JP2003326774A - Color printing apparatus and print mode switching method in the color printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To perform a print mode switching process for shortening the total print time when printing a job in which monochrome pages and color pages are mixed. SOLUTION: Print image data and various information input / received by an image input means 10 are stored in an image storage memory means 50 as drawing data and page information. The color information obtained by the image processing means 40 is transmitted to the print control means 60.
Is stored in the color information storage memory unit 61. The determination unit 62 fetches color information of a plurality of continuous pages from the color information storage memory unit 61 and determines whether to switch the print mode of each page based on the print mode of each page indicated by the fetched color information. Is determined. A mode switching signal indicating the result of this determination is sent to the color / monochrome switching unit 63, and the print mode switching mechanism is switched. Then, the drawing data is sent to the print engine 70, and a printing process is performed based on the page information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color printing apparatus and a printing mode switching method in the color printing apparatus, and more particularly to a color printing apparatus having a function of switching between a color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode and the color printing apparatus. Printing method switching method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in a color printing apparatus, when printing a plurality of pages in which color pages and monochrome pages coexist, the printing mode of each page is discriminated and switching printing of these modes is performed. Some have. In such a color printing apparatus capable of switching the printing modes, the total printing time when performing the print processing of a job in which color pages and monochrome pages are mixed is as follows.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the printing interval of one page when printing in a monochrome mode is Tm [seconds].
((A) in the figure), the printing interval of one page when printing in the color mode is Tc [seconds] ((b) in the figure). When one job has N [pages] and all pages are printed in the same print mode, the total print time Tt in those print modes is calculated by the following equation.

Total printing time Ttm [seconds] = N [pages] × Tm [seconds] in monochrome printing (Equation 1) Total printing time Ttc [seconds] = N [pages] × Tc [seconds] in color printing (Equation 2) That is, the total print time (Ttm, Ttc) of one job in the same print mode is a value obtained by multiplying the total number of pages N by the print interval (Tm, Tc) of each print mode. .

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, for example, the total printing time Tt in each printing mode when one job is 8 [pages] is as follows: Can be calculated. Total printing time for eight pages of monochrome printing Ttm [seconds] = 8 [pages] × Tm [seconds] (Equation 3) Total printing time for eight pages of color printing Ttc [seconds] = 8 [pages] × Tc [Seconds] (Equation 4)

On the other hand, the total printing time Ttcm [seconds] when Nc [pages] of color portions and Nm [pages] of monochrome portions are mixed in one job is expressed by the following equation as an ideal value. expressed. Total printing time Ttcm [sec] = Tc [sec] × Nc [page] + Tm [sec] × Nm [page] (Equation 5)

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the total printing time Ttcm [seconds] when there are 4 [pages] each of monochrome pages and color pages is represented by the following equation. Total printing time Ttcm [seconds] = Tc [seconds] × 4 [pages] + Tm [seconds] × 4 [pages] (Equation 6)

Here, when one job includes 4 [pages] each of a monochrome page and a color page, the order of the print processing of the monochrome page and the color page is as follows. Something is possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, the print processing is performed for four monochrome pages first, and then the print processing is performed for four color pages, or as shown in FIG. , A monochrome page and a color page are alternately printed for each page.

As described above, even if the printing processing order of the monochrome page and the color page is different, the total number of pages is the same as shown in FIGS. If the number and the number of color pages are the same, the total printing time Ttcm of each job is ideally the same.

[0010]

However, in the conventional color printing apparatus, it is necessary to execute a process (switching process) for switching the printing modes between the monochrome page and the color page. There wasn't. For example, when switching the print mode from color to monochrome, as shown in FIG. 11A, “C → M”
The switching process of was required. Further, when the print mode is switched from monochrome to color, the switching process of "M → C" is required as shown in FIG.

Therefore, the actual total printing time Ttc for a job in which monochrome pages and color pages coexist
m has been expanded not only by the printing time of the monochrome page and the color page but also by the time required for the switching process. That is, the total printing time Ttcm could not be calculated by an ideal expression such as Expression 5 in reality.

