JP3322096B2 - Output device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an output device for outputting a visible image, for example, a digital copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a so-called multifunction machine in which an image processing device for handling digital image data is integrated. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an output device for outputting a visible image, a printer device connected to a host device such as a personal computer is known. When image data (for example, code data) for outputting a visible image is transmitted from a higher-level device, the printer device receives the image data and temporarily stores the image data in a buffer memory or the like. Image expansion is performed to generate expanded data (for example, bitmap data), and the expanded data is output as a visible image on a recording medium.

However, in such a printer device, when outputting the same visible image in a plurality of copies, it is necessary to transmit image data from a host device and perform image expansion in the printer device as many times as the number of copies to be output. . for that reason,
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-38865 discloses an apparatus capable of repeatedly outputting image data in a state where the image data is arranged in a page order by adding and storing an index to the image data in page units. This allows
Even when a plurality of copies of the same visible image are output, it is possible to output a plurality of copies by transmitting image data once and developing the image, so that the visible image can be output efficiently. .

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Incidentally, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
The apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 38865 can efficiently output a visible image if a plurality of copies are continuously output. However, if the image data is input separately, Can not do it. For example,
When image data for outputting the same visible image as the visible image being output, or the same image data as image data temporarily stored in a buffer memory or the like is newly input, this new image data is output. Since it is not possible to discriminate whether or not the already input image data is the same, the transmission of the new image data and the image expansion have to be performed again, and as a result, the efficiency of the visible image output deteriorates. In addition, since the output device is occupied for a long time by transmitting new image data and developing the image,
This causes a reduction in the processing capability (throughput) of the output device.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an output device with high output efficiency and high processing capability by effectively utilizing already input image data or decompressed data generated by image decompression from this image data. With the goal.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised to achieve the above object, and an output device according to claim 1 outputs expanded data expanded in a bitmap form as a visible image. Image output means for generating
Image data to be generated and the contents of this image data
A data input means for inputting an identification signal, the data input
A bit map from the image data input by
Image expansion means for generating expansion data expanded in a shape,
A data identifying unit for identifying the contents of the inputted identification signal by said data input means by the data identification means
If it is determined that the specification to retain expanded data has been specified
The case, the data holding means for holding the decompressed data generated by the image development unit, said data identification means
The newly input image data is stored in the data holding unit.
If it is determined that the data is stored as expanded data,
Open data is output from the image output means,
The newly input image data is expanded in the data holding means.
If it is determined that the data is not held as open data,
The image expanding means based on the input image data
Output the generated data from the image output means.
And job management means .

[0007] According to the output device having the above configuration, the expanded data
The data identification means determines that the
Then, the data holding means holds the expanded data.
In other words, only when expansion data retention is instructed
Holds expanded data. This allows the data holding means
Can be used again for output by the image output means, for example
Only highly developed data is stored. So
The image data and the identification signal
Input, the data identification method for that identification signal
From the identification result at the stage, the image data is stored in the data holding unit.
If it is stored as expanded data in the
Causes the expanded data to be output from the image output means. did
Therefore, in this output device, the expanded data
If they are stored in columns, for example,
Output images without processing such as generation of open data
I can. On the other hand, the data stored in the data storage
If not, an image is created based on the input image data.
Output expansion data generated by expansion means from image output means
Let it. In other words, in such a case, new input processing etc.
The image data input together with the identification signal is unnecessary.
Data is output as it is.

Further, the output device of the present invention, as described in claim 2, expanded data developed in the bit map form
Image output means for outputting an image as a visible image, and
Connected, and the expanded data transmitted from the host
Or receiving image data for generating the expanded data.
Data input means for taking as input data, said data
Identify the contents of the input data input by the input means
Data identification means, input by the data input means,
Input data or expansion generated from the input data
Data holding means for holding data, the data input means
The contents of the input data newly input in the step
Of the input data held in the holding means or the
Generate expanded data held in data holding means
If the input data is the same as the
When the identification means identifies, the newly entered input data
Data is held in the data holding means.
As described above, using input data or expanded data
Data reuse means for instructing the image output means, and when only the identification signal indicating the content of the input data is transmitted from the higher-level device, input data corresponding to the identification signal or decompressed data generated from the input data It is determined whether or not is held in the data holding means, if it is held, data management means for giving an instruction to the data reuse means to perform output using the input data or expanded data, When the data management means determines that the input data or expanded data corresponding to the identification signal is not held in the data holding means, the input data corresponding to the identification signal is sent to the data input means for the host device. Transmission request means for requesting transmission, and
It is characterized by comprising .

