JPH10109444A - Device and method for controlling printing, and storage medium storing program capable of being read by computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable color printing processing as much as possible even when such the situation is caused that data capacity of intermediate code data at every formed color exceeds the memory capacity of every allotted color. SOLUTION: It is decided by a CPU3 for every color whether the intermediate code data of each color in stored in the capacity of each area of a memory 10 for intermediate data. Intermediate code data of black(K) extracted by an extraction means in accordance with this decision result are separated into the intermediate code data of yellow(Y), magenta(M) and cyan(C). Thereafter, a control means changes over developer-use colors from yellow(Y), magenta(M), cyan(C) and black(K) to yellow(Y), magenta(M) and cyan(C) and allows a printing mechanism 9 to perform color printing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for converting input print information into yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C),
A printing control device and a printing control method for controlling a printing unit for performing overprinting on a recording medium on the basis of each color image information generated for each band by a black (K) color developer, and a computer-readable program are stored. It relates to a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a color laser beam printer for performing a color printing process, for example, input print data is converted into four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K). It is configured so that it can be separated and subjected to a development process so that printing can be performed by overlapping each color on paper.

It is to be noted that color tone can be expressed only with M, C, and Y, but printing black or gray portions separately with K is more effective in terms of quality and resources.
In general, K is extracted from Y and printed in four colors.

[0004]

However, since a large amount of intermediate data and a memory for raster development are required, some of them use band processing. However, when printing is excessively concentrated in a certain band, Insufficient band memory causes an overrun error, resulting in a printing error. If the quality of reproduced colors is reduced, color printing cannot be performed even if printing is possible.

[0005] As a result, at present, it is not possible to meet the user's demand for grasping the overall image regardless of the print quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the first to eleventh inventions according to the present invention to reduce the data capacity of intermediate code data for each created color. It is determined whether or not the allocated memory capacity for each color is exceeded, and the execution of three-color printing processing or other alternative processing is switched and controlled, so that the data capacity of the intermediate code data is allocated for each created color. Even if a situation where the memory capacity for each color is exceeded occurs, a printing environment for performing color printing processing as much as possible or executing an alternative processing intended by the user is constructed, and user-friendly color printing processing is efficiently performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print control apparatus and a print control method capable of performing the above-described operations, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, print information to be input is developed using yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color-specific developers. In a print control apparatus for controlling a printing unit for performing overprinting on a recording medium based on each color image information generated in band units, intermediate code data for rasterizing the input print information in band units is created for each color. Creating means, extracting means for extracting black (K) intermediate code data from the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) intermediate code data; and intermediate code data created by the creating means; A storage unit for storing the intermediate code data for each color extracted by the extraction unit in an area assigned to each color; and a storage unit for each color in the capacity of each area of the storage unit. Determining means for determining whether or not the code data has been stored for each color; and determining the intermediate code data of black (K) extracted by the extracting means on the basis of the determination result of the determining means on the basis of the yellow (Y) and magenta (M). ) And cyan (C) intermediate code data, and the developer color is changed from yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K) to yellow (Y), magenta (M), Control means for switching to cyan (C) and causing the printing unit to perform color printing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, print information to be input is generated in band units using yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color developers. A printing control device that controls a printing unit that performs overprinting on a recording medium based on each color image information, a creation unit that creates intermediate code data for rasterizing the input print information in band units for each color; Extracting means for extracting black (K) intermediate code data from (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) intermediate code data; and intermediate code data created by the creating means or extracted by the extracting means. Storage means for storing the intermediate code data for each color in an area allocated for each color, and storing the intermediate code data for each color in the capacity of each area of the storage means. Determination means for determining whether or not 憶 by color, in which a control means for executing a predetermined alternative processing determination based on the result of the printing unit of the determination means.

[0009] A third invention according to the present invention has a designating means for designating different alternative processing items, wherein the control means makes a difference in the printing unit based on the alternative processing items designated by the designating means. This is to execute an alternative process.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the designating means designates a three-color mode in which the printing unit substitutes for three-color printing of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). Things.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the designating means includes yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C),
This designates a gray mode in which the printing unit performs alternative printing with a monochrome gradation based on an intermediate code of four colors of black (K).

