JP6344145B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming program.

  In network printing, a technique for controlling a printing method of a document for printing a plurality of copies on a page basis by a print controller is known. For example, different customer information is printed on the first page of each part of a document to be printed in multiple copies, or stamps such as “customer”, “processing”, and “reserved” are printed for each copy, as in carbon printing. It is a technology that gives meaning to each part.

  When printing using such a technique, the printed image differs only in the first page between the first part of the document to be printed in multiple copies and the other parts after the second part. The images will be the same. In this case, when the page data is transmitted from the print controller to the image forming apparatus, if the page of the other part having the same image is transmitted as it is, the page having the same content is transmitted to the image forming apparatus multiple times. There is a waste of data transmission. On the other hand, the print controller does not transmit the page of the other part having the same image, and the image forming apparatus performs the other part based on the page of the first part in response to the control signal from the print controller. It is conceivable to cope with such a configuration by generating a partial page. However, when the print controller is configured in this manner, control of the image forming apparatus by the print controller becomes complicated, and there is a problem that versatility of an interface between the print controller and the image forming apparatus is lowered.

  For this reason, as described above, although transmission of page data is wasted, the print controller may be configured to transmit the page data for the number of copies to be printed as it is to the image forming apparatus from the viewpoint of not reducing the versatility of the interface. Many. Hereinafter, the print controller having such a configuration is referred to as a “page mode controller” or simply a “controller” in the present specification.

  For example, when three copies of a three-page document are printed, the controller transmits 3 pages × 3 copies = 9 pages to the image forming apparatus. If the first page and the second and third parts of the document are different only in the first page and the second and third pages are exactly the same, the second and third pages of the second and third parts are also the same. , Page data is transmitted from the print controller to the image forming apparatus. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus receives page data of all pages and temporarily stores them in the hard disk drive. Then, when forming an image, the page data is read from the hard disk drive to the memory and printed. Accordingly, the first to third page data of the first to third pages are stored in the hard disk drive. Of these, the second and third pages of the second and third pages are stored in the first part of the second and third pages. Each page is identical. As in this example, if the number of copies to be printed is as small as 3 copies, the free space of the hard disk drive is less likely to be a problem. However, when printing a large number of copies, a large amount of the same page data is included, which may cause a problem that the hard disk drive has insufficient free space.

  In relation to this, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for improving communication efficiency by combining print jobs of a plurality of users into one print job. However, with the technique of Patent Document 1, although the communication efficiency can be improved, the amount of page data received by the image forming apparatus does not change much before and after combining print jobs into one, so that the free space of the hard disk drive is small. Can't solve the missing problem.

JP 2010-208170 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming program that suppress a shortage of free space in a hard disk drive of an image forming apparatus when printing a large number of copies using a page mode controller. .

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following.

  (1) A data acquisition unit that acquires page data including print image data from the controller in units of pages, a data storage unit that stores print image data of the page data acquired by the data acquisition unit, and the page data If the page data is one set of page data, control is performed so that the print image data of the page data is stored in the data storage unit. If the page data is the second or later page data, the page data The print image data is compared with the print image data of the corresponding page of the first part. If there is no difference between the print image data and the print image data, the print image data is discarded. A control unit that controls to store the data in the data storage unit.

  (2) The data acquisition unit further acquires information about the print image data, and the control unit receives the print image data acquired by the data acquisition unit according to a setting of information about the print image data. Control whether to store in the data storage unit or discard the print image data without storing in the data storage unit, the information about the print image data is the print acquired by the controller that outputs the page data If the job is the first part, the data storage unit is set to save the print image data of the page data, while if the print job is the second part or later, the print job The image data is compared with the image data of the corresponding page of the first part, and if there is no difference between the two, it corresponds to the image data Discard printing image data, the image forming apparatus according to (1), characterized in that is set so as to store the print image data to the data storage unit if there is a difference.

  (3) The control unit acquires copy number information and page information of the page data, and when the print image data is stored in the data storage unit, the control unit stores the print image data in association with the copy number information and the page information. The image forming apparatus as described in (1) or (2) above.

  (4) The image forming unit further prints an image on a sheet based on the print image data, and the control unit uses print image data stored in the data storage unit for the first unit. For the second and subsequent parts, if the print image data is stored, the print is performed using the print image data. If the print image data is not stored, the first part corresponds to The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the image forming unit is controlled to print using print image data to be printed.

