JP2000295408A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] In a copying machine or a printer as an image forming apparatus in a digital multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function, the time required for image generation depends on each function. Conventionally, digital multifunction peripherals of this type are configured to select a recording sheet of a size suitable for the image and then start feeding after completion of image generation for one page. However, in the copying machine or the printer, there is originally a request to print the first page as soon as possible, and as described above, there is a delay in the feeding start time for the completion of the image of one page. Eliminate problems that cannot be attached. SOLUTION: For this purpose, referring to a print request queue,
When it is detected that there is only one image data to be printed, feeding of recording paper is started before image generation is completed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for a digital multi-function peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a copier function, a printer function, and a facsimile function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of digital multifunction peripheral,
Means for generating an image exists for each of the copier function, the printer function, and the FAX function. Since the time required for image generation varies depending on the function or the image to be generated, it is difficult to predict an image to be completed first when a plurality of functions perform image generation at the same time. Therefore, conventionally, in a digital multifunction peripheral, 1
After the generation of the image of the page is completed, a recording sheet having a size suitable for the image is selected, and the sheet feeding is started.

[0003]

However, in copiers and printers, there is a demand to print the first page as soon as possible.
If the sheet feeding is started after the page image is completed, the time until the sheet feeding is completed is wasted, and the request cannot be satisfied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem. In response to the first print request received without an unprocessed print request, a print sheet before recording an image is completed. An object of the present invention is to provide a digital multi-function peripheral capable of starting paper feeding and quickly printing the first page.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus in a digital multifunction peripheral, comprising: an image storage device for storing an image; A plurality of image generating means for issuing a print request, issuing a second print request after the image generation is completed, and storing the generated image in the image storage means, , An image recording means for receiving the image transfer request and recording the image stored in the image storage means on the recording paper, a print request queue for storing the first and second print requests, and a print request queue. See,
An image forming apparatus of a digital multifunction peripheral having a print control unit for issuing a paper feed request and an image transfer request to an image recording unit in response to a print request, wherein the print control unit stores a first print request in the print request queue. If only a request exists, a paper feed request is issued to the image recording means immediately. If a plurality of print requests exist, a paper feed request is issued to the image recording means when the second print request is detected. It was configured to be.

[0006]

According to the configuration of the present invention as described above, even in a configuration in which the digital multi-function peripheral includes a plurality of image generating means, and each of the means generates an image at a different time for each image, the print request queue is referred to. When it is detected that there is only one image data to be printed, the feeding of the recording paper is started before the image generation is completed. Therefore, the waiting time for feeding the paper is shortened, and the first page is shortened. Can be printed in time.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail based on an embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing a basic configuration of an embodiment of a digital multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU, that is, a central processing unit, which executes various programs in order to control the entire apparatus, perform arithmetic processing, and the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a ROM, that is, a read-only memory, which controls system startup, controls a scanner device and a printer device, interprets PDL (program description language) data and expands it into an image, an image such as a reduced layout and image compression / decompression. This is a storage area for programs, character data, character code information, and the like that control processing, communication control, a user interface, and the like. Reference numeral 3 denotes a RAM, that is, a random access memory, which is used for temporarily storing image data when inputting / outputting image data, processing the PDL data, performing image processing, and storing control data for each of various processes. .

Reference numeral 4 denotes an external storage device such as a hard disk, which stores image data that needs to be stored for a long time,
It is used to store various information such as a telephone number used for the facsimile function and a spool area of PDL data before interpretation as a file. Reference numeral 5 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, which is used to display an operation menu of the digital multi-function peripheral, a setting state, an error state, and the like.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an operation unit which is used to receive an input from an operator such as selection of an operation menu of the digital multi-function peripheral. Reference numeral 7 denotes a network interface, through which the PDL data and the device control command are input, for notifying the operating state of the device and transmitting image data. 8 is a fax line interface,
For example, a G3 fax modem is connected. A scanner interface 9 is used for outputting a control command of the scanner device, inputting the status of the device, and inputting image data. Reference numeral 10 denotes a printer interface, which is used to output a control command of a printer device, input a device status, and output image data.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a system bus, which serves as a path for data and control signals between the above-mentioned components.

With the above-described configuration, this digital multi-functional peripheral can copy image data input from the scanner interface 9 to the RAM 3 when realizing the function of a copying machine.
In the printer interface 1
Output from 0.

To implement the facsimile function, F
The data input from the AX line interface 8 is converted into image data by a decompression program and stored in the RAM 3,
The image data is output from the printer interface 10.

When realizing the network printer function, the P input from the network interface 7
The DL data is converted into image data by a PDL interpretation and expansion program and stored in the RAM 3, and the image data is output from the printer interface 10.

