JP2019142163A - Printer, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

Even if a printing apparatus has a single buffer for storing image data received from the outside, high-speed printing is continuously performed by mixing low-speed jobs with high-speed jobs. According to the present invention, an analyzing unit for analyzing a print job, a receiving unit for receiving image data, a buffer for storing the received image data, and performing image processing on the image data stored in the buffer. A printing device that prints at a different printing speed based on setting information, comprising: a creating unit that creates recording data; and a recording unit that records an image on a recording medium based on the recording data. Based on a value indicating a mode for operating the printing apparatus when printing the print job and a value for each page indicating a state of a page to be processed, which is derived based on setting information, the receiving unit sets the image based on the image. The apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines a page to receive data. [Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs continuous printing, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In the field of high-speed printing such as commercial use, a technique is known in which a cut sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit is fed to the next cut sheet to be fed. This technique can reduce the time required for printing a plurality of pages, compared to a method in which the next page is fed after the page is completely ejected. Such a series of operations of paper feeding, recording, and paper ejection in parallel is called continuous printing.

  In an inkjet printer that can perform continuous printing, if the printing operation stops for some reason during the printing operation, all the paper on the transport path will be discharged, or the registration adjustment for ink ejection will be performed when printing resumes. Such a preparatory action must be performed. Since such an operation requires time, printing productivity is reduced. Therefore, it is important to continue the operation time without stopping the apparatus as much as possible.

  By the way, in the field of recent high-speed printing, it is necessary to achieve both high-resolution printing and printing of a large paper size. In this case, the image data size becomes very large, and image processing for creating recording data necessary for printing high-resolution image data may not be in time for the timing at which recording can be started. For example, when printing at a resolution of 1200 dpi, the image data size is four times that when printing at a resolution of 600 dpi, so a four times higher image processing speed is required.

  However, since the performance of the apparatus (in this case, the image processing speed) is limited, when printing at a resolution of 1200 dpi, high-speed printing equivalent to printing at a resolution of 600 dpi while performing image processing page by page Achieving speed is difficult. Therefore, for a job that does not meet the timing at which image processing (creation of recording data) can be started, printing is performed at a lower printing speed. In this way, a job that needs to reduce the printing speed is referred to as a “low-speed job”, and a job that does not need to reduce the printing speed is referred to as a “high-speed job”.

  However, even with high resolution printing, when printing multiple copies of the same page, the recording data created by one image processing can be used repeatedly multiple times to achieve the same speed as standard resolution. Printing can be realized. The reason for this is that with multi-copy printing, image processing for creating recording data for the next page can be performed while recording data is repeatedly used and recorded multiple times. Even if it is a low-speed job that would otherwise take a long time, image processing for creating recording data for the page to be recorded is executed while a plurality of preceding pages are being recorded. Printing can be performed at the same printing speed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for efficiently printing a high-speed job and a low-speed job simultaneously by performing image processing of a low-speed job with a small number of copies while recording a high-speed job with a large number of copies. Yes.

JP-A-10-287000

  By the way, as an apparatus that performs continuous printing becomes widespread, a technique for printing a high-speed job and a low-speed job more efficiently and suppressing a reduction in printing throughput is required.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to suppress a decrease in printing throughput.

  The present invention stores an analysis unit that analyzes a print job based on setting information included in the print job, a reception unit that sequentially receives image data for each page included in the print job, and stores the received image data An image processing unit that performs image processing on the image data stored in the buffer to create recording data, and a recording unit that records an image on a recording medium based on the recording data. A printing apparatus that prints at a printing speed changed according to the print job based on the setting information, and is derived based on the setting information, and has a mode for operating the printing apparatus when printing the print job. First determining means for determining the page of the image data received by the receiving means based on the indicated value and the value for each page indicating the state of the page to be processed A printing apparatus characterized by further comprising.

  According to the present invention, even if the printing apparatus has a single buffer for storing image data received from the outside, high-speed printing can be continuously executed by mixing low-speed jobs with high-speed jobs. It becomes.

The figure which shows the structure of the printing apparatus in this invention Block diagram for explaining a hardware configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a software configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. A table that holds information of image data that can be processed by the printing apparatus according to the present invention and the time required for each process for the image data Page list that manages information for each page User interface for enabling the mode to mix low-speed jobs Flowchart of operation mode determination processing in the first embodiment Page state transition diagram Flowchart of print processing in embodiment 1 Flowchart of image data reception processing in the first embodiment Flowchart of recording data creation processing in Embodiment 1 The figure which shows an example of the state transition for every page at the time of interrupting and printing a low-speed job in a high-speed job in Embodiment 1. Flowchart of image data reception process in embodiment 2 The figure which shows an example of the state transition for every page at the time of interrupting and printing a low-speed job in a high-speed job in Embodiment 2.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the relative arrangement of the constituent elements described below, the device shape, and the like are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them. In this specification, the “printing apparatus” is not limited to a dedicated machine specialized for printing functions, but is a multifunction machine that combines printing functions and other functions, or manufacturing that forms an image or pattern on a recording medium such as paper. Including devices.

<About the overall configuration of the printing device>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing apparatus that prints on cut paper (paper that has been trimmed to a predetermined size such as L size, A4, and A3). The printing apparatus 100 includes a paper feed tray 101, a paper conveyance rotation roller 104, a recording head 105, and a scanner unit 107. The printing apparatus 100 supports printing of cut sheets of various sizes and paper types, but the paper set in one paper feed tray is any one type of cut paper. In this example, the printing apparatus 100 includes a single sheet feeding tray 101. However, the printing apparatus 100 may include a plurality of sheet feeding trays.

  The printing apparatus 100 includes an ink tank 106, a drying unit 108, a paper reversing unit 109, a sorting unit 110, a paper discharge tray 111, and a disposal tray 112. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 100 includes a control unit 113 configured with a CPU or the like. The control unit 113 includes a controller and various I / O interfaces, and controls various controls of the entire printing apparatus 100.

  The paper drawn from the paper feed tray 101 is conveyed along the direction of arrow a. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed along the arrow b direction by the sheet conveying rotation roller 104. In addition, the sheet conveying rotation roller is arranged over the entire conveying path other than the reference numeral 104 in the drawing, and the sheet can be conveyed to a predetermined place by motor control. The paper fed from the paper feed tray 101 passes under the recording head 105 through the transport path.

  The recording head 105 has a structure in which independent ink-jet heads for a plurality of colors (six colors in this example) are arranged in order along the paper transport direction. The recording head 105 forms an image on the paper by ejecting ink in synchronization with the conveyance of the paper. The ink tank 106 stores ink of each color independently (not shown in FIG. 1). The recording head 105 and the ink tank 106 are connected by a tube, and ink is supplied from the ink tank 106 to the recording head 105.

