JPH09309234A - Information processing apparatus, printing apparatus, printing system, data processing method of information processing apparatus, data processing method of printing apparatus, and storage medium storing computer readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print an image as a whole in high grade as far as conditions allow, even when circumstances arise in which the amount of image data exceeds an image area assigned to a memory resource. SOLUTION: Image data received from a host computer 1500 is compressed by a compresser/stretcher 19 according to a specified compression format, and the compressed image data is stored in image data memory on RAM 13. Further, CPU 12 interprets a data development status in the image data memory on RAM 13 to interpolate the stretched image data as specified using the compressor/stretcher 19 and restore the image data. Finally, this restored image data is printed by a printing part 17.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention prints print information transferred from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium by developing the image in each band area divided into a plurality of memory resources by the printing apparatus. The present invention relates to an information processing device, a printing device, a printing system, a data processing method for the information processing device, a data processing method for the printing device, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printing apparatus, a page printer basically prints data on a page-by-page basis. Therefore, once printing of a page is started, printing cannot be stopped halfway. Therefore, a page printer generally needs a memory for storing a dot image for one page of paper.

However, since the large memory capacity means that the cost of the page printer is increased, the page is divided into band units, and a plurality of bands are provided and dot data is developed in one band. A band processing technique is used in which dot development of the next band is performed on the other band while printing is performed, and printing is repeated.

[0004]

However, in the process of printing using the plurality of bands, the print information, for example, the sentence is complicated, that is, the number of characters is large or the number of graphics commands is large and the dot expansion is the dot data to the printer engine. If it is not possible to send it by the time of sending, or if it cannot be processed due to the allocation limitation of the memory resource of the printer, there is a problem that an unexpected situation occurs in which printing cannot be performed. Also, when a large amount of image data is input, the printer does not have enough memory resources to store the image data, and thus printing cannot be performed.

Further, the method using the memory for storing the dot image for one page not only increases the cost, but also sends the text data of the next page only after all the dots of the page are sent to the printer engine. There is a problem in that dot development cannot be performed and the throughput of the printer is reduced. This is because the page description language for page printers includes a command such as drawing a line from the top to the bottom of one page. This is because there are cases where dot data cannot be written.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to twenty-fourth aspects of the present invention is to print information transferred from a host computer to a printer memory. When processing cannot be performed due to the limitation of the print information area assigned to the resource, the print information is expanded into image data in advance on the host computer side, and the image data is sent to the printer side.
Even print information that cannot be processed due to the limitation of memory resource allocation can be printed as much as possible.
Depending on the amount of image data transferred from the host computer, the image data is sent to the printer in stages,
When the image data amount exceeds the image area allocated to the memory resource of the printer, the printer restores the original image data according to the transferred image data amount and prints it so that the image data amount is reduced. An information processing apparatus, a printing apparatus, a printing system, a data processing method of the information processing apparatus, and a data of the printing apparatus, which can print the entire image in the highest possible quality even if the situation exceeds the image area assigned to the resource An object of the present invention is to provide a processing method and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a band is provided via a printing apparatus and a predetermined communication medium for developing an image in each band area secured by dividing a memory resource into a plurality of areas. In a communicable information processing device, a developing unit that acquires the usage status information of the memory resource notified from the printing device and expands the print information transferred to the printing device into image data that can be output by the printing device. And a transfer control means for retransmitting the image data expanded by the expanding means to the printing apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image data expansion capacity assigned to a memory resource of the printing apparatus is acquired, and the acquired image data expansion capacity and a total transfer capacity of image data to be transferred are set. Based on the result of the comparison, a data processing unit that generates transfer data by adjusting the amount of image data to be transferred to the printing device is provided, and the transfer control unit transfers the transfer data generated by the data processing unit. To do.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the transfer control means divides the image data into a plurality of divided transfers.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the transfer control means acquires the usage status information of the memory resource notified from the printing device during the divided transfer, and transfers the image data to the printing device. It is something to cancel.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the data processing means generates stepwise extraction of non-overlapping pixel data from the image data to generate transfer data.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, print information received from the information processing apparatus is divided into data for each band. It is provided with a first storing means for storing and a first notifying means for notifying the information processing device of the usage state information of the first storing means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, compression means for compressing image data received from the information processing apparatus according to a predetermined compression format. And a second storing the compressed image data compressed by the compression means.
Storage means, expansion means for expanding the compressed image data stored in the second storage means according to a predetermined compression format, and printing means for printing the image data expanded by the expansion means. Is.

An eighth aspect of the present invention comprises second notifying means for notifying the information processing device of the usage status information of the second storage means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interpolating means for discriminating an expansion state of the second storage means, performing a predetermined interpolation process on the image data expanded by the expanding means, and restoring the image data. It is equipped.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is a band communication between a printing device and an information processing device for expanding an image in each band area secured by dividing a memory resource into a plurality of bands via a predetermined communication medium. In a possible printing system, expansion means for acquiring memory resource usage status information notified from the printing device and expanding the printing information transferred to the printing device into image data that can be output by the printing device,
An information processing apparatus including a transfer control unit that retransmits the image data expanded by the expanding unit to the printing apparatus, and print information received from the information processing apparatus is divided into data for each band and stored. Storage means, first notification means for notifying the information processing device of the usage status information of the first storage means, and compression means for compressing image data received from the information processing device according to a predetermined compression format. Second storage means for storing the compressed image data compressed by the compression means, decompression means for decompressing the compressed image data stored in the second storage means according to a predetermined compression format, and the decompression means. And a printing device for printing the image data decompressed by the printing device.

In an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus acquires an image data expansion capacity assigned to a memory resource of the printing apparatus, and the acquired image data expansion capacity and an image to be transferred. Data processing means for generating transfer data by adjusting the amount of image data to be transferred to the printing device based on the result of comparison with the total transfer capacity of data is provided, and the transfer control means is generated by the data processing means. The transferred transfer data is transferred.

In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the transfer control means divides and transfers the image data in a plurality of times.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the transfer control means acquires the usage status information of the memory resource notified from the printing device during the divided transfer, and transfers the image data to the printing device. The printing apparatus is provided with a second notifying unit for notifying the information processing apparatus of the usage status information of the second storage unit.

In a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the data processing means gradually extracts non-overlapping pixel data from the image data to generate transfer data, and the printing device has the second storage. The image forming apparatus further comprises an interpolating unit that discriminates a developed state of the unit and performs a predetermined interpolation process on the image data expanded by the expanding unit to restore the image data.

A fifteenth invention according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of band communication through a predetermined communication medium with a printing apparatus for developing an image in each band area secured by dividing a memory resource into a plurality of sections. In the data processing method of claim 1, a development step of acquiring usage status information of the memory resource notified from the printing device and expanding the printing information transferred to the printing device into image data that can be output by the printing device,
A first transfer step of retransmitting the expanded image data to the printing apparatus.

A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is to acquire the image data expansion capacity assigned to the memory resource of the printing device, and to acquire the acquired image data expansion capacity and the total transfer capacity of image data to be transferred. A data processing step of generating transfer data by adjusting the amount of image data to be transferred to the printing device based on the result of the comparison;
And a second transfer step of dividing and transferring the generated transfer data in plural times.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is a data processing method for a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein print information received from the information processing apparatus is data for each band. And a first notifying step of notifying the information processing device of the usage status information of the first storing means.

An eighteenth aspect of the present invention is a data processing method for a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein image data received from the information processing apparatus is in accordance with a predetermined compression format. A compression step of compressing, a second storage step of storing the compressed compressed image data in a second storage means, and a second storage step of notifying the information processing device of usage status information of the second storage means. It comprises a notification step, a decompression step of decompressing the stored compressed image data according to a predetermined compression format, and a printing step of printing the decompressed image data.

A nineteenth invention according to the present invention comprises an interpolation step of discriminating an expansion state for the second storage means, performing a predetermined interpolation process on the image data expanded by the expansion means, and restoring the image data. I have.

The twentieth aspect of the present invention is to acquire the usage status information of the memory resource notified from the printing device, and expand the printing information transferred to the printing device into image data that can be output by the printing device. And a computer-readable program including a first transfer step of retransmitting the expanded image data to the printing device.

A twenty-first aspect of the present invention is to acquire the image data expansion capacity assigned to the memory resource of the printing device, and to acquire the acquired image data expansion capacity and the total transfer capacity of image data to be transferred. A data processing step of generating transfer data by adjusting the amount of image data to be transferred to the printing device based on the result of the comparison;
A computer-readable program including a second transfer step of dividing and transferring the generated transfer data in a plurality of times is stored in a storage medium.

In a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, the first storage step of dividing the print information received from the information processing device into data for each band and storing the data in the first storage means; A computer-readable program including a first notification step of notifying the information processing device of usage status information of the storage means is stored in a storage medium.

A twenty-third aspect of the present invention is a compression step of compressing image data received from an information processing apparatus according to a predetermined compression format, and storing the compressed compressed image data in a second storage means. A second storing step, a second notifying step of notifying the information processing device of the usage status information of the second storing means, and a decompressing step of decompressing the stored compressed image data according to a predetermined compression format. A computer-readable program including a printing process for printing the decompressed image data is stored in a storage medium.

A twenty-fourth invention according to the present invention comprises an interpolation step of discriminating an expansion state for the second storage means and performing a predetermined interpolation process on the image data expanded by the expansion means to restore the image data. A computer-readable program, including a computer-readable program, is stored in a storage medium.

[0031]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] The configuration of the present printing system will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a printing system showing the first embodiment of the present invention, which is composed of a host computer 1500 and a printer 2500.