In a sixth aspect according to the present invention, the designating means discards intermediate code data of a color determined by the determining means to be unable to be stored in the capacity of each area of the storage means, and This is to designate a draft mode in which the printing section performs alternative printing based on the intermediate code data.

In a seventh aspect according to the present invention, the specifying means specifies a clear mode in which printing by the printing unit is stopped.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the input print information is generated in units of bands using yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color developers. A printing control method for controlling a printing unit for performing overprinting on a recording medium based on each color image information, wherein a creation step of creating intermediate code data for each color for rasterizing the input print information in band units; An extraction step of extracting black (K) intermediate code data from (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) intermediate code data, and the created intermediate code data or the extracted intermediate code for each color A determination step of determining, by color, whether data has been stored in an area allocated to a memory resource by color, and a black (K) extracted based on the determination result The intermediate code data of yellow (Y), magenta (M), after separation of the intermediate code data of cyan (C), yellow developer used colors (Y),
A printing step of switching from magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) to yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) and causing the printing unit to perform color printing.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the input print information is generated in band units by yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color developers. A printing control method for controlling a printing unit for performing overprinting on a recording medium based on each color image information, wherein a creation step of creating intermediate code data for each color for rasterizing the input print information in band units; An extraction step of extracting black (K) intermediate code data from (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) intermediate code data, and the created intermediate code data or the extracted intermediate code for each color A determination step of determining, by color, whether data has been stored in an area allocated to a memory resource by color; and a predetermined alternative processing of the printing unit based on the determination result. Those having a substitute process for executing.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, print information to be input is generated in units of bands using yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color developers. In a storage medium storing a program used by a computer that controls a printing unit that performs overprinting on a recording medium based on each color image information, intermediate code data for rasterizing the input print information in band units is classified by color. A creating step of creating; an extracting step of extracting black (K) intermediate code data from the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) intermediate code data; A determination step of determining, for each color, whether or not the extracted intermediate code data for each color has been stored in an area allocated to each color in a memory resource; After separating the intermediate code data of black (K) extracted based on the fixed result into the intermediate code data of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), the developer use color is changed to yellow (Y). , Magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K) to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) to cause the printing unit to perform color printing. Is stored in a storage medium.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the input print information is generated in units of bands using yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) color developers. In a storage medium storing a program used by a computer that controls a printing unit that performs overprinting on a recording medium based on each color image information, intermediate code data for rasterizing the input print information in band units is classified by color. A creating step of creating; an extracting step of extracting black (K) intermediate code data from the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) intermediate code data; A determination step of determining, for each color, whether or not the extracted intermediate code data for each color has been stored in an area allocated to each color in a memory resource; And a substitute step for executing a predetermined alternative processing of the printing unit based on the constant result is obtained by storing a program which a computer can read the recording medium.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a print control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
For example, this corresponds to a laser beam printer that performs a color printing process.

In the figure, 1 is a host computer,
An application program (not shown) is executed to transfer print information to the printer control device via a predetermined interface. An input interface 2 receives print information including control data, print data, and the like from the host computer 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a CPU, which executes a control program stored in a ROM 4 or a memory resource (not shown) (for example, a hard disk, a floppy disk, or the like) to comprehensively control each unit connected to the system bus 6.