With this configuration, in this output device, even when only the identification signal indicating the content of the input data is transmitted from the host device, the input data or the expansion data corresponding to the identification signal is stored in the data holding device. If the data is held in the means, the data management means instructs the data reuse means to output using the input data or expanded data. If the data is not held in the data holding means, the transmission request means requests the host device to send the input data corresponding to the identification signal. Therefore, in this output device, it is possible to output a visible image only by inputting an identification signal indicating the contents of the input data or the development data held in the data holding means.

Further, in the output device according to the present invention, the data holding means may be configured to output the data based on an identification signal.
During the holding period recognized by the data identification means.
Specially holds the expanded data generated from the force data.
It may be a sign .

[0011] In this case, the data is determined according to the content of the identification signal.
Since the retention period in the data retention means will be set,
The holding area of the data holding means can be effectively used.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output device for outputting expanded data expanded in a bitmap form as a visible image, wherein the output device is connected to a higher-level device, and outputs the visible image from the higher-level device. When the decompressed data or image data for generating the decompressed data is transmitted as input data for output, data input means for inputting the input data by receiving the transmitted input data; and Data identification means for identifying the content of input data input to the input means, data holding means for holding the input data input to the data input means or expanded data generated from the input data, and the data input means The content of the input data newly input in the step is the content of the input data held in the data holding means or When the data identification unit identifies that the input data is the same as the content of the input data from which the expanded data held in the data holding unit is generated, the upper-level device that transmits the newly input input data And a holding data notifying means for notifying that the same input data or decompressed data as the input data is already held in the data holding means.

According to the output device having the above configuration, when the input data is transmitted from the host device to the data input means, the content of the input data is stored in the data holding means, or the content of the input data is stored in the data holding means. If the data identification means identifies that the input data is the same as the content of the input data from which the expanded data held in the means is generated, the held data notifying means sets the input data transmitted to the higher-level device to It notifies that the same input data or expanded data is already held in the data holding means.
Therefore, in this output device, for example, when the same input data is separately transmitted from a plurality of higher-level devices, the same input data is already transmitted to the higher-level device that has transmitted the input data later. Therefore, if there is an instruction not to newly output input data that has already been input, it is possible to prevent the same input data from being output many times.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output device which is connected to a higher-level device and outputs the visible image from the higher-level device. When the decompressed data or image data for generating the decompressed data is transmitted as input data for output, data input means for inputting the input data by receiving the transmitted input data; and Data identification means for identifying the content of the input data input to the input means, output history management means for storing the content of the input data already output as the visible image in the image output means as output history information, Output history information in which the content of the input data newly input by the data input means is stored in the output history management means And output notification means for notifying, when the data identification means identifies that the input data is the same, the host device that has transmitted the newly input input data, that the output of the input data has already been executed. It is characterized by becoming.

According to the output device having the above configuration, when the input data is transmitted from the host device to the data input means, the content of the input data is the same as the output history information stored in the output history management means. When the data identification means has identified, the already output notifying means notifies the host device that the output of the transmitted input data has already been executed. Therefore, in this output device, for example, if there is an instruction from the higher-level device that new output is not to be performed for input data that has already been output, it is possible to prevent the same input data from being output many times. It becomes possible.

Further, the output device according to the present invention is provided with a storage period setting means for setting a period during which the output history management means stores the output history information. You may.

In this case, the storage period of the output history information stored in the output history management unit is set by the storage period setting unit. Therefore, it is possible to effectively utilize the storage area of the output history management unit.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an output device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, a case will be described in which the present invention is applied to a printer that outputs a visible image to a recording medium. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an output device according to the present invention.
Is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the output device 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, an output device 1 in the present embodiment is connected to a host computer 2 via a network 3.
Are connected via Note that a plurality of host computers 2 may be connected on the network 3. The host computer 2 is, for example, a personal computer, and is a CRT (Cathode Ray).
Tube) and a keyboard. The host computer 2 receives, for example, image data composed of code data as input data to be output as a visible image by an operator. ) To the output device 1. However, when transmitting the image data to the output device 1, the host computer 2 adds an identification code as an identification signal indicating the content of the image data to the image data and transmits the image data.

