JPH05104828A - Image output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure that time required from the start of selecting an emulation and a display is minimized, if data for display is received. CONSTITUTION:CPU 31 runs emulation programs stored in non-volatile memory in parallel to process received data for display. Then CPU 31 eliminates improper emulations and allows an engine part 46 to display (print) data processed by a singled-out emulation program.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output device for printing or displaying data sent from a print information source such as a host computer, and more particularly to a display by emulation suitable for the sent data. The present invention relates to an image output device that executes processing for

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 shows a general connection relationship between a host computer as an example of a print information source and a printer device as an example of an image output device.
The host computer 11 and the printer device 12 are connected by a communication cable 13, and image data and various control codes are transmitted through the communication cable 13. A controller 1 is provided in the printer device 12.
4 and a printing unit 15 as a printing mechanism are arranged.
The controller 14 is configured to perform an image development process for printing and to control printing of the printing unit 15.

In such a printing system, if the host computer 11 and the printer device 12 are manufactured by the same maker in the same era and both are sold as a set, they are supplied from the host computer 11. There is no particular problem when the printer device 12 prints the image data.

However, in reality, the host computer 1
In many cases, the manufacturers of 1 and the printer device 12 are not the same, or even those related to the manufacture of the same manufacturer have different dates of manufacture. Even in such a case, it is necessary for the controller 14 of the printer device to correctly decode the control code sent from the host computer 11 side and perform the printing operation.

Therefore, conventionally, there has been a printer apparatus in which a plurality of emulations and a changeover switch for these are arranged in a controller. In such a printer device, an appropriate emulation is selected by switching the switch depending on the type of the host computer of the connection destination. Here, emulation refers to simulating a printer control language (machine language instruction) used by different devices using a microprogram. By such emulation by the controller 14 in FIG. 9, the printer control language of different models can be decoded and the printing operation can be performed by the printing unit 15.

However, in the printer device which switches the emulation by the switch as described above, the switch operation is required every time the host computer is changed, which is not only troublesome but also an error of the switch operation causes an image output device such as a printer device. However, there is a problem in that it is not possible to perform a malfunction or perform printing or display on a display (hereinafter collectively referred to as display unless otherwise specified).

In order to solve such a problem, an image output device has been proposed in which the switching of emulation is automated. Among them, in the device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-314177, a plurality of emulations are arranged inside the device, and a control command code received from the outside is collated with these plural types of emulations. .. Then, the most suitable emulation is automatically selected and the control command is converted.

Also in the computer terminal device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-156325, a plurality of emulations are arranged in the device. With respect to these emulations, the number of non-correspondences in the escape sequence table and the character set is counted, and the emulation judged to be the most appropriate because of the small number of these is automatically selected.

[0009]

However, in such a conventional image output device, it is not possible to perform a process for displaying data until one emulation is selected from a plurality of emulations. In particular, in order to reliably select the optimum emulation from several emulations, it is necessary to compare a large amount of display data with the conversion table prepared for each of these emulations. There is a problem that the time becomes long and the time until the display processing is performed becomes long.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image output device capable of shortening the time required from the start of emulation selection to the display as much as possible.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of emulation programs are stored in parallel with a storage means for storing a plurality of emulation programs and display data sent from a host device. Parallel processing means to be executed by the program, a program selection means for sequentially checking the state of data processing by each emulation program and excluding inappropriate programs from execution targets, and data processed by the emulation programs remaining from the selection as an image. The image output device is provided with an output unit for outputting.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of emulation programs are processed in parallel with respect to the display data sent from the host device, while the state of data processing is sequentially checked. The processing by the remaining emulation program is gradually accelerated by excluding an appropriate emulation program from the execution target, and finally the data processed by the remaining emulation program from the selection is output as an image.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, storage means for storing a plurality of emulation programs, a weighting table in which weights are set for each of these emulation programs, and a weighting table for display sent from the host device. Parallel processing means for executing these multiple emulation programs in parallel for the data at a time distribution proportional to their weight, and the state of data processing by each emulation program is sequentially checked to execute the inappropriate program. The image output device is provided with a program selection means for excluding the data from the above, and an output means for outputting the data processed by the emulation program remaining from the selection as an image.