In the host computer 1500, 1
Reference numeral 000 denotes a control unit, which includes a CPU 1 that executes document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets), and the like are mixed based on a document processing program stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3 or the like. The CPU 1 comprehensively manages each device connected to the system bus 4 in accordance with a program stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3, the external memory 11, or another storage medium, which will be described later with reference to flowcharts such as FIGS. Control. 2 is RAM
It is used as the main memory and work area of the CPU 1.

The font ROM of the ROM 3 stores font data and the like used for document processing and the like, and the data ROM of the ROM 3 stores various data (for example, directory information, printer driver table, etc.). 5 is a keyboard controller (KBC), which is a keyboard (K
B) Control input from 9 and a pointing device (not shown). 6 is a CRT controller (CRTC), which is C
The display of the RT display (CRT) 10 is controlled. 7
Is a memory controller (MC) which controls access to the external memory 11 (eg, hard disk, floppy disk, etc.).

A printer controller (PRTC) 8 executes communication control processing with the printer 2500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21.
The CPU 1 executes, for example, a process (rasterize) of the outline font to the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, and the WYSIWIG on the CRT 10 is executed.
Further, the CPU 1 opens various windows registered on the basis of commands designated by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 2500, a printer controller 2000 corresponds to the printing apparatus of the present invention.
Reference numeral 12 is a printer CPU, which is a program R in the ROM 14.
11 to be described later stored in the OM or other storage medium.
~ Overall control of each device connected to the system bus 20 according to the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.
An image signal as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via a printing unit interface (I / F) 16. Printing interface (I / F)
Reference numeral 16 denotes a host computer 150 via the input unit 15.
The controller unit converts document data input from 0 into a dot image form that can be printed by the printing unit 17.

A RAM 13 is a main memory of the CPU 12,
It functions as a work area and the like, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown). Note that RAM1
3 is an output information expansion area, environment data storage area, NVR
Used for AM and the like. 14 is a ROM for the font
Stores the font data and the like used when generating the above output information, and stores the information and the like used on the host computer 1000 in the case of a printer that does not have an external memory such as a hard disk in the data ROM. ing.

Reference numeral 15 is an input unit, and the CPU 12 is capable of performing communication processing with the host computer 1500 via the interface 21, and is configured to be able to notify the host computer 1500 of information and the like in the printer 2500. An operation unit (operation panel) 18 is provided with switches for operation, an LED display, and the like. An external memory (not shown) is connected to store font data, emulation programs, form data, and the like. A compression / expansion device 19 reversibly compresses and expands the dot image data on the RAM 13.

Further, a plurality of the external memories described above may be connected. NV not shown
A RAM may be provided to store printer mode setting information and the like from the operation panel 18. The functions shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 in the present embodiment are installed by an externally installed program by the host computer 1
CPU1 of 500 or CPU1 of printer 2500
2 may be performed.

In that case, the function is C (not shown).
By loading an information group including a program into a system including a host computer or a printer by a storage medium such as a D-ROM, a flash memory, an FD or from an external storage medium via a network, the host computer or the printer The present invention can be applied even when it is supplied to.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the outline of the printing system shown in FIG. 1. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the host computer 1500, 3
Reference numeral 000 denotes a pointing device, which is connected to the keyboard 9 and instructs the CRT 10 with a mouse cursor or the like (not shown). In the case of the printer 2500, in particular, a laser beam printer (LBP), 1502 is a laser driver, which is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1503, and is emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 based on a video signal input from the printer controller 2000. The laser light 1504 is switched on and off.

Reference numeral 1505 denotes a rotary polygon mirror, which is a laser beam 150.
4 is swung to the left and right, and scanning exposure is performed on the electrostatic drum 1506. As a result, an electrostatic latent image such as a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506. Reference numeral 1510 denotes a developing device, which is arranged around the electrostatic drum 1506 and is provided with a laser beam 1504.
The toner develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic drum 1506. The developed electrostatic image is transferred to the transport roller 15
It is transferred by 11 to the recording paper conveyed into the apparatus.

A transfer roller 1508 thermally fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording paper. A toner cartridge 1507 has an electrostatic drum 1506 and a developing device 1510 built therein. Further, the LBP 2500 is provided with at least one or more card throttles (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in font.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of print data for one page in which text data, graphics data, and image data stored in the RAM 2 or the external memory 11 of the host computer 1500 shown in FIG. 1 are mixed.

In the figure, 1001 to 1008, 101
Reference numerals 5 and 1016 are bands to be described later, and lines that represent boundaries between the bands do not appear as lines on the sentence. 1020
Indicates text data, for example, the case of the letter "A",
The case where the band is stretched over the bands 1001 to 1003 is shown. 10
Reference numeral 23 is text data, for example, a case of the character string "USA". Reference numeral 1021 denotes graphics data, for example, a case of diagonal lines, and a case of straddling bands 1001 to 1004. Reference numeral 1022 denotes image data, for example, a case of a picture of a mountain, and a case of straddling bands 1005-1008.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a memory map of the RAM 13 in the printer 2500 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 901 denotes a display list memory, which is an area for storing a display list which will be described later, for example, 256 KB is allocated. An image data memory 902 is an area for storing image data, for example, 1 MB is allocated. Reference numerals 903 and 904 denote banding buffer memories, which are areas for storing the expanded dot data, and 256 KB are allocated to each area.
Reference numeral 905 denotes a work memory, which allocates 256 KB, for example.

In the image data memory 902, 1
Reference numeral 203 denotes a flag indicating the contents of image data (details will be described later), and 1204 is coordinates of the image data,
In the image data memory 902, a flag 1203, coordinate information 1204, image data compressed by the compression / expansion device 19, and a data confirmation flag are stored at the end of the image data as shown in the figure.

In the present embodiment, the printing resolution of the printer of the printing unit 17 is set to, for example, 600 × 600 dpi, but in the case of the resolution of 600 × 600 dpi, the total capacity of full image data for one A4 page is about 4M.
B. On the other hand, the RAM 13 has a capacity of 2 MB as described above.

As described above, the capacity (2 MB) smaller than the memory (about 4 MB) for storing one page of data
1/16 of one page to configure memory with
2 sets of banding buffers (banding buffer memories 903 and 904) each having a capacity of
Dot data sent to the banding buffer memory 90
Expand only the capacity of 3,904. Dot data is read from the banding buffer memory that has finished developing the dot data, and while being sent to the printing unit 17, the dot data for the next band is expanded to the other banding buffer memory, and this is switched in the double buffer format. Print processing for one page.

In order to use this method, the data must be independent for each band, but in the case of normal text data, the text data 1020 and the graphics data 1021 are present across the bands as shown in FIG. There are cases.

A display list obtained by converting the print data shown in FIG. 3 into data for each band will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the details of the print data shown in FIG. 3, and FIG.
00 shows input data from 00, and (b) shows a display list obtained by converting the input data shown in (a) into data for each band.

In (a), 5001 is a command for designating the coordinates (X, Y) of the pointer. Reference numeral 5002 is a command for designating the character code of the text data “A” 1020 (shown in FIG. 3), and 5003 is a command for designating the attributes (size, type) of the characters of the text data “A” 1020.

Reference numeral 5004 is a command for drawing a straight line, which corresponds to the drawing command of the graphics data 1021 (shown in FIG. 3), and 5005 is a straight line attribute (thickness, type).
Graphics data 1021
Is specified, and 5006 is a command for specifying the starting point coordinates of the straight line.
21 is designated as the starting point coordinate, and 5007 is a command for designating the ending point coordinate of the straight line, which designates the ending point coordinate of the graphics data 1021.

In (b), 5008 to 5017 are
Shows the display list for band 1001, 501
8 to 5027 show display lists for the band 1002. A band data start command 5008 corresponds to a band 1001 data start command. 50
09 is a pointer coordinate in the band (text data “A”
This is a command for specifying the drawing position 1020). 50
Reference numeral 10 is a command for designating the character code of the text data “A” 1020, and 5011 is a command for designating the attribute (size, type) of the character.
Designate the attributes (size, type) of 20 characters. 501
2 is a command for designating the start coordinates of characters in the band, and is the text data “A” 10 in the band 1001.
Specify 20 start coordinates (starting from the beginning).

Reference numeral 5013 is a command for drawing a straight line, which corresponds to the drawing command of the graphics data 1021 in the band 1001, and 5014 is a command for specifying the thickness and type (attribute) of the straight line, which is the graphics data 10
21 attributes (thickness, type) are designated, and 5015 is a command for designating the starting point coordinates of a straight line in the band.
A start point coordinate of the graphics data 1021 in 001 is designated, and a command 5016 designates an end point coordinate of a straight line in the band, and designates an end point coordinate of the graphics data 1021 in the band 1001. Reference numeral 5017 is a command indicating the end of data of the band 1001.

Reference numeral 5018 is a band data start command,
This corresponds to a start command for data for band 1002. 5
Reference numeral 019 is a command for designating pointer coordinates (drawing position of the text data “A” 1020) within the band. Reference numeral 5020 is a command for designating the character code of the text data “A” 1020, and 5021 is a command for designating the attribute (size, type) of the character, and the attribute (size, type) of the character of the text data “A” 1020. Is specified. Reference numeral 5022 is a command for designating the start coordinates of characters in the band, and designates the start coordinates (from the middle) of the text data “A” 1020 in the band 1002.

