JP2018130857A - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to convert print data into a form that reduces waiting time during image formation and store the print data. The present invention relates to a display list creating means for creating a band-by-band display list on each page based on print data included in a print job, and each page based on the created band-by-band display list. Based on the band image creation means for creating a band image that is an image obtained by dividing the page image, the output order of the pages, and the creation time of each of the band images on each page, the storage form of the print data for each page An image processing apparatus comprising: selection means for selecting; and storage means for storing the print data for each page in the selected storage form. [Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program.

  In order to perform printing while maintaining the maximum print speed of the printer engine with a high-speed printer that outputs a large amount of printed matter, it is necessary to continue supplying the print data to the printer engine so that the print data is not interrupted. This is because a high-speed printer needs to execute a preparatory operation for ensuring print quality at the start of printing, and once the printing operation is stopped due to interruption of print data, it is necessary to execute this preparatory operation again. Because. However, depending on the print data included in the print job, it may take time to create RIP-printed print data by image processing on the print data, and therefore when printing is performed while image processing is being performed, the print data cannot be supplied in time There is.

  As a technique for solving the above problem, Patent Document 1 creates print data for each band, stores only print data that takes time to create, and uses the saved print data at the time of printing. To disclose.

JP 2010-33283 A

  In Patent Document 1, print data for each band to be stored is determined without considering the output order of pages. Therefore, for example, when the print data for the page to be printed first is not stored, there is a problem that a waiting time occurs during image formation.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to convert print data into a form that can reduce the waiting time during image formation and store the print data.

  The present invention provides a display list creation means for creating a display unit for each band on each page based on print data included in a print job, and a page image for each page based on the created display list for each band. Band image creation means for creating a band image that is a divided image, and selection means for selecting the storage form of print data for each page based on the output order of pages and the creation time of each of the band images on each page And a storage unit that stores the print data for each page in the selected storage mode.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the waiting time during image formation.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the entire system according to Embodiment 1. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control unit in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. Flowchart of print data creation processing according to embodiment 1 Diagram showing print data storage format Flowchart of storage form selection processing according to Embodiment 1 Flowchart of print processing according to embodiment 1 Flowchart of storage form selection processing according to Embodiment 2 Flowchart of storage form selection processing according to Embodiment 3

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the constituent elements described below are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In this specification, the “printing apparatus” is not limited to a dedicated machine specialized in printing functions, but forms images and patterns on a recording machine such as a multi-function machine that combines printing functions and other functions, or paper. Manufacturing equipment and the like are also included.

[Example 1]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system including a terminal 100 and a printing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment. The terminal 100 and the printing apparatus 200 are connected via a network and can transmit / receive data to / from each other. For example, the terminal 100 transmits a print job including print data (hereinafter referred to as PDL data) described in PDL and setting information (paper size, number of copies, etc.) to the printing apparatus 200. The printing apparatus 200 analyzes PDL data included in the transmitted print job to create RIP-completed print data (that is, raster image data), and records the data on a recording medium such as paper based on the created RIP-completed print data. Form an image. An arbitrary information device may be used as the terminal 100, but a PC (personal computer) is used in this embodiment.

<Hardware Configuration of Printing Apparatus 200>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment. The printing apparatus 200 includes a control unit 210, an operation panel 220, a printer engine 230, and an output unit 240. The control unit 210 includes a CPU 211, an operation panel interface 212, an external interface 213, an engine interface 214, a ROM 215, a RAM 216, and an HDD 217. Each component of the control unit 210 is connected via a system bus 218, and can transmit and receive data to and from each other.

