JPH0937092A - Printing device and data processing method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently process printing by permitting a memory control means to perform access so as to release respective storage areas based on intermediate code information and a printing state which are stored in the respective storage areas and to execute control. SOLUTION: A system is provided with a means 11 for storing data and the memory control means (CPU 12 and ROM 13) which store converted intermediate code information by color in the storage area where security is executed by color as against the storage means 11 and successively release the respective storage areas based on the printing state by printing mechanism based on intermediate code information stored in the respective storeage areas. Then, CPU 12 controls the access of intermediate code information as against RAM 11 so as to successively release the respective areas based on the printing state by printing mechanism based on intermediate code information of respective colors which are stored in the respective areas. Therefore, data is efficiently processed in accordance with the printing state of the respective colors without extending memory capacitance even under a multiple color printing processing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus which analyzes print information received from a host and performs multi-color printing by sequentially scanning each color by a printing mechanism based on drawing information obtained by the analysis. The present invention relates to a data processing method of a printing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various printers have been put into practical use as print output devices for computers and the like, which have rapidly spread.

In this type of printer, in the era in which only simple characters of a fixed size were printed out, the processing capability of the printer was limited to the process of interpreting the character code.

However, as the processing capability of the computer is improved, the demand for output quality is increasing, and it is necessary to change the typeface and size of characters, draw complicated graphics, and print images. The contents of required processing are becoming more and more complicated. For this reason, the capacity of the semiconductor memory required for a printing system including a printer is increasing.

Further, in recent years, to accelerate this tendency, higher printing resolution (for example, 720 dpi) or multi-value output such as color printing is required of the print output device.

For example, when the print resolution is doubled, the amount of data in both the vertical and horizontal directions is increased, so that a semiconductor memory for temporary storage of four times is required for the print image.
This tendency is particularly remarkable in the case of color printing.

Further, in comparison with a printing apparatus which outputs a monochrome binary output, a printing apparatus which outputs a multi-valued color print has a 16 to 32 times as many as an image storage for expressing the number of colors and gradation. Requires memory.

[0008]

The cost of the semiconductor memory in the printing system occupies a very large weight even in the conventional printing apparatus for performing monochrome binary printing.

Therefore, in order to provide a low-cost printing system including a printing device for performing color printing and high resolution printing, a technique for always effectively operating a semiconductor memory is required.

On the other hand, as a technique for effectively using the memory, there is a method of effectively utilizing the same storage area on the time axis, in addition to a general compression technique.

For example, a plurality of work areas are shared, areas that are not actually used are released immediately, and are used for other purposes.

However, in many cases, the sharing technique of the memory area makes it difficult to perform exclusive processing, which makes the system complicated and increases the development and operation verification costs, but in the memory for image data used in the printing mechanism, Since the timing of using the memory is clear by the printing mechanism, multiple use can be constructed relatively easily.

In most printing mechanisms, not all image image information is used at the same time in the image information to be printed out. Most printing mechanism mechanisms produce images by scanning. That is, data is typically used sequentially.

For example, in a page printer that prints out about four sheets per minute, the time required for the image image information of the front end of the paper and the time required for the image image information corresponding to the rear end of the paper are over ten seconds. There is some time lag.

Similarly, in the case of color printing, when color separation is often performed to perform frame sequential printing, for example, when Y color printing is performed, M, The C and K color data are not accessed at all.

By utilizing such a time lag, the entire image image is not expanded in the memory, but only a part of the print image is sequentially expanded and output to the printing mechanism, thereby consuming the image image. There are ways to save memory. For example, in a frame-sequential multicolor printing apparatus, an image memory area is not reserved for each color but shared.

However, generally, the print command sent to the page printer by the driver software on the host computer that forms the data does not send the data in the printing order according to the characteristics of the printing mechanism. In this way, there is no correlation between the data transmission order and the actual printing order.
In addition, there are many commands that are complicated and take time to process data.