By the way, since the processing time for the color-to-monochrome switching process "C → M" is relatively short, the total printing time Ttcm has little effect if the switching is performed only once. On the other hand, since the processing time for the monochrome-to-color switching process “M → C” is relatively long, even if the switching is performed only once, the total printing time Ttcm is greatly affected.

Specifically, the switching process “M → C” is executed, for example, in the order of the printing process shown in FIG. 10A (printing process for four monochrome pages first,
After that, the order of printing processing for 4 color pages)
There is. The print processing sequence shown in FIG.
2 (a)), when the switching process “M → C” is added between the fourth page of the monochrome page and the first page of the color page, the end time of the entire job becomes the added switching process “ It is delayed by the execution time of "M → C" (Fig. 1
2 (b)).

Further, as shown in FIG. 13A, in the case of a job in which color and monochrome pages are switched for each page, as shown in FIG. In addition, the switching process “C → M” or “M →
C "is executed. Therefore, the time required for these switching processes greatly delays the printing time of the entire job. That is, the switching process “C →
Even if it is “M”, the switching process “M
Similar to "→ C", it was a major cause of delaying the print time of the job.

As a method of omitting the switching process which causes such a delay in printing time, for example, it is conceivable to process all pages in one job in one printing mode. However, color pages cannot be printed in monochrome mode.
From this, if one job includes one or more color pages, all the pages are processed to be printed in the color mode (one job includes one color page. If not, of course,
Processed in monochrome print mode).

According to this method, all pages are printed in one print mode, so that the switching process can be omitted.
For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, in the case of a printing order in which monochrome pages and color pages are alternately processed, conventionally, as shown in FIG.
“M” and “M → C” were executed between the printing processes. For this reason, the printing time was significantly delayed.

On the other hand, if all pages including monochrome pages are to be printed in the color mode, as shown in FIG. 7C, the switching process "C → M" and "M → M"
Since “C” can be omitted, the total print time Tt of this job is smaller than that in the case where the switching processes “C → M” and “M → C” are executed (the case shown in FIG. It can be greatly shortened.

However, even if the switching process is omitted, the total print time of the job may not be shortened. For example, as shown in FIG. 15A, the first monochrome page is 4 pages.
When page processing is performed, and then four color pages are processed, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 1B, a space between the fourth monochrome page and the first color page is set. , The switching process “M → C” was being executed.

Therefore, if each monochrome page is printed in the color mode in order to omit the switching process "M → C", the processing time of the switching process "M → C" is shortened, but the color mode is changed. The difference between the print time Tm of T and the print time Tc of the monochrome mode is increased by 4 pages. If the increased time exceeds the execution time of the switching process, the total print time of this job is not shortened, but rather delayed.

As described above, in the conventional color printing apparatus, for a job in which color pages and monochrome pages are mixed, all pages are printed in the color mode from the beginning, and even if the total printing time is delayed. There has been one that switches the mode once, but no color printing device that has a system design that takes into consideration the throughput of the entire job.

However, there is a technique that sorts the monochrome pages and the color pages included in one job to suppress the mode switching process only once and shorten the total printing time of the entire job. However, when this technique is executed, the order of pages in the job is changed, so that it is necessary to sort the print results again.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when printing a job in which monochrome pages and color pages are mixed, the job can be executed without changing the print processing order of those pages. An object of the present invention is to provide a color printing apparatus capable of executing print mode switching processing that can reduce the total printing time in consideration of the overall throughput.

[0023]

To achieve this object, a color printing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a color printing apparatus having a print mode switching mechanism for switching between color printing and monochrome printing. Therefore, image processing is performed on each page of print image data to obtain page image data, page information and color information, drawing data obtained by expanding the page image data, and image processing means An image storage memory unit that stores page information, a print engine that prints the drawing data, and a print control unit that sends the drawing data received from the image storage memory unit to the print engine are provided. Print mode switching control is executed for a color information storage memory unit that stores color information from the image processing unit and a print mode switching mechanism. Color / monochrome switching section and each color information of a plurality of consecutive pages from the color information storage memory section, and based on each print mode indicated by the plurality of extracted color information, one or more pages among the plurality of pages. It has a judging section for judging whether or not to switch the print mode of, and for sending a mode switching signal showing the result of this judgment to the color / monochrome switching section, and the color / monochrome switching section is based on the mode switching signal. The print mode switching control is executed.