That is, according to the second aspect of the invention, a weighting table in which weights are set according to the frequency of use for each emulation program is prepared. Then, the plurality of emulation programs are executed in parallel on the display data sent from the host device in a time distribution proportionate to their weights. On the other hand, by excluding inappropriate emulation programs from execution targets, the processing by the remaining emulation programs is gradually accelerated, and finally the data processed by the remaining emulation programs from the selection is output as an image. ..

According to a third aspect of the present invention, storage means for storing a plurality of emulation programs and parallel processing means for executing the plurality of emulation programs in parallel with respect to the display data sent from the host device. And a display that sequentially displays the state of data processing by each emulation program,
Input means for inputting the suitability of these emulation programs, program selection means for excluding an emulation program that is determined to be inappropriate according to the input result of this input means, and emulation programs remaining from the selection or appropriate. The image output device is provided with an output unit that outputs data processed by the emulation program as an image.

That is, according to the third aspect of the invention, a plurality of emulation programs are processed in parallel with respect to the display data sent from the host device, and the data processing by each emulation program is performed. On the display. The operator can see the displayed contents and drop the emulation program that is apparently unsuitable, or if an appropriate one is known, the operator can select the optimal one at that time. If an inappropriate emulation program is dropped, the processing of other emulation programs will be speeded up accordingly. In this way, the data processed by the emulation program remaining from the selection or the emulation program that is appropriate is output from the output means as an image.

[0017]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of a printing system using a printer device as an embodiment of the image output device of the present invention. The communication cable 21 forming the ring-shaped network includes a plurality of printer devices 22.
_1, 22 _2, and ...... 22 _N, a plurality of workstations 23 _1, 23 _2, ...... 23 _M is connected. With this printing system, these workstations 2
The documents edited by 3 ₁ , 23 ₂ , ... 23 _M are sent to any _one of the printer devices 22 ₁ , 22 ₂ , ... 22 _N and are printed out here. ing.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer device 22 includes a CPU 31 which is the center of various controls. The CPU 31 has a ROM 33 and a RAM 3 via a bus 32 such as a data bus.
4, a non-volatile memory (NVM) 35, a network interface (I / F) unit 36, a panel control unit 37, and an engine control unit 38.

ROM (Read Only Memory)
The printer device 22 includes a control program 33
A processing program for the native printer control language of is written. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 34 has a role as a working memory for storing data temporarily required for the CPU 31 to execute various controls, and also for expanding image data. It also has a role as a page memory. Here, the image data is printed by the engine control unit 37 for printing.
Is the data sent to. The non-volatile memory 35 used in the present embodiment is a rewritable memory, and stores a plurality of emulation programs and an emulation comparison table used when selecting these. The content of the non-volatile memory 35 is saved even when the power of the printer device 22 is turned off. As a rewritable non-volatile memory, a flash electric erase ROM (Flash E ² PROM), an electric erase ROM (E ² PROM), or a hard disk storage device is typical. In this embodiment, a flash electric erase ROM is used as a non-volatile memory.
A RAM backed up by a battery can also be used as a non-volatile memory.

The network interface section 36 is prepared to serve as an interface for communication with the network. Network interface unit 3
6 is a workstation 23 ₁ , 23 ₂ , ... 23 _M
The data transmitted from the CPU 31 is taken in through the communication cable 21 so that the CPU 31 can process the data. The panel control unit 37 is connected to the control panel 41, is equipped with various keys and a liquid crystal display, and controls the input / output of data with respect to these keys.

FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of these keys and the like on the control panel. A liquid crystal display 43 is arranged above the control panel 41, and four keys 44 _{1 to} 44 ₈ are arranged below the liquid crystal display 43. Of these, the liquid crystal display 43 displays the status of the printer device 22, and the keys 44 ₁ ...
The contents of the function corresponding to 44 ₈ are displayed. Here, ONLINE (online)
Key 44 ₁ is adapted to perform one of the switching to the offline state to the printer device 22 in the online state.

