JP2000309130A - Image forming apparatus, memory management method in image forming apparatus, and recording medium recording memory management program in image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an image forming apparatus operable with a small memory capacity by performing efficient memory management. An image forming apparatus receives print data from a host, and forms an image of the received print data.
An interpreter unit 52 for converting the received print data into internal data, and writing the converted internal code in a first memory area, and for variable-length data of the internal data, a second memory different from the first memory. A memory management unit 54 for writing to the memory area and writing information indicating the written memory area to the first memory area;
Having.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to transmitting and receiving data from a host via an interface unit, forming an image,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that outputs to a sheet or the like, a memory management method in the image forming apparatus, and a recording medium that records a memory management program in the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus, one basic memory block is used as a memory used for internal data at the time of printing, and print information is written in the memory block. Hereinafter, a conventional image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional image forming apparatus, and FIG.
Is a diagram showing an example of a conventional memory structure.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a host for transmitting data to be printed. 2 is an interface unit and host 1
The print data from the printer is received by a communication protocol, or data related to printing is transmitted. Reference numeral 3 denotes a main unit which performs a process for printing the received data and controls each processing unit for printing.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an interpreter unit, which receives data to be printed by the main unit 3 and receives data to be transferred when it is determined to be data to be printed, and has an internal data format (hereinafter referred to as "display list"). Performs data conversion processing. Reference numeral 5 denotes a rasterizer, which performs a process of converting the display list converted by the interpreter 4 into bitmap data for printing. Reference numeral 6 denotes an engine, which receives data converted into bitmap data by the rasterizer 5 and performs printing processing.

When the interpreter unit 4 converts data, it performs conversion using a memory. This memory structure has a structure as shown in DL block 10 in FIG.
Each display list was written continuously. For this reason, information for printing is increasing due to colorization and the like, and the amount of memory used for internal data used for printing is increasing.

[0007]

As described above, in the conventional memory management method in the image forming apparatus, the efficiency of use of the memory is low, and a memory area for outputting an image may not be secured. It takes a long time to perform, and in the worst case, output may not be possible.

The present invention relates to memory management in an image forming apparatus, and separately secures a memory area to be secured for variable-length data of a display list, and the position and size of the secured area, the type of memory, and its own memory ID. By describing at least one or more pieces of information on the position in the next memory area, memory management for writing the internal data for printing can be made as small as possible, and the processing speed is reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a recording medium on which an image forming program is recorded, which can realize an improvement and a reduction in a memory amount.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for receiving print data from a host and forming an image of the received print data. Data conversion means for converting the data into data;
And write variable-length data of the internal data to a second memory area different from the first memory, and write information indicating the written memory area to the first memory area. Memory management means.

Thus, when writing internal data having a large amount of variable-length data to the memory area, a second memory area different from the first memory area is secured, and the position information of the second memory area is stored. Is written in the first memory area, it is possible to reduce the memory area in which the internal data is written.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention described in claim 1 of the present application is
An image forming apparatus for receiving print data from a host and forming an image of the received print data, comprising: a data conversion means for converting the received print data into internal data; And write variable-length data of the internal data to a second memory area different from the first memory, and write information indicating the written memory area to the first memory area. Memory management means;
When writing a variable-length internal code in a memory area, a second memory area different from the first memory area is secured, and the position information of the second memory area is stored. By writing in the first memory area, the memory area in which the internal code is written can be reduced.

[0012] The invention described in claim 3 of the present application is claim 1.
In the invention described in the above, when the memory management means secures the memory area, the memory area is secured in one of the immovable area and the movable memory area, so that the memory area becomes wormy. In this case, it is possible to search for the optimal size and secure an area for writing the internal code.

The invention described in claim 4 of the present application is claim 3
In the invention described in the above, when the memory management means secures a memory area in a movable area, the position, size, memory type, own memory ID, At least one of the positions is secured in an immovable memory area, and the movable memory area is operated using the information of the immovable memory area. Even if is moved, the position information is secured in an immovable area, so that even if it moves, it is easy to know where the written area is.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a host for transmitting data to be printed. Reference numeral 50 denotes an interface unit which receives print data from the host 1 by a communication protocol or transmits data relating to print processing to the host 1. A main unit 51 performs processing for printing the received data and controls each processing unit for printing.

Reference numeral 52 denotes an interpreter unit, which receives data to be printed from the host 1 by the main unit 51, and when the data is determined to be data to be printed, receives the data to convert it into a display list and performs data conversion processing.
Reference numeral 53 denotes a rasterizer, which performs a process of converting the display list converted by the interpreter 52 into bitmap data for printing.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a memory management unit, which has means for managing a memory area used by the interpreter unit 52 and securing two different memory areas. An engine unit 55 outputs the bitmap data generated by the rasterizer unit 53.

