JPH08286846A - Image processing unit, image printer, external device, image processing system and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an image processing unit in which a print time of a connected image printer is reduced and power consumption is saved and to provide the image processing method. CONSTITUTION: An image processing unit 100 processes image data entered externally and spools the data to a hard disk 106 and sets an image printer 112 to the print enable state from the standby state when the spooled image data reach a prescribed amount and transfers the spooled image data to the image printer 112. When the print of the transferred image data is finished, the image printer 112 is restored to the standby state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image printing apparatus, an external apparatus, an image processing system and an image processing method for inputting image data from an information processing apparatus such as a host computer, performing image processing and printing. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing system or the like in which image data created by an external device such as a host computer is processed by an image processing device and printed by an image printing device, an image processed by the image printing device is used. The data was transferred to the image printing apparatus page by page.

Further, when the image data input from the external device to the image processing device is, for example, page description language (PDL), the data is developed as a raster image in the image processing device, and thereafter, is printed by the printing device. It was being output.

[0004]

The above-described conventional image processing system is configured to perform image processing for each page of image data and transfer the image data to the image printing apparatus. When printing multiple copies of each page, the recording paper for the next page starts to be fed before the printing of the image data for one page is completed, while In the case of printing one by one, printing of the recording paper for the next page is started after the printing of the image data for one page is completed. Therefore, when the input image data is sequentially printed part by part, the printing time per recording sheet becomes long. Further, since the cleaning operation is performed every time the printing of the image data for one page is completed, the time required for printing is further lengthened, and the power consumption is large.

Furthermore, while the image data is being transferred from the outside to the image printing apparatus, no processing is executed in the image printing section (printer engine or the like) of the image printing apparatus. There is an inconvenience that all the power consumed is wasted.

A first object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method thereof which can reduce the printing time of the connected image printing apparatus and save power consumption. is there.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an image printing apparatus and an image processing method thereof, which can shorten the time required for printing and save power consumption.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an external device and an image processing method capable of reducing the printing time of the connected image printing device and saving the power consumption. is there.

A fourth object of the present invention is to reduce the printing time when the image printing apparatus prints the image data generated by the external apparatus and image-processed by the image processing apparatus, and at the same time, it is possible to reduce the consumption time. An object is to provide an image processing system and an image processing method thereof that can save power.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
An image processing apparatus comprising: an input unit for inputting image data from an external device such as a host computer; a processing unit for image-processing the image data; and a connecting unit for connecting to the image printing apparatus for printing the image data, Spooling means for spooling the image data input by the inputting means, and when the image data spooled by the spooling means exceeds a predetermined amount, the predetermined amount of spooled image data is collectively sent to the image printing apparatus. And transfer means for transferring via the connection means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, there is provided control means for controlling the start and stop of the image printing apparatus in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer means. It is characterized by

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the control means causes the transfer means to output the image data at a predetermined time before the image data is output to the image printing device. The image printing apparatus is stopped after the printing apparatus is started and the printing operation is completed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect, the control means, if the image data input by the input means is a page description language, the processing means causes the image The image printing apparatus is activated at a predetermined time while rasterizing the data, and the transfer means transfers the image data to the image printing apparatus immediately after the raster rasterization is completed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input means for inputting image data generated by an external device such as a host computer, a processing means for image-processing the image data, and a printing means for printing the image data. In the image printing apparatus, the spool means for spooling the image data input by the input means, and when the image data spooled by the spool means exceeds a predetermined amount, the predetermined amount of image data is printed by the printing means. And a transfer means for transferring the data in a batch.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image printing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, there is provided control means for controlling the start and stop of the printing means in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer means. Is characterized by.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image printing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the control means includes the printing means before a predetermined time before the transfer means outputs the predetermined amount of image data to the printing means. Is started, and the printing means is stopped after the printing operation is completed.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image printing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, when the image data input by the input unit is a page description language, the control unit causes the processing unit to perform the image processing. It is characterized in that the printing means is activated at a predetermined time while rasterizing the data, and the transfer means transfers the image data to the printing means immediately after the raster rasterization is completed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the external device according to the eighth aspect, a generation unit for generating image data, a processing unit for image-processing the image data generated by the generation unit, and the processing unit are provided. In an external device having a connecting means for connecting an image printing device for printing image data, spooling means for spooling image data image-processed by the processing means, and image data spooled by the spooling means And a transfer unit that collectively transfers the predetermined amount of image data to the image printing apparatus via the connection unit when the predetermined amount exceeds the predetermined amount.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the external apparatus according to the ninth aspect, a control means for controlling the start and stop of the image printing apparatus is provided in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer means. Is characterized by.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the external device according to the tenth aspect, the control unit prints the image before a predetermined time when the transfer unit outputs the predetermined amount of image data to the image printing apparatus. The image printing apparatus is stopped after the apparatus is activated and the printing operation is completed.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the external device according to the eleventh aspect, the control means, when the image data generated by the generation means is a page description language, the processing means causes the image data to be processed. The image printing apparatus is activated at a predetermined point during raster rasterization, and the transfer means transfers the image data to the image printing apparatus immediately after the raster rasterization is completed.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing device for image-processing image data generated by an external device such as a host computer, and an image printing device for printing the image data image-processed by the image processing device. In the image processing system including the above, the image processing device includes a spool unit for spooling image data, and when the image data spooled by the spool unit exceeds a predetermined amount, the image printing unit prints the predetermined amount of image data. And a transfer means for transferring the data to the device at once.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the thirteenth aspect, there is provided control means for controlling the start and stop of the image printing device in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer means. It is characterized by