When the color printing apparatus has such a structure, when a color page and a monochrome page are included in one print job, in what order those color and monochrome pages are mixed. By knowing in advance, it is possible to reduce careless mode switching and shorten the print time of the job.

Generally, in an image control apparatus for performing image processing on a page-by-page basis, data to be printed on and after the next page is taken in separately from the page being printed, an image is generated, and the data is discharged to the print controller. Is being held. Specifically, the image control apparatus accumulates each page information as a print information buffer, holds device management information such as paper size, paper feed source, paper discharge destination, and the like, and then generates an image. .

When printing a monochrome page and a color page, it is not possible to print color data in the monochrome mode, but it is possible to print monochrome data in the color mode. This means that even color data becomes monochrome if there is no color component. For this reason, when a monochrome page and a color page are mixed in one job, if the monochrome page is printed in the color mode, the time for switching the modes is reduced and the total print time of the job is shortened. it can.

However, the time for printing one page is usually longer in the color mode than in the monochrome mode. The difference between the print processing time when all monochrome pages included in one job are printed in monochrome mode and the print processing time when all monochrome pages are printed in color mode The time difference is used, and the mode switching time in one job that can be reduced when all of the monochrome pages are printed in color mode is the reducible switching time.

Then, when the reducible switching time is longer than the time difference between the modes, the total printing time of the job can be shortened by printing all the monochrome pages in the color mode. On the contrary, when the time difference between the modes is longer than the reducible switching time, even if all the monochrome pages are printed in the color mode, the total printing time of the job is rather extended.

That is, depending on the printing order of monochrome pages and color pages mixed in one job and the number of monochrome pages processed in the color mode, the total printing time of the job may be delayed. Therefore,
When you start printing, check the color information of the image data of each page already stored in the buffer to determine whether it changes from the current printing mode. By checking the color information on each page and determining whether it is better to switch the current mode or continue printing in the same mode, the total print time of one job Can be shortened.

When determining whether or not to change the print mode of the next page, it is necessary to consider the difference between the mode change time and the print interval of each mode. The mode switching time and the printing interval of each mode differ depending on the performance and standard of the image control device. Therefore, when the same job in which monochrome pages and color pages are mixed is given to two or more image control devices, each image control device may derive a different determination result based on its performance or the like.

The color printing apparatus according to claim 2 is
The determination unit of the print control unit retrieves each color information of a plurality of consecutive pages from the color information storage memory unit, and the total print time when the plurality of pages are printed in the same print mode indicates the plurality of pages by each color information. It is judged based on each print mode indicated by each color information whether it will be shorter than the total print time when print processing is performed in each print mode, and as a result of the judgment, total print when print processing is performed in the same print mode When the time becomes shorter, the mode switching signal for instructing the switching of the print mode is sent to the color / monochrome switching unit.

With such a configuration of the color printing apparatus, it is possible to determine whether to switch the print mode of each page based on the setting order of the print modes set for each of the plurality of pages. This allows
When performing a print process on a job including those pages, it is possible to perform a print mode switching process that shortens the total print time in consideration of the throughput of the entire job without changing the print process order of each page.

A color printing apparatus according to a third aspect of the invention is
The image processing unit is configured to execute image processing up to several pages ahead of the print control unit, obtain color information for each page, and send the color information to the color information storage memory unit for storage. . With such a configuration of the color printing apparatus, the image processing unit can execute image processing up to several pages ahead of which printing processing has not been performed by the print engine. It is possible to judge whether or not to switch.

A printing mode switching method in a color printing apparatus according to a fourth aspect is a printing mode switching method in a color printing apparatus having a printing mode switching mechanism for switching between color printing and monochrome printing. The processing means image-processes the print image data over a plurality of pages for each page to obtain a plurality of page image data, page information and color information, further develops the page image data to obtain drawing data, and stores the image. The memory means stores the drawing data, the page information and the color information from the image processing means, and the print control means retrieves each color information for a plurality of consecutive pages from the image storage memory means, and prints the each color information retrieved. Based on the mode, determine whether to switch the print mode of one or more pages among multiple pages. Based on the mode switching signal indicating the result of the determination, and switching control of the print mode switching mechanism, the print engine, based on the page information from the image storage means, there as a method for printing drawing data.

