JP2006150689A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which can efficiently use a page memory even when a monochrome image is formed. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming device is equipped with a storage means which temporarily stores image data corresponding to a monochrome image or a color image. The image forming device analyzes a command being included in printing data which is received from the outside, prepares image data from the printing data in response to the content of the analyzed command, and forms an image based on the formed image data on a recording medium. In the image forming device, when it is judged that a command regarding a color image formation is included in the printing data, the memory region acquisition setting of the storage means is changed from a setting corresponding to monochrome images to a setting corresponding to color images. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine. In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image data generated by analyzing a unique PJL (print job language) received from an external computer.

  Along with the rapid development of communication means, as an image forming device for copiers, printers, facsimile machines, etc., or their combined machines, data is transmitted / received via an information processing device such as a personal computer via a network such as a LAN or the Internet. Many image forming apparatuses that can be connected to each other and can be shared by a plurality of information processing apparatuses have been developed. In such an image forming apparatus, print data related to document data, drawing data and the like created by the information processing apparatus is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and by analyzing a command included in the print data received by the image forming apparatus, Image data for image printing (raster data) is generated, and image formation based on the generated image data is performed.

  As image data, not only monochrome image data but also color image data is handled. Since the capacity of the color image data is larger than the capacity of the monochrome image data, it is necessary to make effective use of the memory area of the image memory in order to shorten the printing time.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, by using only a page memory for a color necessary for developing image data into a dot pattern, sending a dot pattern to a printer and developing a dot pattern on the next page are performed. A color page printer controller that can be performed in parallel is disclosed. Thereby, the transmission of the dot pattern to the printer and the development of the dot pattern to the page memory can be performed in parallel, and the dot pattern printing speed can be improved.

Further, in Patent Document 2, a page memory for four colors corresponding to CMYK is secured, and when using CMYK color expression, all four page memories are used, and when using RGB color expression, four colors are used. The data is expanded using three of the page memories for one minute, and one of the page memories for four colors when using monochrome color representation, and single-color data for one page is stored in the page memory. At this time, an image processing apparatus that outputs to a color printing apparatus is disclosed.
JP 9-314924 A JP 2000-333025 A

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus described above, it is necessary to secure a page memory on the premise that color image data is handled. Therefore, when printing one page of monochrome image data, a plurality of unused page memory areas are generated. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to improve the use efficiency of the page memory.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can efficiently use a page memory even when a monochrome image is formed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises storage means for temporarily storing image data corresponding to a black and white image or a color image, analyzes a command included in print data received from the outside, In an image forming apparatus that generates image data from the print data according to the contents of the analyzed command and forms an image based on the generated image data on a recording medium, does the print data include a command related to color image formation? And determining means for determining whether or not the determination means includes a command relating to color image formation, the memory area acquisition setting of the storage means corresponds to the color image from the setting corresponding to the monochrome image. And a control means for changing the setting.

  In the first invention, the memory area acquisition setting of the storage means is set to the setting corresponding to the monochrome image, the command included in the print data received from the outside is analyzed, and the command related to color image formation is included in the print data. In this case, the memory area acquisition setting of the storage means is changed to a setting corresponding to the color image. As a result, even if a printer driver that does not accept a command corresponding to a monochrome image is provided, a monochrome image is normally developed as a monochrome image data in a corresponding memory area, and a color image is analyzed by command analysis. For example, for each of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), a plurality of memory areas having the same capacity as that for forming a monochrome image are secured. By storing each color data of C, M, Y, K in a plurality of memory areas and forming an image, the memory area can be used without waste, and a color image can be formed without reducing the efficiency of use of the memory area. It becomes possible to do.

  The image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein when the control means is a memory area acquisition setting corresponding to a color image, a plurality of single colors required for forming one page of the color image. As a memory area for storing data, a plurality of memory areas for storing image data are used when one page of a monochrome image is formed.

  In the second invention, as a memory area for storing a plurality of single color data necessary for forming one page of a color image, a plurality of memory areas for storing image data are used when forming one page of a monochrome image. As a result, even if a printer driver that does not accept a command corresponding to a monochrome image is provided, a monochrome image is normally developed as a monochrome image data in a corresponding memory area, and a color image is analyzed by command analysis. For example, for each of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), a plurality of memory areas having the same capacity as that for forming a black and white image are secured. By storing each color data of C, M, Y, K in a plurality of memory areas and forming an image, the memory area can be used without waste, and a color image can be formed without reducing the efficiency of use of the memory area. It becomes possible to do.

