Abstract: A raster image conversion device is inputted with printing data and converts this printing data into raster image data to be outputted to a printing device. A storage unit stores printing environment data stipulating conditions for converting the printing data into the raster image data. An operating unit sets or edits the printing environment data. A conversion processing unit converts the printing data into the raster image data, based on the printing environment data. The printing environment data includes printing template information having a plurality of printing slots. The operating unit comprises an operating mode enabling the printing template information to be generated or edited. The conversion processing unit is inputted with or creates printing data made up of a plurality of pages, and, based on the printing template information, allocates a printing position and printing range of each page of the printing data to the printing slots.

Abstract: An image data creating device includes a converter that converts first image data defined by an input signal value to second image data defined by an output signal value of a CMYK color space, and a changer that changes, in forming a mixed color represented by mixing at least two of a cyan ink, a magenta ink, a yellow ink, and a black ink, based on the second image data, the second image data such that at least a portion of the cyan ink, the magenta ink, the yellow ink, and the black ink is replaced with a first special color ink that has a first special color that is a color other than cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

Abstract: A printer system flexibly adaptable to various printer languages. The printer system combines a printer device and at least one data processing device. The data processing device and the printer device respectively have an intermediate code generating element for generating the intermediate code compatible with the print data and an intermediate code rasterization element for rasterizing the generated intermediate code into print image information. The printer device further has a printing element for controlling print image information rasterized by an intermediate code rasterization element and prints on the basis of stored print image information. An intermediate code generating element analyzes print data described in a language not corresponding to the intermediate code generating element of the printer device.

Abstract: When a plurality of development units holding toner of the same color are mounted in an image formation device, an error or warning or the like is displayed on the image formation device or the error or warning is outputted to a host on the basis of the total amount of toner remaining in the plurality of development units. In addition, printing is executed continuously even when a certain toner has run out or is about to run out. An image formation device in which a plurality of development units holding toner of the same color can be mounted is characterized in that the remaining amount of all the toner of the development units holding toner of the same color is managed.

Abstract: When a plurality of development units holding toner of the same color are mounted in an image formation device, an error or warning or the like is displayed on the image formation device or the error or warning is outputted to a host on the basis of the total amount of toner remaining in the plurality of development units. In addition, printing is executed continuously even when a certain toner has run out or is about to run out. An image formation device in which a plurality of development units holding toner of the same color can be mounted is characterized in that the remaining amount of all the toner of the development units holding toner of the same color is managed.

Abstract: The present invention is a printer controller furnished with a processor for exclusively executing a first task (printing task) for controlling a print engine, a second task (communication task) for controlling communication with host computers, and a third task (language task) for generating image data. These tasks are assigned priorities of execution in the order of the printing task, the communication task, and the language task. When there is a request for the execution of a task with a higher priority during the execution of a task with a lower priority, the processor executes the higher priority task whose execution has been requested instead of the lower priority task currently being executed. Therefore, the processor is able to execute the communication task, language task, and printing task with no conflict.

Abstract: A printer includes an intermediate code preparation section that converts print data into intermediate codes for each band, and the thus-converted intermediate code is stored in memory. The intermediate code is expanded to bit-map data, and the bit-map data are transferred to a print engine. An expansion time measurement section measures the time required for expanding the intermediate code for each band. A comparison-and-determination section determines, for each band, whether or not the time required for expanding the intermediate code into the bit-map data exceeds a threshold value, thereby preparing a band management table. With regard to only the bands which exceed a threshold value, an expansion management table is prepared by copying the band management table. The expansion management table is converted into a sorted expansion management table in which bands are sorted in descending order of expansion time.

Abstract: An intermediate code generating section generates intermediate codes corresponding to a print job on a rectangular block basis, the print job being received by a receiving section, arranges the intermediate codes generated on a rectangular block basis either in a lengthwise direction or in a widthwise direction of a page, and stores the arranged intermediate codes on a band basis in an intermediate code memory, the rectangular block being a square. An actual image data generating section generates actual image data by extracting the intermediate codes on a band basis from the intermediate code memory. In generating the actual image data, if the initially set direction of a page is changed, a direction in which to generate bits forming an intermediate code within each rectangular block having been generated is rotated by 90.degree. and rectangular blocks, each forming an intermediate code, are extracted on a band basis, the band extending in the other direction of the page.