If the printing mode switching method in the color printing apparatus is such a method, whether or not it is better to switch the printing mode of each page depends on the printing mode of each page indicated by the color information of a plurality of consecutive pages. Since the determination is made based on the above, it is possible to execute a print mode switching process that can reduce the total printing time in consideration of the throughput of the entire job including the plurality of pages.

[0036]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a first embodiment of a color printing apparatus of the present invention and a printing mode switching method in this color printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the color printing apparatus of this embodiment. The configuration shown in the figure is a minimum required configuration for explaining the color printing apparatus of the present embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the color printer 1 is
The image input means 10, the instruction means 20, the host buffer 30, the image processing means 40, and the image storage memory means 50.
It has a print control unit 60 and a print engine 70. Here, the image input unit 10 sends the print image data, the related information, and the like received from the external device 2 to the host buffer 30.

Further, the image input means 10 includes the instruction means 20.
When various types of information are input from, the various types of information are sent to the host buffer 30. In addition, a part of the related information and various information,
It is sent from the image input means 10 to the image storage memory means 50. The related information and various types of information are information related to printing processing of print image data, and include, for example, information such as paper size, paper feed source, paper discharge destination, number of copies, and job number. Hereinafter, these related information and various information will be collectively referred to as various information.

The external device 2 is a device for supplying print image data, related information and the like to the color printing device 1, and is composed of, for example, a personal computer (PC), a scanner, a memory card, an external device and the like. . Depending on the configuration of the external device 2, for the image input means 10, for example, a data receiving interface (host interface), a memory reading device, a device reading device, or the like can be used.

The instructing means 20 has a function of inputting various kinds of information and sending it to the image inputting means 10, and can be constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, a touch panel, a bar code reader or the like. This instruction means 20 is
It is used when various information is input on the color printer 1. The various input information is sent to the image input means 10. For this reason, the image input means 10 has the instruction means 2
The configuration is such that data from 0 can be input.

The host buffer 30 is the image input means 10
The print image data and various information from the are stored. The image processing means 40 reads the print image data from the host buffer 30 and analyzes the command (for example, for the code, reads the corresponding character pattern data from a CG (character generator, not shown), and controls the command. Command processing).

The image processing means 40 analyzes the print image data page by page, obtains the print image data (page image data) subjected to the analysis processing, and maps the page image data in the image storage memory means 50. expand. Further, the image processing means 40 includes the host buffer 30.
Color information (color management information) is obtained based on various information extracted from the. The color information is information indicating whether the page data is printed in color or monochrome.

Then, the image processing means 40 sends a notice of the end of the bit map expansion (drawing processing of one page) (notice of finish of drawing), various information, color information and the like to the image storage memory means 5.
Send to 0. The various information includes page information obtained when the image processing unit 40 analyzes the print image data page by page.

The image storage memory means 50 is a memory for storing page-by-page image data (drawing data) expanded by the image processing means 40, and is composed of a bitmap memory or the like. Further, the image storage memory means 50 is provided with various information, color information,
The drawing end notification and the like are stored and sent to the print control unit 60.

The print control means 60 includes a color information storage memory section 61, a judgment section 62, and a color / monochrome switching section 63.
And a video control unit 64. The color information storage memory unit 61 stores the color information from the image storage memory means 50. In the present embodiment, the image storage memory unit 50 and the color information storage memory unit 61 are collectively referred to as a print buffer (printer information buffer).

Generally, in an image control apparatus for performing image processing on a page-by-page basis, separately from the page being printed,
Data to be printed on the next page and subsequent pages is fetched, an image is generated, and ejection to the print control unit 60 is made to wait. Of these, the image storage memory means 50
However, as shown in FIG. 2, as print buffer (printer information buffer), page information (for example, device information represented by paper size, paper feed source, paper discharge destination, etc.)
And the color information storage memory unit 61 holds the color information.