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the fourteenth aspect, the control means causes the transfer means to output the image before a predetermined time before the transfer means outputs the predetermined amount of image data to the image printing apparatus. The image printing apparatus is stopped after the printing apparatus is started and the printing operation is completed.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the fifteenth aspect, the control means raster-expands the image data when the image data input by the input means is a page description language. The image printing apparatus is activated at a predetermined time during the operation, and the transfer unit transfers the image data to the image printing apparatus immediately after the raster expansion is completed.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, an input means for inputting image data from an external device such as a host computer, a processing means for image-processing the image data, and an image printing device for printing the image data are connected. In the image processing method used in the image processing apparatus having the connecting means, a spool step of spooling the image data input by the input means, and a step of spooling the image data when the spooled image data exceeds a predetermined amount. And a transfer step of collectively transferring a predetermined amount of image data to the image printing apparatus via the connection means.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the seventeenth aspect, there is provided a control step for controlling the start and stop of the image printing apparatus in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer step. It is characterized by

The invention according to claim 19 is provided with an input means for inputting image data generated by an external device such as a host computer, a processing means for image-processing the image data, and a printing means for printing the image data. In the image processing method used in the image printing apparatus, a spool step of spooling the image data input by the input means, and a step of storing the predetermined amount of image data when the spooled image data exceeds a predetermined amount. And a transfer step of transferring the image to the image printing apparatus collectively.

According to a twentieth aspect of the invention, in the image processing method according to the nineteenth aspect, there is provided a control step for controlling the start and stop of the image printing means in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer step. It is characterized by

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, a generating means for generating image data, a processing means for performing image processing on the image data generated by the generating means, and an image printing for printing the processing means and the image data. In an image processing method used for an external device having a connection means for connecting to a device, a spool step of spooling image data image-processed by the processing means, and the spooled image data exceeds a predetermined amount. In this case, a transfer step of collectively transferring the predetermined amount of image data to the image printing apparatus via the connecting means is provided.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the twenty-first aspect, there is provided a control step for controlling the start and stop of the image printing apparatus in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer step. It is characterized by

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing device for performing image processing on image data generated by an external device such as a host computer, and an image printing device for printing the image data subjected to image processing by the image processing device. In the image processing method used in the image processing system including the above, the image processing device includes a spool step of spooling the image data, and when the spooled image data exceeds a predetermined amount, the image processing device outputs the predetermined amount of the image data. And a transfer step of transferring the image to the image printing apparatus collectively.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the twenty-third aspect, there is provided a control step for controlling the start and stop of the image printing apparatus in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer step. It is characterized by

[0034]

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, when the image data input from an external device such as a host computer by the input means and spooled by the spool means exceeds a predetermined amount, the transfer means spools the image data. The predetermined amount of image data thus created is collectively transferred to the image printing apparatus connected via the connecting means.

According to the image processing apparatus of the second aspect, the control means controls the start and stop of the image printing apparatus in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer means.

According to the image processing apparatus of the third aspect, the control means activates the image printing apparatus a predetermined time before the transfer means outputs the predetermined amount of image data to the image printing apparatus, After the printing operation is completed, the image printing device is stopped.

According to the image processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the control means, when the image data input by the input means is a page description language, the processing means rasterizes the image data. The image printing apparatus is activated at a predetermined time during the period, and the transfer unit transfers the image data to the image printing apparatus immediately after the raster expansion is completed.