  The CPU 211 controls each component of the printing apparatus 200. The ROM 215 stores control programs and various data. The RAM 216 temporarily stores various data such as RIP-completed print data supplied to the print engine (hereinafter referred to as the engine) 230. The CPU 211 expands the program stored in the ROM 215 to the RAM 216 and executes the expanded program, thereby executing processing described below (the processing illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6 to 9 and the like). The HDD 217 prints each page generated by the image processing unit 304 described later based on a print job acquired via an external interface (hereinafter referred to as an external I / F) and a display list derived by analyzing and deriving PDL data included in the print job. Various data such as data are stored. Details of the print data for each page will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The operation panel 220 is composed of, for example, a touch panel display, and accepts input from the user, and presents information (such as error notification) of the function and status of the printing apparatus 200 to the user. The user operates the operation panel 220 to cause the printing apparatus 200 to execute a desired process. The operation panel 220 is connected to the control unit 210 via an operation panel interface (hereinafter referred to as operation panel I / F) 212, and contents input by the user using the operation panel 220 are transmitted to the control unit 210.

  The engine 230 is connected to the control unit 210 via an engine interface (hereinafter referred to as engine I / F) 214. The engine 230 receives the RIP-completed print data from the control unit 210, and executes a process of forming an image on a recording medium such as paper based on the received RIP-completed print data. The engine 230 may be an ink jet type constituted by an ink tank and a print head, or may be an electrophotographic type.

  The output unit 240 includes a plurality of trays for outputting the recording medium, and the recording medium on which an image is formed by the engine 230 is output to any of the plurality of trays. The output unit 240 has a function of inverting the top and bottom and the front and back of the recording medium.

<Regarding Functional Configuration of Control Unit 210>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control unit 210 in the printing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 210 includes a print job management unit 301, a print job reception unit 302, a print data transmission unit 303, an image processing unit 304, a division unit 305, a spool unit 306, and a selection unit 307. .

  When the print job receiving unit 302 receives the print job, the print job management unit 301 analyzes the PDL data included in the received print job and the band unit based on the result of the analysis. Requests creation of display list (DL). The print job management unit 301 requests the image processing unit 304 to create a band image based on the band unit DL created by the dividing unit 305. A band image is an image having a predetermined bandwidth obtained by dividing an image of each page to be printed (hereinafter referred to as a page image).

  The image processing unit 304 creates a band image corresponding to the DL based on the DL in band units. At this time, the print job management unit 301 stores the time required to create each band image (hereinafter referred to as creation time).

  The selection unit 307 selects in what form the print data corresponding to each page (referred to as print data for each page) is stored based on the page output order and the band image creation time. This process is called a storage form selection process. Details of the storage form selection process will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The spool unit 306 stores the print data for each page according to the storage format selected by the selection unit 307. Further, the print job is continuously stored in the spool unit 306 even after the print data for each page for all pages created based on the print job is stored. In this embodiment, the spool unit 306 is realized by the HDD 217 shown in FIG. Note that the number of HDDs included in the control unit 210 is not limited to one. The control unit 210 may include a plurality of HDDs, and store the print job and the print data for each page in separate HDDs.

  In this embodiment, an instruction to execute printing based on the print job stored in the spool unit 306 is input from the terminal 100 or via the operation panel 220. When the control unit 210 receives this instruction, the print job management unit 301 reads out print data for each page from the spool unit 306. When the read page-by-page print data includes only a plurality of band images without DL, the page-by-page print data is transmitted to the engine 230 through the print data transmission unit 303, and the engine 230 prints the page by page. An image is formed on a recording medium based on the data.

  On the other hand, if the read page-by-page print data includes a DL and a band image, the band image in the page-by-page print data is transmitted to the engine 230, and the engine 230 records the recording medium based on the transmitted band image. An image is formed on. In parallel with this, the print job management unit 301 requests the image processing unit 304 to create a band image based on the DL of the read print data for each page. Thereafter, the band image created by the image processing unit 304 is transmitted to the engine 230, and the engine 230 forms an image on a recording medium based on the transmitted band image.

  In this embodiment, the case where the printing apparatus 200 includes the control unit 210 will be described. However, the control unit 210 may be configured in a computer device connected to the printing apparatus 200 via the external I / F 213. good.

<About print data creation processing>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing for creating and storing print data based on a print job, which is executed by the control unit 210 according to the present embodiment.

  In step S <b> 401, the print job receiving unit 302 receives a print job transmitted from the terminal 100.