Therefore, in general, the data for the page printer sent from the host is not considered with respect to the printing position, the processing time, etc. Therefore, if the received data is directly processed, a method of sequentially expanding it is realized. Can not.

Therefore, in order to realize the multiple use of the memory for the image data, pre-processing is performed in advance, and the print information sent from the host is matched with the print mechanism, and the image corresponding to the print position is obtained in real time. It is necessary to decompose a simple intermediate code or a decompressed image that can be decompressed into compressed data and relocate it.

However, such data conversion causes another problem. That is, there is a problem in that the existence of the intermediate code itself consumes a considerable amount of memory on the printing apparatus and cancels the memory saving effect.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to fourth inventions of the present invention is to process print information for multicolor printing. By controlling the memory access to the intermediate code information area secured for the memory provided in, the secured intermediate code information area can be released quickly without expanding the memory capacity, and the free space is always maximized. To provide a printing apparatus and a data processing method of the printing apparatus, which can efficiently perform data processing on print information while securing the printing information.

[0022]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an intermediate for analyzing print information received from a host and generating uniform drawing data for a printing mechanism based on the analysis result. In a printing apparatus which converts into code information, develops the intermediate code information into drawing information, and performs multi-color printing by performing frame sequential scanning for each color by a printing mechanism, a storage unit that stores data and a converted color The intermediate code information of is stored in each storage area secured for each color in the storage means, and each storage area is stored based on the printing state by the printing mechanism based on the intermediate code information of each color stored in each storage area. Memory control means for sequentially releasing the memory is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the print information received from the host is analyzed, and based on the analysis result, converted into intermediate code information for generating uniform drawing data for the printing mechanism, In a printing device for expanding the intermediate code information into drawing information and performing frame-sequential scanning for each color by a printing mechanism to perform multicolor printing, based on storage means for storing data and converted intermediate code information for each color. Determining means for determining the drawing color state, and storing in any storage area secured by a variable capacity based on the determination result of the determining means, and based on the intermediate code information stored in any storage area. Memory control means for releasing any one of the storage areas based on the printing state of the printing mechanism is provided.

A third invention according to the present invention has a storage means for storing data received from a host, analyzes print information received from the host, and uniformizes the printing mechanism based on the analysis result. In the data processing method of the printing device, which converts multi-color printing by converting the intermediate code information for generating various drawing data, developing the intermediate code information into the drawing information, and sequentially scanning each color for each color by the printing mechanism, A writing step of writing the converted intermediate code information for each color into each storage area secured for each color in each storage area, and transferring the intermediate code information for each color written in each storage area to the printing mechanism. It has a transfer step and a release step of sequentially releasing each storage area based on the transfer end state.

A fourth invention according to the present invention has a storage means for storing data received from the host, analyzes print information received from the host, and uniformizes the printing mechanism based on the analysis result. In the data processing method of the printing device, which converts multi-color printing by converting the intermediate code information for generating various drawing data, developing the intermediate code information into the drawing information, and sequentially scanning each color for each color by the printing mechanism, A determination step of determining a drawing color state based on the converted intermediate code information for each color, a writing step of writing to any storage area secured by a variable capacity based on the determination result, and any storage area A state determination step of determining a print end state by the printing mechanism based on the intermediate code information stored in the storage section, and a release step of releasing any one of the storage areas based on the determination result. It is intended.

[0026]

In the first aspect of the invention, the converted intermediate code information for each color is stored in each storage area secured for each color in the storage means, and the intermediate code information for each color stored in each storage area. The memory control means controls the access of the intermediate code information to the storage means so as to sequentially release each storage area based on the printing state by the printing mechanism based on
It is possible to efficiently perform data processing without expanding the memory capacity, while sequentially securing the maximum available data storage capacity according to the printing state of each color even during multicolor printing processing.

In the second aspect of the present invention, it is stored in any one of the storage areas secured by the variable capacity based on the judgment result of the judgment means for judging the drawing color state based on the converted intermediate code information for each color. A memory control unit for releasing any one of the storage areas based on a printing state by the printing mechanism based on the intermediate code information stored in any one of the storage areas, controlling access of the intermediate code information to the storage means, and a memory It is possible to efficiently perform data processing without expanding the capacity, while securing a data storage area for storing intermediate code information necessary for multicolor printing processing with a minimum variable amount.