When the judgment section 62 receives the drawing end notification from the image storage memory means 50, the color information storage memory section 61.
From, color information for a plurality of consecutive pages is extracted. Then, it is determined whether or not to switch the print mode of one or more pages among the plurality of pages based on each print mode indicated by the plurality of extracted color information.
Further, the determination unit 62 sends the result of this determination to the color / monochrome switching unit 63 as a mode switching signal.

The judgment in the judgment unit 62 is made by, for example, the total printing time when a plurality of pages are printed in the same print mode, and the total printing time when a plurality of pages are printed in the print mode indicated by each color information. It includes determining whether the print time is shorter than the print time. This determination is made based on each print mode indicated by each color information. Then, as a result of the determination, when the total print time in the case where the print processing is performed in the same print mode becomes shorter as a result of the determination, the determination unit 62 outputs a mode switching signal instructing the switching of the print mode to the color / monochrome switching unit 63. Send to.

The determination process in the determination unit 62 will be described in more detail below. When printing is started, the print buffer (color information storage memory unit 6
Color information of image data of each page stored in 1) (see FIG. 3).
The color information indicated by (1) is sequentially checked by the determination unit 62, and it is determined whether the mode indicated by the color information is different from the currently printing mode. If the result of the determination is that the modes are different, the color information on the next page is checked to determine whether it is better to switch the current mode or continue printing in the same mode. . By executing such a judgment, it is possible to realize a reduction in the total printing time in one job.

When determining whether or not to switch the print mode of the next page, it is necessary to consider the difference between the mode switching time and the print interval of each mode. The mode switching time and the printing interval of each mode differ depending on the performance and standard of the image control device. Therefore, when the same job in which monochrome pages and color pages are mixed is given to two or more image control devices, each image control device may derive a different determination result based on its performance or the like. The details of the method for the determination unit 62 to determine in which printing mode, color printing or monochrome printing, each page will be described later.

The color / monochrome switching unit 63 includes a judgment unit 6
Based on the mode switching signal from 2, the mechanism for switching the printing mode (print mode switching mechanism) is controlled.
The print mode switching mechanism (not shown) is used in the color printing apparatus 1.
The photosensitive drum of the image forming unit (color process unit) provided in the color mode and the image forming unit (monochrome process unit of the monochrome process unit) used in the monochrome mode ,
They are arranged side by side in a multistage series.

Further, the conveyor belt rotated by the driving roller is arranged so as to move in the direction in which the photosensitive drums are arranged in parallel. Further, a movable arm having a fixed support roller at one end and a movable support roller at the other end is provided between the upper and lower circulation parts of the conveyor belt. Further, a cam engaging portion and a cam are formed to project laterally on the lower portion of the movable arm.

Then, the movable arm, based on the movement control of the cam, conveys the conveyor belt to either the photosensitive drum of the color process unit or the photosensitive drum of the monochrome process unit via the movable supporting roller. Move to a transferable position. With such a configuration, the print mode switching mechanism, in the color printing apparatus,
The print mode can be switched between color printing and monochrome printing. Note that this print mode switching mechanism can be easily realized by using the “color printing / monochrome printing switching mechanism” in the printing apparatus and printing method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-88355.

The video controller 64 sends the drawing data and page information (various information) received from the image storage memory means 50 to the print engine 70. The print engine 70 prints the drawing data from the print control unit 60 (video control unit 64) based on various information and the like.

The print engine 70 includes the determination unit 6
It is also possible to cause the print mode switching mechanism to switch the mode between color printing and monochrome printing based on the mode switching signal from 2. The print engine 70 can also read the drawing data sent from the print control unit 60 to a hard disk (not shown) and stored and read it from the hard disk for print processing.

Next, the operation of the judgment unit in the color printing apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the method for determining whether to switch the print mode in the determining unit 62 (the method in which the determining unit 62 determines whether to print each page in color printing or monochrome printing).