  In step S402, the print job management unit 301 sets the target page to be processed as the first page (first page).

  In step S403, the division unit 305 that has received a band-unit DL creation request from the print job management unit 301 functions as a display list creation unit, and creates a band-unit DL based on the PDL data of the page of interest. Here, the band-based DL is a DL in which an image corresponding to the DL becomes a band image. Reference numeral 501 in FIG. 5 schematically shows print data of the page of interest configured from a plurality of DLs created based on the PDL data of the page of interest. As shown in the figure, the print data 501 includes DL (501a, 501b, 501c, 501d) corresponding to each of the band images obtained by dividing the image of the page of interest. Note that the size of the rectangular area of the band is defined in advance, and the numerical value is held by the dividing unit 305, and the dividing unit 305 creates a band unit DL using the numerical value. However, the number of band images per page may be defined in advance, and the size of the rectangular area may be determined according to the defined number of band images.

  In step S404, the image processing unit 304 that has received a band image creation request from the print job management unit 301 functions as a band image creation unit, and creates a band image based on the DL created in step S403. At this time, the print job management unit 301 stores the creation time of each band image.

  In step S405, the selection unit 307 selects a print data storage form for the page of interest based on the output order of the page of interest and the creation time of each band image on the page of interest stored in step S404 (storage form). Selection process).

  In step S <b> 406, the print job management unit 301 determines whether the print data for each page can be stored in the spool unit 306 in the storage mode selected in step S <b> 405. Specifically, the print job management unit 301 compares the free capacity of the spool unit 306 with the data size of the print data for each page, and if the free capacity is equal to or larger than the data size, the print job management unit 301 performs spooling in the storage form selected in step S405. It is determined that the print data for each page can be stored in the unit 306. If the determination result of step S406 is true, the process proceeds to step S407. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S406 is false, that is, if there is not enough free space in the spool unit 306 to store the print data for each page, the series of processing ends. In this case, the print job management unit 301 may display a message on the operation panel 220 notifying that the print data for each page cannot be saved.

  In step S407, the print job management unit 301 stores the print data for each page in the spool unit 306 in the storage mode selected in step S405.

  In step S408, the print job management unit 301 determines whether the target page is the last page. If the result of the determination in step S408 is true, the series of processing ends. If the result of the determination is false, the process proceeds to step S409.

  In step S409, the print job management unit 301 sets the page of interest as the next page, and returns to step S403. The above is the content of the print data creation process according to the present embodiment.

<About storage format selection processing>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of print data storage mode selection processing executed by the selection unit 307 in step S405.

  In step S601, it is determined whether the target page to be processed is the first page to be printed (first page). If the determination result in step S601 is true, the process proceeds to step S602. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S603.

  If YES is determined in step S601, in step S602, a mode for holding all of the plurality of band images constituting the image of the page of interest is selected as the storage mode of the print data for each page, and the series of processing ends. As a result of this step, for the first page to be printed first, all band images constituting the page image are saved. As a result, for the first page, printing is executed using the print data for each page of the first page stored in the spool unit 306 as it is. Therefore, it is not necessary to execute the RIP process for the first page when printing is performed, and image formation by the engine 230 can be started without waiting time when printing execution is instructed. Reference numeral 502 in FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of print data for each page for explaining a storage form selected in this step. As shown in the figure, the print data for each page 502 is composed of band images 502a, 502b, 502c, and 502d obtained by dividing the page image.

  If NO is determined in step S601, it is determined in step S603 whether the page of interest is the second printed page (second page). If the determination result in step S603 is true, the process proceeds to step S604. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S608.

  If YES is determined in step S603, it is determined in step S604 whether the creation time of the upper band image group is longer than the creation time of the lower band image group. If the determination result in step S604 is true, the process proceeds to step S606. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to S605.

  Here, the upper band image group is a plurality of band images continuous from the upper edge of the page image. Reference numeral 503 in FIG. 5 indicates print data for each page for explaining the upper band image group. The print data for each page 503 includes an upper end band image group including band images 502a and 502b, and DLs 501c and 501d.