  (5) A procedure (a) for acquiring page data including print image data from the controller in units of pages, and a data storage unit when the page data acquired in the procedure (a) is the first page data If the page data is page data after the second part, the print image data of the page data and the corresponding page of the first part are printed. Step (b) for comparing the image data and controlling to discard the print image data if there is no difference between them and to store the print image data in the data storage unit if there is a difference And an image forming program for causing a computer to execute.

  (6) In the procedure (a), information related to the print image data is further acquired. In the procedure (b), the print image acquired in the procedure (a) is set according to the setting of information related to the print image data. Controls whether data is stored in the data storage unit or whether the print image data is discarded without being stored in the data storage unit. Information about the print image data is stored in the controller that outputs the page data. When the acquired print job is the first part, the data storage unit is set to store the print image data of the page data, while when the print job is the second part or later, The image data of the print job is compared with the image data of the corresponding page of the first part. Discards the print image data, the image forming program according to (5), characterized in that set so as to store the print image data to the data storage unit if there is a difference.

  (7) a step (c) of printing an image on paper based on the print image data, and the first part is printed using the print image data stored in the data storage unit; For the second and subsequent parts, if the print image data is stored, printing is performed using the print image data. If the print image data is not stored, the corresponding print image data of the first part is used. The image forming program according to (5) or (6), wherein printing is performed using

  (8) In the step (b), after the print image data acquired in the step (a) is stored in the data storage unit, if the page data is the first page data, the print image When the page data is the second and subsequent page data, the print data of the page data is compared with the print image data of the corresponding page of the first part. The print image data is deleted if there is no difference, and the storage of the print image data is maintained if there is a difference, as described in any one of (5) to (7) above Image forming program.

  According to the present invention, page data having the same contents as the page data of the first part is deleted from the second part and subsequent page data transmitted from the controller to the image forming apparatus, so that only necessary page data is stored on the hard disk. Can be saved to the drive. As a result, it is possible to suppress a shortage of free space in the hard disk drive.

1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the page header in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the page footer in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating configurations of a controller and an image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of page data between a controller and an image forming apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the transmission process of the page data in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the reception process of the page data in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the page data preserve | saved at 2nd HDD in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the reception process of the page data in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the reception process of the page data in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of a page header in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of a page footer in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the controller and the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

<Image forming system>
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system A of this embodiment includes a controller 100 and an image forming apparatus 200, which are connected to each other by a dedicated wiring 300 so as to communicate with each other. The controller 100 is connected to a client terminal (not shown) through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The client terminal is, for example, a personal computer or a portable information terminal, and generates a print job and transmits it to the controller 100. The print job is job data for causing the image forming apparatus 200 to print an image, and print job information (including CMYK four-color image data and information related to various settings necessary for printing the image data). Also called job ticket setting).

  As shown in Table 1, the print job information of the present embodiment can include, for example, a job number, copy information, page information, carbon settings, and paper information. The paper information can further include information such as paper size, paper type, duplex printing, and post-processing settings. The user can check the setting contents of the print job information or change a part of the setting contents by using a printer driver operating on the client terminal. Table 1 exemplifies a case where three copies of a 3-page document set with carbon are printed.

  Also, the image data can be created using application software such as document creation software that runs on the client terminal, for example.

<Controller>
The controller 100 analyzes the print job, generates page data, and transmits the page data to the image forming apparatus 200 in units of pages. In the present embodiment, the page data includes a page header, print image data, and a page footer. As shown in FIG. 2A, the page header indicates the beginning of the page, and in this embodiment, in addition to general information such as page number, paper size, paper type, horizontal and vertical image size, and post-processing settings. , Information on whether to save the print image data is included.

  More specifically, information on whether or not to save the print image data is set in a portion between “<SaveImage>” and “</ SaveImage>”. If “Yes”, the print image data is set. Saved and “No” indicates that the print image data is not saved. Also, as shown in FIG. 2B, the page footer indicates the end of the page and may include information such as the end time. The page header and page footer are generated based on print job information included in the print job.

  In addition, the controller 100 analyzes the print job, executes processes such as color conversion, screening, and rasterization, and generates print image data in bitmap format.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 100 includes a first I / F unit 110 and a first control unit 120. The first I / F unit 110 is connected to the image forming apparatus 200 and is an interface for exchanging page data, print job information, status information, control information, and the like between the controller 100 and the image forming apparatus 200.