  The recording head 105 has a structure in which line heads of respective colors (six colors in this example) are arranged in order along the sheet conveyance direction (that is, the arrow b direction) during recording. Each color line head may be seamlessly formed with a single nozzle tip, or may be one in which divided nozzle tips are regularly arranged in a single row or a staggered arrangement. . In this example, the recording head 105 is a so-called full multihead in which nozzles are arranged in a range that covers the printing width of the maximum paper to be used. As an ink jet method for ejecting ink from a nozzle, a method using a heating element, a method using a piezo element, a method using an electrostatic element, a method using a MEMS element, or the like can be employed. Ink is ejected from the nozzles of each head based on the recording data. The printing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to an ink jet printer. The present invention is applicable to printers of various printing systems such as sublimation type or thermal transfer type thermal printers, dot impact printers, LED printers, and laser printers.

  The paper recorded by the recording head 105 is transported to the scanner unit 107 by the paper transport rotating roller 104. The scanner unit 107 is a unit that checks whether an image has been printed without a problem, checks the state of the apparatus, or the like by reading an image or special pattern formed on a sheet. The scanner unit 107 can also read the state of the back side of the printing surface, and can detect a shift in the printing position between the front side and the back side by reading the front side and the back side on which a predetermined pattern is printed. Is possible.

  The sheet that has passed under the scanner unit 107 is conveyed in the direction of arrow c and passes through the drying unit 108. The drying unit 108 is a unit that heats the paper passing through the unit with warm air in order to dry the paper to which ink has been applied in a short time.

  The paper that has passed through the drying unit 108 is conveyed along the direction of the arrow d and passes through the paper reversing unit 109. The sheet reversing unit 109 is a unit that conveys the sheet so as to reverse the front and back of the passing sheet. There are two methods for reversing the paper, such as the switchback method and the method of gently twisting the transport path. The switchback method requires that the movement of the paper be stopped, whereas the method of twisting the transport path transports the paper. The speed can be kept constant, which is suitable for faster printing.

  The sheet that has passed through the sheet reversing unit 109 is conveyed along the direction of the arrow e, and at that time, the front and the back are reversed. Thereafter, the sheet is transported along the direction of arrow f, returned to the transport path in which the ink jet heads of each color are arranged, and recording by the recording head 105 is performed again.

  In this way, the routes b to c to d to e to f b are configured as circulating routes. The number of sheets that can exist simultaneously on this circulation path is called the number of sheets that can be circulated. The number of sheets that can be circulated varies depending on the size of the sheet. For example, when the number of sheets that can be circulated of A3 size is three, a maximum of three sheets of A3 size can be simultaneously conveyed on paths b to c to d to f to b. Means.

  On the other hand, the paper on which recording has been completed branches without passing through the paper reversing unit 109 and is conveyed along the direction of the arrow g, and reaches the sorting unit 110 as a result. That is, in the case of single-sided printing, the paper is branched in the middle of the first round of the circulation path and conveyed along the direction of the arrow g. In the case of double-sided printing, the paper is branched in the middle of the second round of the circulation path. It is conveyed along the g direction. In the sorting unit 110, the image recorded on the sheet is recognized by the sensor, and the sheet passing through the sorting unit 110 is stacked on any tray corresponding to the recognized image.

  The sorting unit 110 has a plurality of (in this example, five stages) trays, sorts sheets according to conditions such as job units and copy units, and stacks the sorted sheets on each tray. The tray includes a paper discharge tray 111 that discharges paper that has been successfully printed, and a waste tray 112 that discards paper used for maintenance and low-quality paper. The paper branched in the arrow h direction by the sorting unit 110 is conveyed to one of the paper discharge trays 111, while the paper branched in the arrow i direction is conveyed to the waste tray 112.

  The paper sensor 115 detects whether the circulating paper has reached the position of the paper sensor 115. When the paper sensor 115 detects the arrival of the paper, the control unit 113 prohibits paper feeding from the paper feed tray 101. Although only one sheet sensor 115 is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of sheet sensors 115 can be arranged, and the sensor used for detection may be appropriately changed depending on the sheet size and the sheet conveyance speed. .

<About the hardware configuration of the printing device>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 100 according to the present invention. The printing apparatus 100 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202 that stores a control program and fixed data, and a RAM 203 that stores information (setting information) about print job settings received from an external apparatus 210 such as a host computer and work data. . The printing apparatus 100 also includes a reception buffer 204 that stores image data received from the external apparatus 210 and a transfer buffer 205 that stores recording data to be transferred to the recording head 105. In general, the reception buffer 204 is constituted by an HDD, while the transfer buffer 205 is constituted by a RAM in order to realize a high transfer rate.

  In order to maximize the performance of the printing apparatus 100 and perform printing efficiently, the reception buffer 204 is an image of several pages including a sheet for the paper conveyance path and a page for image processing. It is necessary to secure at least a capacity for storing data. In order to print efficiently, the transfer buffer 205 can store two pages of image data for writing to write recording data created by image processing and for reading to read and transfer recording data. It is necessary to secure at least capacity. When the capacity of the reception buffer 204 or the transfer buffer 205 is insufficient, continuous printing is delayed.

  The printing apparatus 100 receives data related to the print job transmitted from the external apparatus 210 via the communication unit 206. Among the data received by the printing apparatus 100, the print job setting information is stored in the RAM 203 in a list format (see FIG. 5) described later, while the bitmap format image data is stored in the reception buffer 204.

  The operation unit 207 includes a tray on which the printed sheets are stacked, a printing status (for example, during printing, printing has been completed, an error has occurred, etc.), and a status of the printing apparatus 100 (for example, remaining ink amount, remaining paper amount, etc. It is composed of a display, buttons, etc. for displaying information relating to the above. The user can check the status of the printing apparatus 100 by looking at the message displayed on the display. Further, the user can input various instructions (for example, instructions for performing maintenance such as head cleaning) or register various data via the operation unit 207.

  The image processing unit 208 is configured by a circuit or the like, and manages image processing in the printing apparatus 100. Recording data necessary for recording with the recording head 105 is created by image processing executed by the image processing unit 208. The recording data is stored in the transfer buffer 205. The printer engine 209 forms an image on a sheet by driving the recording head 105 based on the recording data transmitted from the image processing unit 208.

  The external device 210 is a computer that performs RIP processing for creating bitmap format image data, processing related thereto, and the like. However, the external device 210 may be a reader that reads an image.

<About the software configuration of the printing device>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the printing apparatus 100 according to the present invention.

  The external device 210 creates a print job based on an instruction from the user. The print job includes print data described in PDL and setting information. Further, the external apparatus 210 creates bitmap format image data by performing RIP processing on the print data included in the print job, and transmits the created image data and setting information to the printing apparatus 100. Furthermore, the external apparatus 210 can present the print job status (progress etc.) to the user based on the information received from the printing apparatus 100. The printing apparatus 100 executes a printing process that forms an image on a sheet based on the image data and setting information transmitted from the external apparatus 210.