  On the other hand, the lower end band image group is a plurality of band images continuous from the lower end of the page image. The number of bands constituting the lower end band image group is basically equal to the number of bands constituting the upper end band image group. Reference numeral 504 in FIG. 5 indicates print data for each page for explaining the lower end band image group. The print data for each page 504 includes DLs 501a and 501b and a lower end band image group including band images 502c and 502d. Although the case where the page image is divided into four has been described here, the number of band images obtained by dividing the page image is not limited to four and may be an arbitrary value. For example, the page image may be divided into five. In this case, the center band image (third band image) is included in the upper band image group.

  For example, when the creation times of the band images 502a, 502b, 502c, and 502d are 10, 30, 10, and 20, the creation time of the upper band image group is 40 and the creation time of the lower band image group is 30. The result of the determination in step S604 is true. The creation time used here indicates a relative time value, and no unit is provided.

  The reason why the determination in step S604 is executed is as follows. When the second page is printed later, if the print data for each page corresponding to the second page includes either the upper band image group or the lower band image group, the image forming process of the second page by the engine 230 is performed. Can be executed without waiting. Accordingly, in step S604, the creation time of the upper end image data group is compared with the creation time of the lower end image data group. If the creation time of the upper-end image data group is longer than the creation time of the lower-end image data group, a mode for holding the upper-end band image group as shown by the print data for each page 503 is selected as the storage mode of the print data for each page. (YES in step S604 → step S606). On the other hand, when the creation time of the lower-end image data group is equal to or longer than the creation time of the upper-end image data group, a mode for holding the lower-end band image group as shown by the print data for each page 504 is selected as the storage mode of the print data for each page. (NO in step S604,..., Step S607). By doing so, it is possible to prevent the state where there is no band image to be printed when the second page is printed, thereby improving the efficiency of the entire printing process.

  If NO in step S604 (the creation time of the upper band image group is equal to or less than the creation time of the lower band image group), the creation time of the lower band image group is required for the process of inverting the recording medium up and down in step S605. It is determined whether it is longer than the time (hereinafter referred to as inversion processing time). If the determination result in step S605 is true, the process proceeds to step S607. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S606. The reason for executing the determination in this step is as follows.

  When executing print processing based on print data for each page including the lower end band image group, image forming processing for the recording medium is executed from the lower end instead of the upper end of the page. Therefore, before outputting the printed matter on which the image is formed to the tray, it is necessary to turn the recording medium upside down to align the directions of the printed matter on all pages (step S713 in FIG. 7). Therefore, in step S605, the creation time of the lower end band group is compared with the inversion processing time. If the creation time of the lower end band image group is equal to or shorter than the inversion processing time, a storage form that does not hold the lower end band image group as shown by the print data for each page 503 is selected as the storage form of the print data for each page (step) NO in step S605 → step S606). On the other hand, when the inversion processing time is smaller than the creation time of the lower end band image group, a storage form for holding the lower end band image group as shown by the print data for each page 504 is selected as the storage form of the print data for each page ( In step S605, YES → step S607). By doing this, the print data of the page whose inversion processing time is longer than the creation time of the lower end band image group is stored in a form that retains the upper end band image group. Therefore, when printing the page, the upper and lower sides of the recording medium are inverted. The processing to be executed is not executed. Therefore, the efficiency in the entire printing process is improved. It is assumed that the inversion processing time is held in advance by the selection unit 307.

  If YES is determined in step S604, or if NO is determined in step S605, the upper end band image group as indicated by the page-by-page print data 503 is stored as the storage form of the page-by-page print data in step S606. The form to be selected is selected. Specifically, the print data for each page is stored as a top band image group among a plurality of band images constituting a page image, and a band image excluding the top band image group among the plurality of band images. The form for storing the corresponding DL is selected.