  An image forming apparatus according to a third invention is characterized in that, in the second invention, the plurality of single color data includes data of cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

  In the third aspect of the invention, single color data of a plurality of colors necessary for forming a color image is four colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). As a result, by securing an area for four colors as the memory area, it is possible to form a color image while using the memory area efficiently without using a useless memory area for each single color. .

  An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the invention analyzes a command included in print data corresponding to a black-and-white image or a color image, and generates an image data from the print data according to the contents of the analyzed command, and an external Image forming apparatus comprising: a main body substrate that transfers print data corresponding to a monochrome image or color image received from the PCL substrate to the PCL substrate and transfers an image based on the image data generated on the PCL substrate to a printing unit that forms on a recording medium In the apparatus, the PCL board includes a first memory for temporarily storing image data, means for determining whether or not a command relating to color image formation is included in the print data, and the means relates to color image formation. If it is determined that a command is included, the memory area acquisition setting of the first memory is changed from the setting corresponding to the black and white image. Means for changing to a setting corresponding to an image, and the main body board temporarily stores image data transferred from the PCL board, reads image data from the second memory, and prints the image data. And a means for transferring to the unit.

  In the fourth invention, the PCL board that analyzes the command included in the print data, generates image data from the print data according to the analyzed command content, and transfers the print data received from the outside to the PCL board. And a main body substrate for transferring an image based on the image data generated in step (1) to a printing unit formed on a recording medium, and the PCL substrate does not depend on the timing of image data transfer from the main body substrate to the printing unit. Image data can be generated. In addition, when a failure occurs, it is easy to identify the location where the failure occurred, and maintenance becomes easy.

  According to the present invention, even if a printer driver that does not accept a command corresponding to a black and white image is provided, the black and white image is normally developed as a black and white image data to form a black and white image, and command analysis is performed. If it is determined that a color image is to be formed, for example, for each of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), a plurality of memory areas having the same capacity as that for forming a black and white image are formed. By securing and temporarily storing each color data of C, M, Y, K in a plurality of memory areas to form an image, the memory area can be used without waste and without reducing the efficiency of use of the memory area A color image can be formed.

  Also, image data can be generated on the PCL board without depending on the timing of image data transfer from the main board to the printing unit. In addition, when a failure occurs, it is easy to identify the location where the failure occurred, and maintenance becomes easy.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment forms an image of print data received via the NIC (Network Interface Control) unit 2 and the communication network N connected to the communication network N such as a LAN or the Internet. PCL (Printer Control Language) controller 3 for converting to image data, printer unit 4 for performing image forming processing based on image data (raster data) generated by PCL controller 3, NIC unit 2, PCL controller 3, and printer unit 4 is provided.

  The NIC unit 2 includes a network interface 20 that is connected to the communication network N so as to be able to send and receive data, and a main unit connection interface 21 that is connected to be able to send and receive data to and from the main unit 1. ing. The NIC unit 2 transfers print data based on document data, drawing data and the like created by a plurality of computers 5, 5,... Connected to the communication network N from the main unit connection interface 21 to the main unit 1. .

  The main unit 1 includes a control unit 10 constituted by a CPU, an MPU, a ROM 11, a RAM 12, a NIC interface 13 for connecting to the NIC unit 2, a PCL interface 14 for connecting to the PCL controller 3, a memory control unit 15, an image A memory 16, a printer connection unit 17 for connecting to the printer unit 4, and the like are provided, and each is connected to each other via an internal bus 18.

  The control unit 10 controls each hardware unit as described above of the main body unit 1 connected via the internal bus 18 and executes software functions according to various control programs stored in the ROM 11. The RAM 12 is configured by an SRAM, a flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the control program is executed by the control unit 10.

  The main body 1 transfers the print data acquired from the NIC interface 13 to the PCL controller 3 via the PCL interface 14. The PCL controller 3 performs rendering processing for converting the print data acquired from the main unit 1 into image data (raster data) in a format that allows the printer unit 4 to form an image, and returns the data to the main unit 1. Therefore, the main body 1 stores the image data acquired from the PCL controller 3 via the PCL interface 14 in the image memory 16 by the memory control unit 15. Thereafter, the control unit 10 reads the image data from the image memory 16 at a predetermined timing, and transfers the image data to the printer unit 4 via the printer connection unit 17.