In the third invention, the converted intermediate code information for each color is written in each storage area secured for each color in the storage means, and the intermediate of each color written in each storage area is written. The code information is transferred to the printing mechanism, each storage area is sequentially released based on the transfer end state, and the multi-color printing process is performed according to the printing status of each color without expanding the memory capacity. It is possible to automate the process of sequentially securing the maximum free space for data storage.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the drawing color state is judged based on the converted intermediate code information for each color, and the drawing color state is written in any storage area secured by the variable capacity based on the judgment result. The print completion state by the printing mechanism is determined based on the intermediate code information stored in one of the storage areas, and any one of the storage areas is released based on the result of the determination, and the memory capacity is increased without increasing the memory capacity. It is possible to automate the process of securing a data storage area for storing the intermediate code information necessary for the color printing process with a minimum variable amount.

[0030]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It interprets a command received from a host and separates and stores an intermediate code for each CMYK color. The present invention corresponds to a system configuration example in an image output device that sequentially interprets each intermediate code buffer with the operation of the printing process.

In the figure, 10 is an interface connected to the host. Reference numeral 11 denotes a RAM, which is used as a reception buffer for temporarily storing reception data received from the host, a secondary buffer for securing an intermediate code for each color, an image area in which an image image is developed, and other work areas as described later. To be done.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a CPU which performs image formation and image data transmission processing for the mechanism based on a control program stored in the ROM 13.

Reference numeral 20 denotes an interface for sending out the developed image image to the printing mechanism 21, and for sending and receiving timing control information and status information in addition to the image data image. The printing mechanism 21 converts the electrical signal, which is output from the interface 20 and modulated by the image on the image work area, into actual printing.

In the present embodiment, the printing mechanism 21
Is for performing frame-sequential printing, and particularly, a mechanism for performing YMCK color order printing is taken as an example.

Further, as a typical printing mechanism for performing frame sequential printing, there are an electrophotographic printing device, a sheet type thermal transfer printing device, and the like. On the contrary, most of the ink ribbon system and the inkjet system correspond to the line-sequential mechanism, which is more difficult to apply the present invention, than the line-sequential mechanism.

Reference numeral 100 denotes an internal bus of the image forming system,
An interface signal line 101 transfers an interface signal between the printing mechanism 21 and the image forming unit. An interface signal line 102 connects the host and the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the first memory map of the RAM 11 shown in FIG.

In the figure, 1-1 is a work area for developing monochromatic image data, and 11-2 is a reception buffer for storing reception data received from the host. The data received by the interface 10 from the host is written into the reception buffer 11-2 by an interrupt mechanism, a DMA transfer mechanism, a polling mechanism, etc. (not shown).

Reference numeral 11-3 is an area for storing Y-color data, and stores Y-color data in the intermediate code obtained by interpreting the received data in the reception buffer 11-2 and converting it into a format that can be successively developed. . Reference numeral 11-4 is an area for storing M color data, and stores M color data in the intermediate code which is obtained by interpreting the received data in the reception buffer 11-2 and converting it into a format that can be sequentially expanded.

Reference numeral 11-5 is an area for storing C color data, and stores the C color data in the intermediate code which is obtained by interpreting the received data in the receiving buffer 11-2 and converting it into a format which can be successively developed. . Reference numeral 11-6 is an area for storing K color data, and stores K color data in the intermediate code which is obtained by interpreting the received data in the reception buffer 11-2 and converting it into a format that can be successively expanded. 11-7 is a free area.

Receive buffer 11-2 received from the host
The above data is processed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 3 described later.

That is, the received data is interpreted by the CPU 12 based on the program on the ROM 13 and converted into an intermediate code form which can be successively developed, and the drawing color information of the intermediate code is confirmed and corresponds to the drawing color contained. hand,
Intermediate codes corresponding to the respective colors are stored in the areas 11-3 to 11-6.