  If YES is determined in step S605, in step S607, a form for holding the lower end band image group as indicated by the page-by-page print data 504 is selected as the page-by-page print data storage form. Specifically, as the storage form of the print data for each page, a lower end band image group among a plurality of band images constituting the page image, and a band image excluding the lower end band image group among the plurality of band images. The form for storing the corresponding DL is selected.

  As described above, for the second page, a storage mode is selected that does not hold all of the band images constituting the page image but holds the upper band image group or the lower band image group (steps S606 and S607). ). This is because, for the second page, since the image processing for the second page can be executed in parallel with the image forming processing for the first page, it is sufficient to hold some band images.

  If NO is determined in step S603, in step S608, a mode for storing a predetermined number of band images that require time for creation as shown in the page-by-page print data 505 is selected as the page-by-page print data storage mode. A band image to be retained is determined. Specifically, as a storage form of the print data for each page of the third and subsequent pages, a predetermined number (one or more) of band images having a long creation time among a plurality of band images constituting the page image, and A mode for saving DL corresponding to each of the band images other than is selected. For example, when the creation times of the band images 502a, 502b, 502c, and 502d are 30, 5, 20, and 10 and the number of band images to be held is 2, the band images 502a and 502c having higher creation times are the holding targets. It becomes. Here, the case of holding two band images has been described as an example, but the number of band images to be held is not limited to two and can be arbitrarily changed. The above is the content of the print data storage form selection process according to the present embodiment.

<About print processing>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the printing process based on the print data created and stored in the print data creation process of FIG. 4 according to the present embodiment. When the control unit 210 receives a print processing execution instruction based on a print job stored in the spool unit 306, which is input by the user via the operation panel 220, the following processing is executed.

  In step S701, the print job management unit 301 sets the target page to be processed as the first page.

  In step S <b> 702, the print job management unit 301 reads the print job saved in the spool unit 306 and the print data for each page of the page of interest.

  In step S703, the print job management unit 301 stores all band images constituting the page image as shown in the page-by-page print data 502 in FIG. 5 as the storage form of the page-by-page print data read out in step S702. It is determined whether it is. If the determination result in step S703 is true, the process proceeds to step S704. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S705.

  If YES is determined in step S703, in step S704, the print job management unit 301 transmits the print data for each page read in step S702 to the engine 230 via the print data transmission unit 303. The engine 230 forms an image on a recording medium based on the transmitted print data for each page. Next, the process proceeds to step S714.

  If NO is determined in step S703, in step S705, the print job management unit 301 sets the attention area to be processed as the edge area of the page. Specifically, when a band image corresponding to the upper end area of the page exists as in the print data for each page 503, the attention area is set as the upper end area. On the other hand, when there is a band image corresponding to the lower end area of the page as in the print data for each page 504, the attention area is set as the lower end area. If there is no band image corresponding to the edge area of the page, the attention area is set as the upper edge area of the page.

  In step S706, the print job management unit 301 determines whether there is a band image corresponding to the attention area. If the determination result in step S706 is true, the process proceeds to step S707. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S708.

  If YES is determined in step S706, the print job management unit 301 transmits a band image corresponding to the region of interest to the engine 230 via the print data transmission unit 303 in step S707. The engine 230 forms an image on a recording medium based on the transmitted band image. Next, the process proceeds to step S710.

  If NO is determined in step S706, in step S708, the print job management unit 301 requests the image processing unit 304 to create a band image corresponding to the attention area. Receiving the band image creation request from the print job management unit 301, the image processing unit 304 creates a band image based on the DL, and transmits the created band image to the engine 230 via the print data transmission unit 303. Next, the process proceeds to step S709.

  In step S709, the engine 230 forms an image on the recording medium based on the band image transmitted in step S708. Next, the process proceeds to step S710.

  In step S710, the print job management unit 301 determines whether the attention area is the final area of the attention page. If the determination result in step S710 is true, the process proceeds to step S712. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S711.

  If NO is determined in step S710, the print job management unit 301 sets the attention area as the next area in step S711, and the process returns to step S706. When the attention area is set as the upper end area in step S705, the setting in this step is set in order from the upper end area downward (in descending order). On the other hand, when the attention area is set as the lower end area in step S705, the setting in this step is set in order (in ascending order) from the lower end area.

