part of the RAM 13.

The RIP continuation processing unit 105 expands the page memory area 133 by adding a part of the area 132a of the work area 132 to the page memory area 133. In the example of FIG. 5, a page memory area 133 for one page is secured in the storage unit 130A. In contrast, in the storage unit 130B, a page memory area 133 for three pages is secured. That is, in the work area 132, an area 132a that can store two pages of pre-color conversion raster data is added to the page memory area 133 as an expansion area.

<Operation>
(Operation example 1)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of PC print processing executed by the control unit 111. The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 shows the flow of processing until the control unit 111 converts the first data stored in the reception buffer area 131 into raster data and registers it in the registration buffer area 134. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is an example of the flow of the operation of the control unit 111 when interrupt printing is not taken into account. The process shown in FIG. 6 is executed for each first data stored in the reception buffer area 131. Note that some steps may be executed in parallel or in a different order.

In step S101, the control unit 111 acquires the page memory area 133 in the RAM 13. The page memory area 133 acquired in step S101 is a storage area of a size that can store one page of raster data before color conversion. In this example, the first data page refers to the print surface of the recording medium on which an image is printed based on the first data.

In step S102, the control unit 111 starts RIP processing of the first data to be processed. In the RIP process, as described above, the work area 132 is used as a work area and the first data is analyzed page by page. Intermediate data generated in the RIP process is stored in the work area 132.

In step S103, the control unit 111 determines whether RIP processing for one page is completed. If the RIP process for one page is completed (step S103; YES), the control unit 111 proceeds to the process of step S104. On the other hand, if the RIP processing for one page is not completed (step S103; NO), the control unit 111 waits until the RIP processing for one page is completed.

In step S104, the control unit 111 registers one page's worth of pre-color conversion raster data in the page memory area 133. At this time, the intermediate data used to generate the raster data before color conversion is deleted from the work area 132.

In step S<b>105 , the control unit 111 executes color conversion processing on the raster data before color conversion, and registers the raster data on which the color conversion processing has been performed in the registration buffer area 134 . When the raster data is registered in the registration buffer area 134, the raster data before color conversion is deleted from the page memory area 133. Further, in step S105, the control unit 111 causes the printing unit 14 to perform printing using the raster data registered in the registration buffer area 134. The printing unit 14 prints an image on a recording medium using the raster data registered in the registration buffer area 134. When printing by the printing unit 14 is completed, the raster data of the image that has been printed is deleted from the registration buffer area 134.

In step S106, the control unit 111 determines whether the first data to be processed includes data of the next page (whether there is data of the next page). If there is data for the next page (step S106; YES), the control unit 111 returns to the process of step S103 and waits for completion of the RIP process for the first data of the next page. On the other hand, if there is no data for the next page (step S106; NO), the control unit 111 ends the process.

That is, in this operation example, the control unit 111 performs RIP processing on the first data received from the PC 9 on a page-by-page basis, and stores the raster data before color conversion generated by the RIP processing in the page memory area 133. . When the raster data before color conversion is stored in the page memory area 133, the first data corresponding to the raster data before color conversion is deleted from the reception buffer area 131.

Further, the control unit 111 performs color conversion processing on the pre-color conversion raster data stored in the page memory area 133 and stores the raster data subjected to the color conversion process in the registration buffer area 134. When raster data is stored in the registration buffer area 134, the raster data before color conversion corresponding to the raster data is deleted from the page memory area 133. When the raster data before color conversion is deleted from the page memory area 133, the control unit 111 starts RIP processing for the next page. Therefore, the page memory area 133 only needs to have a storage area capable of storing one page of raster data.

Further, the printing unit 14 prints an image on a recording medium using the raster data stored in the registration buffer area 134. When printing of the image onto the recording medium by the printing unit 14 is completed, the raster data of the image is deleted from the registration buffer area 134. In this manner, in this operation example, each time the color conversion process is completed, raster data is stored in the registration buffer area 134, and raster data before color conversion is deleted from the page memory area 133.