The operation of the image forming apparatus configured as described above will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, when printing data created by an application program or the like on the host 1, a printer driver 7 on the host 1 is called.
The called printer driver 7 generates a printer language (hereinafter referred to as “PDL”) for the printer to perform printing. The generated PDL is received by the interface unit 50 in the image forming apparatus via a communication medium such as a parallel cable, a network cable, and 1394.

The data received by the interface unit 50 is passed to the main unit 51 once. The data received by the main unit 51 is analyzed, and when it is determined that the data is data to be printed, the data is passed to the interpreter unit 52.

Upon receiving the PDL, the interpreter 52 analyzes the contents of each PDL command, and separates the information into attribute information such as a paper feed position and drawing information such as characters and figures. The separated attribute information and drawing information are converted into a display list, which is an internal code of the image forming apparatus.

When the creation of the display list for one page is completed, the interpreter unit 52 notifies the main unit 51 that the creation of the display list is completed. The main unit 51 that has received the notification receives the created display list and passes it to the rasterizer unit 53.

The rasterizer 53 having received the display list related to the drawing interprets the display list,
Generate bitmap data for output. The rasterizer 53 transfers the data to the engine 55 when the bitmap data has been generated. The transferred engine unit 55 outputs the received data.

The transfer of the display list from the interpreter unit 52 to the rasterizer unit 53 is performed by using a memory area managed by a memory management unit 54. The operation performed by the interpreter unit 52 that has received the PDL from the main unit 51 to generate the display list and pass the display list to the rasterizer unit 53 will be described below in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a memory structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

First, the interpreter 5 receiving the PDL
2 notifies the memory management unit 54 of acquiring a memory in order to create a display list.

Upon receiving the notification, the memory management unit 54 sets the first memory area 70 (hereinafter referred to as “D”) for the display list.
After that, the position information of the secured DL block 70 is notified to the interpreter unit 52.

The interpreter unit 52 that has received the notification writes the display list into the DL block 70 while interpreting the received PDL. At this time, the display list may have a fixed length including a header and data, or may have a variable length.
When the DL is interpreted and it is determined that the display list is variable-length data, the memory management unit 54 is notified.

The memory management unit 54 that has received the notification secures a second memory area 71 (hereinafter, referred to as a “DL body”) different from the DL block 70 corresponding to the size of the variable length data.

Memory management unit 5 having secured DL body 71
Reference numeral 4 denotes the position information of the DL body 71,
Notify to Upon receiving the notification, the interpreter unit 52 converts the header part of the display list having variable-length data into a DL.
The variable length data portion is written in the DL body 71 in the block 70. After that, the display information is generated by writing the pointer after the header information in which the pointer indicating the DL body 71 is written in the DL block 70.

After the above operation is repeated to generate a display list for one page, the interpreter unit 52 notifies the main unit 51 that the generation for one page is completed.
Upon receiving the notification, the main unit 51 converts the position information of the display list from the received notification into a rasterizer unit 53.
Then, the rasterizer unit 53 generates bitmap data for printing, passes the generated data to the engine unit 55, and the engine unit 55 outputs the data.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when a display list having a large amount of variable-length data is written in the memory area, a second memory area different from the first memory area is secured, By writing the position information of the second memory area in the first memory area, it is possible to reduce the memory area in which the display list is written.

(Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a memory configuration according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The description of the image forming apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The operation of processing the print data from the host 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the memory management unit 54 controls the memory area as shown in FIG. Is a configuration that can be set in a memory area 80 that cannot be moved and a memory area 81 that can be moved.

Thus, when the interpreter unit 52 secures a memory area when generating a display list,
The interpreter unit 52 includes the DL block 70 and the DL body 7
It is possible to secure the memory area by designating either the memory area 80 in which the data 1 cannot be moved or the memory area 81 in which the data 1 can be moved.

Further, the memory management unit 54, whose size is to be reserved by the interpreter unit 52, determines the size and reserves the memory region in the movable memory region 81 or the non-movable memory region 80. It is possible.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, there is a case where the memory area cannot be expanded continuously, for example, when the memory area secured in the movable memory area 81 is expanded. In the range of the movable memory area 81, the memory management unit 54 searches the memory area to see if a memory area of the designated size can be obtained continuously. Can be moved and secured.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when securing the memory area, the memory area is secured in at least one of a movable area and a non-movable area. Therefore, even when the free space in the memory area is in a worm-eating state, it is possible to search for an area having an optimal size and secure an area for writing the display list.

(Embodiment 3) Hereinafter, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a memory configuration according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the image forming apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The operation of processing the print data from the host 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment. This embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that the interpreter 52 When allocating a memory area when generating a list, the interpreter unit 52
When securing the memory area by designating the block 70 and the DL body 71 as a movable area, the memory management unit 54, whose size to be secured is designated by the interpreter 52, determines the size and can move the memory. When the memory area is secured in the area, the following operation is performed.
That is the point.

