Abstract: Even if a band in which a development processing time is not in time corresponding to an image formation process is included in any of bands, a band developing process can be performed so as to be always set to a timing when a continuous image formation can be performed. To form images at a high throughput, a CPU analyzes print data received by a host I/F, and a band development schedule when an image to be formed on the basis of image data that is formed on a band unit basis is formed onto a recording medium through an intermediate transfer member is optimized on the basis of the development processing time which is previously predicted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which forms images onto a plurality of pages has prediction unit which predicts a development processing time to develop a band of intermediate data based on print data to a bit map image and a controller which switches from a first mode to form one page or second mode to form images of a plurality of pages depending on the prediction information calculated by the prediction device. Thus the throughput can be increased by controlling the print data and a band development schedule.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes an image forming unit which has an image carrier for holding an image, operates in a first image forming mode to form an image for a single page on the image carrier and in a second image forming mode to form images for a plurality of pages on the image carrier, and performs image formation in one of the first image forming mode and the second image forming mode. The printing apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving printing data from an external device, a unit for analyzing the printing data to obtain image data and image forming condition information in units of page, and a control unit for selecting one of the first image forming mode and the second image forming mode depending on the image forming condition information, thereby rendering the image formation to be performed in the selected mode. A control method for the printing apparatus and a computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for the printing apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: When a status change of a printer engine occurs, a status change signal is output to an image data output apparatus. In response to input of the status change signal, the image data output apparatus inquires or confirms the printer engine what kind of status change occurs so that processing to compensate for the status change will be subject to image data to be output to the printer engine.

Abstract: In a printer apparatus having an automatic paper feed selection function for automatically selecting one of a plurality of paper feed means in which a paper of a designated size is loaded, an operator is permitted to set a desired priority. When there are a plurality of paper feed means in which the paper of the designated size are loaded, the paper feed means of a higher priority is selected to cause the selected paper feed means to feed the paper for printing. The priority may be set to groups each comprising a plurality of paper feed means. When there are a plurality of paper feed means in one group in which the paper of the designated size are loaded, the paper is fed from predetermined paper feed means. When no paper is loaded in a paper feed cassette of the paper feed means from which the paper is to be fed, one of a plurality of operation modes relating to a timing to inform it may be selected by the operator.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided with a main body including a video controller, having video signal generation device for generating a video signal from image information based on a recording command from an external apparatus and control device, and with a supervisory controller including optional unit control device for controlling at least an optional unit connectable to the main body. The video controller includes a process time informing device for informing the supervisory controller of an image development process time, and the supervisory controller includes a paper transport time memory for storing the paper transport time from the optional paper feed source to the entrance of the printing apparatus, a comparator for comparing the process time informed by the process time informing device with the paper transport time stored in the paper transport time memory, and a paper feed source changing device for changing the paper feed source in case the comparator identifies that the process time is shorter.

Abstract: An image forming system provided with a printer engine and a controller which communicates with the printer engine over a serial communication interface. The controller receives a condition change signal from the printer engine over a dedicated signal line, which is outputted by the printer when the condition of the printer engine changes. The identity of the condition that has changed is then communicated over the serial communication interface. Further, the controller designates one of a plurality of kinds of condition changes, in response to which the condition change signal is outputted, according to the conditions of the controller or the image forming system.

Abstract: Whether the number of prints is equal to or larger than a predetermined number or not is judged. Whether the total number of pages in a job is equal to an odd number or not is judged. When the total number of prints is equal to or larger than the predetermined number and when the total number of pages is equal to the odd number, the printer controller controls in a manner such that a final paper is fed by only a first feed and an image is printed to only the first side of the paper and the paper is ejected out. In the case where the total number of prints is less than the predetermined number and the total number of pages is equal to the odd number, the printer controller controls in a manner such that the final paper is fed by the first feed and an image is printed to the first side of the paper and, subsequently, the paper is fed by a second feed and an image is printed to a second side of the paper on the basis of blank page data and the paper is ejected out.

Abstract: In order to avoid a data underflow situation in a printing apparatus capable of generating second data such as bit map data from first data with a limited bit map memory capacity, the printing apparatus is provided with a discriminating unit for discriminating whether a memory for storing the second data can be secured, and a selecting unit for selecting either a first mode for generating the second data with a first resolving power or a second mode for generating the second data with a second resolving power lower than the first resolving power, according to the result of discrimination.

Abstract: When an optional unit (40, 50) is mounted, a video controller (27) serving as main control unit sends various control commands to a supervising controller (101) through an interface (114). The supervising controller (101) controls an engine controller (26) through an interface (29) while controlling the optional unit (40, 50) in accordance with the received control commands, thereby recording an image. When no optional unit is mounted (when the optional units 32, 40, 50 are absent), the video controller (27) directly controls the engine controller (26) through an interface (28), thereby recording an image. With the above arrangement, the supervising controller (101) serving as a control unit associated with optional units can be attached/detached.

Abstract: A half-tone image recorder in which input digital data is represented by a plurality of bit data for each pixel. A data conversion device outputs digital data indicative of a recording-start position and a recording-end position, based on the input digital data. A recording device such as a laser printer records an image in accordance with the output digital data from the data conversion device. The data conversion device controls a first value of the digital data indicative of the recording-start position and a second value of the digital data indicative of the recording-end position so as to change a black-area growing direction within one pixel in the recorded image. This results in the recordation of a high-quality half-tone image without conspicuous vertical stripes and without conspicuous white stripes in the main-scanning direction of the recording device due to pitch irregularity.

Abstract: On the basis of inputted multivalued image data, direction of growth is decided from a density pattern having a plurality of growth directions and a density pattern is caused to grow based upon the growth direction that has been decided. As a result, character images are formed sharply and high-quality half-tone images exhibiting reduced density irregularity can be produced.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus in which a density pattern is generated which corresponds to input image data. Growth direction of the density pattern is controlled by generating a density pattern in a prescribed direction, and generating a density pattern in a direction based on a random signal. As a result, when printing the image data based on the generated density patterns, there is no joining between adjacent pixels and a high-quality image is produced.