According to the fifth aspect of the image printing apparatus, when the image data generated by an external device such as a host computer, input by the input means, and spooled by the spool means exceeds a predetermined amount, the transfer means is provided. Thus, the spooled image data of a predetermined amount is collectively transferred to the printing means.

According to the sixth aspect of the image printing apparatus, the control means controls the start and stop of the printing means in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer means. According to the image printing apparatus of claim 7, the control means activates the printing means a predetermined time before the transfer means outputs the predetermined amount of image data to the printing means,
After the printing operation is completed, the printing means is stopped.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the control means, when the image data input by the input means is a page description language, the processing means rasterizes the image data. The printing means is activated at a predetermined time while the transfer means transfers the image data to the printing means immediately after the raster expansion is completed.

According to the external device of the ninth aspect, when the image data generated by the generating means, image-processed by the processing means, and spooled by the spooling means exceeds a predetermined amount, the transferring means causes the data to be stored. A fixed amount of image data is collectively transferred to the image printing apparatus connected via the connecting means.

According to the external apparatus of the tenth aspect, the control means controls the start and stop of the image printing apparatus in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer means. According to the external device of claim 11, the control unit starts the image printing device a predetermined time before the transfer unit outputs the predetermined amount of image data to the image printing device, and after the printing operation is completed. The image printing apparatus is stopped.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the control means, when the image data generated by the generating means is a page description language, the processing means rasterizes the image data. The image printing apparatus is started at a predetermined time point between, and the transfer means transfers the image data to the image printing apparatus immediately after the raster expansion is completed.

According to the image processing system of the thirteenth aspect, when the image data generated by an external device such as a host computer, image-processed by the image processing device, and spooled by the spool means exceeds a predetermined amount, The predetermined amount of spooled image data is collectively transferred to the printing unit by the transfer unit.

According to the image processing system of the fourteenth aspect, the control means controls the start and stop of the image printing apparatus in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer means.

According to the image processing system of the fifteenth aspect, the control means activates the image printing device a predetermined time before the transfer means outputs the predetermined amount of image data to the image printing device, After the printing operation is completed, the image printing device is stopped.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the control means, when the image data input by the input means is a page description language, the control means performs predetermined processing while rasterizing the image data. At the point of time, the image printing apparatus is activated, and the transfer means transfers the image data to the image printing apparatus immediately after the raster expansion is completed.

[0048]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of an image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This system includes an image processing apparatus 100 and a host computer 1.
01 and the image printing device 112.

The image processing apparatus 100 includes a first I / O interface 102, a CPU (central processing unit) 103, and R.
OM (Read Only Memory) 104, work RAM 10
5, hard disk 106, controller 107, second
I / O interface 108, internal bus 109, frame memory 110, memory controller 111, etc., and is connected to the host computer 101 by the first I / O interface 102, and the second I / O
The interface 108 is connected to the image printing device 112.

The CPU 103 processes the image data sent from the host computer 101 via the first I / O interface 102 by software (program). The type of image processing performed by the CPU 103 can be changed by changing the software. The CPU 103 also controls circuits of each unit of the apparatus, issues control commands to the image printing apparatus 112, and the like.

The ROM 104 stores an execution program for image processing performed by the CPU 103 and control of circuits of each unit of the apparatus. It is also possible to change the operation content of the image processing apparatus 100 by changing the content of this execution program. The work RAM 105 stores temporary image data when the CPU 103 performs image processing, and
Stores data required for program execution.

The hard disk 106 stores the image data, which has been subjected to image processing by the CPU 103, in the image printing device 11.
Store until transferred to 2. The controller 107 includes a memory storing image data and a hard disk 10
To manage the transfer of data to and from
It enables high-speed DMA (direct memory access) transfer of image data in place of the CPU 103.

The second I / O interface 108 is for transmitting the image data stored in the hard disk 106 or the memory to the image printing device 112, and for transmitting a control signal to the image printing device 112 and for the image. Information about the state of the printing device 112 is acquired. The internal bus 109 is composed of a data bus, an address bus, a control signal line, etc., and transmits various kinds of information.

The memory controller 111 manages writing / reading of image data in the frame memory 110, and also refreshes data in the frame memory 110.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the image printing device 112
The configuration of will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image printing apparatus 112.

The image processing apparatus 112 comprises an I / O interface 501, a CPU 502, an image printing section 503, a display section 504 and the like.

