Abstract: A printing control apparatus of the present invention uses plural expansion processing units which expand printing data of a predetermined format to image data of a format to be output to a printer, by a segment. Before expansion processing to the printing data of one page is performed, a processing time necessary to expand the printing data to the image data is calculated for each segment. The expansion processing for each segment by the plural expansion processing units is scheduled based on the calculated processing time.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus of the present invention uses plural expansion processing units which expand printing data of a predetermined format to image data of a format to be output to a printer, by a segment. Before expansion processing to the printing data of one page is performed, a processing time necessary to expand the printing data to the image data is calculated for each segment. The expansion processing for each segment by the plural expansion processing units is scheduled based on the calculated processing time.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus of the present invention uses plural expansion processing units which expand printing data of a predetermined format to image data of a format to be output to a printer, by a segment. Before expansion processing to the printing data of one page is performed, a processing time necessary to expand the printing data to the image data is calculated for each segment. The expansion processing for each segment by the plural expansion processing units is scheduled based on the calculated processing time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarization separation element comprising a first array of prisms having a wedge-shaped cross-section, and a second array of prisms also having a wedge-shaped cross section. One of the prism arrays is an array of birefringent prisms. The present invention also provides a polarization conversion system having a polarization separation element of the above type for directing light having a first polarization in a first direction and for directing light having a second polarization different from the first polarization in a second direction different from the first direction; and one or more polarization conversion elements for converting light having the first and second polarizations to light having a substantially common output polarization. The polarization conversion system of the invention is suitable for use in a projection display system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarization separation element comprising a first array of prisms having a wedge-shaped cross-section, and a second array of prisms also having a wedge-shaped cross section. One of the prism arrays is an array of birefringent prisms.

Abstract: A printer according to this invention simultaneously performs image data generation and output in units of bands constituting one page. It is inconvenient to finish image data generation before output of the image data. Each band having a necessary rendering time longer than an output time of one band is picked up in advance. It is determined whether the memory capacity used is smaller in pre-rendering the picked bands or in simply increasing the number of band memories, thereby determining an optimal rendering schedule.

Abstract: Printing data is managed per band in the form of intermediate band and is output through a banding process. The bands which are estimated to undergo print overrun are subject to rendering before execution of printing out, by reserving temporary band rasters. When the temporary band rasters cannot be secured because of deficiency of the memory vacant capacity, the bands are managed in the form of compressed data by rendering and compressing the intermediate data using a normal band raster. When rendering of additional printing data is required for the compressed data, the compressed data is restored to the normal band raster, following which both the additional print data and the compressed data are subject to rendering and then compression again. If memory deadlock occurs, all the bands are compressed by selecting suitable one of plural compression types.

Abstract: A memory management method for use in a printing process in which a time required for rendering is calculated, for managing printing data in units of band, calculating a size of the printing data in a memory, managing plural band rasters, varying the number of band rasters to be managed in the memory, converting an image to data for management, determining in accordance with a memory state whether or not data conversion is performed, and calculating a data size in the memory after the data conversion.

Abstract: A print control device allows image data to be generated from intermediate data and printed by a printing unit. The print control device comprises generating means for generating image data from intermediate data memorized in an intermediate buffer, a band raster buffer for memorizing said image data generated by said generating means, a cache buffer for allowing cache of said image data generated by said generating means, and control means for reserving said intermediate buffer for memorizing said intermediate data by extending said band raster buffer to a full-raster buffer of one page or deleting said cache buffer, when the capacity of said intermediate buffer is insufficient.

Abstract: A print control device allows image data to be generated from intermediate data and printed by a printing unit. The print control device comprises generating means for generating image data from intermediate data memorized in an intermediate buffer, a band raster buffer for memorizing said image data generated by said generating means, a cache buffer for allowing cache of said image data generated by said generating means, and control means for reserving said intermediate buffer for memorizing said intermediate data by extending said band raster buffer to a full-raster buffer of one page or deleting said cache buffer, when the capacity of said intermediate buffer is insufficient.

Abstract: An output control apparatus is interposed between a host computer for generating data and a printer, and controls the printer. The control apparatus includes a plurality of data generators, a discriminator, a controller and a notifying device. The data generators interpret a plurality of printer languages and perform control processing. The discriminator analyzes received data and specifies by which of the plurality of data generators control based upon the received data is to be carried out. The controller, in a case where one data generator is not specified by the discriminator and an error resulting from interpretation failure occurs during the course of processing by one data generator selected under prescribed conditions, causes the discriminator to re-execute processing based upon data in which the interpretation failure occurred. The notifying device notifies of a request for re-transmission of data in a case where one of the data generators is specified anew by the controller.

Abstract: A print control device allows image data to be generated from intermediate data and printed by a printing unit. The print control device comprises generating means for generating image data from intermediate data memorized in an intermediate buffer, a band raster buffer for memorizing said image data generated by said generating means, a cache buffer for allowing cache of said image data generated by said generating means, and control means for reserving said intermediate buffer for memorizing said intermediate data by extending said band raster buffer to a full-raster buffer of one page or deleting said cache buffer, when the capacity of said intermediate buffer is insufficient.