For example, when the drawing color is black, the intermediate code information is stored in the area 11-6, and when the drawing color is orange, it is stored in the areas 11-3 and 11-4.

Further, the CPU 12 has the reception buffer 11-
4 is sequentially processed, and when all the received data are converted into intermediate codes, the printing mechanism 21 is driven, and
The printing process and the used memory, that is, the areas 11-3 to 11-6 are sequentially released according to the procedure shown in FIG.

The mechanism for expanding the intermediate code and converting it into an image activates the printing mechanism 21, sequentially expands the intermediate code data on the area 11-3 to expand the Y image, and then on the work area 11-1. To form an image. Then, after the image formation is completed, the area 11-3 is released.
The same procedure is performed for each color, and finally area 1
Release 1-6.

The released areas are sequentially free areas 11-
It is returned to 7 and used as a work area of the reception buffer 11-2 for the next job.

Correspondence between this embodiment and each means of the first invention and its operation will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The first invention analyzes print information received from a host (not shown), converts it into intermediate code information for generating uniform drawing data for the printing mechanism 21 based on the analysis result, and A storage unit (RAM) that stores data in a printing apparatus that expands intermediate code information into drawing information and scans each color in a plane-sequential manner by a printing mechanism to perform multicolor printing.
11), and the converted intermediate code information for each color is stored in each storage area secured for each color in the storage means, and by the printing mechanism based on the intermediate code information for each color stored in each storage area. Memory control means for sequentially releasing each storage area based on the print state (the CPU 12 controls based on a print information processing program stored in the ROM 13)
Are provided, and the converted intermediate code information for each color is stored in the RAM1.
Each area 11-3 to 11-6 secured for each color for 1
The CPU 12 sequentially releases each area based on the printing state of the printing mechanism based on the intermediate code information of each color stored in each area 11-3 to 11-6.
Controlling the access of intermediate code information to AM11,
It is possible to efficiently perform data processing without expanding the memory capacity, while sequentially securing the maximum available data storage capacity according to the printing state of each color even during multicolor printing processing. The print information processing program may be supplied as a program stored in a floppy disk from a floppy disk drive (not shown).

The data processing method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the first embodiment of the data processing method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (10) indicate each step.

First, since the reception data from the host is temporarily stored in the reception buffer 11-2 secured from the free area 11-7, it is judged whether or not there is data in the reception buffer 11-2. If (1), NO, the process is terminated, and if YES, an operation of converting the received data (PDL data) into an intermediate code is performed (2).

Then, it is judged whether or not the converted intermediate code includes Y color information (3). If NO, the process proceeds to step (5) and thereafter, and if YES, the Y color intermediate code is written in the area 11-3. (4).

Then, it is determined whether or not the converted intermediate code has M color information (5). If NO, the process proceeds to step (7) and thereafter, and if YES, the M color intermediate code is written in the area 11-4. (6).

Then, it is determined whether or not the converted intermediate code includes C color information (7). If NO, the process proceeds to step (9) and thereafter, and if YES, the C color intermediate code is written in the area 11-5. (8).

Then, it is judged whether or not the K color information is present in the converted intermediate code (9). If NO, the process returns to step (1).
Write down to -6 (10).

In this embodiment, based on drawing color information, in addition to general intermediate code processing such as expanding and caching outline characters and the like, which takes time to expand, and sorting data by drawing position. When writing the intermediate code, along with the density information in each data storage area,
Alternatively, it is converted into pattern information based on the density information and written. When the color information requires a plurality of print colors, data output is performed to a plurality of intermediate code storage areas.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the first color printing processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (16) indicate each step.

In the present embodiment, at the time of printing, as shown in FIG.
The data on 3 is referred to (1), the intermediate code is expanded and converted into a band image (2), output is started at the printing mechanism 21 in time (3), and the printing mechanism 21 starts printing of Y color. (4), and thereafter, steps (1) to (4) are repeated until there is no print data.