  The printing apparatus 100 includes a control unit 303 and an image processing unit 304. The control unit 303 is realized by the program stored in the ROM 202 being expanded in the RAM 203 and the CPU 201 executing the expanded program. Similarly, the image processing unit 304 is realized by using the image processing unit 208 when the CPU 201 executes a program expanded in the RAM 203.

  The control unit 303 analyzes and manages the print job. The image processing unit 304 executes image processing on the image data transmitted from the external device 210 in accordance with the analysis result of the print job or the instruction from the user input via the operation unit 207, and the created recording data Is transferred to the printer engine 209. The printer engine 209 records an image on a sheet such as an appropriate size cut sheet based on the recording data transmitted from the image processing unit 304 in accordance with the control signal transmitted from the control unit 303.

  Hereinafter, the control unit 303 will be described in detail. The setting information receiving unit 307 receives the print job setting information transmitted from the external device 210 via the communication unit 206, transfers the received setting information to the job analysis unit 308, and analyzes the print job. Ask. The job analysis unit 308 analyzes the print job based on the setting information transferred from the setting information receiving unit 307 or input via the operation unit 207. For example, the job analysis unit 308 derives an operation mode value of the print job according to an operation mode determination process (see FIG. 7) described later. Then, the job analysis unit 308 creates a list (see FIG. 5) for holding information obtained by analyzing the print job including such processing, and stores it in the RAM 203.

  The user interface control unit 309 displays a user interface such as a menu screen (for example, a user interface 601 described later) on the display of the operation unit 207. Also, the user interface control unit 309 saves the contents such as the setting information input by the user via the operation unit 207 in the RAM 203 or transmits it in response to a request from the job analysis unit 308.

  The job management unit 310 performs an image processing request to the image processing unit 304 by the image processing management unit 311 and a printer by the print information transfer unit 312 which are performed on each page of the print job according to the analysis result of the job analysis unit 308. Controls a print processing request to the engine 209. At this time, the job management unit 310 refers to a page list 501 shown in FIG. 5 to be described later, and processes in order from the upper page in the list.

  The image processing management unit 311 requests the image processing unit 304 to receive image data transmitted from the external device 210 and to perform image processing (creation of recording data) based on the received image data. Specifically, the image processing management unit 311 determines a page for receiving image data in an image data receiving process described later (step S1001 in FIG. 10), and notifies the image processing unit 304 of the page. Further, the image processing management unit 311 determines a page on which image processing is performed in a recording data creation process described later (step S1110 in FIG. 11), and notifies the image processing unit 304 of the page.

  The print information transfer unit 312 transmits a control signal based on print job setting information to the printer engine 209 in accordance with an instruction from the job management unit 310.

  Next, the image processing unit 304 will be described in detail. The image processing unit 304 receives image data transmitted from the external device 210 in accordance with an instruction from the image processing management unit 311. Specifically, the reception unit 313 sequentially receives image data via the communication unit 206 and stores the received image data in the reception buffer 204. Then, the image processing unit 304 uses the image processing unit 208 to execute image processing for creating recording data based on the image data stored in the reception buffer 204. This image processing includes color conversion processing and quantization processing. If the RIP process is not executed by the external device 210, the image processing unit 304 may execute the RIP process. The transfer unit 314 stores the recording data created by the image processing unit 304 in the transfer buffer 205 and transfers the stored recording data to the printer engine 209.

<Regarding Table Holding Information of Image Data Processable by Printing Apparatus>
FIG. 4 is a table that holds information such as the paper size of image data that can be processed by the printing apparatus 100 and information related to the performance of the printing apparatus 100 (specifically, the time required for each process for image data) in association with each other. FIG. The table 401 is stored in advance in the ROM 202 for the purpose of holding information unique to the printing apparatus 100, and the image processing management unit 311 refers to the table 401 when executing processing shown in FIG.

  The table 401 holds values of items of a paper size 402, a resolution 403, a data size 404, a reception time 405, an image processing time 406, a transfer time 407, and a recording time 408. The value of the paper size 402 is a character string indicating a general paper name such as A4 or Letter. The value of the resolution 403 is an integer value, and its unit is dpi. The value of the data size 404 is a numerical value indicating the size of the image data received from the external device 210, and its unit is byte. In this example, the data size value corresponding to the paper size and resolution is stored in the table 401 as a fixed value in advance. However, the data size value is not stored in the table 401, and the paper size And the resolution may be derived based on each value.

  The reception time 405 is a value indicating the time required for the reception processing of the image data by the reception unit 313, and its unit is ms. Since the reception speed in the reception unit 313 is constant, the value of the reception time may be derived based on the value of the data size 404 and the reception speed without holding the value in the table 401.

  The image processing time 406 is a value indicating the time required for image processing for creating recording data by the image processing unit 208, and its unit is ms. Since the image processing speed in the image processing unit 208 is constant, the value of the image processing time is not held in the table 401 and is derived based on the value of the data size 404 and the image processing speed in the image processing unit 208. Also good.

  The transfer time 407 is a value indicating the time required for the transfer process of the recording data by the transfer unit 314, and its unit is ms. Since the transfer rate in the transfer unit 314 is constant, the transfer time value may be derived based on the value of the data size 404 and the transfer rate without being held in the table 401.

  The recording time 408 is a value indicating the time required for the recording process based on the recording data by the recording head 105, and its unit is ms. Since the recording time is based on the recording speed of the recording head 105, as shown in FIG. 4, for the same paper size, the recording time for the low speed job and the recording time for the high speed job are the same value. Take.

<About the page list>
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a page list 501 used for managing information (also referred to as page data) for each page. The page list 501 is created by the job analysis unit 308 and stored in the RAM 203. The page list 501 holds values of items of job ID 502, page ID 503, paper size 504, resolution 505, number of copies 506, operation mode 507, and page status 508.

  The value of job ID 502 is an integer value for identifying a print job. The value of the page ID 503 is an integer value for identifying the page, and is defined in ascending order such that the value of the first page is 1 and the value of the next page is 2 in the same job. The value of the paper size 504 is a character string indicating a general paper name such as A4 or Letter. The value of the resolution 505 is an integer value indicating the resolution of the page, and its unit is dpi. The value of the number of copies 506 is an integer value indicating the number of printed sheets. Each value of the paper size 504, resolution 505, and number of copies 506 of each page is notified as a command from the external device 210, and the control unit 303 analyzes the notified command by the job analysis unit 308, so that the control unit 303 Get the value of. In this example, in order to prevent the printing speed from being changed depending on the page for each value of the paper size 504, the resolution 505, and the number of copies 506 for each page printed in the same job, the external device 210 performs the same operation on all pages. A common value is set.