As shown in the figure, when a print request is made from a host computer (not shown) (step 10),
The determination unit 62 determines whether or not printing is currently being performed (step 11). If the result of determination is that printing is in progress, the current print page is set to page n-1 and the current print request page is set to page n in the print buffer information (step 12). On the other hand, when printing is not in progress, the current print request page is set to page n in the print buffer information (step 13).

Next, it is determined whether the print mode of page n-1 and the print mode of page n are the same (step 14). If the result of determination is that they are not the same, then it is determined whether or not it is possible to determine mode switching (step 15).

As a result of the judgment, when it is possible to judge the mode switching, it is further judged whether or not the print information of the next page is set in the print buffer (step 16). As a result of the determination, when the print information of the next page is set, the information is updated for the state comparison (step 17). In the information update for this state comparison, the current print request page is set to n-1 page and the next print page is set to n page.

When the information update for this state comparison is completed, it is again judged whether or not the print page of page n-1 and the print mode of page n are the same (step 14). When the print page of No. and the print mode of the n-th page are not the same, the processes of step 14 and subsequent steps (up to step 17) are further repeated. On the other hand, n
When it is determined whether the modes of the -1st page and the nth page are the same (step 14), if they are the same, the mode switching process is not executed and the process for the current print request ends.

By the way, when it is not possible to judge the mode switching (step 15) and when the print information of the next page is not set in the print buffer (step 1)
In step 6), it is subsequently determined whether or not it is better to switch the print mode (step 18).

If the result of the determination is that it is good, a mode switching process is executed (step 19). That is, the determination unit 62 sends a mode switching signal to the color / monochrome switching unit 63, and the switching control of the print mode switching mechanism is executed. On the other hand, if it is not determined to be good, the mode switching process is not executed and the process for the current print request ends.

Next, a specific example of the judgment processing in the judgment unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 to 7. For example, it is assumed that one job has a color page 1, a monochrome page 2 and a color page 3 as shown in FIG.

In the judgment section 62, it is judged whether or not printing is currently being carried out (step 11 in FIG. 4). If printing is in progress, then the color page 1 which is the current printing page is n-
One page and the current print request page are set to n pages (step 12). Next, page n-1 (color page 1) and page n (monochrome page 2)
And the print modes are compared (Step 1
4).

As a result of the comparison, since the print mode (color mode) of page n-1 (color page 1) and the print mode (monochrome mode) of page n (monochrome page 2) are different, it is possible to judge mode switching. If there is (Step 1
5) It is confirmed whether or not the print information of the next page is set (step 16). In this specific example, since there is the color page 3, information update for state comparison is performed here (step 17).

By this information update, the monochrome page 2 which is the current print request page is set to the page n−1, and the color page 3 which is the next print page is set to the page n (step 17). Then, the print modes of page n-1 (monochrome page 2) and page n (color page 3) are compared (step 14).

As a result of the comparison, since the print mode (monochrome mode) for page n-1 (monochrome page 2) and the print mode (color mode) for page n (color page 3) are different, it is possible to determine the mode switching. If there is (Step 1
5) It is confirmed whether or not the print information of the next page is set (step 16). In this specific example, since there is no next page, it is subsequently determined whether or not it is better to switch the mode (step 18).

Here, the total print time of the job when the mode is not switched is compared with that when the mode is switched. When the mode is switched, as shown in FIG. 5B, the switching process “C → M” is executed between the print process of the color page 1 and the print process of the monochrome page 2, and the monochrome process is further performed. The switching process “M → C” is executed between the printing process of page 2 and the printing process of color page 3.

On the other hand, when the mode switching is not performed, the print processing of all pages is performed in the color mode as shown in FIG. 5C. Note that, as shown in FIG. 7C, the grid-like meshing applied to the “second page” represents a monochrome page that is print-processed in the color print mode.

Comparing the case where these modes are switched and the case where they are not switched, the total printing time of the job is shorter when the modes are not switched. Therefore, in the determination unit 62, in step 18, it is preferable not to switch the mode based on that the plurality of pages included in the job are composed of the color page 1, the monochrome page 2 and the color page 3. It is judged as good (it is better to print all pages in color mode).