The I / 0 interface 501 mediates input of image data and various control commands from the image processing apparatus 100. The CPU 502 controls the operation of the image printing device 112. The image printing unit 503 prints image data on recording paper. The display unit 504 displays various control data and the like.

3 to 7 together with FIGS. 1 and 2.
The operation of the apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the CPU 103 of the image processing apparatus 100.

First, the image data is transferred from the host computer 101 to the image processing apparatus 100, and the transferred image data is transferred to the first I / O interface 102,
Frame memory 11 via memory controller 111
It is stored in 0 (step S1).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the power consumption of the image printing apparatus 112 for each mode. In the figure, the "print mode" is a mode when the image printing unit 503 actually prints the image data, and consumes the largest amount of power since each unit of the apparatus is operating.

The "standby mode" is the image processing apparatus 1
In this standby mode, the display unit 504 is de-energized, and the temperature of the toner fixing unit (not shown) is changed when printing is performed. By further lowering the power consumption, the power consumption in the image printing unit 503 is lower than that in the print mode.

The "shut-off mode" is a mode in which only the interface part for communicating with the image processing apparatus 100 is left and the power supply to other parts is stopped. In the shut-off mode, the power consumption is minimum, but even if a print command is notified from the image processing apparatus 100, it is necessary to perform a reset operation of each unit or raise the temperature of the toner fixing unit to an appropriate temperature. It takes time to shift to the print mode.

In this embodiment, the image printing apparatus 112 is in the standby state until the printing operation is actually started, and the power consumption can be reduced.

Returning to FIG. 3, in the step S1,
When the storage of the image data transferred from the host computer 101 to the image processing apparatus 100 in the frame memory 110 is completed, the CPU 103 reads the image data from the frame memory 110 according to the program stored in the ROM 104, and performs the image processing (step). S2).

When the CPU 103 executes image processing,
Temporary image data is stored in the work RAM 105 as needed, and when the image processing is completed, the frame memory 110 is restored.
The processed image data is stored in. If it is not necessary to store the processed image data in the frame memory 110, the hard disk 106 or the image printing device 11 can be directly used.
It is also possible to output the image data to 2.

When the capacity of the image data from the host computer 101 is too large to be stored in the frame memory 110, the first I / O interface 102 is used.
It is also possible to directly store the image data in the hard disk 106 via the controller 107.

Next, it is judged whether or not the image data sent from the host computer 101 and subjected to the image processing needs to be printed immediately (step S3). If it is not necessary to print immediately, the frame memory 110 The image data therein is spooled to the hard disk 106 via the memory controller 111 and the controller 107 (step S4).

FIG. 5 is a selection screen displayed on the display unit or the like of the host computer for the user to select whether or not to spool the image data in step S4. In the figure, 401 is an image to be selected, 402 is a display area of a file name for saving image data, and 403 is a selection button for selecting whether to spool the image data.

The user selects "NO" in the selection button 403 when he / she wants to print immediately, and selects "YES" when the image data is spooled once. This selection information is transferred to the image processing apparatus 100 together with the image data. The CPU 103 changes the image data processing method based on the transferred selection information. In the case of spooling image data, the operation of image-processing the image data received from the host computer 101 and spooling it on the hard disk 106 is repeated until a predetermined amount of image data is spooled on the hard disk 106.

Returning to FIG. 3, it is judged whether or not the image data spooled on the hard disk 106 has reached a predetermined amount (step S5). If not, step S
Return to 1. When it reaches, the activation process of the image printing unit 503 is performed (step S6).

That is, the CPU 103 of the image processing apparatus 100
An instruction to shift to the above “print mode” from the CPU 5 of the image printing apparatus 112 is issued via the I / O interface 501.
02 will be notified. Upon receiving the notification, the CPU 502 increases the power supply to the toner fixing unit of the image printing unit 503 to raise the temperature and the display unit 504.
Performs processing for shifting to the print mode such as starting energization to the.

When the shift of the image printing unit 503 to the print mode is completed and the image processing apparatus 100 is notified, the image processing apparatus 100 outputs the image data spooled in the hard disk 106 to the image printing apparatus 112 (step S).
7).