Then, when all the data in the area 11-3 is output to the printing mechanism 21, the area 11-3 is released and returned to the free area 11-7, and is diverted to another use.

Next, the data in the storage area 11-4 for the intermediate code used first is referred to (5), the intermediate code is developed and converted into a band image (6), and the printing mechanism 21 is used.
(7), the printing mechanism 21 starts printing M colors, and thereafter steps (5) to (8) are repeated until there is no print data.

Then, when all the data in the area 11-4 is output to the printing mechanism 21, the area 11-4 is released and returned to the free area 11-7 for diversion to another purpose.

Next, the data in the storage area 11-5 of the intermediate code used first is referred to (9), the intermediate code is developed and converted into a band image (10), and the printing mechanism 2 is used.
The output is started at the timing of 1 (11), the printing mechanism 21 starts the printing of C color (12), and thereafter, steps (9) to (12) are repeated until there is no print data.

Then, when all the data on the area 11-5 is output to the printing mechanism 21, the area 11-5 is released and returned to the free area 11-7 for diversion.

Next, the data in the storage area 11-6 of the intermediate code used first is referred to (13), the intermediate code is developed and converted into a band image (14), and the timing is adjusted to the printing mechanism 21. Output (15), the printing mechanism 21 starts printing K color (16), and thereafter, steps (13) to (16) are repeated until there is no print data.

Then, when all the data in the area 11-6 is output to the printing mechanism 21, the area 11-6 is released and returned to the free area 11-7, and is diverted to another use.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each step of the third invention and its action will be described below with reference to FIGS.

A third aspect of the invention has a storage means (RAM 11) for storing data received from the host, analyzes print information received from the host, and uniformizes the print mechanism 21 based on the analysis result. In the data processing method of the printing device, the multi-color printing is performed by converting the intermediate code information for generating various drawing data, developing the intermediate code information into the drawing information, and sequentially scanning the printing mechanism 21 for each color. A writing step (steps (1) to (10) in FIG. 3) of writing the converted intermediate code information for each color to the RAM 11 in each storage area secured for each color, and the writing to each storage area. A transfer step of transferring the intermediate code information of each color to the printing mechanism (steps (3), (7), (11) in FIG. 4).
(15)) and a release step of sequentially releasing each storage area based on the transfer end state (step (3) in FIG. 4,
(7), (11), (15)) are executed to maximize the data storage free space according to the printing state of each color even during multi-color printing processing without expanding the memory capacity. It is possible to automate the securing process.

Depending on the printing mechanism, there is a mechanism for printing with three colors not including black, a mechanism for adding a printing color in addition to YMCK, and in this case, RA
It goes without saying that the processing mechanisms become the same only by increasing or decreasing the number of intermediate code buffer areas from the area 11-3 to the area 11-6 on M11.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the case where the intermediate code buffer is decomposed and stored in the form of Y, M, C, K has been described. However, general image data is It rarely exists as single-color data of printing colors, and is a mixed color of two or more colors. For this reason, since there is a high frequency of duplication of almost the same intermediate code, which is different only in the density information, in the buffer area of each intermediate code for one print code,
It is not the best configuration for memory efficiency.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the memory efficiency is emphasized, and the data in the intermediate code buffer is stored with the color density information added, and the intermediate code buffer is stored as shown in FIG. It is divided into the following configurations.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the second memory map of the RAM 11 shown in FIG. 1. The same parts as those in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the drawing, 11-Y is an intermediate code storage area containing only Y color information, 11-M is only M color, an intermediate code storage area containing both Y and M color information, 11-C is only C color, Both Y and C color information, both C and M color information, Y, M and C
An intermediate code storage area including three pieces of color information, and 11-K are all remaining intermediate code storage areas including K color in its color configuration. Even in this case, the printing order of the printing mechanism is Y, M,
The order of C and K is assumed.

In the print sequence, the intermediate code storage area 11-Y,
Scan all 11-M, 11-C, 11-K. Then, after transmitting the developed image to the printing mechanism 21, the intermediate code storage area 11-Y is discarded.