A mode switching signal indicating the result of this determination (print processing of all print modes of color page 1, monochrome page 2 and color page 3 in the color mode) is sent from the determination unit 62 to the color / monochrome switching unit 63. Will not be sent to. Therefore, in the color / monochrome switching unit 63, the print mode switching control for the print mode switching mechanism is not executed. As a result, in the print engine 70, the color page 1 and the monochrome page 2
And the color page 3 is printed in the same print mode (color mode).

Further, as another specific example, for example, one job has a color page 1, a monochrome page 2, a monochrome page 3 and a color page 4 as shown in FIG. 6A. And Here, the total print time of the job when mode switching is not performed and when it is performed is compared.

FIG. 6 shows the case of switching modes.
As shown in (b), the switching process “C → M” is performed between the printing process of the color page 1 and the printing process of the monochrome page 2.
Is executed, and the switching process “M → C” is performed between the printing process of the monochrome page 3 and the printing process of the color page 4.
Is executed. On the other hand, when the mode switching is not performed, as shown in FIG. 6C, the print processing of all pages is performed in the color mode.

Comparing the case where these modes are switched and the case where they are not switched, the total printing time of the job is shorter when the modes are not switched. Therefore, the determination unit 62 switches the mode in step 18 based on the fact that the plurality of pages included in the job are composed of the color page 1, the monochrome page 2, the monochrome page 3 and the color page 4. It is judged that it is better not to perform it (it is better to print all pages in color mode).

As a result of this judgment (all the print modes of the color page 1, the monochrome page 2, the monochrome page 3 and the color page 4 should be printed in the color mode)
The mode switching signal indicating is not sent from the determination unit 62 to the color / monochrome switching unit 63. Therefore, in the color / monochrome switching unit 63, the print mode switching control for the print mode switching mechanism is not executed. As a result, in the print engine 70, the color page 1, the monochrome page 2, the monochrome page 3, and the color page 4 are printed in the same print mode (color mode).

Further, as another specific example, for example,
It is assumed that one job has a color page 1, a monochrome page 2, a monochrome page 3, a monochrome page 4 and a color page 5, as shown in FIG.
Here, the total print time of the job when mode switching is not performed and when it is performed is compared.

When switching between modes, the process shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the switching process “C → M” is performed between the printing process of the color page 1 and the printing process of the monochrome page 2.
Is executed, and the switching process “M → C” is performed between the monochrome page 4 printing process and the color page 5 printing process.
Is executed. On the other hand, when the mode switching is not performed, as shown in FIG. 7C, the print processing of all pages is performed in the color mode.

Comparing the case where these modes are switched and the case where they are not switched, the total print time of the job is shorter when the modes are switched. Therefore, in the determination unit 62, at step 18, the plurality of pages included in the job are composed of the color page 1, the monochrome page 2, the monochrome page 3, the monochrome page 4 and the color page 5, It is better to switch modes (color page 1 print processing and monochrome page 2
It is better to switch the print mode between the print processing of No. 4 and the print processing of the monochrome page 4 and the print processing of the color page 5).

As a result of this determination (switching the print mode between the print processing of color page 1 and the print processing of monochrome page 2, and between the print processing of monochrome page 4 and the print processing of color page 5) A mode switching signal indicating “” is sent from the determination unit 62 to the color / monochrome switching unit 63. Then, in the color / monochrome switching unit 63, based on the mode switching signal, the print mode switching mechanism is controlled to switch the print mode at a predetermined timing (step 19), and the print engine 70 causes the color page to be displayed. 1 to color page 5 are printed.