  The value of the operation mode 507 is a character string indicating a predetermined operation mode, which is obtained by processing described later (see FIG. 7). In this example, for each page, one of four values indicating four operation modes of “high speed”, “low speed”, “low speed mixed”, and “interrupt” is set. The value of the page status 508 is a character string indicating the status related to the page to be printed. In this example, for each page, six values indicating six states of “waiting for reception”, “receiving”, “received”, “processing image”, “transferring”, “recording standby”, and “recording” One of the values is set. The values of the number of copies 506 and the page status 508 vary depending on the progress of printing.

  The job management unit 310 decrements the value of the number of copies 506 of the corresponding page held in the page list 501 each time it receives a paper discharge completion notification regarding an arbitrary page transmitted from the print information transfer unit 312. Further, the job management unit 310 and the image processing management unit 311 update the value of the operation mode 507 and the value of the page state 508 according to the progress status of the print job.

  The job management unit 310 holds the page data newly obtained by the analysis of the job analysis unit 308 by adding a row to the bottom of the page list 501. Also, the job management unit 310 receives a discharge completion notification regarding an arbitrary page, and when the value of the number of copies 506 held in the page list 501 is decremented to 0, the information on the corresponding page is read from the page list 501. Delete line by line. When the job management unit 310 changes the order of the rows in the page list 501, interruption and priority (that is, the order of pages to be printed) can be changed.

<User interface>
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a user interface 601 that allows the user to select a behavior at the time of job interruption. A user interface 601 is displayed on the operation unit 207. The user interface 601 includes a message describing the mixed mode, a valid button 602, and an invalid button 603. The printing apparatus 100 operates in the “mixed mode” in which a high-resolution, low-speed job with a small number of copies is interrupted and printed with a high-speed job with a large number of copies without restarting the printer engine 209. Note that the printing apparatus 100 also operates in the “normal interrupt mode” in which the printer engine 209 may need to be restarted when a job interrupt occurs. Via the user interface 601, the user selects either the mixed mode or the normal interrupt mode. The mixed mode is a mode in which printing is difficult to stop, but an interrupt job may be delayed in processing. The normal interrupt mode is a mode in which an interrupt job is processed with the highest priority even after printing is stopped.

  When enabling the mixed mode, the user presses the enable button 602, while when enabling the normal interrupt mode, the user presses the disable button 603. The content input by the user via the user interface 601 is notified to the user interface control unit 309. The user interface control unit 309 stores 1 in the RAM 203 as a user setting value related to the mixed mode, when the valid button 602 is pressed, and when the invalid button 603 is selected. Note that the user interface 601 is displayed on the operation unit 207 when the user presses a setting change button on the home screen displayed on the operation unit 207 of the printing apparatus 100. Alternatively, the user interface 601 may be displayed on the operation unit 207 by requesting the user interface control unit 309 to display when the job analysis unit 308 detects an interrupt job.

[Embodiment 1]
In the present embodiment, a low-speed job that does not meet the timing at which recording data creation can start recording is mixed in a high-speed job that prints a plurality of copies of the same page, so that the print speed is not reduced. At this time, control is performed so that image data of a low-speed job is not stored in the reception buffer 204 more than one page. The reception buffer 204 stores image data for several pages of high-speed jobs necessary for printing without reducing the printing speed even if image data for one page (high resolution) of a low-speed job is stored. It is assumed that the capacity is assured. The image data for the number of high-speed jobs is the total image data of the sheet existing in the sheet conveyance path and one page for image processing.

<Operation mode determination processing>
Hereinafter, the operation mode determination process in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the operation mode determination process, a process for deriving the value of the operation mode 507 of the page list 501 is performed.

  In the present embodiment, the value of the operation mode 507 is assumed to be one of four values “interrupt”, “high speed”, “low speed”, and “low speed mixed”. “Interrupt” indicates a mode in which a designated print job is preferentially printed unconditionally. “High speed” indicates a mode in which printing is performed at a high printing speed because the image processing for creating the recording data is in time for the start of recording. On the other hand, “low speed” indicates a mode in which printing is performed at a slow printing speed because the image processing for creating the recording data is not in time for the timing at which recording can be started. “Low-speed mixing” means that a low-speed job is mixed with other high-speed jobs and printing is performed, so that printing can be performed at a printing speed equivalent to that at high-speed printing without restarting the printer engine 209. Indicates the mode. Here, the printing speed includes a conveyance speed for printing.

  The operation mode determination process is executed when the job analysis unit 308 registers the operation mode value in the page list 501 among the page data related to the first page of the print job to be processed (referred to as the job of interest). Regarding the operation mode values for the second and subsequent pages, the operation mode values for the same job held in the page list 501 are unchanged over all pages, and the operation mode values for the first page can be used as they are. Before executing the operation mode determination process, the job analysis unit 308 includes values indicating the paper size, resolution, and number of copies of the first page of the job of interest, and information indicating whether the job of interest is an interrupt job. It is assumed that the setting information is acquired by analyzing and stored in the RAM 203.

  In step S701, the job analysis unit 308 derives the time required for processing one page of the job of interest (referred to as page processing time). Specifically, the job analysis unit 308 acquires the image processing time and the transfer time corresponding to the paper size and resolution acquired by analyzing the setting information of the job of interest using the table shown in FIG. To do. Then, the larger one of the acquired image processing time and transfer time is stored in the RAM 203 as the page processing time. Here, the reason for adopting the larger of the image processing time and the transfer time is that the image processing for creating the recording data and the transfer processing of the recording data can be performed in parallel. This is because the larger one is used.

  In step S702, the job analysis unit 308 acquires the recording time corresponding to the paper size and resolution acquired by analyzing the setting information of the job of interest using the table shown in FIG. Then, the acquired recording time and the number of copies of the job of interest are integrated, and it is determined whether the page processing time derived in step S701 is smaller than this integrated value. If the determination result in step S702 is true, the process proceeds to step S703. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S706.

  First, a case where the determination result in step S702 is true will be described. In this case, in step S703, the job analysis unit 308 determines whether the job of interest is an interrupt job based on the information acquired and stored in the RAM 203 before the operation mode determination process. If the determination result in step S703 is false, the process proceeds to step S704. If the determination result is true, the process proceeds to step S705.

  In step S <b> 704, the job analysis unit 308 determines that the operation mode for the job of interest is “high speed”, and registers “high speed” in the page list 501 as the operation mode value of the job of interest.

  In step S <b> 705, the job analysis unit 308 determines that the operation mode for the job of interest is “interrupt”, and registers “interrupt” in the page list 501 as the operation mode value of the job of interest.

  Next, a case where the determination result in step S702 is false will be described. In this case, in step S706, the job analysis unit 308 determines whether the job of interest is an interrupt job as in step S703. If the determination result in step S706 is true, the process proceeds to step S708. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S707.

  In step S <b> 707, the job analysis unit 308 determines that the operation mode for the target job is “low speed”, and registers “low speed” in the page list 501 as the operation mode value of the target job.