The ROM 4 analyzes print information and converts it into an intermediate code, rasterizes the intermediate code, and stores the rasterized bitmap in a RAM.
Drawing processing for drawing and developing in the band area 5;
And transferring the print data developed in the band memory to the printing mechanism 9 via the print output interface 8.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a panel, which includes keys for setting various modes, an LED indicating an operation state, an LCD display, and the like, and specifies designated items such as font designation, paper size designation, PDL designation, interface designation. , The RA
Processing item designations to be selected when a memory overrun occurs in the M5 band memory are stored in the NVRAM area of the RAM 5 in a nonvolatile manner. Each of the designation operations may be a key input on a panel or a command designation from the host computer 1.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an intermediate data memory, which stores intermediate code data that can be subjected to bitmap development of PDL data in accordance with a predetermined page description language (PDL) in band units.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and each means of the first invention and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, input print information is converted into color image information generated in units of bands using yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color developers. A printing control device that controls a printing unit (printing mechanism 9) that performs overprinting on a recording medium on the basis of a printing unit (CPU 3 that generates intermediate code data for rasterizing the input print information in band units for each color) R
Executing the control program stored in the OM 4 to perform the creation processing); and extracting means for extracting black (K) intermediate code data from the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) intermediate code data. (CPU3 is ROM4
Executing the control program stored in the PC to perform the extraction process)
Storage means (intermediate data memory 10) for storing the intermediate code data created by the creation means or the intermediate code data for each color extracted by the extraction means in an area assigned for each color; Determining means (CPU 3 executes a control program stored in ROM 4 to determine whether or not intermediate code data of each color can be stored in the capacity of each area).
After separating the black (K) intermediate code data extracted by the extraction means based on the determination result of the determination means into the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) intermediate code data, development is performed. Control means for switching the color of the agent used from yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) to yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) and causing the printing unit to perform color printing (The CPU 3 executes and controls the control program stored in the ROM 4), and determines whether the CPU 3 can store the intermediate code data of each color within the capacity of each area of the intermediate data memory 10 for each color. Then, based on the determination result, the control means converts the intermediate code data of black (K) extracted by the extraction means to the yellow (Y),
After separation into intermediate code data of magenta (M) and cyan (C), the colors used for the developer are changed from yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K) to yellow (Y), magenta ( M) and cyan (C) to cause the printing mechanism 9 to perform color printing. Therefore, even when the intermediate code data for four colors in each band unit cannot be stored, the intermediate code data for three colors can be stored. As long as it is possible, a print processing environment for performing color print processing can be constructed.

Hereinafter, a data processing method of the print control apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a first example of the print control apparatus according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.
Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

First, when print data transmitted from an information processing device such as a host computer is received by the input interface 2 of the printing device, the print data is read (1), and yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are read. ), The intermediate data is created in the intermediate data memory 10 by dividing it into three colors (2), and stored in the intermediate data memory 10. Next, a dot (black dot) including all CMY is detected from the intermediate data stored in the intermediate data memory 10, and black (K) intermediate data is extracted (3). To the intermediate data memory 1
0 and reduces the extracted black (K) intermediate data to the intermediate data memory 1.
0 is stored.

Next, the intermediate data is divided into band units, and it is determined whether the memory is over for each band of each of the four colors (4) and (5). , The print data of each color is transferred to the print mechanism 9 via the print output interface 8,
Color printing is performed using four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) (6). When the printing is completed normally, the intermediate data memory 1
The intermediate data stored in 0 is discarded (7), and the data processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in steps (4) and (5) that the memory is over, the intermediate data of black (K) separated in step (3) is replaced with other yellow (Y), The data is returned to the intermediate data of magenta (M) and cyan (C) (8), and the print data of each color is transferred to the printing mechanism 9 via the print output interface 8, and yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan ( Color printing is performed using the three colors C) (9), and the process returns to step (7).

Thus, if the memory is over in step (5), the band memories assigned to the four colors can be allocated to the three colors, and the memory capacity used by each color is expanded.