FIG. 2 is a data flow diagram showing a flow of information between programs (processes) operating in the digital multi-function peripheral system shown in FIG. 1 to realize the above functions.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a system control program, which controls the entire system by communicating with the other five programs. Print preparation requests, print requests, and the like, which are transmitted asynchronously by other programs described below, are stored in a list in the order of requests, and operate with reference to the request list. Each element of the request list is, for example, as follows.

Request type (print preparation request, print request, etc.) Program ID (ID of the program that sent the request) Page ID (unique ID in the program that generates the image) Parameter Parameter is the recording paper size if the print preparation request ,
For a print request, this is the address of the image data storage location.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a scanner control program. The scanner device is controlled via the scanner interface, and the image data is stored in the RAM 18. When the size of the document to be scanned is notified from the scanner device, the recording paper size is notified to the system control program by a print preparation request, and when the scan is completed and the storage of the image data in the RAM 18 is completed, a print request is sent to the system control program. .

Reference numeral 14 denotes a facsimile control program. FA
The X-line interface is monitored, and when facsimile data is input, the recording paper size is notified to the system control program by a print preparation request from the result of the initial negotiation, and the facsimile data is expanded into image data and stored in the RAM.
When the data is stored in the storage unit 18, a print request is sent to the system control program.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a PDL processing (control) program. When the network interface is monitored and PDL data is input, the PDL data is interpreted, the recording paper size is notified to the system control program by a print preparation request, the image data is expanded to image data and stored in the RAM 18. Send a print request to the control program.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a printer control program. It is requested by the system control program and controls the printer device via the printer interface. When a paper feed request is received, a paper cassette in which recording paper of the recording paper size of the parameter is stored is selected, and paper feeding is started. When an image transfer request is received and the printer device notifies that the recording paper has reached a predetermined position,
The image data stored in the RAM 18 is transferred to a printer device and printed.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a UI control program which controls a display unit and an operation unit and controls a user interface. 18
Denotes a RAM and 19 denotes a hard disk (HD).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a printing operation sequence of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. 1. The system control program 12 shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation sequence for receiving a print preparation request and a print request from a FAX control program 14, a PDL processing (control) program 15, and a UI control program 17, and causing the printer control program 16 to print image data. .

First, in step S1, it is checked whether there is an unprocessed request in the above-mentioned request list. If there is no request, the process waits for a new request. When an unprocessed request is registered in the request list, it is determined in step S2, and if there are a plurality of elements in the request list, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, a first print request is searched for in the request list. The result is determined in step S4,
If not found, the process returns to step S1, and if found, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, a print preparation request having the same program ID and page ID as the print request found in step S3 is found in the request list, and the recording paper size as a parameter is fed to the printer control program (step S5). Send request. Next, in step S6, an image transfer request is sent to the printer control program using the storage position address of the image data, which is a parameter of the print request processed in the previous step, as a parameter, and a print completion notification from the printer control program is waited for. Upon receiving the print completion notification, in step S7, the print preparation request and print request processed in the previous step are deleted from the request list, and the process returns to step S1.

In step S2, if the number of elements in the request list is one, the process proceeds to step S8.

In step S8, a paper feed request is sent to the printer control program using the recording paper size, which is the only parameter of the print preparation request existing in the request list, as a parameter. Next, in step S9, step S8
Program ID same as print preparation request processed in
And a print request having the page ID, and if a print request is received, the process proceeds to step S6. Step S6
Subsequent processing is as described above.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if the digital multifunction peripheral has a plurality of image generating means, and each means generates an image at a different time for each image, the print request queue is , When it is detected that there is only one image data to be printed, the feeding of the recording paper is started before the image generation is completed. The eyes can be printed in a short time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing a basic configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a program (process) of the digital multifunction peripheral.
Data flow diagram of information flow between

FIG. 3 is a print processing operation sequence flowchart of the system control program of the digital multi-function peripheral.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 4 External storage device 5 Display unit 6 Operation unit 7 Network interface 8 FAX line interface 9 Scanner interface 10 Printer interface 11 System bus 12 System control program 13 Scanner control program 14 FAX control program 15 PDL Processing (control) program 16 Printer control program 17 UI control program 18 RAM 19 HD

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image storage means for storing an image, a first print request is issued before the image generation is completed, a second print request is issued after the image generation is completed, and the generated image is generated. A plurality of image generating units to be stored in the image storage unit; receiving a paper feed request, starting feeding of recording paper; receiving an image transfer request, storing an image stored in the image storage unit in the recording paper; An image recording unit for recording; a print request queue for storing the first and second print requests; and a feed request and an image transfer request to the image recording unit in response to the print request with reference to the print request queue. And a print control unit that issues the image recording unit. The print control unit, if only the first print request exists in the print request queue, immediately executes the image recording unit. An image forming apparatus that issues a paper feed request to the image recording unit when a plurality of print requests are present when the second print request is detected. .