  The printer unit 4 includes a main body connection unit 40 for connecting to the main body unit 1, a printer control unit 41, a page memory 42, an image forming unit 43, and the like, each of which can transmit and receive data via an internal bus 44. Connected as possible. The printer control unit 41 first stores the image data transmitted from the main unit 1 in the page memory 42 in units of pages, and the image forming unit 43 outputs an image based on the stored image data to a sheet. The image forming unit 43 may be any type of printer device such as an electrophotographic system, an inkjet system, a thermal transfer system, and a sublimation system.

  The PCL controller 3 includes a control unit 30 constituted by a CPU, an MPU, etc., a ROM 31, a RAM 32, a main body connection interface 33 for connecting to the main body unit 1, a spooler 34, and the like. It is connected so that it can send and receive.

  The control unit 30 controls each hardware unit as described above of the PCL controller 3 connected via the internal bus 35 and executes software functions according to various control programs stored in the ROM 31. The RAM 32 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, and the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the control unit 30 executes the control program. The ROM 31 stores a command analysis program for developing print data received from external computers 5, 5,... Via a communication network and analyzing commands included in the print data. .

  The control unit 30 acquires print data from the main body unit 1 via the main body connection interface 33 and stores the print data in the spooler 34. Further, the control unit 30 reads out and executes a command analysis program stored in the ROM 31 to the RAM 32, executes command analysis processing on the print data sequentially read from the spooler 34, and generates image data. The generated image data is sequentially input from the main body connection interface 33 to the main body 1 and stored in the image memory 16 by the memory control unit 15.

  When transmitting print data via the communication network N, the computers 5, 5,... Transmit PDL (page description language) including PJL (print job language) unique to the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of a PDL that forms a color image transmitted from the computers 5, 5,... In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the PDL according to the present embodiment performs detailed settings for color image forming processing using PJL. The control unit 30 can determine that a command related to color image formation is included when a command equal to or lower than 'Palette Control ID' is detected by command analysis.

  When forming a color image, the user selects a color image forming process, for example, a color image print job, on the printer driver setting screen on the computers 5, 5,. When a color image print job is selected, the computers 5, 5,... Add a command related to color image formation to the PJL included in the print data, and the PDL including the PJL after the command is added to the image forming apparatus 100. Send to.

  The image forming apparatus 100 receives print data related to a color image print job at the NIC unit 2 via the communication network N, and sends the print data to the PCL controller 3 via the NIC interface 13 and the PCL interface 14 of the main unit 1. The PCL controller 3 receives print data via the main body connection interface 33 and executes a control program stored in the ROM 31.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the PCL controller 3 of the image forming apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing a procedure of image forming processing by the PCL controller 3 in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The following processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is executed by the control unit 30 of the PCL controller 3 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 31.

  The print job received from the external computers 5, 5,... Connected to the communication network N via the NIC unit 2 is stored in the spooler 34 of the PCL controller 3 via the main unit 1. At this time, the control unit 30 of the PCL controller 3 sets the memory area acquisition setting of the RAM 32 to be a setting corresponding to a monochrome image, and acquires a memory area for one page (step S301). That is, a sufficient memory area is secured on the RAM 32 to render one page of K (black) expression data.

  The control unit 30 of the PCL controller 3 determines whether or not there is a print job in the spooler 34 with the color image formation flag set to the off state (step S302), and the control unit 30 determines whether the spooler 34 has a print job. If it is determined that there is no print job in 34 (step S303: NO), the process waits.

  When the control unit 30 determines that there is a print job in the spooler 34 (step S303: YES), the control unit 30 reads the command analysis program stored in the ROM 31 into the RAM 32 and executes it, so that the spooler 34 Command analysis processing is executed for the sequentially read print jobs (step S304).

  The control unit 30 determines whether or not the analyzed command includes a command related to color image formation (step S305), and the control unit 30 determines that the command related to color image formation is included (step S305). In step S305: YES, the control unit 30 changes the memory area acquisition setting in the RAM 32 to a setting corresponding to the color image, acquires a memory area for four pages (step S306), and turns on the color image formation flag. Setting is performed (step S307). That is, a sufficient memory area is secured on the RAM 32 to render one page of data of each color of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black).