(Operation example 2)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of PC print processing and interrupt print processing (control method) executed by the control unit 111. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 shows the flow of processing until the control unit 111 converts the first data stored in the reception buffer area 131 into raster data and registers it in the registration buffer area 134. Further, the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is an example of an operation that takes into account instructions for interrupt processing such as copy processing that may occur during execution of PC print processing. The process shown in FIG. 7 is executed for each first data stored in the reception buffer area 131. Note that some steps may be executed in parallel or in a different order.

In step S201, the control unit 111 first sets the value of the variable N to 1 and acquires the first page memory area 133 in the RAM 13. The page memory area 133 acquired in step S201 is a storage area of a size that can store one page of raster data.

In step S202, the control unit 111 starts RIP processing of the first data to be processed. The process in step S202 is an example of a RIP process. In the RIP process, as described above, the work area 132 is used as a work area and the first data is analyzed page by page. Intermediate data generated in the RIP process is stored in the work area 132.

In step S203, the control unit 111 determines whether RIP processing for one page has been completed. If the RIP process for one page is completed (step S203; YES), the control unit 111 proceeds to the process of step S204. On the other hand, if the RIP process for one page is not completed (step S203; NO), the control unit 111 returns to the process in step S203 and waits until the RIP process for one page is completed.

In step S204, the control unit 111 registers the pre-color conversion raster data generated by RIP in the page memory area 133. At this time, the intermediate data used to generate the raster data before color conversion is deleted from the work area 132.

In step S205, the control unit 111 determines whether an interrupt copy command (interrupt print instruction) has been received. If an interrupt copy command is received (step S205; YES), the control unit 111 proceeds to the process of step S206. On the other hand, if the interrupt copy command has not been received (step S205; NO), the control unit 111 proceeds to the process of step S207.

In this embodiment, the control unit 111 executes an interrupt acceptance process in which an instruction for interrupt printing is accepted through the operation panel 17 during execution of the PC copy process. This process is an example of an interrupt reception process. The interrupt printing instruction is issued, for example, by the user pressing an interrupt copy key on the operation panel 17 while the printing apparatus 1 is executing PC print processing. In this case, the control unit 111 determines whether the PC printing process being executed can be interrupted, and if it is possible to interrupt it, displays an "OK" key on the operation panel 17. When the user presses the "OK" key, the printing apparatus 1 accepts the interrupt instruction.

In step S205, if an interrupt copy command has not been received (step S205; NO), in step S207, the control unit 111 executes color conversion processing on the raster data before color conversion, and converts the processed raster data into It is registered in the registration buffer area 134. When the raster data is registered in the registration buffer area 134, the raster data before color conversion is deleted from the page memory area 133. By registering the raster data in the registration buffer area 134, printing using the raster data is performed by the printing unit 14. That is, the control unit 111 executes a first printing process in which the printing unit 14 prints an image represented by raster data generated by RIP processing. This process is an example of the first printing process. When printing by the printing unit 14 is completed, the raster data of the image that has been printed is deleted from the registration buffer area 134.

In step S208, the control unit 111 determines whether the first data to be processed includes data of the next page. If there is data for the next page (step S208; YES), the control unit 111 advances to step S203 and waits for completion of the RIP process for the data for the next page. On the other hand, if there is no data for the next page (step S208; NO), the control unit 111 ends the process.

In step S206, the control unit 111 starts executing the instructed interrupt printing. That is, the control unit 111 uses the second data representing the image of the original read by the reading unit 15 to execute a second printing process in which the printing unit 14 prints the image represented by the original. This process is an example of the second printing process. Printing by the printing unit 14 continues until the instructed interruption printing is completed.

In step S209, the control unit 111 determines whether the first data to be processed includes data of the next page. If there is data for the next page (step S209; YES), the control unit 111 advances to step S210. On the other hand, if there is no data for the next page (step S209; NO), the control unit 111 skips the processes of steps S210 to S214 and proceeds to the process of step S215.