As shown in FIG. 3, for example, when the document 51 is input as image data by the host computer 2, the operator refers to the identification code area 52 on the CRT screen and, as shown in FIG. Is to be input together. In the identification code area 52, as the identification code,
The title (TITLE) of the document 51, the time (TIME) indicating the creation time, the creator name, the creation machine number indicating the created host computer 2, the mail address indicating the transmission destination, and the output device 1 described later. Information indicating whether or not the expanded data to be held is held, information indicating the holding period when holding the expanded data, and when the output history information described later includes the same document as the document 51, the document 51 is output. Information or the like for instructing whether or not the information is input is input. That is, the identification code is information indicating the contents and attributes of the document 51 (image data).

In the host computer 2, even when the input document 51 is distributed not to the output device 1 but to another host computer on the network 3,
An identification code is added to the document 51. At this time, if the document 51 is not changed on the distribution side, the identification code is not changed. Further, the form of adding the identification code can be similarly operated even when the identification code can be added by the filter at the time of distribution to the output device 1 or another host computer. further,
The host computer 2 has a function of transmitting only the identification code indicating the contents of the document 51 to the output device 1 without transmitting the document 51 in accordance with an instruction from the operator. Further, it has a function of displaying an e-mail or the like transmitted from the output device 1 on a CRT screen and notifying the operator.

On the other hand, in FIG. 2, the output device 1 outputs a visible image to recording paper in response to a job from the host computer 2, and includes a user interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a UI) 11 and a data memory. The system comprises an image output unit (hereinafter referred to as IOT) 12, an image output unit (hereinafter referred to as IOT) 13, and an image processing unit (Electronic Sub-System; hereinafter referred to as ESS) 20.

The UI 11 is composed of, for example, an operation panel, and is used to make settings when outputting image data by an operation of an operator. In particular, the UI 11 sets an initial setting value (default value) in the output device 1. To set. The data memory 12 is a large-capacity data storage memory composed of, for example, a hard disk.
It holds the expanded data generated in S20, an identification code as output history information described later, and the like. IOT
Reference numeral 13 denotes a printer engine, for example.
The expanded data generated in S20 is output to a recording medium as a visible image.

The ESS 20 is composed of, for example, a microprocessor, and performs image processing required for output by the IOT 13 on image data transmitted from the host computer 2. This ESS20 is NET
An interface (hereinafter, interface is abbreviated as I / F) 21, a page buffer 22, an image development control unit (hereinafter, referred to as image development CONT) 23, a disk control unit (hereinafter, referred to as disk CONT) 24, A job management control unit (hereinafter, referred to as job management CONT) 25, an identification code control unit (hereinafter, referred to as identification code CONT) 26, and an IOT
An I / F 27 and an e-mail control unit (hereinafter, e-mail
CONT) 28, a timer device (hereinafter, referred to as TIMER) 29, and a main controller (System Controller; hereinafter, SY)
S-CONT) 30 and a bus 2 connecting these components
0a.

The NET-I / F 21 is for performing communication between the host computer 2 and the ESS 20, and is for receiving image data and an identification code from the host computer 2. The page buffer 22 temporarily holds the image data received by the NET-I / F 21. The image development CONT 23 performs image development on image data composed of code data held in the page buffer 22 or the data memory 12, and generates developed data composed of bitmap data from the image data.

The disk CONT 24 controls the data held in the data memory 12, and further manages what data is held in the data memory 12. For example, a disk
In the CONT 24, when storing the expanded data generated by the image expansion CONT 23 in the data memory 12, the expansion data management that the disc CONT 24 has an identification code indicating the contents and attributes of the image data from which the expansion data is generated. By registering in the table, what expanded data is held is managed.

The job management CONT 25 manages the schedule of a job from the host computer 2. For example, if the NET-I / F 21 receives a plurality of image data, the IOT 13 and the image development CONT 23 cannot process these image data at the same time. 22 and is stored in the data memory 12. At this time, the job management CO
The NT 25 manages the image data in the processing wait state by registering an identification code indicating the contents and attributes of the image data in the processing wait state in the job management table of the job management CONT 25 and functioning as a processing queue. It has become. Note that this job management table contains
In addition to the identification code, the host computer 2 or the UI 1
Information indicating the output form of the image data, such as the number of output copies specified by 1, is also registered.