Next, when developing an image of M color, the intermediate code storage areas 11-M, 11-C and 11-K are scanned. Then, after transmitting the developed image to the printing mechanism 21, the intermediate code storage area 11-M is discarded.

Next, when the C color image is developed, the intermediate code storage areas 11-C and 11-K are scanned. Then, after transmitting the developed image to the printing mechanism 21, the intermediate code storage area 11-C is discarded.

Finally, when the K color image is developed, only the intermediate code storage area 11-K is scanned.

By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the similar data from being duplicated in each intermediate code buffer 11.

In this embodiment, since it is necessary to expand even the density information in real time at the time of successive expansion, the processing speed needs to be higher than that in the first embodiment, but since there is no duplicate data. , More efficient.

Specifically, the intermediate code storage areas 11-Y, 11-M, 11-C and 11-K are smaller than the intermediate code storage areas 11-3 to 11-6 shown in FIG. Therefore, the most expensive memory can be saved, and an equivalent system can be configured at a lower cost.

Correspondence between this embodiment and each means of the second invention and its operation will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The second aspect of the invention has substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment, analyzes print information received from a host (not shown), and draws a uniform image on the printing mechanism 21 based on the analysis result. A storage unit that stores data in a printing apparatus that converts data into intermediate code information for generating data, develops the intermediate code information into drawing information, and performs multi-color printing by performing frame sequential scanning for each color by a printing mechanism. (RAM11),
Judgment means for judging the drawing color state based on the converted intermediate code information for each color (judgment by the judgment processing printer stored in the ROM 12 by the CPU 12), and variable capacity secured based on the judgment result of the judgment means. The memory control means (CPU 12 stores the ROM 13 in the ROM 13 to store the data in any one of the storage areas, and releases the one of the storage areas based on the printing state of the printing mechanism based on the intermediate code information stored in the storage area. Control based on the print information processing program stored in) is provided, so that the variable capacity is secured based on the determination result of the CPU 11 that determines the drawing color state based on the converted intermediate code information for each color. Any of the storage areas 11-Y, 11-M, 11
-C, 11-K, and releases any one of the storage areas based on the printing state by the printing mechanism 21 based on the intermediate code information stored in any of the storage areas C
The PU 12 controls the access of the intermediate code information to the RAM 11, and the data processing efficiency is improved while the data storage area for storing the intermediate code information necessary for the multi-color printing processing is secured with a minimum variable amount without expanding the memory capacity. Allows you to do well.

The data processing method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a second embodiment of the data processing method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (9) indicate the respective steps, and in this embodiment, unlike the sequence of the first embodiment, the intermediate code area written after interpretation of the received data is always one of the four areas. Is one. Further, the writing information to be written has a configuration in which a flag indicating the presence / absence of a contained color and density information of each color are added.

First, since the reception data from the host is temporarily stored in the reception buffer 11-2 secured from the free area 11-7, it is judged whether or not there is data in the reception buffer 11-2. (1) If the answer is NO, the process is terminated, and if the answer is YES, an operation of converting the reception data (PDL data) into an intermediate code and generating it is performed (2).

Then, it is judged whether or not only the Y color information exists in the generated intermediate code (3). If YES, the intermediate code is written in the area 11-Y (7) and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, in the case of NO in step (3), it is judged whether or not the generated intermediate code includes C and K color information (4). If YES, the generated intermediate code is stored in the area 11-M. Writing (8), and returns to step (1).

On the other hand, in the case of NO in step (4), it is judged whether or not the generated intermediate code does not include K color information (5). If YES, the intermediate code is written in the area 11-C (9). , Return to step (1).

On the other hand, if NO in step (5), the generated intermediate code is written in the area 11-K (6), and the process returns to step (1).

The second color printing process in the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the second color printing processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (19) indicate each step.