Therefore, even when the memory overrun occurs and the four-color printing cannot be performed, the three-color printing is executed, and although the gradation expression is reduced, the user checks the outline of the entire color image. To a degree, printed output can be obtained.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and the respective steps of the eighth and tenth aspects of the present invention and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the input print information is converted into each color image information generated in a band unit by the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color developers. In a printing control method for controlling a printing unit (printing mechanism 9) for performing overprinting on a recording medium on the basis of a printing step (FIG. 2), intermediate code data for rasterizing input print information in band units is created for each color. (2)), and the yellow (Y), magenta (M),
An extraction step (step (3) in FIG. 2) for extracting black (K) intermediate code data from cyan (C) intermediate code data, and the created intermediate code data or the extracted intermediate code for each color A determination step (step (5) in FIG. 2) for determining, by color, whether data could be stored in an area allocated to memory resources for each color, and a black (K) extracted by the extraction means based on the determination result. ) Is separated into the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) intermediate code data, and then the developer colors are changed to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), A printing process (steps (8) and (9) in FIG. 2) in which the printing unit is switched from black (K) to yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) to perform color printing. Even if U3 executes the control program stored in the ROM 4 or other memory resources and cannot store the intermediate code data for four colors in each band unit, the intermediate code data for three colors can be stored and stored. As long as it is possible, a print processing environment for performing color print processing can be constructed.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, input print information is converted into color image information generated in band units by yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color developers. A storage medium storing a program used by a computer that controls a printing unit that performs overprinting on a recording medium based on the intermediate code data for rasterizing the input print information in band units for each color; (Step (2) of FIG. 2) and an extraction step (Step (FIG. 2) of extracting black (K) intermediate code data from the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) intermediate code data. 3)) and whether the created intermediate code data or the extracted intermediate code data for each color has been stored in the area allocated to the memory resource for each color. (Step (5) in FIG. 2) for determining whether or not the intermediate code data of black (K) extracted by the extracting means based on the determination result is the yellow (Y), magenta (M) ) And cyan (C) intermediate code data, and the developer color is changed from yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K) to yellow (Y), magenta (M), A computer-readable program including a printing process (steps (8) and (9) in FIG. 2) for switching to cyan (C) and causing the printing unit to perform color printing is stored in a storage medium. That is, the embodiment of the present invention also includes a mode in which the CPU 3 stores the program code corresponding to the process shown in FIG. 2 in the ROM 4 or a memory resource (not shown), and the CPU 3 reads out and executes the program code from a storage medium storing the program code. Things.

[Second Embodiment] In the above embodiment, when a memory overrun occurs, the color K is returned to yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) so that color printing can be executed. Although the case has been described, when a memory overrun occurs, the color information is converted into, for example, 256-level gray information based on the substitute process specification set by the user, and the print process is performed. Control may be performed so as to execute a different printing process such as performing a printing process excluding only the color that causes memory over. Hereinafter, the embodiment and the second to seventh inventions according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the input print information is converted into each color image information generated in band units by yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color developers. A printing control device that controls a printing unit (printing mechanism 9) that performs overprinting on a recording medium on the basis of a printing unit (CPU 3 that generates intermediate code data for rasterizing the input print information in band units for each color) R
Executing the control program stored in the OM 4 to perform the creation processing); and extracting means for extracting black (K) intermediate code data from the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) intermediate code data. (CPU3 is ROM4
Executing the control program stored in the PC to perform the extraction process)
Storage means (intermediate data memory 10) for storing the intermediate code data created by the creation means or the intermediate code data for each color extracted by the extraction means in an area assigned for each color; Determining means (CPU 3 executes a control program stored in ROM 4 to determine whether or not intermediate code data of each color can be stored in the capacity of each area).
Control means (CPU 3 executing a control program stored in ROM 4 for control) for executing predetermined alternative processing of the printing unit based on the judgment result of the judgment means; It is determined for each color whether or not the intermediate code data of each color has been stored in the capacity of each area of 10 and a predetermined alternative process of the printing mechanism 9 is executed based on the determination result. Even if the intermediate code data cannot be stored, it is possible to construct a print processing environment for performing a substitute process intended by the user.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a designating means for designating a different alternative processing item (eg, a mode key provided on the panel 7).
Since the control means (CPU 3) causes the printing mechanism 9 to execute different alternative processing based on the alternative processing item specified by the panel 7, intermediate code data for four colors in each band unit is stored. Even if it is not possible, it is possible to construct a print processing environment for performing a substitute process intended by the user.

According to the fourth to seventh inventions, the control means (CP
U3) performs different alternative processing for the printing unit based on the alternative processing item specified by the specifying unit (panel 7), for example, three-color printing of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). Substitute printing by the printing unit 3
Designate a color mode, or designate a gray mode for alternative printing by the printing unit with monochrome gradation based on an intermediate code of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Alternatively, a draft mode in which the determination unit discards the intermediate code data of the color determined not to be stored in the capacity of each area of the storage unit and causes the printing unit to perform alternative printing based on the intermediate code data of the remaining color. Since an alternative process such as designating or specifying a clear mode for canceling printing by the printing unit is executed, a print processing environment for executing any of the alternative processes intended by the user can be constructed.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the print control apparatus according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.
Incidentally, (21) to (33) indicate each step.