In step S210, the control unit 111 determines whether the page memory of the next page can be acquired in the work area 132. This determination is made, for example, by determining whether the free space in the work area 132 is greater than or equal to a threshold value. In this case, if the free space is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the page memory for the next page can be acquired (expandable). On the other hand, if the free space is less than the threshold, it is determined that page memory for the next page cannot be acquired. If it can be obtained (step S210; YES), the control unit 111 proceeds to the process of step S211. On the other hand, if the information cannot be obtained (step S210; NO), the control unit 111 skips steps S211 to S214 and proceeds to step S215.

In step S211, the control unit 111 increments the value of the variable N and acquires a page memory area (hereinafter referred to as "page memory area 133N") for storing the raster data of the Nth page from the work area 132. . That is, when the control unit 111 receives an instruction to execute a copy process while executing a PC print process, the control unit 111 expands the page memory area 133 by adding a part of the work area 132 to the page memory area 133 as an expansion area. Execute the expansion process to expand. In addition, in this expansion process, the control unit 111 adds a storage area capable of storing one page of raster data to the page memory area 133 as an expansion area every time the RIP process is started for each page.

In step S212, the control unit 111 continues the RIP process. The process in step S212 is an example of the RIP continuation process. In step S213, the control unit 111 determines whether RIP processing for one page is completed. If completed (step S213; YES), the control unit 111 proceeds to the process of step S214. On the other hand, if the RIP process has not been completed yet (step S213; NO), the control unit 111 returns to the process of step S213 and waits until the RIP process for one page is completed.

In step S214, the control unit 111 registers the raster data generated by the RIP process in the Nth page memory area 133N. In the following description, the raster data registered in the page memory area 133 before color conversion processing is referred to as "raster data before color conversion."

In step S215, the control unit 111 determines whether an interrupt copy end command has been received. This end instruction is issued by the task that was executing the copy process when the copy process that was executed due to an interrupt is completed. If the termination command is received (step S215; YES), the control unit 111 proceeds to the process of step S216. On the other hand, if the end command has not been received (step S215; NO), the control unit 111 returns to the process of step S209 and continues the RIP process for the next page.

In the example of FIG. 5, before the expansion process of the page memory area 133 is performed, as shown in the storage unit 130A, the raster data R1 of pages 1 to 4 of the PC print process is stored in the registration buffer area 134. ~R4 is stored. Thereafter, upon receiving the interrupt printing instruction, the control unit 111 expands the page memory area 133 by using a part of the area 132a of the work area 132 as an expanded area, and receives the interrupt printing instruction in this expanded area. Stores the raster data before color conversion generated from . In the example of FIG. 5, the area 132a, which is an expanded area, stores pre-color conversion raster data R5 to R6 of pages 5 to 6 of PC print processing.

Furthermore, when an interrupt printing instruction is accepted, the print processing related to the PC print processing is interrupted, so the raster data R1 to R4 of pages 1 to 4 of the PC print processing stored in the registration buffer area 134 are , it remains registered without being read out from the registration buffer area 134. On the other hand, since interrupt printing is executed at this time, image data R11 to R12 representing the scanned image of the original, which is the object of copy processing, is registered in the registration buffer area 134. The printing unit 14 performs printing using the image data R11 to R12 registered in the registration buffer area 134.

As described above, in this operation example, the control unit 111 executes the RIP process of the PC print process and the instructed interrupt print process in parallel using separate tasks. At this time, after receiving the interrupt printing instruction (step S205; YES), the control unit 111 continues the RIP processing related to the PC print processing (steps S209 to S215), while printing the raster image generated by the RIP processing. The color conversion process for the data and the registration process in the registration buffer area 134 are interrupted. That is, printing by the printing unit 14 regarding the PC print processing (on the interrupted side) is suspended until the accepted interruption printing is completed. That is, when the printing device 1 receives an instruction for interrupt printing, the hardware resources of the printing unit 14 are occupied by the interrupt printing.

In step S216, the control unit 111 executes a return process from interrupt printing. With this return process, the color conversion process of the raster data that is the processing target of the PC print process and the process of registering the raster data in the registration buffer area 134 are restarted. After completing the process in step S216, the control unit 111 returns to the process in step S208 and determines whether the first data to be processed includes data of the next page.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a return process from interrupt printing performed by the printing apparatus 1. Note that some steps may be executed in parallel or in a different order.