Reference numeral 5023 is a command for drawing a straight line, which corresponds to the drawing command for the graphics data 1021 in the band 1002, and 5024 is a command for specifying the thickness and type (attribute) of the straight line.
21 attributes (thickness, type) are designated, and 5025 is a command for designating the starting point coordinates of a straight line in the band.
A start point coordinate of the graphics data 1021 in 002 is designated, and a reference numeral 5026 is a command for designating an end point coordinate of a straight line in the band, and designates an end point coordinate of the graphics data 1021 in the band 1002. Reference numeral 5027 is a command indicating the end of data of the band 1002.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing image data that can be printed by the printing system shown in FIG. 1, and corresponds to the image data 1022 shown in FIG. 3, for example.

In the figure, a _l (l = 1 to 16), b _{m
(M = 1~16), c n} (n = 1~32) indicate each dot of the image data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a text data format sent from the host computer 1500 shown in FIG. 1 to the printer 2500.

In the figure, 1201 is a header, which indicates that the following data is text data. A flag 1202 indicates the type of data and indicates whether the data is text / graphics or an image. For example, flag 1202
Indicates a text / graphics data, and a flag 1202 indicates a 0 indicates image data. Reference numeral 1203 is a flag indicating the content of the image data (shown in FIG. 4) and is effective when the flag 1202 indicates image data (when the flag 1202 is “0”).

Actually, when the flag 1203 is "00", all the image data are shown, that is, the dot data a _l (of the image data shown in FIG. 6) (l = 1 to 1).
6), dot data b _m (m = 1 to 16), and dot data c _n (n = 1 to 32). The flag 1203 is "0
In the case of “1”, only the first quarter data, that is, only the dot data a ₁ (l = 1 to 16) of FIG. 6 is shown. When the flag 1203 is “10”, it indicates the next ¼ data, that is, the portion of the dot data b _m (m = 1 to 16) in FIG. 6, and when the flag 1203 is “11”, the remaining 1 /
2 data, that is, the dot data c _n (n =
1 to 32) are shown. Reference numeral 1204 denotes the coordinates of the image data (shown in FIG. 4) and is effective when the flag 1202 indicates the image data (when the flag 1202 is “0”). A data storage area 1205 and a data end flag 1206 indicate that the data has ended.

The restored state of the image data will be described below with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the dot data obtained by dividing the image data shown in FIG. 6 is restored to the original dot data. FIG. 8A shows the first image data shown in FIG. 1/4 dot data a _l (l = 1 to 1
16) and the next quarter dot data b _m (m = 1 to 1)
6) shows a case of synthesizing and restoring from 6), and FIG.
In the case where only the first quarter dot data a _l (l = 1 to 16) of the image data shown in (2) is enlarged and restored in the x direction and the y direction by 2 times.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each means of the first to fourteenth inventions and their operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
Etc. will be described.

A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing device capable of band communication through a predetermined communication medium with a printing device which develops an image in each band area secured by dividing a memory resource into a plurality of areas. The usage status information (“memory full” status) of the memory resource (RAM 13) notified from the device (printer 2500) is acquired, and the print information transferred to the printing device is transferred to the printing device (printer 250).
0) develops into image data that can be output (the CPU 1 develops according to a program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3, the external memory 11 or another storage medium not shown), and the developing means (CPU).
1) The transfer control means for retransmitting the image data expanded by the printer (printer 2500) to the printing device (printer 2500) according to a program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3 by the CPU 1, the external memory 11, or another storage medium (not shown). (PRTC) 8 which performs transfer control processing) and is notified from the printer 2500.
The CPU 1 obtains the “memory full” status of the AM 13 via the printer controller 8, and the printer 2500
The print information transferred to the printer 2500 is expanded into image data that can be output by the CPU 12 of the printer 2500, the CPU 1 retransmits the image data to the printer 2500 via the printer controller 8, and the print information transferred by the host computer 1500 is the printer 2500. When the print information cannot be processed due to the limitation of the print information area assigned to the memory resource of the host computer 1500,
Side, the image data is preliminarily developed by the printer side, and the image data is sent to the printer 2500 side.
Even the print information that cannot be processed due to the limitation of the memory resource allocation on the 00 side can be directly printed by the printer 2500.

A second invention is the printing device (printer 2
500) acquiring the image data expansion capacity assigned to the memory resource (RAM 13) and comparing the acquired image data expansion capacity with the total transfer capacity of the image data to be transferred, based on the result. Data processing means (the CPU 1 processes data according to a program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3, the external memory 11 or another storage medium (not shown)) for adding and subtracting the amount of image data to be transferred to. And the transfer control means (CPU1) transfers the transfer data generated by the data processing means.
Based on the result of the CPU 1 comparing the acquired image data expansion capacity with the acquired image data expansion capacity and the total transfer capacity of the image data to be transferred, the printer 2500
The CPU 1 generates transfer data by adjusting the amount of image data to be transferred, and transfers the generated transfer data, and the amount of image data transferred from the host computer 1500 is allocated to the memory resource of the printer 2500. If it exceeds the image area, the amount of image data to be transferred is adjusted and transferred to the printer 2500, so that the image data that fits in the image area assigned to the memory resource can be transferred to the printing apparatus.

A third invention is the transfer control means (CPU
1), when the image data is divided and transferred in plural times and the amount of image data transferred from the host computer 1500 exceeds the image area allocated to the memory resource of the printer 2500, the amount of image data to be transferred. By adding and subtracting the data and dividing and transferring the image data to the printing apparatus in a plurality of times, the image data amount can be transferred to the printer 2500 while the image data amount is within the image area allocated to the memory resource and the entire image can be restored. It will be possible.

A fourth invention is the transfer control means (CPU
In 1), the usage status information (“memory full” status) of the memory resource notified from the printing device during the divided transfer is acquired, and the image data transfer to the printing device is stopped. RA notified from the printer 2500 during divided transfer of image data
Obtain the "memory full" status of M13
Cancels the image data transfer to the printer 2500 and the amount of image data transferred from the host computer 1500 exceeds the image area allocated to the memory resource of the printer 2500, the printer 250
By stopping the transfer of the image data to 0, it is possible to restrict the transfer of image data exceeding the image area allocated to the memory resource to the printer 2500.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the data processing means (CP
U1) stepwisely generates pixel data that does not overlap from the image data (dot data a ₁ (l = 1 to 16), b _{m
(M = 1~16), c n} (n = 1~32)) to extract and generates transfer data, images image data amount transferred from the host computer 1500 is allocated to the memory resources of the printer 2500 The image data that can output the entire image without exceeding the area is transferred to the printer 2500 step by step so as not to overlap, so that the image data amount does not exceed the image area assigned to the memory resource, and the entire image data can be output as much as possible. 2500 image data that can be output
Can be transferred to.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, print information received from the information processing apparatus (host computer 1500) is sent to each band (1001 to 1008, 1015). , 1
016) data (display list 5008-5)
First storage means (RAM1)
3 display list memory 901) and the first
Status information (“memory full” status) of the storage means (display list memory 901 on RAM 13)
A first notification means (CPU 12 performs notification processing according to a program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 14 or another storage medium not shown) for notifying the information processing apparatus (host computer 1500) of The print information received from the computer 1500 is divided into display lists 5008 to 5027 for each band (1001 to 1008, 1015, 1016) and RA
Stored in the display list memory 901 on M13,
The CPU 12 notifies the “memory full” status of the display list memory 901 to the host computer 1500, and the print information transferred from the host computer 1500 becomes unprocessable due to the limitation of the print information area allocated to the memory resource of the printer 2500. If
By notifying the host computer 1500 to that effect, it becomes possible for the host computer 1500 to recognize that the memory resource allocation will be exceeded before the print information transfer ends.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein image data received from the information processing apparatus (host computer 1500) is compressed according to a predetermined compression format. Means (compressor / decompressor 19), second storage means (image data memory 902 on RAM 13) for storing the compressed image data compressed by the compressing means (compressor / decompressor 19), and the second Decompression means (compression / decompression device 19) for decompressing the compressed image data stored in the storage means according to a predetermined compression format, and printing means (printing section 1 for printing the image data decompressed by the decompression means).
7), the image data received from the host computer 1500 is compressed by the compression / expansion device 19 according to a predetermined compression format, and the compressed image data compressed by the compression / expansion device 19 is stored in the image data memory 902 on the RAM 13. The compressed image data stored in the image data memory 902 on the RAM 13 is expanded by the compression / expansion device 19 according to a predetermined compression format, and the expanded image data is printed by the printing unit 17 and stored in the memory. By compressing and storing the image data transferred from the host computer 1500 in the image area assigned to the resource, it is possible to print the entire image with the highest possible quality.

An eighth invention is the second storage means (RA
A second notifying unit (CPU 12 is a program ROM of the ROM 14 or another storage medium not shown) for notifying the information processing apparatus of the usage status information (“image data memory full” status) of the image data memory 902 on the M13. Notification processing according to the program stored in)
And an image data memory 902 on the RAM 13
"Image data memory full" status of CPU1
2 can notify the host computer 1500 to clearly indicate to the host computer 1500 that the amount of image data transferred from the host computer 1500 exceeds the image area assigned to the memory resource.