[0023] FONT (ORIENTATION) key 44 _2, in the information sent from the work station 23, used for when there is no information about the font used, enters a mode for setting the type of font to be used Is the key to do. This FONT (ORIEN
TATION key 44 ₂ to CONTINUE (SIF
If you press at the same time as T) key 44 _5, it enters a mode for setting the direction of the printing paper and image. MODE
The (EMULATION) key 44 ₃ is used to enter a mode for setting various printer operation modes. When pressed simultaneously with the CONTINUE (SIFT) key 44 ₅ , the emulation (EMULATI)
It is adapted to enter a mode for setting the (ON) state.

△ (TEST) key 44_FourIs the setting mode
Used to select an item when entering the code. C
ONNTUE (SIFT) key 44_FivePressed at the same time
In case you're going into a mode to run various tests
Growling. CONTINUE (SIFT) key 4
Four_FiveIs a non-fatal error when an error occurs.
Used to ignore the error and perform the desired action
It Also, another key 44 ₂~ 44_Four, 44₆~ 44₈When
Press at the same time to perform another function of these keys.
Let go. That is, the shift key on a normal keyboard
The same action as ENTER (COPY) key 4
Four₆Sets the item selected in each setting mode.
Used when CONTINUE (SIFT) key
44_FiveIf pressed at the same time, one image data
Setting for how many printouts
Enter the first mode.

The FORM FEED (FEEDER) key 44 ₇ is used to hold the image data remaining on the page memory forming a part of the RAM 34 when the information for starting the print operation does not arrive from the host device. Used to print out. CONTINUE
If you press simultaneously (SIFT) key 44 ₅ enters a mode for setting a paper tray for a printing paper.
▽ (RESET) key 44 ₈ is used to change the items in each setting mode. CONTINUE (S
If you press simultaneously IFT) key 44 ₅ enters a mode for executing various reset functions.

FIG. 4 shows the display contents of the liquid crystal display for selecting the two emulation modes. As mentioned above, MODE (EMULATI
When the (ON) key 44 ₃ and the CONTINUE (SIFT) key 44 ₅ are pressed simultaneously, the mode for setting the emulation state is entered. At this time, the liquid crystal display 43 is automatically emulated (AUTO).
Mode and Adobe Post Script
A display is displayed to select one of the language modes. The operator can set either desired mode by pressing the Δ (TEST) key 44 ₄ or ▽ (RESET) key 44 ₈ . The auto mode is further divided into two types of modes, an optimum selection (BEST) mode and a perfect matching selection (PERFECT) mode. When the △ (TEST) key 44 ₄ is pressed to select the auto mode, the optimum selection mode is initially selected, and when the △ (TEST) key 44 ₄ is further pressed, the perfect match selection mode is selected. Is becoming

In the auto mode, the printer device 22 executes a plurality of emulation programs stored in the non-volatile memory 35 in parallel, and removes an inappropriate one of them. When the operator selects the optimum selection mode among them, when one emulation program remains as a result of the parallel processing, this emulation program is determined as the target of the print processing. On the other hand, when the operator selects the perfect matching selection mode, only the emulation program that completely matches the printing data sent from the workstation 23 becomes the printing target. Therefore, if all of these emulations are dropped because they are unsuitable at the stage of applying each emulation to the print data, there is no print target.

On the other hand, when the operator selects the Postscript language mode other than the automatic mode, only the Postscript language which is the native language of the printer device 22 is executed.
In this case, parallel processing is not performed for each emulation.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. An engine unit 46 is connected to the engine control unit 38. The engine unit 46 is a printing unit of the printer device 22, and in the present embodiment, it is composed of basic components as a laser printer. When the emulation program for printing finally determines, the engine unit 46 receives the print signal read from the page memory, modulates the laser beam, and exposes and scans the laser beam on a photosensitive drum (not shown). The formation of a latent image is performed. Then, this electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device (not shown) to create a toner image, which is transferred onto a printing sheet, fixed, and discharged as a printed sheet onto a tray (not shown).

The following Tables 1 and 2 show a part of the emulation comparison table stored in the non-volatile memory shown in FIG.