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the consumption in the image printing unit 503 when the image data is sent to the image printing apparatus 112 for each page of the paper and when a predetermined amount of spooled image data is sent at once. It is a graph figure for comparing and explaining changes of electric energy. FIG. 6 shows the image processing apparatus 100.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a transition of power consumption when image data of one page is transferred from the image printing apparatus 112 to the image printing apparatus 112 for printing, and FIG. 7 shows a plurality of pages spooled from the image processing apparatus 100 to the image printing apparatus 112. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a transition of power consumption when image data is collectively transferred and printed.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, before actually printing the image data, it is necessary to perform preprocessing such as potential adjustment in the image printing apparatus, and after the printing is completed, the toner cleaning processing is performed. It is necessary to perform post-processing such as The time for executing this pre-processing and post-processing is as shown in both figures:
Since it does not change depending on the number of recording sheets to be printed, if the image data is collectively output to the image printing apparatus 112 as shown in FIG. Since it is sufficient to perform processing and post-processing, 1
The power consumption for printing per page can be reduced.

Returning to FIG. 3, when all the printing of the image data output from the image processing apparatus 100 to the image printing apparatus 112 in step S7 is completed and the image processing apparatus 100 is notified, the image printing unit 503 goes into standby. The process of shifting to the mode is performed (step S8). That is, the image processing apparatus 100 issues a command to the image printing apparatus 112 to shift to the standby mode. I / O interface 5
When the CPU 502 is notified of the instruction to shift to the standby mode via 01, the CPU 502 stops energizing the display unit 504, controls the temperature of the toner fixing unit to be low, and ends the process. .

In the step S3, when it is not necessary to immediately print the image data sent from the host computer 101 and subjected to the image processing, a print mode shift command is immediately issued to the image printing device 112, The image printing apparatus 112 is shifted to the print mode (step S
9) The image data that has undergone image processing and is stored in the frame memory 110 is output to the image printing device 112 (step S10), and the process proceeds to step S8.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the basic configuration of the image processing system of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the above-mentioned reference numerals will be used in the following description.

FIG. 8 shows C of the image processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows the process which PU103 performs. FIG. 9 is a graph diagram for explaining the transition of the power consumption when the image printing apparatus 112 of the present embodiment performs printing.

In FIG. 8, the host computer 101
When the image data is transferred from the image processing apparatus 100 to the image processing apparatus 100 (step S11), the CPU 103 causes the hard disk 1 to operate.
The amount of image data stored in 06 is confirmed, and it is confirmed whether or not a predetermined amount of image data has been reached (step S1).
2). When the amount of predetermined image data has been reached, the image printing unit 503 of the image printing apparatus 112 is activated, and
If the predetermined image data amount has not been reached, the image printing unit 503 does nothing and proceeds to the next process.

At this time, the image printing apparatus 112 is in the "shut-off mode", and power is supplied only to the I / O interface 501 for communicating with the image processing apparatus 100. As a result, power consumption in the image printing unit 503 other than when printing image data can be significantly reduced.

In step S11, the image data transferred from the host computer 101 is stored in the hard disk 106 after image processing. When the image data stored in the hard disk 106 reaches a predetermined amount, C
The PU 103 issues a standby mode transition command to the image printing apparatus 112 (step S13). I /
When the instruction to shift to the standby mode is notified to the CPU 502 via the O interface 501, the CPU 502
Controls to energize each part of the device that operates in the standby mode.

On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus 112, the image data newly sent from the host computer 101 is stored in the frame memory 110. Frame memory 1
The image data stored in 10 is subjected to image processing (step S1).
4) After completion, it is stored again in the frame memory 110 (step S15).

When the reception of all the image data is completed, the image processing apparatus 100 issues a print mode shift command to the image printing apparatus 112. I / O interface 5
When the CPU 502 is notified of the print mode shift command via 01, the CPU 502 energizes the display unit 504 and raises the temperature of the toner fixing unit of the image printing unit 503 to the temperature in the print mode. Is performed (steps S16 and S17).

From the image printing apparatus 100 to the image processing apparatus 11
When 2 is notified that the shift to the print mode is completed, the image processing apparatus 112 outputs all the image data stored in the hard disk 106 to the image printing apparatus 112 (step S18). When all the image data in the hard disk 106 is output to the image printing device 112, the new image data stored in the frame memory 110 is transferred to the image printing device 112 (step S
19). When the image processing apparatus 100 is notified that the transfer of all the image data in the image processing apparatus 100 is completed and that the printing of all the image data is completed in the image printing apparatus 112, the image processing apparatus 100 prints the image. Device 112
A standby mode transition command is issued toward the (step S20).

Even after the transition to the standby mode is completed and the prescribed time has elapsed, new image data is recorded in the image processing apparatus 1.
If not input to 00, the image processing apparatus 100 issues a shutoff command to the image printing apparatus 112 to shut off the image printing apparatus (steps S21 and S22).
The process ends.