First, when print data sent from an information processing device such as a host computer is received by the input interface 2 of the printing device, the print data is read (21).
The intermediate data is divided into three colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) to create intermediate data in the intermediate data memory 10 (22) and stored in the intermediate data memory 10.
Next, dots (black dots) including all CMY are detected from the intermediate data stored in the intermediate data memory 10, and black (K) intermediate data is extracted (23).
Then, the extracted intermediate data is reduced from the intermediate data stored in the intermediate data memory 10, and the extracted black (K) intermediate data is stored in the intermediate data memory 10.

Next, the intermediate data is divided into band units, and it is determined whether the memory is over for each band of each of the four colors (24), (25). , The print data of each color is transferred to the print mechanism 9 via the print output interface 8, and the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C),
Perform color printing using four colors of black (K) (2
6). When the printing is normally completed, the intermediate data stored in the intermediate data memory 10 is discarded (27),
End the data processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in steps (24) and (25) that the memory is over, the NVR
Referring to the item at the time of memory overrun designation stored in the AM area (28), the content of the designated item is determined (29),
The item specified by the user is "Cancel Processing (Abandon Processing)"
If it is determined that the above condition is satisfied, the process returns to step (27).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (29) that the item specified is "output in gray", yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C),
The density is calculated from each of the black (K) intermediate data, converted to gray intermediate data by black (K), and the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) intermediate data are discarded. (30). Next, halftone printing is performed only with black (K) (31), and step (2) is performed.
Return to 7).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (29) that the item specified is "output in the possible range (draft printing designation that cannot guarantee correct color tone)", the band memory is over. Only the intermediate data of the corresponding color is discarded from the intermediate data memory 10 (32), the data is developed in the band memory based on the intermediate codes of the remaining colors and printing processing is performed (33), and the process returns to step (27).

In this way, even when the band memory of each color allocated equally is over the band memory, the print processing is not stopped unconditionally and is different based on the designated item set by the user in advance. Printing that can perform print processing and, if desired by the user, can execute print processing that flexibly responds to the user's request, such as obtaining a draft print result that can grasp the entire image. Build a processing environment.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and each step of the ninth and eleventh inventions and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the input print information is converted into each color image information generated for each band by a yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color developer. A print control method for controlling a printing unit for performing overprinting on a recording medium on the basis of a printing step (step (21) in FIG. 3) in which intermediate code data for rasterizing input print information in band units is prepared for each color; )
And an extraction step of extracting black (K) intermediate code data from the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) intermediate code data (step (2) in FIG. 3).
2)) and a determination step for each color to determine whether the created intermediate code data or the extracted intermediate code data for each color has been stored in an area allocated to a memory resource for each color (step in FIG. 3). (25)) and an alternative process (steps (29) to (33) in FIG. 3) for causing the printing unit to execute a predetermined alternative process based on the determination result in the ROM 4 or another memory resource. Even if the executed control program is not able to store the intermediate code data of four colors in each band unit, it is possible to construct a print processing environment for performing the alternative processing intended by the user.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the input print information is converted into each color image information generated in a band unit by the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color developers. A storage medium storing a program used by a computer that controls a printing unit that performs overprinting on a recording medium based on the intermediate code data for rasterizing the input print information in band units for each color; (Step (21) in FIG. 3) and an extraction step of extracting black (K) intermediate code data from the yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) intermediate code data (Step (22 in FIG. 3). )), The created intermediate code data or the extracted intermediate code data for each color can be stored in an area allocated to each memory resource. A determination step (step (25) in FIG. 3) for determining whether or not each color is different, and an alternative step (steps (29) to (33) in FIG. 3) for executing a predetermined alternative process for the printing unit based on the determination result )) Stored in a storage medium. That is, the embodiment of the present invention includes an embodiment in which the CPU 3 stores the program code corresponding to the process shown in FIG. 3 in the ROM 4 or a memory resource (not shown), and the CPU 3 reads out and executes the program code from a storage medium storing the program code. Things.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by the printing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, such as version information and a creator, is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, such as a program, is stored. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. And in that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention is applicable even when a group of information including a program is supplied to an output device from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0059]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, the control unit is extracted by the extraction unit based on the determination result of the determination unit that determines whether or not the intermediate code data of each color can be stored in the capacity of each area of the storage unit for each color. After separating the intermediate code data of black (K) into the intermediate code data of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), the developer use colors are changed to yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan ( C), black (K) is switched to yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), and the printing unit performs color printing. Therefore, even if intermediate code data for four colors in each band unit cannot be stored. (3) It is possible to construct a print processing environment in which intermediate code data for three colors is stored and a color print process is performed as much as possible.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control unit determines whether the intermediate code data of each color has been stored in the capacity of each area of the storage unit based on the determination result of the color unit. Is executed, it is possible to construct a print processing environment for performing a substitute process intended by the user even when intermediate code data for four colors in each band unit cannot be stored.