  In step S708, the job analysis unit 308 determines whether the mixed mode is valid. Specifically, the job analysis unit 308 acquires a user setting value related to the mixed mode stored in the RAM 203, and determines that the user setting value is valid if the acquired user setting value is 1, and is invalid if the acquired user setting value is 0. If the determination result in step S708 is true, the process proceeds to step S709. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S705.

  In step S <b> 709, the job analysis unit 308 determines that the operation mode for the target job is “low-speed mixed”, and registers “low-speed mixed” as the operation mode value of the target job in the page list 501.

  The above is the content of the operation mode determination process in this embodiment.

<About page state transition>
Hereinafter, each value of the page state 508 which is one of the items of the page list 501 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  A reception wait 801 indicates a state in which page data is registered in the page list 501 and waiting for reception of image data. When adding a line to the page list 501, the job analysis unit 308 sets the page state value to “waiting for reception”.

  During reception 802 indicates a state in which the receiving unit 313 is receiving image data. At the timing when the image processing management unit 311 instructs the image processing unit 304 to start receiving image data, the job management unit 310 updates the page state value from “waiting for reception” to “being received”.

  Received 803 indicates a state where reception of image data by the receiving unit 313 is completed. When the image processing management unit 311 receives the image data reception completion notification from the image processing unit 304, the job management unit 310 updates the page state value from “receiving” to “received”.

  During image processing 804 indicates a state in which the image processing unit 304 is executing image processing for creating recording data. At the timing when the image processing management unit 311 instructs the image processing unit 304 to execute the image processing, the job management unit 310 updates the page state value from “Received” to “Image processing in progress”.

  During transfer 805 indicates a state in which the transfer unit 314 is transferring recording data to the printer engine 209. At a timing when the image processing management unit 311 instructs the image processing unit 304 to transfer recording data, the job management unit 310 updates the page state value from “image processing” to “transferring”.

  The recording wait 806 indicates a state of waiting for the start of recording after the transfer of the recording data is completed. When the image processing management unit 311 receives a recording data transfer completion notification from the image processing unit 304, the job management unit 310 updates the page state value from “transferring” to “recording wait”.

  During recording 807 indicates a state from when the paper is fed to when the recording by the recording head 105 is performed until the paper discharge is completed. At the timing when the print information transfer unit 312 instructs the printer engine 209 to record, the job management unit 310 updates the page status value from “recording waiting” to “recording”.

  The page state of the interrupting page (referred to as the interrupt page) transitions to “Recording” after “Transferring” without going through “Recording wait”, whereas the page that was interrupted The page status of “interrupted page” transitions from “recording” to “recording wait”.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the transfer buffer 205 has a capacity of two pages. In this case, when an interrupt occurs, the transfer buffer 205 is occupied by data of an interrupt page whose page state is “recording” and data of an interrupted page whose page state is “recording wait”. For this reason, when the interrupt page is received by the reception buffer 204, for the page whose page status is “Transferring” or “Waiting for recording”, the data is temporarily deleted from the transfer buffer 205 and the page status is “Receiving”. Transition to “Complete”. At this time, for a page whose page state is “image processing”, the page state transitions to “received” in order to guarantee the printing order of the pages. These state transitions are managed by the job management unit 310 updating the value of the page state 508 in the page list 501.

<About print processing>
Hereinafter, the printing process in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the processing shown in this flowchart is actually realized by the CPU 201 loading a control program stored in the ROM 202 or the HDD included in the printing apparatus 100 into the RAM 203 and executing the control program.

  In step S <b> 901, the setting information receiving unit 307 receives print job setting information transmitted from the external apparatus 210.

  In step S902, the job analysis unit 308 analyzes the print job based on the setting information received in step S901, and stores information obtained by the analysis in the RAM 203. Specifically, this information is information such as paper type (for example, plain paper, glossy paper, etc.), size (for example, A2, A3, etc.), printing surface (one side or both sides), resolution, number of copies, and the like. Further, the job analysis unit 308 creates a page list (see FIG. 5) based on these pieces of information and stores the page list in the RAM 203.

  In step S903, the job management unit 310 derives the total number (N) of sheets to be printed in the print job based on the page list created in step S902. Specifically, the job management unit 310 can derive the total number N by multiplying the number of lines in which information regarding the corresponding print job is held by the number of copies set in the print job.

  In step S904, the print information transfer unit 312 notifies the printer engine 209 of the total number N. After this, the printer engine 209 controls the transport system so as to feed N sheets of paper, but no paper is fed yet at the time of this step.

  In step S905, the image processing management unit 311 sets 1 to a parameter (referred to as i) for counting pages.

  In step S906, the image processing management unit 311 determines whether or not the image data of the page of interest can be received. Then, when it is determined that reception is possible, the job management unit 310 updates the page state value related to the page of interest in the page list 501 to “receiving”, and the reception unit 313 receives the attention transmitted by the external device 210. Start receiving page image data. When the reception of the image data is completed, the job management unit 310 updates the page state value related to the page of interest in the page list 501 to “Received”. Details of the page of interest will be described later. A series of processing in this step is image data reception processing. Details of the image data reception process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S907, the image processing management unit 311 determines whether image processing for creating recording data for the page of interest can be executed. If it is determined that the job can be executed, the job management unit 310 updates the page state value related to the page of interest in the page list 501 to “processing image”. Along with this update, the image processing unit 304 creates image data by executing image processing on the image data of the page of interest and stores it in the transfer buffer 205. A series of processing in this step is referred to as recording data creation processing. Details of the recording data creation processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 908, the job management unit 310 updates the page state value related to the page of interest in the page list 501 to “in transfer”, and the transfer unit 314 stores the recording data stored in the transfer buffer 205. Transfer to the printer engine 209. When the transfer of the recording data corresponding to the first page of the print job is completed, the print information transfer unit 312 transmits a paper feed start control command to the printer engine 209. Upon receiving this control command, the printer engine 209 controls the transport system and continuously feeds the total number N of sheets notified in step S904.

  In step S909, the job management unit 310 updates the page state value related to the page of interest in the page list 501 to “recording”. Along with this update, the printer engine 209 drives the recording head 105 to record an image on a sheet based on the recording data transferred in step S908. The sheets for which recording has been completed are sequentially discharged. The print information transfer unit 312 detects paper discharge for each sheet and notifies the job management unit 310 of it. Upon receiving the paper discharge completion notification, the job management unit 310 decrements the value of the number of copies related to the page of interest in the page list 501.

  In step S910, the image processing management unit 311 determines whether i = N. If the determination result in this step is true, the series of processing ends. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S911.

  In step S911, the image processing management unit 311 increments the value set in the parameter i. Next, the process returns to step S906.

  The above is the content of the printing process in the present embodiment.

<Image data reception processing>
Hereinafter, the image data reception process (step S906 in FIG. 9) in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the image data reception process is executed by the job management unit 310, the image processing management unit 311, and the reception unit 313 included in the image processing unit 304.