In step S301, the control unit 111 sets the value of the variable X to zero. In step S302, the control unit 111 increments the variable X. In step S303, the control unit 111 determines whether the value of variable X is equal to or less than variable N. If the value of the variable X is less than or equal to the variable N (step S303; YES), the control unit 111 proceeds to the process of step S304. On the other hand, if the value of the variable X is larger than the variable N (step S303; NO), the control unit 111 proceeds to the process of step S308.

In step S304, the control unit 111 performs a color conversion process on the pre-color conversion raster data stored in the area added to the page memory area 133 as the Xth expansion area (hereinafter referred to as "page memory area 133X"). The processed raster data is registered in the registration buffer area 134. By restarting the registration of raster data in the registration buffer area 134, printing related to the PC print process by the printing unit 14 is restarted. The printing unit 14 prints an image on a recording medium using the raster data registered in the registration buffer area 134. When printing by the printing unit 14 is completed, the raster data of the image that has been printed is deleted from the registration buffer area 134.

In step S306, the control unit 111 determines whether the variable X is greater than 1. If the variable X is larger than 1 (that is, 2 or more) (step S306; YES), the control unit 111 proceeds to the process of step S307. On the other hand, if the variable X is less than or equal to 1 (step S306; NO), the control unit 111 returns to the process of step S302.

In step S307, the control unit 111 releases the page memory area 133X, which is the Xth page memory area. That is, after the interrupt printing is completed (step S215 in FIG. 6; YES), the control unit 111 restarts printing by the printing unit 14 related to the PC print process, and also uses the extended area expanded as the page memory area 133. A process of releasing one page at a time is executed (steps S304 to S307 in FIG. 8). After completing the process in step S307, the control unit 111 returns to the process in step S302.

In step S308, the control unit 111 returns the value of the variable N to the initial value (1). After completing the process in step S308, the control unit 111 ends the process for returning from interrupt printing.

In this embodiment, when an interrupt printing instruction is accepted, the first printing process that is being executed (on the side that is interrupted) is stopped, but the RIP process continues to be executed. At this time, the work area 132 used in the RIP process is reduced, and the raster data after the RIP process (raster data before color conversion) is stored in the area that was part of the work area 132. In this way, by using a part of the work area 132 as the page memory area 133, the printing apparatus 1 can continue the RIP process without interrupting it. Therefore, even if the interrupt print process is executed while the PC print process is being executed first, the print process that was being executed will complete later than if the interrupt print process had not been executed. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of

Furthermore, in this embodiment, each time RIP processing is started in units of pages, the page memory area 133 is expanded by an area that can store raster data for one page. This prevents the work area 132 from becoming unnecessarily small.

Further, in this embodiment, the control unit 111 releases the expansion area after the interrupt printing is completed. This allows the entire work area 132 to be used for its intended purpose after the interrupt printing is completed.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in the process of expanding the page memory area 133, if the free space of the work area 132 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control unit 111 expands the page memory area 133 by using a part of the free space as an expansion area. . This prevents the work area 132 used in RIP processing from running out.

[Embodiment 2]
Other embodiments of the invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment described above is the content of the RIP continuation process performed by the control unit 111 of the printing apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the control unit 111 executes processing to lower the task priority of the RIP process to the task priority of the second print process in the RIP continuation process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing performed by the printing apparatus 1. The process shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to the process shown in FIG. 7 in the first embodiment described above. The process shown in FIG. 9 differs from the process shown in FIG. 7 in that the control unit 111 executes the process of step 251 after step S206, and that the process of step S252 is executed after step S215. be.

In step 251, the control unit 111 lowers the priority of the task that executes the RIP process below the priority of the task that executes the second print process. At this time, if the priority of the RIP processing section 101 is already lower than the priority of the second print processing section 103, the control section 111 may perform control to further lower the priority of the RIP processing section 101. In this manner, in this embodiment, when interrupt printing is instructed, interrupt printing processing is executed with priority over RIP processing.