At the time of printing, as shown in FIG. 5, the data in the intermediate code storage areas 11-Y, 11-M, 11-C and 11-K is searched (1), and the Y color information attribute flag is set. Determine whether there is intermediate code data (2),
If YES, the intermediate code is developed and converted into a band image (3), output is started at the printing mechanism 21 in time, the printing mechanism 21 starts printing of Y color (4), and thereafter, Y color print data. Step (1)-
Repeat (4).

On the other hand, in the case of NO in step (2), the intermediate code storage area 11-Y is discarded (5), and the data on the intermediate code storage areas 11-M, 11-C, 11-K is saved. A search (6) is performed to determine whether there is intermediate code data with the M color information attribute flag set (7). If YES, the intermediate code is developed and converted into a band image (8), and the printing mechanism 21 The output is started at the same timing, the printing mechanism 21 starts the printing of Y color (9), and thereafter, steps (6) to (6) until there is no Y color print data.
Repeat (9).

On the other hand, in the case of NO in step (7), the intermediate code storage area 11-M is discarded (10), and the data in the intermediate code storage areas 11-C and 11-K is searched (11). ), It is judged whether or not there is intermediate code data in which the C color information attribute flag is set (12), and if YES, the intermediate code is expanded and converted into a band image (13),
Printing is started at the same timing with the printing mechanism 21, the printing mechanism 21 starts printing of Y color (14), and thereafter, steps (11) to (14) are performed until there is no Y color print data.
repeat.

On the other hand, if NO in step (12),
The intermediate code storage area 11-C is discarded (15), and the data in the intermediate code storage area 11-K is searched (1
6) develops and converts the intermediate code into a band image (1
7) Then, the output is started in time with the printing mechanism 21, the printing mechanism 21 starts the printing of Y color (18), the intermediate code storage area 11-K is discarded (19), and the processing is ended.

As a result, at the time of print output, all the remaining intermediate code storage areas are always scanned. Further, in the intermediate code, information in which the color flag is set is sequentially developed in the image development area, scanning of all areas is completed, and after the Y image information is sent to the printing mechanism 21, the area 11- The processing for discarding A and releasing it as the free area 11-7 is performed by referring to each color information attribute flag, and the intermediate code storage area is sequentially released as the free area 11-7.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each step of the fourth invention and its action will be described below with reference to FIGS.

A fourth aspect of the invention has a storage means (RAM 11) for storing the data received from the host, analyzes the print information received from the host, and uniformizes the print mechanism 21 based on the analysis result. In the data processing method of the printing device, the multi-color printing is performed by converting the intermediate code information for generating various drawing data, developing the intermediate code information into the drawing information, and sequentially scanning the printing mechanism 21 for each color. , A determination step of determining a drawing color state based on the converted intermediate code information for each color (steps (1) and (3) in FIG. 6)
(4) and (5)), a writing process (steps (6) to (9) in FIG. 6) for writing to any storage area secured by the variable capacity based on the determination result, and any storage A state determination step (steps (2), (7) and (12) in FIG. 7) for determining the print end state by the printing mechanism based on the intermediate code information stored in the area, and one of the above based on the determination result. Release process to release the storage area of
Steps (5), (10), (15), and (19)) are performed to minimize the data storage area for storing the intermediate code information necessary for the multicolor printing process without expanding the memory capacity. It is possible to automate the process of securing a variable amount.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by downloading and reading the program represented by the software for achieving the present invention from the database on the network by the communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0100]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, the converted intermediate code information for each color is stored in each storage area secured for each color in the storage means, and the printing based on the intermediate code information for each color stored in each storage area. Since the memory control means controls the access of the intermediate code information to the storage means so as to sequentially release the respective storage areas based on the printing state by the mechanism, even during multicolor printing processing without expanding the memory capacity. Data processing can be efficiently performed while sequentially maximizing the data storage free space according to the printing state of each color.