  In step S <b> 1001, the image processing management unit 311 refers to page data for each row of the job of interest held in the page list 501 in order from the top, and pays attention to one page whose page status value is “waiting for reception”. Then, the page ID value of the page of interest is acquired. For convenience, the page of interest in this step will be referred to as the “page of interest”. Note that a newly input job is added below the list, but an interrupt job may be added above the list.

  In step S1002, the image processing management unit 311 acquires an operation mode value for the page of interest using the page list 501, and determines whether the acquired operation mode value is “low-speed mixing”. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to step S1003. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S1006.

  In step S <b> 1003, the image processing management unit 311 refers to the page list 501, has the same job ID value as the page of interest, and has a page status value of “Received” or “Image processing”. Determine if exists. If the determination result in step S1003 is true, the process proceeds to step S1004. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S1006. By this step, it is possible to control not to store the image data of the low speed job for two pages or more in the reception buffer 204.

  In step S1004, the image processing management unit 311 refers to the page data held in the page list 501 in order from the line immediately below the line of the page of interest, and the operation mode value is “high speed”. It is determined whether there is a page with the page status value “waiting for reception”. For convenience, such a page is referred to as a “high-speed reception waiting” page. If the determination result in step S1004 is true, the page ID value of the “high-speed reception waiting” page is acquired and then the process proceeds to step S1005. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S1006.

  In step S <b> 1005, the job management unit 310 uses the page ID value acquired in step S <b> 1004 so that the line of the “fast reception waiting” page identified by the page ID value is above the line of the page of interest. The list 501 is updated. By this step, the “high-speed reception waiting” page is handled as the page of interest in the subsequent processing. After this step, the process returns to step S1001.

  If NO in step S1002, NO in step S1003, or NO in step S1004, in step S1006, job management unit 310 updates the page state value for the page of interest in page list 501 to “receiving”. Further, the image processing management unit 311 instructs the image processing unit 304 to receive the image data of the page of interest. In response to this instruction, the receiving unit 313 starts receiving the image data of the page of interest transmitted from the external device 210. Thereafter, when the reception of the image data is completed, the job management unit 310 updates the page state value for the page of interest in the page list 501 to “Received”.

  In step S <b> 1007, the image processing management unit 311 acquires an operation mode value for the page of interest using the page list 501, and determines whether the acquired operation mode value is “low-speed mixing”. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to step S1008. If the determination result is false, the series of processes ends.

  In step S <b> 1008, the job management unit 310 updates the page list 501 so that the row of the page of interest is an upper row in the page list 501. This is because the page of interest whose page state value is updated to “received” in step S1006 is preferentially processed. However, at this time, in order to guarantee the printing order, the line of the page having the same job ID is not overtaken.

  The above is the content of the image data reception process in the present embodiment.

<Recording data creation process>
Hereinafter, the recording data creation process (step S907 in FIG. 9) in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the recording data creation processing is executed by the job management unit 310, the image processing management unit 311, and the image processing unit 304.

  In step S <b> 1101, the image processing management unit 311 refers to the page list 501, and acquires the page ID value for the page data that exists at the top of the list among the page status values “received”. For convenience, a page corresponding to the page ID value acquired in this step is referred to as a “target page”.

  In step S1102, the image processing management unit 311 acquires an operation mode value for the target page using the page list 501 and determines whether the acquired operation mode value is “low-speed mixed”. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to step S1103. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S1110.

  Hereinafter, a case where the operation mode value for the target page is determined to be “low-speed mixing” (YES in step S1102) will be described.

  In this case, in step S1103, the image processing management unit 311 derives the time required for mixing jobs. The time required for mixing jobs refers to the time required to prepare both the target page and the page to be processed after the target page (referred to as “next page” for convenience) to be recordable. Show. Specifically, in this step, page data is sequentially referenced from directly under the row of the target page in the page list 501, and one line whose operation mode value is “high speed” and whose page state value is not “recording”. The page ID value corresponding to is acquired. The page corresponding to the page ID value acquired here is the next page. Then, using the table 401, as the time required for job mixing, the larger of the image processing time of the target page, the transfer time of the target page and the image processing time of the next page, and the transfer time of the next page Calculate the sum. At this time, the reason why the longer one of the transfer time of the target page and the image processing time of the next page is adopted is that the transfer of the target page and the image processing of the next page can be executed in parallel. If the next page does not exist, both the transfer time and image processing time for the next page are set to zero.

  In step S1104, the image processing management unit 311 acquires the recording time for the page whose page status value is “recording” using the table 401, and acquires the time necessary for job mixing derived in step S1103. Divide by recording time. As a result, the number of sheets to be output (referred to as the number of output sheets being mixed) is derived while the jobs are mixed (that is, until image processing and transfer for each of the target page and the next page are completed). can do.

  In step S1103 and step S1104, parameters used in determining whether image processing can be performed on the target page (step S1105) are derived. In order to achieve continuous printing without reducing the printing speed when mixing jobs, it is necessary to complete image processing and transfer for the target page (low-speed job) before the recording of the “Recording” page is completed. There is. Further, it is necessary to complete image processing and transfer for the next page (high-speed job) before the recording of the target page (low-speed job) is completed. By doing so, it becomes possible to continuously record the next page (high-speed job) after the target page (low-speed job) has been recorded by mixing low-speed jobs. Reboot can be prevented.

  In step S <b> 1105, the image processing management unit 311 uses the page list 501 to acquire a copy value for a page whose page status value is “recording” and determines whether the following equation (1) is satisfied.

  If the determination result in this step is true, it is considered that image processing and transfer for each of the target page and the next page can be completed during recording of the page whose page status value is “recording”, and the process advances to step S1106. . On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, it is considered that image processing and transfer for each of the target page and the next page cannot be completed during recording of the page whose page status value is “recording”, and step S1107. Proceed to In equation (1), the number of low-speed job copies does not have to be negative.

  In step S1106, the job management unit 310 updates the page list 501. Specifically, the job management unit 310 sets the page status value “transferring” or “recording waiting” to “received” for the page whose page status value is “transferring” or “recording waiting” in the page list 501. Update to The reason for updating the page state value in this step is as described above with reference to FIG. After step S1106, the process proceeds to step S1110.

  In step S1107, the image processing management unit 311 performs processing similar to that in steps S1103 to S1105, and determines whether the following equation (2) or equation (3) is satisfied. However, in this step, the next page selected in step S1103 is not selected.

  In step S1105, it is determined whether the target page print process can be executed following the print process for the page whose page status value is “recording”. On the other hand, in this step, it is determined whether the target page print process can be executed following the print process of the page whose page status value is “Transferring” or “Waiting for recording”. If the determination result in this step is true, it is considered that image processing and transfer for the target page can be completed during recording of a page whose page status value is “Transferring” or “Waiting for recording”, and the process proceeds to Step S1110. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, it is assumed that image processing and transfer for the target page cannot be completed while the page whose state value is “transferring” or “recording waiting” is being recorded, and the process proceeds to step S1108. move on. In equations (1) and (2), the number of low-speed job copies does not have to be negative.