  Consider the case where the page of interest is the second page. In this case, as described above, the print data is stored in a form that holds the upper band image group or a form that holds the lower band image group. Image formation based on print data including the upper band image group is executed from the upper end of the page, while image formation based on print data including the lower band image group is executed from the lower end of the page. In consideration of this, the following steps S712 and S713 are executed.

  If YES is determined in step S710, in step S712, the print job management unit 301 holds a lower end band image group in which the storage form of the print data for each page read in step S702 is as shown in the print data for each page 504. It is determined whether it is a form to do. If the determination result in step S712 is true, the process proceeds to step S713. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S714.

  In step S713, the output unit 240 executes a vertical inversion process that inverts the recording medium on which the image is formed.

  In step S714, the output unit 240 outputs the recording medium on which the image is formed.

  In step S715, the print job management unit 301 determines whether the page of interest is the last page. If the result of the determination in step S715 is true, the series of processes ends. If the result of the determination is false, the process proceeds to step S716.

  In step S716, the print job management unit 301 sets the page of interest as the next page, and returns to step S702. The above is the content of the printing process according to the present embodiment.

  As described above, in this embodiment, for the first page to be printed first, the print data is stored in a form that holds all the band images constituting the page image. Accordingly, it is not necessary to execute the RIP process for the first page when printing is performed, and image formation can be started without waiting time when printing execution is instructed, so that the efficiency of the entire printing process is improved.

[Example 2]
In the first embodiment, all the band images are held for the first page, the upper band image group or the lower band image group is held for the second page, and the band images having a long creation time are held for the subsequent pages. To do. This embodiment corresponds to a case where there is a sufficient free space in the storage device (spool unit), and more band images after RIP processing are stored than in the first embodiment. Specifically, all the band images are held for a predetermined number of pages printed in the early stage, and the upper end band image group or lower end band image group is held for a plurality of pages printed in the middle stage, and printed at the end stage. One or a plurality of band images having a long creation time is held for a page to be created.

  In the following, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the same configuration and the same processing as in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

<About storage format selection processing>
Hereinafter, the storage form selection processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The following processing is executed by the selection unit 307.

  In step S801, it is determined whether the number of target pages to be processed is equal to or less than the first threshold Th1. If the determination result in step S801 is true, the process proceeds to step S802. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S803.

  If YES is determined in step S801, in step S802, a mode for holding all of the plurality of band images constituting the image of the page of interest is selected as the storage mode of the print data for each page, and the series of processing ends.

  If NO is determined in step S801, it is determined in step S803 whether the number of pages of interest to be processed is greater than the first threshold Th1 and less than or equal to the second threshold Th2. If the determination result in step S803 is true, the process proceeds to step S804. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S808. Note that the selection unit 307 holds the first threshold value Th1 used in step S801 and the second threshold value Th2 used in step S803 in advance. The thresholds Th1 and Th2 are natural numbers that can be arbitrarily set by the user, but may be determined based on the number of recording media staying in the printing apparatus (where Th1 <Th2). For example, when the number of recording media staying in the printing apparatus is 5, the first threshold Th1 is determined to be 5, and the second threshold Th2 is determined to be 10 that is twice the first threshold Th1. However, the relationship between the first threshold Th1 and the second threshold Th2 is not limited to this, and the thresholds Th1 and Th2 may be arbitrarily determined.

  If YES is determined in step S803, it is determined in step S804 whether the creation time of the upper band image group is longer than the creation time of the lower band image group. If the determination result in step S804 is true, the process proceeds to step S806. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to S805.

  If NO is determined in step S804, it is determined in step S805 whether the creation time of the lower band image group is longer than the inversion processing time. If the determination result in step S805 is true, the process proceeds to step S807. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S806.