In step S252, the control unit 111 executes processing to restore the task priority order of the RIP process. That is, after the interrupt printing process is completed, the control unit 111 restores the task priority order of the RIP process. After completing the process in step S252, the control unit 111 proceeds to the process in step S216.

In this embodiment, when the printing device 1 receives an instruction for interrupt printing, the interrupt printing process is executed with priority over the RIP process. This prevents the completion of the PC print process from being delayed compared to the case where the interrupt print process is not executed, and also prevents the completion of the interrupt print process from being delayed compared to the case where the RIP process is not continuously executed. This can reduce delays.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, after the interrupt printing process is completed, the RIP process is executed with the original priority order. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the delay in completing the PC print process compared to the case where the priority order of the task is not restored to its original state.

[Embodiment 3]
Other embodiments of the invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

This embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in that the contents of the interrupt printing process performed by the control unit 111 of the printing apparatus 1 are different. In the present embodiment, the control unit 111 executes sleep control processing to put the RIP processing task to sleep during a part of the period from the start to the completion of the second print processing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of sleep control processing performed by the printing apparatus 1. Note that some steps may be executed in parallel or in a different order. The process shown in FIG. 10 is started, for example, when an interrupt printing instruction is received during execution of the RIP process. Further, the process shown in FIG. 10 is ended, for example, when the interrupt printing process is completed.

In step S401, the control unit 111 determines whether creation of one piece of intermediate data is completed. When the creation of one piece of intermediate data is completed (step S401; YES), the control unit 111 proceeds to the process of step S402. On the other hand, if the creation of one piece of intermediate data is not completed (step S401; NO), the control unit 111 waits until the creation of the intermediate data is completed. That is, the process of step S402 is executed every time the creation of intermediate data is completed.

In step S402, the control unit 111 performs a process of putting the task (RIP processing unit 101) that executes RIP processing to sleep. In step S403, the control unit 111 determines whether RIP processing for one page is completed. When the RIP process for one page is completed (step S403; YES), the control unit 111 ends the process. On the other hand, if the RIP process for one page is not completed (step S403; NO), the control unit 111 returns to the process of step S401 and waits until the next intermediate data is completed.

In this embodiment, when the printing device 1 receives an instruction for interrupt printing, task sleep processing is performed in the RIP processing until the interrupt printing processing is completed. This prevents the completion of PC print processing from being delayed compared to when interrupt printing does not occur, and also prevents the completion of interrupt printing processing from being delayed compared to when RIP processing is not continuously executed. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of

(Modified example)
In each of the above-described embodiments, the operation has been described when the printing apparatus 1 is instructed to perform copy processing as interrupt printing while executing PC print processing. The processing executed by the printing apparatus 1 is not limited to that shown in the embodiment described above. For example, the process executed by the printing device 1 (processing related to the first printing process) is such that the user specifies data stored in the storage server by operating the operation panel 17 of the printing device 1, and It may also be a process of printing an image, a so-called pull print process.

In the first embodiment described above, when the free space of the work area 132 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the control unit 111 executes the process of expanding the page memory area 133 by using a part of the work area 132 as an expansion area. The method for determining whether or not to expand the page memory area 133 is not limited to that shown in the embodiment described above. For example, the control unit 111 may determine to expand the page memory area 133 when the ratio of the free area of the work area 132 to the whole is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

In the first embodiment described above, each time raster data is registered in the registration buffer area 134 in units of pages, the process of releasing the extended area of the page memory area 133 corresponding to the raster data is executed in units of pages (see FIG. 8). Steps S304 to S307). The timing of releasing the expansion area is not limited to that shown in the embodiment described above. For example, the expansion area may be released after the color conversion process for all of the pre-color conversion raster data stored in the page memory area 133 is completed.

[Example of implementation using software]
The control blocks of the printing apparatus 1 (particularly the RIP processing unit 101, first print processing unit 102, second print processing unit 103, interrupt reception unit 104, and RIP continuation processing unit 105) are integrated circuits (IC chips), etc. It may be realized by a formed logic circuit (hardware) or may be realized by software.