According to the second invention, it is stored in any one of the storage areas secured by the variable capacity based on the judgment result of the judgment means for judging the drawing color state based on the converted intermediate code information for each color. However, the memory control means for releasing any one of the storage areas based on the printing state by the printing mechanism based on the intermediate code information stored in any of the storage areas controls the access of the intermediate code information to the storage means. It is possible to efficiently perform data processing without expanding the memory capacity while securing a data storage area for storing intermediate code information necessary for multicolor printing processing with a minimum variable amount.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the converted intermediate code information for each color is written in each storage area reserved for each color in the storage means, and each of the colors written in each storage area is written. Since the intermediate code information is transferred to the printing mechanism and each storage area is sequentially released based on the transfer end state,
Without expanding the memory capacity, it is possible to automate the process of sequentially maximizing the data storage free space according to the printing state of each color even during the multicolor printing process.

According to the fourth invention, the drawing color state is judged based on the converted intermediate code information for each color, and it is written in any of the storage areas secured by the variable capacity based on the judgment result. Since the printing completion state by the printing mechanism is determined based on the intermediate code information stored in any one of the storage areas, and any one of the storage areas is released based on the determination result, without expanding the memory capacity, It is possible to automate the process of ensuring a minimum variable amount of the data storage area for storing the intermediate code information necessary for the multicolor printing process.

Therefore, without expanding the memory capacity,
The reserved intermediate code information area is promptly released, and the data capacity of the print information can be efficiently processed while the free space is always maximized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first memory map of the RAM shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a first data processing method for a printing apparatus according to the present invention.
It is a flow chart which shows an example.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first color printing processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second memory map of the RAM shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a second data processing method for a printing apparatus according to the present invention.
It is a flow chart which shows an example.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a second color printing processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 interface 11 RAM 12 CPU 13 ROM 20 interface 21 printing mechanism

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Analyzing print information received from a host,
Based on the analysis result, it is converted into intermediate code information for generating uniform drawing data for the printing mechanism, the intermediate code information is developed into drawing information, and the printing mechanism sequentially scans each color for each color. In a printing apparatus that performs color printing, storage means for storing data and converted intermediate code information for each color are stored in each storage area secured for each color in the storage means and stored in each storage area. And a memory control unit that sequentially releases each storage area based on the printing state of the printing mechanism based on the intermediate code information of each color. 2. Analyzing print information received from a host,
Based on the analysis result, it is converted into intermediate code information for generating uniform drawing data for the printing mechanism, the intermediate code information is developed into drawing information, and the printing mechanism scans each color in a frame-sequential manner to perform multi-sequential scanning. In a printing apparatus that performs color printing, a storage unit that stores data, a determination unit that determines a drawing color state based on the converted intermediate code information for each color, and a variable capacity based on the determination result of the determination unit. A memory control unit that stores in any of the secured storage areas and releases the one of the storage areas based on the printing state of the printing mechanism based on the intermediate code information stored in the storage area. A printing device characterized by the above. 3. A storage unit for storing data received from a host, for analyzing print information received from the host, and for generating uniform drawing data for a printing mechanism based on the analysis result. In the data processing method of the printing apparatus, which converts the intermediate code information, develops the intermediate code information into the drawing information, and scans the colors of each color by the printing mechanism to perform multicolor printing, the converted intermediate code for each color. A writing step of writing information to each storage area secured for each color in the storage means, a transfer step of transferring the intermediate code information of each color written in each storage area to the printing mechanism, and a transfer end state And a release step of sequentially releasing each storage area based on the above. 4. A storage means for storing data received from a host, for analyzing print information received from the host, and for generating uniform drawing data for a printing mechanism based on the analysis result. In the data processing method of the printing apparatus, which converts the intermediate code information, develops the intermediate code information into drawing information, and scans the colors of each color by the printing mechanism to perform multicolor printing, the converted intermediate code for each color. A determination step of determining the drawing color state based on the information, a writing step of writing out to any storage area secured by the variable capacity based on the determination result, and an intermediate code information stored in any storage area. A printing apparatus comprising: a state determination step of determining a print end state by the printing mechanism based on the release mechanism; and a release step of releasing any one of the storage areas based on the determination result. Data processing method.