  The control unit 30 determines whether or not the color image formation flag is on (step S308). If the control unit 30 determines that the color image formation flag is on (step S308: YES), Based on the received print data, the control unit 30 renders the data of each color of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) for one page (step S309), and outputs a color image. Generate data.

  When the control unit 30 determines that the color image formation flag is in an off state (step S308: NO), the control unit 30 renders K (black) data for one page based on the received print data. (Step S310), monochrome image data is generated.

  The control unit 30 determines whether or not the rendering process for the print job for one page has been completed (step S311), and the control unit 30 determines that the rendering process for the print job for one page has not been completed. If so (step S311: NO), the control unit 30 returns the process to step S303, and determines whether or not there is a print job in the spooler 34 (step S303).

  When the control unit 30 determines that the rendering process for the print job for one page has been completed (step S311: YES), the control unit 30 transfers the generated image data to the main body unit 1 (step S312). The image is stored in the image memory 16 of the unit 1.

  The control unit 30 determines whether or not the rendering process for one print job has been completed (step S313). When the control unit 30 determines that the rendering process has not been completed (step S313: NO), the control unit 30 Then, the process returns to step S303, and the processes of step S303 to step S312 are repeated. When the control unit 30 determines that the process has ended (step S313: YES), the above-described process ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a monochrome image is normally developed as a monochrome image data to form a monochrome image and a color image is formed, for example, C (cyan), M (magenta) ), Y (yellow), and K (black), a plurality of memory areas having the same capacity as in the case of forming a monochrome image are secured, and each color data of C, M, Y, and K is stored in the plurality of memory areas. By forming an image in this way, the memory area can be used without waste, and a color image can be formed without reducing the use efficiency of the page memory.

  It is determined whether or not the capacity of data stored in the RAM 32 exceeds the capacity of the memory area. When the capacity of the memory area is exceeded, the stored image data is sent to the main body 1 and is newly rendered by rendering processing. It is desirable to store the generated image data.

  Accordingly, it is not necessary to wait for image formation until an image for one page is stored in the RAM 32, and it is possible to form a monochrome image and a color image while efficiently using the memory area.

  Note that the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has been described with respect to a form in which the main body 1 and the PCL controller 3 are physically separated, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The configuration in which the unit 1 and the PCL controller 3 are integrally formed may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is not particularly limited. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to all image forming apparatuses that record acquired print data, such as facsimile machines, digital copying machines, and printers. .

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a PDL that forms a color image transmitted from a computer in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image forming processing by a PCL controller in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image forming processing by a PCL controller in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main part 2 NIC part 3 PCL controller 4 Printer part 10, 30 Control part 11, 31 ROM
12, 32 RAM
16 Image memory

Claims (4)

A storage unit that temporarily stores image data corresponding to a black and white image or a color image is provided, a command included in print data received from the outside is analyzed, and image data is generated from the print data according to the content of the analyzed command. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image based on the generated image data on a recording medium,
Determining means for determining whether or not a command relating to color image formation is included in the print data;
Control means for changing the memory area acquisition setting of the storage means from a setting corresponding to a monochrome image to a setting corresponding to a color image when the determination means determines that a command relating to color image formation is included. An image forming apparatus.   In the case where the control means is a memory area acquisition setting corresponding to a color image, when forming one page of a monochrome image as a memory area for storing a plurality of single color data necessary for forming one page of a color image. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of memory areas for storing image data are used.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of single color data includes cyan, magenta, yellow, and black data. A PCL board that analyzes commands included in print data corresponding to a monochrome image or color image and generates image data from the print data according to the contents of the analyzed command, and a monochrome image or color image received from the outside An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body substrate that transfers print data to the PCL substrate and transfers an image based on the image data generated on the PCL substrate to a printing unit that forms the image on a recording medium;
The PCL substrate is
A first memory for temporarily storing image data;
Means for determining whether or not a command relating to color image formation is included in the print data;
Means for changing the memory area acquisition setting of the first memory from a setting corresponding to a monochrome image to a setting corresponding to a color image when it is determined by the means that a command relating to color image formation is included. ,
The body substrate is
A second memory for temporarily storing image data transferred from the PCL board;
An image forming apparatus comprising: means for reading image data from the second memory and transferring the image data to the printing unit.

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