As described above, according to the image processing system of the present embodiment, the power supply to the image printing apparatus 112 is shut off while the image data is not printed, so that the image printing apparatus 112 consumes power. The power consumption can be reduced significantly.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the basic configuration of the image processing system of this embodiment is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, the above-mentioned reference numerals will be used in the following description.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing performed by the CPU 103 of the image processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a graph diagram for explaining the transition of the power consumption when the image printing apparatus 112 of the present embodiment performs printing.

In this embodiment, the host computer 101
Until the image data is sent to the image processing apparatus 100,
The image printing apparatus 112 is in the shut-off mode, and the power consumption is reduced by not wastefully energizing the image printing unit 503. Further, in this embodiment, the image data sent from the host computer 101 to the image processing apparatus 100 is described in PDL (page description language).

When the transfer of image data from the host computer 101 to the image processing apparatus 100 is started, the CPU
103 issues an instruction to shift to the standby mode to the image printing apparatus 112 (step S31). Also, C
The PU 103 develops the PDL data transferred from the host computer 101 into a raster image on the frame memory 110 (step S32). When the transfer of PDL data from the host computer 101 is started and a prescribed time has elapsed, the CPU 103 issues a print mode transition command to the image printing apparatus 112 (step S).
33, S34). The specified time may be a time until the transfer of the PDL data is completed or a time arbitrarily decided by the user, but the external device (host computer 1
01) according to the image transfer processing speed and the image processing speed of the image processing apparatus 100.

When the CPU 502 of the image printing apparatus 112 is notified of the instruction to shift to the print mode via the I / O interface 501, the CPU 502 causes the image printing unit 50 to print.
The temperature of the toner fixing unit of No. 3 is raised, electricity is supplied to the display unit 504, and the image printing apparatus 112 is set to the printable state. When the image processing apparatus 100 is notified that the image printing apparatus 112 is ready for printing, the frame memory 1
The image data expanded from the PDL data into a raster image on the computer 10 is transferred to the image printing device 112 (step S35).

When the image printing apparatus 112 notifies the image processing apparatus 100 that the printing of the transferred image data has been completed, the image processing apparatus 100 causes the image printing apparatus 112 to perform the printing.
Issue a command to enter standby mode. CPU5
When 02 receives the instruction to shift to the standby mode, the power supply to the display unit 504 is stopped and the temperature of the toner fixing unit of the image printing unit 503 is controlled to be lowered. When new image data is not input to the image processing apparatus 100 even after the transition to the standby mode is completed and the specified time has elapsed, the image processing apparatus 100 issues an instruction to transition to the shutoff mode to the image printing apparatus 112. Image printing apparatus 11
2 is shut off (steps S36 and S37).

As described above, according to the image processing system of this embodiment, while the PDL data sent from the host computer 101 is developed into a raster image, it is useless in the image printing device 112. Power is not supplied, and the raster image data in the frame memory 110 is immediately output to the image printing device 112 immediately after the PDL data has been rasterized into a raster image, thereby suppressing unnecessary power consumption. .

The image processing apparatus described in each of the above embodiments may be mounted inside the image printing apparatus.
It may be provided independently of the image printing device. Further, the present invention can be applied to input / output of image data from an arbitrary external device.

The present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device, and is achieved by supplying a program to the system or the device. It is also applied when it is done.

[0097]

According to the present invention, the predetermined amount of spooled image data input from an external device such as a host computer is collectively transferred to the connected image printing device. The printing time of the connected image printing apparatus can be shortened and the power consumption can be saved.

According to the invention described in claims 2 and 18, the start and stop of the image printing apparatus are controlled in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data, so that the power consumption can be further saved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image printing apparatus is started up a predetermined time before the predetermined amount of image data is output to the image printing apparatus, and the image printing apparatus is stopped after the printing operation is completed. Further, the power consumption can be further saved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the image data is in the page description language, the image printing apparatus is activated at a predetermined time while rasterizing the image data, and raster rasterization is completed. Since the image data is immediately transferred to the image printing apparatus, the time during which the connected image printing apparatus is activated can be further shortened and the power consumption can be saved.

According to the fifth and nineteenth aspects of the present invention, a predetermined amount of image data generated by an external device such as a host computer and input by the input means and spooled is collectively transferred to the printing means. According to the invention of claims 6 and 20, the time required for printing can be shortened, and the power consumption can be saved. Since it is controlled, power consumption can be further saved.