  The first control unit 120 includes a first memory 121, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) 122, a first HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 123, a first communication I / F unit 124, and a first CPU (Central Processing Unit) 125.

  The first memory 121 has a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is a device that temporarily stores various data read from the first HDD 123 and the first communication I / F unit 124. The stored data is processed by the first CPU 125 and transferred to the first HDD 123 as necessary.

  The RIP 122 analyzes the received print job and generates print image data in bitmap format. The RIP 122 rasterizes image data included in a print job by executing a rasterization software program by the first CPU 125 or a dedicated processor. The software program for rasterization is stored in the first HDD 123. Alternatively, the RIP 122 may be configured with hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

  The first HDD 123 is a hard disk drive that stores various software programs such as a control program, an image processing program, and an operating system, a print job, and information related to various processes executed by the controller 100.

  The first communication I / F unit 124 establishes a connection with a server, a client terminal, another device, etc., and executes data transmission / reception.

  The first CPU 125 executes various software programs stored in the first HDD 123 such as a control program and an image processing program, and controls each unit and performs image processing.

<Image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 200 receives page data page by page and prints an image. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 200 includes an operation display unit 210, an image forming unit 220, a paper feeding unit 230, a post-processing unit 240, a second I / F unit 250, and a second control unit 260.

  The operation display unit 210 receives an instruction from the user and transmits the instruction to the second control unit 260. The operation unit display 210 displays various setting information input by the user, stored print job information, warning messages, and the like. The operation display unit 210 includes, for example, an input device such as a push button switch or a touch panel and a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

  The image forming unit 220 prints a print image on paper using the print image data. Specifically, the image forming unit 220 prints an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic process. In the electrophotographic process, the photosensitive drum is charged, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum by laser light based on the print image data. Then, toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum to form a toner image, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto a sheet supplied from the paper supply unit 230 by a transfer belt. Subsequently, the toner image transferred onto the paper is fixed by heating and pressing with a fixing roller. The paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from the paper discharge tray.

  The post-processing unit 240 performs post-processing (finishing processing) on the paper on which the image is printed in the image forming unit 220. More specifically, the post-processing unit 240 performs post-processing such as punching, stapling, and bookbinding on a sheet on which an image is printed in the image forming unit 220 in accordance with an instruction from the second control unit 260.

  The second I / F unit 250 is connected to the controller 100 and is an interface for exchanging page data, print job information, status information, control information, and the like between the image forming apparatus 200 and the controller 100. In the present embodiment, the second I / F unit 250 functions as a data acquisition unit.

  The second control unit 260 includes a second memory 261, a second HDD 262, a second communication I / F unit 263, and a second CPU 264, and includes an operation display unit 210, an image forming unit 220, a sheet feeding unit 230, a post-processing unit 240, and the like. The second I / F unit 250 is controlled.

  The second memory 261 has a RAM and is a device that temporarily stores various data read from the second HDD 262 and the second communication I / F unit 263. The stored data is processed by the second CPU 264 and transferred to the second HDD 262 as necessary.

  The second HDD 262 functions as a data storage unit, and is a hard disk drive that stores various software programs such as an image forming program and an operating system, print job information, print image data, and information related to various processes executed by the image forming apparatus 200.

  The second communication I / F unit 263 establishes a connection with a server, a client terminal, another device, etc., and executes data transmission / reception.

  The second CPU 264 functions as a control unit, executes various software programs stored in the second HDD 262 such as an image forming program, and controls each unit and performs arithmetic processing. The second CPU 264 functions as a data acquisition unit together with the second I / F unit 250.

<Page data transmission processing>
The page data transmission processing and reception processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of page data between the controller and the image forming apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining page data transmission processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining page data reception processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing page data stored in the second HDD in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The page data transmission processing and reception processing in the present embodiment are realized by the first CPU 121 of the first control unit 120 executing a control program stored in the first HDD 123.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the controller 100 receives a print job and transmits page data including a page header, print image data, and a page footer. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 200 receives and stores page data, and forms an image on a sheet based on print image data included in the page data. FIG. 4 schematically shows the flow of page data between the controller 100 and the image forming apparatus 200 when three copies of a three-page document are printed. The procedure for transmitting page data to the image forming apparatus 200 by the controller 100 is as follows.

  The first CPU 125 receives the print job via the first communication I / F unit 124 and stores it in the first memory 121. And 1st CPU125 repeats the process of step S101-S107 shown in FIG. 5 until all the pages are transmitted.