As shown in FIG. 4, the identification code CONT 26 includes an identification code recognition section 26a, an identification code analysis / extraction section 26b, an identification code comparison section 26c, a control / judgment section 26d, and a control request section 26e. It is provided with. The image data and the identification code received by the NET-I / F 21 are recognized by the identification code recognition unit 26a for the identification code and its attribute, and the identification code analysis / extraction unit 26b performs the identification code contents and For example, it analyzes and extracts information indicating whether to hold the title of the document 51 and the expanded data. Further, the result of the analysis and extraction is compared with the identification code registered in the job management table or the development data management table by the identification code comparison unit 26c, and whether or not they match is determined by the control / determination unit 26d. If so, the control requesting unit 26e requests the job management CONT 25 for processing as needed. In the identification code CONT26, the above-described units may be formed by executing a program or may be formed by hardware.

In FIG. 2, IOT-I / F 27
Is the IOT for the expanded data generated by the image expansion CONT23.
13. The e-mail CONT 28 controls an e-mail transmitted from the output device 1 to the host computer 2. The TIMER 29 measures the passage of time. SYS-CONT30 is ESS20
It controls the whole, that is, the above-described respective units.

In the output device 1 having such a hardware configuration,
For a job from the host computer 2, a visible image is output by a configuration based on the functional blocks as shown in FIG. That is, the output device 1 includes a data input unit 31, an image development unit 32,
Image output means 33, data identification means 34, data holding means 35, holding period setting means 36, data reuse means 37, data management means 38, transmission request means 39
, Held data notifying means 40, and output history managing means 41
And a function as the already output notifying means 42 and the storage period setting means 43.

The data input means 31 has a NET-I / F2
1, the image data and the identification code are received from the host device, that is, the host computer 2, and the image data is input to the output device 1 as input data.
The image developing means 32 is formed by executing the processing in the image developing CONT 23, and generates expanded data from the image data input by the data input means 31. The image output means 33 is formed by executing the processing in the IOT 13, and outputs the developed data generated by the image developing means 32 to a recording medium as a visible image.

The data identification means 34 has an identification code CONT2
6. The data input means 3 is formed by performing the processing in step 6, and recognizing and determining the identification code.
1 identifies the contents of the image data input. The data holding unit 35 is formed by executing processing in one or both of the page buffer 22 and the data memory 12, and is generated by the image data input to the data input unit 31 or generated by the image expansion unit 32. The expanded data is retained. However, the data holding unit 35 determines whether or not to hold the expanded data generated by the image expanding unit 32 based on the recognition result of the identification code by the data identifying unit 34.

The holding period setting means 36 controls the disk CONT2
4 and the processing performed by the TIMER 29. The recognition result by the identification code CONT26 or the UI 11
Based on the settings in the above, the period for which the data holding means 35 holds the image data or the expanded data is set. However, the period set by the holding period setting means 36 is managed by the elapsed time measured by the timer 29. The data reusing unit 37 is formed by executing the processing in the job management CONT 25. When the image data and the identification code are separately input to the data input unit 31, the data recognizing unit 34 uses these identification codes. Are identified as the same, and if the data holding unit 35 holds the previously input image data or the expanded data generated from this image data,
The control is performed so that the output for the image data input later is performed not by using the input image data but by using the image data or expanded data held in the data holding unit 35.

The data management means 38 has an identification code CONT2
6, when only the identification code is transmitted from the host computer 2,
It is determined whether or not image data or decompressed data corresponding to the identification code is held in the data holding unit 35, and if so, the image data or decompressed data is used to respond to the identification code from the host computer 2 using the image data or decompressed data. It requests the data reuse means 37 to output. The transmission requesting unit 39 sends the e-mail CONT2
When the data management means 38 determines that the data holding means 35 does not hold the image data or the expanded data corresponding to the identification code, the data management means 38 informs the host computer 2 of the identification. This is to notify a transmission request of image data corresponding to the code.

The held data notifying means 40 sends the electronic mail CO
When the image data and the identification code are separately input to the data input unit 31, the data identification unit 34 identifies that these identification codes are the same, If the data holding means 35 holds the previously input image data or the decompressed data generated from this image data, the transmitted image is transmitted to the host computer 2 which has transmitted the subsequently input image data. This is to notify that the same image data as the data or the decompressed data generated from the image data is already held in the data holding means 35.