According to the invention described in claim 7, the control means activates the printing means a predetermined time before the transfer means outputs the predetermined amount of image data to the printing means,
After the printing operation is completed, the printing means is stopped, so that the power consumption can be further saved.

According to the image printing apparatus of the eighth aspect, when the image data is in the page description language, the printing means is activated at a predetermined point during raster expansion of the image data, and raster expansion is performed. Since the image data is transferred to the printing means immediately after the end, the time during which the connected image printing device is activated can be further shortened and the power consumption can be saved.

According to the ninth and twenty-first aspects of the present invention, since a predetermined amount of image data that has been generated, image-processed, and spooled is collectively transferred to the connected image printing apparatus, the connected image The printing time of the printing apparatus can be shortened and the power consumption can be saved.

According to the tenth and twenty-second aspects of the present invention, since the start and stop of the image printing apparatus are controlled in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data, the power consumption can be further saved.

According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the image printing apparatus is started up a predetermined time before the predetermined amount of image data is output to the image printing apparatus, and the image printing apparatus is stopped after the printing operation is completed. Moreover, power consumption can be further saved.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the image data is in the page description language, the image printing device is activated at a predetermined point during rasterization of the image data,
Since the image data is controlled so as to be transferred to the image printing apparatus immediately after the raster expansion is completed, it is possible to further shorten the time during which the connected image printing apparatus is activated and save the power consumption. be able to.

According to the thirteenth and twenty-third aspects of the present invention, a predetermined amount of image data generated by an external device such as a host computer, processed by the image processing device, and spooled is collectively transferred to the printing means. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the printing time when the image data generated by the external device and image-processed by the image processing device is printed by the image printing device, and it is possible to save the power consumption.

According to the fourteenth and twenty-fourth aspects of the present invention, since the start and stop of the image printing device are controlled in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data, the power consumption can be further saved.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the image printing apparatus is started up a predetermined time before the predetermined amount of image data is output to the image printing apparatus, and the image printing apparatus is stopped after the printing operation is completed. Since it is controlled, power consumption can be further saved.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, when the image data is in the page description language, the image printing device is activated at a predetermined time while rasterizing the image data, and raster rasterization is completed. Since it is controlled to transfer the image data to the image printing device immediately afterward, it is possible to further reduce the start-up time when the image data generated by the external device and processed by the image processing device is printed by the image printing device. It can be shortened and power consumption can be saved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image printing apparatus of the system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image processing apparatus of the system.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing power consumption in each mode of the image printing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a display unit of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the change over time in the power consumption of the image printing apparatus of the image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing changes over time in power consumption of the image printing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing a change over time in the amount of power consumption in the image printing apparatus of the image processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image processing apparatus of the same system.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing changes over time in the amount of power consumption in the image printing apparatus of the image processing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing a time-dependent change in power consumption of the image printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Image Processing Device 101 Host Computer 102 First I / O Interface 103 CPU 104 ROM 105 Work RAM 106 Hard Disk 107 Controller 108 Second I / O Interface 109 Internal Bus 110 Frame Memory 111 Memory Controller 112 Image Printing Device 501 I / O interface 502 CPU 503 Image printing unit 504 Display unit