[0031]

[Table 1]

[0032]

[Table 2]

The printer device of this embodiment stores P emulation programs, and can cope with (P + 1) printer control languages in addition to the native printer control language. The comparison tables shown in Table 1 and Table 2 are the first and second of these.
It is compatible with the emulation program of. In these comparison tables, the "data length" means the length of the data delimited for reference in the serial data sent from the workstation 23 as the host computer. Further, "data" refers to data that constitutes a control code.

Now, in the emulation selection work in the automatic mode for selecting the optimum emulation by the printer apparatus of this embodiment, the data sent from the workstation 23 (FIG. 2) to the comparison buffer B (not shown) is stored. The control code stored therein is stored, and this is sequentially compared using the comparison table shown in Table 1 and the like. An emulation in which the comparison table does not match even once is dropped from the candidate targets at that time. If there is only one candidate, the optimal selection (BE
In the ST) mode, the emulation is finally selected, and the emulation program continues processing for the remaining control codes. When the perfect match selection (PERFECT) mode is selected, the control code is extracted up to the end of the print data, and the print processing is performed on the condition that all of them match the corresponding emulation comparison table. Done.

FIG. 5 shows how each emulation program is executed when the auto mode is executed. In FIG. 5, the parallel processing of the emulation programs E _{1 to} E _P is performed in synchronization with the multitask switching clock signal CL. Prior to such parallel processing that is sequentially repeated one cycle at a time from the first cycle, the data adjustment period indicated by the symbol “D” is set. In this data adjustment period D,
The control code extracted from the print data is stored in the above-mentioned comparison buffer and is allocated for the processing of each emulation program E _{1 to} E _P , or the result of comparison with the emulation comparison table indicates nonconformity. Comprehensive data processing such as excluding the determined emulation program from the targets of parallel processing is performed.

First, in the first cycle, the data adjustment period D
At, the control code is sequentially extracted from the head portion of the print data and stored in the comparison buffer B. In this state, the first emulation program E ₁ is first executed for data processing during one cycle t of the clock signal CL. Within this time, the respective control codes stored in the comparison buffer B are sequentially compared in the first emulation comparison table prepared corresponding to the _first emulation program E ₁ , and if they match, this control code is It is converted into a control code used on the printer side.

If no match is found in the first emulation comparison table or if an error occurs in the argument area, the result indicating that the _first emulation program E ₁ is incompatible is stored. When the cycle t has elapsed, the data processing is performed by the second emulation program E ₂
Then, the same processing is performed. At this time, the second emulation comparison table is used for control code conversion. Similarly, when the processes of the third emulation program E ₃ to the Pth emulation program E _P are completed in the same manner, the processes of the first cycle are all completed, and the process proceeds to the second cycle.

In the first cycle, it is assumed that some emulation comparison tables such as the first and fourth emulation comparison tables have control codes that cannot be searched for, or an error occurs in the argument area. Data adjustment period D arranged at the beginning of the second cycle
Will sort out these incompatible emulation programs. As a result, in the emulation program executed in the second cycle, the first emulation program E ₁ drops out and the second emulation program E ₂ becomes the head. Similarly, due to the omission of some emulation programs, the time required for the second cycle is shorter than that for the first cycle.

In this way, the emulation programs found to be incompatible are sequentially dropped, so that, for example, in the (n-1) th cycle, only the second emulation program E ₂ and the Pth emulation program E _P are executed. Will be done. If it is determined that the P-th emulation program E _P is incompatible in this cycle, only the second emulation program E ₂ will be executed after the n-th cycle.

FIG. 6 is for explaining the outline of the operation of such a printer device. When the printing data is received, the CPU 31 (FIG. 1) checks whether or not the emulation of this printer is set to the auto mode (step S101). When the auto mode is not set, that is, when the emulation is designated (N), the printing process by the emulation is performed (step S102). In this embodiment, emulation for Adobe PostScript language is selected.

On the other hand, when the printer is set to the automatic mode (step S101;
Y), a value obtained by adding "1" to the total number P of emulation programs is set as a value N in a predetermined area of the RAM 34 (FIG. 1), and "0" is set as a value S (step S103). Here, the numerical value N is 1 for parallel processing.
It is the number of clocks in a cycle, and the numerical value S refers to the number of emulations that are incompatible in one cycle.