The output history management means 41 is provided in the data memory 1
2, the contents of the image data that has already been output as a visible image by the image output means 33, that is, the identification code corresponding to the image data is stored as output history information. is there. The already output notifying means 42 is formed by executing the processing in the e-mail CONT 28, and when the identification code input by the data input means 31 matches the output history information stored in the output history managing means 41. When the data identification means identifies the image data, it notifies the host computer 2 that has transmitted the input image data that the image data has already been output. The storage period setting means 43 is formed by executing the processing in the disk CONT 24 and the TIMER 29, and sets the period in which the output history management means 41 stores the output history information based on the setting in the UI 11. Things. However, the period set by the storage period setting means 43 is managed by the elapsed time measured by the timer 29.

Next, the output device 1 configured as described above
An operation example in which image data transmitted from the host computer 2 is received by the NET-I / F 21 and output by the IOT 13 will be described as a first operation example with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In addition, this corresponds to claim 1
And an explanation according to the third aspect of the present invention.

When there is an image data output request from the host computer 2, the NET-I / F 21 receives the image data and the identification code from the host computer 2 (step 101; steps will be abbreviated as S hereinafter). NE
When the T-I / F 21 receives the image data and the identification code, the page buffer 22 temporarily holds the received image data, and the identification code CONT 26 recognizes the received identification code (S102). Then, in the identification code CONT26, the received identification code is compared with the identification code registered in the job management table of the job management CONT25 (S103), and it is determined whether or not these identification codes match each other (S10).
4).

If a matching identification code is registered in the job management table, there is the same image data in the page buffer 22 in the image data in the output waiting state. 2 or page buffer 22 specified by UI 11
The number n of output copies of the image data in the image data is recognized (S105), and the registration content of the job management table is updated so that the number of output copies corresponding to the matching identification code is increased by the number n of output copies (S106). . Job management CONT25
Updates the registered contents of the job management table, the e-mail CONT 28 notifies the transmission to the host computer 2 of the e-mail (S107). Further, the page buffer 22 discards the stored image data (S108).

On the other hand, if the matching identification code is not registered in the job management table, then the identification code CONT
26 compares the identification code received by the NET-I / F 21 with the identification code registered in the expansion data management table of the disk CONT 24 (S109), and determines whether or not these identification codes match each other (S109). S11
0). If a matching identification code is registered in the expanded data management table, since there is the same expanded data generated from the image data in the page buffer 22 in the expanded data held in the data memory 12, The job management CONT 25 registers the identification code received by the NET-I / F 21 in the job management table,
When outputting the image data corresponding to this identification code, the job management table is set to use the expanded data held in the data memory 12 (S11).
1). Further, the page buffer 22 discards the stored image data (S108).

If no matching identification code is registered in both the job management table and the developed data management table, the job management CONT 25 registers the identification code received by the NET-I / F 21 in the job management table ( S112). Here, for example, if the IOT 13 is performing output processing, the image data stored in the page buffer 22 will be in an output waiting state.
In the NT 25, the image data in the page buffer 22 is extracted and stored in the data memory 12.

When the output by the IOT 13 becomes possible, the job management CONT 25 extracts the identification code registered in the job management table in a predetermined order, and stores the image data corresponding to the identification code in the page buffer 22 or the data in the page buffer 22. It is taken out from the memory 12 and sent to the image development CONT 23. Then, the image expansion CONT 23 performs image expansion on the image data to generate expansion data,
13 outputs the expanded data on a recording medium.

Here, when the image expansion CONT 23 generates expansion data, the data memory 12 holds the expansion data. However, some of the expanded data are extremely likely to be output as visible images again, and some are not. Therefore, in the data memory 12, the image
All the expanded data generated in CONT23 are stored in data memory 1
Instead of storing the expanded data in the identification code CONT26 in accordance with the determination result (S1).
13) The decompressed data is held only when the instruction to hold the decompressed data is given (S114). As a result, only expanded data that is likely to be used again for outputting a visible image can be held, and the storage capacity of the data memory 12 can be effectively used.

At the same time as the data memory 12 holds the expanded data, the disc CONT 24 registers an identification code indicating the contents and attributes of the image data from which the expanded data was generated in the expanded data management table. .
Further, in the disk CONT24, according to the determination result of the information indicating the retention period of the expanded data in the identification code CONT26 (S115), if the retention period is specified, the storage period is registered in the expanded data management table (S1).
16). If the identification code does not indicate the holding period of the expanded data, the disk CONT 24 registers the holding period set in advance in the UI 11 as a default value in the expanded data management table (S117). As a result, the expanded data held in the data memory 12 becomes TIME
When it is measured in R 29 that the retention period (for example, one week) registered in the development data management table has elapsed, the disk CONT 24 automatically discards the data.