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. An input device for inputting image data from an external device such as a host computer; a processing device for image-processing the image data; and a connecting device for connecting to an image printing device for printing the image data. In the image processing apparatus, the spool means for spooling the image data input by the input means, and when the image data spooled by the spool means exceeds a predetermined amount, the spooled predetermined amount of image data is An image processing apparatus comprising: a transfer unit that collectively transfers the image to the image printing apparatus via the connection unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the start and stop of the image printing apparatus in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer means. 3. The control means activates the image printing apparatus a predetermined time before the transfer means outputs the predetermined amount of image data to the image printing apparatus, and after the printing operation is completed, the image printing apparatus is turned on. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image processing apparatus is stopped. 4. The control unit prints the image at a predetermined time while the processing unit rasterizes the image data when the image data input by the input unit is a page description language. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the apparatus is activated, and the transfer unit transfers the image data to the image printing apparatus immediately after the raster expansion is completed. 5. An image printing apparatus comprising: an input unit for inputting image data generated by an external device such as a host computer; a processing unit for image-processing the image data; and a printing unit for printing the image data. Spooling means for spooling the image data input by the inputting means, and when the image data spooled by the spooling means exceeds a predetermined amount, the predetermined amount of image data is collectively transferred to the printing means. An image printing apparatus comprising: a transfer unit. 6. The image printing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising control means for controlling the start and stop of the printing means in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer means. 7. The control means starts the printing means a predetermined time before the transfer means outputs the predetermined amount of image data to the printing means, and stops the printing means after the printing operation is completed. The image printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image printing apparatus is an image printing apparatus. 8. The control means, when the image data input by the input means is a page description language, the printing means at a predetermined time point while the processing means rasterizes the image data. 8. The image printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the transfer means transfers the image data to the printing means immediately after the raster expansion is completed. 9. A connection for connecting the generation means for generating the image data, the processing means for image-processing the image data generated by the generation means, and the image printing device for printing the image data. An external device including means, spool means for spooling the image data image-processed by the processing means, and when the image data spooled by the spool means exceeds a predetermined amount, the predetermined amount of image data And a transfer unit that collectively transfers the data to the image printing apparatus via the connection unit. 10. The external device according to claim 9, further comprising control means for controlling the start and stop of the image printing apparatus in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer means. 11. The control means activates the image printing apparatus a predetermined time before the transfer means outputs the predetermined amount of image data to the image printing apparatus, and after the printing operation is completed,
2. The image printing device is stopped.
0 external device. 12. The control unit prints the image at a predetermined time while the processing unit rasterizes the image data when the image data generated by the generating unit is a page description language. 2. The apparatus is started up, and the transfer means transfers the image data to the image printing apparatus immediately after the raster expansion is completed.
1. The external device according to 1. 13. An image processing system including an image processing device for performing image processing on image data generated by an external device such as a host computer, and an image printing device for printing image data subjected to image processing by the image processing device. The image processing apparatus collectively transfers a predetermined amount of image data to the image printing apparatus when the image data spooled by the spool means and the image data spooled by the spool means exceeds a predetermined amount. An image processing system, comprising: 14. The control means for controlling the start and stop of the image printing apparatus according to the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer means.
The image processing system described. 15. The control means starts the image printing device a predetermined time before the transfer device outputs the predetermined amount of image data to the image printing device, and after the printing operation is completed,
2. The image printing device is stopped.
4. The image processing system according to 4. 16. The control means, when the image data input by the input means is in a page description language, activates the image printing device at a predetermined time during rasterization of the image data. 16. The image processing system according to claim 15, wherein the transfer means transfers the image data to the image printing apparatus immediately after the raster expansion is completed. 17. An input device for inputting image data from an external device such as a host computer, a processing device for image-processing the image data, and a connecting device for connecting to the image printing device for printing the image data. In the image processing method used in the image processing apparatus, a spool step of spooling the image data input by the input means, and when the spooled image data exceeds a predetermined amount, the predetermined amount of image data is stored. And a transfer step of transferring the image data to the image printing apparatus via the connection unit at once. 18. The image processing method according to claim 17, further comprising a control step of controlling the start and stop of the image printing apparatus in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer step. 19. An image printing apparatus comprising: an input unit for inputting image data generated by an external device such as a host computer; a processing unit for image-processing the image data; and a printing unit for printing the image data. In the image processing method, a spool step of spooling the image data input by the input means, and when the spooled image data exceeds a predetermined amount, the predetermined amount of image data is collectively sent to the image printing apparatus. And an image transfer method for transferring the image. 20. The image processing method according to claim 19, further comprising a control step of controlling the start and stop of the image printing means in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer step. 21. A connection for connecting a generation means for generating image data, a processing means for image-processing the image data generated by the generation means, and an image printing device for printing the image data. An image processing method for use in an external device, comprising: a spooling step for spooling image data image-processed by the processing means; and a predetermined amount when the spooled image data exceeds a predetermined amount. And a transfer step of collectively transferring the image data of (1) to the image printing apparatus via the connecting means. 22. The image processing method according to claim 21, further comprising a control step of controlling the start and stop of the image printing apparatus in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer step. 23. An image processing system including an image processing device for image-processing image data generated by an external device such as a host computer, and an image printing device for printing image data image-processed by the image processing device. In the image processing method used, the image processing apparatus includes a spool step of spooling image data, and when the spooled image data exceeds a predetermined amount, the predetermined amount of the image data is collectively sent to the image printing apparatus. And an image transfer method for transferring the image. 24. The image processing method according to claim 23, further comprising a control step of controlling the start and stop of the image printing device in accordance with the transfer operation of the image data by the transfer step.