  If YES is determined in step S804, or if NO is determined in step S805, in step S806, the upper-end band image group as indicated by the page-by-page print data 503 is held as the storage form of the page-by-page print data. The form to be selected is selected. Specifically, the print data for each page is stored as a top band image group among a plurality of band images constituting a page image, and a band image excluding the top band image group among the plurality of band images. The form for storing the corresponding DL is selected.

  If YES is determined in step S805, in step S807, a mode for holding the lower end band image group as shown by the page-by-page print data 504 is selected as the page-by-page print data storage mode. Specifically, as the storage form of the print data for each page, a lower end band image group among a plurality of band images constituting the page image, and a band image excluding the lower end band image group among the plurality of band images. The form for storing the corresponding DL is selected.

  If NO is determined in step S803, in step S808, as a storage form of the print data for each page, a form for holding a predetermined number of band images that require time for creation as shown in the print data for each page 505 is selected. A band image to be retained is determined. Specifically, as a storage form of print data for each page, each of a predetermined number (one or a plurality) of band images having a long creation time among a plurality of band images constituting the page image, and other band images. Is selected to store the DL corresponding to. The above is the content of the storage type selection process according to the present embodiment.

  As described above, in this embodiment, more band images are stored than in the first embodiment. Thereby, the amount of RIP processing at the time of printing execution can be reduced, and the efficiency of the entire printing process can be improved.

[Example 3]
In this embodiment, the band image is stored as long as the capacity of the storage device (spool unit) permits. In the following, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the same configuration and the same processing as in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

<About storage format selection processing>
Hereinafter, the storage form selection processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The following processing is executed by the selection unit 307.

  In step S <b> 901, it is determined whether the print data for each page can be stored in a form that holds all the band images constituting the page image. If the determination result in step S901 is true, the process proceeds to step S902. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S903.

  If it is determined YES in step S901, in step S902, a form for holding all band images constituting the page image is selected as a storage form for the print data for each page, and the series of processing ends.

  If NO in step S901, it is determined in step S903 whether the creation time of the upper band image group is longer than the creation time of the lower band image group. If the determination result in step S903 is true, the process proceeds to step SS905. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S904.

  If NO is determined in step S903, it is determined in step S904 whether the creation time of the lower end band image group is longer than the inversion processing time. If the determination result in step S904 is true, the process proceeds to step S907. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S905.

  If YES is determined in step S903, or if NO is determined in step S904, in step S905, the print data for each page is stored in the form of holding the upper end band image group as indicated by the print data for each page 503. It is determined whether it can be saved. If the determination result in step S905 is true, the process proceeds to step S906. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S909.

  If YES is determined in step S905, in step S906, a form that holds the upper end band image group is selected as a storage form of the print data for each page. Specifically, the print data for each page is stored as a top band image group among a plurality of band images constituting a page image, and a band image excluding the top band image group among the plurality of band images. The form for storing the corresponding DL is selected.

  If YES is determined in step S904, it is determined in step S907 whether the page-by-page print data can be stored in a form in which a lower end band image group as indicated by the page-by-page print data 504 is held. If the determination result in step S907 is true, the process proceeds to step S908. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S909.

  If YES is determined in step S907, in step S908, a form that holds the lower end band image group is selected as a storage form of the print data for each page. Specifically, as the storage form of the print data for each page, a lower end band image group among a plurality of band images constituting the page image, and a band image excluding the lower end band image group among the plurality of band images. The form for storing the corresponding DL is selected.

  If NO is determined in step S905, or if NO is determined in step S907, the band image to be retained is determined in step S909 based on the free capacity of the spool unit 306 and the creation time of each band image. Is done. The above is the content of the storage type selection process according to the present embodiment.

  As described above, in this embodiment, as many band images as the capacity of the storage device (spool unit) allows are stored. Thereby, the amount of RIP processing at the time of printing execution can be reduced, and the efficiency of the entire printing process can be improved.