As described above, in this output device 1, NE
When the identification code received together with the image data at the T-I / F 21 is identified by the identification code CONT 26 as being the same as the identification code registered in the job management table or the development data management table, the job management CONT 25 performs the identification. The job schedule is managed so that the output to the code is performed using the image data or the development data already stored in the page buffer 22 or the data memory 12. As a result, even if the image data is input separately, the contents thereof, that is, the identification codes are the same, and the previously input image data or the expanded data generated from this image data is held. Then, the output for the image data input later is performed using the image data or the development data already stored.

Therefore, in the output device 1, even if the same image data is separately input, the image expansion in the image expansion CONT 23 or the image data and It is not necessary to perform processing required for outputting this image data as a visible image, such as data transfer. Further, since there is no need to perform processing on the image data input later, the apparatus is not occupied for a long time by image development or the like in the image development CONT23. Therefore, in the output device 1, the output efficiency of outputting a visible image is improved as compared with the related art, and the improvement of the throughput can be realized.

In the output device 1, the identification code CO
The disk CONT 24 and the TIMER 29 manage the retention period of the expanded data according to the determination result in the NT 26 or the setting result in the UI 11. This is because the possibility of outputting the same image data is usually limited within a certain period, and by storing the expanded data in the data memory 12 only during that period, Twelve storage capacities can be effectively utilized.

Next, the output device 1 configured as described above
An operation example in which only the identification code is transmitted as a job from the host computer 2 will be described as a second operation example. This is an explanation according to the second aspect of the present invention. When the NET-I / F 21 receives the identification code from the host computer 2, the identification code
The CONT 26 recognizes the identification code as in the first operation example described above, and determines whether the same identification code is registered in the job management table or the development data management table.

If the same identification code is registered in the job management table or the development data management table, the identification code CONT 26
When registering the identification code received by the NET-I / F 21 in the job management table and outputting image data corresponding to the identification code, the page buffer 22
Alternatively, a request is made to use image data or expanded data held in the data memory 12. On the other hand, if the same identification code is not registered in the job management table or the development data management table, the e-mail CONT 28 sends this identification code to the host computer 2 that has transmitted the identification code received by the NET-I / F 21. Notify to transmit the image data corresponding to the code.

As described above, in the output device 1, even if only the identification code is transmitted from the host computer 2, the image data or the expansion data corresponding to the identification code is stored in the page buffer 22 or the data memory 12. , The identification code CONT 26 instructs the job management CONT 25 to output using the image data or the developed data. If the image data or the expanded data is not held, the e-mail CONT 28 requests the host computer 2 to transmit the image data corresponding to the transmitted identification code. Therefore, in the output device 1, as for the image data or the development data held in the page buffer 22 or the data memory 12, the visible image can be output only by inputting the identification code indicating the contents thereof. Therefore, there is no need to transmit image data between the host computer 2 and the output device 1 or to process the image data, and as a result, the output efficiency is improved,
In addition, an improvement in throughput can be realized.

Next, a description will be given, as a third operation example, of an operation example in which the contents registered in the job management table or the developed data management table are notified to the host computer 2 which is the output request source. This is an explanation according to the fourth aspect of the present invention. Host computer 2
When there is a job from, the identification code CONT26 recognizes the identification code as in the first or second operation example described above, and the same identification code is registered in the job management table or the development data management table. It is determined whether or not it has been performed.

If the same identification code is registered in the job management table or the development data management table, the e-mail CONT 28 sends the same identification code to the host computer 2 that has issued the output request. Notify that That is, the transmission source address and the output request job number of the same identification code are transmitted by e-mail. In this case, the job management CONT 25
May perform the processing described in the first operation example at the same time as the notification by the e-mail CONT 28, or may wait for an instruction from the host computer 2 receiving the notification by the e-mail CONT 28 to perform the first operation. The processing described in the example may be performed.