When determining whether to switch the print mode of each page, it is necessary to consider the difference between the mode switching time and the print interval of each mode. The mode switching time and the printing interval of each mode differ depending on the performance and standard of the image control device. Therefore, when the same job in which monochrome pages and color pages are mixed is given to two or more image control devices, each image control device may derive a different determination result based on its performance or the like.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the case of performing the print processing of the job in which the monochrome page and the color page are mixed, each job is processed based on the order of the print modes for the plurality of pages. Since it is determined whether to switch the print mode of the page, the print mode switching process that can reduce the total print time by considering the throughput of the entire job without changing the print process order of each page. Can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a color printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a chart showing information stored in a print buffer (image data storage unit and color information storage unit) in the color printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a chart showing information stored in a print buffer (color information storage unit) in the color printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the color printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a comparison of the total print time between when the mode switching process is not performed and when the mode switching process is performed for a specific example of a job in which monochrome pages and color pages are mixed.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a comparison of the total print time between when the mode switching process is not performed and when the mode switching process is performed for a specific example of another job in which monochrome pages and color pages are mixed.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing a comparison of the total printing time between when the mode switching process is not performed and when the mode switching process is performed for a specific example of another job in which monochrome pages and color pages are mixed.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing a print interval of a monochrome page and a color page.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing a total print time for a job having a plurality of monochrome pages and a job having a plurality of color pages.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an ideal value of total printing time for a job in which monochrome pages and color pages are mixed.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing a specific example of total printing time when mode switching processing is performed in a job in which monochrome pages and color pages are mixed.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing another specific example of the total printing time when mode switching processing is performed in a job in which monochrome pages and color pages are mixed.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing still another specific example of the total printing time when a mode switching process is performed in a job in which monochrome pages and color pages are mixed.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing a comparison of the total printing time when a mode switching process is not performed and when it is performed for a job in which monochrome pages and color pages are mixed.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing a comparison of the total printing time between when the mode switching process is not performed and when it is performed for another job in which monochrome pages and color pages are mixed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 color printing device 10 Image input means 20 Instruction means 30 host buffer 40 image processing means 50 image storage memory means 60 Printing control means 61 color information storage memory unit 62 Judgment section 63 color / monochrome switching section 64 video controller 70 print engine 2 External device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A color printing apparatus having a print mode switching mechanism for switching between color printing and monochrome printing, wherein print image data is image-processed page by page, and page image data, page information, and color information. Image processing means for obtaining, drawing data obtained by expanding the page image data,
And an image storage memory unit that stores the page information from the image processing unit, a print engine that prints the drawing data, and a print control that sends the drawing data received from the image storage memory unit to the print engine. And a color information storage memory unit that stores the color information from the image processing unit, and a color control unit that executes print mode switching control with respect to the print mode switching mechanism. A monochrome switching unit and each of the color information of a plurality of consecutive pages are retrieved from the color information storage memory unit, and one or more of the plurality of pages are selected based on each print mode indicated by the retrieved plurality of color information. It is determined whether or not the print mode of the page is switched, and a mode switching signal indicating the result of this determination is sent to the color - and a determination unit for sending to the monochrome switching unit, the color and monochrome switching unit, based on the mode switching signal, a color printing apparatus and executes switching control of the printing mode. 2. When the determination unit of the print control unit retrieves the color information of a plurality of consecutive pages from the color information storage memory unit and prints the plurality of pages in the same print mode, respectively. Whether or not the total printing time is shorter than the total printing time when the plural pages are printed in the print mode indicated by each color information is determined based on each print mode indicated by each color information, As a result of the determination, when the total printing time when the printing process is performed in the same printing mode becomes shorter, the mode switching signal for instructing switching of the printing mode is set to the color
The color printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color printing apparatus sends to a monochrome switching unit. 3. The image processing means independently executes the image processing up to several pages ahead of the print control means to obtain the color information for each page, and stores the color information in the color information storage. The color printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color printing apparatus is sent to a memory unit and stored therein. 4. A print mode switching method in a color printing apparatus having a print mode switching mechanism for switching between color printing and monochrome printing, wherein the image processing means prints print image data over a plurality of pages for each page. Image processing is performed to obtain a plurality of page image data, page information, and color information, and further, the page image data is expanded to obtain drawing data, and the image storage memory means is the drawing data from the image processing means, The page information and the color information are stored, and the print control unit retrieves each of the color information of a plurality of consecutive pages from the image storage memory unit, and based on the print mode indicated by the retrieved each color information,
It is determined whether to switch the print mode of one or more pages of the plurality of pages, and based on a mode switching signal indicating the result of this determination, the print mode switching mechanism is switch-controlled, and the print engine is A printing mode switching method in a color printing apparatus, wherein the drawing data is printed based on the page information from the image storage means.