According to the third to seventh inventions, the control means controls the printing unit based on the alternative processing items designated by the designating means, for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M) ), Three-color printing for cyan (C), and a three-color mode for alternative printing by the printing unit.
Alternatively, a gray mode for alternative printing by the printing unit is designated by a monochrome gradation based on an intermediate code of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Discarding the intermediate code data of the color determined not to be stored in the capacity of each area of the storage unit, and designating a draft mode for alternative printing by the printing unit based on the intermediate code data of the remaining color, or Since an alternative process such as designating a clear mode for canceling printing by a copy unit is executed, a print processing environment for executing any of the alternative processes intended by the user can be constructed.

According to the eighth and tenth aspects, intermediate code data for rasterizing the input print information in band units is created for each color, and the yellow (Y),
The intermediate code data of black (K) is extracted from the intermediate code data of magenta (M) and cyan (C), and the created intermediate code data or the extracted intermediate code data of each color is stored in a memory resource for each color. It is determined for each color whether or not the data can be stored in the assigned area, and the intermediate code data of black (K) extracted based on the determination result is stored in the intermediate code of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). After separation into code data, the developer color is changed from yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) to yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). Since the printing unit performs color printing, even if intermediate code data for four colors in each band unit cannot be stored, intermediate code data for three colors is stored and color data is stored as much as possible. You can build a printing processing environment for the printing process.

According to the ninth and eleventh aspects, intermediate code data for rasterizing the input print information in band units is created for each color, and the yellow (Y),
The intermediate code data of black (K) is extracted from the intermediate code data of magenta (M) and cyan (C), and the created intermediate code data or the extracted intermediate code data of each color is stored in a memory resource for each color. It is determined for each color whether or not the image data can be stored in the allocated area, and a predetermined alternative process of the printing unit is executed based on the determination result. Therefore, even when the intermediate code data for four colors in each band cannot be stored. Thus, it is possible to construct a print processing environment for performing a substitute process intended by the user.

Therefore, even if the data capacity of the intermediate code data for each created color exceeds the memory capacity of each assigned color, color printing processing is performed as much as possible, or alternative processing intended by the user is performed. The present invention has an effect of constructing a print environment to be executed and efficiently performing user-friendly color print processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure of the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure of the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the print control device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 2 Input interface 3 CPU 4 ROM 5 RAM 6 System bus 7 Panel 8 Print output interface 9 Printing mechanism 10 Intermediate data memory

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Susumu Muto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Maiko Suenaga 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside (72) Inventor Maki Unishi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yuji Takahashi 3-30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Naoki Ishii 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takeshi Oya 3-30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (11)