When the parallel processing is thus prepared, the parallel processing of the print data by the emulation programs E _{1 to} E _P is started. Since the time required for the first cycle shown in FIG. 5 is (P + 1) t, C
The PU 31 waits for the time Nt (step S104;
Y), the numerical value N is subtracted from the numerical value S obtained in the cycle, and it is determined whether the numerical value is 3 or more (step S105). If 3 or more, at least 2 emulations remain compatible. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to execute the next cycle in order to select the optimum emulation. Therefore, the numerical value (N-S) is replaced with a new numerical value N (step S106), the process returns to step S104 again, and the cycle is executed.

On the other hand, if the numerical value N is within 3, it is determined whether the mode of this printer is the optimum selection mode (step S107). Then, in the case of the completely compatible selection mode different from this (N), it is determined whether the numerical value N is equal to the numerical value S (step S108). This is a check to see if all emulations were out of conformity in the cycle just before it. If the numerical value N is equal to the numerical value S (Y), it means that there is no corresponding emulation for the data for printing, so that fact is displayed on the liquid crystal display 43 (see FIG. 4) of the control panel 41 (see FIG. 4). Step S109).
In this case, all processing ends without printing (end).

On the other hand, when the optimum selection mode is determined in step S107 (Y), the optimum emulation is selected from the remaining emulations as candidates (step S110).

FIG. 7 shows the detailed flow of step S110. First, the CPU 31 sets a numerical value (N-
It is determined whether or not (S) is "2" (step S20).
1) If so, only one emulation remains (Y), so this is set as the optimum emulation (step S202). On the other hand, the numerical value (N-
If S) is "1", all emulations will be dropped, so one of the multiple emulations that existed when executed in step S104.
One is selected as the optimum emulation (step S203). In this embodiment, the most executed one of these emulations is optimized.

When the optimum emulation is selected in this way, the printing process by the selected emulation is executed (step S111).

When it is determined in step S108 that the numerical value N is not equal to the numerical value S (N), it is determined whether all the printing data has been processed (step S
112), if not completed (N), step S10
Return to 4 and execute the cycle. If it is completed (step S112; Y), it means that the remaining emulation is completely adapted to the print data. Therefore, the printing process by the emulation is executed (step S113).

Deformability

In the embodiment described above, the execution times are equally assigned to the emulation programs E _{1 to} E _P to execute the parallel processing. The present invention is not limited to this, and weights may be added to these execution times for parallel processing. For this purpose, for example, the usage frequency table is stored in the nonvolatile memory 35 shown in FIG. 1, and the usage frequencies of the finally selected emulation programs are added every time the printing process is performed. , Use the latest frequency information. . Then, depending on the frequency of use of each emulation program E ₁ to E _P, it is sufficient to allocate these execution time.

FIG. 8 shows a part of the control contents in the data adjustment period described in FIG.
When the set time of each cycle is constant, if an improper emulation occurs, the emulation will be dropped in the next cycle, so that idle time will occur. If such empty time occurs (step S30
1; Y), it is the most suitable to fill this empty time from the relationship between the time allocation in the current cycle for the remaining emulations and the frequency of use for these emulations shown in the frequency table above. The emulation is determined (step S30).
2). The determined emulation is executed by filling the free time in the next cycle (step S
303). As a result, the emulation that is more likely to be finally selected has more time, and the preparation process for printing is performed.

When one emulation program is derived from another emulation program, these printer control languages may be very similar. In such a case, and in the case where the optimum emulation is determined by the relative value of the comparison result in the emulation comparison table, the device should immediately and accurately determine which emulation program is the optimum. There are some cases where you cannot do it. In such a case, the contents of data conversion by those emulation programs performing parallel processing may be displayed on a display such as the liquid crystal display 43, and the operator may be allowed to make selections. In this case, a key for selection is arranged on the control panel 41, and if an optimum one is found, it is designated, or if an inappropriate print content is found, it is designated to exclude emulation execution. You can do it.

Further, in the embodiment, the time for emulation processing is divided using one CPU and assigned to each emulation program to perform parallel processing. However, a plurality of CPUs are prepared for each emulation program. The processing may be independent, or a plurality of CPUs may be divided into several groups and operated in parallel.