As shown in FIG. 5, assuming that a memory is secured in an area in which the DL block 70 can be moved, for example, the memory management unit 54 In addition to securing the area 91, an area 92 for storing information such as the size and position of the DL body 91 is secured in the fixed memory area 93.
Then, the interpreter unit 52 is notified of information indicating the area secured in the fixed area.
The operation of the memory can be performed through the memory management unit 54 according to the information of the fixed area.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the area is secured in a movable area, the area for storing the information of the secured area is secured in the immovable area. Even if the area moves, the position information is secured in the immovable area, so that it is possible to know where the written area is.

In each of the embodiments described above, the control program recorded in the internal memory of the image forming apparatus
Although it can be realized by being processed by a processor such as a PU, a control program recorded on a portable computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM is read into the apparatus and processed by the processor. It may be in a form. When the image forming apparatus is connected to a network, the control program may be received via the network and processed by the processor.

As described above, by adopting a mode in which the control program is read and used via a recording medium or a network, it is easy to modify the control program and improve the functions.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for receiving print data from a host and forming an image of the received print data, the data being for converting the received print data into internal data. The conversion means and the internal code converted by the data conversion means are written into a first memory area, and variable-length data of the internal data is written and written into a second memory area different from the first memory. Memory management means for writing information indicating the memory area to the first memory area, the memory area for writing the internal code is reduced, so that the memory can be used efficiently and An inexpensive device can be realized.

Further, since the memory area to be secured is secured in one of a non-movable area and a movable memory area when the memory area is secured, the memory area is continuously acquired when the memory area is in a worm-like state. Even in the case where it is not possible, it is possible to search and secure an area that can be continuously secured, so that the memory capacity can be reduced and an inexpensive device can be realized.

Further, in the case where the area is secured in a movable area, information such as the position indicating the area secured in the movable area is secured in the non-movable memory area, and the memory is secured and the area cannot be moved. Since the movable memory area is operated using the information of the secure memory area, when the memory is secured in the movable area, even if the secured memory area is moved, the information is stored in the memory by the information secured in the immovable area. The effect is obtained that the written data can be obtained at any time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a memory structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a memory structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a memory structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional memory structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host 2 Interface part 3 Main part 4 Interpreter part 5 Rasterizer part 6 Engine part 50 Interface part 51 Main part 52 Interpreter part 53 Rasterizer part 54 Memory management part 55 Engine part 70 DL block 71 DL body 80 Non-movable memory area 81 Movable Memory area 91 DL body 92 Area for storing information such as size and position of DL body

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Osamu Fukui 2-3-8 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Matsushita Electric Transmission System Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C087 AB05 BC02 BC05 BC07 BD01 BD12 BD13

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for receiving print data from a host and forming an image of the received print data, comprising: a data conversion means for converting the received print data into internal data; The internal code is written in a first memory area, and variable-length data of the internal data is written in a second memory area different from the first memory, and information indicating the written memory area is written in the first memory area. An image forming apparatus comprising: a memory management unit that writes data into one memory area. A receiving means for receiving print data from a host; a data converting means for converting the received print data into an internal code; a rasterizer means for generating bitmap data from the internal code; A memory management unit that manages a memory area when passing an internal code to the rasterizer unit; and an engine unit that performs printing based on bitmap data generated by the rasterizer unit. Writing the internal code converted by the data conversion means into a first memory area, and writing variable-length data of the internal data into a second memory area different from the first memory; Controlling to write information indicating the area into the first memory area. An image forming apparatus symptoms. 3. The image according to claim 1, wherein said memory management means secures a memory area in one of an immovable area and a movable memory area. Forming equipment. 4. When the memory management means secures a memory area in a movable area, the position, size, memory type, own memory ID, and location of the secured area in the movable area are indicated.
At least one or more pieces of information in the next memory area are secured in an immovable memory area, and the movable memory area is operated using information of the immovable memory area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein 5. An image forming apparatus for receiving print data from a host and forming an image of the received print data, wherein the received print data is converted into internal data, and the converted internal data is stored in a first memory area. And the variable-length data of the internal data is written to a second memory area different from the first memory, and information indicating the written memory area is written to the first memory area. An image forming apparatus. 6. A memory management method in an image forming apparatus for receiving print data from a host and forming an image of the received internal data, comprising: converting received print data into internal data; And writes variable-length data of the internal data to a second memory area different from the first memory, and stores information indicating the written memory area in the first memory area. A memory management method in an image forming apparatus, characterized in that writing is controlled. 7. A recording medium for receiving a print data from a host and recording a memory management program in an image forming apparatus for forming an image of the received print data, wherein the received print data is converted into internal data. The written internal data is written in a first memory area, and variable-length data of the internal data is written in a second memory area different from the first memory, and information indicating the written memory area is written in the first memory area. A recording medium for recording a memory management program in an image forming apparatus, wherein the recording medium is controlled so as to be written in one memory area.