As described above, in the output device 1, if the image data or the development data necessary for outputting the job from the host computer 2 is held in the page buffer 22 or the data memory 12, the electronic mail CONT
28 notifies the host computer 2 of this fact. Therefore, in the output device 1, for example, when there is a job for separately outputting the same image data from a plurality of host computers 2 connected on the network 3, the host computer 2 that has issued the job later has a job. Is notified that the same image data or expanded data has already been input. Thus, the operator of the host computer 2 which has issued the job later determines whether or not it is necessary to execute the output for the job, for example, copies the output result of the previous job with a copying machine or the like, or If the output is sufficient, it can be determined whether the output is sufficient. As a result, if the operator determines that new output is not to be performed for image data that has already been input, it is possible to prevent the same visible image from being output many times, and to prevent the output device 1 Resources such as media can be effectively used.

Next, an operation example in the case where the output history information is utilized in the output device 1 of the present embodiment will be described as a fourth operation example with reference to the flowchart in FIG. This is an explanation according to the invention described in claims 5 and 6. When there is a job from the host computer 2, the output device 1 receives it at the NET-I / F 21 in the same manner as in the first operation example described above (S20).
1) Further, the image data is temporarily stored in the page buffer 22, and the identification code is recognized by the identification code CONT 26 (S202).

Here, the identification code CONT 26 compares the received identification code with the output history information stored in the data memory 12 (S203), and determines whether or not they match each other (S204). Data memory 12
If the output history information corresponding to is not stored, the output device 1 outputs the image data after registering the received identification code in the job management table as in the first operation example described above ( S205). When the output is completed, the identification code registered in the job management table is stored in the data memory 12 together with the output end time as output history information (S206). However,
When the data memory 12 stores the output history information, the disk CONT 24 sets the UI 11 as a default value in advance.
The storage period of the output history information set in the step is registered. As a result, the output history information stored in the data memory 12 is stored in the disk when the timer 29 measures that the storage period (for example, one month) has elapsed.
It is automatically discarded by CONT24.

If the same output history information is stored in the data memory 12, the same job has already been executed in the output device 1, and the e-mail CONT
At 28, the corresponding output history information is retrieved from the data memory 12, and is notified by e-mail to the host computer 2 that is the transmission source of the job (S207). That is,
The host computer 2 is notified of the request source of the already executed job, the output end time, and the like. And the identification code CONT
According to the recognition result at 26, if the identification code received by the NET-I / F 21 includes an instruction to not newly output image data when there is matching output history information, the page buffer 22 stores the image data. The existing image data is discarded (S208).

As described above, in the output device 1, the output history information indicating that the output of the visible image identical to the visible image output by the job has already been executed for the job from the host computer 2. Data memory 1
2, the electronic mail CONT 28 notifies the host computer 2 of the fact. Therefore, in the output device 1, for example, the already output visible image is copied by a copying machine or the like, or if the output of one copy is sufficient, the host computer 2 already outputs the visible image. If a new output is set not to be performed for the one for which the execution is performed, the same visible image can be prevented from being output many times, and the resources such as the output device 1 and the recording medium can be effectively used. Can be used.

Further, in the output device 1, the disk CONT 24 and the TIMER 29 manage the storage period of the output history information according to the setting result on the UI 11.
This is because the possibility of outputting the same image data is usually limited within a certain period, and by storing the output history information in the data memory 12 only during that period, The storage capacity of the memory 12 can be used effectively.

In the present embodiment, the host computer 2 adds an identification code when transmitting image data, and the identification code CONT 26 recognizes and determines the identification code. Has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be implemented even if the host computer 2 transmits only image data, and the identification code CONT 26 performs data analysis on the image data to identify the content of the image data. May identify the contents of the image data using other methods.

In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a printer connected to the host computer 2 has been described. However, the same applies to a case where the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine, a facsimile machine, or the like. The effect of can be obtained. However, unlike a printer, a digital copier or a facsimile machine receives expanded data expanded in a bitmap form as input data. Therefore, only this expanded data is output as new expanded data. Will be reused.

[0061]

As described above, in the output device of the present invention, even if the input data is separately input by the data input means, the data identification means determines that the contents of these input data are the same. If the input data previously identified or the expanded data generated from the input data is held in the data holding means, the image output means is input later according to the instruction of the data reuse means. The output for the input data is performed using the input data or expanded data held in the data holding means. Therefore, in this output device, even when the same input data is input separately, it is not necessary to perform processing such as image expansion on the input data input later, The device is not occupied for a long time. Therefore, in this output device, the output efficiency of outputting a visible image is improved as compared with the related art, and it is possible to improve the throughput.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an example of an embodiment of an output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the output device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a display screen when image data is input by a host computer connected to the output device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an identification code CONT in the output device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of outputting a visible image in the output device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of utilizing output history information in the output device of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 output device 2 host computer (upper device) 31 data input means 33 image output means 34 data identification means 35 data holding means 36 holding period setting means 37 data reuse means 38 data management means 39 transmission request means 40 held data notification means 41 Output history management means 42 Already output notification means 43 Storage period setting means