  First, it is determined whether the page of the received print job is the first part (step S101). When the page of the received print job is the first part (step S101: YES), the storage flag is set to “1” (step S102), and the process proceeds to the process of transmitting the page header in step S105.

  The storage flag is a flag indicating whether or not the print image data is stored in the second HDD 262 in the image forming apparatus 200. If “1”, the print image data is stored. If “0”, the print flag is printed. Indicates that image data is not saved.

  On the other hand, if the page of the received print job is not the first part (step S101: NO), that is, if it is the second part or later, the image data of the page of the received print job is the image of the corresponding page of the first part It is determined whether or not the data is different (step S103). If the image data of the page of the received print job is different from the image data of the corresponding page of the first part (step S103: YES), the save flag is set to “1” (step S102), and the process proceeds to step S105. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the pages of the first part and the corresponding pages after the second part are different for each part such as “customer”, “processing”, “reserve”, such as carbon printing. Or when changing barcodes, tracking tags, etc. for each part. Based on the print job information, the first CPU 125 recognizes that, for example, the first part is “customer”, the second part is “processing”, and the third part is “reserved”. Then, the first CPU 125 determines that the first part and the second and third parts are different only in the first page and the second and third pages are exactly the same.

  On the other hand, when the image data of the page of the received print job is the same as the image data of the corresponding page of the first part (step S103: NO), the save flag is set to “0” (step S104).

  Next, a page header is transmitted (step S105). The first CPU 125 generates a page header based on the print job information and the value of the save flag. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, for example, when the save flag is “1”, “Yes” is set in a portion between “<SaveImage>” and “</ SaveImage>”. The generated page header is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 via the first I / F unit 110.

  Next, print image data is transmitted (step S106). The RIP 122 analyzes the received print job and converts it into bitmap-format print image data that can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 based on the image data included in the print job. The first CPU 125 transmits the print image data to the image forming apparatus 200 via the first I / F unit 110.

  Next, a page footer is transmitted (step S107). The first CPU 125 generates a page footer based on the print job information and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 200.

  As described above, in the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, when the page of the received print job is the first part, or the page is the second part or later, and the image of the page is the image of the first part page. If it is different from, the save flag is set to “1”. On the other hand, if the image on the page is the same as the image on the first page, the save flag is set to “0”. Then, page data including a page header, print image data, and page footer is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 in units of pages for all pages of the print job.

<Reception processing of page data>
The procedure for receiving the page data from the controller 100 by the image forming apparatus 200 is as follows. The reception process of the present embodiment is realized by the second CPU 264 executing an image forming program. The second CPU 264 receives and acquires page data in units of pages via the second I / F unit 250. The second CPU 264 repeats the processing from step S201 to step S207 shown in FIG. 6 until all page data is received.

  First, a page header is received (step S201). The second CPU 264 receives the page header and stores it in the second memory 261.

  Next, print image data is received (step S202). The second CPU 264 receives the print image data and stores it in the second memory 261.

  Next, the page footer is received (step S203). The second CPU 264 receives the page footer and stores it in the second memory 261.

  Next, page data is written to the HDD (step S204). The second CPU 264 reads the page header, print image data, and page footer from the second memory 261 and writes them to the second HDD 262. At this time, the second CPU 264 assigns a storage destination address for storing each print image data through the operating system.

  Next, an image is printed (step S205). The second CPU 264 reads print image data from the second HDD 262 to the second memory 261 during printing, and forms an image on a sheet based on the print image data.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the storage flag is “1” (step S206). The second CPU 264 confirms a portion between “<SaveImage>” and “</ SaveImage>” in the page header. As a result, if “Yes”, that is, if the save flag is “1” (step S206: YES), no processing is performed. That is, the print image data is kept stored in the second HDD 262.

  On the other hand, if the save flag is “0” (step S206: NO), the print image data is deleted (step S207). For example, when three copies of a three-page document are printed by carbon printing as described above, only the first page is different between the first portion and the second and third portions, and the second and third pages are exactly the same. Become. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the print image data of the second and third pages of the second and third parts do not need to be stored in the second HDD 262 and is deleted. A more specific method of deletion is as shown in Table 2 below.