[Claims] An input print information is designated as yellow (Y),
A printing control apparatus for controlling a printing unit for performing overprinting on a recording medium based on color image information generated for each band using magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color developing agents, Creating means for creating, by color, intermediate code data for rasterizing print information to be rasterized in band units; intermediate means for converting intermediate code data of the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) to black (K); Extraction means for extracting code data; storage means for storing intermediate code data created by the creation means or intermediate code data for each color extracted by the extraction means in an area assigned for each color; Determining means for determining, by color, whether intermediate code data of each color could be stored within the capacity of each area, and determining results of the determining means Then, the black (K) intermediate code data extracted by the extracting means is separated into the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) intermediate code data, and then the developer color is changed to yellow (Y). ), Magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) to yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) to control the printing section to perform color printing. Printing control device. 2. The printing information to be inputted is yellow (Y),
A printing control apparatus for controlling a printing unit for performing overprinting on a recording medium based on color image information generated for each band using magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color developing agents, Creating means for creating, by color, intermediate code data for rasterizing print information to be rasterized in band units; intermediate means for converting intermediate code data of the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) to black (K); Extraction means for extracting code data; storage means for storing intermediate code data created by the creation means or intermediate code data for each color extracted by the extraction means in an area assigned for each color; Determining means for determining, by color, whether intermediate code data of each color could be stored within the capacity of each area, and determining results of the determining means Zui printing control apparatus characterized by a control means for executing a predetermined alternative processing of the printing unit. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a designating unit for designating different alternative processing items, wherein the control unit causes the printing unit to execute different alternative processing based on the alternative processing item designated by the designating unit. The print control device according to claim 2, wherein 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the designating means designates a three-color mode in which the printing unit substitutes for three-color printing of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). The printing control device according to the above. 5. A gray mode in which the printing unit substitutes a monochrome tone based on an intermediate code of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). 4. The print control device according to claim 3, wherein the print control device designates the print control. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit discards the intermediate code data of the color determined to be incapable of being stored in the capacity of each area of the storage unit, and performs the printing based on the intermediate code data of the remaining color. 4. The print control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a draft mode for alternative printing is designated by a copy unit. 7. The printing control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the specifying unit specifies a clear mode in which printing by the printing unit is stopped. 8. The printing information to be input is yellow (Y),
A print control method for controlling a printing unit that performs overprinting on a recording medium based on color image information generated for each band using magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color-specific developers. Creating intermediate code data for rasterizing print information to be rasterized in band units for each color; and intermediate between black (K) and yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) intermediate code data. An extracting step of extracting code data; and a determining step of determining, for each color, whether the created intermediate code data or the extracted intermediate code data for each color has been stored in an area allocated to a memory resource for each color. The intermediate code data of black (K) extracted based on the determination result is converted to the yellow (Y), magenta (M),
After separation into the intermediate code data of cyan (C), the developer use colors are changed from yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K) to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan ( C) a printing step of switching to C) and causing the printing unit to perform color printing. 9. The printing information to be input is yellow (Y),
A print control method for controlling a printing unit that performs overprinting on a recording medium based on color image information generated for each band using magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color-specific developers. Creating intermediate code data for rasterizing print information to be rasterized in band units for each color; and intermediate between black (K) and yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) intermediate code data. An extracting step of extracting code data; and a determining step of determining, for each color, whether the created intermediate code data or the extracted intermediate code data for each color has been stored in an area allocated to a memory resource for each color. An alternative step of executing a predetermined alternative process of the printing unit based on the determination result. 10. A recording medium based on input printing information based on color image information generated for each band using yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color developers. A storage medium that stores a program used by a computer that controls a printing unit that performs overprinting on the printing unit; a creation step of creating intermediate code data for rasterizing the input print information in band units for each color; An extraction step of extracting black (K) intermediate code data from (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) intermediate code data; and the created intermediate code data or the extracted intermediate code for each color. A determination step of determining, by color, whether data can be stored in an area allocated to a memory resource by color, and extracting based on the determination result The intermediate code data and the yellow the black (K) (Y), magenta (M),
After separation into the intermediate code data of cyan (C), the developer use colors are changed from yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K) to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan ( C) a computer-readable program which includes a printing step of switching to C) and causing the printing unit to perform color printing. 11. A recording medium based on input print information based on color image information generated for each band using yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color developers. A storage medium that stores a program used by a computer that controls a printing unit that performs overprinting on the printing unit; a creation step of creating intermediate code data for rasterizing the input print information in band units for each color; An extraction step of extracting black (K) intermediate code data from (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) intermediate code data; and the created intermediate code data or the extracted intermediate code for each color. A determination step of determining, by color, whether data can be stored in an area allocated to memory resources by color, and based on the determination result, Storage medium containing the alternative step for executing a predetermined alternative processing of the printing unit, and is characterized by storing a program which a computer can read.