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-2-235668 (JP, A) JP-A-2-148095 (JP, A) JP-A-5-221043 (JP, A) JP-A-5-224846 (JP) JP-A-7-141132 (JP, A) JP-A-4-112059 (JP, A) JP-A-2-153422 (JP, A) JP-A-6-198984 (JP, A) JP-A-8-58176 (JP, A) JP-A-5-212916 (JP, A) JP-A-6-227058 (JP, A) JP-A-7-28611 (JP, A) A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 5/30 B41J 29/38 G06F 3/12

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image output means for outputting expanded data expanded in a bitmap form as a visible image, image data for generating the expanded data, and the image
Data input means for inputting an identification signal indicating the content of data; and the image data input by the data input means.
Image to generate expanded data expanded in bitmap form
Expansion means; data identification means for identifying the content of the identification signal input by the data input means; and designation of holding the expansion data by the data identification means.
If it is determined that the processing has been performed, the image
And data holding means for holding the expanded data generated I, newly input image data by the data discrimination means
Is held as expanded data in the data holding means.
If it is determined that the expanded data is
Output, and the newly input image data
The data is not held as expanded data in the data holding unit.
Is determined based on the newly input image data.
The developed data generated by the image developing means is
An output device comprising: a job management unit for outputting from an image output unit . 2. Expanded data expanded in a bitmap form
Image output means for outputting the image as a visible image, and an image output means connected to a higher-level device and transmitted from the higher-level device.
Open data or image data for generating the expanded data
Data input means for receiving data as input data, and contents of the input data input by the data input means
Data identification means for identifying the input data or the input data or
Is the data that holds the expanded data generated from the input data.
Data holding means and input data newly input by the data input means.
The input data volume is held in the data holding means stages
Contents or expansions held in the data holding means
Same as the contents of the input data from which the data was generated
If the data identification means identifies that there is a
Means for holding an output corresponding to input data input
Using input data or expanded data held in
Data instructing the image output means to perform
Means, when only an identification signal indicating the content of the input data is transmitted from the higher-level device, input data corresponding to the identification signal or expanded data generated from the input data is held in the data holding means; Data management means for instructing the data reuse means to output using the input data or expanded data if the data is held, and the data management means Transmission request means for requesting the higher-level device to transmit input data corresponding to the identification signal to the data input means when it is determined that the corresponding input data or expanded data is not held in the data holding means. It is characterized by comprising
Output device . Wherein said data holding means, based on the identification signal
Input during the retention period recognized by the data identification means.
3. The output device according to claim 1, wherein the output device holds expanded data generated from the data . 4. An output device for outputting expanded data expanded in a bitmap form as a visible image, wherein said expanded data is connected to a higher-level device as input data for outputting said visible image from said higher-level device. Alternatively, when image data for generating the expanded data is transmitted, data input means for inputting the input data by receiving the transmitted input data, and contents of the input data input to the data input means A data identification unit for identifying data, a data holding unit for holding input data input to the data input unit or expanded data generated from the input data, and a content of the input data newly input by the data input unit. Is the content of the input data held in the data holding means or the expansion held in the data holding means. If the data identification means identifies that the input data is the same as the content of the input data from which the data was generated, the same input data or the input data as to the higher-level device that transmitted the newly input input data An output device comprising: held data notifying means for notifying that expanded data is already held in the data holding means. 5. An image output means for outputting expanded data expanded in a bitmap form as a visible image, connected to a higher-level device, wherein the expanded data or the input data for outputting the visible image from the higher-level device. When image data for generating the expanded data is transmitted, data input means for inputting the input data by receiving the transmitted input data; and content of the input data input to the data input means. Data identification means for identification; output history management means for storing as output history information the content of input data which has already been output as the visible image by the image output means; and an input newly input by the data input means. The data identification unit identifies that the content of the data is the same as the output history information stored in the output history management unit. When, the output apparatus characterized by comprising a already output notification means for notifying that said already output of the input data for the newly transmitted upper apparatus received input data is performed. 6. The output device according to claim 5, further comprising a storage period setting unit for setting a period during which the output history management unit stores the output history information.