  The second CPU 264 changes the second and third page storage destination addresses of the second and third parts in the print job information to the first and second page storage destination addresses. Thus, when printing the second and third pages of the second and third parts, the print image data stored in the storage destination addresses of the first and second pages of the first part can be used, and the second and third parts are used. The storage destination addresses before the change of the second and third pages are released. That is, the print image data of the second and third pages of the second and third parts stored at the storage destination address before the change is substantially deleted. Table 2 exemplifies a case where the storage destinations of the second and third pages of the second and third parts are changed to “0x0013FF7C” and “0x0014FF7C”, respectively, which are the same as the storage destinations of the second and third pages of the first part. (Refer to the bold portion of the storage destination address in Table 2).

  As described above, in the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the received page data is temporarily stored in the second HDD 262. Thereafter, if the save flag is “1” when printing, the print image data is kept saved. On the other hand, when the save flag is “0”, the print image data is deleted, that is, the save destination addresses of the second and third pages of the second and third parts of the print job information are set to the corresponding page images of the first part. Change to the save destination address.

  The image forming apparatus 200 and the image forming program of the present embodiment configured as described above have the following effects.

  According to the image forming apparatus 200 and the image forming program of the present embodiment, for the second and subsequent page data transmitted from the controller 100 to the image forming apparatus 200, the page data having the same content as the page data of the first part is included. Since it is deleted, only necessary page data can be stored in the second HDD 262. As a result, it can be suppressed that the free capacity of the second HDD 262 is insufficient.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, after the received page data is once saved in the hard disk drive, if the save flag is “1” after printing, the print image data is kept saved, and the save flag is “0”. In some cases, deletion of print image data has been described. In the second embodiment, when the save flag is “1” after printing, the print image data is saved in the hard disk drive, and when the save flag is “0”, the print image data is not saved in the hard disk drive. The configuration will be described. In the following, in order to avoid duplication of description, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining page data reception processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In steps S301 to S303, the received page data is stored in the second memory 261. The processing in steps S301 to S303 is the same as that in steps S201 to S203 in FIG.

  Next, an image is printed (step S304). The second CPU 264 forms an image on a sheet based on the print image data in the second memory 261 at the time of printing.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the storage flag is “1” (step S305). The second CPU 264 confirms a portion between “<SaveImage>” and “</ SaveImage>” in the page header. As a result, if “Yes”, that is, if the save flag is “1” (step S305: YES), the second CPU 264 saves the print image data in the second HDD 262 (step S306).

  On the other hand, if the save flag is “0” (step S305: NO), the second CPU 264 discards the print image data without saving it in the second HDD 262. At this time, when three copies of the same three-page document as in the example described in the first embodiment are printed by carbon printing, the print image data of the second and third pages of the second and third copies in the print job information is stored. The save destination address is set to be the same as the save destination address of the second and third pages of the first part.

  As described above, in the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, page data is received, and when the save flag is “1”, the print image data is saved, and when the save flag is “0”, the print image data is saved. Discard without saving.

  The image forming apparatus 200 and the image forming program of the present embodiment configured as described above have the following effects in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

  In this embodiment, after the received page data is stored in the second memory 261, image printing can be started immediately without waiting for page data to be written to the second HDD 262.

(Third embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments, the controller determines the page that needs to be stored in the hard disk drive, and informs the image forming apparatus using the page header about whether or not to store the page. The case of saving was described. In the third embodiment, a case where the image forming apparatus side determines a page that needs to be stored in the hard disk drive will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining page data reception processing according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  First, page data is received (step S401). The second CPU 264 receives the page data and stores it in the second memory 261.

  Next, page data is written to the HDD (step S402). The second CPU 264 reads the print image data from the second memory 261 and writes it to the second HDD 262.

  Next, an image is printed (step S403). The second CPU 264 reads print image data from the second HDD 262 to the second memory 261 during printing, and forms an image on a sheet based on the print image data.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the received page is the first part (step S404). If the received page is the first part (step S404: YES), the print image data of the page is kept stored in the second HDD 262. Then, it is determined whether or not the reception of all the page data is completed. If the reception is not completed, the process is repeated until the reception is completed.

  On the other hand, if the received page is not the first part (step S404: NO), that is, if it is the second part or later, whether or not the image of the received page is an image different from the corresponding page of the first part. Is determined (step S405). If the received page image is different from the corresponding page of the first part (step S405: YES), the print image data of the page is kept stored in the second HDD 262. Then, it is determined whether or not the reception of all the page data is completed. If the reception is not completed, the process is repeated until the reception is completed.