  In step S <b> 1108, the image processing management unit 311 refers to the page list 501 and determines whether there is a page with the operation mode value “high speed” after the target page. If the determination result in step S1108 is true, the process proceeds to step S1109. If the determination result is false, the process proceeds to step S1111.

  In step S1109, the job management unit 310 updates the page list 501. Specifically, the job management unit 310 updates the operation mode value “low speed mixed” to “interrupt” for all pages having the same job ID value as the target page. As described above, when there is no high-speed job capable of mixing low-speed jobs (YES in step S1108), the same processing as that at the time of normal interruption is executed by this step. The process similar to that at the time of the normal interruption is a process in which the restart of the printer engine 209 and the print process based on the low-speed job are executed with priority (and at a low print speed).

  In step S <b> 1110, the image processing unit 304 uses the image processing unit 208 to perform image processing on the image data of the page whose page state value is “Received” to create recording data. In this step, the image processing management unit 311 refers to the page list 501 in order from the top, and selects the upper page as a processing target page in principle. However, when there is a page whose operation mode value is “interrupt”, the page is selected with priority. When the image processing in this step is completed, if the transfer buffer 205 for storing the created recording data is not empty, the waiting process for the transfer buffer 205 is performed.

  In step S <b> 1111, the image processing management unit 311 refers to the page list 501 and determines whether there are any pages with the operation mode value “high speed” and the page status value “received” after the target page. To do. For convenience, such a page is referred to as a “high-speed received” page. If the determination result in this step is false, the page ID value of the “Fast Received” page is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S1112. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is true, the process ends without performing image processing. In this case, the sequence is restarted with the completion of reception of the image data of the high-speed job as a trigger.

  In step S1112, the job management unit 310 updates the page list 501 so that the page corresponding to the page ID value acquired in step S1111 is one level higher than the target page. After this step, the process returns to step S1101. In the subsequent processing, the page moved in this step is processed as the target page.

  The above is the content of the recording data creation process in the present embodiment.

<When mixing low speed jobs with high speed jobs>
FIG. 12 shows that the printing process for the first page of the low-speed job is interrupted between the printing process for the first page and the printing process for the second page of the high-speed job that prints a plurality of copies of the same page (eight copies in this example). It is a figure which shows the state transition for every page at the time of letting. In FIG. 12, the pages are arranged in the order in which the image data is received from above, the horizontal axis indicates time, and time elapses from left to right. In FIG. 12, an arrow 1201 indicates a “receiving” state, an arrow 1202 indicates an “image processing” state, an arrow 1203 indicates a “transferring” state, and an arrow 1204 indicates a “recording” state. Show. For simplification, the states of “Received” and “Waiting for recording” are not shown.

  As shown in the figure, after the reception of the image data for the first page of the high-speed job is completed, the reception of the image data for the first page of the low-speed job that is an interrupt job has priority over the reception of the image data for the second page of the high-speed job. Be started. For the first page of the high-speed job, the reception of image data, the image processing for creating recording data based on the image data, and the transfer of the recording data are continued without any time interval between the processes. Executed. On the other hand, for the first page of the low-speed job, image processing for creating recording data based on the image data is not executed immediately after the image data is received. This is because the image processing for the first page of the low-speed job is rejected as a result of the processing shown in FIG. Thereafter, reception of image data for the second page of the low-speed job is rejected (YES in step S1004 in FIG. 10), and reception of image data for the second page of the high-speed job is started.

Thereafter, at the timing of T1, it is determined again whether to start the image processing for the first page of the low-speed job with the completion of the image processing for the second page of the high-speed job as a trigger. As a result of this determination, image processing for the first page of the low-speed job is permitted, and the image processing is executed (YES in step S1107 in FIG. 11). Thereafter, the transfer of recording data to the first page of the low-speed job is started at the timing T2 when the transfer buffer 205 becomes empty (that is, the timing at which the recording of the first page of the high-speed job is completed). In addition, at time T2, recording for the second page of the high-speed job and image processing for the third page of the high-speed job are started. During this time, the printing apparatus 100 continuously receives image data from the fourth page of the high-speed job and stores it in the reception buffer 204 (not shown).
<About the effect of this embodiment>
The printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has not only a normal interrupt mode but also a low speed hybrid mode as an interrupt mode. The printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can suppress a decrease in throughput at the time of interruption by the low speed hybrid mode.

  When a low-speed job is mixed with a high-speed job that prints multiple copies of the same page, if the printing apparatus has only one reception buffer 204, the reception buffer 204 is occupied by image data of the low-speed job. There is a risk that jobs cannot be mixed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when there is a high-speed job, the image data of the low-speed job is controlled so that only one page is stored in the reception buffer 204. Therefore, the image data of the high-speed job is stored in the reception buffer 204. Always stored. For this reason, high-speed printing by a high-speed job is not disabled. Therefore, even if the printing apparatus has only one reception buffer, it is possible to mix low-speed jobs with high-speed jobs and print without stopping the printing operation or reducing the printing speed. It becomes possible to suppress the fall of property.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, control is performed so that only one page of image data of a low-speed job is stored in the reception buffer. However, in this case, for a low-speed job, the next page cannot be processed until printing of a certain page is completed. In this embodiment, image data of a low-speed job is stored for a plurality of pages in the reception buffer, and the low-speed job is output more efficiently than in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, in order to guarantee continuous printing by a high-speed job, image data of a low-speed job and reception of the next page of a high-speed job are recorded while a plurality of pages of one high-speed job are recorded. Whether image processing and transfer can be completed is determined. In the following description, description of the same contents as in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

<Image data reception processing>
Hereinafter, the image data reception process (step S906 in FIG. 9) in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. However, step S1001, step S1002, step S1004, and step S1005 to step S1008 in FIG. 13 are the same as those in the first embodiment (see FIG. 10), and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In step S <b> 1301, the image processing management unit 311 uses the table 401 for the “high-speed reception waiting” page having the ID value acquired in step S <b> 1004, and sets the reception time, image processing time, and transfer time values. Acquire and take the sum. This derives the time required from the reception of image data to the completion of recording preparation for the “high-speed reception waiting” page.

  In step S1302, the image processing management unit 311 refers to the page list 501 from the top, the operation mode value is “high speed”, and the page status values are pages other than “waiting for reception” and “receiving”. Select. Next, the image processing management unit 311 multiplies the recording time value held in the table 401 and the copy value held in the page list 501 for each selected page. Next, the image processing management unit 311 calculates the sum of the multiplication values. The sum derived in this step indicates a time during which high-speed continuous printing is guaranteed (referred to as high-speed printing time). In step S1301 and step S1302, a value used in the determination in the subsequent step S1303 is derived.