A ninth invention is the second storage means (RA
Interpolation means (the CPU 12 is a ROM that determines the expansion state of the image data memory 902 on the M13) and restores the image data by performing a predetermined interpolation process on the image data expanded by the expansion means (compression / expansion device 19).
The CPU 12 includes a program ROM (14) or interpolation processing (see (a) and (b) of FIG. 8) according to a program stored in another storage medium (not shown), and the CPU 12 is a RAM.
The expansion state of the image data memory 902 on the PC 13 is determined, the image data expanded by the compression / expansion device 19 is subjected to predetermined interpolation processing to restore the image data, and the amount of image data transferred from the host computer 1500 is If the image area allocated to the memory resource of the printer 2500 is exceeded, the printer 2500
The original image data is restored according to the transferred image data amount and printed, so that even if the image data amount exceeds the image area allocated to the memory resource, the received image data is received. Therefore, it is possible to print the entire image in the highest possible quality.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is such that a memory resource (RAM1) is transmitted from a printing apparatus (printer 2500) during transfer of print information.
3), that is, the use status information (“memory full” status) of the first storage unit (display list memory 901 on the RAM 13) is the printing device (printer 2500).
When informed, the image data expanded by the expansion means (CPU1) from the print information is transferred to the transfer control means (CPU).
1 transfers image data that can be directly printed by the transfer control processing via the printer controller 8), that is, the memory resource (RAM 13), that is, the second storage unit (RA).
The image data memory 902 on M13 is compressed and stored by the compression means (compression / expansion device 19), and the compressed image data is expanded by the expansion means (compression / expansion device 19) and printed by the printing means (printing unit). By printing 17),
By recognizing the usage status of the memory resources on the printing device (printer 2500) side, the print information overflowing with the memory resource allocation of the printing device (printer 2500) is directly output as printable image data directly to the host computer 1500.
It is possible to perform the compression / expansion processing so as not to overflow the memory allocation and reliably print.

The eleventh invention is a host computer 15.
00 acquires the image data expansion capacity allocated to the RAM 13 of the printer 2500, and the printer 2500 is determined based on the result of the CPU 1 comparing the acquired image data expansion capacity with the total transfer capacity of the image data to be transferred. CP by adjusting the amount of image data to be transferred
U1 generates transfer data, transfers the generated transfer data, and if the amount of image data transferred from the host computer 1500 exceeds the image area allocated to the memory resource of the printer 2500, the image to be transferred. By adjusting the amount of data and transferring it to the printer 2500, it is possible to transfer the image data that fits in the image area allocated to the memory resource to the printing apparatus and print it.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the transfer control means (CP
U1) transfers the image data by dividing the image data in plural times, and when the image data amount transferred from the host computer 1500 exceeds the image area allocated to the memory resource of the printer 2500, the image data amount to be transferred. The image data amount that fits in the image area allocated to the memory resource and that can restore the entire image is sent to the printer 2500 by dividing and transferring the image data to the printing apparatus (printer 2500) in plural times. It is possible to transfer and print.

The thirteenth invention is a host computer 15.
The CPU 1 of 00 acquires the “memory full” status of the image data memory 902 on the RAM 13 notified from the printer 2500 during the division transfer of the image data, and the CPU 1 stops the image data transfer to the printer 2500 and the host computer If the amount of image data transferred from 1500 exceeds the image area allocated to the memory resource of the printer 2500, the printer 2500 clearly indicates to the host computer 1500, and the host computer 1500 stops the image data transfer to the printer 2500. This makes it possible to restrict the transfer of image data that exceeds the image area assigned to the memory resource to the printer 2500.

In a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the data processing means (CPU1 of the host computer 1500) steps out pixel data that does not overlap from the image data stepwise (dot data a ₁ (l = 1 to 16), b _m (m). = 1 to 16), c
_n (n = 1 to 32)) to generate transfer data,
The image data is transferred to the printer 2500, the printer 2500 stores the transferred image data in the image data memory 902 on the RAM 13, and the CPU 12 stores the image data in the image data memory 902 on the RAM 13.
The expansion state is determined, the image data expanded by the compression / expansion device 19 is subjected to predetermined interpolation processing to restore the image data, and the amount of image data transferred from the host computer 1500 is allocated to the memory resource of the printer 2500. The image data capable of outputting the entire image is transferred to the printer 2500 step by step so as not to overlap, and the original image data is restored according to the transferred image data amount so as not to overlap. By printing the image data, the image data capable of outputting the entire image as much as possible without the image data amount exceeding the image area allocated to the memory resource is transferred to the printer 2500,
It is possible to print with the highest quality possible.

The data processing method of the printing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flow charts of FIGS.

9 and 10 are flowcharts for explaining the data processing method of the printing system of the present invention, which corresponds to the processing on the host computer 1500 side. In addition,
(1)-(32) show each step.

First, R on the host computer 1500
Document processing data is created in AM2, and keyboard (K
B) When a printing instruction is issued from 9 or a pointing device (not shown), in step (1), CP
U1 checks the contents of the document data in RAM2,
If the presence / absence of graphics data is checked (this is because the printer 2500 side processes text data / graphics data and image data differently) and it is determined that there is no text / graphics data, In step (2), the presence or absence of image data is determined, and if it is determined that there is no image data, the process ends in error. On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that there is image data, the process proceeds to step (14) and subsequent image data transmission processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the text / graphics data is present, the text / graphics data is transmitted to the printer 2500 via the interface 21 in step (3). Next, in step (4), the printer 25
If the printer “Memory full” status is received from 00 and the printer “Memory full” status is not received, check the data transmission end in step (5), and if the data transmission is not completed Repeats the transmission process of step (3) to complete the data transmission (the printer playlist memory 9 of the printer 2500).
If the data transmission ends before 01 becomes full)
The process proceeds to step (13) and thereafter.

On the other hand, if the printer "memory full" status is received from the printer 2500 in step (4) (the display playlist memory 901 of the printer 2500 becomes full before the end of data transmission), in step (6). , It is judged whether there is image data, and if it is judged that there is no image data,
(Because the image data memory 902 in the printer 2500 can be used as a display list area), in step (7), the command "no image data" is sent to the printer 2500.

Next, in step (8), the reception of the printer "memory full" status from the printer 2500 is checked, and if the printer "memory full" status is not received, the data transmission ends in step (9). Is checked, and if the data transmission is not completed,
In step (10), the text / graphics data is transmitted to the printer 2500, and the process of checking the printer "memory full" status in step (8) is repeated. On the other hand, in step (9), if the data transmission is completed (data transmission is completed before the image data memory 902 of the printer 2500 is full), then the text data transmission is completed, so step (16) At, the “job end” command is output to the printer 2500 (the printer 2500 performs the printing operation), and the process is ended.

On the other hand, when the printer "memory full" status is received from the printer 2500 in step (8) (the image data memory 902 of the printer 2500 is full before the end of data transmission), and step (6) If it is determined that there is image data in the printer 250 in step (11).
0, a "Cancel" command (which cancels the text / graphics data sent to the printer 2500 until then) is transmitted, and the text / graphics data is stored in the RAM 2 in the host computer 1500 in step (12). Dot expansion with and make all the image data (by combining with image data if there is image data), step (13)
Go to processing.

Next, in step (13), the RAM
The presence or absence of the image data on the second line is determined, and if it is determined that the image data does not exist, the transmission of the text data is ended. Therefore, in step (16), the printer 25
A "job end" command is output to 00 (printer 2500 performs a printing operation), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (13) that there is image data, then the process for transmitting image data is started.

First, the host computer 1500 checks the size of the image data to be sent, and proceeds to step (1
In 4), the size of the image data is 1 per page.
/ 4 or more, and if it is determined that it is not ¼ or more of one page (the image data memory 902 on the printer side is ¼ for one page, If the size is less than 1/4, it is sent to the printer without any processing.) In step (15), all the image data (see FIG.
Of _{a l (l = 1~16),} b m (m = 1~16), c n
(N = 1 to 32)) is transmitted to the printer 2500, and after the image data transmission is completed, an “image data confirmation” command is transmitted to the printer 2500, and step (16)
At, the “job end” command is output to the printer 2500 (the printer 2500 performs the printing operation), and the process is ended.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (14) that the size of the image data is 1/4 or more of one page, the size of the image data is 1 / page of 1 in step (17). Judge whether it is 2 or more,
If it is determined that it is not ½ or more of one page (that is, ¼ or more of one page and less than ½), at step (18), ½ of the image data ( That is, data (capacity less than 1/4 of one page) (a ₁ (l = 1 to 16) in FIG. 6 and b _m (m = 1 to 1)
16)) to the printer 2500, and step (19)
In step (19), the transmission process of step (18) is repeated until the end of data transmission is confirmed.
After confirming the end of data, the process proceeds to step (28) and thereafter.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (17) that the size of the image data is 1/2 or more of one page, then in step (20), 1/4 of the image data (a in FIG. 6). _l (l = 1 to 16)) is sent to the printer 2500, and the transmission process of step (20) is repeated until the end of data transmission is confirmed in step (21). After the end of data is confirmed in step (21) In step (22), the “image data confirmation” command is transmitted to the printer 2500.

Next, in step (23), the next quarter of the image data (b _m (m = 1 to 1 in FIG. 6
16)) to the printer 2500, and then, in step (24), the reception of the printer “memory full” status from the printer 2500 is checked, and if the printer “memory full” status is not received, the step ( In step 27), the reception check process of the printer “memory full” status of step (24) is repeated until the end of data transmission is confirmed in step 27).
At this point, the data transmission is completed (printer 2500
If the data transmission is completed before the image data memory 902 becomes full), the process proceeds to step (28) and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, in step (24), the printer "memory full" status is received (the image data memory 902 of the printer 2500 before the end of data transmission).
Is full), in step (25),
An "image data cancel" command (which cancels the text / graphics data sent to the printer 2500 until then) is sent to the printer 2500, and a "job end" command is sent to the printer 2500 in step (26). Then, the process ends.