  On the other hand, if the received page image is the same as the corresponding page of the first part (step S405: NO), the print image data is deleted (step S406). Details of the processing in step S406 are the same as the processing in step S207 of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Then, it is determined whether or not the reception of all the page data is completed. If the reception is not completed, the process is repeated until the reception is completed.

  The image forming apparatus 200 and the image forming program of the present embodiment configured as described above have the following effects in addition to the effects of the first and second embodiments.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 200 determines a page that needs to be stored in the hard disk drive, and therefore there is no need to determine whether or not to store the page on the controller 100 side. Therefore, the configuration of the controller 100 can be simplified.

  As described above, in the embodiment, the image forming apparatus and the image forming program of the present invention have been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be appropriately added, modified, and omitted by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea.

A image forming system,
100 controllers,
110 1st I / F part,
120 first control unit,
121 first memory,
122 RIP,
123 First HDD,
124 first communication I / F unit,
125 first CPU,
200 image forming apparatus,
210 Operation display section,
220 Image forming unit,
230 paper feeder,
240 post-processing section,
250 Second I / F part,
260 second control unit,
261 second memory,
262 second HDD,
263 Second communication I / F unit,
H.264 second CPU,
300 Dedicated wiring.

Claims (8)

A data acquisition unit that acquires page data including print image data from the controller in units of pages;
A data storage unit for storing print image data of page data acquired by the data acquisition unit;
If the page data is page data of the first part, control to save the print image data of the page data in the data storage unit,
When the page data is page data after the second part, the print image data of the page data is compared with the print image data of the corresponding page of the first part. A controller that controls to discard the print image data and store the print image data in the data storage unit if there is a difference;
An image forming apparatus. The data acquisition unit further acquires information about the print image data,
The control unit stores the print image data acquired by the data acquisition unit in the data storage unit or stores the print image data in the data storage unit according to the setting of information about the print image data. Control whether to discard without
Information on the print image data is
When the print job acquired by the controller that outputs the page data is the first part, the data storage unit is set to save the print image data of the page data,
When the print job is the second part or later, the image data of the print job is compared with the image data of the corresponding page of the first part, and if there is no difference between the two, the image data corresponds to the image data The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print image data is set to be discarded and the print image data is stored in the data storage unit when there is a difference. The controller is
Obtain the number of copies of the page data and page information;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the print image data is stored in the data storage unit, the print image data is stored in association with the number information and the page information. An image forming unit that prints an image on paper based on the print image data;
The controller is
For the first part, print using the print image data stored in the data storage unit,
For the second part and after,
When the print image data is stored, printing is performed using the print image data. When the print image data is not stored, printing is performed using the corresponding print image data of the first part. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit is controlled. A procedure (a) for acquiring page data including print image data from the controller in units of pages;
When the page data acquired in the step (a) is the first page data, control is performed to store the print image data of the page data in the data storage unit,
When the page data is page data after the second part, the print image data of the page data is compared with the print image data of the corresponding page of the first part. A procedure (b) for discarding the print image data and controlling the print image data to be stored in the data storage unit when there is a difference;
An image forming program that causes a computer to execute. In the step (a), further information on the print image data is obtained,
In the step (b), the print image data acquired in the step (a) is stored in the data storage unit or the print image data is stored in the data storage unit according to the setting of information related to the print image data. Control whether to discard without saving
Information on the print image data is
When the print job acquired by the controller that outputs the page data is the first part, the data storage unit is set to save the print image data of the page data,
When the print job is the second part or later, the image data of the print job is compared with the image data of the corresponding page of the first part, and if there is no difference between the two, the image data corresponds to the image data The image forming program according to claim 5, wherein the image forming program is set so that the print image data to be discarded is discarded and the print image data is stored in the data storage unit when there is a difference. A step (c) of printing an image on paper based on the print image data;
The first part is printed using the print image data stored in the data storage unit,
For the second part and after,
If the print image data is stored, printing is performed using the print image data. If the print image data is not stored, printing is performed using the corresponding print image data in the first part. The image forming program according to claim 5 or 6, In the procedure (b),
After storing the print image data acquired in the procedure (a) in the data storage unit,
If the page data is part 1 page data, the print image data is kept stored;
If the page data is part 2 or later page data,
The print image data of the page data and the print image data of the corresponding page of the first part are compared, and if there is no difference between them, the print image data is deleted, and if there is a difference, the print The image forming program according to claim 5, wherein the image data storage is maintained.