In the latter case, the printing device 1 includes a computer that executes instructions of a program that is software that implements each function. This computer includes, for example, one or more processors and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program. Then, in the computer, the processor reads the program from the recording medium and executes it, thereby achieving the object of the present invention. As the processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used. As the recording medium, in addition to "non-temporary tangible media" such as ROM (Read Only Memory), tapes, disks, cards, semiconductor memories, programmable logic circuits, etc. can be used. Further, the computer may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program. Further, the program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) that can transmit the program. Note that one aspect of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

1 Printing device 9 PC
11 ASIC
111 Control unit 12 ROM
13 RAM
14 Printing section 15 Reading section 16 Communication interface 17 Operation panel 100 Printing system 101 RIP processing section 102 First print processing section 103 Second print processing section 104 Interrupt reception section 105 RIP continuation processing section 131 Reception buffer area 132 Work area 133 Page Memory area 134 Registration buffer area

Claims (9)

a printing section that prints images on a recording medium;
a communication unit that receives first data written in a page description language from an external terminal;
an operation panel that accepts user operations;
an image reading unit that reads an image of a document in accordance with input from the operation panel;
storage section and
a control unit;
Equipped with
The storage unit includes a reception buffer area for storing first data received by the communication unit, a work area used in RIP processing, and a page memory area for storing raster data generated by the RIP processing. is,
The control unit includes:
RIP processing that analyzes the first data stored in the reception buffer area and generates raster data using the work area;
a first printing process of printing an image based on the raster data generated by the RIP process using the printing unit;
a second printing process of printing second data, which is an image of the document read by the image reading unit, using the printing unit;
an interrupt acceptance process of accepting an interrupt printing instruction to execute the second print process using the operation panel while the first print process is being executed;
When the interrupt printing instruction is accepted by the interrupt acceptance process, the page memory area is expanded to the work area, the first print process is stopped, and the RIP process is continued. RIP continuation processing for storing the raster data generated by the RIP processing in the expanded page memory area;
execute,
A printing device characterized by: The control unit includes:
in the RIP continuation process, executing a process that lowers the task priority of the RIP process below the task priority of the second print process;
The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit includes:
After the second printing process is completed, performing a process of restoring the task priority of the RIP process to its original state;
The printing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control unit includes:
executing a process of putting the RIP process task to sleep during a part of the period from the start of the second print process to the completion of the second print process;
The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The control unit includes:
In the RIP continuation process, each time the RIP process is started in page units, an area capable of storing one page of raster data is added to the page memory area as an expansion area.
The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The control unit includes:
After the second printing process is completed, restarting the first printing process and performing a process of releasing an area expanded as the page memory area in the work area.
The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The control unit includes:
In the RIP continuation process, when the free space in the work area is equal to or greater than a threshold, expanding the page memory area by using a part of the free space as an expansion area;
The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: a printing section that prints images on a recording medium;
a communication unit that receives first data written in a page description language from an external terminal;
an operation panel that accepts user operations; an image reading unit that reads an image of a document in accordance with input from the operation panel;
storage section and
A control method for controlling a printing device comprising:
The storage unit includes a reception buffer area for storing first data received by the communication unit, a work area used in the RIP process, and a page memory area for storing raster data generated by the RIP process. is established,
a RIP processing step of analyzing the first data stored in the reception buffer area and generating raster data using the work area;
a first print processing step of printing an image based on the raster data generated by the RIP processing step using the printing unit;
a second printing process step of printing second data, which is an image of the document read by the image reading unit, using the printing unit;
an interrupt reception processing step of accepting an interrupt printing instruction for executing the second print processing step through the operation panel during execution of the first print processing step;
When the interrupt printing instruction is accepted by the interrupt reception processing step, the page memory area is expanded to the work area, the first print processing step is stopped, and the RIP processing step is continued. a RIP continuation processing step of storing the raster data generated by the RIP processing step in the expanded page memory area;
execute,
A control method characterized by: A control program for causing a computer to function as a control unit in the printing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images