Next, in step (28), an "image data confirmation" command is transmitted to the printer 2500, and in step (29), the remaining half of the image data (c _n (n = n = _{n in} FIG. 6)) is transmitted. 1-32)) is transmitted. In step (30), the printer 2500
If the printer "Memory full" status is not received from the printer, and the printer "Memory full" status is not received, the printer "Memory full" in step (30) is checked until the end of data transmission is confirmed in step (31). If the status transmission check is repeated and the data transmission is completed in step (31) (data transmission is completed before the image data memory 902 of the printer 2500 is full), the printer is processed in step (32). Send a “job end” command to the 2500 (let the printer 2500 perform the printing operation),
The process ends.

On the other hand, in step (30), the printer "memory full" status is received (the image data memory 902 of the printer 2500 before the end of data transmission).
Is full), the cancel processing after step (25) is executed.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and the respective steps of the fifteenth, sixteenth, twentieth and twenty-first inventions and their actions will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

A fifteenth invention is a data processing method of an information processing apparatus capable of band communication through a predetermined communication medium with a printing apparatus which develops an image in each band area secured by dividing a memory resource into a plurality of areas. In step (12, step 12 in FIG. 9), the usage status information of the memory resource notified from the printing device is acquired, and the printing information transferred to the printing device is expanded into image data that can be output by the printing device. )) And a first transfer step of retransmitting the expanded image data to the printing apparatus (step (1 in FIG. 9)).
5), (18), (20), step (2) in FIG.
2), (23), (29)), even if the print information transferred by the host computer 1500 becomes unprocessable due to the limitation of the print information area assigned to the RAM 13 of the printer 2500, The CPU 1 of the host computer 1500 develops the image data in advance and sends the image data to the printer 2500 side, so that even print information that cannot be processed due to the limitation of memory resource allocation can be printed. Becomes

A sixteenth aspect of the invention is a result of acquiring the image data expansion capacity assigned to the memory resource of the printing device and comparing the acquired image data expansion capacity with the total transfer capacity of the image data to be transferred. Based on the data processing step (not shown after step (17) in FIG. 9) for generating transfer data by adjusting the amount of image data to be transferred to the printing device, and the generated transfer data. A second transfer step (steps (15), (18), (20) in FIG. 9 and FIG. 1 in which the divided transfer is performed in a plurality of times.
0 (steps (22), (23), and (29)), the image data is sent to the printer 2500 stepwise in accordance with the image data amount transferred by the host computer 1500. Printer 2
Even when the image area allocated to the memory resources of 500 is exceeded, the maximum amount of image data can be transferred to the printer 2500.

A twentieth aspect of the present invention is a step of acquiring the usage status information of the memory resource notified from the printing device and expanding the printing information transferred to the printing device into image data that can be output by the printing device ( Step (12) in FIG. 9)
And a first transfer step (steps (15) and (1 in FIG. 9) for retransmitting the expanded image data to the printing device.
8), (20), steps (22), (2) in FIG.
And a storage medium storing a computer-readable program including (3) and (29). That is, a mode in which a program code corresponding to the steps shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is stored in a storage medium or an internal storage resource described later, and the CPU 1 reads and executes the program code from the storage medium storing the program code is also an embodiment of the present invention. It is included in the form.

A twenty-first aspect of the invention is a result of acquiring the image data expansion capacity assigned to the memory resource of the printing apparatus and comparing the acquired image data expansion capacity with the total transfer capacity of image data to be transferred. Based on the data processing step (not shown after step (17) in FIG. 9) for generating transfer data by adjusting the amount of image data to be transferred to the printing device, and the generated transfer data. A second transfer step (steps (15), (18), (20) in FIG. 9 and FIG. 1 in which the divided transfer is performed in a plurality of times.
And a computer-readable program storage medium including steps (22), (23) and (29) of 0. That is, a mode in which a program code corresponding to the steps shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is stored in a storage medium or an internal storage resource described later, and the CPU 1 reads and executes the program code from the storage medium storing the program code is also an embodiment of the present invention. It is included in the form.

As a result, the host computer 1500
Even if the print information transferred by the printer cannot be processed due to the limitation of the print information area assigned to the RAM 13 of the printer 2500, the print information is transferred to the host computer 1
When the CPU 1 of 500 develops image data in advance and sends the image data to the printer 2500 side, even print information that cannot be processed due to the limitation of memory resource allocation can be printed as much as possible. , The image data is sent to the printer 2500 in stages according to the amount of image data transferred by the host computer 1500.
Even when the image area allocated to the memory resources of 500 is exceeded, the maximum amount of image data can be transferred to the printer 2500.

11 to 14 are flowcharts for explaining the image processing method of the printing system of the present invention, which corresponds to the processing on the printer 2500 side. In addition, (1) to (4
1) shows each step.

First, in step (1), waiting for data reception from the host computer 1500, and when data is received from the host computer 1500, in step (2), whether the received data is image data or not. If it is determined that the received data is image data, the image data storing process from step (26) is executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the received data is not image data (the received data is text / graphics data), the CPU 12 analyzes the received data in the display list in step (3). (Shown in (b) of FIG. 5) and stored in the display list memory 901 of the RAM 13.

Next, in step (4), it is judged whether or not the display list memory 901 is full. If the display list storage is completed before the display list memory 901 is full, in step (5). , It is determined whether or not the “job end” command is input from the host computer 1500, and when it is determined that the “job end” command is not input from the host computer 1500, the reception process of step (1) Return to (the next step is to receive image data).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (5) that the "job end" command has been input from the host computer 1500, in step (6) the data is printed out and the processing is terminated.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (4) that the display list memory 901 is full, the printer 2500 interfaces to the host computer 1500 in step (7).
Send "memory full" status via. Next, in step (8), it is judged whether or not there is a "cancel" command from the host computer 1500,
If it is determined that the "cancel" command has been input, in step (9), the display list stored in the display list memory 901 in step (3) is erased, the "memory full" status is canceled, and the step ( Return to the receiving process of 1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (8) that the "cancel" command has not been input from the host computer 1500, in step (10) "job end" from the host computer 1500.
It is determined whether or not a command has been input, and if a "job end" command has been input, the print process of step (6) is executed, and the process ends.

On the other hand, in step (10), if the "job end" command is not input from the host computer 1500, it is checked in step (11) whether the "no image" command is input from the host computer 1500. If it is determined that the “no image” command has not been input, in step (12) it is determined whether the “reset” command has been input from the host computer 1500, and if the “reset” command has not been input. , And returns to the input determination process of the “cancel” command in step (8). On the other hand, when the “reset” command is input from the host computer 1500 in step (12), in step (13)
The RAM 13 is cleared, the system is reset, and the process returns to the receiving process of step (1).

On the other hand, when the "no image" command is input from the host computer 1500 in step (11), the display list memory area is set to the display list memory 901 and the image data memory 902 in step (14). Extend to the combined area and release the "memory full" status. next,
In step (15), the host computer 150
The remaining text / graphics data is received from 0, and in step (16), the CPU 12 analyzes the received data and converts it into a display list (shown in (b) of FIG. 5), and the display list of the RAM 13 is displayed. It is stored in the memory 901.

Next, in step (17), it is judged whether or not the display list memory 901 is full, and if the display list storage is completed before the expanded display list memory 901 becomes full, step ( In 18), it is determined whether or not a “job end” command is input from the host computer 1500, and “job end” from the host computer 1500.
If it is determined that the command has not been input, the process returns to the receiving process of step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (18) that the "job end" command has been input from the host computer 1500, then in step (19) the data is printed out and the processing ends.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (17) that the expanded display list memory 901 is full, the printer 2500 sends "" to the host computer 1500 via the interface 21 in step (20). Send "memory full" status. Next, in step (21), it is determined whether or not there is a “cancel” command from the host computer 1500. If it is determined that the “cancel” command has been input, in step (22), step (3) ) And the display list stored in the display list memory 901 expanded in step (16) are erased, the “memory full” status is released, and the process returns to the receiving process in step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (21) that the "cancel" command is not input from the host computer 1500, the "job end" command is input from the host computer 1500 in step (23). If there is an input of the “job end” command, it is judged whether or not there is a step (1
The print process of 9) is executed, and the process ends.

On the other hand, when the "job end" command is not input from the host computer 1500 in step (23), it is determined in step (24) whether the "reset" command is input from the host computer 1500. If the "reset" command has not been input, the process returns to the "cancel" command input determination process in step (21). On the other hand, when the "reset" command is input from the host computer 1500 in step (24), the RAM 13 is cleared and the system is reset in step (25), and the process returns to the receiving process in step (1).

On the other hand, in step (2), it is determined whether the received data is image data. If it is determined that the received data is image data, the received data is compressed in step (26). / Stretcher 19
To the host computer 150 for data compression.
For image data from 0 to the input of the “image confirmation command”, the image data memory 9
Store in 02. If the compression / expansion method of the compression / expansion device 19 is reversible (that is, once the compressed data is expanded, the original data is restored), the known run length method, MH, MR, MMR, Any method such as JBIG is included in this embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted here.