Further, in the embodiments, the printer device has been shown as an example of the image output device, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a device which visually displays an image on the display. Further, in the embodiment, the programs for various controls are stored in the ROM 33, but it is also possible to store the programs in another storage medium such as a magnetic disk. Further, although the emulation program is stored in the non-volatile memory 35 in the embodiment, it may be stored in whole or in part in a storage medium such as a memory cartridge, an IC card, or the above-mentioned magnetic disk.

[0054]

As described above, claims 1 to 3 are as follows.
According to the described invention, since the optimum emulation is selected while actually executing the emulation program for the display data, the data processed for the selection is utilized for the display, There is an effect that the processed data is not wasted as compared with the conventional apparatus that selects the emulation and then restarts the data processing.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the state of data processing is sequentially checked to exclude inappropriate emulation programs from being executed. Therefore, the processing for display data is gradually accelerated. You can In addition, we decided to output the data processed by the emulation program that remained from the selection as an image, so that if we leave only one, the processing result of the data by the most appropriate emulation program can be displayed. By leaving only those that are completely compatible with the data, it is possible to avoid the waste of displaying the contents processed by the incompatible emulation program.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, a weighting table in which weights are set according to the frequency of use is prepared for each emulation program, and these are set for the display data sent from the host device. Since we decided to execute multiple emulation programs in parallel with the time allocation proportional to their weight, the more likely that emulation program is selected, the more time will be allocated for data processing even during selection. In many cases, the time required for the overall data processing can be shortened. Also, within a unit time, the more frequently used items are, the more data compatibility is checked, so when selecting one from several emulation programs that are often used and are similar. Has an effect that the time required for this selection can be shortened.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the display for sequentially displaying the state of data processing by each emulation program and the input means for inputting the suitability of these emulation programs are prepared, the operator can display the data. You can look at the processing results displayed in to assist in selection or select the optimum one. As a result, there is an effect that the selection of the emulation program becomes more accurate, and an effect that the time required for the selection can be shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a circuit configuration of a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing an outline of a print system using the printer device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an arrangement of keys and the like of a control panel in this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the display contents of a liquid crystal display for selecting two emulation modes.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing how each emulation program is executed when the auto mode is executed in this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the printer device of the present embodiment.

7 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of emulation selection shown in step S110 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing, as a modified example of the present invention, a modified content of a part of the control content in the data adjustment period described in FIG. 5 of the previous embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a general connection relationship between a host computer and a printer device.

[Explanation of symbols]

22 ... Printer device (image output device), 23 ... Workstation (host device), 31 ... CPU, 33 ... RO
M, 34 ... RAM, 35 ... Non-volatile memory, 36 ... Network interface section, 41 ... Control panel, 43 ... Liquid crystal display, 46 ... Engine section

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Storage means for storing a plurality of emulation programs, parallel processing means for executing the plurality of emulation programs in parallel on display data sent from a host device, and respective emulation programs. The present invention is characterized by comprising a program selection means for sequentially checking the state of the data processing by the above and excluding inappropriate programs from execution targets, and an output means for outputting the data processed by the emulation program remaining from the selection as an image. Image output device. 2. Storage means for storing a plurality of emulation programs, a weighting table in which weights are set according to the frequency of use for each of these emulation programs, and a plurality of these for the display data sent from the host device. Parallel processing means for executing the above emulation programs in parallel at a time distribution proportional to their weight, and a program selecting means for sequentially checking the state of data processing by each emulation program and excluding inappropriate programs from execution targets. An image output device comprising: an output unit that outputs, as an image, data processed by the emulation program remaining from the selection. 3. Storage means for storing a plurality of emulation programs, parallel processing means for executing the plurality of emulation programs in parallel with respect to display data sent from a host device, and respective emulation programs. A display for sequentially displaying the state of data processing by the input means, an input means for inputting the suitability of these emulation programs, and a program selection means for excluding an emulation program which is determined to be inappropriate according to the input result of the input means from execution targets. And an output means for outputting, as an image, the data processed by the emulation program remaining after selection or the emulation program that is appropriate.