[Other Examples]
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

Claims (13)

Display list creation means for creating a display list in units of bands on each page based on print data included in the print job;
Band image creation means for creating a band image that is an image obtained by dividing the page image of each page based on the created band-by-band display list;
Selection means for selecting a storage form of print data for each page based on the output order of the pages and the creation time of each of the band images on each page;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a storage unit configured to store the print data for each page in the selected storage form. The selection means, as the storage form,
A first mode for holding all of a plurality of band images constituting the page image;
A second mode for holding a top band image group that is a plurality of band images continuous from the top edge of the page image;
A third embodiment that holds a lower end band image group that is a plurality of band images continuous from the lower end of the page image, or a predetermined number of band images having a higher creation time among a plurality of band images constituting the page image The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus selects any one of the fourth forms holding the image. The selection means includes
As the storage form of the print data for the first page, the first form is selected,
Select the second form or the third form as the print data storage form of the second page,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fourth form is selected as a storage form of print data for the third and subsequent pages. A first determination unit for determining whether or not the creation time of the upper end band image group of the second page is longer than the creation time of the lower end band image group of the second page;
When the first determination unit determines that the creation time of the upper end band image group is longer than the creation time of the lower end band image group, the selection unit, as a storage form of the print data of the second page, The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second form is selected. A second determination means for determining whether or not the creation time of the lower end band image group of the second page is longer than a reversal processing time necessary for reversing the top and bottom of the recording medium on which the image is formed;
The first determination means determines that the creation time of the upper end band image group is equal to or less than the creation time of the lower end band image group, and the second determination means determines that the creation time of the lower end band image group is 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when it is determined that the time is longer than the inversion processing time, the selection unit selects the third form as the print data storage form of the second page.   The first determination means determines that the creation time of the upper end band image group is equal to or less than the creation time of the lower end band image group, and the second determination means determines that the creation time of the lower end band image group is 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when it is determined that the time is equal to or less than the inversion processing time, the selection unit selects the second form as the print data storage form of the second page. The selection means includes
The first form is selected as a print data storage form for pages whose output order is equal to or less than a first threshold Th1,
Select the second form or the third form as the print data storage form of the page whose output order is greater than the first threshold Th1 and equal to or less than the second threshold Th2,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fourth form is selected as a print data storage form for pages whose output order is greater than the second threshold Th2. First determination means for determining whether or not the creation time of the upper band image group is greater than the creation time of the lower band image group for pages whose output order is greater than the first threshold Th1 and less than or equal to the second threshold Th2. Further comprising
When the first determination unit determines that the creation time of the upper end band image group is longer than the creation time of the lower end band image group, the selection unit is configured to store the print data of the page as the storage form of the first The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein two types are selected. For pages whose output order is greater than the first threshold Th1 and less than or equal to the second threshold Th2, the creation time of the lower band image group is the inversion processing necessary to invert the recording medium on which the image is formed. A second determining means for determining whether or not the time is greater than the time;
The first determination means determines that the creation time of the upper end band image group is equal to or less than the creation time of the lower end band image group, and the second determination means determines that the creation time of the lower end band image group is 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when it is determined that the time is longer than the inversion processing time, the selection unit selects the third form as the print data storage form of the page.   The first determination means determines that the creation time of the upper end band image group is equal to or less than the creation time of the lower end band image group, and the second determination means determines that the creation time of the lower end band image group is 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, when it is determined that the time is equal to or less than the inversion processing time, the selection unit selects the second form as a storage form of the print data of the page. Display list creation means for creating a display list in units of bands on each page based on print data included in the print job;
Band image creation means for creating a band image that is an image obtained by dividing the page image of each page based on the created band-by-band display list;
A selection means for selecting a storage form of print data for each page;
Storage means for storing the print data for each page in the selected storage form;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects the storage mode based on a free space of the storage unit and a creation time of the band image in each page. Creating a band-by-band display list for each page based on the print data contained in the print job;
Creating a band image that is an image obtained by dividing the page image of each page based on the created band-by-band display list;
Selecting the storage form of the print data for each page based on the output order of the pages and the creation time of each of the band images on each page;
And a step of storing the print data for each page in the selected storage mode.   A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 12.