Next, in step (27), it is judged whether or not the image data memory 902 is full. If the image storage is completed before the image data memory 902 is full, in step (28), The host computer 1500 determines whether or not a “job end” command is input from the host computer 1500.
If it is determined that the "job end" command has not been input from, the process returns to the receiving process of step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (28) that the "job end" command has been input from the host computer 1500, the process proceeds to step (29) and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (27) that the image data memory 902 is full, the printer 2500 interfaces with the host computer 1500 in step (31).
Send "memory full" status via. Next, in step (32), it is determined whether or not there is an "image data cancel" command from the host computer 1500. If an "image data cancel" command is input, in step (33) the image data The image data stored in the memory 902 up to the middle is erased, and the process proceeds to the “job end” command input determination process in step (34). If there is no input, go to step (3
The process proceeds to 4) the "job end" command input determination process.

Next, in step (34), it is judged whether the "job end" command is input from the host computer 1500. If the "job end" command is input, the process proceeds to step (29) and subsequent steps. On the other hand, if the “job end” command is not input from the host computer 1500 in step (34), the host computer 1500 is input in step (35).
Judge whether or not the "reset" command from the
If the "reset" command has not been input, the process returns to the "job end" command input determination process of step (34).

On the other hand, when the "reset" command is input from the host computer 1500 in step (35), the RAM 13 is entered in step (36).
Clear, reset the system, step (1)
Return to the receiving process of.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (28) and step (34) that the "job end" command has been input, in step (29) the image data flag 1 in the image data memory 902 is read.
203 is checked, and in step (30), the remaining 1/2
It is determined whether or not there is a data flag (as shown in FIG. 7, there is an image data flag in which the value of the image data flag 1203 is “11”), and when it is determined that there is the remaining 1/2 image data flag, , Step (37), the first quarter data (a ₁ (l = 1 to 1 in FIG. 6
6)), the next ¼ data (b _m (m = 1 to 1 in FIG. 6
6)), and the remaining 1/2 data (c _n (n = 1 to 3 in FIG. 6)
2)) is expanded by the compression / expansion device 19 respectively (see FIG. 6).
The original image data is restored by synthesizing (in the arrangement shown in 1). 120 x and y coordinates of image data when restoring
It goes without saying that the coordinate information of 4 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 4) is examined and images having the same coordinates are combined.

Next, in step (38), if there is display list data stored in the display playlist memory 901, the display list and data are combined with the image data combined in step (37). , Print. This step (3
7), the process of step (38) is performed for each band, and when all bands are completed, all processes are completed.

On the other hand, in step (30), the remaining 1
If it is determined that the / 2 data flag does not exist (there is no image data flag in which the value of the image data flag 1203 is "11" as shown in FIG. 7), the step (3
9), there is the next 1/4 data flag (the value of the image data flag 1203 is "1" as shown in FIG. 7).
It is determined whether or not there is an image data flag that is "0"), and if it is determined that there is a next 1/4 data flag, in step (41), the first 1/4 data (a in FIG. 6) is detected. _l (l = 1 to 16)), next 1/4 data (b in FIG. 6)
Image data is created by expanding _m (m = 1 to 16) by the compression / expansion device 19 and synthesizing them (in the arrangement shown in FIG. 8A). In this case, since only half of the original image data is available, the quality of the combined image is degraded, but the situation in which the image data cannot be printed can be avoided. Next, in step (38), if there is display list data stored in the display playlist memory 901, the display list and the data and the image data combined in step (41) are further combined and printed. . This step (4
The process of 1) and step (38) is performed for each band, and when all bands are completed, all processes are completed.

On the other hand, in step (39), the following 1
If it is determined that there is no / 4 data flag (there is no image data flag in which the value of the image data flag 1203 is “10” as shown in FIG. 7), the first 1/4
The data (a ₁ (1 = 1 to 16) in FIG. 6) is expanded by the compression / expansion device 19 and doubled in each of the x direction and the y direction so as to be image data (shown in FIG. 8B). )make. In this case, since there is only 1/4 of the original image data, the quality of the combined image is further degraded, but the situation in which the image data cannot be printed can be avoided.

Next, in step (38), if there is display list data stored in the display playlist memory 901, the display list and data are further combined with the image data created in step (40), To print. This step (41),
When the process of step (38) is performed for each band and all bands are completed, all processes are completed.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and the respective steps of the seventeenth to nineteenth and twenty-second to twenty-fourth aspects of the invention and the action thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

A seventeenth invention is a data processing method of a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein print information received from the information processing apparatus is divided into data for each band. A first storing step (step (3) in FIG. 11) of storing in the first storing means;
First notification step (steps (4) and (7) in FIG. 11) of notifying the information processing device of the usage state information of the storage means
Even if the print information transferred from the host computer 1500 cannot be processed due to the limitation of the print information area assigned to the RAM 13 of the printer 2500, the host computer 1500 is notified of the fact that The computer 1500 side receives the print information expanded in advance into the image data, and even the print information that cannot be processed due to the limitation of the memory resource allocation can be printed.

The eighteenth invention is a data processing method of a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a compression step of compressing image data received from the information processing apparatus according to a predetermined compression format. (Step (26) in FIG. 13) and a second storage step (FIG. 13) for storing the compressed compressed image data in the second storage means.
Step (26)) and a second notification step (steps (27) and (31) in FIG. 13) of notifying the information processing device of the usage state information of the second storage means, and the stored information. A decompression step of decompressing the compressed image data according to a predetermined compression format (steps (37) and (4 in FIG. 14).
0), (41)) and a printing process (step (38) in FIG. 14) for printing the decompressed image data, and the image data transferred stepwise from the host computer 1500 to the printer 2500 is Printer 250
Even when the image area allocated to the RAM 13 of 0 is exceeded, the image data already transferred to the printer 2500 is compressed and stored, so that the image data amount may exceed the image area allocated to the memory resource. Also, it becomes possible to print the entire image with the highest possible quality.

A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is an interpolation step (step of FIG. 14) of discriminating an expansion state for the second storage means and performing a predetermined interpolation process on the image data expanded by the expansion means to restore the image data. (37), (4
0), (41)), and a host computer 1500
Even if the image data transferred from the printer to the printer 2500 in a stepwise manner exceeds the image area assigned to the RAM 13 of the printer 2500, the original image data is restored and printed according to the amount of the image data already transferred to the printer 2500. By doing so, even if the amount of image data exceeds the image area assigned to the memory resource, the entire image can be printed with the highest possible quality.

The twenty-second aspect of the present invention includes a first storing step (step (3) in FIG. 11) of dividing print information received from the information processing device into data for each band and storing the divided data in the first storing means. And a computer-readable program including a first notification step (steps (4) and (7) in FIG. 11) of notifying the information processing device of the usage state information of the first storage means. Storage medium. That is, an embodiment in which a program code corresponding to the steps shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 is stored in a storage medium or an internal storage resource described later, and the CPU 12 reads and executes the program code from the storage medium storing the program code is also embodied in the present invention. It is included in the form.

A twenty-third aspect of the invention is a compression step (step (26) in FIG. 13) of compressing image data received from the information processing apparatus according to a predetermined compression format, and the compressed image data is stored in a second storage. Second storing step (step (26) in FIG. 13) for storing the information in the storage means and a second notifying step (step (27 in FIG. 13) for notifying the information processing device of the usage status information of the second storing means. ), (3
1)), a decompression step of decompressing the stored compressed image data according to a predetermined compression format (steps (37), (40), (41) in FIG. 14), and printing the decompressed image data. And a printing process (step (38) in FIG. 14) for performing a computer-readable program. That is, a storage medium or an internal storage resource described later is used in FIG.
~ A program code corresponding to the process shown in Fig. 14 is stored, and a CP is stored in the storage medium storing the program code.
A mode in which U12 reads and executes the data is also included in the embodiment of the present invention.

A twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention is an interpolation step (step of FIG. 14) of discriminating an expansion state for the second storage means and performing a predetermined interpolation process on the image data expanded by the expansion means to restore the image data. (37), (4
The storage medium stores a computer-readable program including 0) and (41).
That is, an embodiment in which a program code corresponding to the steps shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 is stored in a storage medium or an internal storage resource described later, and the CPU 12 reads and executes the program code from the storage medium storing the program code is also embodied in the present invention. It is included in the form.

As a result, the host computer 1500
The print information transferred from the RAM 2500 of the printer 2500
Even when processing cannot be performed due to the limitation of the print information area assigned to No. 3, the host computer 150
0 to notify the host computer 1500
Side can receive the print information expanded in advance into the image data, and can print as much as possible even the print information that cannot be processed due to the limitation of the allocation of the memory resource. Further, the host computer 1500 can gradually print the print information. Image data transferred to 2500 is printer 250
Even if the image area allocated to the RAM 13 of 0 is exceeded, the image data amount is allocated to the memory resource by restoring and printing the original image data according to the image data amount already transferred to the printer 2500. Even if the image area is exceeded, the entire image can be printed with the highest quality possible.

In this embodiment, the two banding buffer memories 903 and 904 are used as double buffers to send data to the printing section 17 for printing. Therefore, regarding the text / graphics data, information is read from the corresponding band in the display list described above, and dot expansion is performed in the band memories 903 and 904. For image data, the x of the image data,
Based on the y coordinate information 1204 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 4),
The position of the image data is calculated, and the image data at the corresponding band position is restored as described above, and then expanded in the above-mentioned banding buffer memory (903 or 904) and combined with the text / graphics data.

The image data is restored using the work memory 905. The combined text data on the banding buffer memories 903 and 904 is sent to the printing unit 17 as dot data and printed.

As described above, by using the banding method, high throughput is realized, and when the document data is complicated, the host computer side develops dots in advance and sends it to the printer side. Send the image data to the printer in stages according to the capacity, compress and store the sent image data, and if the memory becomes full in the middle, restore the image data sent so far according to the amount. By printing, even if the memory capacity remains smaller than the dot memory for one page, even if the document data is complicated or the data with a large image data capacity,
You can print with the highest possible quality.