  In step S1303, the image processing management unit 311 uses the table 401 to acquire the reception time of image data for the target page. Then, the image processing management unit 311 calculates the sum of the acquired reception time and the time necessary for a series of processes for the “high-speed reception waiting” page derived in step S1301, and the total value is derived in step S1302. Judge whether it is less than high-speed printing time. If the determination result in this step is true, it is considered that there is a grace period for receiving the image data of the target page, and the process proceeds to step S1304. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, the process proceeds to step S1005. In this step, a series of processes of receiving image data of a low-speed job and receiving image data for the “high-speed reception waiting” page derived in S1004, image processing, and transfer until high-speed printing for the “high-speed received” page is completed. A determination is made whether the process is complete.

  In step S1304, the image processing management unit 311 uses the table 401 to acquire the size of the image data for the target page. Then, the image processing management unit 311 determines that the free capacity of the reception buffer 204 is equal to or larger than the acquired data size. If the determination result in this step is true, it is considered that the image data of the target page can be stored in the reception buffer 204 without executing the waiting process for the reception buffer 204, and the process proceeds to step S1006. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, the process proceeds to step S1005. By this step, control is performed so that the reception buffer 204 is not occupied by the image data of the low-speed job. The above is the content of the image data reception process in the present embodiment.

<When mixing low speed jobs with high speed jobs>
FIG. 14 shows the first page printing process of the low-speed job and 2 between the printing process of the first page of the high-speed job that prints a plurality of copies of the same page (eight copies in this example). It is a figure which shows the state transition for every page at the time of interrupting the printing process of the page.

  As shown in the figure, after the reception of the image data for the first page of the high-speed job is completed, the reception of the image data for the first page of the low-speed job that is an interrupt job has priority over the reception of the image data for the second page of the high-speed job. Be started. For the first page of the high-speed job, the reception of image data, the image processing for creating recording data based on the image data, and the transfer of the recording data are continued without any time interval between the processes. Executed. On the other hand, for the first page of the low-speed job, image processing for creating recording data based on the image data is not executed immediately after the image data is received. This is because the image processing for the first page of the low-speed job is rejected as a result of the processing shown in FIG.

  After the reception of the image data for the first page of the low-speed job is completed, reception of the image data for the second page of the low-speed job is permitted as a result of the processing shown in FIG. 13 being continued. And executed.

  As a result of the processing shown in FIG. 13 being executed at the timing T1, reception of image data for the third page of the low-speed job is rejected (NO in step S1303), and reception of image data for the second page of the high-speed job is started. . Further, as a result of executing the processing shown in FIG. 11 triggered by the completion of image data reception for the second page of the low-speed job, execution of the image processing for the first page of the low-speed job is rejected (NO in step S1105 → step S1107). NO).

  At the timing of T2, the processing shown in FIG. 11 is executed with the completion of image data reception for the second page of the high-speed job as a trigger. In this process, execution of image processing for the first page of the low-speed job is rejected (NO in step S1105 → NO in step S1107), and the priority of the second page of the high-speed job is increased (step S1112). As a result, execution of image processing for the second page of the high-speed job is permitted, and the image processing is started.

  At the timing of T3, the processing for the first page of the low-speed job is restarted with the completion of the image processing for the second page of the high-speed job as a trigger. Specifically, execution of image processing is permitted in step S1107 of FIG. 11, and the image processing is started.

<About the effect of this embodiment>
In the first embodiment, control is performed so that only one page of image data of a low-speed job is stored in the reception buffer 204. Therefore, focusing only on the output of the low-speed job, only low-speed jobs are printed (without mixing with high-speed jobs). Productivity is lower than when printing at high speed. In this embodiment, by controlling the image data of the low-speed job for a plurality of pages in the reception buffer 204, it is possible to efficiently output the low-speed job while maintaining high-speed continuous printing.

[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.

100 Printing Device 204 Reception Buffer 209 Printer Engine 304 Image Processing Unit 308 Job Analysis Unit 310 Job Management Unit 311 Image Processing Management Unit 313 Reception Unit

Claims (11)

Analyzing means for analyzing the print job based on setting information included in the print job;
Receiving means for sequentially receiving image data for each page included in the print job;
A buffer for storing received image data;
Creating means for creating recording data by performing image processing on the image data stored in the buffer;
A printing apparatus that prints at a printing speed according to the print job based on the setting information, and having a recording unit that records an image on a recording medium based on the recording data.
Based on a value that is derived based on the setting information and indicates a mode for operating the printing apparatus when printing the print job, and a value for each page that indicates the state of a page to be processed, the receiving unit A printing apparatus, further comprising first determination means for determining a page of the image data to be received.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second determining unit that determines a page on which the image processing is to be performed by the creating unit.   3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein high-speed printing for a high-speed job and a low-speed job is performed by printing a low-speed job while printing a high-speed job for printing a plurality of copies of the same page.   The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image data of the low-speed job is controlled to be stored in the buffer for one page.   The first determining means receives the image data of the low-speed job and the reception of the image data for the next page of the page until the printing of the page of the high-speed job that has already received the image data is completed. It is determined whether processing and transfer of recording data to the recording unit are completed, and when the determination result is true, the receiving unit receives image data of the low-speed job. Item 4. The printing apparatus according to Item 3.   The second determining means receives the image data of the low-speed job and prints the next page of the page while the recording means is printing all pages of the high-speed job being recorded based on the recording data. It is determined whether reception of image data, image processing, and transfer of recording data to the recording unit is completed. If the determination result is true, the creating unit determines the image for the image data of the low-speed job. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the printing apparatus performs processing.   If the result of the determination by the second determining means is false, the second determining means is created during printing of all pages of the high-speed job that is transferring the recording data to the recording means or In addition, while printing all pages of the high-speed job for which transfer of the recording data to the recording unit has not started, it is further determined whether reception of the image data of the low-speed job is completed, and the result of the determination is The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein if true, the creation unit performs the image processing on the image data of the low-speed job.   A first mode for preferentially printing an interrupt job, and a second mode for printing the interrupt job mixed with the high-speed job when the interrupt job is the low-speed job. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer.   9. The user interface according to claim 8, wherein when the interrupt job is the low-speed job, a user interface is displayed that allows a user to select whether to operate in the first mode or the second mode. Printing device. Analyzing means for analyzing the print job based on setting information included in the print job;
Receiving means for sequentially receiving image data for each page included in the print job;
A buffer for storing received image data;
Creating means for creating recording data by performing image processing on the image data stored in the buffer;
A control method for a printing apparatus that has a recording unit that records an image on a recording medium based on the recording data, and that prints at a printing speed changed according to the print job based on the setting information,
Based on a value that is derived based on the setting information and indicates a mode for operating the printing apparatus when printing the print job, and a value for each page that indicates the state of a page to be processed, the receiving unit A control method comprising the step of determining a page of the image data to be received.   A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 10.

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