Second Embodiment In the above first embodiment,
Although the compression / expansion device 19 is reversibly compressed (it is restored to the original data at the time of expansion) and the image data is secured and transmitted, the compression / expansion device 19 is irreversibly forcibly compressed to 1/4. If the data is compressed (original data becomes thinned data when decompressed), the quality of the image data is always degraded, but the image data can be sent from the host only once.

[Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
Image interpolation was performed as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b).
It goes without saying that a method of dot interpolation may be used according to the relationship of other dots around the dot.

Since there are many known interpolation methods in this case, the description thereof is omitted here.

The structure of the data processing program readable by the printing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the printing system according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored in the storage medium. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and the functions shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 in this embodiment may be performed by this system by a program installed from the outside. In that case, the present invention is also applied to the case where the information group including the program is supplied to the system from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. It is a thing.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program codes, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program codes. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0156]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, the memory resource notified from the printing device acquires the usage information, and the printing information transferred to the printing device by the expanding device is expanded into an image which can be output by the printing device, and the transfer control device Since the image data expanded by the expansion means is retransmitted to the printing device, if the print information transferred by the information processing device cannot be processed due to the limitation of the print information area allocated to the memory resource of the printing device,
Since the print information is expanded into image data in advance by the information processing apparatus and the image data is sent to the printing apparatus, the print information cannot be processed due to the limitation of memory resource allocation on the printing apparatus side. Even the printer can print directly.

According to the second invention, the image data expansion capacity allocated to the memory resource of the printing apparatus is acquired, and the acquired image data expansion capacity is compared with the total transfer capacity of the image data to be transferred. Based on the result, the data processing means generates transfer data by adjusting the amount of image data to be transferred to the printing device, and the transfer control means transfers the transfer data generated by the data processing means. If the amount of image data transferred from the information processing device exceeds the image area allocated to the memory resource of the printing device, the amount of image data to be transferred is adjusted and transferred to the printing device. The image data that fits in the image area can be transferred to the printing device.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the transfer control means divides and transfers the image data in a plurality of times, the image data amount transferred from the information processing device is allocated to the memory resource of the printing device. If it exceeds the area, the amount of image data to be transferred is adjusted and divided and transferred to the printing device multiple times, so the amount of image data fits within the image area allocated to memory resources and the entire image is restored. Possible image data can be transferred to the printing device.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the transfer control means obtains the usage status information of the memory resource notified from the printing device during the divided transfer, and stops the image data transfer to the printing device. , If the amount of image data transferred from the information processing device exceeds the image area allocated to the memory resource of the printing device, the image data transfer to the printing device is stopped. Transfer of excess image data to the printing device can be restricted.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the data processing means extracts the non-overlapping pixel data from the image data stepwise to generate the transfer data, so that the amount of image data transferred from the information processing device is printed. Since the image data that can output the entire image does not exceed the image area allocated to the memory resource of the device and is transferred to the printing device step by step so as not to overlap, the image data amount is allocated to the memory resource. Image data capable of outputting the entire image as much as possible without exceeding the area can be transferred to the printing apparatus.

According to the sixth invention, the print information received from the information processing device is divided into data for each band and stored in the first storage means, and the first notifying means is the first storage means. Since the usage status information of the print information is notified to the information processing apparatus, if the print information transferred from the information processing apparatus cannot be processed due to the limitation of the print information area allocated to the memory resource of the printing apparatus, Since this is notified, the information processing apparatus can recognize that the memory resource allocation will be exceeded before the print information transfer is completed.

According to the seventh invention, the compression means compresses the image data received from the information processing device in accordance with a predetermined compression format, and the compressed image data compressed by the compression means is stored in the second storage means. Since the decompressing unit decompresses the stored compressed image data according to a predetermined compression format and the decompressing image data is printed by the printing unit, in the image area allocated to the memory resource,
Since the image data transferred from the information processing device is compressed and stored, the entire image can be printed in the highest possible quality.

According to the eighth invention, since the second notifying means notifies the information processing apparatus of the usage status information of the second storage means, the amount of image data transferred from the information processing apparatus is allocated to the memory resource. It is possible to clearly indicate to the host computer that a situation that exceeds the specified image area has occurred.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the interpolation means determines the expansion state for the second storage means and performs a predetermined interpolation process on the image data expanded by the expansion means to restore the image data. When the amount of image data transferred from the device exceeds the image area allocated to the memory resource of the printing device, the printing device restores the original image data according to the transferred image data amount and prints it. Even if the amount of image data exceeds the image area assigned to the memory resource, the entire image can be printed with the highest possible quality from the received image data.

According to the tenth aspect, when the printing device notifies the memory resource, that is, the usage status information of the first storage means, by the first notifying means of the printing device during the transfer of the printing information. The transfer control means transfers the image data expanded from the print information by the expansion means, and the compression means compresses and stores the directly printable image data in the memory resource, that is, the second storage means, and the compressed image data is compressed. Since the decompression means decompresses the image data and the printing means prints it,
Recognizing the usage status of memory resources on the printing device side so that print information that would overflow when memory resources are allocated to the printing device is directly received from the information processing device as printable image data and does not overflow from the memory allocation. It can be compressed and expanded for reliable printing.

According to the eleventh invention, the information processing apparatus is
Based on the result of acquiring the image data expansion capacity assigned to the memory resource of the printing device, that is, the capacity of the second storage means, and comparing the acquired image data expansion capacity with the total transfer capacity of the image data to be transferred. Then, the transfer data processing unit generates transfer data by adjusting the amount of image data to be transferred to the printing apparatus, and the transfer control unit transfers the generated transfer data. If the amount exceeds the image area allocated to the memory resource of the printing device, the amount of image data to be transferred is adjusted and transferred to the printing device, so image data that fits in the image area allocated to the memory resource is printed. It can be transferred to the device and printed.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the transfer control means divides the image data into a plurality of divided transfers, and the amount of image data transferred from the information processing device is allocated to the memory resource of the printing device. Image area ie
If it exceeds the second storage means, the amount of image data to be transferred is adjusted and dividedly transferred to the printing apparatus in a plurality of times, so that the amount of image data fits within the image area allocated to the memory resource, and Image data capable of restoring an image can be transferred to a printing device and printed.

According to the thirteenth invention, the transfer control means controls the second transfer of the printing device during the divided transfer of the image data.
The memory resource notified by the notification unit, that is, the usage state information of the first storage unit is acquired and the image data transfer to the printing apparatus is stopped. Therefore, the amount of image data transferred from the information processing apparatus is the memory resource of the printing apparatus. If it exceeds the image area allocated to the printer, the printing device clearly indicates to the information processing device, and the information processing device stops the transfer of image data to the printing device. Can be restricted from being transferred to the printing device.

According to the fourteenth invention, the data processing unit gradually extracts non-overlapping pixel data from the image data to generate transfer data, and the transfer control unit transfers the transfer data to the printing apparatus. The transferred image data is compressed and stored in the second storage unit, the expansion state of the second storage unit is determined, and the image data expanded by the expansion unit is subjected to predetermined interpolation processing by the interpolation unit to obtain an image. Since the data is restored, the amount of image data transferred from the information processing device does not exceed the image area allocated to the memory resources of the printing device, and the entire image can be output stepwise so that the image data does not overlap. The image is transferred to the device, and the printing device restores the original image data from the transferred image data and prints it. Can be over data amount without exceeding the image area allocated in the memory resource, the image data that can print the entire image is transferred to the printing apparatus as possible, to print a high quality as possible.

According to the fifteenth and twentieth aspects of the present invention, information processing capable of band communication through a predetermined communication medium with a printing apparatus for developing an image in each band area secured by dividing a memory resource into a plurality of sections is provided. In a data processing method of an apparatus, use status information of a memory resource notified from the printing apparatus is acquired, the print information transferred to the printing apparatus is expanded into image data that can be output by the printing apparatus, and the expansion is performed. Since the image data is retransmitted to the printing device,
The print information transferred by the information processing apparatus is the RAM 1 of the printing apparatus.
Even when the print information cannot be processed due to the limitation of the print information area assigned to the print information area 3,
Since the PU1 develops the image data in advance and the image data is sent to the printing apparatus side, even if the print information cannot be processed due to the limitation of the memory resource allocation,
Printing becomes possible.

According to the sixteenth and twenty-first aspects, the image data expansion capacity assigned to the memory resource of the printing device is acquired, and the acquired image data expansion capacity and the total transfer capacity of the image data to be transferred are acquired. On the basis of the result of the comparison between and, the amount of image data to be transferred to the printing device is adjusted to generate transfer data, and the generated transfer data is divided and transferred in plural times. Since the image data is sent to the printer step by step according to the amount of image data to be transferred, even if the image data amount exceeds the image area allocated to the memory resource of the printing device, as much image data as possible is printed by the printing device. Can be transferred to.

According to the seventeenth and twenty-second inventions, in the data processing method of the printing apparatus capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus via the predetermined communication medium, the print information received from the information processing apparatus is received for each band. Since the data is divided into data and stored in the first storage unit and the usage status information of the first storage unit is notified to the information processing apparatus, the print information transferred from the information processing apparatus is stored in the memory resource of the printing apparatus. If processing cannot be performed due to the limitation of the allocated print information area, the information processing apparatus is notified of that fact. Can be recognized.

According to the eighteenth and twenty-third aspects, in the data processing method of the printing apparatus capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus via the predetermined communication medium, the image data received from the information processing apparatus is compressed in a predetermined compression format. Compress the compressed image data according to the above, store the compressed compressed image data in the second storage unit, notify the information processing device of the usage state information of the second storage unit, and store the stored compressed image data in a predetermined manner. Since the expanded image data is printed according to the compression format of No. 1, the image data transferred stepwise from the information processing device to the printing device is the RAM 1 of the printing device.
Even when it exceeds the image area assigned to No. 3, since the image data already transferred to the printing apparatus is compressed and stored, even if the amount of image data exceeds the image area assigned to the memory resource, The entire image can be printed in the highest possible quality.

According to the nineteenth and twenty-fourth inventions, the second
Of the image data decompressed by the decompression means is subjected to a predetermined interpolation process to restore the image data, so that the image data transferred stepwise from the information processing device to the printing device is printed. Even when the image area allocated to the RAM 13 of the apparatus is exceeded, by restoring the original image data from the image data already transferred to the printing apparatus and printing, the image area in which the image data amount is allocated to the memory resource can be obtained. Even if the situation exceeds, the entire image can be printed with the highest quality possible.

Therefore, when the print information transferred from the host computer cannot be processed due to the limitation of the print information area assigned to the memory resource of the printer, the print information is expanded into image data in advance on the host computer side. Then, by sending the image data to the printer side, even print information that cannot be processed due to the limitation of memory resource allocation can be printed as much as possible. Further, the image data is sent to the printer step by step according to the image data amount transferred from the host computer, and if the image data amount exceeds the image area allocated to the memory resource of the printer, the printer transfers the image data. Even if the amount of image data exceeds the image area allocated to memory resources, the entire image is printed in the highest possible quality by restoring and printing the original image data according to the amount of image data already used. There are effects such as being able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the printing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of print data for one page in which text data, graphics data, and image data stored in the RAM or external memory of the host computer shown in FIG. 1 are mixed.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a memory map of a RAM in the printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating details of print data illustrated in FIG.

6 is a diagram showing image data that can be printed by the printing system shown in FIG.

7 is a diagram showing a text data format sent from the host computer shown in FIG. 1 to a printer.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which dot data obtained by dividing the image data shown in FIG. 6 is restored to original dot data.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a data processing method of the printing system of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a data processing method of the printing system of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an image processing method of the printing system of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an image processing method of the printing system of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an image processing method of the printing system of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an image processing method of the printing system of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the printing system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 System Bus 7 Memory Controller (MC) 8 Printer Controller (PRTC) 11 External Memory 12 CPU 13 RAM 14 ROM 15 Input Port 16 Printing Port Interface (I / F) 17 Printing Port 19 Compressor / Expander 20 system bus 21 bidirectional interface 1500 host computer 2500 printer

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus capable of band communication with a printing apparatus for expanding an image in each band area secured by dividing a memory resource into a plurality of areas, and is notified from the printing apparatus. Acquiring usage status information of the memory resource and expanding the print information transferred to the printing device into image data that can be output by the printing device; and the image data expanded by the expanding device. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a transfer control unit for retransmitting to the. 2. The image data development capacity allocated to the memory resource of the printing apparatus is acquired, and based on the result of comparison between the acquired image data development capacity and the total transfer capacity of image data to be transferred, The data processing means for generating transfer data by adjusting the amount of image data to be transferred to the printing device is provided, and the transfer control means transfers the transfer data generated by the data processing means. 1. The information processing device according to 1. 3. The transfer control means divides and transfers the image data in a plurality of times.
The information processing device described. 4. The transfer control means acquires the usage status information of the memory resource notified from the printing device during the divided transfer, and stops the image data transfer to the printing device. Item 3. The information processing device according to item 3. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data processing unit gradually extracts non-overlapping pixel data from the image data to generate transfer data. 6. A printing device capable of communicating with an information processing device via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: first storage means for storing print information received from the information processing device by dividing it into data for each band. A first notifying unit for notifying the information processing apparatus of the usage status information of the first storage unit. 7. A printing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, a compression unit for compressing image data received from the information processing apparatus according to a predetermined compression format, and a compression unit for compressing the image data. Second storage means for storing the compressed image data, decompression means for decompressing the compressed image data stored in the second storage means according to a predetermined compression format, and image data decompressed by the decompression means. A printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a second notifying unit that notifies the information processing apparatus of the usage status information of the second storage unit. 9. An interpolating means for discriminating an expansion state for the second storage means and performing a predetermined interpolation process on the image data expanded by the expanding means to restore the image data. Item 7. The printing device according to item 7. 10. A printing system capable of band communication between a printing device for expanding an image in each band area secured by dividing a memory resource into a plurality of areas and an information processing device through band communication through a predetermined communication medium. Expanding means for acquiring the usage status information of the memory resource notified from the device and expanding the print information transferred to the printing device into image data that can be output by the printing device; and the image data expanded by the expanding device. An information processing apparatus that includes a transfer control unit that retransmits the print information to the printing apparatus; a first storage unit that stores print information received from the information processing apparatus by dividing the print information into data for each band;
First notifying means for notifying the information processing device of usage status information of the storage means, compression means for compressing image data received from the information processing device according to a predetermined compression format, and compression means for compressing the image data. Second storage means for storing compressed image data, decompression means for decompressing the compressed image data stored in the second storage means according to a predetermined compression format, and printing the image data decompressed by the decompression means And a printing device including a printing unit for performing the printing. 11. The information processing apparatus acquires an image data expansion capacity assigned to a memory resource of the printing apparatus, and compares the acquired image data expansion capacity with a total transfer capacity of image data to be transferred. Based on the result, a data processing unit that generates transfer data by adding or subtracting the amount of image data to be transferred to the printing device is provided,
11. The printing system according to claim 10, wherein the transfer control unit transfers the transfer data generated by the data processing unit. 12. The printing system according to claim 11, wherein the transfer control unit divides and transfers the image data in a plurality of times. 13. The transfer control means acquires the usage status information of the memory resource notified from the printing device during the divided transfer, and stops the image data transfer to the printing device. 13. The printing system according to claim 12, further comprising a second notifying unit that notifies the information processing apparatus of the usage status information of the second storage unit. 14. The data processing unit gradually extracts non-overlapping pixel data from the image data to generate transfer data, and the printing device determines a development state for the second storage unit. The printing system according to claim 11, further comprising an interpolation unit that restores the image data by performing a predetermined interpolation process on the image data expanded by the expansion unit. 15. A data processing method of an information processing apparatus capable of band communication via a predetermined communication medium with a printing apparatus for expanding an image in each band area secured by dividing a memory resource into a plurality of areas, wherein the printing is performed. A step of acquiring the usage status information of the memory resource notified from the apparatus, expanding the print information transferred to the printing apparatus into image data that can be output by the printing apparatus, and printing the expanded image data by the printing. And a first transfer step of retransmitting to the device. 16. An image data development capacity allocated to a memory resource of the printing apparatus is acquired, and based on a result of comparison between the acquired image data expansion capacity and a total transfer capacity of image data to be transferred, A data processing step of generating transfer data by adjusting the amount of image data to be transferred to the printing device, and a second transfer step of dividing and transferring the generated transfer data in a plurality of times. The data processing method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 15. 17. A data processing method for a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein print information received from the information processing apparatus is divided into data for each band and first storage is performed. A data processing method for a printing apparatus, comprising: a first storing step of storing the information in the means; and a first notifying step of notifying the information processing apparatus of the usage status information of the first storing means. 18. A data processing method of a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a compression step of compressing image data received from the information processing apparatus according to a predetermined compression format, and the compression step. A second storing step of storing the compressed compressed image data in the second storing means, a second notifying step of notifying the information processing device of the usage status information of the second storing means, and the stored A data processing method for a printing apparatus, comprising: a decompression step of decompressing the compressed image data according to a predetermined compression format, and a printing step of printing the decompressed image data. 19. An interpolation step of restoring the image data by performing a predetermined interpolation process on the image data decompressed by the decompression means by determining a development state for the second storage means. 18. A data processing method for a printing apparatus according to item 18. 20. An expansion step of acquiring the usage status information of the memory resource notified from the printing device and expanding the printing information transferred to the printing device into image data that can be output by the printing device, and the expanding process. A recording medium storing a computer-readable program including a first transfer step of retransmitting the image data to the printing apparatus. 21. Based on the result of acquiring the image data expansion capacity assigned to the memory resource of the printing device and comparing the acquired image data expansion capacity with the total transfer capacity of the image data to be transferred, Read by a computer including a data processing step of adding and subtracting the amount of image data to be transferred to the printing device to generate transfer data, and a second transfer step of dividing and transferring the generated transfer data in a plurality of times 21. The recording medium according to claim 20, which stores a program capable of executing the program. 22. A first storage step of dividing print information received from an information processing device into data for each band and storing the data in a first storage means, and usage status information of the first storage means. A recording medium storing a computer-readable program including a first notification step of notifying an information processing apparatus. 23. A compression step of compressing image data received from an information processing device according to a predetermined compression format, a second storage step of storing the compressed compressed image data in a second storage means, and the second storage step. A second notification step of notifying the information processing device of the usage status information of the second storage means;
A record storing a computer-readable program including a decompression step of decompressing the stored compressed image data according to a predetermined compression format, and a printing step of printing the decompressed image data. Medium. 24. A computer-readable program including an interpolation step of determining an expansion state for the second storage means and performing a predetermined interpolation process on the image data expanded by the expansion means to restore the image data. 24. The recording medium according to claim 23, wherein